Skeletal and hepatic changes induced by chronic vitamin A supplementation in cats.

The first aim of this study was to determine whether vitamin D supplementation influenced the effects of high vitamin A intake on new bone formation in adult cats. The second aim was to determine whether high vitamin A intake in cats caused liver pathology and, if so, whether the current upper limit for the dietary intake of vitamin A for healthy adult cats would be safe. Twenty-four healthy adult cats were divided into four groups that received a control diet supplemented with peanut oil (control), or peanut oil containing a 100-fold increase in vitamin A (HA), or a 100-fold increase in vitamin A and a fivefold increase in vitamin D (HAMD), or a 100-fold increase in vitamin A and a 65-fold increase in vitamin D (HAHD) over a period of 18 months. Cats did not show abnormal locomotion or clinical signs of liver failure after 18 months of supplementation but did show subtle skeletal changes and liver pathology, suggesting that the current National Research Council (2006) safe upper limit for vitamin A for cats is too high. The addition of vitamin D did not seem to influence bone pathology. While moderately elevated dietary vitamin D levels (HAMD) seemed to protect cats against the liver pathology caused by the consumption of large amounts of vitamin A, higher dietary levels of vitamin D (HAHD) did not seem to be protective.

Equine biochemical multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) as a cause of rhabdomyolysis.

Two horses (a 7-year-old Groninger warmblood gelding and a six-month-old Trakehner mare) with pathologically confirmed rhabdomyolysis were diagnosed as suffering from multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD). This disorder has not been recognised in animals before. Clinical signs of both horses were a stiff, insecure gait, myoglobinuria, and finally recumbency. Urine, plasma, and muscle tissues were investigated. Analysis of plasma showed hyperglycemia, lactic acidemia, increased activity of muscle enzymes (ASAT, LDH, CK), and impaired kidney function (increased urea and creatinine). The most remarkable findings of organic acids in urine of both horses were increased lactic acid, ethylmalonic acid (EMA), 2-methylsuccinic acid, butyrylglycine (iso)valerylglycine, and hexanoylglycine. EMA was also increased in plasma of both animals. Furthermore, the profile of acylcarnitines in plasma from both animals showed a substantial elevation of C4-, C5-, C6-, C8-, and C5-DC-carnitine. Concentrations of acylcarnitines in urine of both animals revealed increased excretions of C2-, C3-, C4-, C5-, C6-, C5-OH-, C8-, C10:1-, C10-, and C5-DC-carnitine. In addition, concentrations of free carnitine were also increased. Quantitative biochemical measurement of enzyme activities in muscle tissue showed deficiencies of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD), and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) also indicating MADD. Histology revealed extensive rhabdomyolysis with microvesicular lipidosis predominantly in type 1 muscle fibers and mitochondrial damage. However, the ETF and ETF-QO activities were within normal limits indicating the metabolic disorder to be acquired rather than inherited. To our knowledge, these are the first cases of biochemical MADD reported in equine medicine.

The nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside inhibits mineralization in ATDC5 cells.

The aim of this study was to test whether the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) has an effect on mineralization in ATDC5 cells. Mineralization in ATDC5 cell culture was induced by addition of beta-glycerophosphate or inorganic phosphate, visualized by staining precipitated calcium with an alizarin red stain, and quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry. SNP was shown to inhibit the mineralization of ADTC5 cells. This inhibition was not affected by inhibitors of guanylyl cyclase nor mimicked by a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analog. Furthermore, SNP did not inhibit phosphate uptake or inhibit apoptosis in ATDC5 cells. These findings indicate that SNP can specifically inhibit matrix mineralization via a cGMP-independent pathway and that the effect is not mediated by inhibition of phosphate transport or apoptosis. These results suggest a preventive role of NO in premature or pathological mineralization.

Luteinizing hormone inhibits Fas-induced apoptosis in ovarian surface epithelial cell lines.

