Calcium signatures and signaling in cytosol and organelles of tobacco cells induced by plant defense elicitors.

Calcium signatures induced by two elicitors of plant defense reactions, namely cryptogein and oligogalacturonides, were monitored at the subcellular level, using apoaequorin-transformed Nicotiana tabacum var Xanthi cells, in which the apoaequorin calcium sensor was targeted either to cytosol, mitochondria or chloroplasts. Our study showed that both elicitors induced specific Ca(2+) signatures in each compartment, with the most striking difference relying on duration. Common properties also emerged from the analysis of Ca(2+) signatures: both elicitors induced a biphasic cytosolic [Ca(2+)] elevation together with a single mitochondrial [Ca(2+)] elevation concomitant with the first cytosolic [Ca(2+)] peak. In addition, both elicitors induced a chloroplastic [Ca(2+)] elevation peaking later in comparison to cytosolic [Ca(2+)] elevation. In cryptogein-treated cells, pharmacological studies indicated that IP(3) should play an important role in Ca(2+) signaling contrarily to cADPR or nitric oxide, which have limited or no effect on [Ca(2+)] variations. Our data also showed that, depending on [Ca(2+)] fluxes at the plasma membrane, cryptogein triggered a mitochondrial respiration increase and affected excess energy dissipation mechanisms in chloroplasts. Altogether the results indicate that cryptogein profoundly impacted cell functions at many levels, including organelles.

Leptin regulates MMP-2, TIMP-1 and collagen synthesis via p38 MAPK in HL-1 murine cardiomyocytes.

A clear association between obesity and heart failure exists and a significant role for leptin, the product of the obese gene, has been suggested. One aspect of myocardial remodeling which characterizes heart failure is a disruption in the balance of extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation. Here we investigated the effects of leptin on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) expression, as well as collagen synthesis in HL-1 cardiac muscle cells. Gelatin zymographic analysis of MMP activity in conditioned media showed that leptin enhanced MMP-2 activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Leptin is known to stimulate phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in cardiac cells and utilization of the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, demonstrated that this kinase also plays a role in regulating several extracellular matrix components, such that inhibition of p38 MAPK signaling prevented the leptin-induced increase in MMP-2 activation. We also observed that leptin enhanced collagen synthesis determined by both proline incorporation and picrosirius red staining of conditioned media. Pro-collagen type-I and pro-collagen type-III expression, measured by real-time PCR and Western blotting were also increased by leptin, effects which were again attenuated by SB203580. In summary, these results demonstrate the potential for leptin to play a role in mediating myocardial ECM remodeling and that the p38 MAPK pathway plays an important role in mediating these effects.

ADRB3 adrenergic receptor is a key regulator of human myometrial apoptosis and inflammation during chorioamnionitis.

The pathophysiology underlying preterm labor triggered by inflammatory conditions such as chorioamnionitis remains largely unclear. It has already been suggested that beta-3 adrenergic (ADRB3) agonists might be of interest in the pharmacological management of preterm labor. Although there is evidence implicating ADRB receptors in the control of inflammation, there are minimal data relating specifically to ADRB3. To explore the cellular consequences of chorioamnionitis and detect apoptosis, we first performed immunostaining and Western blot experiments on human myometrial samples obtained from women with confirmed chorioamnionitis. We then developed an in vitro model of chorioamnionitis by incubating the myometrial samples obtained from uncomplicated pregnancies with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We observed that chorioamnionitis was associated with a significant increase in cleaved CASP3 protein expression, as well as chromatin condensation, which were reproduced experimentally by LPS stimulation (10 microg/ml, 48 h). Lipopolysaccharide stimulation of normal human myometrium also induced CASP3 transcripts, increased the proapoptotic marker BAX, and decreased the antiapoptotic marker BCL2. Lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis was antagonized by neutralization of secreted tumor necrosis factor by a specific antibody. Furthermore, LPS stimulation increased medium culture levels of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL6) and IL8. Lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis and cytokine production were prevented by the new and potent ADRB3 agonist SAR150640 in a concentration-dependent manner. SAR150640 by itself did not exhibit any effect on apoptosis or cytokine production in control tissues. This study shows that chorioamnionitis is associated with apoptosis of human myometrial cells. It emphasizes the potential therapeutic interest of ADRB3 agonists in the field of preterm labor and other inflammatory conditions.

Direct effects of leptin on size and extracellular matrix components of human pediatric ventricular myocytes.

OBJECTIVE: There is a well-documented association between obesity and heart failure although the mechanistic basis for this correlation is unclear. Both extracellular matrix remodeling and left ventricular hypertrophy are well-defined components of remodeling in heart failure, and here we further investigate the role of leptin, the obese gene product, on these parameters. METHODS: We used primary human pediatric ventricular cardiomyocytes combined with gelatin zymography, quantitative PCR analysis, proline and leucine incorporation assays, and investigation of kinase activation by Western blotting. RESULTS: We show using gelatin zymography that leptin dose-dependently (0-60 nM) increased proteolytic activity at approximately 72 kDa. Accordingly, upon quantitative PCR analysis we found that leptin increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Leptin also caused an increase in collagen type III and IV mRNA expression and a decrease in collagen type I mRNA expression. This was reflected in no significant change in total collagen synthesis, measured by [3H]proline incorporation, in response to leptin. A statistically significant increase in cell size, [3H]leucine incorporation, and expression of well-characterized markers of cardiac hypertrophy, namely cardiac alpha-actin and myosin light chain, were observed in response to leptin. We demonstrate activation of Janus-activated kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by leptin, and using pharmacological inhibitors we show that these signaling pathways play a role in mediating the effects of leptin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that leptin regulates cell size, stimulates MMP-2 expression, and alters the profile, but not the total content, of collagen in human cardiomyocytes. This indicates the potential for altered leptin sensitivity to directly regulate cardiac remodeling in obesity.

Leptin increases expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and does not alter collagen production in rat glomerular mesangial cells.

Obesity is a leading risk factor for the development of nephropathy. In nephropathy, one of the major structural alterations found in the kidney is the increase in, or altered profile of, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen. Excessive synthesis and decreased degradation of matrix proteins by proteases such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may contribute to this process. We hypothesized that alterations observed in nephropathy may be due to alterations in direct effects of leptin, the product of the obesity gene. Here, we investigate the effect of leptin on collagen synthesis and MMP-2 production in rat glomerular mesangial cells. Using quantitative real-time PCR we showed that leptin does not alter the expression of collagen type I and IV mRNA. In keeping with this observation, proline incorporation was not altered by leptin. We also demonstrate that leptin induces MMP-2 expression in glomerular mesangial cells, assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Analysis of conditioned media by gelatin zymography indicated increased activity at a molecular weight corresponding with that of MMP-2 in leptin-treated samples. In summary, our results indicate that leptin induces MMP-2 expression and activity without altering collagen synthesis, suggesting that normal leptin function has the potential to prevent ECM accumulation.