scholarly journals New Horizons: Does Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation by Cortisol Cause ATP Release and COVID-19 Complications?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Blood Group ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
P2x3 Receptors ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Serious Disease ◽  
Angiopoietin 2

Abstract This paper attempts to explain how the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus causes the complications that make coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a serious disease in specific patient subgroups. It suggests that cortisol-associated activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in epithelial and endothelial cells infected with the virus stimulates the release of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), which then acts back on purinergic receptors. In the lung this could produce the nonproductive cough via purinergic P2X3 receptors on vagal afferent nerves. In endothelial cells it could stimulate exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) that contain angiopoietin-2, which is important in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by increasing capillary permeability and von Willebrand factor (VWF), which mediates platelet adhesion to the endothelium and hence clotting. Angiopoietin-2 and VWF levels both are markedly elevated in COVID-19–associated ARDS. This paper offers an explanation for the sex differences in SARS-CoV-2 complications and also for why these are strongly associated with age, race, diabetes, and body mass index. It also explains why individuals with blood group A have a higher risk of severe infection than those with blood group O. Dexamethasone has been shown to be of benefit in coronavirus ARDS patients and has been thought to act as an anti-inflammatory drug. This paper suggests that a major part of its effect may be due to suppression of cortisol secretion. There is an urgent need to trial the combination of dexamethasone and an MR antagonist such as spironolactone to more effectively block the MR and hence the exocytosis of WPBs.

Thrombin-induced ATP release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells

2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (6) ◽  
pp. C915-C923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Gödecke ◽  
Claudia Roderigo ◽  
Christine R. Rose ◽  
Bernhard H. Rauch ◽  
Axel Gödecke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Intracellular Calcium ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Atp Release ◽  
State Level ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Human Umbilical Vein ◽  
Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

ATP and its degradation products play an important role as signaling molecules in the vascular system, and endothelial cells are considered to be an important source of nucleotide release. To investigate the mechanism and physiological significance of endothelial ATP release, we compared different pharmacological stimuli for their ability to evoke ATP release from first passage cultivated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Agonists known to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels (A23187, histamine, thrombin) induced a stable, non-lytic ATP release. Since thrombin proved to be the most robust and reproducible stimulus, the molecular mechanism of thrombin-mediated ATP release from HUVECs was further investigated. ATP rapidly increased with thrombin (1 U/ml) and reached a steady-state level after 4 min. Loading the cells with BAPTA-AM to capture intracellular calcium suppressed ATP release. The thrombin-specific, protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1)-specific agonist peptide TFLLRN (10 μM) fully mimicked thrombin action on ATP release. To identify the nature of the ATP-permeable pathway, we tested various inhibitors of potential ATP channels for their ability to inhibit the thrombin response. Carbenoxolone, an inhibitor of connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels, as well as Gd3+ were highly effective in blocking the thrombin-mediated ATP release. Specifically targeting connexin43 (Cx43) and pannexin1 (Panx1) revealed that reducing Panx1 expression significantly reduced ATP release, while downregulating Cx43 was ineffective. Our study demonstrates that thrombin at physiological concentrations is a potent stimulus of endothelial ATP release involving PAR-1 receptor activation and intracellular calcium mobilization. ATP is released by a carbenoxolone- and Gd3+- sensitive pathway, most likely involving Panx1 channels.

scholarly journals An autoantibody directed against human thrombin anion-binding exosite in a patient with arterial thrombosis: effects on platelets, endothelial cells, and protein C activation

Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 1843-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Arnaud ◽  
M Lafay ◽  
P Gaussem ◽  
V Picard ◽  
M Jandrot-Perrus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Arterial Thrombosis ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Anion Binding ◽  
Thrombin Receptor ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Human Thrombin

Abstract An autoantibody, developed by a patient with severe and recurrent arterial thrombosis, was characterized to be directed against the anion- binding exosite of thrombin, and inhibited all thrombin interactions requiring this secondary binding site without interfering with the catalytic site. The effect of the antibody was studied on thrombin interactions with platelets and endothelial cells from human umbilical veins (HUVEC). The autoantibody specifically and concentration- dependently inhibited alpha-thrombin-induced platelet activation and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis from HUVEC. It had no effect when gamma- thrombin or the thrombin receptor activation peptide SFLLR were the inducers. The effect of the antibody on protein C activation has been studied. The antibody blocked the thrombin-thrombomodulin activation of protein C. The inhibition of the activation was maximal with a low concentration of thrombomodulin. The fact that the autoantibody inhibited concentration-dependent alpha-thrombin-induced platelet and endothelial cell functions emphasizes the crucial role of the anion- binding exosite of thrombin to activate its receptor. In regard to the pathology, the antibody inhibited two vascular processes implicated in thrombin-antithrombotic functions, PGI2 secretion, and protein C activation, which could be implicated in this arterial thrombotic disease.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation by Aldosterone or Corticosterone Induces Hypertension, Myocardial Infarction and Proteinuria

Hypertension ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 723-723
Author(s):  
Qing-Feng Tao ◽  
Diego Martinez vasquez ◽  
Ricardo Rocha ◽  
Gordon H Williams ◽  
Gail K Adler
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Myocardial Necrosis ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats

P165 Aldosterone through its interaction with the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays a critical role in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular injury (CVI). Normally, MR is protected by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) which inactivates glucocorticoids preventing their binding to MR. We hypothesis that if activation of MR by either aldosterone or glucocorticoids induces hypertension and CVI, then the inhibition of 11β-HSD with glycyrrhizin (GA), a natural inhibitor of 11β-HSD, should induce damage similar to that observed with aldosterone. Sprague-Dawley rats were uninephrectomized, and treated for 4 weeks with 1% NaCl (in drinking water) for the control group, 1% NaCl + aldosterone infusion (0.75 μg/h), or 1% NaCl + GA (3.5 g/l in drinking water). After 4 weeks, aldosterone and GA caused significant increases in blood pressure compared to control rats ([mean ± SEM] 211± 9, 205 ± 12, 120 ± 9 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001). Both aldosterone- and GA-treated rats had a significant increase in proteinuria (152.2 ± 8.7 and 107.7 ± 19.5 mg/d, respectively) versus controls (51.2 ± 9.5 mg/d). There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in heart to body weight ratio in the rats treated with aldosterone or GA compared with control (3.92 ± 0.10, 3.98 ± 0.88, and 3.24 ± 0.92 mg/g, respectively). Hearts of GA and aldosterone treated rats showed similar histological changes consisting of biventricular myocardial necrosis and fibrinoid necrosis of small coronary arteries and arterioles. These data suggests that in rodents activation of MR by either aldosterone or corticosterone leads to severe hypertension, vascular injury, proteinuria and myocardial infarction. Thus, 11β-HSD plays an important role in protecting the organism from injury.

Abstract 1746: Insulin Like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) Mediates Vascular Repair By HDL Receptor Activation And Sphingosine Kinase (SK-1)/Sphingosine 1-Phosphate (S1P) Dependent Nitric Oxide (NO) Generation

Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Li Calzi ◽  
Jennifer L Kielczewski ◽  
Evan McFarland ◽  
Kyung Hee Chang ◽  
Aqeela Afzal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Scavenger Receptor ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate ◽  
Active Motor ◽  
Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ◽  
Igfbp 3

Purpose: We demonstrated that IGFBP-3 stimulates hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to differentiate into endothelial cells, form capillaries, and stabilize the vasculature (Chang, et al, PNAS 2007). Local IGFBP- 3 production is increased by hypoxia and facilitates the homing of HSC to areas of injury. In the circulation, IGFBP-3 is bound to HDL. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathways responsible for the robust migratory effects of IGFBP-3. Methods: The effects of IGFBP-3 on NO generation in human vascular precursors (CD 34 + , CD14 − ), human lung microvascular endothelial cells, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were examined using DAF-FM fluorescence. Western analysis was use for detection of eNOS and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), which redistributes to lamellipodia forming an active motor complex that supports motility and is phosphorylated in response to NO. Localization of VASP was performed by immunohistochemistry. SK-1 was assessed following IGFBP-3 stimulation. Results: In CD34 + cells and endothelial cells, IGFBP-3 stimulated eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 (102 ± 1.8%, P = 0.0002) and increased NO generation (275 ± 50%, P = 0.05) by increasing SK-1 and S1P generation. IGFBP-3 was bound and internalized by the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor 1B (SR1B). NO generation following IGFBP-3 exposure was reduced by SK inhibitors or SR-1B blocking antibody pretreatment (35 ± 5%, P < 0.02). IGFBP-3 generated NO increased phosphorylation of VASP at Ser239 and promoted the redistribution of VASP to lamellipodia. Conclusions: IGFBP-3 effects on cell migration are NO dependent and mediated in part by activation of the HDL receptor SR1B suggesting that some of the beneficial effects of HDL are mediated by the association of IGFBP-3.

scholarly journals PKCδ Mediates Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation by Angiotensin II to Modulate Smooth Muscle Cell Function

Endocrinology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 160 (9) ◽  
pp. 2101-2114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Lu ◽  
Ana P Davel ◽  
Adam P McGraw ◽  
Sitara P Rao ◽  
Brenna G Newfell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Mineralocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Serine Phosphorylation ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Responsive Element ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Angiotensin II (AngII) and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) ligand aldosterone both contribute to cardiovascular disorders, including hypertension and adverse vascular remodeling. We previously demonstrated that AngII activates MR-mediated gene transcription in human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), yet the mechanism and the impact on SMC function are unknown. Using an MR-responsive element-driven transcriptional reporter assay, we confirm that AngII induces MR transcriptional activity in vascular SMCs and endothelial cells, but not in Cos1 or human embryonic kidney-293 cells. AngII activation of MR was blocked by the MR antagonist spironolactone or eplerenone and the protein kinase C-δ (PKCδ) inhibitor rottlerin, implicating both in the mechanism. Similarly, small interfering RNA knockdown of PKCδ in SMCs prevented AngII-mediated MR activation, whereas knocking down of MR blocked both aldosterone- and AngII-induced MR function. Coimmunoprecipitation studies reveal that endogenous MR and PKCδ form a complex in SMCs that is enhanced by AngII treatment in association with increased serine phosphorylation of the MR N terminus. AngII increased mRNA expression of the SMC-MR target gene, FKBP51, via an MR-responsive element in intron 5 of the FKBP51 gene. The impact of AngII on FKBP51 reporter activity and gene expression in SMCs was inhibited by spironolactone and rottlerin. Finally, the AngII-induced increase in SMC number was also blocked by the MR antagonist spironolactone and the PKCδ inhibitor rottlerin. These data demonstrate that AngII activates MR transcriptional regulatory activity, target gene regulation, and SMC proliferation in a PKCδ-dependent manner. This new mechanism may contribute to synergy between MR and AngII in driving SMC dysfunction and to the cardiovascular benefits of MR and AngII receptor blockade in humans.

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