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Anders Arner

Publications and source records attributed to Anders Arner.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lung dysfunction causes systemic hypoxia in estrogen receptor beta knockout (ERbeta-/-) mice.

Estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) is highly expressed in both type I and II pneumocytes as well as bronchiolar epithelial cells. ERalpha is not detectable in the adult lung. Lungs of adult female ERbeta knockout (ERbeta-/-) mice have already been reported to have fewer alveoli and reduced elastic recoil. In this article, we report that, by 5 months of age, there are large areas of unexpanded alveoli in lungs of both male and female ERbeta-/- mice. There is increased staining for collagen and, by EM, abnormal clusters of collagen fibers are seen in the alveolar septa of ERbeta-/- mice. Immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting with lung membrane fractions of ERbeta-/- mice revealed down-regulation of caveolin-1, increased expression of membrane type-1 metalloproteinase, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (active form), and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 2. Hypoxia, measured by immunohistochemical analysis for hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha and chemical adducts (with Hypoxyprobe), was evident in the heart, ventral prostate, periovarian sac, kidney, liver, and brain of ERbeta-/- mice under resting conditions. Furthermore, both male and female adult ERbeta-/- mice were reluctant to run on a treadmill and tissue hypoxia became very pronounced after exercise. We conclude that ERbeta is necessary for the maintenance of the extracellular matrix composition in the lung and loss of ERbeta leads to abnormal lung structure and systemic hypoxia. Systemic hypoxia may be responsible for the reported left and right heart ventricular hypertrophy and systemic hypertension in ERbeta-/- mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Positive inotropic effects by uridine triphosphate (UTP) and uridine diphosphate (UDP) via P2Y2 and P2Y6 receptors on cardiomyocytes and release of UTP in man during myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was to examine a possible role for extracellular pyrimidines as inotropic factors for the heart. First, nucleotide plasma levels were measured to evaluate whether UTP is released in patients with coronary heart disease. Then, inotropic effects of pyrimidines were examined in isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Finally, expression of pyrimidine-selective receptors (a subgroup of the P2 receptors) was studied in human and mouse heart, using real time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Venous plasma levels of UTP were increased (57%) in patients with myocardial infarction. In electrically stimulated cardiomyocytes the stable P2Y(2/4) agonist UTPgammaS increased contraction by 52%, similar to beta1-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol (65%). The P2Y6-agonist UDPbetaS also increased cardiomyocyte contraction (35%), an effect abolished by the P2Y6-blocker MRS2578. The phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 inhibited both the UDPbetaS and the UTPgammaS-induced inotropic effect, indicating an IP3-mediated effect via P2Y6 receptors. The P2Y14 agonist UDP-glucose was without effect. Quantification of mRNA with real time polymerase chain reaction revealed P2Y2 as the most abundant pyrimidine receptor expressed in cardiomyocytes from man. Presence of P2Y6 receptor mRNA was detected in both species and confirmed at protein level with Western blot and immunohistochemistry in man. In conclusion, UTP levels are increased in humans during myocardial infarction, giving the first evidence for UTP release in man. UTP is a cardiac inotropic factor most likely by activation of P2Y2 receptors in man. For the first time we demonstrate inotropic effects of UDP, mediated by P2Y6 receptors via an IP3-dependent pathway. Thus, the extracellular pyrimidines (UTP and UDP) could be important inotropic factors involved in the development of cardiac disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Developmental regulation of nerve and receptor mediated contractions of mammalian urinary bladder smooth muscle.

The development of nerve-induced activation, receptor properties and cellular signalling was examined by comparing the urinary bladder of new-born (0-2 days) and adult mice. Tissue strips were isolated and the effects of different neuromuscular agents on force were investigated during electrical field stimulation. The nerve-induced contractions of the urinary bladders from new-born mice were less influenced by desensitisation with alpha, beta-methylene ATP and more sensitive to scopolamine compared with those of the adult bladder. There were no differences in alpha, beta-methylene ATP or ATP responsiveness between adult and new-born tissue, showing that the lower purinergic component of the nerve-induced responses in the new-born mice was due to properties of the transmitter release rather than to a change in receptor function. Dose-response curves for carbachol revealed a lower peak response in new-born bladders compared with adults. The phasic component of the cholinergic contractions was pronounced and initiated at low carbachol concentrations in the new-born tissue. The carbachol contractions of both new-born and adult urinary bladder tissue were inhibited by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 and by the protein kinase G activator 8-Br-cGMP. However, the sustained phase of carbachol contraction was significantly less sensitive to Y27632 and 8-Br-cGMP in new-born tissue. These results suggest that the receptor mediated calcium sensitisation mechanism is less prominent in new-born compared with adult mice and that the contractions of new-born bladders are less influenced by the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP inhibitory pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2006

Increased Rho activation and PKC-mediated smooth muscle contractility in the absence of caveolin-1.

Caveolae are omega-shaped membrane invaginations that are abundant in smooth muscle cells. Since many receptors and signaling proteins co-localize with caveolae, these have been proposed to integrate important signaling pathways. The aim of this study was to test whether RhoA/Rho-kinase and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization depends on caveolae using caveolin (Cav)-1-deficient (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. In WT smooth muscle, caveolae were detected and Cav-1, -2 and -3 proteins were expressed. Relative mRNA expression levels were approximately 15:1:1 for Cav-1, -2, and -3, respectively. Caveolae were absent in KO and reduced levels of Cav-2 and Cav-3 proteins were seen. In intact ileum longitudinal muscle, no differences in the responses to 5-HT or the muscarinic agonist carbachol were found, whereas contraction elicited by endothelin-1 was reduced. Rho activation by GTPgammaS was increased in KO compared with WT as shown using a pull-down assay. Following alpha-toxin permeabilization, no difference in Ca(2+) sensitivity or in Ca(2+) sensitization was detected. In KO femoral arteries, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-induced and PKC-mediated contraction was increased. This was associated with increased alpha(1)-adrenergic contraction. Following inhibition of PKC, alpha(1)-adrenergic contraction was normalized. PDBu-induced Ca(2+) sensitization was not increased in permeabilized femoral arteries. In conclusion, Rho activation, but not Ca(2+) sensitization, depends on caveolae in the ileum. Moreover, PKC driven arterial contraction is increased in the absence of caveolin-1. This depends on an intact plasma membrane and is not associated with altered Ca(2+) sensitivity.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed2005

Phospholipase C and cAMP-dependent positive inotropic effects of ATP in mouse cardiomyocytes via P2Y11-like receptors.

ATP is released as a cotransmitter together with catecholamines from sympathetic nerves. In the heart ATP has been shown to cause a pronounced positive inotropic effect and may also act in synergy with beta-adrenergic agonists to augment cardiomyocyte contractility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inotropic effects mediated by purinergic P2 receptors using isolated mouse cardiomyocytes. Stable adenine nucleotide analogs were used and the agonist rank order for adenine nucleotide stimulation of the mouse cardiomyocytes was AR-C67085>ATPgammaS>2-MeSATP>>>2-MeSADP=0, that fits the agonist profile of the P2Y11 receptor. ATPgammaS induced a positive inotropic response in single mouse cardiomyocytes. The response was similar to that for the beta1 receptor agonist isoproterenol. The most potent response was obtained using AR-C67085, a P2Y11 receptor agonist. This agonist also potentiated contractions in isolated trabecular preparations. The adenylyl cyclase blocker (SQ22563) and phospholipase C (PLC) blocker (U73122) demonstrated that both pathways were required for the inotropic response of AR-C67085. A cAMP enzyme immunoassay confirmed that AR-C67085 increased cAMP in the cardiomyocytes. These findings are in agreement with the P2Y11 receptor, coupled both to activation of IP3 and cAMP, being a major receptor for ATP induced inotropy. Analyzing cardiomyocytes from desmin deficient mice, Des-/-, with a congenital cardiomyopathy, we found a lower sensitivity to AR-C67085, suggesting a down-regulation of P2Y11 receptor function in heart failure. The prominent action of the P2Y11 receptor in controling cardiomyocyte contractility and possible alterations in its function during cardiomyopathy may suggest this receptor as a potential therapeutic target. It is possible that agonists for the P2Y11 receptor could be used to improve cardiac output in patients with circulatory shock and that P2Y11 receptor antagonist could be beneficial in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2005

Decreased phosphatase activity, increased Ca2+ sensitivity, and myosin light chain phosphorylation in urinary bladder smooth muscle of newborn mice.

