The role of hypoxia related angiogenesis in uterine smooth muscle tumors

Abstract

Mechanisms of hypoxia-related angiogenesis are important for uterine smooth muscle tumors. Factors that are related to angiogenesis during hypoxia include vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), T-cell intracellular antigen1 (TIA1), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). We investigated immunoreactivities of VEGF, HIF1α, TIA1, eIF2α and TSP1 using an indirect immunoperoxidase method for formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tumors that had been diagnosed as leiomyoma (LMY), cellular leiomyoma (CLM) or leiomyosarcoma (LMS). TSP1 immunoreactivity was scored as moderate, mild or minimal, while VEGF, eIF2α and TIA1 immunoreactivities were scored as mild, moderate and strong in LMY, CLM and LMS samples, respectively. HIF1α immunoreactivity was scored as mild to minimal in LMY, CLM and LMS samples, but showed no statistically significant differences among samples. Although angiogenic factors showed strong immunohistochemical staining intensity in LMS, anti-angiogenic factors showed minimal immunohistochemical intensity. There was no difference in HIF-1α immunoreactivity compared to LMY, CLM and LMS samples. We suggest that HIF1α protein synthesis could be suppressed by eIF2α and TIA1. Furthermore, VEGF could be activated by pathways such as COX2, Ras, NF-?B or c-myc instead of HIF1α. Angiogenesis could trigger and accelerate tumor development; therefore, anti-angiogenic therapy could be useful for treatment of tumors.     

Compartmentation of ATP synthesis and utilization in smooth muscle: roles of aerobic glycolysis and creatine kinase

The phosphocreatine content of smooth muscle is of similar magnitude to ATP. Thus the function of the creatine kinase system in this tissue cannot simply be regarded as an energy buffer. Thus an understanding of its role in smooth muscle behavior can point to CK function in other systems. From our perspective CK function in smooth muscle is one example of a more general phenomenon, that of the co-localization of ATP synthesis and utilization. In an interesting and analogous fashion distinct glycolytic cascades are also localized in regions of the cell with specialized energy requirements. Similar to CK, glycolytic enzymes are known to be localized on thin filaments, sarcoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. In this chapter we will describe the relations between glycolysis and smooth muscle function and compare and contrast to that of the CK system. Our goal is to more fully understand the significance of the compartmentation of distinct pathways for ATP synthesis with specific functions in smooth muscle. This organization of metabolism and function seen most clearly in smooth muscle is likely representative of many other cell types.     

The calpain—calpastatin system in vascular smooth muscle

Vascular smooth muscle contains large amounts of the Ca²⁺-dependent protease calpain II. In this study, we compared bovine aortic muscle (muscle phenotype) to cultured bovine aortic cells of smooth muscle origin (modulated phenotype) with respect to major constituents of the calpain—calpastatin system. Bovine aortic muscle contained only calpain II by activity measurements, Western blot of tissue extracts and Northern blot of poly(A)⁺ RNA. On the other hand, using the same methodologies, both calpains I and II as well as the 110 kDa inhibitor protein, calpastatin, were identified in cultured bovine aortic cells of smooth muscle origin. We conclude that the phenotypic state of smooth muscle cells is associated with differential expression of major components of the calpain—calpastatin system. Moreover, bovine aortic muscle is the only tissue identified to date that contains calpain II exclusively.     

Mathematical modeling of intracellular transport processes and the creatine kinase systems: a probability approach

A probability approach was used to describe mitochondrial respiration in the presence of substrates, ATP, ADP, Cr and PCr. Respiring mitochondria were considered as a three-component system, including: 1) oxidative phosphorylation reactions which provide stable ATP and ADP concentrations in the mitochondrial matrix; 2) adenine nucleotide translocase provides exchange transfer of matrix adenine nucleotides for those from outside, supplied from medium and by creatine kinase; 3) creatine kinase, starting these reactions when activated by the substrates from medium. The specific feature of this system is close proximity of creatine kinase and translocase molecules. This results in high probability of direct activations of translocase by creatine kinase-derived ADP or ATP without their leak into the medium. In turn, the activated translocase with the same high probability directly provides creatine kinase with matrix-derived ATP or ADP. The catalytic complexes of creatine kinase formed with ATP from matrix together with those formed from medium ATP provide activation of the forward creatine kinase reaction coupled to translocase activation. Simultaneously the catalytic complexes of creatine kinase formed with ADP from matrix together with those formed from medium ADP provide activation of the reverse creatine kinase reaction coupled to translocase activation. The considered probabilities were arranged into a mathermatical model. The model satisfactorily simulates the available experimental data by several groups of investigators. The results allow to consider the observed kinetic and thermodynamic iriegularities in behavior of structurally bound creatine kinase as a direct consequence of its tight coupling to translocase.     

