scholarly journals Pentosan polysulfate treatment preserves renal autoregulation in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats via normalization of P2X1 receptor activation

2010 ◽  
Vol 298 (5) ◽  
pp. F1276-F1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengrong Guan ◽  
Barry S. Fuller ◽  
Tatsuo Yamamoto ◽  
Anthony K. Cook ◽  
Jennifer S. Pollock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Pentosan Polysulfate ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Afferent Arterioles

Inflammatory factors are elevated in animal and human subjects with hypertension and renal injury. We hypothesized that inflammation contributes to hypertension-induced renal injury by impairing autoregulation and microvascular reactivity to P2X1 receptor activation. Studies were conducted in vitro using the blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation. Rats receiving ANG II (60 ng/min) infusion were treated with the anti-inflammatory agent pentosan polysulfate (PPS) for 14 days. The magnitude and progression of hypertension were similar in ANG II and ANG II+PPS-treated rats (169 ± 5 vs. 172 ± 2 mmHg). Afferent arterioles from control rats exhibited normal autoregulatory behavior with diameter decreasing from 18.4 ± 1.6 to 11.4 ± 1.7 μm when perfusion pressure was increased from 70 to 160 mmHg. In contrast, pressure-mediated vasoconstriction was markedly attenuated in ANG II-treated rats, and diameter remained essentially unchanged over the range of perfusion pressures. However, ANG II-treated rats receiving PPS exhibited normal autoregulatory behavior compared with ANG II alone rats. Arteriolar reactivity to ATP and β,γ-methylene ATP was significantly reduced in ANG II hypertensive rats compared with controls. Interestingly, PPS treatment preserved normal reactivity to P2 and P2X1 receptor agonists despite the persistent hypertension. The maximal vasoconstriction was 79 ± 3 and 81 ± 2% of the control diameter for ATP and β,γ-methylene ATP, respectively, similar to responses in control rats. PPS treatment significantly reduced α-smooth muscle actin staining in afferent arterioles and plasma transforming growth factor-β1 concentration in ANG II-treated rats. In conclusion, PPS normalizes autoregulation without altering ANG II-induced hypertension, suggesting that inflammatory processes reduce P2X1 receptor reactivity and thereby impair autoregulatory behavior in ANG II hypertensive rats.

scholarly journals Immunosuppression preserves renal autoregulatory function and microvascular P2X1 receptor reactivity in ANG II-hypertensive rats

2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (6) ◽  
pp. F801-F807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengrong Guan ◽  
Matthew I. Giddens ◽  
David A. Osmond ◽  
Anthony K. Cook ◽  
Janet L. Hobbs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Renal Perfusion ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Hypertensive Rats ◽  
Activated Lymphocytes

Autoregulation is critical for protecting the kidney against arterial pressure elevation and is compromised in some forms of hypertension. Evidence indicates that activated lymphocytes contribute importantly to cardiovascular injury in hypertension. We hypothesized that activated lymphocytes contribute to renal vascular dysfunction by impairing autoregulation and P2X1 receptor signaling in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving ANG II infusion were treated with a lymphocyte proliferation inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) for 2 wk. Autoregulation was assessed in vitro and in vivo using the blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation and anesthetized rats, respectively. ANG II-treated rats exhibited impaired autoregulation. At the single vessel level, pressure-mediated afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction was significantly blunted ( P < 0.05 vs. control rats). At the whole kidney level, renal blood flow passively decreased as renal perfusion pressure was reduced. MMF treatment did not alter the ANG II-induced hypertensive state; however, MMF did preserve autoregulation. The autoregulatory profiles in both in vitro or in vivo settings were similar to the responses from control rats despite persistent hypertension. Autoregulatory responses are linked to P2X1 receptor activation. Accordingly, afferent arteriolar responses to ATP and the P2X1 receptor agonist β,γ-methylene ATP were assessed. ATP- or β,γ-methylene ATP-induced vasoconstriction was significantly attenuated in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats but was normalized by MMF treatment. Moreover, MMF prevented elevation of plasma transforming growth factor-β1 concentration and lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration in ANG II-infused kidneys. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory treatment with MMF prevents lymphocyte infiltration and preserves autoregulation in ANG II-infused hypertensive rats, likely by normalizing P2X1 receptor activation.

