Cyclosporin A generates superoxide in smooth muscle cells

Cyclosporin A (CsA) generates superoxide in smooth muscle cells. Our earlier studies have demonstrated that the increase in the vasopressin type 1 receptor induced in vascular smooth muscle cells in the presence of CsA is probably due to superoxide (Krauskopf et al., J Biol Chem 278, 41685-41690, 2003). This increase in vasopressin receptor is likely at the base of increased vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictor hormones and hypertension induced by CsA. Here, we demonstrate that CsA produces superoxide. In addition, our data show that superoxide generation does not originate from the major cellular superoxide generating systems NAD(P)H oxidase or xanthine oxidase. Our results suggest that the side effects of CsA could be diminished with the help of SOD mimetic drugs.     

Effect of cyclosporin A treatment on the in vivo regulation of type I MHC gene expression.

Rat soleus muscle consists predominantly of slow type I fibers. We have shown previously through deletion analysis that the highest level of reporter activity that we measure when injecting type I myosin heavy chain (MHC) promoter (MHC(1))-linked luciferase plasmid into soleus muscles depends on the presence of a 550-bp upstream enhancer (3,450-2,900) region of the promoter. Because the calcineurin-nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) pathway has been implicated in the regulation of the slow muscle gene program, particularly the MHC(1) isoform, and the MHC(1) promoter contains several putative NFAT sites, we examined via deletion and mutation analyses whether this pathway is involved in the regulation of promoter activity in soleus. Nine days of treatment with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA) caused a significant decrease in activity of the -3,500- and -3,450-bp promoters compared with vehicle-treated rats. Truncation of the promoter to -2,900 bp or smaller reduced the activity and also eliminated the CsA responsiveness, thus implying that the enhancer region is required for CsA responsiveness. Surprisingly, mutating the two NFAT elements within the enhancer region had no obvious effect on promoter activity. CsA treatment resulted in an increase in the mRNA levels of fast-type IIa and IIx MHC isoforms, but RT-PCR analysis of MHC(1) pre-mRNA and mature mRNA expression in soleus muscles revealed no differences between vehicle- and CsA-treated rats. Although CsA affects the activity of the MHC(1) promoter, it appears that its effect is not through direct binding of NFAT to sites on the promoter.     

Cyclosporin a Potentiates Receptor-Activated [Ca2+]c Increase

Abstract

The use of the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA) is frequently associated with hypertension. Drug-induced local vasoconstriction appears to be responsible for this effect. Using fura-2 and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux techniques, we have examined variations in the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca²⁺]_c) in rat aortic smooth muscle cells and have shown that increases in [Ca²⁺]_c after [Arg⁸]vasopressin, serotonin, endothelin-1 or angiotensin II stimulation were potentiated after preincubation of cells with CsA. This effect was independent of cyclophilin or calcineurin inhibition by CsA. Measurements of inositol phosphates (InsP_n) after agonist stimulation showed that CsA also potentiated their formation. As for ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux this effect was not related to cyclophilin or calcineurin inhibition. Direct stimulation of G proteins with aluminium tetrafluoride induced an increase in InsP_n formation and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ efflux. Neither of these responses was potentiated by CsA. These results indicate that CsA acts on a target upstream of G protein activation, possibly at the receptor level, resulting in a potentiation of InsP_n formation and subsequent calcium increase.     

Substitution in position 3 of cyclosporin A abolishes the cyclophilin-mediated gain-of-function mechanism but not immunosuppression

Binary complex formation between the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) and cyclophilin 18 is the prerequisite for the ability of CsA to inhibit the protein phosphatase activity of calcineurin, a central mediator of antigen-receptor signaling. We show here that several CsA derivatives substituted in position 3 can inhibit calcineurin without prior formation of a complex with cyclophilin 18. [Methylsarcosine(3)]CsA was shown to inhibit calcineurin, either in its free form with an IC(50) value of 10 microm, or in its complex form with cyclophilin 18 with an IC(50) of 500 nm. [Dimethylaminoethylthiosarcosine(3)]CsA ([Dat-Sar(3)]CsA) was found to inhibit calcineurin on its own, with an IC(50) value of 1.0 microm, but was not able to inhibit calcineurin after forming the [Dat-Sar(3)]CsA-cyclophilin 18 binary complex. Despite their different inhibitory properties, both CsA and [Dat-Sar(3)]CsA suppressed T cell proliferation and cytokine production mainly through blocking NFAT activation and interleukin-2 gene expression. Furthermore, to demonstrate that [Dat-Sar(3)]CsA can inhibit calcineurin in a cyclophilin-independent manner in vivo, we tested its effect in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain (Delta12), in which all the 12 cyclophilins and FKBPs were deleted. [Dat-Sar(3)]CsA, but not CsA, bypassed the requirement for cellular cyclophilins and caused growth inhibition in the salt-stressed Delta12 strain.     

The Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin controls the formation of the Carma1-Bcl10-Malt1 complex during T cell receptor-induced NF-kappaB activation

T cell receptor (TCR) ligation induces increased diacylglycerol and Ca(2+) levels in T cells, and both secondary messengers are crucial for TCR-induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) and NF-κB signaling pathways. One prominent calcium-dependent enzyme involved in the regulation of NF-AT and NF-κB signaling pathways is the protein phosphatase calcineurin. However, in contrast to NF-AT, which is directly dephosphorylated by calcineurin, the molecular basis of the calcium-calcineurin dependence of the TCR-induced NF-κB activity remains largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that calcineurin regulates TCR-induced NF-κB activity by controlling the formation of a protein complex composed of Carma1, Bcl10, and Malt1 (CBM complex). For instance, increased calcium levels induced by ionomycin or thapsigargin augmented the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced formation of the CBM complex and activation of NF-κB, whereas removal of calcium by the calcium chelator EGTA-acetoxymethyl ester (AM) attenuated both processes. Furthermore, inhibition of the calcium-dependent phosphatase calcineurin with the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporin A (CsA) or FK506 as well as siRNA-mediated knockdown of calcineurin A strongly affected the PMA + ionomycin- or anti-CD3 + CD28-induced CBM complex assembly. Mechanistically, the positive effect of calcineurin on the CBM complex formation seems to be linked to a dephosphorylation of Bcl10. For instance, Bcl10 was found to be hyperphosphorylated in Jurkat T cells upon treatment with CsA or EGTA-AM, and calcineurin dephosphorylated Bcl10 in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we show here that calcineurin A interacts with the CBM complex. In summary, the evidence provided here argues for a previously unanticipated role of calcineurin in CBM complex formation as a molecular basis of the inhibitory function of CsA or FK506 on TCR-induced NF-κB activity.     

Regulation of Ca2+-dependent desensitization in the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 by calcineurin and cAMP-dependent protein kinase

The vanilloid receptor TRPV1 is a polymodal nonselective cation channel of nociceptive sensory neurons involved in the perception of inflammatory pain. TRPV1 exhibits desensitization in a Ca2+-dependent manner upon repeated activation by capsaicin or protons. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) decreases desensitization of TRPV1 by directly phosphorylating the channel presumably at sites Ser116 and Thr370. In the present study we investigated the influence of protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin) on Ca2+-dependent desensitization of capsaicin- and proton-activated currents. By using site-directed mutagenesis, we generated point mutations at PKA and protein kinase C consensus sites and studied wild type (WT) and mutant channels transiently expressed in HEK293t or HeLa cells under whole cell voltage clamp. We found that intracellular application of the cyclosporin A.cyclophilin A complex (CsA.CyP), a specific inhibitor of calcineurin, significantly decreased desensitization of capsaicin- or proton-activated TRPV1-WT currents. This effect was similar to that obtained by extracellular application of forskolin (FSK), an indirect activator of PKA. Simultaneous applications of CsA.CyP and FSK in varying concentrations suggested that these substances acted independently from each other. In mutation T370A, application of CsA.CyP did not reduce desensitization of capsaicin-activated currents as compared with WT and to mutant channels S116A and T144A. In a double mutation at candidate protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, application of CsA.CyP or FSK decreased desensitization of capsaicin-activated currents similar to WT channels. We conclude that Ca2+-dependent desensitization of TRPV1 might be in part regulated through channel dephosphorylation by calcineurin and channel phosphorylation by PKA possibly involving Thr370 as a key amino acid residue.     

