[Solitary distal femoral osteosarcoma in 89-year-old woman. Case report]. / Solitárny osteosarkóm distálneho femuru diagnostikovaný u 89-rocnej zeny.

The authors describe the case of an 89-year-old patient with a one-month history of pain in the right knee and a pathological fracture of the distal femur. Excisional biopsy showed a classical osteogenic sarcoma. The patient died after six months of palliative surgical and oncological therapy; her primary disease generalised and progressed with numerous metastases. The authors discuss the possibilities of histological diagnostics of osteogenic sarcoma and its differential diagnosis. They draw attention to a possible occurrence of this type of sarcoma also in elderly patients, and not only in adolescents.

Enhanced early after-myocardial infarction concentration of TNF-alpha subsequently increased circulating and myocardial adrenomedullin in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Both inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the cardiac protective peptide adrenomedullin (AM) are increased in cardiac tissues and plasma in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and chronic heart failure. Recently they have been increasingly recognized as important factors in the pathophysiology of MI and resultant congestive heart failure. Compared with sham-operated spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we investigated myocardial immunoreactivity of TNF-alpha and AM and also their mutual relations in vivo in SHR+MI. Residual myocardial depression after MI was studied also in isolated perfused hearts. In chronic experiments, 24 and 48 h after permanent ligation of the descending anterior branch of the left coronary artery, we examined hemodynamics, plasma and myocardial peptide levels. Left ventricular function was assessed in isolated perfused hearts subjected to "global ischemia and reperfusion" and after induction of "calcium paradox". Circulating and myocardial TNF-alpha concentrations increased early after MI in SHR. Studies with global ischemia and calcium paradox in isolated heart showed early myocardial depression and calcium-dependent gradual increase of left-ventricular end-diastolic pressure. In the SHR+MI myocardial AM concentrations were increased 9- and 49-fold after respective 24 h and culminated 48 h following MI. Circulating and myocardial AM was increased in SHR+MI in association with TNFalpha-induced myocardial depression. The both studied cardiac parameters displayed the beneficial effect of the enhanced myocardial AM concentration.

The regulation of human adrenomedullin (AM) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) receptors on human epithelial carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The role of AM secretion in tumor cell sensitivity.

The cytostatic cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and proliferative hormone adrenomedullin (AM) are abundantly expressed in human tumors. However, little is known about mechanism (s) through which TNF-alpha and AM exert their regulatory effects, especially in the regulation of proliferative activity in malignant cells. Also the role played by TNF-alpha in pathogenesis and treatment of cancer (targeted cancer therapy) remains less understood. The purpose of this study was therefore to characterize the significance of TNF-alpha induced apoptosis with down-regulation of plasma-membrane TNF-alpha receptors and up-regulation of AM receptors with increased production of human AM mRNA, i.e. mechanisms that subsequently control aberrant cellular proliferation in malignant cells. Cytotoxicity, and the whole cell ligand binding assays for TNF-alpha and AM receptors, and RIA-assays of AM production were accomplished in control experiments using pharmacologically pretreated HeLa cells. AM increased proliferation of HeLa cells and AM antagonist (Ala6,21)AM(22-52) significantly antagonized this increase. TNF-alpha inhibitor of cell growth actinomycin-D significantly increased cytotoxicity of TNF-alpha in HeLa cells. Hypoxia increased TNF-alpha production and increased surface-membrane [125I]AM binding. Tumor promotor PMA and histamine down-regulated specific binding of [125I]TNF- alpha on HeLa cells. Mitogenic peptide endothelin-1 increased and specific ET-1 antagonist BQ123 and significantly reduced AM binding. Production of AM in HeLa cells markedly increased after exposure to hypoxia >ET-1 >PMA. BAY11-7082 at concentrations that inhibited IkappaB phosphorylation and thus nuclear translocation and surface membrane TNF-alpha expression increased AM specific binding. Pretreatment of cells inhibitor of HMGCoA reductase inhibitor VULM1457 significantly increased the total number of specific [125I]AM binding sites on HeLa cells. These results suggest relative and contradictory TNF-alpha and AM surface-membrane receptor signaling in HeLa cells and findings reveal a novel proliferative mechanisms that control AM production and thus oncogenic signaling in cells. This implies that several putative inhibitors of TNF-alpha and AM signaling may be considered in oncology for treatment of tumors otherwise nonresponding to cytostatic therapy.

