Serotonin Inhibits Voltage-Gated K+ Currents in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells: Role of 5-HT2A Receptors, Caveolin-1, and KV1.5 Channel Internalization

A Cogolludo, L Moreno, F Lodi, G Frazziano… - Circulation …, 2006 - Am Heart Assoc
A Cogolludo, L Moreno, F Lodi, G Frazziano, L Cobeno, J Tamargo, F Perez-Vizcaino
Circulation research, 2006Am Heart Assoc
Multiple lines of evidence indicate that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and voltage-
gated K+ (KV) channels play a central role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension
(PH). We hypothesized that 5-HT might modulate the activity of KV channels, therefore
establishing a link between these pathogenetic factors in PH. Here, we studied the effects of
5-HT on KV channels present in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and on
hKV1. 5 channels stably expressed in Ltk− cells. 5-HT reduced native KV and hKV1. 5 …
Multiple lines of evidence indicate that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) and voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels play a central role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH). We hypothesized that 5-HT might modulate the activity of KV channels, therefore establishing a link between these pathogenetic factors in PH. Here, we studied the effects of 5-HT on KV channels present in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and on hKV1.5 channels stably expressed in Ltk cells. 5-HT reduced native KV and hKV1.5 currents, depolarized cell membrane, and caused a contraction of isolated pulmonary arteries. The effects of 5-HT on KV currents and contraction were markedly prevented by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin. Incubation with inhibitors of phospholipase C (U73122), classic protein kinase Cs (Gö6976), or tyrosine kinases (genistein and tyrphostin 23), the cholesterol depletion agent β-cyclodextrin or concanavalin A, an inhibitor of endocytotic processes, also prevented the effects of 5-HT. In homogenates from pulmonary arteries, 5-HT2A receptors and caveolin-1 coimmunoprecipitated with KV1.5 channels, and this was increased on stimulation with 5-HT. Moreover, KV1.5 channels were internalized when cells were stimulated with 5-HT, and this was prevented by concanavalin A. These findings indicate that activation of 5-HT2A receptors inhibits native KV and hKV1.5 currents via phospholipase C, protein kinase C, tyrosine kinase, and a caveolae pathway. KV channel inhibition accounts, at least partly, for 5-HT-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction and might play a role in PH.
Am Heart Assoc