Abstract-Oxidative processes play an important role in atherogenesis. Because superoxide anion and nitric oxide (NO) are important mediators in vascular pathology, we studied the expression of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in human and rabbit atherosclerotic lesions by using simultaneous in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry and EC-SOD enzyme activity measurements. We also analyzed the presence in the arterial wall of oxidized lipoproteins and peroxynitrite-modified proteins as indicators of oxidative damage and possible mediators in vascular pathology. EC-SOD and iNOS mRNA and protein were expressed in smooth muscle cells and macrophages in early and advanced lesions. The expression of both enzymes was especially prominent in macrophages. As measured by enzyme activity, EC-SOD was the major SOD isoenzyme in the arterial wall. EC-SOD activity was higher in highly cellular rabbit lesions but lower in advanced, connective tissue-rich human lesions. Despite the abundant expression of EC-SOD, malondialdehyde-lysine and hydroxynonenal-lysine epitopes characteristic of oxidized lipoproteins and nitrotyrosine residues characteristic of peroxynitrite-modified proteins were detected in iNOS-positive, macrophage-rich lesions, thus implying that malondialdehyde, hydroxynonenal, and peroxynitrite are important mediators of oxidative damage. We conclude that EC-SOD, iNOS, and the balance between NO and superoxide anion play important roles in atherogenesis. EC-SOD and iNOS are highly expressed in lesion macrophages. High EC-SOD expression in the arterial wall may be required not only to prevent deleterious effects of superoxide anion but also to preserve NO activity and prevent peroxynitrite formation. Modulation of arterial EC-SOD and iNOS activities could provide means to protect arteries against atherosclerotic vascular disease. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998;18:157-167.)

To identify novel genes influencing blood pressure response to thiazide diuretic therapy for hypertension, we conducted genome-wide association meta-analyses of ≈1.1 million single nucleotide polymorphisms in a combined sample of 424 European Americans with primary hypertension treated with hydrochlorothiazide from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses Study (N=228) and the Genetic Epidemiology of Responses to Antihypertensive Study (N=196). Polymorphisms associated with blood pressure response at p<10-5 were tested for replication of the associations in independent samples of hydrochlorothiazide-treated European hypertensives. The rs16960228 polymorphism in protein kinase C, alpha replicated for same-direction association with diastolic blood pressure response in the Nordic Diltiazem Study (N=420) and the Genetics of Drug Responsiveness in Essential Hypertension Study (N=206), and the combined four-study meta-analysis p-value achieved genome-wide significance (p=3.3 × 10-8). Systolic/diastolic blood pressure responses were consistently greater in carriers of the rs16960228 A allele than in GG homozygotes (4/4 mmHg greater) across study samples. The rs2273359 polymorphism in the GNAS-EDN3 region also replicated for same-direction association with systolic blood pressure response in the Nordic Diltiazem Study, and the combined three-study meta-analysis p-value approached genome-wide significance (p=5.5 × 10-8). The findings document clinically-important effects of genetic variation at novel loci on blood pressure response to a thiazide diuretic, which may be a basis for individualization of antihypertensive drug therapy and identification of new drug targets.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL) possesses several atherogenic properties. The mechanisms by which LDL becomes oxidized in vivo remain unknown, but previous studies have suggested that 15-lipoxygenase may be one of the factors involved in the initiation of LDL oxidation in the arterial wall. 3 wk after a retrovirus-mediated 15-lipoxygenase gene transfer into iliac arteries of normocholesterolemic rabbits there was a threefold increase in 15-lipoxygenase activity but no signs of LDL oxidation. However, when animals were made moderately hypercholesterolemic by feeding a 0.13% cholesterol diet for 2-3 wk starting from day 4 after the gene transfer, oxidation-specific lipid-protein adducts characteristic of oxidized LDL were detected in 15-lipoxygenase-transduced arteries. Control experiments in which contralateral iliac arteries were transduced with (3-galactosidase-containing retroviruses showed only occasional signs of the presence of oxidation-specific adducts. The results support the hypothesis that products derived from the 15-lipoxygenase activity are involved in the induction of LDL oxidation within the arterial wall, provided that sufficient concentrations of lipoproteins are present in the artery. (J. Clin. Invest. 1995Invest. . 95:2692Invest. -2698