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Ismail OM, El-Omar OM, Said UN. Exploring the Role of Urocortin in Osteoporosis. Cureus 2023; 15:e38978. [PMID: 37313093 PMCID: PMC10259878 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide. Overactive osteoclast activity leads to micro-architectural defects and low bone mass. This culminates in fragility fractures, such as femoral neck fractures. Treatments currently available either are not completely effective or have considerable side effects; thus, there is a need for more effective treatments. The urocortin (Ucn) family, composed of urocortin 1 (Ucn1), urocortin 2 (Ucn2), urocortin 3 (Ucn3), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein (CRF-BP), exerts a wide range of effects throughout the body. Ucn1 has been shown to inhibit murine osteoclast activity. This review article will aim to bridge the gap between existing knowledge of Ucn and whether it can affect human osteoclasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Ismail
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
| | - Omar M El-Omar
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
| | - Umar N Said
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
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2
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Do urocortins have a role in treating cardiovascular disease? Drug Discov Today 2019; 24:279-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Natural and synthetic peptides in the cardiovascular diseases: An update on diagnostic and therapeutic potentials. Arch Biochem Biophys 2018; 662:15-32. [PMID: 30481494 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2018.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Several peptides play an important role in physiological and pathological conditions into the cardiovascular system. In addition to well-known vasoactive agents such as angiotensin II, endothelin, serotonin or natriuretic peptides, the vasoconstrictor Urotensin-II (Uro-II) and the vasodilators Urocortins (UCNs) and Adrenomedullin (AM) have been implicated in the control of vascular tone and blood pressure as well as in cardiovascular disease states including congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and pulmonary and systemic hypertension. Therefore these peptides, together with their receptors, become important therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Circulating levels of these agents in the blood are markedly modified in patients with specific CVDs compared with those in healthy patients, becoming also potential biomarkers for these pathologies. This review will provide an overview of current knowledge about the physiological roles of Uro-II, UCN and AM in the cardiovascular system and their implications in cardiovascular diseases. It will further focus on the structural modifications carried out on original peptide sequences in the search of analogues with improved physiochemical properties as well as in the delivery methods. Finally, we have overviewed the possible application of these peptides and/or their precursors as biomarkers of CVDs.
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4
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Rademaker MT, Richards AM. Urocortins: Actions in health and heart failure. Clin Chim Acta 2017; 474:76-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2017.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Williams TA, Bergstrome JC, Scott J, Bernier NJ. CRF and urocortin 3 protect the heart from hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in zebrafish. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2017; 313:R91-R100. [PMID: 28539353 PMCID: PMC5582954 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00045.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fish routinely experience environmental hypoxia and have evolved various strategies to tolerate this challenge. Given the key role of the CRF system in coordinating the response to stressors and its cardioprotective actions against ischemia in mammals, we sought to characterize the cardiac CRF system in zebrafish and its role in hypoxia tolerance. We established that all genes of the CRF system, the ligands CRFa, CRFb, urotensin 1 (UTS1), and urocortin 3 (UCN3); the two receptor subtypes (CRFR1 and CRFR2); and the binding protein (CRFBP) are expressed in the heart of zebrafish: crfr1 > crfr2 = crfbp > crfa > ucn3 > crfb > uts1 In vivo, exposure to 5% O2 saturation for 15 min and 90 min of recovery resulted in four- to five-fold increases in whole heart crfb and ucn3 mRNA levels but did not affect the gene expression of other CRF system components. In vitro, as assessed by monitoring caspase 3 activity and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling-positive cells, pretreatment of excised whole hearts with CRF or UCN3 for 30 min prevented the increase in apoptosis associated with exposure to 1% O2 saturation for 30 min with a 24-h recovery. Lastly, the addition of the nonselective CRF receptor antagonist αh-CRF(9-41) prevented the cytoprotective effects of CRF. We show that the CRF system is expressed in fish heart, is upregulated by hypoxia, and is cytoprotective. These findings identify a novel role for the CRF system in fish and a new strategy to tolerate hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegan A Williams
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jillian C Bergstrome
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juliana Scott
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicholas J Bernier
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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García-Villalón AL, Sanz E, Monge L, Fernández N, Climent B, Diéguez G. Urocortin Protects Coronary Endothelial Function During Ischemia-Reperfusion: A Brief Communication. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 229:118-20. [PMID: 14709784 DOI: 10.1177/153537020422900114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Urocortin is a vasodilator peptide related to corticotrophin-releasing factor, which may protect myocardium during coronary ischemia-reperfusion. To study whether urocortin also protects coronary endothelial function during ischemia-reperfusion, hearts from Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused at constant flow and then exposed to 15 mins ischemia followed by 15 mins reperfusion. In one series of experiments, we found that the coronary relaxation to urocortin (10–11 to 10–8 M) was reduced by ischemia-reperfusion (51 ± 4% vs. 79 ± 4% of the active tone, for the 10–10 Mdose). In other series of experiments, we observed that ischemia-reperfusion reduced the coronary relaxation to a test dose of acetylcholine (10–6 M) (25 ± 2% vs. 54 ± 9% of active tone), without modifying the relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (10–6 M). Treatment with a low threshold concentration of urocortin (10–11 M), administered before ischemia and during reperfusion, partly improved the coronary relaxation to acetylcholine (36 ± 3% of active tone). These results suggest that ischemia-reperfusion impairs the coronary vasodilation to urocortin and produces endothelial dysfunction and that this endothelial dysfunction may be improved by urocortin.
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Walther S, Pluteanu F, Renz S, Nikonova Y, Maxwell JT, Yang LZ, Schmidt K, Edwards JN, Wakula P, Groschner K, Maier LS, Spiess J, Blatter LA, Pieske B, Kockskämper J. Urocortin 2 stimulates nitric oxide production in ventricular myocytes via Akt- and PKA-mediated phosphorylation of eNOS at serine 1177. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2014; 307:H689-700. [PMID: 25015964 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00694.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin 2 (Ucn2) is a cardioactive peptide exhibiting beneficial effects in normal and failing heart. In cardiomyocytes, it elicits cAMP- and Ca(2+)-dependent positive inotropic and lusitropic effects. We tested the hypothesis that, in addition, Ucn2 activates cardiac nitric oxide (NO) signaling and elucidated the underlying signaling pathways and mechanisms. In isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes, Ucn2 caused concentration- and time-dependent increases in phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473, Thr308), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) (Ser1177), and ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204). ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but not Akt and eNOS phosphorylation, was suppressed by inhibition of MEK1/2. Increased Akt phosphorylation resulted in increased Akt kinase activity and was mediated by corticotropin-releasing factor 2 (CRF2) receptors (astressin-2B sensitive). Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) diminished both Akt as well as eNOS phosphorylation mediated by Ucn2. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) reduced Ucn2-induced phosphorylation of eNOS but did not affect the increase in phosphorylation of Akt. Conversely, direct receptor-independent elevation of cAMP via forskolin increased phosphorylation of eNOS but not of Akt. Ucn2 increased intracellular NO concentration ([NO]i), [cGMP], [cAMP], and cell shortening. Inhibition of eNOS suppressed the increases in [NO]i and cell shortening. When both PI3K-Akt and cAMP-PKA signaling were inhibited, the Ucn2-induced increases in [NO]i and cell shortening were attenuated. Thus, in rabbit ventricular myocytes, Ucn2 causes activation of cAMP-PKA, PI3K-Akt, and MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling. The MEK1/2-ERK1/2 pathway is not required for stimulation of NO signaling in these cells. The other two pathways, cAMP-PKA and PI3K-Akt, converge on eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 and result in pronounced and sustained cellular NO production with subsequent stimulation of cGMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Walther
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Florentina Pluteanu
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Centre Marburg, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Renz
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yulia Nikonova
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Centre Marburg, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Joshua T Maxwell
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Li-Zhen Yang
- Molecular Neuroendocrinology Group of the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany, and Specialized Neuroscience Research Program 2, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Kurt Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Karl-Franzens-University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Joshua N Edwards
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paulina Wakula
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Klaus Groschner
- Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Translational Heart Failure Research, Graz, Austria; Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Lars S Maier
- Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, University Medicine Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Clinic and Policlinic for Internal Medicine II, University Clinics Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany; and
| | - Joachim Spiess
- Molecular Neuroendocrinology Group of the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany, and Specialized Neuroscience Research Program 2, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii; Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Lothar A Blatter
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Physiology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Burkert Pieske
- Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Translational Heart Failure Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Jens Kockskämper
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Biochemical and Pharmacological Centre Marburg, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany;
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Janssen D, Kozicz T. Is it really a matter of simple dualism? Corticotropin-releasing factor receptors in body and mental health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2013; 4:28. [PMID: 23487366 PMCID: PMC3594922 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Physiological responses to stress coordinated by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis are concerned with maintaining homeostasis in the presence of real or perceived challenges. Regulators of this axis are corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) and CRF related neuropeptides, including urocortins 1, 2, and 3. They mediate their actions by binding to CRF receptors (CRFR) 1 and 2, which are located in several stress-related brain regions. The prevailing theory has been that the initiation of and the recovery from an elicited stress response is coordinated by two elements, viz. the (mainly) opposing, but well balanced actions of CRFR1 and CRFR2. Such a dualistic view suggests that CRF/CRFR1 controls the initiation of, and urocortins/CRFR2 mediate the recovery from stress to maintain body and mental health. Consequently, failed adaptation to stress can lead to neuropathology, including anxiety and depression. Recent literature, however, challenges such dualistic and complementary actions of CRFR1 and CRFR2, and suggests that stress recruits CRF system components in a brain area and neuron specific manner to promote adaptation as conditions dictate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donny Janssen
- Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorNijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Tamás Kozicz
- Department of Cellular Animal Physiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorNijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorNijmegen, Netherlands
- Human Genetics Center, Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA, USA
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9
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Devetzis V, Zarogoulidis P, Kakolyris S, Vargemezis V, Chatzaki E. The corticotropin releasing factor system in the kidney: perspectives for novel therapeutic intervention in nephrology. Med Res Rev 2012; 33:847-72. [PMID: 22622997 DOI: 10.1002/med.21268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The adaptation to endogenous and exogenous stress stimuli is crucial for survival but also for the onset of various diseases in humans. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) system is the major regulator of stress response and homeostasis. The members of this family of peptides extend their actions also outside CNS to the periphery where they may affect various body systems independently, acting via vagal and/or autocrine/paracrine pathways. In search for peripheral targets, kidney has rarely been studied separately, regarding expression and action of CRF and CRF-related peptides. We reviewed the existing literature concerning expression and action of the CRF system in normal and pathological renal tissue and explored possible clinical implications in nephrology. CRF system components are expressed in the kidney of experimental animals and in humans. The intrarenal distribution is reported to be equally extensive, suggesting a physiological or pathophysiological role in renal function and in the occurrence of renal disease. Urocortins have given multiple interesting observations in experimental models of renal disease and clinical studies, showing robust effects in renal regulation mechanisms. We summarize the relevant data and put them in context, proposing applications with clinical significance in the field of hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease, cardiorenal syndrome, and peritoneal dialysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Devetzis
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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Kageyama K, Teui K, Tamasawa N, Suda T. Regulation and roles of urocortins in the vascular system. Int J Endocrinol 2012; 2012:873723. [PMID: 22654906 PMCID: PMC3359671 DOI: 10.1155/2012/873723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 03/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Urocortins (Ucns) are members of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides. Ucns would have potent effects on the cardiovascular system via the CRF receptor type 2 (CRF(2) receptor). Regulation and roles of each Ucn have been determined in the vascular system. Ucns have more potent vasodilatory effects than CRF. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) express Ucns1-3 mRNAs, and the receptor, CRF(2a) receptor mRNA. Ucns1-3 mRNA levels are differentially regulated in HUVECs. Differential regulation of Ucns may suggest differential roles of those in HUVECs. Ucn1 and Ucn2 have strong effects on interleukin (IL)-6 gene expression and secretion in rat aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells. The increase that we observed in IL-6 levels following Ucn treatment of A7r5 cells suggests that smooth muscle cells may be a source of IL-6 secretion under physiological stress conditions. Ucns are important and unique modulators of vascular smooth muscle cells and act directly or indirectly as autocrine and paracrine factors in the vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Kageyama
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
- *Kazunori Kageyama:
| | - Ken Teui
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
| | - Naoki Tamasawa
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Suda
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan
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Smani T, Calderon E, Rodriguez-Moyano M, Dominguez-Rodriguez A, Diaz I, Ordóñez A. Urocortin-2 induces vasorelaxation of coronary arteries isolated from patients with heart failure. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2011; 38:71-6. [PMID: 21105894 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2010.05466.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
1. Urocortin-2 (Ucn2) is a vasoactive peptide belonging to the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) family that has potent cardiovascular actions. It has been suggested that Ucn2 participates in the pathophysiology of heart failure. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the action of Ucn2 in human coronary arteries. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of Ucn2 on the vascular tone of human coronary arteries dissected from heart failure patients. 2. Human coronary arteries were dissected from the hearts of patients subjected to orthotopic heart transplantation. Coronary arteries were obtained from 17 patients with heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy of ischaemic origin in Stage III-IV of the New York Heart Association classification. Changes in tone were measured in arterial rings using force transducers. 3. Application of increasing concentrations of Ucn2 (5-20 nmol/L) to arterial rings precontracted with agonists induced dose-dependent relaxation of the coronary artery, which was independent of endothelial cell activation. Furthermore, the inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase by MDL-12 (100 nmol/L) and protein kinase A (PKA) by H89 (1 μmol/L) prevented Ucn2-mediated relaxation of coronary artery rings. 4. The results of the present study suggest that, in heart failure patients, Ucn2 could be useful in modulating coronary artery circulation independent of endothelial integrity through mechanisms that involve adenylyl cyclase activation and PKA stimulation. The findings warrant further investigation of the role of Ucn2 in circulatory regulation and its potential therapeutic application in heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Smani
- Institute of Biomedicine from Seville, Universitary Hospital of Virgen del Rocío, University of Seville, Spain.
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Gu Y, Zhang K, Biswas N, Friese RS, Lin DH, Mahata SK, Hoshijima M, O'Connor DT, Peterson KL, Brar BK. Urocortin 2 lowers blood pressure and reduces plasma catecholamine levels in mice with hyperadrenergic activity. Endocrinology 2010; 151:4820-9. [PMID: 20668031 PMCID: PMC2946150 DOI: 10.1210/en.2009-1454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Exaggerated adrenergic activity is associated with human hypertension. The peptide urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) inhibits catecholamine synthesis and secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells in vitro and administration to mammals lowers blood pressure (BP). The chromogranin A-null mouse (Chga-/-) manifests systemic hypertension because of excessive catecholamine secretion from the adrenal and decreased catecholamine storage. In the present study, we investigated whether systemic administration of Ucn 2 could reduce BP and adrenal and plasma levels of catecholamines in vivo. Ucn 2 peptide was administered to freely moving, conscious Chga-/- and wild-type control mice. Telemetry and HPLC measured changes in BP and catecholamine levels, respectively. In both groups of mice, Ucn 2 dose-dependently decreased BP, and this effect was mediated by corticotropin factor-receptor type 2. However, in Chga-/- mice, the maximal percentage decrease of systolic BP from basal systolic BP was 37% compared with only a 23% reduction in wild-type mice (P=0.04). In Chga-/- mice only, Ucn 2 decreased adrenal and plasma levels of catecholamines as well as adrenal levels of tyrosine hydroxylase protein and phosphorylation. In vitro mechanistic studies demonstrated that Ucn 2 reduces both catecholamine secretion and tyrosine hydroxylase promoter activity, suggesting that the exaggerated action of Ucn 2 to reduce BP in the Chga-/- mouse is mediated through inhibition of both catecholamine synthesis and secretion. The data suggest that Ucn 2 may be therapeutically useful in regulating the exaggerated sympathoadrenal function of hyperadrenergic hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusu Gu
- Department of Medicine, University of California and Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0838, USA
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Phrommintikul A, Sivasinprasasn S, Lailerd N, Chattipakorn S, Kuanprasert S, Chattipakorn N. Plasma urocortin in acute myocardial infarction patients. Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40:874-82. [PMID: 20636379 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2010.02343.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite its proposed cardioprotective effect, the role of plasma urocortin in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unknown. We investigated plasma profile of urocortin in AMI patients and evaluated its long-term prognostic performance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-six AMI patients and 21 healthy subjects were included in this study. Blood samples for urocortin were collected on days 0 (onset), 1, 3 and 5 and at 3 and 6 months. Primary endpoint was mortality within 1 year of follow-up. Secondary endpoint was combined death and nonfatal adverse cardiac events (i.e. myocardial reinfarction, urgent revascularization or hospitalization due to heart failure) within 1 year. RESULTS During follow-up at 1 year, 38 (57·6%) patients were alive without cardiac events, nine (13·6%) had nonfatal cardiac events and 17 (25·8%) died. Plasma urocortin in AMI patients were increased on days 0, 1, 3 and 5 (P<0·05 vs. control). The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed an area under curve (AUC) of day 0 urocortin to be 0·750 with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0·619-0·881 (P=0·004), whereas AUC of NT-proBNP was 0·857 (95% CI, 0·722-0·992; P=0·003). Sensitivity values for predicting the mortality of urocortin NT-proBNP and a combined urocortin and NT-proBNP were 0·81 (95% CI, 0·54-0·95), 0·86 (95% CI, 0·42-0·99) and 1·0 (95% CI, 0·56-1·0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Plasma urocortin level is elevated in AMI patients for 5 days from onset. High plasma urocortin within 24 h after the onset is associated with increased mortality. Combined urocortin and NT-proBNP enhance prognostic performance in AMI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arintaya Phrommintikul
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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14
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Stengel A, Taché Y. Corticotropin-releasing factor signaling and visceral response to stress. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2010; 235:1168-78. [PMID: 20881321 PMCID: PMC3169435 DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2010.009347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stress may cause behavioral and/or psychiatric manifestations such as anxiety and depression and also impact on the function of different visceral organs, namely the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. During the past years substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the underlying mechanisms recruited by stressors. Activation of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling system is recognized to be involved in a large number of stress-related behavioral and somatic disorders. This review will outline the present knowledge on the distribution of the CRF system (ligands and receptors) expressed in the brain and peripheral viscera and its relevance in stress-induced alterations of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular functions and the therapeutic potential of CRF(1) receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Stengel
- CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center and Center for Neurobiology of Stress, Digestive Diseases Division, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Jonathan R Dalzell, Colette E Jackson. Novel neurohormonal insights with therapeutic potential in chronic heart failure. Future Cardiol 2010; 6:361-72. [DOI: 10.2217/fca.10.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable therapeutic advances over recent years, chronic heart failure remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Further improvements in the treatment of this syndrome are therefore needed and this will require advances in the understanding of its underlying pathophysiology. This article reviews the literature regarding recently identified neurohormonal pathways that are declaring themselves as potential therapeutic targets in chronic heart failure.
