Experimental researches on the role of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in 4-hydroxynonenal induced exocytosis

The action of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a chemotactic aldehyde produced by lipid peroxidation, was analysed on exocytosis in parallel with its effects on phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) both in undifferentiated HL-60 cells and in cells induced to differentiate toward the granulocytic cell line by 1.25% DMSO. Exocytosis was evaluated by the secretion of beta-glucuronidase from cells incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 min in the presence of various aldehyde concentrations. HNE action was more pronounced in DMSO-differentiated cells, where concentrations between 10(-8) and 10(-6) m were able both to trigger exocytosis and to strongly activate PLC; in both processes maximal stimulation was given by 10(-7) m. HNE-induced exocytosis was completely prevented by pertussis toxin and by the PLC inhibitor U73122. The comparison between HNE and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), used as a positive control, showed that the tripeptide produced an higher stimulation of exocytosis than the aldehyde; by contrast HNE induced a stronger increase of PLC activity. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), strongly inhibited the exocytosis induced by fMLP, while it failed to induce a statistically significant inhibition of HNE action. We conclude that both compounds trigger exocytosis through a Ptx-sensitive G protein; the present data support the hypothesis that the lower ability of the aldehyde to trigger exocytosis as compared to fMLP might depend upon a low ability to activate PI3K, while PLC activation appears to play a key role in HNE-induced exocytosis.     

Changes in IL-8 release and intracellular content in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells after treatment with 4-hydroxynonenal

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), a chemotactic aldehyde produced by lipid peroxidation, has been shown to trigger exocytosis in HL-60 cells induced to differentiate toward the granulocytic cell line by DMSO. In this work we studied HNE effects on the intracellular content of IL-8 and its release in DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells. Cell incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of 0.1 microM HNE induced a significant increase of IL-8 release after 30 min; the degree of HNE-induced IL-8 secretion became quite strong after 1 h, whereas the intracellular content showed no statistically significant changes. By contrast, 1 microM HNE induced a low decrease of the chemokine release; however, the used HNE concentrations failed to increase the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a test used to assay cell viability. The addition of 0.1 microM IL-8 to DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells induced a strong increase of exocytosis, measured by beta-glucuronidase secretion. Exocytosis stimulation by IL-8 was much higher than that given by the aldehyde; the addition of various HNE concentrations to cells incubated in the presence of IL-8 decreased the secretion given by the cytokine alone. However, HNE-induced exocytosis was likely to be a direct action of the aldehyde and was not mediated through the stimulation of IL-8 release since HNE was unable to modify IL-8 secretion during the short time of 10 min used in the exocytosis assay.     

Effect of 4-hydroxynonenal,a lipid peroxidation product,on exocytosis in HL-60 cells

Our work analysed the effect of 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), a chemotactic aldehydic end-product of lipid peroxidation, on exocytosis in HL-60 cells. We measured the release of beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme of azurophil granules, from the cells incubated at 37 degrees C for 10 min in the presence of HNE concentrations ranging between 10(-8) and 10(-5) M. The release of lactate dehydrogenase was assayed to test cell viability. HNE (1 microM) was able to induce a significant and strong stimulation of beta-glucuronidase secretion without leading to cytotoxic effects. The finding that HNE could increase the exocytotic secretion from HL-60 cells together with its known chemotactic property supports the hypothesis that this lipid peroxidation product may play an important role as a chemical mediator of inflammation; moreover it is noteworthy that micromolar concentrations of HNE have actually been found in exudates from acute and chronic inflammations.     

Activation of superoxide production and differential exocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cytochalasins A, B, C, D and E. Effects of various ions

All of the common cytochalasins activate superoxide anion release and exocytosis of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and lysozyme from guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) incubated in a buffered sucrose medium. Half-maximal activation of both processes is produced by approx. 0.2 microM cytochalasin A, C greater than 2 microM cytochalasin B greater than or equal to 4-5 microM cytochalasin D, E. While maximal rates of O2- release and extents of exocytosis require extracellular calcium (1-2 mM), replacing sucrose with monovalent cation chlorides is inhibitory to neutrophil activation by cytochalasins. Na+, K+ or choline inhibit either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated O2- production with IC50 values of 5-10 mM and inhibition occurs whether Cl-, NO3- or SCN- is the anion added with Na+ or K+. Release of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in control or cytochalasin B-stimulated cells is inhibited by NaCl(IC50 approximately 10 mM), while cytochalasin E-stimulated exocytosis is reduced less and K+ or choline chloride are ineffective in inhibiting either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated exocytosis. Release of beta-glucuronidase, myeloperoxidase or acid phosphatase from neutrophils incubated in buffered sucrose is not stimulated by cytochalasin B. Stimulation of either O2- or beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase release by low concentrations of cytochalasin A is followed by inhibition of each at higher concentrations. It appears that all cytochalasins can activate both NAD(P)H oxidase and selective degranulation of neutrophils incubated in salt-restricted media and that differential inhibition of these two processes by monovalent cations and/or anions is produced at some step(s) subsequent to cytochalasin interaction with the cell.     

Influence of 4-hydroxynonenal on chemiluminescence production by unstimulated and opsonized zymosan-stimulated human neutrophils

The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2, 3-trans-nonenal (HNE) has a spectrum of biological effects on different cell types depending on the concentrations tested. In particular micromolar HNE concentrations stimulate neutrophil migration and polarization whereas higher doses inhibit. In our experimental conditions, fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP) increased CL production of both unstimulated and zymosan-stimulated neutrophils, whereas cell stimulation with low HNE concentrations as well as zymosan addition to HNE incubated cells did not enhance light emission. In contrast 10(-4) M HNE reduced CL emission by unstimulated cells nearly to background values, completely depressed CL production by zymosan-stimulated cells and reduced phagocytosis. Cysteine was found to be able to counteract the HNE effect by about 70 per cent. The possibility that this aldehyde could exert its inhibitory effect through the alkylation of NADPH-oxidase SH-groups is postulated. Moreover, our present data on differences observed between fMLP and HNE indicate a different chemotactic mechanism induced by these two classes of compounds and lead to the conclusion that the local functional features of the attracted cells may be different.     

Regulation of constitutive neutrophil apoptosis by the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes acrolein and 4-hydroxynonenal

Reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes are major components of common environmental pollutants and are products of lipid oxidation. Although these aldehydes have been demonstrated to induce apoptotic cell death in various cell types, we recently observed that the alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde acrolein (ACR) can inhibit constitutive apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils and thus potentially contribute to chronic inflammation. The present study was designed to investigate the biochemical mechanisms by which two representative alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes, ACR and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), regulate neutrophil apoptosis. Whereas low concentrations of either aldehyde (<10 microM) mildly promoted apoptosis in neutrophils (reflected by increased phosphatidylserine exposure, caspase-3 activation, and mitochondrial cytochrome c release), higher concentrations prevented critical features of apoptosis (caspase-3 activation, phosphatidylserine exposure) and caused delayed neutrophil cell death with characteristics of necrosis/oncosis. Inhibition of caspase-3 activation by either aldehyde occurred despite increases in mitochondrial cytochrome c release and occurred in close association with depletion of cellular GSH and with cysteine modifications within caspase-3. However, procaspase-3 processing was also prevented, because of inhibited activation of caspases-9 and -8 under similar conditions, suggesting that ACR (and to a lesser extent HNE) can inhibit both intrinsic (mitochondria dependent) and extrinsic mechanisms of neutrophil apoptosis at initial stages. Collectively, our results indicate that alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes can inhibit constitutive neutrophil apoptosis by common mechanisms, involving changes in cellular GSH status resulting in reduced activation of initiator caspases as well as inactivation of caspase-3 by modification of its critical cysteine residue.     

Glutathione (GSH) and the toxicity of oxidised low-density lipoprotein to human monocyte-macrophages

Macrophage death, believed to be an important event in the pathogenesis of human atherosclerosis, can be induced by oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in vitro. Supplementation of the culture medium with 5 mM GSH significantly protected human monocyte-macrophages in vitro against the toxicity of copper-oxidised LDL.

