Pyocyanin and 1-hydroxyphenazine produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhibit the beating of human respiratory cilia in vitro.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa culture filtrates varied in their ability to slow human ciliary beat frequency (7-71%). This activity did not correlate with known virulence factors. However, a close correlation (r = 0.97) existed between ciliary slowing and pigment content. In a prolonged culture, the increase in activity correlated (r = 0.94) with pigment accumulation. Gel filtration of lyophilized filtrate yielded a single peak of activity corresponding to the pigment fraction. Pyocyanin extracted from an active strain, and 1-hydroxyphenazine were purified by high performance liquid chromatography, and characterized by ultraviolet absorbance spectra and mass spectrometry. Both slowed cilia in a dose-dependent manner, and were synthesized and shown to be indistinguishable from the biological compounds. Pyocyanin caused gradual onset of slowing and ultimate widespread ciliostasis with epithelial disruption. 1-hydroxyphenazine caused rapid onset of ciliary slowing associated with dyskinesia and ciliostasis. Pyocyanin assayed within filtrates accounted for a significant proportion of the bioactivity present.

Cyclic AMP produces desensitization of prostacyclin and adenosine A2 receptors in hybrid cell lines but does not affect Gs function.

Prostacyclin and adenosine A2 receptors stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in the related somatic hybrid cell lines NG108-15 and NCB20. The role of cAMP in the desensitization of these receptors has been examined. Pretreatment for 17 h with forskolin or 8-bromo-cAMP had the same effect in both cell lines. There was no change in the response to sodium fluoride or forskolin, suggesting that the function of Gs and adenylate cyclase were unaffected by increased levels of cAMP. Receptor responses were affected however; the maximum response to N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (an A2 receptor agonist) was reduced by 30-40%, there was a small but consistent shift to the right of the dose-response curve for iloprost (a stable analogue of prostacyclin) and [3H]iloprost binding studies revealed a loss of prostacyclin receptors. However, the loss of receptor responsiveness was much smaller than that which occurs following pretreatment with prostacyclin or adenosine A2 receptor agonists (Keen et al. (1989) Biochem. Pharmacol. 38, 3827-3833; Kelly et al. (1990) Br. J. Pharmacol. 99, 309-316) suggesting that cAMP may not play a major role in agonist mediated desensitization.

Thromboxane release by lymphokine-differentiated U937 human monocytic cells: response to platelet-activating factor (PAF) and chemotactic peptide (FMLP) but not to low affinity IGE-receptor (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) occupation.

The primary objective of this study was to explore if the CD23 antigen is a functional low affinity IgE receptor on macrophages for the release of thromboxane B2 (TXB2). The responsiveness of U937 monocytic cells and their macrophage-like inducible forms to platelet-activating factor (Paf), the chemotactic peptide fMLP, and low affinity IgE-receptor occupation was examined. Differentiation of U937 cells by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and a cancer cell line (HBT 5637) conditioned medium (5637-CM), but not INFg or IL4, resulted in a macrophage-like cell line which released TXB2. A high basal release of TXB2 with no significant response to Paf or fMLP challenge was seen following culture of cells with PMA. In 5637-CM-differentiated cells, Paf and fMLP induced a rapid release of TXB2, about 10 fold above basal activity. There was a slow Ca-independent response to short-term treatment with PMA and a rapid Ca-dependent response to the ionophore A23187. Both stimulants acted synergistically on TXB2 synthesis in 5637-CM differentiated cells. Although low affinity receptors for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) were induced by 5637-CM, no TXB2 was released in response to soluble or latex-bound IgE-antigen complexes or to anti-Fc epsilon RII/CD23-antibodies. IL4 and to a lesser extent INFg both induced Fc epsilon RII/CD23 receptor expression, but inhibited release of TXB2 in response to Paf, fMLP, or PMA. We conclude that the functional receptors for IgE on mature macrophages are most probably not Fc epsilon RII/CD23.

Arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferases in leukocytes.

The posttranslational modification of proteins by the addition of an ADP-ribose group is mediated by ADP-ribosyltransferases, which are expressed widely in many eukaryotic tissues, including leukocytes. DNA encoding arginine-specific ADP-ribosyltransferases has been cloned from both polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes and lymphocytes, and their primary structures are widely conserved, particularly in those domains of the enzyme implicated in NAD+ binding and catalysis. In most cases the enzymes are tethered to the outer aspect of the cell surface or are released directly from the cell surface. The protein substrates of some of the ADP-ribosyltransferases have been identified and the catalytic activity of these enzymes has been implicated in several immune responses as well as white cell chemotaxis. This review describes recent significant advances in this field, and it seems likely that additional leukocyte functions, most particularly those linked to the activity of surface integrins, will be assigned to this class of enzymes.

The identity of IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RII) that mediate cellular activation of human macrophages: evidence against a role for CD23.

There is now compelling evidence that macrophages bind IgE, and are involved in several IgE-dependent responses. The CD23 antigen mediates a mitogenic response in "primed" B-lymphocytes, although its expression is not confined to B cells, and CD23 is inducably expressed in many cells including macrophages. CD23 is also known to bind IgE, a property that leads to inhibition of the mitogenic response in B cells. In the present review, the possibility that CD23 mediates IgE-dependent responses in macrophages has been re-examined, and it is proposed that the functional receptor for IgE on macrophages may be quite separate from the CD23 antigen.

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) activates adenylate cyclase of bovine aortic endothelial cells: guanosine 5' triphosphate dependence and partial agonist activity of a tyrosinated analogue.

Human calcitonin gene related peptide (hCGRP) has been shown to release prostacyclin from cultured human endothelial cells and activate adenylate cyclase in endothelial cell membrane preparations. Human endothelial cells are difficult to obtain, so a bovine aortic endothelial cell model has been used to investigate the actions of hCGRP further. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were cultured and membranes prepared from them. In these membrane fractions there was a concentration dependent activation of adenylate cyclase by hCGRP, which required the presence of guanosine 5' triphosphate. Basal activity of adenylate cyclase was 41.5 pmol.min-1.mg-1 protein. The concentration for half maximum activation of adenylate cyclase (Kact) by hCGRP was 842 nM. The maximum increase in adenylate cyclase activity above basal in response to hCGRP was 180 pmol cyclic adenosine monophosphate.min-1.mg-1 protein. A [tyr degree] substituted analogue of hCGRP [( tyr degree]-hCGRP) also activated adenylate cyclase (Kact 2.2 microM) but the maximum stimulation by [tyr degree]-hCGRP was less than that obtained with native peptide. The same analogue partially inhibited the hCGRP dependent activation of adenylate cyclase (Ki = 2 microM). These studies show that hCGRP acts on a receptor on endothelial cells to activate adenylate cyclase and that [tyr degree]-hCGPO is a partial agonist at this receptor. The potent vasodilator properties of hCGRP may be mediated through or modified by its interaction with endothelial cells.

Activation of bovine endothelial thromboxane receptors triggers release of prostacyclin but not EDRF.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the capacity of U46619 (a stable thromboxane A2 mimetic) to mediate release of endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from bovine aortic endothelial cells, and compare the response to the U46619 dependent release of prostacyclin (PGI2). METHODS: Bovine aortic endothelial cells (AG4762) were cultured in vitro on microcarrier beads, which were then loaded onto a column and perfused. The cells were challenged with U46619, bradykinin, or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin in the perfusate, and measurements made of the release of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha (the stable hydrolysis product of PGI2, measured by radioimmunoassay) and EDRF (bioassay). Cells were also cultured on glass cover slips, loaded with Fura 2-AM, and measurements made of the rise in intracellular Ca2+ after challenge with U46619, bradykinin or ionomycin. RESULTS: U46619 triggered release of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha but not EDRF from AG4762 cells, contrasting with bradykinin which released both 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and EDRF. Ionomycin had little or no capacity to mimic and trigger release of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, although ionomycin mediated large increases in intracellular Ca2+. In contrast, staurosporine (a putative inhibitor of protein kinase C) substantially inhibited the U46619 and bradykinin dependent release of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to bradykinin linked receptors on AG4762 endothelial cells, which are coupled to the release of both prostacyclin and EDRF, activation of thromboxane A2 receptors on these cells selectively triggers release of PGI2 but not EDRF. Further, based on the distinct effects of ionomycin and staurosporine, it appears that agonist stimulated PGI2 release from these cells is mediated predominantly by protein kinase C, rather than by rises in intracellular Ca2+. This observation contrasts with previously described mechanisms of PGI2 release from endothelium obtained from other sources.

Expression and desensitisation of A2 purinoceptors on cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Purine nucleotides and their metabolites are important mediators of vascular tone. Adenosine promotes relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, acting on the A2 subclass of purinoceptors. There is some evidence that these receptors are also present on vascular endothelial cells. We have therefore examined cultured aortic endothelial cells for adenosine (A2) sensitivity. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (AG4762) were obtained from the Institute of Aging cell repository (USA), and cultured in monolayer flasks. Adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of AG4762 cells was increased by 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine. NECA dependent activation of adenylate cyclase was inhibited by 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine greater than theophylline greater than caffeine. The rank order of potency of these compounds identified the responses as mediated by A2 purinoceptors. Prolonged exposure of AG4762 cells to NECA in culture resulted in loss of A2 purinoceptor responsiveness, and purinoceptor activity could be restored to non-dividing densensitized cells by further culture in the absence of the desensitising agent. The cyclic AMP dependent phosphorylation of specific sites in endothelial cells may trigger a number of important biological events which are yet to be determined.

Neuropeptide Y in neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells. Response to dexamethasone and nerve growth factor.

High concentrations of a newly-identified biologically potent peptide, neuropeptide Y, have been demonstrated in 3 related mouse neuroblastoma-derived clonal cell lines, N18TG2 0.35 pmol/mg protein, NG108-15 0.44 pmol/mg protein and NCB-20 0.39 pmol/mg protein. The NG108-15 cell line was chosen for further evaluation. Dexamethasone (10 microM) and nerve growth factor (10 ng/ml) resulted in a 2-fold increase in cellular neuropeptide Y concentrations. The response to dexamethasone was demonstrated to be dose-dependent. Exposure to both agents in combination resulted in a more than additive effect, indicating synergism.

The binding of [3H]-prostacyclin to membranes of a neuronal somatic hybrid.

1 [3H]-prostacyclin bound to a washed membrane preparation of the NCB-20 neuronal hybrid cell line. 2 Kinetic analysis of [3H]-prostacyclin binding suggested a simple, non-cooperative bimolecular interaction between the ligand and a single receptor population. The equilibrium dissociation constant was 16.6 nM, and binding at a saturating [3H]-prostacyclin concentration enabled the receptor density of 2.57 x 10(5) receptor molecules per cell to be calculated. 3 At 20 degrees C the rate constant for the forward reaction (K+1) was 2.26 x 10(5) M-1 S-1, and the rate constant for the dissociation of the ligand-receptor complex (k-1) was 3.85 x 10(-3) S-1. Thus the dissociation constant (k-1/k+1) was 17.0 nM. 4 Prostaglandin E1 and prostacyclin compete for a single receptor in these cells, and comparison of other prostaglandins as inhibitors of [3H]-prostacyclin binding revealed some of the structural requirements for high-affinity occupation of prostacyclin receptors.

Desensitization of prostacyclin responsiveness in a neuronal hybrid cell line: selective loss of high affinity receptors.

The binding of [3H]-iloprost (ZK36374) to NCB-20 membranes revealed a single population of high affinity receptors (KD = 9.55 nM, Bmax = 431 fmol mg-1 protein) and a low affinity, non-saturable binding component. Desensitization of prostacyclin-responsiveness of NCB-20 cells is induced by culture in the presence of the stable prostacyclin analogue carbacyclin. Desensitization is accompanied by an increase in the Kact value for prostacyclin (64.1 nM to 175 nM), and a reduction in the prostacyclin-dependent increase in adenylate cyclase activity (41.2 to 15.1 pmol cyclic AMP min-1 mg-1 protein). Desensitization is not accompanied by changes in the coupling of the catalytic (C) to the regulatory (Ns) subunit of adenylate cyclase. In addition, the physical identity of the receptor molecule (as characterized by its sensitivity to electron bombardment in the beam of a linear accelerator) is not changed by desensitization. Desensitization of prostacyclin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase may be explained most simply by a loss of prostacyclin receptors. The anomalous increase in the Kact (concentration of prostaglandin giving half-maximum enzyme activation) for prostacyclin-stimulated adenylate cyclase was not accompanied by a substantial change in the KD of [3H]-iloprost binding, and is explained by a loss of spare receptors. Prostacyclin responsiveness in non-dividing cells may be restored after desensitization by prolonged culture (up to 48 h) in the absence of carbacyclin. Resensitization is accompanied by restoration of the high affinity Kact value (143 nM to 45.5 nM), and is dependent on de novo protein synthesis.

