Identification of the neuroeffector transmitter in jejunal branches of the rabbit mesenteric artery

ATP as a cotransmitter in sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves - another Burnstock legacy

Geoff Burnstock created an outstanding scientific legacy that includes identification of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the gut, the discovery and characterisation of a large family of purine and uridine nucleotide-sensitive ionotropic P2X and metabotropic P2Y receptors and the demonstration that ATP is as an excitatory cotransmitter in autonomic nerves. The evidence for cotransmission includes that: 1) ATP is costored with noradrenaline in synaptic vesicles in postganglionic sympathetic nerves innervating smooth muscle tissues, including the vas deferens and most arteries. 2) When coreleased with noradrenaline, ATP acts at postjunctional P2X1 receptors to elicit depolarisation, Ca²⁺ influx, Ca²⁺ sensitisation and contraction. 3) ATP is also coreleased with acetylcholine from postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating the urinary bladder, where it stimulates postjunctional P2X1 receptors, and a second, as yet unidentified site to evoke contraction of detrusor smooth muscle. In both systems membrane-bound ecto-enzymes and soluble nucleotidases released from postganglionic nerves dephosphorylate ATP and so terminate its neurotransmitter actions. Currently, the most promising potential area of therapeutic application relating to cotransmission is treatment of dysfunctional urinary bladder. This family of disorders is associated with the appearance of a purinergic component of neurogenic contractions. This component is an attractive target for drug development and targeting it may be a rewarding area of research.

Neurotransmitters responsible for purinergic motor neurotransmission and regulation of GI motility

Classical concepts of peripheral neurotransmission were insufficient to explain enteric inhibitory neurotransmission. Geoffrey Burnstock and colleagues developed the idea that ATP or a related purine satisfies the criteria for a neurotransmitter and serves as an enteric inhibitory neurotransmitter in GI muscles. Cloning of purinergic receptors and development of specific drugs and transgenic mice have shown that enteric inhibitory responses depend upon P2Y₁ receptors in post-junctional cells. The post-junctional cells that transduce purinergic neurotransmitters in the GI tract are PDGFRα⁺ cells and not smooth muscle cells (SMCs). PDGFRα⁺ cells express P2Y₁ receptors, are activated by enteric inhibitory nerve stimulation and generate Ca²⁺ oscillations, express small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels (SK3), and generate outward currents when exposed to P2Y₁ agonists. These properties are consistent with post-junctional purinergic responses, and similar responses and effectors are not functional in SMCs. Refinements in methodologies to measure purines in tissue superfusates, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with etheno-derivatization of purines and fluorescence detection, revealed that multiple purines are released during stimulation of intrinsic nerves. β-NAD⁺ and other purines, better satisfy criteria for the purinergic neurotransmitter than ATP. HPLC has also allowed better detection of purine metabolites, and coupled with isolation of specific types of post-junctional cells, has provided new concepts about deactivation of purine neurotransmitters. In spite of steady progress, many unknowns about purinergic neurotransmission remain and require additional investigation to understand this important regulatory mechanism in GI motility.

Purinergic Signaling During Hyperglycemia in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The activation of purinergic receptors by nucleotides and/or nucleosides plays an important role in the control of vascular function, including modulation of vascular smooth muscle excitability, and vascular reactivity. Accordingly, purinergic receptor actions, acting as either ion channels (P2X) or G protein-coupled receptors (GCPRs) (P1, P2Y), target diverse downstream effectors, and substrates to regulate vascular smooth muscle function and vascular reactivity. Both vasorelaxant and vasoconstrictive effects have been shown to be mediated by different purinergic receptors in a vascular bed- and species-specific manner. Purinergic signaling has been shown to play a key role in altering vascular smooth muscle excitability and vascular reactivity following acute and short-term elevations in extracellular glucose (e.g., hyperglycemia). Moreover, there is evidence that vascular smooth muscle excitability and vascular reactivity is severely impaired during diabetes and that this is mediated, at least in part, by activation of purinergic receptors. Thus, purinergic receptors present themselves as important candidates mediating vascular reactivity in hyperglycemia, with potentially important clinical and therapeutic potential. In this review, we provide a narrative summarizing our current understanding of the expression, function, and signaling of purinergic receptors specifically in vascular smooth muscle cells and discuss their role in vascular complications following hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Purinergic Signaling in the Cardiovascular System

There is nervous control of the heart by ATP as a cotransmitter in sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory-motor nerves, as well as in intracardiac neurons. Centers in the brain control heart activities and vagal cardiovascular reflexes involve purines. Adenine nucleotides and nucleosides act on purinoceptors on cardiomyocytes, AV and SA nodes, cardiac fibroblasts, and coronary blood vessels. Vascular tone is controlled by a dual mechanism. ATP, released from perivascular sympathetic nerves, causes vasoconstriction largely via P2X1 receptors. Endothelial cells release ATP in response to changes in blood flow (via shear stress) or hypoxia, to act on P2 receptors on endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, or prostaglandins to cause vasodilation. ATP is also released from sensory-motor nerves during antidromic reflex activity, to produce relaxation of some blood vessels. Purinergic signaling is involved in the physiology of erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes. ATP is released from erythrocytes and platelets, and purinoceptors and ectonucleotidases are expressed by these cells. P1, P2Y₁, P2Y₁₂, and P2X1 receptors are expressed on platelets, which mediate platelet aggregation and shape change. Long-term (trophic) actions of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides promote migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells via P1 and P2Y receptors during angiogenesis, vessel remodeling during restenosis after angioplasty and atherosclerosis. The involvement of purinergic signaling in cardiovascular pathophysiology and its therapeutic potential are discussed, including heart failure, infarction, arrhythmias, syncope, cardiomyopathy, angina, heart transplantation and coronary bypass grafts, coronary artery disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, ischemia, thrombosis, diabetes mellitus, and migraine.

ATP as a cotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system

The role of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) as a major intracellular energy source is well-established. In addition, ATP and related nucleotides have widespread extracellular actions via the ionotropic P2X (ligand-gated cation channels) and metabotropic P2Y (G protein-coupled) receptors. Numerous experimental techniques, including myography, electrophysiology and biochemical measurement of neurotransmitter release, have been used to show that ATP has several major roles as a neurotransmitter in peripheral nerves. When released from enteric nerves of the gastrointestinal tract it acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, mediating descending muscle relaxation during peristalsis. ATP is also an excitatory cotransmitter in autonomic nerves; 1) It is costored with noradrenaline in synaptic vesicles in postganglionic sympathetic nerves innervating smooth muscle preparations, such as the vas deferens and most arteries. When coreleased with noradrenaline, ATP acts at postjunctional P2X1 receptors to evoke depolarisation, Ca(2+) influx, Ca(2+) sensitisation and contraction. 2) ATP is also coreleased with acetylcholine from postganglionic parasympathetic nerves innervating the urinary bladder and again acts at postjunctional P2X1 receptors, and possibly also a P2X1+4 heteromer, to elicit smooth muscle contraction. In both cases the neurotransmitter actions of ATP are terminated by dephosphorylation by extracellular, membrane-bound enzymes and soluble nucleotidases released from postganglionic nerves. There are indications of an increased contribution of ATP to control of blood pressure in hypertension, but further research is needed to clarify this possibility. More promising is the upregulation of P2X receptors in dysfunctional bladder, including interstitial cystitis, idiopathic detrusor instability and overactive bladder syndrome. Consequently, these roles of ATP are of great therapeutic interest and are increasingly being targeted by pharmaceutical companies.

Purinergic transmission in blood vessels

There are nineteen different receptor proteins for adenosine, adenine and uridine nucleotides, and nucleotide sugars, belonging to three families of G protein-coupled adenosine and P2Y receptors, and ionotropic P2X receptors. The majority are functionally expressed in blood vessels, as purinergic receptors in perivascular nerves, smooth muscle and endothelial cells, and roles in regulation of vascular contractility, immune function and growth have been identified. The endogenous ligands for purine receptors, ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP and adenosine, can be released from different cell types within the vasculature, as well as from circulating blood cells, including erythrocytes and platelets. Many purine receptors can be activated by two or more of the endogenous ligands. Further complexity arises because of interconversion between ligands, notably adenosine formation from the metabolism of ATP, leading to complex integrated responses through activation of different subtypes of purine receptors. The enzymes responsible for this conversion, ectonucleotidases, are present on the surface of smooth muscle and endothelial cells, and may be coreleased with neurotransmitters from nerves. What selectivity there is for the actions of purines/pyrimidines comes from differential expression of their receptors within the vasculature. P2X1 receptors mediate the vasocontractile actions of ATP released as a neurotransmitter with noradrenaline (NA) from sympathetic perivascular nerves, and are located on the vascular smooth muscle adjacent to the nerve varicosities, the sites of neurotransmitter release. The relative contribution of ATP and NA as functional cotransmitters varies with species, type and size of blood vessel, neuronal firing pattern, the tone/pressure of the blood vessel, and in ageing and disease. ATP is also a neurotransmitter in non-adrenergic non-cholinergic perivascular nerves and mediates vasorelaxation via smooth muscle P2Y-like receptors. ATP and adenosine can act as neuromodulators, with the most robust evidence being for prejunctional inhibition of neurotransmission via A1 adenosine receptors, but also prejunctional excitation and inhibition of neurotransmission via P2X and P2Y receptors, respectively. P2Y2, P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptors expressed on the vascular smooth muscle are coupled to vasocontraction, and may have a role in pathophysiological conditions, when purines are released from damaged cells, or when there is damage to the protective barrier that is the endothelium. Adenosine is released during hypoxia to increase blood flow via vasodilator A2A and A2B receptors expressed on the endothelium and smooth muscle. ATP is released from endothelial cells during hypoxia and shear stress and can act at P2Y and P2X4 receptors expressed on the endothelium to increase local blood flow. Activation of endothelial purine receptors leads to the release of nitric oxide, hyperpolarising factors and prostacyclin, which inhibits platelet aggregation and thus ensures patent blood flow. Vascular purine receptors also regulate endothelial and smooth muscle growth, and inflammation, and thus are involved in the underlying processes of a number of cardiovascular diseases.

Purinergic signalling in the gastrointestinal tract and related organs in health and disease

Purinergic signalling plays major roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of digestive organs. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), together with nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide, is a cotransmitter in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory neuromuscular transmission. P2X and P2Y receptors are widely expressed in myenteric and submucous enteric plexuses and participate in sympathetic transmission and neuromodulation involved in enteric reflex activities, as well as influencing gastric and intestinal epithelial secretion and vascular activities. Involvement of purinergic signalling has been identified in a variety of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, ischaemia, diabetes and cancer. Purinergic mechanosensory transduction forms the basis of enteric nociception, where ATP released from mucosal epithelial cells by distension activates nociceptive subepithelial primary afferent sensory fibres expressing P2X3 receptors to send messages to the pain centres in the central nervous system via interneurons in the spinal cord. Purinergic signalling is also involved in salivary gland and bile duct secretion.

Purinergic signaling and blood vessels in health and disease

Purinergic signaling plays important roles in control of vascular tone and remodeling. There is dual control of vascular tone by ATP released as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline from perivascular sympathetic nerves to cause vasoconstriction via P2X1 receptors, whereas ATP released from endothelial cells in response to changes in blood flow (producing shear stress) or hypoxia acts on P2X and P2Y receptors on endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, which dilates vessels. ATP is also released from sensory-motor nerves during antidromic reflex activity to produce relaxation of some blood vessels. In this review, we stress the differences in neural and endothelial factors in purinergic control of different blood vessels. The long-term (trophic) actions of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides and nucleotides in promoting migration and proliferation of both vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells via P1 and P2Y receptors during angiogenesis and vessel remodeling during restenosis after angioplasty are described. The pathophysiology of blood vessels and therapeutic potential of purinergic agents in diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia, thrombosis and stroke, diabetes, and migraine, is discussed.

P2X and P2Y nucleotide receptors as targets in cardiovascular disease

Endogenous nucleotides have widespread actions in the cardiovascular system, but it is only recently that the P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes, at which they act, have been identified and subtype-selective agonists and antagonists developed. These advances have greatly increased our understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological functions of P2X and P2Y receptors, but investigation of the clinical usefulness of selective ligands is at an early stage. Nonetheless, the evidence considered in this review demonstrates clearly that various cardiovascular disorders, including vasospasm, hypertension, congestive heart failure and cardiac damage during ischemic episodes, may be viable targets. With further development of novel, selective agonists and antagonists, our understanding will continue to improve and further therapeutic applications are likely to be discovered.

Cotransmission in the autonomic nervous system

After some early hints, cotransmission was proposed in 1976 and then "chemical coding" later established for sympathetic nerves (noradrenaline/norepinephrine, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), and neuropeptide Y), parasympathetic nerves (acetylcholine, ATP, and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)), enteric nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibitory nerves (ATP, nitric oxide, and VIP), and sensory-motor nerves (calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, and ATP). ATP is a primitive signaling molecule that has been retained as a cotransmitter in most, if not all, nerve types in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Neuropeptides coreleased with small molecule neurotransmitters in autonomic nerves do not usually act as cotransmitters but rather as prejunctional neuromodulators or trophic factors. Autonomic cotransmission offers subtle, local variation in physiological control mechanisms, rather than the dominance of inflexible central control mechanisms envisaged earlier. The variety of information imparted by a single neuron then greatly increases the sophistication and complexity of local control mechanisms. Cotransmitter composition shows considerable plasticity in development and aging, in pathophysiological conditions and following trauma or surgery. For example, ATP appears to become a more prominent cotransmitter in inflammatory and stress conditions.

Physiological significance of P2X receptor-mediated vasoconstriction in five different types of arteries in rats

P2X(1) receptors, the major subtype of P2X receptors in the vascular smooth muscle, are essential for α,β-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (α,β-MeATP)-induced vasoconstriction. However, relative physiological significance of P2X(1) receptor-regulated vasoconstriction in the different types of arteries in the rat is not clear as compared with α(1)-adrenoceptor-regulated vasoconstriction. In the present study, we found that vasoconstrictive responses to noncumulative administration of α,β-MeATP in the rat isolated mesenteric arteries were significantly smaller than those to single concentration administration of α,β-MeATP. Therefore, we firstly reported the characteristic of α,β-MeATP-regulated vasoconstrictions in rat tail, internal carotid, pulmonary, mesenteric arteries, and aorta using single concentration administration of α,β-MeATP. The rank order of maximal vasoconstrictions for α,β-MeATP (E (max·α,β-MeATP)) was the same as that of maximal vasoconstrictions for noradrenaline (E (max·NA)) in the internal carotid, pulmonary, mesenteric arteries, and aorta. Moreover, the value of (E (max·α,β-MeATP)/E (max·KCl))/(E (max·NA)/E (max·KCl)) was 0.4 in each of the four arteries, but it was 0.8 in the tail artery. In conclusion, P2X(1) receptor-mediated vasoconstrictions are equally important in rat internal carotid, pulmonary, mesenteric arteries, and aorta, but much greater in the tail artery, suggesting its special role in physiological function.

P2X(7) Receptors in Neurological and Cardiovascular Disorders

P2X receptors are ATP-gated cation channels that mediate fast excitatory transmission in diverse regions of the brain and spinal cord. Several P2X receptor subtypes, including P2X(7), have the unusual property of changing their ion selectivity during prolonged exposure to ATP, which results in a channel pore permeable to molecules as large as 900 daltons. The P2X(7) receptor was originally described in cells of hematopoietic origin, and mediates the influx of Ca(2+) and Na(+) and Ca(2+) and Na(+) ions as well as the release of proinflammatory cytokines. P2X(7) receptors may affect neuronal cell death through their ability to regulate the processing and release of interleukin-1beta, a key mediator in neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and chronic pain. Activation of P2X(7), a key mediator in neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and chronic pain. Activation of P2X(7) receptors provides an inflammatory stimulus, and P2X(7) receptor-deficient mice have substantially attenuated inflammatory responses, including models of neuropathic and chronic inflammatory pain. Moreover, P2X(7) receptor activity, by regulating the release of proinflammatory cytokines, may be involved in the pathophysiology of depression. Apoptotic cell death occurs in a number of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and hypertension, and may be linked to the release of ATP from endothelial cells, P2X(7) receptor activation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and endothelial cell apoptosis. In this context, the P2X(7) receptor may be viewed as a gateway of communication between the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems.

Comparative study of calcium ion dynamics and contractile response in rat middle cerebral and basilar arteries

The objective of this study was to compare intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and contractile responses in isolated rat middle cerebral artery (MCA) with those in basilar artery (BA) employing real-time confocal laser microscopy. KCl elicited transient [Ca(2+)](i) elevation and sustained contraction in both arteries; moreover, nearly equal responses were evident in both arteries. Application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasopressin (VP), and alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha,beta-me ATP) also induced elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) and contraction in both arteries. The maximum response of 5-HT and VP necessary to increase [Ca(2+)](i) and to constrict the MCA was less in comparison to the BA; however, a linear relationship emerged between the maximum response of [Ca(2+)](i) and that of contraction. Additionally, the slope of the correlation regression line of MCA was nearly identical to that of BA. On the other hand, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-induced Ca(2+) release from store sites following contraction of MCA was distinct from that of BA. In MCA, velocity of [Ca(2+)](i) elevation in smooth muscle cells and Ca(2+)-wave propagation along smooth muscle cells induced by 5-HT were slower than those in BA. These observations revealed that different regions of arteries along the same cerebral tissue may display distinct [Ca(2+)](i) response; moreover, this difference may be one reason for the distinct contractile response.

Loss of purinergic vascular regulation in the colon during colitis is associated with upregulation of CD39

Evidence from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and animal models suggests that inflammation alters blood flow to the mucosa, which precipitates mucosal barrier dysfunction. Impaired purinergic sympathetic regulation of submucosal arterioles, the resistance vessels of the splanchnic vasculature, is one of the defects identified during IBD and in mouse models of IBD. We hypothesized that this may be a consequence of upregulated catabolism of ATP during colitis. In vivo and in vitro video microscopy techniques were employed to measure the effects of purinergic agonists and inhibitors of CD39, an enzyme responsible for extracellular ATP catabolism, on the diameter of colonic submucosal arterioles from control mice and mice with dextran sodium sulfate [DSS, 5% (wt/vol)] colitis. Using a luciferase-based ATP assay, we examined the degradation of ATP and utilized real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression and localization of CD39 during colitis. Arterioles from mice with DSS colitis did not constrict in response to ATP (10 microM) but did constrict in the presence of its nonhydrolyzable analog alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1 microM). alpha,beta-Methylene ADP (100 microM), an inhibitor of CD39, restored ATP-induced vasoconstriction in arterioles from mice with DSS-induced colitis. CD39 protein and mRNA expression was markedly increased during colitis. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that, in addition to vascular CD39, F4/80-immunoreactive macrophages accounted for a large proportion of submucosal CD39 staining during colitis. These data implicate upregulation of CD39 in impaired sympathetic regulation of gastrointestinal blood flow during colitis.

Purinergic receptors in the splanchnic circulation

There is considerable evidence that purines are vasoactive molecules involved in the regulation of blood flow. Adenosine is a well known vasodilator that also acts as a modulator of the response to other vasoactive substances. Adenosine exerts its effects by interacting with adenosine receptors. These are metabotropic G-protein coupled receptors and include four subtypes, A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3). Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a co-transmitter in vascular neuroeffector junctions and is known to activate two distinct types of P2 receptors, P2X (ionotropic) and P2Y (metabotropic). ATP can exert either vasoconstrictive or vasorelaxant effects, depending on the P2 receptor subtype involved. Splanchnic vascular beds are of particular interest, as they receive a large fraction of the cardiac output. This review focus on purinergic receptors role in the splanchnic vasomotor control. Here, we give an overview on the distribution and diversity of effects of purinergic receptors in splanchnic vessels. Pre- and post-junctional receptormediated responses are summarized. Attention is also given to the interactions between purinergic receptors and other receptors in the splanchnic circulation.

ATP as a co-transmitter with noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves--function and fate

ATP and noradrenaline are co-stored in synaptic vesicles in sympathetic nerves and when co-released act postjunctionally to evoke contraction of visceral and vascular smooth muscle. In the original purinergic nerve hypothesis it was proposed that ATP would then be sequentially broken down to ADP, AMP and adenosine. Although such breakdown can be measured, it is not clear how the time-scale of breakdown compares with the time-course of the postjunctional actions of ATP. We have investigated the role of ectoATPase in modulating purinergic neurotransmission in the guinea-pig vas deferens using ARL67156 (formerly FPL67516), a recently developed inhibitor of ectoATPase. ARL67156 (1-100 microM) potentiated neurogenic contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Onset of potentiation was rapid and the effect reversed rapidly on washout of the drug. The effect was also frequency dependent, being greater at lower frequencies. The purinergic component of the neurogenic contraction was isolated using the alpha 1 antagonist prazosin (100 nM) and ARL67156 caused a similar potentiation. ARL67156 also potentiated contractions evoked by exogenous ATP (100 microM), but had no effect on those of the stable analogue alpha, beta-methylene ATP (500 nM). In the presence of the P2 purinoceptor antagonist PPADS (100 microM), ARL67156 also had no effect on contractions evoked by noradrenaline (10 microM) or KCI (40 mM). These results are consistent with an inhibitory action of ARL67156 on ectoATPase and suggest that ectoATPase modulates purinergic transmission in the guinea-pig vas deferens. When released from sympathetic nerves, ATP acts at the P2X purinoceptor, a ligand-gated cation channel, to evoke depolarization and contraction. In single acutely dissociated smooth muscle cells of the rat tail artery, studied under voltage-clamp conditions, ATP and its analogues evoke an inward current, with a rank order potency of 2-methylthioATP = ATP > alpha, beta-methylene ATP. This is very different from the order of potency for evoking contraction in whole vessel rings, which is alpha, beta-methylene ATP > > 2-methylthioATP > or = ATP. This discrepancy can be explained by a previously unrecognized attenuation of the action of ATP and 2-methylthioATP, but not alpha, beta-methylene ATP, by ectoATPase in whole tissues.

P2 receptors in cardiovascular regulation and disease

The role of ATP as an extracellular signalling molecule is now well established and evidence is accumulating that ATP and other nucleotides (ADP, UTP and UDP) play important roles in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, acting via P2X (ion channel) and P2Y (G protein-coupled) receptors. In this article we consider the dual role of ATP in regulation of vascular tone, released as a cotransmitter from sympathetic nerves or released in the vascular lumen in response to changes in blood flow and hypoxia. Further, purinergic long-term trophic and inflammatory signalling is described in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration and death in angiogenesis, vascular remodelling, restenosis and atherosclerosis. The effects on haemostasis and cardiac regulation is reviewed. The involvement of ATP in vascular diseases such as thrombosis, hypertension and diabetes will also be discussed, as well as various heart conditions. The purinergic system may be of similar importance as the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems in cardiovascular regulation and pathophysiology. The extracellular nucleotides and their cardiovascular P2 receptors are now entering the phase of clinical development.

Acidic amino acids impart enhanced Ca2+ permeability and flux in two members of the ATP-gated P2X receptor family

P2X receptors are ATP-gated cation channels expressed in nerve, muscle, bone, glands, and the immune system. The seven family members display variable Ca²⁺ permeabilities that are amongst the highest of all ligand-gated channels (Egan and Khakh, 2004). We previously reported that polar residues regulate the Ca²⁺ permeability of the P2X₂ receptor (Migita et al., 2001). Here, we test the hypothesis that the formal charge of acidic amino acids underlies the higher fractional Ca²⁺ currents (Pf%) of the rat and human P2X₁ and P2X₄ subtypes. We used patch-clamp photometry to measure the Pf% of HEK-293 cells transiently expressing a range of wild-type and genetically altered receptors. Lowering the pH of the extracellular solution reduced the higher Pf% of the P2X₁ receptor but had no effect on the lower Pf% of the P2X₂ receptor, suggesting that ionized side chains regulate the Ca²⁺ flux of some family members. Removing the fixed negative charges found at the extracellular ends of the transmembrane domains also reduced the higher Pf% of P2X₁ and P2X₄ receptors, and introducing these charges at homologous positions increased the lower Pf% of the P2X₂ receptor. Taken together, the data suggest that COO⁻ side chains provide an electrostatic force that interacts with Ca²⁺ in the mouth of the pore. Surprisingly, the glutamate residue that is partly responsible for the higher Pf% of the P2X₁ and P2X₄ receptors is conserved in the P2X₃ receptor that has the lowest Pf% of all family members. We found that neutralizing an upstream His⁴⁵ increased Pf% of the P2X₃ channel, suggesting that this positive charge masks the facilitation of Ca²⁺ flux by the neighboring Glu⁴⁶. The data support the hypothesis that formal charges near the extracellular ends of transmembrane domains contribute to the high Ca²⁺ permeability and flux of some P2X receptors.

ATP is the predominant sympathetic neurotransmitter in rat mesenteric arteries at high pressure

Most studies of neurovascular transmission in isolated small mesenteric arteries have used either isometric recording techniques or measured vasoconstriction in vessels with no distending pressure. Here we have used pressure myography to assess the contribution of noradrenaline and ATP to sympathetic neurotransmission in rat second-order mesenteric arteries. In arteries pressurized to 30 or 90 mmHg, activation of sympathetic axons with trains of electrical stimuli (50 pulses, 0.5-10 Hz) evoked frequency-dependent vasoconstrictions that increased in amplitude at higher pressure. In the presence of the P2-receptor antagonist suramin (0.1 mM), the amplitude of vasoconstrictions to trains at 2 and 10 Hz did not differ at 30 and 90 mmHg. In contrast, in the presence of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (0.1 microm) vasoconstrictions at 90 mmHg were larger than those at 30 mmHg. At both pressures, the combination of prazosin and suramin virtually abolished constrictions. The purinergic component of vasoconstriction (prazosin-resistant) was almost abolished by the L-type Ca(2+) channel antagonist nifedipine (1 microm). Increasing pressure from 30 to 90 mmHg decreased the resting membrane potential and increased the amplitude of purinergic excitatory junction potentials. These findings indicate that the contribution of ATP to neurovascular transmission increases when the pressure is raised from 30 to 90 mmHg, which is similar to the pressure second-order mesenteric arteries experience in vivo, and that Ca(2+) influx through L-type Ca(2+) channels is largely responsible for purinergic activation of the vascular smooth muscle.

Physiology and pathophysiology of purinergic neurotransmission

This review is focused on purinergic neurotransmission, i.e., ATP released from nerves as a transmitter or cotransmitter to act as an extracellular signaling molecule on both pre- and postjunctional membranes at neuroeffector junctions and synapses, as well as acting as a trophic factor during development and regeneration. Emphasis is placed on the physiology and pathophysiology of ATP, but extracellular roles of its breakdown product, adenosine, are also considered because of their intimate interactions. The early history of the involvement of ATP in autonomic and skeletal neuromuscular transmission and in activities in the central nervous system and ganglia is reviewed. Brief background information is given about the identification of receptor subtypes for purines and pyrimidines and about ATP storage, release, and ectoenzymatic breakdown. Evidence that ATP is a cotransmitter in most, if not all, peripheral and central neurons is presented, as well as full accounts of neurotransmission and neuromodulation in autonomic and sensory ganglia and in the brain and spinal cord. There is coverage of neuron-glia interactions and of purinergic neuroeffector transmission to nonmuscular cells. To establish the primitive and widespread nature of purinergic neurotransmission, both the ontogeny and phylogeny of purinergic signaling are considered. Finally, the pathophysiology of purinergic neurotransmission in both peripheral and central nervous systems is reviewed, and speculations are made about future developments.

Changes in purinergic signalling in developing and ageing rat tail artery: importance for temperature control

This study aimed to examine the expression and function of P2 receptors of the rat tail and mesenteric arteries during maturation and ageing (4, 6 and 12 weeks, 8 and 24 months). Functional studies and receptor expression by immunohistochemistry revealed a heterogeneous phenotype of P2 receptor subtypes depending on artery age. The purinergic component of nerve-mediated responses in the tail artery was greater in younger animals; similarly responses to ATP and alpha,beta-meATP and the expression of P2X1 receptors decreased with age. Contractile responses to 2-MeSADP decreased with age, and were absent at 8 and 24 months; P2Y1 receptor expression followed this pattern. UTP-induced contractions and P2Y2 receptor expression also decreased with age. The mesenteric artery contracted to UTP, responses at 4 and 6 weeks were larger than at other ages although P2Y2 receptor expression did not significantly differ with age. 2-MeSADP induced relaxation of the mesenteric artery, responses being greatest at 6 weeks and decreased thereafter, which was mimicked by the P2Y1 receptor immunostaining. We speculate that the dramatic changes in expression of P2 receptors in the rat tail artery, compared to the mesenteric artery, during development and ageing are related to the role of the tail artery in temperature regulation.

Disruption of lipid rafts inhibits P2X1 receptor-mediated currents and arterial vasoconstriction

P2X1 receptors for ATP are ligand-gated cation channels expressed on a range of smooth muscle preparations and blood platelets. The receptors appear to be clustered close to sympathetic nerve varicosities and mediate the underlying membrane potential changes and constriction following nerve stimulation in a range of arteries and resistance arterioles. In this study we have used discontinuous sucrose density gradients, Western blot analysis, and cholesterol measurements to show that recombinant and smooth muscle (rat tail artery, vas deferens, and bladder) P2X1 receptors are present in cholesterol-rich lipid rafts and co-localize with the lipid raft markers flotillin-1 and -2. Lipid rafts are specialized lipid membrane microdomains involved in signaling and trafficking. To determine whether lipid raft association was essential for P2X1 receptor channel function we used the cholesterol-depleting agent methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (10 mm for 1 h). This led to a redistribution of the P2X1 receptor throughout the sucrose gradient and reduced P2X1 receptor-mediated (alpha,beta-methylene ATP, 10 microm) currents in HEK293 cells by >90% and contractions of the rat tail artery by approximately 50%. However contractions evoked by potassium chloride (60 mm) were unaffected by methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and the inactive analogue alpha-cyclodextrin had no effect on P2X1 receptor-mediated currents or contractions. P2X1 receptors are subject to ongoing regulation by receptors and kinases, and the present results suggest that lipid rafts are an essential component in the maintenance of these localized signaling domains and play an important role in P2X1 receptor-mediated control of arteries.

Sympathetic co-transmission: the coordinated action of ATP and noradrenaline and their modulation by neuropeptide Y in human vascular neuroeffector junctions

The historical role of noradrenaline as the predominant sympathetic neurotransmitter in vascular neuroeffector junctions has matured to include ATP and the modulator action of neuropeptide Y (NPY). Numerous studies with isolated blood vessels rings demonstrate the presence of key enzymes responsible for the synthesis of ATP, noradrenaline and NPY, their co-storage, and their electrically evoked release from sympathetic perivascular nerve terminals. Functional assays coincide to demonstrate the integral role of these neurochemicals in sympathetic reflexes. In addition, the detection of the diverse receptor populations for ATP, noradrenaline and NPY in blood vessels, either in the smooth muscle, endothelial cells or nerve endings, further contribute to the notion that sympathetic vascular reflexes encompass the orchestrated action of the noradrenaline and ATP, and their modulation by NPY. The future clinical opportunities of sympathetic co-transmission in the control of human cardiovascular diseases will be highlighted.

Non-adrenergic inhibition at prejunctional sites by agmatine of purinergic vasoconstriction in rabbit saphenous artery

We investigated the effects of agmatine, clonidine, xylazine and moxonidine on the purinergic vasoconstriction induced by electrical stimulation in the rabbit isolated saphenous artery without endothelium. Transmural electrical stimulations induced reproducible responses in the arterial preparations, which were abolished by tetrodotoxin at 0.1 microM or pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid tetrasodium salt (PPADS, 30 microM), but were not affected by 1 microM prazosin. Clonidine, xylazine and moxonidine induced transient and concentration-independent vasoconstriction, with threshold concentrations of 1, 3 and 30 microM, respectively. Agmatine, in contrast, did not produce any vascular response even at 1 mM. Lower concentrations of clonidine, xylazine and moxonidine (0.01-0.3 microM) concentration-dependently decreased vasoconstrictor responses to electrical stimulation, whereas agmatine (0.1-1 mM) induced an inhibitory followed by a facilitatory effect on electrically evoked responses. Agmatine, clonidine and moxonidine but not xylazine significantly enhanced the vasoconstriction elicited by 1 mM ATP. The concentration-response curve for NA was shifted to the left slightly by 1 mM agmatine, but not affected by 0.3 microM of other three agonists. Phenoxybenzamine did not affect the vasoconstrictive responses to 1mM ATP and to electrical stimulations, but abolished those to NA. Agmatine at 1mM evoked only an inhibitory effect on electrical stimulation-induced vasoconstriction in the preparation pretreated with phenoxybenzamine, and the inhibitory action was enhanced to 38.6% from the control value (without treatment with phenoxybenzamine) of 22.5%. The non-imidazoline compound xylazine at 0.3 microM lost its inhibitory effect on the neurogenic vasoconstriction in the presence of phenoxybenzamine. In conclusion, agmatine produces a biphasic effect on the purinergic vasoconstriction induced by sympathetic nerve stimulation in the rabbit isolated saphenous artery. The monophasic inhibition of agmatine in the artery treated with phenoxybenzamine is due to an alpha-adrenoceptor-independent mechanism at prejunctional sites, and the potentiation effect of agmatine is mainly dependent on its enhancement of vasoconstriction at postjunctional sites.

Methyllycaconitine, alpha-bungarotoxin and (+)-tubocurarine block fast ATP-gated currents in rat dorsal root ganglion cells

The effects of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists were studied on currents evoked by application of ATP to rat isolated dorsal root ganglion cells, and human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing rat P2X(3) and P2X(2/3) receptors. The rapidly desensitising (within 100 ms) current in dorsal root ganglion cells was inhibited by methyllycaconitine, alpha-bungarotoxin and (+)-tubocurarine (concentrations giving half-maximal inhibition were approximately 40, 60 and 800 nm, respectively), but not by hexamethonium (100 microm) or mecamylamine (100 microm). The sustained (>250 ms) current in dorsal root ganglion cells was inhibited by (+)-tubocurarine (80% by 10 microm), but not by methyllycaconitine (200 nm), alpha-bungarotoxin (200 nm), mecamylamine (100 microm) or hexamethonium (100 microm). Rapidly desensitising currents evoked by alpha,betamethylene-ATP in human embryonic kidney cells expressing P2X(3) receptors were inhibited by methyllycaconitine and alpha-bungarotoxin, at concentrations similar to those effective in dorsal root ganglion cells. The results indicate that some nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists are potent blockers of P2X receptors on neurons, particularly the homo-oligomeric P2X(3) receptor. This finding suggests that these drugs should be used with care to discriminate between P2X and neuronal acetylcholine receptor types.

Cellular Distribution and Functions of P2 Receptor Subtypes in Different Systems

This review is aimed at providing readers with a comprehensive reference article about the distribution and function of P2 receptors in all the organs, tissues, and cells in the body. Each section provides an account of the early history of purinergic signaling in the organ?cell up to 1994, then summarizes subsequent evidence for the presence of P2X and P2Y receptor subtype mRNA and proteins as well as functional data, all fully referenced. A section is included describing the plasticity of expression of P2 receptors during development and aging as well as in various pathophysiological conditions. Finally, there is some discussion of possible future developments in the purinergic signaling field.

Unusual absence of endothelium-dependent or -independent vasodilatation to purines or pyrimidines in the rat renal artery

BACKGROUND

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a cotransmitter with noradrenaline (NA) in sympathetic perivascular nerves. It has a dual role in the maintenance of vascular tone as ATP, released from endothelial cells during shear stress or hypoxia, induces vasodilatation via endothelial P2Y receptors or by direct action on smooth muscle. The role and distribution of P2 receptors is well characterized for many blood vessels but not for the rat renal artery. This study aims to determine whether ATP is a vasoconstrictor cotransmitter with NA and whether ATP induces vasodilatation via the endothelium or smooth muscle.

METHODS

On isolated rat renal arteries, electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the absence and presence of antagonists to P2X receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors was examined. Concentration-response curves were constructed to NA, ATP, alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP), uridine triphosphate (UTP), and 2-methylthio ADP (2-MeSADP) on low tone. Curves to acetylcholine (ACh), 2-MeSADP, and UTP were constructed on raised tone. Immunofluorescent localization of P2X and P2Y receptor subtypes was performed.

RESULTS

Electrical field stimulation induced vasoconstriction, partially inhibited by the P2X receptor antagonist, pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid, and predominantly by prazosin. Exogenous NA and ATP mimicked EFS; immunostaining for P2X1 and P2X2 receptors was expressed on vascular smooth muscle. Unusually, ATP, 2-MeSADP, and UTP failed to induce vasodilatation. Acetylcholine induced vasodilatation. alpha,beta-meATP, 2-MeSADP, and UTP induced vasoconstriction via P2X1, P2Y1, and P2Y2 receptors, respectively. Immunostaining for P2X1, P2Y1, and P2Y2 receptors was expressed on the vascular smooth muscle.

CONCLUSION

Adenosine triphosphate and NA are cotransmitters in sympathetic nerves supplying the rat renal artery, NA being the dominant partner. The novel feature of this vessel is that purines and pyrimidines do not produce either endothelium-dependent or -independent vasodilatation; P2X1, P2Y1, and P2Y2 receptors on the smooth muscle all mediate vasoconstriction.

Purinergic and adrenergic cotransmission in canine isolated and perfused gastroepiploic arteries

1. The vasoconstrictor responses of canine gastroepiploic artery to periarterial electrical nerve stimulation (PNS; 30 s trains of pulses at a frequency of 2, 4 or 8 Hz) were observed in a frequency dependent manner. The PNS-induced vasoconstrictions were abolished by tetrodotoxin (1 micromol/L) and mostly depressed but not completely by guanethidine (10 micromol/L). 2. Vasoconstrictor responses to administered noradrenaline were antagonized significantly by prazosin (0.1 micromol/L), an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, but were not significantly affected by suramin (100 micromol/L), a P2 purinoceptor antagonist, or alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1 micromol/L), a P2X receptor desensitizing agent. Exogenous ATP-induced responses were clearly depressed by suramin or alpha,beta-methylene ATP, but were not significantly affected by prazosin. 3. The vasoconstrictor responses to PNS at a low frequency (2 and 4 Hz) of stimulation were markedly inhibited by suramin (100 micromol/L) and by alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1 micromol/L). The remaining responses after suramin or alpha,beta-methylene ATP were abolished by subsequent application of prazosin (0.1 micromol/L). At a high frequency (8 Hz) of stimulation, the vascular response was not significantly inhibited by suramin or alpha,beta-methylene ATP, but it was abolished by prazosin. 4. Injection of xylazine (0.3-30 nmol/L), an alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, did not induce any clear vasoconstriction. The exposure of tissues to rauwolscine (0.1-0.3 micromol/L), an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, dose-dependently increased PNS-induced vasoconstrictions at all frequencies tested. 5. The present results indicate that ATP acts as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline and is responsible for post-junctional vasoconstrictor responses at low frequencies of sitmulation, whereas the effect of noradrenaline is dominant at high-frequency stimulation in canine gastroepiploic artery. Prejunctional alpha2-adrenoceptor autoinhibition may modulate the release of either noradrenaline or ATP from sympathetic nerve terminals.

P2X(1) receptor-deficient mice establish the native P2X receptor and a P2Y6-like receptor in arteries

The contribution of P2 receptors to vasoconstriction of mouse mesenteric arteries was determined using wild-type (WT) and P2X(1) receptor-deficient (KO) animals. alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP) and ATP evoked transient inward currents and constrictions of WT mesenteric arteries. In contrast, alpha,beta-meATP (100 microM) and ATP (100 microM) failed to evoke responses in KO arteries from a range of vascular beds. Nerve stimulation (100 pulses at 10 Hz) evoked constrictions of mesenteric arteries. For WT arteries, the P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2'-5'-disulfonate (PPADS) (30 microM) reduced the amplitude of response by approximately 50%; the residual constriction was abolished by prazosin (0.1 microM). In KO mice, vasoconstriction induced by nerve stimulation was reduced in amplitude by approximately 50%, unaffected by PPADS, but was abolished by prazosin. ADP (1 mM) (a P2Y(1), P2Y(12), and P2Y(13) receptor agonist) was ineffective. Because ATP had no effect on mesenteric artery tone from KO mice, this rules out the contribution of P2Y(2) receptors. The P2Y(4) receptor agonist ITP also failed to contract mesenteric arteries. However, UTP and UDP evoked sustained contractions of mesenteric arteries with similar potency (EC(50) approximately 10 microM). Complementary studies using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction showed that mesenteric arteries express P2Y(1), P2Y(2), and P2Y(6) receptors. These results demonstrate that homomeric P2X(1) receptors underlie the artery smooth muscle P2X receptor phenotype and contribute approximately 50% to sympathetic neurogenic vasoconstriction and indicate the presence of a UTP- and UDP-sensitive P2Y(6)-like receptor, but not vasoconstrictor P2Y(2) or P2Y(4) receptors, on mouse mesenteric arteries.

Molecular physiology of P2X receptors

P2X receptors are membrane ion channels that open in response to the binding of extracellular ATP. Seven genes in vertebrates encode P2X receptor subunits, which are 40-50% identical in amino acid sequence. Each subunit has two transmembrane domains, separated by an extracellular domain (approximately 280 amino acids). Channels form as multimers of several subunits. Homomeric P2X1, P2X2, P2X3, P2X4, P2X5, and P2X7 channels and heteromeric P2X2/3 and P2X1/5 channels have been most fully characterized following heterologous expression. Some agonists (e.g., alphabeta-methylene ATP) and antagonists [e.g., 2',3'-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-ATP] are strongly selective for receptors containing P2X1 and P2X3 subunits. All P2X receptors are permeable to small monovalent cations; some have significant calcium or anion permeability. In many cells, activation of homomeric P2X7 receptors induces a permeability increase to larger organic cations including some fluorescent dyes and also signals to the cytoskeleton; these changes probably involve additional interacting proteins. P2X receptors are abundantly distributed, and functional responses are seen in neurons, glia, epithelia, endothelia, bone, muscle, and hemopoietic tissues. The molecular composition of native receptors is becoming understood, and some cells express more than one type of P2X receptor. On smooth muscles, P2X receptors respond to ATP released from sympathetic motor nerves (e.g., in ejaculation). On sensory nerves, they are involved in the initiation of afferent signals in several viscera (e.g., bladder, intestine) and play a key role in sensing tissue-damaging and inflammatory stimuli. Paracrine roles for ATP signaling through P2X receptors are likely in neurohypophysis, ducted glands, airway epithelia, kidney, bone, and hemopoietic tissues. In the last case, P2X7 receptor activation stimulates cytokine release by engaging intracellular signaling pathways.

Nerve evoked P2X receptor contractions of rat mesenteric arteries; dependence on vessel size and lack of role of L-type calcium channels and calcium induced calcium release

1. Contractile responses to short trains of nerve stimulation have been characterized in small, medium and large arteries from the rat mesenteric circulation (5th - 6th, 2nd - 3rd and 1st order, respectively). In addition, sources of calcium for smooth muscle contraction have been investigated. 2. Nerve stimulation (10 pulses at 10 Hz) evoked reproducible contractions. The P2 receptor antagonist suramin (100 microM) reduced constrictions by 65.3+/-7.4, 82.7+/-3.3 and 3.1+/-6.1% in small, medium and large arteries respectively. The alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (0.1 microM) reduced responses by 32.6+/-2.6, 27.0+/-1.5 and 97.0+/-1.9% respectively. 3. The L-type calcium channel antagonist nifedipine (1 microM) reduced nerve-evoked contractions by 2.8+/-3.3, 10.0+/-3.7 and 13.5+/-2.7% in small, medium and large arteries respectively. When the adrenergic component of contraction was blocked by prazosin (0.1 microM) nifedipine reduced responses by 4.6+/-7.9, 14.3+/-2.0 and 3.0+/-1.9% respectively. Contractile responses to exogenous alpha,beta-meATP were unaffected by the depletion of calcium stores with cyclopiazonic acid (30 microM). This indicates that mobilization of calcium from internal stores is not required for P2X receptor mediated smooth muscle contraction. We conclude that for neurogenic responses, the P2X receptor mediated component of constriction dominates in small mesenteric arteries (3rd -- 6th order) while in large arteries (1st order) noradrenaline mediates contraction. For P2X receptor mediated responses all the calcium required for smooth muscle contraction enters the cell directly through P2X receptor channels.

Heterogeneous control of blood flow amongst different vascular beds

The control and maintenance of vascular tone is due to a balance between vasoconstrictor and vasodilator pathways. Vasomotor responses to neural, metabolic and physical factors vary between vessels in different vascular beds, as well as along the same bed, particularly as vessels become smaller. These differences result from variation in the composition of neurotransmitters released by perivascular nerves, variation in the array and activation of receptor subtypes expressed in different vascular beds and variation in the signal transduction pathways activated in either the vascular smooth muscle or endothelial cells. As the study of vasomotor responses often requires pre-existing tone, some of the reported heterogeneity in the relative contributions of different vasodilator mechanisms may be compounded by different experimental conditions. Biochemical variations, such as the expression of ion channels, connexin subtypes and other important components of second messenger cascades, have been documented in the smooth muscle and endothelial cells in different parts of the body. Anatomical variations, in the presence and prevalence of gap junctions between smooth muscle cells, between endothelial cells and at myoendothelial gap junctions, between the two cell layers, have also been described. These factors will contribute further to the heterogeneity in local and conducted responses.

Comparison of P2X receptors in rat mesenteric, basilar and septal (coronary) arteries

alpha beta meATP-evoked concentration-dependent, PPADS-sensitive, desensitising, P2X receptor-mediated, constrictions of mesenteric, basilar and septal artery rings with EC(50) values of 1, 1 and 30 microM, respectively. In patch clamp studies on acutely dissociated artery smooth cells alpha beta meATP-evoked transient inward currents (tau approximately 100 ms) with mean current densities of approximately 340, 175 and 120 pA/pF, respectively. P2X(1) receptor immunoreactivity was expressed in mesenteric and basilar arteries and this receptor subunit appears to dominate the P2X receptor phenotype in these vessels. In contrast P2X(1) receptor immunoreactivity was not detected in septal arteries and the alpha beta meATP sensitivity of constriction was not consistent with the involvement of P2X(1) receptors. These results suggest that not all arteries share a common P2X receptor phenotype.

Electrophysiology of autonomic neuromuscular transmission involving ATP

Electrophysiological investigations of autonomic neuromuscular transmission have provided great insights into the role of ATP as a neurotransmitter. Burnstock and Holman made the first recordings of excitatory junction potentials (e.j.p.s) produced by sympathetic nerves innervating the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig vas deferens. This led to the identification of ATP as the mediator of e.j.p.s in this tissue, where ATP acts as a cotransmitter with noradrenaline. The e.j.p.s are mediated solely by ATP acting on P2X(1) receptors leading to action potentials and a rapid phasic contraction, whilst noradrenaline mediates a slower, tonic contraction which is not dependent on membrane depolarisation. Subsequent electrophysiological studies of the autonomic innervation of smooth muscles of the urogenital, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems have revealed a similar pattern of response, where ATP mediates a fast electrical and mechanical response, whilst another transmitter such as noradrenaline, acetylcholine, nitric oxide or a peptide mediates a slower response. The modulation of junction potentials by a variety of pre-junctional receptors and the mechanism of inactivation of ATP as a neurotransmitter will also be described.

Sympathoinhibition by adenosine A(1) receptors, but not P2 receptors, in the hamster mesenteric arterial bed

The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are prejunctional inhibitory P2 purine receptors on sympathetic nerves in the hamster isolated perfused mesenteric arterial bed. Adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate (ATPgammaS; 10 microM), adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADPbetaS; 100 microM) and AMP (10 microM) had no significant effect on neurogenic contractions to electrical field stimulation. In contrast, P1 receptor agonists attenuated sympathetic vasoconstriction with a potency order of N(6)5'-(Nadenosine. The pEC(50) value for CPA was 7.5+/-0.1 (n=7). The concentration-inhibitory effect curve to CPA was shifted to the right by the adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropyl-xanthine (DPCPX; 10 nM; apparent pK(B) 9.6; n=6-7). In methoxamine raised-tone mesenteries CPA (0.001-10 microM) did not elicit vasorelaxation, and NECA and adenosine were only weak vasorelaxants. These results indicate that adenosine A(1) receptors, but not P2 receptors, inhibit prejunctionally sympathetic neurotransmission in the hamster mesenteric arterial bed.

Perivascular purinergic nerve-induced vasoconstrictions in canine isolated splenic arteries

We tried to induce selective perivascular purinergic nerve stimulation in isolated canine splenic arterial preparations, using the cannula insertion method. Under the conditions of periarterial electrical stimulation (ES), i.e., trains of 1, 3 and 10 pulses, 1-ms pulse duration and 10-V amplitude at 1 Hz, monophasic vasoconstriction was consistently induced. The ES-induced vasoconstriction was not influenced by prazosin in doses that completely inhibited noradrenaline-induced vasoconstrictions, but it was suppressed by alpha,beta-methylene ATP, a P2X purinoceptor desensitizer. Thus, it is indicated that a selective purinergic transmitter release is readily obtained in the isolated splenic arterial preparation.

Pharmacological analysis of vasoconstrictor responses to periarterial purinergic nerve stimulation

1. Periarterial electrical nerve stimulation at a low frequency (1 Hz) readily induced a vasoconstrictor response of the canine splenic artery in a pulse number-related manner (1-30 pulses of trains). The vasoconstrictor response to trains of up to 10 pulses at 1 Hz of stimulation appeared to be monophasic, whereas it became clearly distinguished into two phases at a longer train of 30 pulses. 2. The monophasic vasoconstrictor responses to trains of 1, 3 or 10 pulses were not modified by an alpha1-adrenoceptor blocking agent, prazosin (0.1 microM), but were completely inhibited by the P2X receptor desensitization with alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha,beta-methylene ATP; 1 microM). The 1st phase of vasoconstriction induced by a train length of 30 pulses was not influenced by the treatment with prazosin, but was abolished by alpha,beta-methylene ATP. The 2nd phase response was markedly inhibited by prazosin, and the remaining response of this phase was blocked by alpha,beta-methylene ATP. 3. Rauwolscine (0.3 microM), an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, enhanced the vasoconstrictor responses to trains of 1, 3 or 10 pulses. Particularly at 10 pulses of electrical stimulation, the vasoconstrictor responses were significantly potentiated. The blockade of neuronal uptake of noradrenaline with imipramine (1 microM) did not affect the vasoconstrictor responses to trains of 1, 3 or 10 pulses. 4. It is concluded that short pulse trains of stimulation at a low frequency may selectively activate a purinergic component of sympathetic cotransmission, and the prejunctional alpha2-adrenergic feedback mechanism may tonically participate into the modulation of ATP release. Imipramine-sensitive neuronal uptake mechanism may not play an important role in regulating vascular responses to periarterial purinergic nerve stimulation.

