Adenosine; a physiologic modulator of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils. Adenosine acts via an A2 receptor on human neutrophils

Adenosine specifically inhibits superoxide anion generation by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated neutrophils without affecting either degranulation or "aggregation." We present data that also supports the hypothesis that adenosine engages a specific cell surface receptor to mediate inhibition of stimulated neutrophils. Theophylline (10 and 100 mu M), a competitive antagonist at adenosine receptors, reversed the effects of adenosine (0.1 mu M) on superoxide anion generation by stimulated neutrophils. The adenosine analogue 5'N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) was a more potent inhibitor of superoxide anion generation than either N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) or adenosine, an order of potency consistent with that previously demonstrated for adenosine A2 receptors. 2-Chloroadenosine inhibited superoxide anion generation at concentrations similar to NECA. [3H]-NECA and [3H]-2-chloroadenosine bound to a single receptor on intact neutrophils. The characteristics of the receptors for [3H]-NECA and [3H]-2-chloroadenosine were similar (Kd = 0.22 and 0.23 mu M, respectively; number of binding sites = 9.31 and 11.1 X 10(3) sites/cell, respectively). NECA, 2-chloroadenosine, adenosine, and PIA inhibited binding of [3H]-NECA with a rank order similar to that for inhibition of superoxide anion generation (NECA = 2-chloroadenosine greater than adenosine greater than PIA). There was 50% inhibition of superoxide anion generation by NECA at approximately 20% receptor occupancy. Adenosine, derived from damaged tissues, may serve as a specific, endogenous modulator of superoxide anion generation by activated neutrophils through interaction at this newly described receptor on human neutrophils.     

Oxygen metabolism of human colostral macrophages: comparison with monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Human colostral macrophages stimulated by opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) released superoxide anions (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with activities comparable to those of monocytes and about one-fourth of those of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) of blood. The O2- -forming oxidase in the macrophages stimulated by PMA was dependent on NADPH as an electron donor with an apparent Km value for NADPH of 27.6 +/- 4.0 microM, which is comparable to those obtained for the stimulated monocytes and PMNL of blood. The Vmax was 1.86 +/- 0.33 nmol O2/min/10(6) cells, which is essentially the same as that of monocytes and about half of that of PMNL. p-Chloromercuribenzoate or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide completely inhibited oxidases of all three types of phagocytes. A b-type cytochrome was identified in the macrophages but the concentrations in the macrophages and monocytes were less than half of that in PMNL. These results suggest that the differences in the O2- -forming activities of the three types of phagocytes are quantitative rather than qualitative. The macrophages and monocytes showed very low activities of myeloperoxidase [EC 1.11.1.7] in contrast to PMNL. The activity of beta-glucuronidase [EC 3.2.1.31] in the macrophages was much higher than those of the monocytes and PMNL, but little difference was observed in the activities of lysozyme [EC 3.2.1.17], catalase [EC 1.11.1.6] and superoxide dismutase [EC 1.15.1.1] among the three types of phagocytes examined. Electron micrographs of the macrophages showed little increase of vacuoles upon exposure to PMA, in contrast to the cases of monocytes and PMNL.     

Proton release associated with respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate in the presence of sodium fluoride caused the release of protons into the reaction medium concomitant with the generation of superoxide anions. The rates of oxygen consumption and proton release due to the metabolic burst were 16.3 +/- 3.5 and 10.2 +/- 1.1 nmol/min/10(7) cells respectively. When the superoxide anions were trapped with cytochrome c, the proton release was increased (35.8 +/- 0.5 nmol/min/10(7) cells) until the cytochrome c was reduced. Since the protons released from the activated cells would be consumed by the generated superoxide anions in the extracellular medium, the net amount of the protons released was 3-4-fold greater than that observed in the absence of extracellular cytochrome c. The increased proton release may be coupled to increased cellular respiration, since the inhibition of the respiratory burst with deoxyglucose, p-chloromercuribenzoic acid or chlorpromazine decreased the proton release. Amiloride (2 mM) inhibited the proton release by up to 40%. These observations suggest that some mechanisms other than a Na+/H+ antiport and carbon dioxide diffusion could be transporting the H+ generated in the cytosol of the activated PMNs.     

Cellular origin and release of intrinsic factor from isolated rat gastric mucosal cells

The cellular content and secretion of intrinsic factor was measured by [57Co]cyanocobalamin binding using isolated rat gastric mucosal cells. The intrinsic factor/R-protein ratio was above 9:1 as evaluated by specific anti-intrinsic factor antibodies. In unfractionized cells with 23 +/- 1.3% parietal cells the intrinsic factor content of 148 +/- 47 fmol/10(6) cells remained almost unchanged over 3 h, whereas basal secretion rose up to 57 +/- 10. In fractionized cells (Percoll) with 3-85% parietal cells most intrinsic factor was found in the parietal cell-depleted fraction (content: 441 +/- 30, secretion/3 h: 139 +/- 16, mean formation/h: 50 +/- 12 fmol/10(6) cells). The intrinsic factor content of the different cell fractions correlated with that of pepsin. [14C]Aminopyrine uptake, an indirect measure of parietal cell H+ production, was inversely related. Carbachol (1 X 10(-6)-10(-3) mol/l) stimulated intrinsic factor secretion, 1 X 10(-3) mol/l being maximally effective (90 +/- 8% above basal). This response was inhibited by atropine and pirenzepine, but not by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and somatostatin. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dibutyryl cAMP, 43 +/- 7%) and hexoprenaline (24 +/- 5%) enhanced intrinsic factor secretion less effectively and pentagastrin like histamine lacked any stimulatory effect. We conclude that in the rat intrinsic factor is produced and released from chief cells mainly under cholinergic control.     

Interaction of the synthetic immunomodulatory dipeptide bestim with murine macrophages and thymocytes

The tritium-labeled dipeptide bestim (gamma-D-Glu-L-Trp) with a specific activity of 45 Ci/mmol was obtained by high-temperature solid-state catalytic isotope exchange. It was found that [3H]bestim binds with a high affinity to murine peritoneal macrophages (Kd 2.1 +/- 0.1 nM) and thymocytes (Kd 3.1 +/- 0.2 nM), as well as with plasma membranes isolated from these cells (Kd 18.6 +/- 0.2 and 16.7 +/- 0.3 nM, respectively). The specific binding of [3H]bestim to macrophages and thymocytes was inhibited by the unlabeled dipeptide thymogen (L-Glu-L-Trp) (Ki 0.9 +/- 0.1 and 1.1 +/- 0.1 nM, respectively). After treatment with trypsin, macrophages and thymocytes lost the ability to bind [3H]bestim. Bestim in the concentration range of 10(-10) to 10(-6) M reduced the adenylate cyclase activity in the membranes of murine macrophages and thymocytes.     

Adenosine formation and release from neonatal-rat heart cells in culture.

The incorporation of [3H]adenosine (10 microM) into neonatal-rat heart cell nucleotides was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, such that 50% inhibition was obtained with 0.75 microM-dipyridamole, 0.26 microM-hexobendine or 0.22 microM-dilazep. Adenosine formation was accelerated 2.5-fold to 2.1 +/- 0.3 nmol/10(7) cells in 10 min when cells were incubated with a combination of 30 mM-2-deoxyglucose and 2 micrograms of oligomycin/ml. Of the newly formed adenosine, 6 +/- 2% was in the cells. Dipyridamole, hexobendine or dilazep (10 microM) increased the amount of adenosine in the cells and decreased that in the medium such that 45-50% of the newly formed adenosine was in the cells. Antibodies which inhibited ecto-5'-nucleotidase by 98.7 +/- 0.3% did not alter the rate of adenosine formation or its distribution between cells and medium. We conclude that adenosine was formed in the cytoplasm during catabolism of cellular ATP and was released via the dipyridamole-sensitive symmetric nucleoside transporter.     

