Prostaglandin I(2) production and cAMP accumulation in response to acidic extracellular pH through OGR1 in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Deficiency of proton-sensing ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 attenuates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion

Ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) has been shown as a receptor for protons. In the present study, we aimed to know whether OGR1 plays a role in insulin secretion and, if so, the manner in which it does. To this end, we created OGR1-deficient mice and examined insulin secretion activity in vivo and in vitro. OGR1 deficiency reduced insulin secretion induced by glucose administered ip, although it was not associated with glucose intolerance in vivo. Increased insulin sensitivity and reduced plasma glucagon level may explain, in part, the unusual normal glucose tolerance. In vitro islet experiments revealed that glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was dependent on extracellular pH and sensitive to OGR1; insulin secretion at pH 7.4 to 7.0, but not 8.0, was significantly suppressed by OGR1 deficiency and inhibition of G(q/11) proteins. Insulin secretion induced by KCl and tolbutamide was also significantly inhibited, whereas that induced by several insulin secretagogues, including vasopressin, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, and forskolin, was not suppressed by OGR1 deficiency. The inhibition of insulin secretion was associated with the reduction of glucose-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration. In conclusion, the OGR1/G(q/11) protein pathway is activated by extracellular protons existing under the physiological extracellular pH of 7.4 and further stimulated by acidification, resulting in the enhancement of insulin secretion in response to high glucose concentrations and KCl.

Ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 induces the expression of the pain mediator prostaglandin E2 in response to an acidic extracellular environment in human osteoblast-like cells

Although bone pain in osteoporosis and skeletal metastasis is an expected consequence of fracture, there are other underlying causes responsible. Our study demonstrated that ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 detected extracellular protons in MG63 cells, and regulated osteoblast functions, such as prostaglandin E2 production, in response to acidic circumstances. In this work, we measured inositol phosphate production, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, prostaglandin E2 production, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation in MG63 cells exposed to extracellular acidification. Extracellular acidity induced a transient increase in Ca(2+) concentration and inositol phosphate production. Acidification also induced prostaglandin E2 production, resulting in cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation. A small interfering RNA specific for the ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 markedly inhibited these proton-induced actions in MG63 cells. These results indicated that the involvement of ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 in acidic extracellular environment may be an underlying mechanism responsible for bone pain in osteoporosis or bone metastasis without clinically proved fractures.

Extracellular acidification induces connective tissue growth factor production through proton-sensing receptor OGR1 in human airway smooth muscle cells

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness and remodeling. Extracellular acidification is known to be associated with severe asthma; however, the role of extracellular acidification in airway remodeling remains elusive. In the present study, the effects of acidification on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a critical factor involved in the formation of extracellular matrix proteins and hence airway remodeling, were examined in human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Acidic pH alone induced a substantial production of CTGF, and enhanced transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced CTGF mRNA and protein expression. The extracellular acidic pH-induced effects were inhibited by knockdown of a proton-sensing ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor (OGR1) with its specific small interfering RNA and by addition of the G(q/11) protein-specific inhibitor, YM-254890, or the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptor antagonist, 2-APB. In conclusion, extracellular acidification induces CTGF production through the OGR1/G(q/11) protein and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in human ASMCs.

Inhibition of tumor cell migration and metastasis by the proton-sensing GPR4 receptor

GPR4 is a member of the proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptor family. Within tumor microenvironments, the interstitial acidic pH may activate GPR4 to regulate the behavior of tumor cells. Mouse B16F10 melanoma cells and TRAMP-C1 prostate cancer cells, genetically engineered to overexpress GPR4 or the control vector, were subject to a series of cell migration, invasion and metastasis assays. Upon GPR4 overexpression and activation in an acidic pH, the migration of B16F10 and TRAMP-C1 cells was substantially inhibited in comparison to the vector control. Similar results were observed in the Matrigel invasion and transendothelial invasion assays. At the molecular level, stimulation of GPR4 by acidosis induced the activation of RhoA and the formation of actin stress fibers. In addition, treating B16F10 cells with the known Rho activator CN01 (calpeptin) strongly inhibited cell migration, recapitulating the acidosis/GPR4-induced motility inhibition phenotype. To examine the biological effects in vivo, B16F10 melanoma cells were intravenously injected into syngeneic C57BL/6 mice and pulmonary metastasis was inhibited by approximately 80% in GPR4-overexpressing B16F10 cells in comparison to the vector control. Upon treatment with the Rho activator CN01, the phenotype of the B16F10 vector cells paralleled that of the GPR4-overexpressing cells in cell migration and metastasis assays. These findings suggest that GPR4 activation by an acidic pH inhibits tumor cell migration and invasion, and the Rho GTPase is at least partly responsible for this phenotype.

Deletion of the pH sensor GPR4 decreases renal acid excretion

Proton receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that accept protons as ligands and function as pH sensors. One of the proton receptors, GPR4, is relatively abundant in the kidney, but its potential role in acid-base homeostasis is unknown. In this study, we examined the distribution of GPR4 in the kidney, its function in kidney epithelial cells, and the effects of its deletion on acid-base homeostasis. We observed GPR4 expression in the kidney cortex, in the outer and inner medulla, in isolated kidney collecting ducts, and in cultured outer and inner medullary collecting duct cells (mOMCD1 and mIMCD3). Cultured mOMCD1 cells exhibited pH-dependent accumulation of intracellular cAMP, characteristic of GPR4 activation; GPR4 knockdown attenuated this accumulation. In vivo, deletion of GPR4 decreased net acid secretion by the kidney and resulted in a nongap metabolic acidosis, indicating that GPR4 is required to maintain acid-base homeostasis. Collectively, these findings suggest that GPR4 is a pH sensor with an important role in regulating acid secretion in the kidney collecting duct.

Physiological carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, and pH sensing

In biological systems, carbon dioxide exists in equilibrium with bicarbonate and protons. The individual components of this equilibrium (i.e., CO₂, HCO₃⁻, and H(+)), which must be sensed to be able to maintain cellular and organismal pH, also function as signals to modulate multiple physiological functions. Yet, the molecular sensors for CO₂/HCO₃⁻/pH remained unknown until recently. Here, we review recent progress in delineating molecular and cellular mechanisms for sensing CO₂, HCO₃⁻, and pH.

Extracellular acidification stimulates IL-6 production and Ca(2+) mobilization through proton-sensing OGR1 receptors in human airway smooth muscle cells

The asthmatic airway has been shown to be an acidic environment that may be involved in the pathophysiological features of asthma. However, the mechanism by which an acidic pH modulates the cellular activities involved in the asthmatic airway remains elusive. Here, we characterized acidic pH-induced actions in human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Extracellular acidification stimulates the mRNA expression and protein production of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine, in association with the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38MAPK, reflecting the activation of the enzymes. Acidification-induced cytokine production was inhibited by inhibitors of ERK and p38MAPK. Acidification also increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, which was accompanied by cell rounding, most likely reflecting contraction. In ASMCs, OGR1 is expressed at by far the highest levels among proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors. The knockdown of OGR1 and G(q/11) protein with their specific small interfering RNAs and an inhibition of G(q/11) protein with YM-254890 attenuated the acidification-induced actions. We conclude that extracellular acidification stimulates IL-6 production and Ca(2+) mobilization through proton-sensing OGR1 receptors/G(q/11) proteins in human ASMCs.

Ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1-dependent and -independent vascular actions to acidic pH in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation disease characterized by acidic micromilieu and the accumulation of numerous bioactive lipid mediators, such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and prostaglandins, in the atherosclerotic lesion. Chronic acidification induced various effects on vascular smooth muscle cells, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unknown. In this study, we examine the role of proton-sensing ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) in extracellular acidification-induced regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 induction, PGI(2) production, MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1 expression, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 expression and proliferation in human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs). Experiments with knockdown with small interfering RNA specific to OGR1 and specific inhibitors for G proteins showed that acidification-induced COX-2 expression, PGI(2) production, and MKP-1 expression, but not PAI-1 expression and inhibition of proliferation, were dependent on OGR1 and mainly mediated by G(q/11) protein. LPA remarkably enhanced, through the LPA(1) receptor/G(i) protein, the OGR1-mediated vascular actions to acidic pH. In conclusion, acidic pH-induced vascular actions of AoSMCs can be dissected to OGR1-dependent and -independent pathways: COX-2 expression, PGI(2) production, and MKP-1 expression are mediated by OGR1, but PAI-1 expression and inhibition of proliferation are not. LPA, which is usually thought to be a proatherogenic lipid mediator, may exert antiatherogenic actions under acidic micromilieu through cross-talk between LPA(1)/G(i) protein and OGR1/G(q/11) protein.

