Capillaries demonstrate changes in membrane potential in response to pharmacological stimuli

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. H60-H65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene D. McGahren ◽  
James M. Beach ◽  
Brian R. Duling
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Surrounding Tissue ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Capillary Membrane ◽  
Resistance Vessels ◽  
Capillary Endothelial Cells

It has been proposed that capillaries can detect changes in tissue metabolites and generate signals that are communicated upstream to resistance vessels. The mechanism for this communication may involve changes in capillary endothelial cell membrane potentials which are then conducted to upstream arterioles. We have tested the capacity of capillary endothelial cells in vivo to respond to pharmacological stimuli. In a hamster cheek pouch preparation, capillary endothelial cells were labeled with the voltage-sensitive dye di-8-ANEPPS. Fluorescence from capillary segments (75–150 μm long) was excited at 475 nm and recorded at 560 and 620 nm with a dual-wavelength photomultiplier system. KCl was applied using pressure injection, and acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine (PE) were applied iontophoretically to these capillaries. Changes in the ratio of the fluorescence emission at two emission wavelengths were used to estimate changes in the capillary endothelial membrane potential. Application of KCl resulted in depolarization, whereas application of the vehicle did not. Application of ACh and PE resulted in hyperpolarization and depolarization, respectively. The capillary responses could be blocked by including a receptor antagonist (atropine or prazosin, respectively) in the superfusate. We conclude that the capillary membrane potential is capable of responding to pharmacological stimuli. We hypothesize that capillaries can respond to changes in the milieu of surrounding tissue via changes in endothelial membrane potential.

Role of EDHF in conduction of vasodilation along hamster cheek pouch arterioles in vivo

2000 ◽  
Vol 278 (6) ◽  
pp. H1832-H1839 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald G. Welsh ◽  
Steven S. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Smooth Muscle Cells ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Cytochrome P 450 ◽  
Arteriolar Diameter

We tested whether local and conducted responses to ACh depend on factors released from endothelial cells (EC) in cheek pouch arterioles of anesthetized hamsters. ACh was delivered from a micropipette (1 s, 500 nA), while arteriolar diameter (rest, ∼40 μm) was monitored at the site of application (local) and at 520 and 1,040 μm upstream (conducted). Under control conditions, ACh elicited local (22–65 μm) and conducted (14–44 μm) vasodilation. Indomethacin (10 μM) had no effect, whereas N ω-nitro-l-arginine (100 μM) reduced local and conducted vasodilation by 5–8% ( P < 0.05). Miconazole (10 μM) or 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA; 10 μM) diminished local vasodilation by 15–20% and conducted responses by 50–70% ( P < 0.05), suggesting a role for cytochrome P-450 (CYP) metabolites in arteriolar responses to ACh. Membrane potential ( E m) was recorded in smooth muscle cells (SMC) and in EC identified with dye labeling. At rest (control E m, typically −30 mV), ACh evoked local (15–32 mV) and conducted (6–31 mV) hyperpolarizations in SMC and EC. Miconazole inhibited SMC and EC hyperpolarization, whereas 17-ODYA inhibited hyperpolarization of SMC but not of EC. Findings indicate that ACh-induced release of CYP metabolites from arteriolar EC evoke SMC hyperpolarization that contributes substantively to conducted vasodilation.

Ratiometric measurement of endothelial depolarization in arterioles with a potential-sensitive dye

1996 ◽  
Vol 270 (6) ◽  
pp. H2216-H2227 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Beach ◽  
E. D. McGahren ◽  
J. Xia ◽  
B. R. Duling
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Voltage Sensitivity ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Endothelial Cell Layer ◽  
Ratiometric Measurement ◽  
Length Constant

