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Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 295: R252-R263, 2008. First published April 30, 2008; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00697.2007
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EXERCISE AND RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY

Exposure to inhaled particulate matter impairs cardiac function in senescent mice

Clarke G. Tankersley,1 Hunter C. Champion,3 Eiki Takimoto,3 Kathleen Gabrielson,2 Djahida Bedja,2 Vikas Misra,1 Hazim El-Haddad,3 Richard Rabold,1 and Wayne Mitzner1

Departments of 1Environmental Health Sciences, 2Comparative Medicine, and 3Cardiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland

Submitted 27 September 2007 ; accepted in final form 24 April 2008


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 GRANTS
 REFERENCES
 
Daily exposure to particulate matter (PM) is known to adversely affect cardiac function and is also known to be exaggerated with senescence. This study tests the hypothesis that cardiac function is uniquely altered by PM exposure in senescent mice. A mechanism for PM-induced cardiac effects is also postulated by examining the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in heart tissue. Echocardiography is performed in awake 18- and 28-mo-old mice at baseline and immediately following 3-h exposures to either filtered air or carbon black (CB; ~400 µg/m3) on 4 days. At 28 mo, left ventricular diameter at end-systole and end-diastole is significantly (P < 0.05) elevated, and fractional shortening is significantly reduced (49 ± 3% vs. 56 ± 3%) with CB exposure. In vivo hemodynamic measurements at 28 mo also demonstrate significant (P < 0.05) reductions in ejection fraction and increases in right ventricular and pulmonary vascular pressures following CB exposure. Functional changes at 28 mo are associated with increased ROS production as suggested by enhanced luminol activity. This elevated ROS production with aging and CB exposure is attributable to NOS uncoupling. Measurements of natriuretic peptide (atrial and brain) transcription and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2 and MMP9) activity in heart tissue are significantly (P < 0.05) amplified with senescence and exposure to CB, pointing to increased cardiac stress and remodeling. These results demonstrate that acute PM exposure reduces cardiac contractility in senescent mice, and this decline in function is associated with increased ROS production linked to NOS uncoupling.

aging; mouse echocardiography; cardiac effects of air pollution; reactive oxygen species; nitric oxide synthase uncoupling

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES SUGGEST that the association between daily mortality and levels of particulate matter (PM) is attributable to dysregulation of cardiac function; however, specific mechanisms of PM-induced cardiac effects remain uncertain (9, 14, 15, 19, 29, 30, 50). Several studies (15, 47, 48) show ECG changes consistent with myocardial ischemia (i.e., ST segment depression) and ventricular arrhythmias. For example, Peters et al., (47) suggested that acute exposures to increased levels of PM in air pollution are associated with an elevated incidence of angina pectoris and augmented risk of myocardial infarction. More recent epidemiology studies (46, 61, 62) have focused on cardiopulmonary dysregulation, including the role of PM exposure in provoking decompensated congestive heart failure (62). The generalized effects of acute PM exposure also incorporate elevated blood pressure mediated by increases in systemic arterial vascular constriction (8, 57). These effects are principally detected in very elderly subjects older than 65 yr of age (34, 62) and in subjects with severe lung disease (31).

Mechanistic studies demonstrating adverse cardiovascular effects of PM remain somewhat limited. Several investigators have suggested that ultrafine particles (i.e., a size fraction of PM < 0.18 µm) can reach the systemic circulation resulting in enhanced inflammatory and atherosclerotic processes (17, 38, 49). These studies among others (39, 40, 58) have led some to suggest that acute cardiac mortality risk is magnified in the face of elevated PM exposure due to hyperactive platelets and the formation of thrombosis. These events lead to an increased incidence of myocardial infarction (58) and can be abrogated by anti-inflammatory pretreatment. Other mechanistic studies focused on functional and structural changes in the systemic and pulmonary vasculature suggesting that vasomotor alterations occur in humans (7) and animal models (3, 41, 42), following PM exposure. Whereas growing evidence points to direct or indirect effects of PM on the vasculature, fewer mechanistic studies (60) have pointed to specific adverse effects of PM on heart function.

As suggested by Okayama et al. (43), one possible mechanism of PM-induced cardiac functional changes considers the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These investigators show that diesel exhaust particle exposures reduce the activity of antioxidant enzymes and lead to a greater superoxide generation in rat cardiac myocytes in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Bai et al. (2) suggested that nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-derived ROS formation is a potential mechanism leading to greater cytotoxicity in pulmonary endothelial cells exposed to diesel exhaust particles (DEP). Other studies suggest that the aging rodent heart is more susceptible to ROS generation (4, 10, 44, 63), particularly following ischemia/reperfusion (44). The age-dependent increase in ROS formation in cardiac myocytes is apparently associated with adverse changes in the aged hearts that reduce diastolic function (27, 63). Therefore, the primary purpose of the present study is to determine a potential mechanism for aged hearts to be more susceptible to acute PM exposure. As a corollary, a greater sensitivity to PM-induced ROS generation in aged cardiac myocytes is a likely basis for adverse cardiac functional changes observed in older individuals exposed to PM. Moreover, changes in NOS3 expression and ROS generation have been shown to be linked and influential to myocardial function (28, 55). For this reason, a secondary hypothesis of the present study is to evaluate the proposition that myocardial NOS3 regulation is altered by PM exposure to a greater extent in aged hearts.

