Thapsigargin discharges intracellular calcium stores and induces transmembrane currents in human endothelial cells

We have measured the effects of thapsigargin, a specific inhibitor of endoplasmic Ca²⁺-adenosine 5-triphosphatase (Ca²⁺-ATPase), on membrane currents and on the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) in single endothelial cells from the human umbilical cord vein. Currents were recorded by means of the patchclamp technique in the whole-cell mode and [Ca²⁺]_i was measured using Fura II. Application of thapsigargin at concentrations between 0.2 and 2 mol/l induced a slow increase in [Ca²⁺]_i to a peak value of 400±110 nmol/l above a resting level of 120±35 nmol/l, and then slowly declined to a new steady-state level of 315±90 nmol/l (n=33). The thapsigargin-induced increase in [Ca²⁺]_i depended on the extracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_o: it declined after removal of extracellular Ca²⁺, but increased again when [Ca²⁺]_o was augmented, indicating that the response depends on a transmembrane influx of Ca²⁺ ions. The peak amplitude of the histamine-induced Ca²⁺ transient was reduced in the presence of thapsigargin. This reduction was more pronounced when histamine was applied at the peak of the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i induced by thapsigargin than during the rising phase of the changes in [Ca²⁺]_i. The decline of the Ca²⁺ transient induced by histamine after washing out the agonist was also affected by thapsigargin. Before application of thapsigargin, this decline could be described by a single exponential with a time constant equal to 24.5±5 s (n=7). In the presence of thapsigargin, the decline was much slower (n =8 cells), although in four cells a fraction of about 23% still exchanged with a similar fast value of 29.4±4 s. Thapsigargin also induced a slowly developing inward current in endothelial cells at a holding potential of –40 mV. Voltage ramps applied before and during the development of this current indicated that a non-selective cation channel with a reversal potential near 0 mV was activated. In contrast with the Ca²⁺ transients, these currents did not show a declining phase. These results indicate that inhibition of the endoplasmic Ca²⁺ pump in endothelial cells increases [Ca²⁺]_i. The tonic component of this increase might be partly due to opening of non-selective Ca²⁺-permeable cation channels activated by depletion of intracellular stores.     

Influence of extracellular bicarbonate on the short-circuit current and intracellular free calcium of human cultured sweat duct cells.

Transepithelial short-circuit current (Iscc) and intracellular free Ca2+ (Ca2+i) was studied in monolayers of cultured human sweat duct cells (CSDCs) in the presence or absence of HCO3- (and CO2) in the bathing solutions. Addition of HCO3- (and CO2) increased the control Iscc by more than 50%. The effect of HCO3- (and CO2) on Iscc was confined to the serosal bath. The HCO3- (and CO2) effect was also studied during stimulation with the cholinergic agonist methacholine (MCh), which in CSDC induces a complex response consisting of an initial Iscc and Ca2+i spike, which is independent of extracellular Ca2+, followed by regular Iscc and Ca2+i oscillations, which are absent during Ca(2+)-free bathing conditions. The sustained Iscc and Ca2+i oscillations, but not the initial Iscc and Ca2+i spike were abolished by the removal of extracellular HCO3- (and CO2). It is concluded that the Ca2+ influx and the Iscc in CSDCs are critically influenced by the presence of extracellular HCO3- (and CO2) in the bathing solutions.     

Bradykinin and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-stimulated calcium release from intracellular stores in cultured bovine endothelial cells

The relative importance of intracellular and extracellular Ca²⁺ in the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and the mechanisms involved in the release of intracellular Ca²⁺ were investigated in cultured bovine endothelial cells. The release of EDRF by bradykinin, determined by bioassay, was dose-dependent showing an EC₅₀ of 4×10^–10 M. The bradykinin-induced EDRF release from endothelial cells was maintained in the presence of extracellular Ca²⁺. However, in the absence of external Ca²⁺, bradykinin-induced EDRF release was both attenuated and transient. In cells loaded to isotopic equilibrium with⁴⁵Ca, bradykinin increased the⁴⁵Ca efflux into both calcium-containing and calcium-free solutions, with an EC₅₀ for the increase in⁴⁵Ca efflux induced by bradykinin of 1.3×10^–9 M. The involvement of an intracellular Ca²⁺ store and the participation of a second messenger in its release were investigated in saponin-permeabilized endothelial cells. In saponin-permeabilized cells, ATP-sensitive calcium uptake was Ca²⁺,Mg²⁺-ATPase-dependent. The ATP-sensitive uptake of calcium at different free Ca²⁺ concentrations showed at least two compartments involved in the uptake of Ca²⁺. The⁴⁵Ca uptake into the compartment with the lowest affinity and highest capacity could be inhibited by sodium azide, suggesting that this uptake was into mitochondria. The majority of the⁴⁵Ca uptake into the azide-insensitive store could be released by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃). The IP₃-induced release was not affected by apyrase or exogenous GTP. The EC₅₀ for the release of Ca²⁺ by IP₃ was 1.0 M and was unaffected by an inhibitor of IP₃ breakdown (2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid). The results suggest that the release of EDRF is dependent on extracellular Ca²⁺ influx and the release of intracellular Ca²⁺. The release of calcium from one of the high affinity intracellular Ca²⁺ stores is mediated by the intracellular second messenger, IP₃.     

