降钙素基因相关肽肽段的抗原性和免疫原性

用固相合成法合成了有关降钙素基因相关肽ＣＧＲＰ五个肽段。它们的氨基酸顺序分别为：ＣＧＲＰ－１（２４－３７）;ＣＧＲＰ－２（１４－３７）;ＣＧＲＰ－３（９－２３）;ＣＧＲＰ－４（１－２３）和ＣＧＲＰ－５（１－１３）。用酶标方法测定了它们的抗原性,发现ＣＧＲＰ－２和ＣＧＲＰ－１能够很好地与抗ＣＧＲＰ抗血清结合。将ＣＧＲＰ－１;ＣＧＲＰ－３和ＣＧＲＰ－５分别免疫兔子,获得的抗血清分别与ＣＧＲＰ进行反应,     

降钙素基因相关肽在豚鼠冠脉血流量和心脏传导系统作用的比较

本文目的在于深入研究降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）对豚鼠冠状血流量以及心脏传导系统各部分的作用。采用Ｌａｎｇｅｎｄｏｒｆｆ法灌流心脏,同步记录心脏表面电图和希氏束电活动。观察应用ＣＧＲＰ前后的冠脉流量、自主心率、在相同心房周期下的房室结（ＡＨ）及希浦系传导时间（ＨＶ）、心脏出现３：２文氏传导及２：１房室传导阻滞所需的最长起搏周期（ＰＣＬ３：２,ＰＣＬ２：１）。ＣＧＲＰ（３－３０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可显著增     

降钙素基因相关肽拮抗内皮素的致心律失常作用

本工作在麻醉大鼠冠状动脉口注射内皮素１（ＥＴ１）９００ｐｍｏｌ／ｋｇ能引起室性早搏（ＰＶＣ）、室速（ＶＴ）、室颤（ＶＦ）等严重心律失常,心律失常评分（ＡＳ）为５．６±１．０;冠状动脉口单独注射降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）３００－１２００ｐｍｏｌ／ｋｇ仅引起血压一过性下降,此后逐渐恢复,无心律失常发生,心律失常评分为０。用ＣＧＲＰ３００ｐｍｏｌ／ｋｇ预处理后再注射ＥＴ１９００ｐｍｏｌ／ｋｇ,心律失常发生率减少,严重程度降低,ＡＳ为１．６±１．６。ＣＧＲＰ１２００ｐｍｏｌ／ｋｇ＋ＥＴ１组心律失常评分显著低于ＥＴ１对照组（Ｐ＜０．０１）。本实验结果表明,ＣＧＲＰ的抗心律失常作用很可能有部分是通过拮抗内皮素的致心律失常作用来实现的。     

降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）受体的纯化和鉴定

降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）为３７肽,它在体内主要分布于神经系统和心血管系统,是较强的扩张血管物质。人们已认识到脑部的ＣＧＲＰ最多,由于新鲜猪脑来源丰富,故我们选用猪脑为材料来纯化ＣＧＲＰ受体。以期为该受体的深入研究提供足够的材料和奠定基础,纯化的受体将用于制备抗ＣＧＲＰ受体的单克隆抗体,为了从猪脑中纯化ＣＲＲＰ受体,首先用含有胆盐的磷酸盐缓冲液将该受体从猪脑细胞膜上解离下来,解离下来的受体量较多,而杂蛋白较少,且受体活性可保持较长时间不降低。以离子交换柱层析（ＱＡＥ－Ｓｅｐｈａｄｅｘ－Ａ－２５）进行初步分离纯化,再用化学合成的ＣＧＲＰ与活化的琼脂糖（Ａｆｆｉ－Ｇｅｌ－１０,Ｂｉｏ－Ｒａｄ公司产品）制备的亲和层析柱进行亲和层析,取得的纯化受体保留了与１２５Ｉ－ＣａＧＲＰ结合的能力,而与降钙素（Ｃａｌｃｉｔｏｎｉｎ）神经肽Ｙ（ＮｅｕｒｏｐｅｐｔｉｄｅＹ）和Ｋａｔａｃａｌｃｉｎ等无交叉反应,但与有４６％氨基酸序列同源性的Ａｍｙｌｉｎ有一定交叉反应。纯化的受体经ＳＤＳ－聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和高压液相色谱（ＨＰＬＣ）鉴定呈现单一蛋白条带或蛋白峰,其位置对应分子量为６６ｋＤ。     

