125I-albumin Permeability Research Articles

Angiotensin II Modulates BBB Permeability via Activation of the AT1 Receptor in Brain Endothelial Cells

Hypertensive encephalopathy occurs when acute changes in blood pressure cause breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a role in this pathophysiology. We determined whether Ang II directly regulates endothelial cell function at the BBB. In BBB microvessel endothelial cells (MECs), the Ang II (100 nmol/L; 0 to 6 h) effects on permeability to (125)I-albumin and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) were assessed. Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) caused significant time-dependent changes in both (125)I-albumin permeability (25%) at 2 h and TEER (-8.87 Omega x cm(2)) at 6 h. Next, MECs were pretreated with the Ang II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blocker telmisartan (1 micromol/L) or the Ang II type 2 (AT(2)) receptor blocker PD123,319 (1 micromol/L) followed by treatment with Ang II (100 nm). Telmisartan completely inhibited the Ang II-induced increase in (125)I-albumin permeability in MECs whereas PD123,319 had no effect. Using western blot analysis, we showed that MECs express AT(1) receptors but not AT(2) receptors. Treatment with Ang II (100 nmol/L; 0 to 6 h) also increased total protein kinase C activity. In contrast, Ang II had no effect on the expression of occludin, claudin 5, or actin. These results show that Ang II directly modulates transcytotic and paracellular permeability in BBB endothelial cells and could contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertensive encephalopathy.

Requirement for Ca2+ signaling in the mechanism of thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability.

We compared the thrombin-activated responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and a HUVEC-derived cell line, ECV304. Thrombin induced a 40-50% decrease in transendothelial monolayer electrical resistance and a twofold increase in 125I-albumin permeability in HUVECs, whereas it failed to alter the endothelial barrier function in ECV304 cells. Thrombin produced a brisk intracellular Ca2+ concentration transient and phosphorylation of 20-kDa myosin light chain in HUVECs but not in ECV304 cells. Thrombin-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis was comparable in ECV304 cells and HUVECs, indicating the activation of thrombin receptors in both cell types. La3+ reduced both the thrombin-induced decrease in endothelial monolayer electrical resistance and the increase in 125I-albumin permeability in HUVECs. Because the absence of Ca2+ signaling could explain the impairment in the permeability response in ECV304 cells, we studied the effect of increasing intracellular Ca2+ concentration in ECV304 cells with thapsigargin. Exposure of ECV304 cells to thapsigargin caused decreased endothelial monolayer electrical resistance and increased 125I-albumin permeability. These results indicate that Ca2+ influx and activation of Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways are important determinants of the thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability.

Bradykinin- and thrombin-induced increases in endothelial permeability occur independently of phospholipase C but require protein kinase C activation.

We determined whether activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and a subsequent increase in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was an obligatory signaling event mediating the increase in transendothelial permeability induced by bradykinin (BK) and alpha-thrombin (alpha-T). Both BK and alpha-T (each at a concentration range of 0.01-1 microM) caused dose-dependent increases in transendothelial 125I-albumin permeability in cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. Both agonists also produced a rise in inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] by 10 sec that was followed by a prolonged increase in [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment of endothelial cells with the PLC inhibitor, 1-(6-((17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1 H-pyrrole-2,5-dion [(U73122) at 10 microM for 15 min], prevented the increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 and [Ca2+]i induced by both BK and alpha-T. However, inhibition of PLC with U73122 or another PLC inhibitor, neomycin, did not prevent the increase in endothelial permeability induced by either agonist. In contrast, depletion of cellular protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (0.01 microM for 20 hr) increased both BK- and alpha-T-induced phosphoinositide turnover but inhibited the agonist-induced increase in permeability. A PKC inhibitor, staurosporine (5 microM) likewise inhibited the BK-induced increase in endothelial cell permeability to albumin. We conclude that increases in endothelial permeability induced by the inflammatory mediators, BK and thrombin, can occur independently of PLC activation and increased [Ca2+]i but that a PKC-dependent pathway is required for the permeability response.

Alpha 1-Acid glycoprotein reduces local and remote injuries after intestinal ischemia in the rat.

The aim of this study was to look at the role of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein as a natural anti-inflammatory agent with particular respect to its antineutrophil and anticomplement activity. A recombinantly engineered form of sialyl Lewisx (sLe(x))-bearing alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (sAGP) was administered intravenously to pentobarbital-anesthetized rats after 50 min of intestinal ischemia just before 4 h of reperfusion. A non-sLe(x)-bearing form of AGP (nsAGP) was used as control. sAGP-treated animals had a 62% reduction (P < 0.05) in remote lung injury, assessed by 125I-albumin permeability, compared with those treated with nsAGP (permeability index of 3.61 +/- 0.15 x 10(-3) and 5.18 +/- 0.67 x 10(-3), respectively). There was a reduction in pulmonary myeloperoxidase levels in sAGP-treated rats compared with nsAGP-treated rats. Complement-dependent intestinal injury, assessed by 125I-albumin permeability was reduced by 28% (P < 0.05) in animals treated with sAGP (7.58 +/- 0.63) compared with those treated with nsAGP (10.4 +/- 0.54). We conclude that sAGP ameliorates both complement- and neutrophil-mediated injuries.

P-selectin mediates intestinal ischemic injury by enhancing complement deposition

Ischemia and reperfusion injury of rodent intestine is complement mediated. P-selectin antagonism reduces local injury, yet neutrophil depletion does not. This study tests the thesis that the protective mechanism of P-selectin antagonists involves complement inhibition. We subjected rats (n = 86) to 50 minutes of complete mesenteric ischemia and 4 hours of reperfusion. Treatment with a monoclonal antibody (PB1.3) against P-selectin reduced intestinal injury as judged by 125I-albumin permeability index (7.33 +/- 0.40) compared with saline solution treatment (11.4 +/- 0.49) (p < 0.05). However, intestinal neutrophil sequestration assessed by myeloperoxidase assay was unchanged. Immunohistochemistry revealed that mucosal C5b-9 was deposited in animals treated with saline solution and was absent in the sham group. PB1.3 treatment reduced C5b-9 deposition in the intestinal mucosa compared with that in animals treated with saline solution (p < 0.05). Neutrophil-dependent remote lung injury assessed by 125I-albumin permeability and pulmonary myeloperoxidase assay were not significantly reduced by PB1.3. Treatment with a soluble form of P-selectin ligand, sialyl Lewisx (sLex), reduced intestinal myeloperoxidase (0.065 +/- 0.006) compared with saline solution treatment (0.136 +/- 0.02) (p < 0.05), but it did not reduce permeability. Remote lung permeability was reduced (4.52 +/- 0.65 x 10(-3)) by sLex compared with saline solution treatment (6.11 +/- 0.41 x 10(-3)) (p < 0.05). Antagonizing the lectin domain of P-selectin and thereby neutrophil adhesion was without local benefit in this model. In contrast, PB1.3 exerted a novel antagonism of P-selectin and reduced complement deposition.

Role of neutrophils and nitric oxide in lung alveolar injury from smoke inhalation.

We examined potential mechanisms responsible for the parenchymal lung injury seen in an animal model of smoke inhalation with concurrent inflammation. Rats injected with sterile glycogen and exposed to smoke generated by the nonflaming pyrolysis of combined Douglas fir wood and polyvinylchloride showed a 74% increase in 125I-albumin lung permeability and a fivefold increase in lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) compared with control rats. There was also a significant increase in plasma indices of oxidative injury in these animals. Compared with control animals, plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were elevated by 62%, the concentrations of reduced sulfhydryl groups declined by 37%, and the levels of dinitrophenylhydrazine-reactive proteins (DNPH-RP) were doubled. In addition, the plasma concentrations of nitrate (NO3-) in rats exposed to glycogen plus smoke were increased three times that of control animals. Injection of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), immediately after smoke exposure or induction of neutropenia using either nitrogen mustard or antineutrophil antiserum, abolished the increase in concentrations of circulating NO3-, and prevented changes in plasma concentrations of TBARS, DNPH-RP, lung MPO activity, and tissue permeability index. These data suggest that neutrophil activation and the production of nitric oxide-derived oxidants contribute to the lung and plasma indices of oxidative injury in this smoke inhalation model.

