Signaling mechanisms induced by endothelin agonists in human adrenal glomerulosa cells

Regulation of blood pressure and salt homeostasis by endothelin

Endothelin (ET) peptides and their receptors are intimately involved in the physiological control of systemic blood pressure and body Na homeostasis, exerting these effects through alterations in a host of circulating and local factors. Hormonal systems affected by ET include natriuretic peptides, aldosterone, catecholamines, and angiotensin. ET also directly regulates cardiac output, central and peripheral nervous system activity, renal Na and water excretion, systemic vascular resistance, and venous capacitance. ET regulation of these systems is often complex, sometimes involving opposing actions depending on which receptor isoform is activated, which cells are affected, and what other prevailing factors exist. A detailed understanding of this system is important; disordered regulation of the ET system is strongly associated with hypertension and dysregulated extracellular fluid volume homeostasis. In addition, ET receptor antagonists are being increasingly used for the treatment of a variety of diseases; while demonstrating benefit, these agents also have adverse effects on fluid retention that may substantially limit their clinical utility. This review provides a detailed analysis of how the ET system is involved in the control of blood pressure and Na homeostasis, focusing primarily on physiological regulation with some discussion of the role of the ET system in hypertension.

Activation of endothelinA receptors in frog adrenocortical cells stimulates both calcium mobilization from intracellular stores and calcium influx through L-type calcium channels

We have previously shown that endothelin (ET)-1 stimulates corticosterone and aldosterone secretion by the frog adrenal gland through activation of ETA receptors positively coupled to both the adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC) pathways. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the involvement of calcium in ET-1-induced stimulation of corticosteroid secretion. Cytoautoradiographic labeling using [125I]ET-1 as a tracer revealed the presence of ET-1 binding sites on adrenocortical cells. Administration of graded concentrations of ET-1 in the vicinity of adrenocortical cells provoked a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i). ET-1 induced a biphasic response consisting of an immediate and transient peak of [Ca2+]i followed by a plateau phase. Preincubation of the cells with the calcium-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin or the PLC inhibitor U-73122 reduced the amplitude of the transient phase. Administration of the calcium chelator EGTA or the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89 attenuated the plateau phase. The [Ca2+]i response to ET-1 was markedly reduced during concomitant administration of U-73122 and H-89. Preincubation of the cells with the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine attenuated the plateau phase. Corticosteroid secretion from perifused frog adrenal slices was almost completely suppressed by thapsigargin and reduced by nifedipine. Taken together, these data indicate that activation of ETA receptors in frog adrenocortical cells provokes immediate stimulation of PLC, which causes an early mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores, and activates adenylyl cyclase, which results in delayed calcium influx through L-type calcium channels. The resulting increase in [Ca2+]i plays a pivotal role in ET-1-induced corticosteroid secretion.

Function of the endothelinB receptor in cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology

One of the two receptors by which the potent vasoactive effects of endothelin (ET)-1 are mediated is the ET(B) receptor (ET(BR)), which is found in several tissues, but, more importantly from a cardiovascular point of view, on the endothelial cell. The endothelial cell also has the unique capability of releasing ET-1, as well as other factors, such as the endothelial-derived relaxing factors and prostacyclin, which counteract the myotropic effects of the peptide. The secretory and contractile responses to ET-1 rely on G-protein-coupled ET(BR)s, as well as ET(A)-G-protein-coupled receptor-like proteins. The mitogenic properties of ET-1 via ET(A) receptors (ET(AR)s) coupled to mitogen-activated protein kinases and tyrosine kinases on the vascular smooth muscle may occur in conjunction with the anti-apoptotic characteristics of the endothelial ET(BR)s. Interestingly, most of the relevant antagonists and agonists for both ET(AR)s and ET(BR)s have been developed by the pharmaceutical industry. This highlights the therapeutical potential of compounds that act on ET receptors. In normal as well as in physiopathological conditions, the ET(BR) plays an important role in the control of vascular tone, and must be taken into account when using ET receptor antagonists for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. For the management of congestive heart failure, renal failure and primary pulmonary hypertension, the most recent literature supports the use of selective ET(AR) antagonists rather than mixed antagonists of ET(AR)s and ET(BR)s. Nonetheless, validation of this view will have to await the first clinical trials comparing the actions of ET(A) to mixed ET(A)/ET(B) receptor antagonists.

Angiotensin II and aldosterone regulation

The circulating renin-angiotensin system is a major regulator of the secretion of the adrenocortical hormone, aldosterone. This renin-angiotensin aldosterone system is important in the control of salt and water balance and blood pressure. This review describes the historical background leading to the discovery of aldosterone in the 1950s and the recognition in the 1960s that angiotensin II was involved in its control. Although angiotensin II is important in the regulation of aldosterone secretion, its action is influenced by multiple other factors, especially potassium and atrial natriuretic peptide. In addition to the circulating renin-angiotensin system, a local renin-angiotensin system is present in the zona glomerulosa cell. This local system also appears to be involved in the regulation of aldosterone production. The mechanism by which angiotensin II stimulates the adrenal zona glomerulosa cell is described in some detail. Angiotensin II interacts with the angiotensin receptor (AT1) membrane receptor that is coupled to cellular second messengers. Specific AT1 receptor antagonists are now clinically used to block angiotensin II's action on various target organs, including the adrenal gland.