Effect of bombesin on plasma insulin, pancreatic glucagon, and gut glucagon in man

Peptide Radioligands in Cancer Theranostics: Agonists and Antagonists

The clinical success of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs in the diagnosis and therapy-"theranostics"-of tumors expressing the somatostatin subtype 2 receptor (SST₂R) has paved the way for the development of a broader panel of peptide radioligands targeting different human tumors. This approach relies on the overexpression of other receptor-targets in different cancer types. In recent years, a shift in paradigm from internalizing agonists to antagonists has occurred. Thus, SST₂R-antagonist radioligands were first shown to accumulate more efficiently in tumor lesions and clear faster from the background in animal models and patients. The switch to receptor antagonists was soon adopted in the field of radiolabeled bombesin (BBN). Unlike the stable cyclic octapeptides used in the case of somatostatin, BBN-like peptides are linear, fast to biodegradable and elicit adverse effects in the body. Thus, the advent of BBN-like antagonists provided an elegant way to obtain effective and safe radiotheranostics. Likewise, the pursuit of gastrin and exendin antagonist-based radioligands is advancing with exciting new outcomes on the horizon. In the present review, we discuss these developments with a focus on clinical results, commenting on challenges and opportunities for personalized treatment of cancer patients by means of state-of-the-art antagonist-based radiopharmaceuticals.

Radiolabeled Bombesin Analogs

Simple Summary

Recent medical advancements have strived for a personalized medicine approach to patients, aimed at optimizing therapy outcomes with minimum toxicity. In this respect, nuclear medicine methodologies have been playing increasingly important roles. For example, the overexpression of peptide receptors, such as the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), on tumor cells as opposed to their lack of expression in healthy surrounding tissues can be elegantly exploited with the aid of “smart” peptide carriers, such as the analogs of the amphibian 14-peptide bombesin (BBN). These molecules can bring clinically attractive radionuclides to malignant lesions in prostate, breast, and other human cancers, sparing healthy tissues. Depending upon the radionuclide in question, diagnostic imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) has been pursued, identifying patients who are eligible for peptide radionuclide receptor therapy (PRRT) in an integrated “theranostic” approach. In the present review, we (i) discuss the major steps taken in the development of anti-GRPR theranostic radioligands, with a focus on those selected for clinical testing; (ii) comment on the present status in this field of research; and (iii) reflect on the current limitations as well as on new opportunities for their broader and more successful clinical applications.

Abstract

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is expressed in high numbers in a variety of human tumors, including the frequently occurring prostate and breast cancers, and therefore provides the rationale for directing diagnostic or therapeutic radionuclides on cancer lesions after administration of anti-GRPR peptide analogs. This concept has been initially explored with analogs of the frog 14-peptide bombesin, suitably modified at the N-terminus with a number of radiometal chelates. Radiotracers that were selected for clinical testing revealed inherent problems associated with these GRPR agonists, related to low metabolic stability, unfavorable abdominal accumulation, and adverse effects. A shift toward GRPR antagonists soon followed, with safer analogs becoming available, whereby, metabolic stability and background clearance issues were gradually improved. Clinical testing of three main major antagonist types led to promising outcomes, but at the same time brought to light several limitations of this concept, partly related to the variation of GRPR expression levels across cancer types, stages, previous treatments, and other factors. Currently, these parameters are being rigorously addressed by cell biologists, chemists, nuclear medicine physicians, and other discipline practitioners in a common effort to make available more effective and safe state-of-the-art molecular tools to combat GRPR-positive tumors. In the present review, we present the background, current status, and future perspectives of this endeavor.

[99mTc]Tc-DB15 in GRPR-Targeted Tumor Imaging with SPECT: From Preclinical Evaluation to the First Clinical Outcomes

Diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy of prostate (PC) and breast cancer (BC) using radiolabeled gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-antagonists represents a promising approach. We herein propose the GRPR-antagonist based radiotracer [^99mTc]Tc-DB15 ([^99mTc]Tc-N₄-AMA-DGA-_DPhe⁶,Sar¹¹,LeuNHEt¹³]BBN(6-13); N₄: 6-carboxy-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane, AMA: aminomethyl-aniline, DGA: diglycolic acid) as a new diagnostic tool for GRPR-positive tumors applying SPECT/CT. The uptake of [^99mTc]Tc-DB15 was tested in vitro in mammary (T-47D) and prostate cancer (PC-3) cells and in vivo in T-47D or PC-3 xenograft-bearing mice as well as in BC patients. DB15 showed high GRPR-affinity (IC₅₀ = 0.37 ± 0.03 nM) and [^99mTc]Tc-DB15 strongly bound to the cell-membrane of T-47D and PC-3 cells, according to a radiolabeled antagonist profile. In mice, the radiotracer showed high and prolonged GRPR-specific uptake in PC-3 (e.g., 25.56 ± 2.78 %IA/g vs. 0.72 ± 0.12 %IA/g in block; 4 h pi) and T-47D (e.g., 15.82 ± 3.20 %IA/g vs. 3.82 ± 0.30 %IA/g in block; 4 h pi) tumors, while rapidly clearing from background. In patients with advanced BC, the tracer could reveal several bone and soft tissue metastases on SPECT/CT. The attractive pharmacokinetic profile of [^99mTc]DB15 in mice and its capability to target GRPR-positive BC lesions in patients highlight its prospects for a broader clinical use, an option currently being explored by ongoing clinical studies.

