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Matthew D Breyer

Publications and source records attributed to Matthew D Breyer.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Expression and molecular pharmacology of the mouse CRTH2 receptor.

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), the predominant prostanoid produced by activated mast cells, is implicated in a variety of allergic diseases. PGD2 exerts its effects through two G-protein coupled receptors, DP and CRTH2. PGD2 mediates chemotaxis of eosinophils, basophils, and Th2 cells via CRTH2-evoked signaling, suggesting a role for this receptor in allergic disease. To characterize the mouse CRTH2 ortholog (mCRTH2), we amplified the mCRTH2 receptor gene and expressed it in HEK293 cells. Saturation ligand binding isotherms demonstrated high-affinity binding of [3H]PGD2, with a Kd of 8.8 +/- 0.8 nM. Competition binding assays with a panel unlabeled prostanoids demonstrated an order of affinity of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGD2 (DK-PGD2) >or= 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-PGJ2 (15d-PGJ2) >or= PGD2 >or= PGJ2. [3H]PGD2 binding was also displaced by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin, with a Ki value of 1.04 +/- 0.13 microM. No [3H]PGD2 displacement was detected using fluribrofen, ibuprofen, or aspirin as competitors at concentrations of up to 30 microM. PGD2, DK-PGD2, 15d-PGJ2, and indomethacin each inhibited intracellular cAMP generation in stable transfectant ER293/mCRTH2 cells through a pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive pathway, consistent with mCRTH2 coupling to a Gi heterotrimeric G-protein. Activation of mCRTH2 elicited chemotaxis of ER293/mCRTH2 cells in response to PGD2, indomethacin, and 15d-PGJ2. mCRTH2-dependent chemotaxis was inhibited by PTX and wortmannin, indicating dependence on Gi and PI 3-kinase signal transduction pathways. These data provide the first pharmacological and functional characterization of the mouse CRTH2 receptor.

Animals↗

Expression of the prostaglandin F receptor (FP) gene along the mouse genitourinary tract.

PGF(2alpha) is one of the major prostanoids produced by the kidney. The cellular effects of PGF(2alpha) are mediated by a G protein-coupled transmembrane receptor designated the FP receptor. Both in situ hybridization and beta-galactosidase knocked into the endogenous FP locus were used to determine the cellular distribution of the mouse FP receptor. Specific labeling was detected in the kidney, ovary, and uterus. Abundant FP expression in ovarian follicles and uterus is consistent with previous reports of failed parturition in FP-/- mice. In the kidney, coexpression of the mFP mRNA with the thiazide-sensitive cotransporter defined its expression in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT). FP receptor was also present in aquaporin-2-positive cortical collecting ducts (CCD). No FP mRNA was detected in glomeruli, proximal tubules, or thick ascending limbs. Intrarenal expression of the FP receptor in the DCT and CCD suggests an important role for the FP receptor regulating water and solute transport in these segments of the nephron.

Animals↗

COX2 activity promotes organic osmolyte accumulation and adaptation of renal medullary interstitial cells to hypertonic stress.

The mechanism by which COX2 inhibition decreases renal cell survival is poorly understood. In the present study we examined the effect of COX2 activity on organic osmolyte accumulation in renal medulla and in cultured mouse renal medullary interstitial cells (MMICs) and its role in facilitating cell survival. Hypertonicity increased accumulation of the organic osmolytes inositol, sorbitol, and betaine in cultured mouse medullary interstitial cells. Pretreatment of MMICs with a COX2-specific inhibitor (SC58236, 10 micromol/liter) dramatically reduced osmolyte accumulation (by 79 +/- 9, 57 +/- 12, and 96 +/- 10% for inositol, sorbitol, and betaine respectively, p < 0.05). Similarly, 24 h of dehydration increased inner medullary inositol, sorbitol, and betaine concentrations in vivo by 85 +/- 10, 197 +/- 28, and 190 +/- 24 pmol/microg of protein, respectively, but this increase was also blunted (by 100 +/- 5, 66 +/- 15, and 81 +/- 9% for inositol, sorbitol, and betaine, respectively, p < 0.05) by pretreatment with an oral COX2 inhibitor. Dehydrated COX2-/- mice also exhibited an impressive defect in sorbitol accumulation (88 +/- 9% less than wild type, p < 0.05) after dehydration. COX2 inhibition (COX2 inhibitor-treated or COX2-/- MMICs) dramatically reduced the expression of organic osmolyte uptake mechanisms including betaine (BGT1) and sodium-myo-inositol transporter and aldose reductase mRNA expression under hypertonic conditions. Importantly, preincubation of COX2 inhibitor-treated MMICs with organic osmolytes restored their ability to survive hypertonic stress. In conclusion, osmolyte accumulation in the kidney inner medulla is dependent on COX2 activity, and providing exogenous osmolytes reverses COX2-induced cell death. These findings may have implications for the pathogenesis of analgesic nephropathy.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Luminal NaCl delivery regulates basolateral PGE2 release from macula densa cells.

