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Recent studies indicate the importance of spatiotemporal regulation in the diversity and specificity of intracellular signaling. Here, we show that Ras-PI3K signaling plays an important role in the local regulation of phosphatidylinositol metabolism in the endosome through live-cell imaging by using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation technique, in which molecular interaction is indicated by fluorescence emission. Using several possible combinations of Ras and the Ras-binding domain, we identified an optimal set of probe molecules that yielded the most significant increase in fluorescence intensity between the active and inactive forms of Ras. This combination revealed that, among the Ras effectors tested, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) was specifically implicated in signaling in the endosome. We also found that full length PI3K was recruited to the endosome in EGF- and Ras-dependent manners, which appears to be essential for the activation of PI3K in this compartment. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the spatiotemporal regulation of Ras-PI3K signaling may dictate the activation of PI3K and subsequent downstream signaling in the endosome.

The effects of L-arginine on spontaneous contraction of endothelium-denuded longitudinal preparations of the rat portal vein were studied. L-arginine increased the frequency of spontaneous contraction concentration-dependently between 10 microM and 1 mM. Changes in contraction amplitude and duration were not remarkable. D-arginine had a negligible effect on spontaneous contraction. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (1 mM) did not affect spontaneous contraction or the response to L-arginine. Addition of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (1 mM), l-lysine (1 mM) or N-ethymaleimide (0.1 mM) increased the frequency of spontaneous contractions and inhibited the effect of L-arginine. Glibenclamide (10 microM) did not affect spontaneous contraction or the response to L-arginine. Spontaneous increase in concentration of intracellular Ca2+, estimated as the ratio of Fura-PE3 fluorescence occurred synchronously with spontaneous contraction. Spontaneous increase in concentration of intracellular Ca2+ occurred more frequently in the presence of L-arginine (1 mM). L-arginine (1 mM) also increased the number of action potential bursts/min in the longitudinal smooth muscle layer. L-arginine (1 mM) also depolarized cell membranes. This study indicates that L-arginine increases the frequency of spontaneous contraction of longitudinal muscle in the rat portal vein by membrane depolarization through mechanisms that do not involve nitric oxide or the inhibition of ATP-sensitive K+ channels.

Although the types of pathophysiological stimulation that initiate an overexpression of OPN have yet to be determined, we hypothesized that mechanical stress is one of the candidates which initiates OPN expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. Cell proliferation assay indicated that a pure atmospheric pressure of 160 mmHg activated cell proliferation by 11% in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) compared to nonpressurized controls. Immunoblot analysis probed with an anti-OPN antibody demonstrated a 50% increase in OPN. Dual-luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that OPN promoter, corresponding to the −771 through −1 region of OPN gene, was highly responsive to pure atmospheric pressure by ten times that of the control. From these observations, we concluded that pure atmospheric pressure directly promotes an expression of OPN in HASMC, with these results also suggesting that high blood pressure-mediated mechanical compression is involved in the process of atherosclerosis and remodeling via OPN expression in HASMC.

This study examined the effects of long-term treatments with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, and the calcium antagonist, amlodipine, on the morphologic changes, progressive left ventricular dysfunction, and gene expression of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) and phospholamban (PLN) in dilated cardiomyopathy. From the ages of 5 through 20 weeks, dilated cardiomyopathic hamsters, BIO53.58 (BIO), and control hamsters, F1b, orally received either enalapril or amlodipine. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. At the age of 20 weeks, the collagen volume fractions were analyzed by the stereologic method. RyR and PLN messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were examined by Northern blot in the amlodipine group. In BIO, the reduction of left ventricular percentage of fractional shortening was attenuated in the enalapril group (p < 0.05) and amlodipine group (p < 0.001), and the increase in the collagen volume fraction and the loss of myocytes were suppressed in the amlodipine group compared with the untreated group. RyR mRNA level decreased in BIO (p < 0.01) compared with F1b, but PLN mRNA level was unchanged. RyR and PLN mRNA levels were unaffected by the treatment with amlodipine. Enalapril and amlodipine prevent progressive remodeling and reduce cardiac dysfunction in BIO. Amlodipine prevents fibrosis and cell death without modifying RyR and PLN mRNA levels in BIO.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) patients share several similar features, such as reduced cardiac contractility and neurohumoral activation to compensate the impaired cardiac function. In CHF patients, the cardiac renin-angitensin (RA) system, receptors, GTP-binding proteins, and their effector molecules are inevitably exposed to chronically elevated neurohumoral stimulation. A widely recognized concept is that a chronic increase in such stimulation can desensitize target cell receptors and the post-receptor signal transducing pathway. Recently, reports of several studies have indicated that the inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi) can be increased in CHF patients and animal models. Although direct evidence for a change in catalytic protein of adenylyl cyclase has not been found, limited information has suggested a reduced catalytic activity in terminally failing hearts. In this paper, we have assessed the changes in beta AR, GTP-binding protein, catalytic protein and beta ARK. We also examined angiotensinogen mRNA expression in failing heart. It was detected not only in the liver, but also in both the atrial and ventricular heart tissues, suggesting that angiotensinogen is synthesized in the human heart. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a stronger reaction in the endocardial layer of the human left ventricle than in the epicardial layer, and intense immunoreactivity in the conduction system and right atrium. Our experiments revealed a widespread immunopositive reaction for angiotensinogen in the left ventricle of diseased hearts. In the non-diseased heart, ACE and AT1 receptor RNA are present in ventricular muscles. Renin and Ao mRNA could not be detected in the subendocardium of non-diseased left ventricle, but both were present in the left ventricle of diseased hearts. These data indicate that the cardiac RA system plays an important role in the deterioration of cardiac function.

The expression of three different subtypes of GTP binding protein beta-subunits (beta 1, beta 2 and beta 3) was examined in rat hearts at both mRNA and protein levels. Among three subtypes, beta 3 mRNA was more abundant in ventricles while beta 1 and beta 2 mRNAs were expressed ubiquitously among ventricles, atria and aortas. The immunodetectable beta 1- and beta 3-proteins were predominantly found in the cytosolic fraction of rat ventricles. In this study, we demonstrate ventricle-specific expression of beta 3-subunit and localization of G protein beta 3-subunit in the cytosol of rat hearts. This unusual cytosolic localization of G protein beta 3-subunit might indicate subtype-specific function of G protein beta (gamma)-subunits in rat hearts.