炎症介质对离体大鼠肠系膜动脉降钙素基因相关肽释放的影响

本工作目的是在离体大鼠肠系膜动脉床灌流模型上,观察几种常见炎症介质：前列腺素Ｅ２（ＰＧＥ２）、缓激肽（ＢＫ）、组胺（ＨＩＳ）、血小板活化因子（ＰＡＦ）及５－羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）对血管周围感觉神经介质ＣＧＲＰ释放的直接影响。结果显示：ＰＧＥ２（１－１００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）和ＢＫ（５－１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）能引起大鼠肠系膜动脉床时间和浓度依赖性地释放ＣＧＲＰ。ＨＩＳ,ＰＡＦ和５－ＨＴ则未见明显作用。结果提示,ＰＧＥ２与ＢＫ可能是引起血管周围感觉神经兴奋和ＣＧＲＰ释放的主要炎症介质。     

降钙素基因相关肽对家兔离体窦房结电生理活动的影响

用常规微电极方法研究了降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）对家兔窦房结起搏细胞的电生理作用,并进一步探讨这种作用与钙电流的关系。结果：⑴低浓度ＣＧＲＰ（１ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对窦房结动作电位各参数无显著影响;中等浓度ＣＧＲＰ（１０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可增加最大舒张期电位、动作电位幅度、０期最大除极化速率和４期自动除极速率,缩短窦性周期、动作电位复极化５０％和９０％时间,这些作用经２０ｍｉｎ达到高峰;高浓度ＣＧＲＰ（２     

大鼠内毒素血症不同时期血CGRP和背根神经节CGRP mRNA水平的变化

本文采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ）方法测定大鼠内毒素血症不同时期胸腰段背根神经节降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）ｍＲＮＡ水平的改变,结合血浆ＣＧＲＰ水平的改变,以期全面了解大鼠内毒不血症不同时期ＣＧＲＰ释放与合成的变化。结果显示：注射内毒素（５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）后３０ｍｉｎ时,大鼠血浆ＣＧＲＰ开始增高,而背根神经节ＣＧＲＰ ｍＲＮＡ水平无明显变化;注射内毒素后３ｈ时,血浆ＣＧＲＰ及背根神经节ＣＧＲＰ     

降钙素基因相关肽对大鼠分离的心肌细胞内游离Ca~（2＋）含量的影响

用荧光染色法观察了合成的大鼠降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）对大鼠心肌细胞内游离Ｃａ￣（２＋）含量的影响。结果证明,ＣＧＲＰ能明显增加心肌细胞内Ｃａ￣（２＋）含量,小、中和大剂量（１０￣（－９）、１０￣（－８）、１０￣（－７）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的ＣＧＲＰ使Ｃａ￣（２＋）含量分别增加至２７６．８８±６．３１、３６４．９９７±１２．７０、５７６．３９７±１５ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ与对照组（１３６．２８±７．２４ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）相比差异非常显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）,且随着ＣＧＲＰ剂量的增加而作用明显加强,呈现剂量—效应关系。３０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的维拉帕米对ＣＧＲＰ所致的细胞内Ｃａ￣（２＋）增加有抑制作用,对小、中、大剂量ＣＧＲＰ作用的抑制率分别为４８％、４４％和１８％。我们推测,ＣＧＲＰ可能直接作用于心肌细胞。低浓度ＣＧＲＰ的正性肌力作用主要是促进Ｃａ￣（２＋）经Ｃａ￣（２＋）通道内流,使心肌细胞内Ｃａ￣（２＋）含量增加的结果。在大剂量ＣＧＲＰ的正性肌力作用中Ｃａ￣（２＋）内流也起到一定作用。     

降钙素基因相关肽的研究进展

降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）是由３７个氨基酸残基构成的生物活性多肽,与降钙素（ＣＴ）源子一个共同的基因。ＣＧＲＰ分布广泛,具有很强的血管扩张、降低血压以及心肌正性肌力作用等,并参与心血管系统稳态的调节。目前,ＣＧＲＰ已能人工合成,将为某些心血管疾病如高血压、心肌缺血、痉挛性或闭塞性周围血管疾病等的治疗提供一条崭新的途径。     

降钙素基因相关肽对缺氧时海马细胞内游离Ca^2＋的影响

本实验用Ｆｕｒａ－２荧光测定技术直接监测了缺氧时大鼠海马细胞内游离Ｃａ２＋浓度（［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ）的变化,并观察了降钙素基因相关肽（ＣＧＲＰ）对这种变化的影响。结果发现,缺氧可使海马细胞［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ显著增高;４或８ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＣＧＲＰ能明显地降低缺氧引起的［Ｃａ２＋］ｉ增高,但在无胞外Ｃａ２＋的情况下,ＣＧＲＰ的作用消失。结果表明,ＣＧＲＰ的降钙作用是通过抑制缺氧时胞外Ｃａ２＋的内流来实现的。     

Development and potential of non-peptide antagonists for calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors: evidence for CGRP receptor heterogeneity

Calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino-acid vasodilatory peptide, of which two isoforms, alpha CGRP and beta CGRP, have been described. The use of C-terminal fragments of CGRP peptide, such as human alpha CGRP-(8-37), has led to the pharmacological subdivision of CGRP receptors into CGRP-1 [high potency for binding of human alpha CGRP-(8-37)] and CGRP-2 (lower potency) receptors. We have recently developed BIBN4096BS, the first non-peptide CGRP antagonist, which has sub-nanomolar affinity for primate CGRP receptors. The use of BIBN4096BS has led to the discovery of further functional CGRP receptor heterogeneity in rat tissues. To further exploit BIBN4096BS as a pharmacological tool, we used BIBN4096BS in pig left anterior descending coronary vessels and cerebral basilar arteries, and compared functional with molecular data, characterizing CGRP receptor components. Our data show that, apart from a subdivision into CGRP-1 and -2 receptors, BIBN4096BS reveals additional functional differences between the actions of alpha CGRP and beta CGRP. However, evidence for CGRP receptor heterogeneity on a molecular level is scarce.     

Evolutionary history of the calcitonin gene-related peptide family in vertebrates revealed by comparative genomic analyses

The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) family is composed of CGRP, amylin and adrenomedullin (AM) in mammals. In teleost fish, AM forms an independent subfamily of five members (AM1–5), which inspired us to trace the evolutionary history of the CGRP family throughout vertebrates by comparative genomic approach. Linkage mapping and synteny analyses of the CGRP family genes in medaka, Oryzias latipes, revealed that AM1/CGRP, AM2/amylin, and AM5 genes were located on respective proto-chromosomes before the divergence of teleost lineage. In teleost fish, additional whole genome duplication generated AM1/4, CGRP1/2, AM2/3, but one of the duplicated amylin and AM5 genes was silenced. In mammals, the amylin or AM2 gene was translocated to different chromosomes, while the CGRP gene was multiplied in tandem to generate CGRP-,β, and recently identified calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptide genes. Based on these data, we identified a novel AM5 gene in several mammalian species as we previously did for AM2.     

Studies on the effects of the N-terminal domain antibodies of calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 on calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced vasorelaxation in rat uterine artery

The vascular relaxation sensitivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is enhanced during pregnancy, compared with nonpregnant human and rat uterine arteries. In the rat uterine artery, two types of CGRP receptors have been shown to coexist, CGRP-A receptor, which is a complex of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP(1)) and CGRP-B receptor, which is different from CRLR. In the present study, we hypothesized that: 1) CGRP-induced vasorelaxation in rat uterine artery is mediated through CGRP-A receptor and 2) N-terminal (Nt) domain of CRLR (Nt-CRLR) has a major contribution in ligand binding and mediating CGRP- induced relaxation effects in rat uterine artery. Polyclonal antibodies against Nt-domain of CRLR and RAMP(1) (Nt-RAMP(1)) were raised in rabbits and characterized for their specificity and were used to inhibit CGRP-induced vasorelaxation in rat uterine artery. For vascular relaxation studies, uterine arteries from Day 18 pregnant rats were isolated, and responsiveness of the vessels to CGRP was examined with a small vessel myograph. CGRP (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of norepinephrine-induced contractions in Day 18 pregnant rat uterine arteries. These effects were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited when uterine arteries were incubated with the antibody raised against Nt-CRLR (PD(2) = 6.75 +/- 0.20) and were totally abolished in presence of antibodies for both Nt-CRLR and Nt-RAMP(1) (PD(2) = 6.14 +/- 0.35). In contrast, a monoclonal antibody for CGRP-B receptor had no effect on CGRP-induced rat uterine artery relaxation. These studies suggest that CGRP effects in rat uterine artery are mediated through CGRP-A receptor and that Nt-domain of CRLR may play a predominant role in CGRP binding and thus in causing CGRP-induced uterine artery relaxation.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide activates different signaling pathways in mesenteric lymphatics of guinea pigs

The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on constriction frequency, smooth muscle membrane potential (V(m)), and endothelial V(m) of guinea pig mesenteric lymphatics were examined in vitro. CGRP (1-100 nM) caused an endothelium-dependent decrease in the constriction frequency of perfused lymphatic vessels. The endothelium-dependent CGRP response was abolished by the CGRP-1 receptor antagonist CGRP-(8-37) (1 microM) and pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml). This action of CGRP was also blocked by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; 10 microM), an action that was reversed by the addition of L-arginine (100 microM). cGMP, adenylate cyclase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and ATP-sensitive K+ (K+(ATP)) channels were all implicated in the endothelium-dependent CGRP response because it was abolished by methylene blue (20 microM), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (10 microM), dideoxyadenosine (10 microM), N-[2-(p-bromociannamylamino)-ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide-dichloride (H89; 1 microM) and glibenclamide (10 microM). CGRP (100 nM), unlike acetylcholine, did not alter endothelial intracellular Ca2+ concentration or V(m). CGRP (100 nM) hyperpolarized the smooth muscle V(m), an effect inhibited by L-NNA, H89, or glibenclamide. CGRP (500 nM) also caused a decrease in constriction frequency. However, this was no longer blocked by CGRP-(8-37). CGRP (500 nM) also caused smooth muscle hyperpolarization, an action that was now not blocked by L-NNA (100 microM). It was most likely mediated by the activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway and the opening of K+(ATP) channels because it was abolished by H89 or glibenclamide. We conclude that CGRP, at low to moderate concentrations (i.e., 1-100 nM), decreases lymphatic constriction frequency primarily by the stimulation of CGRP-1 receptors coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and the release of NO from the endothelium or enhancement of the actions of endogenous NO. At high concentrations (i.e., 500 nM), CGRP also directly activates the smooth muscle independent of NO. Both mechanisms of activation ultimately cause the PKA-mediated opening of K+(ATP) channels and resultant hyperpolarization.     

Functional relevance of G-protein-coupled-receptor-associated proteins,exemplified by receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs)

The calcitonin (CT) receptor (CTR) and the CTR-like receptor (CRLR) are close relatives within the type II family of G-protein-coupled receptors, demonstrating sequence identity of 50%. Unlike the interaction between CT and CTR, receptors for the related hormones and neuropeptides amylin, CT-gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin (AM) require one of three accessory receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) for ligand recognition. An amylin/CGRP receptor is revealed when CTR is co-expressed with RAMP1. When complexed with RAMP3, CTR interacts with amylin alone. CRLR, initially classed as an orphan receptor, is a CGRP receptor when co-expressed with RAMP1. The same receptor is specific for AM in the presence of RAMP2. Together with human RAMP3, CRLR defines an AM receptor, and with mouse RAMP3 it is a low-affinity CGRP/AM receptor. CTR-RAMP1, antagonized preferentially by salmon CT-(8-32) and not by CGRP-(8-37), and CRLR-RAMP1, antagonized by CGRP-(8-37), are two CGRP receptor isotypes. Thus amylin and CGRP interact specifically with heterodimeric complexes between CTR and RAMP1 or RAMP3, and CGRP and AM interact with complexes between CRLR and RAMP1, RAMP2 or RAMP3.     

Progesterone upregulates calcitonin gene-related peptide and adrenomedullin receptor components and cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate generation in Eker rat uterine smooth muscle cell line

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and adrenomedullin (AM), two potent smooth-muscle relaxants, have been shown to cause uterine relaxation. Both CGRP- and AM-binding sites in the uterus increase during pregnancy and decrease at labor and postpartum. These changes in binding sites appear to be related to the changes in calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), receptor activity-modified protein 1 (RAMP1), RAMP2, and RAMP3 mRNA levels. It is not clear, however, whether the changes in the receptor components occur in the myometrial cells and whether the steroid hormones can directly alter these receptor components in the muscle cells. In addition, the mechanism of CGRP and AM signaling in the rat myometrium is not well understood. Therefore, we examined the mRNA expression of CGRP- and AM-receptor components, G protein Galphas, CGRP, and AM stimulation of cAMP and cGMP, and the effects of progesterone on these parameters in the Eker rat uterine myometrial smooth-muscle cell line (ELT3). ELT3 cells expressed CGRP- and AM-receptor components CRLR, RAMP1, RAMP2, and RAMP3. Expression of CRLR and RAMP1 mRNA increased with progesterone treatment and decreased with estradiol-17beta treatment. However, RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNA expressions were unaltered by both progesterone and estradiol. Progesterone increased (P<0.05) Galphas expression and augmented CGRP- and AM-induced increases in cAMP levels. In uterine smooth-muscle cells, the antagonist to Galphas protein NF449 decreased basal as well as CGRP- and AM-stimulated cAMP levels. None of the cell treatments affected cyclic GMP production. Our results suggest that the progesterone-stimulated increases in CGRP and AM receptors, Galphas protein levels, and cAMP generation in the myometrial cells may be responsible for increased uterine relaxation sensitivity to CGRP and AM during pregnancy.     

Digestive motor effects and vascular actions of CGRP in dog are expressed by different receptor subtypes

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37 AA peptide localized in blood vessels and nerves of the GI tract. Activation of CGRP receptors (subtypes 1 or 2) usually induces vasodilation and/or muscle relaxation, but its effects in dog and on gastroduodenal motility are still unclear. This study looked for the effect of CGRP and the antagonist CGRP8-37, specific for CGRP type 1 receptor, 1) on GI motility (interdigestive and postprandial), and 2) on hemodynamy, in conscious dogs. During the interdigestive period, the infusion of CGRP1-37 (200 pmol/kg/h) or CGRP8-37 (2000 pmol/kg/h) did not modify the duration of the migrating motor complex nor the release nor the motor action of plasma motilin. The gastric emptying of a solid meal (15 g meat/kg) was reduced by the administration of CGRP1-37 (AUC: 2196 +/- 288.6 versus 3618 +/- 288.4 with saline or T12: 78 +/- 7.3 versus 50 +/- 4.3 min; P < 0.01) and this effect was reversed by the antagonist CGRP8-37. CGRP1-37 significantly (P < 0. 01) diminished arterial pressures (118 +/- 1.6/64 +/- 1.4 vs. 125 +/- 1.4/75 +/- 1.2 mmHg with saline) and accelerated the basal cardiac rhythm (110 +/- 1.4 versus 83 +/- 1.6 beats/min). However, CGRP8-37 failed to block the cardiovascular effects of CGRP1-37. In dog, CGRP could influence digestive motility by slowing the gastric emptying of a meal through an action on CGRP-1 receptors. Hemodynamic effects of CGRP were not blocked by CGRP8-37 and seem therefore mediated by CGRP-2 receptor subtype.     

Immunochemical mapping of alpha-2 interferon

A panel of five monoclonal antibodies, designated U1-U5, produced by murine hybridoma clones has been raised to recombinant interferon (IFN) alpha-2, and one monoclonal antibody, designated U6, has been raised to a mixture of cyanogen bromide fragments of IFN alpha-2. These antibodies have been characterized with respect to (1) neutralization of IFN antiviral and antiproliferative activities, (2) binding to four cloned IFN alpha subtypes (alpha-1, alpha-2, alpha-4, and alpha-7) that are naturally occurring and to two novel products of recombinant DNA technology (delta-4 alpha-1 and delta-4 alpha-2/alpha-1 hybrid), and (3) binding to three cyanogen bromide fragments of IFN alpha-2. Four of the six monoclonal antibodies inhibited IFN antiviral activity. In conjunction with the previously reported monoclonal antibodies III/21 [Arnheiter, H., Thomas, R. M., Leist, T., Fountoulakis, M., & Gutte, B. (1981) Nature (London) 294, 278-280] and NK-2 [Secher, D. S., & Burke, D. C. (1980) Nature (London) 285, 446-450], eight unique epitopes have been described. Analysis of cross-reactivity patterns with IFN alpha fragments and subtypes indicated that monoclonal antibodies U1 and NK-2, which neutralized both antiviral and antiproliferative activities, and U2, which was nonneutralizing in these assays, were directed to distinct epitopes located in a polypeptide consisting of the amino-terminal 15 amino acid residues linked to residues 60-110 by a disulfide bond. The epitope recognized by U1 was determined to reside, at least in part, between residues 5 and 15. Competitive binding studies indicated that neutralizing monoclonal antibody U3, which did not bind to any of the cyanogen bromide fragments, was directed to an epitope partially overlapping that of NK-2. Epitopes to which neutralizing monoclonal antibodies U3, U4, and U5 and nonneutralizing antibody U6 were directed were readily distinguished by cross-reactivity with IFN alpha subtypes. The nonneutralizing monoclonal antibody U6 was determined to be directed to an epitope between residues 22 and 58. The fact that delta-4 alpha-1 and the delta-4 alpha-2/alpha-1 hybrid were active in an antiviral assay indicated a lack of direct functional significance for the first four amino-terminal amino acid residues and the Cys1-Cys98 disulfide bond. However, reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol of IFN alpha-2 altered the integrity of four of the eight epitopes. These data support a critical role for disulfide linkages in maintaining the native conformation of IFN alpha-2 and provide a potential basis for predicting the location of functionally important domains.     

Neutralization escape mutants define a dominant immunogenic neutralization site on hepatitis A virus.

Hepatitis A virus is an hepatotrophic human picornavirus which demonstrates little antigenic variability. To topologically map immunogenic sites on hepatitis A virus which elicit neutralizing antibodies, eight neutralizing monoclonal antibodies were evaluated in competition immunoassays employing radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies and HM-175 virus. Whereas two antibodies (K3-4C8 and K3-2F2) bound to intimately overlapping epitopes, the epitope bound by a third antibody (B5-B3) was distinctly different as evidenced by a lack of competition between antibodies for binding to the virus. The other five antibodies variably blocked the binding of both K3-4C8-K3-2F2 and B5-B3, suggesting that these epitopes are closely spaced and perhaps part of a single neutralization immunogenic site. Several combinations of monoclonal antibodies blocked the binding of polyclonal human convalescent antibody by greater than 96%, indicating that the neutralization epitopes bound by these antibodies are immunodominant in humans. Spontaneously arising HM-175 mutants were selected for resistance to monoclonal antibody-mediated neutralization. Fourteen clonally isolated mutants demonstrated substantial resistance to multiple monoclonal antibodies, including K3-4C8-K3-2F2 and B5-B3. In addition, 13 mutants demonstrated a 10-fold or greater reduction in neutraliztion mediated by polyclonal human antibody. Neutralization resistance was associated with reduced antibody binding. These results suggest that hepatitis A virus may differ from poliovirus in possessing a single, dominant neutralization immunogenic site and therefore may be a better candidate for synthetic peptide or antiidiotype vaccine development.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide facilitates revascularization during hindlimb ischemia in mice

It is known that the neural system plays a fundamental role in neovascularization. A neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is widely distributed in the central and peripheral neuronal systems. However, it remains to be elucidated the role of CGRP in angiogenesis during ischemia. The present study examined whether endogenous CGRP released from neuronal systems facilitates revascularization in response to ischemia using CGRP knockout mice (CGRP-/-). CGRP-/- or their wild-type littermates (CGRP+/+) were subjected to unilateral hindlimb ischemia. CGRP-/- exhibited impaired blood flow recovery from ischemia and decreased capillary density expressed in terms of the number of CD-31-positive cells in the ischemic tissues compared with CGRP+/+. In vivo microscopic studies showed that the functional capillary density in CGRP-/- was reduced. Hindlimb ischemia increased the expression of pro-CGRP mRNA and of CGRP protein in the lumbar dorsal root ganglia. Lack of CGRP decreased mRNA expression of growth factors, including CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, basic fibroblast growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β, in the ischemic limb tissue. The application of CGRP enhanced the mRNA expression of CD31 and VEGF-A in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and fibroblasts. Subcutaneous infusion of CGRP8-37, a CGRP antagonist, using miniosmotic pumps delayed angiogenesis and reduced the expression of proangiogenic growth factors during hindlimb ischemia. These results indicate that endogenous CGRP facilitates angiogenesis in response to ischemia. Targeting CGRP may provide a promising approach for controlling angiogenesis related to pathophysiological conditions.