P2 receptors: intracellular signaling

Enhanced kinase translocation reporters for simultaneous real-time measurement of PKA, ERK, and Ca2

Kinase translocation reporters (KTRs) are powerful tools for single-cell measurement of time-integrated kinase activity but suffer from restricted dynamic range and limited sensitivity, particularly in neurons. To address these limitations, we developed enhanced KTRs (eKTRs) for protein kinase A (PKA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) that display high sensitivity, rapid response kinetics, broad dynamic range, cell type-specific tuning, and an ability to detect PKA and ERK activity in primary sensory neurons. Moreover, co-expression of optically separable eKTRs for PKA and ERK revealed the kinetics of expected and unexpected crosstalk between PKA, ERK, protein kinase C, and calcium signaling pathways, demonstrating the utility of eKTRs for live cell monitoring of diverse and interacting signaling pathways. These results open the door to improved live-cell and in vivo measurements of key signaling pathways in neurons, while at the same time demonstrating the importance of KTR size and NLS strength to KTR dynamics.

P2X7 Receptor-Induced Human Mast Cell Degranulation Is Enhanced by Interleukin 33

MCs are tissue-resident immune cells that strategically reside in barrier organs and respond effectively to a wide range of stimuli, such as IL-33, a mediator released upon epithelial damage. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) accumulates at sites of tissue injury and is known to modulate MC activities. This study investigated how an inflammatory tissue environment rich in IL-33 modulates the ATP-mediated activation of MCs. Human primary MCs primed with IL-33 displayed a strongly increased response to ATP but not ADP. This resulted in increased degranulation, IL-8 release, and pERK1/2 signalling. Such effects are unique to IL-33 stimulation and not shared by the epithelial alarmin, TSLP. MC exposure to IL-33 also increased membrane expression of purinergic and ATP-binding P2X receptors. The use of selective P2X receptor inhibitors identified P2X7 receptor as the key mediator of the enhanced ATP-induced ERK1/2 signalling and degranulation in IL-33-primed MCs. Whilst the inhibition of P2X1 and P2X4 receptors had no effect on MC degranulation, inhibiting these receptors together with P2X7 resulted in further decreased MC-mediated degranulation. These data therefore point toward the potential mechanisms by which IL-33 contributes to the modulation of ATP-mediated activation in human MCs.

Interaction of Angiotensin II AT1 Receptors with Purinergic P2X Receptors in Regulating Renal Afferent Arterioles in Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

In angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension, Ang II activates angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) on renal vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to renal vasoconstriction with eventual glomerular and tubular injury and interstitial inflammation. While afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction is initiated by the increased intrarenal levels of Ang II activating AT1R, the progressive increases in arterial pressure stimulate the paracrine secretion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), leading to the purinergic P2X receptor (P2XR)-mediated constriction of afferent arterioles. Thus, the afferent arteriolar tone is maintained by two powerful systems eliciting the co-existing activation of P2XR and AT1R. This raises the conundrum of how the AT1R and P2XR can both be responsible for most of the increased renal afferent vascular resistance existing in angiotensin-dependent hypertension. Its resolution implies that AT1R and P2XR share common receptor or post receptor signaling mechanisms which converge to maintain renal vasoconstriction in Ang II-dependent hypertension. In this review, we briefly discuss (1) the regulation of renal afferent arterioles in Ang II-dependent hypertension, (2) the interaction of AT1R and P2XR activation in regulating renal afferent arterioles in a setting of hypertension, (3) mechanisms regulating ATP release and effect of angiotensin II on ATP release, and (4) the possible intracellular pathways involved in AT1R and P2XR interactions. Emerging evidence supports the hypothesis that P2X1R, P2X7R, and AT1R actions converge at receptor or post-receptor signaling pathways but that P2XR exerts a dominant influence abrogating the actions of AT1R on renal afferent arterioles in Ang II-dependent hypertension. This finding raises clinical implications for the design of therapeutic interventions that will prevent the impairment of kidney function and subsequent tissue injury.

Primary mouse myoblast metabotropic purinoceptor profiles and calcium signalling differ with their muscle origin and are altered in mdx dystrophinopathy

Mortality of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a consequence of progressive wasting of skeletal and cardiac muscle, where dystrophinopathy affects not only muscle fibres but also myogenic cells. Elevated activity of P2X7 receptors and increased store-operated calcium entry have been identified in myoblasts from the mdx mouse model of DMD. Moreover, in immortalized mdx myoblasts, increased metabotropic purinergic receptor response was found. Here, to exclude any potential effects of cell immortalization, we investigated the metabotropic response in primary mdx and wild-type myoblasts. Overall, analyses of receptor transcript and protein levels, antagonist sensitivity, and cellular localization in these primary myoblasts confirmed the previous data from immortalised cells. However, we identified significant differences in the pattern of expression and activity of P2Y receptors and the levels of the "calcium signalling toolkit" proteins between mdx and wild-type myoblasts isolated from different muscles. These results not only extend the earlier findings on the phenotypic effects of dystrophinopathy in undifferentiated muscle but, importantly, also reveal that these changes are muscle type-dependent and endure in isolated cells. This muscle-specific cellular impact of DMD may not be limited to the purinergic abnormality in mice and needs to be taken into consideration in human studies.

Innate Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent condition characterized by lipid accumulation in hepatocytes with low alcohol consumption. The development of sterile inflammation, which occurs in response to a range of cellular stressors or injuries, has been identified as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Recent studies of the pathogenesis of NAFLD reported the newly developed roles of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). These molecules activate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which are placed in the infiltrated neutrophils, dendritic cells, monocytes, or Kupffer cells. DAMPs cause the activation of PRRs, which triggers a number of immunological responses, including the generation of cytokines that promote inflammation and the localization of immune cells to the site of the damage. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of DAMPs and PRRs on the development of NAFLD.

Research Progress in the Relationship Between P2X7R and Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common and serious tumors in women. Finding new biomarkers and therapeutic targets plays an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cervical cancer. Purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) is a purine ligand cation channel, activated by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Studies have shown that P2X7R plays an important role in a variety of diseases and cancers. More and more studies have shown that P2X7R is also closely related to cervical cancer; therefore, the role of P2X7R in the development of cervical cancer deserves further discussion. The expression level of P2X7R in uterine epithelial cancer tissues was lower than that of the corresponding normal tissues. P2X7R plays an important role in the apoptotic process of cervical cancer through various mechanisms of action, and both antagonists and agonists of P2X7R can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cells, while P2X7R is involved in the antitumor effect of Atr-I on cervical cancer cells. This review evaluates the current role of P2X7R in cervical cancer in order to develop more specific therapies for cervical cancer. In conclusion, P2X7R may become a biomarker for cervical cancer screening, and even a new target for clinical treatment of cervical cancer.

The Pleiotropic Role of Extracellular ATP in Myocardial Remodelling

Myocardial remodelling is a molecular, cellular, and interstitial adaptation of the heart in response to altered environmental demands. The heart undergoes reversible physiological remodelling in response to changes in mechanical loading or irreversible pathological remodelling induced by neurohumoral factors and chronic stress, leading to heart failure. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is one of the potent mediators in cardiovascular signalling that act on the ligand-gated (P2X) and G-protein-coupled (P2Y) purinoceptors via the autocrine or paracrine manners. These activations mediate numerous intracellular communications by modulating the production of other messengers, including calcium, growth factors, cytokines, and nitric oxide. ATP is known to play a pleiotropic role in cardiovascular pathophysiology, making it a reliable biomarker for cardiac protection. This review outlines the sources of ATP released under physiological and pathological stress and its cell-specific mechanism of action. We further highlight a series of cardiovascular cell-to-cell communications of extracellular ATP signalling cascades in cardiac remodelling, which can be seen in hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion injury, fibrosis, hypertrophy, and atrophy. Finally, we summarize current pharmacological intervention using the ATP network as a target for cardiac protection. A better understanding of ATP communication in myocardial remodelling could be worthwhile for future drug development and repurposing and the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Modulation of the long non-coding RNA Mir155hg by high, but not moderate, hydrostatic pressure in cartilage precursor cells

