Stimulated Pepsinogen Secretion Research Articles

Motilin stimulates pepsinogen secretion in Suncus murinus

Motilin and ghrelin are gastrointestinal hormones that stimulate the migrating motor complex (MMC) of gastrointestinal motility during the fasting state. In this study, we examined the effect of motilin and ghrelin on pepsinogen secretion in anesthetized suncus (house musk shrew, Suncus murinus), a ghrelin- and motilin-producing mammal. By using a gastric lumen-perfusion system, we found that the intravenous administration of carbachol and motilin stimulated pepsinogen secretion, the latter in a dose-dependent manner, whereas ghrelin had no effect. We then investigated the pathways of motilin-induced pepsinogen secretion using acetylcholine receptor antagonists. Treatment with atropine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, completely inhibited both carbachol and motilin-induced pepsinogen secretion. Motilin-induced pepsinogen secretion was observed in the vagotomized suncus. This is the first report demonstrating that motilin stimulates pepsinogen secretion, and suggest that this effect occurs through a cholinergic pathway in suncus.

PAR-2 modulates pepsinogen secretion from gastric-isolated chief cells.

In the present study, we investigated whether activation of protease-activated receptor type 2 (PAR-2) with SLIGRL (SL)NH2, a short mimetic agonistic peptide, directly stimulates pepsinogen secretion from gastric-isolated, pepsinogen-secreting (chief) cells. Immunostaining of gastric-dispersed chief cells with a specific anti-PAR-2 antibody demonstrated expression of PAR-2 receptors on membrane and cytoplasm. SL-NH2 and trypsin potently stimulated pepsinogen secretion (EC50 = 0.3 nM) and caused Ca2+ mobilization (EC50 = 0.6 nM). In contrast to SL-NH2, the scramble peptide LSIGRL-NH2 failed to stimulate pepsinogen release. Exposure to SL-NH2 also resulted in ERK1/2 phosphorylation and activation. Exposure of chief cells to phosphotyrosine kinase inhibitors and 2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one, a selective MEK inhibitor, significantly reduced secretion induced by SL-NH2. Pepsinogen secretion induced by SL-NH2 was desensitized by pretreating the cells with the mimetic peptide and trypsin, and exposure to SL-NH2 abrogates pepsinogen secretion induced by carbachol and CCK-8, but not secretion induced by secretin and vasointestinal peptide. Exposure to Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2 (substance P) but not to calcitonin gene-related peptide increased pepsinogen release. The neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, N-acetyl-l-tryptophan 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl ester, inhibited substance P-stimulated pepsinogen secretion, whereas it did not affect secretion induced by SL-NH2. Collectively, these data indicate that PAR-2 is expressed on gastric chief cells and that its activation causes a Ca2+-ERK-dependent stimulation of pepsinogen secretion.

Smoking and the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal ulcer--recent mechanistic update.

