Death-associated protein kinase 3 regulates the myogenic reactivity of cerebral arteries.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? DAPK3 contributes to the Ca2+ -sensitization of vascular smooth muscle contraction: does this protein kinase participate in the myogenic response of cerebral arteries? What is the main finding and its importance? Small molecule inhibitors of DAPK3 effectively block the myogenic responses of cerebral arteries. HS38-dependent changes to vessel constriction occur independent of LC20 phosphorylation, and therefore DAPK3 appears to operate via the actin cytoskeleton. A role for DAPK3 in the myogenic response was not previously reported, and the results support a potential new therapeutic target in the cerebrovascular system. ABSTRACT: The vascular smooth muscle (VSM) of resistance blood vessels is a target of intrinsic autoregulatory responses to increased intraluminal pressure, the myogenic response. In the brain, the myogenic reactivity of cerebral arteries is critical to homeostatic blood flow regulation. Here we provide the first evidence to link the death-associated protein kinase 3 (DAPK3) to the myogenic response of rat and human cerebral arteries. DAPK3 is a Ser/Thr kinase involved in Ca2+ -sensitization mechanisms of smooth muscle contraction. Ex vivo administration of a specific DAPK3 inhibitor (i.e., HS38) could attenuate vessel constrictions invoked by serotonin as well as intraluminal pressure elevation. The HS38-dependent dilatation was not associated with any change in myosin light chain (LC20) phosphorylation. The results suggest that DAPK3 does not regulate Ca2+ sensitization pathways during the myogenic response of cerebral vessels but rather operates to control the actin cytoskeleton. A slow return of myogenic tone was observed during the sustained ex vivo exposure of cerebral arteries to HS38. Recovery of tone was associated with greater LC20 phosphorylation that suggests intrinsic signalling compensation in response to attenuation of DAPK3 activity. Additional experiments with VSM cells revealed HS38- and siDAPK-dependent effects on the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation status. The translational importance of DAPK3 to the human cerebral vasculature was noted, with robust expression of the protein kinase and significant HS38-dependent attenuation of myogenic reactivity found for human pial vessels.

AIM2 Suppresses Inflammation and Epithelial Cell Proliferation during Glomerulonephritis.

Absent in melanoma-2 (AIM2) is an inflammasome-forming innate immune sensor for dsDNA but also exhibits inflammasome-independent functions such as restricting cellular proliferation. AIM2 is expressed in the kidney, but its localization and function are not fully characterized. In normal human glomeruli, AIM2 localized to podocytes. In patients with glomerulonephritis, AIM2 expression increased in CD44+-activated parietal epithelial cells within glomerular crescents. To explore AIM2 effects in glomerular disease, studies in Aim2 -/- mice were performed. Aim2-/- glomeruli showed reduced expression of Wilm tumor gene-1 (WT1), WT1-driven podocyte genes, and increased proliferation in outgrowth assays. In a nephrotoxic serum (NTS)-induced glomerulonephritis model, Aim2-/- (B6) mice exhibited more severe glomerular crescent formation, tubular injury, inflammation, and proteinuria compared with wild-type controls. Inflammasome activation markers were absent in both Aim2 -/- and wild-type kidneys, despite an increased inflammatory transcriptomic signature in Aim2 -/- mice. Aim2 -/- mice also demonstrated dysregulated cellular proliferation and an increase in CD44+ parietal epithelial cells during glomerulonephritis. The augmented inflammation and epithelial cell proliferation in Aim2 -/- (B6) mice was not due to genetic background, as Aim2 -/- (B6.129) mice demonstrated a similar phenotype during NTS glomerulonephritis. The AIM2-like receptor (ALR) locus was necessary for the inflammatory glomerulonephritis phenotype observed in Aim2 -/- mice, as NTS-treated ALR -/- mice displayed equal levels of injury as wild-type controls. Podocyte outgrowth from ALR -/- glomeruli was still increased, however, confirming that the ALR locus is dispensable for AIM2 effects on epithelial cell proliferation. These results identify a noncanonical role for AIM2 in suppressing inflammation and epithelial cell proliferation during glomerulonephritis.

Quantitation of myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation in biological samples with multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry.

