β-Adrenergic cAMP Signals Are Predominantly Regulated by Phosphodiesterase Type 4 in Cultured Adult Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract

BackgroundWe investigated the role of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in the spatiotemporal control of intracellular cAMP concentrations in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs).Methodology/Principal FindingsThe rank order of PDE families contributing to global cAMP-PDE activity was PDE4> PDE3 = PDE1. PDE7 mRNA expression but not activity was confirmed. The Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-based cAMP sensor, Epac1-camps, was used to monitor the time course of cytosolic cAMP changes. A pulse application of the β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) agonist isoproterenol (Iso) induced a transient FRET signal. Both β1- and β2-AR antagonists decreased the signal amplitude without affecting its kinetics. The non-selective PDE inhibitor (IBMX) dramatically increased the amplitude and delayed the recovery phase of Iso response, in agreement with a role of PDEs in degrading cAMP produced by Iso. Whereas PDE1, PDE3 and PDE7 blockades [with MIMX, cilostamide (Cil) and BRL 50481 (BRL), respectively] had no or minor effect on Iso response, PDE4 inhibition [with Ro-20-1724 (Ro)] strongly increased its amplitude and delayed its recovery. When Ro was applied concomitantly with MIMX or Cil (but not with BRL), the Iso response was drastically further prolonged. PDE4 inhibition similarly prolonged both β1- and β2-AR-mediated responses. When a membrane-targeted FRET sensor was used, PDE3 and PDE4 acted in a synergistic manner to hydrolyze the submembrane cAMP produced either at baseline or after β-AR stimulation.Conclusion/SignificanceOur study underlines the importance of cAMP-PDEs in the dynamic control of intracellular cAMP signals in RASMCs, and demonstrates the prominent role of PDE4 in limiting β-AR responses. PDE4 inhibition unmasks an effect of PDE1 and PDE3 on cytosolic cAMP hydrolyzis, and acts synergistically with PDE3 inhibition at the submembrane compartment. This suggests that mixed PDE4/PDE1 or PDE4/PDE3 inhibitors would be attractive to potentiate cAMP-related functions in vascular cells.

Magnesium prevents β-glycerophosphate-induced calcification in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

“…RAVSMCs were prepared as previously described with minor modifications (17)(18)(19). Briefly, RAVSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (80-100 g).…”

Intracellular cAMP Sensor EPAC: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutics Development

“…The high-resolution imaging of cAMP dynamics in single living cells offers researchers the opportunity to not only determine the absolute free cAMP concentrations in living cells with high temporal and spatial resolution (95,900), but to also address several important unanswered questions involving cAMP signaling, in particular potential cross-talk mechanisms with other signaling pathways, as well as the roles of various GPCRs (3,85,1067,1129), G proteins (553,672), ACs (1113), and PDEs (789,1023) in controlling intracellular cAMP dynamics in response to distinct stimuli (383,408,698,1077,1185). For example, cAMP and Ca 2ϩ signaling pathways are known to be interconnected spatially and temporally in eukaryote cells (202,357).…”

The effects of artemisinin on the proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells of rats

“…12,13 Briefly, rat VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult male Wistar rats. 12,13 Briefly, rat VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult male Wistar rats.…”

“…Rat VSMCs were prepared as previously described with minor modifications. 12,13 Briefly, rat VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aorta of adult male Wistar rats. After the rats had been anaesthetized with chloral hydrate (400 mg kg À1 ), the thoracic aorta was obtained under aseptic conditions and cut into small pieces after removing residual blood.…”

“…The medium used in all studies was supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, like other studies. 12,7,13 No serumfree medium was used throughout the entire study.…”