Peptic ulcer is a common disorder of gastrointestinal system and its pathogenesis is multifactorial, where smoking and nicotine have significant adverse effects. Smoking and chronic nicotine treatment stimulate basal acid output which is more pronounced in the smokers having duodenal ulcer. This increased gastric acid secretion is mediated through the stimulation of H2-receptor by histamine released after mast cell degranulation and due to the increase of the functional parietal cell volume or secretory capacity in smokers. Smoking and nicotine stimulate pepsinogen secretion also by increasing chief cell number or with an enhancement of their secretory capacity. Long-term nicotine treatment in rats also significantly decreases total mucus neck cell population and neck-cell mucus volume. Smoking also increases bile salt reflux rate and gastric bile salt concentration thereby increasing duodenogastric reflux that raises the risk of gastric ulcer in smokers. Smoking and nicotine not only induce ulceration, but they also potentiate ulceration caused by H. pylori, alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cold restrain stress. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play an important role in ulcerogenesis through oxidative damage of the mucosa by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), which is potentiated by nicotine and smoking. Nicotine by a cAMP-protein kinase A signaling system elevates the endogenous vasopressin level, which plays an aggressive role in the development of gastroduodenal lesions. Smoking increases production of platelet activating factor (PAF) and endothelin, which are potent gastric ulcerogens. Cigarette smoking and nicotine reduce the level of circulating epidermal growth factor (EGF) and decrease the secretion of EGF from the salivary gland, which are necessary for gastric mucosal cell renewal. Nicotine also decreases prostaglandin generation in the gastric mucosa of smokers, thereby making the mucosa susceptible to ulceration. ROI generation and ROI-mediated gastric mucosal cell apoptosis are also considered to be important mechanism for aggravation of ulcer by cigarette smoke or nicotine. Both smoking and nicotine reduce angiogenesis in the gastric mucosa through inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis thereby arresting cell renewal process. Smoking or smoke extract impairs both spontaneous and drug-induced healing of ulcer. Smoke extract also inhibits gastric mucosal cell proliferation by reducing ornithine decarboxylase activity, which synthesises growth-promoting polyamines. It is concluded that gastric mucosal integrity is maintained by an interplay of some aggressive and defensive factors controlling apoptotic cell death and cell proliferation and smoking potentiates ulcer by disturbing this balance.

Helicobacter pylori stimulates pepsinogen secretion from isolated human peptic cells.

Different acid and peptic related gastroduodenal diseases are associated with both increased gastric secretion and Helicobacter pylori infection. Patients with H pylori associated gastritis or duodenal ulcer have increased serum pepsinogen levels which decrease after eradication. The mechanisms of H pylori induced gastric mucosal damage are not completely understood. To determine the effects of H pylori on pepsinogen secretion from isolated human peptic cells. Dispersed human peptic cells were prepared from endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens after collagenase digestion, mechanical disruption, and density gradient centrifugation. H pylori was obtained from gastric biopsies (antrum and body), and cultured in non-selective and selective media. Isolates of H pylori were used at different concentrations (1 - 20 x 10(6) colony forming units (cfu)). H pylori (10(6) - 2 x 10(7) cfu) increased basal pepsinogen secretion in a concentration dependent manner. This stimulus was not observed with Escherichia coli. The increased secretion was in addition to that observed with 0.1 mM histamine and 0.1 mM dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. However, H pylori did not affect either carbamylcholine (0.1-10 microM) or cholecystokinin (1 microM) stimulated pepsinogen secretion. Addition of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(w)-monomethyl-L-arginine (1 mM) inhibited H pylori induced cGMP generation and pepsinogen secretion, which were also reduced in the absence of extracellular calcium. H pylori induced pepsinogen secretion was not affected by the absence/presence of the cagA gene. H pylori increases pepsinogen secretion from human peptic cells through a calcium and nitric oxide mediated intracellular pathway. This effect is independent of the H pylori virulent cagA gene, and may be a mechanism of H pylori induced gastric mucosal damage.

Stimulation of pepsinogen release from chief cells byHelicobacter pylori: evidence for a role of calcium and calmodulin

To define the mechanisms by whichHelicobacter pyloristimulates pepsinogen secretion, thein vitrorelease of pepsinogen was studied using a preparation of pig chief cell monolayers.Helicobacter pyloriinduced a time- and concentration-dependent release of pepsinogen into the medium, with about a three-fold increase in pepsinogen secretion over controls found after 45 min of incubation. 3×107H. pylori produced 50% of the maximal response found at aH. pyloricount of 2×108. The action ofH. pyloridid not depend on the presence of the vacuolating toxin (vacA) and the cytotoxin-associated protein (cagA). Dibutyryl-cAMP and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate also markedly stimulated pepsinogen secretion and enhanced the stimulatory effect ofH. pylori. Helicobacter pylori-stimulated pepsinogen release was inhibited by lanthanum and the calmodulin antagonist W-7, but not by the L-type Ca2+channel blocker nifedipine, TMB-8, an agent that blocks the release of Ca2+from intracellular stores, the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine and the protein kinase A inhibitor H-8. It is suggested thatH. pyloridirectly stimulates pepsinogen release from gastric chief cells and that this effect is mediated via the calcium/calmodulin messenger branch.

