High resolution localization of endothelin receptors in rat renal medulla

Endothelin system expression in the kidney following cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in male and female mice

The chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin accumulates in the kidney and induces acute kidney injury (AKI). Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that young female mice and women show greater recovery from cisplatin-AKI compared to young male mice and men. The endothelin (ET) and ET receptors are enriched in the kidney and may be dysfunctional in cisplatin-AKI; however, there is a gap in our knowledge about the putative effects of sex and cisplatin on the renal ET system. We hypothesized that cisplatin-AKI male and female mice will have increased expression of the renal ET system. As expected, all cisplatin-AKI mice had kidney damage and body weight loss greater than control mice. Cisplatin-AKI mice had greater cortical Edn1, Edn3, Ednra, and Ednrb, while outer medullary Ednra was significantly suppressed in both sexes. Of the ∼25 000 genes sequenced from the inner medulla, only 91 genes (comparing saline mice) and 134 genes (comparing cisplatin-AKI mice) were differentially expressed and they were unrelated to the ET system. However, Edn1 was significantly greater in the inner medulla of male and female cisplatin-AKI mice. Thus, RNA profiles of the ET system were significantly affected by cisplatin-AKI throughout the kidney regardless of sex and this may help determine the therapeutic potential of targeting the ET receptors in cisplatin-AKI.

Interplay of the Circadian Clock and Endothelin System

The peptide hormone endothelin-1 and its receptors are linked to several disease states. Pharmacological inhibition of this pathway has proven beneficial in pulmonary hypertension, yet its potential in other disease states remains to be realized. This review considers an often understudied aspect of endothelin biology, circadian rhythm regulation and how understanding the intersection between endothelin signaling and the circadian clock may be leveraged to realize the potential of endothelin-based therapeutics.

Renal Autocrine and Paracrine Signaling: A Story of Self-protection

Autocrine and paracrine signaling in the kidney adds an extra level of diversity and complexity to renal physiology. The extensive scientific production on the topic precludes easy understanding of the fundamental purpose of the vast number of molecules and systems that influence the renal function. This systematic review provides the broader pen strokes for a collected image of renal paracrine signaling. First, we recapitulate the essence of each paracrine system one by one. Thereafter the single components are merged into an overarching physiological concept. The presented survey shows that despite the diversity in the web of paracrine factors, the collected effect on renal function may not be complicated after all. In essence, paracrine activation provides an intelligent system that perceives minor perturbations and reacts with a coordinated and integrated tissue response that relieves the work load from the renal epithelia and favors diuresis and natriuresis. We suggest that the overall function of paracrine signaling is reno-protection and argue that renal paracrine signaling and self-regulation are two sides of the same coin. Thus local paracrine signaling is an intrinsic function of the kidney, and the overall renal effect of changes in blood pressure, volume load, and systemic hormones will always be tinted by its paracrine status.

Loss of endothelin B receptor function impairs sodium excretion in a time- and sex-dependent manner

Recent studies suggested a direct link between circadian rhythms and regulation of sodium excretion. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates sodium balance by promoting natriuresis through the endothelin B receptor (ET_B) in response to increased salt in the diet, but the effect that the time of day has on this natriuretic response is not known. Therefore, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that ET_B receptor activation contributes to the diurnal control of sodium excretion and that sex differences contribute to this control as well. Twelve-hour urine collections were used to measure sodium excretion. On day 3 of the experiment, a NaCl load (900 μeq) was given by oral gavage either at Zeitgeber time [ZT] 0 (inactive period) or ZT12 (active period) to examine the natriuretic response to the acute salt load. Male and female ET_B-deficient (ET_B def) rats showed an impaired natriuretic response to a salt load at ZT0 compared with their respective transgenic controls (Tg cont). Male ET_B def rats showed a delayed natriuretic response to a salt load given at ZT12 compared with male Tg cont, a contrast to the prompt response shown by female ET_B def rats. Treatment with ABT-627, an ET_A receptor antagonist, improved the natriuretic response seen within the first 12 h of a ZT0 salt load in both sexes. These findings demonstrate that diurnal excretion of an acute salt load 1) requires ET-1 and the ET_B receptor, 2) is more evident in male vs. female rats, and 3) is opposed by the ET_A receptor.

