VEGF-A inhibits agonist-mediated Ca2+ responses and activation of IKCa channels in mouse resistance artery endothelial cells

Xi Ye, Taylor Beckett, Pooneh Bagher, Christopher J. Garland, Kim A. Dora

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Key points: Prolonged exposure to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) inhibits agonist-mediated endothelial cell Ca2+ release and subsequent activation of intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (IKCa) channels, which underpins vasodilatation as a result of endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) in mouse resistance arteries. Signalling via mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) downstream of VEGF-A was required to attenuate endothelial cell Ca2+ responses and the EDH-vasodilatation mediated by IKCa activation. VEGF-A exposure did not modify vasodilatation as a result of the direct activation of IKCa channels, nor the pattern of expression of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 within endothelial cells of resistance arteries. These results indicate a novel role for VEGF-A in resistance arteries and suggest a new avenue for investigation into the role of VEGF-A in cardiovascular diseases. Abstract: Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a potent permeability and angiogenic factor that is also associated with the remodelling of the microvasculature. Elevated VEGF-A levels are linked to a significant increase in the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction, although it is unclear how VEGF-A has a detrimental, disease-related effect. Small resistance arteries are central determinants of peripheral resistance and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) is the predominant mechanism by which these arteries vasodilate. Using isolated, pressurized resistance arteries, we demonstrate that VEGF-A acts via VEGF receptor-2 (R2) to inhibit both endothelial cell (EC) Ca2+ release and the associated EDH vasodilatation mediated by intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (IKCa) channels. Importantly, VEGF-A had no direct effect against IKCa channels. Instead, the inhibition was crucially reliant on the downstream activation of the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2). The distribution of EC inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor-1 (R1) was not affected by exposure to VEGF-A and we propose an inhibition of IP3R1 through the MEK pathway, probably via ERK1/2. Inhibition of EC Ca2+ via VEGFR2 has profound implications for EDH-mediated dilatation of resistance arteries and could provide a mechanism by which elevated VEGF-A contributes towards cardiovascular dysfunction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3553-3566
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Physiology
Volume596
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 15 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • endothelial cell calcium
  • endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor
  • MEK
  • vasodilation
  • VEGF-A

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology

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