Gonadotrophins including LH have been suggested to play an important role in the etiology of epithelial ovarian cancers. The goal of the present study was to obtain more insight in the mechanism of gonadotrophin action on ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) cells. As the Fas system is known to be a major player in the regulation of the process of apoptosis in the ovary, we investigated whether LH interfered with Fas-induced apoptosis in the human OSE cancer cell lines HEY and Caov-3. Activation of Fas receptor by an agonistic anti-Fas receptor antibody induced apoptosis, as was evaluated by caspase-3 activation, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase fragmentation, phosphatidylserine externalization and morphological changes characteristic of apoptosis. Co-treatment with LH reduced the number of apoptotic cells following activation of Fas in a transient manner, while LH by itself did not affect apoptosis or cell proliferation. The anti-apoptotic effect of LH could be mimicked by the membrane-permeable cAMP analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio) cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP), and blocked by H89, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA). In conclusion, these findings suggest that LH protects HEY cells against Fas-induced apoptosis through a signaling cascade involving PKA. Although it is plausible that in vivo LH might also enhance OSE tumor growth through inhibition of apoptosis, further research is necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Partial purification and characterization of ferritin from the liver and intestinal mucosa of chickens, turtledoves and mynahs.

Ferritin is the iron-storage protein responsible for sequestering excess iron, to be stored in a safe way in the liver or to be shed with the intestinal epithelial cells. The properties of ferritin in iron-overload-susceptible birds have not been elucidated. Furthermore, there is only scarce information on mucosal ferritin, with no information at all in avian species. Here we have studied the liver and proximal intestine ferritins of iron-overload-susceptible (Indian hill mynahs, common mynahs) and non-susceptible (turtledoves, chicken) bird species. A brief purification process preceded native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and staining the gels for protein and iron. Protein amounts and iron-binding characteristics of ferritin were measured and ferritin saturation levels were calculated. Although ferritin protein amounts did not differ significantly, liver and mucosal ferritins of sensitive bird species incorporated much more iron, leading to high saturation levels. Significantly higher ferritin iron content and saturation were observed in the liver of both mynah species and in the intestinal ferritin of Indian hill mynahs when compared with the non-susceptible species. Ferritin appears not to play a major role in the regulation of iron absorption, implicating other phases in iron transport to be more important in the onset and process of iron overload in birds.

Aggregation of Cryptococcus neoformans by surfactant protein D is inhibited by its capsular component glucuronoxylomannan.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen invading the immunocompromised host. Infection starts with the inhalation of acapsular or sparsely encapsulated cells, after which capsule synthesis is initiated. The capsule is the main virulence factor of this yeast-like fungus. Pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) is an important component of the local innate defense system. In the present study, interactions of SP-D with intact C. neoformans cells and their isolated capsular components were investigated. Although encapsulated cryptococci were bound, SP-D showed the highest affinity for acapsular C. neoformans. Only acapsular cryptococci were aggregated by SP-D. Furthermore, the cryptococcal capsular components glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) and mannoprotein 1 (MP1) were bound with relatively high affinity, in contrast to GalXM and MP2. Binding as well as aggregation of acapsular C. neoformans by SP-D could be inhibited by GXM in concentrations that are likely to be present in the lung after infection, suggesting that not only the capsule hampers SP-D function within the innate defense system of the lung but also the secreted capsular component GXM.

The juxtamembrane lysine and arginine residues of surfactant protein C precursor influence palmitoylation via effects on trafficking.

Surfactant protein (SP)-C propeptide (proSP-C) becomes palmitoylated on cysteines 5 and 6 before mature SP-C is formed by several proteolytic steps. To study the structural requirements for the palmitoylation of proSP-C, his-tagged human proSP-C (his-proSP-C) and his-proSP-C mutants were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and analyzed by metabolic labeling with [(3)H]palmitate and immunocytochemistry. Substitution of cysteines 5 and 6 by serines showed that these were the only two cysteine residues palmitoylated in his-proSP-C. Substitution of the juxtamembrane basic residues lysine and arginine by uncharged glutamines led to a large decrease in palmitoylation level of proSP-C. The addition of brefeldin A nearly abolished this decrease for the lysine and double mutant; the palmitoylation of the arginine mutant increased also, but not to wild-type (WT) levels. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry showed that WT proSP-C was localized in punctate vesicles throughout the cell, whereas the mutant lacking the juxtamembrane positive charges was found more perinuclear, probably in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This indicates that the two basic juxtamembrane residues influence palmitoylation of proSP-C by preventing the transport of proSP-C out of the ER, implying that proSP-C becomes palmitoylated normally in a compartment distal to the ER.

Lung surfactant proteins A and D in innate immune defense.

