Multiple signal transduction pathways lead to extracellular ATP-stimulated mitogenesis in mammalian cells: II. A pathway involving arachidonic acid release, prostaglandin synthesis, and cyclic AMP accumulation.

We have previously shown that extracellular ATP acts as a mitogen via protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent and independent pathways (Wang, D., Huang, N., Gonzalez, F.A., and Heppel, L.A. Multiple signal transduction pathways lead to extracellular ATP-stimulated mitogenesis in mammalian cells. I. Involvement of protein kinase C-dependent and independent pathways in the mitogenic response of mammalian cells to extracellular ATP. J. Cell. Physiol., 1991). The present aim was to determine if metabolism of arachidonic acid, resulting in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and elevation of cAMP levels, plays a role in mitogenesis mediated by extracellular ATP. Addition of ATP caused a marked enhancement of cyclic AMP accumulation in 3T3, 3T6, and A431 cells. Aminophylline, an antagonist of the adenosine A2 receptor, had no effect on the accumulation of cyclic AMP elicited by ATP, while it inhibited the action of adenosine. The accumulation of cyclic AMP was concentration dependent, which corresponds to the stimulation of DNA synthesis by ATP. The maximal accumulation was achieved after 45 min, with an initial delay period of about 15 min. That the activation of arachidonic acid metabolism contributed to cyclic AMP accumulation and mitogenesis stimulated by ATP in 3T3, 3T6, and A431 cells was supported by the following observations: (a) extracellular ATP stimulated the release of [3H]arachidonic acid and PGE2 into the medium; (b) inhibition of arachidonic acid release by inhibitors of phospholipase A2 blocked PGE2 production, cyclic AMP accumulation, and DNA synthesis activated by ATP, and this inhibition could be reversed by adding exogenous arachidonic acid; (c) cyclooxygenase inhibitors, such as indomethacin and aspirin, diminished the release of PGE2 and blocked cyclic AMP accumulation as well as [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to ATP; (d) PGE2 was able to restore [3H]thymidine incorporation when added together with ATP in the presence of cyclooxygenase inhibitors; (e) pertussis toxin inhibited ATP-stimulated DNA synthesis in a time- and dose-dependent fashion as well as arachidonic acid release and PGE2 formation. Other evidence for involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein(s) in ATP-stimulated DNA synthesis as well as in arachidonic acid release is presented. In A431 cells, the enhancement of arachidonic acid and cyclic AMP accumulation by ATP was partially blocked by PKC down-regulation, implying that the activation of PKC may represent an additional pathway in ATP-stimulated metabolism of arachidonic acid. In all of these studies, ADP and AMP-PNP, but not adenosine, were as active as ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Endothelin rapidly stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation in osteoblast-like cells.

The mitogenic activity of endothelin (ET) was studied in osteoblast-like cells, MC3T3-E1. [3H] Thymidine incorporation induced by ET was markedly lower than that of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). ET synergistically stimulated [3H] thymidine incorporation induced by PDGF with an apparent ED50 value of 2.5 nM. Treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with ET and subsequent immunoblotting of the cell extracts with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies followed by labeling with [125I] protein A resulted in the identification of several phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. The intensity of these labeled phosphoproteins significantly increased when the cells were treated with a combination of ET and PDGF. Genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, blocked [3H] thymidine incorporation as well as protein tyrosine phosphorylation stimulated by either ET, PDGF or the combination of ET and PDGF. These findings suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation could play a role in the comitogenic activity of ET in osteoblast-like cells.     

Neuropeptide Y stimulates proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells: cooperation with noradrenaline and ATP

