Anthrax toxin blocks priming of neutrophils by lipopolysaccharide and by muramyl dipeptide

We studied the pretreatment of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) with purified preparations of the anthrax toxin components--protective antigen (PA), edema factor (EF), and lethal factor (LF)--and their effects on release of superoxide anion (O-2) after stimulation with the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). PMN isolated in the absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (less than 0.1 ng/ml) released only small amounts of O-2 after FMLP stimulation; pretreatment with anthrax toxin had little effect. The release of O-2 was increased fivefold by prior treatment with 3 ng/ml LPS for 1 h at 37 degrees C, an effect referred to as priming. PMN were primed to an equivalent extent by treatment with 100 ng/ml N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (muramyl dipeptide [MDP]). Pretreatment of PMN with anthrax toxin components PA plus EF or PA plus LF inhibited priming by LPS or MDP, as shown by the reduction in the release of O-2 up to 90% relative to controls not treated with toxin; single toxin components were inactive. The inhibition was markedly reduced when priming with LPS or MDP was carried out before exposure to toxin. O-2 release after stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate was not increased by priming, and pretreatment with toxin did not inhibit O-2 release after this stimulus. Evidently, anthrax toxin inhibits the priming that is normally induced in PMN by bacterial products and is necessary for the full expression of antimicrobial effects.     

Lipopolysaccharides prime whole human blood and isolated neutrophils for the increased synthesis of 5-lipoxygenase products by enhancing arachidonic acid availability: involvement of the CD14 antigen

Stimulation of heparinized blood with 1 microM formyl-methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine (FMLP) resulted in the formation of < 30 pmol/ml plasma of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) products. The preincubation of blood with 1 microgram/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (Escherichia coli 0111-B4) for 30 min before stimulation with FMLP resulted in the accumulation of 250- 300 pmol of 5-LO products per ml plasma. The major products detected were leukotriene B4 and (5S)-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid which were produced in equivalent amounts. The priming activity was detectable with as little as 1-10 ng LPS per ml blood and was optimal using 1-10 micrograms LPS/ml blood. The priming for 5-LO product synthesis was optimal after 20-30 min of preincubation with LPS and declined at preincubation times > 30 min. The priming effect of LPS was also observed using the complement fragment C5a or interleukin 8 as agonists. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells accounted for 80 and 20% of the synthesis of 5-LO products, respectively. The ability of LPS to prime isolated PMN was dependent on the presence of plasma and was inhibited by the anti-CD14 antibody IOM2, indicating a CD14-dependent priming mechanism. The priming of whole blood with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and LPS was additive and the presence of mononuclear cells did not enhance the ability of LPS to prime PMN, indicating that the priming activity of LPS is independent of LPS-induced TNF-alpha synthesis. The mechanism by which LPS enhance 5-LO product synthesis in PMN was investigated. Treatment of PMN with LPS strongly enhanced the release of arachidonic acid after stimulation with FMLP. The release of arachidonic acid was optimal 2-3 min after stimulation with FMLP, attaining levels 5-15-fold greater than those observed in unprimed cells stimulated with FMLP. These results demonstrate that LPS dramatically increases the ability of blood to generate 5-LO products, and support the putative role of leukotrienes in pathological states involving LPS.     

Modulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte microbicidal activity and oxidative metabolism by fibrinogen degradation products D and E.

Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) D and E are typically present in blood of patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation and related conditions in which granulocyte (PMN) defense against bacterial infection may be compromised. This study was intended to determine whether FDP modify PMN functions critical to their bactericidal activity. Incubation of human PMN and Escherichia coli with 50-100 micrograms/ml FDP did not affect phagocytosis, but reduced by greater than 90% the cells' ability to inhibit bacterial colony growth compared with control PMN incubated with albumin or fibrinogen. FDP (10-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited PMN O2- release and chemotaxis stimulated by FMLP by 17-50% (P less than 0.005) and 41% (P less than 0.01), respectively. Fragment E3, and not fragment D1, was primarily responsible for inhibition of FMLP-induced PMN O2- release. Phorbol myristate acetate (10 ng/ml), 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (10(-6) M), AA (4.2 x 10(-5) M), and zymosan-activated serum-stimulated PMN O2- release were also decreased 37-63% by FDP compared with control protein. There are at least two mechanisms by which FDP may impair PMN responses. With respect to FMLP, FDP (16-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited specific binding to the cell surface over a ligand concentration range of 1.4-85 nM [3H]FMLP. In contrast, FDP did not effect the extent of phorbol ester binding to PMN but blocked activation of protein kinase C. These data suggest that elevated plasma FDP inhibit several PMN functions critical to the bactericidal role of these inflammatory cells.     

The monocyte-derived neutrophil activating peptide (NAP/interleukin 8) stimulates human neutrophil arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase, but not the release of cellular arachidonate

LPS and mitogen-stimulated mononuclear cells secrete a cytokine, which is able to activate the PMNL-arachidonate-5-lipoxygenase. This cytokine has been proven to be identical with the recently characterized novel neutrophil-activating peptide NAP/IL-8. NAP/IL-8 is able to activate human PMNL for release of LTB4, omega-oxidized LTB4, and 5-HETE in the presence of exogenous AA. Half-maximal concentration of NAP/IL-8 for release of LTB4 has been found to be near 4 x 10(-8) mol/liter. Time course studies revealed rapid activation of PMNL, with maximal release of LTB4 within the first 10 min with a decline up to 40 min. High amounts of omega-oxidized LTB4 were detected up to that time. Significant amounts of AA-5-LO-products can be detected only when PMNL were stimulated with NAP/IL-8 in the presence of exogenous AA. The concentration of AA necessary for half-maximal LTB4 release has been found to be 3 x 10(-6) mol/liter. In the presence of 8 x 10(-9) mol/liter [3H]AA, NAP/IL-8 (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/liter) did not induce the production of LTB4, omega-oxidized LTB4, or 5-HETE. In addition, PMNL prelabeled with [3H]AA did not release either [3H]AA or 5-lipoxygenase metabolites when stimulated with NAP/IL-8 (10(-9) to 10(-7) mol/liter), indicating that NAP/IL-8 apparently does not activate cellular phospholipases/diacylglycerol-lipases. Apart from FMLP, C5a, and PAF NAP/IL-8 is the fourth clearly characterized neutrophil chemotaxin able to activate the PMNL-5-lipoxygenase. The detection of large amounts of NAP/IL-8, arachidonic acid, as well as LTB4-like material, in lesional material of patients with psoriasis points towards a possibly important role of NAP/IL-8 in amplifying inflammatory processes by induction of LTB4-production.     

Activation of the adhesive capacity of CR3 on neutrophils by endotoxin: dependence on lipopolysaccharide binding protein and CD14

Tumor necrosis factor alpha, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and formyl peptide were each found to cause a twofold increase in expression of CD14 on the surface of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Upregulation of CD14 was complete by 20 min and thus appeared to result from expression of preformed stores of protein. The CD14 on the surface of PMN was shown to serve two biological functions. It bound particles coated with complexes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS binding protein (LBP). This binding activity was enhanced by agonists that upregulated CD14 expression and may serve in the clearance of Gram-negative bacteria opsonized with LBP. Interaction of CD14 with LPS in the presence of LBP or serum also caused a dramatic, transient increase in the adhesive activity of CR3 (CD11b/CD18) on PMN. Enhanced activity of CR3 and other members of the CD11/CD18 family underlies many of the known physiological responses of PMN to LPS and may be a central feature of the in vivo responses of PMN to endotoxin.     

Cytosolic and nuclear estrogen receptors in the isolated perfused rat liver

The isolated perfused rat liver was investigated as a potential model to analyze binding of 17 beta-[3H]estradiol (E2) to cytosolic and nuclear estrogen receptors. Viability of the isolated perfused liver was monitored by measuring leakage of cytosolic enzymes into the perfusate. These studies indicated that the liver remained viable for at least a 90-min perfusion period although significant decreases in cytosolic estrogen receptor concentrations occurred during this perfusion period. Estrogen receptor loss was minimized by supplementing the red blood cell-free perfusion medium with 5 micrograms of insulin per ml. Uptake of [3H]E2 by hepatic cytosolic estrogen receptors of the isolated perfused liver was rapid as measured by partial purification of radiolabeled ligand receptor complexes after varying times of perfusion. Peak liver concentrations of receptor-bound E2 were achieved 15 min after the onset of perfusion when using livers from either male or female rats. After 15 min, radiolabeled cytosolic ligand receptor complexes decreased rapidly, reaching lowest concentrations at 60 min. Radiolabeled salt-extractable nuclear-binding sites increased up to 30 min and then decreased slightly between 30 and 90 min. Both 4S and 5S forms of nuclear binding sites were detected in the isolated perfused livers as evaluated by sedimentation analysis on 5 to 20% sucrose density gradients. Concentrations of radiolabeled cytosolic and nuclear receptors were greater in females than males at all perfusion periods examined when the initial concentration of [3H]E2 was 4 nm. Sex differences in receptor uptake were not as great when higher concentrations of [3H]E2 were added to the perfusion medium. These studies suggest that the isolated perfused liver is a suitable model to investigate short-term uptake of estrogens by cytosolic and nuclear receptors.     

