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Summary The role of macrophage infiltrates in oral mucosal acute graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD) remains unclear, although clinical studies suggest that macrophage infiltration correlates directly with the severity of AGVHD. In this study, we investigated the role of M1 macrophage infiltration in the oral mucosa of rats with AGVHD. Lewis rat spleen cells were injected into (Lewis × Brown Norway) F1 rats to induce systemic GVHD. Tongue samples were evaluated using histology, immunohistochemistry, dual immunofluorescence, real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, Transwell migration assays and Stamper–Woodruff binding assays. At the onset of oral mucosal AGVHD, dual immunofluorescence and migration assays revealed that M1 macrophages had accumulated in the basement membrane (BM) region via the laminin/CD29 β1 integrin pathway. Macrophage-secreted matrix metalloproteinase-2 was related to BM degradation. The adhesion of macrophages to the oral epithelium could be inhibited by pretreating macrophages with a CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antibody and/or pretreating lesion sections with monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) antibody. Our data show that the migration and adhesion of M1 macrophages are associated with oral mucosal AGVHD, which is mediated in part by both laminin/CD29 β 1 intern and MCP-1/CCR2 pathways. Therefore, our study provides additional support for the contribution of macrophage infiltrate to the development of oral mucosal AGVHD.

We examined the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced increase in the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) in fura-2-loaded rat pulmonary small arteries. ET-1 (30 nM) elicited a long-lasting increase in [Ca(2+)]i in physiological salt solution (PSS). In subsequent experiments, arteries were pretreated with BQ-788, an ETB-specific blocker, to allow us to focus on responses mediated via the ETA receptor, the existence of which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In Ca(2+)-free PSS, ET-1 evoked a small transient increase in [Ca(2+)]i, indicating Ca(2+) release from the SR (sarcoplasmic reticulum). After a switch to PSS (containing 2mM CaCl2), ET-1 elicited a long-lasting increase in [Ca(2+)]i that was not inhibited by 1 μM nicardipine, an L-type Ca(2+)-channel inhibitor, suggesting involvement of a Ca(2+)-influx pathway independent of that channel. In arteries preincubated with 30 μM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) or 2 μM thapsigargin (TG), the ET-1-induced Ca(2+)-release was greatly reduced, and the induced Ca(2+)-influx was attenuated. U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, had inhibitory effects similar to those of CPA and TG on the ET-1-induced Ca(2+)-release and Ca(2+)-influx, whereas U-73343, an inactive analogue of U-73122, had no such effects. Two putative membrane-permeable IP3-receptor blockers, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB, 50 μM) and Xestospongin C (20 μM), (a) almost completely inhibited the ET-1-induced Ca(2+)-release and Ca(2+)-influx, and (b) reduced the ET-1-induced contraction. These results indicate that in rat pulmonary small arteries, ET-1 induces receptor-operated Ca(2+) influx via the ETA receptor, and that this influx interacts with InsP3-receptor activation.

We investigated actions of uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP) in rat aorta, cerebral and mesenteric arteries, and their single myocytes. UTP (≥10 μM) elicited an inward-rectifying current strongly reminiscent of activation of P2X1 receptor, and a similar current was also induced by α,β-methylene adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) (≥100 nM). UTP desensitized α,β-methylene ATP–evoked current, and vice versa. The UTP-activated current was insensitive to G-protein modulators, TRPC3 inhibitors, or TRPC3 antibody, but was sensitive to P2-receptor inhibitors or P2X1-receptor antibody. Both UTP (1 mM) and α,β-methylene ATP (10 μM) elicited similar conductance single channel activities. UTP (≥10 μM) provoked a dose-dependent contraction of deendothelialized aortic ring preparation consisting of phasic and tonic components. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ or bath-applied 2′,3′-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP (TNP-ATP) (30 μM) or nifedipine (10 μM) completely inhibited the phasic contraction while only partially reducing the tonic one. The tonic contraction was almost completely abolished by additional application of thapsigargin (2 μM). Similar biphasic rises in [Ca2+]i were also evoked by UTP in rat aortic myocytes. In contrast to the low expression of TRPC3, significant expression of P2X1 receptor was detected in all arteries by RT-PCR and immunoblotting, and its localization was limited to plasma membrane of myocytes as indicated by immunohistochemistry. These results suggest that UTP dually activates P2X1-like and P2Y receptors, but not TRPC3.[Supplementary materials: available only at http://dx.doi.org/10.1254/jphs.10281FP] Keywords:: uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), P2X receptor, TRPC3, non-selective cation channel