CD18 integrin-dependent endothelial injury: effects of opsonized zymosan and phorbol ester activation

We examined the hypothesis that neutrophil (PMN)-mediated injury of the vascular endothelium is dependent on adhesion of PMNs to endothelial cells via the leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein CD11/CD18. We compared the PMN activation responses [i.e. adhesion to cultured endothelial cells, superoxide (O2-) production, degranulation, and cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i)] and endothelial injury elicited by opsonized zymosan (OZ, which is phagocytosed by PMNs) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, a protein kinase C activator). The basal adherence of nonstimulated PMNs to bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) was 9.0 +/- 1.1 PMN/field. PMA and OZ increased PMN adherence to BPAEC (to 31.1 +/- 1.4 and 39.8 +/- 3.8 PMN/field, respectively), which in both cases was inhibited by anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody (mAb) IB4. Stimulation of PMNs with PMA or OZ produced injury to 73% and 53% of BPAEC examined, respectively, which corresponded to 6.8-fold and 3.5-fold increases in transendothelial 125I-albumin permeability from baseline. Pretreatment of PMNs with mAb IB4 prevented endothelial injury in both cases. Both PMA and OZ increased the production of O2- (by 7.6-fold and 3.1-fold over control, respectively) and promoted the release of myeloperoxidase (5.2-fold and 9.1-fold over control, respectively) (P < .01). IB4 did not inhibit the PMA- or OZ-induced increases in O2-. IB4 did not inhibit the PMA-induced myeloperoxidase release but reduced by approximately 29% the OZ-induced myeloperoxidase release. Stimulation of PMNs layered on BPAEC with OZ (0.5 mg/ml) caused an approximately 7-fold increase in PMN [Ca2+]i over baseline, which decayed to a steady-state level above baseline at 10 min. IB4 (10 micrograms/ml) alone did not alter baseline [Ca2+]i and did not inhibit the OZ-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. In contrast to OZ, stimulation of PMNs with PMA did not increase [Ca2+]i. The results indicate that the protective effects of the anti-CD18 mAb IB4 were associated predominantly with its antiadherence property. Therefore, CD18 integrin-mediated PMN adhesion to the endothelium is a critical determinant of endothelial injury irrespective of the PMN-activating stimulus.

Influence of extracellular matrix in tumor necrosis factor-induced increase in endothelial permeability.

We examined the possibility that alterations of the extracellular matrix (ECM) contribute to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. Endothelial permeability to 125I-labeled albumin was determined using bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cell (BPMVE) monolayers grown to confluence on microporous (0.8 microns diam) gelatin- and fibronectin-coated polycarbonate filters. Treatment of BPMVE with TNF-alpha (10(2) to 10(4) U/ml for 4-24 h) produced concentration- and time-dependent increases in endothelial permeability that paralleled the changes in morphology from cobblestone to elongated cells and the formation of prominent intercellular gaps and actin stress fibers. We examined the role of ECM in these changes using filters coated with ECM made by the BPMVE. Fresh BPMVE seeded onto filters coated with ECM produced by TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE had two- to threefold higher 125I-albumin permeability values than BPMVE monolayers seeded onto filters coated with ECM from control cells (P < 0.05). BPMVE seeded onto ECM from TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE also developed intercellular gaps and centralized actin filaments characteristic of the TNF-alpha-treated BPMVE. This effect was not attributable to TNF-alpha adsorbed to ECM. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of ECM extracted from BPMVE treated with TNF-alpha showed decreased fibronectin. These findings suggest that the TNF-alpha-induced increase in endothelial permeability involves the loss of fibronectin and remodeling of the ECM. The increase in endothelial permeability may be secondary to decreased endothelial cell-ECM contacts resulting in elongation of cells and formation of intercellular gaps.

Fibrin contact increases endothelial permeability to albumin.

We studied the effects of contact of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers with fibrin on the endothelial barrier function. Fibrin formed by clotting purified fibrinogen (0.5 to 3.0 mg/ml) with alpha-thrombin (1 U/ml) was added to endothelial monolayers and permeability measurements were made after fibrin removal. Fibrin incubation for 3 hours resulted in 2- to 5-fold increases in transendothelial 125I-albumin permeability. Permeability returned to baseline value within 3 hours after fibrin removal. Direct contact with fibrin was necessary for the response, since fibrin separated from the endothelium did not increase permeability. Contact with agarose (2 mg/ml) or fibrinogen (0.5 to 3.0 mg/ml) also did not increase endothelial permeability. Transmission electron microscopic examination indicated normal appearance of interendothelial junctions at a time when albumin permeability was increased and no overt evidence of endothelial injury. Incubation of fibrin with endothelial monolayers at 4 degrees C prevented the increase in albumin permeability. We examined the possibility that increased albumin transcytosis was responsible for fibrin's effect using 14C-sucrose (Mr = 342D), a lipid insoluble tracer. Fibrin increased sucrose flux by 1.5-fold compared to 2- to 5-fold increases in albumin flux. The results indicate that fibrin contact with the endothelial cell increases endothelial permeability. The effect of fibrin may involve activation of temperature-sensitive bulk phase transcytosis of albumin.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated decrease in glutathione increases the sensitivity of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells to H2O2.

We examined the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) stimulation of endothelial cells on the increase in endothelial permeability induced by H2O2. Bovine pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (BPMVEC) were grown to confluence on a microporous filter and the 125I-albumin clearance rate across the monolayer was determined. Pretreatment with TNF alpha (100 U/ml) for 6 h had no direct effect on transendothelial 125I-albumin permeability. However, TNF alpha pretreatment enhanced the susceptibility of BPMVEC to H2O2; that is, H2O2 (10 microM) alone had no direct effect, whereas H2O2 increased 125I-albumin permeability more than threefold when added to monolayers pretreated for 6 h with TNF alpha. Determination of lactate dehydrogenase release indicated that increased permeability was not due to cytolysis. We measured the intracellular contents of GSH and catalase to determine their possible role in mediating the increased susceptibility to H2O2. TNF alpha treatment (100 U/ml for 6 h) decreased total GSH content and concomitantly increased the oxidized GSH content, but did not alter the cellular catalase activity. The role of GSH was examined by pretreating endothelial cells with 2 mM GSH for 3 h, which produced an 80% increase in intracellular GSH content. GSH repletion inhibited the increased sensitivity of the TNF alpha-treated endothelial cells to H2O2. We tested the effects of xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition since XO activation may be a source of oxidants responsible for the decrease in cellular GSH content. Pretreatment with 0.5 mM oxypurinol attenuated the synergistic effect of TNF alpha and H2O2 on endothelial permeability. The results indicate that decreased oxidant buffering capacity secondary to TNF alpha-induced reduction in intracellular GSH content mediates the increased susceptibility of endothelial cells to H2O2. This mechanism may contribute to oxidant-dependent vascular endothelial injury in septicemia associated with TNF alpha release.

Fibrinogen degradation product fragment D increases endothelial monolayer permeability

We assessed the effects of the two primary high-molecular-weight fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), fragments D and E, on the pulmonary vascular endothelial barrier function. Fragments D and E were purified to homogeneity by QAE Sephadex chromatography followed by gel filtration. Incubation of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers with 0.5-2.0 microM fragment D for 2 h caused a doubling of transendothelial 125I-albumin clearance rate (a measure of 125I-albumin permeability). Fragment E only produced a 0.6-fold increase in 125I-albumin clearance rate at concentration of 4.0 microM. Both FDP remained active in incubating media with serum. The permeability-increasing effect of fragment D was reversible and was not due to cell detachment or lysis. The fragment-D effect was time dependent and was associated with redistribution of endothelial F-actin microfilaments. The effect was independent of the carboxy-terminal sequence on gamma-chain of fragment D. Fragments D and E binding to pulmonary artery endothelial cells was specific and reversible, but fragment D binding was three-fold greater than fragment E, which may account for the greater permeability increase mediated by fragment D. The results indicate that FDP, especially fragment D, increase endothelial permeability to albumin. The response involves specific binding of fragment D to endothelial cells and redistribution of intracellular actin.

Serum albumin decreases transendothelial permeability to macromolecules

We examined the effects of serum albumin and other serum proteins on the fluxes of tracer 125I-albumin (MW 69 kDa) and 125I-haptoglobin (MW 100 kDa) across the pulmonary artery endothelial monolayer in vitro to test the role of serum proteins in modulating the endothelial barrier function. Replacement of control complete culture medium (20% fetal calf serum in DMEM) with DMEM alone increased the transendothelial 125I-albumin clearance rate (a measure of 125I-albumin permeability) by 83% of the control value. Repletion with 50% calf serum or with 2.0 g% albumin (i.e., the albumin concentration in 50% serum) decreased 125I-albumin permeability to the control value. This effect of serum or albumin was concentration-dependent since neither 12.5% serum nor 0.5 g% albumin (i.e., albumin concentration in 12.5% serum) altered 125I-albumin permeability from control values. The ammonium sulfate-precipitated serum protein fraction rich in albumin decreased 125I-albumin permeability from the control DMEM value, whereas serum fractions containing predominantly γ-globulin or depleted of protein did not significantly alter 125I-albumin permeability. Other serum proteins that have been proposed to reduce endothelial permeability, α 1-acid glycoprotein (0.035–0.14 g/100 ml) and fibronectin (5 mg/100 ml), did not decrease 125I-albumin permeability from DMEM values. The endothelial permeability of 125I-haptoglobin of 4.63 ± 0.53 × 10 −6 cm/sec in the presence of DMEM was 30% of the 125I-albumin permeability value. The addition of 2.0 g% albumin or 50% serum decreased 125I-haptoglobin permeability to 57 and 31%, respectively, of the DMEM value. These results indicate the critical role of serum albumin in regulating the restrictiveness of the endothelial barrier to macromolecules.

Enzymatic activity is necessary for thrombin-mediated increase in endothelial permeability

alpha-Thrombin causes a dose-dependent increase in endothelial permeability as measured by the clearance rate of 125I-albumin across a monolayer of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. We determined if an active catalytic site is necessary for the thrombin-mediated increase in endothelial permeability. alpha-Thrombin was reacted with 10-fold excess D-phenylalanyl-prolyl-arginine chloromethyl ketone (PPACK), an irreversible inhibitor that forms a covalent bond with thrombin's active site, producing an enzymatically inactive thrombin. PPACK completely inhibited the alpha-thrombin-mediated increase in 125I-albumin permeability. Similar results were obtained with gamma-thrombin, an enzymatically active alpha-thrombin form with an altered fibrinogen recognition domain. PPACK alone and the active site-inhibited PPACK-alpha-thrombin had no effect on permeability. Diisopropylphospho (DIP)-alpha-thrombin was effective only in very high concentrations (10(-6)M), and this effect was abolished by the addition of PPACK. These studies demonstrate that binding alone is insufficient for the thrombin-mediated increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. Thrombin's active catalytic site is a requirement for the increase in transendothelial albumin permeability.

Increased endothelial albumin permeability mediated by protein kinase C activation.

We examined the effects of activation of endothelial protein kinase C (PKC) of the endothelial barrier function. Exposure of confluent bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) resulted in concentration-dependent (10(-8)-10(-6) M) increases in PKC activity and in the transendothelial flux of 125I-albumin. Exposure of the endothelium to 1-oleoyl 2-acetyl glycerol (OAG) also increased the transendothelial flux of 125I-albumin in a concentration-dependent manner. Neither 4 alpha-phorbol didecanoate nor 1-mono-oleoyl glycerol, which do not activate PKC, altered permeability. The increase in 125I-albumin permeability induced by PMA was inhibited by 25 microM H7 (a PKC inhibitor), but not by the control compound HA1004 (25 microM). After 16 h of exposure to PMA, 125I-albumin permeability returned to baseline and a significant reduction in cytosolic PKC activity was noted. Further challenge with PMA at this time resulted in no significant increase in PKC activity indicating downregulation of the enzyme; moreover, this PMA challenge did not increase endothelial permeability. Exposure of endothelial monolayers to phospholipase C (PLC), which increases membrane phosphatidylinositide turnover, or to alpha-thrombin also induced concentration-dependent activation of PKC and increases in 125I-albumin endothelial permeability. The thrombin- and PLC-induced permeability increases were inhibited by H7, but not by HA1004. The activation of endothelial PKC directly by PMA or OAG and by PLC and alpha-thrombin increases the transendothelial albumin permeability, indicating that PKC activation is an important signal transduction pathway by which extracellular mediators increase endothelial macromolecular transport.

