Camille Vaillant

The neuronal origin of bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the rat gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract Extracts of muscle and mucosal layers of the rat stomach contained material cross-reacting in radioimmunoassays for the amphibian skin peptide bombesin. In the intestine, immunoreactive bom-besin was confined to the muscle layers. Two molecular forms of immunoreactive bombesin were identified; one of these components was eluted in a similar position to tetradecapeptide bombesin on gel filtration and accounted for about 90% of the immunoreactivity in intestinal extracts, compared with about 40% in stomach. The two components were distinguishable from synthetic bombesin, and from the structurally related peptide substance P, on the basis of their pattern of immunochemical properties with three different antisera. Immunohistochemical studies using the same antisera revealed a rich distribution of nerve fibres in the mucosa of the rat stomach, but few fibres were seen in the intestinal mucosa. Abundant fibres with bombesin-like immunoreactivity were found surrounding nerve cell bodies in the myenteric plexus throughout the gut. Immunoreactivc nerve cell bodies were not identified, neither was convincing evidence obtained to indicate the presence of bombesin in mucosal endocrine cells. The results support the possibilities that bombesin-like peptides are neurotransmitters in the gut and that they could play a role in the modulation of gastrointestinal motility and in the release of gastrin.

Regulation by gastric acid of the processing of progastrin‐derived peptides in rat antral mucosa

1 Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole increases the synthesis and secretion of the pyloric antral hormone gastrin. We report here how omeprazole influences the conversion of the gastrin precursor to its final products, and the abundance of mRNAs encoding proteins associated with progastrin processing in rat antral mucosa. 2 Progastrin processing was studied using a pulse–chase protocol in antral mucosa, incubated in vitro, from rats treated with omeprazole for up to 5 days. Labelled peptides were detected by on–line scintillation counting after immunoprecipitation and HPLC. The mRNAs encoding prohormone‐processing enzymes were identified by Northern blot, polymerase chain reaction or ribonuclease protection assay, and their cellular origins identified by immunocytochemistry. 3 Cleavage of [3H]‐ and [35S]‐labelled progastrins at Arg‐94–95 or Arg‐57–58, and amidation at Phe‐92 were not influenced by pretreatment with omeprazole. In contrast, cleavage of G34 (the thirty‐four amino acid amidated gastrin) at Lys‐74–75 to give G17 (the seventeen amino acid amidated gastrin), and of G34–Gly to Gl7–Gly (G34 and G17 with COOH‐terminal glycine), was increased 3‐fold after treatment with omeprazole for either 1 or 5 days. 4 Approximately 20% of newly synthesized amidated and Gly‐extended gastrins were secreted within 240 min of the labelling period in omeprazole‐treated samples, but secretion of labelled gastrins from control tissue was undetectable over a comparable period. 5 The amidating enzyme, peptidylglycine α‐amidating mono‐oxygenase (PAM), the prohormone convertases PC1/3, PC2, PC5 and the PC2 chaperone 7B2 were localized to rat antral gastrin cells by immunocytochemistry. The relative abundance of mRNA species encoding 7B2, PC5 and PAM were unchanged after treatment with omeprazole for 5 days, whereas gastrin, PC1/3 and PC2 mRNAs are known to increase at this time. 6 The main consequence of increased cleavage at Lys‐74–75 is the production of G17 and G17–Gly at the expense of G34 and G34–Gly, respectively. The latter have longer plasma half‐lives, and so their increased cleavage may serve to limit the rise in plasma gastrin concentration after inhibition of acid secretion. Changes in the abundance of mRNAs encoding prohormone‐processing enzymes cannot account for the rapidity of the changes in cleavage of progastrin at Lys residues after omeprazole.

VIP-, substance P-, gastrin/CCK-, bombesin-, somatostatin- and glucagon-like immunoreactivities in the gut of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

SummaryThe presence of peptides in the gastrointestinal tract of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was investigated immunocytochemically. VIP-like immunoreactivity was demonstrated in nerves in all layers of the stomach and the intestine, whereas substance P-like immunoreactivity was localized to endocrine cells, predominantly in the mucosa of the stomach, and to nerves mainly concentrated in the myenteric plexus throughout the gut. Endocrine cells reactive to gastrin/CCK antiserum were demonstrated in the intestinal mucosa, while no immunoreactivity was found in the stomach. Bombesin-immunoreactive and somatostatin-immunoreactive cells were localized in the stomach mucosa, and cells reactive to glucagon antiserum in the intestinal mucosa. Radioimmunoassay of stomach mucosa and muscle confirmed the presence of VIP-like and substance P-like immunoreactivity in these tissues, while gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity was low and bombesin-like immuno-reactivity was insignificant. In conclusion, molecules resembling the mammalian brain-gut peptides may be involved in the neuronal and hormonal control of gut function in fish.

