Pinocytosis In Macrophages Research Articles

Extraction of a Novel Cold-Water-Soluble Polysaccharide from Astragalus membranaceus and Its Antitumor and Immunological Activities.

The polysaccharides of Astragalus membranaceus have received extensive study and attention, but there have been few reports on the extraction of these polysaccharides using cold water (4 °C). In this study, we fractionated a novel cold-water-soluble polysaccharide (cAMPs-1A) from Astragalus membranaceus with a 92.00% carbohydrate content using a DEAE-cellulose 52 anion exchange column and a Sephadex G-100 column. Our UV, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), high-performance gel permeation chromatography, and ion chromatography analysis results indicated the monosaccharide composition of cAMPs-1A with 1.23 × 104 Da molecular weight to be fucose, arabinose, galactose, glucose, and xylose, with molar ratios of 0.01:0.06:0.20:1.00:0.06, respectively. The UV spectroscopy detected no protein and nucleic acid in cAMPs-1A. We used FTIR analysis to characterize the α-d-pyranoid configuration in cAMPs-1A. In addition, we performed animal experiments in vivo to evaluate the antitumor and immunomodulatory effects of cAMPs-1A. The results suggested that cAMPs-1A oral administration could significantly inhibit tumor growth with the inhibitory rate of 20.53%, 36.50% and 44.49%, respectively, at the dosage of 75,150, and 300 mg/kg. Moreover, cAMPs-1A treatment could also effectively protect the immune organs, promote macrophage pinocytosis, and improve the percentages of lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of tumor-bearing mice. These findings demonstrate that the polysaccharide cAMPs-1A has an underlying application as natural antitumor agents.

Akt3 kinase suppresses pinocytosis of low-density lipoprotein by macrophages via a novel WNK/SGK1/Cdc42 protein pathway

Fluid-phase pinocytosis of LDL by macrophages is regarded as a novel promising target to reduce macrophage cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions. The mechanisms of regulation of fluid-phase pinocytosis in macrophages and, specifically, the role of Akt kinases are poorly understood. We have found previously that increased lipoprotein uptake via the receptor-independent process in Akt3 kinase-deficient macrophages contributes to increased atherosclerosis in Akt3-/- mice. The mechanism by which Akt3 deficiency promotes lipoprotein uptake in macrophages is unknown. We now report that Akt3 constitutively suppresses macropinocytosis in macrophages through a novel WNK1/SGK1/Cdc42 pathway. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that the lack of Akt3 expression in murine and human macrophages results in increased expression of with-no-lysine kinase 1 (WNK1), which, in turn, leads to increased activity of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1). SGK1 promotes expression of the Rho family GTPase Cdc42, a positive regulator of actin assembly, cell polarization, and pinocytosis. Individual suppression of WNK1 expression, SGK1, or Cdc42 activity in Akt3-deficient macrophages rescued the phenotype. These results demonstrate that Akt3 is a specific negative regulator of macropinocytosis in macrophages.

Nox2-Mediated PI3K and Cofilin Activation Confers Alternate Redox Control of Macrophage Pinocytosis.

Internalization of extracellular fluid and its solute by macropinocytosis requires dynamic reorganization of actin cytoskeleton, membrane ruffling, and formation of large endocytic vacuolar compartments, called macropinosomes, inside the cell. Although instigators of macropinocytosis, such as growth factors and phorbol esters, stimulate NADPH oxidase (Nox) activation and signal transduction mediators upstream of Nox assembly, including Rac1 and protein kinase C (PKC), are involved in macropinocytosis, the role of Nox enzymes in macropinocytosis has never been investigated. This study was designed to examine the role of Nox2 and the potential downstream redox signaling involved in macropinocytosis. Phorbol myristate acetate activation of human and murine macrophages stimulated membrane ruffling, macropinosome formation, and subsequent uptake of macromolecules by macropinocytosis. Mechanistically, we found that pharmacological blockade of PKC, transcriptional knockdown of Nox2, and scavenging of intracellular superoxide anion abolished phorbol ester-induced macropinocytosis. We observed that Nox2-derived reactive oxygen species via inhibition of phosphatase and tensin homolog and activation of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway lead to activation of actin-binding protein cofilin, membrane ruffling, and macropinocytosis. Similarly, activation of macropinocytosis by macrophage colony-stimulating factor involves Nox2-mediated cofilin activation. Furthermore, peritoneal chimera experiments indicate that macropinocytotic uptake of lipids in hypercholesterolemic ApoE-/- mice was attenuated in Nox2y/- macrophages compared with wild-type controls. Innovation and Conclusion: In summary, these findings demonstrate a novel Nox2-mediated mechanism of solute uptake via macropinocytosis, with broad implications for both general cellular physiology and pathological processes. The redox mechanism described here may also identify new targets in atherosclerosis and other disease conditions involving macropinocytosis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 902-916.

