Complexity of aortic rings constriction induced by endothelin to anticipate pharmacological effects on blood pressure

Complexity of aortic rings constriction induced by endothelin to anticipate pharmacological effects on blood pressure

Printemps R, Didier H, Le Grand B, Letzelter C, PhysioStim, Zone Industriellede Brénas, 81440 Lautrec, France.

Rat aortic ring Endothelin

Isolated aortic rings are frequently used to anticipate putative effects on blood pressure. However, the choice of the vasoconstrictive agent for the ex-vivo experiments might be taken carefully into account. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether blocking functional endothelin receptor activity could be a candidate for pharmacological evaluation of the aorta reactivity. In vitro, the effect of endothelin was determined by measurement of isometric contractions in isolated rat aortic arteries. Endothelium intact (E+) and de-endothelialized (E-) segments were examined after pre-incubated with a well-known endothelin ETa/ETb receptor antagonist: bosentan (from 1 to 10 µM). Relaxation of precontracted rings with endothelin was investigated with a cholinomimetic: carbachol (from 0.01 to 10 µM). Application of endothelin from 0.1 to 30 nM induced a concentration-dependent contraction of the rings in endothelium intact (E+) and de-endothelialized (E-) segments with an EC50 value respectively of 9.4 nM and of 5.1 nM. In de-endothelialized (E-) segments, bosentan induced a shift of the concentration dependent curve toward the elevated concentration of endothelin. For example, the EC50 value in the presence of bosentan 10 µM was 61.5 nM vs 5.1 nM without bosentan. This parallel shift of the curve clearly suggested a competitive antagonism against the ET receptor. Finally, carbachol induced a concentration dependent relaxation of endothelin contraction in endothelium intact (E+) segment with an EC50 of 0.3µM whereas it was devoid of significant effect in de-endothelialized (E-) segments. In conclusion, the present study indicates the existence of functional endothelin receptor activity in rat aorta artery, which is different in the endothelium (presumably ETb) and the smooth muscle layer (presumably a combination of ETa/ETb). This endothelin receptor activity could be blocked by bosentan confirming the involvement of ETa/ETb in the smooth muscle layer. Therefore, the heterogenous activity of endothelin receptors between endothelium and smooth muscle layer renders complex the interpretation of constrictive activity of endothelin with aorta. Thus, the experimentations with aortic rings to anticipate the effect of compound on endothelin induced regulation of blood pressure might be used carefully.


Cardiac toxicity comparison of Roundup® and glyphosate

Cardiac toxicity comparison of Roundup® and glyphosate on human Induced Pluripotent Stem cells derived cardiomyocytes

Printemps R, GuilbotS, Le Grand M, PhysioStim, Zone Industriellede Brénas, 81440 Lautrec, France.

Although pesticides are known to be key actors of modern agriculture,they are source of controversies due to their suspected hazardous health effects.
Roundup®, one of the most popularized pesticide, is an herbicide formulation based on an active ingredient, glyphosate, and adjuvants. The broad use of Roundup® through they ears in agricultural practices as well as home garden care led to large exposure of humans and mammalians to glyphosate. Evaluation of the safety and potential health risks from exposure to pesticides remains a major challenge.
Roundup® and glyphosate were compared using human cell based model to evaluate their impacts on cardiovascular function after exposition.

Materials and Methods

  • iCell® Cardiomyocytes2 were supplied by Cellular Dynamics (a Fujifilm company) and seeded on 48 well plate following manufacturers instruction and analyzed using the xCELLigence RTCA cardio ECR platform (simultaneous measurement of MEA and impedance).
  • 4 days after seeding, iCell2 cardiomyocytes were exposed during 24h to 5 different concentrations of Roundup® or glyphosate(from 0.01 to 100μM) prepared from stock solutions diluted in distilled water(final concentration of distilled water was 0.3%).
  • Roundup® solution used during this study is composed of 400g/L of glyphosate. Concentration of Roundup® presented here after correspond to the concentration of glyphosate present in the solution (Roundup® 10μM correspond to 10μM of glyphosate)
  • Data are expressed as Mean ± SD. Each concentration of compound was administrated in 4 wells.
  • The following parameters were monitored: Cell Index (CI), Amplitude of contraction, Beat rate (BR),Beating period(BP),Individual Beating Duration(IBD),Field Potential Duration(FPD) and FPD corrected by Fridericia(FPDc),Spike amplitude,Beating Rhythm Irregularity (BRI).

