Receptor Antagonist MK-571 Research Articles

Development of an assay for cellular efflux of pharmaceutically active agents and its relevance to understanding drug interactions.

Drug interactions may dictate the failure or success of a treatment. Patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are exposed to various types of drugs, and understanding how these drugs interact is of the utmost importance. The pharmacokinetics of busulfan, melphalan, and cyclophosphamide, drugs commonly used for HSCT, are known to be affected by a variety of other drugs with differing molecular structures. We hypothesized that these structurally unrelated drugs affect the transport of DNA-alkylating agents. To test this hypothesis, we developed a flow cytometry assay that used 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate acetoxymethyl ester, which is cleaved by nonspecific intracellular esterases to 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-CF), a fluorescent ligand for the drug transporter MRP1. A decreased 5-CF efflux in the presence of a test compound suggests competitive inhibition. We demonstrated that chlorambucil, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, ketoconazole, ethacrynic acid, everolimus, and sirolimus strongly inhibited 5-CF efflux in lymphoma and leukemia cell lines. The efflux of these drugs partially depends on the glutathione (GSH) level, and their cytotoxicity is synergistic with inhibited GSH synthesis. This is consistent with the hypothesis that their GSH-conjugated products are ligands of a common cellular drug transporter. Our results may explain clinical observations on the effects of various drugs on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alkylating agents, and the assay may be used to deduce interaction mechanisms of drugs transported by a common system.

Lipoxygenase Pathway Mediates Increases of Airway Resistance and Lung Inflation Induced by Exposure to Nanotitanium Dioxide in Rats

Nanotitanium dioxide particle (nTiO2) inhalation has been reported to induce lung parenchymal injury. After inhalation of nTiO2, we monitored changes in 5-lipoxygenase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in rat lung tissue. Lung function parameters include specific airway resistance (SRaw), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), functional residual capacity (FRC), and lung compliance (Cchord); blood white blood cell count (WBC), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide, and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH); and lung lavage leukotriene C4, interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrotic factor α (TNFα), hydroxyl radicals, and NO. Leukotriene receptor antagonist MK571 and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK886 were used for pharmacologic intervention. Compared to control, nTiO2 exposure induced near 5-fold increase in 5-lipoxygenase mRNA expression in lung tissue. iNOS mRNA increased while eNOS mRNA decreased. Lavage leukotriene C4; IL6; TNFα; NO; hydroxyl radicals; and blood WBC, NO, hydrogen peroxide, and LDH levels rose. Obstructive ventilatory insufficiency was observed. MK571 and MK886 both attenuated the systemic inflammation and lung function changes. We conclude that inhaled nTiO2 induces systemic inflammation, cytokine release, and oxidative and nitrosative stress in the lung. The lipoxygenase pathway products, mediated by oxygen radicals and WBC, play a critical role in the obstructive ventilatory insufficiency induced by nTiO2.

Cysteinyl leukotriene signaling through perinuclear CysLT1 receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells transduces nuclear calcium signaling and alterations of gene expression

Leukotrienes are pro-inflammatory mediators that are locally produced in coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The response induced by cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLT) in human coronary arteries may be altered under pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate cysteinyl leukotriene signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the effects of inflammation on this process. Immunohistochemical analysis of human carotid endarterectomy samples revealed that the CysLT1 leukotriene receptor was expressed in areas that also stained positive for α-smooth muscle actin. In human coronary artery smooth muscle cells, lipopolysaccharide significantly upregulated the CysLT1 receptor and significantly enhanced the changes in intracellular calcium induced by leukotriene C4 (LTC4). In these cells, the CysLT1 receptor exhibited a perinuclear expression, and LTC4 stimulation predominantly enhanced nuclear calcium increase, which was significantly inhibited by the CysLT1 receptor antagonist MK-571. Microarray analysis revealed, among a number of significantly upregulated genes after 24 h stimulation of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells with LTC4, a 5-fold increase in mRNA levels for plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-2. The LTC4-induced increase in PAI-2 expression was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR and ELISA and was inhibited by the CysLT1 receptor antagonist MK-571 and by calcium chelators. In summary, pro-inflammatory stimulation of vascular SMCs upregulated a perinuclear CysLT1 receptor expression coupled to nuclear calcium signaling and changes in gene expression, such as upregulation of PAI-2. Taken together, these findings suggest a role of nuclear CysLT1 receptor signaling in vascular SMCs inducing gene expression patterns associated with atherosclerosis.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00109-012-0904-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BQ-153, a novel endothelin (ET)A antagonist, attenuates the renal vascular effects of endothelin-1.