Expression and phosphorylation of a MARCKS‐like protein in gastric chief cells: Further evidence for modulation of pepsinogen secretion by interaction of Ca2/calmodulin with protein kinase C

In gastric chief cells, agents that activate protein kinase C (PKC) stimulate pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of an acidic 72-kDa protein. The isoelectric point and molecular mass of this protein are similar to those for a common PKC substrate; the MARCKS (for Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate) protein. We examined expression and phosphorylation of the MARCKS-like protein in a nearly homogeneous suspension of chief cells from guinea pig stomach. Western blotting of fractions from chief cell lysates with a specific MARCKS antibody resulted in staining of a myristoylated 72-kDa protein (pp72), associated predominantly with the membrane fraction. Using permeabilized chief cells. we examined the effect of PKC activation (with the phorbol ester PMA), in the presence of basal (100 nM) or elevated cellular calcium (1 μM), on pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of the 72-kDa MARCKS-like protein. Secretion was increased 2.3-, 2.6-, and 4.5-fold by incubation with 100 nM PMA, 1 μM calcium, and PMA plus calcium, respectively. A PKC inhibitor (1 μM CGP 41 251) abolished PMA-induced secretion, but did not alter calcium-induced secretion. This indicates that calcium-induced secretion is independent of PKC activation. Chief cell proteins were labeled with 32P-orthophosphate and phosphorylation of pp72 was detected by autoradiography of 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. In the presence of basal calcium PMA (100 nM) caused a > two-fold increase in phosphorylation of pp72. Without PMA, calcium did not alter phosphorylation of pp72. However, 1 μM calcium caused an approx. 50% attenuation of PMA-induced phosphorylation of pp72. Experiments with a MARCKS “phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain peptide” indicated that calcium/calmodulin inhibits phosphorylation of pp72 by binding to the phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain and not by inhibiting PKC activity. These observations support the hypothesis that, in gastric chief cells, interplay between calcium/calmodulin binding and phosphorylation of a common domain on the 72-kDa MARCKS-like protein plays a role in modulating pepsinogen secretion. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:514–523. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Expression and phosphorylation of a MARCKS-like protein in gastric chief cells: Further evidence for modulation of pepsinogen secretion by interaction of Ca2+/calmodulin with protein kinase C

In gastric chief cells, agents that activate protein kinase C (PKC) stimulate pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of an acidic 72-kDa protein. The isoelectric point and molecular mass of this protein are similar to those for a common PKC substrate; the MARCKS (for Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C Kinase Substrate) protein. We examined expression and phosphorylation of the MARCKS-like protein in a nearly homogeneous suspension of chief cells from guinea pig stomach. Western blotting of fractions from chief cell lysates with a specific MARCKS antibody resulted in staining of a myristoylated 72-kDA protein (pp72), associated predominantly with the membrane fraction. Using permeabilized chief cells, we examined the effect of PKC activation (with the phorbol ester PMA), in the presence of basal (100 nM) or elevated cellular calcium (1 microM), on pepsinogen secretion and phosphorylation of the 72-KDa MARCKS-like protein. Secretion was increased 2.3-, 2.6-, and 4.5-fold by incubation with 100 nM PMA, 1 microM calcium, and PMA plus calcium, respectively. A PKC inhibitor (1 microM CGP 41 251) abolished PMA-induced secretion, but did not alter calcium-induced secretion. This indicates that calcium-induced secretion is independent of PKC activation. Chief cell proteins were labeled with 32P-orthophosphate and phosphorylation of pp72 was detected by autoradiography of 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gels. In the presence of basal calcium, PMA (100 nM) caused a > two-fold increase in phosphorylation of pp72. Without PMA, calcium did not alter phosphorylation of pp72. However, 1 microM calcium caused an approx. 50% attenuation of PMA-induced phosphorylation of pp72. Experiments with a MARCKS "phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain peptide" indicated that calcium/calmodulin inhibits phosphorylation of pp72 by binding to the phosphorylation/calmodulin binding domain and not by inhibiting PKC activity. These observations support the hypothesis that, in gastric chief cells, interplay between calcium/calmodulin binding and phosphorylation of a common domain on the 72-kDa MARCKS-like protein plays a role in modulating pepsinogen secretion.