Abstract 460: The Molecular Mechanism of Regulation of Macrophages Pinocytosis of Lipoproteins by Akt3

Akt, also known as protein kinase B (PKB), plays an important role in the regulation of numerous cellular processes, including cell growth, glucose metabolism, differentiation, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. We have recently demonstrated that deletion of Akt3 in macrophages promotes foam cell formation by increasing the uptake of native and modified LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) and elevating the level of ACAT-1, an enzyme esterifying excess cholesterol and promoting its storage in cytoplasmic lipid droplets. We ruled out increased scavenger receptor-dependent uptake and receptor-dependent endocytosis of lipoproteins as the mechanism of increased lipoprotein uptake, and demonstrated in vitro enhanced receptor-independent pinocytosis in Akt3-/- macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of regulation of macrophage pinocytosis by Akt3. Actin assembly is the pivotal process in pinocytosis of lipoproteins. We observed increased actin assembly in Akt3-/- macrophages assessed by phaloidin staining, suggesting that actin assembly can be involved in the elevated pinocytosis in Akt3-/- macrophages. The increase in pinocytosis by Akt3-/- macrophages was reduced in the presence of actin assembly inhibitor, indicating that the enhanced pinocytosis in Akt3-/- macrophages is actin assembly dependent. Colocalization of actin filaments with Akt3 in wild-type murine macrophages using a confocal fluorescence microscopy as well as coimmunoprecipitation of β-actin with Akt3 in transfected HEK293 cells revealed a direct interaction between Akt3 and β-actin. We ruled out the possibility that Akt3 regulates macrophage pinocytosis via major downstream molecules of the Akt signaling pathway (mTOR, GSK3 and NFκB) by using specific pharmacological inhibitors. However, we observed that increased pinocytosis in Akt3-/- macrophages is Src kinases dependent. These results suggest that Akt3 may inhibit actin assembly and subsequent pinocytosis of LDL by direct interaction with β-actin. Taken together, our studies describe a novel mechanism of atheroprotective role of Akt3.

Alterations in immune function and CYP450 activity of adult male deer mice following exposure to either 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene or benzo[b]fluoranthene

Adult male deer mice were exposed every other day for a period of 11 days to either 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA; CAS# 57-97-6) or benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF; CAS# 205-99-2) (0, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg kg−1). Immune endpoints assessed were lymphocyte proliferation, macrophage pinocytosis, and the antibody plaque-forming cell (PFC) response. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activity was assessed using ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and pentoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (PROD). Macrophage pinocytosis was not altered by either compound. Both T- and B-cell proliferations were significantly increased by DMBA at 0.3 or 1 mg kg−1 and by BbF at 10 or 30 mg kg−1, but decreased by DMBA at 30 mg kg−1. Sheep red blood cell (SRBC)-specific-IgM production, as measured by the PFC response, was the most striking adverse immune effect observed and was significantly suppressed compared to control at all treatment concentrations for both compounds. EROD activity was markedly induced by DMBA at 30 mg kg−1, while BbF produced induction at 1, 10, or 30 mg kg−1. No marked effect on PROD activity was noted following DMBA treatment, but BbF-induced PROD activity at 1, 10, or 30 mg kg−1. Unexpectedly, four of six mice in the 30 mg DMBA kg−1 group did not survive to the end of the experiment, and one animal died in both the 3 and 10 mg kg−1 treatments. The calculated LD50 was 20.8 mg DMBA kg−1. The PFC response in deer mice was a more sensitive endpoint than CYP450 activity, suggesting that utilization of CYP450 endpoints in risk assessment without assessment of immune function, specifically antibody production, might possibly underestimate the risk to wild rodents environmentally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Specific role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110α in the regulation of phagocytosis and pinocytosis in macrophages

PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) alpha has been implicated in phagocytosis and fluid-phase pinocytosis in macrophages. The subtype-specific role of PI3K in these processes is poorly understood. To elucidate this issue, we made Raw 264.7 cells (a mouse leukaemic monocyte-macrophage cell line) deficient in each of the class-I PI3K catalytic subunits: p110alpha, p110beta, p110delta and p110gamma. Among these cells, only the p110alpha-deficient cells exhibited lower phagocytosis of opsonized and non-opsonized zymosan. The p110alpha-deficient cells also showed the impaired phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized erythrocytes and the impaired fluid-phase pinocytosis of dextran (molecular mass of 40 kDa). Receptor-mediated pinocytosis of DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate)-labelled acetylated low-density lipoprotein and fluid-phase pinocytosis of Lucifer Yellow (molecular mass of 500 Da) were resistant to p110alpha depletion. None of these processes were impaired in cells lacking p110beta, p110delta or p110gamma, but were susceptible to a pan-PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. In cells deficient in the enzymes catalysing PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 breakdown [PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10) or SHIP-1 (Src-homology-2-domain-containing inositol phosphatase-1)], uptake of IgG-opsonized particles was enhanced. These results indicated that phagocytosis and fluid-phase pinocytosis of larger molecules are dependent on the lipid kinase activity of p110alpha, whereas pinocytosis via clathrin-coated and small non-coated vesicles may depend on subtypes of PI3Ks other than class I.

Liver X receptors inhibit human monocyte-derived macrophage foam cell formation by inhibiting fluid-phase pinocytosis of LDL

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors involved in the control of lipid metabolism and inflammation. Several studies have recently shown that LXRs promote reverse cholesterol transport and inhibit atherosclerosis. Our study investigated whether LXRs affect macrophage uptake of LDL by human monocyte-derived macrophages. We have previously shown that human monocytes differentiated into macrophages with macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) constitutively take up large amounts of native LDL by receptor-independent, fluid-phase pinocytosis. In the research reported here, human monocytes were differentiated to macrophages in the presence of M-CSF with or without the LXR agonists T0901317 or 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol. Then, macrophages were incubated with native (125)I-LDL to determine LDL uptake. T0901317 and 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol inhibited (125)I-LDL uptake by 68 +/- 1% and 69 +/- 2%, respectively, and decreased pinocytotic vacuoles in the macrophages. (125)I-BSA uptake, a measure of fluid-phase pinocytosis, and (125)I-LDL uptake were the same, and T0901317 treatment inhibited uptake of both to the same degree. T0901317 did not affect receptor-mediated uptake of acetylated LDL, showing that the LXR effect is specific for fluid-phase pinocytosis of lipoproteins. Our results show that LXRs downregulate macrophage pinocytosis of LDL. The findings reveal an additional new mechanism by which LXR agonists may inhibit macrophage cholesterol accumulation and atherosclerosis, namely, by inhibiting macrophage uptake of LDL.