scholarly journals mTOR inhibitors potentially reduce TGF-β2-induced fibrogenic changes in trabecular meshwork cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomi Igarashi ◽  
Megumi Honjo ◽  
Makoto Aihara
Keyword(s):  
Trabecular Meshwork ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Mtor Inhibitors ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Type I ◽  
Fibrotic Response ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin

AbstractWe examined the effects of mTOR inhibitors on the fibrotic response induced by transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells. TGF-β2-induced expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in hTM cells was examined in the presence or absence of mTOR inhibitors using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The migration rates of hTM cells were examined in the presence of TGF-β2 with or without mTOR inhibitors. An in vitro study showed that the expression of fibronectin, COL1A1, and αSMA was upregulated by TGF-β2 treatment of hTM cells; such upregulation was significantly suppressed by mTOR inhibitors. The inhibitors significantly reduced the migration rate of TGF-β2-stimulated hTM cells. mTOR inhibitors may usefully reduce the fibrotic response of hTM cells and we may have to explore if it is also effective in in vivo model.

scholarly journals Substrate Stiffness and Stretch Regulate Profibrotic Mechanosignaling in Pulmonary Arterial Adventitial Fibroblasts

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1000
Author(s):  
Ariel Wang ◽  
Shulin Cao ◽  
Jennifer C. Stowe ◽  
Daniela Valdez-Jasso
Keyword(s):  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Substrate Stiffness ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Integrin Β3 ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Adventitial Fibroblasts ◽  
Pulmonary Arterial ◽  
Six Genes

Pulmonary arterial adventitial fibroblasts (PAAFs) are important regulators of fibrotic vascular remodeling during the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a disease that currently has no effective anti-fibrotic treatments. We conducted in-vitro experiments in PAAFs cultured on hydrogels attached to custom-made equibiaxial stretchers at 10% stretch and substrate stiffnesses representing the mechanical conditions of mild and severe stages of PAH. The expression of collagens α(1)I and α(1)III and elastin messenger RNAs (Col1a1, Col3a1, Eln) were upregulated by increased stretch and substrate stiffness, while lysyl oxidase-like 1 and α-smooth muscle actin messenger RNAs (Loxl1, Acta2) were only significantly upregulated when the cells were grown on matrices with an elevated stiffness representative of mild PAH but not on a stiffness representative of severe PAH. Fibronectin messenger RNA (Fn1) levels were significantly induced by increased substrate stiffness and transiently upregulated by stretch at 4 h, but was not significantly altered by stretch at 24 h. We modified our published computational network model of the signaling pathways that regulate profibrotic gene expression in PAAFs to allow for differential regulation of mechanically-sensitive nodes by stretch and stiffness. When the model was modified so that stiffness activated integrin β3, the Macrophage Stimulating 1 or 2 (MST1\2) kinases, angiotensin II (Ang II), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and syndecan-4, and stretch-regulated integrin β3, MST1\2, Ang II, and the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, the model correctly predicted the upregulation of all six genes by increased stiffness and the observed responses to stretch in five out of six genes, although it could not replicate the non-monotonic effects of stiffness on Loxl1 and Acta2 expression. Blocking Ang II Receptor Type 1 (AT1R) with losartan in-vitro uncovered an interaction between the effects of stretch and stiffness and angiotensin-independent activation of Fn1 expression by stretch in PAAFs grown on 3-kPa matrices. This novel combination of in-vitro and in-silico models of PAAF profibrotic cell signaling in response to altered mechanical conditions may help identify regulators of vascular adventitial remodeling due to changes in stretch and matrix stiffness that occur during the progression of PAH in-vivo.

scholarly journals First Report ofEurycoma longifoliaJack Root Extract Causing Relaxation of Aortic Rings in Rats

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bae Huey Tee ◽  
See Ziau Hoe ◽  
Swee Hung Cheah ◽  
Sau Kuen Lam
Keyword(s):  
Erectile Function ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Root Extract ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Angiotensin I ◽  
Eurycoma Longifolia ◽  
Vasodilatory Effect

