Fatty acid uptake and catecholamine-stimulated phospholipid metabolism in immortalized airway epithelial cells established from primary cultures

The incorporation of 14C]oleic and 14C]linoleic acid into phospholipids and neutral lipids was compared in two recently immortalized airway epithelial cell lines. In addition, the effects of adrenergic stimulation on phospholipid turnover was examined. Both cell lines readily incorporated the fatty acids into all phospholipid and neutral lipid fractions. Isoproterenol (1 microM) induced Ca2+ transients in both cell lines, indicating a functional beta-adrenergic response. Epinephrine (10 microM; 15 min) stimulation of cells prelabeled with 14C]linoleic acid increased the percentage of label in phosphatidylcholine in one cell line. Lipid metabolism can now be extensively studied in human airway epithelia.