Nitric Oxide in Myogenesis and Therapeutic Muscle Repair

Nitric oxide is a short-lived intracellular and intercellular messenger. The first realisation that nitric oxide is important in physiology occurred in 1987 when its identity with the endothelium-derived relaxing factor was discovered. Subsequent studies have shown that nitric oxide possesses a number of physiological functions that are essential not only to vascular homeostasis but also to neurotransmission, such as in the processes of learning and memory and endocrine gland regulation, as well as inflammation and immune responses. The discovery in 1995 that a splice variant of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase is localised at the sarcolemma via the dystrophin?Cglycoprotein complex and of its displacement in Duchenne muscular dystrophy has stimulated a host of studies exploring the role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle physiology. Recently, nitric oxide has emerged as a relevant messenger also of myogenesis that it regulates at several key steps, especially when the process is stimulated for muscle repair following acute and chronic muscle injuries. Here, we will review briefly the mechanisms and functions of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle and discuss its role in myogenesis, with specific attention to the promising nitric oxide-based approaches now being explored at the pre-clinical and clinical level for the therapy of muscular dystrophy.     

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Blocks N-Methyl-D-Aspartate-, Quisqualate-, Kainate-, Harmaline-, and Pentylenetetrazole-Dependent Increases in Cerebellar Cyclic GMP In Vivo

The synthesis of nitric oxide by brain slices has been demonstrated in several laboratories. In addition, in vitro studies have demonstrated stimulation of nitric oxide synthesis by excitatory amino acid receptor agonists. These data have led to the hypothesis that this readily diffusible "intercellular messenger molecule" acts to generate a cascade effect by activating guanylate cyclase in several cell types and thereby augment levels of the second messenger cyclic GMP (cGMP). Therefore, we evaluated this hypothesis in vivo, by testing the actions of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-mono-methyl-L-arginine (NMMA) on elevations in level of mouse cerebellar cGMP generated by excitatory amino acid receptor agonists. The stimulatory effects of D-serine, quisqualate, and kainate were all found to be antagonized by this enzyme inhibitor. In addition, NMMA antagonized the increases in cerebellar cGMP level elicited by harmaline and pentylenetetrazole, pharmacological agents that augment endogenous excitatory amino acid transmission. Our data are, therefore, the first in vivo demonstration that nitric oxide is an important "messenger molecule" in the cerebellum, mediating the actions of kainate, quisqualate, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor agonists on guanylate cyclase. These data are consistent with previous in vitro findings with kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate.     

Discovery of Some of the Biological Effects of Nitric Oxide and its Role in Cell Signaling

The role of nitric oxide in cellular signaling in the past 22 years has become one of the most rapidly growing areas in biology with more than 20,000 publications to date. Nitric oxide is a gas and free radical with an unshared electron that can regulate an ever-growing list of biological processes. In many instances nitric oxide mediates its biological effects by activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing cyclic GMP synthesis from GTP. However, the list of effects of nitric oxide that are independent of cyclic GMP is also growing at a rapid rate. For example, nitric oxide can interact with transition metals such as iron, thiol groups, other free radicals, oxygen, superoxide anion, unsaturated fatty acids and other molecules. Some of these reactions result in the oxidation of nitric oxide to nitrite and nitrate to terminate its effect, while other reactions can lead to altered protein structure, function, and/or catalytic capacity. These diverse effects of nitric oxide that are either cyclic GMP dependent or independent can alter and regulate important physiological and biochemical events in cell regulation and function. Nitric oxide can function as an intracellular messenger, an autacoid, a paracrine substance, a neurotransmitter, or as a hormone that can be carried to distant sites for effects. Thus, it is a unique simple molecule with an array of signaling functions. However, as with any messenger molecule, there can be too little or too much of the substance and pathological events result. Some of the methods to regulate either nitric oxide formation, metabolism, or function have been in clinical use for more than a century as with the use of organic nitrates and nitroglycerin in angina pectoris that was initiated in the 1870’s. Current and future research with nitric oxide and cyclic GMP will undoubtedly expand the clinicians’ therapeutic armamentarium to manage a number of important diseases by perturbing nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation and metabolism. Such promise and expectations have obviously fueled the interests in these signaling molecules for a growing list of potential therapeutic applications.     

