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Activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes elicit endothelium-dependent contraction in isolated pig coronary

T Murohara1, K Kugiyama, S Sugiyama

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.

Insights

Activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) cause contraction in pig coronary arteries. This effect is mediated by superoxide anions from PMNL, which inactivate nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelium.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Immunology
  • Endothelial Biology

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play a role in inflammation and vascular responses.
  • Endothelial cells regulate vascular tone through various signaling pathways, including nitric oxide (NO).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between activated human PMNL and endothelial regulation of pig coronary artery tone.
  • To determine the mechanisms underlying PMNL-induced vascular contractions.

Main Methods:

  • Isometric tension measurements in isolated pig coronary artery rings.
  • Incubation with opsonized zymosan-activated human PMNL.
  • Assessment of the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), AA-861, and indomethacin.
  • Measurement of PMNL oxygen free radical release via luminol-dependent chemiluminescence.

Main Results:

  • Activated PMNL induced a dose-dependent contraction in prostaglandin F2 alpha-precontracted coronary artery rings.
  • The contraction was significantly attenuated by SOD but not by catalase.
  • Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or endothelial removal abolished the PMNL-induced contraction.
  • PMNL-induced contraction correlated positively with oxygen free radical release.

Conclusions:

  • Activated human PMNL elicit endothelium-dependent contractions in isolated pig coronary arteries.
  • The contraction is mediated by superoxide anions released from PMNL, which inactivate endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide).

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