Douglas C. McVey

The capsaicin VR1 receptor mediates substance P release in toxin A-induced enteritis in rats

The mechanism by which Clostridium difficile toxin A causes substance P (SP) release and subsequent inflammation in the rat ileum is unknown. Pretreatment with the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (VR1) antagonist, capsazepine, before toxin A administration significantly inhibited toxin A-induced SP release and intestinal inflammation. Intraluminal administration of the VR1 agonist capsaicin caused intestinal inflammation similar to the effects of toxin A. Pretreatment with capsazepine before capsaicin administration also significantly inhibited capsaicin-induced intestinal inflammation. These results suggest that intraluminal toxin A causes SP release from primary sensory neurons via stimulation of VR1 receptors resulting in intestinal inflammation.

Localization and characterization of secretin binding sites expressed by rat bile duct epithelium

The goal of the present studies was to identify and characterize the site of secretin action in the liver. Sections of normal and bile duct-ligated rat livers were used for in vitro 125I-secretin receptor autoradiography. Saturable binding was observed in both normal and bile duct-ligated livers but was much greater in the bile duct-ligated preparations. Binding was limited to biliary epithelium and the increased secretin binding observed in the ligated livers correlated with the increase in ductular tissue. Saturable binding was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by increasing concentrations of nonradioactive secretin. Analysis of saturation binding showed that 125I-secretin binding was best fit by a one-site receptor model with a Kd of 5.3 +/- 1.1 nmol/L. Glucagon, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, gastric inhibitory polypeptide, growth hormone-releasing hormone, and cholecystokinin did not inhibit saturable 125I-secretin binding at concentrations of 1 pmol/L to 1 mumol/L. The authors conclude that high-affinity, specific secretin binding sites are present in rat intrahepatic biliary epithelium. When bile ducts are stimulated to proliferate by bile duct ligation, secretin binding is also increased.

Cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y receptors on single rabbit vagal afferent ganglion neurons: site of prejunctional modulation of visceral sensory neurons

A [125I]cholecystokinin (CCK) analog and [125I]peptide YY (PYY) were used to localize and characterize CCK and neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor binding sites in the rabbit vagal afferent (nodose) ganglion. High concentrations of CCK and NPY binding sites were observed in 10.6% and 9.2% of the nodose ganglion neurons, respectively. Pharmacological experiments using CCK or NPY analogs suggest that both subtypes of CCK (CCK-A and CCK-B) and NPY (Y1 and Y2) receptor binding sites are expressed by discrete populations of neurons in the nodose ganglion. These results suggest sites at which CCK or NPY, released in either the nucleus of the solitary tract or a peripheral tissue, may modulate the release of neurotransmitters from a select population of visceral primary afferent neurons. Possible functions mediated by these receptors include modulation of satiety, opiate analgesia, and the development of morphine tolerance.

Differences in receptor binding and stability to enzymatic digestion between CCK-8 and CCK-58.

Introduction and Aims It has been proposed that distinct tertiary structures of the C-terminus of CCK-8 and CCK-58 result in differences in stimulation of pancreatic amylase secretion. Binding of CCK-8 and CCK-58 to CCK-A and CCK-B receptors and stability to enzymatic digestion were used as independent probes for tertiary structure of the C-terminus. Methodology Canine CCK-58 was purified from intestinal extracts and CCK-8 was purchased. Their amounts were determined by amino acid analysis. The effect of tertiary structure on receptor binding at CCK-A receptors and CCK-B receptors was evaluated using membrane preparations from mouse pancreas and brain. The influence of C-terminal tertiary structure on stability to enzymatic digestion was evaluated by reacting CCK-8 and CCK-58 with endopeptidase 24:11. Results CCK-58 was three times more potent than CCK-8 for binding mouse pancreatic membrane CCK-A receptors and equipotent to CCK-8 for binding mouse brain CCK-B receptors. CCK-8 was readily digested by endopeptidase 24:11, whereas CCK-58 was not. Conclusions The results strongly support the hypothesis that differences in tertiary structure of the carboxyl terminus of CCK-8 and CCK-58 influence receptor binding and stability to enzymatic digestion.

Neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptor binding sites in the heart: Localization and pharmacological characterization

[125I]Peptide YY was used to localize and characterize peptide YY and neuropeptide Y receptor binding sites in the heart. In the rat and rabbit heart, nearly every artery and arteriole that could be histologically identified also expressed saturable binding sites for [125I]peptide YY. In the arteries, these [125I]peptide YY binding sites were primarily associated with the smooth muscle layer. Pharmacological experiments demonstrated that peptide YY and neuropeptide Y were equipotent in competing for [125I]peptide YY binding in the heart. In another competition series, [Leu31,Pro34]-neuropeptide Y (a Y1 receptor-specific agonist when used with [125I]peptide YY) was significantly more potent than neuropeptide Y (a Y2 receptor-specific agonist when used with [125I]peptide YY) in competing for [125I]peptide YY binding from coronary arteries, suggesting that the receptor binding sites on cardiac arteries and arterioles are of the Y1 subtype. These results demonstrate that smooth muscle cells of the atrial and ventricular arteries and arterioles in rat and rabbit heart express Y1 receptors and suggest a possible direct effect of neuropeptide Y on coronary blood vessels to induce vasoconstriction.

Leukotriene B4 Mediates Inflammation via TRPV1 in Duct Obstruction-induced Pancreatitis in Rats

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) mediates pancreatic inflammation in rats via activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Methods: Leukotriene B4 or a vehicle was administered to adult rats via celiac axis injection after pretreatment with the TRPV1 antagonist, capsazepine, or vehicle, and the severity of subsequent pancreatitis was assessed by measuring pancreatic edema, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and histological grading. In a second experiment, acute pancreatitis was induced by common pancreaticobiliary duct ligation. Six hours after surgery, pancreatic tissue levels of LTB4 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Also, the effects of inhibition of LTB4 biosynthesis by pretreatment with the 5-lipoxygenase-activating peptide inhibitor, MK-886, were determined. Results: Celiac axis administration of LTB4 significantly increased pancreatic edema and MPO activity, and produced histological evidence of pancreatic edema, neutrophil infiltration, and necrosis. Capsazepine pretreatment significantly reduced all inflammatory parameters in LTB4-induced pancreatitis. Pancreatic tissue levels of LTB4 were significantly elevated in rats that underwent common pancreaticobiliary duct ligation compared with control rats. MK-886 pretreatment significantly inhibited pancreatic edema, histological damage, and pancreatic MPO concentrations. Conclusions: Common pancreaticobiliary duct obstruction causes an increase in pancreatic LTB4 concentrations that in turn mediates activation of TRPV1 resulting in acute pancreatitis.

Extrinsic surgical denervation inhibits Clostridium difficile toxin A-induced enteritis in rats

Clostridium difficile enteritis is caused by toxin A (TA) which stimulates substance P release and subsequent receptor activation. This receptor stimulation results in secretion, inflammation, and structural damage. However, it is unclear as to which subset of neurons is required to initiate substance P release following toxin stimulation. Five centimeter ileal segments were surgically denervated. After 10 days, three ileal loops were constructed in each rat: the denervated loop was injected intraluminally with 5 microg of TA and two intact loops were injected with TA or vehicle, respectively. Ileal secretion, myeloperoxidase activity, and histology were then assessed. Denervated ileal loops injected with TA had a 75% reduction in ileal secretion (P < 0.001), 92% reduction in myeloperoxidase activity (P < 0.01) and 96% reduction in histologic damage (P < 0.001) compared to innervated loops. There were no significant differences between the denervated loops injected with TA and those injected with vehicle. Extrinsic surgical denervation results in protection of ileal loops from TA enteritis. Furthermore, these results exclude the participation of intrinsic enteric nerves in TA-induced ileal damage. Finally, this suggests that extrinsic primary sensory neurons mediate the effects of intraluminal TA in the ileum.

