生物肽SP对NK-92MI细胞迁移及趋化因子受体表达的影响

探讨生物肽P物质(substance P,SP)对NK92-MI细胞迁移力和细胞表面趋化因子受体表达的影响,能更好地解释SP调控NK细胞迁移的作用机制,为NK细胞的功能研究及潜在的免疫疗法提供补充依据。Transwell法检测SP对NK92-MI细胞迁移能力的影响及SP对趋化因子CCL21和CXCL12对NK92-MI细胞趋化作用的影响;Real-time PCR检测SP对CCR7和CXCR4 mRNA表达水平的影响;流式细胞术检测SP对CCR7和CXCR4膜表达水平的影响。结果显示:①SP促进NK92-MI细胞的迁移,是在低浓度范围(10~(-12)～10~(-10)mol/L)随SP浓度增加,促进作用逐渐增强,高浓度范围(10~(-8)～10~(-6) mol/L)随SP浓度增加,促进作用又有所减弱,SP浓度在10~(-10) mol/L时,趋化指数达峰值;SP增强趋化因子CCL21和CXCL12对NK92-MI细胞的趋化作用,这种增强作用在10~(-10) mol/L浓度最显著。②SP在10~(-12)～10~(-6) mol/L浓度范围内均能明显促进CCR7 mRNA的表达,且CCR7 mRNA表达水平随着SP浓度增加而增高;SP在10~(-10 )～10~(-6 ) mol/L浓度范围内能明显促进CXCR4 mRNA的表达。③CCR7的膜表达水平随着SP浓度的增加具有逐渐增高的趋势,在10~(-8) mol/L和10~(-6) mol/L浓度组,CCR7的表达有明显增加;而CXCR4的膜表达则随SP浓度的增加,具有先增高后回降的趋势,在10~(-10) mol/L和10~(-8) mol/L浓度组,CXCR4的表达有明显增加。SP能直接促进NK92-MI细胞的迁移,说明SP对NK细胞具有直接趋化作用;SP通过上调趋化因子受体CCR7和CXCR4的表达水平,协同趋化因子,间接发挥对NK-92MI细胞的趋化作用。     

广东桑根心材的化学成分研究

采用多种层析方法从广东桑根心材的醇提取物中分离了8个已知化合物,经波谱分析手段结合文献分析方法将其分别鉴定为:桑辛素C(1),桑辛素M(2),二氢桑色素(3),氧化白藜芦醇(4),2,4-二羟基苯甲醛(5),伞形花内酯(6),胡萝卜苷(7)和3-羟基-2-哌啶酮(8)。化合物1,3~6和8首次从广东桑Morus atpropurpurea中分离,化合物8亦首次从桑属植物中分离。综合采用DPPH,MTT法测试了多酚类化合物1~4的抗氧化和神经保护作用,结果表明化合物1~4均能清除DPPH自由基,抑制L-谷氨酸钠诱导海马神经元细胞HT22毒性,具有抗氧化和神经保护作用。在20μM浓度下,化合物2的活性显著。     

麻黄碱对兔主动脉和心房作用机制的研究

麻黄碱(E,×10~(-4)—3.3×10~(-3)M)和去甲肾上腺素(NA,6×10~(-8)—6×10~(-5)M)均能引起离体兔主动脉条浓度依赖性收缩。可卡因能明显地增强 NA 的作用,但明显地减弱麻黄碱的作用,用可卡因后麻黄碱的作用为用可卡因前的10—92.6%。利血平处理后,麻黄碱和 NA的作用都明显增强,但利血平对前者的增强作用比后者更甚。在利血平处理及未处理肌条上,麻黄碱的作用均可被酚妥拉明阻断。麻黄碱(3.3×10~(-6)—3.3×10~(-5)M)和异丙肾上腺素(ISP,10~(-9)—10~(-5)M)均能引起离体兔心房率的增加。可卡因明显地减弱麻黄碱的这一作用,即为对照组的8.8—29.1%,但不影响 ISP 的作用。利血平处理后,麻黄碱对兔心房的作用也明显减弱,为对照纽的15.4—28.4%;而 ISP 作用则略增加。3×10~(-4)麻黄碱可明显增加[3~H]NA 从兔主动脉条的流出量,此作用在给药后5min内即开始,可持续30 min 以上。上述结果提示,对于兔主动脉和心房,麻黄碱兼具直接作用于效应器细胞和通过释放末梢中 NA 的间接作用;直接作用在主动脉占优势,间接作用在心房占优势。     

