PMA-stimulated Cells Research Articles

Secretion and inactivation of myeloperoxidase by isolated neutrophils.

Neutrophils prevent infection by ingesting and killing microorganisms but oxidants and proteases released by neutrophils damage host tissues. Our aim was to identify factors that regulate oxidant production by the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) following secretion of MPO into the medium. Cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or opsonized zymosan particles secreted MPO and released superoxide free radicals (.O2-). Dismutation of .O2- produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and MPO catalyzed the oxidation of chloride ion by H2O2 to produce the toxic oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Adding the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) to increase the rate of conversion of .O2- to H2O2 had pH-dependent effects on HOCl production. From pH 6.0 to 7.4, SOD promoted HOCl production by up to 500% but SOD had no effect at pH 7.6 and inhibited by 40 +/- 10% at pH 7.8. In further experiments at pH 7.0, MPO activity in the cells decreased by 25 +/- 2 and 44 +/- 4% during 1-h incubations with PMA and zymosan. Only 1 +/- 0 and 3 +/- 1% of the total activity was found in the medium, indicating that most of the secreted MPO was inactivated. Loss of activity was not accompanied by proteolytic destruction of the MPO protein, which was measured with anti-MPO antibodies. SOD raised the amount of active MPO in the medium two- to sevenfold, but adding deferoxamine to chelate iron or adding ferric ion had no effect. The ionophore A23187 was as effective as zymosan as a stimulus for MPO secretion but .O2- production by ionophore-stimulated cells was less than 4% of that of PMA- or zymosan-stimulated cells and most of the secreted MPO was found active in the medium. When PMA-stimulated cells were incubated with purified MPO, the added MPO activity was lost from the medium. Binding or proteolysis did not account for loss of activity as indicated by recovery of added radioiodinated MPO from the medium. The visible absorption spectrum of MPO was lost, indicating destruction of the iron-containing prosthetic group. Loss of activity and loss of the MPO spectrum were blocked by SOD but not by deferoxamine or catalase. The results indicate that, in the physiological pH range, inactivation of MPO in the medium suppressed HOCl production. Inactivation required O2- but not HOCl, H2O2, or free iron. Inactivation of secreted MPO may limit MPO-mediated damage to host tissues by stimulated neutrophils.

Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Neurofibromin Level in Cultured Human Melanocytes in Response to Growth Factors

Among the symptoms that characterize neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are pigmentation anomalies such as cafe au lait spots. It has been suggested that the reduction of the neurofibromin level in the epidermis of NF1 patients is responsible for the observed signs such as altered melanogenesis and altered density of melanocytes. Our studies show that in cultured normal human melanocytes, the neurofibromin level can be varied in vitro over a wide range by using different culture conditions. The influence of factors that control differentiation and proliferation of melanocytes on neurofibromin levels was studied. Immunoprecipitation followed by western blotting showed a 3- to 4-fold increase of neurofibromin after stimulation by PMA or bFGF, respectively, and a 1.5-fold increase in cells stimulated with steel factor. The increase of neurofibromin was not paralleled by a higher NF1 mRNA level as proved by northern blotting. Pulse-chase experiments with 35S-labeled melanocytes revealed an approximately 3-fold increase in the half-life of neurofibromin in bFGF- or PMA-stimulated cells compared to controls. These results indicate that the neurofibromin level of cultured melanocytes can be regulated by a mechanism independent of NF1 gene transcription and translation, which might influence the degradation rate of the protein.

Infra-red laser irradiation enhances interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, increases 3H-thymidine incorporation and the release of [3H]arachidonic acid in human monocytes.

The effect of infra-red laser irradiation has been experimented on various biological systems and particularly in human tissues, in vitro as well as in vivo. In order to examine the influence of laser irradiation on cells of the monocytic lineage we have irradiated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with an infra-red laser at a wavelength of 904 nm, at 2000 Hz frequency and 15 mW for 2 min. Here, we report that laser irradiation for 2 min. at different preincubation times (T = 0 and T = 30 min) enhances LPS (10 micrograms/ml or PHA (10 micrograms/ml, suboptimal concentration)-stimulated monocytes by modifying cell proliferation, as judged by [3H] thymidine incorporation. IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) along with an increased release of [3H] Arachidonic acid production, is also influenced by laser irradiated monocytes when treated for 2 min after 1 h incubation. IL-1RA production increased 4-5 fold after laser irradiation, while 3H-arachidonic acid incorporated from PMA-stimulated cells increased and the effect was significant at T = 0 and T = 30 min; while at T = 1 h the effect was negligible. These results may provide new information regarding the effect of laser irradiation on the immune system.

Rho is a negative regulator of human monocyte spreading.

Monocyte spreading is a sequential series of events including cell flattening, formation of new actin structures and focal adhesions, as well as development of cytoplasmic projections. To investigate the involvement of the GTP-binding protein Rho in spreading, we treated human blood monocytes or PMA-stimulated U937 or THP1 cells with Clostridium botulinum C3-transferase (C3), which ADP-ribosylates and inactivates Rho in intact cells. The C3 treatment caused 1) a four- to fivefold increase in the number of THP1 cells that spread on fibronectin within 24 h of PMA stimulation, 2) a greater area covered by the spread cells, and 3) accelerated and enhanced development of macrophage-like filopodial and pseudopodial projections. Similar results were obtained with PMA-stimulated U937 cells and human blood monocytes. Furthermore, cell staining revealed disorganization of subcortical actin in C3-treated THP1 cells, whereas circular actin formations at the substrate-attached part of the cells and vinculin-containing focal complexes/adhesions were unaffected. Finally, we found a decrease in membrane-associated RhoA in normal spreading THP1 cells, which suggests endogenous inactivation of Rho and might provide an explanation for the acceleration of spreading caused by the C3-transferase. In conclusion, these results indicate that active Rho is an important, negative regulator of human monocyte spreading by maintaining cell tension and cortical actin organization.

Role of protein kinase C alpha, Arf, and cytoplasmic calcium transients in phospholipase D activation by sodium fluoride in osteoblast-like cells.

The effect of fluoride on phospholipase D (PLD) activation was studied using in vitro culture of Saos-2, MG-63 osteosarcoma cells, and normal osteoblast-like cells derived from human bone explants. Millimolar concentrations of NaF induced a significant accumulation of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) in Saos-2 cells but not in MG-63 and normal osteoblast-like cells. PLD activation was evident at 15 mM and concentration-dependent up to 50 mM. This stimulation was inhibited by deferoxamine, a chelator of Al3+, suggesting that PLD activation involves fluoride-sensitive G proteins. A good correlation was found between the levels of intracellular free Ca2+ and the activation of PLD. The time courses of the two responses were nearly identical. The ability of NaF to induce both responses was largely dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. The calcium ionophore A23187 reproduced the effect of NaF, and this effect was antagonized by EGTA, suggesting that PLD activation was, at least in part, a calcium-regulated event. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also stimulated PLD activity in human bone cells. Protein kinase C alpha (PKC alpha) and epsilon were expressed in Saos-2 cells. Acute pretreatment of cells with PMA reduced concomitantly the amounts of PKC alpha, but not of PKC epsilon, and the subsequent activation of PLD elicited by PKC activators. The PLD response to NaF was not attenuated but rather enhanced by down-regulation of PKC alpha. Therefore, PKC-alpha-induced PLD activation is unlikely to mediate the effect of NaF. Moreover, PMA and NaF showed a supraadditive effect on PLD activation in Saos-2 cells. This stimulation, in contrast to NaF alone, was not reduced by EGTA. Hence, mobilization of calcium by NaF cannot account for the enhanced PLD activation in response to PMA stimulation. Membrane Arf and RhoA contents were assessed by Western immunoblot analyses. Membranes derived from NaF-stimulated Saos-2 cells contained more Arf and RhoA when compared with membranes derived from control or PMA-stimulated cells. Translocation of the small GTPases was calcium-independent. We conclude that PLD activation by NaF in Saos-2 cells includes a fluoride-sensitive G protein, increases in the levels of intracellular calcium, and Arf/RhoA redistribution to membranes. The results also indicate that the NaF-induced Arf/RhoA translocation exerts in concert with PMA-activated PKC alpha a synergistic effect on the activation of PLD in Saos-2 cells.

