Angiotensin II induces phosphatidic acid formation in neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts: evaluation of the roles of phospholipases C and D

Preventing the Increase in Lysophosphatidic Acids: A New Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Hypertension?

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of premature death and disability in humans that are closely related to lipid metabolism and signaling. This study aimed to assess whether circulating lysophospholipids (LPL), lysophosphatidic acids (LPA) and monoacylglycerols (MAG) may be considered as potential therapeutic targets in CVD. For this objective, plasma levels of 22 compounds (13 LPL, 6 LPA and 3 MAG) were monitored by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS²) in different rat models of CVD, i.e., angiotensin-II-induced hypertension (HTN), ischemic chronic heart failure (CHF) and sugen/hypoxia(SuHx)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). On one hand, there were modest changes on the monitored compounds in HTN (LPA 16:0, 18:1 and 20:4, LPC 16:1) and CHF (LPA 16:0, LPC 18:1 and LPE 16:0 and 18:0) models compared to control rats but these changes were no longer significant after multiple testing corrections. On the other hand, PH was associated with important changes in plasma LPA with a significant increase in LPA 16:0, 18:1, 18:2, 20:4 and 22:6 species. A deleterious impact of LPA was confirmed on cultured human pulmonary smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs) with an increase in their proliferation. Finally, plasma level of LPA(16:0) was positively associated with the increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure in patients with cardiac dysfunction. This study demonstrates that circulating LPA may contribute to the pathophysiology of PH. Additional experiments are needed to assess whether the modulation of LPA signaling in PH may be of interest.

Ang II-stimulated superoxide production is mediated via phospholipase D in human vascular smooth muscle cells

Intracellular signaling events that mediate the long-term effects of Ang II in vascular smooth muscle cells are unclear, but oxidative stress may play an important role. This study examined the ability of Ang II to generate reactive oxygen species and investigated the putative role of phospholipase D (PLD)-dependent signaling pathways for its production in human vascular smooth muscle cells. In addition, we assessed whether redox-sensitive pathways influence Ang II-stimulated cell growth. Primary and low-passage cells (passages 1 to 4) derived from resistance arteries of subcutaneous gluteal biopsies from healthy subjects were studied. Oxidative stress was measured with the fluorescent probe 5-(and 6)-chloromethyl-2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (CM-H(2)DCFDA) (8 micromol/L), and the role of PLD was assessed with the PLD inhibitor D-erythro-sphingosine, dihydro (sphinganine) (10 micromol/L). To determine whether NADH/NADPH oxidase contributes to production of reactive oxygen species, Ang II-stimulated cells were pretreated with the specific flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodinium (DPI) (10 micromol/L). DNA and protein synthesis were determined by [(3)H]thymidine and [(3)H]leucine incorporation, respectively. Ang II increased CM-H(2)DCFDA fluorescence, and this was inhibited by catalase (350 U/mL), indicating that the fluorescence signal was derived predominantly from H(2)O(2). Ang II dose-dependently increased H(2)O(2) production (E(max)=57.6+/-1.7 nmol/L, pD(2)=7.7+/-0.06) and PLD activation (E(max)=207+/-3.3% of control, pD(2)=7.7+/-0.5). H(2)O(2) effects were evident within 1 hour, and maximal PLD activation occurred within 40 minutes after stimulation. DPI inhibited (P<0.01) Ang II-stimulated responses. PLD inhibition significantly attenuated (P<0.05) Ang II-elicited H(2)O(2) production (E(max)=29+/-5 nmol/L). DPI and sphinganine inhibited Ang II-induced DNA and protein synthesis. These data indicate that in vascular smooth muscle cells from human peripheral resistance arteries, Ang II increases H(2)O(2) generation via PLD-dependent, NADH/NADPH oxidase-sensitive pathways. These cascades may function as second messengers in long-term Ang II-mediated growth-signaling events.

Endothelin-1 activates phospholipases and channels at similar concentrations in porcine coronary arteries

Sensitivity of endothelin-1 (ET-1)-ion channel interactions has been proposed to exceed that of ET-1-phospholipase activation in vascular smooth muscle. We wanted to determine whether short-circuiting ion channels with staphylococcal alpha-toxin pores would shift the ET-1-force relation to the right as predicted from the above proposal. Medium size porcine coronary arteries (outer diameter 0.7-1.5 mm) were mounted on isometric force transducers. ET-1 concentration response curves were compared between intact rings and those subjected to alpha-toxin treatment with Ca buffered at 0.1 microM. The EC50 for treated rings (1.5 +/- 1.0 nM, n = 5 pigs) was similar to that for intact rings (1.9 +/- 0.4 nM). The Ca sensitivity of the alpha-toxin-treated rings (EC50 = 0.43 +/- 0.08 microM) was similar to that reported by other laboratories for intact and alpha-toxin-treated arteries and was shifted eightfold to the left by a high concentration of ET-1 (10 nM). Measurements of [32P]phosphatidic acid ([32P]PA) levels were used to evaluate phospholipase activity in intact arteries. The time courses for [32P]PA production and contraction were similar in response to high (100 nM) and to low (1 nM) ET-1. Significant increases in both steady-state contraction and [32P]PA occurred over a wide range of ET-1 concentrations tested (0.3-100 nM). Our findings support the concept that ET-1-phospholipase coupling is operative over the whole concentration range that induces contractile responses. It is suggested that both Ca entry and Ca sensitization processes are activated by ET-1 at low concentrations (<EC50) and that both processes contribute significantly to the integrated response.

High-resolution separation and quantification of neutral lipid and phospholipid species in mammalian cells and sera by multi-one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography

An improvement of current methods is needed for simple, rapid, and precise quantification of cellular lipids, including rare species of biologically active cellular lipids, such as phosphatidic acid (PA) and diradylglycerol (DG). In addition, further analysis of hydrolyzed acyl chains from these species by methods such as gas chromatography requires complete separations. Methods have been developed for the quantification of neutral lipids and several phospholipids extracted from mammalian cells and sera. Lipid masses were determined for the major classes of the neutral, nonpolar lipids, and of the phospholipids. The lipid classes were separated by a multistep thin-layer chromatography (TLC) procedure in different solvent systems, a method which we have designated as multi-one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (MOD-TLC). Resolved lipid bands were visualized by the lipophilic dye primulin (direct yellow 59) and scanned by an automated laser-fluorescence detector. The mass of each band was determined by comparing band intensities of unknown samples to dilution curves of authentic standards. With modifications in solvent mixtures and length of separation times, the majority of biological lipids could be resolved and quantified with MOD-TLC methods. Since the detection method is nondestructive, purified lipids could then be recovered by scraping the visualized bands and extracting the lipids from the silica. The structural identities of the recovered lipids were confirmed by fast-atom bombardment and electrospray mass spectrometry. Extracted lipids were also hydrolyzed to release acyl chains and acyl chain species were determined in comparison to authentic standards by gas chromatography. PA and DG levels in ECV.304 cells were found to be 4. 6 and 3.3%, respectively, of PC levels, with a PA/DG ratio of 1.4, which is in accord with published experience using other methods and different cell types. PA in human serum was detected at 0.6% of PC, indicating the sensitivity of the technique. In contrast to two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography, which allows for good resolution of some lipid species, but cannot be used to analyze more than a single experimental point per plate, MOD-TLC allows for direct comparative analysis of multiple samples on a single TLC plate, while still providing good resolution for the quantification of most major classes of lipid species.

High density lipoproteins stimulate mitogen-activated protein kinases in human skin fibroblasts

Protein kinase C (PKC) seems to play an important role in many of HDL effects on cells, including removal of excess cholesterol. HDL removes cholesterol by at least two mechanisms. One mechanism involves desorption/diffusion of cholesterol from the plasma membrane onto the acceptor particle, whereas the second is mediated by apolipoproteins and may involve intracellular translocation of cholesterol to the plasma membrane for subsequent efflux. In this report, we examined the possibility that mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is one of the downstream events from HDL activation of PKC. Using a gel kinase assay with myelin basic protein incorporated into the gel, HDL (50 micrograms protein/mL) stimulated multiple kinases of 42, 50, 52, 58, and 60 kDa. The 42-kDa protein kinase, corresponding to the unresolved MAP kinases ERK1 and ERK2 based on immunoblotting, was activated over 2-fold by HDL. HDL activated all identified kinases in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, which became maximal within 5 to 10 minutes and remained activated for at least 60 minutes. HDL activation of MAP kinase seems to be partially mediated by PKC, because down-regulation of PKC and known PKC inhibitors inhibited the HDL effect by 40 to 50%. Free apolipoproteins A-I (10 micrograms/mL) and A-II (10 micrograms/mL) had no significant effect on MAP kinase activation. Moreover, modifying HDL with trypsin or tetranitromethane, which abolishes apolipoprotein-mediated cholesterol efflux, had no effect on HDL activation of MAP kinase. These results suggest that HDL activates MAP kinase via multiple signal transduction pathways that are likely involved in an HDL effect unrelated to apolipoprotein-mediated cholesterol translocation and efflux.

Induction of cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity by phosphatidic acid and diglycerides in permeabilized human neutrophils: interrelationship between phospholipases D and A2

Relationships between phospholipases are poorly understood, but phosphatidic acid (PA) and diglycerides (DGs), produced by phospholipase D (PLD) and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase actions, might function as second messengers coupling cell stimulation to cellular responses. This study investigates the role of PLD-mediated PA and DG formation in inducing phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in intact human neutrophils (PMNs) and in PMNs permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. PMNs were labelled with [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) to assess AA release and metabolism and diacylglycerol formation, or with [3H]1-O-hexadecyl-2-lyso-glycerophosphatidylcholine for the determination of platelet-activating factor (PAF), PA and alkylacylglycerol production. In intact PMNs primed with tumour necrosis factor alpha before stimulation with N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, AA release and metabolism and PAF formation increased in parallel with enhanced PA and DG formation, and inhibition of PA and DG production led to a decrease in both AA release and PAF accumulation. In alpha-toxin-permeabilized PMNs, AA release and PAF production result from the specific activation of cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2). In this system, PA and DG formation were always present when cPLA2 activation occurred; blocking PA and DG production inhibited AA release and PAF accumulation. Adding either PA or DG back to permeabilized cells (with endogenous PA and DG formation blocked) led to a partial restoration of AA release and PAF formation; a combination of PA and DGs reconstituted full cPLA2 activity. These results strongly suggest that products of PLD participate in activating cPLA2 in PMNs.

Stimulation of protein synthesis by phosphatidic acid in rat cardiomyocytes

Phosphatidic acid (PA) was observed to stimulate protein synthesis in adult cardiomyocytes in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The maximal stimulation in protein synthesis (142 +/- 12% vs 100% as the control) was achieved at 10 microM PA within 60 min and was inhibited by actinomycin D (107 +/- 4% of the control) or cycloheximide (105 +/- 6% of the control). The increase in protein synthesis due to PA was attenuated or abolished by preincubation of cardiomyocytes with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (94 +/- 9% of the control), phospholipase C inhibitors 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl N,N-diphenyl carbamate or carbon-odithioic acid O-(octahydro-4,7-methanol-1H-inden-5-yl (101 +/- 6 and 95 +/- 5% of the control, respectively), protein kinase C inhibitors staurosporine or polymyxin B (109 +/- 3 and 93 +/- 3% of the control), and chelators of extracellular and intracellular free Ca2+ EGTA or BAPTA/AM (103 +/- 6 and 95 +/- 6% of the control, respectively). PA at different concentrations (0.1 to 100 microM) also caused phosphorylation of a cell surface protein of approximately 24 kDa. In addition, mitogen-activated protein kinase was stimulated by PA in a concentration-dependent manner; maximal stimulation (217 +/- 6% of the control) was seen at 10 microM PA. These data suggest that PA increases protein synthesis in adult rat cardiomyocytes and thus may play an important role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Phospholipase D is involved in cytosolic phospholipase A2-dependent selective release of arachidonic acid by fMLP-stimulated rat neutrophils

When rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were treated with N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), the release of arachidonic acid in preference to other fatty acids was observed. Levels of arachidonic acid reached a plateau within 5 min, and were accompanied by an approximately 4-fold increase in in vitro phospholipase (PL) A2 and PLD activities in PMN lysates. Treatment of PMN with ethanol (an inhibitor of PLD-mediated phosphatidic acid formation), propranolol (a phosphatidic acid phosphatase inhibitor), or 4-bromophenacylbromide (a PLA2 inhibitor), each suppressed fMLP-stimulated arachidonate release. Treatment with RHC-80267 (a diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor), however, had no such effect. The cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) inhibitor, arachidonoyl trifluoromethyl ketone, suppressed PLA2 activity in PMN homogenates and arachidonate release by fMLP-treated PMN. These results suggest that fMLP-elicited arachidonate release is mediated by cPLA2 but not diacylglycerol lipase, and that the activation of cPLA2 is downstream of the PLD-dependent signaling pathway.

Angiotensin II signalling pathways in cardiac fibroblasts: conventional versus novel mechanisms in mediating cardiac growth and function

Angiotensin II has been demonstrated to be involved in the regulation of cellular growth of several tissues in response to developmental, physiological, and pathophysiological processes. Angiotensin II has been implicated in the developmental growth of the left ventricle in the neonate and remodeling of the heart following chronic hypertension and myocardial infarction. The inhibition of DNA synthesis and collagen deposition in myocardial interstitium following myocardial infarction by angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, suggests that angiotensin II mediates interstitial and perivascular fibrobrosis by preventing fibroblast proliferation. In the past, little attention was focused on the identity and functional roles of cardiac fibroblasts. Recent in vitro studies utilizing cultured cardiac fibroblasts demonstrate that angiotensin II, acting via the AT1 receptor, initiates intracellular signalling pathways in common with those of peptide growth factors. Below, we describe growth-related aspects of cardiac fibroblasts with respect to angiotensin II receptors, conventional and novel signal transduction systems, secretion of extracellular matrix proteins and growth factors, and localization of renin-angiotensin system components.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in cardiac tissues

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has recently emerged as a prominent role player in intracellular signalling in the ventricular myocyte with attention being focussed on its possible role in the development of ventricular hypertrophy. It is becoming clear that MAPK is also active in other cells of cardiac origin such as cardiac fibroblasts and possible functions of this signalling pathway in the heart have yet to be explored. In this report the mammalian MAPK pathway is briefly outlined, before reviewing current knowledge of the MAPK pathway in cardiac tissue (ventricular myocytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and cardiac fibroblasts). New data is also presented on the presence and activity of MAPK in two additional cardiac celltypes namely atrial myocytes and vascular endothelial cells from the coronary microcirculation.

Cardiac effects of AII. AT1A receptor signaling, desensitization, and internalization

Angiotensin II receptors present in cardiomyocytes, nonmyocytes (predominantly fibroblasts), nerve terminals, and the heart vasculature mediate the multiple actions of angiotensin II (AII) in the heart, including modulation of normal and pathophysiological cardiac growth. Although the cellular processes that couple AII receptors (principally the AT1 subtype) to effector responses are not completely understood, recent studies have identified an array of signal transduction pathways activated by AII in cardiac cells. These include: the stimulation of phospholipase C which results in the activation of protein kinase C and the release of calcium from intracellular stores; an enhancement of phosphaditic acid formation; the coupling to soluble tyrosine kinase phosphorylation events; the initiation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade; and the induction of the STAT (Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription) signaling pathway. It is tempting to speculate that these latter responses, which have been previously associated with growth factor signaling pathways, are involved in AII-induced cardiac growth. Interestingly, some of these novel pathways are apparently not under the same strict control imposed upon the more classical signaling pathways. Thus, while AII-induced calcium transients are rapidly (within minutes) desensitized following exposure to AII, the MAP kinase pathway is not, and activation of the STAT pathway requires hours of agonist exposure for maximal induction. These observations support an emerging picture in which the downstream signal transduction pathways of AII receptors are initiated and terminated with a distinct temporal arrangement. This organization allows appropriate rapid responses (e.g. vascular contraction) to transient AII exposure, some of which are rapidly terminated, perhaps for protective reasons, and others not. In contrast, additional responses (e.g. growth) probably require prolonged exposure to agonist.