Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and its receptor in rat digestive tract

GnRH(LH-RH) is first discovered in the hypothalamus and found to have a role in regulation of reproduction. With the study on it deepening, GnRH was demonnstrated that it also exists in a number of organs beyond the hypothalamus and acts on extrapituitary organs. To study whether digestive tract synthesizes GnRH and its receptor and, if it does, by what cells. In the experiment, the locallizations of GnRH and its receptors in rat digestive tract were studied using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. The parietal cells of gastric gland, the villous and glandular epithelium in small and large intestine and parasympathetic ganglion cells of myenteric plexus showed GnRH immunoreactivity; GnRH mRNA hybridization signal was detected. The epithelium of gastric pit and the cells above in digestive tract showed GnRH receptor immunoreactivity; GnRH receptor mRNA hybridization signal was detected. The immunoreactive and signal materials distributed in cytoplasm of all positive cells, with nuclei being immunonegative and with no hybridization signal. These results suggested that the digestive tract can produce GnRH and express GnRH receptor; GnRH may also be a gastrointestinal hormone.     

A study on the localization and distribution of GnRH and its receptor in rat submaxillary glands by immunohistochemical,in situ hybridization and RT-PCR

We investigated the rat submaxillary gland for the presence of GnRH and GnRH receptors, the localization and colocalization of GnRH, GnRH receptor and their mRNA, and studied the sequence of GnRH receptor complementary DNA (cDNA) by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and RT-PCR. The results showed that GnRH and GnRH receptor immunoreactive materials were colocalized in the epithelial cells of the serous acinus and glandular duct. The GnRH and GnRH receptor mRNA hybridization signals were detected in the above cells. The sequence obtained from the RT-PCR product was identical to the published cDNA sequence of GnRH receptor in the rat pituitary. The results suggested that the rat submaxillary gland was capable of synthesizing GnRH and GnRH receptors. GnRH may be involved in the functional regulation of the submaxillary gland through autocrine or paracrine activity.     

Direct ovarian effects of a GnRH agonist in hypophysectomized immature rats: inhibition of theca-interstitial luteinizing hormone receptor mRNA expression and induction of interstitial cell differentiation

The effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist on luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor mRNA expression was examined histologically in the ovaries of immature hypophysectomized (HPX) rats by in situ hybridization. In the ovaries of HPX rats treated with diethylstilbestrol (DES) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), LH receptor mRNA was expressed in the granulosa cells of mature follicles as well as the theca-interstitial cells. In DES-primed ovaries of rats treated with both GnRH agonist plus PMSG, many follicles were luteinized without ovulation, and the signal of LH receptor mRNA disappeared completely in the theca-interstitial cells as well as the luteinized cells, but remained in the granulosa cells of unaffected mature follicles. The complete suppression of the theca-interstitial LH receptor expression by GnRH agonist was also observed in HPX rats that received no other treatment. On the other hand, the coadministration of a GnRH antagonist with PMSG resulted in the hyperstimulation of follicular growth, accompanied by very strong expression of LH receptor mRNA in the granulosa cells as well as the thecainterstitial cells. In addition, morphological changes in the ovarian interstitial cells were also induced by the administration of GnRH agonist in HPX rats: loose connective tissue decreased and the interstitial cell mass markedly increased. The increase of the interstitial cells became more prominent when rats were treated with GnRH agonist and testosterone simultaneously. These results suggest that GnRH may be an important factor for modulating the interstitial cell function and differentiation in the rat ovary.     

Cellular localization of dopamine receptors in the gastric mucosa of rats

Dopamine (DA) plays a critical role in the protection of gastric mucosa and is mediated through corresponding receptors. However, the details of the expression of DA receptors (D1-D5) in the gastric mucosa are lacking. The present study investigated the expression and cellular localization of DA receptors in rat gastric mucosa by means of real-time PCR and immunofluorescent techniques. The results indicated that the mRNA expressions of all five subtypes of DA receptors were found in the gastric mucosa, among which the D2 level was the highest. The immunopositive cells of D1-D3 and D5 were primarily localized to the basilar gland of the epithelial layer in gastric corpus, but D4 immunoreactivity (IR) was only observed in the enteric nerve plexus. The D1, D2, and D5 IR were found in pepsin C-IR cells except D3. No IR of any DA receptor was detected in the H(+)/K(+)-ATPase- or mucin 6-IR cells. In conclusion, for the first time, this study demonstrates the predominant distribution of DA receptors in the chief cells, not the parietal and mucous neck cells, in rat gastric mucosa, thus suggesting that DA may not directly regulate the function of parietal cells or mucous neck cells, but it may modulate the function of chief cells through the D1, D2, and D5 receptors.     

Effects of GnRH on Neurite Outgrowth,Neurofilament and Spinophilin Proteins Expression in Cultured Spinal Cord Neurons of Rat Embryos

It has been previously described the presence of GnRH receptor in spinal cord neurons of rat embryos and adult rats. However, the functional role of these receptors has not been studied. In this work, the effect of GnRH on neurite outgrowth and cytoskeletal protein expression in cultured spinal cord neurons of rat embryos was analyzed. Specifically, neurofilaments of 68 and 200 kDa by immunoblot assays and spinophilin mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Results show that GnRH stimulates neurite outgrowth in addition to an increase in neurofilaments and spinophilin expression. These findings suggest that GnRH may play a role as neuromodulator in neuronal plasticity and that could be considered as a potential factor for neuronal regeneration in spinal cord injuries.     

Expression of FSH and its co-localization with FSH receptor and GnRH receptor in rat cerebellar cortex

The expression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and its receptor in extrapituitary and non-HPG axis tissues has been demonstrated and their non-reproductive functions in these tissues have been found. However, there have been no reports concerning the expression and function of FSH and its receptor in the cerebellum. In our study, immunofluorescence staining and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of FSH, double-labeled immunofluorescence staining was used to detect co-localization of FSH and its receptor and co-localization of FSH and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor in the rat cerebellar cortex. Results showed that some cells of the Purkinje cell layer, granular layer, and molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex showed both FSH immunoreactivity and FSH mRNA positive signals; not only for FSH and FSH receptor, but also for FSH and GnRH receptor co-localized in some cells throughout the Purkinje cell layer, granular layer, and molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. These suggested that rat cerebellum could express FSH; cerebellum is a target tissue of FSH; FSH may exert certain functions through FSH receptor in a paracrine or autocrine manner; GnRH may regulate FSH positive cells through GnRH receptor in the cerebellum. Our study provides morphological evidence for further functional research on FSH and related hormones in the cerebellum.     

Mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor subtypes

Mammalian gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH I) is a hypothalamic decapeptide that governs gonadotropin secretion through interaction with its seven transmembrane (7TM), G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed by anterior pituitary cells. A second decapeptide, GnRH II, originally discovered in the chicken hypothalamus was recently reported to be expressed in the mammalian hypothalamus as well. A search of the recently-sequenced human genome identified a 7TM/GPCR on chromosome 1 that exhibited a higher identity with non-mammalian vertebrate GnRH II receptors (55%) than with the human GnRH I receptor (39%). Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequencing of this putative GnRH II receptor cDNA from monkey pituitary gland revealed a 379 amino acid receptor that, unlike the GnRH I receptor, possessed a C-terminal tail. Heterologous expression and functional testing of the receptor in COS-1 cells confirmed its identity as a GnRH II receptor: measurement of 3H-inositol phosphate accumulation revealed EC(50)s for GnRH II of 0.86 nM and for GnRH I of 337 nM. Ubiquitous tissue expression of GnRH II receptor mRNA was observed using a human tissue RNA expression array and a 32P-labeled antisense riboprobe representing the 7TM region of human GnRH II receptor cDNA. As predicted by the presence of its C-terminal tail, the GnRH II receptor was desensitized by GnRH II treatment whereas the naturally tail-less GnRH I receptor was not desensitized by GnRH I. Pharmacological analysis of the GnRH II receptor revealed that GnRH I 'superagonists' were more potent than GnRH I but less potent than GnRH II. Numerous GnRH I antagonists showed neither antagonistic nor agonistic activity with the GnRH II receptor. The functions of the GnRH II receptor are unknown but may include regulation of gonadotropin secretion, female sexual behavior, or tumor cell growth.     

Survivin expression in the stomach: implications for mucosal integrity and protection

Survivin, an apoptosis inhibitor, is highly expressed in a majority of human cancers and is required during embryonic development. Our present studies show that survivin is also expressed in normal gastric mucosa of adult humans and rats. In both human and rat gastric mucosa, survivin is expressed predominantly in the nuclei of mucosal surface epithelial cells. In rats, survivin is also detected in the nuclei of some neck cells, whereas in the humans, survivin is expressed in both nuclei and cytoplasm of chief and parietal cells. Furthermore, survivin is expressed at higher levels in the nuclei of cultured gastric mucosal epithelial cells than in gastric microvascular endothelial cells, which supports the expression pattern in intact tissues. Based on these expression studies, and the known role of survivin as an anti-apoptosis protein, survivin may play a role in maintaining gastric mucosal integrity and regulating cell renewal in the gastric mucosa.     

Neurotrophic Effects of GnRH on Neurite Outgrowth and Neurofilament Protein Expression in Cultured Cerebral Cortical Neurons of Rat Embryos

The presence of GnRH receptor in cerebral cortical neurons of rat embryos and adult rats has been described. In this work, we studied the effects of GnRH on outgrowth and length of neurites and cytoskeletal neurofilament proteins expression (NF-68 and NF-200 kDa) by immunoblot of cultured cerebral cortical neurons of rat embryos. Our results show that GnRH increases both outgrowth and length of neurites accompanied by an increase in neurofilaments expression. It is conceivable that GnRH plays a role in neuronal plasticity parallel to its gonadal function.     