[99mTc]Tc-DB1 Mimics with Different-Length PEG Spacers: Preclinical Comparison in GRPR-Positive Models

Background: The frequent overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) in human cancers provides the rationale for delivering clinically useful radionuclides to tumor sites using peptide carriers. Radiolabeled GRPR antagonists, besides being safer for human use, have often shown higher tumor uptake and faster background clearance than agonists. We herein compared the biological profiles of the GRPR-antagonist-based radiotracers [^99mTc]Tc-[N₄-PEGx-DPhe⁶,Leu-NHEt¹³]BBN(6-13) (N₄: 6-(carboxy)-1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane; PEG: polyethyleneglycol): (i) [^99mTc]Tc-DB7 (x = 2), (ii) [^99mTc]Tc-DB13 (x = 3), and (iii) [^99mTc]Tc-DB14 (x = 4), in GRPR-positive cells and animal models. The impact of in situ neprilysin (NEP)-inhibition on in vivo stability and tumor uptake was also assessed by treatment of mice with phosphoramidon (PA). Methods: The GRPR affinity of DB7/DB13/DB14 was determined in PC-3 cell membranes, and cell binding of the respective [^99mTc]Tc-radioligands was assessed in PC-3 cells. Each of [^99mTc]Tc-DB7, [^99mTc]Tc-DB13, and [^99mTc]Tc-DB14 was injected into mice without or with PA coinjection and 5 min blood samples were analyzed by HPLC. Biodistribution was conducted at 4 h postinjection (pi) in severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) mice bearing PC-3 xenografts without or with PA coinjection. Results: DB7, -13, and -14 displayed single-digit nanomolar affinities for GRPR. The uptake rates of [^99mTc]Tc-DB7, [^99mTc]Tc-DB13, and [^99mTc]Tc-DB14 in PC-3 cells was comparable and consistent with a radioantagonist profile. The radiotracers were found to be ≈70% intact in mouse blood and >94% intact after coinjection of PA. Treatment of mice with PA enhanced tumor uptake. Conclusions: The present study showed that increase of PEG-spacer length in the [^99mTc]Tc-DB7-[^99mTc]Tc-DB13-[^99mTc]Tc-DB14 series had little effect on GRPR affinity, specific uptake in PC-3 cells, in vivo stability, or tumor uptake. A significant change in in vivo stability and tumor uptake was observed only after treatment of mice with PA, without compromising the favorably low background radioactivity levels.

Localization of 99mTc-GRP Analogs in GRPR-Expressing Tumors: Effects of Peptide Length and Neprilysin Inhibition on Biological Responses

The overexpression of gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) in frequently occurring human tumors has provided the opportunity to use bombesin (BBN) analogs as radionuclide carriers to cancer sites for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We have been alternatively exploring human GRP motifs of higher GRPR selectivity compared to frog BBN sequences aiming to improve pharmacokinetic profiles. In the present study, we compared two differently truncated human endogenous GRP motifs: GRP(14–27) and GRP(18–27). An acyclic tetraamine was coupled at the N-terminus to allow for stable binding of the SPECT radionuclide ^99mTc. Their biological profiles were compared in PC-3 cells and in mice without or with coinjection of phosphoramidon (PA) to induce transient neprilysin (NEP) inhibition in vivo. The two ^99mTc-N₄-GRP(14/18–27) radioligands displayed similar biological behavior in mice. Coinjection of PA exerted a profound effect on in vivo stability and translated into notably improved radiolabel localization in PC-3 experimental tumors. Hence, this study has shown that promising ^99mTc-radiotracers for SPECT imaging may indeed derive from human GRP sequences. Radiotracer bioavailability was found to be of major significance. It could be improved during in situ NEP inhibition resulting in drastically enhanced uptake in GRPR-expressing lesions.

