Fine structural and morphometric studies on gastric parietal cells of peptic ulcer patients after long-term treatment with omeprazole

Omeprazole, a substituted benzimidazole, is known to inhibit acid secretion from parietal cells in gastric glands, and is widely utilized as a drug for peptic ulcer. To clarify the ultrastructural changes in parietal cells from long-term treatment with a therapeutic dose of omeprazole, biopsy specimens of the gastric mucosa obtained from peptic ulcer patients were morphometrically analyzed before and after omeprazole treatment. Before treatment with omeprazole, parietal cells in both the stimulated and resting stages were observed; the stimulated cells possessed smaller amounts of tubulovesicles in the cytoplasm and numerous profiles of microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi, whereas the cells in the resting phase showed numerous profiles of tubulovesicles and poorly developed microvilli in the canaliculi. Eight weeks after the onset of omeprazole treatment, the amounts of both tubulovesicles in the cytoplasm and microvilli in the intracellular canaliculi drastically decreased. These decreases in the profiles of the membrane structures with a proton pump occurred concomitantly with a significant increase in autophagic vacuole/autolysosome-like structures. These results suggest that the membrane structures with proton pump are not recycled between tubulovesicles and microvilli of intracellular canaliculi in parietal cells after omeprazole treatment, but may be sequestrated into autophagosomes and degraded by lysosomal enzymes.

Miconazole gel increases the cure rate of Helicobacter pylori infection when added to lansoprazole and amoxicillin in a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Miconazole is an antimycotic agent with bacteriocidal activity against Helicobacter pylori in vitro. Its role in the clinical eradication of H. pylori has not been studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and side effect profile of miconazole for the treatment of H. pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied 65 patients with gastritis or peptic ulcer disease in whom H. pylori infection was confirmed by a rapid urease test and microbiologic assessment. In vitro miconazole sensitivity was assessed for the H. pylori strains isolated from the enrolled patients. All patients were randomized to receive either dual therapy consisting of lansoprazole 30 mg daily and amoxicillin 500 mg three times a day for 14 days (LA, n = 33) or triple therapy using the LA regimen plus miconazole gel 100 mg three times a day for 14 days (LAM, n = 32). At least 8 weeks after the treatment, successful therapy was validated by the histological and microbiologic assessment. Adverse effects and drug adherence were monitored by direct questioning.

RESULTS

The minimum inhibitory concentrations of miconazole ranged from 3.13 to 6.25 mg/L. H. pylori was eradicated in 16 of 33 patients (48%, 95% CI = 31% to 67%) after LA therapy, and 24 of 32 patients (75%, 95% CI = 59% to 91%) after LAM therapy (p < .03). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of miconazole gel to the LA regimen significantly improved the cure rate of H. pylori without an increase in adverse effects.

The basic helix-loop-helix protein BETA2 interacts with p300 to coordinate differentiation of secretin-expressing enteroendocrine cells

The major epithelial cell types lining the intestine comprise a perpetually self-renewing population of cells that differentiate continuously from a stem cell in the intestinal crypts. Secretin-producing enteroendocrine cells represent a nondividing subpopulation of intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting that expression of the hormone is coordinated with cell cycle arrest during the differentiation of this cell lineage. Here we report that the basic helix-loop-helix protein BETA2 associates functionally with the coactivator, p300 to activate transcription of the secretin gene as well as the gene encoding the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. Overexpression of BETA2 in cell lines induces both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis suggesting that BETA2 may regulate proliferation of secretin cells. Consistent with this role, we observed both reentry of normally quiescent cells into the cell cycle and disrupted cell number regulation in the small intestine of BETA2 null mice. Thus, BETA2 may function to coordinate transcriptional activation of the secretin gene, cell cycle arrest, and cell number regulation, providing one of the first examples of a transcription factor that controls terminal differentiation of cells in the intestinal epithelium.