Endothelin and renal ion and water transport

The renal tubular epithelial cells produce more endothelin-1 (ET-1) than any other cell type in the body. Moving down the nephron, the amount of ET-1 produced appears fairly consistent until reaching the inner medullary collecting duct, which produces at least 10 times more ET-1 than any other segment. ET-1 inhibits Na(+) transport in all parts of the nephron through activation of the ETB receptor, and, to a minor extent, the ETA receptor. These effects are most prominent in the collecting duct where ETB-receptor activation inhibits activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel. Effects in other parts of the nephron include inhibition of Na(+)/H(+) exchange in the proximal tubule and the Na(+), K(+), 2Cl(-) co-transporter in the thick ascending limb. In general, the renal epithelial ET-1 system is an integral part of the body's response to a high salt intake to maintain homeostasis and normal blood pressure. Loss of ETB-receptor function results in salt-sensitive hypertension. The role of renal ET-1 and how it affects Na(+) and water transport throughout the nephron is reviewed.

Inhibition of ENaC by endothelin-1

The amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is a key player in the regulation of Na(+) homeostasis. Its functional activity is under continuous control by a variety of signaling molecules, including bioactive peptides of endothelin family. Since ENaC dysfunction is causative for disturbances in total body Na(+) levels associated with the abnormal regulation of blood volume, blood pressure, and lung fluid balance, uncovering the molecular mechanisms of inhibitory modulation or inappropriate activation of ENaC is crucial for the successful treatment of a variety of human diseases including hypertension. The precise regulation of ENaC is particularly important for normal Na(+) and fluid homeostasis in organs where endothelins are known to act: the kidneys, lung, and colon. Inhibition of ENaC by endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been established in renal cells, and several molecular mechanisms of inhibition of ENaC by ET-1 are proposed and will be reviewed in this chapter.

Role of collecting duct endothelin in control of renal function and blood pressure

Over 26,000 manuscripts have been published dealing with endothelins since their discovery 25 years ago. These peptides, and particularly endothelin-1 (ET-1), are expressed by, bind to, and act on virtually every cell type in the body, influencing multiple biological functions. Among these actions, the effects of ET-1 on arterial pressure and volume homeostasis have been most extensively studied. While ET-1 modulates arterial pressure through regulation of multiple organ systems, the peptide's actions in the kidney in general, and the collecting duct in particular, are of unique importance. The collecting duct produces large amounts of ET-1 that bind in an autocrine manner to endothelin A and B receptors, causing inhibition of Na(+) and water reabsorption; absence of collecting duct ET-1 or its receptors is associated with marked salt-sensitive hypertension. Collecting duct ET-1 production is stimulated by Na(+) and water loading through local mechanisms that include sensing of salt and other solute delivery as well as shear stress. Thus the collecting duct ET-1 system exists, at least in part, to detect alterations in, and maintain homeostasis for, extracellular fluid volume. Derangements in collecting duct ET-1 production may contribute to the pathogenesis of genetic hypertension. Blockade of endothelin receptors causes fluid retention due, in large part, to inhibition of the action of ET-1 in the collecting duct; this side effect has substantially limited the clinical utility of this class of drugs. Herein, the biology of the collecting duct ET-1 system is reviewed, with particular emphasis on key issues and questions that need addressing.

Physiology of endothelin and the kidney

Since its discovery in 1988 as an endothelial cell-derived peptide that exerts the most potent vasoconstriction of any known endogenous compound, endothelin (ET) has emerged as an important regulator of renal physiology and pathophysiology. This review focuses on how the ET system impacts renal function in health; it is apparent that ET regulates multiple aspects of kidney function. These include modulation of glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow, control of renin release, and regulation of transport of sodium, water, protons, and bicarbonate. These effects are exerted through ET interactions with almost every cell type in the kidney, including mesangial cells, podocytes, endothelium, vascular smooth muscle, every section of the nephron, and renal nerves. In addition, while not the subject of the current review, ET can also indirectly affect renal function through modulation of extrarenal systems, including the vasculature, nervous system, adrenal gland, circulating hormones, and the heart. As will become apparent, these pleiotropic effects of ET are of fundamental physiologic importance in the control of renal function in health. In addition, to help put these effects into perspective, we will also discuss, albeit to a relatively limited extent, how alterations in the ET system can contribute to hypertension and kidney disease.

Regulation of blood pressure and salt homeostasis by endothelin

Endothelin (ET) peptides and their receptors are intimately involved in the physiological control of systemic blood pressure and body Na homeostasis, exerting these effects through alterations in a host of circulating and local factors. Hormonal systems affected by ET include natriuretic peptides, aldosterone, catecholamines, and angiotensin. ET also directly regulates cardiac output, central and peripheral nervous system activity, renal Na and water excretion, systemic vascular resistance, and venous capacitance. ET regulation of these systems is often complex, sometimes involving opposing actions depending on which receptor isoform is activated, which cells are affected, and what other prevailing factors exist. A detailed understanding of this system is important; disordered regulation of the ET system is strongly associated with hypertension and dysregulated extracellular fluid volume homeostasis. In addition, ET receptor antagonists are being increasingly used for the treatment of a variety of diseases; while demonstrating benefit, these agents also have adverse effects on fluid retention that may substantially limit their clinical utility. This review provides a detailed analysis of how the ET system is involved in the control of blood pressure and Na homeostasis, focusing primarily on physiological regulation with some discussion of the role of the ET system in hypertension.

Dietary sodium modulates the interaction between efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity and afferent renal nerve activity: role of endothelin

Increasing efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (ERSNA) increases afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA), which in turn decreases ERSNA via activation of the renorenal reflexes in the overall goal of maintaining low ERSNA. We now examined whether the ERSNA-induced increases in ARNA are modulated by dietary sodium and the role of endothelin (ET). The ARNA response to reflex increases in ERSNA was enhanced in high (HNa)- vs. low-sodium (LNa) diet rats, 7,560 +/- 1,470 vs. 900 +/- 390%.s. The norepinephrine (NE) concentration required to increase PGE(2) and substance P release from isolated renal pelvises was 10 pM in HNa and 6,250 pM in LNa diet rats. In HNa diet pelvises 10 pM NE increased PGE(2) release from 67 +/- 6 to 150 +/- 13 pg/min and substance P release from 6.7 +/- 0.8 to 12.3 +/- 1.8 pg/min. In LNa diet pelvises 6,250 pM NE increased PGE(2) release from 64 +/- 5 to 129 +/- 22 pg/min and substance P release from 4.5 +/- 0.4 to 6.6 +/- 0.7 pg/min. In the renal pelvic wall, ETB-R are present on unmyelinated Schwann cells close to the afferent nerves and ETA-R on smooth muscle cells. ETA-receptor (R) protein expression in the renal pelvic wall is increased in LNa diet. In HNa diet, renal pelvic administration of the ETB-R antagonist BQ788 reduced ERSNA-induced increases in ARNA and NE-induced release of PGE(2) and substance P. In LNa diet, the ETA-R antagonist BQ123 enhanced ERSNA-induced increases in ARNA and NE-induced release of substance P without altering PGE(2) release. In conclusion, activation of ETB-R and ETA-R contributes to the enhanced and suppressed interaction between ERSNA and ARNA in conditions of HNa and LNa diet, respectively, suggesting a role for ET in the renal control of ERSNA that is dependent on dietary sodium.