Macula densa (MD) cells express COX-2 and COX-2-derived PGs appear to signal the release of renin from the renal juxtaglomerular apparatus, especially during volume depletion. However, the synthetic machinery and identity of the specific prostanoid released from intact MD cells remains uncertain. In the present studies, a novel biosensor tool was engineered to directly determine whether MD cells release PGE2 in response to low luminal NaCl concentration ([NaCl]L). HEK293 cells were transfected with the Ca2+-coupled E-prostanoid receptor EP1 (HEK/EP1) and loaded with fura-2. HEK/EP1 cells produced a significant elevation in intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) by 29.6 +/- 12.8 nM (n = 6) when positioned at the basolateral surface of isolated perfused MD cells and [NaCl]L was reduced from 150 mM to zero. HEK/EP1 [Ca2+]i responses were observed mainly in preparations from rabbits on a low-salt diet and were completely inhibited by either a selective COX-2 inhibitor or an EP1 antagonist, and also by 100 microM luminal furosemide. Also, 20-mM graduated reductions in [NaCl]L between 80 and 0 mM caused step-by-step increases in HEK/EP1 [Ca2+]i. Low-salt diet greatly increased the expression of both COX-2 and microsome-associated PGE synthase (mPGES) in the MD. These studies provide the first direct evidence that intact MD cells synthesize and release PGE2 during reduced luminal salt content and suggest that this response is important in the control of renin release and renal vascular resistance during salt deprivation.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of mouse CYP2J6, an unstable cytochrome P450 isoform.

A cDNA encoding a new cytochrome P450 was cloned from a mouse liver library. Sequence analysis revealed that this 2046-bp cDNA encodes a 501-amino acid polypeptide that is 72-94% identical to other CYP2J subfamily P450s and is designated CYP2J6. Northern analysis demonstrated that CYP2J6 transcripts are abundant in the small intestine and present at lower levels in other mouse tissues. In situ hybridization revealed that CYP2J6 mRNAs are present in luminal epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa. The CYP2J6 cDNA was expressed in Sf9 cells using baculovirus. The heterologously expressed CYP2J6 protein displayed a typical P450 CO-difference spectrum; however, the protein was unstable as evidenced by the loss of the Soret maxima at 450nm and the appearance of a 420nm peak when CYP2J6-expressing cells were disrupted by mechanical homogenization, sonication, or freeze-thaw. Immunoblotting of mouse microsomes with the anti-human CYP2J2 IgG, which cross-reacts with rodent CYP2Js, demonstrated the presence of multiple distinct murine CYP2J immunoreactive proteins in various tissues. Immunoblotting with an antibody to a CYP2J6-specific peptide detected a prominent 55-57kDa protein in Sf9 cell extracts expressing recombinant CYP2J6 but did not detect a protein of similar molecular mass in mouse small intestinal microsomes. Mixing experiments demonstrated that recombinant CYP2J6 is degraded rapidly in the presence of small intestinal microsomes consistent with proteolysis at highly sensitive sites. Sf9 cells, which express both CYP2J6 and NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase, metabolized benzphetamine but not arachidonic acid. We conclude that CYP2J6 is an unstable P450 that is active in the metabolism of benzphetamine, but not arachidonic acid.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential, inducible gene targeting in renal epithelia, vascular endothelium, and viscera of Mx1Cre mice.

The Cre/loxP transgenic system may be used to achieve temporally and/or spatially regulated gene deletion. The Mx1Cre mouse expresses Cre recombinase under control of the IFN-inducible Mx1 promoter. Mx1Cre mice were crossed with a reporter strain (ROSA26tm1Sor) in which beta-galactosidase activity is expressed only after Cre-mediated recombination to determine the cellular pattern of Cre-mediated genetic recombination in the kidney and other tissues. Widespread recombination was observed in vascular endothelium as well as in the liver and spleen. Recombination was restricted to subsets of stromal cells in uterus, duodenum, colon, aorta, and kidney. In the cortex, chi-galactosidase activity was detected in a subset of tubules and all glomerular cells, including endothelium, mesangium, and podocytes. No chi-galactosidase activity was detected in proximal tubules. Costaining of kidneys with segment-specific markers demonstrated induction of chi-galactosidase activity in collecting duct, with sporadic labeling of the thick ascending limb but no significant labeling of distal convoluted tubules. We conclude that Mx1-driven gene recombination is spatially as well as temporally restricted. The Mx1Cre transgene should prove a useful reagent to achieve temporally regulated recombination in endothelial, glomerular, and distal renal epithelia in mice.

