Hepoxilin-Evoked Intracellular Reorganization of Calcium in Human Neutrophils: A Confocal Microscopy Study

Hepoxilin A₃has previously been shown to cause a rapid dose-dependent rise in intracellular calcium in intact human neutrophils in suspension. Two components have been observed, an initial rapid phase of intracellular calcium rise, followed by a slow decline to plateau levels that remain above the original baseline calcium levels. These changes have been suggested to involve the release of calcium from intracellular stores in the ER (initial rapid phase), while the slower rate of decline (plateau phase) was presumed to be due to calcium influx as it was abolished in zero calcium extracellular medium. The present study used confocal microscopy to examine the response to hepoxilin A₃at the subcellular level. Our results show that calcium dynamics in response to hepoxilin A₃varies in different subcellular compartments within the cell and that hepoxilin A₃evoked a persistent accumulation of calcium in organelles. The hepoxilin-evoked calcium sequestration was eliminated by prior exposure to CCCP, a mitochondrial uncoupler. CCCP also eliminated the plateau phase of the calcium response in cell suspension, suggesting that this phase was due to mitochondrial accumulation of calcium rather than calcium influx. Experiments with DiI-loaded cells, a membrane marker, showed that the nuclear calcium was not elevated by hepoxilin addition to the cells. These results demonstrate that hepoxilins evoke the release of calcium from the ER which is taken up by the mitochondria where it is tightly sequestered. These results offer an explanation of observations previously made with cell suspensions in which hepoxilin A₃was shown to inhibit the calcium mobilizing effects of chemotactic agents.     

Receptor-mediated action of hepoxilin A3 releases diacylglycerol and arachidonic acid from human neutrophils

We have previously shown that hepoxilin A3 increases the intracellular concentration of Ca+2 in human neutrophils. Herein we address the initial events of hepoxilin action on the neutrophil which precede the rise in intracellular calcium. We show that hepoxilin A3 at 10-1000 nM concentrations releases from [1-14C]-arachidonic acid labeled neutrophils diacylglycerol and unesterified arachidonic acid in a time and concentration dependent fashion. The release of arachidonic acid and diacyglycerol are receptor-mediated events which are blocked by pertussis toxin. This data shows that hepoxilin A3 stimulates phospholipases C and A2 in the cell which may be involved in the rise in cytosolic calcium. Thus, hepoxilins may represent a hitherto unrecognised class of cellular mediators.     

Sub-second quenched-flow/X-ray microanalysis shows rapid Ca2+ mobilization from cortical stores paralleled by Ca2+ influx during synchronous exocytosis in Paramecium cells

Though only actual local free Ca2+ concentrations, [Ca2+], rather than total Ca concentrations, [Ca], govern cellular responses, analysis of total calcium fluxes would be important to fully understand the very complex Ca2+ dynamics during cell stimulation. Using Paramecium cells we analyzed Ca2+ mobilization from cortical stores during synchronous (< or = 80 ms) exocytosis stimulation, by quenched-flow/cryofixation, freeze-substitution (modified for Ca retention) and X-ray microanalysis which registers total calcium concentrations, [Ca]. When the extracellular free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]e, is adjusted to approximately 30 nM, i.e. slightly below the normal free intracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i = 65 nM, exocytosis stimulation causes release of 52% of calcium from stores within 80 ms. At higher extracellular calcium concentration, [Ca2+]e = 500 microM, Ca2+ release is counterbalanced by influx into stores within the first 80 ms, followed by decline of total calcium, [Ca], in stores to 21% of basal values within 1 s. This includes the time required for endocytosis coupling (350 ms), another Ca2+-dependent process. To confirm that Ca2+ mobilization from stores is superimposed by rapid Ca2+ influx and/or uptake into stores, we substituted Sr2+ for Ca2+ in the medium for 500 ms, followed by 80 ms stimulation. This reveals reduced Ca signals, but strong Sr signals in stores. During stimulation, Ca2+ is spilled over preformed exocytosis sites, particularly with increasing extracellular free calcium, [Ca2+]e. Cortically enriched mitochondria rapidly gain Ca signals during stimulation. Balance calculations indicate that total Ca2+ flux largely exceeds values of intracellular free calcium concentrations locally required for exocytosis (as determined previously). Our approach and some of our findings appear relevant also for some other secretory systems.     