阿魏酸在缺氧条件下促进人脐静脉内皮细胞血管形成的实验研究

目的:研究阿魏酸(ferulic acid,FA)在缺氧条件下对人脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs)增殖、迁移和管腔样结构形成的影响。方法:原代培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,在缺氧实验条件下,细胞被分为7组,即1个对照组和6个实验组。对照组采用1%酒精处理,实验组用不同浓度(1×10~(-8)、1×10~(-7)、1×10~(-6)、1×10~(-5)、1×10~(-4)及1×10~(-3) mol/L)的阿魏酸处理。分别采用MTS法、划痕法、Matrigel法分析不同浓度阿魏酸处理对人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖、迁移和管腔样结构形成的影响。结果:缺氧条件下,浓度为1×10~(-6)~1×10~(-4)mol/L的阿魏酸处理能明显促进HUVECs的增殖(P0.05),以1×10~(-5) mol/L处理的效果最好(P0.01);与对照组相比,1×10~(-6)mol/L(P0.05)、1×10~(-5) mol/L(P0.01)及1×10~(-4) mol/L(P0.01)阿魏酸处理均能明显促进HUVECs横向迁移,以1×10~(-5) mol/L处理迁移的细胞数量最多;1×10~(-8)~1×10~(-4) mol/L阿魏酸处理能不同程度地促进HUVECs管腔样结构的形成,以1×10~(-5) mol/L处理形成管腔样结构的数量最多(P0.01)。结论:阿魏酸在缺氧条件下能促进人脐静脉内皮细胞的增殖、迁移和管腔样结构形成。     

麻黄碱对小鼠输精管平滑肌的作用

麻黄碱(2×10~(-4)-1.6×10~(-3)M)和去甲肾上腺素(6×10~(-7)-7.5×10~(-5)M)均能引起并增强离体小鼠输精管自发性收缩。酚妥拉明(10~(-6)M)可明显对抗麻黄碱的作用。小鼠经利血平处理后,输精管对去甲肾上腺素的反应有所增强,但不明显影响麻黄碱的作用。在半钙营养液(含CaCl_21.25mM)中,麻黄碱的作用明显减弱;在无钙溶液中作用完全消失。但去甲肾上腺素的作用在半钙营养液中不明显减弱;无钙溶液中仍有大部分标本对去甲肾上腺素产生微弱反应。钙道阻断剂戊脉安可明显减弱或取消麻黄碱兴奋小鼠输精管的作用,而对抗去甲肾上腺素的作用较弱。麻黃碱在较低浓度(5×10~(-7)-1.6×10~(-5)M)时,尚能抑制输精管对电场刺激所致收缩反应,这种抑制作用可被α_2受体对抗剂育亨宾(10~(-7)M)所对抗。降低营养液中钙离子浓度,可增强麻黄碱的抑制作用。高浓度麻黄碱完全抑制电场刺激所致收缩,而出现明显增强的自发收缩。以上表明,麻黄碱对小鼠输精管突触前膜α_2受体和突触后膜α_1受体都有激动作用。麻黄碱引起并增强输精管平滑肌收缩的作用,主要是其对突触后α_1真受体的直接作用,并需要有钙离子的参与。     

啤酒花茎尖培养

植物名称:啤酒花(Humulus lupulus) 培养条件:分化培养基:MS+BA10~(-5)M+2,4-D10~(-6)M+GA_310~(-6)M+葡萄糖2.0％+琼脂0.85％,pH5;生根培养基:SM+BA10~(-7)M+IBA10~(-6)M+葡萄糖2％+琼脂0.85％,pH5.4;培养温度:25～27℃,光照:16小时,3000lux。     

