Preferential binding of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to basolateral membrane of rat and rabbit enterocytes

GLP-2 regulation of intestinal lipid handling

Lipid handling in the intestine is important for maintaining energy homeostasis and overall health. Mishandling of lipids in the intestine contributes to dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Despite advances in this field over the past few decades, significant gaps remain. The gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) has been shown to play pleotropic roles in the regulation of lipid handling in the intestine. Of note, GLP-2 exhibits unique actions on post-prandial lipid absorption and post-absorptive release of intestinally stored lipids. This review aims to summarize current knowledge in how GLP-2 regulates lipid processing in the intestine. Elucidating the mechanisms of GLP-2 regulation of intestinal lipid handling not only improves our understanding of GLP-2 biology, but also provides insights into how lipids are processed in the intestine, which offers opportunities for developing novel strategies towards prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

From the updated landscape of the emerging biologics for IBDs treatment to the new delivery systems

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) treatments have shifted from small-molecular therapeutics to the oncoming biologics. The first-line biologics against the moderate-to-severe IBDs are mainly involved in antibodies against integrins, cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. Besides, other biologics including growth factors, antioxidative enzyme, anti-inflammatory peptides, nucleic acids, stem cells and probiotics have also been explored at preclinical or clinical studies. Biologics with variety of origins have their unique potentials in attenuating immune inflammation or gut mucosa healing. Great advances in use of biologics for IBDs treatments have been archived in recent years. But delivering issues for biologic have also been confronted due to their liable nature. In this review, we will focus on biologics for IBDs treatments in the recent publications; summarize the current landscapes of biologics and their promise to control disease progress. Alternatively, the confronted challenges for delivering biologics will also be analyzed. To combat these drawbacks, some new delivering strategies are provided: firstly, designing the functional materials with high affinity toward biologics; secondly, the delivering vehicle systems to encapsulate the liable biologics; thirdly, the topical adhering delivery systems as enema. To our knowledge, this review is the first study to summarize the updated usage of the oncoming biologics for IBDs, their confronted challenges in term of delivery and the potential combating strategies.

Colonic delivery of vasoactive intestinal peptide nanomedicine alleviates colitis and shows promise as an oral capsule

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of locally delivered nanomedicine, vasoactive intestinal peptide in sterically stabilized micelles (VIP-SSM) to the colon and conduct in vitro release studies of a potential oral formulation. Materials & methods: Intracolonic instillation of VIP-SSM was tested in a mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Based on the effective mouse dose, human equivalent dose containing nanomedicine powder was filled into enteric coated capsules for in vitro release testing. Results: Colonic delivery of VIP-SSM significantly alleviated colitis. VIP-SSM containing capsules completely dissolved at colonic pH allowing micelles to reform with active VIP. Capsule formulations exhibited reproducible release profiles when stored up to 6 weeks demonstrating stability. Conclusion: VIP-SSM is an effective nanomedicine formulation which appears to have potential for oral treatment of colitis in humans. [Formula: see text].

Expression and localization of VPAC1, the major receptor of vasoactive intestinal peptide along the length of the intestine

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an endogenous neuropeptide with a broad array of physiological functions in many organs including the intestine. Its actions are mediated via G protein-coupled receptors, and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) is the key receptor responsible for majority of VIP's biological activity. The distribution of VPAC1 along the length of the gastrointestinal tract and its subcellular localization in intestinal epithelial cells have not been fully characterized. The current studies were undertaken to determine VPAC1 distribution and localization so that VIP-based therapies can be targeted to specific regions of the intestine. The results indicated that the mRNA levels of VPAC1 showed an abundance pattern of colon > ileum > jejunum in the mouse intestine. In parallel, the VPAC1 protein levels were higher in the mouse colon, followed by the ileum and jejunum. Immunofluorescence studies in mouse colon demonstrated that the receptor was specifically localized to the luminal surface, as was evident by colocalization with the apical marker villin but not with the basolateral marker Na+/K+-ATPase. In the human intestine, VPAC1 mRNA expression exhibited a distribution similar to that in mouse intestine and was highest in the sigmoid colon. Furthermore, in the human colon, VPAC1 also showed predominantly apical localization. The physiological relevance of the expression and apical localization of VPAC1 remains elusive. We speculate that apical VPAC1 in intestinal epithelial cells may have relevance in recognizing secreted peptides in the intestinal lumen and therefore supports the feasibility of potential therapeutic and targeting use of VIP formulations via oral route to treat gastrointestinal diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY These studies for the first time present comprehensive data on the relative characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) was identified as the predominant receptor with higher levels in the colon compared with the small intestine and was mainly localized to the apical membrane. In addition, the findings in the human tissues were consistent with VPAC1 expression in the mouse intestine and open possibilities to target colonic tissues with VIP for treating diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Inhibition of intestinal dipeptide transport by the neuropeptide VIP is an anti-absorptive effect via the VPAC1 receptor in a human enterocyte-like cell line (Caco-2)

1. Optimal dipeptide and peptidomimetic drug transport across the intestinal mucosal surface is dependent upon the co-operative functional activity of the di/tripeptide transporter hPepT1 and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger NHE3. The ability of the anti-absorptive enteric neuropeptide VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) to modulate dipeptide uptake was determined using human intestinal (Caco-2) epithelial cell monolayers. 2. Uptake of glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) across the apical membrane of Caco-2 cell monolayers is inhibited by basolateral exposure to either VIP, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), or the VPAC(1) receptor agonist [(11,22,28)Ala]-VIP. Inhibition of Gly-Sar uptake is observed only in the presence of extracellular Na(+). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) demonstrates that VPAC(1) mRNA is expressed in Caco-2 cells whereas VPAC(2) mRNA is not detected. 3. The VIP-induced inhibition of Gly-Sar uptake is abolished in the presence of the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 (N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide.2HCl). 4. (22)Na(+) uptake across the apical membrane is inhibited by the selective NHE3 inhibitor S1611. Experiments with BCECF [2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein]-loaded Caco-2 cells demonstrate that VIP reduces the NHE3-dependent recovery of intracellular pH (pH(i)) after dipeptide-induced acidification. Western blot of Caco-2 cell protein demonstrates expression of the NHE regulatory factor NHERF1 (expression of which is thought to be required for PKA-mediated inhibition of NHE3). 5. VIP has no effect on Gly-Sar uptake in the presence of S1611 suggesting that VIP and S1611 both modulate dipeptide uptake via the same mechanism. 6. These observations demonstrate that VIP (and PACAP) modulate activity of the H(+)/dipeptide transporter hPepT1 in a Na(+)-dependent manner consistent with the modulation being indirect through inhibition of NHE3.

Study of serotonin interactions with brush border membrane of rabbit jejunum enterocytes

Recent studies have demonstrated that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) may interact with either specific receptors or with a specific transporter that takes up 5-HT in the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of the present work was to study the 5-HT interactions with brush border membrane from rabbit jejunum enterocytes. The results obtained showed that 5-HT did not seem to be transported by any specific system of transport in brush border membrane vesicles. Nevertheless, [3H]5-HT seemed to bind specifically to this membrane. The kinetic analysis indicated a saturable and dissociable specific binding with a dissociation constant K(D)=14x10(-9) M. The saturation studies with [3H]5-HT indicated the presence of one specific site in the brush border membrane. The results of displacement of [3H]5-HT specific binding from the brush border membrane showed that both unlabelled 5-HT and unlabelled GR113080 ([1-[(2-methyl sulphonyl) amino] ethyl-4-piperidinyl] methyl-1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate), a specific competitive antagonist of 5-HT(4) receptors, inhibited the specific binding of [3H]5-HT to this membrane.

CFTR channel insertion to the apical surface in rat duodenal villus epithelial cells is upregulated by VIP in vivo

cAMP activated insertion of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channels from endosomes to the apical plasma membrane has been hypothesized to regulate surface expression and CFTR function although the physiologic relevance of this remains unclear. We previously identified a subpopulation of small intestinal villus epithelial cells or CFTR high expressor (CHE) cells possessing very high levels of apical membrane CFTR in association with a prominent subapical vesicular pool of CFTR. We have examined the subcellular redistribution of CFTR in duodenal CHE cells in vivo in response to the cAMP activated secretagogue vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Using anti-CFTR antibodies against the C terminus of rodent CFTR and indirect immunofluorescence, we show by quantitative confocal microscopy that CFTR rapidly redistributes from the cytoplasm to the apical surface upon cAMP stimulation by VIP and returns to the cytoplasm upon removal of VIP stimulation of intracellular cAMP levels. Using ultrastructural and confocal immunofluorescence examination in the presence or absence of cycloheximide, we also show that redistribution was not dependent on new protein synthesis, changes in endocytosis, or rearrangement of the apical cytoskeleton. These observations suggest that physiologic cAMP activated apical membrane insertion and recycling of CFTR channels in normal CFTR expressing epithelia contributes to the in vivo regulation of CFTR mediated anion transport.

Oesophageal epithelial innervation in health and reflux oesophagitis

BACKGROUND

The response of the oesophagus to refluxed gastric contents is likely to depend on intact neural mechanisms in the oesophageal mucosa. The epithelial innervation has not been systematically evaluated in health or reflux disease.

AIMS

To study oesophageal epithelial innervation in controls, and also inflamed and non-inflamed mucosa in patients with reflux oesophagitis and healed oesophagitis.

PATIENTS

Ten controls, nine patients with reflux oesophagitis, and five patients with healed oesophagitis.

METHODS

Oesophageal epithelial biopsy specimens were obtained at endoscopy. The distribution of the neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP), and the neuropeptides calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Density of innervation was assessed by the proportion of papillae in each oesophageal epithelial biopsy specimen containing immunoreactive fibres (found in the subepithelium and epithelial papillae, but not penetrating the epithelium).

RESULTS

The proportion of papillae positive for PGP immunoreactive nerve fibres was significantly increased in inflamed tissue when compared with controls, and non-inflamed and healed tissue. There was also a significant increase in VIP immunoreactive fibres within epithelial papillae. Other neuropeptides showed no proportional changes in inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Epithelial biopsy specimens can be used to assess innervation in the oesophagus. The innervation of the oesophageal mucosa is not altered in non-inflamed tissue of patients with oesophagitis but alters in response to inflammation, where there is a selective increase (about three- to fourfold) in VIP containing nerves.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide: a potent activator of human intestinal ion transport

To investigate the effects of PACAP-27 on electrolyte transport across the isolated human intestinal mucosa, changes in short-circuit current (Isc) were measured in Ussing chamber experiments. Serosally added PACAP-27 increased Isc in a concentration-dependent manner, eliciting a similar maximal effect in both the jejunal and the colonic mucosa. Bumetanide inhibited Isc responses, indicating stimulation of Cl- secretion. The potency and efficacy of PACAP-27 were comparable to those of VIP, suggesting that both peptides activate intestinal secretion by way of a common receptor located in the basolateral membrane of the intestinal epithelium.

Opioid receptors on guinea-pig intestinal crypt epithelial cells

1. Opioid peptides promote net intestinal absorption via two mechanisms: stimulation of Na+ and Cl- absorption and inhibition of Cl- secretion. Although these transport changes are predominantly mediated by submucosal neurones, it is currently unclear whether opioid peptides can regulate enterocyte function directly. We therefore tested the hypothesis that enterocytes have specific opioid receptors. 2. Villus and crypt jejunal epithelial cells were isolated by the distended sac method from anaesthetized guinea-pigs. Flow cytometry was used to resolve enterocytes from other cell types and to determine whether binding of a fluorescently labelled opioid antagonist, naltrexone-FITC, could be prevented by unlabelled mu- and delta-opioid receptor agonists. A population of crypt enterocytes (approximately 21%) exhibited high-affinity naltrexone-FITC binding to both mu- and delta-type binding sites that was stereoselective and sodium dependent. Villus enterocytes did not exhibit any of these characteristics. 3. Basal cAMP production was elevated in both villus and crypt cells treated with IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine). Villus cells did not respond to 100 nM vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), nor were they affected by opioid peptides. In contrast, 100 nM VIP significantly increased cAMP production in crypt epithelial cells, which was significantly reduced by both morphiceptin and D-Ser2-Leu-Enk-Thr. This opioid-mediated effect was stereoselective and blocked by the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. 4. These experiments suggest that enterocytes isolated from the crypt epithelium of guineapigs have both mu- and delta-types of opioid receptors. It is possible that these cells participate in opioid-mediated regulation of intestinal secretion.

Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate production is greater in rabbit duodenal crypt than in villus cells

BACKGROUND

Duodenal surface epithelial cells secrete bicarbonate. Agonists of duodenal alkaline secretion (such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)), and forskolin) increase intracellular cyclic adenosine-3', 5-monophosphate (cAMP), and cAMP stimulates Cl-HCO(3)- exchange in duodenal brush border membrane vesicles. As intestinal villus and crypt cells differ in function, our aims were to contrast cAMP generation in duodenal villus versus crypt cells in response to VIP, PGE(2), and forskolin.

METHODS

Villus and crypt rabbit duodenal enterocytes were isolated by calcium chelation. To prevent the degradation of cAMP in vitro, phosphodiesterase activity was inhibited. cAMP production was quantitated in response to VIP (10(-10)-10(-5)M), PGE(2) (10(-10)-10(-4)M), and forskolin (10(-8)-10(-3)M).

RESULTS

In crypt cells cAMP generation was approximately 10-fold greater (P < 0.001) in response to VIP, PGE(2), and forskolin than to villus cells. The relative orders of potency (that is, D(50), VIP > PGE(2) > forskolin) and efficacy (that is, V max, forskolin > VIP and PGE(2)) were similar in villus and crypt cells.

CONCLUSION

cAMP production is greater in duodenal crypt than in villus enterocytes at rest and in response to forskolin, VIP, and PGE(2), suggesting that alkaline secretion may differ along the villus-to-crypt axis.

Study of the binding of motilin to the membranes of enterocytes from rabbit jejunum

The results obtained in the present work have shown that [125I]motilin bound specifically to basolateral (BL) membrane but it did not bind to the brush border (BB) membrane of the rabbit jejunum enterocyte. The [125I]motilin dissociation constant (Kd) was 95.58 +/- 15.0 pM and the receptor density (Bmax) was 2.54 +/- 0.40 fmol/mg protein. The binding of [125I]motilin to BL membrane was competitively inhibited by both unlabeled motilin and erythromycin. The IC50s were (2.1 +/- 0.4) 10(-8) M and (1.3 +/- 0.1) 10(-6) M for motilin and erythromycin, respectively, and the Ki were (6.83 +/- 1.3) 10(-9) M for motilin and (4.32 +/- 0.33) 10(-7) M for erythromycin. Saturation and competition binding studies showed interaction at only one class of binding sites in BL membrane.

Fluid absorption in isolated perfused colonic crypts

A spatial segregation of ion transport processes between crypt and surface epithelial cells is well-accepted and integrated into physiological and pathophysiological paradigms of small and large intestinal function: Absorptive processes are believed to be located in surface (and villous) cells, whereas secretory processes are believed to be present in crypt cells. Validation of this model requires direct determination of fluid movement in intestinal crypts. This study describes the adaptation of techniques from renal tubule microperfusion to hand-dissect and perfuse single, isolated crypts from rat distal colon to measure directly fluid movement. Morphologic analyses of the isolated crypt preparation revealed no extraepithelial cellular elements derived from the lamina propria, including myofibroblasts. In the basal state, crypts exhibited net fluid absorption (mean net fluid movement = 0.34 +/- 0.01 nl.mm-1.min-1), which was Na+ and partially HCO3- dependent. Addition of 1 mM dibutyryl-cyclic AMP, 60 nM vasoactive intestinal peptide, or 0.1 mM acetylcholine to the bath (serosal) solution reversibly induced net fluid secretion (net fluid movement approximately -0.35 +/- 0.01 nl.mm-1.min-1). These observations permit speculation that absorption is a constitutive transport function in crypt cells and that secretion by crypt cells is regulated by one or more neurohumoral agonists that are released in situ from lamina propria cells. The functional, intact polarized crypt described here that both absorbs and secretes will permit future studies that dissect the mechanisms that govern fluid and electrolyte movement in the colonic crypt.

Effects of intravenous vasoactive intestinal peptide injection on jejunal alanine absorption and gastric acid secretion in rats

The effect of intravenous vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) injection on jejunal L-alanine absorption and gastric acid secretion in the rat was investigated. Continuous intravenous VIP infusion (11.2 ng/kg per min) throughout the experimental period (160 min) produced 60% decrease in alanine absorption and 40% decrease in gastric acid secretion during the second hour of the experiment. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy reduced alanine absorption to 91% (P > 0.05) and 71.3% (P < 0.05) of control value during the first and second hours of perfusion, respectively. VIP infusion following vagotomy elicited a reduced effect when compared to that produced by similar injections in normal rats. Gastric secretion in vagotomized rats was reduced by 40% (P < 0.05) below control. VIP infusion in vagotomized rats exerted a significant decrease (P < 0.05) of gastric acid secretion. Moreover, water absorption was decreased by almost 10% (P < 0.05) after i.v. injection of VIP and was increased by 20-24% above control value following vagotomy. However, i.v. administration of VIP following vagotomy did not elicit any further change in water absorption. It can be concluded that VIP inhibits alanine absorption and gastric acid secretion in the rat and that these inhibitory effects might be partially mediated by the vagus nerve.

HCl-stimulated duodenal HCO3- secretion in conscious rat. Interactions among VIP, nicotinic receptor mechanisms, and prostaglandins

Using an isolated loop of the proximal duodenum of conscious rats, the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the duodenal HCO3- response to HCl was examined, especially interactions with participating cholinoceptor mechanisms and prostaglandins. A 5-min perfusion with 150 mmol/liter HCl increased luminal VIP during 3 hr, with a peak output during and immediately after the acid challenge. The HCl-stimulated output was unaffected by atropine and hexamethonium, but was augmented by indomethacin from 13.6 (9.5-17.8) to 39 (20-85) fmol/cm/min. The HCO3- secretion in response to graded doses of intravenous VIP (0.00625-6 nmol/kg/30 min) was dose-dependent to maximally 33.5 +/- 10.5 mumol/cm/hr. The HCO3- secretion during a single intravenous infusion of VIP (12 nmol/kg/hr), 13.9 +/- 4.2 mumol/cm/hr, was unchanged by atropine, reduced to 10.0 +/- 3.5 mumol/cm/hr by hexamethonium, and augmented to 18.9 +/- 4.7 mumol/cm/hr by indomethacin. Exogenous VIP did not change the basal luminal output of PGE2; neither did exogenous PGE2 nor indomethacin affect the basal luminal output of VIP. HCl-induced increases in luminal outputs of VIP, substance P, and neurokinin A (the two latter with unknown roles) were differentially affected by atropine, hexamethonium, and indomethacin, indicating that the acid challenge released the peptides through controlled mechanisms. In conclusion, in the duodenal HCO3- response to luminal HCl, VIP may have a stimulatory role, which partially depends on nicotinic, but not on muscarinic cholinoceptor mechanisms, and which is negatively modulated by prostaglandins.

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate is the second messenger of prostaglandin E2- and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-stimulated active bicarbonate secretion by guinea-pig duodenum

In a guinea-pig model we determined the intracellular events mediating the response of duodenal epithelial cells to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and prostaglandin (PG) E2. Intravenous administration of VIP (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/kg) and PGE2 (10(-9) to 10(-6) mol/kg) dose-dependently increased duodenal epithelial bicarbonate secretion against an HCO3- concentration gradient, measured by a luminal perfusion technique, in anaesthetized guinea-pigs up to 4.5-fold. This secretion could be mimicked by intraduodenal dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP; 10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/kg). Secretin (10(-9) mol/kg) and PGF 2 alpha (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/kg), both given intravenously, were without effect or considerably less efficient. For VIP and PGE2, specific receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase could be demonstrated in homogenates of isolated duodenal epithelial cells. VIP and PGE2 stimulated adenylate cyclase activity up to sixfold, whereas PGF2 alpha and secretin were considerably less potent and efficient. VIP and PGE2 increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels up to fivefold and ninefold, respectively. This was followed by an increase in cytosolic protein kinase A activity. Bicarbonate secretion was maximal at 30 min. Examination of the subcellular distribution of protein kinase A showed a predominant cytosolic location. These data support the notion the PGE2 and VIP cause bicarbonate secretion by the serial activation of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A in duodenal epithelial cells.

The enteric nervous system modulates mammalian duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion

BACKGROUND

Interaction of the enteric nerves in regulating mammalian duodenal mucosal bicarbonate secretion is not well understood. The purpose of the present experiments was to evaluate the role of the enteric nervous system on bicarbonate secretion from rabbit duodenal mucosa in vitro.

METHODS

Proximal duodenum from male New Zealand White rabbits was stripped of seromuscular layers, mounted in Ussing chambers, and studied under short-circuited conditions. Effects of electrical field stimulation, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), carbachol, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (db-cAMP), and the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) and muscarinic blockade by atropine were studied.

RESULTS

Electrical field stimulation significantly (P < 0.01) stimulated bicarbonate secretion, short-circuit current (Isc), and electrical potential difference (PD) that was sensitive to both TTX and atropine. VIP-stimulated bicarbonate secretion was significantly inhibited by TTX (-73%), yet Isc and PD remained unchanged. Atropine decreased VIP-induced bicarbonate secretion (-69%) and Isc (-43%). Carbachol-stimulated bicarbonate secretion, Isc, and PD were abolished by atropine, whereas TTX was without affect. Neither TTX nor atropine had a significant effect on PGE2 or db-cAMP-stimulated bicarbonate secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that (1) enteric nerve stimulation activates an acetylcholine receptor that in turn stimulates duodenal epithelial bicarbonate secretion; (2) VIP stimulates bicarbonate secretion, in large part, via the enteric nervous system; and (3) PGE2 and cAMP stimulate bicarbonate secretion independent of the enteric nervous system.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptides, PACAP-27 and PACAP-38: stimulators of electrogenic ion secretion in the rat small intestine

1. The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)-27 and PACAP-38 were investigated and compared with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) responses in voltage clamped preparations of rat jejunum. Under these conditions electrogenic ion secretion was continuously recorded. 2. PACAP-27 is the most potent secretagogue described thus far, exhibiting a concentration-dependent dual secretory action. At low concentrations it stimulated rapid, transient secretory responses (not seen with either PACAP-38 or VIP) and these were inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX). At higher nM concentrations of PACAP-27 more prolonged secretory responses predominated which were insensitive to TTX. 3. In the presence of TTX, the concentration-response curve to PACAP-27 gave an EC50 value of 29.4 +/- 5.4 nM (n = 4) compared with 0.8 +/- 0.1 nM (n = 9) for PACAP-27 alone and 30.6 +/- 5.6 nM (n = 5) for PACAP-38. C-terminal fragments of PACAP-38 were not significantly effective. 4. Blockade of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors partially inhibited the low concentration effects of PACAP-27. Substance P desensitization and capsaicin pretreatment were effective at inhibiting the transient secretory PACAP-27 responses. Evidence is presented for selective, high affinity PACAP-27 receptors on submucous neurones innervating the mucosal region of the rat jejunum.

Vectorial release of carcinoembryonic antigen induced by IFN-gamma in human colon cancer cells cultured in serum-free medium

Confluent monolayers of intestinal cell lines are useful models for studies of intestinal epithelial structure and function. Three cell lines have retained morphological and functional properties of intestinal epithelial cells compatible with such studies: Caco-2, T84 and HT29. However, the requirement of fetal bovine serum for the culture of these cells does not facilitate the design of experiments dealing with growth factors or hormonal regulation. The clonal intestinal cell line HT29-D4 can be cultured as fully differentiated epithelial monolayers in a synthetic medium containing transferrin, selenous acid, epidermal growth factor and suramin, a potent differentiation inducer. In the present study it is shown that HT29-D4 cells grown on permeable substratum in this synthetic medium developed electrically active monolayers consisting of columnar cells with morphological characteristics of normal enterocytes. After metabolic labelling with [35S]-methionine, HT29-D4 monolayers released most of their radiolabelled secretory proteins preferentially in the basal compartment of the cell culture chamber. However, the carcinoembryonic antigen, shown to be present in the apical plasma membrane, was exclusively released apically. This oriented release was stimulated by recombinant gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) added only in the basal chamber, suggesting a basolateral restriction for IFN-gamma receptors.

High-affinity binding sites for VIP in renal cortical membranes: possible role of VIP in renal transport

We studied binding and degradation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by highly purified brush border and basolateral membranes from rabbit kidney cortex. Brush border and basolateral membranes were capable of 73 and 49% degradation of VIP after 20 minutes, and the degradation was totally prevented by bacitracin. There was 66 and 87% specific binding of 125I-VIP to brush border and basolateral membranes, respectively. 125I-VIP binding to renal membrane was displaced in a dose dependent fashion by unlabeled VIP with half maximal displacement at 2 x 10(-7) M. Other related peptides failed to displace VIP. Scatchard analysis showed one single class of receptors for VIP in both membranes with similar Kd (0.5 x 10(-7) M), but higher number of binding sites (Bmax) in the basolateral membranes than in the brush border membranes (22.0 vs. 4.4 pmol/mg protein), respectively. Forty-eight percent of VIP binding to brush border membranes could be explained by cross contamination of these membranes with basolateral membranes. We examined the effect of VIP on Na-H antiporter, Na-dependent glucose uptake and Na-dependent phosphate uptake by isolated proximal tubule suspension. In acid loaded proximal tubules VIP (10(-6) M) inhibited total and amiloride-sensitive 22Na uptake by 35 and 75%, respectively, as compared to control. On the other hand VIP failed to inhibit Na-dependent methyl alpha-14C-glucopyranoside and Na-dependent 32phosphate uptake. VIP failed to stimulate cyclic AMP generation by proximal tubule suspension while PTH showed the expected stimulation. Our results demonstrate the presence of specific binding for VIP in highly purified cortical membranes and suggest an effect of VIP to inhibit the Na-H antiporter by a mechanism independent of cyclic AMP.

Role of VIP in local control of secretion

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a potent stimulant of duodenal HCO3- secretion and may, like prostaglandins, have a stimulatory role in the local duodenal HCO3- response to luminal HCl. Using a proximal duodenal loop in conscious rats, we examined the local luminal release of HCO3-, VIP and prostaglandin (PG) E2 in response to increasing concentrations of HCl (0.01-150 mmol l-1), perfused for 5 min at 60-min intervals. HCO3- and PGE2 were detected in all basal saline perfusate effluents, and were increased in a concentration-dependent manner by all acid concentrations tested. VIP was increased in a concentration dependent manner from pH 3. Exogenous VIP did not affect the basal luminal output of PGE2, or vice versa. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin augmented the HCl-stimulated luminal release of VIP, as well as the HCO3- response to exogenous VIP. The results are in agreement with previous studies, demonstrating that PGE2 is an important regulator of the duodenal HCO3- response to HCl in the rat. In addition, prostaglandins may negatively modulate the release of VIP from local VIPergic neurones, as well as the HCO3- secretagogue effect of VIP. Released VIP may contribute to the HCO3- response at pH less than or equal to 3.

Simultaneous immunohistochemical demonstration of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and its receptor in human colon

The present study reports an immunohistochemical approach for localizing the immunoreactivity of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor in the human colon, by using a monoclonal antibody which recognizes the VIP-receptor of a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line. Simultaneous demonstration of immunoreactive VIP-receptor of a human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line. Simultaneous demonstration of immunoreactive VIP-receptor and VIP was achieved by a double-labelling procedure employing immunogold silver staining for VIP-receptor, and a biotinylated secondary antibody followed by streptavidin-Texas Red, to visualize VIP. The immunoreactive VIP receptor was found at two locations receiving dense VIP innervation: myenteric ganglia and mucosal epithelium. Epithelial cells displayed intense labelling at the basolateral membrane, which confirmed earlier binding studies on fractionated membranes. A small number of enteroendocrine cells was also recognized by the VIP-receptor antibody. Smooth muscle and cells of the immune system were not stained by the monoclonal antibody, indicating that it recognized an epitope not common to VIP-receptors of all locations. Thus, the immunohistochemical approach of VIP-receptor localization differs from autoradiography in (a) precise cellular localization, (b) possibility of simultaneous demonstration of receptor and ligand immunoreactivity, and (c) selectivity to a certain receptor population which, however, is presently not fully characterized.

On the role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and tachykinins in the secretory reflex elicited by chemical peritonitis in the cat small intestine

Peritonitis induced by serosal application of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid causes net fluid secretion via the enteric nervous system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and tachykinins in this reflex(es). The release of tachykinins (substance P [SP], neurokinin A [NKA], neuropeptide K [NPK]) and VIP into the mesenteric circulation, net fluid transport, intestinal blood flow and sometimes motility were recorded simultaneously in extrinsically denervated jejunal segments of the cat in vivo. The release of both VIP and NKA was increased upon application of HCl to the cat jejunal serosa. Tetrodotoxin, hexamethonium and methionine enkephalin inhibited both the induced VIP release and the secretory response. The increased release of NKA was unaffected by hexamethonium. We propose that the intramural secretory reflex evoked by acid application of the serosa consists of an 'afferent' tachykinin neuron, a cholinergic interneuron and an 'efferent' VIPergic neuron innervating the secretory enterocytes.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of human renal adenylate cyclase in vitro

1. A direct action of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) upon human kidney was sought by measurement of renal adenylate cyclase in tissue homogenates and plasma membranes isolated from tissue samples excised for therapeutic reasons. 2. VIP (1 microM) produced a mean stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity of 3.5-fold compared to basal values in cortical plasma membranes; comparative stimulations of 2.8-fold and 27.3-fold were obtained with 1 microM-glucagon and 1 microM-h(1-34) parathyroid hormone respectively. 3. Half-maximal stimulation of human renal cortical plasma membrane adenylate cyclase was observed with a mean value of 35 nM-VIP. 4. The stimulation of renal adenylate cyclase by VIP appeared to be specific because stimulation by glucagon was additive to that obtained with VIP, and the VIP receptor antagonist (4 Cl-D-Phe6, Leu17)-VIP inhibited the VIP-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity.

Effect of VIP on sugar transport in rabbit small intestine in vitro

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has shown to be widely distributed in the gastrointestinal mucosa, submucosa and nerves, and the existence of VIP receptors on the basolateral membrane of enterocytes has been recently reported for many species. The interaction of VIP with its receptors seemed to increase cyclic AMP level, and this nucleotide has been shown to be responsible for the intestinal secretion produced by VIP. The present study confirms that VIP inhibits the intestinal absorption of D-galactose. This effect seems to be due to the inhibition of the Na(+)-independent basolateral intestinal sugar transport system. RMI 12330A, described as adenylate cyclase inhibitors, blocked the VIP action. These findings suggest that cyclic AMP might be responsible for the inhibition of Na(+)-independent transport of D-galactose across the basolateral membrane. Moreover, results obtained to determine the possible role of calcium in the action of VIP suggest that Ca2+ play a part, directly or indirectly, in the inhibition of the D-galactose transport across the basolateral membrane produced by VIP.

Intestinal secretagogues increase cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration and K+ conductance in a human intestinal epithelial cell line

A human intestinal epithelial cell line (Intestine 407) is known to retain receptors for intestinal secretagogues such as acetylcholine (ACh), histamine, serotonin (5-HT) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). The cells were also found to possess separate receptors for secretin and ATP, the stimulation of which elicited transient hyperpolarizations coupled to decreased membrane resistances. These responses were reversed in polarity at the K+ equilibrium potential. The hyperpolarizing responses to six agonists were reversibly inhibited by quinine or quinidine. By means of Ca2(+)-selective microelectrodes, increases in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration were observed in response to individual secretagogues. The time course of Ca2+ responses coincided with that of hyperpolarizing responses. The responses to ACh and 5-HT were abolished by a reduction in the extracellular Ca2+ concentration down to pCa 7 or by application of Co2+. Thus, in Intestine 407 cells, not only the intestinal secretagogues, which are believed to act via increased cytosolic Ca2+ (ACh, 5-HT and histamine), but also those which elevate cyclic AMP (VIP, secretin and ATP) induce increases in cytosolic Ca2+, thereby activating the K+ conductance. It is likely that the origin of increased cytosolic Ca2+ is mainly extracellular for ACh- and 5-HT-induced responses, whereas histamine, VIP, secretin and ATP mobilize Ca2+ from the internal compartment.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of renal adenylate cyclase and antagonism by (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and related peptides [glucagon, secretin, PHI 1-27 (peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine)] on renal adenylate cyclase (AC) has been determined in several species. The largest stimulation (4.1 +/- 0.5-fold basal) of AC by 1 mumol.l-1 VIP was observed in feline cortical plasma membranes. In rabbit and guinea-pig, VIP increased AC activity 1.5 +/- 0.3- and 1.8 +/- 0.3-fold respectively but glucagon had no such action. Conversely in the rat glucagon stimulated AC some 3-fold over basal activity whereas VIP had little effect. In dog, cat and mouse both peptides were effective in increasing AC activity. For cat, half-maximal stimulation of cortical plasma membrane AC by VIP was seen at 27.0 +/- 9.0 nmol.l-1 (SE N = 9 animals). VIP also increased AC activity in both outer (red) and inner (white) medulla. In feline cortical membranes VIP and PTH (parathyroid hormone) when added in combination were fully additive. However for VIP and glucagon in combination there was no cumulative increase in AC activity, indeed the resultant activity was less than that attained by VIP alone. The VIP analogue (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP at 10 mumol.l-1 produced a right shift in the VIP-dose response curve and increased the EC50 from 17.2 +/- 5.8 nmol.l-1 to 132.0 +/- 22.2 nmol..-1 VIP (SE N = 4). There was no reduction in the maximum response elicited by VIP consistent with a competitive type of antagonism by this analogue. PHI-stimulated AC was also reduced by (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP resulting in a similar right shift in the dose response curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

VIP receptors and content after bowel transplantation

Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have renewed interest in small bowel transplantation. Little is known, however, about the functional capacity of transplanted intestine. To clarify the potential for normal function, we investigated whether elements of the enteric nervous system are preserved after denervation in our rat model of intestinal transplantation. We investigated whether VIP, a major peptide neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system, and its receptors are preserved in the bowel after transplantation. In our model of transplantation, avascular fetal jejunum from term Fisher rats is transplanted to the subcutaneous tissues of host syngeneic rats. This "neogut" becomes vascularized and develops characteristics of native small bowel. VIP content was measured by RIA and the in situ distribution of VIP receptors was determined by the technique of receptor autoradiography. Neogut was studied 1 and 3 weeks after transplantation and compared with age-matched rat pup jejunum. Autoradiographs showed high silver grain density, representing VIP binding sites, in the mucosal layers of all tissues studied. VIP content in the transplanted bowel was comparable to that of native gut and showed a rise with developmental age similar to that of native gut. VIP levels (pmole/mg protein, x +/- SEM) were neogut 1 week, 0.26 +/- 0.14; jejunum 1 week, 0.25 +/- 0.07; neogut 3 weeks, 0.60 +/- 0.21; and jejunum 3 weeks, 0.69 +/- 0.16. These results show that VIP receptors and content are preserved in this model of transplantation. This suggests that the enteric nervous system and receptors for peptide neurotransmitters remain intact after transplantation and may retain the potential for regulatory function.

Effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on the release of serotonin from the in vitro vascularly perfused small intestine of guinea pig

Isolated segments of the guinea pig small intestine were vascularly perfused and the release of endogenous serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) into the portal vein was measured. All test substances were intraarterially perfused. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP, 1 pmol/l-100 nmol/l) inhibited the spontaneous release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA. The maximal inhibitory effect (about 60%) was seen at 100 pmol/l. The effect of VIP on the spontaneous release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA was not changed in the presence of 1 mumol/l tetrodotoxin (TTX). Raising intraluminal pressure by 500 Pa for 5 min increased the release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA by about 25%. Raising the intraluminal pressure in the presence of VIP reduced the release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA by about 75%. In the presence of TTX (1 mumol/l), raising intraluminal pressure also caused a decrease of the release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA which was unaffected by the additional presence of VIP. The fluid volume expelled during peristaltic activity was not affected by VIP, but reduced by about 90% in the presence of TTX. In conclusion the results demonstrate a direct inhibitory effect of VIP on the release of 5-HT from the enterochromaffin cells. In addition, VIP appears to interfere with the neuronally mediated stimulation of 5-HT release during peristaltic activity.

Expression of membrane receptors and (proto)oncogenes during the ontogenic development and neoplastic transformation of the intestinal mucosa

The functional relationship between membrane receptors involved in signal transduction and (proto) oncogene expression has been explored during the ontogenic development and differentiation of the intestinal mucosa in man and rat. The present review develops detailed picture of the current understanding of some mechanisms underlying growth and function of normal, immortalized and cancerous intestinal epithelial cells.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in the canine gastrointestinal tract

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a putative neurotransmitter in both the brain and peripheral tissues. To define possible target tissues of VIP we have used quantitative receptor autoradiography to localize and quantify the distribution of 125I-VIP receptor binding sites in the canine gastrointestinal tract. While the distribution of VIP binding sites was different for each segment examined, specific VIP binding sites were localized to the mucosa, the muscularis mucosa, the smooth muscle of submucosal arterioles, lymph nodules, and the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle of the muscularis externa. These results identify putative target tissues of VIP action in the canine gastrointestinal tract. In correlation with physiological data, VIP sites appear to be involved in the regulation of a variety of gastrointestinal functions including epithelial ion transport, gastric secretion, hemodynamic regulation, immune response, esophageal, gastric and intestinal motility.

Regulatory mechanisms in the luminal and portal release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide during vagal nerve stimulation in the cat

The effect of vagal stimulation in chloralose-anesthetized cats on release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the jejunal lumen and portal venous blood was tested simultaneously, and the effect of atropine and hexamethonium was investigated to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved in the release. Vagal stimulation caused a significant increase in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. A significant concomitant increase was seen in portal plasma. Gel filtration chromatography of luminal and portal samples demonstrated that the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide coeluted with synthetic porcine vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide infusion at 80 and 160 pmol/kg.min produced portal plasma levels of at least 3000 pM but did not increase vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations in the luminal perfusates. Thus, luminal vasoactive intestinal polypeptide originates from gastrointestinal tissue rather than by transduction from the circulation. Vagally induced release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into the lumen and portal plasma was not abolished by atropine but was totally suppressed by hexamethonium. The regulatory mechanisms controlling the parallel release of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide into both the jejunal lumen and portal circulation are identical and involve a non-muscarinic process which is under cholinoceptive, nicotinic control.

Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity along the rabbit nephron

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) upon adenylate cyclase (AC) activity has been determined in defined microdissected renal tubules isolated from collagenase-treated rabbit kidneys. In the presence of 10 microM GTP, 1 microM VIP gave marked stimulations of AC over basal values in the bright portion of the distal convoluted tubule (DCTb) (10.1-fold), and in the collecting tubule isolated from the inner stripe of the outer medulla (OMCTi, 7.8-fold). Less pronounced effects of VIP were found in the medullary collecting tubule isolated from the outer stripe (2.5-fold) and in the granular portion of the distal convoluted tubule (2.0-fold). VIP stimulation of AC activity in these segments amounted to 25 to 40% of the effect elicited by other agonists (arginine vasopressin, calcitonin or parathyroid hormone) in their respective target segments. A low response to VIP was observed in the cortical thick ascending limb (1.8-fold) which represented less than 5% of the calcitonin-stimulated AC activity. In the thin descending limb VIP produced a slight and variable stimulation of AC. VIP was without effect upon AC in the convoluted and straight portions of the proximal tubule, the medullary thick ascending limb and the cortical collecting tubule. Half-maximal stimulation of AC by VIP was observed at 26 +/- 10 nM (n = 3) in OMCTi and at 19 nM (n = 2) in DCTb. Related peptides glucagon, secretin and PHI gave lower stimulations of AC compared to VIP in OMCTi. Conversely for rat OMCTi, under identical conditions, glucagon was much more effective than VIP.

Characterization of specific pancreatic polypeptide receptors on basolateral membranes of the canine small intestine

We have identified specific binding sites for pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on the mucosal lining of canine small intestine. The present study was undertaken to further characterize these binding sites (receptors) on purified intestinal membranes and to establish their location on the brush border or basolateral surface of the intestinal enterocyte. Basolateral and brush border membranes were prepared by sorbitol density centrifugation. PP receptors were localized predominantly to the vascular surface, and thus binding of PP 125I-labeled on Tyr-27 to the basolateral preparation was used to evaluate receptor characteristics. Binding of PP was calcium, time, temperature, and pH dependent. Maximum specific binding of labeled PP occurred after an 8-hr incubation at 4 degrees C with 5 mM calcium at pH 6.8. Data analysis by Scatchard plot showed high- and low-affinity binding sites with relative affinities of 1.5 x 10(-9) M and 2.6 x 10(-8) M and with corresponding binding capacities of 0.23 pmol/mg and 0.84 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. This receptor was specific for PP since peptide YY and neuropeptide Y, peptides of the PP family, cross-reacted by less than 3%, as judged from comparisons of half-maximal displacement of label. Structurally dissimilar peptides, insulin and glucagon, did not compete for binding. Specific 125I-labeled PP binding was localized primarily to basolateral membranes (9.8 +/- 0.8%) with little binding by brush border membranes (0.8 +/- 0.2%). Thus, we have identified highly specific receptors for PP, located predominantly on the vascular surface of the small intestinal mucosa. These data suggest that the mucosal lining of the small intestine is a target tissue for PP and that PP participates in the hormonal regulation of fuel metabolism and substrate transport in the small intestinal mucosa.

Autoradiographic distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptors in rabbit and rat small intestine

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is found in the enteric nervous system of all layers of the small intestine. In the gastrointestinal tract, VIP receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase are present on epithelial, smooth muscle and possibly mononuclear cells. This study analyzes the distribution of VIP binding using in vitro autoradiographic techniques. VIP binding was present in high density in the mucosal layer of rabbit duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Low VIP binding was noted over the smooth muscle layers or the lymphoid follicles. Similar results were obtained in rat small intestine. The density of VIP binding was greatest in duodenal mucosa but was present in lower density in jejunal and ileal mucosa. Again, low VIP binding was noted in the smooth muscle layers or lymphoid follicles. Thus, autoradiographic maps of small intestine indicate that VIP receptors are found primarily in the small intestinal mucosa.

