Nitric oxide inhibits angiotensin II-induced activation of the calcium-sensitive tyrosine kinase proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 without affecting epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation

Inhibition of eNOS Partially Blunts the Beneficial Effects of Nebivolol on Angiotensin II-Induced Signaling in H9c2 Cardiomyoblasts

We have recently illustrated that nebivolol can inhibit angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated signaling in cardiomyoblasts; however, to date, the detailed mechanism for the beneficial effects of nebivolol has not been studied. Here, we investigated whether the inhibition of NO bioavailability by blocking eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) using L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) would attenuate nebivolol-mediated favorable effects on Ang II-evoked signaling in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts. Our data reveal that the nebivolol-mediated antagonistic effects on Ang II-induced oxidative stress were retreated by concurrent pretreatment with L-NAME and nebivolol. Similarly, the expressions of pro-inflammatory markers TNF-α and iNOS stimulated by Ang II were not decreased with the combination of nebivolol plus L-NAME. In contrast, the nebivolol-induced reduction in the Ang II-triggered mTORC1 pathway and the mRNA levels of hypertrophic markers ANP, BNP, and β-MHC were not reversed with the addition of L-NAME to nebivolol. In compliance with these data, the inhibition of eNOS by L-N⁵-(1-Iminoethyl) ornithine (LNIO) and its upstream regulator AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) with compound C in the presence of nebivolol showed effects similar to those of the L-NAME plus nebivolol combination on Ang II-mediated signaling. Pretreatment with either compound C plus nebivolol or LNIO plus nebivolol showed similar effects to those of the L-NAME plus nebivolol combination on Ang II-mediated signaling. In conclusion, our data indicate that the rise in NO bioavailability caused by nebivolol via the stimulation of AMPK/eNOS signaling is key for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties but not for its antihypertrophic response upon Ang II stimulation.

Sildenafil Protects against Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Following Cardiac Arrest in a Porcine Model: Possible Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System

Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sold as Viagra, is a cardioprotector against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our study explored whether sildenafil protects against I/R-induced damage in a porcine cardiac arrest and resuscitation (CAR) model via modulating the renin-angiotensin system. Male pigs were randomly divided to three groups: Sham group, Saline group, and sildenafil (0.5 mg/kg) group. Thirty min after drug infusion, ventricular fibrillation (8 min) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (up to 30 min) was conducted in these animals. We found that sildenafil ameliorated the reduced cardiac function and improved the 24-h survival rate in this model. Sildenafil partly attenuated the increases of plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang (1–7) levels after CAR. Sildenafil also decreased apoptosis and Ang II expression in myocardium. The increases of expression of angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE), ACE2, Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R), and the Ang (1–7) receptor Mas in myocardial tissue were enhanced after CAR. Sildenafil suppressed AT1R up-regulation, but had no effect on ACE, ACE2, and Mas expression. Sildenafilfurther boosted the upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS). Collectively, our results suggest that cardioprotection of sildenafil in CAR model is accompanied by an inhibition of Ang II-AT1R axis activation.

Modulatory Role of Nitric Oxide/cGMP System in Endothelin-1-Induced Signaling Responses in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important vasoprotective molecule that serves not only as a vasodilator but also exerts antihypertrophic and antiproliferative effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The precise mechanism by which the antihypertrophic and antiproliferative responses of NO are mediated remains obscure. However, recent studies have suggested that one of the mechanisms by which this may be achieved includes the attenuation of signal transduction pathways responsible for inducing the hypertrophic and proliferative program in VSMC. Endothelin-1 is a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide with mitogenic and growth stimulatory properties and exerts its effects by activating multiple signaling pathways which include ERK 1/2, PKB and Rho-ROCK. Both cGMP-dependent and independent events have been reported to mediate the effect of NO on these pathways leading to its vasoprotective response. This review briefly summarizes some key studies on the modulatory effect of NO on these signaling pathways and discusses the possible role of cGMP system in this process.

Epinephrine increases DNA synthesis via ERK1/2s through cAMP, Ca(2+)/PKC, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in mouse embryonic stem cells

Epinephrine is a catecholamine that plays important roles in regulating a wide variety of physiological systems by acting through the adrenergic receptors (ARs). The cellular responses to AR stimulation are mediated through various signaling pathways. Therefore, this study examined the effects of epinephrine on DNA synthesis and related signaling molecules in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Epinephrine increased DNA synthesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as determined by the level of [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. AR subtypes (alpha1(A), alpha2(A), beta1, beta2, and beta3) were expressed in mouse ESCs and their expression levels were increased by epinephrine. In this experiment, epinephrine increased cAMP levels, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), and translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosol to the membrane compartment. In addition, we observed Akt phosphorylation in response to epinephrine; this was stimulated by phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Epinephrine also induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p44/42 MAPKs), while inhibition of PKC or Akt blocked this phosphorylation. Epinephrine increased the mRNA levels of proto-oncogenes (c-fos, c-jun, c-myc), while inhibition of ERK1/2 decreased these mRNA levels. In experiments aimed at examining the involvement of cell cycle regulatory proteins, epinephrine increased the levels of cyclin E/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and cyclin D1/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). In conclusion, epinephrine stimulates DNA synthesis via ERK1/2 through cAMP, Ca(2+)/PKC, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in mouse ESCs.

Protein tyrosine kinase 2beta as a candidate gene for hypertension

Protein tyrosine kinase 2beta (PTK2B) is a member of the focal adhesion kinase family and is activated by angiotensin II through Ca2+-dependent pathways. An evidence exists that PTK2B is involved in cell growth, vascular contraction, inflammatory responses, and salt and water retention through activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. To examine the contribution of PTK2B, we sequenced the PTK2B gene using 48 patients with hypertension, identified 62 genetic polymorphisms, and genotyped six representative single nucleotide polymorphisms in population-based case-control samples from 3655 Japanese individuals (1520 patients with hypertension and 2135 controls). Multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjustments for age, body mass index, present illness (hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus), and lifestyle (smoking and drinking) showed -22A>G to have an association with hypertension in men (AA vs. AG+GG: odds ratio=1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.57; P=0.030). Another polymorphism, 53484A>C (K838T), in linkage disequilibrium with -22A>G showed a marginal association with hypertension in men (AA vs. AC+CC: odds ratio=1.25; 95% confidence interval: 0.99-1.57; P=0.059). Diastolic blood pressure was 1.6 mmHg higher in men with the AC+CC genotype of 53484A>C than those with the AA genotype (P=0.003), after adjustments for the same factors. These polymorphisms are in linkage disequilibrium with others in a range of 113 kb in PTK2B. The intracellular distribution of the recombinant PTK2B protein and that of the mutant protein with T838 were indistinguishable even after angiotensin II stimulation, both proteins localizing at a focal point in the peripheral area in the cells. Thus, a haplotype in PTK2B may play a role in essential hypertension in Japanese.

Src and Pyk2 mediate angiotensin II effects in cultured rat astrocytes

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation of rat astrocytes is mediated by multiple signaling pathways. In the present study, we investigated the role of non-receptor tyrosine kinases on Ang II-signaling and proliferation of astrocytes cultured from neonatal rat pups. Ang II stimulated astrocyte growth, ERK1/2 phosphorylation and the phosphorylation of Src and proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (Pyk2), in astrocytes obtained from brainstem and cerebellum. Pretreatment with 10 microM PP2, a selective Src inhibitor, inhibited Ang II stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 59% to 91% both in brainstem and cerebellum astrocytes. PP2 also inhibited Ang II induction of brainstem (76% inhibition) and cerebellar (64% inhibition) astrocyte growth. Similarly, pretreatment with 25 microM dantrolene, the Pyk2 inhibitor, attenuated ERK1/2 activity in brainstem (62% inhibition) and in cerebellum astrocytes (44% inhibition). Interestingly, inhibition of Pyk2 inhibited Ang II-induced Src activation suggesting that these two non-receptor tyrosine kinases may be acting in concert to mediate Ang II effects in astrocytes. In summary, we found that Ang II stimulates the non-receptor tyrosine kinases Src and Pyk2 which mediate Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation leading to stimulation of astrocyte growth. In addition, these two tyrosine kinases may be interacting to regulate effects of the peptide in these cells.

