Deletion of GIT1 Impacts eNOS Activity To Aggravate sFlt-1–Induced Preeclampsia Phenotype in Mice

Preeclampsia, a serious multisystem disorder specific to human pregnancy, remains a considerable burden of disease worldwide. Reduced nitric oxide bioavailability is proved to be crucial in the maternal and fetal pathophysiology of preeclampsia. G-protein-coupled Receptor Kinase Interactor-1 (GIT1) is a novel endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) interactor mediator. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of GIT1 on preeclampsia. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using a carotid catheter-calibrated eight-chamber tail-cuff system (CODA) at the same time daily. Urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was determined using Albuwell-M kits (Exocell Inc) and creatinine clearance (CCr) was determined by measuring urinary creatinine concentration with tandem liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The release of nitrite was analyzed to detect nitric oxide (NO) production using a Sievers Chemiluminescence NO Analyzer. NOS activity was examined by measuring the conversion of (3)H-labeled l-arginine to (3)H-labeled l-citrulline. BP was significantly increased in GIT1(−/−) mice with or without sFIT-1 treatment. In addition, GIT1−/− mice possessed higher UAE and lower CCr. Depletion of GIT1 impedes the NO production and placenta eNOS activity. Additional GIT1 attenuates sFlt-1-induced preeclampsia phenotypes. Our findings suggest that GIT1 significantly extenuates the sFlt-1-induced preeclampsia phenotypes by inhibiting eNOS activity, indicating a crucial role of GIT1 in the progression of preeclampsia.