Propofol Causes Sustained Ca2+ Elevation in Endothelial Cells by Stimulating Ryanodine Receptor and Suppressing Plasmalemmal Ca2+ Pump.

ABSTRACT: Propofol, a general anesthetic administered intravenously, may cause pain at the injection site. The pain is in part due to irritation of vascular endothelial cells. We here investigated the effects of propofol on Ca2+ transport and pain mediator release in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EA.hy926). Propofol mobilized Ca2+ from cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-dischargeable pool but did not cause Ca2+ release from the lysosomal Ca2+ stores. Propofol-elicited Ca2+ release was suppressed by 100 µM ryanodine, suggesting the participation of ryanodine receptor channels. Propofol did not affect ATP-triggered Ca2+ release but abolished the Ca2+ influx triggered by ATP; in addition, propofol also suppressed store-operated Ca2+ entry elicited by CPA. Ca2+ clearance during CPA-induced Ca2+ discharge was unaffected by a low Na+ (50 mM) extracellular solution, but strongly suppressed by 5 mM La3+ (an inhibitor of plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump), suggesting Ca2+ extrusion was predominantly through the plasmalemmal Ca2+ pump. Propofol mimicked the effect of La3+ in suppressing Ca2+ clearance. Propofol also stimulated release of pain mediators, namely, reactive oxygen species and bradykinin. Our data suggest propofol elicited Ca2+ release and repressed Ca2+ clearance, causing a sustained cytosolic [Ca2+]i elevation. The latter may cause reactive oxygen species and bradykinin release, resulting in pain.

Characterization of Ca2+-Sensing Receptor-Mediated Ca2+ Influx in Microvascular bEND.3 Endothelial Cells.

Ca2+-sensing receptors (CaSR), activated by elevated concentrations of extracellular Ca2+, have been known to regulate functions of thyroid cells, neurons, and endothelial cells (EC). In this report, we studied CaSR-mediated Ca2+ influx in mouse cerebral microvascular EC (bEND.3 cells). Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and Mn2+ influx were measured by fura-2 microfluorometry. High (3 mM) Ca2+ (CaSR agonist), 3 mM spermine (CaSR agonist), and 10 µM cinacalcet (positive allosteric modulator of CaSR) all triggered Ca2+ influx; however, spermine, unlike high Ca2+ and cinacalcet, did not promote Mn2+ influx and its response was poorly sensitive to SKF 96365, a TRP channel blocker. Consistently, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate and ruthenium red (two other general TRP channel blockers) suppressed Ca2+ influx triggered by cinacalcet and high Ca2+ but not by spermine. Ca2+ influx triggered by high Ca2+, spermine, and cinacalcet was similarly suppressed by A784168, a potent and selective TRPV1 antagonist. Our results suggest that CaSR activation triggered Ca2+ influx via TRPV1 channels; intriguingly, pharmacological, and permeability properties of such Ca2+ influx depended on the stimulating ligands.

Perturbation of Ca2+ stores and store-operated Ca2+ influx by lidocaine in neuronal N2A and NG108-15 cells.

In this report we examined the effects of lidocaine on Ca2+ homeostasis of neuronal cells using microfluorimetric measurement of cytosolic Ca2+ with fura 2 as probe. In mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells, 10 mM lidocaine caused Ca2+ release from the cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-dischargeable pool and abolished ATP-triggered Ca2+ release. Lidocaine-triggered Ca2+ release was not affected by xestospongin C (XeC), an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) inhibitor. N2A cells did not have functional ryanodine receptors (RYR) (absence of caffeine response) and we used differentiated NG108-15 cells (presence of caffeine response) for further experiments. Caffeine-triggered Ca2+ release was unaffected by a brief lidocaine exposure, but was eliminated after a prolonged treatment of lidocaine, suggesting lidocaine abolished caffeine action possibly not by interfering caffeine binding but via Ca2+ store depletion. Lidocaine-elicited Ca2+ release was unaffected by XeC or a high concentration of ryanodine, suggesting Ca2+ release was not via IP3R or RYR. Lidocaine did not affect nigericin-dischargeable lysosomal Ca2+ stores. Lastly, we observed that lidocaine suppressed CPA-induced store-operated Ca2+ influx in both N2A cells and differentiated NG108-15 cells. Our results suggest two novel actions of lidocaine in neuronal cells, namely, depletion of Ca2+ store (via an IP3R- and RYR-independent manner) and suppression of store-operated Ca2+ influx.

