Reversal of phosphate-induced ORAI1 expression, store-operated Ca2+ entry and osteogenic signaling by MgCl2 in human aortic smooth muscle cells

Placental extracellular vesicles from women with severe preeclampsia alter calcium homeostasis in cardiomyocytes: an ex vivo study

Women with severe preeclampsia (sPE) exhibit a heightened risk of postpartum cardiovascular disease compared with those with normotensive pregnancies (NTP). Although placental extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in feto-maternal communication, their impact on cardiomyocytes, particularly in the context of sPE, remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of sPE-associated placental EVs (sPE-Plex EVs) on cardiomyocyte calcium dynamics. We hypothesized that sPE-Plex EV mediates cardiomyocyte dysfunction by disrupting calcium signaling. EVs were isolated from plasma and placental explant culture (Plex) using precipitation methods and confirmed as Plex EVs by placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) activity and electron microscopy. Moreover, confocal microscopy confirmed the uptake of plasma EVs in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and Plex EVs by human AC-16 cardiomyocyte (hAC-16CM) cells. hiPSC-CM cells treated with sPE-EVs and hAC-16CM cells treated with sPE-Plex EVs exhibited significantly lower levels of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) and phospholamban (PLN) proteins compared with those treated with normotensive controls EVs, as confirmed by Western blot analysis. Treatment with sPE-Plex EVs also resulted in the downregulation of STIM1 and PLN proteins in murine cardiomyocyte (mCM) cells compared with treatment with NTP-Plex EVs. Our findings suggest that both plasma EVs and Plex EVs from sPE may alter calcium signaling in cardiac cells by downregulating calcium sensor proteins (STIM1 and PLN). Therefore, plasma EVs and Plex EVs from sPE pregnancies have adverse effects by altering calcium dynamics in hiPSC-CM, hAC-16CM, and mCM compared with normotensive control and potential impairment of cardiomyocyte function ex vivo.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study unveils a novel link between the placenta and PE-linked heart dysfunction. We isolated and characterized placental EVs from pregnancies with sPE and normotensive controls. These plasma sPE-EVs, and sPE-Plex EVs disrupt calcium signaling in heart cells, potentially via reduced STIM1 and PLN proteins. This suggests both plasma sPE-EVs and sPE-Plex EVs cargo drive these disruptive effects. Identifying these cargo molecules (miRNAs or proteins) holds promise for new PE therapies targeting cardiac dysfunction.

Ca2+-Permeable Channels/Ca2+ Signaling in the Regulation of Ileal Na+/Gln Co-Transport in Mice

Oral glutamine (Gln) has been widely used in gastrointestinal (GI) clinical practice, but it is unclear if Ca²⁺ regulates intestinal Gln transport, although both of them are essential nutrients for mammals. Chambers were used to determine Gln (25 mM)-induced I_sc through Na⁺/Gln co-transporters in the small intestine in the absence or the presence of selective activators or blockers of ion channels and transporters. Luminal but not serosal application of Gln induced marked intestinal I_sc, especially in the distal ileum. Lowering luminal Na⁺ almost abolished the Gln-induced ileal I_sc, in which the calcium-sensitive receptor (CaSR) activation were not involved. Ca²⁺ removal from both luminal and serosal sides of the ileum significantly reduced Gln- I_sc. Blocking either luminal Ca²⁺ entry via the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) or endoplasmic reticulum (ER) release via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor (IP₃R) and ryanodine receptor (RyR) attenuated the Gln-induced ileal I_sc, Likewise, blocking serosal Ca²⁺ entry via the store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE), TRPV1/2 channels, and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCX) attenuated the Gln-induced ileal I_sc. In contrast, activating TRPV1/2 channels enhanced the Gln-induced ileal I_sc. We concluded that Ca²⁺ signaling is critical for intestinal Gln transport, and multiple plasma membrane Ca²⁺-permeable channels and transporters play roles in this process. The Ca²⁺ regulation of ileal Na⁺/Gln transport expands our understanding of intestinal nutrient uptake and may be significant in GI health and disease.

ORAI1 Ca2+ Channel as a Therapeutic Target in Pathological Vascular Remodelling

In the adult, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are normally physiologically quiescent, arranged circumferentially in one or more layers within blood vessel walls. Remodelling of native VSMC to a proliferative state for vascular development, adaptation or repair is driven by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). A key effector downstream of PDGF receptors is store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) mediated through the plasma membrane calcium ion channel, ORAI1, which is activated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium store sensor, stromal interaction molecule-1 (STIM1). This SOCE was shown to play fundamental roles in the pathological remodelling of VSMC. Exciting transgenic lineage-tracing studies have revealed that the contribution of the phenotypically-modulated VSMC in atherosclerotic plaque formation is more significant than previously appreciated, and growing evidence supports the relevance of ORAI1 signalling in this pathologic remodelling. ORAI1 has also emerged as an attractive potential therapeutic target as it is accessible to extracellular compound inhibition. This is further supported by the progression of several ORAI1 inhibitors into clinical trials. Here we discuss the current knowledge of ORAI1-mediated signalling in pathologic vascular remodelling, particularly in the settings of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neointimal hyperplasia, and the recent developments in our understanding of the mechanisms by which ORAI1 coordinates VSMC phenotypic remodelling, through the activation of key transcription factor, nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT). In addition, we discuss advances in therapeutic strategies aimed at the ORAI1 target.

Effect of MgCl2 and GdCl3 on ORAI1 Expression and Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in Megakaryocytes

In chronic kidney disease, hyperphosphatemia upregulates the Ca²⁺ channel ORAI and its activating Ca²⁺ sensor STIM in megakaryocytes and platelets. ORAI1 and STIM1 accomplish store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE) and play a key role in platelet activation. Signaling linking phosphate to upregulation of ORAI1 and STIM1 includes transcription factor NFAT5 and serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1. In vascular smooth muscle cells, the effect of hyperphosphatemia on ORAI1/STIM1 expression and SOCE is suppressed by Mg²⁺ and the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) agonist Gd³⁺. The present study explored whether sustained exposure to Mg²⁺ or Gd³⁺ interferes with the phosphate-induced upregulation of NFAT5, SGK1, ORAI1,2,3, STIM1,2 and SOCE in megakaryocytes. To this end, human megakaryocytic Meg-01 cells were treated with 2 mM ß-glycerophosphate for 24 h in the absence and presence of either 1.5 mM MgCl₂ or 50 µM GdCl₃. Transcript levels were estimated utilizing q-RT-PCR, protein abundance by Western blotting, cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) by Fura-2 fluorescence and SOCE from the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i following re-addition of extracellular Ca²⁺ after store depletion with thapsigargin (1 µM). As a result, Mg²⁺ and Gd³⁺ upregulated CaSR and blunted or virtually abolished the phosphate-induced upregulation of NFAT5, SGK1, ORAI1,2,3, STIM1,2 and SOCE in megakaryocytes. In conclusion, Mg²⁺ and the CaSR agonist Gd³⁺ interfere with phosphate-induced dysregulation of [Ca²⁺]_i in megakaryocytes.

Stimulation of ORAI1 expression, store-operated Ca2+ entry, and osteogenic signaling by high glucose exposure of human aortic smooth muscle cells

Diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) both trigger vascular osteogenic signaling and calcification leading to early death by cardiovascular events. Osteogenic signaling involves upregulation of the transcription factors CBFA1, MSX2, and SOX9, as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme fostering calcification by degrading the calcification inhibitor pyrophosphate. In CKD, osteogenic signaling is triggered by hyperphosphatemia, which upregulates the serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase SGK1, a strong stimulator of the Ca²⁺-channel ORAI1. The channel is activated by STIM1 and accomplishes store-operated Ca²⁺-entry (SOCE). The present study explored whether exposure of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMCs) to high extracellular glucose concentrations similarly upregulates ORAI1 and/or STIM1 expression, SOCE, and osteogenic signaling. To this end, HAoSMCs were exposed to high extracellular glucose concentrations (15 mM, 24 h) without or with additional exposure to the phosphate donor ß-glycerophosphate. Transcript levels were estimated using qRT-PCR, protein abundance using Western blotting, ALP activity using a colorimetric assay kit, calcium deposits utilizing Alizarin red staining, cytosolic Ca²⁺-concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) by Fura-2-fluorescence, and SOCE from increase of [Ca²⁺]_i following re-addition of extracellular Ca²⁺ after store depletion with thapsigargin (1 μM). As a result, glucose enhanced the transcript levels of SGK1 and ORAI1, ORAI2, and STIM2, protein abundance of ORAI1, SOCE, the transcript levels of CBFA1, MSX2, SOX9, and ALPL, as well as calcium deposits. Moreover, glucose significantly augmented the stimulating effect of ß-glycerophosphate on transcript levels of SGK1 and ORAI1, SOCE, the transcript levels of osteogenic markers, as well as calcium deposits. ORAI1 inhibitor MRS1845 (10 μM) significantly blunted the glucose-induced upregulation of the CBFA1 and MSX2 transcript levels. In conclusion, the hyperglycemia of diabetes stimulates expression of SGK1 and ORAI1, thus, augmenting store-operated Ca²⁺-entry and osteogenic signaling in HAoSMCs.