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in older adults and is characterized by a gradual degradation of articular cartilage due to decreased cartilage matrix gene expression and increased expression of genes involved in protein degradation, apoptosis and inflammation. Due to the high water content of cartilage, one of the main physical stimuli sensed by chondrocytes is hydrostatic pressure. We previously showed that high pressure above 20 MPa induced gene expression changes in chondrocyte precursor cells similar to what is observed in OA. Micro-RNAs are small non-coding RNAs essential to many physiological and pathological process including OA. As the micro-RNA miR-155 has been found increased in OA chondrocytes, we investigated the effects of high pressure on the expression of the miR-155 host gene Mir155hg. The chondrocyte progenitor cell line ATDC5 was pressurized under hydrostatic pressure up to 25 MPa and the expression of Mir155hg or the resulting micro-RNAs were measured; pharmacological inhibitors were used to identify the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of Mir155hg. We found that Mir155hg is strongly and rapidly up-regulated by high, but not moderate, pressure in chondrocyte progenitor cells. This up-regulation likely involves the membrane channel pannexin-1 and several intracellular signaling molecules including PKC and Src. MiR-155-5p and -3p were also up-regulated by pressure though somewhat later than Mir155hg, and a set of known miR-155-5p target genes, including Ikbke, Smarca4 and Ywhae, was affected by pressure, suggesting that Mir155hg may have important roles in cartilage physiology.

Physiologic roles of P2 receptors in leukocytes

Since their discovery in the 1970s, purinergic receptors have been shown to play key roles in a wide variety of biologic systems and cell types. In the immune system, purinergic receptors participate in innate immunity and in the modulation of the adaptive immune response. In particular, P2 receptors, which respond to extracellular nucleotides, are widely expressed on leukocytes, causing the release of cytokines and chemokines and the formation of inflammatory mediators, and inducing phagocytosis, degranulation, and cell death. The activity of these receptors is regulated by ectonucleotidases-expressed in these same cell types-which regulate the availability of nucleotides in the extracellular environment. In this article, we review the characteristics of the main purinergic receptor subtypes present in the immune system, focusing on the P2 family. In addition, we describe the physiologic roles of the P2 receptors already identified in leukocytes and how they can positively or negatively modulate the development of infectious diseases, inflammation, and pain.

Therapeutic potential for P2Y2 receptor antagonism

G protein-coupled receptors are the target of more than 30% of all FDA-approved drug therapies. Though the purinergic P2 receptors have been an attractive target for therapeutic intervention with successes such as the P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist, clopidogrel, P2Y₂ receptor (P2Y₂R) antagonism remains relatively unexplored as a therapeutic strategy. Due to a lack of selective antagonists to modify P2Y₂R activity, studies using primarily genetic manipulation have revealed roles for P2Y₂R in a multitude of diseases. These include inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, fibrotic diseases, renal diseases, cancer, and pathogenic infections. With the advent of AR-C118925, a selective and potent P2Y₂R antagonist that became commercially available only a few years ago, new opportunities exist to gain a more robust understanding of P2Y₂R function and assess therapeutic effects of P2Y₂R antagonism. This review discusses the characteristics of P2Y₂R that make it unique among P2 receptors, namely its involvement in five distinct signaling pathways including canonical Gα_q protein signaling. We also discuss the effects of other P2Y₂R antagonists and the pivotal development of AR-C118925. The remainder of this review concerns the mounting evidence implicating P2Y₂Rs in disease pathogenesis, focusing on those studies that have evaluated AR-C118925 in pre-clinical disease models.

Noradrenaline and ATP regulate adiponectin exocytosis in white adipocytes: Disturbed adrenergic and purinergic signalling in obese and insulin-resistant mice

White adipocyte adiponectin exocytosis is triggered by cAMP and a concomitant increase of cytosolic Ca²⁺ potentiates its release. White adipose tissue is richly innervated by sympathetic nerves co-releasing noradrenaline (NA) and ATP, which may act on receptors in the adipocyte plasma membrane to increase cAMP via adrenergic receptors and Ca²⁺ via purinergic receptors. Here we determine the importance of NA and ATP for the regulation of white adipocyte adiponectin exocytosis, at the cellular and molecular level, and we specifically detail the ATP signalling pathway. We demonstrate that tyrosine hydroxylase (enzyme involved in catecholamine synthesis) is dramatically reduced in inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) isolated from mice with diet-induced obesity; this is associated with diminished levels of NA in IWAT and with a reduced ratio of high-molecular-weight (HMW) to total adiponectin in serum. Adiponectin exocytosis (measured as an increase in plasma membrane capacitance and as secreted product) is triggered by NA or ATP alone in cultured and primary mouse IWAT adipocytes, and enhanced by a combination of the two secretagogues. The ATP-induced adiponectin exocytosis is largely Ca²⁺-dependent and activated via purinergic P2Y2 receptors (P2Y2Rs) and the Gq11/PLC pathway. Adiponectin release induced by the nucleotide is abrogated in adipocytes isolated from obese and insulin-resistant mice, and this is associated with ∼70% reduced abundance of P2Y2Rs. The NA-triggered adiponectin exocytosis is likewise abolished in "obese adipocytes", concomitant with a 50% lower gene expression of beta 3 adrenergic receptors (β₃ARs). An increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ is not required for the NA-stimulated adiponectin secretion. Collectively, our data suggest that sympathetic innervation is a principal regulator of adiponectin exocytosis and that disruptions of this control are associated with the obesity-associated reduction of circulating levels of HMW/total adiponectin.

The contribution of sterile inflammation to the fatty liver disease and the potential therapies

Hepatic inflammation is prevalent in several metabolic liver diseases. Recent scientific advances about the pathogenesis of metabolic liver diseases showed an emerging role of several damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including DNA, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), ATP and uric acid. For these DAMPs to induce inflammation, they should stimulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which are located in the hepatic immune cells like resident Kupffer cells, infiltrated neutrophils, monocytes or dendritic cells. As a consequence, proinflammatory cytokines like interleukins (ILs)-1β and 18 alongside tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are overproduced and released, leading to pronounced hepatic inflammation and cellular death. This review highlights the contribution of these DAMPs and PRRs in the settings of alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The review also summarizes the therapeutic usefulness of targeting NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)-inflammasome, Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 4 and 9, IL-1 receptor (IL-1R), caspase 1, uric acid and GMP-AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS/STING) in these hepatic inflammatory disorders.

The P2Y2 Receptor C-Terminal Tail Modulates but Is Dispensable for β-Arrestin Recruitment

The P2Y₂ receptor (P2Y₂R) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is activated by extracellular ATP and UTP, to a similar extent. This allows it to play roles in the cell's response to the (increased) release of these nucleotides, e.g., in response to stress situations, including mechanical stress and oxygen deprivation. However, despite its involvement in important (patho)physiological processes, the intracellular signaling induced by the P2Y₂R remains incompletely described. Therefore, this study implemented a NanoBiT^® functional complementation assay to shed more light on the recruitment of β-arrestins (βarr1 and βarr2) upon receptor activation. More specifically, upon determination of the optimal configuration in this assay system, the effect of different (receptor) residues/regions on βarr recruitment to the receptor in response to ATP or UTP was estimated. To this end, the linker was shortened, the C-terminal tail was truncated, and phosphorylatable residues in the third intracellular loop of the receptor were mutated, in either singly or multiply adapted constructs. The results showed that none of the introduced adaptations entirely abolished the recruitment of either βarr, although EC₅₀ values differed and time-luminescence profiles appeared to be qualitatively altered. The results hint at the C-terminal tail modulating the interaction with βarr, while not being indispensable.

Function of the P2X7 receptor in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) accumulates at tissue injury and inflammation sites. The P2X7 receptor is an ATP-gated ion channel known for its cytotoxic activity. However, P2X7 receptors also play important roles in the growth of cancer and the immune regulation. Functional P2X7 receptor is widely expressed in murine and human hematopoietic stem cells and their lineages, including monocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and B or T lymphocytes, and participates in various physiological and pathologic activities. Therefore, it is not surprising that the P2X7 receptor is important for the normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. Here, we summarize the biological functions of P2X7 receptor during both normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. In particular, we found that ATP levels are dramatically increased in the leukemic bone marrow niche and the fates of leukemia-initiating cells of acute myeloid leukemia are tightly controlled by P2X7 expression and ATP-P2X7-mediated signaling pathways. These findings strongly indicate that the P2X7 receptor may be considered a potential biomarker of hematological malignancies in bone marrow niches, and its antagonists may be useful for the leukemia treatment in addition to the traditional chemotherapy.

Role of the Purinergic P2Y2 Receptor in Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a fatal disease that is characterized by vasoconstriction, increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, and right heart failure. PAH can be described by abnormal vascular remodeling, hyperproliferation in the vasculature, endothelial cell dysfunction, and vascular tone dysregulation. The disease pathomechanisms, however, are as yet not fully understood at the molecular level. Purinergic receptors P2Y within the G-protein-coupled receptor family play a major role in fluid shear stress transduction, proliferation, migration, and vascular tone regulation in systemic circulation, but less is known about their contribution in PAH. Hence, studies that focus on purinergic signaling are of great importance for the identification of new therapeutic targets in PAH. Interestingly, the role of P2Y2 receptors has not yet been sufficiently studied in PAH, whereas the relevance of other P2Ys as drug targets for PAH was shown using specific agonists or antagonists. In this review, we will shed light on P2Y receptors and focus more on the P2Y2 receptor as a potential novel player in PAH and as a new therapeutic target for disease management.

P2X7 receptor-nitric oxide interaction mediates apoptosis in mouse immortalized mesangial cells exposed to high glucose

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that leads to diabetic nephropathy (DN). We showed that P2X7, a purinergic receptor, was highly expressed in DM; however, when oxidative stress was controlled, renal NO recovered, and the activation of this receptor remained significantly reduced. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of NO on the P2X7 and apoptosis in mouse immortalized mesangial cells (MiMC) cultured in high glucose (HG) medium.

METHODS

MiMCs were cultured with DMEM and exposed to normal glucose (NG), mannitol (MA), or HG. Cell viability was assessed by an automated counter. Supernatants were collected for NO quantification, and proteins were extracted for analysis of NO synthases (iNOS and eNOS), caspase-3, and P2X7.

RESULTS

Cell viability remained above 90% in all groups. There was a significant increase in the proliferation of cells in HG compared to MA and NG. NO, iNOS, caspase-3, and P2X7 were significantly increased in HG compared to NG and MA, with no changes in eNOS. We observed that there was a strong and significant correlation between P2X7 and NO.

DISCUSSION

The main finding was that the production of NO by iNOS was positively correlated with the increase of P2X7 in MCs under HG conditions, showing that there is a common stimulus between them and that NO interacts with the P2X7 pathway, contributing to apoptosis in experimental DM. These findings could be relevant to studies of therapeutic targets for the prevention and/or treatment of hyperglycemia-induced kidney damage to delay DN progression.

P2X7R antagonists in chronic stress-based depression models: a review

Depression affects around 320 million people worldwide. Growing evidence proposes the immune system to be the core interface between psychosocial stress and the neurobiological and behavioural features of depression. Many studies have identified purinergic signalling via the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) to be of great importance in depression genesis yet only a few have evaluated P2X7R antagonists in chronic stress-based depression models. This review summarizes their findings and analyses their methodology. The four available studies used three to nine weeks of unpredictable, chronic mild stress or unpredictable, chronic stress in male mice or rats. Stress paradigm composition varied moderately, with stimuli being primarily psychophysical rather than psychosocial. Behavioural testing was performed during or after the last week of stress application and resulted in depressive-like behaviours, immune changes (NLRP3 assembly, interleukin-1β level increase, microglia activation) and neuroplasticity impairment. During the second half of each stress paradigm, a P2X7R antagonist (Brilliant Blue G, A-438079, A-804598) was applied. Studies differed with regard to antagonist dosage and application timing. Nonetheless, all treatments attenuated the stress-induced neurobiological changes and depressive-like behaviours. The evidence at hand underpins the importance of P2X7R signalling in chronic stress and depression. However, improvements in study planning and reporting are necessary to minimize experimental bias and increase data purview. To achieve this, we propose adherence to the Research Domain Criteria and the STRANGE framework.

Targeting purinergic receptors to suppress the cytokine storm induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in pulmonary tissue

The etiological agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the new member of the Coronaviridae family, a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the pandemic that is plaguing the world. The single-stranded RNA virus is capable of infecting the respiratory tract, by binding the spike (S) protein on its viral surface to receptors for the angiotensin II-converting enzyme (ACE2), highly expressed in the pulmonary tissue, enabling the interaction of the virus with alveolar epithelial cells promoting endocytosis and replication of viral material. The infection triggers the activation of the immune system, increased purinergic signaling, and the release of cytokines as a defense mechanism, but the response can become exaggerated and prompt the so-called “cytokine storm”, developing cases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). This is characterized by fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which can progress to pneumonia, failure of different organs and death. Thus, the present review aims to compile and correlate the mechanisms involved between the immune and purinergic systems with COVID-19, since the modulation of purinergic receptors, such as A2A, A2B, and P2X7 expressed by immune cells, seems to be effective as a promising therapy, to reduce the severity of the disease, as well as aid in the treatment of acute lung diseases and other cases of generalized inflammation.

Purinergic Signaling and Inflammasome Activation in Psoriasis Pathogenesis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin associated with systemic and joint manifestations and accompanied by comorbidities, such as metabolic syndrome and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Psoriasis has a strong genetic basis, but exacerbation requires additional signals that are still largely unknown. The clinical manifestations involve the interplay between dendritic and T cells in the dermis to generate a self-sustaining inflammatory loop around the TNFα/IL-23/IL-17 axis that forms the psoriatic plaque. In addition, in recent years, a critical role of keratinocytes in establishing the interplay that leads to psoriatic plaques’ formation has re-emerged. In this review, we analyze the most recent evidence of the role of keratinocytes and danger associates molecular patterns, such as extracellular ATP in the generation of psoriatic skin lesions. Particular attention will be given to purinergic signaling in inflammasome activation and in the initiation of psoriasis. In this phase, keratinocytes’ inflammasome may trigger early inflammatory pathways involving IL-1β production, to elicit the subsequent cascade of events that leads to dendritic and T cell activation. Since psoriasis is likely triggered by skin-damaging events and trauma, we can envisage that intracellular ATP, released by damaged cells, may play a role in triggering the inflammatory response underlying the pathogenesis of the disease by activating the inflammasome. Therefore, purinergic signaling in the skin could represent a new and early step of psoriasis; thus, opening the possibility to target single molecular actors of the purinome to develop new psoriasis treatments.

