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Biomedical subjects

M C Capogrossi

Publications and source records attributed to M C Capogrossi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Basic fibroblast growth factor radioprotects bone marrow and not RIF1 tumor.

We examined the potential of bFGF to function as a radioprotector of bone marrow (BM). Total intravenous doses of bFGF ranged from 1 to 24 micrograms/mouse, in 2 divided doses. Whole body radiation (WBI) was given in a single fraction to C3H mice. Histologic observations were performed on femur BM at various times after bFGF (or placebo) treatment. Thigh radiation in thigh-tumor bearing mice was delivered in a single fraction. bFGF increased the LD50/30 of mice in a dose dependent fashion, with an apparent maximum protection obtained with > or = 6 micrograms given half 24 h and half 4 h before irradiation. BM histology shows prominent recovery of megakaryocytes and all cell lineages along with less loss in cellularity compared to control irradiated animals. No radioprotection of RIF1 tumors after bFGF was detected. These results indicate that bFGF may be a selective radioprotector of normal tissue.

Animals↗

Temperature modulates calcium homeostasis and ventricular arrhythmias in myocardial preparations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effect of temperature on reoxygenation induced ventricular arrhythmias in isolated hearts, on delayed afterdepolarisations and Iti current in Purkinje fibres, and on sarcoplasmic reticular function and Ca2+ handling of single cardiac myocytes. METHODS: Isolated guinea pig hearts were retrogradely perfused at 37 degrees C with a hypoxic medium for 15 min and reoxygenated for 10 min either at 33 degrees C or at 37 degrees C. Intracellular microelectrodes were used to assess the presence of delayed afterdepolarisations and triggered activity in sheep Purkinje fibres exposed to strophanthidin at different temperatures. Iti current was evaluated in voltage clamp experiments. In rat cardiomyocytes, loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ dye, indo-1, the sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ content was assessed at 30 degrees C and at 37 degrees C, either by a caffeine spritz puffed onto a cell from a patch pipette or by a post-rest contraction. RESULTS: Hypothermic reoxygenation reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in isolated hearts (30%, n = 10, at 33 degrees C and 75%, n = 30, at 37 degrees C, p < 0.05). In Purkinje fibres, hypothermia decreased the amplitude of delayed afterdepolarisations. Moreover, at 32 degrees C, the amplitude of Iti current was decreased to 59.2(SEM 2.6)% of the normothermic value [27.5(6.7) nA, n = 4, p < 0.005] and time to peak increased to 159.7(10.2)% [value at 37 degrees C = 470(41) ms, n = 4, p < 0.01]. In cardiac cells, sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ release induced by caffeine spritz or by post-rest contraction was increased at 30 degrees C. However, following a pacing period at 1 Hz, hypothermia prolonged the time to onset of the first spontaneous Ca2+ oscillation [59(14) s at 30 degrees C and 27(9) s at 37 degrees C, n = 5, p < 0.05] and reduced the oscillation frequency [1.1(0.4) min-1 at 30 degrees C and 3.1(0.9) min-1 at 37 degrees C, n = 5, p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Mild hypothermia increases sarcoplasmic reticular Ca2+ content but decreases the likelihood of spontaneous Ca2+ release. This may explain the reduction of delayed afterdepolarisations and Iti current amplitude in Purkinje fibres and it could represent a mechanism for the protection provided by hypothermia against ventricular arrhythmias.

Action Potentials↗

Polyamine effects on [Ca2+]i homeostasis and contractility in isolated rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

In electrically stimulated myocytes loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator indo 1-acetoxymethyl ester, spermine induced a dose-dependent (100-500 microM) negative inotropic effect, which was associated with a decrease in the magnitude of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) transient but not with changes in myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. Spermidine induced a less pronounced negative inotropic effect, whereas putrescine did not modify myocyte contraction. In the unstimulated state, spermine did not alter resting [Ca2+]i. Superfusion of the cardiac myocytes with 10 mM alpha-difluoromethylornithine, an inhibitor of polyamine synthesis, did not modify cellular responses to isoproterenol (10(-9)-10(-7) M). beta-Adrenergic stimulation did not affect either ornithine decarboxylase activity or intracellular polyamine levels within a 10-s to 15-min period of treatment. In summary, only exogenously administered polyamines were able to influence myocyte contractility. Their negative inotropic effect resulted from changes in [Ca2+]i homeostasis and required cellular depolarization.