Lipotoxicity in human lung alveolar type 2 A549 cells: Mechanisms and protection by tannic acid.

Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated free fatty acid which, when being excessive, accounts for lipotoxicity. Using human lung A549 cells as a model for lung alveolar type 2 epithelial cells, we found that challenge of A549 cells with PA resulted in apoptotic cell death, as reflected by positive annexin V and PI staining, and also appearance of cleaved caspase-3. PA treatment also caused depletion of intracellular Ca2+ store, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and oxidative stress. Tannic acid (TA), a polyphenol present in wines and many beverages, alleviated PA-induced ER stress, oxidative stress and apoptotic death. Thus, our results suggest PA lipotoxicity in lung alveolar type 2 epithelial cells could be protected by TA.

Tannic acid, a vasodilator present in wines and beverages, stimulates Ca2+ influx via TRP channels in bEND.3 endothelial cells.

Tannic acid (TA) is a polyphenol compound present in wines and many beverages. Although previous works have shown that TA could cause vasodilation in an endothelial cell (EC)-dependent manner, there is hitherto no report showing whether TA could raise EC cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. In this work we examined the effects of TA on cytosolic Ca2+ of mouse brain bEND.3 EC. TA (1-30 µM) caused a slow elevation in cytosolic Ca2+ level in a concentration-dependent manner. At 30 µM, TA triggered Ca2+ influx without causing intracellular Ca2+ release. TA-triggered Ca2+ influx was suppressed by Ni2+ (a non-specific Ca2+ channel blocker), ruthenium red and SKF 96365 (non-specific TRP channel blockers), CBA (a selective TRPM4 inhibitor) and M 084 (a selective TRPC4/C5 blocker). However, TA-triggered Ca2+ influx pathway was not permeable to Mn2+. Our results suggest TA activated TRP channels, possibly TRPM4 and TRPC4/C5, to promote influx of Ca2+.

Polyamine stimulation perturbs intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and decreases viability of breast cancer BT474 cells.

Intracellular polyamines such as spermine and spermidine are essential to cell growth in normal and especially in cancer cells. However, whether extracellular polyamines affect cancer cell survival is unknown. We therefore examined the actions of extracellular polyamines on breast cancer BT474 cells. Our data showed that spermine, spermidine, and putrescine decreased cell viability by apoptosis. These polyamines also elicited Ca2+ signals, but the latter were unlikely triggered via Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) as BT474 cells have been demonstrated previously to lack CaSR expression. Spermine-elicited Ca2+ response composed of both Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx. Spermine caused a complete discharge of the cyclopiazonic acid (CPA)-sensitive Ca2+ pool and, expectedly, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The Ca2+ influx pore opened by spermine was Mn2+-impermeable, distinct from the CPA-triggered store-operated Ca2+ channel, which was Mn2+-permeable. Spermine cytotoxic effects were not due to oxidative stress, as spermine did not trigger reactive oxygen species formation. Our results therefore suggest that spermine acted on a putative polyamine receptor in BT474 cells, causing cytotoxicity by Ca2+ overload, Ca2+ store depletion, and ER stress.

Quercetin depletes intracellular Ca2+ stores and blunts ATP-triggered Ca2+ signaling in bEnd.3 endothelial cells.

