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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
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Videomorphometric Analysis of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction of Intra-pulmonary Arteries Using Murine Precision Cut Lung Slices
Published on: January 14, 2014
AMP-activated protein kinase and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
Tom P Robertson1, Kirsteen J W Mustard, Tristan H Lewis
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Comparative Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-7389, USA.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|August 16, 2008
Summary
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, crucial for lung function, involves AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Inhibiting AMPK with compound C blocked this response, confirming AMPK
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is vital for lung ventilation-perfusion matching.
- The precise molecular mechanisms of HPV remain incompletely understood.
- AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is implicated in HPV regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of AMPK in HPV.
- To determine the effect of the AMPK inhibitor compound C on HPV.
- To examine AMPK substrate phosphorylation in pulmonary arteries.
Main Methods:
- Used rat isolated intrapulmonary arteries.
- Measured acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation.
- Administered hypoxia, AICAR, and compound C.
Main Results:
- Hypoxia and AICAR increased acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation.
- Compound C significantly attenuated hypoxia- and AICAR-induced phosphorylation.
- Compound C inhibited phase II of HPV and AICAR-induced constriction.
Conclusions:
- AMPK activation is a key event in initiating the pulmonary arterial contractile response to acute hypoxia.
- Selective inhibition of AMPK signaling cascades provides definitive proof of its role in HPV.
- Findings support targeting AMPK for therapeutic interventions in pulmonary vascular diseases.
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