Interação entre angiotensina-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] e bradicinina (BK) foi determinada no mesentério de ratos Wistar anestesiados utilizando-se microscopia intravital. Aplicação tópica de BK e Ang-(1-7) induziram vasodilatação que foi abolida por HOE-140 e A-779, respectivamente. Ang-(1-7) (100 pmol) potencializou a vasodilatação de BK (1 pmol) mas não a vasodilatação promovida por acetilcolina, nitroprussiato de sódio, histamina e ácido araquidônico. O efeito potencializador de Ang-(1-7) sobre BK foi abolido por A-779, HOE-140, indometacina, L-NAME e TEA, entretanto, losartan não bloqueou este efeito. Enalaprilato aumentou a resposta vasodilatadora de BK e Ang-(1-7) e não alterou o efeito potencializador do segundo sobre o primeiro. Conclui-se que: 1)efeito potencializador de Ang-(1-7) sobre BK depende da interação de ambos com seus respectivos receptores; 2)é dependente de óxido nítrico, produtos da cicloxigenase e hiperpolarização de membrana via canais de potássio; 3) o mecanismo de potencialização parece não depender da atividade catalítica da ECA. / The interaction between angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] and bradykinin (BK) was determined in the mesentery of anesthetized Wistar rats using intravital microscopy. The response-induced by topical application of BK (1, 10 and 30 pmol), Ang-(1-7) (1, 10, 100 and 1000 pmol) and Ang-(1-7) (100 pmol) + BK (1 pmol) was determined in mesenteric arterioles (15-20 mm diameter). The BK (1 pmol)- and Ang-(1-7) (100 pmol)- induced vasodilation was abolished by BK B2 receptor antagonist HOE-140 (100 pmol applied during 60 seconds) and the Ang-(1-7) antagonist [d-Ala7]-Ang-(1-7)] (A-779) (100 pmol applied during 15 seconds), respectively. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg; IM, 30 min before), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor; L-NAME (10 nmol; topical application, 3 min before), a NO synthase inhibitor, decreased the Ang-(1-7)-induced vasodilation. However, TEA (90 pmol; topical application), a non specific K+ channels blocker, did not alter the response to BK or Ang-(1-7). BK (1 pmol)-induced vasodilation, however, was potentiated by Ang-(1-7) 100 pmol. Sodium nitroprusside (38 pmol), acetylcholine (1,6 nmol), histamine (5,4 nmol) and arachdonic acid (10 nmol) responses were not modified by Ang-(1-7) 100 pmol. The Ang-(1-7)-potentiating effect on BK-induced vasodilation was abolished by A-779, HOE-140, indomethacin, L-NAME and TEA. Losartan (15 mg/kg.IV, 40 min before), an AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist was without effect. On the other hand, enalaprilat treatment (10 mg/kg; IV, 30 min before), to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), enhanced the BK and Ang-(1-7)-induced vasodilation but did not modify the effect of Ang-(1-7) on BK vasodilation. In conclusion, the potentiation of BK-induced vasodilation by Ang-(1-7) is a receptor-mediated phenomenon dependent on cyclooxygenase-related products, NO release and K+ channel-mediated membrane hyperpolarization. The potentiating mechanism, apparently, is not related to ACE catalytic activity.

A lesão pulmonar aguda é caracterizada por inflamação pulmonar podendo ser induzida diretamente (LPD), por inalação de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), ou indiretamente (LPI), por mediadores inflamatórios liberados por órgãos distantes após lesão de isquemia e reperfusão (IR). A Bradicinina, mediador inflamatório, pode agir em dois receptores, um constitutivo (B2R), e um induzido por citocinas inflamatórias (B1R). Neste trabalho verificamos o papel do B1R em modelos de LPD e LPI. Em camundongos C57bl/6, a LPD foi induzida por tratamento intra-nasal com LPS, e a LPI foi induzida por 45 minutos de IR renal. Observamos alterações pulmonares em ambos os modelos de lesão 24 horas após o insulto, como aumento de infiltrado celular, hiperreatividade pulmonar à metacolina, aumento de permeabilidade vascular, e citocinas pró-inflamatórias. Bloqueamos o B1R com antagonista e vimos que a lesão pulmonar foi diminuída em ambos os modelos de lesão. Assim, sugerimos que o B1R contribui tanto para a LPD, induzida por LPS, quanto para a LPI, induzida por IR renal. / The acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by lung inflammation and can be induced directly by lipopolysaccharides inhalation, or indirectly, by systemic inflammatory mediators released from distant organs after and ischemia and reperfusion injury (IRI). Bradykinin, an inflammatory mediator, can act in two different receptors; one is constitutive (B2R), whereas the other is induced by inflammatory cytokines (B1R). We aimed to study the role of B1R in models of direct and indirect ALI. Direct ALI was induced by LPS instillation in C57bl/6 mice, while indirect ALI was induced by 45 minutes of renal IRI. In both injuries, 24 hours after insult, animals presented an increase in cellular infiltration, vascular permeability, hyperreactivity to methacholine, and an up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lungs. We blocked the B1R using antagonist and observed that the lung injury was attenuated in both injury models. Thus, we suggest that B1R has an important role in the development of both, direct ALI, induced by LPS, and indirect ALI induced by renal IRI.

Orientador: Sonia Jancar / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T23:40:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Landgraf_RichardtGama_D.pdf: 1629843 bytes, checksum: d732dae7c868194b49b83ed52b21a953 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: A asma é uma doença inflamatória crônica que envolve, simultaneamente, a participação de diversos tipos celulares, citocinas e mediadores inflamatórios. Apesar do grande número de estudos sobre o papel da bradicinina e do óxido nítrico (NO) na asma, vários aspectos não foram abordados e outros são controversos. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram, em modelo murino de asma: 1) caracterizar alguns parâmetros da inflamação pulmonar como infiltrado de eosinófilos e linfócitos (CD4 +, CD8 +, B, T?d e NK1.1) no espaço aéreo, reatividade das vias aéreas à metacolina e produção de muco e avaliar o efeito de antagonistas de receptor induzível (B1) e constitutivo (B2) da bradicinina nestes parâmetros; 2) comparar o efeito da supressão aguda da síntese de NO (por tratamento com inibidores da síntese) com a ausência constitucional da iNOS (utilizando animais deficientes para este gene) nestes parâmetros; 3) avaliar a cinética da expressão da iNOS no pulmão e o tipo celular responsável pela produção de NO na fase inicial da inflamação alérgica pulmonar. Camundongos foram sensibilizados por injeção intraperitoneal de ovalbumina utilizando hidróxido de alumínio como adjuvante. Uma dose de reforço foi administrada após 7 dias e o desafio antigênico realizado no 14º e 21º dia por aerosol. Os antagonistas de receptores da bradicinina e os inibidores de NO foram administrados por via intraperitoneal 30 minutos antes de cada desafio antigênico. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o tratamento com o antagonista do receptor induzível B1 da bradicinina (R-954) reduziu significativamente o número de eosinófilos no BAL, a hiperreatividade das vias aéreas e a secreção de muco, entretanto não alterou o número de linfócitos no BAL. Por outro lado, o tratamento com o antagonista do receptor constitutivo B2 da bradicinina (HOE-140) aumentou o número de eosinófilos e linfócitos no BAL, porém, não alterou a hiperreatividade das vias aéreas nem a secreção de muco. Estes efeitos dos antagonistas foram semelhantes nas linhagens C57Bl/6 e BALB/c. Estes resultados sugerem que, neste modelo de inflamação alérgica pulmonar, a ativação dos receptores constitutivos da bradicinina regula negativamente a inflamação enquanto que a ativação dos receptores induzíveis regula positivamente. O tratamento com os inibidores de NO, L-NAME ou aminoguanidina, diminuiu o número de eosinófilos e linfócitos no BAL, a hiperreatividade das vias aéreas e a secreção de muco. Surpreendentemente, camundongos deficientes para o gene da iNOS apresentaram inflamação das vias aéreas semelhantes aos camundongos não deficientes, e o tratamento destes camundongos com os inibidores de NO não afetou nenhum dos parâmetros avaliados. Estes dados mostram que a inibição aguda da iNOS tem efeito anti-inflamatório neste modelo de asma, enquanto que a ausência constitutiva desta enzima não tem efeito. Observamos ainda que no BAL obtido 12 horas após o desafio antigênico, as células que expressam marcador fluorescente de NO são células com núcleo polimórfico. Isto coincidiu com o pico de infiltração de neutrófilos para o BAL e com o pico de expressão da iNOS no pulmão. Estes resultados sugerem que neutrófilos do BAL produzem NO na fase inicial da asma murina. Assim, nossos estudos contribuíram para uma melhor compreensão do papel dos receptores constitutivos e induzidos da bradicinina, na asma e sugeriram que a utilização de antagonistas do receptor B1 poderia ter um efeito protetor. Além disso, a demonstração da produção de NO por neutrófilos que migraram para o BAL na fase inicial da inflamação alérgica sugere que inibidores da síntese de NO possam ter efeito protetor quando utilizados em fase precoce da estimulação antigênica / Absract: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves simultaneously several cell types, cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Despite the large number of publications dealing with the role of nitric oxide (NO) and bradykinin in asthma, several aspects of the disease were not addressed and some are controvertial. In the present study, using a murine model of asthma, we: 1) characterized some parameters of pulmonary inflammation such as airways infiltration of eosinophil and lymphocytes (CD4 +, CD8 +, B, T?d e NK1.1), airways reactivity to methacholine and mucus secretion and evaluated the effect of antagonists of the inducible (B1) and constitutive (B2) bradikinin receptors in these parameters; 2) compared the effect of acute suppression of NO synthesis (by treatment with NO inhibitors) with the absence of iNOS (using mice deficient for this gene) on these parameters; 3) evaluated the temporal profile of iNOS expression in the lungs and the cell type responsible for lung NO production in the initial phase of lung inflammation. Mice were sensitized by ip injection of ovalbumin using alum as adjuvant. One booster was administered after 7 days and antigen challenge performed on day 14 and 21 by aerosol. The bradykinin receptor antagonists and the NO inhibitors were given ip, 30 min before each challenge. The results obtained show that treatment with the B1 receptor antagonist, R-954 significantly reduced the number of eosinophils in the BAL, airways hyperreactivity and mucus secretion but did not alter the number of BAL lymphocytes. Treatment with the constitutive (B2) bradykinin receptor,HOE-140), however, increased eosinophils and BAL lymphocytes number, but had no effect on airways hyperreactivity nor in mucus secretion. These effects of the antagonists were observed in both, C57Bl/6 e BALB/c mice. These results suggest that, in this model of lung inflammation, activation of constitutive bradykinin receptors would down-regulate the inflammation whereas activation of the inducible receptor would have a pro-inflammatory effect. Treatment with NO inhibitors, L-NAME or aminoguanidine, reduced eosinophils and lymphocytes in BAL, airways hyperreactivity and mucus secretion. Surprisingly, in mice deficient of iNOS gene the airways inflammation was similar to that observed in iNOS sufficient mice and treatment of the deficient mice with the NO inhibitors did not affect the parameters analyzed. These results show that acute inhibition of iNOS has anti-inflammatory effect in this