Alpha2A-adrenergic receptors mediate sympathoinhibitory responses to atrial natriuretic peptide in the mouse anterior hypothalamic nucleus

Hypothalamic GPCR Signaling Pathways in Cardiometabolic Control

Obesity is commonly associated with sympathetic overdrive, which is one of the major risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and heart failure. Over the past few decades, there has been a growing understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying obesity development with central origin; however, the relative contribution of these molecular changes to the regulation of cardiovascular function remains vague. A variety of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their downstream signaling pathways activated in distinct hypothalamic neurons by different metabolic hormones, neuropeptides and monoamine neurotransmitters are crucial not only for the regulation of appetite and metabolic homeostasis but also for the sympathetic control of cardiovascular function. In this review, we will highlight the main GPCRs and associated hypothalamic nuclei that are important for both metabolic homeostasis and cardiovascular function. The potential downstream molecular mediators of these GPCRs will also be discussed.

Sarcolemmal α2-adrenoceptors control protective cardiomyocyte-delimited sympathoadrenal response

Sustained cardiac adrenergic stimulation has been implicated in the development of heart failure and ventricular dysrhythmia. Conventionally, α2 adrenoceptors (α2-AR) have been assigned to a sympathetic short-loop feedback aimed at attenuating catecholamine release. We have recently revealed the expression of α2-AR in the sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes and identified the ability of α2-AR signaling to suppress spontaneous Ca²⁺ transients through nitric oxide (NO) dependent pathways. Herein, patch-clamp measurements and serine/threonine phosphatase assay revealed that, in isolated rat cardiomyocytes, activation of α2-AR suppressed L-type Ca²⁺ current (I_CaL) via stimulation of NO synthesis and protein kinase G- (PKG) dependent activation of phosphatase reactions, counteracting isoproterenol-induced β-adrenergic activation. Under stimulation with norepinephrine (NE), an agonist of β- and α-adrenoceptors, the α2-AR antagonist yohimbine substantially elevated I_CaL at NE levels >10nM. Concomitantly, yohimbine potentiated triggered intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics and contractility of cardiac papillary muscles. Therefore, in addition to the α2-AR-mediated feedback suppression of sympathetic and adrenal catecholamine release, α2-AR in cardiomyocytes can govern a previously unrecognized local cardiomyocyte-delimited stress-reactive signaling pathway. We suggest that such aberrant α2-AR signaling may contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy under sustained sympathetic drive. Indeed, in cardiomyocytes of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), an established model of cardiac hypertrophy, α2-AR signaling was dramatically reduced despite increased α2-AR mRNA levels compared to normal cardiomyocytes. Thus, targeting α2-AR signaling mechanisms in cardiomyocytes may find implications in medical strategies against maladaptive cardiac remodeling associated with chronic sympathoadrenal stimulation.

Hypothalamic gene expression in ω-3 PUFA-deficient male rats before, and following, development of hypertension

Dietary deficiency of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 DEF) produces hypertension in later life. This study examined the effect of ω-3 DEF on blood pressure and hypothalamic gene expression in young rats, before the development of hypertension, and in older rats following the onset of hypertension. Animals were fed experimental diets that were deficient in ω-3 fatty acids, sufficient in short-chain ω-3 fatty acids or sufficient in short- and long-chain ω-3 fatty acids, from the prenatal period until 10 or 36 weeks-of-age. There was no difference in blood pressure between groups at 10 weeks-of-age; however, at 36 weeks-of-age ω-3 DEF animals were hypertensive in relation to sufficient groups. At 10 weeks, expression of angiotensin-II(1A) receptors and dopamine D(3) receptors were significantly increased in the hypothalamic tissue of ω-3 DEF animals. In contrast, at 36 weeks, α(2a) and β(1) adrenergic receptor expression was significantly reduced in the ω-3 DEF group. Brain docosahexaenoic acid was significantly lower in ω-3 DEF group compared with sufficient groups. This study demonstrates that dietary ω-3 DEF causes changes both in the expression of key genes involved in central blood pressure regulation and in blood pressure. The data may indicate that hypertension resulting from ω-3 DEF is mediated by the central adrenergic system.