Nitric oxide attenuates endothelin-1-induced activation of ERK1/2, PKB, and Pyk2 in vascular smooth muscle cells by a cGMP-dependent pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), in addition to its vasodilator action, has also been shown to antagonize the mitogenic and hypertrophic responses of growth factors and vasoactive peptides such as endothelin-1 (ET-1) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the mechanism by which NO exerts its antimitogenic and antihypertrophic effect remains unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether NO generation would modify ET-1-induced signaling pathways involved in cellular growth, proliferation, and hypertrophy in A-10 VSMCs. Treatment of A-10 VSMCs with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP), two NO donors, attenuated the ET-1-enhanced phosphorylation of several key components of growth-promoting and hypertrophic signaling pathways such as ERK1/2, PKB, and Pyk2. On the other hand, inhibition of the endogenous NO generation with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, increased the ET-1-induced phosphorylation of these signaling components. Since NO mediates its effect principally through a cGMP-soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) pathway, we investigated the role of these molecules in NO action. 8-Bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, a nonmetabolizable and cell-permeant analog of cGMP, exhibited a effect similar to that of SNAP and SNP. Furthermore, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of sGC, reversed the inhibitory effect of NO on ET-1-induced responses. SNAP treatment also decreased the protein synthesis induced by ET-1. Together, these data demonstrate that NO, in a cGMP-dependent manner, attenuated ET-1-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, PKB, and Pyk2 and also antagonized the hypertrophic effects of ET-1. It may be suggested that NO-induced generation of cGMP contributes to the inhibition of ET-1-induced mitogenic and hypertrophic responses in VSMCs.

Role of metalloproteinase-dependent EGF receptor activation in α1-adrenoceptor-stimulated MAP kinase phosphorylation in GT1-7 neurons

Adrenoceptors (ARs) are involved in the regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) release from native and immortalized hypothalamic (GT1-7) neurons. However, the AR-mediated signaling mechanisms and their functional significance in these cells are not known. Stimulation of GT1-7 cells with the alpha1-AR agonist, phenylephrine (Phe), causes phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). Phe stimulation causes shedding of the soluble ligand, heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF), as a consequence of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation. Phe-induced phosphorylation of the EGF-R, and subsequently of Shc and ERK1/2, was attenuated by inhibition of MMP or HB-EGF with the selective inhibitor, CRM197, or by a neutralizing antibody. In contrast, phosphorylation of the EGF-R, Shc and ERK1/2 by EGF and HB-EGF was independent of PKC and MMP activity. Moreover, inhibition of Src attenuated ERK1/2 responses by Phe, but not by HB-EGF and EGF, indicating that Src acts upstream of the EGF-R. Consistent with a potential role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Phe-induced phosphorylation of EGF-R was attenuated by the antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine. These data suggest that activation of the alpha1-AR causes phosphorylation of ERK1/2 through activation of PKC, ROS and Src, and shedding of HB-EGF, which binds to and activates the EGF-R.

Role of reactive oxygen species-sensitive extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway in angiotensin II-induced endothelin-1 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

Circulating angiotensin II (Ang II) increases vascular endothelin-1 (ET-1) tissue levels, which in turn mediate a major part of Ang II-stimulated vascular growth and hypertension in vivo. Ang II also stimulates the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within vascular endothelial cells. However, whether ROS are involved in Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression, and the related intracellular mechanisms occurring within vascular endothelial cells remain unclear.

METHODS

Cultured endothelial cells were stimulated with Ang II, and the thus elicited ET-1 gene expression was examined by Northern blotting and a promoter activity assay. Antioxidant pretreatment of endothelial cells was performed prior to Ang II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in order to elucidate the redox-sensitive pathway for ET-1 gene expression.

RESULTS

The ET-1 gene was induced with Ang II, which was inhibited with Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist (irbesartan). Ang II-enhanced intracellular ROS levels were inhibited by irbesartan and several antioxidants, and antioxidants also suppressed Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression. Further, Ang II-activated ERK phosphorylation was also significantly inhibited by certain antioxidants. An ERK inhibitor, U0126, inhibited Ang II-induced ET-1 expression completely. Cotransfection of the dominant negative mutant of Ras, Raf and MEK1 (ERK kinase) attenuated the Ang II-enhanced ET-1 promoter activity, suggesting that the Ras/Raf/ERK pathway is required for Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression. Ang II-induced activator protein-1 (AP-1) reporter activities were inhibited by antioxidants. Moreover, mutational analysis of the ET-1 gene promoter showed that the AP-1 binding site was an important CIS element in Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that ROS are involved in Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression within endothelial cells. The redox-sensitive ERK-mediated AP-1 transcriptional pathway plays an important role in Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression.

Neuropeptide-induced Transactivation of a Neuronal Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Is Mediated by Metalloprotease-dependent Formation of Heparin-binding Epidermal Growth Factor

Numerous external stimuli, including G protein-coupled receptor agonists, cytokines, growth factors, and steroids activate mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) through phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R). In immortalized hypothalamic neurons (GT1-7 cells), agonist binding to the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRH-R) causes phosphorylation of MAPKs that is mediated by protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent transactivation of the EGF-R. An analysis of the mechanisms involved in this process showed that GnRH stimulation of GT1-7 cells causes release/shedding of the soluble ligand, heparin binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF), as a consequence of metalloprotease activation. GnRH-induced phosphorylation of the EGF-R and, subsequently, of Shc, ERK1/2, and its dependent protein, p90RSK-1 (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 or RSK-1), was abolished by metalloprotease inhibition. Similarly, blockade of the effect of HB-EGF with the selective inhibitor CRM197 or a neutralizing antibody attenuated signals generated by GnRH and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, but not those stimulated by EGF. In contrast, phosphorylation of the EGF-R, Shc, and ERK1/2 by EGF and HB-EGF was independent of PKC and metalloprotease activity. The signaling characteristics of HB-EGF closely resembled those of GnRH and EGF in terms of the phosphorylation of EGF-R, Shc, ERK1/2, and RSK-1 as well as the nuclear translocation of RSK-1. However, neither the selective Src kinase inhibitor PP2 nor the overexpression of negative regulatory Src kinase and dominant negative Pyk2 had any effect on HB-EGF-induced responses. In contrast to GT1-7 cells, human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing the GnRH-R did not exhibit metalloprotease induction and EGF-R transactivation during GnRH stimulation. These data indicate that the GnRH-induced transactivation of the EGF-R and the subsequent ERK1/2 phosphorylation result from ectodomain shedding of HBEGF through PKC-dependent activation of metalloprotease(s) in neuronal GT1-7 cells.

Involvement of reactive oxygen species in angiotensin II-induced endothelin-1 gene expression in rat cardiac fibroblasts

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on fibroblast proliferation and endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene induction, focusing especially on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling in cardiac fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin II increases ET-1 expression, which plays an important role in Ang II-induced fibroblast proliferation. Angiotensin II also stimulates ROS generation in cardiac fibroblasts. However, whether ROS are involved in Ang II-induced proliferation and ET-1 expression remains unknown.

METHODS

Cultured neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts were stimulated with Ang II, and then [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and the ET-1 gene expression were examined. We also examined the effects of antioxidants on Ang II-induced proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation to elucidate the redox-sensitive pathway in fibroblast proliferation and ET-1 gene expression.

RESULTS

Both AT(1) receptor antagonist (losartan) and ET(A) receptor antagonist (BQ485) inhibited Ang II-increased DNA synthesis. Endothelin-1 gene was induced with Ang II as revealed by Northern blotting and promoter activity assay. Angiotensin II increased intracellular ROS levels, which were inhibited with losartan and antioxidants. Antioxidants further suppressed Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression, DNA synthesis, and MAPK phosphorylation. PD98059, but not SB203580, fully inhibited Ang II-induced ET-1 expression. Truncation and mutational analysis of the ET-1 gene promoter showed that AP-1 binding site was an important cis-element in Ang II-induced ET-1 gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that ROS are involved in Ang II-induced proliferation and ET-1 gene expression. Our findings imply that the combination of AT(I) and ET(A) receptor antagonists plus antioxidants may be beneficial in preventing the formation of excessive cardiac fibrosis.

Angiotensin II-induced modulation of endothelium-dependent relaxation in rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries

The role of local endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) in endothelial function in resistance arteries was investigated using rabbit mesenteric resistance arteries. First, the presence of immunoreactive Ang II together with Ang II type-1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was confirmed in these arteries. In endothelium-intact strips, the AT1R-blocker olmesartan (1 microM) and the ACE-inhibitor temocaprilat (1 microM) each enhanced the ACh (0.03 microM)-induced relaxation during the contraction induced by noradrenaline (NA, 10 microM). Similar effects were obtained using CV-11974 (another AT1R blocker) and enalaprilat (another ACE inhibitor). The nitric-oxide-synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) abolished the above effect of olmesartan. In endothelium-denuded strips, olmesartan enhanced the relaxation induced by the NO donor NOC-7 (10 nM). Olmesartan had no effect on cGMP production (1) in endothelium-intact strips (in the absence or presence of ACh) or (2) in endothelium-denuded strips (in the absence or presence of NOC-7). In beta-escin-skinned strips, 8-bromoguanosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP, 0.01-1 microM) concentration dependently inhibited the contractions induced (a) by 0.3 microM Ca2+ in the presence of NA+GTP and (b) by 0.2 microM Ca2++GTPgammaS. Olmesartan significantly enhanced, while Ang II (0.1 nM) significantly inhibited, the 8-Br-cGMP-induced relaxation. We propose the novel hypothesis that in these arteries, Ang II localized within smooth muscle cells activates AT1Rs and inhibits ACh-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation at least partly by inhibiting the action of cGMP on these cells.

ANG II and LPA induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells: role of Ca2+, PKC, and Rho kinase

The G protein-coupled receptor agonists angiotensin II (ANG II) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) rapidly induce tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) in IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells. The combined Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation induced by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, a direct agonist of protein kinase C (PKC), and ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore, was equal to that induced by ANG II. Inhibition of either PKC or Ca2+ signaling attenuated the effect of ANG II and LPA, although simultaneous inhibition of both pathways failed to completely abolish Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Cytochalasin D, which disrupts stress fibers, strongly inhibited the response of Pyk2 to ANG II or LPA. The distinct Rho-associated kinase (ROK) inhibitors HA-1077 and Y-27632, as well as the Rho inhibitor Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme, also significantly attenuated ANG II- and LPA-stimulated Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation. Simultaneous inhibition of PKC, Ca2+, and either actin assembly or ROK completely abolished the Pyk2 response. Together, these results show that ANG II and LPA rapidly induce Pyk2 tyrosine phosphorylation in intestinal epithelial cells via separate Ca2+-, PKC-, and Rho-mediated pathways.

