A 6-month open-label study of the effectiveness and tolerability of galantamine in patients with Alzheimer's disease

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of galantamine in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in everyday clinical practice. Patient selection was made on 36 sequential patients attending Belfast City Hospital Memory Clinic between December 2000 and June 2001. Patients were treated with galantamine for 6 months, starting from 4 mg twice daily increasing to 8 mg twice daily and then to 12 mg twice daily at 4-weekly intervals. Patients (25 females, 11 males), mean age 78 years (59-90), were diagnosed with probable AD and had a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score of 10-26. Efficacy was assessed using the MMSE, neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), neuropsychiatric inventory caregiver distress (NPI-D) scale and the Bristol activities of daily living (B-ADL) scale at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Mean improvements were noted on all four measures of efficacy at 3 and 6 months; improvements were significant on the MMSE, NPI and NPI-D at 3 months and on the NPI-D at 6 months. Galantamine was overall well tolerated. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, particularly nausea. Four patients stopped treatment due to adverse events, and seven were stabilised on 8 mg twice daily as they were unable to tolerate the target dose. This naturalistic study confirms clinical trial data, which shows galantamine improves cognition and behavioural symptoms and is overall well tolerated.

Update on pulmonary edema: the role and regulation of endothelial barrier function

Discovery of the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to pulmonary edema and identification of effective strategies for prevention remain significant clinical concerns. Endothelial barrier function is a key component for maintenance of the integrity of the vascular boundary in the lung, particularly since the gas exchange surface area of the alveolar-capillary membrane is large. This review is focused on new insights in the pulmonary endothelial response to injury and recovery, reversible activation by edemagenic agents, and the biochemical/structural basis for regulation of endothelial barrier function. This information is discussed in the context of fundamental concepts of lung fluid balance and pulmonary function.

Bacterial induction of pleural mesothelial monolayer barrier dysfunction

Pneumonia remains one of the most common infectious causes of mortality. Patients with pneumonia develop parapneumonic effusions with a high neutrophil count as well as high protein concentrations. We hypothesized that pulmonary parenchymal bacterial infection causes a permeability change in the pleural mesothelium by inducing the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions (empyema) have a 19-fold higher VEGF level than pleural fluids secondary to congestive heart failure and a 4-fold higher level than pleural fluids secondary to uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions. We also analyzed the influence of live Staphylococcus aureus on mesothelial barrier function using a model of confluent mesothelial monolayers. There was a significant drop in electrical resistance across S. aureus-infected pleural mesothelial cell (PMC) monolayers. Recombinant VEGF also decreases PMC electrical resistance. Neutralizing antibodies to VEGF significantly inhibited the drop in PMC electrical resistance caused by S. aureus. S. aureus infection also caused a significant increase in protein leak across confluent mesothelial monolayers. Our results suggest that bacterial pathogens induce VEGF release in mesothelial cells and alter mesothelial permeability, leading to protein exudation in empyema.

Regulation of endothelial barrier function by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Elevation of cAMP promotes the endothelial cell (EC) barrier and protects the lung from edema development. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that both increases and decreases in PKA modulate EC function and coordinate distribution of regulatory, adherence, and cytoskeletal proteins. Inhibition of PKA activity by RpcAMPS and activation by cholera toxin was verified by assay of kemptide phosphorylation in digitonin permeabilized EC. Inhibition of PKA by RpcAMPS or overexpression of the endogenous inhibitor, PKI, decreased monolayer electrical impedance and exacerbated the decreases produced by agonists (thrombin and PMA). RpcAMPS directly increased F-actin content and organization into stress fibers, increased co-staining of actin with both phosphatase 2B and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), caused reorganization of focal adhesions, and decreased catenin at cell borders. These findings are similar to those evoked by thrombin. In contrast, cholera toxin prevented the agonist-induced resistance decrease and protein redistribution. Although PKA activation attenuated thrombin-induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, PKA inhibition per se did not cause MLC phosphorylation or affect [Ca2+]i. These studies indicate that a decrease in PKA activity alone can produce disruption of barrier function via mechanisms not involving MLCK and support a central role for cAMP/PKA in regulation of cytoskeletal and adhesive protein function in EC which correlates with altered barrier function.

Diperoxovanadate alters endothelial cell focal contacts and barrier function: role of tyrosine phosphorylation

Diperoxovanadate (DPV), a potent tyrosine kinase activator and protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, was utilized to explore bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell barrier regulation. DPV produced dose-dependent decreases in transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) and increases in permeability to albumin, which were preceded by brief increases in TER (peak TER effect at 10-15 min). The significant and sustained DPV-mediated TER reductions were primarily the result of decreased intercellular resistance, rather than decreased resistance between the cell and the extracellular matrix, and were reduced by pretreatment with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein but not by inhibition of p42/p44 mitogen-activating protein kinases. Immunofluorescent analysis after DPV challenge revealed dramatic F-actin polymerization and stress-fiber assembly and increased colocalization of tyrosine phosphoproteins with F-actin in a circumferential pattern at the cell periphery, changes that were abolished by genistein. The phosphorylation of focal adhesion and adherens junction proteins on tyrosine residues was confirmed in immunoprecipitates of focal adhesion kinase and cadherin-associated proteins in which dramatic dose-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation was observed after DPV stimulation. We speculate that DPV enhances endothelial cell monolayer integrity via focal adhesion plaque phosphorylation and produces subsequent monolayer destabilization of adherens junctions initiated by adherens junction protein tyrosine phosphorylation catalyzed by p60(src) or Src-related tyrosine kinases.

Developmental regulation of FKBP65. An ER-localized extracellular matrix binding-protein

FKBP65 (65-kDa FK506-binding protein) is a member of the highly conserved family of intracellular receptors called immunophilins. All have the property of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerization, and most have been implicated in folding and trafficking events. In an earlier study, we identified that FKBP65 associates with the extracellular matrix protein tropoelastin during its transport through the cell. In the present study, we have carried out a detailed investigation of the subcellular localization of FKBP65 and its relationship to tropoelastin. Using subcellular fractionation, Triton X-114 phase separation, protease protection assays, and immunofluorescence microscopy (IF), we have identified that FKBP65 is contained within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Subsequent IF studies colocalized FKBP65 with tropoelastin and showed that the two proteins dissociate before reaching the Golgi apparatus. Immunohistochemical localization of FKBP65 in developing lung showed strong staining of vascular and airway smooth muscle cells. Similar areas stained positive for the presence of elastic fibers in the extracellular matrix. The expression of FKBP65 was investigated during development as tropoelastin is not expressed in adult tissues. Tissue-specific expression of FKBP65 was observed in 12-d old mouse tissues; however, the pattern of expression of FKBP65 was not restricted to those tissues expressing tropoelastin. This suggests that additional ligands for FKBP65 likely exist within the ER. Remarkably, in the adult tissues examined, FKBP65 expression was absent or barely detectable. Taken together, these results support an ER-localized FKBP65-tropoelastin interaction that occurs specifically during growth and development of tissues.

Characterization of the protein phosphatase 1 catalytic subunit in endothelium: involvement in contractile responses

We have previously demonstrated the direct involvement of a type 1 Ser/Thr phosphatase (PPase 1) in endothelial cell (EC) barrier regulation [Am. J. Physiol. 269:L99-L108, 1995]. To further extend this observation, we microinjected either the Ser/Thr PPase inhibitor, calyculin, or the PPase 1 inhibitory protein, I-2 into bovine pulmonary artery EC and demonstrated both an increase in F-actin stress fibers and a shift from a regular polygonal shape to a spindle shape with gaps apparent at the cell borders. Northern blot analysis with specific cDNA probes revealed the presence of three major PPase 1 catalytic subunit (CS1) isoforms (alpha, delta, and gamma) in human and bovine EC. To characterize the myosin-associated EC CS1 isoform, myosin-enriched bovine EC fraction was screened with anti-CS1alpha and anti-CS1delta antibodies The anti-CS1delta antiserum, but not anti-CS1alpha antiserum cross reacts with the CS1 isoform present in myosin-enriched fraction and CS1delta was found in stable association with EC myosin/myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) complex in MLCK immunoprecipitates under nondenaturing conditions. Consistent with these data, overexpression of CS1delta-GFP construct in bovine endothelium followed by immunoprecipitation of CS1 with anti-GFP antibody revealed the stable association of CS1delta with actomyosin complex. Finally, screening of a human EC oligo(dT)-primed cDNA library with a probe encoding a rat CS1delta cDNA segment yielding several positive clones that encoded the entire CS1delta open reading frame and partially noncoding regions. Sequence analysis determined a high homology ( approximately 99%) with human CS1delta derived from a teratocarcinoma cell line. Together, these data suggest that CS1delta is the major of PPase 1 isoform specifically associated with EC actomyosin complex and which participates in EC barrier regulation.

