Mechanism of hemoglobin-induced protection against endotoxemia in rats: a ferritin-independent pathway.

Hemoglobin (Hb) induces heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which catalyzes the breakdown of heme to bilirubin, and ferritin. Rats pretreated with Hb have been shown to survive lethal doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; see L. Otterbein, S. L. Sylvester, and A. M. Choi. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 13: 595-601, 1995). The physiological basis of this increased survival and the mechanism(s) involved in the protection against LPS by Hb are unknown. Here we investigated 1) the effects of Hb on the hemodynamic and biochemical parameters of LPS-induced tissue injury and 2) the mechanism(s) by which Hb conferred protection against shock and tissue injury. Hb-treated rats maintained normal mean arterial blood pressure, whereas control rats experienced cardiovascular collapse after a lethal dose of LPS. Hepatic and renal functions, peripheral white blood cells, serum lactate dehydrogenase, and phosphate also remained normal after LPS in Hb-treated rats. Hb also attenuated LPS-induced neutrophil alveolitis and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels. Pretreatment with both desferoxamine, which, like ferritin, can bind iron, and with exogenous apoferritin failed to protect against LPS. In contrast, treatment with Hb plus desferoxamine, which induced HO-1 but not ferritin, did protect against LPS. Treatment with iron-dextran, which induced ferritin but not HO-1, did not protect against LPS. We conclude that Hb pretreatment reduces the inflammatory and physiological consequences of LPS and that the Hb-induced protection against LPS is dependent on HO-1 and not ferritin induction.

Pulmonary pharmacology of a novel, smooth muscle-selective muscarinic antagonist in vivo.

The need for a smooth muscle-selective muscarinic antagonist that could provide oral bronchodilator activity with minimal side effects has led to the discovery of 3-(4-benzyl-piperazinyl)-1-cyclobutyl-1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-propanone (NPC-14695). Orally administered NPC-14695 was as potent as albuterol in the prevention of aerosolized carbachol-induced collapse in conscious guinea pigs. After s.c. administration in conscious guinea pigs challenged with aerosolized carbachol, NPC-14695 was more potent in the inhibition of collapse than in the inhibition of salivation or the production of mydriasis. Moreover, NPC-14695 exhibited a greater selectivity for the inhibition of collapse over salivary or pupillary effects than either ipratropium or oxybutynin. NPC-14695 was more M3/M2 selective than diphenyl-acetoxy-4-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) in vivo, which was determined from the reversal of bronchoconstriction and bradycardia after i.v. administration in anesthetized guinea pigs infused with methacholine, but was less potent than ipratropium or 4-DAMP. At increasing equieffective bronchodilator doses of aerosolized ipratropium and intraduodenally administered NPC-14695 in anesthetized guinea pigs infused with methacholine, ipratropium reversed the bradycardia and then produced tachycardia whereas NPC-14695 did not alter the heart rate. At doses that produced 50% of the maximum bronchodilation, neither aerosolized ipratropium or intraduodenally administered NPC-14695 affected the pupillary diameter or salivation. At doses that produced a maximum bronchodilation, the two drugs produced an equivalent inhibition of salivation and NPC-14695 produced mydriasis. NPC-14695 did not inhibit the bronchoconstriction induced by three other agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

NPC 15669 reduces mortality associated with sepsis in rats.

N-[9H-(2,7-dimethylfluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucine (NPC 15669), a leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, was investigated for its ability to enhance survival in a rat model of sepsis, fecal peritonitis. Infusion of NPC 15669 (3 mg kg-1 hr-1 i.v.) for 19, 24 or 48 hr or three to four bolus injections (10 mg/kg) at 2- or 6-hr intervals along with gentamicin effectively cured all animals (> 2-week survival) relative to gentamicin-treated controls (28 +/- 1 hr survival), whereas infusion at a 10-fold lower dose was ineffective. Unlike aspirin and dexamethasone, which were inactive (< 36-hr survival), ibuprofen significantly increased the survival time (66 +/- 1 hr) but did not cure septic rats. The efficacy of NPC 15669 on survival was associated with the reversal of leukopenia and a marked inhibition of neutrophil infiltration into the small intestine. By contrast, i.v. bolus injection or infusion of a related analog, N-[9H-fluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]glycine, which does not inhibit leukocyte recruitment, failed to reduce the mortality rate associated with fecal peritonitis-induced sepsis. In addition, NPC 15669 was efficacious therapeutically, even when administered as late as 6 hr after the induction of sepsis (14 of 16 animals survived > 5 days). Together, these data suggest that NPC 15669 may be useful in the treatment of septic shock.