Stretch-activated cation channels (SACs) have been observed in many types of smooth muscle cells. However, the molecular identity and activation mechanisms of SACs remain poorly understood. We report that TRPM4-like cation channels are activated by membrane stretch in rat cerebral artery myocytes (CAMs). Negative pressure (≥20 mmHg, cell-attached mode) activated single channels (approximately 20 pS) in isolated CAMs. These channels were permeable to Na+ and Cs+ and inhibited by Gd3+ (30 µM) and DIDS (100 µM). The effect of negative pressure was abolished by membrane excision, but subsequent application of Ca2+ (>100 nM) to the intracellular side of the membrane restored single channel activity that was indistinguishable from SACs. Caffeine (5 mM), which depletes SR Ca2+-stores, first activated and then abolished SACs. Tetracaine (100 µM), a ryanodine receptor antagonist, inhibited SACs. Overexpression of hTRPM4B in HEK293 cells resulted in the appearance of cation channels that were activated by both negative pressure and Ca2+ and which had very similar biophysical and pharmacological properties as compared with SACs in CAMs. These studies indicate that TRPM4-like channels in CAMs can be activated by membrane stretch, possibly through ryanodine receptor activation, and this may contribute to the depolarization and concomitant vasoconstriction of intact cerebral arteries following mechanical stimulation. Keywords:: TRPM4, stretch, cation channel, cerebral artery, smooth muscle

Ameloblastoma is the most common benign odontogenic tumor in Japan. It is believed that it expands in the jaw bone through peritumoral activation of osteoclasts by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) released from the ameloblastoma, as in bone metastases of cancer cells. However, the clinical features of ameloblastoma, including its growth rate and patterns of invasion, are quite different from those of bone metastasis of cancer cells, suggesting that different underlying mechanisms are involved. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the possible mechanisms underlying the invasive expansion of ameloblastoma in the jaw bone. Expression levels of RANKL assessed by western blotting were markedly lower in ameloblastoma (AM-1) cells than in highly metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-3) cells. Experiments coculturing mouse macrophages (RAW264.7) with AM-1 demonstrated low osteoclastogenic activity, as assessed by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear cell formation, probably because of low release of RANKL, whereas cocultures of RAW264.7 with HSC-3 cells exhibited very high osteoclastogenic activity. Thus, RANKL release from AM-1 appeared to be too low to generate osteoclasts. However, AM-1 cultured directly on calcium phosphate-coated plates formed resorption pits, and this was inhibited by application of bafilomycin A1. Furthermore, vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) and H+/Cl- exchange transporter 7 (CLC-7) were detected on the surface of AM-1 cells by plasma membrane biotinylation and immunofluorescence analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis of clinical samples of ameloblastoma also showed plasma membrane-localized V-ATPase and CLC-7 in the epithelium of plexiform, follicular and basal cell types. The demineralization activity of AM-1 was only 1.7% of osteoclasts demineralization activity, and the growth rate was 20% of human normal skin keratinocytes and HSC-3 cells. These results suggest that the slow expansion of several typical types of ameloblastomas in jaw bone is attributable to its slow growth and low demineralization ability.