Developmental changes in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction were examined in urinary bladder smooth muscle from mice. Maximal active stress was lower in newborn tissue compared with adult, and it was correlated with a lower content of actin and myosin. Sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+ during high-K+ contraction, was higher in newborn compared with 3-wk-old and adult bladder strips. Concentrations at half maximal tension (EC50) were 0.57 +/- 0.01, 1.14 +/- 0.12, and 1.31 +/- 0.08 mM. Force of the newborn tissue was inhibited by approximately 45% by the nonmuscle myosin inhibitor Blebbistatin, whereas adult tissue was not affected. The calcium sensitivity in newborn tissue was not affected by Blebbistatin, suggesting that nonmuscle myosin is not a primary cause for increased calcium sensitivity. The relation between intracellular [Ca2+] and force was shifted toward lower [Ca2+] in the newborn bladders. This increased Ca2+ sensitivity was also found in permeabilized muscles (EC50: 6.10 +/- 0.07, 5.77 +/- 0.08, and 5.55 +/- 0.02 pCa units, in newborn, 3-wk-old, and adult tissues). It was associated with an increased myosin light chain phosphorylation and a decreased rate of dephosphorylation. No difference was observed in the myosin light chain phosphorylation rate, whereas the rate of myosin light chain phosphatase-induced relaxation was about twofold slower in the newborn tissue. The decreased rate was associated with a lower expression of the phosphatase regulatory subunit MYPT-1 in newborn tissue. The results show that myosin light chain phosphatase activity can be developmentally regulated in mammalian urinary bladders. The resultant alterations in Ca2+ sensitivity may be of importance for the nervous and myogenic control of the newborn bladders.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Actions downstream of cyclic GMP/protein kinase G can reverse protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of CPI-17 and Ca²⁺ sensitization in smooth muscle.

Ca(2+) sensitivity of smooth muscle contraction is modulated by several systems converging on myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP). Rho-Rho kinase is considered to inhibit MLCP via phosphorylation, whereas protein kinase C (PKC) induced sensitization has been shown to be dependent on phosphorylation of the inhibitory protein CPI-17. We have explored the interaction of cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) with Ca(2+) sensitization pathways using permeabilized mouse smooth muscle. Three conditions giving approximately 50% of maximal active force were compared in small intestinal preparations: 1). Ca(2+)-activated unsensitized muscle (pCa 5.9 with Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632); 2). Rho-Rho kinase-sensitized muscle (pCa 6.1 with guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate); and 3). PKC-sensitized muscle (pCa 6.0 with Y27632 and PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate). 8-Br-cGMP relaxed the sensitized muscles but had marginal effects on unsensitized preparations, showing that PKG reverses both PKC and Rho-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization. CPI-17 was present in permeabilized intestinal tissue. In PKC-sensitized preparations, CPI-17 phosphorylation decreased in response to 8-Br-cGMP. The rate of PKC-mediated phosphorylation in the presence of the MLCP inhibitor microcystin-LR was not influenced by 8-Br-cGMP. PKC-induced Ca(2+) sensitization also was reversed in vascular smooth muscle tissues (portal vein and femoral artery). We conclude that actions downstream of cGMP/PKG can reverse PKC-mediated phosphorylation of CPI-17 and Ca(2+) sensitization in smooth muscle.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2004

Nerve induced responses and force-velocity relations of regenerated detrusor muscle after subtotal cystectomy in the rat.

AIMS: To study the pharmacological and mechanical properties of newly developed detrusor muscle after subtotal cystectomy, to explore if the regenerated detrusor has characteristics similar to the normal bladder base, from which it regenerated, or to the normal bladder body which it replaces. METHODS: Partial cystectomy was performed in female rats. Fifteen weeks later, detrusor strips were cut from supratrigonal and equatorial segments. Unoperated rats served as controls. Responses to field stimulation were obtained in the absence and presence of scopolamine, prazosin, and P2X1 blockade. Dose-response curves were obtained for carbachol, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, and phenylephrine. Force-velocity data were obtained on maximally activated chemically skinned preparations. RESULTS: Maximal contractile response to field stimulation was 60% of that to high-K+ with no difference between strips from control and cystectomy bladders. Prazosin had no effect. Scopolamine decreased maximal response of supratrigonal strips to 62 +/- 6 (controls) and 61 +/- 4% (operated) of that without blocker. For equatorial strips the decrease was to 81 +/- 5 (controls) and 58 +/- 8% (operated). Frequency-response relations were obtained during blockade with scopolamine, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, and prazosin. Supratrigonal strips showed a pronounced additional inhibition up to 40 Hz. Equatorial strips from controls were completely inhibited at all frequencies. Equatorial strips from operated bladders were inhibited up to 20 Hz but not at 40 and 60 Hz. Carbachol EC(50) values were similar in all groups. Maximum response to phenylephrine was 10-20% of high-K+ response. Maximal shortening velocity (Vmax) was similar in control supratrigonal and equatorial strips, but was significantly lower in the operated bladders. CONCLUSIONS: (1): A regional difference exists in pharmacological properties of control detrusor, with a considerable contractile response to stimulation remaining in the supratrigonal muscle after simultaneous cholinergic, adrenergic, and purinergic blockade. (2): The new detrusor was functionally well innervated with no supersensitivity to muscarinic stimulation. (3): The newly formed bladder body had pharmacological properties specific for the supratrigonal segment from which it had developed. (4): There was no regional difference in force-velocity characteristics of the control detrusor. (5): The lowered Vmax in the newly formed bladder might thus be related to growth and regeneration of muscle cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Urinary bladder contraction and relaxation: physiology and pathophysiology.