Endothelin A receptor-like immunoreactivity on the basal infoldings of rat renal tubules and collecting ducts

We investigated the distribution of endothelin A (ET(A)) receptor-like immunoreactivity in the rat kidney using affinity-purified antibodies against amino acid residues 403-417 of the rat ET(A) receptor modified by the multiple antigen peptide complex system. Western blot analysis using the affinity-purified anti-ET(A) antibody detected bands of approximately 47.3 and 64.5 kDa in the rat kidney. By light microscopy, ET(A) receptor-like immunoreactivity was seen in the basal side of the renal tubules and collecting ducts. The most intense immunoreactivity was present in the distal renal tubules and inner medullary collecting ducts. In addition to the basal infoldings, immunoreactive puncta were scattered in the epithelial cells of the renal tubules and collecting ducts. Specimens prepared using the pre-embedding method were examined by electron microscopy, and some immunopositive signals were seen on the basal infodings of the renal tubules and collecting ducts. The lengths of immunopositive cytoplasmic membrane were far longer in the distal tubules and inner medullary collecting ducts than in the proximal tubules and outer medullary collecting ducts. Immunopositive signals were also sometimes observed in the thick portion of Henle's loop, but never in the thin portion. We have not previously detected immunopositive signals on the renal vascular systems with the antibody used here. These results suggest that endothelin acts on the basal infoldings through the ET(A) receptor, particularly in the distal tubules and inner medullary collecting ducts, although involvement of the ET(B) receptor cannot be excluded.

Low NaCl intake elevates renal medullary endothelin-1 and endothelin A (ETA) receptor mRNA but not the sensitivity of renal Na+ excretion to ETA receptor blockade in rats

AIMS

This study was performed to investigate the effects of NaCl intake on renal mRNA expression of pre-pro-endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin A (ET(A)) and endothelin B (ET(B)) receptors as well as on renal ET-1 content in rats. We further tested for NaCl intake-dependent differences in the contribution of the ET system to renal sodium handling.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats with telemetric devices were randomized to 0.15%, 0.60% and 1.80% NaCl diets with or without losartan. Renal sodium balance and arterial pressure were monitored. Renal blood flow and fractional sodium excretion (FENa) were measured in response to acute infusion of ET(A) and ET(B) blockers into the inner stripe of the outer renal medulla.

RESULTS

Medullary pre-pro-ET-1, ET(A) and ET(B) receptor mRNA was 50%, 81% and 33% higher in rats on 0.15% vs. 1.80% NaCl. Losartan reduced medullary gene expression in rats on 0.15% NaCl. Medullary ET-1 content was 983 +/- 88 and 479 +/- 42 ng mg(-1) protein in rats on 0.15% and 1.80% NaCl (P < 0.001). Chronic ET(A) receptor blocker treatment reduced arterial pressure by 8-10 mmHg in rats on 0.15% vs. 1.80% NaCl without affecting renal sodium balances. Acute medullary ET(A) or ET(B) receptor blockade did not alter medullary blood flow and FENa in animals on either diet.

CONCLUSION

In rats renal medullary ET-1 content and mRNA expression of three ET system components are inversely related to NaCl intake. Higher expression levels on low NaCl intake are AT(1) receptor dependent but are not associated with increased sensitivity of renal sodium handling to ET(A) receptor blockade.

Distribution of endothelin receptor subtypes ETA and ETB in the rat kidney

The endothelin (ET) receptor system is markedly involved in the regulation of renal function under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The present study determined the detailed cellular localization of both ET receptor subtypes, ET(A) and ET(B), in the vascular and tubular system of the rat kidney by immunofluorescence microscopy. In the vascular system we observed both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors in the media of interlobular arteries and afferent and efferent arterioles. In interlobar and arcuate arteries, only ET(A) receptors were present on vascular smooth muscle cells. ET(B) receptor immunoreactivity was sparse on endothelial cells of renal arteries, whereas there was strong labeling of peritubular and glomerular capillaries as well as vasa recta endothelium. ET(A) receptors were evident on glomerular mesangial cells and pericytes of descending vasa recta bundles. In the renal tubular system, ET(B) receptors were located in epithelial cells of proximal tubules and inner medullary collecting ducts, whereas ET(A) receptors were found in distal tubules and cortical collecting ducts. Distribution of ET(A) and ET(B) receptors in the vascular and tubular system of the rat kidney reported in the present study supports the concept that both ET receptor subtypes cooperate in mediating renal cortical vasoconstriction but exert differential and partially antagonistic effects on renal medullary function.

NO and NO-independent mechanisms mediate ETBreceptor buffering of ET-1-induced renal vasoconstriction in the rat

Vascular endothelin (ET) type B (ETB) receptors exert dilator and constrictor actions in a complex interaction with ETAreceptors. We aimed to clarify the presence and relative importance of nitric oxide (NO) and other mechanisms underlying the dilator effects of ETBreceptors in rat kidneys. Complete inhibition of NO production with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 25 mg/kg iv) enhanced the renal vasoconstriction elicited by ET-1 injected into the renal artery from −15 to −30%. Additional infusion of the NO donor nitroprusside (NP) into the renal artery did not reverse this effect (−29%) but effectively buffered ANG II-mediated vasoconstriction. Similarly, ET-1 responses were enhanced after a smaller intrarenal dose of l-NAME (−22 vs. −15%) and were unaffected by subsequent NP infusion (−21%). These results indicate that the responsiveness to ET-1 is buffered by ETBreceptor-stimulated phasic release of NO, rather than its static mean level. Infusion of the ETBreceptor antagonist BQ-788 into the renal artery further enhanced the ET-1 constrictor response to NP + l-NAME (−92 vs. −49%), revealing an NO-independent dilator component. In controls, vasoconstriction to ET-1 was unaffected by vehicle (−27 vs. −20%) and markedly enhanced by BQ-788 (−70%). The same pattern was observed when indomethacin (Indo) was used to inhibit cyclooxygenase (−20% for control, −22% with Indo, and −56% with ETBantagonist) or methylsulfonyl-6-(2-propargyloxyphenyl)-hexanamide (MS-PPOH) or miconazole + Indo was used to inhibit epoxygenase alone (−10% for control, −11% with MS-PPOH, and −35% with ETBantagonist) or in combination (−14% for control, −20% with Indo + miconazole, and −43% with ETBantagonist). We conclude that phasic release of NO, but not its static level, mediates part of the dilator effect of ETBreceptors and that an NO-independent mechanism, distinct from prostanoids and epoxyeicosatetraenoic acids, perhaps ETBreceptor clearance of ET-1, plays a major buffering role.

Mechanisms underlying the differential control of blood flow in the renal medulla and cortex

There is much evidence that the medullary circulation plays a key role in regulating renal salt and water handling and, accordingly, the long-term level of arterial pressure. It has also recently become clear that various regulatory factors can affect medullary blood flow (MBF) differently from cortical blood flow (CBF). It appears likely that the influence of hormonal and neural factors on the control of arterial pressure is mediated partly through their impact on MBF. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms underlying the differential control of MBF and CBF, particularly the relative insensitivity of MBF to vasoconstrictors such as angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and the sympathetic nerves. The vascular architecture of the kidney appears to be arranged in a way that protects the renal medulla from ischaemic insults, with juxtamedullary arterioles, the source of MBF, having larger calibre than their counterparts in other kidney regions. Indeed, recent studies using vascular casting methodology suggest that juxtamedullary glomerular arterioles are not the chief regulators of MBF, which is consistent with the idea that outer medullary descending vasa recta play a key role in MBF control. Release of vasoactive paracrine factors such as nitric oxide and various eicosanoids from the vascular endothelium, and probably also from the tubular epithelium, appear to differentially modulate responses of MBF and CBF to hormonal and neural factors. The prevailing intrarenal hormonal milieu and existing haemodynamic conditions also appear to strongly modulate these responses, indicating that multiple control systems interact to regulate regional kidney blood flow at an integrative level.

Endothelin B receptor-like immunoreactivity in podocytes of the rat kidney

The distribution of endothelin B receptor (ETBR)-like immunoreactivity in the rat renal glomerulus was investigated using an affinity-purified antibody against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino acid residues 425-439 of the rat ETBR. Light microscopy showed ETBR-like immunoreactivity to be localized predominantly near the glomerular blood capillaries. By immunoelectron microscopy using the pre-embedding method, intense immunodeposits indicating ETBR were detected in podocytes, particularly in their foot processes, in contrast with the weak immunoreaction in endothelial cells of the glomerular blood capillaries and in the mesangial cells. In sections stained with the post-embedding method using immunogold particles, positive signals were also found on the plasma membrane of podocyte foot processes as well as the cytoplasm just beneath the cell membrane. These findings suggest that endothelin stimulates ETBR mainly on podocytes, thus resulting in a decrease of the glomerular blood flow and glomerular filtration rates.

Renomedullary interstitial cells: a target for endocrine and paracrine actions of vasoactive peptides in the renal medulla

1. The renal medulla plays an important role in regulating body sodium and fluid balance and blood pressure homeostasis through its unique structural relationships and interactions between renomedullary interstitial cells (RMIC), renal tubules and medullary vasculature. 2. Several endocrine and/or paracrine factors, including angiotensin (Ang)II, endothelin (ET), bradykinin (BK), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and vasopressin (AVP), are implicated in the regulation of renal medullary function and blood pressure by acting on RMIC, tubules and medullary blood vessels. 3. Renomedullary interstitial cells express multiple vasoactive peptide receptors (AT1, ETA, ETB, BK B2, NPRA and NPRB and V1a) in culture and in tissue. 4. In cultured RMIC, AngII, ET, BK, ANP and AVP act on their respective receptors to induce various cellular responses, including contraction, prostaglandin synthesis, cell proliferation and/or extracellular matrix synthesis. 5. Infusion of vasoactive peptides or their antagonists systemically or directly into the medullary interstitium modulates medullary blood flow, sodium excretion and urine osmolarity. 6. Overall, expression of multiple vasoactive peptide receptors in RMIC, which respond to various vasoactive peptides and paracrine factors in vitro and in vivo, supports the hypothesis that RMIC may be an important paracrine target of various vasoactive peptides in the regulation of renal medullary function and long-term blood pressure homeostasis.

Endothelium-independent vascular relaxation mediating ETB receptor in rabbit mesenteric arteries

Vascular response mediating endothelin (ET)B receptor was studied using isolated rabbit mesenteric arteries. ET-1 (0.1-30 nM) caused a concentration-dependent contraction, whereas ET-3 >100 nM caused only weak contraction. Up to 1 microM of sarafotoxin S6c showed no contraction. In arteries precontracted with phenylephrine, ET-3 (0. 03-1 nM) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation, which was not affected by endothelium denudation. The ET-3-induced relaxation was antagonized by BQ-788 and PD-142893 but not by BQ-123 in the endothelium-denuded arteries. Treatment with indomethacin but not with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester completely inhibited the relaxation. ET-3 stimulated the release of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and PGE2 from the endothelium-denuded arteries. ET-3 also significantly increased cAMP content but not cGMP content in the arteries. Radioligand-binding studies using serial sections of the artery revealed the expression of not only ETA but also ETB receptors in the smooth muscle layer of the arteries. These results suggest that ET-3 activates ETB receptor in smooth muscle cells of rabbit mesenteric artery, producing vasodilator prostaglandins from arachidonic acid probably via a catalysis of cyclooxygenase, which accumulates cAMP in subendothelial tissues and produces relaxations.

Effects of BQ-123 on systemic and renal hemodynamic responses to endothelin-1 in the rat split hydronephrotic kidney

OBJECTIVE

To assess the site of action of endothelin-1 in vessels of different sizes in the kidney in vivo and investigate the function of endothelin A (ET(A)) receptors in mediating renal and systemic vasoconstriction.

DESIGN

The luminal diameters of different vessels were measured and glomerular blood flow in cortical glomeruli was determined by intravital videomicroscopy in the split hydronephrotic kidney of anesthetized female Wistar rats.

METHODS

The rats were infused with endothelin-1 (40 pmol/kg per min) with or without pretreatment with the selective ET(A)-receptor antagonist BQ-123 (0.5 mg/kg). Aortic clamping was used to control renal blood pressure during the endothelin-1 infusion.

RESULTS

Exogenous endothelin-1 induced a significant rise (30+/-3%) in mean arterial pressure and a marked, long-lasting fall in glomerular blood flow (53+/-3%) related to reduction of the inner diameter of arcuate (-30%), interlobular arteries (-33%) and afferent arterioles (-17%). Aortic clamping to normalize renal blood pressure did not attenuate the vasoconstriction and reduction in glomerular blood flow. Pretreatment with BQ-123 significantly reduced both the endothelin-1-induced rise in mean arterial pressure (12+/-1%) and the fall in glomerular blood flow (-23+/-11%). BQ-123 blunted the response to endothelin-1 in arcuate (-12%), interlobular (-11%) and afferent vessels (-5%). Acetylcholine and nitroprusside completely reversed the vasoconstriction in BQ-123-pretreated animals.

CONCLUSIONS

BQ-123 largely prevented the hemodynamic effects of exogenously administered endothelin-1. Our direct in-vivo techniques showed that ET(A) receptors are, at least in part, involved in endothelin-1 -mediated vasoconstriction in the rat kidney, and support the hypothesis that ET(A) receptors may help to control arterial pressure in anesthetized rats.

Distribution of endothelin-B receptor-like immunoreactivity in rat brain, kidney, and pancreas

We investigated the distribution of endothelin B (ETB) receptor-like immunoreactivity in rat brain, kidney, and pancreas, using an antiserum against amino acid residues 425-439 of the rat ETB receptor modified by the multiple-antigen peptide complex system. In the brain, immunoreactive fibers were observed mainly in the hypothalamus and diagonal band of Broca. Densely arranged immunoreactive fibers were observed in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis and the median eminence. In these areas, the immunoreactive fibers corresponded to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-immunoreactive fibers. In the kidney, intense ETB receptor-like immunoreactivity was seen in structures that were presumably proximal tubules. In other segments of renal tubules and collecting ducts, immunoreactive puncta were scattered. In the glomerulus, a few immunoreactive puncta were seen on the capillaries. In the pancreas, ETB receptor-like immunoreactivity was seen in the acinar cells and islets of Langerhans. By analysis of double staining in the same section, B and D cells showed intense immunoreactivity, whereas A cells showed only weak immunoreactivity. These results suggest that the ETB receptor or its subtype is localized in specific cell types in the organs investigated. In these cells, ET(s) may modulate the function of each cell type via this type of receptor.

Renal vascular effects of the selective endothelin receptor antagonists in anaesthetized rats

1. Endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide which has been shown to have an important role in the regulation of systemic and renal haemodynamics. In order to elucidate the role of endogenous ET in the kidney, we examined the effects of ET receptor antagonists on systemic and renal vasculature in normotensive anaesthetized rats. 2. Intravenous injection of a selective ETA receptor antagonist, FR139317 (0.5 mumol kg-1, for 20 min) induced a very small fall in blood pressure. Similarly, a non-selective ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, TAK-044 (12.5 mumol kg-1, for 20 min) slightly decreased blood pressure. A selective ETB receptor antagonist, BQ-788 (0.5 mumol kg-1, for 20 min) had no effect of blood pressure. 3. FR139317 and TAK-044 did not affect renal blood flow or calculated renal vascular resistance. In contrast, BQ-788 significantly reduced renal blood flow by 18.2 +/- 2.4% and increased renal vascular resistance. Furthermore, the renal vascular action of BQ-788 was not observed when combined with FR139317. 4. Pretreatment with a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 37 mumol kg-1, i.v.) and a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen (44 mumol kg-1, i.v.) completely abolished the BQ-788-mediated renal vasoconstriction. 5. These results indicate that activation of ETB receptors by endogenous ET acts as a physiological brake for the ETA-mediated renal vasoconstriction; this effect appears to be mediated by stimulation of NO and/or vasodilator prostaglandin(s) release.