Cyclooxygenase inhibition reveals synergistic action of vasoconstrictors on mesangial cell growth

Characterization of the N6-etheno-bridge method to assess extracellular metabolism of adenine nucleotides: detection of a possible role for purine nucleoside phosphorylase in adenosine metabolism

The goal of this study was to determine the validity of using N6-etheno-bridged adenine nucleotides to evaluate ecto-nucleotidase activity. We observed that the metabolism of N6-etheno-ATP versus ATP was quantitatively similar when incubated with recombinant CD39, ENTPD2, ENTPD3, or ENPP-1, and the quantitative metabolism of N6-etheno-AMP versus AMP was similar when incubated with recombinant CD73. This suggests that ecto-nucleotidases process N6-etheno-bridged adenine nucleotides similarly to endogenous adenine nucleotides. Four cell types rapidly (t1/2, 0.21 to 0.66 h) metabolized N6-etheno-ATP. Applied N6-etheno-ATP was recovered in the medium as N6-etheno-ADP, N6-etheno-AMP, N6-etheno-adenosine, and surprisingly N6-etheno-adenine; intracellular N6-etheno compounds were undetectable. This suggests minimal cellular uptake, intracellular metabolism, or deamination of these compounds. N6-etheno-ATP, N6-etheno-ADP, N6-etheno-AMP, N6-etheno-adenosine, and N6-etheno-adenine had little affinity for recombinant A1, A2A, or A2B receptors, for a subset of P2X receptors (3H-α,β-methylene-ATP binding to rat bladder membranes), or for a subset of P2Y receptors (35S-ATP-αS binding to rat brain membranes), suggesting minimal pharmacological activity. N6-etheno-adenosine was partially converted to N6-etheno-adenine in four different cell types; this was blocked by purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNPase) inhibition. Intravenous N6-etheno-ATP was quickly metabolized, with N6-etheno-adenine being the main product in naïve rats, but not in rats pretreated with a PNPase inhibitor. PNPase inhibition reduced the urinary excretion of endogenous adenine and attenuated the conversion of exogenous adenosine to adenine in the renal cortex. The N6-etheno-bridge method is a valid technique to assess extracellular metabolism of adenine nucleotides by ecto-nucleotidases. Also, rats express an enzyme with PNPase-like activity that metabolizes N6-etheno-adenosine to N6-etheno-adenine.

DPP4 Inhibition, NPY1-36, PYY1-36, SDF-1α, and a Hypertensive Genetic Background Conspire to Augment Cell Proliferation and Collagen Production: Effects That Are Abolished by Low Concentrations of 2-Methoxyestradiol

By reducing their metabolism, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibition (DPP4I) enhances the effects of numerous peptides including neuropeptide Y_1–36 (NPY_1–36), peptide YY_1–36 (PYY_1–36), and SDF-1α. Studies show that separately NPY_1–36, PYY_1–36 and SDF-1α stimulate proliferation of, and collagen production by, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (PGVSMCs), and glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs), particularly in cells isolated from genetically hypertensive rats. Whether certain combinations of these factors, in the absence or presence of DPP4I, are more profibrotic than others is unknown. Here we contrasted 24 different combinations of conditions (DPP4I, hypertensive genotype and physiologic levels [3 nM] of NPY_1–36, PYY_1–36, or SDF-1α) on proliferation of, and [³H]-proline incorporation by, CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs. In all three cell types, the various treatment conditions differentially increased proliferation and [³H]-proline incorporation, with a hypertensive genotype + DPP4I + NPY_1–36 + SDF-1α being the most efficacious combination. Although the effects of this four-way combination were similar in male versus female CFs, physiologic (1 nM) concentrations of 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME; nonestrogenic metabolite of 17β-estradiol), abolished the effects of this combination in both male and female CFs. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs are differentially activated by various combinations of NPY_1–36, PYY_1–36, SDF-1α, a hypertensive genetic background and DPP4I. We hypothesize that as these progrowth conditions accumulate, a tipping point would be reached that manifests in the long term as organ fibrosis and that 2ME would obviate any profibrotic effects of DPP4I, even under the most profibrotic conditions (i.e., hypertensive genotype with high NPY_1–36 + SDF-1α levels and low 2ME levels).

