Role of M3 receptor in penehyclidine hydrochloride-induced reduction of increased permeability of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells caused by endotoxin: the relationship with MAPK signaling pathway

Objective To evaluate the role of M3 receptor in penehyclidine hydrochloride(PHC)-induced reduction of increased permeability of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMVECs)caused by endotoxin and the relationship with mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway. Methods Human PMVECs were seeded in 6-well plates(2 ml/hole)or in culture flasks(4 ml/flask)at the density of 1×105 cells/ml and randomly divided into 6 groups(n=5 each): control group(group C), M3 receptor shRNA transfection group(group shRNA), lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group, penehyclidine plus LPS group(group P+ LPS), LPS plus M3 receptor shRNA transfection group(group LPS+ shRNA)and PHC plus LPS plus M3 shRNA transfection group(group P+ LPS+ shRNA). The cells were transfected with shRNA plasmid containing 2.5 nmol/L M3 receptors in shRNA, LPS+ shRNA and P+ LPS+ shRNA groups.LPS at the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation and then cells were incubated for 1 h in LPS and LPS+ shRNA groups.PHC at the final concentration of 2 μg/ml was added at 24 h of incubation, cells were incubated for 1 h, then LPS at the final concentration of 0.1 μg/ml was added, and cells were incubated for another 1 h in P+ LPS and P+ LPS+ shRNA groups.The permeability of PMVECs was measured using Transwell assay.The expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK(p-p38 MAPK)and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(p-ERK1/2)was detected by Western blot, the expression of heat shock protein 27(HSP27)using immunofluorescent staining, and the expression of M3receptor mRNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with group C, M3 receptor mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in group shRNA, and the permeability of cells was significantly increased, and the expression of p-p38 MAPK, p-ERK1/2, HSP27 and M3 receptor mRNA was up-regulated in group LPS(P<0.05). The permeability of cells was significantly decreased, and the expression of p-p38 MAPK, p-ERK1/2, HSP27 and M3 receptor mRNA was down-regulated in P+ LPS, LPS+ shRNA and P+ LPS+ shRNA groups as compared with group LPS, and in group P+ LPS+ shRNA as compared with group LPS+ shRNA(P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which PHC reduces endotoxin-caused increased permeability of human PMVECs is related to inhibiting activation of MAPK signaling pathway after down-regulating M3 receptor. Key words: Receptor, muscarinic M3; Cholinergic agent; Endothelial cells; Blood capillary; Lung; Endoxemia; p38 MAPKs; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases