American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology
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Expression of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor in normal rat tissues Vascular permeability factor (VPF)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a approximately 43-kDa secreted protein that has been shown in bioassays to induce endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis, and capillary hyperpermeability. VPF has been suggested to play an important role in the physiology of normal vasculature. To further elucidate the natural functions of VPF in vivo, the expression of VPF in normal tissues was examined using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization histochemistry. VPF mRNA is expressed in the brain, kidney, liver, lung, and spleen of the healthy adult rat. On Northern blots, the relative abundance of VPF mRNA observed in these tissues was highest in the lung and lowest in the spleen. As determined by in situ hybridization, the patterns of VPF expression are organ specific. Hybridization of an antisense VPF probe was concentrated in the cerebellar granule cell layer of the brain and in the glomeruli and tubules of the kidney. In the liver and lung, intense hybridization was observed homogeneously throughout both tissues, demonstrating that VPF mRNA is present in virtually every hepatocyte and pulmonary alveolar cell. Hybridization to the spleen was weaker and more diffuse. The widespread expression and organ-specific distribution of VPF mRNA in normal rat tissues supports the suggestion of an extensive role for this factor in the physiology of normal vasculature.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 264 Số 4 - Trang C995-C1002 - 1993
Expression and localization of aquaporins in rat gastrointestinal tract A family of water-selective channels, aquaporins (AQP), has been demonstrated in various organs and tissues. However, the localization and expression of the AQP family members in the gastrointestinal tract have not been entirely elucidated. This study aimed to demonstrate the expression and distribution of several types of the AQP family and to speculate on their role in water transport in the rat gastrointestinal tract. By RNase protection assay, expression of AQP1–5 and AQP8 was examined in various portions through the gastrointestinal tract. AQP1 and AQP3 mRNAs were diffusely expressed from esophagus to colon, and their expression was relatively intense in the small intestine and colon. In contrast, AQP4 mRNA was selectively expressed in the stomach and small intestine and AQP8 mRNA in the jejunum and colon. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization demonstrated cellular localization of these AQP in these portions. AQP1 was localized on endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels in the submucosa and lamina propria throughout the gastrointestinal tract. AQP3 was detected on the circumferential plasma membranes of stratified squamous epithelial cells in the esophagus and basolateral membranes of cardiac gland epithelia in the lower stomach and of surface columnar epithelia in the colon. However, AQP3 was not apparently detected in the small intestine. AQP4 was present on the basolateral membrane of the parietal cells in the lower stomach and selectively in the basolateral membranes of deep intestinal gland cells in the small intestine. AQP8 mRNA expression was demonstrated in the absorptive columnar epithelial cells of the jejunum and colon by in situ hybridization. These findings may indicate that water crosses the epithelial layer through these water channels, suggesting a possible role of the transcellular route for water intake or outlet in the gastrointestinal tract.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 276 Số 3 - Trang C621-C627 - 1999
Aquaporin-5 regulation of cell–cell adhesion proteins: an elusive “tail” story Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channels that facilitate transport of water across cellular membranes. AQPs are overexpressed in several cancers. Especially in breast cancer, AQP5 overexpression correlates with spread to lymph nodes and poor prognosis. Previously, we showed that AQP5 expression reduced cell–cell adhesion by reducing levels of adherens and tight-junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, plakoglobin, and β-catenin) at the actual junctions. Here, we show that, when targeted to the plasma membrane, the AQP5 COOH-terminal tail domain regulated junctional proteins and, moreover, that AQP5 interacted with ZO-1, plakoglobin, β-catenin, and desmoglein-2, which were all reduced at junctions upon AQP5 overexpression. Thus, our data suggest that AQP5 mediates the effect on cell–cell adhesion via interactions with junctional proteins independently of AQP5-mediated water transport. AQP5 overexpression in cancers may thus contribute to carcinogenesis and cancer spread by two independent mechanisms: reduced cell–cell adhesion, a characteristic of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and increased cell migration capacity via water transport.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 320 Số 3 - Trang C282-C292 - 2021
