Effects of an endothelin B receptor agonist on secretory phospholipase A2-IIA-induced apoptosis in cortical neurons

Cardiolipin in myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury: From molecular mechanisms to clinical strategies

Myocardial reperfusion injury occurs when blood flow is restored after ischemia, an essential process to salvage ischemic tissue. However, this phenomenon is intricate, characterized by various harmful effects. Tissue damage in ischemia-reperfusion injury arises from various factors, including the production of reactive oxygen species, the sequestration of proinflammatory immune cells in ischemic tissues, the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress, and the occurrence of postischemic capillary no-reflow. Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) plays a crucial role in the eicosanoid pathway by releasing free arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids' sn-2 position. This liberated arachidonic acid serves as a substrate for various eicosanoid biosynthetic enzymes, including cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and cytochromes P450, ultimately resulting in inflammation and an elevated risk of reperfusion injury. Therefore, the activation of sPLA2 directly correlates with the heightened and accelerated damage observed in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Presently, clinical trials are in progress for medications aimed at sPLA2, presenting promising avenues for intervention. Cardiolipin (CL) plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial function, and its alteration is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction observed in MIRI. This paper provides a critical analysis of CL modifications concerning mitochondrial dysfunction in MIRI, along with its associated molecular mechanisms. Additionally, it delves into various pharmacological approaches to prevent or alleviate MIRI, whether by directly targeting mitochondrial CL or through indirect means.

Sovateltide Mediated Endothelin B Receptors Agonism and Curbing Neurological Disorders

Neurological/neurovascular disorders constitute the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death globally. Major neurological/neurovascular disorders or diseases include cerebral stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and others. Their pathophysiology is considered highly complex and is the main obstacle in developing any drugs for these diseases. In this review, we have described the endothelin system, its involvement in neurovascular disorders, the importance of endothelin B receptors (ETBRs) as a novel potential drug target, and its agonism by IRL-1620 (INN—sovateltide), which we are developing as a drug candidate for treating the above-mentioned neurological disorders/diseases. In addition, we have highlighted the results of our preclinical and clinical studies related to these diseases. The phase I safety and tolerability study of sovateltide has shown it as a safe and tolerable compound at therapeutic dosages. Furthermore, preclinical and clinical phase II studies have demonstrated the efficacy of sovateltide in treating acute ischemic stroke. It is under development as a first-in-class drug. In addition, efficacy studies in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), acute spinal cord injury, and neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are ongoing. Successful completion of these studies will validate that ETBRs signaling can be an important target in developing drugs to treat neurological/neurovascular diseases.

Anti-apoptotic activity of ETB receptor agonist, IRL-1620, protects neural cells in rats with cerebral ischemia

Endothelin-B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, provides significant neuroprotection following cerebral ischemia in rats. Whether this neuroprotection is due to inhibition of apoptosis is unknown. IRL-1620-treated rats following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) showed significant improvement in neurological and motor functions along with a decrease in infarct volume at 24 h (-81.3%) and day 7 (-73.0%) compared to vehicle group. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) significantly improved in IRL-1620-treated animals compared to vehicle by day 7 post MCAO. IRL-1620-treated rats showed an increase in phospho-Akt and decrease in Bad level 7 h post-occlusion compared to vehicle, while Akt and Bad expression was similar in cerebral hemispheres at 24 h post-MCAO. The phospho-Bad level was lower in vehicle- but not in IRL-1620-treated rats at 24 h. Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression decreased, while pro-apoptotic Bax expression increased in vehicle-treated MCAO rats, these changes were attenuated (P < 0.01) by IRL-1620. Mitochondrial membrane-bound Bax intensity significantly decreased in IRL-1620 compared to vehicle-treated MCAO rats. IRL-1620 treatment reduced (P < 0.001) the number of TUNEL-positive cells compared to vehicle at 24 h and day 7 post MCAO. The results demonstrate that IRL-1620 is neuroprotective and attenuates neural damage following cerebral ischemia in rats by increasing CBF and reducing apoptosis.

Management of glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disease

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease with an estimated prevalence of 60 million people, and the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The mainstay of treatment has been aimed at lowering intraocular pressure, currently the only modifiable risk factor. Unfortunately, despite adequate pressure control, many patients go on to suffer irreversible visual loss. We first briefly examine currently established intraocular pressure lowering-treatments, with a discussion of their roles in neuroprotection as demonstrated by both animal and clinical studies. The review then examines currently available intraocular pressure independent agents that have shown promise for possessing neuroprotective effects in the management of glaucoma. Finally, we explore potential future treatments such as immune-modulation, stem cell therapy and neural regeneration as they may provide further protection against the neurodegenerative processes involved in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

Endothelin Receptors, Mitochondria and Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemia

Background: Neurogenesis is most active during pre-natal development, however, it persists throughout the human lifespan. The putative role of mitochondria in neurogenesis and angiogenesis is gaining importance. Since, ET_B receptor mediated neurogenesis and angiogenesis has been identified, the role of these receptors with relevance to mitochondrial functions is of interest.

Methods: In addition to work from our laboratory, we undertook an extensive search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature. Specific technical terms such as endothelin, mitochondria and neurogenesis were used to seek out and critically evaluate literature that was relevant.

Results: The ET family consists of three isopeptides (ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3) that produce biological actions by acting on two types of receptors (ET_A and ET_B). In the central nervous system (CNS) ET_A receptors are potent constrictors of the cerebral vasculature and appear to contribute in the causation of cerebral ischemia. ET_A receptor antagonists have been found to be effective in animal model of cerebral ischemia; however, clinical studies have shown no efficacy. Mitochondrial functions are critically important for several neural development processes such as neurogenesis, axonal and dendritic growth, and synaptic formation. ET appears to impair mitochondrial functions through activation of ET_A receptors. On the other hand, blocking ET_B receptors has been shown to trigger apoptotic processes by activating intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Mitochondria are important for their role in molecular regulation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Stimulation of ET_B receptors in the adult ischemic brain has been found to promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis mediated through vascular endothelial growth factor and nerve growth factor. It will be interesting to investigate the effect of ET_B receptor stimulation on mitochondrial functions in the CNS following cerebral ischemia.

Conclusion: The findings of this review implicate brain ET_B receptors in angiogenesis and neurogenesis following cerebral ischemia, it is possible that the positive effect of stimulating ET_B receptors in cerebral ischemia may be mediated through mitochondrial functions.

Endothelin systems in the brain: involvement in pathophysiological responses of damaged nerve tissues

In addition to their potent vasoconstriction effects, endothelins (ETs) show multiple actions in various tissues including the brain. The brain contains high levels of ETs, and their production is stimulated in many brain disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates that activation of brain ET receptors is involved in several pathophysiological responses in damaged brains. In this article, the roles of brain ET systems in relation to brain disorders are reviewed. In the acute phase of stroke, prolonged vasospasm of cerebral arteries and brain edema occur, both of which aggravate brain damage. Studies using ET antagonists show that activation of ETA receptors in the brain vascular smooth muscle induces vasospasm after stroke. Brain edema is induced by increased activity of vascular permeability factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinases. Activation of ETB receptors stimulates astrocytic production of these permeability factors. Increases in reactive astrocytes are observed in neurodegenerative diseases and in the chronic phase of stroke, where they facilitate the repair of damaged nerve tissues by releasing neurotrophic factors. ETs promote the induction of reactive astrocytes through ETB receptors. ETs also stimulate the production of astrocytic neurotrophic factors. Recent studies have shown high expression of ETB receptors in neural progenitors. Activation of ETB receptors in neural progenitors promotes their proliferation and migration, suggesting roles for ETB receptors in neurogenesis. Much effort has been invested in the pursuit of novel drugs to induce protection or repair of damaged nerve tissues. From these studies, the pharmacological significance of brain ET systems as a possible target of neuroprotective drugs is anticipated.

Present and New Treatment Strategies in the Management of Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and axonal loss. It remains a major cause of blindness worldwide. All current modalities of treatment are focused on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), and it is evident that increased IOP is an important risk factor for progression of the disease. However, it is clear that a significant number of glaucoma patients show disease progression despite of pressure lowering treatments. Much attention has been given to the development of neuroprotective treatment strategies, but the identification of such has been hampered by lack of understanding of the etiology of glaucoma. Hence, in spite of many attempts no neuroprotective drug has yet been clinically approved. Even though neuroprotection is without doubt an important treatment strategy, many glaucoma subjects are diagnosed after substantial loss of RGCs. In this matter, recent approaches aim to rescue RGCs and regenerate axons in order to restore visual function in glaucoma. The present review seeks to provide an overview of the present and new treatment strategies in the management of glaucoma. The treatment strategies are divided into current available glaucoma medications, new pressure lowering targets, prospective neuroprotective interventions, and finally possible neuroregenrative strategies.

