Heterogeneity among T cells in intracellular free calcium responses after mitogen stimulation with PHA or anti-CD3. Simultaneous use of indo-1 and immunofluorescence with flow cytometry

Measurement of intracellular ionized calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) has been indispensable in elucidating the central role of [Ca2+]i as a trigger of cellular responses to activating stimuli. Such studies have employed the dye quin2, which has not been readily adapted to analysis of individual small cells. We show here that the calcium response of large numbers of single cells can be analyzed with the use of flow cytometry and the recently described dye, indo-1. Such analyses demonstrate for the first time the heterogeneous nature of the [Ca2+]i response to mitogenic stimuli within populations of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). By simultaneous quantitation of one- or two-color surface immunofluorescence labels, some of this heterogeneity of [Ca2+]i response in PBL is shown to be related to cellular immunophenotype. Almost all T cells responded to anti-CD3 antibody; however, the response is greater among CD4+ than CD8+ cells, and within the CD4+ population the rate of response to stimulation by antibody to CD3 differed between subpopulations defined by expression of the common leukocyte marker p220. In contrast, not all T cells responded to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), even at very high doses. As with anti-CD3, after stimulation with PHA, CD4+ cells showed a larger proportion of responding cells than did CD8+ cells. In separate experiments, indo-1 was found not to impair reproductive viability of PBL, thereby providing the potential for analysis of functional activity after the separation of cells by sorting on the basis of the [Ca2+]i response to stimuli. Mixing experiments indicated that a response of a subpopulation representing as little as 0.3% of total cells could be readily detected. Thus, the flow cytometric assay with indo-1 is the first technique that allows the quantitative analysis of response differences of small subpopulations of cells and intercellular variation in [Ca2+]i.     

Calcium channels in PDGF-stimulated A172 cells open after intracellular calcium release and are not voltage-dependent.

Using laser image cytometry and Indo-1 fluorescence, we investigated the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of confluent A172 human glioblastoma cells stimulated by the BB homodimer of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB). The shape of the calcium transients and the delay time between stimulation and the beginning of the transient varied considerably. The percentage of responsive cells, the peak [Ca2+]i and the duration of the response were directly related to PDGF-BB dose, while the delay time was inversely related; the maximal response occurred at a PDGF-BB concentration of 20 ng/ml. Studies with EGTA and inorganic calcium-channel blockers (Ni2+, La3+) showed that the increase of [Ca2+]i resulted from initial release of intracellular stores and subsequent calcium influx across the plasma membrane. Opening of calcium channels in the plasma membrane, monitored directly by studying Mn2+ quenching of Indo-1 fluorescence, was stimulated by PDGF-BB and blocked by La3+; the opening occurred 55 +/- 10 s after the initial increase in [Ca2+]i. Therefore, in these tumor cells, intracellular release always occurs before channel opening in the plasma membrane. Depolarization of cells with high extracellular [K+] did not generally induce calcium transients but did decrease calcium influx. L-type calcium-channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem) had little or no effect on the calcium influx induced by PDGF-BB. These results indicate that PDGF-BB induces calcium influx by a mechanism independent of voltage-sensitive calcium channels in A172 human glioblastoma cells.     

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in cultured renal proximal tubular cells: evidence for compartmentalization of quin-2 and fura-2

This study was designed to examine the role of changes in cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) during the response to alpha 1-adrenergic agonists in cultured renal proximal tubular cells. Experiments were carried out on primary cultures of canine proximal tubular cells grown in defined culture medium on a solid support, on collagen-coated polycarbonate membranes, or on collagen-coated glass coverslips. Quin-2 and fura-2 were used to monitor [Ca2+]i. The basal level of [Ca2+]i was 101 nM, as measured with quin-2, and 122 nM, as determined using fura-2. Fluorescence flow cytometry revealed that about 85% of the population of proximal tubular cells responded to phenylephrine with an increase in [Ca2+]i. Phenylephrine (10(-5) M) caused an immediate actual increase in [Ca2+]i by 18 and 24%, as determined with quin-2 and fura-2, respectively, with the peak increase in [Ca2+]i averaging 22% and 44% over the basal level (180-300 sec). This effect did not require extracellular calcium. The effect of phenylephrine was abolished by prazosin and verapamil. Fluorescence microscopy of quin-2 or fura-2 loaded cells revealed punctate areas of fluorescence within the cytoplasm suggesting vesicular uptake of the dyes. Pinocytotic entrapment of the dyes was demonstrated by the transfer of cell-impermeant fura-2 across tubular cell monolayers mounted in Ussing chambers. The transfer of the dye was similar to that of a marker of fluid-phase pinocytosis, Lucifer Yellow (LY). This pinocytotic entrapment of Ca2+-indicators would lead to underestimation of the actual calcium transients. Microfluorometric study of single proximal tubular cells "scrape-loaded" with fura-2 revealed a four-fold increase in [Ca2+]i concentration following stimulation with phenylephrine.     

Quantitation of lymphocyte intracellular free calcium signals using indo-1

The calcium-responsive fluorescent dye indo-1 has been used in lymphocyte suspensions to measure changes in internal free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, in response to crosslinking of cell surface immunoglobulin. The quantitation of [Ca2+]i requires that indo-am ester used to load the cells be completely hydrolyzed to the indo-1 form inside the cells. This is shown to be greatly facilitated in the lymphocyte by the detergent Pluronic F-127. The quantitation of [Ca2+]i transients also requires an estimate of the fraction of the cells which contribute to the observed changes. The use of excessive amounts of intracellular dye can buffer [Ca2+]i transients and this effect has been used to estimate the size of the pool of calcium which is available for release when the B cell is stimulated by anti-immunoglobulin.     

The B lymphocyte calcium response to anti-Ig is diminished by membrane immunoglobulin cross-linkage to the Fc gamma receptor

We report the cytosolic free calcium, [Ca2+]i, responses of single murine B lymphocytes to whole and F(ab')2 fragments of anti-Ig measured in the flow cytometer with indo-1, a new fluorescent chelator of calcium. The principle advantages of this recording system are these: Indo-1 is highly fluorescent; hence, loading concentrations that introduce artifacts in the reported [Ca2+]i signal may be avoided. The measurement of [Ca2+]i by fluorescence ratio corrects for nonuniform dye uptake, making possible quantitative estimates of [Ca2+]i in single cells and an assessment of the variability of population responses. Baseline recordings of unstimulated lymphocytes indicated a narrow, stable range of [Ca2+]i (75 to 125 nM). The [Ca2+]i rise induced by various anti-Ig preparations exhibited considerable heterogeneity. The initial mean value for F(ab')2 anti-Ig-stimulated cells peaked above 1 microM and was due only to the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. A steady state elevation of [Ca2+]i was reached by 5 min and persisted for hours. Cells stimulated with intact anti-Ig reached similar initial peak [Ca2+]i values, but then declined toward baseline. This difference was due to membrane Ig-IgG Fc receptor (mIg-Fc gamma R) cross-linkage, because blocking the Fc gamma R with a monoclonal antibody made the [Ca2+]i responses to F(ab')2 and intact anti-Ig identical. The attenuation of the [Ca2+]i signal by mIg-Fc gamma R cross-linkage is proceeded by a corresponding Fc gamma-mediated reduction in anti-Ig-induced inositol trisphosphate elevation. These findings outline a biochemical basis for mIg- and Fc gamma R-mediated activation and regulation intrinsic to the B cell, and demonstrate the advantages of indo-1 over quin2 for fluorescent measurement of [Ca2+]i in small cells.     

Single-cell analysis of the mitogen-induced calcium responses of normal and protein kinase C-depleted Swiss 3T3 cells.

