RESUMO
The SUR1-TRPM4-AQP4 complex is overexpressed in the initial phase of edema induced after cerebral ischemia, allowing the massive internalization of Na+ and water within the brain micro endothelial cells (BMEC) of the blood-brain barrier. The expression of the Abcc8 gene encoding SUR1 depends on transcriptional factors that are responsive to oxidative stress. Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during cerebral ischemia, we hypothesized that antioxidant compounds might be able to regulate the expression of SUR1. Therefore, the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on SUR1 expression was evaluated in the BMEC cell line HBEC-5i subjected to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) for 2 h followed by different recovery times. Different concentrations of RSV were administered. ROS production was detected with etidine, and protein levels were evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Intracellular Na+ levels and cellular swelling were detected by imaging; cellular metabolic activity and rupture of the cell membrane were detected by MTT and LDH release, respectively; and EMSA assays measured the activity of transcriptional factors. OGD/recovery increased ROS production induced the AKT kinase activity and the activation of SP1 and NFκB. SUR1 protein expression and intracellular Na+ concentration in the HBEC-5i cells increased after a few hours of OGD. These effects correlated with cellular swelling and necrotic cell death, responses that the administration of RSV prevented. Our results indicate that the ROS/AKT/SP1-NFκB pathway is involved in SUR1 expression during OGD/recovery in BMEC of the blood-brain barrier. Thus, RSV prevented cellular edema formation through modulation of SUR1 expression.
Assuntos
Isquemia Encefálica , Oxigênio , Humanos , Resveratrol/farmacologia , Oxigênio/metabolismo , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-akt/metabolismo , Glucose/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Isquemia Encefálica/metabolismo , Infarto Cerebral/metabolismo , EdemaRESUMO
Resting membrane potential is a bioelectric property of all cells. Multiple players govern this property, the ion channels being the most important. Ion channel dysfunction can affect cells' resting membrane potential and could be associated with numerous diseases. Therefore, the drug discovery focus on ion channels has increased yearly. In addition to patch-clamp, cell-based fluorescent assays have shown a rapid and reliable method for searching new ion channel modulators. Here, we used a cell-based membrane potential assay to search for new blockers of the Kv10.1, a potassium channel strongly associated with cancer progression and a promising target in anticancer therapy. We found that fluoxetine and miconazole can inhibit the Kv10.1 channel in the micromolar range. In contrast, BL-1249 potentiates Kv10.1 currents in a dose-dependent manner, becoming the first molecule described as an activator of the channel. These results demonstrate that cell-based membrane potential assay can accelerate the discovery of new Kv10.1 modulators.
RESUMO
Venoms from tarantulas contain low molecular weight vasodilatory compounds whose biological action is conceived as part of the envenomation strategy due to its propagative effects. However, some properties of venom-induced vasodilation do not match those described by such compounds, suggesting that other toxins may cooperate with these ones to produce the observed biological effect. Owing to the distribution and function of voltage-gated ion channels in blood vessels, disulfide-rich peptides isolated from venoms of tarantulas could be conceived into potential vasodilatory compounds. However, only two peptides isolated from spider venoms have been investigated so far. This study describes for the first time a subfraction containing inhibitor cystine knot peptides, PrFr-I, obtained from the venom of the tarantula Poecilotheria regalis. This subfraction induced sustained vasodilation in rat aortic rings independent of vascular endothelium and endothelial ion channels. Furthermore, PrFr-I decreased calcium-induced contraction of rat aortic segments and reduced extracellular calcium influx to chromaffin cells by the blockade of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels. This mechanism was unrelated to the activation of potassium channels from vascular smooth muscle, since vasodilation was not affected in the presence of TEA, and PrFr-I did not modify the conductance of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv10.1. This work proposes a new envenomating function of peptides from venoms of tarantulas, and establishes a new mechanism for venom-induced vasodilation.