The 20-kDa regulatory light chain of myosin II plays an important role in regulating smooth muscle contractile force. LC20 is phosphorylated canonically by myosin light chain kinase in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner at S19. The diphosphorylation of LC20 at T18 and S19 has been observed in smooth muscle tissues. Given that the phosphorylation of LC20 is positively correlated with tension development, the molar stoichiometry of LC20 phosphorylation is commonly profiled as a measure of smooth muscle contractility. Herein, we describe a novel multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-mass spectrometry (MS) approach for the quantification of LC20 phosphorylation at T18 and S19. Unique precursor as well as y- and b-ion transitions were identified for unphosphorylated LC20-(TS), monophosphorylated LC20-(TpS) and diphosphorylated LC20-(pTpS) peptides. The MRM-MS assay could accurately define molar phosphorylation stoichiometries of S19 and T18 over a broad range (i.e., 0-2 mol P/mol LC20). Correlations of the results for two quantification techniques indicate that the MRM-MS assay performs equally to Phos-tag SDS-PAGE for the determination of LC20 phosphorylation stoichiometry in arterial tissue samples. The MRM-MS technique provides a robust alternative to antibody-based detection systems for the quantification of LC20 phosphorylation.

Two domains of the smoothelin-like 1 protein bind apo- and calcium-calmodulin independently.

The smoothelin-like 1 protein (SMTNL1) is a modulator of smooth and skeletal muscle contractility and can bind to calmodulin and tropomyosin. Calmodulin is the major calcium sensor of eukaryotic cells and it can cycle between calcium-free (apo-CaM) and calcium-bound (Ca-CaM) forms. Bioinformatic screening of the SMTNL1 sequence predicted a second CaM-binding region (CBD1) that is located N-terminal to the previously defined apo-CaM-binding site (CBD2). Pull-down assays, surface plasmon resonance, isothermal calorimetry and NMR techniques were used to determine that CBD1 associated preferentially to Ca-CaM while CBD2 bound preferentially to apo-CaM. Mutation of hydrophobic residues abolished Ca-CaM-binding to CBD1 while acidic residues in CBD2 were necessary for apo-CaM-binding to CBD2. The dissociation constant (Kd) for Ca-CaM-binding to a CBD1 peptide was 26∗10(-6)M while the value for binding to a longer protein construct was 0.5∗10(-6)M. The binding of SMTNL1 to both apo-CaM and Ca-CaM suggests that endogenous CaM is continuously associated with SMTNL1 to allow for quick response to changes in intracellular calcium levels. We also found that the intrinsically disordered N-terminus of SMTNL1 can reduce binding to apo-CaM and increase binding to Ca-CaM. This finding suggests that an additional CaM-binding region may exist and/or that intramolecular interactions between the N-terminus and the folded C-terminus reduce apo-CaM-binding to CBD2. Intriguingly, CBD1 is located close to the SMTNL1 phosphorylation site and tropomyosin-binding region. We discuss the possibility that all three signals are integrated at the region surrounding CBD1.

Cross-talk between Rho-associated kinase and cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinase signaling pathways in the regulation of smooth muscle myosin light chain phosphatase.

Ca(2+) sensitization of smooth muscle contraction depends upon the activities of protein kinases, including Rho-associated kinase, that phosphorylate the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit (MYPT1) at Thr(697) and/or Thr(855) (rat sequence numbering) to inhibit phosphatase activity and increase contractile force. Both Thr residues are preceded by the sequence RRS, and it has been suggested that phosphorylation at Ser(696) prevents phosphorylation at Thr(697). However, the effects of Ser(854) and dual Ser(696)-Thr(697) and Ser(854)-Thr(855) phosphorylations on myosin phosphatase activity and contraction are unknown. We characterized a suite of MYPT1 proteins and phosphospecific antibodies for specificity toward monophosphorylation events (Ser(696), Thr(697), Ser(854), and Thr(855)), Ser phosphorylation events (Ser(696)/Ser(854)) and dual Ser/Thr phosphorylation events (Ser(696)-Thr(697) and Ser(854)-Thr(855)). Dual phosphorylation at Ser(696)-Thr(697) and Ser(854)-Thr(855) by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases had no effect on myosin phosphatase activity, whereas phosphorylation at Thr(697) and Thr(855) by Rho-associated kinase inhibited phosphatase activity and prevented phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase at the neighboring Ser residues. Forskolin induced phosphorylation at Ser(696), Thr(697), Ser(854), and Thr(855) in rat caudal artery, whereas U46619 induced Thr(697) and Thr(855) phosphorylation and prevented the Ser phosphorylation induced by forskolin. Furthermore, pretreatment with forskolin prevented U46619-induced Thr phosphorylations. We conclude that cross-talk between cyclic nucleotide and RhoA signaling pathways dictates the phosphorylation status of the Ser(696)-Thr(697) and Ser(854)-Thr(855) inhibitory regions of MYPT1 in situ, thereby regulating the activity of myosin phosphatase and contraction.

Intrinsically disordered N-terminus of calponin homology-associated smooth muscle protein (CHASM) interacts with the calponin homology domain to enable tropomyosin binding.

The calponin homology-associated smooth muscle (CHASM) protein plays an important adaptive role in smooth and skeletal muscle contraction. CHASM is associated with increased muscle contractility and can be localized to the contractile thin filament via its binding interaction with tropomyosin. We sought to define the structural basis for the interaction of CHASM with smooth muscle tropomyosin as a first step to understanding the contribution of CHASM to the contractile capacity of smooth muscle. Herein, we provide a structure-based model for the tropomyosin-binding domain of CHASM using a combination of hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS) and NMR analyses. Our studies provide evidence that a portion of the N-terminal intrinsically disordered region forms intramolecular contacts with the globular C-terminal calponin homology (CH) domain. Ultimately, cooperativeness between these structurally dissimilar regions is required for CHASM binding to smooth muscle tropomyosin. Furthermore, it appears that the type-2 CH domain of CHASM is required for tropomyosin binding and presents a novel function for this protein domain.

Dipeptidase-1 governs renal inflammation during ischemia reperfusion injury.

The mechanisms that drive leukocyte recruitment to the kidney are incompletely understood. Dipeptidase-1 (DPEP1) is a major neutrophil adhesion receptor highly expressed on proximal tubular cells and peritubular capillaries of the kidney. Renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) induces robust neutrophil and monocyte recruitment and causes acute kidney injury (AKI). Renal inflammation and the AKI phenotype were attenuated in Dpep1-/- mice or mice pretreated with DPEP1 antagonists, including the LSALT peptide, a nonenzymatic DPEP1 inhibitor. DPEP1 deficiency or inhibition primarily blocked neutrophil adhesion to peritubular capillaries and reduced inflammatory monocyte recruitment to the kidney after IRI. CD44 but not ICAM-1 blockade also decreased neutrophil recruitment to the kidney during IRI and was additive to DPEP1 effects. DPEP1, CD44, and ICAM-1 all contributed to the recruitment of monocyte/macrophages to the kidney following IRI. These results identify DPEP1 as a major leukocyte adhesion receptor in the kidney and potential therapeutic target for AKI.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways contribute to hypercontractility and increased Ca2+ sensitization in murine experimental colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with intestinal smooth muscle dysfunction. Many smooth muscle contractile events are associated with alterations in Ca(2+)-sensitizing pathways. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of colitis on Ca(2+) sensitization and the signaling pathways responsible for contractile dysfunction in murine experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in BALB/c mice by providing 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days. Contractile responses of colonic circular smooth muscle strips to 118 mM K(+) and carbachol (CCh) were assessed. DSS induced a T(H)2 colitis [increased interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6] with no changes in T(H)1 cytokines. Animals exposed to DSS had increased CCh-induced contraction (3.5-fold) and CCh-induced Ca(2+)-sensitization (2.2-fold) responses in intact and alpha-toxin permeabilized colonic smooth muscle, respectively. The contributions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to CCh-induced contractions were significantly increased during colitis. Ca(2+)-independent contraction induced by microcystin was potentiated (1.5-fold) in mice with colitis. ERK and p38MAPK (but not Rho-associated kinase) contributed to this potentiation. ERK1/2 and p38MAPK expression were increased in the muscularis propria of colonic tissue from both DSS-treated mice and patients with IBD (ulcerative colitis >> Crohn's disease). Murine T(H)2 colitis resulted in colonic smooth muscle hypercontractility with increased Ca(2+) sensitization. Both ERK and p38MAPK pathways contributed to this contractile dysfunction, and expression of these molecules was altered in patients with IBD.

Smoothelin-like 1 deletion enhances myogenic reactivity of mesenteric arteries with alterations in PKC and myosin phosphatase signaling.

