Regulation of cyclic AMP accumulation by peptide hormone receptors in immunocytochemically defined astroglial cells.

Primary cultures of neonatal murine brain have been reported to express multiple receptors that regulate adenylate cyclase activity. Since for the most part these results were obtained with mixed cell cultures, it has been difficult to define receptor profiles for specific cell types. With this concern in mind a series of studies has been initiated designed to identify specific receptors present on highly purified, immunocytochemically defined astroglia derived from the cerebral cortices of neonatal rats. In this study the capacity of a variety of peptide hormones to regulate cyclic AMP metabolism in these cells was examined. Fibroblasts derived from the meninges represent a predictable source of contamination in primary CNS culture. Thus, to assign more clearly specific receptors to the astroglial cell population, receptor-mediated regulation of cyclic AMP accumulation was also examined in fibroblasts. Cyclic AMP accumulation in astroglia was stimulated by catecholamines (acting at beta 1-adrenergic receptors), prostaglandin E1, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropin. Bombesin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, neurotensin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, somatostatin, secretin, and vasopressin did not significantly increase cyclic AMP levels in these cultures. Catecholamines, acting at alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, and somatostatin inhibited agonist-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. In meningeal cell cultures catecholamines (acting at beta 2- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors) and prostaglandin E1 regulated cyclic AMP levels. However, vasoactive intestinal peptide did not stimulate and somatostatin did not inhibit cyclic AMP accumulation in these cells.