Single-cell fluorescence image analysis has been used to characterize the mitogen-induced increases in intracellular free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in control and protein kinase C-depleted Swiss 3T3 cells. More than 80% of the control cells exhibited fast, transient responses to bombesin, vasopressin, or prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). In contrast, the [Ca2+]i responses induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were markedly more heterogeneous, slower, and often biphasic, with fewer cells (60-70%) responding. The peak [Ca2+]i values obtained in response to each mitogen showed substantial variation between cells. Brief pretreatment of the cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) reduced the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, but did not affect the responses to PDGF. Long-term pretreatment of the cells with TPA to down-modulate protein kinase C resulted in substantially prolonged [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, vasopressin, and PGF2 alpha, but had no such effect on the responses to PDGF. We conclude that differences between the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin and PDGF, previously reported using cell populations, reflect differences occurring in individual cells, and that the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, vasopressin, and PGF2 alpha (but not PDGF) are subject to feedback inhibition via protein kinase C.     

Spontaneous and agonist-induced calcium oscillations in pituitary gonadotrophs

Basal and receptor-regulated changes in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were monitored by fluorescence analysis in individual rat pituitary gonadotrophs loaded with the calcium-sensitive dye indo-1. Most gonadotrophs exhibited low amplitude spontaneous oscillations in basal [Ca2+]i that were interspersed by quiescent periods and abolished by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or addition of calcium channel blockers. Such random fluctuations in [Ca2+]i, which reflect the operation of a plasma membrane oscillator, were not coupled to basal gonadotropin secretion. The physiological agonist GnRH induced high amplitude [Ca2+]i oscillations; when a threshold [Ca2+]i level was reached, a cytoplasmic oscillator began to generate extremely regular Ca2+ transients. The time required to reach the threshold [Ca2+]i level was inversely correlated with agonist dose; the frequency, but not the amplitude, of agonist-induced Ca2+ spiking increased with agonist concentration. The duration of the latent period decreased and the frequency of Ca2+ spiking increased with the increase in ambient temperature. At high GnRH concentrations, the calcium transients merged into biphasic responses similar to those observed in cell suspensions at all GnRH concentrations. The presence of spontaneous fluctuations in basal [Ca2+]i did not significantly change the patterns of agonist-induced [Ca2+]i responses. Also, removal of extracellular Ca2+ did not interfere with the frequency or amplitude of Ca2+ spikes, but caused the loss of the plateau phase. Blockade of intracellular Ca(2+)-ATPase pumps by thapsigargin was usually accompanied by a subthreshold increase in [Ca2+]i. In such cells the agonist-induced oscillatory pattern was transformed into the biphasic response. In about 10% of the cells, however, high thapsigargin concentrations induced coarse [Ca2+]i oscillations; subsequent stimulation of such cells with GnRH was ineffective. The cytoplasmic oscillatory and biphasic responses may represent a mechanism for differential activation of Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes and their dependent cellular processes, including hormone secretion. The membrane oscillator is probably responsible for refilling of agonist-sensitive pools during and after agonist stimulation.     

Simultaneous measurement of cytosolic free calcium concentration and cell circumference during contraction, both in a single rat cardiomuscular cell, by digital imaging microscopy with indo-1

We have developed a novel system using digital imaging microscopy with indo-1 to measure the cytosolic free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i). The method is particularly suitable for measuring the rapid change in [Ca2+]i in relation to the cell motion. With this system, we made the first successful simultaneous measurement of [Ca2+]i and cell circumference during contraction in an electrically stimulated single rat ventricular myocyte. It was found that the level of [Ca2+]i was elevated during contraction, and that the onset and peak time of the calcium transient preceded that of the decrease in circumference.     