Mice treated with a leumedin or antibody to Mac-1 to inhibit leukocyte sequestration survive endotoxin challenge.

Endotoxin challenge causes metabolic dysfunction mediated by TNF, and sequestration of leukocytes. NPC 15669, N-carboxy-L-leucine, N-[2,7-dimethylfluoren-9-yl)methyl] ester, inhibits leukocyte recruitment into inflammatory lesions in animals, and inhibits endotoxin-induced neutropenia and lymphopenia in mice. This study was carried out to determine whether the ability of NPC 15669 to inhibit leukocyte sequestration is sufficient to promote survival after endotoxin challenge. To inhibit leukocyte sequestration directly, mice were treated with anti-CD11a (LFA-1) or anti-CD11b (Mac-1) before endotoxin challenge. Anti-CD11b partly inhibited neutropenia and lymphopenia in response to challenge with LPS, but anti--CD11a had little effect on leukopenia. At doses of 100 and 1000 micrograms/kg, anti-CD11b increased survival to endotoxin challenge from 0 to 20 and 40%, respectively, whereas anti-CD11a was without effect. These observations, coupled with the finding that NPC 15669 does not inhibit endotoxin-induced TNF release suggest that inhibition of leukocyte sequestration can increase survival after endotoxin challenge, and that NPC 15669 or antibodies to Mac-1 may represent effective therapies for gram-negative sepsis and shock.

NPC 15669, an inhibitor of neutrophil recruitment, is efficacious in acetic acid-induced colitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of the leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, N-[9H-2,7-dimethylfluoren-9-ylmethoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucine (NPC 15669) was compared with drugs used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases in a rat model, acetic acid-induced colitis. METHODS: Colonic damage assessed by visual inspection, histological quantitation of tissue injury, vascular permeability, myeloperoxidase (MPO) accumulation, and synthesis of inflammatory mediators were measured. RESULTS: Intrarectal pretreatment with NPC 15669 results in a significant reduction of all measured indices of inflammation. The median effective dose (ED50) of NPC 15669 for inhibition of MPO accumulation and vascular permeability is 13.2 mg/kg and 31 mg/kg, respectively. The active moiety of sulfasalazine, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), the antioxidant/5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and the corticosteroids dexamethasone and hydrocortisone, yielded ED50 values (MPO accumulation) of 68 mg/kg, 95 mg/kg, 0.7 mg/kg, and 13 mg/kg, respectively. When formulated suspensions of NPC 15669, 5-ASA, or dexamethasone were used, potency was increased 10-40-fold. Furthermore, NPC 15669 (10 mg/kg) administered 7 hours after acetic acid and evaluated 24 hours after acetic acid administration significantly attenuated neutrophil influx (70% inhibition of MPO accumulation), whereas 5-ASA (100 mg/kg) displayed no therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS: NPC 15669 may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

Synthesis and antimuscarinic activity of some 1-cycloalkyl-1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-3-(4-substituted piperazinyl)-2-propanones and related compounds.

