Evidence for mediation of acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine stimulation of adenosine 3′,5′-(cyclic)monophosphate levels in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by leukotriene B4

Acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine induces human neutrophil aggregation. Incubation of neutrophils with either prostaglandin I₂, or the cyclic AMP-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibitor, RO 20-1724 before the addition of PAF-acether attenuates subsequent aggregation. Paradoxically, a small elevation in cyclic AMP is observed coincident with the initiation of PAF-acether-stimulated aggregation. The elevation in cyclic AMP in response to PAF-acether is amplified by RO 20-1724, and the magnitude of the response is dependent upon the concentration of PAF-acether. The elevation in cyclic AMP is not due to prostaglandins, because indomethacin actually enhances the elevation in cyclic AMP induced by PAF-acether. The involvement of the neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase, and subsequent leukotriene B₄ synthesis, is suggested by the observation that 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors limit both the elevation in cyclic AMP induced by PAF-acether, and the indomethacin enhancement. This indirect evidence is supported by the fact that leukotriene B₄ itself elevates neutrophil cyclic AMP levels in intact cells, and stimulates the adenylate cyclase in broken cell preparations. Although the elevation in cyclic AMP induced by either PAF-acether or leukotriene B₄ is coincident with the onset of neutrophil aggregation, it is not obligatory for aggregation. The adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine blocks the PAF-acether-stimulated increase in cyclic AMP, and actually enhances aggregation. It is suggested that the increase in cyclic AMP observed after the addition of PAF-acether is due to concomitant leukotriene B₄ synthesis, and is not obligatory for neutrophil aggregation, but is actually part of a feed-back regulatory system through which PAF-acether and leukotriene B₄ can limit their own activity in neutrophils.     

The metabolism of leukotriene B4 by peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes in psoriasis

The formation of leukotriene B₄ and its ω-oxidised metabolites has been compared in calcium ionophore-stimulated polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in the absence of exogenous substrate, from fourteen psoriatic subjects and thirteen healthy controls. Although there was no significant difference in the levels of leukotriene B₄, the psoriatic cells synthesised significantly greater amounts of ω-oxidation products than control cells. This difference was confirmed in an experiment comparing the time course of formation of the ω-oxidation products of leukotriene B₄, under similar conditions, in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from four psoriatic subjects and three healthy controls. The kinetic constants for the metabolism of exogenous leukotriene B₄ by 20-hydroxylase were determined by a radiochromatographic enzyme assay in polymorphonuclear leukocytes from three patients with psoriasis and three healthy controls. No significant differences were found in the apparent K_m and V_max values. It is concluded that the increased formation of ω-oxidation products in psoriatic cells may be secondary to increased synthesis of leukotriene B₄ by these cells, with consequent increased metabolism, rather than to an inherent abnormality of the 20-hydroxylase system. Further work is needed to determine the kinetics of the enzymes involved in leukotriene B₄ synthesis in the psoriatic polymorphonuclear leukocyte, and also to assess the contribution of the leukotriene B₄ and ω-oxidation products from polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltrating the skin to the pathogenesis of the psoriatic lesion.     

Studies on the mechanism of formation of the 5S,12S-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14(E,Z,E,Z)-icosatetraenoic acid in leukocytes

Incubation of peripheral blood leukocytes with arachidonic acid (and ionophore A23187) led to the formation of leukotriene B₄, Δ⁶-trans-leukotriene B₄, Δ⁶-trans-12-epi-leukotriene B₄, 5-hydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid, 12-hydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid and of 5S,12S-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-(E,Z,E,Z)-icosatetraenoic acid (5S,12S-DiHETE). Incubation of leukocytes with leukotriene A₄ resulted in the formation of leukotriene B₄ and of its two Δ⁶-trans-isomers but not of the 5S,12S-DiHETE. ¹⁸O₂ labeling experiments have shown that the hydroxyl groups at C5 and C12 in the 5S,12S-DiHETE are derived from molecular oxygen. The tetraacetylenic analog of arachidonic acid was found to be a potent inhibitor of the formation of the 5S,12S-DiHETE whereas it potentiated the synthesis of the 5-hydroxy acid and of leukotriene B₄. Addition of the 12-hydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid to leukocytes, or of the 5-hydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid to a suspension of platelets caused the formation of the 5S,12S-DiHETE. It is concluded that the 5S,12S-DiHETE is not derived from leukotriene A₄ but is a product of the successive reactions of arachidonic acid with two lipoxygenases of different positional specificities.     

Leukotriene B3, leukotriene B4 and leukotriene B5; Binding to leukotriene B4 receptors on rat and human leukocyte membranes

Specific high-affinity binding sites for [³H]-leukotriene B₄ have been identified on membrane preparations from rat and human leukocytes. The rat and human leukocyte membrane preparations show linearity of binding with increasing protein concentration, saturable binding and rapid dissociation of binding by excess unlabelled leukotriene B₄. Dissociation constants of 0.5 to 2.5 nM and maximum binding of 5000 fmoles/mg protein were obtained for [³H] leukotriene B₄ binding to these preparations. Displacement of [³H]-leukotriene B₄ by leukotriene B₄ was compared with displacement by leukotriene B₃ and leukotriene B₅ which differ from leukotriene B₄ only by the absence of a double bond at carbon 14 or the presence of an additional double bond at carbon 17, respectively. Leukotriene B₃ was shown to be equipotent to leukotriene B₄ in ability to displace [³H]-leukotriene B₄ from both rat and human leukocyte membranes while leukotriene B₅ was 20–50 fold less potent. The relative potencies for the displacement of [³]-leukotriene B₄ by leukotrienes B₃, B₄ and B₅ on rat and human leukocyte membranes were shown to correlate well with their potencies for the induction of the aggregation of rat leukocytes and the chemokinesis of human leukocytes.     

Products of 5-lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase activities are increased in young male cigarette smokers

Abstract

The significance of 5-lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase activities has not been extensively studied among young male smokers. Leukotriene B₄, 20-hydroxy-leukotriene B₄, 20-carboxy-leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine were measured in plasma and urinary samples of young male smokers at 8 hours following cigarette abstinence and an hour after cigarette smoking. Leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine were determined in neutrophils isolated from these individuals. The levels of these markers were compared with those of age-matched controls. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the production of leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine from human neutrophils following exposure to nicotine and cotinine. Thirty male smokers (mean age, 27.4 years) and 28 male non-smokers (mean age, 28.7 years) were studied. Plasma levels of leukotriene B₄, 20-carboxy-leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine were higher in smokers than in non-smokers; leukotriene B₄ and 20-carboxy-leukotriene B₄ levels increased further an hour after cigarette smoking. Peripheral neutrophils isolated from smokers showed greater expressions of myeloperoxidase and 5-lipoxygenase activities compared with non-smokers, while plasma leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine were correlated significantly with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and plasma nicotine concentrations. Exposure of human neutrophils to nicotine and cotinine resulted in a higher production of leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine. To conclude, leukotriene B₄ and 3-chlorotyrosine levels are increased in young male cigarette smokers. These results suggest that cigarette smoking aggravates neutrophil-mediated inflammation by modulating the activities of myeloperoxidase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.     

Indomethacin stimulation of macrophage cytostasis against MOPC-315 tumor cells is inhibited by both prostaglandin E2 and nordihydroguaiaretic acid,a lipoxygenase inhibitor

Summary Indomethacin enhanced macrophage cytostasis against MOPC-315 tumor cells in vitro. The effect of indomethacin was inhibited by prostaglandin E₂ and by the lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Prostaglandin E₂ and nordihydroguaiaretic acid also inhibited indomethacin stimulation of macrophage thymidine incorporation. Indomethacin inhibited macrophage prostaglandin E₂ formation and stimulated leukotriene B₄ synthesis. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibited leukotriene B₄ production. Our data indicate that eicosanoids play a role in regulating macrophage cytostasis.     

Altered leukotriene B4 metabolism in CYP4F18-deficient mice does not impact inflammation following renal ischemia

