Regulation of Cl- secretion by extracellular ATP in cultured mouse endometrial epithelium

The present study explored regulation of electrogenic ion transport across cultured mouse endometrial epithelium by extracellular ATP using the short-circuit current (ISC) and the patch-clamp techniques. The cultured endometrial monolayers responded to apical application of ATP with an increase in ISC in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 at 3 microM). Replacement of Cl- in the bathing solution or treatment of the cells with Cl- channel blockers, DIDS and DPC, markedly reduced the ISC, indicating that a substantial portion of the ATP-activated ISC was Cl(-)-dependent. Amiloride at a concentration (10 microM) known to block Na+ channels was found to have no effect on the ATP-activated ISC excluding the involvement of Na+ absorption. Adenosine was found to have little effect on the ISC excluding the involvement of P1 receptors. The effect of UTP, a potent P2U receptor agonist on the ISC was similar to that of ATP while potent P2X agonist, alpha-beta-Methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (alpha-beta-M-ATP) and P2Y agonist, 2-methylthio-adenosine triphosphate (2-M-ATP), were found to be ineffective. The effect of ATP on ISC was mimicked by the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, indicating a role of intracellular Ca2+ in mediating the ATP response. Confocal microscopic study also demonstrated a rise in intracellular Ca2+ upon stimulation by extracellular ATP. In voltage-clamped endometrial epithelial cells, ATP elicited a whole-cell Cl- current which exhibited outward rectification and delayed activation and inactivation at depolarizing and hyperpolarizing voltages, respectively. The results of the present study demonstrate the presence of a regulatory mechanism involving extracellular ATP and P2U purinoceptors for endometrial Cl- secretion.

Electrogenic ion transport in the mouse endometrium: functional aspects of the cultured epithelium

A primary culture of mouse endometrial epithelium grown on permeable supports was established and the electrogenic ion transport across the endometrial epithelium was studied using the short-circuit current (I(SC)) technique. Enzymatically isolated mouse endometrial cells were immunostained with epithelial cells markers, cytokeratins, indicating an epithelial origin of the culture. Mouse endometrial epithelial cells grown on Millipore filters formed polarized monolayers with junctional complexes as revealed by light and electron microscopy. The cultured monolayers exhibited an average basal I(SC) of 4.6 +/- 0.3 microA/cm2, transepithelial voltage of 2.7 +/- 0.2 mV and transepithelial resistance of 599 +/- 30 omega cm2. The basal current was reduced by 85% in Na+-free solution and 13% in Cl(-)-free solution. The basal current could also be substantially (57.7%) blocked by an apical Na+ channel blocker, amiloride (10 microM), suggesting that Na+ absorption largely contributed to the basal current. Apical addition of Cl- channel blocker, DPC (2 mM), also exhibited an inhibitory effect, 19.4%, on the basal I(SC), indicating minor involvement of Cl- secretion as compared to that of Na+ absorption. The cultured endometrial epithelium also responded to a number of secretagogues including adrenaline and forskolin with increases in the I(SC), which could involve substantial Cl- secretion. The present study has established a culture of mouse endometrial epithelium exhibiting predominantly Na+ absorption under unstimulated condition, and Cl- secretion in response to various secretagogues. This culture may be useful for studying various regulatory mechanisms of electrogenic ion transport across the endometrial epithelium.

Angiotensin II receptor type I-regulated anion secretion in cystic fibrosis pancreatic duct cells