Differential effects of interleukin-12, interleukin-15, and interleukin-2 on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in vitro.

Cytokines may have clinical utility as therapeutic agents for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and as an adjuvant for vaccines. The effect of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and IL-15 on in vitro HIV-1 replication was investigated. IL-12 and IL-15 at doses up to 10 ng/ml had little effect on basal HIV-1 p24 antigen production by chronically HIV-infected T (ACH-2) and monocytic (U1) cell lines. For ACH-2 cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 50 ng/ml), IL-12 and IL-15 significantly increased p24 antigen production by 20 and 30%, respectively (n = 6). In contrast, IL-12 and IL-15 (10 ng/ml) treatment of PMA-stimulated U1 cells decreased p24 antigen production by 16 and 15%, respectively (n = 6). We next studied the effect of IL-12 and IL-15 on HIV-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In 10 HIV-seropositive patients' PBMCs cocultured with mitogen-activated HIV-seronegative donor cells, two patterns of p24 antigen production were observed in response to IL-2: low (p24 antigen production < 10(3) pg/ml; n = 8) and high (p24 antigen production > 10(3) pg/ml; n = 2) response. For the low-response pattern, IL-12 and IL-15 increased viral replication by 97-fold and 100-fold, respectively (P = 0.05 and 0.004, respectively). For the high-response pattern, both IL-12 and IL-15 suppressed HIV replication. The effect of IL-2, IL-12, and IL-15 on acute in vitro infection by HIV-1JRCSF was also examined. IL-12 did not increase p24 antigen production above basal levels while IL-2 and IL-15 significantly enhanced p24 antigen production (by approximately 2-fold). In conclusion, IL-12 and IL-15 may have differential effects on latent and acute HIV infection, and their ability to enhance HIV production may depend on cell activation. Thus, the use of these cytokines may be dictated by the clinical state of the patient.

Activating protein-1 cooperates with phorbol ester activation signals to increase HIV-1 expression.

To determine whether Jun and Fos, components of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor, transactivate HIV-1 proviral expression. The effects of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and Jun or Fos transcription factors on HIV-1 expression were investigated using a provirus clone and long terminal repeat (LTR)-reporter gene constructs. The influence of PMA stimulation on AP-1 binding activity was determined with antibodies in gel mobility shift assays. Activation of HIV-1 provirus and transcription of HIV-1 LTR sequences in response to cotransfection of Jun or Fos expression plasmids into a permissive colon cancer cell line, SW480, were assessed by p24 core antigen capture and reporter gene assays, respectively. The effect of protein kinase C activation was evaluated by comparing cells grown in the presence or absence of PMA (20 ng/ml). Cotransfection of HIV-1 provirus and expression plasmids for c-Jun or JunB into SW480 cells resulted in increased p24 core antigen and this response was markedly increased following PMA stimulation of cells. c-Fos or JunD alone did not increase p24 production but markedly increased p24 production in PMA-stimulated cells. PMA increased c-Fos and JunD binding activity on an AP-1 binding site within the U5 region of the LTR, as shown in gel mobility shift assays. Functional analysis of this site by transient transfections demonstrated it was required to mediate c-Fos and JunD transactivation of the HIV-1 LTR. Specific Jun and Fos transcription factors can transactivate the HIV-1 provirus and this response is markedly increased in cooperation with cellular activation signals elicited by PMA. Taken together, the data indicate that AP-1 binding sites downstream of the transcriptional start site in the HIV-1 LTR are capable of binding c-Fos and JunD and may contribute to transactivation of HIV-1 provirus.

