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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 296/6/R1726    most recent 90963.2008v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by Uddin, M. N. Articles by Puschett, J. B. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Uddin, M. N. Articles by Puschett, J. B.

RECEPTORS AND SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Marinobufagenin causes endothelial cell monolayer hyperpermeability by altering apoptotic signaling

Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Departments of ¹Medicine and ²Surgery, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine and Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas

Submitted 26 November 2008 ; accepted in final form 15 April 2009

Marinobufagenin (MBG) is an endogenous mammalian cardiotonic steroid that is involved in the inhibition of the sodium pump Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase. Increased plasma levels of MBG have been reported in patients with preeclampsia. MBG increases microvascular barrier permeability in an animal model of preeclampsia. However, the mechanism by which MBG impairs endothelial permeability is unknown. We utilized rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMEC) to examine alterations in MBG-induced monolayer permeability and the effect of MBG on the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2, Jnk, and p38. Apoptosis was evaluated by examining alterations in caspases 3/7, 8, and 9 and annexin-V staining. We also examined the effect of MBG on the endothelial adherens junctions of the RLMEC monolayer. MBG inhibited the proliferation, and increased the monolayer permeability, of RLMEC. These actions of MBG were attenuated by ERK, p38, and pan caspase inhibition. MBG significantly decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activated the phosphorylation of Jnk and p38. MBG also significantly increased the expression of caspases 3/7, 8, and 9, indicating the activation of apoptosis. MBG-induced apoptosis signaling was not observed in cells pretreated with a p38 inhibitor. MBG treatment induced the disruption of endothelial cell junctions. This effect was prevented by a pan caspase inhibitor. In conclusion, 1) MBG induced an impairment of RLMEC proliferation; 2) the bufadienolide also caused endothelial hyperpermeability; and 3) these effects of MBG were mediated by the downregulation of ERK1/2, the upregulation of Jnk and p38, by the activation of apoptosis, and by the disruption of endothelial cell junctions.

β-catenin; rat lung microvascular endothelial cells; MAP kinase; caspases; bufodienolide