Release Of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Research Articles

Leukocyte infiltration in allergic airway inflammation.

The pathologic manifestation of an allergic airway response is a culmination of several coordinated events involving the participation of multiple mechanisms and cell types. The early release of mast cell-derived arachidonic acid metabolites, production of early-response cytokines, and increased expression of adhesion molecules and production of chemokines all lead to the recruitment of multiple cell types with the ability to participate in the allergic airway response. The coordinated use of animal models related to clinical observations will allow further elucidation of the mechanisms involved in the initiation, maintenance, and regulation of allergic airway inflammation leading to airway damage.

Release of Arachidonic and Linoleic Acid Metabolites in Skin Organ Cultures as Characteristics of in Vitro Skin Irritancy

Release of Arachidonic and Linoleic Acid Metabolites in Skin Organ Cultures as Characteristics of in Vitro Skin Irritancy. van de Sandt, J. J. M., Maas, W, J. M., Doornink, P. C., and Rutten, A. A. J. J. L. (1995). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 25, 20-28. In vitro techniques make a major contribution to the development of alternatives to the in vivo "Draize" skin irritation test, and the development of sensitive and generally applicable in vitro endpoints of cutaneous toxicity is an area of intensive research. To investigate in vitro characteristics of cutaneous irritation, skin explants of rabbit and human origin were topically exposed to chemical irritants, after which the culture medium was analyzed for the presence of metabolites of both arachidonic and linoleic acid. In rabbits exposed to the potent irritant benzalkonium chloride, a direct relation was established between clinical signs of irritation and in vitro release of the proinflammatory mediator 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) by the exposed skin. Histological examination revealed varying degrees of epidermal damage. 12-HETE was also the predominant hydroxy fatty acid released in a dose-dependent way by rabbit skin cultures after in vitro exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), benzalkonium chloride (BC), and formaldehyde (FA). Human skin cultures released, in addition to 12-HETE, predominantly 15-HETE and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), ω-6 oxygenase products of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, respectively. The irritant-induced release of hydroxy fatty acids was strongly inhibited by the lipoxygenase inhibitor eicosatetraynoic acid, indicating enzyme-mediated generation of these bioactive lipids. Comparison of hydroxy fatty acid release to more established markers of cytotoxicity (leakage of the cellular enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) revealed that increased levels of 13-HODE, 9-HODE, 12-HETE, and ALT were specific markers of cutaneous irritancy in rabbit skin cultures, AST and LDH were more sensitive endpoints compared to ALT or hydroxy fatty acids, but failed to identify the difference in irritation capacity between SDS and BC reported in vivo. In human skin cultures, release of 12-HETE or 15-HETE occurred at irritant concentrations that did not result in enzyme leakage into the culture medium. In vitro effect levels of irritants were found comparable to the in vivo situation. We conclude that release of hydroxy fatty acids, in particular of 12-HETE, offers a mechanism-based characteristic of skin irritation which may be applicable to in vitro toxicity testing.

Release of arachidonic acid metabolites by human fetal membranes: Interrelationship between leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2

The objective of this study was to ascertain whether human fetal membranes metabolize arachidonic acid preferentially through the lipoxygenase rather than the cyclooxygenase pathway before labor and whether an interaction between lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products is present in these tissues. Reflected fetal membranes were obtained from 8 healthy women at term gestation who were delivered by elective repeat cesarean section before the onset of labor. Tissues were cultured either in the presence or in the absence of the calcium ionophore A23187 for 60 minutes. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured in culture medium by radioimmunoassays. Moreover, the effect of different concentrations of exogenously added LTB4 on PGE2 release was evaluated. The basal and stimulated output of LTB4 by tissues was significantly higher than that of PGE2. Addition of LTB4 significantly decreased PGE2 release by tissues. These findings suggest that in the above tissues: 1) the arachidonate lipoxygenase pathway is highly active before labor; 2) LTB4 might play a role in the regulation of PGE2 production.

Inhibition of phorbol ester-stimulated arachidonic acid release by alkylglycerols

Although synthetic analogs of alkylglycerol (AG), such as dodecylglycerol, possess potent biological activities, their mechanism of action has not been determined. We recently detected substantial amounts of AG in unstimulated MDCK cells (Warne, T.R. and Robinson, M. (1991) Anal. Biochem. 198, 302–307) raising the possibility mediator. In this study, we examined the effects of synthetic AG on the release of arachidonic acid and arachidonate metabolites (AA) from Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in response to 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in order to characterize its effects on this signalling pathway. Treatment of MDCK with AG potently inhibited the release of AA during subsequent stimulation with TPA. Dodecylglycerol, the most effective of a series of alkylgycerols tested, was active at concentrations as low as 3 μM. The sn-1 and sn-3 forms of AG were found to be equally potent inhibitors. The effects of AG on AA release were not the result of arachidonic acid redistribution among cellular lipids and were independent of the phospholipid source of the released AA. AG did not inhibit the release of AA from MDCK cells when bradykinin was used as a stimulus, indicating selectivity for the effects produced by phorbol esters. These results show that AG can function as a potent and specific inhibitor of TPA-mediated AA release. The ability of AG to regulate this signalling pathway in intact MDCK cells, together with its natural occurrence, suggests a potential bioregulatory role for the endogenous compound as an inhibitor of protein kinase C.

Effect of extracellular calcium on survival of human proximal tubular cells exposed to hypoxia.

Removal of extracellular calcium has been demonstrated to improve membrane integrity of rodent myocytes, astrocytes, and renal tubular cells injured by hypoxia. In this study, the effect of extracellular calcium on long-term survival of cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) subjected to hypoxia was evaluated. In addition, the effect of extracellular calcium on release of arachidonic acid metabolites (AAM) was assessed during and after hypoxia. To induce hypoxic injury, PTEC were incubated in an anaerobic chamber in glucose-free buffer (combined oxygen/glucose deprivation, COGD). Long-term survival was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) efflux during COGD and after an additional 24-h "recovery" period (in routine culture medium in 95% air/5% CO2). To determine if extracellular calcium influenced AAM release from membrane phospholipids, cells were preincubated with [3H]arachidonic acid and the release of AAM was measured during COGD and recovery. With this model system, PTEC exhibited minimal LDH efflux during < or = 12 h COGD, but LDH efflux increased to 73.9 +/- 4.7% by 24 h COGD. With 12-18 h of COGD, the extent of LDH efflux was greater during recovery than during COGD, indicating that, for human PTEC, the extent of membrane damage does not become fully evident by LDH efflux for hours after hypoxia. PTEC exposed to 24 h of COGD in the absence of extracellular calcium exhibited strikingly less LDH efflux during COGD than cells incubated in the presence of extracellular calcium, suggesting that extracellular calcium contributes to membrane damage during COGD. However, upon reexposure of PTEC to extracellular calcium, LDH efflux rapidly increased to control levels. Furthermore, despite allowing cells to recover in oxygen or oxygen and glucose before exposure to calcium-containing medium, a rapid increase in LDH efflux could not be avoided. These results suggest that COGD induces an irreversible injury that ultimately leads to loss of membrane integrity whether or not extracellular calcium is present; however, extracellular calcium accelerates the loss of membrane integrity caused by hypoxia. Extracellular calcium did not alter AAM release, indicating that the effect of extracellular calcium on membrane damage (as indicated by LDH efflux) was not mediated by an increased activity of phospholipases (such as phospholipase A2) that are involved in the release of AAM.

Release of Arachidonic and Linoleic Acid Metabolites in Skin Organ Cultures as Characteristics of in Vitro Skin Irritancy

In vitro techniques make a major contribution to the development of alternatives to the in vivo "Draize" skin irritation test, and the development of sensitive and generally applicable in vitro endpoints of cutaneous toxicity is an area of intensive research. To investigate in vitro characteristics of cutaneous irritation, skin explants of rabbit and human origin were topically exposed to chemical irritants, after which the culture medium was analyzed for the presence of metabolites of both arachidonic and linoleic acid. In rabbits exposed to the potent irritant benzalkonium chloride, a direct relation was established between clinical signs of irritation and in vitro release of the proinflammatory mediator 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) by the exposed skin. Histological examination revealed varying degrees of epidermal damage. 12-HETE was also the predominant hydroxy fatty acid released in a dose-dependent way by rabbit skin cultures after in vitro exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), benzalkonium chloride (BC), and formaldehyde (FA). Human skin cultures released, in addition to 12-HETE, predominantly 15-HETE and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HODE), omega-6 oxygenase products of arachidonic acid and linoleic acid, respectively. The irritant-induced release of hydroxy fatty acids was strongly inhibited by the lipoxygenase inhibitor eicosatetraynoic acid, indicating enzyme-mediated generation of these bioactive lipids. Comparison of hydroxy fatty acid release to more established markers of cytotoxicity (leakage of the cellular enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)) revealed that increased levels of 13-HODE, 9-HODE, 12-HETE, and ALT were specific markers of cutaneous irritancy in rabbit skin cultures.

Protein kinase C alpha mediates phospholipase D activation by nucleotides and phorbol ester in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Stimulation of phospholipase D is independent of activation of polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C and phospholipase A2.

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the activation of phospholipase D (PLD) in a number of systems. By antisense technology, we have "knocked out" alpha and beta isoforms of PKC to study the role of these isoforms in PLD activation in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. To this end, we have studied PLD activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), ATP, UTP, and 2-methylthio-ATP in cells labeled with [3H]palmitic acid. [3H]Phosphatidylethanol (PEt) production catalyzed by PLD in the presence of ethanol was time- and concentration-dependent in PMA- and nucleotide-stimulated cells. In Ca(2+)-free medium, [3H]PEt accumulation was diminished for all stimuli assayed. Treatment of cells with chelerythrine, an inhibitor of PKC, and phorbol ester down-regulation of PKC inhibited [3H]PEt production by both PMA and nucleotides. In cells transfected with antisense PKC alpha or both PKC alpha and PKC beta, PLD activation was inhibited by both PMA and nucleotides, whereas in cells transfected with antisense PKC beta, PLD activation was similar to that of control cells. Moreover, inhibition of polyphosphoinositide-specific PLC (by neomycin) or of release of arachidonic acid and arachidonic acid metabolites (by nordihydroguaiaretic acid or by indomethacin) failed to decrease [3H]PEt accumulation in PMA- and nucleotide-stimulated MDCK-D1 cells. From these data, we conclude that in MDCK-D1 cells PMA and nucleotide receptors utilize PKC alpha to regulate PLD activity and that PLD activation is independent of the activation of polyphosphoinositide-specific PLC and phospholipase A2-mediated release of arachidonic acid or arachidonic acid metabolites.

Mechanism of endothelin activation of phospholipase A2 in rat renal medullary interstitial cells.

Previous studies from this laboratory have demonstrated that endothelin-1 (ET) stimulates phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, activates dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+ channels, and promotes prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) accumulation in cultured rat renal medullary interstitial cells (RMIC). The mechanism whereby ET augments PGE2 production was explored in the current study. ET-evoked PGE2 accumulation proceeded independent of large increments in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), derived from either extracellular or intracellular sources. Chelation of intracellular Ca2+ with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid eliminated ET-evoked PGE2 production, indicating that eicosanoid production was nonetheless a Ca(2+)-requiring process. Nanomolar concentrations of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) alone did not stimulate PGE2 production, nor did PMA alter ET-stimulated PGE2 accumulation. Furthermore, downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by prolonged exposure of cells to PMA did not mitigate ET-mediated PGE2 production, demonstrating that PKC stimulation was not required for PGE2 production. ET stimulated PGE2 accumulation despite PI-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) inhibition by nanomolar concentrations of PMA, indicating that eicosanoid production was not a downstream event of PI hydrolysis. ET stimulated arachidonic acid metabolite release in parallel with a loss of label from membrane phospholipids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the preferred substrate for ET-mediated activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Immunocytochemical studies including immunostaining, immunoblotting, and immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) in RMIC. In summary, ET stimulation of PGE2 production in RMIC is mediated via agonist activation of cPLA2 independent of activation of PI-PLC, suggesting direct coupling to the ET receptor. Constitutive levels of [Ca2+]i rather than abrupt increments in [Ca2+]i are sufficient for activation of this receptor-effector system, with no obligatory requirement for PKC.