Fractalkine对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的：观察fractalkine（FKN）对体外培养的大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）增殖的影响。方法：体外培养大鼠PASMCs,加入不同浓度（10-^10、10-^9和10-^8 mol／L）的FKN处理12h、24h和48h,采用四唑盐（MTT）法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术（FCM）检测细胞周期。结果：MTT试验显示FKN显著促进大鼠PASMCs增殖,此作用呈浓度依赖性。FCM分析显示FKN使S期细胞比例和增殖指数P1值增加。FKN处理PASMCs 12h后,其S期细胞比例和H值即出现增加,24h达高峰。结论：FKN呈浓度依赖方式促进大鼠PASMCs增殖。     

Theoretical modelling of some spatial and temporal aspects of the mitochondrion/creatine kinase/ myofibril system in muscle

After discussing approaches to the modelling of mitochondrial regulation in muscle, we describe a model that takes account, in a simplified way, of some aspects of the metabolic and physical structure of the energy production/usage system. In this model, high-energy phosphates (ATP and phosphocreatine) and low energy metabolites (ADP and creatine) diffuse between the mitochondrion and the myofibrillar ATPase, and can be exchanged at any point by creatine kinase. Creatine kinase is not assumed to be at equilibrium, so explicit account can be taken of substantial changes in its activity of the sort that can now be achieved by transgenic technology in vivo. The ATPase rate is the input function. Oxidative ATP synthesis is controlled by juxtamitochondrial ADP concentration. To allow for possible functional coupling between the components of creatine kinase associated with the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase and the myofibrillar ATPase, we define parameters and that set the fraction of the total flux carried by ATP rather than phosphocreatine out of the mitochondrial unit and into the ATPase unit, respectively. This simplification is justified by a detailed analysis of the interplay between the mitochondrial outer membrane porin proteins, mitochondrial creatine kinase and the adenine nucleotide translocase. As both processes of possible coupling are incorporated into the model as quantitative parameters, their effect on the energetics of the whole cell model can be explicitly assessed. The main findings are as follows: (1) At high creatine kinase activity, the hyperbolic relationship of oxidative ATP synthesis rate to spatially averaged ADP concentration at steady state implies also a near-linear relationship to creatine concentration, and a sigmoid relation to free energy of ATP hydrolysis. At high creatine kinase activity, the degree of functional coupling at either the mitochondrial or ATPase end has little effect on these relationships. However, lowering the creatine kinase activity raises the mean steady state ADP and creatine concentrations, and this is exaggerated when or is near unity (i.e. little coupling). (2) At high creatine kinase activity, the fraction of flow at steady state carried in the middle of the model by ATP is small, unaffected by the degree of functional coupling, but increases with ADP concentration and rate of ATP turnover. Lowering the creatine kinase activity raises this fraction, and this is exaggerated when or is near unity. (3) Both creatine and ADP concentrations show small gradients decreasing towards the mitochondrion (in the direction of their net flux), while ATP and phosphocreatine concentration show small gradients decreasing towards the myosin ATPase. Unless = 0 (i.e. complete coupling), there is a gradient of net creatine kinase flux that results from the need to transform some of the adenine nucleotide flux at the ends of the model into creatine flux in the middle; the overall net flux is small, but only zero if = . A reduction in cytosolic creatine kinase activity decreases ADP concentration at the mitochondrial end and increases it at the ATPase end. (4) During work-jump transitions, spatial average responses exhibit exponential kinetics similar to those of models of mitochondrial control that assume equilibrium conditions for creatine kinase. (5) In response to a step increase in ATPase activity, concentration changes start at the ATPase end and propagate towards the mitochondrion, damped in time and space. This simplified model embodies many important features of muscle in vivo, and accommodates a range of current theories as special cases. We end by discussing its relationship to other approaches to mitochondrial regulation in muscle, and some possible extensions of the model.     

