Ca++ inhibition of isoproterenol responses in mammalian skeletal muscle

In noncontracting mouse hemidiaphragms incubated in modified Krebs-Ringer--bicarbonate buffer with 10 mM Ca++, isoproterenol-stimulated phosphorylase a formation, conversion of phosphorylase kinase to the activated form, elevation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios and increase in cyclic AMP concentrations were reduced 35 to 50% over the responses in buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++. In buffer with 10 mM Ca++, the initial rate of isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was 59% of that in buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++. The inhibitory action of Ca++ on cyclic AMP accumulation was antagonized by verapamil, but not by inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. In buffer with 2.5 mM Ca++, isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was inhibited by A23187 and caffeine, agents that can increase intracellular Ca++ concentrations. In addition to Ca++, high concentrations of Co++, Ni++, Mn++ and, to a lesser extent, Sr++ inhibited the isoproterenol response. The results of these studies indicate that high buffer Ca++ concentrations inhibit the response of the glycogenolytic pathway to isoproterenol by an action on cyclic AMP formation. We propose that the site of the inhibitory action of Ca++ is the divalent metal activator site associated with hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.     

Frequency modulation of the inotropic action of isoproterenol in mouse heart

In mouse right ventricular strips, field-stimulated to contract isometrically in an oxygenated bicarbonate-buffered physiological salt solution at 22--24 degrees C, the EC50 for the inotropic action of isoproterenol decreased from 37 nM in muscles stimulated at 0.2 Hz to 5 nM in muscles stimulated at 3.3 Hz. At higher rates of contraction, there was also an increased sensitivity to the inotropic actions of norepinephrine and epinephrine but not to those of Ca++ and N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Increasing the Ca++ concentration further decreased the EC50 for isoproterenol at 3.3 Hz but had no effect on the EC50 at 0.2 Hz. The leftward shift of the contractile response curve at 3.3 Hz was inhibited by verapamil (0.6 microM) and Mn++ (0.25 mM). The stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation was approximately 6-fold more sensitive to isoproterenol at 3.3 than at 0.2 Hz, but isoproterenol increased contractile force at concentrations two orders of magnitude lower than those that significantly increased cyclic AMP accumulation. Inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity further increased the sensitivity to the inotropic actions of isoproterenol but did not attenuate the frequency difference. The results indicate that isoproterenol-stimulated Ca++ influx through the slow channel plays an important role in the mechanism of the increased sensitivity to the inotropic action of isoproterenol found at higher frequencies of contraction. Although cyclic AMP accumulation was also frequency dependent, its role in the inotropic action of isoproterenol in mouse heart is not clear.     

Effects of contractile activity on muscle damage in the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse.

1. Isolated extensor digitorum longus muscles from control C57BL/10 and mutant dystrophin-deficient C57BL/10 mdx mice have been studied in vitro to determine whether dystrophin deficiency influences the susceptibility of muscle to contractile activity-induced damage. 2. mdx muscles were found to release reduced amounts of intracellular creatine kinase compared with control tissue in response to excessive contractile activity with or without simultaneous stretching of the muscle to 130% of its resting length. 3. In contrast, prostaglandin E2 release from mdx muscle was elevated compared with control tissue in response to either form of contractile activity or to treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187. 4. These results do not support the hypothesis that dystrophin-deficient muscle is more susceptible to damage induced by contractile activity, but suggest that dystrophin deficiency influences the activity of muscle membrane phospholipase enzymes.     

Adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis in rat liver after cholestasis. Modulation of the balance between alpha 1 and beta 2 receptors.

The effects of extrahepatic cholestasis upon adrenergic regulation of glycogenolysis and upon the numbers of adrenoceptors in rat liver were studied using isolated hepatocytes and plasma membranes, respectively. A 60% decrease in the number of alpha 1 adrenoceptors (285 vs. 680 fmol/mg protein) and a simultaneous 2.7-fold increase in the number of beta adrenergic sites (67 vs. 25 fmol/mg protein) were observed beginning 36 h after bile flow obstruction and persisted for at least 68 h. The reciprocal modification of the numbers of alpha 1 and beta adrenoceptors was accompanied by a change in the manner of stimulation of glycogen phosphorylase by catecholamines in hepatocytes; originally alpha 1 adrenergic in normal rats (phenylephrine Ka = 0.9 microM, isoproterenol Ka = 7.1 microM), the stimulation became predominantly beta adrenergic in cholestatic animals (phenylephrine Ka = 3.7 microM, isoproterenol Ka = 0.06 microM). In normal rats, activation of the enzyme by epinephrine was inhibited by the alpha blocker phentolamine, without inhibition by the beta blocker propranolol. In contrast, propranolol was more effective than phentolamine in cholestatic rat hepatocytes. Modification of the regulation of glycogenolysis after cholestasis did not seem to be secondary to an alteration in the metabolism of thyroid hormones or in the action of glucocorticoids. However, cholestasis provoked a 10-fold increase in the number of hepatic mitoses and in the incorporation of thymidine into liver DNA of cholestatic animals. Similar changes were observed in regenerating livers, following two-thirds hepatectomy. We propose that the changes following extrahepatic cholestasis might, as well, be explained by a regenerative process.     

Subtype-selective regulation of beta adrenergic receptor-adenylyl cyclase coupling by phorbol esters in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts

To study the epigenetic regulation of beta adrenergic receptor subtypes, we examined the effects of phorbol esters on beta adrenergic receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, which express both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor subtypes. Pretreatment of intact 3T3-L1 cells with the protein kinase C activator phorbol dibutyrate caused a dose- and time-dependent decrease in subsequent cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation mediated by the beta adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. This effect was selective for beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated responses because there was a potentiation of cAMP accumulation caused by other activators such as prostaglandin E1, forskolin or cholera toxin. The inactive phorbol, alpha-phorbol dibutyrate was ineffective at 1 microM in attenuating isoproterenol stimulation, and 25 nM of the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine blocked the effects of phorbol ester on beta adrenergic agonist responses. Stimulation of cAMP accumulation by isoproterenol occurred through a greater proportion of beta-2 adrenergic receptors in phorbol dibutyrate-treated cells than in control cells. This was demonstrated using the beta-1 adrenergic selective antagonist ICI 89.406 and the beta-2 adrenergic selective antagonist ICI 118.551 to inhibit competitively isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Beta-2 adrenergic receptor number and subtype in these cells are regulated by glucocorticoids and butyrate. Decreasing the proportion of beta-1 adrenergic receptors and concomitantly increasing beta-2 adrenergic receptors with either glucocorticoids or butyrate decreased the ability of phorbol ester pretreatment to attenuate cAMP accumulation by isoproterenol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of signal transduction mechanisms of alpha-2C and alpha-1A adrenergic receptor-stimulated prostaglandin synthesis.

Prostaglandin (PG) synthesis elicited by adrenergic transmitter in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of rabbit aorta is primarily mediated through activation of alpha-2C and alpha-1A adrenergic receptors (ARs). We have now investigated and compared the signal transduction mechanisms involved in alpha-2C and alpha-1A AR-stimulated prostacyclin (PGI2) production, measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, in vascular smooth muscle cells. Norepinephrine, methoxamine (an alpha-1 AR agonist) and UK-14304 (an alpha-2 AR agonist) enhanced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production. UK-14304 and norepinephrine (in the presence of propranolol), but not methoxamine, reduced basal adenosine 2':3'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) as well as forskolin- and isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Forskolin and isoproterenol did not alter basal 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production and alpha AR agonist-induced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production. Alpha-2C and alpha-1A AR-stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production was independent of cyclic AMP levels in vascular smooth muscle cells. Both alpha-2C and alpha-1A AR-stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production required extracellular Ca++. Pertussis toxin prevented inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation and reduced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production in response to AR agonists. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) potentiated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production induced by norepinephrine and UK-14304 but not by methoxamine, whereas at a higher Mg++ concentration (4 mM), guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) potentiated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production by all three agonists. In contrast, the effect of UK-14304 on cyclic AMP was prevented in the presence of 4 mM Mg++. These data suggest that the pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein(s) mediated the stimulation of PG synthesis by alpha-1A and alpha-2C AR activation and the decrease in cyclic AMP accumulation by alpha-2C AR activation.     