安定对兔心乳头肌动作电位和收缩的作用

本文观察了安定、戊脉安和PK11195对兔心乳头肌动作电位和收缩的作用,并比较了安定对兔与豚鼠心肌收缩作用的差异。安定(0.7×10~(-6)-22.4×10~(-6)mol/L)使兔乙乳头肌动作电位时程(APD)及钙依赖动作电位(Ca-AP)时程缩短,并使Ca-AP的最大上升速率(V_(max))和幅值减小;安定还抑制兔与豚鼠心室乳头肌的收缩,相比之下对豚鼠的作用更明显。在戊脉安(2×10~(-6)mol/L)作用下,兔心乳头肌Ga-AP逐渐消失。提高溶液中Ca~(2 )的浓度可拮抗安定和戊脉安的作用。PK11195(1×10~(-6)mol/L)可使安定对兔心乳头肌APD作用的剂量-反应曲线平行右移,且拮抗安定对Ca-AP的作用。预先加入PK11195(3×10~(-6)mol/L),则戊脉安不能取消Ca-AP。上述结果提示。(1)兔心乳头肌存在的苯二氮(艹卓)结合位点具有外周型苯二氮(艹卓)受体(BZR)的性质;(2)这种受体的激活可导致钙内流减少;(3)BZR的密度及反应性可能存在种属差异。     

关于光合作用光系统Ⅱ(PS-Ⅱ)电子传递的研究

在菠菜叶绿体和光系统Ⅱ颗粒中,DCIP和铁氰化钾的光还原对DCMU或Tris洗涤的抑制作用反应不同,其影响取决于pH(Tris)和浓度(DCMU)。在Tris的pH为8.0时,叶绿体和光系统Ⅱ颗粒的DCIP光还原全部被Tris(0.8M)洗涤抑制,而仍保留有少量残留的铁氰化钾光还原活力。在正常的叶绿体中,DCMU在5×10~(-5)M和5×10~(-4)M的浓度下,DCIP的光还原活力全部丧失,而铁氰化钾的光还原活力分别保留11.5％和10.8％。用Tris洗过的叶绿体,当DCIP的光还原活力被5×10~(-6)M,5×10~(-5)M和5×10~(-4)M的DCMU全部抑制时,铁氰化钾的光还原活力分别保留有对照的14.l％,15.0％和13.5％。在正常的光系统Ⅱ颗粒中,DCIP的光还原全部被5×10~(-6)M和5×10~(-5)M的DCMU抑制,而分别保留有13.8％和11.7％残留的铁氰化钾的光还原活力。用Tris(pH 7.6,0.8M)洗涤过的光系统Ⅱ颗粒,在5×10~(-7)M和5×10~(-6)M DCMU浓度下,残留的铁氰化钾光还原活力是26.2％和19.2％,而DCIP的光还原全部被抑制。 Tris洗涤过的或DCMU处理过的叶绿体和光系统Ⅱ颗粒残留的铁氰化钾光还原活力在短波光(651毫微米)下比在长波光(714毫微米)下高。讨论了光系统Ⅱ中可能包含有两个短波光反应。     

南方红豆杉和东北红豆杉中的单体化合物对乳腺癌细胞增殖的影响

本研究采用MTT法,研究南方红豆杉和东北红豆杉中的10种不同结构类型的单体化合物对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖的影响。结果表明,化合物1~10(10-9~10-5mol/L)处理MCF-7细胞48和72 h后,仅化合物4在10-7、10-6和10-5mol/L浓度对MCF-7细胞增殖均有明显抑制作用,抑制率分别为29.8%、46.4%、51.8%和43.6%、61.2%、63.2%,与紫杉醇抑制细胞增殖的活性相近,且在24~72 h范围内具有时间依赖性;化合物2仅在10-5mol/L具有明显抑制细胞增殖的作用,抑制率为44.4%和49.6%。因此,10种不同结构类型的单体化合物中,仅baccatin III类化合物2、4对MCF-7细胞增殖具有较强的抑制作用,其中化合物4作用最强,活性与紫杉醇相近。     

吗啡对于蟾蜍离体脊髓的兴奋作用

在蟾蜍离体脊髓标本上,吗啡10~(-5)—10~(-3)M 能增大背根-腹根反射(DR-VRR),此增大作用不被纳洛酮拮抗,但10~(-4)M 的纳洛酮可轻度增大 DR-VRR。含菲核结构的阿片生物碱蒂巴因、可待因的兴奋作用强于吗啡,这三种药物在更高浓度时则抑制、甚至取消 DR-VRR。不含菲核结构的合成镇痛药美沙酮、哌替啶及脑啡肽类似物 FK33-824对 DR-VRR只起抑制作用。虽然吗啡能阻滞脊髓突触前抑制,并以可被纳洛酮逆转的方式取消刺激腹根诱发的背根电位(VR-DDRP),吗啡增大 DR-VRR 并非由于它的去抑制作用。本文结果提示,吗啡的兴奋作用与阿片受体无关,并为含菲核结构的阿片生物碱所特有。     

Tachykinin Receptors of the NK1 Type (Substance P) Coupled Positively to Phospholipase C on Cortical Astrocytes from the Newborn Mouse in Primary Culture

Specific 125I-Bolton-Hunter substance P (125I-BHSP) binding sites are present on intact cortical astrocytes of the newborn mouse in primary culture. Therefore, these cells were used to ascertain the existence of functional substance P (SP) receptors coupled positively to phospholipase C. SP stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown with an EC50 value (4.5 x 10(-10) M) similar to its IC50 value (3.8 x 10(-10) M) for inhibiting 125I-BHSP binding. The maximal response to (10(-6) M SP for 60 min) obtained was approximately 500% of control values. The rank order of potency of tachykinins was SP greater than neurokinin (NK) A greater than NKB. Long SP C-terminal fragments were more potent than shorter ones in stimulating the accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates. SP free acid and SP N-terminal fragments were without effect. [L-Pro9]SP and SP methyl ester, two selective agonists of NK1 receptors, were almost as potent as SP. An excellent correlation was found when the abilities of tachykinins and their analogs for stimulating phosphoinositide breakdown and for inhibiting 125I-BHSP binding were compared. Finally, when used at a concentration of 3 x 10(-6) M, spantide [( D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]SP), an SP antagonist, competitively reduced the stimulatory effect of SP on accumulation of 3H-inositol phosphates. These results demonstrate the presence of functional SP receptors (NK1) on cortical astrocytes from the newborn mouse in primary culture.     

Substance P and gastrin releasing peptide in bovine mesenteric lymphatic vessels: chemical characterization and action

Alcoholic extracts of bovine mesenteric lymphatic vessels were assayed for the presence of SP, GRP, VIP, PHI, GIP and NT using specific radioimmunoassays. SP and GRP immunoreactivities were detected at concentrations of 190 +/- 20 and 1,000 +/- 130 pg.g-1, respectively. No significant levels of immunoreactivity were detected for any of the other peptides. SP and GRP immunoreactivities coeluted with their synthetic counterparts from both Sephadex G-50 and reversed phase HPLC columns. Synthetic SP (10(-9)-10(-7) M) and the naturally occurring analogue of GRP, bombesin (10(-9)-10(-7) M), increased spontaneous contraction rate in isolated vessel segments. This excitatory effect was not blocked by the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist phentolamine (3 x 10(-6) M).     

Active Uptake of Substance P Carboxy-Terminal Heptapeptide (5–11) into Rat Brain and Rabbit Spinal Cord Slices

We previously reported that nerve terminals and glial cells lack an active uptake system capable of terminating transmitter action of substance P (SP). In the present study, we demonstrated the existence of an active uptake system for SP carboxy-terminal heptapeptide, (5-11)SP. When the slices from either rat brain or rabbit spinal cord were incubated with [3H](5-11)SP, the uptake of (5-11)SP into slices was observed. The uptake system has the properties of an active transport mechanism: it is dependent on temperature and sensitive to hypoosmotic treatment and is inhibited by ouabain and dinitrophenol (DNP). In the brain, (5-11)SP was accumulated by means of a high-affinity and a low-affinity uptake system. The Km and the Vmax values for the high-affinity system were 4.20 x 10(-8) M and 7.59 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min, respectively, whereas these values for the low-affinity system were 1.00 x 10(-6) M and 100 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min, respectively. In the spinal cord, there was only one uptake system, with a Km value of 2.16 x 10(-7) M and Vmax value of 26.2 fmol/10 mg wet weight/min. These results suggest that when SP is released from nerve terminals, it is hydrolysed into (5-11)SP before or after acting as a neurotransmitter, which is in turn accumulated into nerve terminals. Therefore, the uptake system may represent a possible mechanism for the inactivation of SP.     