Quercetin is a flavonol polyphenol widely found in many vegetables, grains, and fruits. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit proliferation and invasion of various glioma cells and is regarded as a potential anticancer agent against glioma. However, whether and how this drug could affect brain blood vessels and endothelial cells (EC) are less understood. Further, there is hitherto no report on how quercetin affects brain EC Ca2+ homeostasis. In this report, we investigated the effects of quercetin on Ca2+ homeostasis in mouse brain bEnd.3 EC. We demonstrated that quercetin raised cytosolic Ca2+ level in a concentration-dependent manner. Quercetin-triggered Ca2+ signal composed of both internal Ca2+ release and extracellular Ca2+ influx. Quercetin caused Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, and consistently, inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) by xestospongin C (XeC) suppressed quercetin-triggered Ca2+ release. Quercetin also caused Ca2+ release from lysosomes, an observation in concordance with the inhibition of quercetin-triggered Ca2+ release by trans-Ned-19, a blocker of two-pore channels. As quercetin depleted intracellular Ca2+ storage, it suppressed ATP-induced Ca2+ release and thereby blunted ATP-triggered Ca2+ signaling. In addition, quercetin co-treatment significantly suppressed ATP-stimulated nitric oxide release. Our work therefore showed, for the first time, quercetin perturbed intracellular Ca2+ stores and strongly suppressed ATP-triggered response in bEnd.3 cells.

ARC 118925XX stimulates cation influx in bEND.3 endothelial cells.

In a previous publication when we studied the purinergic receptor with which ATP interacted in mouse brain bEND.3 endothelial cells, we observed addition of 3 µm ARC 118925XX (ARC; selective P2Y2 antagonist) strongly suppressed ATP-triggered Ca2+ release, suggesting the response was mediated via P2Y2 receptors. We here report ARC unexpectedly promoted substantial Ca2+ influx even when ATP-triggered Ca2+ release was largely inhibited. Since this large Ca2+ influx may have important pharmacological significance, we proceeded to investigate its mechanism. ARC did not trigger intracellular Ca2+ release thus suggesting Ca2+ influx triggered by ARC was not store-operated. ARC-triggered Ca2+ influx could be blocked by 1 mm Ni2+ , a general Ca2+ channel blocker, but not by SK&F 96365, a nonselective TRP channel blocker. Unexpectedly, ARC promoted influx of Na+ and La3+ , but not Mn2+ . This is a surprising finding, since Mn2+ is conventionally used as a Ca2+ surrogate ion (as it permeates Ca2+ channel), and La3+ is classically used as a potent Ca2+ channel antagonist. Electrophysiological examination showed ARC did not stimulate any cation currents. Therefore, ARC opened, rather than a cation channel pore, an unidentified Ca2+ influx pathway which was Na+ - and La3+ -permeable but Mn2+ -impermeable.

Propofol may increase caspase and MAPK pathways, and suppress the Akt pathway to induce apoptosis in MA­10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

In the western world, there is an increasing trend of occurrence in testicular cancer. Treatment of malignant testicular cancer is primarily combined surgery with various chemical drugs. Propofol has been frequently used as an anesthetic and sedative induction agent, which could modulate different γ­aminobutyric acid receptors in the central nervous system. Studies demonstrated that propofol activates endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce apoptosis in lung cancer. However, it remains elusive whether propofol regulates caspase and/or mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways to induce apoptosis in Leydig tumor cells. In the present study, MA­10 mouse Leydig tumor cells were treated with propofol, and possible signal pathways associated with apoptosis were investigated. Results demonstrated that increasing dosage of propofol (300­600 µM) for 24 h significantly decreased cell viability in MA­10 cells (P<0.05). In flow cytometry analysis, the amount of sub­G1 phase cell numbers in MA­10 cells was significantly increased by propofol (P<0.05). Additionally, Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining further confirmed that propofol could induce MA­10 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, cleaved caspase­8, ­9 and ­3, and/or poly(ADP­ribose) polymerase were significantly activated following treatment of propofol in MA­10 cells. In addition, c­Jun N­terminal kinase, extracellular signal­regulated kinase 1/2, and p38 were significantly activated by propofol in MA­10 cells (P<0.05), indicating that propofol may induce apoptosis through the MAPK pathway. Additionally, propofol diminished the phosphorylation of Akt to activate apoptosis in MA­10 cells. In conclusion, propofol may induce MA­10 cell apoptosis by activating caspase and MAPK pathways, and inhibiting the Akt pathway in MA­10 cells, demonstrating that propofol may be a potential anticancer agent against Leydig cell cancer.

