Effect of leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2 and arachidonic acid on cytosolic-free calcium in human neutrophils

Changes in cytosolic free calcium [Ca2+]i and release of beta-glucuronidase in response to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were measured in intact neutrophils loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin 2. LTB4 (10(-10) M or higher) caused a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i due to influx from the extracellular medium and release from intracellular pools as well as enzyme release. PGE2 (3 microM) did not alter [Ca2+]i whereas arachidonic acid (10 microM) raised [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment of cells with the chemotactic peptide FMLP inhibited the subsequent rise of [Ca2+]i induced by LTB4. Since chemotactic peptides activate the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, it may be speculated that endogenous LTB4 generation is involved in neutrophil activation.     

Quantitative analysis of the cytosolic free calcium dependency of exocytosis from three subcellular compartments in intact human neutrophils

Cytosolic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and exocytosis of azurophil granules (beta-glucuronidase), specific granules (vitamin B12-binding protein), and secretory vesicles (gelatinase) were measured concomitantly in intact human neutrophils under steady state [Ca2+]i. The cells were loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator quin2 in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+, and steady state [Ca2+]i levels ranging from 20 to greater than 2,000 nM were obtained by adding the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin at various concentrations of extracellular calcium. The extent of exocytosis from the three granule populations was found to be a function of [Ca2+]i. The minimal [Ca2+]i that caused significant release (threshold [Ca2+]i) was approximately 200-300 nM and was similar for all three compartments. Marked differences, however, were found when the [Ca2+]i for half-maximal exocytosis (EC50) was determined. In the absence of cytochalasin B the EC50 was 1,100 +/- 220 nM and 1,600 +/- 510 nM for specific granules and secretory vesicles, respectively, and approximately 6,000 nM for azurophil granules. Cytochalasin B did not affect the threshold [Ca2+]i but decreased the EC50 and enhanced the rate of exocytosis. In the presence of cytochalasin B the EC50 was approximately 600 nM both for secretory vesicles and specific granules, and approximately 2,600 nM for azurophil granules. The addition of the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine dramatically changed the [Ca2+]i dependency of granule secretion: It decreased the threshold [Ca2+]i to less than 20 and less than 50 nM, and the EC50 to 50 and 200 nM for specific and azurophil granules, respectively, and it significantly increased the rate of exocytosis. Thus, the additional signal(s) provided by receptor activation markedly lower(s) the Ca2+ requirement of the exocytotic process. Furthermore, these results indicate that the secretion from three different granule populations within the same cell type are differently modulated by [Ca2+]i.     

Superoxide responses to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in primed neutrophils. Role of intracellular and extracellular calcium.

For superoxide (O2-) responses of human neutrophils stimulated by FMLP, experiments were designed to assess the requirement of extracellular calcium [( Ca2+]o) for priming of O2- responses by platelet-activating factor (PAF), PMA, or ionomycin. Although priming by PMA did not require [Ca2+]o, there was, as expected, a requirement for [Ca2+]o for the optimal priming effects of PAF and ionomycin. The ED50 value for [Ca2+]o in the priming function of PAF was 105 microM. The [Ca2+]o-dependent priming with ionomycin was bimodal with two ED50 values for [Ca2+]o of 90 microM and 3.2 mM. Optimal priming by PAF required at least 4-min exposure of cells to [Ca2+]o. Cells primed by PAF exhibited faster initial rates of O2-production after addition of FMLP, but the duration of O2- production was not prolonged. Whereas PAF-primed responses to FMLP are usually associated with increases in intracellular calcium [( Ca2+]i) after addition of FMLP, two conditions were found in which O2- responses to FMLP in PAF-primed cells occurred in the absence of any detectable increase in [Ca2+]i. When cells were loaded with the calcium chelator, bis-(O-aminophenoxy)-ethane-H,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, and then primed with PAF, normal amounts of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were formed, but no increase in [Ca2+]i occurred after addition of FMLP even though the cells exhibited a fully primed O2- response; in Ca2(+)-depleted and ionomycin-permeabilized cells that were primed with PAF and then stimulated with FMLP, O2- was generated in amounts comparable to reference control (primed) cells, but there was suppressed production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and no increase in [Ca2+]i after addition of FMLP to PAF-primed cells. These data confirm the requirement of [Ca2+]o for optimal priming of neutrophils by PAF and ionomycin (but not cells primed by PMA) and indicate that, under certain conditions, generation of O2- in response to FMLP in PAF-primed neutrophils can occur independent of any increase in [Ca2+]i.     

Priming of neutrophils and macrophages for enhanced release of superoxide anion by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Implications for regulation of the respiratory burst

Phagocytic cells can be primed for enhanced stimulated release of superoxide anion (O2-) by exposure to a variety of biologic agents, including gamma-interferon and lipopolysaccharide. We examined the role of calcium ion in this priming, using the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Preincubation with ionomycin, 1 to 10 nM, primed human neutrophils to release up to 7-fold more O2- during stimulation with 1 microM formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-Met-Leu-Phe). With 160 nM phorbol myristate acetate as stimulus, ionomycin caused a doubling of O2- production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Incubation of phagocytes with ionomycin at priming concentrations did not directly stimulate O2- release. Priming of neutrophils occurred in 1-2 min and was associated with a marked reduction in the lag time for O2- release after f-Met-Leu-Phe stimulation and with an increase in the rate of O2- production. Kinetic analysis of NADPH-dependent O2(-)-producing activity in sonicates of resting human neutrophils incubated with sodium dodecyl sulfate suggested that modification of the enzyme responsible for the respiratory burst was not responsible for priming. Priming of neutrophils with ionomycin had no apparent effect on either the activity or subcellular distribution of protein kinase C. The effect of ionomycin on the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c) was assessed in neutrophils using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2. Ionomycin at priming concentrations caused an approximate doubling of the base-line [Ca2+]c. When neutrophils were exposed to various concentrations of ionomycin, a parallel rise in [Ca2+]c and priming was observed. A rise in [Ca2+]c of approximately 0.8 microM caused half-maximal priming. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+]c is not sufficient to initiate release of O2-, but they support the concept that Ca2+ can serve as a second messenger in this event.     

Phorbol esters modulate thrombin-operated calcium mobilisation and dense granule release in human platelets

Human alpha-thrombin-induced elevation of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and dense granule release was examined in platelets preincubated with either activators or an inhibitor of protein kinase C. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or two 12-deoxy analogues of TPA, when added alone to platelets, did not elevate [Ca2+]i, as monitored by quin2 fluorescence, though small amounts of dense granule release were detected. Preincubation of the platelets with either TPA or 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate, but not the parent, 4-beta-phorbol, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the elevation of [Ca2+]i and 5-hydroxytryptamine release induced by human alpha-thrombin. Furthermore, this phorbol ester-mediated inhibition of human alpha-thrombin-induced activation could be prevented by H7 (1-[5-isoquinolinesulphonyl]-2-methylpiperazine), the recently described inhibitor of protein kinase C. These results suggest a role for protein kinase C as a modulator of receptor-operated calcium fluxes in human platelets.     

Nonselective inhibition of neutrophil functions by sphinganine

Sphinganine has been proposed to be a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C. In the present study we have evaluated whether sphinganine is a convenient tool to probe for the role of protein kinase C in neutrophil function. Human neutrophils were loaded with the fluorescent probe quin2 and then tested in parallel for cytosolic free Ca2+, [Ca2+]i, membrane potential changes, O2- production, and exocytosis of primary granules (containing beta-glucuronidase) in response to various stimuli. In addition to inhibiting O2- production and exocytosis in a dose-dependent manner, sphinganine also blocked formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced [Ca2+]i, transients. Furthermore, sphinganine inhibited exocytosis elicited by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. Although sphinganine blocked O2- production due to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, the most striking finding was that the drug rendered the cells leaky. Thus, at similar concentrations as those inhibiting cellular functions, sphinganine was shown to lead to cell permeabilization, as assessed by release of quin2 and cytoplasmic markers into the extracellular medium, and changes in plasma membrane potential. We conclude, therefore, that sphinganine does not appear to be a suitable compound for the evaluation of the involvement of protein kinase C in neutrophil activation.     