Local blood flow is critically determined by the arterial tone in which sustained Ca(2+) influx, activated by a variety of mechanisms, plays a central regulatory role. Recent progress in molecular biological research has disclosed unexpectedly diverse and complex facets of Ca(2+) entry channel molecules involved in this Ca(2+) influx. Candidates include several transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily members such as TRPC1, TRPC4, TRPC6, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPM4, none of which exhibit simple properties attributable to a single particular role. Rather, they appear to be multimodally activated or modulated by receptor stimulation, temperature, mechanical stress or lipid second messengers generated from various sources, and may be involved in both acute vasomotor control and long-term vascular remodelling. This paper provides an overview of existing knowledge of TRP proteins, and their possible relationships with principal factors regulating the arterial tone (i.e., autonomic nerves, various autocrine and paracrine factors, and intravascular pressure).

We investigated the receptor-mediated regulation of nifedipine-insensitive, high voltage-activated Ca(2+) currents in guinea-pig terminal mesenteric arterioles (I(mVDCC)) using the whole-cell clamp technique. Screening of various vasoactive substances revealed that ATP, histamine and substance P exert modulatory effects on I(mVDCC). The effects of ATP on I(mVDCC) after complete P2X receptor desensitization exhibited a complex concentration dependence. With 5 mM Ba(2+), ATP potentiated I(mVDCC) at low concentrations (approximately 1-100 microM), but inhibited it at higher concentrations (100 microM). The potentiating effects of ATP were abolished by suramin (100 microM) and PPADS (10 microM) and by intracellular application of GDPbetaS (500 microM), whereas a substantial part of I(mVDCC) inhibition by milimolar concentrations of ATP remained unaffected; due probably to its divalent cation chelating actions. In divalent cation-free solution, I(mVDCC) was enlarged and underwent biphasic effects by ATPgammaS and ADP, while 2-methylthio ATP (2MeSATP) exerted only inhibition, and pyrimidines such as UTP and UDP were ineffective. ATP-induced I(mVDCC) potentiation was selectively inhibited by anti-Galpha(s) antibodies or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitory peptides and mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP. In contrast, ATP-induced inhibition was selectively inhibited by Galpha(q/11) antibodies or protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitory peptides and mimicked by PDBu. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin was ineffective. The apparent efficacy for I(mVDCC) potentiation with PKC inhibitors was: ATPgammaSATP/=ADP and for inhibition with PKA inhibitors was: 2MeSATPATPgammaSATPADP. Neither I(mVDCC) potentiation nor inhibition showed voltage dependence. These results suggest that I(mVDCC) is multi-phasically regulated by external ATP via P2Y(11)-resembling receptor/G(s)/PKA pathway, P2Y(1)-like receptor/G(q/11)/PKC pathway, and metal chelation.

We investigated the effects of the novel gastroprokinetic agent Z-338 (N-(N-N'-diisopropylaminoethyl)-[2-(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxybenzoylamino)-1,3-thiazole-4-yl] carboxyamide monohydrochloride trihydrate) on L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents (ICa) in guinea pig gastric myocytes by using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. Bath-applied acetylcholine (ACh) produced biphasic effects on ICa, i.e., enhancement (1-100 nM) and inhibition (1-100 microM), both of which were abolished by pretreatment with atropine (10 microM) or intracellular perfusion of GDPbetaS (500 microM). Z-338 (> or = 1 nM, ED50: 120 nM) mimicked the enhancing effects of ACh, but did not inhibit ICa. The effects of Z-338 and ACh were non-additive and blocked by atropine and GDPbetaS, but not by pertussis toxin (PTX) pretreatment (500 ng/ml). ACh (> or = 1 microM) induced slow inward currents via activation of the muscarinic receptor/PTX-sensitive G-protein pathway, but Z-338 was devoid of these effects. Neither pirenzepine (1 microM), AF-DX116 (1 microM), nor oxybutynin (100 nM) could prevent Z-338 (1 microM) and ACh (10 nM) from enhancing ICa, whilst 4-DAMP (100 nM) blocked the effects of Z-338 and ACh. Bath-application of protein kinase C (PKC) activator PDBu (phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate) (250 nM) enhanced ICa, and conversely, pipette inclusion of PKC inhibitor peptide (150 microM) abolished the effects of ACh and Z-338 on ICa. These results collectively suggest that although contribution of the M3 receptor is not excluded, the major actions of Z-338 on gastric myocytes are potentiation of ICa through activation of M5-like receptor.

Abstract —We have found nifedipine-insensitive (NI), rapidly inactivating, voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels (current, NI- I Ca ) with unique biophysical and pharmacological properties in the terminal branches of guinea pig mesenteric artery, by using a whole-cell mode of the patch-clamp technique. The fraction of NI- I Ca appeared to increase dramatically along the lower branches of mesenteric artery, amounting to almost 100% of global I Ca in its periphery. With 5 mmol/L Ba 2+ as the charge carrier, NI- I Ca was activated with a threshold of −50 mV, peaked at −10 mV, and was half-activated and inactivated at −11 and −52 mV, respectively, generating a potential range of constant activation near the resting membrane potential. The NI- I Ca was rundown resistant, was not subject to Ca 2+ -dependent inactivation, and exhibited the pore properties typical for high voltage–activated Ca 2+ channels; Ba 2+ is ≈2-fold more permeable than Ca 2+ , and Cd 2+ is a better blocker than Ni 2+ (IC 50 , 6 and 68 μmol/L, respectively). Relatively specific blockers for N- and P/Q-type Ca 2+ channels such as ω-conotoxins GVIA and MVIIC (each 1 μmol/L) and ω-agatoxin IVA (1 μmol/L) were ineffective at inhibiting NI- I Ca , whereas nimodipine partially (10 μmol/L; ≈40%) and amiloride potently (≈75% with 1 mmol/L; IC 50 ; 107 μmol/L) blocked the current. Although these properties are reminiscent of R-type Ca 2+ channels, expression of the α 1E mRNA was not detected using reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. These results strongly suggest the predominant presence of NI, high voltage–activated Ca 2+ channels with novel properties, which may be abundantly expressed in peripheral small arterioles and contribute to their tone regulation.

1. The effects of NO donors on Ca2+-dependent Cl- currents (ICl(Ca)) were investigated in freshly isolated cat tracheal myocytes using the whole-cell patch clamp technique. 2. With nystatin-perforated whole-cell recording, carbachol (CCh, >/= 1 microM) induced a transient inward current (ICCh) with a reversal potential of about -20 mV. Activation of ICCh probably occurred through the M3 muscarinic receptor, since nanomolar concentrations of 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide (4-DAMP) greatly inhibited this current, while 11-(2-(diethylamino)methyl)-1-piperidinylacetyl)-5, 11-dihydro-6H-pyrido (2,3beta) (1,4)benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX 116) or pirenzepine at concentrations of up to 1 microM were almost ineffective. 3. Chloride channel/transporter blockers such as DIDS (100 microM), anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC, 100 microM) and niflumic acid (100 microM) greatly inhibited ICCh, but cation channel blockers, such as nifedipine (10 microM), Zn2+ (500 microM) or Gd3+ (500 microM), were without effect. 4. Activation of ICCh was strongly attenuated by pretreatment with ryanodine (4 microM) plus caffeine (10 mM). Addition of neomycin (1 mM) into the bath or inclusion of heparin (3 mg ml-1) in the pipette abolished a substantial part of ICCh. These results suggest that ICCh is ICl(Ca), which is activated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ release. 5. The nitric oxide donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) reduced the amplitude of ICCh dose dependently (IC50, approximately 10 microM). Similar inhibition was also exerted by other types of NO donor such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and (+/-)-E-methyl-2-(E-hydroxyimitol)-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3- hexeneamide (NO-R). 6. SNAP-induced ICCh inhibition was effectively antagonized by Methylene Blue (1-100 nM), and mimicked by dibutyryl cGMP (db-cGMP) (0.5-1 mM), whereas two structurally distinct types of cGMP-dependent (G)-kinase inhibitor, N-(2-aminoethyl)-5-isoquinilinesulphonamide (H-8, 2.5 microM) and KT5823 (1 microM), failed to counteract the inhibitory effects of SNAP or db-cGMP. Another G-kinase-specific inhibitor Rp-8-(para-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS; 1 microM) itself caused a marked reduction in ICCh. 7. SNAP (100 microM) or db-cGMP (100 microM) exhibited no inhibitory actions, when caffeine (10 mM) or photolytically released IP3 were used instead of CCh to activate the inward current. 8. These results suggest that inhibition of ICCh by NO donors involves a cGMP-dependent but G-kinase-independent mechanism, which may operate at a site(s) between the muscarinic (M3) and IP3 receptors.

