Purinergic receptor stimulation induces calcium oscillations and smooth muscle contraction in small pulmonary veins

<jats:sec><jats:title>Key points</jats:title><jats:p><jats:list list-type="bullet"> <jats:list-item><jats:p>We investigated the excitation–contraction coupling mechanisms in small pulmonary veins (SPVs) in rat precision‐cut lung slices.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>We found that SPVs contract strongly and reversibly in response to extracellular ATP and other vasoconstrictors, including angiotensin‐II and endothelin‐1.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>ATP‐induced vasoconstriction in SPVs was associated with the stimulation of purinergic P2Y2 receptors in vascular smooth muscle cell, activation of phospholipase C‐β and the generation of intracellular Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> oscillations mediated by cyclic Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> release events via the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor.</jats:p></jats:list-item> <jats:list-item><jats:p>Active constriction of SPVs may play an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary oedema.</jats:p></jats:list-item> </jats:list></jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The small pulmonary veins (SPVs) may play a role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary oedema via active changes in SPV diameter, mediated by vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction. However, the excitation–contraction coupling mechanisms during vasoconstrictor stimulation remain poorly understood in these veins. We used rat precision‐cut lung slices and phase‐contrast and confocal microscopy to investigate dynamic changes in SPV cross‐sectional luminal area and intracellular Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> signalling in their VSMCs. We found that the SPV (∼150 μm in diameter) contract strongly in response to extracellular ATP and other vasoconstrictors, including angiotensin‐II and endothelin‐1. ATP‐induced SPV contraction was fast, concentration‐dependent, completely reversible upon ATP washout, and inhibited by purinergic receptor antagonists suramin and AR‐C118925 but not by MRS2179. Immunofluorescence showed purinergic P2Y2 receptors expressed in SPV VSMCs. ATP‐induced SPV contraction was inhibited by phospholipase Cβ inhibitor U73122 and accompanied by intracellular Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> oscillations in the VSMCs. These Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> oscillations and SPV contraction were inhibited by the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor inhibitor 2‐APB but not by ryanodine. The results of the present study suggest that ATP‐induced vasoconstriction in SPVs is associated with the activation of purinergic P2Y2 receptors in VSMCs and the generation of Ca<jats:sup>2+</jats:sup> oscillations.</jats:p></jats:sec>