Effect of integrin α5β1 on erectile function of spontaneously hypertensive rats

GONG Hao; JIANG Rui

doi:10.13263/j.cnki.nja.2026.02.001

Abstract：Objective To explore the mechanism by which inhibition of integrin α5β1 in the context of hypertension downregulates the expression of RAS homolog gene family members(RhoA)/Rho-associated kinase(ROCK)signaling proteins in the penile corpus cavernosum tissue,and affects the erectile function of rats.Methods Fifteen 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)were randomly divided into the SHR group,SHR+LV-empty group(transfected with empty lentiviral vector)and SHR+LV-siRNA group(transfected with lentivirus carrying siRNA targeting integrin α5β1),with 5 rats in each group.Fifteen 12-week-old normotensive Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)rats were randomly divided into the WKY rat group,WKY+LV-empty group(transfected with empty lentiviral vector)and WKY+LV-siRNA group(transfected with lentivirus carrying siRNA targeting integrin α5β1),with 5 rats in each group.In the WKY group and SHR group,20 μL of normal saline was injected into the middle part of the penile corpus cavernosum.While in the SHR+LV-empty group and WKY+LV-empty group,20 μL of empty lentiviral vector(titer 1 × 108 TU/mL)was injected into the middle part of the penile corpus cavernosum.In the SHR+LV-siRNA group and WKY+LV-siRNA group,20 μL of lentivirus carrying integrin α5β1 interference(titer 1 × 108 TU/mL)was injected into the middle part of the penile corpus cavernosum.One week after transfection,the body weight,levels of serum testosterone,ratio of the maximum intracavernous pressure to the mean arterial pressure(ICPmax/MAP)of rats in each group,the expression of integrin α5β1,FAK,ROCK1,ROCK2,and eNOS in penile corpus cavernosum,as well as the content of ni-tric oxide(NO)were measured.Results There was no statistically significant difference in body weight and serum testosterone levels among the rats in each group(P＞0.05).Compared with the WKY group,the ICPmax/MAP in the SHR group was sig-nificantly lower(P＜0.05),and the expressions of integrin α5β1,FAK,ROCK1,and ROCK2 in the penile corpus caverno-sum of the SHR group were significantly higher(P＜0.05),while the expression of eNOS and the content of NO decreased sig-nificantly(P＜0.05).After successful transfection with integrin α5β1 interfering lentivirus,compared with the WKY+LV-empty group,there were no statistically significant differences in ICPmax/MAP,eNOS expression in the penile corpus caverno-sum,and NO content in the WKY+LV-siRNA group(P＞0.05),but the expressions of integrin α5β1,FAK,ROCK1,and ROCK2 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the SHR+LV-empty group,the ICPmax/MAP in the SHR+LV-siRNA group was significantly increased(P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in eNOS expression in the penile corpus cavernosum and NO content(P＞0.05).While the expressions of integrin α5β1,FAK,ROCK1,and ROCK2 were significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Hypertension upregulates the expression of integrin α5β1 in the penile corpus cavernosum,activates the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway,and leads to penile erectile dysfunction.Inhibiting the expres-sion of integrin α5β1 in penile cavernous tissue of SHRs downregulates the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway and improves the erectile function of SHRs.