Secretion of epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and renin-like enzymes by dispersed male mouse submandibular gland cells in vitro.

Abstract

The submandibular gland of the mouse contains a variety of hormone-like proteins and enzymes, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and submandibular gland renin-like enzymes (SGR). Dispersed cells from the submandibular gland of male mice were prepared by treatment with collagenase to study the mechanisms by which these specific proteins are secreted in vitro. All three proteins were secreted concomitantly in vitro by the dispersed submandibular gland cells. Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and phenylephrine, all α-adrenergic agonists, stimulated release of these three proteins in a dose-dependent manner, whereas isoproterenol, a β-adrenergic agonist, and carbamylcholine, a cholinergic agonist, did not. The effect of α-adrenergic agonists was inhibited either by removal of calcium ions from the incubation medium or by the addition of verapamil, a selective blocker of extracellular calcium influx. The divalent cation ionophore, A-23187, stimulated release of all three proteins in a...