Virginia Massheimer

Acute stimulation of intestinal cell calcium influx induced by 17β-estradiol via the cAMP messenger system

Recent studies have provided evidence for nuclear estrogen receptor-mediated calcium transport in intestinal mucosal cells. The possibility that, in addition, estrogens directly stimulate intestinal Ca2+ fluxes through second-messenger pathways was investigated. Exposure of enterocytes isolated from female rat duodenum to low physiological levels of 17 beta-estradiol (10(-11), 10(-10) and 10(-8) M) rapidly (1-10 min) increased (50-170%) cell 45Ca2+ influx. 17 alpha-Estradiol, dihydrotestosterone and progesterone were devoid of activity, suggesting specificity of the estrogen effect. Maximum responses induced by 17 beta-estradiol (5 min at 10(-10) M) could be abolished to a great extent (84%) by pretreating the cells with verapamil (10 microM) and nitrendipine (1 microM), involving the activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the fast increase of rat duodenal calcium uptake by the hormone. Evidence was obtained indicating that the acute estrogen stimulation of enterocyte Ca2+ influx is mediated by the cyclic AMP/PKA pathway. 17 beta-Estradiol rapidly increased cAMP content of rat duodenal cells in parallel to the changes in Ca2+ uptake. In addition, forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP and Sp-cAMPS mimicked and Rp-cAMPS suppressed the prompt 17 beta-estradiol-induced stimulation of Ca2+ influx. These results are consistent with a direct action of estrogens in the enterocyte, presumably a non-genomic one, initiated on the cell surface and resulting in rapid activation of the cAMP pathway and Ca2+ channels, which may be relevant for regulation of intestinal calcium transport.

Rapid 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 stimulation of calcium uptake by rat intestinal cells involves a dihydropyridine-sensitive cAMP-dependent pathway

The acute effects of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) on Ca2+ influx in isolated rat enterocytes were studied. The hormone significantly increased 45Ca2+ uptake by the cells within 1-10 min in a specific dose-dependent manner (10(-11)-10(-9) M) since 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 were devoid of activity. The effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 were mimicked by the Ca2+ channel agonist BAY K8644 and completely abolished by nifedipine (1 microM) and verapamil (10 microM). Incubation of duodenal cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 rapidly (1-5 min) increased cAMP levels. Forskolin caused a rapid increase in Ca2+ uptake by enterocytes which was similar to the action of the hormone. Moreover, pretreatment of cells with the specific cAMP inhibitor Rp-cAMPS suppressed the changes in 45Ca influx induced by 1,25(OH)2D3. These results provide the first evidence involving Ca2+ channel activation through the cAMP pathway by 1,25(OH)2D3 in mammalian intestinal cells.

Progesterone and 17 β-estradiol acutely stimulate nitric oxide synthase activity in rat aorta and inhibit platelet aggregation

The rapid non-genomic stimulatory action of progesterone (Pg) and estradiol (E2) on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity of endothelium intact aortic rings and its effect on platelet aggregation was investigated. First we measured the effect of the hormones on platelet aggregation when added to rat aortic strips (RAS) incubated in a PRP. RAS induced an antiaggregatory activity, which was enhanced by the presence of the hormones. The inhibitory action induced by the hormones was evoked in a dose dependent manner (10 pM-100 nM). These effects are specific for progesterone and 17-beta-estradiol, since either testosterone and 17-alpha-estradiol were devoid of activity. The hormones induced rapid responses, producing significant inhibition within 1 to 5 minutes of hormonal exposure. The addition of 10(-5) M L-NAME suppressed the antiaggregatory effect of 1 nM E2 or 10 nM Pg. Furthermore, we specifically quantified the NO generation by the 3H-citrulline technique. 10(-8) M E2 induced 2-fold increase of RAS citrulline production, while the increment induced by 10(-7) M Pg was 55% over control. Preincubation with 10(-5) M L-NAME completely suppressed the stimulatory action of 10(-9) M E2 or 10(-8) M Pg, confirming that the antiaggregatory factor released from the aortic tissue was NO. Preincubation with cycloheximide did not block the increment in NO induced by the hormones. In conclusion the present study provides for the first time evidence of acute, non-genomic effects of Pg on rat aorta NOS activity and platelet aggregation in coincidence with the results obtained with estradiol treatment.

