Coupling of store-operated calcium entry to vasoconstriction is acid-sensing ion channel 1a dependent in pulmonary but not mesenteric arteries

PLoS One. 2020 Jul 23;15(7):e0236288. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236288. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Although voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) are a major Ca2+ entry pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), several other Ca2+-influx mechanisms exist and play important roles in vasoreactivity. One of these is store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), mediated by an interaction between STIM1 and Orai1. Although SOCE is an important mechanism of Ca2+ influx in non-excitable cells (cells that lack VGCC); there is debate regarding the contribution of SOCE to regulate VSMC contractility and the molecular components involved. Our previous data suggest acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a necessary component of SOCE and vasoconstriction in small pulmonary arteries. However, it is unclear if ASIC1a similarly contributes to SOCE and vascular reactivity in systemic arteries. Considering the established role of Orai1 in mediating SOCE in the systemic circulation, we hypothesize the involvement of ASIC1a in SOCE and resultant vasoconstriction is unique to the pulmonary circulation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the roles of Orai1 and ASIC1a in SOCE- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced vasoconstriction in small pulmonary and mesenteric arteries. We found SOCE is coupled to vasoconstriction in pulmonary arteries but not mesenteric arteries. In pulmonary arteries, inhibition of ASIC1a but not Orai1 attenuated SOCE- and ET-1-induced vasoconstriction. However, neither inhibition of ASIC1a nor Orai1 altered ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in mesenteric arteries. We conclude that SOCE plays an important role in pulmonary, but not mesenteric, vascular reactivity. Furthermore, in contrast to the established role of Orai1 in SOCE in non-excitable cells, the SOCE response in pulmonary VSMCs is largely mediated by ASIC1a.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acid Sensing Ion Channels / genetics
  • Acid Sensing Ion Channels / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / metabolism
  • Endothelin-1 / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mesenteric Arteries / drug effects
  • Mesenteric Arteries / physiology*
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / cytology
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism
  • ORAI1 Protein / genetics
  • ORAI1 Protein / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Pulmonary Artery / drug effects
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 / metabolism
  • Vasoconstriction*

Substances

  • Acid Sensing Ion Channels
  • Asic1 protein, rat
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Endothelin-1
  • ORAI1 Protein
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Stim1 protein, rat
  • Stromal Interaction Molecule 1
  • Calcium