Effect of calcium on endothelium-derived relaxing factor formation and cGMP levels in endothelial cells

Various stimulants of the release of EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor) increased intracellular cGMP levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells. ATP was the most effective compound tested, increasing cGMP 7-fold, followed by the calcium ionophore, A23187 (4.8-fold), and bradykinin (4.0-fold). The EC50 values were similar to those obtained when EDRF release was measured with the bioassay technique, which suggests a stimulation of endothelial guanylate cyclase by EDRF. The direct acting stimulants of soluble guanylate cyclase, sodium nitroprusside and SIN-1 (3-morpholino-sydnonimine), also increased the cGMP content of endothelial cells by 9.4 and 7.2 times, respectively. The effects of both groups of stimulants on cGMP levels were antagonized by the lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and by the radical scavenger, phenylbutylnitrone, whereas gossypol or canavanine only antagonized the EDRF-induced effect on endothelial cGMP levels. Bradykinin, ATP and A23187 also increased the uptake of 45CaCl2 into endothelial cells but since the complete removal of extracellular Ca2+ or blockade of Ca2+ transport by LaCl3 did not affect the ability of these compounds to elevate cGMP levels, the formation of EDRF appears not to be triggered by an influx of extracellular calcium. This study provides evidence that EDRF stimulators enhance cGMP levels in endothelial cells, probably due to a direct activation of guanylate cyclase by EDRF.