Hypoxic stress-enhanced expression and release of adrenomedullin (AM) and up-regulated AM receptors, while glucose starvation reduced AM expression and release and down-regulated AM receptors in monkey renal cells.

The proliferative peptide adrenomedullin (AM) has a wide distribution in a variety of tissues and cells. The mechanism how the AM gene is regulated in cells is not yet known. The renal cortex, renal vascular smooth muscles, glomeruli and tubular epithelial cells are very sensitive to hypoxia. Renal hypoxia produces acute renal tubular necrosis and markedly induces AM expression in damaged cells. However, little information is available regarding the possible pathophysiological production and release of renal tubular AM. Regulation of membrane-bound AM receptors in renal cells has not yet been systematically studied. To elucidate the potential pathological role of human AM we examined the production and release of AM, as well as the characteristics of surface membrane AM receptors in cultured monkey renal tubular epithelial cells (RC) exposed to hypoxia, induced with endothelin-1, and subjected to glucose deprivation. Exposure of RC to hypoxia (1 % O(2), 5 % CO(2) in N(2)), and to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased production and secretion of AM and increased specific [(125)I]AM binding on RC. Metabolic stress (1 % glucose in the cultivation medium) and preincubation of RC with rival peptide endothelin-1 significantly reduced immunoreactive-AM in a conditioned medium and whole cell surface membrane AM binding on RC. Altogether, our data suggest that the AM is involved in the adaptation of renal tubular cells to hypoxia. Increased expression of AM mRNA and regulation of AM receptors in metabolic stress may function as an important autocrine/paracrine regulator(s) of renal tubular epithelial cells.

Regulation of 1,4-dihydropyridine and beta-adrenergic receptor sites in coronary artery smooth muscle membranes.

The receptor sites for 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel ligands were identified and pharmacologically characterized in partially purified canine coronary artery smooth muscle (CSM) membranes (purification factor for 1,4-DHPs 2.8 and 2.2 respectively) using Ca2+ channel agonist (-)-S-[3H]BAYK 8644 and antagonist (+)-[3H]PN 200-110 as radioligands. The beta-adrenergic receptors were identified with (-)-3-[125I]iodocyanopindolol (ICYP). Specific binding of 1,4-DHPs and ICYP to membrane fraction was saturable, reversible and of both high and low affinity. The Kd for 1,4-DHP Ca2+ channel agonist was 0.59 +/- 0.05 and for antagonist 0.35 +/- 0.06 nmol/l and for low affinity binding sites Kd = 9.0 +/- 0.18 and 18.0 +/- 1.1 nmol/l. The high affinity 1,4-DHP binding (Bmax = 265 +/- 21 and 492 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein), showed stereoselectivity, temperature-dependence as well as pharmacological specificity: isoprenaline- and GTP-sensitivity, positive modulation with dilthiazem and negative modulation with verapamil, that is, properties characteristic of 1,4-DHP receptor sites on L-type Ca2+ channels. The low affinity binding sites were characterized as nonselective, temperature independent, dipyridamol-sensitive and represented a nucleoside transporter. The proportion of high affinity binding sites identified in the CSM membranes was 1.85 : 1.0 in favour of the antagonist. Results obtained with [125I]omega Conotoxin GVI A demonstrated that CSM membrane fractions isolated from median layers of coronary artery were devoid of substantial contamination with fragments of neuronal cells.

The ACAT inhibitor VULM1457 significantly reduced production and secretion of adrenomedullin (AM) and down-regulated AM receptors on human hepatoblastic cells.

Acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) is an important enzyme in the pathways of cholesterol esterification. It has been shown that new ACAT inhibitor 1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-3-[4-(4'-nitrophenylthio)phenyl] urea (VULM1457) significantly reduced atherogenic activity in animal experimental atherosclerosis. Proliferative hormone adrenomedullin (AM) has been shown to be released in response to hypoxia, however, its role in cellular protection has remained elusive. The effect of increased local production of AM in cells and resultant down-regulation of AM receptors has not been investigated yet. We hypothesized that increased expression of AM in hypoxic cells was the result of excessive AM production with resultant AM receptor down-regulation, surface-membrane protein degradation and that the new specific ACAT inhibitor would reduce AM induction in hypoxia and thus proliferation of cells. In order to investigate specific cellular AM signaling and protection induced by VULM1457, we characterized specific surface-membrane [125I]AM receptors expressed on cells, evaluated AM secretion (RIA assays), AM mRNA expression in cultured cells (RT-PCR analysis) and proliferation (incorporation of [3H]thymidine) in control, hypoxic and metabolically stressed human hepatoblastoma cell lines exposed to gradually increasing concentrations of VULM1457. The new ACAT inhibitor VULM1457 in concentration 0.03 and 0.1 micromol/l significantly down-regulated specific AM receptors on HepG2 cells, reduced AM secretion of HepG2 cells exposed to hypoxia. These results suggest that VULM1457, as new member of ACAT family of inhibitors could negatively regulate cell proliferation induced by AM, which may correlate with down-regulation of membrane-bound AM receptors on HepG2 cells, and moreover, with the induction and expression of AM in hypoxia.

