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(Hypertension. 2005;46:628.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.
Original Articles |
From the Center for Clinical Pharmacology, Departments of Medicine (R.K.D., D.G.G., Z.M., E.K.J.) and Pharmacology (E.K.J.), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa, and the Clinic for Endocrinology (R.K.D.), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Correspondence to Dr Raghvendra K. Dubey, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic for Endocrinology, D215 NORD-1, Frauenklinik University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail Raghvendra.dubey{at}usz.ch
| Abstract |
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Key Words: adenosine mesangium receptors, adenine remodeling glomerulosclerosis renal disease kidney
| Introduction |
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Adenosine is a potent regulator of growth in both vascular and nonvascular cells.68 We have previously shown that adenosine inhibits growth of renal arteriolar9 and aortic smooth muscle 6 cells, which play a key role in vascular remodeling leading to vaso-occlusive disorders. Moreover, using receptor-specific agonists and antagonists as well as antisense oligonucleotides, we demonstrated that the antimitogenic effects of adenosine are mediated by activation of A2B receptors.6 The role of A2B receptors in mediating the antigrowth effects of adenosine is further supported by our recent finding that this AR inhibits mitogen-induced growth of cardiac fibroblasts.7 The same relation between abnormal vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and vascular disease may hold for abnormal growth of GMCs and glomerular remodeling associated with glomerulosclerosis, renal disease, hypertension, and diabetes.10 Therefore, it is important to determine the effects and mechanism of ARs on the growth of GMCs.
Because VSMCs are phenotypically similar to GMCs10 and because A2B receptors are expressed in the kidney,11 we hypothesized that A2B receptors mediate antimitogenic actions in GMCs. Accordingly, the overall aim of the present study was to determine whether A2B receptors affect 4 major growth processes (DNA synthesis, collagen synthesis, cell proliferation, and mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] activity) in GMCs. To accomplish this goal, we studied the effects of adenosine and its receptor-specific analogues and antagonists (the Table) on the growth of human and rat GMCs. Moreover, to provide direct evidence of a role for A2B receptors in inhibiting GMC growth, by using the sequence of the recently cloned A2B receptor in rats, we designed antisense oligonucleotides to block A2B receptor synthesis in rat GMCs.
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| Methods |
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GMC Cultures
Human GMCs were obtained from Clonetics Corp. Rat glomerular GMCs were grown as explants from glomeruli isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and as described previously.12 GMCs in the fourth passage were used for all experiments.
Antisense Oligonucleotides for A2B Receptors
The antisense oligonucleotide 5'-CTCGTGTTCCAGTGACCAA-3' was used for all experiments with rat GMCs. In a previous study, we showed that this antisense oligonucleotide is effective in modulating the effects of adenosine on rat VSMC growth.6 Sense (5'-TTGGTCACTGGAACACGAG-3') and scrambled (5'-GCAGCTCTATACTGCATG-3') oligonucleotides were used as controls.
Growth Studies
[3H]thymidine incorporation (index of DNA synthesis), [3H]proline incorporation (index of collagen synthesis), and cell proliferation were conducted as previously described.6 GMCs were exposed to various treatments for 24 hours (thymidine incorporation studies), 48 hours (proline incorporation studies), or 5 days (cell proliferation studies).
MAPK Activity
MAPK activity in the cytosolic extracts of GMCs was quantified by our previously described radioactive method with myelin basic protein as the substrate and [
-32P]ATP.13 GMCs were pretreated with oligonucleotides for 72 hours and pretreated with other test agents for 24 hours before MAPK activity was measured.
Expression Studies With Western Blots
The expression of A2B ARs in lysates from GMCs was analyzed by Western blotting and was probed with antibodies against A2B receptors (rabbit anti-adenosine A2B receptor polyclonal antibodies; Chemicon International Inc). The expression of phosphorylated MAPK (p42MAPK/p44MAPK) in lysates from GMCs was analyzed by Western blotting and was probed with antibodies against phosphorylated MAPK (extracellular signalregulated kinase [ERK]1/ERK2; anti-MAPK ERK1/ERK2, phosphospecific, human; Calbiochem). Antibodies against nonphosphorylated ERK1/ERK2 were used to measure total ERK1/ERK2.
cAMP Synthesis
Extracellular (supernatant) and intracellular (cellular fraction) portions of cAMP were pooled, and total cAMP levels were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography according to our previously described method.7 In GMCs grown in parallel and treated similarly, the monolayers were inspected microscopically for intactness, the protein content was measured, and the data were normalized to protein content.