Vimentin-Positive, c-KIT-Negative Interstitial Cells in Human and Rat Uterus: A Role in Pacemaking?

Abstract The mechanism underlying spontaneous pacemaker potential in the uterus is not clearly understood. Several spontaneously active smooth muscles have interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) or ICC-like cells. We therefore examined cells from freshly dispersed uterine muscle strips (from pregnant human and rat myometrium) and in situ uterine preparations to determine the cell types present. Both preparations revealed numerous ICC-like cells; they were multipolar, with spider-like projections and enlarged central regions. These cells were readily distinguished from uterine myocytes by their morphology and ultrastructure, i.e., no myofilaments, numerous mitochondria, caveolae, and filaments. In addition, the ICC-like cells were noncontractile. These cells were negative to c-kit, a classic marker for ICCs. They stained positive for the intermediate filament, vimentin, a marker for cells of mesenchymal origin but not differentiated myocytes. The ICC-like cells had a more or less stable resting membrane potential of −58 ± 7 mV compared with smooth-muscle cells, −65 ± 13 mV, and produced outward current in response to voltage clamp pulses. However, in contrast with uterine myocytes, inward currents were not observed. This is the first description of ICC-like cells in myometrium and their role in the uterus is discussed, as possible inhibitors of intrinsic smooth-muscle activity.

Expression of endothelin 3 by mesenchymal cells of embryonic mouse caecum

Background Mutations in endothelin 3 (EDN3) and endothelin B receptor (EDNRB) genes cause terminal colonic aganglionosis in mice, and mutations in these genes have also been linked to the terminal aganglionosis seen in human Hirschsprung’s disease. However, details of EDN3 expression during embryogenesis are lacking, and consequently the cellular mechanism by which EDN3 regulates innervation of the terminal gut is unclear. Aims To localise the expression of EDN3 and EDNRB in the embryonic mouse gut. Methods Expression of EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation. Results High levels of EDN3 mRNA expression were restricted to mesenchymal cells of the caecum before and after the arrival of neural crest cells. In contrast, EDNRB expression along the gut displayed a time dependent pattern similar to those of the protein tyrosine kinase ret and the neural crest cell marker PGP9.5. Conclusions Mesenchymal cells of the caecum express high levels of EDN3 mRNA during embryogenesis and hence the production of EDN3 at the caecum is likely to act on neural crest cells as a paracrine factor necessary for subsequent innervation of the terminal gut.

The use of region-specific antibodies in the characterization and localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like substances in the rat gastrointestinal tract

Abstract Antisera specific for different regions of porcine VIP have been used in radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemical studies of immunoreactive VIP in rat small and large intestine. Cation exchange chromatography of intestinal extracts separated two major and one minor peak of immunoreactivity. One major peak eluted in a similar position to natural porcine VIP and was read equally by NH 2 -terminal-specific, and mid- and COOH-terminal-specific antisera. A second major peak, and the minor peak, eluted earlier than porcine VIP, and were read significantly less well with mid- and COOH-terminal antisera compared with NH 2 -terminal-specific antisera. All forms of VIP occurred mainly in extracts of muscle layers of the gut, and no antiserum revealed more than trace amounts of immunoreactivity in mucosal extracts. In immunohistochemical studies all antisera demonstrated fluorescent nerve fibres in the enteric plexuses, circular smooth muscle and lamina propria; some antisera demonstrated nerve cell bodies predominantly in the submucous plexus. NH 2 -terminal-specific antisera also demonstrated a sparse population of mucosal endocrine-like cells in the ileum and colon that were not seen with other antisera. It is concluded that VIPergic neurons of the rat gut contain a peptide closely resembling porcine VIP and at least two less basic variants with similar NH 2 -terminal antigenic determinants. VIP-like peptides may also occur in endocrine cells, but since these peptides appearto fact that the majority of neuronal VIP in rat gut exists in a form that is both chromatographically and immunochemically distinct from porcine VIP, and may well possess different biological properties.

The avian proventriculus is an abundant source of endocrine cells with bombesin-like immunoreactivity

SummaryRadioimmunoassays using specific bombesin antisera revealed high concentrations of immunoreactivity in the turkey proventriculus, and negligible amounts of activity elsewhere in the gut. In immunohistochemical studies the same antisera revealed abundant endocrine-like cells in proventriculus mucosa, and isolated cells in small intestinal mucosa. In contrast to the rat, immunoreactivity was not demonstrated in nerves.

Vertebrate brain-gut peptides related to FMRFamide and Met-enkephalin Arg6Phe7

Many mammalian brain-gut peptides are known to be represented in invertebrate nervous systems; we have now examined the possibility that an invertebrate neuropeptide occurs in vertebrates. Antisera were raised in rabbits to the molluscan neuropeptide. Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-NH2 (FMRFamide). The antiserum used for radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemistry is highly specific for the C-terminus of the tetrapeptide. In radioimmunoassays of tissue extracts of brain, gut and pancreas of various vertebrates (chicken, frog, dog, rat) concentrations of immunoreactive material up to about 200 pmol/g have been recorded. The immunoreactive material in chicken pancreas behaves on gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography as a molecule that is larger and less basic peptide that FMRFamide. Immunocytochemical studies have demonstrated an endocrine cell origin for FMRFamide-like material in chicken pancreas, and in dog ileum. In brain, FMRFamide can be localised to nerve cell bodies (frog) and nerve fibres (frog and rat). Synthetic FMRFamide has been shown to have excitatory actions on brain stem neurons in the rat. It is suggested that neurons in the rat central nervous system have receptors for FMRFamide that normally bind endogenous material with FMRFamide immunoreactivity.

Non-uniform distribution of mitochondria in pancreatic acinar cells

The distribution of mitochondria in pancreatic acinar cells was investigated using confocal fluorescence microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (EM). Acinar cells were studied either after enzymatic isolation or in small segments of undisassociated pancreatic tissue. Loading of isolated acinar cells with Mito Tracker Green or Red, a fluorescence mitochondrial probe, showed that mitochondria are predominantly situated in the perigranular, subplasmalemmal and perinuclear regions. Subsequent applications of EM fixatives induced a leak of the fluorescent indicator to the cytosol but did not change the distribution of mitochondria. EM was then performed on isolated acinar cells and on acinar cells of pancreatic tissue segments. The intracellular distribution of mitochondria was quantified by calculating the percentage of the cross-sectional area that was occupied by mitochondria. In isolated acinar cells the highest density of mitochondria was seen in the perigranular region, where mitochondria occupied 25.69±1.58% of the area, then the subplasmalemmal region with 12.61±0.77% and the perinuclear region with 9.07±0.97% (n=26). Similar results were obtained from acinar cells of pancreatic tissue segments: the perigranular 22.9±1.95%, subplasmalemmal 12.45±0.78% and perinuclear regions 9.07±0.97% (n=26). The outer mitochondrial membranes were frequently positioned close to membranes of the ER, which followed the outer contour of mitochondria. Mitochondria were never found in direct contact with the nuclear envelope: there were usually layers of ER between the mitochondrial and nuclear membranes. Subplasmalemmal mitochondria were found in a very close proximity to the plasma membrane with no ER layers between the mitochondrial and the corresponding plasma membranes. We conclude that in pancreatic acinar cells mitochondria are preferentially distributed to perigranular, subplasmalemmal and perinuclear regions and this distribution is not affected by isolation or fixation procedures.

Time-dependent effects of endothelin-3 on enteric nervous system development in an organ culture model of Hirschsprung's disease.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Terminal colonic aganglionosis (Hirschsprung disease) results from incomplete rostrocaudal colonisation of the embryonic gut by neural crest cells (NCC). Mutations in the genes encoding endothelin-3 (EDN3) or its receptor (EDNRB) have been shown to result in a similar aganglionosis. This article describes the development of an organ culture model using embryonic murine gut to determine how endothelin-3 regulates development of the enteric nervous system. METHODS Gut explants from mice of different gestational ages were cultured for up to 3 days in the presence or absence of 5 micromol/L of the specific endothelin-B receptor antagonist BQ788. EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA expression were analysed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and whole-mount in situ hybridisation. NCC were localised using immunoreactivity for PGP 9.5, a specific neuronal marker. RESULTS EDN3 mRNA continued to be expressed by caecal mesenchymal cells and EDNRB mRNA by the migrating NCC in culture. Embryonic day (E)11.5 explants were already colonised by NCC up to the terminal ileum. Complete colonisation occurred in organ culture over the next 72 hours (equivalent to E 14.5). Explants of E 12.5 and E 13.5 showed complete colonisation after 48 and 24 hours culture, respectively. Terminal aganglionosis resulted from treatment of E 11.5 and E 12.5 gut explants with 5 micromol/L BQ788, whereas there was no inhibitory effect on E 13.5 explants. CONCLUSIONS An organ culture model has been developed in which NCC colonisation of embryonic gut mirrors that described in vivo. Blockade of the EDN3/EDNRB receptor pathway shows that the interaction of endothelin-3 with its receptor is only necessary for NCC colonisation at early time-points, despite the continued expression of endothelin-3 mRNA in the gut.