Since the sympathetic nervous system has been shown to exert a trophic influence on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), we studied the growth regulating effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in cooperation with the sympathetic co-transmitters noradrenaline and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human vascular SMC. NPY stimulated DNA synthesis in human SMC grown from subcutaneous arteries and veins (diameter: 0.4 mm) measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation. Also cell number and protein synthesis were stimulated. The effect was mediated through the Y₁-receptor and not Y₂ or Y₃ since the Y₁-selective NPY analogue Pro³⁴-NPY and peptide YY stimulated mitogenesis in the same magnitude as NPY while the NPY-fragment NPY_13–36 only had minor effects. The effect was blocked by pretreating the cells with pertussis toxin indicating a G_1/o-coupled effect. The other sympathetic co-transmitters, noradrenaline and ATP, also stimulated mitogenesis in the human SMC in a similar magnitude as NPY. When added together NPY and noradrenaline potentiated each other in the mitogenic response. ATP had mainly additive effects. This is the first demonstration that NPY, noradrenaline and ATP stimulates growth in human vascular SMC. This suggests a role of the sympathetic co-transmitters in modulating vascular tone, but also by inducing hypertrophy/hyperplasia with possible clinical consequences.     

ANG II stimulates PKC-dependent ERK activation,DNA synthesis,and cell division in intestinal epithelial cells

PKC, a major target for the tumor-promoting phorbol esters, has been implicated in the signal transduction pathways that mediate important functions in intestinal epithelial cells, including proliferation and carcinogenesis. With the use of IEC-18 cells arrested in G0/G1, addition of phorbol esters resulted in a modest increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation and a slight shift toward the S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle, whereas the combination of EGF and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) synergistically stimulated DNA synthesis. To investigate the effects of receptor-mediated PKC activation on mitogenesis, we demonstrated that ANG II induced ERK activation, a response completely blocked by pretreatment with mitogen/extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors or specific PKC inhibitors. Furthermore, ANG II stimulated an over threefold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation that was corroborated by flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle to levels comparable to that achieved by the combination of EGF and PDB. Taken together, our results indicate that receptor-mediated PKC activation, as induced by ANG II, transduces mitogenic signals leading to DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in IEC-18 cells.     

Multiple signal transduction pathways lead to extracellular ATP-stimulated mitogenesis in mammalian cells: I. Involvement of protein kinase C-dependent and -independent pathways

We recently reported that extracellular ATP was mitogenic for Swiss 3T3, 3T6, and A431 cells (Huang et al.: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 86:7904-7908, 1989). Here we examined the possible involvement of activation of the protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction pathway in the mechanism of action of extracellular ATP. A potent synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent cultures of 3T3 and 3T6 cells was observed when ATP was presented in combination with growth factors that activate PKC, such as bombesin, vasopressin, or tumor-promoting phorbol esters. This finding suggests that ATP and these mitogens do not act through a common mechanism. In contrast, ATP was unable to show synergism with phorbol esters in A431 cells. We discovered striking differences when we examined the kinetics of formation of diacylglycerol (DAG) stimulated by ATP among these cell lines. Thus, ATP stimulated a sustained biphasic increase of DAG in A431 cells, but only a rapid transient increase of DAG formation was observed in 3T3 and 3T6 cells. The breakdown of phosphatidylcholine was stimulated by ATP in A431 cells; however, a significantly reduced effect was displayed in 3T6 cells. Furthermore, we found that the diacylglycerol-kinase inhibitor, 1-monooleoylglycerol, greatly potentiated ATP-stimulated DNA synthesis in A431 cells. Finally, down-regulation of PKC by long-term exposure to phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) prevented stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by bombesin, vasopressin, or phorbol esters in 3T3 or 3T6 cells, while it had no such effect on ATP-stimulated mitogenesis in the presence of insulin or epidermal growth factor. On the other hand, PDBu-mediated down-regulation of PKC partially inhibited [3H [thymidine incorporation stimulated by ATP in A431 cells. Taken together, we conclude that a protein kinase C-dependent pathway is partially involved in ATP-stimulated DNA synthesis in A431 cells, but a protein kinase C-independent pathway exists in 3T3 and 3T6 cells. Pertussis toxin (PTX) inhibited the sustained phase of DAG formation and the breakdown of phosphatidylcholine stimulated by ATP in A431 cells. This suggests involvement of a PTX-sensitive G protein.     

The antiproliferative effect of interferon and the mitogenic activity of growth factors are independent cell cycle events : Studies with vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells

We studied the antagonistic effects of interferon (IFN) and growth factors in G0/G1-arrested normal bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) which were stimulated by serum, or purified platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), supplemented with plasma-derived serum (PDS). The growth response, measured as [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, was dependent on the concentration of the mitogen. Human IFN alpha, recombinant human IFN alpha 2, or a crude bovine-IFN preparation prepared from virus-infected bovine aortic endothelial cells, inhibited SMC growth induced by either serum or PDGF with PDS. The extent of IFN inhibition was inversely related to the concentration of the mitogenic stimulus. We also investigated whether IFN inhibited the early events in G1 phase, stimulated by the competence factor PDGF, or the progression of the cell into the S phase induced by PDS. The results indicated that IFN inhibited these two stages of the G1 phase independently. In addition, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of IFN on bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), which do not respond to PDGF but to the mitogenic activity of fibroblast growth factor (FGF). IFN inhibited the mitogenic activity of FGF in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that the anti-proliferative activity of IFN and the mitogenic effects of different growth factors are independent.     

Interrelationships of platelet-derived growth factor isoform-induced changes in c-fos expression, intracellular free calcium, and mitogenesis

Both increases in c-fos proto-oncogene expression and intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) have been implicated as necessary components of the signal transduction pathway by which platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates DNA synthesis in cultured BALB/c3T3 fibroblasts. To determine the interrelationship between PDGF-induced increases in c-fos proto-oncogene expression and [Ca2+]i, purified, recombinant BB and AA homodimeric isoforms of PDGF were used to evaluate the dose-response relationships and mechanisms of growth factor-induced changes in these two parameters as well as DNA synthesis. Concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i, c-fos expression, and [3H]thymidine incorporation were observed with both BB and AA PDGF isoforms. BB PDGF was consistently more potent and efficacious than the AA isoform in eliciting a given response. The [Ca2+]i dependency of PDGF-induced increases in c-fos expression and DNA synthesis was determined by pretreatment of cells with agents that inhibit increases in [Ca2+]i: BAPTA, Quin-2, and TMB-8. Under these conditions, PDGF-induced DNA synthesis was blocked, whereas c-fos expression was enhanced. Conversely, in cells made deficient in protein kinase C (PKC) activity by prolonged treatment with phorbol ester, BB and AA PDGF-induced c-fos expression was inhibited by 75-80%, while PDGF-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and DNA synthesis were unaffected or enhanced. Additionally, the PKC-independent component of PDGF-stimulated c-fos expression was found to be independent of increases in [Ca2+]i. These data suggest that 1) both BB and AA PDGF isoforms elicit alterations in [Ca2+]i and c-fos proto-oncogene expression through the same or similar mechanisms in BALB/c3T3 fibroblasts, 2) PDGF-stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i are not required for c-fos expression, and 3) distinct pathways regulate PDGF-induced c-fos expression and mitogenesis, with c-fos expression being substantially PKC-dependent yet [Ca2+]i-independent, while mitogenesis is [Ca2+]i-dependent yet PKC-independent.     

Growth-dependent subcellular redistribution of protein kinase C in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells

We have previously observed major differences in the phosphorylation of membrane proteins in sparse, proliferating versus confluent, quiescent pig aortic endothelial cells (EC) (Kazlauskas and DiCorleto, 1987). In the present study we examined whether EC growth state can influence the activity of a specific phosphorylating enzyme, protein kinase C (PKC) in cytosolic and membrane fractions of pig aortic EC. Levels of PKC were measured using two methods: 1) Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent phosphorylation of exogenous histones using gamma-labeled [32P]ATP, and 2) [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding activity. The total amount of PKC activity in the quiescent versus proliferating cells was similar but the percentage of PKC activity in the membrane fraction correlated with the proliferative index of the cells: confluent, quiescent cultures exhibited a majority of PKC activity in the cytosolic fraction (67%), whereas sparse, proliferating cultures contained principally membrane-bound PKC (70%). We also examined the role of PKC in the mitogenic response of pig aortic EC to fetal calf serum. Following serum stimulation of sparse, serum-deprived pig aortic EC, PKC activity redistributed from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction in a rapid process that correlated with subsequent DNA synthesis. A potent activator of PKC, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), induced a minimal mitogenic response in pig aortic EC when added alone but acted synergistically with low concentrations of fetal calf serum to greatly stimulate DNA synthesis. Furthermore, pig aortic EC treated with TPA for 24 h to down-regulate PKC exhibited only 25% of the serum-stimulated mitogenic activity of control cultures. These results suggest a role for PKC activation and translocation in the proliferation of pig aortic EC.     

