Store-operated channels in the pulmonary circulation of high- and low-altitude neonatal lambs.

We determined whether store-operated channels (SOC) are involved in neonatal pulmonary artery function under conditions of acute and chronic hypoxia, using newborn sheep gestated and born either at high altitude (HA, 3,600 m) or low altitude (LA, 520 m). Cardiopulmonary variables were recorded in vivo, with and without SOC blockade by 2-aminoethyldiphenylborinate (2-APB), during basal or acute hypoxic conditions. 2-APB did not have effects on basal mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac output, systemic arterial blood pressure, or systemic vascular resistance in both groups of neonates. During acute hypoxia 2-APB reduced mPAP and pulmonary vascular resistance in LA and HA, but this reduction was greater in HA. In addition, isolated pulmonary arteries mounted in a wire myograph were assessed for vascular reactivity. HA arteries showed a greater relaxation and sensitivity to SOC blockers than LA arteries. The pulmonary expression of two SOC-forming subunits, TRPC4 and STIM1, was upregulated in HA. Taken together, our results show that SOC contribute to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in newborn sheep and that SOC are upregulated by chronic hypoxia. Therefore, SOC may contribute to the development of neonatal pulmonary hypertension. We propose SOC channels could be potential targets to treat neonatal pulmonary hypertension.