Occurrence of platelet-activating factor in rabbit spermatozoa

Spermatozoa obtained from rabbit ejaculate were analyzed for the presence of platelet-activating factor [PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC)] by using standard HPLC and TLC procedures. Fractions corresponding to synthetic PAF (AGEPC) revealed PAF-like activity amounting to 0.35 +/- 0.06 pmol/10(8) cells (mean +/- SE) as determined by bioassays based on the release of [3H]serotonin from washed rabbit platelets. This activity was lost upon base-catalyzed methanolysis, but was restored to the original level after reacetylation. Analysis of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) fraction by GC-MS subsequent to base-catalyzed methanolysis showed that 1-O-alkyl-2-acylphosphocholine comprises about 12% of the PC fraction with alkyl chain lengths of 16:0 (88%) and 18:0 (12%).     

Molecular species of platelet-activating factor generated by human neutrophils challenged with ionophore A23187

Two species of platelet-activating factor (PAF), 1-hexadecyl- and 1-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C16 = 0 AGEPC and C18 = 0 AGEPC) were detected in ionophore A23187-stimulated human neutrophils. The amount of AGEPC in 1 x 10(7) neutrophil cells was 80 +/- 26 pmol (mean +/- standard error) with a range of 14 to 223 pmol (n = 8), and it consisted of 80% of the C16 = 0 species and 20% of the C18 = 0 species. Most of the AGEPC derived from ionophore-treated neutrophils remained cell associated rather than being secreted into the medium, even when the medium contained ample albumin protein, which can trap AGEPC. These results were obtained by a technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with selected ion monitoring.     

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor (alkylacetylphosphocholine) by type-II epithelial cells and fibroblasts from rat lungs

The uptake and metabolism of 3H-labeled platelet-activating factor by interstitial and epithelial cells from rat lungs was investigated. The uptake of 1-O-[3H]octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (3H-AGEPC) by alveolar type-II cells was linear with time from 5 to 60 min, with an average rate of 660 and 450 fmol/10(6) cells for cells in primary culture for 48 to 72 h, respectively. AGEPC was rapidly metabolized and by 10 min 60% of AGEPC was converted into long-chain acylphosphatidylcholine (PC) (50%) and 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lyso-GEPC) (10%). By 60 min radioactivity in AGEPC was less than 10% of the total intracellular activity. Lyso-GEPC remained at about 10% throughout the incubation period. The uptake of 3H-AGEPC by fibroblasts was very similar to type II cells, but the rate of metabolism was slower. AGEPC in fibroblasts constituted 85% of the cellular counts after 10 min of incubation, and 50% by 60 min. After 60 min only 30% of the AGEPC was converted to alkylacyl-PC. Characterization of the fatty acids in the alkylacyl-PC of both the type-II cells and lung fibroblasts indicated that arachidonic acid was preferentially (more than 90%) inserted at the 2-position.     

Metabolic conversion of platelet-activating factor into ethanolamine plasmalogen in an amnion-derived cell line.

Platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PAF) labeled with 3H in the alkyl side chain was taken up rapidly by amnion-derived WISH cells in culture. The radioactivity was found in a number of cellular metabolites, principally 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkyl-acyl-GPC) which was labeled at a rapid rate. No intracellular accumulation of lyso-PAF was detected. At longer time periods, a substantial proportion of the radioactivity was found in association with the phosphatidylethanolamine fraction extracted from the cells. This fraction contained a high proportion of the corresponding 1',2'-alkenyl derivative (plasmalogen), as judged by the formation of long-chain fatty aldehyde after exposure to acid. The magnitude of the conversion of PAF into ethanolamine plasmalogen is suggestive of a correlation between plasmalogen content and exposure to PAF in some tissues. The exact sequence of reactions leading from alkyl-acyl-GPC to the ethanolamine derivatives is yet to be established.     