Nonmuscle Myosin motor of smooth muscle

Nonmuscle myosin can generate force and shortening in smooth muscle, as revealed by studies of the urinary bladder from mice lacking smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) but expressing the nonmuscle myosin heavy chains A and B (NM-MHC A and B; Morano, I., G.X. Chai, L.G. Baltas, V. Lamounier-Zepter, G. Lutsch, M. Kott, H. Haase, and M. Bader. 2000. Nat. Cell Biol. 2:371-375). Intracellular calcium was measured in urinary bladders from SM-MHC-deficient and SM-MHC-expressing mice in relaxed and contracted states. Similar intracellular [Ca2+] transients were observed in the two types of preparations, although the contraction of SM-MHC-deficient bladders was slow and lacked an initial peak in force. The difference in contraction kinetics thus do not reflect differences in calcium handling. Thick filaments were identified with electron microscopy in smooth muscle cells of SM-MHC-deficient bladders, showing that NM-MHC can form filaments in smooth muscle cells. Maximal shortening velocity of maximally activated, skinned smooth muscle preparations from SM-MHC-deficient mice was significantly lower and more sensitive to increased MgADP compared with velocity of SM-MHC-expressing preparations. Active force was significantly lower and less inhibited by increased inorganic phosphate. In conclusion, large differences in nucleotide and phosphate binding exist between smooth and nonmuscle myosins. High ADP binding and low phosphate dependence of nonmuscle myosin would influence both velocity of actin translocation and force generation to promote slow motility and economical force maintenance of the cell.     

Myosin light chain kinase expression during smooth muscle development

The expression of smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was investigated during chicken gizzard development. The molecular weight and the antigenic properties of MLCK did not change during development. The use of anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) enabled us to distinguish between MLCKs from post-hatched and adult chickens. A partial amino acid sequence determination of 4-day-old gizzard MLCK failed to disclose differences in the primary sequences of the two proteins. The results suggest that MLCK has the same primary sequence in all sequences of the two proteins. The results suggest that MLCK has the same primary sequence in all stages of gizzard development, although charge variants due to post-translational modifications may exist.     

低氧对培养的不同内径的肺动脉平滑肌细胞增殖的影响

目的和方法：分离培养三种不同内径的肺动脉平滑肌细胞（PASMCs）,用^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数作为细胞增殖的指标,观察低氧对其增殖作用的影响。结果：低氧对三种不同内径的PASMCs（内径分别为＞1000μm、500－800μm、300-400μm）增殖促进作用显著不同,其^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数分别增加23.5％和11.1％、60.0％和33.8％、141.4％和52.0％,选择对低氧最敏感的PASMCs（内径为300－400μm）,进一步探讨低氧促PASMCs增殖作用的细胞机制：钙拮抗剂verapail、蛋白激酶C抑制剂staurosporine(Stau)和细胞Na-H交换抑制剂amiloride可显著降低低氧情况下PASMCs^3H－TdR掺入速率和细胞计数。结论：低氧对三种不同内径的PASMCs增殖促进作用显著不同; Ca^2 、蛋白激酶C和Na^2 －H^ 交换的激活,可能是低氧促PASMCs增殖的重要胞内信息转导机制。     

Chicken smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase is acetylated on its NH2-terminal methionine

The reported cDNA structrre, of chicken smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK) encodes a protein of 972 residues (Olsonet al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA, 87: 2284–2288, 1990). The calculated Mr is 107, 534 whereas the estimate by SDS-PAGE is approximately 130, 000. Gibson and Higgins (DNA Sequence (in press)) have recently reported the possibility of errors, in the cDNA sequence for non-muscle MLCK and that the NH₂-terminus of both it and smMLCK may extend beyond the reported coding region. The native smMLCK is NH₂-terminally blocked. A CNBr peptide derived from smMLCK contains the NH₂-terminal sequence Asp-Phe-Arg-Ala corresponding to residues 2 to 4 in the smMLCK sequence indicating, that Met-1 is present. Using a limited thermolysin digest we isolated an NH₂-terminally blocked peptide by reversed-phase HPLC. This thermolytic peptide had a mass of approximately 797 by time of flight mass spectrometry. Amino acid analysis and Edman sequencing of a CNBr-subfragment of the thermolytic peptide indicated that it had the composition and sequence, (Met)-Asp-Phe-Arg-Ala-Asn, with a calculated mass of 753. The difference in mass corresponds to the NH₂-terminal Met being blocked by actylation. The results demonstrate that the NH₂-terminal sequence of smMLCK inferred from the reported cDNA sequence is correct and that the proposed initiating, Met is not removed, but modified by -NH₂ acetylation of the translation product.     

