Caco-2 cells in culture synthesize and degrade dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine: a comparison with rat jejunal epithelial cells

Gastric Serotonin Biosynthesis and Its Functional Role in L-Arginine-Induced Gastric Proton Secretion

Among mammals, serotonin is predominantly found in the gastrointestinal tract, where it has been shown to participate in pathway-regulating satiation. For the stomach, vascular serotonin release induced by gastric distension is thought to chiefly contribute to satiation after food intake. However, little information is available on the capability of gastric cells to synthesize, release and respond to serotonin by functional changes of mechanisms regulating gastric acid secretion. We investigated whether human gastric cells are capable of serotonin synthesis and release. First, HGT-1 cells, derived from a human adenocarcinoma of the stomach, and human stomach specimens were immunostained positive for serotonin. In HGT-1 cells, incubation with the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p-chlorophenylalanine reduced the mean serotonin-induced fluorescence signal intensity by 27%. Serotonin release of 147 ± 18%, compared to control HGT-1 cells (set to 100%) was demonstrated after treatment with 30 mM of the satiating amino acid L-Arg. Granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, reduced this L-Arg-induced serotonin release, as well as L-Arg-induced proton secretion. Similarly to the in vitro experiment, human antrum samples released serotonin upon incubation with 10 mM L-Arg. Overall, our data suggest that human parietal cells in culture, as well as from the gastric antrum, synthesize serotonin and release it after treatment with L-Arg via an HTR3-related mechanism. Moreover, we suggest not only gastric distension but also gastric acid secretion to result in peripheral serotonin release.

Serotonin Transporter Deficiency is Associated with Dysbiosis and Changes in Metabolic Function of the Mouse Intestinal Microbiome

Serotonin transporter (SERT) plays a critical role in regulating extracellular availability of serotonin (5-HT) in the gut and brain. Mice with deletion of SERT develop metabolic syndrome as they age. Changes in the gut microbiota are being increasingly implicated in Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes. To investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and SERT, this study assessed the fecal and cecal microbiome profile of 11 to 12 week-old SERT+/+ and SERT-/- mice. Microbial DNA was isolated, processed for metagenomics shotgun sequencing, and taxonomic and functional profiles were assessed. 34 differentially abundant bacterial species were identified between SERT+/+ and SERT-/-. SERT-/- mice displayed higher abundances of Bacilli species including genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and Listeria. Furthermore, SERT-/- mice exhibited significantly lower abundances of Bifidobacterium species and Akkermansia muciniphilia. Bacterial community structure was altered in SERT-/- mice. Differential abundance of bacteria was correlated with changes in host gene expression. Bifidobacterium and Bacilli species exhibited significant associations with host genes involved in lipid metabolism pathways. Our results show that SERT deletion is associated with dysbiosis similar to that observed in obesity. This study contributes to the understanding as to how changes in gut microbiota are associated with metabolic phenotype seen in SERT deficiency.

The advanced glycation end product Nϵ -carboxymethyllysine and its precursor glyoxal increase serotonin release from Caco-2 cells

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), comprising a highly diverse class of Maillard reaction compounds formed in vivo and during heating processes of foods, have been described in the progression of several degenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus. N^ϵ -Carboxymethyllysine (CML) represents a well-characterized AGE, which is frequently encountered in a Western diet and is known to mediate its cellular effects through binding to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). As very little is known about the impact of exogenous CML and its precursor, glyoxal, on intestinal cells, a genome-wide screening using a customized microarray was conducted in fully differentiated Caco-2 cells. After verification of gene regulation by qPCR, functional assays on fatty acid uptake, glucose uptake, and serotonin release were performed. While only treatment with glyoxal showed a slight impact on fatty acid uptake (P < 0.05), both compounds reduced glucose uptake significantly, leading to values of 81.3% ± 22.8% (500 μM CML, control set to 100%) and 68.3% ± 20.9% (0.3 μM glyoxal). Treatment with 500 μM CML or 0.3 μM glyoxal increased serotonin release (P < 0.05) to 236% ± 111% and 264% ± 66%, respectively. Co-incubation with the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 reduced CML-induced serotonin release by 34%, suggesting a RAGE-mediated mechanism. Similarly, co-incubation with the SGLT-1 inhibitor phloridzin attenuated serotonin release after CML treatment by 32%, hinting at a connection between CML-stimulated serotonin release and glucose uptake. Future studies need to elucidate whether the CML/glyoxal-induced serotonin release in enterocytes might stimulate serotonin-mediated intestinal motility.

Catecholamine synthesis and metabolism in the central nervous system of mice lacking alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

This study investigates the role of alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha(2A), alpha(2B) and alpha(2C), on catecholamine synthesis and catabolism in the central nervous system of mice.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Activities of the main catecholamine synthetic and catabolic enzymes were determined in whole brains obtained from alpha(2A)-, alpha(2B)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor knockout (KO) and C56Bl\7 wild-type (WT) mice.

KEY RESULTS

Although no significant differences were found in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and expression, brain tissue levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine were threefold higher in alpha(2A)- and alpha(2C)-adrenoceptor KO mice. Brain tissue levels of dopamine and noradrenaline were significantly higher in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KOs compared with WT [WT: 2.8 +/- 0.5, 1.1 +/- 0.1; alpha(2A)KO: 6.9 +/- 0.7, 1.9 +/- 0.1; alpha(2B)KO: 2.3 +/- 0.2, 1.0 +/- 0.1; alpha(2C)KO: 4.6 +/- 0.8, 1.5 +/- 0.2 nmol.(g tissue)(-1), for dopamine and noradrenaline respectively]. Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity was significantly higher in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KO [WT: 40 +/- 1; alpha(2A): 77 +/- 2; alpha(2B): 40 +/- 1; alpha(2C): 50 +/- 1, maximum velocity (V(max)) in nmol.(mg protein)(-1).h(-1)], but no significant differences were found in dopamine beta-hydroxylase. Of the catabolic enzymes, catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme activity was significantly higher in all three alpha(2)KO mice [WT: 2.0 +/- 0.0; alpha(2A): 2.4 +/- 0.1; alpha(2B): 2.2 +/- 0.0; alpha(2C): 2.2 +/- 0.0 nmol.(mg protein)(-1).h(-1)], but no significant differences were found in monoamine oxidase activity between all alpha(2)KOs and WT mice.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

In mouse brain, deletion of alpha(2A)- or alpha(2C)-adrenoceptors increased cerebral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity and catecholamine tissue levels. Deletion of any alpha(2)-adrenoceptor subtypes resulted in increased activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase. Higher 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine tissue levels in alpha(2A) and alpha(2C)KO mice could be explained by increased 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine transport.

Role of a serotonin precursor in development of gut microvilli

Monoamines exert diverse functions in various cells in peripheral organs as well as in the central nervous system. 5-Hydroxy-l-tryptophan (5-HTP) has been simply regarded as a precursor of serotonin, and it is believed that the biological significance of 5-HTP is essentially ascribable to the production of serotonin. Systemic treatment with 5-HTP is often applied to patients with low serotonin levels in the brain. Here we show that endogenous and exogenous 5-HTP but not serotonin induced the development of microvilli in the gut villi epithelium. In contrast, serotonin but not 5-HTP regulated phagocytosis by macrophages. 5-HTP specifically induced actin remodeling and decreased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the gut, whereas serotonin stimulated actin remodeling and increased ERK phosphorylation in macrophages. Functionally, inhibition of ERK activity promoted the development of microvilli in the gut and ameliorated phagocytosis by macrophages. Thus, 5-HTP and serotonin contribute to distinct cell-type-specific functions via common mediators. Our study might create an opportunity to explore the effects of exogenously applied 5-HTP in humans.

Metabolism of dopamine by the nasal mucosa

The nasal route of administration offers several advantages over oral and intravenous administration, including the ability to avoid hepatic first pass metabolism. Dopamine deficiency has been associated with several neurological disorders; it has been shown to have good systemic bioavailability and significant uptake into the CNS following intranasal administration. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the limiting role of mucosal metabolism of dopamine during nasal absorption. In vitro transport and initial rate studies were carried out using nasal mucosal explants to study dopamine permeability and metabolism. Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was the only metabolite detected. Monoamine oxidase (MAO), the enzyme responsible for DOPAC formation, was localized to the submucosal region of the nasal explants. The amount of DOPAC formed during the transport studies was less than 0.5% of the initial amount of dopamine placed into the system. Iproniazid, an MAO inhibitor, blocked DOPAC formation but had no effect on dopamine transport. The limited extent of dopamine metabolism compared to its mucosal transport demonstrates that nasal dopamine transport is not significantly reduced by mucosal metabolism and suggests that the nasal route may be promising for the efficient delivery of dopamine to the CNS.

Serotonin inhibits Na+/H+ exchange activity via 5-HT4 receptors and activation of PKC alpha in human intestinal epithelial cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Increased serotonin levels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of diarrhea associated with celiac and inflammatory diseases. However, the effects of serotonin on Na+ /H+ exchange (NHE) activity in the human intestine have not been investigated fully. The present studies examined the acute effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on NHE activity using Caco-2 cells as an in vitro model.

METHODS

Caco-2 cells were treated with 5-HT (.1 micromol/L, 1 h) and NHE activity was measured as ethyl-isopropyl-amiloride (EIPA)-sensitive 22Na uptake. The effect of 5-HT receptor-specific agonists and antagonists was examined. The role of signaling intermediates in 5-HT-mediated effects on NHE activity was elucidated using pharmacologic inhibitors and immunoblotting.

RESULTS

NHE activity was inhibited significantly (approximately 50%-75%, P < .05) by .1 micromol/L 5-HT via inhibition of maximal velocity (Vmax) without any changes in apparent affinity (Km) for the substrate Na+ . NHE inhibition involved a decrease of both NHE2 and NHE3 activities. Studies using specific inhibitors and agonists showed that the effects of 5-HT were mediated by 5-HT4 receptors. 5-HT-mediated inhibition of NHE activity was dependent on phosphorylation of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) via activation of src-kinases. Signaling pathways downstream of PLC gamma 1 involved increase of intracellular Ca 2+ levels and subsequent activation of protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha). The effects of 5-HT on NHE activity were not cell-line specific because T84 cells also showed NHE inhibition.

CONCLUSIONS

A better understanding of the regulation of Na+ absorption by 5-HT offers the potential for providing insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in various diarrheal and inflammatory disorders.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel low affinity aromatic-preferring amino acid transporter (arpAT). One of the few proteins silenced during primate evolution

We have identified in silico arpAT, a gene encoding a new member of the LSHAT family, and cloned it from kidney. Co-expression of arpAT with the heavy subunits rBAT or 4F2hc elicited a sodium-independent alanine transport activity in HeLa cells. L-tyrosine, l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), L-glutamine, L-serine, L-cystine, and L-arginine were also transported. Kinetic and cis-inhibition studies showed a K(m) = 1.59 +/- 0.24 mM for L-alanine or IC50 in the millimolar range for most amino acids, except L-proline, glycine, anionic and D-amino acids, which were not inhibitory. L-DOPA and L-tyrosine were the most effective competitive inhibitors of L-alanine transport, with IC50 values of 272.2 +/- 57.1 and 716.3 +/- 112.4 microM, respectively. In the small intestine, arpAT mRNA was located at the enterocytes, in a decreasing gradient from the crypts to the tip of the villi. It was also expressed in neurons from different brain areas. Finally, we show that while the arpAT gene is conserved in rat, dog, and chicken, it has become silenced in humans and chimpanzee. Actually, it has been recently reported that it is one of the 33 recently inactivated genes in the human lineage. The evolutionary implications of the silencing process and the roles of arpAT in transport of L-DOPA in the brain and in aromatic amino acid absorption are discussed.

