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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Screening Assays to Characterize Novel Endothelial Regulators Involved in the Inflammatory Response
Published on: September 15, 2017
Overexpression of CuZn-SOD prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced endothelial dysfunction
Sean P Didion1, Dale A Kinzenbaw, Pamela E Fegan
1Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Center, University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1081, USA.
Background And Purpose:
Inflammation is thought to be a major contributor to carotid artery disease. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates inflammatory mechanisms thought to contribute to endothelial dysfunction by mechanisms that are not well defined. The goal of this study was to determine whether overexpression of CuZn-SOD protects against LPS-induced increases in superoxide and endothelial dysfunction.
Methods:
Carotid arteries from CuZn-SOD transgenic (SOD-Tg) and nontransgenic (non-Tg) littermates were examined in vitro. Superoxide levels were measured using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence.
Results:
In non-Tg mice, LPS (0.5 microg/mL for 22 hours) produced marked impairment of vasorelaxation in response to the endothelium-dependent dilator acetylcholine (ACh). For example, 100 micromol/L ACh relaxed carotid arteries from non-Tg mice by 86+/-6% and 38+/-8% after treatment with vehicle and LPS, respectively. In contrast, LPS did not significantly impair responses of carotid artery to ACh in SOD-Tg mice, and LPS had no effect on relaxation responses to the endothelium-independent dilator nitroprusside in carotid artery from non-Tg or SOD-Tg mice. LPS-induced increases in superoxide, as measured using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, were higher in vessels from non-Tg mice than from SOD-Tg mice.
Conclusions:
These results indicate that LPS increases superoxide and impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation. Overexpression of the CuZn isoform of SOD effectively prevents LPS-induced oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in the carotid artery.