Oxidation products of LDL include the aldehyde 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). We present evidence that conjugation of HNE by GSH contributes to this protection. In the absence of cells, HPLC analysis showed there were marked reductions in the levels of both pure HNE and HNE in copper-oxidised LDL in the presence of GSH. However, GSH did not reverse protein modification, as judged by agarose gel electrophoresis, nor did it influence the depletion of poly-unsaturated fatty acids, which were assessed using gas chromatography. The possible implications for human atherosclerosis are discussed.     

Arachidonic Acid Release and Catecholamine Secretion from Digitonin-Treated Chromaffin Cells: Effects of Micromolar Calcium, Phorbol Ester, and Protein Alkylating Agents

The relationship between catecholamine secretion and arachidonic acid release from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells was investigated. Digitonin renders permeable the plasma membranes of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells to Ca2+, ATP, and proteins. Digitonin-treated cells undergo exocytosis of catecholamine in response to micromolar Ca2+ in the medium. The addition of micromolar Ca2+ to digitonin-treated chromaffin cells that had been prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid caused a marked increase in the release of [3H]arachidonic acid. The time course of [3H]arachidonic acid release paralleled catecholamine secretion. Although [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis were both activated by free Ca2+ in the micromolar range, the activation of [3H]arachidonic acid release occurred at Ca2+ concentrations slightly lower than those required to activate exocytosis. Pretreatment of the chromaffin cells with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of 10 microM Ca2+-stimulated [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis. The IC50 of NEM for both [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis was 40 microM. The IC50 of BPB for both events was 25 microM. High concentrations (5-20 mM) of Mg2+ caused inhibition of catecholamine secretion without altering [3H]arachidonic acid release. A phorbol ester that activates protein kinase C, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), caused enhancement of both [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis. The findings demonstrate that [3H]arachidonic acid release is stimulated during catecholamine secretion from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells and they are consistent with a role for phospholipase A2 in exocytosis from chromaffin cells. Furthermore the data suggest that protein kinase C can modulate both arachidonic acid release and exocytosis.     

Influence of divalent cations upon complement-mediated enzyme release from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The complement component, C5a provokes the selective release of granule-associated enzymes from the intact, viable cytochalasin B-treated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the absence of phagocytosis or cellular adherence to surfaces. Consquently, in this experimental system the influence of divalent cations on these two processes can be disregarded and their effects on enzymes secretion can be studied directly. Cytochalasin B-treated PMN exposed to C5a in calcium and magnesium-free media consistently secreted significant amounts of the granule-associated enzymes, beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme. The basal secretory response was not diminished if cells were preincubated with 5.0 mM EDTA, nor was it influenced if 1.0 mm or 2.0 mM EDTA were present in the reaction mixtures. The addition of calcium (up to 1.5 to 2.0 mM) produced a concentration-dependent enhancement of beta-glucuronidase release, whereas increasing amounts of calcium (above 2.0 mM) inhibited secretion of this enzyme. Lysozyme release was similarly enhanced by the addition of calcium, but inhibition with high concentrations was not observed. Calcium per se, in the absence of C5a, provoked only the release of lysozyme from these cells. The effects of calcium upon enzyme release were not associated with alterations in the state of assembly of cytoplasmic microtubules. These findings provide another example of the role of calcium in "stimulus-secretion coupling" and provide evidence that exocytosis of various granules in human PMN is regulated by independent mechanisms involving calcium.     

Activation of superoxide production and differential exocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes by cytochalasins A,B, C,D and E: Effects of various ions