Measles virus spread between neurons requires cell contact but not CD46 expression, syncytium formation, or extracellular virus production

In patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), which is associated with persistent measles virus (MV) infection in the brain, little infectious virus can be recovered despite the presence of viral RNA and protein. Based on studies of brain tissue from SSPE patients and our work with MV-infected NSE-CD46(+) mice, which express the measles receptor CD46 on neurons, several lines of evidence suggest that the mechanism of viral spread in the central nervous system differs from that in nonneuronal cells. To examine this alternate mechanism of viral spread, as well as the basis for the loss of normal transmission mechanisms, infection and spread of MV Edmonston was evaluated in primary CD46(+) neurons from transgenic mice and differentiated human NT2 neurons. As expected, unlike that between fibroblasts, viral spread between neurons occurred in the absence of syncytium formation and with minimal extracellular virus. Electron microscopy analysis showed that viral budding did not occur from the neuronal surface, although nucleocapsids were present in the cytoplasm and aligned at the cell membrane. We observed many examples of nucleocapsids present in the neuronal processes and aligned at presynaptic neuronal membranes. Cocultures of CD46(+) and CD46(-) neurons showed that cell contact but not CD46 expression is required for MV spread between neurons. Collectively, these results suggest that the neuronal environment prevents the normal mechanisms of MV spread between neurons at the level of viral assembly but allows an alternate, CD46-independent mechanism of viral transmission, possibly through the synapse.

Human cytomegalovirus UL36 protein is dispensable for viral replication in cultured cells

Consistent with earlier analyses of human cytomegalovirus UL36 mRNA, we find that the UL36 protein is present throughout infection. In fact, it is delivered to the infected cell as a constituent of the virion. Curiously, much less UL36 protein accumulated in cells infected with the AD169 strain of human cytomegalovirus than in cells infected with the Towne or Toledo strain, and localization of the protein in cells infected with AD169 is strikingly different from that in cell infected with the Towne or Toledo strain. The variation in steady-state level of the proteins results from different stabilities of the proteins. The UL36 proteins from the three viral strains differ by several amino acid substitutions. However, this variability is not responsible for the different half-lives because the AD169 and Towne proteins, which exhibit very different half-lives within infected cells, exhibit the same half-life when introduced into uninfected cells by transfection with expression plasmids. We demonstrate that the UL36 protein is nonessential for growth in cultured cells, and we propose that the ability of the virus to replicate in the absence of UL36 function likely explains the striking strain-specific variation in the half-life and intracellular localization of the protein.

Regulation of endothelial cell myosin light chain kinase by Rho, cortactin, and p60(src)

Inflammatory diseases of the lung are characterized by increases in vascular permeability and enhanced leukocyte infiltration, reflecting compromise of the endothelial cell (EC) barrier. We examined potential molecular mechanisms that underlie these alterations and assessed the effects of diperoxovanadate (DPV), a potent tyrosine kinase activator and phosphatase inhibitor, on EC contractile events. Confocal immunofluorescent microscopy confirmed dramatic increases in stress-fiber formation and colocalization of EC myosin light chain (MLC) kinase (MLCK) with the actin cytoskeleton, findings consistent with activation of the endothelial contractile apparatus. DPV produced significant time-dependent increases in MLC phosphorylation that were significantly attenuated but not abolished by EC MLCK inhibition with KT-5926. Pretreatment with the Rho GTPase-inhibitory C3 exotoxin completely abolished DPV-induced MLC phosphorylation, consistent with Rho-mediated MLC phosphatase inhibition and novel regulation of EC MLCK activity. Immunoprecipitation of EC MLCK after DPV challenge revealed dramatic time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinase in association with increased MLCK activity and a stable association of MLCK with the p85 actin-binding protein cortactin and p60(src). Translocation of immunoreactive cortactin from the cytosol to the cytoskeleton was noted after DPV in concert with cortactin tyrosine phosphorylation. These studies indicate that DPV activates the endothelial contractile apparatus in a Rho GTPase-dependent fashion and suggests that p60(src)-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of MLCK and cortactin may be important features of contractile complex assembly.

Derivation of extracellular polysaccharide-deficient variants from a serotype A strain of Pasteurella multocida

The production of serotype A extracellular polysaccharide is thought to be associated with expression of an approximately 40-kDa lipoprotein (P1p-40) present on the outer surface of Pasteurella multocida strains of avian origin. The tendency of certain strains to undergo colonial dissociation concomitantly with serial passaging on laboratory growth media was exploited to derive two variant strains exhibiting the capsule-deficient phenotype from a heavily capsulated parental strain. Assessments of colonial consistency, iridescence, gentian violet binding, and hyaluronidase sensitivity were consistent with cellular observations indicating little or no capsulation of derivative strains. Fluorographic analysis of electrophoretically resolved cellular lipoproteins labeled with [3H]-palmitate revealed capsular loss occurred with a concomitant diminution of P1p-40 production in the variant strains. In contrast, a phenotypically stable strain that did not undergo colonial dissociation under identical conditions exhibited no decrease in P1p-40 content. This work provides a model system for investigating the role of extracellular polysaccharide in the cell surface physiology and pathogenicity of P. multocida. The present results strongly support the notion that P1p-40 is associated with serotype A capsular material and suggest coordinate regulation of their biosynthesis.

Role of tyrosine phosphorylation in thrombin-induced endothelial cell contraction and barrier function

Thrombin-induced endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction is highly dependent upon phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues present on myosin light chains (MLC) catalyzed by a novel EC myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) isoform. In this study, we examined the participation of tyrosine protein phosphorylation in EC contraction, gap formation and barrier dysfunction. We first determined that thrombin significantly increases protein tyrosine kinase activity and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in bovine pulmonary artery EC. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and 2,5 DHC, reduced EC tyrosine kinase activities, however, only genistein significantly attenuated thrombin-mediated increases in albumin clearance and reductions in transendothelial electrical resistance. Similarly, genistein but not 2,5 DHC, decreased basal and thrombin-induced Ca2+ increases and MLC phosphorylation in the absence of alterations in Type 1 or 2A serine/threonine phosphatase activities. Immunoprecipitation of the EC MLCK isoform revealed a 214 kD immunoreactive phosphotyrosine protein and genistein pretreatment significantly reduced MLCK activity in MLCK immunoprecipitates. Although thrombin induced the translocation of p60src from the cytosol to the EC cytoskeleton, a detectable increase in the level of MLCK tyrosine phosphorylation was not noted after thrombin challenge. Taken together, our data suggest that genistein-sensitive tyrosine kinase activities are involved in thrombin-mediated EC MLCK activation, MLC phosphorylation, and barrier dysfunction.

Evidence for early signaling events in stomatin-induced differentiation of Tetrahymena vorax

The mechanism of stomatin-induced differentiation of Tetrahymena vorax was investigated by in vivo protease degradation of cell surface proteins, the direct measurement of products formed from the activation of phospholipase C, and the use of an array of signal transduction inhibitors/activators. The data indicate that a surface-exposed protein is required for stomatin to signal the cells to differentiate and that the cells are committed to the differentiation pathway within two hours after exposure to stomatin. Analysis of radiolabeled polyphosphoinositols and inositol lipids from control and stomatin-treated populations in the presence of 10 mM LiCl were consistent with a rapid activation of phospholipase C. Within five min following addition of stomatin, this resulted in an increase in polyphosphoinositols and a concomitant decrease in the relative amounts of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol trisphosphate.

Regulation of interleukin-1-stimulated GMCSF mRNA levels in human endothelium

The regulation of interleukin-1 (IL-1)-mediated increases in GMCSF mRNA levels in human endothelium was examined and determined to occur in a time- and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner. IL-1beta induced the early activation and translocation of PKC isotypes alpha and beta2 to the nucleus and PKC inhibition attenuated the IL-1-mediated increase in GMCSF mRNA levels. PKC activation by PMA alone, in the absence of IL-1beta activation, however, was insufficient to allow GMCSF mRNA detection. Increasing cyclic adenosine nucleotide (cAMP) levels suppressed IL-1beta-induced increases in GMCSF mRNA levels. In contrast, botulinum toxin C, which mediates the ADP ribosylation of a 21 kD ras-related G protein, augmented IL-1beta-induced GMCSF mRNA expression. Inhibition of protein synthesis (with cycloheximide) raised basal GMCSF mRNA transcripts to detectable levels, augmented IL-1-induced increases in GMCSF mRNA levels, and exhibited negative regulation by cAMP. Finally, disruption of either microtubules (with colchicine) or microfilaments (with cytochalasin B) resulted in reduced GMCSF mRNA expression in response to IL-1beta. These results are compatible with a model wherein IL-1-mediated increases in human endothelial cell GMCSF mRNA may be linked to both nuclear protein kinase C activation and activation of a low molecular weight G-protein, although neither activity alone is sufficient to increase the levels of GMCSF mRNA.

Biochemical regulation of the nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase isoform in bovine endothelium

Specific models of vascular permeability are critically dependent on myosin light chain phosphorylation, a reaction catalyzed by a novel high molecular-weight (214 kD) Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) isoform recently cloned in human endothelium (Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., 1997;16:489-494). To evaluate mechanisms of endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction evoked by the serine protease thrombin, we studied the regulation of the 214-kD EC MLCK isoform expressed in bovine endothelium. The EC MLCK isoform bound biotinylated CaM in a Ca2+-dependent manner and co-immunoprecipitated in a functional complex with myosin, actin, and CaM. Thrombin rapidly increased MLCK activity in concert with time-dependent translocation of the enzyme to the actin cytoskeleton. To evaluate whether EC MLCK activity was regulated by direct phosphorylation, amino acid sequence analysis identified multiple potential EC MLCK sites for Ser/Thr phosphorylation, including highly conserved phosphorylation sites for cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) adjacent to the CaM-binding region. EC MLCK activity was attenuated by either PKA-mediated MLCK phosphorylation or inhibition of Ser/Thr phosphatase activity (fluoride or calyculin), which significantly increased MLCK phosphorylation while decreasing MLCK activity (3- to 4-fold decrease). In summary, although the EC MLCK isoform exhibits multiple features intrinsic to this family of kinases, thrombin-mediated EC contraction and barrier dysfunction requires increased EC MLCK-actin interaction and MLCK translocation to the cytoskeleton. EC MLCK activity appears to be highly dependent upon the phosphorylation status of this key contractile effector.

Expression of a novel high molecular-weight myosin light chain kinase in endothelium

Myosin light chain phosphorylation results in cellular contraction and is a critical component of agonist-mediated endothelial cell (EC) junctional gap formation and permeability. We have shown that this reaction is catalyzed by a novel high molecular-weight Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent nonmuscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) isoform recently cloned in human endothelium (Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol., 1997;16:489-494). To characterize EC MLCK expression further in cultured and adult tissues, we employed immunoblotting techniques and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate that freshly isolated and cultured human macro- and microvascular EC express only the EC MLCK isoform (214 kD), which is distinct from smooth-muscle MLCK isoforms (130 to 150 kD). Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated the presence of the high molecular-weight MLCK isoform in adult human cardiac endothelium using anti-MLCK antibodies, which preferentially recognize the high molecular-weight EC MLCK isoform. Monitoring of MLCK expression in different cell types with antibodies generated against a unique human EC MLCK N-terminal sequence revealed a high level of expression of the 214-kD enzyme in endothelium, minimal level of expression in smooth muscle, and no expression in skeletal muscle. These data suggest that the novel 214-kD kinase, the only MLCK isoform found in endothelium, may be preferentially expressed in this nonmuscle tissue.

Role of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase 2B in thrombin-induced endothelial cell contractile responses

Thrombin-induced Ca2+ mobilization, activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain (MLC) kinase (MLCK), and increased phosphorylation of MLCs precede and are critical to endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction. Net MLC dephosphorylation after thrombin is nearly complete by 60 min and involves type 1 phosphatase (PPase 1) activity. We now report that thrombin does not alter total PPase 1 activity in EC homogenates but rather decreases myosin-associated PPase 1 activity. The PPase 1 inhibitor calyculin fails to prevent thrombin-induced MLC dephosphorylation. However, thrombin significantly increased the activity of Ca2+-dependent PPase 2B in EC homogenates (approximately 1.5- to 2-fold), with PPase 2B activation correlating with phosphorylation of the PPase 2B catalytic subunit. Western immunoblotting revealed PPase 2B to be present in cytoskeletal EC fractions, with specific PPase 2B inhibitors such as cyclosporin (200 nM) and deltamethrin (100 nM to 1 microM) attenuating thrombin-induced cytoskeletal protein dephosphorylation, including EC MLC dephosphorylation. These results suggest a model whereby thrombin-inducible contraction is determined by the phosphorylation status of EC MLC regulated by the balance between EC MLCK, PPase 1 (constitutive), and PPase 2B (inducible) activities.

Thrombin-mediated focal adhesion plaque reorganization in endothelium: role of protein phosphorylation

Endothelial cell (EC) gap formation and barrier function are subject to dual regulation by (1) axial contractile forces, regulated by myosin light chain kinase activity, and (2) tethering forces, represented by cell-cell and cell-substratum adhesions. We examined whether focal adhesion plaque proteins (vinculin and talin) and focal adhesion kinase, p125FAK (FAK), represent target regulatory sites involved in thrombin-mediated EC barrier dysfunction. Histologically, thrombin produced dramatic rearrangement of EC actin, vinculin, and FAK in parallel with the evolution of gap formation and barrier dysfunction. Vinculin and talin were in vitro substrates for phosphorylation by EC PKC, a key effector enzyme involved in thrombin-induced EC barrier dysfunction. Although vinculin and talin were phosphorylated in situ under basal conditions in 32P-labeled EC, thrombin failed to alter the basal level of phosphorylation of these proteins. Phosphotyrosine immunoblotting showed that neither vinculin nor talin was significantly phosphorylated in situ on tyrosine residues in unstimulated ECs, and this was not further increased after thrombin. In contrast, both thrombin and the thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) produced an increase in FAK phosphotyrosine levels (corrected for immunoreactive FAK content) present in EC immunoprecipitates. Ionomycin, which produces EC barrier dysfunction in a myosin light chain kinase-independent manner, was used to increase intracellular Ca2+ and evaluate the Ca2+ sensitivity of this observation. In contrast to thrombin, ionomycin effected a dramatic decrease in the phosphotyrosine-to-immunoreactive FAK ratios, suggesting distinct effects of the two agents on FAK phosphorylation and function. These data indicate that modulation of cell tethering via phosphorylation of focal adhesion proteins is complex, agonist-specific, and may be a relevant mechanism of EC barrier dysfunction in permeability models that do not depend on an increase in myosin 20-kD regulatory light chain phosphorylation.

Mechanisms of ionomycin-induced endothelial cell barrier dysfunction

Myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation catalyzed by the Ca(2+)- calmodulin-dependent MLC kinase (MLCK) is critical to thrombin-mediated endothelial cell gap formation and barrier dysfunction. We have tested the hypothesis that the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin stimulates MLCK-dependent endothelial cell contraction and permeability. Ionomycin significantly increased albumin clearance and decreased electrical resistance across confluent bovine pulmonary microvascular and macrovascular endothelial cell monolayers in a concentration-dependent manner that was temporally similar to that produced by thrombin. In contrast, however, ionomycin produced a significant Ca(2+)-dependent reduction in the levels of phosphorylated MLC with evidence of serine/threonine phosphatase activation. Potential MLCK-independent mechanisms of endothelial cell permeability were examined with little evidence to support a role for stimulated nitric oxide synthase or phospholipase A2 activities. Importantly, ionomycin produced 1) reductions in the activities of the barrier protective adenylate cyclase and the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase A, 2) dramatic dose- and time-dependent inhibition of endothelial cell tyrosine kinase activities, and 3) marked decreases in the phosphotyrosine content of the p125 focal adhesion kinase. These data indicate that ionomycin produces endothelial cell barrier dysfunction by mechanisms that are independent of MLCK activation and may involve reductions in endothelial cell tethering forces via inhibition of protein kinase A and tyrosine kinase activities, especially the p125 focal adhesion kinase.

Human cytomegalovirus tegument protein pp71 (ppUL82) enhances the infectivity of viral DNA and accelerates the infectious cycle

Three tegument proteins of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), ppUL82 (pp71), pUL69, and ppUL83 (pp65), were examined for the ability to stimulate the production of infectious virus from human diploid fibroblasts transfected with viral DNA. Although viral DNA alone had a low intrinsic infectivity of 3 to 8 plaques/microg of viral DNA, cotransfection of a plasmid expressing pp71 increased the infectivity of HCMV DNA 30- to 80-fold. The increase in infectivity produced by pp71 was reflected in an increased number of nuclei observed to express high levels of the major immediate-early proteins IE1 and IE2. Cotransfection of viral DNA with plasmids directing expression of IE1 and IE2 also resulted in extensive IE1 and IE2 expression in the transfected cells; however, the infectivity of viral DNA was only marginally increased. pp71 also facilitated late gene expression, virus transmission to adjacent cells, and plaque formation. In contrast, expression of pUL69 reduced the pp71- and IE1/IE2-mediated enhancement of HCMV DNA infectivity and also failed to produce any increase in the number of cells expressing IE1 and IE2 over that seen with viral DNA alone. Expression of pp65 did not alter the infectivity of HCMV DNA, nor did it modify the effects of pp71 or pUL69. These results imply that pp71 plays a critical role in the initiation of infection apart from its function as a transactivator of IE1 and IE2.

Vascular endothelial cell activation and permeability responses to thrombin

The serine protease, thrombin, evokes numerous endothelial cell responses which regulate hemostasis, thrombosis and vessel wall pathophysiology. One such response, the development of intercellular gap formation and vascular permeability is relevant to each of these processes and is a cardinal features of inflammation. Regulation of endothelial cell gap formation and therefore permeability is a function of a dynamic balance between competing adhesive, barrier-promoting tethering forces and contractile, tension-producing forces which result in barrier dysfunction. The key tethering events governing focal endothelial cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions are poorly understood. In contrast, information is rapidly increasing regarding endothelial-specific contractile processes driven by the actomyosin molecular motor. The level of myosin light chain phosphorylation catalyzed by a unique myosin light chain kinase promotes productive actin-myosin interaction and governs the degree of centripetal tension produced. In this review the signal transducing and contractile mechanisms by which thrombin elicits endothelial cellular activation through its specific receptor are addressed. The pathways by which thrombin may alter the balance between contractile and tethering forces to promote endothelial cell gap formation are discussed.

Regulation of endothelial cell gap formation and barrier function by myosin-associated phosphatase activities

Thrombin-induced cultured bovine endothelial cell (EC) gap formation and albumin permeability is initiated by contraction, which is dependent upon myosin light chain kinase-mediated myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. MLC are then rapidly dephosphorylated (J. G. N. Garcia, H. W. Davis, and C. E. Patterson, J. Cell. Physiol. 163: 510-522, 1995), suggesting a role for MLC dephosphorylation in regulation of EC barrier function. Therefore, we studied the effect of semiselective protein phosphatase (PPase) inhibitors, calyculin A and okadaic acid, on MLC phosphorylation status, myosin-associated PPase activity, and EC monolayer permeability. Calyculin A (0.1-10 nM), but not okadaic acid (1-100 nM) produced significant dose-dependent enhancement of both MLC phosphorylation (three- to four-fold) and EC permeability (eightfold). EC homogenates were utilized to assess Ser/Thr PPase activities using either [32P]phosphorylase A or 32P-labeled skeletal MLC as substrates. Calyculin A at 5 nM (sufficient to inhibit type 1 and type 2A PPase) produced approximately 95% inhibition of all EC PPase activity against both substrates, whereas 2 nM okadaic acid (selective for PPase 2A) only partially inhibited EC PPase activity (40-60%). Fractionation of EC homogenates produced a supernatant fraction containing < 10% of total myosin and a pellet fraction with > 90% of total myosin. PPase activity in the myosin-enriched pellet was insensitive to 2 nM okadaic acid (0% inhibition) but sensitive to 5 nM calyculin (> 95% inhibition). Immunoreactive PPase 1 was present in both fractions, whereas PPase 2A was present only in the myosin-depleted fraction. We conclude that a type 1 myosin-associated PPase is involved in regulation of EC contractility and barrier function.

Mechanisms of pertussis toxin-induced barrier dysfunction in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers

We have previously characterized several G proteins in endothelial cells (EC) as substrates for the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of both pertussis (PT) and cholera toxin and described the modulation of key EC physiological responses, including gap formation and barrier function, by these toxins. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in PT-mediated regulation of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells barrier function. PT caused a dose-dependent increase in albumin transfer, dependent upon action of the holotoxin, since neither the heat-inactivated PT, the isolated oligomer, nor the protomer induced EC permeability. PT-induced gap formation and barrier dysfunction were additive to either thrombin- or thrombin receptor-activating peptide-induced permeability, suggesting that thrombin and PT utilize distinct mechanisms. PT did not result in Ca2+ mobilization or alter either basal or thrombin-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation. However, PT stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and both PKC downregulation and PKC inhibition attenuated PT-induced permeability, indicating that PKC activity is involved in PT-induced barrier dysfunction. Like thrombin-induced permeability, the PT effect was blocked by prior increases in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Thus PT-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a G protein (possibly other than Gi) may regulate cytoskeletal protein interactions, leading to EC barrier dysfunction.

Regulation of endothelial cell gap formation and barrier dysfunction: role of myosin light chain phosphorylation

Endothelial cell (EC) contraction results in intercellular gap formation and loss of the selective vascular barrier to circulating macromolecules. We tested the hypothesis that phosphorylation of regulatory myosin light chains (MLC) by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is critical to EC barrier dysfunction elicited by thrombin. Thrombin stimulated a rapid (< 15 sec) increase in [Ca2+]i which preceded maximal MLC phosphorylation (60 sec) with a 6 to 8-fold increase above constitutive levels of phosphorylated MLC. Dramatic cellular shape changes indicative of contraction and gap formation were observed at 5 min with maximal increases in albumin permeability occurring by 10 min. Neither the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, nor phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a direct activator of protein kinase C (PKC), alone or in combination, produced MLC phosphorylation. The combination was synergistic, however, in stimulating EC contraction/gap formation and barrier dysfunction (3 to 4-fold increase). Down-regulation or inhibition of PKC activity attenuated thrombin-induced MLC phosphorylation (approximately 40% inhibition) and both thrombin- and PMA-induced albumin clearance (approximately 50% inhibition). Agents which augmented [cAMP]i partially blocked thrombin-induced MLC phosphorylation (approximately 50%) and completely inhibited both thrombin- and PMA-induced EC permeability (100% inhibition). Furthermore, cAMP produced significant reduction in the basal levels of constitutive MLC phosphorylation. Finally, MLCK inhibition (with either ML-7 or KT 5926) or Ca2+/calmodulin antagonism (with either trifluoperazine or W-7) attenuated thrombin-induced MLC phosphorylation and barrier dysfunction. These results suggest a model wherein EC contractile events, gap formation and barrier dysfunction occur via MLCK-dependent and independent mechanisms and are significantly modulated by both PKC and cAMP-dependent protein kinase A activities.

Mechanisms of cholera toxin prevention of thrombin- and PMA-induced endothelial cell barrier dysfunction

Thrombin-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation leads to compromise of monolayer barrier function due to cellular retraction/contraction and intercellular gap formation. Cyclic AMP induces relaxation in other contractile cells and promotes barrier function in EC. To investigate mechanisms involved in cAMP protection in thrombin-induced permeability, we pretreated bovine pulmonary arterial EC monolayers with 1 microgram/ml cholera holotoxin which catalyzed ADP ribosylation of Gs and increased synthesis of cAMP. The holotoxin, but not the binding subunit, reduced basal permeability and prevented gap formation and permeability following challenge with 1 microM thrombin, 100 microM thrombin receptor-activating peptide, or 1 microM phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Furthermore, thrombin-induced gap formation and permeability were reversed by cholera toxin post-treatment. Pretreatment with 5 microM forskolin or 1 mM dibutyryl cAMP, with or without 1 mM isobutyl methylxanthine, but not cGMP analogs, protected against thrombin-induced EC permeability, mimicking the cholera toxin effect. Although downregulation of protein kinase C attenuated both thrombin- and PMA-induced permeability, cholera toxin did not alter either PMA-induced protein kinase C activation or thrombin-induced Ca2+ mobilization. In contrast, cholera toxin attenuated thrombin-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation and largely prevented actin redistribution. These studies suggest that cholera toxin: (1) protects endothelial barrier function and reverses established dysfunction via increased cAMP (2) does not alter thrombin receptor interaction or early signal events such as Ca2+ mobilization and PKC activation, (3) attenuates myosin light chain kinase activation and actomyosin contractile interaction subsequent to thrombin activation, and (4) abrogates contractile processes subsequent to PKC activation, which is also an important mechanism in thrombin-induced permeability but is independent of myosin light chain kinase activation.

Regulation of thrombin-induced endothelial cell activation by bacterial toxins

It has previously been shown that thrombin effects on endothelial cells can be mediated via G-proteins, which couple the thrombin receptor to several key physiological responses. As G-proteins are known targets of bacterial toxins, specific toxins were used to further characterize G-protein involvement in thrombin activation of bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (BPAEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Homogenates were exposed to several bacterial toxins in the presence of 32P-NAD and ADP ribosylation of proteins determined by autoradiography of SDS-PAGE gels. Major substrates were a 40 kDa protein for pertussis toxin, 39, 45 and 52 kDa proteins (Gs) for cholera toxin, a 21 kDa protein for botulinum toxin C, and a 43 kDa protein (actin) for botulinum toxin C2a. The increase in either HUVEC or BPAEC PGI2 release induced by thrombin was not altered by pretreatment with any toxin. However, 1 h treatment of BPAEC monolayers with 1 microgram/ml pertussis toxin resulted in dramatic barrier dysfunction, which was synergistic with the albumin permeability induced by 1 microM thrombin. In contrast, pretreatment with 1 microgram/ml cholera toxin completely prevented the thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction. Moreover, contraction and gap formation due to thrombin challenge, observed by phase contrast microscopy, was greatly augmented by pertussis toxin and prevented by cholera toxin. Whereas 5 micrograms/ml botulinum toxin C did not affect either basal or thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction, botulinum toxin C2a increased basal BPAEC permeability over four-fold. Thus, bacterial toxins have specific and divergent effects on thrombin-induced endothelial cell responses. Botulinum toxin C2a appears to interact directly with actin to produce barrier dysfunction. In contrast, cholera toxin promotes barrier function via its known effects on Gs, stimulating adenylate cyclase and increasing cAMP. Because cholera toxin and pertussis toxin (via inhibition of G(i)) both increase cAMP, yet have opposing effects on barrier function, the present results suggest that pertussis toxin produces barrier dysfunction via ADP ribosylation of a novel G-protein other than G(i) or via a novel action of G(i).

In vitro isolation and identification of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) variants with reduced sensitivity to C-2 symmetrical inhibitors of HIV type 1 protease

Protease inhibitors are another class of compounds for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-caused disease. The emergence of resistance to the current anti-HIV drugs makes the determination of potential resistance to protease inhibitors imperative. Here we describe the isolation of an HIV type 1 (HIV-1) resistant to an HIV-protease inhibitor. Serial passage of HIV-1 (strain RF) in the presence of the inhibitor, [2-pyridylacetylisoleucylphenylalanyl-psi (CHOH)]2 (P9941), failed to yield a stock of virus with a resistance phenotype. However, variants of the virus with 6- to 8-fold reduced sensitivity to P9941 were selected by using a combination of plaque assay and endpoint titration. Genetic analysis and computer modeling of the variant proteases revealed a single change in the codon for amino acid 82 (Val-->Ala), which resulted in a protease with lower affinity and reduced sensitivity to this inhibitor and certain, but not all, related inhibitors.

Oleic acid supplementation reduces oxidant-mediated dysfunction of cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

We have previously shown that supplementing cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) with exogenous oleic acid (18:1 omega 9) alters the fatty acid composition of the cells and reduces oxidant-mediated cytotoxicity. Because the mechanisms by which lipid alterations modulate oxidant susceptibility have not been defined, the ability of 18:1 to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-mediated PAEC dysfunction was evaluated. PAEC monolayers on polycarbonate filters were incubated for 3 h in maintenance medium supplemented with either 0.1 mM 18.1 in ethanol vehicle (ETOH) or with an equivalent volume of vehicle alone. Twenty-four hours later monolayers were treated for 30 min with 50 or 100 microM H2O2 in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) or with HBSS alone (nonoxidant control). As a functional index of PAEC monolayer integrity, the permeability of monolayers to albumin was then measured for 3 h. Treatment with 100 microM H2O2 caused cytotoxicity and progressive increases in PAEC monolayer permeability that were attenuated by 18:1 supplementation, whereas 50 microM H2O2 caused only a transient increase in permeability without cytotoxicity. Supplementation with 18:1 also attenuated H2O2-induced reductions in PAEC adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content and disruption of PAEC microfilament architecture. The ATP content of PAEC monolayers was reversibly reduced in the absence of oxidant stress by incubation with glucose-depleted medium containing deoxyglucose and antimycin A. Metabolic inhibitor-induced ATP depletion increased monolayer permeability and altered cytoskeletal architecture, alterations that resolved during recovery of PAEC ATP content. These results demonstrate that ATP depletion plays a critical role in barrier dysfunction and suggests that the ability of 18:1 to reduce oxidant-mediated PAEC dysfunction and injury may relate directly to its ability to preserve PAEC ATP content.

