Human cardiac beta1- or beta2-adrenergic receptor stimulation and the negative chronotropic effect of low-dose pirenzepine

OBJECTIVES: The M1-muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine in low doses (<1 mg intravenously) decreases heart rate. We investigated whether these effects of pirenzepine differ in volunteers with activated cardiac beta1-adrenergic receptors versus activated cardiac beta2-adrenergic receptors. METHODS: In 17 male volunteers (25 +/- 1 years) we studied effects of pirenzepine infusion (0.5 mg intravenous bolus followed by continuous infusion of 0.15 microg/kg/min) on heart rate and heart rate-corrected duration of electromechanical systole (QS2c, as a measure of inotropism) that had been stimulated by activation of cardiac beta1-adrenergic receptors (bicycle exercise in the supine position for 60 minutes at 25 W) or cardiac beta2-adrenergic receptors (continuous intravenous infusion of 100 ng/kg/min terbutaline). RESULTS: Bicycle exercise and terbutaline infusion significantly increased heart rate and shortened QS2c. When pirenzepine was infused 20 minutes after the beginning of the exercise or terbutaline infusion, heart rate decreased in both settings by approximately the same extent (approximately -10 to -14 beats/min), although exercise and terbutaline infusion continued; however, QS2c was not affected. Pirenzepine (0.05 to 1 mg intravenous bolus)-induced decrease in heart rate was abolished after 6 days of transdermal scopolamine treatment of volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose pirenzepine decreased heart rate by muscarinic receptor stimulation, because this was blocked by scopolamine. Moreover, low-dose pirenzepine did not differentiate between cardiac beta1- or beta2-adrenergic receptor stimulation; however, low-dose pirenzepine did not affect cardiac contractility as measured by QS2c. Low-dose pirenzepine therefore exerted a unique pattern of action in the human heart: it decreased heart rate (basal and beta1- and/or beta2-adrenergic receptor-stimulated) without affecting contractility.     

Tonic inhibitory role for cAMP in alpha(1a)-adrenergic receptor coupling to extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2

alpha(1a)-Adrenergic receptors (ARs) couple to phosphoinositide hydrolysis, adenylyl cyclase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, the interaction among these signaling pathways in activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is not well understood. We investigated the coupling of alpha(1a)-ARs to ERK1/2 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells stably transfected with mouse alpha(1a)-ARs, as well as the interaction between ERK1/2 and norepinephrine-induced cAMP accumulation. alpha(1a)-AR activation by norepinephrine increased the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration and phosphorylated ERK1/2 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was blocked by the MAPK kinase 1/2 inhibitor 2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone (PD 98059) and the alpha(1)-AR antagonist prazosin. A transient elevation in intracellular Ca(2+) was required for the phosphorylation of ERK1/2; however, activation of protein kinase C did not seem to be required for ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Norepinephrine also stimulated cAMP accumulation in transfected CHO-K1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner via alpha(1a)-ARs, which was blocked by the Ca(2+) chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. Norepinephrine-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was inhibited by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin and was enhanced by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purine-6-amine (SQ 22536) and the protein kinase A inhibitor 4-cyano-3-methylisoquinoline. In conclusion, in transfected CHO-K1 cells, alpha(1a)-AR activation activates both phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase-mediated signaling pathways. alpha(1a)-AR-mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation was dependent on a rise in intracellular Ca(2+), and this pathway was reciprocally regulated by the concomitant activation of adenylyl cyclase, which inhibits ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Thus, alpha(1a)-AR stimulation of cAMP production may play an important role in regulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation in cell lines and native tissues.     

Coupling efficiencies of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors expressed alone or together in transfected GH3 pituitary cells.

The relationship between rat beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptors (ARs) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) responses was examined by inducible expression of each subtype in transfected GH(3) pituitary cells. Increasing expression of beta(1)- or beta(2)-ARs in stably transfected subclones increased basal cAMP, increased the potency of isoproterenol in stimulating cAMP formation, but did not change the maximal response. A linear relationship was observed between log B(max) and -log EC(50) for isoproterenol, with no significant differences between beta(1)- and beta(2)-ARs. When both subtypes were coexpressed at different densities and ratios, pharmacological analysis showed that both selective and nonselective agonists exerted their effects at least partially through both subtypes. Either subtype alone activated a maximal response when the other subtype was blocked, indicating a complete redundancy in coupling. Agonists could activate responses through either subtype, with responses mediated primarily through the subtype where the agonist was most potent. The nonselective agonist isoproterenol had similar potencies for activating both subtypes; however, the density and ratio of subtypes affected the relative potencies of the selective agonists norepinephrine and zinterol. We conclude that beta(1)- and beta(2)-ARs have similar coupling efficiencies in GH(3) cells, these efficiencies are not altered by coexpression of another subtype, they couple redundantly to cAMP formation, and the relative densities of beta(1)- and beta(2)-ARs control the potencies of selective agonists.     

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the beta2-adrenergic receptor to donor hearts enhances cardiac function.

Gene transfer to modify donor heart function during transplantation has significant therapeutic implications. Recent studies by our laboratory in transgenic mice have shown that overexpression of beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2-ARs) leads to significantly enhanced cardiac function. Thus, we investigated the functional consequences of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of the human beta2-AR in a rat heterotopic heart transplant model. Donor hearts received 1 ml of solution containing 1 x 1010 p.f.u. of adenovirus encoding the beta2-AR or an empty adenovirus as a control. Five days after transplantation, basal left ventricular (LV) pressure was measured using an isolated, isovolumic heart perfusion apparatus. A subset of hearts was stimulated with the beta2-AR agonist, zinterol. Treatment with the beta2-AR virus resulted in global myocardial gene transfer with a six-fold increase in mean beta-AR density which corresponded to a significant increase in basal contractility (LV + dP/dtmax, control: 3152.1 +/- 286 versus beta2-AR, 6250.6* +/- 432.5 mmHg/s; n = 10, *P < 0.02). beta2-AR overexpressing hearts also had higher contractility after zinterol administration compared with control hearts. Our results indicate that myocardial function of the transplanted heart can be enhanced by the adenovirus-mediated delivery of beta2-ARs. Thus, genetic manipulation may offer a novel therapeutic strategy to improve donor heart function in the post- operative setting.     

Direct intra-cardiomuscular transfer of beta2-adrenergic receptor gene augments cardiac output in cardiomyopathic hamsters

In chronic heart failure, down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) occurs in cardiomyocytes, resulting in low catecholamine response and impaired cardiac function. To correct the irregularity in the beta-AR system, beta-AR gene was transduced in vivo into failing cardiomyocytes. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-based plasmid vector carrying human beta2-AR gene was injected into the left ventricular muscle of Bio14.6 cardiomyopathic hamsters whose beta-AR is down-regulated in the cardiomyocytes. The echocardiographic examinations revealed that stroke volume (SV) and cardiac output (CO) were significantly elevated at 2 to 4 days after the beta2-AR gene transfer. Systemic loading of isoproterenol increased the cardiac parameters more significantly on day 2 to day 7, indicating that the adrenergic response was augmented by the genetic transduction. The same procedure did not affect the cardiac function of normal hamsters. Immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated human beta2-AR expression in failing cardiomyocytes transduced with the gene. RT-PCR analysis detected mRNA for the transgene in the heart but not in the liver, spleen, or kidney. The procedures may provide a feasible strategy for gene therapy of severe heart failure. Gene Therapy (2000) 7, 2087-2093.     

Autoantibody against beta1-adrenergic receptor and left ventricular remodeling changes in response to metoprolol treatment

