Mediation by platelet-activating factor of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-induced cytosolic free calcium concentration elevation in neutrophils

12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) shows biphasic increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rabbit and human neutrophils; the initial transient phase and the continuous falling phase. 12(S)-HETE was less potent in both species. BN50739, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, inhibited both phases of 12(R)-HETE-induced [Ca2+]i rise but did not affect leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-induced [Ca2+]i rise. N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), a PAF synthesis inhibitor, and manoalide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, reduced 12(R)-HETE-induced [Ca2+]i rise. These blockers inhibited the continuous phase of [Ca2+]i rise induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) with little effect on the initial phase. It had no significant effect on LTB4-induced [Ca2+]i rise. SC-41930, a LTB4-receptor antagonist, did not block 12-HETE-induced [Ca2+]i rise. In 12(R)-HETE-, FMLP- and LTB4-stimulated cells, accumulations of cell-associated PAF and released PAF were detected but not in unstimulated cells. BN50739 did not affect the accumulation of cell-associated PAF and release of PAF in 12(R)-HETE-stimulated cells. These results suggest that 12(R)-HETE-induced and partially, FMLP-induced, but not LTB4-induced [Ca2+]i rise are mediated by PAF, which is produced and released by stimulation of the cells by 12(R)-HETE and FMLP, respectively.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha priming of phospholipase A2 activation in human neutrophils. An alternative mechanism of priming.

The cytokine, TNF-alpha, interacts with human neutrophils (PMN) via specific membrane receptors and primes leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production in PMN for subsequent stimulation by calcium ionophores. We have further examined the effects of TNF-alpha on arachidonic acid (AA) release, LTB4 production, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) formation in PMN by prelabeling cells with either [3H]AA or [3H]lyso-PAF, priming with human rTNF-alpha, and then stimulating with the chemotactic peptide, FMLP. TNF-alpha, alone, had little effect; minimal AA release, LTB4 or PAF production occurred after PMN were incubated with 0 to 1000 U/ml TNF-alpha. However, when PMN were first preincubated with 100 U/ml TNF-alpha for 30 min and subsequently challenged with 1 microM FMLP, both [3H] AA release and LTB4 production were elevated two- to threefold over control values. Measurement of AA mass by gas chromatography and LTB4 production by RIA confirmed the radiolabeled results. TNF-alpha priming also increased PAF formation after FMLP stimulation. These results demonstrate that TNF-alpha priming before stimulation with a physiologic agonist can enhance activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) resulting in increased AA release and can facilitate the activities of 5-lipoxygenase (LTB4 production) and acetyltransferase (PAF formation). Reports in the literature have hypothesized that the priming mechanism involves either production of PLA2 metabolites, increased diglyceride (DG) levels, or enhanced cytosolic calcium levels induced by the priming agent. We investigated these possibilities in TNF-alpha priming of PMN and report that TNF-alpha had no direct effect on PLA2 activation or metabolite formation. Treatment of PMN with TNF-alpha did not induce DG formation and, in the absence of cytochalasin B, no increased DG production (measured by both radiolabel techniques and mass determinations) occurred after TNF-alpha priming followed by FMLP stimulation. TNF-alpha also had no effect on basal cytosolic calcium and did not enhance intracellular calcium levels after FMLP stimulation. These results suggest that an alternative, as yet undefined, mechanism is active in TNF-alpha priming of human PMN.     

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes cap a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin upon stimulation with formyl peptide and C5a but not leukotriene B4

