9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-adenine and beraprost

Prostacyclin is a short-lived metabolite of arachidonic acid that is produced by several cells in the lung and prominently by endothelial cells. It increases intracellular cAMP levels activating downstream signaling thus regulating vascular mesenchymal cell functions. The alveolar wall contains a rich capillary network as well as a population of mesenchymal cells, i.e., fibroblasts. The current study evaluated the hypothesis that prostacyclin may mediate signaling between endothelial and mesenchymal cells in the alveolar wall by assessing the ability of prostacyclin analogs to modulate fibroblast release of VEGF. To accomplish this study, human lung fibroblasts were cultured in routine culture on plastic support and in three-dimensional collagen gels with or without three prostacyclin analogs, carbaprostacyclin, iloprost, and beraprost, and the production of VEGF was evaluated by ELISA and quantitative real-time PCR. Iloprost and beraprost significantly stimulated VEGF mRNA levels and protein release in a concentration-dependent manner. These effects were blocked by the adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ-22536 and by the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT-5720 and were reproduced by a direct PKA activator but not by an activator of exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), indicating that cAMP-activated PKA signaling mediated the effect. Since VEGF serves to maintain the pulmonary microvasculature, the current study suggests that prostacyclin is part of a bidirectional signaling network between the mesenchymal and vascular cells of the alveolar wall. Prostacyclin analogs, therefore, have the potential to modulate the maintenance of the pulmonary microcirculation by driving the production of VEGF from lung fibroblasts.

Topics: Adenine; Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Adenylyl Cyclases; Adult; Carbazoles; Cell Culture Techniques; Cells, Cultured; Epoprostenol; Fibroblasts; Humans; Iloprost; Lung; Prostaglandins I; Pyrroles; RNA, Messenger; Stimulation, Chemical; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The present study was aimed to elucidate the cellular pathway(s) controlling vascular relaxation triggered by stimulation of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2, IP) receptor with a stable PGI2 analog, beraprost. Beraprost caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in de-endothelialized guinea-pig aorta contracted with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Beraprost-induced relaxation was almost abolished in high-KCl-contracted tissue, indicating a major role of K+ conductances. In contrast to other PGI2 analogs (e.g. cicaprost and iloprost), beraprost-induced relaxation was practically abolished by a selective voltage and Ca2+-activated K+ (MaxiK, BK) channel blocker Iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) or by tetraethylammonium (2 x 10(-3) M). The relaxation induced by beraprost was not significantly affected by other K+ channel blockers glibenclamide (10(-6) M) or Ba2+ (10(-5) M), but was slightly attenuated by 4-aminopyridine (10(-4) M). Beraprost increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels, suggesting a role for cyclic AMP-dependent pathways. A selective inhibitor of cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase, RO-20-1724 (10(-4) M), significantly potentiated beraprost-induced relaxation. Iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) completely counteracted this potentiation. Moreover, tension decrement due to forskolin (3 x 10(-7) M) or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (10(-2) M) was thoroughly restored by Iberiotoxin (10(-7) M), confirming a role for a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism. However, SQ 22,536 (10(-4) M), an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, did not affect beraprost-induced relaxation though it almost totally inhibited the elevation of cyclic AMP contents induced by beraprost, suggesting the existence of an additional mechanism that is cyclic AMP-independent. Moreover, cholera toxin (CTX, 1 microg/ml for 6 h), which activates the stimulatory G protein of adenylyl cyclase (Gs), significantly suppressed PGF2alpha-induced contraction both in the absence and presence of SQ 22,536 (10(-4) M). Iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) was also capable of restoring the relaxation induced by CTX. These findings suggest that MaxiK channel plays a primary role in mediating smooth muscle relaxation following stimulation of IP receptor with beraprost in guinea-pig aorta. Both cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent pathways contribute to the MaxiK channel-mediated relaxation following IP receptor stimulation in this vascular tissue. Direct regulation of MaxiK channels by Gs may partly account for the cyclic AMP-independent relaxant mechanism.

Topics: 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; Adenine; Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Cholera Toxin; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epoprostenol; Female; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; Guinea Pigs; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Male; Potassium Channel Blockers; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; Receptors, Epoprostenol; Receptors, Prostaglandin; Signal Transduction; Vasodilation; Vasodilator Agents

To elucidate the effect of Beraprost, a stable prostaglandin (PG) I2 analogue, on airway smooth muscle functions and its mechanism of action, we studied canine bronchial segments under isometric conditions in vitro. Addition of PGI2 and its analogues dose-dependently relaxed bronchial smooth muscle precontracted with acetylcholine, with the rank order of potency being Beraprost (1) > or = Hoprost (0.65) > PGI2 (0.04), accompanied by the corresponding increase in intracellular cyclic AMP levels. The Beraprost- and PGI2-induced muscle relaxations were significantly inhibited by each of the PG antagonist diphloretin phosphate, the adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22,536, and the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase inhibitor ouabain. Beraprost and PGI2 at concentrations insufficient to cause muscle relaxation reduced the contractile responses to electrical field stimulation, whereas they were without effect on those to exogenous acetylcholine. These results suggest that Beraprost not only potently relaxes airway smooth muscle through cyclic AMP production and the subsequent stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase but also reduces neurally mediated contraction by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine from the cholinergic nerve terminals.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Adenine; Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Animals; Bronchi; Dogs; Electric Stimulation; Epoprostenol; Female; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle Relaxation; Muscle, Smooth; Ouabain; Polyphloretin Phosphate; Potassium Chloride; Prostaglandin Antagonists; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase