Fumitoshi Satoh

Role of urotensin II in patients on dialysis.

Urotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, which also has some vasodilatory properties. We investigated its expression in various tissues and in the plasma of patients with renal dysfunction. Plasma concentrations of urotensin II-like immunoreactivity were 2-fold higher in patients not on dialysis and 3-fold higher in those on haemodialysis thanin healthy individuals. Messenger RNA encoding theurotensin II precursor and the urotensin II receptor precursor were expressed in various human tissues. The peptidemight act as an important regulator in the cardiovascularand renal systems. Urotensin II antagonists could, therefore, be useful in the treatment of diseases affecting theseorgans.

Nongenomic Vascular Action of Aldosterone in the Glomerular Microcirculation

Aldosterone (Aldo) accelerates hypertension, proteinuria, and glomerulosclerosis in animal models of malignant hypertension or chronic renal failure. Aldo may exert these deleterious renal effects by elevating renal vascular resistance and glomerular capillary pressure. To test this possibility, directly examined were the action of Aldo on the afferent (Af) and efferent (Ef) arterioles (Arts). Examined were the effect of Aldo added to both the bath and lumen on the intraluminal diameter (measured at the most responsive point) of rabbits. Aldo caused dose-dependent constriction in both arterioles with a higher sensitivity in Ef-Arts. Vasoconstrictor action of Aldo was not affected by a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone and was reproduced by membrane-impermeable albumin-conjugated Aldo, suggesting that the vasoconstrictor actions are nongenomic. Pretreatment with neomycin (a specific inhibitor of phospholipase C) abolished the vasoconstrictor action of Aldo in both arterioles. In addition, the vasoconstrictor action of Aldo on Af-Arts was inhibited by both nifedipine and efonidipine, whereas that on Ef-Arts was inhibited by efonidipine but not nifedipine. The results demonstrate that Aldo causes nongenomic vasoconstriction by activating phospholipase C with a subsequent calcium mobilization thorough L- or T-type voltage-dependent calcium channels in Af- or Ef-Arts, respectively. These vasoconstrictor actions on the glomerular microcirculation may play an important role in the pathophysiology and progression of renal diseases by elevating renal vascular resistance and glomerular capillary pressure.

Aromatase in the human central nervous system

Oestrogen produced locally by aromatase is thought to participate in numerous biological functions in the adult central nervous system (CNS). However, little is known about aromatase expression in the human CNS.

Immunoreactive orexin-A in human plasma

Orexin-A and orexin-B are newly discovered neuropeptides which are implicated in feeding behavior and arousal state. We studied immunoreactive(IR)-orexin-A concentrations in human plasma by radioimmunoassay. IR-orexin-A concentrations in plasma obtained from 17 healthy subjects in the morning were 1.94 +/- 0.24 pmol/liter (mean +/- SEM). IR-orexin-A levels in the plasma obtained at night were not significantly different from those obtained in the morning in 9 female subjects. The HPLC analysis of the plasma extract showed two immunoreactive peaks; one peak eluting in an identical position to synthetic orexin-A, and one eluting earlier. This study has shown for the first time the presence of orexin-A in human plasma.

Regional distribution of urocortin-like immunoreactivity and expression of urocortin mRNA in the human brain.

Regional distribution of urocortin-like immunoreactivity (UCN-LI) in the human brain was studied by radioimmunoassay and was compared with that of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). In addition, the expression of UCN mRNA was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. UCN-LI was detected in every region of brain examined, including hypothalamus, pons, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum. The concentrations of UCN-LI in the human brain were approximately 3 pmol/g wet weight in any brain region, and no marked regional difference was noted. On the other hand, the highest concentrations of CRH-LI were found in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, and hypothalamus and the lowest in the pons. Reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography of the UCN-LI in the human brain extract showed two immunoreactive peaks; one peak eluting earlier and one in the position of synthetic human UCN. RT-PCR showed that UCN mRNA was expressed in every region of brain examined. These findings indicated that UCN and UCN mRNA were widely expressed in the human brain.

Expression of Adrenomedullin mRNA in the Human Brain and Pituitary

We have recently reported the presence of immunoreactive (IR) adrenomedullin (ADM) in the human brain. In the present study, the expression of ADM mRNA was studied by Northern blot analysis in the human brain and pituitary, and the presence of IR-ADM in the human pituitary was studied by radioimmunoassay. ADM mRNA was clearly detected in every region of the brain examined and in the pituitary. High concentrations of IR-ADM were present in the whole pituitary (16.7 +/- 2.0 pmol/g wet weight, mean +/- SEM, n = 4). Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography of the pituitary showed a peak eluting in the position of human ADM(1-52). These findings suggest that ADM acts as a neuromodulator or a neurotransmitter in the brain, and as an autocrine factor, a paracrine factor, or a neurohormone in the pituitary.

Orexin-A in the human brain and tumor tissues of ganglioneuroblastoma and neuroblastoma.

Regional distribution of orexin-A-like immunoreactivity in the human brain and pituitary, and the presence of orexin-A-like immunoreactivity in the tumor tissues of pheochromocytomas, ganglioneuroblastomas and neuroblastomas were studied by radioimmunoassay. Expression of orexin mRNA was studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Orexin-A-like immunoreactivity was detected in every region of human brain, but not in the pituitary. The highest concentration of orexin-A-like immunoreactivity in the human brain was found in hypothalamus (17.8 +/- 4.3 pmol/g wet weight, mean +/- SEM, n = 7), followed by thalamus, medulla oblongata, and pons. Orexin-A-like immunoreactivity was detected in the tumor tissues of ganglioneuroblastoma and neuroblastoma, but not in the tumor tissues of pheochromocytoma. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic analyses of the orexin-A-like immunoreactivity in the human brain extracts and neuroblastoma extracts showed a single immunoreactive peak, which was eluted in an identical position to synthetic human orexin-A. Orexin mRNA was expressed in the hypothalamus and in the tumor tissues of ganglioneuroblastoma and neuroblastoma. These findings suggest that orexin-A is produced in the hypothalamus and transported to various brain regions via axons. In addition, this study has shown for the first time the production of orexin-A by ganglioneuroblastomas and neuroblastomas.

Expression of adrenomedullin mRNA in adrenocortical tumors and secretion of adrenomedullin by cultured adrenocortical carcinoma cells

Immunoreactive-adrenomedullin concentrations and the expression of adrenomedullin mRNA were studied in the tumor tissues of adrenocortical tumors. Northern blot analysis showed the expression of adrenomedullin mRNA in tumor tissues of adrenocortical tumors, including aldosterone-producing adenomas, cortisol-producing adenomas, a non-functioning adenoma and adrenocortical carcinomas, as well as normal parts of adrenal glands and pheochromocytomas. On the other hand, immunoreactive-adrenomedullin was not detected in about 90% cases of adrenocortical tumors (<0.12 pmol/g wet weight (ww)). Immunoreactive-adrenomedullin concentrations ranged from 0.44 to 198.2 pmol/g ww in tumor tissues of pheochromocytomas and were 9.2 +/- 1.2 pmol/g ww (mean +/- SD, n = 4) in normal parts of adrenal glands. Adrenomedullin mRNA was expressed in an adrenocortical adenocarcinoma cell line, SW-13 and immunoreactive-adrenomedullin was detected in the culture medium of SW-13 (48.9 +/- 1.8 fmol/10(5) cells/24h, mean +/- SEM, n = 4). On the other hand, immunoreactive-adrenomedullin was not detectable in the extract of SW-13 cells (<0.09 fmol/10(5) cells), suggesting that adrenomedullin was actively secreted from SW-13 cells without long-term storage. These findings indicate that adrenomedullin is produced and secreted, not only by pheochromocytomas, but also by adrenocortical tumors. Undetectable or low levels of immunoreactive-adrenomedullin in the tumor tissues of adrenocortical tumors may be due to very rapid secretion of this peptide soon after the translation from these tumors.

Adrenomedullin and its receptor complexes in remnant kidneys of rats with renal mass ablation: decreased expression of calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor-activity modifying protein-3.

Adrenomedullin (AM) has vasodilator and diuretic actions, similarly to natriuretic peptides. AM receptor complexes are composed of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor-activity modifying protein-2 (RAMP2), or CRLR and RAMP3. We aimed to know whether gene expression of AM and AM receptor complexes are regulated in kidneys under pathophysiological conditions. Expression of AM, RAMP2, RAMP3 and CRLR mRNA was studied in the remnant kidney of rats with renal mass ablation using competitive quantitative RT-PCR techniques. Partial cloning was performed to determine the rat RAMP3 nucleotide sequence. In normal rat kidneys, expression levels of RAMP2, RAMP3, CRLR and AM mRNAs were 26.5 +/- 1.9 mmol/mole of GAPDH, 7.7 +/- 0.9 mmol/mole of GAPDH, 3.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/mole of GAPDH and 0.57 +/- 0.03 mmol/mole of GAPDH (mean +/- SE, n = 6), respectively. RAMP3 mRNA levels decreased significantly to about 50% and about 70% of control (sham-operated rats) 4 days and 14 days after 5/6 nephrectomy, respectively. CRLR mRNA levels also decreased significantly to about 30% and about 43% of control. Sodium intake restriction had no significant effects on the RAMP3 and CRLR gene expression. On the other hand, RAMP2 mRNA expression in the kidney was suppressed by sodium intake restriction regardless of nephrectomy, while RAMP2 levels in the remnant kidney were not significantly changed by 5/6 nephrectomy. Neither 5/6 nephrectomy or sodium intake restriction had any significant effects on the AM gene expression in the kidney. The present study showed that expression of mRNAs encoding AM, RAMP2, RAMP3 and CRLR were differentially regulated in remnant kidneys of rats with renal mass ablation.

Characterization and distribution of prolactin releasing peptide (PrRP) binding sites in the rat – evidence for a novel binding site subtype in cardiac and skeletal muscle

Prolactin releasing peptide (PrRP) was recently purified from bovine hypothalamus and binds to the orphan receptor, UHR‐1. We examined the distribution and kinetics of 125I‐PrRP binding in rat tissues together with molecular characterization by chemical cross‐linking and Northern blotting. In this study 125I‐PrRP binding showed specificity and rapid association and dissociation. Specific binding was found in membranes from rat tissues including brain (hypothalamus, medulla oblongata and cerebellum), pituitary, heart, soleus muscle, adipose tissue, kidney, adrenal gland, testis and small intestine. In hypothalamus, pituitary, heart and soleus competition analysis indicated only one class of binding site in each tissue. Binding affinity for PrRP (IC50) and binding site density (Bmax) respectively were 5.2±0.9 nM and 674±97 fmol mg protein−1 in hypothalamus (n=5), 1.4±0.6 nM and 541±126 fmol mg protein−1 in pituitary (n=3), 6.6±0.7 nM and 628±74 fmol mg protein−1 in heart (n=4) and 9.8±0.9 nM and 677±121 fmol mg protein−1 in soleus muscle (n=4). Analysis of 125I‐PrRP‐binding site complexes by chemical cross‐linking showed a binding site Mr of 69,000 in hypothalamus and 41,000 in heart and soleus. Northern analysis of polyA+ RNA from hypothalamus showed a 4.2 kb band as expected for UHR‐1, but heart and soleus showed a 4.8 kb band. Taken together these results indicate that there may be different subtypes of PrRP binding sites in rat tissues which may differ from UHR‐1.