Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) and Somatostatin (SST), but not Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) nor Ghrelin (GHRL), Regulate Expression and Release of Immune Growth Hormone (GH) from Chicken Bursal B-Lymphocyte Cultures

It is known that growth hormone (GH) is expressed in immune cells, where it exerts immunomodulatory effects. However, the mechanisms of expression and release of GH in the immune system remain unclear. We analyzed the effect of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), ghrelin (GHRL), and somatostatin (SST) upon GH mRNA expression, intracellular and released GH, Ser133-phosphorylation of CREB (pCREB^S133), intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, as well as B-cell activating factor (BAFF) mRNA expression in bursal B-lymphocytes (BBLs) cell cultures since several GH secretagogues, as well as their corresponding receptors (-R), are expressed in B-lymphocytes of several species. The expression of TRH/TRH-R, ghrelin/GHS-R1a, and SST/SST-Rs (Subtypes 1 to 5) was observed in BBLs by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC), whereas GHRH/GHRH-R were absent in these cells. We found that TRH treatment significantly increased local GH mRNA expression and CREB phosphorylation. Conversely, SST decreased GH mRNA expression. Additionally, when added together, SST prevented TRH-induced GH mRNA expression, but no changes were observed in pCREB^S133 levels. Furthermore, TRH stimulated GH release to the culture media, while SST increased the intracellular content of this hormone. Interestingly, SST inhibited TRH-induced GH release in a dose-dependent manner. The coaddition of TRH and SST decreased the intracellular content of GH. After 10 min. of incubation with either TRH or SST, the intracellular calcium levels significantly decreased, but they were increased at 60 min. However, the combined treatment with both peptides maintained the Ca²⁺ levels reduced up to 60-min. of incubation. On the other hand, BAFF cytokine mRNA expression was significantly increased by TRH administration. Altogether, our results suggest that TRH and SST are implicated in the regulation of GH expression and release in BBL cultures, which also involve changes in pCREB^S133 and intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration. It is likely that TRH, SST, and GH exert autocrine/paracrine immunomodulatory actions and participate in the maturation of chicken BBLs.

Brainstem thyrotropin-releasing hormone regulates food intake through vagal-dependent cholinergic stimulation of ghrelin secretion

The brainstem is essential for mediating energetic response to starvation. Brain stem TRH is synthesized in caudal raphe nuclei innervating brainstem and spinal vagal and sympathetic motor neurons. Intracisternal injection (ic) of a stable TRH analog RX77368 (7.5-25 ng) dose-dependently stimulated solid food intake by 2.4- to 3-fold in freely fed rats, an effect that lasted for 3 h. By contrast, RX77368 at 25 ng injected into the lateral ventricle induced a delayed and insignificant orexigenic effect only in the first hour. In pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, RX77368 (50 ng) ic induced a significant bipeak increase in serum total ghrelin levels from the basal of 8.7+/-1.7 ng/ml to 13.4+/-2.4 ng/ml at 30 min and 14.5+/-2.0 ng/ml at 90 min, which was prevented by either bilateral vagotomy (-60 min) or atropine pretreatment (2 mg/kg, -30 min) but magnified by bilateral adrenalectomy (-60 min). TRH analog ic-induced food intake in freely fed rats was abolished by either peripheral atropine or ghrelin receptor antagonist (D-Lys-3)-GHRP-6 (10 micromol/kg) or ic Y1 receptor antagonist 122PU91 (10 nmol/5 microl). Brain stem TRH mRNA and TRH receptor 1 mRNA increased by 57-58 and 33-35% in 24- and 48-h fasted rats and returned to the fed levels after a 3-h refeeding. Natural food intake in overnight fasted rats was significantly reduced by ic TRH antibody, ic Y1 antagonist, and peripheral atropine. These data establish a physiological role of brainstem TRH in vagal-ghrelin-mediated stimulation of food intake, which involves interaction with brainstem Y1 receptors.

Prolactin-releasing peptide is essential to maintain the prolactin level and osmotic balance in freshwater teleost fish

We administered prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) or anti-PrRP antiserum to goldfish in fresh water and analyzed their effects on prolactin and osmoregulatory mechanisms. The pituitary mRNA level of prolactin increased by PrRP but decreased by anti-PrRP. The rate of water inflow in the gills decreased by PrRP and increased by anti-PrRP, showing that PrRP restricts branchial water permeability, as also restricted by prolactin. PrRP also expanded the mucous cell layers on the scales, which may restrict efficiently water inflow by the mucous system. Eventually, the plasma osmotic pressure decreased by anti-PrRP. We conclude that PrRP is essential to maintain prolactin levels and osmotic balance in fresh water.

Evidence for the biosynthesis of a prolactin-releasing factor from the ovine pars tuberalis, which is distinct from thyrotropin-releasing hormone

This study demonstrates the presence of two prolactin-releasing (PR) factors in media conditioned by primary pars tuberalis cells prepared from dispersed pars tuberalis tissue. One factor was identified as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the basis of immunoreactivity and following purification by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The origin of TRH in the pars tuberalis conditioned media was investigated by measuring the expression of glutaminyl-cyclase (QC) by in situ hybridization. QC expression was not detected in pars tuberalis-specific cells, but was relatively abundant in cells in the pars distalis and hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. These data suggest that TRH is not synthesized by the ovine pars tuberalis and more likely originated from the hypothalamic neuronal processes from the paraventricular nucleus that terminate in the median eminence. The second component of the conditioned media PR bioactivity was insensitive to the TRH-antiserum, less than 1 kDa and was not retained by the C18 reverse-phase column. The biosynthesis of the PR bioactivity by pars tuberalis cells was investigated using cycloheximide, forskolin and melatonin. Cycloheximide reduced the level of PR bioactivity produced by the pars tuberalis cells. Melatonin inhibited the increased level of PR bioactivity stimulated by forskolin. Collectively, these data demonstrate the synthesis of at least one regulator of prolactin secretion by ovine pars tuberalis-specific cells.

Activation of raphe pallidus neurons increases insulin through medullary thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-vagal pathways

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic insulin secretion is regulated by the vagus nerve. Medullary thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) containing projections from the raphe pallidus (Rpa) neurons innervate vagal preganglionic motor neurons in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) and are involved in vagal regulation of gastric functions.

AIM

To investigate whether chemical stimulation of Rpa neurons influences circulating insulin levels through brain medullary TRH-vagal pathways.

METHODOLOGY

In fasted, pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, kainic acid (10 ng/50 nL) was microinjected into the Rpa, and serum insulin levels were measured. Gastric acid secretion was monitored as a control of vagally mediated visceral response.

RESULTS

Chemical stimulation of Rpa neuronal cell bodies significantly increased serum insulin levels. Values before and at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the microinjection of kainic acid were 0.34 +/- 0.02, 0.54 +/- 0.06, 0.60 +/- 0.06, and 0.99 +/- 0.13 ng/mL, respectively. In the same rats, gastric acid secretion was stimulated (basal, 2.3 +/- 0.6, versus 26.1 +/- 8.6 micromol/15 min at 30 minutes). Microinjections outside of the Rpa had no effect. The Rpa stimulation-induced increase in serum insulin could be mimicked by DVC microinjection of TRH analog, completely prevented by bilateral cervical vagotomy, and significantly reduced by bilateral microinjection of TRH antibody into the DVC.

CONCLUSION

Chemical activation of Rpa neurons increases pancreatic insulin release through medullary TRH and vagal-mediated pathways.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone regulates the diurnal variation of pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase II activity in the male rat adenohypophysis

OBJECTIVE

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is inactivated in the extracellular compartment by pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase II (PPII), a narrow specificity ectopeptidase present in the brain and in the lactotrophs of the adenohypophysis. TRH and various hypothalamic/paracrine agents regulate the activity of PPII on the surface of adenohypophyseal cells in primary culture. The activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis presents circadian variations including an increase of serum thyrotropin levels in the early hours of the day. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adenohypophyseal PPII activity fluctuates during the daytime in the male rat and the role of TRH in these regulatory events in vivo.