Endothelin-1 is over-expressed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and induces motor neuron cell death

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons (MNs) and astrogliosis. Recent evidence suggests that factors secreted by activated astrocytes might contribute to degeneration of MNs. We focused on endothelin-1 (ET-1), a peptide which is strongly up-regulated in reactive astrocytes under different pathological conditions. We show that ET-1 is abundantly expressed by reactive astrocytes in the spinal cord of the SOD1-G93A mouse model and sporadic ALS patients. To test if ET-1 might play a role in degeneration of MNs, we investigated its effect on MN survival in an in vitro model of mixed rat spinal cord cultures (MSCs) enriched of astrocytes exhibiting a reactive phenotype. ET-1 exerted a toxic effect on MNs in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, with an exposure to 100-200nM ET-1 for 48h resulting in 40-50% MN cell death. Importantly, ET-1 did not induce MN degeneration when administered on cultures treated with AraC (5μM) or grown in a serum-free medium that did not favor astrocyte proliferation and reactivity. We found that both ETA and ETB receptors are enriched in astrocytes in MSCs. The ET-1 toxic effect was mimicked by ET-3 (100nM) and sarafotoxin S6c (10nM), two selective agonists of endothelin-B receptors, and was not additive with that of ET-3 suggesting the involvement of ETB receptors. Surprisingly, however, the ET-1 effect persisted in the presence of the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (200nM-2μM) and was slightly reversed by the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (2μM), suggesting an atypical pharmacological profile of the astrocytic receptors responsible for ET-1 toxicity. The ET-1 effect was not undone by the ionotropic glutamate receptor AMPA antagonist GYKI 52466 (20μM), indicating that it is not caused by an increased glutamate release. Conversely, a 48-hour ET-1 treatment increased MN cell death induced by acute exposure to AMPA (50μM), which is indicative of two distinct pathways leading to neuronal death. Altogether these results indicate that ET-1 exerts a toxic effect on cultured MNs through mechanisms mediated by reactive astrocytes and suggest that ET-1 may contribute to MN degeneration in ALS. Thus, a treatment aimed at lowering ET-1 levels or antagonizing its effect might be envisaged as a potential therapeutic strategy to slow down MN degeneration in this devastating disease.

The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of glaucoma

Glaucoma is an ocular disorder characterized by the progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons. There are various hypotheses concerning the cause of RGC death. Previously, glaucoma was defined by high intraocular pressure (IOP); during the past decade, however, glaucoma specialists have acknowledged that elevated IOP is the most important risk factor for glaucoma, but does not define the disease. Other factors such as genetics, blood flow, and excitotoxicity are suggested as potential causal factors for progressive RGC death observed in glaucoma. We review recent studies elucidating a possible role of low-grade inflammation as a causal factor in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Regulatory effects of the JAK3/STAT1 pathway on the release of secreted phospholipase A₂-IIA in microvascular endothelial cells of the injured brain

Background

Secreted phospholipase A₂-IIA (sPLA₂-IIA) is an inducible enzyme released under several inflammatory conditions. It has been shown that sPLA₂-IIA is released from rat brain astrocytes after inflammatory stimulus, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nitric oxide (NO) have been implicated in regulation of this release. Here, brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) were treated with LPS to uncover whether sPLA₂-IIA was released, whether nitric oxide regulated this release, and any related signal mechanisms.

Methods

Supernatants were collected from primary cultures of BMVECs. The release of sPLA₂-IIA, and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), phospho-JAK3, phospho-STAT1, total JAK3 and STAT1, β-actin, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were analyzed by Western blot or ELISA. NO production was calculated by the Griess reaction. sPLA₂ enzyme activity was measured with a fluorometric assay. Specific inhibitors of NO (L-NAME and aminoguanidine, AG), JAK3 (WHI-P154,WHI), STAT1 (fludarabine, Flu), and STAT1 siRNA were used to determine the involvement of these molecules in the LPS-induced release of sPLA₂-IIA from BMVECs. Nuclear STAT1 activation was tested with the EMSA method. The monolayer permeability of BMVECs was measured with a diffusion assay using biotinylated BSA.

