Moni Nader

Nitric Oxide Signaling via Nuclearized Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Modulates Expression of the Immediate Early Genes iNOS and mPGES-1

Stimulation of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes with lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) resulted in LPA1 receptor-mediated and nitricoxide-dependent up-regulation of the immediate early genes iNOS (inducible nitric-oxide synthase (NOS)) and mPGES-1 (microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1). Because LPA is a ligand for both cell surface and intracellular receptor sites and a potent endothelial NOS (eNOS) activator, we hypothesized that NO derived from activated nuclearized eNOS might participate in gene regulation. Herein we show, by confocal microscopy performed on porcine cerebral endothelial cells expressing native LPA1-receptor and eNOS and on HTC4 rat hepatoma cells co-transfected with recombinant human LPA1-receptor and fused eNOS-GFP cDNA, a dynamic eNOS translocation from peripheral to nuclear regions upon stimulation with LPA. Nuclear localization of eNOS and its downstream effector, soluble guanylate cyclase, were demonstrated in situ in rat liver specimens by immunogold labeling using specific antibodies. Stimulation of this nuclear fraction with LPA and the NO donor sodium nitroprusside resulted, respectively, in increased production of nitrite (and eNOS phosphorylation) and cGMP; these separate responses were also correspondingly blocked by NOS inhibitor l-NAME and soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ. In addition, sodium nitroprusside evoked a sequential increase in nuclear Ca2+ transients, activation of p42 MAPK, NF-κB binding to DNA consensus sequence, and dependent iNOS RNA. This study describes a hitherto unrecognized molecular mechanism by which nuclear eNOS through ensuing NO modulates nuclear calcium homeostasis involved in gene transcription-associated events. Moreover, our findings strongly support the concept of the nucleus as an autonomous signaling compartment.

Nuclear membrane receptors for ET-1 in cardiovascular function

Bkaily G, Avedanian L, Al-Khoury J, Provost C, Nader M, D’Orléans-Juste P, Jacques D. Nuclear membrane receptors for ET-1 in cardiovascular function. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 300: R251–R263, 2011. First published November 17, 2010; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00736.2009.—Plasma membrane endothelin type A (ETA) receptors are internalized and recycled to the plasma membrane, whereas endothelin type B (ETB) receptors undergo degradation and subsequent nuclear translocation. Recent studies show that G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion transporters are also present and functional at the nuclear membranes of many cell types. Similarly to other GPCRs, ETA and ETB are present at both the plasma and nuclear membranes of several cardiovascular cell types, including human cardiac, vascular smooth muscle, endocardial endothelial, and vascular endothelial cells. The distribution and density of ETARs in the cytosol (including the cell membrane) and the nucleus (including the nuclear membranes) differ between these cell types. However, the localization and density of ET-1 and ETB receptors are similar in these cell types. The extracellular ET-1-induced increase in cytosolic ([Ca]c) and nuclear ([Ca]n) free Ca is associated with an increase of cytosolic and nuclear reactive oxygen species. The extracellular ET-1-induced increase of [Ca]c and [Ca]n as well as intracellular ET-1-induced increase of [Ca]n are cell-type dependent. The type of ET-1 receptor mediating the extracellular ET-1-induced increase of [Ca]c and [Ca]n depends on the cell type. However, the cytosolic ET-1-induced increase of [Ca]n does not depend on cell type. In conclusion, nuclear membranes’ ET-1 receptors may play an important role in overall ET-1 action. These nuclear membrane ET-1 receptors could be targets for a new generation of antagonists.

Angiotensin II-induced increase of T-type Ca2+ current and decrease of L-type Ca2+ current in heart cells.

The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the T- and L-type calcium currents (I(Ca)) in single ventricular heart cells of 18-week-old fetal human and 10-day-old chick embryos was studied using the whole-cell voltage clamp technique. Our results showed that in both, human and chick cardiomyocytes, Ang II (10(-7)M) increased the T-type calcium current and decreased the L-type I(Ca). The effect of Ang II on both types of currents was blocked by the AT1 peptidic antagonist, [Sar1, Ala8] Ang II (2 x 10(-7)M). Protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, mimicked the effect of Ang II on the T- and L-type calcium currents. These results demonstrate that in fetal human and chick embryo cardiomyocytes Ang II affects the T- and L-type Ca2+ currents differently, and this effect seems to be mediated by the PKC pathway.