Cyclic AMP-dependent membrane protein phosphorylation and calmodulin binding are involved in the rapid stimulation of muscle calcium uptake by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

SummaryRapidin vivo effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on muscle calcium metabolism have been reported.In vitro studies have shown that exposure of vitamin D-deficient chick soleus muscles to the sterol for 1–10 minutes causes a significant stimulation of tissue45Ca uptake which can be suppressed by Ca channel blockers. A parallel increase in muscle membrane calmodulin content that could be mimicked by forskolin was observed. Experiments were carried out to obtain information about the mechanism underlying the fast action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Like the sterol, forskolin (10 μm) rapidly increased (+48% at 5 min) soleus muscle45Ca uptake and its effect could be reversed by nifedipine (50 μm). In agreement with these observations, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 markedly elevated tissue cAMP levels within 45 seconds to 5 minutes of treatment in a dose-dependent manner (10−11–10−7M). Moreover, incubation of isolated muscle microsomes with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased adenylate cyclase activity and caused a similar profile of stimulation of protein phosphorylation with [γ-32P]-ATP as forskolin. Major changes were detected in proteins whose calmodulin binding ability has been previously shown to be increased by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In addition, the calmodulin antagonists fluphenazine and compound 48/80 abolished the increase in muscle Ca uptake and membrane calmodulin content produced by the sterol. The results suggest that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 activates muscle Ca channels through a direct membrane action which involves cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation and calmodulin binding.

Testosterone modulates platelet aggregation and endothelial cell growth through nitric oxide pathway

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of testosterone on the modulation of cellular events associated with vascular homeostasis. In rat aortic strips, 5-20 min treatment with physiological concentrations of testosterone significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production. The rapid action of the steroid was suppressed by the presence of an androgen receptor antagonist (flutamide). We obtained evidence that the enhancement in NO synthesis was dependent on the influx of calcium from extracellular medium, because in the presence of a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) the effect of testosterone was reduced. Using endothelial cell (EC) cultures, we demonstrated that androgen directly acts at the endothelial level. Chelerythrine or PD98059 compound completely suppressed the increase in NO production, suggesting that the mechanism of action of the steroid involves protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. It is known that endothelial NO released into the vascular lumen serves as an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation. We showed that testosterone inhibited platelet aggregation and this effect was dependent on endothelial NO synthesis. Indeed, the enhancement of NO production elicited by androgen was associated with EC growth. The steroid significantly increased DNA synthesis after 24 h of treatment, and this mitogenic action was blunted in the presence of NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. In summary, testosterone modulates vascular EC growth and platelet aggregation through its direct action on endothelial NO production.

Effect of aging on the mechanisms of PTH‐induced calcium influx in rat intestinal cells

We have investigated the effects of aging on parathyroid hormone (PTH) modulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis and their relationship to signal transduction pathways in isolated rat duodenal cells (enterocytes). PTH (10−8–10−9 M) increased enterocyte 45Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) to a greater extent (twofold and 50%, respectively) in aged (24 months) than in young (3 months) animals. The [Ca2+]i response of old cells to the hormone was slower, lacking the early phase of changes in cytosolic Ca2+. Ca2+ influx induced by PTH was prevented by the protein kinase A antagonist Rp‐cAMPS in both young and aged enterocytes, whereas neomycin and compound U73122, inhibitors of PLC‐catalyzed phosphoinositide hydrolysis, abolished hormone‐dependent Ca2+ influx in young but had no effect on aged cells. Higher basal adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and cAMP content were detected in old enterocytes. PTH increased the absolute levels of cAMP in aged cells and AC activity of microsomes isolated therefrom to a greater extent (≥ twofold) than in young enterocytes/membranes. In young cells, the hormone also induced a rapid and transient release of inositoltrisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (neomycin‐sensitive) at 45 sec, and a delayed phase of DAG at 5 min (neomycin‐insensitive). The early formation of IP3 and DAG was blunted in aged animals. These results suggest that both the PLC and adenylyl cyclase cascades are involved in PTH stimulation of Ca2+ influx in duodenal cells. During aging, however, only the cAMP pathway is operative, mediating a potentiation of the effects of the hormone. Additional studies are required to establish the relative role of PTH‐dependent messenger systems in the regulation of intestinal calcium absorption and age‐related abnormalities. J. Cell. Physiol. 182:429–437, 2000.

Age-associated decrease in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and diacylglycerol generation by 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 in rat intestine

The hormonal form of vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3(1,25[OH]2D3), stimulates the breakdown of membrane phosphoinositides, generating inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) in a variety of cell systems. Several studies suggest that alterations in the receptor-mediated phosphoinositide cascade are involved in the pathophysiology of aging. Therefore, the formation of IP3 and DAG were determined under basal conditions and after stimulation with physiological concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 in duodenum from young (3-mo-old) and aged (24-mo-old) rats. The hormone induced a transient and biphasic formation of IP3 and DAG. Values obtained in young rats peaking at 15 s (51% and 42% above basal levels for IP3 and DAG, respectively) and at 3 min (90% and 74% above basal levels for IP3 and DAG, respectively) were significantly decreased in duodenum from senescent animals (IP3: +20% and DAG: +18% above basal level at 15 s; and IP3: +18% and DAG: +29% above basal level at 3 min). The 1,25(OH)2D3-induced generation of DAG in both young and aged duodenum was effectively inhibited in the presence of neomycin, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, and was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. After the biphasic response, the levels of DAG generated by the hormone (10 min stimulation) remained elevated; the elevation occurred in the absence of IP3 production; and the elevated levels were not abolished by neomycin, implying that phospholipids other than phosphoinositides are the source of DAG. This 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent late phase of DAG generation was also diminished in aged animals. The precise molecular basis and the physiological significance of decreased liberation of IP3 and DAG by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the aged rat duodenum remains to be determined.

Acute modulation of Ca2+ influx on rat heart by 17β-estradiol

Abstract Estrogens initiate their action by binding to specific intracellular receptors and then acting on gene expression. In addition, there is growing evidence of a direct membrane effect via interaction with a cell surphase receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of 17β-estradiol on Ca 2+ fluxes through second messenger pathways in rat cardiac muscle. Exposure of rat ventricle to low levels of 17β-estradiol (10 −12 –10 −8 M) increased 45 Ca 2+ influx within 1 min (+38%); the response was biphasic, peaking at 2 and 5 min (+60 and +55%, respectively). The effect of the hormone on rat heart seems to be specific since 17α-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, and progesterone were devoid of activity. The effect of 17β-estradiol (5 min, 10 −10 M) was suppressed by nitrendipine (1 μM) and LaCl 3 (10 μM), involving the activation of voltage-dependent Ca 2+ channels in the acute increase of rat heart calcium influx by the hormone. 17β-estradiol rapidly increased cAMP content and PKA activity of rat cardiac muscle in parallel to the changes in Ca 2+ uptake. In addition the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMPS suppressed 17β-estradiol-dependent Ca 2+ influx. Altogether, the data suggest the involvement of the cAMP/PKA messenger system in the nongenomic modulation of Ca 2+ influx in rat cardiac muscle by physiological levels of 17β-estradiol.

The role of sex steroids on cellular events involved in vascular disease.

In this work we checked the hypothesis whether estrone, progesterone, and testosterone are able to modulate the interactions between platelets, monocytes, and endothelial cells either under basal or inflammatory conditions. Using adhesion assays we demonstrated that pretreatment of endothelial cells with estrone, progesterone, or testosterone prevented monocytes and platelets adhesion induced by the proinflammatory agent bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The hormones reduced the expression of mRNA of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and P-selectin, endothelial surface proteins that mediate monocytes and platelets adhesion respectively. Integrins are the main leukocyte proteins that allow firm adhesion. Using flow cytometry we showed that estrone treatment of monocytes reduced CD11b and CD11c expression, either under basal or injury (lipopolysaccharide) conditions. The three steroids inhibited platelet aggregation in a nitric oxide dependent manner. Platelet function was not affected by the steroid treatment. The molecular mechanisms of action exerted by the steroids included the participation of the intracellular signaling pathways PKC, MAPK, and PI3K, which selectively and differentially mediate the stimulation of nitric oxide release. We evidence that estrone, progesterone, and testosterone modulate monocyte and platelet adhesion to endothelial cells, events that play a major role in the initiation and progression of vascular lesions. The steroid action was evidenced under basal or inflammatory conditions. The mechanisms of action exerted by the steroids included stimulation of nitric oxide production and the participation of PKC, MAPK, and PI3K systems.

Novel action of estrone on vascular tissue : regulation of NOS and COX activity

The hypothesis tested in the present work is that estrone non-genomically regulates aortic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) activities in female rats, and that such regulation depends on ovarian function. We found that physiological concentrations of estrone (E(1)) (0.1-10nM) significantly increased nitric oxide (NO) production (133 and 163% above control). The stimulatory action of E(1) on NOS activity was independent of calcium influx since the increase in NO elicited by the hormone was not affected by EGTA or verapamil. When COX activity was measured, we observed that estrone enhanced thromboxane (TXB(2)) production and prostacyclin (PGI(2)) release, but not prostaglandin (PGF(2), PGD(2), and PGE(2)) synthesis. Finally we demonstrated that the hormonal effect on NOS activity was not detected in rat aortic strips (RAS) isolated from animals deprived of ovarian activity (FR(-)) or ovariectomized rats (OVX). These results suggest that estrone exerts a direct, non-genomic action on rat aortic metabolism, which involves NOS and COX activation and depends on ovarian activity.