model of asthma whereas the absence of this enzyme has no effect. It was also observed that in the BAL collected 12h after antigen challenge, the cells that expressed a fluorescent NO marker were cells with polymorphic nucleous. This was coincident with the peak of neutrophils infiltration to the BAL and with the peak expression of lung iNOS. These results suggest that BAL neutrophils produce NO in the initial phase of murine asthma. Thus, our studies contributed for a better understanding of the role of the constitutive and inducible bradykinin in asthma and suggest that antagonists of B1 receptor could have a beneficial effect on asthma. Moreover, the demonstration of NO production by neutrófilos that had migrated to the BAL suggests that NO synthesis inhibitors would have a beneficial effect when administered early after antigenic stimulation / Doutorado / Doutor em Farmacologia

Óxido nítrico (NO) obtido a partir de fonts exógenas estimula a via de sinalização Ras/MAP cinases ERK1/2 em células endoteliais de coelho (RAEC). A ativação desta via também envolve a transativação do receptor de EGF (EGFR) mediada por ERK1/2 (Oliveira, 2003). Agora, nós avaliamos os efeitos de NO gerado endogenamente por bradicinina e \"shear stress\" sobre a fosforilação de resíduos de tirosina em EGFR e no processo de angiogênese; Nós encontramos que após estímulo com bradicinina (1 M) ou \"shear stress\" (16 dynes/cm2) a isoforma endotelial de NO sintetase (eNOS) foi ativada em células RAEC e HUVEC. Além disso, o aumento na produção de NO correlaciona-se com um aumento na fosforilação em resíduos de tirosina de EGFR conforme verificado por imunoprecipitação e western blot. Para determinar a capacidade angiogênica da via de sinalização NO-EGFR, nós usamos um ensaio in vitro baseado em Matrigel®. Em adição nós analisamos as vias de sinalização envolvidas no processo. Nós mostramos que bradicina e \"shear stress\" induz a formação de estruturas semelhantes a capilares em células HUVEC cultivadas em Matrigel®. Células HUVEC expressando um mutante de EGFR com atividade de tirosina cinase defective não forma estruturas semelhantes a capilares após estímulo com bradicinina ou \"shear stress\". Reunidos, estes achados nos sugerem que a ativação da via de NO e EGFR é necessária na promoção de angiogênese em células HUVEC / Nitric oxide (NO) obtained from exogenous sources stimulated the Ras/MAP kinases ERK1/2 signaling pathway in rabbit endothelial cells (RAEC). Activation of this pathway also involved the transactivation of the EGF receptor (EGF-R) mediated by ERK1/2 (FRBM 35:381; 2003). Now, we evaluate the effects of endogenously generated NO elicited by bradykinin and fluid laminar \"shear stress\" on tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF receptor and in the process of angiogenesis. We found that upon stimulation with bradykinin (1 M) or under shear stress conditions (16 dynes/cm2) the endothelial isoform of NO synthase was activated in RAEC and in human endothelial cells (HUVEC). Furthermore, increase in NO production correlated with enhanced phosphorylation of tyrosine residues of the EGF-R as seen by immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis. To determine the importance of the NO-EGFR signaling pathway in angiogenesis, we used the Matrigel®-based in vitro assay for angiogenesis. In addition, we analyzed the signaling pathway involved in the process. We showed that bradykinin and shear stress induced the formation of capillary-like structures in HUVEC cultures grown in Matrigel®. HUVEC expressing a mutant of the EGF-R lacking tyrosine kinase activity did not form capillary-like structures upon stimulation with bradykinin or shear stress conditions. Taken together, these findings suggest that the activation of the NO-EGFR signaling pathway is necessary to promote angiogenesis in HUVEC

