血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导培养的成年大鼠心肌细胞凋亡及其细胞机制

研究血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇｉｏｔｅｎｓｉｎⅡ,ＡｎｇⅡ）诱导培养的成年大鼠心肌细胞（Ａｄｕｌｔｒａｔｖｅｎｔｒｉｃｕｌａｒｍｙ－ｏｃｙｔｅｓ,ＡＲＶＭ）凋亡。酶灌流消化法分离培养ＡＲＶＭ,不同处理后,光镜观察形态改变,琼脂糖凝胶电泳定性分析ＤＮＡ降解程度。结果发现培养的ＡＲＶＭ经１０μｍｏｌ／ＬＡｎｇⅡ处理４８ｈ后,大部分细胞变圆,胞浆浓缩;电泳显示核酸断裂片段“梯形”结构,上述改变在７２ｈ更为明显。上述作用可被氯沙坦、维拉帕米和ｓｔａｕｒｏｓｐｏｒｉｎｅ所取消。结果表明,ＡｎｇⅡ诱导培养的ＡＲＶＭ凋亡由ＡＴ１受体介导、细胞内钙升高和ＰＫＣ激活起重要作用     

pp60c-src在血管平滑肌细胞内丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激活中的作用

观察ｐｐ６０ｃ－ｓｒｃ在血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）诱导血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣｓ）内丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（ＭＡＰＫ）激活中的作用,以了解ＡｎｇⅡ促ＶＳＭＣｓ增殖的信号转导过程。将合成的反义ｃ－ｓｒｃ寡脱氧核苷酸（ｏｌｉｇｏｄｅｏｘｙｎｕｃｌｅ－ｏｔｉｄｅｓ,ＯＤＮｓ）以脂质体包裹转染培养的大鼠ＶＳＭＣｓ,用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ印迹测得细胞裂解液中ｐｐ６０ｃ－ｓｒｃ含量明显下降,免疫沉淀方法测得ｐｐ６０ｃ－ｓ     

人主动脉硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖对培养的人血管壁细胞生长的作用

通过培养的人主动脉平滑肌细胞（ｈＡＳＭＣ）及脐静脉内皮细胞（ｈＵＶＥＣ）,应用３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ分析、逆转录多聚酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）、放射免疫分析（ＲＩＡ）、和紫外比色法等技术观察了人主动脉中硫酸乙酰肝素蛋白聚糖（ＨＳＰＧ）对ｈＡＳＭＣ和ｈＵＶＥＣＤＮＡ合成的作用及对血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）、ＰＤＧＦ受体、转化生长因子β（ＴＧＦ－β）、内皮素－１（ＥＴ－１）或碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（ｂＦＧＦ）基因表达和肾素－血管紧张系统（ＲＡＳ）的影响,结果显示,ＨＳＰＧ明显抑制培养的ｈＡＳＭＣ基础的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：１０３８５±３２６３ｖｓ,２５５４１±６４２１,Ｐ＜０．０１）及外源性ＰＤＧＦ诱导的ＤＮＡ合成（ｃｐｍ值为：９８７８±１９４７ｖｓ．１３４８１±４４ｌ０,Ｐ＜０．０５）;抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－Ｂｐ和ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,提高ＰＤＧＦａ和β受体ｍＲＮＡ的表达;显著降低ｈＡＳＭＣ培养液中血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）的浓度和血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）的活性,推测ＨＳＰＧ抑制ＰＤＧＦＡ链、ＴＧＦ－β及ＥＴ－１ｍＲＮＡ表达,降低ＡＣＥ活性及ＡｎｇⅡ浓度是其抑制ｈＡＳＭＣ增殖的重要机     