Hormonal regulation of free intracellular calcium concentrations in small and large ovine luteal cells

The second messengers mediating hormonal regulation of the corpus luteum are incompletely defined, particularly for the primary luteolytic hormone prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). In this study, hormonally induced changes in free intracellular calcium concentrations were measured in individual small and large ovine luteal cells by using computer-assisted microscopic imaging of fura-2 fluorescence. This technique could readily detect transient increases in free calcium concentrations within both small and large luteal cells after treatment with 1 microM of the calcium ionophore, A23187. Treatment with PGF2 alpha (1 microM) caused a dramatic increase in free calcium concentrations in large (before = 73 +/- 2 nM; 2 min after PGF2 alpha = 370 +/- 21 nM; n = 33 cells) but not in small (before = 66 +/- 4 nM; 2 min after PGF2 alpha = 69 +/- 8 nM; n = 12 cells) luteal cells. The magnitude and timing of the calcium response was dose- and time-dependent. The PGF2 alpha-induced increase in free intracellular calcium is probably due to influx of extracellular calcium, since inclusion of inorganic calcium channel blockers (100 microM manganese or cobalt) attenuated the response to PGF2 alpha and removal of extracellular calcium eliminated the response. In contrast to PGF2 alpha, luteinizing hormone (LH) (100 ng/ml) caused no change in intracellular levels of free calcium in small or large luteal cells, even though this dose of LH stimulated (p less than 0.01) progesterone production by small luteal cells. Therefore, alterations in free calcium concentrations could be the intracellular second message mediating the luteolytic action of PGF2 alpha in the large ovine luteal cell.     

Abnormalities in the regulation of blood platelet free cytosolic calcium in malignant hyperthermia. I. Human platelets.

The effect of halothane on the regulation of blood platelet free cytosolic calcium was investigated in Quin-2-loaded cells from patients susceptible to Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) and healthy controls, respectively. The resting level of free cytosolic calcium was slightly, but statistically significantly, enhanced in platelets from patients (90 +/- 10 nM vs 110 +/- 35 nM). Halothane induced a dose-dependent, rapid Ca2+ release from intracellular stores both in normal and in MH derived cells, but the resulting increase in cytosolic calcium was significantly higher in the latter (2 mM halothane: [Ca2+]i = 117 +/- 12 nM vs 218 +/- 117 nM; 4 mM halothane: 225 +/- 35 nM vs. 417 +/- 201 nM). Whereas in platelets from healthy donors a complete reversibility of the halothane effect could be observed within 30-45 min, the cytosolic Ca2+ transients in platelets from patients were different from those in normals either in a higher initial peak or in a diminished decline velocity or in both. The basal Ca2+ permeability of the platelet plasma membrane was very low. Generally, halothane caused a dose-dependent increase in Ca2+ permeability. However, the influx of external calcium was significantly higher in platelets from patients than in controls (2 mM halothane: delta [Ca2+]i = 69 +/- 12 nM vs 135 +/- 63 nM; 4 mM halothane: 127 +/- 33 nM vs. 258 +/- 111 nM). Combining the results, the suggestion can be made that susceptibility to MH is characterized by a generalized membrane defect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Calcium current activated by muscarinic receptors and thapsigargin in neuronal cells

The activation of muscarinic receptors in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells elicits a voltage-independent calcium current. The current turns on slowly, reaches its maximum value approximately 45 s after applying the agonist, is sustained as long as agonist is present, and recovers by one half in approximately 10 s after washing the agonist away. The current density is 0.11 +/- 0.08 pA/pF (mean +/- SD; n = 12). It is absent in zero-Ca++ saline and reduced by Mn++ and Ba++. The I(V) curve characterizing the current has an extrapolated reversal potential > +40 mV. The calcium current is observed in cells heavily loaded with BAPTA indicating that the calcium entry pathway is not directly gated by calcium. In fura-2 experiments, we find that muscarinic activation causes an elevation of intracellular Ca++ that is due to both intracellular calcium release and calcium influx. The component of the signal that requires external Ca++ has the same time course as the receptor operated calcium current. Calcium influx measured in this way elevates (Ca++)i by 89 +/- 41 nM (n = 7). Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca++/ATPase associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), activates a calcium current with similar properties. The current density is 0.22 +/- 0.20 pA/pF (n = 6). Thapsigargin activated current is reduced by Mn++ and Ba++ and increased by elevated external Ca++. Calcium influx activated by thapsigargin elevates (Ca++)i by 82 +/- 35 nM. The Ca++ currents due to agonist and due to thapsigargin do not sum, indicating that these procedures activate the same process. Carbachol and thapsigargin both cause calcium release from internal stores and the calcium current bears strong similarity to calcium-release-activated calcium currents in nonexcitable cells (Hoth, M., and R. Penner. 1993. Journal of Physiology. 465:359-386; Zweifach, A., and R. S. Lewis, 1993. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 90:6295- 6299).     