Vasoactive factors and growth factors alter vascular smooth muscle cell EC-SOD expression

Oxygen free radicals have been suggested to play important roles in atherogenesis and other pathological processes in the blood vessel wall. The vascular wall contains large amounts of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD), which is produced and secreted to the extracellular space by smooth muscle cells. In this study, we investigated the influence of factors regulating tension and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and of some interstitial matrix components on EC-SOD expression. The expression and secretion of EC-SOD were upregulated by histamine, vasopressin, oxytocin, endothelin-1, angiotensin II, serotonin, heparin, and heparan sulfate and were downregulated by platelet-derived growth factors-AA and -BB, acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, and epidermal growth factor. The responses were slow and developed over several days. The findings suggest that various physiological and pathological conditions might markedly influence EC-SOD expression, significantly altering the susceptibility of the vascular wall to effects of the superoxide radical.     

Differential coupling of smooth muscle and liver vasopressin (V1) receptors to guanine nucleotide binding proteins

We report the reconstitution of the smooth muscle vasopressin V1 receptor functionally coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein. This V1 receptor was spontaneously coupled to this guanine nucleotide-binding protein upon solubilization in the absence of agonist, in contrast to our earlier report on the liver V1 receptor, which required agonist for coupling. The smooth muscle V1 receptor was reconstituted as a high affinity receptor (Kd = 5 nM), with a slow rate of agonist dissociation. Upon the addition of guanosine 5'-thiotriphosphate, there was a decrease in receptor affinity (Kd = 30 nM) concomitant with an increase in the rate of ligand dissociation. The ability of the smooth muscle V1 receptor to spontaneously couple to a guanine nucleotide-binding protein(s) suggests that in the absence of agonist it exists as a high affinity receptor. The smooth muscle V1 receptor may, therefore, be more sensitive to plasma concentrations of vasopressin than its liver homologue.     

Hypoxia-generated superoxide induces the development of the adhesion phenotype

Adhesion fibroblasts exhibit higher TGF-beta1 and type I collagen expression as compared to normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Furthermore, exposure of normal peritoneal fibroblasts to hypoxia results in an irreversible increase in TGF-beta1 and type I collagen. We postulated that the mechanism by which hypoxia induced the adhesion phenotype is through the production of superoxide either directly or through the formation of peroxynitrite. To test this hypothesis, normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts were treated with superoxide dismutase (SOD), a superoxide scavenger, and xanthine/xanthine oxidase, a superoxide-generating system, under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Also, cells were treated with peroxynitrite. TGF-beta1 and type I collagen expression was determined before and after all treatments using real-time RT/PCR. Hypoxia treatment resulted in a time-dependent increase in TGF-beta1 and type I collagen mRNA levels in both normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. Similarly, treatment with xanthine oxidase, to endogenously generate superoxide, resulted in higher mRNA levels of TGF-beta1 and type I collagen in both normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. In contrast, treatment with SOD, to scavenge endogenous superoxide, resulted in a decrease in TGF-beta1 and type I collagen expression in adhesion fibroblasts to levels seen in normal peritoneal fibroblasts; no effect on the expression of these molecules was seen in normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Exposure to hypoxia in the presence of SOD had no effect on mRNA levels of TGF-beta1 and type I collagen in either normal peritoneal or adhesion fibroblasts. Peroxynitrite treatment alone significantly induced both adhesion phenotype markers. In conclusion, hypoxia, through the production of superoxide, causes normal peritoneal fibroblasts to acquire the adhesion phenotype. Scavenging superoxide, even in the presence of hypoxia, prevented the development of the adhesion phenotype. These findings further support the central role of free radicals in the development of adhesions.     

