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Biomedical subjects

I Gozes

Publications and source records attributed to I Gozes.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Identity of neurotrophic molecules released from astroglia by vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Subnanomolar concentrations of VIP elicit a survival-producing action in CNS cultures composed of both astroglia and neurons. This neurotrophic action is mediated by a complex array of substances released by VIP from astrocytes. Included in this glial protein mixture is a cytokine (interleukin-1 alpha), a serine protease inhibitor (protease nexin I), and an extracellular stress protein (activity-dependent neurotrophic factor). In dissociated spinal cord cultures, all of these substances exhibit neuroprotection from neuronal cell death produced by electrical blockade with tetrodotoxin. All these substances produce neuronal cell death when test cultures are treated with neutralizing antisera to any one of them. They are all apparently necessary for the survival of a subpopulation of neurons that are dependent on spontaneous, excitatory neurotransmission. Our view is that these substances are components of a glia-derived environment that regulates, together with target-derived growth factors, the survival fate of developing neurons. In addition, it is our belief that some of these glia-derived substances will be found to have active roles in the injury response to the CNS or in the regulation of VIP-mediated growth in other tissues. Drugs based on these substances may provide therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegeneration and tumor growth.

Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor

Antiserum to activity-dependent neurotrophic factor produces neuronal cell death in CNS cultures: immunological and biological specificity.

Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) is a glia-derived protein that is neuroprotective at femtomolar concentrations. ADNF is released from astroglia after treatment with 0.1 nM vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). To further assess the biological role of ADNF, antiserum was produced following sequential injections of purified ADNF into mice. Anti-ADNF ascites fluid (1:10,000) decreased neuronal survival by 45-55% in comparison to untreated cultures or those treated with control ascites. The neuronal death after anti-ADNF treatment was observed in cultures derived from the spinal cord, hippocampus or cerebral cortex at similar IC50's. Using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase in situ assay to estimate apoptosis in cerebral cortical cultures, anti-ADNF was shown to produce a 70% increase in the number of labeled cells in comparison to controls. In spinal cord cultures, anti-ADNF treatment produced a 20% decrease in choline acetyltransferase activity in comparison to controls. Neuronal cell death produced by the antiserum to ADNF was prevented in cultures co-treated with purified ADNF or ADNF-15, an active peptide derived from the parent ADNF. In vitro binding between the anti-ADNF and ADNF-15 was demonstrated with size exclusion chromatography. Comparative studies with other growth factors (insulin-like growth factor-1, platelet-derived growth factor, nerve growth factor, epidermal growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic growth factor, and neurotrophin-3) demonstrated that only ADNF prevented neuronal cell death associated with electrical blockade. These investigations indicated that an ADNF-like substance was present in cultures derived from multiple locations in the central nervous system and that ADNF-15 exhibited both neuroprotection and immunogenicity. ADNF appears to be both a regulator of activity-dependent neuronal survival and a neuroprotectant.

Amino Acid Sequence

Protection against developmental retardation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice by a fatty neuropeptide: implications for early treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Stearyl-Nle17-VIP (SNV) is a novel agonist of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) exhibiting a 100-fold greater potency than the parent molecule and specificity for a receptor associated with neuronal survival. Here, mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a molecule associated with the etiology of Alzheimer's disease, served as a model to investigate the developmental and protective effects of SNV. In comparison to control animals, the deficient mice exhibited (a) reduced amounts of VIP messenger RNA; (b) decreased cholinergic activity (c) significant retardation in the acquisition of developmental milestones: forelimb placing behavior and cliff avoidance behavior; and (d) learning and memory impairments. Daily injections of SNV to ApoE-deficient newborn pups resulted in increased cholinergic activity and marked improvements in the time of acquisition of behavioral milestones, with peptide-treated animals developing as fast as control animals and exhibiting improved cognitive functions after cessation of peptide treatment. Specificity was demonstrated in that treatment with a related peptide (PACAP), pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide, produced only limited amelioration. As certain genotypes of ApoE increase the probability of Alzheimer's disease, early counseling and preventive treatments may now offer an important route for therapeutics design.

Alzheimer Disease

Identification of VIP/PACAP receptors on rat astrocytes using antisense oligodeoxynucleotides.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has been shown to be a potent promoter of neuronal survival. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), a homologous peptide, shares activity and receptor molecules with VIP. The neuroprotective effects of VIP have been shown to be mediated via astroglial-derived molecules. Utilizing a battery of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides directed against the multiple cloned VIP-preferring (VIP receptors 1 and 2) or PACAP-preferring receptors (six splice variants derived from the same gene transcript), the authors have demonstrated the existence of a specific PACAP receptor splice variant (PACAP4 or hop2) on astrocytes as well as a VIP type2 receptor. The identification of the receptors was achieved by incubation of the cells in the presence of the specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotide followed by radiolabeled VIP binding and displacement. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled to direct sequencing identified the expression of the PACAP4-hop2 receptor splice variant in astrocytes. Neuronal survival assays were conducted in mixed neuronal-glial cultures derived from newborn rat cerebral cortex. When these cultures were exposed to the battery of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, in serum-free media, only the PACAP-specific ones (e.g., hop2-specific) had an effect in decreasing neuronal cell counts. Thus, the VIP neuronal survival effect is mediated, at least in part, via a specific PACAP receptor (containing a unique insertion of 27 amino acids--the hop2 cassette). These data indicate that a hop2-like PACAP/VIP receptor is the receptor that mediates neurotropism.

Alternative Splicing

PACAP hybrid: a new PACAP receptor antagonist.

The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) hybrid, a synthetic antagonist, was investigated on NIH/3T3 cells containing PACAP receptor (R) splice variants (SVs). PACAPhybrid inhibited 125I-PACAP-27 binding to NIH/3T3 cells stably expressing PACAP-R basic, SV-1, SV-2 or SV-3 with an IC50 of 1000 nM. PACAPhybrid antagonized the ability of PACAP-27 to elevate cAMP regardless of the PACAP-R SV used. PACAP was more efficacious at increasing cytosolic Ca2+ in NIH/3T3 cells containing PACAP-R SV-2 than PACAP-R basic, SV-1 or SV-3. PACAPhybrid antagonized the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ caused by PACAP-27 regardless of the PACAP-R SV used. PACAP was more potent at elevating c-fos mRNA using NIH/3T3 cells transfected with PACAP-R SV-2 than PACAP-R basic, SV-1 or SV-3. PACAPhybrid antagonized the increase in c-fos mRNA caused by PACAP-27. These data suggest that PACAPhybrid is a useful PACAP receptor antagonist for PACAP-R SVs.

3T3 Cells

(Stearyl, Norleucine17)VIP hybrid antagonizes VIP receptors on non-small cell lung cancer cells.

The effects of VIP receptor antagonists were investigated using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. By Northern blot and RT-PCR, VIP1 receptors were detected on NSCLC cell line NCI-H1299. VIPhybrid,(N-Stearyl-Norleucine17) VIPhybrid ((SN) VIPhybrid) and PTC4495 inhibited 125I-VIP binding to NCI-H1299 cells with IC50 values of 500, 30 and 5000 nM respectively. (SN) VIPhybrid (1 microM) had no effect on basal cAMP but strongly inhibited the increase in cAMP caused by 10 nM VIP. The order of peptide potency to inhibit cAMP was (SN) VIPhybrid > VIPhybrid > PTC4495. (SN) VIPhybrid was more potent than VIPhybrid at inhibiting NCI-H1299 colony formation. Also, (SN) VIPhybrid was more potent than VIPhybrid at inhibiting NCI-H1299 xenograft formation in nude mice. These data suggest that (SN) VIPhybrid antagonizes VIP1 receptors on NSCLC cells.

Amino Acid Sequence

Neurobehavioral development of neonatal mice following blockade of VIP during the early embryonic period.

Previous work has shown that blockade of VIP function in the early postimplantation embryo results in growth retardation and microcephaly. In the present work, the neurobehavioral development of neonatal mice was examined following treatment of dams with a VIP antagonist during this period. Inhibition of VIP functions during early embryogenesis impaired the performance of 5 of 10 developmental behaviors. These behaviors included developmental milestones (first appearance of ear twitch and eye opening) and complex motor behaviors (negative geotaxis, surface righting, and air righting). The retardation of neurobehavioral development produced by inhibition of VIP action indicates that this peptide is important to the progression of embryonic development.

Animals

Steroid Regulation of Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP).

The present review is dedicated to the work of B.S. Mc Ewen on the regulatory effects of steroid hormones on peptidergic neurotransmission in the brain and pituitary. The focus is on the discoveries encompassing almost two decades of work on the central and neuroendocrine regulation of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by both corticosteroids and estrogens.

Journal Article

Breast cancer growth is inhibited by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) hybrid, a synthetic VIP receptor antagonist.

Breast cancer vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were characterized. Using in vitro autoradiographic techniques, 125I-labeled VIP bound with high affinity to breast biopsy sections. 125I-labeled VIP bound specifically to give breast cancer cell lines examined using receptor-binding techniques. Specific 125I-labeled VIP binding to MDA-MB-231 cells was inhibited with high affinity by VIP and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (IC50, = 2 nM) and with moderate affinity by the VIP hybrid (IC50 = 0.5 microM). VIP elevated the cAMP in a dose-dependent manner, and VIP hybrid (10 microM) inhibited the increase in cAMP caused by VIP. Using Northern blot analysis, VIP (10 nM) stimulated c-fos and c-myc mRNA, and the increase caused by VIP was reversed by the VIP hybrid. The VIP hybrid inhibited breast cancer growth in vitro and in vivo using nude mice bearing breast cancer xenografts. These data suggest that the VIP hybrid is a breast cancer VIP receptor antagonist.

Animals

A femtomolar-acting neuroprotective peptide.

A novel 14-amino acid peptide, with stress-protein-like sequences, exhibiting neuroprotection at unprecedented concentrations, is revealed. This peptide prevented neuronal cell death associated with the envelope protein (GP 120) from HIV, with excitotoxicity (N-methyl d-aspartate), with the beta amyloid peptide (putative cytotoxin in Alzheimer's disease), and with tetrodotoxin (electrical blockade). The peptide was designed to contain a sequence derived from a new neuroprotective protein secreted by astroglial cells in the presence of vasoactive intestinal peptide. The neurotrophic protein was isolated by sequential chromatographic methods combining ion exchange, size separation, and hydrophobic interaction. The protein (mol mass, 14 kD and pI, 8.3 +/- 0.25) was named activity-dependent neurotrophic factor, as it protected neurons from death associated with electrical blockade. Peptide sequencing led to the synthesis of the novel 14-amino acid peptide that was homologous, but not identical, to an intracellular stress protein, heat shock protein 60. Neutralizing antiserum to heat shock protein 60 produced neuronal cell death that could be prevented by cotreatment with the novel protein, suggesting the existence of extracellular stress-like proteins with neuroprotective properties. These studies identify a potent neuroprotective glial protein and an active peptide that provide a basis for developing treatments of currently intractable neurodegenerative diseases.

Amino Acid Sequence

Neuroprotective strategy for Alzheimer disease: intranasal administration of a fatty neuropeptide.

Neurodegenerative diseases, in which neuronal cell disintegrate, bring about deteriorations in cognitive functions as is evidenced in millions of Alzheimer patients. A major neuropeptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), has been shown to be neuroprotective and to play an important role in the acquisition of learning and memory. A potent lipophilic analogue to VIP now has been synthesized, [stearyl-norleucine17]VIP ([St-Nle17]VIP), that exhibited neuroprotection in model systems related to Alzheimer disease. The beta-amyloid peptide is a major component of the cerebral amyloid plaque in Alzheimer disease and has been shown to be neurotoxic. We have found a 70% loss in the number of neurons in rat cerebral cortical cultures treated with the beta-amyloid peptide (amino acids 25-35) in comparison to controls. This cell death was completely prevented by cotreatment with 0.1 pM [St-Nle17]VIP. Furthermore, characteristic deficiencies in Alzheimer disease result from death of cholinergic neurons. Rats treated with a cholinergic blocker (ethylcholine aziridium) have been used as a model for cholinergic deficits. St-Nle-VIP injected intracerebroventricularly or delivered intranasally prevented impairments in spatial learning and memory associated with cholinergic blockade. These studies suggest both an unusual therapeutic strategy for treatment of Alzheimer deficiencies and a means for noninvasive peptide administration to the brain.

Administration, Intranasal

Regulation of VIP gene expression in general. Human lung cancer cells in particular.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide of multiple functions affecting development and aging. In cancer, for example, VIP was found to function as an autocrine growth factor in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) promotion. Furthermore, a VIP hybrid antagonist (neurotensin(6-11)-VIP(7-28)) was found to inhibit NSCLC growth. In the present study, the expression of VIP mRNA was studied using human lung cancer cells. RNA prepared from 19 cell lines was fractionated by 1% agarose gel electrophoresis followed by blotting onto nitrocellulose membranes and hybridization to a VIP-specific RNA probe. VIP mRNA was detected in about 50% of the cell lines tested with a greater abundance in NSCLC. Cultures of the NSCLC NCI-H727 cell line were treated with forskolin, an activator of cyclic AMP (cAMP), and separately with the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Northern blot hybridization analysis showed an increase in VIP mRNA levels after 4 h treatment with 50 microM forskolin. Incubation with PMA also showed a significant increase in the levels of VIP transcripts. Cultures were then incubated with PMA in the presence of actinomycin D, a transcription blocker. Results indicated that PMA treatment may induce both VIP mRNA synthesis as well as VIP mRNA stabilization, and suggested a 4-5 h half-life for the VIP mRNA in the absence of PMA. Thus, lung cancer tumor proliferation may be regulated, in part, at the level of VIP gene expression.

Animals

Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF). An extracellular neuroprotective chaperonin?

To understand and intervene in neuronal cell death, intensive investigations have been directed at the discovery of intracellular and extracellular factors that provide natural neuroprotection. This goal has fundamental importance for both rational strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and also the delineation of molecular mechanisms that regulate nervous system differentiation and growth. We have discovered a potential interface among these fields of research with activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF), a protein containing sequence homologies to intracellular stress proteins that is found in the extracellular milieu of astroglial cells incubated with the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Femtomolar concentrations of ADNF and a short peptide sequence derived from it (a peptidergic active site) protected neurons from death associated with a broad range of toxins, including those related to Alzheimer's disease, the human immunodeficiency virus, excito-toxicity, and electrical blockade. Because the activity of the protein was mimicked by a short peptide fragment, this peptide is now proposed as a lead compound for drug development against neurodegeneration.

Alzheimer Disease

A VIP hybrid antagonist: from developmental neurobiology to clinical applications.

1. The 28 amino acid vasoactive intestinal peptide, VIP, was originally isolated from the intestine, following a bioassay measuring vasodilating properties. Immunocytochemistry, receptor binding assays and in situ hybridizations have demonstrated VIP abundance in the nervous system, suggesting multiple bioactivities. 2. A pharmacological approach was chosen to dissect VIP activities and a prototype VIP antagonist (Met-Hybrid) consisting of a carboxyl fragment of VIP7-28 and a six amino acid fragment of neurotensin, neurotensin6-11-VIP7-28 was synthesized. 3. This hybrid peptide was designed to maintain the binding capacity of one parent molecule (VIP), while loosing the agonistic properties, representing a classical competitive receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the new molecule exhibited increased specificity to central nervous system VIP receptors. 4. The Met-Hybrid was originally discovered as a potent inhibitor of VIP function in vivo. In the adult rodent, acute administration of the antagonist resulted in blockade of VIP-mediated potentiation of sexual behavior and chronic intracerebroventricular application impaired VIP-associated learning abilities. During ontogeny, chronic injections of the molecule resulted in neuronal damage, disruption of the diurnal rhythmicity of motor behavior, and retardation in the acquisition of neonatal reflexes in the rat. 5. During gestation, severe microcephaly was induced by acute administration of the Met-Hybrid to pregnant mice. The hybrid antagonist inhibited VIP-stimulated mitosis in whole embryo cultures and in a variety of cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo, suggesting therapeutical potential.

Amino Acid Sequence

Developmental changes in purine nucleotide metabolism in cultured rat astroglia.

The present study was conducted in order to clarify the role of the glia in brain purine metabolism. This, in connection with the clarification of the etiology of the neurological manifestations associated with some of the inborn errors of purine metabolism in man. Purine nucleotide content, the capacity for de novo and salvage purine synthesis and the activity of several enzymes of purine nucleotide degradation, were assayed in primary cultures of rat astroglia in relation to culture age. The capacity of the intact cells to produce purine nucleotides de novo exhibited a marked decrease with the culture age, but the activity of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), catalyzing salvage nucleotide synthesis, increased. Aging was also associated with a marked increase in the activity of the degradation enzymes AMP deaminase, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and guanine deaminase (guanase). The activity of adenosine deaminase and of AMP-5'-nucleotidase, increased markedly during the first 17 days in culture, but decreased thereafter. The results indicate that purine nucleotide metabolism in the cultured astroglia is changing with aging to allow the cells to maintain their nucleotide pool by reutilization of preformed hypoxanthine, rather than by de-novo production of new purines. Aging is also associated with increased capacity for operation of the adenine nucleotide cycle, contributing to the homeostasis of adenine nucleotides and to the energy charge of the cells. In principle, the age-related alterations in purine metabolism in the astroglia resemble those occurring in the maturating neurons, except for the capacity to produce purines de novo, which exhibited inverse trends in the two tissues. However, in comparison to the neurons, the cultured astroglia possess the capacity for a more intensive metabolism of purine nucleotides.

Animals

Superactive lipophilic peptides discriminate multiple vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors.

To distinguish vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in the brain-mediating neurotransmission and neurotrophism, potent VIP analogues were designed. Using a single amino acid substitution and the addition of a fatty acyl moiety, an analogue was devised that exhibited both a 100-fold greater potency than VIP and specificity for a VIP receptor associated with neuronal survival. This VIP agonist increased neuronal survival via a cAMP-independent mechanism. Identical chemical modification of a prototype VIP antagonist (Met-Hybrid, Neurotensin6-11-VIP7-28) also resulted in a 100-fold greater potency in blocking VIP-mediated increases in neuronal survival. Blockade of circadian activity rhythms was limited to VIP antagonists that could inhibit VIP-mediated increases in cAMP. These lipophilic peptides provide novel tools in receptor discrimination and drug design.

Amino Acid Sequence