A fluorescence ratio technique based on the voltage-sensitive dye 1-(3-sulfonatopropyl)-8-[beta-[2-di-n-butylamino)-6-naphythyl++ +]vinyl] pyridinium betaine (di-8-ANEPPS)has been developed for recording membrane potential changes during vascular responses of arterioles. Perfusion of hamster cheek pouch arterioles with the dye labeled the endothelial cell layer. voltage responses from the endothelium of intact arterioles were determined by analysis of voltage-induced shifts in fluorescence emission wavelengths from dye spectra imaged from the vessel wall. Membrane depolarization caused the dye spectrum to shift toward blue wavelengths, with maximal fluorescence changes near 560 and 620 nm. In isolated nonperfused arterioles, comparison of continuous dual-wavelength recordings with simultaneous microelectrode recordings showed that the ratio of fluorescence intensities (fluorescence at 620 nm to fluorescence at 560 nm) accurately followed changes in membrane potential (6–21 mV) during vasoconstriction. The dye response was linear with respect to potential changes from -56 to -6 mV, with a voltage sensitivity of 9.7% change in the ratio per 100 mV. Membrane potential responses from in vitro and in vivo arterioles after potassium stimulation consisted of rapid ( < 0.5 -s) depolarization followed by slow repolarization over several seconds. Potassium-induced depolarizations were conducted along arterioles, and the values of the electrical length constant for conducted depolarization determined by optical and microelectrode methods were in agreement. We conclude that ratio analysis of di-8-ANEPPS fluorescence emission can be used to accurately record membrane potential changes on the time scale of seconds during vasomotor activity from arterioles.

scholarly journals Capillaries and arterioles are electrically coupled in hamster cheek pouch

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (4) ◽  
pp. H1489-H1496 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Beach ◽  
Eugene D. McGahren ◽  
Brian R. Duling
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Time Delays ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Direct Stimulation ◽  
Membrane Potential Change ◽  
Time To Peak ◽  
Capillary Networks ◽  
Capillary Membrane

In this report we demonstrate electrical communication in the microcirculation between arterioles and capillary networks in situ. Microvessel networks in the hamster cheek pouch, which included capillaries and their feeding arterioles, were labeled with the voltage-sensitive dye di-8-ANEPPS by intraluminal perfusion through a micropipette. Pulses of 140 mM potassium solution were applied by pressure ejection from micropipettes positioned on arterioles several hundred micrometers upstream from capillaries. Potassium caused membrane potential changes of 3–11 mV in capillary segments up to 1,200 μm distal to the stimulation site, with time delays of <1 s. Capillary membrane potential changes were biphasic, with initial depolarizations followed by hyperpolarizations. The size of the response decreased exponentially with the distance between the arteriole and capillary, with a 1/e distance of 590 μm. The time to peak depolarization of both arteriolar and capillary segments was similar. The time to peak response was significantly faster than that for responses from direct stimulation of capillaries. Capillary responses were also obtained when blood flow was either blocked or directed toward sites of stimulation. Acetylcholine (10−4 M) and phenylephrine (10−5 M) applied to the arterioles by iontophoresis produced monophasic hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses, respectively, in capillaries with <1-s delay between stimulus and onset of the membrane potential change. These results provide evidence in situ of a pathway for electrical communication between arteriolar and capillary levels of the microcirculation.

Endothelial cell signaling during conducted vasomotor responses

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (1) ◽  
pp. H119-H126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim A. Dora ◽  
Jun Xia ◽  
Brian R. Duling
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Membrane Potential ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Electrical Coupling ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Application Site ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Vasomotor Responses ◽  
Site Of Stimulation