Quantitation of platelet-activating factor by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection

Platelet-activating factors, 1-O-hexadecyl- and 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C16-AGEPC and C18AGEPC), were measured by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection. C16AGEPC, C18AGEPC, and 1-O-hexadecyl-2-propionyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, which was suitable for use as an internal standard, were hydrolyzed with phospholipase C, and then the resulting hydrolyzed products were derivatized with 7-methoxycoumarin-3-carbonyl chloride or 7-methoxy-coumarin-4-acetic acid to form 7-methoxycoumarin ester derivatives which permit a fluorometric detection. The lower limit of detection of the derivatives was about 100 pg at a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1. A commercial platelet-activating factor was demonstrated to contain C16AGEPC (70%) and C18AGEPC (12.8%) by the present method. The present method was also applicable to the measurement of acetyl-CoA:1-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyltransferase activity in a lysate of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.     

Alkyl chain homologs of platelet-activating factor and their effects on the mammalian heart

Platelet-activating factor (PAF; AGEPC) is a potent negative inotropic and coronary-vasoconstricting agent. Minor structural alterations in the PAF molecule are known to greatly affect its biological activity; thus, we have investigated the effects of selected synthetic saturated and unsaturated alkyl chain PAF homologs on the isolated guinea pig heart. The rank order of potency for the negative inotropic effect was C16:0- greater than C18:1- greater than beef-heart AGEPC greater than C15:0- greater than C18:0- greater than C14:0-AGEPC; the rank order for the coronary-vasoconstricting effect was C16:0- approximately C18:1- approximately beef-heart AGEPC greater than C15:0- greater than C18:0- approximately C14:0-AGEPC. With the exception of C16:0- and C18:1-AGEPC, the relative potencies for the cardiac and coronary effects of the alkyl chain AGEPC homologs did not correlate well with their relative potencies in stimulating rabbit platelets and human neutrophils. The differences in the rank order of potency for these AGEPC homologs suggest the presence of species and/or target cell PAF receptor heterogeneity.     

Metabolism of platelet activating factor (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol by human endothelial cells

The metabolism of platelet activating factor (1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol was studied in cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Human endothelial cells deacetylated 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to the corresponding lyso compound (1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycerol-3-phosphocholine) and a portion was converted to 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acyl(long-chain)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Lyso platelet activating factor (lyso-PAF) (1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) was detected in the media very early during the incubation and the amount remained higher than the level of the lyso product observed in the cells. Cellular levels of 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were significantly higher than the acylated product (1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acyl(long-chain)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) at all times during the 60-min incubation period, which suggests that the ratio of acetylhydrolase to acyltransferase activities is greater in endothelial cells than in most other cells. When endothelial cells were incubated with 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, a known precursor of PAF, 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-sn-glycerol was the major metabolite formed (greater than 95% of the 3H-labeled metabolites during 20- and 40-min incubations). At least a portion of the acetate was removed from 1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol by a hydrolytic factor released from the endothelial cells into the medium during the incubations. Only negligible amounts of the total cellular radioactivity (0.2%) was incorporated into platelet activating factor (1-[1,2-3H]alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine); therefore, it is unlikely that the previously observed hypotensive activity of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerols can be explained on the basis of the conversion to platelet activating factor (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by endothelial cells. Results of this investigation indicate that endothelial cells play an important role in PAF catabolism. Undoubtedly, the endothelium is important in the regulation of PAF levels in the vascular system.     

Characterization of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC)-induced protein phosphorylation in rabbit platelets: inhibitory effects of AGEPC analogs

