# NEUROTENSIN ON MAST CELLS OF SKIN AND PERITONEUM

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD · 1988 · $158,739

## Abstract

This study will focus on the interactions of the inflammatory
peptide neurotensin (NT), with mast cells and leukocytes.  Earlier
experiments from our laboratories and those of others have shown
NT to promote the release of histamine (H) from peritoneal,
pleural, heart, skeletal and recently, cutaneous mast cells in vitro
and in vivo and elevate blood H, LTC4 and LTB4 levels when given
IV.  Within minutes of NT's injection intense hypotension,
hyperglycemia and cyanosis develop, the latter involving a blood
stasis with hemotocrits of 60%.  NT is the most potent substance
known to increase vascular permeability and its dramatic effects
far exceed those of H, LTC4 and PGE2.  While evidence strongly
indicates that the source of H is the tissue mast cell, the sources
of LTC4, LTB4 and PGE2 released by NT is unclear.  Experiments
are proposed to answer this question.  Recently we discovered
that blood and all tissues contain precursors to NT-related
peptides which yield micro-M concentration of immunoreactive
NT when treated with acid proteases.  These NT-related peptides
also have biological activity as they stimulate H release from the
isolated mast cell.  We hypothesize that these NT-related
peptides are generated at inflammatory sites by the action of acid
proteases from activated leukocytes and that they mediate the
second phase of inflammation.  We propose experiments aimed
towards testing this hypothesis and gaining an understanding of
how NT activates mast cells and possibly other cells and how it
stimulates LTC4, LTB4 and PGE2 production.  One possibility to
be tested is that NT activates leukocytes to release mast cell-
degranulating peptides.  The biologic and chemical properties of
these peptides will also be compared to those of NT.  Finally, we
will determine directly if NT or NT-like peptides are generated
during various inflammatory reactions and if antisera against NT
or NT antagonists will alter the inflammatory response.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3129117
- **Project number:** 5R01AI019736-05
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD
- **SAM.gov UEI:** WL9FLBRVPJJ7
- **Principal Investigator:** David E. Cochrane
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $158,739
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-09-30 → 1990-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3129117

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3129117, NEUROTENSIN ON MAST CELLS OF SKIN AND PERITONEUM (5R01AI019736-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3129117. Licensed CC0.

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