Endothelin (ET)-1, leukotriene D4 and the thromboxane analogue, U-44069, were all shown to produce dose-dependent reductions in renal blood flow after direct injection into the renal artery of anaesthetized pigs. The effects of ET-1 differed from the other two mediators in that ET-1 caused a transient vasodilator followed by a prolonged vasoconstrictor response. The pressor response was not mediated by the secondary release of either leukotriene D4 or thromboxane A2 as evidenced by the lack of effect of appropriate receptor antagonist MK571 (3-[-2(7-chloro-2 quinolinyl) ethenyl]phenyl[3-(dimethylamino-3-oxopropyl)thio]methyl thio propionic acid) and L-670,596 respectively. This response, however, could be inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by the selective ETA antagonist, BQ-153 (cyclo-D-sulphalanine-L-Pro-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Trp-). Following blockade by BQ-153 the vasodilator response was unaffected and a residual pressor response remained, suggesting that either or both of these effects were mediated either through an ETB or a novel, as yet undefined, endothelin receptor.

Conjunctival Goblet Cell Secretion Stimulated by Leukotrienes Is Reduced by Resolvins D1 and E1 To Promote Resolution of Inflammation

The conjunctiva is a mucous membrane that covers the sclera and lines the inside of the eyelids. Throughout the conjunctiva are goblet cells that secrete mucins to protect the eye. Chronic inflammatory diseases such as allergic conjunctivitis and early dry eye lead to increased goblet cell mucin secretion into tears and ocular surface disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the actions of the inflammatory mediators, the leukotrienes and the proresolution resolvins, on secretion from cultured rat and human conjunctival goblet cells. We found that both cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) receptors, CysLT(1) and CysLT(2,) were present in rat conjunctiva and in rat and human cultured conjunctival goblet cells. All leukotrienes LTB(4), LTC(4), LTD(4), and LTE(4), as well as PGD(2), stimulated goblet cell secretion in rat goblet cells. LTD(4) and LTE(4) increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)), and LTD(4) activated ERK1/2. The CysLT(1) receptor antagonist MK571 significantly decreased LTD(4)-stimulated rat goblet cell secretion and the increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Resolvins D1 (RvD1) and E1 (RvE1) completely reduced LTD(4)-stimulated goblet cell secretion in cultured rat goblet cells. LTD(4)-induced secretion from human goblet cells was blocked by RvD1. RvD1 and RvE1 prevented LTD(4)- and LTE(4)-stimulated increases in [Ca(2+)](i), as well as LTD(4) activation of ERK1/2. We conclude that cysteinyl leukotrienes stimulate conjunctival goblet cell mucous secretion with LTD(4) using the CysLT(1) receptor. Stimulated secretion is terminated by preventing the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and activation of ERK1/2 by RvD1 and RvE1.

Up-regulation and Cytoprotective Role of Epithelial Multidrug Resistance-associated Protein 1 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

MRP1 (multidrug resistance-associated protein 1) is well known for its role in providing multidrug resistance to cancer cells. In addition, MRP1 has been associated with both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions in nonmalignant cells. The pro-inflammatory function is evident from the fact that MRP1 is a high affinity transporter for cysteinyl-leukotriene C4 (LTC4), a lipid mediator of inflammation. It remains unexplained, however, why the absence of Mrp1 leads to increased intestinal epithelial damage in mice treated with dextran-sodium sulfate, a model for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We found that MRP1 expression is induced in the inflamed intestine of IBD patients, e.g. Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Increased MRP1 expression was detected at the basolateral membrane of intestinal epithelial cells. To study a putative role for MRP1 in protecting epithelial cells against inflammatory cues, we manipulated MRP1 levels in human epithelial DLD-1 cells and exposed these cells to cytokines and anti-Fas. Inhibition of MRP1 (by MK571 or RNA interference) resulted in increased cytokine- and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis of DLD-1 cells. Opposite effects, e.g. protection of DLD-1 cells against cytokine- and anti-Fas-induced apoptosis, were observed after recombinant MRP1 overexpression. Inhibition of LTC4 synthesis reduced anti-Fas-induced apoptosis when MRP1 function was blocked, suggesting that LTC4 is the pro-apoptotic compound exported by epithelial MRP1 during inflammation. These data show that MRP1 protects intestinal epithelial cells against inflammation-induced apoptotic cell death and provides a functional role for MRP1 in the inflamed intestinal epithelium of IBD patients.

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist MK-571 alters bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteome in a mouse asthma model

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 1 (leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor) antagonist is one of the most effective anti-inflammatory agents for asthma. The spectrum of protein targets that can be regulated by leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor antagonist in asthma is not fully understood. The present study tried to identify novel protein targets of a selective leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor antagonist MK-571 in allergic airway inflammation by analyzing the proteome of mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin showed increased pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration, airway mucus production and serum ovalbumin-specific IgE level. MK-571 inhibited all these allergic airway inflammation endpoints. Lavage fluid proteins were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The level of fourteen bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein spots was markedly altered by MK-571. A family of chitinases (Ym1, Ym2 and acidic mammalian chitinase), lungkine, surfactant protein-D and gamma-actin have been found for the first time to be down-regulated by leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor antagonist in mouse allergic airways. Some of the down-regulatory effects were confirmed with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses. Taken together, we have identified novel protein targets that can be regulated by leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor antagonist in mouse allergic airway inflammation, and our findings reveal additional pharmacological actions of leukotriene CysLT(1) receptor antagonist in the treatment of asthma.

Effect of 5-lipoxygenase blockade on blood pressure and acetylcholine-evoked endothelium-dependent contraction in aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLT) are pro-inflammatory and vasoactive products suspected to be involved in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure in hypertension. We investigated, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the involvement of cysLT in the in-vivo regulation of blood pressure and the in-vitro endothelium-dependent contraction to acetylcholine in isolated aorta. SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were orally treated for 3 weeks with either the cysLT biosynthesis inhibitor MK-886 (0.1 mg/ml) or vehicle. After mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) measurement, aortic ring preparations were removed from all groups of animals, and contractions and relaxations were monitored subsequent to stimulation with acetylcholine. MABP was higher in SHR. Chronic treatment with MK-886 did not alter MABP in either SHR or WKY. In the presence of the N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA, 100 micromol/l), and on prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced tone, acetylcholine evoked concentration-dependent contractions in intact aortic rings from SHR only. Pretreatment with either MK-886 (10 micromol/l), the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitor AA861 (10 micromol/l), or the cysLT1 receptor antagonist MK571 (1 micromol/l) reduced (P < 0.05) acetylcholine-induced contractions in intact aortic rings from SHR only. Acetylcholine-induced contractions were weaker (P < 0.01) in SHR chronically treated with MK-886 than in SHR. In the presence of L-NA, leukotriene (LT) D4 induced greater (P < 0.05) concentration-dependent contractions in aortic rings from SHR than from WKY. MK571 abolished LTD4-evoked contractions. These data suggested that 5-LO-derived products, through the activation of cysLT1 receptors, could be involved in the endothelium-dependent contraction to acetylcholine in aorta from SHR but not in the regulation of MABP in SHR.

Toxicity of human monocytic THP-1 cells and microglia toward SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells is reduced by inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and its activating protein FLAP.

To explore whether the proinflammatory products of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway are involved in microglia-mediated toxicity toward neuronal cells, we evaluated the effects of 5-LOX inhibitors using an in vitro assay system where human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells are exposed to toxic secretions from THP-1 monocytic cells or human microglia. The specific 5-LOX inhibitors, REV 5901, zileuton, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid lactone; the nonselective LOX inhibitors, phenidone and dapsone; the dual 5-LOX/cyclooxygenase inhibitor, tepoxalin; and the selective inhibitor of the 5-LOX-activating protein (FLAP), MK-886, inhibited such toxicity. The toxicity was enhanced by the 5-LOX product leukotriene (LT)D(4) and reduced by the selective cysteinyl LT receptor (CysLT(1)) antagonist MK-571. The mRNAs for 5-LOX and FLAP were detected in THP-1 cells and human microglia but not in SH-SY5Y cells. The data suggest that inhibition of proinflammatory LT production by 5-LOX inhibition could selectively reduce toxicity of microglial cells and thus be beneficial in neuroinflammatory diseases.

