title: Substance P regulates migration in rat intestinal epithelial cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined the effect of substance P (SP) upon intestinal epithelial cells and the mechanistic details of this interaction.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Intestinal epithelial cells must be capable of migration to reseal mucosal wounds for several vital intestinal functions. This process is incompletely understood; however, recent evidence implicates the neurotransmitter SP in this process.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6 cells) were studied to identify the presence of the SP receptor (NK-1 subtype) and then exposed to physiologic doses of SP and antagonists to assess for increased migration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Examination IEC-6 cells revealed the presence of the SP receptor. Wounding of these cells followed by subsequent exposure to SP (10 mol/L) resulted in increased migration. Similarly, SP-induced increases in intracellular calcium concentration and actomyosin stress fiber formation. These effects were all blocked through specific NK-1 receptor antagonists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that SP stimulates intestinal epithelial migration and increases in calcium concentration. These data support a beneficial role for SP in the maintenance of intestinal mucosal homeostasis.
authors: Cell Biology Group, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. dturner@smail.umaryland.edu
authors: Douglas J
authors: DJ
authors: Turner
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Martin
authors: Jaladanki N
authors: JN
authors: Rao
authors: Jose
authors: J
authors: Greenspon
authors: Tongtong
authors: T
authors: Zou
authors: Barbara L
authors: BL
authors: Bass
authors: Jian-Ying
authors: JY
authors: Wang
authors: Eric D
authors: ED
authors: Strauch
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D024462:Myosin Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D013373:Substance P / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D013373:Substance P; D024462:Myosin Type II