Inflammatory responses to infection and injury must be restrained and negatively regulated to minimize damage to host tissue. One proposed mechanism involves enzymatic inactivation of the pro-inflammatory mediator leukotriene B₄, but it is difficult to dissect the roles of various metabolic enzymes and pathways. A primary candidate for a regulatory pathway is omega oxidation of leukotriene B₄ in neutrophils, presumptively by CYP4F3A in humans and CYP4F18 in mice. This pathway generates ω, ω-1, and ω-2 hydroxylated products of leukotriene B₄, depending on species. We created mouse models targeting exons 8 and 9 of the Cyp4f18 allele that allows both conventional and conditional knockouts of Cyp4f18. Neutrophils from wild-type mice convert leukotriene B₄ to 19-hydroxy leukotriene B₄, and to a lesser extent 18-hydroxy leukotriene B₄, whereas these products were not detected in neutrophils from conventional Cyp4f18 knockouts. A mouse model of renal ischemia–reperfusion injury was used to investigate the consequences of loss of CYP4F18 in vivo. There were no significant changes in infiltration of neutrophils and other leukocytes into kidney tissue as determined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, or renal injury as assessed by histological scoring and measurement of blood urea nitrogen. It is concluded that CYP4F18 is necessary for omega oxidation of leukotriene B₄ in neutrophils, and is not compensated by other CYP enzymes, but loss of this metabolic pathway is not sufficient to impact inflammation and injury following renal ischemia–reperfusion in mice.     

Stereoselective hydrogen abstraction in leukotriene A4 synthesis by purified 5-lipoxygenase of porcine leukocytes

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase purified from porcine leukocytes transformed arachidonic acid to 5-hydroperoxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid. By the leukotriene A synthase activity of the same enzyme the product was further metabolized to leukotriene A₄ (actually detected as 6-trans-leukotriene B₄, 12-epi-6-trans-leukotriene B₄, abd 5,6-duhydroxy-7,9,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acids). The enzyme was incubated with [10-D_R-³H]- or [10-L_S-³H]- labeled arachidonic acid, and 6-trans-LTB₄ and its 12-epimer were analyzed. More than 90% of 10-D_R-hydrogen was lost while about 100% of 10-L_S-hydrogen was retained, indicating a stereospecific hydrogen elimination from C-10 during the formation of leukotriene A₄.     

Selective feed-back inhibition of the 5-lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid in human T-lymphocytes

Purified human T-lymphocytes exhibit 5-lipoxygenase activity as demonstrated by the conversion of arachidonic acid to 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 5(S),12(R)-di-hydroxy-eicosa-6,14 cis-8,10 trans-tetraenoic acid (leukotriene B₄), and 5,12-di-HETE isomers of leukotriene B₄ that lack a 6-cis double bond. The concentrations of leukotriene B₄, 5-HETE, 11-HETE and 15-HETE in suspensions of T-lymphocytes were increased significantly by concanavalin A and by the calcium ionophore A23187. Preincubation of T-lymphocytes with 15-HETE at μM concentrations, characteristic of suspensions of stimulated lymphocytes, inhibited selectively the increases in the levels of 5-HETE and leukotriene B₄, but not of 11-HETE and prostaglandin E₂.     

Metabolism of leukotriene B4 by guinea pig eosinophils

The metabolism of leukotriene B₄ (5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6-cis-8,10-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid) by isolated guinea pig eosinophils was investigated. Incubation of guinea pig eosinophils with [³H]-leukotriene B₄ resulted in the rapid conversion of leukotriene B₄ to several more polar metabolites. Two of these metabolites were identified by ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as the omega oxidation products 5(S),12(R),20-trihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-hydroxy-leukotriene B₄) and 5(S),12(R),19-trihydroxy-6,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (19-hydroxy-leukotriene B₄). Two novel metabolites, 5(S),12(R),18,19-tetrahydroxy-6,8,10,14 eicosatetraenoic acid (18,19-dihydroxy-leukotriene B₄) and 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-1,18-dicarboxylic-6,8,10,14,16-octadecapentaenoic acid (Δ16,17–18-carboxy-19,20-dinor-leukotriene B₄) were tentatively identified. The identification of these compounds indicates that guinea pig eosinophils are capable of metabolizing leukotriene B₄ by both omega and beta oxidation. This catabolic activity may play a role in modulating inflammatory reactions by removing the chemoattractant leukotriene B₄ from inflammatory sites.     

Leukotriene B4 biosynthesis by alveolar macrophages

Resting alveolar macrophages in culture synthesized small amount of leukotriene B₄. This synthesis was increased 2.5 fold following phagocytic stimulation by zymosan, and was increased 12.6 fold after stimulation with calcium and calcium ionophore A23187. The leukotriene B₄ synthesis could be completely inhibited by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10^?5M). Phorbol myristate acetate, a membrane perturbant, has no effect on leukotriene B₄ production by macrophages.     

