哮喘豚鼠气道平滑肌细胞内钙释放通道的变化

目的检测哮喘豚鼠气道平滑肌细胞(ASMCs)内钙释放通道功能的改变,探讨与支气管哮喘的关系,同时,寻找传代培养ASMCs的方法。方法以Flou-3/AM为细胞内钙离子示踪剂,观察ASMCs在工具药作用下细胞内钙离子浓度([Ca2+]i)的改变。结果①在ASMCs外无钙情况下,不同浓度ryanodine(5×10-5,10-4,2×10-4mol·L-1)作用于原代培养正常与哮喘ASMCs,[Ca2+]i迅速升高,哮喘组明显高于正常组(P<0·01)。10-4mol·L-1的组织胺(hista-mine)作用于原代培养的正常组与哮喘组ASMCs,[Ca2+]i升高无差异(P>0·05)。②传代培养哮喘ASMCs在10-4、2×10-4mol·L-1ryanodine作用下,[Ca2+]i迅速升高,与原代细胞比较无差异(P>0·05)。在浓度为5×10-5mol·L-1时,原代明显高于传代(P<0.01)。哮喘组传代ASMCs对10-4mol·L-1的histamine反应不明显。结论哮喘豚鼠ASMCs内钙释放通道(RyRs)功能升高,特定条件下,哮喘传代细胞仍然保持原代细胞内钙释放通道的特性。     

多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉及激活冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道

采用血管环实验和膜片钳细胞贴附式技术分别在器官和细胞分子水平观察多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉作用及对平滑肌细胞大电导型钙激活钾通道(BKCa)的影响 .结果表明多巴胺引起前列腺素 F2α(PGF2α)预收缩动脉环浓度依赖性舒张反应 ,而不引起高 K 预收缩动脉环舒张反应 .表明多巴胺引起的冠状动脉血管舒张反应依赖于 K 生理浓度梯度的存在 ,结果提示钾通道参与了多巴胺的血管舒张反应 .向细胞浴液内灌流多巴胺增强冠状动脉血管平滑肌细胞膜 BKCa通道活性 .用 DA1受体阻断剂 SCH2 3390预处理细胞 ,完全阻断多巴胺的这一作用 ,而用 β受体阻断剂普萘洛尔无影响 .提示多巴胺通过 DA1受体激活 BKCa通道引起 PGF2α预收缩动脉环舒张反应     

多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉及激活冠状动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道

采用血管环实验和膜片钳细胞贴附式技术分别在器官和细胞分子水平观察多巴胺舒张猪冠状动脉作用及对平滑肌细胞大电导型钙激活钾通道(BK_Ca)的影响. 结果表明多巴胺引起前列腺素F_2α(PGF_2α)预收缩动脉环浓度依赖性舒张反应, 而不引起高K⁺预收缩动脉环舒张反应. 表明多巴胺引起的冠状动脉血管舒张反应依赖于K⁺生理浓度梯度的存在, 结果提示钾通道参与了多巴胺的血管舒张反应. 向细胞浴液内灌流多巴胺增强冠状动脉血管平滑肌细胞膜BK_Ca通道活性. 用DA₁受体阻断剂SCH23390预处理细胞, 完全阻断多巴胺的这一作用, 而用β受体阻断剂普萘洛尔无影响. 提示多巴胺通过DA₁受体激活BK_Ca通道引起PGF_2α预收缩动脉环舒张反应.     

血管平滑肌和内皮细胞Ca2+内流机制及其与Cl-通道的关系

血管平滑肌和内皮细胞的Ｃａ２＋内流机制不同,前者是兴奋性细胞,Ｃａ２＋内流通过电压依赖性（ＶＤＣ）和非电压依赖性Ｃａ２＋通道;后者是非兴奋性细胞,Ｃａ２＋内流主要通过非ＶＤＣ途径。Ｃｌ－通道参与了这两种细胞的Ｃａ２＋调控,平滑肌细胞Ｃｌ－通道开放导致细胞膜去极化,促进ＶＤＣ开放,Ｃａ２＋内流增加;而内皮细胞Ｃｌ－通道开放导致细胞膜超极化,使Ｃａ２＋进入细胞内的电化学趋势增加,胞外Ｃａ２＋经非ＶＤＣ途径内流增加。目前对血管平滑肌和内皮细胞Ｃｌ－通道的分型、特性和功能还不清楚。     

The actions of azelnidipine, a dihydropyridine-derivative Ca antagonist, on voltage-dependent Ba2+ currents in guinea-pig vascular smooth muscle

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although azelnidipine is used clinically to treat hypertension its effects on its target cells, Ca2+ channels, in smooth muscle have not been elucidated. Therefore, its effects on spontaneous contractions and voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels were investigated in guinea-pig portal vein. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The inhibitory potency of azelnidipine on spontaneous contractions in guinea-pig portal vein was compared with those of other dihydropyridine (DHP)-derived Ca antagonists (amlodipine and nifedipine) by recording tension. Also its effects on voltage-dependent nifedipine-sensitive inward Ba2+ currents (IBa) in smooth muscle cells dispersed from guinea-pig portal vein were investigated by use of a conventional whole-cell patch-clamp technique. KEY RESULTS: Spontaneous contractions in guinea-pig portal vein were reduced by all of the Ca antagonists (azelnidipine, Ki = 153 nM; amlodipine, Ki = 16 nM; nifedipine, Ki = 7 nM). In the whole-cell experiments, azelnidipine inhibited the peak amplitude of IBa in a concentration- and voltage-dependent manner (-60 mV, Ki = 282 nM; -90 mV, Ki = 2 microM) and shifted the steady-state inactivation curve of IBa to the left at -90 mV by 16 mV. The inhibitory effects of azelnidipine on IBa persisted after 7 min washout at -60 mV. In contrast, IBa gradually recovered after being inhibited by amlodipine, but did not return to control levels. Both azelnidipine and amlodipine caused a resting block of IBa at -90 mV. Only nifedipine appeared to interact competitively with S(-)-Bay K 8644. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that azelnidipine induces long-lasting vascular relaxation by inhibiting voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels in vascular smooth muscle.     

Inhibitors of spasmogen-induced Ca2+ channel suppression in smooth muscle cells from small intestine

1. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from smooth muscle cells isolated from the longitudinal muscle layer of guinea-pig ileum. Carbachol (acting at muscarinic receptors) or histamine (acting at H₁ histamine receptors) suppressed Ca²⁺ channel current. The effect of either agonist had an initial transient component followed by a sustained component.
2. Wortmannin inhibited transient and sustained components of carbachol-induced Ca²⁺ channel current suppression: half-effective inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) were 1.1 μM and 0.6 μM for the two components respectively. Wortmannin also inhibited the transient phase of carbachol-induced cationic current (IC₅₀ 1.6 μM) and Ca²⁺-dependent K⁺-current (IC₅₀ 1.7 μM). Wortmannin did not appear to produce any direct block of cationic channels or Ca²⁺ channels.
3. Intracellular application of the phospholipase inhibitor D609 (tricyclodecan-9-ylxanthogenate) inhibited transient and sustained components of histamine action on the Ca²⁺ channel current: the IC₅₀ was about 130 μM for both components. Carbachol action on Ca²⁺ channels was also inhibited by D609. D609 had no significant direct blocking effect on Ca²⁺ channels, cationic channels activated by carbachol, or Ca²⁺-activated K⁺-current in response to flash-photolysis of caged-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.
4. Micromolar concentrations of wortmannin and D609 are inhibitors of both components of spasmogen-induced Ca²⁺ channel suppression. The data suggest that both components are mediated by a common, or similar, signal transduction element which is a phospholipase C (PLC) or phospholipase D (PLD) isoform.

