title: Marinobufagenin causes endothelial cell monolayer hyperpermeability by altering apoptotic signaling.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center College of Medicine and Scott & White Memorial Hospital, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Mohammad N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Uddin
authors.forename: Darijana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.forename: Ed W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Childs
authors.forename: Jules B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Puschett
mesh_terms: D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002018:Bufanolides / Q000378:metabolism*; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002018:Bufanolides; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; C093896:marinobufagenin; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020169:Caspases