Gender, sex hormones and pulmonary hypertension

The role of estrogen receptors in the pulmonary vasculature (from animal to human, and from health to disease)

Both ERα and ERβ are present in endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of the systemic vasculature, where they have been implicated in mediating protective estrogen effects in the setting of acute and chronic vascular injury. Nevertheless, ERα seems to mediate most of the protective effects of estrogen on injured blood vessels.[6061] Estrogen is also critical for maintaining the homeostasis of the normal endothelium, with effects being mediated by nongenomic activation of both classical ERs as well as G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30).[626364] However, genomic mechanisms are also involved. Along those lines, several studies have associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene (the gene encoding ERα) with myocardial infarction, hypertension, and stroke,[656667] while, in hypertensive women, SNPs in Estrogen receptor beta (ESR2) (encoding ERβ) have been linked to increases in left ventricular mass and hypertrophy.[68]

In the lung, ERα and -β are expressed in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs),[697071] smooth muscle cells,[7072] airway epithelium,[7073] type 1 and 2 alveolar cells,[74] and alveolar macrophages.[7175] Several studies suggest more abundant expression of ERβ over ERα in the lung,[74757677] while others suggest a more predominant role for ERα.[71] It is, therefore, conceivable that the predominance of one ER over the other may depend on the clinical context. Factors such as sex, age, hormonal status, and the presence of disease likely also play a significant role. Lastly, ER expression and function may be species-specific. It should also be noted that divergent results between studies may be due to the fact that some studies look at ER transcript, while others investigate ER protein. In general, the role and expression of ERα and ERβ in the pulmonary vascular system is not as well described as in the systemic vasculature, and most of the currently available information comes from studies using animal tissues. These studies (reviewed below) demonstrate that both ERα and ERβ are present and physiologically active in lung blood vessels.

In vitro and ex vivo studies of lung vascular ER signaling. In studies of simian virus, 40-transformed rat lung vascular endothelial cells (TRLECs), Hisamoto et al. demonstrated that E2-induced eNOS activation through a nongenomic, ERα-mediated, and Akt-dependent mechanism.[51] Another group reported that E2 increases eNOS activity in fetal lamb PAECs through activation of ERβ in caveolae.[52] Also, in fetal PAECs, Sherman et al. demonstrated that E2 enhances prostacyclin synthesis in fetal PAEC through an ERβ- and calcium-dependent, but tyrosine kinase/MAPK-independent, mechanism.[53] Lahm et al. have previously shown that, in isolated rat pulmonary artery rings, administration of the selective ERα-agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) attenuates phenylephrine-induced vasocontraction, while administration of the selective ERβ-agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) attenuated hypoxia-induced vasocontraction.[78] Of note, these effects were abolished after administration of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME), suggesting that the effects of the ER-subtype selective agonists are endothelium- and NO-dependent. Since activation of either ER subtype resulted in rapid (within 20-30 minutes of administration) vasocontraction, the authors concluded that these effects were mediated through the nongenomic pathway. This observation of NO-dependent, nongenomic vasorelaxation is consistent with reports of nongenomic, ER-mediated NO release in the systemic vasculature.[54]

In vivo studies of lung vascular ER signaling. Immunohistochemical investigations have demonstrated both ERα and -β in PAECs of normal rats and mice, respectively.[7071] With regards to PAH, a recent study by Umar et al.[79] demonstrated that administration of E2 to male rats in a monocrotaline model attenuated established severe PAH. Interestingly, E2 protection was lost after coadministration of the selective ERβ-antagonist 4-[2-Phenyl-5,7-bis(trifluoromethyl) pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]phenol (PHTPP), while treatment with an ERβ-agonist (DPN) replicated E2's effects on the pulmonary vasculature and RV. The authors, therefore, concluded that E2 protection in their model was mediated by an ERβ-mediated mechanism. ER-mediated protection was also demonstrated in a study by Lahm et al. in which E2 was administered to male rats with hypoxia-induced PH (HPH).[80] In this study, E2 attenuated hemodynamic alterations, hypoxia-induced erythrocytosis, and pulmonary vascular and RV remodeling in an ER-dependent fashion, as evidenced by loss of E2 protection after coadministration of the nonselective ER-antagonist fulvestrant. E2 protection was associated with ER-mediated decreases in lung and RV ERK1/2 activation. Similar ER-mediated effects were confirmed in isolated rat PAECs. Importantly, E2 exerted differential effects in normoxic and hypoxic cells. In particular, E2 decreased Extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation and increased expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p27^Kip1 and the autophagy marker Microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) in hypoxic (1% O₂ for 48 hours), but not normoxic, rat PAECs. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in PAEC secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibitory E2 effects on cell proliferation during hypoxia only. Differential, context-specific effects of E2 on proliferative processes may, therefore, explain at least in part the protective effects of estrogens in animal models of PH. Of note, E2 effects on hemodynamics and RV mass in the Lahm study were not attenuated with ERβ-antagonist cotreatment, while coadministration of ERα-antagonist 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP) lead to a significant decrease in E2 protection. Interestingly, animals cotreated with E2 and ERα-antagonist exhibited a significant decrease in cardiac output, suggesting a predominantly RV-directed mechanism of E2 and ERα action. On the other hand, E2 effects on certain remodeling and signaling parameters (PA muscularization, PAEC ERK1/2 activation) were attenuated after either selective ERα- or selective ERβ-blockade, suggesting that both ERs need to be functional for E2 to exert protective effects on these endpoints. However, neither ERα nor ERβ-blockade attenuated E2 effects on RV capillarization or RV ERK signaling. This suggests a potential redundant role of the two ERs with regards to RV remodeling/capillarization in HPH. The authors of this study also evaluated lung vascular ER expression in normal and HPH rats. While ERα expression was not affected by two weeks of hypobaric hypoxia (P_atm= 362 mmHg), there was evidence of hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular upregulation of ERβ (demonstrated by immunohistochemistry). ERβ expression appeared most pronounced in PAECs.

Studies of ER signaling in humans. With regards to human pulmonary vascular disease, a recent study of genome-wide Ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression profiling in lungs of patients with PAH or PH secondary to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF-PH)[81] demonstrated upregulation of ESR1 in PAH subjects relative to normal controls and IPF-PH. Segregation of PAH and normal control samples into females and males showed that both female and male PAH had a higher mean expression of ESR1 than female or male controls. However, the experimental groups in this study were relatively small (n = 4-11). ESR1 has also been involved in the development of PPHTN. In the previously mentioned study of patients with advanced liver disease by Roberts et al.,[20] SNPs in the ESR1 gene were (amongst SNPs in other genes) associated with an increased risk of PPHTN development. While these studies suggest an association between ESR1 and PAH/PPHTN, it is not known if this represents a pathogenic mechanism of PAH/PPHTN development versus a consequence of the disease (e.g., a compensatory mechanism for impaired ERα or ERβ signaling, or for other abnormalities in E2 signaling pathways).

Taken together, the role of the ERs in the development of PAH at this point remains unclear. While in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies in monocrotaline-PH and HPH suggest potential protective effects of ERα and/or ERβ, the two currently available human studies suggest an association between ESR1 and PAH/PPHTN development. However, cause and effect in human PAH remain unclear. Further mechanistic animal studies in angioproliferative PH models, as well as further epidemiologic studies in PAH patients, will hopefully help shed further light on this issue.

The role of estrogen receptors in the right ventricle

Very little is known about the role of the ER in the right ventricle. Multiple studies in different types of acute or chronic left ventricular injury have demonstrated ERα- or ERβ-mediated protective effects of E2 on functional parameters and markers of myocardial metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis.[82838485] These effects likely occur through E2 action on cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, as well as progenitor cells and inflammatory cells.[41] Given that RV systolic function in both healthy and PAH-affected women is superior relative to men, and correlates with E2 levels,[8687] it is conceivable that E2 also has direct, ER-mediated RV cardioprotective effects. Such a notion is supported by the studies by Umar et al.[79] and Lahm et al.,[80] in which E2 exerted beneficial effects on RV function. The first study (using a monocrotaline model of PH) suggested an ERβ-mediated mechanism of action, while involvement of ERs in the second study (performed in an HPH model) was more complex. While the authors of the latter study demonstrated E2-mediated increases in CO that were attenuated after nonselective ER-blockade as well as selective ERα-blockade, E2 effects on RV capillarization as well as RV ERK1/2 activation were only attenuated after nonselective ER-blockade, but not after ERα- or ERβ-selective blockade. This may suggest potential redundant functions of each ER subtype in mediating E2 effects on these endpoints. To date, no study has investigated the role of the ER in the RV in human PAH. Since RV function in healthy individuals correlates with E2 levels,[87] and given the currently existing animal studies of ER-mediated E2 action in both the LV and RV, it is likely that E2 affects function in the human RV at least in part via ER.

In conclusion, ER signaling is very complex, and not only regulated on a transcriptional and translational level, but also affected by the presence or absence of coactivators, corepressors, and splice variants, as well as by epigenetic phenomena, tissue distribution, and factors like age, sex, hormonal status, and disease. The role of the ER in PAH development, though likely important, remains poorly defined. Additional investigations of ER signaling in advanced animal models of PH and in PAH patients may help further elucidate the molecular mechanisms of sex differences in PAH, and may facilitate the development of novel nonhormonal, targeted therapies for PAH patients of either sex.

BMPR2-estrogen interaction

Enhanced estrogenic activity appears to be a risk factor for human PAH, and a BMPR2 gene mutation is a roughly ×100,000 risk factor for PAH; thus, an important question is whether these two factors are independent or interacting. Recent data suggests that estrogen and Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling interact in complex ways. Broadly, estrogens suppress BMP signaling through transcriptional and nontranscriptional means, while BMP signaling modulates the mode of estrogen signaling.

There is an increasing body of literature from the osteoporosis and breast cancer fields examining interaction between BMP signaling and estrogen. Estrogen suppression of the BMP pathway appears to be through nongenomic estrogen receptor signaling: E2 suppresses BMP2-induced differentiation of osteoblasts; this was true even in mice with an ERα mutated to prevent DNA binding.[88] Estrogen can also suppress BMP4[8990] and BMP7[91] expression in different tissue types. This consensus of estrogen inhibition of BMP signaling is not perfect; however, E2 may increase BMP6 expression in some breast cancer cell lines.[92]

There is also evidence from the literature that BMP signaling modulates estrogens. In breast cancer cells, BMP2 induces expression of an estrogen splice variant that lacks transcriptional activation domains, and is restricted to noncanonical signaling.[93] In lactotrophs, BMP directly inhibits ER transcription,[94] and induces prolactin expression[95] through direct SMAD binding of the promoters. In oocytes, BMP6 enhances E2 synthesis but not progesterone.[96]

In summary, in the non-PAH literature, there is substantial evidence that the typical role of estrogens is to suppress the BMP pathway, particularly through nongenomic signaling, while the BMP pathway has extensive and complex regulation of estrogens and estrogen receptors.

Effect of BMPR2 mutation on estrogen receptor trafficking

BMPR2 normally regulates steroid hormone receptor trafficking,[97] and BMPR2 mutation results in defects in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) trafficking.[98] GR trafficking is regulated by cofilin phosphorylation,[99] and BMPR2 directly binds and regulates the primary protein which phosphorylates cofilin, LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1).[100101] The most likely mechanism for BMPR2 regulation of steroid hormone receptor trafficking is thus through direct interaction with LIMK1 and consequent regulation of cofilin. However, this mechanism has not been explicitly tested, and BMPR2 may also regulate receptor shuttling through its direct regulation of Src[102] or Dynein light chain Tctex-type 1 (DYNLT1).[103]

BMPR2 mutant pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) show dysregulation of ERα trafficking; by estrogen response element luciferase reporter assay, BMPR2 mutant PMVECs have dramatically reduced canonical (genomic) response to either E2 or 16α-OHE₁ signal (Pulmonary Circulation 2013, in press). By immunohistochemistry, instead of the movement of ERα to the nucleus caused by E2 in control PMVEC, in BMPR2 mutants ERα appears to move to the cell surface (Fig. 3). While this has not been explicitly tested, this implies that in the context of BMPR2 mutation, estrogens preferentially signal through nongenomic means.

Figure 3

BMPR2 mutant PMVEC show dysregulation of ERα trafficking. Immunohistochemistry studies demonstrate abnormal movement of ERα in BMPR2 mutant cells. While in control PMVEC (left) the ERα moves to the nucleus with E2 stimulation, ERα appears to move to the cell surface in BMPR2 mutant PMVEC cells (right) stimulated by E2 exposure.

16α-OHE₁ worsens penetrance in BMPR2 mutant mice and suppresses BMPR2 protein levels in control mice

Increased 16α-OHE₁ is correlated with increased penetrance in human heritable PAH patients, both female[39] and male (Fessel et al., Pulmonary Circulation 2013, submitted; title: “Interaction of BMPR2 and Estrogenic Compounds in PAH”). To determine whether this correlation implied causation, Fessel et al. treated control mice or mice with two different inducible BMPR2 mutations with 16α-OHE₁ in osmotic pumps. They reported that 16α-OHE₁ doubled penetrance of significantly increased pulmonary vascular resistance (defined as PVR increase of at least 50% from controls). Physiologically, this appeared to be caused by a decrease in patent vessels, based on perfusion by contrast agent.

In whole lung from control mice, 16α-OHE₁ suppressed BMPR2 protein levels three-fold and SMAD 1/5/8 phosphorylation two-fold, without a change in BMPR2 expression. These changes were also seen to a lesser extent in kidney. Estrogens regulate the lysosome through a nontransciptional mechanism[104] and BMPR2 protein levels are primarily regulated through lysosomal degradation.[105] While this hasn’t been explicitly shown, the simplest hypothesis for estrogen regulation of BMPR2 protein levels is thus through lysosomal activation.

However, this estrogen-mediated suppression of SMAD phosphorylation and BMPR2 protein levels was not the explanation for worsened penetrance in mice overexpressing BMPR2 dominant negatives; presumably because the dominant negative acts as a decoy for lysosomal degradation, 16α-OHE₁ treatment did not change already suppressed SMAD phosphorylation in these mice. There must be an additional mechanism by which 16α-OHE₁ worsens BMPR2-mediated PAH.