RESUMO
ALL is a highly aggressive subtype of leukemia that affects children and adults. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a critical component of the chemotherapeutic strategy against T-ALL. Cases of resistance to GC therapy and recurrent disease require novel strategies to overcome them. The present study analyzed the effects of Dex, one of the main GCs used in ALL treatment, on two T-ALL cell lines: resistant Jurkat and unselected CCRF-CEM, representing a mixture of sensitive and resistant clones. In addition to nuclear targeting, we observed a massive accumulation of Dex in mitochondria. Dex-treated leukemic cells suffered metabolic reprogramming from glycolysis and glutaminolysis towards lipolysis and increased FAO, along with increased membrane polarization and ROS production. Dex provoked mitochondrial fragmentation and induced autophagy/mitophagy. Mitophagy preceded cell death in susceptible populations of CCRF-CEM cells while serving as a pro-survival mechanism in resistant Jurkat. Accordingly, preventing FAO or autophagy greatly increased the Dex cytotoxicity and overcame GC resistance. Dex acted synergistically with mitochondria-targeted drugs, curcumin, and cannabidiol. Collectively, our data suggest that GCs treatment should not be neglected even in apparently GC-resistant clinical cases. Co-administration of drugs targeting mitochondria, FAO, or autophagy can help to overcome GC resistance.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) activates the NaCl cotransporter (NCC). Glucose acts as a positive allosteric modulator of the CaSR. Under physiologic conditions, no glucose is delivered to the DCT, and fructose delivery depends on consumption. We hypothesized that glucose/fructose delivery to the DCT modulates the CaSR in a positive allosteric way, activating the WNK4-SPAK-NCC pathway and thus increasing salt retention. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of glucose/fructose arrival to the distal nephron on the CaSR-WNK4-SPAK-NCC pathway using HEK-293 cells, C57BL/6 and WNK4-knockout mice, ex vivo perfused kidneys, and healthy humans. RESULTS: HEK-293 cells exposed to glucose/fructose increased SPAK phosphorylation in a WNK4- and CaSR-dependent manner. C57BL/6 mice exposed to fructose or a single dose of dapagliflozin to induce transient glycosuria showed increased activity of the WNK4-SPAK-NCC pathway. The calcilytic NPS2143 ameliorated this effect, which was not observed in WNK4-KO mice. C57BL/6 mice treated with fructose or dapagliflozin showed markedly increased natriuresis after thiazide challenge. Ex vivo rat kidney perfused with glucose above the physiologic threshold levels for proximal reabsorption showed increased NCC and SPAK phosphorylation. NPS2143 prevented this effect. In healthy volunteers, cinacalcet administration, fructose intake, or a single dose of dapagliflozin increased SPAK and NCC phosphorylation in urinary extracellular vesicles. CONCLUSIONS: Glycosuria or fructosuria was associated with increased NCC, SPAK, and WNK4 phosphorylation in a CaSR-dependent manner.
Assuntos
Glicosúria , Simportadores de Cloreto de Sódio , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Simportadores de Cloreto de Sódio/metabolismo , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/metabolismo , Receptores de Detecção de Cálcio/metabolismo , Glucose/metabolismo , Células HEK293 , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Fosforilação , Membro 3 da Família 12 de Carreador de Soluto/metabolismo , Túbulos Renais Distais/metabolismo , Camundongos Knockout , Glicosúria/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Ion channels have been proposed as therapeutic targets for different types of malignancies. One of the most studied ion channels in cancer is the voltage-gated potassium channel ether-à-go-go 1 or Kv10.1. Various studies have shown that Kv10.1 expression induces the proliferation of several cancer cell lines and in vivo tumor models, while blocking or silencing inhibits proliferation. Kv10.1 is a promising target for drug discovery modulators that could be used in cancer treatment. This work aimed to screen for new Kv10.1 channel modulators using a thallium influx-based assay. METHODS: Pharmacological effects of small molecules on Kv10.1 channel activity were studied using a thallium-based fluorescent assay and patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings, both performed in HEK293 stably expressing the human Kv10.1 potassium channel. RESULTS: In thallium-sensitive fluorescent assays, we found that the small molecules loperamide and amitriptyline exert a potent inhibition on the activity of the oncogenic potassium channel Kv10.1. These results were confirmed by electrophysiological recordings, which showed that loperamide and amitriptyline decreased the amplitude of Kv10.1 currents in a dose-dependent manner. Both drugs could be promising tools for further studies. CONCLUSIONS: Thallium-sensitive fluorescent assay represents a reliable methodological tool for the primary screening of different molecules with potential activity on Kv10.1 channels or other K+ channels.
Assuntos
Canais de Potássio Éter-A-Go-Go/antagonistas & inibidores , Loperamida/farmacologia , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Potássio/farmacologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Fluorescência , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Loperamida/administração & dosagem , Técnicas de Patch-Clamp , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Potássio/administração & dosagem , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Tálio/metabolismoRESUMO
Sperm capacitation is essential to gain fertilizing capacity. During this process, a series of biochemical and physiological modifications occur that allow sperm to undergo acrosomal exocytosis (AE). At the molecular level, hyperpolarization of the sperm membrane potential (Em) takes place during capacitation. This study shows that human sperm incubated under conditions that do not support capacitation (NC) can become ready for an agonist stimulated AE by pharmacologically inducing Em hyperpolarization with Valinomycin or Amiloride. To investigate how Em hyperpolarization promotes human sperm's ability to undergo AE, live single-cell imaging experiments were performed to simultaneously monitor changes in [Ca2+ ]i and the occurrence of AE. Em hyperpolarization turned [Ca2+ ]i dynamics in NC sperm from spontaneously oscillating into a sustained slow [Ca2+ ]i increase. The addition of progesterone (P4) or K+ to Valinomycin-treated sperm promoted that a significant number of cells displayed a transitory rise in [Ca2+ ]i which then underwent AE. Altogether, our results demonstrate that Em hyperpolarization is necessary and sufficient to prepare human sperm for the AE. Furthermore, this Em change decreased Ca2+ oscillations that block the occurrence of AE, providing strong experimental evidence of the molecular mechanism that drives the acquisition of acrosomal responsiveness.
Assuntos
Reação Acrossômica , Sinalização do Cálcio , Exocitose , Potenciais da Membrana , Capacitação Espermática , Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Nociceptive stimuli attributes are codified in the periphery; at this level, D2-like dopamine (DA) receptor activation decreases the high voltage-gated Ca2+ current predominantly in mechanonociceptive neurons, which explains the presynaptic action mechanism of the antinociception produced by quinpirole when it is intrathecally administered in rats. However, the identity of D2-like DA receptor subtype that mediates this effect remains unknown. To answer this question, we used Fluo-4-based Ca2+ microfluorometry to study the depolarization-elicited [Ca2+]i increase in small non-peptidergic DRG neurons (identified by its binding to the Isolectin B4), and to test the effect of D2-like DA receptor activation by quinpirole in presence of selective antagonists for D2, D3, and D4 DA receptors. The results showed a significantly greater contribution of the D4 DA receptor in the down-modulation of depolarization-elicited [Ca2+]i increase in small non-peptidergic DRG neurons compared to the other receptors. Although the D2 and D3 receptor antagonists also slightly inhibited the effect of quinpirole, their effects were significantly weaker than those of the D4 receptor antagonist. Furthermore, we showed that quinpirole selectively inhibits the CaV2.2 Ca2+ channels. Our results suggest that the activation of the D4 DA receptors is a promising strategy for pain management at the spinal cord level.
Assuntos
Canais de Cálcio Tipo N/efeitos dos fármacos , Agonistas de Dopamina/farmacologia , Neurônios/metabolismo , Quimpirol/farmacologia , Receptores de Dopamina D4/metabolismo , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Canais de Cálcio Tipo N/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Feminino , Gânglios Espinais/metabolismo , Masculino , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos WistarRESUMO
Anticancer properties of non-psychoactive cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) have been demonstrated on tumors of different histogenesis. Different molecular targets for CBD were proposed, including cannabinoid receptors and some plasma membrane ion channels. Here we have shown that cell lines derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T lineage (T-ALL), but not resting healthy T cells, are highly sensitive to CBD treatment. CBD effect does not depend on cannabinoid receptors or plasma membrane Ca2+-permeable channels. Instead, CBD directly targets mitochondria and alters their capacity to handle Ca2+. At lethal concentrations, CBD causes mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, stable mitochondrial transition pore formation and cell death. Our results suggest that CBD is an attractive candidate to be included into chemotherapeutic protocols for T-ALL treatment.