Spontaneous and chemoattractant-induced oscillations of cytosolic free calcium in single adherent human neutrophils

Studies with fluorescent Ca2+ indicators in large populations of neutrophils in suspension reveal a stable base line followed by a rapid agonist-induced elevation of cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, concomitant with other parameters of cellular activation. To study the role of adhesion in cell activation, we monitored [Ca2+]i in single neutrophils adhered to albumin-coated or fibronectin-coated glass coverslips before and after stimulation with the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP). Human neutrophils loaded with 2 microM fura 2/AM were allowed to adhere to coverslips for 15-20 min at 37 degrees C. [Ca2+]i was monitored with a dual excitation microfluorimeter with a time resolution of 200 ms. Statistical analysis was performed using an algorithm allowing to detect significant [Ca2+]i peaks. 54% of the cells showed spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations. The amplitude of these [Ca2+]i peaks averaged 77 +/- 10 nM above basal levels (mean value of 110 +/- 20 nM), and their mean duration was 28 +/- 5 s; periods of [Ca2+]i bursts could last up to 15 min. In "silent" cells exhibiting a stable [Ca2+]i base line without spontaneous oscillations, low concentrations of fMLP (10(-10)-10(-9) M) could induce sustained [Ca2+]i oscillations. By contrast, higher agonist concentrations (10(-6) M) induced a single [Ca2+]i transient followed by a stable base line. 47% of the cells showing spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations did not respond to fMLP. Spontaneous [Ca2+]i oscillations depended on the continuous presence of extracellular Ca2+. Therefore: (i) spontaneous oscillations of [Ca2+]i occur in neutrophils adherent to various substrata; (ii) these oscillations do not preclude and can be dissociated from the response to fMLP; (iii) neutrophil functions might be controlled by [Ca2+]i oscillations rather than by sustained alterations of [Ca2+]i.     

Receptor-mediated activation of electropermeabilized neutrophils. Evidence for a Ca2+- and protein kinase C-independent signaling pathway

Electrically permeabilized neutrophils were used to study the mechanism of activation of the respiratory burst by the chemotactic agent formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Permeabilization was assessed by flow cytometry, radioisotope trapping, and by the requirement for exogenous NADPH for oxygen consumption. A respiratory burst could be elicited by fMLP, phorbol ester, or diacylglycerol in permeabilized cells suspended in EGTA-buffered medium with 100 nM free Ca2+. The fMLP response persisted even in cells depleted of intracellular Ca2+ stores by pretreatment with ionomycin. Therefore, a change in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is not required for receptor-mediated stimulation of the respiratory burst. The responses induced by phorbol ester and diacylglycerol were largely inhibited by H7, a protein kinase C antagonist. In contrast, the stimulation of oxygen consumption by fMLP was unaffected by H7. These results suggest that a third signaling pathway, distinct from changes in [Ca2+]i and activation of protein kinase C, is involved in the response of neutrophils to chemoattractants.     

Analysis of calcium homeostasis in activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Evidence for two distinct mechanisms for lowering cytosolic calcium

The stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by chemoattractants triggers a rapid rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration(s) ([Ca2+]i), which quickly returns to base line, suggesting a role for calcium removal in the homeostasis of activated PMNs. To investigate cytosolic calcium homeostasis, PMNs were treated with a fluoroprobe and ionomycin to induce a sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i. The cells were then stimulated, and attenuation of the fluorescence signal was measured as an indication of calcium loss from the cytosol. The formyl peptide chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, but not the inactive phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol didecanoate, induced a dose-dependent decrease in [Ca2+]i in ionomycin-pretreated cells. However, the decline in [Ca2+]i caused by PMA was sustained and occurred following a lag time, whereas the response to fMLP was immediate, lasted approximately 2 min, and then was followed by a return of [Ca2+]i to its initial level. The restoration of [Ca2+]i required extracellular calcium. Varying the ionomycin concentration allowed studies at different initial [Ca2+]i, which in untreated PMNs was approximately 135 nM. In contrast to fMLP, PMA did not lower calcium at concentrations below 200 nM. The decline in [Ca2+]i induced by fMLP, but not PMA, was blocked by pertussis toxin. In contrast, the decrease in [Ca2+]i caused by PMA and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, but not fMLP, was inhibited by the protein kinase C antagonists staurosporine, H-7, and sphingosine. These results suggest that formyl peptide chemoattractants transiently stimulate an activity which lowers [Ca2+]i to normal intracellular levels. Activation of this process appears to be independent of protein kinase C. An additional cytosolic calcium lowering activity, dependent on protein kinase C, operates at [Ca2+]i above 200 nM. Thus, activated PMNs can use at least two processes for attentuation of elevated cytosolic calcium levels.     

