Stimulation of eryptosis by anti-A IgG antibodies.

Anti-A IgG antibodies have previously been shown to stimulate Ca(2+) entry into red blood cells. Increased cytosolic free Ca(2+) concentration is known to trigger eryptosis, i.e. suicidal erythrocyte death, characterized by exposure of phosphatidylserine at the erythrocyte surface. As macrophages are equipped with phosphatidylserine receptors, they bind, engulf and degrade phosphatidylserine exposing cells. The present experiments have been performed to explore whether anti-A IgGs trigger phosphatidylserine exposure of erythrocytes. Phosphatidylserine exposure was estimated from annexin-V binding as determined in FACS analysis. Exposure to anti-A IgGs (0.5 microg/ml) indeed significantly increased annexin-V binding in erythrocytes with blood group A, but not in erythrocytes with blood group 0. According to Fluo3 fluorescence, anti-A IgGs increased cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. Whole cell patch clamp recordings revealed the activation of a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel following treatment with anti-A-IgGs. Annexin-V binding following anti-A IgG exposure was blunted by Ca(2+) removal while anti-A IgG-stimulated cation channel activity was not dependent on extracellular Ca(2+). Osmotic shock (exposure of erythrocytes to 850 mOsm) increased annexin binding, an effect further enhanced by exposure to anti-A IgGs. In conclusion, anti-A IgGs activate erythrocyte cation channels leading to Ca(2+) entry and subsequent erythrocyte cell membrane scrambling. The effect most likely contributes to the elimination of erythrocytes following an immune reaction against the A antigen.     

Blockade of Fc receptor-mediated binding to U-937 cells by murine monoclonal antibodies directed against a variety of surface antigens

The effect of murine IgG hybridoma antibodies directed against leukocyte antigens on the Fc receptor function of human cells was studied. For this purpose, the specific binding of 125I-labeled monomeric human IgG1 to a macrophage-like cell-line (U-937) was quantitated before and after incubation in the presence of murine monoclonal hybridoma antibodies. Four monoclonal hybridoma antibodies (A1G3, 23D6, 4F2, and 3A 10), each of which binds to different antigens on the surface of U-937 cells, rapidly and potently inhibited the specific binding of labeled IgG1 to these cells. Inasmuch as inhibition was mediated only by IgG antibodies with an intact Fc fragment and antibody activity against surface antigens found on U-937, inhibition appears to have resulted from the formation of a three-component complex composed of antibody bound by its Fab portion to antigen and by its Fc fragment to a Fc receptor. Equilibrium binding studies performed on treated cells confirmed that reduced Fc receptor-mediated binding was due to a reduction in the number of available receptors. Binding studies employing double isotope labeling methods demonstrated that about 0.5 to 1.0 Fc receptor was blocked for each molecule of intact antibody bound to a U-937 cell. Using several techniques, it was shown that most of the monoclonal antibody bound to cells and the Fc receptors blocked by antibody remained on the cell surface despite incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hr. Thus, the loss of receptor function observed in these experiments was almost exclusively due to reversible receptor blockade rather than receptor internalization or degradation. The antibodies identified in these studies also markedly inhibited Fc receptors on one other human cell line (HL-60) as well as those on normal human peripheral blood monocytes.     

Two different but converging messenger pathways to intracellular Ca(2+) release: the roles of nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, cyclic ADP-ribose and inositol trisphosphate

Hormones and neurotransmitters mobilize Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum via inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)) receptors, but how a single target cell encodes different extracellular signals to generate specific cytosolic Ca(2+) responses is unknown. In pancreatic acinar cells, acetylcholine evokes local Ca(2+) spiking in the apical granular pole, whereas cholecystokinin elicits a mixture of local and global cytosolic Ca(2+) signals. We show that IP(3), cyclic ADP-ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) evoke cytosolic Ca(2+) spiking by activating common oscillator units composed of IP(3) and ryanodine receptors. Acetylcholine activation of these common oscillator units is triggered via IP(3) receptors, whereas cholecystokinin responses are triggered via a different but converging pathway with NAADP and cyclic ADP-ribose receptors. Cholecystokinin potentiates the response to acetylcholine, making it global rather than local, an effect mediated specifically by cyclic ADP-ribose receptors. In the apical pole there is a common early activation site for Ca(2+) release, indicating that the three types of Ca(2+) release channels are clustered together and that the appropriate receptors are selected at the earliest step of signal generation.     

Death don't have no mercy and neither does calcium: Arabidopsis CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL2 and innate immunity

Plant innate immune response to pathogen infection includes an elegant signaling pathway leading to reactive oxygen species generation and resulting hypersensitive response (HR); localized programmed cell death in tissue surrounding the initial infection site limits pathogen spread. A veritable symphony of cytosolic signaling molecules (including Ca(2+), nitric oxide [NO], cyclic nucleotides, and calmodulin) have been suggested as early components of HR signaling. However, specific interactions among these cytosolic secondary messengers and their roles in the signal cascade are still unclear. Here, we report some aspects of how plants translate perception of a pathogen into a signal cascade leading to an innate immune response. We show that Arabidopsis thaliana CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL2 (CNGC2/DND1) conducts Ca(2+) into cells and provide a model linking this Ca(2+) current to downstream NO production. NO is a critical signaling molecule invoking plant innate immune response to pathogens. Plants without functional CNGC2 lack this cell membrane Ca(2+) current and do not display HR; providing the mutant with NO complements this phenotype. The bacterial pathogen-associated molecular pattern elicitor lipopolysaccharide activates a CNGC Ca(2+) current, which may be linked to NO generation due to buildup of cytosolic Ca(2+)/calmodulin.     

Evidence on the operation of ATP-induced capacitative calcium entry in breast cancer cells and its blockade by 17beta-estradiol

Little is known about the regulation of cytosolic calcium Ca(2+) levels ([Ca(2+)](i)) in breast cancer cells. We investigated the existence of capacitative calcium entry (CCE) in the tumorigenic cell line MCF-7 and its responsiveness to ATP. MCF-7 cells express purinergic receptors as well as estrogen receptors (ER). Depletion of calcium stores with thapsigargin (TG, 500 nM) or ATP (10 microM) in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+), resulted in a rapid and transient elevation in [Ca(2+)](i). After recovery of basal levels, Ca(2+) readmission (1.5 mM) to the medium increased Ca(2+) influx (twofold over basal), reflecting pre-activation of a CCE pathway. Cells pretreated with TG were unable to respond to ATP, thus indicating that the same Ca(2+) store is involved in their response. Moreover, IP(3)-dependent ATP-induced calcium mobilization and CCE were completely blocked using compound U-73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C. Compound 2-APB (75 microM) and Gd(3+) (10 microM), antagonists of the CCE pathway, completely prevented ATP-stimulated capacitative Ca(2+) entry. CCE in MCF-7 cells was highly permeable to Mn(2+) and to the Ca(2+) surrogate Sr(2+). Mn(2+) entry sensitivity to Gd(3+) matched that of the Ca(2+) entry pathway. 17Beta-estradiol blocked ATP-induced CCE, but was without effect on TG-induced CCE. Besides, the estrogen blockade of the ATP-induced CCE was completely abolished by preincubation of the cells with an ER monoclonal antibody. ER alpha immunoreactivity could also be detected in a purified plasma membrane fraction of MCF-7 cells. These results represent the first evidence on the operation of a ATP-responsive CCE pathway in MCF-7 cells and also indicate that 17beta-estradiol interferes with this mechanism by acting at the cell surface level.     

Intracellular mechanisms involved in leukotriene C4-stimulated adhesion of U-937 cells.

Leukotrienes C4 and D4 (LTC4 and LTD4) stimulated, 5- to 6-fold, the adhesion of the monoblastoid cell line U-937 to plastic. Half-maximal effects were observed around 1 nM. Leukotrienes E4 and B4 (LTE4 and LTB4) were less effective. The adhesive response to LTC4 was inhibited by pertussis toxin and was completely dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The LTC4-stimulated increases in inositol-phosphates and in intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration were insensitive to pertussis toxin. Activation of leukocyte adhesion is a novel action of cysteinyl-leukotrienes and the present study suggests that control of U-937-cell adhesion by LTC4 involves two pathways; one pertussis toxin insensitive pathway regulating intracellular Ca2+ in a manner partly dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and one pertussis toxin sensitive pathway not concerned with Cai(2+)-regulation.     

Urokinase activates calcium-dependent potassium channels in U937 cells via calcium release from intracellular stores.

The urokinase receptor (uPAR) is highly expressed in the human promyelocytic cell line U937 and contributes to transmembrane signalling. However, the signalling mechanisms are poorly understood. We used the patch-clamp technique to demonstrate that urokinase (uPA) binds to uPAR and thereby stimulates Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in U937 cells. uPA transiently increased K+ currents within 30 s. The K+ currents were pertussis toxin-sensitive and were also observed in Ca(2+)-free solution. However, when cells were dialysed with EGTA, uPA did not affect K+ currents. The intracellular Ca2+ response to uPA was independent of extracellular Ca2+, was pertussis toxin-sensitive, and was blocked by both thapsigargin and the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122. The uPA-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ was independent of uPA proteolytic activity. Furthermore, uPA initiated a rapid formation of inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. The amino-terminal uPA fragment and uPA inactivated with diisopropyl fluorophosphate or with inhibitory antibody, elicited the same Ca2+ signal. On the other hand, Ca2+ signalling required the intact uPAR because the effects were abrogated by PtdIns-specific phospholipase C, which removes the uPAR from the cell surface. The prevention of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol moiety synthesis and interference with uPAR anchoring to the cell surface using mannosamine also abolished Ca2+ signals. Taken together, our findings indicate that uPA binds to uPAR and stimulates the production of Ins(1,4,5)P3 via a G-protein- and phospholipase C-dependent mechanism. Ins(1,4,5)P3 in turn liberates Ca2+ from intracellular stores, which leads to the stimulation of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.     

C-reactive protein receptors on the human monocytic cell line U-937. Evidence for additional binding to Fc gamma RI.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase protein that binds to components of damage tissue, activates C, and stimulates phagocytic cells. CRP binding to receptors on monocytic and polymorphonuclear phagocytes has been shown. Recently, CRP-binding proteins of 38 to 40 kDa and 57 to 60 kDa have been identified on the human promonocyte cell line U-937 and the mouse macrophage cell line PU5 1.8, respectively. However, analysis of CRP binding to these cells and to peripheral blood leukocytes suggests that additional CRP receptor sites may be present. Because many studies have shown interactions between CRP binding and IgG binding to leukocytes, we have examined further the CRP binding sites on U-937 cells and determined their relationship to the FcR for IgG (Fc gamma R) expressed on these cells. Our results demonstrate specific saturable binding of CRP to peripheral blood monocytes and U-937 cells, which is readily inhibited by aggregated IgG. Monomeric IgG, which binds specifically to Fc gamma RI, inhibited a maximum of 20% of CRP binding to these cells. mAb 197 and mAb IV.3, which block IgG binding to Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RII, respectively, failed to inhibit CRP binding to U-937 cells. Two CRP-binding molecules were identified by precipitation of lysates from surface-labeled U-937 cells and cross-linking experiments. One of these had a molecular mass of 43 to 45 kDa, similar to the molecule previously described as the CRPR on U-937 cells. The other had the same mobility by SDS-PAGE as Fc gamma RI. The identity of this protein with Fc gamma RI was confirmed by the ability of both IgG-Sepharose and CRP-Sepharose to preclear the protein from cell lysates and by inhibition of binding to both IgG-Sepharose and CRP-Sepharose by anti-Fc gamma RI mAb 197.     

alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor stimulation potentiates calcium release in platelets by modulating cAMP levels

alpha(2A)-Adrenergic receptor-mediated Ca(2+) signaling and integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) exposure were investigated in human platelets under conditions where indirect, thromboxane- or ADP-mediated effects were absent. The alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists, UK14304 and epinephrine (EPI), were unable to raise cytosolic levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) or Ca(2+) but potentiated the [Ca(2+)](i) rises evoked by other agonists that act through stimulation of phospholipase C (thrombin or platelet-activating factor) or stimulation of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) in the absence of InsP(3) generation (thimerosal or thapsigargin). In addition, alpha(2)-adrenergic stimulation resulted in a 20% lowering in the cytosolic cAMP level. In platelets treated with G(salpha)-stimulating prostaglandin E(1), EPI increased the Ca(2+) signal evoked by either phospholipase C- or CICR-stimulating agonists mainly through modulation of the cAMP level. The stimulating effects of UK14304 and EPI on platelet Ca(2+) responses, and also on integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) exposure and platelet aggregation, were abolished by pharmacological stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and these effects were mimicked by inhibition of this activity. In permeabilized platelets, UK14304 and EPI potentiated InsP(3)-induced, CICR-mediated mobilization of Ca(2+) from internal stores in a similar way as did inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In summary, a G(ialpha)-mediated decrease in cAMP level appears to play a major role in the platelet-activating effects of alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Thus, in platelets, unlike other cell types, occupation of the G(ialpha)-coupled alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptors does not result in phospholipase C activation but rather in modulation of the Ca(2+) response by relieving cAMP-mediated suppression of InsP(3)-dependent CICR.     

Inhibitors of protein kinase C selectively enhanced leukotriene D4-induced calcium mobilization in differentiated U-937 cells

U-937 cells differentiated with dimethylsulphoxide for 3-4 days express receptors for leukotriene D4 (LTD4), which are coupled to Ca2+ mobilization and phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism. Treatment of U-937 cells with an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) [staurosporine (100 nM)] augmented the Ca2+ mobilized by LTD4. The peak concentration of the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was 1500 nM in untreated cells and 3000 nM in cells treated with staurosporine for 30 s. Maximal mobilization responses were observed at 1-10 microM LTD4 in both control and staurosporine-treated cells. The increased Ca2+ response to LTD4 after staurosporine treatment occurred within 30 s and was attributable to both intracellular and extracellular stores. Additionally, a second phase of Ca2+ mobilization occurred after stimulation with LTD4, which was elevated by pretreatment with staurosporine--this effect was maximal after 5-10 min of treatment. Staurosporine either had no effect or decreased the Ca2+ mobilization response of differentiated U-937 cells to other agonists, such as LTB4, platelet activating factor, ATP or the chemotactic peptide f-Met-Leu-Phe. Although staurosporine alone had no effect on basal PI metabolism it increased LTD4-induced PI metabolism. Staurosporine did not prevent the tachyphylaxis observed upon second challenge with LTD4, nor did it prevent LTD4-induced homologous densensitization. Other compounds which inhibit PKC (sphingosine and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-methylglycerol), also enhanced the Ca2+ response of U-937 cells to LTD4, but not to other agonists. These data show that inhibition of PKC enhanced responses of LTD4, suggesting that PKC plays a role in determining the responsiveness of LTD4 receptors.     

Modulation of Fc gamma receptors on the human macrophage cell line U-937

Macrophage receptors for the Fc portion of IgG play an important role in host defense, inflammation, and the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders. We studied one important function of Fc gamma receptors--the ability to bind IgG ligand. Direct binding experiments analyzed by nonlinear regression were consistent with monomeric and trimeric IgG binding to a single class of receptors. Indirect binding experiments were also consistent with this interpretation and revealed that both IgG ligands completely inhibited the binding of the other. In addition, we used an anti-Fc gamma RII monoclonal antibody known to compete for the Fc gamma RII ligand binding site and known to inhibit IgG trimer binding to other cells. At concentrations of antibody which saturated all Fc gamma RII sites, no inhibition of IgG trimer binding to U-937 was observed. This was evident despite the observation that the numbers of Fc gamma RI and Fc gamma RII, determined by equilibrium binding of monomeric IgG and anti-Fc gamma RII antibody, respectively, were similar on U-937. Monoclonal antibodies were used to compare the expression and modulation of Fc gamma receptor proteins with their ability to bind monomeric and trimeric IgG ligands. Dexamethasone and gamma-interferon regulated U-937 Fc gamma RI protein expression and IgG ligand binding to a similar degree. In contrast, the expression of Fc gamma RII was not altered by dexamethasone. Interferon-gamma primarily stimulated Fc gamma RI, as determined both by reactivity with monoclonal antibody (227 +/- 26%) and by monomeric IgG ligand binding (350 +/- 151%). In addition, dexamethasone inhibited by 33% the gamma-interferon effect on Fc gamma RI protein and by 56% the effect on Fc gamma RI binding of monomeric IgG. Preincubation of U-937 with anti-Fc gamma RII antibody did not alter the effect of dexamethasone or gamma-interferon on IgG trimer binding. These data indicate that on U-937 cells Fc gamma RII does not function in the recognition of small molecular weight immune complexes and that Fc gamma RI is the Fc gamma receptor responsible for the binding of both monomeric and trimeric human IgG. Furthermore, Fc gamma RI is the major Fc gamma receptor on U-937 that is modulated by both gamma-interferon and glucocorticoids.     

Cytoplasmic pH is differently regulated in the monoblastic U-937 and erythroleukemic K-562 cell lines

Regulation of cytoplasmic pH (pHi) of the human monoblastic U-937 and erythroleukemic K-562 cell lines was investigated. The apparent resting pHi, as assessed by the fluorescent pH probe quenel, were 6.61 and 6.75 for the U-937 and K-562 cells, respectively. When extracellular Na+ was substituted by equimolar choline+, pHi decreased by about 0.2 units. The protein kinase C activating beta-form of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA; 10(-10) and 10(-7) M) induced a dose-dependent alkalinization in both cell types of 0.03-0.12 units, whereas the alpha-form was inactive. The response was detectable after about 2 min and reached steady-state 10-15 min later. In the K-562 cells the alkalinization was mediated by Na+/H+ exchange as it was accompanied by stimulation of H+ extrusion and abolished by Na+ removal. The TPA response in the U-937 cells, however, was unaffected by Na+ removal, not accompanied by H+-efflux, and thus unrelated to Na+/H+ exchange. Since electron microscopy indicated development of multivesicular bodies with an acidic interior, the alkalinization can probably be accounted for by an intracellular mechanism. Ionomycin (10(-5) M) induced a rapid increase in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration of both cell types and this response was accompanied by acidification followed by a Na+-dependent recovery. In the U-937, but not in the K-562, cells this recovery was followed by a net alkalinization. It is concluded that both cell types possess a Na+/H+ exchange of importance for pHi but that this mechanism is regulated differently in the U-937 and K-562 cells.     

Abnormal intracellular ca(2+)homeostasis and disease

A whole range of cell functions are regulated by the free cytosolic Ca(2+)concentration. Activator Ca(2+)from the extracellular space enters the cell through various types of Ca(2+)channels and sometimes the Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchanger, and is actively extruded from the cell by Ca(2+)pumps and Na(+)/Ca(2+)-exchangers. Activator Ca(2+)can also be released from internal Ca(2+)stores through inositol trisphosphate or ryanodine receptors and is taken up into these organelles by means of Ca(2+)pumps. The resulting Ca(2+)signal is highly organized in space, frequency and amplitude because the localization and the integrated free cytosolic Ca(2+)concentration over time contain specific information. Mutations or functional abnormalities in the various Ca(2+)transporters, which in vitro seem to induce trivial functional alterations, therefore, often lead to a plethora of diseases. Skeletal-muscle pathology can be caused by mutations in ryanodine receptors (malignant hyperthermia, porcine stress syndrome, central-core disease), dihydropyridine receptors (familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis, malignant hyperthermia, muscular dysgenesis) or Ca(2+)pumps (Brody disease). Ca(2+)-pump mutations in cutaneous epidermal keratinocytes and cochlear hair cells lead to, skin diseases (Darier and Hailey-Hailey) and hearing/vestibular problems respectively. Mutated Ca(2+)channels in the photoreceptor plasma membrane cause vision problems. Hemiplegic migraine, spinocerebellar ataxia type-6, one form of episodic ataxia and some forms of epilepsy can be due to mutations in plasma-membrane Ca(2+)channels, while antibodies against these channels play a pathogenic role in all patients with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and may be of significance in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain inositol trisphosphate receptors have been hypothesized to contribute to the pathology in opisthotonos mice, manic-depressive illness and perhaps Alzheimer's disease. Various abnormalities in Ca(2+)-handling proteins have been described in heart during aging, hypertrophy, heart failure and during treatment with immunosuppressive drugs and in diabetes mellitus. In some instances, disease-causing mutations or abnormalities provide us with new insights into the cell biology of the various Ca(2+)transporters.     

Characterization and isolation of a C-reactive protein receptor from the human monocytic cell line U-937

Human C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase reactant that is opsonic and an activator of macrophage tumoricidal function. CRP also activates the classical C cascade. These activities suggest that CRP might interact with monocytes/macrophages via specific receptors in a manner analogous to the interaction of IgG with FcR. With the use of radio-labeled human CRP, we have observed specific binding of CRP to human blood monocytes and the human monocytic cell line U-937. Binding was saturable at a pathophysiologic concentration of CRP, with an estimated KD of 9.5 x 10(-8) M and 3.6 x 10(5) binding sites/cell. Specific binding was inhibited by polyclonal human IgG as well as an IgG1 myeloma. In the converse experiment, CRP failed to inhibit specific [125I]IgG binding. The mAb IV.3, which inhibits binding of IgG immune complexes to FcRII, did not inhibit CRP binding. A 100-fold excess of phosphorylcholine or the phosphorylcholine binding peptide of CRP (residues 47-63) failed to inhibit binding. Although human rIFN-gamma and PMA increased FcRI expression, these reagents had no affect on CRP receptor expression. A single membrane protein of 38 to 41 kDa from U-937 cells was chemically cross-linked to [125I]CRP; the cross-linking was inhibited by human IgG1 but not the IV.3 mAb. Furthermore, two membrane proteins with a Mr of 38 to 40 kDa and 58 to 60 kDa were isolated by CRP ligand-affinity chromatography. These proteins were of a distinct size from those isolated for FcRI from an IgG ligand matrix. These studies demonstrate specific binding of human CRP to a human monocytic cell line via receptors that are distinct from the IgG FcR and implicate CRP in nonspecific, preimmune host defense reaction mediated by cells of the monocytic lineage.     

The role of calcium in oligogalacturonide-activated signalling in soybean cells

Alpha-1,4-Linked oligogalacturonides (OGs) are pectic fragments of the plant cell wall that are perceived by the plant cell as signalling molecules. Using cytosolic aequorin-expressing soybean (Glycine max L.) cells, we have analysed cytosolic Ca(2+) changes and the oxidative burst induced by OGs with different degrees of polymerization. Our results provide evidence that different OGs are sensed through transient elevations of cytosolic Ca(2+) that show different kinetics. Specificity of the Ca(2+) signature relies also on the precise structural characteristics of the OG molecules, such as the methylesterification of galacturonic acid residues and the steric conformation. Inhibition of the OG-induced Ca(2+) transient also blocks the oxidative burst, indicating that the cytosolic Ca(2+) increase is one of the earliest steps in OG-activated signalling. However, a phosphorylation event seems to precede the Ca(2+) rise, because the Ca(2+) transient could be abolished by the protein kinase inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB). A pharmacological approach with different antagonists that interfere with the induction of the cytosolic Ca(2+) rise indicates that both extracellular Ca(2+) influx and intracellular Ca(2+) release participate in transducing the OG signal. Treatment of cells with OGs establishes a refractory state, which impairs the ability of the cell to respond to a second stimulus with the same elicitor for up to 16 h. This desensitization period could be prolonged with the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, and eliminated with the protein kinase inhibitor Ro 31-8220, suggesting that phosphorylation events may be involved in the establishment of the cell refractory state.     

Extracellular NAD+: a novel autocrine/paracrine signal in osteoblast physiology

Intercellular communication allows co-ordination of cell metabolism and sensitivity to extracellular stimuli. In bone cells, paracrine stimulation and cell-to-cell coupling through gap junctions induce the formation of complex intercellular networks, which favours the intercellular exchange of nutrients and second messengers, ultimately controlling the process of bone remodelling. The importance of local factors in bone remodelling is known since many years. Bone cells secrete and respond to a variety signals, among which include prostaglandins, cytokines, growth factors, and ATP. We here report evidence that extracellular NAD(+) is a novel extracellular signal stimulating osteoblast differentiation. We found that HOBIT human osteoblastic cells, which are known to express ADP-ribosyl cyclase/CD38 activity, respond to micromolar concentrations of extracellular NAD(+) with oscillatory increases of the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration. The initial Ca(2+) response was followed by a time-dependent inhibition of cell growth, the appearance of an epithelial morphology, and by an increase of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin expression. Under resting condition HOBIT cells release NAD(+) in the extracellular medium and the release is significantly potentiated by mechanical stimulation. Taken together these results point to NAD(+) as a novel autocrine/paracrine factor involved in stimulation and maintenance of the osteoblast differentiated phenotype.     

Carboxypeptidase cathepsin X mediates beta2-integrin-dependent adhesion of differentiated U-937 cells

Cathepsin X is a lysosomal carboxypeptidase with a potential role in processes of inflammation and immune response. The integrin-binding motifs RGD and ECD, present in the pro- and in mature forms of cathepsin X, respectively, suggest that this enzyme might have a function in cell signaling and adhesion. In this study, we report that cysteine protease inhibitors E-64 and CA-074 and 2F12 monoclonal antibody, all of which inhibit cathepsin X activity, significantly reduced adhesion of differentiated U-937 cells to polystyrene- and fibrinogen-coated surfaces via Mac-1 integrin receptor, whereas their binding to vitronectin, fibronectin or Matrigel was not affected. On the other hand, cathepsin X, added to differentiating U-937 cells, stimulated their adhesion. Using confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that the pro-form of cathepsin X was co-localized with beta(2) and beta(3) integrin subunits and its mature form solely with the beta(2) integrin subunit with the most intense signal in cell-cell junctions in differentiated U-937 cells and in co-cultures with endothelial cells. Our results indicate that active cathepsin X mediates the function of beta(2) integrin receptors during cell adhesion and that it could also be involved in other processes associated with beta(2) integrin receptors such as phagocytosis and T cell activation.     

Increased cytosol Ca(2+) and type 1 programmed cell death in Bcl-2-positive U937 but not in Bcl-2-negative PC-3 and Panc-1 cells induced by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK 886

MK 886, an arachidonic acid-related analog which inhibits the enzyme, 5-lipoxygenase by an indirect mechanism involving the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein, rapidly increased U937 cytosol Ca(2+), much of which localized around the cell nuclei. Five-lipoxygenase activity was not directly involved since the direct redox-dependent 5-LPOx inhibitor, SC-41661A did not increase Ca(2+). U937 cells subsequently undergo classic type 1 programmed cell death. At least initially the ionized calcium originates from internal stores. Coincident with the rise in U937 ionized calcium, MK 886 rapidly increased reactive oxygen species and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, as judged by several fluorescent probes. The Ca(2+) response of myeloid leukemia-derived HL-60 cells to MK 886 was similar and both cell lines express Bcl-2 protein. Bcl-2-negative Panc-1 and PC-3 cells did not respond to MK 886 with a Ca(2+) signal but did develop oxidative stress and a decline in mitochondrial membrane potential; these events are thought to contribute to the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of a type 2 PCD. In addition to its marked inhibition of Bcl-2 mRNA synthesis, an interesting hypothesis is that MK 886, serving as a low molecular weight ligand, either by direct or indirect inhibition of U937 Bcl-2 protein function, possibly related to an ion channel activity, alters the distribution of intracellular, possibly nuclear Ca(2+), thereby promoting the development of type 1 programmed cell death.