ATP released from perivascular nerves hyperpolarizes smooth muscle cells by releasing an endothelium-derived factor in hamster mesenteric arteries

1. The interaction between perivascular nerves and endothelium was investigated by measuring the changes in smooth muscle membrane potentials using intracellular microelectrode techniques in hamster mesenteric thin (100-150 microm) and thick (300-350 microm) arteries. 2. In both arteries, nerve stimulation evoked excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) which were strongly inhibited by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulphonic acid (PPADS) (0.5-5 microM). This result indicated that the EJPs were induced by the activation of P2X receptors. 3. Transient hyperpolarizations were evoked by trains of pulses at 20 Hz in PPADS (5 microM)-pre-treated thin arteries, but not in the thick arteries. ATP (100 microM) applied to adventitial surfaces mimicked the hyperpolarizations. Both the ATP- and nerve stimulation-induced hyperpolarizations were blocked by cibacron blue F3GA (2-100 microM) and were also abolished after endothelium removal, indicating that the neurally released ATP evoked transient hyperpolarization through the activation of P2Y receptors located on the endothelium. 4. In endothelium-intact preparations, intimal application of uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP 100 microM), a P2Y2-like receptor agonist, but not 2-methylthio ATP (7 microM), hyperpolarized the smooth muscle. The UTP-induced hyperpolarization was significantly inhibited by cibacron blue F3GA and was abolished after endothelium removal. 5. These results suggest that ATP released from the perivascular nerves may reach the endothelium and activate P2Y2-like receptors to induce the release of an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in thin arteries.

Adrenergic-purinergic interactions on vasoconstrictor responses to periarterial electric nerve stimulation in canine splenic arteries

1. Periarterial nerve electrical stimulation caused a double peaked vasoconstriction in isolated perfused canine splenic arterial preparations. At low frequencies (1-3 Hz), the 1st peak responses were significantly inhibited by alpha,beta-methylene ATP. On the other hand, at high frequencies (8-10 Hz), the responses were not completely inhibited by alpha,beta-methylene ATP but the remaining response was abolished by an additional treatment of prazosin. 2. Concerning the 2nd peak responses, at low frequencies (1-3 Hz), the response was mostly suppressed by alpha,beta-methylene ATP, but at high frequencies (6-10 Hz), the response was not significantly modified by it, although the remaining responses were completely blocked by prazosin. Thus, at high frequencies an adrenergic and purinergic interaction may exist presynaptically, to prevent the inhibition by alpha,beta-methylene ATP. 3. At 1 Hz, rauwolscine, an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, caused a potentiation of electrical stimulation-induced responses (both 1st and 2nd peaked responses) which were inhibited by prazosin, and the remaining ones were abolished by alpha,beta-methylene ATP. On the other hand, at 10 Hz, rauwolscine did not cause any potentiation of the double peaked responses. 4. The biphasic responses at 1 Hz were strongly inhibited by exogenously applied ATP, and its inhibition was reversed in part by a P1 receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT). On the other hand, the biphasic vasoconstrictions at 10 Hz were only slightly depressed by ATP, and a subsequent administration of 8-PT produced a partial recovery of the 1st phase response but not that of the 2nd one. 5. From these results, it is concluded that (1) at low frequencies the double peaked responses are mostly mediated via P2X receptor, presynaptic P1 receptors may also modulate the release of ATP, and presynaptic alpha2-adrenergic mechanism may tonically participate in the release of noradrenaline (2) at high frequencies the responses are mostly mediated via alpha1-adrenoceptors and presynaptic P2 receptors may exert its action to inhibit the release of noradrenaline from adrenergic nerve terminals.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate and neuropeptide Y are co-transmitters in conjunction with noradrenaline in the human saphenous vein

1. Human saphenous veins were used to assess the cooperative participation of adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and noradrenaline (NA) in the vasomotor responses elicited following electrical depolarization of the perivascular nerve terminals. Rings from recently dissected human biopsies were mounted to record isometric muscular contractions; the motor activity elicited in the circular muscle layer following electrical depolarization (2.5-20 Hz, 50 V, 0.5 msec) were recorded. 2. Incubation of the biopsies with either 100 nM tetrodotoxin (TTX) or 1 microM guanethidine abolished the vasomotor response elicited by electrical nerve depolarization. The independent application of either ATP or NA to vein rings induced concentration-dependent contractions. 3. Tissue incubation with 30 microM suramin or 10 nM prazosin produced 10 fold rightward displacements of the alpha,beta-methylene ATP and NA concentration-response curves respectively. NPY contracted a limited number of biopsies, the vasoconstriction elicited was completely blocked by 1 microM BIBP 3226. A 5 min incubation of the biopsies with 10-100 nM NPY synergized, in a concentration-dependent fashion, both the ATP and the ATP analogue-induced contractions. Likewise, tissue preincubation with 10 nM NPY potentiated the vasomotor responses evoked with 20-60 nM NA. 4. Neither suramin, BIBP 3226, nor prazosin was individually able to significantly modify the derived frequency-tension curves. In contrast, the co-application of 30 microM suramin and 10 nM prazosin or 30 microM suramin and 1 microM BIBP 3226, elicited a significant (P<0.01) downward displacement of the respective frequency-tension curves. 5. The simultaneous application of the three antagonists-30 microM suramin, 1 microM BIBP 3226 and 10 nM prazosin-caused a significantly greater displacement of the frequency-tension curve than that achieved in experiments using two of these antagonists. 6. Electrically-evoked vasomotor activity is blocked to a larger extent by tissue incubation with 2.5 microM chloroethylclonidine and 30 microM suramin rather than with 10 nM 5 methyl urapidil and 30 microM suramin. As a result, the alpha1-adrenoceptor involved in the vasomotor activity has tentatively been associated with the alpha1B adrenoceptor family subtype. 7. Results support the physiological role of ATP in sympathetic neurotransmission. The present results are consistent with the working hypothesis that human sympathetic vasomotor reflexes involve the coordinated motor action of ATP, NPY, and NA acting on vascular smooth muscle cells. The present results support the concept of sympathetic co-transmission in the human saphenous vein.

Physiological features of visceral smooth muscle cells, with special reference to receptors and ion channels

Visceral smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play an essential role, through changes in their contraction-relaxation cycle, in the maintenance of homeostasis in biological systems. The features of these cells differ markedly by tissue and by species; moreover, there are often regional differences within a given tissue. The biophysical features used to investigate ion channels in VSMC have progressed from the original extracellular recording methods (large electrode, single or double sucrose gap methods), to the intracellular (microelectrode) recording method, and then to methods for recording from membrane fractions (patch-clamp, including cell-attached patch-clamp, methods). Remarkable advances are now being made thanks to the application of these more modern biophysical procedures and to the development of techniques in molecular biology. Even so, we still have much to learn about the physiological features of these channels and about their contribution to the activity of both cell and tissue. In this review, we take a detailed look at ion channels in VSMC and at receptor-operated ion channels in particular; we look at their interaction with the contraction-relaxation cycle in individual VSMC and especially at the way in which their activity is related to Ca2+ movements and Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell. In sections II and III, we discuss research findings mainly derived from the use of the microelectrode, although we also introduce work done using the patch-clamp procedure. These sections cover work on the electrical activity of VSMC membranes (sect. II) and on neuromuscular transmission (sect. III). In sections IV and V, we discuss work done, using the patch-clamp procedure, on individual ion channels (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Cl-; sect. IV) and on various types of receptor-operated ion channels (with or without coupled GTP-binding proteins and voltage dependent and independent; sect. V). In sect. VI, we look at work done on the role of Ca2+ in VSMC using the patch-clamp procedure, biochemical procedures, measurements of Ca2+ transients, and Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins of VSMC. We discuss the way in which Ca2+ mobilization occurs after membrane activation (Ca2+ influx and efflux through the surface membrane, Ca2+ release from and uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dynamic changes in Ca2+ within the cytosol). In this article, we make only limited reference to vascular smooth muscle research, since we reviewed the features of ion channels in vascular tissues only recently.