Angiotensin II increases cytosolic calcium and stimulates catecholamine release in cultured bovine adrenomedullary cells

Stress and the "extended" autonomic system

This review updates three key concepts of autonomic neuroscience-stress, the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and homeostasis. Hans Selye popularized stress as a scientific idea. He defined stress variously as a stereotyped response pattern, a state that evokes this pattern, or a stimulus that evokes the state. According to the "homeostat" theory stress is a condition where a comparator senses a discrepancy between sensed afferent input and a response algorithm, the integrated error signal eliciting specific patterns of altered effector outflows. Scientific advances since Langley's definition of the ANS have incited the proposal here of the "extended autonomic system," or EAS, for three reasons. (1) Several neuroendocrine systems are bound inextricably to Langley's ANS. The first to be described, by Cannon in the early 1900s, involves the hormone adrenaline, the main effector chemical of the sympathetic adrenergic system. Other neuroendocrine systems are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system, the arginine vasopressin system, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. (2) An evolving body of research links the ANS complexly with inflammatory/immune systems, including vagal anti-inflammatory and catecholamine-related inflammasomal components. (3) A hierarchical network of brain centers (the central autonomic network, CAN) regulates ANS outflows. Embedded within the CAN is the central stress system conceptualized by Chrousos and Gold. According to the allostasis concept, homeostatic input-output curves can be altered in an anticipatory, feed-forward manner; and prolonged or inappropriate allostatic adjustments increase wear-and-tear (allostatic load), resulting in chronic, stress-related, multi-system disorders. This review concludes with sections on clinical and therapeutic implications of the updated concepts offered here.

The extended autonomic system, dyshomeostasis, and COVID-19

The pandemic viral illness COVID-19 is especially life-threatening in the elderly and in those with any of a variety of chronic medical conditions. This essay explores the possibility that the heightened risk may involve activation of the "extended autonomic system" (EAS). Traditionally, the autonomic nervous system has been viewed as consisting of the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. Over the past century, however, neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems have come to the fore, justifying expansion of the meaning of "autonomic." Additional facets include the sympathetic adrenergic system, for which adrenaline is the key effector; the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis; arginine vasopressin (synonymous with anti-diuretic hormone); the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, with angiotensin II and aldosterone the main effectors; and cholinergic anti-inflammatory and sympathetic inflammasomal pathways. A hierarchical brain network-the "central autonomic network"-regulates these systems; embedded within it are components of the Chrousos/Gold "stress system." Acute, coordinated alterations in homeostatic settings (allostasis) can be crucial for surviving stressors such as traumatic hemorrhage, asphyxiation, and sepsis, which throughout human evolution have threatened homeostasis; however, intense or long-term EAS activation may cause harm. While required for appropriate responses in emergencies, EAS activation in the setting of chronically decreased homeostatic efficiencies (dyshomeostasis) may reduce thresholds for induction of destabilizing, lethal vicious cycles. Testable hypotheses derived from these concepts are that biomarkers of EAS activation correlate with clinical and pathophysiologic data and predict outcome in COVID-19 and that treatments targeting specific abnormalities identified in individual patients may be beneficial.

Concepts of scientific integrative medicine applied to the physiology and pathophysiology of catecholamine systems

This review presents concepts of scientific integrative medicine and relates them to the physiology of catecholamine systems and to the pathophysiology of catecholamine-related disorders. The applications to catecholamine systems exemplify how scientific integrative medicine links systems biology with integrative physiology. Concepts of scientific integrative medicine include (i) negative feedback regulation, maintaining stability of the body's monitored variables; (ii) homeostats, which compare information about monitored variables with algorithms for responding; (iii) multiple effectors, enabling compensatory activation of alternative effectors and primitive specificity of stress response patterns; (iv) effector sharing, accounting for interactions among homeostats and phenomena such as hyperglycemia attending gastrointestinal bleeding and hyponatremia attending congestive heart failure; (v) stress, applying a definition as a state rather than as an environmental stimulus or stereotyped response; (vi) distress, using a noncircular definition that does not presume pathology; (vii) allostasis, corresponding to adaptive plasticity of feedback-regulated systems; and (viii) allostatic load, explaining chronic degenerative diseases in terms of effects of cumulative wear and tear. From computer models one can predict mathematically the effects of stress and allostatic load on the transition from wellness to symptomatic disease. The review describes acute and chronic clinical disorders involving catecholamine systems-especially Parkinson disease-and how these concepts relate to pathophysiology, early detection, and treatment and prevention strategies in the post-genome era.

