Relationship of Intracellular Free Ca^(2+) Concentration and Calcium-activated Chloride Channels of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells in Rats under Hypoxic Conditions

To investigate the relationship between intracellular free Ca^2＋ concentration （[Ca^2＋ ]i ） and calcium-activated chloride （Clca） channels of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells （PASMCs） in rats under acute and chronic hypoxic conditions, acute hypoxia-induced contraction was observed in rat pulmonary artery by using routine blood vascular perfusion in vitro. The fluorescence Ca^2＋ indicator Fura-2/AM was used to observe [Ca^2＋ ]i of rat PASMCs under normal and chronic hypoxic condition. The effect of Clca channels on PASMCs proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. The Clca channel blockers niflumic acid （NFA） and indaryloxyacetic acid （IAA-94） exerted inhibitory effects on acute hypoxia-evoked contractions in the pulmonary artery. Under chronic hypoxic condition, [Ca^2＋ ]i was increased. Under normoxic condition, [Ca^2＋ If was （123.634-18.98） nmol/ L, and in hypoxic condition, [Ca^2＋]i wag （281. 754-16.48） nmol/L （P〈0. 01）. Under normoxic condition, [Ca^2＋ ]i showed no significant change and no effect on Clca channels was observed （P〉 0. 05）. Chronic hypoxia increased [Ca^2＋ ]i which opened Clca channels. The NFA and IAA-94 blocked the channels and decreased [Ca^2＋ ]i from （281.75± 16.48） nmot/L to （117.66 ±15.36） nmol/L （P〈0.01）. MTT assay showed that under chronic hypoxic condition NFA and IAA-94 decreased the value of absorbency （A value） from 0. 459±0. 058 to 0. 224±0. 025 （P〈0. 01）. Hypoxia increased [Ca^2＋ ]i which opened Cl~ channels and had a positive-feedback in [Ca^2＋ ]i. This may play an important role in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Under chronic hypoxic condition, Clca channel may play a part in the regulation of proliferation of PASMCs.

Influence of Panax quinquefolium saponins on increased intracellular Ca^(2+) in PC12 cells

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that intracellular Ca^2＋ （[Ca^2＋]） overload, excitotoxicity, free radical injury, and nitric oxide toxicity are involved in mechanisms of neuronal death in the ischemic brain. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the influence of Panax quinquefo/ium saponins （PQS） on multiple factors-induced Ca^2＋ overload in the rat pheochromocytoma （PC12） cell line. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Intergroup comparison, in vitro study. The experiment was performed at the Heilongjiang Key Laboratory of Anti-fibrosis Biotherapy, Mudanjiang Medical University between November 2007 and April 2008. MATERIALS- In vitro cultured PC12 cells in the logarithmic phase were assigned into blank control, model, and drug treatment groups （10 μmol/L nimodipine; 40 μg/L, 100 μg/L, and 250 μg/L PQS）. Nimodipine was purchased from Jiangsu Yangtze River Pharmacy Group Co., China; PQS （purity 〉 95%, HLPC grade） was provided by School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University. Caffeine, Na2S2O4, L-glutamic acid （Glu）, Fura-2/AM, and calcium ionophore A23187 were purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS： PC12 cells in the model and drug treatment groups were separately incubated in glucose-free Hank＇s buffered saline solution ＋ Na2S2O4 （2 mmol/L） for 6 hours, Glu （200 μmot/L） plus A23187 （0.05 μmol/L） for 6 hours, KCI （50 mmol/L） for 1 hour, and caffeine （5 mmol/L） for 3 hours to establish models of intracellular Ca^2＋ overload induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation, Glu, A23187, high K＋, or caffeine. In addition, control cells were incubated in high-glucose DMEM culture medium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： [Ca^2＋]i changes in PC12 cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation, Glu, A23187, high K^＋, or caffeine were detected using spectrofluorometer. RESULTS： PQS blocked the [Ca^2＋]i increase induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation, Glu, A23187, high K＋, or caffeine. In particular, high-dose PQS was most effective （P 〈 0.01）. PQS significantly inhibited Glu- or caffeine-induced [Ca^2＋]i increases in the absence of extracellular Ca^2＋, but nimodipine did not. CONCLUSION： PQS blocked intracellular Ca^2＋ overload induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation, Glu, A23187, high K^＋, or caffeine. This mechanism might be involved in the attenuation of neuronal apoptosis following ischemic brain injury.

