Characterization of system L and system y+ amino acid transport activity in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Parallel regulation of arginine transport and nitric oxide synthesis by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells role of protein kinase C

Experiments were performed to characterize arginine transport in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on this process. In addition, the role of arginine transport in the cytokineinduced nitric oxide (NO) production was assessed. Arginine transport takes place through Na(+)-independent (≈60%) and Na(+)-dependent pathways (≈40%). The Na(+)-independent arginine uptake appears to be mediated by system y(+) because of its sensitivity to cationic amino acids such as lysine, ornithine and homoarginine. The transport system was relatively insensitive to acidification of the extracellular medium. By contrast, the Na(+)-dependent pathway is consistent with system B(0,+) since it was inhibited by both cationic and neutral amino acids (i.e., glutamine, phenylalanine, and asparagine), and did not accept Li(+) as a Na(+) replacement. Treatment of SMCs with 100nM Ang II significantly inhibited the Na(+)-dependent arginine transport without affecting systems y(+), A, and L. This effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 of 8.9 ± 0.9nM) and is mediated by the AT-1 receptor subtype because it was blocked by DUP 753, a non-peptide antagonist of this receptor. The inhibition of system B(0,+) by Ang II is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) because it was mimicked by phorbol esters (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) and was inhibited by staurosporine. Ang II also inhibited the IL-1β induced nitrite accumulation by SMCs. This action was also inhibited by staurosporine and reproduced with phorbol esters, suggesting a coupling between arginine uptake and NO synthesis through a PKC-dependent mechanism. However, arginine supplementation in the medium (10mM) failed to prevent the inhibitory action of Ang II on NO synthesis. These findings suggest that although Ang II inhibits concomitantly arginine transport and NO synthesis in SMCs, the reduction of NO synthesis is not associated with alterations in the cellular transport of arginine.

Supplementation with apple enriched with L-arginine may improve metabolic control and survival rate in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Supplementation with L-arginine or fresh food with high content of this amino acid is associated with favorable effects in the metabolic control of diabetes. We aimed to determine whether supplementation with apples enriched with L-arginine offer additional benefits compared to L-arginine by itself in a preclinical study of diabetes. This study combines food-engineer technologies with in vivo and in vitro analysis. In vitro experiments show that cells derived from non-diabetic animals and exposed to high glucose (25 mM, 12 H) and cells isolated from alloxan-induced diabetic animals exhibited a reduction (∼50%) in the L-arginine uptake. This effect was reverted by L-arginine pretreatment (12 H) in both the normal and diabetes-derived cells. In preclinical studies, normoglycemic (n = 25) and diabetic groups (n = 50) were divided into subgroups that received either L-arginine (375 mg/kg per 10 days) or apple enriched with L-arginine or vehicle (control). In a preliminary analysis, supplementation with L-arginine by itself (50%) or apple enriched with L-arginine (100%) improve survival rate in the diabetic group compared to control (0%) at the end of the follow up (17 days). This phenomenon was associated with a partial but sustained high plasma level of L-arginine, as well as plasma concentration of nitrites and insulin in the L-arginine or apple + L-arginine groups after supplementation. Apple + L-arginine supplementation in diabetic animals induced the highest and longest effects in the level of these three markers among the studied groups. Therefore, apple enriched by L-arginine offers more benefits than L-arginine by itself in this preclinical study.

Decrease of polyamine levels and enhancement of transglutaminase activity in selective reduction of B16-F10 melanoma cell proliferation induced by atrial natriuretic peptide

The atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) at physiological levels reduced the proliferation of highly metastatic murine (B16-F10) and human (SK-MEL 110) melanoma cell lines whereas rat aortic smooth muscle (RASM) cells were unaffected. In RASM cells, the levels of proliferation markers (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) increase after 24 h of epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation (RASM-EGF), but strongly decrease after 24 h of exposition to ANP. The B16-F10 cell line, which received no EGF stimulation, showed a similar decrease in polyamine content after ANP treatment. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of a differentiation marker (transglutaminase) was increased for both RASM-EGF and B16-F10 cells after 24 h of treatment with 10(-10) mol/l ANP, concomitantly with the observed inhibition of polyamine biosynthesis and cell growth. Data obtained on B16-F10 cells treated with 8Br-GMPc or with an ANP analogue (cANF) support the involvement of the type C ANP receptor (NRP-C) in hormone effects. From the overall results, it appears that ANP may play a role in the inhibition of cellular growth under hyperproliferative conditions, as shown for RASM-EGF cells. The B16-F10 melanoma cell line showed similar results, but in the absence of mitogen stimulation. This observation suggests that the constitutive hyperproliferative state of tumor cells may be a sufficient condition to favor the ANP inhibitory effects on cell growth. This finding is particularly interesting in the light of a possible use of ANP as a potential selective antineoplastic agent.

