Modulation of electrically evoked [3H]-noradrenaline release from cultured chick sympathetic neurons

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Abstract
In the present study we attempted a comprehensive characterization of modulation of noradrenaline release from chick sympathetic neurons. To this purpose sympathetic neurons derived from chick lumbosacral paravertebral ganglia and kept in culture for 7 days were loaded with 0.05 μmol/l [3H]-noradrenaline and subjected to electrical field stimulation (36 pulses/3 Hz). Since the released transmitter was partially recaptured, superfusion was usually performed in the presence of (+)-oxaprotiline, an inhibitor of noradrenaline re-uptake. [3H]-Noradrenaline was released in a manner which was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). ω-Conotoxin (ω-CTX; 100 nmol/l) abolished [3H]-noradrenaline release indicating that influx through ω-CTX-sensitive Ca2+-channels was essential for transmitter release. 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro4-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester ((±)Bay K 8644) and 4-(4-benzofurazanyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-5-pyridinecarboxylic acid isopropyl ester ((±)-202-791), agonists at L-type voltage sensitive Ca2+-channels (VSCCs), increased noradrenaline release and induced, in addition, an overflow of tritium which was Ca2+-dependent and prevented by the presence of TTX. The L-type VSCC antagonists (−)-202-791 and (+)-4-(4-benzofurazanyl)-1,4-dihydro2,6-dimethyl-3,5-pyridinedicar boxylic acid methyl, isopropyl ester ((+)-PN 200–110) diminished [3H]-noradrenaline release. These data suggest that L-type VSCCs, probably located on the cell body of the neuron, play an additional role in modulation of release. The full α2-adrenoceptor agonists 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-quinoxaline ( UK-14,304) and noradrenaline significantly inhibited noradrenaline release, whereas clonidine, a partial a2-agonist, produced only a slight inhibition even at 10 μmol/l. The facilitation of noradrenaline release observed in the presence of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist rauwolscine was very low in comparison to that obtained with brain slices and isolated smooth muscle tissues. These results corroborate the observation that noradrenaline release from chick sympathetic neurons is regulated by an α2-adrenoceptor which needs further subtype characterization. The experiments were mostly performed at 25°C, since a rise in temperature to 37°C increased the resting outflow, but not the evoked overflow of tritium, approximately 4-fold. In the presence of pargyline to block monoamine oxidase, however, the temperature-dependent enhancement was diminshed and the release showed properties comparable to those observed at 25°C (with respect to TTX-sensitivity, Ca2+ dependence and modulation via α2-adrenoceptors). In addition to the α2-adrenoceptors, we detected inhibitory β-adrenoceptors, opioid κ and σ receptors, and P2 purinoceptors as well as facilitatory prostaglandin (PG) E receptors. No indication was found for a functional relevance of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), opioid μ, PGD, adenosine A1 or glutamate receptors. In conclusion, electrically evoked noradrenaline release from cultured chick sympathetic neurons shows the properties of action-potential-induced transmitter release and is bidirectionally regulated by various substances. Therefore, sympathetic neurons in culture offer the possibility to investigate directly the mechanisms bringing about receptor-coupled modulation of transmitter release.