Pregnancy and Ovarian Steroid Regulation of Angiotensin II Type 1 and Type 2 Receptor Expression in Ovine Uterine Artery Endothelium and Vascular Smooth Muscle

Although pregnancy is clearly associated with refractoriness to infused angiotensin II (AII) in the uteroplacental unit, there is still dispute over the mechanism by which angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors (AT1R and AT2R) may mediate this response in the uterine artery. This is in large part due to incomplete knowledge of levels of AT1R and AT2R expression and function in uterine artery endothelium (UA Endo) in the nonpregnant (NP) and pregnant (P) states, combined with the disagreement on whether AII may act through release of adrenomedullary catecholamines. The authors have previously described an increase in AT1R in UA Endo but not UA vascular smooth muscle (VSM) during pregnancy as compared to the nonpregnant intact ewe. Herein they report that the pregnancy-associated increase in AT(1)R expression in UA Endo is regulated by ovarian steroids. Using a recently developed antibody to AT2R, the authors now show there is no change in AT2R in UA Endo or VSM associated with ovarian function, and although AT2R is not changed in UA Endo by pregnancy, there is a significant decrease observed in UA VSM at that time. The authors also examined changes in receptors in UA Endo and VSM in estrogen (E2beta)-primed ewes in view of the common use of this model as a control for physiologic studies. In contrast to their findings in nonprimed nonpregnant or pregnant animals, the authors observed a significant increase in both AT1R and AT2R in UA Endo in response to the supraphysiologic priming with E2beta. In order to address the possible functionality of AT1R or AT2R in UA Endo, the authors used the uterine artery endothelial cell (UAEC) model of UA endothelial cells maintained in culture to passage 4. Differences in expression of AT1R or AT2R were normalized at passage 4 in P-UAECs and NP-UAECs. Treatment with AII activated phospholipase C (PLC) in both NP- and P-UAECs but signaling through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway was dramatically enhanced in P-UAECs compared to NP-UAECs. Surprisingly, both phosphoinositol turnover and ERK2 phosphorylation responses failed to display the expected dose-responses. Inhibition of AII-stimulated ERK2 phosphorylation with antagonists DUP 753 (AT1R, 10 microM) and PD 123319 (AT2R, 10 microM) failed to selectively inhibit ERK2 phosphorylation. The authors conclude that (a) the net effect of pregnancy may be an increase in the AT1R/AT2R ratio in both UA Endo and VSM but through apparently distinct mechanisms, (b) the ovariectomized animal model is similar to the luteal state for AT1R and AT2R expression, while the E2beta-primed model does not resemble the nonpregnant or pregnant state, and (c) there is a real possibility that AII may mediate its effects either through a complex AT1R-AT2R interaction or via an as-yet unidentified non-AT1, non-AT2 receptor.

Associations between sympathetic activity, plasma concentrations of renin, aldosterone, and parathyroid hormone, and the degree of intractability of blood pressure control in modialysis patients

This study was designed to examine how such factors as hemodialysis parameters, body mass index, renin and aldosterone concentrations, sympathetic nervous activity, and parathyroid hormone concentrations are associated with the control of hypertension in hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis patients (n=114) were grouped into four categories. Group 1 had normal BP without antihypertensive medication. Group 2 needed one antihypertensive drug, Group 3 needed combination of two or three categories of antihypertensive drugs without minoxidil. Group 4 needed more than three categories of antihypertensive drugs including minoxidil. Parathyroid hormone, beta2-microglobulin, renin and aldosterone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and hemodialysis parameters were measured. The fractional clearance of urea as Kt/V urea was significantly lower in Group 3 and Group 4 than in Group 2 (p<0.01). Concentrations of parathyroid hormone were significantly higher in Group 4 than the other groups (p<0.01). Pre-hemodialysis norepinephrine concentrations were significantly higher in Group 4 than the other groups (p<0.05). Traditional factors associated with hypertension did not seem to be relevant to the degree of hypertension in hemodialysis patients in the present study. In conclusion, poor Kt/V urea, elevated parathyroid hormone concentrations, and elevated concentrations of plasma norepinephrine seemed to be the factors that might be associated with control of hypertension in hemodialysis patients.

Angiotensin II causes calcium entry into bovine adrenal chromaffin cells via pathway(s) activated by depletion of intracellular calcium stores

The characteristics and properties of the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] that occurs in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells on exposure to angiotensin 11 have been investigated. In fura-2 loaded cells exposure to a maximally effective concentration of angiotensin II (100 nM) caused a rapid, but transient increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] followed by a lower plateau that was sustained as long as external Ca2+ was present. In the absence of external Ca2+ only the initial brief transient was observed. In cells previously treated with thapsigargin in Ca2+-free medium to deplete the internal Ca2+ stores, angiotensin II caused no increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] when external Ca2+ was absent. Reintroduction of external Ca2+ to thapsigargin-treated, store-depleted cells caused a sustained increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] that was not further increased upon exposure to angiotensin II. Analysis of the data suggests that in bovine chromaffin cells angiotensin II causes Ca2+ entry via a pathway(s) activated as a consequence of internal store mobilization, and entry through this pathway(s) forms the majority of the sustained Ca2+ influx evoked by angiotensin II.

Modulation of catecholamine release by endogenous adenosine in the rat adrenal medulla

Adenosine was shown to inhibit norepinephrine (NE) release from sympathetic nerve endings. The purpose of this study was to examine whether endogenous adenosine restrains NE and epinephrine release from the adrenal medulla. The effects of an adenosine receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl-8-(p-sulfophenyl) xanthine (DPSPX), on epinephrine and NE release induced by intravenous administration of insulin in conscious rats were examined. Plasma catecholamines were measured by HPLC with an electrochemical detector. DPSPX significantly increased plasma catecholamine in both control rats and rats treated with insulin. The effect of DPSPX on plasma catecholamine was significantly greater in rats treated with insulin. Additional experiments were performed in adrenalectomized rats to investigate the contribution of the adrenal medulla to the effect of DPSPX on plasma catecholamine. The effect of DPSPX and insulin on epinephrine in adrenalectomized rats was significantly reduced compared with that of the controls. Finally, we tested whether endogenous adenosine restrains catecholamine secretion partially through inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system. The effect of DPSPX on plasma catecholamine in rats pretreated with captopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) was reduced. These results demonstrate that under basal physiological conditions, endogenous adenosine tonically inhibits catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla, and this effect is augmented when the sympathetic system is stimulated. The effect of endogenous adenosine on catecholamine secretion from the adrenal medulla is achieved partially through the inhibitory effect of adenosine on the renin-angiotensin system.

Tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: the role of MAPKs after angiotensin II stimulation

Angiotensin II (AII, 100 nM) stimulation of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells (BACCs) produced angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 (AT1)-mediated increases in extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and stress-activated p38MAPK (p38 kinase) phosphorylation over a period of 10 min. ERK1/2 and p38 kinase phosphorylation preceded Ser31 phosphorylation on tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH). The inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) activation, PD98059 (0.1-50 microM) and UO126 (0.1-10 microM), dose-dependently inhibited both ERK2 and Ser31 phosphorylation on TOH in response to AII, suggesting MEK1/2 involvement. The p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (20 microM, 30 min) abolished Ser31 and Ser19 phosphorylation on TOH and partially inhibited ERK2 phosphorylation produced by AII. In contrast, 1 microM SB203580 did not affect AII-stimulated TOH phosphorylation, but fully inhibited heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) phosphorylation produced by AII. Also, 1 microM SB203580 fully inhibited Ser19 phosphorylation on TOH and HSP27 phosphorylation in response to anisomycin (30 min, 10 microg/mL). The results suggest that ERKs mediate Ser31 phosphorylation on TOH in response to AII, but p38 kinase is not involved. Previous studies suggesting a role for p38 kinase in the phosphorylation of Ser31 are explained by the non-specific effects of 20 microM SB203580 in BACCs. The p38 kinase pathway is able to phosphorylate Ser19 on TOH in response to anisomycin, but does not do so in response to AII.

Exocytosis in chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla

The chromaffin cell has been used as a model to characterize releasable components present in secretory granules and to understand the cellular mechanisms involved in catecholamine release. Recent physiological and biochemical developments have revealed that molecular mechanisms implicated in granule trafficking are conserved in all eukaryotic species: a rise in intracellular calcium triggers regulated exocytosis, and highly conserved proteins are essential elements which interact with each other to form a molecular scaffolding, ensuring the docking of granules at the plasma membrane, and perhaps membrane fusion. However, the mechanisms regulating secretion are multiple and cell specific. They operate at different steps along the life of a granule, from the time of granule biosynthesis up to the last step of exocytosis. With regard to cell specificity, noradrenaline and adrenaline chromaffin cells display different receptor and signaling characteristics that may be important to exocytosis. Characterization of regulated exocytosis in chromaffin cells provides not only fundamental knowledge of neurosecretion but is of additional importance as these cells are used for therapeutic purposes.

Stimulatory effect of angiotensin II on calcium efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The effect of angiotensin II on Ca2+ mobilization in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was examined. Angiotensin II (10(-7)M) increased the intracellular free Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) to a peak in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, followed by decrease with time. Angiotensin II (10(-9)-10(-6)M) also stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Its stimulatory effect on 45Ca2+ efflux was inhibited by the angiotensin II antagonist [Sar1, Ile8]-angiotensin II or [Sar1, Val5, Ala8]-angiotensin II. The increase in angiotensin II-stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux was dependent on the extracellular Na+ concentration. Angiotensin II also increased 22Na+ influx into the cells. These results indicate that stimulation of the angiotensin II receptor induces extracellular Na(+)-dependent Ca2+ efflux from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, probably by acceleration of Na+/Ca2+ exchange.