Potentiating actions of external lanthanum (La3+) on muscarinic receptor-activated nonselective cation current (Icat) were investigated in myocytes dissociated from the longitudinal muscle layer of guinea-pig ileum, with a whole-cell variant of the patch clamp technique. Icat was dissected from other membrane currents by loading Cs-aspartate into the cell. Application of submilimolar concentrations of La3+ following 300 microM ACh into the bath caused a dose-dependent increase in the amplitude of Icat. The apparent Kd value for this increase was 190 microM, with a cooperativity factor of 1.7. La(3+)-induced increase in Icat amplitude was not associated with either changes in the reversal potential of Icat or altered sensitivity of muscarinic receptor to ACh, and paralleled by the conductance increase of Icat, the maximum of which (Gmax) occurred at about 1 mM La3+. Voltage-jump experiments revealed that the rate of current relaxation at hyperpolarizing potentials was greatly reduced in the presence of La3+, and correspondingly the steady state activation curve shifted toward more negative potentials. Divalent cations such as Cd2+ or Ni2+, which have been known to block Icat, antagonized the augmentative effect of La3+ on Icat in a competitive fashion, suggesting that the site of their actions might be similar. Furthermore, single Icat activities induced by internal perfusion of GTP gamma S (100 microM) was also greatly enhanced by external addition of 1 mM La3+. Under current clamp conditions, 1 mM La3+ blocked spontaneous Ca2+ spike activities, but was almost without effect on the membrane depolarization induced by ACh. In contrast, milimolar concentrations of Cd2+ and Ni2+ abolished both Ca2+ spike activities and ACh-induced depolarization. Potential importance of La3+ as a tool to investigate the external Ca(2+)-dependence of Icat has been discussed.

Mechanisms linked to actin filaments have long been thought to cooperate in smooth muscle contraction, although key molecules were unclear. We show evidence that cardiac troponin T (cTnT) substantially contributes to Ca(2+)-mediated contraction in a physiological range of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). cTnT was detected in various smooth muscles of the aorta, trachea, gut and urinary bladder, including in humans. Also, cTnT was distributed along with tropomyosin in smooth muscle cells, suggesting that these proteins are ready to cause smooth muscle contraction. In chemically permeabilised smooth muscle of cTnT(+/-) mice in which cTnT reduced to ~50%, the Ca(2+)-force relationship was shifted toward greater [Ca(2+)](i), indicating a sizeable contribution of cTnT to smooth muscle contraction at [Ca(2+)](i)1 μM. Furthermore, addition of supplemental TnI and TnC reconstructed a troponin system to enhance contraction. The results indicated that a Tn/Tn-like system on actin-filaments cooperates together with the thick-filament pathway.