Multifunctional Liposomes Modulate Purinergic Receptor-Induced Calcium Wave in Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Astrocytes: New Insights for Alzheimer's disease

In light of previous results, we assessed whether liposomes functionalized with ApoE-derived peptide (mApoE) and phosphatidic acid (PA) (mApoE-PA-LIP) impacted on intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) dynamics in cultured human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), as an in vitro human blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, and in cultured astrocytes. mApoE-PA-LIP pre-treatment actively increased both the duration and the area under the curve (A.U.C) of the ATP-evoked Ca²⁺ waves in cultured hCMEC/D3 cells as well as in cultured astrocytes. mApoE-PA-LIP increased the ATP-evoked intracellular Ca²⁺ waves even under 0 [Ca²⁺]_e conditions, thus indicating that the increased intracellular Ca²⁺ response to ATP is mainly due to endogenous Ca²⁺ release. Indeed, when Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA) activity was blocked by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), the extracellular application of ATP failed to trigger any intracellular Ca²⁺ waves, indicating that metabotropic purinergic receptors (P2Y) are mainly involved in the mApoE-PA-LIP-induced increase of the Ca²⁺ wave triggered by ATP. In conclusion, mApoE-PA-LIP modulate intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics evoked by ATP when SERCA is active through inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-dependent (InsP3) endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ release. Considering that P2Y receptors represent important pharmacological targets to treat cognitive dysfunctions, and that P2Y receptors have neuroprotective effects in neuroinflammatory processes, the enhancement of purinergic signaling provided by mApoE-PA-LIP could counteract Aβ-induced vasoconstriction and reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF). Our obtained results could give an additional support to promote mApoE-PA-LIP as effective therapeutic tool for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Purinergic signaling is enhanced in the absence of UT-A1 and UT-A3

ATP is an important paracrine regulator of renal tubular water and urea transport. The activity of P2Y2 , the predominant P2Y receptor of the medullary collecting duct, is mediated by ATP, and modulates urinary concentration. To investigate the role of purinergic signaling in the absence of urea transport in the collecting duct, we studied wild-type (WT) and UT-A1/A3 null (UT-A1/A3 KO) mice in metabolic cages to monitor urine output, and collected tissue samples for analysis. We confirmed that UT-A1/A3 KO mice are polyuric, and concurrently observed lower levels of urinary cAMP as compared to WT, despite elevated serum vasopressin (AVP) levels. Because P2Y2 inhibits AVP-stimulated transport by dampening cAMP synthesis, we suspected that, similar to other models of AVP-resistant polyuria, purinergic signaling is increased in UT-A1/A3 KO mice. In fact, we observed that both urinary ATP and purinergic-mediated prostanoid (PGE2 ) levels were elevated. Collectively, our data suggest that the reduction of medullary osmolality due to the lack of UT-A1 and UT-A3 induces an AVP-resistant polyuria that is possibly exacerbated by, or at least correlated with, enhanced purinergic signaling.

Astrocytes-The Ultimate Effectors of Long-Range Neuromodulatory Networks?

It was long thought that astrocytes, given their lack of electrical signaling, were not involved in communication with neurons. However, we now know that one astrocyte on average maintains and regulates the extracellular neurotransmitter and potassium levels of more than 140,000 synapses, both excitatory and inhibitory, within their individual domains, and form a syncytium that can propagate calcium waves to affect distant cells via release of “gliotransmitters” such as glutamate, ATP, or adenosine. Neuromodulators can affect signal-to-noise and frequency transmission within cortical circuits by effects on inhibition, allowing for the filtering of relevant vs. irrelevant stimuli. Moreover, synchronized “resting” and desynchronized “activated” brain states are gated by short bursts of high-frequency neuromodulatory activity, highlighting the need for neuromodulation that is robust, rapid, and far-reaching. As many neuromodulators are released in a volume manner where degradation/uptake and the confines of the complex CNS limit diffusion distance, we ask the question—are astrocytes responsible for rapidly extending neuromodulator actions to every synapse? Neuromodulators are known to influence transitions between brain states, leading to control over plasticity, responses to salient stimuli, wakefulness, and sleep. These rapid and wide-spread state transitions demand that neuromodulators can simultaneously influence large and diverse regions in a manner that should be impossible given the limitations of simple diffusion. Intriguingly, astrocytes are ideally situated to amplify/extend neuromodulator effects over large populations of synapses given that each astrocyte can: (1) ensheath a large number of synapses; (2) release gliotransmitters (glutamate/ATP/adenosine) known to affect inhibition; (3) regulate extracellular potassium that can affect excitability and excitation/inhibition balance; and (4) express receptors for all neuromodulators. In this review article, we explore the hypothesis that astrocytes extend and amplify neuromodulatory influences on neuronal networks via alterations in calcium dynamics, the release of gliotransmitters, and potassium homeostasis. Given that neuromodulatory networks are at the core of our sleep-wake cycle and behavioral states, and determine how we interact with our environment, this review article highlights the importance of basic astrocyte function in homeostasis, general cognition, and psychiatric disorders.

P2 Receptors Influence hMSCs Differentiation towards Endothelial Cell and Smooth Muscle Cell Lineages

BACKGROUND

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown their multipotential including differentiating towards endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages, which triggers a new interest for using hMSCs as a putative source for cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Our recent publication has shown for the first time that purinergic 2 receptors are key players during hMSC differentiation towards adipocytes and osteoblasts. Purinergic 2 receptors play an important role in cardiovascular function when they bind to extracellular nucleotides. In this study, the possible functional role of purinergic 2 receptors during MSC endothelial and smooth muscle differentiation was investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Human MSCs were isolated from liposuction materials. Then, endothelial and smooth muscle-like cells were differentiated and characterized by specific markers via Reverse Transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), Western blot and immunochemical stainings. Interestingly, some purinergic 2 receptor subtypes were found to be differently regulated during these specific lineage commitments: P2Y4 and P2Y14 were involved in the early stage commitment while P2Y1 was the key player in controlling MSC differentiation towards either endothelial or smooth muscle cells. The administration of natural and artificial purinergic 2 receptor agonists and antagonists had a direct influence on these differentiations. Moreover, a feedback loop via exogenous extracellular nucleotides on these particular differentiations was shown by apyrase digest.

CONCLUSIONS

Purinergic 2 receptors play a crucial role during the differentiation towards endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages. Some highly selective and potent artificial purinergic 2 ligands can control hMSC differentiation, which might improve the use of adult stem cells in cardiovascular tissue engineering in the future.

Release of ATP by TRPV4 activation is dependent upon the expression of AQP2 in renal cells

Increasing evidence indicates that aquaporins (AQPs) exert an influence in cell signaling by the interplay with the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel. We previously found that TRPV4 physically and functionally interacts with AQP2 in cortical collecting ducts (CCD) cells, favoring cell volume regulation and cell migration. Because TRPV4 was implicated in ATP release in several tissues, we investigated the possibility that TRPV4/AQP2 interaction influences ATP release in CCD cells. Using two CCD cell lines expressing or not AQP2, we measured extracellular ATP (ATPe) under TRPV4 activation and intracellular Ca²⁺ under ATP addition. We found that AQP2 is critical for the release of ATP induced by TRPV4 activation. This ATP release occurs by an exocytic and a conductive route. ATPe, in turn, stimulates purinergic receptors leading to ATPe-induced ATP release by a Ca²⁺ -dependent mechanism. We propose that AQP2 by modulating Ca²⁺ and ATP differently could explain AQP2-increased cell migration.

Role of PKC in the Regulation of the Human Kidney Chloride Channel ClC-Ka

The physiological role of the renal ClC-Ka/ClC-K1 channels is to confer a high Cl^- permeability to the thin Ascending Limb of Henle (tAL), which in turn is essential for establishing the high osmolarity of the renal medulla that drives water reabsorption from collecting ducts. Here, we investigated by whole-cell patch-clamp measurements on HEK293 cells co-expressing ClC-Ka (tagged with GFP) and the accessory subunit barttin (tagged with m-Cherry) the effect of a natural diuretic extract from roots of Dandelion (DRE), and other compounds activating PKC, such as ATP, on ClC-Ka activity and its membrane localization. Treatment with 400 µg/ml DRE significantly inhibited Cl^- currents time-dependently within several minutes. Of note, the same effect on Cl^- currents was obtained upon treatment with 100 µM ATP. Pretreatment of cells with either the intracellular Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA-AM (30 μM) or the PKC inhibitor Calphostin C (100 nM) reduced the inhibitory effect of DRE. Conversely, 1 µM of phorbol meristate acetate (PMA), a specific PKC activator, mimicked the inhibitory effect of DRE on ClC-Ka. Finally, we found that pretreatment with 30 µM Heclin, an E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitor, did not revert DRE-induced Cl^- current inhibition. In agreement with this, live-cell confocal analysis showed that DRE treatment did not induce ClC-Ka internalization. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that the activity of ClC-Ka in renal cells could be significantly inhibited by the activation of PKC elicited by classical maneuvers, such as activation of purinergic receptors, or by exposure to herbal extracts that activates a PKC-dependent pathway. Overall, we provide both new information regarding the regulation of ClC-Ka and a proof-of-concept study for the use of DRE as new diuretic.