AlthoughEurycoma longifoliahas been studied for erectile function, the blood pressure- (BP-) lowering effect has yet to be verified. Hence, this study aims at investigating the BP-lowering properties of the plant with a view to develop an antihypertensive agent that could also preserve erectile function. Ethanolic root extract was partitioned by hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, butanol, and water. The DCM fraction, found to be potent in relaxing phenylephrine- (PE-) precontracted rat aortic rings, was further purified by column chromatography. Subfraction DCM-II, being the most active in relaxing aortae, was studied for effects on the renin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems in aortic rings. The effect of DCM-II on angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was also evaluatedin vitro. Results showed that DCM-II reduced (p<0.05) the contractions evoked by angiotensin I and angiotensin II (Ang II). In PE-precontracted rings treated with DCM-II, the Ang II-induced contraction was attenuated (p<0.05) while bradykinin- (BK-) induced relaxation enhanced (p<0.001).In vitro, DCM-II inhibited (p<0.001) the activity of ACE. These data demonstrate that the vasodilatory effect of DCM-II appears to be mediatedviainhibition of Ang II type 1 receptor and ACE as well as enhancement of Ang II type 2 receptor activation and BK activity.

scholarly journals Sestrin 2 Attenuates Rat Hepatic Stellate Cell (HSC) Activation and Liver Fibrosis via an mTOR/AMPK-Dependent Mechanism

2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 2111-2122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Bing Hu ◽  
Xiao-Ting Ye ◽  
Qing-Qing Zhou ◽  
Rong-Quan Fu
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Hepatic Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Stellate Cell ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin

Background/Aims: Sestrin 2 is associated with the pathophysiology of several diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Sestrin 2 in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during liver fibrogenesis. Methods: In this study, Sestrin 2 protein expression was detected in rat HSC-T6 cells challenged with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and in mice treated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), a well-known model of hepatic fibrosis. Next, HSC-T6 cells and fibrotic mice were transfected with lentivirus. The mRNA expression levels of markers of liver fibrosis [alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen 1A1 (Col1A1)] were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Cell death and proliferation were evaluated by the MTT assay, and biochemical markers of liver damage in serum [alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST)] were also measured using a biochemical analyzer. Histopathological examination was used to evaluate the degree of liver fibrosis, and protein expression [phospho-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), AMPK, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and mTOR] was determined by western blotting. Results: We found that Sestrin 2 was elevated in both the HSC-T6 cell and hepatic fibrosis models. In vitro, overexpression of Sestrin 2 attenuated the mRNA levels of α-SMA and Col1A1, suppressed α-SMA protein expression, and modulated HSC-T6 cell proliferation. In vivo, overexpression of Sestrin 2 reduced the ALT and AST levels as well as the α-SMA and Col1A1 protein expression in the CCl4 model of liver fibrosis. Moreover, the degree of liver fibrosis was ameliorated. Interestingly, overexpression of Sestrin 2 increased p-AMPK but decreased p-mTOR protein expression. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that Sestrin 2 may attenuate the activation of HSCs and ameliorate liver fibrosis, most likely via upregulation of AMPK phosphorylation and suppression of the mTOR signaling pathway.

scholarly journals Human lung myofibroblast-derived inducers of alveolar epithelial apoptosis identified as angiotensin peptides

1999 ◽  
Vol 277 (6) ◽  
pp. L1158-L1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongi Wang ◽  
Carlos Ramos ◽  
Iravati Joshi ◽  
Alex Zagariya ◽  
Annie Pardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conditioned Medium ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Fibroblasts ◽  
Normal Fibroblast ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Apoptotic Activity

