THROMBIN STIMULATES RELEASE OF ENDOTHELIN AND VASOPRESSIN, BUT NOT SUBSTANCE-P, FROM ISOLATED RABBIT TRACHEAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Release of endothelin, vasopressin and substance P from isolated rabbit tracheal epithelial cells was monitored after incubation for 2 h with thrombin (10 U/ml) in the presence and absence of cycloheximide (100 mug/ml) and 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N,N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC, 0.6 mM). Thrombin stimulated the release of endothelin and vasopressin. Inhibition of the thrombin-stimulated release of endothelin and vasopressin by cycloheximide (44 and 56%, respectively) and NCDC (59 and 88%, respectively) indicates that the release of these peptides is at least partially dependent on the ability of thrombin to stimulate protein synthesis and activate the phospholipase C pathway. Substance P, which is also present in tracheal epithelial cells, was not released by thrombin.