The detrusor smooth muscle is the main muscle component of the urinary bladder wall. Its ability to contract over a large length interval and to relax determines the bladder function during filling and micturition. These processes are regulated by several external nervous and hormonal control systems, and the detrusor contains multiple receptors and signaling pathways. Functional changes of the detrusor can be found in several clinically important conditions, e.g., lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and bladder outlet obstruction. The aim of this review is to summarize and synthesize basic information and recent advances in the understanding of the properties of the detrusor smooth muscle, its contractile system, cellular signaling, membrane properties, and cellular receptors. Alterations in these systems in pathological conditions of the bladder wall are described, and some areas for future research are suggested.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Modulation of Ca2+ sensitivity by cyclic nucleotides in smooth muscle from protein kinase G-deficient mice.

The cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is the main mediator of nitric oxide-induced relaxation of smooth muscle. Although this pathway is well established, the cellular action of PKG, nitric oxide, and cGMP is complex and not fully understood. A cross-talk between the cGMP-PKG and other pathways (e.g. cAMP-protein kinase A) seems to exist. We have explored cGMP- and cAMP-dependent relaxation of smooth muscle using PKG-deficient mice (cGKI-/-). In intact ileum strips of wild type mice (cGKI+/+), 8-Br-cGMP inhibited the sustained phase of carbachol contractions by approximately 80%. The initial peak was less inhibited (approximately 30%). This relaxation was associated with a reduction in intracellular [Ca2+] and decreased Ca2+ sensitivity. Contractions of cGKI-/- ileum were not influenced by 8-Br-cGMP. EC50 for 8-Br-cGMP for PKG was estimated to be 10 nm. PKG-independent relaxation by 8-Br-cGMP had an EC50 of 10 microm. Relaxation by cAMP (approximately 50% at 100 microm), Ca2+ sensitivity of force, and force potentiation by GTPgammaS were similar in cGKI+/+ and cGKI-/- tissues. The results show that PKG is the main target for cGMP-induced relaxation in intestinal smooth muscle. cGMP desensitize the contractile system to Ca2+ via PKG. PKG-independent pathways are activated at 1000-fold higher cGMP concentrations. Relaxation by cAMP can occur independently of PKG. Long term deficiency of PKG does not lead to an apparent up-regulation of the cAMP-dependent pathways or changes in Ca2+ sensitivity.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2003

Smooth, slow and smart muscle motors.

Smooth muscle is a slow and economical muscle with a large variability in contractile properties. This review describes results regarding the relation between expression of myosin isoforms and the contraction of smooth muscle. The focus of the review is on studies of the organised contractile system in the smooth muscle tissue. The role of the myosin heavy chain variants formed by alternative splicing in the myosin heavy chain tail (SM1, SM2 isoforms) and head (SM-A SM-B isoforms) regions, as well as the role of essential light chains (LC17a, LC17b isoforms) for the variability of contractile properties are discussed. Smooth muscle also has the ability to alter its contractile properties in response to altered functional demands in vivo, e.g. during hypertrophic growth of urinary bladder, intestine, uterus and vessels and in response to altered hormone levels. These alterations involve changes in myosin expression and altered contractile kinetics. Non-muscle myosin has been shown to have a contractile function in some smooth muscle tissues and recent data on the kinetic properties of non-muscle myosin filaments in smooth muscle tissue are described.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Nonmuscle Myosin motor of smooth muscle.

Nonmuscle myosin can generate force and shortening in smooth muscle, as revealed by studies of the urinary bladder from mice lacking smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) but expressing the nonmuscle myosin heavy chains A and B (NM-MHC A and B; Morano, I., G.X. Chai, L.G. Baltas, V. Lamounier-Zepter, G. Lutsch, M. Kott, H. Haase, and M. Bader. 2000. Nat. Cell Biol. 2:371-375). Intracellular calcium was measured in urinary bladders from SM-MHC-deficient and SM-MHC-expressing mice in relaxed and contracted states. Similar intracellular [Ca2+] transients were observed in the two types of preparations, although the contraction of SM-MHC-deficient bladders was slow and lacked an initial peak in force. The difference in contraction kinetics thus do not reflect differences in calcium handling. Thick filaments were identified with electron microscopy in smooth muscle cells of SM-MHC-deficient bladders, showing that NM-MHC can form filaments in smooth muscle cells. Maximal shortening velocity of maximally activated, skinned smooth muscle preparations from SM-MHC-deficient mice was significantly lower and more sensitive to increased MgADP compared with velocity of SM-MHC-expressing preparations. Active force was significantly lower and less inhibited by increased inorganic phosphate. In conclusion, large differences in nucleotide and phosphate binding exist between smooth and nonmuscle myosins. High ADP binding and low phosphate dependence of nonmuscle myosin would influence both velocity of actin translocation and force generation to promote slow motility and economical force maintenance of the cell.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Decreased shortening velocity and altered myosin isoforms in guinea-pig hypertrophic intestinal smooth muscle.

The aims of this study were to investigate whether hypertrophy of the small intestinal smooth muscle leads to alterations of myosin isoform composition and shortening velocity and whether possible changes correlate with a change in the sensitivity to ADP of shortening velocity in this tissue. A partial occlusion was introduced in the distal part of the ileum of guinea-pigs. After 2 weeks, the part of the small intestine just proximal of the stenosis was hypertrophied (indicated by a significantly increased cross-sectional area). The most proximal part of the small intestine was used as control, thus enabling comparisons between hypertrophic and normal tissue from the same animal. The outer longitudinal layer of the intestinal wall was gently peeled off and used for biochemistry, RT-PCR and mechanical experiments. The desmin/actin ratio was significantly increased following hypertrophy, although myosin and actin expression were similar in control and hypertrophic tissue. In hypertrophic tissue, the myosin heavy chain mRNA with a 21 base pair insert decreased significantly. The composition of the mRNA encoding the myosin essential light chains changed towards more of the basic type (LC17b). No change in the expression of non-muscle myosin heavy chains A and B was detected. The maximal shortening velocity (V(max)) of maximally activated skinned preparations was significantly lower in the hypertrophic tissue (~50 % of control). The sensitivity of V(max) to ADP was increased in the hypertrophic smooth muscle tissue. We conclude that myosin expression is altered following intestinal hypertrophy and that these alterations affect reactions in the cross-bridge interaction, leading to a slower and more economical contractile function.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2002

Effects of thyroxine on myosin isoform expression and mechanical properties in guinea-pig smooth muscle.

Information on the effects of thyroid hormone on smooth muscle contractile protein expression and mechanical properties is sparse. We have addressed the following questions. (1) Can thyroxine hormone alter myosin isoform composition in smooth muscle? (2) Can a change in myosin isoform composition lead to altered mechanical properties in smooth muscle? (3) Are alterations, if occurring, equal in fast and slow smooth muscle types? Guinea-pigs were treated with thyroxine (T(4)) for 12 days. Control animals were given physiological saline solution. Maximal unloaded shortening velocity (V(max)) was measured in chemically skinned, maximally activated muscle preparations from the aorta and the taenia coli. V(max) increased following thyroxine treatment, by approximately 20 % in the taenia coli. In the aorta, no significant increase in V(max) could be detected. The sensitivity of isometric force to inorganic phosphate (P(i)) was increased in the taenia coli following thyroxine treatment. The expression of mRNA (determined with RT-PCR) for the myosin heavy chain with the seven amino acid insert increased by approximately 70 % in the aorta and about 25 % in the taenia coli following thyroxine treatment. Western blot analysis showed an increase in the inserted myosin heavy chain form in the taenia coli. Expression of mRNA for the myosin essential light chains and the corresponding proteins did not change significantly in either muscle type. No alterations in non-muscle myosin heavy chain isoforms could be detected after thyroxine treatment. In conclusion, thyroxine treatment alters the isoform composition of myosin in fast and slow smooth muscles in vivo. This change is sufficient to increase shortening velocity and sensitivity of isometric force to P(i) in the fast, but not in the slow, smooth muscle type.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Mechanical function of intermediate filaments in arteries of different size examined using desmin deficient mice.