Characterization of the Inflammatory Response Induced by Corneal Infection withPseudomonas aeruginosa

In order to characterize the inflammatory response to corneal infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ocular cytokine and arachidonic acid metabolite levels were determined in the C57BL/6J strain of mice. The effects of topical anti-inflammatory drugs on the ability of the mice to clear viable P. aeruginosa from the eyes during the 12 day infection period was also examined. Ocular IL-1 alpha, IL-6, and TNF-alpha were detected over an 11 day time period. Little or no bacteria, as determined by quantitative plate counts, was detected after this time period. The kinetics of the cytokine production varied from one another, with an immediate release of peak levels of IL-1 alpha within 24 hours after infection which did not begin to approach baseline until 9 to 11 days after infection. Five to ten-fold lower concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were detected. IL-6 levels were induced at 24 hours after infection but there was essentially no distinct peak time-point. Peak levels of TNF-alpha were detected at 6 days post-infection. The kinetics of arachidonic acid metabolite release from infected eyes were also examined. Peak levels of PGE2 and TxB2 were observed at 6 days post-infection whereas peak LTB4 levels were determined at 3 days post-infection. Topical treatment of infected eyes with the two anti-inflammatory drugs, prednisolone or quercetin, resulted in higher ocular bacterial levels throughout the infection.

Increased sensitivity to TNF-mediated cytotoxicity of BL6 melanoma cells after H-2Kb gene transfection.

Transfection of the H-2Kb and neor genes into BL6-8 (H-2Kb-, H-2Db+) melanoma clone resulted in various phenotypic changes with appearance of soybean agglutinin (SBA) and Grifonia Simplicifolia 1-B4 (GS1B4) lectin binding carbohydrates and loss of melanoma-associated antigen (MAA). In parallel H-2Kb gene-transfected melanoma cells showed increased sensitivity to TNF lysis. To further delineate the ability of H-2Kb gene to induce the phenotypic changes and TNF sensitivity, BL6-8 melanoma clone was transfected with the H-2Kb gene alone without cotransfection with neor gene and transfected cells were selected for adherence to SBA lectin-conjugated agarose beads. Analysis of isolated clones revealed that 38 of 47 tested clones have been found to be expressing the H-2Kb Ag, SBA, and GS1B4 lectin binding carbohydrates but lost MAA, e.g., H-2Kb+, lectin+, MAA-, and in parallel these cells became sensitive to TNF lysis. Although all clones with high expression of H-2Kb Ag were sensitive to TNF lysis, it seems unlikely that H-2K molecules are directly required for or involved in TNF-induced melanoma cell lysis. This conclusion is based on findings that four H-2Kb-transfected clones selected on SBA-agarose beads did not expressed H-2Kb Ag but manifested increase in SBA and GS1B4 lectin binding and loss of MAA and also became sensitive to TNF lysis. It seems that increase in TNF sensitivity is a part of the broad phenotypic changes induced by the H-2K gene that remained stable even in the clones in which the transfected H-2Kb gene was lost or down-regulated. We believe that the effects of the H-2Kb gene on melanoma cell phenotype and TNF sensitivity are indirect and are probably mediated via its inhibition of the melanoma-associated ecotropic retrovirus production and activation of some repressed cellular genes. Study of the mechanisms responsible for TNF sensitivity of BL6 melanoma cells revealed that the H-2Kb gene transfection resulted in an increase in p55 TNF receptor expression. TNF-induced activation of phospholipase A2 and release of arachidonic acid metabolites was observed only in the H-2Kb transfected, but not in BL6-8 melanoma cells transfected with neor or class II H-21Ak genes. TNF resistance of BL6 melanoma cells appeared to be due to a block in transduction of the lytic signal that was reversed after transfection with H-2Kb gene.

Toluene diisocyanate-stimulated release of arachidonic acid metabolites in the organ bath from guinea-pig airways

This study was designed to evaluate whether metabolites of arachidonic acid play a role in the contractile response to toluene diisocyanate in isolated guinea pig airways. In control experiments we collected the supernatant from an organ bath over a time period of 2 h, after the addition to toluene diisocyanate (100 and 300 μM), and after the addition of toluene diisocyanate (300 μM) in the presence of indomethacin (5 μM). We measured prostaglandin E 2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F 1α, protaglandin F 2α, thromboxane B 2, leukotriene B 4, leukotriene C 4/D 4/E 4/F 4 by radioimmunoassays. Levels of protaglandin F 2α and 6-ketoprostaglandin F 1α increased significantly after addition of toluene diisocyanate in the absence of indomethacin. These results suggest that prostaglandins are involed in toluene diisocyanate-induced contractions in guinea-pig airways.

Substance P: a competence factor for human fibroblast proliferation that induces the release of growth-regulatory arachidonic acid metabolites.

Substance P (SP) was recognized to stimulate cell growth. The mechanisms of growth control by SP are unknown. We, therefore, investigated mechanisms of the effect of SP on proliferation of human skin fibroblasts. SP did not stimulate proliferation of fibroblasts growth arrested by serum starvation over 48 hours. However, in the presence of acetylsalicylic acid SP potently stimulated fibroblast growth. A bell-shaped dose-response curve with maximal stimulation at picomolar concentrations was found. Specificity of the mitogenic effect was analyzed by use of synthetic SP analogs. Only neurokinin-1 receptor agonists were active, whereas a specific neurokinin-2 receptor analog did not exhibit mitogenicity. Analyzing the supernatants of growth-arrested fibroblasts treated with SP indicated that SP provokes release of the arachidonic acid metabolites, prostaglandin E2, and prostacyclin but not thromboxane B2 or leukotriene B4. Since similar response patterns in proliferation and arachidonic acid metabolite release have been described for several proinflammatory cytokines, some of which are known to act as competence factors in proliferation, we characterized the mitogenic effect of SP. Results established that SP stimulates fibroblast growth in a manner typical of competence factors. We conclude that arachidonic acid metabolites are involved in the cell cycle-dependent mitogenic action of SP on human skin fibroblasts.

Over-expression of protein kinase C-α enhances platelet-derived growth factor- and phorbol ester- but not calcium ionophore-induced formation of prostaglandins in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

Over-expression of human protein kinase C-α in murine NIH 3T3 fibroblasts is associated with an increased platelet-derived growth factor- and phorbol ester-mediated formation of prostaglandins, whereas the calcium ionophore-induced release of arachidonic acid metabolites is unaffected; however, the differences of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin formation are much more pronounced with platelet-derived growth factor than with phorbol ester. Platelet-derived growth factor induces an identical elevation of intracellular free calcium in control and protein kinase C-α over-expressing cells; the phorbol ester has no effect on intracellular free calcium in both cell lines. These results demonstrate that protein kinase C-α may couple to arachidonic acid cascade in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.

Contractile effect of bombesin on guinea pig lung in vitro: involvement of gastrin-releasing peptide-preferring receptors

Bombesin (Bn) and related agonists produce a potent contractile response in guinea pig peripheral airways in vitro, with the following relative potencies: bombesin > gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) > neuromedin C >> neuromedin B. Specific GRP-preferring receptor antagonists, namely [D-Phe6]Bn-(6-13)methyl ester and [D-Phe6,Cpa14,psi 13-14]Bn(6-14)-NH2, inhibited bombesin-induced lung contraction with high potencies [negative logarithm of the molar concentration of antagonist that produces a twofold shift to the right in the agonist dose-response curve (pA2) of 7.1 and 7.2, respectively], whereas the less-specific antagonist [Leu14,psi 13-14]Bn has a lower one (pA2 of 5.6). In binding studies, the high affinities of GRP, [D-Phe6]Bn(6-13)methyl ester and [D-Phe6,Cpa14,psi 13-14]Bn(6-14)NH2 in contrast with the low affinity of neuromedin B agree with the hypothesis that GRP-preferring receptors are involved in bombesin-induced bronchoconstriction. Bombesin-induced bronchoconstriction is unaffected by atropine, hexamethonium, propranolol, triprolidine, methysergide, Ro 19-3704, and indomethacin or AA-861, suggesting that the Bn response does not occur via a mechanism involving the corresponding endogeneous agents or via the release of arachidonic acid metabolites. Moreover, the effect of Bn is insensitive to capsaicin pretreatment, excluding the involvement of endogeneous neuropeptides. Present results provide evidence that Bn-induced bronchoconstriction results from a direct effect of Bn on bronchial smooth muscle GRP-preferring receptors.

Effects of carnitine and its congeners on eicosanoid discharge from rat cells: implications for release of TNFα

THE acyl carrier coenzyme A (CoA) is involved in fatty acid metabolism. The carnitine/CoA ratio is of particular importance in regulating the transport of long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation. Also CoA has a role in the formation and breakdown of products from both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of the precursor arachidonic acid. In the present study the effect of 4 days feeding of 300 mg/kg/day of L-carnitine, acetyl Lcarnitine and propionyl L-carnitine on the basal and calcium ionophore (A23187) stimulated release of arachidonic acid metabolites from rat carrageenin elicited peritoneal cells was investigated. There were two series of experiments carried out. In the first, the harvested peritoneal cell population consisted of less than 90% macrophages and additional polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes. The basal release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-ketoprostaglandin F1α (6-keto-PGF1α) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was stimulated by all treatments. The A23187 stimulated release of 6-keto-PGF1α and LTB4 was increased by all three compounds. The 6-keto-PGF1α:TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α:LTB4 ratios were increased by carnitine treatment. These results suggested that carnitine could modify the macrophage component of an inflammatory site in vivo. In the second series of experiments the harvested cell population was highly purified (>95% macrophages) and none of the compounds fed to the rats caused a change of either eicosanoid or TNFα formation. Moreover the 6-keto-PGF1α:TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α:LTB4 ratios were not enhanced by any of the compounds tested. It is conceivable that in the first series the increased ratios 6-keto-PGF1α:TxB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α:LTB4 reflected the effect of carnitine or its congeners on PMN leucocytes rather than on macrophages.

Further characterization of dispersed human sinus mast cells

We have examined biochemical and functional characteristics of dispersed sinus mast cells and compared them with those of mast cells dispersed from other tissues. This experiment yielded the following results. 1) Although no difference was observed in histamine content, tryptase content in sinus mast cells was significantly lower than that of skin and lung mast cells. 2) In contrast with the situation in foreskin mast cells, anti-IgE-induced histamine release from sinus and lung mast cells was potentiated with lower concentrations of adenosine. 3) Similar to lung mast cells, sinus mast cells did not respond to compound 48/80 or substance P, whereas skin mast cells were stimulated to release histamine with either 10 μ g/ml of compound 48/80 (14.0%) or 10 −4M of substance P (23.4%). 4) Sinus mast cells are similar to lung mast cells in terms of release of arachidonic acid metabolites. Anti-IgE challenge of sinus mast cells caused the generation of both prostaglandin D 2 (89.5 ± 33.7 ng/10 6 mast cells, n=14) and i - leukotriene D 4 (78.7 ± 46.8 ng/10 6 mast cells, n=10).

Pathophysiology and mediators of ischemia-reperfusion injury with special reference to cardiac surgery. A review.

Although necessary for the ultimate tissue survival, reperfusion may paradoxically exacerbate the ischemic injury. Ischemia and reperfusion injury is intimately woven together. The relative role of reperfusion injury is not clarified and probably varies with the ischemic insult: Reperfusion is always preceded by ischemia, and some of the reperfusion-related events may represent a process continuing from the ischemic period; thus the proper designation should be ischemia-reperfusion injury. The reperfusion-related events are: arrhythmias, myocardial stunning with both systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and low reflow and microvascular stunning. Of pathogenetic importance are the mode and speed of reperfusion as well as the initiation of an intracoronary inflammatory reaction during reperfusion, including endothelium-leukocyte interaction, platelets, generation of oxygen free radical, generation and release of arachidonic acid metabolites, platelet activating factor, endothelium derived relaxing factor, endothelins, kinins, and histamine, complement activation, disturbances in calcium homeostasis, and disturbances in lipid and fatty acid metabolism.

An overview of glucocorticoid anti-inflammatory actions

Glucocorticoids (GC) exert a variety of important anti-inflammatory actions. We have studied their effects in allergic inflammation and believe that their anti-allergic effects reflect their anti-inflammatory activities in general. These effects include inhibition of cytokine and other mediator secretion, inhibition of leucocyte priming in eosinophils and neutrophils, reduction of vascular permeability, inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolite and platelet activating factor (PAF) release, synergistic or permissive effects on responses to other mediators, such as catecholamines and other endogenous hormone-like molecules, and modulation of enzyme systems involved in inflammation. Glucocorticoid actions are thus multifaceted; this feature explains both their unequalled efficacy in inflammatory diseases and the difficulty in replacing them with other medications that have a uni-dimensional profile of action.

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THG) purified from normal human pregnancy urine increases phagocytosis, complement receptor expressions and arachidonic acid metabolism of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THG) purified from normal human pregnancy urine was found to increase polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) phagocytosis (46.57 ± 3.54% in the medium versus 75.85 ± 5.37% in the presence of 25 μg/ml THG) after 30 min preincubation. The phagocytosis-enhancing activity of THG was dose-dependent (5–50 μg/ml) and was possibly mediated by the increased expressions of complement receptor type 1 (CR1) and type 3 (CR3) on the neutrophils. The release of [3H]arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), but not thromboxane B2 (TXB2), from neutrophils were also significantly enhanced by THG. Using 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide as indicator, THG (25 μg/ml) depolarized the membrane potential of PMN after 30 min preincubation. In addition, THG exhibited a specific membranotropic effect with PMN. It is conceivable that THG binds to the cell surface and depolarizes the membrane potential of PMN which subsequently enhances the release of arachidonic acid metabolites and the translocation of the complement receptors to the membrane. These biochemical events lead to the increment of PMN phagocytosis and suggests that THG may play an important role in the defense mechanisms of the urinary tract in that a large amount of THG is usually present.

Functional comparison of Fc epsilon RI, Fc gamma RII, and Fc gamma RIII in mast cells.

The cellular responses initiated by cross-linking rodent Fc gamma RII-b1, Fc gamma RII-b2, Fc gamma RIII, and Fc epsilon RI in mast cells were compared. Individual murine Fc gamma R isoforms were transfected into rat basophilic leukemia cells and after cross-linking the FcR, changes in the phosphorylation of protein tyrosines, in the level of intracellular Ca2+, in the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides, and in the release of arachidonic acid metabolites and hexosaminidase were monitored. Cross-linking of Fc gamma RIII initiated all of these early and late biochemical functions, and although they were quantitatively somewhat smaller, the responses were qualitatively indistinguishable from those stimulated by the endogenous Fc epsilon RI. However, despite ample expression, neither Fc gamma RII-b1 nor Fc gamma RII-b2 stimulated these functions when cross-linked. The functional differences between Fc gamma RII and Fc gamma RIII were studied further by assessing the responses to cross-linking of the endogenous Fc gamma R (Fc gamma RII-b1, Fc gamma RII-b2, and Fc gamma RIII) on P815 mouse mastocytoma cells that had been transfected with normal or functionally defective Fc epsilon RI. Two types of mutant subunits had previously been observed to impair the activity of Fc epsilon RI: gamma-chains missing the cytoplasmic domain, and beta-chains missing the COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain. In both types of transfectants the functional inhibition of the endogenous Fc gamma R paralleled that of the transfected Fc epsilon RI. These results are consistent with the gamma subunit being associated with the functions of Fc gamma RIII as well as of Fc epsilon RI. The functional results also complement the recently reported evidence that Fc gamma RIII can interact with Fc epsilon RI beta-subunits (J. Exp. Med. 175:447, 1992).