血管平滑肌细胞增殖与Cdk抑制蛋白p27的表达

ｐ２７蛋白是细胞周期素依赖性激酶（Ｃｄｋ）抑制蛋白家族中的一种,主要对外部促进或抑制细胞增殖的信号起反应。本研究应用流式细胞仪（ＦＣＭ）双标记的方法观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）、血管加压素（ＡＶＰ）和血小板源生长因子（ＰＤＧＦ）对血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣｓ）细胞周期百分比和ｐ２７蛋白表达量的影响。静止状态培养的ＶＳＭＣｓ加入ＡｎｇⅡ,ＡＶＰ,ＰＤＧＦＢＢ后,在不同时间收集细胞,用碘化丙啶（ＰＩ）标记细胞ＤＮＡ,以确定细胞所处的周期。用ｐ２７蛋白的单抗和标记了ＦＩＴＣ的二抗标记细胞,通过流式细胞仪测定被激发出的荧光量来确定细胞ｐ２７蛋白表达的相对量。结果显示,ＡｎｇⅡ刺激ＶＳＭＣｓ增生,其蛋白含量增加了４３６％（Ｐ＜００１）,但不抑制ｐ２７蛋白的表达;ＡＶＰ可轻度抑制ｐ２７的表达,有轻度促进ＶＳＭＣｓ增殖和增生的作用（Ｐ＜００５）;ＰＤＧＦ明显抑制ｐ２７的表达,引起细胞增殖。本研究结果提示,ｐ２７蛋白抑制ＶＳＭＣｓ通过Ｇ１期进入Ｓ期,是抑制ＶＳＭＣｓ增殖的重要调节因子。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对大鼠心肌肌浆网Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)-ATPase基因转录调节的影响

观察血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）对心肌肌浆网Ｃａ２＋,Ｍｇ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ基因（ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ）转录调节的影响,评价ＤＭＰ８１１对此效应的干预作用．６周龄雄性ＳＤ大鼠随机分为３组,每组６只．组１：生理盐水输注;组２：ＡｎｇⅡ输注＋ＤＭＰ８１１管饲（３ｍｇ·ｄ－１·ｋｇ－１）;组３：ＡｎｇⅡ输注（２００ｎｇ·ｍｉｎ－１·ｋｇ－１．１周后称其体重,取心脏并称重,提取心脏总ＲＮＡ后采用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎｂｌｏｔ的方法检测ＳＥＲ－ＣＡ２ａ的转录水平,采用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ检测ＡｎｇⅡ１型受体（ＡＴ１）ｍＲＮＡ水平．实验后,组３心重（ＣＷ）、心重／体重（Ｃ／Ｂ）、ＡＴ１受体转录水平均高于组１（分别增加４．７±０．４％,４．９±０．９％和２４．７±３．５％;Ｐ＜０．０１）,而ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ基因转录水平显著低于组１（降低２０．１±３．０％,Ｐ＜０．０１）,并且ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａｍＲＮＡ水平与ＡＴ１受体ｍＲＮＡ水平呈负相关（ｒ＝－０．７４,Ｐ＜０．０１）．ＡｎｇⅡ导致的上述改变能被ＤＭＰ８１１完全阻断．ＡｎｇⅡ通过其Ⅰ型受体的介导,诱导了ＳＥＲＣＡ２ａ的转录下调     

精氨酸加压素对大鼠抗体产生和淋巴细胞增殖的上调作用

大鼠侧脑室注射１００ｎｇ精氨酸加压素（ＡＶＰ）,用ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测血中对鸡卵白 白抗原产生的ＩｇＧ抗体水平。结果显示,ＩｇＧ水平高于对照,而ＡＶＰ的Ｖ１受体阻断剂ＤＰＡＶＰ则可阻断此作用;ｉｃｖ８００ｎｇＡＶＰ,大鼠的ＳＲＢＣ溶血素 水平高于对照;ｉｃｖ１００ｎｇ、８００ｎｇＡＶＰ２ｈ后,脾淋巴细胞对ＭＴＴ产生的颜色反应均比对照增加,而ＤＰＡＶＰ可阻断之;ｉｃｖ８００ＡＶＰ２ｈ后,脾淋巴细胞对ＭＴ     

Ang Ⅱ 对培养新生大鼠心肌成纤维细胞增殖及丝裂素活化蛋白激酶的影响

本研究目的在于探讨丝裂素活化蛋白激酶（ＭＡＰＫ）是否在ＡｎｇⅡ（１０－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）诱导的培养新生大鼠心肌成纤维细胞（ＦＢ）的增殖反应中起重要作用。实验以ＦＢ数目和ＤＮＡ合成速率（３Ｈ－胸腺嘧啶掺入率）为增殖指标,［γ－３２Ｐ］ＡＴＰ掺入法和免疫印迹法分别测定ＦＢＭＡＰＫ的活性和含量,结果发现（１）ＡｎｇⅡ处理ＦＢ２４ｈ后,ＤＮＡ合成速率和细胞数比对照组分别增加６０％和３９％;（２）ＡｎｇⅡ处理ＦＢ５ｍｉｎ后,ＭＡＰＫ活性比对照组增高２０３％;（３）培养新生大鼠ＦＢ含有两个ＭＡＰＫ同型体－ｐ４４ｍａｐｋ和ｐ４２ｍａｐｋ,其中ｐ４４ｍａｐｋ含量高于ｐ４２ｍａｐｋ,分别为总量的５８％和４２％。ＡｎｇⅡ处理５ｍｉｎ后,ＭＡＰＫ蛋白含量（ｐ４４＋ｐ４２〕增高４２９％,其中ｐ４４ｍａｐｋ的增加明显大于ｐ４２ｍａｐｋ的增加,分别比相应对照增高４８６％和３４９％。以上结果表明,ＡｎｇⅡ诱导的ＭＡＰＫ活性和含量的增加,参与了ＦＢ的增殖反应,其中ｐ４４ｍａｐｋ的作用较为显著     

低氧、血管紧张素Ⅱ对肺内小动脉平滑肌细胞膜Ca2 ┐ATPase活力的影响

本课题观察了低氧及血管紧张素Ⅱ（ａｎｇｉｏｔｅｎｓｉｎⅡ,ＡｎｇⅡ）对分离培养家兔肺内小动脉平滑肌细胞（ＰＡＳＭ－Ｃｓ）膜Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的影响,同时用钙通道阻断剂维拉帕米（ｖｅｒａｐａｍｉｌ,ＶＰ）进行干预,进一步了解细胞内钙与Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的关系。结果表明：ＰＡＳＭＣｓ膜Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力对低氧具有短暂的耐受性,随低氧时间延长,Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力呈时间依赖性抑制;低氧、ＡＮＧⅡ均能抑制Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力（Ｐ＜０．０１）低氧＋ＡⅡ对Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的抑制具叠加效应（Ｐ＜０．０５）;ＶＰ可逆转低氧、ＡｎｇⅡ、低氧＋ＡｎｇⅡ对Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力的抑制（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结果提示：低氧,ＡＮＧⅡ可通过抑制肺血管平滑肌细胞膜Ｃａ２＋－ＡＴＰａｓｅ活力而可能削弱肺血管平滑肌舒张功能也可能是低氧性肺动脉高压（ＨＰＨ）形成的原因之一。     

心脏肾素－血管紧张素系统在游泳引起的生理性心肌肥大中的作用

本实验采用游泳训练（ＳＷ）引起的大鼠心肌肥大模型,通过放射免疫及生化等方法,对生理性心肌肥大时,心脏和循环肾素－血管紧张素系统（ＲＡＳ）的变化进行了初步研究。观察到游泳五周时,大鼠左、右心室重与体重比值（Ｖ／Ｂｗｔ）显著升高,同时,左、右室心肌血管紧张素Ⅱ（ＡｎｇⅡ）含量及心肌Ａｎｇ转换酶（ＡＣＥ）活性也较对照组明显升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）。心肌ＡｎｇⅡ与Ｖ／Ｂｗｔ之间存在明显的正相关关系（ｒ＝０．７７２１,Ｐ＜０．００１）。ＳＷ组血浆ＡｎｇⅠ,Ⅱ及肾素活性（ＲＡ）与对照组相比无明显差异,其血浆ＡｎｇⅡ与Ｖ／Ｂｗｔ之间无明显相关性。上述研究提示：心脏ＲＡＳ在ＳＷ引起的生理性心肌肥大中可能起着重要作用,而且这种作用在很大程度上不依赖于循环ＲＡＳ。     

内皮素受体反义寡聚核苷酸对内皮素受体基因表达及血管平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

报道了内皮素Ａ型受体反义寡聚核苷酸（ＯＤＮｓ）对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞（ＶＳＭＣ）增殖及内皮素受体基因表达的影响．~３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入结果显示,内皮素Ａ型受体反义ＯＤＮｓ处理细胞可显著抑制内皮素诱导的ＶＳＭＣ的ＤＮＡ合成,反转录－ＰＣＲ及受体结合实验结果表明,ＯＤＮｓ的上述作用与降低ＶＳＭＣ内皮素Ａ型受体基因表达活性有关．     

血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导培养的成年大鼠心肌细胞凋亡

研究血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导培养的成年大鼠心肌细胞(adult rat ventricular myocytes,ARVMs)凋亡.酶灌流消化法分离培养ARVMs,不同处理后,光镜观察形态改变,琼脂糖凝胶电泳定性分析DNA降解程度.结果发现培养的ARVMs经AngⅡ10μmol/L处理48 h后,大部分细胞变圆,胞浆浓缩;电泳显示核酸断裂片段"梯形"结构,上述改变在72 h更为明显.上述作用可被氯沙坦、维拉帕米和staurosporine所取消.这表明AngⅡ由AT1受体介导诱导培养的ARVMs凋亡,细胞内钙升高和PKC激活起重要作用.     

Hepatocyte growth factor inhibits apoptosis by the profibrotic factor angiotensin II via extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in endothelial cells and tissue explants

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an endogenous tissue repair factor, attenuates apoptosis in many primary cell types, but the mechanism is not completely understood. Our laboratory demonstrated that angiotensin (Ang) II activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in primary endothelial cells (ECs) via reduction of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-x(L). Ang II decreased Bcl-x(L) mRNA half-life by reducing its binding to nucleolin, a protein that normally binds a 3' AU-rich region and stabilizes Bcl-x(L) mRNA. We hypothesized HGF may block apoptosis induced by Ang II. We used primary EC and ex vivo cultures of rat lung tissue to investigate HGF inhibition of Ang II-induced apoptosis. Our data indicated HGF abrogated Ang II-induced apoptosis by inhibiting cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation. RNA-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that HGF stabilized Bcl-x(L) mRNA by increasing nucleolin binding to the 3'-untranslated region that was associated with cytoplasmic localization of nucleolin. Cytoplasmic localization of nucleolin and Bcl-x(L) mRNA stabilization required HGF activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. HGF also blocked Ang II-induced caspase-3 activation and lactate dehydrogenase release in tissue explants in an ERK-dependent manner.     

Role of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in regulating cell cycle progression

Aims

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide protein hormone, similar in molecular structure to insulin, which plays an important role in cell migration, cell cycle progression, cell survival and proliferation. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms of IGF-1 mediated cell cycle redistribution and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells.

Method

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with 0.1, 0.5, or 2.5 μg/mL of IGF-1 for 30 min before the addition of Ang II. Cell cycle redistribution and apoptosis were examined by flow cytometry. Expression of Ang II type 1 (AT₁) mRNA and cyclin E protein were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

Results

Ang II (1 μmol/L) induced HUVECs arrested at G₀/G₁, enhanced the expression level of AT₁ mRNA in a time-dependent manner, reduced the enzymatic activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nitric oxide (NO) content as well as the expression level of cyclin E protein. However, IGF-1 enhanced NOS activity, NO content, and the expression level of cyclin E protein, and reduced the expression level of AT₁ mRNA. L-NAME significantly counteracted these effects of IGF-1.