Ca2+-dependent and -independent release of neurotransmitters from PC12 cells: a role for protein kinase C activation?

The intracellular mechanisms regulating the process of evoked neurotransmitter release were studied in the cloned neurosecretory cell line PC12. Various agents were employed that were known, from previous studies in other systems, to stimulate release in a manner either strictly dependent or independent of the concentration of extracellular Ca2+, [Ca2+]o. Three parameters were investigated in cells suspended in either Ca2+-containing or Ca2+-free Krebs-Ringer media: release of previously accumulated [3H]dopamine; average free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i (measured by the quin2 technique); and cell ultrastructure, with special reference to the number and structure of secretion granules. The release induced by the ionophores transporting monovalent cations, X537A and monensin, occurred concomitantly with profound alterations of secretory granule structure (swelling and dissolution of the dense core). These results suggest that the effect of these drugs is due primarily to leakage of dopamine from granules to the cytoplasm and extracellular space. In contrast, the changes induced by other stimulatory drugs used concerned not the structure but the number of secretory granules, indicating that with these drugs stimulation of exocytosis is the phenomenon underlying the increased transmitter release. The release response induced by the Ca2+-ionophore ionomycin was dependent on [Ca2+]o, occurred rapidly, was concomitant with a marked rise of [Ca2+]i, and ceased after 1-2 min even though [Ca2+]i remained elevated for many minutes. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol, 13-acetate and diacylglycerol (both of which are known as activators of protein kinase C) induced slow responses almost completely independent of [Ca2+]o and not accompanied by changes of [Ca2+]i. Combination of an activator of protein kinase C with a low concentration of ionomycin failed to modify the [Ca2+]i rise induced by the ionophore, but elicited a marked potentiation of the release response, which was two- to fourfold larger than the sum of the responses elicited separately by either drugs. Thus, activation of protein kinase C seems to play an important role in the regulation of exocytosis in neurosecretory cells, possibly by increasing and maintaining the sensitivity to Ca2+ of the intracellular apparatus regulating granule discharge by exocytosis.     

Relationship between cytoplasmic free calcium and myosin light chain phosphorylation in intact platelets.

Human platelets were prepared and loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin2. The relation between cytoplasmic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and the extent of the phosphorylation of myosin light chains of Mr 20 000 could then be examined. When the calcium ionophore ionomycin is used to stimulate platelets, little phosphorylation is seen until [Ca2+]i exceeds 400 nM; half-maximal response occurs at 600 nM with a full response at about 1 microM-[Ca2+]i. Under optimal conditions, physiological stimuli such as platelet-activating factor and thrombin can increase [Ca2+]i to sufficiently high levels [Rink, Smith & Tsien (1982) FEBS Lett. 148, 21-26; Hallam, Sanchez & Rink (1984) Biochem. J. 218, 819-827] that Ca2+ ions could be the trigger for the myosin phosphorylation evoked by these agonists. However, in this paper we show that, in the absence of external calcium, platelet-activating factor and thrombin can stimulate myosin phosphorylation while [Ca2+]i remains at levels which are well below those needed when the calcium ionophore is the stimulus. This observation suggests that myosin light chain phosphorylation may be controlled by an additional pathway.     

Diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors R59022 and dioctanoylethylene glycol potentiate the respiratory burst of neutrophils by raising cytosolic Ca2+

The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors, R59022 and dioctanoylethylene glycol (diC8-eg), potentiate stimulation of the respiratory burst by the chemotactic tripeptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in human neutrophils. However, in contrast to the potentiation observed in intact cells, neither R59022 nor diC8-eg enhanced the effect of fMLP on O2 consumption in electropermeabilized neutrophils, under conditions where cytosolic [Ca2+] was held constant using EGTA. In unstimulated, intact cells treatment with the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors elicited an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). The results suggest that enhancement of the respiratory burst by diC8-eg and R59022 is mediated by a rise in [Ca2+]i, rather than by inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase.     

Low concentrations of the stable prostaglandin endoperoxide U44069 stimulate shape change in quin2-loaded platelets without a measurable increase in [Ca2+]i

Dose-response relationships for raised cytoplasmic free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, and shape change were measured simultaneously in quin2-loaded human platelets. With the calcium ionophore ionomycin the threshold [Ca2+]i for shape change was 300 nM with a maximal response at 800 nM. With 1 mM external Ca2+ the U44069 concentrations required to stimulate half-maximal shape change and an increase in [Ca2+]i were 2 and 41 nM, respectively. For PAF these values were 8.7 and 164 pg/ml, respectively. Low concentrations of U44069 and PAF evoked substantial shape change without any rise in [Ca2+]i. In the absence of external Ca2+, U44069 stimulated half-maximal shape change at 2 nM, and half-maximal elevation of [Ca2+]i at 69 nM: here, increased [Ca2+]i never reached the threshold [Ca2+]i for shape-change derived with ionomycin. These results suggest that some transduction mechanism other than elevated [Ca2+]i, as yet unidentified, can cause shape change.     

Evidence that phorbol ester interferes with stimulated Ca2+ redistribution by activating Ca2+ efflux in neutrophil leucocytes.

The free calcium ion concentration, [Ca2+]i, in the cytoplasmic matrix of quin2-loaded neutrophil leucocytes increases rapidly after addition of concanavalin A. This increase is effectively abolished by a short (3 min) preincubation with 10 nM-TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate). TPA also inhibits a [Ca2+]i rise of similar magnitude induced by low concentrations (10 nM) of calcium ionophore A23187, suggesting that phorbol ester does not interfere with a physiological influx mechanism. To investigate the effects of TPA further, cells were depleted of Ca2+ during quin2 loading and then re-equilibrated with normal extracellular [Ca2+]. The return to a stable [Ca2+]i value was preceded by a transient overshoot in [Ca2+]i, implying delayed activation of an efflux mechanism by rising [Ca2+]i. TPA abolished the transient, suggesting preactivation by TPA of the efflux mechanism before Ca2+ influx. TPA also stimulates net Ca2+ efflux from neutrophils and neutrophil cytoplasts. These observations are consistent with the thesis that TPA stimulates a Ca2+-efflux mechanism in these cells.     

Positive correlation between cytosolic free calcium and surfactant secretion in cultured rat alveolar type II cells

To determine whether increases in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) accompany agonist-stimulated surfactant secretion by cultured alveolar type II cells, we measured the [Ca2+]i of quin2-loaded cells isolated from adult rats before and after cells were stimulated with ionomycin, terbutaline or tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA). To determine whether increases in [Ca2+]i are necessary for stimulated surfactant secretion to occur, we measured secretion in cells after [Ca2+]i had been reduced by loading cells with quin2 in medium containing low [Ca2+]. Ionomycin increased [Ca2+]i and stimulated surfactant secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Reductions in [Ca2+]i correlated with reductions in secretion stimulated by ionomycin, terbutaline or TPA. Ionomycin-stimulated secretion was most sensitive to reductions in [Ca2+]i; terbutaline-stimulated secretion was more sensitive than TPA-stimulated secretion. When [Ca2+]i was less than 65 nM, all stimulated secretion was blocked. Restoration of [Ca2+]i to greater than 100 nM restored ionomycin-stimulated secretion. We conclude that ionomycin increases [Ca2+]i and stimulates surfactant secretion in cultured alveolar type II cells, and that increased [Ca2+]i appears to be necessary for ionomycin-stimulated secretion to occur. Terbutaline-stimulated surfactant secretion seems to be more easily inhibited by a reduction in [Ca2+]i than does TPA-stimulated secretion.     

Signal transduction by neutrophil immunoglobulin G Fc receptors. Dissociation of intracytoplasmic calcium concentration rise from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

The signal transduction mechanisms involved in the regulation of phagocytosis are largely unknown. We have recently shown that in neutrophils, when IgG-mediated phagocytosis is stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (fMLP), the enhanced ingestion is dependent on the increase in [Ca2+]i which results from ligation of Fc receptors by the IgG-coated target (Rosales, C., and Brown, E. (1991) J. Immunol. 146, 3937-3944). Now, we have studied the mechanism by which this rise in [Ca2+]i occurs. Aggregated IgG, the monoclonal antibody 3G8 (which recognizes Fc receptor type III), and insoluble immune complexes caused an increase in [Ca2+]i. The rise in [Ca2+]i induced by Fc receptor ligation was resistant to pertussis toxin. In contrast, fMLP induced a rise in [Ca2+]i which was inhibited by pertussis toxin. fMLP-induced [Ca2+]i was accompanied by an accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) which peaked by 15 s, and which was also abolished by pertussis toxin. IP3 accumulation after aggregated IgG, 3G8, or insoluble immune complexes was much less than after fMLP. Unlike [Ca2+]i rise induced by Fc receptor ligation, this small increase in IP3 was inhibited by pertussis toxin. These data demonstrated that the [Ca2+]i increase induced by Fc receptor ligation is not mediated by IP3. Immediate pretreatment of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils with optimal doses of fMLP also reduced subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i rise from thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone tumor promoter that releases intracellular Ca2+ from IP3-sensitive stores without IP3 turnover. Similarly, to its effects on thapsigargin, fMLP inhibited the [Ca2+]i rise upon subsequent immune complex binding. Pretreatment of cells with immune complexes also prevented subsequent [Ca2+]i rise from thapsigargin and fMLP. These data demonstrate that IgG Fc receptor ligation and fMLP activation of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils use distinct signal transduction mechanisms to release Ca2+ from the same thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular pool. In contrast to fMLP, signal transduction for increased [Ca2+]i after Fc receptor stimulation does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, and is independent of IP3.     

Actin assembly in electropermeabilized neutrophils: role of intracellular calcium

Assembly of microfilaments involves the conversion of actin from the monomeric (G) to the filamentous (F) form. The exact sequence of events responsible for this conversion is yet to be defined and, in particular, the role of calcium remains unclear. Intact and electropermeabilized human neutrophils were used to assess more directly the role of cytosolic calcium [( Ca2+]i) in actin assembly. Staining with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-phallacidin and right angle light scattering were used to monitor the formation of F-actin. Though addition of Ca2+ ionophores can be known to induce actin assembly, the following observations suggest that an increased [Ca2+]i is not directly responsible for receptor-induced actin polymerization: (a) intact cells in Ca2(+)-free medium, depleted of internal Ca2+ by addition of ionophore, responded to the formyl peptide fMLP with actin assembly despite the absence of changes in [Ca2+]i, assessed with Indo-1; (b) fMLP induced a significant increase in F-actin content in permeabilized cells equilibrated with medium containing 0.1 microM free Ca2+, buffered with up to 10 mM EGTA; (c) increasing [Ca2+]i beyond the resting level by direct addition of CaCl2 to permeabilized cells resulted in actin disassembly. Conversely, lowering [Ca2+]i resulted in spontaneous actin assembly. To reconcile these findings with the actin-polymerizing effects of Ca2+ ionophores, we investigated whether A23187 and ionomycin induced actin assembly by a mechanism independent of, or secondary to the increase in [Ca2+]i. We found that the ionophore-induced actin assembly was completely inhibited by the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) antagonist LY-223982, implying that the ionophore effect was secondary to LTB4 formation, possibly by stimulation of phospholipase A2. We conclude that actin assembly is not mediated by an increase in [Ca2+]i, but rather that elevated [Ca2+]i facilitates actin disassembly, an effect possibly mediated by Ca2(+)-sensitive actin filament-severing proteins such as gelsolin. Sequential actin assembly and disassembly may be necessary for functions such as chemotaxis.     

