Effect of angiotensin II on ion transport across human Fallopian tube epithelial cells in vitro

The renin-angiotensin system in the breast and breast cancer

Much evidence now suggests that angiotensin II has roles in normal functions of the breast that may be altered or attenuated in cancer. Both angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors are present particularly in the secretory epithelium. Additionally, all the elements of a tissue renin-angiotensin system, angiotensinogen, prorenin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), are also present and distributed in different cell types in a manner suggesting a close relationship with sites of angiotensin II activity. These findings are consistent with the concept that stromal elements and myoepithelium are instrumental in maintaining normal epithelial structure and function. In disease, this system becomes disrupted, particularly in invasive carcinoma. Both AT1 and AT2 receptors are present in tumours and may be up-regulated in some. Experimentally, angiotensin II, acting via the AT1 receptor, increases tumour cell proliferation and angiogenesis, both these are inhibited by blocking its production or function. Epidemiological evidence on the effect of expression levels of ACE or the distribution of ACE or AT1 receptor variants in many types of cancer gives indirect support to these concepts. It is possible that there is a case for the therapeutic use of high doses of ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor blockers in breast cancer, as there may be for AT2 receptor agonists, though this awaits full investigation. Attention is drawn to the possibility of blocking specific AT1-mediated intracellular signalling pathways, for example by AT1-directed antibodies, which exploit the possibility that the extracellular N-terminus of the AT1 receptor may have previously unsuspected signalling roles.

Angiotensin II secretion by the bovine oviduct is stimulated by luteinizing hormone and ovarian steroids

Angiotensin II (Ang II), a vasoactive peptide, is secreted by the bovine oviduct and is involved in modulation of local oviductal contraction. Ang II biosynthesis and release during the normal estrous cycle and the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH) and ovarian steroids on biosynthesis and secretion of Ang II were investigated. During the preovulatory period, increases in mRNA expression for Angiotensin converting enzyme 1 (ACE-1) and release of Ang II peptide were detected. Microdialysis of oviductal segments in vitro showed that LH alone significantly increased Ang II release, and combined infusion of LH+E(2)+P(4) caused an increase in Ang II release. In cultured oviductal epithelial cells, LH increased Ang II release and ACE-1 mRNA expression, and E(2)+P(4) enhanced stimulatory effect of LH on Ang II release and ACE-1 mRNA expression. Thus, it can be concluded that the oviductal Ang II system is upregulated by LH and ovarian steroids during the periovulatory period and may enhance local oviductal contraction. These events could stimulate transport of gametes to the fertilization site.

Role of the renin-angiotensin system in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is highly prevalent in Western society, and its early stages can be controlled by androgen ablation therapy. However, the cancer eventually regresses to an androgen-independent state for which there is no effective treatment. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), in particular the octapeptide angiotensin II, is now recognised to have important effects on growth factor signalling and cell growth in addition to its well known actions on blood pressure, fluid homeostasis and electrolyte balance. All components of the RAS have been recently identified in the prostate, consistent with the expression of a local RAS system in this tissue. This review focuses on the role of the RAS in the prostate, and the possibility that this pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of prostate cancer and other prostatic diseases.

Hormonal and purinergic stimulation of bicarbonate secretion in oviducts of rhesus monkey

Because an increase in the HCO(3)(-) concentration of oviductal liquid at midcycle is believed to markedly enhance fertility, we have studied active secretion of HCO(3)(-) across highly differentiated cultures of monkey oviductal epithelium. Cultured cell sheets were mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed in medium containing 25 mM HCO(3)(-). Purinergic agents potently stimulated short-circuit current (I(sc)) with an initial transient response declining within approximately 2 min to a sustained response. The potency sequence of ATP approximately UTP > ADP >> AMP suggested that the I(sc) response was mediated mainly by P2Y(2) receptors. Acetazolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, had little or no effect on baseline I(sc) or the transient response to ATP but abolished the sustained response to ATP. Similar results were obtained on sheets of native epithelium. In pH-stat experiments, the abluminal medium of cell cultures was bathed in HCO(3)(-)-CO(2) medium, and the pH of the unbuffered luminal medium was maintained at approximately 7.4 by addition of strong acid or base. ATP stimulated base secretion, and this was inhibited by acetazolamide. Furthermore, these changes in secretion of base were in good quantitative agreement with the I(sc) responses. When phenol red (an estrogen) was removed from the culture medium, ATP-dependent HCO(3)(-) secretion was markedly reduced but could be restored by treatment with estradiol. Estrogens also markedly increased ciliation of the cultures. These results suggest that the midcycle increase in the HCO(3)(-) concentration of oviductal liquid may be mediated by the effects of estradiol on purinergic pathways or on ATP secretion.

Differentiated structure and function of primary cultures of monkey oviductal epithelium

We have established well-differentiated, polarized cultures of monkey oviductal epithelium. Oviductal epithelial cells were isolated by protease digestion and plated on collagen-coated, porous cell culture inserts. About 5 d after plating, cells developed detectable transepithelial electrical resistance of up to 2000 Omega.cm(2) (an index of tight junction formation) and transepithelial voltages of up to 20 mV (an index of vectorial transepithelial ion transport). Measurements of short-circuit current in Ussing chambers indicated that active secretion of Cl was the major transepithelial active ion transport process, and that this was stimulated by elevation of either cAMP or Ca(i). Furthermore, estimates of the volume of mucosal liquid were consistent with Cl secretion mediating fluid secretion. Various microscopical methods showed that the cultures were densely ciliated and contained mature secretory cells. Transport across the oviductal epithelium determines the composition of the oviductal fluid, and the study of the relevant transport processes will be greatly enhanced by well-differentiated cultures of oviductal epithelium of the kind established here.

A bovine oviduct epithelial cell suspension culture system suitable for studying embryo–maternal interactions: morphological and functional characterization

We established a short-term (24 h) culture system for bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs), obtained on day 3.5 of the estrous cycle and evaluated the cells with respect to morphological criteria, marker gene expression, and hormone responsiveness. BOEC sheets were isolated mechanically from the ampulla with similar yields from oviducts ipsi- and contralateral to the ovulation site (57.9 ± 4.6 and 56.4 ± 8.0 × 106cells). BOECs showed > 95% purity and cells cultured for 24 h maintained morphological characteristics presentin vivo, as determined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Both secretory cells with numerous secretory granules and ciliated cells with long, well-developed, and vigorously beating kinocilia were visible. Quantitative real-time PCR failed to detect significant differences in transcript levels between ipsi-and contralateral BOECs for the majority of marker genes (estrogen receptors α and β (ESR1andESR2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), oviductal glycoprotein 1 (OVGP1), progesterone receptor (PGR), and tumor rejection antigen 1 (TRA1)) throughout the 24 h culture period. However, the combined data of all time points for glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), a gene previously shown to be expressed at higher levels in the ipsilateral oviductin vivo, also indicated significantly different mRNA levelsin vitro. The expression of marker genes remained stable after 6 h cell culture, indicating only a short adaptation period. Western blot analysis confirmed ESR1 and PGR protein expression throughout the culture period. In agreement with cyclic differencesin vivo, estradiol-17β stimulation increasedPGRtranscript abundance in BOECs. Our novel culture system provides functional BOECs in sufficient quantities for holistic transcriptome and proteome studies, e.g. for deciphering early embryo–maternal communication.

Synthesis and secretion of angiotensin II by the prostate gland in vitro

The renin angiotensin system has been shown to have tissue-related functions that are distinct from its systemic roles. We showed that angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors are present in mammalian sperm, and angiotensin II stimulates sperm motility and capacitation. In addition, angiotensin II is present in human seminal plasma at concentrations higher than found in blood. In testing the possibility that the prostate may be the source of seminal plasma angiotensin II, mRNA coding for angiotensinogen, (pro)renin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme were identified by RT-PCR in rat and human prostate and in prostate LNCaP cells, as well as the angiotensin receptors types 1 and 2 (AT1 and AT2) in human tissues and AT1 in rat. In human tissue, immunocytochemistry showed cellular colocalization of renin with the AT1 receptor in secretory epithelial cells. Confirmation of the capacity of the prostate to secrete angiotensin II was shown by the detection of immunoreactive angiotensin in media removed from rat prostate organ cultures and LNCaP cells. Rat prostate angiotensin secretion was enhanced by dihydrotestosterone, but LNCaP angiotensin was stimulated by estradiol. This stimulation was blocked by tamoxifen. Rat prostate AT1 receptor expression was much greater in prepuberal than in postpuberal rats but was not affected by a low-sodium diet. It was, however, significantly enhanced by captopril pretreatment. These findings all suggest the independence of prostate and systemic renin angiotensin system regulation. The data presented here suggest that the prostate may be a source of the secreted angiotensin II found in seminal plasma.