Protein composition and mechanical function of intermediate filaments were examined in arteries of different sizes using desmin deficient mice (Des-/-) and their wild-type controls (Des+/+). Using SDS-PAGE gels and Western blots we found a gradient in desmin expression in the arterial tree; the desmin content increased from the elastic artery aorta, via the muscular mesenteric artery to the resistance-sized mesenteric microarteries approximately 150 microm in diameter in Des+/+ mice. Mechanical experiments were performed on the aorta, the mesenteric artery and resistance-sized arteries using wire myographs. For aorta and mesenteric artery, no differences in passive or active circumference- stress relations were found between Des-/- and Des+/+ mice. In microarteries, both passive and active stress were lower in the Des-/- group. In conclusion, large elastic and muscular arteries contain a relatively low amount of desmin, and the desmin intermediate filaments do not seem to play a major role in the mechanical properties of these larger arterial vessels. In the microarteries, where expression of desmin is high, desmin plays a role in supporting both passive and active tension.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Hearts from mice lacking desmin have a myopathy with impaired active force generation and unaltered wall compliance.

OBJECTIVE: Desmin intermediate filaments are key structures in the cytoskeleton of cardiac muscle. Since they are associated with Z-discs and intercalated discs, they may have a role in sarcomere alignment or force transmission. We have explored the mechanical function of the desmin filaments in the cardiac wall by comparing desmin-deficient (Des-/-) and wild-type (Des+/+) mice. METHODS: The Langendorff technique was used to examine the contractility of the whole heart. Rate of force generation, Ca(2+)-sensitivity and force per cross-sectional area were measured in skinned ventricle muscle preparations. RESULTS: Des-/- mice have a cardiomyopathy with increased heart weight. Diastolic pressure was increased at all filling volumes in the Des-/- group. Since passive wall stress (i.e. force per area) was unchanged, the alteration in diastolic pressure is a consequence of the thicker ventricle wall. Developed pressure, rate of pressure increase and developed wall stress were significantly reduced, suggesting that active force generation of the contractile apparatus is reduced in Des-/-. Concentrations of actin and myosin in the ventricle were unaltered. Measurements in skinned muscle preparations showed a lower active force development with unaltered Ca(2+)-sensitivity and rate of tension development. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the intermediate filaments have a role in active force generation of cardiac muscle, possibly by supporting sarcomere alignment or force transmission. The desmin filaments do not contribute the passive elasticity of the ventricle wall. Des-/- mice provide a model for genetic cardiomyopathy where the main factor contributing to altered cardiac performance is a decrease in active force generation, possibly in combination with a loss of functional contractile units.

Actins↗
PubMed2002

Sustained norepinephrine contraction in the rat portal vein is lost when Ca(2+) is replaced with Sr(2+).

Agonist-induced activation of smooth muscle involves a rise in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and sensitization of myosin light chain phosphorylation to Ca(2+). Sr(2+) can enter through Ca(2+) channels, be sequestered and released from sarcoplasmic reticulum, and replace Ca(2+) in activation of myosin light chain phosphorylation. Sr(2+) cannot replace Ca(2+) in facilitation of agonist-activated Ca(2+)-dependent nonselective cation channels. It is not known whether Sr(2+) can replace Ca(2+) in small G protein-mediated sensitization of phosphorylation. To explore mechanisms involved in alpha-receptor-activated contractions in smooth muscle, effects of replacing Ca(2+) with Sr(2+) were examined in rat portal vein. Norepinephrine (NE) at >3.0 x 10(-7) M in the presence of Ca(2+) resulted in a strong sustained contraction, whereas this sustained component was absent in the presence of Sr(2+); only the amplitude of phasic contractions increased. Pretreatment with low (approximately 0.05 mM) free Ca(2+) followed by 2.5 mM Sr(2+) resulted in a sustained component of the NE response. In beta-escin-permeabilized preparations, phenylephrine in the presence of GTP or guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) alone induced sensitization to Sr(2+). In conclusion, a Ca(2+)-regulated membrane/channel process is required for the sustained component of NE responses in rat portal vein. Sensitization alone is not responsible for the sustained phase of the NE contraction.

Animals↗