Calcitonin gene-related peptide in the regulation of cardiac function

Physiological and Pathological Role of TRPV1, TRPV2 and TRPV4 Channels in Heart

Transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 2 (TRPV2) is required for normal cardiac contractility. The stimulation of TRPV1 in isolated cardiomyocytes can aggravate the effect of hypoxia/ reoxygenation (H/R) on H9C2 cells. The knockout of the TRPV1 gene promotes increased tolerance of the isolated perfused heart to the impact of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). However, activation of TRPV1 increases the resistance of the heart to I/R due to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release from afferent nerve endings. It has been established that TRPV1 and TRPV2 are involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction and, in all likelihood, ensure the cardiac tolerance to the ischemia/reperfusion. It has also been documented that the activation of TRPV4 negatively affects the stability of cardiomyocytes to the H/R. The blockade of TRPV4 can be considered as a new approach to the prevention of I/R injury of the heart. Studies also indicate that TRPV1 is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy and that TRPV2 channels participate in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy. Excessive expression of TRPV2 leads to chronic Ca2+- overload of cardiomyocytes, which may contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy.

Clinical and preclinical rationale for CGRP-receptor antagonists in the treatment of migraine

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is linked to migraine and other primary headache disorders. It is found in every location described in migraine genesis and processing, including meninges, trigeminal ganglion, trigeminocervical complex, brainstem nuclei, and cortex. It is released in animal models following stimulation of the CNS similar to that seen in migraine, and triptans inhibit this release. Injection of CGRP into migraineurs results in delayed headache similar to migraine. Elevation of CGRP occurs during migraine, resolving following migraine-specific treatment. Finally, and most importantly, CGRP receptor antagonists terminate migraine with efficacy similar to triptans. Both intravenous olcegepant (BIBN 4096 BS) and oral telcagepant (MK-0974) have been effective, safe, and well tolerated in phase I and II studies. Telcagepant is currently in phase III trials, and preliminary results are favorable. The potential for a migraine-specific medication without vasoconstrictive or vascular side effects is enormous. CGRP receptor blockade may also have applications in other pathologic and pain syndromes.

Evidence for the presence of molecules related to the neuropeptide CGRP in two cephalopods, Sepia officinalis and Nautilus macromphalus: comparison with its target organ distribution

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide mainly involved in brain and cardiovascular functions in mammals. We investigated its presence and potential roles in two cephalopods, Sepia officinalis and Nautilus macromphalus. CGRP-like, but not calcitonin (CT)-like, molecules were detected by specific radioimmuno- and radioreceptor assays in the brain, optic lobes, branchial heart or afferent branchial vein and kidney. Gel exclusion chromatography of cephalopod brain extracts, followed by SDS-PAGE, indicated that CGRP-like molecules had a molecular weight of around 3 kDa, close to that of human CGRP. The distribution of CGRP target organs was characterized by binding studies in cuttlefish. Specific CGRP binding sites were detected in the brain, optic lobes, and kidney, indicating potential autocrine/paracrine roles of CGRP. Specific CGRP binding sites were also detected in the gills and shell sac that do not contain the peptide itself, indicating potential endocrine roles of CGRP. Accordingly, high circulating levels of CGRP-like molecules were detected in hemolymph of both cuttlefish and nautilus, unlike the situation in mammals. CGRP binding sites were further characterized in the cuttlefish gills by the Scatchard method. Our study indicates that the brain neurotransmitter role of CGRP could represent an ancient role in metazoa, already present in cephalopods and conserved among vertebrates. In contrast, the endocrine role of CGRP, which was suggested in cephalopods and also present in teleosts, may have been lost during the evolution of the tetrapod lineage. Our data support the hypothesis that CGRP represents the ancestral molecule of the CT/CGRP family appeared in metazoa before the vertebrate emergence.

Bioactive beta-bend structures for the antagonist halpha CGRP(8 - 37) at the CGRP(1) receptor of the rat pulmonary artery

The aim of this study was to determine beta-bend structures and the role of the N- and C-terminus in the antagonist halpha CGRP(8 - 37) at the rat pulmonary artery CGRP receptor mediating halpha CGRP relaxation. Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) Pro(16) (10(-6) M), with a bend-biasing residue (proline) at position 16, did not antagonize halpha CGRP responses, while a structure-conserving amino acid (alanine(16)) at the same position retained antagonist activity (apparent pK(B) 6.6+/-0.1; 10(-6) M). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) Pro(19) (10(-6) M), with proline at position 19 was an antagonist (apparent pK(B) 6.9+/-0.1). Incorporation of a beta-bend forcing residue, BTD (beta-turn dipeptide), at positions 19 and 20 in halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-6) M) antagonized halpha CGRP responses (apparent pK(B) 7.2+/-0.2); and BTD at positions 19,20 and 33,34 within halpha CGRP(8 - 37) was a competitive antagonist (pA(2) 7.2; Schild plot slope 1.0+/-0.1). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) analogues, substituted at the N-terminus by either glycine(8) or des-NH(2) valine(8) or proline(8) were all antagonists (apparent pK(B) 6.9+/-0.1; (10(-6) M), 7.0+/-0.1 (10(-6) M), and pA(2) 7.0 (slope 1.0+/-0.2), respectively); while replacements by proline(8) together with glutamic acid(10,14) in halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-6) M) or alanine amide(37) at the C-terminus of halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-5) M) were both inactive compounds. In conclusion, possible bioactive structures of halpha CGRP(8 - 37) include two beta-bends (at 18 - 21 and 32 - 35), which were mimicked by BTD incorporation. Within halpha CGRP(8 - 37), the N-terminus is not essential for antagonism while the C-terminus may interact directly with CGRP(1) receptors in the rat pulmonary artery.