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced spike and plateau in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations in pituitary cells. Relation to prolactin release

Using the acetoxymethyl ester of "Quin 2," a fluorescent Ca2+-indicator, we have loaded prolactin (PRL)-producing rat pituitary cells with non-toxic concentrations of Quin 2 and quantitated changes in cytosolic free calcium concentration ( [Ca2+]i) during stimulation of PRL release by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and 40 mM K+. TRH induced a biphasic response, with an immediate (less than 1 s) spike in [Ca2+]i from basal levels (350 +/- 80 nM) to a peak of 1-3 microM, which decayed rapidly (t 1/2 = 8 s) to a near basal nadir, then rising to a plateau in [Ca2+]i of 500-800 nM. The TRH-induced spike phase was attenuated but not abolished by prior addition of EGTA, while the plateau phase was eliminated by EGTA. Addition of 40 mM K+ caused an immediate spike in [Ca2+]i to 1-3 microM which equilibrated slowly (t 1/2 = 1 min) directly to a plateau of 600-800 nM. The K+-induced spike and plateau phases were both abolished by prior addition of EGTA. The biphasic nature of TRH action on [Ca2+]i parallels the biphasic actions of TRH on 45Ca2+ fluxes and the biphasic release of PRL by GH cells in suspension. These findings provide evidence that Ca2+-dependent agonist-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i and hormone release are linked, and may generally have two modes: an acute "spike" mode, dependent primarily on redistribution of intracellular Ca2+ stores; and a sustained "plateau" mode, dependent on influx of extracellular Ca2+.     

Modulation by cADPr of Ca2+ mobilization and oxidative response in dimethylsulfoxide- or retinoic acid-differentiated HL-60 cells

In human phagocytic cells, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in response to N-formyl-L-Methionyl-L-Leucyl-L-Phenylalanine (fMLF) is largely dependent on cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPr) is able to regulate Ca2+ release from intracellular stores through the ryanodine receptor but its potential role in biological responses has so far not been determined. In this study, we examined whether extracellular and intracellular cADPr is required in fMLF-induced [Ca2+]i rise and consequently in the oxidative response in human neutrophil-like HL-60 cells differentiated with dimethylsulfoxide or all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). We establish that extracellular cADPr cannot elicit [Ca2+]i elevation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that 8-Br-cADPr, a functional antagonist of cADPr, inhibits Ca2+ entry into HL-60 cells differentiated with ATRA and stimulated with fMLF (95+/-4 and 148+/-5 nM respectively, n=3). Finally, we show that this partial inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization is unrelated to ROS production (10.0+/-0.3 vs. 9.6+/-0.5 A.U., n=3). In conclusion, we showed that cADPr can control fMLF-induced Ca2+ influx but is unable to regulate a Ca2+-dependent biological response, i.e. H2O2 production.     

Determination of depolarisation- and agonist-evoked calcium fluxes on skeletal muscle cells in primary culture

Changes in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) evoked by prolonged depolarisation (120 mM KCl) or by the application of 15 mM caffeine were measured on skeletal muscle cells in primary culture. The extrusion rate (PVmax) of calcium from the myoplasm was determined, which in turn enabled the calculation of the calcium flux (Fl) underlying the measured calcium transients. PVmax was found to increase during differentiation, from 107 +/- 10 microM/s at the early myotube stage to 596 +/- 36 microM/s in secondary myotubes. This was paralleled by a decrease in resting [Ca2+]i from 99 +/- 4 to 51 +/- 2 nM. The depolarisation-evoked Fl rose to peak and then ceased despite the continuous presence of KCl. In contrast, the caffeine-induced Fl showed a peak and a clear steady-level with a peak-to-steady ratio of 5.6 +/- 1.2. Removal of external calcium suppressed the depolarisation--induced flux by 88 +/- 5% indicating that both an influx and a release from the SR underlie the K(+)-evoked calcium transients. Subsequent applications of caffeine resulted in essentially identical fluxes indicating an efficient refilling of the internal stores. Moreover, if a depolarisation-induced calcium transient preceded the second caffeine-evoked release, the latter was significantly larger than the first suggesting that much of the calcium that entered was stored in the SR rather than extruded.     

Modulation of Ca2+ signals by phosphatidylinositol-linked novel D1 dopamine receptor in hippocampal neurons

Recent evidence indicates the existence of a putative novel phosphatidylinositol-linked D1 dopamine receptor in brain that mediates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis via activation of phospholipase Cbeta. The present work was designed to characterize the Ca(2+) signals regulated by this phosphatidylinositol-linked D(1) dopamine receptor in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. The results indicated that stimulation of phosphatidylinositol-linked D1 dopamine receptor by its newly identified selective agonist SKF83959 induced a long-lasting increase in basal [Ca(2+)](i) in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Stimulation was observable at 0.1 microm and reached the maximal effect at 30 microm. The [Ca(2+)](i) increase induced by 1 microm SKF83959 reached a plateau in 5 +/- 2.13 min, an average 96 +/- 5.6% increase over control. The sustained elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) was due to both intracellular calcium release and calcium influx. The initial component of Ca(2+) increase through release from intracellular stores was necessary for triggering the late component of Ca(2+) rise through influx. We further demonstrated that activation of phospholipase Cbeta/inositol triphosphate was responsible for SKF83959-induced Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores. Moreover, inhibition of voltage-operated calcium channel or NMDA receptor-gated calcium channel strongly attenuated SKF83959-induced Ca(2+) influx, indicating that both voltage-operated calcium channel and NMDA receptor contribute to phosphatidylinositol-linked D(1) receptor regulation of [Ca(2+)](i).     

The possible involvement of calcium in renal proximal tubular reabsorptive defect in the rat after release of ureteral obstruction

The temporal relationship between changes in cytosolic free calcium and proximal tubular function was examined in rats following 24 h of unilateral and bilateral ureteral obstruction. Immediately after release of unilateral ureteral obstruction, proximal tubular functions were found to be normal. Cytosolic free calcium in isolated proximal tubules of the ureteral obstructed and contralateral kidneys were 160 +/- 8 and 172 +/- 15 nM, respectively. On the 7th day after release, cytosolic free calcium was not different from the sham control value (135 +/- 6 vs. 149 +/- 7 nM). In contrast, immediately after release of bilateral ureteral obstruction, cytosolic free calcium was increased significantly to 219 +/- 6 from 139 +/- 9 nM in sham-operated controls. Subsequent declines in cytosolic free calcium to 196 +/- 15 and 148 +/- 7 nM were observed at 3 and 7 days after release of bilateral ureteral obstruction, respectively. Over this period, renal tubular functions gradually returned to normal. Changes in cytosolic free calcium correlate well with the reported improvement in renal tubular function after release of bilateral ureteral obstruction. Therefore, one possible mechanism for the impairment of tubular function observed in bilateral ureteral obstruction may be an increase in cytosolic free calcium.     

Phorbol ester contracts rabbit thoracic aorta by increasing intracellular calcium and by activating calcium influx

The ability of the phorbol ester tumor promoter, PDB, to activate contraction and stimulate calcium influx was investigated in rabbit thoracic aorta. PDB caused a strong, slowly-developing sustained contraction in physiological salt solution which was concentration-related (0.01 to 10.0 microM). PDB-induced contractions (0.1 microM) in calcium-free medium were attenuated but not prevented. PDB (1.0 microM) maximally stimulated Ca influx above basal control, vehicle = 39.2 +/- 2.2; PDB 1.0 microM = 70.7 +/- 6.7 mumoles Ca/kg tissue; N = 16, p less than 0.01). These data suggest that PDB activates rabbit thoracic aorta by a combination of intracellular and extracellular calcium dependent mechanisms.     

Priming of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor involves protein kinase C rather than enhanced calcium mobilisation.

Pretreatment of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes with the recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) enhances leukotriene biosynthesis in response to a receptor agonist (e.g. N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, fMLP) or a Ca(2+)-ionophore (e.g. ionomycin). This priming effect could be traced back to an elevated release of arachidonic acid from the phospholipid pools and hence an increased leukotriene biosynthesis by 5-lipoxygenase. Preincubation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with GM-CSF did not influence the basal intracellular Ca2+ level and does not enhance cytosolic free calcium after stimulation with fMLP or ionomycin. Only a small increase in the second Ca2+ phase after receptor agonist stimulation was found. However, the Ca(2+)-threshold level necessary for the liberation of arachidonic acid by phospholipase A2 was decreased from 350-400 nM calcium in untreated cells to about 250 nM calcium in primed cells. This allows phospholipase A2 to be activated by a release of calcium from intracellular stores and by ionomycin concentrations which are ineffective in untreated cells. Protein biosynthesis inhibitors like actinomycin D (10 micrograms/ml) and cycloheximide (50 micrograms/ml) had no effect on the enhanced leukotriene biosynthesis in primed cells after stimulation with ionomycin. However, staurosporine (200 nM), an inhibitor of protein kinase C totally abolished the priming effect of GM-CSF after stimulation with ionomycin. The priming effect of GM-CSF could be mimicked by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 1 nM) and no additive or synergistic effect was found on leukotriene biosynthesis by simultaneous pretreatment with PMA and GM-CSF and stimulation with either fMLP or ionomycin. These results provide evidence that the enhanced arachidonic acid release in GM-CSF-primed polymorphonuclear leukocytes after stimulation with either fMLP or ionomycin involves activation of protein kinase C which, by a still unknown mechanism, reduces the Ca2+ requirement of phospholipase A2.     

Differentiation of answer of glioma C6 cells to SERCA pump inhibitors by actin disorganization

Capacitative calcium entry, usually evoked by receptor-ligand binding, may be also studied in the model system of calcium release after SERCA pump inhibition. We have previously found that disorganization of actin cytoskeleton has no effect on calcium influx into glioma C6 cells after thapsigargin administration [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 296 (2002) 484]. In the present work we show that the effect of other SERCA pump inhibitors depends on the endoplasmic reticulum distribution in a cell. Changing this distribution leads to changes in calcium release from ER stores. Intensity of calcium influx in the capacitative phase of cell answer does not depend on actin cytoskeleton state; however, administration of cytochalasin D significantly slows down signal build-up. While cyclopiazonic acid acts very similarly to thapsigargin, cytoskeleton disorganization leads to rise of calcium signal after administration of 2,5-di-(t-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone. This effect may be caused by specific binding of this inhibitor to SERCA3 isoform of pump protein only.     

Effect of anoxia on intracellular ATP, Na+i, Ca2+i, Mg2+i, and cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes.

The effects of anoxia were studied in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes maintained in agarose gel threads and perfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (KHB). Cytosolic free calcium (Ca2+i) was measured with aequorin, intracellular sodium (Na+i) with SBFI, intracellular pH (pHi) with BCECF, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) by the increase in NADH absorbance during lactate oxidation to pyruvate, ATP by 31P NMR spectroscopy in real time, and intracellular free Mg2+ (Mg2+i) from the chemical shift of beta-ATP relative to alpha-ATP in the NMR spectra. Anoxia was induced by perfusing the cells with KHB saturated with 95% N2, 5% CO2. After 1 h of anoxia, beta-ATP fell 66%, and 85% after 2 h, while the Pi/ATP ratio increased 10-fold from 2.75 to 28.3. Under control conditions, the resting cytosolic free calcium was 127 +/- 6 nM. Anoxia increased Ca2+i in two distinct phases: a first rise occurred within 15 min and reached a mean value of 389 +/- 35 nM (p less than 0.001). A second peak reached a maximum value of 1.45 +/- 0.12 microM (p less than 0.001) after 1 h. During the first hour of anoxia, Na+i increased from 15.9 +/- 2.4 mM to 32.2 +/- 1.2 mM (p less than 0.001), Mg2+i doubled from 0.51 +/- 0.05 to 1.12 +/- 0.01 mM (p less than 0.001), and pHi decreased from 7.41 +/- 0.03 to 7.06 +/- 0.1 (p less than 0.001). LDH release doubled during the first hour and increased 6-fold during the second hour of anoxia. Upon reoxygenation, ATP, Ca2+i, Mg2+i, Na+i, and LDH returned near the control levels within 45 min. To determine whether the increased LDH release was related to the rise in Ca2+i, and whether the increased Ca2+i was caused by Ca2+ influx, the cells were perfused with Ca(2+)-free KHB (+ 0.1 mM EGTA) during the anoxic period. After 2 h of anoxia in Ca(2+)-free medium, beta-ATP again fell 90%, but Ca2+i, after the first initial peak, fell below control levels, and LDH release increased only 2.7-fold. During reoxygenation, Ca2+i, ATP, Na+i, and LDH returned near the control levels within 45 min. These results suggest that the rise in Ca2+i induced by anoxia is caused by an influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular fluid, and that LDH release and cell injury may be related to the resulting rise in Ca2+i.     

