RT Journal Article T1 Thyroid hormones stimulate L-arginine transport in human endothelial cells. A1 Toral, Marta A1 Jimenez, Rosario A1 Montoro-Molina, Sebastián A1 Romero, Miguel A1 Wangensteen, Rosemary A1 Duarte, Juan A1 Vargas, Félix K1 thyroid hormones K1 TRIAC K1 TETRAC K1 L-arginine transporters K1 HUVECs K1 αvβ3 integrin K1 PI3K K1 MAPK AB Thyroid hormone activity is associated with L-arginine metabolism and nitric oxide (NO) production, which participate in the cardiovascular manifestations of thyroid disorders. L-arginine transporters play an important role in activating L-arginine uptake and NO production. However, the effects of thyroid hormones on L-arginine transporters in endothelial cells have not yet been evaluated. The following methods were used. We measured L-arginine uptake, mRNA expression of L-arginine transporters, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA and NO generation after the administration of T3, T4 and the T3 analog, 3,3′,5-triiodothyroacetic acid TRIAC in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We also analyzed the role of αvβ3 integrin and of phosphatidyl-inositol-3 kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: ERK1/2, p38 and SAPK-JNK) and intracellular calcium signaling pathways as underlying mechanisms. To this end, αvβ3 integrin was pharmacologically inhibited by tetraiodothyroacetic acid (TETRAC) or genetically blocked by silencing αv mRNA and PI3K, MAPKs and intracellular calcium by selective inhibitors. The following results were obtained. Thyroid hormones and the T3 analog TRIAC increased L-arginine uptake in HUVECs, the sodium-independent y+/CAT isoforms, except CAT2b, sodium-dependent y+L system and sodium-independent system b0,+L-arginine transporters, eNOS mRNA and NO production. These effects were suppressed by αvβ3 integrin inhibition with TETRAC or αv integrin downregulation or by PI3K, MAPK or intracellular Ca2+ signaling inhibitors. In conclusion, we report for the first time that activation of L-arginine uptake by thyroid hormones is related to an upregulation of L-arginine transporters. This effect seems to be mediated by activation of αvβ3 integrin receptor and subsequent PI3K, MAPK and intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathways. YR 2018 FD 2018-10-01 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13060 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/13060 LA en DS RISalud RD Apr 19, 2025