Developmental changes in lung cGMP phosphodiesterase-5 activity, protein, and message

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998 Jul;158(1):279-88. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.158.1.9711042.

Abstract

During transitional circulation, the pulmonary vascular bed undergoes a rapid and profound reduction in both tone and vascular smooth-muscle (VSM) content. 3',5'-Guanylate cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) is a crucial mediator in the regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and VSM proliferation. Hydrolysis of cGMP is achieved predominately by cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Among the cGMP-specific PDEs, PDE5 is quantitatively prevalent in lung tissue. We have investigated the levels of pulmonary PDE5 enzymatic activity, protein, and messenger RNA (mRNA) in ovine and mouse lung during perinatal development. We report that within 1 h following birth, PDE5 activity, protein, and mRNA levels decrease in both species, in a manner that correlates with known decreases in PVR in early transition. However, from 4 to 7 d following birth, a secondary increase in PDE5 activity, protein, and mRNA occurs in both ovine and mouse lung, suggesting a complex regulation of PVR and VSM proliferation in late perinatal development. Our data imply that PDE5 may be an important mediator in the regulation of PVR in normal and possibly in pathologic states, and may ultimately provide a basis for PDE5 inhibitors as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cyclic GMP / analysis*
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5
  • Hydrolysis
  • Immunoblotting
  • Lung / enzymology
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / chemistry
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / metabolism*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pulmonary Circulation / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis*
  • Sheep

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases
  • Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5
  • Pde5a protein, mouse
  • Cyclic GMP