Earlier work from this laboratory found that fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic human lung [human interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (HIPF)] secrete a soluble inducer(s) of apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in vitro [B. D. Uhal, I. Joshi, A. True, S. Mundle, A. Raza, A. Pardo, and M. Selman. Am. J. Physiol. 269 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 13): L819–L828, 1995]. The cultured human fibroblast strains most active in producing the apoptotic activity contained high numbers of stellate cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin, a myofibroblast marker. The apoptotic activity eluted from gel-filtration columns only in fractions corresponding to proteins. Western blotting of the protein fraction identified immunoreactive angiotensinogen (ANGEN), and two-step RT-PCR revealed expression of ANGEN by HIPF fibroblasts but not by normal human lung fibroblasts. Specific ELISA detected angiotensin II (ANG II) at concentrations sixfold higher in HIPF-conditioned medium than in normal fibroblast-conditioned medium. Pretreatment of the concentrated medium with purified renin plus purified angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) further increased the ELISA-detectable ANG II eightfold. Apoptosis of AECs in response to HIPF-conditioned medium was completely abrogated by the ANG II receptor antagonist saralasin (50 μg/ml) or anti-ANG II antibodies. These results identify the protein inducers of AEC apoptosis produced by HIPF fibroblasts as ANGEN and its derivative ANG II. They also suggest a mechanism for AEC death adjacent to HIPF myofibroblasts [B. D. Uhal,, I. Joshi, C. Ramos, A. Pardo, and M. Selman. Am. J. Physiol. 275 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 19): L1192–L1199, 1998].

Angiotensin II effects on microvascular diameters of in vitro blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephrons

1986 ◽  
Vol 251 (4) ◽  
pp. F610-F618 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Carmines ◽  
T. K. Morrison ◽  
L. G. Navar
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Constant Pressure ◽  
Ang Ii ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Vasoactive Hormones ◽  
Juxtamedullary Nephron ◽  
Single Nephron ◽  
Afferent Arterioles ◽  
Dose Dependent

The purpose of this study was to determine the specific renal microvascular segments that are functionally responsive to angiotensin II (ANG II) and other vasoactive hormones. Experiments were performed on juxtamedullary tissue from captopril-treated rats during perfusion with blood at a constant pressure of 110 mmHg. Epifluorescence videomicroscopy was utilized to measure diameters of arcuate and interlobular arteries (ART), mid- (MA) and late- (LA) afferent arterioles, and efferent arterioles (EA). Norepinephrine (700 nM) significantly decreased, and sodium nitroprusside (380 nM) increased, inside diameters of all segments. Topical application of ANG II (0.01 to 1 nM) induced significant reductions in diameters of all vessel segments: ART, 17.5 +/- 2.0%; MA, 19.6 +/- 2.5%; LA, 13.5 +/- 1.5%; and EA, 16.9 +/- 2.7%. The preglomerular response to ANG II was blocked by saralasin (10 microM) and, in most cases, was dose dependent; however, an initial hypersensitivity to low ANG II doses (30% decrease in diameter) was exhibited by 38% of the preglomerular vessels studied. Under these experimental conditions, single-nephron glomerular filtration rate decreased significantly in response to 0.01 nM ANG II exposure. These observations demonstrate that physiological concentrations of ANG II can elicit receptor-dependent and reversible vasoconstriction of the juxtamedullary nephron microvasculature at both pre- and postglomerular sites.

scholarly journals FAK Inhibition Attenuates Corneal Fibroblast Differentiation In Vitro

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1682
Author(s):  
Vincent Yeung ◽  
Sriniwas Sriram ◽  
Jennifer A. Tran ◽  
Xiaoqing Guo ◽  
Audrey E. K. Hutcheon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Myofibroblast Differentiation ◽  
Corneal Scarring ◽  
Corneal Fibroblast ◽  
Corneal Fibroblasts ◽  
Corneal Wound ◽  
Tgf Β1