Each one of certain histidine residues in G-protein-coupled receptor GPR4 is critical for extracellular proton-induced stimulation of multiple G-protein-signaling pathways

GPR4, previously proposed as the receptor for sphingosylphosphorylcholine, has recently been identified as the proton-sensing G-protein-coupled receptor coupling to multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including the G(s)-protein/cAMP, G(12/13)-protein/Rho, and G(q)-protein/phospholipase C pathways. In the present study, we examined whether extracellularly located histidine residues of GPR4 sense extracellular protons and, if so, whether a certain histidine residue is critical for coupling to the single or multiple signaling pathway(s). We found that the mutation of histidine residue at 79, 165, or 269 from the N-terminal of GPR4 to phenylalanine shifted the half-maximal effective concentration (EC(50)) of proton-induced signaling activities to the right, including cAMP accumulation, SRE promoter activity reflecting Rho activity, and NFAT promoter activity reflecting phospholipase C signaling activity, without an appreciable change in the maximal activities. These results suggest that the protonation of each one of histidine residues at 79, 165, and 269 in GPR4 may be critical for conformational change of the receptor for coupling to multiple intracellular signaling pathways through G-proteins.

Expression and function of proton-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors in inflammatory pain

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammatory pain, when not effectively treated, is a costly health problem and has a harmful effect on all aspects of health-related quality of life. Despite the availability of pharmacologic treatments, chronic inflammatory pain remains inadequately treated. Understanding the nociceptive signaling pathways of such pain is therefore important in developing long-acting treatments with limited side effects. High local proton concentrations (tissue acidosis) causing direct excitation or modulation of nociceptive sensory neurons by proton-sensing receptors are responsible for pain in some inflammatory pain conditions. We previously found that all four proton-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are expressed in pain-relevant loci (dorsal root ganglia, DRG), which suggests their possible involvement in nociception, but their functions in pain remain unclear.

RESULTS

In this study, we first demonstrated differential change in expression of proton-sensing GPCRs in peripheral inflammation induced by the inflammatory agents capsaicin, carrageenan, and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). In particular, the expression of TDAG8, one proton-sensing GPCR, was increased 24 hours after CFA injection because of increased number of DRG neurons expressing TDAG8. The number of DRG neurons expressing both TDAG8 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) was increased as well. Further studies revealed that TDAG8 activation sensitized the TRPV1 response to capsaicin, suggesting that TDAG8 could be involved in CFA-induced chronic inflammatory pain through regulation of TRPV1 function.

CONCLUSION

Each subtype of the OGR1 family was expressed differently, which may reflect differences between models in duration and magnitude of hyperalgesia. Given that TDAG8 and TRPV1 expression increased after CFA-induced inflammation and that TDAG8 activation can lead to TRPV1 sensitization, it suggests that high concentrations of protons after inflammation may not only directly activate proton-sensing ion channels (such as TRPV1) to cause pain but also act on proton-sensing GPCRs to regulate the development of hyperalgesia.

Abnormalities in osteoclastogenesis and decreased tumorigenesis in mice deficient for ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1

Ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) has been shown to be a proton sensing receptor in vitro. We have shown that OGR1 functions as a tumor metastasis suppressor gene when it is over-expressed in human prostate cancer cells in vivo. To examine the physiological functions of OGR1, we generated conditional OGR1 deficient mice by homologous recombination. OGR1 deficient mice were viable and upon gross-inspection appeared normal. Consistent with in vitro studies showing that OGR1 is involved in osteoclastogenesis, reduced osteoclasts were detected in OGR1 deficient mice. A pH-dependent osteoclasts survival effect was also observed. However, overall abnormality in the bones of these animals was not observed. In addition, melanoma cell tumorigenesis was significantly inhibited in OGR1 deficient mice. OGR1 deficient mice in the mixed background produced significantly less peritoneal macrophages when stimulated with thioglycolate. These macrophages also showed altered extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) activation and nitric oxide (NO) production in response to lipopolysaccharide. OGR1-dependent pH responses assessed by cAMP production and cell survival in macrophages or brown fat cells were not observed, presumably due to the presence of other proton sensing receptors in these cells. Our results indicate that OGR1's role in osteoclastogenesis is not strong enough to affect overall bone development and its role in tumorigenesis warrants further investigation. The mice generated can be potentially used for several disease models, including cancers or osteoclast-related diseases.