Autoantibodies specific for the beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) have been implicated in the pathology of congestive heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that the presence of autoantibodies against beta(1)-AR (anti-beta(1)-AR) is associated with left ventricular (LV) remodelling in response to metoprolol. Synthetic beta(1)-AR peptides served as the target antigen in an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were used to screen the sera of 106 CHF patients. Patients were separated into positive (+) anti-beta(1)-AR or negative (-) anti-beta(1)-AR groups according to their anti-beta(1)-AR reactivity. Echocardiography (ECG) was performed at baseline and after one year of metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for CHF, that is, digoxin, diuretics and an ACEI (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor). The dose of metoprolol was doubled on a biweekly basis up to 50 mg x 2 daily (b.i.d./day) or attainment of maximum tolerated dose. Ninety-six patients completed final data analysis. Fifty-four patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements than 42 patients with (-) anti-beta(1)-AR in LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 69 +/- 0.8 to 58.0 +/- 0.5 mm vs. 69.0 +/- 0.8-63.6 +/- 0.9 mm) and LVESD (left ventricular end-systolic dimension) (P < 0.01, from 57.1 +/- 1.4 to 43.9 +/- 0.8 mm vs. 56.2 +/- 0.9-48.6 +/- 1.0 mm), and LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) (P < 0.01, from 35.4 +/- 1.3 to 49.8 +/- 0.6% vs. 34.4 +/- 1.0-44.3 +/- 1.1%) by metoprolol therapy in combination with standard treatment regime for one year. Of the CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR, 65.4% responded to target metoprolol dose as compared to 21.4% of CHF patients without anti-beta(1)-AR (P < 0.01). Response to target metoprolol dose occurred more rapidly in (+) anti-beta(1)-AR than (-) anti-beta(1)-AR of CHF patients (67.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 100.8 +/- 3.0 days, P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that CHF patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR had greater improvements in LV remodelling and heart function by metoprolol as compared to (-) anti-beta(1)-AR patients. Moreover, patients with (+) anti-beta(1)-AR have better tolerance to metoprolol therapy than patients without anti-beta(1)-AR.     

Effects of milrinone on contractility and cyclic adenosine monophosphate production induced by beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptor activation in human myocardium

BACKGROUND: Because milrinone is a widely used phosphodiesterase-3 (PDE3) inhibitor, it would be of interest to know whether it interacts with beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists in human myocardium. OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study was conducted to test whether milrinone differentially regulates cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production and to examine the effect of milrinone on the positive inotropic responses and cAMP production induced by activation of the beta1-AR with norepinephrine (NE) and activation of the beta2-AR with epinephrine (EPI) in human atrial myocardium. METHODS: Right atrial trabeculae were obtained from patients undergoing cardiac surgery for valve repair. Concentration-response curves for inotropic responses mediated through the beta1-AR (NE in the presence of the beta2-blocker ICI 118, 551) and the beta2-AR (EPI in the presence of the beta1-blocker CGP 20712A) were obtained in the absence and presence of milrinone 1 micromol/L. This concentration of milrinone was chosen because it corresponded to its 50% inhibitory concentration as a PDE3 inhibitor and its therapeutic plasma concentration. The production of cAMP induced by exposure to selective beta1- and beta2-AR stimulation was also measured in the absence and presence of milrinone. RESULTS: Right atrial tissue samples were obtained from 12 white patients (7 women, 5 men; mean [SE] age, 64.6 [6.3] years) undergoing cardiac surgery for valve repair (8 mitral, 4 aortic). The presence of milrinone was associated with leftward shifts in the concentration-response curves for both NE and EPI. cAMP production in myocardial tissue samples in the presence of milrinone was increased only with NE induction (mean [SEM], 745.0 [136.7] pmol/g in the absence of milrinone vs 1620.5 [372.3] pmol/g in the presence of milrinone; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study in human atrial myocardium, milrinone potentiated the contractile responses to both NE and EPI. However, only the effect of NE on tissue levels of cAMP was increased in the presence of milrinone.     

Human beta2-adrenergic receptor gene haplotypes and venodilation in vivo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: beta2-Adrenergic receptors (beta2-ARs) are polymorphic. In vitro studies have shown that agonist-promoted down-regulation is enhanced for Arg16Gly and blunted for Gln27Glu beta2-AR variants; Thr164Ile beta2-ARs exhibit reduced responsiveness to agonist stimulation. Our objective was to determine whether beta2-AR polymorphisms affect beta2-AR-mediated venodilation in healthy subjects in vivo. METHODS: We studied dilation of phenylephrine-preconstricted dorsal hand veins induced by terbutaline (50-1000 ng/min) using the Aellig hand vein technique in subjects homozygous for the 3 most common beta2-AR haplotypes (group A, Arg16Gln27Thr164 [wild type (WT)] [n = 10]; group B, Gly16Gln27Thr164 [n = 8]; and group C, Gly16Glu27Thr164 [n = 9]) and in 8 subjects heterozygous for Thr164Ile beta2-AR (group D) at baseline and after 2 weeks of treatment with oral terbutaline, 5 mg 3 times daily. RESULTS: Terbutaline dose-dependently dilated hand veins; sensitivity to terbutaline was 2-fold higher in haplotype group A versus group B or C; maximal dilation, however, was not haplotype-dependent. In Thr164Ile subjects terbutaline sensitivity but not maximal dilation was 4-fold lower than in WT subjects. Long-term terbutaline treatment desensitized venous beta2-AR in a haplotype-dependent manner: The extent of desensitization (reduction in maximal venodilation) was largest for haplotype A, modest for haplotype B, and almost absent for haplotype C. Long-term terbutaline treatment also desensitized venous Thr164Ile beta2-AR; after terbutaline treatment, dose-response curves for terbutaline-induced venodilation were superimposable in WT and Thr164Ile beta2-AR subjects. CONCLUSION: beta2-AR-mediated dilation of human hand veins is influenced by the 3 most common beta2-AR haplotypes and blunted in subjects heterozygous for Thr164Ile beta2-AR. Long-term terbutaline treatment desensitizes venous beta2-AR in a haplotype-dependent manner, with haplotype A (Arg16Gln27Thr164) showing greater desensitization than haplotype B (Gly16Gln27Thr164), which shows greater desensitization than haplotype C (Gly16Glu27Thr164).     

Opioid receptor types selectively cointernalize with G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 and 3.

Activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) may bring about their disappearance from the cell membrane, and it is commonly accepted that G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) play a key function in this mechanism. Opioid receptors belong to the family of GPCRs and are substrates of GRKs. We examined the fate of delta- and mu-opioid receptors and GRK2 and 3 in living cells during the process of receptor sequestration, using laser scanning microscopy. For visualization purposes, receptors and kinases were tagged at their respective C terminus with a fluorophore. The opioid receptors were fused to enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP), and the GRKs were linked to red fluorescence protein (DsRed). The cDNAs of these constructs served for transfection of human embryonic kidney 293 cells and neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15), respectively. We report that activation of delta-opioid-EGFP receptors triggers a rapid translocation of cytosolic GRK-DsRed toward the cell membrane, which in turn releases vesicles carrying both green fluorescent delta-receptors and red fluorescent GRKs. Phosducin, a Gbetagamma scavenger, completely prevents translocation of GRKs and the formation of vesicles. In analogous experiments with mu-opioid receptors fused to EGFP, we observed that receptor activation also discharges green fluorescent vesicles. In contrast to delta-receptors, mu-receptors failed to trigger accumulation of GRK2 or 3 at the membrane, and no cointernalization of mu-opioid receptors with GRK2 or 3 was observed. The results suggest that delta-opioid receptors, but not mu-receptors, cointernalize with GRK2 or 3.     

Enhanced cardiac L-type calcium current response to beta2-adrenergic stimulation in heart failure.

The beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR)-mediated increase in cardiac L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca,L)) has been documented in normal subjects. However, the role and mechanism of beta2-AR activation on I(Ca,L) in heart failure (HF) are unclear. Accordingly, we compared the effect of zinterol (ZIN), a highly selective beta2-AR agonist, on I(Ca,L) in isolated left ventricular cardiomyocytes obtained from normal control and age-matched rats with HF induced by left coronary artery ligation (4 months). I(Ca,L) was measured by using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. In normal myocytes, superfusion of ZIN (10(-5) M) caused a 21% increase in I(Ca,L) (9.21 +/- 0.24 versus 7.59 +/- 0.20 pA/pF) (p < 0.05). In HF myocytes, the same concentration of ZIN produced a significantly greater increase (30%) in I(Ca,L) (6.20 +/- 0.24 versus 4.75 +/- 0.17 pA/pF) (p < 0.01). This ZIN-induced increase in I(Ca,L) was further augmented in both normal and HF myocytes (normal: 59 versus 21%; HF: 71 versus 30%) after the incubation of myocytes with pertussis toxin (PTX, 2 microg/ml, 36 degrees C, 6 h). These effects were not modified by the incubation of myocytes with CGP-20712A (3 x 10(-7) M), a beta1-AR antagonist, but were abolished by pretreatment of myocytes with ICI-118551 (10(-7) M), a beta2-AR antagonist. In addition, all of the effects induced by ZIN were completely prevented in the presence of an inhibitory cAMP analog, Rp-cAMPS (100 microM, in the patch-pipette solution). In conclusion, beta2-AR activation stimulates L-type Ca2+ channels and increases I(Ca,L) in both normal and HF myocytes. In HF, beta2-AR activation-induced augmentation of I(Ca,L) was increased. These effects are likely to be mediated through a cAMP-dependent mechanism and coupled with both stimulatory G protein and PTX-sensitive G protein.     

Human beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms: no association with essential hypertension in black or white Americans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The most common polymorphisms of the human beta2-adrenergic receptor--Arg16-->Gly and Gln27-->Glu--are associated with alterations in beta2-adrenergic receptor responses, both in vitro and in vivo. beta2-Adrenergic receptor-mediated vascular responses are affected by ethnicity, blood pressure, and genotype. We tested the hypothesis that these two common beta2-adrenergic receptor genetic variants are associated with essential hypertension in black or white Americans. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a population-based case-control association study, the relationship between beta2-adrenergic receptor genotypes and hypertension was examined in 307 normotensive subjects (128 black and 179 white) and 356 hypertensive subjects (155 black and 201 white). A polymerase chain reaction-based single-stranded conformational polymorphism method with direct sequencing of the bands of interest was used to detect the two frequently occurring beta2-adrenergic receptor variants (Arg16-->Gly, Gln27-->Glu). RESULTS: No significant differences in the distributions of alleles and genotypes of the tested beta2-adrenergic receptor variants were found between normotensive and hypertensive groups from either black or white Americans (all P > .05). There was a marked interethnic difference in the frequency of the Gln27-->Glu beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphism in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. In normotensive white subjects, the variant Glu27 allele (35.2% versus 18.0%; P < .0001) and Glu27 homozygous genotype (14.0% versus 4.7%; P < .01) were more common than in black subjects. Similarly, in hypertensive white subjects, the variant Glu27 allele (35.8% versus 18.4%; P < .0001) and the Glu27 homozygous genotype (15.9% versus 2.6%; P < .0001) were more common than in black subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that although there are marked ethnic differences in their distribution, the common genetic polymorphisms of the human beta2-adrenergic receptor gene do not cosegregate with the presence of hypertension in either black or white Americans.     

慢性心力衰竭患者血清β1肾上腺素能受体自身抗体的浓度与心功能的相关性研究

目的 分析慢性心力衰竭(chronic heart failure,CHF)患者血清抗β1肾上腺素能受体(beta 1-adrenergic receptor,β1-AR)自身抗体浓度及其与患者心功能指标的相关性.方法 选择CHF患者78例,正常体检者82例作为对照组,测定抗β1-AR自身抗体浓度、左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF),进行6 min步行试验(six-minute walking test,6MWT)以评价患者心功能,并研究抗体浓度与心功能指标的相关性.结果 CHF患者抗β1-AR自身抗体浓度显著升高(P＜0.05),与走距(r=0.43,P＜0.05)及LVEF(r=0.51,P＜0.05)呈正相关.结论 CHF患者血清抗β1-AR自身抗体浓度的增高可能是患者心功能恶化的重要因素,该抗体浓度可协助判断CHF患者的心功能及预后.     

