The Ca/CaM, Src kinase and/or PI3K-dependent EGFR transactivation via 5-HT and 5-HT receptor subtypes mediates 5-HT-induced vasoconstriction.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) modulate vascular tone and contraction via rapid and long-term processes. Sustained activation of these receptor types can change vascular structure, and the ability of vasculature to adapt to high pressure. In this study, the interaction between serotonin (5-HT) receptors and epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) on vasoconstriction and the mechanisms of EGFR transactivation and its downstream mediators were investigated. We measured 5-HT-induced vasoconstriction in the aorta and the mesenteric artery; and the effects of EGFR, Src and PI3K, and their downstream mediators Erk1/2 and Akt phosphorylation on 5-HT-mediated vasoconstriction in the presence or absence of pharmacological inhibitors of Ca/CaM, EGFR, Src, and PI3K. Furthermore, we determined the contribution of 5-HT receptor subtypes to 5-HT-induced vasoconstriction and EGFR transactivation using selective 5-HT and 5-HT receptors ligands. Our results show that EGFR, Src, and PI3K are involved in 5-HT-induced vasoconstriction both in the aorta and the mesenteric artery, and that these kinases have a more prominent role in the mesenteric artery than the aorta. With regard to EGFR transactivation by 5-HT, Ca/CaM, Src and PI3K are upstream mediators, and transactivation is partly mediated by Erk1/2 and Akt activation. Furthermore, Ca/CaM, Src, and PI3K are the main regulators for Akt activation, however Src only has a prominent role for Erk1/2 activation. 5-HT and 5-HT receptors have different EGFR transactivation profiles through Src and/or PI3K, with 5-HT having a greater role than 5-HT receptors.