Antagonism of Ca2+-sensing receptors by NPS 2143 is transiently masked by p38 activation in mouse brain bEND.3 endothelial cells.

Ca2+-sensing receptors (CaSR) are G protein-coupled receptors which are activated by a rise in extracellular Ca2+. CaSR activation has been known to inhibit parathyroid hormone release and stimulate calcitonin release from parathyroid glands and thyroid parafollicular C cells, respectively. The roles of CaSR in other cell types including endothelial cells (EC) are much less understood. In this work, we demonstrated protein and functional expression of CaSR in mouse cerebral EC (bEND.3). Unexpectedly, CaSR response (high Ca2+-elicited cytosolic [Ca2+] elevation) was unaffected by edelfosine or U73122 but strongly suppressed by SK&F 96365, ruthenium red, and 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), suggesting involvement of TRPV and TRPC channels but not Gq-phospholipase C. Acute application of NPS2143, a negative allosteric modulator of CaSR, suppressed CaSR response. However, a 40-min NPS2143 pre-treatment surprisingly enhanced CaSR response. After 4-24 h of application, this enhancement faded away and suppression of CaSR response was observed again. Similar results were obtained when La3+ and Sr2+ were used as CaSR agonists. The transient NPS 2143 enhancement effect was abolished by SB203580, a p38 inhibitor. Consistently, NPS 2143 triggered a transient p38 activation. Taken together, results suggest that in bEND.3 cells, NPS 2143 caused acute suppression of CaSR response, but then elicited a transient enhancement of CaSR response in a p38-dependent manner. NPS 2143 effects on CaSR in bEND.3 cells therefore depended on drug exposure time. These findings warrant cautious use of this agent as a CaSR modulator and potential cardiovascular drug.

Lysophosphatidylcholine-induced cytotoxicity and protection by heparin in mouse brain bEND.3 endothelial cells.

A pathological feature in atherosclerosis is the dysfunction and death of vascular endothelial cells (EC). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known to accumulate in the atherosclerotic arterial walls, impairs endothelium-dependent relaxation and causes EC apoptosis. A major bioactive ingredient of the oxidized LDL is lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which at higher concentrations causes apoptosis and necrosis in various EC. There is hitherto no report on LPC-induced cytotoxicity in brain EC. In this work, we found that LPC caused cytosolic Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial membrane potential decrease, p38 activation, caspase 3 activation and eventually apoptotic death in mouse cerebral bEND.3 EC. In contrast to reported reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by LPC in other EC, LPC did not trigger ROS formation in bEND.3 cells. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 alleviated LPC-inflicted cell death. We examined whether heparin could be cytoprotective: although it could not suppress LPC-triggered Ca2+ signal, p38 activation and mitochondrial membrane potential drop, it did suppress LPC-induced caspase 3 activation and alleviate LPC-inflicted cytotoxicity. Our data suggest LPC apoptotic death mechanisms in bEND.3 might involve mitochondrial membrane potential decrease and p38 activation. Heparin is protective against LPC cytotoxicity and might intervene steps between mitochondrial membrane potential drop/p38 activation and caspase 3 activation.

Enhancing tetrandrine cytotoxicity in human lung carcinoma A549 cells by suppressing mitochondrial ATP production.

ATP depletion induced by inhibiting glycolysis or mitochondrial ATP production has been demonstrated to cause cancer cell death. Whether ATP depletion can enhance the efficacy and potency of anti-cancer effects of herbal compounds is so far unknown. We examined the enhancing effect of ATP depletion on anti-cancer actions of tetrandrine (TET) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. A 24-h incubation of A549 cells with tetrandrine caused a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect (LC50 = 66.1 µM). Co-incubation with 20 mM 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG, glycolysis inhibitor) caused only a very slight enhancement of tetrandrine cytotoxicity. By contrast, inhibiting mitochondrial ATP production with oligomycin (10 µM, ATP synthase inhibitor) and FCCP (30 µM, uncoupling agent) (thus, oligo-FCCP) on its own caused only slight cell cytotoxicity but strongly potentiated tetrandrine cytotoxicity (tetrandrine LC50 = 15.6 µM). The stronger enhancing effect of oligo-FCCP than 2-DG on TET toxicity did not result from more severe overall ATP depletion, since both treatments caused a similar ATP level suppression. Neither oligo-FCCP nor 2-DG synergized with tetrandrine in decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential. TET on its own triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and oligo-FCCP, but not 2-DG, potentiated TET in causing ROS production. Taken together, our results suggest that inhibiting ATP production from mitochondria, but not from glycolysis, appears to be a very effective means in augmenting TET-triggered ROS production and hence toxicity in A549 cells.

