Mast cells are an important source of histamine (H) and are involved in several common pathological conditions including various urticarias, atopic eczema, and inflammation. Neurotensin (NT) has been shown to bind to specific receptor sites on the isolated mast cell surface, to elicit H release from isolated mast cells, to evaluate H levels in the blood when given intravenously, and to increase cutaneous vascular permeability. Preliminary experiments in our laboratories have demonstrated that very low concentrations of NT (Less than 10 to the -10M) can significantly increase H release from perfused slices of skin, that there is a means to form NT-related peptides in extracts of skin, and that these NT-related peptides can release H from isolated mast cells. It is the objective of this project to study in detail this NT-mast cell system in order to ascertain its possible physiological and/or pathological significance. Using perfused slices of skin and isolated peritoneal mast cells, the effect of NT on the release of H will be characterized in terms of ionic, metabolic, and pharmacologic requirements; the possible involvement of other effectors of H release in the response will be tested, whether additional mediators of inflammation accompany the H released by NT will be determined, and the cellular source of the released H will be confirmed. The chemical, immunochemical, and biological properties of the NT-related material that can be extracted from skin will be characterized. Finally, the effects of physiological and/or pathological stimuli to the skin on the level of these NT-related peptides and the level of H in the skin will be determined. Skin slices and mast cells will be isolated from adult rats. Histamine will be assayed fluorometrically and radioenzymatically. NT will be assayed by radioimmunoassay and by receptor binding-assay. NT-related material will be characterized by HPLC and biological activity assayed by ability to release H from skin slices and mast cells. Changes in blood flow and vascular permeability in vivo will be followed using radioactive microspheres and the escape of I125 albumin, respectively. The experiments proposed in this application will provide new and significant information concerning the biological role of NT and the relationship between this peptide and the mast cell in health as well as in disease states.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI019736-03
Application #
3129116
Study Section
General Medicine A Subcommittee 2 (GMA)
Project Start
1983-09-30
Project End
1987-04-30
Budget Start
1985-09-01
Budget End
1987-04-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
073134835
City
Medford
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Theoharides, Theoharis C; Cochrane, David E (2004) Critical role of mast cells in inflammatory diseases and the effect of acute stress. J Neuroimmunol 146:1-12
Cochrane, David E; Carraway, Robert E; Miller, Lisa A et al. (2003) Histamine releasing peptide (HRP) has proinflammatory effects and is present at sites of inflammation. Biochem Pharmacol 66:331-42
Miller, L A; Cochrane, D E; Carraway, R E et al. (1993) Inhibitory effects of the neurotensin8-13 analogs Asp13-NT8-13 and Asp12-NT8-13 on mast cell secretion. Agents Actions 38:1-7
Cochrane, D E; Carraway, R E; Feldberg, R S et al. (1993) Stimulated rat mast cells generate histamine-releasing peptide from albumin. Peptides 14:117-23
Cochrane, D E; Carraway, R E; Boucher, W (1992) Histamine-releasing peptide is formed from albumin by stimulated rat mast cells. Ann N Y Acad Sci 668:333-4
Cochrane, D E; Boucher, W; Carraway, R E (1992) Formation of histamine-releasing activity from albumin by medium conditioned by endotoxin-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages. Agents Actions 35:19-28
Cochrane, D E; Carraway, R E; Boucher, W et al. (1991) Rapid degradation of neurotensin by stimulated rat mast cells. Peptides 12:1187-94
Carraway, R E; Cochrane, D E; Salmonsen, R et al. (1991) Neurotensin elevates hematocrit and plasma levels of the leukotrienes, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, in anesthetized rats. Peptides 12:1105-11
Cochrane, D E; Carraway, R E; Boucher, W (1991) Generation of xenopsin-related peptides from tissue precursors by media conditioned by endotoxin-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages. Inflammation 15:381-90
Cochrane, D E (1990) Peptide regulation of mast-cell function. Prog Med Chem 27:143-88

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