The interplay between α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, pannexin-1 channels and P2X7 receptors elicit exocytosis in chromaffin cells.

Pannexin-1 (Panx1) forms plasma membrane channels that allow the exchange of small molecules between the intracellular and extracellular compartments, and are involved in diverse physiological and pathological responses in the nervous system. However, the signaling mechanisms that induce their opening still remain elusive. Here, we propose a new mechanism for Panx1 channel activation through a functional crosstalk with the highly Ca2+ permeable α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that activation of α7 nAChRs induces Panx1-mediated dye uptake and ATP release in the neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y-α7. Using membrane permeant Ca2+ chelators, total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy in SH-SY5Y-α7 cells expressing a membrane-tethered GCAMP3, and Src kinase inhibitors, we further demonstrated that Panx1 channel opening depends on Ca2+ signals localized in submembrane areas, as well as on Src kinases. In turn, Panx1 channels amplify cytosolic Ca2+ signals induced by the activation of α7 nAChRs, by a mechanism that seems to involve ATP release and P2X7 receptor activation, as hydrolysis of extracellular ATP with apyrase or blockage of P2X7 receptors with oxidized ATP significantly reduces the α7 nAChR-Ca2+ signal. The physiological relevance of this crosstalk was also demonstrated in neuroendocrine chromaffin cells, wherein Panx1 channels and P2X7 receptors contribute to the exocytotic release of catecholamines triggered by α7 nAChRs, as measured by amperometry. Together these findings point to a functional coupling between α7 nAChRs, Panx1 channels and P2X7 receptors with physiological relevance in neurosecretion.

Dengue virus induced changes in Ca2+ homeostasis in human hepatic cells that favor the viral replicative cycle.

The role of Ca2+ during dengue virus (DENV) replication is unknown; thus, changes in Ca2+ homeostasis in DENV infected human hepatic HepG2 and Huh-7 cells were analyzed. Infected HepG2 cells, but not Huh-7 cells, showed a significant increase in plasma membrane permeability to Ca2+, while both cell lines showed marked reduced levels of Ca2+ stored in the endoplasmic reticulum. While the expression levels of STIM1 and ORAI1 showed no changes, STIM1 and ORAI1 were shown to co-localized in infected cells, indicating activation of the store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) pathway. Finally, manipulation in the infected cells of the intra and extracellular Ca2+ levels by chelators (BAPTA-AM and EGTA), SOC inhibitor (SKF96365), IP3 Receptor antagonist (2APB) or increase of extracellular [Ca2+], significantly reduced DENV yield, but not vesicular stomatitis virus yield, used as a control. These results show that DENV infection alters cell Ca2+ homeostasis and that such changes favor viral replication.

Efeito da desmineralização óssea por tetraciclina e ácido cítrico sobre a composição química superficial e sobre o comportamento de pré-osteoblastos cultivados em osso da calvária de ratos / Bone demineralization effect of tetracycline and citric acid on the surface chemical composition and the pre-osteoblasts cultured behavior in rat calvaria bone

Pesquisas prévias evidenciaram que a desmineralização óssea com ácido cítrico melhora a consolidação de enxertos autógenos em bloco e favorece o espalhamento e a morfologia de pré-osteoblastos em cultura. Os resultados promissores encontrados com o ácido cítrico levantaram a suspeita de que a tetraciclina ácida pudesse suscitar efeitos semelhantes. Assim, este estudo se propôs a avaliar comparativamente o comportamento de células pré-osteoblásticas MC3T3-E1 cultivadas sobre superfícies ósseas de calvária de ratos desmineralizadas com tetraciclina ácida (50mg/mL) e com ácido cítrico (10%, pH1) em diferentes tempos de aplicação. Foram removidas 126 amostras ósseas bicorticais da calvária de 63 ratos Wistar adultos machos empregando broca trefina de 5 milímetros de diâmetro. As amostras foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em um dos seguintes grupos de estudo (n=18): AC 15 no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por ácido cítrico durante 15 segundos; AC 30, no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por ácido cítrico durante 30 segundos; AC 60, no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por ácido cítrico durante 60 segundos; TCN 15 no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por tetraciclina durante 15 segundos; TCN 30, no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por tetraciclina durante 30 segundos; TCN 60, no qual as amostras foram desmineralizadas por tetraciclina durante 60 segundos e C, grupo controle formado por amostras não desmineralizadas. Os pré-osteoblastos foram cultivados sobre as amostras por 24, 48 e 72 horas (n= 6) para serem examinadas à microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Vinte e uma amostras coletadas de outros 11 animais foram distribuídas entre os mesmos grupos e analisadas com espectroscopia de energia dispersiva (EDS) para análise da composição química superficial (n=3). A área de recobrimento superficial por células foi significantemente maior após 24 e 48 horas de cultura nos grupos AC15 (60,38% e 100% respectivamente), AC30 (99,32% e 100% respectivamente), AC60 (99,22% e 100% respectivamente), TCN15 (96,73% e 70,24% respectivamente) e TCN30 (64,72% e 57,40% respectivamente) do que nos grupos TCN60 (9,67% e 51,45% respectivamente) e C (5,99% e 31,83% respectivamente). Às 72 horas os grupos apresentaram recobrimento praticamente completo das superfícies ósseas por células, com exceção do grupo TCN60 (56,15%). As células apresentaram-se com morfologia compatível com em estágios mais avançados de diferenciação nos grupos que sofreram desmineralização do que no controle. As variações nas porcentagens anatômicas (A%) dos elementos C, O, Na, Mg, P e Ca foram insuficientes para justificar mudanças no comportamento celular. Concluiu-se que a desmineralização quer por ácido cítrico ou tetraciclina de superfícies ósseas são favoráveis para o crescimento e diferenciação de células pré-osteblásticas especialmente quando empregada conforme os grupos AC30 e TCN15. Os mecanismos por trás desses resultados ainda carecem de elucidação.(AU)