Results

Roundup®

Glyphosate

  • No effect of glyphosate from 0.01 μM to 100 μM on viability, contractility and electrical activity.
  • Roundup® up to 10 μM had no effect on viability and electrical activity, only as light decrease of amplitude of contraction was recorded (-11%) after 6 hand sustained within 24h at 10μM.
  • iPSC-CMs stopped beating during Roundup® 100μM.

conclusion

  • The absence of effects of glyphosate on cardiac function indicates that the cardiotoxicity observed with Roundup®could be attributed to Roundup®’sadjuvants.
  • This predictive and sensitive assay can be very useful for cardiotoxicity assessment of pesticides using a human cell based model. This work demonstrates that the evaluation of pesticides’ adjuvants is necessary to better address the safety of pesticides which can also be enlarged to a broader class of molecules.

Please fill out the form below to receive the poster

    I accept that the information entered in this contact form is used and processed so that PhysioStim can contact me to answer my request.(required)


    Human Cardiomyocytes Roundup

    Assessment of Roundup® cardiotoxicity on guinea-pig isolated Langendorff perfused heart and human lnduced Pluripotent Stem Cells derived cardiomyocytes

    R. Printemps, S. Guilbot, H. Didier, M. Le Grand, PhysioStim, Zone Industrielle de Brénas, 81440 Lautrec, France

    Although pesticides are known to be the key actors of modern agriculture, they are source of controversies due to their suspected hazardous health effects. Roundup®, one of the most popularized pesticide, is composed of Glyphosate, its active ingredient, and adjuvants. The broad use of Roundup® through the years in agricultural practices as well as home garden care led to large exposure of humans and mammalians to Glyphosate.
    Many pesticides such as Glyphosate persist in soils and water so that human exposure can be important even to those who do not use it. ln France, the Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) authorized in drinking water is 0.1 ng/ml (=0.59nM) while in USA, EPA authorized concentration up to 0.7ng/ml (=4.lnM). Acute intoxication after ingesting Glyphosate are also observed in suicidai or accidentai cases leading to mean blood concentration ranging from 61µg/ml (=361µM) considered as moderate intoxication to 838µg/ml (=4.96mM) considered as severe intoxication.A number of severe clinical outcomes have been reported: nausea, vomiting, ulceration, acidosis, respiratory distress, impaired renal function, hepatic toxicity, haemodynamic disturbance, cardiac arrhythmia. The purpose of this work was to examine the effects of Roundup® exposition on heart function using Langendorff isolated guinea-pig (GP) perfused heart and human lnduced Pluripotent Stem Cells derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM) models.

    Methods

    lsolated Langendorff-perfused guinea pig heart preparations

    • Spontaneous beating Langendorff isolated perfused hearts from male guinea-pig were perfused with Krebs' solution, oxygenated and warmed at 37 + 1 °C, at a constant perfusion pressure of 55 + 5 mm Hg.
    • After an equilibration period and a 10 min contrai perfusion, three concentrations of Glyphosate (see table 1) were perfused during 20 min each.
    • The following parameters were measured: left ventricular pressure (LVP), maximal contraction velocity (Max dP/dt) and maximal relaxation velocity (Min dP/dt), heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF) and ECG parameters (PR, RR, QRS, QT and QTc (Fridericia) intervals)

    Hum an lnduced Pluripotent Stem cells derived cardiomyocytes

    • Cor.4U® Cardiomyocytes were supplied by Ncardia and seeded on 48 wells plate following manufacturers instruction and analyzed using the xCELLigence RTCA cardia ECR platform (simultaneous measurement of MEA and impedance).
    • 4 to 5 days after seeding, Cor.4U® cardiomyocytes were exposed during 18h to 24h to different concentrations of Roundup (up to 9 concentrations, see table 1, only some of them are presented in the result section).
    • The following parameters were monitored: Cell Index (Cl), Amplitude of contraction, Beat rate, Beating period, lndividual Beating Duration (IBD), Field Potential Duration (FPD) and FPD corrected by Fridericia (FPDc), Spike amplitude, Beating Rhythm lrregularity (BRI).

