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Lysophosphatidylcholine, a component of atherogenic lipoproteins, induces the change of calcium mobilization via TRPC ion channels in cultured human corporal smooth muscle cells

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 17, pages 475–483 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. To understand the mechanism(s) of hypercholesterolemia-induced erectile dysfunction, we studied the effect of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) on the membrane conductance of corporal smooth muscle cells. We used cultured human corporal smooth muscle cells. The intracelluar Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and the influx of divalent cation was monitored by the ratio of fura-2 fluorescence (F340/380) and by the Mn2+-induced quenching rate of fura-2, respectively. The LPC-induced membrane current was characterized by the whole-cell patch-clamp technique and the molecular identity of suspected channels was probed by RT-PCR. LPC (20 μM) induced a statistically significant increase in F340/380 to 119.9±3.9% of initial control (n=6) in corporal smooth muscle cells. The addition of 20 μM LPC accelerated the quenching rate of F360 by 59.5±11.8% (n=5). LPC activated nonselective cationic current (ILPC), similar to the known effects of phenylephrine in corporal myocytes. The size of ILPC at −60 mV was −55.3±6.3 pA (n=8). The transcript of transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) was detected in human corporal myocytes. We also found one splicing variant of TRPC6, TRPC6α. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the LPC, a major component of oxidized low-density lipoprotiens, increases calcium in corporal smooth muscle cells probably through activation of a TRPC6 channel and the increased [Ca2+]i by LPC via TRP channels is one of mechanisms for hypercholesterolemia-induced erectile dysfunction.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant of the Korea Health 21 R&D Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (No.: 01-PJ1-PG3-20500-0053).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    I So & S J Kim

  2. Department of Urology, Samsung Medical Center, SungkyunKwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    M R Chae & S W Lee

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Correspondence to S W Lee.

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So, I., Chae, M., Kim, S. et al. Lysophosphatidylcholine, a component of atherogenic lipoproteins, induces the change of calcium mobilization via TRPC ion channels in cultured human corporal smooth muscle cells. Int J Impot Res 17, 475–483 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901356

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