Previously, we reported that a derivative of wheat germ agglutinin (termed WGA-D) specifically inhibits human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis to FMLP by blocking reexpression (or recycling) of formyl peptide receptors. WGA-D (? formyl peptide receptor probe) binds to a protein on the PMN membrane that exhibits the same m.w. as the formyl peptide receptor. Since clustering (i.e., capping) of ligand-receptor complexes most likely precedes their internalization, we examined the ability of normal and stimulated PMN to cap fluoresceinated WGA-D. We found that, in contrast to capping of fluoresceinated Con A, PMN cap WGA-D in a chemotactic factor-specific fashion. Fluoresceinated WGA-D (5.0 to 20 micrograms/ml) alone did not induce either PMN shape changes (i.e., activation) or capping. Both FMLP (1 to 1000 nM) and human C5a (0.1 to 1.0 nM) induced PMN to polarize and to cap bound WGA-D, in a concentration-dependent fashion. Interestingly, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) (5.0 nM), while inducing the same degree of PMN polarization as FMLP (100 nM) and C5a (0.5 nM), failed to induce PMN to cap bound WGA-D. In contrast, FMLP (100 nM), C5a (0.5 nM), and LTB4 (5.0 nM) induced PMN to cap bound fluoresceinated Con A (10 micrograms/ml) to the same extent. The effect of suboptimal concentrations of FMLP and C5a on capping of WGA-D by PMN was additive. LTB4 did not enhance either FMLP or C5a-induced capping of WGA-D by PMN. Also, FMLP and C5a (but not LTB4) were capable of inducing both desensitization and cross-desensitization of WGA-D capping by PMN. Studies using rhodamine-labeled WGA-D and a fluoresceinated analog of FMLP revealed that both capped to the same place on the PMN membrane. Thus, the data suggest that WGA-D binds to a site on the PMN membrane that is either the FMLP receptor or very closely associated with it.     

Platelet-activating factor as an intercellular signal in neutrophil-dependent platelet activation.

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in heterotypic cell to cell interactions in a rabbit neutrophil-platelet mixture model was investigated. Platelets were exposed to each of three chemotactic agonists: PAF, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), or FMLP. Only PAF stimulated aggregation, [3H]serotonin secretion, and cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization in platelets alone. However, platelets were stimulated by LTB4 and FMLP in the presence of neutrophils. This neutrophil-dependent platelet activation was blocked by pretreatment of platelets with PAF receptor antagonists, and was prevented by desensitization of platelets to PAF. Furthermore, the time-course of platelet activation showed a positive correlation with PAF production by neutrophils stimulated with either LTB4 or FMLP. The PAF-mediated neutrophil-platelet interaction was dependent on direct cell to cell contact, as demonstrated by experiments in which the majority of newly formed PAF was neutrophil associated (rather than released). Platelet activation did not occur when the neutrophil-platelet mixture was not stirred, minimizing cell to cell contact, or when platelets were challenged with a cell-free supernatant prepared from neutrophils activated with LTB4 or FMLP. Finally, the neutrophil-platelet interaction was abolished by SC-49992, a peptidomimetic of the fibrinogen binding sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe, indicating a Arg-Gly-Asp-specific recognition mechanism. Our results demonstrate that neutrophil-generated PAF plays a crucial role in neutrophil-dependent platelet activation in this model system. This type of intercellular signaling event may be important in certain inflammatory or thrombotic processes.     

Transduction by leukotriene B4 receptors of increases in cytosolic calcium in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The uptake of Quin-2 by human polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes permitted accurate fluorimetric quantification of the cytosolic concentration of intracellular calcium [( Ca+2]in), without altering the expression of the two subsets of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptors, as assessed by the binding of [3H]LTB4. Chemotactic concentrations of LTB4 elicited a rapid increase in [Ca+2]in, which reached a peak within 0.6 to 1 min and then decayed back to baseline levels by 6 to 10 min. The maximal increase and the half-maximal increase in [Ca+2]in were achieved by LTB4 at mean concentrations of 5 X 10(-10) M and 2 X 10(-10) M, respectively, where the binding of LTB4 to high-affinity receptors predominates. A rank order of potency of LTB4 greater than 5(S),12(S)-6-trans-LTB4 greater than 12(S)-LTB4 was established for the elicitation of increases in [Ca+2]in, which reflects the binding of the isomers to low-affinity receptors. PMN leukocytes were preincubated with 10(-8) M LTB4 to induce chemotactic deactivation, which eliminates the expression of high-affinity receptors without altering the expression of the low-affinity receptors for LTB4. LTB4 elicited an increase in [Ca+2]in in the deactivated PMN leukocytes with an EC50 of 3 X 10(-8) M, which is similar to the Kd for LTB4 binding to the low-affinity receptors. Two lines of cultured human leukemic cells, IM-9 and HL-60, did not bind LTB4 specifically and did not show any change in [Ca+2]in upon the addition of 3 X 10(-8) M LTB4. The HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line was induced to differentiate in 1% dimethyl sulfoxide to leukocytes with more mature myelocytic characteristics. Differentiated HL-60 cells expressed an average of 54,000 low-affinity receptors for LTB4 per cell with an average dissociation constant of 7.3 X 10(-8) M and concurrently developed the capacity to respond to LTB4 with an increase in [Ca+2]in. The binding of LTB4 to either high-affinity or low-affinity receptors appears to be sufficient to initiate an increase in [Ca+2]in in human PMN leukocytes and differentiated HL-60 cells. The specificity of LTB4 receptors in transducing maximum increases in [Ca+2]in is determined by the subset of receptors that predominate as a result of the concentration of LTB4 and the state of the responding cells.     

Transport of sodium, potassium, and calcium across rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes. Effect of chemotactic factor

The transport properties of the rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) plasma membrane to Na+, K+, and Ca2+ have been characterized. The use of a silicone oil centrifugation technique provided a rapid and reliable method for measuring ion fluxes in these cells. Na+ and K+ movements across PMN membranes were found to be rapid. The value for the unifirectional steady-state fluxes (in meq/liter cell X min) were of the order of 3.0 for Na+ and 7.4 for K+. Ouabian inhibited both K+ influx and Na+ efflux, the latter being also dependent on the presence of extracellular potassium. The rate constant (in min-1) for 45Ca influx was found to be .05 and that for 45Ca efflux .04. The synthetic chemotactic factor formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was found to affect the fluxes of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ at concentrations as low as 10(-10)M. FMLP induced a large and rapid increase in the permeability of the PMN plasma membrane to 22Na. Smaller and delayed enhancements of 42K influx and 22Na efflux were also noted. Some evidence that the latter findings are a consequence of the increased 22Na influx is presented. 45Ca influx and efflux were also stimulated by FMLP. In the presence of 0.25 mM extracellular calcium, FMLP induced an increase in the steady-state level of cell-associated 45Ca. In the presence of .01 mM extracellular calcium, however, a transient decrease in the steady-state level of cell-associated 45Ca was induced by FMLP. The curves relating the concentration of FMLP to its effects on cation fluxes are very similar to those found for its enhancement of migration.     

Modulation of the heterogeneous membrane potential response of neutrophils to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) by leukotriene B4: evidence for cell recruitment

Individual human neutrophils (PMN) isolated by Hypaque-Ficoll gradient sedimentation, dextran sedimentation, or buffy coat preparation were assessed for the effects of leukotriene B4 (5S,12R dihydroxy 6,14-cis-8, 10 trans eicosatetraenoic acid (LTB4)-pretreatment on N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-mediated membrane potential or oxidative responses by using flow cytometry and a lipophilic probe of membrane potential (di-pentyl-oxacarbocyanine, di-O-C(5)3), or the nitroblue tetrazolium dye (NBT) reduction test, respectively. Although exposure to LTB4 (10(-7) M) had no effect on the membrane potential of resting PMN and little effect on oxidant production, pretreating PMN with LTB4 followed by FMLP (10(-6) M) demonstrated a significant enhancement in the proportion of depolarizing PMN over that seen with FMLP alone (p = 0.0014, N = 9). This recruitment of previously unresponsive cells by LTB4 was dose and time dependent, with the maximal relative increase in the proportion of depolarizing cells occurring at LTB4 concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-7) M and within 1 min of LTB4 addition. The recruitment effect persisted despite vigorous washing of the cells. LTB4 also increased the proportion of NBT-positive PMN in response to FMLP. Although LTB4 alone did not depolarize PMN it did induce a light scatter shift indicative of cell activation. 3H-FMLP binding studied at 0 degree C comparing buffer and LTB4-treated PMN indicated no significant change in the number or affinity of FMLP binding. The data provide evidence for the recruitment of a greater proportion of cells into a FMLP-responsive state as a mechanism for the enhanced functional response of PMN pretreated with LTB4, as well as for a dissociation of the membrane potential and light scattering responses of cells to this pro-inflammatory LT. The mechanism of recruitment remains unclear, but it most likely involves the modulation of a post-FMLP binding step.     