Signal transduction in N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and concanavalin A stimulated human neutrophils: superoxide production without a rise in intracellular free calcium

Changes in intracellular ionized free calcium ([Ca]i), inositol triphosphate (IP3), and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) were determined in relation to agonist-induced human neutrophil superoxide (O2-) production. With 0.1 microM N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) stimulation, generation of IP3 and a peak rise in [Cai] occurred at 30 sec, preceding maximal O2- production (1.5 min) and the maximal rise in DAG mass (4 min). FMLP-induced O2- production was inhibited by pertussis toxin. In cytochalasin B-primed, concanavalin A (Con A) stimulated neutrophils, a peak rise in [Ca]i but not IP3 proceeded O2- production, and pertussis toxin did not inhibit O2- production. EGTA inhibited the cytochalasin B/fMLP-induced increment in [Ca]i and O2- production by 75% and 50%, respectively, and completely ablated the response to cytochalasin B/Con A, suggesting a role for extracellular as well as intracellular calcium in the respiratory burst. However, three types of experiments indicate that an increase in [Ca]i is neither sufficient nor always required for O2- production. First, treatment with ionomycin resulted in a marked increase in [Ca]i but did not cause O2- production. Second, pertussis toxin inhibited both fMLP-induced IP3 generation and O2- production but did not inhibit the rise in [Ca]i. Third, following neutrophil priming with dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), maximal O2- production occurred in response to 0.015 microM fMLP or Con A without a rise in [Ca]i, and diC8/fMLP-induced O2- production was not inhibited by EGTA. Taken together, these data suggest that 1) an increment in [Ca]i is not strictly essential for neutrophil O2- production, 2) unlike fMLP, Con A-induced O2- production does not proceed through a pathway involving the pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, and 3) regulation of neutrophil [Ca]i involves mechanisms independent of IP3 concentration.     

Effects of sodium removal on calcium mobilization and dense granule secretion induced by thrombin in human platelets

Removal of extracellular sodium decreased calcium mobilization from intracellular stores induced by thrombin in aspirin-treated human platelets. ATP and serotonin secretion were also significantly reduced. Secretion was positively correlated with calcium mobilization, but the presence or absence of sodium did not modify the slope of the regression line. Half-maximal secretion was reached when [Ca2+]i was increased by about 0.1 microM. Calcium mobilization induced by the divalent cation ionophore ionomycin was not modified by sodium removal. Secretion induced by ionomycin was much smaller than the thrombin-induced one for the same increases of [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that the presence of external sodium is required for normal thrombin-induced calcium release from the intracellular stores and hence for dense granule secretion. However, secretion cannot be only attributed to the increase of cell [Ca2+]i but also to other process(es) which are not affected by external sodium.     

Measurement of the cytosolic free calcium ion concentration of individual lymphocytes by microfluorometry using quin 2 or fura-2

The cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) of individual lymphocytes was measured by microfluorometry with dual excitation wavelengths using quin 2 for fura-2. Fura-2 was a more suitable fluorescent Ca2+ indicator than quin 2 for measurements of single cells because of the standard curve calibrated for fura-2 had a good linearity, and the standard deviation (SD) of the value of the intensity ratio of fura-2-loaded cells was much smaller than that of quin 2-loaded cells. The [Ca2+]i in quiescent lymphocytes was about 1 x 10(-7) M, and an increase in the [Ca2+]i was observed within a few minutes of ionomycin, protein A, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation. Ionomycin-induced proliferation occurred when the initial [Ca2+]i was approximately 3 x 10(-7) M or greater. The increase in the [Ca2+]i induced by Con A occurred transiently, and another rise in the [Ca2+]i was observed in the stage prior to the S-phase. These results indicate that Ca2+ is necessary for stimulated lymphocytes to enter the cell cycle and S-phase.