[Assessment of 123I-beta-methyl iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) myocardial scintigraphy in patients of chronic right ventricular overload--fatty acid metabolism in right ventricular myocardium]

An investigation on the right ventricular pressure level and the abnormalities in the fatty acid metabolism of myocardium was made using 123I-beta-methyl-iodophenyl pentadecanoic acid (BMIPP) myocardial SPECT in patients with chronic right ventricular overloading. Twenty patients who presented with right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 35 mmHg or more were used as the subjects. Dual myocardial SPECT with 201TlCl (Tl) and BMIPP was carried out for the subjects and RVc/LVc, a ratio of radioactivity count incorporated in the right ventricular free wall to the left one was determined for Tl and BMIPP. And the correlations between RVc/LVc and RVSP, and RVc/LVc and RVSP/LVSP were examined. The subjects were classified into 3 groups based on the RVSP levels and the count ratio, BMIPP/Tl was compared among the three groups. With respect of Tl uptake, there were significant, positive correlations between RVc/LVc and RVSP (correlation coefficient r = 0.51, p < 0.05) and between RVc/LVc and RVSP/LVSP (correlation coefficient r = 0.59, p < 0.01). On the other hand, no significant correlation was found between them with respect of the uptake of BMIPP. The BMIPP/Tl ratio in the group with higher than 80 mmHg of RVSP was 0.82 +/- 0.06, which was significantly lower than the ratio's for two groups of less than 80 mmHg; 0.91 +/- 0.07 and 0.98 +/- 0.04 in the group with 35-49 and 50-79 mmHg of RVSP, respectively. These results show that when compared with BMIPP, Tl is superior for the estimation of right ventricular pressure. For the patients with right ventricular overloading, it was suggested that when RVSP reaches 80 mmHg or more, there appear some disorders in the fatty acid metabolism in the right ventricular myocardium.

Diabetes, defective pancreatic morphogenesis, and abnormal enteroendocrine differentiation in BETA2/neuroD-deficient mice

Candidate transcription factors involved in pancreatic endocrine development have been isolated using insulin gene regulation as a paradigm. The cell-type restricted basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) gene, BETA2/NeuroD, expressed in pancreatic endocrine cells, the intestine, and the brain, activates insulin gene transcription and can induce neurons to differentiate. To understand the importance of BETA2 in pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation, mice lacking a functional BETA2 gene were generated by gene targeting experiments. Mice carrying a targeted disruption of the BETA2 gene developed severe diabetes and died perinatally. Homozygous BETA2 null mice had a striking reduction in the number of insulin-producing beta cells and failed to develop mature islets. Islet morphogenesis appeared to be arrested between E14.5 and E17.5, a period characterized by major expansion of the beta cell population. The presence of severe diabetes in these mice suggests that proper islet structure plays an important role in blood glucose homeostasis. In addition, secretin- and cholecystokinin-producing enteroendocrine cells failed to develop in the absence of BETA2. The absence of these two pancreatic secretagogs may explain the abnormal cellular polarity and inability to secrete zymogen granules in pancreatic acinar exocrine cells. The nervous system appeared to develop normally, despite abundant expression of BETA2 in differentiating neurons. Thus, BETA2 is critical for the normal development of several specialized cell types arising from the gut endoderm.

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor BETA2/NeuroD is expressed in mammalian enteroendocrine cells and activates secretin gene expression

The gene encoding the hormone secretin is expressed only in enteroendocrine S cells and insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells during development. A 120-bp enhancer directs cell-specific expression of the rat secretin gene in secretin-expressing cells. The enhancer includes an E-box sequence, CAGCTG, which is important for transcriptional activity. To further characterize the role of the E box, a consensus binding site for basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, we have examined factors that interact with this element in the secretin gene. The results suggest that transcription is activated by a recently isolated tissue-specific bHLH protein, BETA2, heterodimerized to the ubiquitously expressed bHLH proteins, Pan 1 and Pan 2, the rodent homologues of E47 and E12. The importance of BETA2 for transcriptional activation of secretin is further illustrated by antisense experiments inhibiting BETA2 expression in secretin-producing cell lines, which resulted in the inhibition of most E box-dependent transcription. Expression of BETA2 in a nonendocrine cell line conferred the ability to express secretin-reporter genes that are transcribed at minimal levels in the absence of BETA2. Secretin-producing enteroendocrine cells in the murine small intestine showed specific immunostaining with BETA2 antibodies, corroborating observations in cell lines. Thus BETA2 is to our knowledge the first transcription factor identified that specifically activates cell type-specific expression of an intestinal hormone gene.

Tissue-specific response of the human platelet-activating factor receptor gene to retinoic acid and thyroid hormone by alternative promoter usage

We have studied the effects of retinoic acid (RA) and thyroid hormone (3,3',5-triiodothyronine; T3) on platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) gene expression in intact rats and the ability of two human PAFR gene promoters (PAFR promoters 1 and 2) to generate two transcripts (PAFR transcripts 1 and 2). Northern blotting showed that RA and T3 regulated PAFR gene expression only in rat tissues that express PAFR transcript 2. Functional analysis of the human PAFR promoter 2 revealed that responsiveness to RA and T3 was conferred through a 24-bp element [PAFR-hormone response element (HRE) located from -67 to -44 bp of the transcription start site, whereas PAFR promoter 1 did not respond to these hormones. The PAFR-HRE is composed of three direct repeated TGACCT-like hexamer motifs with 2-and 4-bp spaces, and the two upstream and two downstream motifs were identified as response elements for RA and T3. Thus, the PAF-PAFR pathway is regulated by the PAFR level altered by a tissue-specific response to RA and T3 through the PAFR-HRE of the PAFR promoter 2.

Platelet-activating factor receptor. Gene structure and tissue-specific regulation

The human platelet-activating factor receptor gene exists as a single copy on chromosome 1. Two 5'-noncoding exons (Exon 1 and 2) has distinct transcription initiation sites and promoters. These exons are alternatively spliced to a common splice acceptor site on exon 3 that contains a total coding regions. The transcript 1 is expressed ubiquitously with an emphasis of differentiated eosinophilic cell line (Eol-1), and leukocytes. On the other hand, the transcript 2 is expressed tissue-specifically. The latter is not expressed in leukocytes or brain. The transcript 1 has three tandem repeats of NF-kappa B, and SP-1 site, and responded to various inflammatory reagents including PAF itself, lipopolysaccharide, or phorbol ester. By northern blotting of tissue or cells with various nutritional or hormonal treatments, the PAF receptor messages are up-regulated. Estrogen increased the expression of the PAF receptor in human endometrial glandular cells, and vitamin A (retinoic acid) or thyroid hormone treatment up-regulates the PAF receptor expression only tissues with transcript 2 By various in vivo and in vitro transcriptional assays (CAT reporter assay, gel mobility shift assay), we identified estrogen responsible element, and hormone responsive element. The PAF receptor hormone responsive element is composed of three direct repeated TGACCT-like hexamer motifs with 2 and 4 bp spaces, and the two upstream and two downstream motifs were identified as response elements for RA and T.

Up-regulation of the intracellular Ca2+ signaling and mRNA expression of platelet-activating factor receptor by estradiol in human uterine endometrial cells

Platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), a potent chemical mediator in inflammation, plays a role in reproduction. Using primary culture of human uterine endometrial cells, we investigated the effect of sex steroid hormones on the PAF-induced signal and its receptor mRNA expression. After a 24 hr treatment with estradiol, PAF increased the intracellular calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) in the glandular cells, but not in the stromal cells. This response was not observed in the non-treated cells, and was blocked by a PAF antagonist, WEB2086. Two types of mRNA (transcript 1 and transcript 2) occurred for PAF receptor by alternative splicing, which are under control of two distinct promoters. Using RT-PCR analysis, it was shown that both transcripts existed in endometrial cells and that estradiol alone or a combination of estradiol and progesterone induced the accumulation of transcript 2, the promoter of which responded to estrogen in our previous studies. The regulation of PAF receptor by sex steroid hormones in human uterine endometrial cells suggests that PAF is involved in the physiological process of reproduction.

Relationships between metal ions and oxygen free radicals in ethanol-induced damage to cultured rat gastric mucosal cells

The current study investigated whether metal ions were cytoprotective against ethanol-induced injury to cultured rat gastric mucosal cells in vitro. Secondly, the relationships between oxygen free radicals and cytoprotection by metal ions were examined. Cultured cells exposed to ethanol produced superoxide anion, as assessed by reduction of cytochrome c, in a time-related fashion, and the production of superoxide anion increased dose-dependently as the concentration of ethanol increased. Cellular damage increased proportionately to the production of superoxide anion. ZnCl2, AlCl3, CoCl2, CuCl2, and CdCl2 significantly diminished ethanol-induced injury dose-dependently. All of the agents studied decreased the reduction of cytochrome c in ethanol-induced damage dose-dependently. These results led to the conclusions that: (1) cultured rat gastric mucosal cells exposed to ethanol generate oxygen free radicals; (2) the production of oxygen free radicals is closely linked with ethanol-induced damage to the cells; and (3) metal ions decrease ethanol-induced gastric mucosal cell damage in vitro. Metal ions protect cultured rat gastric mucosal cells from ethanol-induced damage in which oxygen free radicals participate.