Arachidonic acid and 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid modulate human polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation by monocyte derived neutrophil activating factor

Exposure of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) to human monocyte derived neutrophil activating factor(s) (NAF) resulted in a concentration-dependent extracellular release of granule constituents. NAF also induced the generation of 5(S),12(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid [Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)] by PMNs which was enhanced in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA). In contrast to its enhancing effect on LTB4 production, AA inhibited NAF-stimulated PMN degranulation. 15(S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a product of the 15-lipoxy-genation of AA in PMNS, caused a concentration-dependent suppression of degranulation and LTB4 generation by PMNs in contact with NAF. 15-HETE also inhibited the rise in cytosolic-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) observed in NAF activated PMNs. These data suggest that AA and a 15-lipoxygenase product modulate the NAF-associated activation pathway in human PMNs.     

Leukotriene B4 induced steady state calcium rise and superoxide anion generation in guinea pig eosinophils are not related events.

We have examined the nature of the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) induced steady state intracellular calcium rise [Ca++]i in guinea pig eosinophils and the relationship between LTB4 induced [Ca++]i and superoxide anion (O2-). LTB4 induced a rise in intracellular Ca++ (following a Ca(++)- transient) in a dose dependent manner with an optimal increase around 50-100 nM. Depolarizing concentrations of K+ did not induce [Ca++]i in eosinophils nor did the voltage operated calcium channel inhibitor, nifedipine, inhibit the LTB4 induced Ca++ entry. In contrast, SK&F 96365 a purported receptor operated calcium channel (ROCC) inhibitor, and its parent compound SC 32849, attenuated LTB4 induced [Ca++]i. Five reference anti-asthmatics (ketotifen, formoterol, disodium-cromoglycate, theophylline and budesonide) had no influence on LTB4 induced [Ca++]i. LTB4 also induced O2- generation (a functional response) in a dose dependent manner with optimal effect around 100 nM. However, in contrast to Ca(++)- influx, LTB4 induced O2- generation was not affected by either SK&F 96365 or its analogues or reference anti-asthmatics. The results of this study suggest a) the presence of a non-voltage gated, receptor operated, calcium sequestration process in guinea pig eosinophils, b) that LTB4 induced [Ca++]i and O2- generation are apparently unrelated events in these cells, and c) that standard anti-asthmatics do not have an influence on either LTB4 induced [Ca++]i or O2- generation in these cells.     

cAMP and human neutrophil chemotaxis. Elevation of cAMP differentially affects chemotactic responsiveness.

Neutrophils (PMN) treated with cAMP elevating agents were evaluated for their chemotactic responsiveness to FMLP and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). PGE1 and isoproterenol, increased PMN cyclic AMP production and inhibited chemotaxis to both FMLP and LTB4. In contrast, forskolin, which activates adenylate cyclase directly, inhibited chemotaxis to FMLP but not to LTB4. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), was required for inhibition of PMN chemotaxis to FMLP by forskolin, PGE1, and isoproterenol. Isoproterenol and PGE1 inhibited PMN chemotaxis to LTB4 in the absence of IBMX and chemotaxis was further inhibited in the presence of IBMX. PMN cAMP levels were stimulated 2- to 3-fold with isoproterenol, 6- to 10-fold with PGE1, and 5- to 7-fold with forskolin over basal levels in the presence of IBMX. These observations demonstrate that total cellular cAMP concentration is not correlated with inhibition of PMN chemotaxis to all stimuli; forskolin, which increased cyclic AMP 5- to 7-fold over basal levels, did not inhibit chemotaxis to LTB4, whereas isoproterenol, which increased cyclic AMP only 2- to 3-fold over basal levels, inhibited chemotaxis to LTB4. PMN cAMP extrusion was determined under basal conditions and in the presence of PGE1, isoproterenol, or forskolin. PMN extruded cAMP under all conditions examined.     