G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Astrocyte-Neuron Communication

Astrocytes, a major type of glial cell, are known to play key supportive roles in brain function, contributing to ion and neurotransmitter homeostasis, maintaining the blood-brain barrier and providing trophic and metabolic support for neurons. Besides these support functions, astrocytes are emerging as important elements in brain physiology through signaling exchange with neurons at tripartite synapses. Astrocytes express a wide variety of neurotransmitter transporters and receptors that allow them to sense and respond to synaptic activity. Principal among them are the G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in astrocytes because their activation by synaptically released neurotransmitters leads to mobilization of intracellular calcium. In turn, activated astrocytes release neuroactive substances called gliotransmitters, such as glutamate, GABA, and ATP/adenosine that lead to synaptic regulation through activation of neuronal GPCRs. In this review we will present and discuss recent evidence demonstrating the critical roles played by GPCRs in the bidirectional astrocyte-neuron signaling, and their crucial involvement in the astrocyte-mediated regulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Purinergic Receptors: Elucidating the Role of these Immune Mediators in HIV-1 Fusion

Purinergic receptors are inflammatory mediators activated by extracellular nucleotides released by dying or injured cells. Several studies have described an important role for these receptors in HIV-1 entry, particularly regarding their activity on HIV-1 viral membrane fusion. Several reports identify purinergic receptor antagonists that inhibit HIV-1 membrane fusion; these drugs are suspected to act through antagonizing Env-chemokine receptor interactions. They also appear to abrogate activity of downstream mediators that potentiate activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Here we review the literature on purinergic receptors, the drugs that inhibit their function, and the evidence implicating these receptors in HIV-1 entry.

Cytoskeleton and Nucleotide Signaling in Glioma C6 Cells

This chapter describes signaling pathways, stimulated by the P2Y₂ nucleotide receptor (P2Y₂R), that regulate cellular processes dependent on actin cytoskeleton dynamics in glioma C6 cells. P2Y₂R coupled with G-proteins, in response to ATP or UTP, regulates the level of iphosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) which modulates a variety of actin binding proteins and is involved in calcium response and activates Rac1 and RhoA proteins. The RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway plays an important role in contractile force generation needed for the assembly of stress fibers, focal adhesions and for tail retraction during cell migration. Blocking of this pathway by a specific Rho-kinase inhibitor induces changes in F-actin organization and cell shape and decreases the level of phosphorylated myosin II and cofilin. In glioma C6 cells these changes are reversed after UTP stimulation of P2Y₂R. Signaling pathways responsible for this compensation are calcium signaling which regulates MLC kinase activation via calmodulin, and the Rac1/PAK/LIMK cascade. Stimulation of the Rac1 mediated pathway via G_o proteins needs additional interaction between α_vβ₅ integrins and P2Y₂Rs. Calcium free medium, or growing of the cells in suspension, prevents Gα_o activation by P2Y₂ receptors. Rac1 activation is necessary for cofilin phosphorylation as well as integrin activation needed for focal complexes formation and stabilization of lamellipodium. Inhibition of positive Rac1 regulation prevents glioma C6 cells from recovery of control cell like morphology.

Perivascular CD73+ cells attenuate inflammation and interstitial fibrosis in the kidney microenvironment

Progressive tubulointerstitial fibrosis may occur after acute kidney injury due to persistent inflammation. Purinergic signaling by 5'-ectonucleotidase, CD73, an enzyme that converts AMP to adenosine on the extracellular surface, can suppress inflammation. The role of CD73 in progressive kidney fibrosis has not been elucidated. We evaluated the effect of deletion of CD73 from kidney perivascular cells (including pericytes and/or fibroblasts of the Foxd1+ lineage) on fibrosis. Perivascular cell expression of CD73 was necessary to suppress inflammation and prevent kidney fibrosis in Foxd1CreCD73fl/fl mice evaluated 14 days after unilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury or folic acid treatment (250 mg/kg). Kidneys of Foxd1CreCD73fl/fl mice had greater collagen deposition, expression of proinflammatory markers (including various macrophage markers), and platelet-derived growth factor recepetor-β immunoreactivity than CD73fl/fl mice. Kidney dysfunction and fibrosis were rescued by administration of soluble CD73 or by macrophage deletion. Isolated CD73-/- kidney pericytes displayed an activated phenotype (increased proliferation and α-smooth muscle actin mRNA expression) compared with wild-type controls. In conclusion, CD73 in perivascular cells may act to suppress myofibroblast transformation and influence macrophages to promote a wound healing response. These results suggest that the purinergic signaling pathway in the kidney interstitial microenvironment orchestrates perivascular cells and macrophages to suppress inflammation and prevent progressive fibrosis.

Extracellular Nucleotides and P2 Receptors in Renal Function

The understanding of the nucleotide/P2 receptor system in the regulation of renal hemodynamics and transport function has grown exponentially over the last 20 yr. This review attempts to integrate the available data while also identifying areas of missing information. First, the determinants of nucleotide concentrations in the interstitial and tubular fluids of the kidney are described, including mechanisms of cellular release of nucleotides and their extracellular breakdown. Then the renal cell membrane expression of P2X and P2Y receptors is discussed in the context of their effects on renal vascular and tubular functions. Attention is paid to effects on the cortical vasculature and intraglomerular structures, autoregulation of renal blood flow, tubuloglomerular feedback, and the control of medullary blood flow. The role of the nucleotide/P2 receptor system in the autocrine/paracrine regulation of sodium and fluid transport in the tubular and collecting duct system is outlined together with its role in integrative sodium and fluid homeostasis and blood pressure control. The final section summarizes the rapidly growing evidence indicating a prominent role of the extracellular nucleotide/P2 receptor system in the pathophysiology of the kidney and aims to identify potential therapeutic opportunities, including hypertension, lithium-induced nephropathy, polycystic kidney disease, and kidney inflammation. We are only beginning to unravel the distinct physiological and pathophysiological influences of the extracellular nucleotide/P2 receptor system and the associated therapeutic perspectives.

Purinergic signaling in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by three major histopathological markers: amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and gliosis in the central nervous system (CNS). It is now accepted that neuroinflammatory events in the CNS play a crucial role in the development of AD. This review focuses on neuroinflammatory signaling mediated by purinergic receptors (P1 adenosine receptors, P2X ATP-gated ion channels and G protein-coupled P2Y nucleotide receptors) and how therapeutic modulation of purinergic signaling influences disease progression in AD patients and animal models of AD.

Enpp1 inhibits ectopic joint calcification and maintains articular chondrocytes by repressing hedgehog signaling

The differentiated phenotype of articular chondrocytes of synovial joints needs to be maintained throughout life. Disruption of the articular cartilage, frequently associated with chondrocyte hypertrophy and calcification, is a central feature in osteoarthritis (OA). However, the molecular mechanisms whereby phenotypes of articular chondrocytes are maintained and pathological calcification is inhibited remain poorly understood. Recently, the ecto-enzyme Enpp1, a suppressor of pathological calcification, was reported to be decreased in joint cartilage with OA in both human and mouse, and Enpp1 deficiency causes joint calcification. Here, we found that hedgehog (Hh) signaling activation contributes to ectopic joint calcification in the Enpp1^-/- mice. In the Enpp1^-/- joints, Hh signaling was upregulated. Further activation of Hh signaling by removing the patched 1 gene in the Enpp1^-/- mice enhanced ectopic joint calcification, whereas removing Gli2 partially rescued the ectopic calcification phenotype. In addition, reduction of Gα_s in the Enpp1^-/- mice enhanced joint calcification, suggesting that Enpp1 inhibits Hh signaling and chondrocyte hypertrophy by activating Gα_s-PKA signaling. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying Enpp1 regulation of joint integrity.

