The acute chest syndrome is initiated by lung inflammation that induces increased adhesion of sickled red blood cells to pulmonary microvascular endothelium. Emerging evidence indicates the interaction between red blood cells and endothelium is dynamic. While in the non-inflamed state perfusion is facilitated by anti-adhesive proteins expressed on the endothelial surface, in the inflamed state vaso-occlusion is partly caused by upregulation of adhesive proteins such as P-selectin and release of von Willebrand factor (v W f) from microvascular endothelium. The secretory organelle in endothelium is the WeibeI-Palade body, a structure unique to this cell type. In the inflamed circulation thrombin and other Gq-linked neurohumoral inflammatory mediators increase endothelial cell cytosolic calcium, and this rise in cytosolic calcium is sufficient to cause rapid translocation of WeibeI-Palade bodies to the plasmalemma for v W f secretion and P-selectin up-regulation. Specific calcium entry pathways that stimulate v W f secretion and P-selectin up-regulation remain incompletely understood, particularly in microvascular endothelial cells obtained from the prominent site of vaso-occlusion. Preliminary studies suggest that lung microvascular endothelial cells express T-type, voltage-activated calcium channels which promote a pro-coagulant endothelial phenotype during inflammation. In this proposal, we will test the overall HYPOTHESIS that calcium entry through T-type calcium channels is an important amplification step in release of vWf and up-regulation of P-selectin from lung microvascular endothelium that promotes the retention of sickled red blood cells. The hypothesis will be explored using lung microvascular endothelial cells in culture and an isolated rat lung model, in which the role of the T channel to red blood cell retention can be assessed under flow conditions.
The SPECIFIC AIMS test the hypotheses that: [1] Lung microvascular endothelial cells express a T-type calcium channel that is activated by Gq-linked neurohumoral inflammatory mediators, and [2] Activation of T-type calcium channels promotes the release of v W f and up-regulation of P-selectin from lung microvascular endothelial cells important for vaso-occlusion. It is hoped completion of these studies will improve our understanding of mechanisms that regulate erythrocyte-endothelial adherence so that effective therapies can be developed for treatment of sickle cell anemia, as well as other vascular thrombosis disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL074116-02
Application #
6867413
Study Section
Respiratory Physiology Study Section (RESP)
Program Officer
Denholm, Elizabeth M
Project Start
2004-04-01
Project End
2009-03-31
Budget Start
2005-04-01
Budget End
2006-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$255,500
Indirect Cost
Name
University of South Alabama
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
172750234
City
Mobile
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
36688
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Lu, Fengmin; Chen, Hairu; Zhou, Chun et al. (2008) T-type Ca2+ channel expression in human esophageal carcinomas: a functional role in proliferation. Cell Calcium 43:49-58
Zhou, Chun; Chen, Hairu; Lu, Fengmin et al. (2007) Cav3.1 (alpha1G) controls von Willebrand factor secretion in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 292:L833-44
Zhou, Chun; Wu, Songwei (2006) T-type calcium channels in pulmonary vascular endothelium. Microcirculation 13:645-56
Pastukh, Viktor; Wu, Songwei; Ricci, Craig et al. (2005) Reversal of hyperglycemic preconditioning by angiotensin II: role of calcium transport. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 288:H1965-75