Senescence and dysfunction of proximal tubular cells are associated with activated p53 expression by indoxyl sulfate Various uremic toxins accumulate in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and one of them is indoxyl sulfate, which accelerates the progression of CRF through unknown mechanisms. The present study investigates how indoxyl sulfate promotes CRF using the proximal tubular cell line HK-2 and CRF rats. Indoxyl sulfate inhibited serum-induced cell proliferation and promoted the activation of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, a marker of cellular senescence, and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of fibrosis, through inducing p53 expression and phosphorylation. Pifithrin-α, p-nitro, a p53 inhibitor, blocked these effects. Indoxyl sulfate evoked reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine inhibited indoxyl sulfate-induced p53 expression and phosphorylation, as well as indoxyl sulfate-induced α-SMA expression. We previously demonstrated that although cellular senescence and fibrosis are detectable in the kidneys of CRF rats, the oral adsorbent AST-120 repressed these effects. Here, we found that β-galactosidase, p53 and α-SMA were expressed and colocalized in the renal tubules of CRF rats, whereas AST-120 decreased the expression of these genes. Taken together, these findings indicate that indoxyl sulfate induces the expression and phosphorylation of p53 though ROS production, thus inhibiting cell proliferation and promoting cellular senescence and renal fibrosis.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 299 Số 5 - Trang C1110-C1117 - 2010
Troponin I chimera analysis of the cardiac myofilament tension response to protein kinase A Viral-mediated gene transfer of troponin I (TnI) isoforms and chimeras into adult rat cardiac myocytes was used to investigate the role TnI domains play in the myofilament tension response to protein kinase A (PKA). In myocytes expressing endogenous cardiac TnI (cTnI), PKA phosphorylated TnI and myosin-binding protein C and decreased the Ca2+ sensitivity of myofilament tension. In marked contrast, PKA did not influence Ca2+ -activated tension in myocytes expressing the slow skeletal isoform of TnI or a chimera (N-slow/card-C TnI), which lack the unique phosphorylatable amino terminal extension found in cTnI. PKA-mediated phosphorylation of a second TnI chimera, N-card/slow-C TnI, which has the amino terminal region of cTnI, caused a decrease in the Ca2+ sensitivity of tension comparable in magnitude to control myocytes. Based on these results, we propose the amino terminal region shared by cTnI and N-card/slow-C TnI plays a central role in determining the magnitude of the PKA-mediated shift in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, independent of the isoform-specific functional domains previously defined within the carboxyl terminal backbone of TnI. Interestingly, exposure of permeabilized myocytes to acidic pH after PKA-mediated phosphorylation of cTnI resulted in an additive decrease in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. The isoform-specific, pH-sensitive region within TnI lies in the carboxyl terminus of TnI, and the additive response provides further evidence for the presence of a separate domain that directly transduces the PKA phosphorylation signal.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 280 Số 2 - Trang C324-C332 - 2001
oxLDL-induced decrease in lipid order of membrane domains is inversely correlated with endothelial stiffness and network formation Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a major factor in development of atherosclerosis. Our earlier studies have shown that exposure of endothelial cells (EC) to oxLDL increases EC stiffness, facilitates the ability of the cells to generate force, and facilitates EC network formation in three-dimensional collagen gels. In this study, we show that oxLDL induces a decrease in lipid order of membrane domains and that this effect is inversely correlated with endothelial stiffness, contractility, and network formation. Local lipid packing of cell membrane domains was assessed by Laurdan two-photon imaging, endothelial stiffness was assessed by measuring cellular elastic modulus using atomic force microscopy, cell contractility was estimated by measuring the ability of the cells to contract collagen gels, and EC angiogenic potential was estimated by visualizing endothelial networks within the same gels. The impact of oxLDL on endothelial biomechanics and network formation is fully reversed by supplying the cells with a surplus of cholesterol. Furthermore, exposing the cells to 7-keto-cholesterol, a major oxysterol component of oxLDL, or to another cholesterol analog, androstenol, also results in disruption of lipid order of membrane domains and an increase in cell stiffness. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that disruption of lipid packing of cholesterol-rich membrane domains plays a key role in oxLDL-induced changes in endothelial biomechanics.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 299 Số 2 - Trang C218-C229 - 2010
Beta-adrenergic stimulation and cAMP mobilize Ca2+ from an IP3-insensitive pool in rat submandibular granular ducts The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol induced an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat submandibular granular ducts that was blocked by beta-adrenergic but not by alpha-adrenergic or muscarinic antagonists. This effect was only partially inhibited by the selective beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic antagonists atenolol and ICI-118,551, but was completely blocked by the combination of the two, suggesting the involvement of multiple (or atypical) beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes. The response to isoproterenol was mimicked by forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, but it was blocked by protein kinase inhibitors. The response of [Ca2+]i to isoproterenol was sustained in Ca(2+)-replete replete medium but transient in Ca(2+)-free medium, indicating the involvement of both Ca2+ entry and release from intracellular stores. However, isoproterenol stimulation produced no increase in ductal inositol phosphate levels. In addition, isoproterenol was still able to increase [Ca2+]i after the carbachol-induced depletion of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive calcium stores. We conclude that isoproterenol, acting through cAMP, releases Ca2+ from an IP3-insensitive intracellular store in salivary granular ducts.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 265 Số 5 - Trang C1356-C1362 - 1993