Platelets decrease albumin permeability of pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers

Since platelets may modulate endothelial cell permeability, we examined the effects of platelets on 125I-albumin permeability of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. The experimental system consisted of endothelial cells grown to confluence on a gelatinized polycarbonate filter. We quantified the diffusive flux of 125I-albumin from luminal chamber to the abluminal chamber. Washed human platelets added to the monolayers decreased the albumin flux in a concentration-dependent manner, with a 65% decrease occurring at the highest concentration of platelets (5 × 10 7 platelets) added to the 700-μl luminal chamber. In contrast, neither paraformaldehyde-fixed platelets nor fresh red blood cells changed 125I-albumin permeability. Platelets had no effect on 125I-albumin permeability across the gelatinized filters without endothelial cells present. Supernatants of platelet lysates also reduced albumin flux. The effect produced by intact platelets or platelet lysate was not influenced by the presence of ketanserin (a serotonin receptor antagonist), propranolol (a β-adrenergic receptor antagonist), or aspirin (an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase). Platelets activated by thrombin did not produce an effect that was different from the effect produced by intact platelets. The activity of the supernatant of platelet lysate remained in the aqueous phase after ether extraction. The results indicate that the platelet-mediated decrease in endothelial cell permeability to 125I-albumin is the result of a hydrophilic platelet-derived factor(s) and not secondary to mechanical obstruction of endothelial “leaks” by the platelets.

Calcium dependence of the thrombin-induced increase in endothelial albumin permeability.

We examined whether the increase in endothelial albumin permeability induced by alpha-thrombin is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ influx. Permeability of 125I-albumin across confluent monolayers of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells was measured before and after the addition of 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin. In the presence of normal extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o, 1000 microM), alpha-thrombin produced a 175 +/- 10% increase in 125I-albumin permeability. At lower [Ca2+]o (100, 10, 1, or less than 1 microM), alpha-thrombin caused a 140% increase in permeability (P less than 0.005). LaCl3 (1 mM), which competes for Ca2+ entry, blunted 38% of the increase in permeability. Preloading endothelial monolayers with quin2 to buffer cytosolic Ca2+ (Cai2+) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the increase in 125I-albumin permeability. Preincubation with nifedipine or verapamil was ineffective in reducing the thrombin-induced permeability increase. A 60 mM K+ isosmotic solution did not alter base-line endothelial permeability. alpha-Thrombin increased [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner and the 45Ca2+ influx rate. Extracellular medium containing 60 mM K+ did not increase 45Ca2+ influx, and nifedipine did not block the rise in 45Ca2+ influx caused by alpha-thrombin. Ca2+ flux into endothelial cells induced by alpha-thrombin does not occur through voltage-sensitive channels but may involve receptor-operated channels. In conclusion, the increase in endothelial albumin permeability caused by alpha-thrombin is dependent on Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Pulmonary microvascular response to LTB4: effects of perfusate composition.

