title: Thiorphan-induced survival and proliferation of rat thymocytes by activation of Akt/survivin pathway and inhibition of caspase-3 activity.
abstract: The activity of substance P (SP) in the rat thymus seems to be tightly controlled by its bioavailability. In this study, we provide evidence for the expression of the SP-degrading enzyme, neutral endopeptidase (NEP)/CD10, by rat thymocyte subsets, and we illustrate its involvement in the in vivo SP/neurokinin-1 receptor (NK(1)R)-mediated regulation of thymocyte survival and proliferation. NEP/CD10 was expressed at both mRNA and protein levels on a substantial portion (45.5%) of CD5(+) thymocytes, namely on the CD4(+)CD8(+) (double positive; DP) and CD4(+) subsets. Continuous administration of thiorphan, a specific NEP/CD10 inhibitor, by means of miniosmotic pumps, enhanced rat thymocyte preprotachykinin-A (PPT-A) and NK(1)R mRNA expression as well as SP and NK(1)R protein levels in an NK(1)R-dependent manner. Thiorphan increased CD10(+)CD4(+) and CD10(+)DP thymocyte numbers, and an NK(1)R antagonist, (S)1-{2-[3(3-4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(3-iso-propoxyphenylacetyl)-piperidine-3-yl]ethyl}-4-pheny-1-azoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, chloride (SR140333), abrogated these stimulatory effects. In addition, the NEP/CD10 inhibitor stimulated interleukin (IL)-2 production, IL-2 receptor alpha chain expression, and concanavalin A-induced proliferation of CD5(+) thymocytes, and it inhibited spontaneous and NK(1)R-dependent thymocyte apoptosis. The thiorphan-protective antiapoptotic and proliferative effects involved the activation of Akt serine-threonine kinase, subsequent up-regulation of survivin mRNA, down-regulation of procaspase-3 mRNA levels, and suppression of caspase-3 activity, which were inhibited by SR140333 and mimicked by exogenous SP administration. Overall, our findings suggest that by controlling SP availability, NEP/CD10 negatively regulates thymocyte homeostasis and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Consuelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Amantini
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mosca
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucciarini
authors.forename: Marina Cecilia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Perfumi
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Santoni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000032:analysis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D013373:Substance P / Q000235:genetics; D000077022:Survivin; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015244:Thiorphan / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: C516989:Birc5 protein, rat; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018040:Receptors, Neurokinin-1; D000077022:Survivin; D013373:Substance P; D015244:Thiorphan; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D015260:Neprilysin