Decreased availability of intestinal dopamine in transmural colitis may relate to inhibitory effects of interferon-gamma upon L-DOPA uptake

AIMS

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between intestinal inflammation, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels and intestinal levels of dopamine, its precursor l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), and the activity of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity along the digestive tract in a rat experimental model of colitis.

METHODS

Colitis was induced by rectal administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS). Catechol derivatives were assayed by means of HPLC-EC.

RESULTS

It is shown that dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the distal colon (inflamed mucosa), but not in the ileum (non-inflamed mucosa), of TNBS-treated rats were markedly lower than in control animals. A slight decrease in L-DOPA tissue levels, no changes in AADC activity and an increase in plasma IFN-gamma levels accompanied this decrease in dopamine levels. Exposure of Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal epithelial cell line, to human IFN-gamma resulted in a concentration-dependent and long-lasting inhibition of L-DOPA uptake, which most likely explains the decrease in dopamine levels in the inflamed mucosa.

CONCLUSION

Changes in tissue levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in experimental colitis in the rat follow a similar pattern to that observed in patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In this model of experimental colitis, the decrease in dopamine levels is most likely explained by the inhibitory effect of IFN-gamma on L-DOPA uptake by intestinal epithelial cells.

Dopamine-induced inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity requires integrity of actin cytoskeleton in opossum kidney cells

The present study evaluated the importance of the association between Na+-K+-ATPase and the actin cytoskeleton on dopamine-induced inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity. The approach used measures the transepithelial transport of Na+ in monolayers of opossum kidney (OK) cells, when the Na+ delivered to Na+-K+-ATPase was increased at the saturating level by amphotericin B. The maximal amphotericin B (1.0 microg mL-1) induced increase in short-circuit current (Isc) was prevented by ouabain (100 microM) or removal of apical Na+. Dopamine (1 microM) applied from the apical side significantly decreased (29 +/- 5% reduction) the amphotericin B-induced increase in Isc, this being prevented by the D1-like receptor antagonist SKF 83566 (1 microM) and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine (1 microM). Exposure of OK cells to cytochalasin B (1 microM) or cytochalasin D (1 microM), inhibitors of actin polymerization, from both cell sides reduced by 31 +/- 4% and 36 +/- 3% the amphotericin B-induced increase in Isc and abolished the inhibitory effect of apical dopamine (1 microM), but not that of the PKC activator phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 100 nM). Colchicine (1 microM) failed to alter the inhibitory effects of dopamine. The relationship between Na+-K+-ATPase and the concentration of extracellular Na+ showed a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 44.1 +/- 13.7 mM and a Vmax of 49.6 +/- 4.8 microA cm-2 in control monolayers. In the presence of apical dopamine (1 microM) or cytochalasin B (1 microM) Vmax values were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced without changes in Km values. These results are the first, obtained in live cells, showing that the PKC-dependent inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase activity by dopamine requires the integrity of the association between actin cytoskeleton and Na+-K+-ATPase.

Transport mechanism and metabolism of olive oil hydroxytyrosol in Caco-2 cells

3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (hydroxytyrosol; DPE) is the major phenolic antioxidant present in extra virgin olive oil, either in a free or esterified form. Despite its relevant biological effects, no data are available on its bioavailability and metabolism. The aim of the present study is to examine the molecular mechanism of DPE intestinal transport, using differentiated Caco-2 cell monolayers as the model system. The kinetic data demonstrate that [(14)C]DPE transport occurs via a passive diffusion mechanism and is bidirectional; the calculated apparent permeability coefficient indicates that the molecule is quantitatively absorbed at the intestinal level. The only labelled DPE metabolite detectable in the culture medium by HPLC (10% conversion) is 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenylethanol, the product of catechol-O-methyltransferase; when DPE is assayed in vitro with the purified enzyme a K(m) value of 40 microM has been calculated.