Cerebral microvascular endothelial cell tube formation: role of astrocytic epoxyeicosatrienoic acid release.

Cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (CMVEC) form tubes when cocultured with astrocytes (AS). Therefore, it appears that AS may be important in mediating angiogenesis in the brain. We hypothesized that AS modulate CMVEC tube formation by releasing a soluble factor. Thymidine incorporation in cultured CMVEC increased 305% when incubated with 50% conditioned AS medium for 24 h [control: 52,755 +/- 4,838 counts per minute (cpm) per well, conditioned 161,082 +/- 12,099 cpm/well, n = 8]. Because our laboratory has previously shown that AS can produce epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are known mitogens, we investigated whether release of EETs by AS is responsible for tube formation in the CMVEC-AS coculture. AS were seeded on Lab-Tek slides, CMVEC were seeded on the AS the next day, and cultures were allowed to progress for another 5 days with and without cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase blockade by 17-octadecynoic acid (17-ODYA). Tube formation in cocultures receiving 17-ODYA was significantly inhibited compared with control (93.8%). These data suggest that tube formation requires the release of EETs by AS.

Localization of the ANG II type 2 receptor in the microcirculation of skeletal muscle.

Only functional studies have suggested the presence of the ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor in the microcirculation. To determine the distribution of this receptor in the rat skeletal muscle microcirculation, a polyclonal rabbit anti-rat antiserum was developed and used for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The antiserum was prepared against a highly specific and antigenic AT2-receptor synthetic peptide and was validated by competition and sensitivity assays. Western blot analysis demonstrated a prominent, single band at approximately 40 kDa in cremaster and soleus muscle. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a wide distribution of AT2 receptors throughout the skeletal muscle microcirculation in large and small microvessels. Microanatomic studies displayed an endothelial localization of the AT2 receptor, whereas dual labeling with smooth muscle alpha-actin also showed colocalization of the AT2 receptor with vascular smooth muscle cells. Other cells associated with the microvessels also stained positive for AT2 receptors. Briefly, this study confirms previous functional data and localizes the AT2 receptor to the microcirculation. These studies demonstrate that the AT2 receptor is present on a variety of vascular cell types and that it is situated in a fashion that would allow it to directly oppose ANG II type 1 receptor actions.

Opposing actions of angiotensin II on microvascular growth and arterial blood pressure.

We performed studies to further elucidate the mechanisms of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced angiogenesis of the microvasculature. Rats were placed on a high salt diet (4% NaCl), and Ang II was infused at a subpressor rate (5 ng/kg per minute) for 3 days. Blood pressure was measured daily for 2 control and 3 infusion days. Microvessel density in the cremaster muscle was measured at the end of the infusion. Vessel density in rats that received subpressor Ang II infusion increased by 12.6% compared with rats that received vehicle infusion. When the angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist PD 123319 was coinfused with Ang II, blood pressure was elevated and vessel density increased above that observed with Ang II infusion alone (23% increase). When the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan was coinfused with Ang II, blood pressure was lower than control and vessel density was reduced compared with the Ang II group but was still greater than control (7.8% increase). In this study, Ang II stimulated angiogenesis in the rat cremaster muscle; this effect was enhanced by AT2 antagonism and inhibited by AT1 antagonism. Ang II infusion at a subpressor dose resulted in a pressor response with AT2 antagonism and a depressor response with AT1 antagonism. This suggests that in the microvasculature, the AT1 receptor mediates angiogenesis and vasoconstriction, and the AT2 receptor mediates an inhibition of angiogenesis and vasodilation.

Angiotensin II mediates a sustained rise in nuclear and cytoplasmic calcium via multiple receptor subtypes.

Alterations in nuclear calcium levels in response to angiotensin II (ANG II) may play an important role in the trophic actions of ANG II. This study utilized confocal microscopy and nuclear staining to test the hypothesis that both nuclear and cytoplasmic calcium levels are altered in response to ANG II stimulation of freshly dissociated aortic smooth muscle cells. Cells were loaded with the calcium indicator fluo 3 acetoxymethyl ester, and the calcium response to ANG II stimulation was analyzed over time with a laser-scanning confocal microscope. Additionally, the ratiometric calcium indicator fura 2 acetoxymethyl ester and conventional fluorescence microscopy were used to verify these observations. Results show that basal nuclear calcium exceeds cytoplasmic calcium in these cells. Stimulation by ANG II induces a sustained rise (separate from the rapid transient) in both nuclear and cytoplasmic calcium in excess of 20 min in duration. This rise was blockable by either the AT1 receptor antagonist DuP-753 or by the AT2 antagonist PD-123319. Thus ANG II stimulates a sustained rise in nuclear calcium by a mechanism that necessitates activation of both AT1 and AT2 receptors.