     

Ca2+ channel blocking effect of iso-S-petasin in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

The purpose of the present study was to examine the mechanisms underlying the putative hypotensive actions of iso-S-petasin, a sesquiterpene extract of Petasites formosanus through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Intravenous administration of iso-S-petasin elicited dose-dependent (0.1-1.5 mg/kg) hypotensive and bradycardiac responses in anesthetized rats. Isometric tension recording in isolated thoracic aorta revealed that iso-S-petasin (0.01-100 microM) inhibited KCl- or Bay K 8644 (1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[2'-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid methyl ester)-induced vasoconstriction independent of endothelium. Iso-S-Petasin also attenuated Ca(2+)-induced vasoconstriction in a concentration-dependent manner in Ca(2+)-depleted/high K(+)-depolarized ring segments, indicating that iso-S-petasin inhibited Ca(2+) influx into vascular smooth muscle cells. This was confirmed by whole-cell patch-clamp recording in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells where iso-S-petasin (10-100 microM) appeared to directly inhibit the L-type voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel (VDCC) activity. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) measurements using the fluorescent probe fura-2/AM (1-[2-(5-carboxyoxazol-2-yl)-6-aminobenzofuran-5-oxy]-2-(2'-amino-5'-methylphenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid pentaacetoxymethyl ester) showed suppression of the KCl-stimulated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) by iso-S-petasin (10, 100 microM). In conclusion, these results suggest that Ca(2+) antagonism of the L-type VDCC in vascular smooth muscle cells might largely account for the hypotensive action of iso-S-petasin.     

Multiple effects of caffeine on contraction and cytosolic free Ca2+ levels in vascular smooth muscle of rat aorta

Summary 1. Effects of caffeine on cytosolic Ca²⁺ level ([Ca²⁺]_cyt), measured simultaneously with muscle tension using fura-2-Ca²⁺ fluorescence, were examined in isolated smooth muscle of rat aorta. 2. Caffeine (20 mmol/l) induced a large transient increase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt followed by a plateau which was higher than resting level. However, muscle tension showed a transient increase followed by a decrease to or below the resting level. In Ca²⁺-free solution, caffeine induced only a transient increase in both [Ca²⁺]_cyt, and muscle tension. 3. At low temperature (22°C), high K⁺ (72.7 mmol/l) induced sustained increase in both [Ca²⁺]_cyt and muscle tension which were smaller than those observed at 37°C. At 22°C, however, caffeine-induced transient changes were greater than those observed at 37°C. 4. Ryanodine (10 mol/l) inhibited the transient changes due to caffeine but showed little effects on the sustained changes due to high K⁺. 5. During the sustained increase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt induced by noradrenaline (10 gmmol/l) or high K⁺ (140 mmol/l), addition of caffeine transiently increased [Ca²⁺]_cyt followed by a decrease to a level slightly lower than that before the addition of caffeine. In contrast to this, muscle tension transiently increased and then decreased to or below the resting level. 6. These results suggest that caffeine-induced contraction is due to the release of Ca²⁺ from cellular store. Caffeine also has an inhibitory effect which is partly attributable to decrease in [Ca²⁺ _cyt, and partly to the decrease in the sensitivity to Ca²⁺ of the contractile elements.Send offprint requests to H. Ozaki at the above address     

Cl~-通道阻断剂对5-HT和CPA引起的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞Ca~(2+)内流的影响

目的　在培养的兔脑椎基底动脉平滑肌细胞上观察5 HT和CPA诱导的Ca2 + 内流的特性 ,电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道 (VDC)抑制药尼莫地平 ,非电压依赖性Ca2 + 通道抑制药SK&F963 65及Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB对两种激动剂引起 [Ca2 + ]i 反应的影响 ,以探讨脑血管平滑肌细胞中 5 HT引起Ca2 + 内流的特性、Cl-通道与Ca2 + 内流的关系。方法　采用生物荧光双波长影像分析系统瞬即测定单细胞胞质[Ca2 + ]i 技术。结果　① 5 HT和CPA均能诱导平滑肌细胞[Ca2 + ]i 呈双相升高 ,并且 5 HT诱导的Ca2 + 释放是环匹阿尼酸 (CPA)敏感Ca2 + 池的一部分 ;②尼莫地平对 5 HT和CPA触发的Ca2 + 内流无明显影响 ,而SK&F963 65可阻止二者触发的Ca2 + 内流 ;③Cl-通道阻断剂DIDS、NPPB呈浓度依赖性抑制Ca2 + 内流 ,在SK&F963 65最大限度抑制Ca2 + 内流后 ,DIDS、NPPB可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流 ;而Ca2 +内流被DIDS、NPPB分别最大抑制后 ,SK&F963 65也可进一步抑制Ca2 + 内流。结论　 5 HT引起的Ca2 + 内流是经SK&F963 65敏感的非VDC ,其中包含Ca2 + 释放引起的Ca2 + 内流 (CRAC)成分与非CRAC成分 ,并且这两部分Ca2 +内流均与DIDS、NPPB敏感的Cl-通道开放有关     

