TMA-DPH A fluorescent probe of membrane dynamics in living cells

Trimethylammonium-diphenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH), a hydrophobic fluorescent probe, has been shown in earlier studies to possess a variety of particular properties in interaction with intact living cells —specific and rapid incorporation into the plasma membrane and partition equilibrium between the membranes and the buffer. These properties offer promising applications in membrane fluidity studies and in monitoring exocytosis kinetics. Furthermore, these properties offer a method described here for quantitative monitoring of phago-cytosis kinetics, by means of simple fluorescence intensity measurements. This method is original in that it evaluates only the particles which have actually been internalized by phagocytosis, and not those adsorbed on the cell surface, and that it gives quantitative information on the amount of plasma membrane involved in the process. It has been tested on mouse bone marrow macrophages.     

Adenosine receptors are expressed during differentiation of monocytes to macrophages in vitro. Implications for regulation of phagocytosis

Ingestion by phagocytes is known to be markedly enhanced by physiologic signals such as cytokines and extracellular matrix proteins which may be found in inflammatory sites. Little investigation has been made of mechanisms that may depress this increased rate of phagocytosis during resolution of inflammation. We show that adenosine can act as an inhibitor of phagocytosis by macrophages derived from in vitro culture of human peripheral blood monocytes. Adenosine (Ado) is equally effective at inhibiting IgG Fc and complement-mediated phagocytosis. However, Ado has no effect on phagocytosis by freshly isolated monocytes. Inhibition by Ado begins after 2 days in culture and reaches a plateau by 5 days; these kinetics of induction of inhibition of phagocytosis parallel an increase in specific Ado binding to the macrophage plasma membrane. Ado binds to cultured monocytes with a Kd of 6 microM. This affinity and the observation that 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidadenosine are the most potent inhibitors of phagocytosis suggest that the Ado receptors expressed during monocyte differentiation are of the A2 type. The inhibition of phagocytosis may be mediated by cAMP, a second messenger coupled to A2 receptors in several cell types. Thus, plasma membrane expression of A2 receptors dramatically increases during monocyte differentiation in vitro. These data show that a potentially physiologic mediator can have very different effects on the function of monocytes and macrophages. This suggests a mechanism whereby phagocytic function at inflammatory sites can be down-regulated if and only if signals for the recruitment of new phagocytes have subsided.     

Ironing out the wrinkles of neutrophil phagocytosis

Though phagocytosis of microbes by professional phagocytes such as neutrophils is crucial for the survival of the host, it is still unclear how the apparent 'stretching' of the plasma membrane is achieved. Microscopically, pseudopod extension, particulate engulfment and phagosome closure all require seemingly large expansions of the cell surface area. Although actual membrane stretching can be ruled out on the basis of physical properties of lipid bilayers, the addition of new membrane from within the cell, either by exocytosis or phagosomal fusion with endoplasmic reticulum membrane, might provide an explanation. However, these events do not seem to have major roles during phagocytosis by neutrophils. Instead, neutrophils might use a more primitive mechanism, that is, the unfolding of surface membrane wrinkles, to provide the additional membrane for phagocytosis. Here, we briefly discuss why membrane unwrinkling provides a feasible hypothesis for membrane expansion during neutrophil phagocytosis, and suggest a potential molecular mechanism for neutrophil control over membrane surface wrinkles, and the potential signalling route.     

Mathematical modeling of transmembrane calcium transport kinetics in smooth muscle cells

A mathematical model, which describes kinetics of transmembrane calcium transport in a smooth muscular cell, has been elaborated and investigated taking into account that the change of calcium cations concentration within a cell is determined by two mutually opposite processes: an increase of a carrying capacity of calcium channels of plasma membrane under signal substance action and calcium removal from the intracellular space by Mg2+, ATP-dependent calcium pump localized on the plasma membrane. The fundamental difference of the proposed model against the models analyzed in literature before is that the cellular system returns to the initial stationary state after enzyme-catalysed transformation of the signal substance. The results of calculations showed that this model really described the experimental kinetics of the transmembrane calcium transport. In this paper the influence of different parameters (Michaelis constant and ultimate rate of calcium pump, initial concentrations of signal substance and enzyme decomposing it, rate constants) on kinetics of calcium transport through the plasma membrane has been investigated in detail.     

