Trace amounts of enhancing factor/phospholipase A2 in mouse peritoneal exudate cells

Enhancing factor (EF), a mouse phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂), has been purified from the small intestines, based on its ability to increase the binding of epidermal growth factor in a radioreceptor assay. EF/PLA₂ was found to be localized predominantly in the Paneth cells in the small intestines. Whether mouse intestinal EF/PLA₂ is identical/similar to mouse secretory PLA₂ was to be determined. Phospholipases are known to play a crucial role in the process of inflammation. This paper reports the presence of trace amounts of EF/PLA₂ in the peritoneal exudate cells. Western blot analysis of the acid extracts showed the presence of a 14 kDa immunologically cross-reactive protein. RT-PCR analysis using EF specific primers amplified a ∼700 bp product which was further confirmed to be EF-specific by nested PCR analysis and sequencing. Presence of EF in the peritoneal exudate cells could be a unique mode of transport of growth factor modulator to the site of injury to aid in regeneration/cell proliferation of damaged tissue.