Assuntos
Canabidiol/farmacologia , Canabinoides/farmacologia , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/tratamento farmacológico , Cálcio/metabolismo , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Morte Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Homeostase/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Mitocôndrias/patologia , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/metabolismo , Leucemia-Linfoma Linfoblástico de Células Precursoras/patologia , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Intrathecal (i.t.) administration of quinpirole, a dopamine (DA) D2-like receptor agonist, produces antinociception to mechanonociceptive stimuli but not to thermonociceptive stimuli. To determine a cellular mechanism for the specific antinociceptive effect of D2-like receptor activation on mechanonociception, we evaluated the effect of quinpirole on voltage-gated Ca2+ influx in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the D2 DA receptor distribution in subpopulations of rat nociceptive DRG neurons. Small-diameter DRG neurons were classified into IB4+ (nonpeptidergic) and IB4- (peptidergic). Intracellular [Ca2+] microfluorometry and voltage-clamp experiments showed that quinpirole reduced Ca2+ influx and inhibited the high voltage-activated Ca2+ current (HVA-ICa) in half of IB4+ neurons, leaving Ca2+ entry and HVA-ICa in IB4- neurons nearly unaffected. Pretreatment with ω-conotoxin MVIIA prevented the effect of quinpirole on HVA-ICa from IB4+ neurons, indicating that quinpirole mainly inhibits CaV2.2 channels. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that D2 DA receptor was present mainly in IB4+ small DRG neurons. Finally, in behavioral experiments in rats, the clinically approved D2-like receptor agonist pramipexole produced spinal antinociception in a similar fashion to quinpirole, with a significant effect only in the mechanonociceptive test. Our results explain, at least in part, why D2-like receptor agonists produce antinociception on mechanonociceptors.
Assuntos
Nociceptividade/efeitos dos fármacos , Nociceptividade/fisiologia , Receptores de Dopamina D2/metabolismo , Medula Espinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Medula Espinal/fisiologia , 2,3,4,5-Tetra-Hidro-7,8-Di-Hidroxi-1-Fenil-1H-3-Benzazepina/farmacologia , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Cálcio/fisiologia , Agonistas de Dopamina/farmacologia , Gânglios Espinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Gânglios Espinais/metabolismo , Gânglios Espinais/fisiologia , Masculino , Nociceptores/efeitos dos fármacos , Nociceptores/metabolismo , Nociceptores/fisiologia , Pramipexol/farmacologia , Quimpirol/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Medula Espinal/metabolismoRESUMO
Estrogens demonstrate biological activity in numerous organ systems, including the immune system, and exert their effects through estrogen receptors (ER) of two types: intracellular ERα and ERß that activate transcriptional factors and membrane G protein-coupled ER GPER. The latter is capable to mediate fast activation of cytosolic signaling pathways, influencing transcriptional events in response to estrogens. Tamoxifen (TAM), widely used in chemotherapy of ERα-positive breast cancer, is considered as an ERα antagonist and GPER agonist. TAM was shown to possess "off-target" cytotoxicity, not related to ER in various tumor types. The present work was designed to study biological effects of TAM on the glucocorticoid (GC)-resistant cell line Jurkat, derived from acute lymphoblastic leukemia of T lineage (T-ALL). We have shown that T-ALL cell lines, in contrast to healthy T cells, express only GPER, but not ERα or ERß. TAM compromised mitochondrial function and reduced the viability and proliferation of Jurkat cells. Additionally, TAM induced autophagy in a GPER-dependent manner. Gene expression profiling revealed the up-regulation of autophagy-related gene ATG5. Interestingly, TAM sensitized Jurkat cells to dexamethasone (DEX) treatment, which may be related to its capacity to cause autophagy. We suggest that TAM-based adjuvant therapy may represent a novel strategy in T-ALL patients handling.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos Hormonais/farmacologia , Autofagia/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/genética , Receptor beta de Estrogênio/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Receptores de Estrogênio/genética , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/genética , Tamoxifeno/farmacologia , Autofagia/genética , Proteína 5 Relacionada à Autofagia/agonistas , Proteína 5 Relacionada à Autofagia/genética , Proteína 5 Relacionada à Autofagia/metabolismo , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/citologia , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/imunologia , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Dexametasona/farmacologia , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptor beta de Estrogênio/antagonistas & inibidores , Receptor beta de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Células Jurkat , Ativação Linfocitária/efeitos dos fármacos , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Cultura Primária de Células , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/agonistas , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