Cytokine effects on pepsinogen secretion from human peptic cells.

Different cytokines, including epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin 1 beta (IL 1 beta), participate in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal damage and repair by means of different mechanisms that are either paracrine or autocrine in nature. To study whether EGF and IL 1 beta affect pepsinogen secretion in vitro. Dispersed human peptic cells were prepared from endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens after collagenase digestion, mechanical disruption, and density gradient centrifugation. EGF dose dependently increased basal pepsinogen secretion and mitogenic concentrations (0.1 nM) of EGF induced submaximal stimulation. Similar effects were observed with transforming growth factor alpha. EGF effects on pepsinogen secretion were in addition to that induced by CCK-OP and db-cAMP stimulated pepsinogen secretion. EGF stimulated pepsinogen secretion was completely inhibited by a human immunospecific EGF receptor antibody and reduced by both genistein and tyrphostin-25, two different tyrosine kinase inhibitors. IL 1 beta does not affect basal, CCK-OP or acetylcholine stimulated pepsinogen secretion. However, IL 1 beta dose dependently inhibited db-cAMP and histamine stimulated pepsinogen secretion. These results show that both EGF and IL 1 beta modulate human pepsinogen secretion in vitro and suggest that the paracrine effects of these cytokines on pepsinogen secretion might be involved in some pathological conditions of damage and inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

Pathogenic Properties of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori possesses factors that allow it to colonize the gastrointestinal mucosa and persist at that site. Here it produces adverse pathological changes, and thereby causes disease. Colonization factors: animal models have shown that motility and the production of urease are essential for colonization by H. pylori. The ability of an organism to adhere to host structures is often considered pivotal in colonization. A number of adhesins associated with H. pylori have been described, which may imply that adherence is a multistep process and that different adhesins mediate adherence to different sites in the gastric tissue. Persistence factors: H. pylori lipopolysaccharide (LPS) possess low immunological activity, thereby minimizing the local inflammatory response and contributing to the persistence of the infection. There is also evidence that the LPS affects the qualitative nature of gastric mucin and stimulates pepsinogen secretion. Whether survival during exposure to antimicrobial agents is aided by the development of coccoid forms with intact membranes and polyphosphate energy reserves is not yet known. Putative disease-inducing factors: these include the vacuolating cytotoxin that is capable of inducing gastric ulceration in mice, ammonia products that induce vacuolation, and phospholipases that may affect the hydrophobicity of the mucosa. Mimicry of Lewis blood group antigens on the surface of H. pylori may also contribute to pathogenesis. Characteristics of certain strains, such as the expression of a cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and the ability to induce rapid chemiluminescence in neutrophils, are associated with the induction of peptic ulceration.

