New insights into the retinal circulation: inflammatory lipid mediators in ischemic retinopathy

Ischemic proliferative retinopathy develops in various retinal disorders, including retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. Ischemic retinopathy remains a common cause of visual impairment and blindness in the industrialized world due to relatively ineffective treatment. Oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) is an established model of retinopathy of prematurity associated with vascular cell injury culminating in microvascular degeneration, which precedes an abnormal neovascularization. The retina is a tissue particularly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and the ischemic retina becomes highly sensitive to lipid peroxidation initiated by oxygenated free radicals. Consequently, the retina constitutes an excellent model for testing the functional consequences of membrane lipid peroxidation. Retinal tissue responds to physiological and pathophysiological stimuli by the activation of phospholipases and the consequent release from membrane phospholipids of biologically active metabolites. Activation of phospholipase A(2) is the first step in the synthesis of two important classes of lipid second messengers, the eicosanoids and a membrane-derived phospholipid mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF). These lipid mediators accumulate in the retina in response to injury and a physiologic role of these metabolites in retinal vasculature remains for the most part to be determined; albeit proposed roles have been suggested for some. The eicosanoids, in particular the prostanoids, thromboxane (TXA2) and PAF are abundantly generated following an oxidant stress and contribute to neurovascular injury. TXA2 and PAF play an important role in the retinal microvacular degeneration of OIR by directly inducing endothelial cell death and potentially could contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic retinopathies. Despite these advances there are still a number of important questions that remain to be answered before we can confidently target pathological signals. This review focuses on mechanisms that precede the development of neovascularization, most notably regarding the role of lipid mediators that partake in microvascular degeneration.     

C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids and phorbol myristate acetate enhance agonist-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in vascular endothelial cells

This study has investigated the effect of supplementation of vascular endothelial cells with arachidonate and other polyunsaturated fatty acids on the agonist-stimulated synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC). Incubation of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells for 48 h in medium containing 40 microM arachidonate resulted in a 2-3-fold enhancement of [3H]acetate incorporation into 1-radyl-2[3H]acetyl-GPC in response to either bradykinin or calcium ionophore A23187. The effects of arachidonate supplementation were both dose- and time-dependent, requiring a minimum exogenous arachidonate concentration of 2.5 microM and an incubation time of 4-6 h. Eicosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate also enhanced the synthesis of 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC, but were less potent than arachidonate; alpha-linolenate, linoleate and oleate were without effect. Although not effective as an agonist, phorbol myristate acetate potentiated A23187- and bradykinin-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC. The effects of arachidonate supplementation were synergistic with potentiation by phorbol myristate acetate. Sphingosine inhibited agonist-stimulated incorporation of [3H]acetate into 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC both in the presence and absence of PMA. Characterization of the radiolabeled material indicated that the primary product was the acyl analogue of PAF (1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC) rather than PAF. The results from this study suggest that agonist-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-acetyl-GPC in vascular endothelial cells is modulated both by cellular fatty acyl composition and activation of protein kinase C. Enrichment of vascular endothelial cells with fatty acids, which are mobilized by agonist-stimulated phospholipase A2, may enhance subsequent deacylation of choline phospholipids and, thus, increase synthesis of both 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC and PAF.     

Platelet-activating factor stimulates multiple signaling pathways in cultured rat mesangial cells.

We have previously reported that platelet-activating factor (PAF) elevates cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in fura-2-loaded glomerular mesangial cells. To confirm that this increase in [Ca2+]i is a result of receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C, we investigated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2) in PAF-treated mesangial cells. PAF (10(-7) M) stimulated a rapid and transient formation of inositol trisphosphate. In concomitant experiments, PAF stimulated a biphasic accumulation of 3H-arachidonate-labeled 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). The secondary elevation in DAG was coincident with a rise in 3H-phosphorylcholine (PC) and 3H-phosphorylethanolamine (PE) suggesting that PAF stimulates delayed phospholipase activities which hydrolyze alternate phospholipids besides the polyphosphoinositides. This PAF-stimulated elevation in 3H-water soluble phosphorylbases was seen at 5 min but not at 15 sec suggesting that the initial rise in DAG as well as the initial elevation in [Ca2+]i are due primarily to PtdIns-4,5-P2 hydrolysis. PAF also stimulated PGE2 as well as 3H-arachidonic acid and 3H-lyso phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) formation. We suggest that arachidonate released specifically from PtdCho via phospholipase A2 is a source of this PAF-elevated PGE2. It has been postulated that anti-inflammatory prostaglandins may antagonize the contractile and proinflammatory effects of PAF via activation of adenylate cyclase. Surprisingly, exogenous PAF reduced basal and receptor-mediated cAMP concentration indicating that PAF-stimulated transmembrane signaling pathways may oppose receptor-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase. We have taken advantage of the different sensitivities of phospholipases A2 and C(s) to PMA, EGTA, and pertussis toxin to dissociate phospholipase A2 and C activities. Acute PMA-treatment enhanced PAF-stimulated PGE2 formation, reduced PAF-induced elevations in [Ca2+]i and had no effect upon PAF-stimulated 3H-PE. We have also demonstrated that phospholipase A2, but not PtdIns-specific phospholipase C, was sensitive to external calcium concentration. The role of a GTP-binding protein to couple PAF-receptors to the PtdIns-specific phospholipase C was confirmed as GTP gamma S synergistically elevated PAF-stimulated inositol phosphate formation. We also demonstrated that pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates a single protein of an apparent 42 kD mass and that PAF pretreatment reduced subsequent ADP-ribosylation in a time-dependent manner. However, pertussis toxin had no effect upon phospholipase C-generated water soluble phosphorylbases or inositol phosphates. In contrast, PAF-stimulated phospholipase A2 and PAF-inhibited adenylyl cyclase activities were sensitive to pertussis toxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

A calcium-independent phospholipase activity insensitive to bromoenol lactone mediates arachidonic acid release by lindane in rat myometrial cells.

Arachidonic acid release is an important regulatory component of uterine contraction and parturition, and previous studies showed that lindane stimulates arachidonic acid release from myometrium. The present study partially characterized the enzyme activity responsible for lindane-induced arachidonic acid release in myometrial cells. Lindane released arachidonic acid from cultured rat myometrial cells in concentration- and time-dependent manners. This release was primarily from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, and was independent of intracellular and extracellular calcium. In cells prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, 85% of radiolabel was recovered as free arachidonate and only 5% was recovered as eicosanoids. Pretreatment with the antioxidants Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase, alpha-tocopherol or Trolox did not significantly modify lindane-induced arachidonic acid release. Pretreatment of cells with the phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C inhibitor D609, phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C inhibitor ET-18-OCH3, or an interrupter of the phospholipase D pathway (ethanol) did not suppress lindane-induced arachidonic acid release. Although these results are consistent with calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activation by lindane, the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone failed to inhibit lindane-induced arachidonic acid release in myometrial cells, even though bromoenol lactone effectively blocked arachidonic acid release in neutrophils. These results suggest that myometrial cells express a novel, previously unidentified phospholipase that is arachidonate-specific, calcium-independent, insensitive to bromoenol lactone, insensitive to reactive oxygen species activation, shows substrate preference for phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, and is stimulated by lindane. Moreover, the data show that the overwhelming majority of arachidonic acid released remains as arachidonate, but that lindane does not significantly inhibit metabolism of arachidonate to eicosanoids.     

Platelet-activating factor synergizes with phorbol myristate acetate in activating phospholipase D in the human promonocytic cell line U937. Evidence for different mechanisms of activation.

The activation of phospholipase D by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the human promonocytic cell line U937 has been investigated. In cells prelabeled with [3H]palmitic acid, addition of PAF or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced the synthesis of [3H]phosphatidylethanol, indicating phospholipase D activation. When U937 cells were preincubated for 5 min with PMA, and then stimulated with PAF, formation of phosphatidylethanol was greatly enhanced. In contrast, under the same experimental conditions PMA treatment blocked completely the PAF-induced inositol phosphates formation in cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol. Thus, PMA treatment demonstrates that phospholipase D activation can occur independently from phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activation during PAF stimulation in U937 cells. On the other hand, the data herein presented suggest that influx of external calcium is required for phospholipase D activation by PAF, as assessed by complete inhibition of the enzyme activity by chelation of extracellular calcium or by treatment with the calcium channel blocker verapamil. Based on these findings, a hypothetical model for phospholipase D activation is discussed.     

G protein regulation of phospholipase A2

Many neurotransmitters and hormones activate receptors that are known to be coupled to their effectors by GTP-binding regulatory proteins, G proteins. Activation of many of these same receptors elicits arachidonate release and metabolism. During the past few years, novel experimental techniques have revealed that in many cells arachidonate release is independent of generation of other second messengers, including inositol phosphates, diacylglycerols, and elevation in free intracellular calcium. Much evidence has accumulated to implicate phospholipase A2 as the enzyme catalyzing arachidonate release, and suggesting that this effector enzyme, too, is activated by G proteins. In neural tissues as well as epithelium, endothelium, contractile and connective tissues, and blood cells, G proteins coupled to receptors for a variety of peptide and nonpeptide neurotransmitters and hormones have been shown to directly activate phospholipase A2. In retinal rod outer segments, transducin is the coupling G protein, but the G proteins coupling receptor activation to phospholipase A2 in other cell types is less clear. Some are pertussis toxin-sensitive, whereas others are not, and evidence exists that the ras gene product G protein may also be coupled to and regulate phospholipase A2.     

Intracellular actions of group IIA secreted phospholipase A2 and group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 contribute to arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin production in rat gastric mucosal cells and transfected human embryonic kidney cells

Gastric epithelial cells liberate prostaglandin E(2) in response to cytokines as part of the process of healing of gastric lesions. Treatment of the rat gastric epithelial cell line RGM1 with transforming growth factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta leads to synergistic release of arachidonate and production of prostaglandin E(2). Results with highly specific and potent phospholipase A(2) inhibitors and with small interfering RNA show that cytosolic phospholipase A(2)-alpha and group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) contribute to arachidonate release from cytokine-stimulated RGM1 cells. In the late phase of arachidonate release, group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2) is induced (detected at the mRNA and protein levels), and the action of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)-alpha is required for this induction. Results with RGM1 cells and group IIA secreted phospholipase A(2)-transfected HEK293 cells show that the group IIA phospholipase acts prior to externalization from the cells. RGM1 cells also express group XIIA secreted phospholipase A(2), but this enzyme is not regulated by cytokines nor does it contribute to arachidonate release. The other eight secreted phospholipases A(2) were not detected in RGM1 cells at the mRNA level. These results clearly show that cytosolic and group IIA secreted phospholipases A(2) work together to liberate arachidonate from RGM1 cell phospholipids in response to cytokines.     

Bradykinin-induced activation of phospholipase A2 is independent of the activation of polyphosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C

This study evaluates the role of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and its metabolites as possible mediators in the activation of phospholipases A2 in porcine aortic endothelial cells. We compared the time courses of bradykinin-induced turnover of phosphoinositides and the appearance of unesterified arachidonic acid (uAA) and eicosanoids. The metabolism of phosphoinositides was examined in cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol, which has a similar distribution as the endogenous inositol lipids. At 37 degrees C, bradykinin induced a rapid rise in lysophosphatidylinositol (lyso-PI) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) as well as a decrease in PIP2. Lyso-PI formation was detected at 10 s, as early as PIP2 degradation and IP3 formation. This suggests that the activation of PIP2-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and PI-hydrolyzing phospholipase A2 are simultaneous. However, at 30 degrees C, lyso-PI formation was detected in the absence of an increase in IP3 indicating that the activation of phospholipase A2 does not require the accumulation of IP3. The time course of formation of uAA and eicosanoids were examined in [3H]arachidonic acid-prelabeled cells. The 3H radioactivity was distributed among the phospholipid classes and subclasses the same as the endogenous phospholipids. Bradykinin stimulated the intracellular accumulation of uAA, detectable at 5 s, earlier than that of 1,2-diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid. Such immediate formation of uAA further supports the notion that activation of phospholipase A2 is a very early event during the interaction of bradykinin with porcine endothelial cells, and that PIP2 hydrolysis is not prerequisite for the initial activation of phospholipase A2.     

