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Ferreira JJ, Kent LN, McCarthy R, Butler A, Ma X, Peramsetty N, Amazu C, Zhang A, Whitter GC, England SK, Santi CM. SLO2.1/NALCN Functional Complex Activity in Mouse Myometrial Smooth Muscle Cells During Pregnancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596465. [PMID: 38853884 PMCID: PMC11160795 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
At the end of pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent to a highly contractile state. This is partly due to depolarization of the resting membrane potential in uterine (myometrial) smooth muscle cells (MSMCs). Experiments with human MSMCs showed that the membrane potential is regulated by a functional complex between the sodium (Na + )-activated potassium (K + ) channel SLO2.1 and the Na + Leak Channel Non-Selective (NALCN). In human MSMCs, Na + entering through NALCN activates SLO2.1, leading to K + efflux, membrane hyperpolarization (cells become more negative inside), and reduced contractility. Decreased SLO2.1/NALCN activity results in reduced K + efflux, leading to membrane depolarization, Ca 2+ influx via voltage-dependent calcium channels, and increased MSMC contractility. However, all of these experiments were performed with MSMCs isolated from women at term, so the role of the SLO2.1/NALCN complex early in pregnancy was speculative. To address this question here, we examined the role of the SLO2.1/NALCN complex in regulating mouse MSMC membrane potential across pregnancy. We report that Slo2 . 1 and Nalcn expression change along pregnancy, being more highly expressed in MSMCs from non-pregnant and early pregnant mice than in those from late-pregnant mice. Functional studies revealed that SLO2.1 channels mediate a significant portion of the K + current in mouse MSMCs, particularly in cells from non-pregnant and early pregnant mice. Activation of SLO2.1 by Na + influx through NALCN led to membrane hyperpolarization in MSMCs from early pregnancy but not in MSMCs from later pregnancy. Moreover, we found that the NALCN/SLO2.1 complex regulates intracellular Ca 2+ responses more in MSMCs from non-pregnant and early pregnancy mice than in MSMCs from late pregnancy. Together, these findings reveal that the SLO2.1/NALCN functional complex is conserved between mouse and humans and functions throughout pregnancy. This work could open avenues for targeted pharmacological interventions in pregnancy-related complications.
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Tripathy S, Nagari A, Chiu SP, Nandu T, Camacho CV, Mahendroo M, Kraus WL. Relaxin Modulates the Genomic Actions and Biological Effects of Estrogen in the Myometrium by Reducing Estrogen Receptor Alpha Phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.15.589654. [PMID: 38659934 PMCID: PMC11042280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.15.589654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) and relaxin (Rln) are steroid and polypeptide hormones, respectively, with important roles in the female reproductive tract, including myometrium. Some actions of Rln, which are mediated by its membrane receptor RXFP1, require or are augmented by E2 signaling through its cognate nuclear steroid receptor, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). In contrast, other actions of Rln act in opposition to the effects of E2. Here we explore the molecular and genomic mechanisms that underlie the functional interplay between E2 and Rln in the myometrium. We used both ovariectomized female mice and immortalized human myometrial cells expressing wild type or mutant ERα (hTERT-HM-ERα cells). Our results indicate that Rln attenuates the genomic actions and biological effects of estrogen in the myometrium and myometrial cells by reducing phosphorylation ERα on serine 118 (S118). Interestingly, we observed a potent inhibitory effect of Rln on the E2-dependent binding of ERα across the genome. The reduction in ERα binding was associated with changes in the hormone-regulated transcriptome, including a decrease in the E2-dependent expression of neighboring genes. The inhibitory effects of Rln cotreatment on the E2-dependent phosphorylation of ERα required the nuclear dual-specificity phosphatases DUSP1 and DUSP5. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of Rln were reflected in a concomitant inhibition of the E2-dependent contraction of myometrial cells. Collectively, our results identify a pathway that integrates Rln/RXFP1 and E2/ERα signaling, resulting in a convergence of membrane and nuclear signaling pathways to control genomic and biological outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Tripathy
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Laboratory of Cervical Remodeling and Preterm Birth, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anusha Nagari
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Computational Core Facility, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Shu-Ping Chiu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Tulip Nandu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Computational Core Facility, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Cristel V. Camacho
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Mala Mahendroo
- Laboratory of Cervical Remodeling and Preterm Birth, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - W. Lee Kraus
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
- Section of Laboratory Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
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3
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Bao J, Ma X, Kent LN, Wakle-Prabagaran M, McCarthy R, England SK. BKCa channels are involved in spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated uterine contraction in late gestation mice†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:798-807. [PMID: 38134962 PMCID: PMC11017124 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad174] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The large-conductance, voltage-gated, calcium (Ca2+)-activated potassium channel (BKCa) is one of the most abundant potassium channels in the myometrium. Previous work conducted by our group has identified a link between inflammation, BKCa channels and excitability of myometrial smooth muscle cells. Here, we investigate the role of BKCa channels in spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated uterine contraction to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the BKCa channel and uterine contraction in basal and inflammatory states. Uteri of C57BL/6 J mice on gestational day 18.5 (GD18.5) were obtained and either fixed in formalin or used immediately for tension recording or isolation of primary myocytes for patch-clamp. Paraffin sections were used for immunofluorescenctdetection of BKCa and Toll-like receptor (TLR4). For tension recordings, LPS was administered to determine its effect on uterine contractions. Paxilline, a BKCa inhibitor, was used to dissect the role of BKCa in uterine contraction in basal and inflammatory states. Finally, patch-clamp recordings were performed to investigate the relationship between LPS, the BKCa channel and membrane currents in mouse myometrial smooth muscle cells (mMSMCs). We confirmed the expression of BKCa and TLR4 in the myometrium of GD18.5 mice and found that inhibiting BKCa channels with paxilline suppressed both spontaneous and LPS-stimulated uterine contractions. Furthermore, application of BKCa inhibitors (paxilline or iberiotoxin) after LPS inhibited BKCa channel activity in mMSMCs. Moreover, pretreatment with BKCa inhibitor or the TLR4 inhibitor suppressed LPS-activated BKCa currents. Our study demonstrates that BKCa channels are involved in both basal and LPS-stimulated uterine contraction in pregnant mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Bao
- Preterm Birth Prevention and Treatment Research Unit, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lindsey N Kent
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Monali Wakle-Prabagaran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ronald McCarthy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah K England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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4
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Barnett SD, Asif H, Buxton ILO. Novel identification and modulation of the mechanosensitive Piezo1 channel in human myometrium. J Physiol 2023; 601:1675-1690. [PMID: 35941750 PMCID: PMC9905381 DOI: 10.1113/jp283299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 10% of US births deliver preterm before 37 weeks of completed gestation. Premature infants are at risk for life-long debilitating morbidities and death, and spontaneous preterm labour explains 50% of preterm births. In all cases existing treatments are ineffective, and none are FDA approved. The mechanisms that initiate preterm labour are not well understood but may result from dysfunctional regulation of quiescence mechanisms. Human pregnancy is accompanied by large increases in blood flow, and the uterus must enlarge by orders of magnitude to accommodate the growing fetus. This mechanical strain suggests that stretch-activated channels may constitute a mechanism to explain gestational quiescence. Here we identify for the first time that Piezo1, a mechanosensitive cation channel, is present in the uterine smooth muscle and microvascular endothelium of pregnant myometrium. Piezo is downregulated during preterm labour, and stimulation of myometrial Piezo1 in an organ bath with the agonist Yoda1 relaxes the tissue in a dose-dependent fashion. Further, stimulation of Piezo1 while inhibiting protein kinase A, AKT, or endothelial nitric oxide synthase mutes the negative inotropic effects of Piezo1 activation, intimating that actions on the myocyte and endothelial nitric oxide signalling contribute to Piezo1-mediated contractile dynamics. Taken together, these data highlight the importance of stretch-activated channels in pregnancy maintenance and parturition, and identify Piezo1 as a tocolytic target of interest. KEY POINTS: Spontaneous preterm labour is a serious obstetric dilemma without a known cause or effective treatments. Piezo1 is a stretch-activated channel important to muscle contractile dynamics. Piezo1 is present in the myometrium and is dysregulated in women who experience preterm labour. Activation of Piezo1 by the agonist Yoda1 relaxes the myometrium in a dose-dependent fashion, indicating that Piezo1 modulation may have therapeutic benefits to treat preterm labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D Barnett
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Hazik Asif
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
| | - Iain L O Buxton
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA
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5
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Moderate Ethanol-Preconditioning Offers Ischemic Tolerance Against Focal Cerebral Ischemic/Reperfusion: Role of Large Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:3647-3658. [PMID: 35790697 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03661-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism underlying moderate ethanol (EtOH)-preconditioning (PC) against ischemic brain injury remains unclear. We evaluated the role of large conductance calcium-sensitive potassium (BKCa) channels in EtOH-PC. Almost one hundred and ninety normal adult SD rats (8 to 10 weeks, 320-350 g) were enrolled in this study. Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) brain injury was induced in rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. EtOH or the BKCa channel opener, NS11021, was administered 24 h before I/R with or without pre-treatment with the BKCa channel blocker, paxilline. Infarct volumes were measured by tissue staining and imaging, and neurological functions were assessed by a scoring system. The expression of BKCa channel subunit α was detected by Western blotting, and cell apoptosis was assessed using staining. Prior (24 h) administration of ethanol that produced a peak plasma concentration of ~ 45 mg/dl in rats would offer neuroprotection after cerebral I/R. In addition, the expression of BKCa channel α-subunit was significantly increased 24 h after EtOH-PC (n = 10; control: 2.00 ± 0.09, EtOH: 1.00 ± 0.06; P < 0.5). Compared to I/R, EtOH-PC enhanced the expression of BKCa channel α-subunit both in the penumbra (n = 10; 24 h: I/R: 1.25 ± 0.10, EtOH-PC + I/R: 1.99 ± 0.12; P < 0.01; 4 h: I/R: 1.03 ± 0.03, EtOH-PC + I/R: 1.49 ± 0.05; P < 0.001) and infarct core (n = 10; 4 h: I/R: 1.04 ± 0.04, EtOH-PC + I/R: 1.42 ± 0.05; P < 0.001), improved the neurological function (n = 10; I/R: 14.00 (12.75-15.00), EtOH-PC + I/R: 7.00 (4.75-8.25); P < 0.001), attenuated the apoptosis (n = 10; I/R: 26.80 ± 0.69, EtOH-PC + I/R: 8.46 ± 0.31; P < 0.001), and decreased the infarct volume (n = 10; I/R: 244.00 ± 26.24, EtOH-PC + I/R: 70.09 ± 14.69; P < 0.001) after experimental cerebral I/R. These changes were reversed by paxilline administration. The moderate EtOH-PC protects against I/R-induced brain damage dependent on the upregulation BKCa channels.
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Turner BM, Cramer SF, Heller DS. The relationship of myometrial histopathology (metropathy) to myometrial dysfunction and clinical manifestations. Ann Diagn Pathol 2022; 57:151902. [PMID: 35123151 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2022.151902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Myometrial morphology and myometrial physiology have been considered to be separate entities; however, observations of myometrial morphology and associated dysfunctions suggest a relationship between myometrial morphology and myometrial physiology that deserves further exploration. Although myometrial electrical activity can be monitored by electrohysterogram, the association of increased myometrial contractions with an increase in electrical activity (due to an increase in gap junctions) is typically not evaluated. Although the association of increased myometrial contractions with increase in pain can be monitored by tocometry and intrauterine pressure catheters, respectively, this is generally not done in the non-pregnant uteri. Although standard morphologic evaluations routinely include evaluation with special stains and immunohistochemistry in other organ systems, such as skeletal and cardiac muscle, these evaluations are not standard or routine for myometrium in hysterectomies. The purpose of this review is to discuss non-neoplastic myometrial histology, with consideration of the potential value of using tools to measure variations in myometrial physiology, in order to reliably correlate myometrial histology with myometrial function (and dysfunction).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley M Turner
- Department of Pathology, Highland Hospital (BMT) and Rochester General Hospital (SFC), University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Stewart F Cramer
- Department of Pathology, Highland Hospital (BMT) and Rochester General Hospital (SFC), University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Debra S Heller
- Department of Pathology, Highland Hospital (BMT) and Rochester General Hospital (SFC), University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA; Department of Pathology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.
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7
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Matta C, Lewis R, Fellows C, Diszhazi G, Almassy J, Miosge N, Dixon J, Uribe MC, May S, Poliska S, Barrett-Jolley R, Fodor J, Szentesi P, Hajdú T, Keller-Pinter A, Henslee E, Labeed FH, Hughes MP, Mobasheri A. Transcriptome-based screening of ion channels and transporters in a migratory chondroprogenitor cell line isolated from late-stage osteoarthritic cartilage. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7421-7439. [PMID: 34008188 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) may be used as an alternative source of cells with potentially superior chondrogenic potential compared to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and could be exploited for future regenerative therapies targeting articular cartilage in degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we hypothesised that CPCs derived from OA cartilage may be characterised by a distinct channelome. First, a global transcriptomic analysis using Affymetrix microarrays was performed. We studied the profiles of those ion channels and transporter families that may be relevant to chondroprogenitor cell physiology. Following validation of the microarray data with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, we examined the role of calcium-dependent potassium channels in CPCs and observed functional large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels involved in the maintenance of the chondroprogenitor phenotype. In line with our very recent results, we found that the KCNMA1 gene was upregulated in CPCs and observed currents that could be attributed to the BK channel. The BK channel inhibitor paxilline significantly inhibited proliferation, increased the expression of the osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2, enhanced the migration parameters, and completely abolished spontaneous Ca2+ events in CPCs. Through characterisation of their channelome we demonstrate that CPCs are a distinct cell population but are highly similar to MSCs in many respects. This study adds key mechanistic data to the in-depth characterisation of CPCs and their phenotype in the context of cartilage regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Matta
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.,Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Rebecca Lewis
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Christopher Fellows
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Gyula Diszhazi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Janos Almassy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Nicolai Miosge
- Department of Prosthodontics, Tissue Regeneration Work Group, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - James Dixon
- Wolfson Centre for Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Modelling, Centre of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Marcos C Uribe
- The Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre (NASC), School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK
| | - Sean May
- The Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre (NASC), School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, UK
| | - Szilard Poliska
- Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Richard Barrett-Jolley
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Janos Fodor
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Peter Szentesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tibor Hajdú
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Aniko Keller-Pinter
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erin Henslee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Fatima H Labeed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Michael P Hughes
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Sciences, Centre for Biomedical Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Ali Mobasheri
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania.,Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.,Departments of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Joint Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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8
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Malik M, Roh M, England SK. Uterine contractions in rodent models and humans. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2021; 231:e13607. [PMID: 33337577 PMCID: PMC8047897 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant uterine contractions can lead to preterm birth and other labour complications and are a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. To investigate the mechanisms underlying dysfunctional uterine contractions, researchers have used experimentally tractable small animal models. However, biological differences between humans and rodents change how researchers select their animal model and interpret their results. Here, we provide a general review of studies of uterine excitation and contractions in mice, rats, guinea pigs, and humans, in an effort to introduce new researchers to the field and help in the design and interpretation of experiments in rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Malik
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | - Michelle Roh
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
| | - Sarah K. England
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis MO USA
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Abstract
Rockman et al. in this issue of JGP describe how NS11021 opens BK channels, which make the compound a better tool to probe physiological roles and gating mechanisms of BK channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianmin Cui
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Center for the Investigation of Membrane Excitability Disorders, Cardiac Bioelectricity and Arrhythmia Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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10
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11
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The Regulation of Uterine Function During Parturition: an Update and Recent Advances. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:3-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-019-00001-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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12
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Ferreira JJ, Butler A, Stewart R, Gonzalez-Cota AL, Lybaert P, Amazu C, Reinl EL, Wakle-Prabagaran M, Salkoff L, England SK, Santi CM. Oxytocin can regulate myometrial smooth muscle excitability by inhibiting the Na + -activated K + channel, Slo2.1. J Physiol 2018; 597:137-149. [PMID: 30334255 DOI: 10.1113/jp276806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS At the end of pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent state to a highly contractile state. This transition requires that the uterine (myometrial) smooth muscle cells increase their excitability, although how this occurs is not fully understood. We identified SLO2.1, a potassium channel previously unknown in uterine smooth muscle, as a potential significant contributor to the electrical excitability of myometrial smooth muscle cells. We found that activity of the SLO2.1 channel is negatively regulated by oxytocin via Gαq-protein-coupled receptor activation of protein kinase C. This results in depolarization of the uterine smooth muscle cells and calcium entry, which may contribute to uterine contraction. These findings provide novel insights into a previously unknown mechanism by which oxytocin may act to modulate myometrial smooth muscle cell excitability. Our findings also reveal a new potential pharmacological target for modulating uterine excitability. ABSTRACT During pregnancy, the uterus transitions from a quiescent state to a more excitable contractile state. This is considered to be at least partly a result of changes in the myometrial smooth muscle cell (MSMC) resting membrane potential. However, the ion channels controlling the myometrial resting membrane potential and the mechanism of transition to a more excitable state have not been fully clarified. In the present study, we show that the sodium-activated, high-conductance, potassium leak channel, SLO2.1, is expressed and active at the resting membrane potential in MSMCs. Additionally, we report that SLO2.1 is inhibited by oxytocin binding to the oxytocin receptor. Inhibition of SLO2.1 leads to membrane depolarization and activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels, resulting in calcium influx. The results of the present study reveal that oxytocin may modulate MSMC electrical activity by inhibiting SLO2.1 potassium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan J Ferreira
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alice Butler
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Richard Stewart
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ana Laura Gonzalez-Cota
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Pascale Lybaert
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA.,Present address: Laboratoire de Physiologie et Pharmacologie (LAPP), Faculté de Médecine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Chinwendu Amazu
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Erin L Reinl
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA.,Present address: Pharmacology Department, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Monali Wakle-Prabagaran
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lawrence Salkoff
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah K England
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Celia M Santi
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Louis, MO, USA.,Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, St Louis, MO, USA
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Söderhielm PC, Klein AB, Bomholtz SH, Jensen AA. Profiling of GABA A and GABA B receptor expression in the myometrium of the human uterus. Life Sci 2018; 214:145-152. [PMID: 30343129 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mediates its physiological effects through the GABAA and GABAB receptors. In this study the putative expression of GABAAR and GABABR subunits in human myometrium tissue was investigated. MAIN METHODS The expression levels of the 19 GABAAR subunits (α1-α6, β1-β3, γ1-γ3, δ, ε, π, θ, ρ1-ρ3) and the three GABABR subunits (GABAB1a, GABAB1b, GABAB2) were characterized by RT-qPCR analysis on two commercial samples and six samples derived from surgically removed myometrial tissues from different women. We probed for functional GABAAR expression in primary human myometrial smooth muscle cells (HMSMCs) by whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. KEY FINDINGS The absolute mRNA levels of the 22 GABAAR and GABABR genes varied considerably across the eight samples, but a pronounced overlap existed between the specific subunits detected in the samples, with α2, β2, β3, ε, π, θ, GABAB1a and GABAB1b mRNAs being detected in most samples. The expression profile of GABAAR and GABABR subunit mRNAs in HMSMCs correlated with that observed in the eight tissue samples, albeit the subunit transcripts were detected at lower relative levels. Neither muscimol nor GABA evoked significant currents in these cells in the patch-clamp recordings. SIGNIFICANCE While the expression of the GABAB1 subunits on their own is unlikely to give rise to functional GABABR expression, the GABAAR subunits identified at mRNA level would be able to form functional receptors in the human myometrial tissue. Although GABAAR-mediated currents could not be recorded from HMSMCs in this study, this suggests a role for GABAergic transmission in the human myometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pella Cecilia Söderhielm
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Anders Bue Klein
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Sofia Hammami Bomholtz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, N, Denmark
| | - Anders A Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Wang Y, Sedlacek AL, Pawaria S, Xu H, Scott MJ, Binder RJ. Cutting Edge: The Heat Shock Protein gp96 Activates Inflammasome-Signaling Platforms in APCs. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2018; 201:2209-2214. [PMID: 30209191 PMCID: PMC6176107 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Several heat shock proteins (HSPs) prime immune responses, which are, in part, a result of activation of APCs. APCs respond to these immunogenic HSPs by upregulating costimulatory molecules and secreting cytokines, including IL-1β. These HSP-mediated responses are central mediators in pathological conditions ranging from cancer, sterile inflammation associated with trauma, and rheumatoid arthritis. We tested in this study the requirement of inflammasomes in the release of IL-1β by one immunogenic HSP, gp96. Our results show that murine APCs activate NLRP3 inflammasomes in response to gp96 by K+ efflux. This is shown to initiate inflammatory conditions in vivo in the absence of additional known inflammasome activators or infection. These results document a novel mechanism by which proteins of endogenous origin, the HSPs, can modulate an inflammatory response following their release from aberrant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Abigail L Sedlacek
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Sudesh Pawaria
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA 01655
| | - Haiyan Xu
- Department of Urology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003 Jiangsu, China; and
| | - Melanie J Scott
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Robert J Binder
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261;
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Reyes-García J, Flores-Soto E, Carbajal-García A, Sommer B, Montaño LM. Maintenance of intracellular Ca2+ basal concentration in airway smooth muscle (Review). Int J Mol Med 2018; 42:2998-3008. [PMID: 30280184 PMCID: PMC6202086 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In airway smooth muscle, the intracellular basal Ca2+ concentration [b(Ca2+)i] must be tightly regulated by several mechanisms in order to maintain a proper airway patency. The b[Ca2+]i is efficiently regulated by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2b, plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase 1 or 4 and by the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. Membranal Ca2+ channels, including the L-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channel (L-VDCC), T-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channel (T-VDCC) and transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3), appear to be constitutively active under basal conditions via the action of different signaling pathways, and are responsible for Ca2+ influx to maintain b[Ca2+]i. The two types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (L- and T-type) are modulated by phosphorylation processes mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). The MEK/ERK signaling pathway can be activated by G-protein-coupled receptors through the αq subunit when the endogenous ligand (i.e., acetylcholine, histamine, leukotrienes, etc.) is present under basal conditions. It may also be stimulated when receptor tyrosine kinases are occupied by the appropriate ligand (cytokines, growth factors, etc.). ERK1/2 phosphorylates L-VDCC on Ser496 of the β2 subunit and Ser1928 of the α1 subunit, decreasing or increasing the channel activity, respectively, and enabling it to switch between an open and closed state. T-VDCC is also probably phosphorylated by ERK1/2, although further research is required to identify the phosphorylation sites. TRPC3 is directly activated by diacylglycerol produced by phospholipase C (PLCβ or γ). Constitutive inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production induces the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum through inositol triphosphate receptor 1. This ion induces Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release through the ryanodine receptor 2 (designated as Ca2+ ‘sparks’). Therefore, several Ca2+ handling mechanisms are finely tuned to regulate basal intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. It is conceivable that alterations in any of these processes may render airway smooth muscle susceptible to develop hyperresponsiveness that is observed in ailments such as asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Reyes-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Edgar Flores-Soto
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Abril Carbajal-García
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Departamento de Investigación en Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Ciudad de México 14080, México
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, México
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Beta-Estradiol Regulates Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels and Estrogen Receptors in Telocytes from Human Myometrium. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19051413. [PMID: 29747396 PMCID: PMC5983827 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19051413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels and estrogen receptors are essential players in uterine physiology, and their association with different calcium signaling pathways contributes to healthy and pathological conditions of the uterine myometrium. Among the properties of the various cell subtypes present in human uterine myometrium, there is increasing evidence that calcium oscillations in telocytes (TCs) contribute to contractile activity and pregnancy. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of beta-estradiol on voltage-gated calcium channels and estrogen receptors in TCs from human uterine myometrium and to understand their role in pregnancy. For this purpose, we employed patch-clamp recordings, ratiometric Fura-2-based calcium imaging analysis, and qRT-PCR techniques for the analysis of cultured human myometrial TCs derived from pregnant and non-pregnant uterine samples. In human myometrial TCs from both non-pregnant and pregnant uterus, we evidenced by qRT-PCR the presence of genes encoding for voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav3.1, Ca3.2, Cav3.3, Cav2.1), estrogen receptors (ESR1, ESR2, GPR30), and nuclear receptor coactivator 3 (NCOA3). Pregnancy significantly upregulated Cav3.1 and downregulated Cav3.2, Cav3.3, ESR1, ESR2, and NCOA3, compared to the non-pregnant condition. Beta-estradiol treatment (24 h, 10, 100, 1000 nM) downregulated Cav3.2, Cav3.3, Cav1.2, ESR1, ESR2, GRP30, and NCOA3 in TCs from human pregnant uterine myometrium. We also confirmed the functional expression of voltage-gated calcium channels by patch-clamp recordings and calcium imaging analysis of TCs from pregnant human myometrium by perfusing with BAY K8644, which induced calcium influx through these channels. Additionally, we demonstrated that beta-estradiol (1000 nM) antagonized the effect of BAY K8644 (2.5 or 5 µM) in the same preparations. In conclusion, we evidenced the presence of voltage-gated calcium channels and estrogen receptors in TCs from non-pregnant and pregnant human uterine myometrium and their gene expression regulation by beta-estradiol in pregnant conditions. Further exploration of the calcium signaling in TCs and its modulation by estrogen hormones will contribute to the understanding of labor and pregnancy mechanisms and to the development of effective strategies to reduce the risk of premature birth.
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Pchelintseva E, Djamgoz MBA. Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation: Control by calcium-activated potassium channels. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:3755-3768. [PMID: 28776687 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in modern medicine for which understanding the mechanisms controlling their differentiation is fundamental. Ion channels offer novel insights to this process because of their role in modulating membrane potential and intracellular milieu. Here, we evaluate the contribution of calcium-activated potassium (KCa ) channels to the three main components of MSC differentiation: initiation, proliferation, and migration. First, we demonstrate the importance of the membrane potential (Vm ) and the apparent association of hyperpolarization with differentiation. Of KCa subtypes, most evidence points to activity of big-conductance channels in inducing initiation. On the other hand, intermediate-conductance currents have been shown to promote progression through the cell cycle. While there is no information on the role of KCa channels in migration of MSCs, work from other stem cells and cancer cells suggest that intermediate-conductance and to a lesser extent big-conductance channels drive migration. In all cases, these effects depend on species, tissue origin and lineage. Finally, we present a conceptual model that demonstrates how KCa activity could influence differentiation by regulating Vm and intracellular Ca2+ oscillations. We conclude that KCa channels have significant involvement in MSC differentiation and could potentially enable novel tissue engineering approaches and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina Pchelintseva
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Neuroscience Solution to Cancer Research Group, London, UK.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, UK
| | - Mustafa B A Djamgoz
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, Neuroscience Solution to Cancer Research Group, London, UK
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