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The interaction of secretin with pancreatic membranes.

1. 125I-labelled secretin bound rapidly and specifically to membranes from cat pancreas. Binding of labelled hormone was competitively inhibited by unlabelled secretin in the same range of concentrations that stimulated pancreatic adenylate cyclase in these membranes. The dissociation constant of the membrane binding sites for unlabelled secretin as evaluated by these displacement experiments was 4.1-10(-9) M and the number of binding sites 1.0 pmol per mg of membrane protein. 2. Studies using different concentrations of [125I]secretin (at a constant ratio of labelled to unlabelled hormone) revealed a similar value of 4-4-10(-9) M for the dissociation constant. 3. Both the association and dissociation rate constants of [125I]secretin binding were temperature sensitive; the dissociation rate constant increased more rapidly with increase in temperature. The ratio k-1/k+1 (at 22 degrees C) gave a dissociation constant of 3.7-10(-9)M which agrees closely with the figure obtained from equilibrium data. These data indicate that 125I-labelled secretin and unlabelled secretin bind to the same binding site on pancreatic membranes, with high affinity. 4. Unlabelled secretin stimulated pancreatic adenylate cyclase with an apparent Km of 8.4-10(-9) M, while [125I]secretin apparently did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase. Together with the binding data this might suggest that different portions of the secretin molecule are responsible for binding and adenylate cyclase activation. 5. Studies on the specificity of [125I]secretin binding carried out with various peptide hormones (glucagon, human gastrin, pancreozymin and caerulein) which are all inefficient in stimulating pancreatic fluid secretin, showed that these hormones have no influence on the binding of [125I]secretin. In contrast, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which stimulates pancreatic fluid and bicarbonate secretion, showed a competitive inhibition of secretin binding to the plasma membrane preparation.

Animals↗

Secretin: hypothalamic distribution and hypothesized neuroregulatory role in autism.

1. This study aims (1) to determine whether secretin is synthesized centrally, specifically by the HPA axis and (2) to discuss, on the basis of the findings in this and previous studies, secretin's possible neuroregulatory role in autism. 2. An immunocytochemical technique with single-cell resolution was performed in 12 age/weight-matched male rats pretreated with stereotaxic microinjection of colchicine (0.6 microg/kg) or vehicle into the lateral ventricle. Following 2-day survival, rats were anesthetized and perfused for immunocytochemistry. Brain segments were blocked and alternate frozen 30-microm sections incubated in rabbit antibodies against secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glucagon, or pituitary-adenylate-cyclase-activating peptide. Adjacent sections were processed for Nissl stain. Preadsorption studies were performed with members of the secretin peptide family to demonstrate primary antibody specificity. 3. Specificity of secretin immunoreactivity (ir) was verified by clear-cut preadsorption control data and relatively high concentrations and distinct topographic localization of secretin ir to paraventricular/supraoptic and intercalated hypothalamic nuclei. Secretin levels were upregulated by colchicine, an exemplar of homeostatic stressors, as compared with low constitutive expression in untreated rats. 4. This study provides the first direct immunocytochemical demonstration of secretinergic immunoreactivity in the forebrain and offers evidence that the hypothalamus, like the gut, is capable of synthesizing secretin. Secretin's dual expression by gut and brain secretin cells, as well as its overlapping central distribution with other stress-adaptation neurohormones, especially oxytocin, indicates that it is stress-sensitive. A neuroregulatory relationship between the peripheral and central stress response systems is suggested, as is a dual role for secretin in conditioning both of those stress-adaptation systems. Colchicine-induced upregulation of secretin indicates that secretin may be synthesized on demand in response to stress, a possible mechanism of action that may underlie secretin's role in autism.

Animals↗

A comparison of the pepsin stimulating effects of secretin preparations.

