Quantifying whole bladder biomechanics using the novel pentaplanar reflected image macroscopy system

Optimal bladder compliance is essential to urinary bladder storage and voiding functions. Calculated as the change in filling volume per change in pressure, bladder compliance is used clinically to characterize changes in bladder wall biomechanical properties that associate with lower urinary tract dysfunction. But because this method calculates compliance without regard to wall structure or wall volume, it gives little insight into the mechanical properties of the bladder wall during filling. Thus, we developed Pentaplanar Reflected Image Macroscopy (PRIM): a novel ex vivo imaging method to accurately calculate bladder wall stress and stretch in real time during bladder filling. The PRIM system simultaneously records intravesical pressure, infused volume, and an image of the bladder in five distinct visual planes. Wall thickness and volume were then measured and used to calculate stress and stretch during filling. As predicted, wall stress was nonlinear; only when intravesical pressure exceeded ~ 15 mmHg did bladder wall stress rapidly increase with respect to stretch. This method of calculating compliance as stress vs stretch also showed that the mechanical properties of the bladder wall remain similar in bladders of varying capacity. This study demonstrates how wall tension, stress and stretch can be measured, quantified, and used to accurately define bladder wall biomechanics in terms of actual material properties and not pressure/volume changes. This method is especially useful for determining how changes in bladder biomechanics are altered in pathologies where profound bladder wall remodeling occurs, such as diabetes and spinal cord injury.

The mast cell stimulator compound 48/80 causes urothelium-dependent increases in murine urinary bladder contractility

Mast cells and degranulation of preformed inflammatory mediators contribute to lower urinary tract symptoms. This study investigated pathways by which the mast cell stimulator compound 48/80 alters urinary bladder smooth muscle contractility via mast cell activation. We hypothesized that 1) mast cell degranulation causes spontaneous urinary bladder smooth muscle contractions and 2) these contractions are caused by urothelium-derived PGE2. Urothelium-intact and -denuded urinary bladder strips were collected from mast cell-sufficient (C57Bl/6) and mast cell-deficient (B6.Cg-Kitw-sh) mice to determine if compound 48/80 altered urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) contractility. Electrical field stimulation was used to assess the effects of compound 48/80 on nerve-evoked contractions. Antagonists/inhibitors were used to identify prostanoid signaling pathways activated or if direct activation of nerves was involved. Compound 48/80 caused slow-developing contractions, increased phasic activity, and augmented nerve-evoked responses in both mast cell-sufficient and -deficient mice. Nerve blockade had no effect on these responses; however, they were eliminated by removing the urothelium. Blockade of P2 purinoreceptors, cyclooxygenases, or G protein signaling abolished compound 48/80 responses. However, only combined blockade of PGE2 (EP1), PGF2α (FP), and thromboxane A2 (TP) receptors inhibited compound 48/80-induced responses. Thus, the effects of compound 48/80 are urothelium dependent but independent of mast cells. Furthermore, these effects are mediated by druggable inflammatory pathways that may be used to manage inflammatory nonneurogenic bladder hyperactivity. Finally, these data strongly suggest that great care must be taken when using compound 48/80 to determine mast cell-dependent responses in the urinary bladder.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Urothelial cells are first responders to noxious contents of the urine. Our study demonstrates that the urothelium is not only a barrier but also a modulator of urinary bladder smooth muscle phasic activity and contractility independent of immune cell recruitment in response to an inflammatory insult.

Compound 48/80 increases murine bladder wall compliance independent of mast cells

A balance between stiffness and compliance is essential to normal bladder function, and changes in the mechanical properties of the bladder wall occur in many bladder pathologies. These changes are often associated with the release of basic secretagogues that in turn drive the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Mast cell degranulation by basic secretagogues is thought to occur by activating an orphan receptor, Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor B2 (Mrgprb2). We explored the effects of the putative mast cell degranulator and Mrgprb2 agonist Compound 48/80 on urinary bladder wall mechanical compliance, smooth muscle contractility, and urodynamics, and if these effects were mast cell dependent. In wild-type mice, Mrgprb2 receptor mRNA was expressed in both the urothelium and smooth muscle layers. Intravesical instillation of Compound 48/80 decreased intermicturition interval and void volume, indicative of bladder overactivity. Compound 48/80 also increased bladder compliance while simultaneously increasing the amplitude and leading slope of transient pressure events during ex vivo filling and these effects were inhibited by the Mrgprb2 antagonist QWF. Surprisingly, all effects of Compound 48/80 persisted in mast cell-deficient mice, suggesting these effects were independent of mast cells. These findings suggest that Compound 48/80 degrades extracellular matrix and increases urinary bladder smooth muscle excitability through activation of Mrgprb2 receptors located outside of mast cells. Thus, the pharmacology and physiology of Mrgprb2 in the urinary bladder is of potential interest and importance in terms of treating lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Genetic ablation of smooth muscle KIR2.1 is inconsequential to the function of mouse cerebral arteries