All of the common cytochalasins activate superoxide anion release and exocytosis of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and lysozyme from guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils) incubated in a buffered sucrose medium. Half-maximal activation of both processes is produced by approx. 2 μM cytochalasin A, C >μM cytochalasin B ? 4–5 μM cytochalasin D, E. While maximal rates of O₂^? release and extents of exocytosis require extracellular calcium (1–2 mM), replacing sucrose with monovalent cation chlorides is inhibitory to neutrophil activation by cytochalasins. Na⁺, K⁺ or choline inhibited either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated O₂^? production with IC₅₀ values of 5–10 mM and inhibition occurs whether Cl^?, NO₃^? or SCN^? is the anion added with Na⁺ or K⁺. Release of β-N-acetylglucosaminidase in control or cytochalasin B-stimulated cells is inhibited by NaCl (IC₅₀ ≈ 10 mM), while cytochalasin E-stimulated exocytosis is reduced less and K⁺ or choline chloride are ineffective in inhibiting either cytochalasin B- or E-stimulated exocytosis. Release of β-glucuronidase, myeloperoxidase or acid phosphatase from neutrophils incubated in buffered sucrose is not stimulated by cytochalasin B. Stimulation of either O₂^? or β-N-acetylglucosaminidase release by low concentrations of cytochalasin A is followed by inhibition of each at higher concentrations. It appears that all cytochalasins can activate both NAD(P)H oxidase and selective degranulation of neutrophils incubated in salt-restricted media and that differential inhibition of these two processes by monovalent cations and/or anions is produced at some step(s) subsequent to cytochalasin interaction with the cell.     

Activation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C of rat neutrophils by the chemotactic aldehydes 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal and 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-octenal

A comparison has been made between the effects of 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal (HNE) and 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-octenal (HOE), two lipid peroxidation products, on the basal and GTPgammaS-stimulated activities of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PL-C) of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes. PL-C activity was determined in vitro by measuring the hydrolysis of [³H] phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate (PtdIns-P₂) added as exogenous substrate to neutrophil plasma membranes. PL-C was activated by concentrations of HNE ranging from 10^?8 to 10^?6 M both in the presence and in the absence of 2 × 10^?5 M GTPgammaS; HOE stimulated the enzymatic activity between 10^?11 and 10^?8 M ; maximal stimulation was given by 10^?11 M HOE plus GTPgammaS. The aldehyde concentrations able to accelerate PtdIns-P₂ breakdown displayed a good correspondence with those which have been reported to stimulate the oriented migration of rat neutrophils. Pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin prevented the stimulation of PL-C by 10^?11 M HOE and by HOE plus GTPgammaS. Our results suggest that the chemotactic action of HNE and HOE might depend on the activation of PL-C; furthermore a regulatory G protein appears to be involved in the acceleration of PtdIns-P₂ turnover by HOE.     

Influence of reduced glutathione on changes in the activity of phospholipase C induced by 4-hydroxynonenal

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) is a major end-product of lipid peroxidation. 1 mM HNE inhibits the activity of liver phospholipase C (PL-C) and this effect is prevented by 1 mM GSH; on the contrary GSH is unable to counteract the stimulation of PL-C induced by a low concentration of HNE (100 nM). Other hydroxyalkenals are able to stimulate PL-C at low doses (micromolar or less), the most effective being 4-hydroxyoctenal which acts at picomolar doses. The lack of a correlation between the chain length of the aldehydes used and the degree of PL-C stimulation seems to exclude the possibility that their effect could be due to an aspecific solvent action toward the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate used as substrate for the enzymatic assay.     

Intracellular or extracellular calcium can be used to trigger C5a-stimulated enzyme secretion from rabbit neutrophils

The ability of C5a to stimulate lysosomal enzyme release and 45Ca2+ efflux from rabbit neutrophils was studied. C5a stimulated beta-glucuronidase release from cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils either in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium. Depletion of cell calcium by pretreatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 blocked both the ability of C5a to elicit enzyme release in the absence of extracellular calcium and its ability to stimulate 45Ca2+ efflux. Both actions were dose-dependent over the same concentration range (10(-8)-10(-6) M ionophore A23187). In contrast, ionophore pretreatment had no effect on C5a-stimulated enzyme release in the presence of extracellular calcium. These results suggest that (a) release of cell calcium is required for enzyme secretion in the absence of extracellular calcium, and (b) C5a can trigger near-maximal enzyme release by using calcium from either of two sources: the extracellular space or an intracellular site.     