Inhibition of superoxide anion production by extracellular acidification in neutrophils

Extracellular acidification inhibited formyl-Met-Leu-Phe- or C5a-induced superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) production in differentiated HL-60 neutrophil-like cells and human neutrophils. A cAMP-increasing agonist, prostaglandin E(1), also inhibited the formyl peptide-induced O(2)(-) production. The inhibitory action on the O(2)(-) production by extracellular acidic pH was associated with cAMP accumulation and partly attenuated by H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. A significant amount of mRNAs for T-cell death-associated gene 8 (TDAG8) and other proton-sensing ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1)-family receptors is expressed in these cells. These results suggest that cAMP/protein kinase A, possibly through proton-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors, may be involved in extracellular acidic pH-induced inhibition of O(2)(-) production.

Involvement of proton-sensing TDAG8 in extracellular acidification-induced inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production in peritoneal macrophages

Extracellular acidification inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha protein production, which was associated with an inhibition of TNF-alpha mRNA expression, in mouse peritoneal macrophages. The LPS-induced cytokine production was also inhibited by G(s) protein-coupled receptor agonists prostaglandin E(1) and isoproterenol. Among OGR1 family proton-sensing GTP-binding regulatory protein-coupled receptors, TDAG8, OGR1, and G2A are expressed in the cells. The inhibitory action by acidic pH on TNF-alpha production was significantly attenuated in macrophages from TDAG8(Tp/Tp) mice but not in those from OGR1(geo/geo) mice. Moreover, small interfering RNA specific to TDAG8, but not to G2A, clearly attenuated the acidification-induced inhibition of TNF-alpha production. On the other hand, the down-regulation or deficiency of TDAG8 hardly affected prostaglandin E(1)- or isoproterenol-induced actions. LPS-induced IL-6 production was also inhibited by extracellular acidification in a manner that was sensitive to TDAG8 expression. The acidic pH-induced inhibitory action on the cytokine production was significantly reversed either by a small interfering RNA specific to G(s) proteins or by a protein kinase A (PKA)-specific inhibitor H89. Indeed, a PKA-specific cAMP derivative inhibited LPS-induced cytokine production. Moreover, acidification induced cAMP accumulation in a TDAG8-specific way. We conclude that TDAG8, at least partly, mediates the extracellular acidification-induced inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production through the G(s) protein/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway in mouse macrophages.

Metabolic acidosis increases intracellular calcium in bone cells through activation of the proton receptor OGR1

Metabolic acidosis increases urine Ca without increasing intestinal absorption, leading to bone Ca loss. It is unclear how bone cells detect the increase in proton concentration. To determine which G protein-coupled proton sensing receptors are expressed in bone, PCR was performed, and products were detected for OGR1, TDAG8, G2A, and GPR4. We tested the hypothesis that the G protein-coupled proton sensor, OGR1, is an H(+)-sensing receptor in bone. To determine whether acid-induced bone resorption involves OGR1, we incubated mouse calvariae in neutral pH (NTL) or acidic (MET) medium +/- the OGR1 inhibitor CuCl(2). CuCl(2) decreased MET-induced Ca efflux. We used fluorescent imaging of perfused bone cells to determine whether MET increases Ca(i). Perfusion with MET induced a rapid, flow-independent, increase in Ca(i) in individual bone cells. To determine whether transfection of OGR1 into a heterologous cell type would increase Ca(i) in response to H(+), we perfused Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with mouse OGR1 cDNA. Perfusion with MET induced a rapid increase in Ca(i) in OGR1-transfected CHO cells. These data indicate that OGR1 induces an increase in Ca(i) in response to MET and is a prime candidate for an osteoblast proton sensor.

