Abstract | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pregnancy-associated vascular remodelling is essential for both maternal and fetal health. We have previously shown that maternal endothelial cell tetrahydrobiopterin ( BH4) deficiency causes poor pregnancy outcomes. Here, we investigated the role and mechanisms of endothelial cell-mediated vasorelaxation function in these outcomes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The vascular reactivity of mouse aortas and uterine arteries from non-pregnant and pregnant endothelial cell-specific BH4 deficient mice (Gch1fl/flTie2cre mice) was assessed by wire myography. Systolic blood pressure was assessed by tail cuff plethysmography. KEY RESULTS: In late pregnancy, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (∼24 mmHg) in Gch1fl/flTie2cre mice compared with wild-type littermates. This was accompanied by enhanced vasoconstriction and reduced endothelial-dependent vasodilation in both aorta and uterine arteries from pregnant Gch1fl/flTie2cre mice. In uterine arteries loss of eNOS-derived vasodilators was partially compensated by upregulation of intermediate and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels. In rescue experiments, oral BH4 supplementation alone did not rescue vascular dysfunction and pregnancy-induced hypertension in Gch1fl/flTie2cre mice. However, combination with the fully reduced folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), restored endothelial cell vasodilator function and blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: We identify a critical requirement for maternal endothelial cell Gch1/BH4 biosynthesis in endothelial cell vasodilator function in pregnancy. Targeting vascular Gch1 and BH4 biosynthesis with reduced folates may provide a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of pregnancy-related hypertension.
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Authors | Surawee Chuaiphichai, Yasmin Dickinson, Christopher A R Whiteman, Desson Au-Yeung, Eileen McNeill, Keith M Channon, Gillian Douglas |
Journal | Vascular pharmacology
(Vascul Pharmacol)
Vol. 150
Pg. 107168
(06 2023)
ISSN: 1879-3649 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 36966985
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc. |
Chemical References |
- Vasodilator Agents
- sapropterin
- Biopterins
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
- Nitric Oxide
- GTP Cyclohydrolase
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Topics |
- Humans
- Female
- Mice
- Animals
- Pregnancy
- Vasodilator Agents
(pharmacology)
- Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced
- Blood Pressure
- Vasodilation
(physiology)
- Biopterins
- Endothelial Cells
- Endothelium, Vascular
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
- Nitric Oxide
- GTP Cyclohydrolase
(genetics)
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