Celiprolol induces ß(3)-adrenoceptors-dependent relaxation in isolated porcine coronary arteries.

In porcine coronary arteries (PCAs), celiprolol, a selective ß(1)-adrenoceptors antagonist, induces vasodilatation by an endothelium- and nitric oxide (NO)-dependent pathway. However, the mechanisms of that vascular effect have not been precisely established. ß(3)-Adrenoceptors have been shown to be involved in the relaxation per se of various vascular beds, including coronary vessels. Thus, we evaluated (i) the presence of ß(3)-adrenoceptors in the PCA and (ii) their role in celiprolol-induced vasodilatation. PCA rings were placed in organ baths and preconstricted with KCl. All experiments were performed in the presence of nadolol (a ß(1)/ß(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist). Cumulative concentration-response curves to SR 58611A and ICI 215001 (2 ß(3)-adrenoceptor agonists) and to celiprolol were constructed. We also used semiquantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction, which clearly showed the presence of ß(3)-adrenoceptor transcripts. SR 58611A, ICI 215001, and celiprolol induced concentration-dependent relaxations in PCA rings. SR 58611A-induced relaxation was almost abolished after removal of endothelium or pretreatment with L-NAME (a NO synthase inhibitor). The vasorelaxations induced by SR 58611A and celiprolol were inhibited in the presence of SR 59230A and L-748337 (2 selective ß(3)-adrenoceptor antagonists). We showed (i) that PCAs possess functional ß(3)-adrenoceptors mediating endothelium- and NO-dependent relaxation, and (ii) that celiprolol exerts a ß(3)-adrenoceptor agonistic activity in this vascular bed.

Autoantibodies against cardiac ß(1)-adrenoceptor do not affect the low-affinity state ß(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated inotropy in rat cardiomyocytes.

Circulating autoantibodies directed against the 2nd extracellular loop (EL-2) of ß(1)-adrenoceptors (ß(1)-AABs) have been detected in the serum of patients with various cardiovascular pathologies. ß(1)-AABs induce agonistic, positive inotropic effects via ß(1)-adrenoceptors (ß(1)ARs). In the mammalian heart, ß(1)-AR can exist in 2 distinct activated configurations (the so-called high- and low-affinity states). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the action of ß(1)-AAB is dependent on the affinity state of ß(1)AR in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes of adult Wistar rats. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) containing ß(1)-AAB obtained from animals immunized with a peptide corresponding to the EL-2 of human ß(1)-AR, caused a dose-dependent increase in cell shortening. Isoproterenol-induced inotropy was significantly reduced in cardiomyocytes that had been preincubated with IgG containing ß(1)-AAB and in cardiomyocytes isolated from immunized rats. The negative effects of preincubation with IgG containing ß(1)-AAB on the response to isoproterenol was inhibited in the presence of bisoprolol. CGP 12177A and pindolol-induced inotropy was not affected by IgG preincubation or immunization. No detectable inotropic effect of cell shortening was obtained with IgG containing ß(1)-AAB in the presence of propranolol and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The present study demonstrates that ß(1)-AABs have no agonist/antagonist-like effects upon low-affinity state ß(1)-ARs. This result indicates that ß(1)-AABs recognize and stabilize the high-affinity state, but are unable to stabilize and (or) induce the low-affinity state receptor.

Evaluation of the role of superoxide anions in endotoxin-induced impairment of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated vasodilation in equine digital veins.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of superoxide anions in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced impairment of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated equine digital vein (EDV) vasodilation. SAMPLE POPULATION: EDVs isolated from forelimbs of 24 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES: Endothelium-intact or endothelium-denuded EDV rings were incubated with or without LPS (10 microg/mL) of Escherichia coli (O55:B5) for 4 hours. Cumulative concentration-relaxation curves resulting from administration of isoprenaline, a nonselective beta-adrenoceptor agonist, or from administration of SR 58611A, a selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist, were recorded in phenylephrine-preconstricted EDVs in the absence or the presence of superoxide dismutase (200 U/mL). Isoprenaline-induced relaxation was also evaluated with or without the cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin (10 microM) and NS-398 (10 microM). RESULTS: Isoprenaline and SR 58611A induced concentration-dependent relaxation of EDV rings, which was inhibited by LPS exposure. Superoxide dismutase abolished the inhibitory effect of LPS on the isoprenaline- and SR 58611A-mediated relaxation. Pretreatment of the LPS-treated EDVs with indomethacin or NS-398 restored the isoprenaline-mediated relaxation and abolished the LPS-induced impairment to a similar extent as superoxide dismutase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results supported a role of superoxide anions in the LPS-induced impairment of beta-adrenoceptor-mediated EDV vasodilation. The LPS-induced oxidative stress in EDVs may contribute to vascular dysfunctions associated with laminitis in horses.