Leukotrienes, IL-13, and chemokines cooperate to induce BHR and mucus in allergic mouse lungs.

In mice, intratracheal challenges with antigen (ovalbumin) or recombinant murine interleukin-13 (IL-13) induce lung inflammation, bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), and mucus accumulation as independent events (Singer M, Lefort J, and Vargaftig BB. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 26: 74-84, 2002), largely mediated by leukotrienes (LT). We previously showed that LTC(4) was released 15 min after ovalbumin, and we show that it induces the expression of monocyte chemoattractant proteins 1 and 5 and KC in the lungs, as well as IL-13 mRNA. Instilled intratracheally, these chemokines induced BHR and mucus accumulation, which were inhibited by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton and by the cysteinyl-LT receptor antagonist MK-571, suggesting mediation by cysteinyl-LT. Because these chemokines also induced release of LT into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and IL-13 into the lungs, we hypothesize that LT- and chemokine-based loops for positive-feedback regulations cooperate to maintain and amplify BHR and lung mucus accumulation after allergic challenge and in situations where IL-13, LT, or chemokines are generated.

Cysteinyl leukotrienes and uridine diphosphate induce cytokine generation by human mast cells through an interleukin 4-regulated pathway that is inhibited by leukotriene receptor antagonists.

We previously reported that interleukin (IL)-4 upregulates the expression of leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) by human cord blood–derived mast cells (hMCs), augments their high-affinity Fc receptor for IgE (FcεRI)-dependent generation of eicosanoids and cytokines, and induces a calcium flux in response to cysteinyl leukotrienes (cys-LTs) and uridine diphosphate (UDP) that is blocked by cys-LT receptor antagonists. We speculated that this IL-4–dependent, receptor-mediated response to the cys-LTs and UDP might induce cytokine generation by hMCs without concomitant exocytosis. Unlike hMCs maintained in cytoprotective stem cell factor (SCF) alone, hMCs primed for 5 d with IL-4 responded to UDP (1 μM), LTC4 (100 nM), and LTD4 (100 nM) by producing IL-5, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and especially large quantities of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β de novo at 6 h, preceded by the induced expression of the corresponding mRNAs. Cys-LT– and UDP-mediated cytokine production by the primed hMCs occurred without histamine release or PGD2 generation and was inhibited by the CysLT1 receptor antagonist MK571. Additionally, pretreatment of hMCs with MK571 or with the cys-LT biosynthetic inhibitor MK886 decreased IL-5 and TNF-α production in response to IgE receptor cross-linkage, implying a positive feedback by endogenously produced cys-LTs. Cys-LTs and UDP thus orchestrate a novel, IL-4–regulated, non-IgE–dependent hMC activation for cytokine gene induction that could be initiated by microbes, cellular injury, or neurogenic or inflammatory signals; and this pathobiologic event would not be recognized in tissue studies where hMC activation is classically defined by exocytosis.

Chemotaxis and transendothelial migration of CD34+hematopoietic progenitor cells induced by the inflammatory mediator leukotriene D4 are mediated by the 7-transmembrane receptor CysLT1

