Murine prolylcarboxypeptidase depletion induces vascular dysfunction with hypertension and faster arterial thrombosis

Blood. 2011 Apr 7;117(14):3929-37. doi: 10.1182/blood-2010-11-318527. Epub 2011 Feb 4.

Abstract

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) activates prekallikrein to plasma kallikrein, leading to bradykinin liberation, and degrades angiotensin II. We now identify PRCP as a regulator of blood vessel homeostasis. β-Galactosidase staining in PRCP(gt/gt) mice reveals expression in kidney and vasculature. Invasive telemetric monitorings show that PRCP(gt/gt) mice have significantly elevated blood pressure. PRCP(gt/gt) mice demonstrate shorter carotid artery occlusion times in 2 models, and their plasmas have increased thrombin generation times. Pharmacologic inhibition of PRCP with Z-Pro-Prolinal or plasma kallikrein with soybean trypsin inhibitor, Pro-Phe-Arg-chloromethylketone or PKSI 527 also shortens carotid artery occlusion times. Aortic and renal tissues have uncoupled eNOS and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PRCP(gt/gt) mice as detected by dihydroethidium or Amplex Red fluorescence or lucigenin luminescence. The importance of ROS is evidenced by the fact that treatment of PRCP(gt/gt) mice with antioxidants (mitoTEMPO, apocynin, Tempol) abrogates the hypertensive, prothrombotic phenotype. Mechanistically, our studies reveal that PRCP(gt/gt) aortas express reduced levels of Kruppel-like factors 2 and 4, thrombomodulin, and eNOS mRNA, suggesting endothelial cell dysfunction. Further, PRCP siRNA treatment of endothelial cells shows increased ROS and uncoupled eNOS and decreased protein C activation because of thrombomodulin inactivation. Collectively, our studies identify PRCP as a novel regulator of vascular ROS and homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / drug effects
  • Blood Vessels / metabolism
  • Blood Vessels / physiopathology
  • Carboxypeptidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Carboxypeptidases / genetics*
  • Carboxypeptidases / physiology
  • Carotid Artery Thrombosis / complications
  • Carotid Artery Thrombosis / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / genetics*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • RNA Interference / physiology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Thrombin Time
  • Time Factors
  • Vascular Diseases / complications
  • Vascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Vascular Diseases / physiopathology

Substances

  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Carboxypeptidases
  • lysosomal Pro-X carboxypeptidase