ALTERED l-ARGININE/NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE/NITRIC OXIDE PATHWAY IN THE VASCULAR ADVENTITIA OF RATS WITH SEPSIS

1. In recent studies, the vascular adventitia has been established as an important source of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and subsequent nitric oxide (NO) production, even more powerful than the media in response to certain inflammatory factors, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The adventitia has an independent L-arginine (L-Arg)/NOS/NO pathway and is involved in the regulation of vascular function. In the present study, we explored the changes in and the pathophysiological significance of the L-Arg/NOS/NO pathway in the adventitia of rats with sepsis. 2. Sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture in order to observe changes in L-Arg transport, NOS gene expression and activity and NO generation in the vascular adventitia to determine the mechanism of activation of the L-Arg/NOS/NO pathway. 3. Severe sepsis resulted in severe disturbance of haemodynamic features, with decreased mean arterial blood pressure, brachycardia and inhibited cardiac function (decreased left ventricular +/-dP/dt(max)). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was elevated threefold (P < 0.01) under anaesthesia. Rats with sepsis showed severe glucopenia and lacticaemia. Plasma levels of the inflammatory factors macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8 were increased five- and 29-fold, respectively (P < 0.01). 4. In the adventitia of the thoracic and abdominal aortas, the L-Arg/NO pathway was similarly characterized: the uptake of [(3)H]-L-Arg was Na(+) independent, with the peak occurring at approximately 40 min incubation. Total NOS activity was largely calcium independent (> 90%). The V(max) of L-Arg transport in the sepsis group was increased by 83.5% (P < 0.01), but the K(m) value was not significantly different compared with controls. 5. The mRNA levels of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1 and CAT-2B in the sepsis group were increased by 86 and 62%, respectively (both P < 0.01). Inducible NOS activity was increased 2.8-fold compared with controls (P < 0.01) and iNOS mRNA levels were elevated approximately sixfold (P < 0.01). The NO levels in the plasma and incubation media (incubation for 40 min) in the sepsis group were increased by 144 and 273%, respectively (both P < 0.01). 6. The Arg/NOS/NO pathway was activated in the vascular adventitia of rats with sepsis shock. The L-Arg/NOS/NO pathway in the aortic adventitia may play an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock.

A high-affinity, tryptophan-selective amino acid transport system in human macrophages

Tryptophan catabolism via the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) allows human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and other APC to suppress T cell proliferation. IDO helps protect murine fetuses from rejection by the maternal immune system and can promote tolerance and immunosuppression. For tryptophan to be catabolized by IDO, it must first enter the APC via transmembrane transport. It has been shown that MDM in vitro readily deplete tryptophan present in the extracellular medium to nanomolar levels via IDO activity; yet, no currently known amino acid transport system displays high affinity and specificity sufficiently to permit efficient uptake of tryptophan at these low concentrations. Here, we provide biochemical characterization of a novel transport system with nanomolar affinity and high selectivity for tryptophan. Tryptophan transport in MDM was predominantly sodium-independent and occurred via two distinct systems: one consistent with the known system L transporter and a second system with 100-fold higher affinity for tryptophan (Km<300 nM). Competition studies showed that the high-affinity system did not correspond to any known transporter activity and displayed a marked selectivity for tryptophan over other amino acids and tryptophan analogs. This new system was expressed at low levels in fresh monocytes but underwent selective induction during MDM differentiation. In contrast, resting human T cells expressed only the conventional system L. We speculate that the high-affinity, tryptophan-specific transport system allows MDM to take up tryptophan efficiently under conditions of low substrate concentration, such as may occur during interaction between T cells and IDO-expressing APC.

The effects of exogenous amino acids on the relaxant responses of pig urethral smooth muscle evoked by stimulation of the inhibitory nitrergic nerves

Inhibitory innervation of urethral smooth muscle is mediated partly through release of NO. We investigated the mechanisms involved in the supply of the substrate L: -arginine to NO synthase by examining the relaxant response of the muscle to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and the effects of addition of amino acids to the bathing medium. Relaxant responses persisted during hours of repetitive stimulation but were enhanced rapidly by addition of L: -arginine (the "arginine paradox"). Addition of L: -lysine (competes with L: -arginine for transport on the y(+) carrier) and L: -glutamine (competing on the y(+)L carrier) attenuated the enhancement. Enhancement persisted after washing but was reversed by application of L: -lysine, suggesting that exogenous L: -arginine fills an intracellular pool and that L: -lysine can trans-stimulate its efflux from the pool. After prolonged depolarization in high-K(+), Na(+)-free solution the relaxant response became purely nitrergic. Addition of L: -arginine during the exposure continued to enhance the subsequent responses but L: -glutamine added with L: -arginine, could no longer reduce this enhancement. The results show the arginine paradox in inhibitory nerves and suggest the involvement of y(+) and y(+)L carriers in the transport of L: -arginine.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates LAT1 gene expression in vascular smooth muscle: role in cell growth

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) contributes to vascular disease by stimulating the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Since amino acids are required for cell growth, the present study examined the effect of PDGF on system L amino acid transport, which is the predominant cellular pathway for the uptake of essential amino acids. System L amino acid transport was monitored by measuring the uptake of L-leucine. Treatment of SMCs with PDGF stimulated L-leucine transport in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and this was associated with a selective increase in LAT1 mRNA and protein. PDGF failed to induce the expression of the other system L transport proteins, LAT2 and the heavy chain of the 4F2 cell surface antigen. The induction of LAT1 by PDGF was dependent on de novo RNA and protein synthesis and on mTOR activity. Serum, thrombin, and angiotensin II likewise stimulated L-leucine transport by inducing LAT1 expression. Inhibition of system L amino acid transport by the model substrate 2-aminobicyclo-(2,2,1)-heptane-2-carboxylic acid blocked growth factor-mediated SMC proliferation and induced SMC apoptosis, whereas it had no effect on quiescent cells. These results demonstrate that growth factors stimulate system L amino acid transport by inducing LAT1 gene expression and that system L amino acid transport is essential for SMC proliferation and survival. The capacity of vascular mitogens to induce LAT1 expression may represent a basic mechanism by which tho acid transport * apoptosis

Regulation of amino acid and glucose transporters in endothelial and smooth muscle cells

While transport processes for amino acids and glucose have long been known to be expressed in the luminal and abluminal membranes of the endothelium comprising the blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, it is only within the last decades that endothelial and smooth muscle cells derived from peripheral vascular beds have been recognized to rapidly transport and metabolize these nutrients. This review focuses principally on the mechanisms regulating amino acid and glucose transporters in vascular endothelial cells, although we also summarize recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms controlling membrane transport activity and expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. We compare the specificity, ionic dependence, and kinetic properties of amino acid and glucose transport systems identified in endothelial cells derived from cerebral, retinal, and peripheral vascular beds and review the regulation of transport by vasoactive agonists, nitric oxide (NO), substrate deprivation, hypoxia, hyperglycemia, diabetes, insulin, steroid hormones, and development. In view of the importance of NO as a modulator of vascular tone under basal conditions and in disease and chronic inflammation, we critically review the evidence that transport of L-arginine and glucose in endothelial and smooth muscle cells is modulated by bacterial endotoxin, proinflammatory cytokines, and atherogenic lipids. The recent colocalization of the cationic amino acid transporter CAT-1 (system y(+)), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and caveolin-1 in endothelial plasmalemmal caveolae provides a novel mechanism for the regulation of NO production by L-arginine delivery and circulating hormones such insulin and 17beta-estradiol.

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) stimulates L-arginine transport and metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells: role in polyamine and collagen synthesis

BACKGROUND

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) contributes to arterial remodeling by stimulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and collagen synthesis at sites of vascular injury. Because L-arginine is metabolized to growth-stimulatory polyamines and to the essential collagen precursor L-proline, we examined whether TGF-beta(1) regulates the transcellular transport and metabolism of L-arginine by VSMCs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

TGF-beta(1) increased L-arginine uptake, and this was associated with a selective increase in cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) mRNA. In addition, TGF-beta(1) stimulated L-arginine metabolism by inducing arginase I mRNA and arginase activity. TGF-beta(1) also stimulated L-ornithine catabolism by elevating ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) activity. TGF-beta(1) markedly increased the capacity of VSMCs to generate the polyamine putrescine and L-proline from extracellular L-arginine. The TGF-beta(1)-mediated increase in putrescine and L-proline production was reversed by methyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of cationic amino acid transport, or by hydroxy-L-arginine, an arginase inhibitor. Furthermore, the formation of putrescine was inhibited by the ODC inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine, and L-proline generation was blocked by the OAT inhibitor L-canaline. L-Canaline also inhibited TGF-beta(1)-stimulated type I collagen synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that TGF-beta(1) stimulates polyamine and L-proline synthesis by inducing the genes that regulate the transport and metabolism of L-arginine. In addition, they show that TGF-beta(1)-stimulated collagen production is dependent on L-proline formation. The ability of TGF-beta(1) to upregulate L-arginine transport and direct its metabolism to polyamines and L-proline may contribute to arterial remodeling at sites of vascular damage.