An Enzyme That Inactivates the Inflammatory Mediator Leukotriene B4 Restricts Mycobacterial Infection

While tuberculosis susceptibility has historically been ascribed to failed inflammation, it is now known that an excess of leukotriene A₄ hydrolase (LTA4H), which catalyzes the final step in leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) synthesis, produces a hyperinflammatory state and tuberculosis susceptibility. Here we show that the LTB₄-inactivating enzyme leukotriene B₄ dehydrogenase/prostaglandin reductase 1 (LTB4DH/PTGR1) restricts inflammation and independently confers resistance to tuberculous infection. LTB4DH overexpression counters the susceptibility resulting from LTA4H excess while ltb4dh-deficient animals can be rescued pharmacologically by LTB₄ receptor antagonists. These data place LTB4DH as a key modulator of TB susceptibility and suggest new tuberculosis therapeutic strategies.     

Metabolism of 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by rat liver microsomes

The in vitro metabolism of 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was studied using freshly isolated rat liver microsomes. Ten metabolites were isolated and identified by a combination of ultraviolet spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The two major metabolites were dihdroxyeicosatetraenoic acids generated by ω /ω − 1 hydroxylation. Oxidation at C-5 resulted in the formation of four leukotriene-like compounds, two of which differed from leukotriene B₄ in double-bond geometry alone. The other two differed from leukotriene B₄ in olefin geometry and C-5 configuration. Epoxidation at the 14,15-olefin resulted in the formation of two diastereomeric epoxy alcohols, while C-16 hydroxylation gave two diastereomeric dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids.     

Ebselen reduces the formation of LTB4 in human and porcine leukocytes by isomerisation to its 5S, 12R-6-trans-isomer

Ebselen, a new organoselenium compound with pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, selectively inhibits the formation of leukotriene B₄ in human and porcine leukocytes with half-maximal inhibition at 4.0 and 2.7 μmol/l, respectively. The underlying mechanism was found to be a cis-trans-isomerisation of leukotriene B₄ to the 5S,12R-6-trans-isomer. 5-Hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid was also isomerised to the 8-trans-isomer. At higher concentrations, ebselen induces a dose-dependent decrease in the sum of total 5-lipoxygenase products with half-maximal inhibition at 30 μmol/l. Additionally, the effects of ebselen on human platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase were investigated. Human platelet 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase were inhibited in a dose dependent manner with half-maximal inhibition at 20 μmol/l and 5 μmol/l, respectively. We suggest that suppression of leukotriene B₄-formation by isomerisation to a biologically inactive compound represents a promising approach to the therapy of inflammation.     

Theophylline infusion modulates prostaglandin and leukotriene production in man

Although theophylline has been used in the treatment of asthma for decades, it is not a first line choice any more. It is a well-known bronchodilator, but was recently discovered also to be an anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and bronchoprotective agent. Therefore we wanted to establish the role of theophylline on prostaglandin and leukotriene production, which plays a part in the pathogenesis of asthma. Theophylline was infused (bolus 5 mg/kg in 15 min and infusion 0.4 mg/kg/h for 1 h 45 min) into healthy volunteers. Thromboxane B₂, prostaglandin E₂ and leukotriene E₄ were measured from the A23187-stimulated whole blood samples and stable metabolites of thromboxane A₂; prostacyclin and leukotriene E₄ were measured from urine. Theophylline increased prostaglandin E₂ production and decreased leukotriene E₄ production ex vivo in whole blood, thus increasing the prostanoid/leukotriene ratio. It did not change thromboxane B₂ production stimulated by either spontaneous clotting or A23187 in the whole blood. Theophylline had hardly any effect on in vivo thromboxane, prostacyclin and leukotriene E₄ production measured as urinary metabolites, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B₂, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α and leukotriene E₄, respectively. Serum theophylline concentrations were at the lower level of normal therapeutic range during the infusion. The increase in PGE₂ and the decrease in LTE₄ synthesis ex vivo may offer a new explanation for the mode of antiasthmatic action of theophylline. It is notable that this phenomenon occurs at low serum theophylline concentrations. These results confirm the idea that theophylline has an anti-inflammatory and bronchoprotective action and support the use of theophylline as a therapeutic agent in asthmatic patients.     

Similarities in the mechanisms by which formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, arachidonic acid and leukotriene B4 increase calcium and sodium influxes in rabbit neutrophils

The chemotactic factors f-Met-Leu-Phe, arachidonic acid and leukotriene B₄ induce a rapid stimulation of both Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ influx in rabbit neutrophils. In the three cases the stimulation is rapid and the effects are not additive. Furthermore in all cases the stimulation of Na-influx but not of Ca-uptake is inhibited by the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride. Preincubation with high concentrations of the chemotactic factor f-Met-Leu-Phe followed by washing of rabbit neutrophils reduces significantly the stimulation of calcium uptake induced by arachidonic acid, leukotriene B₄ and f-Met-Leu-Phe. These results strongly suggest that the exogenous addition of arachidonic acid or of leukotriene B₄ leads to the activation of the same permeation pathways as do better defined chemotactic factors.     

-alkoxyphenol leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists

A series of -alkoxyphenols containing a tetrazole acid sidechain have been prepared as antagonists of leukotriene B₄ receptors. These compounds were tested as receptor antagonists of human neutrophil and guinea pig lung membrane leukotriene B₄ receptors. Compounds in this series were found to be up to 18-fold more potent than LY255283. These results indicate that the acyl group of the 1,2,4,5 substituted hydroxyacetophenone class of LTB₄ antagonists is not critical to antagonist potency.     

Leukotriene A4-induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig in vivo

Administration of leukotriene A₄ (0.03 - 0.3 μg kg^?1 i.v.) to anesthetized spontaneously breathing guinea pigs produced pronounced changes in pulmonary resistance, dynamic compliance and blood pressure. The pulmonary responses were unaffected either by pretreatment with indomethacin or following desensitization to leukotriene B₄ but were significantly attenuated by the leukotriene D₄ receptor antagonist, FPL-55712. Following administration of leukotriene A₄ increased levels of leukotriene C₄-immunoreactive material were determined in the plasma and neutrophil accumulation was observed in the lung. It was concluded that leukotriene A₄ induced bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig either by acting directly on the leukotriene D₄ receptor site or more probably through efficient metabolism in the lung to peptido-lipid leukotrienes which in turn exerted direct bronchoconstrictor actions.     

Purification and characterisation of leukotriene A4 hydrolase from rat neutrophils

Leukotriene A₄ hydrolase was rapidly and extensively purified from rat neutrophils using anion exchange and gel filtration high-pressure liquid chromatography. The enzyme which converts the allylic epoxide leukotriene A₄ to the 5,12-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid leukotriene B₄ was localized in the cytosolic fraction and exhibited an optimum activity at pH 7.8 and apparent K_m for leukotriene A₄ between 2 · 10^?5 and 3 · 10^?5 M. The purified leukotriene A₄ hydrolase was shown to have a molecular weight of 68 000 on sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and of 50 000 by gel filtration. The molecular weight and monomeric native form of this enzyme are unique characteristics which distinguish leukotriene A₄ hydrolase from previously purified epoxide hydrolases.     

Metabolism of arachidonic acid by guinea pig Clara cells

A method for the isolation of non-ciliated bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells from the guinea pig is described. Following digestion of the lung tissue with Type XXIV protease, the isolated lung cells showed a viability greater than 90 % and contained 3 % of Clara cells. Several cell populations were then separated on the basis of size using 2 centrifugal elutriations. The macrophages and endothelial cells were removed from the Clara cells enriched fractions by differential adherence on Petri dishes. The Clara cell-rich suspension was then further purified by centrifugation on Percoll non-continuous density gradients consisting of 48-52-55 % Percoll solution. The lower interface and the pellet of the non-continuous gradient consisted of approximately 80 % Clara cells. Identification of isolated Clara cells was confirmed by light microscopic observations after nitroblue tetrazolium staining and by ultrastructural characteristic features as observed by electron microscopy. The metabolism of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins and TxB₂ by purified Clara cells was examined by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and leukotriene formation was investigated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Enriched guinea pig Clara cells incubated with arachidonic acid released TxB₂, PGE₂ and 6-keto PGF_1α, but did not produce leukotrienes. These cells could however transform exogenous leukotriene A₄ into leukotriene B₄. These results suggest that guinea pig Clara cells possess the enzymes of the cyclooxygenase pathway required for TxB₂, PGE₂ and 6-keto-PGF_1α synthesis. Clara cells do not possess the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme but show some leukotriene A₄ hydrolase activity since they can produce leukotriene B₄ upon incubation with leukotriene A₄.