Topographic Distribution of CD18 Integrin on Human Neutrophils as Related to Shape Changes and Movement Induced by Chemotactic Peptide and Phorbol Esters

The acquisition of high-affinity ligand binding may result from a topographical redistribution of β2 integrins (CD11/CD18) in the plane of the membrane in response to agonist-induced neutrophil stimulation. We examined the topographical distribution of CD18 on human neutrophils in relation with shapes changes and movements induced by stimulation with 10−8M N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and 10−7Mphorbol myristate acetate (PMA). To localize CD18, we used immunogold-labeling methods and backscattered electron images obtained with scanning electron microscopy. On unstimulated neutrophils, CD18 integrin was randomly distributed on the nonvillous planar cell body. Stimulation of neutrophils with 10−8MfMLP and 10−7MPMA for 10 min induced distinctive shape changes, i.e., polar and nonpolar ruffled shapes, and upregulation of the surface membrane content of CD18. These changes were accompanied by a specific topographic distribution of CD18. fMLP-stimulated (10−8M) cells accumulated CD18 on the ruffled plasma membrane at the frontal pole of polar neutrophils. PMA-stimulated (10−7M) cells displayed CD18 aggregates on all plasma membrane domains, mainly on ruffles of nonpolar ruffled neutrophils. We conclude that the motile neutrophil responses elicited by chemotactic peptide and phorbol ester are associated with distinct patterns of topographic distribution of CD18 integrin. These features of CD18 expression may influence adhesive interactions mediated by human neutrophils.

Identification of the Proteolytic Enzyme Which Cleaves Human p75 TNF Receptorin Vitro

The extracellular domains of the human 55 and 75 kD TNF receptors (p55 and p75 TNF-R) are proteolytically cleaved to produce 30 and 40 kD soluble fragments, respectively. In this study, the enzymatic activity involved in the cleavage of human p75 TNF-R, named TNF-R releasing enzyme (TRRE), was identified in the culture supernatant of PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells using an activity assay system established by our group. When THP-1 cells were stimulated with PMA, TRRE was released rapidly into the supernatant, reaching maximal activity within 3 hours. The release of TRRE into the culture supernatant depended on the concentration of PMA and FCS. TRRE activity was partially inhibited by chelating agents, suggesting that TRRE may be a metalloprotease-like enzyme. This is the first successful attempt to establish a stable TRRE source with a reliable assay system.

Native LDL increases endothelial cell adhesiveness by inducing intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

Native LDL (n-LDL) increased human umbilical vein endothelial cell (EC) adherence of mononuclear cells. Such phenotypic changes suggest that n-LDL alters the usual expression of cell adhesion molecules to enhance the adhesive properties of the endothelium. To investigate n-LDL mechanisms governing adherence, ECs were exposed to n-LDL in concentrations up to 240 mg/dL for 2 and 4 days. n-LDL-treated ECs bound nearly threefold more phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated U937 cells than control ECs but did not bind unstimulated U937 cells. Anti-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) antibodies blocked PMA-stimulated U937 cell binding to control and n-LDL-treated ECs by more than 80%, suggesting that increases in ICAM-1 may be involved in this increased adherence. Although increases in PMA-stimulated U937 cell binding developed with respect to time and concentration, statistically significant increases were achieved only when n-LDL concentrations exceeded 180 mg cholesterol/dL at day 4. n-LDL increased endothelial adherence of freshly isolated human monocytes more than twofold and neutrophils by almost twofold. Fluorescent-linked immunoassays revealed that n-LDL increased ICAM-1 protein expression by twofold, which corresponded with increased ICAM-1 message levels. n-LDL also appeared to increase E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 message levels, but these changes did not translate into statistically significant differences in protein levels. Taken together, these data indicate that n-LDL increases ICAM-1 expression to enhance the adhesive properties of the endothelium. Such perturbations in EC function likely represent a proinflammatory response to protracted n-LDL exposure and one of the early steps in atherogenesis.