The effects of transforming growth factor beta-1 on concentration of intracellular Ca2+ changes in the presence of isoproterenol were studied in cardiac fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta-1 effect on cyclic-AMP production and ligand assay of beta-adrenergic receptors were also examined. Production of cyclic-AMP in fibroblasts preincubated with transforming growth factor beta-1 decreased compared with non-transforming growth factor beta-1-treated fibroblasts in the presence of isoproterenol. An increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the presence of isoproterenol was also inhibited in transforming growth factor beta-1-treated fibroblasts. Islet-activating protein did not restore these reactions of transforming growth factor beta-1. Concentration change of intracellular calcium under the treatment of transforming growth factor beta-1 was unaffected by forskolin addition. Binding of [3H]CGP-12177 was decreased to 47% of control preincubated for 24 h with transforming growth factor beta-1 in fibroblasts. Scatchard plots suggested a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor number without specific change in receptor affinity. These results suggested that transforming growth factor beta-1 modulates the signal transduction through beta-adrenergic receptor and intracellular Ca2+ concentration by regulating the number of receptor in fibroblasts.

The accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) after hormonal stimulation has a physiological role, possibly by alteration of Ca2+ levels in cardiac myocyte. However, this accumulation has not been studied under pathophysiological conditions. In this report, we examine phosphatidylinositol metabolism during cellular response to norepinephrine in pressure-overloaded hypertrophic rat heart. After stimulation with norepinephrine, the accumulations of IP3 and diacylglyceride significantly increased in isolated myocytes from stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) heart, indicating phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity increased in SHRSP heart cells. Protein kinase C activity was also enhanced in SHRSP, with a marked increase in particulate activity. We determined the intracellular calcium concentration and found it to be higher in SHRSP than in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats at 30-40 weeks of age. Ca2+ influx was also elevated in SHRSP stimulated by norepinephrine. In SHRSP heart, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration may rise quickly in response to some stimuli, such as alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation, which is shown to be one of the pathways that increases cytosolic Ca2+ levels in hypertrophied rat heart. These data suggest that a part of the phosphatidylinositol-turnover pathway, such as the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-IP3-Ca2+ pathway or the diacylglyceride-protein kinase C pathway, may play an important role in the development of hypertrophy in SHRSP heart.

It is known that inositol (1, 4, 5)-trisphosphate (IP3) stimulates Ca2+ release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in several tissues, but in cardiac myocytes this phenomenon has not been confirmed. The purpose of the present study was to confirm the effect of (1, 4, 5)-IP3 on Ca2+ release from SR in cardiac myocytes. The effect of IP3 on Ca2+ release from SR in hypertrophic cardiac cells was also determined. We examined the effects of IP3 on Ca2+ release from cardiac myocyte SR by the digital-image method in a single cell. We also determined the effect of IP3 on calcium release from isolated SR. SR was prepared from spontaneous hypertensive rat hearts and Wistar kyoto rat hearts. The SR was prelabeled with 45Ca2+, and then incubated with the indicated concentrations of IP3 for 1 min at 37 degrees C. In cardiac myocytes treated with saponin, Ca2+ release stimulated by 10 microM (1, 4, 5)-IP3 was detected by fura-2. In 45Ca2+ prelabeled SR, the maximal Ca2+ release was achieved at 10 microM IP3 incubated for 1 min. The release of Ca2+ was higher in SR of SHR than in the SR of WKY. IP3 stimulates Ca2-release from cardiac SR, and this release is greater in SHR than in WKY. However, it is uncertain whether this phenomenon plays a role in cardiac hypertrophy.

The accumulations of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) after hormonal stimulation may have a physiological role, possibly by alteration of Ca2+ levels in cardiac tissue. But the accumulation of inositol polyphosphate in a pathophysiological condition has not been studied. We investigated phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) metabolism in hypertrophic cardiac myocytes, and clarified that the accumulations of IP3, IP4 and diacylglyceride after stimulation with norepinephrine were significantly enhanced in isolated myocytes from spontaneously hypertensive rat heart. Phospholipase C activity increased with age in SHRSP heart cells. These data suggest that PI turnover pathways, which can be mediated by both phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and diacylglyceride, may play an important role in development of hypertrophy in the hearts of rats with spontaneous hypertension.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between hypoxic myocardial cell injury and intracellular protease activity. Cardiac myocytes were isolated from neonatal rat hearts and cultured in Eagle's modified minimum essential medium. Myocytes were incubated in hypoxic conditions for 6 hours. The cell death rate during hypoxia rose to 80% after 6 hours. Extracellular protease activity was elevated to 4 units during hypoxia, much higher than the 0.7 units in aerobic states at 6 hours. This extracellular protease activity in hypoxic conditions was markedly inhibited by leupeptin and EDTA, and weakly inhibited by the cysteine protease inhibitor, NCO-700, but phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride did not inhibit the protease activity. To identify the protease activated during hypoxia, calpain-specific inhibitors were added to the incubation mixture. Calpain inhibitor 1 and calpastatin, an endogenous selective calpain inhibitor, markedly inhibited extracellular protease activity during hypoxia. NCO-700 also inhibited intracellular protease activity. NCO-700 reduced hypoxic cell death to 30% after 6 hours of hypoxy-genation. These observations indicate that calpain is activated during hypoxia and leads to irreversible cell membrane degradation after 6 hours of hypoxygenation.

The adaptor protein Crk mediates intracellular signaling related to cell motility and proliferation and is implicated in human tumorigenesis. The role of Crk in the growth of human sarcoma has remained unclear, however. The present study shows that Crk-induced activation of Src and subsequent signaling by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) contribute to the enhanced proliferation of human synovial sarcoma cells. Depletion of Crk by RNA interference markedly inhibited proliferation of the synovial sarcoma cell lines HS-SYII, SYO-1, and Fuji as well as prevented anchorage-independent growth. Conversely, reconstitution with CrkII by authentic small interfering RNA–resistant Crk gene restored proliferation in Crk-silenced SYO-1 cells. Crk-depleted synovial sarcoma cells manifested enhanced transcriptional activity and expression of the p16INK4A gene, resulting in their accumulation in G1 phase of the cell cycle. In response to hepatocyte growth factor stimulation, Crk prominently induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Grb2-associated binder 1 through activation of Src and focal adhesion kinase, and the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 almost completely inhibited the proliferation of SYO-1 cells. Crk also induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and SB203580, a p38 MAPK–specific inhibitor, increased expression of p16INK4A gene in SYO-1 cells. Furthermore, SB203580 or depletion of p38 MAPK by small interfering RNA suppressed both the phosphorylation of Akt triggered by hepatocyte growth factor and the proliferation of SYO-1 cells. These results suggest that Crk promotes proliferation of human synovial sarcoma cells through activation of Src and its downstream signaling by a novel p38 MAPK-Akt pathway, with these signaling molecules providing potent new targets for molecular therapeutics. (Mol Cancer Res 2009;7(9):1582–92)