Os hormônios peptídicos Angiotensina II (Ang II) e bradicinina (BK) ativam transdução de sinal através da ligação a Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G (GPCR). Este trabalho propõe o estudo de propriedades conformacionais, através de espectroscopia de fluorescência da Ang II e BK e de seus análogos contendo o marcador de spin ácido 2,2,6,6-tetrametilpiperidina-1-oxil-4-amino-4-carboxílico, TOAC (TOAC1-Ang II, TOAC3-Ang II, TOAC0-BK, TOAC3-BK). Os peptídeos foram estudados em solução (efeito do pH) e também na presença de membranas modelo, micelas e bicamadas, formadas por anfifílicos zwitteriônicos ou aniônicos. Foi monitorada a fluorescência intrínseca dos resíduos aromáticos (Tyr4 na Ang II e Phe5 e Phe8 na BK). O efeito de supressão da fluorescência pelo TOAC foi utilizado para obter informação sobre a proximidade desse resíduo aos grupos fluoróforos. Foi observada dependência da fluorescência com o pH e regiões de pKs dos grupamentos ionizáveis. Os espectros evidenciaram também a interação peptídeo-membrana modelo. Interações mais fortes ocorreram entre os peptídeos e membranas com carga superficial negativa, evidenciando a importância de interações eletrostáticas para a ligação. Porém, interações hidrofóbicas também estão envolvidas, como verificado pela ligação dos peptídeos a membranas zwitteriônicas. Estudos com variação de pH também mostraram o papel dessa variável na interação peptídeo-membrana e a alteração de pKs de resíduos ionizáveis decorrentes da interação. A titulação com concentrações crescentes de membranas permitiu o cálculo das constantes de associação. A ligação a membranas é função da conformação dos peptídeos. Em particular, a presença de TOAC na posição 3 parece diminuir a afinidade desses análogos por membranas. Supressão de fluorescência foi efetuada empregando três diferentes abordagens: 1) supressão pela molécula aquossolúvel acrilamida, 2) supressão da fluorescência de fosfolipídeos contendo o fluoróforo NBD em diferentes posições da molécula pelos análogos marcados com TOAC, 3) supressão da fluorescência dos peptídeos por ésteres metílicos do ácido esteárico contendo o grupamento nitróxido em diferentes posições da cadeia. Esses estudos permitiram determinar a localização dos peptídeos na interface água-membrana. Medidas de anisotropia de fluorescência também evidenciaram a ligação dos peptídeos a membranas, revelando maior imobilidade dos mesmos nessas condições. Foi ainda estudado um peptídeo que contém os resíduos 92-100 (fEL1) do receptor AT1 de Ang II humano. Predições baseadas na estrutura cristalina da rodopsina estimam que essa seqüência localiza-se na primeira alça extra-celular do receptor. A seqüência contém a Tyr92, considerada um resíduo importante para a ligação hormônio-receptor. Resultados preliminares sugeriram que fEL1 interage com Ang II e TOAC1-Ang II, mas não com TOAC3-Ang II. Este último resultado provavelmente deve-se à dobra causada por TOAC que restringe a liberdade de movimento do esqueleto peptídico. Essa característica provavelmente determina a falta de atividade biológica de TOAC3-Ang II e TOAC3-BK, enquanto os análogos marcados no N-terminal retém atividade parcial (Nakaie et al., 2002). Tem sido proposto que peptídeos ligantes de GPCR se ligariam à bicamada lipídica e atingiriam seu receptor através da difusão pela bicamada. Em solução aquosa essas moléculas são flexíveis, existindo um equilíbrio dinâmico entre várias conformações. A ligação à bicamada lipídica estabilizaria uma ou algumas conformações, entre elas aquela que o ligante adota ao ligar-se ao receptor. O presente estudo contribui para a compreensão, a nível molecular, do processo de interação entre os hormônios peptídicos e membranas lipídicas. / The peptide hormones Angiotensin II (Ang II) and bradykinin (BK) trigger signal transduction by binding to G Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCR). This work proposes the study of conformational properties of Ang II and BK, as well as their analogues containing the spin label 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid, TOAC (TOAC1-Ang II, TOAC3-Ang II, TOAC0-BK, TOAC3-BK) making use of fluorescence spectroscopy. Studies were performed in solution (effect of pH) and also of the interaction between the peptides and model membranes - micelles and bilayers - formed by amphiphiles, either zwitterionic or negatively charged. The intrinsic fluorescence of aromatic residues (Tyr4 in Ang II and Phe5 and Phe8 in BK) was monitored. Fluorescence quenching by the TOAC-carrying analogues provided information about the proximity between TOAC and the fluorophores. The fluorescence was pH-dependent and evinced regions corresponding to pKs of ionizable groups. Peptide-model membrane interactions were also examined. Stronger interactions were detected between the peptides and membranes formed by negatively