Cerebral blood flow is a finely tuned process dependent on coordinated changes in arterial tone. These changes are strongly tied to smooth muscle membrane potential and inwardly rectifying K⁺ (K_IR) channels are thought to be a key determinant. To elucidate the role of K_IR2.1 in cerebral arterial tone development, this study examined the electrical and functional properties of cells, vessels and living tissue from tamoxifen-induced smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific K_IR2.1 knockout mice. Patch-clamp electrophysiology revealed a robust Ba²⁺-sensitive inwardly rectifying K⁺ current in cerebral arterial myocytes irrespective of K_IR2.1 knockout. Immunolabeling clarified that K_IR2.1 expression was low in SMCs while K_IR2.2 labeling was remarkably abundant at the membrane. In alignment with these observations, pressure myography revealed that the myogenic response and K⁺-induced dilation were intact in cerebral arteries post knockout. At the whole organ level, this translated to a maintenance of brain perfusion in SMC K_IR2.1^-/- mice, as assessed with arterial spin-labeling MRI. We confirmed these findings in superior epigastric arteries and implicated K_IR2.2 as more functionally relevant in SMCs. Together, these results suggest that subunits other than K_IR2.1 play a significant role in setting native current in SMCs and driving arterial tone.

Remodeling of extracellular matrix in the urinary bladder of paraplegic rats results in increased compliance and delayed fiber recruitment 16 weeks after spinal cord injury

The ability of the urinary bladder to maintain low intravesical pressures while storing urine is key in ensuring proper organ function and highlights the key role that tissue mechanics plays in the lower urinary tract. Loss of supraspinal neuronal connections to the bladder after spinal cord injury can lead to remodeling of the structure of the bladder wall, which may alter its mechanical characteristics. In this study, we investigate if the morphology and mechanical properties of the bladder extracellular matrix are altered in rats 16 weeks after spinal cord injury as compared to animals who underwent sham surgery. We measured and quantified the changes in bladder geometry and mechanical behavior using histological analysis, tensile testing, and constitutive modeling. Our results suggest bladder compliance is increased in paraplegic animals 16 weeks post-injury. Furthermore, constitutive modeling showed that increased distensibility was driven by an increase in collagen fiber waviness, which altered the distribution of fiber recruitment during loading. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The ability of the urinary bladder to store urine under low pressure is key in ensuring proper organ function. This highlights the important role that mechanics plays in the lower urinary tract. Loss of control of neurologic connection to the bladder from spinal cord injury can lead to changes of the structure of the bladder wall, resulting in altered mechanical characteristics. We found that the bladder wall's microstructure in rats 16 weeks after spinal cord injury is more compliant than in healthy animals. This is significant since it is the longest time post-injury analyzed, to date. Understanding the extreme remodeling capabilities of the bladder in pathological conditions is key to inform new possible therapies.

Histamine receptors rapidly desensitize without altering nerve-evoked contractions in murine urinary bladder smooth muscle

Histamine has been implicated in urinary bladder dysfunction as an inflammatory mediator driving sensory nerve hypersensitivity. However, the direct influence of histamine on smooth muscle has not been thoroughly investigated. We hypothesized that histamine directly contracts urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) independent of effects on nerves. Single cell quantitative RT-PCR determined that only histamine H1 and H2 receptors were expressed on UBSM cells. In isolated tissue bath experiments, histamine (200 µM) caused a highly variable and rapidly desensitizing contraction that was completely abolished by the H1 receptor antagonist fexofenadine (5 µM) and the Gq/11 inhibitor YM254890 (1 µM). Neither the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (1 µM), the Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (1 µM), nor the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 antagonist capsazepine (10 µM) altered responses to histamine, suggesting that nerve activation was not involved. UBSM desensitization to histamine was not due to receptor internalization, as neither the cholesterol-depleting agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin (10 mM), the dynamin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor dynasore (100 µM), nor the clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor pitstop2 (15 µM) augmented or prolonged histamine contractions. Buffer from desensitized tissues still contracted histamine-naïve tissues, revealing that histamine was not metabolized. Prolonged exposure to histamine also had no effect on contractions due to electrical field stimulation, suggesting that both efferent nerve and UBSM excitability were unchanged. Together, these data suggest that histamine, although able to transiently contract UBSM, does not have a lasting effect on UBSM excitability or responses to efferent nerve input. Thus, any acute effects of histamine directly on UBSM contractility are unlikely to alter urinary bladder function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Histamine is commonly associated with inflammatory bladder pathologies. We sought to investigate the role of histamine on urinary bladder contractility. Histamine contracts the bladder, but this response is highly variable and desensitizes completely in minutes. This desensitization is not due to internalization of the receptor or metabolism of histamine. Because nerve-evoked contractions are also not increased in the presence of histamine, our findings suggest that histamine is not directly acting to change contractility.