Conclusions

Our data suggests that IGF-1 can reverse vascular endothelial cells arrested at G₀/G₁ and apoptosis induced by Ang II, which might be mediated via a NOS-NO signaling pathway and is likely associated with the expression levels of AT1 mRNA and cyclin E proteins.     

c-Abl mediates angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in podocytes

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been reported to cause podocyte apoptosis in rats both in vivo and in vitro studies. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl in Ang II-induced podocyte apoptosis. Male Sprague–Dawley rats in groups of 12 were administered either Ang II (400 kg/kg/min) or Ang II + STI-571 (50 mg/kg/day) by osmotic minipumps. In addition, 12 rats-receiving normal saline served as the control. Glomeruli c-Abl expression was carried out by real time PCR, Western blotting and immunolabeled, and occurrence of apoptosis was carried out by TUNEL staining and transmission electron microscopic analysis. In vitro studies, conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were treated with Ang II (10^?9–10^?6 M) in the presence or absence of either c-Abl inhibitor, Src-I1, specific c-Abl siRNA, or c-Abl plasmid alone. Quantification of podocyte c-Abl expression and c-Abl phosphorylation at Y245 and Y412 was carried out by real time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence imaging. The nuclear c-Abl and p53 were quantified by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting studies. Podocyte apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry and Hoechst-33342 staining. c-Abl expression was demonstrated in rat kidney podocytes in vivo and cultured mouse podocytes in vitro. Ang II-receiving rats displayed enhanced podocyte c-Abl expression. And Ang II significantly stimulated c-Abl expression in cultured podocytes. Furthermore Ang II upregulated podocyte c-Abl phosphorylation at Y245 and Y412. Ang II also induced an increase of nuclear p53 protein and nuclear c-Abl-p53 complexes in podocytes and podocyte apoptosis. Down-regulation of c-Abl expression by c-Abl inhibitor (Src-I1) as well as specific siRNA inhibited Ang II-induced podocyte apoptosis; conversely, podoctyes transfected with c-Abl plasmid displayed enhanced apoptosis. These findings indicate that c-Abl may mediates Ang II-induced podocyte apoptosis, and inhibition of c-Abl expression can protect podocytes from Ang II-induced injury.     

Metabolism of angiotensin I by guinea pig aqueous humor

We investigated the degradation of angiotensin I (Ang I) by guinea pig aqueous humor at physiological pH (pH 7.4) and assessed the activity of responsible enzymes using various enzyme inhibitors. The aqueous humor was incubated with Ang I in the presence or absence of an enzyme inhibitor at 37 degrees C for the appropriate time period. The resulting peptides were analyzed by a Beckman HPLC system with a Waters microBondapak C18 analytical column using a 30-min increasing linear gradient of 10 to 40% acetonitrile containing 0.05% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and H2O containing 0.05% TFA at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Detection was done by absorbance at 214 nm. Angiotensin II (Ang II) was a major product (39.3+/-4.10 nmol x h(-1) mL(-1), n = 5) of Ang I hydrolysis. Traces of angiotensin 1-9, angiotensin IV, and angiotensin 1-7 were also produced. Chymostatin (0.05 mmol/L), EDTA (1 mmol/L), enalaprilat (0.1 mmol/L), and ebelacton B (0.01 mmol/L) inhibited generation of Ang II from Ang I by guinea pig aqueous humor by 89+/-4.6, 56+/-7.6, 33+/-5.1, 20+/-6.5%, respectively. Our findings indicate that guinea pig aqueous humor contains several enzymes that can form Ang II. The chymostatin-sensitive type of enzyme was the most active one found in guinea pig aqueous humor. Angiotensin I converting enzyme, carboxypeptidase A, and deamidase may also contribute to angiotensin II formation in guinea pig ocular fluid.     

Angiotensin II induces nephrin dephosphorylation and podocyte injury: role of caveolin-1