1-O-Alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC) induced phosphorylation of two proteins having molecular masses of approximately 20- and 40-kDa in washed rabbit platelets in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Sequential stimulation with AGEPC did not induce additional protein phosphorylation, supporting the concept of desensitization of the AGEPC receptors responsible for biological activity. AGEPC analogs 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoric acid-6'-trimethylammonium hexyl ester and 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoric acid-10'-trimethylammonium decyl ester (U66985 and U66982), containing polar head groups with methylene chain lengths of C6 and C10, did not cause protein phosphorylation, but they did inhibit the AGEPC-induced events. Thus protein phosphorylation is closely associated with the receptor-mediated stimulation of platelets and is a useful indicator of the signaling process initiated through the receptors. Other synthetic analogs of AGEPC such as rac-3-(N-n-octadecylcarbamoyloxy)-2-methoxypropyl 2-thiazolioethyl phosphate and 1-(N-n-pentadecylcarbamoyloxy)-2-methoxy-rac-glycero-3-phosphochol ine (CV3988 and U68043) were also shown to be inhibitors of the AGEPC-induced protein phosphorylation. Inhibition by these analogs was specific for AGEPC since there was no observed effect of thrombin, ADP, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and arachidonic acid-induced changes. The extent of inhibition was dependent on the concentration of AGEPC and its analogs and did not change with time after the addition of AGEPC. In platelets incubated with AGEPC analogs before and simultaneously with the addition of AGEPC, protein phosphorylation was prevented; however, addition of AGEPC to platelets shortly before the addition of these analogs showed a high response. In experiments where platelets were previously incubated with AGEPC analogs and washed with buffer containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin, AGEPC-induced protein phosphorylation was recovered to a level of 80%. These observations support the conclusion that AGEPC stimulates platelets through its specific receptor, and that the AGEPC analogs bind to the AGEPC receptor and block that pathway sensitive to AGEPC stimulation but not because of the desensitization of its receptor. On the other hand, in platelets where phosphorylation of the 40-kDa protein was induced by a 2-min preincubation with 3 X 10(-10) M TPA, 5 X 10(-10) M AGEPC-induced serotonin release decreased by 51% compared to a control value.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Alkyl-ether phosphoglycerides influence calcium fluxes into human endothelial cells

Suspended or adherent human endothelial cells (HEC) treated with 5 to 100 nM 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC, platelet-activating factor) showed a marked concentration and temperature-dependent increase in calcium uptake. This effect was also elicited by some AGEPC analogs. At 10 nM, the relative potencies were AGEPC = 100; 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoric acid (AGEPA) = 52.9; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (AGEPE) = 20; 1-O-octadecyl-2-deoxy-2-acetamido-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (2-acetamido-analog)-inactive at 100 nM = 25; 1-octadecyl-2-methoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(2-methoxy analog)-inactive, and at 100 nM = 50. 1-O-octadecyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine(lyso-GEPC) (100 nM) was inactive. The increase in calcium uptake was accompanied by a rise in membrane-associated calcium. The ratio between nonmembrane-bound intracellular calcium and membrane-associated calcium was constant for all agonists. CV-3988, a specific AGEPC antagonist, inhibited the effect of AGEPC. Preexposure of adherent HEC to AGEPC inhibited calcium uptake upon subsequent stimulation, suggesting a deactivation of the putative receptor. AGEPC (5 to 100 nM), but not lyso-GEPC, also stimulated calcium-efflux from calcium-preloaded, adherent HEC. AGEPC and 2-acetamido-analog, at concentrations able to induce calcium influx, did not elicit the production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha.     

Production and effects of platelet-activating factor in the rat brain

The synthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) in rat brain was evaluated. Extracted PAF was characterized using standard HPLC and TLC techniques, and by correlation of its bioactivity with the acetylation state of the 2-position of the molecule. PAF was quantified by bioassay, its ability to cause [3H]serotonin release from washed rabbit platelets. The low basal level of PAF (0.25 +/- 0.15 pmol/g wet wt., mean +/- S.E.) in the brain of the intact rat was greatly increased by intraperitoneal injection of the chemoconvulsant drugs picrotoxin or bicuculline, to levels of 10.68 +/- 2.18 and 4.97 +/- 0.75 pmol/g wet wt., respectively. Electroconvulsion also increased brain PAF, to 1.76 +/- 0.30 pmol/g wet wt. Equivalent experiments using bicuculline in the isolated perfused rat brain yielded qualitatively similar results, indicating that the production of PAF in the brain is independent of systemic metabolism. When a 32P-labeled nerve-ending (synaptosome) preparation from rat brain was challenged with synthetic PAF (denoted AGEPC) at 0.1 nM concentration, responses were observed consistent with accelerated turnover of polyphosphoinositides. AGEPC also caused an increase in the Na+-Ca2+ exchange of synaptic membrane vesicles. Furthermore, AGEPC infused into the vasculature of the isolated perfused rat brain caused changes consistent with an increase in blood-brain barrier permeability, although AGEPC did not itself significantly penetrate the blood-brain barrier. It is concluded from these studies that PAF is synthesized within the rat brain in response to convulsant stimuli and that one of its effects is to accelerate synaptic polyphosphoinositide turnover. In addition, circulating PAF can influence blood-brain barrier permeability without itself penetrating the blood-brain barrier.     

