Bioenergetic effects of hydrogen sulfide suppress soluble Flt-1 and soluble endoglin in cystathionine gamma-lyase compromised endothelial cells

Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 25;10(1):15810. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-72371-2.

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication of pregnancy characterised by hypertension and elevated soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1). Dysregulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by inhibition of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) increases sFlt-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng) release. We explored whether compromise in CSE/H2S pathway is linked to dysregulation of the mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative status. We investigated whether these effects were linked to CSE-induced sFlt-1 and sEng production in endothelial cells. Here, we demonstrate that CSE/H2S pathway sustain endothelial mitochondrial bioenergetics and loss of CSE increases the production of mitochondrial-specific superoxide. As a compensatory effect, low CSE environment enhances the reliance on glycolysis. The mitochondrial-targeted H2S donor, AP39, suppressed the antiangiogenic response and restored the mitochondrial bioenergetics in endothelial cells. AP39 revealed that upregulation of sFlt-1, but not sEng, is independent of the mitochondrial H2S metabolising enzyme, SQR. These data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms for antiangiogenic upregulation in a mitochondrial-driven environment. Targeting H2S to the mitochondria may be of therapeutic benefit in the prevention of endothelial dysfunction associated with preeclampsia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants / pharmacology
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / genetics
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / metabolism*
  • Endoglin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Endoglin / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology*
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Endoglin
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • FLT1 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1
  • Cystathionine gamma-Lyase
  • Hydrogen Sulfide