Results

Treatment of BMVECs with LPS increased the release of sPLA₂-IIA and nitrite into the cell culture medium up to 24 h. Pretreatment with an NO donor, sodium nitroprusside, decreased LPS-induced sPLA₂-IIA release and sPLA₂ enzyme activity, and enhanced the expression of iNOS and nitrite generation after LPS treatment. Pretreatment with L-NAME, AG, WHI-P154, or Flu notably reduced the expression of iNOS and nitrite, but increased sPLA₂-IIA protein levels and sPLA₂ enzyme activity. In addition, pretreatment of the cells with STAT1 siRNA inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, iNOS expression, and nitrite production, and enhanced the release of sPLA₂-IIA. Pretreatment with the specific inhibitors of NOS, JAK2, and STAT3 decreased the permeability of BMVECs. In contrast, inhibition of sPLA₂-IIA release increased cell permeability. These results suggest that sPLA₂-IIA expression is regulated by the NO-JAK3-STAT1 pathway. Importantly, sPLA₂-IIA augmentation could protect the LPS-induced permeability of BMVECs.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate the important action of sPLA₂-IIA in the permeability of microvascular endothelial cells during brain inflammatory events. The sPLA₂ and NO pathways can be potential targets for the management of brain MVEC injuries and related inflammation.

Endothelin B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, provides long-term neuroprotection in cerebral ischemia in rats

We have earlier shown that stimulation of endothelin B receptors by IRL-1620 provides significant neuroprotection at 24h following cerebral ischemia. However, the effect of IRL-1620 is not known in the subacute phase of cerebral ischemia, where development of cerebral edema further contributes towards brain damage. This study was designed to determine the effect of IRL-1620 on neurological functions, infarct volume, oxidative stress, and endothelin receptors following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion for 7 days. Rats received three intravenous injections of either vehicle or IRL-1620 [Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]-Endothelin-1(8-12)] at 2, 4, and 6h post occlusion. Treatment with IRL-1620 reduced infarct volume (54.06 ± 14.12 mm(3) vs. 177.06 ± 13.21 mm(3)), prevented cerebral edema and significantly improved all neurological and motor function parameters when compared to the vehicle-treated group. Vehicle-treated middle cerebral artery occluded rats demonstrated high levels of malondialdehyde and low levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase; these effects were reversed in IRL-1620 treated rats. No change in expression of endothelin A receptor was observed 7 days after induction of cerebral ischemia in vehicle or IRL-1620 treated rats. Rats receiving IRL-1620 demonstrated an upregulation of endothelin B receptor only in the infarcted hemisphere 7 days following occlusion. All effects of IRL-1620 were blocked by endothelin B receptor antagonist, BQ788. Results of the present study demonstrate that IRL-1620, administered on day 1, provides significant neuroprotection till 7 days after the induction of cerebral ischemia in rats. Selective endothelin B receptor activation may prove to be a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.

Endothelin B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, reduces neurological damage following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

Endothelin and its receptors have long been considered therapeutic targets in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Recent studies indicate that ET(B) receptors may provide both vasodilatation and neuroprotection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selectively activating the ET(B) receptors following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. IRL-1620 [Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]-Endothelin-1(8-12)], a highly selective ET(B) agonist, was used alone and in conjunction with BQ788, an ET(B) antagonist, to determine the role of ET(B) receptors in cerebral ischemia. Rats were assessed for neurological deficit and motor function, and their brains were evaluated to determine infarct area, oxidative stress parameters, and ET receptor protein levels. Animals treated with IRL-1620 showed significant improvement in all neurological and motor function tests when compared with both vehicle-treated and BQ788-treated middle cerebral artery occluded groups. In addition, there was a significant decrease in infarct volume 24h after occlusion in animals treated with IRL-1620 (24.47±4.37mm(3)) versus the vehicle-treated group (153.23±32.18mm(3)). Blockade of ET(B) receptors by BQ788 followed by either vehicle or IRL-1620 treatment resulted in infarct volumes similar to those of rats treated with vehicle alone (163.51±25.41 and 139.21±15.20mm(3), respectively). Lipid peroxidation, as measured by malondialdehyde, increased and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione) decreased following infarct. Treatment with IRL-1620 reversed these effects, indicating that ET(B) receptor activation reduces oxidative stress injury following ischemic stroke. Animals pretreated with BQ788 showed similar oxidative stress damage as those in the vehicle-treated group. No significant difference was observed in ET(B) receptor levels in any of the groups. The present study demonstrates that ET(B) receptor activation may be a novel neuroprotective therapy in the treatment of focal ischemic stroke.

