Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T D Warner

Publications and source records attributed to T D Warner.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Characterization of endothelin-converting enzyme from endothelial cells and rat brain: detection of the formation of biologically active endothelin-1 by rapid bioassay.

Using the endothelin-1 (ET-1)-stimulated elevation in cGMP in LLC-PK1 cells as a biological detector system for the conversion of big ET-1 (bET-1) to ET-1, we detected bET-1-converting activities in subcellular fractions from bovine aortic cultured endothelial cells (BAE) and rat brain. Within the particulate fraction of BAE, we detected two activities, at pH 3.4 and pH 5.4-7.4. The latter but not the former activity was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by phosphoramidon (approximate IC50, 1 microM) and converted bET-1 to ET-1 at a rate of 0.6 nmol/hr/mg of protein. It could be solubilized from the particulate fraction by detergent treatment. Phosphoramidon-inhibitable converting activity was also detected in the cytosolic fraction of BAE. Within the rat brain, phosphoramidon-inhibitable conversion of bET-1 to ET-1 was detected principally in the cytoskeletal fraction, i.e., that fraction from the membrane that was not solubilized by detergent treatment. These results show the presence of at least two different endothelin-converting enzyme activities in endothelial cells and a third within the rat brain. They also demonstrate the use of LLC-PK1 cells as a rapid assay that permits the sensitive detection and measurement of the formation of biologically active ET-1 from its precursor bET-1.

Animals↗

Regulation and subcellular location of nitrogen oxide synthases in RAW264.7 macrophages.

In nitrinergic signal transduction, nitrogen oxide (NO) synthases (NOS) (EC 1.14.23) catalyze the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline and NO, which in turn activates soluble guanylyl cyclase. Macrophages were reported to contain a single isoform of NOS (type II, soluble, Ca(2+)-independent, 130-kDa) and only upon activation of the cells by interferon-gamma (INF) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). By a mechanism involving L-type Ca2+ channels, calmodulin, and serine proteases, INF/LPS also induce a cytotoxic activation of macrophages. In RAW264.7 macrophages, NO release was detected upon activation of the cells by INF/LPS but also, although at a 20-fold lower level, in control cells. The latter constitutive NOS activity and NO release were Ca2+ dependent and were decreased in INF/LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells or with increasing passage number. RAW264.7 cells did not express soluble guanylyl cyclase, suggesting other target molecules for NO. In INF/LPS-activated cells, NOS activities and NO release were Ca2+ independent (type II) and coinduced with NADPH-diaphorase activities both in the soluble and in the particulate fractions. The NOS-II activities corresponded to a 130-kDa protein, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which was not recognized in a protein immunoblot with anti-NOS-I antibody. The serine protease inhibitor tosyl-lysyl chloromethyl ketone abolished the induction of NOS-II by INF/LPS, by depleting intracellular thiol pools and interfering with protein synthesis. Induction of NOS-II by INF/LPS was transcriptionally based and, for maximal enzyme activity, required increased intracellular tetrahydrobiopterin levels, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and activation of non-L-type Ca2+ channels but, unlike the induction of macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity, neither L-type-Ca2+ channels nor calmodulin.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Induction of NADPH-dependent diaphorase and nitric oxide synthase activity in aortic smooth muscle and cultured macrophages.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), either alone or in combination with cytokines, induces nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity in cells that normally release little or no NO. In arterial smooth muscle cells and various macrophage cell lines, NO synthase activity is induced after several hours of incubation with LPS. In brain, NADPH-dependent diaphorase activity has been associated with constitutive NO synthase. Here we show that incubation of rat aorta or cultured macrophages with LPS causes a time-dependent induction of NO synthase. The NO synthase activity in both rat aorta and macrophages was calcium independent and inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine. We also found that LPS caused a time-dependent induction in NADPH-dependent diaphorase activity in both rat aorta and cultured macrophages. The diaphorase activity was mainly NADPH dependent and NADH independent. NO synthase activity and NADPH-diaphorase activity in crude cytosol from LPS-treated macrophages were found to co-purify, using 2',5'-ADP-Sepharose followed by Superose-6 gel permeation chromatography.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Purification and characterization of particulate endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthase from cultured and native bovine aortic endothelial cells.

The particulate enzyme responsible for the synthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor has been purified from cultured and native (noncultured) bovine aortic endothelial cells. Purification of the solubilized particulate enzyme preparation by affinity chromatography on adenosine 2',5'-bisphosphate coupled to Sepharose followed by Superose 6 gel filtration chromatography resulted in a single protein band after denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that corresponded to approximately 135 kDa. The enzyme activity in the various fractions was assayed by its stimulatory effect on soluble guanylyl cyclase of rat fetal lung fibroblasts (RFL-6 cells), by the formation of L-citrulline from L-arginine, by measuring nitrite/nitrate formation, and by bioassay on endothelium-denuded vascular strips. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthase was purified 3419-fold from the crude particulate fraction of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells with a 12% recovery (RFL-6 assay). Purified endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthase required L-arginine, NADPH, Ca2+, calmodulin, and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobiopterin for full activity.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Neurokinins produce selective venoconstriction via NK-3 receptors in the rat mesenteric vascular bed.

The vasoactive properties of the neurokinins (substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB)) and some selective analogues were assessed in the arterial and venous mesenteric beds of the rat. Although both sides of the mesenteric vasculature displayed endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) or bradykinin (BK) (1 and 10 nmol), SP and the selective NK-1 analogue, [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP were inactive. Of the three selective neurokinin agonists used, [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP (NK-1), [beta-Ala8]NKA-(4-10) (NK-2) and [MePhe7]NKB (NK-3), only the latter induced a dose-dependent pressor effect in the venous mesenteric vasculature. Injections of SP and the selective NK-1 and NK-2 analogues at high doses (10 nmol), did not change the perfusion pressure in the mesenteric bed even when the mesenteric vasculature was treated with methylene blue (50 microM) to inhibit the effects of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) or with NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (20 microM) to inhibit the formation of EDRF or with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate] (CHAPS 20 mM, 30 s) to remove the endothelial layer. In contrast, the vasoconstrictor effects of noradrenaline (NA), angiotensin II (ATII), NKB and [MePhe7]NKB on the venous side of the circulation were enhanced following treatment with L-NNA, methylene blue or CHAPS. The present results suggest that neurokinins act on the rat mesenteric bed by increasing the perfusion pressure of the venous vasculature via activation of NK-3 receptors. Neurokinins are inactive on the arterial mesenteric vasculature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Endothelial cells have a particulate enzyme system responsible for EDRF formation: measurement by vascular relaxation.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released from endothelial cells (EC) has been shown to be nitric oxide (NO) or a closely related molecule. In cultured EC, the enzyme responsible for the formation of EDRF, EDRF-synthase, was initially described as being cytosolic, but more recently we have found it to be predominantly particulate. In view of this discrepancy we have investigated the EDRF synthesizing activity of cytosolic and particulate fractions isolated from native bovine aortic EC. EDRF was measured by cGMP formation in rat fetal lung cultured fibroblasts (RFL-6) and by the ability of cell fractions to relax endothelium-denuded, preconstricted rabbit aortic strips. Cytosolic fractions from native EC (100 micrograms) had no effect on the tone of rabbit aortic strips and little effect on cGMP levels in RFL-6 cells in the presence of L-arginine and NADPH (100 microM). However, under the same conditions the 100,000 x g pellet fractions relaxed rabbit aortic strips and increased cGMP levels in RFL-6 cells. Thus EDRF synthase from native EC, like those grown in culture, is located mainly in the particulate fraction.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Effects of reviewing risk-relevant behavior on perceived vulnerability among women marines.

People generally underestimate their own vulnerability to negative events such as illness or accidents. It has been suggested that this illusion of "unique invulnerability" is due to selective focus on one's own risk-reducing behaviors, to the exclusion of others' risk-reducing behaviors and one's own risk-increasing behaviors. The current study examined the effects of reviewing sexual and contraceptive behavior on perceived vulnerability to unplanned pregnancy. Our results indicated that review of pregnancy-related behaviors decreased perceived vulnerability among two groups of subjects: those who considered unplanned pregnancy to be most undesirable and those who had the most confidence in the efficacy of their contraceptive behavior. The data also support the hypothesis that selective focus is a source of the illusion of invulnerability.