Ca2+ signalling by endothelin receptors in rat and human cultured airway smooth muscle cells

1. The aim of the current study was to characterize the ET receptor subtypes in cultured airway smooth muscle cells derived from rat trachea and human bronchus using radioligand binding techniques and to investigate the coupling of ET receptors to intracellular calcium signalling mechanisms using endothelin receptor-selective agonists (sarafotoxin S6c) and antagonists (BQ-123, BQ-788) and digital image fluorescence microscopy.
2. Confluent rat airway smooth muscle cells in culture possessed a mixed ET receptor population (30% ET_A : 70% ET_B), with a density of approximately 3400±280 ET_A and 8000±610 ET_B receptors/cell (n=3 experiments). The density of ET_B, but not ET_A receptors increased substantially in serum-containing medium. However, a 2-day period of serum deprivation, which inhibited cellular growth, substantially reduced ET_B receptor density such that the ET receptor subtype proportions were approximately equal (55% ET_A; 45% ET_B) and similar to those previously observed in intact rat tracheal smooth muscle.
3. Challenge of rat airway smooth muscle cells in culture with endothelin-1 elicited a concentration-dependent biphasic increase in [Ca²⁺]_i (EC₅₀: 16 nM), that comprised an initial transient peak [Ca²⁺]_i increase (typically 350 nM) followed by a modest sustained component. The endothelin-1-induced biphasic [Ca²⁺]_i increase was primarily due to ET_A receptor activation, although a modest and inconsistent ET_B response was observed. The ET_A-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i increase was due primarily to the mobilization of IP₃-sensitive and to a lesser extent ryanodine-sensitive intracellular calcium stores. In contrast, ET_B receptor activation was exclusively coupled to extracellular calcium influx.
4. Somewhat surprisingly, human airway smooth muscle cells in culture contained a homogeneous population of ET_A receptors at a density of 6100±800 receptors cell⁻¹ (n=3 experiments). Serum deprivation was without effect on either ET receptor subtype proportion or ET_A receptor density. Challenge of human airway smooth muscle cells with endothelin-1 provoked a concentration-dependent increase in [Ca²⁺]_i (EC₅₀: 15 nM), with a peak [Ca²⁺]_i increase to greater than 700 nM. Furthermore, the ET_A-mediated calcium response in these human airway smooth muscle cells in culture was entirely dependent upon the mobilization of calcium from intracellular stores.
5. In summary, rat cultured tracheal airway smooth muscle cells contained both ET_A and ET_B receptors. ET_A receptors, the numbers of which remained constant during cell growth, were linked to the release of Ca²⁺ from intracellular stores and a strong rise in [Ca²⁺]_i in the majority of airway smooth muscle cells. In stark contrast, the numbers of ET_B receptors increased significantly during cell growth, an effect that was diminished substantially by incubation in serum-free medium. Moreover, despite the greater number of ET_B receptors, their activation in a small number of airway smooth muscle cells produced only a weak rise in [Ca²⁺]_i, which appeared to be attributable to the influx of extracellular Ca²⁺. In contrast, the populations of ET receptors and their linkage to [Ca²⁺]_i were markedly different in the human cultured airway smooth muscle cells used in the current study compared to that previously observed in intact human isolated bronchial smooth muscle.

     

Comparative studies of AJG049, a novel Ca2+ channel antagonist, on voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ currents in intestinal and vascular smooth muscle

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antagonists of Ca2+ channels reduce contraction of intestinal smooth muscle but also affect vascular smooth muscle. We have therefore examined the effects of AJG049, a newly synthesized antagonist for regulation of gut motility, on voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels, in vascular and intestinal smooth muscle, comparing AJG049 with two other Ca2+ channel antagonists, verapamil and diltiazem. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Affinities of AJG049 for various types of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels were examined by binding studies. Effects of AJG049 on voltage-dependent inward Ca2+ (or Ba2+) currents (ICa or IBa) in dispersed smooth muscle cells from guinea-pig ileum, colon and mesenteric artery were measured using conventional whole-cell configurations. KEY RESULTS: In binding studies, AJG049 showed a high affinity for the diltiazem-binding site of L-type Ca2+ channels. In whole-cell configuration, AJG049 suppressed ICa in ileal myocytes, with concentration-, voltage-and use-dependencies. AJG049 shifted the steady-state inactivation curve of ICa to the left. The order of potency to inhibit ICa in ileal myocytes was AJG049>verapamil>diltiazem. AJG049 also suppressed IBa in guinea-pig mesenteric arterial myocytes, showing concentration- and voltage-dependencies and the potency order for this action was also AJG049>verapamil>diltiazem. For the relative ratio of Ki values between ileal and mesenteric arterial myocytes, the order was AJG049>diltiazem>verapamil. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results show that AJG049 inhibits L-type Ca2+ channels mainly through the diltiazem-binding site(s). From our results, AJG049 showed a little selectivity for these Ca2+ channels in intestinal smooth muscle.     

Diverse effects of monensin on capacitative Ca2+ entry and release of stored Ca2+ in vascular smooth muscle cells

The effects of monensin, an activator of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE), on capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) were investigated using A7r5 cells. Capacitative Ca(2+) entry was induced by elevation of extracellular Ca(2+) concentrations of A7r5 cells in which stored Ca(2+) had been depleted by previous administration of thapsigargin. Capacitative Ca(2+) entry was abolished by pretreatment of the cells with SKF-96365 (1-[beta-(3-[4-methoxyphenyl]propoxy)-4-methoxyphenethyl]-1H-imidazole hydrochloride) but was not affected by pretreatment with verapamil. Monensin significantly increased capacitative Ca(2+) entry. On the other hand, 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced inositol monophosphate accumulation and subsequent intracellular Ca(2+) release from its stores were significantly inhibited by monensin, while thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) release was not affected by monensin. These results suggest that monensin has diverse actions on capacitative Ca(2+) entry and agonist-induced release of stored Ca(2+) in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate,an activator of protein kinase C,stimulates both contraction and Ca2+ fluxes in dog saphenous vein

Summary The vascular effects of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) were studied in the dog saphenous vein. PDBu (1 M) caused contraction (0.58 ± 0.22 g/mg wet wt.) and Ca uptake (74.2 ± 41.2 mol/kg wet wt.) which were unaffected by 10 M phentolamine (N = 6). The PDBu-induced contraction was greatly (60–80%) inhibited in Ca²⁺-free solution. 15 Ca efflux measurements performed in Ca²⁺-free solution showed that PDBu did not cause Ca release from intracellular storage sites. The contractile response to PDBu (1 nM-1 M) was significantly correlated with the magnitude of Ca uptake; contraction and the rise in tissue Ca²⁺ also had a similar time course. Correlation between the two measures persisted when the responses to PDBu were augmented by co-administration with 20 mM KCl. However, no synergism occurred between the two agonists. Both the contraction and Ca uptake responses to PDBu were reduced by nifedipine and verapamil, each at 1 M. In the Triton X-100 skinned saphenous vein, where the voltage-dependent Ca channel is not functional, 10 M PDBu did not cause contractions in the presence of 0.1 M Ca²⁺. Thus, contraction of the intact saphenous vein by PDBu characteristically exhibits great Ca dependence and PDBu seems to activate the voltage-dependent Ca channel, presumably through stimulation of protein kinase C; the ensuing Ca entry is primarily responsible for contraction. However, the mechanism responsible for the PDBu-induced contractions that are resistant to Ca²⁺-free PSS or Ca entry blockers remains to be defined. It appears that the dog saphenous vein differs from dog femoral artery, rabbit aorta and pig carotid artery where PDBu contractions do not display dependence on external Ca²⁺. Send offprint requests to P. J. S. Chin at the above address     