Leukocyte inhibitory factor activates human neutrophils and macrophages to release leukotriene B4 and thromboxanes

Recent evidence has proved that cytokines can stimulate the production of 5-lipoxygenase products. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a major mediator of leukocyte activation in acute inflammatory reactions, which produce chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme release, and cell aggregation. Leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) also causes biological responses related to inflammation, i.e., LIF directly induces specific granule secretion by polymorphonuclears (PMNs) and potentiates many formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLPs) mediated responses. Since arachidonic acid products are important mediators of inflammation, we have studied the effects of LIF on the arachidonic acid cascade products LTB4 and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Resuspended at a final concentration of greater than 95% polymorphonuclear PMNs were isolated and tested with some cytokines on the release of LTB4 and TxA2. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and seeded in Petri dishes and incubated for 60 min. Adherent macrophages were used for the cytokine stimulation study. Both types of leukocytes were treated with LIF, interleukin 6 (IL 6), and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) at different concentrations, and test agents A23187 and FMLP. Radioimmunoassay for LTB4 and TxB2 was determined by the resulting supernatants. Treatment of PMNs and macrophages with LIF at different concentrations proved to generate significant increases in LTB4 and TxA2 production. This was compared with IL 6 and GM-CSF, which had no effects. In these experiments, TxA2 generations could not be attributed to platelet contamination of PMN suspensions. The quantity of platelet contamination was not sufficient to influence how much TxB2 was produced. The similarities of LIF to other arachidonate stimulating cytokines suggest a similar mode of action in producing hematologic changes typical of tissue injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2 and arachidonic acid on cytosolic-free calcium in human neutrophils

Changes in cytosolic free calcium [Ca2+]i and release of beta-glucuronidase in response to leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were measured in intact neutrophils loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, quin 2. LTB4 (10(-10) M or higher) caused a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i due to influx from the extracellular medium and release from intracellular pools as well as enzyme release. PGE2 (3 microM) did not alter [Ca2+]i whereas arachidonic acid (10 microM) raised [Ca2+]i. Pretreatment of cells with the chemotactic peptide FMLP inhibited the subsequent rise of [Ca2+]i induced by LTB4. Since chemotactic peptides activate the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, it may be speculated that endogenous LTB4 generation is involved in neutrophil activation.     

Mechanisms involved in the bidirectional effects of protein kinase C activators on neutrophil responses to leukotriene B4

Three protein kinase C (PKC) activators (PMA, mezerein, and a diacylglycerol) had bidirectional effects on human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) degranulation responses to leukotriene (LT) B4. Lower concentrations of the three agents enhanced, whereas higher concentrations inhibited, release of lysozyme and beta-glucuronidase stimulated by the arachidonic acid metabolite. Contrastingly, the activators inhibited but never enhanced LTB4-induced Ca2+ transients. We examined the causes for these varying effects. Each PKC activator reduced PMN specific binding of [3H]LTB4. Scatchard analyses revealed that PMA (greater than or equal to 0.16 nM) decreased the number of high affinity LTB4 receptors. The receptor losses correlated closely with inhibition of Ca2+ transients. PMN pretreated with 0.5 nM PMA for 5 min retained approximately 50% of their high affinity LTB4 receptors. These cells responded to 10 nM LTB4 with reduced but still substantial rises in cytosolic Ca2+, enhanced PKC mobilization, and increased granule enzyme release. The latter two effects appeared calcium-dependent because sequential exposure to PMA and LTB4 did not synergistically stimulate PKC mobilization or degranulation in PMN that were: 1) Ca2(+)-depleted; 2) challenged with 5 nM PMA; or 3) treated with LTB4 for 5 min before PMA. Each of the latter treatments completely interfered with the extent or timing of LTB4-induced Ca2+ transients. Accordingly, we suggest that the response-specific, bidirectional effects of PKC activators on LTB4 result from two opposing mechanisms. First, PKC activators down-regulate LTB4 high affinity receptors and thereby reduce those PMN responses that are not elicited by activated PKC (i.e., Ca2+ transients). Second, LTB4, by elevating cytosolic Ca2+, increases the amount of PKC mobilized by PKC activators and thereby promotes PKC-dependent responses (e.g., degranulation). The two mechanisms may be pertinent to the bidirectional effects of PKC activators on various other agonists. Furthermore, PKC, by down-regulating receptors, may serve as a physiologic stop signal for terminating function and producing a poststimulatory state of desensitization.     