RESULTS

Adenohypophyseal PPII specific activity and mRNA levels presented diurnal variations. A decrease in specific activity occurred with a minimum between 0930 and 1130 h, associated with increased serum thyrotropin levels. PPII mRNA levels were lowest at 0800 h. Intraperitoneal injection at 0800 or 1000 h of [3-Me-His(2)]-TRH, a potent agonist of the TRH receptor, reduced PPII specific activity at 30 min post-injection which was followed by a return to basal levels at 2 h. A second phase of decrease occurred between 4 and 8 h post-injection. Intravenous injection of a TRH-immune serum induced, at 2 h post-injection, an increase in adenohypophyseal PPII specific activity, which lasted up to 6 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenohypophyseal PPII activity and mRNA levels fluctuate during the day; TRH down-regulates PPII activity in vivo, contributing to some of these variations. These new findings, and previous data, suggest that adenohypophyseal PPII activity varies in distinct physiological events, in response to endocrine and hypothalamic/paracrine factors, potentially modulating responses to TRH.

Presence of thyrotropin-releasing-hormone-immunoreactive (TRHir) amacrine cells in the retina of anuran and urodele amphibians

The presence of thyrotropin-releasing-hormone-immunoreactive (TRH-ir) amacrine cells in the retina of amphibians is reported for the first time. The anuran and urodele retinas studied exhibit major differences in the distribution of TRH-ir cells. In the two urodele species investigated, most TRH-ir amacrine cells were located in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). These pear-shaped cells originate a dense TRH-ir dendritic plexus in strata 4-5 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). A small number of TRH-ir amacrine cells were observed in the inner nuclear layer (INL). Most of these INL TRH-ir cells were multipolar neurons with radiating dendrites that originate a loose plexus in the IPL stratum 1. In the three anuran species investigated, most TRH-ir amacrine cells were located in the INL. Distribution of TRH-ir processes in the IPL of anurans was not so clearly layered as in urodeles, dendrites being observed throughout strata 1-5. In the toad retina THR-ir material was also observed in the outer plexiform layer, which suggests that toads may have some TRH-ir interplexiform neurons. In the frog and toad, TRH-ir fibers were also observed in the optic nerve, although their origin could not be ascertained. The number of TRH-ir amacrine cells per whole retina was higher in anurans than in urodeles, though urodeles have higher cell densities. The marked differences in distribution of TRH-ir amacrine cells observed between anurans and urodeles, and among the three anuran species, suggest different functions of TRH in retinal processing, perhaps related to the different specializations of the visual systems of these species.

Developmental expression of prolactin releasing peptide in the rat brain: localization of messenger ribonucleic acid and immunoreactive neurons

Prolactin releasing peptide (PrRP) was recently identified as the stimulator of prolactin release from the anterior pituitary. PrRP mRNA is expressed in the medulla oblongata and the hypothalamus in the rat brain. The fibers containing PrRP are widely distributed in the brain, therefore, it was postulated that PrRP may act as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator as well as an endocrine substance. To clarify the developmental changes in the expression of PrRP during brain development, we examined PrRP in rat fetuses and neonates using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The PrRP mRNA was expressed in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) at embryonic day 18 (E18) and in the ventral and lateral reticular nucleus (VLRN) of the caudal medulla oblongata at E20. The PrRP mRNA in the hypothalamus was first expressed at postnatal day 13 (P13). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis (RT-PCR) for PrRP revealed that PCR product, a 268 bp band, was detected from either E18 in the medulla or P13 in the hypothalamus. Immunodetection with monoclonal antibody against prepro-PrRP revealed intensive staining of cells in the NTS at E18, in the VLRN at E20 or in the dorsomedial hypothalamus at P13. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody against mature PrRP at P6 showed PrRP fibers to be distributed in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, medial preoptic area, basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, dorsomedial hypothalamus, ventromedial hypothalamus, periventricular nucleus of the thalamus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as previously shown in the adult rat. PrRP fibers were also found in the optic chiasm, dorsal endopiriform nucleus, cingulum, intermediate reticular nucleus, and caudal ventrolateral reticular nucleus at P6 and P9. However, PrRP fibers were never found in the above regions in the adult animal. These findings suggest that PrRP fibers originating in the medulla oblongata have been widely distributed in the rat brain during the early postnatal day and PrRP may play various roles in the brain development.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and its receptor in glia

The presence of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Thyroliberin, TRH) and its receptor (TRH-R) in frozen coronal sections of the adult rat spinal cord and neonatal rat astroglial cultures was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry and Western blot using polyclonal antibodies generated against the hormone and monoclonal antibodies originated against discrete sequences of the type 1 rat TRH receptor (TRH-R1). TRH-R1 and TRH are present both in astroglial cells from adult rats and in cultured cells from newborn animals. The localization of TRH and TRH-R1 in nonneuronal cells in the central nervous system may reflect that some of the neurotrophic actions of TRH upon the central nervous system are mediated by glial cells.

TRH-like peptides in prostate gland and other tissues

This minireview is aimed to recapitulate the occurrence of TRH-like peptides in the prostate gland and other tissues and to discuss their known functions in the organism. The hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) was the first chemically defined hypophyseotropic hormone with the primary structure pGLU-HIS-PRO.NH2. However, the presence of extrahypothalamic TRH-immunoreactive peptides was reported in peripheral tissues including the gastrointestinal tract, placenta, neural tissues, male reproductive system and certain endocrine tissues. It was supposed that this TRH immunoreactivity can partially originate from TRH-homologous peptides and that these peptides have significant cross-reactions with the antibody specific against authentic TRH. This assumption was confirmed by the identification of prostatic TRH immunoreactivity as pyroGLU-GLU-PRO.NH2 using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and gas phase sequence analysis. TRH-like peptides are characterized by substitution of the basic amino acid histidine (related to authentic TRH) for neutral or acidic amino acids, such as glutamic acid, phenylalanine, glutamine or tyrosine. The physiological role of TRH-like peptides in peripheral tissues is not precisely known, but they possess a C-terminal amide group which is characteristic for many biologically active peptides. The occurrence of these peptides in the male reproductive system can influence male fertility. They are also closely related to circulating thyroid and steroid hormones. There might be an important connection of TRH-like peptides to the prostatic local autocrine/paracrine network mediated by extrahypothalamic TRH immunoreactivity corresponding to TRH-like peptides and extrapituitary thyrotropin (TSH) immunoreactivity also found in the prostatic tissue. A similar system of intraepithelial lymphocyte hormonal regulation due to the local paracrine network of TRH/TSH has been described in the gastrointestinal tract. The local network of TRH-like peptides/TSH may be involved in possible regulation of prostatic growth.

Prostate-thyroid axis: prostatic TRH is one of the stimulators of thyroid hormone

Ventral prostatectomy decreased serum thyroid hormones and histology of the thyroid gland indicate that hypothyroid condition. Co-culture of thyroid gland and ventral prostate stimulates thyroid hormone secretion. In the present study we report prostatic thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is the stimulating factor of thyroid hormone secretion. Mature rat (90 days old) ventral prostate, anterior pituitary and thyroid glands were co-cultured in vitro with or without TRH antibody to assess the direct influence ofprostatic TRH on thyroid hormone secretion. Total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were increased significantly in the culture media of ventral prostate, anterior pituitary and thyroid gland when compared with thyroid gland plus anterior pituitary culture media. However, media T4 and T3 concentration decreased significantly in thyroid gland alone; also in thyroid gland plus ventral prostate, thyroid gland plus anterior pituitary and thyroid gland plus anterior pituitary plus ventral prostate were co-cultured with TRH antibody (Ab) in a dose dependent manner. The results suggest that ventral prostatic TRH is one ofthe stimulating factors of thyroid hormone secretion under these in vitro conditions.

Effect of intratesticular administration of TRH or anti-TRH antiserum on function of rat testis

The effect of intratesticular administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and anti-TRH antiserum on steroidogenesis was studied in immature and adult rats. In 9-day-old animals local administration of the neuropeptide resulted in an increase in basal testosterone secretion in vitro. Similar treatment of 15-day-old rats suppressed hCG-stimulated testosterone secretion with no change in basal testosterone production. In both immature groups the treatment did not affect serum testosterone concentration. By contrast, in adults TRH decreased serum testosterone level, but did not influence basal and hCG-stimulated testosterone secretion. Both in immature and adult rats, the changes in steroidogenesis were evident 1 hour posttreatment. Five days after the administration of anti-TRH antiserum into the remaining testis of immature rats subjected to hemicastration just prior to the antiserum treatment, the alterations in steroidogenesis were opposite to those detected after treatment with TRH. In 9-day-old rats the antiserum suppressed steroidogenesis, while in 15-day-old animals it stimulated testosterone secretion. The results suggest that testicular TRH might exert a local action on testicular steroidogenesis, and the effect is age-dependent.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone immunoreactivity in the brain and the pituitary during Bufo arenarum development

The ontogeny of the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) neuronal system was evaluated by immunocytochemistry in Bufo arenarum. The first appearance of TRH immunoreactive fibers was at early premetamorphosis. These fibers were found in small numbers and weakly stained in the median eminence and pars nervosa. With the advance of larval development, TRH-like material stained intensely and tended to aggregate in the median eminence, pars nervosa and pars intermedia. At climax stages immunoreactive fibers and perikarya (weakly stained) were also identified in the preoptic area. In adult specimens TRH perikarya and neuronal fibers were found in the preoptic and infundibular nuclei of the hypothalamus and in the amygdala, septum and diagonal band of Broca of the telencephalon. In addition, TRH neuronal fibers and endings were found in the preoptic-hypophyseal tract, the external zone of the median eminence, the pars nervosa and pars intermedia. Fibers were absent in the pars distalis. This study represents the first immunocytochemical demonstration of TRH in Bufo species, and serves as a basis for clarification of the neuroendocrine regulation of metamorphosis.

Hypothyroidism induces Fos-like immunoreactivity in ventral medullary neurons that synthesize TRH

Altered thyroid statuses are associated with autonomic disorders. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in medullary nuclei regulates vagal efferent activity. Induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity (IR) in medullary TRH-synthesizing neurons was investigated in 24-h fasted rats with different thyroid statuses. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism were induced by 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water and a daily intraperitoneal injection of thyroxine (T(4); 10 microgram. 100 g(-1). day(-1)), respectively, for 1-4 wk. The numbers of Fos-like IR positive neurons in the raphe pallidus, raphe obscurus, and parapyramidal regions, which were low in euthyroid rats (0-2/section), increased remarkably as the hypothyroidism progressed and were negatively correlated with serum T(4) levels. At the 4th wk, Fos-like IR positive neurons were 10- to 70-fold higher compared with euthyroid controls. Simultaneous T(4) replacement (2 microgram. 100 g(-1). day(-1)) prevented the increases of Fos-like IR in PTU-treated rats. Hyperthyroidism did not change the number of Fos-like IR neurons in the raphe nuclei but reduced it in the parapyramidal regions. Double immunostaining revealed that most of the Fos-like IR induced by hypothyroidism was located in the prepro-TRH IR positive neurons. The selective and sustained induction of Fos-like IR in TRH-synthesizing neurons in ventral medullary nuclei by hypothyroidism indicates that these neurons play a role in the autonomic disorders observed in altered thyroid statuses.

Neuropeptide Y innervation and neuropeptide-Y-Y1-receptor-expressing neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus of the mouse

The paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) serves as integrator and link between the neuroendocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Neuropeptide-Y (NPY)-producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus project to the PVH, where neurons expressing NPY Y1 receptor (Y1R) have been demonstrated. This projection has been suggested to be involved in the regulation of parameters related to energy metabolism, e.g. food intake and thermoregulation. The present study aimed at characterizing this pathway and chemically defining Y1R-expressing neurons by means of immunohistochemistry. The densely distributed NPY-immunoreactive (ir) terminals in the PVH co-stained for agouti gene-related protein (AGRP) mainly in the medial parvocellular regions, indicating an origin in the arcuate nucleus. This was in contrast to noradrenergic/adrenergic terminals in the PVH, which were less frequently seen to contain NPY-like immunoreactivity. Furthermore, AGRP-ir terminals were seen forming abundant close appositions on Y1R-ir cell bodies. Double staining revealed co-existence of Y1R-like immunoreactivity and immunoreactivities for thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and, to a minor extent, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide in parvocellular neurons. No Y1R-like immunoreactivity was noted in parvocellular neurons expressing corticotropin-releasing hormone or in magnocellular neurons expressing vasopressin or oxytocin. The present results suggest that the arcuatoparaventricular NPY projection targets the TRH neurons preferentially via the Y1R, whereas the NPYergic regulation of corticotropinergic and magnocellular neurons may be relayed through other subtypes of NPY receptors. This study further defines the link between NPY-induced feeding and the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Identification of the TRH-like peptides pGlu-Glu-Pro amide and pGlu-Phe-Pro amide in rat thyroid: regulation by thyroid status

Rat thyroid contains thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and TRH-like peptides which react with TRH antisera. We have identified the TRH-like peptides in the thyroid and examined whether their levels are influenced by thyroid status. The peptides were extracted from the thyroid glands of five hyperthyroid rats and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on SP-Sephadex C25 and reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The principal TRH-immunoreactive component exhibited the same retention on HPLC as synthetic pGlu-Glu-Pro amide and a secondary component corresponded to synthetic pGlu-Phe-Pro amide. In agreement with these assignments the main peptide was shown to be acidic when chromatographed on DEAE-Sephadex A25 and the second peptide neutral. The levels of TRH and TRH-like peptides in the thyroid were investigated in hyper-, hypo- and euthyroid rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced by chronic subcutaneous administration of triiodothyronine (T3) and hypothyroidism was produced by addition of propylthiouracil (PTU) to the drinking water. The amounts of the peptides were determined by radioimmunoassay with a TRH-antiserum, carried out after extraction from the tissues and purification by ion exchange chromatography. The mean concentration of TRH-like peptides in the thyroids of the hyperthyroid rats was 95.5+/-25.5 pmol/g, the mean concentration in the hypothyroid rats was 11.7+/-3.4 pmol/g, and in the euthyroid rats 17.6+/-3.2 pmol/g. The concentrations of TRH were less influenced by thyroid status: the values in hyper-, hypo- and euthyroid rats were 47.5+/-9.4, 42.1+/-6.3, and 17.2+/-1.6 pmol/g respectively. The results show that the levels of the TRH-like peptides in rat thyroid are highly sensitive to thyroid status, suggesting a possible involvement in thyroid regulation.

Enzyme immunometric assay of thyroliberin (TRH)

An enzyme immunometric assay of thyroliberin (TRH) using monoclonal antibodies and a derivatization procedure is described. This assay, named SPIE-IA, involves a four step procedure after chemical derivatization of TRH and biological samples by diazotized APEA. Step 1: derivatized TRH was immunocaptured by a monoclonal anti-TRH antibody coated on a 96-well microtiter plate. Step 2: after washing, derivatized TRH was cross-linked via its amino group to the wells using glutaraldehyde. Step 3: washing and treatment with NaOH. Step 4: measurement of bound TRH using a monoclonal anti-TRH antibody labeled with acetylcholinesterase. The minimal detectable concentration was 0.1 pmol/ml: with a coefficient of variation less than 10% in the 0.156-10 pmol/ml range. This assay is 26-fold more sensitive and more specific than the competitive enzyme immunoassay using the same monoclonal capture antibody, derivatized TRH and TRH-acetylcholinesterase conjugate as tracer. Good correlation was observed between SPIE-IA and a sensitive competitive enzyme immunoassay using polyclonal antibodies.

[Antigenicity study on montirelin hydrate (NS-3)]

An antigenicity study of montirelin hydrate (NS-3), a new drug for the treatment of disturbance of consciousness, was conducted in Hartley guinea pigs. Animals were sensitized twice by subcutaneous injections of montirelin hydrate in combination with Freund's complete adjuvant and twice by intramuscular injections of montirelin hydrate alone. Montirelin hydrate was found to be negative in the homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test carried out with sera from the sensitized guinea pigs. Negative results were also obtained in the active cutaneous anaphylaxis test and the active systemic anaphylaxis test in guinea pigs sensitized with montilerin hydrate. These results show that montirelin hydrate has no antigenicity under the present experimental conditions.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone inputs are preferentially directed towards respiratory motoneurons in rat nucleus ambiguus

In the present study, we assessed the extent of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) input to motoneurons in the ambigual, facial, and hypoglossal nuclei of the rat using a combination of intracellular recording, dye filling, and immunohistochemistry. Twelve motoneurons in the rostral nucleus ambiguus were labelled by intracellular injection in vivo of Neurobiotin (Vector). Seven out of 12 ambigual motoneurons displayed rhythmic fluctuations of their membrane potential in phase with phrenic nerve discharge, whereas the other five had no modulations of any kind. Seven facial motoneurons and seven hypoglossal motoneurons were also filled with Neurobiotin. All three motor nuclei contained TRH-immunoreactive varicosities, with the largest numbers found in the nucleus ambiguus. Close appositions were seen between TRH-immunoreactive boutons and every labelled motoneuron. Respiratory-related motoneurons in the nucleus ambiguus received the largest number of TRH appositions with 74 +/- 38 appositions/neuron (mean +/- S.D.; n = 7). In contrast, nonrespiratory ambigual motoneurons received significantly fewer TRH appositions (11 +/- 5; n = 5; P < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Facial motoneurons received about the same number of TRH appositions as nonrespiratory ambigual motoneurons, with 13 +/- 4 (n = 7). Hypoglossal motoneurons received the fewest appositions from TRH-containing boutons, with 8 +/- 2 (n = 7). There were no differences in the TRH inputs to respiratory and nonrespiratory motoneurons in the facial and hypoglossal nuclei. These results demonstrate that, among motoneurons in the medulla, respiratory motoneurons in the rostral nucleus ambiguus are preferentially innervated by the TRH-immunoreactive boutons.

TRH receptor on immune cells: in vitro and in vivo stimulation of human lymphocyte and rat splenocyte DNA synthesis by TRH

This work examined whether (1) immune cells express thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) receptor mRNA and (2) TRH modulates lymphocyte activation. By Northern blot of RNA extracted from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and rat splenocytes, a single TRH receptor mRNA band of about 3.8 kb (identical to that obtained from pituitary cells) was obtained, under both basal and stimulated conditions. A significant increase in DNA synthesis was observed in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated PBMC and concanavalin A (Con A) stimulated splenocytes when TRH (10(-6) M-10(-12) M) was added. After 5, 30, 60, 180 min and 24 h of TRH administration in vivo, a significant increase in the rat splenocyte proliferative response to Con A was observed. In vivo administration of anti-rat TSH antibody (1/1000) blocked the increase observed after 30 min of TRH administration on the Con A stimulated splenocyte response. TRH possess immunostimulatory functions directly via its receptor and indirectly via release of other immunostimulatory factors such as thyrotrophin.

Medullary thyrotropin-releasing hormone mediates vagal-dependent adaptive gastric protection induced by mild acid in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Adaptive gastric protection is dependent on vagal pathways in rats. It is hypothesized that medullary thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), known to regulate vagal function, is part of the brain mechanisms mediating adaptive gastric protection.

METHODS

Urethane-anesthetized rats were pretreated with either acute bilateral subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, sham operation, or intracisternal injection of purified control, TRH, or peptide YY antibody. Gastric lesions were assessed 75 minutes after orogastric administration of 1 mL of either vehicle or 0.35N HCl followed 15 minutes later by 0.6N or 1.0N HCl.

RESULTS

Injection of 0.6N and 1.0N HCl induced gastric lesions covering 23.1% +/- 2.7% and 37.8% +/- 3.3% of the corpus mucosa, respectively. Pretreatment with 0.35N HCl resulted in 67.3% and 50.5% reductions in gastric lesions induced by 0.6N and 1.0N HCl, respectively. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or intracisternal injection of TRH antibody increased gastric lesions induced by 0.6N HCl to 32.2% +/- 2.2% and 42.9% +/- 5.6%, respectively, and completely abolished the protective effect of 0.35N HCl pretreatment. Control or peptide YY antibody injected intracisternally did not alter the gastric protection induced by mild acid.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that medullary TRH plays a role in the vagally mediated adaptive gastric protection induced by mild acid.

Chemically defined neuron groups and their subpopulations in the glomerular layer of the rat main olfactory bulb

Chemically-defined neuron groups and their subpopulations in the glomerular layer of the rat main olfactory bulb were revealed immunocytochemically using antibodies against gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), methionin-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (ENK), calretinin (CR), calbindin-D28K (calbindin) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). GABA-like immunoreactive (GABA-LIR) neurons and CR immunoreactive (CR-IR) neurons were most numerous; they were about 1.5-3 times more numerous than calbindin immunoreactive (calbindin-IR), TH immunoreactive (TH-IR), ENK-like immunoreactive (ENK-LIR) and THR-like immunoreactive (TRH-LIR) neurons. We identified at least three distinct chemically-defined neuron groups, GABA-LIR neurons, CR containing neurons and calbindin containing neurons, since these three neuron groups were almost separate from one another. On the other hand, TH-IR and ENK-LIR neurons were nearly included in and thus considered to be subpopulations of GABA-LIR and CR-IR neurons, respectively, for about 80% of these two neuron groups contained GABA-L and CR immunoreactivities, respectively. TRH-LIR neurons appeared to be divided into two subpopulations, one containing the GABA-L immunoreactivity and the other containing the CR immunoreactivity. Thus in the glomerular layer of the rat olfactory bulb, GABA-LIR, CR-IR and calbindin-IR cells could be considered to be three distinct chemically-defined neuron groups, whereas TH-IR, TRH-LIR and ENK-LIR neurons were regarded as their subpopulations. Furthermore, some neurons groups, whereas TH-IR, TRH-LIR and ENK-LIR neurons were regarded as their subpopulations. Furthermore, some neurons are supposed to contain three substances (e.g. GABA + TH + TRH, GABA + TRH + EnK, CR + TRH + ENK, GABA + TRH + CR) or a few might even contain four substances (e.g. GABA + TRH + CR + ENK). Preliminary quantitative analysis using the optical disector method showed percentages of these three main neuron groups to total cells in the glomerular layer; that is, neuron groups containing GABA, CR and calbindin were about 20%, 20% and 10%, respectively.

Production and characterization of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against thyrotropin-releasing hormone

In this article, two mouse monoclonal antibodies (83-7B5-A1 and 83-6B6-A10) and three rabbit polyclonal antibodies (1118, 8572, and 8577) directed against thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH; pGlu-His-Pro-NH2) are described. The anti-TRH antibodies were raised by immunization with a TRH-bovine serum albumin conjugate obtained by coupling of the CO2H group of pGlu-His-Pro-OH to NH2 groups in the protein. The monoclonal antibodies were produced by hybridoma clones obtained by the fusion of SP2/0 myeloma cells with spleen cells of an immunized BALB/c mouse. Both monoclonal antibodies were of the IgG1 (kappa) subclass. Characterization of the anti-TRH antibodies showed that in general they are specific for the pGlu-His moiety. The cross-reactivities for the TRH-like peptides [Glu1]TRH, [Glu2]TRH, and [Phe2]TRH are low, while alterations at the Pro-NH2 moiety of TRH are recognized to varying extents. The specificities of these antibodies are markedly different from those previously obtained using TRH coupled through the histidine residue to protein as the immunogen.

Medullary TRH is involved in gastric protection induced by low dose of kainic acid into the raphe pallidus

The gastroprotective effect of kainic acid microinjected into the raphe pallidus (Rpa) at a dose subthreshold to increase acid secretion was investigated in urethan-anesthetized rats. Kainic acid (25 pg/30 nl) microinjected into the Rpa inhibited by 65.8% gastric damage induced by intragastric ethanol (60%). No protection was observed when kainic acid was injected outside of the Rpa. The cytoprotective effect was completely abolished by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) antibody microinjected bilaterally (1.3 micrograms/site) into the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN), indomethacin (5 mg/kg ip), and atropine (0.3 mg/kg sc). Microinjection of TRH antibody outside of the DMN or of control antibody into the DMN did not modify the protective action induced by kainic acid into the Rpa. The TRH antibody microinjected alone into the DMN did not alter the severity of the ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These data indicate that excitation of Rpa neurons by a low dose of kainic acid results in cytoprotection against ethanol lesions. Furthermore, this cytoprotection occurs as a result of TRH action in the DMN and activation of muscarinic and prostaglandin pathways.

Intracisternal injection of TRH antibody blocks gastric emptying stimulated by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in rats

We evaluated the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on gastric emptying of a non nutrient solution in conscious rats using a Phenol red method. Intravenous injection of 2-deoxy-D-glucose dose-dependently increased the rate of gastric emptying. This stimulatory action of 2-DG was abolished by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy. Intracisternal injection of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) antibody blocked intracisternal TRH and intravenous 2-DG-induced enhancement of gastric emptying but not the stimulation of gastric emptying induced by intracisternal pancreatic polypeptide. The TRH antibody injected intraperitoneally had no effect. These results suggest that endogenous TRH in the brain is involved in vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric emptying by 2-DG.

Gastric mucosal damage induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose involves medullary TRH in the rat

These studies examined the effect of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on gastric mucosal integrity. Intravenous administration of 2-DG in doses of 100 and 125 mg/kg dose-dependently produced multiple, hemorrhagic gastric mucosal lesions while 75 mg/kg of 2-DG failed to induce gastric lesions. Intracisternal injection of 2-DG in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg also induced gastric mucosal damage in a dose-dependent manner whereas the injection of 5 mg/kg of 2-DG intracisternally did not induce the development of gastric lesions. Gastric mucosal damage by intravenous 2-DG was completely blocked by bilateral gastric branch vagotomy. Intracisternal but not intraperitoneal injection of anti-TRH antibody 8964 significantly reduced the severity of gastric mucosal lesions evoked by intravenous administration of 2-DG. These results suggest that 2-DG acts in the brain to induce gastric mucosal damage through vagal dependent pathways. Endogenous TRH in the central nervous system may be involved in the production of gastric mucosal damage by 2-DG.

Gonadal steroids regulate rat anterior pituitary levels of TSH-releasing hormone- and pyroglutamyl-glutamyl-proline amide-like immunoreactivity

The novel peptide, pyroglutamylglutamylprolineamide (pGlu-Glu-ProNH2, EEP), which has structural and immunological similarities to TRH (pGlu-His-ProNH2) has recently been shown to contribute to total TRH-like immunoreactivity (t-TRH-LI) detected in the rabbit prostate and rat and porcine anterior pituitary. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of gonadal steroids on t-TRH-LI and its components in the rat hypothalamus and pituitary. EEP-like immunoreactivity (EEP-LI) was separated from TRH-LI by ion exchange chromatography and detected by TRH RIA. Although male and female posterior pituitary and hypothalamic t-TRH-LI levels were similar, the mean t-TRH-LI in female anterior pituitaries was significantly lower than that in males, 10.3 +/- 2.9 pmol/g vs. 24.4 +/- 2.5 pmol/g (P < 0.01). Anion exchange analysis of control anterior pituitary samples distinguished two peaks of t-TRH-LI, corresponding to [125I]-TRH marker and [3H]-EEP markers. In control female anterior pituitaries EEP-LI accounted for 26.0 +/- 2.4% of t-TRH-LI, whereas in males it accounted for 43.3 +/- 5.3% of the total. Hypothalamic and posterior pituitary samples only contained t-TRH-LI corresponding to [125I]-TRH markers. There was no significant change in hypothalamic and posterior pituitary levels of t-TRH-LI after ovariectomy or orchidectomy. Anterior pituitary levels of t-TRH-LI, however, were increased by an estimated 6-fold after ovariectomy and 2-fold after orchidectomy. After ovariectomy, the proportions of t-TRH-LI accounted for by TRH-LI and EEP-LI were reversed in the female. EEP-LI now accounted for the majority of t-TRH-LI, constituting an increase of approximately 21-fold in pituitary EEP-LI levels. The changes in the levels of pituitary TRH-LI and EEP-LI induced by ovariectomy were reversed by 17-beta-estradiol. As in the ovariectomized samples EEP-LI was increased (2-fold) by orchidectomy. Both TRH-LI, which increased 1.6-fold, and EEP-LI were restored to control values after testosterone replacement. These findings confirm the hypothesis that pituitary TRH-LI and EEP-LI are regulated by gonadal status. The fact that these changes were not observed in the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary suggests that TRH-LI and EEP-LI have specific functional significance in the pituitary gland.

Novel methods for the preparation of antibody microprobes

Antibody microprobes are devices which have been used to determine the release sites of several neuropeptides. The production of microprobes using the previous methodology is a time-consuming procedure requiring a high level of skill. The aim of the study was to investigate alternative methods for the production of microprobes which would simplify this procedure. Specific antibodies to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) were bound to the outside of glass and tungsten wire microprobes using (a) an aminosilane coating, (b) a polycarbonate plastic coating and (c) an epoxylite resin-activated charcoal coating. Microprobes were assessed in vitro and in vivo for their ability to measure the neuropeptide TRH. All methods considerably reduced the time required to manufacture microprobes (more than 5-fold) and the aminosilane and epoxylite resin/charcoal-coated probes were suitable for use in vivo. The preferred binding coat was epoxylite/charcoal which has now been used to determine sites of TRH release in rat brain.

Peptides related to thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) in human prostate and semen

The TRH-related peptide, pGlu-Glu-ProNH2, which was first identified in rabbit prostate has recently been named fertilization-promoting peptide (FPP) because of its ability to enhance the in vitro fertilizing potential of mouse epididymal spermatozoa. This study set out to examine the nature of the TRH-related peptides in human prostate and semen but, first, the optimal conditions for collection of semen samples were investigated. FPP was degraded slowly (t1/2 = 163 min, S.E. +/- 51.3, n = 6) in seminal plasma which has allowed us to measure accurately the concentrations of FPP, after extraction of the peptide in acidified acetone precisely 5 min after ejaculation. In this way, high levels of FPP (mean: 49.5 nmol/l) were detected in normal human semen, from young men, although other TRH-related peptides did not appear to be present. We have also examined the TRH-related peptides present in prostate samples from clinical patients both with and without evidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), by ion-exchange chromatography followed by radioimmunoassay. Substantial concentrations of FPP were observed in normal (4.10 pmol/g tissue, S.E. +/- 1.46) and BPH prostate (6.27 pmol/g tissue, S.E. +/- 1.65). In addition, a second, neutral TRH-immunoreactive peptide was always detected in BPH tissue (7.40 pmol/g tissue, S.E. +/- 1.98) with only low levels generally present in normal prostate. The possibility that the presence of high levels of the neutral peptide in prostate may be used as an indicator of the onset of BPH deserves further scrutiny.

New hapten-protein conjugation method using N-(m-aminobenzoyloxy) succinimide as a two-level heterobifunctional agent: thyrotropin-releasing hormone as a model peptide without free amino or carboxyl groups

The use of a two-level heterobifunctional agent N-(m-aminobenzoyloxy)succinimide (m-ABS) allowed us to develop a new method for preparing hapten-protein conjugates. This was demonstrated by a conjugation between thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and bovine or human serum albumin (BSA or HSA). The conjugation is based on the principle that the succinimidyl ester group of m-ABS immediately acts on an epsilon-amino group of lysine residues of carrier protein BSA (or HSA) and a m-aminobenzoyl group incorporated into the protein is then activated by diazotization to a functional m-diazobenzoyl group (m-DB) acting on a histidyl group of TRH. The TRH-BSA containing about 3.5 mol of TRH per BSA molecule, elicited the production of TRH antibody in rabbits. A new type of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for TRH was developed using the antiserum, the solid-phase antigen TRH-HSA and the commercially available horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit IgG/Fab' as a marker, revealing that the ELISA was monospecific to the hormone and measured as low as 50 pg of the hormone reproducibly. Also, using the antiserum by the indirect immunoperoxidase method the distribution of immunoreactive TRH in the rat brain was demonstrated in neurons of the paraventricular nucleus and neuronal processes of the median eminence. These results strongly suggested that the use of m-ABS provided a simple and efficient new method for preparing immunogens not only for the previously reported haptens with a primary amino group(s) (J. Immunol. Methods 134 (1990) 227), but also for haptens with an imidazole, phenolic, or indole group(s) in the molecule.

A radioimmunoassay for TA-0910, a new metabolically stable thyrotrophin-releasing hormone analogue

TA-0910 [1-methyl-(S)-4,5-dihydroorotyl-L-histidyl-L-prolineamide] is a metabolically stable analogue of thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) and is under clinical investigation as a central nervous system function modulator. A method for determination of its plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay (RIA) was established. TA-0910 was conjugated to bovine serum albumin and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) with bis-diazotized benzidine and 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as bridging agents. Anti-TA-0910 antisera were prepared by immunizing rabbits with the TA-0910 conjugates and Freund's complete adjuvant. The radiolabelled TA-0910 for RIA was prepared by introducing 125I into the histidine imidazole ring of TA-0910 by the Na125I/chloramine-T method, and purified by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography to give a specific radioactivity of 81.4 TBq mmole-1. As the result of testing the cross-reactivity of the antisera with assumed TA-0910 metabolites and TRH, a TA-0910-selective antiserum was obtained from a rabbit immunized with TA-0910-dinitrophenyl-KLH. RIA using this antiserum and the radiolabelled TA-0910 afforded a determination range of 10 pg approximately 5 ng ml-1 plasma. By using this RIA, the time courses of plasma concentrations of unchanged TA-0910 after oral and intravenous administration of TA-0910 were obtained in rats.

Production and characterization of polyclonal anti-idiotypic anti-TRH antibodies: application to the study of pituitary TRH receptor

cDNA encoding the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRH-R) was recently cloned in rat pituitary prolactin cells and in mouse thyrotropes. The molecular weights of the protein sequences obtained are 46.6 and 44.5 kD. However, TRH-R has not yet been purified to homogeneity and specific anti-TRH-R antibody could not yet be obtained by classical biochemical methods. We thus attempted to obtain antibodies specific for TRH-R using an anti-idiotypic approach. Rabbits of the same allotype were immunized using Igs (Ab1) extracted from rabbit polyclonal anti-TRH immune serum. Anti-idiotypic rabbit polyclonal anti-anti-TRH antibodies (Ab2) were obtained, as shown by their ability to inhibit the formation of TRH-anti-TRH complexes in a radioimmunoassay system. One of them, the polyclonal Ab2 R38/B12, was tested for its ability to recognize the TRH-R in rat pituitary, tumor-derived, GH3/B6 prolactin-secreting cells. Immunoreactive material was immunocytochemically detected in fixed and saponin-permeabilized GH3/B6 cells. The immunostaining was localized at the plasma membrane and on intracellular structures. It was not observed using non-anti-TRH Ab2 and was abolished in the presence of excess TRH. Furthermore, binding of [125I]R38/B12 on fixed and saponin-permeabilized GH3/B6 cells was partially inhibited by excess TRH. By immunoblot analyses of Triton X-114 cell extracts performed under reducing or nonreducing conditions, the polyclonal R38/B12 Igs revealed two main protein species of approximately 98 and approximately 76 kD as well as several proteins < or = 46 kD. In the presence of excess TRH, the approximately 98- and approximately 42-kD bands were abolished, whereas the intensity of the other bands was faintly attenuated only. The approximately 98-kD protein was also revealed in a two-dimensional PAGE analysis. Nevertheless, the effects of R38/B12 Igs on [3H]TRH binding by GH3/B6 cells and on basal or TRH-induced prolactin secretion were not markedly different from those elicited by control Ab2. These data suggest that we have characterized Ab2 antibodies which recognize a molecular entity that might be related to the TRH-R in GH3B6 cells.

Raphe pallidus stimulation increases gastric contractility via TRH projections to the dorsal vagal complex in rats

The role of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in mediating the enhanced gastric contractility induced by glutamate (100 pmol) microinjected into the raphe pallidus (Rpa) was investigated in urethane-anesthetized rats acutely implanted with miniature strain gauge force transducers on the corpus of the stomach. Glutamate-induced stimulation of gastric contractility was dose-dependently inhibited by bilateral microinjection into the DVC of TRH antibody (0.17, 0.85 or 1.7 micrograms/100 nl/site) but not by vehicle. TRH antibody microinjected into the dorsal medullary reticular field had no effect. These data indicate that activation of Rpa neurons by glutamate increases gastric motor function through TRH release in the DVC.

TRH in dorsal vagal complex mediates acid response to excitation of raphe pallidus neurons in rats

The role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the dorsal vagal complex (DVC) in the acid response to excitation of raphe pallidus neurons was investigated in urethan-anesthetized rats with gastric fistula. Kainic acid (0.19 microgram/30 nl) microinjected into the raphe pallidus stimulated gastric acid secretion. The response was prevented by vagotomy. A specific polyclonal TRH antibody, 8964, was raised and characterized (50% inhibitory dose for TRH was 80 pg/ml at an antibody final dilution of 1:10(5)). The TRH antibody injected intracisternally blocked the acid response to intracisternal TRH, but not that of the TRH analogue RX-77368. The TRH antibody (0.33, 0.65, or 1.3 micrograms.100 nl-1.site-1) microinjected bilaterally into the DVC prevented dose dependently by 31, 60, and 76%, respectively, the increase in acid secretion induced by kainic acid injected into the raphe pallidus. The TRH antibody (1.3 microgram/site) microinjected into medullary sites outside of the DVC had no effect. These data indicate that excitation of raphe pallidus neurons induces a vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric acid secretion that is mediated by endogenous TRH in the DVC. TRH neurons in the raphe pallidus projecting to the DVC may have a physiological relevance in the vagal regulation of gastric function.

Detection of thyrotrophin releasing hormone in rat brain in vivo using novel antibody microprobes: effects of amphetamine

Antibody microprobes of novel design were used to monitor thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) in rat brain before and after-parenteral administration of amphetamine. Specific antibodies to TRH were bound to the outside of glass microprobes by adsorption to a surface of activated charcoal embedded in epoxylite resin. In male Wistar rats anaesthetised with chloral hydrate a series of antibody microprobes were implanted in forebrain. Amphetamine (10 mg/kg i.p.) caused a highly significant decrease in the binding of 125I-TRH to microprobes, indicating an increase in extracellular TRH localised in the lateral septum. There was also evidence of TRH release in the septo-hypothalamic nucleus. Neither saline, nor amphetamine at 2 mg/kg were able to evoke changes in the release of TRH at any sites.

Isolation and identification of N-terminally extended forms of 5-oxoprolylglutamylprolinamide (Glp-Glu-Pro-NH2), a thyrotropin-releasing-hormone (TRH)-like peptide present in human semen

N-terminally extended forms of 5-oxoprolylglutamylprolinamide (Glp-Glu-Pro-NH2), a thyrotropin-releasing-hormone(TRH)-like peptide associated with the male reproductive system, were isolated from human semen by gel exclusion on Sephadex G50, ion-exchange chromatography on SP-Sephade C25 and QAE-Sephadex A25, and by HPLC. The peptides were located by trypsin-catalysed release of their C-terminal fragments which were detected by RIA with a TRH-specific antibody. A series of overlapping peptides containing 16, 18, 22 and 25 residues was obtained in homogeneous form and their sequences were determined by automatic Edman degradation. The peptides all terminated in -Lys-Gln-Glu-Pro-NH2 and were found to correspond to sequences occurring between residues 350-374 of semenogelin, a protein present in human semen. In semenogelin, however, the Gln-Glu-Pro sequence is followed by tryptophan and not glycine which is normally essential for formation of the C-terminal amide group. Model experiments with the synthetic peptide Glp-Glu-Pro-Trp showed that under a range of experimental conditions the tetrapeptide did not undergo conversion to Glp-Glu-Pro-NH2. This would indicate that the tripeptide and its extended forms are generated from a precursor that is related to semenogelin but in which Trp375 is replaced by glycine.

Effects of neonatal adrenalectomy on 5-HT and TRH-like immunoreactivity in the rat spinal cord

This study investigated the effects of neonatal unilateral adrenalectomy on the serotonin- (5-HT) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-like immunoreactivities (TRH-LI) in the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the rat spinal cord where the sympathetic preganglionic neurons innervating the adrenal medulla are located. The density of the innervation was measured by a computer-assisted image analysis. Two weeks after the lesion, only one rat (1/3) showed a 30% decrease of 5-HT-LI in the ipsilateral IML, although no modifications were observed for TRH-LI. At 1 month, we observed a variable decrease of 19% to 30% for either 5-HT- or TRH-LI in the ipsilateral IML. However, one animal (1/3) showed nonsignificant modifications. At 3 months, we showed a 17% mean loss of 5-HT-LI and TRH-LI in the ipsilateral IML. However, the decreases of 5-HT-LI and TRH-LI did not always appear similar. These results appear different from those obtained after neonatal removal of the superior cervical ganglion.

Effects of neonatal removal of superior cervical ganglion on serotonin and thyrotropin-releasing hormone immunoreactivity in the intermediolateral cell column of the rat spinal cord

In this study, we investigated the effects of the neonatal removal of the right superior cervical ganglion on the serotonin-like and thyrotropin-releasing-hormone-like immunoreactivities (5-HT-LI and TRH-LI) in the intermediolateral cell column (IML) of the spinal cord by quantitative image analysis. Two weeks after the lesion, we observed a 60% reduction in 5-HT-LI, while TRH-LI was not significantly reduced, in the right IML (lesioned side) at T1-2 levels. One month after the lesion, 5-HT-LI and TRH-LI were significantly reduced by 60% in the right IML at T1-2 levels. After 3 months, this decrease persisted at this level. In addition, we observed a 30% loss of the 5-HT-LI in the right IML at T3-4 levels, whereas TRH-LI did not decrease significantly at T3-4 levels. These findings are discussed and compared with those of other experimental studies on serotonergic reorganization in the rat spinal cord.

Antithyrotropin-releasing hormone serum inhibits secretion of glucagon from isolated perfused rat pancreas: an experimental model for positive feedback regulation of glucagon secretion

TRH is synthesized in the islets of Langerhans and was found in the perfusate of isolated rat pancreas. In the present study, designed to determine the role of endogenous TRH, we first characterized chromatographically the identity of immunoreactive TRH with synthetic pGlu-His-Pro-NH2. Since endogenous TRH secretion may mask the effects of exogenous TRH, we performed, in parallel to dose-response studies, immunoneutralization experiments using anti-TRH serum to neutralize the endogenous TRH secretion from isolated perfused rat pancreas. The data indicate that exogenous TRH enhances basal glucagon secretion; inversely, anti-TRH serum inhibits glucose plus arginine-induced glucagon secretion and produces a concomitant slight inhibition of somatostatin secretion. The present study shows a physiological contribution for endogenous TRH as a local modulator of intraislet hormone regulation; from these observations, we postulate a direct effect of pancreatic TRH on glucagon-containing (alpha) cell secretion, which, in turn, may produce the fluctuation in somatostatin secretion. Local TRH secretion provides a model for positive feedback regulation of glucagon secretion, frequently associated with diabetes.

Enzyme immunoassay of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)

A sensitive and specific double-antibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)-like immunoreactive substance has been developed. In order to synthesize TRH-labeled beta-D-galactosidase (beta-gal), a newly devised TRH derivative, pGlu-His-Pro-NH-(CH2)6-NH2 (TRH-Hex), was employed. TRH-Hex was linked to beta-gal by the N-(epsilon-maleimidocaproyloxy) succinimide coupling procedure. For competitive reactions, the TRH antibody was incubated with standard TRH and TRH-Hex-beta-gal (delayed addition). Free and antibody-bound enzyme hapten were separated by using an anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G coated immunoplate. Activity of the enzyme on the plate was fluorometrically determined. The present immunoassay allows detection of 0.8 to 100 pmol/well of TRH.

Properties of monoclonal antibodies to thyroliberin (TRH) induced by different immunogens: comparison with pituitary TRH receptor

Thyroliberin E-H-P-NH2 (TRH) is a small neuropeptide pGlu-His-Pro-NH2 widely distributed in neural sites. The aim of this work was to obtain an antibody molecule with the nearest properties to that of TRH-receptor in GH3 cells. Different TRH-protein conjugates were prepared and utilized to induce monoclonal antibodies in mice. Several monoclonal antibodies were obtained using E-H-P-NH2 (TRH) coupled either to the histidyl residue (immunogen I) or to the prolyl residue (immunogen II). Antibodies generated using immunogen I and immunogen II were characterized in a radioimmunoassay system and an enzyme immunoassay system respectively. Their selectivities regarding a series of TRH related peptides were compared to those of rabbit polyclonal antibodies using three differently labelled TRH (tritiated-TRH, mono-iodinated-TRH and TRH-OH-acetyl-cholinesterase) as tracers and to prolactin secreting cells TRH receptors using 3H-TRH. Whatever the immunogen, the stereospecificity of monoclonal antibodies tested were found more different from TRH receptor characteristics than rabbit polyclonal antibodies.

The involvement of pineal gland and melatonin in immunity and aging: II. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and melatonin forestall involution and promote reconstitution of the thymus in anterior hypothalamic area (AHA)-lesioned mice

A stereotactic electrolytic lesion of the anterior hypothalamic area in mice produces a rapid involution of the thymus and a reduction of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. This effect on the thymus and blood lymphoid compartment can be prevented by postoperational administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or melatonin. These activities of TRH or melatonin are antagonized by the opioid receptor blocker naltrexone. They do not seem to depend on stimulation of the thyroid gland or of the endogenous opioid system but rather on a direct activity of TRH on thymic targets or binding sites on lymphocytes.

Imaging of fluorescent neurons labelled with fluoro-gold and fluorescent axon terminals labelled with AMCA (7-amino-4-methylcoumarine-3-acetic acid) conjugated antiserum using a UV-laser confocal scanning microscope

This paper describes the implementation of an ultraviolet (UV) laser (Spectra Physics 171-18 with 3 lines: 334, 351 and 364 nm in UV) as light source for fluorescence confocal scanning microscopy. With this instrument it is possible to use fluorophores not previously available for confocal laser microscopical imaging of fluorophores such as fluoro-gold and AMCA. In the study we show confocal laser microscopical imaging of fluorescent motoneurons labelled by retrograde transport of fluoro-gold and AMCA-fluorescent axon terminals labelled with antisera against immunogenes as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). These two fluorophores may be recorded simultaneously or separately by using a filter that suppresses the emission of one of the fluorophores. The described instrument should also be useful in applications involving detection of monoamines by the Falck-Hillarp technique, as well as measurements of cytosolic free calcium by indicators such as Fura-2 and Indo-1. Measurements performed in reflected and fluorescence light indicated that the resolution along the optical axis improved by about 25% when UV (351 nm) is used instead of visible light (514 nm). This figure is close to that expected on theoretical basis. There are, however, also serious problems related to the use of UV excitation. Firstly, objectives must be selected based on their UV transmission properties. Secondly, chromatic aberration may cause a substantial focal shift between illuminating and emitted light, calling for a flexible instrumental design in order to allow for compensation. As shown here, this problem can be circumvented by using reflecting objectives but at a price of lower resolution compared with high-aperture refracting objectives.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive projections to the dorsal motor nucleus and the nucleus of the solitary tract of the rat

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive nerve terminals heavily innervate the dorsal motor nucleus and nucleus of the solitary tract, whereas cell bodies containing thyrotropin-releasing hormone residue most densely in the hypothalamus and raphe nuclei. By using double-labeling techniques accomplished by retrograde transport of Fluoro-Gold following microinjection into the dorsal motor nucleus/nucleus of the solitary tract combined with immunohistochemistry for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, it was demonstrated that thyrotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neurons projecting to the dorsal motor nucleus/nucleus of the solitary tract reside in the nucleus raphe pallidus, nucleus raphe obscurus, and the parapyramidal region of the ventral medulla, but not in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The parapyramidal region includes an area along the ventral surface of the caudal medulla, lateral to the pyramidal tract and inferior olivary nucleus and ventromedial to the lateral reticular nucleus. Varying the position of the Fluoro-Gold injection site revealed a rostral to caudal topographic organization of these raphe and parapyramidal projections.

Role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in acid secretory response induced by lowering of body temperature in the rat

Acid secretory and mucosal ulcerogenic responses to hypothermia (36-24 degrees C) were examined in anesthetized rats, and the role of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in these responses was investigated. Lowering of body temperature (less than 32 degrees C) induced acid hypersecretion and damage in the gastric mucosa. These responses reached a maximum at a body temperature of 28 degrees C and were completely abolished by bilateral cervical vagotomy and significantly inhibited by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of TRH antiserum (10 microliters/rat). TRH (10 micrograms/rat) given i.c.v. to the normothermia rat, caused an increase of acid secretion with a pattern similar to those observed during hypothermia. The blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone rose significantly during exposure of cold, and this response preceded the onset of acid hypersecretion and lesion formation. Thus, lowering of body temperature induces vagal-dependent gastric acid secretion, probably mediated by TRH released in response to cold exposure, and may be an important element in the etiology of stress ulceration.

Recognition by anti-idiotypic anti-thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) antibody of rat TRH receptors

We asked whether anti-idiotypic antibodies raised against anti-TRH antibody could bind to TRH receptors in the rat anterior pituitary and brain. Six rabbits were immunized with IgG from a rabbit anti-TRH antiserum. One anti-idiotypic antibody caused strong, dose-dependent inhibition in anti-TRH antibody-binding to [125]I-TRH. This inhibition was not observed after treatment with goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody. The anti-idiotypic anti-TRH antibody significantly immunoprecipitated digitonin-solubilized pituitary TRH receptors. When eluates of digitonin-solubilized membranes which were adsorbed by either an anti-idiotypic anti-TRH IgG-, normal rabbit IgG-linked affinity column or control column were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver stain, only the former eluate showed two bands under nonreducing conditions; one corresponded to a molecular weight marker of 200K, the other to 100K. Western blotting analysis with an anti-idiotypic anti-TRH antiserum showed a single band of molecular weight 56K under reducing conditions. The present study indicates that one can make anti-idiotypic antibodies that specifically recognize TRH receptors.

CRF triggers the CNS release of TRH in stress-induced changes in gastric emptying

Stress elicited by exposure to cold induces an increase of gastric emptying (GE) and intestinal transit of a caloric meal in mice and the release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the central nervous system (CNS). The present study proposed 1) to compare in mice the central effects of TRH, CRF, and cold-exposure stress on GE and intestinal transit of a caloric test meal consisting of 0.5 ml of reconstituted milk marked with 51Cr-labeled sodium chromate, and 2) using CRF and TRH antisera to determine whether TRH and CRF act in cascade or independently. The intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of TRH (0.5 microgram/kg) and CRF (1 microgram/kg), as well as cold stress, significantly increased GE, whereas 10-fold higher doses injected intraperitoneally were ineffective. The effect of cold stress on GE was abolished by prior icv injection of both CRF and TRH antisera. The effect of TRH was not blocked by CRF antiserum, but TRH antiserum suppressed the increase in GE induced by CRF. Moreover, both CRF and TRH antisera abolished changes in the rate of GE induced by exogenous CRF and TRH injection, respectively, therefore demonstrating the specific efficiency of immunoneutralization. CRF and cold stress both induced an increase in the rate of intestinal transit, while TRH had no effect. Antibodies to CRF prevented the intestinal stimulatory effect induced by CRF and cold stress. In contrast, antibodies to TRH were unable to antagonize either CRF or cold-stress induced increase in the rate of intestinal transit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of a radioimmunoassay for RX77368 (pGlu-His-3,3-dimethyl proline amide)--a stable analogue of thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH)

The recent interest in RX77368 for the treatment of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) has led to the requirement for an assay (RIA) capable of detecting the peptide at low levels in plasma. Several drug conjugates were prepared in which RX77368 was covalently linked to larger proteins, e.g. bovine serum albumin, keyhole limpet haemocyanin or bovine thyroglobulin, the best yield being obtained with the bis-diazotized benzidine reaction (BDB) linking RX77368 to KLH. The latter conjugate was injected into sheep and ultimately produced an antibody of sufficiently high titre to be used. This combined with an iodinated radiolabel formed the basis of the radioimmunoassay. Cross-reactivity studies using similar analogues and RX77368 metabolites showed that the antibody was specific for RX77368. The greatest cross-reactivity was exhibited by the pGlu-His-monomethylProNH2 peptide (RX74355), but, not being a natural metabolite, this did not interfere with the assay. The RIA was used to measure RX77368 in MND patients in a recent clinical study, where RX77368 was administered both by the intravenous and oral routes. High plasma concentrations of RX77368 were found in the patients given intravenous drug by infusion. The oral route exhibited much lower levels, but had a sustained duration of action of up to 12 h.

A method for immunofluorescent demonstration of three coexisting neurotransmitters in rat brain and spinal cord, using the fluorophores fluorescein, lissamine rhodamine, and 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid

Coexistence of neurotransmitters within single nerve fibers or terminals can be convincingly demonstrated by the use of multicolor immunofluorescence. The present study examined whether three-color immunocytochemical localization of coexisting neurotransmitters can be performed using the blue fluorophore AMCA. Spectrofluorometric examination of secondary antibodies conjugated with AMCA, fluorescein, and lissamine rhodamine showed that the peaks of excitation and emission were well separated and that dots of AMCA-conjugated IgG dried on slides were not visible when viewed using microscope filters for rhodamine and fluorescein. These findings suggest that AMCA might be suitable for three-color immunofluorescence. The usefulness of AMCA for triple labeling was tested directly by staining sections of rat brainstem and spinal cord for serotonin (5HT), substance P (SP), and either enkephalin (ENK) or prepro-thyrotropin-releasing hormone 160-169 (ppT), a marker peptide for thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Triple labeling for 5HT, SP, and ppT was observed in both brainstem and spinal cord but was only very rarely observed for 5HT,SP, and ENK. No evidence was found for artifactual triple labeling, although false negatives appeared to be possible in some circumstances. We conclude that AMCA can be combined with fluorescein and lissamine rhodamine for three-color immunofluorescent studies of coexisting neurotransmitters. In addition, the coexistence of 5HT with ENK appears to be much less common than the coexistence of 5HT with either SP or ppT.