Acidosis induces multi-drug resistance in rat prostate cancer cells (AT1) in vitro and in vivo by increasing the activity of the p-glycoprotein via activation of p38

Because solid growing tumors often show hypoxia and pronounced extracellular acidosis, the aim of this study was to analyze the impact of an acidotic environment on the activity of the p-glycoprotein (pGP) and on the cellular content and cytotoxicity of the chemotherapeutic drug daunorubicin in the AT1 R-3327 Dunning prostate carcinoma cell line cultured in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, extracellular acidosis (pH 6.6) activated p38 and ERK1/2 and thereby induced daunorubicin resistance via a pronounced activation of pGP. De-novo protein synthesis was not necessary and analysis of transport kinetics indicated a fast and persistent pGP activation at pH 6.6 (when compared with 7.4). Intracellular acidification also induced daunorubicin resistance via activation of pGP, which was mediated by activation of p38 alone. In vivo, tumors were implanted subcutaneously, and the tumor pH was artificially lowered by forcing anaerobic metabolism. In vivo, the reduced extracellular pH of 6.6 was also able to induce daunorubicin resistance, which was abolished by inhibition of p38. These results suggest that pGP activity is dependent on extracellular pH in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, there is strong indication that this effect is mediated via activation of p38 in vivo. Activation of ERK is also suitable to induce pGP activity. Therefore, inhibition of p38 (and ERK) may be used to prevent acidosis induced increase in pGP activity and thereby attenuate multidrug resistance. In addition, supportive treatments reducing tumor acidosis may improve the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs.

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production in response to acidic pH through OGR1 in a human osteoblastic cell line

Acidosis has been shown to induce depletion of bone calcium from the body. This calcium release process is thought to be partially cell mediated. In an organ culture of bone, acidic pH has been shown to induce cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production, resulting in stimulation of bone calcium release. However, the molecular mechanisms whereby osteoblasts sense acidic circumstances and thereby induce COX-2 induction and PGE(2) production remain unknown. In this study, we used a human osteoblastic cell line (NHOst) to characterize cellular activities, including inositol phosphate production, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), PGE(2) production, and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression, in response to extracellular acidification. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific to the OGR1 receptor and specific inhibitors for intracellular signaling pathways were used to characterize acidification-induced cellular activities. We found that extracellular acidic pH induced a transient increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and inositol phosphate production in the cells. Acidification also induced COX-2 induction, resulting in PGE(2) production. These proton-induced actions were markedly inhibited by siRNA targeted for the OGR1 receptor and the inhibitors for G(q/11) protein, phospholipase C, and protein kinase C. We conclude that the OGR1/G(q/11)/phospholipase C/protein kinase C pathway regulates osteoblastic COX-2 induction and subsequent PGE(2) production in response to acidic circumstances.

Acidic extracellular pH increases calcium influx-triggered phospholipase D activity along with acidic sphingomyelinase activation to induce matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in mouse metastatic melanoma

Acidic extracellular pH is a common feature of tumor tissues. We have reported that culturing cells at acidic pH (5.4-6.5) induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression through phospholipase D, extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-kappaB. Here, we show that acidic extracellular pH signaling involves both pathways of phospholipase D triggered by Ca2+ influx and acidic sphingomyelinase in mouse B16 melanoma cells. We found that BAPTA-AM [1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl) ester], a chelator of intracellular free calcium, and the voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blockers, mibefradil (for T-type) and nimodipine (for L-type), dose-dependently inhibited acidic extracellular pH-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was transiently elevated by acidic extracellular pH, and this [Ca2+]i elevation was repressed by EGTA and the voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blockers but not by phospholipase C inhibitor, suggesting that acidic extracellular pH increased [Ca2+]i through voltage dependent Ca2+ channel. In contrast, SR33557, an L-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channel blocker and acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitor, attenuated matrix metalloproteinase-9 induction but did not affect calcium influx. We found that acidic sphingomyelinase activity was induced by acidic extracellular pH and that the specific acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitors (perhexiline and desipramine) and siRNA targeting aSMase/smpd1 could inhibit acidic extracellular pH-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. BAPTA-AM reduced acidic extracellular pH-induced phospholipase D but not acidic sphingomyelinase acitivity. The acidic sphingomyelinase inhibitors did not affect the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 and p38, but they suppressed nuclear factor-kappaB activity. These data suggest that the calcium influx-triggered phospholipase D and acidic sphingomyelinase pathways of acidic extracellular pH induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, at least in part, through nuclear factor-kappaB activation.