Changes in expression of P2X7 receptors in rat myometrium at different gestational stages and the mechanism of ATP-induced uterine contraction

AIMS

Given the importance of ATP in the control of uterine activity for successful labor and involution, this study was performed to measure the level of P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) in rat myometrium at different gestational stages and to investigate the mechanisms of ATP-induced uterine contraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Myometrial tissues were obtained from rats at different gestational stages and the level of P2X7Rs was measured by ELISA. In other experiments, the effect of 1 mM ATP was tested on spontaneous contraction and the underlying mechanisms were investigated.

KEY FINDINGS

P2X7Rs were expressed in nonpregnant uterine tissues, progressively increased throughout pregnancy, and markedly peaked during postpartum involution. ATP significantly increased the force of spontaneous contraction in all uterine strips from different gestational stages with marked increase during labor and postpartum. ATP could not maintain the force when external Ca²⁺ was removed. In addition, ATP was able to cause tonic transient contraction in the absence of external Ca²⁺.

SIGNIFICANCE

P2X7Rs are functionally regulated and contributed to ATP-induced uterine contraction. The sensitivity of the myometrium to ATP increases as pregnancy progresses and it involves Ca²⁺ influx and Ca²⁺ release pathways. The clear effects of ATP on contractility suggest its physiological requirement for successful labor and postpartum involution.

Extracellular ATP activates store-operated Ca2+ entry in white adipocytes: functional evidence for STIM1 and ORAI1

In the present study, we have applied ratiometric measurements of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i) to show that extracellularly applied ATP (adenosine triphosphate) (100 µM) stimulates store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. ATP produced a rapid increase in [Ca²⁺]_i consisting of an initial transient elevation followed by a sustained elevated phase that could be observed only in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Gene expression data and [Ca²⁺]_i recordings with uridine-5′-triphosphate or with the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122 demonstrated the involvement of purinergic P2Y2 receptors and the PLC/inositol trisphosphate pathway. The [Ca²⁺]_i elevation produced by reintroduction of a Ca²⁺-containing intracellular solution to adipocytes exposed to ATP in the absence of Ca²⁺ was diminished by known SOCE antagonists. The chief molecular components of SOCE, the stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and the calcium release-activated calcium channel protein 1 (ORAI1), were detected at the mRNA and protein level. Moreover, SOCE was largely diminished in cells where STIM1 and/or ORAI1 had been silenced by small interfering (si)RNA. We conclude that extracellular ATP activates SOCE in white adipocytes, an effect predominantly mediated by STIM1 and ORAI1.

ATP is stored in lamellar bodies to activate vesicular P2X4 in an autocrine fashion upon exocytosis

P2X₄ receptor activation facilitates secretion of pulmonary surfactant from secretory vesicles called lamellar bodies in alveolar epithelial cells. Fois et al. reveal that P2X₄ receptors on the lamellar body membranes are activated by ATP stored within the vesicles themselves upon vesicle exocytosis.

Vesicular P2X₄ receptors are known to facilitate secretion and activation of pulmonary surfactant in the alveoli of the lungs. P2X₄ receptors are expressed in the membrane of lamellar bodies (LBs), large secretory lysosomes that store lung surfactant in alveolar type II epithelial cells, and become inserted into the plasma membrane after exocytosis. Subsequent activation of P2X₄ receptors by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) results in local fusion-activated cation entry (FACE), facilitating fusion pore dilation, surfactant secretion, and surfactant activation. Despite the importance of ATP in the alveoli, and hence lung function, the origin of ATP in the alveoli is still elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that ATP is stored within LBs themselves at a concentration of ∼1.9 mM. ATP is loaded into LBs by the vesicular nucleotide transporter but does not activate P2X₄ receptors because of the low intraluminal pH (5.5). However, the rise in intravesicular pH after opening of the exocytic fusion pore results in immediate activation of vesicular P2X₄ by vesicular ATP. Our data suggest a new model in which agonist (ATP) and receptor (P2X₄) are located in the same intracellular compartment (LB), protected from premature degradation (ATP) and activation (P2X₄), and ideally placed to ensure coordinated and timely receptor activation as soon as fusion occurs to facilitate surfactant secretion.

Evidence for astrocyte purinergic signaling in cortical sensory adaptation and serotonin-mediated neuromodulation

In the somatosensory cortex, inhibitory networks are involved in low frequency sensory input adaptation/habituation that can be observed as a paired-pulse depression when using a dual stimulus electrophysiological paradigm. Given that astrocytes have been shown to regulate inhibitory interneuron activity, we hypothesized that astrocytes are involved in cortical sensory adaptation/habituation and constitute effectors of the 5HT-mediated increase in frequency transmission. Using extracellular recordings of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (eEPSPs) in layer II/III of somatosensory cortex, we used various pharmacological approaches to assess the recruitment of astrocyte signaling in paired-pulse depression and serotonin-mediated increase in the paired-pulse ratio (pulse 2/pulse 1). In the absence of neuromodulators or pharmacological agents, the first eEPSP is much larger in amplitude than the second due to the recruitment of long-lasting evoked GABA_A-dependent inhibitory activity from the first stimulus. Disruption of glycolysis or mGluR5 signaling resulted in a very similar loss of paired-pulse depression in field recordings. Interestingly, paired-pulse depression was similarly sensitive to disruption by ATP P2Y and adenosine A2A receptor antagonists. In addition, we show that pharmacological disruption of paired-pulse depression by mGluR5, P2Y, and glycolysis inhibition precluded serotonin effects on frequency transmission (typically increased the paired-pulse ratio). These data highlight the possibility for astrocyte involvement in cortical inhibitory activity seen in this simple cortical network and that serotonin may act on astrocytes to exert some aspects of its modulatory influence.

Empowering human cardiac progenitor cells by P2Y14 nucleotide receptor overexpression

KEY POINTS

Autologous cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) therapy is a promising approach for treatment of heart failure (HF). There is an unmet need to identify inherent deficits in aged/diseased human CPCs (hCPCs) derived from HF patients in the attempts to augment their regenerative capacity prior to use in the clinical setting. Here we report significant functional correlations between phenotypic properties of hCPCs isolated from cardiac biopsies of HF patients, clinical parameters of patients and expression of the P2Y₁₄ purinergic receptor (P2Y₁₄ R), a crucial detector for extracellular UDP-sugars released during injury/stress. P2Y₁₄ R is downregulated in hCPCs derived from HF patients with lower ejection fraction or diagnosed with diabetes. Augmenting P2Y₁₄ R expression levels in aged/diseased hCPCs antagonizes senescence and improves functional responses. This study introduces purinergic signalling modulation as a potential strategy to rejuvenate and improve phenotypic characteristics of aged/functionally compromised hCPCs prior to transplantation in HF patients.

ABSTRACT

Autologous cardiac progenitor cell therapy is a promising alternative approach to current inefficient therapies for heart failure (HF). However, ex vivo expansion and pharmacological/genetic modification of human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) are necessary interventions to rejuvenate aged/diseased cells and improve their regenerative capacities. This study was designed to assess the potential of improving hCPC functional capacity by targeting the P2Y₁₄ purinergic receptor (P2Y₁₄ R), which has been previously reported to induce regenerative and anti-senescence responses in a variety of experimental models. c-Kit⁺ hCPCs were isolated from cardiac biopsies of multiple HF patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation surgery. Significant correlations existed between the expression of P2Y₁₄ R in hCPCs and clinical parameters of HF patients. P2Y₁₄ R was downregulated in hCPCs derived from patients with a relatively lower ejection fraction and patients diagnosed with diabetes. hCPC lines with lower P2Y₁₄ R expression did not respond to P2Y₁₄ R agonist UDP-glucose (UDP-Glu) while hCPCs with higher P2Y₁₄ R expression showed enhanced proliferation in response to UDP-Glu stimulation. Mechanistically, UDP-Glu stimulation enhanced the activation of canonical growth signalling pathways ERK1/2 and AKT. Restoring P2Y₁₄ R expression levels in functionally compromised hCPCs via lentiviral-mediated overexpression improved proliferation, migration and survival under stress stimuli. Additionally, P2Y₁₄ R overexpression reversed senescence-associated morphology and reduced levels of molecular markers of senescence p16^INK4a , p53, p21 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Findings from this study unveil novel biological roles of the UDP-sugar receptor P2Y₁₄ in hCPCs and suggest purinergic signalling modulation as a promising strategy to improve phenotypic properties of functionally impaired hCPCs.