Irradiation increases superoxide dismutase in rat intestinal smooth muscle

We investigated whether X-irradiation could induce the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in intestinal muscle. Groups of rats received abdominal irradiation and the time course and dose response for SOD activity determined. Jejunal smooth muscle homogenates were analyzed for the activities of copper/zinc (CuZn) and manganese (Mn) SOD activity and for a mitochondrial marker enzyme, citrate synthase. A progressive rise in Mn SOD activity occurred at 20, 46, and 72 h after 1500 R. No significant changes in Cu-Zn SOD activity occurred at any time after 1500 R. At 20 h after 250 R of X-irradiation, Mn SOD activity increased but no further increase occurred at higher irradiation exposures. At the same time, CuZn SOD activity at 20 h after irradiation was greater than controls only at an exposure of 1000 R (p less than 0.05). Using Western blotting, we were able to clearly demonstrate an increase in immunoreactive Mn SOD protein in muscle samples 20 h after 1500 R. The rise in Mn SOD is not simply due to increase in mitochondrial numbers or increase in all mitochondrial enzyme activities because activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase was decreased after X-irradiation. Transmission electron microscopic studies demonstrated damage to mitochondria after a dose of 3000 R. The data yield evidence that free radicals play a role in irradiation-induced intestinal smooth muscle injury.     

A vasopressin analog that binds but does not activate V1 or V2 vasopressin receptors is not internalized into cells that express V1 or V2 receptors.

To assess whether receptor binding is sufficient to initiate vasopressin receptor endocytosis in cells expressing the vasopressin V1 or V2 receptors, we synthesized a novel fluorescent-labeled vasopressin analog, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta, beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid), 2-(O-ethyl)-D-tyrosine, 4-valine, 8-lysine-N6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine] vasopressin (R-CLVP), that binds to vasopressin receptors but does not activate intracellular events such as the mobilization of intracellular calcium or the activation of adenylate cyclase. We compared the manner in which this analog was endocytosed in cells expressing V1 (A-10, rat smooth muscle cells) or V2 (LLC-PK1, porcine kidney cells) receptors with that of a full agonist, [1-(beta-mercaptopropionic acid), 8-lysine-N6-carboxytetramethylrhodamine] vasopressin (R-MLVP) [Lutz et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 4657-4663; Lutz et al. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87,6507-6511]. We showed that R-CLVP bound to both types of receptors with good affinity. It failed to increase cyclic AMP concentrations in LLC-PK1 cells and did not increase the mobilization of intracellular calcium in A-10 cells. It bound to the surface of both these cell types in a diffuse manner and it did not undergo receptor endocytosis in either cell type. In contrast, R-MLVP, an agonist that bound to both receptor subtypes and elicited changes in intracellular cyclic AMP and calcium, bound to the surface of these cells in a diffuse manner at early times after exposure, and rapidly underwent endocytosis. We conclude that binding of vasopressin to its receptors alone is insufficient to cause receptor endocytosis, and other events distal to the receptor are required to initiate endocytosis. R-CLVP should be a useful analog in determining the factors responsible for initiating receptor endocytosis.     

Vascular effects of oxygen-derived free radicals

This review attempts to summarize the available data regarding the vascular actions of free oxygen radicals. Studies on blood vessels in situ and in vitro demonstrate that free oxygen radicals can evoke both vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Free oxygen radicals can modulate the tone of vascular smooth muscle by acting directly on the smooth muscle cells, and also via indirect mechanisms by changes in the production or biological activity of vasoactive mediators. The individual oxygen radicals may have different (sometimes opposite) vascular effects. Superoxide anion inactivates endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the adrenergic neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Hydrogen peroxide and the hydroxyl radical evoke vasodilation by acting directly on vascular smooth muscle and also by stimulating the synthesis/release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor. In acute arterial hypertension or experimental brain injury oxygen radicals are important mediators of vascular damage. Production of oxygen-derived free radicals by activated neutrophils may be responsible for vasodilation and increased permeability of capillary membrane during the acute inflammatory process. Free oxygen radicals also play an important role in reperfusion injury of various organs, and vascular actions of the free radicals may contribute to the damage of parenchymal tissues.