The effect of endothelin on noradrenergic transmission in rat and guinea-pig atria

Endothelin-1, endothelin receptor antagonists, and vein graft occlusion in coronary artery bypass surgery: 20 years on and still no journey from bench to bedside

The saphenous vein is the most commonly used bypass graft in patients with coronary artery disease. During routine coronary artery bypass, grafting the vascular damage inflicted on the vein is likely to stimulate the release of endothelin-1, a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor that also possesses cell proliferation and inflammatory properties, conditions associated with vein graft failure. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, endothelin receptor antagonists reduce neointimal thickening. The mechanisms underlying these observations are multifactorial and include an effect on cell proliferation and cell/tissue damage. Much of the data supporting the beneficial action of endothelin-1 receptor antagonism at reducing intimal thickening and occlusion in experimental vein grafts were published over 20 years ago. The theme of the recent ET-16 conference in Kobe was "Visiting Old and Learning New". This short review article provides an overview of studies showing the potential of endothelin receptor antagonists to offer an adjuvant therapeutic approach for reducing saphenous vein graft failure and poses the question why this important area of research has not been translated from bench to bedside given the potential benefit for coronary artery bypass patients.

Activation of neuronal endothelin B receptors mediates pressor response through alpha-1 adrenergic receptors

Abnormalities in activity of the endothelin (ET) system have been widely reported in a number of cardiovascular disease states such as hypertension and heart failure. Although the vascular responses to ET are well established, the interaction between ET and other important modulators of blood pressure, such as the sympathetic nervous system, are less understood. Previous reports implicate ET signaling through ET type B (ET_B) receptors in increasing neuronal activity. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of ET_B receptors on sympathetic nerves would increase blood pressure through an adrenergic‐mediated mechanism. Thus, we used anesthetized ET_B‐deficient rats, which only express functional ET_B receptors on adrenergic neurons, and genetic controls, which express functional ET_B receptors in vascular tissue and kidney epithelium. We determined the pressor response to the selective ET_B receptor agonist sarafotoxin c (S6c). Separate groups of rats were treated with the α₁‐adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin or the β‐adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol to elucidate the role of adrenergic signaling in mediating the blood pressure response. We observed a dose‐dependent pressor response to S6c in ET_B‐deficient rats that was reversed by prazosin treatment and augmented by propranolol. In genetic control rats, the effects of S6c on sympathetic neurons were mostly masked by the direct activity of ET_B receptor activation on the vasculature. Heart rate was mostly unaffected by S6c across all groups and treatments. These results suggest that ET_B activation on sympathetic neurons causes an increase in blood pressure mediated through α₁‐adrenergic receptor signaling.

Signal transduction and Ca2+ signaling in contractile regulation induced by crosstalk between endothelin-1 and norepinephrine in dog ventricular myocardium

In certain cardiovascular disorders, such as congestive heart failure and ischemic heart disease, several endogenous regulators, including norepinephrine (NE) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), are released from various types of cell. Because plasma levels of these regulators are elevated, it seems likely that cardiac contraction might be regulated by crosstalk among these endogenous regulators. We studied the regulation of cardiac contractile function by crosstalk between ET-1 and NE and its relationship to Ca2+ signaling in canine ventricular myocardium. ET-1 alone did not affect the contractile function. However, in the presence of NE at subthreshold concentrations (0.1 to 1 nmol/L), ET-1 had a positive inotropic effect (PIE). In the presence of NE at higher concentrations (100 to 1000 nmol/L), ET-1 had a negative inotropic effect. ET-1 had a biphasic inotropic effect in the presence of NE at an intermediate concentration (10 nmol/L). The PIE of ET-1 was associated with an increase in myofilament sensitivity to Ca2+ ions and a small increase in Ca2+ transients, which required the simultaneous activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and PKC. ET-1 elicited translocation of PKCepsilon from cytosolic to membranous fraction, which was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X. Whereas the Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor Hoe 642 suppressed partially the PIE of ET-1, detectable alteration of pHi did not occur during application of ET-1 and NE. The negative inotropic effect of ET-1 was associated with a pronounced decrease in Ca2+ transients, which was mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, activation of protein kinase G, and phosphatases. When the inhibitory pathway was suppressed, ET-1 had a PIE even in the absence of NE. Our results indicate that the myocardial contractility is regulated either positively or negatively by crosstalk between ET-1 and NE through different signaling pathways whose activation depends on the concentration of NE in the dog.