Nephrin, an important structural and signal molecule of podocyte slit-diaphragm (SD), has been suggested to contribute to the angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced podocyte injury. Caveolin-1 has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in signaling transduction. In the present study, we evaluated the role of caveolin-1 in Ang II-induced nephrin phosphorylation in podocytes. Wistar rats-receiving either Ang II (400 ng/kg/min) or normal saline (via subcutaneous osmotic mini-pumps, control) were administered either vehicle or telmisartan (3 mg/kg/min) for 14 or 28 days. Blood pressure, 24-hour urinary albumin and serum biochemical profile were measured at the end of the experimental period. Renal histomorphology was evaluated through light and electron microscopy. In vitro, cultured murine podocytes were exposed to Ang II (10⁻⁶ M) pretreated with or without losartan (10⁻⁵ M) for variable time periods. Nephrin and caveolin-1 expression and their phosphorylation were analyzed by Western-blotting and immunofluorescence. Caveolar membrane fractions were isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and then the distribution and interactions between Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1), nephrin, C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and caveolin-1 were evaluated using Western-blotting and co-immunoprecipitation. Podocyte apoptosis was evaluated by cell nucleus staining with Hoechst-33342.Ang II-receiving rats displayed diminished phosphorylation of nephrin but enhanced glomerular/podocyte injury and proteinuria when compared to control rats. Under control conditions, podocyte displayed expression of caveolin-1 in abundance but only a low level of phospho moiety. Nonetheless, Ang II stimulated caveolin-1 phosphorylation without any change in total protein expression. Nephrin and caveolin-1 were co-localized in caveolae fractions. AT1 receptors and Csk were moved to caveolae fractions and had an interaction with caveolin-1 after the stimulation with Ang II. Transfection of caveolin-1 plasmid (pEGFPC3-cav-1) significantly increased Ang II-induced nephrin dephosphorylation and podocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of caveolin-1 expression (using siRNA) inhibited nephrin dephosphorylation and prevented Ang II-induced podocyte apoptosis. These findings indicate that Ang II induces nephrin dephosphorylation and podocyte injury through a caveolin-1-dependent mechanism.     

Mechanisms of Ghrelin Anti-Heart Failure: Inhibition of Ang II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis by Down-Regulating AT1R Expression

Background

Ghrelin is a novel growth hormone–releasing peptide administered to treat chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the underlying mechanism of its protective effects against heart failure (HF) remains unclear.

Methods and Results

A total of 68 patients with CHF and 20 healthy individuals were included. The serum levels of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and ghrelin were measured using ELISA. The results showed that Ang II and ghrelin were both significantly increased in CHF patients and that the ghrelin levels were significantly positively correlated with Ang II. The left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish a rat model of CHF, and cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were stimulated with Ang II to explore the role of ghrelin in CHF. The results showed that ghrelin inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, caspase-3 expression was examined, and the results revealed that Ang II induces cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the caspase-3 pathway, whereas ghrelin inhibits this action. Lastly, to further elucidate the mechanism by which ghrelin inhibits Ang II action, the expression of the AT1 and AT2 receptors was evaluated; the results showed that Ang II up-regulates the AT1 and AT2 receptors in cardiomyocytes, whereas ghrelin inhibits AT1 receptor up-regulation but does not affect AT2 receptor expression.

Conclusions

These data suggest that the serum levels of ghrelin are significantly positively correlated with Ang II in CHF patients and that ghrelin can inhibit Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by down-regulating AT1R, thereby playing a role in preventing HF.     

Cardiomyoblast apoptosis induced by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I resistance is IGF-II dependent and synergistically enhanced by angiotensin II

Objective: This study explores the synergistic effect of cardiomyoblast apoptosis induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) and Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I resistance, and elucidates the role of IGF-II via IGF-II receptor (R) and calcineurin pathways in apoptosis induced by Ang II and IGF-I resistance. Methods: Apoptosis of cultured cardiomyoblast H9c2 cells was assessed by DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis, nuclear condensation stained with DAPI, and Western blot analysis of pro-apoptotic Bad and cytochrome c in various combinations of control, Ang II, antisense IGF (I or II), IGF (I or II) antibody, IGF (I or II) receptor (R) antibody, or calcineurin inhibitor (Cyclosporine A, (CsA)). Results: We found the following: (1) The combination of Ang II and IGF-I deficiencies had a synergistic effect on apoptosis, confirmed by DNA fragmentation, nuclei condensation, and increases in such pro-apoptotic proteins as Bad, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 in H9c2 cells. (2) IGF-II and IGF-IIR protein products were increased by antisense IGF-I and IGF-I resistance, but these IGF-II protein products were not affected by sense IGF-I and non-specific antibody IgG in H9c2 cells. (3) The alteration of Bad protein level and the release of cytochrome c, both induced by treatments containing combinations of Ang II and antisense IGF-I, IGF-I antibody or IGF-IR antibody, were inhibited by IGF-II antibody. (4) DNA fragmentation, Bad, and cytochrome c which was induced by treatments combining IGF-IR antibody with Ang II or combining IGF-IR antibody with IGF-II were remarkably attenuated by CsA. Conclusion: IGF-I deficiency and/or IGF-IR resistance induced apoptosis in cardiomyoblast cells. The apoptosis, which might have been caused by the upregulation of IGF-II and IGF-IIR genes possibly activated the downstream calcineurin pathway, was synergistically augmented by Ang II. The last two authors contributed equally.     

