Bombesin stimulates prolactin secretion from cultured rat pituitary tumour cells (GH4C1) via activation of phospholipase C

Current Review of the Function and Regulation of Tuberoinfundibular Dopamine Neurons

Tuberoinfundibular dopamine (TIDA) neurons have cell bodies located in the arcuate nucleus of the mediobasal hypothalamus. They project to the external zone of the median eminence, and the dopamine (DA) released there is carried by the hypophysial portal vasculature to the anterior pituitary. The DA then activates D2 receptors to inhibit prolactin (PRL) secretion from lactotrophs. The TIDA neuronal population is the principal regulatory factor controlling PRL secretion. The neuroendocrine role subserved by TIDA neurons sets them apart from other dopaminergic populations like the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic DA neurons. TIDA neurons exhibit intrinsic oscillatory fluctuations in their membrane potential that give rise to phasic firing and bursting activity. TIDA neuronal activity is sexually differentiated and modulated by gonadal hormones and PRL, as well as an array of small molecule and peptide neurotransmitters. This review covers these characteristics.

Genetically engineered human pituitary corticotroph tumor organoids exhibit divergent responses to glucocorticoid receptor modulators

Cushing's disease (CD) is a serious endocrine disorder attributed to an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) that that subsequently leads to chronic hypercortisolemia. PitNET regression has been reported following treatment with the investigational selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulator relacorilant, but the mechanisms behind that effect remain unknown. Human PitNET organoid models were generated from induced human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) or fresh tissue obtained from CD patient PitNETs (hPITOs). Genetically engineered iPSC derived organoids were used to model the development of corticotroph PitNETs expressing USP48 (iPSCUSP48) or USP8 (iPSCUSP8) somatic mutations. Organoids were treated with the GR antagonist mifepristone or the GR modulator relacorilant with or without somatostatin receptor (SSTR) agonists pasireotide or octreotide. In iPSCUSP48 and iPSCUSP8 cultures, mifepristone induced a predominant expression of SSTR2 with a concomitant increase in ACTH secretion and tumor cell proliferation. Relacorilant predominantly induced SSTR5 expression and tumor cell apoptosis with minimal ACTH induction. Hedgehog signaling mediated the induction of SSTR2 and SSTR5 in response to mifepristone and relacorilant. Relacorilant sensitized PitNET organoid responsiveness to pasireotide. Therefore, our study identified the potential therapeutic use of relacorilant in combination with somatostatin analogs and demonstrated the advantages of relacorilant over mifepristone, supporting its further development for use in the treatment of Cushing's disease patients.

Development of Human Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumor Organoids to Facilitate Effective Targeted Treatments of Cushing's Disease

(1) Background: Cushing's disease (CD) is a serious endocrine disorder caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) that stimulates the adrenal glands to overproduce cortisol. Chronic exposure to excess cortisol has detrimental effects on health, including increased stroke rates, diabetes, obesity, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and death. The first-line treatment for CD is pituitary surgery. Current surgical remission rates reported in only 56% of patients depending on several criteria. The lack of specificity, poor tolerability, and low efficacy of the subsequent second-line medical therapies make CD a medical therapeutic challenge. One major limitation that hinders the development of specific medical therapies is the lack of relevant human model systems that recapitulate the cellular composition of PitNET microenvironment. (2) Methods: human pituitary tumor tissue was harvested during transsphenoidal surgery from CD patients to generate organoids (hPITOs). (3) Results: hPITOs generated from corticotroph, lactotroph, gonadotroph, and somatotroph tumors exhibited morphological diversity among the organoid lines between individual patients and amongst subtypes. The similarity in cell lineages between the organoid line and the patient's tumor was validated by comparing the neuropathology report to the expression pattern of PitNET specific markers, using spectral flow cytometry and exome sequencing. A high-throughput drug screen demonstrated patient-specific drug responses of hPITOs amongst each tumor subtype. Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from a CD patient carrying germline mutation CDH23 exhibited dysregulated cell lineage commitment. (4) Conclusions: The human pituitary neuroendocrine tumor organoids represent a novel approach in how we model complex pathologies in CD patients, which will enable effective personalized medicine for these patients.

International Union of Pharmacology. LXVIII. Mammalian bombesin receptors: nomenclature, distribution, pharmacology, signaling, and functions in normal and disease states

The mammalian bombesin receptor family comprises three G protein-coupled heptahelical receptors: the neuromedin B (NMB) receptor (BB(1)), the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (BB(2)), and the orphan receptor bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) (BB(3)). Each receptor is widely distributed, especially in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and central nervous system (CNS), and the receptors have a large range of effects in both normal physiology and pathophysiological conditions. The mammalian bombesin peptides, GRP and NMB, demonstrate a broad spectrum of pharmacological/biological responses. GRP stimulates smooth muscle contraction and GI motility, release of numerous GI hormones/neurotransmitters, and secretion and/or hormone release from the pancreas, stomach, colon, and numerous endocrine organs and has potent effects on immune cells, potent growth effects on both normal tissues and tumors, potent CNS effects, including regulation of circadian rhythm, thermoregulation; anxiety/fear responses, food intake, and numerous CNS effects on the GI tract as well as the spinal transmission of chronic pruritus. NMB causes contraction of smooth muscle, has growth effects in various tissues, has CNS effects, including effects on feeding and thermoregulation, regulates thyroid-stimulating hormone release, stimulates various CNS neurons, has behavioral effects, and has effects on spinal sensory transmission. GRP, and to a lesser extent NMB, affects growth and/or differentiation of various human tumors, including colon, prostate, lung, and some gynecologic cancers. Knockout studies show that BB(3) has important effects in energy balance, glucose homeostasis, control of body weight, lung development and response to injury, tumor growth, and perhaps GI motility. This review summarizes advances in our understanding of the biology/pharmacology of these receptors, including their classification, structure, pharmacology, physiology, and role in pathophysiological conditions.

Prolactin: structure, function, and regulation of secretion

Prolactin is a protein hormone of the anterior pituitary gland that was originally named for its ability to promote lactation in response to the suckling stimulus of hungry young mammals. We now know that prolactin is not as simple as originally described. Indeed, chemically, prolactin appears in a multiplicity of posttranslational forms ranging from size variants to chemical modifications such as phosphorylation or glycosylation. It is not only synthesized in the pituitary gland, as originally described, but also within the central nervous system, the immune system, the uterus and its associated tissues of conception, and even the mammary gland itself. Moreover, its biological actions are not limited solely to reproduction because it has been shown to control a variety of behaviors and even play a role in homeostasis. Prolactin-releasing stimuli not only include the nursing stimulus, but light, audition, olfaction, and stress can serve a stimulatory role. Finally, although it is well known that dopamine of hypothalamic origin provides inhibitory control over the secretion of prolactin, other factors within the brain, pituitary gland, and peripheral organs have been shown to inhibit or stimulate prolactin secretion as well. It is the purpose of this review to provide a comprehensive survey of our current understanding of prolactin's function and its regulation and to expose some of the controversies still existing.

Stimulatory effect of bombesin on phosphoinositide metabolism in the rat pineal gland

The pineal gland is under complex peptidergic nervous control originating from hypothalamic nuclei. The daily rhythm of bombesin-like peptide in the hypothalamus suggests that this neuropeptide, similarly as other neuropeptides, might be involved in modulation of the physiological activity of the pineal gland. In our experiments we studied the mechanism of signal transduction of bombesin in the isolated pineal glands of rats. The phosphoinositide signalling system was examined by measuring 32P-labelling of phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2), which reflects phosphoinositide cycle activation. Bombesin induced a significant increase in 32P-labelling of PI, PIP and PIP2. The antagonist of this neuropeptide, (D-Phe12-Leu14)-bombesin, suppressed the increase in 32P-labelling of all phosphoinositides. Bombesin was without effect on cAMP dependent protein phosphorylation. The data indicate that bombesin activates the PI signalling system via specific receptors.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor is differentially coupled to adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C in different tissues

Recent studies suggest that in some tissues GRP receptor activation can both stimulate phospholipase C and the adenylate cyclase pathway and that activation of the latter pathway may be important in mediating some of its well-described growth effects. However, other studies suggest GRP-R may not be coupled to adenylate cyclase. To investigate this possibility, in the present study we determined the coupling of the GRP receptors to each pathway in mouse, rat, and guinea pig pancreatic acini and compared it to that in mouse Swiss 3T3 cells and human SCLC cells, all of which possess well-characterized GRP receptors. Moreover, we tested the effect of PKC activation on the ability of GRP-related peptides to increase cAMP accumulation in these tissues. Changes in cAMP levels were determined with or without IBMX present, with or without forskolin, or both to amplify small increases in cAMP. In mouse, rat and guinea pig pancreatic acini, murine Swiss 3T3 cells and human SCLC cells, GRP-related peptides caused a 600%, 500%, 250%, 300% and 60% increase, respectively, in [3H]IP with 1-3 nM causing a half-maximal effect. In murine Swiss 3T3 cells, IBMX, forskolin, and IBMX plus forskolin caused a 300%, 3500% and 10500% increase in cAMP, respectively. GRP-related peptides and VIP caused an additional 70% increase in cAMP with GRP causing a half-maximal (EC50) increase in cAMP at 2.1 +/- 0.5 nM, which was not significantly different from the EC50 of 3.1 +/- 0.9 nM for increasing [3H]IP in these cells. GRP-related peptides did not stimulate increases in cAMP in mouse, rat or guinea pig pancreatic acini or in SCLC cells either alone, with IBMX or forskolin or both. However, in pancreatic acini IBMX, forskolin or both increased cAMP 3 to 8-, 10 to 500-, and 100 to 1000-fold increase and the addition of VIP caused an additional 20-, 2-, and 3-fold increase in cAMP in the different species. In mouse pancreatic acini with TPA alone or IBMX plus TPA, neither bombesin nor GRP increased cAMP. Furthermore, in mouse pancreatic acini, neither TPA nor TPA plus IBMX altered basal or VIP-stimulated increases in cAMP. In mouse Swiss 3T3 cells TPA significantly increased cAMP stimulated by Bn, GRP or VIP. These results demonstrated that GRP receptor activation in normal tissues from three different species and a human tumoral cell line do not result in adenylate cyclase activation, whereas in Swiss 3T3 cells it causes such activation. The results suggest that the difference in coupling to adenylate cyclase is likely at least partially due to a difference in coupling to an adenylate cyclase subtype whose activation is regulated by PKC. Therefore, the possible growth effects mediated by this receptor in different embryonic or tumoral cells through activation of adenylate cyclase are not likely to be an important intracellular pathway for these effects in normal tissues.

Bombesin regulation of adrenocorticotropin release from ovine anterior pituitary cells

Mammalian members of the bombesin-like peptide family (gastrin releasing peptides; GRP) have been localized in the ovine median eminence and in hypophysial-portal blood, suggesting a role in the regulation of anterior pituitary function. In this study we have shown that although bombesin cannot stimulate ACTH secretion alone, it potentiates release by ovine CRF, an effect blocked by the GRP receptor antagonist D-Tyr6bombesin (6-13) propylamide. Bombesin did not potentiate AVP-stimulated ACTH release; instead release was attenuated when bombesin was given at a 10-fold or greater molar excess over AVP, with no interaction seen at lower concentrations. We conclude that ovine corticotrophs express bombesin receptors, and that GRP may act in concert with other hypothalamic releasing factors to regulate ACTH secretion.

Bioactive peptides in anterior pituitary cells

The anterior pituitary (AP) has been shown to contain a wide variety of bioactive peptides: brain-gut peptides, growth factors, hypothalamic releasing factors, posterior lobe peptides, opioids, and various other peptides. The localization of most of these peptides was first established by immunocytochemical methods and some of the peptides were localized in identified cell types. Although intracellular localization of a peptide may be the consequence of internalization from the plasma compartment, there is evidence for local synthesis of most of these peptides in the AP based on the identification of their messenger-RNA (mRNA). In several cases the release of the peptide from the AP cell has been shown and regulation of synthesis, storage and release have also been described. Because the amount of most of the AP peptides is very low (except for POMC peptides and galanin), endocrine functions are not expected. There is more evidence for paracrine, autocrine, or intracrine roles in growth, differentiation, and regeneration, or in the control of hormone release. To demonstrate such functions, in vitro AP experiments have been designed to avoid the interference of hypothalamic or peripheral hormones. The strategy is first to show a direct effect of the peptide after adding it to the in vitro system and, secondly, to explore if the endogenous AP peptide has a similar action by using blockers of peptide receptors or antisera immunoneutralizing the peptide.

Expression of the genes encoding bombesin-related peptides and their receptors in anterior pituitary tissue

The bombesin-related peptides gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB) have been demonstrated in the anterior pituitary (AP) on an immunological basis. We studied the presence of mRNAs for these peptides and for their receptors by RNAse protection assay using fresh adult male rat AP, AP cell reaggregates cultured in the presence of estradiol and the rat AP derived GH3 cell line. In total RNA from fresh AP we detected high amounts of NMB mRNA and much smaller amounts of GRP mRNA, while finding a weak signal for GRP-receptor (GRP-R) and NMB-receptor (NMB-R) mRNAs. In total RNA from the reaggregate cell cultures we detected high levels of NMB mRNA as well as a strong signal for GRP-R mRNA. Finally, in GH3 cells, high levels of NMB mRNA and GRP-R mRNA were found, while GRP mRNA and NMB-R mRNA remained undetectable even in high amounts (200 micrograms) of total RNA. We conclude that mRNAs encoding both bombesin-related peptides and each of the mRNAs encoding their receptors are expressed in rat AP tissue. NMB mRNA is more prominent than GRP mRNA in all AP-like tissues examined (fresh AP, estradiol-treated reaggregate AP cell cultures and GH3 cells). NMB-R mRNA and GRP-R mRNA are both present in low levels in fresh AP whereas the GRP-R mRNA is predominant in GH3 cells and estradiol treated AP reaggregate cell cultures. Compared to fresh AP tissue, NMB mRNA and GRP-R mRNA expression is enhanced in estradiol-treated reaggregate cell cultures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The mechanisms by which vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) stimulate prolactin release from pituitary cells

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on prolactin (PRL) secretion from pituitary cells is reviewed and compared to the effect of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). These two peptides induced different secretion profiles from parafused lactotrophs in culture. TRH was found to increase PRL secretion within 4 s and induced a biphasic secretion pattern, while VIP induced a monophasic secretion pattern after a lag time of 45-60 s. The secretion profiles are compared to changes in adenylate cyclase activity, production of inositol polyphosphates, changes in intracellular calcium concentrations and changes in electrophysiological properties of the cell membrane.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) may reduce the removal rate of cytosolic Ca2+ after transient elevations in clonal rat lactotrophs

The prolactin-producing rat anterior pituitary GH4C1 cells possess Ca2+-activated K channels which are activated by physiological elevations of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration even at membrane potentials more negative than the normal level of about -50 mV. Whole-cell current recordings showed a marked outward tail current following depolarizing voltage steps to 0 mV from a holding potential close to the normal membrane potential. The half-time of this tail current was about 1.3 s after a 4-s depolarization step. The GH4C1 cells also possess voltage-activated Ca channels, and we conclude that this tail current is a Ca2+-activated K+ current for the following reasons: (1) The reversal potential for the tail current was close to the K+ equilibrium potential for a range of transmembrane K+ gradients. (2) The tail current was blocked by a Ca2+ antagonist, and the voltage dependence of this current closely mirrored the voltage dependence of the isolated Ca2+ current. The time-course of the decline of the tail current thus reflects the removal rate of the Ca2+ entering the cytosol through voltage-dependent Ca channels during the depolarizing voltage step. VIP stimulates prolactin secretion from GH4C1 cells, and this peptide prolonged the half-time of the tail current by about 47% in 63% of the cells. This indicates that VIP may prolong the transient cytosolic Ca2+ elevations following the action potentials in these cells. Such a mechanism might be an important factor for the control of the cytosolic Ca2+ level, and hence hormone secretion.

Somatostatin inhibits prolactin secretion by multiple mechanisms involving a site of action distal to increased cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and elevated cytosolic Ca2+ in rat lactotrophs

The release of prolactin (PRL) from a clonal cell-line of anterior pituitary cells (GH4C1) was inhibited by somatostatin (SRIH) in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 nM). The inhibition (20% of control levels) was detectable within 50 s and maximal within 90 s. Thyroliberin (TRH) enhancement of PRL secretion was biphasic. SRIH inhibited both phases equally. Ionomycin in combination with the phorbol ester, TPA, mimics the TRH-elicited PRL release, and SRIH partly inhibited this effect. SRIH had no effect on TRH-stimulated formation of inositol trisphosphate, and only small effects on TRH-activated adenylate cyclase. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and forskolin stimulated cAMP formation and PRL release potently. SRIH inhibited both effects of VIP and forskolin, and there was a close correlation between the inhibition of PRL secretion and cAMP accumulation. 8-Bromo-cAMP enhanced PRL release, an effect that was also partly reduced by SRIH. The Ca2+ channel activator, BAY-K-8644 and high extracellular K+ increased PRL release, and SRIH caused a partial reduction in the release response to both secretagogues. SRIH lowered [Ca2+]i, and markedly reduced the rise in [Ca2+]i elicited by TRH, VIP and K+. SRIH did not influence the Ca2+ spikes recorded in Na+-free solution, and had no effect on the TRH-induced membrane potential changes. Our results demonstrate that SRIH may inhibit PRL release from GH4C1 cells by (1) inhibiting hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase, (2) blocking the effect of cAMP and (3) lowering [Ca2+]i. None of these effects is, however, sufficient to explain all the effects of SRIH, suggesting that SRIH also exerts a major action at a step subsequent to cAMP accumulation and [Ca2+]i elevation. Since the GH4C1 cells possess one single class of binding sites, this implies that the same SRIH receptor is coupled to several cellular signalling systems.