G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)/GPR30 forms a complex with the β1-adrenergic receptor, a membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) scaffold protein, and protein kinase A anchoring protein (AKAP) 5 in MCF7 breast cancer cells

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), also named G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), and the β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) that are implicated in breast cancer progression. Both receptors contain PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 homology (PDZ) motifs in their C-terminal tails through which they interact in the plasma membrane with membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) scaffold proteins, and in turn protein kinase A anchoring protein (AKAP) 5. GPR30 constitutively and PDZ-dependently inhibits β1AR-mediated cAMP production. We hypothesized that this inhibition is a consequence of a plasma membrane complex of these receptors. Using co-immunoprecipitation, confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET), we show that GPR30 and β1AR reside in close proximity in a plasma membrane complex when transiently expressed in HEK293. Deleting the GPR30 C-terminal PDZ motif (-SSAV) does not interfere with the receptor complex, indicating that the complex is not PDZ-dependent. MCF7 breast cancer cells express GPR30, β1AR, MAGUKs, and AKAP5 in the plasma membrane, and co-immunoprecipitation revealed that these proteins exist in close proximity also under native conditions. Furthermore, expression of GPR30 in MCF7 cells constitutively and PDZ-dependently inhibits β1AR-mediated cAMP production. AKAP5 also inhibits β1AR-mediated cAMP production, which is not additive with GPR30-promoted inhibition. These results argue that GPR30 and β1AR form a PDZ-independent complex in MCF7 cells through which GPR30 constitutively and PDZ-dependently inhibits β1AR signaling via receptor interaction with MAGUKs and AKAP5.

Increased expression of miR-224-5p in circulating extracellular vesicles of patients with reduced coronary flow reserve

Background

Endothelial and microvascular dysfunction are pivotal causes of major adverse cardiac events predicted by coronary flow reserve (CFR). Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have been studied extensively in the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease. However, little is known on the impact of the non-coding RNA content of EVs with respect to CFR.

Methods

We carried out a study among 120 patients divided by high-CFR and low-CFR to profile the miRNA content of circulating EVs.

Results

A multiplex array profiling on circulating EVs revealed mir-224-5p (p-value ≤ 0.000001) as the most differentially expressed miRNA in the Low-CFR group and showed a significantly independent relationship to CFR. Literature survey indicated the origin of the miR from liver cells and not of platelet, leukocyte, smooth muscle or endothelial (EC) origin. A q-PCR panel of the conventional cell type-EVs along with hepatic EVs showed that EVs from liver cells showed higher expression of the miR-224-5p. FACS analysis demonstrated the presence of liver-specific (ASGPR-1+/CD14−) EVs in the plasma of our cohort with the presence of Vanin-1 required to enter the EC barrier. Hepatic EVs with and without the miR-224-5p were introduced to ECs in-vitro, but with no difference in effect on ICAM-1 or eNOS expression. However, hepatic EVs elevated endothelial ICAM-1 levels per se independent of the miR-224-5p.

Conclusion

This indicated a role of hepatic EVs identified by the miR-224-5p in endothelial dysfunction in patients with Low CFR.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02756-w.

Microvesicles in plasma reflect coronary flow reserve in patients with cardiovascular disease

High levels of microvesicles (MVs), a type of extracellular vesicles, are detected in several pathological conditions. We investigated the connection between coronary flow reserve (CFR), a prognostic clinical parameter that reflects blood flow in the heart, with levels of MVs and their cargo, from plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease. The PROFLOW study consists of 220 patients with prior myocardial infarction and measured CFR with transthoracic echocardiography. The patients were divided into high and low CFR groups. Plasma MVs were captured with acoustic trapping. Platelet- and endothelial-derived MVs were measured with flow cytometry, and vesicle lysates were analyzed with proteomic panels against cardiovascular biomarkers. Flow cytometry was further applied to identify cellular origin of biomarkers. Our data show a negative correlation between MV concentration and CFR values. Platelet and endothelial MV levels were significantly increased in plasma from the low CFR group. CFR negatively correlates with the levels of several proteomic biomarkers, and the low CFR group exhibited higher concentrations of these proteins in MVs. Focused analysis of one of the MV proteins, B cell activating factor (BAFF), revealed platelet and not leukocyte origin and release upon proinflammatory stimulus. Higher levels of MVs carrying an elevated concentration of proatherogenic proteins circulate in plasma in patients with low CFR, a marker of vascular dysfunction, reduced blood flow, and poor prognosis. Our findings demonstrate a potential clinical value of MVs as biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets against endothelial deterioration.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated how microvesicles (MVs) from patients with cardiovascular diseases are related to coronary flow reserve (CFR), a clinical parameter reflecting blood flow in the heart. Our results show a negative relationship between CFR and levels of platelet and endothelial MVs. The pattern of MV-enriched cardiovascular biomarkers differs between patients with high and low CFR. Our findings suggest a potential clinical value of MVs as biomarkers of reduced blood flow and proatherogenic status, additional to CFR.

Bilberry Supplementation after Myocardial Infarction Decreases Microvesicles in Blood and Affects Endothelial Vesiculation

SCOPE

Diet rich in bilberries is considered cardioprotective, but the mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Cardiovascular disease is characterized by increased proatherogenic status and high levels of circulating microvesicles (MVs). In an open-label study patients with myocardial infarction receive an 8 week dietary supplementation with bilberry extract (BE). The effect of BE on patient MV levels and its influence on endothelial vesiculation in vitro is investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MVs are captured with acoustic trapping and platelet-derived MVs (PMVs), as well as endothelial-derived MVs (EMVs) are quantified with flow cytometry. The in vitro effect of BE on endothelial extracellular vesicle (EV) release is examined using endothelial cells and calcein staining. The mechanisms of BE influence on vesiculation pathways are studied by Western blot and qRT-PCR. Supplementation with BE decreased both PMVs and EMVs. Furthermore, BE reduced endothelial EV release, Akt phosphorylation, and vesiculation-related gene transcription. It also protects the cells from P2X7 -induced EV release and increase in vesiculation-related gene expression.

CONCLUSION

BE supplementation improves the MV profile in patient blood and reduces endothelial vesiculation through several molecular mechanisms related to the P2X7 receptor. The findings provide new insight into the cardioprotective effects of bilberries.

Rapid Aldosterone-Mediated Signaling in the DCT Increases Activity of the Thiazide-Sensitive NaCl Cotransporter

BACKGROUND

The NaCl cotransporter NCC in the kidney distal convoluted tubule (DCT) regulates urinary NaCl excretion and BP. Aldosterone increases NaCl reabsorption via NCC over the long-term by altering gene expression. But the acute effects of aldosterone in the DCT are less well understood.

METHODS

Proteomics, bioinformatics, and cell biology approaches were combined with animal models and gene-targeted mice.

