Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation Research
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation Research. 2004;95:830-840
Published online before print September 16, 2004, doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000145360.16770.9f
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Data Supplement
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
95/8/830    most recent
01.RES.0000145360.16770.9fv1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McMurtry, M. S.
Right arrow Articles by Michelakis, E. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by McMurtry, M. S.
Right arrow Articles by Michelakis, E. D.
Related Collections
Right arrow Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Right arrow Apoptosis
Right arrow Pulmonary circulation and disease
(Circulation Research. 2004;95:830.)
© 2004 American Heart Association, Inc.


Integrative Physiology

Dichloroacetate Prevents and Reverses Pulmonary Hypertension by Inducing Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis

M. Sean McMurtry, Sebastien Bonnet, Xichen Wu, Jason R.B. Dyck, Alois Haromy, Kyoko Hashimoto, Evangelos D. Michelakis

From the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics (J.R.B.D.) and the Vascular Biology Group (M.S.M., S.B., X.W., J.R.B.D., A.H., K.H., E.D.M.), University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Correspondence to Evangelos D. Michelakis, MD, FACC, University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton, Alberta T6G2B7, Canada. E-mail emichela{at}cha.ab.ca

The pulmonary arteries (PA) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are constricted and remodeled;. They have suppressed apoptosis, partly attributable to suppression of the bone morphogenetic protein axis and selective downregulation of PA smooth muscle cell (PASMC) voltage-gated K+ channels, including Kv1.5. The Kv downregulation-induced increase in [K+]i, tonically inhibits caspases, further suppressing apoptosis. Mitochondria control apoptosis and produce activated oxygen species like H2O2, which regulate vascular tone by activating K+ channels, but their role in PAH is unknown. We show that dichloroacetate (DCA), a metabolic modulator that increases mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, prevents and reverses established monocrotaline-induced PAH (MCT-PAH), significantly improving mortality. Compared with MCT-PAH, DCA-treated rats (80 mg/kg per day in drinking water on day 14 after MCT, studied on day 21) have decreased pulmonary, but not systemic, vascular resistance (63% decrease, P<0.002), PA medial thickness (28% decrease, P<0.0001), and right ventricular hypertrophy (34% decrease, P<0.001). DCA is similarly effective when given at day 1 or day 21 after MCT (studied day 28) but has no effect on normal rats. DCA depolarizes MCT-PAH PASMC mitochondria and causes release of H2O2 and cytochrome c, inducing a 10-fold increase in apoptosis within the PA media (TUNEL and caspase 3 activity) and decreasing proliferation (proliferating-cell nuclear antigen and BrdU assays). Immunoblots, immunohistochemistry, laser-captured microdissection-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and patch-clamping show that DCA reverses the Kv1.5 downregulation in resistance PAs. In summary, DCA reverses PA remodeling by increasing the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis/proliferation ratio and upregulating Kv1.5 in the media. We identify mitochondria-dependent apoptosis as a potential target for therapy and DCA as an effective and selective treatment for PAH.


Key Words: apoptosis • proliferation • smooth muscle • vascular remodeling




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
CirculationHome page
H. C. Champion, E. D. Michelakis, and P. M. Hassoun
Comprehensive Invasive and Noninvasive Approach to the Right Ventricle-Pulmonary Circulation Unit: State of the Art and Clinical and Research Implications
Circulation, September 15, 2009; 120(11): 992 - 1007.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
P. Dromparis and E. D. Michelakis
A redox-metabolic-electrical remodeling in the diseased left and right ventricle: direct clinical implications in heart disease and beyond. Focus on "Role of {gamma}-glutamyl transpeptidase in redox regulation of K+ channel remodeling in postmyocardial infarction rat hearts"
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, August 1, 2009; 297(2): C231 - C234.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
N. W. Morrell, S. Adnot, S. L. Archer, J. Dupuis, P. Lloyd Jones, M. R. MacLean, I. F. McMurtry, K. R. Stenmark, P. A. Thistlethwaite, N. Weissmann, et al.
Cellular and molecular basis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 30, 2009; 54(1 Suppl): S20 - S31.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Respir JHome page
E. D. Michelakis
Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators as a potential therapy for PAH: enthusiasm, pragmatism and concern
Eur. Respir. J., April 1, 2009; 33(4): 717 - 721.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. D. Michelakis, M. R. Wilkins, and M. Rabinovitch
Emerging Concepts and Translational Priorities in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Circulation, September 30, 2008; 118(14): 1486 - 1495.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
P. R. Rai, C. D. Cool, J. A. C. King, T. Stevens, N. Burns, R. A. Winn, M. Kasper, and N. F. Voelkel
The Cancer Paradigm of Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 15, 2008; 178(6): 558 - 564.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
E. D. Michelakis and E. K. Weir
The metabolic basis of vascular oxygen sensing: diversity, compartmentalization, and lessons from cancer
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2008; 295(3): H928 - H930.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg.Home page
J. Nagendran, V. Gurtu, D. Z. Fu, J. R.B. Dyck, A. Haromy, D. B. Ross, I. M. Rebeyka, and E. D. Michelakis
A dynamic and chamber-specific mitochondrial remodeling in right ventricular hypertrophy can be therapeutically targeted
J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., July 1, 2008; 136(1): 168 - 178.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
E. D. Michelakis
Mitochondrial Medicine: A New Era in Medicine Opens New Windows and Brings New Challenges
Circulation, May 13, 2008; 117(19): 2431 - 2434.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
S. L. Archer, M. Gomberg-Maitland, M. L. Maitland, S. Rich, J. G. N. Garcia, and E. K. Weir
Mitochondrial metabolism, redox signaling, and fusion: a mitochondria-ROS-HIF-1{alpha}-Kv1.5 O2-sensing pathway at the intersection of pulmonary hypertension and cancer
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, February 1, 2008; 294(2): H570 - H578.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
M. S. McMurtry, S. Bonnet, E. D. Michelakis, S. Bonnet, A. Haromy, and S. L. Archer
Statin therapy, alone or with rapamycin, does not reverse monocrotaline pulmonary arterial hypertension: the rapamcyin-atorvastatin-simvastatin study
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, October 1, 2007; 293(4): L933 - L940.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. Nagendran, S. L. Archer, D. Soliman, V. Gurtu, R. Moudgil, A. Haromy, C. St. Aubin, L. Webster, I. M. Rebeyka, D. B. Ross, et al.
Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Is Highly Expressed in the Hypertrophied Human Right Ventricle, and Acute Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Improves Contractility
Circulation, July 17, 2007; 116(3): 238 - 248.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAHome page
S. Bonnet, G. Rochefort, G. Sutendra, S. L. Archer, A. Haromy, L. Webster, K. Hashimoto, S. N. Bonnet, and E. D. Michelakis
The nuclear factor of activated T cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension can be therapeutically targeted
PNAS, July 3, 2007; 104(27): 11418 - 11423.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ChestHome page
J. Nagendran and E. Michelakis
MRI: One-Stop Shop for the Comprehensive Assessment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?
Chest, July 1, 2007; 132(1): 2 - 5.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Bio.Home page
Y. J. Suzuki, H. Nagase, C. M. Wong, S. V. Kumar, V. Jain, A.-M. Park, and R. M. Day
Regulation of Bcl-xL Expression in Lung Vascular Smooth Muscle
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., June 1, 2007; 36(6): 678 - 687.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
G. Y. Rochefort and E. D. Michelakis
COUNTERPOINT: RELEASE OF AN ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED VASOCONSTRICTOR AND RHOA/RHO KINASE-MEDIATED CALCIUM SENSITIZATION OF SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL CONTRACTION ARE NOT THE MAIN EFFECTORS FOR FULL AND SUSTAINED HPV
J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2007; 102(5): 2072 - 2075.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol.Home page
C. V. Remillard, D. D. Tigno, O. Platoshyn, E. D. Burg, E. E. Brevnova, D. Conger, A. Nicholson, B. K. Rana, R. N. Channick, L. J. Rubin, et al.
Function of Kv1.5 channels and genetic variations of KCNA5 in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol, May 1, 2007; 292(5): C1837 - C1853.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Sci SignalHome page
J. G. Pan and T. W. Mak
Metabolic Targeting as an Anticancer Strategy: Dawn of a New Era?
Sci. Signal., April 10, 2007; 2007(381): pe14 - pe14.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
M. S. McMurtry, R. Moudgil, K. Hashimoto, S. Bonnet, E. D. Michelakis, and S. L. Archer
Overexpression of human bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 does not ameliorate monocrotaline pulmonary arterial hypertension
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, April 1, 2007; 292(4): L872 - L878.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
J. R.B. Dyck, T. A. Hopkins, S. Bonnet, E. D. Michelakis, M. E. Young, M. Watanabe, Y. Kawase, K.-i. Jishage, and G. D. Lopaschuk
Absence of Malonyl Coenzyme A Decarboxylase in Mice Increases Cardiac Glucose Oxidation and Protects the Heart From Ischemic Injury
Circulation, October 17, 2006; 114(16): 1721 - 1728.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
L. Taraseviciene-Stewart, R. Scerbavicius, K.-H. Choe, C. Cool, K. Wood, R. M. Tuder, N. Burns, M. Kasper, and N. F. Voelkel
Simvastatin causes endothelial cell apoptosis and attenuates severe pulmonary hypertension
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, October 1, 2006; 291(4): L668 - L676.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
S. Bonnet, E. D. Michelakis, C. J. Porter, M. A. Andrade-Navarro, B. Thebaud, S. Bonnet, A. Haromy, G. Harry, R. Moudgil, M. S. McMurtry, et al.
An Abnormal Mitochondrial-Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1{alpha}-Kv Channel Pathway Disrupts Oxygen Sensing and Triggers Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Fawn Hooded Rats: Similarities to Human Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Circulation, June 6, 2006; 113(22): 2630 - 2641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
A. Cogolludo, L. Moreno, F. Lodi, G. Frazziano, L. Cobeno, J. Tamargo, and F. Perez-Vizcaino
Serotonin Inhibits Voltage-Gated K+ Currents in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells: Role of 5-HT2A Receptors, Caveolin-1, and KV1.5 Channel Internalization
Circ. Res., April 14, 2006; 98(7): 931 - 938.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
E. D. Michelakis
Spatio-Temporal Diversity of Apoptosis Within the Vascular Wall in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Heterogeneous BMP Signaling May Have Therapeutic Implications
Circ. Res., February 3, 2006; 98(2): 172 - 175.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NEJMHome page
E. K. Weir, J. Lopez-Barneo, K. J. Buckler, and S. L. Archer
Acute Oxygen-Sensing Mechanisms.
N. Engl. J. Med., November 10, 2005; 353(19): 2042 - 2055.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med.Home page
F. Ladha, S. Bonnet, F. Eaton, K. Hashimoto, G. Korbutt, and B. Thebaud
Sildenafil Improves Alveolar Growth and Pulmonary Hypertension in Hyperoxia-induced Lung Injury
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., September 15, 2005; 172(6): 750 - 756.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
S. L. Archer
Pre-B-cell Colony-Enhancing Factor Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Maturation Through a NAD+-Dependent Mechanism: Recognition of a New Mechanism for Cell Diversity and Redox Regulation of Vascular Tone and Remodeling
Circ. Res., July 8, 2005; 97(1): 4 - 7.
[Full Text] [PDF]