Endothelium-dependent contraction induced by substance P in canine cerebral arteries: involvement of NK1 receptors and thromboxane A2

We characterized the endothelial responses to substance P (SP) in the isolated canine cerebral artery. SP caused concentration-dependent contraction at 10(-10) - 10(-7) M and relaxation at 10(-10) and 10(-9) M, which were abolished by removal of the endothelium. The SP-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) was suppressed, while the endothelium-dependent contraction (EDC) was increased by repeated application. The EDC induced by SP (10(-7) M) was attenuated by SR-140333 (10(-9) - 10(-7) M) and CP-99994 (10(-7) M), both NK1 antagonists, but not by SR-48968 (10(-7) M), an NK2 antagonist, or four antagonistic SP analogues (10(-6) M). The EDC induced by SP (10(-7) M) was attenuated by aspirin (10(-5) M), a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, OKY-046 (10(-5) M), a TXA2 synthetase inhibitor and ONO-3708 (10(-8) M), a TXA2 antagonist. Neurokinin A (10(-7) M) but not neurokinin B (10(-7) M) caused EDC similar to that induced by SP. In conclusion, SP induces EDC via endothelial NK1 receptors and TXA2 production in canine cerebral arteries.     

Substance P enhances IL-2 expression in activated human T cells.

Jurkat and HUT 78 T cell lines, as well as peripheral blood human T cells activated with PHA plus PMA were used to investigate the capacity of substance P (SP) neuropeptide to regulate IL-2 production. By using Northern blot analysis and dosage of the IL-2 release in cell supernatants, we show that SP can act as cosignal with PHA + PMA to enhance the expression of specific IL-2 mRNA and IL-2 secretion in T cells. By using the N-terminal SP(1-4) or the C-terminal SP(4-11) fragments of the entire molecule, we show that the cosignal activity is carried by the C-terminal portion of SP. The SP and SP(4-11) optimal effects were observed at 10(-12) M and 10(-10) M when a broad range of concentrations from 10(-6) M to 10(-13) M was tested. The increase of IL-2 mRNA obtained with 10(-12) M of SP in the activated Jurkat cells was reduced by adding 10(-10) or 10(-9) M of the SP antagonist (D-Pro2,-D-Phe7,-D-Trp9)SP to the culture, indicating the specificity of SP action. The up-regulation observed when 10(-12) M of SP was applied together with the mitogens on Jurkat cells, persisted after a 16-h culture period, time at which the IL-2 mRNA signal is normally back to a minimum level when the mitogens are used alone. Furthermore, an induction of IL-2 mRNA accumulation, in a 2-h pulse, was obtained with 10(-12) M of SP on Jurkat cells previously activated with mitogens for 16 h.     

Effects of trigeminal neurotransmitters on piglet pial arterioles.

We investigated effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and neurokinin A (NKA) on pial arterioles in newborn pigs. Pial arteriolar diameter was determined using a closed cranial window and intravital microscopy. Initial diameters were approximately 100 microns. Calcitonin-gene related peptide dilated pial arterioles by 22 +/- 8% at 10(-9)M and by 34 +/- 6% at 10(-8)M (n = 8), and this response was not significantly altered by prior administration of indomethacin (5mg/kg, iv) (n = 6) or administration of NG-methyl-L-arginine (5mg/kg, iv, and 10(-3)M in CSF) (n = 10). Substance P dilated arterioles at 10(-10)M through 10(-5)M (maximal response = 23 +/- 3%) (n = 6), and this response was unaffected by indomethacin administration (n = 6). In contrast, NG-methyl-L-arginine blocked much of the pial arteriolar dilation to SP. Unlike the other two peptides, NKA did not change pial arteriolar diameter. Radioimmunoassay determinations indicated that cerebrospinal fluid levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 and prostaglandin E2 did not change appreciably during application of CGRP or SP. We conclude that CGRP and SP but not NKA are dilator stimuli in the piglet pial circulation. Dilation by CGRP probably involves direct activation of receptors on vascular smooth muscle, while SP probably partially dilates pial arterioles via release of an endothelium-dependent relaxing factor.     

Substance P analogs containing alpha,alpha-dialkylated amino acids with potent anticancer activity.

Six analogs (peptides 1-6) of the potent substance P (SP) derivative known as 'Antagonist D' were synthesized by substituting constrained amino acids Aib or Acp (cycloleucine, 1-amino cyclopentane carboxylic acid) at different positions in the Antagonist D sequence: D-Arg(1)-Pro(2)-Lys(3)-Pro(4)-D-Phe(5)-Gln(6)-D-Trp(7)-Phe(8)-D-Trp(9)-Leu(10)-Leu(11)-NH(2). In the preliminary in vitro antiproliferative screening of the analogs on different human cancer cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, peptide 1 was found to be the most active. Further, peptide 1 was butanoylated (analog 5) or octanoylated (analog 6) at the N-terminus. SP analogs 1, 5, and 6 were evaluated in vivo in a xenograft model of human primary colon tumor (PTC) cell line in athymic nude mice and were found to cause tumor regression. This study investigates if the use of the constrained amino acids Aib and Acp in the designed SP analogs can retain the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities, which could be useful in cancer therapy and drug targeting. Further, the strategy of incorporation of Aib or Acp in biologically active peptides can be exploited in determining the receptor-bound conformation and in transforming these bioactive peptides into pharmacologically useful drugs.     

Effect of substance P on neurally mediated contraction of rabbit airway smooth muscle

The neuromodulatory action of substance P (SP) was investigated in isolated rabbit tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) segments contracted with electrical field stimulation (ES). The tissues were placed in organ baths containing modified Krebs-Ringer solution and stimulated at a constant voltage (8 V; 24.5 mA) and pulse duration (2 ms) with ES frequencies ranging from 1 to 100 Hz. In the presence of SP, there occurred a dose-dependent augmentation of the TSM contractile response to any given ES, with the maximal effect of SP obtained at a dose of 10(-7) M. Accordingly, with the administration of 10(-7) M SP, the ES frequency-response relationship was altered so that 1) the mean (+/- SE) maximal tension (Tmax) induced by ES significantly increased (P less than 0.02) from a base-line value of 273 +/- 53 to 402 +/- 45 g/g TSM; and 2) the mean (+/- SE) log ES frequency producing 50% of Tmax (ES50) significantly decreased from a base-line value of 1.278 +/- 0.069 to 1.102 +/- 0.070 Hz (P less than 0.01). In contrast to these effects on ES-induced contraction, SP administration did not affect the TSM contractile response to administered methacholine chloride (10(-8) to 10(-3) M). On the other hand, the effects of SP on ES-induced contraction were independently blocked by the cholinergic antagonist, atropine (10(-6) M); the neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (10(-6) g/ml); and the SP antagonist, D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11-SP (10(-5) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cooperative effects of bombesin, substance P and methacholine on the release of intestinal neurotensin in rats.

The secretion of ileal neurotensin (NT) results from events occurring at the apical and basal side of the N-cells. The hypothesis of a functional relationship between cholinergic and peptidergic neurones with the N-cell was investigated in the present study utilizing the isolated vascularly perfused rat ileum. Intraarterial methacholine (MC, 10(-4) M) evoked a prompt and well sustained release of NT in the portal effluent (plateau value at 500% of basal). This effect was dose-dependent over the range of 10(-6) M to 10(-4) M. Bombesin (B) provoked a dose-dependent peak secretion of NT (800% of basal at 10(-7) M) followed by a rapid return to almost basal levels. The B-induced NT release remained unaltered upon 10(-6) M tetrodotoxin (TTX) or 10(-5) M atropine infusion. Substance P (SP) potently stimulated the release of NT. The maximal response, consisting of a sustained secretion, was observed at a concentration of 10(-7) M (350% of basal) while 10(-6) M SP induced a transient release. TTX or atropine did not reduce significantly the SP-induced secretion of NT. Neurokinin A and B did not increase NT concentrations in the portal effluent. B synergistically increased the secretion of NT induced by SP. Atropine or TTX did not modify the effect of combined SP and B infusion. MC potentiated the release of NT induced by B but not that evoked by SP. Combined infusion of SP, B and MC produced the largest output of NT. In conclusion, B, SP and MC are strong stimulants of NT release in rats. In addition, the cooperative effects of these transmitters argue in favor of a complex functional relationship between the intramural nervous network and the intestinal N-cells in rats.     

Substance P induces migration of capillary endothelial cells: a novel NK-1 selective receptor mediated activity.

Substance P (SP) has been indicated as a main mediator of neurogenic inflammation, leading to vasodilation, increase in vascular permeability and modulation of immune cell function. Certain vascular effects produced by SP are endothelium mediated. We have studied the effect of SP and of selective NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists on migration of cultured capillary endothelial cells of bovine origin. Our results indicate that SP (10(-14)-10(-6) M) induces a concentration-dependent migration of endothelial cells with maximal activity at 10(-10) M. This effect was mimicked by the selective NK-1 receptor agonist which showed a similar concentration-dependent curve, while selective NK-2 and NK-3 receptor agonists were ineffective. Our conclusions are that endothelial cells possess specific receptors for SP of the NK-1 type which affect mobilization of capillary endothelial cells.