Receptor-mediated activation of arachidonic acid release in mouse peritoneal macrophages is linked to extracellular calcium influx.

The role of external calcium in platelet-activating factor- and zymosan-stimulated arachidonic acid release from mouse macrophages was investigated. Deprivation of external Ca2+ led to strong inhibition of receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release, which was completely restored when Ca2+ was added to the incubation medium. When arachidonic acid release was examined in Ca(2+)-depleted cells, the response took place only in presence of external Ca2+. Verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker, nearly abolished arachidonic acid release in response to both platelet-activating factor and zymosan. These results suggest that extracellular Ca2+ influx is functionally linked to arachidonic acid release and hence to phospholipase A2 activation in mouse peritoneal macrophages.     

Fc-gamma- and complement receptor mediated elevation in the cytosolic calcium level in human neutrophils.

The effects of differently opsonized zymosan particles, acting solely at Fc-gamma or at complement receptors or at both, on the level of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in human neutrophils were studied. A biphasic, long-lasting increase in [Ca2+]i was seen in response to IgG-, C3- and fresh serum-opsonized zymosan particles in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Unopsonized zymosan, acting mainly at CR3 failed to elevate [Ca2+]i. Addition of 1.4 mM EGTA reduced but did not abolish the rise in [Ca2+]i triggered by opsonized zymosan, indicating that Ca2+ is released from intracellular stores. EGTA changed also the kinetic patterns of Ca(2+)-responses possibly by indirectly affecting the extrusion of Ca2+ in neutrophils.     

Regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis genes in response to light in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

As we had found previously that thapsigargin, an endomembrane Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, induces production of intracellular platelet-activating factor (PAF) [Br. J. Pharmacol. 116 (1995) 2141], we decided to investigate the possible roles of intracellular PAF in nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation of thapsigargin-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages. When rat peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with thapsigargin, the level of inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha) was decreased and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB was increased. The thapsigargin-induced activation of NF-kappaB was inhibited by the PAF synthesis inhibitor SK&F 98625 and the PAF antagonist E6123. Structurally unrelated PAF antagonists such as E5880 and L-652,731 also inhibited the thapsigargin-induced activation of NF-kappaB. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of NF-kappaB was also suppressed by these drugs. In a culture of rat peritoneal macrophages, exogenously added PAF did not induce degradation of IkappaB-alpha. These findings suggest that the intracellular PAF produced by the stimulation with thapsigargin or LPS is involved in activation of the NF-kappaB pathway.     

Ca2+ requirement of prostanoid but not of superoxide production by rat Kupffer cells

The release of the prostanoids prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane induced by zymosan and phorbol ester in cultured rat Kupffer cells was found to depend on the extracellular concentration of Ca2+ to some extent. Prostanoid formation following the addition of the calcium ionophore A 23187 was totally inhibited when calcium ions were withdrawn from the medium whereas the prostanoid synthesis from added arachidonic acid was independent of Ca2+. A half-maximal rate of PGE2 release by cells treated with zymosan, phorbol ester or A23187 was obtained at 0.6-0.7 microM free extracellular Ca2+ and greater than or equal to 100 microM free Ca2+ was required to stimulate PGE2 formation maximally. The calmodulin antagonist R24571 partially inhibited the release of PGE2 elicited by zymosan and A23187 but not by phorbol ester or arachidonic acid. Verapamil and nifedipine, two calcium channel blockers, had no effect on the formation of PGE2 irrespective of the stimulus. TMB 8 [3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-(diethylamino)-octyl ester] an intracellular calcium antagonist, inhibited the synthesis of PGE2 induced by zymosan and phorbol ester. The superoxide formation following the addition of zymosan and phorbol ester was not influenced by removal of calcium ions from the medium or by addition of the various calcium antagonists. The data presented here suggest that Ca2+-dependent reactions are involved in the synthesis of prostanoids induced by zymosan and phorbol ester and that both extracellular Ca2+ and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores are needed to induce maximally the production of prostanoids in cultured rat Kupffer cells.     

Quantitative, functional and biochemical alterations in the peritoneal cells of mice exposed to whole-body gamma-irradiation. I. Changes in cellular protein, adherence properties and enzymatic activities associated with platelet-activating factor formation and inactivation, and arachidonate metabolism

Changes in total number, differentials, cell protein, adherence properties, acetyltransferase and acetylhydrolase activities, prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4 production, as well as Ca2+ ionophore A23187 stimulation were examined in resident peritoneal cells isolated from mice 2 h to 10 days postexposure to a single dose (7, 10 or 12 Gy) of gamma-radiation. Radiation dose-related reductions in macrophage and lymphocyte numbers and increases in cellular protein and capacity to adhere to plastic surfaces were evident. In vivo irradiation also elevated the activities of acetyltransferase and acetylhydrolase (catalysing platelet-activating factor biosynthesis and inactivation, respectively) in adherent and nonadherent peritoneal cells, particularly 3-4 days postexposure. Blood plasma from irradiated animals did not reflect the increased cellular acetylhydrolase activity. Prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4 synthesis were elevated postexposure, suggesting increased substrate (arachidonate) availability and increased cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities. Ionophore stimulation of enzyme activities and eicosanoid release also differed in irradiated peritoneal cells. While the properties of adherence, platelet-activating factor synthesis/inactivation-associated enzyme activities, and eicosanoid production are generally characterized as those of macrophages, lymphocytes or their products may influence or contribute to the observed radiation-induced changes.     

Two distinct pathways of platelet-activating factor-induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in primary cultures of rat Kupffer cells

Stimulation of rat Kupffer cells in primary culture with platelet-activating factor (PAF) caused a rapid hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate with a concomitant increase in the levels of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate. This phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides was independent of extracellular Ca2+ but was inhibited by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist TMB-8. A second slower response to PAF was characterized by deacylation of PI leading to the accumulation of glycerophosphoinositol (GPI). PAF-induced GPI synthesis was not inhibited by TMB-8. These effects of PAF were accompanied by initial transient mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores followed by a rather slow influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium. PAF-stimulated deacylation and phosphodiesteric hydrolysis of inositol lipids were differentially affected by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin. Pretreatment of the Kupffer cells with either of these toxins caused inhibition of phospholipase C activity. Pertussis toxin also inhibited PAF-stimulated deacylation. However, cholera toxin itself stimulated GPI release and addition of PAF to the cholera toxin-treated cells caused a further increase in GPI release. Phorbol ester inhibited PAF-induced phosphodiesteric hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, but not deacylation. PAF-induced metabolism of phosphoinositides was inhibited by the PAF antagonist, U66985. These results suggest that PAF-induced phosphodiesteric hydrolysis and deacylation of inositol phospholipids are regulated via distinct mechanisms involving activation of separate G-proteins in rat Kupffer cells. Also the regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism by Ca2+ mobilization from two separate Ca2+ pools is indicated by this study.     

Role of Na+/H+ exchange in thrombin-induced platelet-activating factor production by human endothelial cells

Thrombin-stimulated endothelial cells produce platelet-activating factor (PAF) in a dose-dependent manner: the activation of a Ca2+-dependent lyso-PAF acetyltransferase is the rate-limiting step in this process. The present study shows that acetyltransferase activation and consequent PAF production induced by thrombin in human endothelial cells are markedly inhibited in Na+-free media or after addition of the amiloride analog 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride, suggesting that a Na+/H+ antiport system is present in endothelial cells and plays a prominent role in thrombin-induced PAF synthesis. Accordingly, thrombin elicits a sustained alkalinization in 6-carboxyfluorescein-loaded endothelial cells, that is abolished in either Na+-free or 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride-containing medium. Extracellular Ca2+ influx induced by thrombin (as measured by quin2 and 45Ca methods) is completely blocked in the same experimental conditions, and monensin, a Na+/H+ ionophore mimicking the effects of the antiporter activation, evokes a dose-dependent PAF synthesis and a marked Ca2+ influx, which are abolished in Ca2+-free medium. An amiloride-inhibitable Na+/H+ exchanger is present in the membrane of human endothelial cells, its apparent Km for extracellular Na+ is 25 mM, and its activity is greatly enhanced when the cytoplasm is acidified. These results suggest that Na+/H+ exchange activation by thrombin and the resulting intracellular alkalinization play a direct role in the induction of Ca2+ influx and PAF synthesis in human endothelial cells.     