Physiological cyclic stretch directs L-arginine transport and metabolism to collagen synthesis in vascular smooth muscle

Application of cyclic stretch (10% at 1 hertz) to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) increased L-arginine uptake and this was associated with a specific increase in cationic amino acid transporter-2 (CAT-2) mRNA. In addition, cyclic stretch stimulated L-arginine metabolism by inducing arginase I mRNA and arginase activity. In contrast, cyclic stretch inhibited the catabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide (NO) by blocking inducible NO synthase expression. Exposure of SMC to cyclic stretch markedly increased the capacity of SMC to generate L-proline from L-arginine while inhibiting the formation of polyamines. The stretch-mediated increase in L-proline production was reversed by methyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of L-arginine transport, by hydroxy-L-arginine, an arginase inhibitor, or by the ornithine aminotransferase inhibitor L-canaline. Finally, cyclic stretch stimulated collagen synthesis and the accumulation of type I collagen, which was inhibited by L-canaline. These results demonstrate that cyclic stretch coordinately stimulates L-proline synthesis by regulating the genes that modulate the transport and metabolism of L-arginine. In addition, they show that stretch-stimulated collagen production is dependent on L-proline formation. The ability of hemodynamic forces to up-regulate L-arginine transport and direct its metabolism to L-proline may play an important role in stabilizing vascular lesions by promoting SMC collagen synthesis.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for growth factor-induced amino acid uptake by vascular smooth muscle cells

Although accumulating evidence suggests that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a common signaling molecule for growth factor-induced amino acid uptake by the cell, the role of PI3K in the uptake of different amino acids was not tested under the same conditions. In this study, we asked whether PI3K mediates platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) -stimulated uptake of different amino acids that are taken up through 3 major amino acid transporters expressed in rat vascular smooth muscle cells and other cell types and whether PI3K mediates amino acid uptake stimulated with different growth factors and vasoactive substances. PDGF increased the uptake of [(3)H]leucine, [(3)H]proline, and [(3)H]arginine in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Two different PI3K inhibitors, wortmannin (100 nmol/L) and LY294002 (10 micromol/L), completely inhibited the amino acid uptake stimulated by PDGF. Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing both PDGF receptor-beta and a dominant-negative PI3K did not increase their leucine uptake when stimulated with PDGF, whereas the same cells expressing only PDGF receptor-beta did. Transforming growth factor-beta, as well as insulin-like growth factor-I and angiotensin II, increased leucine uptake by vascular smooth muscle cells. Wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited this increase. We also found that transforming growth factor-beta stimulated PI3K activity and the phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream signaling molecule of PI3K. A similar effect of PI3K inhibitors on amino acid uptake was observed in Swiss 3T3 cells. We conclude that PI3K mediates the uptake of different amino acids by vascular smooth muscle cells and other cell types stimulated with a variety of growth factors, including transforming growth factor-beta. Our findings suggest that PI3K may play an important role in vascular pathophysiology by regulating amino acid uptake.

Cationic amino acid transporter gene expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and in rats

Immunostimulants trigger vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to express the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) and increased arginine transport activity. Although arginine transport in VSMC is considered to be mediated via the y+ system, we show here that rat VSMC in culture express the cat-1 gene transcript as well as an alternatively spliced transcript of the cat-2 gene. An RT-PCR cloning sequence strategy was used to identify a 141-base nucleotide sequence encoding the low-affinity domain of alternatively spliced CAT-2A and a 138-base nucleotide sequence encoding the high-affinity domain of CAT-2B in VSMC activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in combination with interferon-gamma (IFN). With this sequence as a probe, Northern analyses showed that CAT-1 mRNA and CAT-2B mRNA are constitutively present in VSMC, and the expression of both mRNAs was rapidly stimulated by treatment with LPS-IFN, peaked within 4 h, and decayed to basal levels within 6 h after LPS-IFN. CAT-2A mRNA was not detectable in unstimulated or stimulated VSMC. Arginine transporter activity significantly increased 4-10 h after LPS-IFN. iNOS activity was reduced to almost zero in the absence of extracellular arginine uptake via system y+. Induction of arginine transport seems to be a prerequisite to the enhanced synthesis of NO in VSMC. Moreover, this work demonstrates tissue expression of CAT mRNAs with use of a model of LPS injection in rats. RT-PCR shows that the expression of CAT-1 and CAT-2B mRNA in the lung, heart, and kidney is increased by LPS administration to rats, whereas CAT-2A mRNA is abundantly expressed in the liver independent of LPS treatment. These findings suggest that together CAT-1 and CAT-2B play an important role in providing substrate for high-output NO synthesis in vitro as well as in vivo and implicate a coordinated regulation of intracellular iNOS enzyme activity with membrane arginine transport.

Thrombin stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell polyamine synthesis by inducing cationic amino acid transporter and ornithine decarboxylase gene expression

Thrombin, a serine protease, is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), but its mechanism of action is not known. Since L-ornithine is metabolized to growth-stimulatory polyamines, we examined whether thrombin regulates the transcellular transport and metabolism of L-ornithine by vascular SMCs. Treatment of SMCs with thrombin initially (0 to 2 hours) decreased L-ornithine uptake, whereas longer exposures (6 to 24 hours) progressively increased transport. Kinetic studies indicated that thrombin-induced inhibition was associated with a decrease in affinity for L-ornithine, whereas stimulation was mediated by an increase in transport capacity. Thrombin induced the expression of both cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1 and CAT-2 mRNA. Furthermore, thrombin stimulated L-ornithine metabolism by inducing ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) mRNA expression and activity. The stimulatory effect of thrombin on both L-ornithine transport and ODC activity was reversed by hirudin, a thrombin inhibitor, and was mimicked by a 14-amino acid thrombin receptor-activating peptide. Thrombin also markedly increased the capacity of SMCs to generate putrescine, a polyamine, from extracellular L-ornithine. The thrombin-mediated increase in putrescine production was reversed by N(G)-methyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of cationic amino acid transport, or by alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ODC inhibitor. DFMO also inhibited thrombin-induced SMC proliferation. These results demonstrate that thrombin stimulates polyamine synthesis by inducing CAT and ODC gene expression and that thrombin-stimulated SMC proliferation is dependent on polyamine formation. The ability of thrombin to upregulate L-ornithine transport and direct its metabolism to growth-stimulatory polyamines may contribute to postangioplasty restenosis and atherosclerotic lesion formation.

Role of endogenous nitric oxide in allergen-induced airway responses in guinea-pigs

1. Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) can be detected in exhaled air and accumulates in inflamed airways. However its physiological role has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated a role for endogenous NO in allergen-induced airway responses. Sensitised guinea-pigs were treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester L-NAME (2.0 mM) or aminoguanidine (AG) (2.0 mM) 30 min before the allergen challenge, and 3 and 4 h after the challenge. Alternatively, L-arginine (2.4 mM) treatment was performed 30 min before, and 2 and 3 h after the challenge. In all groups, ovalbumin (OVA) challenge (2 mg ml(-1) for 2 min) was performed, and airway responses, NO production, infiltration of inflammatory cells, plasma exudation and histological details were examined. 2. Allergen-challenged animals showed an immediate airway response (IAR) and a late airway response (LAR), which synchronised with an increase in exhaled NO. Treatment with L-NAME and AG did not affect IAR while they significantly blocked LAR (72% and 80% inhibition compared to vehicle) and production of NO (35% and 40% inhibition). On the other hand, treatment with L-arginine did not affect IAR but potentiated LAR (74% augmentation). 3. In bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, allergen-induced increases in eosinophils were reduced by 48% for L-NAME treatment compared to vehicle, and increased by 56% for L-arginine treatment. 4. Treatment with L-NAME significantly decreased airway microvascular permeability to both Monastral blue (MB) and Evans blue (EB) dye (50.6% and 44% inhibition). 5. We conclude that allergen-induced LAR is closely associated with NO production, and that NO plays a critical role in inflammatory cell infiltration and plasma exudation in the allergic condition.