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) partial structures inhibit responses to LPS in a human macrophage cell line without inhibiting LPS uptake by a CD14- mediated pathway

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that lack acyloxyacyl groups can antagonize responses to LPS in human cells. Although the site and mechanism of inhibition are not known, it has been proposed that these inhibitory molecules compete with LPS for a common cellular target such as a cell-surface binding receptor. In the present study, we used an in vitro model system to test this hypothesis and to evaluate the role of CD14 in cellular responses to LPS. Cells of the THP-1 human monocyte-macrophage cell line were exposed to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 to induce adherence to plastic and expression of CD14, a binding receptor for LPS complexed with LPS-binding protein (LBP). The uptake of picograms of [3H]LPS (agonist) and enzymatically deacylated LPS [3H]dLPS (antagonist) was measured by exposing the cells to the radiolabeled ligands for short incubation periods. The amounts of cell-associated LPS and dLPS were then correlated with cellular responses by measuring the induction of nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity and the production of cell-associated interleukin (IL)-1 beta. We found that similar amounts of [3H]LPS or [3H]dLPS were taken up by the cells. The rate of cellular accumulation of the ligands was greatly enhanced by LBP and blocked by a monoclonal antibody to CD14 (mAb 60b), yet no cellular responses were induced by dLPS or dLPS-LBP complexes. In contrast, LPS stimulated marked increases of NF-kappa B binding activity and IL-1 beta. These responses were enhanced by LBP and inhibited by mAb 60b. dLPS and its synthetic lipid A counterpart, LA-14-PP (also known as lipid Ia, lipid IVa, or compound 406) strongly inhibited LPS-induced NF-kappa B and IL-1 beta, yet neither antagonist inhibited the uptake of LPS via CD14. dLPS did not inhibit NF-kappa B responses to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha or phorbol ester. Our results indicate that (a) both stimulatory and nonstimulatory ligands can bind to CD14 in the presence of LBP; (b) the mechanism of inhibition by dLPS is LPS-specific, yet does not involve blockade of LPS binding to CD14; and (c) in keeping with previous results of others, large concentrations of LPS can stimulate the cells in the absence of detectable binding to CD14. The findings indicate that the site of dLPS inhibition is distal to CD14 binding in the LPS signal pathway in THP-1 cells, and suggest that molecules other than CD14 are important in LPS signaling.     

Post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph lipids prime neutrophils for enhanced cytotoxicity via phospholipase A2.

Hemorrhagic shock induced mesenteric hypoperfusion has long been implicated as a key event in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOF). Previous work links post-hemorrhagic shock mesenteric lymph (PHSML) lipids and neutrophil (PMN) priming in the pathogenesis of ARDS. We hypothesize that gut phospholipase A2 (PLA2) liberates proinflammatory lipids following hemorrhagic shock, which are responsible for enhanced PMN cytotoxicity. Mesenteric lymph was collected from rats (n > or = 5) before hemorrhagic shock, during hemorrhagic shock (MAP 40 mm Hg x 30 min), and after resuscitation (shed blood + 2x lactated Ringers). PMNs were incubated with physiologic concentrations (1-5%, v:v) of (a) buffer control, (b) sham (c) pre-shock lymph, (c) PHSML, (d) PHSML lipid extracts, (e) heat-denatured PSHML, and (f) PHSML harvested after i.v. pretreatment with a known PLA2 inhibitor (quinacrine, 10 mg/kg). PMNs were activated with fMLP (1 micromol), and the maximal rate of superoxide production measured by reduction of cytochrome c. Gut morphology was assessed histologically using hematoxalin and eosin (HE) staining. PHSML and PHSML lipid extracts (5%, v:v) primed for enhanced superoxide production compared to buffer controls (2.5-fold and 3.6-fold), sham (2.5-fold) and pre-shock lymph (2.0-fold). Lymph collected after systemic PLA2 inhibition, in contrast, abrogated the PMN priming response. Gut mucosal morphology, at end-resuscitation, was intact on HE staining both with and without PLA2 inhibition. Heat denaturing the PHSML (eliminating cytokines and complement), on the other hand, did not reduce PMN priming. Physiologic concentrations of PHSML lipids prime the PMN respiratory burst. Lymph priming is diminished with systemic PLA2 inhibition, implicating gut PLA2 as a source of proinflammatory lipids that may be central in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic shock induced ARDS/MOF.     

Dissociation between muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase and autoreceptor inhibition of [3H] acetylcholine release in rat hippocampus

Activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChRs) in the central nervous system reduces the catalytic activity of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase and attenuates depolarization-dependent release of acetylcholine (ACh). Inasmuch as reports have indicated that these mAChR-mediated responses exhibit pharmacological profiles similar to the M2 subclass of mAChR, the present studies were undertaken to ascertain whether attenuation of presynaptic adenylate cyclase activity [and concurrent reduction of intraneuronal cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels] underlies mAChR-mediated autoinhibition of electrically evoked ACh release. In [3H]choline-prelabeled rat hippocampal slices, the mAChR agonists oxotremorine (EC50 = 15 microM) and carbachol (EC50 = 80 microM) caused atropine-reversible inhibition of [3H]ACh release up to a maximum of 80% reduction. The rank order of potency for antagonist reversal of this inhibitory action (N-methylatropine = atropine greater than scopolamine much greater than pirenzepine) was generally consistent with an M2 mAChR-mediated response although pirenzepine was ineffective up to 1 mM. Under these assay conditions, forskolin (1-10 microM) and 8-bromo-cAMP (30-300 microM) enhanced electrically evoked [3H]ACh release maximally by 50 to 60%; however, neither agent significantly reversed mAChR agonist-induced inhibition of [3H]ACh release. Additional studies were undertaken to determine the consequences of chemically uncoupling mAChR from their G protein-adenylate cyclase effector system in this tissue. Whereas brief pretreatment with the sulfhydryl alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (30 microM) or pertussis toxin (1 microgram/ml) markedly attenuated carbachol inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in hippocampal tissue, there was no concurrent reduction of carbachol-inhibited [3H] ACh release.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Priming of neutrophils for enhanced release of oxygen metabolites by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Evidence for increased activity of the superoxide-producing enzyme

We investigated the capacity of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) to modify the oxidative metabolic response to membrane stimulation of human neutrophils. Neutrophils were pretreated for 60 min with LPS, 10 ng/ml, then stimulated by exposure to fixed immune complexes, the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), or phorbol myristate acetate. Release of superoxide anion (O-2) was up to 7-times greater in cells preincubated with LPS, depending upon the stimulus used. Consumption of oxygen and release of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were similarly increased, using FMLP as stimulus. The enhancement was accompanied by a reduction in lag time and an increase in the rate of the response, but the duration of the oxidative events was not changed. The molecular basis for the augmented oxidative response of LPS-pretreated cells was investigated. Preincubation with LPS at 0 degrees C prevented priming, but preincubation in the presence of cycloheximide or chelation of extracellular calcium ion did not. Neutrophils preincubated with LPS had slightly decreased numbers of binding sites and equivalent binding affinity for radiolabeled FMLP. Possible changes in the enzyme responsible for the oxidative burst were analyzed by studying NADPH-dependent generation of O-2 by particulate fractions from cells preincubated with LPS or buffer, then stimulated before cell disruption. The fraction prepared from LPS-pretreated neutrophils exhibited greater release of O-2 over a wide range of concentrations of NADPH. The calculated apparent Km for NADPH was equivalent in the two fractions, but the Vmax was increased 2.5-fold in the subcellular fraction from LPS-pretreated cells. These results suggest that LPS could increase neutrophil-mediated host defense or the tissue damage associated with endotoxemia by enhancing the generation of oxygen metabolites by neutrophils. These results also support the concept that the neutrophil is not an end-stage cell in regard to function or metabolic activity.     

Arachidonic acid and bradykinin share a common pathway to release neuropeptide from capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerve fibers of the guinea pig heart

The ability of arachidonic acid (AA) and bradykinin to release calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI) from capsaicin-sensitive primary afferents was studied in guinea pig isolated and perfused heart. Infusion of AA (50 microM to 5 mM, 0.5 ml/min over 2 min) produced a remarkable and dose-dependent CGRP-LI release that was abolished by in vitro capsaicin (10 microM) pretreatment or in the presence of indomethacin (10 microM). The capsaicin antagonist ruthenium red (10 microM) did not affect the CGRP-LI release produced by AA, whereas it blocked that produced by capsaicin (10 microM). In vitro capsaicin pretreatment reduced the increase in heart rate evoked by AA, whereas it did not affect the increase in coronary flow and decrease in contractility. Bradykinin (10 microM, 0.5 ml/min over 2 min) induced CGRP-LI release in a similar manner to that produced by AA, with the only difference being that in the presence of indomethacin, a residual increase in CGRP-LI outflow was still observed. AA increased the outflow of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1 alpha, PGE2 and leukotriene B4, whereas bradykinin enhanced only the release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Infusion of either PGI2 or PGE2 (1-100 microM) released CGRP-LI in a dose-dependent manner and with a similar potency. PGI2 (100 microM)- or PGE2 (100 microM, 0.5 ml/min over 2 min)-evoked release was abolished by previous exposure to capsaicin and not affected by indomethacin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Desensitization of nicotinic agonist-induced [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid release from mouse brain synaptosomes is produced by subactivating concentrations of agonists

Several neurochemical and electrophysiological studies have shown that neuronal nicotinic receptors are desensitized by pretreatment with lower agonist concentrations than are required to activate the receptors, but the extent of desensitization and agonist concentration required to produce desensitization vary depending upon receptor subtype. Recently, we reported that nicotinic agonists will stimulate the release of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from synaptosomes prepared from mouse brain. The studies described herein evaluated desensitization of [3H]GABA release produced by pretreatment with 12 nicotinic agonists. Pretreatment produced near total desensitization that developed slowly (onset T(1/2) = 3.46 min) and was totally reversible (recovery T(1/2) = 4.95 min). Nine of the 12 compounds tested induced total or near total desensitization at concentrations that were less than those required to produce a reliably measured increase in [3H]GABA release. Nicotine produced total block with an IC(50) value of 26 nM. This value is two orders of magnitude lower than the EC(50) for nicotine-induced [3H]GABA release (1630 nM). The three compounds that showed an overlap of the desensitization and activation concentration-effect curves (cytisine, anabasine, nornicotine) are all partial agonists. Comparison of the desensitization properties of the [3H]GABA release with an ion ((86)Rb+) efflux that we have measured previously suggests that the receptor that mediates GABA release and (86)Rb(+) efflux is the same, most likely the alpha4beta2 subtype.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharides prime macrophages for enhanced release of arachidonic acid metabolites

Preincubation of resident peritoneal macrophages with 10-100 ng/ml LPS for 60 min resulted in the cells becoming primed for enhanced (three-to eightfold higher) arachidonic acid (20:4) secretion in response to a variety of triggers. The half-maximal concentration of LPS required for priming was 10 ng/ml irrespective of whether the trigger was particulate (examples: zymosan or immune complexes) or soluble (such as PMA or A23187). Similarly, the time required for half-maximal priming of macrophages was 20 min irrespective of which trigger was used. The primed state persisted for at least 30 h. LPS-priming of macrophages also affected the kinetics of 20:4 metabolite secretion. The lag phase characteristically observed when 20:4 secretion is triggered was reduced in LPS-primed cells. Furthermore, LPS-primed cells secreted 20:4 metabolites when challenged with latex beads, while unprimed cells did not. These data suggest that stimuli such as zymosan, which elicit 20:4 secretion in macrophages, promote two signals, a priming signal and a triggering signal. LPS is capable of establishing the priming signal but not the triggering signal, while latex promotes the triggering signal but is unable to prime the cells for 20:4 release. LPS did not effect the profile of 20:4 metabolites secreted in response to any of the triggers, nor did it effect the profile of products synthesized from exogenously added 20:4, suggesting that it did not regulate the 20:4 cascade at the level of either the cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase pathways. Macrophages respond to LPS without the intervention of T lymphocytes, since the macrophages from nude mice could be primed for enhanced 20:4 secretion.     

Increased production of superoxide anion by macrophages exposed in vitro to muramyl dipeptide or lipopolysaccharide

After in vitro exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or muramyl dipeptide (MDP), cultured resident mouse peritoneal macrophages were primed to display enhanced generation of superoxide anion (O2-) in response to stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan. Priming with LPS (1 microgram/ml) produced a sevenfold enhancement of PMA-stimulated O2- generation; priming was detected within 30 min and persisted for at least 4 d. Exposure to MDP (1 muM) primed the macrophages to double their O2- release; the response was first observed after 4 h and persisted for at least 3 d. The priming response was not observed with stereoisomers of MDP, which are inactive as adjuvants. LPS and MDP appeared to work directly on the macrophages rather than indirectly by interacting with adherent lymphocytes: (a) Addition of nonadherent cell populations that contained lymphocytes had no effect on the response. (b) The response was normal with cells from nude mice, which lack mature T lymphocytes. (c) Macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice, whose B lymphocytes fail to respond to LPS, were weak in their response to priming LPS; the addition of normal (C3Heb/FeJ) nonadherent cells had no effect on this weak response. (d) The macrophage-like cell line J774.1 also showed enhanced O2--generating capacity after a 4-h exposure to LPS or MDP. The O2--generating capacity of macrophages primed with LPS in vitro was equivalent to that previously observed with cells elicited in vivo by injection of LPS or activated by infection with Bacille Calmette-Guerin. The data suggest that previous exposure to bacterial products could prime macrophages to respond with increased production of toxic oxygen metabolites on contact with invading microorganisms or tumor cells.     

Phospholipase C activation by Na+/Ca2+ exchange is essential for monensin-induced Ca2+ influx and arachidonic acid release in FRTL-5 thyroid cells.