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16
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Smani T, Calderón-Sanchez E, Gómez-Hurtado N, Fernández-Velasco M, Cachofeiro V, Lahera V, Ordoñez A, Delgado C. Mechanisms underlying the activation of L-type calcium channels by urocortin in rat ventricular myocytes. Cardiovasc Res 2010; 87:459-66. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvq063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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17
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Snow A, Gozal D, Valdes R, Jortani SA. Urinary proteins for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Methods Mol Biol 2010; 641:223-241. [PMID: 20407950 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-711-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 2-3% of all children in the United States suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This condition is characterized by repeated events of partial or complete obstruction of the upper airways during sleep leading to recurring episodes of hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and arousal throughout the night as well as snoring, which afflicts 7-10% of all children. Since clinical history and physical examination are unreliable in the differentiation between children with OSA and children with primary snoring (PS) who have no apparent alteration in sleep architecture, current diagnostic approaches for OSA require an overnight sleep study (ONP). ONP is onerous, relatively unavailable, labor intensive, and inconvenient, leading to long waiting periods and unnecessary delays in diagnosis and treatment. Development of noninvasive biomarker(s) capable of reliably distinguishing children with PS from those with OSA would greatly facilitate timely screening and diagnosis of OSA in children. Therefore, we hypothesized that proteomic strategies in the urine may permit the identification of biomarker(s) that reliably screen for OSA. In this study, time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to profile proteins in the first morning void urines from children. We discovered that urocortins are increased in OSA and provide a noninvasive approach for quick and convenient diagnosis otf OSA in snoring children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Snow
- University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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18
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Davidson SM, Yellon DM. Urocortin: a protective peptide that targets both the myocardium and vasculature. Pharmacol Rep 2009; 61:172-82. [PMID: 19307705 DOI: 10.1016/s1734-1140(09)70019-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2008] [Revised: 01/22/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The urocortins are a family of endogenously produced peptide hormones that show great promise as potential drugs for the treatment of heart disease. They can increase contractility and cardiac output without causing changes in mean arterial blood pressure. As expected, the receptor for these peptides is present in cardiomyocytes, and they can bind and protect these cells from simulated ischemia and reperfusion in vitro. The receptor is present, however, in much higher density in the endothelial cells that form a continuous lining of the coronary vasculature. Functionally, the urocortin peptides have been shown to have potent local vasodilatory effects, and may affect other aspects of vascular function. In this review, we will attempt to distinguish the "cardio" from the "vascular" effects of urocortin and its homologues, including the archetypal family member, corticotrophin releasing hormone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Davidson
- The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, University College London Hospital and Medical School, London, UK
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19
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Kageyama K, Hanada K, Suda T. Differential regulation of urocortins1–3 mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 155:131-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2009.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2008] [Revised: 01/22/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Partoo L, Sanzenbacher L, Esmaeilzadeh M, Paredes J, Hashimoto K, Azizi F, Carter CS. Social isolation modulates corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor, urocortin 1 and urocortin 2 mRNAs expression in the cardiovascular system of prairie voles. Peptides 2009; 30:940-6. [PMID: 19452635 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of social isolation stress on the expression of messengers ribonucleic acid (mRNAs) for corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2 (CRF2 receptor), urocortin 1 (Ucn 1) and urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) in the cardiovascular system of female and male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Isolation for 1 h (single isolation) or 1 h of isolation every day for 4 weeks (repeated isolation) was followed by a marked increase in plasma corticosterone level. However, continuous isolation for 4 weeks (chronic isolation) did not significantly affect plasma corticosterone level in female or male animals. A single period of isolation did not influence the expression of the CRF2 receptor, however, both repeated and chronic isolation significantly decreased CRF2 receptor mRNA in the ventricle and aorta of both sexes. Neither single nor chronic isolation significantly affected Ucn 1 mRNAs expression; however, repeated isolation increased Ucn 1 mRNA expression in the ventricles of female and male animals. Although, a single isolation produced no effect on cardiac Ucn 2 mRNA expression, both repeated and chronic isolation were followed by increased heart Ucn 2 mRNA expression in both sexes. We speculate that during repeated isolation Ucn 1 along with Ucn 2 are increased, which in turn down-regulates CRF2 receptor mRNA expression, and that Ucn 2 also may be one of factors responsible for the down-regulation of CRF2 receptor mRNA expression in cardiovascular system that is associated with chronic isolation.
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21
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Sztainberg Y, Kuperman Y, Issler O, Gil S, Vaughan J, Rivier J, Vale W, Chen A. A novel corticotropin-releasing factor receptor splice variant exhibits dominant negative activity: a putative link to stress-induced heart disease. FASEB J 2009; 23:2186-96. [PMID: 19246489 DOI: 10.1096/fj.08-128066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of experimental and clinical studies supports a strong association between psychological stress and cardiovascular disease. An important endogenous cardioprotective role in heart physiology has been attributed to corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2beta (CRFR2beta). Here, we report the isolation of cDNA from mouse (m) heart encoding a novel CRFR2beta splice variant. Translation of this insertion variant (iv)-mCRFR2beta isoform produces a 421-aa protein that includes a unique C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. Our functional analysis and cellular localization studies demonstrated that when coexpressed with wild-type mCRFR2beta, iv-mCRFR2beta significantly inhibited the wild-type mCRFR2beta membrane expression and its functional signaling by ER-Golgi complex retention, suggesting a dose-dependent dominant negative effect. Interestingly, mice exposed to a 4-wk paradigm of chronic variable stress, a model of chronic psychological stress in humans, presented significantly lower levels of mCRFR2beta and higher levels of iv-mCRFR2beta mRNA expression in their hearts, compared to nonstressed control mice. The dominant-negative effect of iv-mCRFR2beta and its up-regulation by psychological stress suggest a new form of regulation of the mCRFR2beta cardioprotective effect and a potential role for this novel isoform in stress-induced heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehezkel Sztainberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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22
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Davidson SM, Rybka AE, Townsend PA. The powerful cardioprotective effects of urocortin and the corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) family. Biochem Pharmacol 2009; 77:141-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2008] [Revised: 08/23/2008] [Accepted: 08/28/2008] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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23
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Urocortins in heart failure and ischemic heart disease. Int J Cardiol 2008; 127:307-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2007] [Accepted: 11/17/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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24
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A case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II accompanied by thyroid medullary carcinoma and pheochromocytomas expressing corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortins. Am J Med Sci 2008; 335:398-402. [PMID: 18480660 DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e31815200f8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A 38-year-old woman with RET gene mutation presented with tumors in her thyroid and bilateral adrenal glands. I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy revealed accumulation of the radioisotope in both adrenal glands. Both plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were elevated. The circadian rhythms for plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels were disturbed. Plasma ACTH and cortisol levels failed to be suppressed by an overnight dexamethasone test, suggesting autonomic secretion of ACTH and cortisol, although the patient had no typical Cushingoid features, hypertension, or impaired glucose tolerance. Pathological examination showed that these tumors were pheochromocytoma and thyroid medullary carcinoma, respectively, both of which highly expressed corticotropin-releasing factor, urocortin1, and urocortin3. Together with the endocrinological and pathological observations, the patient was diagnosed as multiple endocrine neoplasia type II with corticotropin-releasing factor- and urocortin-producing tumors that stimulated ACTH and glucocorticoid secretion.