Regional myocardial tissue blood flow during sequential beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic blockade in cat hearts with acute ischaemia

beta-Adrenergic blockade was imposed on cats with ischaemic regions of the left ventricle produced by coronary artery occlusion. Ten animals first received a beta 1-blocking agent (atenolol) followed by a beta 2-blocking agent (IPS 339). In ten more animals this sequence was reversed. Combined blockade, obtained after both agents were administered, showed clear reduction of tissue blood flow in all areas of the ventricle, except for the central ischaemic zone. The flow reduction could be ascribed to bradycardia and reduced coronary perfusion pressure. By analysing the sequential changes it was evident that blockade of beta 1-adrenergic receptors was responsible for the haemodynamic changes, and the coronary vascular resistance rose so as to match the quantity of blood flow to the functional state of the ventricle. Blockade of beta 2-receptors by IPS 339, however, showed no evidence of coronary vasoconstriction but rather maintained vascular resistance at an unchanged level despite a weak beta 1-adrenergic blocking effect.     

Sensitization of human alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic venous responses by guanadrel sulfate

The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic venoconstriction in dorsal hand veins of normal subjects was determined by infusion of phenylephrine or clonidine. Oral administration of prazosin reduced the constriction response to phenylephrine but not to clonidine. Subjects were treated for 3 weeks in a randomized crossover design with placebo or guanadrel sulfate. Guanadrel reduced sympathetic tone (i.e., plasma norepinephrine and norepinephrine release rate), whereas venous responses to phenylephrine and clonidine were both augmented during guanadrel treatment. The effect on phenylephrine responses was primarily attributable to a decrease in the median effective concentration with a small increase in maximum response. Clonidine showed a markedly increased maximum response with a small increase in the median effective concentration. Platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors increased slightly but there was no change in the amount of platelet pertussis toxin substrate during guanadrel treatment. Thus reduction in sympathetic tone in normal young men results in increased venous responses to both alpha 1- and alpha 2-agonists.     

Characterization of high-affinity beta2-adrenergic receptor binding of (-)-[3H]-dihydroalprenolol to human polymorphonuclear cell particulates.

Human PMNs have well-described responses to beta-adrenergic catecholamines; these include elevation of cellular levels of cyclic AMP and inhibition of the release of lysosomal contents. Using the radioactive beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)-[3H]DHA in direct ligand-binding studies, we have identified and characterized beta-adrenergic receptors on particulate preparations of PMNs. These particulates bind DHA rapidly (t1/2 less than 1 min) and reversibly (t1/2 = 8 to 9 min). DHA binding is saturable and of high affinity (dissociation constant = 1 to 5 nM) and low capacity (870 +/- 128 receptors/cell, mean +/- S.D.) to a single class of binding sites. Competition for DHA binding sites by both beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists is stereoselective [(-)-isomers more potent that (+)-isomers]. The rank order of potency of adrenergic agents in such competition studies indicates that these receptors are of the beta2 type. Since PMNs can be obtained in high purity with relative ease, the combined use of pharmacologic and ligand-binding studies in PMNs provide a useful system for studying beta-adrenergic receptors and their function in human subjects.     

Effect of beta 2-adrenergic receptor stimulation on interleukin-18-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and cytokine production

beta-Adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists have been demonstrated to modulate the production of inflammatory mediators. Recent studies implied that beta 2-AR agonists might be useful for chronic inflammatory diseases caused by interleukin (IL)-18. In the present study, we found that norepinephrine, epinephrine, or isoproterenol down-regulated IL-18 (100 ng/ml)-induced intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression on monocytes in a dose-dependent manner (10(-8)-10(-4) M), but did not effect B7.1 and B7.2 expression after 24-h incubation. The modulatory effect of these catecholamines on ICAM-1 expression was antagonized by beta 2-AR antagonist, but not by alpha 1-, alpha 2-, or beta 1-AR antagonist. beta 2-AR-selective agonists salbutanol and terbutaline down-regulated IL-18-induced ICAM-1 expression on monocytes, but alpha 1-, alpha 2-, or beta1-AR agonist had no effect. In the same manner, salbutanol and terbutaline as well as norepinephrine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol regulated the IL-18-induced cytokine production, including IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interferon-gamma through the stimulation of beta 2-AR. Together with the previous finding that ICAM-1/lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 interaction plays a crucial role in the IL-18-initiated cytokine network, the present study strongly suggested that the stimulation of beta 2-AR inhibited the IL-18-activated cytokine cascade through the inhibitory effect on ICAM-1 expression, contributing to finding a new method for clinical treatment.     

Inhibition of beta(2)-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor endocytosis after depletion of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate.

Recent evidence supporting a role for phosphoinositides in the endocytosis of phospholipase C-coupled receptors has prompted an investigation of whether there exists a similar requirement for the internalization of adenylyl cyclase-linked receptors. When 1321N1 astrocytoma cells, which possess both muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs) that couple to phospholipase C and beta-adrenergic receptors (beta(2)-ARs) linked to adenylyl cyclase, were pretreated with wortmannin (WT) at a concentration known to inhibit phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity, the labeling of both phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) was reduced. Stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown by activation of mAChRs in WT-pretreated cells led to a further depletion of PIP(2). As previously demonstrated for SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma, inclusion of WT inhibited the endocytosis of mAChRs in 1321N1 cells by >85%. In contrast, the internalization of beta(2)-ARs was only partially ( approximately 30%) prevented. However, when the concentration of PIP(2) was further reduced by exposure of WT-pretreated 1321N1 cells to a muscarinic agonist, the endocytosis of beta(2)-ARs was substantially inhibited (>70%). Lower concentrations of WT (100 nM) that were sufficient to fully inhibit phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity had no effect on either phosphoinositide synthesis or receptor endocytosis. The results indicate that the agonist-induced endocytosis of an adenylyl cyclase-linked receptor such as the beta(2)-AR, like that of the phospholipase C-coupled mAChR, is dependent on the synthesis of phosphoinositides and, in particular, that of PIP(2).     

Interactions between variants in the beta3-adrenergic receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma2 genes and obesity

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported modest associations between measures of obesity and the Trp64-Arg variant of the beta3-adrenergic receptor (ADRbeta3) and the Pro12Ala variant of the peronisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma2. We hypothesized that these single gene variants may mark mutations that act through convergent pathways to produce synergistic effects on obesity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The sample included 453 subjects from 10 large Mexican-American families participating in the population-based San Antonio Family Heart Study. The effects of each gene variant singly and jointly were estimated as fixed effects using the measured genotype approach framework. Analyses were conditioned on the pedigree structures to account for the correlations among family members. Statistical significance was evaluated by the likelihood ratio test with adjustment for age, sex and diabetes status. RESULTS: The allele frequencies for the ADRbeta3 Trp64Arg and PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala variants were 18 and 12%, respectively. The ADRbeta3 variant was not significantly associated with any of the obesity-related traits, but subjects with the PPAR-gamma2 variant (n = 98) had significantly higher levels of lasting insulin (P = 0.03), leptin (P = 0.009), and waist circumference (P = 0.03) than those without. Subjects with the gene variants (n = 32) had significantly higher BMI, insulin, and leprtin levels than those with only the PPARgamma2 variant (n = 66) (P for interaction: 0.04, 0.02, and 0.01 for BMI, fasting insulin, and leptin, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that epistatic models with genes that have modest individual effects may be useful in understanding the genetic underpinnings of typical obesity in humans.     

Effects of beta 1- and beta 2-blockade on blood pressure and sympathetic responses to flight phobia stress

Cardiovascular and sympathoadrenal effects of short-term oral treatment with beta 1-blockade (atenolol, 50 mg, administered two times) and beta 2-blockade (ICI 118,551, 50 mg, administered three times) were compared with placebo during actual flying in subjects with flight phobia (n = 34). beta 1-Blockade lowered resting blood pressure and heart rate and prevented a heart rate response but not a blood pressure response to this psychologic stress. beta 2-Blockade minimally lowered resting heart rate and prevented a heart rate response, but it failed to lower resting blood pressure or blood pressure response to the stress. Plasma epinephrine increased with all three treatments and more with beta 1-blockade than with placebo. Plasma norepinephrine decreased with administration of beta 2-blockade. Thus neither beta 1- nor beta 2-blockade prevents an increase in blood pressure during acute flight phobia stress. Increased plasma epinephrine seems to be the sympathetic variable that is closest related to this increase in blood pressure. Norepinephrine may be less consistently related to the blood pressure rise during flight phobia stress as shown by the decrease in plasma norepinephrine with administration of beta 2-blockade.