Receptors mediating CGRP-induced relaxation in the rat isolated thoracic aorta and porcine isolated coronary artery differentiated by h(alpha) CGRP(8-37)

1 Receptors mediating CGRP-induced vasorelaxation were investigated in rat thoracic aorta and porcine left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and anterior interventricular artery (AIA), using CGRP agonists, homologues and the antagonist h(alpha) CGRP(8-37). 2 In the endothelium-intact rat aorta, h(alpha) CGRP, h(beta) CGRP, rat beta CGRP and human adrenomedullin caused relaxation with similar potencies. Compared with h(alpha) CGRP, rat amylin was about 25 fold less potent, while [Cys(ACM2,7)] h(alpha) CGRP and salmon calcitonin were at least 1000 fold weaker. 3 H(alpha) CGRP(8-37) (up to 10(-5) M) did not antagonize responses to h(alpha) CGRP, h(beta) CGRP or rat beta CGRP (apparent pKB <5). Peptidase inhibitors did not increase either the effect of h(alpha) CGRP or [Cys(ACM,2,7)] h(alpha) CGRP, while h(alpha) CGRP(8-37) remained inactive. Endothelium-dependent relaxation produced by h(alpha) CGRP was accompanied by increases in cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, that were not inhibited by h(alpha) CGRP(8-37) (10(-5) M). 4 In porcine LAD and AIA, h(alpha) CGRP produced relaxation in an endothelium-independent manner. H(alpha) CGRP(8-37) competitively antagonized h(alpha) CGRP responses (pA2 6.3 and 6.7 (Schild slope 0.9+/-0.1, each), in LAD and AIA, respectively). In LAD artery, h(alpha) CGRP-induced relaxation was accompanied by increases in cyclic AMP that were inhibited by h(alpha) CGRP(8-37) (10(-7)-10(5 )). 5 In conclusion, the antagonist affinity for h(alpha) CGRP(8-37) in porcine coronary artery is consistent with a CGRP1 receptor, while the lack of h(alpha) CGRP(8-37) antagonism in rat aorta could suggest either a CGRP receptor different from CGRP1 and CGRP2 type, or a non-CGRP receptor.

Expression of the genes for alpha-type and beta-type calcitonin gene-related peptide during postnatal rat brain development

In this study we have analysed the expression of the genes for both alpha-type and beta-type calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) during postnatal development of the rat brain and compared it with the expression of CGRP-like immunoreactivity. At birth both alpha-type and beta-type CGRP messenger RNA were present in the parabrachial nucleus, inferior olive and motor nuclei (except for abducens nucleus), and only alpha-type CGRP messenger RNA in some posterior thalamic nuclei. As development advanced, new nuclei started to express either only alpha-CGRP gene (superior olive, parabigeminal, sagulum, and some hypothalamic and cranial thalamic nuclei) or both genes (abducens nucleus). In the inferior olive both genes were transiently expressed. Beta-CGRP messenger RNA disappeared by postnatal day 10 and alpha-CGRP messenger RNA by postnatal day 20. During the whole postnatal development beta-CGRP gene expression predominated over that of alpha-CGRP in the trigeminal and eye motor nuclei, while in the remainder nuclei alpha-CGRP messenger RNA was either the predominant isoform or the sole one. CGRP-like immunoreactivity, which does not distinguish between alpha-type and beta-type CGRP, was detected in those nuclei containing either alpha-CGRP messenger RNA or beta-CGRP messenger RNA. However, no CGRP messenger RNA was detected in areas such as superior colliculus, lateral pontine nucleus, pars reticulata of the substantia nigra, perifornical area, or zona incerta in which CGRP-like immunoreactivity was prominent. CGRP-like immunoreactivity, but not CGRP messenger RNA, was also transiently detected by postnatal day 5 in some cells of the globus pallidus. In the adult brain, the levels of alpha- and beta-CGRP messenger RNA as well as those of CGRP-like immunoreactivity were considerably reduced. This fact, similar to that of other growth- and development-associated factors, suggests a role for CGRP as a neuron-derived neurotrophic factor. The transient expression in neurons of the inferior olive, matching the period when climbing fibres and cerebellar cortex are developing, seems to support such an idea. The results of this study show that those nuclei expressing beta-CGRP gene also express alpha-CGRP gene. However, there are a number of nuclei that only express alpha-CGRP gene. On the other hand, CGRP-like immunoreactivity is detected in some nuclei which express no CGRP messenger RNA. It suggests that such nuclei express any CGRP-related protein (identified by the antibodies against CGRP) or, if they really contain CGRP protein, this is produced from undetectable amounts (using our in situ hybridization histochemistry procedure) of CGRP messenger RNA or it comes from other nuclei that connect with them in which CGRP protein is synthesized and then transferred.

Effect of a long-term nerve growth factor treatment on body weight, blood pressure, and serum corticosterone in rats

Nerve growth factor is a well-characterized neurotrophin essential for the development and maintenance of certain central and peripheral neurons. As many neurons affected by aging depend for their survival on a constant supply of neurotrophins, nerve growth factor has been proposed as a possible treatment to prevent aging-associated neurodegeneration. There is evidence that nerve growth factor also plays a role in the immune system and modulates certain aspects of endocrine function. Here we have determined the effects of prolonged peripheral (intraperitoneal) treatment with nerve growth factor on body weight, blood pressure, and serum corticosterone levels in the rat. Our data indicate that intraperitoneally-injected nerve growth factor can affect body weight gain in rats. This effect may not be mediated by nerve growth factor-induced increases in serum corticosterone levels, as exogenous administration of corticosterone did not result in a similar body weight loss. These results show that, as previously reported for intracerebroventricular treatment with nerve growth factor, intraperitoneally-injected nerve growth factor also reduces body weight gain in rats. The data also suggest that exogenous delivery of nerve growth factor as part of therapeutic regimens is likely to have several effects.

Dexamethasone and activators of the protein kinase A and C signal transduction pathways regulate neuronal calcitonin gene-related peptide expression and release

Primary cultures of adult rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons were used to determine if activation of either the protein kinase A or C signal transduction pathways or treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone modulate neuronal calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) synthesis and release. DRG are the sites of neuronal cell bodies known to produce abundant CGRP levels, and to send axons peripherally to blood vessels and centrally to the spinal cord. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we confirmed that synthesis of immunoreactive CGRP (iCGRP) is restricted to a subpopulation of DRG neurons. Subsequently, we determined that treatment (24 h) of the neurons with either dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (2 microM) increased CGRP mRNA content 2.2 +/- 0.4 (n = 6, p < 0.03) and 3.0 +/- 0.6-fold (n = 6, P < 0.02) respectively, while secreted iCGRP levels were increased 1.8 +/- 0.2 (n = 14, P < 0.005) and 4.5 +/- 1.0 (n = 14, P < 0.001)-fold over control levels. Treatment of the neurons with dexamethasone alone had no effect on CGRP expression; however, this agent was able to significantly attenuate the stimulatory effects of NGF on both CGRP mRNA accumulation and release of iCGRP. Time course studies demonstrated that in the phorbol ester treated neurons CGRP mRNA levels continued to increase at 48 h, while maximal induction with dibutyryl cAMP occurred at approximately 12 h. These results indicate that local and/or circulating factors which act through the protein kinase A and C signal transduction pathways upregulate both CGRP expression and release, while glucocorticoids attenuate the stimulatory effects of NGF.

Monoclonal antibody to rat alpha-CGRP: production, characterization, and in vivo immunoneutralization activity

Spleen cells from a Robertsonian mouse immunized with rat alpha-CGRP were fused with FOX-NY cells to induce hybridoma cells. Antibody activities were screened by radioimmunoassay, and hybridomas producing high affinity antibodies were cloned by limiting dilutions. Ascites were produced from the highest affinity clone in pristine-primed Balb/c mice. Ascites fluid contained approximately 20 mg/ml IgG which was of subclass IgG2a as determined by immunodiffusion analysis. The titer of this IgG2a antibody titled #4901, was 1:2,000,000 and the ID50 for rat alpha-CGRP, rat beta-CGRP and human alpha-CGRP were 350, 4000, and 4500 pg/ml respectively. Protein A purified CGRP antibody #4901 (5-10 mg/kg) completely abolished the portal release of somatostatin and the inhibition of gastric acid secretion induced by intravenous infusion of rat alpha CGRP (15-20 micrograms/kg/h) in anesthetized rats. The unpurified antibody (25 mg/kg) also prevented the fall in mean arterial blood pressure and the increase in heart rate caused by intravenous injection of rat alpha-CGRP. Immunohistochemistry showed that CGRP monoclonal antibody stains nerve fibers and endocrine-like cells in the pancreas, and neuronal elements in the gastrointestinal tract. These results show that CGRP monoclonal antibody #4901, which is relatively specific for rat alpha-CGRP, is useful for in vivo immunoneutralization of CGRP and is also an excellent reagent for immunohistochemical localization of alpha- and beta-CGRP in mammals.