Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Enhances α(1)-Adrenergic Vasoconstriction via S1P2–G(12/13)–ROCK Mediated Signaling

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been implicated recently in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system including regulation of vascular tone. Pilot experiments showed that the vasoconstrictor effect of S1P was enhanced markedly in the presence of phenylephrine (PE). Based on this observation, we hypothesized that S1P might modulate α(1)-adrenergic vasoactivity. In murine aortas, a 20-minute exposure to S1P but not to its vehicle increased the E(max) and decreased the EC(50) of PE-induced contractions indicating a hyperreactivity to α(1)-adrenergic stimulation. The potentiating effect of S1P disappeared in S1P2 but not in S1P3 receptor-deficient vessels. In addition, smooth muscle specific conditional deletion of G(12/13) proteins or pharmacological inhibition of the Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) by Y-27632 or fasudil abolished the effect of S1P on α(1)-adrenergic vasoconstriction. Unexpectedly, PE-induced contractions remained enhanced markedly as late as three hours after S1P-exposure in wild-type (WT) and S1P3 KO but not in S1P2 KO vessels. In conclusion, the S1P–S1P2–G(12/13)–ROCK signaling pathway appears to have a major influence on α(1)-adrenergic vasoactivity. This cooperativity might lead to sustained vasoconstriction when increased sympathetic tone is accompanied by increased S1P production as it occurs during acute coronary syndrome and stroke.