Dopamine regulates colonic glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor secretion through cholinergic dependent and independent pathways.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) maintains gut homeostasis. Dopamine promotes GDNF release in astrocytes. We investigated the regulation by dopamine of colonic GDNF secretion.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

D receptor knockout (D R ) mice, adeno-associated viral 9-short hairpin RNA carrying D receptor (AAV9-shD R)-treated mice, 6-hydroxydopamine treated (6-OHDA) rats and primary enteric glial cells (EGCs) culture were used. Incubation fluid from colonic submucosal plexus and longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus were collected for GDNF and ACh measurements.

KEY RESULTS

D receptor-immunoreactivity (IR), but not D receptor-IR, was observed on EGCs. Both D receptor-IR and D receptor-IR were co-localized on cholinergic neurons. Low concentrations of dopamine induced colonic GDNF secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, which was mimicked by the D receptor agonist SKF38393, inhibited by TTX and atropine and eliminated in D R mice. SKF38393-induced colonic ACh release was absent in D R mice. High concentrations of dopamine suppressed colonic GDNF secretion, which was mimicked by the D receptor agonist quinpirole, and absent in AAV-shD R-treated mice. Quinpirole decreased GDNF secretion by reducing intracellular Ca levels in primary cultured EGCs. Carbachol ( ACh analogue) promoted the release of GDNF. Quinpirole inhibited colonic ACh release, which was eliminated in the AAV9-shD R-treated mice. 6-OHDA treated rats with low ACh and high dopamine content showed decreased GDNF content and increased mucosal permeability in the colon.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Low concentrations of dopamine promote colonic GDNF secretion via D receptors on cholinergic neurons, whereas high concentrations of dopamine inhibit GDNF secretion via D receptors on EGCs and/or cholinergic neurons.