Lysophosphatidylcholine regulates cationic amino acid transport and metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells. Role in polyamine biosynthesis

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) is a major component of atherogenic lipids that stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. Because cationic amino acids are metabolized to growth-stimulatory polyamines, we examined whether lyso-PC regulates the transcellular transport and metabolism of cationic amino acids by vascular SMC. Treatment of SMC with lyso-PC initially (0-2 h) decreased cationic amino acid uptake, whereas longer exposures (6-24 h) progressively increased transport. Kinetic studies indicated that lyso-PC-induced inhibition was associated with a decrease in affinity for cationic amino acids, but the stimulation was mediated by an increase in transport capacity. Lyso-PC strongly induced the expression of cationic amino acid transporter-2 mRNA while modestly elevating the level of cationic amino acid transporter-1 mRNA. In addition, lyso-PC stimulated intracellular cationic amino acid metabolism by inducing ornithine decarboxylase activity and mRNA expression and also by inducing arginase activity in vascular SMC. In contrast, lyso-PC inhibited the catabolism of L-arginine to nitric oxide by blocking inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Lyso-PC increased markedly the capacity of SMC to generate putrescine, a polyamine, from extracellular L-ornithine and L-arginine. The lyso-PC-mediated increase in the production of putrescine was reversed by NG-methyl-L-arginine, a competitive inhibitor of cationic amino acid transport, or by alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor. The formation of putrescine from L-arginine was also prevented by arginase inhibitor NG-hydroxy-L-arginine. These results demonstrate that lyso-PC stimulates polyamine synthesis in vascular SMC by inducing the expression of the genes that regulate both the transport and metabolism of cationic amino acids. The actions of lyso-PC in stimulating cationic amino acid uptake and directing their metabolism to growth-stimulatory polyamines while simultaneously inhibiting the synthesis of antiproliferative NO, may contribute to lyso-PC-induced SMC proliferation and atherosclerotic lesion formation.

Platelet-derived growth factor regulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by inducing cationic amino acid transporter gene expression

Since recent studies demonstrated that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation by stimulating polyamine synthesis, we examined whether the transcellular transport of L-ornithine, the cationic amino acid precursor of polyamines, could regulate the mitogenic response of PDGF. Treatment of SMC with PDGF stimulated DNA and putrescine synthesis, and this was enhanced further by increasing the extracellular concentration of L-ornithine. The potentiating effect of L-ornithine was reversed by the competitive inhibitor of cationic amino acid transport, methyl-L-arginine, or by preventing putrescine formation with alpha-difluoromethylornithine. Cationic amino acid uptake by SMC was Na+-independent and was mediated by both a high and low affinity carrier system. Treatment of SMC with PDGF initially (0-2 h) decreased basic amino acid transport, while longer exposures (6-24 h) progressively increased uptake. Kinetic studies indicated that PDGF-induced inhibition was associated with a decrease in affinity for cationic amino acids, while the stimulation was mediated by an increase in transport capacity. Endogenous PDGF released by collagen-activated platelets likewise up-regulated cationic amino acid transport in SMC. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction detected the presence of mRNA encoding two distinct cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) proteins, CAT-1 and CAT-2B. Treatment of SMC with PDGF strongly induced the expression CAT-2B mRNA and modestly elevated the level of CAT-1 mRNA. These results demonstrate that PDGF-induced polyamine synthesis and SMC mitogenesis are dependent on the transcellular transport of L-ornithine. The capacity of PDGF to up-regulate the transport of L-ornithine by inducing the expression of the genes for CAT-1 and CAT-2B may modulate its mitogenic effect by providing SMC with the necessary intracellular precursor for polyamine biosynthesis.

Cytokines and insulin induce cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) expression in cardiac myocytes. Regulation of L-arginine transport and no production by CAT-1, CAT-2A, and CAT-2B

Cytokine-dependent production of nitric oxide (NO) by rat cardiac myocytes is a consequence of increased expression of the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or NOS2) and, in the presence of insulin, depresses the contractile function of these cells in vivo and in vitro. Experiments reported here show that L-lysine, a competitive antagonist of L-arginine uptake, suppressed NO production (detected as nitrite accumulation) by interleukin (IL)-1beta and interferon (IFN) gamma-pretreated cardiac myocytes by 70%, demonstrating that NO production is dependent on L-arginine uptake. Cardiac myocytes constitutively exhibit a high-affinity L-arginine transport system (Km = 125 microM; Vmax = 44 pmol/2 X 10(5) cells/min). Following a 24-h exposure to IL-1beta and IFNgamma, arginine uptake increases Vmax = 167 pmol/2 X 10(5) cells/min) and a second low-affinity L-arginine transporter activity appears (Km = 1.2 mM). To examine the molecular basis for these cytokine-induced changes in arginine transport, we examined expression of three related arginine transporters previously identified in other cell types. mRNA for the high-affinity cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) is expressed in resting myocytes and steady-state levels increase by 10-fold following exposure to IL-1beta and IFNgamma. Only cytokine-pretreated myocytes expressed a second high-affinity L-arginine transporter, CAT-2B, as well as a low-affinity L-arginine transporter, CAT-2A. In addition, insulin, which potentiated cytokine-dependent NO production independent of any change in NOS activity, increased myocyte L-arginine uptake by 2-fold and steady-state levels of CAT-1, but not CAT-2A or CAT-2B mRNA. Thus, NO production by cardiac myocytes exposed to IL-1beta plus IFNgamma appears to be dependent on the coinduction of CAT-1, CAT-2A, and CAT-2B, while insulin independently augments L-arginine transport through CAT- 1.

Interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulate the cat-2 gene of the L-arginine transporter in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The production of nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cytokine-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is thought to play an important role in the pathophysiology of several vascular disease states including septic shock. This study examines the relationship between cytokine-stimulated NO production and L-arginine transport in cultured VSMC. Cultured VSMC from rat aorta were stimulated with interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and/or angiotensin II (Ang II); and the accumulation of nitrite, a stable product of NO metabolism, in the culture media and the rates of net L-arginine uptake were measured. Interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, alone or in combination, stimulated both the uptake of L-arginine and the accumulation of nitrite in the culture media in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of NOS activity by substituted analogues of L-arginine had no effect on cytokine-stimulated L-arginine transport. Ang II in the presence of cytokines up-regulated L-arginine transport while inhibiting nitrite accumulation. Two forms of the L-arginine transporter, cat-1b and cat-2, are expressed in VSMC. Northern analysis revealed that the cytokine-stimulated increase in L-arginine transport coincided with increased levels of cat-2 mRNA. In contrast, cat-1b does not appear to be regulated by cytokines at the mRNA level, although significant increases in response to Ang II were observed. These results show that, while cytokines can stimulate both NOS activity and L-arginine uptake, NO production is not required to signal the increase in L-arginine transport. Furthermore, Ang II and cytokine stimulation of L-arginine uptake involves the differential regulation of the cationic amino acid transporter (cat) genes.

Induction of L-arginine transport and nitric oxide synthase in vascular smooth muscle cells: synergistic actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide

1. The interactions between pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on L-arginine transporter and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities were examined in rat cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. 2. LPS induced a concentration (0.01-100 micrograms ml-1) and time (8-24 h)-dependent stimulation of nitrite production which was accompanied by a parallel increase in L-arginine transport. 3. Unlike LPS, activation of smooth muscle cells with either interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma, 100 u ml-1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha, 300 u ml-1) or interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha, 100 u ml-1) failed to stimulate L-arginine transport or increase nitrite accumulation. 4. When applied in combination with LPS (100 micrograms ml-1) both IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but not IL-1 alpha, enhanced the effects observed with LPS alone. Furthermore, activation of cells with LPS and IFN-gamma had no effect on uptake of the neutral amino acid L-citrulline but selectively increased the Vmax for L-arginine transport 2.8 fold and nitrite levels from 24 +/- 7 to 188 +/- 14 pmol micrograms-1 protein 24 h-1. 5. The substrate specificity, Na- and pH-independence of saturable L-arginine transport in both unactivated (K(m) = 44 microM, Vmax = 3 pmol micrograms-1 protein min-1) and activated (K(m) = 75 microM, Vmax = 8.3 pmol micrograms-1 protein min-1) smooth muscle cells were characteristic of the cationic amino acid transport system y+. 6. Cycloheximide (1 microM) abolished induction of L-arginine transport and nitrite accumulation in response to LPS and IFN-gamma. In contrast, the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (10 microM, 24 h) selectively inhibited nitrite production. 7. Our results demonstrate that pro-inflammatory mediators selectively enhance transport of L-arginine under conditions of sustained NO synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, the differential inhibition of iNOS and L-arginine transporter activity by dexamethasone suggests that distinct signalling pathways mediate induction of the cationic transport protein and iNOS. The close coupling between substrate supply and NO production may have important implications in the pathogenesis of several disease states including endotoxin shock.

Angiotensin II stimulates system y+ and cationic amino acid transporter gene expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the transport of cationic amino acids has been examined in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from rat aortae. Ang II stimulated the uptake rates of radiolabeled arginine and lysine in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The stimulated arginine uptake could be blocked by pretreatments with cycloheximide and actinomycin D or co-treatment with valsartan, an antagonist specific for Ang II receptor subtype-1. The modulation by Ang II was bidirectional as the efflux of arginine was also stimulated, 5-fold over basal. Using reverse transcription-coupled polymerase chain reaction methodology, a partial cDNA with 94% sequence identity to that of cationic amino acid transporter subtype-1 (CAT-1) of mouse fibroblasts was obtained from VSMC. This sequence also exhibited 14 base changes compared with the sequence of ecotropic retrovirus receptor (ERR)/CAT-1 from rat hepatoma. Northern analyses with this partial CAT-1 cDNA and CAT-2 cDNA of mouse T-lymphocytes showed that Ang II rapidly stimulated the expression of both CAT-1 and CAT-2 in VSMC. Both signals peaked at 2 h after exposure to Ang II. The CAT-1 signal decayed over the next 6 h to levels 3-fold above basal, which are maintained up until 24 h. The induced CAT-2 mRNA concentration also decayed rapidly but increased again between 16 and 24 h to levels comparable with those observed at 2 h.

Induction of nitric oxide synthase activity by cytokines in ventricular myocytes is necessary but not sufficient to decrease contractile responsiveness to beta-adrenergic agonists

Recent evidence has documented that increased activity of an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; type 2 NO synthase) in primary isolates of adult rat ventricular myocytes after exposure to soluble mediators in medium conditioned by lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages is associated with a decrease in their contractile responsiveness to beta-adrenergic agonists. It remained unclear which specific inflammatory cytokines in this medium contribute to the induction of iNOS activity in myocytes and whether induction of iNOS would result in an obligatory decline in contractile function. Interleukin (IL)-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were both present in the lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage-conditioned medium. However, only IL-1 receptor antagonist and not an anti-rat TNF-alpha antiserum diminished the extent of iNOS induction in myocytes exposed to this medium and prevented a decline in contractile responsiveness to isoproterenol. When recombinant cytokines were used, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma each induced iNOS activity in cardiac myocytes at 24 hours. However, only the combination of IL-1 beta and IFN-gamma reproducibly caused contractile dysfunction in cardiac myocytes. Among the constituents of the defined medium routinely used for maintenance of adult rat ventricular myocytes in primary culture, it was noted that insulin (10(-7) mol/L) was required for NO production, as detected by nitrite release in cytokine-pretreated myocytes, although insulin had no effect on the extent of induction of iNOS mRNA or maximal enzyme activity in myocyte cell lysates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Uptake of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors by macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

Uptake of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors NG-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMA) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) by macrophages is mediated by two different mechanisms. Activation of the cells with cytokines resulted in an up-regulation of L-NMA uptake but did not affect L-NNA transport. Characterization of the transport sites revealed that uptake of L-NMA is mediated by a cationic amino acid transporter (system y+) whereas a neutral amino acid transporter (system L) accounts for the uptake of L-NNA.

Exogenous NG-hydroxyl-L-arginine causes nitrite production in vascular smooth muscle cells in the absence of nitric oxide synthase activity

Nitric oxide (NO) production from exogenous NG-hydroxy-L-arginine (OH-L-Arg) was investigated in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture by measuring nitrite accumulation in the culture medium. As well, the interaction between OH-L-Arg and L-arginine uptake via the y+ cationic amino acid transporter was studied. In cells without NO-synthase activity, OH-L-Arg (1-1000 microM) induced a dose-dependent nitrite production with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 18.0 +/- 1.5 microM (n = 4-7). This nitrite accumulation was not inhibited by the NO-synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME (300 microM). In contrast, it was abolished by miconazole (100 microM), an inhibitor of cytochrome P450. Incubation of vascular smooth muscle cells with LPS (10 micrograms/ml) induced an L-NAME inhibited nitrite accumulation, but did not enhance the OH-L-Arg induced nitrite production. OH-L-Arg and other cationic amino acids, L-lysine and L-ornithine, competitively inhibited [3H]-L-arginine uptake in rat aortic smooth muscle cells, with inhibition constants of 195 +/- 23 microM (n = 12), 260 +/- 40 microM (n = 5) and 330 +/- 10 microM (n = 5), respectively. These results show that OH-L-Arg is recognized by the cationic L-amino acid carrier present in vascular smooth muscle cells can be oxidized to NO and nitrite in these cells in the absence of NO-synthase, probably by cytochrome P450 or by a reaction involving a cytochrome P450 by-product.