Angiotensin-(1-7) Attenuates Kidney Injury Due to Obstructive Nephropathy in Rats

Background

Angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] counteracts many actions of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Despite its renoprotective effects, extensive controversy exists regarding the role of Ang-(1–7) in obstructive nephropathy, which is characterized by renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and apoptosis.

Methods

To examine the effects of Ang-(1–7) in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, UUO, and Ang-(1–7)-treated UUO rats. Ang-(1–7) was continuously infused (24 μg/[kg·h]) using osmotic pumps. We also treated NRK-52E cells in vitro with Ang II (1 μM) in the presence or absence of Ang-(1–7) (1 μM), Mas receptor antagonist A779 (1 μM), and Mas receptor siRNA (50 nM) to examine the effects of Ang-(1–7) treatment on Ang II-stimulated renal injury via Mas receptor.

Results

Angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT₁R) protein expression was higher in UUO kidneys than in controls. Ang-(1–7) treatment also decreased proapoptotic protein expression in UUO kidneys. Ang-(1–7) also significantly ameliorated TUNEL positive cells in UUO kidneys. Additionally, Ang-(1–7) reduced profibrotic protein expression and decreased the increased tumor growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad signaling present in UUO kidneys. In NRK-52E cells, Ang II induced the expression of TGF-β1/Smad signaling effectors and proapoptotic and fibrotic proteins, as well as cell cycle arrest, which were attenuated by Ang-(1–7) pretreatment. However, treatment with A779 and Mas receptor siRNA enhanced Ang II-induced apoptosis and fibrosis. Moreover, Ang II increased tumor necrosis factor-α converting enzyme (TACE) and decreased angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression in NRK-52E cells, while pretreatment with Ang-(1–7) or A779 significantly inhibited or enhanced these effects, respectively.

Conclusion

Ang-(1–7) prevents obstructive nephropathy by suppressing renal apoptosis and fibrosis, possibly by regulating TGF-β1/Smad signaling and cell cycle arrest via suppression of AT₁R expression. In addition, Ang-(1–7) increased and decreased ACE2 and TACE expression, respectively, which could potentially mediate a positive feedback mechanism via the Mas receptor.     

Adenosine protects against angiotensin II-induced apoptosis in rat cardiocyte cultures

Adenosine has been found to be cardioprotective during episodes of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion through activation of the A₁ and possibly A₃ receptors. Therefore, we have investigated whether activation of these receptors can protect also against apoptotic death induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in neonatal rat cardiomyocyte cultures. Exposure to Ang II (10 nM) resulted in a 3-fold increase in programmed cell death (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with the A₁ adenosine receptor agonist 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA, 1 M), abolished the effects of Ang II on programmed cardiomyocyte death. Moreover, exposure of cells to the A₁ adenosine receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX) before pretreatment with CCPA, prevented the protective effect of the latter. Pretreatment with the A₃ adenosine receptor agonist N⁶-(3-iodobenzyl) adenosine-5-N-methyluronamide (IB-MECA, 0.1 M), led to a partial decrease in apoptotic rate induced by Ang II. Exposure of myocytes to Ang II caused an immediate increase in the concentration of intracellular free Ca²⁺ that lasted 40–60 sec. Pre-treatment of cells with CCPA or IB-MECA did not block Ang II-induced Ca²⁺ elevation. In conclusion, activation of adenosine A₁ receptors can protect the cardiac cells from apoptosis induced by Ang II, while activation of the adenosine A₃ receptors confers partial cardioprotection.