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25
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Hall JE, Kaczor JJ, Hettinga BP, Isfort RJ, Tarnopolsky MA. Effects of a CRF2R agonist and exercise on mdx and wildtype skeletal muscle. Muscle Nerve 2007; 36:336-41. [PMID: 17503504 DOI: 10.1002/mus.20820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Corticotrophin-releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF2R) agonists prevent muscle atrophy due to immobilization, denervation, and corticosteroid-induced muscle atrophy in wildtype mice. We hypothesized that a CRF2R agonist will increase skeletal muscle mass in mdx mice. Mdx (C57BL/10ScSn-Dmd(mdx)) and wildtype (C57BL/6) mice were divided into four groups: sedentary placebo, sedentary CRF2R agonist, exercised placebo, and exercised CRF2R agonist. Mice exercised on a treadmill twice weekly for 30 min (8-12 m/min, 8 weeks). Muscle and heart weights, serum creatine kinase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase activities were measured. The CRF2R agonist increased extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle weights (P < 0.05) in wildtype and mdx mice. Sedentary mdx CRF2R and exercised mdx placebo mice had lower serum creatine kinase activity than sedentary mdx placebo mice. CRF2R-treated mice had decreased heart weights compared to placebo-treated mice. We conclude that CRF2R agonists should be further evaluated as a potential therapy for dystrophinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie E Hall
- Department of Pediatrics, Rm. 2H18, McMaster University Medical Center, 1200 Main Street W., Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada
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26
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Grossini E, Molinari C, Mary DASG, Marino P, Vacca G. The effect of urocortin II administration on the coronary circulation and cardiac function in the anaesthetized pig is nitric-oxide-dependent. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 578:242-8. [PMID: 17936748 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2007] [Revised: 09/19/2007] [Accepted: 09/23/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We planned to determine the primary effects and mechanisms of urocortin II, a member of the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) family highly expressed in the cardiovascular system, on coronary blood flow and myocardial function in vivo. Urocortin II was infused into the left anterior descending coronary artery in 25 anaesthetized pigs whilst measuring haemodynamic variables, coronary blood flow, ventricular dP/dt(max) cardiac output and percentage of segmental shortening. This infusion was repeated after blockade of the autonomic nervous system, nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) or subtype 2 of the CRF receptors. In all experiments changes in heart rate and aortic blood pressure were prevented. Intra-coronary urocortin II increased, within 60 s, coronary blood flow (15+/-3.2%, P<0.05), dP/dt(max) (12.7+/-2.6%, P<0.05), cardiac output (16+/-2.3%, P<0.05) and percentage of segmental shortening (19.8+/-3.8%, P<0.05). Blockade of NOS abolished only the coronary effects whereas blockade of subtype 2 of the CRF receptors abolished all cardiac and coronary effects. It was shown for the first time that urocortin II administration primarily increases coronary blood flow and myocardial function through the release of nitric oxide and activation of subtype 2 of the CRF receptors in the anaesthetized pig. This provides a mechanism through which a local increase of urocortin II levels can help improve a compromised cardiovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Grossini
- Laboratorio di Fisiologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università del Piemonte Orientale A. Avogadro, via Solaroli 17, I-28100 Novara, Italy.
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27
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Smani T, Domínguez-Rodríguez A, Hmadcha A, Calderón-Sánchez E, Horrillo-Ledesma A, Ordóñez A. Role of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 and store-operated pathway in urocortin-induced vasodilatation of rat coronary artery. Circ Res 2007; 101:1194-203. [PMID: 17885217 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.107.159053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin has been shown to produce vasodilatation in several arteries, but the precise mechanism of its action is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate the role of store operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) regulated by Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in phenylephrine hydrochloride (PE)-induced vasoconstriction, and we present the first evidence that urocortin induces relaxation by the modulation of SOCE and iPLA2 in rat coronary artery. Urocortin produces an endothelium independent relaxation, and its effect is concentration-dependent (IC50 approximately = 4.5 nmol/L). We show in coronary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that urocortin inhibits iPLA2 activation, a crucial step for SOC channel activation, and prevents Ca2+ influx evoked by the emptying of the stores via a cAMP and protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent mechanism. Lysophophatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylinositol, products of iPLA2, exactly mimic the effect of the depletion of the stores in presence of urocortin. Furthermore, we report that long treatment with urocortin downregulates iPLA2 mRNA and proteins expression in rat coronary smooth muscle cells. In summary, we propose a new mechanism of vasodilatation by urocortin which involves the regulation of iPLA2 and SOCE via the stimulation of a cAMP/PKA-dependent signal transduction cascade in rat coronary artery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Smani
- Laboratorio de Investigación Cardiovascular, Quirófanos Experimentales, Hospital General Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Avenida Manuel Siurot s/n, E-41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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28
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Rademaker MT, Charles CJ, Richards AM. Urocortin 1 administration from onset of rapid left ventricular pacing represses progression to overt heart failure. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2007; 293:H1536-44. [PMID: 17526650 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00377.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin 1 (Ucn1) may be involved in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), but the impact of Ucn1 administration on progression of the disease is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ucn1 in sheep from the onset of cardiac overload and during the subsequent development of HF. Eight sheep underwent two 4-day periods of HF induction by rapid left ventricular pacing (225 beats/min) in conjunction with continuous infusions of Ucn1 (0.1 microg.kg(-1).h(-1) iv) and a vehicle control (0.9% saline). Compared with control, Ucn1 attenuated the pacing-induced decline in cardiac output (2.43 +/- 0.46 vs. 3.70 +/- 0.89 l/min on day 4, P < 0.01) and increases in left atrial pressure (24.9 +/- 1.0 vs. 11.9 +/- 1.1 mmHg, P < 0.001) and peripheral resistance (38.7 +/- 9.4 vs. 25.2 +/- 6.1 mmHg.l(-1).min, P < 0.001). Ucn1 wholly prevented increases in plasma renin activity (4.02 +/- 1.17 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.1 nmol.l(-1).h(-1), P < 0.001), aldosterone (1,313 +/- 324 vs. 413 +/- 174 pmol/l, P < 0.001), endothelin-1 (3.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.0 +/- 0.1 pmol/l, P < 0.001), and vasopressin (10.8 +/- 4.1 vs. 1.8 +/- 0.2 pmol/l, P < 0.05) during pacing alone and blunted the progressive increases in plasma epinephrine (2,132 +/- 697 vs. 1,250 +/- 264 pmol/l, P < 0.05), norepinephrine (3.61 +/- 0.73 vs. 2.07 +/- 0.52 nmol/l, P < 0.05), and atrial (P < 0.05) and brain (P < 0.01) natriuretic peptide levels. Ucn1 administration also maintained urine sodium excretion (0.75 +/- 0.34 vs. 1.59 +/- 0.50 mmol/h on day 4, P < 0.05) and suppressed pacing-induced declines in creatinine clearance (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that Ucn1 treatment from the onset of cardiac overload has the ability to repress the ensuing hemodynamic and renal deterioration and concomitant adverse neurohumoral activation, thereby delaying the development of overt HF. These data strongly support a use for Ucn1 as a therapeutic option early in the course of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T Rademaker
- Department of Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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29
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Kageyama K, Hanada K, Nigawara T, Furukawa KI, Terui K, Ogura E, Motomura S, Suda T. Inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on urocortin-mediated increases in interleukin-6 gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Peptides 2007; 28:1059-67. [PMID: 17346851 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2006] [Revised: 01/30/2007] [Accepted: 02/02/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin (Ucn) 1, Ucn2, and Ucn3 have potent effects on appetite and the cardiovascular system. Endogenous Ucns in combination with CRF receptor type 2beta may have a physiological role in the cardiovascular system. We previously demonstrated that both Ucn1 and Ucn2 increased IL-6 output levels in A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we extended observations on stress or hormone-induced changes in IL-6 gene expression in the cardiovascular system, and determined the effects of glucocorticoids on Ucn-mediated increases in IL-6 mRNA levels, protein levels, and gene transcription activity in A7r5 cells. Ucn1, Ucn2, and Ucn3 all increased IL-6 mRNA levels via CRF receptor type 2. Dexamethasone blocked the ability of Ucn1 to increase IL-6 mRNA and protein levels, while it failed to attenuate the Ucns-mediated changes in cyclic AMP (cAMP)-response element binding protein or extracellular signal-related kinases phosphorylation. Dexamethasone also suppressed Ucn1- or cAMP-stimulated IL-6 gene transcription via a glucocorticoid receptor. Together, these findings demonstrate that glucocorticoids suppress IL-6 gene transcription via Ucn-induced cAMP-dependent pathways in A7r5 cells.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Aorta/cytology
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Line
- Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/pharmacology
- Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism
- Dexamethasone/pharmacology
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Glucocorticoids/pharmacology
- Humans
- Interleukin-6/genetics
- Mice
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Rats
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Time Factors
- Transcription, Genetic/drug effects
- Urocortins
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Kageyama
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Infectious Diseases, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, 5 Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan.