charged amphiphiles, pointing to the importance of electrostatic interactions for binding. However, hydrophobic interactions were also involved, as suggested by the fact that the peptides also bound to zwitterionic membranes. Variable pH studies showed the effect of this parameter on peptide-membrane interaction. The peptide-membrane interactions promoted changes in the pKs of ionizable residues. Titrations with increasing membrane concentrations allowed calculation of binding constants. Binding to membranes is a function of peptide conformation. In particular, TOAC at position 3 seems to decrease the affinity of both Ang II and BK for membranes. Fluorescence quenching studies made use of three different approaches: 1) quenching by water soluble acrylamide, 2) quenching of the fluorescence of phospholipids carrying the fluorescent group NBD in different positions by the spin-labeled TOAC-bearing analogues, 3) quenching of the peptides fluorescence by methyl esters of stearic acid containing the nitroxide moiety at different positions in the acyl chain. These studies indicated that the peptides are located at the water-membrane interface. Measurements of fluorescence anisotropy also evinced binding of the peptides to the membranes and showed that the peptides undergo more restricted motion under these conditions. A peptide containing residues 92-100 (fEL1) of the Ang II AT1 human receptor was also studied. Predictions based on rhodopsin crystalline structure estimate that this sequence is located in the receptor´s first extra-cellular loop. Preliminary results suggest that fEL1 interacts with Ang II and TOAC1-Ang II, but not TOAC3-Ang II. This latter result is probably due to the TOAC-induced bend that restricts the freedom of motion of the peptide backbone. This feature is probably the cause of lack of biological activity of TOAC3-Ang II and TOAC3-BK, while the N-terminally labeled analogues retain partial activity (Nakaie et al., 2002). GPCR-binding peptides have been proposed to bind to the lipid bilayer and reach their receptors by diffusion in the bilayer. In aqueous solution these molecules exist as a dynamic equilibrium between various flexible conformations, among them, the receptor-bound conformation. The present study provides contributions for the understanding, at the molecular level, of the interaction between the peptide hormones and lipid membranes.

This thesis examined how and why TRPV1 function is being modulated in sensory neuropathy and explored the potential of its rescue in the urinary bladder of STZ-­‐induced diabetic rats. Diabetes induced a rapid decline in TRPV1 function and changes in neurogenically mediated electrically-­‐evoked responses together with a gradual decline in muscarinic function. Diabetic bladder was also deficient in muscarinic and TRPV1 organ bath temperature-­‐induced changes but not in those affecting spontaneous contractile activity. Exposure to a potential neuropathy causative agent, methylglyoxal was studied and its mechanism of action explored through the use of TRPA1 ligands. Methylglyoxal exposure mimicked some of the effects of diabetes on TRPV1, neurogenic electrically evoked responses and muscarinic function. Methylglyoxal effects were seen to be partly through TRPA1 receptor activation but other as yet undefined pathways were also involved. Use of TRPA1 ligands revealed an unexpected complexity of the interaction of the TRPA1 receptor with TRPV1. Finally the potential of reversing the diminished TRPV1 response was examined through the use of three known sensitising agents, bradykinin, NGF and insulin. Bradykinin was the only agent seen to reverse the TRPV1 diminished response back up to to control equivalent levels and through the use of bradykinin selective ligands, it was seen that the dual activation of BK-­‐1 and BK-­‐2 receptor was necessary to rescue the TRPV1 response. The likely mechanism of action of bradykinin was through prostaglandin production as indomethacin blocked TRPV1 rescue. In the acute stage of diabetes, TRPV1 function is downregulated and may be caused by exposure to a neuropathy-­‐causing metabolite such as methylglyoxal. The TRPV1 function still retains plasticity at this acute stage because function could be enhanced back to control levels by bradykinin receptor activation : a potential for early therapeutic intervention.

