We investigated the possible presence of bradykinin (BK) B1 receptor on rat mesangial cells (MC) by binding studies and by the effect of the B1 agonist des-Arg9-BK on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and DNA synthesis in comparison with the effects of BK. Binding studies demonstrated specific, saturable binding for des-Arg9-[3H]BK inhibited by B1 but not by B2 antagonists. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of B1 binding site with a maximum density of 15 fmol/mg protein and an affinity of 8.7 +/- 2.4 nM. Saturation and competition studies of 125I-[Tyr0]BK demonstrated the presence of two classes of B2 binding sites [dissociation constant (Kd) = 0.1 and 4 nM, respectively]. On fura-2-loaded adherent MC, both des-Arg9-BK and BK induced a biphasic increase (a transient enhancement followed by a sustained phase) in [Ca2+]i, both in primary culture and in cloned MC. Both the transient and sustained phases of [Ca2+]i induced by des-Arg9-BK were dose dependent, whereas BK induced a transient dose-dependent rise in [Ca2+]i, but the sustained phase remained constant. The increases in [Ca2+]i induced by des-Arg9-BK and BK were specifically abolished by B1 and B2 receptor antagonists, respectively, and showed homologous but not heterologous desensitization. Des-Arg9-BK and BK induced a significant proliferation (tested by cell counting and [3H]thymidine incorporation) of quiescent MC. Furthermore, the effects of des-Arg9-BK and BK were additive on Ca2+ mobilization but not on mitogenesis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Somatostatin has been demonstrated to negatively regulate pancreatic growth in vivo. In this study we used the AR4-2J rat pancreatic acinar tumor cell line to investigate the effect of a stable somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995 (SMS) on cell proliferation. SMS induced an antiproliferative effect on both serum or epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced cell proliferation; exposure of the cells for 48 h to SMS caused a slight inhibition of serum-induced proliferation (maximal inhibition, 26%) and abolished the growth-promoting effect of EGF. Maximal effect was observed with 10 nM SMS, and half-maximal (IC50) effect with 0.06-0.1 nM SMS. Binding studies with an iodinated derivative of SMS, [125I-Tyr3]SMS, revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity binding sites on AR4-2J plasma membranes with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 0.2 +/- 0.03 nM and a binding site number of 1.1 +/- 0.07 pmol/mg protein. Addition of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine 5-[gamma-thio] triphosphate (GTP gamma S), increased the rate of dissociation of the specifically bound peptide in agreement with the coupling of somatostatin receptors with a GTP-binding regulatory protein. The good agreement between the IC50 for SMS inhibition of cell proliferation and the apparent Kd for binding indicates that the characterized binding sites are the somatostatin receptors that mediate the antiproliferative effect of SMS. When cells were grown in serum-free medium EGF stimulated AR4-2J cell proliferation with half-maximal (ED50) and maximal effects at 0.6 and 10 nM EGF, respectively. This stimulatory effect of EGF was mediated by specific receptors, since binding studies with [125I]EGF indicated that AR4-2J cells contained a single class of EGF receptors (13,000 sites/cell), with an affinity constant for [125I]EGF (Kd = 0.9 +/- 0.09 nM) close to the ED50 for EGF stimulation of cell growth. To examine if SMS-induced growth inhibition involved a cAMP-dependent mechanism we first studied the effect of SMS on cAMP production. SMS had no effect on basal cAMP, but completely inhibited VIP-stimulated cAMP production with an IC50 of 0.2 nM. Pertussis toxin, which is known to abolish the inhibitory effect of somatostatin on adenylate cyclase activity in AR4-2J cells, did not reverse the ability of SMS to inhibit cell proliferation as well as EGF-induced cell proliferation. These data indicate that the antiproliferative effect of SMS does not involve the GTP-binding protein-mediated negative coupling of somatostatin receptors to adenylate cyclase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

The exact intracellular mechanisms by which gastrin enhances the proliferation of AR4-2J cells, a tumor pancreatic acinar cell line, are not precisely known. Calcium has long been considered as an intracellular signal involved in growth-regulatory control of many cell types. Moreover, Ca++ channel blockers show growth-suppressing effects in most proliferating cells. In the present study, we analyzed the role of nifedipine, a voltage-dependent Ca++ channel antagonist, on AR4-2J cells which possess well-defined voltage-dependent Ca++ channels. The results showed that 10 nM gastrin induced a transient rise in intracellular calcium (Ca++)i followed by a sustained phase which was dependent upon a Ca++ influx operating through nifedipine-dependent and -independent Ca++ channels. Both influxes are necessary for reloading the agonist-sensitive Cai++ pools. In parallel, we demonstrated that nifedipine at doses of 1 microM and 3 microM preferentially blocked the increase in cell number elicited by 10 nM gastrin and 0.1 microM Bay K 8644, a Ca++ channel agonist, suggesting that voltage-sensitive Ca++ channel activity was required for gastrin-stimulated mitogenesis. Moreover, nifedipine had no effect on the proliferation of AR4-2J cells growing in serum-free medium, indicating that this drug did not simply exert a toxic effect. Therefore, Ca++ influx through voltage-dependent Ca++ channels might be an important initial step representing a component of a synergistic cooperation between different signal transduction pathways involved in gastrin-regulated growth.

Variations of the intestinal mucosa were studied in male adult Wistar rats on day 8 and day 15 after hypophysectomy. All results were compared with those obtained in pair-fed control rats. Morphological variations were observed at two intestinal levels (high part [hp] and low part [lp] of the jejunoileum) both with morphometrical analysis (villous area, microvillous area, enterocytes, goblet and Paneth cell number, mitotic index...), in light or electron microscopy and with histochemical techniques (proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids). Levels of the main intestinal hydrolysis were also measured by means of biochemical assays. Atrophy of the intestinal mucosa was confirmed, but atrophy produced not only a reduction of the villous area (hp = –30%p < 0.01, lp = –22%p < 0.05 on day 8, hp = –25 %p < 0.05 lp = –36% p < 0.01 on day 15) but also a significant decrease of the microvillous area (hp ≈ –39% p < 0.001, lp = –14% p < 0.05 on day 8, hp = –24% p < 0.02, lp = –30% p < 0.05 on day 15) in accordance with a significant decrease of brush border enzyme levels. The atrophy was generalized but concerned mainly the high part of the small intestine and could be attributed mostly to a significant decrease of glandular mitosis (hp = –57% p < 0.01, lp = –77% p < 0.001 on day 8, hp = –74% p < 0.01, lp = -75% p < 0.001 on day 15) without apparent modification of cell extrusion at the top of intestinal villi. Hypophysectomy affected the different cell types of the villous intestinal epithelium in different ways. Absorbing cells were the more reduced in number. Defects of maturation of goblet cells were noted. On the other hand, hypertrophy (p < 0.001) and hyperplasia (p < 0.001) of Paneth cells were observed with a significant decrease of the lytic activity. These apparent discrepancies can be attributed to important cytological variations and partial mucoid transformation of the secretory component of Paneth cells (observed both by histochemical and electron microscopic observation). Cytological variations after hypophysectomy seem to be induced early, since no significant differences could be observed between days 8 and 15 for most of the parameters tested. Direct or indirect (local relay) effect of pituitary function is discussed.

To study the relation between activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiporter and gastrointestinal cell proliferation, we characterized this antiporter in a pancreatic cell line (AR42J) and studied the effects of mitogenic and nonmitogenic agents as well as those of Na(+)-H+ exchange blocking agents on DNA synthesis. Characteristics of amiloride-sensitive Na+ uptake were those of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger: 1) Na+ uptake was increased by intracellular acidification and depended on external [Na+] and pH; 2) concentrations for half-maximal inhibition (IC50) of Na+ uptake (3 mM [Na+] in medium) were 40 nM 5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride (HA) less than 0.1 microM 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA) less than 1 microM 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA) less than 40 microM amiloride; 3) IC50 for amiloride and analogues to inhibit Na+ uptake depended on [Na+] in medium (in 25 mM Na+ medium, the IC50 values were higher than in 3 mM and were 1 microM EIPA less than 10 microM DMA less than 0.3 mM amiloride). Growth factors for AR42J cells (dialyzed fetal calf serum and epidermal growth factor) activated Na+ uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Bombesin, which is nonmitogenic for AR42J cells, also increased Na+ uptake, indicating that activation of the antiporter is not sufficient to initiate cell proliferation in the AR42J cell line. The effects of Na(+)-H+ exchange blocking agents were tested on serum-stimulated cell proliferation. Decreasing external Na+ dramatically decreased AR42J cell proliferation. Amiloride and analogues inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation in the same range of concentrations as that with which they inhibited Na(+)-H+ exchange.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)