TRANSFECTION WITH PROTEIN KINASE C ALPHA ANTISENSE DOWNREGULATESβ1 INTEGRIN-DEPENDENT ADHESION TO FIBRONECTIN IN K-562 CELLS.▴ 954

β1 integrin receptors for fibronectin (Fn) are widely expressed on human leukocytes. Inside-out activation of β1 integrin-mediated adhesion appears to involve protein kinase C (PKC), but the exact isoforms involved have not been defined. We previously showed that intracellular calcium is required for β1 integrin activation in granulocytic HL60 cells(Ped Res 37:165, 1995) suggesting a role for calcium-dependent PKC isoform(s). The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of various PKC isoforms in the activation of β1 integrin-mediated adherence to Fn. We chose the K-562 cell line because it expresses α5β1 as its principle Fn receptor. The K-562 cells were transfected with liposome(DOTAP®) encapsulated antisense oligonucleotides to the calcium-dependent PKC isoforms α and β. Cells transfected with PKC α antisense showed a marked decrease in adhesion to Fn compared to controls, both without stimulation (11±2% vs. 21±3%), and following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) @ 1 ng/ml (23±2% vs. 42±5%) and 10 ng/ml (35±4% vs. 60±5%). Cells transfected with PKC β antisense, PKC α sense, or PKC β sense showed no difference when compared to controls, both without stimulation (19±5%, 23±2%, and 18±5% respectively), and following stimulation with PMA @ 1 ng/ml(36±8%, 43±1%, and 41±3% respectively), and 10 ng/ml(56±7%, 63±4%, and 69±3% respectively). Transfection with PKC α and β antisense did not significantly change the level ofβ1 integrin receptors on the cell surface, as analyzed by flow cytometry of unstimulated and PMA-stimulated cells. Substitution of Mn++ for Ca++ and Mg++ induced a level of adhesion in the PKC α antisense-transfected cells equal to nontransfected cells, implying that theβ1 integrin receptors retain their ability to bind to Fn. These data suggest a role for the PKC α isoform in the inside-out activation ofβ1 integrins on K-562 cells. We hypothesize that cells transfected with PKC α antisense are less able to change the conformation of β1 integrins to a higher affinity state.

4-1BB Is Expressed on CD45RAhiROhiTransitional T Cell in Humans

Murine 4-1BB is an ∼30-kDa glycoprotein expressed on activated T cells and plays a role in T-cell-mediated proliferative response. To date the majority of work on 4-1BB has been conducted in the mouse. To assess the role of 4-1BB in humans, mAbs were made against the recombinant human (rh) 4-1BB protein. One such mAb 4B4-1 specifically binds SF-21 insect cells expressing rh4-1BB but not irrelevant control protein as measured by flow cytometry (FCM). 4B4-1 mAb stains PMA- and ionomycin-stimulated CEM (human T lymphoma) cells and PHA-stimulated peripheral blood T cells, but not resting cells. 4B4-1 mAb immunoprecipitates both ∼32 and ∼80 kDa protein from rh4-1BB expressing SF-21 cells and an ∼39- and ∼85-kDa protein from PMA-stimulated CEM cells under reducing conditions by SDS–PAGE. As added proof of its specificity, binding of FITC-labeled 4B4-1 mAb to PHA-stimulated T cells was blocked by rh4-1BB protein. Together these data demonstrate that 4B4-1 is specific for 4-1BB in humans. Unlike in the mouse, 4-1BB is expressed much earlier (within 24 hr) peaking around 2–3 days following PHA stimulation. As in the mouse 4-1BB is induced on both CD4+and CD8+T cell subsets. 4-1BB expression is induced upon PHA stimulation in both the naive (CD45RAhi-CD45ROlo/−) and the memory (CD45RAlo/−- ROhi) T cell populations. Virtually all CD45RAhiROlo/−cells upon culture in PHA give rise to an intermediate CD45RAhiROhi4-1BB+transitional cell and subsequently CD45RAlo/−ROhi4-1BBlo/−and CD45RAlo/−ROhi4-1BBhicells. In contrast, approximately 27% of CD45RAlo/−ROhi4-1BB−cells when cultured in PHA for 24 hr acquire 4-1BB expression and all remain CD45RAlo/−ROhi.

Dietary marine lipids suppress continuous expression of interleukin-1 beta gene transcription.

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids abundant in marine lipids suppress certain inflammatory and immune reactions, and dietary marine lipid supplements have antiinflammatory effects in experimental and human autoimmune disease. Previous work by other investigators demonstrated that dietary marine lipid supplements suppressed production of cytokines from stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ex vivo. The present study further documents the ability of n-3 fatty acids to inhibit cytokine formation, and in part defines the mechanism of the inhibition of production of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) by dietary n-3 fatty acid. Female BALB/c mice were each fed a fat-free balanced diet to which was added either a refined fish oil (FO) preparation as a source of n-3 fatty acid, or beef tallow (BT), which consisted primarily of saturated and monoenoic fatty acids. After ingesting the experimental diets for periods ranging from 3 to 12 wk. spleen cell preparations were stimulated ex vivo with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and proIL-1 beta mRNA (IL-1 beta mRNA) was measured by northern analysis. Levels of IL-1 beta mRNA in both LPS- and PMA-stimulated cells from BT-fed mice were elevated to a greater extent than in cells from FO-fed mice, at most concentrations of LPS and PMA. Stability of LPS-stimulated mRNA levels after actinomycin D was similar for BT and FO groups, indicating that lower levels of IL-1 mRNA with FO groups was related to suppressed IL-1 gene transcription and not due to accelerated transcript degradation. Nuclear run-on transcription assays revealed a more transient expression of the IL-1 beta gene in LPS-stimulated spleen cells from FO-fed mice compared to cells from BT-fed mice. We conclude that dietary marine lipids reduce transient expression of the IL-1 beta gene in stimulated splenic monocytic cells. Preliminary results from nuclear run-on transcription assays indicate that n-3 fatty acids may not change the initial rate of gene transcription but may promote more rapid shutting down of transcription of this gene after induction than do alternative lipids.

Okadaic acid gives concentration-dependent reciprocal effects on the fluid phase endocytosis activated by Ca2+ and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate

Incubation of a human fibrosarcoma cell line HT-1080 in increasing concentration of Ca2+ was found to enhance endocytic internalization of a fluid phase marker, horseradish peroxidase. At 16.8 mM Ca2+, generation of the effect required incubation for more than 45 min. The effect was reversed by removal of the excess ion for 30 min. Monitoring the intracellular concentration showed that the incubation induced a transient large Ca2+ influx followed by a recovery to 230 +/- 50 nM instead of the normal level of 83 +/- 5 nM. The activation was not inhibited by inhibitors of protein kinases nor a cAMP antagonist. In contrast, the effect was prevented by okadaic acid (OKA) at 100 nM without detectable effect on the basal activity. Fluid phase uptake by HT-1080 cells was also enhanced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). In contrast to the case with Ca2+, OKA at 100 nM did not prevent the PMA effect but further enhanced the endocytosis. The effect of OKA was concentration-dependent, as the reagent at 1 microM inhibited not only both the activation but also the basal activity. In Ca(2+)- or PMA-stimulated cells, FITC-dextran was delivered to endosomes that had been labeled with TRITC-transferrin. In contrast, following treatment with a combination of PMA and 100 mM OKA, fluid phase was internalized in vesicular compartments devoid of transferrin labeling. These results suggest that, through differential modifications of protein phosphorylation, endocytosis can be enhanced distinctively either by employing conventional receptor-bearing compartments or generating a new endosomal population.