Alterations in Immune Function and CYP450 Activity in Adult Male Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) Following Exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene, Pyrene, or Chrysene

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most common classes of chemical contaminants found at hazardous waste sites. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) exhibit a wide geographic distribution throughout North America and have been suggested as a terrestrial biomonitoring species to facilitate comparisons between superfund sites. Chemicals tested were benzo[a]pyrene (BaP; CAS number 50-32-8), pyrene (Pyr; CAS number 129-00-0), and chrysene (Chr; CAS number 218-01-9). Adult male deer mice were exposed via intraperitoneal (ip) injection every other day for 11 d to the PAHs (0.3, 1, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg) or a corn oil carrier control. Both BaP and Chr suppressed the plaque-forming cell (PFC) response at all treatment levels. Pyr exposure (1–30 mg/kg) also resulted in suppression of this response. Macrophage pinocytosis was suppressed only by Chr (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg). Concanavalin A-induced proliferation was stimulated by BaP at all dose levels, by Pyr at 1–30 mg/kg, and by Chr at 30 mg/kg. Chr did not affect pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced proliferation; however, BaP (1–30 mg/kg) and Pyr (0.3–30 mg/kg) produced stimulation of this response as compared to respective controls. BaP and Chr stimulated cytochrome P-450 1A1 (CYP1A1) activity (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg) as measured by ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity, but Pyr did not. These results indicate that immune function endpoints appear to be more sensitive to these PAHs than measured hepatic CYP450 activity.

Lipopolysaccharide Regulates Macrophage Fluid Phase Pinocytosis Via CD14-Dependent and CD14-Independent Pathways

AbstractLipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a mediator of inflammation and septic shock during bacterial infection. Although monocytes and macrophages are highly responsive to LPS, the biological effects of LPS in these cell types are only partially understood. We decided, therefore, to investigate the influence of LPS on macrophage pinocytosis and Fc receptor–mediated endocytosis, two prominent and related macrophage effector functions. We observed that LPS did not greatly influence endocytosis in either macrophages or monocytes, but did exert a dual action on pinocytosis: at lower concentrations (0.1 to 100 ng/mL), LPS caused a decrease in pinocytosis in both macrophages and monocytes, whereas at higher LPS concentrations, enhanced pinocytosis in macrophages was observed. Detoxified LPS was two orders of magnitude less potent in producing these effects. After inhibition of the LPS receptor CD14, the LPS-induced decrease in pinocytosis was absent, and stimulation of pinocytosis at lower LPS concentrations was unmasked. We conclude that LPS can influence pinocytosis via CD14-dependent and CD14-independent signaling pathways. Furthermore, as addition of LPS to macrophages effected pinocytosis but not Fc receptor–mediated endocytosis, these two processes are independently regulated in macrophages.

Lipopolysaccharide Regulates Macrophage Fluid Phase Pinocytosis Via CD14-Dependent and CD14-Independent Pathways

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a mediator of inflammation and septic shock during bacterial infection. Although monocytes and macrophages are highly responsive to LPS, the biological effects of LPS in these cell types are only partially understood. We decided, therefore, to investigate the influence of LPS on macrophage pinocytosis and Fc receptor-mediated endocytosis, two prominent and related macrophage effector functions. We observed that LPS did not greatly influence endocytosis in either macrophages or monocytes, but did exert a dual action on pinocytosis: at lower concentrations (0.1 to 100 ng/mL), LPS caused a decrease in pinocytosis in both macrophages and monocytes, whereas at higher LPS concentrations, enhanced pinocytosis in macrophages was observed. Detoxified LPS was two orders of magnitude less potent in producing these effects. After inhibition of the LPS receptor CD14, the LPS-induced decrease in pinocytosis was absent, and stimulation of pinocytosis at lower LPS concentrations was unmasked. We conclude that LPS can influence pinocytosis via CD14-dependent and CD14-independent signaling pathways. Furthermore, as addition of LPS to macrophages effected pinocytosis but not Fc receptor-mediated endocytosis, these two processes are independently regulated in macrophages.

