Fulong Tan

Potentiation of the actions of bradykinin by angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors : The role of expressed human bradykinin B2 receptors and angiotensin I-converting enzyme in CHO cells

Part of the beneficial effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are due to augmenting the actions of bradykinin (BK). We studied this effect of enalaprilat on the binding of [3H]BK to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected to express the human BK B2 receptor alone (CHO-3B) or in combination with ACE (CHO-15AB). In CHO-15AB cells, enalaprilat (1 mumol/L) increased the total number of low-affinity [3H]BK binding sites on the cells at 37 degrees C, but not at 4 degrees C, from 18.4 +/- 4.3 to 40.3 +/- 11.9 fmol/10(6) cells (P < .05; Kd, 2.3 +/- 0.8 and 5.9 +/- 1.3 nmol/L; n = 4). Enalaprilat preserved a portion of the receptors in high-affinity conformation (Kd, 0.17 +/- 0.08 nmol/L; 8.1 +/- 0.9 fmol/10(6) cells). Enalaprilat decreased the IC50 of [Hyp3-Tyr(Me)8]BK, the BK analogue more resistant to ACE, from 3.2 +/- 0.8 to 0.41 +/- 0.16 nmol/L (P < .05, n = 3). The biphasic displacement curve of the binding of [3H]BK also suggested the presence of high-affinity BK binding sites. Enalaprilat (5 nmol to 1 mumol/L) potentiated the release of [3H]arachidonic acid and the liberation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) induced by BK and [Hyp3-Tyr(Me)8]BK. Moreover, enalaprilat (1 mumol/L) completely and immediately restored the response of the B2 receptor, desensitized by the agonist (1 mumol/L [Hyp3-Tyr(Me)8]BK); this effect was blocked by the antagonist, HOE 140. Finally, enalaprilat, but not the prodrug enalapril, decreased internalization of the receptor from 70 +/- 9% to 45 +/- 9% (P < .05, n = 7). In CHO-3B cells, enalaprilat was ineffective. ACE inhibitors in the presence of both the B2 receptor and ACE enhance BK binding, protect high-affinity receptors, block receptor desensitization, and decrease internalization, thereby potentiating BK beyond blocking its hydrolysis.

Novel Mode of Action of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme Inhibitors DIRECT ACTIVATION OF BRADYKININ B1 RECEPTOR

Angiotensin I converting enzyme (kininase II; ACE) inhibitors are important therapeutic agents widely used for treatment in cardiovascular and renal diseases. They inhibit angiotensin II release and bradykinin inactivation; these actions do not explain completely the clinical benefits. We found that enalaprilat and other ACE inhibitors in nanomolar concentrations activate human bradykinin B1 receptors directly in the absence of ACE and the B1 agonist des-Arg10-Lys1-bradykinin. These inhibitors activate at the Zn2+-binding consensus sequence HEXXH (195–199) in B1, which is present also in ACE but not in the B2 receptor. Activation elevates [Ca2+] i and releases NO from endothelial or transfected cells expressing the B1 receptor but is blocked by Ca-EDTA, a B1 receptor antagonist, the synthetic undecapeptide sequence (192–202) of B1, and the mutagenesis of His195 to Ala195. Except for the B1 antagonist, these agents and manipulations did not block activation by a peptide ligand. Thus, Zn2+ is essential for B1 receptor activation by ACE inhibitors at the zinc-binding consensus sequence. Ischemia or cytokines induce abundant B1 receptor expression. B1 receptor activation by ACE inhibitors, a novel mode of action reported here first, can contribute to their therapeutic effects by releasing NO in the heart and to some side effects.

Angiotensin 1-9 and 1-7 Release in Human Heart Role of Cathepsin A

Human heart tissue enzymes cleave angiotensin (Ang) I to release Ang 1-9, Ang II, or Ang 1-7. In atrial homogenate preparations, cathepsin A (deamidase) is responsible for 65% of the liberated Ang 1-9. Ang 1-7 was released (88% to 100%) by a metallopeptidase, as established with peptidase inhibitors. Ang II was liberated to about equal degrees by ACE and chymase-type enzymes. Cathepsin A’s presence in heart tissue was also proven because it deamidated enkephalinamide substrate by immunoprecipitation of cathepsin A with antiserum to human recombinant enzyme and by immunohistochemistry. In immunohistochemistry, cathepsin A was detected in myocytes of atrial tissue. The products of Ang I cleavage, Ang 1-9 and Ang 1-7, potentiated the effect of an ACE-resistant bradykinin analog and enhanced kinin effect on the B2 receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected to express human ACE and B2 (CHO/AB), and in human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. Ang 1-9 and 1-7 augmented arachidonic acid and nitric oxide (NO) release by kinin. Direct assay of NO liberation by bradykinin from endothelial cells was potentiated at 10 nmol/L concentration, 2.4-fold (Ang 1-9) and 2.1-fold (Ang 1-7); in higher concentrations, Ang 1-9 was significantly more active than Ang 1-7. Both peptides had traces of activity in the absence of bradykinin. Ang 1-9 and Ang 1-7 potentiated bradykinin action on the B2 receptor by raising arachidonic acid and NO release at much lower concentrations than their 50% inhibition concentrations (IC50s) with ACE. They probably induce conformational changes in the ACE/B2 receptor complex via interaction with ACE.

Angiotensin I–Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Are Allosteric Enhancers of Kinin B1 and B2 Receptor Function

The beneficial effects of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors go beyond the inhibition of ACE to decrease angiotensin (Ang) II or increase kinin levels. ACE inhibitors also affect kinin B1 and B2 receptor (B1R and B2R) signaling, which may underlie some of their therapeutic usefulness. They can indirectly potentiate the actions of bradykinin (BK) and ACE-resistant BK analogs on B2Rs to elevate arachidonic acid and NO release in laboratory experiments. Studies indicate that ACE inhibitors and some Ang metabolites increase B2R functions as allosteric enhancers by inducing a conformational change in ACE. This is transmitted to B2Rs via heterodimerization with ACE on the plasma membrane of cells. ACE inhibitors are also agonists of the B1R, at a Zn-binding sequence on the second extracellular loop that differs from the orthosteric binding site of the des-Arg-kinin peptide ligands. Thus, ACE inhibitors act as direct allosteric B1R agonists. When ACE inhibitors enhance B2R and B1R signaling, they augment NO production. Enhancement of B2R signaling activates endothelial NO synthase, yielding a short burst of NO; activation of B1Rs results in a prolonged high output of NO by inducible NO synthase. These actions, outside inhibiting peptide hydrolysis, may contribute to the pleiotropic therapeutic effects of ACE inhibitors in various cardiovascular disorders.

Replacement of the Transmembrane Anchor in Angiotensin I-converting Enzyme (ACE) with a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol Tail Affects Activation of the B2 Bradykinin Receptor by ACE Inhibitors

To investigate further the relationship of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to activation of the B2 bradykinin (BK) receptor, we transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells to stably express the human receptor and either wild-type ACE (WT-ACE), an ACE construct with most of the cytosolic portion deleted (Cyt-del-ACE), or ACE with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor replacing the transmembrane and cytosolic domains (GPI-ACE). BK or its ACE-resistant analogue were the agonists. All activities (arachidonic acid release and calcium mobilization) were blocked by the B2 antagonist HOE 140. B2 was desensitized by repeated administration of BK but resensitized to agonist by ACE inhibitors in the cells expressing both B2 and either WT-ACE or Cyt-del-ACE. In GPI-ACE expressing cells, the B2 receptor was still activated by the agonists, but ACE inhibitors did not resensitize. Pretreatment with filipin returned the sensitivity to inhibitors. In immunocytochemistry, GPI-ACE showed patchy, uneven distribution on the plasma membrane that was restored by filipin. Thus, ACE inhibitors were inactive as long as GPI-ACE was sequestered in cholesterol-rich membrane domains. WT-ACE and B2 receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells co-immunoprecipitated with antibody to receptor, suggesting an interaction on the cell membrane. ACE inhibitors augment BK effects on receptors indirectly only when enzyme and receptor molecules are sterically close, possibly forming a heterodimer.

Dynamic Receptor-dependent Activation of Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase by ERK-mediated Phosphorylation of Ser745

Nitric oxide (NO) is a pleiotropic regulator of vascular function, and its overproduction by inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in inflammatory conditions plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. iNOS activity is thought to be regulated primarily at the level of expression to generate “high output” NO compared with constitutive NO synthases. Here we show iNOS activity is acutely up-regulated by activation of the B1-kinin receptor (B1R) in human endothelial cells or transfected HEK293 cells to generate 2.5-5-fold higher NO than that stimulated by Arg alone. Increased iNOS activity was dependent on B1R activation of the MAPK ERK. In HEK293 cells transfected with human iNOS and B1R, ERK phosphorylated iNOS on Ser745 as determined by Western analysis using phospho-Ser antibody, in vitro kinase assays with activated ERK, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Mutation of Ser745 to Ala did not affect basal iNOS activity but eliminated iNOS phosphorylation and activation in response to B1R agonist. Mutation of Ser745 to Asp resulted in a basally hyperactive iNOS whose activity was not further increased by B1R agonist. ERK and phospho-ERK (after B1R activation) were co-localized with iNOS as determined by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, ERK co-immunoprecipitated with iNOS. The discovery that iNOS can be phosphorylated by ERK and acutely activated by receptor-mediated signaling reveals a new level of regulation for this isoform. These findings provide a novel therapeutic target to explore in the treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases.

Carboxypeptidase M and Kinin B1 Receptors Interact to Facilitate Efficient B1 Signaling from B2 Agonists

Kinin B1 receptor (B1R) expression is induced by injury or inflammatory mediators, and its signaling produces both beneficial and deleterious effects. Kinins cleaved from kininogen are agonists of the B2R and must be processed by a carboxypeptidase to generate B1R agonists des-Arg9-bradykinin or des-Arg10-kallidin. Carboxypeptidase M (CPM) is a membrane protein potentially well suited for this function. Here we show that CPM expression is required to generate a B1R-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in cells stimulated with B2R agonists kallidin or bradykinin. CPM and the B1R interact on the cell membrane, as shown by co-immunoprecipitation, cross-linking, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. CPM and B1R are also co-localized in lipid raft/caveolin-enriched membrane fractions, as determined by gradient centrifugation. Treatment of cells co-expressing CPM and B1R with methyl-β-cyclodextrin to disrupt lipid rafts reduced the B1R-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in response to B2R agonists, whereas cholesterol treatment enhanced the response. A monoclonal antibody to the C-terminal β-sheet domain of CPM reduced the B1R response to B2R agonists without inhibiting CPM. Cells expressing a novel fusion protein containing CPM at the N terminus of the B1R also increased [Ca2+]i when stimulated with B2R agonists, but the response was not reduced by methyl-β-cyclodextrin or CPM antibody. A B1R- and CPM-dependent calcium signal in response to B2R agonist bradykinin was also found in endothelial cells that express both proteins. Thus, a close relationship of B1Rs and CPM on the membrane is required for efficiently generating B1R signals, which play important roles in inflammation.

Protamine inhibits plasma carboxypeptidase N, the inactivator of anaphylatoxins and kinins.

Protamine given to neutralize heparin after extracorporeal circulation can trigger a catastrophic reaction in some patients. While searching for a biochemical basis for this reaction, protamine was tested as an inhibitor of human plasma carboxypeptidase N (CPN) or kininase I, the inactivator of anaphylatoxins and kinins. Human plasma and CPN purified from human plasma, (Mr = 280 K) or its isolated active subunit (Mr = 48 K) were the sources of enzyme. The hydrolysis of furylacryloyl (FA)-Ala-Lys was measured in a UV spectrophotometer and that of bradykinin and the synthetic C-terminal octapeptide of anaphylatoxin C3a (C3a8) by high performance liquid chromatography. Protamine inhibited the hydrolysis of FA-Ala-Lys by CPN, (IC50 = 3.2 X 10(-7) M); added human serum albumin (30 mg/ml) increased the IC50 to 7 X 10(-6) M. When plasma was the source of CPN, the IC50 was 2 X 10(-6) M. Protamine more effectively inhibited the hydrolysis of bradykinin and C3a8. The IC50 for protamine was 5 X 10(-8) M with CPN and bradykinin, 7 X 10(-8) M with CPN and C3a8 and with the 48 K subunit and bradykinin it was 7 X 10(-8) M of protamine. Heparin competes with CPN for protamine, because in high concentration (18 U/ml) it reverses the inhibition by protamine. Protamine did not inhibit angiotensin I converting enzyme (kininase II) or the endopeptidase 24.11 (enkephalinase). Kinetic studies showed the mechanism of protamine inhibition to be partially competitive; about 10-20% of the hydrolysis of bradykinin by CPN was not inhibited by protamine. Thus, by blocking the inactivation of mediators released in shock, protamine inhibition of CPN may be partially responsible for the catastrophic reaction observed to occur in some patients.

Carboxypeptidase M in brain and peripheral nerves.

Abstract: Carboxypeptidase M (CPM), a plasma membrane‐bound enzyme, cleaves C‐terminal basic amino acids with a neutral pH optimum. We studied its distribution in human, baboon, and dog brain and in dog peripheral nerves. Areas were dissected, homogenized, centrifuged, and assayed for activity with dansyl‐Ala‐Arg. The corpus callosum and the pyramidal and optic tract were especially rich in CPM, whereas basal ganglia and cortex had low activity. The identity of the basic carboxypeptidase activity with CPM was shown by similarities in subcellular localization, membrane attachment, substrate hydrolysis, inhibition by a specific basic carboxypeptidase inhibitor, and cross‐reaction with anti‐human CPM antiserum. This antiserum immunoprecipitated an average of 85% of the activity in human and baboon brain and ∼66% in dog brain. CPM copurified with myelin extracted from the brain. Consistent with results obtained in placenta and cultured kidney cells, CPM in the brain appears to be membrane‐bound via a phosphatidylinositol glycan anchor. In the peripheral nerves, the specific activity in dog sciatic nerve and in vagus was high (98 and 149 nmol/h/mg of protein, respectively). In immunohistochemical studies, glia in the brain, which appear to be oligodendrocytes or astrocytes, and the outer aspects of myelin sheaths and Schwann cells in sciatic and vagus nerves were stained. We conclude that in some areas of the CNS and the PNS, CPM is closely associated with myelin and myelin‐forming cells. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of mRNA coding for CPM in the brain, showing that the enzyme is indeed synthesized there.

Activation of bradykinin B1 receptor by ACE inhibitors.

ACE or kininase II inhibitors are very important, widely used therapeutic agents for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Although they inhibit ACE, thus, angiotensin II release and bradykinin (BK) inactivation, this inhibition alone does not suffice to explain their successful application in medical practice. Enalaprilat and other ACE inhibitors at nanomolar concentrations activate the BK B1 receptor directly in the absence of ACE and the peptide ligands, des-Arg-kinins. The inhibitors activate at the Zn-binding pentameric consensus sequence HEXXH (195 -199) of B1, a motif also present in the active centers of ACE but absent from the BK B2 receptor. ACE inhibitors, when activating the B1 receptor, elevate intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i and release NO from cultured cells. Activation by ACE inhibitor was abolished by Ca-EDTA, a B1 receptor antagonist, by a synthetic undecapeptide representing the 192-202 sequence in the B1 receptor, and by site-directed mutagenesis of H195 to A. With the exception of the B1 receptor blocker, these agents and the mutation did not affect the actions of the peptide ligand des-Arg10-Lys1-BK. Ischemia and inflammatory cytokines induce B1 receptors and elevate its expression. Direct activation of the B1 receptor by ACE inhibitors can contribute to their therapeutic efficacy, for example, by releasing NO in vascular beds, or to some of their side effects.