Valproic acid inhibits ATP-triggered Ca2+ release via a p38-dependent mechanism in bEND.3 endothelial cells.

Valproic acid (VA) is currently used to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It has also been demonstrated to promote neuroprotection and neurogenesis. Although beneficial actions of VA on brain blood vessels have also been demonstrated, the effects of VA on brain endothelial cell (EC) Ca2+ signaling are hitherto unreported. In this report, we examined the effects of VA on agonist-triggered Ca2+ signaling in mouse cortical bEND.3 EC. While VA (100 µm) did not cause an acute inhibition of ATP-triggered Ca2+ signaling, a 30-min VA treatment strongly suppressed ATP-triggered intracellular Ca2+ release; however, such treatment did not affect Ca2+ release triggered by cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of SERCA Ca2+ pump, suggesting there was no reduction in Ca2+ store size. VA-activated p38 signaling, and VA-induced inhibition of ATP-triggered Ca2+ release was prevented by SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, suggesting VA caused the inhibition by activating p38. Remarkably, VA treatment did not affect acetylcholine-triggered Ca2+ release, suggesting VA may not inhibit inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release per se, and may not act directly on Gq or phospholipase C. Taken together, our results suggest VA treatment, via a p38-dependent mechanism, led to an inhibition of purinergic receptor-effector coupling.

Midazolam activates caspase, MAPKs and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways, and inhibits cell cycle and Akt pathway, to induce apoptosis in TM3 mouse Leydig progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: Midazolam (MDZ) has powerful hypnosis, amnesia, anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant effects. Studies have shown that prenatally developmental toxicity of diazepam can be observed in many organs/tissues. However, it remains elusive in male reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TM3 mouse Leydig progenitor cell line was used to determine whether MDZ has any unfavorable effects. RESULTS: Midazolam significantly decreased cell viability in dose- and time-dependent manners in TM3 cells. In flow cytometry analysis, midazolam significantly increased subG1 phase cell numbers, and annexin V/PI double staining assay further confirmed that MDZ induced apoptosis in TM3 cells. Moreover, MDZ significantly induced the expression of caspase-8 and -3 proteins and the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK1/2 and p38. Besides, MDZ didn't activate Akt pathway in TM3 cells. Furthermore, the expressions of p-EIF2α, ATF4, ATF3 and CHOP were induced by midazolam, suggesting that midazolam could induce apoptosis through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in TM3 cells. Additionally, the expressions of cyclin A, cyclin B and CDK1 were inhibited by midazolam through the regulation of p53 in TM3 cells, indicating that midazolam could regulate cell cycle to induce apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Midazolam could activate caspase, MAPKs and ER stress pathways and impede Akt pathway and cell cycle to induce apoptosis in TM3 mouse Leydig progenitor cells.

Gossypol stimulates opening of a Ca2+ - and Na+ -permeable but Ni2+ - and Co2+ -impermeable pore in bEND.3 endothelial cells.