Amino-acid sequence and tissue distribution of guinea-pig leukotriene A4 hydrolase

The guinea-pig leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H)-encoding cDNA was isolated from a guinea-pig lung cDNA library by cross-hybridization using a human probe. The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence consists of 611 aa (68 756 Da) and contains all twelve internal peptide and N-terminal sequences determined from the purified enzyme from guinea-pig intestine. The aa identity of the guinea-pig enzyme with its human, mouse and rat counterparts was 92.9, 90.5 and 90.4%, respectively. The previously characterized zinc-binding motif and a putative active site were highly conserved, supporting the aminopeptidase activity described for this enzyme. RNA blot analysis demonstrated ubiquitous expression of the LTA4H mRNA.

Adaptive cytoprotection in cultured rat gastric mucus-producing cells. Role of mucus and prostaglandin synthesis

In cultured gastric mucosal cells, we investigated whether: (1) adaptive cytoprotection was associated with stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis; (2) prostaglandins given exogenously were cytoprotective against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal cell damage; and (3) a relationship existed between cytoprotection and mucus release. Cytolysis was quantified by measuring 51Cr release from prelabeled cells. Mucus release was determined by measurement of [3H]glucosamine release. Concentrations of ethanol > 12% caused cell damage and increased 51Cr release dose dependently. Pretreatment with low concentrations of ethanol (0.5-1.5%) decreased ethanol-induced 51Cr release, but also decreased prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Prostaglandin E2 and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 given exogenously were cytoprotective against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal cell damage. Treatment with low concentrations of ethanol (1.5%) increased mucus release from cultured gastric mucosal cells. However, prostaglandin E2 and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 did not affect mucus release. We conclude that in cultured gastric mucus-producing cells: (1) adaptive cytoprotection occurs without stimulation of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis but with increase in mucus release; and (2) exogenous prostaglandins are cytoprotective against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal cell damage without stimulating mucus release in vitro. We postulate that adaptive cytoprotection in cultured gastric mucus-producing cells is not mediated by prostaglandin, but by mucus released in response to a mild irritant.

Positive and negative regulations of human platelet-activating factor receptor transcript 2 (tissue-type) by estrogen and TGF-beta 1

We found that the expression of human platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) gene is differentially regulated by estrogen and TGF-beta 1. Primer extension analysis revealed that the levels of the PAFR transcript 2 were increased by estrogen, but decreased by TGF-beta 1 in the human stomach cancer cell line (JR-St cells) which expressed both functional endogenous PAFR transcript 1 (leukocyte-type) and transcript 2 (tissue-type). Both ligands did not affect the expression of intrinsic PAFR transcript 1. Furthermore, the response elements to estrogen and TGF-beta 1 in the PAFR promoter 2 were delineated by a transient expression assay using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene as a reporter in this cell line. A negative response element for TGF-beta 1 was mapped on the sequence from -90 bp to -81 bp, which has consensus sequence for TIE (TGF-beta 1 inhibitory element). Although consensus estrogen response element (AGGTCAnnnTGACCT) is not present in this promoter, the entire sequence comprising two AGGTCA half motifs spaced by 153 bp (from -257 bp to -93 bp) conferred weak but significant estrogen responsiveness. Thus, through these elements in the PAFR promoter 2, estrogen and TGF-beta 1 may regulate the PAFR gene to achieve a tissue-specific expression.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) positively auto-regulates the expression of human PAF receptor transcript 1 (leukocyte-type) through NF-kappa B

The human platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) gene is transcribed by two distinct promoters (promoter 1 and promoter 2) to generate two transcripts (designated as PAFR transcript 1 and PAFR transcript 2), though their open reading frames are identical. By primer extension analysis to discriminate two transcripts, we found that the levels of PAFR transcript 1 (leukocyte-type), but not PAFR transcript 2 (tissue-type), are upregulated by PAF as well as by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in the human stomach cancer cell line (JR-St cells) which expresses both functional PAFR transcript 1 and PAFR transcript 2 endogenously. Functional analysis of the promoter 1 with a transient expression assay using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene as a reporter showed that both PAF and TPA activated the promoter 1 but not the deleted promoter lacking the three consensus binding sites for NF-kappa B located from -571 bp to -459 bp. These findings suggest a molecular mechanism of positive regulation of PAFR gene expression by PAF through NF-kappa B, possibly by a phosphorylation reaction involving protein kinase C by PAF.

Growth regulation of rabbit gastric epithelial cells and protooncogene expression

We recently developed a primary culture system for gastric epithelial cells from adult rabbits that allows the investigation of growth regulation at the cellular level. In this study, we demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dBcAMP) all stimulated cell proliferation. Insulin and dBcAMP potentiated the stimulation of cell proliferation by EGF, while transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) inhibited it. Expression of c-fos and c-myc was induced in response to the stimulation by these growth regulators, but the degree of expression did not necessarily correlate with the effects of these agents on cell proliferation. In conclusion, EGF, insulin, and dBcAMP were positive growth regulators, while TGF-beta 1 was a negative regulator in gastric epithelial cells. These growth modulators may exert their effects by distinct pathways from a standpoint of the expression of c-fos and c-myc.

P2 purinergic receptor regulation of mucus glycoprotein secretion by rabbit gastric mucous cells in a primary culture

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Physiological regulation of gastric mucus secretion has not been well studied. The present study investigated the effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), a P2 purinergic receptor agonist, and its analogues on gastric mucus secretion using gastric mucous cells in a primary culture.

METHODS

A monolayer culture of gastric mucous cells from adult rabbits were prepared after enzyme digestion. Mucus secretion was estimated from the release of [3H]glucosamine from prelabeled cells. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored by a Ca(2+)-sensitive probe, indo-1. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the media was measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay.

RESULTS

ATP significantly stimulated mucus secretion by these cells at nontoxic doses in a dose-dependent fashion. The order of potency of ATP analogues stimulating mucus secretion was alpha beta-methylene ATP > ATP > 2-methylthio ATP, whereas adenosine, a P1 purinergic receptor agonist, had no effect. ATP also induced an elevation of [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent fashion. The efficacy of ATP analogues to increase [Ca2+]i showed a similar potency to their actions on mucus secretion. ATP increased PGE2 at relatively higher concentrations, whereas indomethacin did not block ATP-induced increase of mucus secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ATP stimulates mucus secretion by gastric mucous cells through P2 purinergic receptors; this appears to be mediated by intracellular calcium not by endogenous PGE2.

Protection of cultured rat gastric cells against oxidant-induced damage by exogenous glutathione

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is an intracellular protectant against oxidants. The present study determined whether extracellular GSH protects against oxidant damage or whether an uptake system of GSH is present in cultured gastric cells.

METHODS

Hydrogen peroxide was generated by glucose oxidase and glucose. Cytotoxicity was assessed by 51Cr release. Intracellular GSH was assayed by the method of Tietze.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with extracellular GSH decreased H2O2-induced 51Cr release. Treatment with GSH enhanced cellular GSH content. Protection by pretreatment with GSH was prevented by buthionine sulfoximine (an inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase). Enhancement of intracellular GSH was also prevented by buthionine sulfoximine. Acivicin (an inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) prevented intracellular accumulation of GSH from extracellular GSH. Cysteine was effective in preventing damage and enhancing intracellular GSH content, whereas both glutamine and glycine were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Extracellular GSH protects cultured gastric cells from H2O2 damage by accelerating intracellular GSH synthesis; this is mediated by membrane-bound gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase acting on extracellular GSH (which supplies these cells with cysteine) and then by intracellular gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatous angiitis) with multiple perforating ulcers of the small intestine, multiple ulcers of the colon, and mononeuritis multiplex

A case of Churg-Strauss syndrome with multiple perforations of the small intestine is described. A 31-year-old woman was admitted with a complaint of epigastric pain. She had a history of bronchial asthma. One week before admission, white blood cell count was 20,800/mm3 with 59% eosinophils. Neurological examination on admission disclosed mononeuritis multiplex with paresthesia in both the lower and upper extremities. At colonoscopy, there were scattered aphthous ulcers in the colon. Ophthalmological examination revealed allergic conjunctivitis. After admission, hypereosinophilia increased to as high as 36,000/mm3. Oral administration of prednisolone (60 mg/day) was begun. On the 3rd day of the treatment, the eosinophil count decreased dramatically, to 400/mm3, while severe abdominal pain developed. Since abdominal X-ray film revealed free air in the abdominal cavity, emergency laparotomy was performed and multiple intestinal ulcers with perforations were found. Partial ileectomy was performed. Pathological findings of the resected specimen were interpreted as a necrotizing angiitis with extravascular granuloma. Since the operation, the patient has been asymptomatic, except for neurological symptoms. Hypereosinophilia has decreased without treatment to counts averaging 270/mm3, within 3 months. On the basis of the clinical features and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of Churg-Strauss syndrome was established.