The lung surfactant proteins (SP) A and D are large multimeric proteins and belong to a family of collagenous C-type lectins designated collectins. Both SP-A and SP-D are believed to play a role in the innate immunity of the lung. SP-A and SP-D bind to a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts but also lipopolysaccharides and allergens. Furthermore, SP-A and SP-D enhance the clearing of various pathogens by neutrophils and macrophages in vitro. Recent in vivo studies on SP-A deficient mice also support a role of SP-A in host defense.

Differential role of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase II in ion transport in murine small intestine and colon.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the role of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (cGK) type II in intestinal fluid homeostasis under basal conditions and following exposure to cGMP-linked secretagogues, e.g., Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) and guanylin. METHODS: Fluid and ion transport was determined in different segments of the intestine of wild-type and cGK II-deficient mice by ligated loop assays in vivo, and by short-circuit current and isotope flux measurements in vitro. RESULTS: Small intestinal fluid absorption in vivo was enhanced in cGK II-deficient mice under basal conditions and in the presence of STa. Furthermore, STa, guanylin, and 8-pCPT-cGMP stimulation of electrogenic anion secretion and inhibition of Na(+) absorption in vitro were markedly reduced in the small intestine from cGK II -/- mice but not in proximal colon. The type III phosphodiesterase inhibitor amrinone mimicked STa action in cGK II -/- mice, and also stimulated ion secretion in humans. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the cGMP/cGK II pathway regulates fluid homeostasis in the small intestine under basal conditions and mediates STa effects by both increasing anion secretion and inhibiting Na(+) absorption. It also demonstrates the presence of a cGK II-independent pathway for STa/cGMP-provoked secretion predominantly in the colon, which possibly involves a cGMP-inhibitable phosphodiesterase and/or activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway.

Nitric oxide and cGMP regulate gene expression in neuronal and glial cells by activating type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

Nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP have been implicated in many neuronal functions, including regulation of gene expression, but little is known about the downstream targets of NO/cGMP in the nervous system. We found that type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase (G-kinase), which is widely expressed in the brain, mediated NO- and cGMP-induced activation of the fos promoter in cells of neuronal and glial origin; the enzyme was ineffective in regulating gene expression in fibroblast-like cells. The effect of G-kinase II on gene expression did not require calcium uptake but was synergistically enhanced by calcium. G-kinase II was membrane associated and did not translocate to the nucleus; however, a soluble G-kinase II mutant translocated to the nucleus and regulated gene expression in fibroblast-like cells. Soluble G-kinase I also regulates fos promoter activity, but membrane targeting of G-kinase I prevented the enzyme from translocating to the nucleus and regulating transcription in multiple cell types, including glioma cells; this suggests that cell type-specific factor(s) that mediate the transcriptional effects of extranuclear G-kinase II are not regulated by G-kinase I. Our results suggest that G-kinase I and II control gene expression by different mechanisms and that NO effects on neuronal plasticity may involve G-kinase II regulation of gene expression.-Gudi, T., Hong, G. K.-P., Vaandrager, A. B., Lohmann, S. M., Pilz, R. B. Nitric oxide and cGMP regulate gene expression in neuronal and glial cells by activating type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

Atrial natriuretic peptide-stimulated Ca2+ reabsorption in rabbit kidney requires membrane-targeted, cGMP-dependent protein kinase type II.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and nitric oxide (NO) are key regulators of ion and water transport in the kidney. Here, we report that these cGMP-elevating hormones stimulate Ca2+ reabsorption via a novel mechanism specifically involving type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK II). ANP and the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), markedly increased Ca2+ uptake in freshly immunodissected rabbit connecting tubules (CNT) and cortical collecting ducts (CCD). Although readily increasing cGMP, ANP and SNP did not affect Ca2+ and Na+ reabsorption in primary cultures of these segments. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that cGK II, and not cGK I, was present in freshly isolated CNT and CCD but underwent a complete down-regulation during the primary cell culture. However, upon adenoviral reexpression of cGK II in primary cultures, ANP, SNP, and 8-Br-cGMP readily increased Ca2+ reabsorption. In contrast, no cGMP-dependent effect on electrogenic Na+ transport was observed. The membrane localization of cGK II proved to be crucial for its action, because a nonmyristoylated cGK II mutant that was shown to be localized in the cytosol failed to mediate ANP-stimulated Ca2+ transport. The Ca2+-regulatory function of cGK II appeared isotype-specific because no cGMP-mediated increase in Ca2+ transport was observed after expression of the cytosolic cGK Ibeta or a membrane-bound cGK II/Ibeta chimer. These results demonstrate that ANP- and NO-stimulated Ca2+ reabsorption requires membrane-targeted cGK II.

Membrane targeting of cGMP-dependent protein kinase is required for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel activation.

A recently cloned isoform of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK), designated type II, was implicated as the mediator of cGMP-provoked intestinal Cl- secretion based on its localization in the apical membrane of enterocytes and on its capacity to activate cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channels. In contrast, the soluble type I cGK was unable to activate CFTR in intact cells, although both cGK I and cGK II could phosphorylate CFTR in vitro. To investigate the molecular basis for the cGK II isotype specificity of CFTR channel gating, we expressed cGK II or cGK I mutants possessing different membrane binding properties by using adenoviral vectors in a CFTR-transfected intestinal cell line, and we examined the ability of cGMP to phosphorylate and activate the Cl- channel. Mutation of the cGK II N-terminal myristoylation site (Gly2 --> Ala) reduced cGK II membrane binding and severely impaired cGK II activation of CFTR. Conversely, a chimeric protein, in which the N-terminal membrane-anchoring domain of cGK II was fused to the N terminus of cGK Ibeta, acquired the ability to associate with the membrane and activate the CFTR Cl- channel. The potency order of cGK constructs for activation of CFTR (cGK II > membrane-bound cGK I chimer >> nonmyristoylated cGK II > cGK Ibeta) correlated with the extent of 32P incorporation into CFTR observed in parallel measurements. These results strongly support the concept that membrane targeting of cGK is a major determinant of CFTR Cl- channel activation in intact cells.

Distinct and specific functions of cGMP-dependent protein kinases.

cGMP-dependent protein kinases I and II conduct signals from widespread signaling systems. Whereas the type I kinase mediates numerous effects of natriuretic peptides and nitric oxide in cardiovascular cells, the type II kinase transduces signals from the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin, STa, and from the endogenous intestinal peptide, guanylin, stimulating Cl- conductance of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Although the two kinases may be interchangeable for several functions, CFTR regulation specifically requires the type II kinase.

Endogenous type II cGMP-dependent protein kinase exists as a dimer in membranes and can Be functionally distinguished from the type I isoforms.

In mammalian tissues two types of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK) have been identified. In contrast to the dimeric cGK I, cGK II purified from pig intestine was shown previously to behave as a monomer. However, recombinant rat cGK II was found to have hydrodynamic parameters indicative of a homodimer. Chemical cross-linking studies showed that pig cGK II in intestinal membranes has a dimeric structure as well. However, after purification, cGK II was found to be partly proteolyzed into C-terminal monomeric fragments. Phosphorylation studies in rat intestinal brush borders revealed that the potency of cGMP analogs to stimulate or inhibit native cGK II in vitro (i.e. 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP > cGMP > beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-8-bromo-cGMP > beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-cGMP and Rp-8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMPs > Rp-beta-phenyl-1, N2-etheno-8-bromo-cGMPs, respectively) correlated well with their potency to stimulate or inhibit cGK II-mediated Cl- secretion across intestinal epithelium but differed strikingly from their potency to affect cGK I activity. These data show that the N terminus of cGK II is involved in dimerization and that endogenous cGK II displays a distinct activation/inhibition profile with respect to cGMP analogs, which permits a pharmacological dissection between cGK II- and cGK I-mediated physiological processes.

Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase II mediates heat-stable enterotoxin-provoked chloride secretion in rat intestine.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxins (STa) provoke electrogenic Cl- secretion in the intestine through a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent signal transduction pathway. The cGMP receptor involved in the activation of the Cl- channel is not known with certainty but may comprise either adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (cAK) or cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK) type II. The aim of this study was to discriminate between these possibilities using specific kinase inhibitors. METHODS: Intestinal electrogenic Cl- secretion was determined by measuring short-circuit current (Isc) in a Ussing chamber. RESULTS: The general protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and H-8 inhibited rat cGK II activity in vitro with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 4 nmol/L and 3 mumol/L, respectively, which are lower than those reported for cAK. Both staurosporine and H-8, when added to rat proximal colon at concentrations that did not affect the Isc response to 8-bromo-cAMPS, inhibited the STa- and 8-bromo-cGMP-provoked Isc response for more than 80%. Furthermore, the relative specific cGK inhibitor Rp isomer of 8-(chlorophenylthio)-cGMP, but not the cAK inhibitor RP isomer of (Rp) 8-bromo-cAMPS, inhibited the Isc response to submaximal levels of STa in rat proximal colon. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further evidence for an important role of cGK II in STa-mediated Cl- secretion in native rat intestinal epithelium.

cGMP stimulation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channels co-expressed with cGMP-dependent protein kinase type II but not type Ibeta.

In order to investigate the involvement of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGK) type II in cGMP-provoked intestinal Cl- secretion, cGMP-dependent activation and phosphorylation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channels was analyzed after expression of cGK II or cGK Ibeta in intact cells. An intestinal cell line which stably expresses CFTR (IEC-CF7) but contains no detectable endogenous cGK II was infected with a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the cGK II coding region (Ad-cGK II) resulting in co-expression of active cGK II. In these cells, CFTR was activated by membrane-permeant analogs of cGMP or by the cGMP-elevating hormone atrial natriuretic peptide as measured by 125I- efflux assays and whole-cell patch clamp analysis. In contrast, infection with recombinant adenoviruses expressing cGK Ibeta or luciferase did not convey cGMP sensitivity to CFTR in IEC-CF7 cells. Concordant with the activation of CFTR by only cGK II, infection with Ad-cGK II but not Ad-cGK Ibeta enabled cGMP analogs to increase CFTR phosphorylation in intact cells. These and other data provide evidence that endogenous cGK II is a key mediator of cGMP-provoked activation of CFTR in cells where both proteins are co-localized, e. g. intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, they demonstrate that neither the soluble cGK Ibeta nor cAMP-dependent protein kinase are able to substitute for cGK II in this cGMP-regulated function.

Signalling by cGMP-dependent protein kinases.

The second messenger cGMP is a major intracellular mediator of the vaso-active agents nitric oxide and natriuretic peptides. The principal targets of cGMP are (i) phosphodiesterases, resulting in interference with the cAMP-signalling pathway, (ii) cGMP-gated cation channels, and (iii) cGMP-dependent protein kinases (cGKs). Only two mammalian isotypes of cGK have been described so far: type I cGK, consisting of an alpha and a beta isoform, presumably splice variants of a single gene, and identified as the most prominent cGK isotype in the cardio-vascular system; and type II cGK, expressed mainly in the intestine, the kidney and the brain. High levels of cGK I are found in vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and platelets. In these cells, cGK I is thought to counteract the increase in contraction provoked by Ca-mobilizing agonists, to reduce endothelial permeability and to inhibit platelet aggregation, respectively. Relatively low levels of cGK I are found in cardiomyocytes. In this cell type, cGK is implicated in the negative inotropic effect of cGMP, presumably through modulation of Ca channels and by diminishing the Ca-sensitivity of contractile proteins.

Production and localization of cGMP and PGE2 in nitroprusside-stimulated rat colonic ion transport.

Nitrovasodilators, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP), release nitric oxide (NO) and stimulate intestinal electrolyte transport. However, the second messengers involved in this process are unknown. NO stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase activity in other tissues, but stimulation of this enzyme has not previously been described for intestine. We report a 20-fold increase in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) production by radioimmunoassay in colonic mucosal strips stimulated with SNP. SNP also caused a significant increase in prostaglandin (PG) E2 release but did not stimulate release of the prostanoids thromboxane B2 or 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Stimulation of isolated colonic crypts and the remaining subepithelial mucosa demonstrated that the latter was the major source of the increases in cGMP and PGE2. Immunostaining of colonic mucosa revealed minimal basal cGMP immunoreactivity but large increases in abundance, localizing to the subepithelium, after SNP treatment. Under basal conditions, there was diffuse immunostaining for constitutive NO synthase in both the epithelial and subepithelial compartments, which was corroborated with NADPH diaphorase staining. In conclusion, SNP was an NO donor stimulates production of cGMP and PGE2 from the subepithelium. NO may be an important mediator of colonic secretion and other processes predominantly via its direct effects on cells of the lamina propria.