Chirospecific syntheses of 2H- and 13C-labeled 1-O-alkyl-2-O-alkyl'-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamines and 1-O-alkyl-2-O-alkyl'-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines

A convenient sequence for the synthesis of 1-O-alkyl-2-O-alkyl'-sn-glycero-3-phospholipids was demonstrated starting from 2,3-O-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol, which was first alkylated with 1-bromohexadecane, then converted to the corresponding benzylidene analog. Other less convenient methods to prepare 2,3-O-benzylidene-1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol were also investigated. The key step in the synthesis was the reduction of 2,3-O-benzylidene-1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol with lithium aluminum hydride-aluminum chloride to give 3-O-benzyl-1-O-hexadecyl-sn-glycerol as the major product in 79% yield. The syntheses of 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-hexadecyl-(1',1'-d2,-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-hexadecyl-(1'-13C)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine as well as the correspondingly labeled sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine analogs were then performed. The optical purities of the synthetic intermediates and the ether lipids were established by a novel 1H-NMR method.     

Kinetics of platelet-activating factor 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine-induced fibrinogen binding to human platelets

Platelet-activating factor 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAF-acether) triggers exposure of fibrinogen binding sites on platelets via binding to specific receptors. Comparison of [3H]PAF-acether binding with 125I-fibrinogen binding shows that the rate with which PAF-acether binds to a number of receptors and not the degree of receptor occupancy determines how much fibrinogen binds. At low concentrations of PAF-acether (0.1-1.0 nM) binding site exposure is incomplete and parallels the rate of formation of the PAF-acether-receptor complex. Fibrinogen binding then primarily depends on the concentration of PAF-acether. At a high concentration of PAF-acether (500 nM) binding site exposure is complete within 2-5 min. Fibrinogen binding then depends on the concentration of fibrinogen. Exposure of binding sites in the absence of fibrinogen leads to disappearance of accessible binding sites. At 500 nM PAF-acether, this disappearance is exponential in nature and shows the same characteristics after 5-15 min incubation with fibrinogen as after 60 min. Exposure of binding sites is then complete within 5 min and their disappearance is not disturbed by other processes. At 0.5 nM PAF-acether, the same characteristics are found after 60 min incubation with fibrinogen, but shorter incubation times reveal an ongoing binding site exposure that interferes with the disappearance process. These results demonstrate close coupling between the PAF-acether receptors and fibrinogen binding sites and indicate that the rate of formation of the PAF-acether-receptor complex is a major factor in the regulation of binding site exposure.     

Binding and internalization of platelet-activating factor 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in washed rabbit platelets

The binding profile of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC, platelet-activating factor) to washed rabbit platelets was investigated through the use of structural analogs of AGEPC, e.g. U66985, which specifically suppressed AGEPC biological activities on rabbit platelets. This interaction of AGEPC with platelets could be divided into three different components termed A, B, and C. Component A was considered as one of high affinity (Kd = 0.5 X 10(-9) M) and with a low capacity (about 400 sites/platelet). The binding of AGEPC to component A was reversible and was blocked by the inhibitory analogs of AGEPC. This was considered to be the AGEPC receptor site(s). Component B was irreversible in nature and was presumed to be associated with internalization of AGEPC. The latter process was sensitive to the structural inhibitors. Component C was not affected by the inhibitors and probably represented a nonspecific binding to the lipid layer of the membrane. The binding profile of 1-O-alkyl-2-(lyso)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, a biologically inactive and noninhibitory analog of AGEPC, was observed to consist of a single component and was (also) unaffected by the inhibitors. Internalization of AGEPC into rabbit platelets was further examined by the bovine serum albumin extraction method, which was originally developed by Mohandas et al. (Mohandas, N., Wyatt, J., Mel, S. F., Rossi, M. E., and Shohet, S. B. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 6537-6543). AGEPC was instantly taken up by the cell and internalization into its membrane, where it remained and was not released into cytosol. The internalization of AGEPC was suppressed by pretreating the cells with AGEPC analogs. In platelets desensitized to AGEPC, no down-regulation of the receptor site(s) was observed. The internalization of AGEPC in the desensitized cells was clearly enhanced and this was obvious even in the presence of the AGEPC inhibitor(s). Even in the presence of the inhibitors, effective internalization of AGEPC was also evident in thrombin-treated cells. These results suggested that the internalization of AGEPC was irreversibly enhanced in the platelets which were activated by AGEPC itself as well as by thrombin.     

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) in human fetal membranes and decidua vera

We have previously reported that platelet-activating factor (PAF) is present in human amniotic fluid obtained from women in labor. We have also demonstrated that PAF, lyso-PAF, and alkyl acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AA-GPC) are present in human amnion tissue. In the reported study, we have investigated the enzymes involved in PAF metabolism in amnion tissue and their regulation. A phospholipase A2 activity has been demonstrated in amnion tissue which cleaves alkyl acyl (long-chain) sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The enzyme activity is not altered by Ca2+ and is distinctly different from the phospholipase A2 that we have previously characterized in this tissue. Amnion tissue contains acetyltransferase activity which requires Ca2+ and is associated with the microsomal fraction. Acetylhydrolase is also present in the cytosolic fraction of amnion tissue. Acetylhydrolase activity has also been demonstrated in amniotic fluid. The affinities of acetyltransferase (for lyso-PAF) and acetylhydrolase (for PAF) were unaffected by Ca2+. In the presence of Ca2+, however, the specific activity of acetyltransferase was increased four- to fivefold while that of acetylhydrolase was unaffected. Acetyltransferase and acetylhydrolase activities in fetal membranes and decidua were similar and were unchanged with gestational age. The possible role of PAF in the initiation of human parturition is discussed.     

Synthesis of 1-(1-alkenyl)-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines, the aldehyded analogs of platelet activating factor

1-(1-Hexadecenyl)- and 1-(1-octadecenyl)-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines were synthesized. To this goal, synthetically prepared racemic phosphatidal-cholines were hydrolyzed with phospholipase A2, and lysophosphatidal-cholines obtained were acetylated with acetic anhydride.     

Synthesis of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet-activating factor) in exocrine glands and its control by secretagogues

1-O-Alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines (platelet-activating factor (PAF] stimulate exocytosis in isolated lobules from guinea pig parotid glands or pancreas by an acetylcholine-like mechanism (S?ling, H. D., Eibl, H. J., and Fest, W. (1984) Eur. J. Biochem. 144, 65-72). We show here that both tissues are able to synthetize PAF themselves. Isolated guinea pig parotid gland acini incorporate labeled acetate into the 2-position of PAF. Stimulation with A23187 or carbamoylcholine lead to a significant stimulation of this process. The newly synthetized PAF is partially released into the medium. Addition of lyso-PAF to the incubation medium does not significantly affect the rate of incorporation of labeled acetate into PAF in the absence or presence of carbamoylcholine. Isolated pancreatic lobules are also able to incorporate labeled acetate into PAF, and cholecystokinin and caerulein lead to a strong stimulation of this process. Incorporation of radioactive lyso-PAF into PAF, but not into 1-O-alkyl-2-long chain acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine was also significantly stimulated by carbamoylcholine in isolated parotid acini. Under these conditions, the time-dependent stimulation of amylase release paralled that of lyso-PAF incorporation into PAF. The same holds for the concentration dependency of the carbachol effect on these two parameters. In isolated pancreatic lobules, caerulein also stimulated the incorporation of lyso-PAF into PAF. Pulse-chase experiments with radioactive lyso-PAF indicate that stimulation of incorporation of radioactive lyso-PAF into PAF represents increased net synthesis of PAF rather than increased PAF-turnover. Using the platelet aggregation test, substantial amounts (0.79 nmol/g) of PAF could be determined in isolated acini from guinea pig parotid glands.     