1. The peptic responses to Boots, GIH and synthetic secretins have been compared in fasting anaesthetized cats in which the pylorus and bile duct were occluded to prevent the release of duodenal hormones by acid and bile salts. A quantity of dilute acid introduced into the stomach at regular intervals ensured the total recovery of viscid secretions and preserved peptic activity. 2. The mean peak outputs of pepsin obtained in response to Boots secretin were significantly greater than the mean peak outputs of pepsin stimulated by equipotent doses of GIH secretin (4 Crick-Harper-Raper units of Boots secretin have been shown to stimulate a flow of juice and bicarbonate from the pancreas equal to that produced by 1 clinical unit of GIH secretin). The maximum output of pepsin stimulated by Boots secretin, 16 C.H.R. u./kg hr was 3 times the observed maximum output in response to the 4 times more potent dose of GIH secretin, 16 c.u./kg hr. The slopes of the log dose-response lines were significantly different for these two products indicating that their modes of action in stimulating pepsin may not be identical. 3. The outputs of pepsin following GIH and synthetic secretin were similar. Both these secretins stimulated the secretion of pepsin when infused in doses which stimulated the pancreas supramaximally. The less pure product Boots secretin evoked significantly higher peptic responses at doses submaximal for pancreatic stimulation, suggesting that a substance other than secretin exists in Boots preparations which contributes significantly to the overall output of pepsin in response to this product. The peptic response which was accompanied by a slight increase in acid output, but without any increase in pancreatic lipolytic activity, was not inhibited by atropine. This substance which is not present in highly purified GIH secretin does not appear to be cholic acid, gastrin, pancreozymin, glucagon or insulin. 4. The possibility that a vasodilator substance is present in Boots secretin which by expanding the splanchnic bed increases the concentration of secretin at target sites in the stomach and pancreas seems unlikely, as the flow of pancreatic juice does not increase proportionately with the vast increase in pepsin. A vasodilator substance which specifically affects the gastric vasculature remains a theoretical but unlikely explanation for our observation.

Animals↗

Studies on the localization of secretin release from canine intestine.

In conscious dogs with chronic pancreatic fistulas, duodenal perfusion with HCl (16 mmol/h) stimulated pancreatic HCO-3 secretion to a similar degree as exogenous secretin (2 U/kg X h), while meat feeding (500 g) and duodenal perfusion with oleate (16 mmol/h) increased this secretion to about 58 and 43% of the highest response to secretin. Plasma secretin increments with duodenal HCl, feeding and duodenal oleate amounted to about 45, 13 and 8% of that achieved with secretin, producing the highest HCO-3 response. Perfusion of the in situ intestine with HCl at gradually increasing rates produced HCO-3 responses similar to those induced by exogenous secretin in graded doses, but the increments in plasma secretin with duodenal HCl were only about half those obtained with exogenous secretin, producing an equal rate of HCO-3 secretion. HCl perfusion of isolated Thiry loops made of the duodenojejunal portion also stimulated the HCO-3 secretion in a dose-dependent way, but raised plasma secretin only to about half that attained with secretin, producing a similar secretory rate. HCl in the proximal duodenal and distal jejunal loop slightly stimulated the HCO-3 secretion without affecting plasma secretin, and that in the ileal loop was without any effect on the pancreatic or plasma secretin. This study provides evidence that (a) endogenous secretin is released by feeding and duodenal perfusion with HCl and oleate, but only HCl appears to release sufficient amounts of secretin to drive the HCO-3 secretion, and (b) the release of secretin is confined mainly to the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum.

Animals↗

Effect of somatostatin and bombesin on secretin-stimulated ductular bile flow in dogs.

The effects of somatostatin and bombesin on the choleresis produced by intraduodenal acid infusion were evaluated in dogs. Because of the documented effect of these agents on hormone release, serum gastrin and plasma secretin levels were monitored. Intraduodenal acid (12 mmol/h) increased bile flow and bile bicarbonate secretion and nearly doubled systemic plasma secretin levels. Bombesin significantly increased the bicarbonate-rich choleresis produced by intraduodenal acid and increased secretin release. Somatostatin inhibited completely the choleresis produced by 12 mmol/h of intraduodenal acid but did not significantly change systemic plasma secretin levels. Subsequent studies evaluated the effects of somatostatin (10 micrograms/kg . h) on bile flow and on systemic and portal plasma secretin concentrations stimulated by exogenous secretin administration and intraduodenal acid infusion. These studies demonstrated that somatostatin did not significantly change the choleretic response or the increases in plasma secretin produced by exogenous secretin. During duodenal acid infusion, somatostatin inhibited the choleresis and significantly decreased portal plasma secretin release. Evaluation of the relationship of the increase in bile flow to the increase in portal vein secretin concentrations, as well as comparison of the degree of inhibition of bile flow with the inhibition of secretin release produced by somatostatin, indicates that secretin produces approximately 80% of the choleresis produced by acid in the duodenum. Bombesin augments bile flow stimulated by infusion of acid into the duodenum by increasing secretin release, while somatostatin decreases bile flow produced by acid in the duodenum by directly inhibiting the release of secretin from the duodenal mucosa.

