Previous studies showed that the endothelin B receptor (ETB) expression was upregulated and played a key role in neurodegeneration in rodent models of glaucoma. However, the mechanisms underlying upregulation of ETB receptor expression remain largely unknown. Using promoter-reporter assays, the 1258 bp upstream the human ETB promoter region was found to be essential for constitutive expression of ETB receptor gene in human non-pigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPE). The -300 to -1 bp and -1258 to -600 bp upstream promoter regions of the ETB receptor appeared to be the key binding regions for transcription factors. In addition, the crucial AP-1 binding site located at -615 to -624 bp upstream promoter was confirmed by luciferase assays and CHIP assays which were performed following overexpression of c-Jun in HNPE cells. Overexpression of either c-Jun or C/EBPβ enhanced the ETB receptor promoter activity, which was reflected in increased mRNA and protein levels of ETB receptor. Furthermore, knock-down of either c-Jun or C/EBPβ in HNPE cells was significantly correlated to decreased mRNA levels of both ETB and ETA receptor. These observations suggest that c-Jun and C/EBPβ are important for regulated expression of the ETB receptor in HNPE cells. In separate experiments, intraocular pressure (IOP) was elevated in one eye of Brown Norway rats while the corresponding contralateral eye served as control. Two weeks of IOP elevation produced increased expression of c-Jun and C/EBPβ in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer from IOP-elevated eyes. The mRNA levels of c-Jun, ETA and ETB receptor were upregulated by 2.2-, 3.1- and 4.4-fold in RGC layers obtained by laser capture microdissection from retinas of eyes with elevated IOP, compared to those from contralateral eyes. Taken together, these data suggest that transcription factor AP-1 plays a key role in elevation of ETB receptor in a rodent model of ocular hypertension.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827153 | PMC |
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0079183 | PLOS |
Exp Neurol
December 2024
Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Vermont, Colchester, VT 05446, USA; Department of Neurological Sciences and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. Electronic address:
Reciprocal communication between reactive astrocytes and microglial cells provides local, coordinated control over critical processes such as neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and scar formation after CNS injury, but is poorly understood. The vasoactive peptide hormone endothelin (ET) is released and/or secreted by endothelial cells, microglial cells and astrocytes early after ischemic stroke and other forms of brain injury. To better understand glial cell communication after stroke, we sought to identify paracrine effectors produced and secreted downstream of astroglial endothelin receptor B (ETB) signaling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Pharmacol
February 2025
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain; Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; Center for Biomedical Research Network on Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBER-CV), Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:
Sympathetic nervous system (SNS), endothelin 1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II) are involved in the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Valproic acid (VPA) is under study for the treatment against AMI due to its beneficial cardiac effects. However, the vascular effects of VPA on the activation of the SNS, ET-1 and Ang II after AMI are not fully studied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Chem Biol
January 2025
Department Chemistry and Biochemistry Clemens-Schöpf-Institute, Technical University Darmstadt, Peter-Grünberg Straße 4, Darmstadt 64287, Germany.
Class A G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key mediators in numerous signaling pathways and important drug targets for several diseases. A major shortcoming in GPCR ligand screening is the detection limit for weak binding molecules, which is especially critical for poorly druggable GPCRs. Here, we present a proximity-based screening system for class A GPCRs, which adopts the natural two-step activation mechanism of class B GPCRs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pharmacol
November 2024
Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, United States.
Introduction: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) regulates renal and vascular function, but the clinical utility of selective ET receptor antagonists has been limited due to associated fluid retention. The mechanisms underlying fluid retention remain poorly understood but could be a consequence of changes in ET-1 binding to the unantagonized ET receptor, either through increased ET-1 or non-selective ET.
Methods: A mathematical model of ET-1 kinetics was developed to quantify effects of ET antagonist exposure and selectivity on concentrations of ET-1 and its complexes with ET and ET receptors.
Hypertension
February 2025
Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada (A.C.M., L.L.C., Y.N., S.A.L., R.M.T.).
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