Molecular heterogeneity of platelet-activating factor produced by stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The molecular heterogeneity of platelet-activating factor (PAF) produced by stimulated human neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was assessed by both normal and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As detected by rabbit platelet stimulation, at least 5 PAF molecules were separated by HPLC. Fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry revealed one of these PAFs was acetyl glyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (AGEPC) with a C_16:0 alkyl chain in the $\text{sn}$-1 position. Although the structures of the remaining PAFs are unknown, two of the peaks of PAF activity had the same retention times on reverse phase HPLC as the C₁₅- and C₁₈-saturated alkyl chain AGEPC homologues. These studies indicate that the human PMN produces multiple molecular species of PAF.     

Increased biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor in activated human eosinophils

1-Alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine:acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase catalyzes the conversion of biologically inactive lysophospholipid to bioactive platelet-activating factor (1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PAF) by an acetylation reaction. The activity of this enzyme in eosinophils isolated from patients with eosinophilia is stimulated (up to 4-fold) in a dose-, time-, and Ca2+/Mg2+-dependent manner after exposure to the eosinophil chemotactic factor of anaphylaxis (ECF-A), C5a, formyl-methionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP), or ionophore A23187. The three naturally occurring chemotactic factors (ECF-A, C5a, and fMLP) cause a rapid and transient increase of enzyme activity, with a maximum at 1 or 3 min, whereas ionophore A23187 maintains an elevated level for up to 15 min. The activity of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetylhydrolase, an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of PAF to lyso-PAF, is not affected by C5a, fMLP, or ionophore A23187. The presence of PAF in eosinophils was established by demonstrating the lipid nature of the compound, the RF value being identical with that of synthetic 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine on thin layer chromatograms, and by its ability to induce serotonin release from rabbit platelets. Furthermore, ECF-A, C5a, fMLP, and ionophore A23187 all induce the secretion of PAF from eosinophils. These findings suggest that the generation and release of PAF could be a consequence of eosinophil chemotactic activation and may thus function in inflammatory and allergic reactions in which eosinophils participate.     

Platelet-activating factor in normal rat uterus

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) was found in normal rat uterus and identified as 1-0-hexadecyl/octadecenyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. PAF was purified by several successive chromatographic procedures. It showed platelet aggregating activity, which was inhibited by CV 3988, and had no effect on platelets desensitized with 1-0-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The tert-butyldimethyl-silylderivative of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol, which was obtained by hydrolysis of uterine PAF with phospholipase C, was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. One rat uterus contained approximately 21.3 ng of 1-0-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. This is the first report of the occurrence of a significant amount of PAF in a normal animal tissue.     

Species-specific variations in the molecular heterogeneity of the platelet-activating factor

The molecular heterogeneity of platelet-activating factor (PAF) synthesized by unstimulated and Ca2+ ionophore (A23187)-stimulated PMN from rat, mouse, and guinea pig and by rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) cells was investigated by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Several molecular species of PAF ranging from C14:0 to C19:0 were detected in all of the cells studied. PAF produced by each cell type exhibited a unique pattern of molecular species distribution. Although C16:0 was the major PAF molecular species of rat PMN and RBL cells representing 96% and 85% of the total PAF, respectively, PAF from mice PMN contained 81% of C16:0, 10% of C18:1, and 6% of C18:0. Alternatively, A23187-stimulated guinea pig PMN yielded PAF molecular species 35% in C16:0, 35% in C17:0, 8% in C18:1, and 3% in C18:0. Small but significant differences in the PAF molecular species distribution of resting and ionophore stimulated cells were also observed. In contrast to the PAF molecular species composition, the precursor 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine of all the cell types was predominantly hexadecyl (C16:0) alkyl chain in the sn-1 position, representing 60 to 80% of the total 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Thus, these results not only indicate a high degree of selectivity for utilization of precursor substrates for PAF biosynthesis, but also demonstrate that the selectivity is species specific.     