Modulatory effects of endogenous adenosine on epinephrine secretion from the adrenal medulla of the rat

The purpose of this study was to examine (1) whether endogenous adenosine receptors inhibit the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine from adrenal medulla in response to physiological and pharmacological stimuli and (2) whether the renin-angiotensin system modulates this effect of endogenous adenosine. We used a conscious animal model to approximate normal physiological conditions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a surface adenosine receptor antagonist, 1,3-dipropyl- 8-(p-sulfophenyl)xanthine (DPSPX) to explore the effect of endogenous adenosine. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in response to hydralazine-induced hypotension were measured in these animals. The same protocol was repeated in rats pretreated with either adrenalectomy or captopril. The results showed that DPSPX treatment significantly increased plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels at both baseline conditions and after hydralazine-induced hypotension. The results from the adrenalectomized rats showed that the difference in plasma epinephrine level between the control and DPSPX groups originated from the adrenal medulla. Pretreatment with captopril attenuated the rise of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in DPSPX-treated animals. This result suggests that endogenous adenosine receptors inhibit epinephrine release from the adrenal medulla and suppress plasma norepinephrine levels. When catecholamine release was stimulated by physiological and pharmacological stimuli, this inhibitory function of adenosine receptors was augmented. The renin-angiotensin system is at least partially responsible for the modulatory function of endogenous adenosine on the catecholamine response as demonstrated in this study.

Angiotensin II suppresses Na+ currents in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

We investigated the effects of angiotensin II (ANG II) on the voltage-dependent Na+ channel currents (INa) recorded from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells (BCCs) under whole-cell voltage clamp. Angiotensin II reversibly reduced the peak INa in a dose-dependent fashion. Inhibition was observed at a concentration of 1 nM (6.3 +/- 1.4%, mean +/- SEM) and reached a maximum at 1 microM (35 +/- 3.8%), with a half-maximal effect at 11.6 nM. The ANG II-induced inhibition resulted from a reduction in peak conductance (control, 7.2 +/- 0.7 nS; ANG II 4.3 +/- 0.5 nS; p < 0.01). Angiotensin II had no effect on the reversal potential or the decay time of INa. In addition, the V1/2 and k values, two parameters that describe the voltage dependence of INa for both steady-state activation and inactivation, were not affected by ANG II. The response to ANG II (1 microM) had a delay and attained maximum inhibition in 0.9 +/- 0.2 min (n = 10). Recovery from the effect was slow and took 3.5 +/- 0.8 min (n = 10) after the application of ANG II had been terminated. The inhibitory effects of ANG II were effectively blocked by a specific ANG II receptor antagonist. [Sar1, Val5, Ala8]ANG II. The present study demonstrates that ANG II inhibits voltage-dependent INa+ channel currents in BCCs via a specific receptor-coupled mechanism. The prolonged time course of the ANG II response indicates a possible involvement of second messenger(s) mediating this inhibition.

Prostaglandin E2-induced arachidonic acid release and catecholamine secretion from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

We recently reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and arachidonic acid (AA) each induced a gradual secretion of catecholamines from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in the presence of ouabain by stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism. In the present study, we examined the relationship between phospholipase A2 and C activation and catecholamine secretion by PGE2 in chromaffin cells. The phospholipase A2 inhibitors p-bromophenacyl bromide and mepacrine did not affect the basal and ouabain-induced release, but dose-dependently blocked PGE2-evoked phosphoinositide metabolism and the consequent catecholamine release at an IC50 value of 3 microM. PGE2 induced rapid hydrolysis of [3H]AA from prelabeled phospholipid pools: the release of [3H]AA could be detected at as early as 15 sec and reached a plateau after 1 min. While the phospholipase C inhibitor neomycin did not inhibit PGE2-induced AA release, phospholipase A2 inhibitors dose-dependently inhibited it at IC50 values comparable to those for catecholamine release. Pretreatment of intact cells with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, but not with pertussis toxin, prevented AA release by PGE2. These results demonstrate that PGE2 activates phospholipase A2 as well as phospholipase C in a pertussis toxin-insensitive manner and suggest that the released arachidonic acid may be involved in PGE2-induced catecholamine release from chromaffin cells.

Divergent differentiation of rat adrenocortical cells is associated with an interruption of angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction

The zones of the adrenal cortex contain distinct populations of cells which share a common developmental origin and steroidogenic template. In the rat, zona glomerulosa cells respond to angiotensin II (Ang II) with increased steroidogenesis while zona fasciculata/reticularis cells do not. We have examined Ang II-mediated signal transduction in homogeneous cellular sub-populations derived from either the zona glomerulosa (GLOM) or the zona fasciculata (FASC). In both of these sub-populations Ang II treatment significantly increased the levels of 3H-labelled inositol phosphates as well as the total mass of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate. In contrast, the two cell types exhibited very different Ang II-mediated changes in free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i). Ang II (10 nM), induced [Ca2+]i increases of > 50 nM in 90% of individual GLOM cells (53/58), but in only 28% of FASC cells (11/39). These [Ca2+]i responses occurred after a transient Ang II stimulation ( < 1 min), in the presence of verapamil and in the absence of extracellular calcium, indicating an intracellular release. In small groups of 10-30 cells, stimulation with 1, 10 and 100 nM Ang II induced [Ca2+]i increases of 78, 178 and 215 nM respectively in GLOM cultures compared to only 35, 64, and 65 nM in FASC cultures. Thapsigargin treatment, which releases intracellular calcium in an inositol phosphate independent manner, elicited [Ca2+]i increases in both populations. Importantly, a calcium ionophore induced elevation of [Ca2+]i increased steroidogenesis in both cell types. These results suggest that an interruption of the signaling cascade at the level of intracellular calcium release contributes to the lack of a steroidogenic response to Ang II by the FASC cells. Therefore, in the rat adrenal cortex, divergent differentiation of related cell types may involve alterations within signal transduction pathways distal to initial receptor-mediated events (i.e. inositol phosphate production) and proximal to downstream effector events (i.e. steroidogenesis).

Synapsin II phosphorylation and catecholamine release in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: additive effects of histamine and nicotine

Primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells can be stimulated with nicotine, which mimics the cholinergic stimulus from the splanchnic nerve. Histamine also stimulates catecholamine release in a time- and dose-dependent manner. We have previously shown that nicotine stimulates incorporation of 32Pi into the vesicle-associated phosphoprotein synapsin II. We report here that histamine, too, stimulates an increase in 32Pi incorporation into synapsin II, which is blocked by the H1-histamine receptor-specific antagonist pyrilamine. The time course of histamine-stimulated synapsin II phosphorylation closely paralleled that of histamine-stimulated catecholamine release. Interestingly, histamine and nicotine produced an additive increase in both catecholamine release and synapsin II phosphorylation, suggesting that these two secretogogues stimulate the phenomena via independent mechanisms. When we investigated the dependence of these two agonists on extracellular calcium, we found that nicotine-stimulated release and synapsin II phosphorylation were reduced to basal levels at low calcium concentrations. However, the histamine-stimulated effects remained significantly elevated. This suggests that calcium arising from two separate pools can stimulate catecholamine release and synapsin II phosphorylation in bovine chromaffin cells. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that synapsin II phosphorylation is a component of the secretory response from these cells.

Angiotensin II increases catecholamine release from bovine adrenal medulla but does not enhance that evoked by K+ depolarization or by carbachol

The effect of angiotensin II on catecholamine release from bovine adrenal medulla has been investigated. In retrogradely perfused, isolated bovine adrenal glands, angiotensin II increased basal efflux of catecholamines, but the presence of angiotensin II did not increase the release of catecholamines evoked either by bolus injections of the secretagogue carbachol or by depolarization with a perfusing solution containing a raised concentration of K+. In chromaffin cells maintained in primary tissue culture, angiotensin II increased 3H release from cells preloaded with [3H]-noradrenaline but did not enhance the release evoked by carbachol or by depolarization with K+. The increase in 3H release evoked by angiotensin II from chromaffin cells in tissue culture was inhibited by its analogue antagonist Sar1,Ala8-angiotensin II (saralasin) and was entirely dependent on the presence of Ca2+ in the experimental medium. These findings suggest that, in the chromaffin cells of the bovine adrenal medulla, angiotensin II acts on specific receptors to cause a calcium-dependent catecholamine release but triggers no additional response that acts synergistically with depolarizing or nicotinic stimuli to augment catecholamine release.

Identification and regulation of angiotensin II receptor subtypes on NG108-15 cells

NG108-15 cells, a neurally derived clonal cell line, express various components of the renin-angiotensin system and thus serve as a model of the cellular action of angiotensin (Ang) II. NG108-15 cells contain a high-affinity binding site for Ang II, with a Kd of 1.1 nM and a Bmax of 6.5 fmol/mg protein. Ang peptides competed for 125I-Ang II binding with an order of potency of Ang II greater than Ang-(2-8) much greater than Ang-(1-7). The subtype 1 (or B)-selective Ang II receptor antagonist DuP 753 as well as [Sar1,Ile8]Ang II and [Sar1,Thr8]Ang II competed for Ang II binding with high affinity, whereas the subtype 2 (or A)-selective Ang receptor antagonist CGP 42112A was partially effective only at a 300-fold higher concentration. When NG108-15 cells were induced to differentiate by treatment with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, the density of Ang II receptors increased dramatically, with little change in affinity (1.1 versus 4.2 nM) or competition by Ang peptides. In marked contrast to undifferentiated cells, CGP 42112A became a potent competitor (IC50, 1 nM) for the majority (90-95%) of Ang II binding, whereas DuP 753 competed for only 5-10% of the binding sites. Ang II caused a dose-dependent mobilization of cytosolic Ca2+ in undifferentiated NG108-15 cells through activation of phospholipase C and the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. In these cells, Ca2+ mobilization was blocked by either DuP 753 or the sarcosine Ang II analogues, whereas CGP 42112A was ineffective. Ang II also mobilized intracellular Ca2+ in differentiated NG108-15 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Long-term activation of protein kinase C by angiotensin II in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells

Previous studies from our laboratory suggest that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the angiotensin II (AII)-induced increase in the expression of genes encoding proenkephalin and catecholamine biosynthesizing enzymes in primary cultured bovine adrenal medullary (BAM) cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of [Sar1]-AII (S1-AII), an AII agonist, on PKC activity in BAM cells. Thirty-minute incubation with S1-AII produced a dose-dependent activation of PKC. The particulate PKC activity was significantly increased by 2 nM S1-AII after both 30 min and 12 h of incubation. A high concentration of S1-AII (200 nM) caused an increase in particulate PKC activity after 30 min of incubation and this increase was still observed after 18 h of continuous incubation. [Sar1, Thr8]-angiotensin II (S1, T8-AII) (100 microM), an AII antagonist, inhibited the effect of S1-AII (20 nM) on PKC activity, suggesting a specific AII receptor-mediated effect. An increase in BAM cell particulate PKC immunoreactivity after 18 h of S1-AII treatment was observed in Western blot analysis of PKC-immunoreactive protein (82 kDa). The persistent activation of PKC seen in this study is consistent with our hypothesis that PKC may mediate the S1-AII-induced increase in the expression of genes encoding proenkephalin and catecholamine synthesizing enzymes in BAM cells.

Characterization of prostaglandin E2-induced Ca2+ mobilization in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by digital image microscopy

We recently reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates phosphoinositide metabolism accompanied by an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. In the present study, temporal and spatial changes in [Ca2+]i induced by PGE2 in fura-2-loaded individual cells were investigated by digital image microscopy and were compared with those induced by nicotine and histamine. Image analysis of single cells revealed that responses to PGE2 showed asynchrony with the onset of [Ca2+]i changes. After a lag time of 10-30 s, PGE2-induced [Ca2+]i changes took a similar prolonged time course in almost all cells: a rapid rise followed by a slower decline to the basal level over 5 min. Few cells exhibited oscillations in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, nicotine and histamine induced rapid and transient [Ca2+]i changes, and these [Ca2+]i changes were characteristic of each stimulant. Whereas pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml, 6 h) did not block the response to any of these stimulants, treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (100 nM, 10 min) completely abolished [Ca2+]i changes elicited by PGE2 and histamine. In a Ca2(+)-free medium containing 3 mM EGTA, or in medium to which La3+ was added, the [Ca2+]i response to nicotine disappeared, but that to histamine was not affected significantly. Under the same conditions, the percentage of the cells that responded to PGE2 was reduced to 37% and the prolonged [Ca2+]i changes induced by PGE2 became transient in responding cells, suggesting that the maintained [Ca2+]i increase seen in normal medium is the result of a PGE2-stimulated entry of extracellular Ca2+. Whereas the organic Ca2(+)-channel blocker nicardipine inhibited [Ca2+]i changes by all stimulants at 10 microM, these [Ca2+]i changes were not affected by any of the organic Ca2(+)-channel blockers, i.e., verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, and nicardipine, at 1 microM, a concentration high enough to inhibit voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. These results demonstrate that PGE2 may promote Ca2+ entry with concomitant release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and that the mechanism(s) triggered by PGE2 is apparently different from that by histamine or nicotine.

Involvement of phosphoinositide metabolism in GABA-induced catecholamine release from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The effects of GABA on catecholamine release and phosphoinositide metabolism were studied in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. GABA and muscimol, a specific agonist for the GABAA receptor, each evoked a gradual secretion of catecholamines from the cells in the presence of ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+, K(+)-ATPase. This release was inhibited by bicuculline, a specific antagonist for the GABAA receptor, or by picrotoxin, a blocker of GABA-gated Cl- channels, and was potentiated by diazepam or pentobarbital. GABA or muscimol induced a concentration-dependent formation of inositol phosphates. This accumulation of inositol phosphates was also inhibited by bicuculline, picrotoxin or removal of extracellular Ca2+, and also potentiated by diazepam and pentobarbital. Nicardipine suppressed GABA-induced catecholamine release in the presence of ouabain and accumulation of inositol phosphates, while verapamil, diltiazem, and omega-conotoxin failed to inhibit these responses to GABA. The phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C inhibitor neomycin also inhibited both GABA-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates and stimulation of catecholamine release in the presence of ouabain. These results taken together indicate that GABA evoked catecholamine release from the chromaffin cells in the presence of ouabain by stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism in a Ca2(+)-sensitive manner via activation of GABAA receptor-coupled Cl- channels.