    Compound administration

    Roundup® was diluted in distilled water and the combine effects of Glyphosate and adjuvants were evaluated. Concentration of Roundup® tested have been expressed as Glyphosate concentration.

    Compound Adminsitration

    Results

    Guinea pig heart preparation

    Guinea pig heart preparation
    Guinea pig heart preparation
    • No effect of Glyphosate at 1µM
    • No effect of Glyphosate at 10µM on ECG parameters but , ↗ CF (+39%) and ↘ LVP (-26%)
    • At lOOµM, Glyphosate ↘ HR (-33%), LVP (-92%) and CF (-43%) and , ↗ all ECG parameters (RR +50%, PR +39%, QRS +58% and QTc +28%). AV Black was observed in 1 of 5 preparations.

    Cor.4U ® cardiomyocytes

    Cor.4U cardiomyocytes
    Cor.4U cardiomyocytes
    • No effect of Glyphosate from 0.01n M to lµM on viability, contractility and electrical activity.
    • At lOµM, Glyphosate had no effect on Cell index and contractility but ,↗ FPDc (+15%).
    • Glyphosate induced ↘ Cell Index with time at 100µM (-35% after 6h), ↘ amplitude of contraction and beat rate (maximum effect -48% and -45% after 6h respectively) but no modification of FPDc before 18h exposition.
    • With Glyphosate lmM, Cor.4U® cardiomyocytes stopped beating after 5min exposition and Cell Index ↘ up to -97% after 6h corresponding to cardiomyocytes death.

    conclusion

    • Evaluation of the global effects of Roundup® (Glyphosate + adjuvants).
    • Bath models were able to detect cardiotoxicity of Roundup® mainly characterized by a massive decrease of the heart's contractile function and troubles in electrical conduction.
    • Effects observed in man after Roundup® intoxication, as reported in the literature (moderate ≈ 360µM to severe intoxication ≈ 5mM), were consistent with those observed in these in vitro - ex vivo models.
    • These predictive and sensitive assays are particularly relevant for cardiotoxicity assessment of pesticides but also to many other compounds produced by chemicals and fine chemicals industries.

    Please fill out the form below to receive the poster

      I accept that the information entered in this contact form is used and processed so that PhysioStim can contact me to answer my request.(required)


      Human Cardiomyocytes aconitine resveratrol

      Effects of resveratrol on aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmia in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes

      R. Printemps, S. Guilbot, M. Le Grand, PhysioStim, Zone Industrielle de Brénas, 81440 Lautrec, France

      Resveratrol, a natural ingredient of grape skin, has been demonstrated to exert protective effect on the cardiovascular system. The use of aconitine, the main effective ingredient of a well-known medical herb widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (aconitium), is associated with severe cardiovascular toxicities including tachyarrhythmia and hypotension. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the potential cardioprotective action of resveratrol on aconitine-induced arrhythmia in human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). To this end, aconitine and resveratrol were tested alone first before evaluation of the co-administration of both compounds to finally assess the impact of a post-treatment of resveratrol after aconitine administration or a pre-treatment of resveratrol before aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmia.

