The model organism zebrafish (Danio rerio) is particularly amenable to studies deciphering regulatory genetic networks in vertebrate development, biology, and pharmacology. Unraveling the functional dynamics of such networks requires precise quantitation of protein expression during organismal growth, which is incrementally challenging with progressive complexity of the systems. In an approach toward such quantitative studies of dynamic network behavior, we applied mass spectrometric methodology and rigorous statistical analysis to create comprehensive, high quality profiles of proteins expressed at two stages of zebrafish development. Proteins of embryos 72 and 120 h postfertilization (hpf) were isolated and analyzed both by two-dimensional (2D) LC followed by ESI-MS/MS and by 2D PAGE followed by MALDI-TOF/TOF protein identification. We detected 1384 proteins from 327,906 peptide sequence identifications at 72 and 120 hpf with false identification rates of less than 1% using 2D LC-ESI-MS/MS. These included only ϳ30% of proteins that were identified by 2D PAGE-MALDI-TOF/TOF. Roughly 10% of all detected proteins were derived from hypothetical or predicted gene models or were entirely unannotated. Comparison of proteins expression by 2D DIGE revealed that proteins involved in energy production and transcription/translation were relatively more abundant at 72 hpf consistent with faster synthesis of cellular proteins during organismal growth at this time compared with 120 hpf. The data are accessible in a database that links protein identifications to existing resources including the Zebrafish Information Network database. This new resource should facilitate the selection of candidate proteins for targeted quantitation and refine systematic genetic network analysis in vertebrate development and biology. Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 7:981-994, 2008.

Little is known about prostaglandin F2␣ in cardiovascular homeostasis. Prostaglandin F2␣ dose-dependently elevates blood pressure in WT mice via activation of the F prostanoid (FP) receptor. The FP is expressed in preglomerular arterioles, renal collecting ducts, and the hypothalamus. Deletion of the FP reduces blood pressure, coincident with a reduction in plasma renin concentration, angiotensin, and aldosterone, despite a compensatory upregulation of AT1 receptors and an augmented hypertensive response to infused angiotensin II. Plasma and urinary osmolality are decreased in FP KOs that exhibit mild polyuria and polydipsia. Atherogenesis is retarded by deletion of the FP, despite the absence of detectable receptor expression in aorta or in atherosclerotic lesions in Ldlr KOs. Although vascular TNF ␣, inducible nitric oxide enzyme and TGF ␤ are reduced and lesional macrophages are depleted in the FP/Ldlr double KOs, this result reflects the reduction in lesion burden, as the FP is not expressed on macrophages and its deletion does not alter macrophage cytokine generation. Blockade of the FP offers an approach to the treatment of hypertension and its attendant systemic vascular disease.hypertension ͉ renin ͉ PGF2␣ receptor ͉ juxtaglomerular granular cell ͉ water metabolism C ontrol of hypertension has contributed to a decline of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therapies have targeted neurohumoral mechanisms, such as the sympathoadrenal and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems (RAAS) as well as downstream effectors and volume control. Elevated blood pressure (BP) cosegregates with clinical cardiovascular events and randomized trials have revealed the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs to reduce the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction (1). Angiotensin II activates and up-regulates NADPH oxidase (2), augmenting oxidant stress and vascular dysfunction. Both pharmacological and genetic disruption of elements of the RAAS decreases BP and retards atherogenesis (3-5).Prostaglandins (PGs) also contribute to BP homeostasis. Elevation of BP complicates the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and relates to the degree of inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and the selectivity with which it is attained (6). Genetic and pharmacological manipulations suggest that products of COX-1 may elevate BP (7), although the impact of manipulating the PG cascade is conditioned by genetic background in mice (8). Prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) is a potent renin secretagogue (9), and its biosynthesis is increased markedly in pregnancy, a high-renin but hypotensive condition; its biosynthesis is depressed in pregnancy-induced hypertension (10). Deletion of its I prostanoid receptor (the IP) reduces BP in renoprival models of high-renin hypertension in rodents (11). PGI 2 is also a vasodilator and promotes sodium excretion; indeed, salt-sensitive hypertension characterizes IP-KO mice in some genetic backgrounds (12). PGF 2␣ is derived mainly from COX-1 in the female reproductive system, where it is required for normal parturition ...

An anti-inflammatory effect of PGI(2) has been suggested by increased inflammation in mice that are deficient in the PGI(2) receptor (IP) or in respiratory syncytial viral- or OVA-induced CD4 T cell-associated responses. To determine the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect, we hypothesized that PGI(2) analogs inhibit CD4 T cell effector cytokine production. To test this hypothesis, we activated purified CD4 T cells with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies under Th1 and Th2 polarizing conditions for 4 days and restimulated the T cells with anti-CD3 in the presence of PGI(2) analogs for 2 days. We found that PGI(2) analogs (cicaprost and iloprost) inhibited the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) in a dose-dependent pattern. The inhibitory effect was partially dependent on the IP receptor signaling and was correlated with elevated intracellular cAMP and down-regulated NF-kappaB activity. Pretreatment of the CD4 T cells with 8-bromoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer, to inhibit a key signaling molecule in the cAMP pathway, protein kinase A (PKA), attenuated the suppressive effect of PGI(2) analogs significantly, suggesting that PKA, in part, mediates the inhibition of the cytokine production. These data indicate that PGI(2) analogs have an immune-suppressive effect on previously activated and differentiated CD4 T cells in vitro and suggest that PGI(2) may have a similar function in vivo.