Selective inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation by sodium salicylate in cardiac fibroblasts

The effects of salicylate on the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs) induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were studied in rat cardiac fibroblasts as a possible model for the anti-inflammatory effects of salicylate on this signaling pathway. Salicylate inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of both STAT1 and STAT3, but had a more pronounced effect on STAT3 activation. Salicylate pretreatment prevented both the nuclear translocation and the DNA-binding activity of STAT1 and STAT3, assessed by immunoblotting and gel shift assays, respectively. In addition to causing phosphorylation at tyrosine residues, IFN-gamma also phosphorylated STAT3 and STAT1 at serine 727. Salicylate attenuated both tyrosine and serine phosphorylations of STAT3, and also suppressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, implicating the effect of salicylate on ERK as a possible mechanism for attenuating STAT3 activation. The possibility that salicylate might affect signaling cascades by altering the redox state of the cells was examined, and its effects differed from those of other reducing agents. Salicylate did attenuate the effects of hydrogen peroxide on STAT phosphorylation, consistent with a mechanism involving an interaction between salicylate and reactive oxygen species within the cell.

Angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction pathways

The renin-angiotensin system is one of the major cardiovascular systems that controls blood volume, peripheral vascular tone, and blood pressure. Recent studies indicate important roles for angiotensin II in inflammation, atherosclerosis, and congestive heart failure as well. It is gradually becoming clear that angiotensin II exerts effects on the cardiovascular system through several unique mechanisms, including the availability of two different angiotensin II receptors, recruitment of protein tyrosine kinase activity, and receptor tyrosine kinase transactivation. This review discusses the diverse mechanisms of angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction pathways and the various effects of angiotensin II on the cardiovascular system.

Human endothelial Pyk2 is expressed in two isoforms and associates with paxillin and p130Cas

Proline-rich kinase 2 (Pyk2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the focal adhesion kinase family. Many stimuli can initiate phosphorylation and activation of Pyk2 but its specific activators and downstream targets are still largely unidentified and little is known of the mechanisms or role of Pyk2 activation in endothelial cells. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), we show that (1) Pyk2 is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues 402, 580, and 881 in response to stimulation with G-protein-coupled receptor agonists (GPCAs), vascular endothelial growth factor, and the cytokine interleukin-1alpha; (2) HUVEC express mRNA for two isoforms of Pyk2 which do not appear to be regulated transcriptionally by GPCAs, growth factors, or cytokines; and (3) Pyk2 is localised to the cytosol and associates through its C-terminus with the cytoskeletal protein paxillin and the adapter molecule p130Cas in phosphorylation-independent interactions. These results demonstrate that Pyk2 is rapidly activated and associates with structural and adapter proteins suggesting that it is an important kinase involved in mediating acute responses in endothelium.

Salicylate Inhibits Phosphorylation of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinases, Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 and c-Src

-The anti-inflammatory effects of salicylate are well known, but the intracellular mechanisms underlying those effects remain to be clarified and are not explained solely by an influence on cyclooxygenase activity. In the present study, we have used cardiac fibroblasts stimulated by either angiotensin II (Ang II) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of salicylate on the phosphorylation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) and c-Src, by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting methods. This inhibition was dose dependent, with a clear effect observed at concentrations between 5 and 20 mmol/L salicylate. Intracellular Ca(2+) chelation and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibition reduced Ang II and PDGF-induced PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation. Salicylate significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of both of the tyrosine kinases activated by either ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin treatment, which led to an elevation of cytosolic Ca(2+). Activation of PKC by phorbol ester phosphorylated both PYK2 and Src, and this effect also was attenuated by salicylate. In contrast, salicylate had no effect on either the transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by Ang II or the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma by PDGF. These studies indicate a novel site of action for salicylate on PYK2 and c-Src phosphorylation and suggest that this inhibitory effect on these important signaling intermediates may be through a Ca(2+)- and PKC-dependent mechanism.

