Effects of phorbol esters and forskolin on basal and histamine-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Human fetal chromaffin cells: A potential tool for cell pain therapy

Transplantation of adrenal medulla cells has been proposed in the treatment of various conditions. Indeed, these cells possess a bipotentiality: neural and neuroendocrine, which could be exploited for brain repair or pain therapy. In a previous study, we characterized these human cells in vitro over 7-10 gestational weeks (GW) [Zhou, H., Aziza, J., Sol, J.C., Courtade-Saidi, M., Chatelin, S., Evra, C., Parant, O., Lazorthes, Y., and Jozan, S., 2006. Cell therapy of pain: Characterization of human fetal chromaffin cells at early adrenal medulla development. Exp. Neurol. 198, 370-381]. We report here our results on the extension to 23 GW. This developmental period can be split into three stages. During the first stage (7-10 GW), we observed in situ that extra-adrenal surrounding cells display the same morphology and phenotype as the intra-adrenal chromaffin cells. We also found that the intra-adrenal chromaffin cells could be committed in vitro towards an adrenergic phenotype using differentiating agents. During the second stage (11 to 15-16 GW), two types of cells (Type 1 and Type 2 cells) were identified morphologically both inside and outside the gland. Interestingly, we noted that the Type 2 cells stem from the Type 1 cells. However, during this developmental period only the intra-adrenal Type 2 cells will evolve towards an adrenergic phenotype. In the third stage (17-23 GW), we observed the ultimate location of the medulla gland. Both the in situ results and the in vitro experiments indicate that particular procedures need to be implemented prior transplantation of chromaffin cells. First, in order to obtain a large number of immature chromaffin cells, they must be isolated from the intra and extra-adrenal gland and should then be committed towards an adrenergic phenotype in vitro for subsequent use in pain therapy. This strategy is under investigation in our laboratory.

Mechanisms in histamine-mediated secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells

The great majority of the sustained secretory response of adrenal chromaffin cells to histamine is due to extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCCs). This is likely to be true also for other G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists that evoke catecholamine secretion from these cells. However, the mechanism by which these GPCRs activate VOCCs is not yet clear. A substantial amount of data have established that histamine acts on H(1) receptors to activate phospholipase C via a Pertussis toxin-resistant G protein, causing the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the mobilisation of store Ca(2+); however, the molecular events that lead to the activation of the VOCCs remain undefined. This review will summarise the known actions of histamine on cellular signalling pathways in adrenal chromaffin cells and relate them to the activation of extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated channels, which evokes catecholamine secretion. These actions provide insight into how other GPCRs might activate Ca(2+) influx in many excitable and non-excitable cells.

The effect of histamine receptor antagonists on stress-induced catecholamine secretion: an adrenomedullary microdialysis study in the rat

The effects of pretreatment with selective histamine receptor antagonists on changes in sympathoadrenal activity and haemodynamics, induced by 60-min immobilization stress, were studied in conscious rats. Using adrenomedullary microdialysis, it was shown that ranitidine (5 mg/kg, i.v.), a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, selectively suppressed stress-stimulated noradrenaline secretion without affecting adrenaline response, whereas triprolidine (10 mg/kg, i.v.), a histamine H1 receptor antagonist, had little effect on stress-induced secretion of both catecholamines. Neither triprolidine nor ranitidine changed the pressor response to 60-min stress. The stress-induced increase in heart rate was not altered by triprolidine, whereas ranitidine reduced it after 30 min of stress. To test whether the anti-secretory effect of ranitidine could be of peripheral origin, in a separate experimental series, a local catecholamine secretion was stimulated by histamine (0.5 mM) perfused through the adrenomedullary dialysis probe. It appeared that triprolidine, but not ranitidine, reduced this effect of histamine. Thus, the present results suggest that during stress, the activity of the central histaminergic system, via histamine H2-receptors, may selectively modulate noradrenaline secretion by the adrenal gland.

Cd2+ and Co2+ at micromolar concentrations mobilize intracellular Ca2+ via the generation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate in bovine chromaffin cells

To understand the mechanisms underlying the Cd2+- and Co2+-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, we measured the levels of inositol phosphates using bovine chromaffin cells. Studies using HPLC indicated that Cd2+, Co2+ and methacholine significantly increased the generation of 1,4,5-IP3. The results suggest that Cd2+ and Co2+ mobilize Ca2+ from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores, possibly through the presumptive Cd2+ receptor.

Heterologous expression of a P2x-purinoceptor in rat chromaffin cells detects vesicular ATP release

A cloned P2x-purinoceptor was transiently expressed in single isolated rat adrenal chromaffin cells and evaluated for the detection of released ATP. After cytoplasmic injection of the P2x complementary RNA (cRNA; 4-24 h), application of ATP produced an inwardly rectifying current over the voltage range -130 to -10 mV as measured by the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The dose-response curve for ATP was sigmoidal with a 50% effective concentration of 18. 2 microM. Suramin, a P2x-antagonist, attenuated the ATP-induced current. Depolarizing voltage pulses to 0 mV or application of histamine, stimuli that trigger exocytosis, resulted in the appearance of suramin-sensitive spontaneous transient inward currents (at -60 mV) that resembled excitatory postsynaptic currents although they were slower in time course. Concurrent detection of catecholamine release with a carbon fiber electrode often showed coincidence of the amperometric current with the synaptic currentlike events suggesting that ATP and catecholamines were released from the same vessicle. These data demonstrate that expression of a P2x-purinoceptor in chromaffin cells produces a functional autoreceptor capable of detecting vesicular release of ATP. In combination with carbon fiber amperometry, simultaneous vesicular release of two neurotransmitters from a single chromaffin cell could be monitored. The P2x-purinoceptor, however, produced a regenerative effect on release apparently resulting from the high Ca2+ permeability of the receptor. Thus modification of the P2x-purinoceptor would be required before the system could be applied to examining processes involved in stimulus-release coupling.

Histamine-stimulated phospholipase C signalling in the adrenal chromaffin cell: effects on inositol phospholipid metabolism and tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylation

1. The present report gives a detailed account of histamine-stimulated phospholipase C (PLC) activity in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. 2. Histamine activation of H1 receptors stimulates PLC with a biphasic sensitivity to extracellular Ca2+. The initial response (the first 15 s stimulation) was not reduced by the removal of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the maintenance of PLC activity beyond this time required Ca2+ influx. 3. Phospholipase C activity in response to a 10 min incubation with histamine was inhibited by La3+ (3 mmol/L) or SKF96365 (10 mumol/L). Nifedipine (10 mumol/L), but not omega-agatoxin IVA (100 nmol/L) or omega-conotoxin GVIA (300 nmol/L), produced a partial inhibition of PLC activity. The response was also partially inhibited by a reduction in the extracellular Cl- concentration (40 mmol/L) or by the inclusion of the Cl- channel blocker N-phenylanthranilic acid (300 mumol/L). 4. Kinetic analysis of the rate of turnover of the various inositol phosphate isomers in response to histamine suggested that the inositol monophosphates were being produced from a source in addition to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) metabolism. This conclusion was supported by the differential action of pertussis toxin and neomycin on Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation compared with inositol monophosphate formation. 5. We have attempted to identify a defined role for the intracellular Ca2+ mobilized in these cells in response to histamine. After short incubations (up to 3 min), histamine was able to regulate the site-specific phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. This observation has important implications for a possible role for the PLC signalling pathway in controlling the rate of catecholamine biosynthesis.

Involvement of protein kinase C in homologous desensitization of histamine-evoked secretory responses in rat chromaffin cells

The secretory responses in rat adrenal chromaffin cells to histamine H1 receptor stimulation desensitize during repetitive stimulation. The rate of development of this desensitization was slowed by Ro 31-8220, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. Ro 31-8220 also reversed part of the desensitization which had been induced by earlier histamine stimulation. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C, inhibited histamine-evoked catecholamine (CA) secretion almost completely. The inhibitory effect of PDBu on the H1-receptor-mediated secretory response was antagonized by Ro 31-8220. Histamine induced [Ca2+]i increases due to Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores in fura-2-loaded adrenal medullary cells. These [Ca2+]i increases were abolished in PDBu-treated cells. These results suggest that the activation of PKC following histamine H1 receptor stimulation plays a significant role in the process of homologous desensitization of histamine-evoked secretory responses in rat chromaffin cells, through modulation by PKC of H1 receptors and/or GTP-binding proteins coupled with H1 receptors.

Interaction between G protein-operated receptors eliciting secretion in rat adrenals. A possible role of protein kinase C

Catecholamine release induced by angiotensin II, histamine, bradykinin and methacholine from the rat adrenal gland perfused in vitro was studied under conditions in which the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) was modified. Perfusion of glands with 10 nM bradykinin abolished, in a reversible way, the secretion induced by short pulses of angiotensin II, histamine and methacholine but did not modify the release evoked by 23.6 mM KCl (high K+). Perfusion with histamine or methacholine (30 microM) inhibited the secretion induced by the other agents by 30-50%, whereas incubation with angiotensin II (100 nM) caused little or no reduction in the release evoked by the other agents. The treatment of glands with 1 nM of the PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) suppressed the responses induced by angiotensin II, histamine and methacholine, did not affect those evoked by bradykinin, and potentiated the secretion evoked by high K+. The adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin (1 microM) did not affect the basal secretion but strongly potentiated the release evoked by all secretagogues used, suggesting a role for protein kinase A (PKA) downstream of the receptor. The PKC inhibitor Ro-31-8220 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of bradykinin. Our results suggest that angiotensin II, histamine and muscarinic receptors share some common transduction mechanism that is regulated by PKC. PKC activity was enhanced by these agents PDBu >> bradykinin = histamine > methacholine = angiotensin II. Bradykinin receptor transduction does not appear to be regulated by PKC.

Staurosporine inhibits inositol phosphate formation in bovine adrenal medullary cells

The effect of protein kinase C activators and inhibitors on histamine-stimulated phospholipase C in bovine adrenal medullary cells has been investigated. The protein kinase C activators, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) or sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DOG), inhibited histamine-stimulation of phospholipase C. This inhibition was prevented by the protein kinase C-selective inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (3-[1-[3-(2-isothioureido) propyl]indol-3-yl]-4-(1-methylindol-3-yl)-3-pyrrolin-2,5-dio ne) but not the broad spectrum protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine. Indeed staurosporine on its own inhibited both the histamine-stimulated response and, in permeabilized cells, phospholipase C activated by Ca2+. Staurosporine inhibition of phospholipase C is unlikely to be mediated via protein kinase A or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase because it was not reproduced by selective inhibition of these kinases. Staurosporine treatment, however, reduced inositol phospholipid levels in stimulated cells. Thus staurosporine and Ro 31-8220, two widely used protein kinase C inhibitors, have quite different effects on phospholipase C activation. Furthermore, staurosporine may cause this inhibition through a reduction in the level of phospholipase C substrate.

The sigma compounds 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine and N-allylnormetazocine inhibit agonist-stimulated inositol phospholipid metabolism in bovine adrenal medullary cells

Muscarine stimulated a concentration-dependent accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in bovine adrenal medullary cells preloaded with [3H]inositol. This muscarinic activation of inositol phospholipid metabolism was fully inhibited by the sigma-ligand 1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) with an IC50 of approximately 45 microM. Higher concentrations (100 microM) of (+) N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10047) also partially inhibited this response. A concentration of DTG sufficient to fully inhibit the muscarinic response also produced a significant partial inhibition of [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation in response to histamine but not to angiotensin II. These data demonstrate that sigma-compounds inhibit agonist-stimulated inositol phospholipid metabolism in bovine adrenal medullary cells, with a degree of selectivity towards the muscarinic response.

Histamine H1 receptor activation mediates the preferential release of adrenaline in the rat adrenal gland

Histamine elicited the release of catecholamines from "in vitro" perfused rat adrenals with an EC50 of 3 microM. This concentration was in the same range as those which caused a fall in the arterial blood pressure when infused intravenously in anaesthetized rats. Histamine stimulation was potently blocked by dexclorfeniramine (IC50 = 300 pM), but unaffected by ranitidine, suggesting the involvement of H1 receptors. Histamine release preferentially adrenaline. Mast cells were not detected within adrenal medulla by histochemical techniques. Compound 48/80 did not trigger catecholamine release. Catecholamine secretion evoked by splanchnic nerves stimulation was not modified by a combination of H1 and H2 antagonists. In conclusion, the histamine that elicited adrenaline release from rat adrenals comes from blood circulation not from local mast cells or splanchnic nerves. These effects are mediated through the activation of H1 receptors.

Pertussis toxin enhances proenkephalin synthesis in bovine chromaffin cells

The synthesis of the neuropeptide precursor proenkephalin was measured in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells following radiolabeling with [35S]methionine. Treatment of chromaffin cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml) approximately doubled proenkephalin synthesis without altering total protein synthesis. Pertussis toxin pretreatment also increased proenkephalin synthesis in chromaffin cells exposed to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Combinations of IBMX plus nicotine, VIP, or histamine also synergistically enhanced proenkephalin synthesis, with no further elevation when the cells were also pretreated with pertussis toxin. The action of forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, on proenkephalin synthesis was similarly potentiated by pertussis toxin or IBMX, presumably reflecting the abilities of both the toxin and this phosphodiesterase inhibitor to enhance the cyclic AMP response to forskolin. In contrast, increased synthesis of proenkephalin in response to phorbol esters was not affected by pertussis toxin treatment. These results suggest that pertussis toxin potentiates proenkephalin synthesis primarily through inactivation of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that inhibit adenylate cyclase, although other signaling pathways may also be involved.

Ionic mechanisms involved in the secretory effects of histamine in the rat adrenal medulla

Histamine activation of H1 receptors elicited the release of adrenaline from in vitro perfused rat adrenal with an EC50 of 3 microM. Neither Na+ deprivation nor complete membrane depolarization abolished the histamine-mediated secretory response but it was partially dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Nitrendipine and BAY-K-8644 affected the release induced by histamine concentrations at over 3 microM. Delayed application of histamine pulses, after external Ca2+ removal, led to a decline in to a plateau at 50% of the initial release. Pretreatment with ionomycin abolished this Ca2+ deprivation-resistant component. These data suggest that secretion evoked by low concentrations of histamine occurs by mobilization of Ca2+ from internal stores whereas higher concentrations use Ca2+ from both intracellular and extracellular sources.

Histamine evokes greater increases in phosphatidylinositol metabolism and catecholamine secretion in epinephrine-containing than in norepinephrine-containing chromaffin cells

Chromaffin cells have H1 histamine receptors. Histamine, acting at these receptors, increases the metabolism of inositol-containing phospholipids and stimulates catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells. We have investigated the effects of histamine and other agents on the accumulation of inositol monophosphate (InsP1) and catecholamine secretion in purified cultures of norepinephrine-containing and epinephrine-containing bovine chromaffin cells. Histamine-stimulated InsP1 accumulation in epinephrine cells was three times greater than that in norepinephrine cells. In contrast, bradykinin caused roughly equivalent increases in InsP1 accumulation in the two chromaffin cell subtypes. Histamine-stimulated catecholamine secretion was also greater in epinephrine cells than in norepinephrine cells, whereas high K+, bradykinin, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, and angiotensin II all caused greater secretion from norepinephrine cells than from epinephrine cells. The density of H1 receptors in epinephrine cells was approximately three times greater than that in norepinephrine cells. The greater density of H1 receptors on epinephrine cells may account for the greater effects of histamine on InsP1 accumulation and catecholamine secretion in these cells.

Small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in bovine chromaffin cells

Simultaneous whole-cell patch-clamp and fura-2 fluorescence [Ca2+]i measurements were used to characterize Ca(2+)-activated K+ currents in cultured bovine chromaffin cells. Extracellular application of histamine (10 microM) induced a rise of [Ca2+]i concomitantly with an outward current at holding potentials positive to -80 mV. The activation of the current reflected an increase in conductance, which did not depend on membrane potential in the range -80 mV to -40 mV. Increasing the extracellular K+ concentration to 20 mM at the holding potential of -78 mV was associated with inwardly directed currents during the [Ca2+]i elevations induced either by histamine (10 microM) or short voltage-clamp depolarizations. The current reversal potential was close to the K+ equilibrium potential, being a function of external K+ concentration. Current fluctuation analysis suggested a unit conductance of 3-5 pS for the channel that underlies this K+ current. The current could be blocked by apamin (1 microM). Whole-cell current-clamp recordings showed that histamine (10 microM) application caused a transient hyperpolarization, which evolved in parallel with the [Ca2+]i changes. It is proposed that a small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel is present in the membrane of bovine chromaffin cells and may be involved in regulating catecholamine secretion by the adrenal glands of various species.

Role of protein kinase C in the regulation of histamine and bradykinin stimulated inositol polyphosphate turnover in adrenal chromaffin cells

1. The possibility that bradykinin- or histamine-stimulated inositol polyphosphate accumulation may be regulated by protein kinase C (PKC) in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells has been addressed. 2. Initial experiments confirmed that the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) dramatically inhibited agonist-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulations in [3H]-inositol prelabelled cells. In contrast, the PKC inhibitor, Ro 31-8220, did not affect this response. 3. Histamine (100 microM) or bradykinin (100 nM) evoked rapid increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5)P4) mass accumulations (maximal accumulations within 10 s and 30 s, respectively) which declined towards basal values over a 10 min incubation period. TPA (1 microM) significantly attenuated the peak Ins(1,4,5)P3 response to bradykinin and histamine by 30% and 70% respectively. In contrast, TPA did not significantly affect agonist-stimulated Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 responses. 4. Ro 31-8220 (10 microM) significantly enhanced the maximal Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulations elicited by both bradykinin and histamine. 5. The results indicate that the initial Ins(1,4,5)P3 response to either bradykinin or histamine in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells can be attenuated by PKC activation by phorbol ester and enhanced by PKC inhibition by Ro 31-8220. In contrast, agonist-stimulated Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 accumulation does not appear to be affected by these manipulations of PKC activity. Possible bases for differential modulation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 are discussed.

Ca2+ influx induced by the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone and thapsigargin in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

We have characterized the effect of the Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone (tBHQ) and thapsigargin on the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by video-imaging of fura-2-loaded cells. Addition of either inhibitor released Ca2+ from internal stores in the absence of external Ca2+. tBHQ was unable to stimulate further Ca2+ release after addition of thapsigargin, but thapsigargin could do so after release by tBHQ, indicating that the tBHQ-sensitive stores are a sub-set of those sensitive to thapsigargin. Angiotensin II was able to elicit Ca2+ release after application of tBHQ, indicating that at least part of the tBHQ-sensitive stores were distinct from those discharged by Ins(1,4,5)P3. In the presence of external Ca2+, both Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitors produced a more prolonged rise in cytosolic Ca2+ consistent with stimulated Ca2+ entry. The ability of the inhibitors to activate a Ca(2+)-entry pathway was confirmed by monitoring quenching of fura-2 after stimulated entry of the Ca2+ surrogate Mn2+. These findings indicate that bovine adrenal chromaffin cells possess a mechanism by which Ca2+ entry can be activated, following emptying of certain internal stores, independently of receptor occupation.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a secretagogue in bovine chromaffin cells pretreated with pertussis toxin

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) evokes little or no secretion of catecholamines from cultured bovine chromaffin cells. However, pretreatment of chromaffin cells with pertussis toxin (PTX, 100 ng/ml for > or = 4 h) revealed that VIP is a secretagogue. In PTX-treated cells catecholamine secretion evoked by VIP occurs with minimal elevation of cyclic AMP and is only slightly enhanced by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, causes delayed secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells treated with PTX, but only with pronounced elevation of cyclic AMP levels. Stimulation of catecholamine secretion by histamine, known to activate phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C in chromaffin cells, is also enhanced by preincubation of the cells with PTX. These results suggest that in the bovine chromaffin cell a PTX-sensitive G-protein mediates tonic inhibition of secretion, possibly by preventing activation of phospholipase C.

Histamine stimulates exocytosis in a sub-population of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Both nicotinic stimulation and histamine are able to raise cytosolic free calcium concentration in the majority of cells in a population of bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells to comparable levels. Nevertheless, histamine induces much less catecholamine secretion than does nicotine. In order to test whether this is due to heterogeneity in the responses of chromaffin cells to histamine we examined exocytosis in response to nicotine and histamine using an immunofluorescence method based on staining with anti-DBH to detect inserted secretory vesicle membrane. The results show that while up to 98% of the chromaffin cells in culture undergo exocytosis in response to nicotine, histamine stimulates exocytosis in only a sub-population of cells.

Protein Phosphorylation in Bovine Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells: Histamine-Stimulated Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase

Histamine can cause the release of catecholamines from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells by a mechanism distinct from that of the depolarizing agents nicotine or high K+ buffer. It was the aim of this study to determine the protein phosphorylation responses to histamine in these cells and to compare them with those induced by depolarization. A number of proteins showed increases in phosphorylation in response to histamine especially when analyzed on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or by phosphopeptide mapping; one protein of 20,000 daltons was markedly dephosphorylated. Emphasis was given to the effects of histamine on tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH) phosphorylation, because this protein showed the most prominent changes on one-dimensional gels. Histamine acted via H1 receptors to increase TOH phosphorylation; the response was blocked by the H1 antagonist mepyramine and could be mimicked by the H1 agonist thiazolylethylamine, but not by the H2 agonist dimaprit. The H3 agonist (R) alpha-methylhistamine increased TOH phosphorylation at high concentrations, but the response was blocked entirely by mepyramine. Histamine rapidly increased the phosphorylation of TOH, with a maximum reached within 5 s and maintained for at least 30 min. This was in marked contrast to nicotine-stimulated protein phosphorylation of TOH, which was rapidly desensitized. The initial phosphorylation response to histamine was independent of extracellular Ca2+ for at least 3 min, but the sustained response required extracellular Ca2+. This was in contrast to the situation with both nicotine and high K+ buffer, which under the conditions used here caused a response which was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ at all times investigated. In the presence of histamine, the phosphopeptide profiles for TOH were essentially the same with or without Ca2+, suggesting that the same protein kinases were involved, but at longer times there was evidence of new phosphorylation sites. The mechanism or mechanisms whereby histamine modulates TOH phosphorylation are discussed with emphasis on the differences from depolarizing agents.

Regulatory role of the GTP-binding protein, G(o), in the mechanism of exocytosis in adrenal chromaffin cells

To elucidate the possible involvement of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) in the mechanism of exocytosis, we studied effects of pertussis toxin (PTX), guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S), and antibodies against the G proteins (Gi and G(o)) on the secretory function of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Pretreatment of chromaffin cells with PTX resulted in an increase in acetylcholine-evoked catecholamine release. High K(+)-, histamine-, or gamma-aminobutyric acid-evoked catecholamine release was also potentiated by PTX pretreatment. The concentration of extracellular Ca2+ required for maximal release by 10(-4) M acetylcholine was decreased significantly in PTX-treated cells. In digitonin-permeabilized cells, PTX pretreatment resulted in a decrease of the half-maximal concentration (Km) of Ca2+ required for exocytosis with no significant change in the maximal stimulation (Vmax). Exposure of permeabilized cells to GTP-gamma-S (a nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue) inhibited Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis by reducing the affinity for Ca2+. The effects of PTX pretreatment were mimicked by treatment of permeabilized cells with polyclonal antibodies selective for the alpha subunit of the PTX-sensitive G protein, G(o). Treatment with similar antibodies against the alpha subunit of Gi had no effect. These findings suggest that G(o) directly controls the Ca(2+)-triggered process in the machinery of exocytosis by lowering the affinity of the unknown target for Ca2+.

Characterization of histamine-induced catecholamine secretion from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells

Histamine activation of H1 receptors stimulates 3H release from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells preloaded with [3H]noradrenaline. The initial (1-min) release induced by a high concentration of histamine was unaffected by the removal of extracellular Ca2+, whereas the more sustained response (10 min) was largely inhibited. In contrast, release induced by nicotine was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ at all times. The protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine inhibited both the initial and sustained (10-min) phases of histamine-induced release (IC50 in the region of 200 nM) but was ineffective against a direct depolarizing stimulus (56 mM K+). In contrast, the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine was equally effective against both stimuli. These data indicate that although a staurosporine-sensitive event (perhaps involving protein kinase C) is essential for coupling histamine receptor activation to the release processes, it is not essential for exocytosis itself. A further distinction between histamine- and depolarization-induced release was demonstrated by the differential effect of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein inhibitor pertussis toxin. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (0.1 microgram/ml for 16 h) enhanced depolarization-induced release by approximately 1.5-fold. This pertussis toxin pretreatment was, however, approximately twofold as effective in potentiating histamine-evoked release. Thus, the characteristics of the histaminergic response are distinct from those of a depolarizing stimulus, perhaps indicating the involvement of different mechanisms in the release process.

Regulation of carbachol- and histamine-induced inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in a human oligodendroglioma

A stable cell line derived from a human oligodendroglioma (HOG) was used to study the regulation of muscarinic- and histamine receptor-mediated phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Both carbachol and histamine increased inositol monophosphate (InsP) accumulation in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the presence of lithium and the effect of simultaneous addition of carbachol and histamine was additive, implying independent signal transduction pathways. Homologous desensitization of muscarinic, but not histamine receptors, could be demonstrated although neither receptor type appeared to be heterologously desensitized. [3H]InsP accumulation in HOG cells was also stimulated by fluoride, suggesting guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein involvement, but phosphoinositide (PtdIns) hydrolysis was not sensitive to pertussis toxin. Phorbol ester-activation of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibited both muscarinic and histamine receptor-stimulated InsP release but did not attenuate either the fluoride-induced release of InsP nor beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. Taken together, we conclude that muscarinic and histamine receptors are differentially regulated through both PKC-dependent and -independent mechanisms, and that feedback inhibition of PtdIns turnover occurs proximal to the GTP binding proteins.

Histamine-induced increases in cyclic AMP levels in bovine adrenal medullary cells

1. The effect of histamine on cellular cyclic AMP levels in cultured bovine adrenal medullary cells has been studied. 2. Histamine (0.3-30 microM) increased cyclic AMP levels transiently, with a maximal response after 5 min, a smaller response after 20 min, and no increase seen after 80 or 180 min. The EC50 at 5 min was approximately 2 microM. Histamine had no effect on cyclic AMP release from the cells over 5 min, but increased it after 90 min. 3. The cyclic AMP response to 5 microM histamine was reduced by 45% by 1 microM mepyramine and by almost 30% by 1 microM cimetidine, and was abolished by the combination of both antagonists. Cimetidine at 100 microM did not inhibit the response to histamine more than 1 microM cimetidine. The H3-receptor antagonist, thioperamide (1 microM), had no effect on the response to histamine. 4. The H1-receptor agonist, 2-thiazolyethylamine (5-100 microM) and the H2-receptor agonist, dimaprit (5-100 microM), each induced a cyclic AMP response, and gave more-than-additive responses when combined. The H3 agonist (R) alpha-methylhistamine (100 microM) had no effect either on its own or in combination with either the H1 or the H2 agonist. The response to 100 microM 2-thiazolylethylamine was unaffected by cimetidine (100 microM). 5. The cyclic AMP responses to 5 microM histamine, 100 microM thiazolylethylamine and 100 microM dimaprit were each weakly enhanced in the presence of 1 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The response to dimaprit was enhanced more than 10 fold in the presence of 0.3 microM forskolin, while the responses to histamine and thiazolylethylamine were weakly enhanced.6. The cyclic AMP response to 5 microM histamine was partially reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2 and the residual response was fully antagonized by 1 microM cimetidine and was unaffected by 1 microM mepyramine.In the absence of Ca2 , the cyclic AMP response to 100 microM thiazolylethylamine was abolished, while that to 100 microM dimaprit was unaffected.7. Reincubation of 5 microM histamine solutions with a second set of chromaffin cells, following prior incubation with another set of cells, induced a cyclic AMP response in the fresh cells. This response was reduced by a combination of mepyramine and cimetidine to the same degree as the response to fresh 5 microm histamine solutions.8. The results indicate that histamine increases cellular cyclic AMP levels in bovine chromaffin cells by three mechanisms: by acting on H1 receptors, by acting on H2 receptors, and by an interaction between H, and H2 receptors. The H1 response does not require concomitant activation of H2 receptors, is fully dependent on extracellular Ca2 +, does not depend on secreted chromaffin cell products, and is not due to reduced cyclic AMP degradation or export. The H2 cyclic AMP response is the first functional response reported for H2 receptors on chromaffin cells, is independent of Ca2 , is not due to reduced cyclic AMP export or degradation, and is likely to be mediated via a direct action through Gs. The role of these different mechanisms in the regulation of cyclic AMP-dependent processes in chromaffin cells by histamine is under investigation.

Modulation of muscarinic receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C responses in rat retina

1. Agonist activation of rat retina muscarinic receptors results in suppression of cyclic AMP (cAMP) generation and enhanced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. 2. Pharmacological manipulations that elevate cAMP or stable analogues of cAMP attenuate the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced enhancement of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. We postulate that cross-talk between adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C signal transducing systems probably exists in rat retina, as has been described for other systems. 3. Intraocular administration of pertussis toxin attenuated the response of both adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C to muscarinic stimulation, suggesting that some retinal muscarinic receptors are apparently coupled to their effector systems via pertussis toxin sensitive G proteins.

The role of caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ stores in agonist- and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

In single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells loaded with fura-2, histamine, angiotensin II (AII) and caffeine elicited large transient increases of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) in the absence of external Ca2+, with peak amplitudes averaging 726 +/- 138 (n = 14), 710 +/- 102 (n = 21) and 830 +/- 100 nM (n = 30) respectively. A substantial portion of the agonist-induced rise in [Ca2+]i depended on Ca2+ release from caffeine-sensitive stores, as pretreatment with caffeine diminished subsequent agonist responses by 90-95%. Conversely, pretreatment with histamine or AII decreased subsequent caffeine responses by 100% and 90% respectively. The effects of caffeine most likely resulted from activation of a Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+)-release (CICR) process, whereas histamine and AII initially acted through generation of Ins(1,4,5)P3. The relationship of Ins(1,4,5)P3- and caffeine-sensitive Ca2+ pools was studied by using alpha-toxin-permeabilized chromaffin cells. Evidence was found for three non-mitochondrial, ATP-dependent, Ca2+ pools: one exclusively sensitive to Ins(1,4,5)P3 (pool 1), a second sensitive to both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and caffeine (pool 2), and a third exclusively sensitive to caffeine (pool 3). The existence of pools 1 and 3, and the ability of agonists such as histamine to discharge pool 3 completely, supports a two-pool model in which a caffeine-sensitive CICR mechanism plays a major role in the generation of agonist-induced Ca2+ spikes in bovine chromaffin cells.

Phosphatidic acid accumulation and catecholamine release in adrenal chromaffin cells: stimulation by high potassium and by nicotine, and effect of a diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R 59 022

Using primary cultures of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells labelled with 32Pi, we show that stimulation with bradykinin, nicotine, or a depolarising concentration of potassium stimulates the accumulation of [32P]phosphatidic acid. The effects of nicotine and potassium are smaller than the effect of bradykinin, and are dependent entirely on extracellular calcium. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R 59 022 attenuates the formation of phosphatidic acid by nicotine and depolarising concentrations of potassium. This inhibitor also blocks the nicotine and potassium stimulation of noradrenaline release from chromaffin cells. Using 45Ca2+ influx studies, we show that the nicotine-evoked calcium influx is also attenuated by R 59 022. These observations contrast with those in another report in which we showed that bradykinin stimulation of either [32P]phosphatidic acid accumulation or noradrenaline release is not affected by R 59 022. It is likely that the calcium influx produced by nicotine and depolarising potassium is blocked by R 59 022 by a mechanism that is independent of its ability to block diacylglycerol kinase. The nicotine- and potassium-stimulated [32P]phosphatidic acid accumulation is a consequence of this calcium influx and presumably reflects calcium activation of either phospholipase C or phospholipase D.

Influence of bradykinin on diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid accumulation in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Earlier studies have shown that bradykinin stimulated release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells by an influx of calcium through dihydropyridine-insensitive channels, and also that bradykinin stimulated (poly)phosphoinositide hydrolysis. To investigate membrane-bound second messengers in chromaffin cells, and to elucidate any role these may play in stimulus-secretion coupling, we have studied the influence of bradykinin on diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid (PA). Using equilibrium labelling of primary cultures of chromaffin cells with [3H]arachidonic acid or [3H]glycerol, we found no influence of bradykinin (10 nM) on labelled diacylglycerol formation, either in the presence or absence of inhibitors of diacylglycerol lipase or kinase. However, when we used cells prelabelled with 32Pi for 2.5 h, we found that bradykinin produced a substantial stimulation of label found in PA, with an EC50 value of about 1 nM. This bradykinin stimulation of [32P]PA formation was only partially dependent on extracellular calcium, in contrast to the smaller response to nicotine, which was completely dependent on extracellular calcium. Short (10 min) pretreatment with tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) almost completely eliminated the bradykinin-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates, but failed to affect bradykinin stimulation of label in PA, suggesting that PA production in response to bradykinin is not downstream of phospholipase C activation. TPA alone failed to stimulate [32P]PA substantially, whereas long-term (24 or 48 h) treatment with TPA failed to attenuate the response to bradykinin. Diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors were also without effect on the bradykinin stimulation of [32P]PA. These results suggest that bradykinin stimulates PA production by a mechanism independent of the activation of protein kinase C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential effects of protein kinase C activation on catecholamine secretions evoked by stimulations of various receptors in the rat adrenal medulla

Catecholamine secretions during continuous receptor stimulations by histamine, muscarine and bradykinin in the rat adrenal medulla commonly consisted of two phases, a transient initial secretion followed by a sustained secretion. On activating protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu), both phases of histamine-evoked secretion were inhibited whereas the initial phase alone was inhibited with muscarine. In contrast, bradykinin-evoked secretion as a whole was potentiated. Similar modes of modulations were exhibited when the secretions with these agonists were elicited in muscarine- or bradykinin-pretreated medullae in which PKC had been activated by endogenous processes. It is suggested that PKC may selectively affect the receptors or/and GTP-binding proteins to cause the differential effects on the secretory response in the rat adrenal medulla.

Characterization of prostaglandin E2-induced Ca2+ mobilization in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by digital image microscopy

We recently reported that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates phosphoinositide metabolism accompanied by an increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. In the present study, temporal and spatial changes in [Ca2+]i induced by PGE2 in fura-2-loaded individual cells were investigated by digital image microscopy and were compared with those induced by nicotine and histamine. Image analysis of single cells revealed that responses to PGE2 showed asynchrony with the onset of [Ca2+]i changes. After a lag time of 10-30 s, PGE2-induced [Ca2+]i changes took a similar prolonged time course in almost all cells: a rapid rise followed by a slower decline to the basal level over 5 min. Few cells exhibited oscillations in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, nicotine and histamine induced rapid and transient [Ca2+]i changes, and these [Ca2+]i changes were characteristic of each stimulant. Whereas pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml, 6 h) did not block the response to any of these stimulants, treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (100 nM, 10 min) completely abolished [Ca2+]i changes elicited by PGE2 and histamine. In a Ca2(+)-free medium containing 3 mM EGTA, or in medium to which La3+ was added, the [Ca2+]i response to nicotine disappeared, but that to histamine was not affected significantly. Under the same conditions, the percentage of the cells that responded to PGE2 was reduced to 37% and the prolonged [Ca2+]i changes induced by PGE2 became transient in responding cells, suggesting that the maintained [Ca2+]i increase seen in normal medium is the result of a PGE2-stimulated entry of extracellular Ca2+. Whereas the organic Ca2(+)-channel blocker nicardipine inhibited [Ca2+]i changes by all stimulants at 10 microM, these [Ca2+]i changes were not affected by any of the organic Ca2(+)-channel blockers, i.e., verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, and nicardipine, at 1 microM, a concentration high enough to inhibit voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. These results demonstrate that PGE2 may promote Ca2+ entry with concomitant release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and that the mechanism(s) triggered by PGE2 is apparently different from that by histamine or nicotine.

Is protein kinase C involved in histamine H1-receptor desensitization?

Histamine H1-receptor mediated effects in guinea-pig lung and intestine appear to desensitize homologously rather rapidly. Within a few minutes of exposure to a high concentration of histamine (30-100 microM) the c-GMP production in guinea-pig lung and the contraction of guinea-pig jejunum are markedly attenuated. In both tissues the responses to other stimulating agents (e.g. muscarinic agent, calcium ionophore) are not affected. The protein kinase C (PKC) activating phorbolester phorbol-12,13- dibutyrate (PDB) concentration-dependently depresses H1-receptor responses in both tissues. Yet, PDB does not only attenuate the H1-receptor responses but also affects responses to other stimulating agents. In the guinea-pig ileum muscarinic receptor mediated contractions are inhibited equipotently by PDB, whereas in lung tissue the c-GMP formation after calcium-ionophore addition is affected too. In view of these findings the possible role of PKC in H1-receptor desensitization is discussed.

Influence of phorbol esters, and diacylglycerol kinase and lipase inhibitors on noradrenaline release and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in chromaffin cells

1. We have investigated the modification of catecholamine efflux and inositol phosphate formation in cultured adrenal chromaffin cells by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and inhibitors of diacylglycerol kinase (R 59,022) and diacylglycerol lipase (RG 80267), the two principal pathways of diacylglycerol metabolism. 2. TPA (1 nM to 1 microM) elicited a slow, calcium-dependent, sustained release of noradrenaline, which was partially blocked by the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (-)-202,791 and potentiated by the channel enhancer (+)-202,791. 3. R 59,022 enhanced noradrenaline efflux at 30 and 50 microM, while the lipase inhibitor RG 80267 failed to elicit release. 4. Neither R 59,022 nor RG 80267 affected bradykinin- or histamine-stimulated release, but both drugs substantially attenuated nicotine- and high K(+)-stimulated release. 5. Pretreatment for 10 min with TPA (but not the relatively inactive 4-methoxy TPA) or the non-phorbol protein kinase C stimulator mezerein potently inhibited bradykinin- and histamine-stimulated accumulation of total [3H]-inositol phosphate; inhibition of [3H]-inositol phosphate formation was also seen with 24 h TPA treatment. 6. Neither R 59,022 nor RG 80267, separately or together, affected bradykinin-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate formation. 7. Thus while the mechanism exists for inhibition of formation of inositol phosphates by stimulation of protein kinase C, these studies failed to show that this mechanism is activated by agonists acting on phospholipase C linked receptors.

Agonist-dependent patterns of cytosolic Ca2+ changes in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells: relationship to catecholamine release

The patterns of agonist-induced elevations of cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) were characterized and compared by the use of single adrenal chromaffin cells. Initial histamine- or angiotensin II (AII)-induced elevations of [Ca2+]i were equal in magnitude (peaks 329 +/- 20 [SE] and 338 +/- 46 nM, respectively). These initial increases of [Ca2+]i were transient, insensitive to either Gd3+ or removing external Ca2+, and were primarily the result of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. After the initial peak(s) of [Ca2+]i, a second phase of moderately elevated [Ca2+]i was observed, and this response was sensitive to either Gd3+ or removing external Ca2+, supporting a role for Ca2+ entry. In most cases, the second phase of elevated [Ca2+]i was sustained during histamine stimulation but transient during AII stimulation. Maintenance of the second phase was a property of the agonist rather than of the particular cell being stimulated. Thus, individual cells exposed sequentially to histamine and AII displayed distinct patterns of [Ca2+]i changes to each agonist, regardless of the order of addition. Histamine also stimulated twice as much [3H]catecholamine release as AII, and release was completely dependent on external Ca2+. Therefore, the ability of histamine and AII to sustain (or promote) Ca2+ entry appears to underlie their efficacy as secretagogues. These data provide evidence linking agonist-dependent patterns of [Ca2+]i changes in single cells with agonist-dependent functional responses.