Coronary artery smooth muscle in culture: migration of heterogeneous cell populations from vessel wall

A method for establishing primary cultures of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the porcine coronary artery without either microdissection and/or enzymatic dispersion was developed using selective migration of cells from coronary explants in vitro. This culture method relies on the heterogeneity of cell types and differences in their migration and adherence ability to separate SMC from contaminating fibroblasts or endothelial cells. The cell type was determined by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies to SM -actin, SM myosin, h-caldesmon and von Willebrand factor. The first wave of migration (1-7 days) consisted of a mixture of fibroblasts and SMCs. Only SMCs were present in the second wave of migration (7-14 days). Endothelial cells, which exhibited a lower capacity for migration and adherence, were restricted to the third wave of migration (14-21 days). Cells obtained from the second wave of migration exhibited the characteristic single-layered, aligned, hill-and-valley pattern of SMCs when confluent. Quiescence was attained 4-5 days after removal of serum, as established by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Stimulation of the quiescent SMCs with 20% FBS resulted in a synchronous re-entry into the cell-cycle with S phase reached 15-18 h later. The SMCs prepared using this protocol thus exhibit the structural markers and capacity to undergo phenotypic modulation that are characteristic of SMCs in vivo. This approach to establishing primary cultures of SMCs offers the advantage of selecting for the subpopulation of cells capable of migration in response to injury or growth factor stimulation.     

A single-cell transcriptomic inventory of murine smooth muscle cells

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细胞外信号调节激酶活化在慢性支气管哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

本文旨在探讨细胞外信号调节激酶（extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK）在慢性支气管哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞（airway smooth muscle cells,ASMCs）增殖中的作用。建立慢性哮喘大鼠模型,用ERK激动剂表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF）和抑制剂PD98059干预慢性哮喘大鼠ASMCs的培养。采用流式细胞仪、四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法、^3H-thymidine（TdR）掺入法和增殖细胞核抗原（proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA）免疫组织化学法检测ASMCs增殖情况,观察ERK信号通路对ASMCs增殖的影响。RT-PCR和Western blot检测ERK mRNA和ERK1／2、磷酸化ERK1／2（p-ERK1／2）蛋白的表达。与正常对照组ASMCs比较,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的G0/G1期细胞所占比例明显减少,S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例增高;吸光度（A490）值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量均明显增加,ERK mRNA、ERK1／2蛋白、P-ERK1／2蛋白的表达量以及ERK活化率显著增高。经PD98059干预之后,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例、A490值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量明显降低,ERK mRNA、ERK1／2蛋白、p-ERK1／2蛋白的表达量以及ERK活化率显著降低。经EGF干预后,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例、A490值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量进一步增高,而这一作用可以被PD98059抑制。以上结果提示,慢性哮喘大鼠ASMCs内源性增殖活性增加,ERK1／2参与其增殖活性的调控,ERK信号通路在哮喘气道重建的ASMCs增殖调控中具有重要作用。     

Properties of calcium channels in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle

The voltage-dependent slow channels in the myocardial cell membrane are the major pathway by which Ca²⁺ ions enter the cell during excitation for initiation and regulation of the force of contraction of cardiac muscle. The slow channels have some special properties, including functional dependence on metabolic energy, selective blockade by acidosis, and regulation by the intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels. Because of these special properties of the slow channels, Ca²⁺ influx into the myocardial cell can be controlled by extrinsic factors (such as autonomic nerve stimulation or circulating hormones) and by intrinsic factors (such as cellular pH or ATP level). The slow Ca²⁺ channels of the heart are regulated by cAMP in a stimulatory fashion. Elevation of cAMP produces a very rapid increase in number of slow channels available for voltage activation during excitation. The probability of a slow channel opening and the mean open time of the channel are increased. Therefore, any agent that increases the cAMP level of the myocardial cell will tend to potentiate I_si, Ca²⁺ influx, and contraction. The myocardial slow Ca²⁺ channels are also regulated by cGMP, in a manner that is opposite to that of CAMP. The effect of cGMP is presumably mediated by means of phosphorylation of a protein, as for example, a regulatory protein (inhibitory-type) associated with the slow channel. Preliminary data suggest that calmodulin also may play a role in regulation of the myocardial slow Ca²⁺ channels, possibly mediated by the Ca²⁺-calmodulin-protein kinase and phosphorylation of some regulatory-type of protein. Thus, it appears that the slow Ca²⁺ channel is a complex structure, including perhaps several associated regulatory proteins, which can be regulated by a number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors.VSM cells contain two types of Ca²⁺ channels: slow (L-type) Ca²⁺ channels and fast (T-type) Ca²⁺ channels. Although regulation of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ slow channels of VSM cells have not been fully clarified yet, we have made some progress towards answering this question. Slow (L-type, high-threshold) Ca²⁺ channels may be modified by phosphorylation of the channel protein or an associated regulatory protein. In contrast to cardiac muscle where cAMP and cGMP have antagonistic effects on Ca²⁺ slow channel activity, in VSM, cAMP and cGMP have similar effects, namely inhibition of the Ca²⁺ slow channels. Thus, any agent that elevates cAMP or cGMP will inhibit Ca²⁺ influx, and thereby act to produce vasodilation. The Ca²⁺ slow channels require ATP for activity, with a K_0.5 of about 0.3 mM. C-kinase may stimulate the Ca²⁺ slow channels by phosphorylation. G-protein may have a direct action on the Ca²⁺ channels, and may mediate the effects of activation of some receptors. These mechanisms of Ca²⁺ channel regulation may be invoked during exposure to agonists or drugs, which change second messenger levels, thereby controlling vascular tone.     