Bradykinin-induced release of PGI2 from aortic endothelial cell lines: responses mediated selectively by Ca2+ ions or a staurosporine-sensitive kinase.

1. Bradykinin (100 nM) triggers release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin from both AG07680A and AG04762 bovine cultured aortic endothelial cells. The exposure of these cells to bradykinin is in each case associated with a striking rise in intracellular calcium ion concentration. 2. Exposure of AG07680A cells to 250 nM ionomycin was followed also by a significant release of prostacyclin, whereas 250 nM ionomycin had no capacity to stimulate release of prostacyclin from AG04762 cells. 3. There was a similar concentration-dependent increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration on exposure of AG07680A and AG04762 cells to ionomycin. 4. Exposure of AG04762 cells for 10 min to staurosporine produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (IC50 = 107 +/- 14 nM) in bradykinin-stimulated prostacyclin release. There was no similar inhibitory effect of staurosporine in AG07680A cells. 5. Bradykinin (10 nM) triggered release of nitric oxide from both AG07680A and AG04762 cells, and the effect was not inhibited by 500 nM staurosporine. There was a similar ionomycin-dependent release of nitric oxide from both cell types. 6. These results identify a common pathway for bradykinin-dependent nitric oxide release from both AG07680A and AG04762 cells, involving increases in intracellular calcium ion concentration. In contrast, the bradykinin-dependent release of prostacyclin may involve one of two pathways (involving an increase in intracellular calcium or activation of a staurosporine-sensitive kinase), and the two pathways are selectively exploited in AG07680A and AG04762 cells, respectively.

Divalent cations increase [3H]-prostacyclin binding to membranes of neuronal somatic hybrid cells.

1 [3H]-prostacyclin binding to membranes of a highly differentiated neuronal somatic hybrid is increased equally in the presence of Ca2+, Ba2+, Mg2+ or Sr2+ ions. 2 Analysis of the binding of [3H]-prostacyclin in the presence of low (1 mM) or high (50 mM) Mg2+ ion concentrations has revealed a cation-dependent increase in ligand receptor affinity (Kd values = 57.4 nM and 21.9 nM). 3 The increase in [3H]-prostacyclin binding due to divalent cations is not accompanied by an alteration in the maximum binding capacity of the membranes.

NaF and guanine nucleotides modulate adenylate cyclase activity in NG108-15 cells by interacting with both Gs and Gi.

1. NaF (10 mM) produced a 2-3 fold increase in adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of NG108-15 cells incubated in the presence of 1 microM GTP. Higher concentrations of NaF suppressed adenylate cyclase activity. 2. In the presence of the adenosine receptor agonist 5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA; 100 microM) or the prostacyclin receptor agonist iloprost (10 nM), NaF produced a much smaller increase in adenylate cyclase activity, whereas in the presence of a saturating concentration of iloprost (1 microM), NaF only inhibited adenylate cyclase activity. 3. Similarly, Gpp(NH)p activated basal adenylate cyclase activity, and inhibited 1 microM iloprost-activated enzyme activity. In the presence of 10 microM forskolin, NaF or Gpp(NH)p increased adenylate cyclase activity synergistically. Analysis of concentration-effect curves indicated that NaF (2 mM) or Gpp(NH)p (100 microM) increased the potency with which forskolin activated adenylate cyclase, whilst reducing the maximum activation of adenylate cyclase by iloprost. 4. Opiate receptors mediate inhibition of adenylate cyclase, and the opiate agonist morphine (100 microM) reduced the capacity of NaF or Gpp(NH)p to inhibit iloprost-activated adenylate cyclase. Unexpectedly, pertussis toxin treatment enhanced the ability of NaF or Gpp(NH)p to inhibit iloprost-activated adenylate cyclase. 5. In the absence of GTP, NaF and Gpp(NH)p remained able both to activate basal adenylate cyclase and to be synergistic with forskolin in activating the enzyme. In contrast the ability of NaF and Gpp(NH)p to inhibit iloprost-activated adenylate cyclase was substantially lost in the absence of added GTP. These results suggest that NaF modulates adenylate cyclase activity in NG108-15 cell membranes by interacting with the alpha subunits of both G0 and Gi regulatory proteins. The effects of NaF and Gpp(NH)p are critically dependent on the prior mode and extent of activation or inhibition of this transmembrane signalling pathway. This simple system may be of use in assessing alterations in GSO-O interaction following manipulations such as hormone receptor desensitization.