Protein kinase C phosphorylates caldesmon77 and vimentin and enhances albumin permeability across cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers

Cytoskeletal protein (CSP) interactions are critical to the contractile response in muscle and non-muscle cells. Current concepts suggest that activation of the contractile apparatus occurs through selective phosphorylation by specific cellular kinase systems. Because the Ca(2+)-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the regulation of a number of key endothelial cell responses, the hypothesis that PKC modulates endothelial cell contraction and monolayer permeability was tested. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a direct PKC activator, and alpha-thrombin, a receptor-mediated agonist known to increase endothelial cell permeability, both induced rapid, dose-dependent activation and translocation of PKC in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC), as assessed by gamma-[32P]ATP phosphorylation of H1 histone in cellular fractions. This activation was temporally associated with evidence of agonist-mediated endothelial cell contraction as demonstrated by characteristic changes in cellular morphology. Agonist-induced activation of the contractile apparatus was associated with increases in BPAEC monolayer permeability to albumin (approximately 200% increase with 10(-6) MPMA, approximately 400% increase with 10(-8) M alpha-thrombin). To more closely examine the role of PKC in activation of the contractile apparatus, PKC-mediated phosphorylation of two specific CSPs, the actin- and calmodulin-binding protein, caldesmon77, and the intermediate filament protein, vimentin, was assessed. In vitro phosphorylation of both caldesmon and vimentin was demonstrated by addition of exogenous, purified BPAEC PKC to unstimulated BPAEC homogenates, to purified bovine platelet caldesmon77, or to purified smooth muscle caldesmon150. Caldesmon77 and vimentin phosphorylation were observed in intact [32P]-labeled BPAEC monolayers stimulated with either PMA or alpha-thrombin, as detected by immunoprecipitation. In addition, BPAEC pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor, staurosporine, prevented alpha-thrombin- and PMA-induced phosphorylation of both cytoskeletal proteins, attenuated morphologic evidence of contraction, and abolished agonist-induced barrier dysfunction. These results demonstrate that agonist-stimulated PKC activity results in cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation in BPAEC monolayer, an event which occurs in concert with agonist-mediated endothelial cell contraction and resultant barrier dysfunction.

Activated neutrophils alter contractile properties of the pulmonary artery

Activated neutrophils produce a wide array of products (free radicals, arachidonate metabolites, degradative enzymes), cause hemodynamic effects and increased permeability in isolated blood-free perfused lungs, and evoke direct injury to cultured endothelial cells. The aims of this study were to investigate the response of isolated rat pulmonary arterial rings to activated neutrophils, the role of intact endothelium in these responses, and which neutrophil products were responsible for the observed effects. Neutrophils activated with phorbol myristate acetate caused an initial increase in tension and a subsequent decreased recovery contraction to KCl. Neutrophils activated with formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine also caused an increase in tension but did not result in decreased recovery, suggesting different mechanisms for these two effects. The contractile response was dependent on endothelium, whereas the decline in recovery still occurred in the absence of endothelium. Filtrate from activated neutrophils did not cause the contractile response, but recovery was decreased. Neither addition of catalase + superoxide dismutase nor decreased superoxide release due to prior activation of neutrophils altered the initial contraction or the decline in recovery contractile ability, suggesting that oxygen free radical products were not responsible for either effect. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors (ibuprofen and indomethacin), the thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046), and pretreatment of the neutrophils with aspirin inhibited the contractile response but did not prevent the decrease in recovery. A mixture of antiproteases did not protect the arterial muscle from the decline in recovery. Although cyclooxygenase products may be involved in initiating the contraction in response to activated neutrophils, the mechanism resulting in subsequent loss of force-developing ability is unclear.

Evans blue dye as a marker of albumin clearance in cultured endothelial monolayer and isolated lung

Determination of protein transfer across the endothelial barrier or the entire alveolar capillary membrane is critical for investigation of mechanisms leading to pulmonary edema. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Evans blue dye for determination of protein clearance across cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers and as a quantitative marker for albumin leakage to the air spaces in isolated perfused rat lungs. Evans blue dye bound tightly to albumin (EBA) as determined by lack of transfer through dialysis membranes and specific elution with albumin from a molecular exclusion column. EBA was equivalent to 125I-labeled albumin for calculation of albumin clearance rates (Calb) across intact and challenged monolayers [Calb (+ vehicle) = 0.12 microliters/min; Calb (+10 nM alpha-thrombin) = 0.47 microliters/min; Calb (+5 mg/ml trypsin) = 1.29 microliters/min]. Transfer of EBA was linear with time in both the endothelial cell monolayer model and the perfused lung. EBA was a sensitive marker for early edema in the perfused lung (before detectable weight gain) as well as for severe edema in the oxidant-injured lung (marked EBA accumulation in lavage fluid) and was a more specific marker for protein transfer than lavage fluid protein. EBA transfer is a convenient, reproducible, and accurate means to assess alterations in vascular permeability.

Evans blue dye as a marker of albumin clearance in cultured endothelial monolayer and isolated lung

Determination of protein transfer across the endothelial barrier or the entire alveolar capillary membrane is critical for investigation of mechanisms leading to pulmonary edema. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Evans blue dye for determination of protein clearance across cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers and as a quantitative marker for albumin leakage to the air spaces in isolated perfused rat lungs. Evans blue dye bound tightly to albumin (EBA) as determined by lack of transfer through dialysis membranes and specific elution with albumin from a molecular exclusion column. EBA was equivalent to 125I-labeled albumin for calculation of albumin clearance rates (Calb) across intact and challenged monolayers [Calb (+ vehicle) = 0.12 microliters/min; Calb (+10 nM alpha-thrombin) = 0.47 microliters/min; Calb (+5 mg/ml trypsin) = 1.29 microliters/min]. Transfer of EBA was linear with time in both the endothelial cell monolayer model and the perfused lung. EBA was a sensitive marker for early edema in the perfused lung (before detectable weight gain) as well as for severe edema in the oxidant-injured lung (marked EBA accumulation in lavage fluid) and was a more specific marker for protein transfer than lavage fluid protein. EBA transfer is a convenient, reproducible, and accurate means to assess alterations in vascular permeability.

Role of protein kinase C in the regulation of prostaglandin synthesis in human endothelium

The present study specifically addresses the role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in human endothelial cell Ca2+ mobilization, a response that is functionally coupled to the production of the potent arachidonate (AA) metabolite, prostacyclin (PGI2). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), alpha-thrombin, and sodium fluoride (NaF), a direct G-protein activator, produced a rapid and time-dependent translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane. Activation of PKC by brief pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers with PMA resulted in the inhibition of NaF-induced inositol phosphate increases and attenuation of both alpha-thrombin- and NaF-activated increases in intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i). Ca2+ mobilization induced by ionophore A23187 was not affected by PKC preactivation, suggesting PKC-dependent negative feedback inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C (PLC). Agonist-stimulated AA release and PGI2 synthesis in PMA-pretreated cultured human endothelial cells, however, was potentiated, and the enhanced PGI2 synthesis produced by A23187, NaF, and alpha-thrombin was dependent upon the dose of PMA. Treatment of HUVEC monolayers with an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N'N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethylester (BAPTA-AM), dramatically reduced alpha-thrombin-, NaF-, and A23187-induced PGI2 synthesis, demonstrating the importance of Ca2+i availability in PGI2 synthesis. BAPTA pretreatment did not inhibit PMA-induced PKC activation, and BAPTA-mediated inhibition of agonist-stimulated PGI2 synthesis was partially attenuated by prior PMA pretreatment. Staurosporine, a potent PKC inhibitor, at concentrations that inhibited PKC-induced phosphorylation of histone-1, augmented both alpha-thrombin- and NaF-induced production of inositol phosphates but markedly inhibited alpha-thrombin-, NaF-, and A23187-induced PGI2 synthesis. The downregulation of PKC activity by prolonged PMA treatment (18 h) produced similar inhibition of PGI2 synthesis by these agonists (approximately 50% inhibition). These studies indicate that the integrated phospholipase A2 and PLC activities are under complex regulation by factors that include both PKC activation and [Ca2+i]. PKC exerts dual effects on prostaglandin synthesis via negative regulation of Gp-coupled PI-specific PLC and positive feedback regulation of AA release and PGI2 synthesis. PKC is thus a critical determinant in the regulation of human endothelial cell prostaglandin synthesis by both receptor-mediated and G-protein-dependent cellular activation.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 protease monomers are functionally interchangeable in the dimeric enzymes

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 proteases are dimers of identical subunits. We made a construct for the expression of recombinant one-chain HIV-2 protease dimer, which, like the previously described one-chain HIV-1 protease dimer, is fully active. The constructs for the one-chain dimers of HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases were modified to produce hybrid one-chain dimers consisting of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 protease monomers. Although the monomers share only 47.5% sequence identity, the hybrid one-chain dimers are fully active, suggesting that the folding of both HIV-1 and HIV-2 protease monomers is functionally similar.

Molecular characterization of HIV-2 (ROD) protease following PCR cloning from virus infected H9 cells

A 450 nucleotide sequence corresponding to the nucleotides 1931-2380 of the viral genome (8) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using template DNA prepared from HIV-2 (ROD) infected H9 cells. The sequence codes for HIV-2 protease and its N-terminal flanking peptide. An identical DNA sequence was obtained from three independent PCR amplifications, which differs from the published sequence of HIV-2 (ROD) in 7 nucleotides scattered throughout the region of the cloned DNA. The cloned DNA was expressed in E. coli cells and resulted in the synthesis of a correctly processed HIV-2 protease, which is enzymatically active. Therefore, none of the seven nucleotide changes, which resulted in two amino acid substitutions, affect the autoproteolytic or trans-cleaving activities of the HIV-2 protease.

Interferon-induced guanylate-binding proteins lack an N(T)KXD consensus motif and bind GMP in addition to GDP and GTP

The primary structures of interferon (IFN)-induced guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) were deduced from cloned human and murine cDNAs. These proteins contained only two of the three sequence motifs typically found in GTP/GDP-binding proteins. The N(T)KXD motif, which is believed to confer guanine specificity in other nucleotide-binding proteins, was absent. Nevertheless, the IFN-induced GBPs exhibited a high degree of selectivity for binding to agarose-immobilized guanine nucleotides. An interesting feature of IFN-induced GBPs is that they strongly bound to GMP agarose in addition to GDP and GTP agaroses but failed to bind to ATP agarose and all other nucleotide agaroses tested. Both GTP and GMP, but not ATP, competed for binding of murine GBP-1 to agarose-immobilized GMP. The IFN-induced GBPs thus define a distinct novel family of proteins with GTP-binding activity. We further demonstrate that human and murine cells contain at least two genes encoding IFN-induced GBPs. The cloned murine cDNA codes for GBP-1, an IFN-induced protein previously shown to be absent from mice of Gbp-1b genotype.

Response of perfused lung and isolated pulmonary artery to adenosine

Adenosine (AD) has been reported to induce both pulmonary arterial constriction and dilation. We investigated the effect of AD using two complementary techniques. The isolated rat lung perfused with Earle's balanced salt solution containing albumin was used to measure pulmonary arterial (Ppa), venous, and double occlusion (microvascular; Pmv) pressure, and resistance changes. AD alone had no effect on Ppa, Pmv, or resistance at any dose tested (5 x 10(-7) through 10(-3) M). However, when Ppa was elevated by pretreatment with 5 x 10(-7) M norepinephrine (NE), then 10(-4) M AD lowered Ppa by 19.5 +/- 3.2% and Pmv by 6.0 +/- 6.1% and attenuated the increase in upstream resistance caused by NE. Higher doses of AD (10(-3) M) resulted in greater relaxation. In isolated segments from rat and guinea pig pulmonary lobar arteries, isometric force production in response to AD was measured as a percentage of the active isometric force produced in response to 10(-5) M NE (% NE contraction). No response was observed in rat pulmonary arterial rings for doses of AD less than 10(-6) M. In vessels with intact endothelium, 10(-6) M AD caused a slight increase in isometric tension (2.3 +/- 1.2% NE contraction; p less than 0.05), but 10(-4) M AD caused relaxation (-17.2 +/- 2.2% NE contraction; p less than 0.05), and 10(-3) M caused further relaxation (-61.5 +/- 5.0% NE contraction; p less than 0.05). In vessels without endothelium, only relaxation was observed. Isolated guinea pig arterial rings responded to AD with vasodilation similar to the results in the rat arterial rings. Results of this study show that AD primarily causes a direct dose-dependent relaxation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle in both the isolated perfused lung and isolated arterial ring preparation.

Substrate utilization in the perinatal lung

Lung cellular metabolism is fundamental to both respiratory and nonrespiratory function. The lung has very little energy reserve and is highly dependent on circulating substrates. The pattern of substrate utilization is determined primarily substrate availability, competition between certain substrates, and the ability of lung cells for uptake and metabolism. The lung uses a number of substrates (glucose, lactate, fatty acids, choline, ketone bodies, and amino acids) as basic building blocks for synthesis, as energy-providing fuels, to provide NADPH for lipid biosynthesis, and for glutathione production. Since the availability of substrates, the cellular profile, the hormonal environment, and the physiological state of the lung are drastically altered during perinatal lung development, this review focuses on current knowledge of lung substrate utilization during this critical period. Because development of the surfactant system has been specifically linked to infant respiratory distress syndrome, the majority of investigations relate to substrate utilization for phospholipid synthesis. It is hoped that this review will outline basic principles for interpretation of information on perinatal substrate utilization, collate available data, and provide a stimulus for future research.

The role of activation of neutrophils and microvascular pressure in acute pulmonary edema

Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) can mediate vascular injury in the lung. This study compared activated aggregate PMN (emboli) to activated PMN that were previously adhered to the microvasculature (non-embolic) in the isolated perfused rat lung. Permeability and microvascular pressure (Pmv), components of PMN-induced edema, were examined by continuous measurement of wet weight, pulmonary arterial and left atrial pressures, and by intermittent determination of double occlusion pressure. PMN that were activated with phorbol myristate acetate and then perfused into the lung formed aggregates that lodged primarily in the precapillary bed, increasing arterial resistance. Although these PMN had minimal direct contact with the capillary endothelium, edema rapidly developed and Pmv was progressively elevated. If PMN were allowed to adhere in the capillary bed, a minimal and nonprogressive increase in Pmv and lung weight occurred. When these adherent PMN were then activated, there was a progressive rise in both Pmv and lung weight. The free radical scavenger catalase prevented this edema formation but not the rise in pressure. In control lungs with matched elevation of Pmv, edema did not develop. In another group of lungs with activation of pre-adherent PMN in which Pmv was maintained at control levels, edema formation was greatly delayed. These data show that: (1) the activated PMN free radical products alone caused permeability injury in the lung because neither contact of the PMN with the capillary endothelium nor embolization was necessary, and (2) increased Pmv does not cause edema but greatly increases the rate of edema formation when the endothelium is injured.

Role of microvascular pressure in reactive oxygen-induced lung edema

O2 radicals are important in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the role that microvascular pressure plays in edema induced by reactive O2 species generated by xanthine oxidase. In isolated rat lungs perfused with Krebs buffer plus 4% albumin, 5 mM glucose, and 2 mM xanthine at constant flow (13 ml/min), addition of xanthine oxidase (0.02 U/ml) caused a progressive increase in both pulmonary arterial and microvascular pressure (double occlusion method), which preceded the onset of edema. Both the pressure rise and edema formation were blocked by catalase, suggesting that vascular injury was related to H2O2 production. Lungs not exposed to free radicals that had microvascular pressure elevated to match that of the xanthine oxidase-perfused lungs showed only a small, reversible (nonedematous) weight gain. Lungs exposed to xanthine oxidase but perfused at constant microvascular pressure (5 Torr, similar to control lungs) showed a significant delay in protein-rich edema formation. These data indicate that reactive O2 metabolites induced lung injury, which is accompanied by increased microvascular pressure. Although the rise in microvascular pressure was shown not to be essential for edema formation, it does play a role in acceleration of the rate of transvascular fluid loss.

Regulation of fetal lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis by de novo palmitate supply

Lung surfactant disaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is highly dependent on the supply of palmitate as a source of fatty acid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of de novo fatty acid synthesis in the regulation of disaturated PC production during late prenatal lung development. Choline incorporation into disaturated PC and the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis was determined by the relative incorporation of [14C]choline and 3H2O, respectively, in 20-day-old fetal rat lung explants and in 18-day-old explants which were cultured 2 days. Addition of exogenous palmitate (0.15 mM) increased (26%) choline incorporation into disaturated PC but did not inhibit de novo fatty acid synthesis, as classically seen in other lipogenic tissue. Even in the presence of exogenous palmitate, de novo synthesis accounted for 87% of the acyl groups for disaturated PC. Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by agaric acid or levo-hydroxycitrate decreased the rate of choline incorporation into disaturated PC. When explants were subjected to both exogenous palmitate and 60% inhibition of de novo synthesis, disaturated PC synthesis was below control values and 75% of disaturated PC acyl moieties were still provided by de novo synthesis. These data show that surfactant disaturated PC synthesis is highly dependent on the supply of palmitate from de novo fatty acid synthesis.

Protective role of sulfhydryl reagents in oxidant lung injury

Recently there has been a great deal of interest in exploring possible ways to protect the lung from oxidant damage. Since sulfhydryl compounds are among the most important endogenous antioxidants, their therapeutic use has been proposed. Glutathione (GSH), the main intracellular nonprotein sulfhydryl, plays an important role in the maintenance of cellular proteins and lipids in their functional state. With oxidant stress, GSH acts to protect cell constituents as evidenced by increased turnover to GSSG, formation of mixed disulfides with proteins, utilization of NADPH, and utilization of glucose in the pentose pathway. When GSH is experimentally lowered (e.g., by protein deficiency or with diethylmaleate) the toxic effects of oxidant stress are exacerbated as evidenced by increased membrane and cell damage, pulmonary edema, and mortality. Several recent investigations have shown that sulfhydryl reagents (particularly N-acetyl cysteine, a cell-permeable GSH precursor) can provide significant protection against certain pulmonary toxins. N-acetyl cysteine reduced the lethal effects of 100% O2 in rats by 65%. Therefore, the therapeutic potential of sulfhydryl reagents in the treatment and prevention of oxidant injury and the mechanisms involved are an important direction for lung research.

Cyclooxygenase metabolites contribute to oleic acid-induced lung edema by a pressure effect

We investigated the role that lung-derived arachidonic acid metabolites play in the acute changes in pulmonary hemodynamics, airway function, and lung fluid balance following oleic acid-induced injury in the isolated blood free perfused lung. A bolus injection of oleic acid (OA) emulsion (12 mg) into the pulmonary artery caused a rapid increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, inspiratory pressure, and weight gain. These pathophysiologic changes were not due to emboli per se, but were correlated with release of the vaso- and broncho-constrictive prostanoids, thromboxane A2 (measured as thromboxane B2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha. The leukotrienes (C4, D4, and E4) and prostacyclin (measured as 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha) were not released by OA injury. Ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, blocked the release of the vasoconstrictive prostanoids and also attenuated the rise in pressures and the development of edema indicating an important functional role for the prostanoids in the fluid imbalance. Ibuprofen also attenuated the increase in bronchoalveolar lavage protein but the protein leak was not completely prevented, suggesting that OA-induced increases in protein permeability occurred independently of prostanoid or leukotriene action. These data indicate that OA-induced edema formation was greatly amplified by arachidonic acid mediated pressure increases.

Fatty acid synthesis in the fetal lung: relationship to surfactant lipids

The aims of this study were to investigate the control of fatty acid synthesis and its relationship to surfactant production in the fetal lung during alteration of hormonal and substrate conditions. Lung explants from 18 day fetuses (term = 22 days) which were cultured 2 days in the presence of 10 mM lactate showed parallel acceleration of de novo fatty acid synthesis (3H2O incorporation) and [14C]choline incorporation into disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) compared to culture of explants in glucose. Both the cultured and fresh explants were resistant to the classical short term (4 h) cAMP inhibition of fatty acid synthesis with 3 mM dibutyryl cAMP or 0.5 mM aminophylline. In the cultured explants short term cAMP elevation increased DSPC production, and long term (2 day) cAMP elevation caused a further increase in DSPC synthesis and also stimulated fatty acid synthesis. In cultured explants from 17 day fetuses, dexamethasone (0.1 microM) caused a synergistic increase with aminophylline in both fatty acid synthesis and DSPC production whereas, in explants from 18 day fetuses, dexamethasone inhibited both processes and reduced the level of stimulation of DSPC and fatty acid synthesis seen with aminophylline alone. Dexamethasone also reduced the stimulation of both DSPC and fatty acid synthesis produced in the culture of 18 day explants with bacitracin (0.5 mg/ml), whereas the combination of bacitracin and aminophylline resulted in a synergistic increase in DSPC production. Culture with glucagon (0.1 microM) also stimulated DSPC synthesis but at physiological levels insulin had no effect on either DSPC or fatty acid synthesis. These data show that lung fatty acid synthesis exhibits unique features of fatty acid synthesis regulation compared to other lipogenic tissues and also suggest a link between de novo fatty acid synthesis and surfactant production during the critical period of accelerated lung maturation.

Role of histamine in acute oleic acid-induced lung injury

The action of histamine in oleic acid (OA)-induced injury was investigated using the isolated guinea pig lung perfused with blood-free media. OA infusion caused a significant increase in pulmonary arterial pressure, airway inspiratory pressure, lung weight, and protein flux across the alveolar-capillary barrier. These changes were dose dependent and caused injury regardless of the chemical form of OA (salt or free acid). Triolein (a neutral fat) infused at comparable emulsion particle size did not alter lung weight or bronchoalveolar lavage protein concentration in the perfused lung, suggesting that mechanical obstruction or emboli per se is not responsible for initiating early events in OA-induced injury. Infusion of OA caused a significant early histamine release into the venous effluent in the presence of aminoguanidine, a histamine catabolism inhibitor. Pretreatment with H1-receptor antagonists significantly attenuated OA-induced increase in lung weight and protein leak. These data support the link between OA-induced mast cell degranulation, histamine release, and OA-induced edema.

Histamine action in paraquat-induced lung injury

We investigated direct histamine release and its effects in edema formation following paraquat (PQ) injury in a blood-free, perfused rat lung preparation. Under control conditions, perfusate histamine levels from the lung averaged 9.5 +/- 1.4 ng/ml. Lungs perfused with paraquat (1 mM) showed marked increases in pulmonary arterial pressure (133%), airway pressure (74%), alveolarcapillary protein flux (200%), and lung weight (38%). Prior to any detectable lung weight or pressure changes, PQ caused a 300% increase in perfusate histamine. Diphenhydramine (1.0 X 10(-5) M), a specific H1-histamine receptor antagonist, blocked the increased protein flux that followed PQ administration and significantly delayed edema. Furthermore, diphenhydramine attenuated the rise in PGF2 alpha. Conversely, histamine release was partially attenuated by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, ibuprofen, at 2.4 X 10(-5) M, the same level that we had previously shown to block an early rise in PGF2 alpha and the onset of edema after PQ. These data show that the increased alveolar-capillary protein flux that occurred with PQ injury was attenuated by an H1-receptor antagonist and suggest that histamine is a primary mediator in paraquat-induced injury and that histamine subsequently stimulates prostaglandin release.

Integrated substrate utilization by perinatal lung

The aims of this study were to examine the pattern and relative utilization of exogenously supplied substrates by the perinatal rat lung and to study their functional relationship at a key period of lung maturation (3 days before birth until one day after birth). Maximal incorporation of 14C-labeled substrates (glucose, lactate, glycerol, and beta-hydroxybutyrate) from the media into lung lipids occurred one day before birth and corresponded to maximal incorporation of 14C-choline into disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) (63 n moles X hr-1 X g-1), and to maximal increase in tissue DSPC concentration. Whereas, 14C-palmitate utilization for phospholipid synthesis was refractory to changes in DSPC synthesis. Lactate was shown to be a key substrate in fetal lung. When lactate and glucose were supplied at physiological concentrations, lactate: 1) provided 60% of the carbons for de novo fatty acid synthesis compared to only 9% from glucose, 2) produced 5 times more CO2 than glucose (23.9 vs. 4.9 u moles CO2 X hr-1 X g-1) and 3) altered the major fate of glucose incorporated into lung lipid from the fatty acid moiety to the glycerol moiety. Glycerol and palmitate were relatively unimportant energy fuels in the perinatal lung.