Biphasic inotropic response to endothelin-1 in the presence of various concentrations of norepinephrine in dog ventricular myocardium

The present study was undertaken to investigate the interaction between endothelin-1 (ET-1) and norepinephrine (NE) on contractile regulation in dog ventricular myocardium. ET-1 alone did not elicit any inotropic response in isolated dog ventricular trabeculae (37 degrees C, 0.5 Hz). In the presence of NE at a high concentration (10(-7) M), ET-1 (10(-8) M) elicited a long-lasting negative inotropic effect, while in the presence of NE at a moderate concentration (3 x 10(-8) M) it produced a biphasic inotropic effect: a sustained positive inotropic effect subsequent to a short-lasting negative inotropic effect. In the presence of a lower concentration (10(-9) M) that affected scarcely the basal force of contraction, ET-1 produced a pronounced positive inotropic effect in association with negative lusitropic and negative clinotropic effects in a concentration-dependent manner subsequent to a small transient negative inotropic effect. The presented results indicate that not only the extent, but also the quality of the inotropic response to ET-1 is determined by the level of NE in the biophase. The crosstalk of ET-1 with NE may play a crucial role in pathophysiological regulation of cardiac contractility in intact dog ventricular myocardium.

Increase in neurogenic nitric oxide metabolism by endothelin-1 in mesenteric arteries from hypertensive rats

We investigated, in mesenteric arteries from hypertensive rats (SHRs), the possible changes in neurogenic nitric oxide (NO) release produced by endothelin-1 (ET-1), and the mechanisms involved in this process. The contractile response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS; 200 mA, 0.3 ms, 1-16 Hz, for 30 s) in deendotheliumized mesenteric segments was abolished by tetrodotoxin and phentolamine. The NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME, 10 microM) increased the contractions caused by EFS. ET-1 enhanced the contraction induced by EFS, which was unaltered by the subsequent addition of L-NAME. The ETA antagonist-receptor BQ-123 (1 microM) inhibited the effect of ET-1 on EFS response, whereas the ETB antagonist-receptor BQ-788 (3 microM) partially blocked it, and the subsequent addition of L-NAME restored the contractile response in both cases. SOD (25 unit/ml) decreased the response to EFS, and the subsequent addition of L-NAME increased this response. ET-1 did not modify the decrease in EFS response induced by SOD, and the addition of L-NAME increased the response. None of these drugs altered the response to exogenous noradrenaline (NA) or basal tone except SOD, which increased the basal tone, an effect blocked by phentolamine (1 microM). In arteries preincubated with [3H]NA, ET-1 did not modify the tritium efflux evoked by EFS, which was diminished by SOD. ET-1 did not alter basal tritium efflux, whereas SOD significantly increased the efflux. These results suggest that EFS of SHR mesenteric arteries releases neurogenic NO, the metabolism of which is increased in the presence of ET-1 by the generation of superoxide anions.

Endothelin and dopamine release

Endothelins and endothelin receptors are widespread in the brain. There is increasing evidence that endothelins play a role in brain mechanisms associated with behaviour and neuroendocrine regulation as well as cardiovascular control. We review the evidence for an interaction of endothelin with brain dopaminergic mechanisms. Our work has shown that particularly endothelin-1 and ET(B) receptors are present at significant levels in typical brain dopaminergic regions such as the striatum. Moreover, lesion studies showed that ET(B) receptors are present on dopaminergic neuronal terminals in striatum and studies with local administration of endothelins into the ventral striatum showed that activation of these receptors causes dopamine release, as measured both with in vivo voltammetry and behavioural methods. While several previous studies have focussed on the possible role of very high levels of endothelins in ischemic and pathological mechanisms in the brain, possibly mediated by ET(A) receptors, we propose that physiological levels of these peptides play an important role in normal brain function, at least partly by interacting with dopamine release through ET(B) receptors.

Endothelin and post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons

1. The present report documents evidence suggesting that endothelin (ET) is a mediator and modulator of post-ganglionic sympathetic neuronal development. 2. Endothelin is produced by post-ganglionic neurons and by cells adjacent to these neurons. 3. Post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons express functional receptors for ET. 4. Endothelin promotes the survival of cultured post-ganglionic sympathetic neurons and modulates the morphological and biochemical differentiation of these neurons. 5. Endothelin enhances the activity of nerve growth factor and modulates the release of neurotransmitter from post-ganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals.

Negative chronotropic actions of endothelin-1 on rabbit sinoatrial node pacemaker cells

1. The effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on sinoatrial (SA) node preparations of the rabbit heart were studied by means of whole-cell clamp techniques. 2. ET-1 at 1 nM slowed the spontaneous beating activity and rendered half of the cells quiescent. At a higher concentration of 10 nM, the slowing and cessation of spontaneous activity were accompanied by hyperpolarization. 3. In voltage-clamp experiments, ET-1 decreased the basal L-type Ca2+ current (Ica(L)) dose-dependently with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (EC50) of 0.42 nM and maximal inhibitory response (Emax) of 49.5%. The delayed rectifying K+ current (Ik) was also reduced by 33.2 +/- 11.1% at 1 nM. In addition an inwardly rectifying K+ current was activated by ET-1 at higher concentrations (EC50 = 4.8 nM). These ET-1-induced changes in membrane currents were abolished by BQ485 (0.3 microM), a highly selective ETA receptor antagonist. 4. When Ica(L) was inhibited by ET-1 (1 nM), subsequent application of 10 microM ACh showed no additional decrease in Ica(L), suggesting the involvement of cyclic AMP in the effects of ET-1 on Ica(L). In contrast, 1 nM ET-1 further decreased Ica(L) in the presence of 10 microM ACh, suggesting that ET-1 activates some additional mechanism(s) which inhibit Ica(L). The ET-1-induced Ica(L) inhibition was abolished by protein kinase A inhibitory peptide (PKI, 20 microM) or H-89 (5 microM). However, the Ica(L) inhibition was not affected by methylene blue (10 microM), suggesting a minor role for cyclic GMP in the effect of ET-1 under basal conditions. 5. ET-1 failed to inhibit Ica(L) when the pipette contained GDP beta S (200 microM). However, incubation of the 21.5 +/- 9.5%, whereas it abolished the inhibitory effect of ACh on Ica(L). 6. Intracellular perfusion of 8-bromo cyclicAMP (8-Br cyclicAMP, 500 microM) attenuated, but did not abolish the inhibitory effect of ET-1 on Ica(L). This 8-Br cyclicAMP-resistant component (17.5 +/- 14.4%, n = 20) was not affected by combined application of 8-Br cyclicAMP-bromo cyclicGMP (500 microM), ryanodine (1 microM) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA; 50 nM). 7. In summary, ET-1 exerts negative chronotropic effects on the SA node via ETA-receptors. ET-1 inhibits both ICa(L) and Ik, and increases background K+ current. The inhibition of ICa(L) by ET-1 is mainly due to reduction of the cyclicAMP levels via PTX-sensitive G protein, but some other mechanism(s) also seems to be operative.

Endothelin-1 inhibits L-type Ca2+ current enhanced by isoprenaline in rat atrial myocytes

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) was shown to exert direct cardiac effects by complex signaling pathways and to interact with neurotransmitter regulation of cardiac activity. The effect of ET-1 was investigated on the beta-adrenergic stimulation of cardiac L-type Ca2+ current (ICaL) on isolated rat atrial myocytes by using the patch-clamp technique. ET-1 (5 x 10(-8) M) reversed the increase in ICaL induced by isoprenaline (10(-6) M) but had no effect on basal ICaL and on (-) Bay K 8644-increased ICaL (10(-6) M); so ET-1 might exert an effect only when the Ca2+ channels are phosphorylated. The antiadrenergic action of ET-1, blocked by BQ-123 (10(-6) M) and unaffected by IRL 1038 (3.5 x 10(-8) M) should be mediated by ET-A receptors. The inhibitory action of ET-1 was still observed when ICaL was previously increased by forskolin (3 x 10(-6) M), 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP; 200 microM), or cAMP (100 microM) in presence of isobutyl methyl xanthine (IBMX; 10(-6) M), suggesting that the antiadrenergic action of ET-1 on ICaL was exerted independent of the cAMP-dependent phosphorylation pathway. ET-1 is known to be an activator of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, resulting in an increased production of IP3 and diacylglycerol (DAG). A Ca(2+)-dependent inhibition of ICaL consequently to an elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ pool via IP3 might be excluded in the action of ET-1, because of the presence of EGTA in the intrapipette medium. ET-1 reversed the isoprenaline-induced increase in ICaL in the presence of protein kinase C inhibitor [PKC(19-31); 100 microM), making unlikely the involvement of a DAG-dependent activation of PKC. Therefore the antiadrenergic action of ET-1 might also be independent on the phosphoinositide pathway.