Shaping cups into phagosomes and macropinosomes

The ingestion of particles or cells by phagocytosis and of fluids by macropinocytosis requires the formation of large endocytic vacuolar compartments inside cells by the organized movements of membranes and the actin cytoskeleton. Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis is guided by the zipper-like progression of local, receptor-initiated responses that conform to particle geometry. By contrast, macropinosomes and some phagosomes form with little or no guidance from receptors. The common organizing structure is a cup-shaped invagination of the plasma membrane that becomes the phagosome or macropinosome. Recent studies, focusing on the physical properties of forming cups, indicate that a feedback mechanism regulates the signal transduction of phagocytosis and macropinocytosis.     

Disappearance of macrophage surface folds after antibody-dependent phagocytosis

We have employed the method of Burwen and Satir (J. Cell Biol., 1977, 74:690) to measure the disappearance of surface folds from resident guinea pig peritoneal macrophages after antibody-dependent phagocytosis. Unilamellar phospholipid vesicles containing dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and 1 mol % dinitrophenyl-epsilon- aminocaproyl-phosphatidylethanolamine, a lipid that possesses a hapten headgroup, were prepared by an ether injection technique. These vesicles were taken up by macrophages in a time- and temperature- dependent fashion. Vesicles that contained ferritin trapped in the internal aqueous volume were identified within macrophages by transmission electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that macrophage surface folds decrease dramatically after phagocytosis. The surface fold length (micrometer) per unit smooth sphere surface area (micrometer2) decreases from 1.3 +/- 0.3 micrometer- 1 to 0.53 +/- 0.25 micrometer-1 when cells are incubated in the presence of specific anti-DNP antibody and vesicles at 37 degrees C. No significant effect was observed in the presence of antibody only or vesicles only. Our studies shown that phagocytosis is associated with a loss of cell surface folds and a loss of cell surface area, which is consonant with current views of the endocytic process. On the basis of our uptake data, we estimate that approximately 400 micrometer2 of vesicle surface membrane is internalized. The guinea pig macrophage plasma membrane has a total area of approximately 400 micrometer2 in control studies, whereas the cells have roughly 300 micrometer2 after phagocytosis. These estimates of surface areas include membrane ruffles and changes directly related to changes in cell volume. We suggest that during antibody-dependent phagocytosis a membrane reservoir is made available to the cell surface.     

Improved method to evaluate the ability of compounds to destabilize the cellular plasma membrane

In the paper, we present an improved method for evaluation of a compound ability to destabilize erythrocyte plasma membrane. The proposed method is based on the continuous monitoring of the light scattered by erythrocytes exposed to osmotic pressure differences. The kinetics of hemolysis depends on the plasma membrane mechanics and the extent of the osmotic stress. Generally, the osmotic pressure difference of approximately 150 mOsm is taken for measurements, as a result of the equal volume mixing with the physiological salt solutions. In this approach the hemolytic process completion is not established which may result in poor quality and reproducibility of the experimental data. In consequence, inaccurate parameters of the kinetic are determined due to the low quality fitting to the, widely used, single exponential model. In the paper we propose a new experimental protocol allowing to determine the extended set of parameters for kinetics of hemolysis. Namely, the method of the minimal osmotic pressure difference determination is proposed which ensures the completeness of the hemolytic process. This step allows improving the quality and exactness of the calculated parameters. The developed methodology was tested on two qualitatively different, biologically relevant, experiments; evaluation of the peptide effect on the plasma membrane properties and differentiating between human and rabbit erythrocytes.     

Phagocytosis of IgG-coated polystyrene beads by macrophages induces and requires high membrane order

The biochemical composition and biophysical properties of cell membranes are hypothesized to affect cellular processes such as phagocytosis. Here, we examined the plasma membranes of murine macrophage cell lines during the early stages of uptake of immunoglobulin G (IgG)-coated polystyrene particles. We found that the plasma membrane undergoes rapid actin-independent condensation to form highly ordered phagosomal membranes, the biophysical hallmark of lipid rafts. Surprisingly, these membranes are depleted of cholesterol and enriched in sphingomyelin and ceramide. Inhibition of sphingomyelinase activity impairs membrane condensation, F-actin accumulation at phagocytic cups and particle uptake. Switching phagosomal membranes to a cholesterol-rich environment had no effect on membrane condensation and the rate of phagocytosis. In contrast, preventing membrane condensation with the oxysterol 7-ketocholesterol, even in the presence of ceramide, blocked F-actin dissociation from nascent phagosomes and particle uptake. In conclusion, our results suggest that ordered membranes function to co-ordinate F-actin remodelling and that the biophysical properties of phagosomal membranes are essential for phagocytosis.     

细胞计数板在荧光显微镜观察B细胞吞噬现象的应用探讨

目的:基于细胞计数板建立一种简单、快速使用免疫荧光显微镜观察B淋巴细胞吞噬卡介苗(BCG)现象的新方法,对即将进行流式细胞检测的样品进行质控,提高流式细胞术检测吞噬率的稳定性,同时为流式细胞仪检测吞噬率提供镜下依据。方法:B细胞与FITC标记的BCG共培养24 h后,PE anti-human CD19抗体直接标记细胞膜,应用细胞计数板在荧光显微镜下观察B细胞吞噬现象,流式细胞仪检测吞噬率。结果:应用细胞计数板在荧光镜下可观察到B细胞与BCG的荧光标记及B细胞与BCG共标记现象,证实B细胞可吞噬BCG,流式细胞仪检测结果显示吞噬率为13.9%。结论:应用细胞计数板在荧光镜下可观察B细胞吞噬现象,且操作简便快速,能对流式细胞检测的样品进行质控,并提供镜下依据。     

Stargazin interaction with alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptors is critically dependent on the amino acid at the narrow constriction of the ion channel

The subunit GluR2 of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) subfamily of ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) features a single amino acid at the narrow constriction of the pore loop that is altered from glutamine to arginine by RNA editing. This so-called Q/R site has been shown to play an important role in the determination of the electrophysiological properties of AMPA receptor complexes as well as of trafficking to the plasma membrane. The protein stargazin has also been shown to modulate electrophysiological properties and trafficking to the plasma membrane of AMPA receptors. In this study we examined via a series of mutants of the Q/R site of the AMPA receptor GluR1 whether the amino acid at this position has any influence on the modulatory effects mediated by stargazin. To this end, we analyzed current responses of Q/R site mutants upon application of glutamate and kainate and determined the amount of mutant receptor protein in the plasma membrane in Xenopus oocytes. Desensitization kinetics of several mutants were analyzed in HEK293 cells. We found that the stargazin-mediated decrease in receptor desensitization, the slowing of desensitization kinetics, and the kainate efficacy were all dependent on the amino acid at the Q/R site, whereas the stargazin-mediated increase in trafficking toward the plasma membrane remained independent of this amino acid. We propose that the Q/R site modulates the interaction of stargazin with the transmembrane domains of AMPA receptors via an allosteric mechanism and that this modulation leads to the observed differences in the electrophysiological properties of the receptor.     

