Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increase expression of KCa2.3 (SK3) in primary microvascular endothelial cells

Abstract

The small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa2.3) has long been recognized for its role in mediating vasorelaxation through the endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH) response. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been implicated as potential modulators of blood pressure and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are being explored as therapeutics for hypertension. Herein, we show that HDACi increase KCa2.3 expression when heterologously expressed in HEK cells and endogenously expressed in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMECs). When primary endothelial cells were exposed to HDACi, KCa2.3 transcripts, subunits, and functional current are increased. Quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) demonstrated increased KCa2.3 mRNA following HDACi, confirming transcriptional regulation of KCa2.3 by HDACs. By using pharmacological agents selective for different classes of HDACs, we discriminated between cytoplasmic and epigenetic modulation of KCa2.3. Biochemical analysis revealed an association between the cytoplasmic HDAC6 and KCa2.3 in immunoprecipitation studies. Specifically inhibiting HDAC6 increases expression of KCa2.3. In addition to increasing the expression of KCa2.3, we show that nonspecific inhibition of HDACs causes an increase in the expression of the molecular chaperone Hsp70 in endothelial cells. When Hsp70 is inhibited in the presence of HDACi, the magnitude of the increase in KCa2.3 expression is diminished. Finally, we show a slower rate of endocytosis of KCa2.3 as a result of exposure of primary endothelial cells to HDACi. These data provide the first demonstrated approach to increase KCa2.3 channel number in endothelial cells and may partially account for the mechanism by which HDACi induce vasorelaxation.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2022
Source ID
10.1152/ajpcell.00409.2021

Entities

People

  • Aaron Kolski-andreaco
  • Adam C Straub
  • Annette S. Wilson
  • Claudia A. Bertuccio
  • Corina M. Balut
  • Daniel C Devor
  • David Binion
  • Michael B. Butterworth
  • Robin E. Gandley
  • William M. Rivers
  • Xiaoning Liu

Organizations

  • American Heart Association
  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
  • Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Pittsburgh

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).