Tachykinin-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis and taurine release from human astrocytoma cells

The NK1 receptor is involved in the antitumoural action of L-733,060 and in the mitogenic action of substance P on neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines

We have carried out an in vitro study to investigate the ability of substance P to activate cell growth and the NK1 receptor antagonist L-733,060 to inhibit cell growth in the SKN-BE(2) neuroblastoma and GAMG glioma cell lines. A coulter counter was used to determine viable cell numbers, followed by application of the tetrazolium compound [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium], inner salt, colorimetric method to evaluate cell viability in this cytotoxicity assay. Nanomolar concentrations of substance P increased, and micromolar concentrations of L-733,060 inhibited the growth of both cell lines studied, with and without previous administration of substance P. In addition, we have demonstrated by immunoblot analysis that NK1 receptors are present in both cancer cell lines studied here. Thus, this study demonstrates that substance P acts as a mitogen in the SKN-BE(2) neuroblastoma and GAMG glioma cell lines, and that the antitumoural action of L-733,060 on both human cell lines occurs through the NK1 receptor. This action suggests that the NK1 receptor is a new and promising target in the treatment of human neuroblastoma and glioma.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on taurine uptake in cultured rat astrocytes

Taurine is known to play a major role in volume regulation in astrocytic swelling associated with stroke and brain trauma. Apart from brain edema, the severity of brain injury is related to the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). TNFalpha had been shown to be closely associated with brain edema formation since the neutralization of TNFalpha reduced brain edema. Considering taurine has osmoregulatory functions in astrocytes, experiments were performed to study the effects of TNFalpha on taurine uptake in cultured astrocytes. Astrocytes exposed to 20 ng/ml of TNFalpha for 48 h showed a 91% increase in taurine uptake and significant increase was observed after 24 h exposure. This cytokine caused neither significant changes in cell volume nor taurine release. The increased in taurine uptake induced by TNFalpha was unlikely resulted from the modification of Na(+) movement because TNFalpha decreased tyrosine uptake, Na(+)-dependent transport system. In contrast to TNFalpha, interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) did not significantly affect taurine uptake. Taken together, our results did not support a suggestion that TNFalpha affects cell volume regulation via modulating taurine uptake in astrocytes. Increasing lines of evidence have demonstrated that taurine has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, these findings therefore suggested that the increase in taurine uptake might be an adaptive response or a tool for astrocytes against oxidative stress.

Substance P-induced cadherin expression and its signal transduction in a cloned human corneal epithelial cell line

Although the absence of Substance P (SP), a neurotransmitter in the trigeminal nerve, has been speculated as a cause for developing neurotrophic keratitis, its exact pathogenesis is still not clarified. In a previous report, we showed with electron microscopic examination that epithelial cell attachment was weakened in denervated corneas. In this study, SV40-transformed human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-Ts) were used to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for mediating regulation of E-cadherin expression in response to Substance P receptor stimulation. Expression of the mRNAs for specific SP receptors, neurokinin (NK)-1R, NK-2R, and NK-3R, was demonstrated with RT-PCR. The cells were treated with various concentrations of SP in vitro, and the expression of an adhesion molecule E-cadherin was analyzed by immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using an anti-E-cadherin antibody. E-cadherin expression was increased by SP in a dose-dependent manner both in the cytosolic fraction and in the cell membrane fraction. This increase in E-cadherin expression was completely inhibited by Calphostin C (PKC inhibitor) and KN-62 (CaMK inhibitor), but not by H-89 (PKA inhibitor), indicating that SP-induced E-cadherin expression involves the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and calmodulin kinase (CaMK). SP did not affect cell proliferation at all. All these findings indicate that SP induced E-cadherin expression through PKC and CaMK activation and suggest that a lack of SP may account in part for the pathogenesis of neurotrophic keratitis.

