Phytosterols decrease prostaglandin release in cultured P388D1/MAB macrophages

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in Western societies. Atherosclerosis is a major cardiovascular related disorder that is responsible for 50% of all mortality in the United States. Several epidemiological studies suggest that consumption of a plant-based diet is associated with a decreased incidence of cardiovascular abnormalities. Phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol, are plant sterols that have been shown to exert protective effects against cardiovascular diseases as well as many types of cancer. Monocyte/macrophage cells are involved with the inflammatory process. Accumulation of these cells in arteries is one of the initial events leading to atherosclerosis. Macrophages are capable of supplying the atherosclerotic vessel with substantial amounts of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have been shown by numerous studies to play a key role in the atherosclerosis process. They can affect platelet aggregation, vasodilation or constriction of blood vessels, and the adherence of monocytes to the vessel walls. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of phytosterols on the release of PGE(2) and PGI(2) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated P388D(1)/MAB macrophage cells. P388D(1)/MAB cells were supplemented with 16 microM cholesterol, beta-sitosterol or campesterol using cyclodextrin as a vehicle. Phytosterol supplementation led to a significant decrease in cellular growth at various time points throughout a 7-day treatment period, especially after 3 days of treatment. Macrophages incorporated the supplemented phytosterols into their membranes which accounted for 26% of total membrane sterols. Cholesterol supplementation at 16 microM however, had no effect on membrane sterols. Supplementation with 16 microM concentration of beta-sitosterol or campesterol resulted in a significant inhibition of PGE(2) and PGI(2) release from macrophage cells as compared to the vehicle control. Of the two phytosterols, beta-sitosterol supplementation exhibited a greater inhibitory effect. PGE(2) release was decreased 68% by beta-sitosterol and 55% by campesterol, while cholesterol supplementation was not as effective, as it led to a 37% decrease. Similarly, release of PGI(2) from macrophages was inhibited 67% by beta-sitosterol and 52% by campesterol treatment, while enrichment of the cells with cholesterol, led to a 35% decrease in PGI(2) release. The decrease in prostaglandin release was not due to alteration in the expression of cPLA(2) and COX-2 enzymes which suggests that alterations in the activities of these enzymes may be responsible for the observed changes in prostaglandin release. It was concluded that phytosterol incorporation into macrophages may offer protection from atherosclerosis by reducing their prostaglandin release and thus slowing down the atheroma development.     

Staurosporine-induced apoptosis in P388D1 macrophages involves both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways

Treatment of P388D1, a macrophage-like cell line, with staurosporine triggered apoptosis through the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Unexpected effects of staurosporine on the induction of apoptosis were the activation of caspase-8, and an increase of the levels of TNF-α. The increased TNF-α levels led to activation of caspase-8 by an autocrine effect via the TNF receptor expressed by the P388D1 macrophages. In contrast, P388D1 macrophages that either had been exposed to UV light or treated with dexamethasone did not undergo apoptosis.     

Alpha-fetoprotein stimulates leukotriene synthesis in P388D1 macrophages

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is able to bind specifically polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially arachidonic acid, the major precursor for prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. In P388D1 macrophages, AFP was found to reduce prostaglandin synthesis. This reduced synthesis was counter-balanced by a higher release of unmetabolized arachidonic acid and an enhanced production of leukotrienes. The same results were obtained with unactivated and activated cells irrespective of the activator used: lipopolysaccharide, Ca2+ ionophore A23187, phorbol myristate acetate, interferon-gamma, silica, or zymozan particles. The stimulation of leukotriene synthesis by AFP in macrophages thus appears to be a possible mechanism for the in vitro immunosuppressive effects of this oncofetal protein.     

Regulation of delayed prostaglandin production in activated P388D1 macrophages by group IV cytosolic and group V secretory phospholipase A2s

Group V secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) rather than Group IIA sPLA2 is involved in short term, immediate arachidonic acid mobilization and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in the macrophage-like cell line P388D1. When a new clone of these cells, P388D1/MAB, selected on the basis of high responsivity to lipopolysaccharide plus platelet-activating factor, was studied, delayed PGE2 production (6-24 h) in response to lipopolysaccharide alone occurred in parallel with the induction of Group V sPLA2 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). No changes in the level of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) or COX-1 were observed, and Group IIA sPLA2 was not detectable. Use of a potent and selective sPLA2 inhibitor, 3-(3-acetamide 1-benzyl-2-ethylindolyl-5-oxy)propanesulfonic acid (LY311727), and an antisense oligonucleotide specific for Group V sPLA2 revealed that delayed PGE2 was largely dependent on the induction of Group V sPLA2. Also, COX-2, not COX-1, was found to mediate delayed PGE2 production because the response was completely blocked by the specific COX-2 inhibitor NS-398. Delayed PGE2 production and Group V sPLA2 expression were also found to be blunted by the inhibitor methylarachidonyl fluorophosphonate. Because inhibition of Ca2+-independent PLA2 by an antisense technique did not have any effect on the arachidonic acid release, the data using methylarachidonyl fluorophosphonate suggest a key role for the cPLA2 in the response as well. Collectively, the results suggest a model whereby cPLA2 activation regulates Group V sPLA2 expression, which in turn is responsible for delayed PGE2 production via COX-2.     

Identification of platelet-activating factor receptors in P388D1 murine macrophages

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) binding and metabolism by eight murine and human cell lines was analyzed. Only the murine P388D1 macrophage line had specific, high affinity PAF binding sites. PAF binding reached saturation within 10 min at room temperature and was irreversible. Minimal PAF metabolism was observed at the time binding saturation was achieved. Scatchard analysis of PAF binding revealed a single class of PAF receptors (7872 +/- 1310/cell) which had a dissociation constant of 0.08 +/- 0.01 nM (mean +/- SEM, eta = 6). The dissociation constant was confirmed independently by quantifying the kinetics of initial specific PAF binding. PAF binding was stereospecific, required an sn-2 acetyl substituent, and was inhibited by structurally diverse PAF antagonists including kadsurenone, BN 52021, triazolam, and CV3988. The fact that the receptors are functionally active was shown by the observation that 1 to 100 pM PAF increased free intracellular calcium in P388D1 cells in a dose-related manner. These studies demonstrate that P388D1 macrophages have functional PAF receptors whose affinity and structural specificities are similar to PAF receptors in other cells. The availability of a stable cell line that binds but does not metabolize PAF will greatly facilitate studies of the PAF receptor.     

The beta-VLDL receptor pathway of murine P388D1 macrophages

Very low density lipoproteins Sf 100-400 (VLDL1) from hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) subjects and chylomicrons cause receptor-mediated lipid engorgement in unstimulated macrophages in vitro via the beta-VLDL receptor pathway. We now report that the murine macrophage P388D1 cell line possesses the characteristics of the beta-VLDL receptor pathway observed previously in freshly isolated resident murine peritoneal macrophages or human monocyte-macrophages. HTG-VLDL1 isolated from the plasma of subjects with hypertriglyceridemia types 3, 4, and 5 interact with P388D1 macrophages in a high-affinity, curvilinear manner. beta-VLDL, HTG-VLDL1, chylomicrons, and thrombin-treated HTG-VLDL1 (which do not bind to the LDL receptor) compete efficiently and similarly for the uptake and degradation of HTG-VLDL1. LDL and acetyl LDL do not compete, indicating that uptake of HTG-VLDL1 is via neither the LDL receptor nor the acetyl LDL receptor. Binding of thrombin-treated HTG-VLDL1 to the beta-VLDL receptor indicates that the thrombin-accessible apoE, which is absolutely required for interaction of HTG-VLDL Sf greater than 60 with the LDL receptor, is not required for binding to the beta-VLDL receptor. The uptake and degradation of 125I-labeled HTG-VLDL1 is suppressed up to 80-90% by preincubation of the cells with sterols, acetyl LDL, or beta-VLDL, indicating that this process is not via the irrepressible chylomicron remnant (apoE) receptor. Chylomicrons, HTG-VLDL1, and thrombin-treated HTG-VLDL1-but not normal VLDL1, beta-VLDL, LDL, or acetyl LDL-produce massive triglyceride accumulation (10-20-fold mass increases in 4 hr) in P388D1 macrophages.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of in vitro UV irradiation on the production of IL 1 by murine macrophages and P388D1 cells

Ultraviolet irradiation (UV) exposure may lead to the development of multiple immunologic defects. One such defect is a dysfunction of normal antigen-presenting cell (APC) activation of T lymphocytes after whole body or in vitro UV. Although the mechanism of this interaction is not clearly defined, several possibilities have been suggested. One proposal is that UV may inhibit or abrogate the APC IL 1 signal and thus prevent normal T cell activation. To investigate this possibility further, we examined the functional consequences of UV on murine peritoneal adherent cell (PAC) activation of a cloned antigen-specific T cell hybridoma (A2.2.E10). In agreement with previous reports, we found a marked UV-induced inhibition of PAC activation of A2.2.E10 after sublethal UV. To correlate this UV-APC dysfunction with UV alterations of IL 1 production, both the IL 1-producing murine macrophage cell line P388D1 and normal murine PAC were exposed to various amounts of in vitro UV and the 24-hr post-UV IL 1 activity production of these cells was determined. The results surprisingly indicated that certain amounts of sublethal UV may actually augment the production of IL 1 activity, by using a dose range that clearly inhibits antigen presentation. This UV-induced activity was cycloheximide-sensitive, suggesting that de novo protein synthesis rather than release from cells was responsible for the increased IL 1 activity. In addition, the UV-induced IL 1 activity had a m.w. of 14K, consistent with previous reports, and demonstrated pyrogen activity when tested in the rabbit pyrogen assay. Thus UV clearly inhibits normal APC function; however, this may not be due to abrogation of IL 1 production, but rather the result of UV toxicity for other complex events involved in antigen presentation.     

Identification of a third pathway for arachidonic acid mobilization and prostaglandin production in activated P388D1 macrophage-like cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that P388D(1) macrophages are able to mobilize arachidonic acid (AA) and synthesize prostaglandins in two temporally distinct phases. The first phase is triggered by platelet-activating factor within minutes, but needs the cells to be previously exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for periods up to 1 h. It is thus a primed immediate phase. The second, delayed phase occurs in response to LPS alone over long incubation periods spanning several hours. Strikingly, the effector enzymes involved in both of these phases are the same, namely the cytosolic group IV phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), the secretory group V phospholipase A(2), and cyclooxygenase-2, although the regulatory mechanisms differ. Here we report that P388D(1) macrophages mobilize AA and produce prostaglandins in response to zymosan particles in a manner that is clearly different from the two described above. Zymosan triggers an immediate AA mobilization response from the macrophages that neither involves the group v phospholipase A(2) nor requires the cells to be primed by LPS. The group VI Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) is also not involved. Zymosan appears to signal exclusively through activation of the cPLA(2), which is coupled to the cyclooxygenase-2. These results define a secretory PLA(2)-independent pathway for AA mobilization in the P388D(1) macrophages, and demonstrate that, under certain experimental settings, stimulation of the cPLA(2) is sufficient to generate a prostaglandin biosynthetic response in the P388D(1) macrophages.     

Cytochrome P4502E1 primes macrophages to increase TNF-alpha production in response to lipopolysaccharide

Kupffer cells become activated in response to elevated levels of LPS during ethanol feeding, but the role of ethanol in the molecular processes of activation remains unclear. Because cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) is upregulated in Kupffer cells after ethanol, we hypothesized that this effect primes Kupffer cells, sensitizing them to increase TNF-alpha production in response to LPS. However, cultured Kupffer cells rapidly lose their CYP2E1. This difficulty was overcome by transfecting CYP2E1 to RAW 264.7 macrophages. Macrophages with stable increased CYP2E1 expression (E2) displayed increased levels of CD14/Toll-like receptor 4, NADPH oxidase and H2O2, accompanied by activation of ERK1/2, p38, and NF-kappaB. These increases primed E2 cells, sensitizing them to LPS stimuli, with amplification of LPS signaling, resulting in increased TNF-alpha production. Diphenyleneiodonium, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, and diallyl sulfide, a CYP2E1 inhibitor, decreased approximately equally H2O2 levels in E2 cells, suggesting that NADPH oxidase and CYP2E1 contribute equally to H2O2 generation. Because CYP2E1 expression also enhanced the levels of the membrane localized NADPH oxidase subunits p47phox and p67phox, thereby contributing to the oxidase activation, it may augment H2O2 generation via this mechanism. H2O2, derived in part from NADPH and CYP2E1, activated ERK1/2 and p38. ERK1/2 stimulated TNF-alpha production via activation of NF-kappaB, whereas p38 promoted TNF-alpha production by stabilizing TNF-alpha mRNA. Oxidant generation after CYP2E1 overexpression appears to be central to macrophage priming and their sensitization to LPS. Accordingly, CYP2E1 priming could explain the sensitization of Kupffer cells to LPS activation by ethanol, a critical early step in alcoholic liver disease.     