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and lyso-PAF (1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by cultured rat Kupffer cells.

In platelets, and in several other cell systems, pre-treatment with protein kinase C activators such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) results in the inhibition of receptor-mediated responses, suggesting that protein kinase C may play an important role in the termination of signal transduction. In the present study, we have attempted to locate the site of action of phorbol ester by comparing thrombin-induced (i.e. receptor-mediated) platelet activation with that induced by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) and NaF, two agents which by-pass the receptor and initiate platelet responses by directly modulating G-protein function. After a 10 s pre-treatment with PMA (16 nM), dense-granule secretion induced by thrombin (0.2 unit/ml), GTP[S] (40 microM) and NaF (30 mM) was potentiated, resulting in a greater than additive response to agent plus PMA. However, after a 5 min pre-treatment, thrombin-induced secretion alone was inhibited, whereas PMA plus GTP[S]/NaF-induced release remained greater than additive. [32P]Phosphatidate formation in response to all three agents, in contrast, was inhibited by 50-70% in PMA (5 min)-treated platelets. That secretion induced by these agents is a protein kinase C-dependent event was demonstrable by using staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor which at concentrations of 1-10 nM inhibited (70-90%) PMA-induced as well as thrombin- and NaF-induced secretion and protein phosphorylation. In membranes from PMA-treated platelets, thrombin-stimulated GTPase activity was significantly enhanced compared with that in untreated membranes (59% versus 82% increase over basal activity). The results suggest that inhibition of receptor-mediated responses by PMA may be directed towards two sites relating to G-protein activation: (i) receptor-stimulated GTPase activity and (ii) G-protein-phospholipase C coupling. Furthermore, the lack of inhibition of NaF- and GTP[S]-induced secretion by PMA suggests that different mechanisms may be involved in thrombin-induced and G-protein-activator-induced secretion.     

1-O-hexadec-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and its biological activity

1-O-Alk-1'-enyl analog of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, alkylacetyl-GPC) was prepared semi-synthetically from choline plasmalogens of beef heart muscle. The main compound was identified mass spectrometrically as 1-hexadec-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC, 16:O vinyl form of PAF) and its platelet aggregation activity was about one-fifth of that of the corresponding 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC. The irreversible platelet aggregation activity induced by 5X10(-10) M 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC was completely inhibited by 5X10(-7) M CV-3988 and 1X10(-7) M L-652, 731, specific PAF antagonists, and more than 99% of the activity was also lost by acid treatment. The hydrogenated product, alkylacetyl analog, showed quite same activity as that of authentic 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC. The platelets desensitized with 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC and with 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC were not aggregated with 5X10(-10) M 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC, suggesting that alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC occupied the same receptor site of alkylacetyl-GPC.     

Conversion of 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine. A novel pathway for the metabolism of ether-linked phosphoglycerides.

Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells convert 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine [( 3H]alkylacylGPC) to a product tentatively identified as an ethanolamine-containing phosphoglyceride (PE) (Daniel, L. W., Waite, B. M., and Wykle, R. L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9128-9132). In the present study, analysis of the radiolabeled phosphoglycerides as diradylglycerobenzoate derivatives indicated that [3H] alkylacylGPC was initially converted to 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine [( 3H]alkylacylGPE) which was subsequently desaturated to 1-O-[3H]alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine [( 3H]alkenylacylGPE). The conversion of [3H]/[32P]alkyl-lysoGPC to [3H]alkenylacylGPE indicated that base exchange enzymes were not involved in this pathway. A phosphono analog of alkyl-lysoGPC, resistant to phospholipase D hydrolysis and radiolabeled in the 1-O-alkyl chain was readily incorporated, acylated, and subsequently metabolized to [3H]alkylacylGPC and [3H]alkenylacylGPE. Therefore, the involvement of phospholipase D in the conversion pathway was ruled out. The conversion of [3H]alkylacylGPC or its phosphono analog to [3H]alkenylacylGPE was significantly enhanced by the addition of 100 microM ethanolamine to the culture media, suggesting that [3H]alkylacylglycerol is an intermediate in the cytidine-dependent pathway of PE synthesis. MDCK cell cytosol and microsomes contained no detectable phospholipase C activity. However, incubation of microsomes with CMP resulted in the degradation of [3H]alkylacylGPC and accumulation of [3H]alkylacylglycerol. Furthermore, the addition of CDP-ethanolamine to microsomes following preincubation with CMP, resulted in a decrease in [3H]alkylacylglycerol with a concomitant increase in [3H]alkenylacylGPE. Overall, these results suggest that the reverse reaction of choline phosphotransferase may be responsible for the conversion of alkylacylGPC to alkylacylGPE.     