Modulation of macrophage scavenger receptor transport by protein phosphorylation

The identification of three highly conserved phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic domain of each of the monomeric subunits of the macrophage scavenger receptor suggests that protein phosphorylation may regulate this receptor pathway. To investigate this, mouse peritoneal macrophages were pretreated with either the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid or the protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine to modulate cellular protein phosphorylation and their effects on the metabolism of acetyl-LDL were measured. Both okadaic acid and staurosporine inhibited the degradation of acetyl-low density lipoprotein (LDL) without affecting cellular lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The inhibition by okadaic acid was due to a 70% decrease in acetyl-LDL binding whereas post-receptor processing was minimally affected. Calyculin A, another serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, also reduced acetyl-LDL binding, whereas lithium chloride, an inositol phosphatase inhibitor, did not. Okadaic acid did not decrease steady state receptor mRNA levels nor decrease the number of total cellular receptors, consistent with a posttranslational mechanism of action. Interestingly, protease sensitivity studies showed that the receptors were still located on the cell surface. These studies suggest that okadaic acid inhibits acetyl-LDL binding by causing the redistribution of surface receptors into a sequestered compartment or inactivating the receptors. In contrast, staurosporine produced a paradoxical increase in receptor expression (30%) but slowed post-receptor processing (2.3-fold decrease). The latter was due to an inhibition of ligand internalization (2.9-fold decrease) via a protein kinase C-independent mechanism. Macrophage pinocytosis was also slowed by staurosporine (38% decrease); however, this does not appear to account for the inhibition of scavenger receptor internalization. Direct receptor phosphorylation was also slowed by staurosporine (38% decrease); however, this does not appear to account for the inhibition of scavenger receptor internalization. Direct receptor phosphorylation was also investigated and it was established that the receptor can be phosphorylated; however, changes in receptor function did not correlate with changes in the degree of receptor phosphorylation. Together these studies demonstrate that changes in cellular protein phosphorylation affect the expression, surface transport, and internalization of the macrophage scavenger receptor and suggest that the regulated phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of cellular proteins may be an important biochemical mechanism that controls normal processing of ligands by this receptor pathway.

Regulation of pinocytosis in murine macrophages by colony-stimulating factors and other agents

Lucifer yellow (LY) accumulation was used to measure macrophage pinocytosis. The hematopoietic growth factors, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1), granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), and interleukin 3, and the macrophage activators, lipopolysaccharide and zymosan, all stimulated LY uptake in both murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and resident peritoneal macrophages (RPMs) without affecting LY efflux. The stimulation of pinocytosis in the poorly cycling RPMs and in BMMs by nonmitogens dissociates stimulation of pinocytosis from subsequent DNA synthesis. Regulation of pinocytosis in BMMs appears to be independent of that of urokinase-type plasminogen activator expression. The increases in CSF-mediated BMM pinocytosis were not inhibited by pertussis toxin, by elevations in intracellular cAMP, or by glucocorticoids and were only partially inhibited by inhibitors of Na+/H+ antiport and Na+/K(+)-ATPase activities. Protein kinase C activation could be involved in regulating BMM pinocytosis because phorbol myristate acetate, oleoylacyglycerol, and exogenously added phospholipase C can all stimulate it. Ca2+ ionophores were inactive, whereas the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin potently inhibited BMM pinocytosis.

Tubular lysosomes accompany stimulated pinocytosis in macrophages.

A network of tubular lysosomes extends through the cytoplasm of J774.2 macrophages and phorbol ester-treated mouse peritoneal macrophages. The presence of this network is dependent upon the integrity of cytoplasmic microtubules and correlates with high cellular rates of accumulation of Lucifer Yellow (LY), a marker of fluid phase pinocytosis. We tested the hypothesis that the efficiency of LY transfer between the pinosomal and lysosomal compartments is increased in the presence of tubular lysosomes by asking how conditions that deplete the tubular lysosome network affect pinocytic accumulation of LY. Tubular lysosomes were disassembled in cells treated with microtubule-depolymerizing drugs or in cells that had phagocytosed latex beads. In unstimulated peritoneal macrophages, which normally contain few tubular lysosomes and which exhibit relatively inefficient transfer of pinocytosed LY to lysosomes, such treatments had little effect on pinocytosis. However, in J774 macrophages and phorbol ester-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, these treatments markedly reduced the efficiency of pinocytic accumulation of LY. We conclude that a basal level of solute accumulation via pinocytosis proceeds independently of the tubular lysosomes, and that an extended tubular lysosomal network contributes to the elevated rates of solute accumulation that accompany macrophage stimulation. Moreover, we suggest that the transformed mouse macrophage cell line J774 exhibits this stimulated pinocytosis constitutively.