Endothelin-1 mediated inhibition of the acetylcholine-activated potassium current from rabbit isolated atrial cardiomyocytes

1. Endothelin-1 is a 21 amino acid peptide with potent inotropic and chronotropic actions in the heart. Relatively little is known about the underlying electrophysiological effects of the peptide. In this study, the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the acetylcholine-activated potassium current (IK(ACh) were investigated in the absence and presence of the receptor-selective antagonists, PD155080 (ETA receptor-selective) and RES-701 (ETB receptor-selective) in rabbit atrial cardiomyocytes. 2. Cells were obtained from New Zealand White rabbits (2.5-3 kg) by enzymatic dissociation with collagenase. Potassium currents were recorded, in the presence of nifedipine (5 microM), by use of the whole cell ruptured patch-clamp technique. Following stabilization, control recordings were made with standard pulse protocols, and drugs were applied by a gravity fed microperfusion system. 3. Endothelin-1 (10 nM) alone did not affect the "steady state' potassium current. Acetylcholine (1 microM) increased (P < 0.05) the potassium current to-1321 +/- 290 pA, from a control value of -955 +/- 191 pA, at a step potential of -100 mV. Acetylcholine also increased the holding current at -40 mV from +80 +/- 9 pA to +242 +/- 38 pA, and this effect was abolished (P < 0.05) in the presence of endothelin-1 (+44 +/- 13 pA). The responses to acetylcholine were attributed to activation of the atrial muscarinic-activated potassium current (IK(ACh)) as they were blocked by atropine (10 microM). Endothelin-1 (10 nM) in the presence of acetylcholine did not affect the "steady state' potassium current (-882 +/- 88 pA compared to a control value of -870 +/- 98 pA, at -100 mV). 4. The ETA receptor-selective antagonist, PD155080 (1 microM), prevented (P < 0.05) the ET-1 induced inhibition of IK(ACh) at all potentials. PD155080, in the presence of endothelin-1 and acetylcholine, increased the inward component of the "steady state' potassium current to -1030 +/- 210 pA from a control value of -804 +/- 224 pA at a step potential of -100 mV. Also the outward component was increased at a potential of -20 mV from +90 +/- 17 pA to +241 +/- 47 pA. 5. Unlike PD155080, the ETB receptor-selective antagonist, RES-701 (1 microM), only prevented (P < 0.05) the inhibitory effect of endothelin-1 on the inward component of the IK(ACh); at -100 mV, RES-701, in the presence of endothelin-1 and acetylcholine, increased the "steady state' potassium current to -913 +/- 137 pA from -733 +/- 116 pA. Furthermore, RES-701, in contrast to PD155080, failed to sustain this inhibitory effect as, in the presence of endothelin-1 and acetylcholine, the "steady state' potassium current returned to a value of -768 +/- 96 pA, at a step potential of -100 mV. 6. In conclusion, endothelin-1 clearly inhibits the effects of acetylcholine on IK(ACh) in rabbit atrial cardiomyocytes. This effect is primarily mediated by an ETA receptor-subtype, but is transiently and partially mediated by a RES-701-sensitive ETB receptor subtype. Inhibition of the IK(ACh) may account for the positive chronotropic properties of endothelin-1.

Endothelin-1 inhibits L-type Ca currents enhanced by isoproterenol in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes

To investigate the action of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on L-type Ca currents (ICa,L) in guinea-pig ventricular cells, whole-cell currents were recorded at approximately 36-37 degrees C in enzymatically isolated myocytes. ET-1 (> or =10 nM) suppressed the basal ICa,L to 79+/-8% of control at 20 nM. Bath application of isoproterenol (ISO; 10 nM) enhanced ICa,L to 192+/-28% with about a -10-mV shift of its relationship with membrane potential. ET-1 concentration dependently inhibited this ISO-enhanced ICa,L with a half-maximally inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 168 pM. The inhibitory actions of ET-1 were antagonised by BQ-123 (300 nM), cyclo(D-Asp-L-Pro-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Trp), a specific ETA receptor antagonist. Histamine-enhanced ICa,L was also suppressed by ET-1, but ICa, L potentiated by internal adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was unaffected. Preincubation of myocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX, at 5 microgram/ml for >60 min at 36 degrees C) completely occluded the ET-1 action. Thus, stimulation of ETA receptors by subnanomolar ET-1 inhibits ICa,L via PTX-sensitive G-proteins.