Animals↗

Bicarbonate-rich choleresis induced by secretin in normal rat is taurocholate-dependent and involves AE2 anion exchanger.

Canalicular bile is modified along bile ducts through reabsorptive and secretory processes regulated by nerves, bile salts, and hormones such as secretin. Secretin stimulates ductular cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR)-dependent Cl- efflux and subsequent biliary HCO3- secretion, possibly via Cl-/HCO3- anion exchange (AE). However, the contribution of secretin to bile regulation in the normal rat, the significance of choleretic bile salts in secretin effects, and the role of Cl-/HCO3- exchange in secretin-stimulated HCO3- secretion all remain unclear. Here, secretin was administered to normal rats with maintained bile acid pool via continuous taurocholate infusion. Bile flow and biliary HCO3- and Cl- excretion were monitored following intrabiliary retrograde fluxes of saline solutions with and without the Cl- channel inhibitor 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)-benzoic acid (NPPB) or the Cl-/HCO3- exchange inhibitor 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Secretin increased bile flow and biliary excretion of HCO3- and Cl-. Interestingly, secretin effects were not observed in the absence of taurocholate. Whereas secretin effects were all blocked by intrabiliary NPPB, DIDS only inhibited secretin-induced increases in bile flow and HCO3- excretion but not the increased Cl- excretion, revealing a role of biliary Cl-/HCO3- exchange in secretin-induced, bicarbonate-rich choleresis in normal rats. Finally, small hairpin RNA adenoviral constructs were used to demonstrate the involvement of the Na+-independent anion exchanger 2 (AE2) through gene silencing in normal rat cholangiocytes. AE2 gene silencing caused a marked inhibition of unstimulated and secretin-stimulated Cl-/HCO3- exchange. In conclusion, maintenance of the bile acid pool is crucial for secretin to induce bicarbonate-rich choleresis in the normal rat and that this occurs via a chloride-bicarbonate exchange process consistent with AE2 function.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Secretin is an enterogastrone in humans.

We studied in humans the effect of exogenous secretin in a physiological dose on gastric acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin and postprandial plasma gastrin concentration. Two doses of pentagastrin, 80 and 160 pmol/kg/hr were used to stimulate gastric acid secretion. Secretin in two doses, 2.8 and 5.6 pmol/kg/hr were tried to study the response on stimulated gastric acid secretion. Intravenous secretin in a dose of 5.6 pmol/kg/hr significantly inhibited the gastric acid output stimulated by intravenous pentagastrin in a dose of 160 pmol/kg/hr, from 11.25 +/- 1.5 to 5.99 +/- 1.34 meq/hr while lower dose of intravenous secretin (2.8 pmol/kg/hr) failed to inhibit the gastric acid output stimulated by the same dose of pentagastrin. However, the lower dose of intravenous secretin (2.8 pmol/kg/hr) inhibited the gastric acid output significantly from 8.78 +/- 1.21 to 6.37 +/- 1.62 meq/hr when gastric secretion was stimulated by the lower dose of pentagastrin (80 pmol/kg/hr). The plasma concentrations of secretin during intravenous secretin in a dose of 2.8 pmol/kg/hr was similar to postprandial plasma concentrations of secretin as previously reported. Doubling the dose of intravenous secretin resulted in almost twofold higher plasma concentrations than postprandial plasma concentrations. In addition, the low dose of secretin (2.8 pmol/kg/hr) suppressed the integrated postprandial gastrin response from 13.9 +/- 3.7 to 11.2 +/- 2.8 ng/min/ml (P = 0.05) when endogenous release of secretin was blocked by intravenous cimetidine. Since the dose of pentagastrin and secretin employed in this study fell in a physiologic range, the inhibitory effect of secretin on stimulated gastric acid secretion appears to be a physiologic action in humans.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of cholecystokinin and secretin on somatostatin release from cultured antral cells.

BACKGROUND: Both secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK) inhibit gastric acid secretion. However, their mode of action has yet to be determined. A newly developed primary culture of human antral epithelial cells has been used to examine the effect of secretin and cholecystokinin on somatostatin release. METHODS: Normal human antral epithelial cell cultures enriched for D cells were maintained in culture for 2 days before release studies. RESULTS: Native human secretin at 10(-8) mol/L stimulated somatostatin release threefold. Porcine secretin and the secretin analogs, Tyr10 human secretin, Tyr13 porcine secretin, and Tyr10,13 porcine secretin were equipotent to native human secretin. CCK stimulated somatostatin release with the greatest response (eight times basal) at 10(-7) mol/L. The response to CCK was inhibited in a competitive manner by the addition of the benzodiazepine analog, MK-329. Addition of secretin in the presence of 10(-8) mol/L CCK resulted in a potentiation of somatostatin release, with the greatest response at 10(6) mol/L secretin, resulting in a 12-fold increase above basal. CONCLUSIONS: The stimulation observed after the addition of CCK was the result of activation of the CCK-A receptor subtype. The secretin receptor resembles that of the pancreatic D cells and acts through increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. Finally, these data indicate that the inhibitory action of CCK and secretin on gastric acid secretion may result from a synergistic action on antral D cells to release somatostatin, which in turn decreases antral gastrin release.

Adult↗

Receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin on guinea pig pancreatic acini.

We investigated the abilities of VIP and secretin to occupy receptors and to increase cellular cyclic AMP using dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. The dose-inhibition curve for inhibition of binding of 125I-VIP by VIP was broad with detectable inhibition at 0.1 nM VIP, half-maximal inhibition at 2 nM VIP and complete inhibition at 10 microM VIP. Secretin also inhibited binding of 125I-VIP was compatible with two VIP-preferring receptors with one class having a high affinity for VIP (Kd 1.1 nM) and a low affinity for secretin (Kd 5 microM) and the other class having an intermediate affinity for VIP (Kd 470 nM). The dose inhibition curve for inhibition of binding of 125I-secretin by secretin was not broad. Half-maximal inhibition occurred with 7 nM secretin or with 10 microM VIP. Computer analysis was compatible with a single secretin-preferring receptor with a high affinity for secretin (Kd 7 nM) and a low affinity for VIP (Kd 5.9 microM). Comparison of the ability of VIP to increase cyclic AMP with or without the secretin-receptor antagonist, secretin-5-27, demonstrated only occupation of the high affinity VIP-preferring or high affinity secretin-preferring receptors increase cyclic AMP. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to previous reports, guinea pig pancreatic acini possess 3 classes of receptors that interact with VIP and secretin. The low affinity receptor seen with 125I-VIP is not the same as the secretin-preferring receptor and does not increase cellular cyclic AMP.

Animals↗

Effect of introduction of an arginine16 in VIP, PACAP and secretin on ligand affinity for the receptors.

Rabbit secretin, which differs from all other mammalian secretins in having a Leu residue in position 6 (instead of Phe) and a basic residue (Arg) in position 16, had a lower affinity than porcine secretion on recombinant rat secretin receptors but had a greater affinity than porcine secretin on recombinant rat VIP1 and PACAP I receptors. Synthetic [L6] porcine secretin had a reduced potency on secretin and VIP1 receptors whereas [R16] porcine secretin had a similar binding profile as rabbit secretin. Thus, an arginine residue in position 16 reduced 3-fold the affinity of secretin for secretin receptors but increased 30-fold its affinity for the VIP1 and PACAP I receptors. The introduction of an arginine residue in position 16, instead of glutamine, in VIP and PACAP had a similar effect: [R16] VIP and [R16] PACAP had 3- to 10-fold higher affinities than VIP and PACAP for VIP1 and PACAP I receptors, and 3-fold lower affinities for the secretin receptors. The three [R16] peptides also had a reduced potency on the chimeric receptor consisting of the N-terminal part of the secretin receptor grafted on the VIP1 receptor, and an enhanced potency on the chimeric receptor consisting of the N-terminal part of VIP1 receptor grafted on the secretin receptor, indicating that position 16 of each ligand interacted with the N-terminal extracellular domain of the receptors.

Animals↗

Magnetically labeled secretin retains receptor affinity to pancreas acinar cells.

Previously, we have developed a colloidal dextran-stabilized monocrystalline iron oxide nanocompound (MION-46) as a magnetic label for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In an effort to use this magnetic label to visualize pancreatic receptor function by MRI in vivo, we investigated the potential of secretin as a vector molecule. Secretin receptors, abundant on exocrine pancreas cells, recognize secretin through its amidated carboxyl terminal. In order to conjugate secretin to MION, we utilized the specific interaction between biotin and streptavidin, since direct conjugation of human secretin to MION has previously resulted in low yields and low affinity of the conjugate (unpublished results). Initially, we biotinylated the N-terminal primary amino group of secretin (60% yield). In a separate step, streptavidin (SA) was immobilized onto the surface dextran molecules of MION (79% yield) by reductive amination. Each secretin molecule was conjugated to one biotin molecule and each MION particle to an average of two SA molecules. The biotinylated secretin was then conjugated to MION through the biotin-streptavidin interaction (90% yield). The secretin-biotin-streptavidin-MION construct thus contained approximately two secretin molecules per MION. An in vitro competitive binding assay of pancreatic acinar cells demonstrated that the magnetically labeled secretin retained affinity to the secretin receptors. In vivo distribution studies in rats showed a significantly higher pancreatic accumulation of the secretin-biotin-streptavidin-MION construct as compared to the control group that had received unmodified MION. Our data indicate that bioactive peptides can be attached to dextran-coated iron oxide particles through the biotin-streptavidin interaction while retaining receptor affinity. Such target-specific agents have potential use in MR imaging to probe for a variety of receptor systems.

Animals↗

Secretin activates visceral brain regions in the rat including areas abnormal in autism.

1. The aim of this study was to determine whether central networks are involved in the presumptive behavioral and autonomic regulatory actions of secretin, a gut hormone that has been reported to have ameliorative effects in autistic children. 2. Central neural responses monitored by regional c-fos gene expression were examined in response to intracerebroventricular secretin injection in awake, freely-moving Sprague-Dawley rats. Tissue sections were incubated in an antibody to the c-fos gene product, Fos, and processed immunohistochemically. 3. Qualitative differences in Fos immunoreactivity in stress adaptation and visceral representation areas of the brain were observed between secretin- and vehicle-infused age-matched pairs (n = 4 pairs). Secretin-activated regions include the area postrema, dorsal motor nucleus, medial region of the nucleus of the solitary tract and its relay station in the lateral tegmentum, locus ceruleus, ventral periaqueductal gray, periventricular thalamic nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamus magnocellularis, medial and central amygdala, lateral septal complex as well as ependymal and subependymal nuclei lining the third ventricle. Specific areas of the cerebral cortex were heavily labeled in secretin-treated rats, as compared to controls: the medial bank of the anterior prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, the piriform cortex. and the anterior olfactory nucleus. Secretin attenuated Fos immunoreactivity in the dorsal periaqueductal gray, intralaminar thalamus, medial parvicellular compartment of the hypothalamus, supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, lateral amygdala, motor cortex, and the somatosensory and association areas of the parietal cortex. 4. Secretin alters the activity of structures involved in behavioral conditioning of stress adaptation and visceral reflex reactions. This study predicts a possible cellular mechanism, activation of third ventricular ependymal and subependymal cells, as well as central regulatory actions of secretin. The physiological effects of secretin on behavioral, endocrine, autonomic and sensory neuronal activation patterns, together, contribute to central c-fos activation. Secretin alters the activity of structures involved in behavioral conditioning of stress adaptation and visceral reflex reactions. This study predicts a possible cellular mechanism, activation of third ventricular ependymal and subependymal cells, and central regulatory actions of secretin. The physiological effects of secretin on behavioral, endocrine, autonomic and sensory neuronal activation patterns, together, contribute to central c-fos activation. These findings mandate further investigation of secretin as a brain/gut stress regulatory hormone.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Interaction between secretin and nerve-mediated amylase secretion in the isolated exocrine rat pancreas.

