Effects of p38 MAPK inhibition on early stages of diabetic retinopathy and sensory nerve function

Purpose. p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is known to play a regulatory role in inflammatory processes in disease. Inflammation has been linked also to the development of diabetic retinopathy in rodents. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a p38 MAPK inhibitor on the development of early stages of diabetic retinopathy in rats. Methods. Streptozotocin-diabetic rats were assigned to two groups-treated with the p38 MAPK inhibitor PHA666859 (Pfizer, New York, NY) and untreated-and compared with age-matched nondiabetic control animals. Results. At 2 months of diabetes, insulin-deficient diabetic control rats exhibited significant increases in retinal superoxide, nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and leukostasis within retinal microvessels. All these abnormalities were significantly inhibited by the p38 MAPK inhibitor (25 mg/kgBW/d). At 10 months of diabetes, significant increases in the number of degenerate (acellular) capillaries and pericyte ghosts were measured in control diabetic rats versus those in nondiabetic control animals, and pharmacologic inhibition of p38 MAPK significantly inhibited all these abnormalities (all P < 0.05). This therapy also had beneficial effects outside the eye in diabetes, as evidenced by the inhibition of a diabetes-induced hypersensitivity of peripheral nerves to light touch (tactile allodynia). Conclusions. p38 MAPK plays an important role in diabetes-induced inflammation in the retina, and inhibition of p38 MAPK offers a novel therapeutic approach to inhibiting the development of early stages of diabetic retinopathy and other complications of diabetes.

Delayed restoration of Mg2+ content and transport in liver cells following ethanol withdrawal

Liver cells from rats chronically fed a Lieber-De Carli diet for 3 wk presented a marked decreased in tissue Mg(2+) content and an inability to extrude Mg(2+) into the extracellular compartment upon stimulation with catecholamine, isoproterenol, or cell-permeant cAMP analogs. This defect in Mg(2+) extrusion was observed in both intact cells and purified liver plasma membrane vesicles. Inhibition of adrenergic or cAMP-mediated Mg(2+) extrusion was also observed in freshly isolated hepatocytes from control rats incubated acutely in vitro with varying doses of ethanol (EtOH) for 8 min. In this model, however, the defect in Mg(2+) extrusion was observed in intact cells but not in plasma membrane vesicles. In the chronic model, upon removal of EtOH from the diet hepatic Mg(2+) content and extrusion required approximately 10 days to return to normal level both in isolated cells and plasma membrane vesicles. In hepatocytes acutely treated with EtOH for 8 min, more than 60 min were necessary for Mg(2+) content and extrusion to recover and return to the level observed in EtOH-untreated cells. Taken together, these data suggest that in the acute model the defect in Mg(2+) extrusion is the result of a limited refilling of the cellular compartment(s) from which Mg(2+) is mobilized upon adrenergic stimulation rather than a mere defect in adrenergic cellular signaling. The chronic EtOH model, instead, presents a transient but selective defect of the Mg(2+) extrusion mechanisms in addition to the limited refilling of the cellular compartments.

Effect of Repeated Doses of Ethanol on Hepatic Mg2+Homeostasis and Mobilization

The acute administration of a first dose of ethanol (EtOH) to rat liver cells reduces the amount of Mg(2+) extruded by a second dose of EtOH or the subsequent addition of adrenergic agonists. In contrast, the Mg(2+) extrusion normally elicited by the alpha(1)-adrenergic or beta-adrenergic agonist does not impair the Mg(2+) mobilization induced by the subsequent addition of EtOH. Inhibition of EtOH metabolism by 4-methylpyrazole abolishes almost completely the Mg(2+) extrusion induced by the first dose of EtOH, and partially enlarges that elicited by the second dose of alcohol or the subsequent adrenergic stimulation. Ethanol-treated liver cells stimulated by the adrenergic agonist show a reduced level of membrane-bound Galphas as well as a reduced cellular cAMP content. Analysis of cellular Mg(2+) distribution indicates that EtOH administration decreases the Mg(2+) content of the cytoplasm, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum to a comparable extent. These data indicate that acute EtOH administration directly impairs cellular Mg(2+) homeostasis and also prevents a further Mg(2+) mobilization by additional doses of alcohol or alpha(1)-adrenoceptor and beta-adrenoceptor agonist by decreasing cytosolic and intraorganelle Mg(2+) content and by affecting G-protein membrane distribution/signaling.

Activin induces tactile allodynia and increases calcitonin gene-related peptide after peripheral inflammation

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a sensory neuropeptide important in inflammatory pain that conveys pain information centrally and dilates blood vessels peripherally. Previous studies indicate that activin A increases CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) sensory neurons in vitro, and following wound, activin A protein increases in the skin and more neurons have detectable CGRP expression in the innervating dorsal root ganglion (DRG). These data suggest some adult sensory neurons respond to activin A or other target-derived factors with increased neuropeptide expression. This study was undertaken to test whether activin contributes to inflammatory pain and increased CGRP and to learn which neurons retained plasticity. After adjuvant-induced inflammation, activin mRNA, but not NGF or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, increased in the skin. To examine which DRG neurons increased CGRP immunoreactivity, retrograde tracer-labeled cutaneous neurons were characterized after inflammation. The proportion and size of tracer-labeled DRG neurons with detectable CGRP increased after inflammation. One-third of CGRP-IR neurons that appear after inflammation also had isolectin B4 binding, suggesting that some mechanoreceptors became CGRP-IR. In contrast, the increased proportion of CGRP-IR neurons did not appear to come from RT97-IR neurons. To learn whether central projections were altered after inflammation, CGRP immunoreactivity in the protein kinase Cgamma-IR lamina IIi was quantified and found to increase. Injection of activin A protein alone caused robust tactile allodynia and increased CGRP in the DRG. Together, these data support the hypothesis that inflammation and skin changes involving activin A cause some sensory neurons to increase CGRP expression and pain responses.

Role of the human V1 vasopressin receptor COOH terminus in internalization and mitogenic signal transduction

We studied the role played by the intracellular COOH-terminal region of the human arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1-vascular receptor (V1R) in ligand binding, trafficking, and mitogenic signal transduction in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with the human AVP receptor cDNA clones that we had isolated previously. Truncations, mutations, or chimeric alterations of the V1R COOH terminus did not alter ligand binding, but agonist-induced V1R internalization and recycling were reduced in the absence of the proximal region of the V(1)R COOH terminus. Coupling to phospholipase C was altered as a function of the COOH-terminal length. Deletion of the proximal portion of the V1R COOH terminus or its replacement by the V2-renal receptor COOH terminus prevented AVP stimulation of DNA synthesis and progression through the cell cycle. Mutation of a kinase consensus motif in the proximal region of the V1R COOH terminus also abolished the mitogenic response. Thus the V1R cytoplasmic COOH terminus is not involved in ligand specificity but is instrumental in receptor trafficking and facilitates the interaction between the intracellular loops of the receptor, G protein, and phospholipase C. It is absolutely required for transmission of the mitogenic action of AVP, probably via a specific kinase phosphorylation site.

An aldose reductase inhibitor but not myo-inositol blocks enhanced polyphosphoinositide turnover in peripheral nerve from diabetic rats

Experimental diabetic neuropathy, whether chemically induced or present in several spontaneously diabetic animal models, is characterized by sorbitol accumulation and myo-inositol depletion and usually also by enhanced turnover of the monoesterified moieties of polyphosphoinositides, particularly phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). This study examined the relationship of these alterations by assessing the effects of myo-inositol and the aldose reductase inhibitor, sorbinil, supplied as dietary supplements, on sorbitol and myo-inositol concentrations and incorporation of 32P into polyphosphoinositides in sciatic nerve from rats killed 8 weeks after induction of diabetes with streptozotocin. Nerves from diabetic rats killed after 8 weeks of disease exhibited 52% to 76% greater PIP2 labeling, markedly elevated sorbitol levels, and 30% less myo-inositol when compared with age-matched normal rats. Incorporation of isotope into PIP2 in nerves from animals fed a myo-inositol supplement, added to either a high-sucrose diet or standard rat chow beginning immediately after induction of diabetes, remained substantially elevated, whereas myo-inositol levels were corrected to normal. Essentially the same results were obtained when rats were fed the myo-inositol-containing diet beginning 4 weeks after streptozotocin injection. In contrast, PIP2 labeling in nerves from diabetic rats that received the sorbinil-supplemented diet for either 4 or 8 weeks was not different from that in controls. myo-Inositol levels in these animals were also restored to normal, whereas sorbitol levels remained elevated, albeit reduced by approximately 30%. These results indicate that myo-inositol administration is unable to completely counteract the impact of diabetes on the turnover of monoesterified phosphate groups in PIP2. In contrast, sorbinil can correct this abnormality, but this beneficial effect is not dependent on the presence of normal sorbitol concentrations.

Angiotensin IV receptors and signaling in opossum kidney cells

The pharmacological properties and signaling of angiotensin IV (ANG IV) receptors were studied in opossum kidney cell line OK7A. Saturation binding experiments with 125I-labeled ANG IV demonstrated the presence of high-affinity ANG IV binding sites in OK7A cell membranes with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.40 +/- 0.08 nM and a maximal amount of binding sites (Bmax) of 180 +/- 50 fmol/mg protein. In competition experiments, unlabeled ANG IV inhibited 125I-ANG IV binding biphasically: 20% of binding sites had high affinity [inhibition constant (Ki) = 0.44 +/- 0.04 nM] and 80% had low affinity (Ki = 130 +/- 10 nM). ANG III displaced 125I-ANG IV from binding sites with low affinity (Ki = 205 +/- 10 nM), and ANG II did not compete with 125I-ANG IV at concentrations up to 10 microM. The binding of ANG IV to OK7A cell membranes was significantly enhanced in the presence of 5 mM EDTA and completely blocked by 5 mM dithiothreitol. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) inhibited the binding of 125I-ANG IV, indicating the G protein coupling of ANG IV receptors in OK7A cells. In signaling studies, ANG IV induced transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) from 49 +/- 3 to 280 +/- 45 nM. ANG IV failed to influence phosphoinositol metabolism, indicating that Ca2+ mobilization is not linked to ANG IV signaling. Ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid completely abolished ANG IV-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, consistent with Ca2+ influx. The voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel blocking agents verapamil and nifedipine attenuated the effect of ANG IV on [Ca2+]i to 133 +/- 33 and 174 +/- 32 nM, respectively. These data suggest that ANG IV induces Ca2+ influx in OK7A cells, at least partially, through the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and functional expression of a cDNA encoding the human V1a vasopressin receptor

Vasopressin (AVP), the antidiuretic hormone, is a cyclic nonapeptide that acts through binding to G protein-coupled specific membrane receptors pharmacologically divided into three subtypes (V1a, V1b, and V2) linked to distinct second messengers. Within the family of human AVP receptors, the V2 AVP receptor has been cloned, but the structure of the human V1a and V1b AVP receptors remains unknown. We report here the structure and functional expression of a human V1a AVP receptor complementary DNA isolated from human liver cDNA libraries. Cloning and sequencing of a full-length clone isolated a 1472-nucleotide sequence encoding a 418-amino acid polypeptide with seven putative transmembrane domains typical of G protein-coupled receptors. Amino acid sequence identity with the rat liver V1a AVP receptor, the human and rat V2 AVP receptors, and the human oxytocin receptor was 72, 36, 37, and 45%, respectively. Functional characterization of the cloned receptor was done by transient expression in COS-7 cells and stable expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Localization of the expressed receptor at the cellular surface was illustrated by using the fluorescent linear analog phenylacetyl-D-Tyr(Et)-Phe-Gln-Asn-Lys-Pro-Arg-NH2 coupled to fluorescein-avidin by dodecabiotin. Competition binding experiments with phenylacetyl-D-Tyr(Et)-Phe-Val-Asn-Lys-Pro-[125I]Tyr-NH2 and AVP analogs revealed high affinity specific binding sites of the V1a subtype. Saturation binding experiments with [3H]AVP confirmed the presence of a single class of high affinity binding sites. Measurement of AVP-induced inositol phosphate production and calcium mobilization confirmed that the expressed V1a AVP receptor is coupled to phospholipase C via a pertussis toxin-insensitive pathway. Thus, the human V1a AVP receptor belongs to the superfamily of seven-transmembrane segment receptors with a significant sequence identity with the other members of the AVP-oxytocin family of receptors.

G protein coupling of human platelet V1 vascular vasopressin receptors

We used several approaches to identify the G protein coupled to V1 vascular arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptors of human platelets. In purified platelet membranes, high-affinity specific binding of [3H]AVP but not that of the V1 vascular antagonist [3H]d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP was modulated by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) or sodium fluoride both in the presence and absence of MgCl2. AVP failed to modify the [alpha-32P]GTP labeling pattern or the cytosolic translocation of the 24- to 27-kDa GTP-binding proteins. AVP-stimulated GTPase activity of platelet membranes was blocked by antibodies specific for the COOH-terminal of the Gq alpha protein. AVP increased labeling of a 42-kDa platelet membrane protein by the photoreactive GTP analogue [alpha-32P]azidoanilido GTP. Immunoblotting of platelet proteins with various G protein-specific antibodies revealed that the 42-kDa protein labeled with [alpha-32P]azidoanilido GTP was immunoblotted only by antibodies specific for the alpha-subunit of GQ-11. Thus V1 vascular AVP receptors of human platelets are coupled in a divalent cation-dependent manner to a G protein belonging to the Gq-11 family.

Proximal tubular epithelial cells possess a novel 42-kilodalton guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein

The proximal tubule of the kidney represents an important location where adenylate cyclase regulates salt and water transport; yet a detailed characterization of the distribution and classification of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) and adenylate cyclase is lacking. We used purified brush border (20-fold) and basolateral membranes (14-fold) to characterize parathyroid hormone- and G protein-regulated adenylate cyclase and G-protein distribution. Adenylate cyclase was predominantly localized to basolateral membranes, while the 46-kDa alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gs) was 2-fold higher in brush border membranes than in basolateral membranes. The alpha subunit of the inhibitory G protein (Gi; 41 kDa) was equally distributed on immunoblotting but was 2-fold higher in brush border membranes than in basolateral membranes on radiolabeling with pertussis toxin. A 42-kDa cholera toxin substrate that cross-reacted with antisera to the common alpha subunit of G proteins and to Gs on immunoblotting and that was not immunoprecipitated with two Gi antisera was the most abundant alpha subunit and comprised approximately 1% of the total membrane proteins. These observations suggest that G proteins are important regulators of proximal tubular transport independent of adenylate cyclase.

Effect of hyperglycemia and its prevention by insulin treatment on the incorporation of 32P into polyphosphoinositides and other phospholipids in peripheral nerve of the streptozotocin diabetic rat

The influence of varying doses of streptozotocin and preventive insulin treatment on phospholipid metabolism in sciatic nerve in vitro from diabetic rats was studied. Animals were given 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg injections of streptozotocin and 10 weeks later nerves were removed and incubated in the presence of [32P]-orthophosphate. The quantity of isotope incorporated into phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) was progressively greater with increasing drug dosage, whereas uptake of label into other phospholipids was unchanged. Rats were made diabetic and within 72 h were implanted with long-acting, insulin-containing osmotic minipumps and the incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate into phospholipids of intact and epineurium-free nerves was examined 8 weeks later. For whole nerve, increased labeling in nerves from diabetic animals occurred only in PIP2 and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) and was completely prevented by insulin treatment. Isotope incorporation into polyphosphoinositides was also markedly elevated (greater than or equal to 100%) in desheathed diabetic nerves, but not in nerves from insulin-treated animals. Other phospholipids in epineurium-free nerves displayed some rise in isotope uptake, but the increases were not prevented by insulin treatment and appeared unrelated to hyperglycemia. Morphological examination of nerves extended previous findings that prolonged insulin treatment produces axonal degeneration. These observations indicate that abnormal nerve polyphosphoinositide metabolism is at least in part a consequence of hyperglycemia. The metabolic alterations may be intimately involved in reduced nerve conduction velocity, which is characteristic of diabetic neuropathy.