Ca2+ flux as an initial event in phagocytosis by rat Kupffer cells

Ca2+ uptake by monolayer cultures of rat Kupffer cells was strongly stimulated immediately after contact with phagocytosable material, e.g. zymosan particles. The intensity of the luminol-mediated chemiluminescence following zymosan addition was dependent on extracellular Ca2+; addition of the Ca2+-ionophore A 23187 did not further increase the zymosan-elicited response. The superoxide-mediated chemiluminescence was not inhibited by indomethacin but could be suppressed by compounds known to inhibit Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent reactions. Analysis of their efficiency, however, suggests that the O-2 production is mediated by Ca2+ rather than Ca2+-calmodulin and that the inhibitors exert another, e.g. membrane-directed influence.     

Calcium rather than protein kinase C is the major factor to activate phospholipase D in FMLP-stimulated rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. Possible involvement of calmodulin/myosin L chain kinase pathway.

In the present study, we first investigated which of the factors, protein kinase C (PKC) or Ca2+, plays an important role in activation of phospholipase D (PLD) of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils stimulated by the chemoattractant FMLP. PLD activity was assessed by measuring [3H]phosphatidylethanol ([3H]PEt), the unambiguous marker of PLD, generated by [3H]lyso platelet-activating factor-prelabeled neutrophils in the presence of ethanol. PKC inhibitors, staurosporine and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride, augmented the plateau level of [3H]PEt produced in FMLP-stimulated cells, although they had no effect on the initial rate of the formation. Furthermore, it was found that the FMLP-stimulated [3H]PEt formation was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with PMA, a PKC activator, and exposure of cells to staurosporine before PMA pretreatment moderately blocked the PMA inhibition. Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin, as well as FMLP, stimulated [3H]PEt formation, accompanied by a decrease in [3H]phosphatidylcholine, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Both FMLP and ionomycin absolutely required extracellular Ca2+ to increase [3H]PEt formation. These results imply that elevated intercellular Ca2+ by FMLP stimulation is the major factor for PLD activation and that PKC rather negatively regulates the enzyme activity. Interestingly, a calmodulin inhibitor, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1- naphthalenesulfonamide, and a myosin L chain kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-h exahydro-1,4-diazepine hydrochloride, both inhibited the ionomycin- and FMLP-stimulated [3H]PEt formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Results obtained in this study suggest that, in FMLP-stimulated rabbit peritoneal neutrophils, increased intracellular Ca2+ activates PLD through calmodulin/myosin L chain kinase pathway and, thereafter, the enzyme activation is turned off by simultaneously activated PKC.     

Modulation of lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase from rat splenic microsomes. The role of calcium ions

The enzyme lyso-platelet-activating factor: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) was assayed in microsomal fractions from rat spleens. The addition of micromolar Ca2+ rapidly enhanced acetyltransferase activity and this activation was reversed by the addition of EGTA in excess of Ca2+. The effect of Ca2+ was on the apparent Km of the enzyme for the substrate acetyl-CoA without showing any significant effect on the Vmax of the acetylation reaction. When microsomes were isolated in the presence of 5 mM EGTA, to remove endogenous calmodulin, the same enhancing effect of Ca2+ on the acetylation reaction was observed. The addition of exogenous calmodulin to this preparation had no effect on the enzyme activity. Preincubation of spleen microsomes with the calmodulin inhibitor trifluoperazine decreased acetyltransferase in both the presence and the absence of Ca2+, indicating an effect of this drug independently of calmodulin. The addition of Mg-ATP to the assay mixture also had no effect on the acetylation reaction. These data suggest that Ca2+ modulates acetyltransferase activity from rat spleen microsomes by a mechanism that seems to be independent of calmodulin or protein phosphorylation.     

Biosynthesis of paf-acether. IX. Role for a phosphorylation-dependent activation of acetyltransferase in antigen-stimulated mouse mast cells

Mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells passively sensitized with monoclonal IgE released paf-acether (platelet-activating factor) and beta-hexosaminidase when challenged with the specific antigen. The formation and the release of paf-acether followed an early increase in the activity of the acetyltransferase, the main enzyme in paf-acether biosynthesis. The antigen-induced activation of the acetyltransferase was dependent on physiologic temperature and on the presence of Ca2+. By using microsomal fractions from unchallenged and challenged mast cells, the Vmax values were 3.5 and 12.0 nmol/min/mg of protein, respectively, whereas in both cases a Km value for acetyl-coenzyme A of 172 microM was measured. The stimulation of acetyltransferase could be mimicked in vitro under experimental conditions which favor phosphorylation, i.e. adding ATP and Mg2+ to lysates from unchallenged mast cells. In contrast, ATP and Mg2+ were uneffective on lysates from challenged cells that exhibited high level of acetyltransferase activity, suggesting that phosphorylation of the enzyme already took place at the time of cell stimulation. Moreover, addition of alkaline phosphatase to microsomal fraction obtained from either antigen-challenged mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells or unchallenged cells, resulted in 52% and 43% loss of acetyltransferase activity, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate treatment of cells doubled the enzyme activity supporting the phosphorylation hypothesis. Thus, we report on the immunologic activation of a key enzyme for paf-acether synthesis and on the mechanism of this activation in a pure mast cell population. A link between bridging of IgE receptors and the activation of an enzyme critical to the formation of a lipid mediator is thereby evidenced.     

Cholinergic stimulation of isolated rat parietal cells: role of calcium, calmodulin and protein kinase C

We studied the cholinergic stimulation of isolated and enriched rat parietal cells. H+ production was indirectly measured by the uptake of 14C-aminopyrine into the parietal cells. Stimulation by carbachol required the presence of extracellular Ca2+ not only in the initial phase but also during the sustained phase of a 100-min incubation period. The response to carbachol was prevented by the Ca2+ entry blocker lanthanum IC50: 1.5 X 10(-7) mol/l). Furthermore, the dependence on Ca2+ influx of cholinergic stimulation was demonstrated by a 269% increase in total intracellular Ca2+ in response to carbachol, as determined by optical emission spectrometry. The naphthalene sulfonamides W7 and W5 which bind calmodulin and thus block the intracellular transduction of Ca2+ effects also inhibited a carbachol-induced H+ production. In the following experiments we studied the effect of agents which activate the protein kinase C, an enzyme which is supposed to play a key role in intracellular signal transduction of Ca2+-dependent effects. Phospholipase C is supposed to activate protein kinase C via induction of the phosphoinositol breakdown. In our preparation of isolated rat parietal cells, phospholipase C (4-100 mU/ml) exerted inhibition instead of amplification of the response to 10(-4) mol/l carbachol. Similarly, the direct activation of protein kinase C by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or by 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (both tested at 10(-7) to 10(-5) mol/l) reduced the submaximal and maximal response to 10(-5) or 10(-4) mol/l carbachol. We conclude that the cholinergic stimulation of rat parietal cells is dependent on the influx of extracellular Ca2+. Calmodulin seems to mediate intracellular Ca2+ effects during cholinergic stimulation. The activation of protein kinase C impairs carbachol-induced H+ production instead of augmenting the response. This might be due to an already maximal activation of protein kinase C by carbachol alone or to autoregulatory down-regulation by the protein kinase C of muscarinic parietal-cell receptors.     

Receptors for complement on rat mast cells and release of histamine]

Using rat complement-treated zymosan particles a rosetting of purified rat peritoneal mast cells could be demonstrated. The question was investigated whether the binding of activated complement could be a trigger of histamine release. Varying the degree of complement label on the zymosan particles, the time and temperature of incubation and the dependence on Ca2+ ions, we could not induce a release of histamine in any case. The addition of labeled zymosan increased slightly the mediator release induced by ATP. The immunologic significance of the complement receptors on mast cells is still unclear.     