Bombesin/GRP-preferring and neuromedin B-preferring receptors in the rat urogenital system.

Bombesin binding sites were localized in the rat urogenital system by autoradiography of 125I-Tyr4-bombesin binding to frozen tissue sections. Saturable binding was observed in the bladder, seminal vesicle, uterus, and oviduct. In all organs, the binding sites corresponded to layers of smooth muscle. Radioligand binding studies were performed on homogenized membrane preparations from bladder, uterus, and seminal vesicle. Membrane binding was saturable, reversible, time- and temperature-dependent, and specific for bombesin and related peptides. Analysis of saturable equilibrium binding from all three organs yielded a best fit to a one-site model of high affinity binding with apparent KdS of 720 pM for bladder, 470 pM for uterus, and 700 pM for seminal vesicle. Neuromedin B was potent in displacing saturable 125I-Tyr4-bombesin binding from bladder and seminal vesicle but not uterus membranes. In order to characterize these binding sites further, the ability of these membranes to interact with a specific bombesin receptor antagonist, [Leu13-psi-CH2NH-Leu14]-bombesin, and with GTP-gamma-S was determined. [Leu13-psi-CH2NH-Leu14]-bombesin was much more potent in displacing saturable 125I-Tyr4-bombesin binding from uterus than from bladder and seminal vesicle membranes, further supporting the distinction between the uterus and the bladder/seminal vesicle binding sites as bombesin receptor subtypes. GTP-gamma-S inhibited saturable 125I-Tyr4-bombesin binding to membranes from all three organs, indicating that both receptor subtypes are linked to GTP-binding proteins. We conclude that smooth muscle in the rat urogenital system expresses bombesin receptors and that endogenous GRP and neuromedin B may regulate some reproductive and excretory functions. The bladder and seminal vesicle express the neuromedin B-preferring subtype and the uterus expresses the bombesin/GRP-preferring subtype of bombesin receptor.

Localization and characterization of neuropeptide Y/peptide YY receptors in the brain of the smooth dogfish (Mustelis canis)

Multiple receptor subtypes specific for the neuropeptide Y (NPY)/peptide Y (PYY) family of peptides exist in mammals, but little is known about the distribution of this receptor family in other vertebrates. Saturable binding sites for 125I-labeled porcine PYY were localized in frozen sections of the brain of the smooth dogfish (Mustelis canis) by radioligand binding and autoradiography. Saturable 125I-porcine PYY binding sites were distributed widely in the cerebral hemispheres, optic lobes, hypothalamus, cerebellum and hindbrain. Binding was saturable, specific for PYY and related peptides, and of high affinity (Kd = 2.53 nM). The specificity of the binding site was analyzed by performing competitive inhibition experiments with nonradioactive PYY, NPY, and [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY and NPY13-36, synthetic peptide analogs specific for the mammalian Y1 and Y2 receptor subtypes, respectively. Saturable 125I-porcine PYY binding sites in all regions of the dogfish brain closely resembled the mammalian Y1 NPY receptor subtype in specificity for these substances. There was no evidence for expression of multiple receptor subtypes. We conclude that a single receptor specific for the NPY/PYY family of peptides is widely expressed in the smooth dogfish brain and that this receptor closely resembles the mammalian Y1 receptor subtype, suggesting that the Y1 receptor is the ancestral receptor in this family.

Monitor peptide binding sites are expressed in the rat liver and small intestine

125I-monitor peptide binding was performed using frozen sections of the rat liver and gut and visualized using autoradiography. Saturable binding was observed in unidentified single cells in the liver and in the mucosa of the small intestine. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and GTPgammaS did not inhibit 125I-monitor peptide binding indicating that the binding sites are not EGF receptors or G protein-coupled receptors. The liver binding site exhibited an affinity 3.7-4.4-fold higher than those in the small intestine. It has been established that intraluminal monitor peptide releases cholecystokinin from the small intestine. The present results indicate that monitor peptide may also have liver associated functions.