Endothelin as a neuroprotective factor in the olfactory epithelium

In mammals, the olfactory sensory neurons are the only ones directly in contact with an aggressive environment. Thus, the olfactory mucosa is one of the few neuronal zones which are continuously renewed during adulthood. We have previously shown that endothelin is locally matured in the olfactory mucosa and that olfactory sensory neurons preferentially express ETB receptors, while ETA receptors are rather present in non neuronal olfactory mucosa cells. In addition to its vasoactive effect, the endothelin system is known for its pleiotropic effects including the modulation of cell population dynamics. We thus examined its potential neuroprotective effect in the olfactory mucosa using a primary culture of olfactory sensory neurons lying on non neuronal cells. While a serum deprivation led to a massive decrease of the density of olfactory sensory neurons in the primary cultures, endothelin 1 (ET-1) rescued part of the neuronal population through both ETA and ETB receptors. This effect was mainly anti-apoptotic as it reduced cleaved caspase-3 signal and nuclear condensation. Furthermore, the olfactory epithelium of ETB-deficient rats displayed increased apoptosis. These results strongly suggest that ET-1 acts as an anti-apoptotic factor on olfactory sensory neurons, directly through ETB and indirectly by limiting non neuronal cells death through ETA.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 induces apoptosis in the early primary culture of rat cortical neurons

In the central nervous system, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is known to have important functions in cell survival and differentiation. In addition to its roles as a neurotrophic factor, we found that FGF2 caused cell death in the early primary culture of cortical neurons. FGF2-induced neuronal cell death showed apoptotic characters, e.g., chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. The ultrastructural morphology of FGF2-treated neurons indicated apoptotic features such as progressive cell shrinkage, blebbing of the plasma membrane, loss of cytosolic organelles, clumping of chromatin, and fragmentation of DNA. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors significantly rescued neurons from FGF2-induced apoptosis. FGF2 potentiated a marked influx of Ca(2+) into neurons before apoptosis. Both a calcium chelator and L-type voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channel (L-VSCC) blockers attenuated FGF2-induced apoptosis, whereas other blockers of VSCCs such as N-type and P/Q-types did not. Blockers of L-VSCCs significantly suppressed FGF2-enhanced Ca(2+) influx into neurons. Moreover, FGF2 also generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) before apoptosis. Radical scavengers reduced not only the FGF2-generated ROS, but also the FGF2-induced Ca(2+) influx and apoptosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that FGF2 caused apoptosis via L-VSCCs in the early neuronal culture.

The roles of NADPH oxidase and phospholipases A2 in oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in mammalian cells through enzymic and non-enzymic mechanisms. Although some ROS production pathways are needed for specific physiological functions, excessive production is detrimental and is regarded as the basis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Among enzymes producing superoxide anions, NADPH oxidase is widespread in mammalian cells and is an important source of ROS in mediating physiological and pathological processes in the cardiovascular and the CNS. ROS production is linked to the alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis, activation of Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes, alteration of cytoskeletal proteins, and degradation of membrane glycerophospholipids. There is evolving evidence that ROS produced by NADPH oxidase regulate neuronal functions and degrade membrane phospholipids through activation of phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)). This review is intended to cover recent studies describing ROS generation from NADPH oxidase in the CNS and its downstream activation of PLA(2), namely, the group IV cytosolic cPLA(2) and the group II secretory sPLA(2). A major focus is to elaborate the dual role of NADPH oxidase and PLA(2) in mediating the oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases, including cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease. Elucidation of the signaling pathways linking NADPH oxidase with the multiple forms of PLA(2) will be important in understanding the oxidative and degradative mechanisms that underline neuronal damage and glial activation and will facilitate development of therapeutic intervention for prevention and treatment of these and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Potential Roles of Electrogenic Ion Transport and Plasma Membrane Depolarization in Apoptosis