Identification of the adrenoceptor subtypes expressed on GABAergic neurons in the anterior hypothalamic area and rostral zona incerta of GAD65-eGFP transgenic mice

GABA is a major neurotransmitter in the hypothalamus. In particular, neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus receive dense GABAergic inputs from peri-PVN regions. The noradrenergic system has been reported as a modulator of GABAergic transmission to the PVN. Previous electrophysiological and morphological studies support the presence of adrenoceptors on GABAergic neurons innervating the PVN. In this study, we identified three adrenoceptors on GABAergic neurons in the peri-PVN region, focusing on the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA) and rostral zona incerta (ZIr). GABAergic neurons were identified using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), followed by single cell RT-PCR analysis of the GABA synthetic enzymes, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)65 and/or GAD67. Single cell RT-PCR data revealed the expression of alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)- and alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor mRNA on GABAergic neurons in AHA and ZIr. Additionally, immunohistochemical studies showed that the immunoreactivities of alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)- and alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor were colocalized with eGFP-expressing neurons in AHA and ZIr. The present findings suggest the contribution of adrenoceptors to the modulation of GABAergic neurons in AHA and ZIr.

Natriuretic peptide receptor B signaling in the cardiovascular system: protection from cardiac hypertrophy

Natriuretic peptides (NP) represent a family of structurally homologous but genetically distinct peptide hormones involved in regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure, fat metabolism, cell proliferation, and long bone growth. Recent work suggests a role for natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPR-B) signaling in regulation of cardiac growth by either a direct effect on cardiomyocytes or by modulation of other signaling pathways including the autonomic nervous system. The research links NPR-B for the first time to a cardiac phenotype in vivo and underlines the importance of the NP in the cardiovascular system. This manuscript will focus on the role of NPR-B and its ligand C-type natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular physiology and disease and will evaluate these new findings in the context of the known function of this receptor, with a perspective on how future research might further elucidate NPR-B function.

Localization of ANP-synthesizing cells in rat stomach

AIM: To study the morphological positive expression of antrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-synthesizing cells and ultrastructural localization and the relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in the stomach of rats and to analyze the distribution of the three histologically distinct regions of ANP-synthesizing cells.

METHODS: Using immunohistochemical techniques, we studied positive expression of ANP-synthesizing cells in rat stomach. A postembedding immunogold microscopy technique was used for ultrastructural localization of ANP-synthesizing cells. Microvessel density in the rat stomach was estimated using tannic acid-ferric chloride (TAFC) method staining. Distribution of ANP-synthesizing cells were studied in different regions of rat stomach histochemically.

RESULTS: Positive expression of ANP-synthesizing cells were localized in the gastric mucosa of rats. Localization of ANP-synthesizing cells identified them to be enterochrochromaffin cells (EC) by using a postembedding immunogold electron microscopy technique. EC cells were in the basal third of the cardiac mucosa region. ANP-synthesizing cells existed in different regions of rat stomach and its density was largest in the gastric cardiac region, and the distribution order of ANP-synthesizing cells in density was cardiac region, pyloric region and fundic region in mucosa layer. We have also found a close relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in gastric mucosa of rats using TAFC staining.

CONCLUSION: ANP-synthesizing cells are expressed in the gastric mucosa. EC synthesize ANP. There is a close relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessel density in gastric mucosa of rats.The distribution density of ANP-synthesizing cells is largest in the gastric cardiac region.

Relationship between atrial natriuretic peptide-immunoreactive cells and microvessels in rat gastric mucosa

AIM

To investigate the ultrastructural localization of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-synthesizing cells and the relationship between ANP-synthesizing cells and microvessels in rat gastric mucosa.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry techniques and postembedding immunoelectron microscopy techniques were used to validate the findings regarding the expression of ANP-synthesizing cells and the ultrastructural localization of ANP-synthesizing cells in the gastric mucosa. Histochemistry techniques and the tannic acid-ferric chloride method (TA-Fe staining method) were used to reveal microvessel density and the distribution of ANP-synthesizing cells in different regions of the stomach.

