Internalization and Transportation of Endothelial Cell Surface K2.3 and K3.1 in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia.

Altered redox state modulates the expression levels of endothelial K2.3 and K3.1 (Ks) in normal pregnancy (NP) and preeclampsia (PE), thereby regulating vascular contractility. The mechanisms underlying Ks endocytosis and transportation remain unknown. We investigated the regulation of Ks expression in plasma membrane (PM) during NP and PE. Cultured human uterine artery endothelial cells were incubated in serum from normal nonpregnant women and women with NP or PE, or in oxidized LDL-, or lysophosphatidylcholine- (LPC-) containing a medium for 24 hours. NP serum elevated PM levels of Ks and reduced caveolin-1 and clathrin levels. PE serum, oxidized LDL, or LPC reduced PM levels of Ks and elevated caveolin-1, clathrin, Rab5c, and early endosome antigen-1 (EEA1) levels. Reduced Ks levels by PE serum or LPC were reversed by inhibition of caveolin-1, clathrin, or EEA1. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) knockdown elevated PM-localized Ks levels and reduced caveolin-1 and clathrin levels. Elevated K2.3 levels upon catalase and GPX1 knockdown were reversed by PEG-catalase treatment. An HO donor reduced clathrin and Rab5c. In contrast, elevated clathrin, caveolin-1, or colocalization of caveolin-1 with K3.1 by PE serum or LPC was reversed by NADPH oxidase inhibitors or antioxidants. A superoxide donor xanthine+xanthine oxidase elevated caveolin-1 or Rab5c levels. We concluded that Ks are endocytosed in a caveola- or a clathrin-dependent manner and transported in a Rab5c- and EEA1-dependent manner during pregnancy. The endocytosis and transportation processes may slow down via HO-mediated pathways in NP and may be accelerated via superoxide-mediated pathways in PE.