      Methods

      Human Induced Pluripotent Stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs)

      • iCell® Cardiomyocytes2 were supplied by Cellular Dynamics (a Fujifilm company) and seeded on 48 wells plate following manufacturers instruction and analyzed using the xCELLigence RTCA cardio ECR platform (simultaneous measurement of MEA and impedance).
      • 4 to 6 days after seeding, iCell2 cardiomyocytes were exposed to different concentrations of aconitine, resveratrol as well as the combination of both compounds, whether by co-administration or by pre-treatment or post-treatment with resveratrol.
      • Data are expressed as Mean ± SD and the first 2h of treatment are presented. This study is composed of 5 groups and the number of replicates in each group is detailed in the experimental design below.
      • The following parameters were monitored: Cell Index (CI), Amplitude of contraction, Beat rate (BR) , Beating period (BP) , Individual Beating Duration (IBD), Field Potential Duration (FPD) and FPD corrected by Fridericia (FPDc), Spike amplitude, Beating Rhythm Irregularity (BRI).

      Experimental design

      Results

      • After 30min, the cells stopped beating with aconitine 0.3µM, 1µM and 3µM.
      • Several concentrations of resveratrol were evaluated (0.1µM, 1µM, 10µM and 30µM), no major modification of all the parameters recorded was observed (data not shown).
      • Aconitine 0.1µM will be the concentration selected to induce arrhythmia.
      • Resveratrol 30µM will be evaluated for its antiarrhythmic capacity to reverse aconitine’s effects.
      • Tested alone, resveratrol 30µM had no effect on hiPSC-CMs while aconitine 0.1µM time-dependently ↘ amplitude of contraction (-40% after 30min) and FPDc (-60% after 30min) and ↗ Beat rate (+318% after 30min) and BRI (x5 times vs resveratrol).
      • Compared to aconitine 0.1µM alone, co-administration of aconitine 0.1µM + resveratrol 30µM had no effect on FPDc and BRI and only slightly lowered effects on amplitude of contraction (∆= -6% after 30min) and Beat rate (∆= -29% after 30min).
      • Post-addition of resveratrol 30µM after 30-min exposition to aconitine 0.1µM did not reduce aconitine 0.1µM effects (Amplitude of contraction: ∆= -4%, Beat rate: ∆= -11%, FPDc: ∆= +1% after 30min respectively).
      • A 30 min pre-treatment with resveratrol 30µM ↘ aconitine’s effects on all parameters (amplitude of contraction ∆= -17%, beat rate ∆= -93%, FPDc ∆= -15%, BRI ÷3.8 after 15min) and the occurrence of aconitine’s normal effects are delayed by 30min.

      conclusion

      • Exposition of hiPSC-CMs to aconitine induce a massive increase of beating frequency and a decrease of amplitude of contraction.
      • In the same time, resveratrol was not able to suppress aconitine-induced arrhythmia in hiPSC-CMs. Resveratrol was only able to slightly reduce and also delay the occurrence of the maximum effects observed in the presence of aconitine when administrated as a pre-treatment.
      • This multi-parametric assay is particularly relevant for the evaluation of drugs’ anti-arrhythmic properties in a model of cardiac arrhythmia in Human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes.

      Please fill out the form below to receive the poster

        I accept that the information entered in this contact form is used and processed so that PhysioStim can contact me to answer my request.(required)


        Human Cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide

        Evaluation of two hERG channel trafficking modulators, pentamidine and pilsicainide, on stably transfected cell line and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

        R. Printemps1, S. Guilbot1, M. Morton2, M. Le Grand11 PhysioStim, Zone Industrielle de Brénas, 81440 Lautrec, France | 2ApconiX Ltd, 3F68 AlderleyPark, Cheshire, SK104TG, United Kingdom

        hERG trafficking inhibition is known to be one of the mechanisms of indirect hERG inhibition, resulting in QT prolongation and lethal arrhythmia. An increasing number of drugs have been shown to interfere with hERG trafficking. Pilsicainide is a widely used antiarrhythmic agent (class Ic) especially for treating atrial fibrillation. This compound has been evaluated on hERG channel current expressed in stably transfected mammalian cell line as well as on human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) and compared to pentamidine, a well-known hERG trafficking inhibitor.