Roles of Ca2+ and protein kinase C in regulation of prostaglandin E2 release by cultured rabbit gastric epithelial cells

Prostaglandin (PG) has been reported to be one of the important protective factors in the gastric mucosa. However the mechanism of the regulation of endogenous PG production has not been well studied. We investigated the possible roles of Ca2+, cAMP, and protein kinase C (PKC) in the regulation of PGE2 release from cultured rabbit gastric mucosal cells. PGE2 was measured by radioimmunoassay. A23187 (Ca2+ ionophore) at 2 x 10(-6) M significantly increased PGE2 release. Deprivation of Ca2+ from the medium blocked the A23187-induced increase of PGE2. TMB-8 (a putative inhibitor of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores) did not have any significant effects on the increase of PGE2-induced by A23187. Thus, A23187 increased PGE2 through the influx of extracellular Ca2+. W7 or compound 48/80 (calmodulin inhibitors) did not alter the response of PGE2 caused by A23187. Exogenous administration of cAMP, forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase), or 2-chloroadenosine (a possible activator of adenylate cyclase through adenosine A2 receptor) had neither significant effects on PGE2 release nor an effect on A23187-induced increase of PGE2 release. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA, an activator of PKC) significantly stimulated PGE2 release in a dose-dependent fashion, whereas another phorbol ester with no biological activity did not. A23187 at 0.8 x 10(-6) M, but not cAMP, potentiated the TPA-induced increase of PGE2. Mepacrine (a phospholipase A2 inhibitor) reduced the A23187- and TPA-induced increase of PGE2. These results suggest that Ca2+ and protein kinase C may play important roles in the regulation of PGE2 release by cultured rabbit gastric cells.

Two different promoters direct expression of two distinct forms of mRNAs of human platelet-activating factor receptor

The human platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor gene exists as a single copy on chromosome 1. We identified two 5'-noncoding exons, each of which has distinct transcriptional initiation sites. These exons are alternatively spliced to a common splice acceptor site on a third exon that contains the total open reading frame to yield two different species of functional mRNA (Transcript 1 and 2). Transcript 1 has consensus sequences for transcription factor NF-kappa B and Sp-1, and the Initiator (Inr) sequence homologous to the murine terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase gene. Transcript 2 also contains consensus sequences for transcription factor AP-1, AP-2, and Sp-1. Transcripts 1 and 2 were both detected in heart, lung, spleen, and kidney, whereas only Transcript 1 was found in peripheral leukocytes, a differentiated human eosinophilic cell line (EoL-1 cells), and brain. Existence of distinct promoters was thus suggested to play a role in the regulatory control of PAF receptor gene expression in different human tissues and cells.

Role for mucous glycoprotein in protecting cultured rat gastric mucosal cells against toxic oxygen metabolites

The gastric epithelium is exposed to oxygen radicals that are generated within the lumen. Much interest has been focused on the role of mucus in maintaining integrity of the gastric mucosa against oxidants, because gastric mucus may act as a scavenger of oxygen radicals. The aim of this study was to assess the role of mucous glycoprotein in protecting cultured gastric epithelial cells against oxygen radicals. Monolayer cultures of rat gastric mucus-producing cells were studied. Oxygen radicals were generated by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase. Cytotoxicity was quantified by measuring chromium 51 release form prelabeled cells. Rate of mucous synthesis was estimated by incorporation of tritiated glucosamine into the cells. The effects of tetraprenyl acetone (a stimulant of mucus production) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (a mucolytic agent) on oxygen radical-induced damage were determined. Preincubation with tetrapenyl acetone, while stimulating mucous glycoprotein by the cultured cells, caused a dose-dependent reduction of hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase-induced 51Cr release, reaching maximum protection of the damage by 31% to 50%. In contrast, pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine potentiated oxygen radical-induced 51Cr release dose dependently. The protective effect of tetraprenyl acetone was significantly abolished by N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Neither tetraprenyl acetone nor N-acetyl-L-cysteine alone under the conditions of this study affected the cellular content of glutathione, which modulates oxygen radical injury to these cells. These results suggest that mucous glycoprotein partially but significantly protects cultured gastric epithelial cells against extracellularly generated oxygen radicals. It seems likely, therefore, that gastric mucus is involved in antioxidant defenses in these cells.