Animals↗

Cloning and expression of the rabbit prostaglandin EP2 receptor.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has multiple physiologic roles mediated by G protein coupled receptors designated E-prostanoid, or "EP" receptors. Evidence supports an important role for the EP2 receptor in regulating fertility, vascular tone and renal function. RESULTS: The full-length rabbit EP2 receptor cDNA was cloned. The encoded polypeptide contains 361 amino acid residues with seven hydrophobic domains. COS-1 cells expressing the cloned rabbit EP2 exhibited specific [3H]PGE2 binding with a Kd of 19.1 +/- 1.7 nM. [3H]PGE2 was displaced by unlabeled ligands in the following order: PGE2>>PGD2=PGF2alpha=iloprost. Binding of [3H]PGE2 was also displaced by EP receptor subtype selective agonists with a rank order of affinity consistent with the EP2 receptor (butaprost>AH13205>misoprostol>sulprostone). Butaprost free acid produced a concentration-dependent increase in cAMP accumulation in rabbit EP2 transfected COS-1 cells with a half-maximal effective concentration of 480 nM. RNase protection assay revealed high expression in the ileum, spleen, and liver with lower expression in the kidney, lung, heart, uterus, adrenal gland and skeletal muscle. In situ hybridization localized EP2 mRNA to the uterine endometrium, but showed no distinct localization in the kidney. EP2 mRNA expression along the nephron was determined by RT-PCR and its expression was present in glomeruli, MCD, tDL and CCD. In cultured cells EP2 receptor was not detected in collecting ducts but was detected in renal interstitial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. EP2 mRNA was also detected in arteries, veins, and preglomerular vessels of the kidney. CONCLUSION: EP2 expression pattern is consistent with the known functional roles for cAMP coupled PGE2 effects in reproductive and vascular tissues and renal interstitial cells. It remains uncertain whether it is also expressed in renal tubules.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta activation promotes cell survival following hypertonic stress.

COX2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause selective apoptosis of renal medullary interstitial cells (RMIC) in vivo and reduce their ability to tolerate hypertonic stress in vitro. To determine the mechanism by which COX2 activity promotes RMIC viability, we examined the capacity of COX2-derived prostanoids to promote RMIC survival. Although RMICs synthesize prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) PGI2 > PGF2a > TxA2, only PGI2 enhanced RMIC viability following hypertonic stress. RMICs do not express the prostacyclin receptor, but they do express the prostacyclin responsive nuclear transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta). Hypertonic stress increased PGI2 synthesis 330% above base line and also activated a PPARdelta specific reporter (delta response element (DRE)) by 90% above base line. Conversely DRE activity was only inhibited by the COX2-selective inhibitor SC236 but not by a COX1-selective NSAID (SC560). Overexpression of PPARdelta using an adenovirus not only drove DRE activity but also prevented RMIC death due to COX2 inhibition. These studies are consistent with a model whereby hypertonicity activates COX2-derived prostaglandin production, which promotes RMIC viability through PPARdelta. Inhibition of PPARdelta activity may contribute to the renal papillary necrosis associated with analgesic and/or NSAID use.

Animals↗

Upregulation of type I collagen by TGF-beta in mesangial cells is blocked by PPARgamma activation.

We found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) mRNA was reduced by 77% in glomeruli of diabetic mice. Because mesangial cells play an important role in diabetic nephropathy, we examined regulation of type I collagen expression by PPARgamma and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) in mouse mesangial cells in the presence of 6 and 25 mM glucose. Mesangial cells contained functionally active PPARgamma. Exposure to 25 mM glucose resulted in reduced PPARgamma expression and transcriptional activity, accompanied by increased type I collagen expression. Restoration of PPARgamma activity to normal levels in cells cultured in 25 mM glucose, by transfection with a PPARgamma expression construct and treatment with the PPARgamma agonist troglitazone, returned type I collagen levels toward normal values. Activation of PPARgamma by troglitazone also decreased type I collagen mRNA and blocked TGF-beta(1)-mediated upregulation of type I collagen mRNA and protein. Moreover, PPARgamma activation suppressed basal and activated TGF-beta(1) responses in mesangial cells. This action was blocked by transfection of cells with a dominant-negative PPARgamma construct. In summary, PPARgamma suppresses the increased type I collagen mRNA and protein expression mediated by TGF-beta(1) in mesangial cells.

Animals↗

Mineralocorticoid regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in rat renal medulla.