Activation of protein kinase C in human neutrophils attenuates agonist-stimulated rises in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration by inhibiting bivalent-cation influx and intracellular Ca2+ release in addition to stimulating Ca2+ efflux.

Stimulation of fura-2-loaded human neutrophils with formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or ionomycin elevated the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+], to a maintained elevated level. Activation of protein kinase C (C-kinase) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate or dioctanoylglycerol caused decreases in [Ca2+]i from this level. 4 alpha-Phorbol didecanoate, which does not activate C-kinase, had no effect. These results confirm previous reports that C-kinase activation decreases neutrophil [Ca2+]i by stimulating removal of Ca2+ from the cytosol. Further experiments showed that activation of C-kinase attenuated the component of the FMLP-stimulated [Ca2+]i rise that was dependent on external Ca2+. C-kinase activation also inhibited FMLP-stimulated entry of the quenching cation, Mn2+, used as an indicator of bivalent-cation entry. In contrast, C-kinase activation caused only a partial inhibition of FMLP-stimulated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. 4 alpha-Phorbol didecanoate was ineffective in inhibiting Ca2+ entry, Mn2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release. Addition of FMLP also stimulated a decrease in the ionomycin-elevated [Ca2+]i, and this effect was blocked by staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor. These results show that, in addition to stimulating Ca2+ efflux, C-kinase activation in neutrophils inhibits FMLP-stimulated entry of bivalent cations, and partially inhibits intracellular release of Ca2+. Further, FMLP itself can modulate [Ca2+]i by activation of C-kinase.     

Leukotriene B4 stimulation of phagocytes results in the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. A second messenger for Ca2+ mobilization.

Inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) production and cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) elevations induced by leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-receptor activation were studied in the human promyelocytic-leukaemia cell line HL60, induced to differentiate by retinoic acid. The myeloid-differentiated HL60 cells respond to LTB4 by raising their [Ca2+]i with a dose-response relationship similar to that shown by normal human neutrophils. The observations of the LTB4 transduction mechanism were compared with those of the transduction mechanism of the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe in HL60 cells differentiated with dimethyl sulphoxide. Both LTB4 and fMet-Leu-Phe triggered a rapid (less than 5 s) elevation of [Ca2+]i, which occurred in parallel with the InsP3 production from myo-[3H]inositol-labelled cells. The threshold concentrations of the agonists, for InsP3 production, were found at 10(-9) M, a slightly higher concentration than that required to detect [Ca2+]i elevations. No significant changes were noted in the phosphoinositide levels upon stimulation with LTB4. Exposure to Bordetella pertussis toxin before LTB4 stimulation abolished both the increased formation of InsP3 and the rise of [Ca2+]i. LTB4 and fMet-Leu-Phe elicited elevations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] with no detectable lag time, followed by slower and more sustained inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate elevations. Stimulation with various leukotriene analogues revealed a good correlation between both total InsP3 as well as Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation and elevations of [Ca2+]1. Thus LTB4 receptor activation results in an increased production of Ins(1,4,5)P3 via a transduction mechanism also involving a nucleotide regulatory protein, as previously described for the fMet-Leu-Phe transduction mechanism.     

Role of 5-lipoxygenase products in the local accumulation of neutrophils in dermal inflammation in the rabbit.

Studies were undertaken to define the role of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) products and, in particular, of leukotriene (LT) B4 in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) emigration process using a rabbit model of dermal inflammation. Our results show that i.v. administration to rabbits of MK-0591, a compound that inhibits LT biosynthesis in blood and tissues when administered in vivo, significantly reduced 51Cr-labeled PMN accumulation in response to intradermally injected chemotactic agonists, including IL-8, FMLP, C5a, and LTB4 itself. In addition, pretreatment of the labeled PMN with MK-0591 ex vivo before their injection in recipient animals was equally effective in reducing 51Cr-labeled PMN emigration to dermal inflammatory sites. These results support a role for de novo synthesis of 5-LO metabolites by PMN for their chemotactic response to inflammatory mediators. Other studies demonstrated that elevated intravascular concentration of LTB4 interferes with PMN extravasation inasmuch as a continuous i.v. infusion of LTB4, in the range of 5-300 ng/min/kg, dose-dependently inhibited extravascular PMN accumulation to acute inflammatory skin sites elicited by the chemoattractants LTB4, FMLP, C5a, and IL-8 and by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and LPS; such phenomena may constitute a natural protective mechanism from massive tissue invasion by activated PMN in specific pathologic conditions such as ischemia (and reperfusion). These studies demonstrate additional functions of 5-LO products in the regulation of PMN trafficking, distinct from the well-characterized chemotactic activity of LTB4 present in the extravascular compartment.     

Dual mechanisms in priming of the chemoattractant-induced respiratory burst in human granulocytes. A Ca2+-dependent and a Ca2+-independent route

After interaction with so-called priming agents, the respiratory burst in human granulocytes does not become activated, but is enhanced upon subsequent stimulation with the chemoattractant FMLP. Investigating the mechanism of the priming reaction, we found that a transient rise in the cytosolic free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) suffices to irreversibly prime human granulocytes. Thus, platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced a transient increase in [Ca2+]i and primed the cells to an enhanced respiratory burst upon subsequent interaction with FMLP. Artificially, the transient rise in [Ca2+]i was mimicked by addition and subsequent removal of the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin; this treatment too, primed the respiratory burst of the granulocytes. The priming induced by ionomycin was completely abolished when [Ca2+]i changes were buffered during exposure of the cells to the ionophore. The priming induced by PAF was only partially inhibited under [Ca2+]i-buffering conditions during priming, indicating that multiple pathways exist in the priming of granulocytes by PAF.     

Translocation of protein kinase C in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Regulation by cytosolic Ca2(+)-independent and Ca2(+)-dependent mechanisms

[3H]Phorbol dibutyrate [( 3H]PDB) rapidly and reversibly binds to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Ca2+/diacylglycerol/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C appeared to be the receptor for this binding because: a diacylglycerol, dioctanoylglycerol, competed with [3H]PDB for PMN binding sites; a blocker of protein kinase C-phospholipid interactions, sphinganine, inhibited PMN binding of [3H]PDB; and changes in cytosolic Ca2+ apparently regulated PMN binding of the label. Relevant to the last point, disrupted PMN contained 9 X 10(5) phorbol diester receptors/cell, whereas intact PMN had only 1.6 X 10(5) such receptors that were accessed by the ligand. This number fell to 1.0 X 10(5) in Ca2(+)-depleted PMN and rose to 2.5 X 10(5) in cells stimulated with the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin. This ionomycin effect lasted for greater than 16 min, correlated temporally with changes in cytosolic Ca2+, did not occur in Ca2(+)-depleted PMN, and was blocked by sphinganine. A second ionophore, A23187, likewise induced Ca2(+)-dependent rises in [3H]PDB binding. These results fit the standard model, wherein rises in cytosolic Ca2+ cause protein kinase C to translocate from cytosol to plasmalemma and thereby become more available to [3H]PDB. In contrast, two humoral agonists, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and leukotriene (LT)B4, had actions that did not fit this model. They stimulated PMN to increase the availability of PDB binding sites by a sphinganine-sensitive mechanism, but their actions differed from those of ionophores. They induced biphasic (t = 15 and 60 s) increases in [3H]PDB binding while eliciting monophasic (t = 15 s), short-lived (t less than 1 min) rises in cytosolic Ca2+. In Ca2(+)-depleted PMN, moreover, fMLP and LTB4 stimulated slow (t greater than or equal to 30 s), monophasic, prominent rises in [3H]PDB binding and binding site number without appreciably altering cytosolic Ca2+. We suggest, therefore, that fMLP and LTB4 translocate protein kinase C using two sequential mechanisms. The first involves Ca2+ transients and thus produces abrupt (t = 15 s), rapidly reversing responses. The second mechanism uses an unrelated signal to effect a more slowly evolving (t = 60 s) movement of protein kinase C to plasmalemma. Hence, the standard model does not explain all instances of protein kinase C translocation, and a cytosolic Ca2(+)-independent signal contributes to the regulation of protein kinase C as well as those responses elicited by the effector enzyme.     

Neutrophil migration across monolayers of resting or cytokine-activated endothelial cells. Role of intracellular calcium changes and fusion of specific granules with the plasma membrane.

Chemoattractants, used at concentrations to invoke optimal neutrophil chemotaxis, induce rapid changes in neutrophils such as a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i). We have previously observed that neutrophils adhering to cytokine-activated endothelial cells (EC) also respond with a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i caused by an endothelial membrane-bound form of platelet-activating factor. After preloading with the intracellular Ca(2+)-chelator bis-(O-aminophenoxyl)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA/AM), neutrophils were no longer able to respond with a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i toward the chemoattractant FMLP or to rIL-1 beta-pretreated EC. These neutrophils were still able to adhere and migrate under the conditions tested. The only difference was that the BAPTA/AM-treated neutrophils migrated a little slower than untreated control neutrophils. This discrepancy was not observed at later time points. The BAPTA/AM-preloaded neutrophils did not differ from unloaded neutrophils in actin polymerization responses. Whereas untreated neutrophils demonstrated an up-regulation of the specific granule markers CD11b, CD45, and CD67 during migration (without any release from the azurophil granules), the BAPTA/AM pretreatment completely prevented this process. The BAPTA/AM-preloaded neutrophils did not release vitamin B12-binding protein from the specific granules upon treatment with FMLP. The down-modulation of the selectin member LAM-1, as seen upon neutrophil activation, was not affected by BAPTA/AM pretreatment of the neutrophils. Thus, neither the rapid rise in [Ca2+]i nor specific granule fusion with the plasma membrane constitute a prerequisite for neutrophil migration across resting or cytokine-activated EC.     

Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in immature and more mature U937 induced to differentiate by dimethyl sulfoxide or phorbol myristate acetate

Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in U937 cells was studied. Stimulation of immature U937 cells with leukotriene B4 (LTB4) increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, whereas stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) failed to increase intracellular Ca2+ levels. U937 cells cultured with 1.5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 4 days (DMSO-U937 cells) responded to LTB4 and possessed the ability to respond to fMLP. U937 cells cultured with 1 ng/ml phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for 4 days (PMA-U937 cells) lost the ability to respond to LTB4, although they responded to fMLP. Treatment of DMSO-U937 cells with 100 ng/ml PMA for 3 min suppressed intracellular Ca2+ increase induced by LTB4 and fMLP. The fMLP-induced Ca2+ rise in PMA-U937 cells was not suppressed by a further treatment with 100 ng/ml PMA. DMSO-U937 cells responded to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), indicating that IP3 functions as a messenger of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization from endoplasmic reticulum in U937. The magnitude and duration of the rise in Ca2+ induced by IP3 in DMSO-U937 cells treated with 100 ng/ml PMA for 3 min were similar to those of the controls. When DMSO-U937 cells were Ca2+-depleted, addition of Ca2+ resulted in a transient overshoot of Ca2+ influx. However, the transient overshoot was not observed, when PMA-U937 cells were tested. These results indicate that Ca2+ efflux in PMA-U937 cells is increased by an activated exit pump, which may be directly or indirectly related to the functional state of PMA-U937 cells.