Gene expression arrays suggest 16α-OHE₁ causes vascular injury response

To try to uncover this additional mechanism, Fessel et al. performed gene expression arrays on lungs from mice with and without BMPR2^R899X mutation, and with and without 16α-OHE₁ treatment. Only mice with normal right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were used to avoid expression signature caused by high pressure. It was found that, as expected based on the suppression of BMPR2 by 16α-OHE₁ in control mice, that gene expression in control mice treated with 16α-OHE₁ was shifted somewhat toward the pattern in untreated BMPR2 mutants. Fessel et al. also found that 16α-OHE₁ treatment had the positive effects that are normally associated with estrogen treatment, including suppression of traditional cytokine signaling and inflammatory cell recruitment (Fessel et al., Pulmonary Circulation 2013, submitted; title: “Interaction of BMPR2 and Estrogenic Compounds in PAH”). However, it had additional effects, most of which had previously been reported in the literature for other systems but which had not previously been considered in the context of PAH. Chronic 16α-OHE₁ treatment resulted in increased angiogenesis-related genes, alterations in metabolic genes (including a 3× increase in the insulin resistance gene Resistin), increased platelet and thrombosis related genes, and alterations in the Wnt pathway consistent with induction of angiogenesis.[106] In sum, it appears that in addition to suppressing BMPR2 protein levels directly, 16α-OHE₁ is inducing vascular injury and activation of angiogenesis pathways, potentially through increasing insulin resistance.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME) treatment does not prevent BMPR2-related PAH

2-ME ameliorates both hypoxic and monocrotaline-related PAH through vasodilation and inhibition of cytokines.[14] Estrogens have the same molecular effect in BMPR2-related PAH: Based on array data, elevated cytokine expression is suppressed, and based on tail-cuff data, systemic pressures have statistically significant decrease in the presence of chronic 2-ME. However, despite this, 2-ME was not capable of preventing BMPR2-related PAH.

BMPR2^R899X mutant or control mice were implanted with pumps containing vehicle, 2-ME alone, 16α-OHE₁ alone, or a mixture of 2-ME and 16α-OHE₁ for four weeks, after a prior two weeks of induction of mutation. BMPR2^R899X mutant treated with 2-ME alone had a nonsignificant trend toward worse PVR than mutant mice treated with vehicle; those treated with 2-ME in addition to 16α-OHE₁ had a nonsignificant trend toward improvement compared with 16α-OHE₁ alone (although still worse than mutant mice with vehicle).

In sum, these results suggest that 2-ME effect in the context of BMPR2 mutation is essentially a partial agonist: 2-ME has higher affinity for the estrogen receptors, but 16α-OHE₁, when it binds, does so covalently.[107108] Thus, 2-ME may have a slight beneficial effect in the context of 16α-OHE₁ by lowering the rate of covalent binding through competition for receptors. However, on its own, it has the same negative effects as 16α-OHE₁ on insulin resistance, even though it continues to have the beneficial effects commonly reported (vasodilation and suppression of inflammation).

In conclusion, the BMP pathway and estrogen have multiple avenues of mutual regulation (Fig. 4). Classical estrogen signaling leads to transcriptional suppression of BMP ligands and receptors.[40899091] BMPR2 is an important determinant of steroid hormone sensitivity,[97] and properly functioning BMPR2 promotes classical estrogen signaling through assisting translocation of the complexes to the nucleus. Mutant BMPR2 prevents classical estrogen signaling, and promotes cell surface ER, associated with nongenomic signaling (Fig. 4). Nongenomic ER signaling suppresses BMP signaling,[88] most likely through induction of lysosomes[104] which regulate BMPR2 protein level[105] (estrogen reduces BMPR2 protein levels [in press]. Functionally, then increased estrogen signaling leads to decreased BMP signaling through multiple mechanisms. In addition, while estrogen signaling is vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory, it also promotes PAH in the context of BMPR2 mutation through promoting insulin resistance,[109] angiogenesis,[110] and thrombosis.[111112]

Figure 4

The BMP pathway and estrogen have multiple avenues of mutual regulation.

