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J G Chabot

Publications and source records attributed to J G Chabot.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Presence of angiotensin II in the adult male rat anterior pituitary gland: immunocytochemical study after cryoultramicrotomy.

Angiotensin II (AII)-like immunoreactivity and binding sites have recently been demonstrated at the pituitary level. This peptide also exerts a stimulatory effect on anterior pituitary hormone release. Immunocytochemistry on ultrathin sections obtained by cryoultramicrotomy was used with the aim of localizing endogenous AII-like material at the cellular and subcellular levels of the anterior pituitary gland. AII-like immunostaining was observed only in gonadotrophs, lactotrophs, and corticotrophs. In gonadotrophs, AII-like immunoreactivity was restricted only to secretion granules. In the two other immunoreactive cells, lactotrophs and corticotrophs, immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, AII-like material was visualized in the cytoplasmic matrix and in the secretory granules. In the nucleus, immunostaining was distributed in the euchromatin in the vicinity of the heterochromatin. AII-like immunoreactivity was also seen at the plasma membrane, but only scarcely. No reaction product was found when anti-AII serum preincubated with AII was used. These immunocytochemical results (1) provide evidence that gonadotrophs are only a site of synthesis and/or storage of AII-like material, (2) indicate that lactotrophs and corticotrophs are cells for AII and (3) provide cytological evidence for a direct participation of AII in the regulation of the lactotropic and corticotropic function.

Angiotensin II↗

Immunocytochemical localization, binding, and effects of atrial natriuretic peptide in rat adipocytes.

The metabolic effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have not been widely investigated. Since adipocyte cells represent a model system extensively used to examine the metabolic actions of many peptide hormones, we sought to establish whether ANP could bind to adipocyte membranes, alter cyclic nucleotide metabolism, and affect spontaneous or hormone-stimulated lipolysis. Using in vitro autoradiographic techniques, radiolabelled ANP was found to bind specifically to mammary gland fat cells. Additionally, endogenous ANP-like immunoreactivity could be localized in the plasma membrane compartment and cytoplasmic matrix of fat cells, but not in fat vacuoles. [125I]ANP bound to single high affinity sites (Kd = 0.72 nM) in fat cell membranes. The binding was rapid (equilibrium within 1 min at 25 degrees C) and specific. The atrial peptide was capable of stimulating a time- and concentration-dependent increase in cGMP accumulation in isolated adipocytes, but had no effect on spontaneous or stimulated [-)-isoproterenol, ACTH, forskolin) cAMP formation. ANP did not alter the increase in glycerol production stimulated by l-epinephrine in isolated fat cells. While i.v. infusion of ANP stimulated a marked increase in circulating levels of cGMP, the atrial peptide did not alter plasma triglyceride levels. These data demonstrate the presence of specific ANP binding sites on adipocyte membranes and internalization of ANP-associated immunoreactivity. These receptors are biochemically functional given the ability of ANP to augment cGMP formation. The peptide, however, does not exert an action on adipocyte lipolysis. Adipocytes, therefore, represent an ANP target tissue in which the physiological action of the peptide is yet to be defined.

Adipose Tissue↗

Is atrial natriuretic peptide synthesized and internalized by gonadotrophs?

The present study was designed to determine whether atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) could be both synthesized and internalized by rat anterior pituitary gonadotrophs. ANP synthesis was assessed by in situ hybridization of ultrathin frozen sections of anterior pituitary to a biotinylated 30-base oligonucleotide to rat ANP mRNA. As revealed by the immunogold technique, only gonadotrophs were labeled by the probe. At the subcellular level, ANP mRNA was observed at both the nuclear and cytoplasmic levels in gonadotrophs, and labeling of the latter compartment was quantitatively more intense. Internalization of ANP was investigated by an in vivo ultrastructural autoradiographic approach. Intravenous injection of [125I]ANP resulted in rapid labeling within 1 min of the plasma membrane, cytoplasmic matrix, secretory vesicle, and mitochondrial compartments and the Golgi apparatus; these compartments were labeled throughout the remainder of the time course studied (1-30 min). Peak labeling of the plasma membrane compartment was at 1 min and diminished from that point; labeling in the Golgi apparatus peaked 5 min postinjection, while in the other compartments labeling was fairly uniform over the time course. The lysosomal compartment was also radiolabeled; however, only 2 and 5 min after injection of [125I]ANP. The findings demonstrate that gonadotrophs can both synthesize and internalize extracellular ANP. These observations can be extended to suggest that ANP has both autocrine and paracrine actions in the anterior pituitary gland. Since the peptide neither stimulates nor antagonizes the release of any anterior pituitary hormone, these actions are probably unrelated to the adenohypophyseal secretory function.

Animals↗

Evidence for direct action of calcitonin in the rat pituitary gland.

Classic concepts of calcitonin (CT) function have focused on the effects of CT on calcium homeostasis. More recently CT actions on brain and pituitary have been investigated. In order to evaluate the effects of CT on the anterior pituitary gland we studied the action(s) of CT in vitro and visualized endogenous CT in adult male rat pituitary gland by immunocytochemistry on ultrathin sections obtained by cryoultramicomy. In vitro study using dispersed anterior pituitary cells indicated that CT stimulated the secretion of PRL, whereas the secretion of GH, TSH and LH was not affected. CT-like immunoreactivity was observed in lactotropes only. The other pituitary cell types were not immunoreactive. In lactotropes, immunostaining was observed in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus. In the cytoplasm, CT-like immunoreactivity was visuzalized in the cytoplasmic matrix and in the secretory granules. In the nucleus, immunostaining was distributed primarily in the euchromatin, in the vincinity of heterochromatin region. CT-like immunoreactivity was also observed at the plasma membrane but was only scarce. No reaction product was found when anti-CT serum pre-incubated with CT was used. In conclusion, these results bring evidence for a direct action of CT on lactotrope regulation in vitro as well as in intact animals.

Animals↗

Internalization of atrial natriuretic peptide by adrenal glomerulosa cells.

Internalization of 125I-labelled atrial natriuretic peptide ([ 125I]ANP) by rat adrenal glomerulosa cells in vivo was investigated by means of an ultrastructural autoradiographic approach. One to 30 min after IV injection of [125I]ANP, silver grains were found, at the light microscope level, over all glomerulosa cells; coinjection of 20 micrograms of unlabelled ANP inhibited this binding by 64%. At the electron microscope level, the time-course study indicated maximal silver grain densities in plasma membranes 1 min after IV injection; grains were detected in mitochondria (external membranes and matrix) 2 min after injection, with maximal labelling at 15 min. The cytoplasmic matrix was labelled only 30 min after injection. During the time-course, labelling of nuclei, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes was minimal. The data suggest that after binding to plasma membranes ANP is rapidly internalized and distributed within glomerulosa cells. The association of radioactivity with mitochondria suggests that ANP may have intracellular sites of action complementary to those on plasma membranes.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Characterization and possible role of growth factor and lymphokine receptors in the regulation of cholinergic function in the mammalian brain.

Using in vitro receptor autoradiographic techniques, we characterized the distribution of various growth factor (GF) and lymphokine receptors in the rat brain. In neonatal brain, specific insulin-like GF-1 (IGF-1) and epidermal GF (EGF) sites were observed in various regions. In particular, dense [125I]IGF-1 and [125I]EGF labelling was seen in the hippocampal formation. In the adult (3-month old) rat brain, a broader distribution of IGF-1 sites was apparent, whereas few EGF sites were visualized. As in the neonate, the adult hippocampus was enriched with IGF-1 binding sites. In addition, high levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) binding sites were detected in the hippocampus of the adult rat. Exogenous IGF-1, EGF, and IL-2 significantly reduced the potassium (25 mM)-evoked release of acetylcholine (ACh) from slices of rat hippocampus. The GF effects were restricted to the adult hippocampus; neither IGF-1 nor EGF altered ACh release from slices of immature (6- and 18-day old) rat brain. Moreover, the GF and IL-2-mediated effects on ACh release appear to be specific to the hippocampus. For example, ACh release from frontal cortex or striatum was not significantly affected by either GFs or IL-2. In summary, our results suggest that in the rat hippocampus, IGF-1, EGF, and IL-2 may be important modulators of cholinergic activity.

Animals↗

Atrial natriuretic peptide receptors are present in brown adipose tissue.

Binding activities and metabolic effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were examined in rat brown fat. ANP binding sites were identified in thin sections of brown adipose. Binding of [125I]-ANP to brown fat membranes was specific, saturable and time-dependent. A single class of high affinity sites (Kd, 1.7 nM; Bmax, 226 fmol/mg protein) was present. ANP increased cGMP synthesis in isolated cells (EC50, 2.5 x 10(-9) M), but did not alter epinephrine-stimulated glycerol production. The results demonstrate the presence of specific ANP receptors in brown fat, activation of which increases cGMP formation; however, since neither ANP nor cGMP affect lipolysis, the biological importance of these receptors remains unknown.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Visualization of growth factor receptor sites in rat forebrain.

It is now known that various growth factors may also act in the central nervous system. Among them, it has recently been shown that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) may possess trophic effects in the mammalian brain. We report here on the respective autoradiographic distribution of [125I]EGF and [125I]IGF-I receptor binding sites in the rat brain, both during ontogeny and in adulthood. It appears that [125I]EGF sites are mostly found in the rat forebrain during brain development. On the other hand, [125I]IGF-I sites are more widely distributed both during ontogeny and in adulthood. These results reveal the plasticity of the expression of EGF and IGF-I receptor sites in the mammalian brain. This could be relevant for the respective role of these two growth factors in the development and maintenance of neuronal function.

Aging↗

Synthesis and internalization of atrial natriuretic factor in anterior pituitary cells.

Atrial natriuretic factors (ANF) are a family of peptides originally identified in atrial cardiocytes and having natriuretic, diuretic and vasorelaxatory properties. ANF was recently reported to be synthesized in anterior pituitary cells. In the current study, the cell-specific sites of binding and internalization of ANF in the adenohypophysis, a site of ANF action, were investigated. By in vitro autoradiographic techniques, [125I]ANF was found to bind specifically to both anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary, but not to the intermediate lobe. 5 min following intravenous injection of [125I]ANF, radiolabel was detected by ultrastructural autoradiography on gonadotrophs, corticotrophs and lactotrophs, but not thyrotrophs or somatotrophs. Label was found at both the plasma membrane level and cytoplasmic matrix, but not in the nuclei, of all three cell types. The cellular and subcellular localization of endogenous ANF-like immunoreactivity was also investigated. Specific immunoreactivity was also detected in gonadotrophs, corticotrophs and some lactotrophs. At the subcellular level in all three cell types, immunoreactivity was localized in the cytoplasmic matrix, on secretory granule membranes, and in mitochondria. Less dense staining was observed in nuclear euchromatin; endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus were not labelled in any of the cells. The data suggest that notwithstanding their reported ability to synthesize ANF, exogenous ANF can also bind and be internalized by adenohypophyseal gonadotrophs; the binding and presence of endogenous ANF-like immunoreactivity in corticotrophs and lactotrophs suggest that these cells may be sites of action for the atrial peptide.

Animals↗

ANF and exocrine pancreas: ultrastructural autoradiographic localization in acinar cells.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) binding sites have been recently demonstrated to be present in exocrine pancreas by an in vitro autoradiographic approach. An autoradiographic study was carried out to identify the exocrine cells containing ANF binding sites and to monitor the fate of 125I-labeled ANF in acinar cells after removal of pancreas at specific time intervals (1-30 min) after intravenous administration. At the light microscopic level, silver grains were found over acinar and centroacinar cells. Concomitant injection of an excess of unlabeled ANF inhibited the binding of labeled peptide by approximately 60%. At the electron microscopic level, the time-course study in acinar cells has revealed that of the cell compartments examined, plasma membrane, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and zymogen granules, the nucleus had distinct labeling patterns. Plasma membrane was maximally labeled 1 and 2 min after injection with 125I-ANF. Golgi apparatus was significantly labeled from 2 to 30 min after injection, mitochondria from 1 to 30 min after injection, zymogen granules at 1 and 15 min, and the nucleus only at 30 min. The lysosomal compartment was not labeled during the 30-min observation period. These results suggest that after binding to the plasma membrane, ANF is rapidly internalized and distributed to the intracellular organelles as a function of time. Labeling of the zymogen granules suggests that they may bind ANF and that the atrial peptide may be secreted by acinar cells. The significance of association of radioactivity with mitochondria and nuclei remains to be elucidated but may represent intracellular sites of action of ANF complementary to those on plasma membranes.

Animals↗

Evidence for a direct action of neuropeptide Y in the rat pituitary gland.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has recently been localized in the rat hypothalamus. In order to evaluate the putative effects of NPY on pituitary function, its action was examined on anterior pituitary cells in culture. Also, an immunocytochemical method was used with the aim of localizing endogenous NPY-like material at the cellular and subcellular levels of the pituitary gland. In vitro studies using dispersed anterior pituitary cells indicated that NPY (10(-6) to 10(-9)M) increased the secretion of luteinizing hormone, growth hormone and prolactin, whereas beta-lipotropin hormone and thyrotropin secretions were not affected. The presence of endogenous NPY was demonstrated in gonadotrophs, somatotrophs, corticotrophs and some lactotrophs, but not in thyrotrophs. In immunoreactive cells, NPY-like material was detected in the cytoplasmic matrix, in the secretory granules and in the nucleus distributed primarily in the euchromatin, in the vicinity of the heterochromatin. NPY-like immunoreactivity was also observed at the plasma membrane but only scarcely. These biochemical and immunocytochemical results indicate that NPY may play a direct regulatory role in adenohypophyseal secretion.

Animals↗

Synthesis, internalization, and localization of atrial natriuretic peptide in rat adrenal medulla.

Some, though not all studies, have indicated that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) can bind to adrenal medullary cells. ANP-like immunoreactivity (ANP-LI) has also been identified in catecholamine-secreting cells. Together, these findings suggest that ANP may be taken up and/or synthesized in the adrenal medulla. The present study was designed to ascertain, by in situ hybridization, whether adrenal chromaffin cells could synthesize ANP, to define by an in vivo ultrastructural autoradiographic approach, whether ANP could, in fact, bind to rat adrenal medulla cells, to determine whether there was a cellular [noradrenaline (NA) vs. adrenaline (A)] selectivity in the binding process, and to establish whether extracellular [125I]ANP could be internalized by these cells. The cellular and subcellular distribution of endogenous ANP-LI was also investigated in both cell types by cryoultramicrotomy and immunocytochemical approaches. The in situ hybridization studies indicate the presence of mRNA to ANP in about 15% of adrenal medullary cells. Intravenous injection of [125I]ANP resulted in a 3-fold, preferential and specific radiolabeling of A-as compared to NA-containing cells. In A-containing cells, plasma membranes were significantly labeled 2 and 5 min post injection; cytoplasmic matrix, mitochondria, and secretory granules throughout the time course studied (1-30 min post injection). Lysosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and nuclei were not labeled. ANP-LI was identified in both NA- and A-containing cells; in the former, it was almost exclusively localized in secretory vesicles, in the latter it was detected in plasma membranes, cytoplasmic matrix, nuclear euchromatin, some mitochondria and relatively fewer granules than in NA-containing cells. The findings suggest that ANP may be synthesized primarily in NA-containing cells and that A-containing cells primarily bind and internalize the extracellular (endogenous or exogenous) atrial peptide. The data suggest that ANP secreted by adrenal medullary chromaffin cells may have distal paracrine actions or interactions with coreleased catecholamines and neuropeptides. Binding and internalization may reflect an action of ANP on the secretory function of A-containing cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Ultrastructural evidence for oxytocin in the rat anterior pituitary gland.

OT is synthetized in the hypothalamus. These neurons project to the posterior lobe of the pituitary and the external zone of the median eminence. In order to localize OT in the male rat anterior pituitary we have used immunocytochemistry on ultra-thin sections in target cell(s) obtained by cryoultramicrotomy. OT-like immunoreactivity was observed in lactotropes only. No immunoreactivity was observed in gonadotropes, somatotropes, corticotropes or thyrotropes. In lactotropes, immunoreactivity was localized at the plasma membrane level, in the cytoplasmic matrix and around the secretory granules, but not in the other organelles, and in the nucleus. No reaction was observed by using either non-immune serum or anti-OT serum incubated with OT. No modification of OT-like immunoreactivity was observed by using anti-OT serum incubated with heterologous peptides. These results 1) provide immunocytological evidence for the presence of OT in the anterior pituitary gland; 2) indicate the presence of this peptide in one particular cell type, and 3) support the hypothesis that OT could have a direct participation in the regulation of the PRL release.

Animals↗

Human brain receptor autoradiography using whole hemisphere sections: a general method that minimizes tissue artefacts.

A general method for the preparation of high-quality, mostly ice-crystal-artefact-free whole human brain hemisphere sections is described. Upon receipt, hemispheres are divided; one is then fixed in buffered 10% formalin for neuropathological analysis while the other is cut in 8-10-mm-thick coronal slices that are then rapidly frozen in 2-methylbutane at -40 degrees C (10-15 sec) before being placed in the brain bank at -80 degrees C. Such rapid freezing markedly decreases the formation of ice-crystal artefacts. Whole-hemisphere 20-micron thick sections are then cut and mounted onto lantern-type gelatin-coated slides. These sections are subsequently used for both qualitative and quantitative in vitro receptor autoradiography. Examples of data obtained are given by using various radioligands labelling "classical" neutrotransmitter, neuropeptide, enzyme, and ion channel receptor binding sites. This method should be useful for the obtention of various receptor maps in human brain. Such information could be most useful for in vivo receptor visualization studies using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning. It could also indicate if a given receptor population is specifically and selectively altered in certain brain diseases, eventually leading to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Adult↗

Thyroxine accelerates the differentiation of granular convoluted tubule cells and the appearance of epidermal growth factor in the submandibular gland of the neonatal mouse. A fine-structural immunocytochemical study.

The effects of the administration of thyroxine (T4) on the postnatal cytodifferentiation of granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells of the submandibular gland (SMG) of Lewiss-Webster mice were studied by light and electron microscopy. From birth, mice of both sexes were injected daily with T4 (sc 0.4 micrograms/g BW) and were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection at 7, 9, 11, 14 and 21 days of age. Control mice received vehicle only. In control mice, granulated striated duct (SD) cells were first detected at 9 days and 7 days of age by light- and electron microscopy, respectively. Furthermore, a few scattered granulated SD cells were observed by light microscopy as early as day 7 in T4-treated mice of both sexes. At 21 days of age, in mice given T4, GCT cells were larger and more numerous and the Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secretion granules were more abundant. In control mice, immunocytochemical staining for epidermal growth factor-(EGF) was first detectable at day 21 at the light- and electron-microscopic levels. However, positively stained cells were first observed in T4-treated mice by light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry at 14 and 11 days of age, respectively. Moreover, in the 21-day-old T4-treated mice, the number of immunoreactive GCT cells, as well as the intensity of the staining per cell, was markedly increased as compared to controls. EGF immunostaining was restricted to GCT cells, and by immuno-electron-microscopy was only seen in apical secretory granules in granulated SD cells and GCT cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

Atrial natriuretic factor and exocrine pancreas: effects on the secretory process.

Immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has recently been identified in pancreatic acinar cells. The current study therefore, was, designed to ascertain whether the atrial peptide exercises any biological effects on the exocrine pancreas. When isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells were incubated with rat ANF (8-33), a concentration-dependent increase in cGMP synthesis was observed (EC50 about 5 X 10(-9) M) with the peak response occurring within 2.5 min of exposure of the cells to the peptide. ANF did not affect basal or secretagogue (carbachol +/- DbcAMP, CCK-OP, or forskolin)-induced amylase secretion from acinar cells, nor did it affect [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA or [3H]leucine incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein. ANF was also infused intravenously (0.01-0.25 micrograms/min) in rabbits with cannulated pancreatic ducts, and the peptide stimulated a dose-dependent secretion of cGMP into pancreatic juice. ANF, by itself, did not affect protein or fluid secretion from rabbit pancreas; when co-infused with secretin (0.1 CU/min), which is not an acinar cell secretagogue in rabbits, ANF increased fluid secretion in one of three animals tested. The data suggest that acinar cells possess functional ANF receptors, whose activation results in both synthesis and secretion of cGMP. Intra-acinar cell cGMP is not involved in the enzyme secretory process. Secreted nucleotide is not co-released with digestive hydrolases, and does not, by itself, appear to have an intraluminal effect on fluid secretion. The mechanism by which acinar cells secrete cGMP into pancreatic juice as well as the biological significance of intracellular (acinar), and extracellular (intraluminal) cGMP remain to be elucidated.

Amylases↗

Demonstration of epidermal growth factor binding sites in the adult rat pancreas by light microscopic autoradiography.

The distribution of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors was studied in the pancreas using light microscopic autoradiography, which was performed at different time intervals (2-60 min) after injecting 125I-labeled EGF intravenously into the adult rat. In the exocrine pancreas, a labeling was found to occur over the pyramidal cells of the acini and cells lining the intercalated ducts. Moreover, substantial binding of EGF to cells of the islets of Langerhans was also revealed. At the 2-min time interval, most silver grains were found at the periphery of the target cells. The localization, as well as the diminution of silver grains over the cytoplasm of these cells, between 7 and 60 min, suggested the internalization and degradation of 125I-labeled EGF. Control experiments indicated that the autoradiography reaction was due to specific interaction of 125I-labeled EGF with its receptor. These results clearly indicate that EGF receptors are present in the acinar cells and the cells of intercalated ducts of the exocrine pancreas, as well as the cells of the endocrine pancreas. Finding that there are EGF binding sites in pancreatic acinar cells supports the physiological role of EGF in the regulation of pancreatic exocrine function. The presence of EGF receptors in cells of the islets of Langerhans suggests that EGF may play a role in the regulation of the endocrine pancreas.

Animals↗

Atrial natriuretic factor and exocrine pancreas: autoradiographic localization of binding sites and ultrastructural evidence for internalization of endogenous ANF.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) binding sites in adult rat exocrine pancreas were studied by autoradiography using slide-mounted frozen tissue sections with mono-iodinated ANF (101-126) as the tracer. Radiolabel was displaced by unlabeled atrial peptide (IC50 = 2 X 10(-11) M). High specific labeling was found in pancreatic acini. The presence of endogenous ANF has also been demonstrated in the exocrine pancreas by immunocytochemistry on ultra-thin sections obtained by cryoultramicrotomy. ANF-like immunoreactivity was found in acinar and centro-acinar cells as well as cells of the intercalated duct. For these cells, immunostaining was observed at the plasma membrane level, in the cytoplasm and nucleus. In the cytoplasm, ANF-like immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasmic matrix, mitochondria, and zymogen granules. In the nucleus, ANF-like immunoreactivity was distributed in the vicinity of the heterochromatin region primarily in the euchromatin. It was also detected in the plasma membrane of microvilli of acinar and duct cells, and in the lumen of secretory ducts. In centro-acinar cells, the reaction product was also found sparsely at the nuclear envelope. No immunoreactivity was observed when anti-human ANF serum preincubated with rat ANF was used. No modifications were observed when this antiserum was preincubated with heterologous peptides (NPY, CRF, GRF, TRH, somatostatin). These data provide autoradiographic evidence of ANF binding sites, indicate the presence of this peptide in acinar and centro-acinar cells as well as cells of the intercalated duct, and immunocytochemical evidence for the internalization of endogenous ANF by exocrine pancreas.

Animals↗