Ayad A. Jaffa

Mechanisms of MAPK activation by bradykinin in vascular smooth muscle cells

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a prominent feature of the atherosclerotic process occurring after endothelial injury. A vascular wall kallikrein-kinin system has been described. The contribution of this system to vascular disease is undefined. In the present study we characterized the signal transduction pathway leading to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in response to bradykinin (BK) in VSMC. Addition of 10(-10)-10(-7) M BK to VSMC resulted in a rapid and concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several 144- to 40-kDa proteins. This effect of BK was abolished by the B(2)-kinin receptor antagonist HOE-140, but not by the B(1)-kinin receptor antagonist des-Arg(9)-Leu(8)-BK. Immunoprecipitation with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies followed by immunoblot revealed that 10(-9) M BK induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)). BK (10(-8) M) promoted the association of p60(src) with the adapter protein growth factor receptor binding protein-2 and also induced a significant increase in MAPK activity. Pertussis and cholera toxins did not inhibit BK-induced MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation. Protein kinase C downregulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and/or inhibitors to protein kinase C, p60(src) kinase, and MAPK kinase inhibited BK-induced MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation. These findings provide evidence that activation of the B(2)-kinin receptor in VSMC leads to generation of multiple second messengers that converge to activate MAPK. The activation of this crucial kinase by BK provides a strong rationale to investigate the mitogenic actions of BK on VSMC proliferation in disease states of vascular injury.Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a prominent feature of the atherosclerotic process occurring after endothelial injury. A vascular wall kallikrein-kinin system has been described. The contribution of this system to vascular disease is undefined. In the present study we characterized the signal transduction pathway leading to mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in response to bradykinin (BK) in VSMC. Addition of 10-10-10-7M BK to VSMC resulted in a rapid and concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several 144- to 40-kDa proteins. This effect of BK was abolished by the B2-kinin receptor antagonist HOE-140, but not by the B1-kinin receptor antagonist des-Arg9-Leu8-BK. Immunoprecipitation with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies followed by immunoblot revealed that 10-9 M BK induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK). BK (10-8 M) promoted the association of p60 src with the adapter protein growth factor receptor binding protein-2 and also induced a significant increase in MAPK activity. Pertussis and cholera toxins did not inhibit BK-induced MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation. Protein kinase C downregulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and/or inhibitors to protein kinase C, p60 src kinase, and MAPK kinase inhibited BK-induced MAPK tyrosine phosphorylation. These findings provide evidence that activation of the B2-kinin receptor in VSMC leads to generation of multiple second messengers that converge to activate MAPK. The activation of this crucial kinase by BK provides a strong rationale to investigate the mitogenic actions of BK on VSMC proliferation in disease states of vascular injury.

Insulin-like Growth Factors Mediate Heterotrimeric G Protein-dependent ERK1/2 Activation by Transactivating Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors

Although several studies have shown that a subset of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signals require the activation of heterotrimeric G proteins, the molecular mechanisms underlying IGF-stimulated G protein signaling remain poorly understood. Here, we have studied the mechanism by which endogenous IGF receptors activate the ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in HEK293 cells. In these cells, treatment with pertussis toxin and expression of a Gαq/11-(305–359) peptide that inhibits Gq/11 signaling additively inhibited IGF-stimulated ERK1/2 activation, indicating that the signal was almost completely G protein-dependent. Treatment with IGF-1 or IGF-2 promoted translocation of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged sphingosine kinase (SK) 1 from the cytosol to the plasma membrane, increased endogenous SK activity within 30 s of stimulation, and caused a statistically significant increase in intracellular and extracellular sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) concentration. Using a GFP-tagged S1P1 receptor as a biological sensor for the generation of physiologically relevant S1P levels, we found that IGF-1 and IGF-2 induced GFP-S1P receptor internalization and that the effect was blocked by pretreatment with the SK inhibitor, dimethylsphingosine. Treating cells with dimethylsphingosine, silencing SK1 expression by RNA interference, and blocking endogenous S1P receptors with the competitive antagonist VPC23019 all significantly inhibited IGF-stimulated ERK1/2 activation, suggesting that IGFs elicit G protein-dependent ERK1/2 activation by stimulating SK1-dependent transactivation of S1P receptors. Given the ubiquity of SK and S1P receptor expression, S1P receptor transactivation may represent a general mechanism for G protein-dependent signaling by non-G protein-coupled receptors.