To test these hypotheses, we investigated the acute cardiac functional effects of PM exposure in senescent mice by using repeated echocardiographic and in vivo hemodynamic measurements. Although there are many investigations using these functional measurements in mouse models (e.g., see Refs. 35 and 55), studies on the acute cardiac effects of PM have not been explored. Since epidemiological studies (34, 62) have consistently shown that very elderly subjects are uniquely susceptible to PM-induced cardiac events, the present study is focused on the interactions of aging and PM exposure as mice approach the limits of their life span. Specifically, our experimental design focused on an age comparison between very old (28 mo) and middle-aged (18 mo) mice. These older age groups were chosen for repeated echocardiographic measurements before and immediately after acute PM exposures based on the principles of rodent use in gerontological research outlined by Miller and Nadon (36). In addition, we measured increased ROS production derived from altered NOS3 activity in association with adverse changes in cardiac function with aging and PM exposure. The basis for this aim is consistent with recent evidence suggesting that effects of ROS production on altered cardiac function is ameliorated by blocking NOS activity or knocking out the NOS3 gene (55). The results of the present study suggest that acute PM exposure leads to reductions in cardiac function in senescent mice, including lowered myocardial contractility. Likewise, these PM-induced cardiac functional changes in senescent mice are associated with increased ROS production derived from NOS3 uncoupling at the level of isolated cardiac myocytes. These functional and cellular changes induced by carbon black (CB) exposure were reversed in senescent animals with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) treatment.


   METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 METHODS
RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 GRANTS
 REFERENCES
 
Animals. Male mice from three different strains (i.e., C57BL/6, C3H/HeJ, and B6C3F1 mice) were purchased and housed at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The C57BL/6 mice were obtained from the National Institute of Aging, and the other two strains were obtained from the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, ME). The environmental conditions (e.g., 12:12-h light-dark cycle, room temperature, etc.) before and during the following experiments and the animal handling were highly standardized. Water and mouse chow (Agway Pro-Lab RMH 1000) were provided ad libitum. All animal protocols were reviewed and approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutes.

Echocardiography. The method described below was approved by the American Echocardiography Society. Before each echocardiography study, mice were habituated to handling on several occasions to reduce any stress that occurred during the experiment, allowing for the echocardiographic measurements to be performed in conscious, unanesthetized mice. Each mouse was gently held in the palm of the hand by securing the skin of the dorsal neck with the thumb and the index finger, and securing the tail between the handler's last two fingers. While in the supine position, the left hemithorax was shaved, and prewarmed hypoallergenic ultrasonic transmission gel was applied to the thorax. A 1- to 2-mm-thick layer of gel was applied to improve the ultrasonic penetration and the quality of images. Animal handling care was taken to minimize excessive pressure of the transducer on the chest wall and to avoid reflex bradycardia. The mouse was held on a steady platform to achieve an angle for the transducer consistent with the left lateral decubitus position for imaging.

Echocardiography was performed using a Sequoia C256, (Siemens, Mountain View, CA) with the 15-MHz linear array transducer. Generally, the mouse heart was first imaged in the two-dimensional mode in the parasternal short axis view at a sweep speed of 200 mm/s and a depth of 20 mm. From this view, an M-mode cursor was positioned perpendicular to the interventricular septum, and the left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thicknesses and chamber dimensions were measured. Three to five sample recordings were obtained from each mouse before (pre) and again, following 4 days of exposure (post) to either filtered air (FA) or CB. The same research technologist trained in cardiac echocardiography was devoted to performing the quantification of the images. The technologist was blinded to the experimental groups, and the data were retrieved from sample recordings and averaged for each measurement. The LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), LV end-systolic diameter (LVESD), and posterior wall thicknesses at end diastole (PWTED) were measured from a stable M-mode tracing. Fractional shortening (FS) and relative wall thickness (RWT) was computed as the percent change in LV cavity dimensions as shown in the following equations: FS (%) = [(LVEDD – LVESD)/LVEDD] x 100 and RWT (%) = [PWTED/ LVEDD] x 100.

From groups of 18- and 28-mo-old mice (n = 15 mice/age group) subjected to repeated echocardiography measurements, reproducibility tests were performed to evaluate intraobserver, interobserver, and test-retest variability as described elsewhere (52, 64). In Table 1, the intraobserver, interobserver, and test-retest variabilities were comparable to those previously reported for echocardiography (64). The smallest errors (i.e., % SD of the error) were seen in the measurements of LVEDD and HR among the three reproducibility tests. The largest errors were seen in the measurements of PWTED and RWT for the intraobserver and interobserver variabilities. In addition, the correlation coefficients were generally very robust.


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  		Table 1. Reproducibility in echocardiography among 18- and 28-month old mice

 
CB exposure. A CB (Regal 660; density of 1.95 g/cm3; specific surface area of 112 m2/g) aerosol was generated using a Wright dust feed particle generator (BGI, Waltham, MA). Animals were exposed to either CB or FA for 3 h on four separate exposure days; two weekly sessions of two consecutive days were conducted to allow for intermediate echocardiography measurements. During each 3-h exposure, animals were individually placed in a 200-ml cylindrical Plexiglas holding chamber. The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the CB aerosol was measured using an aerodynamic particle sizer (APS; TSI, Atlanta, GA). While the CB aerosol generated by this method was polydispersed in terms of particle size, the majority of particles generated (i.e., number concentration) were in the respirable range (fine mode: 0.1 to 1.0 µm). Prior to the exposure studies, gravimetric sampling was used to determine the CB concentration as a time-weighted average. Personal environmental monitors (SKC, Eighty Four, PA) were placed in individual exposure chambers and CB particles were collected on 37-mm filters (2-µm pore size membrane filters) for 3 h. The flow rate through the filter was 4 l/min, and impactors were used with cut points for 2.5 µm and 10 µm. The weight of the filters before and after sampling was determined using a Mettler Toledo balance. From a collection of 47 gravimetric samples, the average concentration was 401 ± 46 µg/m3 for PM2.5 concentrations and 553 ± 49 µg/m3 for PM10 concentrations. Average particle distribution results, obtained using the APS and showing mass and number concentration as a function of particle size, have been reported elsewhere (56). Subsequent studies to determine the effects of PM on in vivo hemodynamics and molecular parameters used an identical exposure dose and duration as described above. All outcome measurements were performed within 12 h following the final exposure.

In vivo hemodynamics. Mice 28 mo of age were exposed to either FA or CB (n = 4 mice per treatment) for 4 days following the same sequences as described above. Immediately following exposure, in vivo right ventricular (RV) and LV function and vascular pressures were measured using a pressure-volume (PV) catheter as described previously (5, 18, 54). Mice were anesthetized with 1–2% isoflurane, urethane (0.8–1.0 mg/g ip), etomidate (5–10 µg/g ip), and morphine (1–2 µg/g ip) before undergoing tracheostomy. Mice were ventilated at a respiratory rate of 130 breaths/min and a tidal volume of 6–7 µl/g. Blood volume was maintained using 12.5% albumin (50–100 µl in 5 min) delivered through a 30-gauge cannula inserted in the right external jugular vein. The ventricular wall was exposed through an incision between the seventh and eighth ribs. A 0.42-mm-diameter PV catheter was advanced through the apex to lie along the longitudinal axis. The absolute volume was calibrated, and PV data were measured at steady state.

Determination of NOS3 activity. LV tissue was obtained from five mice of each age group exposed to either CB or FA exposure to conduct the following assays. NOS3 activity was immunoprecipitated as previously described (32), and samples were added to Laemmli buffer on a nonreducing gel to identify dimer dissociation due to reduced disulfide bonds. Denatured control lanes were generated by boiling samples for 15 min prior to loading. Electrophoresis was performed using Tris glycine 6% gels, which were maintained at 4°C. Ca2+-dependent and -independent NOS activity was assayed by [3H]-l-arginine to [3H]-l-citrulline conversion (Sigma-Aldrich) by using myocardial homogenates. The Ca2+-dependent NOS activity principally reflects NOS3 activity.

Adult cardiac myocytes were isolated as previously described (54). From these isolated myocytes, SDS-resistant NOS3 dimers and monomers were assayed using low-temperature SDS-PAGE under nondenaturing conditions, NOS3 was immunoprecipitated, and the resulting samples were added to fivefold Laemmli buffer (0.32 mol/l Tris·HCl, pH 6.8, 0.5 mol/l glycine, 10% SDS, 50% glycerol, and 0.03% bromophenol blue) in nonreducing gel (without 2-mercaptoethanol) to identify dimer dissociation due to reduced disulfide bridges.

ROS production and nitrotyrosine determination. Several methods were performed to measure ROS production. The LV samples were also assayed by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (EMD Biosciences). Tissue was flash-frozen and homogenized in iced PBS buffer and centrifuged. The precipitate was resuspended in an assay buffer with 100 µM of luminol following the manufacturer's instructions. To evaluate the role of NOS-uncoupling in ROS generation, the tissue extracts subjected to luminol chemiluminescence assay were done with or without coincubation with the NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (1 mM). A similar assay was performed in which LV tissue obtained from 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB was coincubated with 1 µM of the selective NOS2 inhibitor, GW274150 (Alexis Biochemicals, San Diego, CA) (1). Data were normalized by sample weight.

Fresh-frozen LV tissue was also assayed for nitrotyrosine (NT) expression (polyclonal NT Ab; 1:100: Upstate Biotechnology), which reflects the ROS production associated with the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO–) species. NT was quantitatively determined by ELISA assay (Oxford International).

Cardiac gelatinase assay. Gelatin lysis by matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) was also measured in heart tissue lysates by zymography. Modified Laemmli buffer was added to lysed samples and loaded on a 10% gelatin gel (Invitrogen). After electrophoresis, gels were washed with renaturing buffer at room temperature followed by a developing buffer and then stained to visualize lytic bands (SimplyBlue; Invitrogen). This procedure was repeated on LV tissue homogenates as well as isolated cardiac myocytes.

Atrial and brain natriuretic peptides quantitative PCR analysis. RNA samples were prepared from snap-frozen hearts using Trizol reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA). Total RNA was extracted per manufacturer's instructions, and each sample was subsequently treated with RNase-free DNase I (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) to remove traces of genomic DNA. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was performed using a 7900HT Sequence Detection System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Duplicates of each sample were subjected to reverse transcription (48°C for 30 min) and standard multiplex real-time qPCR (95°C for 10 min followed by 50 cycles of 95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 60 s) using TaqMan One-Step RT-PCR Master Mix Reagents (Applied Biosystems). Levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) expression were normalized to GAPDH levels measured for each respective sample and expressed graphically as the percent of younger control values. To substantiate whether or not changes in expression levels corresponded to increased peptide concentration in the blood, plasma levels of BNP were determined using ELISA (Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Burlingame, CA).

Determination of PKG-1 activity. Whole heart tissues lysates were analyzed for PKG-1 activity using colorimetric methods (CycLex) according to the manufacturer's specifications and read on a Spectramax M5 reader (Molecular Devices). Activation of PKG-1 reflects the primary downstream effector kinase for cGMP in cardiac myocytes, and is activated in the presence of NO and natriuretic peptides.

BH4 treatment. An additional group of 28-mo-old mice were treated with oral BH4 (1 mg/g food; Sigma-Aldrich) mixed with their rodent chow providing 5 mg/day based on 4–6 g daily diet, as described previously (55). Treated (n = 5) and control (n = 5) mice were then exposed to CB using a similar protocol, and in vivo hemodynamics were performed following exposure. Heart tissue and isolated myocytes were tested for ROS generation, NOS and PKG-1 activity and NOS dimerization.

Data analysis. The values reported in the tables and figures are means ± SE. A comprehensive analysis of detectable differences between strains of mice showed no statistical significance. Therefore, two-way analyses of variance were performed using age groups (18 vs. 28 mo of age), and exposure (CB vs. FA) as main effects to evaluate statistically significant changes in cardiac molecular assays and functional parameters obtained by echocardiography. Post hoc mean comparisons between average data obtained within each exposure were compared using paired (echocardiograph results) and unpaired (molecular results) t-tests. Unpaired t-tests were performed to analyze the in vivo hemodynamic results. Statistical significance was established at an {alpha}-level of 0.05.


   RESULTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 METHODS
 RESULTS
DISCUSSION
 GRANTS
 REFERENCES
 
Echocardiographic results. In Fig. 1, representative echocardiographic images are shown in mice at 18 and 28 mo of age prior to and following CB exposure for 4 days. In the 28-mo-old mice, there is a visible RV dilation that is not apparent in the 18-mo-old mice prior to CB exposure. Also, the interventricular septal wall appears more flattened and desynchronized during LV contraction with the posterior wall at 28 mo compared with 18-mo-old mice. These same characteristics appear to be accentuated following CB exposure. The interventricular septal wall (IVSW) thicknesses at end systole supports the visual observations. There is a significant (P < 0.05) age-dependent depression in IVSW following FA exposure at 28 (1.75 ± 0.07 mm) vs. 18 mo (2.00 ± 0.10 mm) old, which is significantly (P < 0.05) exacerbated following CB exposure in only 28-mo-old mice (1.61 ± 0.07 vs. 1.83 ± 0.06 mm).


Figure 1
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  		Fig. 1. Representative echocardiographic images for 18- and 28-mo-old mice prior to and following 4 days of carbon black (CB) exposure for 3 h/day. The image at 28 mo shows noticeable right ventricular (RV) dilation that is not apparent in the 18-mo-old mice prior to CB exposure. Also, the intraventricular septal wall appears to be flattened in the older mice before exposure and appears desynchronized during left ventricular (LV) contraction with the posterior wall following CB exposure.

 
The average echocardiographic parameters for the two age groups prior to exposure (preexposure) are reported in Table 2. With the exception of a significantly (P < 0.01) greater LVEDD at 18 mo compared with 28-mo-old mice, there are no detectable age-dependent differences in cardiac function before exposure.


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  		Table 2. Preexposure echocardiographic parameters between 18- and 28-mo-old mice

 
In Fig. 2, LVEDD and LVESD results are shown before and after FA or CB exposure in 18- and 28-mo-old mice. There are significant (P < 0.05) increases in both LVEDD and LVESD following CB exposure in 28-mo-old mice. This change is not apparent following FA exposure, and is not observed in the 18-mo-old groups.


Figure 2
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  		Fig. 2. Average values for LV end-diastolic (LVEDD; A) and end-systolic (LVESD; B) diameters are depicted for 18- and 28-mo-old mice (n = 15 mice/age group) before and after 4 exposure days each for 3 h/day to either filtered air (FA) or CB. *P < 0.05, vs. preexposure; {dagger}P < 0.05, 28 mo vs. 18 mo.

 
In Fig. 3, RWT and FS results are shown before and after FA or CB exposure in 18- and 28-mo-old mice. There is a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in RWT unique to the 28-mo-old mice following CB exposure (Fig. 3A). This CB-induced change is attributable to the significant increase in LVEDD without a corresponding thinning of the PWTED (data not shown). The results in Fig. 3B demonstrate that FS is significantly (P < 0.01) lower at 28-mo-old compared with 18-mo-old mice following CB exposure. There are no detectable (P > 0.05) age-dependent differences in FS prior to CB exposure or with FA exposure.


Figure 3
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  		Fig. 3. Average values for relative wall thickness (A) and fractional shortening (B) are depicted for 18- and 28-mo-old mice (n = 15 mice per age group) before and after 4 exposure days each for 3 h/day to either FA or CB. *P < 0.05, vs. preexposure; {dagger}{dagger}P < 0.01, 28 mo vs. 18 mo.

 
In vivo hemodynamic results. The measurements of in vivo hemodynamics in 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB are reported in Table 3. There are no significant (P > 0.05) differences in systemic arterial pressures between exposure groups. In contrast, the right atrial and ventricular pressures are significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB relative to FA. Likewise, the pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance are also significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in CB-exposed mice. The results also show that LV and RV contractility is significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in CB-exposed senescent mice. Specifically, the ejection fraction (EF) and maximun change in pressure over time (dP/dtmax) are attenuated following CB exposure in 28-mo-old mice.


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  		Table 3. In vivo hemodynamics in 28-mo-old mice exposed to filtered air (FA) or carbon black (CB)

 
Molecular results from heart tissue. To test the possibility that decreased ventricular function is associated with greater uncoupling of NOS3 activity and an enhanced ROS production, NOS activity and ROS formation are evaluated in heart samples from 18- and 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB. The uncoupling of NOS (NOS3 and NOS1) is evident by a significant (P < 0.05) decline in Ca2+-dependent NOS activity in both age groups following CB exposure (Fig. 4A). That is, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in NOS activity occurs in 28-mo-old hearts compared with 18 mo after FA, and CB exposure further exacerbated this age-dependent difference. In addition, Ca2+-independent activity (NOS2) is concomitantly upregulated in only 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB (Fig. 4A).