ACh and KCl stimulate vasomotor responses that spread rapidly and bidirectionally along arteriole walls, most likely via spread of electric current or Ca2+ through gap junctions. We examined these possibilities with isolated, cannulated, and perfused hamster cheek pouch arterioles (50- to 80-μm resting diameter). After intraluminal loading of 2 μM fluo 3 to measure Ca2+ or 1 μM di-8-ANEPPS to measure membrane potential, photometric techniques were used to selectively measure changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) or membrane potential in endothelial cells. Activation of the endothelium by micropipette application of ACh (10-4 M, 1.0-s pulse) to a short segment of arteriole (100–200 μm) increased endothelial cell [Ca2+]i and caused hyperpolarization at the site of stimulation. This response was followed rapidly by vasodilation of the entire arteriole (∼2-mm length). Change in membrane potential always preceded dilation, both at the site of stimulation and at distant sites along the arteriole. In contrast, an increase in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i was observed only at the application site. Micropipette application of KCl, which can depolarize both smooth muscle and endothelial cells (250 mM, 2.5-s pulse), also caused a rapid, spreading response consisting of depolarization followed by vasoconstriction. With KCl stimulation, in addition to changes in membrane potential, increases in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i were observed at distant sites not directly exposed to KCl. The rapid longitudinal spread of both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing responses support electrical coupling as the mode of signal transmission along the arteriolar length. In addition, the relatively short distance between heterologous cell types enables the superimposed radial Ca2+ signaling between smooth muscle and endothelial cells to modulate vasomotor responses.

scholarly journals Signaling via β2 Integrins Triggers Neutrophil-Dependent Alteration in Endothelial Barrier Function

2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (11) ◽  
pp. 1829-1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narinder Gautam ◽  
Heiko Herwald ◽  
Per Hedqvist ◽  
Lennart Lindbom
Keyword(s):  
Protein S ◽  
Endothelial Barrier ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Cross Linking ◽  
Endothelial Lining ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Cationic Protein ◽  
Edema Formation ◽  
Β2 Integrins

Activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and adhesion to the endothelial lining is a major cause of edema formation. Although known to be dependent on the function of β2 integrins (CD11/CD18), the precise mechanisms by which adherent PMNs may impair endothelial barrier capacity remain unclear. Here, the role of transmembrane signaling by β2 integrins in PMN-induced alterations in tight junctional permeability of cultured endothelial cell (EC) monolayers was investigated. PMN activation, in the absence of proinflammatory stimuli, was accomplished through antibody cross-linking of CD11b/CD18, mimicking adhesion-dependent receptor engagement. CD18 cross-linking in PMNs added to the EC monolayer provoked a prompt increase in EC permeability that coincided with a rise in EC cytosolic free Ca2+ and rearrangement of actin filaments, events similar to those evoked by chemoattractant PMN activation. Cell-free supernatant obtained after CD18 cross-linking in suspended PMNs triggered an EC response indistinguishable from that induced by direct PMN activation, and caused clear-cut venular plasma leakage when added to the hamster cheek pouch in vivo preparation. The PMN-evoked EC response was specific to β2 integrin engagement inasmuch as antibody cross-linking of l-selectin or CD44 was without effect on EC function. Our data demonstrate a causal link between outside-in signaling by β2 integrins and the capacity of PMNs to induce alterations in vascular permeability, and suggest a paracrine mechanism that involves PMN-derived cationic protein(s) in the cellular crosstalk between PMNs and ECs.

scholarly journals Electro-Metabolic Sensing Through Capillary ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels and Adenosine to Control Cerebral Blood Flow

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sancho ◽  
Nicholas R. Klug ◽  
Amreen Mughal ◽  
Thomas J. Heppner ◽  
David Hill-Eubanks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Blood Flow ◽  
Cerebral Blood Flow ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
List Type ◽  
Capillary Endothelial Cells ◽  
Metabolic Sensing ◽  
Cellular Components

SUMMARYThe dense network of capillaries composed of capillary endothelial cells (cECs) and pericytes lies in close proximity to all neurons, ideally positioning it to sense neuro/glial-derived compounds that regulate regional and global cerebral perfusion. The membrane potential (VM) of vascular cells serves as the essential output in this scenario, linking brain activity to vascular function. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) is a key regulator of vascular VM in other beds, but whether brain capillaries possess functional KATP channels remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that brain capillary ECs and pericytes express KATP channels that robustly control VM. We further show that the endogenous mediator adenosine acts through A2A receptors and the Gs/cAMP/PKA pathway to activate capillary KATP channels. Moreover, KATP channel stimulation in vivo causes vasodilation and increases cerebral blood flow (CBF). These findings establish the presence of KATP channels in cECs and pericytes and suggest their significant influence on CBF.HIGHLIGHTSCapillary network cellular components—endothelial cells and pericytes—possess functional KATP channels.Activation of KATP channels causes profound hyperpolarization of capillary cell membranes.Capillary KATP channels are activated by exogenous adenosine via A2A receptors and cAMP-dependent protein kinase.KATP channel activation by adenosine or synthetic openers increases cerebral blood flow.

