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Biomedical subjects

R W Alexander

Publications and source records attributed to R W Alexander.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Beneficial effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy on the coronary endothelium in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Impaired endothelium-mediated relaxation contributes to vasospasm and myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease. We hypothesized that cholesterol-lowering therapy with the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor lovastatin could improve endothelium-mediated responses in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we studied coronary endothelial responses in 23 patients randomly assigned to either lovastatin (40 mg twice daily; 11 patients) or placebo (12 patients) plus a lipid-lowering diet (American Heart Association Step 1 diet). Patients were studied 12 days after randomization and again at 5 1/2 months. These patients had total cholesterol levels ranging from 160 to 300 mg per deciliter (4.1 to 7.8 mmol per liter) and were undergoing coronary angioplasty. At the initial and follow-up studies, patients received serial intracoronary infusions (in a coronary artery not undergoing angioplasty) of acetylcholine to assess endothelium-mediated vasodilatation. The responses of the coronary vessels were analyzed with quantitative angiography. RESULTS: The patients in the placebo and lovastatin groups had similar responses to acetylcholine at a mean of 12 days of therapy (expressed as the percentage of change in diameter in response to acetylcholine doses of 10(-9) M, 10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, and 10(-6) M). In the placebo group, the respective mean (+/- SE) changes were 1 +/- 2, 0 +/- 2, -2 +/- 4, and -19 +/- 4 percent; in the lovastatin group, they were -2 +/- 2, -4 +/- 4, -12 +/- 5, and -16 +/- 7 percent (P = 0.32). (Coronary-artery constriction is reflected by negative numbers). The responses to acetylcholine in the placebo group after a mean of 5.5 months of therapy were -3 +/- 3, -1 +/- 2, -8 +/- 4, and -18 +/- 5 percent, respectively; there was significant improvement in the lovastatin group, which had responses of 3 +/- 3, 3 +/- 3, 0 +/- 2, and 0 +/- 3 percent (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Cholesterol lowering with lovastatin significantly improved endothelium-mediated responses in the coronary arteries of patients with atherosclerosis. Such improvement in the local regulation of coronary arterial tone could potentially relieve ischemic symptoms and signal the stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1995

Hydrogen peroxide activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

We have reported previously that hydrogen peroxide induces arachidonic acid release from prelabeled vascular smooth muscle cells. Here, we studied the effect of hydrogen peroxide on the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in these cells. Hydrogen peroxide induced a rapid, time-dependent increase in the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2. Hydrogen peroxide also increased arachidonic acid release from prelabeled cells in a time-dependent manner similar to that of phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2. Protein kinase C depletion significantly inhibited the hydrogen peroxide-stimulated cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release. Hydrogen peroxide caused a time-dependent increase in mitogen activated protein kinase activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that cytosolic phospholipase A2 may, at least in part, contribute to arachidonic acid release induced by hydrogen peroxide and this effect appears to be mediated by protein kinase C and mitogen activated protein kinase.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Fibromyalgia in women. Abnormalities of regional cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the caudate nucleus are associated with low pain threshold levels.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the left and right hemithalami or the left and right heads of the caudate nucleus is abnormal in women with fibromyalgia (FM). METHODS: Resting-state rCBF in the hemithalami and left and right heads of the caudate nucleus of 10 untreated women with FM and 7 normal control women was measured by single-photon-emission computed tomography. Pain threshold levels at tender and control points also were assessed in both the women with FM and the controls. RESULTS: The rCBF in the left and right hemithalami and the left and right heads of the caudate nucleus was significantly lower in women with FM than in normal controls (P = 0.01, P = 0.003, P = 0.01, and P = 0.02, respectively). Compared with controls, the women with FM also were characterized by significantly lower cortical rCBF (P = 0.001) and lower pain threshold levels at both tender points (P = 0.0001) and control points (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The findings of low rCBF and generalized low pain thresholds support the hypothesis that abnormal pain perception in women with FM may result from a functional abnormality within the central nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Effects of magnesium on nitric oxide synthase activity in endothelial cells.