Bradykinin B2 receptor modulates renal prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide.

Bradykinin and lys-bradykinin generated intrarenally appear to be important renal paracrine hormones. However, the renal effects of endogenously generated bradykinin are still not clearly defined. In this study, we measured acute changes in renal excretory and hemodynamic functions and renal cortical interstitial fluid levels of bradykinin, prostaglandin E2, and cGMP in response to an acute intrarenal arterial infusion of the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist Hoe 140 (icatibant), cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, or nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) given individually or combined in uninephrectomized, conscious dogs (n=10) in low sodium balance. Icatibant caused a significant decrease in urine flow, urinary sodium excretion, and renal plasma flow rate (each P<.001). Glomerular filtration rate did not change during icatibant administration. Icatibant produced an unexpected large increase in renal interstitial fluid bradykinin (P<.0001) while decreasing renal interstitial fluid prostaglandin E2 and cGMP (each P<.001). Both indomethacin and L-NMMA when given individually caused significant antidiuresis and antinatriuresis and decreased renal blood flow (each P<.001). Glomerular filtration rate decreased during L-NMMA administration (P<.001) and did not change during indomethacin administration. Combined administration of icatibant and indomethacin or L-NMMA caused significant decreases in renal excretory and hemodynamic functions, which were not different from changes observed with icatibant alone. The failure of icatibant to change renal function after inhibition of cyclooxygenase and nitric oxide synthase activity suggests that the effects of kinin B2 receptor are mediated by intrarenal prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide generation. The increase in renal interstitial fluid bradykinin during icatibant requires further study of possible alterations in kinin synthesis, degradation, or clearance as a result of B2 receptor blockade.

Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Bradykinin-Induced Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase and c-fos Induction in Vascular Cells

Bradykinin stimulates proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We investigated the action of bradykinin on the phosphorylation state of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p42(mapk) and p44(mapk) in VSMCs and tested the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be involved in the signal transduction pathway linking bradykinin activation of nuclear transcription factors to the phosphorylation of p42(mapk) and p44(mapk). Bradykinin (10(-8) mol/L) rapidly increased (4- to 5-fold) the phosphorylation of p42(mapk) and p44(mapk) in VSMCs. Preincubation of VSMCs with either N-acetyl-L-cysteine and/or alpha-lipoic acid significantly decreased bradykinin-induced cytosolic and nuclear phosphorylation of p42(mapk) and p44(mapk). In addition, the induction c-fos mRNA levels by bradykinin was completely abolished by N-acetyl-L-cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid. Using the cell-permeable fluorescent dye dichlorofluorescein diacetate, we determined that bradykinin (10(-8) mol/L) rapidly increased the generation of ROS in VSMCs. The NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium (DPI) blocked bradykinin-induced c-fos mRNA expression and p42(mapk) and p44(mapk) activation, implicating NADPH oxidase as the source for the generation of ROS. These findings demonstrate that the phosphorylation of cytosolic and nuclear p42(mapk) and p44(mapk) and the expression of c-fos mRNA in VSMCs in response to bradykinin are mediated via the generation of ROS and implicate ROS as important mediators in the signal transduction pathway through which bradykinin promotes VSMC proliferation in states of vascular injury.

Oxidized LDL-Containing Immune Complexes Induce Fc Gamma Receptor I–Mediated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation in THP-1 Macrophages

