Elevated expression of urotensin II and its receptor in diabetic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE: Urotensin II (UII) is a somatostatin-like peptide recently identified to have several cardiovascular effects, including potent vasoactive, cardiac inotropic and chronotropic properties. Our aim was to determine the degree of expression of UII and UII receptor (UT) in the myocardium of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. METHODS: Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the degree of expression and location of UII and UT in the myocardium of STZ-induced diabetic rats. RESULTS: UII and UT expression were significantly enhanced in the myocardium of rats with diabetes compared with healthy controls on both messenger RNA and protein levels. Both UII and UT protein expression were mainly concentrated in the cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, cardiac fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a possible role for the UII/UT system in the pathophysiology of DCM.     

Role of urotensin II in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases

Urotensin II (U-II) is a powerful vasoconstrictor peptide with a potency greater than that of endothelin 1. Its plasma level correlates positively with body weight and is raised in diabetes, renal failure, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure and carotid atherosclerosis. Experimental and clinical studies have revealed increased expression of U-II and U-II receptor (UT) in animals with experimentally induced myocardial infarction, heart failure, and in patients with hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes, suggesting a potential role for U-II in coronary artery disease. Peptide and nonpeptide UT ligands have been shown to be effective in antagonizing the effects of U-II in the cardiovascular system. This article aims to review recent advances in physiology and pathophysiology of U-II with particular reference to its role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.     

Central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We have previously reported that urotensin II acts on the central nervous system to increase blood pressure in normotensive rats. In the present study, we have determined the central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of urotensin II elicited a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure in both SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The changes in mean arterial pressure induced by ICV urotensin II at doses of 1 and 10 nmol in the WKY were 8 +/- 2 and 23 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively. ICV administration of urotensin II caused significantly greater increases in blood pressure in SHR (16 +/- 3 mmHg at 1 nmol and 35 +/- 3 mmHg at 10 nmol, respectively) compared with those in WKY. Urotensin II (10 nmol) elicited significant and comparable increases in heart rate in SHR (107 +/- 10 bpm) and WKY (101 +/- 21 bpm). Plasma epinephrine concentrations after ICV administration of 10 nmol urotensin II were 203 +/- 58 pmol/ml in SHR and 227 +/- 47 pmol/ml in WKY, which tended to be higher than those in artificial cerebrospinal fluid-injected rats (73+/- 7 and 87 +/- 28 pmol/ml, respectively, p < 0.1). The immunoreactivity of urotensin II receptor GPR 14 was expressed extensively in the glial cells within the brainstem, hypothalamus, and thalamus. These results suggest that central urotensin II may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR. Since GPR 14 was expressed in the glial cells of the brain, urotensin II may act as a neuromodulator to regulate blood pressure.     

Central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in conscious rats

OBJECTIVE: To examine the central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in conscious rats. METHODS: Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of urotensin II (1 and 10 nmol) were carried out in conscious Wistar rats. The effects of intravenous (i.v.) urotensin II (10 nmol) were also determined. RESULTS: The ICV injection of urotensin II at a dose of 1 nmol did not alter the arterial pressure or heart rate significantly, while 10 nmol urotensin II increased the arterial pressure and heart rate. The mean arterial pressure at 5 min of ICV urotensin II was 121 +/- 4 mmHg, which was significantly higher than that obtained by ICV injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid (107 +/- 3 mmHg, P <0.05). In addition, significant increases in heart rate were observed 5-15 min after ICV urotensin II. Pre-treatment with pentolinium (5 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly attenuated the increases in mean arterial pressure (20 +/- 3 versus 8 +/- 2 mmHg, P <0.01) and heart rate (78 +/- 18 versus 7 +/- 5 beats/min, P <0.05) induced by ICV urotensin II. On the other hand, i.v. injection of urotensin II (10 nmol) elicited a depressor response associated with tachycardia; mean arterial pressure 5 min after injection was significantly lower in the urotensin II-injected rats (89 +/- 5 mmHg) than in the control rats (102 +/- 2 mmHg, P <0.05), and the heart rate was significantly higher in the former (402 +/- 11 versus 360 +/- 9 beats/min, respectively, P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Central urotensin II produces pressor and tachycardic responses through sympathetic activation, while peripheral urotensin II exerts a vasodilation-mediated depressor response in conscious rats.     