Transforming growth factor beta 1 is a powerful modulator of platelet-derived growth factor action in vascular smooth muscle cells.

We have studied the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) mitogenesis and expression of thrombospondin and other growth related genes. We found that TGF-beta 1 treatment of vascular SMC induced a prolonged increase in steady-state mRNA levels of thrombospondin as well as alpha 1 (IV) collagen. The increase began at approximately 2 h, peaked by 24 h, and remained considerably elevated 48 h after growth factor addition. There was a corresponding increase in thrombospondin protein as well as increased expression of several other secreted polypeptides. The increase in thrombospondin contrasted sharply with that observed for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) which induced a rapid and transient increase in thrombospondin mRNA level. Although TGF-beta 1 was able to directly enhance expression of thrombospondin as well as the growth-related genes c-fos and c-myc, and induced c-fos expression with identical kinetics as PDGF, it was unable to elicit [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in three independent smooth muscle cell strains. However, TGF-beta 1 was able to strongly increase the mitogenic response of SMC to PDGF. Addition of both TGF-beta 1 and PDGF to SMC also caused a synergistic increase in the expression of thrombospondin as well as c-myc. Interestingly, in one other smooth muscle cell strain, a weak and delayed mitogenic response to TGF-beta 1 alone was observed. Our results strongly suggest that induction of thrombospondin expression by TGF-beta 1 and by PDGF occurs by distinct mechanisms. In addition, that TGF-beta 1 can enhance PDGF-induced mitogenesis may be due to the ability of TGF-beta 1 to directly induce the expression of thrombospondin, c-fos, c-myc, and the PDGF beta-receptor.     

Homologous desensitization of ATP-stimulated mitogenesis: Mechanism involves desensitization of arachidonic acid release and cAMP elevation but not the activation of protein kinase A

Prolonged incubation of quiescent 3T3, 3T6, and A431 cells with the P_2Y purinoceptor agonists ATP, ADP, or AMPPNP reduced the mitogenic responses of target cells to a further challenge by these agonists, as measured by [³H]thymidine incorporation. The mitogenic desensitization was agonist-specific, for no effect was seen on DNA synthesis stimulated by epidermal growth factor, insulin, bombesin, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-12 acetate (TPA), or adenosine. The desensitization was completely reversible, since after a 24 hr incubation in the absence of ATP, the cells responded fully to the mitogenic action of ATP. The presence of a low level of cycloheximide blocked recovery, suggesting that down-regulation of the P_2Y receptor may have occurred during desensitization. In Swiss 3T3 cells, stimulation of DNA synthesis occurs predominantly by activation of arachidonic acid release, followed by its oxidation to prostaglandin E₂ and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Interestingly, prolonged preincubation with ATP produced a similar degree of desensitization of DNA synthesis and of ATP-dependent arachidonic acid release and cAMP accumulation. Furthermore, this was true for both wild type cells and mutants with a defective cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). We conclude that homologous desensitization is likely due to uncoupling of the P_2Y purinoceptor from phospholipase A₂, and this process does not require activation of protein kinase A. © 1995 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Prolactin-dependent mitogenesis in Nb 2 node lymphoma cells: effects of immunosuppressive cyclopeptides

