Existence of Heme Oxygenase-carbon Monoxide-cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Pathway in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells In Vitro

To confirm the existence of heme oxygenase (HO)-carbon monoxide (CO)- cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in the cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) in vitro, and to evaluate the inductive role of hemin on this pathway, HTMCs of the third to fourth generation were cultured in vitro. Reverse transcripase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed for detection of HO-1 and HO-2 mRNA. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect HO-1 and HO-2 proteins. Hemin was added into the culture solution. The HO-1 mRNA levels were quantified by RT-PCR. The relative amount of carbon monoxide released into the media was measured with the quantifying carbon monoxide hemoglobin (HbCO) by spectrophotometry. Radioimmunoassay was used to determine changes of cGMP in HTMCs. The results showed that cultured cells had the specific characteristics of HTMCs. Both HO-1 and HO-2 genes were expressed in HTMCs, as well as HO-1 and HO-2 proteins in HTMCs. Hemin induced HO-1 mRNA, HbCO and cGMP in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, HO-CO-cGMP pathway exists in the cultured HTMCs and can be induced by hemin. Pharmacological stimulation of HO-CO-cGMP pathway may constitute a novel therapeutic approach to rescuing glaucoma.

STUDY ON THE MECHANISM OF INTERFERON ACTION (Ⅺ)——EFFECT OF pppA2'p5'A2'p5'A ON THE LEVEL OF cAMP AND cGMP IN MACROPHAGES

In this paper, the increase of cellular cAMP and cGMP levels in macrophages induced bypppA2'p5'A2'p5'A (briefly 2'-5'P_3A_3) is first reported. The optimal concentration of 2'-5'P_3A_3 for the elevation of cellular cGMP to the highest level is 10^(-7)-10^(-6)mol/L, while thatfor cAMP is 10^(-7)mol/L. The time for cGMP to reach its peak value is 15 min and that forcAMP is 2 h, when the cells are treated with 2'-5' P_3A_3 at 10^(-7)mol/L, which is the optimalconcentration for developing biological effect of macrophages (phagocytosis). These resultssuggest that cGMP and cAMP may be related to, or may be the mediators for, 2'-5'P_3A_3action.

Effects of catecholamine-β-adrenoceptor-cAMP system on severe patients with heart failure

Objective To investigate the association between catecholamine-β-adrenoceptor (β-AR)-adenosine 3’,5’-monophosphate (cAMP) system and long-term prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods The study population comprised 73 patients with CHF (EF: 23%±10%) with a mean follow-up of 3.8±1.9 years. Plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) were measured using high performance lipid chromatography,β-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax) and the content of cAMP in peripheral lymphocytes were calculated using 3H-dihydroalpneolo as ligand and competitive immunoassay,respectively. Deaths due to cardiovascular events within the follow-up period were registered.Results The total mortality was 64.7%,57.4% of which was for cardiogenic (worsening heart failure: 32.4%; sudden death: 25.0%). In the cardiogenic death group,plasma levels of NE and epinephrine (E) (3.74 nmol/L±0.09 nmol/L and 3.17 nmol/L±1.0nmol/L) and the contents of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP (3.64 pmol/mg protein±1.4 pmol/mg protein) were significantly increased as compared with the survival group (2.68 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L,2.41 nmol/L±0.24 nmol/L and 2.73 pmol/mg protein±0.9 pmol/mg protein,respectively,all P <0.01). In the sudden death group,plasma levels of NE and E (5.01 nmol/L±0.06 nmol/L and 4.13 nmol/L±0.08 nmol/L) were significantly increased as compared with the worsening heart failure group (2.49 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L and 2.33 nmol/L±0.8 nmol/L,all P <0.001) and to the survival group (2.68 nmol/L±0.07 nmol/L and 2.41 nmol/L±0.14 nmol/L,all P <0.01). The incidences of sudden death were 0%,75%,and 100% (χ 2=16.018, P <0.01) in patients with plasma NE<2.5 nmol/L,NE 2.5 nmol/L-4.5 nmol/L,and NE>4.5 nmol/L,respectively. In the worsening heart failure group,the content of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP (4.46 pmol/mg protein±0.18 pmol/mg protein) was significantly increased compared with the sudden death group (2.39 pmol/mg protein±0.9 pmol/mg protein,P <0.001) and to the survival group (2.73 pmol/mg protein±1.1 pmol/mg protein,P <0.001). The worsening heart failure death occurences were 5.0%,72.2%,and 100% (χ 2=14.26,P <0.01) in patients with a content of peripheral lymphocyte cAMP <2.5 nmol/L,cAMP 2.5 nmol/L-4.5 nmol/L,and cAMP>4.5nmol/L,respectively. B max in peripheral lymphocyte was not significantly different ( P >0.05) among the sudden death,worsening heart failure,and survival groups in CHF patients.Conclusions Plasma levels of catecholamine increase significantly,and B max and the contents of cAMP in peripheral lymphocytes decrease significantly in patients with CHF. High plasma catecholamine levels may be associated with sudden death,and high intralymphocyte cAMP content may be associated with worsening heart failure in CHF patients.