A disfunção endotelial, comumente observada em doenças cardiovasculares como hipertensão, é caracterizada por um prejuízo na liberação de fatores vasodilatadores e/ou aumento de fatores vasoconstritores provenientes do endotélio. O desequilíbrio na produção de fatores relaxantes, como o óxido nítrico (NO) e prostaciclina (PGI2), e fatores contráteis, como tromboxano (TXA2), é geralmente associada à excessiva produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). Dada a importância do sistema nervoso autonômico simpático para o controle do tônus vascular, esse estudo teve o objetivo de investigar os mecanismos celulares envolvidos na disfunção endotelial na hipertensão renovascular. Avaliamos o papel do endotélio e da produção das EROs, ânion superóxido (O2-) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), para a resposta contrátil estimulada com agonista 1-adrenérgico fenilefrina e resposta vasodilatadora induzida pelo doador de NO AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n em aorta de ratos normotensos (2R) e hipertensos renais (2R-1C). Curvas concentração-efeito para a fenilefrina (PE) e para AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n foram construídas em aortas de ratos 2R e 2R-1C com endotélio intacto (E+) e sem endotélio (E-), na ausência (Controle) ou após incubação com o sequestrador de O2- tiron (0,1 ou 1 mmol/L) ou catalase (30, 90, 150 ou 300 U/mL). Curvas concentração-efeito para PE foram construídas na presença de inibidores seletivos e não seletivos para NO-Sintase e ciclooxigenase (COX). A expressão das enzimas eNOS e COX foi avaliada por Western Blot. A produção de GMPc, TXA2 e PGI2 estimulada com PE foi quantificada por Kit imunoenzimático. A produção de NO e EROs em células endoteliais isoladas foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo utilizando as sondas fluorescentes DAF-2DA e DHE, respectivamente. A produção de H2O2 foi avaliada utilizando o Kit Amplex Red. Nossos resultados indicam que a resposta contrátil induzida pela PE sob tensão de repouso de 1,5 g foi reduzida em aorta de ratos 2R-1C E+ comparada a 2R E+. Essa menor resposta contrátil se deve à maior produção de H2O2 e hiperatividade da eNOS em 2R-1C E+. Embora a COX também esteja hiperativa, o efeito do NO prevalece sobre o efeito do TXA2 em aorta de 2R-1C E+ sob 1,5 g de tensão de repouso, mas não sob 3,0 g de tensão. A produção de H2O2 potencializou a resposta vasodilatadora do doador de NO AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n em aorta de 2R-1C E- e a hiperatividade da eNOS reduziu seu efeito em 2R-1C E+. / The endothelial dysfunction present in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, is characterized by reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator response and/or increased contractile response. The imbalance in the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), and contractile factors, such as thromboxane A2 (TXA2) can contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction has also been associated to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role on vascular tone control, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endothelium and ROS, superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), involved in the 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine induced contractile response on endothelial dysfunction in renovascular hypertension. Furthermore, we evaluated the endothelium and ROS role on the vasodilator effect induced by the NO donor AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n in normotensive (2K) and hypertensive (2K-1C) rat aortas, contracted by phenylephrine (PE). Accordingly, concentration-effect curves to PE and AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n were performed in endothelium-intact (E+) and endothelium-denuded aorta (E-) from 2K and 2K-1C rat in the absence (Control) or after incubation with the O2- scavenger Tiron (0.1 and 1 mmol/L) or Catalase (30, 90, 150 and 300 U/mL). Concentrationeffect curves to PE were performed in the presence of inhibitors of endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) and Cyclooxygenase (COX). Protein expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and COX was evaluated by Western blot. The production of cyclic GMP, TXA2 and PGI2 was quantified by Elisa Kit Imuno enzyme Assay. NO and EROs production was evaluated by flow citometry using the fluorescence probes DAF-2DA and DHE, respectively. The H2O2 production was evaluated by Kit Amplex Red Assay. Our results indicate that the contractile response induced by PE is reduced in 2K-1C E+ aorta as compared to 2K E+ on 1.5 g of rest tension. This reduced response was due to the high production of H2O2 and hyperactivity of eNOS in 2K-1C E+. Although COX activity is increased in 2K-1C rat aorta, the vasodilator effect to NO attenuates the contractile response induced by TXA2 in 2K-1C E+ on 1.5 g but not 3.0 g of rest tension. The H2O2 production potentiated the vasodilator effect induced by AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n in 2K-1C E- aorta and the hyperactivity of eNOS reduced its effect in 2K-1C E+ aorta.

Nitric oxide (NO) overproduction is correlated with numerous human diseases, such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, inflammation and septic shock. The enzyme activities of both NO synthase (NOS) and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH-1) promote NO production. DDAH-1 mainly colocalizes in the same tissues as the neuronal isoform of NOS and catabolizes the endogenously-produced competitive inhibitors of NOS, N[omega]-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) and asymmetric N[omega], N[omega]-dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA). Inhibition of DDAH-1 leads to elevated concentrations of NMMA and ADMA, which subsequently inhibit NOS. To better understand DDAH-1, I first characterized the catalytic mechanism of human DDAH-1, where Cys274, His173, Asp79 and Asp127 form a catalytic center. Particularly, Cys274 is an active site nucleophile and His173 plays a dual role in acid/base catalysis. I also studied an unusual mechanism for covalent inhibition of DDAH-1 by S-nitroso-L-homocysteine (HcyNO), where an N-thiosulfoximide adduct is formed at Cys274. Using a combination of site directed mutagenesis and mass spectrometry, we found that many residues that participate in catalysis also participate in HcyNO mediated inactivation. Following these studies, I then screened a small set of known NOS inhibitors as potential inhibitors of DDAH-1. The most potent of these, an alkylamidine, was selected as a scaffold for homologation. Stepwise lengthening of the alkyl substituent changes an NOS-selective inhibitor into a dual-targeted NOS/DDAH-1 inhibitor then into a DDAH-1 selective inhibitor, as seen in the inhibition constants of N5-(1-iminoethyl)-, N5-(1-iminopropyl)-, N5-(1-iminopentyl)- and N5-(1-iminohexyl)-L-ornithine for neuronal NOS (1.7, 3, 20, >1,900 [mu]M, respectively) and DDAH-1 (990, 52, 7.5, 110 [mu]M, respectively). X-ray crystal structures suggest that this selectivity is likely due to active site size differences. To rank the inhibitors' in vivo potency, we constructed a click-chemistry based activity probe to detect inhibition of DDAH-1 in live mammalian cell culture. In vivo IC50 values for representative alkylamidine based inhibitors were measured in living HEK293T cells. Future application of this probe will address the regulation of DDAH-1 activity in pathophysiological states. In summary, this work identifies a versatile scaffold for developing DDAH targeted inhibitors to control NO overproduction and provides useful biochemical tools to better understand the etiology of endothelial dysfunction. / text

Le monoxyde d’azote (NO), dont le rôle biologique a été découvert à la fin du 20ème siècle, est impliqué dans la régulation de nombreux processus à l’échelle de la cellule et de l’organisme. Sa biosynthèse est réalisée par les enzymes NO synthases (NOS), et met en jeu la liaison de NADPH à leur domaine réductase suivie d’une série de transfert d’électrons vers leur domaine oxygénase, où la formation de NO se produit par oxydation de la L-arginine. En s’inspirant de mimes photo-activables de NADPH précédemment décrits dans la littérature, appelés nano-déclencheurs (NT, de l’anglais nanotriggers), induisant la production de NO par illumination, nous avons conçu et synthétisé de nouvelles générations de composés potentiellement capables d’initier l’activité catalytique de NOS sous irradiation. Ils comportent une unité de reconnaissance de NOS dérivée de l’adénosine et une unité chromophorique de type diaminophényl butadiène, liées entre elles par un groupement triazole. Ces structures modulables, facilement assemblées par chimie « click » ont permis la préparation d’une librairie de nano-déclencheurs, dont les propriétés photophysiques et la stabilité dans des conditions physiologiques ont été évaluées. Ces nouvelles générations de composés offrent des perspectives intéressantes pour le contrôle de processus biologiques par la lumière. / Nitric oxide (NO), whose biological role has been discovered in the late 20th century, is involved in the regulation of many processes in cell and organism. Its biosynthesis is carried out by enzymes named nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and involves NADPH binding to their reductase domain followed by a series of electron transfers to their oxygenase domain, where the formation of NO takes place by oxidation of L-arginine. Inspired by photoactivatable NADPH mimics called nano-triggers (NT), previously described in the literature, able to produce NO upon illumination, we designed and synthesized new generations of compounds potentially capable of initiating the catalytic activity of NOS under irradiation. They contain a recognition unit for NOS derived from adenosine and a diaminophenyl butadiene chromophoric moiety, linked together by a triazole group. These modular structures, easily assembled by "click" chemistry allowed the preparation of a library of nano-triggers, whose photophysical properties and stability under physiological conditions were evaluated. These new generations of compounds offer interesting perspectives for the control of biological processes by light.

A disfunção endotelial, comumente observada em doenças cardiovasculares como hipertensão, é caracterizada por um prejuízo na liberação de fatores vasodilatadores e/ou aumento de fatores vasoconstritores provenientes do endotélio. O desequilíbrio na produção de fatores relaxantes, como o óxido nítrico (NO) e prostaciclina (PGI2), e fatores contráteis, como tromboxano (TXA2), é geralmente associada à excessiva produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs). Dada a importância do sistema nervoso autonômico simpático para o controle do tônus vascular, esse estudo teve o objetivo de investigar os mecanismos celulares envolvidos na disfunção endotelial na hipertensão renovascular. Avaliamos o papel do endotélio e da produção das EROs, ânion superóxido (O2-) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2), para a resposta contrátil estimulada com agonista 1-adrenérgico fenilefrina e resposta vasodilatadora induzida pelo doador de NO AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n em aorta de ratos normotensos (2R) e hipertensos renais (2R-1C). Curvas concentração-efeito para a fenilefrina (PE) e para AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n foram construídas em aortas de ratos 2R e 2R-1C com endotélio intacto (E+) e sem endotélio (E-), na ausência (Controle) ou após incubação com o sequestrador de O2- tiron (0,1 ou 1 mmol/L) ou catalase (30, 90, 150 ou 300 U/mL). Curvas concentração-efeito para PE foram construídas na presença de inibidores seletivos e não seletivos para NO-Sintase e ciclooxigenase (COX). A expressão das enzimas eNOS e COX foi avaliada por Western Blot. A produção de GMPc, TXA2 e PGI2 estimulada com PE foi quantificada por Kit imunoenzimático. A produção de NO e EROs em células endoteliais isoladas foi avaliada por citometria de fluxo utilizando as sondas fluorescentes DAF-2DA e DHE, respectivamente. A produção de H2O2 foi avaliada utilizando o Kit Amplex Red. Nossos resultados indicam que a resposta contrátil induzida pela PE sob tensão de repouso de 1,5 g foi reduzida em aorta de ratos 2R-1C E+ comparada a 2R E+. Essa menor resposta contrátil se deve à maior produção de H2O2 e hiperatividade da eNOS em 2R-1C E+. Embora a COX também esteja hiperativa, o efeito do NO prevalece sobre o efeito do TXA2 em aorta de 2R-1C E+ sob 1,5 g de tensão de repouso, mas não sob 3,0 g de tensão. A produção de H2O2 potencializou a resposta vasodilatadora do doador de NO AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n em aorta de 2R-1C E- e a hiperatividade da eNOS reduziu seu efeito em 2R-1C E+. / The endothelial dysfunction present in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, is characterized by reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilator response and/or increased contractile response. The imbalance in the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), and contractile factors, such as thromboxane A2 (TXA2) can contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction has also been associated to increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role on vascular tone control, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endothelium and ROS, superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), involved in the 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine induced contractile response on endothelial dysfunction in renovascular hypertension. Furthermore, we evaluated the endothelium and ROS role on the vasodilator effect induced by the NO donor AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n in normotensive (2K) and hypertensive (2K-1C) rat aortas, contracted by phenylephrine (PE). Accordingly, concentration-effect curves to PE and AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n were performed in endothelium-intact (E+) and endothelium-denuded aorta (E-) from 2K and 2K-1C rat in the absence (Control) or after incubation with the O2- scavenger Tiron (0.1 and 1 mmol/L) or Catalase (30, 90, 150 and 300 U/mL). Concentrationeffect curves to PE were performed in the presence of inhibitors of endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) and Cyclooxygenase (COX). Protein expression of endothelial NOS (eNOS) and COX was evaluated by Western blot. The production of cyclic GMP, TXA2 and PGI2 was quantified by Elisa Kit Imuno enzyme Assay. NO and EROs production was evaluated by flow citometry using the fluorescence probes DAF-2DA and DHE, respectively. The H2O2 production was evaluated by Kit Amplex Red Assay. Our results indicate that the contractile response induced by PE is reduced in 2K-1C E+ aorta as compared to 2K E+ on 1.5 g of rest tension. This reduced response was due to the high production of H2O2 and hyperactivity of eNOS in 2K-1C E+. Although COX activity is increased in 2K-1C rat aorta, the vasodilator effect to NO attenuates the contractile response induced by TXA2 in 2K-1C E+ on 1.5 g but not 3.0 g of rest tension. The H2O2 production potentiated the vasodilator effect induced by AuNPs-{Ru-4PySH}n in 2K-1C E- aorta and the hyperactivity of eNOS reduced its effect in 2K-1C E+ aorta.

Für die Ätiopathogenese der Atherosklerose spielen eine Vielzahl von Mediatoren eine Rolle. Dabei werden durch das Endothel sowohl protektive als auch schädliche Mediatoren sezerniert. High Density Lipoproteine (HDL) stellen einen bedeutenden protektiven Marker für das kardiovaskuläre Risiko dar, u.a. durch die Aktivierung der endothelialen NO-Synthase (eNOS). HDL besteht zu 50 % aus Proteinen und zu 50 % aus Lipiden. Welche Komponenten des HDL für die eNOS Aktivierung verantwortlich sind, ist nicht bekannt gewesen. Im ersten Abschnitt dieser Promotionsarbeit konnte erfolgreich gezeigt werden, dass die Lysophospholipide, Sphingosin-1-Phosphat (S1P) und Sphinsosylphosphorylcholin (SPC), die strukturelle Bestandteile der Lipidfraktion von HDL darstellen, für einen Teil der HDL induzierten eNOS Aktivierung durch Stimulation des S1P3-Rezeptors verantwortlich sind. Diese eNOS Aktivierung wird durch den intrazellulären Einstrom von Calcium und durch die Aktivierung der Akt-Kinase induziert. Im zweiten Abschnitt dieser Promotionsarbeit konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass das oral verfügbare Lysophospholipid-basierte Medikament, FTY720, das ein strukturelles Analogon des S1P ist, den HDL induzierten Signaltransduktionsweg der eNOS Aktivierung in gleicher Weise induziert. Im dritten Abschnitt dieser Promotionsarbeit konnte ein neuartiges endothelabhängig sezerniertes gemischtes Dinukleosidpolyphosphat, Uridin-Adenosin-Tetraphosphat (Up4A), identifiziert werden. Up4A ist ein Agonist an den P2X- und P2Y-Purinrezeptoren. Up4A induziert bei Applikation in eine isoliert perfundierte Rattenniere hauptsächlich über die Aktivierung des P2X1-Rezeptors und des P2Y2/P2Y4-Rezeptors eine starke Vasokonstriktion im renalen Perfusionsgebiet mit einhergehender Erhöhung des mittleren renalen Perfusionsdrucks. Die direkte Infusion von Up4A in vivo in eine WKY-Ratte führt zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung des mittleren arteriellen Blutdrucks. / In the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis many mediators are included. Therefore the endothelium plays a crucial part by secreting protective but also deleterious factors. High density lipoproteins are an established protective factor in the risk profile of cardiovascular events especially by activating the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). HDL is composed of 50 % proteins and 50 % lipids. Which component of HDL is responsible for the eNOS activation was not known. In the first part of this dissertation it could be shown, that the lysophospholipids, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), which are structural compounds of the lipid fraction of HDL, are responsible for a significant part of the HDL induced eNOS activation by stimulating the specific S1P3 receptor. In the signal transduction mechanism the activation of Akt kinase and an influx of calcium is involved. In the second part of this dissertation it could be shown, that the orally active lysophospholipide based drug FTY720, which is a structural analogue of S1P, is able to induce the same signal transduction mechanism activated by HDL including the stimulation of the S1P3 receptor. In the last part of this dissertation a new endothelium dependent vasoconstrictor, the dinucleoside polyphosphate uridine-adenosine-tetraphosphate (Up4A), could be for the first time identified. Up4A is a potent agonist of the P2X- and P2Y-purinoceptors. Via activating the P2X1 receptor and the P2Y2/P2Y4 receptor Up4A induce a strong vasoconstriction in the renal perfusion system in the model of the isolated perfused rat kidney with an adjacent increase of the mean perfusion pressure. By injection of Up4A in vivo in a Wistar Kyoto rat the mean arterial pressure also increase significantly.

Les acides gras polyinsaturés n-3 (acide docosahexaènoïque, DHA et acide eicosapentaènoïque, EPA) sensibilisent les tumeurs mammaires aux agents anticancéreux. Cette sensibilisation implique la régulation de la vascularisation tumorale. En effet, un régime nutritionnel EPA/DHA, associé à une chimiothérapie par le Docétaxel (Taxane) diminue la quantité de vascularisation (effet anti-angiogénique). Une amélioration de la qualité vasculaire est aussi observée par une diminution de la pression du liquide interstitiel, paramètre décrit comme un frein à la délivrance des drogues dans les tumeurs. Cette diminution est associée à une extravasation plus importante du bleu d’Evans, suggérant une meilleure distribution des agents anticancéreux au sein des tumeurs. L’effet antiangiogénique du DHA implique une diminution de la voie de signalisation VEGF/eNOS/NO. Ainsi, l’activation de la NO synthase endothéliale (eNOS) est diminuée dans des cellules endothéliales en culture et dans les tumeurs mammaires. Nos résultats suggèrent que l’apport d'acides gras EPA/DHA aux patients au cours de la chimiothérapie pourrait être une nouvelle approche thérapeutique pour normaliser la vascularisation tumorale et améliorer l’efficacité des traitements anticancéreux. / Polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) sensitize mammary tumors to anticancer drugs. This sensitization involves the regulation of tumor vasculature. Indeed, a nutritional diet with EPA / DHA, in combination with taxane chemotherapy (docetaxel) decreases the vascular quantity (anti-angiogenic effect). An improvement of vascular quality is also observed by a decrease of interstitial fluid pressure, a parameter described as a barrier to drug delivery in tumors. This decrease improves extravasation of Evans blue, suggesting a better distribution of anticancer agents in tumors. The antiangiogenic effect of DHA involves a decrease of signaling pathway VEGF / eNOS / NO. Thus, activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is decreased in endothelial cells in culture and in mammary tumors. Our results suggest that intake of fatty acids EPA / DHA to patients during chemotherapy could be a new therapeutic approach to normalize tumor vasculature and improve the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a life-threating disease which arises as a frequent consequence of diabetes and hypertension. Since it is going on silently, CKD often progresses to the end-stage renal disease. It is therefore necessary to combat this disease especially due to the fact that the world population is growing old. The aim of this work was to determine the contribution of selected vasoactive systems contributing to the maintenance of high blood pressure in the developmental and established phase of CKD. Two models of CKD were used: 5/6 nephrectomy in Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) and stenosis of renal artery (2K1C) in Wistar rats. We demonstrated that renin-angiotensin system does not play so important role in blood pressure maintenance in both CKD models. By contrast, a more important role has sympathetic nervous system. During both the developmental and established phase of CKD, vasoconstrictor systems prevail above vasodilator NO-synthase effects. In fact, the role of NO-dependent vasodilation gradually decreased in nephrectomized TGR rats, while it was unchanged in Wistar rats with 2K1C hypertension.

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