A new class of substituted 1-phenyl-3-piperazinyl-2-propanones with antimuscarinic activity is reported. As part of a structure-activity relationship study of this class, various structural modifications, particularly ones involving substitution of position 1 and the terminal piperazine nitrogen, were investigated. The objective of this study was to derive new antimuscarinic agents with potential utility in treating urinary incontinence associated with bladder muscle instability. These compounds were examined for M1, M2, and M3 muscarinic receptor selectivity in isolated tissue assays and for in vivo effects on urinary bladder contraction, mydriasis, and salivation in guinea pigs. Potency and selectivity in these assays were influenced most notably by the nature of the substituent group on the terminal nitrogen of the piperazine moiety. Benzyl substitution was particularly advantageous in producing compounds with functional M3 receptor (smooth muscle) and bladder selectivity; it provided several candidates for clinical study. In vivo, 3-(4-benzyl-piperazinyl)-1-cyclobutyl-1-hydroxy-1-phenyl-2-propanone (24) demonstrated 11- and 37-fold separations in its effect on bladder function versus mydriatic and salivation responses, respectively. The corresponding 2-chlorobenzyl derivative 25 was more than 178-fold selective for M3 versus M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors. 3-(4-Benzylpiperazinyl)-1,1-diphenyl-1-hydroxy-2-propanone (51) was 18-fold selective for M3 versus M1 and 242-fold selective for M3 versus M2 receptors. It was also selective in guinea pigs, where it displayed 20- and 41-fold separations between bladder function and effect on mydriasis and salivation, respectively. In general, the results of this study are consistent with the proposition that the described piperazinylpropanones interact with muscarcinic receptors in a hydrogen-bonded form that presents a conformation similar to that apparently adopted by classical antimuscarinic agents.

The leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, NPC 15669 accelerates healing in acetic acid-induced colitis.

The therapeutic efficacy of the leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, NPC 15669 (N-[9H-(2,7-dimethylfluoren-9-yl-methoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucine), was evaluated through the time course of acetic acid colitis in rats. Intrarectal (i.r.) administration of dilute acetic acid produced intense inflammation of the colon, neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhage, necrosis and denuding of epithelium. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) accumulation increased approximately 40-fold (by day 1) and significant resolution of the disease occurred by day 9. When NPC 15669 (10 mg/kg, i.r.) was administered 24 h after acid, MPO accumulation and colonic lesion scores were significantly inhibited (days 3-9) and histological examination revealed the absence of hemorrhage, epithelial cell regeneration and complete restoration of the mucosal architecture. Thus, NPC 15669 prevents colonic damage and promotes healing of ulcers, even when administered at the peak of the inflammatory response.

Prevention and suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by an orally active leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, NPC 16570.

An orally active leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, NPC 16570 (N-[9H-fluoren-9-ylethoxycarbonyl]-4-aminobenzoic acid), was evaluated in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats. The mean time of disease onset in control animals was 12 +/- 1 days, with peak average clinical scores of 2.5 +/- 0.2, accompanied by perivascular infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS. Daily administration (p.o.) of NPC 16570 reduced the clinical severity (by 70%) at 10 and 30 mg/kg, and at 100 mg/kg, no clinical symptoms were detected. When NPC 16570 (100 mg/kg) treatment was initiated 7 days after EAE induction, the severity (75% inhibition) and duration of the disease were attenuated; 2 out of 6 animals showed no overt clinical symptoms and perivascular cell infiltration was prevented, suggesting potential utility in autoimmune diseases.

Additive effects of a bradykinin antagonist, NPC 17761, and a leumedin, NPC 15669, on survival in animal models of sepsis.

The effects of coadministration of NPC 17761 (D-Arg-Arg-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Phe-Ser-D-Hype (transthiophenyl)-Oic-Arg), a potent bradykinin antagonist, and NPC 15669 (N-[9H-(2,7-dimethylfluoren-9-yl-methoxy)carbonyl]-L-leucine), a leukocyte recruitment inhibitor, were examined in rodent models of experimental shock. In mice, ED50 doses of NPC 17761 (0.12 mg/kg) and NPC 15669 (4 mg/kg), administered together, increased survival (83%) and inhibited leukopenia (60% at 4 h) in response to a lethal dose of endotoxin. In rats, independent administration of NPC 15669 (10 mg/kg, i.v. bolus) or NPC 17761 (0.1 mg/kg/h, 4 h) did not significantly increase survival (36 +/- 4 and 46 +/- 9 h, respectively) versus controls (27 +/- 1 h). However, co-treatment essentially "cured" (survival > 1 week) all septic animals, suggesting synergistic effects of the two agents.

Synthesis and antimuscarinic properties of some N-substituted 5-(aminomethyl)-3,3-diphenyl-2(3H)-furanones.