Magnesium modulates endothelium-dependent vasodilation in intact blood vessels. Therefore, the effects of magnesium on nitric oxide (NO) release by isolated endothelial cells and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in endothelial cell homogenates were studied. Unstimulated and bradykinin-stimulated NO release by porcine aortic endothelial cell (PAEC) monolayers were unaffected by 30 min of exposure to magnesium concentrations varying from 0.010 to 10.0 mM. In contrast, when A-23187-stimulated cells were exposed to 0.01, 3.16, and 10.0 mM MgCl2, NO release was decreased by 11.3 +/- 1.8, 11.7 +/- 3.0, and 20.3 +/- 7.2%, respectively, compared with cells exposed to 1.0 mM MgCl2 (P < 0.01). These data suggested that a change in the intracellular magnesium concentration had an effect on NO release, in contrast to a change in the extracellular concentration, which did not have an effect. To further assess this possibility, crude NOS extracts were prepared from PAEC and exposed to MgCl2. NOS activity was measured via the conversion of L-[3H]arginine to L-[3H]citrulline. Increasing the concentration of MgCl2 by 1.0, 3.16, and 10.0 mM caused a 16.0 +/- 6.8, 17.1 +/- 1.7, and 38.6 +/- 5.3% decrease in citrulline formation, respectively (P < 0.05), suggesting a direct inhibition of NOS by MgCl2. No significant difference in the degree of inhibition of NOS activity was found between MgSO4 and MgCl2, thus ruling out a nonspecific chloride effect. In addition, increasing the concentration of NaCl to 15 mM had no effect on NOS activity, ruling out a nonspecific osmotic effect [101.6 +/- 10.5% of control activity, P = not significant (NS)].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Regulation of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression by shear stress.

Shear stress enhances expression of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-sensitive endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) mRNA and protein in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). The present studies were performed to investigate mechanisms responsible for regulation of ecNOS mRNA expression by shear stress and to determine if this induction of ecNOS mRNA is accompanied by an enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production. Shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3-24 h resulted in a two- to threefold increase of ecNOS mRNA content quantified by Northern analysis in BAEC. Shear stresses (1.2-15 dyn/cm2) for 3 h resulted in an induction of ecNOS mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. In human aortic endothelial cells, shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3 h also resulted in ecNOS mRNA induction. In BAEC, this induction in ecNOS mRNA was prevented by coincubation with actinomycin D (10 micrograms/ml). The K+ channel antagonist tetraethylammonium chloride (3 mM) prevented increase in ecNOS mRNA in response to shear stress. The ecNOS promotor contains putative binding domains for AP-1 complexes, potentially responsive to activation of protein kinase C (PKC). However, selective PKC inhibitor calphostin C (100 nM) did not inhibit ecNOS induction by shear stress. Finally, production of nitrogen oxides under both basal conditions and in response to the calcium ionophore A-23187 (1 microM) by BAEC exposed to shear stress was increased approximately twofold compared with cells not exposed to shear stress. These data suggest that ecNOS mRNA expression is regulated by K+ channel opening, but not by activation of PKC, and that shear not only enhances ecNOS mRNA expression but increases capacity of endothelial cells to release NO.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Theodore Cooper Memorial Lecture. Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective.

Hypertension is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, although the mechanisms have not been well elucidated. As the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the effects of hypertension are being more clearly defined, it becomes apparent that the two processes have certain common mechanisms. The endothelium is a likely central focus for the effect of both diseases. There is increasing evidence that atherosclerosis should be viewed fundamentally as an inflammatory disease. Atherogenic stimuli such as hyperlipidemia appear to active the inflammatory response by causing expression of mononuclear leukocyte recruiting mechanisms. The gene for one of these, the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, is controlled at least in part by transcriptional factors regulated by oxidative stress, which modifies the redox state of the endothelial cell. Alterations in the redox state of the arterial wall also may contribute to vascular smooth muscle cell growth. In a somewhat parallel fashion, there is evidence that hypertension may also exert oxidative stress on the arterial wall. This article reviews evidence that leads to the postulate that hypertension predisposes to and accelerates atherosclerosis at least in part because of synergy between elevated blood pressure and other atherogenic stimuli to induce oxidative stress on the arterial wall.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Modified low density lipoprotein and its constituents augment cytokine-activated vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 gene expression in human vascular endothelial cells.

Early features in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis include accumulation of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and endothelial expression of the vascular adhesion molecule VCAM-1. Because antioxidants inhibit endothelial VCAM-1 expression, we tested the hypothesis that oxLDL functions as a prooxidant signal in atherogenesis to augment VCAM-1 activation by inflammatory signals. Cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with unmodified LDL, oxLDL, or glycated LDL for 48 h. No change in VCAM-1, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), or E-selectin expression from control was observed by ELISA. However, dose-response and time course studies demonstrated that oxLDL enhanced VCAM-1 expression induced by the cytokin tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) 63% in HAECs and 45% in HUVECs over unmodified LDL or control. Using flow cytometry analysis, oxLDL augmented TNF alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression in a uniform HAEC population. oxLDL had no effect on E-selection induction. oxLDL augmented TNF alpha-induced ICAM-1 expression 44% in HAECs but not in HUVECs. Glycated LDL augmented TNF alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression 35% in HAECs but not HUVECs. Similar results were obtained with 13-HPODE or lysophosphatidylcholine, significant components of oxLDL. 13-HPODE augmented TNF alpha-induced mRNA accumulation and transcriptional activation of VCAM-1 in HAECs. These results suggest that as long-term regulatory signals, specific oxidized fatty acid and phospholipid components of oxLDL augment the ability of vascular endothelial cells to express cytokine-mediated VCAM-1. These studies link oxidant signals conferred by oxLDL to oxidation-sensitive regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules involved in early atherosclerosis.

Aorta↗
PubMed1995

Linoleic acid and its metabolites, hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acids, stimulate c-Fos, c-Jun, and c-Myc mRNA expression, mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, and growth in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies from other laboratories suggest that linoleic acid and its metabolites, hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acids, play an important role in modulating the growth of some cells. A correlation has been demonstrated between hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acids and conditions characterized by abnormal cell growth such as atherosclerosis and psoriasis. To determine if linoleic acid and its metabolites modulate cell growth in atherosclerosis, we measured DNA synthesis, protooncogene mRNA expression, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Linoleic acid induces DNA synthesis, c-fos, c-jun, and c-myc mRNA expression and MAPK activation in VSMC. Furthermore, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a potent inhibitor of the lipoxygenase system, significantly reduced the growth-response effects of linoleic acid in VSMC, suggesting that conversion of linoleic acid to hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acids (HPODEs) is required for these effects. HPODEs also caused significant induction of DNA synthesis, protooncogene mRNA expression, and MAPK activation in growth-arrested VSMC, suggesting that linoleic acid and its metabolic products, HPODEs, are potential mitogens in VSMC, and that conditions such as oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation which provoke the production of these substances may alter VSMC growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Gastroesophageal reflux-induced bronchoconstriction. Is microaspiration a factor?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of microaspiration in gastroesophageal reflux-induced bronchoconstriction. DESIGN: Prospective study blinded to the subject. SETTING: Outpatient laboratory of a 908-bed university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty nonsmoking adults divided into two groups: asthmatics with reflux (AR), 20; and subjects with gastroesophageal reflux (R), 10. INTERVENTIONS: Dual esophageal pH probe placed. Esophageal infusions of normal saline solution, 0.1N hydrochloric acid, then normal saline solution, each lasting 18 min, were followed by two 20-min recovery periods. Subjects remained in the supine position throughout. Spirometry and specific airway resistance (SRaw) performed at baseline, after each esophageal infusion and recovery period. Proximal esophageal acid exposure, a requirement for microaspiration, was assessed by the proximal esophageal pH probe. RESULTS: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) decreased with esophageal acid in the AR group and did not recover immediately despite esophageal acid clearance with a significant main effect of subject groups (p < 0.021) by repeated measures analysis of covariance. This decrease in PEF was not associated with the presence of proximal esophageal acid exposure (p = 0.618). Specific airway resistance increased in the AR group with esophageal acid and worsened despite acid clearance, especially during the second recovery phase, with a significant phase (p < 0.009) and group by treatment effect (p < 0.009). The presence of proximal esophageal acid exposure was not associated with this deterioration in SRaw (p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal acid infusions given in the supine position caused a decrease in PEF and an increase in SRaw in the asthma with reflux group, which did not improve despite acid clearance. These responses were not dependent on proximal esophageal acid exposure. Also, SRaw continued to worsen during the recovery phase in the AR group, which may represent a delayed bronchoconstrictor effect. These data suggest that microaspiration does not play a significant role in esophageal acid-induced bronchoconstriction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Fundamental terms, considerations, and approaches in rhinoplasty.

