Androgen regulation of thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor expression in human erythroleukemia cells.

Thromboxane A2 (TxA2), a platelet aggregator and vasoconstrictor, has been implicated as a potential mediator of cardiovascular diseases. Abuse of androgenic steroids has been associated with thrombotic cardiovascular diseases. Human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, a megakaryocyte-like cell line, express functional TxA2/prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) receptors with characteristics similar to those seen in platelets. This study characterized testosterone regulation of HEL cell TxA2/PGH2 receptors. TxA2/PGH2 receptor affinity (Kd) and density (Bmax) were determined via equilibrium binding experiments using the radiolabeled TxA2 mimetic (1S-[1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 alpha(1E,3R*),4 alpha])-7-(3-[3-hydroxy-4-(4'- iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl)-5-he ptenoic acid (125I-labeled BOP). Testosterone (200 nM) but not estradiol increased Bmax from 108 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein to 157 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein (n = 7 experiments; P < 0.01) without any significant change in Kd. Testosterone had no significant effect on alpha 2-adrenergic receptor density. The maximum increase in intracellular free calcium induced by the TxA2 agonists I-BOP or U-46619 was significantly (P < 0.005) greater in testosterone-treated cells compared with controls. Hydroxyflutamide (1 microM), an androgen-receptor antagonist, completely blocked the effect of testosterone (P < 0.01). Dihydrotestosterone, the active metabolite of testosterone, also increased Bmax in a concentration-dependent manner and was more potent than testosterone. The effect of testosterone to increase Bmax was significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited by coincubation with cycloheximide (0.1 microgram/ml) or actinomycin D (10 ng/ml). These results indicate that androgenic steroids regulate the expression of functional TxA2/PGH2 receptors in HEL cells. These findings may have relevance to cardiovascular disease.