Induction of cell division in BALB/c-3T3 cells by phorbol myristate acetate or bovine serum: Effects of inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and Na+−K+-ATPase

Summary Cell division is induced in stationary cultures of BALB/c-3T3 mouse embryo cells without renewal of medium by addition of the tumor promoter, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or bovine serum. The addition of dbcAMP (10⁻³ m) or other inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiesterase, papaverine (6.7×10⁻⁶ m), Persantin (5×10⁻⁵ m) or RO-20-1724 (10⁻⁴ m), prevents cell replication induced by PMA or serum. In contrast, ouabain (10⁻⁴ m) and N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (10⁻⁵ m), inhibitors of Na⁺−K⁺-ATPase activity, block the PMA-stimulated effect but do not inhibit serum-stimulated cell division. Several stages in the cell cycle are sensitive to dbcAMP addition. One is early in the G₁ phase at the time of reinitiation of the cell cycle from a stationary (G₀) phase, a second is associated with the G₁-S transition, and a third with passage of cells from a post-S phase to mitosis. Based on observations of early morphological changes, responses of plasma membrane ezymes and effects of enzyme inhibitors, the stimulation of cell division in BALB/c-3T3 cells by PMA or serum appears to involve several membrane functions which may act in a cooperative manner. This work was supported by a USPHS Research Grant CA12503, and a Center Grant ES-00260 awarded to the Institute of Environmental Medicine. Mrs. Susan Kulina provided the consistent and excellent technical aid necessary to perform this work. Note added in proof: During the preparation and review of this paper, Boynton reported that PMA appears to sensitize BALB/c-3T3 cells to calcium ion which may play a critical role in the regulation of the DNA synthesis (36).     

Induction of cell division: role of cell membrane sites

Density dependent inhibition of cell replication is released in stationary cultures of BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts by the potent tumor promoter for mouse skin, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The saturation density of these cultures, which is dependent on the serum concentration of the medium, is increased by PMA. Cell division, which can be induced by PMA or serum in stationary monolayers of BALB/c-3T3 cells, is not blocked by several inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes or the plant lectins, concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin. Induction of cell replication by PMA or serum does not appear to be dependent on proteolytic activity, and the membrane sites associated with this induction appear to be distinct from the agglutinin-binding sites.     

Regulation of SV40-induced cell division and tumor antigen by dibutyryl adenosine 3′-5′-monophosphate

Simian virus 40 (SV40) induces cell division in microcultures of sparsely plated nongrowing mouse BALB/3T3 cells during acute infection at moderate multiplicities of infection (MOI = 10–100). The infected cells are killed when a MOI of 1,000 is used. SV40 tumor (T) antigen is synthesized in the infected cells, but viral DNA, virion antigen, and progeny virions are not synthesized (abortive infection). The addition of exogenous dibutyryl adenosine 3′-5′-monophosphate (dbcAMP) at the time of infection stimulates the SV40-induced cell division at all MOI and inhibits SV40-induced cell death at high MOI. The percentage of T antigen-positive cells, as monitored by immunofluorescence, is also increased by the addition of dbcAMP at the time of infection. This regulation of SV40-induced cell division and T antigen formation by exogenous dbcAMP occurs within the first 6 hr after infection at 37° C and is dependent upon both the MOI and the concentration of added dbcAMP. The addition of dbcAMP to productively infected TC7 monkey cells has little effect on the SV40-induced cell death or T antigen formation.     

A 63 kDa protein is secreted from BALB/c-3T3 cells entering the G1 phase from the G0 state

A 63 kDa protein is detectable in the culture fluid of mouse BALB/c-3T3 cells traversing from the G0 state to the G1 phase, whereas it is undetectable in the culture fluid of quiescent or growing BALB/c-3T3 cells. Secretion of the protein is maximal at 10 h after serum addition. G0-specific ts mutant cells (rat tsJT60) also secrete the 63 kDa protein only when the quiescent cells are stimulated by serum addition at permissive temperature. These facts indicate that the 63 kDa protein is secreted only from cells traversing from the G0 state to the G1 phase.     

Effect of embryonic mouse cells BALB/c-3T3 on the proliferation of the human mammary cancer cell line T-47D

In the present study, we explore the effect of the cellular extracts and culture medium of the embryonic mouse cell line BALB/c-3T3 (clone A31) on the proliferation and DNA content of the human T-47D breast cancer cell line. These effects were also studied in the presence of the potent anti-estrogen ICI 164,384. All experiments were prepared in MEM medium containing 5% fetal calf serum treated with dextran charcoal, as well as the homogenization of the BALB/c-3T3 cells to obtain the cellular extract. Aliquots of cellular extracts (2%) corresponding to 2 × 10⁶ cells, or culture medium (16%), are incubated with the T-47D cells. After 9 days of culture, cellular extracts and culture medium provoke an intense proliferative effect corresponding respectively to 2 and 5 times the control value of T-47D cells. These effects on cell proliferation are correlated with DNA content. Although the anti-estrogen ICI 164,384 (5 × 10⁻⁸ M) alone decreases the proliferation of T-47D cells by half, the presence of the culture medium from the BALB/c-3T3 cells abolishes this effect and, on the contrary, increases the cell proliferation 4-fold.

It is concluded that mouse embryonic cells (BALB/c-3T3) contain factor(s) which stimulate very intensively the proliferation of hormone-dependent T-47D mammary cancer cells. This factor(s) is present in both the cell and the culture medium and can antagonize the anti-proliferative effect of the anti-estrogen ICI 164,384.     

Synthesis of prostaglandin F by cultured human endometrial cells

Human endometrial cells were dispersed with collagenase and maintained in culture overnight. The synthesis of PGF by the dispersed cells incubated at 37 degrees C in serum-free medium was stimulated by estradiol (10(-7)M - 10(-5)M), histamine (5X10(-7)M - 5X10(-5)M), bradykinin (10(-6)M), phorbol myristate (PMA, 3X10(-8)M) and arachidonate (5X10(-6)M). Preincubation of the cells for 3 h with cortisol (5X10(-7)M - 5X10(-5)M), progesterone (10(-6)M) or mepacrine (10(-6)M - 2X10(-4)M) inhibited the response to histamine, bradykinin and PMA but not to arachidonate. Perfusion of the cultured cells in filtration chambers yielded similar results to those obtained in the incubation system but differences in the onset and duration of the responses to stimuli were found. In the perifusion system the responses to histamine and bradykinin were rapid and of short duration (peak response in less than 60 min) while the responses to PMA and arachidonate were of longer duration with a slower onset. We conclude that these observations using dispersed endometrial cells are consistent with previous work showing that histamine, bradykinin and PMA act by stimulating acylhydrolase activity, thereby liberating precursors such as arachidonic acid which are converted to prostaglandins by the cyclo-oxygenase complex.     

Elevated intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP inhibited serum-stimulated, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells in mid G1

The stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells by platelet-derived growth factor in plasma-supplemented medium was inhibited by the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and cholera toxin, although neither IBMX or cholera toxin when used alone inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis. The cells were reversibly inhibited in mid G1 at a point 6 hr prior to the initiation of DNA synthesis. The inhibition of cell cycle traverse was associated with a 10-15 fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP concentration over basal levels. The reversal of this inhibition by removal of IBMX was correlated with a dramatic decrease in cyclic AMP levels. The traverse of G1 and the initiation of DNA synthesis after release from the cholera toxin and IBMX inhibition was dependent on the presence of plasma in the medium. Either somatomedin C (10-20 ng/ml) or insulin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) completely replaced the plasma requirement for late G1 progression and entry into S phase. Once the inhibited cells were released from the IBMX and cholera toxin block a subsequent increase in cyclic AMP did not prevent entry into S phase. The presence of cholera toxin alone inhibited the stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts. The elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels in the human dermal fibroblasts by cholera toxin was two to three fold greater than that found in the BALB/c-3T3 cells in the presence of cholera toxin and the IBMX.     