New Gastrin Releasing Peptide Receptor-Directed [99mTc]Demobesin 1 Mimics: Synthesis and Comparative Evaluation

We have previously reported on the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) antagonist [^99mTc]1, ([^99mTc]demobesin 1, ^99mTc-[N₄'-diglycolate-dPhe⁶,Leu-NHEt¹³]BBN(6-13)). [^99mTc]1 has shown superior biological profile compared to analogous agonist-based ^99mTc-radioligands. We herein present a small library of [^99mTc]1 mimics generated after structural modifications in (a) the linker ([^99mTc]2, [^99mTc]3, [^99mTc]4), (b) the peptide chain ([^99mTc]5, [^99mTc]6), and (c) the C-terminus ([^99mTc]7 or [^99mTc]8). The effects of above modifications on the biological properties of analogs were studied in PC-3 cells and tumor-bearing SCID mice. All analogs showed subnanomolar affinity for the human GRPR, while most receptor-affine 4 and 8 behaved as potent GRPR antagonists in a functional internalization assay. In mice bearing PC-3 tumors, [^99mTc]1-[^99mTc]6 exhibited GRPR-specific tumor uptake, rapidly clearing from normal tissues. [^99mTc]4 displayed the highest tumor uptake (28.8 ± 4.1%ID/g at 1 h pi), which remained high even after 24 h pi (16.3 ± 1.8%ID/g), well surpassing that of [^99mTc]1 (5.4 ± 0.7%ID/g at 24 h pi).

The EndoC-βH1 cell line is a valid model of human beta cells and applicable for screenings to identify novel drug target candidates

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the EndoC-βH1 cell line as a model for human beta cells and evaluate its beta cell functionality, focusing on insulin secretion, proliferation, apoptosis and ER stress, with the objective to assess its potential as a screening platform for identification of novel anti-diabetic drug candidates.

METHODS

EndoC-βH1 was transplanted into mice for validation of in vivo functionality. Insulin secretion was evaluated in cells cultured as monolayer and as pseudoislets, as well as in diabetic mice. Cytokine induced apoptosis, glucolipotoxicity, and ER stress responses were assessed. Beta cell relevant mRNA and protein expression were investigated by qPCR and antibody staining. Hundreds of proteins or peptides were tested for their effect on insulin secretion and proliferation.

RESULTS

Transplantation of EndoC-βH1 cells restored normoglycemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. Both in vitro and in vivo, we observed a clear insulin response to glucose, and, in vitro, we found a significant increase in insulin secretion from EndoC-βH1 pseudoislets compared to monolayer cultures for both glucose and incretins. Apoptosis and ER stress were inducible in the cells and caspase 3/7 activity was elevated in response to cytokines, but not affected by the saturated fatty acid palmitate. By screening of various proteins and peptides, we found Bombesin (BB) receptor agonists and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptides (PACAP) to significantly induce insulin secretion and the proteins SerpinA6, STC1, and APOH to significantly stimulate proliferation. ER stress was readily induced by Tunicamycin and resulted in a reduction of insulin mRNA. Somatostatin (SST) was found to be expressed by 1% of the cells and manipulation of the SST receptors was found to significantly affect insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the EndoC-βH1 cells strongly resemble human islet beta cells in terms of glucose and incretin stimulated insulin secretion capabilities. The cell line has an active cytokine induced caspase 3/7 apoptotic pathway and is responsive to ER stress initiation factors. The cells' ability to proliferate can be further increased by already known compounds as well as by novel peptides and proteins. Based on its robust performance during the functionality assessment assays, the EndoC-βH1 cell line was successfully used as a screening platform for identification of novel anti-diabetic drug candidates.

From Bench to Bed: New Gastrin-Releasing Peptide Receptor-Directed Radioligands and Their Use in Prostate Cancer

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPRs) are overexpressed in prostate and breast cancer, and are therefore attractive molecular targets for diagnosis and therapy with radiolabeled GRPR-directed peptide probes. The amphibian tetradecapeptide bombesin or the mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide and neuromedin C have been modified with a variety of chelators. As a result, labeling with radiometals attractive for SPECT or PET imaging and for radionuclide therapy has led to the development of peptide radioligands suitable for in vivo targeting of prostate cancer. A shift of paradigm from internalizing GRPR-agonists to antagonists has occurred owing to the higher biosafety and superior pharmacokinetics of radioantagonists.

The gastrin-releasing peptide analog bombesin preserves exocrine and endocrine pancreas morphology and function during parenteral nutrition

Stimulation of digestive organs by enteric peptides is lost during total parental nutrition (PN). Here we examine the role of the enteric peptide bombesin (BBS) in stimulation of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas during PN. BBS protects against exocrine pancreas atrophy and dysfunction caused by PN. BBS also augments circulating insulin levels, suggesting an endocrine pancreas phenotype. While no significant changes in gross endocrine pancreas morphology were observed, pancreatic islets isolated from BBS-treated PN mice showed a significantly enhanced insulin secretion response to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist exendin-4, correlating with enhanced GLP-1 receptor expression. BBS itself had no effect on islet function, as reflected in low expression of BBS receptors in islet samples. Intestinal BBS receptor expression was enhanced in PN with BBS, and circulating active GLP-1 levels were significantly enhanced in BBS-treated PN mice. We hypothesized that BBS preserved islet function indirectly, through the enteroendocrine cell-pancreas axis. We confirmed the ability of BBS to directly stimulate intestinal enteroid cells to express the GLP-1 precursor preproglucagon. In conclusion, BBS preserves the exocrine and endocrine pancreas functions during PN; however, the endocrine stimulation is likely indirect, through the enteroendocrine cell-pancreas axis.

Gastrin releasing peptide receptor-directed radioligands based on a bombesin antagonist: synthesis, (111)in-labeling, and preclinical profile

Novel bombesin (BBN) antagonists were synthesized by coupling the chelator 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) to H-d-Phe-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Sta-Leu-NH2 (JMV594) through linkers of increasing number of (βAla)x residues (x = 1-3). Labeling with (111)In afforded the respective radiotracers in high purity and high specific activity. Bioconjugate affinity for the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) as determined against [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BBN was high (IC50 values in the lower nanomolar range). Radioligands poorly internalized in PC-3 cells at 37 °C. Radiopeptides remained >60% intact 5 min after entering the bloodstream of healthy mice. After injection in SCID mice bearing human PC-3 xenografts all analogues showed high tumor uptake and rapid background clearance via the kidneys into urine. Interestingly, pancreatic uptake, albeit GRPR-specific, declined rapidly with time. (111)In-DOTA-(βAla)2-JMV594 achieved the highest tumor values among the group (17.0 ± 2.8%ID/g vs. 8-10%ID/g, respectively, at 4 h pi) indicating that the (βAla)2-linker favors in vivo interaction of radiopeptides with the GRPR.

Chemical and biological characterization of new Re(CO)3/[99mTc](CO)3 bombesin analogues

INTRODUCTION

Bombesin, a neuropeptide with potential for breast and prostate tumor targeting, is rapidly metabolized in vivo, and as a result, uptake in tumor xenografts in mice is poor. An improvement can be expected from the introduction of nonnatural amino acids and spacers. Leu13 was replaced by cyclohexylalanine and Met14 by norleucine. Two spacers, -betaAla-betaAla- and 3,6-dioxa-8-aminooctanoic acid, were inserted between the receptor-binding amino acid sequence (7-14) of bombesin (BBS) and the retroN(alpha)-carboxymethyl histidine chelator used for labeling with the [99mTc](CO)3 core and the rhenium (Re) congener.

METHODS

The biological characterization of the new compounds was performed both in vitro on prostate carcinoma PC-3 cells (binding affinity, internalization/externalization) and in vivo (biodistribution in nude mice with tumor xenografts). The stability was also investigated in human plasma. The Re analogues were prepared for chemical characterization.

RESULTS

The nonnatural amino acids led to markedly slower degradation in human plasma and PC-3 cell cultures. The receptor affinity of the new technetium 99m ([99mTc])-labeled BBS analogues was similar to the unmodified compound with Kd<1 nM. Uptake in the pancreas and in PC-3 tumor xenografts in nude mice was blocked by unlabeled BBS. The best target-to-nontarget uptake ratio was clearly due to the presence of the more polar spacer, -betaAla-betaAla-.

CONCLUSIONS

The different spacers did not have a significant effect on stability or receptor affinity but had a clear influence on the uptake in healthy organs and tumors. Uptake in the kidneys was lower than in the liver, which is likely to be due to the lipophilicity of the compounds. A specific, high uptake was also observed in the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-rich pancreas. Thus, with the introduction of spacers the in vivo properties of the compounds can be improved while leaving the affinity unaffected.

What do we know about the secretion and degradation of incretin hormones?

The incretin hormones, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are secreted from endocrine cells located in the intestinal mucosa, and act to enhance meal-induced insulin secretion. GIP and GLP-1 concentrations in the plasma rise rapidly after food ingestion, and the presence of unabsorbed nutrients in the intestinal lumen is a strong stimulus for their secretion. Nutrients can stimulate release of both hormones by direct contact with the K-cell (GIP) and L-cell (GLP-1), and this may be the most important signal. However, nutrients also stimulate GLP-1 and GIP secretion indirectly via other mechanisms. Incretin hormone secretion can be modulated neurally, with cholinergic muscarinic, beta-adrenergic and peptidergic (gastrin-releasing peptide, GRP) fibres generally having positive effects, while secretion is restrained by alpha-adrenergic and somatostatinergic fibres. Hormonal factors may also influence incretin hormone secretion. Somatostatin exerts a local inhibitory effect on the activity of both K- and L-cells via a paracrine mechanism, while, in rodents at least, GIP from the proximal intestine has a stimulatory effect on GLP-1 secretion, possibly mediated via a neural loop involving GRP. Once they have been released, both GLP-1 and GIP are subject to rapid degradation. The ubiquitous enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) cleaves N-terminally, removing a dipeptide and thereby inactivating both peptides, because the N-terminus is crucial for receptor binding. Subsequently, the peptides may be degraded by other enzymes and extracted in an organ-specific manner. The intact peptides are inactivated during passage across the hepatic bed and further metabolised by the peripheral tissues, while the kidney is important for the final elimination of the metabolites.

Effects of high in vivo levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on function of circulating lymphocytes in humans

To examine the possible in vivo significance of the immunomodulatory effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide described in vitro, several parameters of peripheral blood lymphocyte function were studied in a patient with a pancreatic endocrine tumor and high circulating levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. There was no imbalance of the circulating lymphocyte subpopulations, and the in vitro responses of the patient's lymphocytes to mitogens were normal. However, there was an increased number (32%) of peripheral lymphocytes expressing interleukin 2 receptor. Serum immunoglobulin M levels were higher than in controls, and the patient's lymphocytes exhibited a spontaneous in vitro immunoglobulin M production higher than normal. Comparable increases in both interleukin 2 receptor expression and immunoglobulin M production were induced in vitro in normal peripheral lymphocyte cultures by the addition of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide concentrations similar to that detected in the patient's plasma. These findings indicate that a modulatory effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on lymphocyte activation and immunoglobulin synthesis may be operating in vivo. They also suggest that vasoactive intestinal polypeptide does not mediate major defects in peripheral blood lymphocyte function in vivo.

Structural identification, subcellular localization and secretion of bovine adrenomedullary neuromedin C [GRP-(18-27)]

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity (BLI) was purified from acid (HCl) extracts of bovine adrenal medulla. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a mu-Bondapak C18 column revealed the presence of five molecular forms of BLI, one coeluting with synthetic gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian counterpart of amphibian bombesin, one coeluting with neuromedin C, one coeluting with neuromedin B and the two other ones coeluting with the oxidized forms of neuromedins B and C. The material corresponding to neuromedin C was purified to homogeneity and its amino acid composition and sequence corresponded to those expected for neuromedin C. HPLC analysis on an analytical SP-5PW column of subcellular extracts of bovine adrenal medulla indicated that neuromedin C is almost exclusively localized in secretory granules. The neuropeptide function of neuromedin C and/or other BLI peptides at this level was supported by the stimulatory effect of carbamylcholine (500 microM) on the release of BLI (4.5-fold increase over the basal release of 19 fmol/5 min) from perfused bovine adrenal glands.

Mechanism of action of bombesin on amylase secretion. Evidence for a Ca2+-independent pathway

The mode of action of bombesin on amylase secretion was investigated in rat pancreatic acini. Bombesin induced a dose-dependent increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and cytosolic free Ca2+. The threshold concentration capable of inducing both effects was 0.1 nM and the half-maximal dose of the peptide for Ca2+ mobilization was approximately 0.6 nM. By contrast, amylase release was approximately 30 times more sensitive than inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and Ca2+ mobilization to bombesin action, with 1 pM being the first stimulatory concentration and a half-maximal effect at approximately 20 pM. The ability of low bombesin doses to trigger enzyme secretion was unaffected by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA. In order to test whether the stimulation of amylase release was truly a Ca2+-independent response, the intracellular Ca2+ stores were depleted by pretreating acini with EGTA plus ionomycin, the Ca2+ ionophore. Under these conditions bombesin was still capable of eliciting a significant twofold enhancement of the secretory activity. These results indicate that bombesin, an agonist thought to activate secretion mainly through mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, elicits amylase release at low concentrations, independently of a concomitant rise in cytosolic free Ca2+. The relevance of these findings to the physiological regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion is discussed.

The effect of gastrin-releasing peptide on the endocrine pancreas

Infusion of GRP into conscious sheep and dogs produced elevations of systemic plasma levels of insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP). In the dog, infusions of GRP produced dose-dependent decreases in plasma glucose levels, whereas, in the sheep, dose-dependent increases in plasma glucose levels occurred. Glucose turnover studies demonstrated that infusions of GRP produce prompt increases in the rate of appearance of glucose in sheep, but previous studies demonstrated a transient decrease in the rate of appearance of glucose in dogs, suggesting that sheep and dogs differ in hepatic responses to the elevated levels of insulin and glucagon. GRP was a potent PP secretagogue in the sheep, whereas, in contrast to results in the dog, infusions of GRP did not result in elevations of plasma levels of gastrin in sheep. GRP has multiple complex stimulatory effects on the endocrine pancreas, and there exist species-dependent differences in responses, which affect the potency and spectrum of the hormone-releasing activity of GRP. Further studies are required to determine the precise anatomical relation of GRP-containing nerve fibers to islet cells and to elucidate the pathways by which GRP activates endocrine pancreatic hormone release.

Different effects of bombesin on glucose- and tolbutamide-induced insulin release in man

1. The effect of bombesin, a neurogastrointestinal peptide, on basal and stimulated insulin release was studied in man. 2. Two different stimuli were used, hyperglycaemic (20 g glucose) and hypoglycaemic (1 g tolbutamide). They were injected intravenously to two groups of male healthy volunteers during saline or bombesin (5 ng kg-1 min-1 for 60 min) infusion. 3. The peptide had no significant effect on basal levels of glucose and insulin. However, the insulin response to intravenous glucose was strongly potentiated by bombesin, the integrated insulin response being 2.23 +/- 0.59 mu ml-1 . 90 min and 0.98 +/- 0.19 mu ml-1 . 90 min during infusion of bombesin and saline, respectively (P less than 0.05). The behaviour of plasma glucose was not significantly modified by the peptide. Indeed, the glucose disappearance rate (K of Conard, mg min 10(-2)) changed from 2.5 +/- 0.3 during saline to 2.4 +/- 0.4 during bombesin infusion. 4. When the hypoglycaemic stimulus (i.e. tolbutamide) was used, no effect of the peptide on insulin release could be detected. Here again, the drop in plasma glucose (expressed as Marigo's coefficient) was not affected by the peptide, with a value of 92.8 +/- 12.6 and 84.0 +/- 10.9 during bombesin and saline administration. 5. These data therefore show that, at normal or low blood glucose levels, the dose of bombesin used is unable to modify insulin release and suggest that this peptide might be regarded as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide.

Stimulation of dog gastropancreatic hormone release by neuromedin B and its analogues

The effects on gastrin, insulin, and glucagon release of neuromedin B (NMB), the C-fragment decapeptide of gastrin-releasing peptide-10 (GRP-10), seven analogues replacing amino acid positions 3, 6, and 9, and two C-terminal desamide analogues were examined in conscious dogs using intravenous bolus injection of these peptides study the structure-activity relationship of two bombesin-related peptides identified in mammals. The replacement from valine of position 6 of GRP-10 to threonine effectively reduced the stimulatory potency of these hormone secretions. Removal of the C-terminal amide of NMB and GRP-10 resulted in an almost complete loss of their stimulatory effect on gastrin secretion. [Leu3]GRP-10 elicited the most potent stimulatory activity on three hormone secretions among the analogues including NMB and GRP-10. These results indicate that valine in position 6 of GRP-10 and C-terminal amide of two peptides play an important role in the bioactivities of bombesin family peptides.

The effect of gastrin-releasing peptide on the endocrine pancreas

The 27-amino acid peptide gastrin releasing peptide (GRP-(1-27] was infused at 4 dose levels (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, and 10 nM) into the arterial line of the isolated perfused porcine pancreas. Infusions were performed at 3 different perfusate glucose levels (3.5, 5.0, and 8.0 mM) and at two levels of amino acids (5 and 15 mM). GRP-(1-27) stimulated insulin and pancreatic polypeptide secretion and inhibited somatostatin secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Glucagon secretion was unaffected by infusion of GRP under all circumstances. The effect of GRP-(1-27) on insulin secretion was enhanced with increasing perfusate glucose levels, whereas the effects upon somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide secretion were independent of perfusate glucose levels. The responses to GRP were unaffected by elevation of the concentration of amino acids in the perfusate. The effects of GRP were unaffected by atropine at 10(-6) M. The localization of GRP within the porcine pancreas, its release during electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve, and its potent effects upon pancreatic endocrine secretion make it conceivable that the peptide participates in parasympathetic regulation of pancreatic endocrine secretion.

Opposite effects of bombesin on insulin and gastrin response to food in humans

The effect of bombesin on insulin and gastrin response to a standard labelled meal was studied in eight healthy male volunteers. The gastric emptying of solids was simultaneously evaluated. During intravenous infusion of the peptide (5 ng/kg/min) the insulin release after eating was greatly reduced whereas food stimulated gastrin release was significantly enhanced. Both effects of bombesin are likely to be connected with the marked inhibition of gastric emptying induced by the peptide.

Bombesin-like immunoreactivity in bovine adrenal medulla

The presence of immunoreactive (ir)-bombesin in bovine adrenal medulla, isolated adrenal chromaffin cells and subcellular fractions of the adrenal medulla was demonstrated using a specific antibody to the synthetic peptide. High levels of ir-bombesin were detected in acid (HCl) extracts of the adrenal tissue (27 pmol/g) and isolated cells (0.35 pmol per 10(6) cells). Subpopulations of adrenal chromaffin cells were also obtained by centrifugation of the original cell preparation through a stepwise bovine serum albumin gradient (cell layers I, II and III). The highest concentration of ir-bombesin (0.77 pmol/10(6) cells) was found in a cell population (cell layer I) enriched in noradrenaline (adrenaline/noradrenaline ratio of 0.6). At the subcellular level, ir-bombesin was mainly concentrated in the secretory granules (0.61 pmol/mg protein) along with catecholamines (1097 nmol/mg protein), but a relatively high concentration of ir-bombesin (0.26 pmol/mg protein) was also found in the microsomal fraction. Isolation and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of adrenomedullary ir-bombesin revealed the presence of four molecular forms, one of them corresponding to gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), another one (major peak) eluting closely to synthetic neuromedin B and another one coeluting with GRP-(18-27). HPLC analysis of the molecular forms of ir-bombesin in the microsomes and secretory granules indicated that GRP- and neuromedin B-like materials can be generated between the two fractions.

