Functional expression of transient receptor potential melastatin- and vanilloid-related channels in pulmonary arterial and aortic smooth muscle

2006 ◽  
Vol 290 (6) ◽  
pp. L1267-L1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ru Yang ◽  
Mo-Jun Lin ◽  
Lionel S. McIntosh ◽  
James S. K. Sham

Transient receptor potential melastatin- (TRPM) and vanilloid-related (TRPV) channels are nonselective cation channels pertinent to diverse physiological functions. Multiple TRPM and TRPV channel subtypes have been identified and cloned in different tissues. However, their information in vascular tissue is scant. In this study, we sought to identify TRPM and TRPV channel subtypes expressed in rat deendothelialized intralobar pulmonary arteries (PAs) and aorta. With RT-PCR, mRNA of TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM7, and TRPM8 of TRPM family and TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, and TRPV4 of TRPV family were detected in both PAs and aorta. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that TRPM8 and TRPV4 were the most abundantly expressed TRPM and TRPV subtypes, respectively. Moreover, Western blot analysis verified expression of TRPM2, TRPM8, TRPV1, and TRPV4 proteins in both types of vascular tissue. To examine the functional activities of these channels, we monitored intracellular Ca2+ transients ([Ca2+]i) in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). The TRPM8 agonist menthol (300 μM) and the TRPV4 agonist 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (1 μM) evoked significant increases in [Ca2+]i in PASMCs and ASMCs. These Ca2+ responses were abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ or the presence of 300 μM Ni2+ but were unaffected by 1 μM nifedipine, suggesting Ca2+ influx via nonselective cation channels. Hence, for the first time, our results indicate that multiple functional TRPM and TRPV channels are coexpressed in rat intralobar PAs and aorta. These novel Ca2+ entry pathways may play important roles in the regulation of pulmonary and systemic circulation.

2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Hong Li ◽  
Li-Jian Xie ◽  
Ting-Ting Xiao ◽  
Min Huang ◽  
Jie Shen

Intracellular Ca2+ levels play a critical role in the regulation of vasodilation and vasoconstriction by stimulating pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation, which is important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, L-type Ca2+ channel antagonists are useful in only few patients with PAH. The present study sought to assess the effect of mibefradil, which blocks T-type Ca2+ channels, on PASMC proliferation and Ca2+ channel profile. Human PASMCs were stimulated with 25 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) with and without 10 µM mibefradil or 100 nM sildenafil. After 48 or 72 h, PASMC proliferation and Ca2+ channel expression were assessed by MTT assays and western blot analysis, respectively. PDGF-BB-induced PASMC proliferation at 72 h (p<0.01), which was inhibited by both sildenafil and mibefradil (p<0.01). Transient receptor potential Ca2+ channel 6 (TRPC6) expression was significantly increased with PDGF-BB stimulation (p=0.009); however, no changes in TRPC1, TRPC3, CAV1.2, and CAV3.2 levels were observed. Although both TRPC1 and CAV1.2 expression levels were increased in PDGF-stimulated PASMCs on mibefradil and sildenafil treatment, it was not statistically significant (p=0.086 and 1.000, respectively). Mibefradil inhibits PDGF-BB-stimulated PASMC proliferation; however, the mechanism through which it functions remains to be determined. Further studies are required to elucidate the full therapeutic value of mibefradil for PAH.


2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (1) ◽  
pp. C114-C123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenju Lu ◽  
Pixin Ran ◽  
Dandan Zhang ◽  
Gongyong Peng ◽  
Bing Li ◽  
...  

In pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), Ca2+ influx through store-operated Ca2+ channels thought to be composed of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) proteins is an important determinant of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and pulmonary vascular tone. Sildenafil, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases cellular cGMP, is recently identified as a promising agent for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. We previously demonstrated that chronic hypoxia elevated basal [Ca2+]i in PASMCs due in large part to enhanced store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE); moreover, ex vivo exposure to prolonged hypoxia (4% O2 for 60 h) upregulated TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression in PASMCs. We examined the effect of sildenafil on basal [Ca2+]i, SOCE, and the expression of TRPC in PASMCs under prolonged hypoxia exposure. We also examined the effect of sildenafil on TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle (PA) from rats that developed chronically hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (CHPH). Compared with vehicle control, treatment with sildenafil (300 nM) inhibited prolonged hypoxia induced increases of 1) basal [Ca2+]i, 2) SOCE, and 3) mRNA and protein expression of TRPC in PASMCs. Moreover, sildenafil (50 mg · kg−1 · day−1) inhibited mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 and TRPC6 in PA from chronically hypoxic (10% O2 for 21 days) rats, which was associated with decreased right ventricular pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy. Furthermore, we found, in PASMCs exposed to prolonged hypoxia, that knockdown of TRPC1 or TRPC6 by their specific small interference RNA attenuated the hypoxic increases of SOCE and basal [Ca2+]i, suggesting a cause and effect link between increases of TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression and the hypoxic increases of SOCE and basal [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that sildenafil may alter basal [Ca2+]i in PASMCs by decreasing SOCE through downregulation of TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression, thereby contributing to decreased vascular tone of pulmonary arteries during the development of CHPH.


2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (7) ◽  
pp. C600-C611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiril L. Hristov ◽  
Amy C. Smith ◽  
Shankar P. Parajuli ◽  
John Malysz ◽  
Eric S. Rovner ◽  
...  

Transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channels are Ca2+-activated nonselective cation channels that have been recently identified as regulators of detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) function in rodents. However, their expression and function in human DSM remain unexplored. We provide insights into the functional role of TRPM4 channels in human DSM under physiological conditions. We used a multidisciplinary experimental approach, including RT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and functional studies of DSM contractility. DSM samples were obtained from patients without preoperative overactive bladder symptoms. RT-PCR detected mRNA transcripts for TRPM4 channels in human DSM whole tissue and freshly isolated single cells. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with confocal microscopy revealed TRPM4 protein expression in human DSM. Immunocytochemistry further detected TRPM4 protein expression in DSM single cells. Patch-clamp experiments showed that 9-phenanthrol, a selective TRPM4 channel inhibitor, significantly decreased the transient inward cation currents and voltage step-induced whole cell currents in freshly isolated human DSM cells. In current-clamp mode, 9-phenanthrol hyperpolarized the human DSM cell membrane potential. Furthermore, 9-phenanthrol attenuated the spontaneous phasic, carbachol-induced and nerve-evoked contractions in human DSM isolated strips. Significant species-related differences in TRPM4 channel activity between human, rat, and guinea pig DSM were revealed, suggesting a more prominent physiological role for the TRPM4 channel in the regulation of DSM function in humans than in rodents. In conclusion, TRPM4 channels regulate human DSM excitability and contractility and are critical determinants of human urinary bladder function. Thus, TRPM4 channels could represent promising novel targets for the pharmacological or genetic control of overactive bladder.


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