Compatible organic osmolytes and osmotic modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthetase in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages.

Abstract

The influence of osmolarity and compatible organic osmolytes on the phosphorylation of the MAP-kinases Erk-1 and Erk-2 and on the expression of taurine transporter (TAUT) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) was studied in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. Hypoosmolarity (205 mosmol/l) but not hyperosmolarity (405 mosmol/l) or challenge of the cells with betaine or taurine increased phosphorylation of Erk-1 and Erk-2. Hypoosmotic Erk-phosphorylation was blocked by the MEK-inhibitor PD098059 but was resistant to depletion of extracellular calcium and to inhibition of PLC, PKC, erbstatin-sensitive tyrosine kinases and elevation of intracellular cAMP. Hyperosmolarity stimulated Na+-dependent taurine uptake and led to an increase of TAUT mRNA levels, whereas hypoosmotic exposure diminished both and induced a rapid efflux of the osmolyte from taurine-preloaded cells. The hyperosmotic elevation of TAUT mRNA levels was antagonized upon addition of taurine but not of betaine or myo-inositol. Hyperosmolarity increased the LPS-induced iNOS expression at the mRNA and the protein level. This was suppressed by betaine but not by taurine or myo-inositol. The osmotic regulation of taurine transport and iNOS expression appeared independent of the MEK-Erk pathway and the p38MAPK.