Recent studies suggest that bone marrow (BM)-derived chemotactic mediators such as chemokines play key roles in hematopoietic stem cell trafficking. Lipid mediators, particularly leukotrienes, are involved in leukocyte chemotaxis during inflammation but have also been detected in the normal BM. Therefore, the effects of leukotrienes on hematopoietic progenitor cells were analyzed. Cysteinyl leukotrienes, particularly leukotriene D4 (LTD4), induced strong intracellular calcium fluxes and actin polymerization in mobilized and BM CD34(+) progenitors. Chemotaxis and in vitro transendothelial migration of CD34(+) and more primitive CD34(+)/CD38(-) cells were 2-fold increased by LTD4 at an optimum concentration of 25 to 50 nM. Accordingly, CD34(+) cells expressed the 7-transmembrane LTD4 receptor CysLT1 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Effects of LTD4 were suppressed by the CysLT1 receptor antagonist MK-571 and reduced by pertussis toxin. In contrast, LTB4 induced strong responses only in mature granulocytes. LTD4-induced calcium fluxes were also observed in granulocytes but were not reduced by MK-571, suggesting that these effects were mediated by other receptors (eg, CysLT2) rather than by CysLT1. In addition, expression of 5-lipoxygenase, the key enzyme of leukotriene biosynthesis, was detected in both hematopoietic progenitor cells and mature leukocytes. The study concludes that the functionally active LTD4 receptor CysLT1 is preferentially expressed in immature hematopoietic progenitor cells. LTD4 released in the BM might regulate progenitor cell trafficking and could also act as an autocrine mediator of hematopoiesis. This would be a first physiologic effect of cysteinyl leukotrienes apart from the many known pathophysiologic actions related to allergy and inflammation. (Blood. 2001;97:3433-3440)

Cysteinyl leukotrienes are involved in angiotensin II-induced contraction of aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Non specific lipoxygenase inhibitors have been reported to reduce the in vitro constrictor response and the in vivo pressor effect of angiotensin II in rats. The aim of this study was to assess the role of cysteinyl leukotrienes, in the vascular response to angiotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Rings of thoracic aorta from SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were compared in terms of contractile responses and release of cysteinyl leukotrienes in response to angiotensin II. Pretreatment with the specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor AA861 10 microM reduced the efficacy of angiotensin II in intact and endothelium-denuded aorta from SHR (% inhibition vs. control: 65+/-12.6% with endothelium (n=6), P<0.05; 43+/-7.2% without endothelium (n=6), P<0.05) but not in aorta from WKY. In addition, in aorta from SHR, the CysLT(1) receptor antagonist MK571 1 microM reduced by 55+/-6.1% (n=6, P<0.05) the contractile effects of angiotensin II in rings with endothelium but not in endothelium-denuded rings. Angiotensin II induced a 8.6+/-2.1-fold increase in cysteinyl leukotriene production in aorta rings from SHR with endothelium which was prevented by the AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan 1 microM but not by the AT(2) receptor antagonist PD123319 0.1 microM. In aorta rings from WKY, cysteinyl leukotriene production remained unchanged after exposition to angiotensin II. The cysteinyl leukotrienes (up to 0.1 microM) induced contractions in aorta rings from SHR but not from WKY. These data suggest that cysteinyl leukotrienes, acting at least in part on endothelial CysLT(1) receptors, are involved in the contractile response to angiotensin II in isolated aorta from SHR but not from WKY.

Contribution of mdr1b-type P-glycoprotein to okadaic acid resistance in rat pituitary GH3 cells.

Okadaic acid as well as other, structurally different, inhibitors of serine/threonine phosphatases 1 and 2A induce apoptosis in pituitary GH3 cells. Incubation with stepwise raised concentrations of okadaic acid resulted in the isolation of cells that were increasingly less sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of this agent. After about 18 months cells were selected that survived at 300 nM okadaic acid, which is about 30 times the initially lethal concentration. This study revealed that a major pharmacokinetic mechanism underlying cell survival was the development of a P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype. The increase in mRNA levels of the mdr1b P-glycoprotein isoform correlated with the extent of drug resistance. Functional assays revealed that increasing drug resistance was paralleled by a decreased accumulation of rhodamine 123, a fluorescent dye which is a substrate of mdr1-mediated efflux activity. Resistance could be abolished by structurally different chemosensitizers of P-glycoprotein function like verapamil and reserpine but not by the leukotriene receptor antagonist MK571 which is a modulator of the multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP). Okadaic acid resistance included cross-resistance to other cytotoxic agents that are substrates of mdr1-type P-glycoproteins, like doxorubicin and actinomycin D, but not to non-substrates of mdr1, e.g. cytosine arabinoside. Thus, functional as well as biochemical features support the conclusion that okadaic acid is a substrate of the mdr1-mediated efflux activity in rat pituitary GH3 cells. Maintenance of resistance after withdrawal of okadaic acid as well as metaphase spreads of 100 nM okadaic acid-resistant cells suggested a stable MDR genotype without indications for the occurrence of extrachromosomal amplifications, e.g. double minute chromosomes.