Previous researches have demonstrated that bone demineralisation by citric acid improves the consolidation of bone autografts and promotes spreading and morphology of pre-osteoblasts in culture. The promising results with citric acid raised the suspicion that tetracycline could elicit similar effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the behavior of pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cultured on bone surfaces of rat calvaria demineralized with tetracycline (50mg / ml) and citric acid (10%, pH1) at different times of application. 126 bicortical samples were removed from the calvarial bone of 63 adult male Wistar rats using trephine drill of 5 mm in diameter. Samples were randomly assigned to one of the following study groups (n = 18) AC 15 in which the samples were demineralized by citric acid for 15 seconds; AC 30, in which the samples were demineralized by citric acid for 30 seconds; AC 60 wherein the samples were demineralized by citric acid for 60 seconds; TCN 15 in which the samples were demineralized tetracycline for 15 seconds; TCN 30, in which the samples were demineralized tetracycline for 30 seconds; TCN 60 wherein the samples were demineralized tetracycline for 60 seconds, and C, control group of samples not demineralized. The pre-osteoblasts were cultured on the samples for 24, 48 and 72 hours (n = 6) to be examined in the scanning electron microscope. Twenty-one samples were collected from other 11 animals and were distributed among the same groups for analysis of the surface chemical composition by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) (n = 3). The average percentage of the bone surfaces covered by cells was significantly higher after 24 and 48 hours of culture in groups AC15 (60.38% and 100% respectively), AC30 (99.32% and 100% respectively), AC60 (99.22% and 100% respectively) TCN15 (96.73% and 70.24% respectively) and TCN30 (64.72% and 57.40% respectively) than in groups TCN60 (9.67% and 51.45% respectively), and C (5.99% and 31.83% respectively). At 72 hours, all the groups presented almost complete covering of the surfaces by cells, with the exception of TCN60 group (56.15%). Cells presented with morphology compatible with more advanced stages of differentiation in groups undergone to demineralization than control. Variations in the anatomical percentages (A%) of the elements C, O, Na, Mg, Ca and P were insufficient to justify changes in cell behavior. The conclusion was that both demineralization of citric acid or tetracycline are favorable for the growth and differentiation of pre-osteoblasts especially when used according to AC30 and TCN15 groups. The mechanisms behind these results still need elucidation.(AU)

PhTX-II a basic myotoxic phospholipase A2 from Porthidium hyoprora snake venom, pharmacological characterization and amino acid sequence by mass spectrometry.

A monomeric basic PLA2 (PhTX-II) of 14149.08 Da molecular weight was purified to homogeneity from Porthidium hyoprora venom. Amino acid sequence by in tandem mass spectrometry revealed that PhTX-II belongs to Asp49 PLA2 enzyme class and displays conserved domains as the catalytic network, Ca²âº-binding loop and the hydrophobic channel of access to the catalytic site, reflected in the high catalytic activity displayed by the enzyme. Moreover, PhTX-II PLA2 showed an allosteric behavior and its enzymatic activity was dependent on Ca²âº. Examination of PhTX-II PLA2 by CD spectroscopy indicated a high content of alpha-helical structures, similar to the known structure of secreted phospholipase IIA group suggesting a similar folding. PhTX-II PLA2 causes neuromuscular blockade in avian neuromuscular preparations with a significant direct action on skeletal muscle function, as well as, induced local edema and myotoxicity, in mice. The treatment of PhTX-II by BPB resulted in complete loss of their catalytic activity that was accompanied by loss of their edematogenic effect. On the other hand, enzymatic activity of PhTX-II contributes to this neuromuscular blockade and local myotoxicity is dependent not only on enzymatic activity. These results show that PhTX-II is a myotoxic Asp49 PLA2 that contributes with toxic actions caused by P. hyoprora venom.

Mechanisms underlying midazolam-induced peripheral nerve block and neurotoxicity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The benzodiazepine midazolam has been reported to facilitate the actions of spinally administrated local anesthetics. Interestingly, despite the lack of convincing evidence for the presence of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors along peripheral nerve axons, midazolam also has been shown to have analgesic efficacy when applied alone to peripheral nerves.These observations suggest midazolam-induced nerve block is due to another site of action. Furthermore, because of evidence indicating that midazolam has equal potency at the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor and the 18-kd translocator protein (TSPO), it is possible that at least the nerve-blocking actions of midazolam are mediated by this alternative site of action. METHODS: We used the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil, and the TSPO antagonist PK11195, with midazolam on rat sciatic nerves and isolated sensory neurons to determine if either receptor mediates midazolam-induced nerve block and/or neurotoxicity. RESULTS: Midazolam (300 µM)-induced block of nerve conduction was reversed by PK11195 (3 µM), but not flumazenil (30 µM). Midazolam-induced neurotoxicity was blocked by neither PK11195 nor flumazenil. Midazolam also causes the release of Ca from internal stores in sensory neurons, and there was a small but significant attenuation of midazolam-induced neurotoxicity by the Ca chelator, BAPTA. BAPTA (30 µM) significantly attenuated midazolam-induced nerve block. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that processes underlying midazolam-induced nerve block and neurotoxicity are separable, and suggest that selective activation of TSPO may facilitate modality-selective nerve block while minimizing the potential for neurotoxicity.