Adult↗

Endothelin-1 stimulates cyclic GMP formation in porcine kidney epithelial cells via activation of the L-arginine-dependent soluble guanylate cyclase pathway.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) elevated cyclic GMP levels in cultured porcine kidney epithelial cells (LLC-PK1) in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of about 5 x 10(-10) M. NG-methyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine inhibited cyclic GMP responses to 10(-8) M ET-1 with IC50 values of 1.2 x 10(-6) and 7.6 x 10(-8) M, respectively, and the inhibition was prevented with L-arginine. ET-1-induced cyclic GMP accumulation was enhanced with superoxide dismutase and diminished with oxyhemoglobin and methylene blue. Furthermore, the effect of ET-1 on the cyclic GMP levels was totally dependent on extracellular Ca2+. ET-3, but not big ET-1 and ET C-terminal hexapeptide16-21, elicited similar cyclic GMP responses as observed with ET-1 at the same concentration range. These data strongly suggest that, in LLC-PK1 cells, ET-1 stimulates formation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance from L-arginine in a Ca(2+)-dependent fashion, which in turn activates soluble guanylate cyclase to elevate cellular cyclic GMP levels. The effects of ET on cyclic GMP accumulation in the kidney epithelial cells may be related to the natriuretic effects of ET in vivo.

Animals↗

Human big endothelin releases prostacyclin in vivo and in vitro through a phosphoramidon-sensitive conversion to endothelin-1.

Human big endothelin (big ET) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) induce similar increases in left ventricular systolic pressure in the anesthetized rabbit. Unlike ET-1, human big ET does not induce an initial transient hypotension. Human big ET (3 nmol/kg) inhibits ADP-induced platelet aggregation ex vivo by 60% whereas ET-1 at 1 nmol/kg inhibits platelet aggregation by more than 80%. The C-terminal fragment, big ET[22-38] (3 nmol/kg), has no antiaggregatory properties. Inhibition of ex vivo platelet aggregation by human big ET and ET-1 was not seen in rabbits pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg). Human big ET (10(-7) M) or ET-1 (2.5 x 10(-9)-10(-8) M) induced the release of prostacyclin (PGI2) from rabbit, guinea pig, and rat lungs. Phosphoramidon (50 microM, infused 45 min prior to and during administration of peptides) inhibited the prostanoid-releasing properties of human big ET without affecting the release induced by ET-1. Intravascular administration of human big ET (1 nmol/kg) significantly increased the circulating levels of immunoreactive ET-1 (ir-ET-1) for 30 min whereas administration of ET-1 at the same concentration increased the plasma level of ir-ET-1 for 5 min only. Our results suggest that human big ET is converted to ET-1 in the rabbit in vivo. We further suggest that to induce the release of prostanoids in perfused lungs, human big ET needs to be converted to ET-1 by a phosphoramidon-sensitive endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE).

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Alkaline buffers release EDRF from bovine cultured aortic endothelial cells.

1. Release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and prostacyclin (PGI2) from bovine cultured aortic endothelial cells (EC) was measured by bioassay and radioimmunoassay, respectively. 2. Bradykinin (BK, 3-30 pmol), adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 2-6 nmol) or the sodium ionophore monensin (40-100 nmol) injected through a column of EC released EDRF. L-Arginine free base (FB; 10-20 mumol) or D-arginine FB (10-20 mumol) injected through the column of EC released similar amounts of EDRF and also caused an increase in pH of the Krebs solution perfusing the EC from 7.5-8.0 to 8.6-9.5. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) an alkaline buffer which caused the same changes in the pH of the Krebs solution also induced the same release of EDRF. The hydrochloride salts of L- or D-arginine did not cause either release of EDRF when injected through the column of EC or increases in the pH of the Krebs solution. 3. Inhibitors of either diacylglycerol lipase (RHC 80267) or kinase (R59022) inhibited the release of EDRF induced by BK or ADP but potentiated the release induced by L-arginine FB, monensin (40-100 nmol) or alkaline buffer (Na2CO3). R59022 and RHC 80267 infused through the EC increased the basal release of EDRF. 4. When calcium chloride was omitted from the Krebs solution the release of EDRF induced by alkaline buffer (Na2CO3; pH 8.6-9.5) or L-arginine FB (10-20 mumol) was selectively inhibited when compared to that induced by BK (3-30 pmol) or ADP (2-6 nmol). This inhibition was reversed when calcium (2.5 mM) was restored. 5. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA; 30 microM) inhibited release of EDRF induced by BK (10-30 pmol) or alkaline buffers (Na2CO3 or D-arginine FB; pH 8.6-9.5). This inhibition was partially reversed by L- but not D-arginine FB or HCl (30-100 microM). 6. Prostacyclin was released when BK (10 pmol), ADP (2 nmol) or arachidonic acid (30 nmol) were injected through the column of EC. However, monensin (40 nmol) or alkaline buffers (pH 8.6-9.5) did not release detectable amounts of PGI2 as measured by radioimmunoassay for 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha. 7. Thus alkalinisation of the external bathing solution can release EDRF from cultured EC by a mechanism which does not involve receptor activation and which depends on the presence of extracellular calcium.

