Synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor is inhibited by plasma alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor or alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and is stimulated by proteinases

TNF and IL-1 stimulate the synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells. Serum inhibits PAF production even after inactivation of an acetylhydrolase that degrades PAF. Human plasma was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography, and two inhibitory fractions were detected, one containing PAF-acetylhydrolase activity and the other alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. Low concentrations of this antiproteinase and of human plasma alpha 1-antichymotrypsin inhibited TNF-induced PAF synthesis in neutrophils, macrophages, and vascular endothelial cells. Both antiproteinases also inhibited PAF production stimulated by phagocytosis in macrophages and induced with IL-1 in neutrophils or with TNF in vascular endothelial cells. These results suggest that a proteinase activated on the plasma membrane or secreted by these cells is involved in promoting PAF synthesis. Indeed, addition of elastase to macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells stimulated synthesis and release of PAF much faster than TNF. A similar stimulation was observed in incubations with cathepsin G. To identify a proteinase activated in TNF-treated cells, neutrophils and endothelial cells were incubated with specific chloromethyl ketone inhibitors of elastase and cathepsin G. Synthesis of PAF was significantly inhibited by low concentrations of the cathepsin G inhibitor. The finding that antiproteinases are inhibitory at concentrations 100-fold lower than those present in plasma raises questions as to the ability of TNF and IL-1 to stimulate neutrophils in circulation or endothelial cells to synthesize PAF. We propose that PAF production is limited to zones of close contact between cells, which exclude antiproteinases.     

Antiinflammatory peptides (antiflammins) inhibit synthesis of platelet- activating factor, neutrophil aggregation and chemotaxis, and intradermal inflammatory reactions

Synthetic peptides corresponding to the region of highest similarity between human lipocortin I and rabbit uteroglobin inhibit phospholipase A2 and show potent antiinflammatory activity on the carrageenan-induced rat footpad edema. The peptide HDMNKVLDL (antiflammin-2) inhibits the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced by TNF or phagocytosis in rat macrophages and human neutrophils, and by thrombin in vascular endothelial cells. The peptide MQMKKVLDS (antiflammin-1) is less inhibitory than antiflammin-2 for macrophages and not inhibitory for neutrophils after a 5-min preincubation. This finding suggests that antiflammin-1 is inactivated by neutrophils secretory products, possibly oxidizing agents. Synthesis of PAF is inhibited by antiflammin-2 without an appreciable lag, but this inhibition is reversed when neutrophils or macrophages are washed and incubated in fresh medium. Therefore, antiflammins must be continuously present to inhibit PAF synthesis. Antiflammins block activation of the acetyltransferase required for PAF synthesis, suggesting that this enzyme is another target for the inhibitory activity of antiflammins. These peptides inhibit neutrophil aggregation and chemotaxis induced by complement component C5a. Antiflammin-2 suppresses the increase in vascular permeability and the leukocyte infiltration induced in rats by an Arthus reaction or by intradermal injection of rTNF and C5a.     

Effects of neutrophil elastase and other proteases on porcine aortic endothelial prostaglandin I2 production, adenine nucleotide release, and responses to vasoactive agents

The effects of neutrophil elastase on endothelial prostacyclin (PGI2) production, nucleotide release, and responsiveness to vasoactive agents were compared with the effects of cathepsin G (the other major neutral protease of neutrophils), pancreatic elastase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and thrombin. PGI2 production by pig aortic endothelial cells cultured on microcarrier beads and perfused in columns was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and cathepsin G (1-100 micrograms/ml for 3 min). Thrombin, while active at low concentrations (0.1-10 National Institutes of Health U/ml), induced smaller responses. Neutrophil and pancreatic elastase had little or no effect on PGI2 production. Dose-dependent, selective release of adenine nucleotides was induced by neutrophil elastase (3-30 micrograms/ml). The other proteases were much less active; for example, trypsin (100 micrograms/ml) induced a response only approximately 5% as great as did 30 micrograms/ml neutrophil elastase. After exposure to 30 micrograms/ml neutrophil elastase, cells did not exhibit the characteristic burst of PGI2 production in response to extracellular ATP; responsiveness gradually returned after 40-120 min. This effect was not seen with the other proteases. Elastase partly inhibited responses to bradykinin and had no effect on PGI2 production that was stimulated by ionophore A23187. There was no evidence of cytotoxicity, as measured by release of lactate dehydrogenase. Neutrophil degranulation can generate concentrations of elastase and cathepsin G comparable with those tested in the present study, and the effects of these enzymes on endothelial function lead us to suggest that they may play a role in vasoregulation and vascular pathology.     

Unidirectional transfer of prostaglandin endoperoxides between platelets and endothelial cells

An important determinant of platelet-vessel wall interactions is the local balance of production of endothelial prostacyclin (PGI2) and platelet thromboxane (TX) A2, labile eicosanoids with opposing effects on hemostasis. Disputed evidence suggests that platelet-derived prostaglandin endoperoxide intermediates may be utilized as substrates for vascular PGI2 synthesis. Using several different approaches, we have found that platelets can transfer endoperoxides to cultured endothelial cells for efficient conversion to PGI2, but a reciprocal transfer of endothelial endoperoxides for utilization by platelet thromboxane synthetase does not occur under the same experimental conditions. However, platelets can utilize arachidonic acid released by endothelial cells for lipoxygenase metabolism. We have directly demonstrated the production of [3H]6-keto-PGF1 alpha (the breakdown product of [3H]PGI2) by aspirin-treated endothelial cells in the presence of platelets stimulated with [3H]arachidonic acid. In coincubation experiments using either arachidonate or ionophore A23187 as a stimulus, radioimmunoassay of the net production of arachidonic acid metabolites showed that 6-keto-PGF1 alpha generation by aspirin-treated endothelial cells in the presence of platelets may actually exceed its generation by uninhibited endothelial cells alone. In functional assays, platelet aggregation was inhibited in the presence of aspirin-treated endothelial cells after stimulation with either arachidonate or ionophore A23187. In contrast, the inverse experiments, using aspirin-treated platelets and uninhibited endothelial cells, failed to demonstrate platelet utilization of endothelial endoperoxides for TXA2 production by any of the above methods. These studies thus provide evidence that efficient unidirectional transfer and utilization of platelet-derived endoperoxides for endothelial PGI2 production can occur. This process may serve to amplify PGI2 generation adjacent to areas of vascular injury and permit tight localization of platelet plug formation at these sites.     

Platelet-activating factor synthesis by neutrophils,monocytes, and endothelial cells is modulated by nitric oxide production

Nitric oxide (NO) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) can modulate the interaction between endothelial lining and circulating leukocytes. Several studies implicated the production of PAF and NO in the pathogenesis of microcirculatory alterations occurring in septic shock. However, the reciprocal interaction between PAF and NO has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we evaluated whether the basal synthesis of NO could modulate the production of PAF by neutrophils (PMN), monocytes (MO), and endothelial cells (EC) unstimulated or stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). PMN, MO, and EC, when incubated with N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) spontaneously synthesized PAF, with an early peak at 30 min. The effective inhibition of NO production was visualized on MO cells as generation of fluorescence reactivity by cell-permeable NO reactive dye DAF-2 DA. Also, monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) induced PAF synthesis by PMN, whereas the biologically inactive D-enantiomers of NAME (D-NAME) and of NMMA (D-NMMA) did not. Stimulation of PMN with L-NAME in presence of the exogenous NO donor nitroprusside, of the NO secondary mediator cGMP, or of the NO synthase substrate L-arginine reduced PAF synthesis, suggesting the involvement of an NO-dependent pathway on the modulation of PAF synthesis. The synthesis of PAF was enhanced by combined treatment with L-NAME and TNF or LPS. These results indicate an inhibitor effect of NO on the spontaneous and TNF or LPS-induced synthesis of PAF by human PMN, MO, and EC.     

Regulation of endothelial cell cyclic nucleotide metabolism by prostacyclin.

An analysis of prostaglandin-stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed prostacyclin (PGI2) to be the most potent agonist followed by prostaglandin (PG)H2, which was more potent than PGE2, while PGD2 was essentially inactive. The endothelial cells studied apparently have a high rate of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity because significant PGI2-mediated increases in cyclic AMP could not be shown in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (MIX). Endoperoxide PGH2-stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation was inhibited 75--80% by the prostacyclin synthetase inhibitors 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid or 9,11-azoprosta-5,13-dienoic acid. These data indicate that the PGH2-stimulation is due primarily to conversion to PGI2. The beta-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in the endothelial cells. This accumulation was completely blocked by propranolol. However, stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation by the beta-adrenergic agent did not equal that induced by PGI2. Furthermore, the PGI2 response could not be blocked by propranolol. Thrombin-stimulated PGI2 biosynthesis was attenuated by PGE1 or isoproterenol in the presence of MIX. MIX alone was less effective than a combination of PGE1 or isoproterenol plus MIX. These data suggest two potential effects of PGI2 biosynthesis by endothelial cells: first, the PGI2 can elevate cyclic AMP in platelets, and second, endothelial cell cyclic AMP can be elevated as well, so that subsequent PGI2 synthesis will be attenuated.     

Stimulation of Endothelial Cell Prostacyclin Production by Thrombin, Trypsin, and the Ionophore A 23187

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is an unstable prostaglandin which inhibits platelet aggregation and serotonin release and causes vasodilation. The PGI(2) activity produced by monolayers of cultured human endothelial cells and fibroblasts was measured by the ability of their supernates to inhibit platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma, or to inhibit thrombin-induced [(14)C]serotonin release from aspirin-treated, washed platelet suspensions. Monolayers of cultured human endothelial cells, stimulated with sodium arachidonate, thrombin, the ionophore A 23187, or trypsin, secreted PGI(2) into the supernatant medium. Monolayers of fibroblasts produced PGI(2) activity only when stimulated by arachidonate. "Resting," intact monolayers did not produce detectable PGI(2), nor did monolayers treated with ADP or epinephrine. Production of PGI(2) activity was abolished by treatment of the monolayers with indomethacin, tranylcypromine, or 15-hydroperoxy arachidonic acid. The PGI(2) activity of the supernates was destroyed by boiling or acidification. Inhibition of thrombin with diisopropylfluoro-phosphate, and of trypsin with soybean trypsin inhibitor, abolished the stimulation of PGI(2) production by these enzymes. Production of thrombin at a site of vascular injury could, by stimulating PGI(2) synthesis by endothelial cells adjacent to the injured area, limit the number of platelets involved in the primary hemostatic response and help to localize thrombus formation.     

Refractoriness of platelets to prostaglandins after infusion in rabbits

Continuous intravenous infusion of prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2, PGI2) in rabbits induced refractoriness to PGI2-induced inhibition of platelet function. Although inhibited during earlier stages, platelet response to adenosine diphosphate and thrombin became normal within 24 hours of PGI2 infusion. Cross-mixing experiments with platelets and plasma from infused and control animals suggested that the altered response to PGI2 was caused by a defect intrinsic in the platelets. PGI2-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production was reduced in platelets from infused rabbits as compared with those from controls. Platelets refractory to PGI2 were refractory to PGE1 and PGD2, as well. Because PGE1 but not PGD2 shares the same platelet receptor as PGI2, the phenomenon could not be ascribed to receptor-specific downregulation, which was also shown by refractoriness of platelets from infused rabbits to the nonprostanoid inhibitor of platelet function adenosine. Either increased concentrations of ineffective inhibitors or their combination with phosphodiesterase inhibitors overcame refractoriness of resistant platelets, which also responded to inhibition by dibutyryl cAMP, indicating residual activity of adenylate cyclase. That at least the catalytic subunit of the enzyme was still working in refractory platelets was shown by inhibition of aggregation induced by forskolin, a non-receptor-mediated activator of adenylate cyclase. Impairment of the adenylate cyclase regulatory subunit, possibly accompanied by multireceptor downregulation, may explain the paradoxical refractoriness of platelets to prolonged infusion of PGI2. Such an effect may limit the benefit of PGI2 in treatment of thromboembolic disease.     

Recovery of Endothelial Cell Prostacyclin Production after Inhibition by Low Doses of Aspirin

Endothelial cells synthesize prostacyclin (PGI(2)), an unstable prostaglandin that inhibits platelet aggregation and serotonin release. Because cyclooxygenase, which is necessary for synthesis of PGI(2), is inactivated by aspirin, we examined the effect of aspirin on PGI(2) production by cultured human endothelial cells. Endothelial cells synthesize PGI(2) (20.1+/-7.2 ng/10(6) cells, mean+/-SD) when stimulated with 20 muM sodium arachidonate for 2 min. PGI(2) production is inhibited by low-dose aspirin (5 muM); the t((1/2)) of inactivation is 6.0+/-1.3 min (mean+/-SEM, n = 3). Thus, endothelial cell cyclooxygenase is as sensitive to aspirin as the enzyme in platelets. After 1 h incubation with aspirin, endothelial cell PGI(2) production was inhibited 50% by 2.1+/-0.4 muM aspirin and was inhibited 90% by 6.2+/-0.9 muM aspirin (mean+/-SEM, n = 4). When endothelial cells were incubated with 100 muM aspirin, washed, and recultured, their ability to synthesize PGI(2) returned to control levels in 35.6+/-1.0 h (mean+/-SEM, n = 4). Recovery of endothelial PGI(2) production after aspirin depended on de novo protein synthesis because treatment with cycloheximide (3 mug/ml) inhibited recovery by 92%.These results indicate that although endothelial cell cyclooxygenase in vitro is inhibited by low concentrations of aspirin, endothelial cells rapidly resynthesize their cyclooxygenase after the aspirin is removed. This rapid resynthesis of cyclooxygenase lessens the likelihood that aspirin used in clinical doses promotes thrombosis.     

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced angiogenesis depends on in situ platelet-activating factor biosynthesis

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell growth in vitro, is angiogenic in vivo. Therefore, it was suggested that the angiogenic properties of this agent might be consequent to the production of secondary mediators. Since TNF-alpha stimulates the synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by monocytes and endothelial cells, we investigated the possible involvement of PAF in the angiogenic effect of TNF-alpha. Angiogenesis was studied in a murine model in which Matrigel was used as a vehicle for the delivery of mediators. In this model the angiogenesis induced by TNF-alpha was shown to be inhibited by WEB 2170, a specific PAF receptor antagonist. Moreover, in mice injected with TNF-alpha, PAF was detected within the Matrigel, 6 and 24 h after TNF-alpha injection. The synthesis of PAF within the Matrigel was concomitant with the early migration of endothelial cells and infiltration of monocytes. No infiltration of lymphocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes was observed. Synthetic PAF as well as PAF extracted and purified from mice challenged with TNF-alpha induced a rapid angiogenic response, inhibited by WEB 2170. These results suggest that the angiogenic effect of TNF-alpha is, at least in part, mediated by PAF synthesized from monocytes and/or endothelial cells infiltrating the Matrigel plug.     

CV-6209, a highly potent antagonist of platelet activating factor in vitro and in vivo

2-[N-acetyl-N-(2-methoxy-3-octadecylcarbamoyloxypropoxycarbonyl) aminomethyl]-1-ethylpyridinium chloride (CV-6209) inhibited aggregation of rabbit and human platelets induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) with the IC50 values of 7.5 X 10(-8) and 1.7 X 10(-7) M, respectively, and had little effects on the aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, ADP and collagen. The inhibitory effect of CV-6209 on the PAF-induced rabbit platelet aggregation was 104, 9, 8 and 3 times more potent than the PAF antagonists CV-3988, ONO-6240, Ginkgolide B and etizolam, respectively. CV-6209 inhibited [3H]serotonin release from rabbit platelets stimulated with PAF (3 X 10(-8) M) with a similar potency as the inhibition on the platelet aggregation. CV-6209 inhibited PAF (0.3 microgram/kg i.v.)-induced hypotension in rats (ED50, 0.009 mg/kg i.v.) with no effect on the hypotension induced by arachidonic acid, histamine, bradykinin and isoproterenol. CV-6209 (1 mg/kg) inhibited slightly the acetylcholine-induced hypotension. In rats, post-treatment with CV-6209 reversed the PAF (1 microgram/kg i.v.)-induced hypotension rapidly (ED50, 0.0046 mg/kg i.v.); CV-6209 was 74, 20, 185 and over 2100 times more potent than CV-3988, ONO-6240, Ginkgolide B and etizolam, respectively. Thus, the relative potency of the anti-PAF action of PAF analog (CV-6209, CV-3988 and ONO-6240) differed little between the inhibition of PAF-induced platelet aggregation and the reversal of PAF-induced hypotension, but that of nonPAF analogs (Ginkgolide B and etizolam) differed greatly with these assay systems, when standardized with CV-6209.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Activated platelets adherent to an intact endothelial cell monolayer bind flowing neutrophils and enable them to transfer to the endothelial surface

We have investigated the role that platelets may play in promoting adhesion of neutrophils to morphologically intact endothelium. Immortalized human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) were grown to confluence in a glass capillary (microslide) and incorporated in a flow-based assay that allowed video-microscopic quantitation of adhesive interactions of perfused, isolated neutrophils (wall shear rate 140 s(-1)). Platelets (with or without stimulation with thrombin) were first sedimented onto the HMEC-1 cells and formed discrete attachments covering <1% of the surface area. When neutrophils were perfused over the platelet-treated HMEC-1 cells, many short-lived adhesive interactions were seen (lasting approximately 0.3 seconds), whereas none were seen for monolayers without platelets. Few of these interactions converted to stationary adhesion, and only small numbers of neutrophils remained attached after a period of washout unless they were pre-stimulated with formyl peptide (fMLP; 10(-7) mol/L). Then about 30% of adhesive interactions by activated neutrophils were seen to transform to a stationary adhesion, and numerous adherent cells remained after a period of washout. Studies with function-blocking antibodies showed that capture of the neutrophils was dependent on P-selectin exposed on platelets. Initial immobilization was mediated predominantly by the beta2-integrin CD11b/CD18 expressed by neutrophils, but CD11a/CD18 also appeared to play a role in prolonged attachment. Visually, adhesion first occurred at sites occupied by platelets, but some activated neutrophils migrated onto the endothelial cells. These studies indicate that even small numbers of platelets that have adhered to morphologically intact endothelium have the potential to capture flowing neutrophils and facilitate their immobilization at the vessel wall and so promote inflammatory and thrombotic intercellular interactions.     

Cyclic AMP selectively enhances bradykinin receptor synthesis and expression in cultured arterial smooth muscle. Inhibition of angiotensin II and vasopressin response.

Bradykinin receptors on vascular smooth muscle may play an important role in regulating the endogenous effects of the vascular kallikrein-kinin system. The present study examined the effect of cyclic nucleotides on bradykinin-stimulated responses in cultured arterial smooth muscle cells. Short term stimulation (1 min) with cyclic AMP produced a variable inhibition of bradykinin-stimulated calcium mobilization which was lost in later passaged cells. However, long-term stimulation (24 h) produced a consistent increase in bradykinin-stimulated calcium mobilization in both early and late passaged cells. Further analysis demonstrated that chronic exposure to cAMP produced a twofold increase in both the number of cell surface bradykinin receptors and in bradykinin-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The increase in bradykinin receptors was time dependent (> 7 h) and blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors, suggesting that cAMP enhanced the synthesis of new bradykinin receptors. The increase in bradykinin receptor binding and calcium mobilization was also stimulated by cholera toxin, forskolin, and isobutylmethylxanthine, but not isoproterenol or prostaglandin E2. Of considerable interest, prolonged exposure to cAMP inhibited both angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis and intracellular calcium mobilization. In summary, prolonged treatment with cAMP selectively stimulates the synthesis and expression of bradykinin receptors on arterial smooth muscle while decreasing the responsiveness to vasoconstrictor agonists such as angiotensin II and vasopressin.     

Influence of natural and recombinant interleukin 2 on endothelial cell arachidonate metabolism. Induction of de novo synthesis of prostaglandin H synthase.

We studied the effects of natural and recombinant human IL-2 (rIL-2) on secretion of prostacyclin (PGI2), vWf, and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). IL-2 elicited a steady increase in PGI2 synthesis by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECS) and bovine aortic endothelial cells but had no effect on vWf or tPA. Both purified natural IL-2 (nIL-2) and rIL-2 induced significant PGI2 synthesis. Substitution of the cysteine residue at position 125 of rIL-2 with serine or alanine led to loss of PGI2-stimulatory activity in HUVECS without affecting thymidine incorporation in lymphocytes. HPLC analysis of arachidonate metabolites detected predominantly 6 keto-PGF1 alpha (6KPGF1 alpha) peak. Treatment of cultured endothelial cells with cycloheximide and actinomycin D resulted in inhibition of 6KPGF1 alpha synthesis. The Western blot using a polyclonal antibody against PGH synthase revealed an increment in the 70-kD subunit of PGH synthase by nIL-2 and rIL-2, but not by alanine-substituted rIL-2. We conclude that IL-2 stimulated sustained PGI2 production by a mechanism that includes the de novo synthesis of PGH synthase. This mechanism for regulating AA metabolism probably has important physiologic implications.     

Tumor necrosis factor/cachectin stimulates peritoneal macrophages, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and vascular endothelial cells to synthesize and release platelet-activating factor

Murine tumor necrosis factor (mTNF) stimulates production of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by cultured rat peritoneal macrophages in amounts comparable to those formed during treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 or phagocytosis of zymosan. The cell-associated PAF that was released into the medium was identical to synthetic PAF, as determined with physicochemical, chromatographic, and enzymatic assays. Furthermore, de novo synthesis of PAF by macrophages was demonstrated by the incorporation of radioactive precursors such as [3H]acetyl-coenzyme A or [3H]2-lyso-PAF. Macrophages incubated with mTNF for 4 h synthesized PAF only during the first h of treatment. At this time, the amount of cell-associated PAF was approximately equal to that released into the medium. The cell-associated PAF decreased afterwards, whereas that in the medium did not correspondingly increase, suggesting that some PAF was being degraded. The response of rat macrophages to different doses of mTNF and human TNF (hTNF) was examined. Maximal synthesis of PAF was obtained with 10 ng/ml of mTNF and 50 ng/ml of hTNF. This finding may be explained by a lower affinity of hTNF for TNF receptors of rat cells. The hTNF stimulated production of PAF by human vascular endothelial cells cultured from the umbilical cord vein. The time course of PAF synthesis was slower than that observed with macrophages, with maximal production between 4 and 6 h of treatment. Optimal synthesis of PAF was obtained with 10 ng/ml of hTNF. Only 20-30% of the PAF synthesized by endothelial cells was released into the medium, even after several hours of incubation. Synthesis of PAF in response to TNF was also detected in rat polymorphonuclear neutrophils, but not in human tumor cells and dermal fibroblasts. Therefore, production of PAF is a specialized response that is transient in macrophages continuously treated with TNF, and that appears to be controlled by unidentified regulatory mechanisms.     

Role of hydrogen peroxide in the neutrophil-mediated release of prostacyclin from cultured endothelial cells.

We have examined the effect of activated neutrophils on the release of prostacyclin (PGI2) from cultured endothelial cells by radioimmunoassay and thin layer chromatography of its stable metabolite, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha). Phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophils induced a time- and dose-dependent release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha from human and bovine endothelial cell monolayers, whereas phorbol myristate acetate alone and neutrophils alone did not. Pretreatment of the endothelial cells with aspirin prevented neutrophil-mediated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release, indicating that it did not depend upon neutrophil-generated endoperoxides. Phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophils from a patient with chronic granulomatous disease failed to induce endothelial 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release. Addition of catalase but not of superoxide dismutase significantly reduced human and bovine endothelial 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release by phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophils. Catalase-inhibitable endothelial 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release was also observed after the addition of the hydrogen peroxide-generating system, glucose-glucose oxidase, to bovine and human endothelial cell monolayers. Bovine endothelial 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release induced by exogenously generated hydrogen peroxide was attenuated by the phospholipase inhibitor mepacrine, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide may act by triggering endothelial membrane phospholipase activation. The release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha by enzymatically or neutrophil-generated hydrogen peroxide was not associated with endothelial cell lysis as assessed by 51Cr release. We conclude that exogenously generated hydrogen peroxide or a hydrogen peroxide-derived product mediates rapid nonlytic release of PGI2 from cultured endothelial cells.     

Autoregulation of bradykinin receptors and bradykinin-induced prostacyclin formation in human fibroblasts.

The interaction of bradykinin (BK) with its specific receptors on intact cultured human fibroblasts results in production of prostaglandins, including prostacyclin (PGI2), and accumulation of cyclic AMP. Incubation of cells with 1 microM BK for 5 min at 37 degrees C led to a marked reduction (75-90%) in BK-induced PGI2 release and in total number of [3H]BK-binding sites with no change in dissociation constant (6.1 and 7.6 nM for control and BK-treated cells, respectively). The decrease in receptor number did not result from BK transferred from the first incubation into the binding assay. BK-induced receptor loss was temperature dependent; exposure of cells to BK at 4 degrees C had little or no effect on receptor number. After incubation with BK for approximately equal to 15 min, further incubation in the absence of BK for 30 min at 37 degrees C almost completely restored both receptor number and BK-induced PGI2 release. With more prolonged exposure to BK (greater than 1 h), restoration of receptors was inversely related to the length of exposure and the concentration of BK. Recovery was unaffected by cycloheximide. During prolonged incubation without removal of BK, cells began to recover receptors by 5 h; greater than 99% of the bradykinin initially present disappeared by 3 h. Bacitracin greatly retarded BK disappearance and totally prevented recovery. These observations provide direct evidence that the number of BK receptors on cultured human fibroblasts can be regulated by BK itself. In addition, it appears that BK-degrading systems, by influencing local concentrations of the peptide, may play an important role in the autoregulation of BK receptors. The presence of highly active degradation systems might serve to protect target tissues from developing chronic insensitivity to BK and, perhaps, similar peptides.     

Interactions of histamine and bradykinin on polymodal C-fibres in isolated rat skin.

Patients suffering from pruritus due to atopic dermatitis show, in asymptomatic skin, reduced itch and flare responses to histamine, the major pruritogenic mediator. We hypothesized that this apparent loss in histamine sensitivity may be overcompensated in inflamed skin and investigated the interactions between histamine and bradykinin, the major inflammatory mediator.The studies were performed using the isolated rat skin-nerve preparation. Forty-two fibres were tested following four different experimental protocols. After characterization of the sensory properties, six fibres were treated repetitively with histamine (HIS1, HIS2) to exclude the possibility that the responses (spikes/min) increase simply by repetition. In 12 other units, histamine (HIS1) was followed by a wash-out period prior to bradykinin (BK) stimulation; in another 12 units, BK followed immediately after HIS1. A further 12 fibres were examined without preceding heat stimulation in order to avoid possible sensitization.If BK was administered after a wash-out period following HIS1, the BK responses were significantly higher than the HIS1 response. The BK response showed a peak discharge which was absent if BK followed directly upon HIS1. If HIS2 was applied directly following BK, the induced discharge was significantly larger than the first histamine response and not different from the BK response, whereas a washout period before HIS2 abolished the sensitizing effect of previous BK.A unidirectional sensitization by previous bradykinin or heat stimulation on the histamine responsiveness of polymodal nociceptors has been demonstrated. If 'itch fibres' in humans were subject to similar interactions of histamine with inflammatory mediators, this may compensate for a down-regulation of histamine receptors in eczematic skin and possibly account for the pruritus.     

Sch 37370: a potent, orally active, dual antagonist of platelet-activating factor and histamine

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and histamine are potent bronchospastic agents and possess additional properties such as induction of vasopermeability and activation of inflammatory cells that are consistent with their ability to mediate allergic and inflammatory responses. From a structural series with anticipated antihistamine activity, Sch 37370 (1-acetyl-4(8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2- b]pyridine-11-ylidine)piperidine) has been identified as a dual antagonist of PAF and histamine in vitro and in vivo and has been compared with several selective antagonists of PAF and histamine. Sch 37370 selectively inhibits PAF-induced aggregation of human platelets (IC50 = 0.6 microM) and also competes with PAF binding to specific sites in membrane preparations from human lungs (IC50 = 1.2 microM). Sch 37370 blocks the binding of [3H]pyrilamine to histamine-H1 receptors in rat brain membranes. Administered i.v. to guinea pigs, Sch 37370 is an equipotent antagonist of PAF and histamine-induced bronchospasm (ED50 = 0.6-0.7 mg/kg). Orally in guinea pigs, Sch 37370 is somewhat more effective against bronchospasms to histamine (ED50 = 2.4 mg/kg) than against PAF (ED50 = 4.1-6.0 mg/kg) or serotonin (ED50 = 9.6 mg/kg). Sch 37370 only weakly antagonizes methacholine-induced bronchospasm (ED50 = 51 mg/kg) and is completely inactive at 50 mg/kg against leukotriene C4 or substance P. Sch 37370 blocks hypotension in rats and a cutaneous reaction in monkeys induced by either PAF or histamine, as well as PAF-induced lethality in mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence for distinct prostaglandin I2 and D2 receptors in human platelets.

Incubation of human platelet-rich plasma with prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), results in a marked increase in adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) that persists for at least 60 min. The persistent stimulation of cAMP levels by PGI2 can be rapidly reversed by the addition of either prostaglandin E1 or E2 (PGE1, PGE2), but not by prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). Studies of agonist-specific desensitization of cAMP accumulation show that PGE1 or PGE2 can desensitize for subsequent PGE or PGI2 activation, and that subthreshold levels of PGI2 desensitize for subsequent PGE1 stimulation. PGD2 desensitizes for consequent PGD2 activation, but not for PGE1, PGE2 or PGI2, and PGE compounds and PGI2 do not desensitize for subsequent PGD2 activation. Agonist-specific desensitization for PGI2 is not dependent on cAMP accumulation, but appears to be a consequence of receptor occupation. Support of the desensitization experiments was obtained through the use of the prostaglandin antagonist N-0164 [sodium-p-benzyl-4-[-oxo-2-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-phenyl-propyl]phenyl phosphonate). This compound proved to be a potent antagonist of PGD2 and a weak antagonist of PGI2-stimulated cAMP accumulation. These data indicate that human platelets have distinct pharmacological receptors for both PGI2 and PGD2, and that PGE compounds may actually interact with a PGI2 receptor.