Per Hellstrand

Deletion of the G protein-coupled receptor 30 impairs glucose tolerance, reduces bone growth, increases blood pressure, and eliminates estradiol-stimulated insulin release in female mice.

In vitro studies suggest that the G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 30 is a functional estrogen receptor. However, the physiological role of GPR30 in vivo is unknown, and it remains to be determined whether GPR30 is an estrogen receptor also in vivo. To this end, we studied the effects of disrupting the GPR30 gene in female and male mice. Female GPR30((-/-)) mice had hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance, reduced body growth, increased blood pressure, and reduced serum IGF-I levels. The reduced growth correlated with a proportional decrease in skeletal development. The elevated blood pressure was associated with an increased vascular resistance manifested as an increased media to lumen ratio of the resistance arteries. The hyperglycemia and impaired glucose tolerance in vivo were associated with decreased insulin expression and release in vivo and in vitro in isolated pancreatic islets. GPR30 is expressed in islets, and GPR30 deletion abolished estradiol-stimulated insulin release both in vivo in ovariectomized adult mice and in vitro in isolated islets. Our findings show that GPR30 is important for several metabolic functions in female mice, including estradiol-stimulated insulin release.

Cholesterol Depletion Impairs Vascular Reactivity to Endothelin-1 by Reducing Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry Dependent on TRPC1

Abstract— The reactivity of the vascular wall to endothelin-1 (ET-1) is influenced by cholesterol, which is of possible importance for the progression of atherosclerosis. To elucidate signaling steps affected, the cholesterol acceptor methyl-&bgr;-cyclodextrin (m&bgr;cd, 10 mmol/L) was used to manipulate membrane cholesterol and disrupt caveolae in intact rat arteries. In endothelium-denuded caudal artery, contractile responsiveness to 10 nmol/L ET-1 (mediated by the ETA receptor) was reduced by m&bgr;cd and increased by cholesterol. Neither ligand binding nor colocalization of ETA and caveolin-1 was affected by m&bgr;cd. Ca2+ inflow via store-operated channels after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores was reduced in m&bgr;cd-treated caudal arteries, as shown by Mn2+ quench rate and intracellular [Ca2+] response. Expression of TRPC1, 3, and 6 was detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, and colocalization of TRPC1 with caveolin-1 was reduced by m&bgr;cd, as seen by immunofluorescence. Part of the contractile response to ET-1 was inhibited by Ni2+ (0.5 mmol/L) and by a TRPC1 blocking antibody. In the basilar artery, exhibiting less store-operated channel activity than the caudal artery, ET-1–induced contractions were insensitive to the TRPC1 blocking antibody and to m&bgr;cd. Increased store-operated channel activity in basilar arteries after organ culture correlated with increased sensitivity of ET-1 contraction to m&bgr;cd. These results suggest that cholesterol influences vascular reactivity to ET-1 by affecting the caveolar localization of TRPC1.

Inhibition of Rho-associated kinase blocks agonist-induced Ca2+ sensitization of myosin phosphorylation and force in guinea-pig ileum

Ca2+ sensitization of smooth muscle contraction involves the small GTPase RhoA, inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) and enhanced myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) phosphorylation. A potential effector of RhoA is Rho‐associated kinase (ROK). The role of ROK in Ca2+ sensitization was investigated in guinea‐pig ileum. Contraction of permeabilized muscle strips induced by GTPγS at pCa 6.5 was inhibited by the kinase inhibitors Y‐27632, HA1077 and H‐7 with IC50 values that correlated with the known Ki values for inhibition of ROK. GTPγS also increased LC20 phosphorylation and this was prevented by HA1077. Contraction and LC20 phosphorylation elicited at pCa 5.75 were, however, unaffected by HA1077. Pre‐treatment of intact tissue strips with HA1077 abolished the tonic component of carbachol‐induced contraction and the sustained elevation of LC20 phosphorylation, but had no effect on the transient or sustained increase in [Ca2+]i induced by carbachol. LC20 phosphorylation and contraction dynamics suggest that the ROK‐mediated increase in LC20 phosphorylation is due to MLCP inhibition, not myosin light chain kinase activation. In the absence of Ca2+, GTPγS stimulated 35S incorporation from [35S]ATPγS into the myosin targeting subunit of MLCP (MYPT). The enhanced thiophosphorylation was inhibited by HA1077. No thiophosphorylation of LC20 was detected. These results indicate that ROK mediates agonist‐induced increases in myosin phosphorylation and force by inhibiting MLCP activity through phosphorylation of MYPT. Under Ca2+‐free conditions, ROK does not appear to phosphorylate LC20in situ, in contrast to its ability to phosphorylate myosin in vitro. In particular, ROK activation is essential for the tonic phase of agonist‐induced contraction.

Upregulated TRPC1 Channel in Vascular Injury In Vivo and Its Role in Human Neointimal Hyperplasia

Occlusive vascular disease is a widespread abnormality leading to lethal or debilitating outcomes such as myocardial infarction and stroke. It is part of atherosclerosis and is evoked by clinical procedures including angioplasty and grafting of saphenous vein in bypass surgery. A causative factor is the switch in smooth muscle cells to an invasive and proliferative mode, leading to neointimal hyperplasia. Here we reveal the importance to this process of TRPC1, a homolog of Drosophila transient receptor potential. Using 2 different in vivo models of vascular injury in rodents we show hyperplasic smooth muscle cells have upregulated TRPC1 associated with enhanced calcium entry and cell cycle activity. Neointimal smooth muscle cells after balloon angioplasty of pig coronary artery also express TRPC1. Furthermore, human vein samples obtained during coronary artery bypass graft surgery commonly exhibit an intimal structure containing smooth muscle cells that expressed more TRPC1 than the medial layer cells. Veins were organ cultured to allow growth of neointimal smooth muscle cells over a 2-week period. To explore the functional relevance of TRPC1, we used a specific E3-targeted antibody to TRPC1 and chemical blocker 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. Both agents significantly reduced neointimal growth in human vein, as well as calcium entry and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in culture. The data suggest upregulated TRPC1 is a general feature of smooth muscle cells in occlusive vascular disease and that TRPC1 inhibitors have potential as protective agents against human vascular failure.

Cholesterol Depletion Disrupts Caveolae and Differentially Impairs Agonist-Induced Arterial Contraction

Objective—This study assessed the role of cholesterol-rich membrane regions, including caveolae, in the regulation of arterial contractility. Methods and Results—Rat tail artery devoid of endothelium was treated with the cholesterol acceptor methyl-&bgr;-cyclodextrin, and the effects on force and Ca2+ handling were evaluated. In cholesterol-depleted preparations, the force responses to &agr;1-adrenergic receptors, membrane depolarization, inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase, and activation of G proteins with a mixture of 20 mmol/L NaF and 60 &mgr;mol/L AlCl3 were unaffected. In contrast, responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), vasopressin, and endothelin were reduced by >50%. The rise in global intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in response to 5-HT was attenuated, as was the generation of Ca2+ waves at the cellular level. By electron microscopy, cholesterol depletion was found to disrupt caveolae. The 5-HT response could be restored by exogenous cholesterol, which also restored caveolae. Western blots showed that the levels of 5-HT2A receptor and of caveolin-1 were unaffected by cholesterol extraction. Sucrose gradient centrifugation showed enrichment of 5-HT2A receptors, but not &agr;1-adrenergic receptors, in the caveolin-1–containing fractions, suggesting localization of the former to caveolae. Conclusions—These results show that a subset of signaling pathways that regulate smooth muscle contraction depends specifically on cholesterol. Furthermore, the cholesterol-dependent step in serotonergic signaling occurs early in the pathway and depends on the integrity of caveolae.

Effects of calcium and substrate on force‐velocity relation and energy turnover in skinned smooth muscle of the guinea‐pig.

Mechanical properties and rate of ATP breakdown (JATP) have been determined in the chemically skinned guinea‐pig taenia coli at 22 degrees C. The influence of varied [Ca2+], [Mg ATP] and muscle length were investigated. The shortening response after a step decrease in force (isotonic quick release) was highly curvilinear in the first 100‐200 ms. This effect was shown to be a time‐dependent response to the force step and not primarily caused by the shift along the length‐force relation associated with shortening. Maximal shortening velocity (Vmax) decreased gradually following the release. At pCa (= ‐log [Ca2+]) 4.5, Vmax at 20 and 1000 ms after release was 0.49 +/‐ 0.07 and 0.041 +/‐ 0.004 (mean +/‐ S.E. of mean, n = 5) lengths s‐1 respectively. Unloaded shortening velocity obtained from length steps of different magnitude (slack test) also showed a gradual decrease after the release, consistent with the isotonic release results. Increasing [Ca2+] from the relaxed state at pCa 9 (1 microM‐calmodulin present) gave increased isometric force to a maximum at pCa 4.5. Half‐maximal response was obtained at pCa 6.1. JATP at maximal force at pCa 4.5 was about 3 times the basal rate at pCa 9. The relation between JATP and force was highly non‐linear, with a marked increase in JATP with little alteration in force at the highest [Ca2+]. When force was reduced to zero at pCa 4.5 by shortening the muscle to 0.3 L0 (L0 being the length giving maximal active force), JATP decreased by about 30%. At two levels of [Ca2+] giving similar force (pCa 5.75 and 4.5) the energetic tension cost obtained by length variations was lower at the low [Ca2+]. At pCa 6.0, Vmax and force were decreased to the same extent relative to their values at pCa 4.5. At pCa 5.75, where there was no reduction in force but a 25% decrease in isometric JATP, Vmax was unchanged relative to pCa 4.5. Force, Vmax and JATP were all dependent on [Mg ATP]. Half‐maximal response was obtained at 0.1 mM for force and Vmax, and at 0.5 mM for JATP. The results are discussed in relation to a possible influence of both Ca2+ and Mg ATP on kinetic properties of the cross‐bridge cycle.

Stretch-Dependent Modulation of Contractility and Growth in Smooth Muscle of Rat Portal Vein

Increased intraluminal pressure of the rat portal vein in vivo causes hypertrophy and altered contractility in 1 to 7 days. We have used organ cultures to investigate mechanisms involved in this adaptation to mechanical load. Strips of rat portal vein were cultured for 3 days, either undistended or loaded by a weight. Length-force relations were shifted toward longer length in stretched cultured veins compared with freshly dissected veins, whereas the length-force relations of unstretched cultured veins were shifted in the opposite direction. This occurred after culture either with or without 10% FCS to promote growth. The wet weight of loaded veins increased by 56% in the presence of FCS, whereas that of undistended control veins increased by 24%. No weight increase was seen in serum-free culture. The dry/wet weight ratio decreased during culture with FCS but was not affected by stretch. Electron microscopy revealed increased cell cross-sectional area in stretched relative to unstretched veins, and protein contents were greater, as were [(3)H]thymidine and [(3)H]leucine incorporation rates. Growth responses were associated with the activation of stretch-sensitive extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and were inhibited by herbimycin A and PD 98059, inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2. The results demonstrate that by culture of whole vascular tissue, smooth muscle cells are maintained in the contractile phenotype and respond to stretch with a physiological adaptation involving hypertrophy/hyperplasia and remodeling of the contractile system, similar to that in vivo. Mechanical stimulation and growth factors are both required for functionally significant growth.

Cholesterol Dependence of Vascular ERK1/2 Activation and Growth in Response to Stretch: Role of Endothelin-1

Objective—Stretch-induced growth of the vascular wall plays a role in hypertension and neointima formation. Its signal pathways involve integrins, cytoskeleton, membrane receptors, and ion channels, some of which are organized in cholesterol-rich, membrane domains such as lipid rafts or caveolae. This study tested the role of rafts/caveolae in stretch-induced vascular growth by manipulation of membrane cholesterol contents. Methods and Results—Growth and protein synthesis were induced by mechanical stretch of rat portal veins in vitro. Sucrose gradient centrifugation showed stretch-induced tyrosine phosphorylation primarily in fractions containing caveolin-1. Disruption of membrane caveolae with use of methyl-&bgr;-cyclodextrin (m&bgr;cd) reduced weight gain, protein synthesis, and DNA synthesis to levels in unstretched, control veins. These effects were partially reversed by restoration of cellular cholesterol contents. Inhibited growth was associated with abolished activation of extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in response to stretch and endothelin-1 (ET-1) but not to angiotensin II. Inhibition of ET-1 type A (ETA) receptors by RF139317 or endothelin-converting enzyme by phosphoramidone abolished stretch-induced ERK1/2 activation, which was, however, unaffected by removal of the endothelium. Conclusions—Stretch-induced growth signaling in vascular smooth muscle depends on cholesterol-rich, membrane microdomains by a mechanism involving ETA receptors that respond to endogenous ET-1 production.

Immunohistochemical localization and vascular effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in skeletal muscle of the cat

SummaryScattered vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) — immunoreactive nerves were found in the striated muscle of the hind limb of the cat, where they usually were associated with small blood vessels. VIP-immunoreactive nerves were also demonstrated in the sciatic nerve; after nerve ligation an abundance of intensely immunoreactive VIP fibres were seen proximal to the ligation. Intraarterial infusion of VIP into the isolated hind limb of the cat had dramatic effects on different sections of the vascular bed. Thus, VIP dilated the resistance vessels leading to a marked increment in muscle blood flow. VIP also relaxed the capacitance vessels causing regional pooling of blood; it increased the capillary surface area available for fluid exchange. Infusions of VIP at a dose of 8 μg/min significantly inhibited the vasoconstriction induced by electrical stimulation of the regional sympathetic nerves. It is suggested that local nervous release of VIP may act as a modulator of vascular tone in skeletal muscle.

MicroRNAs are essential for stretch-induced vascular smooth muscle contractile differentiation via miR-145-dependent expression of L-type calcium channels

Background: miRNAs regulate smooth muscle phenotype. Results: Deletion of miRNAs results in impaired stretch induction of contractile differentiation and reduced expression of L-type calcium channels. Conclusion: miRNAs are crucial for stretch-sensitive smooth muscle differentiation in part via miR-145-dependent expression of L-type calcium channels. Significance: These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism of smooth muscle phenotypic modulation in vascular disease. Stretch of the vascular wall is an important stimulus to maintain smooth muscle contractile differentiation that is known to depend on L-type calcium influx, Rho-activation, and actin polymerization. The role of microRNAs in this response was investigated using tamoxifen-inducible and smooth muscle-specific Dicer KO mice. In the absence of Dicer, which is required for microRNA maturation, smooth muscle microRNAs were completely ablated. Stretch-induced contractile differentiation and Rho-dependent cofilin-2 phosphorylation were dramatically reduced in Dicer KO vessels. On the other hand, acute stretch-sensitive growth signaling, which is independent of influx through L-type calcium channels, was not affected by Dicer KO. Contractile differentiation induced by the actin polymerizing agent jasplakinolide was not altered by deletion of Dicer, suggesting an effect upstream of actin polymerization. Basal and stretch-induced L-type calcium channel expressions were both decreased in Dicer KO portal veins, and inhibition of L-type channels in control vessels mimicked the effects of Dicer deletion. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-145, a highly expressed microRNA in smooth muscle, resulted in a similar reduction of L-type calcium channel expression. This was abolished by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN93, suggesting that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIδ, a target of miR-145 and up-regulated in Dicer KO, plays a role in the regulation of L-type channel expression. These results show that microRNAs play a crucial role in stretch-induced contractile differentiation in the vascular wall in part via miR-145-dependent regulation of L-type calcium channels.