In a study aimed toward developing new, selective antimuscarinic drugs with potential utility in the treatment of urinary incontinence associated with bladder muscle instability, a series of N-substituted 5-(aminomethyl)-3,3-diphenyl-2(3H)-furanones, conformationally-constrained lactone relatives of benactyzine, was prepared. The compounds were examined in several paradigms that measure muscarinic (M1, M2, and M3) receptor antagonist activity. Selected members of the series that displayed potency and/or selectivity in these tests were studied for their effects on urinary bladder contraction, mydriasis, and salivation in guinea pigs. These studies revealed that incorporation of the amino functionality into an imidazole or pyrazole ring resulted in some novel, potent, and selective antimuscarinic agents. Appropriate alkyl substitution of position 2 of the imidazole strikingly affected muscarinic, particularly M3, receptor activity and may reflect a complementary site of interaction. Some of the compounds selectively reduced bladder pressure in a cystometrogram (CMG) model without producing concomitant mydriatic and salivary effects. The separate and distinct action of several compounds of this series in these in vivo protocols suggests the possibility of subtypes of muscarinic receptors that may correspond to previously characterized molecular cloned subpopulations. In this article, structure-activity relationships for the series of substituted lactones are discussed. These studies led to the identification of (R)-[(2-isopropyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-4,5-dihydro-3,3-diphenyl-2(3H )- furanone (23) as a clinical candidate for treating urinary bladder dysfunction.

(+/-)-Terodiline: an M1-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist. In vivo effects at muscarinic receptors mediating urinary bladder contraction, mydriasis and salivary secretion.

The affinity and selectivity of racemic terodiline (N-tert-butyl-1-methyl-3,3-diphenylpropylamine HCl) for muscarinic receptor subtypes was determined from functional responses of rabbit vas deferens (M1), guinea pig atria (M2) and bladder detrusor muscle (M3). (+/-)-Terodiline was found to be about as potent as pirenzepine in the rabbit vas deferens (Kb = 15 and 31 nM, respectively) and at least as selective for M1 relative to M2 (11-fold) and M3 (19-fold) receptors. Like pirenzepine, (+/-)-terodiline does not distinguish between M2 and M3 receptors in vitro. The peripheral actions of (+/-)-terodiline were evaluated in vivo in terms of its ability to induce mydriasis, and to inhibit salivary secretion and urinary bladder contraction. (+/-)-Terodiline given s.c. was equipotent in inhibiting intravesical bladder pressure and carbachol-induced salivary secretion (ID50 = 24 and 35 mg/kg, respectively), and in increasing pupil diameter (ED50 = 59 mg/kg). These results suggest that the in vivo actions of racemic terodiline at (M3) receptors mediating bladder contraction may not be separable from its actions at receptors mediating mydriasis and salivation. Moreover, its effects on the pupil and salivary glands are apparently not mediated through M1 receptors. Together, these findings help clarify the action of (+/-)-terodiline in the treatment of neurogenic bladder.

Effect of extracellular Ca2+ on cholinergic, KCl and phorbol ester-mediated phosphoinositide turnover and guinea pig urinary bladder contraction.

The effect of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) on cholinergic, KCl and phorbol ester-mediated detrusor contractions was related to phosphoinositide (PI) breakdown in guinea pig urinary bladder. Carbachol (1.0 mM) elicited a 20-fold increase in inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation both in presence and absence of [Ca2+]o yielding the same EC50 value (approximately 12 microM). In contrast, carbachol-induced detrusor contractions were reduced by 35% without [Ca2+]o, but maximal efficacy was restored with Ca2+ replenishment. In absence of [Ca2+]o, repeated cholinergic stimulation yielded contractions only if tissues were intermittently equilibrated in [Ca2+]o. High K+ and PDBu evoked [Ca2+]o-dependent contractions. Ca2+ channel antagonists and divalent metal cations inhibited high K+ more potently than carbachol-mediated contractions. Together, these findings suggest multiple sources of Ca2+ for urinary bladder contraction, where voltage-sensitive responses depend primarily on [Ca2+]o and PI-linked muscarinic responses involved Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores as well. Clinical agents used for the treatment of urinary incontinence inhibited both carbachol-induced PI turnover and muscle contraction with the same rank order of potency both in presence and absence of [Ca2+]o. These findings suggest that the cholinergic mechanism of action of these agents involves the PI-Ca2+ effector system.

In vitro and in vivo antimuscarinic effects of (-)cis 2,3-dihydro-3-(4-methylpiperazinylmethyl)-2-phenyl-1,5 benzothiazepin-4-(5H)one HCl (BTM-1086) in guinea pig peripheral tissues.

The potency and selectivity of (-)cis-2,3-dihydro-3-(4-methylpiperazinylmethyl)-2-phenyl-1,5 benzothiazepin-4-(5H)one HCl (BTM-1086) for muscarinic receptor subtypes was compared in functional assay systems, in guinea pig peripheral tissues, to known reference drugs: atropine (nonselective), pirenzepine (M1), AF-DX 116 (M2) and HHSiD (M3). Like atropine, BTM-1086 was a potent, nonselective, competitive muscarinic antagonist with no detectable antispasmodic activity in urinary bladder or ileal muscle. In vivo, in the guinea pig cystometrogram, BTM-1086 depressed intravesical bladder pressure (PvesP) with the same efficacy and potency as oxybutynin, a drug used clinically for the treatment of urinary incontinence. The pharmacological profile of BTM-1086, however, suggests that it may not be suitable for development for bladder dysfunction disorders.

The anticholinergic activity of agents indicated for urinary incontinence is an important property for effective control of bladder dysfunction.

The anticholinergic, antispasmodic and local anesthetic properties of agents indicated for the treatment of neurogenic bladder disorders were compared with known reference drugs in vitro and in cystometric studies in vivo in the guinea pig. Highly significant correlations (P = .0001) were found among the potencies of drugs to inhibit carbachol-induced isolated guinea pig detrusor muscle contraction in vitro and peak intravesical bladder pressure in vivo in the guinea pig cystometrogram, a test that provides the integrated micturition response in the intact animal. In contrast, there was no significant correlation (P greater than .5) among the potencies of the drugs to depress bladder contractile responses (in vitro and in vivo in the cystometrogram) and their potencies as antispasmodic or local anesthetic agents. Based on these correlations, we suggest that the anticholinergic component of the drugs' action is important in current effective therapies of bladder dysfunction. However, the possibility that other ancillary activities may also contribute to the specific mechanism of action of these agents in the urinary bladder is not ruled out.

Heterologous up-regulation of Ni-coupled receptors in cultured neural hybrid cells by a transferable factor, whose expression is inhibited in a cyclic AMP-dependent, cell-specific manner.

Opiate, muscarinic, and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on NCB-20 and NG108-15 neuroblastoma hybrid cells were up-regulated by treatment of the cells with media (CM) conditioned by previous incubation with either cell type. NG cells treated with CM from both NCB and NG cells (NCB-CM or NG-CM) showed a 2-fold increase in opiate receptor density relative to untreated cells, with no change in ligand affinities. Opiate receptor density on NG cells was also enhanced approximately 2-fold by CM derived from dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBc)-treated NG cells (NG-dBc-CM) but not by CM from dBc-treated NCB cells, (NCB-dBc-CM). The data suggest that a transferable factor that up-regulates NG opiate receptors is produced by untreated NCB and NG cells, and is either suppressed or inactivated in dBc-treated NCB cells but not in dBc-treated NG cells. Muscarinic and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor site densities on NG cells were also up-regulated approximately 2-fold by NCB-CM but not by NCB-dBc-CM. Thus, the factor induced a heterologous up-regulation of three classes of Ni-coupled receptor sites on NG cells. The up-regulating factor, which accumulates in the media with time in culture, also acts directly upon cells that are synthesizing/secreting the factor (auto-up-regulation). Thus, opiate receptor density increased in untreated NCB and NG cells, as well as in dBc-treated NG cells, as a function of cell growth, but did not increase on dBc-treated NCB cells. Coupling of NG opiate receptors to adenylate cyclase (AC) was not altered by CM. Prostaglandin E1-stimulated AC was maximally inhibited by (approximately 40%) by 1 microM DADLE with the same efficiency and potency in untreated as in CM-treated NG cell membranes. Furthermore, NCB-dBc-CM which does not induce NG opiate receptor up-regulation and NCB-CM, which does induce it, had no effect on inhibition of AC by DADLE. The up-regulating factor is a relatively small molecule (molecular weight = 3000-6000), whose synthesis and/or secretion is suppressed by dBc in NCB but not in the related NG hybrid. This unique cell specificity may be exploited to study the mechanism of opiate, muscarinic, and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor expression and turnover in cultured neural hybrid cells.

