Types of nerves in the enteric nervous system

Development and birthdates of vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactive neurons in the chick proventriculus

To gain insight into the mechanisms regulating expression of transmitter phenotypes in the enteric nervous system, we have studied the development and birthdate of vasoactive intestinal peptide immunoreactive (VIP-IR) myenteric neurons in the chicken proventriculus (secretory portion of the avian stomach) by a combination of immunocytochemistry and radioautography. The appearance and numbers of VIP-IR neurons in whole mounts of the myenteric plexus from chick embryos and chickens were examined. We found that VIP-IR neurons first appeared at embryonic day (E) 5.5-6.5 in the distal part of the proventriculus. At E7.5, VIP-IR neurons were found singly, in pairs, or in small groups, which together with unlabeled cells formed primitive myenteric ganglia. VIP-IR fibers were found within the developing fiber tracts which connected the ganglia. The number of VIP-IR neurons was found to be maximum in the E15.5 embryo and to decline to 68% of maximum in the 4 week old chicken. Birthdate studies were performed by application of either single pulses or cumulative doses of [3H]-thymidine to embryos between E3 and E14. Whole mounts of the myenteric plexus from the proventriculus of these embryos were immunostained for VIP at E10 or E17. The whole mounts were subsequently sectioned and processed for radioautography. We found that VIP-IR myenteric neurons were born between E3 and E10 with a peak at E7. Most cells underwent terminal division between E5 and E9. These data will be useful in determining the time and conditions when cells make decisions about transmitter phenotypes.

Innervation of lymphoid organs and implications in development, aging, and autoimmunity

We now have substantial evidence demonstrating noradrenergic sympathetic and peptidergic innervation of both primary and secondary lymphoid organs. We have established criteria for norepinephrine, and some of the neuropeptides, as neurotransmitters, and have found changes in immune responsiveness following pharmacological manipulation of noradrenergic sympathetic or peptidergic nerves. Classic receptor binding studies have demonstrated a wide variety of target cells that possess beta-adrenoceptors and receptors for neuropeptides on cells of the immune system, including lymphocyte subsets, macrophages, accessory cells, or stromal elements. In this chapter we describe noradrenergic and peptidergic innervation of primary and secondary lymphoid organs in development, at maturation and during the normal aging process, and discuss possible functional implications of direct neural signals onto cells of the immune system at critical time points in the lifespan of an animal. Further, we examine for involvement of noradrenergic sympathetic and peptidergic innervation in the development and progression of several autoimmune disorders, including adjuvant-induced arthritis, New Zealand mice strains as a model for hemolytic anemia and lupus-like syndrome, and the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis model for multiple sclerosis.

Cholecystokinin and gastrin induce cell contraction in pig ileum by interacting with different receptor subtypes

The aim of this study was to determine the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor subtype involved in the direct myogenic effect of CCK on pig ileum. Smooth muscle cells were dispersed from pig ileum circular muscle layer and incubated in the presence of various concentrations of CCK agonists and antagonists. Contraction was assessed by measuring the length of 50 cells and expressed as the percentage decrease in cell length from control. Maximal contraction varied between 19% +/- 3% (gastrin II, 10 nmol/L) and 26% +/- 3% [CCK octapeptide (CCK-8), 10 nmol/L]. EC50 for CCK tetrapeptide (CCK-4) was the same than for pentagastrin (30 pmol/L), which were more potent than CCK-8 (100 pmol/L) and unsulfated gastrin 17 (100 pmol/L), which in turn were more potent than unsulfated CCK heptapeptide (CCK-7; 300 pmol/L) and sulfated gastrin II (300 pmol/L). The maximal contraction induced by synthetic analogs of CCK was 22% +/- 1% for 1 nmol/L JMV 170 and 23% +/- 1% for 10 nmol/L JMV 180. EC50 was 10 pmol/L for JMV 170 and 800 pmol/L for JMV 180. Contraction induced by 10 nmol/L CCK was inhibited as follows: L 365,260 half maximal inhibition (IC50) = 1 nmol/L greater than L 364,718 (IC50 = 90 nmol/L) greater than proglumide (IC50 = 1 mumol/L). Contraction induced by 10 nmol/L unsulfated gastrin 17 was inhibited as follows: L 365,260 (IC50 = 1 pmol/L) greater than L 364,718 (IC50 = 60 nmol/L) greater than proglumide (IC50 = 4 mumol/L). Removal of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium did not alter the contraction induced by CCK-8 (10 nmol/L) but impaired the contraction induced by unsulfated gastrin 17 (10 nmol/L) -56% in Ca(2+)-free medium, -77% in Ca(2+)-free medium plus 2 mmol/L EGTA, and -70% in the presence of 1 mumol/L nifedipine. These results show that the CCK receptor of pig ileum smooth muscle cells is closely similar to the B receptor and is not dependent on an influx of extracellular Ca2+ to induce cell contraction. By contrast, gastrin could act through a specific receptor subtype, the "gastrin receptor," triggering a Ca2+ influx into the cell to induce cell contraction.

Neuroendocrine design of the gut

The enteric nervous system (ENS) can be thought of as the third component of the autonomic nervous system. It is a vast network of neurons widely dispersed throughout the gut. The ENS is a dominant regulator of gut function through the action of peptide and non-peptide neurotransmitters. The most intensively studied roles of the ENS have been the regulation of secretory processes, such as gastric acid secretion, and motility. It is clear, however, that the ENS plays a broader role in the regulation of other gut functions, including mucosal defense, the gut immune response, and sphincter function. Alterations in the regulation of gut function by the ENS are likely or suspected in a number of conditions, including achalasia, Hirschsprung's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, Chagas' disease, chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction, biliary dyskinesia, tachygastria, and irritable bowel syndrome. Improved knowledge of the pathophysiology of these troublesome conditions makes effective therapy more likely in the future.

Transplantation of postnatal rat enteric ganglia into denervated adult rat hippocampus

These experiments explore the possible value of the myenteric plexus as a source of donor cells for autografting into the central nervous system. Neurons and glia from 10-12-day postnatal rat myenteric plexus survive for at least one month after transplantation into cholinergically denervated syngeneic adult rat hippocampus. A population of donor cholinergic neurons has acetylcholinesterase-positive processes, but these appear not to innervate host tissue. Host gliosis in response to these implants seems to be less than that seen with other peripheral ganglia, and unlike Schwann cells, the enteric glia form end-feet on brain capillaries.

Proenkephalin A-derived peptide E and its fragments alter opioid contractility in the small intestine

The human and canine small intestine exhibit increased contractility when exposed to exogenous or endogenous opioid peptides. The response of the canine small intestine to the proenkephalin A-derived peptide, peptide E and related processing fragments [Met5]enkephalin, BAM-12P, BAM-18P and BAM-22P was investigated by administering each peptide to isolated, small intestine segments which causes a significant increase in intraluminal pressure. Concentration-response curves from intraarterial bolus administration of peptide E, [Met5]enkephalin, BAM-12P, BAM-18P and BAM-22P showed decreasing efficacy with decreasing amino acid chain length while naloxone (305 nM) significantly antagonized the response. Results using the classical guinea pig ileum/myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle and mouse vas deferens bioassays with specific opioid receptor antagonists provide evidence that peptide E and BAM-18P are relatively specific to the mu opioid receptor, [Met5]enkephalin is more delta specific, BAM-22P is both mu and kappa specific and BAM-12P is kappa opioid receptor specific. These studies demonstrate that locally released (and possibly circulating) peptide E and related processing fragments increase contractility in the small intestine and may be active through more than a single receptor mechanism, particularly the mu receptor.

An immunohistological study of the human enteric nervous system with microtubule-associated proteins

Immunohistochemical study of normal intestines from six infants and children with monoclonal antibodies against microtubule-associated proteins showed that microtubule-associated proteins 5 and tau were excellent markers of the enteric nervous system. Compared with neuron-specific enolase, microtubule-associated proteins 5 and tau had similar distribution but gave more cellular details showing a cytoskeleton of microtubules in neuroplasm. Unlike S100 protein, microtubule-associated proteins 5 and tau were neuron specific and were absent from glial cells. More enteric neurons contained microtubule-associated proteins 5 and tau than neurofilament proteins. Of the other microtubule-associated proteins, microtubule-associated protein 2 was present in only a few enteric neurons and microtubule-associated protein 1 was entirely absent.

Slow transit chronic constipation (Arbuthnot Lane's disease). An immunohistochemical study of neuropeptide-containing nerves in resected specimens from the large bowel

Seven patients (6 women, 1 man) with severe idiopathic chronic constipation, who underwent surgery with subtotal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis, were investigated for the occurrence and density of nerve fibres, immunoreactive to different neuropeptides in the mucosa, submucosa, ganglia and smooth muscle in fresh specimens from the colon ascendens, the colon transversum and the colon descendens-sigmoideum. The following substances were studied: enkephalin, substance P, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, bombesin, motilin, tyrosine hydroxylase, dynorphin and galanin. Nerve fibres immunoreactive to CGRP occurred in large numbers in the myenteric ganglia of the patients with severe idiopathic chronic constipation, whereas in the myenteric ganglia of the control cases they only occurred in low numbers. In two patients there was no detectable motilin immunoreactivity and in one patient only sparse in the mucosa and the smooth muscle. The other neuropeptides investigated occurred in the density and distribution previously reported in the normal gut. With the present technique there were indications that patients with severe idiopathic chronic constipation have a significant difference in the occurrence of immunoreactive nerve fibres to CGRP and motilin compared to control patients.

Dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP)-induced relaxation and elevation of cyclic GMP content in canine lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Cyclic GMP has been proposed as an intracellular mediator of neuronally-induced relaxation in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) smooth muscle. If cyclic GMP is indeed an intracellular messenger, then agents that activate enteric neurons of the sphincter [e.g. the ganglionic nicotinic receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP)] also should cause a relaxation that is associated with an increase in cyclic GMP content. In isolated smooth muscle strips of canine LES, DMPP produced a rapid relaxation that was accompanied by a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in cyclic GMP content with no change in cyclic AMP content. Pretreatment of tissues with either tetrodotoxin or hexamethonium antagonized both the DMPP-induced relaxation and the associated increase in cyclic GMP. The combination of phentolamine and meclofenamic acid also antagonized both the relaxation and the elevation of cyclic GMP produced by DMPP. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxation and elevation in cyclic GMP was unaltered by meclofenamic acid and phentolamine. In conclusion, DMPP (like neuronal electrical activation) relaxed isolated canine LES through an enteric neuronal inhibitory pathway. The presence of phentolamine and meclofenamic acid did not affect EFS-induced effects, but blocked both the relaxation and the increase in cyclic GMP produced by DMPP, suggesting a more complicated pathway for DMPP in the release of inhibitory transmitter.

Intestinal endocrine cells in Hirschsprung's disease. No reduction in density in aganglionic compared with ganglionic segment

The aganglionic intestine in Hirschsprung's disease displays a severe neuronal derangement. The changes are particularly evident in the muscular innervation. In the gut the endocrine cells are among the cells known to be influenced by neurons. We have, therefore, examined the endocrine cells in ganglionic and aganglionic intestine using immunocytochemistry and immunochemistry. The endocrine cells were studied using antibodies against the neuroendocrine marker chromogranin A, the amine serotonin and the hormonal peptides somatostatin, glucagon/glicentin and peptide YY (PYY), thus covering virtually all endocrine cell types known to occur in this region. The PYY concentration in the mucosal layer was measured by radioimmunoassay. In ganglionic as well as in aganglionic intestine large populations of cells storing chromogranin A, serotonin, glucagon and PYY and a smaller population of somatostatin cells were seen. There was an increase in the density of these cells in the aganglionic intestine compared with ganglionic. The data indicate that the endocrine cell populations in the intestinal wall can be maintained despite severe derangements of the nerve supply.

Ultrastructure and synaptology of neurons immunoreactive for gamma-aminobutyric acid in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig small intestine

Immunoreactivity for gamma-aminobutyric acid is located in one morphologically-defined class of nerve cell body in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig small intestine. These are a subgroup of the Dogiel type I nerve cells, characterized by their lamellar dendrites, about 1 micron thick and flattened in the plane of the myenteric plexus, and one (or rarely two) long axonal process that extends to either the longitudinal or the circular muscle. At an ultrastructural level the dendrites were characterized by their open cytoplasm in which were scattered granular vesicles, pale mitochondria, Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. A large proportion of the dendritic surface was in direct contact with the extra-ganglionic space. In the cell body region, which was away from the ganglion surface, the nucleus was surrounded by a thin rim of cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic features are quite distinct from those of Dogiel type II neurons but they were shared by many other non-immunoreactive neurons. Synaptic inputs, which were all non-immunoreactive, were found on the dendrites, cell bodies, axon hillocks and axons of the gamma-aminobutyric acid-immunoreactive neurons. The predominant vesicle type in the presynaptic elements was the small clear vesicle, 40-60 nm in diameter. Based on two gamma-aminobutyric acid-immunoreactive cells that were examined in serial section, about 40-50% of synapses are dendritic, 20-25% are somatic, and 30-35% are on the axon hillock or first 50-70 microns of the axon. No synapses formed by immunoreactive varicosities were found on non-immunoreactive neurons or in the neuropil of the myenteric ganglia. Moreover, the lamellar dendrites or soma of gamma-aminobutyric acid neurons were never presynaptic elements forming relationships with other elements in the ganglia. It is concluded that the gamma-aminobutyric acid reactive Dogiel type I neurons are motor neurons providing inputs to the circular and longitudinal muscle layers.

Role of nitric oxide in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve-mediated relaxation in dog duodenal longitudinal muscle strips

Transmural electrical stimulation caused a relaxation in the dog duodenal longitudinal muscle strips treated with atropine, phentolamine and propranolol, which was abolished by tetrodotoxin. The relaxation was suppressed by oxyhemoglobin and L-NG-nitro-arginine (L-NA), but not influenced by D-NA. Inhibition by L-NA was reversed by L-arginine, but not by D-arginine. The response to transmural electrical stimulation was similar to that caused by nitric oxide or nitroglycerin. Nitric oxide appears to participate importantly in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerve-mediated relaxation.

Immunohistochemical study of peptide-containing nerves in the gastrointestinal tract of the Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli

The distribution and relative frequency of nerves containing immunoreactivity for substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin-releasing polypeptide (GRP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and menthionine-enkephalin (MENK) were studied by immunohistochemistry in the gastrointestinal tract of the herbivorous Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

Immunocytochemical characterization of supporting cells in the enteric nervous system in Hirschsprung's disease

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is composed of two distinct neural components, extrinsic and intrinsic, and its supporting cells uniquely possess some characteristics of both central nervous system (CNS) astrocytes and peripheral nervous system (PNS) Schwann cells. To provide further insight into the neural defects in Hirschsprung's disease, the supporting cells in biopsied normal gut, ganglionic, and aganglionic segments from six cases of Hirschsprung's disease were investigated immunocytochemically for localization of three neuroglial markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein, and glutamine synthetase (GS), by the avidin-biotin-horseradish peroxidase complex method applied to free-floating thick cryostat sections. In normal control gut and ganglionic segments of Hirschsprung's colon, all of the GFAP, S-100, and GS were expressed strongly by the supporting cells of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses, interconnecting nerve fiber bundles of the plexuses, and fine nerve strands in the muscular layer. The nerve bundles of the subserosa merging into the muscular layer were also immunoreactive for GFAP and S-100, but negative or only faintly positive for GS. On the other hand, aberrantly proliferated nerve bundles in the aganglionic segment of the Hirschsprung's colon were accompanied by supporting cells strongly positive for GFAP and S-100, but negative or faintly positive for GS. These results indicate that the supporting cells of the enteric neurons proper, enteric glia, express GFAP, S-100, and GS, whereas the supporting cells of the extrinsic components, which accompany PNS axons, are negative or very weakly positive for GS. Thus, GS immunocytochemistry may delineate intrinsic and extrinsic neural components in the ENS, and may provide an important clue for differential diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.

Enkephalin affects ion transport via the enteric nervous system in guinea-pig ileum

The endogenous opioid enkephalin drives ion transport towards absorption. To determine the site and mechanism of this effect, fractionated stripping of guinea-pig ileum was carried out. The muscularis propria, including myenteric plexus, was removed by partial stripping. The submucosa, including the submucosal plexus, plus the muscularis mucosae were removed by total stripping. For binding studies, epithelial cells were removed by the method of Weiser leaving the lamina propria mucosae with the mucosal plexus. Radio-receptor-assay with (3H)2-D-ala-5-D-leu-enkephalin revealed enkephalin binding sites in the submucosa plus muscularis mucosae (KD = 3.6 nmol l-1; Vmax = 7.3 fmol mg-1) and in the lamina propria mucosae (KD = 4.2 nmol l-1; Vmax = 5.1 fmol mg-1. The binding was stereospecific in both layers. No binding was detected on epithelial cells. In the Ussing chamber, partially stripped ileum exhibited spontaneous ISC which was abolished by addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) or by total stripping indicating that this ISC was neuronally stimulated by the submucosal plexus. Electrogenic chloride secretion was identified as contributing to this ISC, since the TTX-sensitive part of ISC in the partially stripped ileum was lacking in Cl- and HCO3-free medium, reappeared after addition of Cl consistent with Michaelis-Menten kinetics (Km = 19 nmol l-1) and was reversed by serosal addition of bumetanide. In addition, enkephalin increased electroneutral NaCl-absorption as obtained by Na- and Cl-flux measurements. Enkephalin decreased this spontaneous neuronally stimulated electrogenic Cl-secretion in the partially stripped ileum, but had no effect in totally stripped ileum if ISC was stimulated at the cellular level by theophylline or PGE1. We conclude that ganglia located in the submucosal plexus regulate intestinal ion transport. Enkephalin acts by presynaptic inhibition via receptors on these neurons in the submucosa and/or via receptors on their neurites in the lamina propria mucosae.

Effect of VIP on sugar transport in rabbit small intestine in vitro

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has shown to be widely distributed in the gastrointestinal mucosa, submucosa and nerves, and the existence of VIP receptors on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes has been recently reported for many species. The interaction of VIP with its receptors seemed to increase cyclic AMP level, and this nucleotide has been shown to be responsible for the intestinal secretion produced by VIP. The present study confirms that VIP inhibits the intestinal absorption of D-galactose. This effect seems to be due to the inhibition of the Na(+)-independent basolateral intestinal sugar transport system. RMI 12330A, described as adenylate cyclase inhibitors, blocked the VIP action. These findings suggest that cyclic AMP might be responsible for the inhibition of Na(+)-independent transport of D-galactose across the basolateral membrane. Moreover, results obtained to determine the possible role of calcium in the action of VIP suggest that Ca2+ play a part, directly or indirectly, in the inhibition of the D-galactose transport across the basolateral membrane produced by VIP.

Resistance of myenteric neurons in the rat's colon to depletion by 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone

Earlier reports have suggested that anthraquinone purgatives in excessive amounts cause degeneration of neurons in the enteric nervous system. Danthron (1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone) was administered to rats in their drinking water for four months. The effects of the drug on the total number of neurons and on the immunoreactivity of eight putative neurotransmitters in the myenteric plexus of the colon have been assessed. No differences were found between the treated animals and their controls, indicating that the drug does not kill myenteric neurons. These results agree with recent observations on the effects of senna in rats and mice, and do not support earlier claims that myenteric neurons are killed by anthraquinone purgatives.

Denervation and hyperinnervation in the nervous system of diabetic animals. I. The autonomic neuronal dystrophy of the gut

Peripheral neuropathy is a correlate of experimental diabetes induced in rats by means of a single injection of alloxan. The autonomic and enteric innervation of the gut are profoundly affected in the small intestine of such animals. A complex process of denervation and hyperinnervation of the gut wall of diabetic animals is observed. It was previously reported that the cholinergic parasympathetic innervation of the intestine is markedly reduced. We have found that noradrenergic sympathetic axons hyperinnervate the duodenum of diabetic rats, whereas noradrenaline levels are significantly reduced in the jejunum. The putative enteric neurotransmitter dopamine is also present in higher levels in the duodenum. The intrinsic peptidergic neurons of the gut are deeply affected as well in diabetic rats. Substance P and met-enkephalin content are remarkably reduced throughout the small intestine, whereas vasoactive intestinal polypeptide levels (VIP) are significantly increased in the duodenum. Indeed, immunocytochemical staining of the ileum did reveal hypertrophy of VIP-positive axons in diabetic rats. The intrinsic serotoninergic innervation of the gut is apparently unaffected. Our results indicate that the changes of gut innervation observed in experimental diabetes are consistent with increased content and also likely with hyperinnervation by the neuronal systems involved in smooth muscle relaxation and decreased content and with denervation by those systems with smooth muscle contraction properties. Such a perturbed gut innervation may be responsible of the gastrointestinal dysfunctions that are among the most common complications of diabetes.

Mast cells are closely apposed to nerves in the human gastrointestinal mucosa

Mast cell/nerve associations have been recorded in several publications; however, the human gastrointestinal tract has received little attention. Accordingly, mucosal samples from small bowel, appendix, and large bowel were studied. Combined histochemical/immunocytochemical techniques revealed that the proportion of mast cells apposed to nerves ranged from 47.08% +/- 6.10% to 77.66% +/- 4.26%. The highest incidence of contact was observed in the appendix; where the apparent nerve density was also greater than in the large or small bowel. Electron-microscopic studies revealed many mast cells adjacent to nerve fibers and membrane-to-membrane contact between axonlike processes and mast cells. Often, these processes were dilated, as were axons in adjacent nerve fibers. These data provide a microanatomic basis for potential communication between nerves and mast cells in the human gastrointestinal mucosa. This may be of physiologic significance in the normal individual and important in disease processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis.

Secretion of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase from the guinea-pig isolated ileum

1. Strips of longitudinal muscle from guinea-pig ileum, retaining Auerbach's plexus, were superfused with oxygenated Krebs solution. Addition of 50 mM KCl led to a pronounced Ca2+-dependent increase in the activities of both acetylcholinesterase and non-specific cholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) in the perfusate but with no change in lactate dehydrogenase activity. 2. No release of acetylcholinesterase, either spontaneous or K+-evoked was observed in tissue freed of the nerve plexus, although release of butyrylcholinesterase still occurred. 3. Carbachol induced a marked Ca2+-dependent increase in the release of acetylcholinesterase but had no effect on the release of butyrylcholinesterase or lactate dehydrogenase. This carbachol-evoked increase in acetylcholinesterase release was blocked by hexamethonium but not by atropine. 4. Four readily soluble molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase and three soluble molecular forms of butyrylcholinesterase were present in innervated longitudinal muscle strips, but insignificant amounts of acetylcholinesterase were detected in denervated strips of muscle. Only one of the four molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase was recovered in the perfusates. 5. It is concluded that acetylcholinesterase is secreted from the nerves of Auerbach's plexus in response to depolarizing stimuli or to nicotinic cholinergic stimulation, while butyrylcholinesterase is secreted from non-neural elements, possibly the longitudinal muscle cells, of guinea-pig ileum in response to a depolarizing stimulus.

Pathogenesis of scrapie in mice after intragastric infection

Infection via the gastrointestinal tract is likely to be a natural route of scrapie infection in sheep. This paper describes the pathogenesis of the 139A strain of scrapie introduced intragastrically (i.g.) into CW mice. There was an almost immediate uptake of infectivity and onset of replication in Peyer's patches which preceded replication in spleen. Splenectomy had no effect on incubation period suggesting that, in contrast to the intraperitoneal route, the spleen plays little or no role in the pathogenesis of 139A scrapie administered intragastrically. Replication in the CNS was first detectable in the thoracic spinal cord and later in brain. The evidence is consistent with neural spread of infection from the gastrointestinal tract, via the enteric and sympathetic nervous systems to spinal cord. Neuroinvasion may be initiated either via infection of Peyer's patches or directly by infection of nerve endings in the gut wall. The latter possibility means that pathogenesis may be completely independent of the lymphoreticular system.

Effect of an inhibitor of noradrenaline uptake, desipramine, on cell proliferation in the intestinal crypt epithelium

The intestinal mucosa receives an adrenergic innervation for which there is no commonly accepted function. However, in recent years, cell kinetic studies have raised the possibility that this innervation may be an important regulator of crypt cell proliferation. The effects of noradrenaline released from adrenergic nerves is terminated principally by re-uptake of the amine into the nerve and this process can be inhibited by the antidepressant drug, desipramine. In this report desipramine is shown to accelerate crypt cell proliferation in intact, but not in chemically sympathectomized rats, thus adding support to the notion that regulation of crypt cell division is an important function of the sympathetic nervous system.

Histamine H2 receptor mediates postsynaptic excitation and presynaptic inhibition in submucous plexus neurons of the guinea-pig

Intracellular recordings were made from submucous plexus neurons of the guinea-pig cecum maintained in vitro. Histamine (0.3-10 microM) produced a dose-dependent membrane depolarization (congruent to 13 mV with 3 microM) in about 28% of the cells tested; most of these cells showed a prominent calcium-activated potassium conductance (AH cells). The depolarization was due primarily to an inactivation of potassium conductance which is available at the resting membrane potential of -60 mV. Peak amplitude of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential was depressed by histamine (0.1-10 microM) in a dose-dependent manner (congruent to 62% depression with 1 microM). This was observed even in those cells in which histamine did not produce any membrane depolarizations (mostly S cells). The depression of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential resulted from the presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine release. Histamine also reduced the amplitude of the non-cholinergic, presumably peptidergic, slow excitatory postsynaptic potential by suppressing peptide release from presynaptic nerve terminals. Peak amplitude of the adrenergic inhibitory synaptic potential was not depressed by histamine suggesting that histamine receptors are not present on presynaptic terminals of sympathetic nerve fibres. Both postsynaptic and presynaptic actions of histamine were blocked by cimetidine or ranitidine but not by pyrilamine implying that H2 receptors are involved.

Canine enteric submucosal cultures: transmitter release from neurotensin-immunoreactive neurons

A culture system of dispersed submucosal neurons from canine ileum has been developed. The neuronal nature of over 80% of the cells in culture was confirmed by positive staining with a neurofilament antibody. In this culture system, neurotensin-immunoreactive neurons constituted greater than 50% of the total cell population. Neurotensin immunoreactivity in these cells was chromatographically characterized as a single molecular form coeluting with synthetic neurotensin (1-13). We have assessed the release of immunoreactive neurotensin by stimulatory and inhibitory transmitters, and by post-receptor activators of cell function. Forskolin (10 microM), the calcium ionophore A23187 (100 nM), and the active phorbol ester beta-12 myristrate 13-acetate (10 nM), each significantly increased neurotensin release compared with basal peptide secretion. The concomitant application of ionophore and phorbol ester resulted in a marked increase in neurotensin release and this stimulatory response was inhibited over 70% by somatostatin (100 nM). Substance P (0.1-100 nM) caused a dose-dependent increase in neurotensin release. Somatostatin (100 nM) reduced maximal stimulation with 100 nM substance P by 79%. Our results suggest that this submucosal culture system represents an entirely new model for characterizing transmitter release from enteric neurons.

Effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide and somatostatin on the motility of guinea pig and canine gallbladder

Species differences have been observed in the effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK OP) on the canine and guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscle motility. 1. CCK OP was more potent stimulant in canine than in guinea pig gallbladder smooth muscles. Its pD2 values were 10 and 9.2, respectively. 2. The acetylcholine (10(-4) M)-induced maximum contractions in canine gallbladder muscle strips were by 50% lower as compared to the CCK OP (10(-8) M) maximum responses while in guinea pig gallbladder muscle strips the acetylcholine (ACh) maximum responses were by 20% lower than the CCK OP maximum responses. 3. CCK OP increased [3H]ACh release by 27% in canine gallbladder and by 40% in guinea pig gallbladder. 4. Somatostatin (SOM) had not any direct myogenic effect in guinea pig and canine gallbladder but it decreased [3H]ACh release from gallbladder intrinsic cholinergic neurons.

Neuroendocrine regulation of mucosal immunity

In view of the extensive innervation of the gastrointestinal tract, including the mucosa, and the high number of immune effector cells present in this tissue, we have studied the effects of certain neurotransmitters on immune responses. We have concentrated on the effects of the neuropeptides substance P (SP), somatostatin (SOM) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). We have found that SP causes an increase in the proliferation of Peyer's patch lymphocytes as well as immunoglobulin (especially IgA) synthesis, when compared to splenic cells; and that there is a greater expression of SP receptors on lymphocytes derived from Peyer's patches compared to the spleen, without a significant difference in the expression between subsets of T and B cells. Furthermore, we have shown that intraepithelial leukocytes (IEL) show significantly increased cytotoxic activity following incubation with SP; whereas splenic lymphocytes were not stimulated in the same system. The effects of SOM where bi-directional depending upon the concentration employed but in general, SOM was inhibitory, in terms of proliferation, as was VIP. Although many more experiments are required to prove a physiological significance for the results that we have obtained, and to examine the whole gamut of neurotransmitters, we suggest that neuroendocrine regulation may play an important part in mucosal immunity.

Regulatory mechanisms in the luminal and portal release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide during vagal nerve stimulation in the cat

The effect of vagal stimulation in chloralose-anesthetized cats on release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the jejunal lumen and portal venous blood was tested simultaneously, and the effect of atropine and hexamethonium was investigated to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved in the release. Vagal stimulation caused a significant increase in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. A significant concomitant increase was seen in portal plasma. Gel filtration chromatography of luminal and portal samples demonstrated that the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide coeluted with synthetic porcine vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide infusion at 80 and 160 pmol/kg.min produced portal plasma levels of at least 3000 pM but did not increase vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. Thus, luminal vasoactive intestinal polypeptide originates from gastrointestinal tissue rather than by transduction from the circulation. Vagally induced release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the lumen and portal plasma was not abolished by atropine but was totally suppressed by hexamethonium. The regulatory mechanisms controlling the parallel release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into both the jejunal lumen and portal circulation are identical and involve a non-muscarinic process which is under cholinoceptive, nicotinic control.

Effect of chemical ablation of myenteric neurones on intestinal cell proliferation

The duodenum or descending colon of male Wistar rats (average weight 60 g) was treated by a serosal application of a 0.2% solution of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) for 30 min. Control animals were treated with 0.9% (physiological) saline. The rats were allocated to four groups: Group DC (N = 8) in which the duodenum was treated with physiological saline; Group DB (N = 8) in which the duodenum was treated with BAC; Group CC (N = 7) in which the descending colon was treated with physiological saline and Group CB (N = 7) in which the descending colon was treated with BAC. After treatment, the animals were followed up for 5 months. At the end of the experiment, the animals were injected intraperitoneally with vincristine sulphate before sacrifice. Three segments were removed from the duodenum and descending colon for neuronal counting, catecholamine and serotonin measurements and morphokinetic studies of the epithelium. The following results were obtained: (1) there was a significant reduction in neurone number in the myenteric plexus of segments treated with BAC; (2) in the denervated intestinal segments, catecholamine levels were unchanged whereas serotonin levels were increased; (3) epithelial hyperplasia was observed in the denervated duodenum and descending colon; and (4) crypt cell production rate in the duodenum was similar in groups DC and DB but was significantly increased in the descending colon in group CB as compared with controls (CC). The present findings indicate that selective myenteric neuronal denervation caused by benzalkonium chloride plays a causative role in the hyperplasia and crypt cell production rate of the intestinal epithelium (duodenum and descending colon). These changes are probably induced by functional imbalance by the surviving neuronal elements in the gut, implicating neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, noradrenaline, serotonin, somatostatin and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

The involvement of afferent nerve terminals in the stimulation of ion transport by bradykinin in rat isolated colon