TRPC6 is a non–voltage-gated Ca 2+ entry/depolarization channel associated with vascular tone regulation and remodeling. Expressed TRPC6 channel responds to both neurohormonal and mechanical stimuli, the mechanism for which remains controversial. In this study, we examined the possible interactions of receptor and mechanical stimulations in activating this channel using the patch clamp technique. In HEK293 cells expressing TRPC6, application of mechanical stimuli (hypotonicity, shear, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol) caused, albeit not effective by themselves, a prominent potentiation of cationic currents ( I TRPC6 ) induced by a muscarinic receptor agonist carbachol. This effect was insensitive to a tarantula toxin GsMTx-4 (5 μmol/L). A similar extent of mechanical potentiation was observed after activation of I TRPC6 by GTPγS or a diacylglycerol analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl- sn -glycerol (OAG). Single TRPC6 channel activity evoked by carbachol was also enhanced by a negative pressure added in the patch pipette. Mechanical potentiation of carbachol- or OAG-induced I TRPC6 was abolished by small interfering RNA knockdown of cytosolic phospholipase A 2 or pharmacological inhibition of ω-hydroxylation of arachidonic acid into 20-HETE (20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid). Conversely, direct application of 20-HETE enhanced both OAG-induced macroscopic and single channel TRPC6 currents. Essentially the same results were obtained for TRPC6-like cation channel in A7r5 myocytes, where its activation by noradrenaline or Arg8 vasopressin was greatly enhanced by mechanical stimuli via 20-HETE production. Furthermore, myogenic response of pressurized mesenteric artery was significantly enhanced by weak receptor stimulation dependently on 20-HETE production. These results collectively suggest that simultaneous operation of receptor and mechanical stimulations may synergistically amplify transmembrane Ca 2+ mobilization through TRPC6 activation, thereby enhancing the vascular tone via phospholipase C/diacylglycerol and phospholipase A 2 /ω-hydroxylase/20-HETE pathways.

Sustained elevation in the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration via Ca 2+ influx, which is activated by a variety of mechanisms, plays a central regulatory role for cardiovascular functions. Recent molecular biological research has disclosed an unexpectedly diverse array of Ca 2+ -entry channel molecules involved in this Ca 2+ influx. These include more than ten transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily members such as TRPC1, TRPC3–6, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4, TRPM4, TRPM7, and polycystin (TRPP2). Most of them appear to be multimodally activated or modulated and show relevant features to both acute hemodynamic control and long-term remodeling of the cardiovascular system, and many of them have been found to respond not only to receptor stimulation but also to various forms of stimuli. There is good evidence to implicate TRPC1 in neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury via store-depletion–operated Ca 2+ entry. TRPC6 likely contributes to receptor-operated and mechanosensitive Ca 2+ mobilizations, being involved in vasoconstrictor and myogenic responses and pulmonary arterial proliferation and its associated disease (idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension). Considerable evidence has also been accumulated for unique involvement of TRPV1 in blood flow/pressure regulation via sensory vasoactive neuropeptide release. New lines of evidence suggest that TRPV2 may act as a Ca 2+ -overloading pathway associated with dystrophic cardiomyopathy, TRPV4 as a mediator of endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization, TRPM7 as a proproliferative vascular Mg 2+ entry channel, and TRPP2 as a Ca 2+ -entry channel requisite for vascular integrity. This review attempts to provide an overview of the current knowledge on TRP proteins and discuss their possible roles in cardiovascular functions and diseases.

We investigated a possible role of nifedipine-insensitive high voltage-activated (NI-HVA) Ca 2+ channels in arterial diameter regulation in the semi-terminal branches of rabbit mesenteric artery (RMA). From these branches, NI-HVA Ca 2+ currents showing almost identical properties to those previously identified in a similar region of guinea-pig [Circulation Research 1999;85:596–605] were recorded with whole-cell patch clamp recording. With video-microscopic measurement, the diameter of RMA segments perfused intraluminally at a constant rate (2–6 mL/h; 269 ± 9 μm, n = 27) decreased by 50–60% by raising the external K + concentration ([K + ] o ) to 75 mM, a substantial part of which remained after addition of 1–10 μM nifedipine (44 ± 5% of initial diameter, n = 27). This nifedipine-insensitive diameter decrease (NI-DD) appeared to consist of initial transient and subsequent tonic phases (this separation was, however, not always clear), was resistant to tetrodotoxin, and was completely abolished in Ca 2+ -free or 100 μM Cd 2+ -containing bath solutions. The magnitude of NI-DD increased depending on [K + ] o with a threshold concentration of 20–40 mM. Raising the external Ca 2+ concentration dose-dependently increased the magnitude of NI-DD, the extent being more prominent in the late tonic phase. Combined application of caffeine (10 mM) with ryanodine (3 μM) produced a large transient NI-DD, which strongly attenuated the NI-DD evoked by a subsequent elevation in [K + ] o . Using the fura-2 spectrofluorimetric Ca 2+ imaging technique, a nifedipine-insensitive [Ca 2+ ] i increase showing similar [K + ] o -dependence and Cd 2+ sensitivity to NI-DD was observed. These properties of NI-DD accord with those of NI-HVA Ca 2+ channels, thus suggesting their contribution to small arterial diameter regulation in RMA.