Prolactin (PRL)-stimulated ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and subsequent proliferation are inhibited by the cyclopeptides cyclosporine (CsA) and didemnin B (DB) in Nb 2 node lymphoma cells. Similar concentrations of these agents also inhibit 125I-PRL binding, suggesting that their inhibitory effects on these PRL-dependent physiologic responses are mediated at least in part at the level of PRL receptor interactions. The phorbol ester TPA stimulated ODC activity and [3H]thymidine incorporation to 54% and 31% that of a near-optimal mitogenic concentration of PRL (10 ng/ml), suggesting that mitogenesis in these cells is coupled to some degree to the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). The calcium ionophore A23187 increased ODC activity only slightly and actually decreased [3H]thymidine incorporation to a value below the "cells only" controls. The addition of TPA plus A23187 did not further enhance the effects of TPA to elevate ODC activity and [3H]thymidine incorporation. However, A23187 significantly elevated PRL-stimulated ODC activity with a subsequent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, suggesting a block of entry into S phase. Both cyclopeptides decreased the elevation of ODC activity in G1 phase of cell cycle in response to PRL, suggestive of a site of action for these agents in early G1, a conclusion compatible with their ability to inhibit PRL binding to these cells. Addition of CsA or DB 2 hr after PRL had no effect on PRL-stimulated ODC activity detectable at 6 hr, but addition of either as late as 6 hr still affected the extent of mitogenesis. This is in line with the requirement for PRL to be present in the culture medium for a minimum of 3 to 6 hr to invoke a maximal effect on mitogenesis. Addition of either cyclopeptide after the cells were in S phase had no effect on the extent of [3H]thymidine incorporation. An inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway (indomethacin) enhanced both PRL-stimulated ODC activity and proliferation, whereas inhibition of the lipoxygenase pathway by NDGA attenuated only proliferation, suggesting that in Nb 2 cells, products of the lipoxygenase pathway may contribute to the mechanism of PRL-stimulated mitogenesis. Because Nb 2 lymphoma cells were derived from estrogenized rats, estrogen was tested as a mitogen. By itself it was not mitogenic, but in conjunction with PRL, estradiol-17 beta elevated the ODC response and inhibited proliferation. Inhibitors of PKC known to have minimal effects on RNA synthesis, quercetin and gossypol, totally inhibited both the elevations of ODC activity and [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to PRL in Nb 2 lymphoma cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Phorbol ester downregulates PDGFbeta receptor via PKCbeta1 in vascular smooth muscle cells

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) and their isoforms in cell growth regulation remains elusive. Here we showed that in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC), the PKC stimulator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) inhibited [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in response to the growth factor PDGF associated with downregulation of PDGFbeta (but not alpha) receptors, which was recovered to normal level after PKC was depleted. The changes in PDGFbeta receptor were inversely correlated with PKCbeta1 protein levels regulated by PMA. The downregulation of PDGFbeta receptor by PMA was fully prevented by the PKCbeta inhibitor LY379196, however, without recovery of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation to PDGF. In contrast, [(3)H]thymidine incorporation was fully recovered after depletion of PKCs. These results indicate that in human SMC PKCbeta1 mediates PDGFbeta receptor downregulation. Other PKC isoforms activated by phorbol ester also contribute to the inhibitory effects on cell growth.     

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on bone formation in vitro

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a polypeptide found in a variety of tissues, including bone, where it could act as an autologous regulator of skeletal remodeling. Therefore, a recombinant B chain homodimer of human PDGF was studied for its effects on bone formation in cultured rat calvariae. PDGF at 10-100 ng/ml stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by up to sixfold and increased the DNA content and the number of colcemid-induced metaphase arrested cells. This effect was observed in the fibroblast and precursor cell-rich periosteum. As a result of its mitogenic actions, PDGF enhanced [3H]proline incorporation into collagen, an effect that was observed primarily in the osteoblast-rich central bone. The effect of PDGF was not specific for collagen since it also increased noncollagen protein synthesis. In addition, PDGF increased bone collagen degradation. PDGF and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I had additive effects on calvarial DNA synthesis, but PDGF opposed the stimulatory effect of IGF I on collagen synthesis and IGF I prevented the PDGF effect on collagen degradation. In conclusion, PDGF stimulates calvarial DNA synthesis which causes an increased number of collagen-synthesizing cells, but PDGF also enhances bone collagen degradation.     

Early changes in inositol lipids and their metabolites induced by platelet-derived growth factor in quiescent Swiss mouse 3T3 cells.