Five fluorocarbons for administration of aerosol bronchodilators.

The exposure of the upper respiratory tract to aerosol propellants produces apnea, bradycardia, and biphasic fall and rise in aortic blood pressure in anesthetized dogs. This response represents the irritation of sensory receptors in the nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosa and is not elicited with aerosol propellants administered via a tracheal cannula bypassing the upper respiratory tract. When this is done, a different reflex is elicited, consisting of tachycardia that is mediated by the thoracic sympathetic nerves. There is either bronchodilation or bronchoconstriction depending on the type of propellant. The three propellants (11, 12, and 114) widely used in aerosols, when inspired in large doses, elicit both bradycardia and tachycardia and induce bronchoconstriction or bronchodilation. Two additional propellants (115 and C318), which are not ordinarily used to dispense bronchodilator drugs, do not elicit any change in heart rate and produce only bronchodilation. It is suggested that these two propellants merit further investigation and may replace the three widely used ones if these prove the use and abuse of aerosols.

Enhanced endothelin ET(B) receptor down-regulation in human tumor cells.

The characteristics of specific binding of human [125I]Tyr(13)-endothelin-(1-21), [125I]-Tyr(13)-Suc-[Glu(9),Ala(11, 15)]-endothelin-(8-21), ([125I]IRL-1620) and endothelin ET(A) receptor antagonist [125I]Tyr(3)-(N-[(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)carbonyl]-L-Leu]-1Me )-D-Trp ([125I]PD151242) (number of sites and their affinity) and proliferation responses to exogenous endothelin receptor agonists (endothelin-1 and the endothelin ET(B) receptor-selective, truncated N-acetyl-[Ala(11,15)]-endothelin-(6-21) analogue BQ3020) were determined in cultured human fibroblasts and in tumorigenic HeLa cells. The cells were pre-incubated with equimolar concentrations of human endothelin-1 or its truncated analogue BQ3020. After pre-incubation (2 h), both peptides induced down-regulation of surface-membrane endothelin-1 receptors. This process was specific for endothelin ET(B) receptors and was much more intensive in tumorigenic cells. BQ3020, acting mostly through its C-terminus, induced nearly maximal endothelin ET(B) receptor down-regulation in HeLa cells. Staurosporine, a wide spectrum protein kinase inhibitor, significantly reduced, and N-[N-[N-[2, 6-dimethyl-1piperidinyl)carbonyl]-4-Me-L-Leu]-1-(methoxycarbonyl)- D-t ryptophanyl]-D-norleucine (BQ788), an endothelin ET(B) receptor antagonist, attenuated the down-regulation of endothelin receptors induced by endothelin receptor agonists. The down-regulation of endothelin ET(B) receptors was prevented by pre-incubation of the cells with the lysosomal enzyme blocker chloroquine. The endothelin-1-induced cell proliferation was attenuated by pre-incubation of the cells with the non-selective endothelin receptor antagonist Ac-D-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d] cycloheptene-glycine-3,3-D-diphenyl-Ala-Leu-Asp-Ile-Ile-Trp (PD142893) and it was only partially reduced by the endothelin ET(A) receptor-selective endothelin antagonist PD151242.

Stobadine is a potent modulator of endogenous endothelin-1 in human fibroblasts.

Binding of endothelin (ET) peptides to their respective receptors with resulting proliferation of vascular smooth muscle has been implicated in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Recently it was hypothesized that endothelin- (ET-1) bound to its two membrane receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) continues to activate signal transducing proteins in cells. It was also shown that pyridoindole stobadine stabilized lysosomal membranes in myocardium in early ischemia. Therefore we decided to study the effects of stobadine on specific, subtype-selective binding and subsequent degradation of human, synthetic [125I]-ET-1 in human fibroblasts (HF). Our results indicate that stobadine significantly potentiated ET-1 binding by reductive ET(B) selective degradation of ET-1 in HF. Hence, it is very plausible that stobadine may modulate endogenous endothelin and its intracellular mitogenic and chemotactic factors, principally by affecting two presumably related processes, participating in the proliferative and mitogenic response, (1) potentiation of signal trasduction from ET(A) receptors, and (2) subtype-ET(B) selective intracellular processing.

The beta-adrenergic receptor-regulated 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel receptor sites in coronary artery smooth muscle.

The cross-regulatory communication from beta-adrenergic receptors to 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) Ca2+ channel agonist and antagonist binding sites and cooperativity between DHP binding sites were studied in microsomal membranes of canine coronary artery (purified to a factor 2.9 for DHPs). The maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) identified in coronary artery microsomal membranes (CAM) with Ca2+ channel agonist (-)-S-(3H)BAY K 8644 was two times higher than Bmax of sites labelled with Ca2+ channel antagonist (+)-(3H)PN 200-110. The exposure of CAM to isoprenaline was accompanied with down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors and with increase in binding capacity for DHPs. The increase in Bmax was proportional in both groups of experiments and was related to increased affinity of DHPs. The 1,4-DHP binding sites identified in vascular smooth muscle showed characteristics typical for classification of specific 1,4-DHP receptor on Ca2+ channels. The binding was of high affinity, saturable and reversible, it showed stereoselectivity and it was positively modulated by beta-adrenergic stimulation and its showed cAMP and GTP sensitivity. The results support the hypothesis that beta-receptors also regulate the mode of Ca2+ channels in coronary artery smooth muscle.

Endothelin-1 significantly increased number of specific high-affinity 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) binding sites photolabelled on vascular smooth muscle cells with (-)-[3H]-azidopine.

The effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on surface membrane Ca2+ channels were studied on cultured human embryonal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and on isolated rat aorta using photoaffinity labelling with DHP Ca2+ channel antagonist (-)-[3H]-azidopine (AZI). The AZI-labelled saturable population of sites on VSMC with Bmax = 1.59 +/- 0.10 pmol/mg of protein and KD = 5.40 +/- 1.70 nmol/l; and 1.32 +/- 0.11 pmol/mg w.w. and KD = 1.09 +/- 0.20 nmol/l in isolated rings of the rat aorta. Preincubation with ET-1 (0.1, 1.0 and 10 nmol/l) increased (in a concentration-dependent manner) the total number of sites specifically photolabelled on VSMC. The number of sites labelled with AZI on ET-1 preincubated VSMC increased markedly when divalent cations (Ca2+ or Mg2+ in other experiments) were present in the incubation medium. Specific photolabelling also significantly increased in VSMC pretreated with intrinsically photoreactive nifedipine. A protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, added to the incubation medium, significantly reduced the enhanced specific photolabelling after ET-1. The increase in specific photolabelling after ET-1 preincubation (+197 +/- 46%; P < 0.05) was also observed in rings of the rat aorta and it was significantly reduced after preincubation with S-(+)-niguldipine.

Detrimental subtype-specific endothelin-1 (ET-1) signaling in myocardial cells: the ET(A) mediated proliferation and ET(B)receptor down-regulation.

Many physiological and pathological processes in the cardiac tissue have been shown to be associated with a release of endothelin (ET) peptides and with induction of specific ET-receptors and G-protein-coupled ion channels. However, the exact mechanism regulating ET-receptors in the myocardium is controversial. The response to ET-1, the most important member of the ET family, is rapidly attenuated by down-regulation of ET-receptors. The internalization of ET-1 bound to two subclasses of specific receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) that are abundant in the myocardium has been hypothesized to activate and/or inhibit a variety of intracellular signal transducing systems. The [125I]ET-1, BQ-3020 and selective ET-antagonists were used to study the subtype-selective component of regulation of ET-1 receptors in myocardial membranes. We determined the characteristics of [125I]ET-1 binding and [3H]thymidine incorporation in whole cell saturation studies and measured Ca2+ channel induction and the total number of inactive Ca2+ channels in photoaffinity studies with [3H]azidopine. Here we demonstrate four important components of the complex ET-1 response in human, porcine and rat myocardium, leading to aberrant responses of cells. After ET-1 induction, adaptive subtype-ETB selective down-regulation predominated in human embryonic fibroblasts, in porcine membrane vesicles and in microsomal membranes of renal hypertensive rats, with preferential high affinity ET-1 binding to ETA receptors and with the resultant ETA mediated proliferative and mitogenic activation of human fibroblasts. The ET-1 induction was also accompanied by profound inactivation of Ca2+ channels in myocardial membranes.