Influence of phorbol esters, and diacylglycerol kinase and lipase inhibitors on noradrenaline release and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in chromaffin cells

1. We have investigated the modification of catecholamine efflux and inositol phosphate formation in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and inhibitors of diacylglycerol kinase (R 59,022) and diacylglycerol lipase (RG 80267), the two principal pathways of diacylglycerol metabolism. 2. TPA (1 nM to 1 microM) elicited a slow, calcium-dependent, sustained release of noradrenaline, which was partially blocked by the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (-)-202,791 and potentiated by the channel enhancer (+)-202,791. 3. R 59,022 enhanced noradrenaline efflux at 30 and 50 microM, while the lipase inhibitor RG 80267 failed to elicit release. 4. Neither R 59,022 nor RG 80267 affected bradykinin- or histamine-stimulated release, but both drugs substantially attenuated nicotine- and high K(+)-stimulated release. 5. Pretreatment for 10 min with TPA (but not the relatively inactive 4-methoxy TPA) or the non-phorbol protein kinase C stimulator mezerein potently inhibited bradykinin- and histamine-stimulated accumulation of total [3H]-inositol phosphate; inhibition of [3H]-inositol phosphate formation was also seen with 24 h TPA treatment. 6. Neither R 59,022 nor RG 80267, separately or together, affected bradykinin-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate formation. 7. Thus while the mechanism exists for inhibition of formation of inositol phosphates by stimulation of protein kinase C, these studies failed to show that this mechanism is activated by agonists acting on phospholipase C linked receptors.

Angiotensin II stimulates the expression of proenkephalin A mRNA in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The effects of angiotensin II on the expression of proenkephalin A (ProEnk A) mRNA and enkephalin release were examined in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Exposure of chromaffin cells for 24h to 10 nM angiotensin II produced a more than 2-fold increase in cellular ProEnk A mRNA levels with a concomitant elevation in the levels of high molecular weight Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactivity in the culture medium. These stimulatory effects of angiotensin II on enkephalin release and mRNA expression were fully antagonized by the angiotensin II antagonist [Sar1, Ala8]-angiotensin II. The angiotensin II-induced increase in ProEnk A mRNA levels was also abolished by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D. These results indicate that specific angiotensin II receptor activation is responsible for stimulating transcription of ProEnk A mRNA and enkephalin. Angiotensin II may therefore be involved in the long-term regulation of ProEnk A gene expression in the adrenal medulla.

Dopamine release from bovine adrenal medullary cells in culture

The present study tested whether release of dopamine from isolated bovine adrenal medullary cells in culture could be stimulated or inhibited by secretagogues and modulators known to affect noradrenaline and adrenaline release from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. K+ depolarization or activation of voltage-sensitive Na+ channels by veratridine both stimulated dopamine release. Ca2+-dependent dopamine release was also stimulated by the mixed nicotinic-muscarinic agonist, carbachol. Carbachol-induced dopamine release was inhibited by a nicotinic but not by a muscarinic antagonist and dopamine release was also stimulated by a selective nicotinic agonist, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium. Carbachol-induced dopamine release was inhibited by substance P and by neuropeptide Y. Histamine also stimulated dopamine release, while angiotensin II and glutamate produced no significant stimulation of dopamine release. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were released in response to the above agents with a profile almost identical to that of dopamine. The results indicate that dopamine can be directly released from adrenal medullary cells in response to stimulation of those cells and suggest that the dopamine release originates from chromaffin cells similar or identical to those storing noradrenaline and adrenaline. A possible role for dopamine, released from adrenal chromaffin cells, in modulating catecholamine release from the chromaffin cells and/or contributing to circulating plasma dopamine is discussed.

Human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: the influence of second messengers on activation and desensitization

The amplitude and time course of acetylcholine(ACh)-induced membrane current were determined in cells of the human medulloblastoma cell line TE 671. ACh was applied and washed out very rapidly (about 50 ms) by a shift of a cell between two streams of solution, one of which contained the transmitter. ACh-induced current was recorded in the whole-cell mode of patch clamping. The time course of activation of the ACh-induced current could not be resolved because the method of ACh application was still too slow. Desensitization started immediately with ACh application; it could be described by two time constants. With an ACh concentration of 3 microM, the fast time constant was about 0.5 s and the slow time constant was about 3.9 s. When the ACh concentration was raised in steps to 100 mM, the peak amplitude of the current increased, reached a maximum at 1 mM and decreased again. The rate of desensitization was directly correlated with increasing ACh concentration. Current amplitude and desensitization time constants were not affected by intracellular application of cAMP or of a catalytic subunit of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase. When the intracellular calcium concentration was raised at a constant magnesium concentration, desensitization time constants remained unaffected, but the current amplitude decreased. This decrease is not caused by a decrease in single-channel conductance, therefore it may represent a decrease in the number of activatable channels.

