Alterations in a redox oxygen sensing mechanism in chronic hypoxia

The mechanism of acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) may involve the inhibition of several voltage-gated K⁺ channels in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Changes in Po₂ can either be sensed directly by the channel(s) or be transmitted to the channel via a redox-based effector mechanism. In control lungs, hypoxia and rotenone acutely decrease production of activated oxygen species, inhibit K⁺ channels, and cause constriction. Two-day and 3-wk chronic hypoxia (CH) resulted in a decrease in basal activated oxygen species levels, an increase in reduced glutathione, and loss of HPV and rotenone-induced constriction. In contrast, 4-aminopyridine- and KCl-mediated constrictions were preserved. After 3-wk CH, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell membrane potential was depolarized, K⁺ channel density was reduced, and acute hypoxic inhibition of whole cell K⁺ current was lost. In addition, Kv1.5 and Kv2.1 channel protein was decreased. These data suggest that chronic reduction of the cytosol occurs before changes in K⁺ channel expression. HPV may be attenuated in CH because of an impaired redox sensor.