The renal inner medulla and its distal one-third, the papilla, are major sites of prostanoid synthesis involved in water and electrolyte homeostasis. These sites contain variable levels of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, a key prostaglandin synthase enzyme that is sensitive to adrenal steroids. Immunoreactive renal medullary COX-2, restricted to interstitial cells in control adult rats, shows a gradient of intense staining at the tip of the papilla that gradually diminishes to undetectable levels in the proximal inner medulla. We used adrenalectomy (ADX) and steroid replacement to investigate the effects of steroids on papillary COX-2. Immunoblots demonstrate that papillary COX-2 was reduced by one-half after 2 wk ADX; glucocorticoid replacement ameliorated the decline but not to control levels. Mineralocorticoid (deoxycorticosterone acetate; DOCA) replacement stimulated papillary COX-2 more than fivefold over control; both the intensity of immunostaining and the numbers of COX-2-positive cells in the inner medulla increased. Similar stimulation of papillary COX-2 resulted from DOCA treatment of normal control rats, but the response was blunted in rats fed a low-salt diet and absent in Brattleboro rats. DOCA treatment of mouse renal medullary interstitial cells in culture had no effect, but increased tonicity of the culture medium with NaCl caused strong upregulation of COX-2. Urea, a permeant molecule, had no effect. Together, these results suggest that mineralocorticoids lead to upregulation of COX-2 in rat renal medulla by indirect pathways, probably involving induced electrolyte hypertonicity in the interstitial fluid.

Adrenalectomy↗

Contribution of prostaglandin EP(2) receptors to renal microvascular reactivity in mice.

The present studies were performed to determine the contribution of EP(2) receptors to renal hemodynamics by examining afferent arteriolar responses to PGE(2), butaprost, sulprostone, and endothelin-1 in EP(2) receptor-deficient male mice (EP(2)-/-). Afferent arteriolar diameters averaged 17.8 +/- 0.8 microm in wild-type (EP(2)+/+) mice and 16.7 +/- 0.7 microm in EP(2)-/- mice at a renal perfusion pressure of 100 mmHg. Vessels from both groups of mice responded to norepinephrine (0.5 microM) with similar 17-19% decreases in diameter. Diameters of norepinephrine-preconstricted afferent arterioles increased by 7 +/- 2 and 20 +/- 6% in EP(2)+/+ mice in response to 1 microM PGE(2) and 1 microM butaprost, respectively. In contrast, afferent arteriolar diameter of EP(2)-/- mice decreased by 13 +/- 3 and 16 +/- 6% in response to PGE(2) and butaprost. The afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction to butaprost in EP(2)-/- mice was eliminated by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Sulprostone, an EP(1) and EP(3) receptor ligand, decreased afferent arteriolar diameter in both groups; however, the vasoconstriction in the EP(2)-/- mice was greater than in the EP(2)+/+ mice. Endothelin-1-mediated afferent arteriolar diameter responses were enhanced in EP(2)-/- mice. Afferent arteriolar diameter decreased by 29 +/- 7% in EP(2)-/- and 12 +/- 7% in EP(2)+/+ mice after administration of 1 nM endothelin-1. These results demonstrate that the EP(2) receptor mediates a portion of the PGE(2) afferent arteriolar vasodilation and buffers the renal vasoconstrictor responses elicited by EP(1) and EP(3) receptor activation as well as endothelin-1.

Alprostadil↗

Opposite effects of cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 activity on the pressor response to angiotensin II.

Therapeutic use of cyclooxygenase-inhibiting (COX-inhibiting) nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is often complicated by renal side effects including hypertension and edema. The present studies were undertaken to elucidate the roles of COX1 and COX2 in regulating blood pressure and renal function. COX2 inhibitors or gene knockout dramatically augment the pressor effect of angiotensin II (Ang II). Unexpectedly, after a brief increase, the pressor effect of Ang II was abolished by COX1 deficiency (either inhibitor or knockout). Ang II infusion also reduced medullary blood flow in COX2-deficient but not in control or COX1-deficient animals, suggesting synthesis of COX2-dependent vasodilators in the renal medulla. Consistent with this, Ang II failed to stimulate renal medullary prostaglandin E(2) and prostaglandin I(2) production in COX2-deficient animals. Ang II infusion normally promotes natriuresis and diuresis, but COX2 deficiency blocked this effect. Thus, COX1 and COX2 exert opposite effects on systemic blood pressure and renal function. COX2 inhibitors reduce renal medullary blood flow, decrease urine flow, and enhance the pressor effect of Ang II. In contrast, the pressor effect of Ang II is blunted by COX1 inhibition. These results suggest that, rather than having similar cardiovascular effects, the activities of COX1 and COX2 are functionally antagonistic.

Angiotensin II↗