Effect of injecting primary myoblasts versus putative muscle-derived stem cells on mass and force generation in mdx mice

It is well established that the injection of normal myoblasts or of muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) into the muscle of dystrophin-deficient mdx mice results in the incorporation of a number of donor myoblasts into the host muscle. However, the effect of the injected exogenous cells on mdx muscle mass and functional capacity has not been evaluated. This study evaluates the mass and functional capacity of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of adult, male mdx mice that received intramuscular injections of primary myoblasts or of MDSCs (isolated by a preplating technique; Qu, Z., Balkir, L., van Deutekom, J.C., Robbins, P.D., Pruchnic, R., and Huard, J., J. Cell Biol. 1998;142:1257-1267) derived from normal mice. Evaluations were made 9 weeks after cell transplantation. Uninjected mdx EDL muscles have a mass 50% greater than that of age-matched C57BL/10J (normal) EDL muscles. Injections of either primary myoblasts or MDSCs have no effect on the mass of mdx EDL muscles. EDL muscles of mdx mice generate 43% more absolute twitch tension and 43% less specific tetanic tension then do EDL muscles of C57BL/10J mice. However, the absolute tetanic and specific twitch tension of mdx and C57BL/10J EDL muscles are similar. Injection of either primary myoblasts or MDSCs has no effect on the absolute or specific twitch and tetanic tensions of mdx muscle. Approximately 25% of the myofibers in mdx EDL muscles that received primary myoblasts react positively with antibody to dystrophin. There is no significant difference in the number of dystrophin-positive myofibers when MDSCs are injected. Regardless of the source of donor cells, dystrophin is limited to short distances (60-900 microm) along the length of the myofibers. This may, in part, explain the failure of cellular therapy to alter the contractile properties of murine dystrophic muscle.     

Functional antagonism in canine tracheal smooth muscle: inhibition by methacholine of the mechanical and biochemical responses to isoproterenol

The biochemical basis for the functional interaction between bronchoconstricting and bronchodilating pathways was investigated. Contracting canine trachealis strips with increasing concentrations of methacholine resulted in a progressive shift to the right of isoproterenol concentration-response curves. Thus, the EC50 for the relaxant response to isoproterenol was nearly 500-fold higher in preparations exposed to 3.0 microM methacholine than in tissues exposed to 0.03 microM methacholine. The maximum relaxation produced by isoproterenol was also dependent upon the initial muscarinic cholinergic tone. For example, isoproterenol reversed completely the contraction induced by 0.03 microM methacholine but did not relax trachealis strips contracted with 30 microM methacholine. To identify the molecular mechanism responsible for this functional antagonism, experiments were conducted to determine the effect of methacholine on isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activation. Methacholine did not alter basal cyclic AMP content but did reduce cyclic AMP accumulation in response to isoproterenol. Furthermore, the ability of isoproterenol to activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was inhibited by methacholine in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition paralleled the decrease in mechanical responsiveness to isoproterenol. These results suggest that muscarinic cholinergic stimulation of canine tracheal smooth muscle functionally antagonizes the relaxant responses to beta adrenergic agonists and that a portion of this antagonism may be due to a suppression of catecholamine-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activation.     

Effects of verapamil on myocardial contractility, cardiac adenosine 3,'5'-monophosphate and heart phosphorylase.

The effects of verapamil on myocardial isometric force on contraction, cardiac adenosine 3,'5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and heart phosphorylase alpha activity were studied in the isolated perfused rat heart. When hearts were perfused with verapamil (5.98 times 10- minus 8 M), force of contraction was reduced approximately 50% within 4 to 5 minutes; at this point, the concentration of cyclic AMP was significantly lower than control but phosphorylase alpha activity was unchanged. In hearts perfused continuously for 60 minutes with verapamil, force of contraction and cyclic AMP levels returned to normal within 20 minutes after administration of verapamil was begun. Isoproterenol (0.355 nmol/min) reversed the depressant effect of verapamil on cardiac contractility and restored heart cyclic AMP levels to normal. Methoxamine (35.5 nmol/min) given to verapamil-depressed hearts, caused contractile force to return to normal, but cardiac cyclic AMP levels remained low. Mephentermine (23.0 nmol/min) had no effect on cardiac contraction, cyclic AMP or phosphorylase alpha activity in hearts depressed by verapamil. It was concluded that with the concentration of verapamil used in these experiments, the drug caused a transient decrease in force of contraction and myocardial cyclic AMP. Both the depression in myocardial contractility and in cardiac cyclic AMP caused by verapamil were reversed promptly by isoproterenol, whereas methoxamine overcame acutely only the negative inotropic effect of verapamil. Mephentermine had no effect on hearts depressed by verapamil.     

Effects of ethanol administration and withdrawal on neurotransmitter receptor systems in C57 mice

C57BL/6 mice were treated with 7% (v/v) ethanol in a Bio-Serve liquid diet for 7 days. Some animals were then allowed to withdraw from ethanol for a period of 24 hr. The severity of the ethanol withdrawal was assessed by monitoring behavioral changes and by quantitating the decrease in body temperature that occurred during the first 16 hr of withdrawal. Animals withdrawn from ethanol for 24 hr showed a decreased hypothermic response to apomorphine suggesting that changes in dopaminergic systems had occurred. This possibility was further examined in homogenates of striatum by measuring dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and the binding of [3H]spiroperidol. However, there were no changes observed in either basal- or dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity or in the density or affinity or receptors for [3H]spiroperidol. The affinity of apomorphine for the dopamine receptor was also unchanged. In other experiments, alpha and beta adrenergic receptor-mediated increases in cyclic AMP accumulation were assessed in slices of cerebral cortex. There was no change in cyclic AMP accumulation due to either alpha or beta adrenergic receptors. There was, however, a significant decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in both the ethanol-treated mice and in the withdrawn mice. This decrease was restricted to the beta-2 receptor subtype with no change being observed in the density of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Ethanol administration was also associated with a significant increase in the density of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The effect was not observed in animals allowed to withdraw for 24 hr.     

mdx小鼠骨骼肌组织成肌、成脂、成骨基因的特异性表达

背景：干细胞移植是治疗肌营养不良症的有效方法之一,但移植的干细胞在病理骨骼肌中成肌表达较低。目的：通过比较mdx小鼠和C57小鼠的骨骼肌形态及成肌、成脂、成骨基因表达的差异,探讨mdx小鼠骨骼肌病理改变的可能机制。方法：取mdx小鼠与C57小鼠的骨骼肌组织行冰冻切片,苏木精-伊红染色和Vonkossa染色观察两种小鼠肌肉组织的形态特征;提取mdx小鼠和C57小鼠骨骼肌组织总RNA,real-timePCR检测成肌、成脂、成骨相关基因的表达。结果与结论：mdx小鼠骨骼肌有肌纤维坏死和再生,伴有轻度脂肪、纤维结缔组织增生,Vonkossa染色可见钙结节沉积,而C57小鼠的骨骼肌细胞形态清晰,核位于细胞周边。与C57小鼠比较,mdx小鼠肌肉组织成骨、成脂基因表达有不同程度的上调（P〈0.05）,而成肌基因表达下调（P〈0.05）。dystrophin基因缺失及成肌基因表达下调、成骨和成脂基因上调是造成mdx小鼠肌肉组织变性坏死的原因。     

Interactions of flerobuterol, an antidepressant drug candidate, with beta adrenoceptors in the rat brain.

Interactions of dl-flerobuterol with central beta adrenoceptors were investigated. It inhibited the binding of [3H]CGP 12177, a selective beta adrenoceptor ligand, to membranes prepared from rat cerebral cortex, cerebellum, heart and lung. The affinity of dl-flerobuterol was very close in all tissues (Ki approximately 1 microM). In cerebral cortex, binding inhibition of [3H]CGP 12177 was stereospecific, l-flerobuterol (Ki = 483 nM) being 70-fold more potent than d-flerobuterol (Ki = 34 microM). Moreover, dl-flerobuterol (Ki = 926 nM) was 7-fold less potent than isoproterenol (Ki = 140 nM) to displace [3H]CGP 12177 binding, but 5-fold more potent than salbutamol (Ki = 4600 nM). Flerobuterol did not inhibit the radioligand binding to the other receptors at the highest concentration tested, thus leading to a very high beta adrenergic selectivity. Flerobuterol increased the concentration of cyclic AMP in slices of rat cerebral cortex in a dose-dependent manner; this effect was antagonized by atenolol and propranolol. Compared to isoproterenol or norepinephrine, which produced cyclic AMP maximal increases of 380 and 460%, respectively, it showed a weaker activity with a maximal stimulation obtained at 100 microM, corresponding to a cAMP increase of 140% over basal value (100%). These data revealed that flerobuterol possessed a beta adrenergic agonist activity. Moreover, it antagonized competitively the isoproterenol- or norepinephrine-stimulated accumulation of cAMP. At low concentrations of isoproterenol or norepinephrine, the stimulation of adenylate cyclase was only due to the action of flerobuterol, but at higher concentrations, the response of isoproterenol or norepinephrine was competitively blocked by flerobuterol. At 10 microM, isoproterenol surmounted fully this antagonism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mechanisms of impaired beta-adrenoceptor-induced airway relaxation by interleukin-1beta in vivo in the rat.

We studied the in vivo mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) hyporesponsiveness induced by intratracheal instillation of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta, 500 U) in Brown-Norway rats. Tracheal and bronchial smooth muscle responses were measured under isometric conditions ex vivo. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation and to carbachol were not altered, but maximal relaxation induced by isoproterenol (10(-6)-10(-5) M) was significantly reduced 24 h after IL-1beta treatment in tracheal tissues and to a lesser extent, in the main bronchi. Radioligand binding using [125I]iodocyanopindolol revealed a 32+/-7% reduction in beta-ARs in lung tissues from IL-1beta-treated rats, without any significant changes in beta2-AR mRNA level measured by Northern blot analysis. Autoradiographic studies also showed significant reduction in beta2-AR in the airways. Isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was reduced by IL-1beta at 24 h in trachea and lung tissues. Pertussis toxin reversed this hyporesponsiveness to isoproterenol but not to forskolin in lung tissues. Western blot analysis revealed an IL-1beta-induced increase in Gi(alpha) protein expression. Thus, IL-1beta induces an attenuation of beta-AR-induced airway relaxation through mechanisms involving a reduction in beta-ARs, an increase in Gi(alpha) subunit, and a defect in adenylyl cyclase activity.     

Contractile properties and susceptibility to exercise-induced damage of normal and mdx mouse tibialis anterior muscle.