Identification of Piezo1 channels in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and their potential role in vascular function

The vasculature constantly experiences distension/pressure exerted by blood flow and responds to maintain homeostasis. We hypothesized that activation of the stretch sensitive, non-selective cation channel Piezo1 would directly increase vascular contraction in a way that might be modified by perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). The presence and function of Piezo1 was investigated by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and isolated tissue bath contractility. Superior and mesenteric resistance arteries, aortae, and their PVATs from male Sprague Dawley rats were used. Piezo1 mRNA was detected in aortic vessels, aortic PVAT, mesenteric vessels, and mesenteric PVAT. Both adipocytes and stromal vascular fraction of mesenteric PVAT expressed Piezo1 mRNA. In PVAT, expression of Piezo1 mRNA was greater in magnitude than that of Piezo2, transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4), anoctamin 1, calcium activated chloride channel (TMEM16), and Pannexin1 (Panx1). Piezo1 protein was present in endothelium and PVAT of rat aortic and in PVAT of mesenteric artery. The Piezo1 agonists Yoda1 and Jedi2 (1 nM - 10 µM) did not stimulate aortic contraction [max < 10% phenylephrine (PE) 10 µM contraction] or relaxation in tissues + or -PVAT. Depolarizing the aorta by modestly elevated extracellular K+ did not unmask aortic contraction to Yoda1 (max <10% PE 10 µM contraction). Finally, the Piezo1 antagonist Dooku1 did not modify PE-induced aorta contraction + or -PVAT. Surprisingly, Dooku1 directly caused aortic contraction in the absence (Dooku1 =26 ± 11; Vehicle = 11 ± 11%PE contraction) but not in the presence of PVAT (Dooku1 = 2 ± 1; Vehicle = 8 ± 5% PE contraction). Thus, Piezo1 is present and functional in the isolated rat aorta but does not serve direct vascular contraction with or without PVAT. We reaffirmed the isolated mouse aorta relaxation to Yoda1, indicating a species difference in Piezo1 activity between mouse and rat.

A mechanism linking perinatal 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure to lower urinary tract dysfunction in adulthood

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) affects nearly all men. Symptoms typically present in the fifth or sixth decade and progressively worsen over the remainder of life. Here, we identify a surprising origin of this disease that traces back to the intrauterine environment of the developing male, challenging paradigms about when this disease process begins. We delivered a single dose of a widespread environmental contaminant present in the serum of most Americans [2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 1 µg/kg], and representative of a broader class of environmental contaminants, to pregnant mice and observed an increase in the abundance of a neurotrophic factor, artemin, in the developing mouse prostate. Artemin is required for noradrenergic axon recruitment across multiple tissues, and TCDD rapidly increases prostatic noradrenergic axon density in the male fetus. The hyperinnervation persists into adulthood, when it is coupled to autonomic hyperactivity of prostatic smooth muscle and abnormal urinary function, including increased urinary frequency. We offer new evidence that prostate neuroanatomical development is malleable and that intrauterine chemical exposures can permanently reprogram prostate neuromuscular function to cause male LUTD in adulthood.

Summary: We describe a new mechanism of benign prostate disease, initiated by fetal chemical exposure, which durably increases prostatic noradrenergic axon density and causes smooth muscle hyperactivity and urinary voiding dysfunction.

The KV 7 channel activator retigabine suppresses mouse urinary bladder afferent nerve activity without affecting detrusor smooth muscle K+ channel currents

KEY POINTS

K_V 7 channels are a family of voltage-dependent K⁺ channels expressed in many cell types, which open in response to membrane depolarization to regulate cell excitability. Drugs that target K_V 7 channels are used clinically to treat epilepsy. Interestingly, these drugs also cause urinary retention, but it was unclear how. In this study, we focused on two possible mechanisms by which retigabine could cause urinary retention: by decreasing smooth muscle excitability, or by decreasing sensory nerve outflow. Urinary bladder smooth muscle had no measurable K_V 7 channel currents. However, the K_V 7 channel agonist retigabine nearly abolished sensory nerve outflow from the urinary bladder during bladder filling. We conclude that K_V 7 channel activation likely affects urinary bladder function by blocking afferent nerve outflow to the brain, which is key to sensing bladder fullness.

ABSTRACT

K_V 7 channels are voltage-dependent K⁺ channels that open in response to membrane depolarization to regulate cell excitability. K_V 7 activators, such as retigabine, were used to treat epilepsy but caused urinary retention. Using electrophysiological recordings from freshly isolated mouse urinary bladder smooth muscle (UBSM) cells, isometric contractility of bladder strips, and ex vivo measurements of bladder afferent activity, we explored the role of K_V 7 channels as regulators of murine urinary bladder function. The K_V 7 activator retigabine (10 μM) had no effect on voltage-dependent K⁺ currents or resting membrane potential of UBSM cells, suggesting that these cells lacked retigabine-sensitive K_V 7 channels. The K_V 7 inhibitor XE-991 (10 μM) inhibited UBSM K⁺ currents; the properties of these currents, however, were typical of K_V 2 channels and not K_V 7 channels. Retigabine inhibited voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel (VDCC) currents and reduced steady-state contractions to 60 mM KCl in bladder strips, suggesting that reduction in VDCC current was sufficient to directly affect UBSM function. To determine if retigabine altered ex vivo bladder sensory outflow, we measured afferent activity during simulated transient contractions (TCs) of the bladder wall. Simulated TCs caused bursts of afferent activity that were nearly abolished by retigabine. The effects of retigabine were blocked by co-incubation with XE-991, suggesting specific activation of K_V 7 channels on afferent nerves. These results indicate that retigabine primarily affects urinary bladder function by inhibiting TC generation and afferent nerve activity, which are key to sensing bladder fullness. Any direct inhibition of UBSM contractility is likely to be from non-specific effects on VDCCs and K_V 2 channels.

Development of stress-induced bladder insufficiency requires functional TRPV1 channels

Social stress causes profound urinary bladder dysfunction in children that often continues into adulthood. We previously discovered that the intensity and duration of social stress influences whether bladder dysfunction presents as overactivity or underactivity. The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel is integral in causing stress-induced bladder overactivity by increasing bladder sensory outflow, but little is known about the development of stress-induced bladder underactivity. We sought to determine if TRPV1 channels are involved in bladder underactivity caused by stress. Voiding function, sensory nerve activity, and bladder wall remodeling were assessed in C57BL/6 and TRPV1 knockout mice exposed to intensified social stress using conscious cystometry, ex vivo afferent nerve recordings, and histology. Intensified social stress increased void volume, intermicturition interval, bladder volume, and bladder wall collagen content in C57BL/6 mice, indicative of bladder wall remodeling and underactive bladder. However, afferent nerve activity was unchanged and unaffected by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine. Interestingly, all indices of bladder function were unchanged in TRPV1 knockout mice in response to social stress, even though corticotrophin-releasing hormone expression in Barrington's Nucleus still increased. These results suggest that TRPV1 channels in the periphery are a linchpin in the development of stress-induced bladder dysfunction, both with regard to increased sensory outflow that leads to overactive bladder and bladder wall decompensation that leads to underactive bladder. TRPV1 channels represent an intriguing target to prevent the development of stress-induced bladder dysfunction in children.

Smooth Muscle Ion Channels and Regulation of Vascular Tone in Resistance Arteries and Arterioles

Vascular tone of resistance arteries and arterioles determines peripheral vascular resistance, contributing to the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow to, and within the body's tissues and organs. Ion channels in the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in these blood vessels importantly contribute to the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, the primary determinant of SMC contractile activity and vascular tone. Ion channels provide the main source of activator Ca2+ that determines vascular tone, and strongly contribute to setting and regulating membrane potential, which, in turn, regulates the open-state-probability of voltage gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), the primary source of Ca2+ in resistance artery and arteriolar SMCs. Ion channel function is also modulated by vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, contributing to all aspects of the regulation of vascular tone. This review will focus on the physiology of VGCCs, voltage-gated K+ (KV) channels, large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels, strong-inward-rectifier K+ (KIR) channels, ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, ryanodine receptors (RyRs), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs), and a variety of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels that contribute to pressure-induced myogenic tone in resistance arteries and arterioles, the modulation of the function of these ion channels by vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, their role in the functional regulation of tissue blood flow and their dysfunction in diseases such as hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. © 2017 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 7:485-581, 2017.

Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle inward-rectifier K+ channels restores myogenic tone in mouse urinary bladder arterioles

Prolonged decreases in urinary bladder blood flow are linked to overactive and underactive bladder pathologies. However, the mechanisms regulating bladder vascular reactivity are largely unknown. To investigate these mechanisms, we examined myogenic and vasoactive properties of mouse bladder feed arterioles (BFAs). Unlike similar-sized arterioles from other vascular beds, BFAs failed to constrict in response to increases in intraluminal pressure (5-80 mmHg). Consistent with this lack of myogenic tone, arteriolar smooth muscle cell membrane potential was hyperpolarized (-72.8 ± 1.4 mV) at 20 mmHg and unaffected by increasing pressure to 80 mmHg (-74.3 ± 2.2 mV). In contrast, BFAs constricted to the thromboxane analog U-46619 (100 nM), the adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (10 µM), and KCl (60 mM). Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase or intermediate- and small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels did not alter arteriolar diameter, indicating that the dilated state of BFAs is not attributable to overactive endothelium-dependent dilatory influences. Myocytes isolated from BFAs exhibited BaCl₂ (100 µM)-sensitive K⁺ currents consistent with strong inward-rectifier K⁺ (K_IR) channels. Notably, block of these K_IR channels "restored" pressure-induced constriction and membrane depolarization. This suggests that these channels, in part, account for hyperpolarization and associated absence of tone in BFAs. Furthermore, smooth muscle-specific knockout of K_IR2.1 caused significant myogenic tone to develop at physiological pressures. This suggests that 1) the regulation of vascular tone in the bladder is independent of pressure, insofar as pressure-induced depolarizing conductances cannot overcome K_IR2.1-mediated hyperpolarization; and 2) maintenance of bladder blood flow during bladder filling is likely controlled by neurohumoral influences.

Transient contractions of urinary bladder smooth muscle are drivers of afferent nerve activity during filling

Activation of afferent nerves during urinary bladder (UB) filling conveys the sensation of UB fullness to the central nervous system (CNS). Although this sensory outflow is presumed to reflect graded increases in pressure associated with filling, UBs also exhibit nonvoiding, transient contractions (TCs) that cause small, rapid increases in intravesical pressure. Here, using an ex vivo mouse bladder preparation, we explored the relative contributions of filling pressure and TC-induced pressure transients to sensory nerve stimulation. Continuous UB filling caused an increase in afferent nerve activity composed of a graded increase in baseline activity and activity associated with increases in intravesical pressure produced by TCs. For each ∼4-mmHg pressure increase, filling pressure increased baseline afferent activity by ∼60 action potentials per second. In contrast, a similar pressure elevation induced by a TC evoked an ∼10-fold greater increase in afferent activity. Filling pressure did not affect TC frequency but did increase the TC rate of rise, reflecting a change in the length-tension relationship of detrusor smooth muscle. The frequency of afferent bursts depended on the TC rate of rise and peaked before maximum pressure. Inhibition of small- and large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK and BK) channels increased TC amplitude and afferent nerve activity. After inhibiting detrusor muscle contractility, simulating the waveform of a TC by gently compressing the bladder evoked similar increases in afferent activity. Notably, afferent activity elicited by simulated TCs was augmented by SK channel inhibition. Our results show that afferent nerve activity evoked by TCs represents the majority of afferent outflow conveyed to the CNS during UB filling and suggest that the maximum TC rate of rise corresponds to an optimal length-tension relationship for efficient UB contraction. Furthermore, our findings implicate SK channels in controlling the gain of sensory outflow independent of UB contractility.