Inositol lipid turnover was studied in quiescent Swiss mouse 3T3 cells stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Stimulation of the cells by PDGF for 10 min at 37 degrees C induced the following changes in lipids: in cells prelabelled with [32P]Pi, a 28% decrease in [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, a 41% decrease in [32P]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and a 1.7-fold increase in the 32P-labelling of phosphatidic acid; in cells prelabelled with [3H8]arachidonic acid, a 17.9-fold increase in [3H]phosphatidic acid, a 20% decrease in [3H]phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), an 8.6-fold increase in [3H]arachidonic acid released into the medium, a 57-fold increase in [3H]prostaglandin E2 in the medium, and a 5.3-fold increase in [3H]monoacylglycerol released into the medium (the last was identified as the 2-acyl derivative); in cells prelabelled with [2-3H]glycerol, a 1.7-fold increase in [3H]diacylglycerol, a 6.7-fold increase in [3H]phosphatidic acid, a 1.6-fold increase in [3H]lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPtdCho), a 9% decrease in [3H]PtdIns, and a 1.6-fold increase in [3H]monoacylglycerol released into the medium. PDGF stimulated the formation of inositol tris-, bis- and mono-phosphates in the cells prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. These results indicate that, in Swiss 3T3 cells stimulated by PDGF, diacylglycerol produced by the hydrolysis of inositol lipids is partly degraded to 2-acylglycerol and partly converted into phosphatidic acid. The increase in lysoPtdCho indicates that a portion of arachidonic acid released from the stimulated cells is formed by the hydrolysis of PtdCho with a phospholipase A2. Different values of half-maximal doses of the partially purified PDGF used in this study were found for the various responses of quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells to PDGF. The values for half-maximal doses suggest that activation of a fraction of the cell-surface receptor for PDGF is sufficient for mitogenesis and for an increase in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration, and that the PGDF-stimulated lipid metabolism is probably proportional to the number of receptor sites activated by PDGF.     

Neuropeptide Y stimulates DNA synthesis in human vascular smooth muscle cells through neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors

We investigated the mitogenic effect, measured as [3H]thymidine incorporation, of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from human subcutaneous arteries (diameter: 0.4 mm). NPY stimulated DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner, Emax 32 +/- 5% relative to control. The effect was potently antagonised by the NPY Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP3226 ((R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxy-phenyl)methyl]-D-arginine-a mide), indicating the effect to be mediated via the NPY Y1 receptor. Noradrenaline (NA) also induced mitogenesis, Emax 35 +/- 10% relative to control. When added together, NPY and NA potentiated the [3H]thymidine incorporation, Emax 109 +/- 38% relative to control. Also, this effect seems to be mediated by the NPY Y1 receptor, since BIBP3226 blocked the effect (44 +/- 9% relative to control). The mitogenic effect of NPY and NA, two important transmitters of the sympathetic nervous system, might have clinical consequences on conditions with elevated sympathetic nerve activity.     

Extracellular ATP shows synergistic enhancement of DNA synthesis when combined with agents that are active in wound healing or as neurotransmitters

The polypeptides PDGF, TGF alpha, and EGF have previously been shown by others to stimulate proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes in the process of wound healing. Here we demonstrate that extracellular ATP, ADP or AMPPNP caused synergistic enhancement of DNA synthesis in 3T6 mouse fibroblasts and BALB/MK keratinocytes when combined with any of the above polypeptides. TGF beta showed synergistic stimulation with ATP in fibroblasts but it inhibited keratinocytes. ATP acted as a mitogen for NIE-115 neuroblastoma cultures. In 3T6 cells, ATP stimulated thymidine incorporation in combination with carbachol or norepinephrine. The effect of carbachol was sensitive to atropine. We suggest that extracellular ATP and ADP may play a physiological role in wound healing and as a mitogenic neurotransmitter in the nervous system.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide synergistically stimulates DNA synthesis in mouse 3T3 cells: role of cAMP, Ca2+, and protein kinase C

Vasoactive intestinal peptide synergistically stimulated initiation of DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells. The peptide stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation in the presence of insulin and either forskolin or an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal effect was obtained at 1 nM. At mitogenic concentrations, VIP stimulated a marked accumulation (eightfold) of cAMP. In contrast to other growth-promoting neuropeptides, VIP did not induce an increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ or an activation of protein kinase C. We conclude that neuropeptides can modulate long-term cell proliferation through multiple signaling pathways.     

Endothelin-1 activates phospholipase D and thymidine incorporation in fibroblasts overexpressing protein kinase C beta 1.

Endothelins (ETs) are a family of extremely potent vasoconstrictor peptides. In addition, ET-1 acts as a potent mitogen and activates phospholipase C in smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. We examined the effects of ET-1 on phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism and thymidine incorporation in control Rat-6 fibroblasts and in cells that overexpress protein kinase C beta 1 (PKC). PC pools were labeled with [3H]myristic acid, and formation of phosphatidylethanol (PEt), an unambiguous marker of phospholipase D (PLD) activation, was monitored. ET-1 stimulated much greater PEt formation in the PKC overexpressing cells. ET-1 action was dose-dependent with a half-maximal effect at 1.0 x 10(-9) M. With increasing ethanol concentrations, [3H]PEt formation increased at the expense of [3H]phosphatidic acid (PA). Propranolol, an inhibitor of PA phosphohydrolase, increased [3H]PA accumulation and decreased [3H]diacylglycerol (DAG) formation. These data are consistent with the formation of [3H]DAG from PC by the sequential action of PLD and PA phosphohydrolase. Phorbol esters are known to stimulate thymidine incorporation and PLD activity to a greater extent in PKC overexpressing cells than in control cells. ET-1 also stimulates thymidine incorporation to a greater extent in the PKC overexpressing cells. The effect of ET-1 on thymidine incorporation into DNA in the overexpressing cells was also dose-dependent with a half-maximal effect at 0.3 x 10(-9) M. Enhanced PLD activity induced by ET-1 in the overexpressing cells may contribute to the mitogenic response, especially in light of a possible role of the PLD product, PA, in regulation of cell growth.     

Monoclonal antibody C3.1 is a platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) antagonist

A monoclonal antibody C3.1 raised against NR6 cells and partially purified PDGF receptor blocked PDGF stimulated [3H] thymidine incorporation in Swiss mouse 3T3 cells and immunoprecipitated a 180 kDa phosphoprotein from NR6 cells. The phosphoprotein bound to a C3.1 sepharose 4B affinity matrix and could be specifically eluted with PDGF but not by EGF or basic FGF. These preliminary results suggests that the ability of C3.1 to inhibit PDGF stimulated mitogenesis may be due to its direct or allosteric interaction at the PDGF receptor binding site.     

Phorbol myristate acetate and the calcium ionophore A23187 synergistically induce release of LTB4 by human neutrophils: involvement of protein kinase C activation in regulation of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, and the calcium ionophore A23187 synergistically induced the noncytotoxic release of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and other 5-lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism from human neutrophils. Whereas neutrophils incubated with either A23187 (0.4 microM) or PMA (1.6 microM) alone failed to release any 5-lipoxygenase arachidonate products, neutrophils incubated with both stimuli together for 5 min at 37 degrees C released LTB4 as well as 20-COOH-LTB4, 20-OH-LTB4, 5-(S),12-(R)-6-trans-LTB4, 5-(S),12-(S)-6-trans-LTB4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, as determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. This synergistic response exhibited concentration dependence on both PMA and A23187. PMA induced 5-lipoxygenase product release at a concentration causing a half-maximal effect of approximately 5 nM in the presence of A23187 (0.4 microM). Competition binding experiments showed that PMA inhibited the specific binding of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate ([3H]PDBu) to intact neutrophils with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of approximately 8 nM. 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) also acted synergistically with A23187 to induce the release of 5-lipoxygenase products. 4 alpha-phorbol didecanoate (PDD), an inactive phorbol ester, did not affect the amount of lipoxygenase products released in response to A23187 or compete for specific [3H]PDBu binding. PMA and A23187 acted synergistically to increase arachidonate release from neutrophils prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid but did not affect the release of the cyclooxygenase product prostaglandin E2. Both PMA and OAG, but not PDD, induced the redistribution of protein kinase C activity from the cytosol to the membrane fraction of neutrophils, a characteristic of protein kinase C activation. Thus, activation of protein kinase C may play a physiologic role in releasing free arachidonate substrate from membrane phospholipids and/or in modulating 5-lipoxygenase activity in stimulated human neutrophils.