Epidermal growth factor modulates pepsinogen secretion in guinea pig gastric chief cells

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits gastric acid secretion, the effects it exerts on gastric chief cells are unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether EGF modulates pepsinogen release and intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and whether the effect involves mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, eicosanoid generation, and nitric oxide. METHODS: Chief cells were obtained by sequential digestion with collagenase and Ca2+ chelation. [Ca2+]i was measured in cells loaded with Fura-2 and NO generation by the NO coproduct citrulline. RESULTS: In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting showed that EGF receptor and MAP kinases were constitutively expressed in chief cells. EGF caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of pepsinogen secretion and MAP kinase activity and determined a 2.5-7.0-fold increase in [Ca2+]i, inositol 1,4,5-tryphosphate, prostaglandin E2, and leukotriene B4. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors reduced pepsinogen secretion and eicosanoid generation induced by EGF. EGF increased citrulline generation and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation sixfold; the effect was blocked by NG monomethyl-L-arginine, which is an NO synthase inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: EGF stimulates pepsinogen secretion by activating eicosanoid generation, tyrosine kinases, MAP kinases, Ca2+, NO, and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. (Gastroenterology 1996 Oct;111(4):945-58)

Gastric chief cells possess NK1 receptors which mediate pepsinogen secretion and are regulated by agents that increase cAMP and phospholipase C.

In order to determine whether tachykinins alter the function of chief cells and to characterize the receptors mediating the effect, we investigated the abilities of various substance P (SP)-related peptides to inhibit the binding of 125I-Bolton-Hunter labeled substance P (125I-BH-SP) and their abilities to alter cell function in dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach. Binding of 125I-BH-SP was saturable, reversible, time- and temperature-dependent and was inhibited by several SP-related peptides with relative potencies of SP = physalaemin (IC50:0.19 nM) > SP methyl ester (SP-ME) (IC50:3.3 nM) > eledoisin (IC50:6.1 nM) > neurokinin A (NKA) (IC50: 65 nM) > neurokinin B (NKB) (IC50:80 nM). Analyses of these binding data demonstrated that chief cells possess a high and low affinity class of binding sites. Neither 125I-NKA nor [phenylalanyl-3,4,5-3H]senktide demonstrated saturable binding to chief cells. Acid stripping experiments demonstrated rapid ligand internalization with 55% of the bound radioligand internalized by 10 min. Phospholipase C activating agents (carbachol, CCK-8), adenylate cyclase activating agents (secretin, VIP), TPA and the calcium ionophore, A23187, all inhibited the binding of 125I-BH-SP and it was due to inhibition of ligand internalization with no change in surface bound parameters. SP (0.1 microM) stimulated pepsinogen secretion but was 4-times less efficacious than CCK-8 (10 nM) or carbachol (1 mM). 10 nM SP stimulated a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) followed by a sustained elevation lasting 2 min. Single cell spectroscopy demonstrated SP (10 pM to 1 microM) did not cause calcium oscillations. The NK1 receptor antagonist, CP96,345 specifically inhibited the SP-stimulated changes in [Ca2+]i and pepsinogen secretion. The relative potencies of SP-related peptides to stimulate pepsinogen secretion and [Ca2+]i demonstrated a close agreement with their abilities to inhibit the binding of 125I-BH-SP, and comparison of the dose-response curves suggests occupation of the low affinity sites mediate changes in biologic activity. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that chief cells possess a NK1 subtype of tachykinin receptor, occupation of the low affinity sites of this receptor cause calcium mobilization and pepsinogen secretion, and that binding to this receptor is regulated by agents that activate phospholipase C, adenylate cyclase, protein kinase C and calcium mobilization.

Differential effects of GTP gamma S on acid and pepsinogen secretion by permeable gastric glands.

