A role for the volume regulated anion channel in volume regulation in the murine CNS cell line, CAD.

AIM: The role of the volume regulated anion channel (VRAC) in a model CNS neuronal cell line, CAD, was investigated. METHODS: Changes in cell volume following hypotonic challenges were measured using a video-imaging technique. The effect of the Cl(-) channel antagonists tamoxifen (10 microm) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (DIDS; 100 microm) on regulatory volume decrease (RVD) were measured. The whole-cell voltage-clamp technique was used to characterize ICl(swell), the current underlying the VRAC. RESULTS: Using the video-imaging technique, CAD cells were found to swell and subsequently exhibit RVD when subjected to a sustained hypotonic challenge from 300 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O to 210 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O. In the presence of tamoxifen (10 microm) or DIDS (100 microm) RVD was abolished, suggesting a role for the VRAC. A hypotonic solution (230 mOsmol kg(-1) H(2)O) evoked ICl(swell), an outwardly rectifying current displaying time-independent activation, which reversed upon return to isotonic conditions. The reversal potential (E(rev)) for ICl(swell) was -14.7 + or - 1.4 mV, similar to the theoretical E(rev) for a selective Cl(-) conductance. ICl(swell) was inhibited in the presence of DIDS (100 microm) and tamoxifen (10 microm), the DIDS inhibition being voltage dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Osmotic swelling elicits an outwardly rectifying Cl(-) conductance in CAD cells. The ICl(swell) observed in these cells is similar to that observed in other cells, and is likely to provide a pathway for the loss of Cl(-) which leads to water loss and RVD. As ischaemia, brain trauma, hypoxia and other brain pathologies can cause cell swelling, CAD cells represent a model cell line for the study of neuronal cell volume regulation.

Inhibition of depolarisation-evoked [(3)H]noradrenaline release from SH-SYFY human neuroblastoma cells by muscarinic (M1) receptors is not mediated by changes in [Ca(2+)].

The aim of this study was to obtain further understanding of the mechanism by which activation of muscarinic M(1) receptors inhibits K(+)-evoked noradrenaline (NA) release in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. Previous studies have found that muscarinic M(1) and M(3) receptors couple to the activation of phospholipase C in SH-SY5Y cells leading to an increase in (a) intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) and (b) activation of protein kinase C (PKC). This study used specific inhibitors of PKC and conditions which deplete Ca(2+)(i) stores to examine the role of protein kinase C and changes in [Ca(2+)](i) in mediating the inhibition of K(+)-evoked NA release by muscarine. Our data show that pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cell layers with bisindolylmaleimide I (BIM-I) (i) failed to reverse inhibition of K(+)-evoked NA release by muscarine but (ii) did overcome the attenuation of muscarine inhibition following pretreatment with TPA. Furthermore pretreating cell layers with Ca(2+)-free Hepes buffered saline in the presence of thapsigargin, conditions which prevented muscarine induced increases in [Ca(2+)](i), failed to prevent inhibition of K(+)-evoked NA release by muscarine. The effect of muscarine on K(+)-evoked uptake of Ca(2+)(e) was examined in SH-SY5Y cells loaded with Fura-2. Muscarine inhibited Ca(2+)(e)-uptake by decreasing the rate at which Ca(2+) entered SH-SY5Y cells via voltage sensitive Ca(2+)-channels. Thus this study shows that muscarine inhibits depolarisation-evoked NA release by a mechanism which is not dependent on activation of PKC or release of Ca(2+) from internal stores.

Quantitative analysis of Na+-Ca2+ exchanger expression in guinea-pig heart.

In previous studies, regional variations in the expression of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) have been examined qualitatively in human heart using the C2C12 monoclonal antibody [Wang, J., Schwinger, R.H., Frank, K., Muller-Ehmsen, J., Martin-Vasallo, P., Pressley, T.A., Xiang, A., Erdmann, E. & McDonough, A.A. (1996) J. Clin. Invest. 98, 1650-1658]. Although NCX expression was found to be significantly lower in the atria compared to the septum, no significant differences were found between atrial and ventricular tissue. NCX has been located in the general sarcolemma and t-tubules of ventricular muscle and as t-tubules are sparse in atrial tissue compared to ventricular tissue, it is surprising that NCX expression was found to be similar in both atria and ventricles [Wang et al. (1996)]. To reinvestigate this, we have used SDS/PAGE and a quantitative Western blotting technique to determine the pattern of expression of NCX in guinea-pig heart in tissue samples from left atrium, right atrium, septum, left ventricle and right ventricle. NCX protein expression was 17.5 +/- 3.9 pmol.mg-1 of protein in the left atrium and 29.2 +/- 6.1 pmol.mg-1 of protein in the right atrium, which were both significantly lower (P < 0.05) than NCX expression in the septum, left ventricle and right ventricle (64.7 +/- 15.2, 76.8 +/- 19.5 and 69.4 +/- 14.1 pmol.mg-1 of protein, respectively, n = 7). These differences in NCX expression may reflect variations in the cellular location of NCX protein in these regions. To study this, we used confocal immunofluorescence of single isolated myocytes to examine differences in the proportion of fluorescent staining on the general surface membrane compared with the interior of the cell (which presumably reflects a t-tubular location). We found that the general membrane staining was 79.0 +/- 1.2% in cells from the atria which was significantly higher (P < 0. 001) than that seen in cells from the septum, left ventricle and right ventricle, with 48.1 +/- 1.1%, 48.2 +/- 1.8% and 45.6 +/- 1.3%, respectively (n = 20). These results illustrate a similar pattern of NCX expression in guinea-pig and human, with expression in atrial tissue significantly lower than in ventricular tissue. However, the cellular location of NCX differs regionally; in atrial tissue, the majority of the NCX protein is located in the general sarcolemma whereas in ventricular and septal tissue, approximately 50% of NCX protein is located within the cell (presumably at the level of the t-tubules).

Block of human aorta Kir6.1 by the vascular KATP channel inhibitor U37883A.

1. A human aorta cDNA library was screened at low stringency with a rat pancreatic Kir6.1 cDNA probe and a homologue of Kir6.1 (hKir6.1) was isolated and sequenced. 2. Metabolic poisoning of Xenopus laevis oocytes with sodium azide and application of the K+ channel opener drug diazoxide induced K+ channel currents in oocytes co-injected with cRNA for hKir6.1 and hamster sulphonylurea receptor (SUR1), but not in oocytes injected with water or cRNA for hKir6.1 or SUR1 alone. 3. K+ channel currents due to hKir6.1+SUR1 or mouse Kir6.2+SUR1 were strongly inhibited by 1 microM glibenclamide. K+-current carried by hKir6.1+SUR1 was inhibited by the putative vascular-selective KATP channel inhibitor U37883A (IC50 32 microM) whereas current carried by Kir6.2+SUR1 or Shaker K+ channels was unaffected. 4. The data support the hypothesis that hKir6.1 is a component of the vascular KATP channel, although the lower sensitivity of hKir6.1+SUR1 to U37883A compared with native vascular tissues suggests the need for another factor or subunit. Furthermore, the data suggest that pharmacology of KATP channels can be determined by the pore-forming subunit as well as the sulphonylurea receptor and point to a molecular basis for the pharmacological distinction between vascular and pancreatic/cardiac KATP channels.

Use of the same archival papanicolanou smears for detection of human papillomavirus by cytology and polymerase chain reaction.

An optimal method for the processing of archival cervical Papanicolaou (pap)-stained smears for the amplification of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. This methodology was then applied to a series of 44 pap smears designated as HPV positive or negative (on the basis of both major and minor cytological criteria) or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)-cancer. For the detection of HPV DNA, each sample was tested with the consensus GP5/6 primers, and when negative, with CPI-IIG primers. The HPV DNA was detected in 100% (8 of 8) of CIN-cancer smears using the GP5/6 primers. In smears with cytological evidence of HPV without CIN. the use of both sets of primers yielded positive results in 100% (19 of 19) of the samples. Direct sequence analysis of PCR products showed that 16 of the 27 HPV-positive samples contained more recently described HPV types. When tested with both primer combinations, all 17 cytologically negative smears were positive for beta-globin but negative for HPV DNA. The findings show the value of using archival pap smears for further investigations to address issues such as latency, but they indicate that cytological criteria and DNA technology will be critical factors in the reliability of the results.

Regulation of [Ca++]i in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells expressing recombinant rat angiotensin1A receptors by angiotensin II and carbachol.

The ability of angiotensin II (AII) to regulate [Ca++]i in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells stably expressing recombinant rat AT1A receptors was investigated using microfluorimetric methods, and compared to responses obtained by stimulation of native muscarinic receptors. Applications of AII or carbachol produced biphasic rises of [Ca++]i, but in Ca++-free solutions (containing 1 mM ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N,N,'N'-tetraacetic acid), both agonists produced only transient monophasic rises of [Ca++]i, and second applications were without effect. Application of Ca++(o) (2.5 mM) to cells after exposure to either agonist produced a Ni2+-sensitive rise of [Ca++]i in the absence of agonist ("capacitative Ca++ influx"). After removal of Ca++(o), both AII and carbachol elicited a second rise of [Ca++]i. Thapsigargin (1 microM) prevented these second rises of [Ca++]i. During capacitative Ca++ influx, application of AII failed to produce a further rise of [Ca++]i. In contrast, carbachol produced a further rise of [Ca++]i, attributable to activation of both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, because it was reduced (but not abolished) by mecamylamine (1 microM) and was observed when muscarine was used as the agonist. Thus, activation of recombinant AT1A and muscarinic receptors in SH-SY5Y cells leads to mobilization of Ca++ from a common intracellular pool, and stimulates capacitative Ca++ influx. Muscarinic (but not AII) receptor occupancy is capable of stimulating an additional Ca++ influx pathway.

Neuropeptide Y elevates intracellular Ca2+ and evokes noradrenaline release in SH-SY5Y cells.

Exposure of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells to 300 nM neuropeptide Y (NPY) or 1 microM muscarine separately failed to evoke release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA). Both agonists, however, induced a modest rise in [Ca2+]i. When NPY and muscarine were applied simultaneously, the rise in [Ca2+]i was greater than the sum of the rises of either agonist applied alone, and also evoked [3H]NA release, NPY evoked a rise in [Ca2+]i when applied during prolonged exposure to muscarine, although the peak level of [Ca2+]i was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that reached following simultaneous application, and [3H]NA release was not stimulated. Simultaneous exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to muscarine and NPY thus induces a greater than additive rise in [Ca2+]i exceeding a critical level required to evoke [3H]NA release.

Modified, cyclic dodecapeptide analog of neuropeptide Y is the smallest full agonist at the human Y2 receptor.

In order to stabilize the C-terminal dodecapeptide of neuropeptide Y (NPY) we replaced Leu28 and Thr32 by Lys and Glu, respectively, and subsequently linked these residues by lactamization. This peptide analog of NPY shows a more than 100-fold increase in affinity compared to the C-terminal linear dodecapeptide in receptor binding studies performed at human neuroblastoma cells SMS-KAN, which exclusively express the Y2 receptor subtype. Signal transduction was investigated by measuring Ca2+ current inhibition in human SH-SY5Y cells and cyclic [Lys28-Glu32] NPY Ac-25-36 and NPY were shown to be equipotent in this assay. Thus, this molecule is the smallest Y2 receptor selective full agonist of NPY. Using 2D-NMR experiments and molecular modelling techniques, the structures of the linear and cyclic peptides have been investigated and significant differences have been found, which may explain the improvement in biological activity. Thus, a model of the bioactive conformation of NPY at the human Y2 receptor is suggested.

Inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells by neuropeptide Y and a novel cyclic neuropeptide Y analogue.

Whole-cell Ca2+ channel currents were recorded in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, using conventional and perforated-patch techniques. Neuropeptide Y (NPY, 10-1000 nM) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of Ca2+ channel current amplitudes which was pertussis toxin-sensitive, voltage-dependent and associated with slowing of channel activation kinetics, regardless of which recording configuration was used. Inhibition was observed in all cells tested. Similar current inhibitions were observed with NPY (18-36) and peptide YY, but not with [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, indicating that the effects were mediated by Y2 receptors. Pancreatic polypeptide (100 nM) was without effect on Ca2+ channel currents. The effects of NPY were additive with nifedipine (at a supramaximal concentration of 5 microM), suggesting that NPY predominantly inhibits N-type Ca2+ channels present in these cells, and not L-type. The effects of NPY were mimicked by a novel, cyclic analogue of NPY which is 40-fold more selective for Y2 receptors than other commonly used Y2-selective peptides. The cyclic analogue was also more potent than NPY itself, causing maximal current inhibition at approx 300 nM, whereas the response to NPY was not fully saturated at 1 microM. Our results indicate that SH-SY5Y cells represent an excellent model system for studying the coupling of Y2 receptors to N-type channel inhibition. Furthermore, in the absence of selective antagonists for NPY receptor subtypes, the highly selective Y2 agonist cyclic NPY derivative may prove a useful tool for probing the various roles of Y2 receptors in the nervous system.

The effect of the angiotensin II (AT1A) receptor stably transfected into human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells on noradrenaline release and changes in intracellular calcium.

A stable cell line expressing the angiotensin II (AII) receptor has been obtained by transfecting the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y with the plasmid pCEP4 containing the entire coding region of the rat angiotensin AII receptor AT1A. Angiotensin II (AII; 1-100 nM) evokes the release of [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) in this cell line. Pretreatment with 100 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) enhances the AII-evoked release of [3H]NA approximately two-fold. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) decreases 100 nM AII-evoked release of [3H]NA by over 50% both in the presence and absence of TPA. AII increases intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in this cell line which is consistent with the AT1A receptor being coupled to phospholipase C. Pretreatment with 100 nM TPA for 8 min attenuated the effect of AII on [Ca2+]i. The effects of AT1A receptor stimulation are therefore regulated differently in this cell line by activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Thus a useful cell line has been obtained from the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y in which to study at the molecular level the mechanism(s) by which AII regulates NA release.

Low potency inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells by [Ala31]NPY, an L-alanine substituted analogue of neuropeptide Y.

Whole-cell Ca2+ channel currents were recorded in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells, using the perforated-patch technique with 10 mM Ba2+ as charge carrier. Neuropeptide Y (NPY; 10 nM to 1 microM) caused concentration-dependent inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents which were associated with a slowing in current activation kinetics. [Ala31]NPY, a residue 31 L-alanine substituted analogue of NPY, also inhibited Ca2+ channel currents and caused slowing of activation kinetics, but with approximately 6-fold lower potency. In the presence of 100 nM [Ala31]NPY (which itself had little or no effect on currents), the actions of NPY were similar in magnitude to its effects in the absence of the analogue. Our results suggest that substitution of isoleucine for alanine at residue 31 results in a NPY analogue which is a full agonist but with lower affinity for Y2 receptors.

Muscarinic (M1) receptor-mediated inhibition of K(+)-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline release from human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells via inhibition of L- and N-type Ca2+ channels.

1. Human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells were preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline ([3H]-NA) in the presence of 0.2 mM pargyline to examine the modulation of K(+)-evoked [3H]-NA release by muscarinic agonists. 2. Release of [3H]-NA evoked by 4 min exposure to 100 mM K+ could be partially inhibited by 5 microM nifedipine and partially inhibited by 100 nM omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CgTx). When nifedipine and omega-CgTx were added together, evoked release was inhibited by approximately 93%. 3. K(+)-evoked [3H]-NA release was inhibited by > 90% by pretreatment of cells for 2 min with muscarine, carbachol or oxotremorine methiodide (each at 300 microM). For muscarine, inhibition of evoked release was both time- and concentration-dependent and was reversible. Muscarine also inhibited [3H]-NA release evoked by veratridine (28 microM) and replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with Ba2+, but not that evoked by the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187 (19 microM). 4. Residual K(+)-evoked [3H]-NA release measured in the presence of either nifedipine (5 microM) or omega-CgTx (100 nM) was inhibited by muscarine with a similar potency as release evoked in the absence of either Ca2+ channel blocker. Pretreatment of cells for 16-24 h with pertussis toxin (200 ng ml-1) did not affect K(+)-evoked release per se or the ability of muscarine to inhibit such release. 5. Muscarinic inhibition of K(+)-evoked [3H]-NA release was potently antagonized by pirenzepine (pA2 8.14) and by hexahydrosiladiphenidol (pA2 9.03), suggesting the involvement of an M1 receptor. 6. Our results demonstrate that 100 mM K+-evoked release of [3H]-NA from the human neuroblastoma is mediated by activation of both L- and N-type Ca2+ channels. Activation of muscarinic Ml receptors can inhibit release via a pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanism which involves non-selective inhibition of L- and N-type Ca2+ channels.

Bradykinin-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline from the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y.

Bradykinin (BK) evoked [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA) release from the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and this was enhanced by pre-treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) for 8 min. This effect of BK was inhibited by 500 microM [D-Phe7]BK and 100 microM [Thi5,8,D-Phe7]BK but not by 500 microM [Des-Arg9,Leu8]BK. The BK (B1)-agonist [Des-Arg9]BK did not evoke [3H]NA release. This suggested that SH-SY5Y expressed BK (B2)-receptors coupled to the release of [3H]NA. BK acting at B2-receptors, also elevated intracellular calcium and depolarized SH-SY5Y cells. Although pre-treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with TPA enhanced BK-evoked [3H]NA release, the elevation of intracellular calcium [Ca2+]; was decreased by about 50%. BK-evoked release of [3H]NA in cells not pre-treated with phorbol ester was only 23% dependent on extracellular calcium. In comparison, following phorbol ester treatment approximately 40% of [3H]NA release was dependent on extracellular calcium. Nifedipine (5 microM), CoCl2 (1 mM) and NiCl2 (1 mM) inhibited NA release in SH-SY5Y cells pre-treated with TPA by 16.0, 47 and 44%, respectively. The results of this study showed that BK, acting at B2-receptors, activated [3H]NA release in SH-SY5Y. Part of this effect appeared to be due to activation of L-type calcium channels but the majority of BK-evoked [3H]NA release in SH-SY5Y cells appeared to depend on [Ca2+]i.

Chronic respiratory failure due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis managed with nocturnal nasal positive pressure ventilation.

A patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis developed chronic respiratory failure. Treatment with nocturnal inspiratory positive airway pressure via nasal mask improved symptoms and reduced hypercapnia.