Studies on cholera-toxin-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase in the mouse intestinal mucosa

Repeated peroral pretreatment ('immunization') with cholera toxin (CT) in mice induces protection against CT as well as against prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), as evaluated by fluid accumulation in intestinal loops. The fluid response to CT is depressed for more than 1 month, while the response to PGE1 is inhibited for 4-7 days after the pretreatment. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that neither the binding nor the penetration of CT into the intestinal epithelial cells is affected by the toxin pretreatment. Furthermore, the CT-induced release of mucus in goblet cells is not influenced by the toxin pretreatment. In contrast, the enzyme adenylate cyclase (AC), which mediates the actions of CT and PGE1, shows a long-lasting desensitization to CT, as estimated in mucosal membrane preparations. Chlorpromazine and cycloheximide revert the desensitization to CT as well as to PGE1. The present data suggest that intestinal resistance to CT in the mouse is due to desensitization of the reaction between CT and AC and requires stimulation of AC, as well as an active protein synthesis.     

Comparison of the mechanisms of action of cholera toxin and the heat-stable enterotoxins of Escherichia coli.

The mechanisms which enable cholera toxin (CT) and the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxins (STa and STb) to stimulate intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes are only partially understood. CT evokes the synthesis of 3',5'-cyclic AMP (cAMP), and STa is known to elevate intestinal levels of 3',5'-cyclic GMP (cGMP). Neither of these recognized second messengers appears to mediate E. coli STb responses. We compared the secretory effects of CT, STa, and STb using the pig intestinal loop model and also measured the effects of toxin challenge on the synthesis of cAMP, cGMP, and prostaglandins (e.g., prostaglandin E2 [PGE2]), as well as on the release of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from intestinal enterochromaffin cells. All three enterotoxins elicited fluid accumulation within a 2-h observation period. A combination of maximal doses of STa with STb yielded additive effects on fluid accumulation, which suggested different mechanisms of action for these toxins. Similarly, challenge of pig intestinal loops with a combination of CT and STb resulted in additive effects on fluid accumulation and luminal release of 5-HT. Unlike its effect on intestinal tissues from other animals, CT did not appear to elicit a dose-dependent cAMP response measurable in mucosal extracts from pig small intestine. In contrast, luminal fluid from CT-challenged pig intestinal loops contained dose-related amounts of cAMP and PGE2 that had been secreted from the mucosa. cAMP responses to STa or STb could not be demonstrated in either mucosal tissue or luminal fluid. In contrast, cGMP levels were increased in the intestinal fluid of loops challenged with STa but not in those challenged with STb. While the mechanisms of action of CT and STa are thought to involve impulse transmission via the enteric nervous system, we demonstrated significant stimulation of PGE2 synthesis and 5-HT release for CT and STb but very little for STa. We conclude from these data that the mechanisms of action of STa, STb, and CT are distinct, although the mode of action of STb may have some similarity to that of CT. Since STb stimulated the release of both PGE2 and 5-HT from the intestinal mucosa, the data suggested the potential for an effect of STb on the enteric nervous system.     

Activation of the CD3/T cell receptor (TcR) complex or of protein kinase C potentiate adenylyl cyclase stimulation in a tumoral T cell line: involvement of two distinct intracellular pathways.

A monoclonal antibody (OKT3) directed against the T cell receptor (TcR)/CD3 molecular complex, as well as a protein kinase C (PKC) activator (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA) were added to a culture of tumoral Jurkat T cells, in order to precise the sequence of intracellular signals leading to T cell activation. The experiments were performed in the presence or in absence of various stimulators of adenylate cyclase (AC) such as forskolin (FK), cholera toxin (CT) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). OKT3 increased inositol phosphate (IP) production; in parallel, it induced a slight accumulation of cAMP. The effect was markedly potentiated in presence of FK or CT, and to a lesser extent in the presence of PGE2. FK stimulated adenylate cyclase of Jurkat cell membranes, but the effect was not potentiated by OKT3, suggesting that potentiation of cAMP accumulation requires intact cells and is not mediated by direct receptor coupling. On the other hand, elevated cAMP accumulation induced a negative feedback on IP production. The effect of OKT3 on cAMP was mimicked by A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, and abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. PMA had the same effect as OKT3 on basal or FK- and CT-induced accumulation of cAMP. In contrast, it inhibited the PGE2 effect on the cyclic nucleotide. After desensitization of PKC by pretreatment with a high concentration of PMA, the phorbol ester was no longer effective. Under those conditions, facilitation by OKT3 of FK-induced accumulation of cAMP was preserved, whereas potentiation by the monoclonal antibody of the PGE2 stimulation of AC was even enhanced. The data indicate that cAMP accumulation indirectly elicited by phospholipase C activation is, at least partly, mediated by IP-dependent Ca2+ mobilization, while PKC is preferentially effective as an inhibitor of PGE2 stimulation.     

