人参总皂甙对人GM-CSF和GM-CSFR表达的调控

为探讨人参调控粒细胞发生的生物学机制,采用造血祖细胞和骨髓基质细胞体外培养、造血生长因子生物学活性检测、免疫细胞化学、核酸分子原位杂交、免疫沉淀和蛋白印迹等现代生物学技术,研究人参总皂甙(total saponins of Panax ginaeng,TSPG)对人粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor,GM-CSF)和粒-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子受体α(GM-CSFRα)表达的影响。结果：(1)经TSPG(50μg／m1)诱导制备的骨髓基质细胞、胸腺细胞、脾细胞、血管内皮细胞和单核细胞条件培养液可显著提高粒单系造血祖细胞(CFU-GM)的集落产率;(2)经TSPG(50μg/ml)诱导后,上述细胞的GM-CSF蛋白(诱导24h)和mRNA(诱导12h)表达显著提高;(3)经TSPG(50μg/ml)诱导24h骨髓造血细胞的GM-CSFRα蛋白表达增强;(4)经TSPG(50μg/ml)刺激后2min,GM-CSFRα和Shc发生酪氨酸磷酸化,5min时达高峰,随后去磷酸化。上述结果表明,TSPG可能通过直接和／或间接途径促进淋巴细胞与骨髓基质细胞合成与分泌GM-CSF,诱导骨髓造血细胞表达GM-CSFRα,并刺激GM-CSFRα和Shc的酪氨酸可逆磷酸化,从而通过调控GM-CSF的信号转导过程,促进CFU-GM的增殖。     

细胞素与艾滋病的体外实验结果引起疑问

近期研究体内四种造血生长因子及γ-干扰素对受HIV-1侵染的人体单核吞噬细胞的影响,它们给临床应用蛋白质治疗艾滋病带来一些问题。特别是洛杉矶加利福尼亚大学(UCLA)医学院的研究者发现当往HIV-侵染的培养细胞中加入粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)、巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(M-CSF)或白细胞介素-3(IL-3)时,     

IL-36信号通路与肺部炎症

白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)-36属于IL-1家族新成员,包括IL-36α、IL-36β、IL-36γ和IL-36受体拮抗剂(IL-36 receptor antagonist,IL-36Ra)。IL-36受体(IL-36 receptor,IL-36R)是由IL-1受体相关蛋白2(IL-1Rrp2)和共受体IL-1受体辅助蛋白(IL-1RAc P)组成的异二聚体。IL-36α、IL-36β、IL-36γ能够通过结合IL-36R激活丝裂原激活蛋白激酶和核因子-κB信号通路,促进炎症细胞因子表达,而IL-36Ra可竞争性结合IL-36R从而阻断其信号转导,抑制炎症细胞因子表达。IL-36细胞因子与肺部炎症性疾病密切相关,这提示IL-36可作为肺部炎症性疾病治疗的新靶点。     

右美托咪定对HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导大鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用及机制

人类免疫缺陷病毒-1(H1V-1)包膜糖蛋白gp120促进P2X7受体激活与AIDS痴呆综合征的发生密切相关.右美托咪定(Dex)具有神经保护作用,在创伤性脑损伤大鼠中能够抑制P2X7受体表达并改善认知功能,但Dex在AIDS痴呆综合征中的治疗作用尚不明确.为了研究Dex对HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导大鼠学习记忆障碍的改善作用及机制,本研究将SD大鼠分为对照组、gp120组、BzATP组、gp120+Dex组、gp120+Dex+BzATP组,进行侧脑室灌注gp120、P2X7受体激动剂BzATP组或腹腔注射Dex的操作.采用定位航行实验检测逃避潜伏期,空间探索实验检测探索时间,试剂盒检测白介素-1β(IL-1β)、白介素-18(IL-18)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、丙二醛(MDA)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)的含量,DHE荧光探针检测活性氧簇(ROS)的含量,western blot检测P2X7受体、NLPR3、caspase-1、p-p38MAPK的表达水平.结果显示,与对照组比较,gp120组的逃避潜伏期延长,探索时间缩短,海马中IL-1 β、IL-18、TNF-α,ROS、MDA的含量及P2X7受体、NLPR3、caspase-1、p-p38MAPK的表达水平增加,SOD、GPx的含量降低;与gp120组比较,gp120+Dex组的逃避潜伏期缩短,探索时间延长,海马中 IL-1β、IL-18、TNF-a、ROS、MDA 的含量及 P2X7受体、NLPR3、caspase-1、p-p38MAPK 的表达水平降低,SOD、GPx的含量增加;与gp120+Dex组比较gp120+Dex+BzATP组的逃避潜伏期延长,探索时间缩短,海马中 IL-1β、IL-18、TNF-a、ROS、MDA的含量及P2X7受体、NLPR3、caspase-1、p-p38MAPK的表达水平增加,SOD、GPx的含量降低.以上结果表明,Dex对HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导的大鼠学习记忆障碍具有改善作用,抑制P2X7受体及下游NLRP3、p-p38MAPK表达是介导这一改善作用的可能机制.     