Discovery of Some of the Biological Effects of Nitric Oxide and its Role in Cell Signaling

The role of nitric oxide in cellular signaling in the past 22 years has become one of the most rapidly growing areas in biology with more than 20,000 publications to date. Nitric oxide is a gas and free radical with an unshared electron that can regulate an ever-growing list of biological processes. In many instances nitric oxide mediates its biological effects by activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing cyclic GMP synthesis from GTP. However, the list of effects of nitric oxide that are independent of cyclic GMP is also growing at a rapid rate. For example, nitric oxide can interact with transition metals such as iron, thiol groups, other free radicals, oxygen, superoxide anion, unsaturated fatty acids and other molecules. Some of these reactions result in the oxidation of nitric oxide to nitrite and nitrate to terminate its effect, while other reactions can lead to altered protein structure, function, and/or catalytic capacity. These diverse effects of nitric oxide that are either cyclic GMP dependent or independent can alter and regulate important physiological and biochemical events in cell regulation and function. Nitric oxide can function as an intracellular messenger, an autacoid, a paracrine substance, a neurotransmitter, or as a hormone that can be carried to distant sites for effects. Thus, it is a unique simple molecule with an array of signaling functions. However, as with any messenger molecule, there can be too little or too much of the substance and pathological events result. Some of the methods to regulate either nitric oxide formation, metabolism, or function have been in clinical use for more than a century as with the use of organic nitrates and nitroglycerin in angina pectoris that was initiated in the 1870's. Current and future research with nitric oxide and cyclic GMP will undoubtedly expand the clinicians' therapeutic armamentarium to manage a number of important diseases by perturbing nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation and metabolism. Such promise and expectations have obviously fueled the interests in these signaling molecules for a growing list of potential therapeutic applications.John S. Dunn Distinguished Chair in Medicine and Physiology, Regental Professor and Chair of Department of Integrative Biology, Pharmacology, and Physiology and Director of the Institute of Molecular Medicine     

Extracellular ATP and other nucleotides—ubiquitous triggers of intercellular messenger release

Extracellular nucleotides, and ATP in particular, are cellular signal substances involved in the control of numerous (patho)physiological mechanisms. They provoke nucleotide receptor-mediated mechanisms in select target cells. But nucleotides can considerably expand their range of action. They function as primary messengers in intercellular communication by stimulating the release of other extracellular messenger substances. These in turn activate additional cellular mechanisms through their own receptors. While this applies also to other extracellular messengers, its omnipresence in the vertebrate organism is an outstanding feature of nucleotide signaling. Intercellular messenger substances released by nucleotides include neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors, a considerable variety of other proteins including enzymes, numerous cytokines, lipid mediators, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species. Moreover, nucleotides activate or co-activate growth factor receptors. In the case of hormone release, the initially paracrine or autocrine nucleotide-mediated signal spreads through to the entire organism. The examples highlighted in this commentary suggest that acting as ubiquitous triggers of intercellular messenger release is one of the major functional roles of extracellular nucleotides. While initiation of messenger release by nucleotides has been unraveled in many contexts, it may have been overlooked in others. It can be anticipated that additional nucleotide-driven messenger functions will be uncovered with relevance for both understanding physiology and development of therapy.     

Role of nitric oxide in the response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells to heat shock and high hydrostatic pressure

Nitric oxide (NO) is a simple and unique molecule that has diverse functions in organisms, including intracellular and intercellular messenger. The influence of NO on cell growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and as a signal molecule in stress response was evaluated. Respiring cells were more sensitive to an increase in intracellular NO concentration than fermentatively growing cells. Low levels of NO demonstrated a cytoprotective effect during stress from heat-shock or high hydrostatic pressure. Induction of NO synthase was isoform-specific and dependent on the metabolic state of the cells and the stress response pathway. These results support the hypothesis that an increase in intracellular NO concentration leads to stress protection.     

Dynamic gap junctional communication: a delimiting model for tissue responses.

Gap junctions are aqueous intercellular channels formed by a diverse class of membrane-spanning proteins, known as connexins. These aqueous pores provide partial cytoplasmic continuity between cells in most tissues, and are freely permeable to a host of physiologically relevant second messenger molecules/ionic species (e.g., Ca2+, IP3, cAMP, cGMP). Despite the fact that these second messenger molecules/ionic species have been shown to alter junctional patency, there is no clear basis for understanding how dynamic and transient changes in the intracellular concentration of second messenger molecules might modulate the extent of intercellular communication among coupled cells. Thus, we have modified the tissue monolayer model of Ramanan and Brink (1990) to account for both the up-regulatory and down-regulatory effects on junctions by second messenger molecules that diffuse through gap junctions. We have chosen the vascular wall as our morphological correlate because of its anisotropy and large investment of gap junctions. The model allows us to illustrate the putative behavior of gap junctions under a variety of physiologically relevant conditions. The modeling studies demonstrated that transient alterations in intracellular second messenger concentrations are capable of producing 50-125% changes in the number of cells recruited into a functional syncytial unit, after activation of a single cell. Moreover, the model conditions required to demonstrate such physiologically relevant changes in intercellular diffusion among coupled cells are commonly observed in intact tissues and cultured cells.     

