Lipopolysaccharide potentiates endothelin-1-induced proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells by upregulating TRPC channels

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are critical pathogenic factors in sepsis-induced pulmonary hypertension; however it is unknown whether they have a coordinated action in the pathogenesis of this disease. Here we found that although LPS did not change the contractility of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in response to ET-1, it significantly promoted ET-1-induced PASMC proliferation. Measurement of ET-1-evoked Ca2+ transients in PASMCs showed that LPS dramatically enhanced Ca2+ influx mediated by transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. LPS did not directly activate TRPC channels, instead it selectively upregulated the expression of TRPC3 and TRPC4 in pulmonary arteries. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) and chemical blockers against TRPC channels abolished LPS-induced PASMC proliferation. LPS-induced cell proliferation and TRPC expression was mediated by the Ca2+-dependent calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway. We suggest that blocking TRPC channels could be an effective strategy in controlling pulmonary arterial remodeling after endotoxin exposure.