Social stress in mice induces urinary bladder overactivity and increases TRPV1 channel-dependent afferent nerve activity

Social stress has been implicated as a cause of urinary bladder hypertrophy and dysfunction in humans. Using a murine model of social stress, we and others have shown that social stress leads to bladder overactivity. Here, we show that social stress leads to bladder overactivity, increased bladder compliance, and increased afferent nerve activity. In the social stress paradigm, 6-wk-old male C57BL/6 mice were exposed for a total of 2 wk, via barrier cage, to a C57BL/6 retired breeder aggressor mouse. We performed conscious cystometry with and without intravesical infusion of the TRPV1 inhibitor capsazepine, and measured pressure-volume relationships and afferent nerve activity during bladder filling using an ex vivo bladder model. Stress leads to a decrease in intermicturition interval and void volume in vivo, which was restored by capsazepine. Ex vivo studies demonstrated that at low pressures, bladder compliance and afferent activity were elevated in stressed bladders compared with unstressed bladders. Capsazepine did not significantly change afferent activity in unstressed mice, but significantly decreased afferent activity at all pressures in stressed bladders. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TRPV1 colocalizes with CGRP to stain nerve fibers in unstressed bladders. Colocalization significantly increased along the same nerve fibers in the stressed bladders. Our results support the concept that social stress induces TRPV1-dependent afferent nerve activity, ultimately leading to the development of overactive bladder symptoms.

Measurement of smooth muscle function in the isolated tissue bath-applications to pharmacology research

Isolated tissue bath assays are a classical pharmacological tool for evaluating concentration-response relationships in a myriad of contractile tissues. While this technique has been implemented for over 100 years, the versatility, simplicity and reproducibility of this assay helps it to remain an indispensable tool for pharmacologists and physiologists alike. Tissue bath systems are available in a wide array of shapes and sizes, allowing a scientist to evaluate samples as small as murine mesenteric arteries and as large as porcine ileum - if not larger. Central to the isolated tissue bath assay is the ability to measure concentration-dependent changes to isometric contraction, and how the efficacy and potency of contractile agonists can be manipulated by increasing concentrations of antagonists or inhibitors. Even though the general principles remain relatively similar, recent technological advances allow even more versatility to the tissue bath assay by incorporating computer-based data recording and analysis software. This video will demonstrate the function of the isolated tissue bath to measure the isometric contraction of an isolated smooth muscle (in this case rat thoracic aorta rings), and share the types of knowledge that can be created with this technique. Included are detailed descriptions of aortic tissue dissection and preparation, placement of aortic rings in the tissue bath and proper tissue equilibration prior to experimentation, tests of tissue viability, experimental design and implementation, and data quantitation. Aorta will be connected to isometric force transducers, the data from which will be captured using a commercially available analog-to-digital converter and bridge amplifier specifically designed for use in these experiments. The accompanying software to this system will be used to visualize the experiment and analyze captured data.

Transglutaminase activity is decreased in large arteries from hypertensive rats compared with normotensive controls

Transglutaminases (TGs) catalyze the formation of covalent cross-links between glutamine residues and amine groups. This cross-linking activity has been implicated in arterial remodeling. Because hypertension is characterized by arterial remodeling, we hypothesized that TG activity, expression, and functionality would be increased in the aorta, but not in the vena cava (which does not undergo remodeling), from hypertensive rats relative to normotensive rats. Spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) and DOCA-salt rats as well as their respective normotensive Wistar-Kyoto or Sprague-Dawley counterparts were used. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis measured the presence and expression of TG1 and TG2, in situ activity assays quantified active TGs, and isometric contractility was used to measure TG functionality. Contrary to our hypothesis, the activity (52% DOCA-salt vs. control rats and 56% SHRSP vs. control rats, P < 0.05), expression (TG1: 54% DOCA-salt vs. control rats, P > 0.05, and TG2: 77% DOCA-salt vs. control rats, P < 0.05), and functionality of TG1 and TG2 were decreased in the aorta, but not in the vena cava, from hypertensive rats. Mass spectrometry identified proteins uniquely amidated by TGs in the aorta that play roles in cytoskeletal regulation, redox regulation, and DNA/RNA/protein synthesis and regulation and in the vena cava that play roles in cytoskeletal regulation, coagulation regulation, and cell metabolism. Consistent with the idea that growing cells lose TG2 expression, vascular smooth muscle cells placed in culture lost TG2 expression. We conclude that the expression, activity, and functionality of TG1 and TG2 are decreased in the aorta, but not in the vena cava, from hypertensive rats compared with control rats.

Divergent signaling mechanisms for venous versus arterial contraction as revealed by endothelin-1

OBJECTIVE

Venous function is underappreciated in its role in blood pressure determination, a physiologic parameter normally ascribed to changes in arterial function. Significant evidence points to the hormone endothelin-1 (ET-1) as being important to venous contributions to blood pressure. We hypothesized that the artery and vein should similarly depend on the signaling pathways stimulated by ET-1, specifically phospholipase C (PLC) activation. This produces two functional arms of signaling: diacylglycerol (DAG; protein kinase C [PKC] activation) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) production (intracellular calcium release).

