Central Role of Calcium-Dependent Tyrosine Kinase PYK2 in Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase–Mediated Angiogenic Response and Vascular Function

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The involvement of Ca2+-dependent tyrosine kinase PYK2 in the Akt/endothelial NO synthase pathway remains to be determined. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood flow recovery and neovessel formation after hind-limb ischemia were impaired in PYK2-/- mice with reduced mobilization of endothelial progenitors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated cytoplasmic Ca2+ mobilization and Ca2+-independent Akt activation were markedly decreased in the PYK2-deficient aortic endothelial cells, whereas the Ca2+-independent AMP-activated protein kinase/protein kinase-A pathway that phosphorylates endothelial NO synthase was not impaired. Acetylcholine-mediated aortic vasorelaxation and cGMP production were significantly decreased. Vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent migration, tube formation, and actin cytoskeletal reorganization associated with Rac1 activation were inhibited in PYK2-deficient endothelial cells. PI3-kinase is associated with vascular endothelial growth factor-induced PYK2/Src complex, and inhibition of Src blocked Akt activation. The vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated Src association with PLCgamma1 and phosphorylation of 783Tyr-PLCgamma1 also were abolished by PYK2 deficiency. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that PYK2 is closely involved in receptor- or ischemia-activated signaling events via Src/PLCgamma1 and Src/PI3-kinase/Akt pathways, leading to endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation, and thus modulates endothelial NO synthase-mediated vasoactive function and angiogenic response.