ETA receptors are present in human aortic vascular endothelial cells and modulate intracellular calcium.

Using immunofluorescence and real 3-D confocal microscopy, our results showed the presence of ET-1, ETA, and ETB receptors in isolated human aortic vascular endothelial cells (hVECs). The level of the peptide and its receptors was significantly higher in the nucleus (including the nuclear envelope membranes) than in the cytosol (including the cell membrane). Furthermore, using the Western blot technique we demonstrated the presence of both ETA and ETB receptors. Using intact and isolated human hVECs and the Fura-2 calcium (Ca2+) measurement technique, we showed that ET-1 induced a dose-dependent increase of total intracellular free Ca2+, with an EC50 of 1.3 x 10-10 mol/L. The specific ETA receptor antagonist ABT-627 (10-7 mol/L), but not the ETB receptor antagonist A-192621 (10-7 mol/L), prevented the ET-1 (10-9 mol/L) induced increase of total intracellular Ca2+. In conclusion, these results clearly show that similar to ETB receptors, ETA receptors are also present in human aortic vascular endothelial cells and their levels are higher than ETB in the nucleus when compared with the cytosol. Furthermore, we suggest that ETA, but not ETB, receptors mediate the effect of ET-1 on total intracellular Ca2+ of human aortic vascular endothelial cells.

Photodynamic Activity of Substituted Zinc Trisulfophthalocyanines: Role of Plasma Membrane Damage

Abstract We recently reported that variations in cellular phototoxicity among a series of alkynyl-substituted zinc trisulfophthalocyanines (ZnPcS3Cn) correlates with their hydrophobicity, with the most amphiphilic derivatives showing the highest cell uptake and phototoxicity. In this study we address the role of the plasma membrane in the photodynamic response as it relates to the overall hydrophobicity of the photosensitizer. The membrane tracker dye 1-[4(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene (TMA-DPH), which is incorporated into plasma membranes by endocytosis, was used to establish plasma membrane uptake by EMT-6 cells of the ZnPcS3Cn by colocalization, and TMA-DPH membrane uptake rates after photodynamic therapy were used to quantify membrane damage. TMA-DPH colocalization patterns show plasma membrane uptake of the photosensitizers after short 1 h incubation periods. TMA-DPH plasma membrane uptake rates after illumination of the photosensitizer-treated cells show a parabolic relationship with photosensitizer hydrophobicity that correlates well with the phototoxicity of the ZnPcS3Cn. After a 1 h incubation period, overall phototoxicity correlates closely with the postillumination rate of TMA-DPH incorporation into the cell membrane, suggesting a major role of plasma membrane damage in the overall PDT effect. In contrast, after a 24 h incubation, phototoxicity shows a stronger but imperfect correlation with total cellular photosensitizer uptake rather than TMA-DPH membrane uptake, suggesting a partial shift in the cellular damage responsible for photosensitization from the plasma membrane to intracellular targets. We conclude that plasma membrane localization of the amphiphilic ZnPcS3C6–C9 is a major factor in their overall photodynamic activity.

Angiotensin II induced increase in frequency of cytosolic and nuclear calcium waves of heart cells via activation of AT1 and AT2 receptors

The aim of this work is to verify if Angiotensin II (Ang II) affects the frequency of spontaneous cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ waves in chick embryonic cardiomyocytes and if this effect is mediated via the activation of AT1 and/or AT2 receptors. Using the rapid scan technique of confocal microscopy, we observed that Ang II (10(-8)M) increases the frequency of cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ waves. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in the amplitude of nuclear Ca2+ waves and an absence of effect on the amplitude of cytosolic Ca2+ waves. The effect of the octapeptide on both frequency and amplitude of the nuclear waves was prevented by the AT1 receptor antagonist L158809. However, blockade of the AT2 receptor using the antagonist PD123319 (10(-7)M) only prevented the effect of Ang II on the frequency of Ca2+ waves. Furthermore, the effect was prevented by both a PKC inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide) and a PKC activator (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate). In addition, the Ang II effect was not prevented by the blocker of the pacemaker current If. These results demonstrate that Ang II, via the activation of its receptors AT1 and AT2, affects the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ waves and this effect seems to be mediated by the PKC pathway.