Effect of maleimide derivatives on superoxide-generating system of guinea-pig neutrophils stimulated by different soluble stimuli

The effect of modification of maleimide derivatives on superoxide production by guinea-pig neutrophils induced by a variety of different soluble stimuli was studied. Pretreatment of neutrophils by showdomycin, a very slowly penetrating-SH reagent, did not affect superoxide production by all of the stimuli used, suggesting no exposure of sulfhydryl groups involved in superoxide-generating system on the cell surface. Pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide (MalNEt), a considerably penetrating-SH reagent, markedly inhibited superoxide production stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (HCO-Met-Leu-Phe), cytochalasin E or digitonin, but not superoxide production stimulated by the ionophore A23187 or sodium fluoride. The oxygen consumption stimulated by HCO-Met-Leu-Phe or cytochalasin E was inhibited by MalNEt pretreatment, whereas the oxygen consumption stimulated by A23187 was not inhibited by MalNEt. The inhibition by MalNEt of superoxide production did not appear to be due to the interference with binding of the affected stimuli, since MalNEt pretreatment did not inhibit the release of lysozyme, granule enzyme, induced by HCO-Met-Leu-Phe, cytochalasin E or digitonin. Particulate fractions from MalNEt-pretreated neutrophils before exposure to the stimulus exhibited the inhibition of the enhancement of NADPH-dependent superoxide production induced by HCO-Met-Leu-Phe, cytochalasin E or digitonin, but not A23187, whereas treatment of neutrophils with MalNEt after activation by these stimuli had no effect on the NADPH oxidase activity in particulate fractions. Direct exposure of particulate fractions from A23187-stimulated neutrophils to MalNEt showed no actual susceptibility of NADPH oxidase to MalNEt inhibition. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of MalNEt is caused by the modification of the process of the activation by the affected stimuli of the superoxide system, probably NADPH oxidase and that at least two mechanisms exist for activation of superoxide-generating system in guinea-pig neutrophils on the basis of the susceptibility to MalNEt inhibition.     

Depolarization blunts the oxidative burst of human neutrophils. Parallel effects of monoclonal antibodies, depolarizing buffers, and glycolytic inhibitors

The anti-neutrophil mAb PMN 7C3 and IIC4 inhibited the respiratory burst of neutrophils as measured by the generation of superoxide anion or hydrogen peroxide in response to PMA, serum-treated zymosan, and FMLP. To examine the effect of these mAb on neutrophil transmembrane potential, a fluorescent probe was used in a continuous assay. Compared with control cells, antibody-treated neutrophils were partially depolarized at rest and had a blunted response when stimulated. The F(ab)2 fragment of PMN 7C3 had similar effects on both the respiratory burst and transmembrane potential, whereas the Fab fragment did not. The unrelated antineutrophil mAb 31D8 had no effect on either the respiratory burst or on transmembrane potential. Neutrophils suspended in high potassium buffers also exhibited partial depolarization of the resting cell membrane and a blunted depolarization response to stimuli and produced less superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in response to stimuli than did control cells in physiologic buffer. Exposure of neutrophils to 2-deoxy-D-glucose resulted in dose- and time-dependent depression of the respiratory burst. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose also caused depolarization of the resting membrane and impaired subsequent stimulus-induced depolarization. Similar effects were seen with addition of iodoacetamide or depletion of glucose. The parallel effects of anti-neutrophil mAb, depolarizing buffers, and glycolytic inhibitors on both neutrophil membrane depolarization and activation of the respiratory burst indicate a close association between these two events. The evidence suggests that the inhibitory effects of these antibodies are mediated through partial membrane depolarization which interferes with signal transduction on subsequent stimulation of the cells. The impairment in oxidative responses to phorbol esters as well as to receptor-dependent activating agents points to interruption at a distal step, e.g., subsequent to Ca2+ mobilization.     

