Selective killing of fibroblast-like cells in cultures of mouse heart cells by treatment with a Ca ionophore, A23187

ATP triggers a robust intracellular [Ca2+ ]-mediated signalling pathway in human synovial fibroblasts

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? What are the main [Ca²⁺ ]_i signalling pathways activated by ATP in human synovial fibroblasts? What is the main finding and its importance? In human synovial fibroblasts ATP acts through a linked G-protein (G_q ) and phospholipase C signalling mechanism to produce IP₃ , which then markedly enhances release of Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum. These results provide new information for the detection of early pathophysiology of arthritis.

ABSTRACT

In human articular joints, synovial fibroblasts (HSFs) have essential physiological functions that include synthesis and secretion of components of the extracellular matrix and essential articular joint lubricants, as well as release of paracrine substances such as ATP. Although the molecular and cellular processes that lead to a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) phenotype are not fully understood, HSF cells exhibit significant changes during this disease progression. The effects of ATP on HSFs were studied by monitoring changes in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺ ]_i ), and measuring electrophysiological properties. ATP application to HSF cell populations that had been enzymatically released from 2-D cell culture revealed that ATP (10-100 μm), or its analogues UTP or ADP, consistently produced a large transient increase in [Ca²⁺ ]_i . These changes (i) were initiated by activation of the P₂ Y purinergic receptor family, (ii) required G_q -mediated signal transduction, (iii) did not involve a transmembrane Ca²⁺ influx, but instead (iv) arose almost entirely from activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃ ) receptors that triggered Ca²⁺ release from the ER. Corresponding single cell electrophysiological studies revealed that these ATP effects (i) were insensitive to [Ca²⁺ ]_o removal, (ii) involved an IP₃ -mediated intracellular Ca²⁺ release process, and (iii) strongly turned on Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ current(s) that significantly hyperpolarized these cells. Application of histamine produced very similar effects in these HSF cells. Since ATP is a known paracrine agonist and histamine is released early in the inflammatory response, these findings may contribute to identification of early steps/defects in the initiation and progression of RA.

Conditional differentiation of heart- and smooth muscle-derived cells transformed by a temperature-sensitive mutant of SV40 T antigen

To create muscle cell lines that conditionally differentiate in vitro we introduced a temperature-sensitive SV40 T antigen by retroviral infection into rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and neonatal heart-derived cells. After G418 selection cell lines isolated were characterized at permissive (33 degrees C) and non-permissive (39 degrees C) temperatures. [3H]Thymidine uptake showed tht progression through the cell cycle is greatly reduced at 39 degrees C. Cytoskeletal proteins, such as actins and vimentin did not change significantly after temperature shift, while the number of desmin-positive SMCs significantly increased when cells were switched to 39 degrees C. Heart-derived muscle cells showed sarcomeric myosin heavy chain reactivity only when grown at 39 degrees C. After thrombin stimulation intracellular calcium in both cell types increased severalfold in 39 degrees C-cells but not in 33 degrees C-cells. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings of SMCs and heart-derived cells revealed a strong increase in nicardipine-sensitive Ca2+ current when cells were switched to 39 degrees C. Nicardipine-insensitive Ca2+ current also increased in both cell types at the non-permissive temperature. Na+ current in SMCs was large at 33 degrees C and small or not detectable at 39 degrees C and absent in heart-derived cells. Using a cDNA probe specific for the alpha 1 subunit of the dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channel we demonstrate a temperature-sensitive expression of the dihydropyridine receptor mRNA in smooth muscle-derived cells but not in heart-derived H10 cells. Our results suggest that upon downregulation of SV40 T antigen these cells become quiescent and exhibit a more differentiated phenotype. These cell lines may provide a useful tool to investigate ion channel- and receptor signal transduction, as well as cell cycle control in smooth and possibly cardiac muscle cell differentiation.

