Role of sphingosine-1-phosphate inβ-adrenoceptor desensitization via Ca(2+) sensitization in airway smooth muscle

Possible Involvement of Lysophospholipids in Severe Asthma as Novel Lipid Mediators

In severe asthma, symptoms are unstable despite intensive treatment based on high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and on-demand use of oral corticosteroids. Although, recently, various biological agents related to Th2 cytokines have been added to intensive controller medications for severe asthma, a significant progress has not been observed in the management for symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing and cough). Medical treatment focused on Type 2 inflammation is probably insufficient to maintain good long-term management for severe asthma. Airway eosinophilia and decreased reversibility in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) are listed as major predictors for exacerbation-prone asthma. However, it is generally considered that asthma is complex and heterogeneous. It is necessary to establish precision medicine using treatable traits based on a multidimensional approach related to asthma. Since phospholipids generate lysophospholipids and arachidonic acid by phospholipases, lysophospholipids can be associated with the pathogenesis of this disease via action on smooth muscle, endothelium, and epithelium in the airways. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are increased in bronchoalveolar fluid after allergen challenge. LPA, LPC, and S1P recruit eosinophils to the lungs and cause β2-adrenergic desensitization. LAP and S1P cause contraction and hyperresponsiveness in airway smooth muscle. Moreover, lysophosphatidylserine and S1P are associated with the allergic reaction related to IgE/FcεRI in mast cells. Lysophospholipid action is probably comprised of corticosteroid resistance and is independent of Type 2 inflammation, and may be corelated with oxidative stress. Lysophospholipids may be a novel molecular target in advancing the management and treatment of asthma. This review discusses the clinical relevance of lysophospholipids in asthma.

Airway Smooth Muscle Regulated by Oxidative Stress in COPD

Since COPD is a heterogeneous disease, a specific anti-inflammatory therapy for this disease has not been established yet. Oxidative stress is recognized as a major predisposing factor to COPD related inflammatory responses, resulting in pathological features of small airway fibrosis and emphysema. However, little is known about effects of oxidative stress on airway smooth muscle. Cigarette smoke increases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and enhances response to muscarinic agonists in human airway smooth muscle. Cigarette smoke also enhances proliferation of these cells with altered mitochondrial protein. Hydrogen peroxide and 8-isoprostans are increased in the exhaled breath condensate in COPD. These endogenous oxidants cause contraction of tracheal smooth muscle with Ca²⁺ dynamics through Ca²⁺ channels and with Ca²⁺ sensitization through Rho-kinase. TNF-α and growth factors potentiate proliferation of these cells by synthesis of ROS. Oxidative stress can alter the function of airway smooth muscle through Ca²⁺ signaling. These phenotype changes are associated with manifestations (dyspnea, wheezing) and pathophysiology (airflow limitation, airway remodeling, airway hyperresponsiveness). Therefore, airway smooth muscle is a therapeutic target against COPD; oxidative stress should be included in treatable traits for COPD to advance precision medicine. Research into Ca²⁺ signaling related to ROS may contribute to the development of a novel agent for COPD.

Role of Airway Smooth Muscle in Inflammation Related to Asthma and COPD

Airway smooth muscle contributes to both contractility and inflammation in the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD. Airway smooth muscle cells can change the degree of a variety of functions, including contraction, proliferation, migration, and the secretion of inflammatory mediators (phenotype plasticity). Airflow limitation, airway hyperresponsiveness, β₂-adrenergic desensitization, and airway remodeling, which are fundamental characteristic features of these diseases, are caused by phenotype changes in airway smooth muscle cells. Alterations between contractile and hyper-contractile, synthetic/proliferative phenotypes result from Ca²⁺ dynamics and Ca²⁺ sensitization. Modulation of Ca²⁺ dynamics through the large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channel/L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel linkage and of Ca²⁺ sensitization through the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway contributes not only to alterations in the contractile phenotype involved in airflow limitation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and β₂-adrenergic desensitization but also to alteration of the synthetic/proliferative phenotype involved in airway remodeling. These Ca²⁺ signal pathways are also associated with synergistic effects due to allosteric modulation between β₂-adrenergic agonists and muscarinic antagonists. Therefore, airway smooth muscle may be a target tissue in the therapy for these diseases. Moreover, the phenotype changing in airway smooth muscle cells with focuses on Ca²⁺ signaling may provide novel strategies for research and development of effective remedies against both bronchoconstriction and inflammation.

The effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate on colonic smooth muscle contractility: Modulation by TNBS-induced colitis

Aim

Increased levels of circulating sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have been reported in ulcerative colitis. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of S1P on colonic smooth muscle contractility and how is it affected by colitis.

Methods

Colonic inflammation was induced by intrarectal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid. Five days later colon segments were isolated and used for contractility experiments and immunoblotting.

Results

S1P contracted control and inflamed colon segments and the contraction was significantly greater in inflamed colon segments. S1P-induced contraction was mediated by S1PR1 and S1PR2 in control and S1PR2 in inflamed colon segments. S1PR3 did not play a significant role in S1P-induced contractions in control or inflamed colon. S1PR1, S1PR2 and S1PR3 proteins were expressed in colon segments from both groups. The expression of S1PR1 and S1PR2 was significantly enhanced in control and inflamed colon segments, respectively. S1PR3 levels however were not significantly different between the two groups. Nifedipine significantly reduced S1P-induced contraction in control but not inflamed colon segments. Thapsigargin significantly reduced S1P-induced contraction of the inflamed colon. GF 109203X and Y-27632, alone abolished S1P-induced contraction of the control but not inflamed colon segments. Combination of GF 109203X, Y-27632 and thapsigargin abolished S1P-induced contraction of inflamed colon segments.

Conclusion

S1P contracted control colon via S1PR1 and S1PR2 and inflamed colon exclusively via S1PR2. Calcium influx (control) or release (inflamed) and calcium sensitization are involved in S1P-induced contraction. Exacerbated response to S1P in colitic colon segments may explain altered colonic motility reported in patients and experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease.

Effect of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate on Cyclo-Oxygenase-2 Expression, Prostaglandin E2 Secretion, and β2-Adrenergic Receptor Desensitization

Tachyphylaxis of the β2-adrenergic receptor limits the efficacy of bronchodilatory β2-agonists in respiratory disease. Cellular studies in airway smooth muscle (ASM) have shown that inflammatory mediators and infectious stimuli reduce β2-adrenergic responsiveness in a cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2-mediated, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-dependant manner. Herein, we show that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid that plays an important role in pathophysiology of asthma, also induces β2-adrenergic receptor desensitization in bronchial ASM cells and exerts hyporesponsiveness to β2-agonists. We treated ASM cells with S1P (1 μM) for up to 24 hours and then examined the temporal kinetics of COX-2 mRNA expression, protein up-regulation, and PGE2 secretion. S1P significantly enhanced COX-2 expression and PGE2 secretion, and this was repressed by the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, the corticosteroid dexamethasone, or small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown of COX-2 expression. In combination with another proinflammatory mediator found elevated in asthmatic airways, the cytokine TNF-α, we observed that S1P-induced COX-2 mRNA expression and protein up-regulation and PGE2 secretion from ASM cells were significantly enhanced. Notably, S1P induced heterologous β2-adrenergic desensitization, as measured by inhibition of cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in response to the short-acting β2-agonist, salbutamol, and the long-acting β2-agonist, formoterol. Taken together, these data indicate that S1P represses β2-adrenergic activity in ASM cells by increasing COX-2-mediated PGE2 production, and suggest that this bioactive sphingolipid found elevated in asthma may contribute to β2-adrenergic desensitization.

Research and development of bronchodilators for asthma and COPD with a focus on G protein/KCa channel linkage and β2-adrenergic intrinsic efficacy

Bronchodilators are used to improve symptoms and lung function in asthma and COPD. Airway smooth muscle tone is regulated by both muscarinic and β2-adrenergic receptor activity. Large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (KCa) channels are activated by β2-adrenergic receptor agonists, via Gs, and suppressed by muscarinic receptor antagonists via Gi. This functional antagonism converges on the G protein/KCa channel linkages. Membrane potential regulated by KCa channels contributes to airway smooth muscle tension via Ca(2+) influx passing through voltage-dependent Ca(2+) (VDC) channels. The Gs/KCa/VDC channel linkage is a key process in not only physiological effects, but also in dysfunction of β2-adrenergic receptors and airway remodeling. Moreover, this pathway is involved in the synergistic effects between β2-adrenergic receptor agonists and muscarinic receptor antagonists. Intrinsic efficacy is also an important characteristic for both maintenance and loss of β2-adrenergic action. Allosteric modulators of G protein-coupled receptors contribute not only to this synergistic effect between β2-adrenergic and muscarinic M2 receptors, but also to intrinsic efficacy. The effects of weak partial agonists are suppressed by lowering receptor number, disordering receptor function, and enhancing functional antagonism; in contrast, those of full or strong partial agonists are not suppressed. Excessive exposure to full agonists causes β2-adrenergic desensitization; in contrast, exposure to partial agonists does not cause desensitization. Intrinsic efficacy may provide the rationale for the clinical use of β2-adrenergic receptor agonists in asthma and COPD. In conclusion, the G protein/KCa linkage and intrinsic efficacy (allosteric effects) may be therapeutic targets for research and development of novel agents against both airway obstruction and airway remodeling.

Asthmatic airway hyperresponsiveness: the ants in the tree

Airways from asthmatics have a propensity to narrow excessively in response to spasmogens (i.e., contractile agonists), a feature called airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). AHR is an important contributor to asthma symptoms because the degree of responsiveness dictates the amount of airway narrowing that occurs in response to inflammation-derived spasmogens produced endogenously following exposure to environmental triggers, such as allergens, viruses, or pollutants. The smooth muscle encircling the airways is responsible for responsiveness because it constricts the airway lumen when commanded to contract by spasmogens. However, whether AHR seen in asthmatics is due to stronger muscle is equivocal. In this opinion article, I propose that environmental triggers and other inflammatory molecules released during asthma attacks contribute to AHR by increasing muscle force.

Regulation of GPCR-mediated smooth muscle contraction: implications for asthma and pulmonary hypertension

Contractile G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have emerged as key regulators of smooth muscle contraction, both under healthy and diseased conditions. This brief review will discuss some key topics and novel insights regarding GPCR-mediated airway and vascular smooth muscle contraction as discussed at the 7th International Young Investigators' Symposium on Smooth Muscle (2011, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) and will in particular focus on processes driving Ca(2+)-mobilization and -sensitization.