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30
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Kageyama K, Hanada K, Nigawara T, Furukawa KI, Terui K, Ogura E, Motomura S, Suda T. Inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on urocortin-mediated increases in interleukin-6 gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Peptides 2007. [DOI: 10.10.1016/j.peptides.2007.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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31
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Fekete ÉM, Zorrilla EP. Physiology, pharmacology, and therapeutic relevance of urocortins in mammals: ancient CRF paralogs. Front Neuroendocrinol 2007; 28:1-27. [PMID: 17083971 PMCID: PMC2730896 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2006.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 199] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2006] [Revised: 09/05/2006] [Accepted: 09/06/2006] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Urocortins, three paralogs of the stress-related peptide corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) found in bony fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, have unique phylogenies, pharmacologies, and tissue distributions. As a result and despite a structural family resemblance, the natural functions of urocortins and CRF in mammalian homeostatic responses differ substantially. Endogenous urocortins are neither simply counterpoints nor mimics of endogenous CRF action. In their own right, urocortins may be clinically relevant molecules in the pathogenesis or management of many conditions, including congestive heart failure, hypertension, gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, active gastritis, gastroparesis, and rheumatoid arthritis), atopic/allergic disorders (dermatitis, urticaria, and asthma), pregnancy and parturition (preeclampsia, spontaneous abortion, onset, and maintenance of effective labor), major depression and obesity. Safety trials for intravenous urocortin treatment have already begun for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Further understanding the unique functions of urocortin 1, urocortin 2, and urocortin 3 action may uncover other therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva M. Fekete
- Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps
Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
- Pécs University Medical School, 7602 Pécs,
Hungary
| | - Eric P. Zorrilla
- Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Department, The Scripps
Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
- Harold L. Dorris Neurological Research Institute, The Scripps
Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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32
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Gardiner SM, March JE, Kemp PA, Bennett T. A Comparison between the Cardiovascular Actions of Urocortin 1 and Urocortin 2 (Stresscopin-Related Peptide) in Conscious Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2007; 321:221-6. [PMID: 17237259 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.106.116962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aims of the study were, in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats, to compare the effects of stresscopin-related peptide (SRP) and urocortin (UCN) 1 on blood pressure, heart rate, and regional hemodynamics; to determine whether or not there were residual tachycardic effects of SRP or UCN1 after cardiac autonomic blockade; and to investigate a possible involvement of corticotropin releasing factor type 1 (CRF1) receptor-mediated histamine release in the vasodilator actions of UCN1. SRP and UCN1 (both at 3 nmol/kg i.v.) caused hypotension, tachycardia, and mesenteric and hindquarters vasodilatation, but the magnitude and/or duration of the effects of UCN1 were generally greater than those of SRP. Pretreatment with atropine plus propranolol abolished the tachycardic effects of SRP and UCN1, and, under those conditions, the hypotensive effect of SRP, but not that of UCN1, was enhanced, probably because the hindquarters vasodilator effect of the latter was also reduced. Pretreatment with mepyramine plus cimetidine had no effect on the hemodynamic actions of either SRP or UCN1. It is concluded that, in conscious rats, the tachycardic effects of SRP and UCN1 are due to autonomic nervous activation mainly through baroreflex mechanisms. There is no evidence for an involvement of CRF1 receptor-mediated histamine release in the vasodilator actions of UCN1, but a propranolol-sensitive hindquarters vasodilator action of UCN, but not of SRP, was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Gardiner
- Centre for Integrated Systems Biology and Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
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33
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Pournajafi-Nazarloo H, Partoo L, Sanzenbacher L, Azizi F, Carter CS. Modulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone type 2 receptor and urocortin 1 and urocortin 2 mRNA expression in the cardiovascular system of prairie voles following acute or chronic stress. Neuroendocrinology 2007; 86:17-25. [PMID: 17551267 DOI: 10.1159/000103587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2007] [Accepted: 05/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an acute stressor (restraint) versus a chronic stressor (social isolation) on the expression of mRNAs for corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor type 2 (CRH-R2) and urocortin 1 (Ucn 1) and urocortin 2 (Ucn 2) in the cardiovascular system of socially monogamous prairie voles of both sexes. Acute restraint for 1 h was followed by a marked increase in plasma corticosterone, and when the animals were re-paired for 1 day, the increment of corticosterone was normalized. However, following chronic social isolation for 4 weeks, plasma corticosterone did not differ significantly from the levels measured in animals living in pairs. Restraint or isolation significantly decreased CRH-R2 mRNA in ventricle, atria, and aorta; however, when these animals were re-paired for 1 day, the modulation of CRH-R2 mRNA was normalized in restraint but not in isolated animals. Restraint stress increased the Ucn 1 mRNA expression in the heart of female and male prairie voles, and when the animals were re-paired, the modulation of Ucn 1 mRNA expression was normalized. However, chronic isolation showed no effect on cardiac Ucn 1 mRNA expression. Although acute restraint stress produced no effect on the cardiac Ucn 2 mRNA expression, chronic isolation was followed by an increased heart Ucn 2 mRNA expression in both sexes. When the isolated animals were re-paired for 1 day, the cardiac Ucn 2 mRNA expression remained upregulated. The results of the present study reveal that acute restraint as well as social isolation can have significant consequences for the modulation of gene expression for the CRH-R2 and the urocortin peptides in cardiovascular tissue in female and male prairie voles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Pournajafi-Nazarloo
- Brain-Body Center, Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Seçilmiş MA, Ozü OY, Emre M, Büyükafşar K, Kiroglu OE, Ertuğ P, Karataş Y, Onder S, Singirik E. Urocortin Induces Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilatation and Hyperpolarization of Rat Mesenteric Arteries by Activating Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2007; 213:89-98. [PMID: 17785957 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.213.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin, a member of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) peptide family, has positive chronotropic and inotropic effects on heart and also shows a vasodilatory effect. However, the mechanism underlying its vasodilatory effect has yet to be elucidated. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of resistance arteries is mainly achieved by activation of K+ channels. Therefore, we investigated possible role of K+ channels and hyperpolarization for the vasodilatory effect of urocortin using the isolated perfused rat mesenteric arteries. Urocortin (0.2 nM) produced a slow-onset decrease in the perfusion pressure of the mesenteric vascular bed, which was elevated by an alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine (2-4 microM). Urocortin also hyperpolarized the main mesenteric artery. Removal of endothelium with saponin treatment considerably inhibited the relaxation and hyperpolarization induced by urocortin. In contrast, the hyperpolarization was not significantly changed by cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (1 microM) and/or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM). Urocortin-induced relaxation was not affected by the combination of a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 microM), indomethacin and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine. However, the relaxation and hyperpolarization were abolished by high extracellular potassium concentration (40 mM) or by a large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel blocker, charybdotoxin (1 nM). Glibenclamide (1 microM), an ATP-dependent K+ channel inhibitor, did not affect the relaxation and hyperpolarization. These results suggest that urocortin causes endothelium-dependent relaxation and hyperpolarization of rat mesenteric arteries, probably through the activation of charybdotoxin sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels. These findings also indicate an essential role of the endothelium for the urocortin-elicited vascular relaxation and hyperpolarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ata Seçilmiş
- Department of Pharmacology, Cukurova University Medical School, Adana 01130, Turkey.