Animals↗

A simple and sensitive bioassay method for detection of EDRF with RFL-6 rat lung fibroblasts.

Detailed characteristics of a new bioassay method for detection and quantification of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) are described. Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) responses of RFL-6 rat fetal lung fibroblast cells were utilized to estimate the activity of nitric oxide (NO) and EDRF. The conditioned medium from bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells cultured in tissue culture plates was quickly transferred to RFL-6 incubations to determine EDRF. In the presence of superoxide dismutase, RFL-6 cells cultured in six-well tissue culture plates exhibited very high sensitivities to both NO and EDRF; e.g., they responded to NO at a concentration as low as 2 nM and the basal release of EDRF from 1-2 X 10(6) BAE cells. Based on the lower detection limit of the radioimmunoassay for cGMP, calculations reveal that 100-200 fmol of NO and the basal EDRF release from 1-2 X 10(5) BAE cells can be detected with RFL-6 cells by choosing smaller culture wells. Thus this method is more sensitive than any other currently available. Furthermore, it may be widely used, since the instrumentation required is presently available in many laboratories. This bioassay technique for EDRF and NO is sensitive, simple, and quite useful for the evaluation of experimental conditions and compounds that regulate EDRF release from various endothelial cells and tissues.

Animals↗

Endothelin increases cyclic GMP levels in LLC-PK1 porcine kidney epithelial cells via formation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance.

The effect of endothelin (ET) on cyclic GMP levels in cultured porcine kidney epithelial cells, LLC-PK1, was investigated. ET-1 or ET-3, but not big ET-1 or ET C-terminal hexapeptide 16-21, elevated cyclic GMP levels in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of about 5 x 10(-10) M. This effect of ET-1 was enhanced with superoxide dismutase, diminished with oxyhemoglobin, inhibited with methylene blue, totally dependent on extracellular calcium and unaffected by indomethacin. L-Arginine derivatives, NG-methyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine also inhibited cyclic GMP responses to 10(-8) M ET-1 with IC50 values of 1.2 x 10(-6) M and 7.6 x 10(-8) M, respectively, and the inhibition was prevented with L-arginine. These data strongly suggest that ET-1 stimulates formation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance from L-arginine or a related endogenous material(s) in a Ca(++)-dependent fashion, which in turn activates soluble guanylate cyclase to elevate cellular cyclic GMP levels. The concentrations required for these effects were 10 times lower than those required for atrial natriuretic factor. Thus, the effects of ET on cyclic GMP accumulation may be related to the natriuretic effects of ET in vivo.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 and U46619 potentiate selectively the venous responses to nerve stimulation within the perfused superior mesenteric vascular bed of the rat.

The effects were examined of endothelin-1 and U46619 on the responses to perivascular nerve stimulation of the simultaneously perfused arterial and venous vessels of the superior mesenteric arterial bed of the rat. Stimulation of the nerves at 4-16 Hz for 30 s caused frequency dependent constrictions of both the arterial and venous vessels similar to those produced by bolus doses of exogenous noradrenaline (0.1-10 nmol). Infusion of either endothelin-1 (0.1 nM) or U46619 (1-3 nM) caused small (less than or equal to 5 mmHg) increases in arterial and venous perfusion pressures and selectively potentiated the venous, but not arterial, responses to nerve stimulation. Conversely, endothelin-1 and U46619 potentiated the responses of both the arterial and venous vessels to exogenous noradrenaline. Thus, as reported previously for the arterial vessels of the rat mesentery, the isolated venous vessels constrict to perivascular nerve stimulation in a frequency dependent manner. In addition, endothelin-1 and U46619 potentiate selectively the effects of nerve stimulation on the veins.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Simultaneous perfusion of rat isolated superior mesenteric arterial and venous beds: comparison of their vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses to agonists.