实时监测GHRP对心肌细胞内[Ca^(2+)]i和NO调控的双标记方法研究

目的探索实时监测GHRP对心肌细胞内[Ca2+]i和NO调控的双标记方法,为研究GHRP对心脏直接保护效应机制提供新方法。方法用改良的Langendorff恒流灌注仪系统和酶解法急性分离SD成年大鼠心肌细胞,在LSCM下分别以Ca2+探针Rhod-2/AM和NO探针DAF-FM/DA对心肌细胞内Ca2+和NO进行双标记并观察GHRP即时刺激对两者的调控影响。结果在LSCM下心肌细胞内Ca2+呈红色荧光,NO呈绿色荧光,两者双标记后呈现黄绿色荧光,GHRP使红色荧光出现瞬时增强后又迟缓地回降,绿色荧光强度没有明显变化,双标记下GHRP对两者的调控同单标记结果。结论LSCM下实验中设计的双标记方法能实时监测成年大鼠心肌细胞内Ca2+和NO存在及GHRP对两者同一时相调控作用,引起[Ca2+]i两个时相的变化,而对NO信号系统未见明显影响。

INVOLVEMENT OF THE Ca^(2+) PROTEIN KINASE C AND ADENYLATE CYCLACE SIGNAL PATHWAYS IN THE ACTIVATION OF THYMOCYTES IN RESPONSE TO WHOLE BODY IRRADIATION WITH LOW DOSE X RAYS

WT5”BZ] To study the molecular mechanism of the stimulatory effect of low dose radiation(LDR) on T cell activation. [WT5”BX]Methods.[WT5”BZ] Thymocytes from Kunming mice exposed to whole body irradiation(WBI) with different doses of X rays were analyzed for the changes in signal molecules of the phospholipase C phosphatidylinositol biphosphate(PLC IP2) and G protein adenylate cyclase(AC) pathways. [WT5”BX]Results.[WT5”BZ]It was found that[Ca 2+ ] i increased in response to doses within 0 2 Gy which was most marked after 0 075 Gy and the increase was accentuated in the presence of Con A. The changes in CD3 and calcineurin(CN) expression of the thymocytes followed the same pattern as the alterations in [Ca 2+ ] i after LDR. The expression of α,β1 and β2 isoforms of protein kinase C(PKC) was all up regulated after 0 075 Gy with the increase in PKC β1 expression being most marked. The cAMP/cGMP ratio and PKA activity of the thymocytes was lowered after low dose radiation and increased after doses above 0 5 Gy in a dose dependent manner, thus giving rise to J shaped dose response curves. The Ca antagonist TMB 8 and cAMP stimulant cholera toxin suppressed the augmented thymocyte proliferation induced by LDR. [WT5”BX]Conclusion.[WT5”BZ]Data presented in the present paper suggest that activation of the PLC PIP2 signal pathway and suppression of the AC cAMP signal pathway are involved in the stimulation of the thymocytes following WBI with low dose X rays.

Update on vascular endothelial Ca^(2+) signalling:A tale of ion channels,pumps and transporters

A monolayer of endothelial cells (ECs) lines the lumen of blood vessels and forms a multifunctional transducing organ that mediates a plethora of cardiovascular processes. The activation of ECs from as state of quiescence is, therefore, regarded among the early events leading to the onset and progression of potentially lethal diseases, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, brain stroke, and tumor. Intracellular Ca2+ signals have long been know to play a central role in the complex network of signaling pathways regulating the endothelial functions. Notably, recent work has outlined how any change in the pattern of expression of endothelial channels, transporters and pumps involved in the modulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels may dramatically affect whole body homeostasis. Vascular ECs may react to both mechanical and chemical stimuli by generating a variety of intracellular Ca2+ signals, ranging from brief, localized Ca2+ pulses to prolonged Ca2+ oscillations engulfing the whole cytoplasm. The well-defined spatiotemporal profile of the subcellular Ca2+ signals elicited in ECs by specific extracellular inputs depends on the interaction between Ca2+ releasing channels, which arelocated both on the plasma membrane and in a number of intracellular organelles, and Ca2+ removing systems. The present article aims to summarize both the past and recent literature in the field to provide a clear-cut picture of our current knowledge on the molecular nature and the role played by the components of the Ca2+ machinery in vascular ECs under both physiological and pathological conditions.