1. The functional properties of tibialis anterior muscles of normal adult (C57BL/10) and age-matched dystrophin-deficient (C57BL/10 mdx) mice have been investigated in situ. Comparisons were made between tibialis anterior muscle strength, rates of force development and relaxation, force-frequency responses and fatiguability. Subjecting mdx and C57 muscles to a regimen of eccentric exercise allowed the hypothesis to be tested that dystrophin-deficient muscles are more susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage. 2. mdx muscles were, on average, 30% stronger than C57 muscles and almost 80% heavier, but both had similar muscle lengths. Thus, although mdx muscles were stronger in absolute terms, their estimated force per unit cross-sectional area was significantly less than that of C57 muscles. 3. The force-frequency relationships of C57 and mdx muscles differed in that whilst, at 40 Hz, the former developed 70% of the force developed at 100 Hz, the latter developed only 55% of the maximal force. Twitch force was normal in mdx muscles, but contraction time was shortened, and the consequent reduction in fusion frequency probably explains the force-frequency differences observed between the two groups. 4. mdx muscles were less fatiguable than normal muscles when stimulated repeatedly at a frequency of 40 Hz. It is possible that the lower relative force at 40 Hz in mdx muscles entailed a lower energy demand and thus a slower rate of fatigue than seen in normal muscles. 5. Eccentrically exercised C57 muscles showed a large loss of maximal force for up to 12 days after exercise. Maximal force loss occurred 3 days after exercise (55% of non-exercised tibialis anterior muscle), which also corresponded with the period of greatest fibre necrosis. C57 muscles showed a significantly reduced 40 Hz/100 Hz force-frequency ratio at 1 and 3 days after exercise. This was primarily due to a reduced twitch amplitude rather than to a change in the time course of the twitch. It is unlikely, therefore, that the altered contractile characteristics of mdx muscle were a result of the presence of damaged but otherwise normal fibres. 6. C57 and mdx tibialis anterior muscles displayed similar degrees of force loss after exercise. Furthermore, the rate of recovery after the nadir of force loss was very similar for the two groups. By 12 days after exercise, force recovered to 76% and 80% of control in C57 and mdx muscles, respectively. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that dystrophin-deficient muscle is more susceptible to exercise-induced muscle damage.     

Binding and functional characteristics of beta adrenergic receptors in the intact neutrophil

Beta adrenergic receptors have been previously characterized in human neutrophil sonicates. In the present study the intact neutrophil has been assessed for the number and affinity of beta adrenergic binding sites by using the antagonist DNA. Agonist and antagonist potencies, characterized by their effect on DHA binding and cyclic AMP accumulation, are compared with agonist inhibition of lysosomal enzyme (beta glucuronidase) release. Criteria for beta adrenergic receptor identification were successfully demonstrated. At 30 degrees C, beta adrenergic binding was rapid (t 1/2 2 min) and reversible (t 1/2 9 min). Receptor binding was saturable, revealing approximately 900 high-affinity receptors per neutrophil with DHA concentrations of 0.1 to 10 nM. By utilizing both equilibrium and kinetic techniques, the KD was determined to be approximately 0.6 nM. Agonists and antagonists competed for DHA binding in a manner consistent with their effect on cyclic AMP generation. Rank order potency was suggestive of a beta-2 receptor: isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine. Stereoselectivity was shown by the greater potency of L-propranolol compared to the D isomer. A high degree of receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling efficiency was suggested by the observation that with only 1% receptor occupancy isoproterenol stimulated 50% maximal cyclic AMP generation. Finally, there was an excellent correlation between the isoproterenol concentration which resulted in 50% of maximal inhibition of beta glucuronidase release (Ki) and that causing 50% maximal cyclic AMP stimulation (Kact), suggestive of a close relationship between beta adrenergic-induced adenylate cyclase activation and beta adrenergic regulation of neutrophil lysosomal enzyme release. The data presented suggest that the use of the intact neutrophil for study of the beta adrenergic receptor is feasible and may provide information which is considerably more closely related to modulation of physiological function by neurohormones than is possible with disrupted cell preparations.     

Mechanism of unresponsiveness to the alpha 1-6 epitope of dextran B512 in a C57BL substrain

C57BL/10ScCr mice are low responders to the alpha 1-6 epitope of dextran B512, although other C57BL mice are high responders. Both thymus-independent and thymus-dependent forms of dextran failed to induce an immune response in C57BL/10ScCr mice, but dextran functioned as a good carrier for antihapten responses in this strain. Dextran is a potent polyclonal B cell activator for cells from C57BL/10ScCr mice, although such cells are not activated by LPS. The C57BL/10ScCr mice possess the Igh-V gene coding for antibodies against dextran and the antidextran antibodies induced in (A X C57BL/10ScCr)F1 hybrids share an idiotype with antidextran antibodies produced in C57BL/10 mice. Bone marrow cells from C57BL/10ScCr mice do not respond to dextran when transferred into lethally irradiated C57BL/10 mice and C57BL/10 cells transferred into C57BL/10ScCr mice give a strong antidextran response. Thus, B cells having both the Igh-V gene coding for antibodies against dextran and activation receptors for dextran cannot be activated into antibody synthesis against any form of this immunogen. This determinant specific immunodeficiency suggests the existence of as yet unknown regulatory influences on Igh-V gene expression or B cell activation.     

Differential effects of methacholine and leukotriene D4 on cyclic nucleotide content and isoproterenol-induced relaxation in the opossum trachea

The effects of leukotriene D4 and methacholine on cyclic nucleotide content and isoproterenol-induced relaxation were examined in the isolated opossum trachea. Although leukotriene D4 (-log EC50 = 6.70) was a more potent contractile agent than methacholine (-log EC50 = 5.78), the maximal response to leukotriene D4 was only 65% of the maximum response to methacholine. Contraction of tracheal strips with leukotriene D4 was accompanied by a 3-fold increase in cyclic GMP accumulation. Methacholine-induced contraction was not associated with an increase in cyclic GMP. Neither agent altered basal cyclic AMP content. Additional experiments were carried out to examine functional inhibitory interactions between bronchoconstricting and bronchodilating pathways. In these studies, cumulative isoproterenol concentration-response curves were constructed in tracheal strips contracted with three different concentrations of methacholine and in tissues contracted with three corresponding equieffective concentrations of leukotriene D4. Although the relaxant response to isoproterenol decreased as tissues were contracted with higher concentrations of either agent, the inhibitory effect of methacholine on isoproterenol-induced relaxation was much greater than the inhibitory effect of leukotriene D4. Previous studies from our laboratory suggested that a potential explanation for the greater inhibitory effect of methacholine on the mechanical response to isoproterenol was that methacholine may inhibit isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation whereas leukotriene D4 may not. However, neither methacholine nor leukotriene D4 inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in the opossum trachea. The results of this study indicate that the sensitivity of airway smooth muscle to beta adrenoceptor agonists is influenced both by the initial contractile state of the tissue and by the type of agent used to induce tone.     

Roles for Ca++ and cyclic AMP in mediating the cardiotonic actions of isomazole (LY175326)

The contractile state of cat papillary muscles was increased by isomazole in a concentration-dependent manner; inotropic effects of the drug were not altered by either prazosin, propranolol or cimetidine. Isomazole inhibited the peak III isozyme of dog heart phosphodiesterase with an IC50 of 100 microM; effects on isozymes I and II were less pronounced. In cat papillary muscles, carbachol (10(-5) M) shifted the relationship between contractility and concentration of isomazole to the right. These data suggest cyclic AMP (cAMP) is involved in the actions of isomazole. In order to assess the relative effects of isomazole on intracellular cAMP and Ca++, cAMP-dependent protein kinase and glycogen phosphorylase, respectively, were used as reporters of these two second messengers. The source of enzymes was either cultured cardiomyocytes or right ventricular biopsies obtained from anesthetized dogs. In the latter case, biopsies were obtained after i.v. administration of isomazole; the pure beta agonist, isoproterenol, was included for comparative purposes. A submaximal inotropic dose of isomazole (0.1 mg/kg i.v.) in dogs resulted in a pronounced increase in contractility that was associated with a 3-fold increase in phosphorylase activity (0.15 +/- 0.01 to 0.46 +/- 0.06, -5'-AMP: +5'-AMP, P less than .05); the activation state of protein kinase was not altered. By contrast, a comparably effective inotropic dose of isoproterenol (0.1 microgram/kg) caused less than a 2-fold increase in phosphorylase activity (0.15 +/- 0.01 to 0.26 +/- 0.02, -5'-AMP: +5'-AMP, P less than .05) and this was associated with a significant increase in the protein kinase activity ratio (0.36 +/- 0.01 to 0.51 +/- 0.04, -cAMP: +cAMP, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Study of skeletal muscle glycogenolysis and glycolysis in chronic steroid myopathy, non-steroid histochemical type-2 fiber atrophy, and denervation