Endothelin-1 inhibition of the ATP-sensitive K+ channel in guinea-pig ventricular cardiomyocytes

1. Effects of endothelin-1 on the ATP-sensitive K+ channel were examined in guinea-pig ventricular cardiomyocytes. 2. The ATP-sensitive K+ channel was activated outwardly with amplitude of about 2.2 pA at 0 mV. The conductance was 31 pS at 5.4 mM external K+ solution. The open probability was inhibited, and was completely blocked at 1 nM of endothelin-1. 3. In contrast, endothelin-3 (1 nM) did not cause any effects on the channels. 4. Endothelin-1 (10 nM) significantly prolonged the action potential duration. These responses were reversible. 5. These results suggest that endothelin-1 may reverse the physiological responses to the stimulation of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, indicating its regulatory mechanisms under the disease conditions.

Endothelin-1 and the regulation of vascular tone

1. In 1988, Yanagisawa et al. reported the presence of a potent peptide from the supernatant of porcine endothelial cells. This was later named endothelin-1 (ET-1) and was found to belong to a new family of vasoconstrictor peptides. There are at least three isoforms of endothelin: ET-1, endothelin-2 and endothelin-3. 2. ET-1 is produced from a larger precursor molecule by endothelin converting enzyme (ECE); there may be a number of ECE but the most physiologically relevant appears to be a membrane-bound neutral metalloprotease. The endothelin precursor is produced on demand and is regulated at the mRNA level. 3. Two subtypes of mammalian endothelin receptors have been cloned and sequenced: ETA receptors which mediate vasoconstriction and ETB receptors which mediate both vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. However, functional studies have indicated that other subtypes of endothelin receptors may exist. 4. ET-1 has a wide range of biological actions apart from its direct effects on vascular tone, including constriction of non-vascular smooth muscle, cardiac effects, mitogenesis and stimulation of the release of hormones such as atrial natriuretic peptide and prostacyclin. At low concentrations which have no direct vasoconstrictor action, ET-1 potentiates the effect of other vasoconstrictor agonists. 5. The precise role of ET-1 in health and disease is not well defined at present; however, there are indications that it may have a role in the pathogenesis of some cardiovascular disease states, including subarachnoid haemorrhage, renal ischaemia and certain types of hypertension.

Evidence for atypical endothelin receptors and for presence of endothelin-converting enzyme activity in the mouse isolated vas deferens

The endothelin receptors controlling sympathetic neurotransmission and the presence of endothelin-converting enzyme were investigated in the mouse vas deferens. Endothelin-1 or endothelin-3 (0.01-100 nM) enhanced contractions evoked by field stimulation, yielding EC50 (geometric mean and 95% confidence limits) of 0.7 nM (0.4-1.6) and 13.7 nM (10.2-14.1) and Emax (mean +/- S.E.M. increase in twitch tension, in mg/10 mg wet tissue) of 473 +/- 35 and 520 +/- 51, respectively. The selective endothelin ETB receptor agonists IRL 1620 (Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]endothelin-1) and sarafotoxin S6c were inactive up to 100 nM. Responses to endothelin-3 were progressively inhibited by the selective endothelin ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (cyclo[D-Trp-D-Asp-Pro-D-Val-Leu]) (10, 30 and 100 nM). At 100 nM, BQ-123 almost abolished the response to endothelin-3 (100 nM). In contrast, at 100, 300 nM and 1 microM, BQ-123 shifted the curve to endothelin-1 to the right only 2-, 5- and 6-fold, respectively. The selective endothelin ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl-L-gamma-methyl-leucyl-D-1-++ +methoxycarbonyltryptophanyl-D-norleucine) (100 nM) did not modify responses to endothelin-1 or endothelin-3 (0.01-100 nM). Big-endothelin-1 (0.3-30 nM) was 10-fold less potent than endothelin-1 in increasing neurogenic responses (EC50 6.8 nM, 4.7-9.6; Emax 457 +/- 37 mg/10 mg wet tissue). Preincubation with phosphoramidon (100 microM) reduced responses to big-endothelin-1, but not endothelin-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Negative chronotropic effect of endothelin 1 mediated through ETA receptors in guinea pig atria

Endothelins exert potent excitatory cardiac effects by acting on specific receptors on myocytes. In this study, we have examined the signal transduction mechanism for the chronotropic effect of endothelins in guinea pig atria. A competition binding of [125I]endothelin 1 ([125I]ET-1) using the recently developed ETA receptor-selective antagonist BQ123 showed the presence of almost equal populations of ETA (44%) and ETB (56%) receptors in the guinea pig right atria. In a concentration-response study, endothelin 3 (ET-3), an agonist with higher affinity to ETB receptors than to ETA receptors, and sarafotoxin S6c (STXS6c), an ETB receptor-selective agonist, increased the rate of spontaneous beating at all concentrations tested (10 pmol/L to 100 nmol/L). In contrast, ET-1, a nonselective agonist, increased the heart rate at lower concentrations (10 pmol/L to 10 nmol/L) but decreased it at higher concentrations (30 to 100 nmol/L). When ET-1 (100 nmol/L) was applied in a single amount, heart rate was strongly increased; however, this increase was followed by a rapid decline in the response. ET-1 (100 nmol/L) but not ET-3 or STXS6c significantly reduced the heart rate when it was raised by isoproterenol (ISO, 300 nmol/L) either in the absence or presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Correspondingly, ET-1 significantly reduced the ISO-induced elevation of cAMP accumulation (19.1 +/- 1.7 pmol/mg protein [n = 8] and 12.6 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg protein [n = 7] in the absence and presence of ET-1, respectively; P < .01), which was also observed even in the presence of IBMX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in the responsiveness to endothelin-1 in isolated atria from diabetic rats

This study investigates the influence of diabetes on the cardiac responsiveness to endothelin-1. The effects of endothelin-1 on rate and force of contraction were examined in isolated right and left atria, respectively, obtained from either streptozotocin (65 mg/kg)-treated rats (diabetic) or vehicle (0.02 M citric acid)-treated rats (control). The positive chronotropic and inotropic effects of endothelin-1 did not change in atria from diabetic rats at 2 and 4 weeks, but were reduced at 8 and 12 weeks. The positive chronotropic response to noradrenaline, but not to sympathetic nerve stimulation, was also reduced in 12-week diabetic rats. Endothelin-1 caused a decrease in the positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation and to noradrenaline; these inhibitory effects of endothelin-1 were not altered in 2-, 4-, 8- or 12-week diabetic rats. The study demonstrates that atrial responses to endothelin-1 and to noradrenaline are reduced by streptozotocin-induced diabetes, but the alteration depends on the duration of diabetes.

Inhibition of the cardiac protein kinase A-dependent chloride conductance by endothelin-1

Endothelin-1 is a peptide hormone constitutively secreted by vascular and endocardial endothelial cells. Secretion of endothelin-1 is increased under certain pathophysiological conditions, including coronary vasospasm, cardiac ischaemia and myocardial infarction. We have examined the effect of endothelin-1 on the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent chloride current in voltage-clamped guinea pig ventricular myocytes. This conductance, induced by catecholamines through beta-adrenergic receptors, counteracts the simultaneously increased L-type calcium current by shortening the action potential duration. We report here that endothelin-1, acting through ETA (endothelin-1-selective) receptors, inhibited the current through a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism, analogous to muscarinic receptors, by reducing the intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. This effect of endothelin-1 should help protect the ventricle against potentially arrhythmogenic shortening of the action potential during ischaemia when the circulating levels of catecholamines are increased.

Contraction of smooth muscle by activation of endothelin receptors on autonomic neurons

Endothelin receptors, predominantly of the ETB type, were localized to cell bodies, processes, and varicosities of cholinergic and adrenergic intramural autonomic neurons that were present in primary cultures of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Stimulation of the neuronal ETB receptor produced a tetrodotoxin-sensitive increase in the intracellular calcium concentration in neurons which was followed by contraction of the neighboring smooth muscle cells. These observations suggest that endothelins can induce smooth muscle contraction by means of a neuronally mediated mechanism, in addition to their direct actions on the smooth muscle.

Characterization and localization of endothelin receptor subtypes in the human atrioventricular conducting system and myocardium

The characterization and localization of endothelin A (ETA) and endothelin B (ETB) receptors have been determined in tissue sections of the human atrioventricular conducting system, surrounding regions of atrial and ventricular myocardium, and the left ventricular free wall by use of radioligand binding, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. Selective ETA (BQ123) and ETB (BQ3020) compounds in conjunction with [125I]endothelin-1 revealed the presence of ETA and ETB receptors in the left ventricular free wall (BQ123: 57 +/- 5% ETA, 43 +/- 2% ETB, n = 3; BQ3020: 67 +/- 3% ETA, 33 +/- 3% ETB, n = 3). Autoradiography using [125I]endothelin-1 in the absence or presence of BQ3020, BQ123, or endothelin-1 showed ETA and ETB receptors localized to atrial and ventricular myocardium, the atrioventricular conducting system, and endocardial cells. There was a higher proportion of ETB receptors in the atrioventricular node and the penetrating and branching bundles of His than in the surrounding interventricular and interatrial septa (p < 0.0001). There was a lower density of ETB receptors in the interventricular septum compared with the interatrial septum and the atrioventricular conducting system (p = 0.009) and a lower density of ETA receptors in the atrioventricular conducting system compared with interatrial and interventricular septa (p = 0.008). Isolated right atrial myocytes showed a higher proportion of ETA receptors (91 +/- 12%, n = 3). Amplification of left ventricular free wall cDNA by polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of ETA and ETB receptor mRNA. mRNA for both subtypes was detected in isolated atrial myocytes. In situ hybridization showed ETA and ETB receptor mRNA localization to atrial and ventricular myocardium, the atrioventricular conducting system, and endocardial cells. These studies demonstrate the presence of ETA and ETB receptors in human myocardium and the atrioventricular conducting system.

The structure and specificity of endothelin receptors: their importance in physiology and medicine

In addition to involvement in vascular endothelium-smooth muscle communication, the secretion of and receptors for, endothelins are widely distributed. Two cloned receptor subtypes are G-protein-coupled to several intracellular messengers, predominantly inositol phosphates. From a knowledge of structure-activity relationships and peptide conformations, details of receptor architecture and selective agents, including nonpeptides and antagonists, have been discovered. From the nature of the actions of endothelins, receptor distributions (including CNS) and plasma levels, it is concluded that they are paracrine factors normally involved in long-term cellular regulation, but which may be important in several pathologies, many of which are stress-related.

Comparison of the vasoconstrictor responses induced by endothelin and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate in bovine cerebral arteries

The vascular effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were compared with those elicited by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), an activator of the protein kinase C (PKC), to analyze the involvement of this enzyme on ET-1 responses. PDB and ET-1 caused slow-developing contractions (sustained and transient, respectively), which were reduced by the PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (1 and 10 nM). Only the contractile effects evoked by ET-1 were reduced in Ca-free medium and by the Ca channel antagonist, nifedipine (1 microM), and increased by the Ca channel agonist, BAY K 8644 (10 nM). PDB (10 and 30 nM) preincubation reduced the vasoconstriction elicited by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 0.01, 0.1 and 1 microM) in a way dependent on phorbol concentration and preincubation time, whereas ET-1 (1 nM) increased the contractile response to 5-HT (0.1 microM). Furthermore, PDB (0.1 microM) also reduced the responses elicited by ET-1 (30 microM) and vice versa. ET-1 (0.1 microM) induced transient translocation of PKC activity from the cytosol to the membrane, which was less than that produced by PDB (0.1 microM). Electrical stimulation induced [3H]noradrenaline (NA) release, which was increased by PDB (10 and 100 nM) and not affected by ET-1 (10 nM). These results indicate: (1) the responses induced by PDB and ET-1 were independent and dependent on extracellular Ca, respectively; (2) PKC is involved in NA release and 5-HT responses, but mainly in desensitization of these responses, and (3) PKC is activated by ET-1 and is implicated in vascular actions of ET-1, but other mechanisms, such as the activation of ET-1 receptors and opening of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca channels also appear to be involved.

Characterization of two new ETB selective radioligands, [125I]-BQ3020 and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 in human heart

Two new endothelin receptor radioligands, [125I]-BQ3020 and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1, were characterized in tissue sections of human right atrium and left ventricle. Both radioligands had high affinity ([125I]-BQ3020 right atrium: KD = 0.145 +/- 0.037 nM, left ventricle: KD = 0.107 +/- 0.004 nM; [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 right atrium: KD = 0.239 +/- 0.036 nM, left ventricle: KD = 0.199 +/- 0.027 nM). Competition binding experiments were performed in the left ventricle. The selective ETA receptor compound BQ123 competed with low affinity against [125I]-BQ3020 (KD = 28.7 +/- 2.7 microM) and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 (KD = 28.5 +/- 4.2 microM). The selective ETB receptor compound BQ3020 competed with high affinity against [125I]-BQ3020 (KD = 40.8 +/- 6.6 pM) and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 (KD = 0.276 +/- 0.099 nM). Another selective ETB receptor compound, [Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 also competed with high affinity against [125I]-BQ3020 (KD = 0.663 +/- 0.120 nM) and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 (KD = 0.643 +/- 0.124 nM). These results indicate that [125I]-BQ3020 and [125I]-[Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 are selective ETB receptor radioligands. [Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 competed with the non-selective radioligand [125I]-ET-1 in left ventricle and revealed the presence of ETA and ETB receptors in the proportions of 76:24% respectively in the human left ventricle.

Interactions between endothelin-1 and other chronotropic agents in rat isolated atria

In isolated spontaneously beating right and left atria and in electrically driven left atrium from rat, endothelin-1 increased the rate and force of contraction, but significantly decreased the positive chronotropic and inotropic responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation. The decrease may be partly dependent on the positive cronotropic and inotropic effects of endothelin-1, since other agents with chronotropic activity (noradrenaline, isoprenaline, serotonin and Bay k 8644) also decreased stimulation-induced chronotropic responses. Endothelin-1 caused a significant rightward shift of the linear portion of the log concentration-response curve for the chronotropic actions of noradrenaline and isoprenaline. The changes in the log concentration-response curve were not a consequence of the direct chronotropic effect of endothelin-1, since they were still evident when the chronotropic action of endothelin-1 was offset by carbachol. Furthermore, the chronotropic agent, Bay k 8644, did not shift the linear portion of the log concentration-response curves for noradrenaline and isoprenaline. The mechanism of the effects of endothelin-1 in rat atria is not known, but they were not changed by blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors or of L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels.

Vascular activities of the endothelins

The endothelins are a family of novel 21 amino-acid peptides and are the most potent vasoconstrictor substances yet discovered. The endothelins not only produce prolonged pressor responses in intact animals but they also constrict large and small arterial and venous vessels studied as isolated vascular preparations, influence autonomic transmission, exert positive inotropic effects on the heart and have been shown to be capable of releasing EDRF, prostanoids and atrial natriuretic factor. Release of endothelins occurs after de novo synthesis which may be stimulated by various agonists, fluid-flow and possibly hypoxia. The endothelins have been implicated in the pathophysiology of a variety of cardiovascular disorders but their precise role remains to be elucidated.

Endothelium-derived contractile factors

1. Vascular endothelium releases different substances (endothelium-derived contractile factors, EDCFs), which mediate vasoconstrictor responses induced by several agents. 2. Clear differences have been reported in endothelium-dependent contractions, which suggest at least three distinct EDCFs, named EDCF1, EDCF2 and EDCF3, respectively. 3. EDCF1 is a cyclooxygenase metabolite(s) of arachidonic acid. EDCF2 is a polypeptide released from cultured endothelial cells. It has been isolated and identified as a 21-amino acid peptide called endothelin, which is described as the most potent vasoconstrictor agent known to date. EDCF3 is an unidentified contractile factor(s), which is neither EDCF1 nor EDCF2. 4. The physiological role of these endothelial contractile factors is not yet clear. However, they have been implicated in the local mechanisms involved in blood flow regulation, as well as in some pathological conditions, such as hypertension or cerebral vasospasm.

Effects of endothelins on nerve-mediated contractions of the mouse vas deferens

The effects of 3 endothelins (ETs) on sympathetic nerve-mediated responses were investigated in the mouse isolated vas deferens. ET-1, ET-2 and, to a lesser extent, ET-3 (0.3-30 nM) caused marked and sustained potentiation of responses to field stimulation at 0.1 Hz, but had little effects, if any, on baseline tension. Incubation with nicardipine (30 nM) strongly inhibited the development of twitch potentiation by the ETs. Twitches potentiated beforehand by ET-1 (10 nM) displayed marked resistance to inhibition by nicardipine, so that 10 microM of nicardipine only reversed part of the effect of ET-1. ET-1 also enhanced both components of the response to high frequency field stimulation (2 to 16 Hz) and contractions induced by submaximal concentrations of noradrenaline, ATP or KCl. All effects of ET-1 were mimicked by Bay K 8644, an activator of L-type Ca++ channels. It is concluded that ETs increase the efficacy of sympathetic neurotransmission in the mouse vas deferens by, at least in part, a postjunctional mechanism which involves activation of L-type Ca++ channels.