Endothelin-1 induces intracellular [Ca^(2+)] increase via Ca^(2+) influx through the L-type Ca^(2+) channel, Ca^(2+)-induced Ca^(2+) release and a pathway involving ET_A receptors, PKC, PKA and AT1 receptors in cardiomyocytes

Using fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester (AM) fluorescence imaging and patch clamp techniques, we found that endothelin-1 (ET-1) significantly elevated the intracellular calcium level ([Ca2+]i) in a dose-dependent manner and activated the L-type Ca2+ channel in cardiomyocytes isolated from rats. The effect of ET-1 on [Ca2+]i elevation was abolished in the presence of the ETA receptor blocker BQ123, but was not affected by the ETB receptor blocker BQ788. ET-1-induced an increase in [Ca2+]i, which was inhibited 46.7% by pretreatment with a high concentration of ryanodine (10 μmol/L), a blocker of the ryanodine receptor. The ET-1-induced [Ca2+]i increase was also inhibited by the inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1 receptor). We found that ET-1 induced an enhancement of the amplitude of the whole cell L-type Ca2+ channel current and an increase of open-state probability (NPo) of an L-type single Ca2+ channel. BQ123 completely blocked the ET-1-induced increase in calcium channel open-state probability. In this study we demonstrated that ET-1 regulates calcium overload through a series of mechanisms that include L-type Ca2+ channel activation and Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR). ETA receptors, PKC, PKA and AT1 receptors may also contribute to this pathway.

蝙蝠葛苏林碱对PC12细胞内游离钙浓度的影响

目的进一步探讨蝙蝠葛苏林碱（Dau）的抗脑缺血／缺氧损伤与其钙拮抗作用间的关系。方法：培养的PC12细胞用Fura－2／AM负载，用AR－CM－MIC阳离子测定系统观测Dau对单细胞内游离钙（[Ca(2+)]_i）升高的影响。结果：Dau（0．1～100μmol·L(－1)）可浓度依赖性抑制高钾和caffeine引起的[Ca(2+)］_i增加，对肌浆网钙泵抑制剂cy－clopiszonicacid引起的[Ca(2+)]_i升高也有抑制作用。结论：Dau不仅抑制电压依赖性钙通道开放引起的细胞外钙内流和caffeine引起的内钙释放．而且对钙泵也可能有影响，这可能是其抗脑缺血／缺氧损伤的重要机制。

Spontaneous Neurotransmitter Release Depends on Intracellular Rather than ER Calcium Stores in Cultured Xenopus NMJ

Calcium ions are important in many vital neuron processes, including spontaneous neurotransmitter release. Extracellular calcium has long been known to be related to spontaneous neurotransmitter release, but the detailed mechanism for the effect of intracellular Ca^2＋ on synaptic release has not yet been understood. In this research, 1,2-bis-（o-aminophenoxy）-ethane-N, N, N′, N′-tetraacetic acid tetraacetoxymethyl ester （BAPTA-AM） was used to combine with cytosolic free Ca^2＋ in a calcium free medium of cultured Xenopus neuromuscular junctions （NMJ）, The spontaneous synaptic current （SSC） frequency was obviously reduced. Then, drugs were applied to interrupt and activate the Ca2＋ release channels in the endoplasmic reticulum （ER） membrane, but the SSC frequency was not affected. The results show that spontaneous neurotransmitter release depends on intracellular rather than ER calcium in cultured Xenopus NMJ without extracellular calcium.

胍丁胺对大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度的影响(英文)

本研究旨在观察胍丁胺 (agmatine ,Agm)对分离大鼠心室肌细胞内游离钙浓度 ( [Ca2 +]i)的影响。用酶解方法分离大鼠心室肌细胞 ,用Fluo 3 AM负载 ,然后用激光共聚焦法测定单个心室肌细胞 [Ca2 +]i 的荧光强度 (fluorescenceintensity ,FI) ,结果以FI或相对荧光强度 (F/F0 % )表示。实验结果表明 ,在正常台氏液 (含钙 1 0mmol/L)和无钙台氏液中 ,单个大鼠心室肌细胞的荧光密度分别为 12 8 8± 13 8和 119 6± 13 6,两者无差异。Agm 0 1、1和 10mmol/L浓度依赖性地显著降低细胞的钙浓度 ;在正常台氏液中加入EGTA 3mmol/L ,Agm同样降低细胞的钙浓度。KCl 60mmol/L ,PE 3 0 μmol/L ,和Bay K 864 410 μmol/L均升高心室肌细胞的[Ca2 +]i。Agm同样降低高浓度KCl、Bay K 864 4和PE诱发的心室肌细胞 [Ca2 +]i 升高。当细胞外液钙浓度由 1mmol/L增加到 10mmol/L时 ,诱发心室肌细胞钙超载 ,同时部分心室肌细胞产生可传播的钙波 (Ca2 +wave) ,Agm 1mmol/L降低钙波的传播速度和持续时间 ,最终阻断钙波。以上结果提示 ,Agm对心室肌细胞的胞浆[Ca2 +]i具有抑制作用 ,此作用通过阻断电压依赖性钙通道而实现 ;

关于唾液分泌机制的研究(Ⅱ)

目的 :研究生理状态下细胞内Ca2 + 池的分布以及IP3 引起Ca2 + 释放的量 ,以进一步了解唾液分泌机制。方法 :利用全细胞膜片钳技术对分离的大鼠颌下腺腺泡细胞进行膜电流测量。结果 :乙酰胆碱引起定量Ca2 + 释放 ;光分解CagedIP3 引起定量Ca2 + 释放 ;电流振动是细胞内Ca2 + 浓度振动性变化的结果。结论 :IP3 敏感的细胞内Ca2 + 池其释放量依赖于IP3 浓度 ,主要分布在CL- 通道存在的细胞膜下。

Studies on the Effects of Epimedium Extract on Erythrocytes

The effect of Epimedium extract （EE） on erythrocytes was investigated by atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The images of the surface structures showed clear concave and progressive increase of surface roughness of erythrocyte after incubation with EE at concentration of 0.2 or 0.05 g/L, far below its critical hemolytic levels. The AFM results also indicated that the granules of the fine surface structure increased, which caused by aggregation of membrane protein. Further study showed that the change in surface topography of erythrocyte membrane might be connected with the increase of intracellular free Ca^2＋ induced by EE.

Dynamics of Calcium Signal and Leukotriene C_(4) Release in Mast Cells Network Induced by Mechanical Stimuli and Modulated by Interstitial Fluid Flow

Mast cells(MCs)play an important role in the immune system.Through connective tissues,mechanical stimuli activate intracellular calcium signaling pathways,induce a variety of mediators including leukotriene C4(LTC4)release,and affect MCs’microenvironment.This paper focuses on MCs’intracellular calcium dynamics and LTC4 release responding to mechanical stimuli,explores signaling pathways in MCs and the effect of interstitial fluid flow on the transport of biological messengers and feedback in the MCs network.We use a mathematical model to show that(i)mechanical stimuli including shear stress induced by interstitial fluid flow can activate mechano-sensitive(MS)ion channels on MCs’membrane and allow Ca^(2+)entry,which increases intracellular Ca^(2+)concentration and leads to LTC4 release;(ii)LTC4 in the extracellular space(ECS)acts on surface cysteinyl leukotriene receptors(LTC4R)on adjacent cells,leading to Ca^(2+)influx through Ca^(2+)release-activated Ca^(2+)(CRAC)channels.An elevated intracellular Ca^(2+)concentration further stimulates LTC4 release and creates a positive feedback in the MCs network.The findings of this study may facilitate our understanding of the mechanotransduction process in MCs induced by mechanical stimuli,contribute to understanding of interstitial flow-related mechanobiology in MCs network,and provide a methodology for quantitatively analyzing physical treatment methods including acupuncture and massage in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).

Effect of Calcium on Spontaneous Quantal Transmitter Secretion from ACh-Loaded Myocytes

Spontaneous secretions occur in both neurons and non-neuronal cells, and calcium is important for these secretion processes. However, the detailed roles of calcium on the secretions have not yet been identified. In the present study, cultured Xenopus myocytes loaded with exogenous acetylcholine （ACh） into the cytoplasm in the absence of extracellular Ca^2＋ undergo spontaneous quantal ACh secretion as detected by the appearance of pulsatile miniature endplate currents. Analysis of the frequencies, amplitudes, and time courses of these currents suggests that similar cellular mechanisms are involved in the secretions of ACh in normal medium and Ca^2＋-free solution. Various doses of ryanodine were used to regulate the intra- cellular Ca^2＋ to different levels. The spontaneous ACh secretion from myocytes in Ca^2＋-free medium was decreased by reducing intracellular Ca^2＋ levels and enhanced by increasing cytosolic Ca^2＋ levels. These observations demonstrate that the spontaneous secretion from isolated myocytes and the effect of ryanodine on ACh-loaded cells are both independent of extracellular Ca^2＋ while Ca^2＋ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum plays a crucial role in the secretions.