Dependence of stimulus-transcription coupling on phospholipase D in agonist-stimulated pituitary cells.

Stimulation of phospholipase D activity is frequently observed during agonist activation of Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors, but the cellular functions of this signaling pathway are not well defined. Pituitary gonadotrophs express Ca(2+)-mobilizing receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and endothelin (ET), activation of which stimulates luteinizing hormone secretion and transient expression of c-fos. In pituitary cells and alpha T3-1 gonadotrophs, GnRH action was associated with both initial and sustained diacylglycerol (DG) production, whereas ET-1 induced only a transient DG response. Also, phospholipase D activity, estimated by the production of phosphatidylethanol from phosphatidylcholine in the presence of ethanol, was stimulated by GnRH but not ET-1. Such formation of phosphatidylethanol at the expense of phosphatidic acid (PA) during GnRH-induced activation of phospholipase D significantly reduced the production of PA, DG, and cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol. Inhibition of PA-phosphohydrolase activity by propranolol also decreased GnRH-induced DG production and, in contrast to ethanol, increased PA and cytidine diphosphate diacylglycerol levels. The fall in DG production caused by ethanol and propranolol was accompanied by inhibition of GnRH-induced c-fos expression, whereas agonist-induced luteinizing hormone release was not affected. In contrast to their inhibitory actions on GnRH-induced early gene expression, neither ethanol nor propranolol affected ET-1-induced c-fos expression, or GnRH- and ET-1-induced inositol trisphosphate/Ca2+ signaling. These findings demonstrate that phospholipase D participates in stimulus-transcription but not stimulus-secretion coupling, and indicate that DG is the primary signal for this action.

Effects of the phospholipase-C inhibitor, U73122, on signaling and secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs.

The effects of inhibition of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by U73122 [1-(6-[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5- (10) triene-17-yl] amino/hexyl) 1H-pyrroledione] and neomycin on agonist-stimulated intracellular signaling and secretory responses were analyzed in cultured pituitary cells and alpha T3-1 gonadotrophs. GnRH (100 nM)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1; 100 nM)-induced inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol formation in normal cells and immortalized gonadotrophs were reduced by U73122 in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of about 2 microM and complete inhibition at 10 microM U73122. Neomycin also reduced GnRH- and ET-induced inositol phosphate production in both cell types. Agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ responses were also inhibited in both cell types by U73122 and neomycin at the same concentrations that inhibited their inositol phosphate responses. In cultured pituitary cells, agonist-induced LH release was inhibited by U73122 and neomycin in a dose-dependent manner. In perifused pituitary cells, U73122 completely inhibited GnRH- and ET-1-induced LH release, but after 10 min caused a progressive and substantial increase in basal LH release. In static cultures, U73122 inhibited agonist-induced LH response at low concentrations (up to 3 microM), but stimulated LH release at higher concentrations due to direct activation of exocytosis by the compound. When added alone, U73122 caused a concentration-dependent increase in LH release with an EC50 of about 7 microM and a maximum response similar that that elicited by GnRH. The stimulatory action of U73122 on LH release was not reduced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. In contrast to cultured pituitary cells, alpha T3-1 gonadotrophs showed only constitutive exocytosis that was not affected by either neomycin or U73122. These results demonstrate that GnRH and ET(A) receptors are coupled to the phosphoinositide/Ca2+ transduction system in pituitary gonadotrophs, and provide evidence for the dependence of agonist-regulated exocytosis on this signaling pathway. The ability of U73122 to stimulate LH release could reflect an additional action of the compound at late steps in the exocytic pathway.

Coordinate actions of calcium and protein kinase-C in the expression of primary response genes in pituitary gonadotrophs.