Surface expression of phosphatidylserine on macrophages is required for phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes

Cells generally maintain an asymmetric distribution of phospholipids across the plasma membrane bilayer, restricting the phospholipid, phosphatidylserine (PS), to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane. When cells undergo apoptosis, this asymmetric transbilayer distribution is lost, bringing PS to the surface where it acts as a signal for engulfment by phagocytes. The fluorescent dye merocyanine 540 specifically stains the plasma membrane of apoptotic cells which have lost their asymmetric distribution of phospholipids. However, it also stains non-apoptotic macrophages, suggesting that phospholipid asymmetry may not be maintained in these cells, and thus that they may express PS on their surface. Here, the PS-binding protein, annexin V, was used to show that in fact normal macrophages do express PS on their surface. Furthermore, pre-treating macrophages with annexin V was found to inhibit phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes and thymocytes on which PS expression was artificially induced, but did not inhibit phagocytosis of latex beads or Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of opsonized erythrocytes. These results indicate that PS is constitutively expressed on the surface of macrophages and is functionally significant for the phagocytosis of PS-expressing target cells.     

Quantification of ketotifen and its metabolites in human plasma by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring has been used to develop a method for the quantification of ketotifen and its demethylated, 10-hydroxy and 10-hydroxy demethylated metabolites in human plasma. The minimum detectable concentrations for ketotifen and its demethylated metabolites were 50 pg ml-1 and 300 pg ml-1 for the 10-hydroxy metabolite. The methodology has been applied in studies of the kinetics of the drug in man, and plasma levels of the unchanged drugs and its metabolites in free and conjugated form are reported.     

Fate of surface proteins of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes during phagocytosis. II. Internalization of proteins

The distribution of surface proteins during phagocytosis by rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes was studied to determine whether the proteins of the phagocytic vesicles of these differentiated cells were representative of the entire set of plasma membrane proteins. Phagocytosis of bovine serum albumin-diisodecylphthalate emulsion by lactoperoxidase-iodinated rabbit neutrophils was linear over 15-20 min at a rate of 96 microgram oil/min/mg cell protein. This rate was similar to that of unlabeled cells. Incorporation of cell-associated free iodine by endogenous myeloperoxidase during phagocytosis was inhibited by 1 mM cyanide, which had no effect on the rate of particle uptake. The surface of intact neutrophils contained at least 13 iodinated proteins distinguishable by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. Isolated phagosomes were deficient in six of these proteins. The plasma membrane fraction of these cells was missing five of these same proteins which, however, were enriched in a dense surface fraction (Willinger, M., and F. R. Frankel. J. Cell Biol. 82: 32-44). When experimental conditions were reversed, and the PMNs were labeled after phagocytosis, these five proteins remained on the cell surface, while at least three of the major proteins found on resting cells were depleted. Incubating the cells with colchicine, which has been shown to affect the distribution of some plasma membrane constituents during phagocytosis, had no effect on the distribution of surface proteins in our system. These results indicate that a nonrandom interiorization of lactoperoxidase-labeled surface proteins of polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurs during phagocytosis.     

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters induce rapid internalization of the C3b receptor via a cytoskeleton-dependent mechanism

Plasma membrane expression as well as phagocytic capability of the C3b receptor (CR1) are under regulatory control. Phorbol esters are one class of agents which have been shown to influence both of these events. In this study, by using radiolabeled Fab fragments of a monoclonal anti-CR1 antibody to tag the receptor and acid elution of surface-bound Fab, we showed that both phorbol myristate acetate and phorbol dibutyrate induced internalization of the C3b receptor; this occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner in the absence of occupancy of the receptor by ligand. This was shown to occur in neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. We also showed that phorbol esters enhanced CR1-dependent phagocytosis despite the presence of two-thirds fewer receptors present on the plasma membrane. However, fibronectin, another agent that influences phagocytosis, had no effect on receptor internalization. Phorbol ester internalization was temperature-dependent and was inhibitable by cytochalasins B and D. Inhibition of internalization was reversible when cytochalasin B was removed. Phorbol esters also induced increased detergent insolubility of CR1 with kinetics similar to those of receptor internalization. It is possible that association of CR1 with the cytoskeleton is important to the process of "activation" of CR1 in phagocytosis.     

Difference in the way of macrophage recognition of target cells depending on their apoptotic states.

