Endogenous protein and enzyme fragments induce immunoglobulin E-independent activation of mast cells via a G protein-coupled receptor, MRGPRX2.

Mast cells play a central role in inflammatory and allergic reactions by releasing inflammatory mediators through 2 main pathways, immunoglobulin E-dependent and E-independent activation. In the latter pathway, mast cells are activated by a diverse range of basic molecules (collectively known as basic secretagogues) through Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors (MRGPRs). In addition to the known basic secretagogues, here, we discovered several endogenous protein and enzyme fragments (such as chaperonin-10 fragment) that act as bioactive peptides and induce immunoglobulin E-independent mast cell activation via MRGPRX2 (previously known as MrgX2), leading to the degranulation of mast cells. We discuss the possibility that MRGPRX2 responds various as-yet-unidentified endogenous ligands that have specific characteristics, and propose that MRGPRX2 plays an important role in regulating inflammatory responses to endogenous harmful stimuli, such as protein breakdown products released from damaged or dying cells.

Mast cell degranulation via MRGPRX2 by isolated human albumin fragments.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are important modulators of the human immune system via their release of several inflammatory mediators and proteases. The release can be activated by different pathways: the classical immunoglobulin E-dependent pathway and by the non-immunological immunoglobulin E-independent pathway. MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) is expressed in mast cells and it is one of the endogenous receptor responsible for the IgE-independent activation of human mast cell. The MRGPRX2 is classified as orphan receptor and unlike most GPCRs, the MRGPRX2 recognizes a wide range of basic molecules. Thus, there still might be several unknown ligands for the receptor. METHODS: MRGPRX2 activating peptides were isolated from human plasma using consecutive HPLC purification steps. The isolation process was monitored with MRGPRX2 transfected HEK 293 cells. The isolated peptides were sequenced by MS and synthetized. The synthetic peptides were used to determine degranulation of the human LAD 2 mast cell line by measuring ß-hexosaminidase release. RESULTS: Three endogenous MRGPRX2 activating peptides were isolated from human plasma. These peptides are identified as fragments of albumin. The isolated fragments activate MRGPRX2 and degranulate MRGPRX2 expressing LAD 2 cells in dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The isolated basic peptides generated from human albumin are able to degranulate mast cells via the MRGPRX2. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: These endogenous albumin fragments, cleaved from albumin by mast cell secreted proteases, provide a possible pathway for self-perpetuating mast cell dependent inflammation.

Neuropeptide Y distribution in the rat brain.

A massive neuronal system was detected by immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay with antibodies to neuropeptide Y, the recently isolated peptide of the pancreatic polypeptide family. Immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers were most prevalent in cortical, limbic, and hypothalamic regions. Neuropeptide Y was extracted in concentrations higher than those of any other peptide hitherto discovered in the mammalian brain. Column chromatography of brain extracts and double immunostaining experiments indicate that neuropeptide Y is the endogenous brain peptide responsible for immunostaining of pancreatic polypeptide-like immunoreactivity in the mammalian brain.

Isolation of new ligands for orphan receptor MRGPRX1-hemorphins LVV-H7 and VV-H7.

The human MAS-related G protein-coupled receptor X1 (MRGPRX1) is a member of the GPCR family. The receptor is primate specific and expressed in the sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglion and trigeminal ganglion, where it is considered to be involved in the pain perception. The MRGPRX1 has unusual binding mechanism, as it is activated by several different ligands as well as several different fragments of precursor proteins. Thus, we hypothesize that it is activated by several unknown compounds as well since the receptor is still classified as orphan. Here, we describe the isolation of two novel endogenous ligands for the MRGPRX1 from human platelet preparation. The isolated ligands are hemoglobin ß-chain fragments, known members of the hemorphin family.

Apelin, the natural ligand of the orphan receptor APJ, is abundantly secreted in the colostrum.

By using a strategy that we have developed to search for the ligands of orphan seven-transmembrane-domain receptors [S. Hinuma et al., Nature 393 (1998) 272-276], we have recently identified a natural ligand, apelin, for the orphan 7TMR, APJ [K. Tatemoto et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 251 (1998) 471-476]. In this paper, we isolated rat and mouse apelin cDNAs, and analyzed the tissue distribution of apelin mRNA in rats. Although apelin mRNA was widely detected in a variety of tissues, the highest expression of apelin mRNA was detected in the mammary gland of pregnant rats. In the mammary gland, biologically active apelin and its mRNA considerably increased during pregnancy and lactation, and reached a maximal level around parturition. Moreover, a large amount of apelin (14-93 pmol/ml) was found to be secreted in the bovine colostrum, and it was still detectable even in commercial bovine milk. Since apelin partially suppressed cytokine production by mouse spleen cells in response to T cell receptor/CD3 cross-linking, the oral intake of apelin in the colostrum and milk might modulate immune responses in neonates.

Pancreastatin inhibits insulin secretion and stimulates glucagon secretion in mice.

Recently a new peptide, pancreastatin, was isolated from porcine pancreatic extracts. It contains 49 amino acids and shows a structural similarity to chromogranin A, which occurs in secretory granules of the endocrine pancreas. Furthermore, pancreastatin has been found to inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion in the perfused rat pancreas. However, its effects under in vivo conditions have never been studied. We have therefore investigated the effects of this peptide on insulin and glucagon secretion in vivo in the mouse. We found that an intravenous injection of pancreastatin (4.0 nmol/kg) lowered basal plasma insulin concentration at 6 min from 55 +/- 8 microU/ml in control mice to 21 +/- 7 microU/ml (P less than .01). The peptide also inhibited the plasma insulin response to both glucose (P less than .01) and the cholinergic agonist carbachol (P less than .001). Furthermore, 2 min after injection of pancreastatin, plasma glucagon concentration had increased to 301 +/- 19 pg/ml compared to 190 +/- 12 pg/ml in control mice (P less than .001). The peptide did not, however, affect the carbachol-induced plasma glucagon response. In addition, pancreastatin induced a transient hyperglycemia. Combined adrenergic blockade by means of a pretreatment of phentolamine and propranolol did not prevent pancreastatin from exerting its effects on plasma insulin levels, whereas the increase in plasma glucagon levels was abolished. Thus, in the mouse, the newly discovered intrapancreatic peptide pancreastatin 1) lowers baseline plasma insulin levels, 2) inhibits glucose- and cholinergically induced insulin secretion, 3) stimulates baseline glucagon secretion, and 4) induces hyperglycemia.

Galanin inhibits insulin secretion and induces hyperglycemia in dogs.

Intravenous administration of galanin into fasted conscious dogs produced a dose-dependent hyperglycemia accompanied by decreases in plasma insulin levels, but with no elevation of plasma glucagon levels. Galanin infusions produced greater parenteral glucose-induced rises in plasma glucose levels along with markedly blunted insulin responses compared with glucose and insulin responses to control glucose infusions. Immediately after cessation of the galanin infusions, elevation of plasma insulin levels occurred in the basal state and after parenteral glucose loading. These results suggest that galanin's hyperglycemic activity is predominantly mediated by a reversible inhibition of insulin secretion.

Gene expression profile in rat pancreatic islet and RINm5F cells.

To clarify tissue-specificity of pancreatic beta cells, comparison of mRNA expression in various conditions of the tissue of multiple organisms is important. Although the developed methodologies for mRNA monitoring such as microarray, rely on the growth of dbEST (database of expressed sequence tag), a large number of unknown genes in the genome, especially in the rat, have not been shown to be expressed. In this study, we have established the first database of ESTs from rat pancreatic islet and RINm5F cells. Two cDNA libraries were constructed using mRNAs from rat pancreatic islet and RINm5F cells to cover a wider spectrum of expressed genes. Over 40,000 clones were randomly selected from the two libraries and partially sequenced. The sequences obtained were subjected to BLAST database analyses. This large-scale sequencing generated 40,710 3'-ESTs. Clustering analysis and homology search of nucleotide and peptide databases using both 3'- and 5'-ESTs revealed 10,406 non-redundant transcripts representing 4078 known genes or homologs and 6328 unknown genes. To confirm actual expression, the unknown sequences were further subjected to dbEST search, resulting in the identification of 5432 significant matches to those from other sources. Interestingly, of the remaining sequences showing no match, 779 were found to be encoded by exon-intron organization in the corresponding genomic sequences, suggesting that these are newly found as actually expressed in this study. Since many genes are up- or down-regulated in differing conditions, applications of the expression profile should facilitate identification of the genes involved in cell-specific functions in normal and disease states.

The intestinal peptide PHI-27 potentiates the action of corticotropin-releasing factor on ACTH release from rat pituitary fragments in vitro.