Rabbit, a relevant model for the study of cardiac beta 3-adrenoceptors.

The beta(3)-adrenoceptors (beta(3)-ARs) have been identified and characterized in the human heart. Specific beta(3)-AR stimulation, unlike beta(1)-AR or beta(2)-AR stimulation, decreases cardiac contractility, partly via the G(i)-NO pathway. However, the precise role of cardiac beta(3)-ARs is not yet completely understood. Indeed, under normal conditions, the beta(3)-AR response is present only to a very low degree in rats and mice. Therefore, we evaluated whether beta(3)-ARs were present and functional in rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes, and whether the rabbit could serve as a relevant model for the study of cardiac beta(3)-ARs. We used RT-PCR and Western blot to measure the beta(3)-AR transcripts and protein levels in rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. We also analysed the effect of beta(3)-AR stimulation using isoproterenol in combination with nadolol or SR 58611A on cardiomyocyte shortening, Ca(2+) transient, L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)), delayed rectifier potassium current (I(Ks)) and action potential duration (APD). For the first time, we show that beta(3)-ARs are expressed in rabbit ventricular cardiomyocytes. The mRNA and protein sequences present a high homology to those of rat and human beta(3)-ARs. Furthermore, beta(3)-AR stimulation decreases cardiomyocyte shortening, Ca(2+) transient and I(Ca,L) amplitudes, via a G(i)-NO pathway. Importantly, beta(3)-AR stimulation enhances I(Ks) amplitude and shortens the APD. Taken together, our results indicate that the rabbit provides a relevant model, easily used in laboratories, to study the roles of cardiac beta(3)-ARs in physiological conditions.

14-3-3 is a regulator of the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.5.

The voltage-sensitive Na(+) channel Na(v)1.5 plays a crucial role in generating and propagating the cardiac action potential and its dysfunction promotes cardiac arrhythmias. The channel takes part into a large molecular complex containing regulatory proteins. Thus, factors that modulate its biosynthesis, localization, activity, and/or degradation are of great interest from both a physiological and pathological standpoint. Using a yeast 2-hybrid screen, we unveiled a novel partner, 14-3-3eta, interacting with the Na(v)1.5 cytoplasmic I interdomain. The interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation of 14-3-3 and full-length Na(v)1.5 both in COS-7 cells expressing recombinant Na(v)1.5 and in mouse cardiac myocytes. Using immunocytochemistry, we also found that 14-3-3 and Na(v)1.5 colocalized at the intercalated discs. We tested the functional link between Na(v)1.5 and 14-3-3eta using the whole-cell patch-clamp configuration. Coexpressing Na(v)1.5, the beta1 subunit and 14-3-3eta induced a negative shift in the inactivation curve of the Na(+) current, a delayed recovery from inactivation, but no changes in the activation curve or in the current density. The negative shift was reversed, and the recovery from inactivation was normalized by overexpressing the Na(v)1.5 cytoplasmic I interdomain interacting with 14-3-3eta. Reversal was also obtained with the dominant negative R56,60A 14-3-3eta mutant, suggesting that dimerization of 14-3-3 is needed for current regulation. Computer simulations suggest that the absence of 14-3-3 could exert proarrhythmic effects on cardiac electrical restitution properties. Based on these findings, we propose that the 14-3-3 protein is a novel component of the cardiac Na(+) channel acting as a cofactor for the regulation of the cardiac Na(+) current.

CGP12177-induced haemodynamic and vascular effects in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

CGP12177 is a non-conventional partial agonist, known to have cardiostimulating and vasorelaxant properties related to its agonist action on the low affinity state of the beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1LA)-adrenoceptor). In normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), CGP12177-induced vasorelaxant effects were analysed in hindquarter vessels to assess modifications in hind limb vascular resistance, and in femoral artery rings. The global haemodynamic effects induced by CGP12177 were also investigated using telemetry in conscious animals. In hindquarters vasculature precontracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine, CGP12177 (0.16 to 475 microg) produced a similar dose-dependent decrease in hindquarters perfusion pressure in both strains. Vasorelaxation was not modified by nadolol, a beta(1) and beta(2)-adrenoreceptor antagonist, nor by L748337, a beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonist, but was concentration dependently inhibited by bupranolol, a beta(1LA)-adrenoceptor antagonist at high concentrations. In femoral artery rings from WKY rats and SHR, CGP12177 produced a concentration-dependent relaxation, which was unaffected by nitric oxide synthases inhibition but was significantly reduced in the presence of bupranolol. With double cardiac autonomic blockade (atropine plus atenolol) in conscious WKY rats and SHR, CGP12177 greatly increased heart rate with minor changes in mean arterial pressure in both strains. Conversely, in the absence of double cardiac autonomic blockade, the amplitude of CGP12177-induced heart rate increase was less pronounced and had an hypotensive effect. The reduction in tachycardia and the hypotension were significantly greater in SHR compared to WKY rats. In conclusion, in both strains, CGP12177 produced vasodilating effects in hindquarter vessels and femoral arteries that can be attributed to a beta(1LA)-adrenoceptor stimulation. In conscious WKY rats and SHR, CGP12177-induced cardiostimulation and hypotension were not significantly different after baroreflex blockade, but were decreased and increased respectively, in the presence of baroreflex activity.

Characterization of beta3-adrenoceptors in human internal mammary artery and putative involvement in coronary artery bypass management.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze whether beta3-adrenoceptors (beta3-ARs) were effectively present and functional in the human internal mammary artery (IMA). BACKGROUND: The beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptors classically mediate the relaxant effects of catecholamines in the vessels. In vitro and in vivo studies performed in various animal species described vasodilating effects due to activation of a third beta-ARs subtype (beta3). METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blot experiments, and pharmacological studies were carried out in human IMA samples harvested from 27 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. RESULTS: The beta3-ARs messenger ribonucleic acid and protein were detected in intact IMA, but were absent in endothelium-free samples. This finding was confirmed by immunohistochemical experiments. In organ baths, a beta3-AR agonist, SR 58611A, induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted IMA rings. This vasodilation was not modified by beta1/beta2-AR antagonists, but was greatly altered in the presence of L-748,337, a selective human beta3-AR antagonist. Moreover, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthases abolished the beta3-adrenergic vasodilation, suggesting the involvement of a NO-signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Those results demonstrated the presence of beta3-ARs in the endothelial layer of human IMA. The present work highlights the role of beta3-ARs in vasomotor control of IMA and opens new fields of investigation in coronary bypass graft management, heart failure, and hypertension.

Mixed beta3-adrenoceptor agonist and alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist properties of nebivolol in rat thoracic aorta.

Nebivolol, a selective beta-adrenoceptor (beta1-AR) antagonist, induces vasodilatation by an endothelium- and NO-cGMP-dependent pathway. However, the mechanisms involved in the vascular effect of nebivolol have not been established. Thus, we evaluated the role of alpha1 and beta3-ARs in nebivolol-induced vasodilatation. The responses to nebivolol were investigated in vitro in thoracic aortic rings isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Nebivolol (0.1-10 microM) significantly shifted the concentration-response curve to phenylephrine, an alpha1-AR agonist, to the right in a concentration-dependent manner (pA2 = 6.5). Conversely, the concentration-response curve to endothelin 1 (ET1) was unaffected by nebivolol. In ET1-precontracted rings, nebivolol induced a concentration-dependent relaxation, which was unaffected by nadolol (a beta1/beta2-AR antagonist) but was significantly reduced by L-748,337 (a beta3-AR antagonist), endothelium removal or pretreatment with L-NMMA (an NOS inhibitor). Similar results were obtained with a beta3-AR agonist, SR 58611A. It was concluded that, in rat aorta, nebivolol-induced relaxation results from both inhibition of alpha1-ARs and activation of beta3-ARs. In addition, we confirmed that the endothelium and the NO pathway are involved in the vascular effect of nebivolol. The identification of these vascular targets of nebivolol indicate that it has therapeutic potential for the treatment of pathological conditions associated with an elevation of sympathetic tone, such as heart failure and hypertension.

Microparticles from apoptotic RAW 264.7 macrophage cells carry tumour necrosis factor-α functionally active on cardiomyocytes from adult mice.

After ischaemic injury and in patients with atherosclerosis, the pool of inflammatory macrophages is enlarged in the heart and in atherosclerotic plaques. Monocyte/macrophage-derived microparticles (MPs) are part of the pathological process of unstable atherosclerotic plaques. The present study focused on effects of MPs, produced by apoptotic murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line, in adult murine cardiomyocytes. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis showed that these MPs contained the soluble form of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Cardiomyocyte sarcomere shortening amplitudes and kinetics were reduced within 5 min of exposure to these MPs. Conversely, Ca(2+) transient amplitude and kinetics were not modified. The contractile effects of MPs were completely prevented after pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase, guanylate cyclase or TNF-α inhibitors as well as blocking TNF-α receptor 1 with neutralizing antibody. Microscopy showed that, after 1 h, MPs were clearly surrounding rod-shaped cardiomyocytes, and after 2 h they were internalized into cardiomyocytes undergoing apoptosis. After 4 h of treatment with MPs, cardiomyocytes expressed increased caspase-3, caspase-8, Bax and cytochrome C. Thus, MPs from apoptotic macrophages induced a negative inotropic effect and slowing of both contraction and relaxation, similar to that observed in the presence of TNF-α. The use of specific inhibitors strongly suggests that TNF-α receptors and the guanylate cyclase/cGMP/PKG pathway were involved in the functional responses to these MPs and that the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway was implicated in their proapoptotic effects. These data suggest that MPs issued from activated macrophages carrying TNF-α could contribute to propagation of inflammatory signals leading to myocardial infarction.

Recent insights in the paracrine modulation of cardiomyocyte contractility by cardiac endothelial cells.

The cardiac endothelium is formed by a continuous monolayer of cells that line the cavity of the heart (endocardial endothelial cells (EECs)) and the luminal surface of the myocardial blood vessels (intramyocardial capillary endothelial cells (IMCEs)). EECs and IMCEs can exercise substantial control over the contractility of cardiomyocytes by releasing various factors such as nitric oxide (NO) via a constitutive endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1, prostaglandins, angiotensin II, peptide growth factors, and neuregulin-1. The purpose of the present paper is actually to shortly review recent new information concerning cardiomyocytes as effectors of endothelium paracrine signaling, focusing particularly on contractile function. The modes of action and the regulatory paracrine role of the main mediators delivered by cardiac endothelial cells upon cardiac contractility identified in cardiomyocytes are complex and not fully described. Thus, careful evaluation of new therapeutic approaches is required targeting important physiological signaling pathways, some of which have been until recently considered as deleterious, like reactive oxygen species. Future works in the field of cardiac endothelial cells and cardiac function will help to better understand the implication of these mediators in cardiac physiopathology.

Vasorelaxant effect of propentofylline in isolated equine digital veins.