Apoptosis is characterized by the programmed activation of specific biochemical pathways leading to the organized demise of cells. To date, aspects of the intracellular signaling machinery involved in this phenomenon have been extensively dissected and characterized. However, recent studies have elucidated a novel role for changes in the intracellular milieu of the cells as important modulators of the cell death program. Specially, intracellular ionic homeostasis has been reported to be a determinant in both the activation and progression of the apoptotic cascade. Several apoptotic insults trigger specific changes in ionic gradients across the plasma membrane leading to depolarization of the plasma membrane potential (PMP). These changes lead to ionic imbalance early during apoptosis. Several studies have also suggested the activation and/or modulation of specific ionic transport mechanisms including ion channels, transporters and ATPases, as mediators of altered intracellular ionic homeostasis leading to PMP depolarization during apoptosis. However, the role of PMP depolarization and of the changes in ionic homeostasis during the progression of apoptosis are still unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the causes and consequences of PMP depolarization during apoptosis. We also review the potential electrogenic ion transport mechanisms associated with this event, including the net influx/efflux of cations and anions. An understanding of these mechamisms could lead to the generation of new therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases involving apoptosis.

Similar protective effects of BQ-123 and erythropoietin on survival of neural cells and generation of neurons upon hypoxic injury

Our recent study [Danielyan et al., 2005. Eur. J. Cell Biol. 84, 567-579] showed an additive protective effect of endothelin (ET) receptor A (ETA-R) blockade and erythropoietin (EPO) on the survival and rejuvenation of rat astroglial cells exposed to hypoxia. Whether the effects observed with rodent astroglial cells can be reproduced in human astrocytes and whether these effects of ETA-R blockade and EPO on astrocytes are associated with neuronal survival remained open. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of the ETA-R antagonist BQ-123 and EPO on the maintenance of the neuronal population and survival of the human fetal astroglial cell line (SV-FHAS) under normoxic and hypoxic conditions (NC and HC, respectively) were investigated. Rat brain primary cultures exposed to BQ-123 and/or EPO revealed an increase in the number of beta-III tubulin-positive neurons under NC. The hypoxia-caused loss of neurons was abolished by administration of BQ-123 or EPO. Simultaneous application of EPO and BQ-123 led to an additive protective effect on the generation of neurons under NC only. By contrast, BQ-788, the selective ETB-R antagonist, diminished the neuronal population both in NC and HC. Both under NC and HC the number of non-differentiated nestin+/GFAP- neural cells increased upon application of EPO or BQ-123. SV-FHAS responded to BQ-123 or EPO by a decrease in LDH activity in the culture medium under NC (35%) and HC (26% LDH decrease). Concomitant effects of EPO and BQ-123 were illustrated in an additional increase in the survival of human astrocytes (33% under NC and 17% under HC). These data hint at a neuroprotective therapeutic potency of ETA-R blockade, which either alone or in combination with EPO may improve the survival of astroglial and neuronal cells upon hypoxic injury.

Hippocampal Cannabinoid-1 Receptor Upregulation Upon Endothelin-B Receptor Deficiency: A Neuroprotective Substitution Effect?

Endothelin (ETB)-receptors mediate anti-apoptotic actions. Lack of functional ETB-receptors leads to increased neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus. The increased apoptosis must be compensated by other mechanisms, however, as ETB-deficient rats display normal overall brain morphology. To illuminate on brain plasticity in ETB-receptor deficiency, we studied the expression and function of another neuroprotective system, the cannabinoid CB1-receptors, in ETB-deficient hippocampus. We show that CB1 expression in hippocampus increases postnatally in all rats but that the increase in CB1-receptor expression is significantly higher in ETB-deficient compared to wildtype littermates. Neuronal apoptosis decreases during brain maturation but remains on a significantly higher level in the ETB-deficient compared to wildtype dentate. When investigating survival of hippocampal neurons in culture, we found significant protection against hypoxia-induced cell death with CB1-analogs (noladin, (9-tetrahydrocannabinol) only in ETB-deficient neurons. We suggest that CB1-receptor upregulation in the ETB-mutant hippocampus reflects an attempt to compensate for the lack of ETB-receptors.