Gossypol, a polyphenolic dialdehyde toxin isolated from cotton seed, has anti-cancer properties and has recently shown some success in the treatment of glioma. Its effects on brain neurons and blood vessels are poorly understood. In this work we examined the effects of gossypol on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ) of mouse brain bEND.3 endothelial cells. Cell viability tests revealed that after 3 hour and 18 hour exposures, 10 µmol/L gossypol caused 23% and 65% cell death, respectively; 3 µmol/L gossypol caused no and 21% cell death, respectively. [Ca2+ ]i was raised concentration-dependently by 1-10 µmol/L gossypol. We then explored the Ca2+ signalling triggered by 3 µmol/L gossypol, which inflicted minimal toxicity: the Ca2+ signal was composed largely of Ca2+ influx and to a small extent, intracellular Ca2+ release. Such Ca2+ influx was much larger than store-operated Ca2+ influx triggered by maximal Ca2+ pool depletion. The Ca2+ influx triggered by 3 and 10 µmol/L gossypol caused NO release and cell death, respectively. Gossypol also triggered influx of Mn2+ and Na+ , but not Ni2+ and Co2+ . Gossypol-triggered Ca2+ signal was inhibited only by 14% and 37% by 100 µmol/L La3+ and 10 µmol/L nimodipine, respectively; and not suppressed at all by 5 mmol/L Ni2+ . Gossypol-triggered Ca2+ signal was suppressed by 78% by 30 µmol/L ruthenium red, suggesting gossypol may act on TRPV channels. Our results suggest gossypol triggered opening of a non-selective cation pore, possibly a member of the TRPV family.

Eicosapentaenoic acid triggers Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in mouse cerebral cortex endothelial bEND.3 cells.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid abundant in fish oil, protects endothelial cells (EC) from lipotoxicity and triggers EC NO release. The latter is related to an elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. Although EPA has been shown to cause human EC cytosolic Ca2+ elevation, the mechanism is unclear. Microfluorimetric imaging was used here to measure free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. EPA was shown to cause intracellular Ca2+ release in mouse cerebral cortex endothelial bEND.3 cells; interestingly, the EPA-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool(s) appeared to encompass and was larger than the Ca2+ pool mobilized by sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibition by cyclopiazonic acid. EPA also opened a Ca2+ influx pathway pharmacologically distinct from store-operated Ca2+ influx. Surprisingly, EPA-triggered Ca2+ influx was Ni2+-insensitive; and EPA did not trigger Mn2+ influx. Further, EPA-triggered Ca2+ influx did not involve Na+-Ca2+ exchangers. Thus, our results suggest EPA triggered unusual mechanisms of Ca2+ release and Ca2+ influx in EC.

Voltage-gated K+ channels promote BT-474 breast cancer cell migration.

OBJECTIVE: A variety of ion channels have been implicated in breast cancer proliferation and metastasis. Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels not only cause repolarization in excitable cells, but are also involved in multiple cellular functions in non-excitable cells. In this study we investigated the role of Kv channels in migration of BT474 breast cancer cells. METHODS: Transwell technique was used to separate migratory cells from non-migratory ones and these two groups of cells were subject to electrophysiological examinations and microfluorimetric measurements for cytosolic Ca2+. Cell migration was examined in the absence or presence of Kv channel blockers. RESULTS: When compared with non-migratory cells, migratory cells had much higher Kv current densities, but rather unexpectedly, more depolarized membrane potential and reduced Ca2+ influx. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed the presence of Kv1.1, Kv1.3, Kv1.5, Kv2.1, Kv3.3, Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 channels. Cell migration was markedly inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA), a delayed rectifier Kv channel blocker, but not by 4-aminopyridine, an A-type Kv channel blocker. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results show that increased Kv channel expression played a role in BT474 cell migration, and Kv channels could be considered as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer metastasis. The mechanism(s) by which Kv channels enhanced migration appeared unrelated to membrane hyperpolarization and Ca2+ influx.

Propofol produces preventive analgesia via GluN2B-containing NMDA Receptor/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway in a rat model of inflammatory pain.

