Stimulation of the EP3receptor causes lung oedema by activation of TRPC6 in pulmonary endothelial cells

Background Prostaglandin E2(PGE2) increases pulmonary vascular permeability by activation of the PGE2receptor 3 (EP3), which may explain adverse pulmonary effects of the EP1/EP3receptor agonist sulprostone in patients. In addition, PGE2contributes to pulmonary oedema in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF). PAF increases endothelial permeability by recruiting the cation channel transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) to endothelial caveolaeviaacid sphingomyelinase (ASMase). Yet, the roles of PGE2and EP3in this pathway are unknown. We hypothesised that EP3receptor activation may increase pulmonary vascular permeability by activation of TRPC6, and thus, synergise with ASMase-mediated TRPC6 recruitment in PAF-induced lung oedema. Methods In isolated lungs, we measured increases in endothelial calcium (ΔCa2+) or lung weight (Δweight), and endothelial caveolar TRPC6 abundance as well as phosphorylation. Results PAF-induced ΔCa2+and Δweight were attenuated in EP3-deficient mice. Sulprostone replicated PAF-induced ΔCa2+and Δweight which were blocked by pharmacological/genetic inhibition of TRPC6, ASMase or Src-family kinases (SrcFK). PAF, but not sulprostone, increased TRPC6 abundance in endothelial caveolae. Immunoprecipitation revealed PAF- and sulprostone-induced tyrosine-phosphorylation of TRPC6 that was prevented by inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) or SrcFK. PLC inhibition also blocked sulprostone-induced ΔCa2+and Δweight, as did inhibition of SrcFK or inhibitory G-protein (Gi) signalling. Conclusions EP3activation triggers pulmonary oedemaviaGi-dependent activation of PLC and subsequent SrcFK-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of TRPC6. In PAF-induced lung oedema, this TRPC6 activation coincides with ASMase-dependent caveolar recruitment of TRPC6, resulting in rapid endothelial Ca2+influx and barrier failure.