Regulation of extracellular matrix remodeling and MMP-2 activation in cultured rat adrenal medullary endothelial cells.

We previously reported that short term exposure of cultured rat adrenal medullary endothelial cells (RAMEC) to thrombin enhances the subendothelial deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins fibronectin, laminin, and collagen types I (C-I) and IV (C-IV) (Papadimitriou et at., 1997). In this work, we extended our previous studies on factors that affect ECM protein deposition to include agents that activate or inhibit some of the most common intracellular signals such as cAMP, protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium. Furthemore, we investigated the possible link between the observed alterations in ECM protein deposition and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Forskolin (adenylyl cyclase activator) caused a dose-dependent increase in the deposition of all four ECM proteins studied. Isoproterenol (beta-adrenergic receptor agonist) and the membrane-permeant cAMP analogue dibutyryl-cAMP, significantly increased the deposited amounts of ECM proteins at low concentrations, and this increase was reversed at higher concentrations of both agents. All these agents had the opposite effect on MMP-2 secretion, increasing it at doses where they decreased ECM protein deposition and vice-versa. However, elevation of cAMP by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX had no effect neither on the deposited amounts of any of the ECM proteins studied nor on MMP-2 secretion. Activation of PKC by phorbol ester (PMA) resulted in a decrease in ECM protein deposition and an increase in MMP-2 secretion. Finally, chelation of intercellular calcium with BAPTA-AM resulted in an increased ECM deposition and a decrease in MMP-2 secretion, Our results show a complex pattern of regulation of ECM protein deposition by cAMP-mobilizing agents, and also indicate an inverse correlation between ECM protein deposition and secretion of MMP-2. The concerted regulation of both these processes is essential in the formation of new blood vessels and for the integrity of the vascular wall.