Endothelial Spns2 and ApoM Regulation of Vascular Tone and Hypertension Via Sphingosine‐1‐Phosphate

BACKGROUND: Most of the circulating sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is bound to ApoM (apolipoprotein M) of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and mediates many beneficial effects of HDL on the vasculature via G protein–coupled S1P receptors. HDL‐bound S1P is decreased in atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus. In addition to being the target, the endothelium is a source of S1P, which is transported outside of the cells by Spinster‐2, contributing to circulating S1P as well as to local signaling. Mice lacking endothelial S1P receptor 1 are hypertensive, suggesting a vasculoprotective role of S1P signaling. This study investigates the role of endothelial‐derived S1P and ApoM‐bound S1P in regulating vascular tone and blood pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS: ApoM knockout (ApoM KO) mice and mice lacking endothelial Spinster‐2 (ECKO‐Spns2) were infused with angiotensin II for 28 days. Blood pressure, measured by telemetry and tail‐cuff, was significantly increased in both ECKO‐Spns2 and ApoM KO versus control mice, at baseline and following angiotensin II. Notably, ECKO‐Spns2 presented an impaired vasodilation to flow and blood pressure dipping, which is clinically associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. In hypertension, both groups presented reduced flow‐mediated vasodilation and some degree of impairment in endothelial NO production, which was more evident in ECKO‐Spns2. Increased hypertension in ECKO‐Spns2 and ApoM KO mice correlated with worsened cardiac hypertrophy versus controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies an important role for Spinster‐2 and ApoM‐HDL in blood pressure homeostasis via S1P‐NO signaling and dissects the pathophysiological impact of endothelial‐derived S1P and ApoM of HDL‐bound S1P in hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy.