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Calzetta L, Page C, Matera MG, Cazzola M, Rogliani P. Use of human airway smooth muscle in vitro and ex vivo to investigate drugs for the treatment of chronic obstructive respiratory disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:610-639. [PMID: 37859567 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Isolated airway smooth muscle has been extensively investigated since 1840 to understand the pharmacology of airway diseases. There has often been poor predictability from murine experiments to drugs evaluated in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the use of isolated human airways represents a sensible strategy to optimise the development of innovative molecules for the treatment of respiratory diseases. This review aims to provide updated evidence on the current uses of isolated human airways in validated in vitro methods to investigate drugs in development for the treatment of chronic obstructive respiratory disorders. This review also provides historical notes on the pioneering pharmacological research on isolated human airway tissues, the key differences between human and animal airways, as well as the pivotal differences between human medium bronchi and small airways. Experiments carried out with isolated human bronchial tissues in vitro and ex vivo replicate many of the main anatomical, pathophysiological, mechanical and immunological characteristics of patients with asthma or COPD. In vitro models of asthma and COPD using isolated human airways can provide information that is directly translatable into humans with obstructive lung diseases. Regardless of the technique used to investigate drugs for the treatment of chronic obstructive respiratory disorders (i.e., isolated organ bath systems, videomicroscopy and wire myography), the most limiting factors to produce high-quality and repeatable data remain closely tied to the manual skills of the researcher conducting experiments and the availability of suitable tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigino Calzetta
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Disease and Lung Function Unit, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Clive Page
- Pulmonary Pharmacology Unit, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Gabriella Matera
- Unit of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Cazzola
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Rogliani
- Unit of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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2
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Ni K, Che B, Gu R, Wang C, Xu H, Li H, Cen S, Luo M, Deng L. BitterDB database analysis plus cell stiffness screening identify flufenamic acid as the most potent TAS2R14-based relaxant of airway smooth muscle cells for therapeutic bronchodilation. Theranostics 2024; 14:1744-1763. [PMID: 38389834 PMCID: PMC10879871 DOI: 10.7150/thno.92492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are abundantly expressed in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), which have been recognized as promising targets for bitter agonists to initiate relaxation and thereby prevent excessive airway constriction as the main characteristic of asthma. However, due to the current lack of tested safe and potent agonists functioning at low effective concentrations, there has been no clinically approved TAS2R-based drug for bronchodilation in asthma therapy. This study thus aimed at exploring TAS2R agonists with bronchodilator potential by BitterDB database analysis and cell stiffness screening. Methods: Bitter compounds in the BitterDB database were retrieved and analyzed for their working subtype of TAS2R and effective concentration. Compounds activating TAS2R5, 10, and 14 at < 100 μM effective concentration were identified and subsequently screened by cell stiffness assay using optical magnetic twisting cytometry (OMTC) to identify the most potent to relax ASMCs. Then the compound identified was further characterized for efficacy on various aspects related to relaxation of ASMCs, incl. but not limited to traction force by Fourier transform traction force microscopy (FTTFM), [Ca2+]i signaling by Fluo-4/AM intensity, cell migration by scratch wound healing, mRNA expression by qPCR, and protein expressing by ELISA. The compound identified was also compared to conventional β-agonist (isoproterenol and salbutamol) for efficacy in reducing cell stiffness of cultured ASMCs and airway resistance of ovalbumin-treated mice. Results: BitterDB analysis found 18 compounds activating TAS2R5, 10, and 14 at < 100 μM effective concentration. Cell stiffness screening of these compounds eventually identified flufenamic acid (FFA) as the most potent compound to rapidly reduce cell stiffness at 1 μM. The efficacy of FFA to relax ASMCs in vitro and abrogate airway resistance in vivo was equivalent to that of conventional β-agonists. The FFA-induced effect on ASMCs was mediated by TAS2R14 activation, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release, and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channel opening. FFA also attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in cultured ASMCs. Conclusions: FFA as a potent TAS2R14 agonist to relax ASMCs while suppressing cytokine release might be a favorite drug agent for further development of TAS2R-based novel dual functional medication for bronchodilation and anti-inflammation in asthma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mingzhi Luo
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, and School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Linhong Deng
- Changzhou Key Laboratory of Respiratory Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences, and School of Medical and Health Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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3
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Atia L, Fredberg JJ. A life off the beaten track in biomechanics: Imperfect elasticity, cytoskeletal glassiness, and epithelial unjamming. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:041304. [PMID: 38156333 PMCID: PMC10751956 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Textbook descriptions of elasticity, viscosity, and viscoelasticity fail to account for certain mechanical behaviors that typify soft living matter. Here, we consider three examples. First, strong empirical evidence suggests that within lung parenchymal tissues, the frictional stresses expressed at the microscale are fundamentally not of viscous origin. Second, the cytoskeleton (CSK) of the airway smooth muscle cell, as well as that of all eukaryotic cells, is more solid-like than fluid-like, yet its elastic modulus is softer than the softest of soft rubbers by a factor of 104-105. Moreover, the eukaryotic CSK expresses power law rheology, innate malleability, and fluidization when sheared. For these reasons, taken together, the CSK of the living eukaryotic cell is reminiscent of the class of materials called soft glasses, thus likening it to inert materials such as clays, pastes slurries, emulsions, and foams. Third, the cellular collective comprising a confluent epithelial layer can become solid-like and jammed, fluid-like and unjammed, or something in between. Esoteric though each may seem, these discoveries are consequential insofar as they impact our understanding of bronchospasm and wound healing as well as cancer cell invasion and embryonic development. Moreover, there are reasons to suspect that certain of these phenomena first arose in the early protist as a result of evolutionary pressures exerted by the primordial microenvironment. We have hypothesized, further, that each then became passed down virtually unchanged to the present day as a conserved core process. These topics are addressed here not only because they are interesting but also because they track the journey of one laboratory along a path less traveled by.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Atia
- Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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4
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Nayak AP, Javed E, Villalba DR, Wang Y, Morelli HP, Shah SD, Kim N, Ostrom RS, Panettieri RA, An SS, Tang DD, Penn RB. Prorelaxant E-type Prostanoid Receptors Functionally Partition to Different Procontractile Receptors in Airway Smooth Muscle. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:584-591. [PMID: 37523713 PMCID: PMC10633839 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0445oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 imparts diverse physiological effects on multiple airway cells through its actions on four distinct E-type prostanoid (EP) receptor subtypes (EP1-EP4). Gs-coupled EP2 and EP4 receptors are expressed on airway smooth muscle (ASM), yet their capacity to regulate the ASM contractile state remains subject to debate. We used EP2 and EP4 subtype-specific agonists (ONO-259 and ONO-329, respectively) in cell- and tissue-based models of human ASM contraction-magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC), and precision-cut lung slices (PCLSs), respectively-to study the EP2 and EP4 regulation of ASM contraction and signaling under conditions of histamine or methacholine (MCh) stimulation. ONO-329 was superior (<0.05) to ONO-259 in relaxing MCh-contracted PCLSs (log half maximal effective concentration [logEC50]: 4.9 × 10-7 vs. 2.2 × 10-6; maximal bronchodilation ± SE, 35 ± 2% vs. 15 ± 2%). However, ONO-259 and ONO-329 were similarly efficacious in relaxing histamine-contracted PCLSs. Similar differential effects were observed in MTC studies. Signaling analyses revealed only modest differences in ONO-329- and ONO-259-induced phosphorylation of the protein kinase A substrates VASP and HSP20, with concomitant stimulation with MCh or histamine. Conversely, ONO-259 failed to inhibit MCh-induced phosphorylation of the regulatory myosin light chain (pMLC20) and the F-actin/G-actin ratio (F/G-actin ratio) while effectively inhibiting their induction by histamine. ONO-329 was effective in reversing induced pMLC20 and the F/G-actin ratio with both MCh and histamine. Thus, the contractile-agonist-dependent differential effects are not explained by changes in the global levels of phosphorylated protein kinase A substrates but are reflected in the regulation of pMLC20 (cross-bridge cycling) and F/G-actin ratio (actin cytoskeleton integrity, force transmission), implicating a role for compartmentalized signaling involving muscarinic, histamine, and EP receptor subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay P. Nayak
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Elham Javed
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dominic R. Villalba
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yinna Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Henry P. Morelli
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sushrut D. Shah
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicholas Kim
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Rennolds S. Ostrom
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Chapman University, Irvine, California; and
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Steven S. An
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Dale D. Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Raymond B. Penn
- Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Institute, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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5
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Mallin MM, Kim N, Choudhury MI, Lee SJ, An SS, Sun SX, Konstantopoulos K, Pienta KJ, Amend SR. Cells in the polyaneuploid cancer cell (PACC) state have increased metastatic potential. Clin Exp Metastasis 2023:10.1007/s10585-023-10216-8. [PMID: 37326720 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10216-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although metastasis is the leading cause of cancer deaths, it is quite rare at the cellular level. Only a rare subset of cancer cells (~ 1 in 1.5 billion) can complete the entire metastatic cascade: invasion, intravasation, survival in the circulation, extravasation, and colonization (i.e. are metastasis competent). We propose that cells engaging a Polyaneuploid Cancer Cell (PACC) phenotype are metastasis competent. Cells in the PACC state are enlarged, endocycling (i.e. non-dividing) cells with increased genomic content that form in response to stress. Single-cell tracking using time lapse microscopy reveals that PACC state cells have increased motility. Additionally, cells in the PACC state exhibit increased capacity for environment-sensing and directional migration in chemotactic environments, predicting successful invasion. Magnetic Twisting Cytometry and Atomic Force Microscopy reveal that cells in the PACC state display hyper-elastic properties like increased peripheral deformability and maintained peri-nuclear cortical integrity that predict successful intravasation and extravasation. Furthermore, four orthogonal methods reveal that cells in the PACC state have increased expression of vimentin, a hyper-elastic biomolecule known to modulate biomechanical properties and induce mesenchymal-like motility. Taken together, these data indicate that cells in the PACC state have increased metastatic potential and are worthy of further in vivo analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela M Mallin
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Nicholas Kim
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Se Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Steven S An
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Sean X Sun
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Kenneth J Pienta
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R Amend
- Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Training Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Cancer Ecology Center, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
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6
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Xiong D(JP, Martin JG, Lauzon AM. Airway smooth muscle function in asthma. Front Physiol 2022; 13:993406. [PMID: 36277199 PMCID: PMC9581182 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.993406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Known to have affected around 340 million people across the world in 2018, asthma is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. The symptoms such as wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and cough reflect episodes of reversible airway obstruction. Asthma is a heterogeneous disease that varies in clinical presentation, severity, and pathobiology, but consistently features airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR)—excessive airway narrowing due to an exaggerated response of the airways to various stimuli. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is the major effector of exaggerated airway narrowing and AHR and many factors may contribute to its altered function in asthma. These include genetic predispositions, early life exposure to viruses, pollutants and allergens that lead to chronic exposure to inflammatory cells and mediators, altered innervation, airway structural cell remodeling, and airway mechanical stress. Early studies aiming to address the dysfunctional nature of ASM in the etiology and pathogenesis of asthma have been inconclusive due to the methodological limitations in assessing the intrapulmonary airways, the site of asthma. The study of the trachealis, although convenient, has been misleading as it has shown no alterations in asthma and it is not as exposed to inflammatory cells as intrapulmonary ASM. Furthermore, the cartilage rings offer protection against stress and strain of repeated contractions. More recent strategies that allow for the isolation of viable intrapulmonary ASM tissue reveal significant mechanical differences between asthmatic and non-asthmatic tissues. This review will thus summarize the latest techniques used to study ASM mechanics within its environment and in isolation, identify the potential causes of the discrepancy between the ASM of the extra- and intrapulmonary airways, and address future directions that may lead to an improved understanding of ASM hypercontractility in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora (Jun Ping) Xiong
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Lauzon
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Anne-Marie Lauzon,
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7
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Selective Signal Capture from Multidimensional GPCR Outputs with Biased Agonists: Progress Towards Novel Drug Development. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:383-396. [PMID: 35595932 PMCID: PMC9276727 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00592-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a superfamily of transmembrane-spanning receptors that are activated by multiple endogenous ligands and are the most common target for agonist or antagonist therapeutics across a broad spectrum of diseases. Initial characterization within the superfamily suggested that a receptor activated a single intracellular pathway, depending on the G protein to which it coupled. However, it has become apparent that a given receptor can activate multiple different pathways, some being therapeutically desirable, while others are neutral or promote deleterious signaling. The activation of pathways that limit effectiveness of a primary pathway or promote unwanted signals has led to abandonment of some GPCRs as drug targets. However, it is now recognized that the conformation of the receptor in its ligand-bound state can be altered by the structure of the agonist or antagonist to achieve pathway selectivity, a property termed biased signaling. Biased ligands could dramatically expand the number of novel drugs acting at GPCRs for new indications. However, the field struggles with the complexity and uncertainty of these structure-functions relationships. In this review we define the theoretical underpinnings of the biased effect, discuss the methods for measuring bias, and the pitfalls that can lead to incorrect assignments of bias. Using the recent elucidation of a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist that is biased in favor of Gs coupling over β-arrestin binding, we provide an example of how large libraries of compounds that are impartial to preconceived notions of agonist binding can be utilized to discover pathway-specific agonists. In this case, an agonist that lacks tachyphylaxis for the treatment of obstructive lung diseases was uncovered, with a structure that was distinctly different from other agonists. We show how biased characteristics were ascertained analytically, and how molecular modeling and simulations provide a structural basis for a restricted signaling repertoire.
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8
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Tokmakova A, Kim D, Goddard WA, Liggett SB. Biased β-Agonists Favoring Gs over β-Arrestin for Individualized Treatment of Obstructive Lung Disease. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12030331. [PMID: 35330331 PMCID: PMC8955194 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Signals from G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most frequently targeted pathways of currently prescribed therapeutics. Rather than being a simple switch, it is now evident that a given receptor can directly initiate multiple signals, and biasing to achieve signal selectivity based on agonist structure is possible. Biased agonists could direct therapeutically favorable pathways while avoiding counterproductive or adverse reaction pathways. For obstructive lung diseases, β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists act at these receptors on airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells to open the airways by relaxing ASM, improving airflow and morbidity. However, these receptors signal to the G protein Gs (increasing cAMP and promoting relaxation), but also to β-arrestin (promoting desensitization and a loss of effectiveness). Indeed, β-agonist use is associated with adverse events in asthma pathogenesis and clinical outcomes which are related to desensitization. β-agonists favoring Gs coupling over β-arrestin binding would provide a means of tailoring bronchodilator therapy. In this review, we show how combinatorial methods with a 40 million compound agnostic library led to a new class of biased β-agonists that do not desensitize, providing an opportunity to personalize therapy in patients who experience poor efficacy or adverse effects from traditional balanced agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Tokmakova
- Program in Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA;
| | - Donghwa Kim
- Department of Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- Center for Personized Medicine and Genomics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - William A. Goddard
- Materials and Process Simulation Center, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA;
| | - Stephen B. Liggett
- Department of Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA;
- Center for Personized Medicine and Genomics, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology and Department of Medical Engineering, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-813-974-7715
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9
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Identification and characterization of an atypical Gαs-biased β 2AR agonist that fails to evoke airway smooth muscle cell tachyphylaxis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026668118. [PMID: 34857633 PMCID: PMC8670521 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026668118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought β2AR agonists for treating obstructive lung diseases such as asthma, in which this receptor relaxes airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells and opens airways. Agonists favoring Gs coupling (leads to airway relaxation) compared with activating β-arrestin (limits effectiveness due to receptor desensitization) were pursued in a 40-million-compound screening library. Of several agonists identified, one was apparently biased away from β-arrestin. Agonist–receptor–G protein modeling revealed different receptor interactions compared with other agonists. The favorable effects of the apparent biasing with this agonist were demonstrated in a physiologic system (ASM relaxation). These studies point to a different structural class of β-agonists that might be used to treat obstructive lung diseases without the adverse effects associated with tachyphylaxis. G protein–coupled receptors display multifunctional signaling, offering the potential for agonist structures to promote conformational selectivity for biased outputs. For β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR), unbiased agonists stabilize conformation(s) that evoke coupling to Gαs (cyclic adenosine monophosphate [cAMP] production/human airway smooth muscle [HASM] cell relaxation) and β-arrestin engagement, the latter acting to quench Gαs signaling, contributing to receptor desensitization/tachyphylaxis. We screened a 40-million-compound scaffold ranking library, revealing unanticipated agonists with dihydroimidazolyl-butyl-cyclic urea scaffolds. The S-stereoisomer of compound C1 shows no detectable β-arrestin engagement/signaling by four methods. However, C1-S retained Gαs signaling—a divergence of the outputs favorable for treating asthma. Functional studies with two models confirmed the biasing: β2AR-mediated cAMP signaling underwent desensitization to the unbiased agonist albuterol but not to C1-S, and desensitization of HASM cell relaxation was observed with albuterol but not with C1-S. These HASM results indicate biologically pertinent biasing of C1-S, in the context of the relevant physiologic response, in the human cell type of interest. Thus, C1-S was apparently strongly biased away from β-arrestin, in contrast to albuterol and C5-S. C1-S structural modeling and simulations revealed binding differences compared with unbiased epinephrine at transmembrane (TM) segments 3,5,6,7 and ECL2. C1-S (R2 = cyclohexane) was repositioned in the pocket such that it lost a TM6 interaction and gained a TM7 interaction compared with the analogous unbiased C5-S (R2 = benzene group), which appears to contribute to C1-S biasing away from β-arrestin. Thus, an agnostic large chemical-space library identified agonists with receptor interactions that resulted in relevant signal splitting of β2AR actions favorable for treating obstructive lung disease.
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10
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Cao G, Lam H, Jude JA, Karmacharya N, Kan M, Jester W, Koziol-White C, Himes BE, Chupp GL, An SS, Panettieri RA. Inhibition of ABCC1 Decreases cAMP Egress and Promotes Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Relaxation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2021; 66:96-106. [PMID: 34648729 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0345oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In most living cells, the second messenger roles for 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) are short-lived, confined to the intracellular space, and tightly controlled by the binary switch-like actions of the stimulatory G protein (Gαs)-activated adenylyl cyclase (cAMP production) and cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (cAMP breakdown). Using human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells in culture as a model, here we report that activation of the cell surface β2-adrenoceptor (β2AR), a Gs-coupled G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), evokes cAMP egress to the extracellular space. Increased extracellular cAMP levels ([cAMP]e) are long-lived in culture and induced by receptor-dependent and receptor-independent mechanisms in such a way as to define a universal response class of increased intracellular cAMP levels ([cAMP]i). We find that HASM cells express multiple ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters, with ABCC1 being the most highly enriched transcript mapped to multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRPs). We show that pharmacological inhibition or downregulation of ABCC1 with small interfering RNA markedly reduces β2AR-evoked cAMP release from HASM cells. Further, inhibition of ABCC1 activity or expression decreases basal tone and increases β-agonist-induced HASM cellular relaxation. These findings identify a previously unrecognized role for ABCC1 in the homeostatic regulation of [cAMP]i in HASM that may be conserved traits of the Gs-coupled family of GPCRs. Hence, the general features of this activation mechanism may uncover new disease-modifying targets in the treatment of airflow obstruction in asthma. Surprisingly, we find that serum cAMP levels are elevated in a small cohort of patients with asthma as compared with controls that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Hong Lam
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Joseph A Jude
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Nikhil Karmacharya
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Mengyuan Kan
- University of Pennsylvania, 6572, Department of Biostatistics Epidemiology and Informatics, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - William Jester
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Cynthia Koziol-White
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Blanca E Himes
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 14640, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Geoffrey L Chupp
- Yale School of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Steven S An
- Rutgers University, 242612, Pharmacology, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States;
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11
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Tuday E, Nakano M, Akiyoshi K, Fu X, Shah AP, Yamaguchi A, Steenbergen C, Santhanam L, An SS, Berkowitz D, Baraban JM, Das S. Degradation of Premature-miR-181b by the Translin/Trax RNase Increases Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Stiffness. Hypertension 2021; 78:831-839. [PMID: 34304585 PMCID: PMC8363557 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Tuday
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Veterans Affairs: Salt Lake City, UT 84148
- Department of Internal Medicine: Division of Cardiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
| | | | - Kei Akiyoshi
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
| | - Xiuping Fu
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Aparna P. Shah
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Atsushi Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical Center, Jichi Medical University, Saitama, Japan
| | - Charles Steenbergen
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | | | - Steven S. An
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ, 08854
- Rutgers Institute of Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
| | - Dan Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Jay M. Baraban
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
| | - Samarjit Das
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205
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12
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Role of Airway Smooth Muscle in Inflammation Related to Asthma and COPD. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1303:139-172. [PMID: 33788192 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63046-1_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle contributes to both contractility and inflammation in the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD. Airway smooth muscle cells can change the degree of a variety of functions, including contraction, proliferation, migration, and the secretion of inflammatory mediators (phenotype plasticity). Airflow limitation, airway hyperresponsiveness, β2-adrenergic desensitization, and airway remodeling, which are fundamental characteristic features of these diseases, are caused by phenotype changes in airway smooth muscle cells. Alterations between contractile and hyper-contractile, synthetic/proliferative phenotypes result from Ca2+ dynamics and Ca2+ sensitization. Modulation of Ca2+ dynamics through the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel/L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel linkage and of Ca2+ sensitization through the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway contributes not only to alterations in the contractile phenotype involved in airflow limitation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and β2-adrenergic desensitization but also to alteration of the synthetic/proliferative phenotype involved in airway remodeling. These Ca2+ signal pathways are also associated with synergistic effects due to allosteric modulation between β2-adrenergic agonists and muscarinic antagonists. Therefore, airway smooth muscle may be a target tissue in the therapy for these diseases. Moreover, the phenotype changing in airway smooth muscle cells with focuses on Ca2+ signaling may provide novel strategies for research and development of effective remedies against both bronchoconstriction and inflammation.
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13
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Lee H, Bonin K, Guthold M. Human mammary epithelial cells in a mature, stratified epithelial layer flatten and stiffen compared to single and confluent cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2021; 1865:129891. [PMID: 33689830 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.129891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epithelium forms a protective barrier against external biological, chemical and physical insults. So far, AFM-based, micro-mechanical measurements have only been performed on single cells and confluent cells, but not yet on cells in mature layers. METHODS Using a combination of atomic force, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, we determined the changes in stiffness, morphology and actin distribution of human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) as they transition from single cells to confluency to a mature layer. RESULTS Single HMECs have a tall, round (planoconvex) morphology, have actin stress fibers at the base, have diffuse cortical actin, and have a stiffness of 1 kPa. Confluent HMECs start to become flatter, basal actin stress fibers start to disappear, and actin accumulates laterally where cells abut. Overall stiffness is still 1 kPa with two-fold higher stiffness in the abutting regions. As HMECs mature and form multilayered structures, cells on apical surfaces become flatter (apically more level), wider, and seven times stiffer (mean, 7 kPa) than single and confluent cells. The main drivers of these changes are actin filaments, as cells show strong actin accumulation in the regions where cells adjoin, and in the apical regions. CONCLUSIONS HMECs stiffen, flatten and redistribute actin upon transiting from single cells to mature, confluent layers. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Our findings advance the understanding of breast ductal morphogenesis and mechanical homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsu Lee
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Keith Bonin
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA
| | - Martin Guthold
- Department of Physics, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27109, USA.
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14
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Kim D, An SS, Lam H, Leahy JW, Liggett SB. Identification and Characterization of Novel Bronchodilator Agonists Acting at Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell TAS2R5. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2020; 3:1069-1075. [PMID: 33344890 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are recognized as being expressed on multiple cell types and organs, including human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells, where agonists promote significant relaxation to constrictive stimuli. Thus, the HASM TAS2Rs have been targeted as novel bronchodilators for the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases. The TAS2R5 subtype, a dominant receptor on HASM, has few known agonists, all with reported low potency and efficacy. We screened multiple compounds by measuring [Ca2+]i release in HASM (a consequence of receptor-G protein coupling) to establish structure-activity relationships and arrive at a potent agonist for TAS2R5. HASM physiological studies using magnetic twisting cytometry confirmed the relaxation effects of lead compounds. 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione had the greatest potency (EC50 ≈ 120 nM), amounting to a >1000-fold improvement over the other compounds, and displayed maximal efficacy. These studies revealed critical structural requirements for favorable potencies and efficacies for a potential first-in-class bronchodilator targeting TAS2R5 of the airway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghwa Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33602, United States
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Hong Lam
- Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - James W Leahy
- Department of Chemistry and the Florida Center of Excellence for Drug Discovery and Innovation, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States.,Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33613, United States
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- Department of Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33602, United States.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
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15
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Sandin JN, Aryal SP, Wilkop T, Richards CI, Grady ME. Near Simultaneous Laser Scanning Confocal and Atomic Force Microscopy (Conpokal) on Live Cells. J Vis Exp 2020:10.3791/61433. [PMID: 32865532 PMCID: PMC7680637 DOI: 10.3791/61433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Techniques available for micro- and nano-scale mechanical characterization have exploded in the last few decades. From further development of the scanning and transmission electron microscope, to the invention of atomic force microscopy, and advances in fluorescent imaging, there have been substantial gains in technologies that enable the study of small materials. Conpokal is a portmanteau that combines confocal microscopy with atomic force microscopy (AFM), where a probe "pokes" the surface. Although each technique is extremely effective for the qualitative and/or quantitative image collection on their own, Conpokal provides the capability to test with blended fluorescence imaging and mechanical characterization. Designed for near simultaneous confocal imaging and atomic force probing, Conpokal facilitates experimentation on live microbiological samples. The added insight from paired instrumentation provides co-localization of measured mechanical properties (e.g., elastic modulus, adhesion, surface roughness) by AFM with subcellular components or activity observable through confocal microscopy. This work provides a step by step protocol for the operation of laser scanning confocal and atomic force microscopy, simultaneously, to achieve same cell, same region, confocal imaging, and mechanical characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joree N Sandin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky
| | | | - Thomas Wilkop
- Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky; UK Light Microscopy Core, University of Kentucky
| | - Christopher I Richards
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky; UK Light Microscopy Core, University of Kentucky
| | - Martha E Grady
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Kentucky;
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16
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Stasiak SE, Jamieson RR, Bouffard J, Cram EJ, Parameswaran H. Intercellular communication controls agonist-induced calcium oscillations independently of gap junctions in smooth muscle cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba1149. [PMID: 32821820 PMCID: PMC7406377 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we report the existence of a communication system among human smooth muscle cells that uses mechanical forces to frequency modulate long-range calcium waves. An important consequence of this mechanical signaling is that changes in stiffness of the underlying extracellular matrix can interfere with the frequency modulation of Ca2+ waves, causing smooth muscle cells from healthy human donors to falsely perceive a much higher agonist dose than they actually received. This aberrant sensing of contractile agonist dose on stiffer matrices is completely absent in isolated smooth muscle cells, although the isolated cells can sense matrix rigidity. We show that the intercellular communication that enables this collective Ca2+ response in smooth muscle cells does not involve transport across gap junctions or extracellular diffusion of signaling molecules. Instead, our data support a collective model in which mechanical signaling among smooth muscle cells regulates their response to contractile agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. E. Stasiak
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - R. R. Jamieson
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - J. Bouffard
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - E. J. Cram
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - H. Parameswaran
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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17
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Ojiaku CA, Chung E, Parikh V, Williams JK, Schwab A, Fuentes AL, Corpuz ML, Lui V, Paek S, Bexiga NM, Narayan S, Nunez FJ, Ahn K, Ostrom RS, An SS, Panettieri RA. Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Decreases β 2-Agonist-induced Relaxation in Human Airway Smooth Muscle. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 61:209-218. [PMID: 30742476 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2018-0301oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Helper T effector cytokines implicated in asthma modulate the contractility of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. We have reported recently that a profibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, induces HASM cell shortening and airway hyperresponsiveness. Here, we assessed whether TGF-β1 affects the ability of HASM cells to relax in response to β2-agonists, a mainstay treatment for airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Overnight TGF-β1 treatment significantly impaired isoproterenol (ISO)-induced relaxation of carbachol-stimulated, isolated HASM cells. This single-cell mechanical hyporesponsiveness to ISO was corroborated by sustained increases in myosin light chain phosphorylation. In TGF-β1-treated HASM cells, ISO evoked markedly lower levels of intracellular cAMP. These attenuated cAMP levels were, in turn, restored with pharmacological and siRNA inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 and Smad3, respectively. Most strikingly, TGF-β1 selectively induced phosphodiesterase 4D gene expression in HASM cells in a Smad2/3-dependent manner. Together, these data suggest that TGF-β1 decreases HASM cell β2-agonist relaxation responses by modulating intracellular cAMP levels via a Smad2/3-dependent mechanism. Our findings further define the mechanisms underlying β2-agonist hyporesponsiveness in asthma, and suggest TGF-β1 as a potential therapeutic target to decrease asthma exacerbations in severe and treatment-resistant asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christie A Ojiaku
- 1Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Elena Chung
- 2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Vishal Parikh
- 2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | | | - Anthony Schwab
- 2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Ana Lucia Fuentes
- 2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Maia L Corpuz
- 4Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California
| | - Victoria Lui
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sam Paek
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Natalia M Bexiga
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,6Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Technology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Shreya Narayan
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Francisco J Nunez
- 4Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California
| | - Kwangmi Ahn
- 7National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Rennolds S Ostrom
- 4Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chapman University School of Pharmacy, Irvine, California
| | - Steven S An
- 5Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,8Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; and.,9Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- 1Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,2Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
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18
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Xu S, Schwab A, Karmacharya N, Cao G, Woo J, Kim N, An SS, Panettieri Jr RA, Jude JA. FFAR1 activation attenuates histamine-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation and cortical tension development in human airway smooth muscle cells. Respir Res 2020; 21:317. [PMID: 33256729 PMCID: PMC7708129 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-020-01584-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Activation of free fatty acid receptors (FFAR1 and FFAR4) which are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) with established (patho)physiological roles in a variety of obesity-related disorders, induce human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cell proliferation and shortening. We reported amplified agonist-induced cell shortening in HASM cells obtained from obese lung donors. We hypothesized that FFAR1 modulate excitation-contraction (EC) coupling in HASM cells and play a role in obesity-associated airway hyperresponsiveness. METHODS In HASM cells pre-treated (30 min) with FFAR1 agonists TAK875 and GW9508, we measured histamine-induced Ca2+ mobilization, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and cortical tension development with magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC). Phosphorylation of MLC phosphatase and Akt also were determined in the presence of the FFAR1 agonists or vehicle. In addition, the effects of TAK875 on MLC phosphorylation were measured in HASM cells desensitized to β2AR agonists by overnight salmeterol treatment. The inhibitory effect of TAK875 on MLC phosphorylation was compared between HASM cells from age and sex-matched non-obese and obese human lung donors. The mean measurements were compared using One-Way ANOVA with Dunnett's test for multiple group comparisons or Student's t-test two-group comparison. For cortical tension measurements by magnetic twisted cytometry, mixed effect model using SAS V.9.2 was applied. Means were considered significant when p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Unexpectedly, we found that TAK875, a synthetic FFAR1 agonist, attenuated histamine-induced MLC phosphorylation and cortical tension development in HASM cells. These physiological outcomes were unassociated with changes in histamine-evoked Ca2+ flux, protein kinase B (AKT) activation, or MLC phosphatase inhibition. Of note, TAK875-mediated inhibition of MLC phosphorylation was maintained in β2AR-desensitized HASM cells and across obese and non-obese donor-derived HASM cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings identified the FFAR1 agonist TAK875 as a novel bronchoprotective agent that warrants further investigation to treat difficult-to-control asthma and/or airway hyperreactivity in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengjie Xu
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796The Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, USA ,Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Anthony Schwab
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Nikhil Karmacharya
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Joanna Woo
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796The Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, USA ,Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
| | - Nicholas Kim
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Steven S. An
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796The Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, USA ,Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA ,grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri Jr
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796The Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, USA ,Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA ,grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Joseph A. Jude
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796The Joint Graduate Program in Toxicology, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, USA ,Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine & Science, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA ,grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Department of Pharmacology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA ,grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rm: 4276, 89, French Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 USA
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19
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Jang JH, Panariti A, O’Sullivan MJ, Pyrch M, Wong C, Lauzon AM, Martin JG. Characterization of cystic fibrosis airway smooth muscle cell proliferative and contractile activities. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 317:L690-L701. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00090.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes multiple airway abnormalities. Two major respiratory consequences of CF are airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway remodeling. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is hypothesized to be responsible for the airway dysfunction, since their thickening is involved in remodeling, and excessive contraction by the ASM may cause AHR. It is unclear whether the ASM is intrinsically altered to favor increased contractility or proliferation or if microenvironmental influences induce pathological behavior in vivo. In this study, we examined the contractile and proliferative properties of ASM cells isolated from healthy donor and CF transplant lungs. Assays of proliferation showed that CF ASM proliferates at a higher rate than healthy cells. Through calcium analysis, no differences in contractile activation in response to histamine were found. However, CF ASM cells lagged in their reuptake of calcium in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The combination CFTR corrector and potentiator, VX-809/770, used to restore CFTR function in CF ASM, resulted in a reduction in proliferation and in a normalization of calcium reuptake kinetics. These results show that impaired CFTR function in ASM cells causes intrinsic changes in their proliferative and contractile properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Hojin Jang
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alice Panariti
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael J. O’Sullivan
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Melissa Pyrch
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chris Wong
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Lauzon
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center and McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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20
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Bobrowska J, Awsiuk K, Pabijan J, Bobrowski P, Lekki J, Sowa KM, Rysz J, Budkowski A, Lekka M. Biophysical and Biochemical Characteristics as Complementary Indicators of Melanoma Progression. Anal Chem 2019; 91:9885-9892. [PMID: 31310097 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b01542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The multistep character of cancer progression makes it difficult to define a unique biomarker of the disease. Interdisciplinary approaches, combining various complementary techniques, especially those operating at a nanoscale level, potentially accelerate characterization of cancer cells or tissue properties. Here, we study a relation between the surface and biomechanical properties of melanoma cells, measured by mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In total, seven cell lines have been studied. Six of them were melanoma cells derived from various stages of tumor progression: (1) WM115 cells derived from a 55 year old female skin melanoma at a vertical growth phase (VGP) in the primary melanoma site, (2) WM793 cells established from the vertical growth phase (VGP) of a primary skin melanoma lesion, (3) WM266-4 cells established from a cutaneous skin metastasis detected in the same patient as WM115 cells, (4) WM239 cells derived from a cutaneous skin metastasis, (5) 1205Lu cells originated from a lung metastasis diagnosed in the same patient as WM793 cells, and (6) A375P-cells were derived from a solid malignant tumor located in the lung. As a reference cell line, human epidermal melanocytes from adult skin (primary cell line HEMa-LP) were used. Results reveal low, medium, and large deformability of melanoma cells originating from vertical growth phase (VGP), and skin and lung metastasis, respectively. These changes were accompanied by distinct outcome from principal component analysis (PCA). In relation to VGP melanoma cells, cells from skin and lung metastasis reveal similar or significantly different surface properties. The largest deformability difference observed for cells from VGP and lung metastasis was accompanied by the largest separation of unspecific changes in their surface properties. In this way, we show the evidence that biomechanical and surface biochemical properties of cells change in parallel, indicating a potential of being used as nanobiophysical fingerprints of melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Bobrowska
- Institute of Nuclear Physics , Polish Academy of Sciences , Kraków PL-31341 , Poland
| | - Kamil Awsiuk
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics , Jagiellonian University , Łojasiewicza 11 , Kraków PL-30-348 , Poland
| | - Joanna Pabijan
- Institute of Nuclear Physics , Polish Academy of Sciences , Kraków PL-31341 , Poland
| | - Piotr Bobrowski
- Institute of Metallurgy and Materials , Polish Academy of Sciences , Reymonta 25 , Kraków 30-059 , Poland
| | - Janusz Lekki
- Institute of Nuclear Physics , Polish Academy of Sciences , Kraków PL-31341 , Poland
| | - Katarzyna M Sowa
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics , Jagiellonian University , Łojasiewicza 11 , Kraków PL-30-348 , Poland
| | - Jakub Rysz
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics , Jagiellonian University , Łojasiewicza 11 , Kraków PL-30-348 , Poland
| | - Andrzej Budkowski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics , Jagiellonian University , Łojasiewicza 11 , Kraków PL-30-348 , Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lekka
- Institute of Nuclear Physics , Polish Academy of Sciences , Kraków PL-31341 , Poland
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21
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Steppan J, Wang H, Bergman Y, Rauer MJ, Tan S, Jandu S, Nandakumar K, Barreto-Ortiz S, Cole RN, Boronina TN, Zhu W, Halushka MK, An SS, Berkowitz DE, Santhanam L. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 depletion is protective in age-associated vascular stiffening. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 317:H49-H59. [PMID: 31002285 PMCID: PMC6692735 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00670.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Vascular stiffening and its sequelae are major causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The increasingly accepted concept of "smooth muscle cell (SMC) stiffness syndrome" along with matrix deposition has emerged in vascular biology to account for the mechanical phenotype of arterial aging, but the molecular targets remain elusive. In this study, using an unbiased proteomic analysis, we identified lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) as a critical SMC mediator for age-associated vascular stiffening. We tested the hypothesis that loss of LOXL2 function is protective in aging-associated vascular stiffening. We determined that exogenous and endogenous nitric oxide markedly decreased LOXL2 abundance and activity in the extracellular matrix of isolated SMCs and LOXL2 endothelial cells suppress LOXL2 abundance in the aorta. In a longitudinal study, LOXL2+/- mice were protected from age-associated increase in pulse-wave velocity, an index of vascular stiffening, as occurred in littermate wild-type mice. Using isolated aortic segments, we found that LOXL2 mediates vascular stiffening in aging by promoting SMC stiffness, augmented SMC contractility, and vascular matrix deposition. Together, these studies establish LOXL2 as a nodal point for a new therapeutic approach to treat age-associated vascular stiffening. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Increased central vascular stiffness augments risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. Despite significant advances in understanding the genetic and molecular underpinnings of vascular stiffening, targeted therapy has remained elusive. Here, we show that lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) drives vascular stiffening during aging by promoting matrix remodeling and vascular smooth muscle cell stiffening. Reduced LOXL2 expression protects mice from age-associated vascular stiffening and delays the onset of isolated systolic hypertension, a major consequence of stiffening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Steppan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Huilei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Yehudit Bergman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marcel J Rauer
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Siqi Tan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sandeep Jandu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kavitha Nandakumar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sebastian Barreto-Ortiz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert N Cole
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tatiana N Boronina
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wanqu Zhu
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Marc K Halushka
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Dan E Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lakshmi Santhanam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
- Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland
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22
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Li Y, Li Y, Zhang Q, Wang L, Guo M, Wu X, Guo Y, Chen J, Chen W. Mechanical Properties of Chondrocytes Estimated from Different Models of Micropipette Aspiration. Biophys J 2019; 116:2181-2194. [PMID: 31103225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, two viscoelastic creep expressions for the aspirated length of individual solid-like cells undergoing micropipette aspiration (MPA) were derived based on our previous studies wherein the cell size relative to the micropipette and the cell compressibility were taken into account. Next, three mechanical models of MPA, the half-space model (HSM), incompressible sphere model (ICSM), and compressible sphere model (CSM), were employed to fit the MPA data of chondrocytes. The results indicated that the elastic moduli and viscoelastic parameters of chondrocytes for the ICSM and CSM exhibited significantly higher values than those from the HSM (p < 0.001) because of the considerations of the geometric parameter (ξ) and the compressibility of the cell (ν). For the normal chondrocytes, the elastic moduli obtained from the ICSM and CSM (ν = 0.3) were 47.4 and 78.9% higher than those from the HSM. In the viscoelasticity, the parameters k1, k2, and μ for the ICSM were respectively increased by 37.8, 37.9, and 39.0% compared to those from the HSM, whereas for the CSM (ν = 0.3), the above parameters were 135, 314, and 257% higher compared to those from the HSM. And with the increase of ξ and ν, the above mechanical parameters decreased. Furthermore, the thresholds of ξ varying with ν were obtained for the given values of relative errors caused by the HSM in the elastic and viscoelastic parameters. The above findings obviously indicated that the geometric parameter of MPA and the Poisson's ratio of a cell have marked influences on the determination of cellular mechanical parameters by MPA and thus should be considered in the pursuit of more accurate investigations of the mechanical properties of cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsheng Li
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yueqin Li
- Shanxi Dayi Hospital, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Taiyuan, China
| | - Quanyou Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Meiqing Guo
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, College of Mechanical and Vehicle Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiaogang Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuan Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Weiyi Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China.
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23
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Kilic O, Yoon A, Shah SR, Yong HM, Ruiz-Valls A, Chang H, Panettieri RA, Liggett SB, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, An SS, Levchenko A. A microphysiological model of the bronchial airways reveals the interplay of mechanical and biochemical signals in bronchospasm. Nat Biomed Eng 2019; 3:532-544. [PMID: 31150010 PMCID: PMC6653686 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-019-0366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In asthma, airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction and the subsequent decrease in airflow involve a poorly understood set of mechanical and biochemical events. Organ-level and molecular-scale models of the airway are frequently based on purely mechanical or biochemical considerations and do not account for physiological mechanochemical couplings. Here, we present a microphysiological model of the airway that allows for the quantitative analysis of the interactions between mechanical and biochemical signals triggered by compressive stress on epithelial cells. We show that a mechanical stimulus mimicking a bronchospastic challenge triggers the marked contraction and delayed relaxation of ASM, and that this is mediated by the discordant expression of cyclooxygenase genes in epithelial cells and regulated by the mechanosensor and transcriptional co-activator YAP (Yes-associated protein). A mathematical model of the intercellular feedback interactions recapitulates aspects of obstructive disease of the airways, including pathognomonic features of severe, difficult-to-treat asthma. The microphysiological model could be used to investigate the mechanisms of asthma pathogenesis and to develop therapeutic strategies that disrupt the positive feedback loop that leads to persistent airway constriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Kilic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Arum Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sagar R Shah
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hwan Mee Yong
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alejandro Ruiz-Valls
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hao Chang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- Department of Medical Engineering, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA.
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24
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Biomechanical interplay between anisotropic re-organization of cells and the surrounding matrix underlies transition to invasive cancer spread. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14210. [PMID: 30242256 PMCID: PMC6155084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32010-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The root cause of cancer mortality and morbidity is the metastatic spread of the primary tumor, but underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we investigate biomechanical interactions that may accompany invasive spread of melanoma cells. We find that metastatic cells can exert considerable traction forces and modify local collagen organization within a 3D matrix. When this re-organization is mimicked using a nano-fabricated model of aligned extracellular matrix fibers, metastatic cells, including less invasive melanoma cells, were in turn induced to align, elongate and migrate, guided by the local ridge orientations. Strikingly, we found that this aligned migration of melanoma cells was accompanied by long-range regulation of cytoskeletal remodeling that show anisotropic stiffening in the direction of fiber orientation suggestive of a positive feedback between ECM fiber alignment and forces exerted by cancer cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that the invasive spread of cancer cells can be defined by complex interplay with the surrounding matrix, during which they both modify the matrix and use the matrix alignment as a persistent migration cue, leading to more extensive and rapid invasive spread.
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25
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Ojiaku CA, Cao G, Zhu W, Yoo EJ, Shumyatcher M, Himes BE, An SS, Panettieri RA. TGF-β1 Evokes Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Shortening and Hyperresponsiveness via Smad3. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2018; 58:575-584. [PMID: 28984468 PMCID: PMC5946330 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0247oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), a cytokine whose levels are elevated in the airways of patients with asthma, perpetuates airway inflammation and modulates airway structural cell remodeling. However, the role of TGF-β1 in excessive airway narrowing in asthma, or airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), remains unclear. In this study, we set out to investigate the direct effects of TGF-β1 on human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cell shortening and hyperresponsiveness. The dynamics of AHR and single-cell excitation-contraction coupling were measured in human precision-cut lung slices and in isolated HASM cells using supravital microscopy and magnetic twisting cytometry, respectively. In human precision-cut lung slices, overnight treatment with TGF-β1 significantly augmented basal and carbachol-induced bronchoconstriction. In isolated HASM cells, TGF-β1 increased basal and methacholine-induced cytoskeletal stiffness in a dose- and time-dependent manner. TGF-β1-induced single-cell contraction was corroborated by concomitant increases in myosin light chain and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 phosphorylation levels, which were attenuated by small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Smad3 and pharmacological inhibition of Rho kinase. Strikingly, these physiological effects of TGF-β1 occurred through a RhoA-independent mechanism, with little effect on HASM cell [Ca2+]i levels. Together, our data suggest that TGF-β1 enhances HASM excitation-contraction coupling pathways to induce HASM cell shortening and hyperresponsiveness. These findings reveal a potential link between airway injury-repair responses and bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma, and define TGF-β1 signaling as a potential target to reduce AHR in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christie A. Ojiaku
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; and
| | - Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; and
| | - Wanqu Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and
| | - Edwin J. Yoo
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, and
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; and
| | - Maya Shumyatcher
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Blanca E. Himes
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Steven S. An
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; and
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26
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Zhu W, Kim BC, Wang M, Huang J, Isak A, Bexiga NM, Monticone R, Ha T, Lakatta EG, An SS. TGFβ1 reinforces arterial aging in the vascular smooth muscle cell through a long-range regulation of the cytoskeletal stiffness. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2668. [PMID: 29422510 PMCID: PMC5805716 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20763-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Here we report exquisitely distinct material properties of primary vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult (8 months) vs. aged (30 months) F344XBN rats. Individual VSM cells derived from the aged animals showed a tense internal network of the actin cytoskeleton (CSK), exhibiting increased stiffness (elastic) and frictional (loss) moduli than those derived from the adult animals over a wide frequency range of the imposed oscillatory deformation. This discrete mechanical response was long-lived in culture and persistent across a physiological range of matrix rigidity. Strikingly, the pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) emerged as a specific modifier of age-associated VSM stiffening in vitro. TGFβ1 reinforced the mechanical phenotype of arterial aging in VSM cells on multiple time and length scales through clustering of mechanosensitive α5β1 and αvβ3 integrins. Taken together, these studies identify a novel nodal point for the long-range regulation of VSM stiffness and serve as a proof-of-concept that the broad-based inhibition of TGFβ1 expression, or TGFβ1 signal transduction in VSM, may be a useful therapeutic approach to mitigate the pathologic progression of central arterial wall stiffening associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqu Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Byoung Choul Kim
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA.,Division of Nano-Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mingyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jessie Huang
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Abraham Isak
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Natalia M Bexiga
- Immunobiological and Biopharmaceutical Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Technology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert Monticone
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Taekjip Ha
- Department of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
| | - Edward G Lakatta
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA. .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Pera T, Deshpande DA, Ippolito M, Wang B, Gavrila A, Michael JV, Nayak AP, Tompkins E, Farrell E, Kroeze WK, Roth BL, Panettieri RA, Benovic JL, An SS, Dulin NO, Penn RB. Biased signaling of the proton-sensing receptor OGR1 by benzodiazepines. FASEB J 2018; 32:862-874. [PMID: 29042451 PMCID: PMC5888400 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700555r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
GPCRs have diverse signaling capabilities, based on their ability to assume various conformations. Moreover, it is now appreciated that certain ligands can promote distinct receptor conformations and thereby bias signaling toward a specific pathway to differentially affect cell function. The recently deorphanized G protein-coupled receptor OGR1 [ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 ( GPR68)] exhibits diverse signaling events when stimulated by reductions in extracellular pH. We recently demonstrated airway smooth muscle cells transduce multiple signaling events, reflecting a diverse capacity to couple to multiple G proteins. Moreover, we recently discovered that the benzodiazepine lorazepam, more commonly recognized as an agonist of the γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor, can function as an allosteric modulator of OGR1 and, similarly, can promote multiple signaling events. In this study, we demonstrated that different benzodiazepines exhibit a range of biases for OGR1, with sulazepam selectively activating the canonical Gs of the G protein signaling pathway, in heterologous expression systems, as well as in several primary cell types. These findings highlight the potential power of biased ligand pharmacology for manipulating receptor signaling qualitatively, to preferentially activate pathways that are therapeutically beneficial.-Pera, T., Deshpande, D. A., Ippolito, M., Wang, B., Gavrila, A., Michael, J. V., Nayak, A. P., Tompkins, E., Farrell, E., Kroeze, W. K., Roth, B. L., Panettieri, R. A. Jr Benovic, J. L., An, S. S., Dulin, N. O., Penn, R. B. Biased signaling of the proton-sensing receptor OGR1 by benzodiazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonio Pera
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Deepak A. Deshpande
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael Ippolito
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bin Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Adelina Gavrila
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James V. Michael
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ajay P. Nayak
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eric Tompkins
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eleni Farrell
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wesley K. Kroeze
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jeffrey L. Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steven S. An
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; and
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Raymond B. Penn
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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28
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Yoo EJ, Cao G, Koziol‐White CJ, Ojiaku CA, Sunder K, Jude JA, Michael JV, Lam H, Pushkarsky I, Damoiseaux R, Di Carlo D, Ahn K, An SS, Penn RB, Panettieri RA. Gα 12 facilitates shortening in human airway smooth muscle by modulating phosphoinositide 3-kinase-mediated activation in a RhoA-dependent manner. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:4383-4395. [PMID: 28921504 PMCID: PMC5715591 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE PI3K-dependent activation of Rho kinase (ROCK) is necessary for agonist-induced human airway smooth muscle cell (HASMC) contraction, and inhibition of PI3K promotes bronchodilation of human small airways. The mechanisms driving agonist-mediated PI3K/ROCK axis activation, however, remain unclear. Given that G12 family proteins activate ROCK pathways in other cell types, their role in M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-stimulated PI3K/ROCK activation and contraction was examined. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Gα12 coupling was evaluated using co-immunoprecipitation and serum response element (SRE)-luciferase reporter assays. siRNA and pharmacological approaches, as well as overexpression of a regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins were applied in HASMCs. Phosphorylation levels of Akt, myosin phosphatase targeting subunit-1 (MYPT1), and myosin light chain-20 (MLC) were measured. Contraction and shortening were evaluated using magnetic twisting cytometry (MTC) and micro-pattern deformation, respectively. Human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS) were utilized to evaluate bronchoconstriction. KEY RESULTS Knockdown of M3 receptors or Gα12 attenuated activation of Akt, MYPT1, and MLC phosphorylation. Gα12 coimmunoprecipitated with M3 receptors, and p115RhoGEF-RGS overexpression inhibited carbachol-mediated induction of SRE-luciferase reporter. p115RhoGEF-RGS overexpression inhibited carbachol-induced activation of Akt, HASMC contraction, and shortening. Moreover, inhibition of RhoA blunted activation of PI3K. Lastly, RhoA inhibitors induced dilation of hPCLS. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Gα12 plays a crucial role in HASMC contraction via RhoA-dependent activation of the PI3K/ROCK axis. Inhibition of RhoA activation induces bronchodilation in hPCLS, and targeting Gα12 signaling may elucidate novel therapeutic targets in asthma. These findings provide alternative approaches to the clinical management of airway obstruction in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin J Yoo
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Cynthia J Koziol‐White
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Christie A Ojiaku
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Krishna Sunder
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - Joseph A Jude
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
| | - James V Michael
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung CenterThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Hong Lam
- Department of Environmental Health and EngineeringJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Ivan Pushkarsky
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medicinal PharmacologyUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Dino Di Carlo
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- California NanoSystems InstituteUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Kwangmi Ahn
- National Institute of Mental HealthBethesdaMDUSA
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health and EngineeringJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Raymond B Penn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung CenterThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Child Health InstituteRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNJUSA
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29
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Mikami M, Zhang Y, Danielsson J, Joell T, Yong HM, Townsend E, Khurana S, An SS, Emala CW. Impaired Relaxation of Airway Smooth Muscle in Mice Lacking the Actin-Binding Protein Gelsolin. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 56:628-636. [PMID: 28118027 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0292oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diverse classes of ligands have recently been discovered that relax airway smooth muscle (ASM) despite a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i). However, the cellular mechanisms are not well understood. Gelsolin is a calcium-activated actin-severing and -capping protein found in many cell types, including ASM cells. Gelsolin also binds to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, making this substrate less available for phospholipase Cβ-mediated hydrolysis to inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol. We hypothesized that gelsolin plays a critical role in ASM relaxation and mechanistically accounts for relaxation by ligands that transiently increase [Ca2+]i. Isolated tracheal rings from gelsolin knockout (KO) mice showed impaired relaxation to both a β-agonist and chloroquine, a bitter taste receptor agonist, which relaxes ASM, despite inducing transiently increased [Ca2+]i. A single inhalation of methacholine increased lung resistance to a similar extent in wild-type and gelsolin KO mice, but the subsequent spontaneous relaxation was less in gelsolin KO mice. In ASM cells derived from gelsolin KO mice, serotonin-induced Gq-coupled activation increased both [Ca2+]i and inositol triphosphate synthesis to a greater extent compared to cells from wild-type mice, possibly due to the absence of gelsolin binding to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Single-cell analysis showed higher filamentous:globular actin ratio at baseline and slower cytoskeletal remodeling dynamics in gelsolin KO cells. Gelsolin KO ASM cells also showed an attenuated decrease in cell stiffness to chloroquine and flufenamic acid. These findings suggest that gelsolin plays a critical role in ASM relaxation and that activation of gelsolin may contribute to relaxation induced by ligands that relax ASM despite a transient increase in [Ca2+]i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Mikami
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Yi Zhang
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Jennifer Danielsson
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Tiarra Joell
- 2 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hwan Mee Yong
- 2 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elizabeth Townsend
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Seema Khurana
- 3 Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; and
| | - Steven S An
- 2 Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,4 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles W Emala
- 1 Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
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30
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Interfacing 3D magnetic twisting cytometry with confocal fluorescence microscopy to image force responses in living cells. Nat Protoc 2017; 12:1437-1450. [PMID: 28686583 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2017.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cells and tissues can undergo a variety of biological and structural changes in response to mechanical forces. Only a few existing techniques are available for quantification of structural changes at high resolution in response to forces applied along different directions. 3D-magnetic twisting cytometry (3D-MTC) is a technique for applying local mechanical stresses to living cells. Here we describe a protocol for interfacing 3D-MTC with confocal fluorescence microscopy. In 3D-MTC, ferromagnetic beads are bound to the cell surface via surface receptors, followed by their magnetization in any desired direction. A magnetic twisting field in a different direction is then applied to generate rotational shear stresses in any desired direction. This protocol describes how to combine magnetic-field-induced mechanical stimulation with confocal fluorescence microscopy and provides an optional extension for super-resolution imaging using stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy. This technology allows for rapid real-time acquisition of a living cell's mechanical responses to forces via specific receptors and for quantifying structural and biochemical changes in the same cell using confocal fluorescence microscopy or STED. The integrated 3D-MTC-microscopy platform takes ∼20 d to construct, and the experimental procedures require ∼4 d when carried out by a life sciences graduate student.
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31
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Suki B, Hu Y, Murata N, Imsirovic J, Mondoñedo JR, de Oliveira CLN, Schaible N, Allen PG, Krishnan R, Bartolák-Suki E. A microfluidic chamber-based approach to map the shear moduli of vascular cells and other soft materials. Sci Rep 2017; 7:2305. [PMID: 28536424 PMCID: PMC5442161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-02659-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing interest in quantifying vascular cell and tissue stiffness. Most measurement approaches, however, are incapable of assessing stiffness in the presence of physiological flows. We developed a microfluidic approach which allows measurement of shear modulus (G) during flow. The design included a chamber with glass windows allowing imaging with upright or inverted microscopes. Flow was controlled gravitationally to push culture media through the chamber. Fluorescent beads were conjugated to the sample surface and imaged before and during flow. Bead displacements were calculated from images and G was computed as the ratio of imposed shear stress to measured shear strain. Fluid-structure simulations showed that shear stress on the surface did not depend on sample stiffness. Our approach was verified by measuring the moduli of polyacrylamide gels of known stiffness. In human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, G was 20.4 ± 12 Pa and decreased by 20% and 22% with increasing shear stress and inhibition of non-muscle myosin II motors, respectively. The G showed a larger intra- than inter-cellular variability and it was mostly determined by the cytosol. Our shear modulus microscopy can thus map the spatial distribution of G of soft materials including gels, cells and tissues while allowing the visualization of microscopic structures such as the cytoskeleleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Béla Suki
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Yingying Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Naohiko Murata
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jasmin Imsirovic
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jarred R Mondoñedo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | | | - Niccole Schaible
- Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Philip G Allen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Krishnan
- Center for Vascular Biology Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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32
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Malek R, Gajula RP, Williams RD, Nghiem B, Simons BW, Nugent K, Wang H, Taparra K, Lemtiri-Chlieh G, Yoon AR, True L, An SS, DeWeese TL, Ross AE, Schaeffer EM, Pienta KJ, Hurley PJ, Morrissey C, Tran PT. TWIST1-WDR5- Hottip Regulates Hoxa9 Chromatin to Facilitate Prostate Cancer Metastasis. Cancer Res 2017; 77:3181-3193. [PMID: 28484075 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-16-2797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
TWIST1 is a transcription factor critical for development that can promote prostate cancer metastasis. During embryonic development, TWIST1 and HOXA9 are coexpressed in mouse prostate and then silenced postnatally. Here we report that TWIST1 and HOXA9 coexpression are reactivated in mouse and human primary prostate tumors and are further enriched in human metastases, correlating with survival. TWIST1 formed a complex with WDR5 and the lncRNA Hottip/HOTTIP, members of the MLL/COMPASS-like H3K4 methylases, which regulate chromatin in the Hox/HOX cluster during development. TWIST1 overexpression led to coenrichment of TWIST1 and WDR5 as well as increased H3K4me3 chromatin at the Hoxa9/HOXA9 promoter, which was dependent on WDR5. Expression of WDR5 and Hottip/HOTTIP was also required for TWIST1-induced upregulation of HOXA9 and aggressive cellular phenotypes such as invasion and migration. Pharmacologic inhibition of HOXA9 prevented TWIST1-induced aggressive prostate cancer cellular phenotypes in vitro and metastasis in vivo This study demonstrates a novel mechanism by which TWIST1 regulates chromatin and gene expression by cooperating with the COMPASS-like complex to increase H3K4 trimethylation at target gene promoters. Our findings highlight a TWIST1-HOXA9 embryonic prostate developmental program that is reactivated during prostate cancer metastasis and is therapeutically targetable. Cancer Res; 77(12); 3181-93. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Malek
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rajendra P Gajula
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Russell D Williams
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Belinda Nghiem
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Brian W Simons
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Katriana Nugent
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hailun Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kekoa Taparra
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ghali Lemtiri-Chlieh
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Arum R Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lawrence True
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Theodore L DeWeese
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ashley E Ross
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Edward M Schaeffer
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kenneth J Pienta
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Paula J Hurley
- Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Colm Morrissey
- Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Phuoc T Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. .,Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Cellular and Molecular Medicine Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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33
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An SS, Liggett SB. Taste and smell GPCRs in the lung: Evidence for a previously unrecognized widespread chemosensory system. Cell Signal 2017; 41:82-88. [PMID: 28167233 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Taste and smell receptor expression has been traditionally limited to the tongue and nose. We have identified bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) and olfactory receptors (ORs) on human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells. TAS2Rs signal to PLCβ evoking an increase in [Ca2+]i causing membrane hyperpolarization and marked HASM relaxation ascertained by single cell, ex vivo, and in vivo methods. The presence of TAS2Rs in the lung was unexpected, as was the bronchodilatory function which has been shown to be due to signaling within specific microdomains of the cell. Unlike β2-adrenergic receptor-mediated bronchodilation, TAS2R function is not impaired in asthma and shows little tachyphylaxis. HASM ORs do not bronchodilate, but rather modulate cytoskeletal remodeling and hyperplasia, two cardinal features of asthma. We have shown that short chain fatty acids, byproducts of fermentation of polysaccharides by the gut microbiome, activate HASM ORs. This establishes a non-immune gut-lung mechanism that ties observations on gut microbial communities to asthma phenotypes. Subsequent studies by multiple investigators have revealed expression and specialized functions of TAS2Rs and ORs in multiple cell-types and organs throughout the body. Collectively, the data point towards a previously unrecognized chemosensory system which recognizes endogenous and exogenous agonists. These receptors and their ligands play roles in normal homeostatic functions, predisposition or adaptation to disease, and represent drug targets for novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 2, Tampa, FL 33612, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 2, Tampa, FL 33612, United States.
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34
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Steppan J, Bergman Y, Viegas K, Armstrong D, Tan S, Wang H, Melucci S, Hori D, Park SY, Barreto SF, Isak A, Jandu S, Flavahan N, Butlin M, An SS, Avolio A, Berkowitz DE, Halushka MK, Santhanam L. Tissue Transglutaminase Modulates Vascular Stiffness and Function Through Crosslinking-Dependent and Crosslinking-Independent Functions. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.116.004161. [PMID: 28159817 PMCID: PMC5523743 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.004161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background The structural elements of the vascular wall, namely, extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), contribute to the overall stiffness of the vessel. In this study, we examined the crosslinking‐dependent and crosslinking‐independent roles of tissue transglutaminase (TG2) in vascular function and stiffness. Methods and Results SMCs were isolated from the aortae of TG2−/− and wild‐type (WT) mice. Cell adhesion was examined by using electrical cell–substrate impedance sensing and PicoGreen assay. Cell motility was examined using a Boyden chamber assay. Cell proliferation was examined by electrical cell–substrate impedance sensing and EdU incorporation assays. Cell micromechanics were studied using magnetic torsion cytometry and spontaneous nanobead tracer motions. Aortic mechanics were examined by tensile testing. Vasoreactivity was studied by wire myography. SMCs from TG2−/− mice had delayed adhesion, reduced motility, and accelerated de‐adhesion and proliferation rates compared with those from WT. TG2−/− SMCs were stiffer and displayed fewer cytoskeletal remodeling events than WT. Collagen assembly was delayed in TG2−/− SMCs and recovered with adenoviral transduction of TG2. Aortic rings from TG2−/− mice were less stiff than those from WT; stiffness was partly recovered by incubation with guinea pig liver TG2 independent of crosslinking function. TG2−/− rings showed augmented response to phenylephrine‐mediated vasoconstriction when compared with WT. In human coronary arteries, vascular media and plaque, high abundance of fibronectin expression, and colocalization with TG2 were observed. Conclusions TG2 modulates vascular function/tone by altering SMC contractility independent of its crosslinking function and contributes to vascular stiffness by regulating SMC proliferation and matrix remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Steppan
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Yehudit Bergman
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kayla Viegas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dinani Armstrong
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Siqi Tan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Huilei Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sean Melucci
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Daijiro Hori
- Department of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sung Yong Park
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.,Department of Anesthesiology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sebastian F Barreto
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Abraham Isak
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sandeep Jandu
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Nicholas Flavahan
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Mark Butlin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Alberto Avolio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dan E Berkowitz
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Marc K Halushka
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Lakshmi Santhanam
- Department of Anesthesiology & Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD .,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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35
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Zensen C, Fernandez IE, Eickelberg O, Feldmann J, Lohmüller T. Detecting Swelling States of Red Blood Cells by "Cell-Fluid Coupling Spectroscopy". ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2017; 4:1600238. [PMID: 28251048 PMCID: PMC5323883 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201600238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Red blood cells are "shaken" with a holographic optical tweezer array. The flow generated around cells due to the periodic optical forcing is measured with an optically trapped "detector" particle located in the cell vicinity. A signal-processing model that describes the cell's physical properties as an analog filter illustrates how cells can be distinguished from each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Zensen
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupDepartment of Physics and Center for NanoscienceLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätAmalienstr. 5480799MunichGermany
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupNanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Schellingstraße 480799MunichGermany
| | - Isis E. Fernandez
- Comprehensive Pneumology CenterUniversity Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians Universität and Helmholtz Zentrum MünchenMunichGermany81377
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupNanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Schellingstraße 480799MunichGermany
- Comprehensive Pneumology CenterUniversity Hospital of the Ludwig Maximilians Universität and Helmholtz Zentrum MünchenMunichGermany81377
| | - Jochen Feldmann
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupDepartment of Physics and Center for NanoscienceLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätAmalienstr. 5480799MunichGermany
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupNanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Schellingstraße 480799MunichGermany
| | - Theobald Lohmüller
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupDepartment of Physics and Center for NanoscienceLudwig‐Maximilians‐UniversitätAmalienstr. 5480799MunichGermany
- Photonics and Optoelectronics GroupNanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)Schellingstraße 480799MunichGermany
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36
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Towards the understanding of cytoskeleton fluidisation-solidification regulation. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2017; 16:1159-1169. [PMID: 28132108 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-017-0878-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of the self-regulation of the mechanical properties in non-sarcomeric cells, such as lung cells or cells during tissue development, remains an open research problem with many unresolved issues. Their behaviour is far from the image of the traditionally studied sarcomeric cells, since the crosstalk between the signalling pathways and the complexity of the mechanical properties creates an intriguing mechano-chemical coupling. In these situations, the inelastic effects dominate the cytoskeletal structure showing phenomena like fluidisation and subsequent solidification. Here, we proposes the inelastic contractile unit framework as an attempt to reconciles these effects. The model comprises a mechanical description of the nonlinear elasticity of the cytoskeleton incorporated into a continuum-mechanics framework using the eighth-chains model. In order to address the inelastic effect, we incorporate the dynamic of crosslinks, considering the [Formula: see text]-actinin and the active stress induced by the myosin molecular motors. Finally, we introduce a hypothesis that links the ability to fluidise and re-solidify as a consequence of the interaction between the active stress and the gelation state defined by the crosslinks. We validate the model with data obtained from experiments of drug-induced relaxation reported in the literature.
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37
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Aisenberg WH, Huang J, Zhu W, Rajkumar P, Cruz R, Santhanam L, Natarajan N, Yong HM, De Santiago B, Oh JJ, Yoon AR, Panettieri RA, Homann O, Sullivan JK, Liggett SB, Pluznick JL, An SS. Defining an olfactory receptor function in airway smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38231. [PMID: 27905542 PMCID: PMC5131280 DOI: 10.1038/srep38231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathways that control, or can be exploited to alter, the increase in airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass and cellular remodeling that occur in asthma are not well defined. Here we report the expression of odorant receptors (ORs) belonging to the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), as well as the canonical olfaction machinery (Golf and AC3) in the smooth muscle of human bronchi. In primary cultures of isolated human ASM, we identified mRNA expression for multiple ORs. Strikingly, OR51E2 was the most highly enriched OR transcript mapped to the human olfactome in lung-resident cells. In a heterologous expression system, OR51E2 trafficked readily to the cell surface and showed ligand selectivity and sensitivity to the short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and propionate. These endogenous metabolic byproducts of the gut microbiota slowed the rate of cytoskeletal remodeling, as well as the proliferation of human ASM cells. These cellular responses in vitro were found in ASM from non-asthmatics and asthmatics, and were absent in OR51E2-deleted primary human ASM. These results demonstrate a novel chemo-mechanical signaling network in the ASM and serve as a proof-of-concept that a specific receptor of the gut-lung axis can be targeted to treat airflow obstruction in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Aisenberg
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jessie Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Wanqu Zhu
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Premraj Rajkumar
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Randy Cruz
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lakshmi Santhanam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Niranjana Natarajan
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hwan Mee Yong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Breann De Santiago
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jung Jin Oh
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - A-Rum Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Oliver Homann
- Genome Analysis Unit, Amgen Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - John K Sullivan
- Department of Inflammation, Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Jennifer L Pluznick
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea
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38
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Kim D, Pauer SH, Yong HM, An SS, Liggett SB. β2-Adrenergic Receptors Chaperone Trapped Bitter Taste Receptor 14 to the Cell Surface as a Heterodimer and Exert Unidirectional Desensitization of Taste Receptor Function. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:17616-28. [PMID: 27342779 PMCID: PMC5016158 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.722736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are G-protein-coupled receptors now recognized to be expressed on extraoral cells, including airway smooth muscle (ASM) where they evoke relaxation. TAS2Rs are difficult to express in heterologous systems, with most receptors being trapped intracellularly. We find, however, that co-expression of β2-adrenergic receptors (β2AR) in HEK-293T routes TAS2R14 to the cell surface by forming receptor heterodimers. Cell surface TAS2R14 expression was increased by ∼5-fold when β2AR was co-expressed. Heterodimer formation was shown by co-immunoprecipitation with tagged receptors, biomolecular fluorescence complementation, and merged confocal images. The dynamic nature of this interaction was shown by: a gene-dose relationship between transfected β2AR and TAS2R14 expression, enhanced (up to 3-fold) TAS2R14 agonist stimulation of [Ca2+]i with β2AR co-transfection, ∼53% decrease in [Ca2+]i signaling with shRNA knockdown of β2AR in H292 cells, and ∼60% loss of [Ca2+]i responsiveness in βAR knock-out mouse ASM. Once expressed on the surface, we detected unidirectional, conformation-dependent, interaction within the heterodimer, with β2AR activation rapidly uncoupling TAS2R14 function (∼65% desensitization). Cross-talk was independent of β2AR internalization and cAMP/PKA, and not accompanied by TAS2R14 internalization. With prolonged β-agonist exposure, TAS2R14 internalized, consistent with slow recycling of naked TAS2R14 in the absence of the heterodimeric milieu. In studies of ASM mechanics, rapid cross-talk was confirmed at the physiologic level, where relaxation from TAS2R14 agonist was decreased by ∼50% with β-agonist co-treatment. Thus the β2AR acts as a double-edged sword: increasing TAS2R14 cell surface expression, but when activated by β-agonist, partially offsetting the expression phenotype by direct receptor:receptor desensitization of TAS2R14 function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghwa Kim
- From the Departments of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
| | - Susan H Pauer
- the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and
| | - Hwan M Yong
- the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Steven S An
- the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- From the Departments of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida 33612 and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and
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39
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Oliveira LCFD, Danilucci TM, Chaves-Neto AH, Campanelli AP, Silva TCCD, Oliveira SHP. Tracheal Smooth Muscle Cells Stimulated by Stem Cell Factor-c-Kit Coordinate the Production of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 Mediated by Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 3. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2016; 36:401-11. [PMID: 27123814 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2015.0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanism involved in the stem cell factor (SCF)-induced production of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) in tracheal smooth muscle cells (tSMCs) and the signaling pathway involved in the process. tSMC primary cultures were stimulated with SCF and evaluated at 24 h. Cells treated with specific antibodies did not show any immunolabeling for cytokeratin or fibroblast activation protein, but were positive for α-smooth muscle actin, indicating the purity of the primary cell line. Western blot analysis showed constitutive phosphorylation of c-Kit, as well as increased total protein and phosphorylated c-Kit levels in tSMCs after SCF stimulation. Flow cytometry analysis also showed an increase in cell-surface c-Kit expression in the presence of SCF. SCF induced TGF-β mRNA expression in tSMCs, as well as the production of TGF-β1, CCL3, and FGF-2. Pretreatment with anti-CCL3 antibody blocked TGF-β1 expression and partially inhibited FGF-2 production. On the other hand, anti-c-Kit antibody blocked TGF-β1 expression and FGF-2 production. Thus, TGF-β1 and FGF-2 production were mediated by CCL3 production through c-Kit. Pretreatment with mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1, p38, and Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors showed that the effects mediated by SCF were involved with the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Development of inhibitors targeting CCL3 through MAPK activation could thus be an attractive strategy to inhibit tSMC activation during asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Cezar Farias de Oliveira
- 1 Programa de Pós-graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas-SBFis, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Univ. Estadual Paulista-UNESP , Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Taís Marolato Danilucci
- 1 Programa de Pós-graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas-SBFis, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Univ. Estadual Paulista-UNESP , Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Antonio Hernandes Chaves-Neto
- 1 Programa de Pós-graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas-SBFis, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Univ. Estadual Paulista-UNESP , Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Campanelli
- 2 Department of Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry of Bauru, São Paulo University-USP , Bauru, Brazil
| | - Tereza Cristina Cardoso da Silva
- 3 Laboratory of Animal Virology and Cell Culture, School of Medicine Veterinary of Araçatuba, Univ. Estadual Paulista-UNESP , Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Sandra Helena Penha Oliveira
- 1 Programa de Pós-graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas-SBFis, Department of Basic Sciences, School of Dentistry of Araçatuba, Univ. Estadual Paulista-UNESP , Araçatuba, Brazil
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40
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Abstract
Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a defining characteristic of asthma that refers to the capacity of the airways to undergo exaggerated narrowing in response to stimuli that do not result in comparable degrees of airway narrowing in healthy subjects. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction mediates airway narrowing, but it remains uncertain as to whether the smooth muscle is intrinsically altered in asthmatic subjects or is responding abnormally as a result of the milieu in which it sits. ASM in the trachea or major bronchi does not differ in its contractile characteristics in asthmatics, but the more pertinent peripheral airways await complete exploration. The mass of ASM is increased in many but not all asthmatics and therefore cannot be a unifying hypothesis for AHR, although when increased in mass it may contribute to AHR. The inability of a deep breath to reverse or prevent bronchial narrowing in asthma may reflect an intrinsic difference in the mechanisms that lead to softening of contracted ASM when subjected to stretch. Cytokines such as interleukin-13 and tumor necrosis factor-α promote a more contractile ASM phenotype. The composition and increased stiffness of the matrix in which ASM is embedded promotes a more proliferative and pro-inflammatory ASM phenotype, but the expected dedifferentiation and loss of contractility have not been shown. Airway epithelium may drive ASM proliferation and/or molecular remodeling in ways that may lead to AHR. In conclusion, AHR is likely multifactorial in origin, reflecting the plasticity of ASM properties in the inflammatory environment of the asthmatic airway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Marie Lauzon
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James G Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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41
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An SS, Mitzner W, Tang WY, Ahn K, Yoon AR, Huang J, Kilic O, Yong HM, Fahey JW, Kumar S, Biswal S, Holgate ST, Panettieri RA, Solway J, Liggett SB. An inflammation-independent contraction mechanophenotype of airway smooth muscle in asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2016; 138:294-297.e4. [PMID: 26936804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2015.12.1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Revised: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
| | - Wayne Mitzner
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Wan-Yee Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | | | - A-Rum Yoon
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jessie Huang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Onur Kilic
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Hwan Mee Yong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Jed W Fahey
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Cullman Chemoprotection Center, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Sarvesh Kumar
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Shyam Biswal
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Md
| | - Stephen T Holgate
- School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa
| | - Julian Solway
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Stephen B Liggett
- Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Fla.
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42
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Grady ME, Composto RJ, Eckmann DM. Cell elasticity with altered cytoskeletal architectures across multiple cell types. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2016; 61:197-207. [PMID: 26874250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The cytoskeleton is primarily responsible for providing structural support, localization and transport of organelles, and intracellular trafficking. The structural support is supplied by actin filaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, which contribute to overall cell elasticity to varying degrees. We evaluate cell elasticity in five different cell types with drug-induced cytoskeletal derangements to probe how actin filaments and microtubules contribute to cell elasticity and whether it is conserved across cell type. Specifically, we measure elastic stiffness in primary chondrocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells (HUVEC), hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HUH-7), and fibrosarcoma cells (HT 1080) subjected to two cytoskeletal destabilizers: cytochalasin D and nocodazole, which disrupt actin and microtubule polymerization, respectively. Elastic stiffness is measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the disruption of the cytoskeleton is confirmed using fluorescence microscopy. The two cancer cell lines showed significantly reduced elastic moduli values (~0.5kPa) when compared to the three healthy cell lines (~2kPa). Non-cancer cells whose actin filaments were disrupted using cytochalasin D showed a decrease of 60-80% in moduli values compared to untreated cells of the same origin, whereas the nocodazole-treated cells showed no change in elasticity. Overall, we demonstrate actin filaments contribute more to elastic stiffness than microtubules but this result is cell type dependent. Cancer cells behaved differently, exhibiting increased stiffness as well as stiffness variability when subjected to nocodazole. We show that disruption of microtubule dynamics affects cancer cell elasticity, suggesting therapeutic drugs targeting microtubules be monitored for significant elastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha E Grady
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Russell J Composto
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, 3231 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - David M Eckmann
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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43
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Bidan CM, Veldsink AC, Meurs H, Gosens R. Airway and Extracellular Matrix Mechanics in COPD. Front Physiol 2015; 6:346. [PMID: 26696894 PMCID: PMC4667091 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2015.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases worldwide, and is characterized by airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible with treatment. Even though airflow obstruction is caused by airway smooth muscle contraction, the extent of airway narrowing depends on a range of other structural and functional determinants that impact on active and passive tissue mechanics. Cells and extracellular matrix in the airway and parenchymal compartments respond both passively and actively to the mechanical stimulation induced by smooth muscle contraction. In this review, we summarize the factors that regulate airway narrowing and provide insight into the relative contributions of different constituents of the extracellular matrix and their biomechanical impact on airway obstruction. We then review the changes in extracellular matrix composition in the airway and parenchymal compartments at different stages of COPD, and finally discuss how these changes impact airway narrowing and the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. Finally, we position these data in the context of therapeutic research focused on defective tissue repair. As a conclusion, we propose that future works should primarily target mild or early COPD, prior to the widespread structural changes in the alveolar compartment that are more characteristic of severe COPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile M Bidan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen Netherlands ; Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique (LIPhy), Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble, France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, LIPhy Grenoble, France
| | - Annemiek C Veldsink
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen Netherlands
| | - Herman Meurs
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen Netherlands
| | - Reinoud Gosens
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands ; Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, University of Groningen Netherlands
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44
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Krishnan R, Park JA, Seow CY, Lee PVS, Stewart AG. Cellular Biomechanics in Drug Screening and Evaluation: Mechanopharmacology. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2015; 37:87-100. [PMID: 26651416 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The study of mechanobiology is now widespread. The impact of cell and tissue mechanics on cellular responses is well appreciated. However, knowledge of the impact of cell and tissue mechanics on pharmacological responsiveness, and its application to drug screening and mechanistic investigations, have been very limited in scope. We emphasize the need for a heightened awareness of the important bidirectional influence of drugs and biomechanics in all living systems. We propose that the term 'mechanopharmacology' be applied to approaches that employ in vitro systems, biomechanically appropriate to the relevant (patho)physiology, to identify new drugs and drug targets. This article describes the models and techniques that are being developed to transform drug screening and evaluation, ranging from a 2D environment to the dynamic 3D environment of the target expressed in the disease of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramaswamy Krishnan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jin-Ah Park
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chun Y Seow
- Center for Heart Lung Innovation, St Pauls Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Peter V-S Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alastair G Stewart
- Lung Health Research Centre, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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45
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Carr R, Koziol-White C, Zhang J, Lam H, An SS, Tall GG, Panettieri RA, Benovic JL. Interdicting Gq Activation in Airway Disease by Receptor-Dependent and Receptor-Independent Mechanisms. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 89:94-104. [PMID: 26464325 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.100339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Gαqβγ heterotrimer (Gq), an important mediator in the pathology of airway disease, plays a central role in bronchoconstriction and airway remodeling, including airway smooth muscle growth and inflammation. Current therapeutic strategies to treat airway disease include the use of muscarinic and leukotriene receptor antagonists; however, these pharmaceuticals demonstrate a limited clinical efficacy as multiple Gq-coupled receptor subtypes contribute to these pathologies. Thus, broadly inhibiting the activation of Gq may be an advantageous therapeutic approach. Here, we investigated the effects of broadly inhibiting Gq activation in vitro and ex vivo using receptor-dependent and receptor-independent strategies. P4pal-10 is a protease activated receptor 4-derived pepducin that exhibits efficacy toward multiple Gq-coupled receptors. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that P4pal-10 selectively inhibits all G protein coupling to several Gq-coupled receptors, including protease activated receptor 1, muscarinic acetylcholine M3, and histamine H1 receptors, while demonstrating no direct effect on Gq. We also evaluated the ability of FR900359, also known as UBO-QIC, to directly inhibit Gq activation. FR900359 inhibited spontaneous Gαq nucleotide exchange, while having little effect on Gαsβγ, Gαiβγ, or Gα12/13βγ heterotrimer activity. Both P4pal-10 and FR900359 inhibited Gq-mediated intracellular signaling and primary human airway smooth muscle growth, whereas only FR900359 effectively interdicted agonist-promoted airway contraction in human precision cut lung slices. These studies serve as a proof of concept that the broad-based inhibition of Gq activation may be a useful therapeutic approach to treat multiple common pathologies of airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Carr
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Cynthia Koziol-White
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Hong Lam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Gregory G Tall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
| | - Jeffrey L Benovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (R.C., J.L.B.); Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (C.K.W., J.Z., R.A.P.); Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland (H.L., S.S.A.); and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York (G.G.T.)
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46
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Camoretti-Mercado B, Pauer SH, Yong HM, Smith DC, Deshpande DA, An SS, Liggett SB. Pleiotropic Effects of Bitter Taste Receptors on [Ca2+]i Mobilization, Hyperpolarization, and Relaxation of Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131582. [PMID: 26121686 PMCID: PMC4485472 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation and airflow obstruction from human airway smooth muscle (HASM) constriction due to increased local bronchoconstrictive substances. We have recently found bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) on HASM, which increase [Ca2+]i and relax the muscle. We report here that some, but not all, TAS2R agonists decrease [Ca2+]i and relax HASM contracted by G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that stimulate [Ca2+]i. This suggests both a second pathway by which TAS2Rs relax, and, a heterogeneity of the response phenotype. We utilized eight TAS2R agonists and five procontractile GPCR agonists in cultured HASM cells. We find that heterogeneity in the inhibitory response hinges on which procontractile GPCR is activated. For example, chloroquine inhibits [Ca2+]i increases from histamine, but failed to inhibit [Ca2+]i increases from endothelin-1. Conversely, aristolochic acid inhibited [Ca2+]i increases from endothelin-1 but not histamine. Other dichotomous responses were found when [Ca2+]i was stimulated by bradykinin, angiotensin, and acetylcholine. There was no association between [Ca2+]i inhibition and TAS2R subtype, nor whether [Ca2+]i was increased by Gq- or Gi-coupled GPCRs. Selected studies revealed a correlation between [Ca2+]i inhibition and HASM cell-membrane hyperpolarization. To demonstrate physiologic correlates, ferromagnetic beads were attached to HASM cells and cell stiffness measured by magnetic twisting cytometry. Consistent with the [Ca2+]i inhibition results, chloroquine abolished the cell stiffening response (contraction) evoked by histamine but not by endothelin-1, while aristolochic acid inhibited cell stiffening from endothelin-1, but not from histamine. In studies using intact human bronchi, these same differential responses were found. Those TAS2R agonists that decreased [Ca2+]i, promoted hyperpolarization, and decreased HASM stiffness, caused relaxation of human airways. Thus TAS2Rs relax HASM in two ways: a low-efficiency de novo [Ca2+]i stimulation, and, a high-efficiency inhibition of GPCR-stimulated [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, there is an interaction between TAS2Rs and some GPCRs that facilitates this [Ca2+]i inhibition limb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanca Camoretti-Mercado
- Department of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Susan H. Pauer
- Department of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Hwan Mee Yong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Dan’elle C. Smith
- Department of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
| | - Deepak A. Deshpande
- Department of Medicine and Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Steven S. An
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Stephen B. Liggett
- Department of Medicine and the Center for Personalized Medicine and Genomics, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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47
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Morgan SJ, Deshpande DA, Tiegs BC, Misior AM, Yan H, Hershfeld AV, Rich TC, Panettieri RA, An SS, Penn RB. β-Agonist-mediated relaxation of airway smooth muscle is protein kinase A-dependent. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:23065-23074. [PMID: 24973219 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.557652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhaled β-agonists are effective at reversing bronchoconstriction in asthma, but the mechanism by which they exert this effect is unclear and controversial. PKA is the historically accepted effector, although this assumption is made on the basis of associative and not direct evidence. Recent studies have asserted that exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), not PKA, mediates the relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) observed with β-agonist treatment. This study aims to clarify the role of PKA in the prorelaxant effects of β-agonists on ASM. Inhibition of PKA activity via expression of the PKI and RevAB peptides results in increased β-agonist-mediated cAMP release, abolishes the inhibitory effect of isoproterenol on histamine-induced intracellular calcium flux, and significantly attenuates histamine-stimulated MLC-20 phosphorylation. Analyses of ASM cell and tissue contraction demonstrate that PKA inhibition eliminates most, if not all, β-agonist-mediated relaxation of contracted smooth muscle. Conversely, Epac knockdown had no effect on the regulation of contraction or procontractile signaling by isoproterenol. These findings suggest that PKA, not Epac, is the predominant and physiologically relevant effector through which β-agonists exert their relaxant effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Morgan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Deepak A Deshpande
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Brian C Tiegs
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Anna M Misior
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106
| | - Huandong Yan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Alena V Hershfeld
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
| | - Thomas C Rich
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama 36688
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Airways Biology Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Steven S An
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, and
| | - Raymond B Penn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201,; Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Lung Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
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48
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Robinett KS, Koziol-White CJ, Akoluk A, An SS, Panettieri RA, Liggett SB. Bitter taste receptor function in asthmatic and nonasthmatic human airway smooth muscle cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 50:678-83. [PMID: 24219573 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0439rc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) have recently been found to be expressed on human airway smooth muscle (HASM), and their activation results in marked relaxation. These agents have been proposed as a new class of bronchodilators in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases because they act via a different mechanism than β-agonists. The TAS2R signal transduction pathway in HASM has multiple elements that are potentially subject to regulation by inflammatory, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms associated with asthma. To address this, expression, signaling, and physiologic functions of the three major TAS2Rs (subtypes 10, 14, and 31) on HASM were studied. Transcript expression of these TAS2Rs was not decreased in HASM cells derived from donors with asthma compared with those without asthma (n = 6 from each group). In addition, intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) signaling using TAS2R subtype-specific agonists (diphenhydramine, chloroquine, saccharin, and flufenamic acid) was not impaired in the cells derived from donors with asthma, nor was the response to quinine, which activates all three subtypes. HASM cell mechanics measured by magnetic twisting cytometry revealed equivalent TAS2R-mediated relaxation of methacholine-treated cells between the two groups. Human precision-cut lung slices treated with IL-13 caused a decrease in β-agonist (formoterol)-mediated relaxation of carbachol-contracted airways compared with control slices. In contrast, TAS2R-mediated relaxation was unaffected by IL-13. We conclude that TAS2R expression or function is unaffected in HASM cells derived from patients with asthma or the IL-13 inflammatory environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn S Robinett
- 1 Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Glaubitz M, Block S, Witte J, Empen K, Gross S, Schlicht R, Weitmann K, Klingel K, Kandolf R, Hoffmann W, Gottschalk KE, Busch M, Dörr M, Helm CA, Felix SB, Riad A. Stiffness of left ventricular cardiac fibroblasts is associated with ventricular dilation in patients with recent-onset nonischemic and nonvalvular cardiomyopathy. Circ J 2014; 78:1693-700. [PMID: 24899232 DOI: 10.1253/circj.cj-13-1188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventricular dilation is known as a pivotal predictor in recent-onset cardiomyopathy (ROCM), but its pathophysiology is not fully understood. In the present study we investigated whether single-cell stiffness of right and left ventricular-derived fibroblasts has an effect on cardiac phenotype in patients with ROCM. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with endomyocardial biopsy-proven ROCM were included (n=10). Primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFBs) were cultured from left and right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies and their single-cell stiffness was analyzed by quantification of Young's modulus using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy. Cardiac fibrosis was analyzed by Masson's trichrome staining. CFBs from the left ventricle showed significantly decreased stiffness when compared with CFBs from the right ventricle, indexed by decreased stiffness (Young's modulus 3,374±389 vs. 4,837±690 Pa; P<0.05). Young's modulus of CFBs derived from the left ventricle correlated negatively with the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension derived from 2-dimensional echocardiography (R(2)=0.77; P<0.01). Neither left nor right ventricular fibrosis correlated with the respective ventricular dimensions. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that a decrease in single-cell stiffness of left ventricular fibroblasts could trigger left ventricular dilation in patients with ROCM. This implies a new potential mechanism for the ventricular dilation with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Glaubitz
- ZIK-HIKE - Zentrum für Innovationskompetenz "Humorale Immunreaktionen bei kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen", University Medicine Greifswald
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Grimm KB, Oberleithner H, Fels J. Fixed endothelial cells exhibit physiologically relevant nanomechanics of the cortical actin web. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2014; 25:215101. [PMID: 24786855 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/21/215101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
It has been unknown whether cells retain their mechanical properties after fixation. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the stiffness properties of the cell cortex (the 50-100 nm thick zone below the plasma membrane) before and after fixation. Atomic force microscopy was used to acquire force indentation curves from which the nanomechanical cell properties were derived. Cells were pretreated with different concentrations of actin destabilizing agent cytochalasin D, which results in a gradual softening of the cell cortex. Then cells were studied 'alive' or 'fixed'. We show that the cortical stiffness of fixed endothelial cells still reports functional properties of the actin web qualitatively comparable to those of living cells. Myosin motor protein activity, tested by blebbistatin inhibition, can only be detected, in terms of cortical mechanics, in living but not in fixed cells. We conclude that fixation interferes with motor proteins while maintaining a functional cortical actin web. Thus, fixation of cells opens up the prospect of differentially studying the actions of cellular myosin and actin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Bodo Grimm
- Institute of Physiology II, University of Münster, Robert-Koch-Str. 27b, 48149 Münster, Germany
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