Modulation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor and protein kinase C by hydrogen peroxide and D-alpha-tocopherol in vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of hydrogen peroxide D-alpha-tocopherol and of D-beta-tocopherol on proliferation, protein kinase C and activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation have been studied in vascular smooth muscle cells. Cell proliferation, when activated by foetal calf serum, was inhibited by D-alpha-tocopherol. Protein kinase C activity was stimulated by hydrogen peroxide in a manner similar to phorbol myristate acetate; in the latter case, but not in the former, D-alpha-tocopherol inhibited the reaction. Hydrogen peroxide prevented phorbol-myristate-acetate-stimulated AP-1 binding to DNA but stimulated it if protein kinase C was down-regulated or inhibited. D-alpha-Tocopherol promoted AP-1 activation in quiescent cells but prevented its activation by phorbol myristate acetate. None of the described effects of D-alpha-tocopherol were shared by D-beta-tocopherol, suggesting a non-antioxidant mechanism as the basis of its action. The data show that hydrogen peroxide and D-alpha-tocopherol affect more than one element in the cell signal-transduction cascade.     

Protein kinase C alpha expression is required for heparin inhibition of rat smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo

Heparin is a complex glycosaminoglycan that inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) growth in vitro and in vivo. To define the mechanism by which heparin exerts its antiproliferative effects, we asked whether heparin interferes with the activity of intracellular protein kinase C (PKC). The membrane-associated intracellular PKC activity increased following stimulation of cultured rat SMCs with fetal calf serum and was suppressed by heparin in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Heparin acted through a selective inhibition of the PKC-alpha since preincubation of the cells with a 20-mer phosphorothioate PKC-alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) eliminated the heparin effect. In vivo, following balloon injury of the rat carotid artery, particulate fraction PKC content increased with a time course and to an extent comparable with the observed changes in vitro. Heparin, administered at the time of injury or shortly thereafter, inhibited the activity of the particulate PKC and suppressed the in situ phosphorylation of an 80-kDa myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS), a substrate of PKC. The topical application of the phosphorothioate antisense ODN selectively suppressed the expression of the PKC-alpha isoenzyme in vivo but did not affect injury-induced myointimal proliferation. Topical application of the ODN also eliminated the antiproliferative activity of heparin. These results therefore suggest that heparin might block SMC proliferation by interfering with the PKC pathway through a selective direct inhibition of the PKC-alpha isoenzyme.     

Platelet-derived growth factor-BB and thrombin activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase and protein kinase B: role in mediating airway smooth muscle proliferation

Proliferation of airway smooth muscle results from persistent inflammatory cytokine and growth factor stimulation and is a critical component of airway luminal narrowing in chronic asthma. Using primary cultures of bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) cells to examine the signaling basis of cell proliferation, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and thrombin (which act through distinct receptor types) were found to induce DNA synthesis in BTSM cells. Mitogen-induced DNA synthesis could be completely inhibited by LY294002, a selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase) inhibitor. Exposure of BTSM cells to PDGF-BB or thrombin resulted in rapid activation of PtdIns 3-kinase and accumulation of phosphoinositide-3,4,5-trisphosphate. Protein kinase B, a novel signaling protein kinase, was identified in BTSM cells and was activated by PDGF-BB and thrombin in a PtdIns 3-kinase-dependent manner; this may underlie mitogen-stimulated activation of p70(s6k). PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 inhibitor, also partially inhibited PDGF-BB- and thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis, indicating a modulatory role for mitogen-activated protein kinase in proliferation. GF109203X, Ro 31-8220, calphostin C, and chelerythrine (selective protein kinase C inhibitors) had no effect on PDGF-BB- or thrombin-stimulated DNA synthesis, suggesting that, despite abolishment of mitogen-stimulated protein kinase C activity, cell proliferation stimulated by PDGF-BB and thrombin is protein kinase C-independent. These data demonstrate that the PtdIns 3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway represents a key signaling route in airway smooth muscle proliferation, with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade providing a complementary signal required for the full mitogenic response.     

alpha-tocopherol inhibits the respiratory burst in human monocytes. Attenuation of p47(phox) membrane translocation and phosphorylation