Heterogeneity in the sn-1 carbon chain of platelet-activating factor glycerophospholipids determines pro- or anti-apoptotic signaling in primary neurons

The platelet-activating factor (PAF) family of glycerophospholipids accumulates in damaged brain tissue following injury. Little is known about the role of individual isoforms in regulating neuronal survival. Here, we compared the neurotoxic and neuroprotective activities of 1-O-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C(16)-PAF) and 1-O-octadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (C(18)-PAF) in cerebellar granule neurons. We find that both C(16)-PAF and C(18)-PAF cause PAF receptor-independent death but signal through different pathways. C(16)-PAF activates caspase-7, whereas C(18)-PAF triggers caspase-independent death in PAF receptor-deficient neurons. We further show that PAF receptor signaling is either pro- or anti-apoptotic, depending upon the identity of the sn-1 fatty acid of the PAF ligand. Activation of the PAF G-protein-coupled receptor (PAFR) by C(16)-PAF stimulation is anti-apoptotic and inhibits caspase-dependent death. Activation of PAFR by C(18)-PAF is pro-apoptotic. These results demonstrate the importance of the long-chain sn-1 fatty acid in regulating PAF-induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, caspase-independent neurodegeneration, and neuroprotection in the presence or absence of the PAF receptor.     

Some unique features of the metabolic conversion of platelet-activating factor (AGEPC) to alkyl acyl PC by washed rabbit platelets

Recently several synthetic analogs of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC; platelet-activating factor) were characterized as selective inhibitors of this agonist's effects on rabbit platelets (Tokumura, A., Homma, H., and Hanahan, D. J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 12710-12714). In this current investigation, these studies have been extended to include a further inquiry into the biochemical nature of the metabolic inactivation of AGEPC in rabbit platelets, and the effect of these analogs on this process. Two of the latter components (U66985 and CV3988), which blocked AGEPC biological activity on rabbit platelets, also blocked the metabolism of this agonist. The metabolic conversion of AGEPC to alkyl acyl PC was inhibited nearly sevenfold by the most potent analog, U66985. Those analogs with low (U68043) or no biological inhibitory activity (lysoGEPC) had marginal effects on the metabolism of AGEPC. The effects of these compounds on the metabolism of AGEPC was not simply due to competitive inhibition. In platelets which had been pretreated with AGEPC in absence of extracellular Ca2+ (desensitized) and washed, the metabolic conversion of AGEPC to alkyl acyl PC was actually enhanced. This enhanced metabolic inactivation of AGEPC was also observed upon the treatment of the cells with thrombin, collagen, or ionophore A23187, indicating that the metabolism of AGEPC in platelets was enhanced not only by AGEPC itself but by other agonists as well. Nearly 85% of the fatty acyl residues was arachidonate in the alkyl acyl PC derived from AGEPC. This specific acylation with arachidonate was observed in the presence and absence of the inhibitor and in desensitized cells, indicating that selectivity for arachidonate is not dependent on the enhancement of the metabolism of AGEPC. The alkyl acyl PC found in the cells treated with thrombin, collagen, or A23187 was also predominantly alkyl arachidonoyl PC. Thus it has been shown that the inactivation of AGEPC by its conversion to alkyl acyl PC by rabbit platelets is enhanced by this agonist itself and that excess amounts of AGEPC could be further inactivated by the enhanced capacity of the metabolism process.     

1-O-hexadec-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and its biological activity

1-O-Alk-1'-enyl analog of platelet-activating factor (PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, alkylacetyl-GPC) was prepared semi-synthetically from choline plasmalogens of beef heart muscle. The main compound was identified mass spectrometrically as 1-hexadec-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC, 16:O vinyl form of PAF) and its platelet aggregation activity was about one-fifth of that of the corresponding 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC. The irreversible platelet aggregation activity induced by 5X10(-10) M 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC was completely inhibited by 5X10(-7) M CV-3988 and 1X10(-7) M L-652, 731, specific PAF antagonists, and more than 99% of the activity was also lost by acid treatment. The hydrogenated product, alkylacetyl analog, showed quite same activity as that of authentic 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC. The platelets desensitized with 16:O alkylacetyl-GPC and with 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC were not aggregated with 5X10(-10) M 16:O alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC, suggesting that alk-1'-enylacetyl-GPC occupied the same receptor site of alkylacetyl-GPC.     

Development of a novel scintillation proximity radioimmunoassay for platelet-activating factor measurement: comparison with bioassay and GC/MS techniques

A novel, facile and sensitive scintillation proximity radioimmunoassay (SPRIA) for quantitation of PAF has been developed. No separation of antibody bound [3H]PAF from free [3H]PAF is required as the assay employs protein A - coated fluomicrospheres (beads containing scintillant). The assay system was suitable for the quantitation of 0.03 to 2 pmol of 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine. The cross-reactivity was high with 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine but was very low with PAF analogs such as 1-alkyl- and 1-acyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and 1-alk-1'-enyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The specificity of SPRIA was higher than that of bioassay (platelet degranulation assay). PAF receptor antagonists (L-652,731, WEB2086, and FR900452) at up to 10 nmol per tube had no affect on the SPRIA. These observations indicate that the specificity of the PAF antibody is quite different from that of the platelet receptor. The values obtained using SPRIA for the measurement of PAF produced in polymorphonuclear leukocytes with stimuli are comparable to those obtained by SIM/GC/MS analysis.     

A novel approach to structure proof of glyceryl ether-containing glycerophospholipids. Base-catalyzed methanolysis of platelet-activating factor (AGEPC) at 60 degrees C

A novel reaction was explored in which synthetic platelet-activating factor, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC), upon treatment with 1 N NaOH in methanol at 60 degrees C for 20 min, sequentially released the acetyl group, then the choline moiety with concomitant formation of the monomethyl ester of 1-O-alkyl-glycero-phosphoric acid. A mechanism is proposed in which a transient cyclic phosphate intermediate is formed and then attacked by a CH3O moiety to yield a mixture of the sn-2 and sn-3 methyl esters. Proof of structure of the monomethyl ester derivative was achieved through the use of thin-layer chromatography, aluminum oxide chromatography, and examination of the trimethylsilyl derivative of the monomethyl ester by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Replacement of the acyl group on the 2 position with an ethyl or methyl residue completely prevented any attack by 1 N NaOH in methanol at 60 degrees C. Sphingomyelin was not attacked and only acetate removal was noted with 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine under similar conditions. The significance of these findings as they relate to the influence of substituents on the chemical and biological reactivity of AGEPC is discussed.     

Regulation of platelet-activating factor receptor and platelet-activating factor receptor-mediated biological responses by cAMP in rat Kupffer cells

Treatment of cultured Kupffer cells with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10 microM) for a short period of time (30 min) attenuated the subsequent platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced arachidonic acid release and cyclooxygenase-derived eicosanoid (e.g. thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2) production. This effect of isoproterenol was highly specific since the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine and the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol had no effect on the stimulatory effect of 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (AGEPC). The inhibitory effect of isoproterenol on the AGEPC-induced arachidonic acid release was demonstrated through the use of a specific beta-adrenergic subtype agonist and antagonist to be mediated by beta 2-adrenergic receptors on Kupffer cells. These inhibitory effects of isoproterenol can be mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP but not by dibutyryl cGMP, suggesting that a cAMP-dependent mechanism is likely involved in the regulatory action of isoproterenol. Ligand binding studies indicated that short term (i.e. 30 min) treatment of the cultured Kupffer cells with either isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP had no effect on the specific [3H]PAF binding. However, long term incubation (9-24 h) with dibutyryl cAMP caused down-regulation of the PAF receptors in rat Kupffer cells. Forskolin (0.1 mM), an adenylyl cyclase activator, down-regulated the surface expression of the AGEPC receptors more rapidly, decreasing the specific [3H]AGEPC binding by approximately 40% within 2 h. The receptor regulatory effect of dibutyryl cAMP and forskolin was time- and concentration-dependent. These observations suggest that a cAMP-dependent mechanism coupled with beta 2-adrenergic receptors may have important regulatory effects on the PAF receptor and post-receptor signal transducing mechanisms for PAF in hepatic Kupffer cells.