Novel SIN-1 reactive intermediates modulate chloride secretion across murine airway cells

We examined the effects of reactive oxygen-nitrogen intermediates on chloride (Cl-) currents across murine tracheal epithelial (MTE) cells isolated from CD-1 mice. MTE cells were cultured on permeable supports until they formed water-tight monolayers with transepithelial resistances (Rt)>500 Omega/cm2 and then were mounted in Ussing chambers. Baseline short-circuit current (ISC) values, prior to and following the addition of 10 microM amiloride (an inhibitor of sodium-transport pathways) into the apical side, were 65 +/- 1.9 microA/cm2 and 7.6 +/- 0.51 microA/cm2, respectively (X +/- 1 SE, n=32). The addition of 3-morpholinosydnominine (SIN-1, 1 mM), which generates both superoxide and nitric oxide anions, to amiloride-treated monolayers resulted in a transient increase of ISC to a peak value of 35 +/- 1.3 microA/cm2 (X +/- SE, n=14) within the next 30-60 min. After this, the ISC decreased gradually and returned to its pre-SIN-1 value. These changes were blocked by glibenclamide (200 microM), an inhibitor of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator, or reduced by glutathione (GSH, 5 mM), a scavenger of peroxynitrite. Forskolin (10 microM) augmented the SIN-1 effect when added at the peak of the SIN-1 response but not when ISC had returned to its baseline value. Perfusion of MTE cells with SIN-1 also increased whole cell Cl- currents 4-fold and the open probability of CFTR-type single-channel currents from 0.041 to 0.92 in a transient fashion. Decomposed SIN-1, but not pure SIN-1c (the stable decomposition product of SIN-1), also increased ISC with an EC50 of 5 microM. Electrospray mass spectroscopy revealed several unique and uncharacterized compounds formed during the decomposition of SIN-1 as well as the reaction of SIN-1c with peroxynitrite. Formation of these compounds was inhibited by GSH. We conclude that compounds formed by the reaction of peroxynitrite with by-products of SIN-1, rather than reactive oxygen-nitrogen species per se, were responsible for the modulation of Cl- secretion across primary cultures of MTE cells.     

Interaction of single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator with human endothelial cells

The interaction of urokinase-type plasminogen activators with receptors on the surface of endothelial cells may play an important role in the regulation of fibrinolysis and cell migration. Therefore, we investigated whether human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) express receptors for single-chain urokinase (scu-PA) on the cell surface and examined the effect of such binding on plasminogen activator activity. Binding of 125I-labeled scu-PA to HUVEC, performed at 4 degrees C, was saturable, reversible, and specific (k+1 4 +/- 1 X 10(6) min-1 M-1, k-1 6.2 +/- 1.4 X 10(-3) min-1, Kd 2.8 +/- 0.1 nM; Bmax 2.2 +/- 0.1 X 10(5) sites/cell; mean +/- S.E.). Binding of radiolabeled scu-PA was inhibited by both natural and recombinant wild-type scu-PA, high molecular weight two-chain u-PA (tcu-PA), catalytic site-inactivated tcu-PA, an amino-terminal fragment of u-PA (amino acids 1-143), and a smaller peptide (amino acids 4-42) corresponding primarily to the epidermal growth factor-like domain. Binding was not inhibited by low molecular weight urokinase or by a recombinant scu-PA missing amino acids 9-45. Cell-bound scu-PA migrated at its native molecular mass on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of plasminogen, scu-PA bound to endothelial cells generated greater plasmin activity than did scu-PA in the absence of cells. In contrast, when tcu-PA was added directly to HUVEC, sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes formed with cell or matrix-associated plasminogen activator inhibitors with a loss of plasminogen activator activity. These studies suggest that endothelial cells in culture express high affinity binding sites for the epidermal growth factor domain of scu-PA. Interaction of scu-PA with these receptors may permit plasminogen activator activity to be expressed at discrete sites on the endothelial cell membrane.     

Enhanced superoxide anion generation but reduced leukotriene B4 productivity in thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages

Lipoxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid was compared between peritoneal macrophages from untreated rats and those from rats on day 7 after intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate broth (TG). Resident macrophages (M phi) from untreated rats produced mainly LTB4 (303 +/- 25 pmol/5 x 10(6) cells) and 5-HETE (431 +/- 56 pmol/5 x 10(6) cells) when stimulated with 5 micrograms/ml calcium ionophore A23187 for 20 min at 37 degrees C. On the other hand, TG-elicited M phi generated less amounts of lipoxygenase metabolites (157 +/- 10 pmol LTB4 and 319 +/- 19 pmol 5-HETE/5 x 10(6) cells) with the same stimulus. Then, leukotriene productivity was examined by using subcellular fractions of each M phi lysate and an unstable epoxide intermediate, leukotriene A4. LTA4 hydrolase activity was mainly contained in soluble fractions from the both groups of M phi. The cytosol fraction from the resident M phi exhibited the following specific and total activity; 2.2 +/- 0.1 nmol LTB4/mg protein/5 min and 12.2 +/- 0.5 nmol LTB4/5 min per 10(8) cells. On the contrary, the cytosol fraction from the TG-elicited M phi showed 1.9 +/- 0.1 nmol LTB4/mg protein/5 min and 9.6 +/- 0.3 nmol LTB4/5 min per 10(8) cells. The resident M phi, however, generated 0.14 +/- 0.04 nmol O2-/min/4 x 10(5) cells whereas the TG-elicited M phi did 0.49 +/- 0.13 nmol O2-/min/4 x 10(5) cells when stimulated with wheat germ lectin. These results suggest that the TG-elicited macrophages show enhanced superoxide production but generate less lipoxygenase metabolites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Superoxide-dependent nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and expression of cytochrome b-245 components by human tonsillar B lymphocytes and B cell lines

EBV-transformed B lymphocyte cell lines can generate superoxide, using an electron transport chain homologous, or even identical, to phagocytic NADPH-oxidase. We searched for normal, not virally transformed, B lymphocytes with analogous properties, using tonsils as the source of B cells. Unseparated tonsillar leukocytes contained cells capable of PMA-triggered superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT+ cells) well in excess of phagocytes (18.9 +/- 6.4% NBT+ cells with 1.3 +/- 0.9% granulocytes and 1.9 +/- 2.3% monocytes/macrophages, n = 8). NBT reduction was also inhibited by diphenylene iodonium, a selective inhibitor of phagocytic NADPH-oxidase. Cross-linking of surface Ig was equally effective as PMA in inducing NBT reduction among tonsillar leukocytes. NBT+ cells co-distributed with B cells on Percoll density gradients and were enriched among purified B cells obtained by SRBC rosetting twice and Sephadex G10 adherence (47.8 +/- 15.2% NBT+ cells among 90.5 +/- 5.5% B cells, 4.8 +/- 5.1% T cells, 1.2 +/- 0.77% monocytes/macrophages, and 0.73 +/- 0.6% granulocytes, n = 10). Further, mAb 7D5, directed against an extracellularly located epitope of the small subunit of cytochrome b-245 of phagocytes, stained the majority of tonsillar B cells (85 +/- 9.2% 7D5+ cells and 91.6 +/- 4.04% B cells, n = 3). Superoxide production, staining with 7D5 antibody, and expression of mRNA for the beta chain of cytochrome b-245 were further analyzed in cell lines. The EBV-BLCL F1 and the Burkitt lymphoma P3HR-1 both carried 7D5-detectable cytochrome b-245 Ag and expressed mRNA for the beta chain of the cytochrome b, both in similar amounts. However, only F1, not P3HR-1, was capable of PMA-triggered superoxide production. These data indicate that also normal nontransformed B lymphocytes possess the capacity to generate superoxide by a system apparently similar to phagocytic NADPH-oxidase, provisionally termed "B cell oxidase." Discrepancies observed in certain B cells and lines between expression of cytochrome b components and stimulus-induced superoxide production may be related to an absence or low level of other oxidase components or of the signal transduction mechanism. Conceivably, production of superoxide and derived reactive oxygen species by B cells may have cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, or mutagenic effects on the B cells themselves or on cells in their immediate vicinity.     

Autoxidation of soluble trypsin-cleaved microsomal ferrocytochrome b5 and formation of superoxide radicals.

The rate and mechanism of autoxidation of soluble ferrocytochrome b5, prepared from liver microsomal suspensions, appear to reflect an intrinsic property of membrane-bound cytochrome b5. The first-order rate constant for autoxidation of trypsin-cleaved ferrocytochrome b5, prepared by reduction with dithionite, was 2.00 X 10(-3) +/- 0.19 X 10(-3) S-1 (mean +/- S.E.M., n =8) when measured at 30 degrees C in 10 mM-phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. At 37 degrees C in aerated 10 mM-phosphate buffer (pH 7.4)/0.15 M-KCl, the rate constant was 5.6 X 10(-3) S-1. The autoxidation reaction was faster at lower pH values and at high ionic strengths. Unlike ferromyoglobin, the autoxidation reaction of which is maximal at low O2 concentrations, autoxidation of ferrocytochrome b5 showed a simple O2-dependence with an apparent Km for O2 of 2.28 X 10(-4) M (approx. 20kPa or 150mmHg)9 During autoxidation, 0.25 mol of O2 was consumed per mol of cytochrome oxidized. Cyanide, nucleophilic anions, EDTA and catalase each had little or no effect on autoxidation rates. Adrenaline significantly enhanced autoxidation rates, causing a tenfold increase at 0.6 mM. Ferrocytochrome b5 reduced an excess of cytochrome c in a biphasic manner. An initial rapid phase, independent of O2 concentration, was unaffected by superoxide dismutase. A subsequent slower phase, which continued for up to 60 min, was retarded at low O2 concentrations and inhibited by 65% by superoxide dismutase at a concentration of 3 mug/ml. It is concluded that autoxidation is responsible for a significant proportion of electron flow between cytochrome b5 and O2 in liver endoplasmic membranes, this reaction being capable of generating superoxide anions. A biological role for the reaction is discussed.     

Ornithine-σ-Aminotransferase Exhibits Different Kinetic Properties in Astrocytes, Cerebral Cortex Interneurons, and Cerebellar Granule Cells in Primary Culture

To evaluate a possible role of ornithine-delta-aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.13; Orn-T) as a rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of transmitter glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), respectively, its activity and kinetic properties were analyzed in cultured astrocytes as well as in neuronal cultures consisting mainly of glutamatergic neurons (cerebellar granule cells) or GABAergic neurons (cerebral cortex interneurons). For comparison the activity and kinetics of Orn-T were also assayed in mouse brain homogenates. The highest activity of Orn-T was found in astrocytes and in cerebral cortical neurons (5.3 +/- 0.5 and 5.3 +/- 0.4 nmol X mg-1 X min-1, respectively) whereas the activities of Orn-T in cerebellar granule cell cultures and in mouse brain were found to be about half of these values (3.1 +/- 0.3 and 2.8 +/- 0.1 nmol X min-1 X mg-1, respectively). From a kinetic study of Orn-T in the different preparations only a relatively low affinity for the enzyme with respect to ornithine was found in cerebellar granule cells, astrocytes, and whole brain [apparent Km values (at 0.5 mM alpha-ketoglutarate): 4.7 +/- 0.9, 4.3 +/- 2.2, and 6.8 +/- 2.2 mM, respectively] whereas the corresponding Km value for Orn-T in cerebral cortex interneurons was found to be significantly lower (apparent Km: 0.8 +/- 0.3 mM). The enzyme was not found to be inhibited by GABA (range 0.1 - 10 mM) in any of the preparations.     

Superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation in the murine macrophage cell line C4M phi

A remarkable increase in the production of superoxide radicals and SOD activity was measured in suspension of the murine macrophage cell line C4M phi treated with Lentinan (4-10 X 10(3) micrograms/5 X 10(6) cells). In activated macrophages the decrease of lipid peroxidation could be interpreted as a consequence of enhanced SOD activity.     

Heterogeneity of human monocytes: differences in response to IFN-gamma

Human peripheral blood monocytes can be separated into two subpopulations which differ in the efficiency of their adherence to glass after 16 hours of incubation. The adherent subpopulation was found to be about twice as effective in binding mannose-resistant E. coli 0-124, mannose-sensitive E. coli 0-128 and opsonised E. coli than the nonadherent one. In addition, reduction of cytochrome C in response to E. coli binding or 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation was two fold higher in adherent cells. The binding of E. coli O-124 and the superoxide generation stimulated by E. coli were inhibited by the addition of mannose only in the adherent monocytes, indicating the presence of mannose receptors on the cell surface in the adherent subpopulation. The treatment of the nonadherent cells with 0.1-1000 U/ml of Interferon (IFN-gamma) for 24 hours resulted in a dose dependent increase in superoxide generation. After 72 hours of incubation with IFN-gamma (1000 U/ml) the amount of superoxide generated by the nonadherent cells was elevated to 20.5 +/- 1.4 nmoles/10(6) cells/15 min, similar to that of the adherent cells (24.5 +/- 1.2 nmoles/10(6) cells/15 min untreated adherent monocytes). The generation of superoxide in the IFN-gamma treated nonadherent monocytes stimulated by E. coli 0-128 was significantly reduced by addition of mannose.     