Cardiac effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and related C terminal peptide fragment: increased inotropy or contribution to heart failure?

The contrasting pattern of cardiac inotropy induced by human peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) has not been satisfactorily explained. It is not clear whether ET-1 is primarily responsible for increased myocardial ET-1 expression and release with resultant inotropic effects, or for the induction of myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure. There are at least two subtypes of endothelin receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) and the inotropic effects of ET-1 differ depending on the receptor involved. Along with some other groups, we reported significant subtype-ET(B) endothelin receptor down-regulation in human cardiac cells preincubated with endothelin agonists (Drímal et al. 1999, 2000). The present study was therefore designed to clarify the subtype-selective mechanisms underlying the inotropic response to ET-1 and to its ET(B)-selective fragment (8-21)ET-1 in the isolated rat heart. The hearts were subjected to (1-21)ET-1 and to (8-21)ET-1, or to 30 min of stop-flow ischemia followed by 40 min of reperfusion, both before and after selective blockade of endothelin receptors. The present study revealed that both peptides, ET-1 and its (8-21)ET-1 fragment, significantly reduced coronary blood flow in nmolar and higher concentrations. The concomitant negative inotropy and chronotropy were marked after ET-1, while the infusion of the ET-1(8-21) fragment produced a slight but significant positive inotropic effect. Among the four endothelin antagonists tested in continuous infusion only the non-selective PD145065 and ET(B1/B2) selective BQ788 (in molar concentrations) slightly reduced the early contractile dysfunction of the heart induced by ischemia, whereas ET(A)-selective PD155080 partially protected the rat heart on reperfusion.

Identification of dihydropyridine (DHP) binding sites on cultured monkey renal cells (GMRC) with a photoaffinity probe (-)-[3H]-azidopine.

The low affinity binding sites identified in crude membranes from different excitable tissues with the dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium (Ca2+) channel ligands have confused researches in the field of Ca2+ channels as they can represent low affinity state(s) of the DHP receptor, or they can be labelled with DHP-type Ca2+ channel ligands. The aim of this communication was to provide more evidence for the existence of separate DHP binding sites on the surface of cultured green monkey renal cells (GMRC). The saturation ligand binding experiments with [3H]-nitrendipine (NTP) and photoaffinity labelling studies with (-)-[3H]-azidopine (AZI) were performed in order to identify and further characterize the DHP receptor on cultured GMRC. Specific high affinity sites identified on GMRC with [3H]-NTP (Bmax = 0.78 +/- 0.03 pmol/mg protein and KD = 0.06 +/- 0.1 nmol/l in native cells) and photolabelled with AZI represent DHP receptor on L-type Ca2+ channels. The low affinity binding sites photolabelled with AZI on GMRC (9.84 +/- 2.4 pmol/mg protein and KD = 3.21 +/- 1.25 nmol/l in native cells) were significantly increased after preincubation of GMRC with low concentrations of DHPs nitrendipine and nisoldipine. Preincubation of GMRC with Ca2+ channel agonist (-)BAYK 8644 significantly reduced specific photolabelling with AZI on GMRC and increased low affinity labelling. Preincubation of (+)BAYK 8644 was without any effect. Niguldipine (DHP with the voluminous substituent on the port side of the DHP ring) partially inhibited specific photolabelling with AZI on GMRC and also partially reduced the maximal number of low affinity binding sites labelled with AZI. Our results support the hypothesis of separate subsites in the region of DHP receptor of GMRC and the existence of the "marginal" photolabelling of specific DHP binding sites identified on Ca2+ channels.

Regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors and calcium channel agonist binding sites in cultured human embryonal smooth muscle cells.