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), one of the most important natural antioxidants, is assumed to be beneficial in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. alpha-Tocopherol exhibits acyl-peroxyl-radical scavenger properties and exerts cell-mediated actions in the hemovascular compartment, such as inhibition of superoxide anion (O-2) production by leukocytes. The aim of this study was to examine the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of alpha-tocopherol on O-2 production by human monocytes. In activated monocytes O-2 is produced by the NADPH-oxidase enzyme complex. The oxidase activation elicited by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) requires membrane translocation of several cytosolic factors. We found that in human PMA-stimulated adherent monocytes, alpha-tocopherol (but not beta-tocopherol) inhibited O-2 production in intact cells but had no effect on a membrane preparation containing activated NADPH-oxidase, suggesting that alpha-tocopherol impairs the assembly process of the enzyme complex. We showed that translocation and phosphorylation of the cytosolic factor p47(phox) were reduced in monocytes preincubated with alpha-tocopherol. We verified that the tryptic phosphopeptide map of monocyte p47(phox) was similar to that of neutrophil p47(phox), indicating that several serine residues were phosphorylated. Peptides whose phosphorylation is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC) were phosphorylated to a lesser degree when p47(phox) was immunoprecipitated from alpha-tocopherol-treated monocytes. In vitro, the activity of PKC from monocytes was inhibited by alpha-tocopherol in a specific manner compared with that of beta-tocopherol or Trolox(R). Membrane translocation of PKC was not affected. These results show that alpha-tocopherol inhibits O-2 production by human adherent monocytes by impairing the assembly of the NADPH-oxidase and suggest that the inhibition of phosphorylation and translocation of the cytosolic factor p47(phox) results from a decrease in PKC activity.     

Cell proliferation in human prostatic smooth muscle cells involves the modulation of protein kinase C isozymes

We have examined the role of protein kinase C in the regulation of foetal-calf serum-stimulated cell proliferation in human prostatic smooth muscle cells. The data showed that the proliferative effect to foetal-calf serum (10%, v/v) was partially inhibited by 12-(2-cyanoethyl)-6,7,12,13-tetrahydro-13-methyl-5-oxo-5H-indolo (2,3-a) pyrrolo (3,4-c)-carbazole (Go-6976), a selective Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C inhibitor, suggesting that Ca2+-dependent protein kinase C isozymes might play roles in this proliferative regulation. Additionally, foetal-calf serum caused a significant translocation of protein kinase C-betaII and -epsilon from a cytosolic to a membrane distribution. These findings combined with the aforementioned functional experiments suggest that foetal-calf serum-stimulated cell proliferation might involve the activation of protein kinase C-betaII in human prostatic smooth muscle cells; however, the role of protein kinase C-epsilon in mediating cellular functions other than cell proliferation remains further investigation in these cells.     

Tyrosine kinase inhibition prevents deformation-stimulated vascular smooth muscle growth

The goal of this study was to determine the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in transducing deformation-stimulated vascular smooth muscle growth. Rat aorta-derived vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured on flexible silicone elastomer membranes and subjected to cyclic deformation (15 cycles per minute, deformed 2 seconds, relaxed 2 seconds). Deformation significantly increased proto-oncogene expression, [3H]thymidine incorporation, [3H]leucine incorporation, and cell number. Time course studies showed an 8-hour lag between initiation of cell deformation and onset of [3H]thymidine incorporation, with peak levels achieved after 18 to 24 hours. Western analysis of protein blots from deformed cells (10 minutes) demonstrated increased levels of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins having molecular weights of 110 to 130 and 70 to 80 kD. Deformation-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation was prevented by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Herbimycin A. Tyrosine kinase inhibition also prevented deformation-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell growth as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. Cyclic deformation stimulates vascular smooth muscle proliferation through activation of tyrosine kinases. Inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation is an effective means of preventing deformation-induced vascular smooth muscle growth in vitro.     

Chronic effects of glucose on insulin signaling in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells

To examine the effects of hyperglycemia on insulin signaling in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells, cells were treated with extracellular D-glucose and effects of insulin were studied on the diacylglycerol-protein kinase C signaling system. A-10 cells specifically bound 125I-insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-I did not displace the label. 125I-insulin binding was unaltered under hyperglycemic conditions. To determine if insulin receptors were coupled to other insulin-regulated processes, diacylglycerol, protein kinase C, and glucose transport were evaluated. Insulin increased cellular diacylglycerol (DAG) levels which were also increased following glucose treatment and not further stimulated by insulin. The uptake of 2-[3H]deoxy-D-glucose (2-DOG) was stimulated by insulin and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake was inhibited by a protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine. Preincubation of cells with 500 nM TPA overnight resulted in the inhibition of insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake. Protein kinase C activity was translocated from cytosolic to membrane fractions following insulin treatment. Overnight glucose (25 mM) treatment resulted in a 50% decrease in protein kinase C enzyme activity and > 90% decrease in protein kinase C beta immunoreactive levels. Protein kinase C activity and levels were not affected by osmotic control media containing mannitol. A-10 cells express GLUT4-type glucose transporters. Neither insulin-regulatable glucose transporter (GLUT4) mRNA nor GLUT4 protein levels were diminished by glucose. Significant decreases in insulin- and TPA-stimulated 2-[3H]DOG uptake occurred, however, with glucose. The down-regulation of protein kinase C beta and resultant inhibition of 2-[3H]DOG uptake by chronic glucose suggests a biochemical link between hyperglycemia and DAG-protein kinase C signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Role of protein tyrosine kinase on regulation of trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle contractility

PURPOSE: Trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle express properties of smooth muscle cells. The contractility of trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle is differently modulated by various agents. To reveal contractile regulatory processes, the effects of activation and inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and their interaction with other protein kinases on contractility were measured. METHODS: Measurements of isometric tension were performed on isolated bovine trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle strips using a custom-built, electromagnetic, force-length transducer. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) was stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and was inhibited by genistein or tyrphostin 51. Protein kinase C (PKC) was inhibited by chelerythrine or NPC-15437 and protein kinases A and G (PKA-PKG) by H8. RESULTS: Isolated strips were precontracted by applying carbachol 10(-6) M for 30 minutes (100% carbachol maximum contraction). Inhibition of PTK evoked a maximum relaxation of 79.2+/-4.2% in trabecular meshwork and of 38.1+/-3.1% in ciliary muscle (n=8). Inhibition of PKC or PKA-PKG induced relaxations only in trabecular meshwork. When PTK and PKC or PKA-PKG were inhibited, the relaxation induced by inhibition of PTK was additive to inhibition of the other protein kinases. Stimulation of a receptor with PTK activity by EGF induced a relaxation in trabecular meshwork and a contraction in ciliary muscle precontracted by carbachol. When trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle were activated by EGF, inhibition of PTK by genistein relaxed the cell preparations. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of PTK induces more prominent relaxation in trabecular meshwork than in ciliary muscle. The effects of inhibition of PTK on relaxation are independent of inhibition of PKC and PKA-PKG. The signaling cascade after activation of a tyrosine kinase receptor by EGF is differently modulated in trabecular meshwork and ciliary muscle. The effect of genistein on relaxation is probably not directly related to the EGF receptor. PTK inhibitors are possible agents for the development of novel antiglaucoma drugs.     

Lycopene in association with alpha-tocopherol inhibits at physiological concentrations proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells

The effect of lycopene alone or in association with other antioxidants was studied on the growth of two different human prostate carcinoma cell lines (the androgen insensitive DU-145 and PC-3). It was found that lycopene alone was not a potent inhibitor of prostate carcinoma cell proliferation. However, the simultaneous addition of lycopene together with alpha-tocopherol, at physiological concentrations (less than 1 microM and 50 microM, respectively), resulted in a strong inhibitory effect of prostate carcinoma cell proliferation, which reached values close to 90 %. The effect of lycopene with alpha-tocopherol was synergistic and was not shared by beta-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and probucol.     

Apolipoprotein E inhibits platelet-derived growth factor-induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation by suppressing signal transduction and preventing cell entry to G1 phase

The anti-atherogenic effects of apolipoprotein (apo) E have been attributed to its ability to reduce plasma cholesterol level and to limit foam cell formation. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if apoE also may have cytostatic functions that could attenuate vascular occlusive diseases. Purified apoE inhibited smooth muscle cell migration directed to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or oxidized LDL (oxLDL) (p < 0.0001). The purified apoE also suppressed PDGF- and oxLDL-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation (p < 0.001). These apoE inhibitory effects were not because of suppression of PDGF binding to its receptors on the smooth muscle cells, but was correlated with a significant reduction in agonist-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity (p < 0.01). ApoE also inhibited PDGF-induced cyclin D1 mRNA expression, suggesting that the apoE effect was mediated by growth arrest at the G0 to G1 phase. Taken together, these results suggest that apoE has cytostatic functions in the vessel wall and may protect against vascular diseases through inhibition of cell signaling events associated with growth factor-induced smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.     

Redox regulation of signal transduction in smooth muscle cells: distinct effects of PKC-down regulation and PKC inhibitors on oxidant induced MAP kinase

Reactive oxygen species function as signaling molecules, and are known to be generated under both normal and pathological conditions. Using vascular smooth muscle cells, we have demonstrated an increase in mitogen activated protein kinase activity in response to oxidants. Mitogen activated protein kinase activity increased linearly with time in cells treated with pervanadate. Hydrogen peroxide also caused rapid induction of mitogen activated protein kinase. Protein kinase C down regulation partially decreased induction of mitogen activated protein kinase activity by oxidants, and the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin. Protein kinase C inhibitors, compound-3 and bisindolylmaleimide did not inhibit oxidant induced mitogen activated protein kinase activity, where as calphostin C activated it. The tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein, herbimycin A and tyrphostin caused 50% inhibition of oxidant induced mitogen activated protein kinase activation. These results suggest that oxidant-induced mitogen activated protein kinase is protein kinase C independent.     

HA1077, a protein kinase inhibitor, inhibits calponin phosphorylation on Ser175 in porcine coronary artery

Calponin is a thin filament-associated protein which has been implicated in the modulation of the contractile state of smooth muscle via its interaction with actin and inhibition of the actin-activated myosin Mg-ATPase. This inhibitory effect is alleviated by phosphorylation of calponin at Ser175 in vitro by protein kinase C. The issue of calponin phosphorylation in intact smooth muscle in response to agonists that activate protein kinase C is controversial. We have produced a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes calponin phosphorylated at Ser175 and used it to analyze calponin phosphorylation in porcine coronary arterial smooth muscle stimulated with prostaglandin F2alpha or phorbol 12,13-dibutylate (PDB). Calponin phosphorylation increased rapidly in response to prostaglandin F2alpha concomitant with the increase in tension. Calponin was then dephosphorylated while force was maintained. Tension development in response to PDB was significantly slower, but again calponin phosphorylation paralleled force development. In this case, calponin dephosphorylation was very slow, consistent with prolonged activation of protein kinase C. The protein kinase inhibitors, HA1077 (1-5-(isoquinoline sulfonyl)-homopiperazine HCl) and HA1100 (1-hydroxy HA1077; 1-(hydroxy-5-isoquinoline sulfonyl-homopiperazine), inhibited tension development and calponin phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner with similar ED50 values in response to prostaglandin F2alpha and PDB. These results support physiological roles for calponin in force development in smooth muscle in response to agonists which trigger protein kinase C activation and in the latch state, i.e., force maintenance at low energy cost. Furthermore, the vasodilator effect of HA1077 and HA1100 is more likely due to inhibition of protein kinase C than of myosin light chain kinase.     

Inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and proliferation of an early osteoblast cell line (MBA 15.4) by dexamethasone: role of protein phosphatases

Chronic glucocorticoid therapy causes rapid bone loss and clinical osteoporosis. We found that although the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, stimulated osteoblast maturation, it also inhibited proliferation of a preosteoblastic cell line, MBA-15.4. The dexamethasone-induced decline in preosteoblast proliferation correlated with a 30-40% reduction in protein kinase C/TPA-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity. These steroid effects only became evident after 6-24 h treatment, implying that dexamethasone acts on de novo synthesis of proteins. Because MAPK is inactivated by dephosphorylation of tyrosine and threonine residues, cells were treated concomitantly for 24 h with dexamethasone and inhibitors of tyrosine (sodium orthovanadate) and/or serine/threonine phosphatases (sodium fluoride). MAPK activity and cell proliferation were restored when MBA-15.4 cells were treated with vanadate, suggesting that dexamethasone up-regulates tyrosine phosphatase activity. Inactivation of serine/threonine phosphatases with sodium fluoride had no effect. Inhibition of the PKA pathway (which is growth inhibitory in mature osteoblasts) with H-89 did not reverse the effects of dexamethasone. Pretreatment with dexamethasone inhibited both peak- and extended activation plateau-phases of MAPK activity. Both phases were fully restored by pretreatment with vanadate, implicating more than one tyrosine phosphatase. Cycloheximide, alone or in combination with dexamethasone, prevented drop-off from plateau to basal levels, suggesting that an inducible dual-specificity phosphatase regulates the plateau-phase. We conclude that dexamethasone may inhibit preosteoblast growth via a novel tyrosine phosphatase pathway.     

The involvement of protein kinase C in proliferation and differentiation of human keratinocytes--an investigation using inhibitors of protein kinase C

Protein kinase C, the major cellular receptor for tumour-promoting phorbol esters, has been suggested as playing a key role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of various well-characterized inhibitors of protein kinase C on proliferation and differentiation of SV 40-transformed and normal human keratinocytes. The drugs were found to inhibit cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, displaying similar effects in both cell types and reflecting their potencies in inhibiting purified protein kinase C. In contrast, keratinocyte differentiation induced by treatment with a calcium ionophore or spontaneously, i.e. by exposure of cells grown in the presence of low calcium concentration (0.06 mM) to normal calcium concentration (1.6 mM), was not inhibited by the compounds tested. The potent protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, was found even to enhance cell differentiation. Therefore, the present study provides evidence that the classical protein kinase C pathway plays a critical role in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation rather than in calcium-induced differentiation.     

Ca(2+)-dependent kinase and phosphatase control inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated Ca2+ release. Modification by agonist stimulation

A permeable cell system in which Ca2+ release can be evoked by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) or agonist stimulation was used to study the regulation of Ca2+ release by Ca2+ itself. At low concentrations, Ca2+ activated IP3-mediated Ca2+ release (IMCR) with half-maximal effect at about 15 nM. At high concentrations, Ca2+ inhibited IMCR giving rise to a biphasic [Ca2+] dependence of IMCR. The activation of IMCR by Ca2+ appears to be mediated by a kinase, probably the Ca(2+)-and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII). Thus, the activation required MgATP, completely blocked at 0 degrees C, required Ca2+, and was inhibited by the CaMKII inhibitors KT5926 and KN62. The inhibition of IMCR seems to be mediated by a protein phosphatase, probably the Ca(2+)-dependent protein phosphatase 2B. Hence, the inhibition required Ca2+, was prevented by the general protein phosphatase inhibitor pyrophosphate and by the immunosuppressants cyclosporin A and FK506, but not by okadaic acid or VO4(2-), and was modified by chelating agents such as EGTA. Stimulation with agonists modified the activities of the kinase and phosphatase to make the release independent of [Ca2+]. This appears to be due to an increase in the apparent affinity for Ca2+ in stimulating IMCR and inhibition of the phosphatase. We suggest that agonist-dependent modification of the kinase/phosphatase activity ratio can be the biochemical pathway responsible for regulation of Ca2+ release and in turn [Ca2+]i oscillations.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 in rat arterial smooth muscle cell proliferation

Smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration is important in arteriosclerosis. In this process, cytokines and growth factors are upregulated and bind to their respective receptors, which in turn stimulate mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. MAP kinases then relay signals to the nucleus that activate quiescent smooth muscle cells. Phosphatases downregulate MAP kinases. We investigated the role of a dual-specificity tyrosine phosphatase, MAP kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), in smooth muscle cell proliferation. MKP-1 expression was high in arterial tissue by Northern analysis, and MKP-1 message was detected mainly in the arterial smooth muscle layer by in situ hybridization. After balloon injury of the rat carotid artery, expression of MKP-1 decreased greatly, whereas that of MAP kinases, especially p44 MAP kinase, increased. The time course of the reduction in MKP-1 message correlated with increased tyrosine phosphorylation and elevated p44 MAP kinase enzymatic activity. In rat arterial smooth muscle cells overexpressing MKP-1, growth was arrested in the G1 phase and entry into the S phase was blocked. A reduction in MKP-1 expression may contribute in part to proliferation of smooth muscle cells after vascular injury, possibly through a decrease in dephosphorylation of p44 MAP kinase.     

In vitro biological characterization and antiangiogenic effects of PD 166866, a selective inhibitor of the FGF-1 receptor tyrosine kinase

Through direct synthetic efforts, we discovered a small molecule that is a nanomolar inhibitor of the human fibroblast growth factor-1 receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase. PD 166866, a member of a new structural class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the 6-aryl-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines, was identified by screening a compound library with assays that measure protein tyrosine kinase activity. PD 166866 inhibited human full-length FGFR-1 tyrosine kinase with an IC50 value of 52.4 +/- 0.1 nM and was further characterized as an ATP competitive inhibitor of the FGFR-1. In contrast, PD 166866 had no effect on c-Src, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta, epidermal growth factor receptor or insulin receptor tyrosine kinases or on mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein kinase C and CDK4 at concentrations as high as 50 microM. PD 166866 was a potent inhibitor of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-mediated receptor autophosphorylation in NIH 3T3 cells expressing endogenous FGFR-1 and in L6 cells overexpressing the human FGFR-1 tyrosine kinase, confirming a tyrosine kinase-mediated mechanism. PD 166866 also inhibited bFGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the 44- and 42-kDa (ERK 1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms in L6 cells, presumably via inhibition of bFGF-stimulated FGFR-1 tyrosine kinase activation. PD 166866 did not inhibit platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor or insulin-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle, A431 or NIHIR cells, respectively, further supporting its specificity for the FGFR-1. In addition, daily exposure of PD 166866 to L6 cells at concentrations from 1 to 100 nM resulted in a concentration-related inhibition of bFGF-stimulated cell growth for 8 consecutive days with an IC50 value of 24 nM. In contrast, PD 166866 had little effect on platelet-derived growth factor-BB-stimulated growth of L6 cells or serum-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Finally, PD 166866 was found to be a potent inhibitor of microvessel outgrowth (angiogenesis) from cultured artery fragments of human placenta. These results highlight the discovery of PD 166866, a new nanomolar potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of the FGFR-1 tyrosine kinase with potential use as antiproliferative/antiangiogenic agent for such therapeutic targets as tumor growth and neovascularization of atherosclerotic plaques.     

Cytoprotective effects of adrenomedullin in glomerular cell injury: central role of cAMP signaling pathway

Activation of cAMP signaling pathway was shown to inhibit some pathobiologic processes in mesangial cells (MC). We investigated whether adrenomedullin (ADM), a potent agonist of adenylate cyclase, is synthesized in MC and whether it can, via cAMP, suppress the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and proliferation of cells in glomeruli. With the use of an immunohistologic technique ADM was detected in mesangial and microvascular areas of rat glomeruli. MC grown in primary culture synthesized ADM, and the synthesis was stimulated by TNF alpha and IL-1 beta but not by PDGF and EGF. ADM inhibited ROM generation in MC dose-dependently and caused in situ activation of protein kinase A (PKA). In macrophages (cell line J774) ROM generation was about four times higher than in MC and was inhibited by ADM in a similar way as in MC. The rate of MC proliferation, measured by [3H]-incorporation, and the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) stimulated by PDGF and EGF were dose-dependently inhibited by ADM; the maximum inhibition (at 10 nM ADM) was about -80%. Mitogenesis of MC and MAPK activity when stimulated to a similar extent by endothelin (ET-1) was inhibited by ADM to a significantly (P < 0.01) lesser degree (-30%). Further, ADM inhibited PDF-stimulated mitogenesis and activation of MAPK in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The inhibition of PDGF-activated MAPK by ADM in VSMC was reversed by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H89. Taken together, results indicate the adrenomedullin (ADM) generated in mesangial cells (MC) can suppress, via activation of the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway, reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) generation in MC and infiltrating macrophages as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-mediated mitogenesis in MC and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We suggest that introglomerular ADM may serve as a cytoprotective autoacoid that suppresses pathobiologic processes evoked by immuno-inflammatory injury of glomeruli.     

Angiotensin II tachyphylaxis in the guinea pig ileum and its prevention: a pharmacological and biochemical study

Angiotensin II (AII) tachyphylaxis occurs in the guinea pig ileum, but is not induced by analogs lacking the N-terminal amino group or the Arg2 guanidino group. Both AII and Lys2AII increased cell inositol trisphoshate content in cultured intestinal smooth muscle cells. Protein kinase C inhibition by staurosporine or downregulation by prolonged incubation with phorbol reverted tachyphylaxis of the inositol trisphoshate response, but not that of the Na+ uptake response, indicating that the uncoupling of the phosphoinositide signal system by protein kinase C did not involve all processes distal to receptor activation. Tachyphylaxis of the Na+ uptake response was prevented when receptor internalization was blocked by reduction of the temperature (4 degrees C) or by pretreatment of the cells with phenylarsine oxide. Acid washings, which prevented tachyphylaxis of the 24Na+ influx response, also prevented tachyphylaxis of the contractile response of the guinea pig ileum to AII. Although these findings suggest that sequestration or internalization of the AII receptor might be involved in AII tachyphylaxis, binding of [125I]AII and of [125I]Lys2AII to the cells was equally unaffected by repeated administrations of the peptides. The results suggest that conformational change of the AII-receptor complex within the plasma membrane, but not internalization, is the most important factor responsible for tachyphylaxis.