Age-related changes in levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) mRNA of the dorsal root ganglia was studied in 8-, 12- and 15-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). CGRP mRNA levels in SHR but not in WKY decreased with age. The contents of CGRP-like immunoreactivities in the atrium and mesenteric artery of 15-week-old SHR wer...

PURPOSE Ocular immune privilege is mediated in part by the activity of constitutively produced immunosuppressive cytokines and neuropeptides. Aqueous humor was examined for content of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and the potential of CGRP to mediate immunosuppressive activity within aqueous humor was determined. METHODS The concentration of CGRP in fresh, normal rabbit aqueous humo...

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) expression is markedly reduced in dorsal root ganglia neurons in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). This decrease in such a potent vasodilator may contribute to the elevated blood pressure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether stimulation of neuronal CGRP expression in SHR, by means of the administration of nerve growth fact...

BACKGROUND Gene transfer using a nanoparticle vector is a promising new approach for the safe delivery of therapeutic genes in human disease. The Tat peptide-decorated gelatin-siloxane (Tat-GS) nanoparticle has been demonstrated to be biocompatible as a vector, and to have enhanced gene transfection efficiency compared with the commercial reagent. This study investigated whether intracisternal ...

BACKGROUND Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is contained in and released by small-diameter, nociceptive primary afferent sensory neurons. Upon spinal release, one of the effects of CGRP seems to be to sensitize dorsal horn neurons to subsequent input from nociceptive afferents and, consequently, to induce a behavioral hyperalgesia. Therefore, attenuating evoked release of CGRP from centra...

CGRP and specific CGRP receptors are found in the heart where they produce positive-inotropic and anti-apoptotic effects, key adaptations to exercise and cardiovascular disease. PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling imbalances are associated with cardiomyocyte pathologies; however, the effects of CGRP on these pathways are unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that CGRP modulates inotropic and apoptotic ad...

PURPOSE Intestinal toxicity is important in the therapeutic use of radiation as well as in nontherapeutic radiation exposure scenarios. Enteric sensory nerves are critical for mucosal homeostasis and for an appropriate response to injury. This study assessed the role of the two major neuropeptides released by sensory nerves, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P, in the intesti...

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia are major characteristics of asthma. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide that has various biological actions. In the present study, we questioned whether CGRP might have pathophysiological roles in airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia in asthma. To determine the exact roles of endogenous CGRP in vivo, we chose to study a...

The role of rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a recently characterized vasoactive neuropeptide, in cardiovascular regulation was studied in the conscious rat. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, cardiac output (thermodilution technique) and regional blood flow (directional pulsed Doppler velocimetry) were monitored after i.v. or i.c.v. administration of CGRP. Systemic administra...

Therapeutic agents that block the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signaling pathway are a highly anticipated and promising new drug class for migraine therapy, especially after reports that small-molecule CGRP-receptor antagonists are efficacious for both acute migraine treatment and migraine prevention. Using XenoMouse technology, we successfully generated AMG 334, a fully human monoclo...