Animals↗

Initial contact and subsequent adhesion of human neutrophils or monocytes to human aortic endothelial cells releases an endothelial intracellular calcium store.

BACKGROUND: Increases in both leukocyte and endothelial cytosolic free [Ca2+] may be involved in intercellular adhesion by regulating the affinity of surface adhesion molecules or by facilitating transendothelial leukocyte migration. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of initial contact and subsequent adhesion of human neutrophils or monocytes on human aortic endothelial [Ca2+]. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endothelial monolayers were loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator indo 1 and exposed to isolated human peripheral blood neutrophils or to a cultured human monocyte cell line. A rapid, fourfold to fivefold increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+] occurred within seconds of leukocyte contact. No increase in endothelial [Ca2+] occurred on contact of 18.25-microns inert microspheres, isolated red blood cells, or suspensions of cultured human aortic endothelial cells. In experiments performed on monolayers grown in 1-mm2 capillary flow tubes, the increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+] on initial leukocyte contact was found to be related to the subsequent resistance to leukocyte detachment during exposure to arterial levels of shear stress (13.4 dyne.cm-2). The increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+] during leukocyte contact was not inhibited in Ca(2+)-free buffer but was abolished by prior depletion of an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store by thapsigargin. Pretreatment of neutrophils with R15.7, a specific monoclonal antibody to the adhesion protein CD-18, inhibited the increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+] on neutrophil contact. CONCLUSIONS: Initial contact leading to subsequent adhesion of human leukocytes to human aortic endothelial cells releases an endothelial intracellular Ca2+ store. This may, in part, be mediated by specific adhesion proteins and may in turn regulate the affinity of surface adhesion molecules or facilitate transendothelial migration of leukocytes.

Animals↗

A functional ryanodine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store is present in vascular endothelial cells.

The presence of the ryanodine receptor was recently demonstrated in vascular and endocardial endothelium, but its function has not been established. We investigated whether functional ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores are present in cultured endothelial cells from rat aorta (RAECs), human aorta (HAECs), human umbilical vein (HUVECs), and bovine pulmonary artery (BPAECs) and what role these may play in intracellular Ca2+ regulation. Under resting conditions, HAECs, BPAECs, and HUVECs demonstrated a slow increase in intracellular Ca2+ (indexed by indo 1 fluorescence) on exposure to 5 mumol/L ryanodine, whereas RAECs did not. However, after an initial bradykinin exposure in RAECs, ryanodine markedly blunted the rapid increase in Ca2+ on a second exposure to bradykinin. In HUVECs, ryanodine in buffer with 1.5 mmol/L Ca2+ did not inhibit the agonist-sensitive Ca2+ increase, whereas it blunted the rapid increase in Ca2+ on histamine exposure in buffer with 5 mmol/L Ca2+, suggesting that increasing [Ca2+] enhances the binding of ryanodine to its receptor. Thus, functional ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores are present in vascular endothelial cells. These appear to be involved in regulation of Ca2+ storage and release from agonist-sensitive intracellular compartments.

Animals↗

Stimulation of opioid receptors on cardiac ventricular myocytes reduces L type Ca2+ channel current.

Recent studies have indicated that opioid peptide receptors are present on cardiac ventricular cells and that Leucine enkephalin (LE), a naturally occurring delta opioid peptide receptor agonist, leads to marked reductions in twitch amplitude and in the cytosolic Ca2+ transient (Ca(i)) of single adult rat ventricular myocytes. The specific mechanisms by which Ca(i) is reduced by LE have not been fully elucidated. Specifically, it is unknown whether LE affects the Ca2+ current (ICa) of L type Ca2+ channels. In the present study we determined the effect of LE on ICa of individual cardiac ventricular cells freshly isolated from adult rats. LE (10(-8) M) decreased the amplitude of ICa by 40% (during regular whole cell voltage clamp depolarizations to 0 mV at 0.5 Hz at 23 degrees C from a holding potential of -40 mV). The relative magnitude of this effect increased with the magnitude of the test potential from -20 to +50 mV. ICa inactivation was also prolonged by LE. These effects of LE on ICa were abolished by Naloxone (NAL), an opioid receptor antagonist. Thus, the effects of the opioid peptide, LE, to decrease the Ca(i) transient and contraction amplitudes in individual cardiac ventricular cells, are, in part, mediated by an LE induced reduction in ICa.

Animals↗

Effects of acidosis on resting cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca2+ in mammalian myocardium.

Acidosis increases resting cytosolic [Ca2+], (Cai) of myocardial preparations; however, neither the Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai nor the effect of acidosis on mitochondrial free [Ca2+], (Cam) have been characterized. In this study cytosolic pH (pHi) was monitored in adult rat left ventricular myocytes loaded with the acetoxymethyl ester (AM form) of SNARF-1. A stable decrease in the pHi of 0.52 +/- 0.05 U (n = 16) was obtained by switching from a bicarbonate buffer equilibrated with 5% CO2 to a buffer equilibrated with 20% CO2. Electrical stimulation at either 0.5 or 1.5 Hz had no effect on pHi in 5% CO2, nor did it affect the magnitude of pHi decrease in response to hypercarbic acidosis. Cai was measured in myocytes loaded with indo-1/free acid and Cam was monitored in cells loaded with indo-1/AM after quenching cytosolic indo-1 fluorescence with MnCl2. In quiescent intact myocytes bathed in 1.5 mM [Ca2+], hypercarbia increased Cai from 130 +/- 5 to 221 +/- 13 nM. However, when acidosis was effected in electrically stimulated myocytes, diastolic Cai increased more than resting Cai in quiescent myocytes, and during pacing at 1.5 Hz diastolic Cai was higher (285 +/- 17 nM) than at 0.5 Hz (245 +/- 18 nM; P < 0.05). The magnitude of Cai increase in quiescent myocytes was not affected either by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ depletion with ryanodine or by SR Ca2+ depletion and concomitant superfusion with a Ca(2+)-free buffer. In unstimulated intact myocytes hypercarbia increased Cam from 95 +/- 12 to 147 +/- 19 nM and this response was not modified either by ryanodine and a Ca(2+)-free buffer or by 50 microM ruthenium red in order to block the mitochondrial uniporter. In mitochondrial suspensions loaded either with BCECF/AM or indo-1/AM, acidosis produced by lactic acid addition decreased both intra- and extramitochondrial pH and increased Cam. Studies of mitochondrial suspensions bathed in indo-1/free acid-containing solution showed an increase in extramitochondrial Ca2+ after the addition of lactic acid. Thus, in quiescent myocytes, cytoplasmic and intramitochondrial buffers, rather than transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx or SR Ca2+ release, are the likely Ca2+ sources for the increase in Cai and Cam, respectively; additionally, Ca2+ efflux from the mitochondria may contribute to the raise in Cai. In contrast, in response to acidosis, diastolic Cai in electrically stimulated myocytes increases more than resting Cai in quiescent cells; this suggests that during pacing, net cell Ca2+ gain contributes to enhance diastolic Cai.

Acidosis↗

Enantiomeric dissection of the effects of the inotropic agent, EMD 53998, in single cardiac myocytes.

The effects of the thiadiazinone derivative, 5-[1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochinolin-6-yl]-6-met hyl-3,6- dihydro-2H-1,3,4-thiadiazin-2-on (EMD 53998), and of its (+)EMD 57033 and (-)EMD 57439 enantiomers, were tested on the contractile properties and cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) transients of single intact guinea pig cardiac myocytes. Cells were loaded with the ester form of the fluorescent probe, indo-1, and bathed in a N-2-hydroxyethyl-piperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered solution at 25 degrees C (1 mM of CaCl2, 1 Hz stimulation rate). All three substances exerted a pronounced increase in twitch amplitude: the maximal effect of the racemate (380% of control value) was approximately the sum of the effects of its two enantiomers (186 and 236% of control value for the (+)- and (-)-enantiomer, respectively). The [Ca2+]i transient, measured as the 410-to-490 nm indo-1 fluorescence ratio transient after excitation, was increased by the racemate and its (-)-enantiomer (172 and 152% of control value, respectively), but was not increased by the (+)-enantiomer. The racemate and the (-)-enantiomer, but not the (+)-enantiomer, markedly reduced the contraction duration and [Ca2+]i transient duration. In unstimulated cells resting length was significantly reduced by the (+)-enantiomer, and this was accompanied by a decrease in indo-1 fluorescence; the (-)-enantiomer had no effect on either parameter. In the presence of 2,3 butanedione monoxime (BDM), which markedly reduces twitch amplitude by inhibiting cross-bridge mechanics, addition of the (+)-enantiomer restored the twitch contraction to above the pre-BDM level without augmenting the [Ca2+]i transient. In contrast, the (-)-enantiomer failed to reverse the BDM-induced contractile depression, even though it caused a significant increase of the [Ca2+]i transient. Thus, in intact cells the positive inotropic effect of EMD 53998 is due to specific properties of its enantiomers: the (-)-enantiomer has adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-like effects (increase in amplitude and reduction of [Ca2+]i transient and contraction durations), whereas the (+)-enantiomer enhances the myofilament-Ca2+ interaction.

Animals↗

Modulation of calcium homeostasis in cultured rat aortic endothelial cells by intracellular acidification.

Acidosis produces vasodilation in a process that may involve the vascular endothelium. Because synthesis and release of endothelium-derived vasodilatory substances are linked to an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), we examined the effect of intracellular acidification on cultured rat aortic endothelial cells loaded either with the pH-sensitive probe carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1 or the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe indo 1. The basal cytosolic pH (pHi) of endothelial monolayers in a 5% CO2-HCO3- buffer was 7.27 +/- 0.02 and that in a bicarbonate-free solution was 7.22 +/- 0.03. Acidification was induced either by removal of NH4Cl (delta pHi = -0.10 +/- 0.02), changing from a bicarbonate-free to a 5% CO2-HCO3(-)-buffered solution at constant buffer pH (delta pHi = -0.18 +/- 0.03), or changing from a 5% to a 20% CO2-HCO3- solution (delta pHi = -0.27 +/- 0.07). Regardless of the method used, intracellular acidification increased [Ca2+]i as indexed by indo 1 fluorescence. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by changing from a 5 to a 20% CO2-HCO3- solution was not significantly altered by removal of buffer Ca2+ either before or after depletion of bradykinin- and thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. Thus intracellular acidification of vascular endothelial cells releases Ca2+ into the cytosol either from pH-sensitive intracellular buffer sites, mitochondria, or from bradykinin- and thapsigargin-insensitive intracellular stores. This Ca2+ mobilization may be linked to endothelial synthesis and release of vasodilatory substances during acidosis.

Acids↗

Endothelial cell Ca2+ increases upon tumor cell contact and modulates cell-cell adhesion.

The signal transduction mechanisms involved in tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells are still largely undefined. The effect of metastatic murine melanoma cell and human prostate carcinoma cell contact on cytosolic [Ca2+] of bovine artery endothelial cells was examined in indo-1-loaded endothelial cell monolayers. A rapid increase in endothelial cell [Ca2+] occurred on contact with tumor cells, but not on contact with 8-microns inert beads. A similar increase in endothelial cell [Ca2+] was observed with human neutrophils or monocyte-like lymphoma cells, but not with endothelial cells, red blood cells, and melanoma cell-conditioned medium. The increase in endothelial cell [Ca2+] was not inhibited by extracellular Ca2+ removal. In contrast, endothelial cell pretreatment with thapsigargin, which releases endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ into the cytosol and depletes this Ca2+ store site, abolished the cytosolic [Ca2+] rise upon melanoma cell contact. Endothelial cell pretreatment with the membrane-permeant form of the Ca2+ chelator bis-(O-aminophenoxyl)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid blocked the increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]. Under static and dynamic flow conditions (0.46 dyn/cm2) bis-(O-aminophenoxyl)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid pretreatment of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers inhibited melanoma cell adhesion to the endothelial cells. Thus, tumor cell contact with endothelial cells induces a rapid Ca2+ release from endothelial intracellular stores, which has a functional role in enhancing cell-cell adhesion.

Animals↗

Flow-dependent cytosolic acidification of vascular endothelial cells.

Hemodynamic shear stress affects endothelial cell structure and function, but little is known about the signal transduction mechanisms involved in these processes. The effect of laminar shear stress on cytosolic pH (pHi) was examined in rat aortic endothelial cells cultured in glass capillary tubes. Shear stress forces led to a rapid decrease in pHi (maximal effect 0.09 pH unit at 13.4 dynes per square centimeter). Removal of specific ions or addition of exchange inhibitors suggests that in vascular endothelial cells shear stress forces activate both an alkali extruder, sodium ion-independent chloride-bicarbonate ion exchange, and an acid extruder, sodium-hydrogen ion exchange; the net effect in physiologic buffer with the bicarbonate ion is a decrease in pHi.

Animals↗

Spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release leads to heterogeneity of contractile and electrical properties of the heart.

The cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai) oscillation generated by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in response to an action potential (AP) occurs relatively synchronously within and among cells. The SR can also generate spontaneous Cai oscillations (S-CaOs), i.e., not triggered by sarcolemmal depolarization. The local increase in Cai due to S-CaOs is equivalent to that induced by an AP. Heterogeneity of diastolic Cai caused by asynchronous S-CaOs among cells within myocardial tissue leads to heterogeneous myofilament activation, the summation of which produces a Ca(2+)-dependent component to diastolic tone. The local increases in Cai due to S-CaOs also cause oscillatory sarcolemmal depolarizations due to Ca2+ modulation of the Na/Ca exchanger and of non-specific cation channels. Thus, inhomogeneous levels of diastolic Cai may lead to heterogeneity in cell coupling and thus may also affect the impulse conduction. The magnitude of the S-CaOs induced diastolic tonus and membrane depolarization varies with the extent to which S-CaOs are synchronized; partially synchronized S-CaOs following an AP induced SR Ca2+ release produce an aftercontraction and after depolarization. When local S-CaOs is sufficiently synchronized within the cell the resultant depolarization summates and can be sufficient to trigger spontaneous AP. Inhomogeneity of diastolic SR Ca2+ loading and sarcomere lengths within individual cardiac cells due to S-CaOs leads to inhomogeneous systolic Cai levels and sarcomere length inhomogeneities in response a subsequent AP; this heterogeneity compromises the systolic contraction amplitude. Heterogeneity of systolic Cai among cells due to diastolic S-CaOs also leads to heterogeneity of AP repolarization times, due, to heterogeneous Cai modulation of the Na/Ca exchanger, the non-specific cation channel and of the L type sarcolemmal Ca2+ channel. S-CaOs occurrence during a long AP plateau may also modulate the removal of voltage inactivation of L type Ca2+ channels and affect the likelihood of the occurrence of "early after depolarizations." Thus, as a single entity, S-CaOs may be implicated in diverse manifestations of heart failure--impaired systolic performance, increased diastolic tonus and an increased probability for the occurrence of arrhythmias.

Animals↗

Effect of U-50,488H on the contractile response of cardiomyopathic hamster ventricular myocytes.

We examined the effects of a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist (U-50,488H) on the contractile properties of single ventricular myocytes from 127 day old control (F1B) and cardiomyopathic (BIO 14.6) hamsters. Myocytes in bicarbonate buffered solution with 1.5 mM [Ca2+] were electrically stimulated with field electrodes in the bath. Length changes were monitored via myocyte edge tracking. Twitch amplitude and the velocity of cell shortening were less in the cardiomyopathic hamster myocytes than in age-matched hamsters (P less than or equal to 0.05). There was a concentration-dependent effect of U-50,488H (0.1-20 microM) to decrease twitch amplitude and shortening velocity in both control and cardiomyopathic myocytes (P less than or equal to 0.001). In cells loaded with the Ca2+ indicator indo-1 the negative inotropic action of U-50,488H was associated with a decreased indo-1 fluorescence transient amplitude. There was no difference in the negative inotropic effect of U-50,488H on control and cardiomyopathic cells. Thus, the CM hamster does not demonstrate a different contractile response to U-50,488H.

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Cytosolic calcium and myofilaments in single rat cardiac myocytes achieve a dynamic equilibrium during twitch relaxation.