Tannic acid elicits neurogenic plasma exudation from the in situ hamster cheek pouch

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. R237-R242
Author(s):  
Xiao-Pei Gao
Keyword(s):  
Tannic Acid ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Site Formation ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Plasma Exudation ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor

The purpose of this study was to determine whether tannic acid elicits neurogenic plasma exudation from the oral mucosa in vivo and, if so, whether this response is transduced in part by thel-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) biosynthetic pathway. Using intravital microscopy, we found that suffusion of tannic acid elicits significant concentration-dependent leaky site formation and increase in clearance of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (molecular mass 70 kDa) from the in situ hamster cheek pouch ( P < 0.05). These effects are significantly attenuated by two selective, but structurally distinct, nonpeptide neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor antagonists, CP-96,345 and RP-67580, but not by CP-96,344, the 2R,3R enantiomer of CP-96,345. N G-nitrol-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), an NO synthase inhibitor, but notd-NAME, significantly attenuates tannic acid-induced responses.l-Arginine, but notd-arginine, reverses the attenuating effects of l-NAME. We conclude that tannic acid elicitsl-arginine-NO biosynthetic pathway-dependent neurogenic plasma exudation from the in situ hamster cheek pouch.

Neutral endopeptidase modulates substance P-induced vasodilation in vivo

1995 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 562-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. P. Gao ◽  
I. Rubinstein
Keyword(s):  
Substance P ◽  
Oral Mucosa ◽  
Intravital Microscopy ◽  
Neutral Endopeptidase ◽  
Cheek Pouch ◽  
Induced Responses ◽  
Hamster Cheek Pouch ◽  
Arteriolar Diameter ◽  
Significant Concentration

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether neutral endopeptidase (NEP; EC 3.4.24.11) modulates substance P-induced vasodilation in the oral mucosa in vivo. Using intravital microscopy, we measured the diameter of second-order arterioles (44–70 microns) in the hamster cheek pouch during suffusion of capsaicin and substance P. We found that capsaicin (0.1 and 10.0 nM) induced significant concentration-dependent vasodilations (13 +/- 4 and 39 +/- 7% increase from baseline, respectively; P < 0.05) that were significantly potentiated by phosphoramidon (10.0 nM), a selective NEP inhibitor (35 +/- 15 and 61 +/- 12% increase from baseline, respectively; P < 0.05). Substance P (0.1 and 10.0 nM) also induced significant concentration-dependent vasodilations (7 +/- 3 and 25 +/- 8% increase from baseline, respectively; P < 0.05) that were mediated by the COOH-terminal of the molecule. Substance P-induced responses were significantly potentiated by phosphoramidon (34 +/- 9 and 53 +/- 10% increase from baseline, respectively; P < 0.05) and thiorphan (10.0 microM), a selective NEP inhibitor (44 +/- 11 and 53 +/- 10% increase from baseline, respectively; P < 0.05). Substance P-(1–9) had no significant effects on arteriolar diameter. Suffusion of captopril, leupeptin, Bestatin, and DL-2-mercaptomethyl-3-guanidinoethylthiopropanoic acid together had no significant effects on substance P-induced vasodilation. Phosphoramidon did not potentiate nitroglycerin-induced vasodilation. These data indicate that NEP modulates substance P-induced vasodilation in the hamster cheek pouch in vivo. We suggest that any decrease in tissue NEP activity may amplify neurogenic vasodilation in the oral mucosa.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document