TMEM16A contributes to endothelial dysfunction through accelerating Nox2 NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation in hypertension

OBJECTIVE The Ca2+-activated Cl-channel(Ca CC)plays a crucial role in various physiological functions.Recent evidences suggest TMEM16A encodes CaC C in various cells,including endothelial cells.However,the role of TMEM16A in the vascular endothelial dysfunction in hypertension is unclear.METHODS In the study,RT-PCR,Western blotting,co-immunopricipitation,confocal imaging,patch-clamp,and endothelial-specific TMEM16A transgenic and knockout mice were employed.RESULTS We found that TMEM16A was expressed abundantly and functioned as Ca CC in endothelial cells.AngiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)induced endothelial dysfunction with an increase in TMEM16A expression,which was alleviated by TMEM16A inhibitor.Further studies revealed that TMEM16A endothelial-specific knockout significantly lowered the blood pressure and ameliorated endothelial dysfunction in AngⅡ-induced hypertension,whereas,TMEM16A endothelial-specific overexpression showed the opposite effects.These results were related to the increased reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,NADPH oxidase activation,and Nox2,p22phox expression facilitated by TMEM16A upon AngⅡ-induced hypertensive challenges.Moreover,TMEM16A directly interacted with Nox2 monomer and reduced the degradation of Nox2 through the proteasome-dependent endoplasmic recticulum-associated degradation pathway.TMEM16A also potentiated the translocation of p47phox and p67phox from cytosol to cell membrane and the subsequent interaction with Nox2.CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that TMEM16A,as Ca CC,is a positive regulator of ROS generation via upregulating the activation of Nox2 NADPH oxidase in the vascular endothelium,and therefore facilitates endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.Modification of TMEM16A may be a novel therapeutic strategy for endothelial dysfunction-associated cardiovascular diseases.