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Kageyama K, Hanada K, Nigawara T, Moriyama T, Terui K, Sakihara S, Suda T. Urocortin induces interleukin-6 gene expression via cyclooxygenase-2 activity in aortic smooth muscle cells. Endocrinology 2006; 147:4454-62. [PMID: 16777977 DOI: 10.1210/en.2006-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a central role in controlling stress-related activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Four CRF-related peptides have been found in mammals: CRF and urocortins (Ucns) 1-3. Ucns bound to CRF(2beta) receptors have a physiological role in the cardiovascular system. We previously found that both Ucn1 and -2 induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP via CRF(2beta) receptor binding and significantly increased IL-6 secretion by A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated Ucn effects on IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 synthesis in A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells. Ucn1 and -2 stimulated IL-6 gene transcription and IL-6 secretion via CRF(2) receptors. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, suppressed IL-6 gene transcription and IL-6 secretion by Ucn1 or -2. NS-398, a COX-2 inhibitor, suppressed IL-6 induction to the same extent as indomethacin. These results suggest that the COX-2 pathway is involved downstream in regulation of Ucn-increased IL-6 gene expression and IL-6 secretion. In addition, COX-2 expression levels were increased at 6 h with the combination of Ucn1 and IL-1, compared with single peptide activation. Ucn1 showed a potent stimulatory effect on IL-6 output, whereas IL-1 alone had no significant effects. However, when Ucn1 was simultaneously used with IL-1, it markedly potentiated the increments in IL-6 output and promoter activity produced by Ucn1. Taken together, these findings indicate that the COX-2 pathway plays a major role in increasing IL-6 levels stimulated by Ucn and IL-1 in A7r5 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Kageyama
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Infectious Diseases, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Aomori 036-8562, Japan.
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García-Villalón AL, Amezquita YM, Monge L, Fernández N, Climent B, Sánchez A, Diéguez G. Mechanisms of the protective effects of urocortin on coronary endothelial function during ischemia-reperfusion in rat isolated hearts. Br J Pharmacol 2005; 145:490-4. [PMID: 15806110 PMCID: PMC1576160 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
1 Urocortin is a vasodilator peptide related to corticotrophin-releasing factor, which may protect endothelial function during coronary ischemia-reperfusion (I-R). The aim of this study was to study the mechanisms of this protective effect. 2 Hearts from Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and perfused at constant flow and then exposed to 15 min global zero-flow ischemia, followed by 15 min reperfusion. The relaxation to acetylcholine (10 nM-10 microM) was recorded after pre-constriction of the coronary vasculature with U46619 (100-300 nM) in ischemic-reperfused or time-control hearts. 3 After I-R, the coronary relaxation to acetylcholine was reduced and this reduction was attenuated by treatment with urocortin (10 pM), administered before ischemia and during reperfusion. 4 This urocortin-induced improvement of the relaxation to acetylcholine was not modified by tetraethylammonium (10 mM), blocker of Ca2+ dependent-potassium channels; glibenclamide (10 microM), blocker of K(ATP) channels; N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 microM), blocker of nitric oxide synthesis; or meclofenamate (10 microM), blocker of cyclooxygenase, but it was abolished by chelerythrine (3 microM), blocker of protein kinase C (PKC). 5 These results suggest that urocortin may protect coronary endothelial function during I-R by activation of PKC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel Luis García-Villalón
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma, Arzobispo Morcillo 2, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Abdelrahman AM, Lin Lim S, Pang CCY. Influence of urocortin and corticotropin releasing factor on venous tone in conscious rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2005; 510:107-11. [PMID: 15740730 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2005.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2005] [Accepted: 01/13/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) family includes CRF and urocortin. The effects of urocortin and CRF (0.3, 1, 3 and 10 nmol/kg, i.v.) relative to those of vehicle (0.9% NaCl) on mean arterial pressure and mean circulatory filling pressure (index of venous tone) were examined in conscious, unrestrained rats that were either intact (unblocked) or ganglion-blocked by treatment with mecamylamine (10 mg/kg, i.v.) followed by noradrenaline (4 microg/kg/min, i.v.) to increase vasomotor tone. Both urocortin and CRF dose-dependently decreased mean arterial pressure in intact rats and ganglion-blocked rats. The depressor action of urocortin was greater than that of CRF at all doses. In intact rats, neither compound reduced mean circulatory filling pressure. In ganglion-blocked rats, urocortin and the highest dose of CRF decreased mean circulatory filling pressure. In conclusion, both urocortin and CRF are vasodepressor agents with venodilator action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly M Abdelrahman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z3
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Rademaker MT, Charles CJ, Espiner EA, Frampton CM, Lainchbury JG, Richards AM. Four-day urocortin-I administration has sustained beneficial haemodynamic, hormonal, and renal effects in experimental heart failure. Eur Heart J 2005; 26:2055-62. [PMID: 15961410 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the subacute effects of a sustained intravenous infusion of urocortin-I (Ucn-I) in experimental heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS In eight sheep with pacing-induced HF, a 4-day infusion of Ucn-I (0.3 microg/kg/h) induced prompt (30 min) and sustained (4-day) increases in cardiac output (CO, Day 4: 1.8+/-0.2 vs. 2.3+/-0.2 L/min, P<0.001) and stroke volume (7.8+/-0.8 vs. 10.2+/-1.0 mL/beat, P=0.0011), and reductions in mean arterial pressure (MAP, 72+/-3 vs. 70+/-3 mmHg, P=0.0305), left atrial pressure (26+/-1 vs. 11+/-2 mmHg, P<0.001), and total calculated peripheral resistance (43+/-6 vs. 32+/-4 mmHg/L/min, P<0.001). Ucn-I also induced persistent falls in plasma renin (1.34+/-0.23 vs. 0.77+/-0.10 nmol/L/min, P=0.048), aldosterone (3273+/-1172 vs. 382+/-44 pmol/L, P=0.0098), endothelin-1 (4.6+/-0.3 vs. 2.7+/-0.3 pmol/L, P<0.001), vasopressin (24+/-4 vs. 14+/-2 pmol/L, P=0.0028) and atrial (184+/-14 vs. 154+/-29 pmol/L, P=0.0226) and brain (43+/-5 vs. 32+/-6 pmol/L, P=0.0016) natriuretic peptides. Plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone and cortisol rose transiently on Day 0. Ucn-I enhanced urinary sodium excretion (5.3-fold, P=0.0001) and creatinine clearance (1.3-fold, P=0.0055) long-term, and tended to increase urine output (P=0.0748). Food intake was attenuated over the first 2 days of treatment (P=0.0283). CONCLUSION Four-day administration of Ucn-I induces sustained reductions in cardiac preload and MAP, improvements in CO and renal function, and inhibition of a range of vasoconstrictor/volume-retaining factors. These findings support Ucn-I's therapeutic potential in HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T Rademaker
- Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group, Department of Medicine, The Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Bale TL. Sensitivity to stress: dysregulation of CRF pathways and disease development. Horm Behav 2005; 48:1-10. [PMID: 15919381 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2005.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2004] [Revised: 01/25/2005] [Accepted: 01/26/2005] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L Bale
- Department of Animal Biology and Institute of Neuroscience, 210 E. Vet, University of Pennsylvania, 3800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Rademaker MT, Charles CJ, Espiner EA, Frampton CM, Lainchbury JG, Richards AM. Endogenous urocortins reduce vascular tone and renin-aldosterone/endothelin activity in experimental heart failure. Eur Heart J 2005; 26:2046-54. [PMID: 15821006 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehi227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To investigate the role of the endogenous urocortin peptides in heart failure (HF) through blockade of the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 2 (CRF-R2). METHODS AND RESULTS Eight sheep were administered the CRF-R2 antagonist CRF(9-41) (1.5 mg bolus) before (Normal) and after development of pacing-induced HF. Compared with controls, CRF(9-41) in HF significantly increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) (71+/-2 vs. 75+/-2 mmHg, P=0.0024) and calculated total peripheral resistance (CTPR) (33.3+/-5.2 vs. 39.4+/-5.9 mmHg/L/min, P=0.0455). Similar trends were observed in the Normal state (MAP 87+/-1 vs. 89+/-2 mmHg, P=0.0689; CTPR 21.9+/-2.0 vs. 24.4+/-2.4 mmHg/L/min, P=0.0731). Left atrial pressure was elevated similarly in both states (Normal P=0.0013; HF P=0.0298), whereas cardiac output tended to be reduced (Normal P=0.0614). CRF(9-41) increased plasma urocortin-I (Normal 10.3+/-0.8 vs. 19.8+/-1.3 pmol/L, P<0.001; HF 14.4+/-0.9 vs. 25.3+/-0.8 pmol/L, P<0.001), renin (Normal 0.34+/-0.06 vs. 0.41+/-0.02 nmol/L/hr, P=0.013; HF 1.14+/-0.29 vs. 1.57+/-0.36 nmol/L/hr, P=0.0326), aldosterone (Normal 370+/-62 vs. 563+/-99 pmol/L, P=0.0813; HF 662+/-141 vs. 1024+/-209 pmol/L, P=0.095), and endothelin-1 (HF 3.18+/-0.18 vs. 4.74+/-1.04 pmol/L, P=0.0087). MAP, CTPR, renin, and endothelin-1 responses to CRF-R2 antagonism were significantly greater in HF than in the Normal state (P=0.049, 0.0427, 0.0311, and 0.0412, respectively). CONCLUSION These data suggest that the endogenous urocortin peptides contribute to the suppression of vascular tone and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone/endothelin activation in HF and thus, play a protective compensatory role in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam T Rademaker
- Christchurch Cardioendocrine Research Group, Department of Medicine, The Christchurch School of Medicine, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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Chanalaris A, Lawrence KM, Townsend PA, Davidson S, Jamshidi Y, Jashmidi Y, Stephanou A, Knight RD, Hsu SY, Hsueh AJW, Latchman DS. Hypertrophic effects of urocortin homologous peptides are mediated via activation of the Akt pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 328:442-8. [PMID: 15694367 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The UCN homologues SCP and SRP bind specifically to the CRFR2 receptor, whereas UCN binds to both CRFR1 and CRFR2. We have previously demonstrated that all three peptides are cardioprotective, and both the Akt and MAPK p42/44 pathways are essential for this effect. Here we tested the hypertrophic effects of these peptides. We examined the effects of the peptides on cell area, protein synthesis, and induction of the natriuretic peptides ANP and BNP. All three peptides were able to increase all the markers of hypertrophy examined, with SCP being the most potent of the three, followed by UCN and SRP last. In addition, we provide a mechanism of action for the three peptides and show that Akt phosphorylation is important for their hypertrophic action, whereas MAPK p42/44 is not involved in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Chanalaris
- Medical Molecular Biology Unit, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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Abdelrahman AM, Syyong HTT, Tjahjadi AAG, Pang CCY. Analysis of the mechanism of the vasodepressor effect of urocortin in anesthetized rats. Pharmacology 2004; 73:175-9. [PMID: 15604589 DOI: 10.1159/000082749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2004] [Accepted: 10/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to examine if the depressor effect of urocortin involves activation of the nitric oxide (NO)/L-arginine pathway, production of prostanoids or opening of K(+)-channels. I. v. bolus urocortin (0.1-3 nmol/kg) dose-dependently decreased mean arterial pressure in thiobutabarbital-anesthetized rats. The depressor effect of urocortin was unaffected by pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, inhibitor of NO synthase, i.v. bolus) or noradrenaline (i.v. infusion), which increased arterial pressure to a similar level as that produced by L-NAME. In addition, methylene blue (inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, i.v. infusion), indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor, i.v. bolus), glibenclamide (blocker of ATP-sensitive K(+)-channels, i.v. bolus) or tetraethylammonium (a non specific K(+)-channel blocker, i.v. bolus) did not affect the depressor effect of urocortin. In conclusion, the depressor effect of urocortin in anesthetized rats is not mediated via the NO/L-arginine pathway, activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase, production of prostanoids, opening of TEA sensitive K(+)-channels nor opening of ATP sensitive K(+)-channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly M Abdelrahman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, 2176 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Suda T, Kageyama K, Sakihara S, Nigawara T. Physiological roles of urocortins, human homologues of fish urotensin I, and their receptors. Peptides 2004; 25:1689-701. [PMID: 15476936 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2004] [Accepted: 03/29/2004] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Urocortin 1, a human homologue of fish urotensin I, together with its related-compounds (urocortins 2 and 3), comprises a distinct family of stress peptides. Urocortin 1 has a high affinity for both corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) type 1 receptor (CRF1) and CRF type 2 receptor (CRF2), and urocortins 2 and 3 have a high affinity for CRF2, while CRF has a low affinity for CRF2 and a high affinity for CRF1. These differences of the binding affinity with receptors make the biological actions of these peptides. Besides the binding affinity with receptors, the limited overlap of the distribution of CRF and urocortins may also contribute to the differences of physiological roles of each peptide. Urocortins show 'stress-coping' responses such as anxiolysis and dearousal in the brain. In the periphery, recent studies show the potent effects of urocortins on the cardiovascular and immune systems. In this review article, we take a look over the series of peptides included in this family, especially in terms of the versatility of biological actions, along with the various characters of the receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Suda
- The Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan.
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Hashimoto K, Nishiyama M, Tanaka Y, Noguchi T, Asaba K, Hossein PN, Nishioka T, Makino S. Urocortins and corticotropin releasing factor type 2 receptors in the hypothalamus and the cardiovascular system. Peptides 2004; 25:1711-21. [PMID: 15476938 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Accepted: 05/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In addition to urocortin (Ucn I), Ucn II and Ucn III were identified as endogenous ligands for corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor (CRF2 receptor). CRF2 receptor is abundantly located in central hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) and in peripheral cardiovascular system. In this mini-review, we focused on the roles of these urocortins and CRF2 receptor in the hypothalamus and the cardiovascular system. Ucn II mRNA was increased in the parvocellular part or the magnocellular part of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) following immobilization stress or 3 days of water deprivation, respectively. Therefore, it is thought that Ucn II may modulate CRF and vasopressin synthesis in the PVN in a paracrine or autocrine fashion through PVN CRF2 receptor. The early and later phases of Ucn I-mediated feeding suppression may be CRF1 and CRF2 receptor-mediated events, respectively. Ucn II decreases food intake at a later phase, beyond 4 h post injection. A large dose of corticosterone increased plasma leptin and insulin levels as well as the levels of CRF2 receptor mRNA. Adrenalectomy, starvation, and immobilization each lowered plasma leptin and insulin levels and were associated with decrements in CRF2 receptor mRNA levels in the VMH. Peripheral injection of leptin increased VMH CRF2 receptor mRNA, as can induce reductions of food intake and body weight, indicating that circulating leptin is involved in the regulation of VMH CRF2 receptor mRNA expression. Therefore, it is also plausible that VMH CRF2 receptor transduces the anorexogenic effects of leptin as well as those of urocortins. The systemic administration of Ucn II decreases mean arterial pressure (arterial vascular tone) and causes tachycardia via vascular CRF2 receptor in rats, similar to the effects of Ucn I. Thus, CRF2 receptor seems to mediate cardioprotective effects of urocortins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kozo Hashimoto
- Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Okoh-cho, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan.
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Takahashi K, Totsune K, Murakami O, Shibahara S. Urocortins as cardiovascular peptides. Peptides 2004; 25:1723-31. [PMID: 15476939 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2004.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2004] [Accepted: 04/14/2004] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Urocortins (Ucn) 1, 2 and 3, human homologues of fish urotensin I, form the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, together with CRF, urotensin I and sauvagine. Ucn 3 is a novel member of this family and is a specific ligand for CRF type 2 receptor. CRF type 2 receptor is thought to mediate the stress-coping responses, such as anxiolysis, anorexia, vasodilatation, a positive inotropic action on myocardium and dearousal. Endogenous ligands for the CRF type 2 receptor expressed in the cardiovascular tissues, such as the myocardium, have long been unknown. We have shown expression of Ucn 3 as well as Ucn 1 in the human heart. Ucn 3 is also expressed in the kidney, particularly distal tubules. Studies in various rat tissues showed that high concentrations of immunoreactive Ucn 3 were found in the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, gastrointestinal tract, ovary and spleen in addition to the brain, heart and kidney. These observations suggest that Ucn 3 is expressed in various tissues including heart and kidney, and may regulate the circulation in certain aspects of stress and diseases, such as inflammation. Ucn 1 and 3 appear to have important pathophysiological roles in some cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Applied Physiology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan.