Recent electrophysiological studies with cell membrane patches of cardiac myocytes and an electrically excitable cell line derived from rat pituitary tumor suggested that voltage activated calcium channels must be phosphorylated to respond to membrane depolarization (Armstrong and Eckert 1986; Trautwein and Kameyama 1986). In view of the "phosphorylation hypothesis" we investigated the adenylate-cyclase activity, the characteristics of beta-adrenergic and calcium channel agonist binding sites in control and desensitized (exposure to isoproterenol) human embryonal cells (HEC), and in fragmented membrane preparations of canine coronary smooth muscle. Our results suggest that down-regulation of the membrane-bound beta-adrenergic receptors, induced by isoproterenol in human embryonal cells and also in adult canine vascular tissue, results in physical translocation of beta-adrenergic binding sites into the light membrane fraction. This phenomenon is accompanied with an increased intracellular concentration of cAMP in and an increased binding of the calcium channel agonist (3H) BAYK 8644 to both HEC and canine smooth muscle membrane preparations. It could be concluded that phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptors regulates not only the beta subcellular distribution of the beta receptors but also the availability of calcium channel agonist binding sites in the cellular membrane.

Modulation of high affinity phenylalkylamine binding sites on cultured human embryonal vascular smooth muscle cells.

Two phenylalkylamine Ca2+ channel ligands, (+/-)-[3H]verapamil ((+/-)-[3H]V) (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil ((-)-[3H]DV), were employed in whole cell binding assays to characterize the specific high affinity binding sites on Ca2+ channels, their cooperativity and modulations induced on cultured human embryonal vascular smooth muscle preparation (VSM) by: 1) Beta-adrenergic stimulation of the cell, 2) exposure to high K+ concentration, 3) exposure to high concentration of Mg2+ ions, 4) the presence of a benzothiazepine Ca2+ channel antagonist and modulator d-cis-diltiazem, and 5) guanylylimidodiphosphate. The total amounts of specific (+/-)-[3H]V and (-)-[3H]DV binding sites present on VSM cells increased significantly after beta-adrenergic receptor activation, following cell membrane depolarization induced by high concentrations of K+, in the presence of Ca2+ chelator Na3EDTA, and after incubation of VSM cells with a benzothiazine-type Ca2+ channel blocker d-cis-diltiazem. A marked reduction of (-)-[3H]DV binding was observed after permanent G-protein activation by a nonhydrolyzable analog of guanylylimidodiphosphate, after incubation of the cells with norepinephrine, and after incubation of VSM cells with millimolar concentration of Mg2+. The results suggest the existence of multiple modulations of specific (-)-[3H]DV binding sites on Ca2+ channel corresponding to the way of activation of the cell and also to the immediate "state" of the membrane bound Ca2+ channels present on VSM cells, the positive heterotropic interaction after beta-adrenergic stimulation, the homotropic positive allosteric interaction induced by d-cis-diltiazem and pure noncompetitive inhibition induced by guanylylimidodiphosphate. The presence of high concentrations of Mg2+ inhibited whereas the presence of Ca2+ chelator, of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid sodium salt, significantly increased the total number of specific high affinity (-)-[3H]DV binding sites on VSM cells.

Heterogeneity of calcium channel agonist binding sites in the coronary artery.

The binding properties (3H) BAY k 8644 a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel agonist were studied in the subcellular membrane fraction isolated from the coronary artery by differential centrifugation. The specific binding of (3H) BAY k 8644 to microsomal membranes of the coronary smooth muscle was rapid, saturable, reversible and of both high and low affinity. The dissociation constants obtained from Scatchard analysis with (3H) BAY k 8644 and nitrendipine were 0.60 +/- 0.02 nmol.l-1 and 9.1 +/- 0.1 nmol.l-1 for the high and low affinity binding site respectively and the estimated maximal numbers of binding sites in the plasma membrane fraction were 0.76 +/- 0.02 and 3.15 +/- 0.18 pmol.mg-1 of protein respectively. The substituted dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists nitrendipine and nifedipine competitively inhibited specific (3H)BAY k 8644 binding suggesting a common high affinity 1,4-dihydropyridine binding site in the coronary microsomal fraction for calcium channel activator and antagonists. The low affinity agonist binding sites were significantly inhibited by adding nucleoside carrier inhibitors, 2-deoxyadenosine and dipyridamole, and by -SH alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide. The results suggests that the coronary artery contains both high and low affinity calcium channel binding sites (in a 1:5 ratio) with the low affinity calcium channel agonist binding sites being associated with nucleoside carrier and/or with-SH groups.

Effects of human peptide endothelin-1 and two of its sterically unrestrained C-terminal fragments on coronaryvascular smooth muscle.