Abstract: Propofol, an intravenous anesthetic, has been shown to offer superior analgesic effect clinically. Whether propofol has preventive analgesic property remains unexplored. The present study investigated the antinociceptive effect of propofol and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms via pre-emptive administration in a formalin-induced inflammatory pain model in rats. Male adult Sprague­Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: naïve (Group Naïve), formalin injection only (Group Formalin), and formalin injection at 30 min (Group P-30 min) or 2 h (Group P-2 h) after intravenous infusion of propofol (0.6 mg kg−1 min−1) for 1 h. Nociceptive responses and protein expression of phosphorylated- or pan-GluN2B, ERK1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase in the spinal dorsal horn were evaluated. Alteration of intracellular Ca2+ concentration induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonists with or without pre-treatment of propofol was measured using fluorometry in SH-SY5Y cells while neuronal activation in the spinal dorsal horn by immunofluorescence. Pre-emptive propofol reduced pain with a delayed response to formalin and a reduction in hypersensitivity that lasted at least for 2 h. The formalin-induced activation of spinal GluN2B and ERK1/2 but not p38 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase was also diminished by propofol treatment. Preconditioning treatment with 3 µM and 10 µM of propofol inhibited Ca2+ influx mediated through NMDA receptors in SH-SY5Y cells. Propofol also reduced the neuronal expression of c-Fos and p-ERK induced by formalin. This study shows that pre-emptive administration of propofol produces preventive analgesic effects on inflammatory pain through regulating neuronal GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor and ERK1/2 pathway in the spinal dorsal horn.

Perturbation of Akt Signaling, Mitochondrial Potential, and ADP/ATP Ratio in Acidosis-Challenged Rat Cortical Astrocytes.

Cells switch to anaerobic glycolysis when there is a lack of oxygen during brain ischemia. Extracellular pH thus drops and such acidosis causes neuronal cell death. The fate of astrocytes, mechanical, and functional partners of neurons, in acidosis is less studied. In this report, we investigated the signaling in acidosis-challenged rat cortical astrocytes and whether these signals were related to mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Exposure to acidic pH (6.8, 6.0) caused Ca2+ release and influx, p38 MAPK activation, and Akt inhibition. Mitochondrial membrane potential was hyperpolarized after astrocytes were exposed to acidic pH as soon as 1 h and lasted for 24 h. Such mitochondrial hyperpolarization was prevented by SC79 (an Akt activator) but not by SB203580 (a p38 inhibitor) nor by cytosolic Ca2+ chelation by BAPTA, suggesting that only the perturbation in Akt signaling was causally related to mitochondrial hyperpolarization. SC79, SB203580, and BAPTA did not prevent acidic pH-induced cell death. Acidic pH suppressed ROS production, thus ruling out the role of ROS in cytotoxicity. Interestingly, pH 6.8 caused an increase in ADP/ATP ratio and apoptosis; pH 6.0 caused a further increase in ADP/ATP ratio and necrosis. Therefore, astrocyte cell death in acidosis did not result from mitochondrial potential collapse; in case of acidosis at pH 6.0, necrosis might partly result from mitochondrial hyperpolarization and subsequent suppressed ATP production. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1108-1117, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Repressed Ca(2+) clearance in parthenolide-treated murine brain bEND.3 endothelial cells.

Parthenolide is a sesquiterpene lactone compound isolated from the leaves and flowerheads of the plant feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). The anticancer effects of parthenolide have been well studied and this lactone compound is currently under clinical trials. Parthenolide is also a protective agent in cardiac reperfusion injury via its inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Not much is known if this compound affects signal transduction in non-tumor cells. We investigated whether parthenolide affected Ca(2+) signaling in endothelial cells, key components in regulating the vascular tone. In this work using mouse cortical microvascular bEND.3 endothelial cells, we found that a 15-h treatment with parthenolide resulted in amplified ATP-triggered Ca(2+) signal; the latter had a very slow decay rate suggesting suppression of Ca(2+) clearance. Evidence suggests parthenolide suppressed Ca(2+) clearance by inhibiting the plasmalemmal Ca(2+) pump; such suppression did not result from decreased expression of the plasmalemmal Ca(2+) pump protein. Rather, such suppression was possibly a consequence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, since salubrinal (an ER stress protector) was able to alleviate parthenolide-induced Ca(2+) clearance suppression. Given the current deployment of parthenolide as an anti-cancer drug in clinical trials and the potential usage of this lactone as a cardioprotectant, it is important to examine in details the perturbing effects of parthenolide on Ca(2+) homeostasis in endothelial cells and neighboring vascular smooth muscle cells, activities of which exert profound effects on hemodynamics.