Regulation of vascular endothelial barrier function by Epac, a cAMP-activated exchange factor for Rap GTPase

Endothelial cell-cell junctional proteins and cortical actin are of central importance for regulating vascular permeability. Rap1, a member of the Ras family of GTPases, is enriched at endothelial cell-cell contacts and activated by cyclic AMP (cAMP) through a PKA-independent pathway. Activation of a cAMP-inducible guanine-exchange factor for Rap, Epac, results in markedly enhanced basal endothelial barrier function by increasing cortical actin and subsequent redistribution of adherens and tight junctional molecules to cell-cell contacts. Activation of Epac also counteracts thrombin-induced hyperpermeability through down-regulation of Rho GTPase activation, suggesting cross-talk between Rap and Rho GTPases. Thus, Epac/Rap activation represents a new pathway for regulating endothelial cell barrier function.