Heteromeric TRPV4/TRPC1 channels mediate calcium-sensing receptor-induced relaxations and nitric oxide production in mesenteric arteries: comparative study using wild-type and TRPC1-/- mice

We have previously provided pharmacological evidence that stimulation of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) induces endothelium-dependent relaxations of rabbit mesenteric arteries through activation of heteromeric TRPV4/TRPC1 channels and nitric oxide (NO) production. The present study further investigates the role of heteromeric TRPV4/TRPC1 channels in these CaSR-induced vascular responses by comparing responses in mesenteric arteries from wild-type (WT) and TRPC1^-/- mice. In WT mice, stimulation of CaSR induced endothelium-dependent relaxations of pre-contracted tone and NO generation in endothelial cells (ECs), which were inhibited by the TRPV4 channel blocker RN1734 and the TRPC1 blocking antibody T1E3. In addition, TRPV4 and TRPC1 proteins were colocalised at, or close to, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells (ECs) from WT mice. In contrast, in TRPC1^-/- mice, CaSR-mediated vasorelaxations and NO generation were greatly reduced, unaffected by T1E3, but blocked by RN1734. In addition, the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A (GSK) induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations which were blocked by RN1734 and T1E3 in WT mice, but only by RN1734 in TRPC1^-/- mice. Moreover, GSK activated cation channel activity with a 6pS conductance in WT ECs but with a 52 pS conductance in TRPC1^-/- ECs. These results indicate that stimulation of CaSR activates heteromeric TRPV4/TRPC1 channels and NO production in ECs, which are responsible for endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations. This study also suggests that heteromeric TRPV4-TRPC1 channels may form the predominant TRPV4-containing channels in mouse mesenteric artery ECs. Together, our data further implicates CaSR-induced pathways and heteromeric TRPV4/TRPC1 channels in the regulation of vascular tone.

Pepsin and Its Importance for Functional Dyspepsia: Relic, Regulator or Remedy?

BACKGROUND

Functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous disorder lacking an established therapeutic strategy. Historical treatment attempts with pepsin products were shrugged off, as a simple calculation shows that quantitative substitution is pointless. However, such attempts might have been right for the wrong reason.

SUMMARY

Today, the role of pepsins is primarily seen in the provision of signalling amino acids (especially phenylalanine and tryptophan) and peptides, which initiate processes promoting digestion. Proteolysis benefits from pepsin variants showing, contrary to common belief, activities of up to a pH value of 5.0. Non-clinical and clinical studies support the view that liberated amino acids produce a variety of direct and indirect effects. Signal chains stimulated by (mostly aromatic) amino acids lead to secretion of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK), mediated, respectively, by CCK2 (gastrin) and Ca2+-sensing receptors in the parietal cell, and Ca2+-sensing receptors in the antral and duodenal mucosa. Thus, CCK effects such as secretion of pancreatic enzymes and promotion of gastric accommodation are (also) consequential to peptic liberation of amino acids. Key Message: As functional dyspepsia represents a heterogeneous disorder, it may be intriguing to view pepsin as a potential (although still to be proven) treatment modality, distinguished by a diversity of pro-digestive effects.

Activation of the Ca2+-sensing receptors increases currents through inward rectifier K+ channels via activation of phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase

Inward rectifier K⁺ channels are important for maintaining normal electrical function in many cell types. The proper function of these channels requires the presence of membrane phosphoinositide 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂). Stimulation of the Ca²⁺-sensing receptor CaR, a pleiotropic G protein-coupled receptor, activates both G_q/11, which decreases PIP₂, and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI-4-K), which, conversely, increases PIP₂. How membrane PIP₂ levels are regulated by CaR activation and whether these changes modulate inward rectifier K⁺ are unknown. In this study, we found that activation of CaR by the allosteric agonist, NPSR568, increased inward rectifier K⁺ current (I _K1) in guinea pig ventricular myocytes and currents mediated by Kir2.1 channels exogenously expressed in HEK293T cells with a similar sensitivity. Moreover, using the fluorescent PIP₂ reporter tubby-R332H-cYFP to monitor PIP₂ levels, we found that CaR activation in HEK293T cells increased membrane PIP₂ concentrations. Pharmacological studies showed that both phospholipase C (PLC) and PI-4-K are activated by CaR stimulation with the latter played a dominant role in regulating membrane PIP₂ and, thus, Kir currents. These results provide the first direct evidence that CaR activation upregulates currents through inward rectifier K⁺ channels by accelerating PIP₂ synthesis. The regulation of I _K1 plays a critical role in the stability of the electrical properties of many excitable cells, including cardiac myocytes and neurons. Further, synthetic allosteric modulators that increase CaR activity have been used to treat hyperparathyroidism, and negative CaR modulators are of potential importance in the treatment of osteoporosis. Thus, our results provide further insight into the roles played by CaR in the cardiovascular system and are potentially valuable for heart disease treatment and drug safety.

Stimulation of calcium-sensing receptors induces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations via nitric oxide production and activation of IKCa channels

Stimulation of vascular calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs) is reported to induce both constrictions and relaxations. However, cellular mechanisms involved in these responses remain unclear. The present study investigates the effect of stimulating CaSRs on vascular contractility and focuses on the role of the endothelium, nitric oxide (NO) and K(+) channels in these responses. In wire myography studies, increasing [Ca(2+)]o from 1mM to 6mM induced concentration-dependent relaxations of methoxamine pre-contracted rabbit mesenteric arteries. [Ca(2+)]o-induced relaxations were dependent on a functional endothelium, and were inhibited by the negative allosteric CaSR modulator Calhex-231. [Ca(2+)]o-induced relaxations were reduced by inhibitors of endothelial NO synthase, guanylate cyclase, and protein kinase G. CaSR activation also induced NO production in freshly isolated endothelial cells (ECs) in experiments using the fluorescent NO indicator DAF-FM. Pre-treatment with inhibitors of large (BKCa) and intermediate (IKCa) Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (iberiotoxin and charybdotoxin), and Kv7 channels (linopirdine) also reduced [Ca(2+)]o-induced vasorelaxations. Increasing [Ca(2+)]o also activated IKCa currents in perforated-patch recordings of isolated mesenteric artery ECs. These findings indicate that stimulation of CaSRs induces endothelium-dependent vasorelaxations which are mediated by two separate pathways involving production of NO and activation of IKCa channels. NO stimulates PKG leading to BKCa activation in vascular smooth muscle cells, whereas IKCa activity contributes to endothelium-derived hyperpolarisations.

Effects of calcium-sensing receptors on apoptosis in rat hippocampus during hypoxia/reoxygenation through the ERK1/2 pathway

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effects of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) on apoptosis in rat hippocampus during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R).

METHODS

After rat hippocampus was isolated, the cultures were subjected to H/R, and meanwhile gadolinium chloride (GdCl3, agonist of CaSR) and NPS 2390 (antagonists of CaSR) were added to reperfusion solution. The number of hippocampal neuron, cell viability and apoptosis rate were determined by inverted microscope, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometer (FCM), respectively. Besides, caspase-3, Bax, cytochrome C (Cyt-c), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2, pERK1/2, P38 and pP38 were analyzed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The hippocampal neuron number and cell viability were significantly decreased during H/R, and were further significantly reduced when co-treatment with CaSR agonist GdCl3. But the effects of GdCl3 were attenuated by NPS-2390. Whereas, apoptosis rate, the expression level of caspase-3, Bax and Cyt-c were all significantly increased under H/R condition, and was further significantly increased by GdCl3, but were reversed by NPS-2390 (P < 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in expression of ERK1/2, P38 and pP38 among different groups. However, the expression of pERK1/2 was significantly increased during H/R, but was significantly reduced by NPS 2390 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that CaSR might play significant roles in the induction of hippocampus apoptosis in rat during H/R through phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Effects of calcium-sensing receptors on apoptosis in rat hippocampus during hypoxia/re-oxygenation through the ERK1/2 pathway

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effects of calcium-sensing receptors (CaSR) on apoptosis in rat hippocampus during hypoxia/re-oxygenation (H/R).

METHODS

After post-culturing of isolated rat hippocampus, the cultures were subjected to H/R, meanwhile gadolinium chloride (GdCl3, agonist of CaSR) and NPS 2390 (antagonists of CaSR) was added to reperfusion solution. The number of hippocampal neuron, cell proliferation assay and apoptosis rate was determined by inverted microscope, 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometer (FCM). Besides, caspase-3, Bax, cytochrome C (Cyt-c), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2, pERK1/2, P38 and pP38 were analyzed by western blotting.

RESULTS

The hippocampal neuron number and cell viability were significantly decreased after H/R treatment, and were further significantly reduced when co-treatment with CaSR agonist GdCl3. But the effects of GdCl3 were attenuated by NPS-2390. Whereas, apoptosis rate, the expression level of caspase-3, Bax and Cyt-c were all significantly increased under H/R condition, and was further significantly increased by GdCl3, but were reversed by NPS-2390 (P < 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in expression of ERK1/2, P38 and pP38 among different groups. However, the expression of pERK1/2 was significantly increased after H/R treatment, but was significantly reduced by NPS 2390 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that CaSR might play significant roles in the induction of hippocampus apoptosis in rat during H/R through phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with Bartter syndrome due to a novel activating mutation of calcium sensing receptor, Y829C

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) plays an important role in calcium homeostasis. Activating mutations of CaSR cause autosomal dominant hypocalcemia by affecting parathyroid hormone secretion in parathyroid gland and calcium resorption in kidney. They can also cause a type 5 Bartter syndrome by inhibiting the apical potassium channel in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidney. This study presents a patient who had autosomal dominant hypocalcemia with Bartter syndrome due to an activating mutation Y829C in the transmembrane domain of the CaSR. Symptoms of hypocalcemia occurred 12 days after birth and medication was started immediately. Medullary nephrocalcinosis and basal ganglia calcification were found at 7 years old and at 17 years old. Three hypercalcemic episodes occurred, one at 14 years old and two at 17 years old. The Bartter syndrome was not severe while the serum calcium concentration was controlled, but during hypercalcemic periods, the symptoms of Bartter syndrome were aggravated.