RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Stimulation of G Protein–Coupled Bile Acid Receptor Enhances Vascular Endothelial Barrier Function via Activation of Protein Kinase A and Rac1 JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 125 OP 130 DO 10.1124/jpet.113.209288 VO 348 IS 1 A1 Taiki Kida A1 Keisuke Omori A1 Masatoshi Hori A1 Hiroshi Ozaki A1 Takahisa Murata YR 2014 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/348/1/125.abstract AB Bile acids are end products of cholesterol metabolism, and they constantly exist at high concentrations in the blood. Since vascular endothelial cells express G protein–coupled bile acid receptor (GPBAR), bile acids potentially modulate endothelial function. Here, we investigated whether and how GPBAR agonism affects endothelial barrier function. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs), treatment with a GPBAR agonist, taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) increased the transendothelial electrical resistance. In addition, TLCA suppressed the thrombin-induced dextran infiltration through the endothelial monolayer. Knockdown of GPBAR abolished the inhibitory effect of TLCA on hyperpermeability. These results indicate that stimulation of GPBAR enhances endothelial barrier function. TLCA increased intracellular cAMP production in BAECs. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) or Rac1 significantly attenuated the TLCA-induced endothelial barrier protection. TLCA induced cortical actin polymerization, which was attenuated by a Rac1 inhibitor. In vivo, local administration of TLCA into the mouse ear significantly inhibited vascular leakage and edema formation induced by croton oil or vascular endothelial growth factor. These results indicate that stimulation of GPBAR enhances endothelial barrier function by cAMP/PKA/Rac1-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement.