Gastrin/cholecystokinin-like immunoreactive peptides in the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister (Dana): immunochemical and biological characterization

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize a gastrin/cholecystokinin-like immunoreactant (G/CCK-LI) extractable from the crab, Cancer magister. G/CCK-LI was extracted best in boiling water and was found mainly in the stomach, hemolymph and carapace. A relatively large immunoreactive peptide in the stomach and apparently smaller forms in the hemolymph and carapace were separated by Sephadex G-50 fractionation. Anion-exchange chromatography further fractionated the stomach form into three major peaks. The crab material cross-reacted with three antisera specific for the common C-terminus of gastrin/CCK, but cross-reacted much less with three antisera directed against other portions of the gastrin molecule. Partially purified crab stomach G/CCK-LI inhibited the binding of labeled CCK to mouse brain G/CCK receptors but not to rat pancreatic CCK receptors. The crab peptide did not stimulate rat gastric acid or rat pancreatic amylase secretion. These results indicate that the crab peptides are structurally similar to, but distinguishable from, the bioactive C-terminal amino acid sequence common to gastrins and CCKs.     

Regulatory peptides in the pancreas of two species of elasmobranchs and in the Brockmann bodies of four teleost species

Summary Immunohistochemistry was used to localize regulatory peptides in endocrine cells and nerve fibres in the pancreas of two species of elasmobranchs (starry ray,Raja radiata and spiny dogfish,Squalus acanthias), and in the Brockmann bodies of four teleost species (goldfish,Carassius auratus, brown troutSalmo trutta, rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss and cod,Gadus morhua). In the elasmobranchs, the classical pancreatic hormones somatostatin, glucagon and insulin were present in endocrine cells of the islets. In addition, endocrine cells were labelled with antisera to enkephalins, FMRF-amide, gastrin/cholecystokinin-(CCK)/caerulein, neurotensin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), and peptide YY (PYY). Nerve fibres were demonstrated with antisera against bombesin, galanin and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). These nerve fibres innervated the walls of blood vessels, in the exocrine as well as the endocrine tissue. In the four teleost species immunoreactivity to somatostatin, insulin and glucagon was intense in the Brockmann bodies. Cells were labelled with antisera to enkephalin, neurotensin, FMRFamide, gastrin/CCK/ caerulein, NPY, PYY and VIP. Only a few nerve fibres were found with antisera against dopamine--hydroxylase (DBH, cod), enkephalin (met-enkephalin-Arg-Phe, cod), bombesin (cod), gastrin/CCK/caerulein (cod) and VIP. Galanin-like-immunoreactive fibres were numerous in the Brockmann bodies of all teleosts examined. Immunoreactivity to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and phenyl-N-methyl transferase (PNMT) could not be found in any of the species studied.     

Biologically active gastrin/CCK-related peptides in the stomach of a reptile, Crocodylus niloticus; Identified and characterized by immunochemical methods

We have used immunochemical, chromatographic, and bioassay techniques to characterize peptides related to gastrin and CCK, from the stomach of the reptile Crocodylus niloticus. By immunocytochemistry gastrin/CCK-like peptides were localized in specific mucosal cells of the pylorus and in the duodenum. Boiling water extracts of pyloric antrum cross reacted with four antisera specific for the C-terminal region of gastrin or CCK, but estimates of concentration varied between antisera. Antisera specific for the N-terminus of heptadecapeptide gastrin (G17), intact G17, or the amphibian CCK-like peptide caerulein did not cross react with the crocodile extracts. Gel filtration of the extracts on Sephadex G50 resolved one major peak eluting significantly before G17 or CCK8, suggesting larger molecular size, whereas ion exchange on DE52 cellulose resolved two major immunoreactive peaks, both eluting before G17, indicating that they are less acidic. The more acidic of the two peptides stimulated gastric acid secretion in the rat, but had no CCK-like actions on the rat pancreas. Thus crocodile antrum contains gastrin-like peptides, which are however clearly distinguishable from any of the known mammalian forms of gastrin and CCK.     

Immunocytochemical mapping of gastrin/CCK-like peptides in the neuroendocrine system of the blowfly Calliphora vomitoria (Diptera)

Summary The distribution of gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactive material has been studied in the retrocerebral complex of Calliphora. The material reacts with antisera specific for the common COOH terminus of gastrin and CCK but not with N-terminal antisera. The three thoracic ganglia and the fused abdominal ganglia each contain a specific number of symmetrically arranged immunoreactive cells both dorsally and ventrally in pairs on either side of the midline in a sagittal plane. The neuropil of these ganglia also contains a considerable amount of immunoreactive fibres and droplets. Reconstructed axonal pathways suggest that some of the nerve fibres have their origins within the brain and/or the suboesophageal ganglion. Immunoreactive material may also be seen apparently leaving the thoracic ganglion posteriorly via the abdominal nerves, and there is strong evidence of a neurohaemal organ within the dorsal sheath in the region of the metathoracic and abdominal ganglia. There appears to be a direct correlation between the content of peptidergic material of cells and fibres and the age and diet of the flies. The corpus cardiacum contains COOH-terminal specific gastrin/CCK-like material within the intrinsic cells and in the neuropil. It is present also in the cardiac-recurrent nerve entering the corpus cardiacum anteriorly and in the nerves leaving the gland dorsoposteriorly, the aortic or cardiac nerves. It is not observed, however, in the nerves leaving the corpus cardiacum ventroposteriorly, the so-called oesophageal, gastric or crop-duct nerves. The corpus allatum and the hypocerebral ganglion do not contain immunoreactive material of this type. Gastrin/CCK-like and secretin-like immunoreactive materials appear to co-exist in the cells of the corpus cardiacum and co-existence of gastrin/CCK-like and pancreatic polypeptide like substances occurs within certain cells of the thoracic ganglion.     

Occurrence and coexistence in Nereis diversicolor O.F. Müller (Annelida Polychaeta) of substances immunologically related to vertebrate neuropeptides

Summary Numerous immunochemical and immunohistochemical studies have shown a wide distribution of several families of neuropeptides in invertebrates as well as vertebrates. There are relatively few data available for Annelida: Polychaeta. Therefore, we undertook an immunohistochemical investigation in the marine worm Nereis.Among the vertebrate type antibodies tested, those against met-enkephalin, LH-RH, vasopressin, oxytocin and ACTH had negative or only very slight effects. Slight to moderate reactions were obtained for VIP, SRIF, CRF, GRF, and leu-enkephalin. Moderate to very strong responses were found with anti-CCK/gastrin, -substance P, and --MSH sera. Immunopositive reactions were usually observed in the entire CNS (except, until now, in neurosecretory cells, type II, in nuclei 20, and in nerve fibres located in the infracerebral neurohemal area). The immunoreactivity was, however, more or less abundant according to different CNS regions. For example, it appeared that the immunostaining for CRF is more important in the VNC while the leu-enkephalin family is more abundant in the brain (particularly in fuchsinophilic neurosecretory cells, type I, in nuclei 20). Moreover, several vertebrate type peptides (such as CRF/GRF and CCK/gastrin) may coexist in a single neurone. Several antisera may elicit a positive reaction in some specific area (for example, substance P in the nuchal organ; SRIF in oocytes; CCK/gastrin in the gastrointestinal tract).Nothing is known about the role of the different substances immunologically detected in Nereis. It is suggested that CCK/gastrin-, -MSHand substance P-like materials transmit external stimuli to neurosecretory centres located in the caudal part of the brain.Principal Abbreviations used ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone - CCK cholecystokinin - CRF corticotropin-releasing factor - GRF growth hormone-releasing factor - LH-RH luteinizing hormone-releasing factor - MSH melanocyte-stimulating hormone - sP substance P - SRIF somatotropin release-inhibitory factor - VIP vasoactive intestinal peptide - AE anterior eye - AG anterior group - CA corpora allata - CC corpora cardiaca - CNS central nervous system - CP corpora pedunculata - EP epidermis - ICR infracerebral region - MG medial group - n nerve - NO nuchal organ - NP neuropile - OC optic commissure - Oo oocyte - PE posterior eye - PF paraldehyde fuchsin - PF⁺ fuchsinophilic - PF^- not fuchsinophilic - Pn palpal nerve - S septum - VNC ventral nerve cord The roman and arabic numerals respectively refer to different nerves and nuclei     

Gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of coelenterates

Using immunocytochemistry, gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity is found in sensory nerve cells in the ectoderm of the mouth region of hydra and in nerve cells in the endoderm of all body regions of the sea anemone tealia. These results are corroborated by radioimmunoassay: One hydra contains at least 5 fmole and one tealia at least 2 nmole gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity. Reactivities towards gastrin and CCK antisera with different specificities suggest that the coelenterate gastrin/CCK-like peptide contains the C-terminal amino-acid sequence common to mammalian gastrin and CCK. In addition the radioimmunochemical data indicate that the coelenterate peptide also contains an amino-acid sequence that resembles the sequence 20-30 of porcine CCK-33, but that no other sequences of gastrin are present. Thus, it is probably more CCK-like than gastrin-like.     

The reactivity of mononucleotides with cholecystokinin/gastrin antisera

Dibutyryl cyclic GMP has been reported to interact with antisera specific for C-terminal tetrapeptide amide common for cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin. Moreover, cyclic nucleotides elute by gel chromatography in the same position as the free CCK/gastrin tetrapeptide. Therefore, we have examined the reactivity of 25 mononucleotides with eight CCK and gastrin antisera. The results show that the nucleotides all bind poorly to the antisera (nucleotide concentration required 1 mM). Hence, endogenous cyclic nucleotides, which are present in biological extracts in pM to nM concentrations, do not interfere with immunochemical CCK or gastrin measurements. The antisera displayed highly individual patterns of reactivity without preferential binding of di- or monobutyryl cyclic nucleotides (AMP, GMP or IMP). Thus, the present results do not support the idea of structural resemblance between the C-terminus of CCK/gastrin peptides and butyryl derivatives of cyclic GMP. Enzymatic treatment of the antral tetrapeptide-like immunoreactivity showed that nucleotides do not contribute to this material, which appears exclusively peptidergic.     

Immunohistochemical localization of some vertebrate-like neuropeptides (SP,NPY, CGRP,CCK) in the central nervous system of the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus

Summary The localization of the vertebrate-like neuropeptides substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and cholecystokinin (CCK8) in the central nervous system of the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus has been studied using specific antisera and single and double immunohistochemistry. A widespread but precise distribution of immunore-activity (IR) in neurons and fibers of almost all the ganglia is observed for each antiserum. A comparison of the IR with classical neurosecretory staining (AB/AY) shows a partial overlap only for CGRP and CCK8. Whereas CGRP-IR is found in some Yellow Cells in the left parietal ganglion, CCK8-IR is found in Yellow Green, Green and Brown Cells in the viscero-parietal complex. Studies employing double-sequential methods or simultaneous immunofluorescence have shown that, with regard to the tested antisera, CCK8- and NPY-IR are colocalized in a limited number of cells and fibers in the buccal and visceral ganglia, whereas CCK8- and SP-IR are colocalized only rarely in neurons in the left cerebral ganglion. The possible roles in P. corneus of the investigated neuropeptides and the contribution that molluscan models may offer to the knowledge of the basic properties of neuropeptides are discussed.     

Gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity in the nervous system of coelenterates

Summary Using immunocytochemistry, gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity is found in sensory nerve cells in the ectoderm of the mouth region of hydra and in nerve cells in the endoderm of all body regions of the sea anemone tealia. These results are corroborated by radioimmunoassay: One hydra contains at least 5 fmole and one tealia at least 2 nmole gastrin/CCK-like immunoreactivity. Reactivities towards gastrin and CCK antisera with different specificities suggest that the coelenterate gastrin/CCK-like peptide contains the C-terminal amino-acid sequence common to mammalian gastrin and CCK. In addition the radioimmunochemical data indicate that the coelenterate peptide also contains an amino-acid sequence that resembles the sequence 20–30 of porcine CCK-33, but that no other sequences of gastrin are present. Thus, it is probably more CCK-like than gastrin-like.     

Light,electron microscopical,and immunocytochemical investigation of the stomach wall of the tigerfish Hydrocynus forskahlii

The wall of the stomach of the tigerfish is described and compared with that of other vertebrates. Light microscopic and ultrastructural characteristics of the stomach wall correspond to a large extent to those of other vertebrates, although some differences are found. The mucosa contains (1) surface epithelium characterized by narrow columnar cells with abundant mucous granules; (2) gastric glands consisting of pepsinogenic cells of variable height, containing tubulovesicles and bearing microvilli; (3) five granulated cell types located basally in the epithelium (types 1–5); and (4) lamina propria and muscularis mucosae. Connective tissue separating smooth muscle fibers of the muscularis mucosae constitutes a stratum compactum. The submucosa contains a loose connective tissue, a tunica muscularis of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers, and a serosa of mesothelium and subjacent connective tissue. Immunocytochemical tests with antisera to five polypeptides show gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) immunoreactivities in some cells of the gastric glands, and somatostatin in cells lying among epithelial cells lining the gastric luminal surface or gastric pits.     

Isolation from chicken antrum, and primary amino acid sequence of a novel 36-residue peptide of the gastrin/CCK family

A peptide that cross-reacted with C-terminal gastrin/CCK antisera was isolated from chicken antral extracts by a combination of gel filtration and reversed-phase HPLC. The sequence was: Phe-Leu-Pro-His- Val-Phe-Ala-Glu-Leu-Ser-Asp-Arg-Lys-Gly-Phe-Val-Gln-Gly-Asn-Gly-Ala- Val-Glu-Ala-Leu-His-Asp-His-Phe-Tyr-Pro-Asp-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe(NH2). Aside from the C-terminal tetrapeptide and the Tyr residue, the molecule does not resemble other known forms of gastrin or CCK. The peptide was a potent stimulus of avian gastric acid but not pancreatic secretion. The results have important implications for the structure-activity and evolutionary relationships of the gastrin/CCK family.     

The distribution of endocrine cells in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract of the house musk shrew,Suncus murinus (Insectivora)

Summary The distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the house musk shrew, Suncus murinus (Family Soricidae, Order Insectivora) was studied immunohistochemically. The hormones investigated were gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin, secretin, glucagon, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), motilin and neurotensin. In the gastric mucosa, gastrin and somatostatin cells were only found in the pyloric regions, and no other hormonal cell-types were observed. In the intestinal mucosa, the largest number of endocrine cells belonged to the gastrin and glucagon/glicentin cell-types, whereas CCK-33/39 and secretin cells were the least numerous. Numbers of other cell-types were intermediate between these two groups. The gastrin and GIP cells were mostly localized in the proximal portion of the intestine, decreasing in number towards the distal portion. The motilin and CCK-33/39 cells were restricted to the proximal half. The glucagon/glicentin and neurotensin cells were most abundant in the middle portion. The somatostatin and secretin cells, although only present in small numbers, were randomly distributed throughout the intestine. This characteristic distribution of gastrointestinal endocrine cells is discussed in comparison with the distribution patterns of other mammals.Dr. Munemitsu Hoshino, who was Professor of the Department of Pathology and directed this study, passed away on May 23rd 1988     

Light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry of peptidergic neurons innervating thoracico-abdominal neurohaemal areas in the blowfly

Summary Ventral thoracic neurosecretory cells (VTNCs) of the blowflies, Calliphora erythrocephala and C. vomitoria, innervating thoracic neuropil and the dorsal neural sheath of the thoracico-abdominal ganglion have been shown to be immunoreactive to a variety of mammalian peptide antisera. In the neural sheath the VTNC terminals form an extensive neurohaemal network that is especially dense over the abdominal ganglia. The same areas are invaded by separate, ut overlapping serotonin-immunoreactive (5-HT-IR) projections derived from neuronal cell bodies in the suboesophageal ganglion. Immunocytochemical studies with different antisera, applied to adjacent sections at the lightmicroscopic level, combined with extensive cross-absorption tests, suggest that the perikarya of the VTNCs contain co-localized peptides related to gastrin/cholecystokinin (CCK), bovine pancreatic polypeptide (PP), Met- and Leuenkephalin and Met-enk-Arg⁶-Phe⁷ (Met-enk-RF). Electron-microscopic immunogold-labeling shows that some of the terminals in the dorsal sheath react with several of the individual peptide antisera, whilst others with similar cytology are non-immunoreactive. In the same region, separate terminals with different cytological characteristics contain 5-HT-IR. Both 5-HT-IR and peptidergic terminals are localized outside the cellular perineurium beneath the acellular permeable sheath adjacent to the haemocoel. Hence, we propose that various bioactive substances may be released from thoracic neurosecretory neurons into the circulating haemolymph to act on peripheral targets. The same neurons may also interact by synaptic or modulatory action in the CNS in different neuropil regions of the thoracic ganglion.     

Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide, bombesin, and gastrin-cholecystokinin like peptides in the avian intestinal tract and brain

The distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), bombesin and gastrin-cholecystokinin in the chicken was studied by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts. VIP was present in high concentrations in colon (186 +/- 29 pmol/g), cloaca (116 +/- 27 pmol/g), jejunum (97 +/- 14 pmol/g) and pancreas (15 +/- 3 pmol/g) but not detected in lung, liver or thymus. The highest concentration of bombesin was in the proventriculus (92 +/- 13 pmol/g), negligible in remaining gut but found in brain. Gel chromatography indicated two forms of bombesin: one form eluting with bombesin-14 and the other with gastrin releasing peptide. Gastrin-like immunoreactivity was found in low levels in the gut and brain. The concentrations were higher with an antiserum which cross reacted with the carboxy terminus common to gastrin-17 and CCK compared to a gastrin specific antisera (P less than 0.01). This suggests that the carboxy terminal region has been conserved during evolution. Each distribution pattern of bombesin, VIP and gastrin CCK is different, and distinct from that found in mammals, suggesting specific roles for these peptides in birds.     

The endocrine pancreas of Alligator mississippiensis

Summary Immunocytochemical methods for light and electron microscopy were used to demonstrate the regulatory peptides present in the endocrine pancreas of thealligator, Alligator mississippiensis.The peptides studied included insulin, glucagon (pancreatic and enteric), somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (avian, bovine and human), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, substance P, metenkephalin, -endorphin, C-terminal gastrin/CCK and gastric inhibitory polypeptide. Endocrine cells were detected using antisera to insulin, pancreatic glucagon, somatostatin and avian pancreatic polypeptide, whereas peptidergic nerves were stained with antisera to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. All other antisera were unreactive in the alligator pancreas. The peptide-containing structures were identified ultrastructurally by both the semithin/thin and immuno-gold methods. The results showed that five of the regulatory peptides commonly detected in the mammalian pancreas were immunologically recognisable in the alligator. In addition, the ultrastructural appearance of the peptide-containing cells was clearly distinct from that reported in mammals.     

Co-localization of xenopsin and gastrin immunoreactivity in gastric antral G-cells

Summary Studies indicating evidence for the presence of the amphibian octapeptide xenopsin in gastric mucosa of mammals prompted us to investigate the cellular localization of this peptide. Using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method and a specific antiserum to xenopsin (Xen-7) on paraffin and adjacent semithin sections of gastric antral mucosa from man, dog, and Tupaia belangeri, we found numerous epithelial cells showing a specific positive immunoreaction. These cells were of a typical pyramidal shape and could be classified as of the open type. Cell quantification in serial sections processed for xenopsin and gastrin immunoreactivity, respectively, revealed an identical number of cells per section and an identical distribution of these cells in the middle zone of the antral mucosa. Furthermore, adjacent semithin sections demonstrated the colocalization of xenopsin and gastrin immunoreactivity within the same G-cell. The xenopsin antiserum could be completely absorbed with synthetic xenopsin but not with gastrin. Preabsorption tests with neurotensin, a xenopsin related peptide, or with somatostatin, glucagon, and enkephalins gave no evidence for crossreactivity of the xenopsin antiserum with these peptides.It is concluded that gastric antral G-cells in addition to gastrin also contain the amphibian peptide xenopsin.     

Implication of gastrin in cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Helicobacter pylori infected gastric ulceration

Gastroduodenal ulcerations have worldwide distribution and the infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP) has been implicated in pathogenesis of this disease. The HP infection is usually accompanied by hypergastrinemia and enhanced generation of prostaglandins (PG), both implicated in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcerations but no study has been undertaken to assess the relationship between the HP infection and coexpression of gastrin and cyclooxygenases (COX), the rate limiting enzymes in the PG production. Since HP infection, usually accompanying peptic ulcerations, results in increased release of gastrin, a potent gastric mitogen that might be capable to induce COX-2 and to generate PG, we decided 1) to compare the seroprevalence of HP and its cytotoxic protein, CagA, in gastric ulcer patients with those in age- and gender-matched controls; 2) to determine the gene expression of gastrin and its receptors (CCK(B)-R) at the margin of gastric ulcer and in the mucosa of antrum and corpus before and after successful eradication of HP, 3) to assess the plasma levels and gastric luminal contents of gastrin before and after HP eradication and 4) to examine the mRNA and enzyme protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2 as well as the PGE2 generation in ulcer margin tissue and gastric antral and fundic mucosa before and after the HP eradication. The trial material included 20 patients with gastric ulcer and 40 age- and gender-matched controls. Anti-HP and anti-CagA IgG seroprevalence was estimated by specific antisera using ELISA tests. Gene expressions of gastrin, CCK(B)-R, COX-1 and COX-2 were examined using RT-PCR with beta-actin as a reference and employing Western blotting for COX-2 expression, while gastrin and PGE2 were measured by RIA. All gastric ulcers were located at smaller curvature within the antral mucosal area. The seroprevalence of HP, especially that expressing CagA, was significantly higher in gastric ulcers (85%) than in controls (62.5%). Both gastrin and CCK(B)-R mRNA were detected by RT-PCR in ulcer margin and gastrin mRNA was overexpressed in remaining antral mucosa, while CCK(B)-R mRNA was overexpressed in fundic mucosa of HP infected patients. Similarly, COX-2 mRNA and protein were found in margin of gastric ulcer and in the HP infected antral and fundic mucosa but not in the mucosa of HP eradicated patients in whom ulcers completely healed and gastrin was expressed only in antrum, CCK(B)-R only in corpus, while COX-1 was detected both in antrum and corpus. HP positive gastric ulcer patients showed about three times higher levels of plasma immunoreactive gastrin and about 50% higher luminal gastrin contents than the HP negative controls and this increased plasma and luminal gastrin was normalized following the HP eradication. A significant fall in gastrin and CCK(B)-R mRNA expression was noticed six weeks after HP eradication in gastric antral and fundic mucosa, while COX-2 mRNA completely disappeared after this treatment. We conclude that 1) HP infected gastric ulcer margin coexpresses gastrin, its receptors (CCK(B)-R), and COX-2; 2) HP infection may be implicated in gastric ulceration via increased release of gastrin that could be responsible for the overexpression of COX-2 that in turn could help ulcer healing through the stimulation of mucosal cell growth, restoration of the glandular structure and angiogenesis in the ulcer area and 3) gastrin produced in HP infected antral mucosa seems to be involved in the induction of COX-2 and PG production by this enzyme and this may contribute to the ulcer healing.