Effects of rat corticotropin releasing factor (r-CRF) and of natural and synthetic porcine PHI-27 on ACTH release were studied by using freshly prepared anterior pituitary fragments of rats that were superfused with Krebs Ringer bicarbonate buffer (KRB). ACTH was measured in effluent medium samples by RIA. Superfusion with r-CRF-containing KRB caused a concentration-dependent (range 0.2-10 mM) increase of ACTH release. PHI alone did not alter the spontaneous release of ACTH at concentrations of up to 700 nM, but 2000 nM of natural or synthetic porcine PHI-27 enhanced the release rate of ACTH to 180 and 150% of basal ACTH release respectively. Addition of a subeffective concentration of PHI (300nM) to r-CRF containing KRB strongly potentiated its ACTH-releasing effect. Since PHI immunoreactive material is present in nerve fibres located in the external zone of the median eminence, we suggest that PHI or related products may play a physiological role in the control of ACTH secretion.

Effects of porcine intestinal heptacosapeptide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on insulin and glucagon secretion in rats.

Pure porcine vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and porcine intestinal heptacosapeptide (PHI) were infused in fed rats in doses of 1, 10, and 100 pmol/kg . min. The peptides were administered alone or together with glucose (40 mg/kg . min) or arginine (50 mg/kg . min). In the basal state, VIP at a dose of 1 pmol/kg . min and PHI at a dose of 10 pmol/kg . min produced a slight but significant hypoglycemia, whereas 100 pmol/kg . min VIP and PHI had a hyperglycemic effect. VIP at a dose of 10 and 100 pmol/kg . min enhanced the glucose-induced secretion of insulin. PHI exerted such an effect only when administered at the highest dose. When arginine was present as a secretagogue, 10 pmol/kg . min of both VIP and PHI potentiated secretion of insulin and glucagon and elevated the prevailing hyperglycemia. In conclusion, when given as a constant infusion in rats, both PHI and VIP exert a direct hypoglycemic effect and modulate the influence of glucose and arginine on insulin and glucagon secretion. It is as yet unclear to what extent these findings reflect normal physiological events.

Interaction of peptide YY with rat intestinal epithelial plasma membranes: binding of the radioiodinated peptide.

High affinity binding sites for peptide YY (PYY) have been identified and characterized in plasma membranes prepared from rat jejunal epithelium by studying the kinetics, stoichiometry, and chemical specificity of the interaction of 125I-labeled PYY with membranes. Binding of [125I]PYY was rapid, saturable, reversible, specific, and depended on temperature, pH, and ionic strength. In optimized steady state conditions of binding (2 h of incubation at 15 C), the degradation of both [125I] PYY and binding sites did not exceed 20%. The concentration dependence of PYY binding, determined by adding increasing concentrations of [125I]PYY, indicated that specific binding saturated at 2-3 nM peptide. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 434 +/- (SE) 56 pM and a binding capacity of 336 +/- 41 fmol/mg protein (n = 11). Identical results were obtained when increasing concentrations of unlabeled PYY were added to a fixed concentration of [125I]PYY, indicating that the radioiodinated peptide has the same apparent affinity as native PYY. Peptides structurally unrelated to PYY, such as members of the vasoactive intestinal peptide family, insulin, or cholecystokinin octapeptide, were unable to compete with [125I]PYY for binding to membranes. Rat, human, and avian pancreatic polypeptides, which display, respectively, 42%, 47%, and 53% homology with PYY, did inhibit [125I]PYY binding but with an approximate or equal to 100,000-fold lower potency than PYY, indicating the strict structural requirement for recognition by PYY binding sites. In contrast, natural or synthetic neuropeptide Y, which has 25 out of 36 amino acids in common with PYY, retained a high affinity for PYY binding sites [only 4.7 +/- 1.2 (n = 5) times lower than that of PYY]. Specific [125I]PYY binding was particularly high in the upper small intestine and could not be detected in stomach, large intestine, or liver. These findings indicate that rat small intestinal epithelium expresses specific binding sites for the candidate gut hormone PYY that also binds the neuropeptide Y with high affinity, suggesting that the two peptides may regulate the function of small intestinal epithelium, through interaction with a common receptor site.

The effect of galanin on canine plasma glucose and gastroenteropancreatic hormone responses to oral nutrients and intravenous arginine.

Intravenous infusion of galanin into conscious dogs during ingestion of oral glucose or a mixed meal or during iv infusion of arginine resulted in significant blunting of plasma insulin responses and significant increases in plasma glucose levels compared to those in control experiments. Galanin infusions did not significantly alter plasma gastric inhibitory peptide responses to oral glucose or a mixed meal, or plasma gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide, or pancreatic glucagon responses to a mixed meal. Similarly, galanin infusions did not significantly alter pancreatic glucagon responses to iv arginine. In all experimental situations, on cessation of the galanin infusions, prompt elevation of plasma insulin levels occurred. These results suggest that in the conscious dog, galanin administration produces a relatively selective, but readily reversible, inhibition of insulin secretion stimulated by oral nutrients or iv arginine.

The distribution of polypeptide YY-like immunoreactivity in rat tissues.

The distribution of peptide YY (PYY)-like immunoreactivity (IR) in rat tissues was determined by specific RIA after extraction with boiled 1 N acetic acid. The high concentration of PYY-IR was observed in the gastrointestinal tract, with concentrations gradually increasing from the duodenum to the end of colon. The concentration of PYY-IR in the colon was 298.7-449.5 pmol/g tissue (approximately 100-200 times more than that in the duodenum). Pituitary and pancreas contained measurable amounts of PYY-IR (6.8 and 6.3 pmol/g tissue). The concentration of PYY-IR in the mucosa was higher than that in the muscular layer in the small intestine, cecum, colon, and rectum. The ratio of the mucosal PYY-IR to the muscular PYY-IR was highest in the distal small intestine (4.7-6.8). Sephadex G-50 gel chromatography of the colon extracts revealed the one PYY-IR peak which corresponds to [125I]PYY. The gradual increase of PYY-IR from the duodenum to the end of the colon is different from the distribution of other known gut peptides.

Characterization of galanin receptors in the insulin-secreting cell line Rin m 5F: evidence for coupling with a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanosine triphosphate regulatory protein.

The present work characterizes galanin receptors in the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cell line Rin m 5F and documents their regulation by guanine nucleotides. Binding of [125I]galanin to cell membranes was found to be temperature dependent, rapid, saturable, reversible, and highly peptide specific. Optimal steady state conditions were achieved after a 60-min incubation at 15 C. The concentration dependence of galanin binding determined by adding increasing concentrations of [125I]galanin indicated that galanin receptors were saturated at 2-3 nM peptide. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of receptors, with a Kd of 0.3 nM and a binding capacity of 82 fmol/mg protein. Guanyl 5'-yl imidodiphosphate dramatically enhanced the dissociation of bound [125I]galanin. Some guanine nucleotides inhibited [125I]galanin binding to membranes with the following order of potency: guanyl 5'-yl imidodiphosphate greater than GTP = GDP. Other nucleotides had no effect. The effect of the guanine nucleotides was Mg2+ dependent, but Na+ independent, although Mg2+ ions alone (5 mM) slightly enhanced [125I]galanin binding, and Na+ ions alone (100 mM) induced a 60% decrease in the binding. Finally, overnight treatment of Rin m 5F cells with pertussis toxin (0.4 microgram/ml) dramatically reduced [125I]galanin binding to cell membranes. This was related to a 4-fold decrease in receptor affinity, with no change in binding capacity. In conclusion, for the first time evidence of the existence of galanin receptors on functional pancreatic beta-cells is presented. Also, other findings support the fact that galanin receptors are functionally associated with a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein mediating guanine nucleotide control of galanin binding.

Localization of pancreastatin immunoreactivity in porcine endocrine cells.

Pancreastatin is a peptide isolated from the porcine pancreas and shown to inhibit insulin release. We have studied the immunocytochemical distribution of pancreastatin in three porcine endocrine tissues: pancreas, gut, and adenohypophysis. Pancreastatin-specific immunoreactivity was found in all three locations and distributed to numerous cells. In the pancreas, we performed the alternate labeling of consecutive thick (immunofluorescence) or thin (protein A-gold) sections and we observed that pancreastatin colocalizes to secretory granules of insulin and somatostatin-containing cells. The relationship of pancreastatin to chromogranin A is discussed.

Galanin receptors in a hamster pancreatic beta-cell tumor: identification and molecular characterization.

High affinity binding sites for galanin are identified and characterized in membranes from a hamster pancreatic beta-cell tumor. Using the radioiodinated peptide [125I] galanin, interaction of the peptide with pancreatic membranes is shown to be saturable, reversible, and time, temperature, membrane protein concentration, pH, and ionic strength dependent. In optimized equilibrium conditions of binding (90 min at 10 C), native galanin competitively inhibits the binding of [125I]galanin in a dose-dependent manner (from 10(-11)-10(-8) M); half-maximal inhibition is induced by 1 nM peptide. Scatchard analysis indicates the existence of a single population of sites of high affinity (Kd = 1.5 nM) and low capacity (44 fmol/mg protein). The monophasic dissociation process confirms the homogeneity of galanin-binding sites. Galanin-binding sites are highly specific, since apart from native galanin, none of the numerous biologically active peptides tested competes with [125I] galanin for binding to pancreatic membranes. The cross-linking of [125I]galanin to beta-cell membranes is performed using the chemical bifunctional reagent ethylene glycol bis-(succinimidyl succinate). After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis in the presence or absence of dithiothreitol, one single band of 57,000 mol wt is observed, which may be corresponding to the [125I]galanin-receptor complex. Indeed, labeling of this 57,000 mol wt component is abolished only by native galanin but is unaffected by various other digestive peptides. Assuming one molecule of [125I]galanin is bound per molecule of protein, a 54,000 mol wt protein is identified as the pancreatic galanin receptor. In conclusion, our results indicate for the first time the identification of galanin receptors. Their presence in pancreatic beta-cells suggests a direct role of galanin in regulating endocrine beta-cell function.

Distribution of peptide histidine isoleucine in the mammalian respiratory tract and some aspects of its pharmacology.

Peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), a newly discovered neuropeptide, has been detected by RIA and immunocytochemistry in the upper respiratory tracts of the guinea pig, rat, and cat. HPLC of tracheal extracts showed a single peak of PHI immunoreactivity in each species. The immunoreactive PHI peak found in the guinea pig and rat trachea was eluted earlier than the corresponding peak from the cat, which was coeluted with the porcine PHI standard. Immunocytochemistry showed PHI immunoreactivity to be present within ganglion cells and nerve fibers in the respiratory tracts of all three species. The distribution of PHI was similar to that of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and ganglion cells were found to contain both PHI and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide immunoreactivities. Pure natural porcine PHI induced a dose-dependent relaxation of isolated guinea pig tracheal muscle which was not blocked by antagonists to catecholamines, histamine, 5-hydroxy-tryptamine, and acetylcholine. PHI may thus be one of the local factors in respiratory control.

Differentiation-inducing factor of D. discoideum raises intracellular calcium concentration and suppresses cell growth in rat pancreatic AR42J cells.

DIF (differentiation-inducing factor) is a putative morphogen that induces stalk cell differentiation in the lower eukaryote, Dictyostelium discoideum. In this study, we have examined the effects of DIF on growth and the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat pancreatic acinar AR42J cells. Growth of AR42J cells was inhibited when DIF was present in the media, and approximately 50% growth inhibition was attained with 20 microM DIF. DIF was also found to raise [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner (1-40 microM), both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that DIF elicits both calcium influx from the extracellular space and calcium release from intracellular pool(s), thereby inhibiting cell growth in AR42J.

Isolation of a brain peptide identical to the intestinal PHI (peptide HI).

The isolation of a brain peptide identical to the intestinal peptide PHI (peptide HI) is described. The peptide was isolated from porcine brain extract using a chemical assay method based on its C-terminal isoleucine amide structure. The complete amino acid sequence of the peptide was found to be: His-Ala-Asp-Gly-Val-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Phe-Ser-Arg-Leu-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala- Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Ser-Leu-Ile-NH2. This sequence is identical to the intestinal peptide thus demonstrating PHI to be a brain-gut peptide. The role of PHI in the central nervous system as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator is discussed.

Galanin - a novel biologically active peptide from porcine intestine.

The isolation of a novel biologically active peptide, designated galanin, is described. The peptide was discovered by the detection of its C-terminal amide structure in porcine intestinal extract using a chemical method. It was found that galanin consists of 29 amino acids and the complete amino acid sequence is: Gly-Trp-Thr-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Leu-Gly-Pro-His-Ala-Ile-Asp-Asn-His -Arg-Ser -Phe-His-Asp-Lys-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Ala-NH2. Galanin was found to contract smooth muscle preparations from the rat and to cause a mild and sustained hyperglycemia in dog.