Unsaturated 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines (unsaturated platelet-activating factor): aggregation of human platelets after incubation with indomethacin, creatinephosphate/creatinephosphokinase, xylocain and hirudine, and serotonin release after incubation with indomethacin

Unsaturated platelet-activating factor (PAF) aggregates thrombocytes of healthy female volunteers and releases within 1 min up to 30.95% of the platelet serotonin. Indomethacin does not inhibit the aggregation but reduces the release of serotonin induced by unsaturated PAF in citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Creatinephosphate combined with creatinephosphokinase (CP/CPK) inhibits the second phase, whereas xylocain inhibits the first and second phase of aggregation induced by unsaturated PAF. Hirudine shows no influence on the aggregation induced by unsaturated PAF.     

Antibody to platelet activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PAF)

Specific antibodies to platelet activating factor (PAF) were prepared by immunizing rabbits with a hapten-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugate. As the hapten we used the synthetic PAF derivative which is resistant against enzymatic inactivation by plasma or tissues and which can bind to BSA through covalent bonding. Antibody activity was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti-PAF IgG reacted strongly with PAF. By means of the ELISA inhibition assay, we found that the antibody did not cross-react with phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, dilaurylglycerophosphocholine or PAF analogues which have ethanolamine-type polar head groups instead of choline group.     

Lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid modulate biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by human neutrophils via phospholipase A2

When human neutrophils, previously labeled in their phospholipids with [14C]arachidonate, were stimulated with the Ca2+-ionophore, A23187, plus Ca2+ in the presence of [3H]acetate, these cells released [14C]arachidonate from membrane phospholipids, produced 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-[14C]eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and 14C-labeled 5S,12R-dihydroxy-6-cis,8,10-trans, 14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid ([14C]leukotriene B4), and incorporated [3H]acetate into platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine). Ionophore A23187-induced formation of these radiolabeled products was greatly augmented by submicromolar concentrations of exogenous 5-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE), 5-HETE, and leukotriene B4. In the absence of ionophore A23187, these arachidonic acid metabolites were virtually ineffective. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and several other lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase inhibitors (butylated hydroxyanisole, 3-amino-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-pyrazoline and 1-phenyl-2-pyrazolidinone) caused parallel inhibition of [14C]arachidonate release and [3H]PAF formation in a dose-dependent manner. Specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors, such as indomethacin and naproxen, did not inhibit but rather slightly augmented the formation of these products. Furthermore, addition of 5-HPETE, 5-HETE, or leukotriene B4 (but not 8-HETE or 15-HETE) to neutrophils caused substantial relief of NDGA inhibition of [3H]PAF formation and [14C]arachidonate release. As opposed to [3H]acetate incorporation into PAF, [3H]lyso-PAF incorporation into PAF by activated neutrophils was little affected by NDGA. In addition, NDGA had no effect on lyso-PAF:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase as measured in neutrophil homogenate preparations. It is concluded that in activated human neutrophils 5-lipoxygenase products can modulate PAF formation by enhancing the expression of phospholipase A2.     

Desorption chemical ionization mass spectrometry of 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholines and analogues

Ammonia desorption chemical ionization of ether-linked phospholipids of the type 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet-activating factors) and a series of analogues revealed a systematic fragmentation pattern that is characteristic for these compounds. The predominant ions included the protonated molecular ion and a series of fragments derived from the molecular ion having the following nominal mass losses: MH-14, MH-42, MH-59, and MH-183. Deuterated ammonia was used to elucidate the nature of several fragments. In addition, desorption chemical ionization was used to quantitate 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine at the nanogram/sample level.     

The role of Ca2+ uptake in the response of human platelets to adrenaline and to 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (platelet-activating factor)

Thrombin induces Ca2+ uptake into both stirred and unstirred human platelets in the presence or absence of acetylsalicylate. This Ca2+ uptake is closely correlated with adenine nucleotide secretion in accord with previous observations [Massini, P. and Lüscher, E.F. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 372, 109-121] but a low level of secretion is observed in the absence of significant Ca2+ uptake. 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-O-alkylAcGEPC) also induces Ca2+ uptake into both stirred and unstirred human platelets in the presence and absence of acetylsalicylate. Aggregation and adenine nucleotide secretion induced by 1-O-alkylAcGEPC can be observed in the absence of added fibrinogen, but addition of fibrinogen causes a very marked shift to the left in the dose/response curves for aggregation and Ca2+ uptake induced by 1-O-alkylAcGEPC. In the absence of added fibrinogen a close correlation is observed between Ca2+ uptake and adenine nucleotide secretion induced by 1-O-alkylAcGEPC. In the presence of added fibrinogen significant aggregation can be observed in the absence of detectable Ca2+ uptake. Adrenaline induces Ca2+ uptake only into stirred human platelets in the presence of added fibrinogen. Blockade of secretion, e.g. by addition of acetylsalicylate, also prevents Ca2+ uptake. Addition of adrenaline fails to cause breakdown of phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylcholine in acetylsalicylate-treated platelets under conditions where such a response is observed on addition of thrombin. We conclude that Ca2+ uptake into human platelets induced by thrombin, 1-O-alkylAcGEPC and adrenaline is closely associated with the secretory response and in some circumstances, e.g. stimulation by thrombin, is clearly a consequence of this latter response. Previous reports of Ca2+ uptake as an initiating event in the response of human platelets to adrenaline [Owen, N.E., Feinberg, H. and Le Breton, G.C. (1981) Am J. Physiol. 239, H483-488] have not been confirmed in this study.     

Human platelets stimulated by thrombin produce platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) when the degrading enzyme acetyl hydrolase is blocked.

It has been shown [Touqui, Jacquemin & Vargaftig (1983) Thromb. Haemostasis 50, 163; Touqui, Jacquemin & Vargaftig (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 110, 890-893; Alam, Smith & Melvin (1983) Lipids 18, 534-538; Pieroni & Hanahan (1983) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 224, 485-493] that rabbit platelets inactivate exogenous PAF (platelet-activating factor, PAF-acether) by a deacetylation-reacylation mechanism. The deacetylation step is catalysed by an acetyl hydrolase sensitive to the serine-hydrolase inhibitor PMSF (phenylmethanesulphonyl fluoride) [Touqui, Jacquemin, Dumarey & Vargaftig (1985) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 833, 111-118]. We report here that human platelets can produce PAF on thrombin stimulation. This production is marginal and transient, reaching a maximum at 10 min and decreasing thereafter. In contrast, 10-12 times more PAF is produced when platelets are treated with PMSF and stimulated with thrombin. Under these conditions, the maximum formation is observed at 30 min and no decline occurs for up to 60 min after stimulation. In addition, these platelets (treated with PMSF and stimulated with thrombin) incorporate exogenous labelled acetate in the 2-position of PAF, probably by an acetyltransferase-dependent mechanism. Production of PAF by human platelets during physiological stimulation can be demonstrated when PAF degradation is suppressed by the acetyl-hydrolase inhibitor PMSF.     

1-O-alkyl-2-N-methylcarbamyl-glycerophosphocholine: a biologically potent, non-metabolizable analog of platelet-activating factor

We prepared unlabeled and 3H-labeled analogs of platelet-activating factor (PAF) containing a N-methylcarbamyl residue at the sn-2 position. PAF and its methylcarbamyl analog competed for binding to high affinity receptors on human polymorphonuclear neutrophils; their respective dissociation constants for these receptors were 0.2 and 1.1 nM. The binding affinities of the two analogs correlated precisely with their capacities to stimulate neutrophil degranulation responses. Unlike PAF, however, the methylcarbamyl analog completely resisted metabolic inactivation by neutrophils and by human sera. Thus, these compounds' biological potencies are determined predominantly by receptor binding: cellular metabolism of the ligands neither contributes to nor appreciably limits their stimulating actions.     

Biosynthesis and metabolism of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in rat glomerular mesangial cells

The ability of rat mesangial cells to synthesize 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC), also known as platelet activating factor (PAF), was studied in mesangial cell cultures originating from isolated rat glomeruli. In response to the phospholipase A2 agonist A23187 mesangial cells synthesized PAF primarily via an acetyltransferase utilizing either [3H]lyso-PAF or [3H]acetate/[3H]acetyl-CoA substrates. The major PAF species synthesized was 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-GPC. PAF was also synthesized from 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-3-glycerol, indicating the presence of a CDP-cholinephosphotransferase. Mesangial cells incorporated [3H]lyso-PAF to 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-GPC. Subsequent stimulation with A23187 (2 microM) resulted in formation and release of [3H]PAF following 3 h, and this was associated with concomitant decrements in intracellular 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-GPC and [3H]lyso-PAF levels, indicating a precursor-product relationship among these alkyl ether lipids. Mesangial cells rapidly converted exogenous [3H]PAF to [3H]lyso-PAF and 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-GPC, and this process was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate (10 microM). The demonstration of PAF activation-inactivation pathways in mesangial cells may be of importance in regulating their function and in glomerular injury.     

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by human promyelocytic leukemic HL60 cells. Stimulated expression of phospholipase A2 and acetyltransferase requires differentiation

Human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60) cells can be induced to differentiate into mature granulocytes by exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide. The addition of N-formylMet-Leu-Phe or the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to these differentiated cells generated 15-30 pmol of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkylacetyl-GPC)/10(6) cells as quantified by platelet aggregation assays. Under identical conditions, uninduced cells produced little alkylacetyl-GPC. Upon the addition of ionophore A23187, differentiated cells, and not uninduced ones, released [14C]arachidonate from prelabeled phospholipids including ether-linked phosphatidylcholines, formed both 3H-labeled 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkyllyso-GPC) and [3H]alkylacetyl-GPC from endogenous 3H-labeled 1-O-alkyl-2-(long chain) acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkylacyl-GPC), and incorporated exogenously added [3H]acetate or [3H]alkyllyso-GPC into alkylacetyl-GPC. These results are suggestive that both phospholipase A2 and acetyltransferase activities are involved in alkylacetyl-GPC biosynthesis by HL60 cells and that these activities appear during differentiation. However, when measured in cell extracts, the activities of phospholipase A2 and acetyltransferase of uninduced cells were virtually indistinguishable from those of differentiated cells. Uninduced cells exhibited enhanced incorporation of [3H]alkyllyso-GPC or [3H]alkylacetyl-GPC into alkylacyl-GPC and of [14C]arachidonate and [14C]oleate into various phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine. However, such enhanced expression of acylation reactions could not account for the lack of accumulation of arachidonate or of alkylacetyl-GPC by uninduced cells. Furthermore, analyses of phospholipid classes by phosphorus determination showed no significant alterations in phospholipid composition of HL60 cells during differentiation. Together these data are suggestive that mechanisms regulating the activation of phospholipase A2 and acetyltransferase activities are defective in uninduced cells and that an increased concentration of cytosolic free Ca2+ alone is not a sufficient requirement for these mechanisms.