Corneal fibrosis (or scarring) occurs in response to ocular trauma or infection, and by reducing corneal transparency, it can lead to visual impairment and blindness. Studies highlight important roles for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and -β3 as modulators in corneal wound healing and fibrosis, leading to increased extracellular matrix (ECM) components and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), a myofibroblast marker. In this study, human corneal fibroblasts (hCF) were cultured as a monolayer culture (2D) or on poly-transwell membranes to generate corneal stromal constructs (3D) that were treated with TGF-β1, TGF-β3, or TGF-β1 + FAK inhibitor (FAKi). Results show that hCF 3D constructs treated with TGF-β1 or TGF-β3 impart distinct effects on genes involved in wound healing and fibrosis—ITGAV, ITGB1, SRC and ACTA2. Notably, in the 3D construct model, TGF-β1 enhanced αSMA and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) protein expression, whereas TGF-β3 did not. In addition, in both the hCF 2D cell and 3D construct models, we found that TGF-β1 + FAKi attenuated TGF-β1-mediated myofibroblast differentiation, as shown by abrogated αSMA expression. This study concludes that FAK signaling is important for the onset of TGF-β1-mediated myofibroblast differentiation, and FAK inhibition may provide a novel beneficial therapeutic avenue to reduce corneal scarring.

scholarly journals A translational cellular model for the study of peritubular cells of the testis

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 160 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Schmid ◽  
Annika Missel ◽  
Stoyan Petkov ◽  
Jan B Stöckl ◽  
Florian Flenkenthaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Replicative Senescence ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Proteome Analysis ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Cellular Model ◽  
Mechanistic Studies ◽  
Peritubular Cells

Testicular peritubular cells (TPCs) are smooth muscle-like cells, which form a compartment surrounding the seminiferous tubules. Previous studies employing isolated human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs) indicated that their roles in the testis go beyond sperm transport and include paracrine and immunological contributions. Peritubular cells from a non-human primate (MKTPCs), the common marmoset monkey, Callithrix jacchus, share a high degree of homology with HTPCs. However, like their human counterparts these cells age in vitro and replicative senescence limits in-depth functional or mechanistic studies. Therefore, a stable cellular model was established. MKTPCs of a young adult animal were immortalized by piggyBac transposition of human telomerase (hTERT), that is, without the expression of viral oncogenes. Immortalized MKTPCs (iMKTPCs) grew without discernable changes for more than 50 passages. An initial characterization revealed typical genes expressed by peritubular cells (androgen receptor (AR), smooth-muscle actin (ACTA2), calponin (CNN1)). A proteome analysis of the primary MKTPCs and the derived immortalized cell line confirmed that the cells almost completely retained their phenotype. To test whether they respond in a similar way as HTPCs, iMKTPCs were challenged with forskolin (FSK) and ATP. As HTPCs, they showed increased expression level of the StAR protein (StAR) after FSK stimulation, indicating steroidogenic capacity. ATP increased the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (e.g. IL1B; CCL7), as it is the case in HTPCs. Finally, we confirmed that iMKTPCs can efficiently be transfected. Therefore, they represent a highly relevant translational model, which allows mechanistic studies for further exploration of the roles of testicular peritubular cells.

scholarly journals Hierarchical Coculture of Hepatocyte and Hepatic Non-Parenchymal Cells for Liver Fibrosis Studies in vitro

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiao You Lau ◽  
Fuad Gandhi Torizal ◽  
Marie Shinohara ◽  
Yasuyuki Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Oxygen Tension ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell ◽  
Type I ◽  
Parenchymal Cells

During chronic liver injury, inflammation leads to the development of liver fibrosis&mdash; particularly due to the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). However, the involvement of inflammatory cytokines in HSC activation is unclear. Many existing in vitro liver models do not include these non-parenchymal cells (NPCs), and hence, do not represent the physiological relevance found in vivo. Herein, we demonstrated the hierarchical coculture of primary rat hepatocytes with NPCs such as the human-derived HSC line (LX-2) and the human-derived liver sinusoidal endothelial cell line (TMNK-1). The coculture tissue had higher albumin production and hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 activity compared to the monoculture. We then further studied the effects of stimulation by both oxygen tension and key pro-fibrogenic cytokines, such as the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-&beta;), on HSC activation. Gene expression analysis revealed that lower oxygen tension and TGF-&beta;1 stimulation enhanced collagen type I, III, and IV, alpha-smooth muscle actin, platelet-derived growth factor, and matrix metallopeptidase expression from LX-2 cells in the hierarchical coculture after fibrogenesis induction. This hierarchical in vitro cocultured liver tissue could, therefore, provide an improved platform as a disease model for elucidating the interactions of various liver cell types and biochemical signals in liver fibrosis studies.

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