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Circulation Research. 2001
Published online before print April 27, 2001, doi: 10.1161/hh0901.090300
A more recent version of this article appeared on May 11, 2001
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(Circulation Research. 2001;0:hh0901.090300.)
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Article

Lysophosphatidic Acid Positively Regulates the Fluid Flow–Induced Local Ca2+ Influx in Bovine Aortic Endothelial Cells

Hisayuki Ohata, Tadahiro Ikeuchi, Aya Kamada, Masayuki Yamamoto Kazutaka Momose

From the Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.

Correspondence to Hisayuki Ohata, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8555, Japan. E-mail ohata{at}pharm.showa-u.ac.jp

Abstract

Abstract—Using real-time confocal microscopy, we have demonstrated that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid existing in plasma, positively regulates fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response in fluo 4–loaded, cultured, bovine aortic endothelial cells. The initial increase in [Ca2+]i was localized to a circular area with a diameter of <4 µm and spread concentrically, resulting in a mean global increase in [Ca2+]i. The local increase often occurred in a stepwise manner or repetitively during constant flow. The percentage of cells that responded and the averaged level of increase in [Ca2+]i were dependent on both the concentration of LPA (0.1 to 10 µmol/L) and the flow rate (25 to 250 mm/s). The response was inhibited by removing extracellular Ca2+ or by the application of Gd3+, an inhibitor of mechanosensitive (MS) channels, but not by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase. It was also inhibited by 8-bromo-cGMP, and the inhibition was completely reversed by KT5823, an inhibitor of protein kinase G (PKG). These results suggest that the [Ca2+]i response arises from Ca2+ influx through Gd3+-sensitive MS channels, which are negatively regulated by the activation of PKG. The spatiotemporal properties of the [Ca2+]i response were completely different from those of a Ca2+ wave induced by ATP, a Ca2+-mobilizing agonist. Therefore, we called the phenomenon Ca2+ spots. We conclude that LPA positively regulates fluid flow–induced local and oscillatory [Ca2+]i increase, ie, the Ca2+ spots, in endothelial cells via the activation of elementary Ca2+ influx through PKG-regulating MS channels. This indicates an important role for LPA as an endogenous factor in fluid flow–induced endothelial function.


Key Words: endothelium • mechanotransduction • Ca2+ imaging • ion channels • phospholipids

Vascular endothelial cells are constantly exposed to various types of mechanical stress induced by the blood flow. It is well known that endothelial cells sense and respond to fluid flow and that they play an important role in the maintenance of hemodynamic homeostasis1 through their release of NO,2 3 4 prostacyclin,5 6 and endothelin-1.7 In particular, this mechanotransduction system is considered to be an essential mechanism for local hemodynamic control. In addition, delayed responses, such as reorganization of the cytoskeleton8 9 and changes in cell morphology,10 11 are also dependent on fluid flow. An increase in [Ca2+]i is considered to be a major mediator in the onset of these functions.12 13 14 15 16 17 An ATP-dependent [Ca2+]i response to fluid flow was observed by several investigators.12 13 16 Recently, P2X4 purinoceptors, a subtype of ATP-operated cation channels, were proposed as candidates of shear transduction.17 However, the [Ca2+]i response to fluid flow was also observed in the absence of ATP.14 15 On the other hand, integrins, which are adhesion molecules located at the cell surface, are likely to be key mechanosensors.18 19 Furthermore, mechanosensitive (MS) ion channels may also transduce mechanical stretch.20 21 22 Thus, the mechanism by which endothelial cells transduce fluid flow to cellular events is still controversial.

We have reported previously that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid, sensitizes [Ca2+]i changes to mechanical stress in cultured smooth muscle cells from the ileum,23 cultured lung epithelial cells,24 and cultured lens epithelial cells.25 In addition, using real-time confocal microscopy, we recently demonstrated that LPA enhanced the mechanical stress–induced local increase in [Ca2+]i, termed Ca2+ spots, in cultured lens epithelial cells.26 Considering those facts, we have proposed that the Ca2+ spot is an elementary Ca2+-influx event through MS ion channels that is directly coupled with the first step in mechanoreception, and we have suggested that LPA functions as an endogenous factor affecting mechanotransduction systems.