BACKGROUND: Monensin, a Na+ ionophore, can increase cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) by reversing the Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism. This study provided additional insights into the mechanism of this Na+ ionophore-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, and emphasized the critical role of phospholipase C (PLC) in amplifying Na+/Ca2+ exchange-induced Ca2+ influx and subsequent arachidonic acid (AA) release in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. The possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and GTP-binding (G) protein in mediating monensin-induced AA release was also explored. METHODS: FRTL-5 thyroid cells were maintained in Coon's modified Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with a 6-hormone (6H) mixture. Cytosolic Ca2+ was measured by using indo-1 AM and a dual-wave-length spectrofluorometer. Release of 3H-labeled inositol trisphosphates and arachidonic acid were determined by a scintillation counter. RESULTS: In Hank's balanced salt solution with Ca2+ (HBSS+), monensin (100 mumol/L) induced a 2.3-fold sustained Ca2+ increase associated with IP3 generation and a 6-fold increase in AA release. Deletion of extracellular Ca2+, or replacement of Na+ by choline chloride in the medium, reduced the [Ca2+]i increase by 77% and completely prevented the monensin-induced rise in AA release. Similar inhibitory effects were observed in cells pretreated with a Na+ channel blocker, or Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitors. In HBSS without Ca2+ (HBSS-), monensin induced a 1-fold transient [Ca2+]i increase but did not increase the AA. This Ca2+ increase was not suppressed by U-73122, a PLC inhibitor. In HBSS+, U-73122 did not affect the monensin-induced initial transient peak increase of [Ca2+]i, but reduced the sustained second phase of [Ca2+]i from 400 nmol/L to 250 nmol/L, and completely blocked AA release. A phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor blocked the monensin-induced AA release without affecting the [Ca2+]i increase. Inhibition of PKC prevented 87% to 94% of the monesin-stimulated AA release. The monensin-induced AA release was also inhibited 94% by pertussis and 51% by a MAP kinase cascade inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that monensin initiates an increase in [Ca2+]i via a Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanism that triggers more pronounced and sustained [Ca2+]i increase via activation of PLC and Ca2+ influx. The PLC activation, followed by sustained Ca2+ influx and PKC activation, is a prerequisite for PLA2-mediated processes in monensin-challenged FRTL-5 thyroid cells.     

Pulmonary leukostasis and the inhibition of airway neutrophil recruitment are early events in the endotoxemic rat

Neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN]) migration into pulmonary airspaces is a prerequisite for clearance of bacteria commonly found in nosocomial pneumonia. Patients at risk for nosocomial pneumonia often experience endotoxemia, and neutrophil dysfunction is associated with endotoxemia in both humans and animals. Using a rodent model of endotoxemia-associated pneumonia, we characterized the altered kinetics of pulmonary PMN trafficking and addressed the roles of platelets, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and products of complement activation as potential mediators in the modulation of PMN migratory function. In male Sprague-Dawley rats made endotoxemic with intravenously (i.v.) administered endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]), recruitment of PMNs into the lung airspaces in response to intratracheally (i.t.) instilled LPS was inhibited. In animals given IT LPS alone (0.5 mg/rat), numbers of airway PMNs were significantly elevated by 2 h, and immunohistochemical evaluation revealed PMNs in alveolar airspaces, alveolar walls, and in interstitium surrounding large airways. LPS (2 mg/kg i.v.) caused neutropenia and pulmonary PMN sequestration within 15 min of administration. Inhibition of airway PMN accumulation occurred by 30 min and lasted for at least 6 h after i.v. LPS. Factors present or activated after 30 min of endotoxemia were hypothesized to mediate the inhibitory effect of i.v. LPS. We found that pretreatment of rats with cobra venom factor to deplete complement (and C5a production) or immunodepletion of platelets or TNF did not affect the ability of i.v. LPS to inhibit pulmonary PMN recruitment or to cause pulmonary leukostasis. In summary, our results show that the inhibitory effects of i.v. LPS on PMN trafficking are rapid and persist for several hours and suggest that neither TNF, C5a, nor platelets are sufficient to mediate the inhibitory response.     

