Caveolin-1 and-3 dissociations from caveolae to cytosol in the heart during aging and after myocardial infarction in rat

Objective: Caveolins, the structural proteins of caveolae, modulate numerous signaling pathways including Nitric Oxide (NO) production. Among the caveolin family, caveolin-1 and -3 are mainly expressed in endothelial and muscle cells, respectively. In this study, we investigate whether (i) changes in caveolin abundance and/or distribution occur during cardiac aging and failure in rat, and (ii) the process could influence NO synthase (NOS) activity. Methods: Using immunohistolabelling and Western blot approaches, expression and distribution of caveolins were analysed in adult (Ad), senescent (S-Sh) and myocardial in farction-induced failing (S-MI) hearts. NOS3/caveolin-1 interactions were evaluated by immunoprecipitation assays. Results: At the microscope level, caveolin-1 distribution in the endothelial cells was unchanged between the groups. Conversely the typical distribution of caveolin-3 in myocyte sarcolemma was dramatically altered in S-MI rats, resulting in a heterogeneous pattern throughout the septum. Total abundance of caveolin-1 and -3 remained stable whatever the group. In the fractions free of caveolae (Triton X-100 soluble), the levels of caveolin-la and -3 increased with aging (+20%, and +104%, P<0.05 versus Ad, respectively) and were further enhanced in S-MI (+25%, +30%, P<0.05, P<0.001 versus S-Sh respectively). In these fractions, NOS3/caveolin-1alpha. complexes increased as well. In addition, NOS activity was negatively correlated to caveolin-1 level in the cytosolic fractions. Conclusions: We demonstrate that dissociation of caveolin from caveolae is associated with aging and heart failure, the process being related to the decreased NOS activity. (C) 2003 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.