Gastric glands isolated from rabbit stomach were permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. Acid secretion by parietal cells, as measured by the accumulation of weak base, was inhibited by incubation with alpha-toxin but could be restored by addition of exogenous ATP (1 mM). The permeable glands were found to retain acid secretory responses to receptor-linked secretagogues, histamine and carbachol, as well as to intracellular mediators, forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, indicating the presence of intact, functional intracellular coupling mechanisms. Both basal and stimulated acid secretion by the permeable glands were blocked by the Mg2+ chelator, trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA; 5 mM), whereas CDTA had no effect on nonpermeabilized glands. These results are interpreted to show that alpha-toxin permeabilizes parietal cells to moderate sized molecules without causing a loss of critical intracellular components. The acid secretory responses to histamine and carbachol persisted in media containing low ( < 50 nM) levels of free Ca2+ buffered by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (0.5 mM), indicating that changes in bulk Ca2+ are not required for these responses. Inclusion of the nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S; 100 microM), resulted in inhibition of spontaneous acid secretion, blocked responses to all agents tested, and inhibited stimulated acid secretion. GTP gamma S had no effect on nonpermeabilized glands. No effects on acid secretion by either permeable or nonpermeable glands were observed with GTP, guanosine diphosphate, or guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). GTP gamma S had no effect on H+ gradient formation by gastric membrane vesicles, showing that it does not inhibit the gastric H(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase directly. These results are interpreted to show that GTP gamma S interacts at a postreceptor site to inhibit or reverse a critical step in stimulus-secretion coupling in parietal cells. In contrast to the effect on parietal cells, GTP gamma S was found to stimulate pepsinogen secretion by alpha-toxin-permeabilized chief cells. The differential effects of GTP gamma S on acid and pepsinogen secretions suggest unique roles for GTP binding proteins in these two secretory processes. The use of alpha-toxin-permeabilized gastric glands should prove useful in defining the stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms involved in both acid and pepsinogen secretions.

The role of lipopolysaccharide in Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis.

The present review describes the structure, attributes and properties of Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and their potential role in pathogenesis. Although possessing certain attributes similar to those of LPS of other Gram-negative bacteria, H. pylori LPS possess unique biological properties. H. pylori LPS has, in general, low immunological activity and this property may aid the persistence of infection. The O-specific chain of the LPS mimics Lewis blood group antigens in structure. As these antigens are present in the gastric mucosa, the expression of Lewis antigens on the bacterial surface may camouflage the bacterium and aid survival of H. pylori. Alternatively, since autoantibodies against human antral gastric mucosa have been observed in H. pylori-positive patients, the relevance of LPS in the development of autoimmunity in H. pylori-associated disease requires further investigation. H. pylori LPS in part mediates the binding of the bacterium to laminin, and interferes with gastric cell receptor-laminin interaction, thereby potentially contributing to the loss of mucosal integrity. In vitro observations of inhibition of sulphated mucin synthesis and stimulation of pepsinogen secretion by LPS suggest new mechanisms for H. pylori-induced mucosal damage. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies are required to support their pathogenic role.

Characterization of CCKA receptor mediated pepsinogen secretion in porcine chief cells.

Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8s) is an endogenous stimulus of gastric pepsinogen secretion. Previous studies with isolated guinea pig chief cells indicated that this process is mediated through the CCKA receptor subtype, with an additional contribution from CCKB receptors. For comparison, we examined the mechanism of CCK-8s stimulated pepsinogen secretion in a larger nonrodent species, using highly enriched porcine chief cells as a functional in vitro model. Porcine chief cells responded weakly to stimulation by CCK-8s alone, but the efficacy was markedly enhanced in the presence of 10 mumol l-1 forskolin. Under these conditions, pepsinogen secretion was potently stimulated by CCK-8s and the CCKA receptor selective heptapeptide, A-71,378 (EC50 = 4.7 and 33 nmol l-1), but not by CCKB receptor selective agonists. The prototype CCKA receptor selective antagonist L-364,718 blocked pepsinogen secretion with approximately 2,000-fold higher affinity than the CCKB receptor selective analogue, L-365,260. This functional profile was consistent with the affinity rank order of all tested compounds at CCKA-receptor-like [125I]-BH-CCK-8s binding sites in the porcine gastric mucosa. Comparison with cloned CCKA receptors from other species revealed that the receptors mediating pepsinogen secretion in the pig have similar pharmacology, possibly with slight differences in agonist potencies. In contrast to the guinea pig, porcine CCKB receptors appear to have no direct role in pepsinogen secretion.

Leukotrienes stimulate pepsinogen secretion from guinea pig gastric chief cells by a nitric oxide-dependent pathway

Background/Aims: Leukotrienes (LTs) are involved in many inflammatory conditions including gastric damage induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Although LTs stimulate acid secretion, the effect they exert on pepsinogen secretion is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether LTs stimulate pepsinogen secretion by isolated chief cells and to identify the intracellular messengers that mediate this action. Methods: Isolated chief cells were incubated with concentrations of LTB 4, LTC 4, LTD 4, or LTE 4 ranging from 0.1 pmol/L to 10 μmol/L, and pepsinogen release, intracellular calcium and inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate (IP 3) concentrations were measured. Nitric oxide generation was determined by the amount of citrulline generated during incubation. Results: All four LTs caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of pepsinogen secretion with 50% effective concentration of 0.05-0.1 nmol/L and a dose-dependent increase in cytoplasmic free calcium and IP 3 concentration. The LTB 4 and LTD 4 antagonists caused selective, concentration-dependent inhibition of LTB 4- and LTD 4-induced pepsinogen secretion, calcium mobilization, and IP 3 generation. All four LTs increased NO generation, and the effect was inhibited by LTB 4 and LTD 4 antagonists and an NO synthase inhibitor N G -monomethyl- l-arginine and reversed by l-arginine. N G -monomethyl- l-arginine caused a 50%–60% reduction of LT-induced pepsinogen release. Each of the four LTs caused a fivefold increase in 5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Conclusions: LTs are powerful stimulators of pepsinogen secretion in isolated chief cells and act via occupancy of specific cell-surface receptors.

Effect of NSAIDs on pepsinogen secretion and calcium mobilization in isolated chief cells.

Acid and pepsin are thought to play an important role in the process of gastrointestinal side effects induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although NSAIDs increase basal gastric acid secretion, the effect they exert on pepsinogen secretion is unknown. Because pepsin plays a key role in many acid-related diseases, we investigated whether NSAIDs directly stimulate pepsinogen secretion from isolated chief cells. Exposure of guinea pig gastric chief cells to indomethacin (10 microM) did not reduce cell viability as evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase and 51Cr release and trypan blue incorporation. Indomethacin (10 microM) caused two- to threefold increases in pepsinogen secretion and intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i). Both effects were concentration dependent. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ or pretreatment of the cells with 0.5 mM lanthanum blocked both pepsinogen secretion and the [Ca2+]i increase in chief cells stimulated with 10 microM indomethacin. Exposure of isolated chief cells to indomethacin caused a 90% inhibition of prostaglandin (PG) E2 generation, but a 12-fold increase in leukotriene (LT) B4 release. Incubating chief cells with exogenously added LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4 provoked a concentration-dependent stimulation of pepsinogen release (mean effective concentration of 0.05-0.1 nM). Maximally effective concentrations of all LTs (10 microM) increased [Ca2+]i two- to threefold. Pretreating the cells with a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor abolished LTB4 generation induced by Ca2+ ionophore and indomethacin and reduced indomethacin-induced pepsinogen secretion 20%. In conclusion, indomethacin induced a concentration-dependent stimulation of pepsinogen secretion and [Ca2+]i in isolated chief cells. Indomethacin inhibits PGE2 generation, but increases LTB4 release. This "lipoxygenase shunt" may contribute to the effect indomethacin exerts on isolated chief cells.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prostaglandin effects on pepsinogen secretion by dispersed human peptic cells.

The effects of aspirin and ibuprofen on pepsinogen secretion were studied in isolated human peptic cells prepared from endoscopically obtained biopsy specimens after collagenase digestion, mechanical disruption, and percoll gradient centrifugation. Pharmacological concentrations of aspirin and ibuprofen (10(-8)-10(-4) M), potentiated histamine (10(-6)-10(-4)M) and forskolin (10(-5)M) stimulated pepsinogen secretion without affecting basal secretion, acetylcholine (10(-6)M) stimulated pepsinogen secretion or cell vitality. Augmentation of secretagogue stimulated pepsinogen secretion was dependent on extracellular calcium because potentiation was abolished by calcium depletion of the medium. Cimetidine inhibited the potentiation effect on histamine but not on forskolin stimulated pepsinogen secretion, thus suggesting that this augmentation was independent of histamine H2 receptors. Of interest, potentiation was also independent of endogenous prostaglandin inhibition because exogenous addition of prostaglandin E2 and D2 increased both basal and acetylcholine stimulated pepsinogen secretion in a dose dependent way, but they did not modify histamine or histamine plus aspirin or ibuprofen stimulated pepsinogen secretion. In conclusion, aspirin and ibuprofen potentiate secretagogue stimulated pepsinogen secretion by dispersed human peptic cells and this might be an additional mechanism of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induced gastric injury. This potentiation effect is regulated by calcium, independent of endogenous prostaglandin inhibition and seems to act on pepsinogen secretion at a post-receptor site.

Cell surface characteristics of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is an important gastroduodenal pathogen of humans. Immunological and structural studies have been performed on the phospholipids, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and some surface proteins of H. pylori strains. H. pylori LPS has, in general, low immunological activity and this property may aid the survival of this chronic infection. Nevertheless, H. pylori LPS has been found to influence the quality of gastric mucin and to stimulate pepsinogen secretion, thereby contributing to gastric disease. A number of putative adhesins of the bacterium have been described. This multiplicity of adhesins may reflect that H. pylori adherence is a multi-step process involving different interactions, and that different adhesins may mediate adherence to various sites in gastric tissue.

Cell surface characteristics of Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori is an important gastroduodenal pathogen of humans. Immunological and structural studies have been performed on the phospholipids, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and some surface proteins of H. pylori strains. H. pylori LPS has, in general, low immunological activity and this property may aid the survival of this chronic infection. Nevertheless, H. pylori LPS has been found to influence the quality of gastric mucin and to stimulate pepsinogen secretion, thereby contributing to gastric disease. A number of putative adhesins of the bacterium have been described. This multiplicity of adhesins may reflect that H. pylori adherence is a multi-step process involving different interactions, and that different adhesins may mediate adherence to various sites in gastric tissue.

Interaction among secretagogues on pepsinogen secretion from rat gastric chief cells.

We examined the interaction among secretagogues that stimulate pepsinogen secretion through different pathways in vivo and in vitro. In in vitro study, a combined administration of secretin and carbachol or cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) to the culture medium of chief cells potentiated pepsinogen secretion. Moreover, the response induced by carbachol or CCK-8 with forskolin was greater than that with secretin. We examined the interaction among receptor-related second mediators, and found that carbachol- or CCK-8-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) increase was not affected by secretin or forskolin. Both these substances, however, significantly reduced secretin-induced cAMP production. On the contrary, CCK-8 significantly increased forskolin-induced cAMP production, while carbachol increased it slightly. Calcium ionophore, A23187, or protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), did not alter secretin- or forskolin-induced cellular cAMP production; and the reductive effect of carbachol or CCK-8 on secretin-induced cAMP production was restored by their competitive antagonists, atropine or lorglumide. EC50 of those antagonists was almost the same value as IC50 on pepsinogen secretion and [Ca2+]i increase. These results indicate that secretin-induced cAMP production is interfered with by receptor related agonists like CCK-8 and carbachol. It may be suggested that there is a kind of "cross-talk," between the adenylate cyclase system, that is, the secretin receptor, and carbachol or CCK-8 receptor. The interactions between secretin and other secretagogues (carbachol, CCK-8, tetragastrin and histamine) were examined using the perfused rat stomach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)