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Carbajal-García A, Reyes-García J, Díaz-Hernández V, Casas-Hernández MF, Flores-Murrieta FJ, Montaño LM. Testosterone Enhances K V Currents and Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation Induced by ATP and UTP through P2Y 4 Receptors and Adenylyl Cyclase Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4652. [PMID: 38731872 PMCID: PMC11083821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies suggest the involvement of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) and similar nucleotides in the pathophysiology of asthma. Androgens, such as testosterone (TES), are proposed to alleviate asthma symptoms in young men. ATP and uridine-5'-triphosphate (UTP) relax the airway smooth muscle (ASM) via purinergic P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptors and K+ channel opening. We previously demonstrated that TES increased the expression of voltage-dependent K+ (KV) channels in ASM. This study investigates how TES may potentiate ASM relaxation induced by ATP and UTP. Tracheal tissues treated with or without TES (control group) from young male guinea pigs were used. In organ baths, tracheas exposed to TES (40 nM for 48 h) showed enhanced ATP- and UTP-evoked relaxation. Tetraethylammonium, a K+ channel blocker, annulled this effect. Patch-clamp experiments in tracheal myocytes showed that TES also increased ATP- and UTP-induced K+ currents, and this effect was abolished with flutamide (an androgen receptor antagonist). KV channels were involved in this phenomenon, which was demonstrated by inhibition with 4-aminopyridine. RB2 (an antagonist of almost all P2Y receptors except for P2Y2), as well as N-ethylmaleimide and SQ 22,536 (inhibitors of G proteins and adenylyl cyclase, respectively), attenuated the enhancement of the K+ currents induced by TES. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry studies revealed that TES did not modify the expression of P2Y4 receptors or COX-1 and COX-2, while we have demonstrated that this androgen augmented the expression of KV1.2 and KV1.5 channels in ASM. Thus, TES leads to the upregulation of P2Y4 signaling and KV channels in guinea pig ASM, enhancing ATP and UTP relaxation responses, which likely limits the severity of bronchospasm in young males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (J.R.-G.); (M.F.C.-H.)
| | - Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (J.R.-G.); (M.F.C.-H.)
| | - Verónica Díaz-Hernández
- Departamento de Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
| | - María F. Casas-Hernández
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (J.R.-G.); (M.F.C.-H.)
| | - Francisco Javier Flores-Murrieta
- Unidad de Investigación en Farmacología, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Luis M. Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (A.C.-G.); (J.R.-G.); (M.F.C.-H.)
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Reyes-García J, Díaz-Hernández V, Carbajal-García A, Casas-Hernández MF, Sommer B, Montaño LM. Theophylline-Induced Relaxation Is Enhanced after Testosterone Treatment via Increased K V1.2 and K V1.5 Protein Expression in Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065884. [PMID: 36982957 PMCID: PMC10059212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Theophylline is a drug commonly used to treat asthma due to its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory properties. Testosterone (TES) has been suggested to reduce the severity of asthma symptoms. This condition affects boys more than girls in childhood, and this ratio reverses at puberty. We reported that guinea pig tracheal tissue chronic exposure to TES increases the expression of β2-adrenoreceptors and enhances salbutamol-induced K+ currents (IK+). Herein, we investigated whether the upregulation of K+ channels can enhance the relaxation response to methylxanthines, including theophylline. Chronic incubation of guinea pig tracheas with TES (40 nM, 48 h) enhanced the relaxation induced by caffeine, isobutylmethylxanthine, and theophylline, an effect that was abolished by tetraethylammonium. In tracheal myocytes, chronic incubation with TES increased theophylline-induced IK+; flutamide reversed this effect. The increase in IK+ was blocked by 4-aminopyridine by ~82%, whereas iberiotoxin reduced IK+ by ~17%. Immunofluorescence studies showed that chronic TES exposure increased the expression of KV1.2 and KV1.5 in airway smooth muscle (ASM). In conclusion, chronic exposure to TES in guinea pig ASM promotes upregulation of KV1.2 and KV1.5 and enhances theophylline relaxation response. Therefore, gender should be considered when prescribing methylxanthines, as teenage boys and males are likely to respond better than females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Verónica Díaz-Hernández
- Departamento de Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - María F Casas-Hernández
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Laboratorio de Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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Da Costa Guevara D, Trejo E. 5-HT 2A, 5-HT 1B/D, 5HT 3 and 5-HT 7 receptors as mediators of serotonin-induced direct contractile response of bovine airway smooth muscle. J Smooth Muscle Res 2022; 57:79-93. [PMID: 34980821 PMCID: PMC8710915 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.57.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) performs a variety of functions in the
body including the modulation of muscle tone in respiratory airways. Several studies
indicate a possible role of 5-HT in the pathophysiology of bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
However, the receptors and the molecular mechanisms by which 5-HT acts on airway smooth
muscle (ASM) continue to be controversial. Most of the evidence suggests the participation
of different subtypes of receptors in an indirect response. This study supports the
proposal that 5-HT directly contracts ASM and characterizes pharmacologically the subtypes
of serotonergic receptors involved. The characterization was carried out by using
selective antagonists in an organ bath model allowing study of the smooth muscle of
segments of bovine trachea. Results: The results obtained show that 5-HT2A
receptors are the main mediators of the direct contractile response of bovine ASM, with
the cooperation of the 5-HT7, 5-HT3 and 5-HT1B/D
receptors. Also, it was observed that the muscle response to serotonin is developed more
slowly and to a lesser extent in comparison with the response to cholinergic stimulation.
Conclusion: Overall, the receptors that mediate the direct serotonergic contraction of the
smooth muscle of the bovine trachea are 5-HT2A, 5-HT7,
5-HT3 and 5-HT1B/D receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darwin Da Costa Guevara
- Sección de Biomembranas, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IME), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ernesto Trejo
- Sección de Biomembranas, Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IME), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Caracas, Venezuela
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Carbajal-García A, Reyes-García J, Casas-Hernández MF, Flores-Soto E, Díaz-Hernández V, Solís-Chagoyán H, Sommer B, Montaño LM. Testosterone augments β 2 adrenergic receptor genomic transcription increasing salbutamol relaxation in airway smooth muscle. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 510:110801. [PMID: 32278021 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Androgens in asthmatic men may be linked to asthma severity, acting via nongenomic and genomic effects. This ailment affects boys more than girls during infancy, and this proportion reverses in puberty. Plasmatic androgen concentration in young men increases at this age and might be related to lower asthma symptoms. Nongenomic actions occur in a brief period and are independent of the androgen receptor (AR), while genomic effects depend on AR, take hours-days and are modified by transcription or protein synthesis inhibitors. Guinea pig tracheas chronic incubation with testosterone (TES, 40 nM, 48 h) potentiates salbutamol-induced relaxation, an effect that was reversed by flutamide, not observed when tissues were pre-incubated with TES-bovine serum albumin (TES-BSA) nor when tissues were preincubated with TES for 15-60 min. In tracheal myocytes, TES chronic incubation increases salbutamol-induced K+ currents (IK+), an effect that was also reversed by flutamide, actinomycin D and cycloheximide and not seen with TES-BSA. The increment in IK+ was blocked by 4-aminopyridine and iberiotoxin, indicating that delayed rectifier K+ and high-conductance Ca2+ activated K+ channels were involved in the TES potentiation effect. Immunofluorescence studies showed that chronic TES augmented the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) expression in ASM and this finding was corroborated by q-PCR and Western blot assays. β2-AR affinity for salbutamol after TES incubation was increased. In conclusion, chronic exposure to physiological TES concentration of the guinea pig ASM promotes β2-AR upregulation favoring β2 adrenergic responses and probably limiting the severity of the asthmatic exacerbations in teenage boys and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México
| | - Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México
| | - María F Casas-Hernández
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México
| | - Edgar Flores-Soto
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México
| | - Verónica Díaz-Hernández
- Departamento de Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México
| | - Héctor Solís-Chagoyán
- Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, CDMX, México
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosio Villegas, CDMX, México
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, México.
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Nie Z, Maung JN, Jacoby DB, Fryer AD. Lung eosinophils increase vagus nerve-mediated airway reflex bronchoconstriction in mice. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 318:L242-L251. [PMID: 31746625 PMCID: PMC7052679 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00040.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils mediate airway hyperresponsiveness by increasing vagally mediated reflex bronchoconstriction. Here, we tested whether circulating or airway eosinophils change nerve function. Airway resistance in response to aerosolized 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 10-300 mM) was measured in wild-type mice or transgenic mice that overexpress IL5 in T cells (+IL5T), overexpress IL5 in airway epithelium (+IL5AE), or overexpress IL5 but are devoid of eosinophils (+IL5AE/-Eos). Inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), blood, and bone marrow were quantified. Blood eosinophils were increased in +IL5T and +IL5AE mice compared with wild-type mice. +IL5T mice had increased eosinophils in bone marrow while +IL5AE mice had increased eosinophils in BAL. Eosinophils surrounding large airways were significantly increased only in +IL5AE mice. With intact vagal innervation, aerosolized 5-HT significantly increased airway resistance in +IL5AE mice. 5-HT-induced bronchoconstriction was blocked by vagotomy or atropine, demonstrating that it was mediated via a vagal reflex. Airway resistance was not increased in +IL5AE/-Eos mice, demonstrating that it required lung eosinophils, but was not affected by increased bone marrow or blood eosinophils or by increased IL5 in the absence of eosinophils. Eosinophils did not change M3 function on airway smooth muscle, since airway responses to methacholine in vagotomized mice were not different among strains. Eosinophils surrounding large airways were sufficient, even in the absence of increased IL5 or external insult, to increase vagally mediated reflex bronchoconstriction. Specifically blocking or reducing eosinophils surrounding large airways may effectively inhibit reflex hyperresponsiveness mediated by vagus nerves in eosinophilic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenying Nie
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jessica N Maung
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - David B Jacoby
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Allison D Fryer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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Nau F, Miller J, Saravia J, Ahlert T, Yu B, Happel KI, Cormier SA, Nichols CD. Serotonin 5-HT₂ receptor activation prevents allergic asthma in a mouse model. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2015; 308:L191-8. [PMID: 25416380 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00138.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lung characterized by airways hyper-responsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and mucus hyperproduction. Current mainstream therapies include bronchodilators that relieve bronchoconstriction and inhaled glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation. The small molecule hormone and neurotransmitter serotonin has long been known to be involved in inflammatory processes; however, its precise role in asthma is unknown. We have previously established that activation of serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptors has potent anti-inflammatory activity in primary cultures of vascular tissues and in the whole animal in vasculature and gut tissues. The 5-HT(2A) receptor agonist, (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI] is especially potent. In this work, we have examined the effect of (R)-DOI in an established mouse model of allergic asthma. In the ovalbumin mouse model of allergic inflammation, we demonstrate that inhalation of (R)-DOI prevents the development of many key features of allergic asthma, including AHR, mucus hyperproduction, airways inflammation, and pulmonary eosinophil recruitment. Our results highlight a likely role of the 5-HT2 receptors in allergic airways disease and suggest that 5-HT2 receptor agonists may represent an effective and novel small molecule-based therapy for asthma.
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Wang T, Ji YL, Yang YY, Xiong XY, Wang IM, Sandford AJ, Liang ZA, He JQ. Transcriptomic profiling of peripheral blood CD4⁺ T-cells in asthmatics with and without depression. Gene 2015; 565:282-7. [PMID: 25871513 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 03/29/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cumulative studies have shown that asthma is associated with depression but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether asthma with depression is characterized by unique pathophysiological pathways by analyzing the global gene expression patterns of CD4(+) T-cells from asthmatics with or without depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four groups of subjects (non-depressive asthmatics, depressive asthmatics, depression patients, and healthy controls) consisting of 6 participants in each group were studied. Peripheral CD4(+) T-cells were isolated and the global transcriptomic profiles were defined by using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Human GE 8x60K microarray. The differences in transcriptomic profiles between asthma with or without depression, depression patients and healthy controls were examined. Pathway enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes were performed using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Selected genes were verified and correlated to the clinical characteristics. RESULTS A total of 1448 differentially expressed transcripts were identified in any of the non-depressive asthma vs. healthy control, depressive asthma vs. healthy control, or depression vs. healthy control comparisons after correction for multiple comparisons. Among these, 156 were demonstrated as differentially expressed genes only in depressive asthma vs. healthy control. Twenty significant biological pathways were identified and were involved in inflammation, metabolism, immunity, tumor and cell cycle. Increased expression of phosphoinositide-3-kinase, regulatory subunit 1 (alpha) was confirmed in depressive asthmatics and it was inversely correlated with lung function (FEV1/FVC%). CONCLUSIONS Asthmatics with depression exhibit unique pathophysiological pathways and this result may provide clues for specific molecular mechanisms underlying asthma with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Yu-Lin Ji
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Yin-Yin Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - Xing-Yu Xiong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China
| | - I-Ming Wang
- Informatics and Analysis, Merck and Co. Inc., West Point, PA, USA
| | - Andrew J Sandford
- Centre for Heart Lung Innovation, University of British Columbia and St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Zong-An Liang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China.
| | - Jian-Qing He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Medical School/West China Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, PR China.
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