Interaction of [125I]-Tyr4-bombesin with specific receptors on normal human pancreatic membranes

The binding of bombesin to its receptors on normal human pancreatic membranes was investigated using high specific activity, radioiodinated bombesin ([125I]-Tyr4-bombesin), prepared by an oxidative method with chloramine-T. Binding was specific, temperature-dependent, saturable, reversible and linearly related to membranes protein concentration. After a 30 min period of incubation with membranes the degradation of the tracer has never been found superior to 20%. Scatchard analysis of binding data was compatible with a single class of binding sites with a high affinity (0.96 nM) and a Bmax of 753 fmol/mg protein. [125I]-Tyr4-bombesin binding to human pancreatic membranes was competitively inhibited by (1-Tyr4-)bombesin, GRP, the nonapeptide of bombesin and litorin but not by unrelated hormones such as somatostatin, CCK, human gastrin, etc. These results describe for the first time the presence of specific receptors for bombesin on human pancreatic membranes. The binding characteristics obtained are comparable with those found in other species.

Influence of CCK and bombesin on ACTH and cortisol secretion in the conscious dog

Bombesin and cholecystokinin (CCK) have a variety of similar actions. Previous investigations have demonstrated that IP injections of bombesin and CCK-33 increased corticosterone secretion in conscious, freely-moving, fed rats. In this study bombesin or CCk-8 was administered by continuous, intravenous infusion to conscious, awake, fasted, mongrel dogs. Following a 30-40 minute control infusion, a progressively-increasing, stepwise infusion of either bombesin (0.1, 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr) or CCK-8 (62.5, 125, and 250 ng/kg-hr) was administered. Each drug dose was infused for 40-45 minutes and blood samples were drawn at 20-22.5 minutes intervals. Bombesin caused significant, dose-dependent increases in plasma cortisol (286 +/- 39% of control) and plasma ACTH (176 +/- 33% of control). CCK-8 had no consistent effect on either cortisol or ACTH secretion. Whether the lack of effect of CCK-8 in dogs, as compared to rats, is due to species variations or to the differing experimental designs is unknown.

Bombesin evoked acetylcholine release from the guinea pig antrum

Bombesin induced contraction and acetylcholine (ACh) release of the longitudinal muscle strip of the guinea pig antrum were examined using the standard organ bath technique and the superfusion system. Bombesin increased frequency and tonus of rhythmic contraction in a dose dependent manner (10(-10)M - 10(-7)M). The effects of bombesin on frequency of contraction were not affected by atropine, propranolol, phentolamine, hexamethonium and tetrodotoxin. The effects on tonus, on the other hand, were significantly reduced by atropine, and the dose response curve to bombesin was shifted to the right. There was a remarkable increase of 3H-ACh release by the superfusion of bombesin (10(-8)M), which was almost completely abolished in Ca-free medium, but not affected by hexamethonium and tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that mechanism of bombesin effects on frequency is different from that on tonus; frequency response to bombesin is not dependent on autonomic nervous system but due to a direct effect on smooth muscle cells, whereas tonic response to the peptide is partly mediated by ACh release via a mechanism independent of sodium spike.

Evidence that bombesin releases extragastric gastrin in man

Bombesin-induced gastrin release from extragastric sources has been investigated in two groups of patients without gastric antrum: 11 patients with total gastrectomy and 11 patients with subtotal (Billroth II) gastrectomy. A 30-min bombesin infusion (5 ng . kg-1 . min-1) caused a prompt significant gastrin increase (P less than 0.05) in both groups of patients. The gastrin response to bombesin was significantly (P less than 0.005) lower in patients without antral tissue than in the control group (n = 7). The individual peak gastrin responses, in totally (TG) and subtotally (SG) gastrectomized patients, were significantly over basal levels (TG: peak 100.3 +/- 12 vs. basal 62.8 +/- 9.1, P less than 0.005; SG: peak 96.9 +/- 9.4 vs. basal 72.4 +/- 6.8, P less than 0.001; pg/ml, mean +/- S.E.M.). These data indicate that bombesin acts not only on antral G cells, but on all gastrin cells in the gastrointestinal tract.