柚皮苷通过P2X7受体减轻HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120导致大鼠神经功能损害的的作用及机制

人类免疫缺陷病毒-1(Human immunodeficiency virus-1,HIV-1)包膜糖蛋白gp120能够引起大鼠出现学习记忆障碍的行为学改变并增加海马中P2X7受体的表达;柚皮苷对gp120引起的行为学改变及P2X7表达增多具有改善作用。为了研究柚皮苷通过减少P2X7受体表达减轻gp120导致大鼠神经功能损害的作用及机制,本实验选择SD大鼠并分为假手术操作的对照组、脑室注射gp120的gp120组、脑室注射gp120及不同剂量柚皮苷灌胃的柚皮苷组、脑室注射BzATP的BzATP组、脑室注射gp120、BzATP及90mg/kg柚皮苷灌胃的90mg/kg/d柚皮苷+BzATP组。Morris水迷宫检测逃避潜伏期及错误次数,TUNEL法检测海马中细胞凋亡率,Elisa法检测海马中肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白介素-1β(Interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、白介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)的含量,Western blot检测海马中P2X7受体的表达。结果显示:与对照组比较,gp120组大鼠的逃避潜伏期延长,错误次数及海马中细胞凋亡率、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的含量、P2X7受体的表达水平增加(P<0.05);与gp120组比较,不同剂量柚皮苷组大鼠的逃避潜伏期缩短,错误次数及海马中细胞凋亡率、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的含量、P2X7受体的表达水平减少(P<0.05);与90mg/kg/d柚皮苷组比较,90mg/kg/d柚皮苷+BzATP组大鼠的逃避潜伏期延长,错误次数及海马中细胞凋亡率、TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6的含量、P2X7受体的表达水平增加(P<0.05)。本研究的结果表明柚皮苷减轻HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导的神经功能损害,这一作用与抑制海马组织中P2X7受体表达并减轻炎症反应及细胞凋亡有关。创新在于首次阐明了柚皮苷减轻HIV-1包膜糖蛋白gp120诱导神经功能损害的分子机制。在gp120引起大鼠行为学改变及海马组织中细胞凋亡、炎症反应激活的过程中,柚皮苷通过抑制P2X7受体的表达来改善行为学改变、抑制细胞凋亡及炎症反应的激活。     

神经生长因子对正常和放射线-化学复合损伤小鼠造血调节因子及其受体影响研究

目的 探究神经生长因子(NGF)对正常和放射线-化学复合损伤小鼠造血调节因子及其受体的影响.方法 用实时荧光定量PCR和酶联免疫吸附检测注射NGF后正常和经60Coγ射线照射+腹腔注射环磷酰胺(放射线-化学复合损伤,放-化复合损伤)小鼠肾脏红细胞生成素(Epo)、脾脏红细胞生成素受体(EpoR)、骨髓细胞粒-巨噬系集落刺激因子(GM-CSF) mRNA表达量和血清Epo、GM-CSF、白细胞介素-3(IL-3)浓度变化.结果 注射NGF后正常小鼠脾脏EpoR mRNA表达、放-化复合损伤小鼠血清GM-CSF、IL-3显著高于注射生理盐水的对照组.结论 NGF可以改变小鼠的造血调节因子及其受体水平,但对正常和放-化复合损伤机体,其作用各不相同.     

P2X7受体与疾病的相关性

P2X受体是一类离子型配体门控通道,分为7个不同的亚型(P2X1～7)。嘌呤能离子通道型受体7(purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor, P2X7R)是ATP门控的,非选择性的阳离子通道,属于嘌呤受体P2X家族。P2X7受体广泛表达于神经系统、肌肉组织和免疫系统。在胞外ATP作用下,P2X7受体偶联多种胞内信号通路,参与细胞增殖、凋亡及炎症因子的释放等多种生理功能。研究发现,P2X7受体与诸多疾病有着密切联系,包括自身免疫性疾病(如关节炎和炎症性肠病)、神经退行性疾病、慢性疼痛、情绪障碍和癌症等。P2X7受体异常表达会导致这些疾病的发生,增加疾病的易感性与病变程度。现就P2X7受体的生物学特征、P2X7受体与疾病的关系及其特异性阻断剂和激动剂进行综述。     

脂多糖对新生小鼠肺血管内皮细胞的影响及机制探讨

该文旨在探讨脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide, LPS)对新生小鼠肺血管内皮细胞的影响及机制。将分离培养的肺血管内皮细胞随机分为空白对照组和LPS组;用10μg/mL的LPS处理细胞后分别于0 h、6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h时间点收集细胞标本进行检测;采用划痕实验观察LPS对肺血管内皮细胞迁移的影响;用荧光定量PCR(Real-time PCR, RT-PCR)检测白介素-1β(IL-1β)、巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-1α(MIP-1α)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α) mRNA水平变化; Western blot检测血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、血管内皮生长因子受体2(VEGFR2)及核因子κB(nuclear factor kappa-B, NF-κB)相关蛋白P65水平的变化。结果显示,体外分离培养的肺血管内皮细胞成鹅卵石样排列, VIII因子相关抗原和CD31表面抗原荧光染色阳性。划痕实验中, LPS组细胞在12 h的迁移高于对照组(P0.001);荧光定量PCR检测到LPS组分泌的炎症因子IL-1β、TNF-α和趋化因子MIP-1α、MCP-1的mRNA表达明显高于对照组(P0.001); Western blot显示, LPS组与对照组相比, VEGF蛋白表达在24 h、48 h处降低(P0.05), VEGFR2蛋白表达在各时间段都明显降低(P0.001),同时, NF-κB相关蛋白P65活性显著升高(P0.05)。研究表明,脂多糖诱发的炎症反应影响肺血管内皮细胞的发育,其机制可能与NF-κB通路激活,诱导炎症因子、趋化因子表达升高和VEGF/VEGFR2表达下降有关。     

鸡GM-CSF和IL-2增强表达新城疫病毒F蛋白的重组杆状病毒疫苗的免疫效果

为比较鸡粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor,GM-CSF)及鸡白细胞介素2(Interleukin 2,IL-2)对杆状病毒疫苗的免疫增强效果,通过基因工程手段构建重组杆状病毒疫苗(Recombinant Baculovirus,BV)rBV-LMI-F,并联合GM-CSF及IL-2进行鸡体免疫。对中和抗体水平及细胞因子含量比较GM-CSF和IL-2的免疫增强效果进行对比。结果显示,在第一次免疫28 d或42 d后,GM-CSF联合免疫组可诱导鸡体产生更高的抗体和细胞因子水平(P0.01)。表明鸡GM-CSF能更有效地刺激机体产生较强的抗体和细胞因子反应,提高重组杆状病毒疫苗的免疫效果。     

褪黑素抑制LPS诱导的脂肪细胞炎症反应及机制

研究褪黑素对脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞炎症反应的抑制作用及机制。体外培养3T3-L1前脂肪细胞并诱导成为成熟的脂肪细胞,用不同浓度的褪黑素(50、100、200μmol/L)处理2 h后,加入LPS(2μg/m L)诱导炎症反应,于LPS处理后不同时间,取细胞,qRT-PCR测定肿瘤坏死因子α(Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha,TNF-α)和白介素6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)的表达情况,Western blot法测定各组总蛋白p-IκBα的表达情况。取上清液,酶联免疫吸附法(Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测TNF-α和IL-6的分泌情况。结果显示褪黑素显著抑制LPS诱导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞TNF-α和IL-6表达和分泌(P0.05),呈现剂量效果依赖性;Western blot结果表明褪黑素显著抑制LPS诱导的脂肪细胞IκBα磷酸化(P0.05)。这表明褪黑素通过降低LPS诱导的脂肪细胞IκBα磷酸化信号通路抑制脂肪细胞炎症反应。     

Direct stimulation of cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-2, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF) in whole blood. I. Comparison with isolated PBMC stimulation.

Production of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was studied in 1/10 diluted whole blood (WB) culture and in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture. Cytokines IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6 are preferentially stimulated by LPS whereas IL-2, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF are stimulated by PHA. Combination of 5 micrograms/ml PHA and 25 micrograms/ml LPS gave the most reliable production of the six cytokines studied. IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IL-6 represent a homogeneous group of early-produced cytokines positively correlated among themselves and with the number of monocytes in the culture (LeuM3). Furthermore, IL-1 beta was negatively correlated with the number of T8 lymphocytes. IL-2, IFN-gamma and GM-CSF represent a group of late-produced cytokines. Kinetics and production levels of IL-6 and GM-CSF are similar in WB and PBMC cultures. In contrast, production levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma are higher in WB than in PBMC whereas production levels of IL-6 and IL-2 are lower in WB than in PBMC. Individual variation in responses to PHA + LPS was always higher in PBMC cultures than in WB cultures. The capacity of cytokine production in relation to the number of mononuclear cells is higher in WB, or in PBMC having the same mononuclear cell concentration as WB, than in conventional cultures of concentrated PBMC (10(6)/ml). Because it mimics the natural environment, diluted WB culture may be the most appropriate milieu in which to study cytokine production in vitro.     

Interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-beta regulate the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and colony-stimulating factors in human thyroid follicular cells.

Monocytes and T-lymphocytes, both of which play a pivotal role in immune/inflammatory responses, can be attracted from the circulation into tissues by monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and monocytes can be further activated by colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), granulocyte/macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) or macrophage CSF (M-CSF). We examined whether either interleukin-6 (IL-6) or transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), both of which are produced by thyroid follicular cells (TFC), can regulate the production of MCP-1 or CSF(s) in human TFC. IL-6, being effective only in the presence of soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), stimulated the expression of both MCP-1 and M-CSF, but was inhibitory on GM-CSF expression. On the other hand, TGF-beta stimulated the expression of both MCP-I and GM-CSF, but suppressed M-CSF expression. These results suggest a possible role of IL-6 or TGF-beta on the initiation and/or modulation of thyroid immune/inflammatory responses via MCP-1 production and differential production of GM-CSF or M-CSF by TFC.     

Synergistic activation of human monocytes by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and IFN-gamma. Increased TNF-alpha but not IL-1 activity

TNF-alpha and IL-1 activities and PGE2 levels were investigated in the supernatants of highly purified human monocytes cultured for 18 h with recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF). GM-CSF alone did not stimulate IL-1 or TNF-alpha activities or the production of PGE2. GM-CSF with IFN-gamma, but not with LPS, consistently activated the monocytes for TNF-alpha activity. In contrast, for increased IL-1 activity, GM-CSF synergized weakly and irregularly with LPS, but not at all with IFN-gamma. For the third monocyte product investigated, GM-CSF was a weak and inconsistent inducer of PGE2 and only in the co-presence of IFN-gamma. Thus, GM-CSF can elicit different responses in human monocytes depending both on the co-stimulus as well as the monocyte product being investigated.     

Enhancement of human monocyte tumoricidal activity by recombinant M-CSF

Activated monocytes are an important component of immunologic defense against neoplastic disease. A variety of agents capable of inducing tumoricidal activity have been described, including bacterial LPS, IFN-gamma, IL-1, IL-2, TNF, and GM-CSF. We now show that pretreatment of monocytes with recombinant human macrophage-specific colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) augments the tumoricidal activity of human peripheral blood monocytes induced by other activating agents. Monocytes were preincubated for three days with M-CSF at 10(3) U/ml, washed, and treated for an additional two days with secondary activators. Tumoricidal activity was measured in a 6-h 51Cr-release assay using NK-resistant WEHI 164 cells that had been treated with actinomycin D. Pretreatment of monocytes with M-CSF significantly increased tumoricidal activity induced by LPS, IFN gamma, LPS plus IFN gamma, and LPS plus PMA. Pretreatment with IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, or GM-CSF was not as effective as M-CSF in increasing tumoricidal activity. Enhanced tumoricidal activity was directly correlated to the increased TNF production resulting from M-CSF pretreatment. TNF antiserum completely blocked tumoricidal activity, demonstrating that TNF was responsible for the M-CSF-mediated increase in tumor cell lysis. M-CSF pretreatment also enhanced non-TNF mediated tumoricidal activity by monocytes, as seen by increased killing of the TNF-resistant target P815. This study demonstrated that in addition to the role of M-CSF in the proliferation and differentiation of monocyte/macrophage precursors, M-CSF also augments an effector function of mature blood monocytes.     

TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma reverse IL-4 inhibition of lymphokine-activated killer cell function

Recombinant IL-4 inhibits IL-2-induced lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell development of PBMC. We evaluated the effect of various cytokines in reversing IL-4-mediated LAK inhibition. PBMC were cultured in IL-2 (10-1000 u/ml) with or without IL-4 (2-100 u/ml) and tested for cytotoxicity against the NK-sensitive K562 cells and NK-resistant UCLA-SO-M14 cells. Addition of IL-4 at the beginning of culture suppresses LAK activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Addition of IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha partially reverses IL-4-mediated inhibition (30-100%) in a dose-dependent fashion. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha must be added within the first 24 hr of initiating culture in order to reverse IL-4 inhibition. Furthermore, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha are most effective at reversing IL-4 inhibition at low concentrations of IL-2 (less than 100 u/ml). Addition of other IL-2-induced cytokines such as GM-CSF (50 u/ml), M-CSF (250 u/ml), and IFN-alpha (10-10,000 u/ml) fails to reverse IL-4 inhibition. In addition to suppression of LAK induction, IL-4 also inhibits IL-2-induced IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha protein production in PBMC. The reversal of IL-4-mediated LAK inhibition by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma may therefore be due to resupply of these endogenously suppressed cytokines.     

Effect of cytokines and growth factors on the macrophage colony-stimulating factor secretion by human bone marrow stromal cells

We have investigated the effect of growth factors, inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines on the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) secretion by cultured human bone marrow stromal cells. Their production of M-CSF cultured in serum-free medium is enhanced in a time-dependent manner in response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF-)alpha and interleukin (IL-)4 but not to IL-1, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, SCF, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), G-CSF, bFGF and transforming growth factor (TGF-)beta. The co-addition of IL-4 and TNF-alpha has a greater than additive effect on the secretion of M-CSF suggesting that they act synergistically. The anti-inflammatory molecules IL-10 and TGF-beta have no effect on the TNF-alpha-induced M-CSF synthesis by marrow stromal cells. In conclusion TNF-alpha and IL-4 are potent stimulators of the M-CSF synthesis by human bone marrow stromal cells, a result of importance regarding the role of M-CSF in the proliferation/differentiation of mononuclear-phagocytic cells and the role of marrow stromal cells as regulators of marrow haematopoiesis.     

The effects of infection of thermal injury by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 on the murine cytokine response.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, one of the major complications of burn wounds, may lead to sepsis and death. Using the Multi-Probe Template/RNase protection assay, we have compared the expression of different cytokine genes within the skin and livers of thermally injured mice infected with P. aeruginosa PAO1. Thermal injury alone enhanced or up-regulated certain cytokines, including macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), interleukin 1 (IL-1)RI, IL-1 beta, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 beta and MIP-2; while PAO1 challenge alone up-regulated tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) expression. The combination of thermal injury plus PAO1 infection enhanced the expression of several pro-inflammatory and haematopoietic cytokines [stem cell factor (SCF), leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-6 and TNF-alpha]; induced the expression of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and G-CSF by 5 h and the expression of additional cytokines, including TGF-beta, TNF-beta, lymphotoxin beta (LT-beta), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), and IFN-beta by 40 h post-burn/infection. While the most intense cytokine expression occurred in the skin, the majority of cytokines tested were also expressed in the liver by 40 h post-burn/infection. These results suggest that in P. aeruginosa infection of burn wounds: (1) up-regulation of the expression of different cytokines, locally and within the livers of burned mice, is an indication of P. aeruginosa -induced sepsis; and (2) IL-6 and G-CSF play an important role in the host response mechanism.     

Acylation of lysophosphatidylcholine plays a key role in the response of monocytes to lipopolysaccharide.

Mononuclear phagocytes play a pivotal role in the progression of septic shock by producing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and other inflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. Our previous studies have shown monocyte and macrophage activation correlate with changes in membrane phospholipid composition, mediated by acyltransferases. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which activates and primes these cells for enhanced inflammatory responses to LPS, was found to selectively activate lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) (P < 0.05) but not lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) activity. When used to prime the human monocytic cell line MonoMac 6, the production of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was approximately five times greater in cells primed with IFN-gamma than unprimed cells. Two LPCAT inhibitors SK&F 98625 (diethyl 7-(3,4,5-triphenyl-2-oxo2,3-dihydro-imidazole-1-yl)heptane phosphonate) and YM 50201 (3-hydroxyethyl 5,3'-thiophenyl pyridine) strongly inhibited (up to 90%) TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in response to LPS in both unprimed MonoMac-6 cells and in cells primed with IFN-gamma. In similar experiments, these inhibitors also substantially decreased the response of both primed and unprimed peripheral blood mononuclear cells to LPS. Sequence-based amplification methods showed that SK&F 98625 inhibited TNF-alpha production by decreasing TNF-alpha mRNA levels in MonoMac-6 cells. Taken together, the data from these studies suggest that LPCAT is a key enzyme in both the pathways of activation (priming) and the inflammatory response to LPS in monocytes.