Angiogenesis is involved in various physiologic and pathological conditions, including tumor growth, and is tightly regulated by the orchestration of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the best-established antiangiogenic treatment in cancer, has shown some effectiveness; however, the identification of novel regulators, whose function is independent of VEGF, is required to achieve better outcomes. Here, we show that transcription factor 8 (TCF8) is up-regulated in endothelial cells during angiogenesis, acting as a negative regulator. Furthermore, TCF8 is specifically expressed in the endothelium of tumor vessels. Tcf8-heterozygous knockout mice are more permissive than wild-type mice to the formation of tumor blood vessels in s.c. implanted melanoma, which seems to contribute to the more aggressive growth and the lung metastases of the tumor in mutant mice. Suppression of TCF8 facilitates angiogenesis in both in vitro and ex vivo models, and displays comprehensive cellular phenotypes, including enhanced cell invasion, impaired cell adhesion, and increased cell monolayer permeability due to, at least partly, MMP1 overexpression, attenuation of focal adhesion formation, and insufficient VE-cadherin recruitment, respectively. Taken together, our findings define a novel, integral role for TCF8 in the regulation of pathologic angiogenesis, and propose TCF8 as a target for therapeutic intervention in cancer. [Cancer Res 2009;69(4):1678–84]

Cell death during hypoxia rose to 80% after 6 h. Calpain activity increased to 4 units during hypoxia, much higher than the 0.7 units seen in aerobic condition at 6 h. This activity was markedly inhibited by calpain-specific inhibitor I ( n -acetyl-leucyle-leucyle-norleucinal). β-Adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists suppressed the calpain activity and decreased cell death during hypoxia. On the other hand, α-adrenergic blocking agents did not affect calpain activity and cell death under hypoxic conditions. These results prove that β-adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists prevent protein degradation during hypoxic cell injury.

We observed that in hypoxic myocardial cells prostacyclin and arachidonic acid release increased and that during hypoxia phospholipid degradation also occurred. In order to clarify the mechanism of phospholipid degradation, we determined the activity of phospholipases A 2 and C. We found that phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were markedly decreased and that lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine were increased. In contrast, there was only slight phosphatidylinositol degradation and no lysophosphatidylinositol elevation was observed. These results show that phospholipase A 2 was activated in hypoxic myocytes and had substrate specificity towards PC and PE. To study phospholipase C activity, membrane phospholipids were labeled with [ 3 H]choline, [ 3 H]inositol or [ 3 H]ethanolamine. The release of inositol was observed, but neither choline nor ethanolamine was released. In hypoxia, myocardial-cell phospholipase C has high substrate specificity towards phosphatidylinositol. The activation of phospholipases is closely related to the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration; it is thought that inositol polyphosphatides may regulate intracellular Ca 2+ . We determined how Ca 2+ influx occurs in hypoxia. β-Adrenergic blockade and Ca 2+ antagonists markedly suppressed Ca 2+ influx, phospholipase A 2 activity, phospholipase C activity and cell death. However, the α 1 -adrenergic blockade was less effective in suppressing these phenomena. These results suggest that in hypoxic myocardial cells Ca 2+ influx mediated by β-adrenergic stimulation activates phospholipases A 2 and C, and that phospholipid degradation and prostacyclin release then occur.

We studied the effects of elastase on [3H]thymidine incorporation into aortic smooth muscle cells. When elastase was added to cultured aortic smooth muscle cells, [3H]thymidine incorporation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Elastase also inhibited this incorporation in cells treated with epidermal growth factor. Epidermal growth factor (50 ng/ml) stimulated thymidine incorporation, without elastase, but with the addition of 20 units/ml of elastase the incorporation was inhibited 70%. The incorporation of thymidine into cells treated with 50 ng/ml epidermal growth factor was also inhibited 50% by a low concentration of elastase (5 units/ml). These inhibitory effects on thymidine incorporation were also observed in cells stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor. Platelet-derived growth factor (20 units/ml) markedly stimulated thymidine incorporation into cells, and elastase inhibited its activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that elastase has the potential to prevent the development of atherosclerosis by inhibiting smooth muscle proliferation.

This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation between hypoxic cell injury and protease activity, as well as the effects of alpha 1-, and beta-adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists during hypoxia. Cell death during hypoxia rose to 80% after 6h. Calpain activity increased to 4 units during hypoxia, much higher than the 0.7 units seen in aerobic condition at 6h. This activity was markedly inhibited by calpain-specific inhibitor I (n-acetyl-leucyle-leucyle-norleucinal). alpha 1-adrenergic blocking agents did not affect calpain activity and cell death under hypoxia. On the other hand, beta-adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists suppressed the calpain activity and decreased cell death during hypoxia. These beta-adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists also inhibited intracellular calcium-influx during hypoxia. These results suggest the beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation activates adenylate cyclase activity and enhances calcium-influx during hypoxia. The elevated intracellular calcium concentration then stimulates calpain activity under hypoxia. These results prove that beta-adrenergic blocking agents and calcium antagonists prevent protein degradation during hypoxic cell injury.

We studied the effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells converted 1.22 nmol/min per dish [125I]angiotensin I to angiotensin II, but ANF suppressed the conversion by 0.475 nmol/min per dish. The maximum rate of inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity by ANF was 60% at 10(-6) mol/l ANF compared with control conditions. The amino acid fragments of ANF were studied to determine whether its specific structure was necessary for inhibiting ACE in endothelial cells. We found that atriopeptin II (fragment 5-27) inhibited ACE activity as much as ANF. Fragment 7-25 had the same rate of inhibition, but fragment 13-27 had no effect on the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. These results suggest that the amino acid sequence of Cys (7)-Cys (23) in ANF is important for the inhibition of ACE in pulmonary endothelial cells.

In the present experiment, we demonstrated that IP3 kinase activity was increased in SHRSP heart compared to WKY heart. IP3 kinase activity in the heart was highest in the cytosolic fraction in both SHRSP and WKY. Its activity progressively increased with age in 5- to 20-week SHRSP. The activity reached about three times the level of 5-week-old SHRSP in 40-week-old SHRSP. On the other hand, in WKY it was 1.3-fold at 40 weeks compared with that at 5 weeks. We determined the effect of divalent cations on IP3 kinase activity. Ca2+ stimulated its activity in a dose-dependent manner at 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. In SHRSP it was enhanced about 2.1-fold at 10(-6) M of Ca2+, but in WKY it was 1.5-fold at 1.0(-6) M of Ca2+. Mn2+ also stimulated IP3 kinase activity in both groups of animals, while, Fe2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+ inhibited IP3 kinase activity. In our experiment IP3 kinase activity was increased in SHRSP and its activity was markedly affected by divalent cations. These data suggest that the accumulations of IP3 and IP4 after hormonal stimulation play a physiologic role, possibly by alteration of Ca2+ levels in cardiac tissue.

We studied the effects of endothelin on the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Endothelin had a novel effect on angiotensin I conversion. When endothelin was added to pulmonary artery endothelial cells, the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II was enhanced about two-fold. The maximum stimulation was achieved at 10(-8) M of endothelin. This stimulatory effect was suppressed by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such an enalapril. When the calcium antagonist, nifedipine, was incubated with 10(-8) M of endothelin, the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II stimulated with endothelin was slightly suppressed by nifedipine. Enalapril (10(-6) M) completely inhibited the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the presence of endothelin. These results suggest that endothelin may play an important role in regulating vascular tone by modulating the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

We studied the effects of platelet activating factor (PAF) on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). PAF (1 · 10 −10 to 1 · 10 −6 M) had a novel effect on angiotensin I conversion. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells converted 1 nmol/dish of 125 I-angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the absence of PAF. ACE activity was increased to 2.5 nmol/dish by the addition of 1 · 10 −6 M of PAF. To clarify the mechanism of this stimulatory effect of PAF on ACE, Ca 2+ influx and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) release in pulmonary artery endothelial cells were determined. PAF stimulated Ca 2+ influx in a dose-dependent manner. PAF also stimulated phospholipase C (PLC) activity and released IP 3 . To study the relationship between PLC activity and ACE activity, neomycin was added. The Ca 2+ influx and IP 3 release stimulated by 10 −6 M of PAF were suppressed by about 60–70%. ACE activity was also inhibited up to 70% in the presence of PAF (10 −10 − 10 −6 M) by 50 M of neomycin. These results suggest that ACE was stimulated by PAF, and that its activityl in endothelial cells may be mediated by the PI-turnover pathway via changes in PLC activity and IP 3 -mediated Ca 2+ release from intracellular stores.

Contraction of skeletal muscle generates pressure stimuli to intramuscular tissues. However, the effects of pressure stimuli, other than those created by electricity or nerve impulse, on physiological and biochemical responses in skeletal muscles are unknown. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a pure pressure stimulus on metabolic responses in a skeletal muscle cell line. Atmospheric pressure was applied to L6 myoblasts using an original apparatus. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was evaluated by colorimetric assay using tetrazolium monosodium salt. The amounts of 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose uptake and lactate release were measured. SDH activity was 2.6- to 2.9-fold higher in pressurized L6 cells than in nonpressurized L6 cells ( P < 0.01), and 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose uptake was 2.2-fold higher ( P < 0.001). In addition, the amount of released lactate decreased from 6.8 to 3.7 μmol/dish when pressure was applied ( P < 0.001). In contrast, the intracellular lactate contents of the pressurized cells were higher than those of nonpressurized cells ( P < 0.01). However, the total amount of released lactate and intracellular lactate was lower in the pressurized cells than in nonpressurized cells. These findings demonstrate that a pure pressure stimulus enhances aerobic metabolism in L6 skeletal muscle cells and raise the possibility that elevated intramuscular pressure during muscle activity may be an important factor in stimulating oxidative metabolic responses in skeletal muscles.

To elucidate the intracellular function and localization of the heterotrimeric G-protein beta3 subunit (Gbeta3) in the heart, we studied the effects of subtype-specific beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) stimulation on Gbeta3 localization using isoform-specific antibodies. The amount of Gbeta3 in the cytosol dramatically decreased in hearts perfused with isoproterenol (ISO) alone or ISO with ICI 118551, a beta2-AR antagonist. Propranolol or CGP 20712A, a beta1-AR antagonist, blocked the ISO-induced decrease in the Gbeta3 content of the cytosol. In contrast, Gbeta3 content of the membrane fraction significantly increased in hearts perfused with ISO alone or ISO with ICI 118551. We conclude that stimulation of the beta1-AR induces isoform-specific translocation of Gbeta3 from the cytosol to the membrane fraction in rat hearts.

A cDNA of a tentative A-kinase anchoring protein, presumably coupled with heterotrimeric GTP binding protein alpha 13 subunit (G alpha 13), was cloned from a human heart cDNA library. It was approximately 650 bases and its mRNA was expressed in the heart. Homology search of DNA sequences revealed that it was a novel cDNA with 84% homology with the partial sequence of rabbit cDNA of AKAP 120 without a stop codon. 3'-Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (3'-RACE) and yeast functional assay were performed to determine the 3'-end of the cDNA and ribosomal frameshifting was suggested as a translational mechanism. Here we report that a protein encoded by the cDNA may be involved in intracellular signal transduction via the G alpha 13 and PKA in hearts.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the collagen in hereditary dilated cardiomyopathic hamster hearts, and to examine the participation of the collagen in the occurrence and progression of cardiomyopathy. BIO 53.58 hamsters (5, 10, 20 weeks old) were used as the model of dilated cardiomyopathy. Flb hamsters were used as controls. The collagen content was almost constant at any age in the Flb hamsters, but increased with age in BIO 53.58 hamsters. Type III collagen increased significantly in BIO 53.58 hamsters at 10 weeks. The acetic acid solubility of collagen decreased in BIO 53.58 hamsters as the fibrosis progressed, but was unchanged in controls. Reducible crosslinks showed a tendency to decrease progressively in BIO 53.58 hamsters. There were no differences between Flb and BIO 53.58 hamsters at 5 weeks, but its expression in BIO 53.58 hamsters at 10 and 20 weeks of age increased compared to Flb controls. These findings indicate that in the early phase of cardiomyopathy the extracellular matrix of the myocardium is rich in type III collagen. In the later phase, the matrix resembles that of hard tissues, whose collagen is mainly of type I collagen and is insoluble. These data suggest that the increased collagen synthesis may impair the cardiac function in the development of cardiomyopathy.

We cloned an entire encoding sequence of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (beta ARK1) cDNA from the hearts of Syrian hamsters through reverse transcription and subsequent polymerase chain reaction. The cloned cDNA contained 2067 nucleotides coding 689 amino acids. The sequence had 95% homology to rat beta ARK1 and 90% homology to human homologue. Cardiomyopathic Syrian hamster, BIO53.58, has been used as a model animal of congestive heart failure. M-mode echocardiography confirmed that left ventricular contractility of 20-week-old BIO53.58 was markedly reduced. The expression of beta ARK1 mRNA in the hearts of BIO53.58 was significantly increased compared to control hamsters, F1b, suggesting that the enhanced beta ARK1 expression is acting as a negative feedback mechanism in order to maintain intracellular homeostasis against accelerated stimulation by catecholamines via phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptor.

Extrahepatic synthesis and localization of angiotensinogen have been described in animals, thus establishing the tissue renin-angiotensin system. We examined angiotensinogen messenger RNA synthesis by northern blotting. It was detected not only in the liver, but also in both the atrial and ventricular heart tissues, suggesting that angiotensinogen is synthesized in the human heart. Immunohistochemical studies using a specific antibody to angiotensinogen revealed a stronger reaction in the endocardial layer of the human left ventricle, than in the epicardial layer, and intense immunoreactivity in the conduction system and right atrium. Furthermore, our experiments revealed a widespread immunopositive reaction for angiotensinogen in the left ventricle of diseased hearts. We examined the participation of the collagen in the occurrence and progression of cardiomyopathy. The acetic acid solubility of collagen and reducible crosslink decreased in cardiomyopathic hamsters as the fibrosis progressed, but was unchanged in controls. These findings indicate that in the early phase of cardiomyopathy the extracellular matrix of the myocardium is similar to immature tissues. In the later phase, the matrix resembles that of hard tissues, and is insoluble. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between angiotensin II and collagen synthesis. Basal collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts from spontaneously hypertensive rats was 1.6-fold greater than that in Wistar-Kyoto rats. The responsiveness of collagen production to Ang II was significantly enhanced in SHR. This effect was angiotensin receptor-specific, because it was blocked by the competitive inhibitor. These results indicate angiotensin II may play an important role in collagen accumulation in hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy.

We attempted to determine the effects of transforming growth factor beta-1 on intracellular Ca2+ concentration changes in the presence of isoproterenol in cardiac fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta-1 inhibited the increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the presence of isoproterenol in fibroblasts. It also inhibited the production of cyclic-AMP in fibroblasts in the presence of isoproterenol. Islet-activating protein did not block these reactions of transforming growth factor beta-1. Forskolin did not affect the intracellular calcium concentration change resulting from treatment with transforming growth factor beta-1. Binding of [3H]CGP-12177 was decreased to 47% of control preincubated for 24 hours with transforming growth factor beta-1 in fibroblasts. Scatchard plots suggested a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor number without specific change in receptor affinity. These results suggested that transforming growth factor beta-1 modulates the signal transduction through beta-adrenergic receptor and intracellular Ca2+ concentration by regulating the number of receptors in fibroblasts.

To investigate the microdynamics and the structural architecture of the membrane phospholipid bilayer during the course of cardiomyopathy, membrane fractions were prepared from hearts of cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters (BIO 14.6) aged 4, 18 and 31 weeks and compared with age-matched control hamsters (F1b). Membrane cholesterol, phospholipids and phospholipid fatty acids were measured by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Microdynamics of the phospholipid bilayer were determined by a nanosecond fluorometer using pulsed excitation of a fluorescent probe, diphenyl-hexatriene. At the age of 4 weeks, there was no difference in lipid compositions and microdynamics between the BIO 14.6 and F1b. At the age of 18 weeks, saturated fatty acids, 18:0 and 22:0 increased and 20:0, 20:2 and 32:4 decreased in the BIO 14.6. At the age of 31 weeks, adding to the above changes in phospholipid fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids 20:4 and 22:6 decreased, moreover membrane phospholipids, especially phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine significantly decreased. The viscosity and the wobbling angle of phospholipid molecules were decreased significantly. We have previously demonstrated that intracellular Ca2+ accumulation might be responsible for the pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. Thus, we conclude that cardiomyopathic membrane may alter its structure and function with age. These alterations in cell membranes might be involved in the cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction through impaired Ca2+ handling in cardiomyopathic hamsters.

The effects of thiol protease inhibitors on fodrin (a cell membrane nonerythroid spectrum-like protein) degradation were studied during hypoxia in cultured myocytes. Cardiac myocytes, isolated from neonatal rat hearts, were incubated under hypoxic conditions for 6 h. Cell membrane proteins, including fodrin, prepared from hypoxic myocytes were examined with electroblots stained for fodrin by the peroxidase method. Cell death during hypoxia rose to 80% after 6 h. Intracellular protease activity was also elevated in hypoxia. This intracellular protease activity was markedly inhibited by the cysteine protease inhibitor E-64 and calpain inhibitor 1. Hypoxic cell death was also suppressed by E-64 and calpain inhibitor 1. A 125 kDa immunoreactive degradation product of fodrin was found in hypoxic conditions. Treatment with E-64 and calpain inhibitor 1 decreased both the appearance of this band and the degradation of fodrin. These observations indicate that intracellular thiol proteases, including calpains, are activated during hypoxia and that these are related to cell membrane protein degradation, especially of fodrin. The data also suggest that protease inhibitor E-64 treatment may be beneficial in protection against hypoxic myocyte injury.

