Neutrophil cathepsin G increases calcium flux and inositol polyphosphate production in cultured endothelial cells

Exposure of endothelial cells (ENDO) to human neutrophil cathepsin G (CG) increases albumin flux across the endothelial monolayer. Since calcium influences cell shape and barrier function of ENDO monolayers, the current study was designed to determine if CG acted through alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis in ENDO. The role of Ca2+ in the increased permeability of ENDO monolayers to albumin after exposure to CG was studied by using ENDO monolayers cultured on polycarbonate filters. Exposure of ENDO monolayers to CG in the presence of the Ca2+-antagonist lanthanum partially prevented the increase in albumin flux, but exposure in the presence of agents that block voltage-regulated calcium channels did not block the increase in albumin flux. To monitor the effect of CG on Ca2+-flux, ENDO were labeled with 45Ca2+ and changes in Ca2+ flux were monitored by the release of 45Ca2+. From 1 to 15 minutes after exposure of ENDO to CG, there was increased release of 45Ca2+ compared with control cells. Calcium channel blocking agents did not inhibit the increased release of 45Ca2+, but lanthanum partially blocked the increase. The increased release of Ca2+ appeared to be due, at least in part, to activation of phospholipase C because there was an increase both in inositol polyphosphate species and in diglycerides after incubation of ENDO with CG. These studies support the hypothesis that CG increases the flux of calcium in ENDO, that this increase in Ca2+ flux may result from activation of phospholipase C, and that this system may be involved in the decreased barrier properties of the ENDO after CG exposure.