Na(+)-ionophore, monensin-induced rise in cytoplasmic free calcium depends on the presence of extracellular calcium in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells

Calcium is an important regulator of cell function, and may be influenced by the intracellular sodium content. In the present study, the Na(+)-ionophore, monensin, was used to investigate the interrelationship between changes in intracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]i) and elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels were measured using the fluorescent dye, indo-1. Monensin induced a dose-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i in FRTL-5 cells. Inhibitors of intracellular Ca2+ release, TMB-8 and ryanodine, were unable to prevent the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i. The alpha 1-receptor antagonist, prazosin, did not block the monensin-stimulated increase in [Ca2+]i. In the absence of extracellular calcium there was a marked diminution in the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i, yet calcium channel antagonists (nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil) did not inhibit the response. Replacement of Na+ by choline chloride in the medium depressed the monensin-evoked rise in [Ca2+]i by up to 84%. Furthermore, addition of the Na(+)-channel agonist, veratridine, elicited an increase in [Ca2+]i, even though less dramatic than that caused by monensin. Ouabain increased the resting cytosolic Ca2+ concentration as well as the magnitude of the monensin effect on [Ca2+]i. The absence of any effect on the Na(+)-ionophore evoked increase in [Ca2+]i upon addition of tetrodotoxin (TTX) excluded a possible involvement of TTX-sensitive Na+ channels. These data show that the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by increasing [Na+]i is largely dependent on both external Na+ and Ca2+. Calcium entry appears not to involve voltage-dependent or alpha 1-receptor sensitive Ca2+ channels, but may result from activation of an Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system.     

Superoxide anion increases intracellular free calcium in human myometrial cells

We investigated the effects of superoxide anion on the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human cultured myometrial cells using a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, indo-1, and a digital imaging fluorescence microscopic system. Hypoxanthine (HX) plus xanthine oxidase induced a rise in [Ca2+]i in a manner dose-dependent on xanthine oxidase. The increase in [Ca2+]i in the absence of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]ex) was 10% of that in the presence of [Ca2+]ex. Nifedipine, which blocks voltage-sensitive calcium channels, also reduced the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by HX-xanthine oxidase. Superoxide dismutase or superoxide dismutase plus catalase, which metabolizes superoxide anion, inhibited the effect of HX-xanthine oxidase on [Ca2+]i. The desensitization of the effect of superoxide anion on [Ca2+]i was investigated by pulsatile administration of HX and xanthine oxidase. Desensitization was observed on pulsatile administration of HX-xanthine oxidase at 2-min intervals. These data suggest that superoxide production may participate in uterine contraction via [Ca2+]i increase.     

Oscillations of intracellular calcium induced by vasopressin in individual fura-2-loaded mesangial cells. Frequency dependence on basal calcium concentration, agonist concentration, and temperature

Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in fura-2-loaded single rat mesangial cells by dual wavelength spectrofluorometry. Stimulation with arginine vasopressin (AVP) caused an initial sharp rise of [Ca2+]i followed by repetitive spikes. The frequency of the oscillations was dependent on the concentration of AVP. At 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, and 100.0 nM AVP, the frequencies of oscillations were 0.17 +/- 0.05 (n = 6), 0.32 +/- 0.05 (n = 6), 0.49 +/- 0.05 (n = 6), and 0.48 +/- 0.05 min-1 (n = 5), respectively. Reduction in extracellular [Ca2+] reduced the frequency of AVP-induced oscillations but did not abolish the oscillations. The frequency of calcium oscillations, upon stimulation with 1.0 nM AVP, was directly correlated with the basal [Ca2+]i prior to stimulation. Oscillation frequency increased with increasing temperature. An Arrhenius plot between 24 and 37 degrees C indicated a strong temperature dependency of the oscillations with a Q10 of 3.0. Protein kinase C stimulation by active phorbol esters inhibited AVP-induced calcium oscillations but not the initial [Ca2+] response to AVP. These observations are consistent with a model incorporating a feedback loop linking [Ca2+]i to the mechanism of [Ca2+]i increase. Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release may be involved, whereby inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (inositol 1,4,5-P3) formation releases Ca2+ from an inositol 1,4,5-P3-sensitive pool, with subsequent Ca2+ uptake and release from an inositol 1,4,5-P3-insensitive pool.     

Purification of gonadotropes and intracellular free calcium oscillation. Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and interleukin 6

The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single gonadotropes was measured with a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye indo-1 or fura-2 and a digital imaging fluorescence microscopic system to determine how interleukin-6 (IL-6) increases release of gonadotropins. IL-6 induced an increase in the basal [Ca2+]i or the amplitude of spontaneous oscillation of [Ca2+]i in gonadotropes in a mixed population. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) induced a biphasic increase in [Ca2+]i, a transient increase, and then a prolonged increase. These effects were inhibited by the absence of extracellular calcium or pretreatment with calcium channel blockers, cobalt or nifedipine. Next, purified gonadotropes were prepared by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and argon laser treatment of the cells. Gonadotropes labeled with anti-luteinizing hormone antibody were sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and then cultured as monolayers for 24-48 h. In this way, gonadotropes were concentrated from 5-10% to 70-85% from whole pituitary cells. After relabeling with anti-luteinizing hormone antibody, 100% purified gonadotropes were obtained by killing other types of cells with an argon laser. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone induced almost the same responses of [Ca2+]i in the purified cell population as in the mixed cell population, but IL-6 did not affect [Ca2+]i in the purified gonadotropes. These results suggest that IL-6 affects calcium mobilization in gonadotropes indirectly via paracrine pathways.     

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates non-mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and inhibits mitogen-induced Ca2+ signaling in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

Changes in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]i) were used to study the interaction between mitogens in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) produced an increase in [Ca2+]i and markedly decreased the increases in [Ca2+]i caused by subsequent addition of bradykinin and vasopressin. If the order of the additions was reversed the [Ca2+]i response to PDGF was not inhibited by bradykinin or vasopressin. Inhibition of protein kinase C by staurosporine or chronic treatment of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate prevented the inhibitory effect of PDGF on the [Ca2+]i response to vasopressin but not bradykinin. PDGF did not decrease the receptor binding of bradykinin and produced only a small decrease in the receptor binding of vasopressin. PDGF decreased the rise in [Ca2+]i caused by the Ca2+ ionophores 4-bromo-A23187 and ionomycin and by a membrane perturbing ether lipid, 1-octadecyl-2-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine, both in the presence and absence of external Ca2+. There was no change in cell 45Ca2+ influx caused by PDGF, vasopressin, or bradykinin. 45Ca2+ efflux from cells exposed to PDGF and vasopressin mirrored the changes in [Ca2+]i caused by the agents, that is, PDGF added after vasopressin produced a further increase in 45Ca2+ efflux but vasopressin did not increase 45Ca2+ efflux after PDGF. PDGF but not vasopressin caused an increase in the uptake of 45Ca2+ into an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-insensitive non-mitochondrial store in permeabilized cells. The results suggest that the decreased [Ca2+]i response to mitogens after PDGF represents an action of PDGF at a point beyond the release of intracellular Ca2+ and the influx of external Ca2+, caused by an increase in the rate of removal of cytoplasmic free Ca2+. This increased removal of cytoplasmic Ca2+ by PDGF is not due to the increased export of Ca2+ from the cell but results from increased Ca2+ uptake into non-mitochondrial stores.     

Calcium waves in mammalian heart: quantification of origin, magnitude, waveform, and velocity

A dual, digital, indo-1 fluorescence imaging system was used to obtain high-speed ratiometric images of [Ca2+]i waves in single voltage-clamped mammalian cardiac cells. The spatiotemporal origin of [Ca2+]i waves in depolarized cells was detected as the spontaneous appearance, over 100-300 ms, of domelike regions of elevated [Ca2+]i, approximately 20 microns in diameter and 300 nM at the center. Images of [Ca2+]i taken at 67-ms intervals during propagation of [Ca2+]i waves revealed that the [Ca2+]i wave front was 1) constant in shape, 2) spatially steep, typically rising from 500 to 1200 nM in about 10 microns, and 3) propagating at constant velocity, typically 100 microns/s at 22 degrees C. The observed spatial and temporal patterns of origin and propagation of [Ca2+]i waves are consistent with the hypothesis that [Ca2+]i waves arise from propagating Ca2(+)-induced release of Ca2+ mediated by diffusion of cytosolic Ca2+. The [Ca2+]i waves are smaller in peak magnitude and can occupy a larger fraction of the cell than thought previously on the basis of indirect observations.     