1. A new isolated perfused preparation is described that allows a direct comparison to be made of the responses of the perfused arterial and retrogradely perfused venous circulations of the rat superior mesenteric vascular bed. 2. In experiments comparing the responses of the intact arterially perfused mesentery and small intestine to those of the same preparation following removal of the intestine and division of the circulations, the increases in perfusion pressure produced by arginine-vasopressin (30 pmol) and noradrenaline (1 nmol) were retained by the arterial circulation and those induced by angiotensin II (30 pmol) by the venous circulation. Endothelin-1 (30 pmol) constricted both portions of the vasculature but the prolonged nature of its response was associated with only the venous vessels. 3. In the simultaneously perfused arterial and venous preparation arginine vasopressin (3-100 pmol) was a selective constrictor of the arterial circulation and angiotensin II (3-100 pmol) of the venous circulation. In addition, noradrenaline (0.3-10 nmol), 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.3-10 nmol) and KCl (1-60 micromol) were more active as constrictors of the arterial than the venous vessels, and U46619 (10-300 pmol) a more active constrictor of the venous than the arterial vessels. Endothelin-1 (3-100 pmol) constricted both the arterial and venous portions of the vasculature but was significantly longer acting as a venoconstrictor than an arterioconstrictor. 4. Angiotensin I (300 pmol) caused constrictions of the venous circulation which were dependent upon the presence of angiotensin converting enzyme for captopril (10 microM) abolished constrictions caused by angiotensin I but not by angiotensin II. 5. In preparations preconstricted by U46619 (0.3-3 microM), acetylcholine (0.01-100 nmol), bradykinin (0.001-nmol), sodium nitroprusside (0.01-lOnmol) or isoprenaline (1-l00pmol) produced dose-related dilatations of both the arterial and the venous vasculatures, whereas adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 0.01-lOOnmol) caused dose-dependent dilatations of the arterial circulation but principally constrictions of the venous circulation. The dilatations caused by acetylcholine and bradykinin in both portions of the circulation, and by ADP in the arterial circulation, were endothelium-dependent as they were inhibited by gossypol (3 microM), whereas dilatations to sodium nitroprusside were not. 6. This preparation allows the responses of the arteries and veins of a single perfused mesenteric bed to be compared. In addition, with this preparation it is possible to demonstrate that veins, as well as arteries, show significant endothelium-dependent relaxations. It is concluded that the venous portion of the vasculature is significantly involved in the responses of the intact circulation.

Animals↗

Endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 release EDRF from isolated perfused arterial vessels of the rat and rabbit.

We have previously shown that porcine endothelin (ET-1) releases endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in the rat isolated perfused mesentery. Here we show that both ET-1 (1-100 pmol) and rat endothelin (ET-3, 1-300 pmol) release EDRF in this preparation and that ET-1 releases EDRF from the luminally perfused aorta of the rabbit. Furthermore, we confirm that, as a pressor agent, ET-1 is greater than 10 times more potent than ET-3. Vasodilatations in the rat isolated perfused mesentery in response to ET-1 and ET-3 were due to the release of EDRF since they were inhibited by removal of the endothelium, methylene blue (100 microM), or hemoglobin (30 microM). ET-3 was more selective than ET-1 as a vasodilator because ET-1 induced vasodilatations were limited and in the higher doses overwhelmed by concurrent vasoconstrictions. Release of EDRF from the rabbit aorta in response to ET-1 but not to other agonists (acetylcholine, substance P, or adenosine diphosphate) was potentiated by infusion of potassium chloride (3 mM). Bay K 8644 failed to release EDRF in either system or to constrict the nondepolarized rat mesentery. Thus, both ET-1 and ET-3 release EDRF by activation of receptors or channels that differ from dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels.

Animals↗