The long-range goal of our laboratory is to describe meaningful elements of the mechanotransduction process in endothelial cells to further understand the role of hemodynamics in atherosclerosis. Our proposal will test the specific idea that caveolae are sites for the formation of a mechanosensory signaling complex which serves to coordinate biomechanical inputs and induce signaling events that modify endothelial cell structure and function. The working hypothesis is that shear stress-induced mechanotransduction involves a caveolae-based mechanosensory signaling complex that forms when mechanically sensitive integrins translocate to caveolae. We will test this hypothesis by using subcellular fractionation and immunoelectron microscopic techniques to track the distribution of activated integrins following shear stress. We hypothesize that the functional significance of integrin transposition to caveolae is to allow integrins to association with downstream signaling partners. Specifically, integrins associate with a caveolae-based phospho-caveolin/Src/Csk complex which governs RhoA activity and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton and inhibition of cell cycle in response to shear stress. To test this hypothesis, endothelial cell cultures will be pretreated with integrin inhibiting antibodies, Csk siRNA and caveolin-1 phospho-peptide prior to shear stress. Additionally, specific reduction of caveolae through siRNA knockdown of caveolin-1 and cholesterol sequestering compounds will be used to evaluate the role of rafts/caveolae in integrin-mediated mechanotransduction. In vitro results will be validated in caveolin-1 null mice. Integrins also regulate shear-induced NO production. However, our understanding of how integrin-mediated mechanotransduction processes elicit specific cellular responses to fluid mechanical forces is unclear. We propose that signal specificity is conferred through integrin association with caveolae domains containing specific subsets of signaling molecules which are segregated between focal contacts and the luminal cell surface. Here, we will examine eNOS activity at the luminal surface and within purified caveolae in endothelial cells pretreated with integrin blocking antibodies. We propose that integrins expressed on the luminal endothelial cell surface translocate to caveolae following shear stress where they interact with a SFK/caveolin/PI3-Kinase/Akt complex to activate eNOS.

Public Health Relevance

The development of plaques within a blood vessel can impede normal blood flow to organs such as the heart and brain and lead to heart attack or stroke, respectively. Interestingly, atherosclerotic plaques are most often found where blood vessels bifurcate. The flow of blood within these regions is chaotic and turbulent, which alters the normal functioning of the cells which line the blood vessel wall, called endothelial cells. The long-range goal of our research is to understand the role of hemodynamics in atherosclerosis and describe meaningful elements of the mechanotransduction process in endothelial cells. The rationale that underlies this research is that, once a clear understanding of the mechanotransduction pathways is achieved, relevant components may be targeted to attenuate plaque formation in hemodynamic sensitive areas of the vasculature.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL086551-02
Application #
7673822
Study Section
Vascular Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (VCMB)
Program Officer
Hasan, Ahmed AK
Project Start
2008-08-15
Project End
2013-06-30
Budget Start
2009-07-01
Budget End
2010-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$375,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Temple University
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
057123192
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19122
Andrews, Allison M; Rizzo, Victor (2016) Microparticle-Induced Activation of the Vascular Endothelium Requires Caveolin-1/Caveolae. PLoS One 11:e0149272
Obama, Takashi; Tsuji, Toshiyuki; Kobayashi, Tomonori et al. (2015) Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor protects against abdominal aortic aneurysm in a mouse model. Clin Sci (Lond) 128:559-65
Takayanagi, Takehiko; Crawford, Kevin J; Kobayashi, Tomonori et al. (2014) Caveolin 1 is critical for abdominal aortic aneurysm formation induced by angiotensin II and inhibition of lysyl oxidase. Clin Sci (Lond) 126:785-94
Yang, Baohua; Rizzo, Victor (2013) Shear Stress Activates eNOS at the Endothelial Apical Surface Through ?1 Containing Integrins and Caveolae. Cell Mol Bioeng 6:346-354
Makarewich, Catherine A; Correll, Robert N; Gao, Hui et al. (2012) A caveolae-targeted L-type Caýý+ channel antagonist inhibits hypertrophic signaling without reducing cardiac contractility. Circ Res 110:669-74
Takaguri, Akira; Shirai, Heigoro; Kimura, Keita et al. (2011) Caveolin-1 negatively regulates a metalloprotease-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation by angiotensin II. J Mol Cell Cardiol 50:545-51
Yang, Baohua; Radel, Chris; Hughes, Dalton et al. (2011) p190 RhoGTPase-activating protein links the ?1 integrin/caveolin-1 mechanosignaling complex to RhoA and actin remodeling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 31:376-83
Rizzo, Victor (2009) Enhanced interstitial flow as a contributing factor in neointima formation: (shear) stressing vascular wall cell types other than the endothelium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 297:H1196-7