The role of the smoothelin-like 1 (SMTNL1) protein in mediating vascular smooth muscle contractile responses to intraluminal pressure was examined in resistance vessels. Mesenteric arterioles from wild type (WT) and SMTNL1 global knock-out (KO) mice were examined with pressure myography. SMTNL1 deletion was associated with enhanced myogenic tone in vessels isolated from male, but not female, mice. Intraluminal pressures greater than 40 mmHg generated statistically significant differences in myogenic reactivity between WT and KO vessels. No overt morphological differences were recorded for vessels dissected from KO animals, but SMTNL1 deletion was associated with loss of myosin phosphatase-targeting protein MYPT1 and increase in the myosin phosphatase inhibitor protein CPI-17. Additionally, we observed altered contractile responses of isolated arteries from SMTNL1 KO mice to phenylephrine, KCl-dependent membrane depolarization and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu). Using pharmacological approaches, myogenic responses of both WT and KO vessels were equally affected by Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibition; however, augmented protein kinase C (PKC) signaling was found to contribute to the increased myogenic reactivity of SMTNL1 KO vessels across the 60-120 mmHg pressure range. Based on these findings, we conclude that deletion of SMTNL1 contributes to enhancement of pressure-induced contractility of mesenteric resistance vessels by influencing the activity of myosin phosphatase.

Tools and protocol for quantification of myosin phosphorylation with MRM-MS.

The phosphorylation of myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) at Thr18 and Ser19 is positively correlated with tension development in smooth muscle tissue, and the molar stoichiometry of LC20 phosphorylation is commonly profiled as a measure of smooth muscle contractility. We provide details for a newly applied multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-mass spectrometry (MS) method for the quantification of LC20 phosphorylation at Thr18 and Ser19. This MRM-MS method provides a robust alternative to antibody-based detection systems (such as Phos-Tag SDS-PAGE) for the quantification of LC20 phosphorylation.

Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of the AT1 receptor antagonist, ZD 7155, and the AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319, in conscious lambs.

Experiments were carried out to investigate age- and dose-dependent effects of the selective AT(1) receptor antagonist, ZD 7155, and the selective AT(2) receptor antagonist, PD 123319, on systemic and renal hemodynamics in conscious, chronically instrumented lambs aged approximately 1 and approximately 6 weeks of postnatal life. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean venous pressure (MVP), and renal blood flow (RBF) were measured for 10 min before and for 120 min after ZD 7155, PD 123319, or vehicle. In both age groups, administration of ZD 7155 decreased renal vascular resistance (RVR) and increased RBF within 5 min. These responses lasted less than 90 min but were not dose-dependent. MAP decreased by 30 min after administration of ZD 7155 in both age groups at doses >/=400 microg kg(-1); the remaining decreased for up to 120 min, depending upon the dose. Pressor responses to angiotensin II (ANG II) were abolished within 5 min of administration of all doses of ZD 7155, at both 1- and 6 weeks. PD 123319 had no detectable effects on systemic or renal hemodynamics or on the pressor responses to ANG II. Therefore, under physiological conditions in conscious newborn animals, ANG II modulates both resting blood pressure and RVR through activation of AT(1) but not AT(2) receptors.

Dose-dependent systemic and renal haemodynamic effects of angiotensin II in conscious lambs: role of angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors.

The present experiments were designed to measure the effects of acute administration of angiotensin (ANG) II on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal blood flow (RBF) in conscious, chronically instrumented lambs at two different stages of postnatal maturation, and to determine the receptors through which these effects of ANG II are elicited. Experiments consisted of haemodynamic measurements for 10 s before (Control) and for 60 s after intravenous (i.v.) administration of one of 11 doses of ANG II (0-200 ng kg(-1)). Administration of ANG II was associated with a dose-dependent increase in MAP to a maximal effective concentration (EC100) of 100 ng kg(-1) in lambs aged 1 and 6 weeks. Administration of ANG II has caused a dose-dependent decrease in RBF, with EC100 values of 50 ng kg(-1) in 1-week-old lambs, and 25 ng kg(-1) in 6-week-old lambs. Responses to ANG II at the EC(50) were also measured in the presence of the specific ANG II AT(1) receptor antagonist, ZD 7155, the specific AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319, and vehicle. Administration of ZD 7155, but not PD 123319 or vehicle, abolished the MAP and RBF responses to ANG II in both age groups. In addition, MAP decreased and RBF increased in both age groups after administration of ZD 7155, but not PD 123319; the effects were similar in both age groups. These data provide new information that pressor and renal vasoconstrictor effects of ANG II during the first 6 weeks of postnatal life in lambs are elicited by activation of AT1 but not AT2 receptors.