SDF-1α (Stromal Cell-Derived Factor 1α) Induces Cardiac Fibroblasts, Renal Microvascular Smooth Muscle Cells, and Glomerular Mesangial Cells to Proliferate, Cause Hypertrophy, and Produce Collagen

BACKGROUND

Activated cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (PGVSMCs), and glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) proliferate, cause hypertrophy, and produce collagen; in this way, activated CFs contribute to cardiac fibrosis, and activated PGVSMCs and GMCs promote renal fibrosis. In heart and kidney diseases, SDF-1α (stromal cell-derived factor 1α; endogenous CXCR4 [C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4] receptor agonist) levels are often elevated; therefore, it is important to know whether and how the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis activates CFs, PGVSMCs, or GMCs.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Here we investigated whether SDF-1α activates CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs to proliferate, hypertrophy, or produce collagen. DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) inactivates SDF-1α and previous experiments show that growth-promoting peptides have greater effects in cells from genetically-hypertensive animals. Therefore, we performed experiments in the absence and presence of sitagliptin (DPP4 inhibitor) and in cells from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Our studies show (1) that spontaneously hypertensive and Wistar-Kyoto rat CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs express CXCR4 receptors and DPP4 activity; (2) that chronic treatment with physiologically relevant concentrations of SDF-1α causes concentration-dependent increases in the proliferation (cell number) and hypertrophy (³H-leucine incorporation) of and collagen production (³H-proline incorporation) by CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs; (3) that sitagliptin augments these effects of SDF-1α; (4) that interactions between SDF-1α and sitagliptin are greater in spontaneously hypertensive rat cells; (5) that CXCR4 antagonism (AMD3100) blocks all effects of SDF-1α; and (6) that SDF-1α/CXCR4 signal transduction likely involves the RACK1 (receptor for activated C kinase 1)/Gβγ/PLC (phospholipase C)/PKC (protein kinase C) signaling complex.

CONCLUSIONS

The SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis drives proliferation and hypertrophy of and collagen production by CFs, PGVSMCs, and GMCs, particularly in cells from genetically hypertensive animals and when DPP4 is inhibited.

Angiotensin II for the Treatment of Vasodilatory Shock

BACKGROUND

Vasodilatory shock that does not respond to high-dose vasopressors is associated with high mortality. We investigated the effectiveness of angiotensin II for the treatment of patients with this condition.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients with vasodilatory shock who were receiving more than 0.2 μg of norepinephrine per kilogram of body weight per minute or the equivalent dose of another vasopressor to receive infusions of either angiotensin II or placebo. The primary end point was a response with respect to mean arterial pressure at hour 3 after the start of infusion, with response defined as an increase from baseline of at least 10 mm Hg or an increase to at least 75 mm Hg, without an increase in the dose of background vasopressors.

RESULTS

A total of 344 patients were assigned to one of the two regimens; 321 received a study intervention (163 received angiotensin II, and 158 received placebo) and were included in the analysis. The primary end point was reached by more patients in the angiotensin II group (114 of 163 patients, 69.9%) than in the placebo group (37 of 158 patients, 23.4%) (odds ratio, 7.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.76 to 13.3; P<0.001). At 48 hours, the mean improvement in the cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (scores range from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more severe dysfunction) was greater in the angiotensin II group than in the placebo group (-1.75 vs. -1.28, P=0.01). Serious adverse events were reported in 60.7% of the patients in the angiotensin II group and in 67.1% in the placebo group. Death by day 28 occurred in 75 of 163 patients (46%) in the angiotensin II group and in 85 of 158 patients (54%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.07; P=0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

Angiotensin II effectively increased blood pressure in patients with vasodilatory shock that did not respond to high doses of conventional vasopressors. (Funded by La Jolla Pharmaceutical Company; ATHOS-3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02338843 .).