Arachidonate mobilization is coupled to depletion of intracellular calcium stores and influx of extracellular calcium in differentiated U937 cells

We have previously reported that dimethylsulfoxide-differentiation of U937 cells induced significant A23187-stimulatable arachidonate mobilization, consistent with characteristics of cytosolic phospholipase A₂ (Rzigalinski, B.A. and Rosenthal, M.D. (1994) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1223, 219–225). The present report demonstrates that differentiated cells attained higher elevations of intracellular free calcium in response to A23187 and thapsigargin, consistent with enhancement of the capacitative calcium influx pathway. Differentiation induced a significant increase in the size of the intracellular calcium stores, as well as in the capacity for store-activated calcium influx. Alterations in the capacitative calcium influx pathway were coupled to differentiation-induced activation of cPLA₂ and mobilization of arachidonate in response to thapsigargin and fMLP stimulation. Although cPLA₂ activity is often associated with influx of extracellular calcium, arachidonate mobilization in response to thapsigargin or fMLP was not simply a consequence of calcium influx. Assessment of intracellular free calcium elevations during thapsigargin or fMLP-induced stimulation suggest that a low level of arachidonic acid release was initiated upon release of intracellular store calcium. This initial release of arachidonate was unaffected by inhibition of calcium influx with nickel, EGTA, or SKF96365. Arachidonate release was observed when extracellular calcium was replaced with extracellular strontium, suggesting activation of the cytosolic PLA₂ rather than secretory PLA₂. Inhibition of PLA₂ with prostaglandin B oligomer prevented both thapsigargin and fMLP-stimulated influx of extracellular calcium. Furthermore, exogenous free arachidonate stimulated influx of extracellular calcium in differentiated U937 cells. These results suggest that cPLA₂-mediated release of free arachidonate may participate in the formation of a calcium influx factor which controls influx of extracellular calcium through store-controlled channels in the plasma membrane.     

Measurement of intrasynaptosomal free calcium by using the fluorescent indicator quin-2.

The recently synthesized calcium indicator quin -2 was incorporated into synaptosomes from guinea-pig cerebral cortex following uptake and internal hydrolysis of quin -2 tetra-acetoxymethyl ester. Incubation in physiological media containing 1 mM- or 2 mM-CaCl2 led to equilibrium cytosolic ionized calcium concentrations of 85 +/- 10 nM and 205 +/- 5 nM respectively (mean +/- S.E.M. from eight and eighteen preparations respectively). Cytosolic Ca2+ was elevated following increases in external Ca2+ concentration, plasma membrane depolarization, mitochondrial inhibition, calcium ionophore addition or replacement of external sodium by lithium. Preliminary experiments were performed to assess changes in cytosolic Ca2+ accompanying the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.     

Platelet activating factor raises intracellular calcium ion concentration in macrophages

Peritoneal cells from thioglycollate-stimulated mice were allowed to adhere to coverglasses for 2 h to give a dense monolayer of adherent cells greater than 95% of which were macrophages. After incubation with the tetra-acetoxymethyl ester of quin2, coverglasses were rinsed with Ca2+-free saline, oriented at a 45 degree angle in square cuvettes containing a magnetically driven stir bar, and analyzed for changes in quin2 fluorescence in a spectrofluorimeter. Such fluorescence, taken as an indication of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), increased as exogenous calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]o) was raised to 1 mM. At [Ca2+]o approximately equal to 10 microM, [Ca2+]i = 72 +/- 14 nM (n = 26); at [Ca2+]o = 1 mM, [Ca2+]i = 140-220 nM, levels not increased by N, N, N', N'-tetrakis (2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine, a membrane-permeant chelator of heavy metals than can quench quin2. Addition of mouse alpha + beta fibroblast interferon, lipopolysaccharide, thrombin, collagen, vasopressin, ADP, compound 48/80, or U46619 did not change [Ca2+]i. However, addition of platelet activating factor (PAF) (2-20 ng/ml) raised [Ca2+]i by 480 nM within 1 min if [Ca2+]o = 1 mM. In the presence of 5 mM EGTA, PAF raised [Ca2+]i by 25 nM. This suggests that PAF causes influx of exogenous Ca2+, as well as releasing some Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Consistent with these results, when PAF was added to 1 mM Ca2+ in the presence of 100 microM Cd2+ or Mn2+ to block Ca2+ influx, [Ca2+]i increased by only intermediate amounts; at the times of such dampened peak response, [Ca2+]i could be raised within 1 min to normal PAF-stimulated levels by chelation of the exogenous heavy metals with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Normal PAF responses were observed in the presence of indomethacin. The lowest dose of PAF observed to raise [Ca2+]i was 0.1 ng/ml. Response of [Ca2+]i to 2-20 ng/ml PAF was transient, and second applications had no effect. The PAF response also was seen in cell suspensions. These results suggest that an increase in [Ca2+]i may be an early event in PAF activation of macrophages.     

Ca2+-Atpase inhibitor,cyclopiazonic acid,releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores in rbl-2h3 mast cells and activates a Ca2+ influx pathway that is permeable to sodium and manganese

Cyclopiazonic acid has been reported to inhibit the Ca²⁺-ATPase of intracellular calcium stores in some nonexcitable cell types, such as myeloid cells and lymphocytes. The present study examines the effects of cyclopizonic acid on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells, a mucosal mast cell line. Addition of cyclopiazonic acid to fura-2-loaded RBL cells evoked a biphasic increase in free ionized intracellular calcium. Release of stored calcium accounted for the first phase of this response. The second phase was determined to be calcium entering through an influx pathway activated by cyclopiazonic acid. The influx pathway was selective for calcium, But was somewhat permeable to manganese. However, in a Ca²⁺-free solution containing EGTA, sodium ions permeated freely. This influx pathway appears to be identical to that which is activated by antigen, the physiological stimulus to the cells. Cyclopiazonic acid also induced secretion when combined with the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, which activates protein kinae C. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Dopaminergic Inhibition of Prolactin Release and Calcium Influx Induced by Neurotensin in Anterior Pituitary Is Independent of Cyclic AMP System

The present study demonstrates that 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (DA, dopamine) prevents neurotensin (NT) stimulation of both prolactin (PRL) release and calcium influx by interacting with specific receptors that are functionally linked to calcium channels. As shown by the studies with dispersed cells from rat anterior pituitary, the pharmacology of the control of PRL release and calcium influx, both induced by NT, was found to be typical of a DAergic process. This was demonstrated by the order of potency of agonists in inhibiting PRL release and calcium influx (DA greater than epinephrine greater than norepinephrine much greater than isoproterenol); by the high affinity of antagonists such as haloperidol and fluphenazine for this process; and by the high degree of stereoselectivity of sulpiride. Specific D2 receptor agonists, such as bromocriptine and lisuride, and the specific D2 receptor antagonist (-)-sulpiride were found to be highly potent on the DA receptors negatively coupled with calcium channels and PRL release. DA was found to lack the capacity to change the influx of calcium induced by either the sodium channel activator veratridine or high extracellular potassium levels, thus indicating a specific action of this amine on calcium channels sensitive to NT. In a range of concentrations that are effective in inhibiting either the calcium influx or the PRL release, both induced by NT, DA did not alter the cyclic AMP generating system. DA (from 1.0 nM to 50 nM) did not affect adenylate cyclase activity in rat pituitary gland homogenates and did not modify intracellular cyclic AMP levels in pituitary cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)