Our previous studies have shown that Fc gamma receptor (FcgammaR)-mediated uptake of LDL-containing immune complexes (oxLDL-ICs) by human monocyte-derived macrophages leads to not only transformation of macrophages into foam cells but also macrophage activation and release of cytokines. It has been shown that cross-linking of FcgammaR triggers activation of signal transduction pathways that alter gene expression in macrophages. In this study, we determined whether engagement of FcgammaR by oxLDL-ICs leads to activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, a signaling cascade serving many important functions, including the regulation of gene expression, in THP-1 macrophage-like cells. Our results from immunoblotting, using specific anti-phosphorylated MAP kinase antibodies, showed that oxLDL-ICs induced extracellular signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) MAP kinase phosphorylation in THP-1 macrophage-like cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. Cholesterol loading before stimulation led to a longer phosphorylation of ERK2. Nuclear translocation of phosphorylated ERK was markedly increased after the stimulation. Moreover, our data showed that oxLDL-IC induction of MAP kinase was prevented by human monomeric IgG1, suggesting that the specific engagement of type I FcgammaR by oxLDL-IC is responsible for the MAP kinase activation. Finally, we showed that human anti-oxLDL autoantibody-containing immune complexes immobilized on type I collagen induced MAP kinase activation in THP-1 cells. These results strongly suggest that oxLDL-IC, which has been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, may play an important role in macrophage activation and atherogenesis.

Renal Kallikrein and Hemodynamic Abnormalities of Diabetic Kidney

The relationship between renal hemodynamic abnormalities and renal kallikrein activity was studied in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were either not treated with insulin and had plasma glucose levels >400 mg/dl (severely hyperglycemic diabetic [MD]) or were treated with 1.5–1.75 U/day protamine zinc insulin and had glucose levels of 200–300 mg/dl (moderately hyperglycemic diabetic [MD]). In SD rats, kidney tissue level and excretion of active kallikrein were reduced after 3 wk compared with age-matched nondiabetic control rats (tissue, 11.7 ± 1.9 vs. 20.5 ± 1.8 ng/mg protein, P <0.005; urine, 126 ± 12vs. 179 ± 10 μg/24 h, P <0.05). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was not significantly lower (2.77 ± 0.60vs. 3.02 ± 0.56 ml/min). In MD rats, kidney tissue level and excretion of active kallikrein were increased after 5 wk compared with age-matched nondiabetic control rats (tissue, 28.4 ± 1.3 vs. 23.3 ± 1.7 ng/mg protein, P < 0.05; urine, 289 ± 16 vs. 196 ± 13μg/24 h, P < 0.001). In MD rats, GFR and RPF were increased (3.80 ± 0.11 and 8.04 ± 0.17 ml/min, respectively) compared with control rats (3.22 ± 0.05 and 7.28 ± 0.09 ml/min, P < 0.001). Treatment of MD rats with a kallikrein inhibitor reduced GFR and RPF to levels similar to those of nondiabetic control rats. With recent evidence that kallikrein and kinins have a renal paracrine role in regulating vascular resistance, our findings suggest that altered kallikrein activity may contribute to the renal hemodynamic and filtration abnormalities in diabetes.

Connective tissue growth factor and susceptibility to renal and vascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE We explored the relevance and significance of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a determinant of renal and vascular complications among type 1 diabetic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We measured the circulating and urinary levels of CTGF and CTGF N fragment in 1050 subjects with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Study cohort. We found that hypertensive diabetic subjects have significantly higher levels of plasma log CTGF N fragment relative to normotensive subjects (P = 0.0005). Multiple regression analysis showed a positive and independent association between CTGF N fragment levels and log albumin excretion rate (P < 0.0001). In categorical analysis, patients with macroalbuminuria had higher levels of CTGF N fragment than diabetic subjects with or without microalbuminuria (P < 0.0001). Univariate and multiple regression analyses demonstrated an independent and significant association of log CTGF N fragment with the common and internal carotid intima-media thickness. The relative risk for increased carotid intima-media thickness was higher in patients with concomitantly elevated plasma CTGF N fragment and macroalbuminuria relative to patients with normal plasma CTGF N fragment and normal albuminuria (relative risk = 4.76; 95% confidence interval, 2.21-10.25; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that plasma CTGF is a risk marker of diabetic renal and vascular disease.

Kinin, a mediator of diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration.

Renal kallikrein is increased in diabetic patients and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with hyperflltration. Chronic inhibition of renal kallikrein reduces glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) in hyperfiltering STZ-induced diabetic rats. To investigate whether these actions of kallikrein and its inhibition are kinin-mediated, we used a B2-kinin receptor antagonist (BKA). In STZ-induced diabetic rats with hyperflltration, renal kallikrein excretion rate was significantly increased (P < 0.01), and kinin excretion rate was increased 57%, as compared with control rats. Left kidney GFR and RPF were measured before and during a 40-min infusion of BKA (0.5 μg · kg−1 · min−1) or vehicle. Infusion of the kinin receptor antagonist reduced the GFR and RPF significantly. GFR was reduced by 18%, from an average baseline value of 2.07 ± 0.11 to 1.70 ± 0.06 ml/min, P < 0.001 (means ± SE). RPF was reduced by 25%, from 6.74 ± 0.38 to 5.06 ± 0.17 ml/min, P < 0.001. Total renal vascular resistance was significantly increased during BKA infusion, P < 0.001. Vehicle infusion for the same period had no significant effect on GFR, RPF, or renal vascular resistance. These findings further support the hypothesis that increased renal production of kinins contributes to the renal vasodilation of diabetes.

Abnormal regulation of renal kallikrein in experimental diabetes. Effects of insulin on prokallikrein synthesis and activation.

The effects of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes and insulin on regulation of renal kallikrein were studied in the rat. 1 and 2 wk after STZ injection, diabetic rats had reduced renal levels and urinary excretion of active kallikrein. Tissue and urinary prokallikrein levels were unchanged, but the rate of renal prokallikrein synthesis relative to total protein synthesis was reduced 30-45% in diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with insulin prevented or reversed the fall in tissue level and excretion rate of active kallikrein and normalized prokallikrein synthesis rate. To further examine insulins effects, nondiabetic rats were treated with escalating insulin doses to produce hyperinsulinemia. In these rats, renal active kallikrein increased. Although renal prokallikrein was not increased significantly by hyperinsulinemia, its synthesis was increased. As this was accompanied by proportionally increased total protein synthesis, relative kallikrein synthesis rate was not changed. Excretion of active kallikrein was unchanged, but prokallikrein excretion was markedly reduced. Therefore, increased tissue active kallikrein seen with hyperinsulinemia can be explained not only by increased synthesis but also by retention and increased activation of renal prokallikrein. These studies show that STZ diabetes produces an impairment in renal kallikrein synthesis and suggest that this disease state also impairs renal prokallikrein activation. The findings also suggest that insulin modulates renal kallikrein production, activation, and excretion.

The Insulin-like Growth Factor Type 1 and Insulin-like Growth Factor Type 2/Mannose-6-phosphate Receptors Independently Regulate ERK1/2 Activity in HEK293 Cells

Insulin-like growth factor types 1 and 2 (IGF-1; IGF-2) and insulin-like peptides are all members of the insulin superfamily of peptide hormones but bind to several distinct classes of membrane receptor. Like the insulin receptor, the IGF-1 receptor is a heterotetrameric receptor tyrosine kinase, whereas the IGF-2/ mannose 6-phosphate receptor is a single transmembrane domain protein that is thought to function primarily as clearance receptors. We recently reported that IGF-1 and IGF-2 stimulate the ERK1/2 cascade by triggering sphingosine kinasedependent “transactivation” of G protein-coupled sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors. To determine which IGF receptors mediate this effect, we tested seven insulin family peptides, IGF-1, IGF-2, insulin, and insulin-like peptides 3, 4, 6, and 7, for the ability to activate ERK1/2 in HEK293 cells. Only IGF-1 and IGF-2 potently activated ERK1/2. Although IGF-2 was predictably less potent than IGF-1 in activating the IGF-1 receptor, they were equipotent stimulators of ERK1/2. Knockdown of IGF-1 receptor expression by RNA interference reduced the IGF-1 response to a greater extent than the IGF-2 response, suggesting that IGF-2 did not signal exclusively via the IGF-1 receptor. In contrast, IGF-2 receptor knockdown markedly reduced IGF-2-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, with no effect on the IGF-1 response. As observed previously, both the IGF-1 and the IGF-2 responses were sensitive to pertussis toxin and the sphingosine kinase inhibitor, dimethylsphingosine. These data indicate that endogenous IGF-1 and IGF-2 receptors can independently initiate ERK1/2 signaling and point to a potential physiologic role for IGF-2 receptors in the cellular response to IGF-2.