Prostaglandin D(2) induces contraction via thromboxane A(2) receptor in rat liver myofibroblasts

Increased intrahepatic resistance is one of the major characteristics of cirrhotic liver, in which extravascular cells including liver myofibroblasts (MFs) abnormally contract. Although several studies provided evidence that various prostaglandins (PG) are involved in liver cirrhosis, the role of PGD(2) remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of PGD(2) on the contractile properties of liver MFs. Cultured rat liver MFs were used at passages 4-7. A collagen gel contraction assay was used for the evaluation of the MFs contraction. mRNA expression was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) were measured by monitoring the fluorescence intensity of fura-2. PGD(2) (1-10 microM) induced liver MF contraction in a dose-dependent manner with [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. Pretreatment with 300 nM LaCl(3), a nonselective Ca(2+) channel blocker abolished the 10 microM PGD(2)-induced MFs contraction. RT-PCR revealed that three distinct PGD(2) responsive receptors, prostanoid DP receptor, chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) and thromboxane A(2) receptor (prostanoid TP receptor), were expressed in liver MFs. While prostanoid DP receptor agonist and CRTH2 agonist didn't induce contraction, 0.01-1 microM U46619 (11alpha, 9alpha-epoxymethano-PGH(2), prostanoid TP receptor agonist) caused robust contraction with [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. Furthermore, pretreatment with prostanoid TP receptor antagonists ramatroban (1 microM) or SQ29548 ([1S-[1alpha, 2alpha(Z), 3alpha, 4alpha]]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenyl amino)carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoic acid, 1 microM) completely suppressed PGD(2)-induced contraction and [Ca(2+)](i) elevation. Additionally, we observed that BW245C (1-10 microM) decreased basal MF contraction. These results suggest that PGD(2) induces rat liver MF contraction with an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) through prostanoid TP receptor.