We demonstrated that phosphatidylinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) activity was greater in cardiomyopathic hamster hearts (BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58) then in hamster controls (F1b). Inositol trisphosphate (IP3) production was markedly greater in both of the cardiomyopathic hamsters, BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58. We have also determined the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function of heart. Calcium uptake into SR markedly increased in BIO 14.6. On the other hand, it significantly decreased in BIO 53.58 compared with F1b. It is well known that IP3 stimulates calcium release from SR. In BIO 14.6, calcium relrease from SR stimulated by IP3 increased, but its effect decreased in BIO 53.58 compared with F1b. These results suggest that PI response may produce high intracellular calcium levels in both BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58 myocytes. In addition, in the BIO 53.58 hamster the sarcoplasmic reticulum deteriorate in function. It was concluded from these results that a prolonged high intracellular calcium level may lead to the death of BIO 53.58 myocytes. The expression of angiotensinogen mRNA was observed in the hamster heart. There was no differences in its expression level between F1b, BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58. There was no effect of ages on its expression in these hamster hearts. We have also determined the distribution of angiotensinogen in these hamsters. At 4 weeks of age, the immunohistochemical study revealed that angiotensinogen was widely distributed in subendcardium in these hamsters. There was no difference in its distribution between F1b, BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58. But at 20 weeks old of age its immunoreactivity decreased in BIO 53.58. There was no effect of age on its reactivity in F1b and BIO 14.6. We have detected angiotensinogen in heart, but its role is still not clear. A further study should be done to clarify its role in cardiac hypertrophy and cell damage.

It is well known that failing hearts show diminished responsiveness (desensitization) to catecholamines. In this study, 2 different animal models were used to investigate the alterations in the hormone sensitive cardiac adenylyl cyclase system in a congestive heart failure. In the first model, cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters (BIO53.58), we found reduced activity of the catalytic protein of adenylyl cyclase; this reduction was more prominent in an older animals (28-week-old vs 16-week-old). At both ages, the amount of inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi) was markedly increased in BIO53.58 compared to control healthy hamsters. Moreover the increased Gi was shown to be fully functional in the inhibitory pathway of the adenylyl cyclase system. In the second model, chronically norepinephrine-infused rats, we found a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor density at an early stage of injection (3 days), while the activity of catalytic protein decreased beyond 14 days of injection, and the amount of Gi increased after 7 days of injection. These results suggest that increased plasma catecholamine concentrations in the setting of congestive heart failure might be a major trigger for qualitative and quantitative alterations observed in various components of cardiac adenylyl cyclase system, and that GTP-binding proteins and catalytic protein of adenylyl cyclase are involved in the mechanism of desensitization especially after chronic in vivo stimulation of adrenergic receptors.

The accumulation of both Inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP3) and Inositol-(1,3,4,5)-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) after hormonal stimulation has a physiological role, possibly in altering Ca2+ levels in cardiac tissue. However, the accumulation of inositol polyphosphate under pathophysiological conditions has not been studied. In our experiments the metabolism of phatidylinositol and IP3 in cardiac myocytes as investigated. It was shown that basal levels of cytosolic phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate specific phospholipase C (PIP2-PLC) activities markedly increased in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) with age compared with age matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). IP3 kinase and IP3 phosphatase activities also increased in SHRSP hearts with age. Their activities increased in WKY, but to a lesser extent than in SHRSPs. These data suggest that a PI turnover pathway such as the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-IP3-Ca2+ pathway or the diacylglyceride-protein kinase C pathway may have an important role in the development of hypertrophy in SHRSP heart.

We demonstrated that the activities of phosphatidylinositide-specific phospholipase C, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) kinase, and IP3 phosphatase were enhanced in cardiomyopathic hamster hearts (BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58) in comparison to control hamsters (F1b). Release of both arachidonic acid and prostacyclin was markedly enhanced by norepinephrine in the cardiomyopathic hamsters. Phospholipase C in heart has high substrate specificity to phosphatidylinositol. IP3 production was markedly enhanced in the cardiomyopathic hamsters. We also determined the intracellular calcium concentration, which was higher in BIO 53.58 hamsters than in BIO 14.6 hamsters at 5-20 weeks of age. There was no significant difference in the intracellular calcium level between F1b and BIO 14.6 hamsters at 5 weeks of age. These results suggest that phosphatidylinositol turnover stimulated by norepinephrine may produce high intracellular calcium levels in both BIO 14.6 and BIO 53.58 myocytes. In addition, in BIO 53.58 hamsters, some mechanism such as the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which controls the intracellular calcium level, may deteriorate in function. We concluded from these results that a prolonged high intracellular calcium level may lead to the death of BIO 53.58 myocytes.

The effects of increased free fatty acid (FFA) levels on ventricular arrhythmias remain controversial. Using ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT), we examined the relationship between FFA levels and ventricular arrhythmias. Isolated rat hearts were perfused with palmitate bound to either albumin or fatty acid binding protein (FABP) by Langendorf's method. The VFT was determined by electrical stimulation. Perfusion with 0.12 mM albumin alone, 0.12 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM albumin, and 0.36 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM albumin did not lower the VFT significantly. However, 0.60 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM albumin lowered VFT from 2.19 +/- 0.20 mA to 1.56 +/- 0.13 mA. The perfusion of 0.36 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM FABP lowered the VFT from 2.05 +/- to 0.19 mA to 1.47 +/- 0.23 mA, but 0.12 mM FABP alone did not affect the VFT. Perfusion with 0.36 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM FABP caused the VFT to fall more than perfusion with 0.36 mM palmitate bound to 0.12 mM albumin. Then the effects of verapamil perfusion or a low concentration of perfusate Ca2+ on VFT were examined. VFT was determined by electrical stimulation. Palmitate (0.6 mM) bound to 0.12 mM albumin lowered VFT. Verapamil 10(-7) M perfusion and a low concentration of Ca2+ (Ca2+ 1.67 mM) suppressed the FFA-induced fall of VFT. These results suggested that the arrhythmogenic action of FFA was related to Ca2+ overload in myocardial cells.

To test the hypothesis that structural abnormalities exist in the kidney membrane of spontaneously hypertensive rats, we examined the effect of long-term administration of coenzyme Q10 on membrane lipid alterations in the kidney of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). As compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats, renal membrane phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, decreased and renal phospholipase A2 activity was enhanced with age in untreated SHRSP. Treatment with coenzyme Q10 attenuated the elevation of blood pressure, the membranous phospholipid degradation, and the enhanced phospholipase A2 activity. These results suggest that one factor contributing to the progress of hypertension is a structural membrane abnormality that alters the physical and functional properties of the cell membrane, and coenzyme Q10 might protect the renal membrane from damage due to hypertension in SHRSP.

The effect of NCO-700, a cystine protease inhibitor, on platelet-activating factor-induced platelet aggregation was determined. A newly synthesized cystine protease inhibitor (calcium-activated neutral protease and cathepsin B inhibitor), NCO-700 (bis[ethyl (2R, 3R)-3-[(S)-methyl-1-[4-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenylmethyl) piperazine-1-ylcarbonyl]butylcarbonyl]oxiran-2-carboxylate]sulfate), inhibited platelet-activating factor-induced platelet aggregation. The inhibition was dependent on the preincubation time with NCO-700 and on the concentration of the inhibitor. The release of serotonin was also inhibited almost completely by the 20-min preincubation with 10−4 m NCO-700. Leupeptin also inhibited platelet-activating facor-induced platelet aggregation. But calcium-activated neutral protease inhibitor did not inhibit it. These observations suggest that NCO-700-sensitive protease(s) such as cystine protease may contribute to platelet aggregation induced by platelet-activating factor.

We studied the effects of endothelin on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells. ACE activity was increased 2.5-fold by the addition of 1 x 10(-8) mol/l endothelin-1. Endothelin-1 also stimulated calcium influx and phospholipase C activity in a dose-dependent manner. Calcium influx, phospholipase C and ACE activity were suppressed 60-70% in the presence of endothelin-1 (10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/l) by 50 microliters neomycin. These results suggest that ACE was stimulated by endothelin-1 and that its activity may be closely related to phosphatidylinositol turnover stimulated by endothelin-1.

In this study, we examined the effects of streptokinase on arachidonic acid release and prostacyclin biosynthesis in cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. When intact cells were incubated with streptokinase, a significant stimulatory effect on prostacyclin biosynthetic activity in cells was evident without any cellular damage at all concentrations used (1–10 000 units/ml). Streptokinase also caused a marked release of arachidonic acid. It induced rapid phospholipid hydrolysis, resulting in the release of up to 15% of incorporated [ 3 H]arachidonic acid into the medium. After the addition of streptokinase, degradation of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine was observed and lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine were produced. We also observed a transient rise in diacyglycerol after the addition of streptokinase. To test for phospholipase C activity, the release of incorporated [ 3 H]choline, [ 3 H]inositol and [ 3 H]ethanolamine into the culture medium was determined. The level of radioactive inositol showed an increase, but the changes in choline and ethanolamine were comparatively small. An increase in inositol was detectable within 1 min after streptokinase addition and peaked after 15 min. Inositol phosphate and inositol trisphosphate were released, and these releases were suppressed by the addition of neomycin (50 μM). These results suggest that streptokinase stimulates phospholipase A 2 and C activity, and that prostacyclin biosynthesis is subsequently increased in cultured endothelial cells.

We studied the effects of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. PAF had a novel effect on angiotensin I conversion. The apparent Vmax and Km for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were 2.5 nmol/min per dish and 50 mumol/l, respectively. This activity was enhanced by the addition of PAF to cells. When PAF was added to pulmonary artery endothelial cells, the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II was enhanced about twofold at 10(-6) mol/l PAF. Maximal stimulation was achieved at 10(-5) mol/l PAF. This stimulatory effect was suppressed by ACE inhibitors such as enalapril and PAF antagonist CV3988. When cells were incubated with 10(-6) mol/l PAF, the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II stimulated with PAF was suppressed by CV3988. Enalapril (10(-6) mol/l) completely inhibited the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the presence of PAF. Bradykinin also suppressed ACE activity, but phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine did not affect its activity. These results suggest that PAF may have an important role in regulating vascular tone by modulating angiotensin conversion.

Pertussis toxin substrates were purified from bovine heart membranes by means of a sequential column chromatographic techniques. The elution pattern from the final ion-exchange chromatography and relative mobilities of these peptides on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the bovine heart membranes contained two distinct pertussis toxin substrates: Gi2 and Go.

Thromboxane B2 biosynthesis from arachidonic acid was increased in platelets from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The enzymic activity of phospholipase A2 which releases arachidonic acid, the precursor for the biosynthesis of thromboxane B2, showed hardly any change in hypercholesterolemic platelets. Phospholipase C and diglyceride lipase activities also were not changed in platelets from hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Furthermore, phospholipid concentration in platelets were not increased in this state. Thus, we conclude that the supply of precursor for thromboxane B2 biosynthesis was not increased in platelets from hypercholesterolemic rabbits as compared to controls. These results suggest that the enzyme activity of thromboxane B2 biosynthesis may be enhanced in platelets from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Phospholipase C activity and diglyceride lipase activity were studied in the renal cortex and medulla of 10- and 40-week-old stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Enhanced phospholipase C activity was found in the cortical and medullary cytosol of kidney from SHRSP, and microsomal diglyceride lipase in SHRSP also increased. In SHRSP, phospholipase C and diglyceride lipase activities increased with age, but this increase was not evident in WKY. Phospholipase C had high substrate specificity for phosphatidylinositol in renal cytosol of both WKY and SHRSP. The increased activities were accompanied by prostaglandin E2 synthesis in renal medullary microsomes of 10-week-old SHRSP and were also present in the kidney of 40-week-old SHRSP. Total phospholipid and arachidonic acid contents in kidney were markedly high in the medulla of 10-week-old SHRSP, but these lipids were decreased in 40-week-old SHRSP. These results suggest that phospholipids and arachidonic acid in SHRSP may be genetically high and that the activated phospholipase C and diglyceride lipase hydrolyze phospholipids, providing arachidonic acid for prostaglandin synthesis, which results in a decrease of phospholipids and arachidonic acid in the kidney of 40-week-old SHRSP. These studies demonstrate that a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-prostaglandin synthetic system may play an important role in the course of hypertension in SHRSP.

We have identified a 56-kDa fatty acid binding protein in rat renal basolateral membrane and purified it by extraction in nonionic detergent (Triton X-100), followed by gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, and affinity chromatography. The purified protein was homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of Triton X-100 or SDS. It showed amphiphilic properties on gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and oleate-Sepharose 4B chromatography. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 56 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein showed optimal binding activity at pH 7.5 and 37 degrees C. The apparent Kd for palmitic acid was 0.79 microM. It was immunologically clearly distinct from renal cytosolic fatty acid binding protein.

The production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) is altered in hypercholesterolaemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute rise in arterial pressure produced by pressor agents on the release of TXA2 and PGI2 in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Hypercholesterolaemia was induced in rabbits by feeding pellet food containing 1% cholesterol for 3 months. Administration of pressor agents (ergonovine 0.5-2.0 mg.kg-1, noradrenaline 5.0-20.0 micrograms.kg-1 and angiotensin-II 0.5-2.0 micrograms.kg-1) increased arterial pressure dose dependently, accompanied by a pressure dependent increase in the plasma concentrations of both TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (stable metabolites of TXA2 and PGI2) in control rabbits, but only of TXB2 in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. In control rabbits the maximum increase in TXB2 was 51% with ergonovine, 73% with noradrenaline, and 51% with angiotensin-II; and the maximum increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was 48% with ergonovine, 76% with noradrenaline, and 198% with angiotensin-II. In hypercholesterolaemic rabbits the maximum increase in TXB2 was 130% with ergonovine, 144% with noradrenaline, and 128% with angiotensin-II. The pressor induced increase in TXB2 was suppressed when the increase in arterial pressure was counteracted by the concomitant administration of vasodilators (glyceryl trinitrate 40 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 and verapamil 20 micrograms.kg-1.min-1) in both control and hypercholesterolaemic rabbits. Neither TXB2 biosynthesis nor phospholipase A2 activity in platelets was affected by ergonovine, noradrenaline or angiotensin-II in vitro. These results suggested that the acute rise in arterial pressure caused by these pressor agents increased TXA2 release in vivo and that the increase was greater in hypercholesterolaemic than in control rabbits.

Phospholipase A2 activity, phospholipids, and phospholipid fatty acids were investigated in renal membrane of male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats. Renal phospholipase A2 activity increased and membranous phospholipids especially phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, decreased with age in SHRSP. Arachidonate in phospholipid also decreased with age in SHRSP. To determine the effect of pressure load on the lipid alterations in renal membrane, SHRSP that received antihypertensive treatment with hydralazine, enalapril, or nicardipine for 5 weeks were compared with those without treatment. Antihypertensive treatments prevented phospholipid degradation and increased arachidonate in phospholipid relative to the control group. Phospholipase A2 activity in each group treated with antihypertensive drugs did not differ from that in the control group. These results suggest that the course of hypertension causes renal membranous phospholipid degradation and increases phospholipase A2 activity. Antihypertensive treatments may prevent these lipid alterations in SHRSP. These renal membranous structural changes may provide an explanation not only for functional abnormalities such as decreased membrane fluidity but also for the progress of hypertension.

We have studied the effects of elastase on phospholipase activity in aortic smooth muscle cells and have found that when added to cells prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, elastase induced rapid phospholipid hydrolysis, resulting in release of up to 18% of incorporated [3H]arachidonic acid into the medium. Maximum stimulation by elastase without any cellular damage was observed at a concentration of 50 units/ml. At higher concentrations (75–100 units/ml), release of arachidonic acid was still observed, but cells were damaged. After the addition of elastase, degradation of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinostiol and phosphatidylethanolamine was observed and it was found that their loss was comparable to the amount of [3H]arachidonic acid released. In aortic smooth muscle cells biosynthetically labeled by the incorporation of [3H]choline, [3H]inositol and [3H]ethanolamine into cellular phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively, the amount of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanol-amine hydrolyzed following elastase-treatment was not equal to the amounts of lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine produced. We also observed a transient rise in diacylglycerol after the addition of elastase. To test for phospholipase C activity, the release of incorporated [3H]choline, [3H]inositol and [3H]ethanolamine into the culture medium was determined. The levels of radioactive choline and ethanolamine showed increases, but the change in inositol was comparatively small. An increase in inositol was detectable within 1 min after elastase addition, and peaked after 15 min, whereas increases in choline and ethanolamine continued for up to 60 min. These results indicate that elastase stimulated the activities of phospholipases A2 and C. Both were shown to be Ca2+-dependent, and it was found that, moreover, elastase enhanced Ca2+ influx. These results suggest increased cell-membrane permeability to Ca2+stimulated phospholipases A2 and C. Prostaglandin biosynthesis in these cells was also enhanced by elastase.

Phospholipase A2 activity and prostaglandin synthesis were studied in the renal cortex and medulla of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) and age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) aged 10-50 weeks. Enhanced phospholipase A2 activity was found in both the cortical and the medullary microsomes of SHRSP kidneys. Phospholipase A2 activity progressively increased with age in SHRSP, but not in WKY. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were the major prostaglandins found in the cortex, and PGE2 was the major prostaglandin found in the medulla. Prostaglandin l2 (PGI2) was synthesized in both the cortex and medulla, but cortical PGI2 synthesis was much lower than medullary synthesis. Enzymatic activity for all prostaglandin syntheses analysed here were higher in SHRSP. There was a greater age-related increase in prostaglandin synthesis in SHRSP kidneys than in WKY kidneys. In addition, the ratios of PGE2/TXB2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha)/thromboxane B2 (TXB2) decreased in SHRSP. This may produce vasoconstriction and increase vascular resistance in SHRSP. These data suggest that increased prostaglandin synthesis and phospholipase A2 activity have an important role in the development and maintenance of hypertension in SHRSP.

The effects of elastase on prostacyclin biosynthesis in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells were investigated. Prostacyclin is the major product formed from arachidonic acid by aortic smooth muscle cells. When intact cells were incubated with elastase, a significant stimulatory effect on prostacyclin biosynthetic activity in cells was evident. However, the addition of elastase directly to the cell-free homogenates did not show any effects on prostacyclin biosynthesis. The maximal effect of elastase on the stimulation of prostacyclin biosynthesis without any cellular damage was observed at a concentration of 50 unit/ml elastase. Elastase also caused a marked release of arachidonic acid. At higher concentrations of elastase (75-100 units/ml), the release of arachidonic acid and prostacyclin synthesis was observed, but, at these concentrations of elastase, cells were slightly damaged. On the other hand, the releases of prostacyclin and arachidonic acid were markedly enhanced, when cells were preincubated with elastase (1 unit/ml) for 3 days. These results indicate that elastase, even at low concentrations, causes the releases of arachidonic acid and prostacyclin, especially when aortic smooth muscle cells are pre-treated with elastase.