Resumption of cell cycle in BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts arrested by polyamine depletion: relation with "competence" gene expression

Serum deprivation arrests BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts (clone A31) in G0 phase, where resumption of the cell division cycle can be induced by addition of serum or of specific growth factors in a defined sequence: PDGF (inducer of a state of "competence," characterized by the expression of a family of genes including c-myc), epidermal growth factor EGF and IGF1 (Leof et al., 1982, 1983). When exponentially growing A31 cells are placed for greater than or equal to 2 days in a medium containing the alpha-difluoromethylornithine (alpha DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, they become arrested in G1 phase as a consequence of polyamine depletion (Medrano et al., 1983). In the alpha DFMO-arrested cells, addition of putrescine (60 microM) in a culture medium containing 6% fetal calf serum (FCS), but not in serum-free medium, is sufficient to induce G1 progression and entry into S phase (as determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation). The level of "competence" mRNAs is high in alpha DFMO-arrested cells. After addition of putrescine in FCS-containing medium, these mRNAs continue to be present for at least 3 h. A large proportion of alpha DFMO-arrested cells can be induced to progress to S phase by insulin (1 microM, acting via IGF1 receptor) plus putrescine in a serum-free medium (greater than or equal to 50% of FCS effect). In this case, the levels of "competence" mRNAs become low or undetectable within 3 h, EGF (10 nM) plus insulin had only slightly greater effect than insulin alone on the progression of alpha DFMO-arrested cells. When the alpha DFMO-arrested cells are subsequently incubated during 3 days in a low-serum-containing medium (0.25% FCS), they do not replenish their supply of polyamines, and then continue to express the c-myc gene. The recruitment of the polyamine-depleted, serum-deprived cells into the cell division cycle does not require PDGF and can be induced by addition of EGF and insulin plus putrescine. These data indicate that alpha DFMO arrests majority of the cells at a point situated beyond the PDGF- and EGF-dependent portion of G1 phase. During the subsequent serum deprivation, the alpha DFMO-arrested cells remain "competent" (PDGF-independent), probably as a consequence of their continued expression of c-myc (and possibly other PDGF-inducible genes).     

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate enhances the proliferative response of Balb/c-3T3 cells to hormonal growth factors.

Stimulation of Balb/c-3T3 cell growth by TPA requires factors found in serum. We examined the interaction between TPA and serum growth factors in the stimulation of cell growth. The number of cells synthesizing DNA (incorporating 3H-thymidine) within 24 to 30 hours after the addition of TPA and the growth factors to density-inhibited Balb/c-3T3 cultures in serum-free medium was determined by autoradiography. With no additions or with TPA (30--300 ng/ml) alone, only 3--7% of cells synthesized DNA. However, TPA synergistically promoted DNA synthesis in combination with each of the defined serum growth fractions, platelet derived growth factor and platelet poor plasma. TPA also synergistically promoted DNA synthesis in combination with purified growth factors including fibroblast growth factor, insulin (10(-6)--10(-5)M), and epidermal growth factor. In all conditions, TPA enhancement of DNA synthesis also resulted in an increase in cell number. Because TPA synergistically enhanced the activity of each growth factor tested, it did not act identically to any of the growth factors.     

Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP inhibits cholesterol esterification in J 774 monocyte-like cells

The effect of dibutyryl-cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and theophylline was investigated on oleic acid incorporation into cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols in the mouse monocyte-macrophage cell line J 774. 24h pretreatment of macrophages with dbcAMP decreased cholesteryl ester formation in a dose-dependent manner (about 4 fold reduction for dbcAMP 10(-4)M + theophylline 10(-3)M), while oleic acid incorporation into triacylglycerols was markedly (2 to 3 fold) enhanced. The catabolism of acetylated LDL was only slightly affected (about 15-20% reduction with dbcAMP 5 X 10(-4)M + theophylline 10(-3)M). Acyl Coenzyme A: cholesterol-O-acyl-transferase activity, measured in vitro on cell homogenates, was reduced in dbcAMP-treated cells, whereas diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity was increased. These results suggest that cyclic AMP can modulate cholesteryl ester and triacylglycerol formation in macrophages, and that these metabolisms are inversely regulated. Agents which increase cyclic AMP intracellular level could be of interest for reducing cholesteryl ester accumulation in macrophages.     