We examined the effects of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on pulmonary hemodynamics and vascular permeability using isolated perfused guinea pig lungs and cultured monolayers of pulmonary arterial endothelial cells. In lungs perfused with Ringer solution, containing 0.5 g/100 ml albumin (R-alb), LTB4 (4 micrograms) transiently increased pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) and capillary pressure (Pcap). Pulmonary edema developed within 70 min after LTB4 injection despite a normal Pcap. The LTB4 metabolite, 20-COOH-LTB4 (4 micrograms), did not induce hemodynamic and lung weight changes. In lungs perfused with autologous blood hematocrit = 12 +/- 1%; protein concentration = 1.5 +/- 0.2 g/100 ml), the increases in Ppa and Pcap were greater, and both pressures remained elevated. The lung weight did not increase in blood-perfused lungs. In lungs perfused with R-alb (1.5 g/100 ml albumin) to match the blood perfusate protein concentration, LTB4 induced similar hemodynamic changes as R-alb (0.5 g/100 ml) perfusate, but the additional albumin prevented the pulmonary edema. LTB4 (10(-11)-10(-6) M) with or without the addition of neutrophils to the monolayer did not increase endothelial 125I-albumin permeability. Therefore LTB4 induces pulmonary edema when the perfusate contains a low albumin concentration, but increasing the albumin concentration or adding blood cells prevents the edema. The edema is not due to increased endothelial permeability to protein and is independent of hemodynamic alterations. Protection at higher protein-concentration may be the result of LTB4 binding to albumin.

Effects of alterations in endothelial cell volume on transendothelial albumin permeability.

We examined the effects of alterations in endothelial cell volume on transendothelial albumin permeability. Studies were done using a confluent monolayer of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells grown on gelatinized microporous filters. When endothelial cells were exposed to media made hypertonic with 200 mM mannitol, the intracellular volume (measured with 14C-urea) decreased twofold and remained decreased over a 30-minute time-span, thus showing no significant regulatory volume increase (RVI) within this time period. When endothelial cells were exposed to hypotonic media, intracellular volume rapidly doubled within 2 minutes, and then decreased to baseline values within 10 minutes in spite of the sustained hypotonic environment, a process known as regulatory volume decrease (RVD). We also measured the transendothelial flux of 125I-albumin with the cells exposed to the same osmotic changes. We observed that only under hypertonic conditions was there a significant change in the 125I-albumin permeability. These results indicate that the pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture alter their cell volume when exposed to variations in the osmotic environment, and also show RVD in response to hypotonic conditions but no RVI within 40 minutes after exposure to hypertonic conditions. The transendothelial albumin permeability did not change under hypotonic conditions but increased under hypertonic conditions. Thus, endothelial cells shrinkage may be an important mechanism of increased endothelial macromolecule permeability. These volume changes may occur in endothelial cells in situ and have a role in inducing alterations in the transendothelial permeability to proteins.

Effects of glucocorticoid on connective tissue of aorta and skin in rabbits. Biochemical studies on collagen, glycosaminoglycans, DNA and RNA.

ABSTRACT Male rabbits were injected daily for 14 days with prednisone 2 mg/kg. The content and metabolism of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, the content of RNA, DNA, fat and water and the 125I-albumin permeability were investigated in the skin and in the intima-media layer of the aorta. A saline injected group served as control. Since prednisone induced a decrease in body weight, a starvation group with a similar weight loss was included. Following injections of prednisone the protocollagen proline hydroxylase activity, 0.45 m NaCl soluble hydroxyproline, total hydroxyproline, dialysable 14C-hydroxyproline and non-dialysable 14C-hydroxyproline fractions were reduced in the skin. In the aorta, only the total 14C-hydroxyproline synthesis was decreased. Furthermore there was a decrease in 14C-proline incorporation and the alpha-amino nitrogen content in the skin as well as a decrease in the RNA content in the skin and the aorta. It is concluded that prednisone acts mainly anti-anabolically on the metabolism of collagen and that this effect is part of a general inhibition of the protein synthesis. The sensitivity of the connective tissue of different organs to prednisone varies. Following prednisone treatment the 35S-sulphate incorporation into glycosaminoglycans was decreased in the skin as well as in aorta. However, this did neither affect the concentration nor the total amount of the different glycosaminoglycans – except for a decrease in chondroitin-4/6-sulphate in aorta. These findings probably indicate that prednisone inhibits the synthesis as well as the catabolism of the glycosaminoglycans. The skin and aorta reacted almost similarly. Prednisone raised the tissue to serum ratio of 125I-albumin. This may reflect changes in filtration and/or diffusion rates of albumin through the aortic endothelium and media. Finally, a decrease in body weight following starvation influenced the metabolism of collagen somewhat similar to the effect of prednisone, whereas the effects on the glycosaminoglycans differed.