Role of the valence of concanavalin A in the activation of guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) by tetravalent concanavalin A (alpha-ConA) induces membrane depolarization preceding the onset of superoxide anion (O2-) production. Both divalent and monovalent ConA analogues were studied to evaluate the role of valence. Monovalent ConA (m-ConA) was inactive in stimulating O2- production and divalent derivatives were less active than native alpha-ConA. Similarly, membrane depolarization was dependent on the valency of ConA. m-ConA did not induce a marked change in membrane potential, whereas sustained depolarization occurred with multivalent ConA. The formation of multiple linked interactions between surface receptors may be an important early event in the activation of PMN by ConA.     

Involvement of guanine nucleotides in superoxide release by fluoride-treated neutrophils. Implications for a role of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein

Previous studies demonstrating hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) and generation of inositol phosphates in neutrophils exposed to 20.0 mM NaF provide indirect evidence that activation of phospholipase-associated guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, a guanine nucleotide binding protein which regulates the activation of a membrane inositol-specific phospholipase C, is an early event in the neutrophil stimulus-response pathway triggered by fluoride. Consistent with this hypothesis, exposure of a plasma membrane rich preparation isolated from 32P labeled neutrophils to 20.0 mM NaF resulted in hydrolysis of labeled PIP2. Levels of other phospholipids were not affected. Inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate were detected in extracts of neutrophil plasma membranes exposed to fluoride. To further explore the involvement of guanine nucleotides in functional responses of intact neutrophils triggered by fluoride, we preincubated cells with 2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide (tiazofurin), a selective inhibitor of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, to diminish guanine nucleotide synthesis and then compared superoxide generation induced by FMLP, PMA, digitonin, and 20.0 mM NaF to intracellular levels of guanine nucleotides. Preincubation of neutrophils for 2.5 h at 37 degrees C with tiazofurin resulted in dose-dependent depletion of GTP and GDP. Maximal depletion of guanine nucleotides required relatively high levels of tiazofurin (200 to 400 microM) and resulted in a 55 to 60% reduction of GTP and GDP. The effects of tiazofurin on guanine nucleotides levels were not observed when neutrophils were preincubated at 4 degrees C. AT 37 degrees C, tiazofurin also decreased intracellular ATP and ADP levels but adenine nucleotide depletion was less pronounced than guanine nucleotide depletion for each concentration of tiazofurin used. When tiazofurin was removed by washing cells after incubation, adenine nucleotide quickly returned to preincubation values but guanine nucleotide levels remained depressed. Addition of exogenous guanosine (200 microM) prevented tiazofurin-dependent depletion of guanine nucleotides but had no influence on adenine nucleotide depletion. Superoxide released triggered by FMLP and F- was inhibited to an extent similar to that of guanine nucleotide depletion under different conditions of preincubation. Inhibition of superoxide release was not observed if cells were preincubated at 4 degrees C, was not rapidly reversible, and was not observed when guanosine was added with tiazofurin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Inhibition by linoleic acid hydroperoxide of alveolar macrophage superoxide production: effects upon mitochondrial and plasma membrane potentials

Linoleic acid hydroperoxide (LOOH) is a naturally occurring product of lipid peroxidation. Incubation of rat alveolar macrophages with LOOH produced alterations of membrane properties and function at concentrations of LOOH as low as 0.1 microM. These included phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated superoxide production, mitochondrial membrane potential, and plasma membrane potentials. These effects were clearly separated from gross loss of structural integrity as measured by lactate dehydrogenase release, in terms of both time of incubation and concentration of LOOH. PMA-stimulated superoxide production measured 15 min after addition of 10 microM LOOH was inhibited approximately 50%; however, addition of this concentration of the hydroperoxide after PMA stimulation was without effect. Superoxide production was also measured in a cell-free system produced by incubation of alveolar macrophages with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Prior incubation of alveolar macrophages with LOOH, H2O2, or t-butyl hydroperoxide, under conditions that significantly inhibited superoxide production by the intact cells, did not produce inhibition of the NADPH-dependent superoxide generating system in the cell-free preparation. These results suggest that the effect of LOOH was upon signal transduction involved in the stimulation of superoxide production rather than on the NADPH oxidase itself. Measurements of membrane potential changes were made using the lipophilic ions, 3,3'-dipentyloxacarbocyanine (DiOC5(3] and bis(3-phenyl-5-oxoisoxazol-4-yl)pentamethineoxonol (oxonol V). On the basis of their charge, DiOC5(3) fluorescence primarily reports mitochondrial potential and oxonol V absorbance reports plasma membrane potential. With 10 microM LOOH, depolarization of the plasma and mitochondrial membranes appeared to occur within seconds. As prior depolarization depresses superoxide production, these hydroperoxide-induced changes in membrane potential may be responsible for decreased PMA-stimulated superoxide production.     