Enrichment of endothelial cell arachidonate by lipid transfer from high density lipoproteins: relationship to prostaglandin I2 synthesis

We have previously shown that plasma high density lipoproteins (HDL) stimulate release of prostacyclin, measured as its stable metabolite, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, by cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells. The present experiments were designed to elucidate the contribution of HDL lipids to endothelial cellular phospholipid pools and to prostacyclin synthesis. In experiments with reconstituted HDL, both the lipid and protein moieties were required to stimulate prostacyclin release in amounts equivalent to the native HDL particle. Endothelial cells incorporated label from reconstituted HDL containing cholesteryl [1-14C]arachidonate into the cellular neutral and phospholipid pools as well as into 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2. Labeled arachidonate incorporated into endothelial cell lipids from reconstituted HDL containing cholesteryl [1-14C]arachidonate was also metabolized to prostaglandins after the cells were exposed to the calcium ionophore, A-23187. Both rat and human HDL which stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release (rat greater than human) increased the weight percentage of arachidonate in endothelial cell phospholipids; phospholipid arachidonate in the enriched cells fell after exposure to the phospholipase activator, A-23187, with release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha which was greater than in control cells. Rat HDL that was depleted of cholesteryl arachidonate (achieved by incubation with human low density lipoproteins (LDL) in the presence of cholesteryl ester transfer protein) stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release less than native rat HDL. LDL enriched in cholesteryl arachidonate stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release more than native LDL. ApoE-depleted HDL also stimulated 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release more than apoE-rich HDL suggesting the apoE receptor was not involved in the response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differentiation-linked activation of the respiratory burst in a monocytic cell line (U937) via Fc gamma RII. A study of activation pathways and their regulation.

Activation of the respiratory burst in the monocytic cell line U937 by cross-linking human 40-kDa FcR for IgG (Fc gamma RII) with the IgG1 mAb, CIKM5, is dependent on the maturation state of the cell. Addition of anti-Fc gamma RII to undifferentiated cells does not activate the respiratory burst but differentiation with human rIFN-gamma (200 U/ml) for 13 to 15 days results in maximal stimulation by this agonist, with half-maximal responses in cells incubated for 10 to 12 days. During maturation the development of responsiveness to cross-linking Fc gamma RII occurs later than the development of responsiveness to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (maximal responses at 7 to 9 days), or the chemotactic peptide FMLP (half-maximal responses at 7 to 9 days). The late development of maximal Fc gamma RII responses is not associated with either increased Fc gamma RII expression, enhanced calcium mobilization induced by anti-Fc gamma RII, changes in protein kinase C activity (PKC) or a switch in PKC isotype expression. Activation of the respiratory burst via Fc gamma RII may not be mediated by activation of PKC as the kinase inhibitors 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride and N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride inhibited the Fc gamma RII response by less than 20% at concentrations which inhibit the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced respiratory burst by more than 80%. IFN-gamma U937 cells did not metabolize incorporated arachidonate into eicosanoids when stimulated with anti-Fc gamma RII, suggesting that eicosanoids do not mediate activation of the respiratory burst, and this was confirmed by the lack of inhibition by the specific 5'-lipoxygenase and glutathione S-transferase inhibitor, piriprost, and the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. In addition there was no significant release of radiolabeled arachidonate in response to anti-Fc gamma RII. The response to anti-Fc gamma RII is inhibited by pertussis toxin, suggesting that signal transduction is via a GTP-binding protein. Agents that elevate intracellular cAMP increased the magnitude of the cAMP transients stimulated by anti-Fc gamma RII and also inhibited the respiratory burst. FMLP responses showed a similar pattern of sensitivity to this range of inhibitors, suggesting that both Fc gamma RII and FMLP receptor share common regulatory mechanisms. However, the termination of the respiratory burst activated via Fc gamma RII and FMLP receptor is independently regulated, in that after FMLP-induced activation there is no subsequent inhibition of the Fc gamma RII-mediated response and vice versa.     

Different patterns of arachidonate metabolism in autologous human blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages

As peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) differentiate into tissue macrophages, they undergo a variety of functional changes. One such difference which has been described is an enhanced metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA) via the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) pathway in alveolar macrophages (AM) as compared to PBM. In order to elucidate a possible mechanism for this difference, we compared the metabolism of endogenously released AA mobilized by agonists and of exogenously supplied fatty acid in adherent autologous PBM and AM obtained from six normal subjects. Exogenous AA was metabolized to larger amounts of both cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-LO products by PBM as compared with AM. Although the two cell types released similar amounts of endogenous AA in response to ionophore A23187, marked differences in the pattern of its metabolism were observed. In PBM, a large proportion of released AA remained unmetabolized, and that which was metabolized was converted predominantly to CO products. In contrast, arachidonate released by AM was efficiently metabolized, predominantly via the 5-LO pathway. Similar results were obtained when cells were stimulated with the particulate zymosan, with PBM synthesizing mainly CO and AM, mainly 5-LO eicosanoids. In addition, culture of PBM for up to 5 days in an aerobic environment did not alter their response to A23187 stimulation. These results suggest that the lesser 5-LO metabolism by PBM than AM is not explained by lesser phospholipase or 5-LO activities, but rather a compartmentalization of the endogenous AA deacylated by phospholipase and the 5-LO enzyme in the PBM. The acquisition of the capacity to metabolize endogenous AA to large quantities of 5-LO products as mononuclear phagocytes differentiate in the lung may equip them with the ability to mount an inflammatory response in the alveolar space.     

Dual stimulation of phospholipase activity in human monocytes. Role of calcium-dependent and calcium-independent pathways in arachidonic acid release and eicosanoid formation

Human peripheral blood monocytes, prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid (AA), release labeled eicosanoids in response to soluble or particulate stimuli. Treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoate phorbol-13 acetate (20 nM), calcium ionophores, A23187 (2 microM) or ionomycin (1 microM), or serum-treated zymosan (300 micrograms) resulted in production of cyclooxygenase (CO) metabolites, 6-keto-PG-F1 alpha, thromboxane-B2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGD2, PGB2, 12-L-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid; 15-lipoxygenase products, including 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE); and unmetabolized AA. Labeled 5-lipoxygenase (LO) products, 5-HETE, and leukotriene-B4 were detected only after exposure to ionophore or serum-treated zymosan. The calcium dependence of 5-LO activation was confirmed in experiments where calcium was omitted from the incubation medium, and EGTA (0.5 mM) was added, as well as by direct measurement of increased intracellular calcium in phagocytosing monocytes. Combined or sequential treatment with two stimuli increased the release of unmetabolized AA without a commensurate augmentation of labeled metabolites, indicating that release of CO and LO metabolites does not necessarily reflect the extent of phospholipase activation. Quantitation of individual eicosanoids by RIA confirmed results by using radionuclides. These studies show the following. Activation of human monocyte phospholipase may be regulated by at least two pathways, one "12-O-tetradecanoate phorbol-13 acetate-like," which is largely independent of calcium, and another which is mediated by increased intracellular Ca2+ ("ionophore-like"). "Physiologic" stimulation of monocyte arachidonate release, such as that seen accompanying phagocytosis of opsonized particles, may occur via either a calcium-sensitive or calcium-insensitive pathway or both. Calcium may regulate eicosanoid formation at the level of phospholipase or 5-LO. Free AA, CO products, and 12- or 15-LO products are ordinarily released after phagocytosis, but leukotriene-B4, 5-HETE, or other 5-LO metabolites are produced only under conditions where calcium concentrations are optimal.     