LPA is a lipid mediator with diverse biological activities in various cell types27 via LPA receptors, termed the endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) receptor subfamily,28 and is present in serum at physiologically relevant concentrations.29 30 LPA is present at concentrations of 0.29 µmol/L and 3.21 µmol/L in normal human plasma and in the plasma of patients with multiple myeloma, respectively.31 In addition, it has been demonstrated that LPA accumulates in human atherosclerotic lesions, suggesting a role of LPA as an atherogenic/thrombogenic molecule.32 Therefore, it is possible that LPA affects the fluid flow–induced cellular response in endothelial cells. In the present study, using real-time confocal microscopy, we demonstrate for the first time that LPA positively regulates fluid flow–induced local Ca2+ influx (Ca2+ spots) by modulating MS ion channels in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. Our results suggested that LPA may function as an endogenous factor affecting the sensitivity of fluid flow reception and resultant cellular responses in endothelial cells.

Materials and Methods

Cell Culture
Established cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were provided by Dr Shimizu (School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan) and were cultured in MEM containing 10% FBS under humidified conditions (95% air/5% CO2) at 37°C.33 For determination of [Ca2+]i, the cells were subcultured on glass coverslips 25 mm in diameter inside 35-mm Petri dishes. The confluent cells from the 5th to 30th passages were used for the experiments.

Confocal Imaging of [Ca2+]i With Fluo 4
Cultured endothelial cells on coverslips were loaded with 5 µmol/L fluo 4-AM with 0.03% cremophor EL in physiological saline solution consisting of (mmol/L) NaCl 137, KCl 2.7, CaCl2 1.8, MgCl2 1.0, glucose 5.6, and HEPES 8.4 (pH 7.4) for 1 hour at room temperature. Fluorescence images of fluo 4 were collected by use of a real-time confocal imaging system as previously described.26 With use of the imaging system, fluo 4 images with 60x60 pixels with x-y resolution of 1.3 to 2 µm per pixel were acquired with 55- to 110-ms exposure at 32°C. The intensity of fluo 4 fluorescence for each region of interest was divided by the averaged resting fluorescence intensity of >10 frames before stimulation of the same region, after which the background fluorescence was subtracted. The resultant relative fluorescence intensity (F/F0) was used as an indicator of [Ca2+]i. Image processing and analysis were performed by use of NIH Image (version 1.62) and macro programs that we developed.

Application of Mechanical Stress
With the use of a Perista pump (Atto Corp), the bath solution was spritzed from a pipette placed parallel to the coverslip at a distance of 300 µm from and 25 µm over the cells of interest at an appropriate constant flow rate (25 to 250 mm/s) for 4 to 6 seconds or several minutes. The inside diameter of the pipette tip was 500 µm. Exact placement of the tip of the pipette was achieved in each experiment by use of a focus control unit. The homogeneous distribution of nonturbulent flow over the observed cells (15 to 60 cells per microscopic field) was confirmed by measuring calcein-loaded blood cells eluted from the tip of the pipette. This fluid flow did not affect acquisition of the fluorescent images and induced a reproducible response. The maximum value of shear stress ({tau}) to the cells under this condition was estimated from the following equation34 : {tau}=4µQ{pi}-1r-3, where µ represents the fluid viscosity (0.009 poise), Q is the flow volume (0.005 to 0.05 mL/s), and r is the radius of the pipette tip. Estimated values of {tau} ranged from 3.67 to 36.7 dyne/cm2. These values of the shear stress occur within the physiological range or are slightly higher.

Materials
Fluo 4-AM and calcein-AM were obtained from Molecular Probes, Inc. 8-Bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP) and KT5823 were obtained from Calbiochem-Novabiochem Co. LPA oleoyl was purchased from Avanti Polar Lipids, Inc. Thapsigargin was obtained from Wako Pure Chemicals. All other chemicals were commercial products of the highest grade available.

Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis among multiple groups and between 2 groups was evaluated by 1-way ANOVA and Student t test, respectively.