Leukotriene D4 activates a chloride conductance in hepatocytes from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats.

Endotoxin (LPS) can cause hepatocellular injury under several circumstances, and leukotrienes have been implicated as a contributing factor. Since ion channel activation has been associated with cytotoxicity, the aim of this study was to determine the circumstances under which LPS and/or leukotrienes activate ionic conductances in hepatocytes. LPS treatment of rats increased Cl- conductance in hepatocytes from 232+/-42 to 1236+/-134 pS/pF. Voltage dependence and inhibitor specificity of this conductance were similar to that of a swelling-activated Cl- conductance, and internal dialysis with nucleoside analogues suggested control by an inhibitory G protein. The lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid, the specific leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor antagonist MK-571, and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor MK-886 all significantly inhibited the conductance. Intracellular dialysis with LTD4 (1.5 microM) elevated intracellular Ca2+ from 143+/-6.5 to 388+/-114 nM within 6 min and stimulated an outwardly rectifying conductance from 642+/-159 to 1669+/-224 pS/pF (n = 9, P < 0.001). In hepatocytes prepared from untreated rats, this concentration of intracellular LTD4 neither raised intracellular Ca2+ nor activated the conductance. The LTD4 response could be induced in normal hepatocytes by culture with either conditioned medium from LPS-treated macrophages or purified TNF-alpha. In conclusion, intracellular LTD4 activates a chloride conductance in hepatocytes isolated from rats treated with LPS or primed in vitro with TNF-alpha. Changes in the hepatocellular accumulation of leukotrienes therefore mediate channel activation and may contribute to liver injury during sepsis and other inflammatory conditions.

Endothelin-1 depresses tracheal mucus velocity in ovine airways via ET-A receptors.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle, but there is limited information on its actions on the airway mucociliary clearance in vivo. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) the effect of aerosolized ET-1 on tracheal mucus velocity (TMV), a marker of mucociliary clearance, in sheep and (2) if the ET-1-induced effects were mediated by ET-A or ET-B receptors. To measure TMV, radiopaque teflon particles were insufflated into six intubated, spontaneously breathing, adult sheep, and the velocity at which these particles traveled up the trachea was measured using a previously reported roentgenographic technique. After baseline TMV measurements, 50 breaths of either ET-1 (10(-7) M) or vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline) were aerosolized into the airways. TMV measurements were then obtained over a 2-h period. After exposure to ET-1, mean TMV decreased significantly as compared with vehicle, the effects being most marked within 30 min after administration (54%, p < 0.05). On subsequent days, animals were pretreated with an aerosolized ET-A receptor antagonist (BQ-123) or an ET-B receptor antagonist (BQ-788) before exposure to ET-1. When ET-1 was given after BQ-123, no significant drop in TMV was noted. In contrast, pretreatment with BQ-788 exhibited no protective effect on the decrease in TMV. The ET-1 effects were not influenced by pretreatment with either the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or the leukotriene receptor antagonist MK-571, indicating that ET-1-induced depression in TMV does not involve the activation of prostanoids or peptide leukotrienes. Thus, exogenous ET-1 reduces TMV, an in vivo effect that is mediated through stimulation of ET-A receptors.

The Leukotriene LTD 4 Receptor Antagonist Mk571 Specifically Modulates MRP Associated Multidrug Resistance

The microltidrug resistant cell lines HL60/AR and GLC4/ADR show high overexpression of the gene encoding the microltidrug resistance associated protein MRP compared to their drug sensitive parental counterparts. This and the virtual absence of mdr1/P-glycoprotein gene expression was proven by a complementary DNA polymerase chain reaction (cDNA-PCR) approach. Applying a 72-hour tetrazolium based colorimetric MTT-assay we demonstrate on both MDR sublines a dose-dependent modulation of drug resistances by the leukotriene LTD 4 receptor antagonist MK571. A complete reversal of vincristine resistances was achieved at final MK571 concentrations of 30 μM (HL60/AR) or 50 μM (GLC4/ADR) which by itself did not disturb cellular proliferation. The drug resistance of a mdr1/P-gp overexpressing microltidrug-resistant HL60 subline, in contrast, was not significantly affected by MK571. Similar effects were seen using the glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Our results point to a relationship between MRP and a conjugate transporter and identify MK571 as a new tool structure for developing modulators specific for a MRP associated microltidrug resistance.