抑制胞浆型磷脂酶A2活性对内毒素诱导人脐静脉内皮细胞分泌瘦素的影响

目的 通过改变胞浆型磷脂酶A2(cPLA2)的活性,检测细菌脂多糖(LPS)及Ca2+载体A23187诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞株(ECV-304)上清液中瘦素(Leptin)水平的变化,探讨在体外炎症状态下cPLA2活性与细胞分泌Leptin的关系.方法 体外培养ECV-304细胞.实验1:将细胞分为空白对照组,LPS 3个浓度5、10、20 μg/ml刺激组,Ca2+载体A23187 3个浓度0.1、 1.0、10.0 μmol/L刺激组共7个组,分别作用6、12、24 h后收集上清液.实验2:根据实验1结果将细胞分为空白对照组,LPS 20 μg/ml刺激组,cPLA2特异性抑制剂AACOCF3 3个浓度0.1、1.0、10.0 μmol/L与LPS合用刺激组,丝裂素活化蛋白激酶上游激酶1/2(MEK1/2)抑制剂 U0126 3个浓度0.1、1.0、5.0 μmol/L与LPS合用刺激组共8个组,在LPS刺激前1 h加入AACOCF3或U0126,LPS刺激24 h后收集上清液.采用放射免疫分析法检测Leptin水平.结果 实验1:随LPS刺激浓度增加和时间延长,细胞释放Leptin浓度逐渐减少,LPS 20 μg/ml组作用24 h后Leptin浓度(ng/ml)较空白对照组显著下降(0.540±0.109比0.823±0.048,P<0.05).但A23187对细胞分泌Leptin并无显著影响.实验2:LPS刺激能使细胞分泌Leptin浓度(ng/ml)明显下降(0.558±0.069比0.825±0.067,P<0.05);而用不同浓度AACOCF3或U0126干预后,细胞分泌Leptin的浓度(ng/ml)有所回升,且呈浓度依赖性(AACOCF3 0.1、1.0、10.0 μmol/L组分别为0.673±0.135、 0.723±0.055、 0.797±0.062;U0126 0.1、 1.0、5.0 μmol/L组分别为0.698±0.112、 0.862±0.184、0.935±0.145),AACOCF3 1.0 μmol/L、10.0 μmol/L组和U0126 1.0 μmol/L、5.0 μmol/L组Leptin浓度均显著高于LPS 20 μg/ml刺激组(均P<0.05).结论 在由LPS诱导的体外炎症状态下,Leptin的分泌与cPLA2的活性具有一定的关系.

Abstract：

Objective To determine Leptin levels in supernatant fluid of culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV-304) after being challenged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and calcium ion vector A23187, and to explore the possible relation between Leptin release and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) activity in an inflammatory cell model. Methods ECV-304 cells were cultured in vitro. Experiment 1: the cells were divided into seven groups: blank control group, LPS 5, 10, 20 μg/ml stimulation groups, A23187 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μmol/L stimulation groups. The supernatants were collected at 6, 12 and 24 hours. Experiment 2: according to the results of experiment 1, the cells were divided into eight groups: blank control group, LPS 20 μg/ml stimulation group, the inhibitor of cPLA2 AACOCF3 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μmol/L plus LPS stimulation groups, the inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) U0126 0.1, 1.0, 5.0 μmol/L plus LPS stimulation groups, with AACOCF3 or U0126 added 1 hour before the addition of LPS, and the supernatants were collected 24 hours after the addition of LPS. Leptin level was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results Experiment 1: with increase in LPS concentration and prolongation of time, Leptin release was decreased gradually. After 24 hours of interaction the concentration of Leptin (ng/ml) in LPS 20 μg/ml group was decreased significantly compared with the blank control group (0.540±0.109 vs. 0.823±0.048, P<0.05). However, A23187 had no significant effect on Leptin release. Experiment 2: LPS rendered cells to release less Leptin (ng/ml: 0.558±0.069 vs. 0.825±0.067, P<0.05); by adding AACOCF3 or U0126 in different concentration before adding LPS rendered the cells to release more Leptin (ng/ml), and it showed concentration-dependent (the AACOCF3 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 μmol/L groups were 0.673±0.135, 0.723±0.055, 0.797±0.062, respectively; the U0126 0.1, 1.0, 5.0 μmol/L groups were 0.698±0.112, 0.862±0.184, 0.935±0.145, respectively). The release of Leptin in AACOCF3 1.0 μmol/L, 10.0 μmol/L and U0126 1.0 μmol/L, 5.0 μmol/L groups was significantly higher than LPS 20 μg/ml stimulation group (all P<0.05). Conclusion There is a possible relation between Leptin release and cPLA2 activity in inflammatory cells induced by LPS.     

Ethanol inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine release from rat cortical slices