Arachidonic acid release from mammalian cells transfected with human groups IIA and X secreted phospholipase A(2) occurs predominantly during the secretory process and with the involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)-alpha

Stable expression of human groups IIA and X secreted phospholipases A(2) (hGIIA and hGX) in CHO-K1 and HEK293 cells leads to serum- and interleukin-1beta-promoted arachidonate release. Using mutant CHO-K1 cell lines, it is shown that this arachidonate release does not require heparan sulfate proteoglycan- or glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins. It is shown that the potent secreted phospholipase A(2) inhibitor Me-Indoxam is cell-impermeable. By use of Me-Indoxam and the cell-impermeable, secreted phospholipase A(2) trapping agent heparin, it is shown that hGIIA liberates free arachidonate prior to secretion from the cell. With hGX-transfected CHO-K1 cells, arachidonate release occurs before and after enzyme secretion, whereas all of the arachidonate release from HEK293 cells occurs prior to enzyme secretion. Immunocytochemical studies by confocal laser and electron microscopies show localization of hGIIA to the cell surface and Golgi compartment. Additional results show that the interleukin-1beta-dependent release of arachidonate is promoted by secreted phospholipase A(2) expression and is completely dependent on cytosolic (group IVA) phospholipase A(2). These results along with additional data resolve the paradox that efficient arachidonic acid release occurs with hGIIA-transfected cells, and yet exogenously added hGIIA is poorly able to liberate arachidonic acid from mammalian cells.     

Phospholipase A2-mediated release of arachidonic acid in stimulated guinea pig alveolar macrophages: interaction with lipid mediators and cyclic AMP

The stimulation of cultured guinea pig alveolar macrophages by the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine, or by the phospholipid inflammatory mediator platelet activating factor (PAF) induced an increase in arachidonic acid release and its cyclooxygenase products. This release, which was mimicked by the association of threshold concentrations of the calcium ionophore A 23187 and of the protein kinase C activator tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate arose mainly from diacyl- and alkyl-acyl-phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. Using [1-14C]arachidonic acid-labeled membranes as an endogenous substrate as well as dioleoyl-phosphatidyl [14C]ethanolamine as an exogenous substrate, we showed that phospholipase A2 activity of stimulated macrophages increases upon stimulation. Treatment of macrophages by prostaglandin E2 decreased the arachidonic acid release elicited by the chemotactic peptide and PAF. Furthermore, prostaglandin E2 increased and PAF decreased the cellular content in cyclic AMP. From these results we suggest that an initial stimulation of alveolar macrophages by a bacterial signal initiates the sequential activation of a phospholipase C and of phospholipase A2, leading to the release of PAF and eicosanoids. These mediators may in turn modulate the cell response by increasing or decreasing cyclic AMP, Ca2+, or diacyglycerol macrophage content.     

Activation of the acetyl-coenzyme A:lysoplatelet-activating factor acetyltransferase regulates platelet-activating factor synthesis in human endothelial cells.

Platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; PAF) is a phospholipid with many physiological actions. It is synthesized by endothelial cells and a variety of others in response to stimulation with receptor-mediated agonists. In endothelial cells it remains associated with the surface of the cell and serves as a signal for adhesive interactions with leukocytes. Thus, its synthesis must be precisely regulated. In previous work we have shown that PAF synthesis is regulated at the initiating step, a phospholipase A2. Here we demonstrate that the subsequent step of PAF synthesis, the acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase, is rapidly activated when cells are exposed to thrombin or other agonists. We found that the activity increased from basal values (5 nmol/mg/min) to approximately 3-fold higher within 1 min following the addition of agonists. The enzyme activity returned to basal levels within 10 min. The pattern of activation and inactivation suggested covalent modification of the enzyme. This was supported in experiments in which we showed that homogenates had stable enhanced activity and that there was no evidence for an activator or inhibitor. Pretreatment of the cells with vanadate, an inhibitor of protein phosphatases, markedly prolonged the activation state. In subsequent studies we pretreated intact cells with vanadate to block inactivation of the enzyme and then measured the accumulation of PAF in response to thrombin. We found that it was markedly augmented and prolonged. From this we conclude that the synthesis of PAF in intact cells is regulated by the activity of the acetyltransferase. We characterized requirements for activation of acetyltransferase and found that it was not dependent on the influx of intracellular calcium but that calcium entry did influence the length of time for which the enzyme was activated. The acetyltransferase in endothelial cells was shown to be a specific enzyme that did not catalyze the transfer of long chain acyl groups from acyl-CoA to lysophospholipids and demonstrated modest specificity for the acceptor lysophospholipids. These results suggest that activation of the acetyltransferase is a crucial determinant of the amount of PAF synthesized in activated endothelial cells.     

The involvement of extracellular calcium in the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

We have addressed the question why in the presence of a Ca2+ ionophore human polymorphonuclear leukocytes generate leukotrienes in high yields, but in only low amounts after stimulation by receptor agonists like fMLF (fM, formylmethionine), leukotriene B4 or platelet-activating factor (PAF), although a significant release of intracellular calcium can be measured. Using ionomycin we can show that from the two enzymes involved, phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase, the first requires a threshold level of about 350-400 nM calcium whereas 5-lipoxygenase shows a linear dependence on calcium and saturates at this concentration. Our data indicate that the Ca2+ requirement of phospholipase A2 can only be met by an additional influx of extracellular calcium, whereas 5-lipoxygenase will operate already at levels provided by intracellular stores. Consequently, the complexing of extracellular calcium by EGTA stops phospholipase A2 activity immediately, whereas added arachidonate can be still adequately metabolized by intracellular Ca2+ release triggered by fMLF or PAF. Interestingly, PAF shows a stronger extracellular component in its Ca2+ transient than fMLF, and also generates more 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. However, a clear correlation between the amount of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites and the extracellular Ca2+ signal was lacking, since maximal activity was achieved before the bulk of the extracellular calcium was monitored. Ca2+ influx after PAF stimulation could be blocked after 2 min by EGTA, but a further increase in the formation of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites was observed. In contrast ionomycin-elicited 5-lipoxygenase activity could be stopped at any time shortly after EGTA addition.     

Evidence that hydrolysis of ethanolamine plasmalogens triggers synthesis of platelet-activating factor via a transacylation reaction

Addition of 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (alkenyl-lyso-GPE) to human neutrophil membrane preparations containing 1-O-[3H]hexadecyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC) resulted in rapid deacylation of the 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC to 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-lyso-GPC (lyso-platelet-activating factor, lyso-PAF). When acetyl-CoA was included in the incubation mixture, the [3H]lyso-PAF was converted to [3H]PAF. Studies of [3H]arachidonate-labeled neutrophils permeabilized with Staphlococcus aureus alpha-toxin revealed a major shift of labeled [3H]arachidonate from the choline to the ethanolamine-containing phosphoglycerides upon addition of alkenyl-lyso-GPE. The studies indicated that lyso-PAF is formed in the system by the transfer of arachidonate from 1-O-alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC to the alkenyl-lyso-GPE by a CoA-independent transacylase reaction. Mass measurements revealed a rapid loss of arachidonate from 1-radyl-2-acyl-GPE and a concomitant increase in alkenyl-lyso-GPE upon stimulation of the neutrophils by ionophore A23187. Based on these and other findings, a pathway is proposed that may play a significant, if not obligatory, role in the synthesis of PAF in intact stimulated neutrophils. It has been widely accepted that phospholipase A2 acts directly on 1-O-alkyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC as the first step in the synthesis of PAF via formation of lyso-PAF. In the proposed scheme, phospholipase A2, upon stimulation, acts rapidly on ethanolamine plasmalogen selectively releasing arachidonic acid and generating alkenyl-lyso-GPE. The CoA-independent transacylase then selectively transfers arachidonate from 1-radyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPC to the alkenyl-lyso-GPE generating lyso-PAF, which is then acetylated to form PAF. The interactions outlined can account for the synthesis of 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC, 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-GPE, and eicosanoids, in parallel with PAF.     

