Functional and immunocytochemical evidence that galanin is a physiological regulator of human jejunal motility.

The neuropeptide galanin has species-dependent effects on intestinal motility. It has a contractile effect on rat jejunal muscle while it relaxes guinea-pig ileum by inhibiting cholinergic transmission. Its effect on human gut motility has been unknown. Extensive work led to the discovery of selective galanin analogues such as M15 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-substance-P(5-11)], M35 [galanin(1-12)-Pro-bradykinin(2-9)-amide] that competitively inhibit various actions of galanin in the central nervous system. The present study was designed to examine the effect of galanin, M15 and M35 on longitudinal jejunal smooth muscle strips isolated from humans and rats, and to localize galanin-immunoreactivity in human jejunum. Galanin and ACh were equally effective in stimulating contractions of the isolated jejunal muscle: sigmoid curve fitting showed that maximal contractile response to galanin and ACh were 25.7+/-11.1 mN and 23.7+/-9.7 in humans, while 8.0+/-0.6 and 8.1+/-0.3 mN in rats, respectively. These effects of galanin were not inhibited by either atropine (5 x 10(-6) M) or tetrodotoxin (3 x 10(-6) M). The potency of galanin inducing the contractile actions were similar in humans and rats. Interestingly, neither M15 nor M35 (up to 10(-7) M) were able to inhibit the responses of the smooth muscle to galanin. However, both putative galanin receptor antagonists showed agonist effects in our experimental models. In accordance with the functional studies, both the longitudinal and the circular muscle layers were abundant in nerve fibers and varicosities showing galanin immunoreactivity. Our data suggest that galanin is a potent physiological regulator of jejunal contractions in humans. Its action on the jejunum, however, is mediated by galanin receptors that are different from those located in the central nervous system.     

Effect of lignocaine on intestinal smooth muscle of rat ileum

The effect of lignocaine on tone and contractility of intestinal smooth muscle, and on contractures produced by ACh or TEA, was studied in isolated ileum of the rat. Lignocaine (0.1-100 microM) produced concentration-dependent contractures in the rat ileum. In low concentrations, lignocaine increased the amplitude of spontaneous contractions and contractions produced by transmural stimulation. High concentrations of lignocaine abolished all contractile responses and produced a marked contracture in rat ileum. Lignocaine (10 microM) also reduced the contractures produced by ACh (0.01-10 microM). In contrast, the contractures produced by TEA (0.1-10 mM) were markedly increased by lignocaine. Furthermore, the contracture produced by lignocaine was reduced by lowering the external calcium from 2.5 mM to 1.5 mM. It was concluded that lignocaine in moderate and high concentrations produces a contracture in rat intestinal smooth muscle. Whereas lignocaine reduces the ACh-induced contracture, it increases that produced by TEA in the same preparation. The results further suggest that lignocaine modifies cholinergic responses and affects excitation-contraction coupling in rat intestinal smooth muscle.     

Effects of endothelin and relaxin on rat uterine segment contractility.

In order to determine the effects of endothelin (ET) and relaxin on uterine contractility, immature female rats were treated with estrogen (E, 1 microgram s.c., Days 1-3) or estrogen and progesterone (2 mg s.c. [E + P], Days 2 and 3), and killed; the uterine horns were removed and suspended in muscle baths. Initially, we determined the contractile response to varying doses of ET and how this response was altered by pretreatment with progesterone. Uterine strips from animals treated with E + P (n = 10) were less sensitive to the stimulatory effects of ET than were strips from E-treated animals (n = 10). This difference was significant at ET doses above 2.5 nM. After completion of the dose-response studies, contractile patterns in response to ET and relaxin were then studied in animals treated with E (n = 10) or E + P (n = 9). ET (5 nM) significantly increased uterine contractility, mostly through an effect on the frequency of contractions (p less than 0.01). Relaxin (25 ng/ml) decreased contractility, affecting all contractile parameters measured (p less than 0.01). ET stimulated contractility in uterine horn segments previously inhibited by relaxin (p less than 0.01), and relaxin reduced the increased contractility produced by earlier exposure to ET (p less than 0.01). These data indicate that ET and relaxin can interact reversibly to control contractility in uterine horn segments in vitro, and that progesterone pretreatment can diminish the contractile response to the stimulatory effects of ET.     

Inhibitory effects of botulinum toxin on pyloric and antral smooth muscle

Botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus is reported to improve gastric emptying in gastroparesis. Classically, botulinum toxin inhibits ACh release from cholinergic nerves in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of botulinum toxin on pyloric smooth muscle. Guinea pig pyloric muscle strips were studied in vitro. Botulinum toxin type A was added; electric field stimulation (EFS) was performed every 30 min for 6 h. ACh (100 microM)-induced contractile responses were determined before and after 6 h. Botulinum toxin caused a concentration-dependent decrease of pyloric contractions to EFS. At a low concentration (2 U/ml), botulinum toxin decreased pyloric contractions to EFS by 43 +/- 9% without affecting ACh-induced contractions. At higher concentrations (10 U/ml), botulinum toxin decreased pyloric contraction to EFS by 75 +/- 7% and decreased ACh-induced contraction by 79 +/- 9%. In conclusion, botulinum toxin inhibits pyloric smooth muscle contractility. At a low concentration, botulinum toxin decreases EFS-induced contractile responses without affecting ACh-induced contractions suggesting inhibition of ACh release from cholinergic nerves. At higher concentrations, botulinum toxin directly inhibits smooth muscle contractility as evidenced by the decreased contractile response to ACh.     

Heme oxygenase modulates oxidant-signaled airway smooth muscle contractility: role of bilirubin

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase the contractile response of airway smooth muscle (ASM). Heme oxygenase (HO) catabolizes heme to the powerful antioxidant bilirubin. Because HO is expressed in the airways, we investigated its effects on ASM contractility and ROS production in guinea pig trachea. HO expression was higher in the epithelium than in tracheal smooth muscle. Incubation of tracheal rings (TR) with the HO inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP IX) or the HO substrate hemin increased and decreased, respectively, ASM contractile response to carbamylcholine. The effect of hemin was reversed by SnPP and mimicked by the antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Hemin significantly reduced the effect of carbamylcholine in rings treated with the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), compared with ODQ-treated rings without hemin incubation, suggesting that the CO-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate pathway was not involved in the control of tracheal reactivity. SnPP and hemin increased and decreased ROS production by TR by 18 and 38%, respectively. Bilirubin (100 pM) significantly decreased TR contractility and ROS production. Hemin, bilirubin, and SOD/catalase decreased phosphorylation of the contractile protein myosin light chain, whereas SnPP significantly augmented it. These data suggest that modulation of the redox status by HO and, moreover, by bilirubin modulates ASM contractility by modulating levels of phosphorylated myosin light chain.     

大黄素对大鼠离体空肠平滑肌收缩的影响

目的：观察大黄素（emodin）对大鼠离体空肠平滑肌收缩功能的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法：大鼠离体空肠标本随机分为7组（n=6）：对照组,大黄素剂量组（1,5,10,20μmol／L）,普萘洛尔（PRO）加大黄素组,格列苯脲（GLI）加大黄素组,NG-基-L厂精氨酸甲酯（1．NAME）加大黄素组,无钙K-H液对照组及无钙K-H液大黄素组。采用颈椎离断法处死大鼠并分离其空肠,将肠段标本与张力换能器相连并置于氧饱和的K-H液中。采用BL-420E＋生物信号采集处理系统记录大鼠空肠平滑肌的收缩张力（TE）,幅度（AM）和频率（FR）的影响。结果：①大黄素能使大鼠离体空肠平滑肌的收缩张力和幅度明显下降,且呈剂量依赖性（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;对频率无明显影响。②普萘洛尔（P〈0．05）、格列苯脲（P〈0．01）可部分阻断大黄素对空肠平滑肌的抑制作用。③L．NAME对大黄素所引起的空肠平滑肌的抑制作用无影响。④氯化钙所引起的空肠平滑肌收缩可被大黄素所抑制（P〈0．01）。结论：大黄素能明显减弱大鼠离体空肠平滑肌的收缩张力和收缩幅度,对收缩频率无影响。这种作用可能是通过兴奋肾上腺素8受体、兴奋ATP敏感钾通道、阻断细胞膜上钙离子通道实现。     

A novel bronchial ring bioassay for the evaluation of small airway smooth muscle function in mice

Advances in our understanding of murine airway physiology have been hindered by the lack of suitable, ex vivo, small airway bioassay systems. In this study, we introduce a novel small murine airway bioassay system that permits the physiological and pharmacological study of intrapulmonary bronchial smooth muscle via a bronchial ring (BR) preparation utilizing BR segments as small as 200 microm in diameter. Using this ex vivo BR bioassay, we characterized small airway smooth muscle contraction and relaxation in the presence and absence of bronchial epithelium. In control BRs, the application of mechanical stretch is followed by spontaneous bronchial smooth muscle relaxation. BRs pretreated with methacholine (MCh) partially attenuate this stretch-induced relaxation by as much as 42% compared with control. MCh elicited a dose-dependent bronchial constriction with a maximal tension (E(max)) of 8.7 +/- 0.2 mN at an EC(50) of 0.33 +/- 0.02 microM. In the presence of nifedipine, ryanodine, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, and SKF-96365, E(max) to MCh was significantly reduced. In epithelium-denuded BRs, MCh-induced contraction was significantly enhanced to 11.4 +/- 1.0 mN with an EC(50) of 0.16 +/- 0.04 microM (P < 0.01). Substance P relaxed MCh-precontracted BR by 62.1%; however, this bronchial relaxation effect was completely lost in epithelium-denuded BRs. Papaverine virtually abolished MCh-induced constriction in both epithelium-intact and epithelium-denuded bronchial smooth muscle. In conclusion, this study introduces a novel murine small airway BR bioassay that allows for the physiological study of smooth muscle airway contractile responses that may aid in our understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma.     

Changes in force-velocity properties of trachealis due to oscillatory strains.

The physically dynamic environment of the lung constantly modulates the mechanical properties of airway smooth muscle. In vitro experiments have shown that contractility of the muscle is compromised by oscillatory strains, perhaps through disruption of cross-bridge interaction and organization of the contractile filaments. To understand the mechanism by which oscillation affects contractility, functional changes of the muscle in terms of force-velocity relationship were assessed before and after imposition of length oscillation in both relaxed and activated states. The oscillation protocol was designed to reduce isometric force by 15-20%, followed by measurement of force-velocity properties. Maximal velocity and power changed by +8 and -14%, respectively, after oscillation applied in the relaxed state and changed by -15 and -25%, respectively, after oscillation applied during contraction. A simple model of reduced activation could not account for the results; neither could the results be explained satisfactorily by the current cross-bridge theory of contraction. The results, however, could be explained if the possibility of reorganization of the contractile filaments due to oscillatory strains was considered.     

Contractile activity of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum at psychogenic stress in rabbits before and after muscarinic or nicotinic cholinoceptor blockade

In chronic experiments on rabbits, myoelectric activity (contractile activity index) in distal part of the duodenum, proximal and distal parts of the jejunum and proximal part of the ileum was studied under psychogenic stress caused by rigid fastening rabbit to a table in supine position. In duodenum, the stressor impact rendered stimulating, and in an ileum--inhibitory influence on their motility. In a jejunum the inhibition with the subsequent stimulation was observed, the latter being more expressed in a proximal part of the intestine. The proximo-distal gradient of exitatory and inhibitory influences of the psychogenic stress on contractile activity of the small bowel was revealed: in distal direction, inhibitory influences strengthen and stimulatory ones weaken. The muscarinic receptor blockade abolished increase of the duodenal and jejunal contractile activity obsereved in the control. The nicotinic cholinoceptor blockade abolished increase of the duodenal contractile activity in the 1-st phase of the stressor response and did not exclude an increase of the duodenal contractile activity in the 2-nd phase of the response. Muscarinic or nicotinic blockade did not influence the manifestation of the inhibitory reaction of proximal part of the ileum. In the period after release of the animal, the duodenal and jejunal contractile activity exeeded its initial level. This exeeding did not preserve after muscarinic cholinoceptor blockade but did preserve after nicotinic one in duodenum and proximal jejunum. The received data allow to conclude, that produced by the stress increase of the contractile activity of the distal part of duodenum, proximal and distal parts of jejunum produced by the stress, as well as exceeding the initial contractile activity level in the period after release of an animal, are mediated by cholinergic effector neurones of the enteric nervous system.     

Spawning period and migration of three species of cyprinids in a stream with Mediterranean regimen (SW Spain)

These studies investigated the effects of somatostatin on gastric motility in the rainbow trout. Two experimental models were used, the isolated vascularly-perfused stomach and isolated strips of gastrointestinal smooth muscle. Both models demonstrated that somatostatin can inhibit gastrointestinal motility and may therefore modulate gastric emptying in fish.
In the vascularly-perfused stomach, somatostatin (10–1000 n m ) decreased maximum and baseline intragastric pressure by 10–20% in the presence of stimulatory doses of carbachol or 5-hydroxytryptamine. In addition, somatostatin (1 μ m ) inhibited by 50% the magnitude of spontaneous contractions generated by distension. Somatostatin had little effect on the pressure gradient or contractile frequency. These results suggest that somatostatin may negatively modulate gastric emptying in the rainbow trout.
In isolated gastric smooth muscle strips, somatostatin (100 pmol) inhibited tension stimulated by carbachol (circular orientation of muscle) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (longitudinal orientation). These results correlated with those observed in the vascularly perfused stomach preparation. Somatostatin also decreased tension stimulated by carbachol and 5-hydroxytryptamine in intestinal smooth muscle strips, suggesting that under some conditions somatostatin could increase gastric emptying rate by relaxing intestinal musculature.     

Contractile and relaxant effects of dimaprit on guinea pig isolated intestinal cells

The effect of the histamine H₂ receptor agonist dimaprit on intestinal contractility was characterized on smooth muscle cells isolated from the longitudinal muscle of the guinea pig ileum. Dimaprit exerted two opposite effects on the contractility of isolated muscle cells: relaxation of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-S)-induced contractions in the range of concentrations 10⁻¹⁷-10⁻¹³ M and contraction at concentrations higher than 10⁻¹³ M. The relaxant effect of dimaprit was totally prevented by the H₂ blocker famotidine (10⁻⁷ M), which, at the same time, enhanced the contractile effect of dimaprit, shifting to the left the concentration-response curve to the agonist. This contraction was not modified by the histamine H₁ receptor antagonists pyrilamine and temelastine, tested both at 10⁻⁷ M. By contrast, atropine 10⁻⁸ M abolished the contractile effect of dimaprit, while leaving unchanged the response to CCK-8. Our results clearly indicate that longitudinal muscle cells of the guinea pig ileum possess inhibitory H₂ receptors, which can be activated by very low concentrations of dimaprit; moreover, they revealed that dimaprit can have non-histaminergic effects, probably due to muscarinic receptor activation; however, concentrations about 10000 times higher than those necessary to activate H₂ receptors, are required.     

Functional, structural, and chemical changes in myosin associated with hydrogen peroxide treatment of skeletal muscle fibers

To understand the molecular mechanism of oxidation-induced inhibition of muscle contractility, we have studied the effects of hydrogen peroxide on permeabilized rabbit psoas muscle fibers, focusing on changes in myosin purified from these fibers. Oxidation by 5 mM peroxide decreased fiber contractility (isometric force and shortening velocity) without significant changes in the enzymatic activity of myofibrils and isolated myosin. The inhibitory effects were reversed by treating fibers with dithiothreitol. Oxidation by 50 mM peroxide had a more pronounced and irreversible inhibitory effect on fiber contractility and also affected enzymatic activity of myofibrils, myosin, and actomyosin. Peroxide treatment also affected regulation of contractility, resulting in fiber activation in the absence of calcium. Electron paramagnetic resonance of spin-labeled myosin in muscle fibers showed that oxidation increased the fraction of myosin heads in the strong-binding structural state under relaxing conditions (low calcium) but had no effect under activating conditions (high calcium). This change in the distribution of structural states of myosin provides a plausible explanation for the observed changes in both contractile and regulatory functions. Mass spectroscopy analysis showed that 50 mM but not 5 mM peroxide induced oxidative modifications in both isoforms of the essential light chains and in the heavy chain of myosin subfragment 1 by targeting multiple methionine residues. We conclude that 1) inhibition of muscle fiber contractility via oxidation of myosin occurs at high but not low concentrations of peroxide and 2) the inhibitory effects of oxidation suggest a critical and previously unknown role of methionines in myosin function.     

Morinda lucida reduces contractility of isolated uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

The present work investigated the effect of Morinda lucida (M. lucida) extract on isolated uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice. Pregnant and non-pregnant mice were pretreated with oral stilboesterol (0.1 mg/kg body weight) and killed by cervical dislocation. Thin strips of the uterus were cut and mounted in a 20ml organ bath containing De Jalon solution bubbled with 95%O2-5% CO2 gas mixture. The strips were connected to a force transducer coupled to a Grass 7D Polygraph for the recording of isometric tension. Effects of graded concentrations of oxytocin (OXY; 10-5-10-2 mol/L), acetylcholine (ACh; 10-9-10-5 mol/L) and M. lucida extract (0.015-1.5 mg/ml) were recorded. Fresh uterine strips were then incubated with M. lucida extract for 5mins and cumulative response to OXY was repeated. Another set of fresh strips was incubated in L-NAME for 15mins and the cumulative responses to M.lucida extract were repeated. OXY resulted in increased contractile responses in both pregnant and non-pregnant uterine muscles. M. lucida resulted in relaxation of the uterine smooth muscle in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice at all doses. However, at 1.5mg/ml, M. lucida completely blocked spontaneous uterine contractions. Following incubation with L-NAME, M. lucida extract led to a slightly greater relaxation of the uterine strips. In conclusion, M. lucida reduced contractility of uterine smooth muscle in both pregnant and non-pregnant mice as well as blocking contractile responses to OXY and Ach in uterine smooth muscle of pregnant and non-pregnant mice. There was no significant alteration of M. lucida activity by L-NAME suggesting that the action of the compound on uterine muscle is not associated with impaired nitric oxide synthase.     

A limited role for leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor in food protein induced jejunal smooth muscle contraction in sensitized rats.

To determine whether the release of newly formed mediators such as the peptidoleukotrienes and platelet-activating factor might modulate the food protein induced jejunal smooth muscle contraction observed in sensitized rats, Hooded-Lister rats were sensitized by injection of ovalbumin (10 micrograms i.p.) and controls were sham sensitized with saline. Fourteen days later the contractility of longitudinally (n = 9) and circularly (n = 9) oriented jejunal segments (mucosa intact) were examined in standard tissue baths in response to antigen, leukotrienes, and platelet-activating factor alone and in the presence of a specific leukotriene receptor antagonist (MK-571), a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (L651,392), and a platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist (WEB 2086). Although the responses of control and sensitized tissues to stretch and 10(-4) M bethanechol were similar, only sensitized tissues contracted in response to antigen (1 mg/mL). MK-571 (10(-5) M) reduced or significantly inhibited the contractile response of sensitized longitudinally and circularly oriented tissues to 10(-7) M leukotrienes C4, D4, or E4, but neither L651,392 (10(-4) M) nor MK-571 (10(-5) M) significantly reduced the contractile response of sensitized tissues to antigen challenge. WEB 2086 (10(-4) M) significantly (p less than 0.01) reduced the contractile response of sensitized longitudinally and circularly oriented tissues to 10(-7) M platelet-activating factor but did not significantly alter the response to antigen in longitudinally (45% of control, p = 0.14) or circularly (118% of control, ns) oriented jejunal smooth muscle. In this model leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor play an insignificant role in modulating food protein induced jejunal smooth muscle contraction in intestinal anaphylaxis.     

胃动素对大鼠胃平滑肌细胞收缩活动的作用

本研究用大鼠游离的胃平滑肌细胞,观察胃动素对胃平滑肌细胞的收缩作用。结果表明：（１）胃动素明显增强单个胃平滑肌细胞收缩活动,在生理剂量１０（－１１）─１０（－１０）ｍｏｌ范围内,呈剂量依赖性。（２）不同胃分区平滑肌细胞对冒动素兴奋反应不同,胃动素对胃窦平滑肌细胞收缩强度大于胃体和幽门。（３）给予抗胃动素血清可以完全取消胃动素对胃肌细胞的收缩反应,而阿托品、ＴＴＸ、甲氰米胍、ｌｏｘｉｇｌｕｍｉｄｅ均不影响胃动素的作用。（４）给予胞内钙释放阻断剂ＴＭＢ－８可抑制胃动素对目肌细胞的收缩作用。上述结果提示,胃动素对胃平滑肌细胞的直接作用是由胃动素受体所介导,且与胞内Ｃａ（２＋）释放起重要作用。     

库容性Ca2+内流参与ACh诱导的大鼠远端结肠平滑肌收缩

应用生物换能技术和Ca^2＋通道特异性阻断剂观察并记录大鼠离体远端结肠平滑肌收缩张力的变化,分析库容性Ca^2＋内流（capacitative Ca^2＋ entry,CCE）是否与ACh诱导的离体远端结肠平滑肌收缩反应有关。结果表明,以无钙的Krebs液灌流或应用EGTA螯合细胞外Ca^2＋后,高K^＋及ACh引起的远端结肠平滑肌收缩几乎完全消失。电压操纵性Ca^2＋通道阻断剂verapamil也能减弱高K^＋及ACh引起的远端结肠平滑肌收缩,其减弱的程度分别为74％和41％。在无钙的Krebs液中,5μmol／LACh可引起离体肠管瞬时性收缩,这是由肌质网（sarcoplasmic reticulum,SR）释放钙所致：然后加入10μmol／L阿托品（atropine）,并在此基础上恢复细胞外Ca^2＋（2．5mmol／L）,结肠平滑肌则出现持续性收缩,待收缩反应达峰值时,加入5μmol／L verapamil,收缩无明显变化,且该收缩反应对钙库操纵性通道（store-operated Ca^2＋ channel,socc）阻断剂La^3＋敏感,20,50和100μmol／L的La^3＋使上述收缩张力分别降低15％,23％和36％,且呈浓度依赖性,但对Cd^2＋不敏感。研究结果提示,细胞外Ca^2＋内流对高K^＋及ACh介导的离体远端结肠平滑肌持续性收缩是必需的,由ACh诱导的远端结肠平滑肌收缩至少包括SR释放钙引起的短暂性收缩及受体操纵性Ca^2＋通道（receptor-operated Ca^2＋ channel,ROCC）、电压操纵性Ca^2＋通道（voltage-operated Ca^2＋ channel,VOCC）和CCE介导的胞外Ca^2＋ 内流等途径。这将从通道水平进一步分析消化管平滑肌收缩的机制和特征,亦将为预防和控制因胃肠动力紊乱所致的消化管疾病寻求有针对性的药物干预和治疗提供理论依据。     

Bi-directional regulation of emodin and quercetin on smooth muscle myosin of gizzard

This study is to reveal the characteristics of bidirectional regulation of emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-anthraquinone) and quercetin on gizzard smooth muscle myosin. Our results indicate that: (a) emodin demonstrates stimulatory effects, and quercetin produces inhibitory effects on myosin phosphorylation and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylated myosin in a dose-dependent manner; (b) a combination of emodin and quercetin enhances phosphorylation and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities for partially phosphorylated myosin and inhibits those activities for fully phosphorylated myosin; (c) 1-(5-Chloronaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H2-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine inhibits myosin phosphorylation in the presence of emodin and/or quercetin. A combination of emodin and quercetin indicates its potential for modulating gastric-intestinal smooth muscle.     

MicroRNAs are essential for stretch-induced vascular smooth muscle contractile differentiation via microRNA (miR)-145-dependent expression of L-type calcium channels

Stretch of the vascular wall is an important stimulus to maintain smooth muscle contractile differentiation that is known to depend on L-type calcium influx, Rho-activation, and actin polymerization. The role of microRNAs in this response was investigated using tamoxifen-inducible and smooth muscle-specific Dicer KO mice. In the absence of Dicer, which is required for microRNA maturation, smooth muscle microRNAs were completely ablated. Stretch-induced contractile differentiation and Rho-dependent cofilin-2 phosphorylation were dramatically reduced in Dicer KO vessels. On the other hand, acute stretch-sensitive growth signaling, which is independent of influx through L-type calcium channels, was not affected by Dicer KO. Contractile differentiation induced by the actin polymerizing agent jasplakinolide was not altered by deletion of Dicer, suggesting an effect upstream of actin polymerization. Basal and stretch-induced L-type calcium channel expressions were both decreased in Dicer KO portal veins, and inhibition of L-type channels in control vessels mimicked the effects of Dicer deletion. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-145, a highly expressed microRNA in smooth muscle, resulted in a similar reduction of L-type calcium channel expression. This was abolished by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN93, suggesting that Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIδ, a target of miR-145 and up-regulated in Dicer KO, plays a role in the regulation of L-type channel expression. These results show that microRNAs play a crucial role in stretch-induced contractile differentiation in the vascular wall in part via miR-145-dependent regulation of L-type calcium channels.     

Contraction of guinea pig trachea by epidermal growth factor--urogastrone

To evaluate further the action of epidermal growth factor - urogastrone (EGF-URO) in smooth muscle systems, we examined the effect of the peptide on guinea pig tracheal strips. The cumulative addition of EGF-URO to the organ bath resulted in a concentration-dependent tonic contraction without tachyphylaxis. The half-maximal contraction was obtained at 13 +/- 3 ng/mL EGF-URO (2 nM). The maximum contraction at 100 ng/mL approached 60% of that induced by 1 microM histamine. No significant difference in the EGF-URO-induced contraction was observed in the presence or absence of a functional epithelium. Preincubation with 1 microM indomethacin for 20 min abolished the action of EGF-URO. The contractile effect of EGF-URO was not affected by yohimbine, propranolol, atropine, tetrodotoxin, and esculetin. However, mepacrine caused inhibition by 37 +/- 7% (mean +/- SEM for n = 3). Verapamil (10 microM) inhibited the EGF-induced response by 62 +/- 5% (mean +/- SEM for n = 4); the response was also absent in Ca-free (1 mM EGTA) buffer. However, the response was restored after the readdition of calcium. Our results suggest that EGF-URO can modulate tracheal smooth muscle contractility via a cyclooxygenase product and raise the possibility that EGF-URO might play a role in controlling pulmonary smooth muscle tone in vivo.