Figure 4
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  		Fig. 4. A: Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent NOS activity as measured by the rate of citrulline formation from heart tissue samples obtained from 18- and 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB for 4 days each for 3 h. Left: nitric oxide synthase (NOS) uncoupling was evident by a decline in Ca2+-dependent NOS activity (NOS3 and NOS1) in both age groups following CB exposure. Right: Ca2+-independent activity (NOS2) was upregulated in only the 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB. B: luminol activity at baseline and during NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) coincubation indicates an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation with CB exposure in both age groups, and the origin of ROS formation is associated with an increase in NOS activity. The coincubation with the selective NOS2 inhibitor GW274150 was not significantly (P > 0.05) different from baseline. C: representative blot comparing NOS3 dimer and monomer from isolated cardiac myocytes from 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB demonstrating a reduction of NOS3 dimer with CB exposure. D: increase in nitrotyrosine concentration as an indicator of peroxynitrite (ONOO– species) formation further suggest that greater ROS generation occurs in hearts of 28-mo-old animals following CB exposure. E: significant reduction in PKG activity in 28-mo-old mice exposed to FA or CB indicates lower second messenger activation by NOS or natriuretic peptide release (n = 10 mice per age group). *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, CB vs. FA exposure; {dagger}P < 0.05, 28 mo vs. 18 mo; §P < 0.05, L-NAME vs. baseline.

 
As reported in Table 4, a similar shift in NOS activity in the 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB was observed in isolated cardiac myocytes. That is, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in Ca2+-dependent NOS activity accompanies a significant (P < 0.05) increase to Ca2+-independent activity in cardiac myocytes from CB-exposed 28-mo-old mice.


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  		Table 4. Citrulline formation and MMP activity in isolated myocytes

 
Given the decline in Ca2+-dependent NOS activity, we next tested whether NOS-derived ROS generation increased with CB by luminol activity with or without the NOS inhibitor, L-NAME (Fig. 4B). After FA exposure, the relative contribution of NOS in ROS generation is modest, but significant (P < 0.05) in 18-mo-old mice, and there is a significantly (P < 0.05) greater contribution of NOS-uncoupling at 28 mo. While both age groups demonstrate a significant (P < 0.05) increase in ROS generation following acute CB exposure, the 28-mo-old mice show a significantly greater CB-induced ROS production compared with the 18-mo-old mice. Moreover, the relative contribution of ROS production attributable to NOS-uncoupling is twofold greater (P < 0.05) in the 28-mo-old vs. 18-mo-old mice after CB exposure.

To test the relative contribution of NOS2 in the uncoupling observed in the 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB, the same tissue samples are coincubated with a specific NOS2 inhibitor, GW274150 (1). While the results suggest a trend (P = 0.08) toward a lowering of the ROS production in the presence of the NOS2 inhibitor, these data suggest that the majority of the ROS production is attributable to NOS3 and NOS1. To determine whether the concomitant decrease in NOS activity and increase in ROS signaling is associated with a loss of NOS dimerization, NOS dimer blot analysis is performed in myocytes from the hearts of 28-mo-old mice exposed to FA or CB (Fig. 4C). In the myocytes of mice exposed to CB, there is a marked reduction in NOS dimer with a concomitant increase in NOS3 monomer. A summary analysis of NOS dimer blots demonstrates a significantly lower NOS3 dimer-to-monomer ratio in CB-exposed 28-mo-old mice (0.23 ± 0.16) compared with mice exposed to FA (1.2 ± 0.3; P < 0.05), suggesting that a physical uncoupling of the NOS3 dimer occurs with CB exposure.

The age-dependent increase in ROS generation following CB exposure is further evaluated by assessing the NT concentration as a footprint of ONOO– formation. These results show that a significantly (P < 0.01) greater NT production (Fig. 4D) after CB exposure occurs in both age groups, but NT production is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the older mice. As an index of second messenger activation by NOS or natriuretic peptide release, PKG-1 activity is also evaluated. Exposure to CB results in a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in PKG-1 activity that is unique to 28-mo-old mice (Fig. 4E). Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that NOS-uncoupling acts to increase ROS production following CB exposure, and senescent mice are more susceptible to this source of cardiac oxidative stress response than younger mice.

The effect of CB exposure on MMP2 and MMP9 activation is studied because of previous evidence linking MMP activation to increased ROS production. In Fig. 5, the effects of age and CB exposure on the gelatinase activity of MMP2 and MMP9 are shown. Both MMP2 and MMP9 activities are significantly (P < 0.05) increased in 28-mo-old mice, and acute CB exposure results in an incrementally greater (P < 0.01) increase for both age groups. In Table 4, corresponding results in the MMP2 and MMP9 activities for the 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB are also observed in isolated cardiac myocytes. These results reflect the effects of aging and CB exposure to initiate cardiac remodeling. Fig. 5B shows a representative zymogram comparing the effect of FA or CB exposure on total and activated MMP2 and MMP9 in isolated cardiac myocytes from 28-mo-old mice. This assay demonstrates that both total and activated forms of MMP2 and MMP9 are increased with exposure to CB.


Figure 5
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  		Fig. 5. A: activity levels of MMP2 and MMP9 are increased in heart tissue samples with age after FA exposure and in both 18- and 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB (n = 10 mice per age group). *P < 0.05, CB vs. FA exposure; {dagger}P < 0.05, 28 mo vs. 18 mo. B: representative zymogram performed comparing 28-mo-old mice exposed to FA and mice exposed to CB. These data suggest that both total and activated MMP9 and MMP2 are increased following exposure to CB.