RESULTS

Aldosterone significantly increases NCC activity within minutes in vivo or ex vivo. These effects were independent of transcription and translation, but were absent in the presence of high potassium. In vitro, aldosterone rapidly increased intracellular cAMP and inositol phosphate accumulation, and altered phosphorylation of various kinases/kinase substrates within the MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and cAMP/PKA pathways. Inhibiting GPR30, a membrane-associated receptor, limited aldosterone's effects on NCC activity ex vivo, and NCC phosphorylation was reduced in GPR30 knockout mice. Phosphoproteomics, network analysis, and in vitro studies determined that aldosterone activates EGFR-dependent signaling. The EGFR immunolocalized to the DCT and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition decreased NCC activity ex vivo and in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Aldosterone acutely activates NCC to modulate renal NaCl excretion.

Effect of exercise on the plasma vesicular proteome: a methodological study comparing acoustic trapping and centrifugation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of actively released vesicles originating from a wide range of cell types. Characterization of these EVs and their proteomes in the human plasma provides a novel approach in clinical diagnostics, as they reflect physiological and pathological states. However, EV isolation is technically challenging with the current methods having several disadvantages, requiring large sample volumes, and resulting in loss of sample and EV integrity. Here, we use an alternative, non-contact method based on a microscale acoustic standing wave technology. Improved coupling of the acoustic resonator increased the EV recovery from 30% in earlier reports to 80%, also displaying long term stability between experiment days. We report a pilot study, with 20 subjects who underwent physical exercise. Plasma samples were obtained before and 1 h after the workout. Acoustic trapping was compared to a standard high-speed centrifugation protocol, and the method was validated by flow cytometry (FCM). To monitor the device stability, the pooled frozen plasma from volunteers was used as an internal control. A key finding from the FCM analysis was a decrease in CD62E+ (E-selectin) EVs 1 h after exercise that was consistent for both methods. Furthermore, we report the first data that analyse differential EV protein expression before and after physical exercise. Olink-based proteomic analysis showed 54 significantly changed proteins in the EV fraction in response to physical exercise, whereas the EV-free plasma proteome only displayed four differentially regulated proteins, thus underlining an important role of these vesicles in cellular communication, and their potential as plasma derived biomarkers. We conclude that acoustic trapping offers a fast and efficient method comparable with high-speed centrifugation protocols. Further, it has the advantage of using smaller sample volumes (12.5 μL) and rapid contact-free separation with higher yield, and can thus pave the way for future clinical EV-based diagnostics.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)/GPR30 increases ERK1/2 activity through PDZ motif-dependent and -independent mechanisms

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), also called G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), is thought to play important roles in breast cancer and cardiometabolic regulation, but many questions remain about ligand activation, effector coupling, and subcellular localization. We showed recently that GPR30 interacts through the C-terminal type I PDZ motif with SAP97 and protein kinase A (PKA)-anchoring protein (AKAP) 5, which anchor the receptor in the plasma membrane and mediate an apparently constitutive decrease in cAMP production independently of G_i/o Here, we show that GPR30 also constitutively increases ERK1/2 activity. Removing the receptor PDZ motif or knocking down specifically AKAP5 inhibited the increase, showing that this increase also requires the PDZ interaction. However, the increase was inhibited by pertussis toxin as well as by wortmannin but not by AG1478, indicating that G_i/o and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mediate the increase independently of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation. FK506 and okadaic acid also inhibited the increase, implying that a protein phosphatase is involved. The proposed GPR30 agonist G-1 also increased ERK1/2 activity, but this increase was only observed at a level of receptor expression below that required for the constitutive increase. Furthermore, deleting the PDZ motif did not inhibit the G-1-stimulated increase. Based on these results, we propose that GPR30 increases ERK1/2 activity via two G_i/o-mediated mechanisms, a PDZ-dependent, apparently constitutive mechanism and a PDZ-independent G-1-stimulated mechanism.

Cardiac signal estimation based on the arterial and venous pressure signals of a hemodialysis machine

Continuous cardiac monitoring is usually not performed during hemodialysis treatment, although a majority of patients with kidney failure suffer from cardiovascular disease. In the present paper, a method is proposed for estimating a cardiac pressure signal by combining the arterial and the venous pressure sensor signals of the hemodialysis machine. The estimation is complicated by the periodic pressure disturbance caused by the peristaltic blood pump, with an amplitude much larger than that of the cardiac pressure signal. Using different techniques for combining the arterial and venous pressure signals, the performance is evaluated and compared to that of an earlier method which made use of the venous pressure only. The heart rate and the heartbeat occurrence times, determined from the estimated cardiac pressure signal, are compared to the corresponding quantities determined from a photoplethysmographic reference signal. Signals from 9 complete hemodialysis treatments were analyzed. For a heartbeat amplitude of 0.5 mmHg, the median absolute deviation between estimated and reference heart rate was 1.3 bpm when using the venous pressure signal only, but dropped to 0.6 bpm when combining the pressure signals. The results show that the proposed method offers superior estimation at low heartbeat amplitudes. Consequently, more patients can be successfully monitored during treatment without the need of extra sensors. The results are preliminary, and need to be verified on a separate dataset.

Discovery of Genetic Variation on Chromosome 5q22 Associated with Mortality in Heart Failure

Failure of the human heart to maintain sufficient output of blood for the demands of the body, heart failure, is a common condition with high mortality even with modern therapeutic alternatives. To identify molecular determinants of mortality in patients with new-onset heart failure, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies and follow-up genotyping in independent populations. We identified and replicated an association for a genetic variant on chromosome 5q22 with 36% increased risk of death in subjects with heart failure (rs9885413, P = 2.7x10^-9). We provide evidence from reporter gene assays, computational predictions and epigenomic marks that this polymorphism increases activity of an enhancer region active in multiple human tissues. The polymorphism was further reproducibly associated with a DNA methylation signature in whole blood (P = 4.5x10^-40) that also associated with allergic sensitization and expression in blood of the cytokine TSLP (P = 1.1x10^-4). Knockdown of the transcription factor predicted to bind the enhancer region (NHLH1) in a human cell line (HEK293) expressing NHLH1 resulted in lower TSLP expression. In addition, we observed evidence of recent positive selection acting on the risk allele in populations of African descent. Our findings provide novel genetic leads to factors that influence mortality in patients with heart failure.

In this study, we applied a genome-wide mapping approach to study molecular determinants of mortality in subjects with heart failure. We identified a genetic variant on chromosome 5q22 that was associated with mortality in this group and observed that this variant conferred increased function of an enhancer region active in multiple tissues. We further observed association of the genetic variant with a DNA methylation signature in blood that in turn is associated with allergy and expression of the gene TSLP (Thymic stromal lymphoprotein) in blood. Knockdown of the transcription factor predicted to bind the enhancer region also resulted in lower TSLP expression. The TSLP gene encodes a cytokine that induces release of T-cell attracting chemokines from monocytes, promotes T helper type 2 cell responses, enhances maturation of dendritic cells and activates mast cells. Development of TSLP inhibiting therapeutics are underway and currently in phase III clinical trials for asthma and allergy. These findings provide novel genetic leads to factors that influence mortality in patients with heart failure and in the longer term may result in novel therapies.

Non-contact acoustic capture of microparticles from small plasma volumes

Microparticles (MP) are small (100-1000 nm) membrane vesicles shed by cells as a response to activation, stress or apoptosis. Platelet-derived MP (PMP) has been shown to reflect the pathophysiological processes of a range of cardiovascular diseases and there is a potential clinical value in using PMPs as biomarkers, as well as a need to better understand the biology of these vesicles. The current method for isolating MP depends on differential centrifugation steps, which require relatively large sample volumes and have been shown to compromise the integrity and composition of the MP population. We present a novel method for rapid, non-contact capture of PMP in minute sample volumes based on a microscale acoustic standing wave technology. Capture of PMPs from plasma is shown by scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry. Furthermore, the system is characterized with regards to plasma sample concentration and flow rate. Finally, the technique is compared to a standard differential centrifugation protocol using samples from both healthy controls and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patient samples. The acoustic system is shown to offer a quick and automated setup for extracting microparticles from small sample volumes with higher recovery than a standard differential centrifugation protocol.

Extracellular Uridine Triphosphate and Adenosine Triphosphate Attenuate Endothelial Inflammation through miR-22-Mediated ICAM-1 Inhibition

Adenosine and uridine triphosphate (ATP and UTP) can act as extracellular signalling molecules, playing important roles in vascular biology and disease. ATP and UTP acting via the P2Y2-receptor have, for example, been shown to regulate endothelial dilatation, inflammation and angiogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of regulatory, short, non-coding RNAs, have been shown to be important regulators of these biological processes. In this study, we used RNA deep-sequencing to explore changes in miRNA expression in the human microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1 upon UTP treatment. The expression of miR-22, which we have previously shown to target ICAM-1 mRNA in HMEC-1, increased significantly after stimulation. Up-regulation of miR-22 and down-regulation of cell surface ICAM-1 were confirmed with qRT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. siRNA-mediated knockdown of the P2Y2-receptor abolished the effect of UTP on miR-22 transcription. Leukocyte adhesion was significantly inhibited in HMEC-1 following miR-22 overexpression and treatment with UTP/ATP. In conclusion, extracellular UTP and ATP can attenuate ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion in endothelial cells through miR-22.

The ATP Receptors P2X7 and P2X4 Modulate High Glucose and Palmitate-Induced Inflammatory Responses in Endothelial Cells

Endothelial cells lining the blood vessels are principal players in vascular inflammatory responses. Dysregulation of endothelial cell function caused by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia often result in impaired vasoregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered barrier function. Various stressors including high glucose stimulate the release of nucleotides thus initiating signaling via purinergic receptors. However, purinergic modulation of inflammatory responses in endothelial cells caused by high glucose and palmitate remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether the effect of high glucose and palmitate is mediated by P2X7 and P2X4 and if they play a role in endothelial cell dysfunction. Transcript and protein levels of inflammatory genes as well as reactive oxygen species production, endothelial-leukocyte adhesion, and cell permeability were investigated in human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to high glucose and palmitate. We report high glucose and palmitate to increase levels of extracellular ATP, expression of P2X7 and P2X4, and inflammatory markers. Both P2X7 and P2X4 antagonists inhibited high glucose and palmitate-induced interleukin-6 levels with the former having a significant effect on interleukin-8 and cyclooxygenase-2. The effect of the antagonists was confirmed with siRNA knockdown of the receptors. In addition, P2X7 mediated both high glucose and palmitate-induced increase in reactive oxygen species levels and decrease in endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Blocking P2X7 inhibited high glucose and palmitate-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as well as leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. Interestingly, high glucose and palmitate enhanced endothelial cell permeability that was dependent on both P2X7 and P2X4. Furthermore, antagonizing the P2X7 inhibited high glucose and palmitate-mediated activation of p38-mitogen activated protein kinase. These findings support a novel role for P2X7 and P2X4 coupled to induction of inflammatory molecules in modulating high glucose and palmitate-induced endothelial cell activation and dysfunction.

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) forms a plasma membrane complex with membrane-associated guanylate kinases (MAGUKs) and protein kinase A-anchoring protein 5 (AKAP5) that constitutively inhibits cAMP production

GPR30, or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, is a G protein-coupled receptor reported to bind 17β-estradiol (E2), couple to the G proteins Gs and Gi/o, and mediate non-genomic estrogenic responses. However, controversies exist regarding the receptor pharmacological profile, effector coupling, and subcellular localization. We addressed the role of the type I PDZ motif at the receptor C terminus in receptor trafficking and coupling to cAMP production in HEK293 cells and CHO cells ectopically expressing the receptor and in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing the native receptor. GPR30 was localized both intracellularly and in the plasma membrane and subject to limited basal endocytosis. E2 and G-1, reported GPR30 agonists, neither stimulated nor inhibited cAMP production through GPR30, nor did they influence receptor localization. Instead, GPR30 constitutively inhibited cAMP production stimulated by a heterologous agonist independently of Gi/o. Moreover, siRNA knockdown of native GPR30 increased cAMP production. Deletion of the receptor PDZ motif interfered with inhibition of cAMP production and increased basal receptor endocytosis. GPR30 interacted with membrane-associated guanylate kinases, including SAP97 and PSD-95, and protein kinase A-anchoring protein (AKAP) 5 in the plasma membrane in a PDZ-dependent manner. Knockdown of AKAP5 or St-Ht31 treatment, to disrupt AKAP interaction with the PKA RIIβ regulatory subunit, decreased inhibition of cAMP production, and St-Ht31 increased basal receptor endocytosis. Therefore, GPR30 forms a plasma membrane complex with a membrane-associated guanylate kinase and AKAP5, which constitutively attenuates cAMP production in response to heterologous agonists independently of Gi/o and retains receptors in the plasma membrane.

The brain-enriched microRNA miR-124 in plasma predicts neurological outcome after cardiac arrest

Introduction

Early prognostication after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation is difficult, and there is a need for novel methods to estimate the extent of brain injury and predict outcome. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the cardiac arrest syndrome on the plasma levels of selected tissue-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and assessed their ability to prognosticate death and neurological disability.

Methods

We included 65 patients treated with hypothermia after cardiac arrest in the study. Blood samples were obtained at 24 hours and at 48 hours. For miRNA-screening purposes, custom quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) panels were first used. Thereafter individual miRNAs were assessed at 48 hours with qPCR. miRNAs that successfully predicted prognosis at 48 hours were further analysed at 24 hours. Outcomes were measured according to the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) score at 6 months after cardiac arrest and stratified into good (CPC score 1 or 2) or poor (CPC scores 3 to 5).

Results

At 48 hours, miR-146a, miR-122, miR-208b, miR-21, miR-9 and miR-128 did not differ between the good and poor neurological outcome groups. In contrast, miR-124 was significantly elevated in patients with poor outcomes compared with those with favourable outcomes (P < 0.0001) at 24 hours and 48 hours after cardiac arrest. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves at 24 and 48 hours after cardiac arrest showed areas under the curve of 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.79 to 0.96) and 0.89 (95% CI = 0.80 to 0.97), respectively.

Conclusions

The brain-enriched miRNA miR-124 is a promising novel biomarker for prediction of neurological prognosis following cardiac arrest.