Unmasking of arachidonate-induced insulin release by removal of extracellular calcium. Arachidonic acid mobilizes cellular calcium in rat islets of Langerhans

Exogenous arachidonic acid does not stimulate insulin release in Ca++-containing medium, but a potent effect was unmasked by extracellular Ca++ depletion. This secretion met several criteria of exocytotic release. It did not require the oxygenation of arachidonate or its esterification into islet membranes, but was potentiated by the presence of 16.7 mM glucose such that 33 microM arachidonate could reverse the inhibitory effects of extracellular Ca++ removal on glucose-induced insulin secretion. Arachidonic acid alone stimulated a rise in intracellular Ca++ concentrations in dispersed islet cells (measured by the fura-2 technique) equal to that induced by 16.7 mM glucose in normal medium. Arachidonic acid may be a critical coupling signal in normal islets.     

Calcium stimulates luteinizing-hormone (lutropin) exocytosis by a mechanism independent of protein kinase C.

Using permeabilized gonadotropes, we examined whether Ca2(+)-stimulated luteinizing-hormone (LH) exocytosis is mediated by the Ca2(+)-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C). In the presence of high [Ca2+]free (pCa 5), alpha-toxin-permeabilized sheep gonadotropes secrete a burst of LH and then become refractory to maintained high [Ca2+]free. The protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) is able to stimulate further LH release from cells made refractory to high [Ca2+]free, suggesting that Ca2+ does not stimulate LH release by activating protein kinase C. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, inhibited PMA-stimulated (50% inhibition at 20 nM), but not Ca2(+)-stimulated, LH exocytosis. In cells desensitized to PMA by prolonged exposure to a high PMA concentration, Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis (when corrected for depletion of total cellular LH) was not inhibited. Ba2+ was able to stimulate LH exocytosis to a maximal extent similar to Ca2+, although higher Ba2+ concentrations were necessary. Ba2+ and Ca2+ stimulated LH exocytosis with a similar time course, and both were inhibitory at high concentrations. Furthermore, cells made refractory to Ca2+ were also refractory to Ba2+. These data strongly suggest that Ba2+ and Ca2+ act through the same mechanism. Since Ba2+ is a poor activator of protein kinase C, these findings are additional evidence against a major role for protein kinase C in mediating Ca2(+)-stimulated LH exocytosis.     

Exocytosis in mast cells by basic secretagogues: evidence for direct activation of GTP-binding proteins

Histamine release induced by the introduction of a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, GTP-gamma-S, into ATP-permeabilized mast cells, is associated with phosphoinositide breakdown, as evidenced by the production of phosphatidic acid (PA) in a neomycin-sensitive process. The dependency of both PA formation and histamine secretion on GTP-gamma-S concentrations is bell shaped. Whereas concentrations of up to 0.1 mM GTP-gamma-S stimulate both processes, at higher concentrations the cells' responsiveness is inhibited. At a concentration of 1 mM, GTP-gamma-S self-inhibits both PA formation and histamine secretion. Inhibition of secretion can, however, be overcome by the basic secretagogues compound 48/80 and mastoparan that in suboptimal doses synergize with 1 mM GTP-gamma-S to potentiate secretion. Secretion under these conditions is not accompanied by PA formation and is resistant both to depletion of Ca2+ from internal stores and to pertussis toxin (PtX) treatment. In addition, 48/80, like mastoparan, is capable of directly stimulating the GTPase activity of G-proteins in a cell-free system. Together, our results are consistent with a model in which the continuous activation of a phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C (PLC) by a stimulatory G-protein suffices to trigger histamine secretion. Basic secretagogues of mast cells, such as compound 48/80 and mastoparan, are capable of inducing secretion in a mechanism that bypasses PLC by directly activating a G-protein that is presumably located downstream from PLC (GE). Thereby, these secretagogues induce histamine secretion in a receptor-independent manner.     

Role of PKC-dependent pathways in HNE-induced cell protein transport and secretion

The beta isoforms of protein Kinase C (PKC) are closely involved in the regulation of cell protein transport and secretion. We have shown in different cellular types that treatment with HNE in a concentration range detectable in many pathophysiological conditions is able to induce selective activation of betaPKCs through direct interaction between the aldehyde and these isoenzymes. In isolated rat hepatocytes this specific isoenzyme activation plays a key role in the transport of procathepsin D from the trans-Golgi network to the endosomal-lysosomal compartment and in the exocytosis of mature cathepsin D. In NT2 neurons, HNE-mediated betaPKC activation induces an increase in intracellular amyloid beta production, without affecting full-length amyloid precursor protein expression. In a mouse macrophage-like cell line, the same beta isoform activation increases the release of the MCP-1 chemokine. Thus, pathophysiological HNE concentrations (0.1-1 microM) derived from a slight imbalance of the redox state are able to alter protein trafficking through beta PKC activation. These results suggest that mild oxidative stress and the PKC signal transduction pathway are closely involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases caused by changes in protein trafficking and release.     

Induction of differentiation in human HL-60 cells by 4-hydroxynonenal, a product of lipid peroxidation

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE) is the major diffusible toxic product generated by lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes. The level of lipid peroxidation and, consequently, the concentration of its products are inversely related to the rate of cell proliferation and directly related to the level of cell differentiation. In the present paper the effects of HNE on the proliferation and differentiation of the HL-60 human promyelocytic cell line have been investigated. Repeated treatment at 45-min intervals with HNE (1 microM) was performed to maintain the cells in the presence of the aldehyde for 7 1/2 or 9 h. The effect of HNE on cell proliferation and differentiation was compared with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-treated cells. HNE causes a strong inhibition of cell growth without affecting cell viability. Moreover, HL-60 cells acquire the capability to produce chemiluminescence after soluble (phorbol myristate acetate) or corpuscolate (zymosan) stimulation. The phagocytic ability has also been calculated by counting the number of cells that phagocytize opsonized zymosan. Values were 43 and 55% after 10 or 12 HNE treatments, respectively, and 88% in DMSO-treated cells. Myeloperoxidase activity, 5 days after treatment, decreased by 85% in either HNE- or DMSO-treated cells while acid phosphatase activity increased with respect to untreated cells. Results obtained indicate that HNE at concentrations close to those found in the normal tissues can induce inhibition of proliferation and induction of differentiation in the HL-60 cell line.     

Effects of 4-Hydroxynonenal, A Product of Lipid Peroxidation, on Cell Proliferation and Ornithine Decarboxylase Activity

4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is one of the major breakdown products of cellular lipid peroxidation. Its effects on proliferation, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and DNA synthesis have been investigated in leukemic cell lines. The cells were incubated for 1 hour with different aldehyde concentrations, then washed and resuspended in medium with fresh foetal calf serum. HNE concentrations ranging from 10^-5 to 10^-6 M significantly inhibited ODC activity when induced by addition of fresh foetal calf serum both in K562 and HL-60 cells. ³H-Thymidine incorporation in K562 cells was also inhibited from 6 to 12 hours after the treatment. The same HNE concentrations did not inhibit ODC activity when added to cytosol, thus a direct action on the enzyme can be excluded. Moreover, HNE did not affect the half-life of ODC, so that a specific effect on ODC synthesis may be supposed. These data indicate a reduction of proliferative capacity of the cells and are consistent with the possibility that HNE, at concentrations close to those found in normal cells, plays a role in the control of cell proliferation.     

Attenuation of expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase by ribozyme transfection enhance insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cell line, MIN6

Low levels of intracellular antioxidant enzyme activities as well as glutathione (GSH) concentrations have been described in pancreatic beta cells. We examined the effects of intracellular GSH depletion on insulin secretion and the role of intracellular GSH in signal transduction in beta cell line, MIN6 cells. Anti-gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) heavy subunit ribozyme was stably transfected to MIN6 cells to reduce intracellular GSH concentration. In the presence of 10 mM glucose, ribozyme-transfected cells (RTC) increased insulin secretion from 0.58 microg/10(6) cells/h in control cells (CC) to 1.48 microg/10(6) cells/h. This was associated with increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in RTC, detected by fluo-3 staining. Our results demonstrated that intracellular GSH concentration might influence insulin secretion by MIN6 cells, and suggest that enhanced insulin secretion by beta cells conditioned by chronic depletion of GSH is mediated by increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration.