Binding of45Calcium to isolated rat mast cells in connection with histamine release

The time courses for histamine release and uptake of⁴⁵Ca were compared on isolated rat mast cells after stimulation under different experimental conditions with antigen, compound 48/80, ATP, or the ionophore A23187. Except for ATP the results did not show a time-dependent correlation between histamine release and⁴⁵Ca uptake.The uptake of⁴⁵Ca under conditions where membrane-bound calcium is utilized for optimal anaphylactic histamine release did not differ from that of controls, whereas the presence of⁴⁵Ca in the incubation medium led to a substantial uptake without influence on the histamine release.The uptake of⁴⁵Ca induced by antigen or compound 48/80 was completely inhibited by antimycin A as confirmed by the use of two different methods. In addition, an energy-dependent restitution of the permeability properties of the plasma membrane seemed to follow histamine release. Antimycin A partly reduced the uptake of⁴⁵Ca after stimulation with ATP, and did not affect binding following exposure of the cells to the ionophores A23187 or X537A.The ionophore A23187 was able to reduce the⁴⁵Ca content of mast cells previously loaded with the isotope. Mast cells pretreated with A23187 in the absence of extracellular calcium did, after washing, accumulate substantial amounts of⁴⁵Ca without release of histamine.The results suggest that only small amounts of calcium are required to trigger histamine release and that studies with⁴⁵Ca do not distinguish between specific uptake of calcium and nonspecific equilibration secondary to morphological secretory changes.The present results were in part presented at the Sixth Meeting of The Histamine Club, London, April 1977.     

On the functional relationship between 45Ca2+ release and prolactin secretion in cultured rat pituitary tumour (GH3) cells

We have evaluated the role of cellular Ca2+ transport associated with stimulus-secretion coupling in prolactin (PRL) producing rat pituitary adenoma cells (GH3 cells). The action of different substances, known to modify PRL secretion, on release of 45Ca2+ from preloaded cells were examined. Surface-bound 45Ca2+ was removed by pretreatment with trypsin in EDTA buffer. During the first 6 min, basal efflux of 45Ca2+ occurred at a constant rate (0.24 min-1) at 37 degrees C. Addition of TRH (5 X 10(-7) M) resulted in an immediate enhancement of 45Ca2+ release representing about 20% of the remaining cellular 45Ca2+. In the same experiments PRL secretion increased by 45%. The EDTA in the external medium reduced the basal rate of 45Ca2+ release by 60%, but did not apparently affect the TRH-stimulated release. Somatostatin (10(-6) M) and verapamil (5 X 10(-5) M) inhibited both basal and TRH-stimulated PRL secretion, whereas high extracellular concentration of K+ (5 X 10(-2) M) had a stimulatory effect. However, neither of these treatments changed cellular 45Ca2+ release. Interference with energy-dependent Ca2+ transport by using metabolic inhibitors (iodoacetate, 6 X 10(-3) M; and antimycin, 2 X 10(-6) M) or by replacing Na+ in the medium by choline or by lowering the incubation temperature from 37 to 25 degrees C, had no effect on TRH-stimulated 45Ca2+ release although basal and TRH-stimulated PRL secretion were reduced. Thus, TRH apparently releases 45Ca2+ from calcium binding sites in the cell membrane.     

Simultaneous measurements of magnesium, calcium and sodium influxes in perfused squid giant axons under membrane potential control.

1. Giant axons from the squids Dosidicus gigas, Loligo forbesi and Loligo vulgaris were internally perfused with 550 or 275 mM KF plus sucrose and bathed in artificial sea water containing 45Ca, 28Mg or mixtures of 45Ca-28Mg or 45Ca-22Na. Resting influxes and extra influxes during voltage-clamp pulses were measured by collecting and counting the internal perfusate. 2. For Dosidicus axons in 10 mM-CaCl2 the resting influx of calcium was 0-016 +/- 0-007 p-mole/cm2 sec and a linear function of external concentration. For two experiments in 10 and 84-7 mM-CaCl2, 100 nM tetrodotoxin had no effect. Resting calcium influx in 10 mM-CaCl2 was 0-017 +/- 0-013 p-mole/cm2 sec for Loligo axons. 3. With 55 mM-MgCl2 outside the average resting magnesium influx was 0-124 +/- 0-080 p-mole/cm2 sec for Loligo axons. Discarding one aberrant point the value is 0-105 +/- 0-046 which is not significantly different from the resting calcium influx for Dosidicus fibres in 55 mM-CaCl2, given as 0-094 p-mole/cm2 sec by the regression line shown in Fig. 1. In two experiments 150 nM tetrodotoxin had no effect. 4. With 430 mM-NaCl outside 100 nM tetrodotoxin reduced the average resting influx of sodium in Dosidicus axon from 27-7 +/- 4-5 to 25-1 +/- 6-2 p-mole/cm2 sec and for Loligo fibres in 460 mM-NaCl from 50-5 +/- 4 to 20 +/- 8 p-mole/cm2 sec. 5. Using depolarizing pulses of various durations, the extra calcium influx occurred in two phases. The early phase was eliminated by external application of tetrodotoxin. The results of analysis are consistent with, but do not rigorously demonstrate, the conclusion that the tetrodotoxin sensitive calcium entry is flowing through the normal sodium channels (cf. Baker, Hodgkin & Ridgway, 1971). 6. Measurements of extra influxes using 22Na and 45Ca simultaneously indicate that the time courses of tetrodotoxin sensitive calcium and sodium entry are similar but not necessarily identical. It is very doubtful that any significant calcium entry occurs before the sodium or is involved in the activation of the sodium system. 7. These measurements confirm for Loligo, as previously shown for Dosidicus axons, that the magnitude and time course of the sodium entry during a depolarizing pulse deduced from electrical measurements is the same as that measured with 22Na. 8. Using 28Mg, or mixtures of 45Ca and 28Mg, we observed a single phase of magnesium entry which was insensitive to external tetrodotoxin or internal tetraethyl ammonium. The magnitude of the magnesium influx was considerably greater than the calcium extra entry and large enough to have been detected in the experiments of Meves & Vogel (1973) if it represented current. 9. We suggest the possibility that the calcium and magnesium extra influxes, after external treatment with tetrodotoxin, during a depolarizing pulse, do not contribute to the measured current.     

FMLP-induced enzyme release from neutrophils: a role for intracellular calcium

The ability of the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) to stimulate beta-glucuronidase release and 45Ca2+ release from rabbit neutrophils was studied. FMLP stimulated enzyme release from cytochalasin B-treated cells either in the presence or the absence of extracellular calcium. Depletion of cell calcium, by exposure to either ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid or the calcium ionophore A23187, blocked the ability of FMLP to stimulate enzyme release and 45Ca2+ release in the absence of extracellular calcium. The ability of A23187 to lower the 45Ca2+ content of neutrophils, to block FMLP-stimulated 45Ca2+ release, and to inhibit FMLP-stimulated enzyme release in the absence of calcium was dose dependent over the same concentration range (10(-8) to 10(-6) M A23187) for all three actions. In contrast, FMLP stimulated enzyme release from A23187-treated cells, provided that extracellular calcium was present. This secretory response was normal as judged by cell ultrastructure and FMLP dose-response relationships. It is concluded that A23187 depletes a pool of intracellular calcium usually released by FMLP and that release of calcium from this pool is necessary for initiation of enzyme secretion in the absence of extracellular calcium.     

超滤量及透析液钙浓度对透析前后血钙的影响

目的:观察不同超滤量及透析液钙浓度对透析前后血钙的影响.方法:将92名血液透析患者按照使用透析液的Ca 2+浓度分为Ca-1.25组和Ca-1.5组,每组再按照透析超滤量分为两个亚组,Ca-1.25组分为A,B组,Ca-1.5组分为C,D组,A组、C组超滤量<3 kg,B组、D组超滤量≥3 kg.检测透析前后各组血清总钙、血磷、透前甲状旁腺激素(plasma parathyroid hormone,PTH)浓度并进行相关分析.结果:各组透析后血钙浓度较透析前升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),B组、D组透析前后血钙变化分别较A组、C组明显,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),Ca-1.5组血钙较Ca-1.25组高,两组透析前后血钙变化差异无统计学意义.A,B组及C,D组中血磷及PTH均无差异,Ca-1.25组血磷及PTH均高于Ca-1.5组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:使用1.25和1.5 mmol/L的Ca2+透析液均会使钙向体内转运,超滤量与钙转运量成正比,与血磷变化无关,且使用1.5 mmol/L的Ca2+透析液的患者血钙更易达到正常水平,不刺激PTH分泌.     

Postreceptor modulation of action of VIP and secretin on pancreatic enzyme secretion by secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium

In dispersed acini from rat pancreas, secretagogues that act through or mimic the action of AMP [vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin, or 8-bromo-AMP] caused a twofold increase in amylase secretion. Secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium (carbamylcholine, C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, bombesin, or A23187) caused a sevenfold augmentation of the actions of VIP, secretin, or 8-bromo-cAMP on enzyme secretion. Carbamylcholine and the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin also augmented the action of VIP on amylase secretion from mouse pancreatic acini. Secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium did not alter binding of 125I-VIP, cellular cAMP, or the increase in cellular cAMP caused by VIP or secretin. Similarly, secretagogues that increase cellular cAMP did not alter 45Ca outflux or the increase in 45Ca outflux caused by carbamylcholine, C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, bombesin, or A23187. These results indicate that in dispersed acini from rat pancreas there is postreceptor modulation of the actions of VIP and secretin on enzyme secretion by secretagogues that mobilize cellular calcium and that this modulation is a major determinant of the magnitude of the effect of VIP and secretin on enzyme secretion. This modulation, in turn, reflects the ability of cellular calcium, mobilized from intracellular stores, to amplify the action of cellular cAMP on the enzyme secretory process.     

Effects of the lonophore A23187 on blood platelets I. Influence on aggregation and secretion

A23187 is an antibiotic ionophore which transports divalent cations across cell membranes into the cytoplasm and releases cations from intracellular storage sites. The present investigation has studied the influence of A23187 on blood platelet aggregation and secretion. A23187 added to stirred C-PRP produced concentration-dependent aggregation and release of ¹⁴C-serotonin. Calcium ions potentiated the response of platelets in washed suspensions to A23187, but they were not required for ionophore-induced aggregation or release. N-ethylmaleimide and agents which increase the level of cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in platelets were effective inhibitors of A23187-induced aggregation and secretion.Platelets incubated with ⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺ before addition of A23187 increased their content of isotope by 50% within 45 seconds after exposure to the ionophore. The results indicate that an increase in the cytoplasmic concentration of calcium ions from intracellular sources may be the critical event in triggering platelet contraction and the release reaction. Increased concentrations of cAMP may inhibit the platelet response to A23187 and other aggregating agents by stimulating a calcium extrusion pump.     

Regulatory role of calcium on histamine secretion

Calcium seems to have two opposing effects on histamine secretion from mast cells. A rise in the cytosol calcium concentration initiates the chain of reactions leading to histamine secretion. On the other hand, calcium appears to have a regulatory role, limiting the secretion. Removal of cell surface calcium enhances histamine secretion. The present work demonstrates an inhibitory effect of calcium in the medium, using low concentrations of compound 48/80 as the secretagogue. Histamine secretion in response to compound 48/80 primarily utilizes intracellular calcium. When low concentrations of compound 48/80 were used (usually 20–50 ng/ml), calcium (1 mM) inhibited the secretion, the inhibition being more pronounced as the pH was increased from 6.5 to 8.5. The higher pH conceivably promotes the binding of calcium to the phospholipids in the cell membrane. Calcium at this site seems to depress the efflux of calcium from the intracellular stores to the cytosol. The possibility that the removal of calcium from the cell surface causes increased sodium permeability was considered. However, the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (10^–5 M) was equally ineffective in influencing histamine release in the presence and absence of calcium, indicating that a change of sodium permeability was not involved.Antigen-induced (anaphylactic) histamine secretion depends mainly on extracellular calcium, although some secretion occurs in a calcium-free medium. Addition of calcium alone to the medium caused only slight increase in the secretion, but when both phosphatidylserine and calcium were added histamine secretion was remarkably stimulated, apparently through the effect of phosphatidylserine on calcium transport across the plasma membrane.     

The relationship between calcium exchange and enzyme secretion in the isolated rat pancreas

1. The role of extracellular and intracellular Ca(2+) in pancreatic enzyme secretion has been assessed by correlating the exchange of (45)Ca with amylase secretion in the isolated uncinate pancreas of baby rats.2. The rate coefficient of (45)Ca efflux from pre-loaded glands declined continually (indicating that (45)Ca is retained in several different pools) and probably reflects changes in the concentration of cytoplasmic free (45)Ca, which is determined by the rate at which (45)Ca is released from intracellular organelles into the cytoplasm.3. The rate coefficient of (45)Ca release was not influenced by extracellular Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) concentrations.4. Cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) and acetylcholine accelerated the release of both (45)Ca and amylase in a dose-dependent fashion, even when extracellular Ca(2+) was reduced to 0.1 mM, but did not affect the initial rate of (45)Ca uptake by the tissue.5. In Ca(2+)-free media (containing 0.5 mM-EGTA) basal amylase secretion slowly declined and stimulated secretion was virtually abolished, but the accelerated release of (45)Ca was maintained.6. These observations indicate that natural stimuli of pancreatic enzyme secretion alter (45)Ca distribution in the cell by a process which is independent of extracellular Ca(2+) and which is associated with amylase secretion provided that the plasma membrane has not been depleted of Ca(2+).7. Secretin, glucagon and insulin did not influence (45)Ca release. Secretin slightly increased amylase secretion, but this may have been a washout effect.8. Replacement of extracellular Na(+) by Li(+) increased the release of (45)Ca and amylase, but only in the presence of extracellular Ca(2+). Li(+)-substitution also increased (45)Ca uptake. Thus, under special conditions, secretion may be stimulated when increased amounts of Ca(2+) are made available from extracellular sources.9. Hyperosmolarity (known to increase (45)Ca release in muscle) also accelerated (45)Ca release and amylase secretion.10. 2,4-Dinitrophenol markedly accelerated (45)Ca efflux but did not stimulate amylase secretion, indicating that a rise in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) will not initiate secretion if energy metabolism is impaired.11. CCK-PZ slightly increased the rate coefficient of (42)K release, indicating a changed membrane permeability.12. The stimulatory effects of CCK-PZ and acetylcholine were suppressed during Na(+)-substitution by Li(+), suggesting that the Na(+) concentration gradient across the membrane is important in secretion.13. It is concluded that the primary action of CCK-PZ and acetylcholine may be to increase the influx of Na(+) into the cell by changing membrane permeability. This in turn is responsible for the release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores (probably endoplasmic reticulum), leading to a rise in Ca(2+) concentration close to the structures involved in enzyme secretion. Secretion then follows provided that ATP is available and the plasma membrane is not depleted of Ca(2+).     

Role of calcium and cAMP in the regulation of rat submandibular mucin secretion

The role of cellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and calcium in the secretion of [14C]glucosamine-labeled mucins by rat submandibular acinar cells was studied. cAMP appeared to be involved, since 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine potentiated the secretory response and cellular cAMP levels increased dramatically following adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, cAMP analogues were able to elicit a secretory response in the absence of beta-adrenergic receptor activation. Cellular calcium was required for mucin secretion at the level of cAMP action; depletion of cellular calcium by pretreatment with EGTA inhibited the secretory response to both adrenergic stimulation and exogenous cAMP addition, but pretreatment with EGTA did not alter the rise in cellular cAMP induced by norepinephrine. Extracellular calcium was not required to elicit mucin secretion, nor could secretion be elicited by means of the calcium ionophore A23187 alone. However, extracellular calcium may have an important biological role in mucin secretion, since cholinergic receptor activation and alpha-adrenergic receptor activation in conjunction with beta-adrenergic receptor activation potentiated mucin release. In addition, the calcium ionophore A23187 potentiated mucin release following cAMP analogue addition.     

Regulation of calcium fluxes in pancreatic islets: glucose-induced calcium-calcium exchange

Glucose provokes an initial fall followed by a secondary rise in 45Ca efflux from prelabeled pancreatic islets. Prior exposure of the islets to calcium-depleted media does not suppress the secondary rise, provided that the extracellular calcium concentration is normalized 2 min before addition of glucose. Such a treatment significantly reduces insulin release. The secondary rise, as distinct from the initial fall, is inhibited under conditions known to interfere with calcium entry into the beta-cell, e.g., in the presence of ruthenium red or cobalt. Calcium itself in high concentrations provokes a dramatic increase in 45Ca efflux. The magnitude of this calcium-induced efflux is enhanced by prior exposure of the islets to calcium-depleted media. Imidazole and the theophylline do not modify the effect of glucose on 45Ca efflux. It is proposed that the glucose-induced secondary rise in 45Ca efflux corresponds to a calcium-calcium exchange process in which influent 40Ca displaces 45Ca from intracellular sites.     

The role of calcium in renin secretion from the isolated perfused cat kidney.

1. Isolated cat kidneys were perfused in situ with Locke solution and renin release in response to isoprenaline was studied. 2. Perfusion with isoprenaline produced a concentration-dependent enhancement of renin secretion. Increasing the concentration of stimulant also prolonged the duration of the secretory response. 3. After a 10 min exposure to isoprenaline (0-3 micrometer), there was a rapid facilitation of renin release which diminished after 10-30 min, followed by a second transient increase which declined over the next 40-60 min. Cycloheximide did not prevent augmented release when added together with the isoprenaline but did produce a reversible inhibition of the late phase when added 10 min after the isoprenaline. 4. Omission of calcium from the perfusion medium failed to depress the renin release induced by isoprenaline, glucagon, or furosemide. However, during prolonged calcium deprivation, the cycloheximide-sensitive phase of isoprenaline-evoked release was depressed. 5. The calcium antagonist D-600 failed to block the early phase of isoprenaline-induced renin secretion but inhibited the late phase of secretion. 6. Calcium alone elicited an explosive discharge of renin when added after a prolonged period of calcium-free perfusion. 7. These results support the view that extracellular calcium does not play an essential role in the mechanism of renin secretion from the renal juxtaglomerular cells, but that an increased influx of this cation is needed for synthesis and/or mobilization of the enzyme. It is tentatively proposed that the release of calcium from intracellular storage sites may be the signal which triggers renin secretion.     

Secretion without membrane fusion: porocytosis

We have recently proposed a mechanism to describe secretion, a fundamental process in all cells. That hypothesis, called porocytosis, embodies all available data and encompasses both forms of secretion, i.e., vesicular and constitutive. The current accepted view of exocytotic secretion involves the physical fusion of vesicle and plasma membranes; however, that hypothesized mechanism does not fit all available physiological data. Energetics of apposed lipid bilayers do not favor unfacilitated fusion. We consider that calcium ions (e.g., 10(-4) to 10(-3) M calcium in microdomains when elevated for 1 ms or less), whose mobility is restricted in space and time, establish salt bridges among adjacent lipid molecules. This establishes transient pores that span both the vesicle and plasma membrane lipid bilayers; the diameter of this transient pore would be approximately 1 nm (the diameter of a single lipid molecule). The lifetime of the transient pore is completely dependent on the duration of sufficient calcium ion levels. This places the porocytosis hypothesis for secretion squarely in the realm of the physical and physical chemical interactions of calcium and phospholipids and places mass action as the driving force for release of secretory material. The porocytosis hypothesis that we propose satisfies all of the observations and provides a framework to integrate our combined knowledge of vesicular and constitutive secretion.     

Histamine secretion from mast cells treated with chlortetracycline (aureomycin): a novel calcium ionophore

The novel calcium ionophore chlortetracycline (CTC) induced histamine secretion (≤90%) from isolated rat peritoneal mast cells in a pH and dose-dependent fashion. The process was dependent on exogenous calcium ions and was inhibited by extremes of temperature and metabolic blockers. The release was rapid, being essentially complete within 1 min, but the half-life of the process varied inversely with the concentration of the ionophore. In contrast to receptor-mediated ligands, but in keeping with other ionophores, the activated state induced by CTC did not decay with time. The secretion was effectively inhibited, according to the concentration of the ionophore, by disodium cromoglycate and other anti-allergic or cyclic AMP-active drugs. These results confirm our previous contention that these agents do not act on receptor-mediated calcium-channels. CTC induced a significant (≤50%) release of histamine from enzymically dispersed rat mesenteric mast cells but was essentially inactive against isolated mast cells from the mesentery or lung of the guinea-pig. These results extend our former observations on the functional heterogeneity of mast cells and show that, in common with other secretagogues, ionophores may exhibit selectivity in their mode of action.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) activates human neutrophils--inhibition by chemotactic peptide antagonist BOC-MLP.

The effect of the neuropeptides substance P, neurokinin A and alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on human neutrophil granulocytes was investigated. Substance P induced secondary granule secretion at a concentration of 100 microM. CGRP induced a significant secretory response at 10 microM and thus appeared to be about 10 times more potent than substance P. Calcitonin and a fragment of CGRP, CGRP(8-37), had no effect on neutrophil degranulation. The chemotactic peptide antagonist BOC-MLP (100 microM) inhibited lactoferrin secretion mediated both by CGRP and chemotactic peptide FMLP almost completely, while secretion in response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) was unaffected. Results from receptor binding studies showed that CGRP and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) do not compete for binding. This indicates that CGRP does not exert its effects by binding to the chemotactic peptide receptor. CGRP induced a rapid increase in the cytosolic-free calcium concentration and this increase was not, unlike that induced by FMLP, abolished by preincubation of the cells with pertussis toxin (1000 ng/ml). Therefore CGRP signal transduction in neutrophils appears to involve rapid changes in the cytosolic-free calcium concentration but not a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein. In summary, this is the first report to show that CGRP can directly activate neutrophil granulocytes, and this probably occurs via a cell surface receptor which is distinct from that of FMLP although both the CGRP and FMLP-mediated effects can be blocked by BOC-MLP.     

Ionized calcium influences gastrin stimulated histamine release and acid secretion, but not histamine stimulated acid output in the totally isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach

When changing from bovine serum albumin to dextran T70 as colloid without adjusting the total calcium concentration in the vascular perfusate of the totally isolated vascularly perfused rat stomach, we noticed a drastic fall in gastrin-stimulated acid secretion. In the present study the effect of the two colloids on ionized calcium in the vascular perfusate as well as the effect on acid secretion and vascular histamine release were studied. There was no difference in gastrin-stimulated acid secretion or vascular histamine release between the two colloids after adjusting the total calcium concentrations so that ionized calcium was similar. Whereas baseline acid secretion showed no marked dependency of ionized calcium within the range tested (0.73-1.54 mmol l-1, gastrin-stimulated acid secretion was highly dependent on ionized calcium being reduced at the higher concentration of Ca2+. Histamine stimulated acid secretion, on the other hand, was virtually unaffected by the concentration of ionized calcium in the same range. Like gastrin-stimulated acid secretion, gastrin-stimulated histamine release was inhibited at higher Ca2+ concentrations. Thus, elevated Ca2+ concentrations seemed to reduce gastrin-stimulated acid secretion by inhibiting vascular histamine release.     

Calcium is required for PMA induced superoxide release from human neutrophils

Experiments were designed to reexamine the relationship between extracellular calcium and superoxide generation in phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulated neutrophils exploiting a newly adapted method to measure superoxide anion (O2-) generation from adherent cells stimulated at high and low cell density. Human neutrophils were plated in microtiter wells in cell densities of either 0.2 or 2.0 million cells/well. Superoxide release was measured sequentially over 60 min by reduction of ferricytochrome c. Cells were maintained in 1 mM Ca++ or 0 mM Ca++ Hanks' buffer for 60 min prior to activation as well as during measurement of O2-. In 1 mM Ca++, 2.0 million adherent neutrophils released 10.7 +/- 1.2 nmol O2- in 20 min (n = 4). O2- release was not significantly different for high density cells incubated and stimulated in 0 mM Ca++. In the presence of 1 mM Ca++, 0.2 million adherent neutrophils released 6.3 +/- 0.5 nmols O2- in 20 min. With cells stimulated at low density, PMA stimulated O2- release was significantly decreased (3.0 +/- 0.6 nmol O2- in 20 min) as was the initial rate of secretion of O2- in the absence of extracellular calcium. Basal release of superoxide was also greater in the presence of 1 mM Ca++ (0.96 nmol/20 min) compared to basal release in 0 mM Ca++ (0.22 nmol/20 min). Additional experiments with 0.2 million cells/well showed that extracellular Ca++ was required during stimulation with PMA and that prior incubation of cells for up to 60 min in 0 mM Ca++ had no effect on O2- release measured in the presence of calcium. Furthermore, PMA stimulated O2- was independent of verapamil (10(-5)-10(-7) M), suggesting that voltage-dependent calcium channels do not participate in this response. The planar areas for unstimulated neutrophils in 0 mM Ca++ increased after addition of PMA. Unstimulated cells in 1 mM Ca++ tended to be larger and planar areas did not increase after PMA. These studies demonstrate that PMA stimulated O2- secretion is dependent on extracellular calcium particularly when adherent neutrophils are stimulated at low cell density. Furthermore, extracellular calcium at a concentration of 1 mM primes neutrophils by increasing basal secretion of O2- and increasing superoxide release after a maximum stimulating dose of PMA.     

Mutual relationship among cytosolic pH, Na+ and Ca2+ ions in the degranulation of rat leukemic basophils

Reagents which affect the cytosolic concentrations of protons and sodium ions markedly affect the degranulation process of mast cells. The proton-sodium exchanging ionophore, monensin, is found to cause noncytolytic dose dependent serotonin release from the rat leukemic basophils (line RBL-2H3). Its half maximal dose of ca. 2 microM leads to secretion of ca. 20% of these cells' serotonin content. Monensin induced serotonin secretion increases with external pH and decreases upon lowering external sodium ion concentrations, yet is independent on external calcium. Monitoring cytosolic pH and free Ca2+ concentrations with BCECF and quin2, respectively, shows that a rise in pHi and [Ca2+]i is caused by the ionophore. Amiloride, the blocker of cellular Na+/H+ antiporter, is found to be an effective inhibitor of antigen or monensin induced serotonin release. However, it does not by itself cause secretion. In contrast, ouabain, which inhibits the cellular Na+/K+ ATPase, does induce secretion. Cellular levels of pH, Na+ and Ca2+ ions are evidently linked and involve a manifold of activities. Though exchanging protons for sodium seems to be effective in causing mediator release, the present results do not provide sufficient support for proton/sodium ions having a second messenger role in the immunologically induced mediator release.     

Calcium release in relation to permeability changes in toad bladder epithelium following antidiuretic hormone

1. Methods for measuring the release of (45)Ca from isolated urinary bladders of toads (Bufo marinus) pre-loaded with this isotope have been devised. One method allowed separate collection from the mucosal and serosal surfaces of the bladders.2. Reducing the ambient calcium concentration reduced the rate of (45)Ca efflux suggesting that efflux of radiolabel represents calcium exchange.3. Antidiuretic hormone, theophylline and prostaglandin E(1) all increased calcium efflux, while lanthanum and amphotericin were without effect. Cyclic AMP caused only an inhibition of calcium release.4. The increase in (45)Ca efflux due to antidiuretic hormone came exclusively from the mucosal side. Experiments with EGTA suggest that the calcium entering the mucosal solution arises mainly from superficial sites in the mucosal membrane.5. The release of (45)Ca by hormone was not influenced by removal of sodium from the bathing solution. Low pH and amiloride reduced or abolished calcium release to hormone.6. The time course of calcium release from the mucosal surface due to hormone was rapid (commencing between 0.5 and 1.5 min after hormone application). Thus calcium release precedes the increase in sodium transport and hydro-osmotic flow following hormone, and appears to be at least as rapid as cyclic AMP generation in the tissue.7. The relationship between calcium release or exchange and the permeability changes in the bladder to water and to sodium, following hormone, are discussed.     

Stimulation of45Ca efflux from smooth muscle cells by metabolic inhibition and high K depolarization

Summary The characteristics of the extracellular and cellular calcium exchange in taenia coli have been studied by efflux experiments under different experimental conditions. The exchange of extracellularly bound calcium is accelerated by the presence of calcium in the external solution. If a Ca-free solution is used as washing solution, the slowly exchanging extracellular calcium also contributes appreciably to the later phase of the Ca efflux and obscures the changes of the cellular calcium exchange. There is no evidence for a Ca–Ca exchange diffusion.Most of the⁴⁵Ca bound at extracellular binding sites can be released by a 10 min exposure to 2 mM EGTA or to 10 mM La³⁺. This La concentration moreover largely inhibits the release of⁴⁵Ca from the cellular compartment by metabolic depletion. A release of cellular⁴⁵Ca can be induced by metabolic depletion or by K depolarization. Both procedures probably act at the same sequestering sites. However, while DNP+IAAa cts in the absence of external Ca, it is observed that K depolarization can only cause a Ca release if external Ca can enter the cells.This work was supported by research grant 20.487 from the F.W.G.O. (Belgium).Established investigator of the American Heart Association