The enteric nervous system of P2Y13 receptor null mice is resistant against high-fat-diet- and palmitic-acid-induced neuronal loss

Gastrointestinal symptoms have a major impact on the quality of life and are becoming more prevalent in the western population. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is pivotal in regulating gastrointestinal functions. Purinergic neurotransmission conveys a range of short and long-term cellular effects. This study investigated the role of the ADP-sensitive P2Y13 receptor in lipid-induced enteric neuropathy. Littermate P2Y13 (+/+) and P2Y13 (-/-) mice were fed with either a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 months. The intestines were analysed for morphological changes as well as neuronal numbers and relative numbers of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-containing neurons. Primary cultures of myenteric neurons from the small intestine of P2Y13 (+/+) or P2Y13 (-/-) mice were exposed to palmitic acid (PA), the P2Y13 receptor agonist 2meSADP and the antagonist MRS2211. Neuronal survival and relative number of VIP-containing neurons were analysed. In P2Y13 (+/+), but not in P2Y13 (-/-) mice, HFD caused a significant loss of myenteric neurons in both ileum and colon. In colon, the relative numbers of VIP-containing submucous neurons were significantly lower in the P2Y13 (-/-) mice compared with P2Y13 (+/+) mice. The relative numbers of nNOS-containing submucous colonic neurons increased in P2Y13 (+/+) HFD mice. HFD also caused ileal mucosal thinning in P2Y13 (+/+) and P2Y13 (-/-) mice, compared to ND fed mice. In vitro PA exposure caused loss of myenteric neurons from P2Y13 (+/+) mice while neurons from P2Y13 (-/-) mice were unaffected. Presence of MRS2211 prevented PA-induced neuronal loss in cultures from P2Y13 (+/+) mice. 2meSADP caused no change in survival of cultured neurons. P2Y13 receptor activation is of crucial importance in mediating the HFD- and PA-induced myenteric neuronal loss in mice. In addition, the results indicate a constitutive activation of enteric neuronal apoptosis by way of P2Y13 receptor stimulation.

Enteric neuropathy can be induced by high fat diet in vivo and palmitic acid exposure in vitro

Objective

Obese and/or diabetic patients have elevated levels of free fatty acids and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal symptoms. Since the enteric nervous system is pivotal in regulating gastrointestinal functions alterations or neuropathy in the enteric neurons are suspected to occur in these conditions. Lipid induced intestinal changes, in particular on enteric neurons, were investigated in vitro and in vivo using primary cell culture and a high fat diet (HFD) mouse model.

Design

Mice were fed normal or HFD for 6 months. Intestines were analyzed for neuronal numbers, remodeling and lipid accumulation. Co-cultures of myenteric neurons, glia and muscle cells from rat small intestine, were treated with palmitic acid (PA) (0 – 10⁻³ M) and / or oleic acid (OA) (0 – 10⁻³ M), with or without modulators of intracellular lipid metabolism. Analyses were by immunocyto- and histochemistry.

Results

HFD caused substantial loss of myenteric neurons, leaving submucous neurons unaffected, and intramuscular lipid accumulation in ileum and colon. PA exposure in vitro resulted in neuronal shrinkage, chromatin condensation and a significant and concentration-dependent decrease in neuronal survival; OA exposure was neuroprotective. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 inhibition, L-carnitine- or alpha lipoic acid supplementation all counteracted PA-induced neuronal loss. PA or OA alone both caused a significant and concentration-dependent loss of muscle cells in vitro. Simultaneous exposure of PA and OA promoted survival of muscle cells and increased intramuscular lipid droplet accumulation. PA exposure transformed glia from a stellate to a rounded phenotype but had no effect on their survival.

Conclusions

HFD and PA exposure are detrimental to myenteric neurons. Present results indicate excessive palmitoylcarnitine formation and exhausted L-carnitine stores leading to energy depletion, attenuated acetylcholine synthesis and oxidative stress to be main mechanisms behind PA-induced neuronal loss.High PA exposure is suggested to be a factor in causing diabetic neuropathy and gastrointestinal dysregulation.

The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1/GPR30) agonist G-1 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell Ca²⁺ handling

The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor GPER1/GPR30 is implicated in blood pressure regulation but the mechanisms are not identified. Here, we hypothesize that GPER1 controls blood pressure by regulating vascular smooth muscle cell Ca(2+) handling. Treatment with the GPER1 agonist G-1 (in the µM concentration range) acutely reduced spontaneous and synchronous Ca(2+) spike activity in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells expressing mRNA for GPER1. Furthermore, G-1 (1 µM) attenuated the thromboxane A2 analogue U46619-stimulated Ca(2+) spike activity but had no effect on the U46619-induced increase in the basal level of Ca(2+). The voltage-sensitive L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine (100 nM) reduced Ca(2+) spike activity similar to G-1. Pharmacological, but not physiological, concentrations of the estrogen 17β-estradiol reduced Ca(2+) spike activity. The GPER1 antagonist G-15 blocked G-1-induced downregulation of Ca(2+) spike activity, supporting a GPER1-dependent mechanism. G-1 (1 µM) and nifedipine (100 nM) attenuated the 30-mM KCl-evoked rise in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, suggesting that G-1 blocks inflow of Ca(2+) via voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the GPER1 agonist G-1 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell Ca(2+) handling by lowering Ca(2+) spike activity, suggesting a role for this mechanism in GPER1-mediated control of blood pressure. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor is apoptotic and correlates with increased distant disease-free survival of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients

PURPOSE

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), previously named GPR30, is a membrane receptor reported to mediate nongenomic estrogen responses. We investigated if GPER1 expression correlates with any clinicopathologic variables and distant disease-free survival (DDFS) in patients with breast cancer, if any prognostic impact of the receptor is dependent on estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) status, and if the receptor impacts apoptotic signaling in ER-positive breast cancer cells.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

GPER1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in breast tumors from 273 pre- and postmenopausal stage II patients, all treated with adjuvant tamoxifen for 2 years (cohort I) and from 208 premenopausal lymph node-negative patients, of which 87% were not subjected to any adjuvant systemic treatment (cohort II). GPER1-dependent proapoptotic signaling was analyzed in MCF7 cells with and without GPER1 knockdown, T47D cells, HEK293 cells (HEK), and HEK stably expressing GPER1 (HEK-R).

RESULTS

GPER1 positively correlates with ER and progesterone receptor expression. Multivariate analysis showed that GPER1 is an independent prognostic marker of increased 10-year DDFS in the ER-positive subgroup. HEK-R has higher basal proapoptotic signaling compared with HEK including increased cytochrome C release, caspase-3 cleavage, PARP cleavage, and decreased cell viability. Treating HEK-R with the proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin, to decrease GPER1 degradation, further increases receptor-dependent proapoptotic signaling. Also, GPER1 knockdown decreases basal and agonist-stimulated proapoptotic receptor signaling in MCF7 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

GPER1 is a prognostic indicator for increased DDFS in ER-positive breast cancer, which may be associated with constitutive GPER1-dependent proapoptotic signaling in ER-positive breast cancer cells.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) protects beta cells against glucotoxicity and increases cell proliferation

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is an islet peptide that promotes glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in beta cells via cAMP/PKA-dependent pathways. In addition, CART is a regulator of neuronal survival. In this study, we examined the effect of exogenous CART 55-102 on beta cell viability and dissected its signaling mechanisms. Evaluation of DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation revealed that CART 55-102 reduced glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis in both INS-1 (832/13) cells and isolated rat islets. Glucotoxicity in INS-1 (832/13) cells also caused a 50% reduction of endogenous CART protein. We show that CART increased proliferation in INS-1 (832/13) cells, an effect that was blocked by PKA, PKB, and MEK1 inhibitors. In addition, CART induced phosphorylation of CREB, IRS, PKB, FoxO1, p44/42 MAPK, and p90RSK in INS-1 (832/13) cells and isolated rat islets, all key mediators of cell survival and proliferation. Thus, we demonstrate that CART 55-102 protects beta cells against glucotoxicity and promotes proliferation. Taken together our data point to the potential use of CART in therapeutic interventions targeted at enhancing functional beta cell mass and long-term insulin secretion in T2D.

High glucose and free fatty acids induce beta cell apoptosis via autocrine effects of ADP acting on the P2Y(13) receptor

While high levels of glucose and saturated fatty acids are known to have detrimental effects on beta cell function and survival, the signalling pathways mediating these effects are not entirely known. In a previous study, we found that ADP regulates beta cell insulin secretion and beta cell apoptosis. Using MIN6c4 cells as a model system, we investigated if autocrine/paracrine mechanisms of ADP and purinergic receptors are involved in this process. High glucose (16.7 mmol/l) and palmitate (100 μmol/l) rapidly and potently elevated the extracellular ATP levels, while mannitol was without effect. Both tolbutamide and diazoxide were without effect, while the calcium channel blocker nifedipine, the volume-regulated anion channels (VRAC) inhibitor NPPB, and the pannexin inhibitor carbenoxolone could inhibit both effects. Similarly, silencing the MDR1 gene also blocked nutrient-generated ATP release. These results indicate that calcium channels and VRAC might be involved in the ATP release mechanism. Furthermore, high glucose and palmitate inhibited cAMP production, reduced cell proliferation in MIN6c4 and increased activated Caspase-3 cells in mouse islets and in MIN6c4 cells. The P2Y(13)-specific antagonist MRS2211 antagonized all these effects. Further studies showed that blocking the P2Y(13) receptor resulted in enhanced CREB, Bad and IRS-1 phosphorylation, which are known to be involved in beta cell survival and insulin secretion. These findings provide further support for the concept that P2Y(13) plays an important role in beta cell apoptosis and suggest that autocrine/paracrine mechanisms, related to ADP and P2Y(13) receptors, contribute to glucolipotoxicity.

Farnesyl pyrophosphate is an endogenous antagonist to ADP-stimulated P2Y₁₂ receptor-mediated platelet aggregation

Farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) is an intermediate in cholesterol biosynthesis, and it has also been reported to activate platelet LPA (lysophosphatidic acid) receptors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of extracellular FPP in platelet aggregation. Human platelets were studied with light transmission aggregometry, flow cytometry and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding assays. As shown previously, FPP could potentiate LPA-stimulated shape change. Surprisingly, FPP also acted as a selective insurmountable antagonist to ADP-induced platelet aggregation. FPP inhibited ADP-induced expression of P-selectin and the activated glycoprotein (Gp)IIb/IIIa receptor. FPP blocked ADP-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding in platelets. In Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the P2Y₁₂ receptor, FPP caused a rightward shift of the [³⁵S]GTPγS binding curve. In Sf9 insect cells expressing the human P2Y₁₂ receptor, FPP showed a concentration-dependent, although incomplete inhibition of [³H]PSB-0413 binding. Docking of FPP in a P2Y₁₂ receptor model revealed molecular similarities with ADP and a good fit into the binding pocket for ADP. In conclusion, FPP is an insurmountable antagonist of ADP-induced platelet aggregation mediated by the P2Y₁₂ receptor. It could be an endogenous antithrombotic factor modulating the strong platelet aggregatory effects of ADP in a manner similar to the use of clopidogrel, prasugrel or ticagrelor in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease.

The G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 agonist G-1 disrupts endothelial cell microtubule structure in a receptor-independent manner

The G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor GPER1, also known as GPR30, has been implicated in oestrogen signalling, but the physiological importance of GPER1 is not fully understood. The GPER1 agonist G-1 has become an important tool to assess GPER1-mediated cellular effects. Here, we report that this substance, besides acting via GPER1, affects the microtubule network in endothelial cells. Treatment with G-1 (3 μM) for 24 h reduced DNA synthesis by about 60 % in mouse microvascular endothelial bEnd.3 cells. Treatment with 3 μM G-1 prevented outgrowth of primary endothelial cells from mouse aortic explants embedded in Matrigel. Treatment with G-1 (0.3-3 μM) for 24 h disrupted bEnd.3 cell and HUVEC microtubule structure in a concentration-dependent manner as assessed by laser-scanning confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. G-1-induced (3 μM) disruption of microtubule was observed also after acute (3 and 6 h) treatment and in the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Disruption of microtubules by 3 μM G-1 was observed in aortic smooth muscle cells obtained from both GPER1 knockout and wild-type mice, suggesting that G-1 influences microtubules through a mechanism independent of GPER1. G-1 dose dependently (10-50 μM) stimulated microtubule assembly in vitro. On the other hand, microtubules appeared normal in the presence of 10-50 μM G-1 as determined by electron microscopy. We suggest that G-1-promoted endothelial cell anti-proliferation is due in part to alteration of microtubule organization through a mechanism independent of GPER1. This G-1-promoted mechanism may be used to block unwanted endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis such as that observed in, e.g. cancer.

Ticagrelor induces adenosine triphosphate release from human red blood cells

RATIONALE

The novel P2Y(12) antagonist ticagrelor inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation more rapidly and more potently than clopidogrel. Clinical trials have revealed dyspnea and asymptomatic ventricular pauses as side effects of ticagrelor. The mechanism behind these side effects is not known, but it is plausible that they are mediated by adenosine.

OBJECTIVE

Ticagrelor is known to increase adenosine concentrations by inhibiting red blood cell reuptake, but the potency of this effect may be too low to fully explain the adenosine related effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether ticagrelor has other effects on red blood cells (RBCs) that could contribute to explain the pleiotropic effects seen with ticagrelor treatment.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a luciferase-based bioluminescence assay, we studied ATP release in human blood. Human RBCs responded to ticagrelor in vitro by releasing substantial amounts of ATP in a dose-dependent manner (IC(50) 14μM). The rapid effect indicates release through membrane channels, which was supported by a depolarizing effect of ticagrelor and inhibition of ATP release by anion channel blockers.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our data show that, in vitro, ticagrelor can induce ATP release from human RBCs, which is subsequently degraded to adenosine. Further studies are warranted to determine what role this mechanism may play in the clinical effects of ticagrelor.

G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)/GPR30: a new player in cardiovascular and metabolic oestrogenic signalling

Oestrogens are important sex hormones central to health and disease in both genders that have protective effects on the cardiovascular and metabolic systems. These hormones act in complex ways via both genomic and non-genomic mechanisms. The genomic mechanisms are relatively well characterized, whereas the non-genomic ones are only beginning to be explored. Two oestrogen receptors (ER), ERα and ERβ, have been described that act as nuclear transcription factors but can also associate with the plasma membrane and influence cytosolic signalling. ERα has been shown to mediate both anti-atherogenic effects and pro-survival effects in pancreatic β-cells. In recent years, a third membrane-bound ER has emerged, G protein-coupled receptor 30 or G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), which mediates oestrogenic responses in cardiovascular and metabolic regulation. Both GPER1 knock-out models and pharmacological agents are now available to study GPER1 function. These tools have revealed that GPER1 activation may have several beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system including vasorelaxation, inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation, and protection of the myocardium against ischaemia/reperfusion injury, and in the metabolic system including stimulation of insulin release and protection against pancreatic β-cell apoptosis. Thus, GPER1 is emerging as a candidate therapeutic target in both cardiovascular and metabolic disease.

17β-Estradiol induces nongenomic effects in renal intercalated cells through G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1

Steroid hormones such as 17β-estradiol (E2) are known to modulate ion transporter expression in the kidney through classic intracellular receptors. Steroid hormones are also known to cause rapid nongenomic responses in a variety of nonrenal tissues. However, little is known about renal short-term effects of steroid hormones. Here, we studied the acute actions of E2 on intracellular Ca(2+) signaling in isolated distal convoluted tubules (DCT2), connecting tubules (CNT), and initial cortical collecting ducts (iCCD) by fluo 4 fluorometry. Physiological concentrations of E2 induced transient increases in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in a subpopulation of cells. The [Ca(2+)](i) increases required extracellular Ca(2+) and were inhibited by Gd(3+). Strikingly, the classic E2 receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 also increased [Ca(2+)](i), which is inconsistent with the activation of classic E2 receptors. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1 or GPR30) was detected in microdissected DCT2/CNT/iCCD by RT-PCR. Stimulation with the specific GPER1 agonist G-1 induced similar [Ca(2+)](i) increases as E2, and in tubules from GPER1 knockout mice, E2, G-1, and ICI 182,780 failed to induce [Ca(2+)](i) elevations. The intercalated cells showed both E2-induced concanamycin-sensitive H(+)-ATPase activity by BCECF fluorometry and the E2-mediated [Ca(2+)](i) increment. We propose that E2 via GPER1 evokes [Ca(2+)](i) transients and increases H(+)-ATPase activity in intercalated cells in mouse DCT2/CNT/iCCD.

Succinate independently stimulates full platelet activation via cAMP and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-β signaling

BACKGROUND

The citric cycle intermediate succinate has recently been identified as a ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) SUCNR1. We have previously found that this receptor is one of the most highly expressed GPCRs in human platelets.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SUCNR1 in platelet aggregation and to explore the signaling pathways of this receptor in platelets.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using real-time-PCR, we demonstrated that SUCNR1 is expressed in human platelets at a level corresponding to that of the P2Y(1) receptor. Light transmission aggregation experiments showed dose-dependent aggregation induced by succinate, reaching a maximum response at 0.5 mM. The effect of succinate on platelet aggregation was confirmed with flow cytometry, showing increased surface expression of activated glycoprotein IIb-IIIa and P-selectin. Intracellular SUCNR1 signaling was found to result in decreased cAMP levels, Akt phosphorylation mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase-β activation, and receptor desensitization. Furthermore, succinate-induced platelet aggregation was demonstrated to depend on Src, generation of thromboxane A(2), and ATP release. Platelet SUCNR1 is subject to desensitization through both homologous and heterologous mechanisms. In addition, the P2Y(12) receptor inhibitor ticagrelor completely prevented platelet aggregation induced by succinate.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experiments show that succinate induces full aggregation of human platelets via SUCNR1. Succinate-induced platelet aggregation depends on thromboxane A(2) generation, ATP release, and P2Y(12) activation.

The GPER1 agonist G-1 attenuates endothelial cell proliferation by inhibiting DNA synthesis and accumulating cells in the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle

G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) is expressed in the vasculature, but the importance of vascular GPER1 remains to be clarified. Here we investigate effects of the GPER1 agonist G-1 on endothelial cell proliferation using mouse microvascular endothelial bEnd.3 cells. The bEnd.3 cells express mRNA for GPER1. The bEnd.3 cells expressed both ERα and ERβ immunoreactivities. Treatment with G-1 reduced DNA synthesis and cell number with IC(50) values of about 2 μM. GPER1 siRNA prevented G-1-induced attenuation of DNA synthesis. G-1 accumulated cells in S and G2 phases of the cell cycle, suggesting that G-1 blocks transition between G2 and M. G-1 had no effect on DNA synthesis in COS-7 cells only weakly expressing GPER1 mRNA. 17β-Estradiol had no effect on DNA synthesis in physiological concentrations (nM). The ER blocker ICI182780 reduced DNA synthesis with similar potency as G-1. Treatment with the ERK/MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 had no effect on G-1-induced attenuation of DNA synthesis. G-1- induced antiproliferation was observed not only in bEnd.3 cells but also in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and HMEC-1 endothelial cells. We conclude that the GPER1 agonist G-1 attenuates endothelial cell proliferation via inhibition of DNA synthesis and by accumulation of cells in S and G2.

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1/G protein-coupled receptor 30 localizes in the plasma membrane and traffics intracellularly on cytokeratin intermediate filaments

G protein-coupled receptor 30 [G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)], has been introduced as a membrane estrogen receptor and a candidate cancer biomarker and therapeutic target. However, several questions surround the subcellular localization and signaling of this receptor. In native cells, including mouse myoblast C(2)C(12) cells, Madin-Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, and human ductal breast epithelial tumor T47-D cells, G-1, a GPER1 agonist, and 17β-estradiol stimulated GPER1-dependent cAMP production, a defined plasma membrane (PM) event, and recruitment of β-arrestin2 to the PM. Staining of fixed and live cells showed that GPER1 was localized both in the PM and on intracellular structures. One such intracellular structure was identified as cytokeratin (CK) intermediate filaments, including those composed of CK7 and CK8, but apparently not endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, or microtubules. Reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation of GPER1 and CKs confirmed an association of these proteins. Live staining also showed that the PM receptors constitutively internalize apparently to reach CK filaments. Receptor localization was supported using FLAG- and hemagglutinin-tagged GPER1. We conclude that GPER1-mediated stimulation of cAMP production and β-arrestin2 recruitment occur in the PM. Furthermore, the PM receptors constitutively internalize and localize intracellularly on CK. This is the first observation that a G protein-coupled receptor is capable of associating with intermediate filaments, which may be important for GPER1 regulation in epithelial cells and the relationship of this receptor to cancer.

ADP mediates inhibition of insulin secretion by activation of P2Y13 receptors in mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESES

To investigate the effects of extracellular purines on insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic islets.

METHODS

Mouse islets and beta cells were isolated and examined with mRNA real-time quantification, cAMP quantification and insulin and glucagon secretion. ATP release was measured in MIN6c4 cells. Insulin and glucagon secretion were measured in vivo after glucose injection.

RESULTS

Enzymatic removal of extracellular ATP at low glucose levels increased the secretion of both insulin and glucagon, while at high glucose levels insulin secretion was reduced and glucagon secretion was stimulated, indicating an autocrine effect of purines. In MIN6c4 cells it was shown that glucose does induce release of ATP into the extracellular space. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated the expression of the ADP receptors P2Y(1) and P2Y(13) in both intact mouse pancreatic islets and isolated beta cells. The stable ADP analogue 2-MeSADP had no effect on insulin secretion. However, co-incubation with the P2Y(1) antagonist MRS2179 inhibited insulin secretion, while co-incubation with the P2Y(13) antagonist MRS2211 stimulated insulin secretion, indicating that ADP acting via P2Y(1) stimulates insulin secretion, while signalling via P2Y(13) inhibits the secretion of insulin. P2Y(13) antagonism through MRS2211 per se increased the secretion of both insulin and glucagon at intermediate (8.3 mmol/l) and high (20 mmol/l) glucose levels, confirming an autocrine role for ADP. Administration of MRS2211 during glucose injection in vivo resulted in both increased secretion of insulin and reduced glucose levels.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In conclusion, ADP acting on the P2Y(13) receptors inhibits insulin release. An antagonist to P2Y(13) increases insulin release and could be evaluated for the treatment of diabetes.

ADP receptor P2Y(13) induce apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells

Pancreatic beta-cell loss represents a key factor in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Since the influence of purinergic signaling in beta-cell apoptosis has not been much investigated, we examined the role of the ADP receptor P2Y(13) using the pancreatic insulinoma-cell line MIN6c4 as a model system. Real time-PCR revealed high expression of the ADP receptors P2Y(1) and P2Y(13). Adding the ADP analogue, 2MeSADP, to MIN6c4 cells induced calcium influx/mobilization and inhibition of cAMP production by activation of P2Y(1) and P2Y(13), respectively. 2MeSADP reduced cell proliferation and increased Caspase-3 activity; both these effects could be fully reversed by the P2Y(13) receptor antagonist MRS2211. We further discovered that blocking the P2Y(13) receptor results in enhanced ERK1/2, Akt/PKB and CREB phosphorylation mechanisms involved in beta-cell survival. These results indicate that P2Y(13) is a proapoptotic receptor in beta-cells as the P2Y(13) receptor antagonist MRS2211 is able to protect the cells from ADP induced apoptosis.

GPR30/GPER1: searching for a role in estrogen physiology

Estrogens are sex hormones that are central to health and disease in both genders. These hormones have long been recognized to act in complex ways, both through relatively slow genomic mechanisms and via fast non-genomic mechanisms. Several recent in vitro studies suggest that GPR30, or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1), is a functional membrane estrogen receptor involved in non-genomic estrogen signaling. However, this function is not universally accepted. Studies concerning the role of GPER1 in vivo are now beginning to appear but with divergent results. In this review we discuss current knowledge on the physiological role of GPER1 in the nervous system as well as in reproduction, metabolism, bone, and in the cardiovascular and immune systems.

The role of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 in the effects of estrogen in ovariectomized mice

In vitro studies suggest that the membrane G protein-coupled receptor GPR30 is a functional estrogen receptor (ER). The aim of the present study was to determine the possible in vivo role of GPR30 as a functional ER primarily for the regulation of skeletal parameters, including bone mass and longitudinal bone growth, but also for some other well-known estrogen-regulated parameters, including uterine weight, thymus weight, and fat mass. Three-month-old ovariectomized (OVX) GPR30-deficient mice (GPR30(-/-)) and wild-type (WT) mice were treated with either vehicle or increasing doses of estradiol (E(2); 0, 30, 70, 160, or 830 ng.mouse(-1).day(-1)). Body composition [bone mineral density (BMD), fat mass, and lean mass] was analyzed by dual-energy-X ray absorptiometry, while the cortical and trabecular bone compartments were analyzed by peripheral quantitative computerized tomography. Quantitative histological analyses were performed in the distal femur growth plate. Bone marrow cellularity and distribution were analyzed using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The estrogenic responses on most of the investigated parameters, including increase in bone mass (total body BMD, spine BMD, trabecular BMD, and cortical bone thickness), increase in uterine weight, thymic atrophy, fat mass reduction, and increase in bone marrow cellularity, were similar for all of the investigated E(2) doses in WT and GPR30(-/-) mice. On the other hand, E(2) treatment reduced longitudinal bone growth, reflected by decreased femur length and distal femur growth plate height, in the WT mice but not in the GPR30(-/-) mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. These in vivo findings demonstrate that GPR30 is not required for normal estrogenic responses on several major well-known estrogen-regulated parameters. In contrast, GPR30 is required for a normal estrogenic response in the growth plate.

Deletion of the G protein-coupled receptor 30 impairs glucose tolerance, reduces bone growth, increases blood pressure, and eliminates estradiol-stimulated insulin release in female mice

In vitro studies suggest that the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 30 is a functional estrogen receptor. However, the physiological role of GPR30 in vivo is unknown, and it remains to be determined whether GPR30 is an estrogen receptor also in vivo. To this end, we studied the effects of disrupting the GPR30 gene in female and male mice. Female GPR30((-/-)) mice had hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance, reduced body growth, increased blood pressure, and reduced serum IGF-I levels. The reduced growth correlated with a proportional decrease in skeletal development. The elevated blood pressure was associated with an increased vascular resistance manifested as an increased media to lumen ratio of the resistance arteries. The hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance in vivo were associated with decreased insulin expression and release in vivo and in vitro in isolated pancreatic islets. GPR30 is expressed in islets, and GPR30 deletion abolished estradiol-stimulated insulin release both in vivo in ovariectomized adult mice and in vitro in isolated islets. Our findings show that GPR30 is important for several metabolic functions in female mice, including estradiol-stimulated insulin release.

GPR40 is expressed in glucagon producing cells and affects glucagon secretion

The free fatty acid receptor, GPR40, has been coupled with insulin secretion via its expression in pancreatic beta-cells. However, the role of GPR40 in the release of glucagon has not been studied and previous attempts to identify the receptor in alpha-cells have been unfruitful. Using double-staining for glucagon and GPR40 expression, we demonstrate that the two are expressed in the same cells in the periphery of mouse islets. In-R1-G9 hamster glucagonoma cells respond dose-dependently to linoleic acid stimulation by elevated phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis and glucagon release and the cells become increasingly responsive to fatty acid stimulation when overexpressing GPR40. Isolated mouse islets also secrete glucagon in response to linoleic acid, a response that was abolished by antisense treatment against GPR40. This study demonstrates that GPR40 is present and active in pancreatic alpha-cells and puts further emphasis on the importance of this nutrient sensing receptor in islet function.