尾加压素Ⅱ及其受体在单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾脏中的表达及意义

目的 探讨尾加压素Ⅱ(UrotensinⅡ,UⅡ)及其受体(GPR14)在单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)大鼠肾间质中的表达及意义.方法 将24只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham组)及模型组(UUO组),采用左侧输尿管结扎术复制UUO模型.术后第14和28天分别处死两组大鼠,取左肾进行HE和Masson染色,并用免疫组化检测肾间质中UⅡ和GPR14的表达,RT-PCR检测UⅡ和GPR14 mRNA表达.结果 HE和Masson染色显示模型组大鼠肾小管间质增宽,炎细胞浸润,纤维组织增多,随时间进展病变更加明显(P＜0.01);免疫组化显示UUO组2 w时肾间质UⅡ及GPR14表达明显增多,与Sham组比较差异显著(P＜0.01);UUO组4 w时UⅡ及GPR14持续高表达(P＜0.01).RT-PCR显示2 w后,与Sham组比较,UUO组大鼠肾组织中UⅡmRNA表达明显增加(P＜0.01),GPR14表达也有增加趋势,但无显著差异性;4 w后UUO组UⅡmRNA表达仍明显高于Sham组(P＜0.01),GPR14表达也明显升高(P＜0.01).结论 UⅡ及GPR14 的蛋白表达和mRNA水平在UUO大鼠肾间质中明显增加,提示UⅡ的表达与肾纤维化有关,可能参与了肾纤维化的过程.     

Novel actions of angiotensin II via its renal type-2 (AT2) receptor

The vast majority of the biologic effects of angiotensin II have been considered to be mediated by the subtype-1 (AT₁) receptor. The AT₂ receptor is expressed to a low degree in most adult cells and tissues, and its function has not been understood. Recent studies, however, have identified novel actions of angiotensin II mediated by the AT₂ receptor in the kidney. These AT₂ receptor actions have importance in the control of blood pressure and hypertension. The AT₂ receptor mediates a renal vasodilator cascade, including generation of bradykinin, nitric oxide, and cyclic GMP. This action of angiotensin II occurs when the renin-angiotensin system is activated, as in sodium depletion. The AT₂ receptor also appears to mediate prostaglandin (PG) F_α formation, probably by stimulating conversion of PGE2 to PGF_α. The AT₂ receptor plays a counter-regulatory vasodilator role opposing the vasoconstrictor actions of angiotensin II. The AT₁ and AT₂ receptors engage in inter-receptor “cross-talk.” In the absence of the AT₂ receptor, sustained angiotensin II pressor and antinatriuretic hypersensitivity occurs, mediated by a deficiency of bradykinin, nitric oxide, and cyclic GMP. The AT₂ receptor may play an important role in stimulating pressure natriuresis, but definitive studies are required to resolve this issue. The AT₂ receptor mediates several renal actions of angiotensin II, appears to be important in the physiologic regulation of blood pressure, and may be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension.     

Co-expression of ghrelin and its receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours

OBJECTIVE: Expression of ghrelin has been reported in pancreatic endocrine tumours, but data on ghrelin receptor protein expression are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the ghrelin receptor, as well as ghrelin, in a selected series of these tumours, including multiple endocrine neoplasia 1 (MEN1) associated tumours, and to correlate data with clinical features including body mass index. DESIGN: Immunohistochemical detection of ghrelin and its receptor was performed on frozen tissue from 31 tumours: 9 MEN1 and 22 sporadic. Twenty tumours were analysed by quantitative PCR. Plasma ghrelin was assessed in 26 patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one (68%) of 31 tumours showed immunoreactivity for ghrelin (8/9 MEN1) and 19/20 expressed ghrelin mRNA. Ghrelin receptor protein was detected in 21/30 (70%) tumours (4/8 MEN1), and mRNA was detected in all analysed tumours. Insulinomas had significantly higher levels of receptor mRNA than other tumours. Five patients had elevated plasma ghrelin (> 2 SD above the control group mean). No significant difference in mean plasma ghrelin levels was found between patients (908 +/- 569 ng/l) and controls (952 +/- 164 ng/l). Mean BMI was 24.3 kg/m(2). There was no association between ghrelin or receptor expression and survival. CONCLUSIONS: We report the first immunohistochemical data on expression of the ghrelin receptor in pancreatic endocrine tumours: 70% of tumours in our material. Concomitant ghrelin and receptor expression was seen in 50% of tumours, indicating an autocrine loop. Ghrelin was expressed in 68% of tumours (8/9 MEN1). Despite frequent ghrelin expression, elevated circulating ghrelin is rare in these patients.     

Expression of gastrin and its receptor in human gastric cancer tissues

Purpose: Gastrin is a growth factor of cancerous and normal cells of the gastrointestinal tract, and its effect is known to be mediated by gastrin/cholecystokinin B (CCKB) receptor. This study was performed to investigate the prognostic significance and the expression profiles of gastrin and gastrin receptor in human gastric carcinoma tissues. Methods: We analyzed the expressions of gastrin and gastrin receptor by immunohistochemical staining using anti-gastrin Ab (Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) and anti-gastrin receptor Ab (Aphton Corp., Woodland, CA, USA) in 279 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Patients’ clinicopathologic features and prognoses were analyzed. Results: The gastrin expression rate in these patients was 47.7% (133/279) and the gastrin receptor expression rate was 56.5% (158/279). Gastrin expression was significantly higher in men than in women (54.3% vs. 34.1%), and higher in differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma than in the undifferentiated type (55.1% vs. 43.0%). The gastrin receptor expression rate was also significantly higher in men than in women (61.2% vs. 47.3%), and was higher in the differentiated type than in the undifferentiated type (72.9% vs. 46.5%), and significantly higher in the intestinal type than in the diffuse type (75.2% vs. 42.9%). Gastrin and gastrin/CCKB receptor expressions were not found to be significant prognostic factors in themselves. When focused on correlation between the co-expression of gastrin and gastrin/CCKB receptor and the survival, the prognosis of patients positive for both gastrin and gastrin receptor was significantly poorer than for those negative for gastrin and gastrin receptor in diffuse-type gastric cancer patients. However, multivariate analysis showed that only TNM stage was an independent prognostic factor of survival in diffuse-type gastric cancer patients. Conclusions: This study shows that the expression rates of gastrin and gastrin receptor are high (about a half) in gastric carcinoma tissues, and that there is an association between gastrin and gastrin receptor expression. We also found that patients with diffuse-type gastric carcinoma tissues expressing both gastrin and gastrin receptor have a poorer prognosis than those negative for both, which suggests that gastrin acts as an autocrine growth factor in a subgroup of gastric carcinomas.     

Proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects of human urotensin II on human endothelial cells

BACKGROUND: Human urotensin II (hU-II) is a potent vasoconstrictor, highly expressed in cardiac tissues and blood vessels. Recent studies indicate that hU-II participates in vascular and myocardial remodeling after injury. This study was designed to study the role of hU-II in cell DNA synthesis and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and underlying intracellular signaling mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultured HUVECs were incubated with hU-II (10(-10)-10(-8)M) for 24h. Cell DNA synthesis was examined by 3H thymidine incorporation. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL. hU-II increased the 3H thymidine incorporation into DNA in a concentration-dependent manner. hU-II inhibited endothelial apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal (5.74+/-0.64% versus 13.20+/-1.96%, P<0.01) and TNFalpha (6.76+/-0.70% versus 13.80+/-1.02%, P<0.01). The data from flow cytometry and TUNEL are consistent. Further studies showed that hU-II caused the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinasep42/44 (MAPKp42/44) in a concentration-dependent manner and this effect of hU-II was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the MEK inhibitor (PD98059, 10muM). In addition, the use of PD98059 also attenuated 3H thymidine incorporation and anti-apoptotic effect elicited by hU-II (both P<0.01 versus hU-II alone). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations provide evidence that hU-II promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in HUVECs, and MAPKp42/44 activation may play a signal transduction role in this process.     

Effects of urotensin II in human arteries and veins of varying caliber

BACKGROUND:-Urotensin II (UII) is the ligand for the GPR14 receptor and the most potent vasoconstrictor in the cynomolgus monkey. UII also contracts rat thoracic aorta. We studied the effect of human UII (hUII) in human blood vessels Methods and Results-Small subcutaneous resistance arteries, internal mammary arteries, saphenous veins, and small subcutaneous veins were studied using standard techniques. Subcutaneous resistance arteries constricted in response to norepinephrine (maximum tension, 2.84+/-0.38 mN/mm; the concentration required to produce 50% of the maximum response [EC(50)], 0.52+/-0.07 micromol/L) and endothelin-1 (maximum tension, 4.19+/-0.93 mN/mm; EC(50), 1.6+/-0.1 nmol/L). hUII did not contract these arteries, internal mammary arteries, or either type of vein, but it was a potent vasoconstrictor in rat thoracic aorta (maximum tension, 2.36+/-0.2 mN/mm; EC(50), 1.13+/-0.36 nmol/L). CONCLUSIONS:-hUII has no vasoconstrictor action in human arteries and veins of different sizes and vascular beds. Marked species differences in the actions of UII question its importance in human cardiovascular regulation.     