Preliminary evaluation of macrophage pinocytosis as a technique to monitor fish health

A recently developed spectrophotometric technique was used to examine the effect of environmental pollutants on pinocytosis by fish macrophages. Spot, Leiostomus xanthurus, and hogchoker. Trinectes maculatus, were captured from the York River, a relatively non-polluted ricer, and from the Elizabeth River, known to be highly contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Kidney cell types were separated by density gradient centrifugation and single cell suspensions of macrophages were used in in vitro studies. The pinocytic activity of kidney macrophages from spot and hogchoker was determined by means of a colorimetric assay of ingested neutral red dye. It was found that the pinocytic activity of macrophages from spot exposed to contaminated waters did not differ from control values. However, there was a two-fold increase in pinocytic activity in pollutant-stressed hogchoker. It is proposed that hogchoker could serve as an indicator species to monitor pollution effects in the environment.

Swainsonine and castanospermine blockade of mannose glycoprotein uptake by macrophages. Apparent inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis by endogenous ligands.

Receptor-mediated uptake of mannose-terminated glycoproteins by macrophages is blocked by treating the cells with swainsonine, an inhibitor of alpha-mannosidase II, and by castanospermine, an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum processing enzyme alpha-glucosidase. Both inhibitors are known to cause accumulation of unprocessed oligosaccharide chains terminating in mannose. Inhibition of ligand uptake by the drugs was time- and dose-dependent. Swainsonine produced a maximal effect after 2 h; castanospermine required 5-6 h. Following swainsonine treatment, complete recovery of mannose receptor activity required 24 h and was blocked by cycloheximide suggesting that new receptor synthesis was necessary. Tunicamycin, an inhibitor of oligosaccharide assembly, had no effect on uptake of mannosylated ligands, but tunicamycin pretreatment reduced the sensitivity to swainsonine. These effects of swainsonine and castanospermine appear to be specific, other macrophage pinocytosis receptors (e.g. mannose phosphate) or phagocytosis of yeast particles were unaffected. Moreover, swainsonine had no effect on the fibroblast mannose phosphate receptor. The ability of macrophages to process newly synthesized oligosaccharides was blocked following treatment with swainsonine. Normal processing was fully recovered 24 h after removal of the drug. Mannosidase II was partially inactivated by swainsonine treatment and only a portion was recovered after 24 h. Treatment of macrophages with swainsonine also resulted in an increase in net lysosomal enzyme secretion. Inhibition of mannose-specific receptor-mediated endocytosis in macrophages by swainsonine and castanospermine appears to be due to the formation of mannose-terminated membrane glycoproteins which engage the mannose receptor thereby preventing function. These results suggest a novel mechanism for regulation of receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Stimulation of pinocytosis in the macrophage by lymphocyte mediators: II. Evidence that the stimulating factor is MAF, and studies on the cellular requirements for response to the mediator

Partial characterization of a lymphocyte-derived mediator which stimulates macrophage pinocytosis of horseradish peroxidase is described. The mediator elutes with Sephadex G-100 fractions ranging from 25,000–68,000 molecular weight. It is neuraminidase sensitive and has a buoyant density characteristic of glycoproteins. These properties are identical with those of migration inhibitory factor and macrophage-activating factor, suggesting that they may be the same material. Using a variety of inhibitors, certain cellular and metabolic functions of the mediator-induced stimulatory process were investigated. Anaerobic glycolysis is critical to any stimulation, whereas submaximal stimulation can occur in the absence of an intact aerobic respiratory pathway. Protein synthesis is required for stimulation of pinocytosis. However, neither microtubule nor microfilament function appears necessary for the mediator to induce a stimulatory response as assessed by enhancement of pinocytosis.

Stimulation of guinea pig macrophage pinocytosis by lipopolysaccharides (LPS): Evidence that LPS acts directly on the macrophage

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide can enhance the pinocytosis of horseradish peroxidase in guinea pig macrophages. This increased uptake can be seen as early as 6 hr after incubation in a spinner suspension culture. An equivalent amount of enhanced pinocytosis can be seen if plated, washed peritoneal exudate macrophages are used. Plated guinea pigs PECs, washed five times, were examined for the presence of B cells, and none were found. Thus, LPS appears to stimulate the macrophage directly and does not require a lymphocyte intermediary. The active stimulatory moiety appears to be lipid A, which can be blocked by preincubation of LPS with polymyxin B.

Response of endocytosis to altered fatty acyl composition of macrophage phospholipids.

Mouse peritoneal macrophages incubated in serumless medium containing a 19:0 or trans-18:1 fatty acid complexed to bovine serum albumin incorporate the exogenous fatty acid supplement into cellular phospholipids. Within 8 hr, 25% of the total phospholipid fatty acids are derived from the supplement, with cell viability remaining greater than 95%. The incorporation of either of these supplements increases the saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio in the phospholipids 2-fold over that of cells cultured in serum and effects striking changes in endocytic activities. The levels of both fluid-phase pinocytosis and receptor-mediated phagocytosis are decreased at all temperatures examined between 15 degrees and 37 degrees. The increased degree of saturation of cell phospholipids correlates with decreased endocytic rates for both processes and with increased activation energies (Eact) for phagocytosis. The Eact values for phagocytosis, which range from 54 to 90 kcal/mol, depend on the supplementation conditions used. Although the levels of pinocytosis are depressed, the Eact values for pinocytosis (17--25 kcal/mol) are not strikingly affected by saturated fatty acid enrichment. These observations suggest that the degree of lipid fluidity of macrophage membranes influences both phagocytosis and pinocytosis in macrophages.

Macrophage pinocytosis: the removal and resynthesis of a cell surface factor.

SummaryMacrophages exposed to chymotrypsin, trypsin, or pronase failed to ingest aggregated albumin or ferritin in vitro. Treatment with neuraminidase, RNase, albumin, or DFP-chymotrypsin had no apparent effect on macrophage pinocytosis. When cells treated with active chymotrypsin were subsequently maintained in culture, they recovered their ability to ingest protein. This recovery was inhibited by partial inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide. Since chymotrypsin itself is not ingested, the results are interpreted to indicate the removal or inactivation of a surface factor required for pinocytosis that is generated by the cell.

Role of contractile microfilaments in macrophage movement and endocytosis.

PHAGOCYTOSIS of bacteria and other large particles and pinocytosis of colloids—two processes collectively termed endocytosis—are among the characteristic properties of macrophages. When mouse peritoneal macrophages in culture are observed by phase contrast microscopy, most small endocytotic vesicles (pinosomes) are seen to be formed in the region of ruffled membrane activity, usually in a pseudopod1. The phase-lucent pinosomes move rapidly towards the Golgi region where they unite with phase-dense granules to form secondary lysosomes. Although there is evidence that both phagocytosis and pinocytosis in macrophages have a high temperature coefficient and require metabolic energy1, the mechanism of endocytosis is unknown. Clearly, movement of the plasma membrane and directional movement of pinosomes is involved. During the past few years attention has been drawn to the apparent association in many cells between movement and the presence of contractile microfilaments of about 50 Â diameter2,3. Some of these are actin-like and can bind heavy meromyosin to give distinctive “arrowhead” structures in electron micrographs4. One of us (S. de P., in preparation) has found that the peripheral or cortical cytoplasm of macrophages contains a network of microfilaments, some of which may be inserted into the plasma membrane. These filaments bind heavy meromyosin (Figs. 1 and 2) and details of their structure and disposition will be published later.