Thromboxane A2 receptor linked with the Ca2+ pathway in rat colonic crypt cells.

To clarify the presence of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor in the colonic epithelium, we examined the effect of 9,11-epithio-11, 12-methano-thromboxane A2 (STA2), a stable analogue of TXA2, on intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of indo-1-loaded single cells in isolated rat colonic crypts by laser confocal microscopy. STA2 increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner with a transient peak phase and a subsequent plateau phase. The EC50 values at peak and plateau phases were 1 and 32 nM, respectively. The STA2-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was completely blocked by two selective TXA2 receptor antagonists, KW-3635 and ONO-3708. These antagonists did not affect both the basal [Ca2+]i and the carbaco-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Prostaglandin E2 did not increase [Ca2+]i. These results indicate that the STA2-elicited increase in [Ca2+]i is mediated specifically by a TXA2 receptor in colonic crypt cells This is the first report showing the presence of a TXA2 receptor that is associated with Ca2+ mobilization in the colon.     

Subcellular mechanism of desensitization of the ATP-induced Ca2+ mobilization in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: role of intracellular Ca2+ stores

Confluent monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells subcultured on glass coverslips were loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2. Changes in fura-2 fluorescence were detected by means of a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Both ATP and ADP (0.3-100 microM) caused a concentration-dependent transient peak response of the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), followed by a lower sustained response. AMP and adenosine did not induce detectable changes in [Ca2+]i. The sustained response to ATP was abolished by superfusion with the Ca2(+)-free solution (with 1 mM EGTA), while the transient peak response was uninfluenced. The transient peak response to ATP (30 microM) was inhibited by pre-exposure to ATP in a graded manner depending on the concentration of ATP. The response to ATP recovered after washout for 20 min with the solution containing Ca2+, but not with the Ca2(+)-free solution. The transient peak response to ATP was markedly reduced by preceding exposure to histamine, while the response to histamine was not influenced by pre-exposure to ATP. These findings indicate that depletion and refilling of the ATP-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store may be responsible for the desensitization and recovery of the ATP-induced [Ca2+]i response. The pharmacological characteristics of the ATP-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store seem different from those of the histamine-sensitive store.     

Flow cytometric analysis of murine splenic B lymphocyte cytosolic free calcium response to anti-IgM and anti-IgD

The accurate measurement of ionized intracellular calcium [Ca++]i in single cells by flow cytometry with the use of a new fluorescent calcium chelator, indo-1, is described. We have developed a dependable in situ calibration technique that indicates a resting [Ca++]i in lymphocytes of 100 nM. The enhanced fluorescence of this probe permits its use at sufficiently low cytoplasmic concentrations that buffering of [Ca++]i transients does not occur. The [Ca++]i response of small resting B lymphocytes to crosslinking of surface antigen receptors by anti-immunoglobulin is heterogeneous. With maximal stimulus, the peak [Ca++]i response occurs in 10 to 20 seconds with most cells reaching levels greater than/1 microM. Mean [Ca++]i falls to between 300 and 800 nM by 100 seconds where it remains for more than 10 min. Anti-delta is a more potent stimulus of increased [Ca++]i than anti-mu in terms of both [Ca++]i level and fraction of B cells responding. Whether this is due to the greater density of surface IgD than IgM, a difference in signal transduction efficiency, or both, is not yet known. Surface immunoglobulin receptors are present in great excess. Less than 3% of surface immunoglobulin is crosslinked at the peak of the [Ca++]i response.     