Expression and regulation of aromatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 4 in human THP 1 leukemia cells

Estradiol is active in proliferation and differentiation of sex-related tissues like ovary and breast. Glandular steroid metabolism was for a long time believed to dominate the estrogenic milieu around any cell of the organism. Recent reports verified the expression of estrogen receptors in “non-target” tissues as well as the extraglandular expression of steroid metabolizing enzymes. Extraglandular steroid metabolism proved to be important in the brain, skin and in stromal cells of hormone responsive tumors. Aromatase converts testosterone into estradiol and androstenedione into estrone, thereby activating estrogen precursors. The group of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases catalyzes the oxidation and/or reduction of the forementioned compounds, e.g. estradiol/estrone, thereby either activating or inactivating estradiol. Aromatase is expressed and regulated in the human THP 1 myeloid leukemia cell line after vitamin D/GMCSF-propagated differentiation. Aromatase expression is stimulated by dexamethasone, phorbolesters and granulocyte/macrophage stimulating factor (GMCSF). Exons I.2 and I.4 are expressed in PMA-stimulated cells only, exon I.3 in both PMA- and dexamethasone-stimulated cells. Vitamin D-differentiated THP 1 cells produce a net excess of estradiol in culture supernatants, if testosterone is given as aromatase substrate. In contrast, the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 4 (17β-HSD 4) is abundantly expressed in unstimulated THP 1 cells and is further stimulated by glucocorticoids (2-fold). The expression is unchanged after vitamin D/GMCSF-propagated differentiation. 17β-HSD 4 expression is not altered by phorbolester treatment in undifferentiated cells but is abolished after vitamin D-propagated differentiation along with downregulation of β-action. Protein kinase C activation therefore appears to dissociate the expression of aromatase and 17β-HSD 4 in this differentiation stage along the monocyte/phagocyte pathway of THP 1 myeloid cells. The expression of steroid metabolizing enzymes in myeloid cells is able to create a microenvironment which is uncoupled from dominating systemic estrogens. These findings may be relevant in the autocrine, paracrine or iuxtacrine cellular crosstalk of myeloid cells in their respective states of terminal differentiation, e.g. in bone metabolism and inflammation.

Effects of interferon-gamma on cell differentiation and cytokine production of a human monoblast cell line, U937.

The U937 cell, a human monoblast cell line, has been used as a model to study the function of human monocytes. We investigated the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on superoxide anion (O2-) production, cell surface antigens, and cytokine production of U937 cells. IFN-gamma treatment enhanced O2- production of fMLP or PMA-stimulated U937 cells. IFN-gamma increased the ratio of CD23 and CD11b positive cells. The fluorescence intensity of CD14 and CD25 was enhanced by IFN-gamma treatment. U937 cells produced IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. IFN-gamma treatment enhanced TNF-alpha production, but decreased IL-6 production. These results suggest that IFN-gamma differentiates U937 cells to monocyte-like cells and it regulates the production systems of IL-6 and TNF-alpha separately in U937 cells.

Rolipram, a specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication

To determine the effects of rolipram, a specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production and HIV-1 replication. TNF-alpha enhances HIV-1 replication in vitro; blocking TNF-alpha and thereby inhibiting HIV-1 replication may therefore potentially delay progression of HIV disease. Pentoxifylline is a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor that blocks TNF-alpha synthesis and HIV-1 replication in vitro and has been shown in preliminary clinical studies to decrease viral replication in HIV-1-infected patients. Rolipram, which selectively inhibits the predominant phosphodiesterase isoenzyme of monocytes, inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha with 500-fold greater potency than pentoxifylline. We, therefore, hypothesized that rolipram would be a powerful inhibitor of HIV-1 replication. The effects of rolipram and pentoxifylline on TNF-alpha production and HIV-1 replication were determined in infected and uninfected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), in a chronically infected promonocytic cell line (U1) and in an acutely infected monocytic cell line (BT4A3.5). TNF-alpha was determined by specific radioimmunoassay and HIV-1 replication was measured by p24 antigen and HIV-1 mRNA production. Rolipram inhibited TNF-alpha production in LPS- and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated PBMC and in PMA-stimulated U1 cells. Rolipram also inhibited HIV-1 replication in the U1 cell line, as well as in acutely infected PBMC and BT4A3.5 cells. Depending on the experimental conditions, rolipram was 10-600 times more potent, on a molar basis, than pentoxifylline. Rolipram is a potent inhibitor HIV-1 replication and therefore deserves further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients.

Expression and regulation of aromatase cytochrome P450 in THP 1 human myeloid leukaemia cells

Aromatase cytochrome P450 mRNA and activity was strongly expressed in THP 1 myeloid leukaemia cells after treatment with phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) and dexamethasone, low level expression was caused by calcitriol. mRNA species of 4.0, 3.0, 2.4 and 1.1 kb size were differentially stimulated. After calcitriol-mediated differentiation (72 h, measured by CD 14 expression) mRNA expression was further enhanced by PMA (45-fold), dexamethasone (15-fold), oestradiol (3.7-fold), testosterone (2.5-fold) and androstenedione (3.5-fold). Forskolin, cAMP and follicle stimulating hormone had no stimulatory effect. Oestradiol formation from testosterone (oestradiol radioimmunoassay in culture supernatants) increased to >2000 pg/ml/10 6 cells/24 h after PMA-stimulation, mirrored mRNA expression and was suppressed below 10% of original values in the presence of 4-OH-androstenedione. Exons I.2 and I.4 were expressed in PMA-stimulated cells only, exon I.3 in both PMA- and dexamethasone-stimulated cells. A new splicing variant was expressed after calcitriol-stimulation, which did not hybridise to an exon II-derived oligonucleotide but to an exon III-derived one. Local aromatisation of androgens into oestradiol may be important in the concerted crosstalk of cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage with their respective tissues in inflammation and bone metabolism.

The Cytoplasmic Domain of α6A Integrin Subunit Is an in Vitro Substrate for Protein Kinase C

We have investigated whether the cytoplasmic domain of α6A integrin subunit can be phosphorylated by Ser/Thr kinases using synthetic peptides as in vitro substrates. This domain was phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) and cyclic AMP-dependent kinase (protein kinase A, PKA) but not by mitogen-activated protein kinase. While Ser1041 has been shown to be phosphorylated in PMA-stimulated cells in vitro, Ser1048 was phosphorylated by PKA. Furthermore pharmacological agents which induce a rise in cyclic AMP concentration failed to stimulate the phosphorylation of the α6A cytoplasmic domain in intact cells. These results suggest that PKC, but not PKA, is involved in the physiological phosphorylation of the α6A integrin subunit.

Prevention of phorbol myristate acetate-induced acute lung injury by alpha-tocopherol liposomes.

Phorbol-myristate acetate (PMA) is commonly used to produce experimental edema and other tissue injuries in the lung. Lung injuries induced by the administration of PMA has been shown to be mediated mainly by neutrophils. Neutrophils recruited to the lower respiratory tract may damage lung tissues by releasing reactive oxygen species, neutral proteases, and lysosomal enzymes. The present study was conducted to investigate whether alpha-tocopherol, entrapped in dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposomes and delivered directly to the lung, could counteract some of the PMA-induced lung injuries. Plain liposomes or alpha-tocopherol containing liposomes (8 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg body weight) were intratracheally instilled into the lungs of rats 24 hr prior to PMA exposure (25 micrograms/kg) and treated rats were killed 3 hr later. Lungs of control animals exposed to PMA developed an increase in lung weight and lipid peroxidation as well as a decrease in lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities. PMA treatment also caused an increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung, suggestive of neutrophil infiltration. Pretreatment of PMA-treated rats with plain liposomes had no effect on PMA-induced injuries. In contrast, pretreatment of rats with liposomal alpha-tocopherol, 24 hr prior to PMA administration, resulted in a significant elevation of pulmonary alpha-tocopherol concentration, accompanied by a concomitant reduction in MPO activity and reversal of PMA-induced changes in lung edema, lipid peroxidation, ACE and AKP activities. These results appear to demonstrate that the intratracheal administration of a liposome-associated lipophilic antioxidant, such as alpha-tocopherol, can significantly ameliorate the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species, putatively released from PMA-stimulated pulmonary target cells and infiltrating neutrophils.