Statistics
All growth experiments were performed in triplicate or quadruplicate with 3 or 4 separate cultures. Data are presented as mean±SEM. Statistical analysis was performed with ANOVA, paired Student t test, or Fisher least significant difference test, as appropriate. A value of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
| Results |
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Similar to human GMCs, the PDGF-BBinduced growth of rat GMCs was inhibited by Cl-Ad, MECA, and NECA, but not by CPA, CGS21680 or AB-MECA (Figure 4A). Compared with NECA, both MECA and Cl-Ad were more potent in inhibiting GMC growth. Moreover, the inhibitory actions of both MECA and NECA were significantly reversed by KF17837 and DPSPX, but not by DPCPX (Figure 4B). Rat GMC growth was also inhibited by both EHNA and IDO, and this effect was antagonized by KF17837 and DPSPX, but not by DPCPX (Figure 4B).
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In rat GMCs, antisense oligonucleotide increased basal and PDGF-BBinduced DNA synthesis by 65% and 69%, respectively; however, neither sense nor scrambled oligonucleotide altered basal or PDGF-BBinduced DNA synthesis (Figure 4C). The effect of antisense oligonucleotide on DNA synthesis was biphasic, with maximal stimulatory effects observed at 0.2 to 0.5 µmol/L (Figure 4D). At 0.5 µmol/L, antisense oligonucleotide did not cause cell toxicity, as assessed by trypan blue exclusion; however, at concentrations
1 µmol/L, cell shrinkage and cell death were evident. The induction of growth by antisense oligonucleotide alone may have been caused by downregulation of the A2B receptor, which would attenuate the growth-inhibitory effects of endogenously produced adenosine. The lack of stimulatory effects at high concentrations may have been caused by cell toxicity. Antisense oligonucleotide, but not sense or scrambled oligonucleotide, attenuated the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad, MECA, and EHNA plus IDO on PDGF-BBinduced cell proliferation, DNA synthesis, and collagen synthesis (Figure 5).
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In human GMCs, PDGF-BB increased MAPK activity, from 0.625±0.07 to 10.87±0.9 pmol · min1 · mg protein1. The MAPK inhibitor PD98059 (10 µmol/L) attenuated the stimulatory effects of PDGF-BB to 1.3±0.04 pmol · min1 · mg protein1. PDGF-BBmediated stimulation of MAPK activity was reduced in GMCs pretreated for 24 hours with 1 µmol/L Cl-Ad, MECA, NECA, or EHNA plus IDO but not pretreated with CGS21680 AB-MECA, or CPA (Figure 6A). DPSPX, but not by DPCPX, attenuated the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad and EHNA plus IDO (Figure 6A).
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Similar modulatory effects of adenosine analogues were observed in rat GMCs (data not shown). Moreover, in rat GMCs, antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotide abolished the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad or EHNA plus IDO on PDGF-BBinduced MAPK activity (Figure 6B). Western blot analysis of lysates collected from human GMCs treated with Cl-Ad, MECA, or EHNA plus IDO showed a significant decrease in the expression of phosphorylated MAPK (ERK1/ERK2; Figure 6C).
In control rat GMCs, Cl-Ad increased cAMP levels by 5.5-fold (Figure 7). The stimulatory effects of Cl-Ad on cAMP synthesis activity were completely abolished in GMCs pretreated with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotide (Figure 7). Rat GMCs expressed A2B ARs. In GMCs treated with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotide, the expression of A2B ARs was abolished, as analyzed by Western blot analysis (Figure 7).
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| Discussion |
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CPA and DPCPX are highly selective and potent A1 receptor agonists and antagonists, respectively. Because low concentrations of CPA do not inhibit PDGF-BBinduced growth and because DPCPX does not block the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad on GMC growth, it is highly unlikely that A1 receptors mediate inhibition of GMC growth. AB-MECA is a selective A3 AR agonist. Because AB-MECA does not attenuate PDGF-BBinduced GMC growth, it is also unlikely that A3 receptors mediate inhibition of GMC growth.
Both MECA and NECA are AR agonists that activate multiple AR subtypes, including A2B receptors, and KF17837 and DPSPX are AR antagonists that block A2A and A2B receptors. The fact that MECA and NECA mimic the effects of Cl-Ad on GMC growth and the fact that KF17837 and DPSPX attenuate the inhibitory effects of Cl-Ad on GMC growth strongly support the conclusion that A2B receptors mediate the inhibitory effects on GMC growth. The conclusion that A2B receptors mediate inhibitory effects on GMC growth is supported further by the finding that the inhibitory effects of MECA and Cl-Ad on GMC growth are blocked by antisense oligonucleotide against A2B receptors, yet neither sense nor scrambled oligonucleotide affects the inhibitory actions of MECA and Cl-Ad.