RESULTS

Cells expressing ANP were localized and ANP-synthesizing cells were identified as enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the gastric mucosa. ANP-synthesizing cells existed in different regions of the stomach. The percentage ANP-synthesizing cells in the mucosa was greatest in the fundus (46.7%+/-5.3%), intermediate in the antrum (40.1%+/-4.5%), and least in the body (21.6%+/-3.6%). There was a positive relationship between the percentage of ANP-synthesizing cells and the density of microvessels in the antral mucosa, but not in the fundus or body mucosa.

CONCLUSION

ANP is synthesized by EC cells in rat gastric mucosa, and ANP-synthesizing cells are most dense in the gastric fundus. ANP may act not only as a regional autocrine and/or paracrine regulator, but also as an endocrine regulatory peptide in the gastrointestinal tract.

Rats with steroid-induced polycystic ovaries develop hypertension and increased sympathetic nervous system activity

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with ovulatory dysfunction, abdominal obesity, hyperandrogenism, hypertension, and insulin resistance.

METHODS

Our objectives in this study were (1) to estimate sympathetic-adrenal medullary (SAM) activity by measuring mean systolic blood pressure (MSAP) in rats with estradiol valerate (EV)-induced PCO; (2) to estimate alpha1a and alpha2a adrenoceptor expression in a brain area thought to mediate central effects on MSAP regulation and in the adrenal medulla; (3) to assess hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation by measuring adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) levels in response to novel-environment stress; and (4) to measure abdominal obesity, sex steroids, and insulin sensitivity.

RESULTS

The PCO rats had significantly higher MSAP than controls, higher levels of alpha1a adrenoceptor mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and lower levels of alpha2a adrenoceptor mRNA in the PVN and adrenal medulla. After exposure to stress, PCO rats had higher ACTH and CORT levels. Plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in PCO rats, and no differences in insulin sensitivity or in the weight of intraabdominal fat depots were found.

CONCLUSION

Thus, rats with EV-induced PCO develop hypertension and increased sympathetic and HPA-axis activity without reduced insulin sensitivity, obesity, or hyperandrogenism. These findings may have implications for mechanisms underlying hypertension in PCOS.

Adrenergic receptor knockout mice: distinct functions of 9 receptor subtypes

The biological effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine are mediated via 9 different adrenergic receptor subtypes, which all belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Although pharmacological ligands for adrenergic receptors have an important place in medical therapy, the full therapeutic potential of the 9 adrenergic receptor subtypes has not been explored yet. To dissect the physiological relevance of adrenergic receptor subtype diversity, gene-targeted mouse models carrying deletions in these receptor genes ("knockout mice") have been generated. This review gives an overview of the phenotypes observed in mice deficient in adrenergic receptors and discusses the therapeutic relevance of subtype-specific drug therapy.

Role of calcium-activated potassium currents in CNP-induced relaxation of gastric antral circular smooth muscle in guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate ion channel mechanism in CNP-induced relaxation of gastric circular smooth muscle in guinea pigs.

METHODS: Spontaneous contraction of gastric smooth muscle was recorded by a four-channel physiograph. The whole cell patch-clamp technique was used to record calcium-activated potassium currents and membrane potential in the gastric myocytes isolated by collagenase.

RESULTS: C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) markedly inhibited the spontaneous contraction in a dose-dependent manner in gastric circular smooth muscle in guinea pigs. Ly83583, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, weakened CNP-induced inhibition on spontaneous contraction but Zaparinast, an inhibitor of cGMP sensitive phosphoesterase, potentiated CNP-induced inhibition in gastric circular smooth muscles. The inhibitory effects of CNP on spontaneous contraction were blocked by tetrathylammonium (TEA), a nonselective potassium channel blocker. C N P hyperpolarized membrane potential from -60.0 mV ± 2.0 mV to -68.3 mV ± 3.0 mV in a single gastric myocyte. CNP increased calcium-activated potassium currents (I_K(ca)) in a dose-dependent manner in gastric circular myocytes. CNP also increased the spontaneously transient outward currents (STOCs). Ly83583 partly blocked CNP-induced increase of calcium-activated potassium currents, but Zaparinast potented the effect.

CONCLUSION: CNP inhibits spontaneous contraction, and potassium channel may be involved in the process in gastric circular smooth muscle of guinea pigs. CNP-induced increase of I_K(ca) is mediated by a cGMP dependent pathway.