1. The actions of bradykinin (Bk) were investigated on rat colon epithelium preparations that had been stripped of the muscle layers. The electrogenic ion flux was monitored by measuring changes in the short circuit current (SCC) produced by addition of drugs. Bk, administered to the basolateral side, but not apical side, of the epithelium evoked an increase in SCC which was separable into two distinct components, both of which were mediated mainly by chloride efflux. 2. The early component was robust, reproducible and exhibited clear concentration-dependency with an EC50 of 6.2 nM. The second phase of the response exhibited a much slower time course than the first phase and diminished amplitude with repeated applications of Bk. 3. In preparations of unstripped epithelium, bradykinin (Bk) evoked mainly a slow neurogenic response which was attenuated or abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX). When the epithelium was stripped off, TTX had little effect either on the baseline SCC or on responses to Bk. 4. Perfusion with zero calcium solution did not affect the early phase but abolished the late phase of the Bk response. Verapamil (20 microM), but not nifedipine (20 microM), also attenuated the later phase of the response. 5. Capsaicin (2 microM) administered to the basolateral, but not the apical, side produced an increase in SCC. Following desensitization to capsaicin the second phase of the response to Bk was abolished with little effect on the initial response to Bk. 6. The data suggest that Bk increases the efflux of chloride ions across the colonic epithelium in at least two ways: (a) by an action on the epithelial cells and (b) by an action on neuronal elements within the epithelium. This latter effect of Bk is due to stimulation of capsaicin-sensitive nerve terminals within the mucosa of the colon epithelium causing the release of a mediator which is responsible for the second phase of the response to Bk.

Gastrointestinal neuropeptide concentrations following guanethidine sympathectomy

In an effort to investigate the interaction of the adrenergic and enteric components of the autonomic nervous system, gut neuropeptide concentrations were examined following chemical sympathectomy. Adult male rats were treated with guanethidine (40 mg/kg i.p., 5 days/week for 5 weeks), which selectively destroys peripheral sympathetic neurons. Controls received equal volumes of saline vehicle. Tissues from fundic and pyloric stomach, duodenum, jejunum, jejuno-ileum, ileum, caecum and colon were extracted and concentrations of selected neuropeptides determined by radioimmunoassay. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) in peripheral nerve, measured as an index of degree of sympathectomy, was depleted 80-90%. One week after cessation of treatment, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was elevated in jejunum (52%), ileum (53%), caecum (41%) and colon (59%), as was neurotensin (NT) in caecum (117%) and colon (261%). Methionine-enkephalin (MET) was lowered in duodenum by 28%. With the exception of MET in duodenum and NT in caecum, these alterations normalized by 5 weeks post-treatment, although DBH remained depressed. Statistically non-significant increases in substance P content were observed in upper gut regions. An inhibitory sympathetic input to VIPergic and NTergic systems is postulated.

Enteric neuromuscular junctions: comparison of ultrastructural features in different phylogenetic groups

The enteric neuromuscular junctions of snail (Helix pomatia), locust (Locusta migratoria migratorioides), cockroach (Periplaneta americana), carp (Cyprinus carpio) and tench (Tinca tinca) were studied by means of different light and electron microscopic methods. The nitroblue tetrazolium staining revealed that the myenteric plexuses of the above species are composed of nerve cells, a network of varicose nerves and nerve bundles. Instead of highly organized ganglia, single neurons or small groups of 2-4 cells are characteristic of the invertebrates and fish studied. Catecholaminergic fluorescence induced by glyoxylic acid was detected in the muscular layer of the entire alimentary tract in snail and the hindgut of tench. Fluorescent nerves and perikarya were frequent in the snail gut, while only nerves and no perikarya were found in tench. A close contact between enteric muscles and nerves is the most common form of enteric neuromuscular junction in both the smooth (i.e. the molluscan and fish gut) and the striated (i.e. the insect gut) musculature. The striated musculature (i.e. the insect gut, the oesophagus of carp, and the oesophagus, stomach and the midgut of tench) also receives a synaptic input. Cytochemical evidence is provided of the cholinergic character of fish motor endplates. The ultrastructural appearance and vesicle population of certain nerve terminals suggest a universal role of aminergic and peptidergic control in gut motility.

Stimulation by nicotine of enteric inhibitory nerves and release of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the taenia of the guinea-pig caecum

The stimulation by nicotine of intramural nerves and the role of ATP and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as inhibitory transmitters were studied in the isolated taenia of the guinea-pig caecum. Nicotine (4-32 microM) caused transient, concentration-dependent relaxations which were unaffected by atropine, prazosin or sotalol. Drugs with membrane-stabilizing activity, such as dl-propranolol (0.5 microM), d-propranolol (0.5 microM) or lidocaine (10 microM) antagonized the nicotine-induced relaxation without modifying the response to electrical field stimulation. Similar results were obtained with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (2.8 microM). Nucleotide pyrophosphatase (0.5 U/ml), which hydrolyzes ATP to AMP, reversibly inhibited the response to nicotine but the response to field stimulation was not decreased. Nicotine evoked a calcium-dependent release of VIP, which was blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 microM), d-propranolol (0.5 microM) or, as previously shown, by apamin (0.2 microM). The finding that nicotine-induced relaxation was accompanied by the neuronal release of VIP is compatible with the possibility that VIP is an inhibitory transmitter but is not definitive evidence, since it could have been due to the stimulation of distinct populations of nerves by nicotine.

Development of non-cholinergic, non-adrenergic excitatory and inhibitory responses to intramural nerve stimulation in rat stomach

1. The onset and development of functional innervation of intramural neurones were examined by transmural nerve stimulation in circular muscle strips isolated from the rat stomach during the period from embryonic day (ED) 15 to 7-days postnatal. 2. At ED 15, transmural stimulation elicited an atropine-sensitive contraction in about half of the preparations. From ED 16, it caused a frequency-dependent contraction in all preparations. Physostigmine significantly potentiated the amplitude of the nerve-mediated contraction until ED 18. 3. Atropine inhibited but failed to abolish the contractile response to nerve stimulation in all preparations from ED 16. 4. During the contraction induced by carbamylcholine (CCh), transmural stimulation caused a biphasic response consisting of a contraction followed by a relaxation at ED 18 and ED 19, but caused a triphasic response consisting of a rapid relaxation followed by the biphasic response after birth. 5. CCh and substance P (SP) elicited contractions at ED 15 and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) caused a relaxation at ED 16. The sensitivity to CCh and VIP increased with development but that to SP did not change. 6. The results suggest that functional intramural cholinergic and non-cholinergic excitatory innervations in the rat stomach are established almost simultaneously by ED 16, and the onset of functional intramural non-adrenergic inhibitory innervation lags about 2 days behind that of functional excitatory innervations.

Epithelial and neuronal calbindin in avian intestine. An immunohistochemical study

It is well known that calbindin immunoreactivity is highly concentrated in the duodenal absorptive cells of young birds. We have shown that in the adult intestine of three avian species, calbindin content is much more variable. In addition to absorptive cells, we have detected throughout the gut of both sexes of the domestic fowl and in the large intestine of the Japanese quail a second type of calbindin-positive epithelial cell which has the shape of a typical endocrine cell. These cells were particularly abundant in the large intestine, in contrast to the usual distribution of endocrine cells along the gut. Calbindin was also detected in the nervous system of the intestine. Calbindin-positive nerve fibres were rare in the duodenum and ileum, numerous in plexuses and nerve processes in both muscular layers and lamina propria of the large intestine in domestic fowl and Japanese quail. In the mallard, nerve fibres were rarely calbindin positive while definitively positive for VIP. Calbindin of the peripheral nervous system of the domestic fowl and Japanese quail comigrates with the duodenal calbindin (27,000 dalton) in SDS gel electrophoresis.

Establishment and properties of separate cultures of enteric neurons and enteric glia

In this paper methods are described for the preparation of two types of culture derived from myenteric explants: (a) highly enriched neuronal cell cultures, and (b) purified glial cells (greater than 98%). Both procedures combine the technique of antibody complement-mediated cytolysis with the use of an antimitotic agent. Immunohistochemical methods were used to compare the purified cells to their counterparts in mixed cultures (see accompanying paper). Antibodies to the glycoprotein Thy-1 and the monoclonal antibody A2B5 which recognizes gangliosides, labelled the cell surface of all enteric neurons in enriched cultures while subpopulations of the neurons expressed the Leu 7 carbohydrate epitope, the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine and the neuropeptides substance P, methionine-enkephalin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Autoradiographic experiments show that a subpopulation of enriched neurons exhibit high-affinity uptake sites for gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid (GABA). All purified enteric glia continue to express the calcium binding protein S100, the basement membrane glycoprotein laminin and the antigens recognized by the A2B5 antibody, and subpopulations of glia are labelled by the monoclonal antibodies LB1 which binds to GD3 gangliosides, and Leu 7. Thus enteric neurons and glia can survive independently of each other and express molecular properties which are present in cultures normally containing both cell types.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat stomach: II. Alterations after vagotomy

Nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were studied in the stomach of vagotomized rats, with ligand binding techniques, and with the concomitant measurement of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of the high affinity sites of (-)-[3H]nicotine binding was significantly increased in all the regions of the stomach of subdiaphragmatically vagotomized animals while the values for the low affinity sites remained the same as those in sham-operated animals. On the other hand, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to the stomach was unchanged after vagotomy. ChAT activity was significantly reduced in the vagotomized rats. These results suggest that surgical vagal denervation causes an increase in the density of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors presumably located on the parasympathetic ganglion cells. There is also a reduction of ChAT activity, probably due to a degenerative loss of preganglionic cholinergic neurons. Preganglionic denervation (decentralization) has little influence on the muscarinic receptors of postsynaptic effector organs.

Novel autonomic neurotransmitters and upper gastrointestinal function

The evidence for, and possible roles of, inhibitory and excitatory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nerves supplying smooth muscle, and the effects of putative transmitter candidates are considered for each of three main regions of the upper gastrointestinal tract: (A) the smooth muscle portion of the oesophagus and the oesophagogastric junction, (B) the stomach (fundus, body and antrum) and gastroduodenal junction and (C) the biliary tract and choledochoduodenal junction. The major points from human tissues are as follows: 1. Inhibitory (NANCI) nerves appear to be present in the muscularis externa of oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, with greater density in the circular than in the longitudinal muscle. 2. NANCI nerves are present in high density at the oesophagogastric and choledochoduodenal junctions. They may also be present at the gastroduodenal junction. The gall-bladder may have a very sparse NANCI innervation. 3. Excitatory (NANCE) nerves appear to be present throughout the upper gastrointestinal tract. 4. Many candidates need at present to be considered for the role of NANCE transmitter(s) in the human upper gastrointestinal tract but substance P still seems a likely contender for this role. 5. Fewer candidates are at present generally available for the role of NANCI transmitter(s), with VIP and ATP being leading contenders. However, in the human upper gastrointestinal tract the evidence for ATP is not good, and VIP still remains the favourite candidate except in the gall-bladder, where its role remains to be elucidated.

Nervous control of intestinal fluid transport: physiology and pathophysiology

1. The enteric nervous system (10(8) neurones in man) consists of the myentric plexus, the submucosal plexus and other minor plexuses. Eighteen different chemicals are candidates for the role of neurotransmitters in the ENS. 2. The ENS together with the autonomic nervous system and the hormonal system controls gut epithelial transport systems.