Dying cells are selectively eliminated from the organism by phagocytosis. Previous studies suggested the existence of some other phagocytosis marker(s) that function together with phosphatidylserine, the best-characterized phagocytosis marker. We obtained here a monoclonal antibody named PH2 that inhibited macrophage phagocytosis of late apoptotic or necrotic cells, but not of early apoptotic cells. On the other hand, phagocytosis of cells at any time during the process of apoptosis was inhibitable by phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes. Inhibition occurred even when target cells were preincubated with PH2 and separated from unbound antibodies. Moreover, PH2 bound to apoptotic cells at late stages more efficiently than to those at early stages, and it did not bind to normal cells unless their plasma membrane was permeabilized. These results suggest that the putative PH2 antigen is a novel phagocytosis marker that translocates to the cell surface at late stages of apoptosis, resulting in maximal recognition and engulfment by macrophages.     

Molecular characteristics of glutamate receptors in the mammalian brain

Summary The strong excitatory activity of L-glutamic acid on central nervous system neurons is thought to be produced by interaction of this amino acid with specific neuronal plasma membrane receptors. The binding of L-glutamate to these surface receptors brings about an increase in membrane permeability to Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ ions presumably through direct activation of ion channels linked to the membrane receptors. The studies described in this paper represent attempts to define the subcellular distribution and pharmacological properties of the recognition site for L-glutamic acid in brain neuronal preparations, to isolate and explore the molecular characteristics of the receptor recognition site, and, finally, to demonstrate the activation of Na⁺ channels in synaptic membranes following the interaction of glutamate with its receptors.Radioligand binding assays with L-[³H] glutamic acid have been used to demonstrate a relative enrichment of these glutamate recognition sites in isolated synaptic plasma membranes. The specific binding of L-[³H] glutamate to these membrane sites exhibits rapid association and dissociation kinetics and rather complex equilibrium binding kinetics. The glutamate binding macromolecule from synaptic membranes has been solubilized and purified and was shown to be a small molecular weight glycoprotein (M_T 13 000). This protein tends to form aggregates which have higher specific activity at low concentrations of glutamate than the M_T 13 000 protein has. The overall affinity of the purified protein is lower than that of the high affinity sites in the membrane. Nevertheless, the purified protein exhibits pharmacological characteristics very similar to those of the membrane binding sites. On the basis of its pharmacological properties this protein belongs in the category of the physiologic glutamate preferring receptors.By means of differential solubilization of membrane proteins with Na-cholate, it was shown that this recognition site is an intrinsic synaptic membrane protein whose binding activity is enhanced rather than diminished by cholate extraction of the synaptic membranes. The role of membrane constituents in regulating the binding activity of this protein has been explored and a possible modulation of glutamate binding by membrane gangliosides has been demonstrated. Finally, this glutamate binding glycoprotein is a metalloprotein whose activity is dependent on the integrity of its metallic (Fe) center. This is a clear distinguishing characteristic of this protein vis-à-vis the glutamate transport carriers.The presence of functional glutamate receptors in synaptosomes and resealed synaptic plasma membranes has also been documented by the demonstration of glutamate-activated Na⁺ flux across the membrane of these preparations. The bidirectionality, temperature independence, and apparent desensitization of this stimulated flux following exposure to high concentrations of glutamate are properties indicative of a receptor-initiated ion channel activation. It would appear, then, that the synaptic membrane preparations provide a very useful system for the study of both recognition and effector function of the glutamate receptor complex.     

Enzymes in Low Water Systems

Water is fundamental for enzyme action and for formation of the three-dimensional structure of proteins. Hence, it may be assumed that studies on the interplay between water and enzymes can yield insight into enzyme function and formation. This has proven correct, because the numerous studies that have been made on the behavior of water-soluble and membrane enzymes in systems with a low water content (reverse micelles or enzymes suspended in nonpolar organic solvents) have revealed properties of enzymes that are not easily appreciated in aqueous solutions. In the low water systems, it has been possible to probe the relation between solvent and enzyme kinetics, as well as some of the factors that affect enzyme thermostability and catalysis. Furthermore, the studies show that low water environments can be used to stabilize conformers that exhibit unsuspected catalytic properties, as well as intermediates of enzyme function and formation that in aqueous media have relatively short life-times. The structure of enzymes in these unnatural conditions is actively being explored.     

Distribution of receptors and functions on cell surfaces: quantitation of ligand-receptor mobility and a new model for the control of plasma membrane topography

The long-range movements of membrane ligand-receptor complexes into surface caps and into the pseudopods of cells performing phagocytosis, the uropods of motile cells and the cleavage furrows of dividing cells appear to be analogous processes. A common mechanism to explain these movements must take into account several recent observations. First, laser photobleaching studies have indicated that Concanavalin A-receptor movement occurs unidirectionally; and analyses of Con A redistribution by quantitative video intensification microscopy (QUAVIM) have shown that movement may exceed the maximum rates measured for protein diffusion in membranes. These are the results predicted for a process of directed migration but not for a process of diffusion with entrapment. In addition it has been found that membrane receptors may segregate out of as well as into cap, pseudopod, uropod and cleavage furrow regions and that topographical heterogeneity on asymmetric cells is not restricted to membrane molecular determinants but extends to a range of endocytic functions and to a macromolecular complex, the coated pit. All dynamic surface events are arrested during mitosis. A new model for the regulation of plasma membrane topography has been developed from these diverse quantitative, functional and morphological data. Its essence is the entrainment of selected membrane determinants on membrane waves directed towards regions such as caps, pseudopods, uropods and cleavage furrows. The waves are initiated by tension due to asymmetric microfilament-membrane interaction.     

Bin2 Is a Membrane Sculpting N-BAR Protein That Influences Leucocyte Podosomes,Motility and Phagocytosis

Cell motility, adhesion and phagocytosis are controlled by actin and membrane remodelling processes. Bridging integrator-2 (Bin2) also called Breast cancer-associated protein 1 (BRAP1) is a predicted N-BAR domain containing protein with unknown function that is highly expressed in leucocytic cells. In the present study we solved the structure of Bin2 BAR domain and studied its membrane binding and bending properties in vitro and in vivo. Live-cell imaging experiments showed that Bin2 is associated with actin rich structures on the plasma membrane, where it was targeted through its N-BAR domain. Pull-down experiments and immunoprecipitations showed that Bin2 C-terminus bound SH3 domain containing proteins such as Endophilin A2 and α-PIX. siRNA of endogenous protein led to decreased cell migration, increased phagocytosis and reduced podosome density and dynamics. In contrast, overexpression of Bin2 led to decreased phagocytosis and increased podosome density and dynamics. We conclude that Bin2 is a membrane-sculpting protein that influences podosome formation, motility and phagocytosis in leucocytes. Further understanding of this protein may be key to understand the behaviour of leucocytes under physiological and pathological conditions.     

Effect of phagocytosis on receptor distribution and endocytic activity in macrophages

Phagocytosis requires the internalization of a significant fraction of the plasma membrane and results in the intracellular deposition of large particles. We evaluated the effect of phagocytosis on the cellular distribution of recycling receptors and uptake of ligand to determine whether phagocytosis affects receptor behavior. Phagocytosis of zymosan, latex particles, or IgG-coated red blood cells by rabbit alveolar macrophages did not decrease the number of cell surface receptors for transferrin, alpha 2-macroglobulin X protease complexes, maleylated proteins, or mannosylated proteins. The number of surface receptors for transferrin was also unaltered in J774 cells, a macrophage-like cell line. In both cell types extensive phagocytosis did not affect the rate of receptor-mediated endocytosis or the distribution of receptors between the endosome and the cell surface. However, fluid phase pinocytosis was reduced by phagocytosis. The major reduction appeared to be not in the rate of internalization but rather in the delivery of fluid to the lysosome. These results demonstrate that internalization of a significant amount of the plasma membrane during phagocytosis does not diminish the number of receptors on the cell surface and has no effect on receptor-mediated ligand uptake.