Receptor regulation of ion transport in the intestinal epithelium

The active transport of ions by the intestinal epithelium is regulated by a number of enteric neurotransmitters, hormones and other substances. Our knowledge of the receptors mediating the actions of these substances is generally fragmentary. This review summarizes current knowledge on the location and functional characteristics of transmitter receptors regulating transport function in the small intestine, highlighting recent research on cholinergic and bradykinin receptors.

Binding of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to dispersed enterocytes results in rapid removal of the NH2-terminal histidyl residue

Specific binding sites for 125I-labelled vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) (half-maximal inhibition at 1.5 +/- 0.2 nM VIP) were identified on dispersed porcine enterocytes. Radioactivity bound to the cell surface was internalized. At 37 degrees C, a steady state was achieved after 45 min with a ratio of internalized to cell surface-bound radioactivity of approximately 1:2 but at 10 degrees C, no radioactivity appeared intracellularly. Incubation of VIP with cells in the absence of inhibitors of proteolysis for as short a time as 30 s at 37 degrees C led to the formation of [des-His1]VIP by the action of amastatin- and bestatin-sensitive aminopeptidase(s). This metabolite was formed in the presence of sodium azide and when incubations were performed at 10 degrees C suggesting that internalization was not a prerequisite for degradation. As [des-His1]-VIP has only 1% of the bioactivity of VIP, formation of this metabolite will effectivily terminate the action of VIP in the epithelial layer of the intestine.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide regulation of rabbit renal adenylate cyclase activity in vitro

1. The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) upon adenylate cyclase activity was determined in purified cortical basolateral membranes and in glomeruli and tubular elements obtained from rabbit kidney. 2. In purified basolateral membranes prepared from cortex, 1 microM-VIP consistently stimulated adenylate cyclase activity above basal levels (1.55 +/- 0.09-fold (mean +/- S.E. of mean), n = 10 animals). Half-maximal stimulation was observed at 17 +/- 11 nM-VIP (S.D., n = 9). 3. Related peptides, e.g. secretin, glucagon, gastric inhibitory peptide, human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor, and peptide having N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine amide (PHI), were without effect or gave lower stimulations of adenylate cyclase activity when tested at 1 microM. 4. Significant VIP degradation was observed under the assay conditions used but this did not substantially alter the response or selectivity to VIP. 5. In separate preparations of isolated glomeruli and proximal tubules addition of 1 microM-VIP resulted in a 3.3 +/- 1.1-fold (S.D., n = 3) and 2.2 +/- 1.0-fold (S.D., n = 3) stimulation (respectively) of adenylate cyclase activity. 6. In isolated medullary tubule suspensions, isolated by collagenase-hyaluronidase digestion of outer (red) medulla, and in thick ascending-limb-enriched preparations prepared by Percoll density gradient fractionation, 1 microM-VIP significantly increased adenylate cyclase activity by 2.4 +/- 0.6-fold (S.D., n = 3) and 2.1 +/- 0.7-fold (S.D., n = 3) respectively. 7. A possible role for VIP in the regulation of renal function in the rabbit is discussed in relation to the occurrence of VIP stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in several renal cellular elements.

Catabolism of neurotensin in the epithelial layer of porcine small intestine

The mammalian small intestine is both a source and a site of degradation of neurotensin. Metabolites produced by incubation of the peptide with dispersed enterocytes from porcine small intestine were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by amino-acid analysis. The principal sites of cleavage were at the Tyr-11-Ile-12 bond, generating neurotensin-(1-11), and at the Pro-10-Tyr-11 bond, generating neurotensin-(1-10). The corresponding COOH-terminal fragments, neurotensin-(11-13) and -(12-13) were metabolized further. Formation of neurotensin-(1-11) and -(1-10) was completely inhibited by phosphoramidon (Ki = 6 nM), an inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.11, but not by captopril, an inhibitor of peptidyl dipeptidase A. Incubation of neurotensin with purified endopeptidase 24.11 from pig stomach also resulted in cleavage of the Tyr-11-Ile-12 and Pro-10-Tyr-11 bonds. A minor pathway of cell-surface-mediated degradation was the phosphoramidon-insensitive cleavage of the Tyr-3-Glu-4 bond, generating neurotensin-(1-3) and neurotensin-(4-13). No evidence for specific binding sites (putative receptors) for neurotensin was found either on the intact enterocyte or on vesicles prepared from the basolateral membranes of the cells. Neurotensin-(1-8), the major circulating metabolite, was not formed when neurotensin(1-13) was incubated with cells, but represented a major metabolite (together with neurotensin-(1-10] when neurotensin-(1-11) was used as substrate. The study has shown that degradation of neurotensin in the epithelial layer of the small intestine is mediated principally through the action of endopeptidase 24.11, but this enzyme is probably not responsible for the production of the neurotensin fragments detected in the circulation.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide actions on the guinea pig intestinal mucosa during neural stimulation

Electrical stimulation of the mucosal innervation of the guinea pig ileum results in an increase in chloride secretion that is mediated in part by excitation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors on enterocytes. This study investigated the involvement of vasoactive intestinal peptide in the cholinergic and noncholinergic phases of the secretory response evoked by electrical stimulation of submucosal neurons in the guinea pig ileum. Flat sheets of ileum set up in Ussing flux chambers responded to exogenous vasoactive intestinal peptide by an increase in baseline short-circuit current which was reduced by furosemide and by vasoactive intestinal peptide antiserum. When submucosal neurons were electrically stimulated, a biphasic change in short-circuit current was evoked. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, forskolin, and isobutylmethylxanthine enhanced the cholinergic portion of the response, whereas the antiserum prevented or reduced the effects of the peptide but not of forskolin. In the presence of atropine to eliminate the cholinergically mediated response, vasoactive intestinal peptide reduced the noncholinergic phase of the response and its action was prevented by the antiserum. Vasoactive intestinal peptide enhanced the increase in short-circuit current evoked by the muscarinic agonist bethanechol. These results demonstrate that vasoactive intestinal peptide and other substances that stimulate secretion by increasing cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate levels in enterocytes potentiate the calcium-dependent, cholinergic phase of the chloride secretory response evoked by neural stimulation of the guinea pig ileum. No evidence was found for vasoactive intestinal peptide as the mediator of the noncholinergic phase of the response.