The beta-adrenergic (cAMP-dependent) regulation of Cl- conductance is defective in cystic fibrosis (CF). The present study explored alternative regulation of anion secretion in CF pancreatic ductal cells (CFPAC-1) by angiotensin II (AII) using the short-circuit current (ISC) technique. An increase in ISC could be induced in CFPAC-1 cells by basolateral or apical application of AII in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 at 3 microm and 100 nm, respectively). Angiotensin receptor subtypes were identified using specific antagonists, losartan and PD123177, for AT1 and AT2 receptors, respectively. It was found that losartan (1 microm) could completely inhibit the AII-induced ISC, whereas, PD123177 exerted insignificant effect on the ISC, indicating predominant involvement of AT1 receptors. The presence of AT1 receptors in CFPAC-1 cells was also demonstrated by immunohistochemical studies using specific antibodies against AT1 receptors. Confocal microscopic study demonstrated a rise in intracellular Ca2+ upon stimulation by AII indicating a role of intracellular Ca2+ in mediating the AII response. Depletion of intracellular but not extracellular pool of Ca2+ diminished the AII-induced ISC. Treatment of the monolayers with a Cl- channel blocker, DIDS, markedly reduced the ISC, indicating that a large portion of the AII-activated ISC was Cl--dependent. AII-induced ISC was also observed in monolayers whose basolateral membranes had been permeabilized by nystatin, suggesting that the ISC was mediated by apical Cl- channels. Our study indicates an AT1-mediated Ca2+-dependent regulatory mechanism for anion secretion in CF pancreatic duct cells which may be important for the physiology and pathophysiology of the pancreas.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Electronegative Lipoproteins in Cardiovascular Diseases

Dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism increases plasma levels of lipoproteins and triglycerides, resulting in vascular endothelial damage. Remarkably, the oxidation of lipid and lipoprotein particles generates electronegative lipoproteins that mediate cellular deterioration of atherosclerosis. In this review, we examined the core of atherosclerotic plaque, which is enriched by byproducts of lipid metabolism and lipoproteins, such as oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and electronegative subfraction of LDL (LDL(−)). We also summarized the chemical properties, receptors, and molecular mechanisms of LDL(−). In combination with other well-known markers of inflammation, namely metabolic diseases, we concluded that LDL(−) can be used as a novel prognostic tool for these lipid disorders. In addition, through understanding the underlying pathophysiological molecular routes for endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, we may reassess current therapeutics and might gain a new direction to treat atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, mainly targeting LDL(−) clearance.

Optical fiber design and the trapping of Cerenkov radiation

Cerenkov radiation is generated in optical fibers immersed in radiation fields and can interfere with signal transmission. We develop a theory for predicting the intensity of Cerenkov radiation generated within the core of a multimode optical fiber by using a ray optic approach and use it to make predictions of the intensity of radiation transmitted down the fiber in propagating modes. The intensity transmitted down the fiber is found to be dominated by bound rays with a contribution from tunneling rays. It is confirmed that for relativistic particles the intensity of the radiation that is transmitted along the fiber is a function of the angle between the particle beam and the fiber axis. The angle of peak intensity is found to be a function of the fiber refractive index difference as well as the core refractive index, with larger refractive index differences shifting the peak significantly toward lower angles. The angular range of the distribution is also significantly increased in both directions by increasing the fiber refractive index difference. The intensity of the radiation is found to be proportional to the cube of the fiber core radius in addition to its dependence on refractive index difference. As the particle energy is reduced into the nonrelativistic range the entire distribution is shifted toward lower angles. Recommendations on minimizing the quantity of Cerenkov light transmitted in the fiber optic system in a radiation field are given.

Transmission of Cerenkoverenkov radiation in optical fibers

Cerenkov radiation is generated as an unwanted background when optical fibers carrying signals pass through radiation fields. The angular dependence of the intensity of ? Cerenkov radiation transmitted in silica-core fibers was measured using 6 and 12 MeV electron beams from a Varian Clinic accelerator. These confirmed theoretical predictions that the angular variation of ? Cerenkov radiation transmitted along optical fibers depends only on the refractive index difference Dn between the core and the cladding, and that the peak intensity is proportional to the cube of the fiber core radius.

Angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction events in cystic fibrosis pancreatic duct cells

Different signal transduction pathways, i.e. Ca2+- and cAMP-dependent, involved in mediating the effects of angiotensin II (AII) were investigated separately using the short-circuit current (Isc) technique and radioimmunoassay (RIA) in a cystic fibrosis pancreatic cell line (CFPAC-1) which exhibits defective cAMP-dependent but intact Ca2+-dependent anion secretion. The AII-induced Isc could be inhibited by the specific antagonist for AT1, losartan (1 microM), but not the antagonist for AT2, PD123177 (up to 10 microM). The AII-induced Isc was also reduced by the treatment of the cells with a Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM (100 microM), indicating a dependence of the AII-induced anion secretion on the intracellular Ca2+. Treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (0.1 microg/ml) or a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122 (5 microM), resulted in a substantial reduction in the AII-induced Isc indicating involvement of Gi and PLC in the Ca2+-dependent anion secretion. RIA measurements showed that AII stimulated an increase in cAMP production which could be reduced by losartan, pertussis toxin and U73122 but not BAPTA-AM. In addition, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase, indomethacin (10 microM) and piroxicam (10 microM), did not have any effect on the AII-induced cAMP production, excluding the involvement of prostaglandins. Our results suggest that both AII-stimulated cAMP and Ca2+-dependent responses are mediated by the AT1 receptor and Gi-coupled PLC pathway. However, the AII-stimulated cAMP production in CFPAC-1 cells is not dependent on Ca2+ or the formation of prostaglandins.

Clinical Significance of Electronegative Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Atherothrombosis

Despite the numerous risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), cumulative evidence shows that electronegative low-density lipoprotein (L5 LDL) cholesterol is a promising biomarker. Its toxicity may contribute to atherothrombotic events. Notably, plasma L5 LDL levels positively correlate with the increasing severity of cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, traditional markers such as LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride are the therapeutic goals in secondary prevention for ASCVD, but that is controversial in primary prevention for patients with low risk. In this review, we point out the clinical significance and pathophysiological mechanisms of L5 LDL, and the clinical applications of L5 LDL levels in ASCVD can be confidently addressed. Based on the previously defined cut-off value by receiver operating characteristic curve, the acceptable physiological range of L5 concentration is proposed to be below 1.7 mg/dL. When L5 LDL level surpass this threshold, clinically relevant ASCVD might be present, and further exams such as carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, exercise stress test, or multidetector computed tomography are required. Notably, the ultimate goal of L5 LDL concentration is lower than 1.7 mg/dL. Instead, with L5 LDL greater than 1.7 mg/dL, lipid-lowering treatment may be required, including statin, ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitor, regardless of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level. Since L5 LDL could be a promising biomarker, we propose that a high throughput, clinically feasible methodology is urgently required not only for conducting a prospective, large population study but for developing therapeutics strategies to decrease L5 LDL in the blood.

SPECT/CT imaging for tracking subendothelial retention of electronegative low-density lipoprotein in vivo

The fifth subfraction of low-density lipoprotein (L5 LDL) can be separated from human LDL using fast-protein liquid chromatography with an anion exchange column. L5 LDL induces vascular endothelial injury both in vitro and in vivo through the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). However, no in vivo evidence shows the tendency of L5 LDL deposition on vascular endothelium and links to dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate L5 LDL retention in vivo using SPECT/CT imaging, with Iodine-131 (131I)-labeled and injected into six-month-old apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE-/-) mice through tail veins. Besides, we examined the biodistribution of L5 LDL in tissues and analyzed the intracellular trafficking in human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) by confocal microscopy. The impacts of L5 LDL on HAoECs were analyzed using electron microscopy for mitochondrial morphology and western blotting for signaling. Results showed 131I-labeled-L5 was preferentially deposited in the heart and vessels compared to L1 LDL. Furthermore, L5 LDL was co-localized with the mitochondria and associated with mitofusin (MFN1/2) and optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) downregulation, leading to mitochondrial fission. In summary, L5 LDL exhibits a propensity for subendothelial retention, thereby promoting endothelial dysfunction and the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.