Interferon-gamma/lipopolysaccharide-treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts are killed by a glycolysis/L-arginine-dependent process accompanied by depression of mitochondrial respiration

Normal mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) are killed by treatment with low doses of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This cytotoxicity has previously been shown to represent an active suicidal reaction. Here we show that the time period between first contact with IFN-gamma/LPS (t = 0 h) and cell death (t = 48 h) can be separated into two distinct periods, during which glycolytic metabolism of glucose either has a positive (8-24 h) or a negative (30-48 h) effect on cytotoxicity. During the first period (8-24 h), withdrawal of glucose from the culture medium, or inclusion in the medium of the glycolytic inhibitors deoxy-D-glucose, NaF or iodoacetate, prevented later cell death. During the second period (30-48 h), withdrawal of glucose or supplementation of the culture medium with glycolytic inhibitors was no longer protective; instead it was a requirement for cell suicide to occur. Glycolytic activity during the first period was found to be increased twofold in LPS-treated MEF and almost threefold in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. A variety of agents were found both to protect cells against IFN-gamma/LPS-induced cytotoxicity and to inhibit increased glycolysis in these cells: glucocorticoids, the serine-type protease inhibitor N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-beta-naphthyl ester, the ADP-ribosylation inhibitors 3-aminobenzamide and nicotinamide, and the transcription and translation inhibitors actinomycin and cycloheximide. Mitochondrial function, although normal in LPS-treated cells, was markedly depressed in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. Specifically, malate- and succinate-driven respiration was found to be impaired. Furthermore, IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF contained one-third of the ATP level of LPS-treated MEF. Withdrawal of L-arginine from the culture medium prevented cell death in IFN-gamma/LPS-treated MEF. N-Methyl-L-arginine, which is an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO.) biosynthesis from L-arginine, also inhibited cell death. In conclusion, we propose that cell death in our experiments is due to an L-arginine/glycolysis-dependent impairment of mitochondrial respiration.

Serum-free, chemically defined medium to evaluate the direct effects of growth factors and inhibitors on proliferation and function of neonatal rat cardiac muscle cells in culture

Neonatal rat cardiac myocytes were isolated and cultured to evaluate the effects of growth factors and inhibitors on proliferation, survival, and functions in a serum-free medium. Insulin and transferrin in MCDB 107 nutrient medium elicited DNA and protein synthesis in cells on a fibronectin-coated culture surface in serum-free medium. Insulin was most effective on both DNA and protein synthesis in serum-free culture conditions. The serum-free, hormone-supplemented medium eliminated the contamination of noncardiac myocytes and supported the long-term survival (over 18 d) of cardiac myocytes. Dexamethasone was required to induce optimal contractility with or without insulin and transferrin. Serum contained both negative and positive effectors of DNA and protein synthesis of the cardiac myocytes. Concentrations of serum (above 5%) inhibited DNA and protein synthesis. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) accounted in part for the inhibitory activity. The serum-free culture system provides a useful model to elucidate the role of hormones, growth factors, and drugs in heart cell regeneration and function.

Norepinephrine-induced enlargement of nucleus in cultured myocardial cells

The change in the nuclear size of neonatal rat myocardial cells was evaluated under the culture conditions of exposure to norepinephrine (NE). Daily administration for 1 week of 0.2, 2, and 20 ng/ml NE induced a significant increase in nuclear size as a result of the dose-dependent quality of the nuclei. NE also stimulated a beating response in the cultured myocardial cells because of this dose dependency. A good correlation was found between the two markers and the NE dose dependency. Single or mononucleated myocardial cells often appeared in the NE-treated groups. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was not acutely stimulated even by 20 ng/ml NE. These observations suggest that administration of NE induces nuclear enlargement and enhances nuclear function through the stimulation of beating. Further, there may not be a direct relation between nuclear enlargement and the polyamine synthesis pathways.

Cultured heart cells from the spontaneously diabetic KK mouse

In order to clarify the mechanism of myocardial changes in KK mice, cultured heart cells from both normal and spontaneously diabetic KK mice were studied by electron microscopy, photoelectric recording, and 45Ca activity. Compared with cultured heart cells from normal mice, those from KK mice showed a decrease in beating frequency and ceased beating more rapidly. The rhythm of the beating cells from KK mice became irregular, while that of the heart cells from normal mice was not changed significantly over a period of 10 days. Electron micrographs of cultured heart cells from KK mice showed an increased number of mitochondria, an intricate arrangement of myofibrils, poorly formed Z bands, and a lipidlike substance. The 45Ca activity of heart cells from KK mice, after incubation for 24 h in a medium containing 45Ca, was increased compared with heart cells from normal mice. Based on these findings, we conclude that ultrastructural alterations exist in cultured heart cells from KK mice and we suggest that an increase of intracellular Ca might play an important role in the pathogenesis.