Transactivation: a novel signaling pathway from angiotensin II to tyrosine kinase receptors

Angiotensin II (Ang II), an octapeptide pressor hormone, activates cellular events that may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The physiological actions of Ang II are mediated via the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and type 2 receptor (AT2R), which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). GPCR share a common basic structure of seven transmembrane helices connected by alternating cytoplasmic and extracellular loops. GPCR lack intrinsic kinase activity possessed by receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Nonetheless, the signal transduction events activated by the AT1R mimic those of RTKs. Recently, cross-talk between GPCR and RTK has been observed. There is accumulating evidence that GPCR take advantage of signaling pathways downstream of RTK to exert its effect on the cells. In this context, RTK may be considered as one of signaling molecules downstream of GPCR.

Signal transduction of angiotensin II type 1 receptor through receptor tyrosine kinase

In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, the angiotensin II (AngII) type-1 (AT(1)) receptor generates growth-promoting signals via the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor system. This 'transactivation' mechanism now appears to be utilized by a variety of G-protein-coupled receptors in many cells. The AngII-induced EGF receptor transactivation leads to activation of downstream signaling molecules including Ras, ERK, c-fos, Akt/protein kinase B, and p70 S6 kinase. We propose three possible mechanisms may be involved in the transactivation, (i) an upstream tyrosine kinase, (ii) reactive oxygen species, and (iii) a juxtacrine activation of the EGF receptor ligand. Whether the EGF receptor signal transduction induced by AngII plays an essential role in cardiovascular remodeling remains to be investigated.

Distinct effects of N-acetylcysteine and nitric oxide on angiotensin II-induced epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation and intracellular Ca(2+) levels

These studies describe inhibitory effects of N-acetylcysteine on several biochemical events associated with the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) by angiotensin II in the cardiac fibroblast and compare these effects with those of the nitric oxide donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, an agent we showed previously to inhibit angiotensin II-induced ERK activation and the concomitant phosphorylation of proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Wang, D., Yu, X., and Brecher, P. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 24342-24348). The transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by angiotensin II, a process required for the activation of ERK, was inhibited by N-acetylcysteine but not by nitric oxide. The transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by angiotensin II was shown to be independent of intracellular calcium increases. Nitric oxide, but not N-acetylcysteine, inhibited the angiotensin II-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+). Neither nitric oxide nor N-acetylcysteine inhibited either phospholipase C activation or inositol triphosphate generation in response to angiotensin II. N-Acetylcysteine did inhibit the phosphorylation of the calcium sensitive tyrosine kinases PYK2 and Src, effects that also occurred using nitric oxide. These studies describe a novel effect of N-acetylcysteine on cross-talk between a G protein-linked receptor and a tyrosine kinase receptor and offer additional molecular insight to explain how N-acetylcysteine and nitric oxide act at different sites and might have an additive effect on specific hormonal responses.

Nitric oxide increases p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression by a cGMP-dependent pathway that includes activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p70(S6k)

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates the expression of p21(Waf1/Cip1) in several cell types. The present study examined the role of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6k)) in the NO-induced increase in p21 expression that occurred in adventitial fibroblasts during the cell cycle. Both ERK and p70(S6k) were phosphorylated in response to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and the activation was rapid, transient, and preceded increased p21 expresion under defined conditions where serum was present. Addition of a selective inhibitor of ERK phosphorylation (PD98059) prevented the subsequent phosphorylation of p70(S6k) and the increase in p21 protein. Both cGMP and cAMP activated both ERK and p70(S6k), whereas only selective inhibitors of protein kinase G prevented the activation of the kinases by SNAP. A complex between ERK and p70(S6k) was documented by immunoprecipitation procedures. Rapamycin blocked p70(S6k) phosphorylation induced by NO and also inhibited p53 phosphorylation and p21 expression whereas PD98059 only prevented the NO-induced increase in p21 protein without influencing either p53 activation or p21 mRNA expression. The studies show a unique relationship between NO, ERK, and p70(S6k) and also provide evidence for a novel role of p70(S6k) in the activation of p53.