Stimulation of fetal rat lung cell proliferation in vitro by mechanical stretch.

On the basis of in vivo animal studies and on experiments of nature, it has been suggested that fetal breathing movements are essential for normal lung growth in utero. To study this hypothesis in vitro, we examined the effect of mechanical stretch on proliferation of fetal rat lung cells maintained in organotypic culture to provide a three-dimensional matrix. Initial studies demonstrated that stretch-mediated effects on cell division and DNA synthesis in such cultures were influenced by cell inoculation density, fetal calf serum concentration, and by the amplitude, frequency, periodicity, and duration of the applied stretch. After a 48-h exposure to an intermittent stretch pattern (5% elongation, 60 stretches/min for 15 min of each hour), cell number increased 10% (P less than 0.05), cell doubling time was reduced from 71 to 55 h (P less than 0.05), [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA increased 61% (P less than 0.01), and the [3H]thymidine-labeling index increased 2.8-fold (P less than 0.001) compared with nonstretched controls. This effect did not appear to be mediated by prostaglandins or leukotrienes because the prostaglandin synthase inhibitors ibuprofen (2.5-50 microM) or BW 755C (5 microM), leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors BW 755C (5 microM) or MK-886 (0.3 microM), and leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist MK-571 (0.3 microM) did not block stretch-mediated effects. We conclude that mechanical forces act directly to stimulate fetal rat lung cell growth and that these results are compatible with a significant role for fetal breathing in normal fetal lung growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ethanol-induced gastric injury

Under in vivo microscopic observation, intragastric ethanol instillation has been seen to cause a prompt, marked constriction of submucosal venules, followed by congestion in mucosal capillaries and severe gross mucosal lesion formation. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the venoconstriction is mediated by leukotrienes and that inhibition of the venoconstriction would protect against ethanol injury. Intragastric application of the leukotriene receptor antagonist MK-571 inhibited both venoconstriction and gross lesion formation. However, although local submucosal application of MK-571 inhibited venoconstriction, it did not protect the overlying gastric mucosa against ethanol injury. We conclude that leukotrienes play a significant pathogenetic role in ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury, but while the venoconstriction, mediated by leukotrienes, is one of the factors that promote lesion formation, it is not an essential one.

Peptide leukotriene involvement in pulmonary eosinophil migration upon antigen challenge in the actively sensitized guinea pig.

Male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs, actively sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) and pretreated with mepyramine (1 mg/kg i.p.), were challenged with OA as an aerosol. Histological analysis of the lung for eosinophils (EOs) showed significant accumulations in the submucosa of the airways (8 h: 1.477.3 +/- 43 EOs/mm2 airway, n = 3, p less than 0.01), after antigen challenge compared to saline control (478.6 +/- 104 EOs/mm2 airway, n = 4). Pretreatment with both mepyramine and cimetidine (10 mg/kg i.p.) did not affect this response. Aerosolization of OA to unsensitized guinea pigs resulted in no significant accumulation of EOs (360.2 +/- 49 EOs/mm2 airway, n = 4) when compared with the saline-challenged sensitized control group. Pretreatment with the leukotriene (LT)D4 receptor antagonist MK-571 (1 mg/kg p.o.) significantly inhibited the OA-induced EO migration (95 +/- 5% inhibition, n = 5, p less than 0.01) compared to vehicle in the presence of mepyramine and cimetidine, while indomethacin (3 mg/kg p.o., n = 4) had no effect. Aerosolization of synthetic LTC4 (0.3-30 micrograms/ml) resulted in a dose-dependent migration of EOs into the submucosal layer over 8 h, reaching significance at the 10-micrograms/ml dose, with comparable results obtained with LTD4. Pretreatment of animals with MK-571 (1 mg/kg p.o.) before LTC4 and LTD4 aerosol results in inhibition of the response in both cases, suggesting that this effect may be mediated through the LTD4 receptor. We conclude that peptide LTs produce eosinophilia in the airways of the guinea pig.