 
In Fig. 6, the effects of age and CB exposure on RNA expression levels of ANP and BNP are shown. Both ANP and BNP expression levels are significantly (P < 0.05) greater at 28 mo relative to FA-exposed 18-mo-old mouse hearts. With acute CB exposure, ANP and BNP expression levels are significantly (P < 0.01) increased further at 28 mo relative to 18-mo-old mice. In addition, results demonstrate a correspondingly significant (P < 0.05) elevation in plasma BNP concentrations in the 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA (30.4 ± 8.3 pg/ml) or CB (95.3 ± 19.8 pg/ml) relative to FA-exposed 18-mo-old mice (18.6 ± 5.6 pg/ml). These results suggest that the hearts from older mice are subjected to greater CB-induced cardiac stress compared with younger mice.


Figure 6
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  		Fig. 6. Gene expression levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are increased in heart tissue samples with age after FA exposure and in both 18- and 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB (n = 10 mice per age group). *P < 0.05, CB vs. FA exposure; {dagger}P < 0.05, 28 mo vs. 18 mo.

 
Effects of BH4-treatment on cardiac function and NOS-ROS coupling. The effects of BH4 treatment on LV (Fig. 7A) and RV (Fig. 7, B and C) function are shown for 28-mo-old mice following CB exposure. With BH4 treatment, the LVEF response is significantly (P < 0.05) greater than control, whereas RV contractility (dP/dtmax/IP, where IP is instantaneous pressure) and isovolumic relaxation time constant (Tau) are also significantly (P < 0.05) improved following CB exposure. There are also significant (P < 0.05) reductions in pulmonary arterial pressure (29%) and pulmonary vascular resistance (44%) following CB exposure with BH4 treatment relative to control (data not shown).


Figure 7
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  		Fig. 7. Effects of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) treatment significantly improved cardiac function in CB-exposed 28-mo-old mice as shown by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF; A) and right ventricular contractility (dP/dtmax/IP, where IP is instantaneous pressurse; B) and relaxation time (Tau; C). Improvements in LV and RV function with BH4 treatment were coincident with reversing a fall in Ca2+-dependent and a rise in Ca2+-independent NOS activity (D), and a fall in PKG-1 activity (E). Likewise, BH4 treatment led to a lowered ROS generation derived from NOS-uncoupling in cardiac tissue from older CB-exposed mice (F). G: representative NOS3 dimer blot from isolated cardiac myocytes from 18- and 28-mo-old mice exposed to either FA or CB shows a preservation of the NOS3 dimer in older mice following CB exposure. {ddagger}P < 0.05, BH4 treatment vs. control; *P < 0.05, CB vs. FA exposure; {dagger}P < 0.05, 28 mo vs. 18 mo; §P < 0.05, L-NAME vs. baseline.

 
Coincident with dramatic improvements in LV and RV function with BH4 treatment, there is also a significant decline in ROS generation (Fig. 7F) and a reduction in the percent of luminal activity that is inhibitable by the NOS inhibitor (L-NAME; Fig. 7F). BH4 treatment is associated with an increase in constitutive NOS activity (Ca2+-dependent activity; Fig. 7D) in heart tissue from older CB-exposed mice. Moreover, there is a significant reduction in inducible NOS activity (Ca2+-independent activity; Fig. 7D). These events appear to lead to a significant (P < 0.05) rise in PKG-1 activity from depressed levels observed in CB-exposed controls (Fig. 7E). Finally, there is a significantly greater preservation of the NOS3 dimer in cardiac myocytes from CB-exposed older mice with BH4 treatment, which is similar to levels observed in FA-exposed young mice (Fig. 7G).


   DISCUSSION
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 ABSTRACT
 METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
GRANTS
 REFERENCES
 
The major results from the present study demonstrate that acute CB exposure leads to impaired cardiac function in senescent mice. The age-dependent cardiac changes include reductions in FS (Fig. 3B), presumably as a result of diminished myocardial contractility. The adverse fall in FS following CB exposure in senescent mice occurs as a result of LV dilation at both end-diastole and end-systole (Fig. 2). These echocardiographic results are supported by in vivo hemodynamic results showing that ejection fraction and dP/dtmax are diminished with CB in 28-mo-old mice (Table 3). Coincident with the adverse changes in myocardial contractility, CB-exposed senescent mice show elevated right atrial and pulmonary vascular pressures accompanied by an 86% increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. These hemodynamic results suggest that adverse changes in RV function results from an acute and robust CB-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. There is also evidence of RV dilation in 28-mo-old mice that is not observed in younger mice (Fig. 1). These right-sided changes in senescent mice are associated with increases in RV pressures with CB exposure. These acute CB-induced changes in cardiac function observed in 28-mo-old mice are not seen following FA exposures.

Another set of major results from the present study show an important association between NOS-uncoupling in ROS generation and the acute CB-induced LV dilation and loss of cardiac contractility. Typically, NOS activity results in greater NO production, which generally opposes myocardial dilation (22, 51, 54). In the event that NOS activity is uncoupled from NO production, the result may lead to ROS generation and elevated myocardial oxidant stress (54). To test this mechanism, a series of experiments has led to the conclusion that a primary source of CB-induced increase in ROS production occurs via uncoupling of NOS3 in the aged cardiac myocytes. In the first series, mouse hearts from 28-mo-old mice exposed to FA show substantially lower Ca2+-dependent NOS activity but similar Ca2+-independent NOS activity compared with younger mice. This finding suggests that NO production via NOS3 activity is depressed with aging (Fig. 4A). This age-dependent loss in NOS3 activity is exacerbated with CB exposure in older mice, while Ca2+-independent NOS (i.e., NOS2) activity is elevated. These observations are evident in both heart tissue homogenates and isolated cardiac myocytes (Table 4).