Differences in the effect of arachidonic acid on polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leukocyte function

Incubation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with arachidonic acid resulted in a stimulation of the oxidative metabolism of the cells. Upon stimulation with 80 microM arachidonic acid, neutrophils (5 X 10(6) cells/ml) produced superoxide (53 +/- 8 nmol/5 X 10(6) cells per 15 min), generated chemiluminescence (1211 100 +/- 157 000 cpm) and consumed oxygen (20 +/- 1 nmol/10(6) cells per 5 min). The stimulation of the cell metabolism could be reduced 40-60% by prior incubation of the cells with 10 microM indomethacin. Incubating polymorphonuclear leukocytes with arachidonic acid also resulted in a diminished chemotaxis towards an attractant, a decreased uptake of opsonized staphylococci and aggregation of the cells. This may be due to inhibitory products of arachidonic acid metabolism and toxic oxygen species produced during stimulated oxidative metabolism. The effects of arachidonic acid are specific for neutrophils, as mononuclear phagocytes only produced 17 +/- 8 nmol superoxide/5 X 10(6) cells per 15 min and generated 27 000 +/- 15 000 cpm chemiluminescence when stimulated with 80 microM arachidonic acid. When monocytes and neutrophils were stimulated with particles such as opsonized staphylococci, the amount of superoxide produced, oxygen consumed and chemiluminescence generated were similar. The phagocytic activity of the monocytes was also not affected by prior incubation with arachidonic acid. We conclude that in contrast to monocytes, neutrophil metabolism can be stimulated with arachidonic acid and this stimulation resulted in a decreased phagocytic activity of these cells.     

Alterations in Fc receptor function of macrophages from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The presence of elevated levels of circulating immune complexes in diabetic humans and animals suggests impaired phagocyte function. To evaluate FcR-mediated phagocytosis, resident peritoneal macrophages were harvested from control, streptozotocin-induced diabetic, and insulin-treated diabetic rats. FcR number and avidity were determined from Scatchard analysis of binding of 125I-labeled aggregated rat IgG (ARG) to macrophages. The total and fractional catabolic capacity were determined by quantitating the digestion of ARG as a percent of the total ARG added and as a percent of ARG bound. Insulin-deficient diabetic rats had an increase in the number of FcR per cell (26.8 +/- 3.5 X 10(4)) as compared with control animals (13.1 +/- 1.2 X 10(4)) (p less than 0.01). In contrast, insulin-treated diabetic animals had a reduction in the number of FcR per cell (9.8 +/- 1.4 X 10(4)) (p less than 0.01). FcR of macrophages from insulin-deficient diabetic rats had a lower avidity (Kd = 6.9 +/- 1.8 X 10(-10)M) when compared with control (3.7 +/- 0.6 X 10(-10)M) and insulin-treated diabetic rats (3.6 +/- 0.9 X 10(-10)M) (p less than 0.01). Total catabolism of ARG by macrophages from both insulin-deficient and insulin-treated diabetic rats was reduced (31.0% +/- 3.4 and 17.5% +/- 3, respectively) when compared with controls (49.6% +/- 5.2) (p less than 0.01). Fractional catabolism by macrophages from insulin-deficient diabetic rats was significantly reduced (21% +/- 1.9 and 4.6% +/- 0.9/10(4) FcR) when compared with results from control rats (26% +/- 1.3 and 6.7% +/- 0.7/10(4) FcR) (p less than 0.01), whereas the results from insulin-treated diabetic rats (32% +/- 2.4 and 10.8% +/- 1.0/10(4) FcR) (p less than 0.01) were greater than those from controls. These studies demonstrate that FcR-mediated phagocytosis of soluble, "model" immune complexes is impaired in macrophages from both insulin-deficient and insulin-treated diabetic rats; however, different mechanisms account for this impairment in phagocytosis. Despite an increase in FcR number of macrophages from insulin-deficient diabetic rats, the depression of post-receptor-mediated catabolism results in a net depression in phagocytic activity. In contrast, macrophages from insulin-treated diabetic rats display augmented post-receptor-mediated catabolism; however, this does not overcome the low initial binding of ARG to the cell that results from the depression of FcR number.     