Nous avons préalablement démontré que l'endothéline-1 (ET-1), un peptide vasoconstricteur de 21 acides aminés, joue un rôle central dans le métabolisme des tissus articulaires et a des fonctions cataboliques sur le cartilage articulaire dans l'ostéoarthrose, en liant son récepteur de type A (ETA). Suite à la relâche du nonapeptide vasodilatateur bradykinine (BK), et l'augmentation d'expression du récepteur B1 des kinines (BKB1), ces médiateurs engendrent un cycle d'inflammation, une destruction du cartilage, et une douleur articulaire. Lors de cette étude, l'efficacité thérapeutique des antagonistes spécifiques du ETA et/ou BKB1 dans un modèle animal d'ostéoarthrose a été testée. Notre hypothèse est que l'antagonisme va diminuer la progression de la pathologie et de la douleur articulaire. L'ostéoarthrose a été induite chez des rats par rupture chirurgicale du ligament croisé antérieur. Les animaux ont été traités par injections intra articulaire hebdomadaires des antagonistes peptidiques spécifiques du ETA et/ou BKB1. La douleur articulaire a été évaluée par le test d'incapacitance statique durant les deux mois postopératoires ; la morphologie articulaire a été examinée post mortem par radiologie et histologie. On constate que le traitement a diminué la douleur et a préservé la morphologie articulaire ; la double inhibition a été plus efficace que la simple inhibition. En conclusion, l'antagonisme double d'ETA et BKB1 améliore la douleur chronique et prévient la dégradation articulaire dans l'ostéoarthrose, ce qui suggère que ces récepteurs peuvent être des cibles thérapeutiques potentiels pour le traitement de cette pathologie. / The author's laboratory has previously shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1), a 21-residue vasoconstrictive peptide, plays a central role in joint tissue metabolism, and has a catabolic function in matrix collagen degradation in osteoarthritis. These effects occur primarily through ligation of the endothelin-1 receptor A subtype (ETA). The subsequent release of the nonapeptide vasodilator bradykinin (BK) in the joint microenvironment, and up-regulation of bradykinin receptor B1 (BKB1) expression, engenders a vicious cycle of synovial membrane inflammation, articular cartilage destruction, and joint pain. In the present work, we describe a preclinical study of the efficacy of treatment of surgically induced osteoarthritis with ETA and/or BKB1 specific peptide antagonists. We hypothesize that antagonism will diminish osteoarthritis progress and articular pain. Osteoarthritis was surgically induced in rats by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. Animals were subsequently treated with weekly intra-articular injections of specific peptide antagonists of ETA and BKB1. Hind limb pain was measured by the static weight bearing test for two months post-operatively. Post-mortem, knee joints were analyzed radiologically and histologically. Local antagonist treatment diminished overall limb pain, and accelerated postoperative recovery, after disease induction. Treatment also protected joint radiomorphology and histomorphology, with dual antagonism being slightly more protective. ETA and BKB1 dual antagonism improves chronic pain and prevents joint degradation in osteoarthritis. They therefore represent a novel therapeutic target: specific receptor dual antagonism may prove beneficial in disease management.

INTRODUCTION : L’utilisation de la circulation extracorporelle durant la chirurgie cardiaque est associée à des problèmes pulmonaires chez certains patients. L’utilisation d’une pression pulsatile induite par un ballon intra-aortique (BIA) pourrait diminuer la dysfonction endothéliale et la survenue de tels événements. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE : 12 porcs Landrace-Yorkshire ont subi une circulation extracorporelle et ont été divisés en deux groupes et 4 porcs ont servi de contrôles sans CEC. Le premier groupe (n=6) a bénéficié d’un flot pulsatile créé par un BIA en mode interne à 80 battements par minute durant les 90 minutes de l’opération alors que le second groupe (n=6) a subi une CEC standard. Après 60 minutes de reperfusion suivant la CEC, les valeurs hémodynamiques ont été évaluées dont les pressions artérielles, les pressions pulmonaires, l’index cardiaque et la concentration de glucose et de lactate. Les artères pulmonaires sont ensuite montées en chambre d’organe pour évaluer la fonction endothéliale. RÉSULTATS : Les porcs avec pression pulsatile ont tendance à produire moins de lactate sanguin après 60 minutes de reperfusion. Les autres valeurs hémodynamiques sont semblables. Finalement, la relaxation à la bradykinine est significativement