Regulation of necrosis of H9c2 myogenic cells upon transient energy deprivation. Rapid deenergization of mitochondria precedes necrosis and is controlled by reactive oxygen species, stress kinase JNK, HSP72 and ARC

Subjecting myogenic H9c2 cells to transient energy deprivation leads to a caspase-independent death with typical features of necrosis. Here we show that the rupture of cytoplasmic membrane, the terminal event in necrosis, is shortly preceded by rapid depolarization of mitochondrial membranes. The rapid deenergization of mitochondria critically depended upon prior generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during ATP depletion stage. Accordingly, expression of catalase prevented mitochondrial depolarization and averted subsequent necrosis. Interestingly, trifluoperazine, a compound that protects cells from ischemic insults, prevented necrosis of H9c2 cells through inhibition of ROS production. Other factors that regulated the mitochondrial membrane depolarization and subsequent loss of plasma membrane integrity include a stress kinase JNK activated at early steps of recovery from ATP depletion, as well as an apoptotic inhibitory protein ARC. Accordingly, inhibition of JNK or overexpression of ARC prevented mitochondrial depolarization and rescued H9c2 cells from necrosis. ROS and JNK affected mitochondrial deenergization and necrosis independently of each other since inhibition of ROS production did not prevent activation of JNK, whereas inhibition of JNK did not suppress ROS accumulation. Therefore, JNK activation and ROS production represent two independent pathways that control mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent necrosis of cells subjected to transient energy deprivation. Overexpression of ARC, although preventing mitochondrial depolarization, did not affect either JNK activation or production of ROS. The major heat shock protein Hsp72 inhibited JNK-related steps of necrotic pathway but did not affect ROS accumulation. Interestingly, mitochondrial depolarization and subsequent necrosis can be suppressed by an Hsp72 mutant Hsp72DeltaEEVD, which lacks chaperone function but can efficiently suppress JNK activation. Thus, Hsp72 is directly implicated in a signaling pathway, which leads to necrotic death.     

Potential Roles of Electrogenic Ion Transport and Plasma Membrane Depolarization in Apoptosis

Apoptosis is characterized by the programmed activation of specific biochemical pathways leading to the organized demise of cells. To date, aspects of the intracellular signaling machinery involved in this phenomenon have been extensively dissected and characterized. However, recent studies have elucidated a novel role for changes in the intracellular milieu of the cells as important modulators of the cell death program. Specially, intracellular ionic homeostasis has been reported to be a determinant in both the activation and progression of the apoptotic cascade. Several apoptotic insults trigger specific changes in ionic gradients across the plasma membrane leading to depolarization of the plasma membrane potential (PMP). These changes lead to ionic imbalance early during apoptosis. Several studies have also suggested the activation and/or modulation of specific ionic transport mechanisms including ion channels, transporters and ATPases, as mediators of altered intracellular ionic homeostasis leading to PMP depolarization during apoptosis. However, the role of PMP depolarization and of the changes in ionic homeostasis during the progression of apoptosis are still unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the causes and consequences of PMP depolarization during apoptosis. We also review the potential electrogenic ion transport mechanisms associated with this event, including the net influx/efflux of cations and anions. An understanding of these mechamisms could lead to the generation of new therapeutic approaches for a variety of diseases involving apoptosis.     

Mechanism of polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation by myristate. Involvement of calcium ion and protein kinase C

The stimulative effects of myristate on the superoxide generation and depolarization of membrane potential of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are particularly strong, yet myristate does not affect the intracellular free Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) in the presence of 1 microM free calcium in calcium-EGTA buffer. The half maximum concentration of myristate was 10 microM. Myristate inhibited the transitory changes in [Ca2+]i induced by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), but stimulated further the FMLP-induced superoxide generation; these effects are similar to those of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The myristate-induced superoxide generation was partially inhibited by H-7, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C. Myristate stimulated the activity of Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of 10(-6) M Ca2+. The Ka was 100 microM. These results suggested that there is no relation between the superoxide generation and the [Ca2+]i change in PMNs and that the effects of myristate are similar to those of PMA against PMN.     

Proton release by polymorphonuclear leukocytes during phagocytosis or activation by digitonin or fluoride

The stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes with bacteria or digitonin causes protons to be released into the reaction medium at the same time as the respiratory burst. Although lactic acid is released from the cells due to the stimulated metabolic activity, proton release was not due to lactic acid accumulation as fluoride markedly inhibited lactic acid accumulation in untreated cells within 5 minutes of incubation and a rapid proton release and superoxide anion production occurred after lactate production had ceased. The proton releasing mechanism, however, is closely linked with the activation of the plasma membrane NAD(P)H oxidase since the proton release is depressed only when the activation mechanism and/or the oxidase is inhibited.     

Macrophage protein kinase C: its role in modulating membrane microviscosity and superoxide in leishmanial infection

Pretreatment of macrophages with, an agonist of PKC, showed diverse effects on degradation and survival of two virulent strains of Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Treatment of macrophages with PMA for 45 min at 37 degrees C generated significant amounts of superoxide anions and reduced the parasite burden of macrophages by up to 48 and 43% when AG83 and GE-1 strains were used for infection. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, inhibited PMA-dependent killing of the parasites, while tyrphostin AG 126, an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, showed very little effect. Depletion of PKC by prolonged incubation with PMA drastically reduced the superoxide anion generation and increased the uptake and multiplication of the parasites. Finally, to understand the mechanism of higher uptake of the parasites by PKC-depleted macrophages, membrane microviscosity was measured by fluorescence depolarization. Membrane microviscosity was found to be approximately 40% lower in PKC-depleted macrophages than in normal macrophages, indicating the role of membrane fluidity in the infection process. Together, these data suggest PKC activation, superoxide generation, and membrane fluidity are essential factors in the efficient regulation of leishmanial infection.     

Measurement of plasma membrane and mitochondrial potentials in sea urchin sperm. Changes upon activation and induction of the acrosome reaction

The relationship between the plasma membrane potential and activation of sperm motility and respiration, or induction of the acrosome reaction, was explored in sperm of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Plasma and mitochondrial membrane potentials were estimated by measuring the uptake of [14C]thiocyanate ( [14C]SCN-) and [3H]tetraphenylphosphonium ( [3H]TPP+) in intact sperm and sperm made permeant with digitonin. Mitochondrial potentials up to-185 mV were found, consistent with data for TPP+ uptake into mitochondria from other cell types. Values for TPP+ uptake corrected for mitochondrial accumulation and estimates of SCN- uptake both indicated that the plasma membrane potential was about -30 mV for actively respiring sperm in seawater and about -60 mV for quiescent sperm in Na+-free seawater. Activation of sperm motility and respiration induced by Na+ increased the intracellular pH and caused a depolarization of both the plasma membrane and mitochondrial potentials. However, membrane potential depolarization did not occur when the activation was induced by increased extracellular pH or by the peptide speract, although activation was always linked to increased intracellular pH. The acrosome reaction, on the other hand, was always associated with sperm plasma membrane potential depolarization, whether it was induced by the physiological effector from the egg surface or by several artificial triggering regimens. Thus, activation of respiration and motility is primarily controlled by increased intracellular pH (Christen, R., Schackmann, R. W., and Shapiro, B. M. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14881-14890), whereas the acrosome reaction also requires depolarization of the plasma membrane potential.     

Production of oxygen free radicals by Ehrlich ascites tumour cells: effect of lipids

Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore A23187 and platelet activating factor (PAF) stimulated the generation of oxygen free radicals (nitro-blue tetrazolium reduction) in Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) cells. PAF was effective at an optimal concentration of 4 muM, but was inhibited by BN 52021, a specific PAF antagonist. Lyso-PAF was ineffective. Inclusion of different lipids during incubation prior to the addition of PAF, resulted in the activation/inhibition of free radical generation. Among the phospholipids at a concentration of 50 mug/ml, the order of activation was phosphatidylserine > phosphatidylglycerol > phosphoinositides > phosphatidylinositol > phosphatidylethanolamine. Phosphatidylcholine was not effective, while sphingolipids were inhibitory. In addition, Ehrlich ascites tumour cells grown in mice under marginal vitamin A deficiency, showed an augmented production of free radicals compared to control cells. This was suppressed by exogenous addition of vitamin A or superoxide dismutase. These results suggest that membrane lipids and dietary factors like vitamin A probably function as physiological modulators in regulating the free radical generation.     

Uncompetitive inhibition of superoxide generation by a synthetic peptide corresponding to a predicted NADPH binding site in gp91-phox, a component of the phagocyte respiratory oxidase

The large subunit of cytochrome b558, gp91-phox, is believed to play a key role in superoxide generation in neutrophils by accepting electrons from NADPH and donating them to molecular oxygen. We found that a peptide corresponding to a predicted NADPH binding site in gp91-phox inhibited superoxide generation in a cell-free system consisting of neutrophil membrane and cytosol. Minimum essential sequence for the inhibition was KSVWYK, which corresponded to residues 420-425 (IC50 = 30 microM). Unlike other peptides known to inhibit the reaction, this peptide was effective even when added to the system after activation or to activated membrane from stimulated neutrophils. Furthermore, the peptide inhibited superoxide generation in a membrane system activated without cytosol. Kinetic analysis revealed that the peptide inhibited the reaction uncompetitively. These results suggest that the peptide combines with the activated cytochrome b558-NADPH complex and thereby inhibits electron transfer from NADPH to molecular oxygen.     

The superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils is electrogenic and associated with an H+ channel.

The membrane potential of cytoplasts, derived from human neutrophils, was depolarized by the activation of the superoxide-generating NADPH-dependent oxidase. The extent of the depolarization was inhibited by diphenylene iodonium and was therefore due directly to the activity of the oxidase, which must be electrogenic. The extent of the depolarization was influenced by alteration of the delta pH across the cytoplast membrane, indicating that the outward translocation of H+ eventually compensates for superoxide generation. The depolarization of the potential is enhanced by Cd2+, a blocker of H+ currents, suggesting that the compensatory movement is via an H+ channel.     

Superoxide-dependent and superoxide-independent pathways for reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in isolated rat cardiac myocytes.

Spectroscopic studies indicated that nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) could be reduced to blue formazan by several distinct reactions in suspensions of isolated rat cardiac myocytes. Both NADPH- and NADH-linked pathways for reduction of NBT were observed. NADPH-linked NBT reduction showed little activity in the absence of digitonin, but could be stimulated an average of 9.5-fold by digitonin permeabilization of the plasma membrane. NADH-linked NBT reduction occurred in the absence of digitonin, and could be increased an average of 3.5-fold by digitonin treatment. Analysis of the effects of cell viability on the extent of digitonin stimulation with these substrates suggested that the NADPH-linked reaction involved a cytosolic component, while the NADH-linked reaction involved an intracellular membrane enzyme system. With either NADPH or NADH, NBT reduction was completely inhibited by dicoumarol (100 microM). Dicoumarol-insensitive NBT reduction could subsequently be observed following the addition of 2 mM cyanide, a level of cyanide known to inhibit cytosolic superoxide dismutase. Cyanide-stimulated, dicoumarol-insensitive NBT reduction was augmented by the presence of either antimycin or doxorubicin, two agents which enhance superoxide formation by different mechanisms. The results indicate the existence of multiple pathways for both superoxide-independent and superoxide-dependent reduction of NBT. Dicoumarol-insensitive, cyanide-stimulated NBT reduction may be useful as a spectroscopic probe for intracellular superoxide formation.     

B cell activation. VI. Effects of exogenous diglyceride and modulators of phospholipid metabolism suggest a central role for diacylglycerol generation in transmembrane signaling by mIg

Previous evidence indicates that in vitro activators of protein kinase C, such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), are able to induce early activation events in murine B cells, including membrane depolarization and increased I-A antigen expression. These same events are induced by specific antigen and anti-receptor antibody. This evidence suggests that protein kinase C activation may be an important intermediary event in mIg-mediated transmembrane signaling. Previously, investigators have suggested that protein kinase C activation is regulated by a novel second messenger, diacylglycerol (DG), and DG is generated by phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis after receptor-ligand interaction in many systems. In view of this concept, we examined the effects of nonspecific activators and inhibitors of DG production and DG itself on membrane potential and levels of I-A antigen expression in murine B cells. Our results indicate that exposure to DG, or induction of DG production by treatment of B cells with exogenous phospholipase C, results in depolarization and increased I-A antigen expression similar to that induced by anti-receptor antibody and specific antigen. Furthermore, we demonstrate that depolarization and increased I-A expression induced by anti-receptor antibody is blocked under conditions in which DG production is inhibited. As expected, based on its direct activation of protein kinase C, PMA stimulation is unaffected by this inhibition. These results support our earlier hypothesis that occupancy of antigen receptors on B cells is linked to subsequent activation events by PI hydrolysis, DG generation, and protein kinase C activation.     

Membrane depolarization is the trigger for PI3K/Akt activation and leads to the generation of ROS

Loss of fluid shear stress (ischemia) to the lung endothelium causes endothelial plasma membrane depolarization via ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel closure, initiating a signaling cascade that leads to NADPH oxidase (NOX2) activation and ROS production. Since wortmannin treatment significantly reduces ROS production with ischemia, we investigated the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in shear-associated signaling. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in perfused lungs subjected to abrupt stop of flow showed membrane depolarization and ROS generation. Stop of flow in flow-adapted mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in vitro resulted in the activation of PI3K and Akt as well as ROS generation. ROS generation in the lungs in situ was almost abolished by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the PKC inhibitor H7. The combination of the two (wortmannin and H7) did not have a greater effect. Activation of NOX2 was greatly diminished by wortmannin, knockout of Akt1, or dominant negative PI3K, whereas membrane depolarization was unaffected. Ischemia-induced Akt activation (phosphorylation) was not observed with K(ATP) channel-null cells, which showed minimal changes in membrane potential with ischemia. Activation of Akt was similar to wild-type cells in NOX2-null cells, which do not generate ROS with ischemia. Cromakalim, a K(ATP) channel agonist, prevented both membrane depolarization and Akt phosphorylation with ischemia. Thus, Akt1 phosphorylation follows cell membrane depolarization and precedes the activation of NOX2. These results indicate that PI3K/Akt and PKC serve as mediators between endothelial cell membrane depolarization and NOX2 assembly.     

Development of the superoxide-generating system during differentiation of the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line

Utilizing the induced differentiation of HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells as a model of myeloid maturation, we examined the development of the superoxide-generating system, focusing on NADPH oxidase activity, membrane depolarization, and cytochrome b content. NADPH oxidase activity, measured as NADPH-dependent superoxide production, increased with both spontaneous and N,N-dimethylformamide-induced differentiation. Activity in particulate fractions from induced HL-60 cells and human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes was proportional to their relative rates of superoxide production, but activity from uninduced cells was surprisingly high: one-third that from induced cells, despite only 7% their rate of superoxide generation. NADPH oxidase activities in phagocytic vesicles from induced HL-60 cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes were equal, indicating the equivalence of the enzyme system in active portions of their cell membranes. Separation by centrifugal elutriation of the HL-60 cell population into fractions of varying maturity confirmed the relationship of NADPH oxidase activity to advancing differentiation in both dimethylformamide-induced and spontaneously maturing cells. Membrane potential change, an early event related to activation of the oxidase, was followed by 3,3'-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine dye fluorescence. The depolarization response increased dramatically in both magnitude and initial rate of change during differentiation. The cells' cytochrome b content increased 3-fold with induction of differentiation, in proportion to the change in NADPH oxidase activity.     

Oxidative burst and NO generation as initial response to ischemia in flow-adapted endothelial cells

Shear stress modulates endothelial physiology, yet the effect(s) of flow cessation is poorly understood. The initial metabolic responses of flow-adapted bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to the abrupt cessation of flow (simulated ischemia) was evaluated using a perfusion chamber designed for continuous spectroscopy. Plasma membrane potential, production of reactive O2 species (ROS), and intracellular Ca(2+) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured with fluorescent probes. Within 15 s after flow cessation, flow-adapted cells, but not cells cultured under static conditions, showed plasma membrane depolarization and an oxidative burst with generation of ROS that was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium. EGTA-inhibitable elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) and NO were observed at approximately 30 and 60 s after flow cessation, respectively. NO generation was decreased in the presence of inhibitors of NO synthase and calmodulin. Thus flow-adapted endothelial cells sense the altered hemodynamics associated with flow cessation and respond by plasma membrane depolarization, activation of NADPH oxidase, Ca(2+) influx, and activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent NO synthase. This signaling response is unrelated to cellular anoxia.     

Arsenite induces apoptosis of murine T lymphocytes through membrane raft-linked signaling for activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase

Because of its dual roles in acute toxicity and in therapeutic application in cancer treatment, arsenic has recently attracted a renewed attention. In this study, we report NaAsO(2)-induced signal cascades from the cell surface to the nucleus of murine thymic T lymphocytes that involve membrane rafts as an initial signal transducer. NaAsO(2) induced apoptosis through fragmentation of DNA, activation of caspase, and reciprocal regulation of Bcl-2/Bax with the concomitant reduction of membrane potential. We demonstrated that NaAsO(2)-induced caspase activation is dependent on curcumin-sensitive c-Jun amino-terminal kinase and barely dependent on SB203580-sensitive p38 kinase or PD98059-sensitive extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Additionally, staurosporine, which severely inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) family kinases and c-Jun, partially blocked the NaAsO(2)-mediated signal for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) degradation. Potentially as the initial cell surface event for intracellular signaling, NaAsO(2) induced aggregation of GPI-anchored protein Thy-1 and superoxide production. This Thy-1 aggregation and subsequent activation of MAP family kinase and c-Jun and the degradation of PARP induced by NaAsO(2) were all inhibited by DTT, suggesting the requirement of interaction between arsenic and protein sulfhydryl groups for those effects. beta cyclodextrin, which sequestrates cholesterol from the membrane rafts, inhibited NaAsO(2)-induced activation of protein tyrosine kinases and MAP family kinases, degradation of PARP, and production of superoxide. In addition, beta cyclodextrin dispersed NaAsO(2)-induced Thy-1 clustering. These results suggest that a membrane raft integrity-dependent cell surface event is a prerequisite for NaAsO(2)-induced protein tyrosine kinase/c-Jun amino-terminal kinase activation, superoxide production, and downstream caspase activation.