Purification and characterization of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase from mouse mastocytoma P-815 cells. Evidence for cell cycle-specific fluctuation of the enzyme activity

S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase [EC 3.3.1.1] was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from mastocytoma P-815 cells. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 190,000, as estimated by Sephadex G-200 chromatography, and a monomer molecular weight of 45,000, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS. The Km value for adenosine was 0.29 microM and the Vmax value 4.5 mumol S-adenosylhomocysteine X min-1 X mg-1 in the synthetic reaction, while the Km value for S-adenosylhomocysteine was 0.77 microM and the Vmax 0.48 mumol adenosine X min-1 X mg-1 in the hydrolytic reaction. The purified enzyme also had one binding site for adenosine (KD = 2.61 X 10(-7) M) and one for cAMP (KD = 1.6 X 10(-7) M). Using rabbit antiserum raised against the purified enzyme, it was shown that the enzyme activity and enzyme synthesis fluctuated during the cell cycle of mastocytoma cells, reaching the maximum levels as the cells changed from the G1/S phase to the G2 phase.     

Anti-inflammatory flavonoids and pterocarpanoid from Crotalaria pallida and C. assamica

One new isoflavone, 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-2'-methoxyisoflavone (3) and seven, and four known compounds were isolated from the barks of Crotalaria pallida and the seeds of C. assamica, respectively. The known compounds, apigenin (1) and 2'-hydroxygenistein (2), isolated from C. pallida, showed significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on the release of beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme from rat neutrophils in response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB) with IC(50) values of 2.8+/-0.1 and 17.7+/-1.9, and 5.9+/-1.4 and 9.7+/-3.5 microM, respectively. The known compounds, daidzein (4) and 2'-hydroxydaidzein (6), isolated from C. pallida, inhibited of the release of lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase from rat neutrophils in response to fMLP/CB with IC(50) values of 26.3+/-5.5 and 13.7+/-2.6 microM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 4 also showed significant concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on superoxide anion generation in rat neutrophils stimulated with fMLP/CB with IC(50) values of 3.4+/-0.3 and 25.1+/-5.0 microM, respectively. Compounds 1 and 5, previously isolated from C. pallida, showed the inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and LPS/interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-stimulated N9 microglial cells with IC(50) values of 10.7+/-0.1 and 13.9+/-1.1 microM, respectively. Flavonoids, suppressed chemical mediators in inflammatory cells, may have value in treatment and prevention of central and peripheral inflammatory diseases associated with excess production of chemical mediators.     

In vivo and in vitro activation of pulmonary macrophages by IFN-gamma for enhanced killing of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis or Blastomyces dermatitidis

The fungicidal capacity of murine pulmonary macrophages (PuM) activated in vitro with IFN or lymphokines or in vivo with IFN was studied. PuM treated overnight with IFN (1000 U/ml), Con A-stimulated spleen cell culture supernatants, or lymph node cells plus Con A significantly killed yeast cells of the Gar w isolate of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis 45.5 +/- 2.1%, 72.0 +/- 4.2%, and 51.5 +/- 0.7% respectively. Two other isolates of P. brasiliensis (Ru and LA) were also killed (45 and 34%) by PuM activated by lymph node cells plus Con A. Control PuM had lesser but significant capacity for killing of P. brasiliensis isolates, ranging from 15 to 22%. Killing of P. brasiliensis by PuM activated by Con A-stimulated spleen cell culture supernatants could not be significantly inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, or azide. When mice were treated in vivo with 4 X 10(5) IFN U i.p. and PuM isolated 24 h later, the PuM had significantly enhanced ability to kill P. brasiliensis (47.0 +/- 6.3%) compared with PuM from control mice (25.0 +/- 4.2%). PuM thus activated also showed enhanced killing (43%) of a second isolate compared with control PuM (22%). PuM from IFN-treated mice were able to significantly kill Blastomyces dermatitidis (37.5 +/- 0.7%) compared with control PuM (4.5 +/- 6.3%). These results show that PuM can be activated in vitro and in vivo by IFN for enhanced fungicidal activity against two pulmonary fungal pathogens and suggests that immunologic production of IFN could be an important factor in host defenses against these diseases.