Molecular characterization and expression of urotensin II and its receptor in the flounder (Platichthys flesus): a hormone system supporting body fluid homeostasis in euryhaline fish

Urotensin II (UII) is a potent vasoconstrictor in mammals, but the source of circulating UII remains unclear. Investigations of the caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS), considered the major source of UII in fish, alongside target tissue expression of UII receptor (UT), can provide valuable insights into this highly conserved regulatory system. We report UII gene characterization, expression of the first fish UT, and responses to salinity challenge in flounder. The 12-aa UII peptide shares 73% sequence identity with pig and human UII. Flounder UT receptor shares 56.7% identity with rat. Although the CNSS is the major site of UII expression, RT-PCR revealed expression of UII and UT in all tissues tested. Around 30-40% of large CNSS Dahlgren cells expressed UII, alone or in combination with urotensin I and/or corticotrophin releasing hormone. Immunolocalization of UT in osmoregulatory tissues (gill, kidney) was associated with vascular elements. There were no consistent differences in CNSS UII expression or plasma UII between seawater (SW)- and freshwater (FW)-adapted fish, although gill and kidney UT expression was lower in FW animals. After acute transfer from SW to FW, plasma UII and kidney and gill UT expression were reduced, whereas UT expression in kidney was increased after reverse transfer. UII appears to be more important to combat dehydration and salt-loading in SW than the hemodilution faced in FW. Potentially, altered target tissue sensitivity through changes in UT expression, is an important physiological controlling mechanism, not only relevant for migratory fish but also likely conserved in mammals.     

Angiotensin II receptor blockers: the importance of dose in cardiovascular and renal risk reduction

Numerous clinical studies have established that angiotensin II receptor blockers are effective as antihypertensive therapy and are well tolerated. Studies demonstrate that adding an angiotensin II receptor blocker to existing antihypertensive regimens reduces cardiovascular and renal risk, which may, in part, be a result of blocking the effects of angiotensin II. Though the antihypertensive dose response of these agents is well documented, the dose response for optimal target organ protection has not yet been clarified. A review of recent studies of angiotensin II receptor blockers in hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and nephropathy provide some data on specific drugs, doses, and risk reduction. Taken as a whole, these studies suggest the highest doses tested, which are at the upper limit of the antihypertensive range, provide greater risk reduction than lower doses. What is unknown is whether even higher doses or full-dose angiotensin II receptor blockers plus full-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors might provide even greater risk reduction. Data from ongoing trials will provide additional insight.     

G-protein-coupled receptor 40 (GPR40) expression and its regulation in human pancreatic islets: The role of type 2 diabetes and fatty acids

Background and aimsGPR40 is a membrane-bound receptor paired with medium and long-chain fatty acids (FFA) as endogenous ligands. Its acute activation potentiates insulin secretion from beta cells, whereas prolonged binding might contribute to the deleterious effects of chronic exposure to FFA. Little information is available on the expression of GPR40 and its regulation in human islets (HI).Material and methodsHI were prepared by enzymatic digestion and gradient separation from the pancreas of 20 non-diabetic (Ctrl) and 13 type 2 diabetic (T2DM) multiorgan donors, and functional and molecular studies were then performed.ResultsBy qualitative and quantitative PCR experiments, mRNA expression was shown in HI. Both in T2DM islets and in Ctrl islets pre-exposed for 24 h to 1.0 mmol/l FFA (palmitate:oleate, 2:1), GPR40 mRNA expression was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in the T2DM cells as compared to Ctrl cells. A significant positive correlation was found between glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and GPR40 expression.ConclusionsThese results show the expression of GPR40 in human pancreatic islets which are regulated by FFA. The finding that T2DM islets have a lower GPR40 expression, and the correlation of these genes with insulin secretion, raises the possibility of an involvement of GPR40 in human diabetes beta-cell dysfunction.     

Epidermal growth factor (urogastrone) in human tissues.

Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF), which stimulates the growth of a variety of tissues, was first isolated from mouse submandibular glands, but is also excreted in large amounts (about 50 micrograms/day) in human urine and is probably identical to human beta-urogastrone (hUG), a potent inhibitor of stimulated gastric acid secretion. However, the primary tissue source of hEGF/hUG is as yet unknown. The hEGF/hUG in homogenates of human salivary glands and a wide variety of other endocrine and nonendocrine tissues was extracted by Amberlite CG-50 cation exchange chromatography and immune affinity chromatography using the immunoglobulin fraction of rabbit anti-hEGF serum covalently bound to agarose. The extracts were subjected to homologous hEGF RIA. Immunoreactive hEGF was found in extracts of adult submandibular gland, thyroid gland, duodenum, jejunum, and kidney, but not in several fetal tissues. The tissue immunoreactive hEGF was similar to standard hEGF in terms of immunoreactivity and elution from Sephadex G-50 Fine resin, but its concentrations were very low (1.3-5.5 ng/g wet tissue). Thus, it is not certain that these tissues represent the only source of the large amounts of hEGF/hUG that appear to be filtered by the kidneys each day.     

Cloning of the cDNA encoding the urotensin II precursor in frog and human reveals intense expression of the urotensin II gene in motoneurons of the spinal cord

Urotensin II (UII) is a cyclic peptide initially isolated from the caudal neurosecretory system of teleost fish. Subsequently, UII has been characterized from a frog brain extract, indicating that a gene encoding a UII precursor is also present in the genome of a tetrapod. Here, we report the characterization of the cDNAs encoding frog and human UII precursors and the localization of the corresponding mRNAs. In both frog and human, the UII sequence is located at the C-terminal position of the precursor. Human UII is composed of only 11 amino acid residues, while fish and frog UII possess 12 and 13 amino acid residues, respectively. The cyclic region of UII, which is responsible for the biological activity of the peptide, has been fully conserved from fish to human. Northern blot and dot blot analysis revealed that UII precursor mRNAs are found predominantly in the frog and human spinal cord. In situ hybridization studies showed that the UII precursor gene is actively expressed in motoneurons. The present study demonstrates that UII, which has long been regarded as a peptide exclusively produced by the urophysis of teleost fish, is actually present in the brain of amphibians and mammals. The fact that evolutionary pressure has acted to conserve fully the biologically active sequence of UII suggests that the peptide may exert important physiological functions in humans.     

Estradiol receptor activity in tissues of human breast cancer.

Using the method for receptor determination recommended by the EORTC breast, cancer group we found 33.8% of our tissue specimen experimentally estradiol sensitive. No relation could be seen between receptor binding ability of the tumor tissues and lymph node involvement, tumor histology, clinical stages of the disease and menopausal state of the patients, respectively. In most cases primary tumor tissues and tissues of invaded lymph nodes show a corresponding behaviour in relation to estradiol uptake. The differences observed in the effects of various antiestrogenic substances on estradiol binding ability can not be explained at present.     

Immunohistochemical localization of the androgen receptor in rat and human tissues.

Immunohistochemical localization of the androgen receptor (AR) was performed in reproductive tissues, submaxillary gland, pituitary, and brain of the rat and in human prostate. AR was visualized using either of two polyclonal antibodies raised against peptides with sequences derived from rat and human AR. Tissue sections of 6-8 microns, frozen in isopentane and fixed in paraformaldehyde, were stained using immunoglobulin G fractions of immune, preimmune, and peptide-adsorbed immune sera in the avidin-biotin peroxidase procedure. AR was prominent in nuclei of acinar epithelial cells of epididymis, ventral prostate, seminal vesicle, and ductus deferens from the intact rat. Androgen withdrawal, 3 days after castration, resulted in the loss of receptor immunostaining, which was restored within 15 min of androgen administration. Stromal cell staining was absent or weak in the ventral prostate of intact rats, but was more evident in the epididymis. AR was confined to nuclei of cells within and bordering the interstitial compartment of the testis, including Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and interstitial cells, and was undetectable in germ cells. Submaxillary gland epithelial cells and a population of rat anterior pituitary cells showed strong nuclear staining of AR. In rat brain, AR was present in the medial preoptic, arcurate, and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus, the medial nucleus of the amygdala, the CA-1 hippocampus, and the cortex. AR was prominent in acinar epithelial cells in human benign prostatic hyperplasia and was also present in stroma of fibromuscular benign hyperplasia. Heterogeneous staining was observed in stromal and epithelial cells of prostatic adenocarcinoma. The results of these studies indicate that AR can be detected immunohistochemically in a variety of tissues and cell types using antipeptide polyclonal antibodies. The presence of AR in tissues correlated with their known androgen responsiveness.