UNLABELLED: Clearance of human peptide endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been proposed to follow a receptor pathway involving a cascade of ET-1 receptor endocytosis and lysosomal degradation by a family of proteinases expressed constitutively by most cells. Genetically distinct endopeptidases produce ET-1 and degrade mature peptide. The ET-1 degradation products were considered to be inactive, however, recent evidence suggests that ET-1 fragments sustain most of the homeostatic response produced by parent peptides. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the overall structure of human ET-1 or the structure of its C-terminus is responsible for the subtype-selectivity, down-regulation and clearance of endothelin, and whether D-aminoacid substitution in the moiety of synthetic peptide is involved in effective ET-1 antagonism in coronary vascular smooth muscle. To characterize specific mechanism(s) leading to subtype-selective ET-receptor down-regulation and/or to ET-1 antagonism, ligand binding studies were accomplished with radioactive human (1-21)ET-1 and with C-terminal ET-1 fragments, both peptide agonists and antagonists, in adult male porcine coronary artery vascular smooth muscle (CVSM). The subcellular membranes of CVSM were isolated by isopycnic gradient centrifugation. Exposure of porcine coronary artery to exogenous ET-1 induced endothelin-ETB selective down-regulation. ETA-mediated subtype-ETB down-regulation was observed with distribution of ligand-ETB receptor complexes in light, endosomal, membranes. The ETA selective PD151242 significantly attenuated [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and the ETB selective antagonist BQ788 blocked down-regulation observed in porcine vascular fibroblasts (PF). Preincubation of coronary arteries with ETB selective BQ3020 was accompanied with a more intense down-regulation. CONCLUSION: our data are indicative of short-term ETB selective down-regulation of endothelin receptors in coronary vascular smooth muscle after exposure to ET-1. The presence in the carboxy-terminus of (Ala11,15) substitution in peptide fragments IRL1620 and BQ3020 determined the differential specificity of ETB-receptor coupling and was important for subtype-ETB-receptor down-regulation. The activation of the dominating ETA-receptor by ET-1 facilitated mitogenic responses to ET-1 in porcine vascular fibroblasts.

External transport of beta-adrenergic binding sites in ischemic myocardium.

The properties of beta-adrenergic receptors were studied in normal and in flow restricted regions of the dog heart. Purified cardiac membrane preparations and papillary muscle preparations were isolated from control and ischemic areas and tested a) following chronic beta-receptor blockade with metipranolol or exaprolol, and b) after acute regional myocardial ischemia. A significant reduction in the sensitivity of the heart muscle preparations from compromised heart for isoprenaline resulting in a reduced affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors to exaprolol was observed. Quantitative ligand binding data showed higher numbers of (3H) dihydroalprenolol/(3H) DHA/binding sites in the membrane fraction obtained from compromised compared to control myocardium. The ratio of intra- to extracellular beta-adrenergic receptors decreased from 1.35 to 0.55 in the membrane fractions obtained from the compromised hearts. Pretreatment of experimental animals with metipranolol or propranolol attenuated the observed increase in the total number of beta-adrenergic receptor sites in myocardial membrane fractions from ischemic hearts. These data suggest preferential distribution of beta-adrenergic binding sites from intracellular to membrane fractions in flow restricted regions of the dog heart after coronary occlusion.

Inverse regulation of calcium channels and beta-adrenergic receptors in virus-transformed human embryonal cells.

Monolayer cultures of human embryonal smooth muscle cells (HEC) were used to study the heterologous regulation of membrane beta-adrenergic receptors and Ca2+ channels. The relationships between the activation of membrane bound alpha-1 and beta-adrenergic receptors, the cyclic nucleotide response and Ca2+ channel binding were studied in a cellular model of latent virus infection (Herpes simplex, Type-2) in a human embryonal cell line. In the early stage of infection (72 h), there was a significant increase in the cell cAMP content, followed by a decrease in the binding capacity of the beta-adrenergic ligand with an increased total number of the 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel agonist (-)-S-(3H)BAYK 8644 binding sites on the cell membrane of infected cells. The increased numbers of Ca2+ agonist binding sites were accompanied by an increased cAMP content in the cells and an increased membrane ATP-ase activity. Down-regulation of (3H)DHA binding, and an increased capacity of Ca2+ agonist binding were found after prolonged exposure of HEC to isoprenaline (10(-5) mol.l-1). Stimulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors with phenylephrine (10(-6) mol.l-1) was accompanied with only slight but significant increase in (3H)DHA binding and with a significant reduction in the total number of Ca2+ channel agonist binding sites.