Activation of GnRH receptors in cultured pituitary cells and alpha T3-1 gonadotrophs caused prominent, but transient, increases in messenger RNAs for primary response genes (PRGs) including c-fos, c-jun, and junB. GnRH-induced stimulation peaked at 30 min and was dose related, with similar EC50 values (approximately 1 nM) for all three PRGs and higher maximum responses for junB than for c-jun and c-fos. The agonist-induced expression of PRGs was mimicked by activation of protein kinase-C with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which acted additively with GnRH at low concentrations of both stimuli. Depletion of cellular protein kinase-C by prior treatment with PMA reduced GnRH- and PMA-induced expression of PRGs. The protein kinase-C inhibitor staurosporine also attenuated agonist- and phorbol ester-induced PRG expression. Activation of Ca2+ entry by the calcium channel agonist BayK 8644 or high K(+)-induced depolarization caused a concentration-dependent rise in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and a concentration-dependent and transient expression of PRGs, albeit of smaller amplitudes than those elicited by GnRH and PMA. Ca(2+)-dependent PRG expression was abolished by the calmodulin inhibitor W-7. Parallel measurements of [Ca2+]i and steady-state levels of PRG messenger RNAs indicated that intracellular Ca2+ exerted both additive and suppressive actions over its physiological concentration range on GnRH- and PMA-induced PRG expression. At lower intracellular calcium concentrations, calcium acted additively with low concentrations of GnRH and PMA. However, high calcium concentrations suppressed high agonist- and phorbol ester-induced PRG expression. In contrast, omission of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium significantly enhanced induction of PRGs. These findings indicate that GnRH-induced PRG expression in gonadotrophs is mediated by protein kinase-C and calcium, and that protein kinase-C-dependent induction of PRGs is modulated both positively and negatively by physiological changes in [Ca2+]i. Such coordinate actions of the two signaling molecules provide a mechanism for the control of PRG expression by preferential integration of low strength, and attenuation of high strength, extracellular signals.

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the generation of acute phase response and bone loss in rats and talc granulomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Trabecular bone loss is the part of acute-phase response (APR) in rats with subcutaneous granulomatous inflammation induced by talc. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the possible involvement of inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis of bone loss and other aspects of APR. Intraperitoneal administration of specific neutralizing antibodies to TNF-alpha or of recombinant cytokine indicated that TNF-alpha was the primary mediator of bone changes, evidence as slower bone elongation rate, bone marrow hyperplasia, and decreased trabecular bone volume and osteoblast number in tibial metaphysis. RESULTS: Moreover, direct intraosseal administration of anti-TNF-alpha antibody neutralized the effect of inflammation on bone. On the other hand, the serum indices of the APR (decreased zinc and iron concentrations, ACTH and C-reactive protein concentration) were not greatly affected after the administration of anti-TNF antibody, except for the normalization of the hypercupremia and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented in this report demonstrated direct involvement of TNF-alpha in the generation of bone alterations during the development of APR in rats with talc granulomatosis.

Autocrine induction of c-fos expression in GT1 neuronal cells by gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Activation of GnRH receptors in GnRH neuronal (GT1-7) cells causes marked and transient increases in c-fos expression, with peak response at 30 min. GnRH and des-Gly10-[D-Ala6]GnRH N-ethylamide induced concentration-dependent c-fos responses with EC50s of approximately 0.1 and approximately 1 nM, respectively. GnRH action was mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), but stimulation of Ca2+ entry by K(+)-induced depolarization and Bay K 8644 was much less effective. In protein kinase C-depleted cells, the c-fos response to GnRH was reduced to that elicited by increased Ca2+ entry, and the effect of PMA was abolished. Thus, GnRH-induced c-fos expression in GT1 cells appears to be mediated predominantly by protein kinase C, and to a lesser extent by Ca2+. These findings demonstrate that c-fos expression can be induced in a peptidergic neuron by activation of receptors for its neurosecretory product. It is possible that the expression of c-fos in GnRH hypothalamic neurons during the proestrous surge of gonadotropins could likewise be stimulated by a positive feedback action of GnRH on its neuronal receptors.