Elevation of cytosolic free calcium by platelet-activating factor in cultured rat mesangial cells

Rat glomerular mesangial cell monolayers loaded with the fluorescent probe fura-2 responded to exogenous platelet-activating factor (PAF) with a rapid increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). PAF-induced [CA2+]i transients consisted of a dose-dependent phasic peak response followed by a sustained tonic phase of increased [Ca2+]i. Chelation of extracellular calcium with EGTA suppressed the tonic phase of increased [Ca2+]i but did not affect the phasic peak response. This suggests two mechanisms for the elevation of [Ca2+]i: a transient mobilization from intracellular stores and an enhanced calcium influx across the plasma membrane, possibly mediated by receptor-operated channels. Lyso-PAF had no effect on basal [Ca2+]i and the PAF-receptor antagonist L652,731 selectively inhibited responses to PAF. PAF-stimulated mesangial cells displayed homologous desensitization to reexposure to PAF while still being responsive to other calcium-mobilizing agonists. Preincubation of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol myristate acetate diminished the PAF-induced [Ca2+]i transient, suggesting a regulatory role for PKC in PAF-activation of mesangial cells. An increase in [Ca2+]i, as a result of receptor-linked activation of phospholipase C, may mediate PAF-induced hemodynamic and inflammatory events in renal glomeruli.     

Interactions between N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine and fluorescent calcium probes: implications for mechanistic toxicology

Intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) homeostasis has been implicated as an early target in both cellular necrosis and apoptosis. In this study, we have used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as target cells to investigate the effects of several reactive metabolites associated with drug toxicity on [Ca2+]i in order to delineate further early events in cytotoxicity. Compounds implicated in both drug-induced necrosis (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine; NAPQI) and drug hypersensitivity (sulfamethoxazole hydroxylamine; SMX-HA) were examined and their effects on [Ca2+]i compared with those of the T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA; 1.5 micrograms/ml) and the calcium ionophore ionomycin (2.5 microM). PHA and ionomycin produced characteristic elevations in [Ca2+]i as monitored by an increase in the fluorescence of fluo-3-loaded cells. SMX-HA did not significantly affect [Ca2+]i at concentrations previously shown to be cytotoxic to PBMC (100 and 500 microM), suggesting that Ca2+ homeostasis is not an early target for SMX-HA toxicity. Addition of NAPQI (250 microM) to fluo-3-loaded cells produced a marked decrease in fluorescence which was not reversed by ionomycin. Conversely, addition of NAPQI to cells loaded with indo-1 resulted in a rapid increase in fluorescence. This effect, however, was found to be attributable to NAPQI addition per se rather than to an increase in [Ca2+]i. HPLC and fluorescence analysis of samples generated from the decomposition of NAPQI revealed the presence of several products which fluoresced intensely at the excitation/emission wavelength pairs of a number of fluorescent probes commonly used to monitor [Ca2+]i.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Superoxide anion increases intracellular pH, intracellular free calcium, and arachidonate release in human amnion cells.

We determined the effects of superoxide anion, produced by addition of xanthine oxidase to hypoxanthine, on the intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and release of arachidonate in human cultured amnion cells. Superoxide anion induced a prompt increase of pHi and subsequent increase of [Ca2+]i. The evoked pHi was inhibited by pretreatment with anion channel blockers but not affected by omission of extracellular Na+ or addition of amiloride. The increase of [Ca2+]i was inhibited significantly by the absence of extracellular calcium or by the addition of a calcium channel blocker, cobalt. NH4Cl, which can generally increase pHi, also increased [Ca2+]i of amnion cells. But the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by the NH4Cl was significantly less than that induced by the amount of superoxide anion causing a similar increase in pHi. These results show that superoxide anion, crossed through anion channel in membrane, increased [Ca2+]i at least partially via increase of pHi and that the calcium mobilization was dependent on both extracellular and intracellular sources. Superoxide anion induced the release of arachidonate in a dose-dependent manner and this induction was inhibited by omission of extracellular calcium. These data suggest that the release of arachidonate was dependent on the increase of [Ca2+]i. We also determined the viability of cells in the presence of superoxide anion by flow cytometry. Superoxide anion at the levels used in these experiments did not change the percentage of viable cells. These findings suggested that superoxide anion may regulate biological functions in amnion cells via pHi, [Ca2+]i mobilization, and the release of arachidonate without damaging the cells.