In a second set of studies, luminol activity is notably elevated in hearts of 28-mo-old mice exposed to FA compared with younger mice (Fig. 4B). Likewise, effects of acute CB exposure substantially increase ROS generation in both 18- and 28-mo-old mice; however, hearts from senescent mice show amplified levels of ROS generation compared with the younger group. In the presence of L-NAME, luminol activity is markedly depressed in both age groups exposed to either FA or CB. Again, the attenuating effects of L-NAME are more dramatic in senescent mice, especially after CB exposure (Fig. 4B). The selective NOS2 inhibitor, GW274150 (1), is used to determine the source of NOS-derived ROS production in CB-exposed senescent mice (Fig. 4B). These results suggest that NOS2 is not the primary source of ROS production. Alternatively, the results suggest that NOS1 and/or NOS3 play a more significant role in ROS generation than any potential role of NOS2.

These mechanistic results central to altered cardiac myocyte function are consistent with a third set of observations demonstrating a loss of NOS3 dimer (Fig. 4C) and an accentuated increase in NT production in CB-exposed 28-mo-old mice (Fig. 4D). Finally, PKG-1 activity is depressed in only hearts of 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB, suggesting that second messenger activation of NOS signaling is reduced (Fig. 4E). Although the ~25% reduction in PKG-l activity appears modest, opposing effects of reduced NOS signaling and elevated ANP/BNP activation may be counterbalancing the end result in PKG-1 activity seen in heart tissue homogenates of 28-mo-old mice exposed to CB. It is known that PKG-1 is highly compartmentalized within a specific subcellular area of the cardiac myocyte (54). Therefore, small changes in PKG activity may be quite meaningful. Currently, it is difficult to address these questions due to an inability to differentiate between sources of PKG-1 activity. Nevertheless, these collective results support the hypothesis that acute CB exposure induces exaggerated ROS production derived from NOS3-uncoupling in heart tissue and isolated cardiac myocytes of senescent mice.

The notion that NOS3 might serve as a dominant source for ROS production, and, therefore, play a role in cardiac dysfunction in response to CB exposure is somewhat unexpected; however, these results are supported by prior research in vascular tissue. The function of NOS activity in vascular tissue is beneficial under normal conditions, but exposure to mechanical or oxidant stress can shift the role of NOS to a ROS generator and a contributor to vascular disease (25, 66). For example, hypertension induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt administration stimulates endothelial-dependent ROS generation, which is markedly blunted by L-NAME and absent in vessels from mice lacking NOS3 (25). In studies by Zou et al. (66), NOS uncoupling occurs directly by oxidation of a zinc-thiolate complex, which is stimulated by the presence of ONOO–. Catalytic activity of NOS is disrupted by protein structural alterations due to zinc release from the complex, and ROS production is increased while NO synthesis is decreased (66).

More recent studies have shown that NOS uncoupling also plays a role in the myocardium under pressure-overload conditions (33, 37, 55). As an illustration, ROS generation is associated with BH4 oxidation resulting in NOS uncoupling, and NADPH oxidases may provide an important initial trigger in stimulating NOS uncoupling mechanisms (55). In the present study, the primary sources of NOS uncoupling may originate from substrate and/or cofactor limitations (16). Alternatively, ROS production may contribute to cleaving the NOS dimer. These possibilities are examined in a final series of experiments using BH4 treatment to prevent NOS3 uncoupling, and, therefore, ROS generation. The results from these studies further establish the critical link between the basic cellular events and adverse changes in cardiac function associated with aging and CB exposure (Fig. 7). In general, CB-induced alterations in senescent mice observed at the cellular level are prevented by BH4 treatment. For example, there is a reversal in the balance between activities of NOS2 and NOS3 leading to the preservation of PKG-1 activity. Likewise, BH4 treatment also results in a lowering of ROS generation derived from NOS-uncoupling and an apparent protection of the NOS3 dimer in senescent mice exposed to CB. In parallel, BH4-treated mice show improved cardiac function as demonstrated by a greater LVEF and enhanced RV capability to contract and relax. Pulmonary arterial pressures and resistance are also ameliorated with BH4 treatment in CB-exposed senescent mice. Therefore, these results suggest that adverse cardiac effects of PM exposure with senescence are likely mediated, at least in part, by cellular mechanisms involving NOS3-uncoupled ROS generation.

It appears from these results that hearts of CB-exposed older mice are subjected to greater overload conditions. As shown in Table 2, the in vivo cardiac functional results demontrate that the pressures of the right side of the heart are increased following CB exposure in 28-mo-old mice. The increased RV pressure is associated with elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and vascular resistances. These in vivo results are consistent with the effects of CB exposure on the increased gene expression levels of ANP and BNP in the hearts of older mice (Fig. 6), and support the hypothesis that CB-exposed older mice are subjected to greater overload conditions. Right ventricular dilation may also be occurring with age and acute CB exposure (Fig. 1). Exposure to CB appears to adversely affect myocyte function rather than preload-dependent factors, such as a shift in blood volume to the pulmonary circulation. A significant depression in dP/dtmax/IP and PWRmax/EDV (indices that are largely preload independent) seen in senescent mice implies that the CB effect is at the level of myocardial contractility. Future studies are required to determine specific mechanisms mediating the sources of stress on cardiac function. One such study might include the determination of lung wet-to-dry weight ratios following CB exposure to evaluate the effects of increased lung edema. An alternative study of great interest would be to use tissue Doppler imaging to differentiate between physiological and pathological changes in LV function (13).

Another important mechanism is the influence of increased ROS generation on myocardial remodeling and reduced contractility. In this regard, ROS generation activates signaling cascades that stimulate the posttranslational expression of MMPs and promote chamber dilation and myocardial structural remodeling. Prolonged exposure to superoxide species leads to matrix turnover attributable to activation of MMPs and the formation of cardiac fibrosis (45). For example, in mice treated with the antioxidant dimethylthiourea (23) or in mice overexpressing glutathione peroxidase (53), remodeling after myocardial infarction is reduced, and is accompanied by a diminution of MMP accumulation. A key role of MMP9 activation has also been shown to be significant in early stages of vascular remodeling in response to hypertensive distending pressures (26). In the present study, an age-dependent increase in MMP2 and MMP9 activity occurred in 28-mo-old mice (Fig. 5), which may signal an age-dependent process of myocardial remodeling. In addition, both 18- and 28-mo-old mice demonstrate dramatic increases in MMP2 and MMP9 activity following acute CB exposure. Although these findings are novel in explaining acute PM-induced cardiac dysfunction, several previous studies demonstrate parallel findings in in vitro cytotoxicity systems (2, 43). Okayama et al. (43) showed effects of DEP on rat myocardial cell viability. While cell viability was incrementally reduced by DEP in a concentration-dependent manner, superoxide production was increasing by two- to threefold above control levels. The attenuated cell viability in response to DEP was ameliorated by coincubation with antioxidant enzymes, including catalase and superoxide dismutase. Similar reductions in PM-induced cell viability was shown in a pulmonary endothelial cytotoxicity study by Bai et al. (2). Using similar concentrations of DEP as the previous study (25), investigators demonstrated that pretreatment with NOS inhibitors (e.g., L-NAME) and BH4 also ameliorated cell viability, suggesting that DEP induces ROS production by NOS-related mechanisms. The results presented here are consistent with these cytotoxity studies.

The public health impact of the current results requires perspective related to previous human and animal exposure studies with PM. For example, Gurgueira et al. (21) showed increased ROS production in the lungs and hearts of rats exposed to concentrated ambient particulate, but no change in ROS when rats were exposed to CB at a concentration of 170 µg/m3. These investigators used CB as a negative control inferring that CB is the carbonaceous core of ambient PM, but is chiefly inert in biological systems. While the use of CB here is intended to circumvent the toxicity associated with ambient PM, the current results strongly suggest that senescence is an essential factor in PM susceptibility. Likewise, CB exposure was expected to be ineffective in younger mice, and, therefore, the inclusion of an age group younger than 18 mo seemed unnecessary. This senescent-dependent susceptibility factor has been consistently shown in epidemiology studies (14, 65), in which only the elderly (i.e., not middle-aged subjects) show adverse cardiac effects of elevated PM levels. Senescence emerges above other susceptibility factors such as genetic determinants, since no detectable differences are observed between inbred mouse strains in the present study.

Epidemiology studies showing associations between PM exposure and adverse cardiovascular outcomes are largely dependent on PM levels measured by outdoor central monitoring sites. Recent studies have considered the possibility that indoor or personal levels would be a more improved method for monitoring PM exposure (6, 12, 32, 59). The EPA also uses these central monitoring sites to determine whether the National Ambient Air Quality Standards are exceeded. For PM10 and PM2.5, 24-h averages are 150 and 35 µg/m3, respectively. The PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations used here (~550 and 400 µg/m3) represent the upper limits of real world human exposure levels. Although exceedances are rare and episodic throughout the US, other industrial nations, such as India (20), show PM10 concentrations frequently exceeding the current US standards by two- to threefold.

Perspectives and Significance

The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that both aging and acute PM exposure lead to impaired cardiac function in terms of both LV and RV dilation and loss of myocardial contractility. The age-dependent fall in LVEDD seen in 28- vs. 18-mo-old mice (Table 2) suggests that senescent mice undergo diastolic dysfunction that hinders LV filling. One potential mechanism considers the role of age-dependent changes in Ca2+ handling in the cardiac myocyte and the proteins involved in Ca2+ sequestration (24). Another age-dependent change suggests that increased collagen deposition and thickening leads to a decrease in myocardial distensibility and elasticity (11). In general, these changes with aging lead to prolonged relaxation times and lower LVEDD. The adverse cardiac functional changes induced by PM are linked to altered cellular mechanisms associated with NOS uncoupling and subsequent increased ROS production. These findings mark an important new step in clarifying the adverse effects of PM air pollution on the heart, particularly related to senescent-dependent susceptibility. Moreover, the demonstration of this process in animal exposure studies forms the basis for future clinical studies related to aged populations exposed to PM.


   GRANTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 GRANTS
REFERENCES
 
This study was supported in part by National Institute on Aging Grant AG-21057 (to C. G. Tankersley), an American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant, a W. W. Smith Charitable Trust Grant, a Shih-Chun Wang Young Investigator Award; a Giles F. Filley Award of the American Physiological Society; and the Bernard Family Foundation and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute P50-HL-084946 (to H. C. Champion).


   FOOTNOTES
 

Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: C. G. Tankersley, Division of Physiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins Univ., 615 N. Wolfe St., Room E7612, Baltimore, MD 21205

The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.


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