        Method

        Ion channel data

        • Electrophysiological recordings of hERG, Nav1.5 (peak), Ito and Iks currents were made from Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines while Cav1.2 currents were made from Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK-293) cell line. All cell lines stably expressed the full-length ion channel. Single cell ionic currents were measured in whole-cell configuration at room temperature (21-23⁰C) using a Patchliner (Nanion Technologies).
        • For acute study, cells were clamped at a holding potential of -80mV before a depolarizing step appropriate for each channel. Six Point concentration-response curves were generated by cumulative addition of compound and steady-state inhibition was achieved before the next concentration of compound was added.
        • During chronic exposure, hERG cells were exposed during 24h to different concentrations of pentamidine or pilsicainide and then hERG current amplitudes were recorded.
        • Data are expressed as Mean ± SEM. For acute study, experiments were replicated 4 times while during chronic exposition, the number of experiments ranged from 28 to 44 for pentamidine, and between 90 and 165 for pilsicainide.

        Human Induced Pluripotent Stem cells derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM)

        • iCell® Cardiomyocytes2 were supplied by Cellular Dynamics (a Fujifilm company) and seeded on 48 wells plate following manufacturers instruction and analyzed using the xCELLigence RTCA cardio ECR platform (simultaneous measurement of MEA and impedance).
        • 4 to 6 days after seeding, iCell2 cardiomyocytes were exposed during 48h to different concentrations of pentamidine and pilsicainide.
        • The following parameters were monitored: Cell Index (CI), Amplitude of contraction, Beat rate (BR) , Beating period (BP) , Individual Beating Duration (IBD), Field Potential Duration (FPD) and FPD corrected by Fridericia (FPDc), Spike amplitude, Beating Rhythm Irregularity (BRI).

        Results

        Ion channel experiments

        Ion channel panel, acute exposition:

        hCM hiPSC-CM cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide 01

        hERG channel

        hCM hiPSC-CM cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide 02
        • No acute effect of pentamidine on hERG, Nav1.5, Cav1.2, Iks and Ito.
        • Chronic exposition to pentamidine decrease the amplitude of hERG current (estimated IC50 = 9.0µM)
        • Acute effect of pilsicainide on hERG channel (estimated IC50 = 24.6µM) but no acute effects on Nav1.5, Cav1.2, Iks and Ito.
        • Chronic exposition to pilsicainide increase the amplitude of hERG current (≈+50%) whatever the concentration tested.

        Ion channel panel, acute exposition:

        iPSCs cardiomyocytes

        hCM hiPSC-CM cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide

        Pentamidine

        hCM hiPSC-CM cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide 04

        Pilsicainide

        hCM hiPSC-CM cardiomyocytes Pentamidine Pilsicainide 5
        • No acute effect of pentamidine on each parameter during the first 2 hours. From 6h to 24h, pentamidine 30 μM time-dependently ↓ amplitude of contraction, BR and CIand ↓ FPDc (+123% at 24h) and BRI (at 12h). After 48h, the cells stopped beating with pentamidine 30μM.
        • Acute effects of pilsicainide conduct to a concentration-dependent ↓ of BR (-28% at 10µM) and an ↑ of FPDc (+28% at 10µM) with maximum effect after 15 min and sustained through 48h. Pilsicainide from 1 to 10µM had no effect on amplitude of contraction and CI. The cells stopped beating immediately after pilsicainide 20µM addition.

        conclusion

        • Absence of pentamidine’s acute effects on hERG current in CHO cells is confirmed in Human iPSC-CM. Indeed, no modification of FPDc was observed before 6h of treatment at the highest concentration tested (30 µM).
        • On the other hand, the increase of hERG trafficking observed on CHO cells by pilsicainide was not confirmed in iPSC-CM as FPDc was prolonged after short-term exposition and maintained during time.
        • This predictive and sensitive assay is particularly relevant for long-term cardiotoxicity assessment in Human iPSC derived cardiomyocytes.

        Please fill out the form below to receive the poster

          I accept that the information entered in this contact form is used and processed so that PhysioStim can contact me to answer my request.(required)