Estrogen metabolites and the vasculature

The oxidative metabolism of E2 determines the nature of the biologic effects of this endogenous estrogen. C16 hydroxylation leads to the production of estriol (16α-hydroxyestradiol) and 16α-OHE₁, very active estrogens.[115] The C4 hydroxylation leads to formation of catechol estrogen 4-hydroxyestradiol with significant estrogenic activity, an unstable but very reactive metabolite which induces oxidative stress and formation of DNA adducts. Importantly, the metabolites of the 16-hydroxylation and 4-hydroxylation pathways have significant proinflammatory,[116] mitogenic,[117] and angiogenic properties.[118] In contrast to the 4- and 16-hydroxylation pathways, C2 hydroxylation leads to the formation of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE), a metabolite with very low affinity for estrogen receptors, which is quickly cleared (t/2 = 90 minutes) from the plasma by prompt O-methylation which is catalyzed by catechol-O-methyl transferase.[119] The product of this reaction is 2-ME, a metabolite with no reported estrogenic activity.[120] The known biological effects of 2-ME are mediated by estrogen receptor-independent mechanisms[121] and 2-ME exhibits strong antimitogenic, antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects (Fig. 5).[120121122]

Figure 5

Crossroads of estradiol metabolism in PAH: Activities of 2-hydroxylation, 16alpha-hydroxylation, and 17beta-HSD pathways may determine the overall biological effects of estradiol in PAH.

Several lines of evidence strongly suggested that some estradiol metabolites may have vascular protective effects and that the protective effects of E2 are mediated, at least in part, by its downstream metabolites, products of the 2-hydroxylation pathway.[121] In support of this hypothesis, in vivo studies demonstrated that (1) 2-ME, its metabolic precursor 2-OHE, and its synthetic analogue 2-ethoxyestradiol (2-EE), attenuate vascular and renal dysfunction, and 2-ME has antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects in obese, diabetic ZSF1 rats;[123124] (2) 2-OHE attenuates renal disease in puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy;[125] and (3) both 2-OHE and 2-ME reduce vascular and cardiac remodeling induced by chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition.[126] Furthermore, all three, 2-ME, 2-OHE, and 2-EE inhibit cardiac fibrosis and remodeling in an isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy rat model,[127] and 2-ME inhibits injury-induced neointimal proliferation and smooth muscle cell growth in rats.[128]

Estrogen metabolites and experimental PH

The first evidence that estradiol metabolites may influence the development of PH comes from studies by Tofovic and colleagues[129] who demonstrated that, in male rats with MCT-PH, 2-OHE and 2-ME attenuate the development and 2-ME retards the progression of disease, and that both 2-OHE and 2-ME attenuate lungs inflammatory response and right ventricular and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Notably, ovariectomy (OVX) exacerbates MCT-PH or bleomycin-induced PH and pulmonary fibrosis, and treatment of OVX pulmonary hypertensive animals with 2-ME attenuates pulmonary vascular remodeling, RV hypertrophy, and pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and eliminates the mortality due to ovariectomy.[130131] Furthermore, 2-ME attenuates the development and retards the progression of hypoxia-induced PH in male rats[132] and has synergistic effects with sildenafil and bosentan in attenuating pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary inflammation and in reducing mortality in MCT-PH male rats.[133] Similar effects in male rats with MCT-PH are seen with synthetic analog 2-EE.[127] The beneficial effects of E2 in MCT-PH are associated with increased lung NO and prostacyclin levels and reduced endothelin levels, and the inhibitory effects on of E2 on vascular remodeling are linked to down-regulated expression of phosphorylated Akt and up-regulated expression of cyclooxygenase-2.[134] 2-ME is decisively more potent than E2 in increasing prostacyclin synthesis and release, in inhibiting endothelin synthesis in endothelial cells (ECs), and in stimulating NO release from endothelium.[14121] Likewise, in systemic and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells, 2-ME exerts stronger antimitotic effects than E2 itself,[14121] and inhibition of vascular remodeling by 2-ME is also associated with down-regulated expression of phosphorylated Akt and up-regulated expression of cyclooxygenase-2.[128] Thus, at least in part, the beneficial effects of E2 in experimental PH may be mediated by its major non-estrogenic metabolite 2-ME.

However, MCT- and hypoxia-induced PH may not be the best models for studying the complexities of estrogen pharmacology in human PAH.[14114] The hallmark vascular change in hypoxia- and MCT-induced PH is medial thickening and neomuscularization, with only mild endothelial damage. This is in contrast to the marked endothelial involvement in severe PAH in humans characterized by occlusive proliferation of endothelial cells and formation of plexifom lesions. Estradiol and 2-ME have opposing effects on ECs:E2 is promitogenic, proangiogenic, and antiapoptotic, whereas 2-ME is antimitogenic, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic. This may have significant ramifications for the overall effects of estrogens in experimental PH, and the overall effects of gender and E2 in experimental PH may depend on the model system used.[14114] Therefore, it was suggested[129] that the effects of estrogens and their metabolites should be studied in a model that more closely mimics vascular (endothelial) alterations seen in human PAH, i.e., rat model of angioproliferative PH induced by administration of VEGFR2 antagonist SU5416 and exposure to hypoxia (Sugen [Su5416] plus hypoxia [SuHx rats].[135]

Opposite to the gender effects in hypoxia- and MCT-induced PAH, in this model of experimental PH, female gender does not protect against PH.[136] Female rats rather develop more severe disease and, when compared to males, have increased lung weight and collagen content, as well as more severe nitrosative and oxidative lung injury.[137138] Plexiform lesions are detected in female animals as early as three weeks after administration of SU5416 and exposure to hypoxia.[138] Male rats develop predominantly occlusive vasculopathy with sporadic presence of plexiform lesions, whereas female rats develop numerous plexiform lesions with sporadic presence of necrotizing arteritis (Grade 6 lesions, Heath-Edwards classification).[137138] Also, in opposite to the effects in MCT- and hypoxia-induced PH, in the female model of angioproliferative PH, OVX does not exacerbate but rather tends to attenuate the disease; furthermore, in OVX SuHx rats, rescue treatment with E2 exacerbates vascular lesions and PH. Notably, similar to human PAH, in the angioproliferative PH model (SuHx rats), estrogens induce RV-pulmonary vascular uncoupling; despite more severe PH, females had significantly reduced RV hypertrophy compared to males, and OVX exacerbates the increase in RV mass, effects that are reversed by exogenous E2.[137138]

2-ME is extensively metabolized by type-2 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD-2) to 2-methoxyestrone (2-ME1), a metabolite largely lacking antimitogenic activity in cardiovascular cells. In this regard, in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) and lung fibroblasts (hLFs), at high pharmacological concentrations (10μM), 2-ME1 had only modest (–10 to –20%) antimitogenic effects.[139] Notably, overexpression and increased activity of 17β-HSD-2 abolishes the antimitogenic effects of 2-ME in tumor cells,[140] suggesting that intracellular conversion to its much less active metabolite may significantly influence the biological effects of 2-ME. Importantly, 2-ME1 can be converted back to 2-ME by 17β-HSD type-1 and thereby exhibit cardiovascular effects. All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) increases 17β-HSD type-1 expression and activity[141142] and would, thereby, be expected to increase the conversion of 2-ME1 to 2-ME. Indeed, in the presence of 1mM of atRA (a concentration that does not affect cell growth) 2-ME1 strongly and in a concentration-dependent manner (10 ng-10 μM) inhibits growth of hPASMCs and hLFs (–20 to –80%).[139] Initial studies have confirmed the importance of 17β-HSD in experimental PH. In male MCT-PH rats, 2-ME1 attenuates the development of PH, RV hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling, suggesting that in vivo significant conversion of 2-ME1 back to 2-ME takes place in PAH.[139] Furthermore, in male rats with MCT-PH, 2-ME and atRA have synergistic effects in ameliorating PH and in inhibiting vascular remodeling.[143] These studies strongly suggest that 2-ME1 to 2-ME conversion takes place in vivo and that the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase metabolic pathway influences the development of experimental PH.

Progestins and experimental PH

The effects of progesterone in experimental PH have not been fully studied. This is somewhat surprising because progesterone receptors are present both in intact human ECs and in modified ECs within plexiform lesions from patients with PAH.[144145] Furthermore, natural progesterone inhibits proliferation of ECs, and this effect involves a reduction in cyclin-dependent kinase activity, and the altered expression of cyclin E and A in accordance with G1 arrest.[146] Finally, progesterone exerts vasodilatory properties in different vascular beds including the pulmonary circulation of rats.[147] This would suggest that progesterone may be protective in PH. Indeed, in OVX rats with MCT-PH, progesterone attenuates PH and RV hypertrophy, reduces pulmonary inflammation, inhibits pulmonary vascular remodeling, and reduces mortality.[148] Similar effects are seen with medroxyprogesterone, whereas tibolone, a combined progestin/estrogen compound, prevents the development of disease and eliminates MCT-induced late mortality in OVX rats.[149] Although initial studies in estrogen deficient (OVX) rats suggest that progesterone may have beneficial effects in experimental PH, further evaluation of the role of progesterone in experimental PH, and more importantly its interaction with estrogens in angioproliferative PH, are warranted.

DHEA and pulmonary circulation

Little is known about the effects of DHEA on the pulmonary circulation. Farrukh et al.[206] and Gupte et al.[198] have shown in vitro that DHEA is a pulmonary vasodilator and inhibits acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction due at least partly to opening of potassium channels. In the latter study, it is shown that vasodilatory effects of pentose phosphate pathway inhibitors, including DHEA, are mediated through opening of voltage-gated K⁺ channels due to reduction of tissue NADPH levels and a change in redox status.[198] The levels of DHEA/DHEA-S in PH patients over time have not been determined, but the recent MESA-RV Study found that higher DHEA levels were associated with increased RV mass and stroke volume in women.[87]

Effects of chronic DHEA treatment on experimental PH

Prompted by the epidemiological and experimental findings in the systemic and pulmonary circulation, studies have been performed to determine whether DHEA is effective for the treatment of PH in various experimental models. There are numerous animal models of PH available for various research purposes, but they are now divided roughly into two groups based on the presence or absence of occlusive neointimal lesions, one of the hallmarks of PAH. One group is conventional, which includes the most frequently used models that essentially lack occlusive lesions, such as chronic hypoxia-induced and monocrotaline-injected models. The other group encompasses relatively newer models that develop occlusive neointimal lesions, including monocrotaline-injected pneumonectomized rats[207] and Sugen5416 injection and hypoxia-exposed rats.[135]

Chronically hypoxic PH. Hampl et al.[208] and Bonnet et al.[209] in the same year reported that chronic treatment with DHEA-S or DHEA inhibited and reversed chronic HPH (increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and RV hypertrophy) in rats. Bonnet et al. showed that the beneficial effects of DHEA treatment were associated with increased expression and function of pulmonary artery Ca²⁺ activated K⁺ channels. Oka et al. subsequently reported that dietary DHEA (0.3 and 1% DHEA containing food) dose-dependently, completely prevented and effectively reversed the HPH.[210] In agreement with previous reports in the systemic circulation,[211212] the chronic DHEA treatment improved endothelium-dependent (acetylcholine-induced) relaxation in isolated hypertensive pulmonary arteries. This improvement was accompanied by activation and upregulation of soluble guanylate cyclase but not eNOS, which is not consistent with the findings in the systemic circulation. It is not clear whether this difference simply reflects the difference between the systemic and pulmonary circulations, but the results suggest that DHEA can modulate activity/expression of soluble guanylate cyclase. It should be noted in this study that while DHEA attenuated chronic HPH with increased plasma DHEA levels in a dose-dependent fashion, plasma estradiol and testosterone levels were elevated only in the higher dose group (1% DHEA). These findings suggest that protective effects of DHEA against HPH are at least partly independent of its conversion to estrogen/testosterone.

In addition, another study reported that chronic DHEA-S treatment inhibited the development of HPH in older mice, and prevented them from age-related frailty induced by HPH.[213] The authors emphasized the similarity in this and a human study, where a strong inverse correlation between natural DHEA/DHEA-S blood levels and the ten-year mortality in old male smokers and ex-smokers, and suggested clinical trials with DHEA in patients with PH and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The same group subsequently showed that DHEA decreased hypoxia inducible factor-1a accumulation under hypoxic conditions in vitro, and suggested this might explain why DHEA was effective in treating chronic HPH.[214] The beneficial effects of DHEA/DHEA-S appear to involve multiple actions including K⁺ channel activation, upregulation of soluble guanylate cyclase, and downregulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1a. Collectively, there is an increasing body of experimental evidence that supports that DHEA/DHEA-S is an effective agent in preventing and reversing CH-PH. In fact, a recent preliminary report of an ongoing clinical trial in chronic obstructive lung disease-associated PH patients revealed that chronic DHEA treatment (200 mg/day for 12 weeks) improved their exercise tolerance and hemodynamic parameters.[215]

Other models. The drugs currently used to treat PH patients were first tested and found effective in conventional PH models, i.e., chronically hypoxic and/or monocrotaline-injected pulmonary hypertensive rats, and many new agents continue to be evaluated in these models. While the information acquired from studies of these models advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, a major limitation is that these animals do not develop the occlusive neointimal and plexiform pulmonary arterial lesions that are the hallmarks of severe human pulmonary arterial hypertension. There are newer models of PH that develop a closer phenotype to human pulmonary arterial hypertension than the conventional models. These models are usually induced by multiple insults/hits. In contrast to the conventional models, these models develop occlusive neointimal lesions in distal pulmonary arteries. Oka et al. tested effects of chronic DHEA treatment on two of these models, i.e., monocrotaline-injected pneumonectmized (MCT-PN) and Sugen 5416 (SU, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor blocker)-injected followed by exposure to hypoxia and subsequent re-exposure to normoxia (SuHx) rats:

(a) MCT-PN: This model was first introduced by Okada et al. in 1997 based on a two-hit theory, i.e., endothelial injury by MCT combined with increased blood flow by unilateral pneumonectomy.[207] In contrast to its effects in normal rats, MCT injection causes severe PH accompanied not only by medial wall thickening but also by neointimal lesions in small pulmonary arteries in PN rats. Homma et al. reported that a high dose of three-week dietary DHEA treatment (1% DHEA containing food) completely prevented the development of MCT-induced severe PH, RV hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling (medial wall thickening and occlusive neointimal formation) in left PN rats with no adverse systemic hemodynamic effects.[216] Protein analyses of lungs from PN rats revealed that MCT injection caused the following: (1) Increased RhoA activity accompanied by markedly increased 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and slightly decreased soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) expression; (2) constitutive activation (cleavage) of Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 (ROCK I) associated with caspase-3 activation; (3) increased ROCK II expression; and (4) increased ROCK activity. Chronic DHEA treatment nearly normalized the increased RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway activity, which was associated with inhibition of caspase-3 activation, HMG-CoA reductase overexpression, and preservation of sGC expression. DHEA, when started after the PH was fully developed, also completely inhibited the progression of MCT-induced severe PH, and more importantly, strikingly improved survival (30 vs. 100% for DHEA-untreated vs. -treated). These results showed that chronic DHEA treatment nearly completely prevented the development of MCT-induced severe PH, and that inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling, apparently by multiple mechanisms including downregulation of HMG-CoA reductase and inhibition of ROCK I cleavage, was involved in the impressive protective effects of DHEA. In addition, a recent study suggests that downregulation of Src/STAT3 signaling may be involved in the inhibitory effect of DHEA against RhoA/ROCK signaling[217]

(b) SuHx: In 2001, Taraseviciene-Stewart et al. first described a rat model of severe PH induced by a combination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor blockade (by Sugen 5416) and chronic hypoxic exposure.[135] A single injection of Sugen 5416 followed by a three-week exposure to hypoxia (10% O₂) resulted in the development of severe PH that was accompanied by occlusive neointimal lesions in precapillary small pulmonary arteries. Importantly, the PH is progressive even when the animals are re-exposed to normoxia. Recent work with this model shows that after three weeks of exposure to hypoxia and an additional two to 10 weeks in normoxia (5–13 weeks after Sugen 5416 injection), the severe pulmonary hypertensive animals develop over time a variety of pulmonary arterial lesions including medial wall thickening (Heath-Edwards Grade 1) and neointimal (Grades 2 and 3) and complex plexiform lesions (Grade 4) that are histologically indistinguishable from those found in human PH.[218] In addition, hemodynamic data show that RVSP appears to reach its maximum (~100 mmHg) around three to five weeks after Sugen 5416 injection and stays at about the same high level thereafter. At the five-week time point, cardiac output decreases to approximately 50% of that of the normal, and is further reduced at the 13-week time point. Reflecting this reduction in cardiac input, calculated total pulmonary vascular resistance increases further at this very late time point, even though the RVSP does not increase, suggesting that the vascular disorder is still progressing. This hemodynamic time-course pattern is very similar to that observed in patients with PAH, and notably, the PH in these animals is also resistant to treatment with drugs conventionally used to treat the human disease.

Alzoubi et al. have tested effects of DHEA in this severe PAH model. The authors found that a five-week dietary treatment with a high dose DHEA (1%), starting from the three-week time point when RVSP is near the maximum level (>80 mmHg), slowed the progression but did not reverse the severe PH (RVSP = 70 ± 7 and 97 ± 5 mmHg, at eight-week time point with and without DHEA treatment, respectively). Likewise, DHEA treatment significantly reduced the severity of RV hypertrophy and the neointimal lesion formation in small pulmonary arteries, but it did not normalize them. It is, however, notable that DHEA treatment impressively improved the impaired cardiac index to near normal levels, and the calculated total pulmonary vascular resistance was dramatically reduced. The authors hypothesized that this impressive improvement of cardiac function might be due not only to decreases in RVSP and RV pressure overload, but also to direct effects of DHEA on cardiomyocytes. Because it has been reported that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the impaired RV function in this model,[219] and because DHEA is a potent antioxidant, the authors looked at ROS signals in the heart. They found that ROS signals were markedly increased in RV but not LV from PH rats (at the eight-week time point), and DHEA treatment effectively reduced the signal. These results suggest that DHEA is effective in treating this severe PH model, not only by improving abnormalities in the hypertensive pulmonary arteries but also by directly protecting cardiomyocytes as an antioxidant.[220]

In conclusion, high doses of DHEA are effective against various experimental models of PH. Multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of Nitric oxide cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) and inhibition of ROCK signaling pathways, are involved in its beneficial effects, and DHEA may have a direct protective effect on impaired RV function. Taken together, DHEA appears to be a promising agent for the treatment of PH as a monotherapy. DHEA is an over-the-counter food supplement and generally has no major side effects, but its safety at very high doses is not known. Because DHEA can be metabolized to androgens and estrogens, sex hormone-dependent cancer development may be a concern for its high dose chronic treatment. Although, effective doses in humans might be much lower because of very high basal levels of DHEA/DHEA-S compared to those of rodents, and in fact a recent preliminary clinical trial shows that a relatively low dose (200 mg/day) improves 6-Minute Walk Distance as well as hemodynamic parameters in patients with PH owing to chronic obstructive lung disease.[215] One may need to evaluate synthetic derivatives of DHEA such as HE3286 (Triolex) that is not metabolized to sex steroids and retains potent anti-inflammatory, and possibly other properties, of DHEA.[221]