Natriuretic Peptide Expression and Function in GH3 Somatolactotropes and Feline Somatotrope Pituitary Tumours.

Patients harbouring mutations in genes encoding C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP; NPPC) or its receptor guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B, NPR2) suffer from severe growth phenotypes; loss-of-function mutations cause achondroplasia, whereas gain-of-function mutations cause skeletal overgrowth. Although most of the effects of CNP/GC-B on growth are mediated directly on bone, evidence suggests the natriuretic peptides may also affect anterior pituitary control of growth. Our previous studies described the expression of NPPC and NPR2 in a range of human pituitary tumours, normal human pituitary, and normal fetal human pituitary. However, the natriuretic peptide system in somatotropes has not been extensively explored. Here, we examine the expression and function of the CNP/GC-B system in rat GH3 somatolactotrope cell line and pituitary tumours from a cohort of feline hypersomatotropism (HST; acromegaly) patients. Using multiplex RT-qPCR, all three natriuretic peptides and their receptors were detected in GH3 cells. The expression of Nppc was significantly enhanced following treatment with either 100 nM TRH or 10 µM forskolin, yet only Npr1 expression was sensitive to forskolin stimulation; the effects of forskolin and TRH on Nppc expression were PKA- and MAPK-dependent, respectively. CNP stimulation of GH3 somatolactotropes significantly inhibited Esr1, Insr and Lepr expression, but dramatically enhanced cFos expression at the same time point. Oestrogen treatment significantly enhanced expression of Nppa, Nppc, Npr1, and Npr2 in GH3 somatolactotropes, but inhibited CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation. Finally, transcripts for all three natriuretic peptides and receptors were expressed in feline pituitary tumours from patients with HST. NPPC expression was negatively correlated with pituitary tumour volume and SSTR5 expression, but positively correlated with D2R and GHR expression. Collectively, these data provide mechanisms that control expression and function of CNP in somatolactotrope cells, and identify putative transcriptional targets for CNP action in somatotropes.

Pilot study assessing the use of cabergoline for the treatment of cats with hypersomatotropism and diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: An affordable and effective treatment is needed to manage feline hypersomatotropism. The aim of this study was to assess whether treatment with oral cabergoline for 90 days in cats with hypersomatotropism and diabetes mellitus improved diabetic and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) control. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort non-blinded pilot study enrolling client-owned cats with spontaneously occurring diabetes mellitus and hypersomatotropism. Cats received oral cabergoline (5-10 µg/kg q24h) for 90 consecutive days. Serum IGF-1 and fructosamine concentrations were measured on days 1, 30 and 90. Quality of life was determined using the DIAQoL-pet questionnaire on days 1 and 90. RESULTS: Nine cats were enrolled and eight completed the study. There was no significant change in the following: IGF-1 (day 1 median 2001 ng/ml [range 890-2001 ng/ml]; day 30 median 2001 ng/ml [range 929-2001 ng/ml]; day 90 median 1828 ng/ml [range 1035-2001 ng/ml]; χ2(2) = 0.667, P = 0.805); fructosamine (day 1 median 499 µmol/l [range 330-887 µmol/l], day 30 median 551 µmol/l [range 288-722 µmol/l], day 90 median 503 [range 315-851 µmol/l]; χ2(2) = 0.581, P = 0.764); or DIAQoL-pet score (median on day 1 -2.79 [range -4.62 to -0.28], median on day 90 -3.24 [range -4.41 to -0.28]; P = 0.715). There was a significant change of insulin dose (χ2(2) = 8.667, P = 0.008) with cats receiving higher insulin doses at day 90 compared with day 1 (median on day 1 was 0.98 [range 0.63-1.49] and median on day 90 was 1.56 [range 0.49-2.55] units/kg q12h; P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cabergoline did not improve diabetic control or normalise insulin-like growth factor concentration, or improve patient quality of life.

Efficacy of hypophysectomy for the treatment of hypersomatotropism-induced diabetes mellitus in 68 cats.

BACKGROUND: Hypersomatotropism (HST) is an increasingly recognized endocrinopathy in cats and is mostly described associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transsphenoidal hypophysectomy in treating HST and DM in cats. ANIMALS: Sixty-eight client-owned cats with HST and DM treated by transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Medical records were reviewed for glycemic control and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. Postoperative complications, death within 4 weeks, and proportion achieving diabetic remission were recorded. Survival times and DM-free intervals were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-eight cats (85.3%) were alive 4 weeks postoperatively with 10 (15%) postoperative deaths. Complications included hypoglycemia (n = 9), electrolyte imbalance (n = 9), and transient congestive heart failure (n = 5). Fifty-five cats (95% of 58 surviving cats [81% of all cats undergoing surgery]) had improved control of diabetes. Diabetic remission occurred in 41 cats (71% of 58 surviving cats [60% of all cats]) with insulin administration discontinued after a median of 9 days (range, 2-120). Postoperative 4-week serum IGF-1 concentration nadir was significantly lower in cats achieving diabetic remission (median 20 ng/mL [15-708] than those that did not (324 ng/mL [15-1955]; P = .03). All cats received long-term levothyroxine and hydrocortisone PO, alongside desmopressin (conjunctival) in 38 of 53 cats (72%). Recurrence of DM occurred in 5 of 41 cats (12%) after a median of 248 days (range, 84-1232). Median survival time of all cats was 853 days (range, 1-1740). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy is an effective treatment for cats with HST and DM, with a long-term outcome that compares favorably to existing options.

Sensitivity of the Natriuretic Peptide/cGMP System to Hyperammonaemia in Rat C6 Glioma Cells and GPNT Brain Endothelial Cells.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is the major natriuretic peptide of the central nervous system and acts via its selective guanylyl cyclase-B (GC-B) receptor to regulate cGMP production in neurons, astrocytes and endothelial cells. CNP is implicated in the regulation of neurogenesis, axonal bifurcation, as well as learning and memory. Several neurological disorders result in toxic concentrations of ammonia (hyperammonaemia), which can adversely affect astrocyte function. However, the relationship between CNP and hyperammonaemia is poorly understood. Here, we examine the molecular and pharmacological control of CNP in rat C6 glioma cells and rat GPNT brain endothelial cells, under conditions of hyperammonaemia. Concentration-dependent inhibition of C6 glioma cell proliferation by hyperammonaemia was unaffected by CNP co-treatment. Furthermore, hyperammonaemia pre-treatment (for 1 h and 24 h) caused a significant inhibition in subsequent CNP-stimulated cGMP accumulation in both C6 and GPNT cells, whereas nitric-oxide-dependent cGMP accumulation was not affected. CNP-stimulated cGMP efflux from C6 glioma cells was significantly reduced under conditions of hyperammonaemia, potentially via a mechanism involving changed in phosphodiesterase expression. Hyperammonaemia-stimulated ROS production was unaffected by CNP but enhanced by a nitric oxide donor in C6 cells. Extracellular vesicle production from C6 cells was enhanced by hyperammonaemia, and these vesicles caused impaired CNP-stimulated cGMP signalling in GPNT cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate functional interaction between CNP signalling and hyperammonaemia in C6 glioma and GPNT cells, but the exact mechanisms remain to be established.

Regulation and Function of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) in Gonadotrope-Derived Cell Lines.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is the most conserved member of the mammalian natriuretic peptide family, and is implicated in the endocrine regulation of growth, metabolism and reproduction. CNP is expressed throughout the body, but is particularly abundant in the central nervous system and anterior pituitary gland. Pituitary gonadotropes are regulated by pulsatile release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus, to control reproductive function. GnRH and CNP reciprocally regulate their respective signalling pathways in αT3-1 gonadotrope cells, but effects of pulsatile GnRH stimulation on CNP expression has not been explored. Here, we examine the sensitivity of the natriuretic peptide system in LßT2 and αT3-1 gonadotrope cell lines to continuous and pulsatile GnRH stimulation, and investigate putative CNP target genes in gonadotropes. Multiplex RT-qPCR assays confirmed that primary mouse pituitary tissue express Nppc,Npr2 (encoding CNP and guanylyl cyclase B (GC-B), respectively) and Furin (a CNP processing enzyme), but failed to express transcripts for Nppa or Nppb (encoding ANP and BNP, respectively). Pulsatile, but not continuous, GnRH stimulation of LßT2 cells caused significant increases in Nppc and Npr2 expression within 4 h, but failed to alter natriuretic peptide gene expression in αT3-1 cells. CNP enhanced expression of cJun, Egr1, Nr5a1 and Nr0b1, within 8 h in LßT2 cells, but inhibited Nr5a1 expression in αT3-1 cells. Collectively, these data show the gonadotrope natriuretic peptide system is sensitive to pulsatile GnRH signalling, and gonadotrope transcription factors are putative CNP-target genes. Such findings represent additional mechanisms by which CNP may regulate reproductive function.

Pituitary Pathology and Gene Expression in Acromegalic Cats.

The prevalence of GH-secreting pituitary tumors in domestic cats (Felis catus) is 10-fold greater than in humans. The predominant inhibitory receptors of GH-secreting pituitary tumors are somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) and D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2). The expression of these receptors is associated with the response to somatostatin analog and dopamine agonist treatment in human patients with acromegaly. The aim of this study was to describe pathological features of pituitaries from domestic cats with acromegaly, pituitary receptor expression, and investigate correlates with clinical data, including pituitary volume, time since diagnosis of diabetes, insulin requirement, and serum IGF1 concentration. Loss of reticulin structure was identified in 15 of 21 pituitaries, of which 10 of 15 exhibited acinar hyperplasia. SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR5, and DRD2 mRNA were identified in the feline pituitary whereas SSTR3 and SSTR4 were not. Expression of SSTR1, SSTR2, and SSTR5 was greater in acromegalic cats compared with controls. A negative correlation was identified between DRD2 mRNA expression and pituitary volume. The loss of DRD2 expression should be investigated as a mechanism allowing the development of larger pituitary tumors.

Serum anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations before and after treatment of an ovarian granulosa cell tumour in a cat.

CASE SUMMARY: A 15-year-old female cat was presented for investigation of progressive behavioural changes, polyuria, polydipsia and periuria. An ovarian granulosa cell tumour was identified and the cat underwent therapeutic ovariohysterectomy (OHE). The cat's clinical signs resolved, but 6 months later it was diagnosed as having an anaplastic astrocytoma and was euthanased. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration prior to OHE was increased vs a control group of entire and neutered female cats. Following OHE, serum AMH concentration decreased to <1% of the original value. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Serum AMH measurement may represent a novel diagnostic and monitoring tool for functional ovarian neoplasms in cats.