Bombesin effects on human GI functions

In this article some of the actions of amphibian skin peptide Bombesin (BBS) on human gastrointestinal and pancreatic functions are reviewed. BBS causes increases of lower esophageal sphincter pressure, delay of gastric emptying, inhibition of mechanical activity of duodenum and jejunum and gallbladder emptying. BBS also releases in man gastrin and stimulates gastric acid secretion. BBS administration induces release of insulin, glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide from human Islet of Langerhans and causes secretion of pancreatic bicarbonates and enzymes in duodenal juice and release of pancreatic enzymes in blood stream.

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs encoding human gastrin-releasing peptide

We have prepared and cloned cDNAs derived from poly(A)+ RNA from a human pulmonary carcinoid tumor rich in immunoreactivity to gastrin-releasing peptide, a peptide closely related in structure to amphibian bombesin. Mixtures of synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides corresponding to amphibian bombesin were used as hybridization probes to screen a cDNA library prepared from the tumor RNA. Sequencing of the recombinant plasmids shows that human gastrin-releasing peptide (hGRP) mRNA encodes a precursor of 148 amino acids containing a typical signal sequence, hGRP consisting of 27 or 28 amino acids, and a carboxyl-terminal extension peptide. hGRP is flanked at its carboxyl terminus by two basic amino acids, following a glycine used for amidation of the carboxyl-terminal methionine. RNA blot analyses of tumor RNA show a major mRNA of 900 bases and a minor mRNA of 850 bases. Blot hybridization analyses using human genomic DNA are consistent with a single hGRP-encoding gene. The presence of two mRNAs encoding the hGRP precursor protein in the face of a single hGRP gene raises the possibility of alternative processing of the single RNA transcript.

Bombesin stimulates insulin secretion by a pancreatic islet cell line

The amphibian tetradecapeptide, bombesin (BBS) has been shown to stimulate insulin secretion both in vivo and by pancreatic islet cells in vitro. To determine whether BBS can act directly on pancreatic beta cells, we examined its effects on insulin secretion by HIT-T15 cells (HIT cells), a clonal islet cell line. Addition of 100 nM BBS to HIT cells stimulated insulin release 25-fold within 30 sec. The rapid stimulatory effect of BBS on insulin release was short-lived: the secretory rate returned to basal levels after 90 min of BBS treatment. The decrease in the rate of insulin release in the continued presence of BBS was due not to depletion of intracellular insulin stores but to specific desensitization to this peptide. Stimulation of insulin secretion by BBS was dose dependent with an ED50 value (0.51 +/- 0.15 nM) similar to the concentration of BBS-like immunoreactive material in rat plasma. Five BBS analogs, including porcine gastrin-releasing peptide, were as powerful as BBS in stimulating insulin release. The relative potencies of the analogs tested indicated that the COOH-terminal octapeptide sequence in BBS was sufficient for stimulation of release. In contrast, 14 peptides structurally unrelated to BBS did not alter insulin secretion. BBS action was synergistic with that of glucagon; insulin secretion in the presence of maximal concentrations of both peptides was greater than the additive effects of the two peptides added individually. Somatostatin inhibited BBS-stimulated release by 69 +/- 1% with an ID50 value of 3.2 +/- 0.3 nM. These results show that BBS stimulation of insulin secretion by a clonal pancreatic cell line closely parallels its effects in vivo and support the hypothesis that BBS stimulates insulin secretion by a direct effect on the pancreatic beta cell. The clonal HIT cell line provides a homogeneous cell preparation amenable for studies on the biochemical mechanisms of BBS action in the endocrine pancreas.

Effects of certain metabolites on pancreatic endocrine responses to gastrin-releasing peptide in conscious calves

The effects of intravenous infusions of synthetic gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 5 pmol/kg X min) have been investigated in 3- to 6-week-old conscious calves receiving continuous intravenous infusions of either glucose or amino acids or both at a dose of 0.03 mmol/kg X min and the results compared with the effects of the same dose of the peptide in control calves. Pre-treatment with amino acids alone caused a statistically significant fall in mean plasma glucose concentration, which was associated with a significant rise in mean pancreatic glucagon concentration. Additional infusion of glucose prevented this rise in plasma glucose concentration and resulted in a delayed, but very substantial rise in mean plasma insulin concentration. Pre-treatment with amino acids alone substantially and significantly increased the rise in mean plasma insulin that occurred in response to GRP. The rise in mean plasma glucagon concentration in response to GRP that occurred in the control group, the group pre-treated with amino acids alone and the group given both glucose and amino acids, was virtually eliminated in the group pre-treated with glucose alone. The normal rise in plasma pancreatic polypeptide concentration in response to GRP was invariably abolished in the presence of amino acids. No significant change in either mean neurotensin-like or gastric-inhibitory-peptide-like immunoreactivity was observed in response to GRP in any of these groups. The results are discussed in relation to possible physiological functions that GRP may subserve.