Post-transcriptional silencing of TRPC1 ion channel gene by RNA interference upregulates TRPC6 expression and store-operated Ca entry in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells

This study investigates functional consequences of TRPC1 ion channel downregulation observed in aging rat aorta by employing RNA interference in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. For this purpose, A7r5 aortic smooth muscle cells were used in quantitative gene and protein expression as well as in functional analyses. According to quantitative RT-PCR results, TRPC3, TRPC4 and TRPC5 mRNAs were not at detectable levels. In siTRPC1-transfected cells, TRPC1 mRNA and protein levels were decreased by 40% and 64%; however, those of TRPC6 were drastically increased by 100% and 200%, respectively. In fura-2-loaded TRPC1 knockdown cells, despite the decreased TRPC1 levels, cyclopiazonic acid-induced Ca²⁺ entry and store-operated Ca²⁺ entry following Ca²⁺ addition were elevated by 77% and 135%, respectively. Results suggest that decrease in TRPC1 may be compensated by upregulated TRPC6 that possibly takes part in store-operated Ca²⁺ entry in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Endothelial cells modulate the vasoinhibitory effect of NKY-722, a Ca2+ channel antagonist, in canine mesenteric arteries

Modulation of the vasoinhibitory effect of NKY-722 by vascular endothelial cells was studied in canine mesenteric arteries. A high concentration of NKY-722 accumulated in the endothelium-intact arteries and its accumulation in endothelium-removed arteries was significantly less. The vasoinhibitory effect of NKY-722 in endothelium-intact arteries was significantly weaker than that in endothelium-removed arteries. These results suggest that endothelial cells can attenuate the vasoinhibitory effect of NKY-722.     

Regulation of intracellular Ca^2＋ and calcineurin by NO／PKG in proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To determine whether Ca2+/calcineurin mediated the inhibitory effects of nitric oxide /cGMP-dependent protein kinase (NO/PKG) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). METHODS: Proliferation and viability of primary VSMC from rat aorta were measured using [3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assay and acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining, respectively. Cytosolic Ca2+ was determined by Fluo-3/AM. Calcineurin protein and its activity were assayed using immunoblotting and free inorganic phosphate analysis, respectively. RESULTS: (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) and Sp-8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS) decreased phenylephrine (PE)-induced proliferation of VSMC by 27.3% and 36.6%, respectively, but Rp-8-[(4-chlorophenyl)thio]-guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS) increased PE-induced proliferation of VSMC. SNAP, Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, and Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS did not affect the viability of VSMC. Calcineurin protein was decreased by 63.1% and its activity was decreased by 59.7% in smooth muscle cells (SMC) pretreated with verapamil (Ver) and then stimulated by PE. In SMC pretreated with Ver, the absorbance of cells stimulated by PE decreased by 22.0% and was further inhibited by the additional treatment of SNAP and Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. In SMC pretreated with cyclosporin A (CsA), the absorbance of cells stimulated by PE decreased by 36.7%, but could not be further altered by the additional treatment of SNAP, Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, and Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. In addition, Ver inhibited PE-induced intracellular Ca2+ variations, which could be further inhibited by SNAP and Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, but not by Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. Moreover, the increase in calcineurin activity induced by PE was inhibited by SNAP and Sp-8-pCPT-cGMPS, but was promoted by Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPS. Conclusion: NO/PKG regulates calcineurin activity via the modulation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and thus partially inhibits the proliferation of VSMC without affecting their viability.     

Ca2+ channel blocking activity of lacidipine and amlodipine in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells

Inhibition of the K⁺-stimulated increase in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ by a series of 1,4-dihydropyridines was evaluated in A₇r₅ vascular smooth muscle cells loaded with the fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester. The IC₅₀ of the drugs, added to suspended cells 3 min before 150 mM KCl, gave the following order of potency: lacidipine (2.76 nM) > nitrendipine (3.81 nM) > amlodipine (4.56 nM) > nifedipine (10.08 nM). A₇r₅ cells were also exposed to the 1,4-dihydropyridines, at their IC₅₀, for 25 min, and then repeated washout cycles were performed before adding KCl. The Ca²⁺ channel blocking activity of nifedipine and nitrendipine gradually diminished, disappearing after four washout cycles 25, 55, 115 and 175 min after drug treatment. Amlodipine and lacidipine displayed slow onset and offset of antagonism, their activity becoming stronger with time, in spite of the repeated washes. [³H]Lacidipine was avidly and promptly entrapped in A₇r₅ cells and was not removed by washout. However, its potency as a Ca²⁺ channel blocker was not directly related to the amount of drug locked in the cell since it increased with time, indicating that lacidipine binds to the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane and then gradually diffuses towards a specific binding site. This model can, therefore, predict the Ca²⁺ blocking properties of 1,4-dihydropyridines with slow onset and offset of antagonism and could be employed to evaluate compounds selective for vascular smooth muscle.     

蛋白激酶C与血管平滑肌α_1肾上腺素受体触发Ca~（2＋）内流的关系

在酶新鲜分离的犬肠系膜上动脉平滑肌细胞，蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）的激活剂佛波二丁酯（ＰＤＢ）引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高作用可被ＰＫＣ抑制剂１－（５－异喹啉磺酰）－２－甲基哌嗪（Ｈ７）所阻断，而哌唑嗪和普萘洛尔则不能阻断ＰＤＢ的这一作用；１０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１苯福林引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高作用可被１０和２０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１Ｈ７部分阻断；在无Ｃａ２＋液，Ｈ７可部分抑制苯福林引起的内Ｃａ２＋释放和外Ｃａ２＋内流，两者分别被抑制了３３±３％和５８±６％；ＫＣｌ（２０－１００ｍｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１）可浓度依赖性地引起胞内钙升高，这一作用可被１０和２０μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１Ｈ７不同程度地阻断；ＰＤＢ引起的胞内Ｃａ２＋增高也可分别被１．２５和２．５μｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１维拉帕米部分和全部阻断。上述结果提示ＰＫＣ参与苯福林引起的部分内Ｃａ２＋释放和外Ｃａ２＋内流，但以参与外Ｃａ２＋内流为主；这一作用可能与ＰＫＣ激活，引起电压依赖性Ｃａ２＋通道开放有关。     

Characteristics of palytoxin-induced cation currents and Ca2+ mobilization in smooth muscle cells of rabbit portal vein

We examined the nature of the palytoxin (PTX)-induced channel and its relevance to the Ca²⁺ mobilizing effect of the toxin on smooth muscle cells isolated from rabbit portal vein using whole-cell voltage-clamp and microfluorimetric techniques. PTX (1 nM) induced a sustained, irreversible inward current at a holding potential of –40 mV. The PTX-induced current reversed at 0.5 ± 0.6 mV, and the PTX-induced channel permitted the passage of Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺ and, to a lesser extent, Li⁺, but not choline⁺ or Ca²⁺. During the sustained phase of the current, superfusion of Ni²⁺ (5 mM), La³⁺ (0.5 mM) or 2,4-dichlorobenzamil (2,4-DCB, 25 μM) reduced the current amplitude and decreased the slope conductance without changing the reversal potential. In 5 of 7 experiments, ouabain transiently increased the PTX-induced inward current and shifted the reversal potential in a positive direction. Subsequently, ouabain inhibited the current in every cell. PTX (10 nM) induced a sustained rise in cytosolic Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i), which was resistant to verapamil but suppressed by omission of extracellular Ca²⁺. When external Na⁺ was replaced by choline⁺, PTX did not increase [Ca²⁺]_i. Pretreatment with 2,4-DCB prevented the elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i due to PTX. These results suggest that PTX does not directly stimulate Ca²⁺ entry but induces entry through Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange as a consequence of increased cytosolic Na⁺. Ni²⁺, La³⁺, 2,4-DCB and ouabain were shown to act as blockers of the PTX-induced channel. Ouabain may also inhibit Na⁺ pump current activated by cytosolic Na⁺. Received: 15 May 1996 / Accepted: 28 August 1996