Alternative splicing yields novel BMAL2 variants: tissue distribution and functional characterization The BMAL2 gene encodes a member of the basic helix-loop-helix PER-ARNT-SIM family of transcription factors, which control diverse physiological processes including circadian rhythms. We identified four novel human BMAL2 transcripts that differ by alternative splicing within their NH2 -terminal regions. Divergent expression of these and previously reported transcripts was observed among human tissues. The functional consequences of alternative splicing for transcriptional activation by CLOCK:BMAL2 heterodimers were assessed using luciferase reporter gene constructs that contained one of three diurnally regulated promoters, namely, those of the mouse period1, mouse vasopressin, and human plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 genes. These studies revealed that alternative splicing generates BMAL2 isoforms possessing high, medium, low, or no transcriptional activity. Similar results were obtained with each promoter, suggesting that alternative splicing may influence the amplitudes of both central and peripheral oscillators. Indeed, alternative splicing of BMAL2 may provide tissues with a rheostat capable of regulating CLOCK:BMAL2 heterodimer function across a broad continuum of potential transcriptional activities to accommodate varied metabolic demands and physiological roles.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 283 Số 1 - Trang C103-C114 - 2002
The P2Y<sub>2</sub> receptor mediates the epithelial injury response and cell migration Injury to epithelial cells results in the release of ATP and stimulation of purinergic receptors and is thought to alter cell migration and wound repair. Medium from the injured cells triggers Ca2+ mobilization and phosphorylation of ERK, both of which are inhibited if the medium is pretreated with apyrase. To understand the wound repair mechanism that occurs with injury, our goal was to determine which purinergic receptor(s) was the critical player in the wound response. We hypothesize that the P2Y2 receptor is the key player in the response of corneal epithelial cells to cell damage and subsequent repair events. Cells transfected with short interfering RNA to either P2Y2 or P2Y4 were stimulated either by injury or addition of UTP and imaged using fluo 3-AM to monitor changes in fluorescence. When cells with downregulated P2Y2 receptors were injured or stimulated with UTP, the intensity of the Ca2+ release was reduced significantly. However, when cells with downregulated P2Y4 receptors were stimulated, only the UTP-induced Ca2+ response was reduced significantly. In addition, downregulation of the P2Y2 receptor inhibited wound closure compared with unstimulated cells or cells transfected with nontargeting sequence. This downregulation resulted also in an attenuation in phosphorylation of Src and ERK. Together, these data indicate that the P2Y2 receptor plays a major biological role in the corneal injury response and repair mechanisms.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 299 Số 2 - Trang C411-C421 - 2010
Is cytoskeletal tension a major determinant of cell deformability in adherent endothelial cells? We tested the hypothesis that mechanical tension in the cytoskeleton (CSK) is a major determinant of cell deformability. To confirm that tension was present in adherent endothelial cells, we either cut or detached them from their basal surface by a microneedle. After cutting or detachment, the cells rapidly retracted. This retraction was prevented, however, if the CSK actin lattice was disrupted by cytochalasin D (Cyto D). These results confirmed that there was preexisting CSK tension in these cells and that the actin lattice was a primary stress-bearing component of the CSK. Second, to determine the extent to which that preexisting CSK tension could alter cell deformability, we developed a stretchable cell culture membrane system to impose a rapid mechanical distension (and presumably a rapid increase in CSK tension) on adherent endothelial cells. Altered cell deformability was quantitated as the shear stiffness measured by magnetic twisting cytometry. When membrane strain increased 2.5 or 5%, the cell stiffness increased 15 and 30%, respectively. Disruption of actin lattice with Cyto D abolished this stretch-induced increase in stiffness, demonstrating that the increased stiffness depended on the integrity of the actin CSK. Permeabilizing the cells with saponin and washing away ATP and Ca2+ did not inhibit the stretch-induced stiffening of the cell. These results suggest that the stretch-induced stiffening was primarily due to the direct mechanical changes in the forces distending the CSK but not to ATP- or Ca2+ -dependent processes. Taken together, these results suggest preexisting CSK tension is a major determinant of cell deformability in adherent endothelial cells.
American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology - Tập 274 Số 5 - Trang C1283-C1289 - 1998
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