Adenosine receptors in rat and human pancreatic ducts stimulate chloride transport

Untargeted Analysis of Serum Metabolomes in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a malabsorptive syndrome resulting from insufficient secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes. EPI is treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), but the persistence of clinical signs, especially diarrhea, is common after treatment. We used untargeted metabolomics of serum to identify metabolic disturbances associated with EPI and generate novel hypotheses related to its pathophysiology. Fasted serum samples were collected from dogs with EPI (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10), all receiving PERT. Serum metabolomes were generated using UPLC-MS/MS, and differences in relative metabolite abundances were compared between the groups. Of the 759 serum metabolites detected, 114 varied significantly (p < 0.05, q < 0.2) between dogs with EPI and healthy controls. Differences in amino acids (arginate, homoarginine, 2-oxoarginine, N-acetyl-cadaverine, and α-ketoglutaramate) and lipids (free fatty acids and docosahexaenoylcarnitine) were consistent with increased proteolysis and lipolysis, indicating a persistent catabolic state in dogs with EPI. Relative abundances of gut microbial metabolites (phenyllactate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, phenylacetyl-amino acids, catechol sulfates, and o-cresol-sulfate) were altered in dogs with EPI, consistent with disruptions in gut microbial communities. Increased kynurenine is consistent with the presence of intestinal inflammation in dogs with EPI. Whether these metabolic disturbances participate in the pathophysiology of EPI or contribute to the persistence of clinical signs after treatment is unknown, but they are targets for future investigations.

Purinergic Signaling in Pancreas-From Physiology to Therapeutic Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer

The purinergic signaling has an important role in regulating pancreatic exocrine secretion. The exocrine pancreas is also a site of one of the most serious cancer forms, the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we explore how the network of purinergic and adenosine receptors, as well as ecto-nucleotidases regulate normal pancreatic cells and various cells within the pancreatic tumor microenvironment. In particular, we focus on the P2X7 receptor, P2Y2 and P2Y12 receptors, as well as A2 receptors and ecto-nucleotidases CD39 and CD73. Recent studies indicate that targeting one or more of these candidates could present new therapeutic approaches to treat pancreatic cancer. In pancreatic cancer, as much as possible of normal pancreatic function should be preserved, and therefore physiology of purinergic signaling in pancreas needs to be considered.

Expression of Adenosine Receptors in Rodent Pancreas

Adenosine regulates exocrine and endocrine secretions in the pancreas. Adenosine is considered to play a role in acini-to-duct signaling in the exocrine pancreas. To identify the molecular basis of functional adenosine receptors in the exocrine pancreas, immunohistochemical analysis was performed in the rat, mouse, and guinea pig pancreas, and the secretory rate and concentration of HCO₃⁻ in pancreatic juice from the rat pancreas were measured. The A_2A adenosine receptor colocalized with ezrin, an A-kinase anchoring protein, in the luminal membrane of duct cells in the mouse and guinea pig pancreas. However, a strong signal ascribed to A_2B adenosine receptors was detected in insulin-positive β cells in islets of Langerhans. The A_2A adenosine receptor agonist 4-[2-[[6-Amino-9-(N-ethyl-β-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2-yl]amino]ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid (CGS 21680) stimulated HCO₃⁻-rich fluid secretion from the rat pancreas. These results indicate that A_2A adenosine receptors may be, at least in part, involved in the exocrine secretion of pancreatic duct cells via acini-to-duct signaling. The adenosine receptors may be a potential therapeutic target for cancer as well as exocrine dysfunctions of the pancreas.

The adenosine A2B receptor is involved in anion secretion in human pancreatic duct Capan-1 epithelial cells

Adenosine modulates a wide variety of biological processes via adenosine receptors. In the exocrine pancreas, adenosine regulates transepithelial anion secretion in duct cells and is considered to play a role in acini-to-duct signaling. To identify the functional adenosine receptors and Cl⁻ channels important for anion secretion, we herein performed experiments on Capan-1, a human pancreatic duct cell line, using open-circuit Ussing chamber and gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp techniques. The luminal addition of adenosine increased the negative transepithelial potential difference (V_te) in Capan-1 monolayers with a half-maximal effective concentration value of approximately 10 μM, which corresponded to the value obtained on whole-cell Cl⁻ currents in Capan-1 single cells. The effects of adenosine on V_te, an equivalent short-circuit current (I_sc), and whole-cell Cl⁻ currents were inhibited by CFTRinh-172, a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl⁻ channel inhibitor. The adenosine A_2B receptor agonist, BAY 60-6583, increased I_sc and whole-cell Cl⁻ currents through CFTR Cl⁻ channels, whereas the A_2A receptor agonist, CGS 21680, had negligible effects. The A_2B receptor antagonist, PSB 603, inhibited the response of I_sc to adenosine. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the A_2A and A_2B receptors colocalized with Ezrin in the luminal membranes of Capan-1 monolayers and in rat pancreatic ducts. Adenosine elicited the whole-cell Cl⁻ currents in guinea pig duct cells. These results demonstrate that luminal adenosine regulates anion secretion by activating CFTR Cl⁻ channels via adenosine A_2B receptors on the luminal membranes of Capan-1 cells. The present study endorses that purinergic signaling is important in the regulation of pancreatic secretion.

Acid-base transport in pancreas-new challenges

Along the gastrointestinal tract a number of epithelia contribute with acid or basic secretions in order to aid digestive processes. The stomach and pancreas are the most extreme examples of acid (H(+)) and base (HCO(-) 3) transporters, respectively. Nevertheless, they share the same challenges of transporting acid and bases across epithelia and effectively regulating their intracellular pH. In this review, we will make use of comparative physiology to enlighten the cellular mechanisms of pancreatic HCO(-) 3 and fluid secretion, which is still challenging physiologists. Some of the novel transporters to consider in pancreas are the proton pumps (H(+)-K(+)-ATPases), as well as the calcium-activated K(+) and Cl(-) channels, such as KCa3.1 and TMEM16A/ANO1. Local regulators, such as purinergic signaling, fine-tune, and coordinate pancreatic secretion. Lastly, we speculate whether dys-regulation of acid-base transport contributes to pancreatic diseases including cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, and cancer.

The effects of the adenosine A3 receptor agonist IB-MECA on sodium taurocholate-induced experimental acute pancreatitis

The role of adenosine A3 receptors and their distribution in the gastrointestinal tract have been widely investigated. Most of the reports discuss their role in intestinal inflammations. However, the role of adenosine A3 receptor agonist in pancreatitis has not been well established. The aim of this study is [corrected] to evaluate the effects of the adenosine A3 receptor agonist on the course of sodium taurocholate-induced experimental acute pancreatitis (EAP). The experiments were performed on 80 male Wistar rats, 58 of which survived, subdivided into 3 groups: C--control rats, I--EAP group, and II--EAP group treated with the adenosine A3 receptor agonist IB-MECA (1-deoxy-1-6[[(3-iodophenyl) methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl)-N-methyl-B-D-ribofuronamide at a dose of 0.75 mg/kg b.w. i.p. at 48, 24, 12 and 1 h before and 1 h after the injection of 5% sodium taurocholate solution into the biliary-pancreatic duct. Serum for α-amylase and lipase determinations and tissue samples for morphological examinations were collected at 2, 6, and 24 h of the experiment. In the IB-MECA group, α-amylase activity was decreased with statistically high significance compared to group I. The activity of lipase was not significantly different among the experimental groups but higher than in the control group. The administration of IB-MECA attenuated the histological parameters of inflammation as compared to untreated animals. The use of A3 receptor agonist IB-MECA attenuates EAP. Our findings suggest that stimulation of adenosine A3 receptors plays a positive role in the sodium taurocholate-induced EAP in rats.

Possible involvement of A₂A and A₃ receptors in modulation of insulin secretion and β-cell survival in mouse pancreatic islets

Adenosine A1, A₂A, A₂B and A₃ receptor mRNAs were found to be expressed in mouse pancreatic islets and Beta-TC6 cells but their physiological or pharmacological actions are not fully clarified. We showed that adenosine (100 μM) augmented insulin secretion by islets in the presence of either normal (5.5 mM) or a high concentration of glucose (20 mM). The augmentation of insulin secretion in the presence of high glucose was blocked by an A₂A antagonist, but not by A₂B and A₃ antagonists, while an A₁ antagonist potentiated the adenosine effect. An adenosine analogue 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) as well as A₁, A₂A and A₃ receptor agonists also produced stimulation. On the other hand, an A₃ agonist markedly reduced Beta-TC6 cell proliferation and the islet cell viability, while adenosine and NECA did not. The effect of A₃ agonist was partially blocked by the A₃ antagonist. In addition, treatment with the A₃ agonist produced a small but significant extent of apoptosis in Beta-TC6 cells as judged by terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. These results combined together suggested that like the A₁ receptor, activation of A₂A receptors by adenosine results in augmented insulin secretion, while the A₃ receptor is involved in modulation of the survival of pancreatic β-cells.

An adenosine-mediated signaling pathway suppresses prenylation of the GTPase Rap1B and promotes cell scattering

During metastasis, cancer cells acquire the ability to dissociate from each other and migrate, which is recapitulated in vitro as cell scattering. The small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rap1 opposes cell scattering by promoting cell-cell adhesion, a function that requires its prenylation, or posttranslational modification with a carboxyl-terminal isoprenoid moiety, to enable its localization at cell membranes. Thus, signaling cascades that regulate the prenylation of Rap1 offer a mechanism to control the membrane localization of Rap1. We identified a signaling cascade initiated by adenosine A2B receptors that suppressed the prenylation of Rap1B through phosphorylation of Rap1B, which decreased its interaction with the chaperone protein SmgGDS (small GTPase guanosine diphosphate dissociation stimulator). These events promoted the cytosolic and nuclear accumulation of nonprenylated Rap1B and diminished cell-cell adhesion, resulting in cell scattering. We found that nonprenylated Rap1 was more abundant in mammary tumors than in normal mammary tissue in rats and that activation of adenosine receptors delayed Rap1B prenylation in breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Our findings support a model in which high concentrations of extracellular adenosine, such as those that arise in the tumor microenvironment, can chronically activate A2B receptors to suppress Rap1B prenylation and signaling at the cell membrane, resulting in reduced cell-cell contact and promoting cell scattering. Inhibiting A2B receptors may be an effective method to prevent metastasis.

Ion transport in human pancreatic duct epithelium, Capan-1 cells, is regulated by secretin, VIP, acetylcholine, and purinergic receptors

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to establish a solid model of polarized epithelium for human pancreatic ducts, where electrical parameters could be measured as indicators of ion transport. Further, we aimed to determine functional expression of several receptors, in particular, purinergic receptors, and determine their effects on ion transport.

METHODS

Human adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-1 cells were grown on permeable supports and set in Ussing chambers for electrophysiological recordings. Transepithelial voltage (Vte), resistance, and short-circuit currents (Isc) were measured in response to agonists.

RESULTS

Secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), acetylcholine, forskolin, ionomycin, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), 3'-O-(4-benzoyl)benzoyl ATP, and adenosine induced lumen negative Vte and Isc. These changes were consistent with anion secretion, as verified in forskolin-stimulated preparations. Extracellular nucleotides, ATP, and UTP, applied from luminal and basolateral sides, caused largest responses: Vte increased up to -5 mV, Isc increased to 20 to 30 μA/cm, and resistance decreased by up to 200 Ω·cm.

CONCLUSIONS

Transepithelial transport in human pancreatic duct epithelium, Capan-1 cells, is regulated by secretin, VIP, acetylcholine, adenosine, and purinergic P2 receptors; and this human model has a good potential for studies of physiology and pathophysiology of pancreatic duct ion transport.

Purinergic regulation of CFTR and Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels and K(+) channels in human pancreatic duct epithelium

Purinergic agonists have been considered for the treatment of respiratory epithelia in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The pancreas, one of the most seriously affected organs in CF, expresses various purinergic receptors. Studies on the rodent pancreas show that purinergic signaling regulates pancreatic secretion. In the present study we aim to identify Cl(-) and K(+) channels in human pancreatic ducts and their regulation by purinergic receptors. Human pancreatic duct epithelia formed by Capan-1 or CFPAC-1 cells were studied in open-circuit Ussing chambers. In Capan-1 cells, ATP/UTP effects were dependent on intracellular Ca(2+). Apically applied ATP/UTP stimulated CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) (CaCC) channels, which were inhibited by CFTRinh-172 and niflumic acid, respectively. The basolaterally applied ATP stimulated CFTR. In CFPAC-1 cells, which have mutated CFTR, basolateral ATP and UTP had negligible effects. In addition to Cl(-) transport in Capan-1 cells, the effects of 5,6-dichloro-1-ethyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (DC-EBIO) and clotrimazole indicated functional expression of the intermediate conductance K(+) channels (IK, KCa3.1). The apical effects of ATP/UTP were greatly potentiated by the IK channel opener DC-EBIO. Determination of RNA and protein levels revealed that Capan-1 cells have high expression of TMEM16A (ANO1), a likely CaCC candidate. We conclude that in human pancreatic duct cells ATP/UTP regulates via purinergic receptors both Cl(-) channels (TMEM16A/ANO1 and CFTR) and K(+) channels (IK). The K(+) channels provide the driving force for Cl(-)-channel-dependent secretion, and luminal ATP provided locally or secreted from acini may potentiate secretory processes. Future strategies in augmenting pancreatic duct function should consider sidedness of purinergic signaling and the essential role of K(+) channels.

Adenosine signaling promotes regeneration of pancreatic β cells in vivo

Diabetes can be controlled with insulin injections, but a curative approach that restores the number of insulin-producing β cells is still needed. Using a zebrafish model of diabetes, we screened ~7,000 small molecules to identify enhancers of β cell regeneration. The compounds we identified converge on the adenosine signaling pathway and include exogenous agonists and compounds that inhibit degradation of endogenously produced adenosine. The most potent enhancer of β cell regeneration was the adenosine agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA), which, acting through the adenosine receptor A2aa, increased β cell proliferation and accelerated restoration of normoglycemia in zebrafish. Despite markedly stimulating β cell proliferation during regeneration, NECA had only a modest effect during development. The proliferative and glucose-lowering effect of NECA was confirmed in diabetic mice, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved role for adenosine in β cell regeneration. With this whole-organism screen, we identified components of the adenosine pathway that could be therapeutically targeted for the treatment of diabetes.

Purinergic signalling in the pancreas in health and disease

Pancreatic cells contain specialised stores for ATP. Purinergic receptors (P2 and P1) and ecto-nucleotidases are expressed in both endocrine and exocrine calls, as well as in stromal cells. The pancreas, especially the endocrine cells, were an early target for the actions of ATP. After the historical perspective of purinergic signalling in the pancreas, the focus of this review will be the physiological functions of purinergic signalling in the regulation of both endocrine and exocrine pancreas. Next, we will consider possible interaction between purinergic signalling and other regulatory systems and their relation to nutrient homeostasis and cell survival. The pancreas is an organ exhibiting several serious diseases - cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer and diabetes - and some are associated with changes in life-style and are increasing in incidence. There is upcoming evidence for the role of purinergic signalling in the pathophysiology of the pancreas, and the new challenge is to understand how it is integrated with other pathological processes.

Purinergic signalling in epithelial ion transport: regulation of secretion and absorption

Intracellular ATP, the energy source for many reactions, is crucial for the activity of plasma membrane pumps and, thus, for the maintenance of transmembrane ion gradients. Nevertheless, ATP and other nucleotides/nucleosides are also extracellular molecules that regulate diverse cellular functions, including ion transport. In this review, I will first introduce the main components of the extracellular ATP signalling, which have become known as the purinergic signalling system. With more than 50 components or processes, just at cell membranes, it ranks as one of the most versatile signalling systems. This multitude of system components may enable differentiated regulation of diverse epithelial functions. As epithelia probably face the widest variety of potential ATP-releasing stimuli, a special attention will be given to stimuli and mechanisms of ATP release with a focus on exocytosis. Subsequently, I will consider membrane transport of major ions (Cl(-) , HCO(3)(-) , K(+) and Na(+) ) and integrate possible regulatory functions of P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y11, P2X4, P2X7 and adenosine receptors in some selected epithelia at the cellular level. Some purinergic receptors have noteworthy roles. For example, many studies to date indicate that the P2Y2 receptor is one common denominator in regulating ion channels on both the luminal and basolateral membranes of both secretory and absorptive epithelia. In exocrine glands though, P2X4 and P2X7 receptors act as cation channels and, possibly, as co-regulators of secretion. On an organ level, both receptor types can exert physiological functions and together with other partners in the purinergic signalling, integrated models for epithelial secretion and absorption are emerging.

Endogenous luminal surface adenosine signaling regulates duodenal bicarbonate secretion in rats

Luminal ATP increases duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS) via brush border P2Y receptors. Because ATP is sequentially dephosphorylated to adenosine (ADO) and the brush border highly expresses adenosine deaminase (ADA), we hypothesized that luminal [ADO] regulators and sensors, including P1 receptors, ADA, and nucleoside transporters (NTs) regulate DBS. We measured DBS with pH and CO(2) electrodes, perfusing ADO ± adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists or the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitor CFTR(inh)-172 on DBS. Furthermore, we examined the effect of inhibitors of ADA or NT on DBS. Perfusion of AMP or ADO (0.1 mM) uniformly increased DBS, whereas inosine had no effect. The A(1/2) receptor agonist 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (0.1 mM) increased DBS, whereas ADO-augmented DBS was inhibited by the potent A(2B) receptor antagonist N-(4-cyanophenyl)-2-[4-(2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-2,6-dioxo-1,3-dipropyl-1H-purin-8-yl)phenoxy]-acetamide (MRS1754) (10 μM). Other selective adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists had no effect. The A(2B) receptor was immunolocalized to the brush border membrane of duodenal villi, whereas the A(2A) receptor was immunolocalized primarily to the vascular endothelium. Furthermore, ADO-induced DBS was enhanced by 2'-deoxycoformycin (1 μM) and formycin B (0.1 mM), but not by S-(4-nitrobenzyl)-6-thioinosine (0.1 mM), and it was abolished by CFTR(inh)-172 pretreatment (1 mg/kg i.p). Moreover, ATP (0.1 mM)-induced DBS was partially reduced by (1R,2S,4S,5S)-4-2-iodo-6-(methylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl]-2-(phosphonooxy)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-1-methanol dihydrogen phosphate ester tetraammonium salt (MRS2500) or 8-[4-[4-(4-chlorophenzyl)piperazide-1-sulfonyl)phenyl]]-1-propylxanthine (PSB603) and abolished by both, suggesting that ATP is sequentially degraded to ADO. Luminal ADO stimulates DBS via A(2B) receptors and CFTR. ATP release, ecto-phosphohydrolases, ADA, and concentrative NT may coordinately regulate luminal surface ADO concentration to modulate ADO-P1 receptor signaling in rat duodenum.

Adenosine A2 receptor presence and synergy with cholinergic stimulation in rabbit lacrimal gland

PURPOSE

Secretion from the lacrimal gland is an important part of the well-being of the eye, and a central part in the search for treatment of dry eye syndrome. Adenosine has stimulatory effects on the lacrimal gland, and can potentiate the effect of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (Cch). The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of the adenosine A(2) receptor subtypes A(2A) and A(2B) in the rabbit lacrimal gland, and to characterize their role in regulated acinar cell secretion.

METHODS

Expression of the receptors was investigated using reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence, and secretion effects were studied using a secretion assay in isolated lacrimal gland acinar cells.

RESULTS

Presence of both receptors was detected by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The secretion assay revealed a minor effect of stimulation of the A(2) receptors, and a strong synergistic effect with the cholinergic agonist Cch. The synergistic effect was significantly reduced by the A(2B) antagonist PSB 1115, but not by the A(2A) antagonist SCH 58261, indicating that A(2B) is the receptor responsible for this potentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals the presence of the adenosine A(2) receptor subtypes as well as a role for them in lacrimal gland secretion, and especially in the synergy with purinergic and cholinergic stimulation.

Molecular and cellular regulation of pancreatic duct cell function

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The pancreatic duct epithelium is remarkable for its capacity to secrete HCO(3)(-) ions at concentrations as high as 140 mmol/l. The properties of the key transporters involved in this process and the central role played by cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) are the main focus of this review.

RECENT FINDINGS

The Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger at the apical membrane of pancreatic duct cells is now known to be SLC26A6. The 1: 2 stoichiometry and electrogenicity of this exchanger enable it to contribute to the secretion of HCO(3)(-) at high concentrations. The apical CFTR channels also appear to have sufficient HCO(3)(-) permeability to contribute directly to HCO(3)(-) secretion. There is a strong possibility that the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-) channels at the apical membrane are members of the bestrophin family which, like CFTR, are also permeable to HCO(3)(-). More has been learned about the complex interactions between CFTR and other transporters within macromolecular complexes coordinated at the apical membrane by scaffolding proteins. Further details are also emerging of the protective paracrine roles of nucleotides, nucleosides, bile acids and trypsin in the regulation of ductal secretion.

SUMMARY

Most of the key transporters involved in Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-) secretion have now been identified and characterized. Current research focuses on the molecular interactions between these transporters and the ways in which they are regulated by extracellular signals.

Characterization of primary cilia and Hedgehog signaling during development of the human pancreas and in human pancreatic duct cancer cell lines

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling controls pancreatic development and homeostasis; aberrant Hh signaling is associated with several pancreatic diseases. Here we investigated the link between Hh signaling and primary cilia in the human developing pancreatic ducts and in cultures of human pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma cell lines, PANC-1 and CFPAC-1. We show that the onset of Hh signaling from human embryogenesis to fetal development is associated with accumulation of Hh signaling components Smo and Gli2 in duct primary cilia and a reduction of Gli3 in the duct epithelium. Smo, Ptc, and Gli2 localized to primary cilia of PANC-1 and CFPAC-1 cells, which may maintain high levels of nonstimulated Hh pathway activity. These findings indicate that primary cilia are involved in pancreatic development and postnatal tissue homeostasis.

Extracellular ATP and zinc are co-secreted with insulin and activate multiple P2X purinergic receptor channels expressed by islet beta-cells to potentiate insulin secretion

It is well established that ATP is co-secreted with insulin and zinc from pancreatic beta-cells (beta-cells) in response to elevations in extracellular glucose concentration. Despite this knowledge, the physiological roles of extracellular secreted ATP and zinc are ill-defined. We hypothesized that secreted ATP and zinc are autocrine purinergic signaling molecules that activate P2X purinergic receptor (P2XR) channels expressed by beta-cells to enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). To test this postulate, we performed ELISA assays for secreted insulin at fixed time points within a "real-time" assay and confirmed that the physiological insulin secretagogue glucose stimulates secretion of ATP and zinc into the extracellular milieu along with insulin from primary rat islets. Exogenous ATP and zinc alone or together also induced insulin secretion in this model system. Most importantly, the presence of an extracellular ATP scavenger, a zinc chelator, and P2 receptor antagonists attenuated GSIS. Furthermore, mRNA and protein were expressed in immortalized beta-cells and primary islets for a unique subset of P2XR channel subtypes, P2X(2), P2X(3), P2X(4), and P2X(6), which are each gated by extracellular ATP and modulated positively by extracellular zinc. On the basis of these results, we propose that, within endocrine pancreatic islets, secreted ATP and zinc have profound autocrine regulatory influence on insulin secretion via ATP-gated and zinc-modulated P2XR channels.

Purinergic receptors in the endocrine and exocrine pancreas

The pancreas is a complex gland performing both endocrine and exocrine functions. In recent years there has been increasing evidence that both endocrine and exocrine cells possess purinergic receptors, which influence processes such as insulin secretion and epithelial ion transport. Most commonly, these processes have been viewed separately. In beta cells, stimulation of P2Y(1) receptors amplifies secretion of insulin in the presence of glucose. Nucleotides released from secretory granules could also contribute to autocrine/paracrine regulation in pancreatic islets. In addition to P2Y(1) receptors, there is also evidence for other P2 and adenosine receptors in beta cells (P2Y(2), P2Y(4), P2Y(6), P2X subtypes and A(1) receptors) and in glucagon-secreting alpha cells (P2X(7), A(2) receptors). In the exocrine pancreas, acini release ATP and ATP-hydrolysing and ATP-generating enzymes. P2 receptors are prominent in pancreatic ducts, and several studies indicate that P2Y(2), P2Y(4), P2Y(11), P2X(4) and P2X(7) receptors could regulate secretion, primarily by affecting Cl(-) and K(+) channels and intracellular Ca(2+) signalling. In order to understand the physiology of the whole organ, it is necessary to consider the full complement of purinergic receptors on different cells as well as the structural and functional relation between various cells within the whole organ. In addition to the possible physiological function of purinergic receptors, this review analyses whether the receptors could be potential therapeutic targets for drug design aimed at treatment of pancreatic diseases.