Tropoelastin Enhances Nitric Oxide Production by Endothelial Cells

AIMS: This study aimed to characterize the role of tropoelastin in eliciting a nitric oxide response in endothelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nitric oxide production in cells was quantified following the addition of known nitric oxide synthase pathway inhibitors such as LNAME and 1400W. The effect of eNOS siRNA knockdowns was studied using western blotting and assessed in the presence of PI3K-inhibitor, wortmannin. RESULTS: Tropoelastin-induced nitric oxide production was LNAME and wortmannin sensitive, while being unaffected by treatment with 1400W. CONCLUSION: Tropoelastin acts through a PI3K-specific pathway that leads to the phosphorylation of eNOS to enhance nitric oxide production in endothelial cells. This result points to the benefit of the use of tropoelastin in vascular applications, where NO production is a characteristic marker of vascular health.