Quercetin and kaempferol suppress immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic inflammation in RBL-2H3 and Caco-2 cells

Objective

We investigated the inhibitory effects of quercetin and kaempferol treatment on the suppression of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic responses in relation to intestinal epithelium barrier function in RBL-2H3 and Caco-2 cells.

Methods

RBL-2H3 cells as a model of intestinal mucosa mast cells were treated with flavonols followed by IgE-anti-dinitrophenyl sensitization. The extent of degranulation and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. Caco-2 cells were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-4 or IgE-allergen with or without flavonol pretreatment and changes in the expression of CD23 mRNA and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and chemokine release were determined.

Results

Flavonols inhibited the secretion of allergic mediators in RBL-2H3 cells and suppressed the CD23 mRNA expression and p38 MAPK activation in IL-4 stimulated Caco-2 cells. Flavonols also suppressed IgE-OVA induced extra signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation and chemokine release.

Conclusions

Quercetin and kaempferol effectively suppressed the development of IgE-mediated allergic inflammation of intestinal cell models.     

Cholera Toxin B Subunit Activates Arachidonic Acid Metabolism

Cholera toxin (CT) increases intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes and modulates the mucosal immune response by stimulating cellular synthesis of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites (e.g., prostaglandin E₂), as well as the intracellular second messenger cyclic AMP (cAMP). While much is known about the mechanism of CT stimulation of adenylate cyclase, the toxin’s activation of phospholipase A₂, which results in increased hydrolysis of AA from membrane phospholipids, is not well understood. To determine whether CT activation of AA metabolism requires CT’s known enzymatic activity (i.e., ADP-ribosylation of G_Sα), we used native CT and a mutant CT protein (CT-2*) lacking ADP-ribose transferase activity in combination with S49 wild-type (WT) and S49 cyc⁻ murine Theta (Th)1.2-positive lymphoma cells deficient in G_Sα. The experimental results showed that native CT stimulated the release of [³H[AA from S49 cyc⁻ cells at a level similar to that for S49 WT cells, indicating that G_Sα is not essential for this process. Further, levels of cAMP in the CT-treated cyc⁻ cells remained the same as those in the untreated control cells. The ADP-ribosyltransferase-deficient CT-2* protein, which was incapable of increasing synthesis of cAMP, displayed about the same capacity as CT to evoke the release of [³H]AA metabolites from both S49 WT and cyc⁻ cells. We concluded that stimulation of arachidonate metabolism in S49 murine lymphoma cells by native CT does not require enzymatically functional CT, capable of catalyzing the ADP-ribosylation reaction. These results demonstrated for the first time that stimulation of adenylate cyclase by CT and stimulation of AA metabolism by CT are not necessarily coregulated. In addition, the B subunits purified from native CT and CT-2* both simulated the release of [³H]AA from S49 cyc⁻ cells and murine monocyte/macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), suggesting a receptor-mediated cell activation process of potential importance in enhancing immune responses to vaccine components.     

EP(4) receptors mediate prostaglandin E(2)-stimulated glycosaminoglycan synthesis in human cervical fibroblasts in culture

The aim of this study was to determine the prostaglandin E (EP) receptors and second messengers implicated in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis by human cervical fibroblasts in culture. Human cervical fibroblasts were obtained from cervical biopsies in pre-menopausal, cycling women. Cultured cells were incubated with prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and an array of agonists and antagonists. Glycosaminoglycan synthesis was assayed after extraction by measuring the [(3)H]glucosamine and [(35)S]sulphate incorporated into GAG and cAMP production was determined by radioimmunoassay. PGE(2) significantly stimulated GAG synthesis. Neither 17-phenyl-trinor-PGE(2), the EP(1) selective agonist, nor sulprostone, an EP(3) agonist, had any effect on GAG production. Butaprost, the EP(2) selective agonist, also failed to increase GAG synthesis. AH6809, an EP(2) antagonist, had no effect on PGE(2)-stimulated GAG production. AH23848, an EP(4) antagonist, inhibited the GAG synthesis provoked by PGE(2). PGE(2) and butaprost significantly increased cAMP production. Both AH6809 and AH23848 inhibited the PGE(2)-stimulated cAMP production. H89, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor, did not inhibit PGE(2)-stimulated GAG synthesis and Sp-cAMPS, a selective PKA activator, failed to increase GAG production. In conclusion, both EP(4) and EP(2) receptors are present and functional in human cervical fibroblasts. Only EP(4) receptors mediate PGE(2) stimulated GAG synthesis in a PKA-independent pathway.     

Dynamics of dibutyryl cyclic AMP- and prostaglandin E2-mediated suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha gene expression.

The regulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) production by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), forskolin, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP) was examined at the cellular and molecular levels. The above three agents could suppress LPS (100 ng/ml)-stimulated TNF production by immunologically activated murine macrophages (M phi s) in a dose-dependent manner. The concomitant addition of PGE2, dibutyryl cAMP, or forskolin to LPS-challenged M phi s resulted in 50% inhibition of TNF production at 10(-7), 3 X 10(-6), and 3 X 10(-5) M, respectively. Interestingly, delaying the addition of PGE2 or dibutyryl cAMP by 1.5 h post-LPS stimulation was also effective in suppressing the production of TNF bioactivity, but only dibutyryl cAMP was effective when its addition was delayed by 3 h. Northern (RNA) blot analysis of mRNA isolated from LPS-challenged M phi s treated with PGE2 or dibutyryl cAMP corroborated the bioactivity data. The delayed addition of PGE2 or dibutyryl cAMP by 1.5 h post-LPS stimulation resulted in a suppression of TNF mRNA accumulation by 50 to 70%. These data support the concept that LPS is a potent stimulus for M phi-derived TNF production and that this mediator is a very proximal signal in LPS-mediated disease states. Thus, therapeutic approaches that target the suppression of TNF in LPS-dependent disease states may be limited by the rapid expression of this mediator.     

Synthesis of prostaglandins in cholera toxin-treated Chinese hamster ovary cells

The prostaglandin (PG) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) responses of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were measured after cholera toxin (CT) exposure to evaluate dose and kinetic relationships. Release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the accumulation of cAMP were dependent on the dose of CT, with an effective dose of approximately 10-100 ng/ml within 4 h; the PGE2 response was about four- to six-fold more than that of PGE1. CHO cells exposed to CT also released increased amounts of thromboxane B2 (TxB2), PGF2 gamma, and 6-keto PGF1 gamma (a non-enzymatic degradation product of prostacyclin). Kinetic analysis of CT-treated cells revealed that small peaks of cAMP accumulation and of PGE1 and PGE2 release were detected at approximately 30 min, but larger, progressive PG and cAMP responses were measured 2-4 h later. Exposure of the cells to relatively high doses of membrane-permeable derivatives of cAMP (1 mM) and forskolin (10 microM) caused PGE2 release. Concomitantly, exogenous PGE2 (100 microM) increased intracellular levels of cAMP. We have considered the interrelationship of the cyclo-oxygenase and the cyclic nucleotide pathways relative to the molecular mechanism of CT.     

Monoclonal immunoglobulin A antibodies directed against cholera toxin prevent the toxin-induced chloride secretory response and block toxin binding to intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.

Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies directed against cholera toxin (CT) are thought to be important in resistance to oral challenge with virulent Vibrio cholerae, although alternative mechanisms for protection of intestinal epithelia against CT-induced fluid secretion have been proposed. The ability of anti-CT IgA to block the effects of CT on human enterocytes has not been directly tested because of the lack of a well-defined in vitro intestinal epithelial cell system to directly measure toxin action and the limited availability of purified anti-CT IgA antibodies. We have generated hybridomas that produce monoclonal IgA and IgG antibodies directed against CT by fusion of Peyer's patch cells with mouse myeloma cells after oral-systemic immunization of mice with CT and CT B-subunit protein. All of the anti-CT antibodies recognized the B subunit. Three clones (designated anti-CTB IgA-1, IgA-2, and IgA-3) which produced IgA antibodies in dimeric and polymeric forms were selected. Checkerboard immunoblotting demonstrated that IgA-1 recognized an epitope distinct from that recognized by IgA-2 and IgA-3 and that none of the antibodies were directed against the binding site of GM1, the intestinal cell membrane toxin receptor. The protective capacity of these IgAs was tested in vitro with human T84 colon carcinoma cells grown on permeable supports as confluent monolayers of polarized enterocytes. When each anti-CTB IgA was mixed with 10 nM CT and applied to the apical surfaces of T84 cell monolayers, all three IgAs blocked CT-induced Cl- secretion in a dose-dependent manner and completely inhibited binding of rhodamine-labelled CT to apical cell membranes. Thus, monoclonal anti-CTB IgA antibodies are sufficient to protect human enterocytes in vitro against CT binding and action.     

IL-1 activates two phospholipid signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: the aim of the study was to decipher the molecular signals involved in IL-I's action on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mode-K cells, used as a model of IEC, were treated with IL-I, and PLA2 activity and PGE2, ceramide, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels were measured using enzyme-immuno-assay kit, EIA, thin-layer chromatography and western blotting assays respectively. RESULTS: IL-I caused a concentration- and time-dependent increase in PLA2 activity (3-fold increase), in ceramide levels (peak increase = 10.5 +/- 0.9 pmol/nmol phosphate), and in COX-2 and PGE2 levels. PGE2 increase was biphasic with an early peak at 10 min (around 5 ng/mg protein) due to increased PLA2 activity. The later peak (13.1 +/- 1.9 ng/mg protein) at 4 h was due to COX-2 induction. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that IL-I regulates IEC function through two pathways, the PLA2 and the sphingomyelin pathways, both of which are capable of modulating the inflammatory process.     

创伤弧菌溶细胞素融合蛋白对人Caco-2细胞IL-8基因表达和IL-8分泌的影响

目的 研究创伤弧菌溶细胞素融合蛋白(rVvhA)对人肠上皮细胞(human intestinalepithelial cell,Caco-2)IL-8基因表达的影响.方法 IPTG诱导、表达、纯化、复性及Western blot鉴定rVvhA表达和纯化情况;CCK-8法检测rVvhA对Caco-2的细胞毒性作用;RT-PCR检测rVvhA诱导Caco-2细胞IL-8基因的表达情况;ELISA检测Caco-2细胞培养上清IL-8的分泌情况.结果 Ni~(2+)-NTA亲和层析柱对rVvhA进行纯化后纯度可达95%以上;CCK-8结果显示rVvhA活性蛋白显著降低了Caco-2细胞的存活率,有效浓度为1.5 HU/ml(P<0.05);RT-PCR结果显示,0.6 HU/ml rVvhA30 minllp可诱导Caco-2细胞IL-8 mRNA基因表达上调;ELISA结果显示,Caco-2细胞经rVvhA作用后,培养液上清中IL-8多肽的表达时相在4 h.RT-PCR与ELISA结果皆显示,IL-8基因的转录及IL-8表达皆具有时间-剂量依赖性.结论 rVvhA在转录水平上能诱导人Caco-2细胞IL-8 mRNA表达,促进IL-8的合成,在创伤弧菌引起的过度炎症反应和败血症的发生、发展中可能具有重要意义.     

Enhancement of Ca2+-regulated exocytosis by indomethacin in guinea-pig antral mucous cells: arachidonic acid accumulation

Ca2+-regulated exocytosis is enhanced by an autocrine mechanism via the PGE2-cAMP pathway in antral mucous cells of guinea-pigs. The inhibition of the PGE2-cAMP pathway by H-89 (an inhibitor of protein kinase A, PKA) or aspirin (ASA, an inhibitor of cyclo-oxygenase, COX) decreased the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events by 60%. Indomethacin (IDM, an inhibitor of COX), however, decreased the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events only by 30%. Moreover, IDM increased the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events by 50% in H-89-treated or ASA-treated cells. IDM inhibits the synthesis of Prostaglandin (PGG/H) and (15R)-15-hydroxy-5,8,11 cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15R-HPETE), while ASA inhibits only the synthesis of PGG/H. Thus, IDM may accumulate arachidonic acid (AA). AACOCF3 or N-(p-amylcinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (ACA; both inhibitors of phospholipase A2, PLA2), which inhibits AA synthesis, decreased the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events by 60%. IDM, however, did not increase the frequency in AACOCF3-treated cells. AA increased the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events in AACOCF3- or ASA-treated cells, similar to IDM in ASA- and H-89-treated cells. Moreover, in the presence of AA, IDM did not increase the frequency of ACh-stimulated exocytotic events in ASA-treated cells. The PGE2 release from antral mucosa indicates that inhibition of PLA2 by ACA inhibits the AA accumulation in unstimulated and ACh-stimulated antral mucosa. The dose-response study of AA and IDM demonstrated that the concentration of intracellular AA accumulated by IDM is less than 100 nm. In conclusion, IDM modulates the ACh-stimulated exocytosis via AA accumulation in antral mucous cells.     

Regulation of alpha1-proteinase inhibitor release by proinflammatory cytokines in human intestinal epithelial cells

alpha1-Proteinase inhibitor (alpha1-PI) is the main serine proteinase inhibitor in human plasma. Apart from its synthesis in the liver, this anti-inflammatory protein is also synthesized by and excreted from human intestinal epithelial cells. Antiinflammatory actions of alpha1-PI are thought to be of relevance in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. To investigate the role of macrophage-derived cytokines on alpha1-PI secretion from intestinal epithelial cells, we cultured Caco-2 cells until differentiation (14 days in culture) on permeable filter supports. Monolayers of differentiated Caco-2 cells were then co-cultured with human peritoneal macrophages, grown on plastic in the basolateral chamber. Under these conditions, alpha1-PI secretion from Caco-2 cells was enhanced by 45%, probably by a direct action of macrophage-derived cytokines on Caco-2 cells. To extend this observation further, we treated differentiated Caco-2 cells with macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-8, TNF-alpha), as well as with lymphocyte-derived cytokines IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-gamma. As early as after 24h treatment, IL-2 and IL-8 induced a significant and dose-dependent increase of alpha-1-PI secretion into cell culture medium; this effect was completely reversed after immunoneutralization by the antibodies against IL-2 and IL-8 alpha1-PI secretion was only slightly decreased after treatment with IFN-gamma, while IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha had no effect. alpha1-PI secretion correlated well with the expression of this protein in differentiated Caco-2 cells after cytokine treatment, as confirmed by Western blot. Our data imply that, in vitro, alpha1-PI secretion in enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells is up-regulated by IL-2 and IL-8. Our results suggest that both lymphocyte- and macrophage-derived cytokines regulate secretion of the anti-inflammatory protein alpha1-PI in intestinal epithelial cells.     

Seminal plasma activates cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2 receptor expression and signalling in cervical adenocarcinoma cells

Enhanced cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis are regarded as promoters of neoplastic cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Expression of COX-2 and synthesis of PGE2 are up-regulated in cervical carcinomas. In sexually active women, growth and invasiveness of neoplastic cervical epithelial cells may be also under the direct influence of PGE2 present in seminal plasma. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of seminal plasma and PGE2 on the expression of COX-2 and expression and signalling of the PGE2 receptor subtypes (EP1-EP4) in HeLa (cervical adenocarcinoma) cells. Treatment of HeLa cells with seminal plasma or PGE2 resulted in up-regulation of COX-2 expression (P < 0.05). In addition, seminal plasma induced the mRNA expression of EP1, EP2 and EP4 receptors, whilst PGE2 treatment of HeLa cells induced the expression of the EP4 receptor (P < 0.05). This was coincident with a rapid accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in HeLa cells stimulated with seminal plasma or PGE2, which was greater in seminal plasma stimulated cells compared with PGE2 stimulated cells (P < 0.05). Subsequently, we investigated whether the effect of seminal plasma on cAMP signalling in HeLa cells was mediated via the cAMP-linked EP2/EP4 receptors. Stimulation of HeLa cells with seminal plasma or PGE2 resulted in an augmented cAMP accumulation in cells transfected with the EP2 or EP4 receptor cDNA compared with control transfected cells (P < 0.05). These data suggest that, in sexually active women, seminal plasma may play a role in modulating neoplastic cell function and cervical tumorigenesis.     

Lipopolysaccharide induces H1 receptor expression and enhances histamine responsiveness in human coronary artery endothelial cells

Summary Histamine is a well-recognized modulator of vascular inflammation. We have shown that histamine, acting via H1 receptors (H1R), synergizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)), PGE(2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by endothelial cells. The synergy between histamine and LPS was partly attributed to histamine -induced expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). In this study, we examined whether LPS stimulates the H1R expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) with resultant enhancement of histamine responsiveness. Incubation of HCAEC with LPS (10-1000 ng/ml) resulted in two-fold to fourfold increases in H1R mRNA expression in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent fashion. In contrast, LPS treatment did not affect H2R mRNA expression. The LPS-induced H1R mRNA expression peaked by 4 hr after LPS treatment and remained elevated above the basal level for 20-24 hr. Flow cytometric and Western blot analyses revealed increased expression of H1R protein in LPS-treated cells. The specific binding of [(3)H]pyrilamine to H1R in membrane proteins from LPS-treated HCAEC was threefold higher than the untreated cells. The LPS-induced H1R expression was mediated through TLR4 as gene silencing by TLR4-siRNA and treatment with a TLR4 antagonist inhibited the LPS effect. When HCAEC were pre-treated with LPS for 24 hr, washed and challenged with histamine, 17-, 10- and 15-fold increases in PGI(2), PGE(2) and IL-6 production, respectively, were noted. Histamine-induced enhancement of the synthesis of PGI(2), PGE(2) and IL-6 by LPS-primed HCAEC was completely blocked by an H1R antagonist. The results demonstrate that LPS, through TLR4 activation, up-regulates the expression and function of H1R and amplifies histamine-induced inflammatory responses in HCAEC.     

Prostaglandin E2 receptor activity and susceptibility to natural killer cells.

We have described a high-affinity receptor for prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) present on metastatic murine mammary tumor cells. Pharmacologic antagonism of this receptor increases metastatic potential. In the present study, we have asked whether the binding activity of PGE on tumor target cells plays a role in natural killer (NK)-target cell interactions. We have used three unrelated PGE-receptor antagonists, SC19220, LEO101, and AH6809, to show inhibition of [3H]PGE2 binding to YAC-1 cells and inhibition of PGE2-mediated elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP). Addition of any of these three receptor antagonists to standard 4-h 51Cr-release assays inhibits YAC-1 lysis by NK-enriched populations from murine spleen. This is the first report that antagonism of PGE binding affects NK activity. Our studies demonstrate that these effects are mediated through inhibition of target-effector cell conjugate formation. Studies in which effector and target cells were pretreated separately indicate that the PGE-mediated effects are expressed at the target cell level.     

Prostaglandin E2 and the increase of intracellular cAMP inhibit the expression of interleukin 2 receptors in human T cells

We have analyzed the effect mediated by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and different reagents that increase intracellular cAMP on the expression of the p55 subunit (CD25) of interleukin 2 receptors (IL 2R), on the levels of CD25-specific mRNA and on the expression of high affinity IL 2R. In purified T cells, activated either by an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody or phytohemagglutinin, the addition of PGE2 (10(-6) M), forskolin (5 X 10(-5) M), cholera toxin (0.2 microgram/ml) or dibutyryl cAMP (dBcAMP) (10(-4) M) decreased the cell surface expression of IL 2R by reducing (40%-78% inhibition) the proportions of CD25+ cells as well as the expression of high affinity IL 2R, detectable after 24 h. Furthermore, it was observed that PGE2 reduced the concentration of IL 2R-specific mRNA after a 6-h period of activation, indicating that its regulatory activity takes place at a pretranslational level. The addition of exogenous recombinant IL 2 only partially reversed the inhibition, thus suggesting that PGE2 and increased intracellular concentration of cAMP directly interfered with CD25 expression and that their effect could not be merely attributed to a lack of IL 2-dependent positive feedback. Cells cultured under the same conditions in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate, that activates protein kinase C, were refractory to the cAMP-mediated regulation. Finally, we demonstrate that both PGE2 and dBcAMP inhibit the generation of inositol metabolites after T cell activation, thus indicating that these reagents interfere with early signal transduction mechanisms which precede the synthesis of IL 2R.