Previously postulated "ligand-independent" signaling of GPR4 is mediated through proton-sensing mechanisms

GPR4 was initially identified as a receptor for sphingosylphosphorylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine; however, lipid actions have not always been confirmed. Instead, ligand-independent actions have sometimes been observed in GPR4- and other OGR1 family receptor-expressing cells. Here, we examined the possible involvement of extracellular protons, which have recently been proposed as another ligand for GPR4. At pH 7.4, the epidermal growth factor-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activity was lower in GPR4-transfected RH7777 cells, in association with increased cAMP accumulation, than in vector-transfected cells. The serum response element (SRE)-driven transcriptional activity was also clearly higher in GPR4-expressing HEK293 cells than in vector-transfected cells at pH 7.4. These apparent ligand-independent actions were very small at alkalinic 7.8. The SRE activity was further increased by extracellular acidification in a manner dependent on the G13 protein/Rho signaling pathway in HEK293 cells expressing GPR4 or other OGR1 receptor family members. GPR4-expressing cells also showed a calcineurin-dependent nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) promoter activation at pH 7.4, and this activity was further increased by pH below 7.2 in association with inositol phosphate production. In contrast to the cAMP and SRE responses, however, alkalinization to pH 7.8 hardly affected the high basal activity. Finally, the expression of GPR4 hardly modulated the sphingosylphosphorylcholine- or lysophosphatidylcholine-induced action. These results suggest that an extracellular proton play a role as a ligand in some of previously postulated ligand-independent actions through GPR4 receptors. Moreover, GPR4 may be a multi-functional receptor coupling to Gs, G13, and Gq/11 proteins in response to extracellular acidification.

Receptors for protons or lipid messengers or both?

The subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors comprising GPR4, OGR1, TDAG8, and G2A was originally characterized as a group of proteins mediating biological responses to the lipid messengers sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and psychosine. We challenged this view by reporting that OGR1 and GPR4 sense acidic pH and that this process is not affected by concentrations of SPC or LPC previously reported as agonistic. The original publications describing GPR4, OGR1, and G2A as receptors for LPC or SPC have now been retracted, and the first studies exploring receptors of this family as pH sensors in physiology have appeared. Here we review the status of this field and we confirm that GPR4, OGR1, and TDAG8 should be considered as proton-sensing receptors. Negative regulation of these receptors by high micromolar concentrations of lipids appears not specific in our experiments.

Vascular abnormalities in mice deficient for the G protein-coupled receptor GPR4 that functions as a pH sensor

GPR4 is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the vasculature, lung, kidney, and other tissues. In vitro ectopic overexpression studies implicated GPR4 in sensing extracellular pH changes leading to cyclic AMP (cAMP) production. To investigate its biological roles in vivo, we generated GPR4-deficient mice by homologous recombination. Whereas GPR4-null adult mice appeared phenotypically normal, neonates showed a higher frequency of perinatal mortality. The average litter size from GPR4(-/-) intercrosses was approximately 30% smaller than that from GPR4(+/+) intercrosses on N3 and N5 C57BL/6 genetic backgrounds. A fraction of knockout embryos and neonates had spontaneous hemorrhages, dilated and tortuous subcutaneous blood vessels, and defective vascular smooth muscle cell coverage. Mesangial cells in kidney glomeruli were also significantly reduced in GPR4-null neonates. Some neonates exhibited respiratory distress with airway lining cell metaplasia. To examine whether GPR4 is functionally involved in vascular pH sensing, an ex vivo aortic ring assay was used under defined pH conditions. Compared to wild-type aortas, microvessel outgrowth from GPR4-null aortas was less inhibited by acidic extracellular pH. Treatment with an analog of cAMP, a downstream effector of GPR4, abolished microvessel outgrowth bypassing the GPR4-knockout phenotype. These results suggest that GPR4 deficiency leads to partially penetrant vascular abnormalities during development and that this receptor functions in blood vessel pH sensing.