Geometric considerations of nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signalling in the glomerular neuropil of the locust antennal lobe

Using NADPH-diaphorase staining as a marker for nitric oxide (NO) synthase and an antiserum against cyclic GMP, we recently reported the anatomical distribution of nitric oxide donor and target cells in the antennal lobe, the principal olfactory neuropile of the locust. The most striking NADPH-diaphorase activity in the olfactory pathway is concentrated in a cluster of intensely stained local interneurons innervating the glomeruli. After incubation of tissue in a nitric oxide donor and inhibition of phospodiesterase activity, neurons of this cluster expressed cyclic GMP-immunoreactivity in the cell body and neurites. Here we examine the importance of the arrangement of NO donor and target cells for information processing in the glomeruli. The cellular organization of the NO-cyclic GMP system in olfactory interneurons, and the dendritic branching pattern, suggest that nitric oxide may not only act as intercellular, but also as intracellular messenger molecule in the glomerular neuropile of the antennal lobe. <br>     

The biphasic effects of nitric oxide in primary rat osteoblasts are cGMP dependent

Nitric oxide is a gas radical regulating cell behaviour in the cardiovascular, immune, and central nervous systems. It has now been established as an important signalling molecule in bone. However, the effects of this gas radical on osteoblastic function are still unclear; in fact, while NO seems to be involved in anabolic processes mediated by mechanical strain, sex hormones and fracture healing, it also mediates catabolic processes in response to inflammation. We show here that a slow and moderate release of nitric oxide stimulates the replication of primary rat osteoblasts and alkaline phosphatase activity, while a rapid release and high concentrations of NO inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis. We demonstrate that both the stimulatory and apoptosis-inducing effects of NO on primary osteoblasts are mediated by the second messenger cGMP, since both are abolished by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ.     

NO nerves in trematodes, too! NADPH-diaphorase activity in adult Fasciolopsis buski

The free radical nitric oxide (NO) is a unique molecule with an avidity to react with other molecules and is known to function as a neuronal messenger. This nitrergic transmitter with diverse functions in signal transduction, being a gas, is not stored in synaptic vesicles but is generated in various neuronal cells by a family of nitric oxide synthases (NOSs). The NADPH-d histochemical reaction is regarded as a selective marker for NOS in the neuronal tissue. With histochemical detection of NADPH-d, the presence of NOS is demonstrated in the digenetic trematode, Fasciolopsis buski. Strong NADPH-d staining was observed in the neuronal cell bodies in the two cerebral ganglia, the brain commissure and the nerve fibers in the main nerve cords. NADPH-d staining was also detectable in the innervation of the pharynx, the cirrus sac and the ventral sucker besides being observable sporadically in the nerve tributaries in the general parenchyma. NO released by the whole worm kept in PBS at 37 degrees C could also be measured biochemically. The NOS activity was assayed in the whole worm homogenate and also in the tissue homogenate containing only the anterior pre-acetabular part of the parasite body. The presence of NOS in this digenean parasite confirms that a nitrergic innervation occurs in the trematode group also as in other groups of exclusively parasitic helminths and that NO represents an old signal molecule in evolutionary scale.     

Neuroprotective effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by direct scavenging of nitric oxide radicals

Recently, it has been reported that inflammatory processes are associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease and that treatment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we examined nitric oxide radical quenching activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroidal drugs using our established direct in vitro nitric oxide radical detecting system by electron spin resonance spectrometry. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, mefenamic acid, indomethacin and ketoprofen directly and dose-dependently scavenged generated nitric oxide radicals. In experiments of nitric oxide radical donor, NOC18-induced neuronal damage, these four non-steroidal drugs significantly prevented the NOC18-induced reduction of cell viability and apoptotic nuclear changes in neuronal cells without affecting the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity. However, ibuprofen, naproxen or steroidal drugs, which had less or no scavenging effects in vitro, showed almost no protective effects against NOC18-induced cell toxicity. These results suggest that the protective effects of the former four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs against apoptosis might be mainly due to their direct nitric oxide radical scavenging activities in neuronal cells. These direct NO. quenching activities represent novel effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Our findings identified novel pharmacological mechanisms of these drugs to exert not only their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic activities but also neuroprotective activities against neurodegeneration.     