meilleure dans le groupe pression pulsatile alors que la relaxation à l’acétylcholine n’est pas significativement différente. CONCLUSION : Ces résultats démontrent que la perfusion pulsatile produite par un BIA protège l’endothélium pulmonaire lors d'une CEC. Cet effet pourrait être dû à une augmentation du flot bronchique qui diminuerait l’ischémie pulmonaire ou à une diminution de la libération de cytokines et de bradykinine qui réduirait les dommages de reperfusion. / INTRODUCTION : Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery leads to postoperative pulmonary complications. The use of pulsatile pressure with an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) could preserve the endothelial function and decrease the occurence of pulmonary problems. MATERIAL AND METHODS : Twelve Landrace-Yorkshire swine were divided into two groups, one group (n=6) received pulsatile perfusion under CPB from an IABP in an internal mode at 80 beats per minute (bpm) and the other (n=6) had a standard CPB of 90 minutes. A third group (n=4) has been used as controls without CPB. The two first groups underwent aortic clamping for 80 minutes with administration of intermittent blood cardioplegia. After 60 minutes of reperfusion following of bypass, swine were sacrificed and pulmonary arteries were harvested. Haemodynamic values were calculated including pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP), mean arterial pressures (mAP), lactate production, blood glucose and cardiac index. Pulmonary arteries were placed in organ chambers and vascular reactivity studies were performed. RESULTS : There was a trend towards lower lactate production with use of pulsatile perfusion after 60 minutes of reperfusion. All other hemodynamics were not significally different in both groups. Relaxation to bradykinin was greater in pulsatile group while relaxation to acetylcholine did not differ. CONCLUSION : IABP induced pulsatile pressure protect the pulmonary endothelium during CPB. This could be explained by an increase in blood flow through the bronchial arteries or by a decreased release of cytokines or bradykinin which could reduce reperfusion damage.

This study investigated the role of opioid, adenosine, bradykinin, and calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) receptors, and potential ‘cross-talk’ among suspected G-protein coupled receptors in a humoral model of remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) cardioprotection. Compared to Control dialysate (from non-preconditioned donor rabbit blood), rIPC dialysate (from remotely preconditioned blood) reduced cell death in rabbit cardiomyocytes following simulated ischemia and reperfusion. Non-selective, δ-, or κ-opioid receptor blockade and non-selective adenosine receptor blockade abolished rIPC dialysate protection; whereas, bradykinin B2 and CGRP receptor blockade had no effect. Non-selective adenosine receptor blockade fully and partially abolished protection by κ- and δ-opioid receptors, respectively. Multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry detected low levels of adenosine, and other preconditioning substances, in the dialysate. An increase in extracellular adenosine was not detected during opioid-induced preconditioning to explain this cross-talk. These results suggest that δ-opioid, κ-opioid, adenosine receptors, and opioid-adenosine cross-talk are involved in rIPC of freshly isolated cardiomyocytes.

This study investigated the role of opioid, adenosine, bradykinin, and calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) receptors, and potential ‘cross-talk’ among suspected G-protein coupled receptors in a humoral model of remote ischemic preconditioning (rIPC) cardioprotection. Compared to Control dialysate (from non-preconditioned donor rabbit blood), rIPC dialysate (from remotely preconditioned blood) reduced cell death in rabbit cardiomyocytes following simulated ischemia and reperfusion. Non-selective, δ-, or κ-opioid receptor blockade and non-selective adenosine receptor blockade abolished rIPC dialysate protection; whereas, bradykinin B2 and CGRP receptor blockade had no effect. Non-selective adenosine receptor blockade fully and partially abolished protection by κ- and δ-opioid receptors, respectively. Multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry detected low levels of adenosine, and other preconditioning substances, in the dialysate. An increase in extracellular adenosine was not detected during opioid-induced preconditioning to explain this cross-talk. These results suggest that δ-opioid, κ-opioid, adenosine receptors, and opioid-adenosine cross-talk are involved in rIPC of freshly isolated cardiomyocytes.