Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor activity in human fetal enterocytes

Functional and specific receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (determined by their capacity to bind 125I-VIP and activate adenylate cyclase) and cyclic AMP-dependent phosphodiesterase activities were characterized in enterocytes of human fetal small intestine between 18 and 23 weeks of gestation. Half-maximal stimulation of the cyclase and inhibition of 125I-VIP binding in membrane preparations were respectively observed at 1.4 and 5 X 10(-10) M VIP. The peptides structurally related to VIP activated the cyclic AMP generating system at pharmacological doses (10(-7) M and above) in the following order of potency: VIP greater than PHI greater than GRF greater than secretin. Other peptides or test substances, including GIP, pancreatic glucagon, somatostatin-14, gastrin, CCK, neurotensin, pancreatic polypeptide, PYY, substance P, histamine and isoproterenol are inactive in this system, while the ubiquitous adenylate cyclase activators NaF, forskolin and prostaglandins were effective. These results, combined with the appearance of intestinal VIP in nerve fibers at 8 weeks and with the morphological and enzymatic maturation at 9-12 weeks of the intestinal mucosa, indicate that this neuropeptide may regulate either the differentiation or function of enterocytes during the early development of human intestinal mucosa.