The serine protease thrombin activates Protease-Activated Receptors (PARs), a family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by the proteolytic cleavage of their extracellular N-terminal domain. Four members of this family have been identified: PAR1-4. The activation of Protease-Activated Receptor 1(PAR1), the prototype of this receptor family, leads to an increase in intracellular Ca+2 concentration ([Ca+2]i) mediated by Gq11α coupling and phospholipase C (PLC) activation. We have previously shown that the stimulation of PAR1 by thrombin promotes intracellular signaling leading to RPE cell transformation, proliferation, and migration which characterize fibroproliferative eye diseases leading to blindness. Within this context, the elucidation of the mechanisms involved in PAR1 inactivation is of utmost importance. Due to the irreversible nature of PAR1 activation, its inactivation must be efficiently regulated in order to terminate signaling. Using ARPE-19 human RPE cell line, we characterized thrombin-induced [Ca+2]i increase and demonstrated the calcium-dependent activation of µ-calpain mediated by PAR1. Calpains are a family of calcium-activated cysteine proteases involved in multiple cellular processes including the internalization of membrane proteins through clathrin-coated vesicles. We demonstrated that PAR1-induced calpain activation results in the degradation of α-spectrin by calpain, essential for receptor endocytosis, and the consequent decrease in PAR1 membrane expression. Collectively, the present results identify a novel µ-calpain-dependent mechanism for PAR1 inactivation following exposure to thrombin.
RESUMO
A challenge in neuroscience is to integrate the cellular and system levels. For instance, we still do not know how a few dozen neurons organize their activity and relations in a microcircuit or module of histological scale. By using network theory and Ca(2+) imaging with single-neuron resolution we studied the way in which striatal microcircuits of dozens of cells orchestrate their activity. In addition, control and diseased striatal tissues were compared in rats. In the control tissue, functional connectomics revealed small-world, scale-free and hierarchical network properties. These properties were lost during pathological conditions in ways that could be quantitatively analyzed. Decorticated striatal circuits disclosed that corticostriatal interactions depend on privileged connections with a set of highly connected neurons or "hubs". In the 6-OHDA model of Parkinson's disease there was a decrease in hubs number; but the ones that remained were linked to dominant network states. l-DOPA induced dyskinesia provoked a loss in the hierarchical structure of the circuit. All these conditions conferred distinct temporal sequences to circuit activity. Temporal sequences appeared as particular signatures of disease process thus bringing the possibility of a future quantitative pathophysiology at a histological scale.
Assuntos
Antiparkinsonianos/farmacologia , Corpo Estriado/patologia , Discinesia Induzida por Medicamentos/patologia , Rede Nervosa/fisiopatologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Transtornos Parkinsonianos/patologia , Animais , Corpo Estriado/fisiopatologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Discinesia Induzida por Medicamentos/tratamento farmacológico , Rede Nervosa/patologia , Neuroimagem , Neurônios/patologia , Transtornos Parkinsonianos/tratamento farmacológico , Ratos WistarRESUMO
During capacitation, sperm acquire the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction (AR), an essential step in fertilization. Progesterone produced by cumulus cells has been associated with various physiological processes in sperm, including stimulation of AR. An increase in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)]i) is necessary for AR to occur. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal correlation between the changes in [Ca(2+)]i and AR in single mouse spermatozoa in response to progesterone. We found that progesterone stimulates an [Ca(2+)]i increase in five different patterns: gradual increase, oscillatory, late transitory, immediate transitory, and sustained. We also observed that the [Ca(2+)]i increase promoted by progesterone starts at either the flagellum or the head. We validated the use of FM4-64 as an indicator for the occurrence of the AR by simultaneously detecting its fluorescence increase and the loss of EGFP in transgenic EGFPAcr sperm. For the first time, we have simultaneously visualized the rise in [Ca(2+)]i and the process of exocytosis in response to progesterone and found that only a specific transitory increase in [Ca(2+)]i originating in the sperm head promotes the initiation of AR.
Assuntos
Reação Acrossômica/efeitos dos fármacos , Cálcio/metabolismo , Progesterona/farmacologia , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Compostos de Piridínio , Compostos de Amônio Quaternário , Espermatozoides/fisiologiaRESUMO
Adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) secrete more catecholamine (CA) upon stimulation than CCs from normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Unitary CA exocytosis events, both spontaneous and stimulated, were amperometrically recorded from cultured WKY and SHR CCs. Both strains display spontaneous amperometric spikes but SHR CCs produce more spikes and of higher mean amplitude. After a brief stimulation with high K(+) or caffeine which produces voltage-gated Ca(2+) influx or intracellular Ca(2+) release, respectively, more spikes and of greater mean amplitude and unitary charge were recorded in SHR CCs. Consequently, peak cumulative charge was ~2-fold higher in SHR CCs. Ryanodine (10 µM), a specific blocker of the ryanodine receptors reduced depolarization-induced peak cumulative charge by ~10 % in WKY and ~77 % in SHR CCs, suggesting, a larger contribution of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release to CA exocytosis in SHR CCs. Accordingly, Ca(2+) imaging showed larger [Ca(2+)]i signals induced both by depolarization and caffeine in SHR CCs. Distribution amplitude histograms showed that small amperometric spikes (0-50 pA) are more frequent in WKY than in SHR CCs. Conversely, medium (50-190 pA) and large (190-290 pA) spikes are more numerous in SHR than in WKY CCs. This study reveals that the enhanced CA secretion in SHR CCs results from a combination of (1) larger depolarization-induced Ca(2+) transients, due to a greater Ca(2+)-induced intracellular Ca(2+) release, (2) more exocytosis events per time unit, and (3) a greater proportion of medium and large amperometric spikes probably due to a higher mean CA content per granule. Enhanced CA release by excessive amplification by Ca(2+) induced Ca(2+) release and larger granule catecholamine content contributes to the increased CA plasma levels and vasomotor tone in SHRs.
Assuntos
Glândulas Suprarrenais/metabolismo , Sinalização do Cálcio/efeitos dos fármacos , Cálcio/metabolismo , Cálcio/farmacologia , Catecolaminas/metabolismo , Células Cromafins/metabolismo , Glândulas Suprarrenais/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Pressão Sanguínea/efeitos dos fármacos , Cafeína/farmacologia , Células Cultivadas , Células Cromafins/efeitos dos fármacos , Exocitose , Frequência Cardíaca/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Inibidores de Fosfodiesterase/farmacologia , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos SHR , Ratos Endogâmicos WKY , Rianodina/farmacologia , Canal de Liberação de Cálcio do Receptor de Rianodina/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The hormone leptin, by binding to hypothalamic receptors, suppresses food intake and decreases body adiposity. Leptin receptors are also widely expressed in extra-hypothalamic areas such as hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum, where leptin modulates synaptic transmission. Here we show that a defective leptin receptor affects the electrophysiological properties of cerebellar Purkinje neurons (PNs). PNs from (db/db) mice recorded in cerebellar slices display a higher firing rate of spontaneous action potentials than PNs from wild type (WT) mice. Blockade of GABAergic tonic inhibition with bicuculline in WT mice changes the firing pattern from continuous, uninterrupted spiking into bursting firing, but bicuculline does not produce these alterations in db/db neurons, suggesting that they receive a weaker GABAergic inhibitory input. Our results also show that the intrinsic firing properties (auto-rhythmicity) of WT and db/db PNs are different. Tonic firing of PNs, the only efferent output from the cerebellar cortex, is a persistent signal to downstream cerebellar targets. The significance of leptin modulation of PNs spontaneous firing is not known. Also, it is not clear if the increased excitability of cerebellar PNs in db/db mice results from hyperglycemia or from the lack of leptin signaling, since both conditions coexist in the db/db strain.