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。     

豚鼠耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌细胞和内皮细胞静息膜电位特性

目的:多种内耳疾病和内耳微循环障碍有关,但目前对提供内耳主要血供的耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌(SMC)和内皮细胞(EC)的生理学特性还不十分清楚,需要进一步研究。方法:本研究采用双细胞内微电极记录技术和细胞荧光染色技术,研究耳蜗螺旋动脉平滑肌和内皮细胞的膜电位特性和细胞间的通讯联系。结果:研究发现耳蜗螺旋动脉SMC和EC具有高、低两种静息膜电位(RP)状态,两种静息膜电位状态的细胞对乙酰胆碱和高K+的反应完全不同。双微电极可同时记录到EC-ECS、MC-SMC和SMC-EC不同类型的细胞,两个细胞的静息膜电位也可以是双高RP、双低RP和一高一低RP。实验所记录的一高一低RP均是SMC-EC类型,而且EC初始膜电位均为高电位,SMC初始膜电位均为低电位。而双高RP和双低RP可以是SMC-SMC或EC-EC或SMC-EC类型。结论:结果表明耳蜗螺旋动脉的SMC和EC在0.3~0.5 mm的范围内,同类细胞之间有很好的通讯联系,能很好的保持功能的协同和一致,血管壁异类细胞则不同。     

Ultrastructure of a molluscan smooth muscle during phasic contractions and in the relaxed state

Tension and X-ray diffraction patterns are not always correlated in the smooth anterior retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis. The muscle produces equatorial intensity profiles of X-ray diffraction patterns corresponding to either a relaxed or a contracted structure. During phasic contractions, comprising a contracted as well a a relaxed phase, the diffracted intensity on the equator at 0.003 A^?1 changes within the first 10s after onset of stimulation. The tension reaches a maximum after about the same time. The time dependence of this intensity change during phasic contraction has been measured. It shows that the tension decays within 10s, but the relaxed structure needs 30–40 s to reestablish. There is no difference between the observed intensities from the tonic and phasic contracted states. Inactivated muscles with minimum tension, normally termed relaxed, can have either a “contracted” or a relaxed structure.     

差异显示法对血管平滑肌细胞钙化过程中基因表达变化的研究

目的:本研究运用差异显示技术研究动脉血管平滑肌细胞在钙化过程中基因表达的改变,探讨与动脉钙化相关的基因.方法:体外培养牛主动脉平滑肌细胞,在培养环境中加入10 mmol/L的β-磷酸甘油酯,诱导细胞钙化,作为动脉钙化模型,分别提取对照细胞和钙化细胞的总RNA,用荧光标记的引物进行DD-PCR扩增,电泳显示差异表达的cDNA,再用反向Northern blot对这些差异cDNA进行鉴定确认,并对确认的差异cDNA片段进行克隆测序.结果:DD-PCR显示65个表达差异的片段,经过回收、扩增和反向Northern blot有7个片断确定有持续的差异表达.经过测序和同源性比较,发现有3个片段为新的基因片段.结论:初步确定7个与血管钙化相关的cDNA片段,其中3个片段为新的未知基因片段.