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Wiley KE, Davenport AP. CRF2 receptors are highly expressed in the human cardiovascular system and their cognate ligands urocortins 2 and 3 are potent vasodilators. Br J Pharmacol 2004; 143:508-14. [PMID: 15381637 PMCID: PMC1575420 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0705985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
1. Systemic infusions of urocortin 1 produce a decrease in mean arterial pressure. This effect may be mediated by a direct action on novel corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 (CRF(2)) receptors predicted to be expressed in blood vessels and the heart. Our objectives were to determine the presence of CRF(2) receptors in the human cardiovascular system using the selective radioligand [(125)I]antisauvagine 30. We also investigated the potential functional roles of novel CRF(2) ligands in the regulation of vascular tone in human arteries in vitro. 2. Radioligand binding techniques were used to characterise the CRF(2) receptor. [(125)I]antisauvagine 30 bound specifically, saturably, reversibly and with high affinity to CRF(2) receptors in human left ventricle (K(D) 0.21+/-0.03 nm, B(MAX) 0.80+/-0.18 fmol mg(-1) protein), and no change in receptor density or affinity was observed in the dilated cardiomyopathy group. 3. Autoradiographical studies revealed highly localised binding of [(125)I]antisauvagine 30 to intramyocardial blood vessels. Binding sites were also detected in the myocardium and in the medial layer of internal mammary arteries. 4. In endothelium-denuded human internal mammary artery in vitro, all peptides tested produced a potent and sustained vasodilator response reversing endothelin-1-induced constrictions (10 nm) (urocortin 1: pD(2) 8.39+/-0.32, E(MAX) 46+/-7.7%; urocortin 2: pD(2) 8.27+/-0.17, E(MAX) 60+/-8.5%; urocortin 3: pD(2) 8.61+/-0.25, E(MAX) 61+/-7.2%; CRF: pD(2) 8.28+/-0.27, E(MAX): 40+/-10%). 5. We have demonstrated the presence of CRF(2) receptors in the human cardiovascular system and a direct, endothelium-independent vasodilator action of urocortins 2 and 3, which may counter-balance the centrally mediated pressor effects of CRF and urocortin 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Wiley
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Clinical Investigation, University of Cambridge, Box 110, Level 6, Cambridge CB2 2QQ
| | - Anthony P Davenport
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Centre for Clinical Investigation, University of Cambridge, Box 110, Level 6, Cambridge CB2 2QQ
- Author for correspondence: http://www-davenport.medschl.cam.ac.uk
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Gardiner SM, March JE, Kemp PA, Davenport AP, Wiley KE, Bennett T. Regional hemodynamic actions of selective corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 receptor ligands in conscious rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2004; 312:53-60. [PMID: 15328375 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.104.075259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In conscious male Sprague-Dawley rats, we compared regional hemodynamic actions of the selective corticotropin-releasing factor type 2 (CRF(2)) receptor ligands human and mouse urocortin 2 (hUCN2 and mUCN2, respectively) with those of CRF. Bolus i.v. doses of 3 and 30 pmol kg(-1) hUCN2, mUCN2, or CRF had no significant hemodynamic actions, but at doses of 300 and 3000 pmol kg(-1), all three peptides caused dose-dependent tachycardia and hypotension, with rapid-onset, short-duration, mesenteric vasodilatation and slower-onset, more prolonged hindquarters vasodilatation but little or no change in renal vascular conductance. Pretreatment with the nonselective CRF receptor antagonist astressin or the selective CRF(2) receptor antagonist antisauvagine 30 abolished all the cardiovascular actions of all three peptides. Indomethacin had no effect on responses to hUCN2, and there was no evidence for any involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the vasodilator actions of hUCN2. There was no evidence that recruitment of angiotensin- and endothelin-mediated vasoconstrictor mechanisms counteracted the vascular actions of hUCN2. The results indicate that the hemodynamic effects of i.v. hUCN2, mUCN2, and CRF depend on activation of CRF(2) receptors and do not involve NO or prostanoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila M Gardiner
- Centre for Integrated Systems Biology and Medicine School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Nottingham NG7 2UH. UK.
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Ikeda K, Tojo K, Tokudome G, Ohta M, Sugimoto KI, Tamura T, Tajima N, Mochizuki S, Kawakami M, Hosoya T. Cardiac expression of urocortin (Ucn) in diseased heart; preliminary results on possible involvement of Ucn in pathophysiology of cardiac diseases. Mol Cell Biochem 2004; 252:25-32. [PMID: 14577573 DOI: 10.1023/a:1025551305777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Recently, several studies reported that urocortin (Ucn) had beneficial effects on cardiovascular system and was expressed both in the normal heart and in the heart of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), yet the relationship between high expression of Ucn and pathophysiology of Ucn in diseased heart has been discussed. Thus, the present study was designed to elucidate the expression of Ucn in the diseased heart by immunohistochemical approach using endomyocardial biopsy specimens. The involvement of immunoreactive Ucn in pathophysiology of cardiac disease was evaluated using endomyocardial biopsy specimens obtained from the patients with some heart diseases, including DCM and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Ucn was detected in all endomyocardial biopsy specimens of ventricular tissue obtained from the patients with such cardiac diseases, a specimens of atrial tissue, and normal heart specimens obtained from autopsy cases. In DCM patients, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure significantly elevated in severely stained group. On the contrary, in HCM patients, left ventricular ejection fraction was higher in the severely stained group. Ucn was expressed more abundantly in the diseased heart, especially in HCM and DCM, than in the normal heart. In conclusion, such close relationship between Ucn expression in the heart and cardiac function indicated that clinical features of Ucn resembled those of norepinephrine and Ucn could play a certain pathophysiological roles in the cardiac diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Ikeda
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Abstract
Since corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) was first characterized, a growing family of ligands and receptors has evolved. The mammalian family members include CRF, urocortinI (UcnI), UcnII, and UcnIII, along with two receptors, CRFR1 and CRFR2, and a CRF binding protein. These family members differ in their tissue distribution and pharmacology. Studies have provided evidence supporting an important role of this family in regulation of the endocrine and behavioral responses to stress. Although CRF appears to play a stimulatory role in stress responsivity through activation of CRFR1, specific actions of UcnII and UcnIII on CRFR2 may be important for dampening stress sensitivity. As the only ligand with high affinity for both receptors, UcnI's role may be promiscuous. Regulation of the relative contribution of the two CRF receptors to brain CRF pathways may be essential in coordinating physiological responses to stress. The development of disorders related to heightened stress sensitivity and dysregulation of stress-coping mechanisms appears to involve regulatory mechanisms of CRF family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L Bale
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6046, USA.
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Kageyama K, Furukawa KI, Miki I, Terui K, Motomura S, Suda T. Vasodilative effects of urocortin II via protein kinase A and a mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat thoracic aorta. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2004; 42:561-5. [PMID: 14508243 DOI: 10.1097/00005344-200310000-00015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Four corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-related peptides have been found in mammals and are known as CRF, urocortin, urocortin II, and urocortin III (also known as stresscopin). The three urocortins have considerably higher affinities for CRF receptor type 2 (CRF R2) than CRF, and urocortin II and urocortin III are highly selective for CRF R2. In the present study, the authors examined the hypothesis that urocortin II or urocortin III, in addition to urocortin, produces vasodilation as a candidate for natural ligands of CRF R2beta in rat thoracic aorta. Involvement of protein kinases on urocortin-induced vasodilation was also explored. The vasodilative effects of urocortin II and urocortin III were more potent than that of CRF, but less potent than that of urocortin. Urocortin II-induced vasodilation was significantly attenuated by a CRF R2-selective antagonist, antisauvagine-30. Both SQ22536, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, and Rp-8-Br-cAMPS, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, were found to attenuate the urocortin II-induced vasodilation. SB203580, a p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor, also inhibited the effects of urocortin and urocortin II on vasodilation. Thus, urocortins contribute to vasodilation via p38 MAP kinase as well as PKA pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunori Kageyama
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Japan.
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