Targeting murine heart and brain: visualisation conditions for multi-pinhole SPECT with (99m)Tc- and (123)I-labelled probes.

PURPOSE: The study serves to optimise conditions for multi-pinhole SPECT small animal imaging of (123)I- and (99m)Tc-labelled radiopharmaceuticals with different distributions in murine heart and brain and to investigate detection and dose range thresholds for verification of differences in tracer uptake. METHODS: A Triad 88/Trionix system with three 6-pinhole collimators was used for investigation of dose requirements for imaging of the dopamine D(2) receptor ligand [(123)I]IBZM and the cerebral perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc]HMPAO (1.2-0.4 MBq/g body weight) in healthy mice. The fatty acid [(123)I]IPPA (0.94 +/- 0.05 MBq/g body weight) and the perfusion tracer [(99m)Tc]sestamibi (3.8 +/- 0.45 MBq/g body weight) were applied to cardiomyopathic mice overexpressing the prostaglandin EP(3) receptor. RESULTS: In vivo imaging and in vitro data revealed 45 kBq total cerebral uptake and 201 kBq cardiac uptake as thresholds for visualisation of striatal [(123)I]IBZM and of cardiac [(99m)Tc]sestamibi using 100 and 150 s acquisition time, respectively. Alterations of maximal cerebral uptake of [(123)I]IBZM by >20% (116 kBq) were verified with the prerequisite of 50% striatal of total uptake. The labelling with [(99m)Tc]sestamibi revealed a 30% lower uptake in cardiomyopathic hearts compared to wild types. [(123)I]IPPA uptake could be visualised at activity doses of 0.8 MBq/g body weight. CONCLUSION: Multi-pinhole SPECT enables detection of alterations of the cerebral uptake of (123)I- and (99m)Tc-labelled tracers in an appropriate dose range in murine models targeting physiological processes in brain and heart. The thresholds of detection for differences in the tracer uptake determined under the conditions of our experiments well reflect distinctions in molar activity and uptake characteristics of the tracers.

Differential regulation of hyaluronic acid synthase isoforms in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells: possible implications for vein graft stenosis.

Autologous saphenous vein bypass grafts (SVG) are frequently compromised by neointimal thickening and subsequent atherosclerosis eventually leading to graft failure. Hyaluronic acid (HA) generated by smooth muscle cells (SMC) is thought to augment the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was (1) to investigate HA accumulation in native and explanted arterialized SVG, (2) to identify factors that regulate HA synthase (HAS) expression and HA synthesis, and (3) to study the function of the HAS2 isoform. In native SVG, expression of all 3 HAS isoforms was detected by RT-PCR. Histochemistry revealed that native and arterialized human saphenous vein segments were characterized by marked deposition of HA in association with SMC. Interestingly, in contrast to native SVG, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression by SMC and macrophages was detected only in arterialized SVG. In vitro in human venous SMC HAS isoforms were found to be differentially regulated. HAS2, HAS1, and HA synthesis were strongly induced by vasodilatory prostaglandins via Gs-coupled prostaglandin receptors. In addition, thrombin induced HAS2 via activation of PAR1 and interleukin 1beta was the only factor that induced HAS3. By small interfering RNA against HAS2, it was shown that HAS2 mediated HA synthesis is critically involved in cell cycle progression through G1/S phase and SMC proliferation. In conclusion, the present study shows that HA-rich extracellular matrix is maintained after arterialization of vein grafts and might contribute to graft failure because of its proproliferative function in venous SMC. Furthermore, COX-2-dependent prostaglandins may play a key role in the regulation of HA synthesis in arterialized vein grafts.

Induction of hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (HAS2) in human vascular smooth muscle cells by vasodilatory prostaglandins.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a prominent constituent of the extracellular matrix of atherosclerotic vascular lesions in humans known to modulate vascular smooth muscle phenotype. The regulation of HA synthesis by vasodilatory prostaglandins was analyzed in human arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The prostacyclin analogue, iloprost (100 nmol/L), markedly increased pericellular formation of HA coats and HA secretion into the cell culture medium in human arterial SMCs (8.7+/-1.6-fold). Expression of HA synthase 2 (HAS2) was determined by semiquantitative RT-PCR and found to be strongly upregulated at concentrations of iloprost between 1 and 100 nmol/L after 3 hours. Furthermore, endogenous cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) activity was required for basal expression of HAS2 mRNA in SMCs in vitro. Total HA secretion in response to iloprost was markedly decreased by RNA interference (RNAi), specific for HAS2. In addition, siRNA targeting HAS2 strongly increased the spreading of human SMCs compared with mock-transfected cells. HAS2 mRNA levels were also stimulated by a selective prostacyclin receptor (IP) agonist, cicaprost (10 nmol/L), prostaglandin E(2) (10 nmol/L), and the EP(2) receptor agonist, butaprost (1 micromol/L). Induction of HAS2 mRNA and HA synthesis by prostaglandins was mimicked by stable cAMP analogues and forskolin. In human atherectomy specimens from the internal carotid artery, HA deposits and COX2 expression colocalized frequently. In addition, strong EP(2) receptor expression was detected in SMCs in HA-rich areas. Therefore, upregulation of HAS2 expression via EP(2) and IP receptors might contribute to the accumulation of HA during human atherosclerosis, thereby mediating proatherosclerotic functions of COX2.

Agonist-induced long-term desensitization of the human prostacyclin receptor.

Phosphorylation of the human prostacyclin (PGI(2)) receptor (hIP-R) by diacylglycerol-regulated protein kinase C (PKC) has been reported to be responsible for its rapid desensitization in HEK293 cells. In this study we demonstrate, that human fibroblasts reveal a much slower hIP-R desensitization kinetics, which was neither affected by stimulation nor inhibition of PKC by either phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate or GF-109203X suggesting a different cellular mechanism. Although agonist-promoted sequestration of a C-terminally green fluorescent protein-tagged hIP-R was demonstrated, it did not account for the long-term desensitization. Concanavalin A did not abolish, but accelerated receptor desensitization kinetics. Resensitization of hIP-R involved receptor recycling and/or de novo synthesis of receptor protein, depending on the duration of prior desensitization. This is the first study investigating the mechanisms of hIP-R desensitization in intact human cells naturally expressing hIP-R. Our data suggest, that a hitherto unknown mechanism of hIP-R long-term desensitization, which is independent of receptor phosphorylation by conventional and novel type PKC isoforms or endocytosis, is a key event in regulating the cellular responsiveness to PGI(2).

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the gastrointestinal tract.

Inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis via inhibition of the fatty acid cyclooxygenase (COX) is the mechanism of action of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This results in an inhibition of the inflammatory and pain-producing activities of prostaglandins at a site of tissue injury but also in inhibition of prostaglandin production in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and platelets, i.e. sites where endogenous prostaglandins are possibly involved in control of physiological functions. The discovery of two COX isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, and the detection of their separate function and regulation, has initiated the search for new and putatively more selective inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Specifically, selective inhibitors of COX-2 were developed in order to improve the anti-inflammatory and analgetic specificity and potency of the compounds and to reduce side-effects in the GI tract. Available experimental and clinical data of selective COX-2 inhibitors, including flosulide, celecoxib or rofecoxib, suggest improved gastric tolerance as compared to conventional, non-selective NSAIDs. However, experimental evidence suggests that both, the analgetic and anti-inflammatory action of COX-inhibitors, might also require inhibition of COX-1. COX-2-selective compounds at anti-inflammatory doses might have other side-effects, and for example reduce vascular prostacyclin production. Evidence is accumulating that COX-2 might not only be considered as a putatively detrimental enzyme but rather a highly regulated enzyme that also contributes to tissue protection and is even constitutively expressed in healthy human stomach mucosa. This paper reviews some of these newer aspects of COX-2-selective inhibitors in clinical use and discusses their possible benefits and risks.

Reduction of infarct size by selective stimulation of prostaglandin EP(3)receptors in the reperfused ischemic pig heart.

We have previously identified prostaglandin EP(3)receptors in left ventricular myocardium. To assess the potential contribution of this receptor subtype to the anti-ischemic properties of E-type prostaglandins (i.e. PGE(1)), two groups of anesthetized open-chest minipigs were subjected to LAD occlusion (1 h) and reperfusion (3 h). In one group, the selective EP(3)receptor agonist M&B 28.767 (2 pmol/kgxmin) was infused into the LAD from 20 min before ischemia until the end of reperfusion. The other group received vehicle. M&B 28.767 did not alter the systemic hemodynamics, but significantly reduced infarct size (tetrazolium staining) and creatine kinase release by 53% and 48%, respectively. Ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias were mostly reduced. Further experiments analysed the effects of EP(3)receptor stimulation on normoxic myocardium. PGE(1), an unselective agonist to all EP receptor subtypes, as well as M&B 28.767 (2 pmol/kgxmin of each into the LAD) reduced the action potential duration (epicardial monophasic electrodes) and almost prevented the inotropic response to intravenous isoprenaline. This dual response is consistent with the EP(3)receptor coupling to an inhibitory G protein. This was confirmed in separate experiments with stable Chinese hamster ovary cell transfectants expressing the porcine EP(3)receptor, where M&B 28.767 inhibited the forskolin-induced increase in cAMP in a concentration-dependent manner. It is concluded that the protection of reperfused ischemic myocardium by E-type prostaglandins is mediated by EP(3)receptors, which seems to involve a combined activation of repolarizing membrane currents and an inhibition of deleterious effects caused by ischemia-induced catecholamine release.

Preservation of Gi coupling of a chimeric EP3/I-type prostaglandin (IP) receptor.

For the EP3 subtype of prostaglandin E receptors, different C-terminal splice variants are known, which are coupled to distinct heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins). To test the hypothesis that the C-terminal domain is essential for the G-protein-coupling specificity of the EP3 receptor, we exchanged the carboxyl-terminal tail of a porcine Gi-coupled EP3 receptor isoform for the corresponding C-terminal part of a Gs-coupled prostaglandin receptor. The porcine EP3 receptor was truncated at a lysine (K350) residue at the end of the seventh transmembrane region, representing the splicing site of the different EP3 receptor isoforms. The wild-type C-terminus (37 amino acids) was substituted by the C-terminal tail (89 amino acids) of the human I-type prostaglandin receptor (hIP-R). The G-protein coupling of the resulting chimeric receptor protein was studied in transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Stimulation of the chimeric receptor protein with the EP3 receptor-specific agonist M&B 28.767 did not increase adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation but did reduce the forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation, indicating Gi coupling. Furthermore, the chimeric receptor did not show constitutive activity as demonstrated for the C-terminally truncated EP3 receptor. Thus, coupling specificity of the EP3 receptor is not exclusively mediated by the carboxyl-terminal tail, and constitutive activity of a C-terminally truncated EP3 receptor can be suppressed by the hIP-R C-terminus.

Nitric oxide production in peritoneal macrophages from peritoneal dialysis patients with bacterial peritonitis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by various cell types, and it is an important mediator in many biological processes, including macrophage-mediated cellular host defense. The relevance and amount of NO production in peritonitis during peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment is still not clear. We studied whether human peritoneal macrophages (PMphi) isolated from healthy PD patients or PD patients with peritonitis showed different spontaneous or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced NO production (LPS, 1 ng/mL-10 microg/mL; IFN-gamma, 10-1000 U/mL; incubation between 6-48 hours; measured by Griess reagent). Results were compared with human blood monocytes (HBM) isolated from buffy coats. Inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) mRNA expression was looked for in PMphi by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, plasma (P) and peritoneal dialysate effluent (D) nitrite concentrations were measured in vivo. The dialysate-to-plasma ratio (D/P) of nitrite concentration was inverse in the case of peritonitis compared to infection-free patients (peritonitis D/P = 1.3, non peritonitis D/P = 0.4; p < 0.01). PMphi from peritonitis patients produced higher amounts of NO than did those from infection-free patients (0.040+/-0.044 nmol per microgram cell protein versus 0.018+/-0.015 nmol per microgram cell protein, p < 0.05). NO release could not be further enhanced by stimulation with LPS plus IFN-gamma (1 ng/mL, 250 U/mL, respectively). However, NO production in PMphi from infection-free patients increased during in vitro stimulation (0.044+/-0.031 nmol per microgram cell protein versus 0.018+/-0.015 nmol per microgram cell protein, p < 0.01). An increase of iNOS mRNA expression could be demonstrated by RT-PCR. Blood monocytes from healthy donors also increased NO release during cytokine stimulation (0.032+/-0.015 nmol per microgram cell protein versus 0.019+/-0.009 nmol per microgram cell protein, p < 0.05). Our results indicate that significant amounts of NO are released intraperitoneally in the case of bacterial peritonitis. PMphi represent a site of NO production, though the absolute amounts released in vitro are only moderate. NO production can be induced in PMphi and HBM by LPS/IFN-gamma stimulation in vitro.

Analysis of a porcine EP3-receptor: cloning, expression and signal transduction.

A cDNA clone, encoding a complete porcine EP3 receptor, was isolated from a porcine heart cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed a protein of 387 amino acid residues with an estimated molecular weight of 43 kD and strongest homology to the human EP3-II receptor (84% identity on protein level). Ligand binding studies with transfected COS-7 cells, expressing the porcine receptor, showed displacement of [3H]PGE1 with the EP3-specific agonist M&B 28.767, the EP1/EP3-agonist sulprostone but not with the EP2-specific agonist butaprost. Stimulation of transfected CHO cells with M&B 28.767 resulted in inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP formation, suggesting coupling to an inhibitory G protein. Agonist-induced translocation of the transcription factor NFkappaB into the nucleus of transfected CHO cells was demonstrated by Western blot analysis, indicating that these EP3 receptors modulate NFkappaB-dependent cellular signal transduction. Analysis of the genomic organization identified the major transcription initiation site at about 160 bp upstream of the ATG start codon. The 800-bp 5' flanking region contains a variety of putative cis-acting regulatory elements, including binding sites for AP2, SP1 and MyoD (E-box). The present data will now allow further studies on EP3 receptor-mediated signal transduction and its regulation.

The bovine thromboxane A2 receptor: molecular cloning, expression, and functional characterization.

This study describes the molecular cloning and functional characterization of the bovine thromboxane A2 (TP) receptor. Two partial nucleotide sequences coding for the bovine TP receptor were isolated from a bovine genomic and a bovine heart cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence suggests a heptahelical protein of 343 amino acids. The receptor protein is homologous with that of human placenta and endothelium at 84.0% and 81.4%, respectively. COS-7 cells were transfected with the bovine TP receptor cDNA, and binding affinities were assessed by radioligand binding studies. Specific displacement of [3H]SQ 29548 was demonstrated in COS-7 cell membranes with the unlabeled TP receptor antagonist SQ 29548 (Kd = 12.6+/-1.1 nM) and the TP receptor agonist U46619 (Kd = 192.1+/-58.9 nM), but not with other prostaglandins (PGD2, PGE1, PGF2alpha), or the PGI2 mimetic cicaprost. Agonist-induced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in transfected COS-7 cells indicates a linkage to the cAMP signal transduction pathway via coupling to a stimulatory G-protein. Since bovine cells, e.g. vascular smooth muscle cells, are an established model to study the role of eicosanoids in cell signaling, this report on the molecular structure of the bovine TP receptor will allow further studies on receptor regulation.