A yeast PAF acetylhydrolase ortholog suppresses oxidative death

Phospholipids containing sn-2 polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues are primary targets of oxidizing radicals, producing proapoptotic and membrane perturbing fragmented phospholipids. The only known phospholipases that specifically select these oxidized and/or short-chained phospholipids as substrates are mammalian group VII phospholipases A2s that were purified and cloned as PAF acetylhydrolases. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a short-chained phospholipid, and whether these enzymes actually are PAF hydrolases or evolved as oxidized phospholipid phospholipases is unknown. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which does not form or use PAF as a signaling molecule, contains an open-reading frame potentially homologous to mammalian group VII phospholipase A2s. We cloned this SPBC106.11c locus and expressed it in distantly related Saccharomyces cerevisiae that lack homologous sequences. The S. pombe locus encoded a functional phospholipase A2, now renamed plg7+, that hydrolyzed PAF and a synthetic oxidized phospholipid. Expression of human type II PAF acetylhydrolase or S. pombe Plg7p enhanced the viability of S. cerevisiae subjected to oxidative stress. We conclude that a single-celled organism with an exceedingly spare genome still expresses an unusually discriminating phospholipase A2, and that selective hydrolysis of phospholipid oxidation products is an early, and critical, way to overcome oxidative membrane damage and oxidant-induced cell death.     

The release of radioactive arachidonate from lipids of red blood cell membranes: properties of membrane and serum enzymatic activities

The release of [3H]arachidonate from the phospholipids of red blood cell membranes of rats has been studied. Membranes of red cells isolated using acid-citrate-dextrose and differential centrifugation showed an endogenous release of arachidonate at pH 7.4 in the presence of CaCl2. Membranes from red cells isolated using heparin and Percoll gradient centrifugation are better substrates for serum-mediated release of arachidonate. These experiments and results with inhibitors suggest that red blood cell and serum phospholipase A2 activities are responsible for this catabolism that may provide arachidonate for subsequent biosynthesis of eicosanoids.     

Activation of platelet-activating factor receptor-coupled G alpha q leads to stimulation of Src and focal adhesion kinase via two separate pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a phospholipid second messenger, has diverse physiological functions, including responses in differentiated endothelial cells to external stimuli. We used human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) as a model system. We show that PAF activated pertussis toxin-insensitive G alpha(q) protein upon binding to its seven transmembrane receptor. Elevated cAMP levels were observed via activation of adenylate cyclase, which activated protein kinase A (PKA) and was attenuated by a PAF receptor antagonist, blocking downstream activity. Phosphorylation of Src by PAF required G alpha(q) protein and adenylate cyclase activation; there was an absolute requirement of PKA for PAF-induced Src phosphorylation. Immediate (1 min) PAF-induced STAT-3 phosphorylation required the activation of G alpha(q) protein, adenylate cyclase, and PKA, and was independent of these intermediates at delayed (30 min) and prolonged (60 min) PAF exposure. PAF activated PLC beta 3 through its G alpha(q) protein-coupled receptor, whereas activation of phospholipase C gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1) by PAF was independent of G proteins but required the involvement of Src at prolonged PAF exposure (60 min). We demonstrate for the first time in vascular endothelial cells: (i) the involvement of signaling intermediates in the PAF-PAF receptor system in the induction of TIMP2 and MT1-MMP expression, resulting in the coordinated proteolytic activation of MMP2, and (ii) a receptor-mediated signal transduction cascade for the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK by PAF. PAF exposure induced binding of p130(Cas), Src, SHC, and paxillin to FAK. Clearly, PAF-mediated signaling in differentiated endothelial cells is critical to endothelial cell functions, including cell migration and proteolytic activation of MMP2.