Thrombospondin-1 supports blood pressure by limiting eNOS activation and endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), via its necessary receptor CD47, inhibits nitric oxide (NO)-stimulated soluble guanylate cyclase activation in vascular smooth muscle cells, and TSP1-null mice have increased shear-dependent blood flow compared with wild-type mice. Yet, the endothelial basement membrane should in theory function as a barrier to diffusion of soluble TSP1 into the arterial smooth muscle cell layer. These findings suggested that endothelial-dependent differences in blood flow in TSP1-null mice may be the result of direct modulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation by circulating TSP1. Here we tested the hypothesis that TSP1 inhibits eNOS activation and endothelial-dependent arterial relaxation.

Acetylcholine (ACh)-stimulated activation of eNOS and agonist-driven calcium transients in endothelial cells were inhibited by TSP1. TSP1 also inhibited eNOS phosphorylation at serine(1177). TSP1 treatment of the endothelium of wild-type and TSP1-null but not CD47-null arteries inhibited ACh-stimulated relaxation. TSP1-null vessels demonstrated greater endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation compared with the wild type. Conversely, TSP1-null arteries demonstrated less vasoconstriction to phenylephrine compared with the wild type, which was corrected upon inhibition of eNOS. In TSP1-null mice, intravenous TSP1 blocked ACh-stimulated decreases in blood pressure, and both intravenous TSP1 and a CD47 agonist antibody acutely elevated blood pressure in mice.

TSP1, via CD47, inhibits eNOS activation and endothelial-dependent arterial relaxation and limits ACh-driven decreases in blood pressure. Conversely, intravenous TSP1 and a CD47 antibody increase blood pressure. These findings suggest that circulating TSP1, by limiting endogenous NO production, functions as a pressor agent supporting blood pressure.