Activation of 2-oxoglutarate receptor 1 (OXGR1) by α-ketoglutarate (αKG) does not detectably stimulate Pendrin-mediated anion exchange in Xenopus oocytes

SLC26A4/Pendrin is the major electroneutral Cl^- /HCO₃^- exchanger of the apical membrane of the Type B intercalated cell (IC) of the connecting segment (CNT) and cortical collecting duct (CCD). Pendrin mediates both base secretion in response to systemic base load and Cl^- reabsorption in response to systemic volume depletion, manifested as decreased nephron salt and water delivery to the distal nephron. Pendrin-mediated Cl^- /HCO₃^- exchange in the apical membrane is upregulated through stimulation of the β-IC apical membrane G protein-coupled receptor, 2-oxoglutarate receptor 1 (OXGR1/GPR99), by its ligand α-ketoglutarate (αKG). αKG is both filtered by the glomerulus and lumenally secreted by proximal tubule apical membrane organic anion transporters (OATs). OXGR1-mediated regulation of Pendrin by αKG has been documented in transgenic mice and in isolated perfused CCD. However, aspects of the OXGR1 signaling pathway have remained little investigated since its original discovery in lymphocytes. Moreover, no ex vivo cellular system has been reported in which to study the OXGR1 signaling pathway of Type B-IC, a cell type refractory to survival in culture in its differentiated state. As Xenopus oocytes express robust heterologous Pendrin activity, we investigated OXGR1 regulation of Pendrin in oocytes. Despite functional expression of OXGR1 in oocytes, co-expression of Pendrin and OXGR1 failed to exhibit αKG-sensitive stimulation of Pendrin-mediated Cl^- /anion exchange under a wide range of conditions. We conclude that Xenopus oocytes lack one or more essential molecular components or physical conditions required for OXGR1 to regulate Pendrin activity.

Changes in expression of orphan receptors GPR99 and GPR107 during the development and establishment of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension is a disease, which in spite of existing treatments continues to have high morbidity and mortality, which suggests that there are other mechanisms involved in this pathology. In this sense, the orphan receptors are G protein-coupled receptor associated with various pathologies such as GPR99 which has been linked to mice develop left ventricular hypertrophy induced by blood pressure overload while GPR107 with patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. For this reason, the aim of this work was to study if the expression of the orphan receptors GPR99 and GPR107 are modified by arterial hypertension. Male SHR and WKY rats of 6-8 and 10-12 weeks old were used. The weight, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured, as well as the mRNA of the receptors GPR99 and GPR107 in the aorta, kidney, heart and brain by RT-PCR, also was realized an in silico analysis to predict which G protein could be coupled the orphan receptor GPR107. Our results showed that receptors GPR99 and GPR107 are expressed in the analyzed tissues and their expression profile tends to change at different ages and with the development of hypertension, for the other hand, the bioinformatics analysis for GPR107 showed that is coupled to Gi protein. Therefore, we do not rule out that GPR99 and GPR107 could be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and could be used as targets therapeutic in hypertension.

The leukotriene receptors as therapeutic targets of inflammatory diseases

Leukotrienes (LTs) are inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid. LTs include the di-hydroxy acid LT (LTB4) and the cysteinyl LTs (CysLTs; LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4), all of which are involved in both acute and chronic inflammation. We and other groups identified a high-affinity LTB4 receptor, BLT1; the LTC4 and LTD4 receptors, CysLT1 and CysLT2; and the LTE4 receptor, GPR99. Pharmacological studies have shown that BLT1 signaling stimulates degranulation, chemotaxis and phagocytosis of neutrophils, whereas CysLT1 and CysLT2 signaling induces airway inflammation by increasing vascular permeability and the contraction of bronchial smooth muscle. Recently, we and other groups suggested that the LTB4-BLT1 axis and the cysteinyl LTs-CysLT1/2 axis are involved in chronic inflammatory diseases including asthma, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, arthritis, obesity, cancer and age-related macular degeneration using animal models for disease and gene knockout mice. This review describes the classical and novel functions of LTs and their receptors in several inflammatory diseases and discusses the potential clinical applications of antagonists for LT receptors and inhibitors of LT biosynthesis.

IgE Receptor-Mediated Histamine Release in Human Lung Mast Cells: Modulation by Purinergic Receptor Ligands

BACKGROUND

Mast cells derived from human lungs (HLMCs) express multiple G-protein coupled purinergic receptors (P2YR) and the so-called α-ketoglutarate receptor GPR99, which is homologous to P2YR. The role of the P2YR of HLMC is not clear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of purinergic and purine-related compounds on allergic histamine release (HR) in HLMCs.

METHODS

FcεRI-mediated HR was quantified in primary culture of HLMC (cHLMC). The effects of the FcεRI-mediated allergic stimulation on the expression of GPR99 were also determined.

RESULTS

Adenosine produced a dual effect on HR: enhancement and marked inhibition at low and high concentrations, respectively. Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) did not affect FcεRI-mediated HR. However, the non-hydrolysable AMP analog, adenosine-5'-O-thiomonophosphate (AMP-S), concentration dependently inhibited the FcεRI-mediated HR without any enhancement. At high concentrations, α-ketoglutarate moderately inhibited FcεRI-mediated HR. However, inhibitions by AMP-S and α-ketoglutarate of HR were dissimilar in the inhibitory manner (IC50 and Hill slope) on histamine release by allergic stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

cHLMC express functional GPR99 receptor that is up-regulated following allergic stimulation. Responsiveness to AMP-S is the first indication that cHLMC express P2YR, the activation of which can inhibit FcεRI-mediated HR.

Expression and localization of GPR99 in human nasal mucosa

OBJECTIVE

The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are lipid mediators that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. Pharmacological studies of CysLTs indicate that two classes of receptors, CysLT₁R and CysLT₂R exist. CysLT₁R is a high affinity LTD₄ receptor with lower affinity for LTC₄, and a CysLT₁R antagonist is currently used to treat asthma and allergic rhinitis. CysLT₂R binds to LTC₄ and LTD₄ with equal affinity. GPR99 (also called GPR80), previously described as an oxoglutarate receptor (OXGR1), has recently emerged as a potential novel receptor with LTE₄. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression and localization of GPR99 protein in the human nasal mucosa.

METHODS

Human turbinates were obtained after turbinectomy from 12 patients with nasal obstruction refractory to medical therapy. GPR99 protein expression was evaluated by western blotting, and the specific cells expressing GPR99 protein identified by immunostaining using a commercial anti-GPR99 (OXGR1) monoclonal antibody.

RESULTS

A 38-kDa band was detected in the western blots of human nasal samples by using the anti-GPR99 monoclonal antibody. We did not find any differences in GPR99 protein levels between allergic and non-allergic nasal mucosa. The immunohistochemical studies revealed that the anti-GPR99 monoclonal antibody mainly labeled vascular smooth muscle cells in the nasal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

These immunohistochemical results suggest that GPR99 may play some roles in the vascular response. Further functional studies will be necessary to clarify the biological significance of the GPR99 receptor in nasal vasculature.