This study investigates the effects of the gut peptide, secretin, on nerve-mediated and acetylcholine-evoked amylase secretion and calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) mobilization in the in vitro rat pancreas. Both electrical field stimulation (EFS; 50 V, 20 Hz, 1 ms) and acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-6) M) caused marked increases in amylase output in isolated pancreatic segments. These responses were inhibited by atropine (10(-5) M). Secretin (10(-10) and 10(-8) M) evoked only a small increase in amylase secretion, which was unaffected by atropine. Combining either EFS or ACh with secretin resulted in an attenuation in amylase output compared with the response obtained with either EFS or ACh alone. In a Mg(2+)-free medium, secretin failed to inhibit the amylase output evoked by EFS. When forskolin (10(-5) M) was combined with EFS there was a marked potentiation of amylase output. In fura-2-loaded acinar cells, ACh (10(-6) M) elevated cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Secretin alone had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i compared with basal values, but it attenuated the ACh-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i. Both EFS and ACh elicited 45Ca2+ influx, whereas secretin had no significant effect. In the presence of secretin the EFS- and ACh-induced 45Ca2+ influx was reduced compared with responses obtained with either EFS or ACh alone. EFS caused a net efflux of Mg2+, whereas secretin alone evoked a net uptake of Mg2+ in pancreatic segments. Combining secretin with EFS resulted in a net uptake of Mg2+. In mag-fura-2-loaded acini ACh (10(-5) M) stimulated an initial transient rise in cytosolic free Mg2+ concentration ([Mg2+]i) followed by a sustained decrease in [Mg2+]i. Stimulation of acinar cells with secretin (10(-8) M) resulted in an elevation in [Mg2+]i compared with the resting level. When ACh (10(-5) M) was combined with secretin there was an initial increase in [Mg2+]i followed by a marked decrease to the pre-secretin-stimulated value. The results indicate that secretin may control nerve-mediated and ACh-evoked secretory responses in the rat pancreas, possibly by an interaction between cellular Ca2+ and Mg2+.

Acetylcholine↗

Sudden onset of colitis after ablation of secretin-expressing lymphocytes in transgenic mice.

Though secretin mRNA was demonstrated in mouse lymphoid organs, its role in the immune system is unknown. Here, secretin gene-expressing cells were ablated by ganciclovir infusion in mice transgenic for the rat secretin promoter (Sec) directing the expression of herpesvirus thymidine kinase (Sec-HSVTK). Thymus, spleen, blood, and colon were investigated by histology. Lymphoid cells were extracted and quantified, and CD19+ B-cells and CD3+, CD103+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein extracts from spleen and thymus were assayed for secretin by Western blotting, and isolated lymphocytes were investigated for HSVTK, secretin, and secretin receptor (Sec-R) mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ablation of secretin-expressing cells produced severe colitis with morphological features similar to those observed in graft-versus-host (GVH) disease. Profound lymphoid depletion was observed in spleen, thymus, and peripheral blood. The relative percentage of B- and T-cell subsets were unaffected. Analysis of colonic lymphocytes revealed a marked depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Colitis and lymphoid depletion were not reversed by secretin cotreatment. Immunoblot analysis of protein extracts from spleen and thymus identified secretin-like immmunoreactant. RT-PCR of lymphocyte mRNA from spleen and thymus identified secretin and secretin receptor transcripts. We conclude that GVH-like colitis in ganciclovir-treated Sec-HSVTK mice arises from depletion of secretin gene-expressing lymphoid cells and not from the failure of secretin production.

Animals↗

Human secretin. Biologic effects and plasma kinetics in humans.

The action of synthetic human secretin, which differs in two amino acid residues from porcine secretin, was compared with synthetic porcine secretin in 6 healthy volunteers. Pancreatic secretion was assessed by a marker perfusion technique and plasma secretin concentrations were assessed by a specific radioimmunoassay. Increasing doses of either human or porcine secretin produced increasing bicarbonate output (p less than 0.01), whereas trypsin and lipase were not stimulated over basal. The highest doses of secretin induced a significant increase in pancreatic amylase secretion. The two secretin preparations were found to be equipotent with respect to pancreatic secretion and plasma kinetics. Significant increases of plasma secretin were observed after a steak meal in 15 volunteers (p less than 0.001). When human secretin was infused at postprandial concentrations, significant increases in pancreatic bicarbonate output were observed (p less than 0.05). We conclude (a) that the substitution of two amino acids in human secretin does not affect biologic activity and plasma metabolism of the compound; (b) secretin does not stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion at physiologic concentrations; and (c) the stimulatory effects of secretin on pancreatic amylase remain to be elucidated. The study suggests that human secretin is a true hormone.

Adult↗

Catabolism of secretin by the liver and kidney.

We have investigated the roles of the liver and the kidney in the catabolism of secretin, using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay. Dogs were prepared with sampling catheters in the aorta, hepatic vein, portal vein, and renal vein and with electromagnetic flow probes on the portal vein, hepatic artery, and renal artery. Secretin levels in the vessels entering and leaving the liver and kidney were determined by radioimmunoassay and the total mass of secretin [concentration (picograms per milliliter) X plasma flow rate (milliliter per minute)] was calculated during an intravenous infusion of exogenous secretin and during release of endogenous secretin by acidification of the proximal intestine. The total masses of secretin entering and leaving the liver were the same during secretin infusion and during the release of endogenous secretin. Under conditions of elevation of plasma secretin, however, the kidney extracted 30 percent of arterial secretin during secretin infusion and 45 percent during release of endogenous secretin. Clearly the kidney is a major site of secretin catabolism.

Animals↗

Secretin receptors in normal and diseased human pancreas: marked reduction of receptor binding in ductal neoplasia.

Receptors for gut hormones, which are often overexpressed in cancer, are clinically relevant for receptor-targeted tumor imaging and therapy. Because the receptors for the gut hormone secretin are poorly characterized, we assessed secretin receptor expression in the main secretin target, the human pancreas. We investigated 58 non-neoplastic pancreases and 55 pancreatic tumors for receptor localization and density by in vitro receptor autoradiography using [(125)I]Tyr(10) rat secretin and for secretin receptor mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Secretin receptors were highly expressed in non-neoplastic ducts and lobuli and also in lower amounts in ductal neoplasias, including ductal adenocarcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction revealed wild-type receptor mRNA in the non-neoplastic pancreas and both wild-type and spliced variant receptor transcripts in ductal adenocarcinomas. Serous cystic tumors were highly positive for secretin receptors, whereas mucinous cystic tumors were negative. This study is the first to describe the precise secretin receptor distribution in human non-neoplastic pancreas and various pancreatic tumors. High secretin receptor expression in the non-neoplastic ducts reflects the major role of secretin in bicarbonate secretion. Reduced secretin binding in pancreatic ductal tumors may relate to (alternatively spliced) secretin receptor isoforms. Thus, secretin receptors in pancreatic tumors may represent potential clinical targets.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Mutations of aromatic residues in the first transmembrane helix impair signalling by the secretin receptor.

The secretin amino terminal residues are essential for high affinity binding to the cognate receptor and for the subsequent activation of adenylate cyclase. It has been already established that two basic residues of the receptor TM 2 are involved in the interaction with aspartate 3 of the ligand. The present work investigated the hypothesis that two conserved tyrosine residues of the TM 1 (Tyrosines 124 and 128) could also participate to the positioning of the amino terminus of the ligand. Tyrosines 124 and 128 were mutated into alanine and histidine residues, and the properties of the mutant receptors, expressed in CHO cells, were compared with those of the wild-type receptor. Mutation of tyrosine 124 to Ala or His decreased the affinity of the receptor for secretin, [Glu3]secretin, [Asn3]secretin and the secretin fragment 2-27, and reduced the intrinsic activity of [Asn3]secretin. Mutation of tyrosine 128 to Ala, but not to His reduced 50-fold secretin and [Asn3]secretin affinity but only 3-fold that of [Glu3]secretin. Secretin and [Glu3]Sn were equipotent in that mutant receptor. These results suggested that tyrosine 128 of the secretin receptor interacted directly with the [Asp3] residue of secretin and thus that the amino terminal domain of secretin interacts with amino acids buried in both the TM 1 and TM 2 helices.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