Osteogenic factors, such as
osteoprotegerin (OPG), are protective against
vascular calcification. However, OPG is also positively associated with cardiovascular damage, particularly in
pulmonary hypertension, possibly through processes beyond effects on calcification. In the present study, we focused on calcification-independent vascular effects of OPG through activation of
syndecan-1 and
NADPH oxidases (Noxs) 1 and 4. Isolated resistance arteries from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats, exposed to exogenous OPG, studied by myography exhibited endothelial and smooth muscle dysfunction. OPG decreased
nitric oxide (NO) production, eNOS activation and increased
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in endothelial cells. In VSMCs, OPG increased ROS production, H2O2/
peroxynitrite levels and activation of
Rho kinase and
myosin light chain. OPG vascular and redox effects were also inhibited by the
syndecan-1 inhibitor synstatin (SSNT). Additionally,
heparinase and
chondroitinase abolished OPG effects on VSMCs-ROS production, confirming
syndecan-1 as OPG molecular partner and suggesting that OPG binds to heparan/
chondroitin sulphate chains of
syndecan-1. OPG-induced ROS production was abrogated by NoxA1ds (Nox1 inhibitor) and
GKT137831 (dual Nox1/Nox4 inhibitor).
Tempol (SOD mimetic) inhibited vascular dysfunction induced by OPG. In addition, we studied arteries from Nox1 and Nox4 knockout (KO) mice. Nox1 and Nox4 KO abrogated OPG-induced vascular dysfunction. Vascular dysfunction elicited by OPG is mediated by a complex signalling cascade involving
syndecan-1, Nox1 and Nox4. Our data identify novel molecular mechanisms beyond calcification for OPG, which may underlie vascular injurious effects of osteogenic factors in conditions such as
hypertension and/or diabetes.