Activation of protein kinase C in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HEP3B) cells increases erythropoietin production

PC-PLC/sphingomyelin synthase activity plays a central role in the development of myogenic tone in murine resistance arteries

Myogenic tone is an intrinsic property of the vasculature that contributes to blood pressure control and tissue perfusion. Earlier investigations assigned a key role in myogenic tone to phospholipase C (PLC) and its products, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG). Here, we used the PLC inhibitor, U-73122, and two other, specific inhibitors of PLC subtypes (PI-PLC and PC-PLC) to delineate the role of PLC in myogenic tone of pressurized murine mesenteric arteries. U-73122 inhibited depolarization-induced contractions (high external K(+) concentration), thus confirming reports of nonspecific actions of U-73122 and its limited utility for studies of myogenic tone. Edelfosine, a specific inhibitor of PI-PLC, did not affect depolarization-induced contractions but modulated myogenic tone. Because PI-PLC produces IP3, we investigated the effect of blocking IP3 receptor-mediated Ca(2+) release on myogenic tone. Incubation of arteries with xestospongin C did not affect tone, consistent with the virtual absence of Ca(2+) waves in arteries with myogenic tone. D-609, an inhibitor of PC-PLC and sphingomyelin synthase, strongly inhibited myogenic tone and had no effect on depolarization-induced contraction. D-609 appeared to act by lowering cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration to levels below those that activate contraction. Importantly, incubation of pressurized arteries with a membrane-permeable analog of DAG induced vasoconstriction. The results therefore mandate a reexamination of the signaling pathways activated by the Bayliss mechanism. Our results suggest that PI-PLC and IP3 are not required in maintaining myogenic tone, but DAG, produced by PC-PLC and/or SM synthase, is likely through multiple mechanisms to increase Ca(2+) entry and promote vasoconstriction.

Cobalt chloride-induced apoptosis and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 activation in rat C6 glioma cells

Brain ischemia brings about hypoxic insults. Hypoxia is one of the major pathological factors inducing neuronal injury and central nervous system infection. We studied the involvement of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in hypoxia-induced apoptosis using cobalt chloride in C6 glioma cells. In vitro cytotoxicity of cobalt chloride was tested by MTT assay. Its IC(50) value was 400 microM. The DNA fragment became evident after incubation of the cells with 300 microM cobalt chloride for 24 h. We also evidenced nuclear cleavage with morphological changes of the cells undergoing apoptosis with electron microscopy. Next, we examined the signal pathway of cobalt chloride-induced apoptosis in C6 cells. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) started to increase at 1 h and was activated further at 6 h after treatment of 400 M cobalt chloride. In addition, pretreatment of PD98059 inhibited cobalt chloride-induced apoptotic cell morphology in Electron Microscopy. These results suggest that cobalt chloride is able to induce the apoptotic activity in C6 glioma cells, and its apoptotic mechanism may be associated with signal transduction via MAP kinase (ERK 1/2).

Role of diacylglycerol induced by hypoxia in the regulation of HIF-1alpha activity

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is a critical transcription factor for the adaptation to lowered oxygen environments. We have previously reported that hypoxia induced phosphatidic acid (PA) accumulation through diacylglycerol kinase (DGK) activity and provided evidence that this PA production regulated HIF-1 expression. Here we report that hypoxia also produces a marked intracellular accumulation of diacylglycerol (DAG) in different cell types. The previously proposed inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine phospholipase C (PC-PLC)/sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) activities, D609, specifically abrogates both hypoxia-dependent DAG accumulation and hypoxia-induced HIF-1 expression. We show that DAG-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms do not play an essential role in the regulation of HIF-1 expression. D609 inhibits PA accumulation triggered by hypoxia, suggesting that DAG could act as substrate for its conversion into PA by DGK upon these conditions. Therefore, this work provides novel evidence for the existence of DAG/PA-dependent intracellular mechanisms involved in the regulation of HIF-1 expression.

Cobalt Chloride-induced Apoptosis and Extracellular Signal-regulated Protein Kinase Activation in Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

The molecular mechanism of hypoxia-induced apoptosis has not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK 1/2) in hypoxia-induced apoptosis using cobalt chloride in HeLa human cervical cancer cells. The cobalt chloride was used for the induction of hypoxia, and its IC(50) was 471.4 microM. We demonstrated the DNA fragmentation after incubation with concentrations more than 50 microM cobalt chloride for 24 h, and also evidenced the morphological changes of the cells undergoing apoptosis with electron microscopy. Next, we examined the signaling pathway of cobalt chloride-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. ERK1/2 activation occurred 6 and 9 h after treatment with 600 microM cobalt chloride. Meanwhile, the pretreatment of the MEK 1 inhibitor (PD98059) completely blocked the cobalt chloride-induced ERK 1/2 activation. At the same time, the activated ERK 1/2 translocated into the nucleus and phosphorylated its transcriptional factor, c-Jun. In addition, the pretreatment of PD98059 inhibited the cobalt chloride-induced DNA fragmentation and apoptotic cell death. These results suggest that cobalt chloride is able to induce apoptotic activity in HeLa cells, and its apoptotic mechanism may be associated with signal transduction via ERK 1/2.

Erythropoietin: physiology and pharmacology update

This minireview is an update of a 1997 review on erythropoietin (EPO) in this journal. EPO is a 30,400-dalton glycoprotein that regulates red cell production. In the human, EPO is produced by peritubular cells in the kidneys of the adult and in hepatocytes in the fetus. Small amounts of extra-renal EPO are produced by the liver in adult human subjects. EPO binds to an erythroid progenitor cell surface receptor that includes a p66 chain, and, when activated, the p66 protein becomes dimerized. EPO receptor activation induces a JAK2 tyrosine kinase, which leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of the EPO receptor and several proteins. EPO receptor binding leads to intracellular activation of the Ras/mitogen-activated kinase pathway, which is involved with cell proliferation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and STATS 1, 3, 5A, and 5B transcriptional factors. EPO acts primarily to rescue erythroid cells from apoptosis (programmed cell death) to increase their survival. EPO acts synergistically with several growth factors (SCF, GM-CSF, 1L-3, and IGF-1) to cause maturation and proliferation of erythroid progenitor cells (primarily colony-forming unit-E). Oxygen-dependent regulation of EPO gene expression is postulated to be controlled by a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF-1alpha). Hypoxia-inducible EPO production is controlled by a 50-bp hypoxia-inducible enhancer that is approximately 120 bp 3' to the polyadenylation site. Hypoxia signal transduction pathways involve kinases A and C, phospholipase A(2), and transcription factors ATF-1 and CREB-1. A model has been proposed for adenosine activation of EPO production that involves protein kinases A and C and the phospholipase A(2) pathway. Other effects of EPO include a hematocrit-independent, vasoconstriction-dependent hypertension, increased endothelin production, upregulation of tissue renin, change in vascular tissue prostaglandins production, stimulation of angiogenesis, and stimulation of endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) is currently being used to treat patients with anemias associated with chronic renal failure, AIDS patients with anemia due to treatment with zidovudine, nonmyeloid malignancies in patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents, perioperative surgical patients, and autologous blood donation. A novel erythropoiesis-stimulating factor (NESP, darbepoetin) has been synthesized and when compared with rHuEPO, NESP has a higher carbohydrate content (52% vs 40%), a longer plasma half-life, the amino acid sequence differs from that of native human EPO at five positions, and has been reported to maintain hemoglobin levels just as effectively in patients with chronic renal failure as rHuEPO at less frequent dosing. The use of rHuEPO and darbepoetin to enhance athletic performance is officially banned by most sports-governing bodies because the excessive erythrocytosis can lead to increased thrombogenicity and can cause deep vein, coronary, and cerebral thromboses.

Adenosine A2Aand A2Breceptor activation of erythropoietin production

First published July 12, 2001; 10.1152/ajprenal.0083.2001.—We have examined the effects of adenosine receptors and protein kinases A and C in the regulation of erythropoietin (Epo) production using hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells in culture and in vivo in normal mice under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. CGS-21680, a selective adenosine A2Aagonist, significantly increased levels of Epo in normoxic Hep3B cell cultures and in serum of normal mice under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. CGS-21680 also produced a significant increase in Epo mRNA levels in Hep3B cell cultures. SCH-58261, a selective adenosine A2Areceptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the increase in medium levels of Epo in Hep3B cell cultures exposed to hypoxia (1% O2). Enprofylline, a selective adenosine A2Breceptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the increase in plasma levels of Epo in normal mice exposed to hypoxia. Chelerythrine chloride, an antagonist of protein kinase C activation, significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced increases in serum levels of Epo in normal mice. A model is presented for adenosine in hypoxic regulation of Epo production that involves kinases A and C and phospholipase A2pathways.

Adenosine A(2A) and A(2B) receptor activation of erythropoietin production

We have examined the effects of adenosine receptors and protein kinases A and C in the regulation of erythropoietin (Epo) production using hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cells in culture and in vivo in normal mice under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. CGS-21680, a selective adenosine A(2A) agonist, significantly increased levels of Epo in normoxic Hep3B cell cultures and in serum of normal mice under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. CGS-21680 also produced a significant increase in Epo mRNA levels in Hep3B cell cultures. SCH-58261, a selective adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the increase in medium levels of Epo in Hep3B cell cultures exposed to hypoxia (1% O(2)). Enprofylline, a selective adenosine A(2B) receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the increase in plasma levels of Epo in normal mice exposed to hypoxia. Chelerythrine chloride, an antagonist of protein kinase C activation, significantly inhibited hypoxia-induced increases in serum levels of Epo in normal mice. A model is presented for adenosine in hypoxic regulation of Epo production that involves kinases A and C and phospholipase A(2) pathways.

Evidence for the involvement of diacylglycerol kinase in the activation of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1 by low oxygen tension

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) induces a gene expression program essential for the cellular adaptation to lowered oxygen environments. The intracellular mechanisms by which hypoxia induces HIF-1 remain poorly understood. Here we show that exposure of various cell types to hypoxia raises the intracellular level of phosphatidic acid primarily through the action of diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Pharmacological inhibition of DGK activity through use of the specific DGK inhibitors and abrogated specifically HIF-1-dependent transcription analyzed with a HIF-1-responsive reporter plasmid. A more detailed analysis revealed that pharmacological inhibition of DGK activity prevented the hypoxia-dependent accumulation of the HIF-1alpha subunit and the subsequent HIF-1-DNA complex formation as well as hypoxia-induced activity of the HIF-1 transactivation domains localized to amino acids 530-582 and 775-826 of the HIF-1alpha subunit. Our results demonstrate for the first time that accumulation of phosphatidic acid through DGK underlines oxygen sensing and provide evidence for the involvement of this lipid kinase in the intracellular signaling that leads to HIF-1 activation.