A comparison of bradykinin, angiotensin II and muscarinic stimulation of cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Bradykinin, angiotensin II and a muscarinic agonist, acetyl-B-methacholine (methacholine) were all found to elicit catecholamine release from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Bradykinin was the most potent of these secretagogues and methacholine the weakest, with angiotensin II intermediate in efficacy. All three secretagogues were much less effective than nicotinic stimulation. The three secretagogues all produced a rise in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), measured with the fluorescent indicator fura2, which was partially independent of external calcium. In the case of bradykinin the full rise in ([Ca2+]i) may involve a component of calcium entry in addition to release of calcium from an internal store. Secretion was also found to be partially independent of external calcium. The different efficacies of the three secretagogues in eliciting secretion were correlated with the rise in ([Ca2+]i) produced. The differing efficacies of the three secretagogues may be due to the extent of release of calcium from an intracellular store which itself is less effective in eliciting secretion than a rise in [Ca2+]i following calcium entry due to nicotine. Bradykinin also stimulates calcium entry, and this may increase the efficacy of the initial rise in [Ca2+]i. Treatment with pertussis toxin resulted in an enhancement of secretion in response to all of the secretagogues.

Effects of angiotensin II on cultured, bovine adrenal medullary cells

Primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary cells have been used to study the effects of angiotensin II on catecholamine secretion and inositol phosphate accumulation. Angiotensin II induced a weak secretion of both adrenaline and noradrenaline, with a threshold of 10-100 pM and a shallow concentration-dependence up to 10 microM. The response was fully dependent on extracellular Ca++, was partially inhibited by 100 nM nifedipine, was completely blocked by [Sar1, Ala8]-angiotensin II (IC50 5-10 nM) and was unaffected by 0.1 mM hexamethonium. Angiotensin II also increased inositol phosphate accumulation over the range 1 pM-10 microM. Inositol trisphosphate levels increased in a biphasic manner after 15 sec and 1 min exposure to 10 nM angiotensin II, but were not significantly increased at 30 sec or 5, 15 or 30 min stimulation. Inositol bisphosphate was significantly increased after 1 min. Inositol monophosphate levels only increased after 1 min stimulation, but continued to rise during 30 min stimulation. Removal of extracellular Ca++ or addition of EGTA reduced basal inositol phosphate accumulation but not the ability of angiotensin II to stimulate inositol phosphate accumulation relative to basal. Nifedipine (100 nM) had no effect on basal or angiotensin II-induced inositol phosphate accumulation. The inositol phosphate response to angiotensin II was abolished by 1 microM [Sar1, Ala8]-angiotensin II. The results suggest that secretion of adrenal medullary catecholamines can be evoked by angiotensin II, at concentrations that are compatible with a role for circulating angiotensin II or for angiotensin II generated locally within the adrenal medulla. They do not support the suggestion that the secretory actions of angiotensin II on chromaffin cells are mediated by mobilization of intracellular Ca++ stores.

Localization of angiotensin II binding sites in the bovine adrenal medulla using a labelled specific antagonist

Angiotensin II binding sites have been localized in sections of bovine adrenal glands and on living cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells using [125I]-[Sar1,Ile8]-angiotensin II and autoradiographic techniques. Binding sites were observed over both adrenaline and noradrenaline chromaffin cells. However, they were present in higher density over adrenaline cells, as determined by the distribution of phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase mRNA by in situ hybridization histochemistry and of glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence of noradrenaline. Binding sites were also observed in low density over nerve tracts within the bovine adrenal gland. Living cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells possessed angiotensin II binding sites. Not all cells were labelled. At least 73% of identified dispersed chromaffin cells in these cultures were labelled. Some chromaffin cells were not labelled with the ligand, and at least some non-chromaffin cells in the cultures did possess angiotensin II binding sites. The results provide direct anatomical support for the known ability of angiotensin II to elicit catecholamine secretion from perfused adrenal glands and from cultured adrenal chromaffin cells. They also suggest that some of the effects of angiotensin II on calcium fluxes and second messenger levels measured in cultured adrenal medullary cell preparations may be due to angiotensin II acting on non-chromaffin cells present in these cultures.

Lack of effect of opioid compounds on angiotensin II responses of bovine adrenal medullary cells

Angiotensin II (10 nM) increased basal adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by 2.5- to 3-fold and 4- to 6-fold, respectively, and stimulated basal accumulation of inositol phosphates more than 2-fold. Etorphine and diprenorphine in the range 10(-9) to 10(-5) M had no effect on the catecholamine secretion induced by angiotensin II, and, at 10(-8) and 10(-5) M, had no effect on angiotensin II-induced inositol phosphate accumulation. The functions of adrenal medullary opioid receptors remain to be determined.