Thymosin alpha 1 down-regulates the growth of human non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

The effect of thymosin alpha 1 (THN alpha 1) and its NH2-terminal fragment (THN1-14) and COOH-terminal fragment (THN15-28) on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth was evaluated. Using an anti-THN alpha 1 antibody, receptors were identified on NSCLC cells that were pretreated with 10(-6) M THN alpha 1. [3H]Arachidonic acid was readily taken up by NSCLC cells and THN alpha 1 significantly increased the rate of arachidonic acid release. THN1-15 slightly stimulated but THN15-28 and THN beta 4 did not alter arachidonic acid release from NCI-H1299 cells. In clonogenic growth assays in vitro, THN alpha 1 (10(-6) M) significantly decreased NSCLC colony number whereas THN1-14, THN15-28, and THN beta 4 were less potent. Using growth assays in vivo, THN alpha 1 (10 micrograms s.c./day) but not THN1-14, THN15-28, or THN beta 4 inhibited significantly NSCLC xenograft formation in nude mice. These data suggest that biologically active THN alpha 1 receptors are present on NSCLC cells and that native THN alpha 1 inhibits the growth of human NSCLC.

Differential actions of endothelin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in pituitary gonadotrophs.

Endothelin (ET) and GnRH act through specific receptors to promote Ca2+ mobilization and influx pathways in pituitary gonadotrophs. In the present study cytoplasmic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and secretory responses to these two agonists are compared. In single gonadotrophs, low concentrations of both agonists cause oscillatory [Ca2+]i responses after a latent period. Such responses usually consist of discrete transients arising from the normal resting level, but are sometimes super-imposed on an elevated basal calcium level. At high doses, ET-1 and GnRH induce biphasic responses, composed of a spike phase followed by a plateau that often shows high frequency and low amplitude Ca2+ transients. The duration of the latent period and the frequency of the subsequent oscillations are correlated, and both are dependent on agonist concentration. The frequencies and amplitudes of Ca2+ spiking are also interrelated; increases in frequency are followed by more rapid decreases in the amplitude of the Ca2+ transients. After K(+)-induced depolarization, gonadotrophs retain their oscillatory Ca2+ responses to ET-1 and GnRH, with the same frequency as controls. Activation of protein kinase-C by phorbol esters does not alter the frequency of ET-induced Ca2+ transients, but significantly reduces their amplitudes. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar concentrations of thapsigargin converts ET-induced oscillations into a biphasic response, suggesting that Ca(2+)-ATPase in the endoplasmic reticulum participates in the oscillatory mechanism. The two agonists differ in their threshold doses and concentration dependence, ET being significantly less potent than GnRH. Also, gonadotrophs stimulated by ET-1 exhibit different post-treatment responsiveness than those exposed to GnRH. While GnRH-treated cells recover their full [Ca2+]i and secretory responses within 30 min as well as normal [Ca2+]i and secretory responses to ET-1, endothelin-treated cells are refractory to further stimulation with ET and exhibit either attenuated or enhanced Ca2+ and LH responses to GnRH, depending on the duration of exposure to ET-1 and the subsequent recovery period. These data indicate that both receptors use the same mechanism(s) for Ca2+ release, but have different capacities to generate, maintain, and reinitiate the Ca2+ signal.

Modulation of cytoplasmic calcium signaling in rat pituitary gonadotrophs by estradiol and progesterone.

The stimulatory action of GnRH on gonadotropin secretion from cultured rat pituitary cells is modulated by estradiol (E) and progesterone (P). Since secretory responses to GnRH are initiated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization, the effects of gonadal steroids on the pattern of Ca2+ signaling were analyzed in single pituitary gonadotrophs. Increasing concentrations of GnRH elicited a spectrum of [Ca2+]i signals in single gonadotrophs, ranging from subthreshold to threshold-oscillatory and biphasic (spike & plateau) responses. In E-treated gonadotrophs, short-term P treatment shifted subthreshold [Ca2+]i responses to oscillatory and oscillatory to biphasic responses, whereas long-term P treatment shifted oscillatory to subthreshold [Ca2+]i response profiles. These changes parallel the effects of P on GnRH-induced LH release, and indicate that the modulatory effects of ovarian steroids on gonadotropin secretion include a significant action on the Ca2+ signaling pathway.

Endothelin ETA receptors mediate the signaling and secretory actions of endothelins in pituitary gonadotrophs.

Specific receptors for endothelin (ET), localized by autoradiographic studies with [125I]ET in frozen sections of the rat pituitary gland, were abundant in the adenohypophysis, but not in the neurohypophysis. Specific binding of [125I]ET-1 and [125I]ET-3 was also demonstrable in 3-day-old primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells. The binding of [125I]ET-1 to its receptors was time and temperature dependent and was followed by rapid internalization of the receptor-ligand complex. Binding of [125I]ET-1 and [125I]ET-3 to pituitary tissues and cells was more effectively displaced by ET-1 and ET-2 than by ET-3. In cultured pituitary cells, ET-1 caused a rapid increase in polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] production, with a prompt rise in the cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and LH secretion. The Ins(1,4,5)P3 response to 100 nM ET-1 was transient, with a spike at 10 sec followed by an exponential decrease toward the low steady state level. Ins(1,3,4)P3 and inositol bisphosphate (InsP2) increased more slowly, reaching peak values 30-40 sec after stimulation. The kinetics of the [Ca2+]i response to ET-1 were similar to those of the Ins(1,4,5)P3 response and more rapid than those of the Ins(1,3,4)P3 and InsP2 responses. In perifused cells, ET-stimulated increases in LH release showed the same biphasic patterns as the Ins(1,4,5)P3 and [Ca2+]i responses. ET-1 was more potent than ET-3 in stimulating [Ca2+]i and LH responses, consistent with its higher affinity for the pituitary ET receptors. The initial activation of Ca2+ signaling and LH exocytosis by ETs was followed by prolonged refractoriness to both ET-1 and ET-3. The development of desensitization occurred more rapidly in ET-1- than ET-3-stimulated cells and correlated temporally with endocytosis of the receptor-ligand complex. These findings indicate that stimulation of gonadotropin release by ETs occurs via activation of ETA-type receptors, which are coupled to polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and [Ca2+]i mobilization, and undergo rapid internalization and profound desensitization.

Decreased osteoinductive potential of bone matrix from ovariectomized rats.

The effect of estrogen deficiency on matrix-induced bone formation was investigated. Female rats were ovariectomized and given demineralized bone matrix (DBM) intramuscularly 3 weeks before termination. The DBM was taken from previously ovariectomized and from sham-operated on rats. The animals were killed at various times after ovariectomy (6-27 weeks). Implants were processed undemineralized for histologic and biochemical studies. Normal DBM implanted in ovariectomized or normal rats induced extensive bone formation 6 weeks postovariectomy. The amount of newly formed bone decreased with the age of host rats. Bone matrix taken from ovariectomized rats was incompletely resorbed in both ovariectomized and normal hosts, therefore reducing the extent of osteogenesis and bone-marrow formation. Instead, chondrogenesis was intensive, but delayed. The calcium, magnesium, and zinc contents were decreased in implants taken from ovariectomized rats when compared with implants taken from normal animals. Normal osteoinduction with DBM taken from normal rats and implanted in ovariectomized rats and the absence of osteogenesis with DBM taken from ovariectomized rats indicate that an estrogen-deficient environment is not crucial for altered matrix-induced endochondral bone formation in ovariectomized rats. An altered composition of matrix from ovariectomized rats and a subsequent abnormality in the cell-matrix interaction should be considered responsible.

In vivo models in the study of osteopenias.

A better insight into bone pathophysiology is required for a full understanding of the mechanisms leading to bone loss in humans. Animal models of bone disease appear to be the most valuable for this purpose. Certain differences in bone metabolism exist between various species. Non-human primates are the most human-compatible animal species, whereas dogs appear to be most appropriate among small laboratory animals. However, the high cost of studies on primates and dogs restricts the number of animals examined. The rat is the most frequently used animal. Many similarities have been observed in bone metabolism of humans and rats. Like humans, rats also lose bone with aging, and in some parts of the rat skeleton bone remodelling occurs. However, bone metabolism in rat is mainly characterized by growth and modelling, which makes the rat model completely appropriate for studies of juvenile osteopenias. Characteristics of animal models of osteopenias should be comprehensively investigated in order to render the study results completely, or with known exceptions, comparable to the corresponding processes in humans.