Terry C. Major

Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) Is Induced Upon Monocyte Differentiation and Is Expressed in Human Atheroma

Objective—Because extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), a tumor cell–derived protein, induces matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in fibroblasts and because MMPs are important in atheroma formation, we investigated if EMMPRIN was expressed in granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)–differentiated human peripheral blood monocytes (HPBM) and macrophage foam cells. In addition, EMMPRIN was studied for its expression in human atheroma. Methods and Results—After 10 days of GM-CSF–induced monocyte differentiation, EMMPRIN mRNA increased 5- to 8-fold relative to undifferentiated monocytes. GM-CSF treatment of HPBM revealed that both EMMPRIN mRNA and protein were upregulated by day 2 over undifferentiated monocytes. GM-CSF–differentiated HPBM showed characteristic macrophage phenotype by showing increases in pancake-like morphology and increases in biochemical markers such as apolipoprotein E, MMP-9, and cholesterol ester (CE). While acetylated LDL treatment of the 10-day GM-CSF–differentiated HPBM increased CE mass 13- to 321-fold, EMMPRIN expression was unchanged relative to nonlipid-loaded macrophages. In human coronary atherosclerotic samples, EMMPRIN was observed in CD68(+) macrophage-rich areas as well as areas of MMP-9 expressions. Conclusions—Based on these data, we conclude that monocyte differentiation induces EMMPRIN expression, CE enrichment of foam cells has no further effect on EMMPRIN expression, and EMMPRIN is present in human atheroma. Therefore, EMMPRIN may play a role in atherosclerosis development.

The T- and L-Type Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) Mibefradil Attenuates Leg Edema Induced by the L-Type CCB Nifedipine in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat: A Novel Differentiating Assay

Among the L-type calcium channel blockers (CCBs), particularly dihydropyridines like nifedipine [1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(2-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester], a common adverse effect is vasodilatory edema. Newer CCBs, such as the T- and L-type CCB, mibefradil [(1S,2S)-2-[2[[3-(2-benzimidazolylpropyl]methylamino]ethyl]-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-isopropyl-2-naphthyl methoxyacetate dihydrochloride hydrate], demonstrate antihypertensive efficacy similar to that of their predecessors but seem to have a reduced propensity to cause edema. Using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping technique, we investigated the ability of mibefradil to reduce extracellular water accumulation caused by the L-type CCB, nifedipine, in the hindleg skeletal muscle of the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Mibefradil (10 mg/kg i.v.) and nifedipine (1 mg/kg i.v.) lowered mean arterial blood pressure by 97 ± 5 and 77 ± 4 mm Hg, respectively. MRI edema index (expressed as percentage increase of integral T2 over predrug control) was significantly higher with nifedipine (2606 ± 86%; p < 0.05) than with mibefradil (981 ± 171%) measured 30 to 60 min after the start of drug infusion. The hindleg edema caused by nifedipine was dose dependently decreased by coadministration of mibefradil (0, 0.3, or 3 mg/kg). The hindleg edema formation was not due to albumin leakage into the interstitial space based on immunostaining. However, a 4.2-fold increase in the arterial L-/T-type CC mRNA expression ratio was observed compared with the venous L/T ratio as shown by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. These results demonstrate the novel utility of MRI to measure extravascular water after acute exposure to CCBs and indicate that T-type CCB activity may reduce L-type CCB-induced vasodilatory edema in the skeletal muscle vasculature, possibly by a differential effect on arteriole and venule dilatation.

Structure-activity studies of the C-terminal region of the endothelins and the sarafotoxins

Peptides corresponding to the C-terminal 16-21 hexapeptide of the endothelins (-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp) and sarafotoxins (a-c) (-His-Gln-Asp-Val-Ile-Trp) were prepared to study the role of the individual amino acids in receptor recognition and activation. Receptor binding in rabbit aorta, rabbit pulmonary artery, and rat heart ventricle is reported for all analogues. In addition, selected C-terminal hexapeptides have been evaluated functionally in two tissues (rabbit pulmonary artery and rat left atria). The C-terminal carboxylate, indole nitrogen, and nature of the aromatic residue are all important for receptor binding, but N-terminal acetylation has no effect. L-Amino acids are required in positions 19 and 21, whereas D-amino acids are tolerated in 17 and 18. D-Amino acids in positions 16 and 20 enhance the binding affinity of the hexapeptide in all three tissues. The nature of the basic residue at position 16 is important. Glu and Asn are acceptable substitutions for Asp18, although Ala leads to a substantial loss in binding. The binding of the C-terminal hexapeptide of SRTX-a, -b, and -c is less than ET[16-21] and this appears to be primarily due to the substitution of Gln for Leu17. None of the 16-21 hexapeptides showed any functional activity in the tissues studied.

Monocyclic endothelins: examination of the importance of the individual disulfide rings.

Monocyclic fragment analogues of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were prepared by standard solid-phase peptide synthetic methods. The analogues were designed to determine the importance of the unique bicyclic structure of the endothelins, vasoactive intestinal contractor, and the sarafotoxins to their binding affinity and functional activity. The binding affinity of the monocyclic analogues to the endothelin receptor was examined in three tissue preparations: (a) rabbit pulmonary artery, (b) rabbit aorta, and (c) rat heart ventricle. Functional activity was assessed in two tissues: (a) rabbit pulmonary artery and (b) rat left atria. Binding was not observed for the disulfide bridged cyclic 3-11 loop of ET-1 at concentrations of up to 100 microM. Attachment of the weakly binding 16-21 C-terminal hexapeptide of ET-1 to the cyclic 3-11 loop did not significantly enhance the observed receptor binding over that of the hexapeptide. Monocyclic Cys-Ser-Aoc-Val-Tyr-Phe-Cys-His-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp (Aoc = 8-aminooctanoic acid) exhibited the greatest binding affinity (1.0 to 1.6 microM) in all three tissues, but was still approximately 1,000-fold less effective than ET-1. At concentrations of up to 30 microM, none of the analogues exhibited any functional activity.