It is essential to appreciate the healing dynamics in rhinoplasty patients that occurs over a period of months. It is for this reason that long-term analysis and follow-up are essential for the surgeon to fully realize and understand the final effects of the effort. Discussion of important patient selection considerations, review of standard terminology, review of incision and approach choices, and brief review of alar cartilage procedures were presented. The importance of performing minimal surgery that would be capable of predictably producing the desired changes is stressed. In the majority of rhinoplasty cases, use of nondelivery or limited-delivery approaches, limited transfixion incisions, and conservative alar rim strip techniques seems to offer maximal predictability. These considerations, however, must be balanced with the improved exposure and teaching opportunity allowed via open rhinoplasty. The decision of which approach to use must be based on a thorough understanding of the problems presented by each case, and the techniques available within a surgeon's armamentarium. Excellent exposure and control of symmetry in the open structure approaches has led many teaching institutions to rely solely on that approach. It is the author's opinion that nasal reconstruction in more complicated secondary rhinoplasty, severely distorted, or congenitally deforms noses, or complex combinations of anatomic structure requiring grafting or lengthening should be performed via open rhinoplasty. It is believed, however, that an effective rhinoplastic surgeon should be able to successfully accomplish most nasal correction via any of the standard approaches discussed. With more conservative nondelivery approaches comes the probability of reduction in surgical trauma, decreased scarring, and increased relative predictability necessary for cosmetic surgical cases. Unfortunately, limitations of exposure and access are often difficult for even very experienced surgeons. It is not acceptable that all patients have to be exposed to only one type of exposure or technique based solely on the individual's original training experience. Rhinoplasty offers an ongoing learning experience, with a variety of elements. It remains perhaps the most challenging and demanding of the procedures in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Cartilage↗
PubMed1995

Angiotensin II down-regulates the vascular smooth muscle AT1 receptor by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms: evidence for homologous and heterologous regulation.

The vascular angiotensin II (ANG II) receptor (AT1) is a central component of the renin-angiotensin system; thus, regulation of its expression is likely to be important in cardiovascular responsiveness. We demonstrate that ANG II down-regulates its receptor in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Incubation for 4 hr with 100 nM ANG II decreased AT1 mRNA and protein by 70% and 35%, respectively. This homologous down-regulation was concentration and time dependent and was blocked by the AT1 antagonist losartan. It did not appear to be mediated by protein kinase C or other protein kinases but was dependent on the sustained signaling pathway sensitive to phenylarsine oxide. Heterologous down-regulation was observed with the agonists alpha-thrombin and ATP and the cAMP-increasing agent forskolin. ANG II inhibited transcription by 50% and destabilized the AT1 mRNA. Down-regulation of AT1 mRNA was blocked by transcription and translation inhibitors, suggesting that it required expression of a protein factor or factors. These results indicate that ANG II down-regulates its vascular receptor by both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Homologous and heterologous down-regulation of the AT1 receptor may participate in the coordinated physiological adaptation of vascular tone to vasoactive hormones.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1995

Photolabile oligoDNA probes of internal Escherichia coli ribosomal structure.

We are examining the spatial arrangement of ribosomal components in the vicinity of rRNA sequences of particular significance for ribosome structure and function through the use of radioactive, photolabile derivatives of oligoDNAs complementary to such sequences. The oligoDNA probes bind to their target sequences in intact ribosomal subunits, and, on photolysis, incorporate into neighboring ribosomal components. Labeled ribosomal proteins are subsequently identified by SDS-PAGE, RP-HPLC and immunoprecipitation. Labeled rRNA is identified at the nucleotide level by RNase H cleavage and primer extension. The results obtained provide a description of the neighborhood surrounding a particular rRNA sequence and impose important constraints on the evolving three-dimensional models of both the 30S and 50S subunits, since they typically oblige several ribosomal components to fall within defined distances of the targeted rRNA. Our results will be discussed in terms of these models, emphasizing their consistency or inconsistency.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases by arachidonic acid and its metabolites in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies from this laboratory and others suggest that arachidonic acid and its metabolites play important roles in a variety of biological processes such as signal transduction, contraction, chemotaxis, and cell growth and differentiation. Here we studied the effect of arachidonic acid on mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Arachidonic acid activated MAP kinases in VSMC in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a potent inhibitor of the lipoxygenase system, significantly blocked the arachidonic acid-induced activation of MAP kinases, whereas indomethacin, an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase, had no effect. In VSMC, arachidonic acid was converted to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE); NDGA inhibited the formation of this HETE. Exogenous addition of 15-HETE to VSMC caused stimulation of MAP kinases. Depletion of protein kinase C attenuated both the arachidonic acid- and 15-HETE-induced activation of MAP kinases in VSMC. Together these results suggest that 1) arachidonic acid activates MAP kinases in VSMC; 2) 15-HETE, a 15-lipoxygenase product of arachidonic acid, at least in part, mediates the arachidonic acid effect on MAP kinases; and 3) protein kinase C appears to be important in arachidonic acid activation of MAP kinases. Therefore, MAP kinases may play an important role in arachidonic acid signaling of VSMC growth and function.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Ribosomal components neighboring the conserved 518-533 loop of 16S rRNA in 30S subunits.

We report the synthesis of a radioactive, photolabile oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe complementary to 16S rRNA nucleotides 518-526 and its exploitation in identifying 30S ribosomal subunit components neighboring its target site in 16S rRNA. Nucleotides 518-526 lie within an almost universally conserved single-stranded loop that has been linked to the decoding region of Escherichia coli ribosomes. On photolysis in the presence of activated 30S ribosomes, the probe site-specifically incorporates into proteins S3, S4, S7, and S12 (identified by SDS-PAGE, RP-HPLC, and immunological analysis); nucleotides C525, C526, and G527 adjacent to its target binding site; and the 3'-terminus of 16S rRNA. When the probe is photoincorporated into 30S subunits subjected to brief cold inactivation (SI subunits), S7 labeling is increased compared to activated subunit incorporation, while S3, S4, and S12 labeling is decreased, as is labeling to nucleotides C525, C526, and G527; labeling at the 16S rRNA 3'-terminus appears unchanged. Longer cold inactivation of the 30S subunits (LI subunits) leads to decreases in the labeling of all components. These results provide clear evidence that C526 lies within 24 A (the distance between C526 and the photogenerated nitrene) of proteins S3, S4, S7, and S12 and the 3'-terminus of 16S rRNA. The identity of the tryptic digestion patterns of S7 labeled with the probe complementary to 16S rRNA nucleotides 518-526 and with a probe complementary to nucleotides 1397-1405 [Muralikrishna, P., & Cooperman, B. S. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 1392-1398] also provides evidence for proximity between C526 and G1405. Our results support the conclusion of Dontsova et al. [Dontsova, O., et al. (1992) EMBO J. 11, 3105-3116] in placing the 530 loop in close proximity to the decoding center of the 30S subunit but are apparently inconsistent with some protein-protein distances determined by neutron diffraction [Capel, M. S., et al. (1988) J. Mol. Biol. 200, 65-87]. This inconsistency suggests that a multistate model of subunit conformation may be required to account for the totality of results pertaining to the internal structure of the 30S subunit.

Autoradiography↗
PubMed1994

Organization of the bovine gene encoding the endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

The bovine endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene plus 2.9 kilobases of 5'-flanking sequence has been isolated and characterized. The gene spans 20 kilobases and contains 26 exons and 25 introns. Two transcription start sites have been determined by primer extension analysis which are located 170 and 240 base pairs upstream, respectively, from the methionine translational initiation codon. Evidence supporting the upstream boundary region for transcriptional initiation was also obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The 5'-flanking region lacks a typical TATA box but contains numerous putative transcription factor binding sites. These include consensus sequences for an AP-1 site, an NF-1 site, a tumor necrosis factor responsive element, two sterol regulatory elements, 3 acute-phase response element, two sterol regulatory elements, 3 acute-phase response elements, 6 GATA motifs, 16 CACCC boxes, 5 Sp1 sites, 15 estrogen half-palindromic motifs, and 9 fluid shear stress-responsive elements. The isolated gene promoter directs basal transcription of a luciferase reporter gene when transiently transfected into bovine aortic endothelial cells. High sequence homology of the promoter region to the human endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene promoter (75% nucleotide identity in 1.6 kilobases of 5'-flanking sequence) suggests evolutionary conservation of transcriptional regulation. Isolation and characterization of the bovine endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene should facilitate further investigation of mechanisms by which gene expression is regulated.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1994

Angiotensin II stimulates phosphorylation of high-molecular-mass cytosolic phospholipase A2 in vascular smooth-muscle cells.

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may be one of the major components involved in cell signalling and proliferation, as suggested by recent studies. In this paper we show that the potent vasoconstrictor and hypertrophic agent angiotensin II (AngII) activates cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) in vascular smooth-muscle cells. AngII induced a rapid time-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid from prelabelled cells that was inhibited by mepacrine, a PLA2 inhibitor. AngII treatment of intact cells also activated a cPLA2, as measured in cell-free extracts by the release of radiolabelled arachidonic acid from exogenously added 1-stearoyl-2-[1-14C]arachidonoyl phosphatidylcholine. This AngII-stimulated cPLA2 activity was also significantly inhibited by mepacrine. AngII induced a rapid and time-dependent increase in cPLA2 phosphorylation. Protein kinase C (PKC) depletion inhibited both AngII-induced [3H]arachidonic acid release and cPLA2 phosphorylation. Together, these results suggest strongly that (1) AngII phosphorylates and activates cPLA2 in a PKC-dependent manner, and that (2) cPLA2 mediates the AngII-induced [3H]arachidonic acid release in vascular smooth-muscle cells.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1994

Angiotensin II induces phosphorylation of eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor 4E in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II has been shown to induce hypertrophy of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To understand the mechanisms of induction of the hypertrophy, we studied its effect on the phosphorylation state of eIF-4E, a rate-limiting eukaryotic protein synthesis initiation factor whose activity has been shown to be regulated by phosphorylation. Angiotensin II induced a 2-3-fold increase in the phosphorylation of eIF-4E in VSMC. The stimulation of phosphorylation was apparent at 20 min and persisted for at least 12 h. Phosphoamino acid analysis revealed that serine is the major residue of eIF-4E phosphorylated by angiotensin II. Staurosporine and calphostin C, two potent inhibitors of the serine/threonine protein kinase, protein kinase C, significantly attenuated the angiotensin II-induced eIF-4E phosphorylation. Staurosporine and calphostin C also blunted the angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis. Together, these observations indicate that angiotensin II induces phosphorylation of eIF-4E in a protein kinase C-dependent manner and suggest that this pathway may play an important role in the mechanism by which angiotensin II causes hypertrophy of VSMC.

Alkaloids↗