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Biomedical subjects

F Sundler

Publications and source records attributed to F Sundler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Antisera against rat recombinant histidine decarboxylase: immunocytochemical studies in different species.

Histamine is involved in many important biological processes such as allergic reactions, gastric acid secretion and neurotransmission. The formation of histamine is catalysed by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase. In order to understand the role of histamine in different tissues, information about the cellular localisation of the decarboxylase is important. However, the availability of antisera against the enzyme, which can be used in immunocytochemical techniques, has so far been limited, mainly due to the difficulties in purifying sufficient amounts of histidine decarboxylase from various tissues. In the present study we describe the use of antisera raised against rat recombinant histidine decarboxylase to localise the enzyme immunocytochemically in the gastric mucosa of different mammals and submammalian vertebrates. The antisera specifically stained histidine decarboxylase-immunoreactive cells in the gastric mucosa of not only rat, but also of species like frog, chicken, mouse and dog. This is the first report describing the immunocytochemical distribution of the decarboxylase in the gastric mucosa of species other than rat. These antisera are likely to become valuable tools for further studies of the immunocytochemical localisation of histidine decarboxylase.

Animals↗

Neuropeptide-containing C-fibres and wound healing in rat skin. Neither capsaicin nor peripheral neurotomy affect the rate of healing.

Wound healing in rat skin was studied in standardized wounds inflicted on both hind legs after unilateral sciatic nerve sectioning and/or capsaicin-induced depletion of sensory nerve (C-fibre) neuropeptide content. Daily visual inspection, histological examination and immunohistochemistry with antibodies against substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide, neuropeptide Y and a pan-neuronal marker, protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) were used to assess wound healing and determine the distribution of dermal nerve fibres. In controls, nerve fibre density in the wound tissue was low during the first few days after wound infliction, but started to increase on day 4, reaching a peak on day 7 when 25% of medial wounds and 70% of lateral wounds were healed. All wounds were healed on day 11, a scar appearing on day 14 followed by a decrease in nerve fibre density. Capsaicin treatment and/or sciatic nerve sectioning reduced the density of CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibres by 70% and that of PGP 9.5-immunoreactive fibres by 50%. The capsaicin-induced reduction in PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibre density is attributable to partial destruction of peripheral nerve fibres. CGRP-immunoreactive and PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibre density was restored both in capsaicin-treated and denervated groups, reaching a maximum, corresponding to the original level, by days 4-10. Neither the reduction in nerve fibre density following sciatic nerve sectioning nor the impairment of sensory nerve functional capacity following capsaicin treatment affected the rate of wound healing, all wounds being closed on day 11. The study shows that it is difficult to knock out all cutaneous sensory innervation. Thirty per cent of C-fibre innervation seems enough to ensure a normal wound healing.

Animals↗

Islet perturbations in rats fed a high-fat diet.

The islet response to a high-fat diet, which induces insulin resistance, was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. It was found that the insulin response to glucose (15 or 25 mg/min, i.v.) was not different between rats given a high-fat diet and control rats after 2 weeks but was significantly reduced in rats fed high-fat diets after 4 (by 46+/-9%; p<0.001) and 8 weeks (by 68+/-12%; p<0.001). However, after 2 weeks of a high-fat diet, stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets incubated for 60 min in 5.6, 8.3, and 11.1 mM glucose was impaired. When islets isolated from rats given a high-fat diet for 2 weeks were perifused, it was evident that the first-phase insulin secretion was impaired (seen during the first 6 min after increase of glucose from 3.3 to 8.3 mM). Insulin gene expression, examined by quantitative in situ hybridization, was impaired after 2 weeks of high-fat diet (52% decrease in mRNA-labeling; p<0.001). Islet hypertrophy was not evident in rats given high-fat diet, as determined by areas of either islet profiles in dark-field images or isolated islets. Islet innervation, as revealed by immunostaining for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), was increased after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of high-fat diet. Thus induction of insulin resistance by high-fat diet in Sprague-Dawley rats results after 2 weeks in impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, impaired insulin gene expression, and hyperinnervation of the islets without any sign of islet hypertrophy, whereas the in vivo insulin response to glucose, although normal after 2 weeks, is impaired after 4 weeks.

Animals↗

Modulatory role of adrenergic nerves on dexamethasone-induced islet cell NPY expression in the rat: evidence from chemical sympathectomy.

We previously demonstrated induction of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat islet beta-cells by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX). Because noradrenergic nerves appear to regulate NPY expression in the central nervous system (CNS), we investigated whether DEX-induced islet cell expression of NPY could be modulated by catecholaminergic nerves. Therefore rats were treated with DEX (2 mg/kg, i.p., for 12 days) and received injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA; 80 mg/kg, i.v., at day 1 or 10). 6-OHDA treatment eliminated islet adrenergic nerves. The frequency of NPY-immunoreactive islet cells and the levels of islet cell NPY messenger RNA (mRNA) were markedly lower in rats given 6-OHDA at day 1 of the DEX-treatment period. In contrast, the frequency of NPY-immunoreactive cells and levels of islet cell NPY mRNA in DEX-treated rats receiving 6-OHDA at day 10 did not differ from those treated with DEX alone. The findings suggest that DEX-induced islet cell expression of NPY is partially dependent on adrenergic nerves and that the effect of sympathectomy is exerted at an early stage of the NPY induction.

Adrenergic Agents↗

Local downregulation of enterochromaffin-like cell histamine formation in ulcer healing: a study in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells are the major source of histamine for the regulation of gastric acid secretion, their role in ulcer healing has not been fully investigated. The present study aimed to investigate changes in ECL cell components as well as markers for somatostatin cells, parietal cells and macrophages during the healing of experimental ulcers in rats. METHODS: Standardised ulcer was induced directly in the rat gastric mucosa by brief application of acetic acid. At different time intervals following ulcer induction (1-15 days), histamine, histidine decarboxylase (HDC), chromogranin A, pancreastatin, vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT-2), H-K-ATPase, somatostatin as well as ED1 and ED2 (macrophage markers) were localised by immunocytochemistry. ED1- and histamine-immunoreactive cells were counted at different time points. HDC- and VMAT-2-immunoreactive cells were demonstrated by double staining and counted. The mRNA of HDC, chromogranin A and somatostatin was demonstrated by in situ hybridisation and quantitated by computerised image analysis. RESULTS: HDC immunoreactivity and mRNA were markedly reduced in the ECL cells at the ulcer margin from day 1 following ulcer induction and onwards; after day 5 HDC immunoreactivity and mRNA rose gradually and had almost normalised by day 15. This local and transient downregulation of HDC was accompanied by a similar decrease in ECL cell histamine. In contrast to HDC and histamine, other ECL cell components (chromogranin A, pancreastatin, VMAT-2) as well as somatostatin and H-K ATPase were still demonstrable at the ulcer margin and displayed no major changes at any time point studied. Of the macrophage markers, ED1, but not ED2, could be identified at the ulcer margin, and the number of ED1-immunoreactive cells was high in the ulcer margin from day 1 to day 5 after ulcer induction. The increase in ED1-positive cells and the decrease in HDC-expressing cells were coincident in time and localisation. CONCLUSION: The present results revealed a local and transient downregulation of HDC in the ECL cells at the ulcer margin. This may account for the decrease in ECL cell histamine observed. The local infiltration of macrophages into the ulcer margin suggests that inflammatory mediators are involved in the local suppression of ECL cell activity during ulcer healing.

Acetic Acid↗

Lack of systemic anaphylaxis and aeroallergen-induced airway plasma extravasation in allergic immunoglobulin-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: In Ig-deficient mice allergen challenge-induced pulmonary late phase inflammation is at least as pronounced as in wild-type animals. This study investigates immediate hypersensitivity responses in these mice. METHODS: To examine the acute plasma extravasation response in airway tissue, immunized Ig-deficient and wild-type mice and sham-immunized wild-type controls were subjected to 15 min ovalbumin aerosol challenge. 125I-albumin was injected (i.v.) 1 min prior to challenge. Immediately after challenge 131I-albumin was injected and the experiment was terminated. Plasma and trachea were analyzed for 125I and 131I, and the amount of extravasated plasma in the trachea was calculated. To study the development of systemic anaphylaxis immunized Ig-deficient and wild-type animals received intravenous allergen challenge followed by determination of mast cell responses and plasma histamine levels. RESULTS: Allergen aerosol-exposed immunized wild-type mice exhibited marked plasma extravasation in the trachea (pd0.01 vs. wild-type controls), but in the corresponding Ig-deficient mice there was no increased extravasation. Immunized Ig-deficient mice receiving intravenous allergen challenge were resistant to anaphylactic shock. By contrast, the wild-type animals developed systemic anaphylaxis, accompanied by plasma extravasation, mast cell degranulation, elevated plasma histamine and rapid death. CONCLUSION: The present data are evidence that immunoglobulins are crucial for the development of immediate (type 1) responses. These findings together with our previous observations on late-phase pulmonary responses suggest that immediate hypersensitivity processes are unimportant for development of the late phase inflammation in the respiratory tract of mice.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Hormone-sensitive lipase, the rate-limiting enzyme in triglyceride hydrolysis, is expressed and active in beta-cells.

Triglycerides in the beta-cell may be important for stimulus-secretion coupling, through provision of a lipid-derived signal, and for pathogenetic events in NIDDM, where lipids may adversely affect beta-cell function. In adipose tissues, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) is rate-limiting in triglyceride hydrolysis. Here, we investigated whether this enzyme is also expressed and active in beta-cells. Northern blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that HSL is expressed in rat islets and in the clonal beta-cell lines INS-1, RINm5F, and HIT-T15. Western blot analysis identified HSL in mouse and rat islets and the clonal beta-cells. In mouse and rat, immunocytochemistry showed a predominant occurrence of HSL in beta-cells, with a presumed cytoplasmic localization. Lipase activity in homogenates of the rodent islets and clonal beta-cells constituted 2.1 +/- 0.6% of that in adipocytes; this activity was immunoinhibited by use of antibodies to HSL. The established HSL expression and activity in beta-cells offer a mechanism whereby lipids are mobilized from intracellular stores. Because HSL in adipocytes is activated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), PKA-regulated triglyceride hydrolysis in beta-cells may participate in the regulation of insulin secretion, possibly by providing a lipid-derived signal, e.g., long-chain acyl-CoA and diacylglycerol.

Adipocytes↗

Reduced nociceptive behavior in islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) knockout mice.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin) is predominantly expressed by insulin cells, but occurs also in primary sensory neurons in the rat. Here, using mice targeted for a null mutation in the IAPP gene, we establish murine expression of IAPP in sensory neurons; its distribution in a population of calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing neurons in the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion is similar to that previously described in the rat. We also report the IAPP mutant mice display a reduced pain response in the paw formalin test. Adjuvant-induced joint inflammation was not altered in IAPP mutants, arguing against a peripheral inflammatory abnormality. These findings lead us to suggest that IAPP has a pro-nociceptive function in primary sensory neurons.

Amyloid↗

CCK receptor subtype in insulin-producing cells: a combined functional and in situ hybridization study in rat islets and a rat insulinoma cell line.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates insulin secretion. It is, however, not established whether CCK receptors are expressed in insulin-producing cells. We therefore investigated, by in situ hybridization, whether CCK-A or CCK-B receptor mRNA could be detected in normal rat pancreatic islets and in the rat insulinoma cell line, RINm5F. The CCK-A, but not the CCK-B, receptor transcript was detected in both islets and RINm5F cells. Islet CCK-A receptors were mostly confined to the center of the islets corresponding to the distribution of the B cells. In RINm5F cells, insulin release was not significantly affected by cholecystokinin (CCK)-8-S (10(-13) to 10(-7) M), which is in contrast to the insulinotropic effect of CCK-8-S in normal rat islets. Similarly, in FURA-2AM-loaded cells, CCK-8-S (10(-11) to 10(-7) M) was without effect on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]ic) in RINm5F cells, whereas CCK-8-S (10(-7) M) markedly increased [Ca2+]ic (by 366+/-2 nM (P < 0.001) in normal rat islet cells. We conclude that the CCK-A, but not the CCK-B, receptor subtype is expressed in both normal rat islets and in the rat insulinoma-derived cell line RINmS5F. There is, however, a functional difference between normal islets and the RINm5F cells with respect to effects of CCK-8-S on insulin release and [Ca2+]ic.

Animals↗

Expression of non-classical islet hormone-like peptides during the embryonic development of the pancreas.

Understanding of islet embryogenesis may prove to be key in the design of future therapies for diabetes directed at re-initiating islet growth, with the goal to replace and/or replenish the impaired beta-cell mass in the disease. In this context, studies of islet neurohormonal peptides, known to play a role in the local regulation of islet function, and their expression during islet embryogenesis are important. Here we review our studies on the embryonic islet expression of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and the PP-fold peptides pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). IAPP, which is constitutively expressed in beta- and delta-cells in the adult rat, was found to occur in the assumed pluripotent islet progenitor cell, together with PYY, glucagon, and to a lesser extent with insulin. As development proceeds, the insulin/IAPP phenotype is segregated from that of PYY/glucagon; with the formation of islet-like structures, insulin/IAPP-expressing cells primarily occupy their central portions, while PYY/glucagon-expressing cells are found in their periphery. At the time of formation of islet-like structures, expression of NPY is induced in the insulin/IAPP-containing cells. Whereas NPY-expression ceases at birth, PYY is constitutively expressed in non-beta-cells in the mature rat. Expression of PP is induced just prior to birth in a separate population of islet cells, occasionally co-expressed with PYY. Although a clear role for these peptides during embryogenesis has not been identified, they conceivably could play a role in the control of insulin secretion, islet growth and islet blood flow.

Amyloid↗

Increased insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in mice lacking islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin).

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP or amylin) is costored and cosecreted with insulin and may regulate insulin secretion and blood glucose handling. However, the role and importance of endogenous IAPP in the regulation of insulin release and glucose homeostasis have been controversial. Here we report on the generation and phenotypic analysis of IAPP-deficient mice. These mice have normal, or near to normal, basal levels of circulating insulin and glucose. However, following glucose administration, IAPP-deficient males presented increased insulin responses paralleled with a more rapid blood glucose elimination compared to wild-type controls. Blood glucose elimination was also found to be enhanced in IAPP-deficient females, but the insulin response in this gender did not differ from controls. In a transgenic rescue experiment, using an insulin-promoter human-IAPP fusion gene, insulin responses and blood glucose elimination were reversed in IAPP-deficient males, whereas the female phenotype appeared unaffected. Our results provide the first firm evidence of a physiological role for endogenous IAPP and indicate that IAPP, apparently in a gender-dependent manner, limits the degree of glucose-induced insulin secretion and the rate of blood glucose elimination.

Amyloid↗

Protein kinase B is expressed in pancreatic beta cells and activated upon stimulation with insulin-like growth factor I.

Protein kinase B (PKB) is involved in signaling to a multitude of important cellular events and is activated by insulin and growth factors, including insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). We show here expression of PKB in pancreatic islets and in the beta cell lines HIT-T15, INS-1, and RINm5F. Expression of PKB mRNA and the presence of PKB isoforms (alpha, beta, and gamma) were assessed by Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR, respectively. Antibodies recognizing different parts of PKB isoforms were employed to demonstrate PKB protein expression by immunoblot analysis. By use of immunohistochemistry in rat and mouse pancreatic tissue sections, PKB was localized to predominantly beta cells. Regulation of PKB was examined in INS-1 and RINm5F cells; upon stimulation with IGF-I (5-10 min), PKB was phosphorylated and activated (approximately 3-fold) by a wortmannin-sensitive mechanism, indicating involvement of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. The possible participation of PKB in signal transduction pathways modulating cAMP-dependent insulin secretion and in proliferation of beta cells is discussed.

Animals↗

Autotransplantation of rat parathyroid glands: a study on morphological changes.

BACKGROUND: Autotransplantation of parathyroid glands in man is performed to preserve parathyroid function after surgery. In a rat model, we performed autotransplantation into the renal subcapsular space to examine reinnervation and changes in cell activity in the transplanted glands. METHODS: Parathyroids grafted for 1-20 weeks were examined immunocytochemically for general and specific neuroendocrine markers to visualize nerve fibers and glandular cells and for bromodeoxyuridine to determine cell proliferation. In situ hybridization was used to localize and quantitate chromogranin A and parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA expression. RESULTS: Reinnervation was observed as early as 1 week after transplantation in that nerve fibers containing the general neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5 appeared along blood vessels. During the following 20 weeks, the nerve fiber density increased gradually. One week after transplantation, the immunoreaction intensity for PTH, chromogranin A, and pancreastatin was lower than in control glands. Bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells were fewer than in control glands at 1 week and at 5-10 weeks after transplantation. The density of PTH mRNA labeling was lower than in control glands during the whole time period studied and reached a minimum after 10 weeks. The density of chromogranin A mRNA labeling was unaffected at 1 and 3 weeks after transplantation and then decreased to a minimum at 10 weeks after transplantation; at 20 weeks, the chromogranin A mRNA labeling had again reached the level in control glands. CONCLUSION: The changes in PTH and chromogranin A immunoreaction intensity and mRNA density indicate reduced hormone production for several weeks after transplantation. Our results using transmitter-specific markers indicate a rapid ingrowth of mostly sympathetic nerve fibers, preferentially around blood vessels. Later on, parasympathetic and sensory nerve fibers reached the grafts. The parathyroid innervation may be of importance for parathyroid hormone regulation, and the finding of an early reinnervation could be of clinical importance.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide is upregulated in sensory neurons by inflammation.

The neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is expressed in sensory neurons. Expression of several neuropeptides is up-regulated in sensory neurons following inflammation. To examine whether also PACAP expression is regulated by inflammation, PACAP expression in L5 dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was determined, using in situ hybridization, after unilateral adjuvant-induced inflammation in the rat paw. At 12 h and day 3, but not day 21, the percentage of neurons expressing PACAP mRNA was greater in the innervating L5 DRG. Similarly, PACAP mRNA expression in individual neurons was higher in the innervating L5 DRG at 12 h and day 3, but not day 21. Up-regulated PACAP expression following adjuvant injection suggests a role for PACAP in inflammation.

Animals↗

PACAP and PACAP receptors in insulin producing tissues: localization and effects.

We have studied the localization, receptor occupancy and potency of the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in insulin-producing tissues. Immunocytochemistry showed that PACAP-like immunoreactivity (PACAP-IR) was localized to pancreatic nerves with accumulation in intrapancreatic ganglia in both mouse and rat. In contrast, PACAP-IR could not be demonstrated in endocrine cells. Furthermore, in situ hybridization, using oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes recognizing mRNA for PACAP receptors, demonstrated that mouse and rat pancreas, and the insulinoma cell lines HIT-T15 and RINm5F, expressed both the PACAP type 1 and the VIP2/PACAP receptors. Moreover, both PACAP27 and PACAP38 dose-dependently (0.1 nM to 100 nM) and equipotently stimulated insulin secretion in isolated mouse and rat islets and in HIT-T15 and RINm5F cells. Furthermore, in mouse islets, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was of equal potency as PACAP at stimulating insulin secretion. In mouse, PACAP also stimulated insulin secretion in a subfraction of the isolated islets also at the low dose of 1 fM. Thus, (1) PACAP is exclusively a neuropeptide in the pancreas, (2) insulin-producing cells express PACAP type 1 and VIP2/PACAP receptors and (3) the two forms of PACAP equipotently stimulate insulin secretion. Based on these results, we suggest that PACAP is involved in the neural regulation of insulin secretion.

Animals↗

Distribution and origin of nerve fibers in the rat temporomandibular joint capsule.

The distribution and origin of nerve fibers containing neuropeptides and NOS projecting to the temporomandibular joint capsule (TMJ) of the rat were studied by retrograde tracing in combination with immunocytochemistry. Numerous nerve fibers were seen in the TMJ as revealed by the neuronal marker protein gene product 9.5. Nerve fibers containing neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were seen in the synovial membrane, the joint capsule and entering the articular disc. Injection of the retrograde tracer True Blue (TB) into the TMJ resulted in the appearance of numerous labeled nerve cell bodies in the trigeminal and superior cervical ganglia, and moderate numbers in the nodose, the otic, the sphenopalatine, the stellate and the dorsal root ganglia at levels C2-C5. Most of the TB-labeled cell bodies in the superior cervical and stellate ganglia contained NPY. In the trigeminal ganglion, numerous TB labeled cell bodies contained CGRP and a minor population stored SP, a few cell bodies were seen to store NOS or PACAP. In the sphenopalatine and otic ganglia, TB labeled cell bodies contained NOS or VIP. In the nodose ganglion, labeled cell bodies contained CGRP; other labeled cell bodies harbored NOS. In the cervical dorsal root ganglia, the majority of the labeled cell bodies stored CGRP and smaller populations stored SP and PACAP. Thus, the innervation of the TMJ is complex and many different ganglia are involved.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the gastrointestinal tract of the rat: distribution and effects of capsaicin or denervation.

The expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) was studied in the gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) of normal rats using radioimmunoassay, chromatography, immunocytochemistry, and in situ hybridization. PACAP-38, PACAP-27, and PACAP-related peptide were demonstrated in all parts of the GI-tract, PACAP-38 being the predominant form confirmed by chromatography. PACAP-immunoreactive nerve fibers and nerve cell bodies were found in the myenteric ganglia throughout the GI-tract. PACAP-containing nerve cell bodies were also demonstrated in the submucous ganglia of the small and large intestine. The synthesis of PACAP in intrinsic neurons was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Double immunostaining showed that PACAP is present in calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing sensory nerve fibers as well as in vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)- or VIP/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP)-containing (intramural) nerve fibers in the upper GI-tract and in anally projecting, intrinsic VIP-and VIP/nitric oxide syntase-containing nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers in the small and large intestine. Neonatal treatment with capsaicin significantly reduced the concentration of PACAP-38 in the esophagus, stomach, and colon. Extrinsic denervation decreased the PACAP-38 concentration in the stomach, while no change was observed in the small intestine. These results indicate that PACAP- immunoreactive nerve fibers in the GI-tract originate from both intrinsic (enteric) and extrinsic (presumably sensory) sources suggesting that PACAP may have diverse gastrointestinal functions.

Animals↗