Results

Fluid Flow–Induced [Ca2+]i Increase in the Presence of LPA
Using a real-time confocal imaging system, we monitored [Ca2+]i changes in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells loaded with fluo 4 during the application of fluid flow to the cells in the absence and in the presence of LPA (Figure 1Down). Neither the addition of 3 µmol/L LPA nor the application of fluid flow at 250 mm/s for 10 seconds affected [Ca2+]i, as shown in Figure 1BDown. In the presence of LPA, the fluid flow caused local increases in [Ca2+]i from the region near the cell edge (Figure 1ADown). Each local increase in [Ca2+]i occurred independently in >80% of the cells observed in a microscopic field after a lag time of a few seconds during the application of fluid flow. Subsequently, a continuous application of fluid flow caused a mean global increase in [Ca2+]i. The time course of the increase in the starting region (2 µmx2 µm) revealed a stepwise or repetitive increase pattern in >50% of the cells, which responded as shown in Figures 1ADown and 1BDown in cells 1, 2, and 3. Most repetitive increases in [Ca2+]i in restricted regions were considered to result from summation of [Ca2+]i increases originating in distinct neighboring starting regions within a cell, as illustrated in Figure 1CDown. The [Ca2+]i response was maintained for at least 20 minutes under flow conditions in the presence of LPA and was returned to the baseline level within a minute by stopping the fluid flow or washing out the LPA (data not shown). Additionally, this phenomenon could be observed repeatedly in the same cells for a few hours. It was clear that the [Ca2+]i response was not an artifact due to localization of fluo 4, because the same phenomena were also observed by fura 2 ratiometric imaging (data not shown).



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Figure 1. Visualization of fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response in aortic endothelial cells in the presence of LPA. A, Confocal fluorescence (F/F0) images of [Ca2+]i response in cultured endothelial cells loaded with fluo 4 during application of fluid flow (250 mm/s) in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA. Color scale represents F/F0. Arrows show the first indications of each [Ca2+]i response. The direction of fluid flow was from the bottom to the top. Bar=20 µm. B, Time course of changes in F/F0 in the starting region (2 µmx2 µm) of the Ca2+ response. Each line represents the time course of individual Ca2+ response indicated by the corresponding figure in panel A. C, Time course of changes in F/F0 in 3 different starting regions within a cell indicated by the corresponding color region in the monochrome fluorescence image. Bar=10 µm.

Dependence of LPA Concentration and Fluid Flow Rate on Fluid Flow–Induced [Ca2+]i Response
To clarify the dependence of LPA concentration and fluid flow rate on fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response, endothelial cells were stimulated via a stepwise increase in the rate of fluid flow (25, 60, and 250 mm/s) at {approx}2-minute intervals in the presence of 5 distinct concentrations of LPA (from 0.1 to 10 µmol/L). Temporal patterns of the [Ca2+]i response in the starting region and statistical evaluation of the dependence of LPA concentration and fluid flow rate on fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response with the use of linear regression analysis are presented in Figures 2Down and 3Down, respectively. Cells responding to the fluid flow were defined as those cells in which the F/F0 of fluo 4 increased by >20% of the resting level within 1 second. Percentages of cells responding to fluid flow, the peak level of {Delta}F/F0 in responding cells, and the averaged increase in the level of {Delta}F/F0 during the 2 minutes after the onset or change in the rate of fluid flow were significantly increased with rising LPA concentration under all 3 flow conditions (Figures 3ADown, 3BDown, and 3CDown, respectively). In contrast, the percentage of cells that responded to the fluid flow (Figure 3DDown) and the averaged level of increase (Figure 3FDown), but not the peak level of increase (Figure 3EDown), were significantly increased with an elevation of the rate of fluid flow in the presence of LPA. These results clearly indicate that fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response is dependent on both the LPA submicromolar concentration and the physiological rate of fluid flow.



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Figure 2. Temporal patterns of fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response at various concentrations of LPA. Endothelial cells were stimulated via stepwise increase in the rate of fluid flow (25, 60, and 250 mm/s) at {approx}120-second intervals at 5 different concentrations of LPA (from 0.1 to 10 µmol/L). Each line represents changes in F/F0 in the starting region (4 µmx4 µm) within a cell. Each graph represents 10 typical changes in [Ca2+]i of responsive cells in >40 cells under identical conditions. Similar results were obtained in 3 or 4 independent experiments.



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Figure 3. Dependence of LPA concentration (A through C) and fluid flow rate (D through F) on fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response. Percentages of cells responding to the fluid flow (A and D), peak level of {Delta}F/F0 in responding cells (B and E), and averaged increase level of {Delta}F/F0 (C and F) during 2 minutes after onset or change in the rate of fluid flow were obtained from 3 or 4 independent experiments, including the data shown in Figure 2Up. Data are expressed as mean±SE. *P<0.05 for dose dependence of each line by use of linear regression analysis.

Effect of ATP on Fluid Flow–Induced [Ca2+]i Response
The dependence of ATP concentration and fluid flow rate on the fluid flow–mediated increase in [Ca2+]i was examined to establish whether LPA plays a pivotal role in the fluid flow–mediated increase in [Ca2+]i. As shown in Figure 4Down, a fluid flow–induced increase in [Ca2+]i was observed in the majority of the cells even at a low rate of fluid flow (25 mm/s) in the presence of 0.3 µmol/L ATP. Peak levels were not increased by elevations in the concentration of ATP in the range of 0.3 to 3 µmol/L. Furthermore, subsequent increases in the fluid flow rate to 250 mm/s induced only slight increases in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that a fluid flow–induced increase in [Ca2+]i in the presence of ATP is not dependent on the rate of fluid flow under these conditions.



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Figure 4. Temporal patterns of the fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response at various concentrations of ATP. Endothelial cells were stimulated by stepwise increase in rate of fluid flow (from 25 to 250 mm/s) at {approx}120-second intervals at 3 different concentrations of ATP (from 0.3 to 3 µmol/L). Each line represents changes in F/F0 in the starting region (4 µmx4 µm) within a cell. Each graph represents 10 typical changes in [Ca2+]i in >40 cells under the same conditions. Similar results were obtained in 2 independent experiments.

Mechanisms of Fluid Flow–Induced [Ca2+]i Increase in the Presence of LPA
Fluid flow induction of [Ca2+]i increase was examined to determine whether it arose via Ca2+ influx through plasma membrane channels or via Ca2+ release from intracellular stores (Figure 5Down). The percentage of cells responding to fluid flow of 250 mm/s in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA and the rising rate and peak level of [Ca2+]i at the starting region in responsive cells were markedly decreased in cells exposed to Ca2+-free medium containing 0.1 mmol/L EGTA. In addition, pretreatment with 1 and 3 µmol/L Gd3+, an inhibitor of MS channels,35 36 decreased the percentage of cells responding to fluid flow and the rising rate of [Ca2+]i at the starting region in a dose-dependent fashion. On the other hand, pretreatment with 3 µmol/L thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase pump,37 did not affect the percentage of cells that responded to the fluid flow. Moreover, the temporal pattern of increase in [Ca2+]i at the starting region was unaffected. We have confirmed that the treatment of thapsigargin abolished the [Ca2+]i response to subsequent applications of 10 µmol/L ATP (data not shown), indicating that the function of intracellular Ca2+ stores was completely inhibited by the thapsigargin treatment. These results indicate clearly that the fluid flow–induced increases in [Ca2+]i arise from Ca2+ influx through the Gd3+-sensitive MS channels but not from Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.



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Figure 5. Effects of removing external Ca2+ and treatments of Gd3+ and thapsigargin (TG) on the fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response in the presence of LPA. Endothelial cells were incubated in normal medium (Cont), in Ca2+-free physiological saline solution containing 0.1 mmol/L EGTA (Ca free), or in the presence of TG at 3 µmol/L, GdCl3 (Gd) at 1 µmol/L (Gd 1), or Gd at 3 µmol/L (Gd 3) for 3 minutes before application of fluid flow (250 mm/s) for 5 seconds in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA. A, Each line represents changes in F/F0 in the starting region (4 µmx4 µm) within a cell. Each graph represents 10 typical changes in [Ca2+]i of responsive cells in >40 cells under the same conditions. B, Percentages of cells responding to fluid flow were calculated. Data are expressed as mean±SE (n=3 to 7 experiments, >40 cells per experiment). *P<0.05 compared with Cont.

Recently, it has been reported that a protein kinase G (PKG)-sensitive channel mainly mediates flow-induced Ca2+ influx into cultured endothelial cells.22 To elucidate the channels involved in the Ca2+ influx enhanced by LPA, the effects of 8-Br-cGMP, a membrane-permeable activator of PKG, and KT5823, a selective PKG inhibitor,38 on fluid flow–induced Ca2+ influx enhanced by LPA were examined (Figure 6Down). Pretreatment with 8-Br-cGMP (2 mmol/L) significantly decreased the percentage of cells that responded to fluid flow in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA. Moreover, the peak level and the duration of increase in [Ca2+]i at the starting region in responsive cells decreased. Inhibition of Ca2+ influx and the change in the temporal pattern by 8-Br-cGMP were reversed by pretreatment with KT5823 (1 µmol/L), whereas KT5823 alone did not affect the Ca2+ influx in the presence of LPA (data not shown). Taken together, these results indicate that the fluid flow–induced Ca2+ influx enhanced by LPA occurs through Gd3+-sensitive MS channel, which is negatively regulated by the activation of PKG in endothelial cells.



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Figure 6. Effects of 8-Br-cGMP and KT5823 (KT) on the fluid flow–induced [Ca2+]i response in the presence of LPA. Endothelial cells were incubated in Cont, 2 mmol/L 8-Br-cGMP (cGMP), or 1 µmol/L KT plus 2 mmol/L 8-Br-cGMP (KT+cGMP) for 10 minutes before application of fluid flow (250 mm/s) for 5 seconds in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA. A, Each line represents changes in F/F0 in the starting region (4 µmx4 µm) within a cell. Each graph represents 10 typical changes in [Ca2+]i of responsive cells in >40 cells under the same conditions. B, Percentages of cells responding to fluid flow were calculated. Data are expressed as mean±SE (n=3 to 7 independent experiments, >40 cells per experiment). *P<0.05 compared with Cont.

Spatiotemporal Properties of Fluid Flow–Induced [Ca2+]i Increase in the Presence of LPA
To determine the exact starting region for fluid flow–induced local [Ca2+]i increase in the presence of LPA, we analyzed the spatiotemporal properties of the increase in [Ca2+]i more closely at higher x-y spatial resolution (1.3 µm per pixel) (Figure 7Down). As shown in the sequential fluo 4 F/F0 images in Figure 7BDown, this increase in [Ca2+]i started locally in a circular area with a diameter of <4 µm and then spread concentrically. In addition, the rising rate of [Ca2+]i in the starting region (1.3 µmx1.3 µm) was highest (Figure 7CDown). Also, [Ca2+]i in the starting region of the response reached the peak within 0.1 second after the onset of the response and was always higher than the levels in the surrounding area during the response to fluid flow (Figures 7BDown and 7DDown). These spatiotemporal properties were also observed in confocal x-y images of LPA-induced Ca2+ spots in cells pretreated with 3 µmol/L thapsigargin (Figure 7EDown). These results indicate that the fluid flow–induced local increase in [Ca2+]i reflects Ca2+ supplied only to a localized starting region, which then diffuses passively into the surrounding area. We called the local increase in [Ca2+]i the Ca2+ spot, which is specific [Ca2+]i response to fluid flow.



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Figure 7. Spatiotemporal changes in [Ca2+]i within a cell stimulated by fluid flow in the presence of LPA. Endothelial cells were stimulated by fluid flow (250 mm/s) for 5 seconds in the presence of 3 µmol/L LPA. A, Fluo 4 fluorescence image of onset of a Ca2+ spot. Bar=10 µm. Direction of fluid flow was from the bottom to the top. B, Sequential ratio (F/F0) images of the Ca2+ spot at 55-ms intervals. C, Time course of changes in F/F0 in the starting region (1.3 µmx1.3 µm, blue), in regions at a distance of 5 µm (1.3 µmx1.3 µm, light blue) and 10 µm (1.3 µmx1.3 µm, green) from the starting region, and in the whole area of the cell (red rectangular line), as shown in panel A. D, Spatiotemporal changes in [Ca2+]i within 0.2 seconds from the onset of the Ca2+ spot, presented as surface plot with use of NIH Image. E, F/F0 images of the LPA-induced Ca2+ spot in a cell pretreated with 3 µmol/L TG. Bar=10 µm. F, F/F0 images of Ca2+ wave induced by 10 µmol/L ATP. Bar=10 µm. G, Ratios of rising rates of [Ca2+]i in the starting region to [Ca2+]i in the region at distance 10 µm from the starting region in Ca2+ spots (•) and in Ca2+ waves ({circ}) plotted against each rising rate in the starting regions.

The spatiotemporal properties of the LPA-induced Ca2+ spots were completely different from those of Ca2+ waves induced by the addition of 10 µmol/L ATP, a Ca2+-mobilizing agonist, to endothelial cells (Figure 7FUp). Rising rates of [Ca2+]i in the starting region and the surroundings were analyzed. As shown in Figure 7GUp, in 15 of 18 Ca2+ spots induced by LPA, the ratio of the rising rate of [Ca2+]i in the starting region to that in the region at distance of 10 µm from the starting region was >5.0, and the averaged ratio was 8.90±1.56 (mean±SE), whereas in all 11 Ca2+ waves induced by the addition of 10 µmol/L ATP, the ratio was <3.0, and the averaged ratio was 1.67±0.18 (mean±SE, P<0.001 versus the Ca2+ spot described above). In addition, the rising rates in the starting region of the Ca2+ spots were significantly higher than those of Ca2+ waves. These results also indicate that the Ca2+ spot is a localized [Ca2+]i response.

Discussion

In the present study, using real-time confocal microscopy, we confirmed that LPA positively regulates the fluid flow–induced increase in [Ca2+]i in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells loaded with fluo 4. Several lines of evidence indicate that this increase in [Ca2+]i is due to Ca2+ influx through recently identified PKG-regulating MS channels stimulated by fluid flow: (1) The percentage of cells responding to the elevation in fluid flow and the averaged increase in the [Ca2+]i response increased with elevation of both the concentration of LPA (from 0.1 to 10 µmol/L) and the rate of fluid flow in the range of 25 to 250 mm/s (from 3.67 to 36.7 dyne/cm2), which corresponded to in vivo arterial blood flow and shear stress (Figures 2Up and 3Up). In addition, the peak level in the [Ca2+]i response increased with rising LPA concentration but not with the rate of fluid flow. These results suggest that increases in [Ca2+]i as a consequence of elevation of the flow rate should be mainly ascribed to increases in duration and/or frequency of the [Ca2+]i response; however, elevation of LPA concentration increased the peak level in addition to the duration and/or the frequency. (2) The [Ca2+]i response was inhibited in Ca2+-free medium containing 0.1 mmol/L EGTA or by an addition of Gd3+, an inhibitor of MS channels,35 36 but not by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticular Ca2+-ATPase37 (Figure 5Up). (3) The [Ca2+]i response was also inhibited by 8-Br-cGMP, and the inhibition was reversed by pretreatment with KT5823, a selective PKG inhibitor38 (Figure 6Up), suggesting that the Ca2+ influx occurs through a recently identified MS channel, which is negatively regulated by the activation of PKG in endothelial cells.22 This channel is considered to be the main Ca2+ entry pathway mediating fluid flow–induced Ca2+ influx in endothelial cells.22 (4) The spatiotemporal properties of the Ca2+ response indicate that Ca2+ supplied from the restricted starting region diffuses passively into the surrounding area (Figure 7Up). These results are the first visualized data indicating that fluid flow–induced elementary Ca2+ influx through MS channels occurs in endothelial cells. These pharmacological and spatiotemporal properties of Ca2+ spots, elementary MS Ca2+ influx events, were recently observed in mechanically stimulated bovine lens epithelial cells in the presence of the same concentration of LPA.26 The occurrence of Ca2+ spots must be an elementary event underlying mechanical stress–induced cellular responses, including fluid flow–induced endothelial responses.

MS channel density is estimated effectively at 0.1/µm2 in endothelial cells.21 Because the density of Ca2+ spots was 1 to 3 Ca2+ spots per 200 to 400 µm2, 3% to 10% of MS channels would apparently respond to fluid flow. Furthermore, the number of Ca2+ spots must be underestimated because of the limitations of the spatiotemporal performance of the real-time confocal system that was used. A large Ca2+ spot may mask neighboring Ca2+ spots. Consequently, undetectable Ca2+ spots may occur. On the other hand, cells are stimulated by homogeneous application of fluid flow; however, the mechanical force may focus on specific regions depending on the relationship between cell shape, distribution of the cytoskeleton, and the direction of fluid flow. Therefore, those MS channels localized exclusively in the region in which the mechanical force is focused may be activated. Such local [Ca2+]i increases are considered to be physiologically suitable properties for detecting the strength and direction of mechanical stress and also to be a stimulant with a vector, such as fluid flow, in contrast to the response to chemical stimulants. Further studies are required to clarify the relationship between distribution of sites of local increases in [Ca2+]i, cell shape, and the direction and strength of fluid flow.

No endogenous substances that affect fluid flow–stimulated Ca2+ influx are known except ATP, although there have been a number of examples showing that fluid flow stimulates Ca2+ influx into endothelial cells. P2X4 purinoceptor–mediated Ca2+ signaling would be one candidate, and the shear stress–dependent pathway would be another; however, the physiological role remains unclear,17 because Ca2+ signaling as a response to fluid flow was also observed in the absence of ATP.14 15 In this respect, LPA would be another important endogenous factor affecting fluid flow–stimulated Ca2+ influx in endothelial cells. The percentage of cells responding to fluid flow, the peak level, and the averaged level of increase in [Ca2+]i were increased by elevating the concentration of LPA (Figures 3AUp through 3C), and the range of the concentration corresponded to the human plasma concentration in the range of the physiological level to the pathophysiological level.31 On the other hand, the [Ca2+]i responses to fluid flow in the presence of ATP were not dependent on the rate of fluid flow under conditions identical to those with LPA (Figure 4Up). Therefore, there is a possibility that LPA functions as an essential factor for a fluid flow–mediated endothelial cell response at the normal submicromolar level and that LPA can affect the progress of vascular pathogenesis via endothelial dysfunction at the pathophysiological level. LPA accumulates in human atherosclerotic lesions31 or is released from activated pletelets29 and may subsequently contribute to several vascular responses, such as changes in endothelial cell wound healing39 and permeability.40 The positive regulating effect of LPA on the fluid flow–induced Ca2+ influx may be involved in these processes in endothelial cells. Our results support a physiological and pathophysiological role of LPA in endothelial cell–related cardiovascular function, although the subsequent endothelial cellular responses and intracellular signaling cascade after the Ca2+ influx through PKG-regulating MS channels in the presence of LPA must be clarified.

Although the mechanisms by which LPA enhances Ca2+ influx through PKG-regulating MS channels remain unclear, this occurrence was not considered to be due to activation of phospholipase C by LPA itself, because application of LPA actually increased [Ca2+]i via its G-protein–coupled receptor27 only at 10 µmol/L, but not at 3 µmol/L. These results also indicated that the mechanism of fluid flow–stimulated Ca2+ influx in the presence of LPA was not explained as a direct action of LPA itself on [Ca2+]i. We have previously confirmed that the enhancing effect was not due to the amphipathic action of LPA at the same range of the concentration in cultured lens epithelial cells.25 Elucidation of the LPA receptor subtypes and of the signal transduction pathway associated with the enhancing effect may contribute to the understanding of regulatory mechanisms modulating fluid flow–stimulated Ca2+ influx through MS channels.

In conclusion, LPA positively regulated Ca2+ influx through the PKG-regulating MS channel in fluid flow–stimulated endothelial cells at a range from the physiological level to the pathophysiological level. It is likely that this effect of LPA in endothelial cells plays an important role in the maintenance of local hemodynamic homeostasis.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by a grant-in-aid for a Drug Innovation Science Project (to Dr Momose) from the Japan Health Science Foundation and a grant-in-aid (to Drs Ohata and Yamamoto) for General Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan. We thank Dr S. Shimizu (Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa University) for kindly providing cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells. We are grateful to Dr T. Kawanishi (National Institute of Health Sciences) for insightful comments.

Footnotes

Original received January 3, 2001; revision received March 2, 2001; accepted March 19, 2001.

References

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