The distribution of cGMP in the adrenal gland in the rat, guinea pig and mouse after stimulation with sodium nitroprusside

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intercellular messenger molecule in the nervous system. In the adrenal gland sympathetic preganglionic fibers innervating the medulla, as well as intrinsic neural ganglion cells, contain nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Nitric oxide stimulates the soluble enzyme guanylate cyclase forming cyclic GMP (cGMP). Using sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as nitric oxide donor we have studied the putative target cells for nitric oxide in the rat adrenal gland, both in vivo and in vitro. The guinea pig and a few mouse adrenal glands were studied after SNP perfusion for comparison. Our results show that after vascular perfusion with a high concentration (3 mM) of SNP both noradrenaline and adrenaline chromaffin cells express cGMP-like immunoreactivity in all three species. After incubation of rat adrenal slices with SNP primarily the noradrenaline chromaffin cells are cGMP-positive. In contrast, detectable levels of cGMP-like immunoreactivity were not found in neuronal ganglion cells. In the adrenal cortex cGMP-like immunoreactivity was seen in blood vessel walls, in small cells with processes forming a reticular network, at least partly presumably representing endothelial cells, as well as in some presumable nerve terminals. These findings support the view that chromaffin cells, especially the noradrenergic ones and blood vessels, are targets for nitric oxide in the adrenal gland.     

Potentiation of epithelial innate host responses by intercellular communication

The epithelium efficiently attracts immune cells upon infection despite the low number of pathogenic microbes and moderate levels of secreted chemokines per cell. Here we examined whether horizontal intercellular communication between cells may contribute to a coordinated response of the epithelium. Listeria monocytogenes infection, transfection, and microinjection of individual cells within a polarized intestinal epithelial cell layer were performed and activation was determined at the single cell level by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Surprisingly, chemokine production after L. monocytogenes infection was primarily observed in non-infected epithelial cells despite invasion-dependent cell activation. Whereas horizontal communication was independent of gap junction formation, cytokine secretion, ion fluxes, or nitric oxide synthesis, NADPH oxidase (Nox) 4-dependent oxygen radical formation was required and sufficient to induce indirect epithelial cell activation. This is the first report to describe epithelial cell-cell communication in response to innate immune activation. Epithelial communication facilitates a coordinated infectious host defence at the very early stage of microbial infection.     

Role of vascular endothelial cells in bone biology

Bone development and remodeling depend on complex interactions between bone-forming osteoblasts, bone-degrading osteoclasts, and other cells present within the bone microenvironment. Balanced control of bone formative and degradative processes is normally carefully maintained in the adult skeleton but becomes uncoupled in the course of aging or in various pathological disease states. Systemic regulators of bone metabolism and local mediators, including matrix molecules, cytokines, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and other autocrine or paracrine factors, regulate the recruitment, differentiation, and function of cells participating in bone formation and turnover. Although some of these interactions are now understood, many yet remain to be elucidated. Recent studies have begun exploring in detail how vascular endothelial cells and their products function in bone physiology. The findings are revealing that bone vascular endothelial cells may be members of a complex communication network in bone which operates between endothelial cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, macrophages, stromal cells, and perhaps other cell types found in bone as well. Therefore, multiple systemic and locally produced signals may be received, transduced, and integrated by individual cells and then propagated by the release from these cells of further signals targeted to other members of the bone cell network. In this manner, bone cell activities may be continuously coordinated to afford concerted actions and rapid responses to physiological changes. The bone microvasculature may play a pivotal role in these processes, both in linking circulatory and local signals with cells of the bone microenvironment and in actively contributing itself to the regulation of bone cell physiology. Thus, skeletal homeostasis and the coupling observed between bone resorption and bone formation during normal bone remodeling may be manifestations of this dynamic interactive communication network, operating via diverse signals not only between osteoblasts and osteoclasts but between many cell types residing within bone. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Histochemistry of nitric oxide synthase in the nervous system

Summary Nitric oxide synthase, which generates the physiological messenger molecule nitric oxide, and its associated NADPH diaphorase (NADPHd) activity are distributed throughout selective neuronal populations of the central and peripheral nervous system. Considerable evidence has been accumulated to indicate that NADPHd activity labels cells lacking neuronal nitric oxide synthase, i.e., the specificity of the reaction has to be considered for the reliable detection of the enzyme in neuronal but also non-neuronal tissue. In the present review, critical aspects of nitric oxide synthase visualization in neurones, using its NADPHd activity, are discussed. Furthermore, the organization of the central and peripheral nitric oxide synthase-containing neuronal systems is described. Nitric oxide synthase is present in local cortical and striatal neurones, hypothalamic magnocellular neurones, mesopontine cholinergic neurones, cerebellar interneurones, preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic neurones, neurones in parasympathetic autonomic and enteric ganglia and primary viscero-afferent neurones. Finally, injury-related alterations in nitric oxide synthase activity are briefly outlined. In this respect, the histochemistry of nitric oxide synthase may represent a valuable marker for neurochemical, if not structural, alterations observed in neural diseases, regeneration and transplantation.     

