Effect of Na-K adenosinetriphosphatase activity on relaxation of canine tracheal smooth muscle

The effect of Na-K adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) on relaxation induced by isoproterenol, prostaglandin E2, sodium nitroprusside, and forskolin, a specific stimulant of adenylate cyclase, was investigated in canine tracheal smooth muscle strips. Relaxation in response to isoproterenol, prostaglandin E2, and forskolin was significantly decreased after inhibition of the Na-K ATPase by ouabain or a potassium-free medium, but relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was not affected. Relaxation to isoproterenol was greater in muscles contracted by 5-hydroxytryptamine than in those contracted by acetylcholine. The stimulation of Na-K ATPase activity with potassium also caused differences in relaxation between tissues contracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine or acetylcholine. Relaxation caused by isoproterenol by activation of the Na-K-ATPase was also decreased by the Ca2+-channel antagonists, verapamil and diltiazem. The results suggest 1) Na-K ATPase activity modulates relaxation caused by isoproterenol, prostaglandin E2, and forskolin in canine tracheal smooth muscle, 2) isoproterenol or activation of the Na-K ATPase may cause relaxation partly by reducing Ca2+ influx through potential-dependent Ca2+ channels, and 3) the differences in the inhibitory effects of isoproterenol and Na-K ATPase activity on muscles contracted by acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine could be due to differences between these contractile agents in their dependence on extracellular Ca2+ for activation.     

Muscarinic receptor reserve and beta-adrenergic sensitivity in tracheal smooth muscle

The possibility that differences in beta-adrenergic sensitivity among canine trachealis muscles contracted with different contractile agonists are related to differences in the receptor-occupancy characteristics of the contractile agonists was investigated. Relaxation to isoproterenol was compared in muscles contracted with the muscarinic agonists McN-A-343 and acetylcholine (ACh). The apparent dissociation constant (pKB) values for the M1-antagonist, pirenzepine, against ACh (6.96 +/- 0.18) and McN-A-343 (6.84 +/- 0.08) were similar. The pKB values for the M3-antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) against ACh (8.76 +/- 0.13) and McN-A-343 (8.71 +/- 0.10) were also similar, suggesting that these agonists were activating the same subtype of muscarinic receptor, probably M3. However, the contractile response to ACh was associated with a greater receptor reserve than that for McN-A-343. Isoproterenol relaxed muscles contracted with McN-A-343 much more effectively than those contracted with an equieffective concentration of ACh. The results suggest that the relative resistance of ACh-induced contractions to relaxation by isoproterenol may not be an inherent quality of muscarinic receptor stimulation. The large receptor reserve available to ACh may act to buffer the contractile response from the inhibitory effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Alternatively, ACh may be able to initiate subcellular mechanisms that are unavailable to agonists of lower efficacy.     

Comparison of PSGL-1 microbead and neutrophil rolling: microvillus elongation stabilizes P-selectin bond clusters

A cell-scaled microbead system was used to analyze the force-dependent kinetics of P-selectin adhesive bonds independent of micromechanical properties of the neutrophil's surface microvilli, an elastic structure on which P-selectin ligand glycoprotein-1 (PSGL-1) is localized. Microvillus extension has been hypothesized in contributing to the dynamic range of leukocyte rolling observed in vivo during inflammatory processes. To evaluate PSGL-1/P-selectin bond kinetics of microbeads and neutrophils, rolling and tethering on P-selectin-coated substrates were compared in a parallel-plate flow chamber. The dissociation rates for PSGL-1 microbeads on P-selectin were briefer than those of neutrophils for any wall shear stress, and increased more rapidly with increasing flow. The microvillus length necessary to reconcile dissociation constants of PSGL-1 microbeads and neutrophils on P-selectin was 0.21 microm at 0.4 dyn/cm2, and increased to 1.58 microm at 2 dyn/cm2. The apparent elastic spring constant of the microvillus ranged from 1340 to 152 pN/microm at 0.4 and 2.0 dyn/cm2 wall shear stress. Scanning electron micrographs of neutrophils rolling on P-selectin confirmed the existence of micrometer-scaled tethers. Fixation of neutrophils to abrogate microvillus elasticity resulted in rolling behavior similar to PSGL-1 microbeads. Our results suggest that microvillus extension during transient PSGL-1/P-selectin bonding may enhance the robustness of neutrophil rolling interactions.     

Drier climate shifts leaf morphology in Amazonian trees

Oecologia - The humid forests of Amazonia are experiencing longer and more intense dry seasons, which are predicted to intensify by the end of the 21st century. Although tree species often have...     

Mechanical modulation of pressure-volume characteristics of contracted canine airways in vitro

In normal humans and dogs, the airways do not constrict to closure even when maximally stimulated. However, airway closure can be produced in isolated canine lobes and bronchial segments that are stimulated with maximal concentrations of bronchoconstrictors. These observations suggest that under normal conditions, physiological mechanisms to limit bronchoconstriction exist in vivo. In this investigation, we evaluated how mechanical factors that influence airway smooth muscle contractility contribute to the modulation of the pressure-volume characteristics of contracted canine intraparenchymal airways in vitro. Our results demonstrated that maximal and even submaximal contractile stimuli can produce airway closure in bronchi that are allowed to contract under isobaric conditions. However, the effectiveness of bronchoconstrictors is significantly reduced when the airways are subjected to tidal volume oscillations during contraction. In addition, airways contracted isovolumetrically at low volumes exhibit a markedly reduced sensitivity to submaximal concentrations of acetylcholine. This may limit bronchoconstriction at low lung volumes and transpulmonary pressures where the effectiveness of parenchymal stress in keeping the airways open is reduced. Together these factors could provide a mechanism by which bronchoconstriction is limited to low levels of airway resistance under normal conditions in vivo.     

Analysis of receptor reserves in canine tracheal smooth muscle

The receptor reserves for acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and histamine in canine tracheal muscle were evaluated. Muscle strips were dissected free of epithelial and connective tissue and suspended for isometric tension recording in modified Krebs-Ringer solution. Dissociation constants for all three agonists were determined by analysis of their concentration-response curves under control conditions and after partial inactivation of receptors by phenoxybenzamine dihydrochloride. The values of KA for acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and histamine were 1.8 X 10(-5) M, 1.35 X 10(-6) M, and 5.0 X 10(-5) M, respectively. Dissociation constants were used to determine receptor occupancy-response relationships. Maximal responses to acetylcholine were obtained by activation of only 4.0 +/- 1.0% of receptors, indicating the presence of a very large receptor-reserve. In contrast, a maximal response to 5-hydroxytryptamine and histamine required activation of 78.0 +/- 11.0 and 87.7 +/- 1.6% of the receptors, respectively, indicating very modest receptor reserves. The differences in receptor-reserve characteristics for these agonists in airway muscle might contribute to the differential effects of inhibitory and facilitory influences on contractions elicited by them.