P2Y2 Nucleotide Receptor Prompts Human Cardiac Progenitor Cell Activation by Modulating Hippo Signaling

RATIONALE

Autologous stem cell therapy using human c-Kit⁺ cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of heart failure (HF). However, hCPCs derived from aged patients with HF with genetic predispositions and comorbidities of chronic diseases exhibit poor proliferative and migratory capabilities, which impair overall reparative potential for injured myocardium. Therefore, empowering functionally compromised hCPCs with proregenerative molecules ex vivo is crucial for improving the therapeutic outcome in patients with HF.

OBJECTIVE

To improve hCPC proliferation and migration responses that are critical for regeneration by targeting proregenerative P2Y₂ nucleotide receptor (P2Y₂R) activated by extracellular ATP and UTP molecules released following injury/stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

c-Kit⁺ hCPCs were isolated from cardiac tissue of patients with HF undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation surgery. Correlations between P2 nucleotide receptor expression and hCPC growth kinetics revealed downregulation of select P2 receptors, including P2Y₂R, in slow-growing hCPCs compared with fast growers. hCPC proliferation and migration significantly improved by overexpressing or stimulating P2Y₂R. Mechanistically, P2Y₂R-induced proliferation and migration were dependent on activation of YAP (yes-associated protein)-the downstream effector of Hippo signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Proliferation and migration of functionally impaired hCPCs are enhanced by P2Y₂R-mediated YAP activation, revealing a novel link between extracellular nucleotides released during injury/stress and Hippo signaling-a central regulator of cardiac regeneration. Functional correlations exist between hCPC phenotypic properties and P2 purinergic receptor expression. Lack of P2Y₂R and other crucial purinergic stress detectors could compromise hCPC responsiveness to presence of extracellular stress signals. These findings set the stage for subsequent studies to assess purinergic signaling modulation as a potential strategy to improve therapeutic outcome for use of hCPCs in patients with HF.

Regulation of Pannexin 1 Surface Expression by Extracellular ATP: Potential Implications for Nervous System Function in Health and Disease

Pannexin 1 (Panx1) channels are widely recognized for their role in ATP release, and as follows, their function is closely tied to that of ATP-activated P2X7 purinergic receptors (P2X7Rs). Our recent work has shown that extracellular ATP induces clustering of Panx1 with P2X7Rs and their subsequent internalization through a non-canonical cholesterol-dependent mechanism. In other words, we have demonstrated that extracellular ATP levels can regulate the cell surface expression of Panx1. Here we discuss two situations in which we hypothesize that ATP modulation of Panx1 surface expression could be relevant for central nervous system function. The first scenario involves the development of new neurons in the ventricular zone. We propose that ATP-induced Panx1 endocytosis could play an important role in regulating the balance of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation within this neurogenic niche in the healthy brain. The second scenario relates to the spinal cord, in which we posit that an impairment of ATP-induced Panx1 endocytosis could contribute to pathological neuroplasticity. Together, the discussion of these hypotheses serves to highlight important outstanding questions regarding the interplay between extracellular ATP, Panx1, and P2X7Rs in the nervous system in health and disease.

Bovine Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Cast Neutrophil Extracellular Traps against the Abortive Parasite Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum represents a relevant apicomplexan parasite causing severe reproductive disorders in cattle worldwide. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) generation was recently described as an efficient defense mechanism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) acting against different parasites. In vitro interactions of bovine PMN with N. caninum were analyzed at different ratios and time spans. Extracellular DNA staining was used to illustrate the typical molecules of NETs [i.e., histones (H3), neutrophil elastase (NE), myeloperoxidase (MPO), pentraxin] via antibody-based immunofluorescence analyses. Functional inhibitor treatments were applied to reveal the role of several enzymes [NADPH oxidase (NOX), NE, MPO, PAD4], ATP-dependent P2Y2 receptor, store-operated Ca⁺⁺entry (SOCE), CD11b receptor, ERK1/2- and p38 MAPK-mediated signaling pathway in tachyzoite-triggered NETosis. N. caninum tachyzoites triggered NETosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed NET structures being released by bovine PMN and entrapping tachyzoites. N. caninum-induced NET formation was found not to be NOX-, NE-, MPO-, PAD4-, ERK1/2-, and p38 MAP kinase-dependent process since inhibition of these enzymes led to a slight decrease of NET formation. CD11b was also identified as a neutrophil receptor being involved in NETosis. Furthermore, N. caninum-triggered NETosis depends on Ca⁺⁺ influx as well as neutrophil metabolism since both the inhibition of SOCE and of P2Y2-mediated ATP uptake diminished NET formation. Host cell invasion assays indicated that PMN-derived NETosis hampered tachyzoites from active host cell invasion, thereby inhibiting further intracellular replication. NET formation represents an early and effective mechanism of response of the innate immune system, which might reduce initial infection rates during the acute phase of cattle neosporosis.

Modulation of Microglial Activity by Rho-Kinase (ROCK) Inhibition as Therapeutic Strategy in Parkinson's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system (CNS, PNS), resulting in a reduced innervation of target structures and a loss of function. A shared characteristic of many neurodegenerative diseases is the infiltration of microglial cells into affected brain regions. During early disease stages microglial cells often display a rather neuroprotective phenotype, but switch to a more pro-inflammatory neurotoxic phenotype in later stages of the disease, contributing to the neurodegeneration. Activation of the Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway appears to be instrumental for the modulation of the microglial phenotype: increased ROCK activity in microglia mediates mechanisms of the inflammatory response and is associated with improved motility, increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of inflammatory cytokines. Recently, several studies suggested inhibition of ROCK signaling as a promising treatment option for neurodegenerative diseases. In this review article, we discuss the contribution of microglial activity and phenotype switch to the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), two devastating neurodegenerative diseases without disease-modifying treatment options. Furthermore, we describe how ROCK inhibition can influence the microglial phenotype in disease models and explore ROCK inhibition as a future treatment option for PD and ALS.

Short- and long-term (trophic) purinergic signalling

There is long-term (trophic) purinergic signalling involving cell proliferation, differentiation, motility and death in the development and regeneration of most systems of the body, in addition to fast purinergic signalling in neurotransmission, neuromodulation and secretion. It is not always easy to distinguish between short- and long-term signalling. For example, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) can sometimes act as a short-term trigger for long-term trophic events that become evident days or even weeks after the original challenge. Examples of short-term purinergic signalling during sympathetic, parasympathetic and enteric neuromuscular transmission and in synaptic transmission in ganglia and in the central nervous system are described, as well as in neuromodulation and secretion. Long-term trophic signalling is described in the immune/defence system, stratified epithelia in visceral organs and skin, embryological development, bone formation and resorption and in cancer. It is likely that the increase in intracellular Ca(2+) in response to both P2X and P2Y purinoceptor activation participates in many short- and long-term physiological effects.This article is part of the themed issue 'Evolution brings Ca(2+) and ATP together to control life and death'.

HSP90 Regulation of P2X7 Receptor Function Requires an Intact Cytoplasmic C-Terminus

P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) are ATP-gated ion channels that display the unusual property of current facilitation during long applications of agonists. Here we show that facilitation disappears in chimeric P2X7Rs containing the C-terminus of the P2X2 receptor (P2X2R), and in a truncated P2X7R missing the cysteine-rich domain of the C-terminus. The chimeric and truncated receptors also show an apparent decreased permeability to N-methyl-d-glucamine(+) (NMDG(+)). The effects of genetic modification of the C-terminus on NMDG(+) permeability were mimicked by preapplication of the HSP90 antagonist geldanamycin to the wild-type receptor. Further, the geldanamycin decreased the shift in the reversal potential of the ATP-gated current measured under bi-ionic NMDG(+)/Na(+) condition without affecting the ability of the long application of agonist to facilitate current amplitude. Taken together, the results suggest that HSP90 may be essential for stabilization and function of P2X7Rs through an action on the cysteine-rich domain of the cytoplasmic the C-terminus.

Functional expression of P2 purinoceptors in a primary neuroglial cell culture of the rat arcuate nucleus

The arcuate nucleus (ARC) plays an important role in the hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis. Expression of various purinoceptor subtypes in the rat ARC and physiological studies suggest a modulatory function of P2 receptors within the neuroglial ARC circuitry. A differentiated mixed neuronal and glial microculture was therefore established from postnatal rat ARC, revealing neuronal expression of ARC-specific transmitters involved in food intake regulation (neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)). Some NPYergic neurons cosynthesized TH, while POMC and TH expression proved to be mutually exclusive. Stimulation with the general purinoceptor agonists 2-methylthioadenosine-5'triphosphate (2-MeSATP) and ATP but not the P2X1/P2X3 receptor subtype agonist α,β-methyleneadenosine-5'triphosphate (α,β-meATP) induced intracellular calcium signals in ARC neurons and astrocytes. Some 5-10% each of 2-MeSATP responsive neurons expressed POMC, NYP or TH. Supporting the calcium imaging data, radioligand binding studies to hypothalamic membranes showed high affinity for 2-MeSATP, ATP but not α,β-meATP to displace [α-(35)S]deoxyadenosine-5'thiotriphosphate ([(35)S]dATPαS) from P2 receptors. Repetitive superfusion with equimolar 2-MeSATP allowed categorization of ARC cells into groups with a high or low (LDD) degree of purinoceptor desensitization, the latter allowing further receptor characterization. Calcium imaging experiments performed at 37°C vs. room temperature showed further reduction of desensitization. Agonist-mediated intracellular calcium signals were suppressed in all LDD neurons but only 25% of astrocytes in the absence of extracellular calcium, suggestive of metabotropic P2Y receptor expression in the majority of ARC astrocytes. The highly P2Y1-selective receptor agonists MRS2365 and 2-methylthioadenosine-5'diphosphate (2-MeSADP) activated 75-85% of all 2-MeSATP-responsive ARC astrocytes. Taking into consideration the high potency to dose-dependently stimulate ARC cells of the LDD group, the high affinity for rat P2X(1-3) and low affinity for rat P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y receptor subtypes except P2Y1 and P2Y13, the agonist 2-MeSATP primarily acted upon P2X2 and P2Y1 purinoceptors to trigger intracellular calcium signaling in ARC neurons and astrocytes.

P2Y Receptors in Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity: Therapeutic Potential in Cognitive Dysfunction

ATP released from neurons and astrocytes during neuronal activity or under pathophysiological circumstances is able to influence information flow in neuronal circuits by activation of ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors and subsequent modulation of cellular excitability, synaptic strength, and plasticity. In the present paper we review cellular and network effects of P2Y receptors in the brain. We show that P2Y receptors inhibit the release of neurotransmitters, modulate voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels, and differentially influence the induction of synaptic plasticity in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. The findings discussed here may explain how P2Y₁ receptor activation during brain injury, hypoxia, inflammation, schizophrenia, or Alzheimer's disease leads to an impairment of cognitive processes. Hence, it is suggested that the blockade of P2Y₁ receptors may have therapeutic potential against cognitive disturbances in these states.

P2Y4 Nucleotide Receptor in Neuronal Precursors Induces Glutamatergic Subtype Markers in Their Descendant Neurons

Neural stem cells (NSCs) produce all neuronal subtypes involved in the nervous system. The mechanism regulating their subtype selection is not fully understood. We found that the expression of the nucleotide receptor P2Y4 was transiently augmented in the course of neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs), which was after loss of pluripotency but prior to terminal differentiation of neurons. The activation of P2Y4 in the differentiating ESCs resulted in an increased proportion of neurons expressing vesicular glutamate transporter (vGluT), a marker of glutamatergic subtype. A subpopulation of type 2 NSCs of the adult mouse hippocampus expressed P2Y4. Its activation induced the expression of glutamatergic subtype markers, vGluT and TBR1, in their descendant neurons. Reciprocally, inhibition of the P2Y4 signaling abolished the effects of nucleotides on those expressions. Our results provide evidence that differentiating NSCs pass through a stage in which nucleotides can affect subtype marker expression of their descendant neurons.

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Nucleotides can induce expression of glutamatergic neuronal markers

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The induction is mediated by the nucleotide receptor P2Y4

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P2Y4 expression is augmented transiently in neuronal differentiation

L-Lactate protects neurons against excitotoxicity: implication of an ATP-mediated signaling cascade

Converging experimental data indicate a neuroprotective action of L-Lactate. Using Digital Holographic Microscopy, we observe that transient application of glutamate (100 μM; 2 min) elicits a NMDA-dependent death in 65% of mouse cortical neurons in culture. In the presence of L-Lactate (or Pyruvate), the percentage of neuronal death decreases to 32%. UK5099, a blocker of the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier, fully prevents L-Lactate-mediated neuroprotection. In addition, L-Lactate-induced neuroprotection is not only inhibited by probenicid and carbenoxolone, two blockers of ATP channel pannexins, but also abolished by apyrase, an enzyme degrading ATP, suggesting that ATP produced by the Lactate/Pyruvate pathway is released to act on purinergic receptors in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Finally, pharmacological approaches support the involvement of the P2Y receptors associated to the PI3-kinase pathway, leading to activation of K_ATP channels. This set of results indicates that L-Lactate acts as a signalling molecule for neuroprotection against excitotoxicity through coordinated cellular pathways involving ATP production, release and activation of a P2Y/K_ATP cascade.

Endothelial mitochondria regulate the intracellular Ca2+ response to fluid shear stress

Shear stress is known to stimulate an intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) response in vascular endothelial cells (ECs). [Ca(2+)]i is a key second messenger for signaling that leads to vasodilation and EC survival. Although it is accepted that the shear-induced [Ca(2+)]i response is, in part, due to Ca(2+) release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the role of mitochondria (second largest Ca(2+) store) is unknown. We hypothesized that the mitochondria play a role in regulating [Ca(2+)]i in sheared ECs. Cultured ECs, loaded with a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorophore, were exposed to physiological levels of shear stress. Shear stress elicited [Ca(2+)]i transients in a percentage of cells with a fraction of them displaying oscillations. Peak magnitudes, percentage of oscillating ECs, and oscillation frequencies depended on the shear level. [Ca(2+)]i transients/oscillations were present when experiments were conducted in Ca(2+)-free solution (plus lanthanum) but absent when ECs were treated with a phospholipase C inhibitor, suggesting that the ER inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor is responsible for the [Ca(2+)]i response. Either a mitochondrial uncoupler or an electron transport chain inhibitor, but not a mitochondrial ATP synthase inhibitor, prevented the occurrence of transients and especially inhibited the oscillations. Knockdown of the mitochondrial Ca(2+) uniporter also inhibited the shear-induced [Ca(2+)]i transients/oscillations compared with controls. Hence, EC mitochondria, through Ca(2+) uptake/release, regulate the temporal profile of shear-induced ER Ca(2+) release. [Ca(2+)]i oscillation frequencies detected were within the range for activation of mechanoresponsive kinases and transcription factors, suggesting that dysfunctional EC mitochondria may contribute to cardiovascular disease by deregulating the shear-induced [Ca(2+)]i response.