胰淀素对大鼠胰岛素分泌细胞储钙释放的抑制作

目的: 研究胰淀素抑制大鼠胰岛素(Ins)分泌的细胞内储钙释放的作用。方法: 以体外培养的新生SD大鼠胰岛单层细胞作模型,应用敏感特异的Ca²⁺荧光探针和ACAS 570粘附细胞仪, 加入鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂亚甲蓝后, 观察胰淀素抑制Ins分泌时的细胞内游离Ca²⁺变化的机制。结果: 10 μmol/L胰淀素作用的胰岛β细胞, 给予鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂亚甲蓝(300 mg/L)处理后, 在16.7 mmol/L葡萄糖刺激下, [Ca²⁺]_i荧光强度的升高在100 s内达至基线的200%, 升高速度为20×10^-3/s, 与亚甲蓝作用前相比, 荧光强度的升高有显著差异(P<0.01), 表现出一定程度的抑制作用。结论: 高浓度胰淀素作用后, β细胞对高糖刺激下[Ca²⁺]_i浓度的降低, 其机制可能与细胞内三磷酸肌醇受体(IP3R)敏感钙池释放钙离子受到抑制有一定关系。     

HSPgp96诱导巨噬细胞呼吸爆发与细胞内外游离钙关系的研究

目的：探讨从小鼠H₂₂肝癌细胞中提纯的热休克蛋白gp96（HSPgp96）对小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞（PEMφ）呼吸爆发的影响及其与细胞内外游离钙的关系。方法：(1)用亲和层析和离子交换层析等方法从小鼠H₂₂肝癌细胞中获得纯化的HSPgp96。(2)用细胞内过氧化物荧光探针H₂DCF-DA监测HSPgp96作用于小鼠PEMφ过程中，单个细胞活性氧（ROS）信号的变化,反映PEMφ内呼吸爆发时的变化过程；用荧光探针Fluo-3/AM监测HSPgp96作用于小鼠PEMφ过程中，单个细胞内钙离子（［Ca2+］_i）信号的变化。(3)使用细胞膜和细胞内钙通道抑制剂及钙离子载体后，再观察HSPgp96作用后ROS信号的变化。结果：(1)加入HSPgp96后PEMφ内Fluo-3荧光强度立即上升，70s时增幅达161.05%±50.99%；当分别阻断细胞外钙内流、抑制细胞内钙库释放功能后110s增幅分别为84.81%±29.52%和46.21%±17.24%。同时阻断胞内外钙作用，HSPgp96这一诱发功能明显被抑制。加入钙离子载体后可见细胞内荧光强度迅速增强，于110 s时达156.98%±45.83%，随后迅速下降。(2)小鼠PEMφ受HSPgp96刺激后表征ROS的荧光强度立即上升，620 s达基础荧光值的636.78%±82.02%，随后始终维持在高水平。当分别阻断细胞外钙内流、抑制细胞内钙库释放功能后，再加入HSPgp96后细胞内ROS荧光值上升幅度较小。同时阻断了胞内外钙作用后，HSPgp96刺激后ROS荧光值上升没有明显高峰出现。结论：HSPgp96作用于小鼠PEMφ后，促进了细胞外钙内流并使细胞内钙库释钙，这是HSPgp96诱发细胞内活性氧增加的基本机制。     