Anti-tumour activity of tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists on human glioma U373 MG xenograft

Astrocytes harbour functional receptors to many neurotransmitters, including substance P (SP), an undecapeptide belonging to the tachykinin family of peptide transmitters. SP activates malignant glial cells to induce cytokine release and proliferation, both responses being relevant for tumour progression. In tumours developed in nude mice transplanted subcutaneously (s.c.) to U373 MG human glioma cells, the presence of SP was observed at immunohistochemistry. Although the administration of exogenous SP did not significantly affect the size or development of U373 MG xenograft, a role of SP in supporting glioma progression in vivo was highlighted by the tumour growth inhibition induced by highly specific and selective human tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists (MEN 11467 and MEN 11149). The anti-tumour activity of MEN 11467 was observed both with s.c. or intravenous treatments and was partially reverted by the concomitant administration of exogenous SP. Doxorubicin did not show any activity in controlling U373 MG growth in this in vivo model. A novel therapeutic approach to treat malignant gliomas with tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists is suggested by these findings.

Correlation between binding characteristics and functional antagonism in human glioma cells by tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists

Binding characteristics and functional antagonism exerted by two structurally related tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists, MEN 11467 ((1R,2S)-2N[1(H)indol-3-yl-carbonyl]-1-N-{Nalpha(p-tolylacetyl+ ++)-Nalpha(methyl)-D-3-(2-naphthyl)alanyl}diaminocyclohexane) and FK888 (N2-[(4R)-4-hydroxy-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)carbonyl-L-prolyl]-N-methy l-N-phenylmethyl-L-3-(2-naphthyl)alaninamide), were investigated in the human astrocytoma cell line U373 MG. In radioligand binding studies, conducted with [3H]substance P and intact cells at 37 degrees C, MEN 11467 bound to tachykinin NK1 receptors in an irreversible manner with a Ki value of 1.2+/-0.5 nM while FK888 bound in competitive manner with a Ki value of 4.6+/-2.2 nM. Receptor blockade by both antagonists resulted in a powerful and complete inhibition of functional responses induced by substance P, such as accumulation of the second messenger inositol monophosphate or interleukin-6 release. However, MEN 11467 showed a greater potency for blocking functional responses than FK888 despite their similar affinity for human tachykinin NK1 receptors. Moreover, MEN 11467 was more potent in inhibiting late rather than early phases of substance P-induced inositol monophosphate accumulation and its antagonism was enhanced by drug preincubation and barely affected by removal of unbound drug from the external medium, suggesting that MEN 11467 bound in a tight manner to the receptor. Such behaviour was not observed with the competitive and rapidly reversible antagonist FK888. These data indicate that the small differences in the chemical structure of MEN 11467 and FK888 determine the different binding characteristics at the tachykinin NK1 receptor and which are responsible for the greater potency of MEN 11467 for blocking functional responses. The Ki value obtained in binding studies may be inadequate to reveal the real potency of tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists.

Substance P activates responses correlated with tumour growth in human glioma cell lines bearing tachykinin NK1 receptors

The neuropeptide substance P (SP), by stimulating tachykinin NK1 receptors (NK1R), triggers a number of biological responses in human glioma cells which are potentially relevant for tumour growth. First, radioligand binding studies demonstrated the presence of tachykinin NK1R on SNB-19, DBTRG-05 MG and U373 MG, but not on U138 MG and MOG-G-GCM human glioma cell lines. Second, application of SP or neurokinin A (NKA) to NK1R+ glioma cell lines increased the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and potentiated IL-6 secretion induced by IL-1beta. SP also up-regulated the release of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) by the U373 MG glioma cell line. Third, SP induced new DNA synthesis and enhanced the proliferation rate of NK1R+, but not of NK1R- glioma cell lines. Also, NKA stimulated the proliferation and cytokine secretion in NK1R+ glioma cell lines. All the stimulant effects of SP/NKA on NK1R+ glioma cell lines were completely blocked by a specific tachykinin NK1R antagonist, MEN 11467. These data support the potential use of tachykinin NK1R antagonist for controlling the proliferative rate of human gliomas.

Effects of carbamazepine on plasma extravasation and bronchoconstriction induced by substance P, capsaicin, acetaldehyde and histamine in guinea-pig lower airways

We evaluated the in vivo effects of the pretreatment with carbamazepine (CBZ) at different doses (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg p.o.) on the Evans-blue extravasation and on bronchoconstriction induced by different substances in guinea-pig tracheal tissue. The drug dose-dependently inhibited the extravasation induced by substance P (SP), capsaicin and acetaldehyde, but not that induced by histamine. At the highest dose (40 mg/kg) CBZ inhibited the bronchoconstriction induced by SP, capsaicin and acetaldehyde, but not that produced by histamine administration. The in vitro study with guinea-pig tracheal preparation indicates that the drug does not interfere with the binding of SP to its receptors. Our results suggest that CBZ exerts a protective activity against the pro-inflammatory action of SP.

Substance P induces secretion of immunomodulatory cytokines by human astrocytoma cells

In human astrocytoma cell lines, substance P (SP) stimulated interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and leukemia inhibitory factor protein secretion. These SP effects were blocked by a specific NK1 tachykinin receptor antagonist. Further, SP stimulation increased the half-life of IL-6 and IL-8 messenger RNAs, suggesting that the synthesis of these cytokines is also regulated post-transcriptionally. SP-induced cytokine release was inhibited by staurosporine and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate desensitization suggesting protein kinase C involvement. The demonstration that SP affects cytokine production in glioma cells might be of relevance for the biology of such tumors.

Functional characterization of substance P receptors on cultured human spinal cord astrocytes: synergism of substance P with cytokines in inducing interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 production

Following brain injury, astrocytes express receptors for cytokines and neuropeptides and secrete several regulatory mediators that have a well established role in inflammation, immunity, and tissue development or repair. To elucidate the role of substance P (SP), a neurotransmitter peptide of the tachykinin family, in inducing astrocyte secretory activities, we have examined the expression of SP receptors and the functional consequences of their activation in cultured astrocytes from the human embryonic brain or spinal cord. Radioligand binding studies revealed that only one type of SP receptors, the high affinity NK-1 receptor, was present on human astrocytes and that spinal cord astrocytes expressed about 6 times as many SP binding sites as brain astrocytes. Following SP treatment, a substantial inositol phosphate formation was observed in spinal cord astrocytes only. Stimulation of spinal cord astrocytes with SP alone did not induce secretion of cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), granulocyte-macrophage-CSF, macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 or leukemia inhibitory factor] or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Interestingly, however, SP selectively potentiated the inducing effect of IL-1beta on IL-6 and PGE2 secretion by spinal cord astrocytes without affecting the IL-1-beta-evoked secretion of other cytokines. SP also enhanced the small inducing effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on IL-6 and PGE2 secretion and that of transforming growth factor-beta on PGE2 secretion. These results suggest that SP can enhance immunoregulatory and neurotrophic astroglial functions mediated by IL-6 and PGE2 by acting in concert with a set of cytokines whose cerebral expression has been reported during development and in a variety of diseases.

Thermal hyperalgesia in rat evoked by intrathecal substance P at multiple stimulus intensities reflects an increase in the gain of nociceptive processing

Substance P (SP) is associated with primary afferent depolarization after a noxious or tissue-damaging peripheral stimulus and is proposed to be a "pain transmitter'. However, current work has shown that activation of spinal neurokinin receptors evokes few signs of "pain behavior', but rather decreases nociceptive thresholds, suggesting a modulatory role through additive or multiplicative mechanisms. The current study addressed this question by examining the change in nociceptive threshold under three different radiant thermal stimuli after intrathecal SP administration in unanesthetized rats. With increasing stimulus intensity, the numerical change in withdrawal latency after intrathecal SP decreased, but the fractional change from baseline latency did not change, suggesting that SP increases the gain of spinal nociceptive processing.

Modulation by protein kinase C of the enhanced responsiveness to tachykinins in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig alveolar macrophages

As previously reported, alveolar macrophages (AMs) from ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs present an enhanced responsiveness to tachykinins but not to N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). We have investigated the biochemical mechanisms underlying this varied responsiveness to tachykinins. The protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced a larger superoxide anion (O2-) production in AMs from sensitized guinea pigs, as did tachykinins. Pretreatment of AMs with pertussis toxin abolished tachykinin-evoked respiratory burst, had no effect on PMA-evoked O2- production and strongly inhibited fMLP-evoked one, with no appreciable variation between control or sensitized AMs. Staurosporine and its derivative cgp 41251, significantly decreased PMA- and tachykinin-evoked O2- production in both populations, being more potent in control AMs, but exerted little effects against fMLP. Pretreatment of AMs with PMA significantly inhibited fMLP-, PMA- and tachykinin-evoked O2- production in both control and sensitized AMs. fMLP, substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and the NK2 agonist [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) dose-dependently increased [3H] phorbol 12, 13 dibutyrate (PDBu) binding to control and sensitized AMs. While fMLP exerted similar effects in both populations, dose-response curves for SP1 NKA and the NK2 receptor agonist were shifted leftwards (1, 4 and 3 orders of magnitude, respectively) in sensitized AMs. These results indicate a possible PKC involvement in the enhanced responsiveness to tachykinins in actively sensitized AMs.

The mammalian tachykinin receptors

The tachykinins (TKs) are a family of small peptides which share the common C-terminal sequence Phe-X-Gly-Leu-MetNH2. Three peptides of this family, substance P, neurokinin A and neurokinin B, have an established role as neurotransmitters in mammals. 2. Three receptors for TKs have been cloned: they are G-protein coupled receptors with seven putative transmembrane spanning segments and have been termed NK1 (substance P-preferring), NK2 (neurokinin A-preferring) and NK3 (neurokinin B-preferring). 3. Synthetic agonists are available to selectively stimulate only one receptor, while natural TKs can act as full agonist at each one of the three receptors, albeit at different concentrations. 4. A number of potent and selective antagonists, both peptide and nonpeptide in nature, have recently been developed. 5. The introduction of these ligands has revealed an unforeseen pharmacological heterogeneity of NK1, NK2 and NK3 receptors which appears largely, if not exclusively, linked to the existence of species homologues of the three receptors.

Acetylcholine receptor agonists stimulate [3H]taurine release from rat sympathetic ganglia

The endogenous taurine content, and the uptake and release of [3H]taurine were examined using the rat superior cervical ganglion. Taurine was found to be one of the most abundant amino acids in the superior cervical ganglion, and the superior cervical ganglion took up [3H]taurine from the incubation medium. Carbachol stimulated the release of [3H]taurine in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 26 microM and maximal stimulation at 100 microM. The nicotinic receptor agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium stimulated release with the same potency but with greater efficacy than carbachol. The nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium (1 mM) inhibited carbachol-stimulated release by 74%. (+/-)-Muscarine stimulated release with an EC50 of 8 microM but with a maximal effect of only 32% of that produced by 100 microM carbachol. Oxotremorine, another muscarinic receptor agonist, was ineffective, even at 1 mM. The muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine inhibited carbachol-stimulated release by 30% at 10 microM. These results show that [3H]taurine release from rat superior cervical ganglion can be stimulated by cholinergic receptor agonists. Release is mediated predominantly by a nicotinic receptor and partially by a muscarinic receptor.

SR 140333, a novel, selective, and potent nonpeptide antagonist of the NK1 tachykinin receptor: characterization on the U373MG cell line

The effects of a novel nonpeptide NK1 tachykinin receptor antagonist, SR 140333, on the functional consequences of NK1 receptor activation in a human astrocytoma cell line, U373MG, were investigated. Radioligand binding conducted with 125I-Bolton-Hunter substance P revealed a competitive inhibition by SR 140333 and its R enantiomer SR 140603 with Ki values of 0.74 and 7.40 nM, respectively. The NK1-selective agonist, [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P, stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates with an EC50 of 3.8 x 10(-9) M. SR 140333 blocked the stimulatory effect of this agonist (10(-7) M) with an IC50 of 1.6 x 10(-9) M, whereas the effect of another NK1 agonist, septide (EC50 = 1.5 x 10(-8) M) was antagonized with an IC50 of 2.1 x 10(-10) M. Enhancement of [3H]taurine release by [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P (EC50 = 7.4 x 10(-9) M) was also inhibited by SR 140333 with an IC50 of 1.8 x 10(-9) M. SR 140603 was 10-fold less potent than SR 140333 in inhibiting inositol monophosphate formation and [3H]taurine release. The calcium mobilization induced by [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-substance P (10(-8) M) was totally prevented by 10(-8) M SR 140333. Patch-clamp experiments showed that SR 140333 depressed the outward current evoked by 5 x 10(-8) M [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-substance P with an IC50 of 1.3 x 10(-9) M. The expression of c-fos was stimulated by [Sar9,Met(O2)11]substance P with an EC50 of 2.5 x 10(-10) M, an effect that was also inhibited by SR 140333 with an IC50 of 1.1 x 10(-9) M.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)