The effects of ethanol on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated [3H]norepinephrine (NE) release from rat cortical slices was studied. NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release was inhibited by tetrodotoxin, Mg++ and 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, indicating that NMDA receptors in the cortex have characteristics similar to those observed using electrophysiological studies. Ethanol (60-200 mM) decreased the release of [3H]NE evoked by 100 microM NMDA in a concentration-dependent manner (32-52% inhibition), but it did not significantly alter the basal release. The inhibitory effect of 100 mM ethanol was due to a reduction in the maximal response with no significant change in the EC50 for NMDA. Pretreatment of the slices with 100 mM ethanol up to 6 min did not alter the magnitude of inhibition. The inhibition of NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release due to ethanol was reversible after a 13-min recovery period. The presence of ethanol did not significantly affect the IC50 for Mg++ inhibition of NMDA-stimulated [3H]NE release (23 +/- 3 microM). Glycine (10-300 microM) potentiated the release of [3H]NE stimulated by 250 microM NMDA, and 60 mM ethanol did not alter this effect of glycine. Ethanol (100 mM) inhibited the release of [3H]NE evoked by 18.9 mM KCl in the presence or absence of 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, but had no effect on release induced by 49.1 mM KCl. Tetrodotoxin (0.3 mM) significantly decreased the release of [3H] NE evoked by 23.2 mM KCl, and 60 to 200 mM ethanol did not alter this release. These results suggest that NMDA receptors in rat cortical slices are located on nerve cell bodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bacterial phospholipid hydrolysis enhances the destruction of Escherichia coli ingested by rabbit neutrophils. Role of cellular and extracellular phospholipases.

Escherichia coli ingested by PMN are promptly growth arrested but undergo limited destruction. We have studied bacterial phospholipid hydrolysis as a possible limiting factor in the disassembly of ingested E. coli, comparing the fates, during phagocytosis by rabbit peritoneal exudate PMN, of three isogenic strains, differing in their content of the pldA gene encoding the principal E. coli phospholipase A (PLA), i.e., pldA-, pldA+, pldA (the latter strain bearing the pldA gene in a multicopy plasmid resulting in a 20-fold increase in PLA content). Ingestion and growth inhibition (greater than 99% within 15 min) were the same for the three strains, but phospholipid degradation differed according to bacterial PLA content: pldA up to 60%, pldA+ up to 30%, and pldA- up to 20%. Since the pldA- strain has no activatable PLA, phospholipid degradation in this strain demonstrates the action of a PMN PLA. Added PLA2-rich ascitic fluid (AF) or purified AF PLA2 increased the rate and extent of degradation of the pldA- strain, provided the enzyme was added before ingestion was complete. 125I-AF-PLA2 binds to both E. coli and PMN and thus can enter the vacuole during phagocytosis. Although up to 50-fold more AF-PLA2 than the PLA2 content of the PMN could be loaded into the PMN in this way, degradation of pldA- E. coli did not exceed 30%. Increased phospholipid degradation had no effect on the degradation of bacterial macromolecules. In contrast, bacterial disassembly manifest as structural disorganization, release of bacterial protein derived material, and inhibition of protein synthesis were markedly enhanced when greater than 50% of prelabelled bacterial phospholipids were degraded. These findings reveal a link between envelope phospholipid degradation and overall bacterial destruction, suggesting therefore that factors limiting PLA action limit the destruction of E. coli ingested by PMN.     

p-Hydroxymercuribenzoic acid inhibits arachidonic acid esterification into two distinct pools and stimulates insulin release in intact rat islets

Activation of an islet phospholipase A2 may contribute to glucose-induced insulin release. In order to simulate the accumulation of the resultant hydrolytic products (arachidonic acid, AA; its lipoxygenase-derived oxygenation product 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid; and lysophospholipids) without many of the other concomitants of beta cell activation, we studied the effects on intact rat islets of p-hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (PHMB), which inhibits the reacylation of lysophospholipids with AA in other cell types. PHMB inhibited in a dose-responsive fashion (-90% at 500 microM) the incorporation of [3H]AA into a "basal" pool or pools whose release and reuptake mechanisms appeared to be largely energy- and Ca++-independent (resistant to inhibition by mannoheptulose, antimycin A or CoCl2); reciprocally, islets prelabeled with [3H]AA accumulated an increased amount of [3H]-12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (twice basal at 200 microM PHMB and three times basal at 500 microM) when reacylation of any [3H]AA released basally at 1.7 mM glucose was inhibited. PHMB also blocked (by up to 99% at 500 microM) the incorporation of [3H]AA into a functionally defined, glucose-stimulated compartment of fatty acid (tightly coupled to the islet 12-lipoxygenase) whose release and reuptake required metabolic energy and Ca++. It was also demonstrated that PHMB inhibited the esterification of [3H]AA (at low or high glucose concentrations) into specific phospholipids in islet membranes. In parallel with these alterations in lipid metabolism, PHMB caused rapid, potent and reversible increments in insulin release with a threshold concentration (about 25 microM) identical to that inhibiting AA fluxes. PHMB both initiated release (at 1.7 mM glucose) and potentiated the effects of islet fuels (16.7 mM glucose or 15 mM alpha-ketoisocaproic acid). Thus, pharmacologic manipulation of the AA reuptake mechanism is a new approach to unmask potential roles in insulin release of phospholipid hydrolysis products from different lipid pools and in the absence or presence of phospholipase A2 activation.