Decreased collagen VI in the tunica media of pulmonary vessels during exposure to hypoxia: a novel step in pulmonary arterial remodeling

0507578 - FGÚ 2020 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Žaloudíková, M. - Eckhardt, Adam - Vytášek, R. - Uhlík, J. - Novotný, T. - Bačáková, Lucie - Musílková, Jana - Hampl, V.
Decreased collagen VI in the tunica media of pulmonary vessels during exposure to hypoxia: a novel step in pulmonary arterial remodeling.
Pulmonary Circulation. Roč. 9, č. 3 (2019), č. článku 2045894019860747. ISSN 2045-8932. E-ISSN 2045-8940
R&D Projects: GA MZd(CZ) NV17-31564A
Institutional support: RVO:67985823
Keywords : pulmonary arterial remodeling * collagen VI * tunica media * smooth muscle cells * hypoxic pulmonary hypertension
OECD category: Respiratory systems
Impact factor: 2.205, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.1177/2045894019860747

The development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is characterized by the structural remodeling of pulmonary arteries. However, the relationship between changes of arterial cells and the extracellular matrix remains unclear. We focused on the evaluation of the non-fibrillar collagen changes in tunica media induced by a four-day exposure to hypoxia and the correlation of these changes with the pulmonary arterial wall structure modifications. We used 20 adult male Wistar rats. The amount and localization of collagen VI, collagen IV, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, and MMP9 were tested in pulmonary arteries immunohistochemically. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were used for the subsequent comparison of protein changes in arterial tunica media cells (normoxia/hypoxia). Collagen VI was significantly reduced strictly in the tunica media of conduit arteries of hypoxia-exposed rats, however, its mRNA increased. The amount of collagen IV and its mRNA were not altered. We detected a significant increase of MMP9 strictly in the tunica media. In addition, a significantly increased number of MMP9-positive cells surrounded the arteries. MMP2 and the expression of its mRNA were decreased in tunica media. We conclude that the loss of collagen VI is an important step characterizing the remodeling of pulmonary arteries. It could influence the phenotypic status and behavior of smooth muscle cells and modify their proliferation and migration.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0298566