OBJECTIVE: Muscle biopsies from chronic steroid (glucocorticoid) myopathy, non-steroid histochemical type-2 fiber atrophy, and muscle denervation patients were studied to determine if their glycogen contents, or enzymes involved in glycogenolysis and glycolysis might be related to their fiber atrophy. DESIGN AND METHODS: Fast frozen muscle biopsies from the above patients and from patients later judged by histochemistry to be normal were assayed enzymatically for glycogen content, for enzymes involved in glycogenolysis, and for 6 of the enzymes involved in glycolysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All three groups of patients had glycogen content, but only the chronic steroid myopathy muscle had statistically less glycogen content than did normal human muscle. All 3 groups had statistically low mean values compared to normal muscles for glycogen phosphorylase activity. This suggests that the biosynthesis and phosphorolysis of glycogen are not involved in muscle fiber atrophy, and glucocorticoid administration does not activate muscle glycogen biosynthesis. Histochemical type-2 fiber atrophy muscles were low compared to normal muscles in three glycogenolysis enzyme activities plus four glycolysis enzyme activities. Muscles from denervation patients were low compared to normal muscles in three glycogenolysis enzyme activities plus five glycolysis enzyme activities. This suggests that muscle denervation may lower the rate of glycolysis enough to fail to provide sufficient pyruvate for mitochondrial ATP biosynthesis, resulting in insufficient protein biosynthesis in both fiber types.     

Effects of clenbuterol and antidepressant drugs on beta adrenergic receptor/N-protein coupling in the cerebral cortex of the rat

Repeated administration of the centrally acting beta adrenergic agonist clenbuterol to rats reduced the ability of isoproterenol to increase levels of cyclic AMP in slices of cerebral cortex. This lessened response to isoproterenol was not due to a reduction in beta receptor density but appeared to be due to diminished receptor/N-protein coupling. This was determined by measuring the ability of isoproterenol to inhibit the binding of the beta adrenergic antagonist [125I]iodopindolol to membranes prepared from cerebral cortex. Using membranes prepared from vehicle-treated rats, isoproterenol, in the absence of GTP, inhibited the binding of [125I]iodopindolol with an IC50 value of 85 nM and a Hill coefficient of 0.65. GTP (250 microM) increased the IC50 value to 290 nM and the Hill coefficient to 0.98. After repeated administration of 10mg/kg of clenbuterol to rats for 8 days, isoproterenol inhibited the binding of [125I]iodopindolol with an IC50 value of 125 nM and a Hill coefficient of 0.90; GTP increased the IC50 value to 170 nM and the Hill coefficient to 0.98. It was inferred from the results of modeling of the isoproterenol competition curves that the repeated administration of clenbuterol reduced or eliminated the high-affinity component of isoproterenol binding. These effects of clenbuterol were found to depend on dose and duration of treatment and were reversible. Repeated administration of the antidepressant drugs desipramine, imipramine, phenelzine, zimelidine and mianserin twice daily for 21 days, by contrast, did not affect receptor/N-protein coupling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)