Harsha Nagar1,2, Saet-Byel Jung3, Min Jeong Ryu4, Su-Jung Choi1,2, Shuyu Piao1,2, Hee-Jung Song5, Shin Kwang Kang6, Nara Shin2,7, Dong Woon Kim2,7, Seon-Ah Jin8, Jin-Ok Jeong8, Kaikobad Irani9, Byeong Hwa Jeon1,2, Minho Shong3, Gi Ryang Kweon2,4, Cuk-Seong Kim1,2. 1. 1 Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 2. 2 Department of Medical Science, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 3. 3 Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 4. 4 Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 5. 5 Department of Neurology, Chungnam National University Hospital , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 6. 6 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 7. 7 Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 8. 8 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine , Daejeon, Republic of Korea. 9. 9 Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine , Iowa City, Iowa.
Abstract
AIMS: Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a major contributing factor to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease, but the key mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction-induced endothelial dysfunction remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aim at determining whether mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial cells plays a key role in vascular disease, by examining the phenotype of endothelial-specific CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) knockout mice. We also used siRNA-mediated downregulation of CRIF1 gene in the endothelial cells to study about the in vitro pathophysiological underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Downregulation of CRIF1 in endothelial cells caused disturbances of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes and membrane potential, leading to enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Gene silencing of CRIF1 results in decreased SIRT1 expression along with increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) acetylation, leading to reduced nitric oxide production both in vitro and in vivo. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic rings from CRIF1 knockout (KO) mice was considerably less than in wild-type mice, and it was partially recovered by Sirt1 overexpression in CRIF1 KO mice. INNOVATION: Our results show for the first time a relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired vascular function induced in CRIF1 deficiency conditions and also the possible underlying pathway involved. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that CRIF1 plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial and endothelial function through its effects on the SIRT1-eNOS pathway. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 234-249.
AIMS: Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a major contributing factor to endothelial dysfunction and vascular disease, but the key mechanisms underlying mitochondrial dysfunction-induced endothelial dysfunction remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aim at determining whether mitochondrial dysfunction in endothelial cells plays a key role in vascular disease, by examining the phenotype of endothelial-specific CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) knockout mice. We also used siRNA-mediated downregulation of CRIF1 gene in the endothelial cells to study about the in vitro pathophysiological underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Downregulation of CRIF1 in endothelial cells caused disturbances of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes and membrane potential, leading to enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Gene silencing of CRIF1 results in decreased SIRT1 expression along with increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) acetylation, leading to reduced nitric oxide production both in vitro and in vivo. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of aortic rings from CRIF1 knockout (KO) mice was considerably less than in wild-type mice, and it was partially recovered by Sirt1 overexpression in CRIF1 KO mice. INNOVATION: Our results show for the first time a relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired vascular function induced in CRIF1 deficiency conditions and also the possible underlying pathway involved. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that CRIF1 plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial and endothelial function through its effects on the SIRT1-eNOS pathway. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 234-249.