Autocrine induction of major histocompatibility complex class I antigen expression results from induction of beta interferon in oncogene-transformed BALB/c-3T3 cells.

By varying growth conditions, we identified a novel mechanism of autocrine regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I gene expression by induction of beta interferon gene expression in transformed BALB/c-3T3 cells. Low-serum conditions enhanced MHC class I antigen expression in v-rasKi- and v-mos-transformed BALB/c-3T3 cells but not in untransformed BALB/c-3T3 cells. Transformed and untransformed cells grown under standard serum conditions (10% bovine calf serum) expressed similar cell surface levels of MHC class I antigens. However, low-serum conditions (0.5% bovine calf serum) induced four- to ninefold increases in cell surface levels of MHC class I antigens in both v-rasKi- and v-mos-transformed cells but not in untransformed cells. These increases in MHC class I gene expression were seen at both the mRNA and cell surface protein levels and involved not only the heavy-chain component of the class I antigens but also beta 2 microglobulin. Beta 1 interferon mRNA and beta interferon-inducible 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase mRNA were induced by growth under low-serum conditions in transformed BALB/c-3T3 cells, and antibodies to beta interferon blocked the induction of MHC class I antigen expression by serum deprivation in these cells. These results demonstrate that growth under low-serum conditions leads to induction of beta interferon expression in oncogene-transformed cells which then directly mediates autocrine enhancement of MHC class I gene expression.     

Activation of protein kinase C induces rapid internalization and subsequent degradation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in neuroblastoma cells

The tumor-promoting phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C, acted synergistically with A23187 to decrease muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) number in neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115) as determined by a filter binding assay using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate in membrane homogenates. After a 6-h incubation, 10(-7) M PMA and 3 X 10(-7) M A23187 reduced mAChR number 30-40%, compared to the 40-50% reduction observed after treatment with 10(-3) M carbachol, a muscarinic agonist. Incubation with 3 X 10(-7) M A23187 and 10(-7) M 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, an inactive phorbol ester, did not alter mAChR number. The addition of PMA and A23187 to cultures incubated with 10(-3) M carbachol caused only a modest 6% further reduction in mAChR number as compared to incubation with carbachol alone. The kinetics of the decrease in mAChR number produced by PMA/A23187 were similar to those seen after carbachol treatment. Recovery of mAChR number after treatment with either carbachol or PMA/A23187 was blocked by treatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Intact cell binding studies employing [3H]N-methylscopolamine showed that treatment with either PMA/A23187 or carbachol caused a rapid (within 15 min) loss of receptors from the cell surface prior to the decrease in total mAChR number. PMA (10(-7) M), but not 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, promoted the translocation of protein kinase C activity from the cytosol to the membrane. Incubation with carbachol increased membrane-associated protein kinase C activity within 5 min with an EC50 of 3 X 10(-6) M. This increase persisted for at least 60 min in the continued presence of carbachol and was blocked by simultaneous incubation with atropine. These results suggest that activation of protein kinase C may be involved in the regulation of mAChR number in response to agonist.     

Ascorbate-independent proline hydroxylation resulting from viral transformation of Balb 3T3 cells and unaffected by dibutyryl cAMP treatment.

Collagen synthesis, hydroxylation of proline in collagen, and collagen secretion were studied in the contact-inhibited mouse fibroblast line, Balb 3T3; the Kirsten virus transformed line, Ki-3T3; and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)-treated Ki-3T3 cells, during the various phases of the growth cycle. Transformed cells in both logarithmic and stationary phase produced lower levels of collagen than the parent line but 85-90% of the theoretically possible hydroxyproline residues of the collagen were formed even when ascorbic acid was not added to the culture medium. Moreover, the transformed cells showed only about a 20% increase of collagen secretion upon addition of ascorbate. This was in contrast to the ascorbate requirement for maximal proline hydroxylation and the 2-3 fold stimulation of collagen secretion by ascorbate in the parent Balb 3T3 cells. Although dbcAMP treatment caused Ki-3T3 cells to assume a more normal morphology and increased the relative rate of collagen synthesis to levels similar to that of 3T3, such treatment did not restore an ascorbate requirement for proline hydroxylation or collagen secretion. The specific activity of the enzyme prolyl hydroxylase also was not affected by dbcAMP treatment although collagen synthesis was increased by such treatment. In addition, it was found that ascorbic acid was not effective in activating prolyl hydroxylase derived from Ki-3T3 or dbcAMP-treated Ki-3T3 cell cultures either in logarithmic phase or stationary phase. Ki-3T3 cultures did not accumulate ascorbic acid in cells or medium nor was ascorbic acid synthesized from the precursor 14C-glucuronate in cell homogenates. The results suggest that virally transformed Balb 3T3 cells acquire the capacity to synthesize a reducing cofactor for prolyl hydroxylase and that this function may be related to the increased glycolytic metabolism of these cells since neither cellular metabolism nor ascrobate-independent hydroxylation was altered by treatment with dbcAMP.     

Dimethylsulfoxide modifies the sensitivity of BALB/c-3T3 cells to the activation of Na+/H+ exchange by phorbol esters

In a companion paper (Gillies et al.: J. Cell. Physiol. 139:124-129, 1989) we show that phorbol esters (PEs) are unable to stimulate Na+/H+ exchange in BALB/c-3T3 cells under a wide variety of conditions. The Na+/H+ exchangers of a number other cell types are also not responsive to PEs yet have been rendered responsive by treatment with agents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). We undertook the present study to evaluate whether or not the treatment of BALB/c-3T3 cells with DMSO will induce modifications in the sensitivity of these cells to activation by PEs. The present study indicates that a 3-5 day exposure of BALB/c-3T3 cells to 1.25% DMSO leads to changes in the sensitivity of these cells to the activation of Na+/H+ exchanger by PEs. These changes in sensitivity were apparent at day 3 and maximal at day 5. Non-tumor-promoting analogues of PEs do not activate Na+/H+ exchange, suggesting that the effect is mediated through kinase C. Sphingosine prevents PE-, but not serum-induced alkalinization. However, the half-time of the intracellular pH (pHin) response to serum was increased by sphingosine, suggesting that kinase C participates in, but is not required for, the serum induced activation. Since DMSO does not induce any apparent morphological change, the change in sensitivity of Na+/H+ exchange to PEs is not likely to be related to differentiation, but may be associated with structural changes in the Na+/H+ exchanger and/or changes in isoforms of kinase C which recognize the exchanger as a substrate.     

Intracellular univalent cations and the regulation of the BALB/c-3T3 cell cycle

Addition of serum to density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells causes a rapid increase in uptake of Na+ and K+, followed 12 h later by the onset of DNA synthesis. We explored the role of intracellular univalent cation concentrations in the regulation of BALB/c-3T3 cell growth by serum growth factors. As cells grew to confluence, intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations ([Na+]i and [K+]i) fell from 40 and 180 to 15 and 90 mmol/liter, respectively. Stimulation of growth of density-inhibited cells by the addition of serum growth factors increased [Na]i by 30% and [K+]i by 13-25% in early G0/G1, resulting in an increase in total univalent cation concentration. Addition of ouabain to stimulated cells resulted in a concentration-dependent steady decrease in [K+]i and increase in [Na+]i. Ouabain (100 microM) decreased [K+]i to approximately 60 mmol/liter by 12 h, and also prevented the serum- stimulated increase in 86Rb+ uptake. However, 100 microM ouabain did not inhibit DNA synthesis. A time-course experiment was done to determine the effect of 100 microM ouabain on [K+]i throughout G0/G1 and S phase. The addition of serum growth factors to density-inhibited cells stimulated equal rates of entry into the S phase in the presence or absence of 100 microM ouabain. However, in the presence of ouabain, there was a decrease in [K+]i. Therefore, an increase in [K+]i is not required for entry into S phase; serum growth factors do not regulate cell growth by altering [K+]i. The significance of increased total univalent cation concentration is discussed.     

Platelet-derived growth factor-induced alterations in vinculin and actin distribution in BALB/c-3T3 cells

Exposure of BALB/c-3T3 cells (clone A31) to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) results in a rapid time- and dose-dependent alteration in the distribution of vinculin and actin. PDGF treatment (6-50 ng/ml) causes vinculin to disappear from adhesion plaques (within 2.5 min after PDGF exposure) and is followed by an accumulation of vinculin in punctate spots in the perinuclear region of the cell. This alteration in vinculin distribution is followed by a disruption of actin-containing stress fibers (within 5 to 10 min after PDGF exposure). Vinculin reappears in adhesion plaques by 60 min after PDGF addition while stress fiber staining is nondetectable at this time. PDGF treatment had no effect on talin, vimentin, or microtubule distribution in BALB/c-3T3 cells; in addition, exposure of cells to 5% platelet-poor plasma (PPP), 0.1% PPP, 30 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF), 30 ng/ml somatomedin C, or 10 microM insulin also had no effect on vinculin or actin distribution. Other competence-inducing factors (fibroblast growth factor, calcium phosphate, and choleragen) and tumor growth factor produced similar alterations in vinculin and actin distribution as did PDGF, though not to the same extent. PDGF treatment of cells for 60 min followed by exposure to EGF (0.1-30 ng/ml for as long as 8 h after PDGF removal), or 5% PPP resulted in the nontransient disappearance of vinculin staining within 10 min after EGF or PPP additions; PDGF followed by 0.1% PPP or 10 microM insulin had no effect. Treatment of cells with low doses of PDGF (3.25 ng/ml), which did not affect vinculin or actin organization in cells, followed by EGF (10 ng/ml), resulted in the disappearance of vinculin staining in adhesion plaques, thus demonstrating the synergistic nature of PDGF and EGF. These data suggest that PDGF-induced competence and stimulation of cell growth in quiescent fibroblasts are associated with specific rapid alterations in the cellular organization of vinculin and actin.     

Lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of the competence gene KC in vascular endothelial cells is mediated through protein kinase C

The KC gene is a cell cycle-dependent competence gene originally identified in platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated BALB/c-3T3 cells. This gene is also induced in murine peritoneal macrophages in response to activation stimuli. We have examined the expression of the KC gene in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells following treatment with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a first step in defining the early molecular events involved in endothelial cell stimulation by physiologically relevant modulators. LPS markedly elevated the steady-state level of KC mRNA in confluent endothelial cells; maximum induction of KC occurred in the cells following exposure to 10 ng/ml LPS for 2 h. LPS did not increase the growth fraction of the cells, nor was the KC mRNA level changed in dense endothelial cells stimulated to enter the cell cycle with epidermal growth factor. However, KC mRNA expression was elevated by addition of serum to starved, subconfluent endothelial cell cultures. Treatment of endothelial cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) also induced KC gene expression. A maximum response was obtained with 10 nM PMA, the effect decreasing with higher levels of the phorbol ester. The calcium ionophore A23187 exhibited little stimulatory activity alone; however, the ionophore did cause a doubling in the PMA-stimulated KC expression. The increased expression of KC induced by LPS and PMA was inhibited by the presence of 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7), a protein kinase C inhibitor, but not by HA1004 (an H7 analogue with little protein kinase C inhibitory activity). No cytotoxicity was observed in inhibitor or LPS-treated endothelial cell cultures. These results demonstrate that KC gene expression is stimulated by LPS in vascular endothelial cells in a proliferation-independent process. Second, unlike LPS-induced KC expression in macrophages and platelet-derived growth factor-induced KC expression in 3T3 cells, LPS induction of KC in endothelial cells appears to require activation of protein kinase C.     

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors and db-cAMP inhibit TNF-alpha release from human mononuclear cells. Effects of cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitors

We investigated the effects of specific inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) on the inhibitory activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitors and of the cell permeable analogue of cAMP, db-cAMP on LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from human mononuclear cells. Incubation from 30 min of mononuclear cells with dbcAMP (10(-5) to 10(-3) M), rolipram (10(-9) M to 10(-5) M) or Ro 20-1724 (10(-9) M to 10(-5) M) significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF-alpha release. When mononuclear cells were preincubated for 30 min with the selective PKA inhibitor, H89 (10(-4) M), but not with the selective PKG inhibitor, Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs (10(-4) M), a significant reduction of the inhibitory effect of db-cAMP was noted. Thirty min incubation of mononuclear cells with Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs induced a significant reduction of the inhibitory activities of both rolipram and Ro 20-1724 (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) on LPS-induced TNF-alpha release, whereas H89 elicited a moderate, but significant inhibition. The present data indicate that db-cAMP inhibits TNF-alpha release from human mononuclear cells through a PKA-dependent mechanism. In contrast, PDE 4 inhibitors elicit their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities via a PKG-dependent rather than PKA-dependent activation.     

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate, and muramyl dipeptide stimulate the expression of a human monocyte surface antigen, Mo3e

Exposure of mononuclear phagocytes to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is known to stimulate a variety of cellular activities that include increases in phagocytosis, oxidative metabolism, synthesis and secretion of monokines, and cytotoxicity of microbes and tumor cells. We now report that culture of human peripheral blood monocytes in medium containing LPS, phorbol compounds, or MDP also results in the acquired expression of a plasma membrane antigen. Mo3e, as identified by a murine monoclonal antibody. Mo3e is barely detectable (by immunofluorescence flow cytometry) on freshly isolated monocytes, but is expressed in high antigen density after exposure of cells to E. coli, Salmonella minnesota, or Serratia marcescens LPS (at concentrations exceeding 0.1 ng/ml), PMA (and other biologically active phorbol compounds) (0.5 to 1 X 10(-8) M), or MDP (0.01 to 1 X 10(-6) M). Mo3e expression stimulated by LPS is prevented by pretreatment of LPS with polymyxin B, suggesting that the lipid A portion of LPS is responsible for Mo3e induction (polymyxin B has no effect on Mo3e expression stimulated by PMA or MDP). Culture of monocytes in medium containing protein synthesis inhibitors (or at 4 degrees C) blocks the acquisition of Mo3e. Recombinant IFN-gamma, which is also known to "activate" mononuclear phagocytes, does not stimulate Mo3e expression, although both LPS and IFN induce enhanced expression of monocyte Ia antigen. Analogous to their stimulatory effect on monocytes, LPS and PMA induce Mo3e expression by the human monocytic cell line, U-937. On the basis of these observations, Mo3e may represent an immunologic marker for monocyte activation stimulated in vitro by LPS, PMA (and related compounds), and MDP.     

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulation of [3H]-glucosamine incorporation in density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells

G0/G1 traverse in density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells is controlled by multiple serum-derived growth factors. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) initiates a proliferative response, whereas factors present in plasma facilitate progression through G0/G1. In the absence of competence formation, progression factors are unable to stimulate cell cycle traverse. We have identified the stimulation of a biochemical process specific to competence formation in BALB/c-3T3 cells. PDGF treated BALB/c-3T3 cells incorporated 5-10-fold more [3H]-glucosamine (GlcN) into acid-insoluble material as compared to platelet-poor plasma (PPP) treated cultures. Increased GlcN incorporation occurred in density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells in response to treatment with other competence factors, fibroblast growth factor, and Ca3 (PO4)2 and was not due to cell-cycle traverse. Stimulation of [3H]-GlcN incorporation by PDGF was time dependent, and increased incorporation of [3H]-GlcN into protein required de novo protein synthesis. Several mechanisms through which PDGF could increase GlcN incorporation into cellular material were examined. Results of these studies suggest an increase in the cellular capacity to glycosylate proteins is a response to or a part of competence formation.