虎杖甙对正常人血管平滑肌细胞内钙和膜电位的调节作用

目的和方法：观察虎杖甙（ＰＤ）对人脐带动脉平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）内游离钙、细胞膜电位的变化,以探讨ＰＤ对血管平滑肌的调节机制。用Ｆｌｕｏ－３－ＡＭ、ＤｉＢＡＣ４（３）标记培养的ＶＳＭＣ,在激光共聚焦显微镜上测定细胞内游离钙和膜电位变化。结果：给ＰＤ（０５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）１０ｍｉｎ后,ＶＳＭＣ内游离钙浓度升高５６％±５６％。当ＰＤ加入前用维拉帕米和ＥＧＴＡ预处理后,则游离钙不再升高;ＥＧＴＡ和肝素预处理也抑制ＰＤ的升钙作用,而ＥＧＴＡ和普鲁卡因预处理则使细胞内钙显著升高。ＰＤ还可使ＶＳＭＣ膜电位去极化,加入钠通道阻断剂河豚毒素（２５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可完全阻断ＰＤ的去极化作用：加甲氰咪胍、维拉帕米、优降糖和利及丁预处理不能阻断ＰＤ去极化作用。结论：：ＰＤ可通过细胞外钙内流来增加细胞内游离钙浓度,并促进细胞外钠离子内流而导致细胞去极化     

内皮素-1对培养鼠肝星状细胞内游离钙的影响

目的：观察内皮素-1（ET-1）对培养肝星状细胞（HSC）的胞内钙[Ca²⁺]_i的影响。方法：分离培养大鼠HSC，采用Fura-2/AM钙荧光指示剂测定HSC细胞内Ca²⁺浓度，并观察ET-1对其影响。结果：ET-1在很短时间内即可明显提高HSC细胞内Ca²⁺浓度（P<0.01）。并且在无细胞外液Ca²⁺情况下，亦可提高[Ca²⁺]_i，有明显的量效关系（P<0.05，P<0.01）。同时，维拉帕米对ET-1的上述作用具有显著的抑制作用（P<0.05）。结论：ET-1的促肝纤维化作用可能是通过[Ca²⁺]_i运转而产生的。     

Oxytocin does not induce a rise in intracellular free calcium in human breast cancer cells.

Research suggests that oxytocin acts as a growth modulating agent for breast cancer cells. However, the signaling mechanisms responsible for these modulatory effects have not been fully elucidated. In the physiological setting oxytocin is known to stimulate contraction of myometrial cells in the uterus and myoepithelial cells in the breast by increasing intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i). The expression of oxytocin receptor mRNA in T-47D breast cancer cells, and four additional breast cancer cell lines (BT-549, MCF-7, MDA-MB- 231, ZR-75-1), was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Oxytocin-induced changes in [Ca2+]i in indo-1 AM loaded T-47D breast cancer cells were monitored using flow cytometric analysis. In this cell line, oxytocin (0, 1, 10, 100, and 1,000 nM) did not induce a dose-dependent increase in the mean 405 nm/485 nm emission ratio. These results indicate that oxytocin signaling in T-47D breast cancer cells does not appear to involve an increase in [Ca2+]i.     

尼可地尔降低血管平滑肌细胞内ATP诱导的游离钙浓度

目的：探讨尼可地尔对血管平滑肌细胞内游离钙（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）的影响及机理。方法：培养的兔主动脉平滑肌细胞加入Ｆｕｒａ－２ＡＭ２５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ,在３７℃下孵育５０ｍｉｎ,［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ用荧光分光光度计检测。结果：ＡＴＰ（０１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）诱导的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ峰相和持续相增加可被尼可地尔抑制,且呈剂量依赖性,尼可地尔（１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的抑制作用可被优降糖（１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）完全阻断（峰相：５３０±３１ｖｓ５４４±４１ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ,持续相：３７０±１９ｖｓ３８１±１１ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ,Ｐ＞００５）;在无钙溶液中,先给尼可地尔能显著抑制ＡＴＰ诱导的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ峰相增加。结论：尼可地尔抑制ＡＴＰ诱导的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增加,可能与减少细胞外钙内流及细胞内钙释放有关。     

Ammonium triggers calcium elevation in cultured mouse microglial cells by initiating Ca2+ release from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular stores

Microglial cells are thought to serve as sensors for pathologic events in the brain. In the present study we demonstrate that these cells respond with an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) to intracellular alkaline shifts induced by either application of NH3/NH4+ or by an extracellular alkaline shift. The cytoplasmic pH (pHi) and [Ca2+]i in cultured mouse microglial cells were studied employing the fluorescent probes BCECF and fura-2, respectively. Application of NH3/NH4+ caused an initial rapid alkalinization followed by a slow recovery towards the resting level, while application of alkaline (pH 8.2) solution triggered a slower rise in pHi. The [Ca2+]i elevation triggered by NH3/NH4+ and extracellular alkaline shift were caused by different mechanisms: extracellular alkalinization induced a transmembrane Ca2+ entry, whereas NH3/NH4+ triggered Ca2+ release from thapsigargin- and ATP-sensitive intracellular pools. The mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ caused by NH3/NH4+ was blocked by a specific inhibitor of phospholipase C, U-73122, but was not affected by an inhibitor of G-protein, pertussis toxin. This implies that NH3/NH4 interacts with phospholipase C and leads to an increase in the intracellular level of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). In contrast to a previous study using a microglial cell line, application of NH3/NH4+ did not result in a release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), a marker of microglial activation, in the primary microglial cells. This implies that ammonium does not lead to activation of microglia in the culture model.     

BDNF-Induced potentiation of spontaneous twitching in innervated myocytes requires calcium release from intracellular stores

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can potentiate synaptic release at newly developed frog neuromuscular junctions. Although this potentiation depends on extracellular Ca(2+) and reflects changes in acetylcholine release, little is known about the intracellular transduction or calcium signaling pathways. We have developed a video assay for neurotrophin-induced potentiation of myocyte twitching as a measure of potentiation of synaptic activity. We use this assay to show that BDNF-induced synaptic potentiation is not blocked by cadmium, indicating that Ca(2+) influx through voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels is not required. TrkB autophosphorylation is not blocked in Ca(2+)-free conditions, indicating that TrkB activity is not Ca(2+) dependent. Additionally, an inhibitor of phospholipase C interferes with BDNF-induced potentiation. These results suggest that activation of the TrkB receptor activates phospholipase C to initiate intracellular Ca(2+) release from stores which subsequently potentiates transmitter release.     

Depolarization-induced increases in intracellular free calcium detected in single cultured neuronal cells

Microspectrofluorometry was used to examine intracellular free calcium changes in single NG108-15 neurons loaded with the Ca2+ sensitive probe, quin2. The changes in intracellular free Ca2+ were induced either by depolarizing cells with high K+ or veratridine or by the addition of ionomycin. Ca2+-free medium and various inorganic and organic calcium-channel blocking agents blocked changes in intracellular free Ca2+ levels, indicating that Ca2+ entry is most likely through voltage-sensitive calcium channels.     

Effect of hyperglycemia on the basal cytosolic free calcium level,calcium signal and tyrosine-phosphorylation in human T-cells

In this study, we investigated the effect of in vitro hyperglycemia on the function of human T-cells (Jurkat cells). Hyperglycemic conditions caused concentration-dependent elevation of basal cytosolic free calcium level and reduced calcium signal (activation capacity), either after ionomycin or monoclonal anti-CD3 antibody treatments. Similar changes were observed if cells were treated with the calcineurin inhibitor Cyclosporin-A. We found that tyrosine-phosphorylation after anti-CD3 treatment was also impaired. High glucose concentrations in the tissue culture medium are also associated with increased non-enzymatic glycation of T-cell proteins. We propose that the increased glycation of proteins involved in calcium transport and/or intracellular signal transduction in T-cells accounts for the abnormal calcium sequestration and calcium mediated signal transduction.     

缺氧对培养的猪肺动脉内皮细胞胞浆游离钙的影响

本文应用荧光探针Fura-2/AM测定胞浆游离钙浓度([Ca~(2+)]i)技术,观察培养的猪肺动脉内皮细胞[Ca~(2+)]i在缺氧时变化。实验发现:向细胞悬液中充氮气造成缺氧时,肺动脉内皮细胞[Ca~(2+)]i升高81±21%(P<0.05,n=8)。结果提示肺动脉内皮细胞钙信使系统可能参与缺氧所致血管反应。     

Subcellular gradients of intracellular free calcium concentration in isolated lacrimal acinar cells

The spatial distribution of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was measured in small clusters of isolated rat lacrimal acinar cells by imaging the fluorescence of the Ca²⁺-sensitive dye fura-2. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh) caused an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, due to release of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, which was maximal at the luminal pole of the cell. In contrast, the organellar Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-hydroquinone caused an increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, which was most marked in the basolateral region of the cell. When the cells were stimulated with ACh in a medium containing Ca²⁺, the gradients of [Ca²⁺]_i (with [Ca²⁺]_i most elevated at the luminal pole) were maintained for the duration of agonist stimulation. The possible implications of these results concerning the location and identity of intracellular Ca²⁺ stores, and the location of the sites that underlie agonist-stimulated Ca²⁺ influx, are considered. In particular, it seems likely that intracellular inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP₃) binding sites may be concentrated in the luminal region of the cell. It is not clear, however, whether this implies that there is a distinct luminally located InsP ₃-sensitive organelle.     

The relationship between free cytosolic calcium and amylase release in rat pancreatic acini

We have studied the effects of various pancreatic secretagogues on free cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and amylase release in dispersed rat pancreatic acini, to determine the role of [Ca2+]i in stimulated enzyme secretion from the exocrine pancreas. Dispersed rat pancreatic acini were loaded with the new Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator, fura-2. Resting [Ca2+]i was 110 +/- 2 nM (a mean +/- S.E.). Carbachol, caerulein, bombesin, and neuromedin B and C each caused a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i; maximal increases of 100 to 400-500 nM were reached within 20s following the secretagogue addition, and this was followed by a return to a lower sustained level within 2 min. When enzyme secretion from the acini was monitored as a function of time using a perifusion system, secretagogue-induced amylase release took a biphasic pattern consisting of an initial burst phase for a several minutes and a second sustained phase during stimulation. Although sustained amylase secretion occurred at near resting [Ca2+]i, the peak [Ca2+]i correlated with the amount of stimulated amylase release as well as with the initial release, during submaximal and maximal stimulation by these agents. At supramaximal concentrations of carbachol and caerulein, amylase release, but not the increase in [Ca2+]i, was attenuated. On the other hand, in response to supramaximal concentrations of bombesin, and neuromedin B and C, both the amount of amylase released and the peak [Ca2+]i were similar to those obtained in response to maximal concentrations. From a standpoint of time course analysis of enzyme secretion, both the first burst phase and the second sustained phase were inhibited during stimulation by 10(-3) M carbachol, compared with 10(-5) M carbachol, while supramaximal stimulation by neuromedin C caused a pattern of amylase release similar to that produced by maximal stimulation. These data suggest that in pancreatic acinar cells an increase in [Ca2+]i plays an important role in stimulus-secretion coupling; however, other factors may be indispensable in regulating enzyme secretion. Furthermore, it is suggested that there is a difference in the intracellular messenger system between carbachol and caerulein, and neurotransmitters belonging to the bombesin family, especially during supramaximal stimulations.     

Footprint- and xeno-free human iPSCs derived from urine cells using extracellular matrix-based culture conditions

The efficient generation of integration- and xeno-free iPSCs is a prerequisite for their use in clinical applications. Furthermore, non-invasiveness of somatic cell acquisition for iPSC generation is another factor to consider. In this study, we established a practical, simple, and convenient method to generate integration- and xeno-free iPSCs from urine cells which can be obtained in a non-invasive manner. Our method was based on extracellular matrix-based xeno-free iPSC culture condition and episomal transfection, and worked efficiently with both urine cells and adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs). To obtain strictly xeno-free iPSCs, we also formulated a new xeno-free culture medium for primary urine cells. Intriguingly, urine cells displayed slower growth, and more dramatic increase in apoptosis at high passage numbers than ADSCs. However, urine cells at low passage (<P3) displayed modest apoptosis (∼7–8%) and relatively high (∼0.29%) efficiency of iPSC generation.     

Cytosolic free calcium is essential for immunoglobulin G-stimulated intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human monocytes.

Earlier studies have shown that the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human monocytes requires continuous stimulation by serum factors, e.g., immunoglobulin G (IgG). In the present study, we demonstrate that IgG, at concentrations that stimulate the intracellular killing of S. aureus, induces a transient increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in monocytes. The Ca2+ ionophores A23187 and ionomycin stimulate the killing process as efficiently as IgG does and initiate O2- production in resting monocytes but not in monocytes containing bacteria. The Ca2+ ionophore-stimulated killing process was markedly inhibited by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium bisulfate, which indicates that these ionophores stimulate oxygen-dependent bactericidal mechanisms. Reduction of the [Ca2+]i to values below 1 nM, obtained by loading monocytes with MAPT/AM (1,2-bis-5-methyl-aminophenoxylethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetoxymet hyl acetate) in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, rendered the cells unresponsive to IgG or Ca2+ ionophore stimulation of the intracellular killing of S. aureus, but the response could be restored by reincubating these cells in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. It is concluded that cytosolic free Ca2+ is essential for the IgG-stimulated intracellular killing of S. aureus by human monocytes.