Role of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in the activation of phospholipase C by different chemoattractants

It is well established that formyl peptide chemoattractants can activate a phospholipase C in leukocytes via a pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory (G) protein. Whether this pathway is similarly used by chemoattractant receptors as a class has been unclear. We now report that lipid and peptide chemoattractants in direct comparative studies induced similar amounts of initial (less than or equal to 15 sec) inositol trisphosphate (IP3) release in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, but the response to lipid chemoattractants was more transient. Production of IP3 by all chemotactic factors was inhibited by treatment of the cells with PT, indicating that chemotactic factor receptors as a class are coupled to phospholipase C via a G protein that is a substrate for ADP ribosylation by PT. The peptide and lipid factors had comparable chemotactic activity, which was also inhibitable by PT. However, transient activation of phospholipase C is apparently an insufficient signal for full cellular activation, since the lipid chemotactic factor leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor were poor stimuli for O2- production and lysosomal enzyme secretion compared with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe). Nonetheless, treatment with PT inhibited O2- production and enzyme secretion in response to all chemoattractants, but as previously noted, did not affect Ca2+ ionophores, lectins, or phorbol myristate acetate. Formyl peptide and lipid chemotactic factors induced similar levels of Ca2+ mobilization when monitored by Quin 2 or chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence. Although these responses to fMet-Leu-Phe were blocked by PT, the Quin 2 and initial CTC response to the lipid factors were only partially susceptible. Thus, the lipid factors apparently utilize an additional PT-resistant mechanism for redistributing intracellular Ca2+. This latter process requires extracellular Ca2+ and may be independent of the PT-sensitive G protein.     

Phosphatidylinositol turnover in platelet activation; calcium mobilization and protein phosphorylation

Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (C-kinase) in platelets is normally activated by diacylglycerol, which is derived from phosphatidylinositol through its receptor-linked breakdown. Under appropriate conditions this enzyme can also be activated by synthetic diacylglycerol which is directly added to intact platelets. C-Kinase thus activated preferentially phosphorylates an endogenous platelet protein having a molecular weight of approximately 40,000. This protein phosphorylation is merely a prerequisite but not a sufficient requirement for the release of serotonin. Evidence is presented suggesting that Ca2+ mobilization and C-kinase activation are synergistically involved in the physiological response of platelets to extracellular messengers, such as thrombin, collagen and platelet-activating factor.     

Possible participation of intracellular platelet-activating factor in NF-κB activation in rat peritoneal macrophages

As we had found previously that thapsigargin, an endomembrane Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor, induces production of intracellular platelet-activating factor (PAF) [Br. J. Pharmacol. 116 (1995) 2141], we decided to investigate the possible roles of intracellular PAF in nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation of thapsigargin-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages. When rat peritoneal macrophages were stimulated with thapsigargin, the level of inhibitory protein of NF-κB-α (IκB-α) was decreased and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB was increased. The thapsigargin-induced activation of NF-κB was inhibited by the PAF synthesis inhibitor SK&F 98625 and the PAF antagonist E6123. Structurally unrelated PAF antagonists such as E5880 and L-652,731 also inhibited the thapsigargin-induced activation of NF-κB. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of NF-κB was also suppressed by these drugs. In a culture of rat peritoneal macrophages, exogenously added PAF did not induce degradation of IκB-α. These findings suggest that the intracellular PAF produced by the stimulation with thapsigargin or LPS is involved in activation of the NF-κB pathway.     

Activation of anion channels by zymosan particles in membranes of peritoneal macrophages

Patch-clamp recordings were used to study the effect of zymosan adsorption on membranes of freshly isolated peritoneal macrophages of mouse. Superfusion of adherent macrophages by zymosan in the on-cell pipette configuration stimulated the appearance of anion channels after a varying time delay in the minute range. The channel is activated by passing through a stage of fluctuations of increasing amplitude. Once the full channel current has been reached, the fluctuations become transformed into the typical current pattern of three well-defined conducting channel states. The adoption of the two substates appeared to be dependent on zymosan. Up to nine simultaneously open anion channels could be observed with a single channel conductance of 220-400 pS. Absence of external Ca2+ had no inhibiting influence on the effect of zymosan. Anion channels could in some cases be observed under control conditions, after attachment of the pipette to the membrane. The channel activation could be mimicked by addition of A23187 to calcium-containing bath solutions. There is evidence that a zymosan-mediated rise of intracellular Ca2+ might be involved in the stimulus response coupling. The activation of calcium-dependent potassium channels was not observed.     

The contribution of both extracellular and intracellular calcium to the action of alpha-adrenergic agonists in perfused rat liver

The role of both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ pools in the expression of alpha-adrenergic-agonist-mediated responses was examined in perfused rat liver. Responses studied included glycogenolysis, respiration, lactate and pyruvate formation, ketone-body production, changes in the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox ratio and cellular K+ fluxes. Each of these was shown to be dependent on the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and can be grouped into one of two response types. Transient responses (ion fluxes and the redox ratios) are obligatorily dependent on the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and occur irrespective of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Sustained responses, on the other hand, initially require intracellular Ca2+ and, subsequently, extracellular Ca2+. The data indicate that alpha-adrenergic agonists mobilize extracellular Ca2+ as well as intracellular Ca2+ and that both pools are required for the full expression of hormone-induced responses in rat liver.     

Influence of inhibitors on increase in intracellular free calcium and proliferation induced by platelet-activating factor in bovine oviductal cells.

Oviductal endosalpingeal cells were isolated mechanically from heifers and cultured until there was 100% confluency. The cells were loaded with the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorochrome, fura-2/acetoxymethylester, and cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was monitored by spectrofluorimetry. Platelet-activating factor, at a concentration of 30 nmol l-1, induced an intracellular Ca2+ increase in cultured bovine oviductal cells, mainly via influx from the extracellular space. In fura-2-loaded oviductal cells, different Ca2+ channel blockers were investigated to characterize the pathways responsible for the Ca2+ influx. The negative effects of Ni(2+)-, La(3+)-activated K+ channel blockers, such as apamin and charybdotoxin, and Ca2+ channel blockers, such as dotarizine, on the platelet-activating factor-induced [Ca2+]i increase indicate the minor participation of the voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. TMB-8 and flufenamic acid blocked the platelet-activating factor-induced Ca2+ increase directly on non-selective cationic channels or acted via a Ca2+ release-triggered Ca2+ influx. Platelet-activating factor, at concentrations of 1.25 mumol l-1 and 2.5 mumol l-1, significantly stimulated the proliferation and depolarization of oviductal cells, but 10 mumol l-1 significantly decreased both parameters and exerted a cytotoxic effect on cells. After incubation with TMB-8 or flufenamic acid, the cell proliferation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 26.57 mumol l-1 and 95.29 mumol l-1, respectively. The depolarization was significantly inhibited at 50 mumol l-1 for both TMB-8 and flufenamic acid. The results of the present study may contribute to further understanding of the mechanism behind the actions of platelet-activating factor on oviductal cells.     

Receptor-stimulated phospholipase A2 activation is coupled to influx of external calcium and not to mobilization of intracellular calcium in C62B glioma cells

C62B rat glioma cells respond to muscarinic cholinergic stimulation with transient inositol phosphate formation and phospholipase A2-dependent arachidonic acid liberation. Since phospholipase A2 is a Ca2+-sensitive enzyme, we have examined the role of the agonist-stimulated Ca2+ response in production of the arachidonate signal. The fluorescent indicator fura-2 was used to monitor changes in cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) of C62B cells following acetylcholine treatment. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, acetylcholine induces a biphasic [Ca2+]i response consisting of an initial transient peak that precedes arachidonate liberation and a sustained elevation that outlasts the phospholipase A2 response. The initial [Ca2+]i peak is not altered by the absence of external Ca2+ and therefore reflects intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. The sustained elevation phase is dependent on the influx of external Ca2+; it is lost in Ca2+-free medium and restored on the addition of Ca2+. Pretreating cells with phorbol dibutyrate substantially inhibits acetylcholine-stimulated inositol phosphate formation and the peak [Ca2+]i response without affecting the sustained elevation in [Ca2+]i. This suggests that the release of internal Ca2+ stores by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate can be blocked without interfering with Ca2+ influx. Pretreatment with phorbol also fails to affect acetylcholine-stimulated arachidonate liberation, demonstrating that phospholipase A2 activation does not require normal intracellular Ca2+ release. Stimulated arachidonate accumulation is totally inhibited in Ca2+-free medium and restored by the subsequent addition of Ca2+. Pretreatment with verapamil, a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel inhibitor, also blocks both the sustained [Ca2+]i elevation and arachidonate liberation without altering peak intracellular Ca2+ release. We conclude that the influx of extracellular Ca2+ is tightly coupled to phospholipase A2 activation, whereas large changes in [Ca2+]i due to mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores are neither sufficient nor necessary for acetylcholine-stimulated phospholipase A2 activation.