Characterization of the human chemerin receptor--ChemR23/CMKLR1--as co-receptor for human and simian immunodeficiency virus infection, and identification of virus-binding receptor domains

Studies were conducted to elucidate co-receptor spectrum and function of the inflammatory receptor, CMKLR1/ChemR23, which was recently identified as the receptor for the cystatin-like chemoattractant, TIG2, also named chemerin. An infection model was applied based on stably transfected NP-2.CD4 host cells expressing various co-receptor constructs and exposed to panels of HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV primary isolates. In a panel of 27 HIV-1 isolates tested, 12 isolates could use CMKLR1/ChemR23. As expected from a relatively high sequence homology with the extracellular domains of CCR3, HIV-1 isolates showing R3 tropism were particularly efficient in using CMKLR1/ChemR23. In addition, 5 out of 7 HIV-2 isolates and 13 out of 15 SIV (SMM-3 origin) used CMKLR1/ChemR23, in accordance with the previously documented ability of these isolates to use several co-receptors. In order to define important extracellular epitopes for the viral interaction, a hybrid receptor model was applied. This was based on the fact that the rat receptor, although structurally very similar to the human orthologue, was inefficient as viral co-receptor. When the rat receptor was "humanized" to include regions unique to the human receptor (N-terminus or second extracellular loop), exposure to HIV-1, HIV-2 and SIV isolates resulted in infection. The relative importance of the two critical receptor regions differed between HIV-1/HIV-2 on the one hand and SIV on the other. The results strongly support that the chemerin receptor, in the presence of CD4, functions as a "minor co-receptor" promoting infection by these classes of viruses.

Lysophosphatidic acid binds to and activates GPR92, a G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in gastrointestinal lymphocytes

Here, the ligand binding, activation, and tissue distribution of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) GPR92 were studied. GPR92 binds and is activated by compounds based on the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) backbone. The binding of LPA to GPR92 was of high affinity (K(D) = 6.4 +/- 0.9 nM) and led to an increase in both phosphoinositide hydrolysis and cAMP production. GPR92 is atypical in that it has a low sequence homology with the classic LPA(1-3) receptors (21-22%). Expression of GPR92 is mainly found in heart, placenta, spleen, brain, lung, and gut. Notably, GPR92 is highly expressed in the lymphocyte compartment of the gastrointestinal tract. It is the most abundant GPCR activated by LPA found in the small intestinal intraepithelial CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA(1)R/GPR40) and its involvement in fatty-acid-stimulated insulin secretion

Free fatty acids (FFA) have generally been proposed to regulate pancreatic insulin release by an intracellular mechanism involving inhibition of CPT-1. The recently de-orphanized G-protein coupled receptor, FFA(1)R/GPR40, has been shown to be essential for fatty-acid-stimulated insulin release in MIN6 mouse insulinoma cells. The CPT-1 inhibitor, 2-bromo palmitate (2BrP), was investigated for its ability to interact with mouse FFA(1)R/GPR40. It was found to inhibit phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis induced by linoleic acid (LA) (100 muM in all experiments) in HEK293 cells transfected with FFA(1)R/GPR40 and in the MIN6 subclone, MIN6c4. 2BrP also inhibited LA-stimulated insulin release from mouse pancreatic islets. Mouse islets were subjected to antisense intervention by treatment with a FFA(1)R/GPR40-specific morpholino oligonucleotide for 48 h. Antisense treatment of islets suppressed LA-stimulated insulin release by 50% and by almost 100% when islets were pretreated with LA for 30 min before applying the antisense. Antisense treatment had no effect on tolbutamide-stimulated insulin release. Confocal microscopy using an FFA(1)R/GPR40-specific antibody revealed receptor expression largely localized to the plasma membrane of insulin-producing cells. Pretreating the islets with LA for 30 min followed by antisense oligonucleotide treatment for 48 h reduced the FFA(1)R/GPR40 immunoreactivity to background levels. The results demonstrate that FFA(1)R/GPR40 is inhibited by the CPT-1 inhibitor, 2BrP, and confirm that FFA(1)R/GPR40 is indeed necessary, at least in part, for fatty-acid-stimulated insulin release.

The mouse chemerin receptor gene, mcmklr1, utilizes alternative promoters for transcription and is regulated by all-trans retinoic acid

CMKLR1 (chemoattractant-like receptor 1) is a G-protein-coupled receptor implicated in cartilage and bone development and is expressed in organs like the parathyroid gland, brain, and lung. The receptor is also expressed in dendritic cells and in macrophages where it acts as a co-receptor for entry of HIV/SIV isolates into human CD4(+) cells. Recently, a protein named "chemerin" (also known as TIG2) was isolated from human inflammatory fluids and hemofiltrate and found to be the endogenous ligand for CMKLR1. We have previously described the genomic organization of the cmklr1 gene and characterized its promoter in mouse neuroblastoma NB4 1A3 cells. In the present study we identify a second transcript, cmklr1b, in mouse microglia BV2 cells. Cmklr1b is transcribed from an alternative promoter with a transcription start site located 6780 bp downstream of the previously identified exon 1 (cmklr1a). The cmklr1b promoter lacks a TATA box but contains two CCAAT boxes in opposite directions. 5' Deletion analysis of the promoter region in BV2 cells using a luciferase reporter gene assay indicates two regions, between 623-755 bp and 56-125 bp upstream of transcription start site, to be important for promoter function. The proximal promoter region includes both CCAAT boxes, and site-directed mutagenesis separately within these elements revealed that only the forward CCAAT element was important for transcription. Although the forward CCAAT element is essential for transcription electrophoretic mobility shift and super-shift assays demonstrated that both CCAAT elements actually bind nuclear proteins from BV2 cells and identified the binding factor as NFY. Real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR experiments of cmklr1b expression in all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)- stimulated BV2 cells showed strong up-regulation of receptor transcript. Luciferase reporter gene assay of the promoter in ATRA-stimulated BV2 cells confirmed that transcriptional activity of the cmklr1b promoter is increased by ATRA. However, deletion analysis could not identify an ATRA-responsive element within the promoter region suggesting that gene activation is likely to occur through alternative mechanisms. The results emphasise a possible role of cmklr1 in bone modelling.

Coevolution of RANTES sensitivity and mode of CCR5 receptor use by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 of the R5 phenotype

The evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coreceptor use has been described as the acquisition of CXCR4 use linked to accelerated disease progression. However, CXCR4-using virus can be isolated only from approximately one-half of individuals with progressive HIV-1 disease. The other half continue to yield only CCR5-using viruses (R5 phenotype) throughout the course of disease. In the present work, the use of receptor chimeras between CCR5 and CXCR4 allowed us to study the evolution of HIV-1 with the R5 phenotype, which was not revealed by studies of wild-type coreceptor use. All together, 246 isolates (173 with the R5 phenotype) from 31 individuals were tested for their ability to infect cells through receptor chimeras. R5(narrow) virus was able to use only wild-type CCR5, whereas R5(broad(1)) to R5(broad(3)) viruses were able to use one to three chimeric receptors, respectively. Broad use of chimeric receptors was interpreted as an increased flexibility in the mode of receptor use. R5(broad) isolates showed higher infectivity in cells expressing wild-type CCR5 than R5(narrow) isolates. Also, the increased flexibility of R5(broad) isolates was concomitant with a lower sensitivity to inhibition by the CC chemokine RANTES. Our results indicate a close relationship between HIV-1 phenotypic changes and the pathogenic process, since the mode and efficiency of CCR5 use as well as the decrease in the RANTES sensitivities of isolated viruses are significantly correlated with CD4(+)-T-cell decline in a patient. One possible explanation is that ligand competition at the CCR5 receptor or changed CCR5 availability may shape the outcome of HIV-1 infection.