大鼠颌下腺促性腺激素释放激素及其mRNA的免疫组织化学与原位杂交研究

用免疫组织化学及原位杂交法,研究了促性腺激素释放激素及其ｍＲＮＡ在大鼠颌下腺的分布。结果显示,大鼠颌下腺的浆液性腺泡的上皮细胞,各级导管的上皮细胞及副交感神经节细胞均呈促性腺激素释放激素免疫反应阳性,阳性反应物质分布在胞质,胞核呈阴性反应。颌下腺的浆液性腺泡上皮细胞,各级导管上皮细胞同样被检测到很强的促性腺激素释放激素ｍＲＮＡ杂交信号。以上结果提示,大鼠颌下腺能自身合成促性腺激素释放激素,促性腺激素释放激素对消化功能可能有重要调节作用。     

Differential gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) expression, autoregulation and effects in two models of rat luteinized ovarian cells

GnRH has been suggested to participate in corpus luteum function. Here we studied the expression of GnRH mRNA and peptide in two models of rat luteinized tissues: ovarian cells from PMSG-hCG treated prepubertal rats (SPO) and from intrasplenic ovarian tumors (Luteoma). A GnRH autoregulatory effect was evaluated as well as its action on cell proliferation and apoptosis. GnRH mRNA was present in SPO, isolated corpora lutea from SPO and Luteoma from 1 week to 7 months of development. In vitro cultures of Luteoma cells expressed 2-fold higher GnRH mRNA and 10-fold higher GnRH peptide than SPO cells. Buserelin (GnRH analog) increased GnRH mRNA and peptide expression in SPO but not in Luteoma cells. While basal proliferation was very low in Luteoma cells, SPO cells showed a significant increase in cell number by both the thymidine and the MTS methods after 72 h in culture. Buserelin induced a decrease in cell number in both cell types to a similar degree. Although basal apoptosis levels were higher in SPO than in Luteoma cells, Buserelin-induced apoptosis was only detected in Luteoma cells after 48 h treatment. These results show that the two types of rat, luteinized tissues, Luteoma and SPO, markedly differed in some intrinsic properties and in their local GnRH systems. Luteoma cells proliferate very weakly, express and secrete high amounts of GnRH, do not show an autoregulatory effect and respond to the decapeptide with apoptosis stimulation. In contrast SPO cells proliferate significantly, secrete low levels of GnRH but possess a positive, autoregulatory mechanism and respond to GnRH stimulation with impairment of proliferation.     

大白鼠颌下腺促性腺激素释放激素受体(GnRHR)mRNA的RT-PCR和原位杂交的研究

本实验采用RT－PCR法探讨大白鼠颌下腺是否存在GnRH受体mRNA,并用原位杂交法对其细胞定位进行了研究。结果显示RT－PCR可扩增出大白鼠颌下腺GnRH受体mRNA的特异性片段,其碱基数与设计的一致,原位杂交发现颌下腺浆液性腺泡上皮细胞、颗粒曲管、排泄管及分泌管上皮细胞内有GnRH受体mRNA的杂交信号,信号物质分布于胸质内,胞核阴性。上述结果表明大白鼠颌下腺能合成GnRH受体,颌下腺产生的GnRH可作用于颌上腺的靶细胞,参与颌下腺生理功能的调节。     

大鼠甲状腺促性腺激素释放激素受体的免疫组织化学及原位杂交研究

目的 探讨大鼠甲状腺中是否存在促性腺激素释放激素受体（GnRH-R)及其细胞定位,方法 收集15例雄性SD大鼠甲状腺,分别制成石蜡切片和冰冻切片,采用免疫组织化学ABC法和原位杂交技术。确定GnRH-R在其中的表达与定位。结果 大鼠甲状腺中,GnRH-R呈较强的免疫反应阳性,阳性物质分布在胞持,胞核呈阴性,原位杂交也检测到较强的GnRH-RmRNA阳性杂交信号,亦分布在胞质,胞核未见表达,结论 大鼠甲状腺可能自身合成GnRH-R。由此推断GnRH可能参与大鼠甲总而言之 腺功能的调节。     

Increases in ovarian GnRH receptors by following GnRH treatment

Using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog, [D-Ser (tBu6)] des-Gly10-GnRH-N-ethlamide (GnRHa) as a ligand the binding capacity of the rat ovary to GnRH during sexual maturation and the mechanism regulating GnRH binding capacity were examined. Specific high affinity binding sites for GnRH were observed in the ovary and the Kd values for the granulosa cells and the residual tissue were similar to those of whole ovary. During sexual maturation, the GnRH binding capacity of the ovary rose from 7 days of age to a peak of 28 days and declined during the prepubertal period. The treatment with PMSG decreased GnRH binding capacity in the residual tissue as well as in the whole ovary but did not change the binding capacity in the granulosa cells in diethylstilbestrol (DES) primed hypophysectomized rats. Repeated injections of GnRH caused a significant increase in the number of GnRH receptors of the ovary in PMSG treated DES primed hypophysectomized rats but not in the saline treated rat. The granulosa cells exhibited increases in GnRH binding capacity following repeated administrations of GnRH more than the residual tissue did. In GnRH treated DES primed hypophysectomized rats, increasing doses of PMSG increased the binding capacity in the granulosa cells but decreased the binding capacity in the residual tissue. From these findings, GnRH in combination with PMSG seems to have stimulatory effects on GnRH binding capacity and to increase the sensitivity to GnRH in the granulosa cells.