Albumin inhibits cytotoxic activity of lysophosphatidylcholine by direct binding

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) was found to protect Jurkat T cells from LPC-induced cytotoxicity. Twenty micromolar LPC-induced cytotoxicity of 80-90% of the cells in media without FBS for 3 h, whereas 50-70% in media with 0.5% FBS. However, LPC-induced cytotoxicity was not observed in the presence of 5% FBS in media. The cytotoxicity was specific for LPC among lysophospholipids tested and significantly observed with palmitoyl (C16:0) LPC, stearoyl (C18:0) LPC, and oleoyl (C18:1) LPC among 11 synthetic LPCs. Furthermore, the cytoprotective effect of FBS was observed only when it was added before the treatment, but not after the treatment of LPC, and premixing of FBS and LPC before addition to the cells ameliorated LPC-induced cytotoxicity. Finally, albumin, a major constituent of FBS, prevented completely LPC-induced cytotoxicity even at as low as 3 microM concentration. We also found that five molecules of LPC could sequentially bind to one BSA using isothermal titration calorimetry. The above results suggest that the cytotoxic activity of LPC could be attenuated by albumin in blood. Finally, it should be cautioned that, when experiments are conducted with LPC dissolved in assay buffers containing albumin, the albumin in the buffer could influence the results.

Lysophospholipid receptors: signalling, pharmacology and regulation by lysophospholipid metabolism

The lysophospholipids, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), activate diverse groups of G-protein-coupled receptors that are widely expressed and regulate decisive cellular functions. Receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene family are activated by S1P (S1P(1-5)) or LPA (LPA(1-3)); two more distantly related receptors are activated by LPA (LPA(4/5)); the GPR(3/6/12) receptors have a high constitutive activity but are further activated by S1P and/or SPC; and receptors of the OGR1 cluster (OGR1, GPR4, G2A, TDAG8) appear to be activated by SPC, LPC, psychosine and/or protons. G-protein-coupled lysophospholipid receptors regulate cellular Ca(2+) homoeostasis and the cytoskeleton, proliferation and survival, migration and adhesion. They have been implicated in development, regulation of the cardiovascular, immune and nervous systems, inflammation, arteriosclerosis and cancer. The availability of S1P and LPA at their G-protein-coupled receptors is regulated by enzymes that generate or metabolize these lysophospholipids, and localization plays an important role in this process. Besides FTY720, which is phosphorylated by sphingosine kinase-2 and then acts on four of the five S1P receptors of the endothelial differentiation gene family, other compounds have been identified that interact with more ore less selectivity with lysophospholipid receptors.

Expression of and Role for Ovarian Cancer G-protein-coupled Receptor 1 (OGR1) during Osteoclastogenesis

Osteoclasts differentiate from hematopoietic mononuclear precursor cells under the control of both colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1, or M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL, or TRANCE, TNFSF11) to carry out bone resorption. Using high density gene microarrays, we followed gene expression changes in long bone RNA when CSF-1 injections were used to restore osteoclast populations in the CSF-1-null toothless (csf1(tl)/csf1(tl)) osteopetrotic rat. We found that ovarian cancer G-protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1, or GPR68) was strongly up-regulated, rising >6-fold in vivo after 2 days of CSF-1 treatments. OGR1 is a dual membrane receptor for both protons (extracellular pH) and lysolipids. Strong induction of OGR1 mRNA was also observed by microarray, real-time RT-PCR, and immunoblotting when mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells and RAW 264.7 pre-osteoclast-like cells were treated with RANKL to induce osteoclast differentiation. Anti-OGR1 immunofluorescence showed intense labeling of RANKL-treated RAW cells. The time course of OGR1 mRNA expression suggests that OGR1 induction is early but not immediate, peaking 2 days after inducing osteoclast differentiation both in vivo and in vitro. Specific inhibition of OGR1 by anti-OGR1 antibody and by small inhibitory RNA inhibited RANKL-induced differentiation of both mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells and RAW cells in vitro, as evidenced by a decrease in tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts. Taken together, these data indicate that OGR1 is expressed early during osteoclastogenesis both in vivo and in vitro and plays a role in osteoclast differentiation.