METHODS

The model was the male Sprague-Dawley rat. Isolated tissue baths were used to measure isometric contraction. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses measured the magnitude of expression and site of expression, respectively, of IP3 receptors in smooth muscle/tissue. Pharmacologic methods were used to modify PLC activity and signaling elements downstream of PLC (IP3 receptors, PKC).

RESULTS

ET-1-induced contraction was PLC dependent in both tissues as the PLC inhibitor U-73122 significantly reduced contraction in aorta (86% ± 4% of control; P < .05) and vena cava (49% ± 11% of control; P < .05). However, ET-1-induced contraction was not significantly inhibited by the IP3 receptor inhibitor 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborane (100 μM) in vena cava (82% ± 8% of control; P = .23) but was in the aorta (55% ± 4% of control; P < .05). All three IP3 receptor isoforms were located in venous smooth muscle. IP3 receptors were functional in both tissues as the novel membrane-permeable IP3 analogue (Bt-IP3; 10 μM) contracted aorta and vena cava. Similarly, whereas the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (10 μM) attenuated ET-1-induced contraction in vena cava and aorta (5% ± 2% and 50% ± 5% of control, respectively; P < .05), only the vena cava contracted to the DAG analogue 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that ET-1 activates PLC in aorta and vena cava, but vena cava contraction to ET-1 may be largely IP3 independent. Rather, DAG—not IP3—may contribute to contraction to ET-1 in vena cava, in part by activation of PKC. These studies outline a fundamental difference between venous and arterial smooth muscle and further reinforce a heterogeneity of vascular smooth muscle function that could be taken advantage of for therapeutic development.

One-month serotonin infusion results in a prolonged fall in blood pressure in the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt hypertensive rat

A 7-day infusion of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) causes a sustained fall in elevated blood pressure in the male deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt rat. As hypertension is a long-term disease, we presently test the hypothesis that a longer (30 day) 5-HT infusion could cause a sustained fall in blood pressure in the established hypertensive DOCA-salt rat. This time period (∼4 weeks) was also sufficient to test whether 5-HT could attenuate the development of DOCA-salt hypertension. 5-HT (25 μg/kg/min; sc) or vehicle (Veh) was delivered via osmotic pump to (1) established DOCA-salt rats for one month, (2) Sprague-Dawley rats prior to DOCA-salt administration for one month, and blood pressure and heart rate measured telemetrically. On the final day of 5-HT infusion, free platelet poor plasma 5-HT concentrations were significantly higher in 5-HT versus Veh-infused rats, and mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in 5-HT-infused (135 ± 4 mmHg vs Veh-infused 151 ± 7 mmHg) established DOCA-salt rats. By contrast, 5-HT-infusion did not prevent the development of DOCA-salt hypertension (144 ± 7 mmHg vs Veh = 156 ± 6 mmHg). Isometric contraction of aortic strips was measured, and neither the potency nor maximum contraction to the alpha adrenergic receptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) or 5-HT were modified by infusion of 5-HT (established or preventative infusion), and maximum aortic relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) was modestly but not significantly enhanced (∼15% improvement). This study demonstrates 5-HT is capable of lowering blood pressure in established DOCA-salt hypertensive rats over the course of one month in a mechanism that does not significantly modify or is dependent on modified vascular responsiveness. This finding opens the possibility that elevation of 5-HT levels could be useful in the treatment of hypertension.

Ryanodine receptors are uncoupled from contraction in rat vena cava

Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are Ca(2+)-sensitive ion channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membrane, and are important effectors of SR Ca(2+) release and smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling. While the relationship between RyR activation and contraction is well characterized in arteries, little is known about the role of RyR in excitation-contraction coupling in veins. We hypothesized that RyR are present and directly coupled to contraction in rat aorta (RA) and vena cava (RVC). RA and RVC expressed mRNA for all 3 RyR subtypes, and immunofluorescence showed RyR protein was present in RA and RVC smooth muscle cells. RA and RVC rings contracted when Ca(2+) was re-introduced after stores depletion with thapsigargin (1μM), indicating both tissues contained intracellular Ca(2+) stores. To assess RyR function, contraction was then measured in RA and RVC exposed to the RyR activator caffeine (20mM). In RA, caffeine caused contraction that was attenuated by the RyR antagonists ryanodine (10μM) and tetracaine (100μM). However, caffeine (20mM) did not contract RVC. We next measured contraction and intracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(2+)(i)) simultaneously in RA and RVC exposed to caffeine. While caffeine increased Ca(2+)(i) and contracted RA, it had no significant effect on Ca(2+)(i) or contraction in RVC. These data suggest that ryanodine receptors, while present in both RA and RVC, are inactive and uncoupled from Ca(2+) release and contraction in RVC.

Reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange is an important mediator of venous contraction

The Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) is a bi-directional regulator of cytosolic Ca(2+), causing Ca(2+) efflux in forward-mode and Ca(2+) influx in reverse-mode. We hypothesized that reverse-mode NCX is a means of Ca(2+) entry in rat aorta (RA) and vena cava (RVC). NCX protein in RA and RVC was confirmed by immunoprecipitation. To assess NCX function, isometric contraction and intracellular Ca(2+) was measured in RA and RVC rings in response to low extracellular Na(+), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and KCl, in the presence or absence of the NCX antagonist KB-R7943. In RVC, low extracellular Na(+) caused vasoconstriction and an increase in intracellular Ca(2+) that was attenuated by 10μM KB-R7943. KB-R7943 (10 μM) attenuated maximal contraction to ET-1 in RVC (53 ± 9% of control), but not RA (91±1% of control). KB-R7943 (10 μM) reduced the maximal contraction to KCl in RA (48 ± 5%) and nearly abolished it in RVC (9 ± 2%), suggesting that voltage-dependent Ca(2+) influx may be inhibited by KB-R7943 as well. However, the L-type Ca(2+) channel inhibitor nifedipine (1 μM) did not alter ET-1-induced contraction. Our findings suggest that reverse-mode NCX is an important mechanism of Ca(2+) influx in RVC but not RA, especially during ET-1-induced contraction. Also, the effects of KB-R7943 on ET-1-induced contraction of RA and RVC are predominantly mediated by reverse-mode NCX inhibition and not due to off-target inhibition of Ca(2+) channels.

The interdependence of endothelin-1 and calcium: a review

The 21-amino-acid peptide ET-1 (endothelin-1) regulates a diverse array of physiological processes, including vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, nociception and cell proliferation. Most of the effects of ET-1 are associated with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration. The calcium influx and mobilization pathways activated by ET-1, however, vary immensely. The present review begins with the basics of calcium signalling and investigates the different ways intracellular calcium concentration can increase in response to a stimulus. The focus then shifts to ET-1, and discusses how ET receptors mobilize calcium. We also examine how disease alters calcium-dependent responses to ET-1 by discussing changes to ET-1-mediated calcium signalling in hypertension, as there is significant interest in the role of ET-1 in this important disease. A list of unanswered questions regarding ET-mediated calcium signals are also presented, as well as perspectives for future research of calcium mobilization by ET-1.

Endothelin ET(B) receptors in arteries and veins: multiple actions in the vein

Endothelin receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) mediate responses to ET-1. ET(B) receptor function seems to differ between a similarly sized arterial and venous pair, the rat vena cava (RVC) and rat thoracic aorta (RA). ET(B) receptors mediate RVC contraction directly, but it is unclear whether ET(B) receptors mediate contraction in RA. Because of these apparent differences in ET(B) receptor-mediated vascular contraction, we hypothesize that relaxant ET(B)-receptor mechanisms in RVC would be different from those in RA. RA and RVC rings were isolated from rats for measurement of isometric contraction. When contracted with prostaglandin F-2alpha (PGF-2alpha) (20 microM), the ET(B) receptor agonist sarafotoxin-6c (S6c) (100 nM) significantly relaxed RA and RVC. N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine (LNNA) (100 microM) or endothelial denudation abolished relaxation to S6c in RA. By contrast, S6c-induced relaxation of RVC was attenuated but not abolished by LNNA and endothelial denudation. RVC (PGF-2alpha-contracted) relaxed to low concentrations of ET-1, whereas under the same conditions RA responded with contraction. ET-1-induced relaxation in RA was observed only with ET(A) receptor blockade. Vessels from dopamine-beta-hydroxylase-ET(B) transgenic rats, which lack functional ET(B) receptors in the vasculature, were also used. RVC (PGF-2alpha-contracted) from these rats did not relax to ET-1. Thus, although both RA and RVC possess endothelial relaxant ET(B) receptors, RA and RVC differ in that relaxant ET(B) receptors may also be present in smooth muscle of RVC. Moreover, the mechanisms of endothelial cell ET(B) receptor-mediated relaxation in RA and RVC are not the same.