Metabolism of adenosine to inosine and AMP by adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase, respectively,14,15 importantly regulates cellular levels of adenosine, and blockade of adenosine deaminase with EHNA and adenosine kinase with IDO increase endogenous levels of adenosine.8 Treatment of GMCs with EHNA plus IDO inhibits PDGF-BBinduced GMC growth, and the inhibitory effects of EHNA plus IDO on GMC growth are attenuated by KF17837 and DPSPX, but not by DPCPX. These findings provide strong evidence that the inhibitory effects of EHNA plus IDO are mediated via generation of adenosine and that these effects are A2 AR mediated. The observation that the growth-inhibitory effects of EHNA plus IDO are abolished in GMCs pretreated with antisense oligonucleotide to A2B receptors provides strong evidence that the inhibitory effects of endogenous GMC-derived adenosine are A2B receptor mediated. The aforementioned findings provide the first evidence that endogenous adenosine also inhibits GMC growth via A2B receptors.
The MAPK pathway is activated by multiple growth factors10 and is involved in pathologic conditions associated with glomerular remodeling and abnormal growth of GMCs.11 MECA and Cl-Ad, but not CPA, AB-MECA, or CGS21680 attenuate PDGF-BBinduced MAPK activity, and these effects are antagonized by KF17837 and DPSPX, but not by DPCPX. In additional, the inhibitory actions of MECA and Cl-Ad on PDGF-BBinduced MAPK activity are abolished by antisense oligonucleotide to A2B receptors. Also, treatment of GMCs with EHNA plus IDO inhibits MAPK activity, and this inhibition is antagonized by DPSPX, but not by DPCPX. The inhibitory effects of EHNA plus IDO are also abolished by antisense to A2B receptors. Taken together, these findings suggest that A2B ARs inhibit GMC growth in part by reducing activation of the MAPK pathway.
In the present study, we measured MAPK activity in the presence of a protein kinase inhibitor, a calmodulin antagonist, and a calcium chelator. Thus, kinase activity from protein kinase A, calmodulin-dependent kinases, and calcium-dependent forms of protein kinase C were excluded. In addition, stimulation of kinase activity, as measured by our assay, was abolished by PD98059, a selective MAPK kinase (MEK) inhibitor. Because MEK selectively activates p42MAPK (ERK1)and p44MAPK (ERK2), the results with PD98059 suggest that the kinase activity measured with our assay was caused by p42MAPK and/or p44MAPK. This conclusion is supported by our observation that the expression of phosphorylated p42MAPK and p44MAPK was significantly inhibited in GMCs treated with Cl-Ad, MECA, or EHNA plus IDO.
In the present study, the expression of A2B receptors was abolished in GMCs treated with antisense oligonucleotide, but not in cells treated with sense or scrambled oligonucleotide. Also, the effect of Cl-Ad on cAMP production, a second messenger activated by A2B receptors, was abolished in GMCs treated with antisense, but not sense or scrambled, oligonucleotide. These findings confirm the conclusion that antisense oligonucleotide to the A2B receptor downregulates A2B receptor expression in GMCs.
Our finding that adenosine inhibits GMC growth, together with our previous observation that adenosine inhibits growth of renal arteriolar SMCs, suggests that adenosine may play an important role in regulating the remodeling process within the glomeruli as well as in preglomerular arterioles. Because abnormal growth of renal arteriolar SMCs and glomerulosclerosis are observed in hypertension, it is possible that suppressed adenosine levels or decreased expression of A2B receptors may contribute to hypertension-induced renal injury. This idea is supported by our previous finding that adenosine levels are decreased in renal arteriolar SMCs obtained from spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, detailed studies are required to elucidate the association between adenosine levels, A2B receptors, and the glomerular remodeling process in hypertension, diabetes, and renal disease.
Recent studies by Shen et al16 have demonstrated that adenosine stimulates, rather than inhibits, porcine coronary artery SMC number, cellular DNA content, protein synthesis, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining. Also, in these cells, the mitogenic effects of adenosine were mediated by the A1 AR. The findings of Shen et al illustrate that the overall effect of adenosine on growth is dependent on the specific cell type and species. This underscores the need to perform growth studies in human cells wherever possible. Because the present study was conducted with human GMCs, the results are applicable to human kidneys. We are currently investigating the effects of adenosine and adenosine analogues on the growth of human coronary artery SMCs, and our results to date indicate that adenosine inhibits growth of human coronary artery SMCs via the A2B receptor (manuscript in preparation).
Perspectives
Our results provide evidence that adenosine inhibits GMC growth and that the inhibitory effects of adenosine are mediated via A2B ARs. Because abnormal growth of GMCs contributes importantly to the glomerular remodeling process associated with glomerulosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes, our results suggest that abnormal and/or decreased expression of A2B receptors or decreased synthesis of adenosine may contribute to the abnormal growth of GMCs in various renal pathologies. Moreover, development of pharmacological agents that activate A2B receptors, as well as molecular targeting of the A2B receptor to increase its expression, may be of therapeutic importance in protecting against glomerular remodeling associated with glomerulosclerosis, renal disease, and abnormal GMC growth associated with hypertension and diabetes.
| Acknowledgments |
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Received May 3, 2005; first decision May 28, 2005; accepted July 11, 2005.
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