We evaluated the vasorelaxant effect of propentofylline (PPF), a methylxanthine derivative, and its mechanism of action in equine digital veins (EDVs). Cumulative concentration-response curves to PPF (1 nM-300 µM) were recorded in phenylephrine-precontracted EDV rings under different experimental conditions. PPF-induced relaxation was partially inhibited by endothelium removal, but was unaltered by CGS-15943 (an adenosine receptor antagonist; 3 µM). PPF-induced relaxation was partially inhibited in the presence of L-NAME (a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor; 100 µM), ODQ (an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase; 30 µM) or Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMP-S (a protein kinase G inhibitor; 3 µM). It was not modified by indomethacin (a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor; 10 µM), and was slightly potentiated by H-89 (a protein kinase A inhibitor; 2 µM). In endothelium-intact EDVs, PPF-induced relaxation was associated with a 2.4- and 24.1-fold increase in the tissue cGMP and cAMP content respectively. PPF (100 µM) did not shift the concentration-response curve to phenylephrine (1 nM-300 µM) but reduced the maximal effect. To investigate whether PPF can affect cAMP- and cGMP-induced relaxations, relaxation curves to forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase) and to sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) were recorded in EDV rings pretreated with PPF (100 µM). PPF only slightly potentiated the forskolin-induced relaxation without affecting the SNP-induced relaxation. We demonstrated that PPF-induced relaxation in EDVs is partially endothelium-dependent. The PPF-induced relaxation partially occurred via NO release and both cAMP and cGMP generation, through COX-independent mechanisms but could also result from the inhibition of cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity for the highest concentrations.

Nonlinear mixed effects models applied to cumulative concentration-response curves.

OBJECTIVES: In experimental pharmacology, drug effect studies currently establish and analyse cumulative concentration-response curves (CCRC) under repeated measurements designs. Usually the CCRC parameters are estimated using the Hill's function in a nonlinear regression for independent data. The two-way analysis of variance is generally used to identify a statistical difference between the responses for two treatments but that analysis does not take into account the nonlinearity of the model and the heteroscedasticity (uneven distribution) of the data. We presently tested the possibility of finding a statistical solution for the nonlinear response in repeated measurements data using the nonlinear mixed effects (nlme) models. METHODS: Experimental data sets, originating from studies on beta-adrenoceptor-induced relaxation in rat thoracic aorta ring, were analysed using the nlme methods. KEY FINDINGS: Comparison with classical methods showed the superiority of the nlme models approach. For each pharmacological parameter (E(m), n, pD(2)), a point estimate, a standard error and a confidence interval are returned by the nlme procedures respecting the assumption of independency and normality of the residuals. CONCLUSIONS: Using the method presently described, it is now possible to detect significant differences for each pharmacological parameter estimated in different situations, even for designs with small samples size (i.e. at least six complete curves).

Positive influence of AT(1) receptor antagonism upon the impaired celiprolol-induced vasodilatation in aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

We evaluated celiprolol-induced vasodilatation in aorta taken from 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and the effect of AT(1) angiotensin II receptor antagonism on the vasodilatory action of celiprolol in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR. In WKY rats, the celiprolol-induced relaxation was greatly decreased in denuded aorta, and completely abolished in intact aorta by N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, 100 microM). In SHR, celiprolol-induced relaxation was reduced compared to WKY rats (E(max) (value obtained for the highest concentration, 300 microM)=39.1+ or - 3.78%, n=21 vs. 80.4 + or - 3% in WKY rats, n=10; P<0.0001). Endothelium removal or pre-treatment with l-NAME did not alter celiprolol-induced relaxation in SHR. In both strains, relaxation to celiprolol was decreased in the presence of nadolol (a beta(1)/beta(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, 10 microM). N-[[3-[(2S)-2-hydroxy-3-[[2-[4-[(phenylsulfonyl)amino] phenyl]ethyl]amino] propoxy]phenyl]methyl]-acetamide (L748337, a beta(3)-adrenoceptor antagonist, 7 microM) had no effect. A 12-day treatment with candesartan cilexetil (an AT(1) receptor antagonist, 0.37 or 1mg/kg/day) reduced systolic blood pressure in both strains, but only improved relaxation to celiprolol in SHR, and only at the highest dose (E(max)=64.2+/-3.9%, n=10, P<0.0001 vs. SHR control). In both strains, local aortic AT(1) receptor antagonism with candesartan CV11974 (100 microM) had no effect. The endothelial beta(1)/beta(2) relaxation induced by celiprolol was therefore impaired in SHR aorta and AT(1) receptor antagonism improved the response to celiprolol, in conjunction with a reduction in blood pressure. This work highlights the need to analyse the potential benefit of a combination of celiprolol/AT(1) receptor antagonist in the treatment of hypertension.