Assuntos
Potenciais de Ação , Leptina/metabolismo , Neurônios/metabolismo , Células de Purkinje/metabolismo , Receptores de GABA-A/fisiologia , Receptores para Leptina/genética , Transmissão Sináptica , Animais , Bicuculina/química , Cerebelo/fisiologia , Eletrofisiologia/métodos , Antagonistas de Receptores de GABA-A/química , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , Destreza Motora , Periodicidade , Receptores de GABA-A/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores para Leptina/fisiologia , Transdução de Sinais , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca)) recorded from adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) of spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats are similar to one another, but different from those recorded in other rodent species. I(Ca) in WKY/SHR CCs comprises an early, transient (I(Ca(e))) and a late, sustained component (I(Ca(s))). In Wistar CCs, I(Ca(e)) is absent, and I(Ca(s)) is of greater amplitude. Activation and steady-state inactivation of I(Ca(e)) and I(Ca(s)) in WKY/SHR CCs suggest the recruitment of at least two populations of Ca(2+) channels with different voltage dependence and kinetics. In WKY/SHR CCs, I(Ca(e)) is inhibited by nifedipine, enhanced by BAY K 8644, is not blocked by the mibefradil analog NNC 55-0396, and displays Ca(2+)-dependent inactivation and fast deactivation kinetics, suggesting that it results from the opening of L-type rather than T-type Ca(2+) channels. I(Ca(e)) properties suggest that it originates from the opening of Ca(2+) channels formed with the short splice variant (Ca(V)1.3(42A)). RT-PCR showed that expression of Ca(V)1.3(42A) mRNA is similar in both Wistar and WKY/SHR, but that the long variant (Ca(V)1.3(42)) is virtually absent in WKY/SHR. Thus I(Ca(e)) corresponds to the recruitment of Ca(V)1.3(42A) channels, unmasked by the absence of Ca(V)1.3(42) channels. Studies in WKY CCs do not report major functional alterations, despite the unusual expression pattern of Ca(V)1.3 splice variants. It remains to be established if more subtle functional alterations exist, and if the atypical splicing pattern of Ca(V)1.3 could be related to the functional and behavioral alterations reported in WKY/SHR rats, including their susceptibility to develop hypertension.
Assuntos
Canais de Cálcio Tipo L/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Células Cromafins/metabolismo , Éster Metílico do Ácido 3-Piridinacarboxílico, 1,4-Di-Hidro-2,6-Dimetil-5-Nitro-4-(2-(Trifluormetil)fenil)/farmacologia , Animais , Benzimidazóis/farmacologia , Agonistas dos Canais de Cálcio/farmacologia , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Cálcio/farmacologia , Canais de Cálcio Tipo L/genética , Células Cromafins/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciclopropanos/farmacologia , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Masculino , Naftalenos/farmacologia , Nifedipino/farmacologia , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos SHR , Ratos Endogâmicos WKYRESUMO
Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are widely used as model to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of essential hypertension. Catecholamine plasma levels are elevated in SHR, suggesting alterations of the sympathoadrenal axis. The residual hypertension in sympathectomized SHR is reduced after demedullation, suggesting a dysfunction of the adrenal medulla. Intact adrenal glands exposed to acetylcholine or high K+ release more catecholamine in SHR than in normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, and adrenal chromaffin cells (CCs) from SHR secrete more catecholamines than CCs from WKY rats. Since Ca2+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) triggers exocytosis, alterations in the functional properties of these channels might underlie the enhanced catecholamine release in SHR. This study compares the electrophysiological properties of VGCC from CCs in acute adrenal slices from WKY rats and SHR at an early stage of hypertension. No significant differences were found in the macroscopic Ca2+ currents (current density, IV curve, voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, kinetics) between CCs of SHR and WKY rats, suggesting that Ca2+ entry through VGCC is not significantly different between these strains, at least at early stages of hypertension. Ca2+ buffering, sequestration and extrusion mechanisms, as well as Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, must now be evaluated to determine if alterations in their function can explain the enhanced catecholamine secretion reported in CCs from SHR.