Role of 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase in the renal 2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway

Energy depletion increases the renal production of 2',3'-cAMP (a positional isomer of 3',5'-cAMP that opens mitochondrial permeability transition pores) and 2',3'-cAMP is converted to 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP, which in turn are metabolized to adenosine. Because the enzymes involved in this "2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway" are unknown, we examined whether 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) participates in the renal metabolism of 2',3'-cAMP. Western blotting and real-time PCR demonstrated expression of CNPase in rat glomerular mesangial, preglomerular vascular smooth muscle and endothelial, proximal tubular, thick ascending limb and collecting duct cells. Real-time PCR established the expression of CNPase in human glomerular mesangial, proximal tubular and vascular smooth muscle cells; and the level of expression of CNPase was greater than that for phosphodiesterase 4 (major enzyme for the metabolism of 3',5'-cAMP). Overexpression of CNPase in rat preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells increased the metabolism of exogenous 2',3'-cAMP to 2'-AMP. Infusions of 2',3'-cAMP into isolated CNPase wild-type (+/+) kidneys increased renal venous 2'-AMP, and this response was diminished by 63% in CNPase knockout (-/-) kidneys, whereas the conversion of 3',5'-cAMP to 5'-AMP was similar in CNPase +/+ vs. -/- kidneys. In CNPase +/+ kidneys, energy depletion (metabolic poisons) increased kidney tissue levels of adenosine and its metabolites (inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid) without accumulation of 2',3'-cAMP. In contrast, in CNPase -/- kidneys, energy depletion increased kidney tissue levels of 2',3'-cAMP and abolished the increase in adenosine and its metabolites. In conclusion, kidneys express CNPase, and renal CNPase mediates in part the renal 2',3'-cAMP-adenosine pathway.

Extracellular guanosine regulates extracellular adenosine levels

The aim of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that extracellular guanosine regulates extracellular adenosine levels. Rat preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells were incubated with adenosine, guanosine, or both. Guanosine (30 μmol/l) per se had little effect on extracellular adenosine levels. Extracellular adenosine levels 1 h after addition of adenosine (3 μmol/l) were 0.125 ± 0.020 μmol/l, indicating rapid disposition of extracellular adenosine. Extracellular adenosine levels 1 h after addition of adenosine (3 μmol/l) plus guanosine (30 μmol/l) were 1.173 ± 0.061 μmol/l, indicating slow disposition of extracellular adenosine. Cell injury increased extracellular levels of endogenous adenosine and guanosine, and the effects of cell injury on endogenous extracellular adenosine were modulated by altering the levels of endogenous extracellular guanosine with exogenous purine nucleoside phosphorylase (converts guanosine to guanine) or 8-aminoguanosine (inhibits purine nucleoside phosphorylase). Extracellular guanosine also slowed the disposition of extracellular adenosine in rat preglomerular vascular endothelial cells, mesangial cells, cardiac fibroblasts, and kidney epithelial cells and in human aortic and coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells and coronary artery endothelial cells. The effects of guanosine on adenosine levels were not mimicked or attenuated by 5-iodotubericidin (adenosine kinase inhibitor), erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine (adenosine deaminase inhibitor), 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (guanine deaminase inhibitor), aristeromycin (S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase inhibitor), low sodium (inhibits concentrative nucleoside transporters), S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine [inhibits equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) type 1], zidovudine (inhibits ENT type 2), or acadesine (known modulator of adenosine levels). Guanosine also increases extracellular inosine, uridine, thymidine, and cytidine, yet decreases extracellular uric acid. In conclusion, extracellular guanosine regulates extracellular adenosine levels.

Receptor for activated protein kinase C1 regulates cell proliferation by modulating calcium signaling

Receptor for activated protein kinase C1 (RACK1) is an intracellular scaffolding protein known to interact with the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor and thereby enhance calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Because calcium signaling may affect vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, we investigated whether RACK1 regulates proliferation of rat preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot analysis indicated that preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells robustly express RACK1 protein, and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that RACK1 binds the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. RACK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased RACK1 mRNA and protein expression, significantly (P=0.0225) reduced steady-state basal levels of intracellular calcium (6712±156 versus 7408±248, arbitrary fluorescence units in RACK1 siRNA-treated versus control cells, respectively) and significantly (P<0.0001) decreased cell proliferation by ≈50%. Xestospongin C and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (antagonists of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors), cyclopiazonic acid (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor), and calmidazolium (calmodulin inhibitor) mimicked the effects of RACK1 siRNA on proliferation, and RACK1 siRNA had no additional effects on proliferation in the presence of these agents. RACK1 siRNA did not affect the expression of cyclin D1/2 or phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (progrowth cell cycle regulators), yet it caused compensatory decreases in the expression of p21(Cip1/Waf1) and p27(Kip1) (antigrowth cell cycle regulators). Like preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells, glomerular mesangial cells also expressed high levels of RACK1, and RACK1 siRNA inhibited their proliferation. In conclusion, RACK1 modulates proliferation of preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells and glomerular mesangial cells, likely via the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor/calcium/calmodulin pathway. RACK1 may represent a novel druggable target for treating renal diseases, such as glomerulosclerosis.

2'-AMP and 3'-AMP inhibit proliferation of preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells and glomerular mesangial cells via A2B receptors

Studies show that kidneys produce 2',3'-cAMP, 2',3'-cAMP is exported and metabolized to 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP, 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP are metabolized to adenosine, 2',3'-cAMP inhibits proliferation of preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (PGVSMCs) and glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs), and A(2B) (not A(1), A(2A), or A(3)) adenosine receptors mediate part of the antiproliferative effects of 2',3'-cAMP. These findings suggest that extracellular 2',3'-cAMP attenuates proliferation of PGVSMCs and GMCs partly via conversion to corresponding AMPs, which are metabolized to adenosine that activates A(2B) receptors. This hypothesis predicts that extracellular 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP should exert A(2B) receptor-mediated antiproliferative effects. Therefore, we examined the antiproliferative effects (cell counts) of 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP. In PGVSMCs and GMCs, 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP exerted concentration-dependent antiproliferative effects. 3'-AMP was equipotent with and 2'-AMP was 3-fold less potent than 5'-AMP (prototypical adenosine precursor). In PGVSMCs, the effects of 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP were mimicked by adenosine, and 8-[4-[((4-cyanophenyl)carbamoylmethyl)oxy]phenyl]-1,3-di(n-propyl)xanthine (MRS-1754) (A(2B) receptor antagonist) equally blocked the antiproliferative effects of 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, and adenosine but less effectively blocked the effects of 2',3'-cAMP. Similar results were obtained in GMCs except that MRS-1754 also incompletely blocked the effects of 3'-AMP. We conclude that in PGVSMCs, 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP are antiproliferative, the antiproliferative effects of 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP are mediated nearly entirely by adenosine/A(2B) receptors, and some of the antiproliferative effects of 2',3'-cAMP are independent of adenosine/A(2B) receptors. Similar conclusions apply to GMCs except that 3'-AMP also has actions independent of adenosine/A(2B) receptors. Because A(2B) receptors are renoprotective, 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP may provide renoprotection by generating adenosine that activates A(2B) receptors.

Extracellular 2,3-cyclic adenosine monophosphate is a potent inhibitor of preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cell and mesangial cell growth [corrected]

Recently we discovered that intact kidneys release into the extracellular compartment 2',3'-cAMP (a positional isomer of 3',5'-cAMP with unknown pharmacology) and metabolize 2',3'-cAMP to 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, and adenosine. Because adenosine inhibits growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and mesangial cells, we tested the hypothesis that extracellular 2',3'-cAMP attenuates growth of preglomerular vascular smooth muscle and mesangial cells via production of adenosine. For comparison, all of the experiments were performed with both 2',3'-cAMP and 3',5'-cAMP. In study 1, 2',3'-cAMP, 3',5'-cAMP, 5'-AMP, 3'-AMP, or 2'-AMP was incubated with cells and purines measured in the medium by mass spectrometry. Both preglomerular vascular smooth muscle and mesangial cells metabolized 3',5'-cAMP to 5'-AMP and adenosine; 5'-AMP to adenosine; 2',3'-cAMP to 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, and adenosine; and 2'-AMP and 3'-AMP to adenosine. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine (ecto-phosphodiesterase inhibitor) blocked conversion of 3',5'-cAMP to 5'-AMP and adenosine, and alpha,beta-methylene-adenosine-5'-diphosphate (CD73 inhibitor) blocked conversion of 5'-AMP to adenosine. These enzyme inhibitors had little effect on metabolism of 2',3'-cAMP, 2'-AMP, or 3'-AMP. For study 2, 2',3'-cAMP and 3',5'-cAMP profoundly inhibited proliferation (thymidine incorporation and cell number) of both cell types, with 2',3'-cAMP more potent than 3',5'-cAMP. Antagonism of A(2B) receptors (MRS-1724), but not A(1) (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine), A(2A) (SCH-58261), or A(3) (VUF-5574) receptors, attenuated the growth inhibitory effects of 2',3'-cAMP and 3',5'-cAMP. Extracellular 2',3'-cAMP inhibits growth of preglomerular vascular smooth muscle and mesangial cells more profoundly than does 3',5'-cAMP. Although both cAMPs inhibit growth in part via conversion to adenosine followed by A(2B) receptor activation, their metabolism is mediated by different enzymes.