Heterogeneity of muscarinic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide breakdown in guinea pig brain and peripheral tissues.

Muscarinic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis (PI) are present in guinea pig bladder and colon. Compared to rat cerebral cortex, an extensively studied muscarinic/PI turnover system, all agonists were more potent and efficacious in both bladder and colon. The "M1-selective antagonists", pirenzepine and dicyclomine, were much more potent (Ki = 1-5 nM) and selective (300 to 500-fold) at both rat and guinea pig brain and guinea pig colon receptors, compared to PI-coupled receptors in guinea pig bladder. In contrast, "M2-selective antagonists", AF-DX 116 and HHSiD, were 2-6 fold more potent in bladder than in brain, while HHSiD was very potent in the colon (50 times more potent than in brain). These results suggest a pharmacological heterogeneity of PI-linked muscarinic receptors. If muscarinic receptors with a low affinity for pirenzepine are defined as M2, these results show that the guinea pig bladder contains PI-linked M2 muscarinic receptors, whereas the guinea pig colon contains PI-linked M1 receptors.

Ni-coupled receptors in cultured neural hybrid cells: cell specificity for dibutyryl cyclic AMP-induced down-regulation but not morphological differentiation.

Opiate, muscarinic, and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and the Ni-coupled response of adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibition were examined in neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 (108 CC15) and neuroblastoma X Chinese hamster brain NCB-20 clonal hybrid cells, induced to differentiate with 1.0 mM dibutyryl cAMP (dBcAMP). Scatchard analysis of binding of the opiate agonist 3H-(D-Ala2,D-Leu5)enkephalin (DADLE) and the antagonist [3H] diprenorphine to dBcAMP-treated NCB-20 cell membranes indicated an 80% reduction in opiate receptor density relative to untreated cells (Bmax = 47 +/- 11 fmol/mg of protein versus 220 +/- 48 fmol/mg of protein), with no change in ligand affinities. Binding of the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist [3H]-p-aminoclonidine to dBcAMP-treated NCB-20 membranes was also reduced by 50% and 28%, respectively. In contrast, treatment of NG108-15 cells with dBcAMP did not down-regulate opiate, muscarinic, or alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sites. Opiate and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor sites were not down-regulated in the N18TG2 neuroblastoma clone, the common parent of both the hybrid cells, and the apparent source of these receptors. The C6BU-1 parent of the NG108-15 hybrid showed poor specific binding of all ligands examined. dBcAMP was very potent in inducing opiate receptor site down-regulation of NCB-20 cells, with an ED50 after 4 days treatment of 8 microM. The time course of loss of [3H]DADLE and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate specific binding was similar, and maximum down-regulation was achieved after 2 days. In contrast, neither higher concentrations of dBcAMP (5.0 mM) nor longer treatment times (7 days) resulted in down-regulation of receptor sites on NG108-15 cells. Coupling of opiate receptors to AC was also selectively altered in differentiated NCB-20 cells. Prostaglandin E1-stimulated AC was maximally inhibited by 1 microM DADLE in membranes from undifferentiated cells to different degrees (30% in NCB-20 and 54% in NG108-15). dBcAMP treatment had no effect on opiate inhibition of AC in NG108-15 cells but reduced by 50% the maximum opiate inhibition of AC in NCB-20 cells. These data indicate that the signal for receptor down-regulation which was triggered by dBcAMP in the NCB-20 cell comes uniquely from the Chinese hamster brain cell NCB-20 parent. The differences between NCB-20 and NG108-15 cells in the regulation of Ni-coupled receptors provides an example of dBcAMP-induced heterologous down-regulation with unique cell specificity, which is unrelated to the morphological differentiation process triggered by dBcAMP, which is common to both cells.