Chitosan-induced phospholipase A2 activation and arachidonic acid mobilization in P388D1 macrophages

We have found that chitosan, a polysaccharide present in fungal cell walls, is able to activate macrophages for enhanced mobilization of arachidonic acid in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Studies aimed at identifying the intracellular effector(s) implicated in chitosan-induced arachidonate release revealed the involvement of the cytosolic Group IV phospholipase A2 (PLA2), as judged by the inhibitory effect of methyl arachidonoyl fluorophosphonate but not of bromoenol lactone. Interestingly, priming of the macrophages with lipopolysaccharide renders the cells more sensitive to a subsequent stimulation with chitosan, and this enhancement is totally blocked by the secretory PLA2 inhibitor 3-(3-acetamide)-1-benzyl-2-ethylindolyl-5-oxy-propanesulfonic acid (LY311727). Collectively, the results of this work establish chitosan as a novel macrophage-activating factor that elicits AA mobilization in P388D1 macrophages by a mechanism involving the participation of two distinct phospholipases A2.     

Zinc deficiency does not enhance LDL uptake by P 388 D1 macrophages in vitro

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of zinc depletion on the susceptibility of Wistar rat low-density lipoproteins (LDL) to peroxidation and their uptake by macrophages, before and after in vitro oxidation. The rats were fed for 7 wk a Zn-adequate diet (100 ppm) ad libitum (AL), a Zn-deficient diet (0.2 ppm) ad libitum (ZD), or a Zn-adequate diet according to the pair-feeding method (PF). Zinc status was determined and, for each group, blood was pooled, and LDL were isolated and labeled with¹²⁵Iodine. An aliquot of each LDL sample was oxidized using Fe^II 10 μM/ascorbate 250 μM. Oxidized and nonoxidized (native) LDL were incubated with P 388 D1 macrophages, and their rates of uptake and degradation by macrophages were measured. Before oxidation, LDL uptake and degradation were not modified by the diet, suggesting that Zn deficiency did not modify rat LDL in vivo. After oxidation, both LDL uptake and degradation were significantly enhanced in the three groups. Nevertheless, we did not observe a significant effect of Zn deficiency. This observation suggests that, in our experimental conditions, Zn deficiency did not modify LDL catabolism.     

Stimulation of a neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase by cAMP system in P388D1 macrophages

Cholesteryl ester laden foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions derive, in part, from macrophages. Mobilization of stored cholesteryl esters involves hydrolysis by a neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase. Incubation of intact P388D1 macrophages with dibutyryl cAMP in the presence of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine resulted in a dose-dependent increase in neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity of up to 50% (ED50 = 0.1 mM). Incubation with prostaglandin E1 in the presence of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine also increased neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase activity by about 50%. In cell-free preparation, cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused about a 2-fold activation of the neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase. Activation was blocked by protein kinase inhibitor. These data suggest that the P388D1 macrophage may be a useful model for studying the hormonal regulation of cholesteryl ester mobilization in macrophage-derived foam cells.     

Regulation of arachidonic acid mobilization in lipopolysaccharide-activated P388D(1) macrophages by adenosine triphosphate

Murine P388D(1) macrophages exhibit a delayed prostaglandin biosynthetic response when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for prolonged periods of time that is dependent on induction of the genes coding for Group V secretory phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase-2. We herein report that LPS-induced arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite release in P388D(1) macrophages is strongly attenuated by the P2X(7) purinergic receptor antagonists periodate-oxidized ATP and pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2', 4'-disulfonic acid, and this is accompanied by suppression of the expression of both Group V secretory phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase-2. The effect appears to be specific for LPS, because the P2 purinergic receptor antagonists do not affect P388D(1) cell stimulation by other stimuli such as platelet-activating factor or the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187. Moreover, extracellular nucleotides are found to stimulate macrophage AA mobilization with a pharmacological profile that implicates the participation of the P2X(7) receptor and that is inhibited by periodate-oxidized ATP. Collectively these results demonstrate coupling of the P2X(7) receptor to the AA cascade in P388D(1) macrophages and implicate the participation of this type of receptor in LPS-induced AA mobilization.     

Purification and characterization of a lysophospholipase from a macrophage-like cell line P388D1

Two lysophospholipase activities (designated I and II) were identified in the macrophage-like cell line P388D1. Lysophospholipase I was purified (8,500-fold) to homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel, Sephadex G-75, Blue-Sepharose, and chromatofocusing chromatography. Lysophospholipase II was separated from the lysophospholipase I in the Blue-Sepharose step. The apparent molecular mass of lysophospholipase I and II are 27,000 and 28,000 daltons, respectively, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Their pI values were 4.4 and 6.1 respectively, as determined by isoelectric focusing. Lysophospholipase I exhibited a broad pH optimum between 7.5-9.0. The double-reciprocal plot of the substrate dependence curve of the purified lysophospholipase I showed a break around the critical micelle concentration of the substrate (1-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphorylcholine). The apparent Km, determined from substrate concentrations above 10 microM was 22 microM, and the apparent Vmax was 1.3 mumol min-1mg-1. The purified enzyme did not have phospholipase A1, phospholipase A2, acyltransferase, or lysophospholipase-transacylase activity. No activity was detected toward triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol, p-nitrophenol acetate, p-nitrophenol palmitate, or cholesterol ester. The enzyme did, however, hydrolyze monoacylglycerol although at a rate 20-fold less than lysophospholipid, 0.06 mumol min-1mg-1. The lysophospholipase I was inhibited by fatty acids but not by glycerol-3-phosphorylcholine, glycerol-3-phosphorylethanolamine, or glyc-fjerol-3-phosphorylserine. A synthetic manoalide analogue 3(cis,cis,-7,10)hexadecadienyl-4-hydroxy-2-butenolide inhibited the enzyme with half-inhibition (IC50) at about 160 microM. Triton X-100 decreased the enzymatic activity, although this apparent inhibition can be explained by a "surface dilution" effect. The pure lysophospholipase I was stable for at least 5 months at -20 degrees C in the presence of glycerol and beta-mercaptoethanol. Lysophospholipid also demonstrated a protective effect during the later stage of purification.     

Effect of prostaglandin E2 on the gamma-interferon induction of antigen-presenting ability in P388D1 cells and on IL-2 production by T-cell hybridomas

The effect of prostaglandin E2 on the gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma)-mediated induction of Ia expression and antigen-presenting activity in macrophage cell lines was studied. Using a lymphokine preparation obtained from the T-cell hybridoma FS7-20.6.18 (known to produce interferon) to induce the expression of Ia in P388D1 cells, the influence of PGE2 on this phenomenon was studied. Screening of the cell cultures by indirect immunofluorescence using an anti-I-Ad monoclonal antibody confirmed the inhibitory effect of PGE2 in the induction of I-Ad. However, the inhibition of the antigen-presenting ability of these cells, as measured by their capacity to stimulate interleukin 2 (IL-2) production by antigen-specific, I-region-restricted (Ag/I) T-cell hybridomas, was more difficult to demonstrate and was only evident when using low concentrations of Ia-inducing lymphokines or when using "low avidity" T-cell hybridomas. The latter were distinguished by the limited response (in the form of IL-2 production) that was observed when they were tested with P388D1 cells that had been induced with IFN-gamma. By contrast, PGE2 had profound inhibitory effects on the ability of T-cell hybridomas to secrete IL-2 in response to Ag/I or concanavalin A. These results suggest that although PGE2 inhibits the full induction of Ia on macrophages, it has little effect on the induction of Ag/I presentation by the same cells, probably because most T cells require relatively low levels of Ia on the surface of presenting cells. T-cell responses to Ag/I are inhibited, however, because of the effects of PGE2 on the T cells themselves.     

Involvement of platelet activating factor in immediate heart response to lipopolysaccharide.

Although lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is recognized to induce a biphasic cardiovascular response its mechanism is not fully elucidated. In this study we analysed the involvement of PAF, TXA(2) and cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) in the acute cardiovascular effects of LPS in the isolated rat heart as well as in delayed phase of LPS response using a surrogate cellular model of the induction of NOS-2 by LPS in mouse macrophages. Perfusion of rat hearts with LPS resulted, in an immediate fall in heart contractility and coronary flow by 2.5 +/- 0.59 ml x min(-1) and 560 +/- 81 mmHg x sec(-1), respectively. This response was fully blocked by platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist - WEB 2170 and partially inhibited, by inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (indomethacin) or by inhibitor of thromboxane synthase (camonagrel). The inhibition of leukotriene synthesis (BAY x1005) or cysLTs receptors (BAY x7195) was without effect. Administration of stable PAF analog (methylcarbamyl-PAF - MC-PAF) alone, mimicked heart response to LPS. In cultured mouse macrophages, MC-PAF did not induce NOS-2 expression and when given with LPS it slightly potentiated NOS-2 induction by LPS. However, in presence of WEB 2170 NOS-2 induction by LPS was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and leukotriene pathways had no effect on NOS-2 induced by LPS. These results indicate that PAF and TXA(2) but not cysLTs mediate the instant heart response induced by LPS, while PAF alone mediates a delayed NOS-2 induction by LPS. Accordingly, PAF may constitute the mediator that links acute and delayed phases of LPS-induced cardiovascular response.     

Syk regulates multiple signaling pathways leading to CX3CL1 chemotaxis in macrophages

Several studies have clearly established the importance of the interaction between macrophages and CX3CL1 in the progression of disease. A previous study demonstrated that Syk was required for CX3CL1-mediated actin polymerization and chemotaxis. Here, we delineated the signaling cascade of Syk-mediated cell migration in response to CX3CL1. Inhibition of Syk in bone marrow-derived macrophages or reduction of Syk expression using siRNA in RAW/LR5 cells indicated that Syk was required for the activation of PI3K, Cdc42, and Rac1. Also, reduction in WASP or WAVE2 levels, common downstream effectors of Cdc42 or Rac1, resulted in impaired cell migration to CX3CL1. Syk indirectly regulated WASP tyrosine phosphorylation through Cdc42 activation. Altogether, our data identify that Syk mediated chemotaxis toward CX3CL1 by regulating both Rac1/WAVE2 and Cdc42/WASP pathways, whereas Src family kinases were required for proper WASP tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Phospholipase activities of the P388D1 macrophage-like cell line

The murine macrophage (M phi) cell line, P388D1, was employed as a source of M phi phospholipases in order to characterize the enzymatic properties and subcellular localization of these enzymes because of their importance for prostaglandin biosynthesis. Phospholipase activity was assessed with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) as substrate. Phospholipases were characterized with respect to divalent cation dependence, pH optima, and localization in subcellular compartments using linear sucrose gradients. By these criteria a number of different phospholipases were identified. Most importantly, a single Ca2+-dependent activity with a pH optimum of 8.8 was identified in membrane-rich fractions (plasma membrane, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum) and could be clearly separated from the remaining activities, which are Ca2+ independent and exhibit pH optima of 7.5, 5.1, and 4.2. The phospholipases with acidic pH optima may be associated with subcellular components containing lysosomal enzymes and both phospholipase A1 and phospholipase A2 activities are observed. In contrast, the phospholipase activity with a pH optimum of 7.5 sediments with the cytosolic proteins and is inhibited by 5 mM Ca2+. No significant phospholipase C activity was detected in assays performed with or without added Ca2+ at pH's 4.2, 5.1, 7.5, or 8.8 using DPPC as substrate. However, the P388D1 cells do contain a lysophospholipase that is at least 20 times more active than the phospholipase A activities identified. Its presence must be taken into account in evaluating the positional specificities and properties of the macrophage phospholipases.