1. Pharmacological properties of nifedipine-insensitive, high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels in rat mesenteric terminal arteries (NICCs) were investigated and compared with those of alpha1E and alpha1G heterologously expressed in BHK and HEK293 cells respectively, using the patch clamp technique. 2. With 10 mM Ba(2+) as the charge carrier, rat NICCs (unitary conductance: 11.5 pS with 110 mM Ba(2+)) are almost identical to those previously identified in a similar region of guinea-pig, such as in current-voltage relationship, voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, and divalent cation permeability. However, these properties are considerably different when compared with alpha1E and alpha1G. 3. SNX-482(200 nM and sFTX3.3 (1 micro M), in addition to omega-conotoxin GVIA (1 micro M) and omega-agatoxin IVA (100 nM), were totally ineffective for rat NICC currents, but significantly suppressed alpha1E (by 82% at 200 nM; IC(50)=11.1 nM) and alpha1G (by 20% at 1 micro M) channel currents, respectively. A non-specific T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nimodipine (10 micro M) differentially suppressed these three currents (by 40, 3 and 85% for rat NICC, alpha1E and alpha1G currents, respectively). 4. Mibefradil, the widely used T-type channel blocker, almost equally inhibited rat NICC and alpha1G currents in a voltage-dependent fashion with similar IC(50) values (3.5 and 0.3 micro M and 2.4 and 0.14 micro M at -100 and -60 mV, respectively). Furthermore, other organic T-type channel blockers such as phenytoin, ethosuximide, an arylpiperidine derivative SUN N5030 (IC(50)=0.32 micro M at -60 mV for alpha1G) also exhibited comparable inhibitory efficacies for NICC currents (inhibited by 22% at 100 micro M; IC(50)=27.8 mM; IC(50)=0.53 micro M, respectively). 5. These results suggest that despite distinctive biophysical properties, the rat NICCs have indistinguishable pharmacological sensitivities to many organic blockers compared with T-type Ca(2+) channels.

The effects of a newly synthesized K(+) channel opener, 1-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzoyl]-N-methylcyclobutane-carbothioamide (MCC-134) on membrane currents and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization were investigated in rabbit portal vein smooth muscle cells. Under voltage-clamped conditions, MCC-134 dose-dependently induced K(+)-selective currents (I(MCC); EC(50) 5.3 microM) showing little desensitization but fast deactivating properties on washout of drugs. I(MCC) was completely blocked by 10 microM glibenclamide, not affected by iberiotoxin (500 nM), charybdotoxin (200 nM) or apamin (500 nM), and inhibited by nonspecific K(+) channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (1-10 mM), 4-aminopyridine (0.1-1 mM) and Ba(2+) (0.01-0.1 mM). Intracellularly applied nucleotide diphosphates (1 mM) were effective at maintaining I(MCC) (apparent potency; ADP==GDP falling dotsIDPUDP), whereas intracellular ATP exhibited a biphasic, i.e., augmentative and inhibitory effect(s) on I(MCC). Single channel activities of about 15 pS (40/140 mM extra-/intracellular K(+)) fully accountable for macroscopic I(MCC) were activated by MCC-134. MCC-134, at a concentration as high as 100 microM, suppressed voltage-dependent Ca(2+) and noradrenaline-induced cation currents, and concomitant elevations in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)).