1. Single isolated rat cardiac myocytes were loaded with either the pentapotassium salt form or the acetoxymethyl ester (AM) form of the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe, Indo-1. The relationship of the Indo-1 fluorescence transient, an index of the change in cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i concentration, to the simultaneously measured cell length during the electrically stimulated twitch originating from slack length at 23 degrees C was evaluated. It was demonstrated that even if the Ca2+ dissociation rate from Indo-1 was assumed to be as slow as 10 s-1, the descending limb ('relaxation phase') of the Indo-1 fluorescence transient induced by excitation under these conditions is in equilibrium with the [Ca2+]i transient. Additionally, the extent of Indo-1 loading employed did not substantially alter the twitch characteristics. 2. A unique relationship between the fluorescence transient and cell length was observed during relaxation of contractions that varied in amplitude. This was manifest as a common trajectory in the cell length vs. [Ca2+]i phase-plane diagrams beginning at the time of cell relengthening. The common trajectory could also be demonstrated in Indo-1 AM-loaded cells. The Indo-1 fluorescence-length relation defined by this common trajectory is steeper than that described by the relation of peak contraction amplitude and peak fluorescence during the twitch contractions. 3. The trajectory of the [Ca2+]i-length relation elicited via an abrupt, rapid, brief (200 ms) pulse of caffeine directly onto the cell surface or by 'tetanization' of cells in the presence of ryanodine is identical to the common [Ca2+]i-length trajectory formed by electrically stimulated contractions of different magnitudes. As the [Ca2+]i and length transients induced by caffeine application or during tetanization in the presence of ryanodine develop with a much slower time course than those elicited by electrical stimulation, the common trajectory is not fortuitous, i.e. it cannot be attributed to equivalent rate-limiting steps for the decrease of [Ca2+]i and cell relengthening. 4. The [Ca2+]i-length relation defined by the common trajectory shifts appropriately in response to perturbations that have previously been demonstrated to alter the steady-state myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in skinned cardiac fibres. Specifically, the trajectory shifts leftward in response to an acute increase in pH or following the addition of novel myofilament calcium-sensitizing thiadiazinone derivatives; a rightward shift occurs in response to an acute reduction in pH or following the addition of butanedione monoxime.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Cytosolic pH measurements in single cardiac myocytes using carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1.

This study examines the use of carboxy-seminaphthorhodafluor-1 (C-SNARF-1) as an indicator of cytosolic pH in isolated rat cardiac myocytes. The emission spectrum of C-SNARF-1 when excited at 530 nm contains two well-separated peaks at approximately 590 and 640 nm, corresponding to the acidic and basic forms of the indicator. This spectral feature allows the indicator to be used in the single excitation, dual emission ratio mode. When C-SNARF-1 is loaded into rat cardiac myocytes as the membrane permeant ester derivative, C-SNARF-1/AM, the indicator localizes within the cytosol with virtually no partitioning into the mitochondria. C-SNARF-1 does not load into isolated mitochondria in suspension. There was no evidence for the presence of non-deesterified C-SNARF-1 within the cells. C-SNARF-1 can be calibrated in situ using a technique that abolishes all transsarcolemmal pH gradients. A 0.7-unit shift in the apparent pK (pKapp = pK-log10) between the in vitro calibration and the in situ calibration is consistent with a change in beta (I640 to pH 9/I640 at pH 5) in the cytosolic environment (beta in situ/beta in vitro = 0.21) and not a change in the true pK of the indicator. The contribution of cellular autofluorescence to the total signal can be made negligible. There is no effect of C-SNARF-1 on the contractile properties of rat cardiac myocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Kappa and delta opioid receptor stimulation affects cardiac myocyte function and Ca2+ release from an intracellular pool in myocytes and neurons.

We investigated the effects of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptor stimulation on the contractile properties and cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai) of adult rat left ventricular myocytes. Cells were field-stimulated at 1 Hz in 1.5 mM bathing Ca2+ at 23 degrees C. The mu-agonist [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (10(-5) M) had no effect on the twitch. The delta-agonists methionine enkephalin and leucine enkephalin (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) and the kappa-agonist (trans-(dl)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclo-hexyl]- benzeneacetamide)methanesulfonate hydrate (U-50,488H; 10(-7) to 2 x 10(-5) M) had a concentration-dependent negative inotropic action. The sustained decrease in twitch amplitude due to U-50,488H was preceded by a transient increase in contraction. The effects of delta- and kappa-receptor stimulation were antagonized by naloxone and (-)-N-(3-furyl-methyl)-alpha-normetazocine methanesulfonate, respectively. In myocytes loaded with the Ca2+ probe indo-1, the effects of leucine enkephalin (10(-8) M) and U-50,488H (10(-5) M) on the twitch were associated with similar directional changes in the Cai transient. Myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ was assessed by the relation between twitch amplitude and systolic indo-1 transient. Leucine enkephalin (10(-8) M) had no effect, whereas U-50,488H (10(-5) M) increased myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. We subsequently tested the hypothesis that delta and kappa opioid receptor stimulation may cause sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content in myocytes and in a caffeine-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store in neurons was probed in the absence of electrical stimulation via the rapid addition of a high concentration of caffeine from a patch pipette above the cell. U-50,488H and leucine enkephalin slowly increased Cai or caused Cai oscillations and eventually abolished the caffeine-triggered Cai transient. These effects occurred in both myocytes and neuroblastoma-2a cells. In cardiac myocyte suspensions U-50,488H and leucine enkephalin both caused a rapid and sustained increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Thus, delta and kappa but not mu opioids have a negative inotropic action due to a decreased Cai transient. The decreased twitch amplitude due to kappa-receptor stimulation is preceded by a transient increase in contractility, and it occurs despite an enhanced myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. The effects of delta and kappa opioids appear coupled to phosphatidylinositol turnover and, at least in part, may be due to sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ depletion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cycloh↗

Different effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation on cytosolic pH and myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ in cardiac myocytes.

alpha-Adrenergic stimulation (alpha-AS) and beta-adrenergic stimulation (beta-AS) of the myocardium are associated respectively with an increase and a decrease in myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. We hypothesized that changes in cytosolic pH (pH(i)) may modulate these opposite actions of alpha-AS and beta-AS. The effects of alpha-AS (50 microM phenylephrine and 1 microM nadolol) and beta-AS (0.05 microM isoproterenol) on contraction and either cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai) or pH(i) were assessed in adult rat ventricular myocytes bathed in bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.36 +/- 0.05). In cells loaded with the ester derivative (AM form) of indo-1, the 410/490-nm ratio of emitted fluorescence indexed Cai. Myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+ was assessed by the relaxation phase of the length-indo-1 fluorescence relation during a twitch. alpha-AS and beta-AS shifted this relation in opposite directions, indicating that alpha-AS increased and beta-AS decreased myofilament responsiveness to Ca2+. In addition, the positive inotropic action of alpha-AS was associated with an increased Cai transient amplitude in 50% of the myocytes (n = 12), whereas beta-AS always increased Cai (n = 5). In cells loaded with the fluorescent pH(i) probe SNARF-1 AM, the emitted 590/640-nm fluorescence is a measure of pH(i). The effect of alpha-AS on the extent of cell shortening during the twitch (ES) was expressed as the percentage of resting cell length. Both ES and pH(i) were assessed in myocytes bathed in 1.5 mM [Ca2+] and stimulated at 0.5 Hz (control ES, 7.4 +/- 1.5%; control pH(i), 7.11 +/- 0.05; n = 10). alpha-AS enhanced both ES (delta ES, 1.8 +/- 0.6%; p less than 0.05) and pH(i) (delta pH(i), 0.06 +/- 0.01; p less than 0.005), and there was a significant correlation between delta ES and delta pH(i) (r = 0.76, p less than 0.05). A similar effect of alpha-AS on pH(i) was observed in the absence of electrical stimulation (n = 8). The alpha-AS-induced enhancement of ES and pH(i) was abolished by 10 microM ethylisopropylamiloride, a Na(+)-H+ exchange inhibitor (n = 7). In additional experiments, myocytes were preincubated either with 0.2 microM 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (n = 8) or with 5 nM staurosporine (n = 8), which have been shown to downregulate and inhibit Ca(2+)-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C, respectively. In either group, alpha-AS had no effect on pH(i) and decreased ES to approximately 60% of control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Actin Cytoskeleton↗