Prostacyclin analogues reduce ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit of the regulatory Gs-protein and diminish adenosine (A2) responsiveness of platelets.

Prostacyclin and adenosine activate adenylate cyclase in human platelet membranes and inhibit platelet aggregation. Results are presented which show that prolonged incubation of platelets with iloprost (a stable prostacyclin analogue) results in a reduction in the capacity for adenylate cyclase activation by the adenosine analogue 5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA), NaF, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate or GTP. However, iloprost pretreatment resulted in no change in the binding of [3H]-NECA to platelet membranes. These results contrast with those obtained after pretreatment with 2-chloroadenosine which revealed no change in NaF or guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate sensitivity of adenylate cyclase. Pretreatment with 2-chloroadenosine resulted in reduced NECA-dependent adenylate cyclase activation, and loss of [3H]-NECA binding sites. The heterologous desensitization of adenosine A2-receptors by iloprost is accompanied by a loss (greater than 80%) of a 45 kDa protein from the plasma membrane, as revealed by [32P]-ADP-ribosylation in the presence of cholera toxin. It is proposed that this example of heterologous desensitization is mediated by elimination of Gs alpha, a subunit of the stimulatory guanyl nucleotide-binding regulatory protein.

Desensitization of prostacyclin receptors in a neuronal hybrid cell line.

1 Prostacyclin and its stable analogue, carbacyclin, bind competitively to a single population of receptors, and activate adenylate cyclase of the NCB-20 neuronal somatic cell hybrid (Kact = 40.1 nM and 96.1 nM respectively). 2 Culture of NCB-20 cells in the presence of 1 microM carbacyclin for 4 to 16 h results in a progressive decrease in the prostacyclin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase in cell homogenates with an increase at 16 h of the Kact from 64.1 nM to 174.0 nM and decrease in the maximum adenylate cyclase activation from 41.2 to 15.1 pmol cyclic AMP min-1 mg-1 protein. 3 The prediction that the apparent decrease in affinity in the prostacyclin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase was secondary to a reduction in receptor numbers was tested directly by measuring binding of [3H]-prostacyclin to membranes of cells exposed to carbacyclin for 16 h. This showed an actual decrease in affinity of the prostacyclin-receptor interaction, as well as a decrease in the total receptor numbers. Thus prolonged exposure of NCB-20 cells to carbacyclin caused reductions in both receptor numbers and affinity, reflected by measurements both of binding and adenylate cyclase activation.

Prostacyclin-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase in a neuronal somatic cell hybrid: prostanoid structure-activity relationships.

1 Prostacyclin activates adenylate cyclase of the NCB-20 neuronal hybrid cell line. 2 There is a guanosine 5'-triphosphate requirement for the activation of adenylate cyclase by 5,6 beta-dihydroprostacyclin (a stable analogue of prostacyclin). 3 Steady-state kinetic analysis of the activation of adenylate cyclase by 5,6 beta-dihydroprostacyclin suggests a simple non-cooperative bimolecular interaction between the ligand and single receptor population. 4 Structure-activity relationships of selected prostanoids elucidated certain functional requirements for activation of adenylate cyclase.

Segregation of discrete GS alpha-mediated responses that accompany homologous or heterologous desensitization in two related somatic hybrids.

1. Prostacyclin and adenosine A2 receptors activate adenylate cyclase in the neuroblastoma hybrid cell lines NG108-15 and NCB-20. Prolonged exposure of NG108-15 cells to iloprost (a stable analogue of prostacyclin) results in a subsequent reduction in the capacity for adenylate cyclase activation by iloprost, the adenosine analogue 5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) or NaF. In contrast prolonged exposure of NCB-20 cells to iloprost results only in the loss of iloprost responsiveness. 2. Iloprost pretreatment of NG108-15 cells also magnified the morphine-dependent inhibition of iloprost-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity from 36 to 48%. This change was not due to lower iloprost stimulation following desensitization, since the % inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity by morphine in control cells was constant irrespective of enzyme activity. 3. These heterologous effects observed in NG108-15 cells following iloprost pretreatment may involve changes in the GS alpha protein, since there was a reduction of about 30% in the cholera toxin-induced [32P]-ADP-ribosylation of a 45 kDa protein from cell membranes (corresponding to the extent of loss of NECA or NaF responsiveness). A similar reduction was not observed in NCB-20 cells. 4. These results indicate that iloprost pretreatment induces different forms of desensitization in NG108-15 and NCB-20 cell lines. The heterologous desensitization in the former may, like the human platelet, involve a functional loss of GS alpha from the cell membrane. Changes in the activity of GS alpha may also account for the heterologous effects on receptors that mediate inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

Prostaglandin endoperoxide analogues which are both thromboxane receptor antagonists and prostacyclin mimetics.

Two prostaglandin endoperoxide analogues, EP 035 and EP 157, behave as specific thromboxane receptor antagonists on isolated smooth muscle preparations such as rabbit aorta, dog saphenous vein and guinea-pig trachea. However, in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) they produce an unsurmountable block of aggregation induced by a wide range of agents (ADP, platelet-activating factor, thrombin); this inhibitory profile is typical of that seen with either prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) or PGD2. EP 035 and EP 157 induce large increases in cyclic AMP levels (up to 20 times basal) in human PRP. Simultaneous exposure to PGE1 markedly reduces their effect on cyclic AMP; exposure to PGD2 is much less effective in this respect. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ 22,536 opposes the inhibitory action of EP 035, EP 157, iloprost (a stable PGI2 analogue) and PGD2 on platelet aggregation. However, the xanthone derivative AH 6809 blocks the inhibitory action of PGD2 but does not affect EP 035, EP 157 and PGI2 and its structural analogues. EP 035 and EP 157 displace [3H]-iloprost binding to the PGI2 receptor on human platelet membranes. Displacing ability is ranked as follows: iloprost greater than 6a-carba PGI2 greater than EP 157 greater than EP 035 greater than EP 164 (alpha-dinor derivative of EP 157). This order of potency is the same as that found for activation of adenylate cyclase in homogenates of washed human platelets and for inhibition of aggregation in washed human platelets. The activities of EP 035 and EP 157 were studied in two other systems containing PGI2 receptor-adenylate cyclase complexes, the NCB-20 cell line and human lung tissue. In both cases stimulation of adenylate cyclase was found but maximum rates were below that achieved with iloprost. These effects of EP 035 and EP 157 could be correlated with their abilities to displace [3H]-iloprost binding. 5 These results indicate that EP 035 and EP 157 inhibit the aggregation of human platelets by acting as agonists at the PGI2 receptor linked to adenylate cyclase. They represent a class of compound with both thromboxane receptor blocking activity and prostacyclin mimetic activity.

Human calcitonin gene-related peptide activates adenylate cyclase and releases prostacyclin from human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

1 Endothelial cells of human umbilical vein were isolated and cultured in vitro. 2 In these cells there was a concentration-dependent release of prostacyclin and activation of adenylate cyclase by human calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP). The concentration of hCGRP for half-maximum activation of adenylate cyclase (Kact) by hCGRP was 190 nM. 3 Bradykinin induced a ten fold greater release of prostacyclin than CGRP, but did not activate adenylate cyclase. 4 hCGRP may exert its potent vasodilator properties by stimulating release of vasorelaxant substances, including prostacyclin from endothelial cells.