Extracellular 3',5'-cAMP-adenosine pathway inhibits glomerular mesangial cell growth

Abnormal growth of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) contributes to the pathophysiology of many types of nephropathy. Because adenosine is an autocrine/paracrine factor that potentially could regulate GMC proliferation and because the extracellular 3',5'-cAMP-adenosine pathway (i.e., the conversion of extracellular 3',5'-cAMP to 5'-AMP and adenosine on the cell surface) could generate adenosine in the biophase of GMC receptors, we investigated the role of the 3',5'-cAMP-adenosine pathway in modulating growth [cell proliferation, DNA synthesis ([(3)H]thymidine incorporation), collagen synthesis ([(3)H]proline incorporation), and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity] of GMCs. The addition of exogenous 3',5'-cAMP to human GMCs increased extracellular levels of 5'-AMP, adenosine, and inosine, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (phosphodiesterase inhibitor), 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine (ecto-phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and alpha,beta-methylene-adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor) attenuated the increases in adenosine and inosine. Forskolin augmented extracellular 3',5'-cAMP and adenosine concentrations, and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (adenylyl cyclase inhibitor) blocked these increases. Exogenous 3',5'-cAMP and forskolin inhibited all indices of cell growth, and antagonism of A(2) [(E)-8-(3,4-dimethoxystyryl)-1,3-dipropyl-7-methylxanthine, KF17837] or A(1)/A(2) (1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine, DPSPX), but not A(1) (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine), or A(3){N-(2-methoxyphenyl)-N'-[2-(3-pyridinyl)-4-quinazolinyl]-urea, VUF5574}, adenosine receptors blocked the growth-inhibitory actions of exogenous 3',5'-cAMP, but not the effects of 8-bromo-3',5'-cAMP (stable 3',5'-cAMP analog). Erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (adenosine deaminase inhibitor) plus 5-iodotubercidin (adenosine kinase inhibitor) enhanced the growth inhibition by exogenous 3',5'-cAMP and forskolin, and A(2) receptor antagonism blocked this effect. In rat GMCs, down-regulation of A(2B) receptors with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotides abrogated the inhibitory effects of 3',5'-cAMP and forskolin on cell growth. The extracellular 3',5'-cAMP-adenosine pathway exists in GMCs and attenuates cell growth via A(2B) receptors. Pharmacological augmentation of this pathway could abate pathological glomerular remodeling.

2-Hydroxyestradiol attenuates renal disease in chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy

It has been previously shown that 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE) attenuates the development of renal disease in genetic nephropathy associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that 2-OHE, irrespective of its effects on metabolic status and/or obesity, exerts direct renoprotective effects in vivo. First, the effects of increasing doses of 2-OHE on mesangial cell growth, proliferation, and collagen synthesis in isolated rat glomerular mesangial cells were evaluated in vitro. Second, the effects of 12-wk administration of 2-OHE (10 micro g/h per kg) on renal function and structure in chronic puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephropathy in rats were evaluated in vivo. 2-OHE concentration-dependently (0.001 to 1 micro mol/L; P < 0.001) inhibited serum (2.5%)-induced cell growth ((3)H-thymidine incorporation), collagen synthesis ((3)H-proline incorporation), and cell proliferation (cell number). Importantly, the inhibitory effects of 2-OHE (0.1 micro mol/L) were not blocked by ICI182780 (50 micro mol/L), an estrogen receptor antagonist. In vivo, chronic administration of PAN (75 mg/kg + 5 x 20 mg/kg) over 12 wk induced severe chronic renal disease. Chronic treatment with 2-OHE significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated PAN-induced decrease in glomerular filtration, reduced proteinuria, and the elevated BP, and it had no effect on PAN-induced increase in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides levels. 2-OHE had no effects on plasma testosterone levels in male nephropathic animals. Immunohistochemical staining for collagen IV and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in glomeruli and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in renal tubular cells were significantly higher in PAN nephropatic rats versus control animals with intact kidneys. PAN also markedly increased glomerular and interstitial macrophage infiltration (ED1(+) cells). 2-OHE had no effects on renal tubular cell TGF-beta, but it significantly reduced glomerular PCNA and collagen IV and glomerular and interstitial macrophage infiltration. In summary, this study provides the first evidence that 2-OHE exerts direct renoprotective effects in vivo. These effects are mediated by estrogen receptor-independent mechanisms and are due, at least in part, to the inhibition of some of the key proliferative mechanisms involved in glomerular remodeling and sclerosis.

Catecholamines block 2-hydroxyestradiol-induced antimitogenesis in mesangial cells

Methylation of 2-hydroxyestradiol to 2-methoxyestradiol by catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) mediates the antimitogenic effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol on vascular smooth muscle cells. Moreover, 2-hydroxyestradiol inhibits growth of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs). Because catecholamines are substrates for COMT, which is expressed in GMCs, we hypothesize that catecholamines may abrogate the antimitogenic effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol on GMCs by competing for COMT and inhibiting 2-methoxyestradiol formation. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the antimitogenic effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol on rat GMCs in the presence and absence of catecholamines. The capability of GMCs to methylate 2-hydroxyestradiol in the presence and absence of catecholamines was also evaluated. GMCs metabolized 2-hydoxyestradiol in a concentration-dependent manner with a V(max) of 12.03+/-0.32 pmol/10(6) cells/min and an apparent K(m) of 0.23+/-0.04 micromol/L. Norepinephrine (10 micromol/L) and epinephrine (10 micromol/L) significantly inhibited methylation of 0.25 micromol/L 2-hydroxyestradiol. Norepinephrine concentration-dependently abrogated the ability of 2-hydroxyestradiol to inhibit 3H-thymidine incorporation (index of DNA synthesis). In the presence of 5, 10, and 40 micromol/L norepinephrine, the inhibitory effect of 0.1 micromol/L 2-hydroxyestradiol on 3H-thymidine incorporation was reduced from 51+/-0.7% to 46+/-0.4%, 39+/-0.3%, and 25+/-0.7%, respectively. Similar to DNA synthesis, the inhibitory effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol on cell number and 3H-proline incorporation (index of collagen synthesis) on GMCs were abrogated by catecholamines. Our findings provide evidence that methylation of 2-hydroxyestradiol inhibits GMC proliferation and extracellular matrix synthesis and may in part protect against renal proliferative diseases. Moreover, catecholamines may abrogate the renoprotective effects of 2-hydroxyestradiol in the glomeruli by inhibiting COMT and 2-methoxyestradiol formation.

Discovery of novel mesangial cell proliferation inhibitors using a three-dimensional database searching method

A three-dimensional pharmacophore model of mesangial cell (MC) proliferation inhibitors was generated from a training set of 4-(diethoxyphosphoryl)methyl-N-(3-phenyl-[1,2,4]thiadiazol-5-yl)benzamide, 2, and its derivatives using the Catalyst/HIPHOP software program. On the basis of the in vitro MC proliferation inhibitory activity, a pharmacophore model was generated as seven features consisting of two hydrophobic regions, two hydrophobic aromatic regions, and three hydrogen bond acceptors. Using this model as a three-dimensional query to search the Maybridge database, structurally novel 41 compounds were identified. The evaluation of MC proliferation inhibitory activity using available samples from the 41 identified compounds exhibited over 50% inhibitory activity at the 100 nM range. Interestingly, the newly identified compounds by the 3D database searching method exhibited the reduced inhibition of normal proximal tubular epithelial cell proliferation compared to a training set of compounds.