Nitric oxide and the control of reproduction

The free radical gas, nitric oxide is now known to be an important biological messenger in animals. Signal transmission by a gas that is produced by one cell, penetrates through membranes and regulates the function of another cell, represents new principles for signalling in biological systems. Nitric oxide is synthesised from L-arginine by enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which exists in multiple isoforms in a wide range of mammalian cells. Studies conducted in recent years point at a strong influence of NO in a wide range of reproductive functions. It is implicated in the control of gonadotrophin secretion at both hypothalamic and hypophyseal levels, LH surge mechanism, sexual behaviour, estradiol synthesis, follicle survival and ovulation. While considerable work lies ahead in unravelling the role of NO at the peripheral, cellular and molecular level in the domestic animal reproduction, findings presented in this review provide a general overview of growing appreciation of NO as a vital molecule controlling hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.     

Carcinogenic nitrosamines: Free radical aspects of their action

NDMA and other nitrosamines may be activated into DNA binding intermediates by a cytochrome P450-dependent formation of -nitrosamino radicals or photochemically. Within the catalytic site of cytochrome P450, these radical intermediates either combine with HO· to form -hydroxynitrosamines or decompose into nitric oxide and N-methylformaldimine. In the presence of phosphate, mutagenic -phosphonooxy derivatives are formed from radicals generated chemically/photochemically. Studies on lipid peroxidation, in vivo and in vitro, have further suggested that radicals are formed as intermediates from N-nitrosodialkylamines. The level of nitrosamine-induced lipid peroxidation parallels hepatocartgenicity in rats. These data, although preliminary, provide further evidence that free radical damage and DNA alkylation are involved in carcinogenesis induced by nitrosamines.     

Fibroblast biology. Signals targeting the synovial fibroblast in arthritis

Fibroblast-like cells in the synovial lining (type B lining cells), stroma and pannus tissue are targeted by many signals, such as the following: ligands binding to cell surface receptors; lipid soluble, small molecular weight mediators (eg nitric oxide [NO], prostaglandins, carbon monoxide); extracellular matrix (ECM)-cell interactions; and direct cell-cell contacts, including gap junctional intercellular communication. Joints are subjected to cyclic mechanical loading and shear forces. Adherence and mechanical forces affect fibroblasts via the ECM (including the hyaluronan fluid phase matrix) and the pericellular matrix (eg extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer [EMMPRIN]) matrices, thus modulating fibroblast migration, adherence, proliferation, programmed cell death (including anoikis), synthesis or degradation of ECM, and production of various cytokines and other mediators [1]. Aggressive, transformed or transfected mesenchymal cells containing proto-oncogenes can act in the absence of lymphocytes, but whether these cells represent regressed fibroblasts, chondrocytes or bone marrow stem cells is unclear.     

Nitric oxide and blood pressure in mice lacking extracellular-superoxide dismutase

Nitric oxide is a major vasorelaxant and regulator of the blood pressure. The blood vessels contain several active sources of the superoxide radical, which reacts avidly with nitric oxide to form noxious peroxynitrite. There are large amounts of extracellular-superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in the vascular wall. To evaluate the importance of EC-SOD for the physiology of nitric oxide, here we studied the blood pressure in mice lacking the enzyme. In chronically instrumented non-anaesthetized mice there was no difference in mean arterial blood pressure between wild-type controls and EC-SOD mutants. Extensive inhibition of nitric oxide synthases with N -monomethyl- l -arginine however resulted in a larger increase in blood pressure, and infusion of the nitric oxide donor nitrosoglutathione caused less reduction in blood pressure in the EC-SOD null mice. We interpret the alterations to be caused by a moderately increased consumption of nitric oxide by the superoxide radical in the EC-SOD null mice. One role of EC-SOD may be to preserve nitric oxide, a function that should be particularly important in vascular pathologies, in which large increases in superoxide formation have been documented.