Carrier-mediated transport of lipoxin A4 in human neutrophils

Lipoxins and other eicosanoids display potent and selective biological effects on leukocytes. In this study, we utilized radiolabeled lipoxin A4 ([3H]LXA4) to investigate whether carrier-mediated transport of LXA4 might occur in human neutrophils. At a concentration of 5 nM, uptake of [3H]LXA4, above that due to specific binding to receptors, amounted to approximately 0.6 fmol.10(6) cells-1.min-1. This influx was sensitive to a number of anionic inhibitors, including 3,5-diiodosalicylic acid (K0.5 12 microM), pentachlorophenol (K0.5 25 microM), alpha-cyano-beta-(1-phenylindol-3-yl) acrylic acid, and the organomercurial agents mersalyl (K0.5 110 microM) and p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate. Influx, which was Na+ and membrane voltage independent, exhibited a striking dependence on pH (negative log of dissociation 5.9), results compatible with an H+ + LXA4 anion cotransport system. The LXA4 carrier did not appear to interact with arachidonic acid, prostaglandin E2, 15(S)-hydroxy-(5Z,8Z,11Z,13E)-eicosatetraenoic acid, or the leukotrienes B4, C4, and D4. Moreover, transport activity was not observed in human erythrocytes, lymphocytes, or platelets, but it was inducible in HL-60 cells on differentiation by exposure to retinoic acid. These findings represent the identification and initial characterization of a novel carrier-mediated pathway in human neutrophils that facilitates transport of LXA4 into cells.

Identification of a human cDNA encoding a functional high affinity lipoxin A4 receptor

Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) triggers selective responses with human neutrophils that are pertussis toxin sensitive and binds to high affinity receptors (Kd = 0.5 +/- 0.3 nM) that are modulated by stable analogues of guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP). Here, we characterized [11,12-(3)]LXA4 specific binding with neutrophil granule and plasma membranes, which each display high affinity binding sites (Kd = 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM) that were regulated by GTP gamma S. Since functional LXA4 receptors are inducible in HL-60 cells, we tested orphan cDNAs encoding 7-transmembrane region receptors cloned from these cells for their ability to bind and signal with LXA4. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the orphan receptor cDNA (pINF114) displayed specific 3H-LXA4 high affinity binding (1.7 nM). When displacement of LXA4 binding with pINF114-transfected CHO cells was tested with other eicosanoids, including LXB4, leukotriene D4 (LTD4), LTB4, or prostaglandin E2, only LTD4 competed with LXA4, giving a Ki of 80 nM. In transfected CHO cells, LXA4 also stimulated GTPase activity and provoked the release of esterified arachidonate, which proved to be pertussis toxin sensitive. These results indicate that pINF114 cDNA encodes a 7-transmembrane region-containing protein that displays high affinity for 3H-LXA4 and transmits LXA4-induced signals. Together, they suggest that the encoded protein is a candidate for a LXA4 receptor in myeloid cells.

Treatment with interferon for genital HPV in HIV-positive and HIV-negative women

The administration of interferons can be resorted to, either on its own or in combination with physical destruction methods, when the extent of genital HPV is widespread. Extensive genital HPV involvement is often seen in HIV-positive patients as a consequence of their immunodeficiency. The extension of these lesions may invalidate treatment by physical destruction, while an underlying immunodeficiency renders interferon therapy less efficacious. We studied HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with a similar HPV involvement of their genital tract and compared the effectiveness of systemically administered alpha 2b and beta interferons in clearing HPV. Our results confirm that interferon therapy will cure most patients with extensive genital HPV when they are HIV-negative. HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts over 400 lymphocytes/mm3 may expect a similar cure rate, but this halves when this critical threshold is crossed. In these severely immunodeficient patients repeated courses of interferon therapy alone or in combination with physical destruction methods may be required to cure HPV infection.

Lipoxin A4 metabolism by differentiated HL-60 cells and human monocytes: conversion to novel 15-oxo and dihydro products

Lipoxins are tetraene-containing eicosanoids that possess biological activity in several organ systems. To determine their route of further metabolism, [11,12-3H]lipoxin A4 was prepared and incubated with human neutrophils, promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells, and adherent monocytes. Intact neutrophils and undifferentiated HL-60 cells did not significantly metabolize [11,12-3H]LXA4, while HL-60 cells differentiated with PMA to monocyte/macrophage lineage rapidly (< 15 s) transformed this eicosanoid. The major radiolabeled LXA4-derived metabolites were characterized by physical methods and were shown to be 15-oxo-LXA4, 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-LXA4, and 13,14-dihydro-LXA4. Substrate competition with cell-free supernatants from differentiated HL-60 cells suggests that lipoxins compete for 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity or an equivalent enzyme system. In addition, adherent monocytes exposed to [11,12-3H]LXA4 rapidly metabolized (> 60% within 30 s) the label to its oxo and dihydro derivatives. These results indicate that, unlike leukotrienes, LXA4 is subject to dehydrogenation and reduction of its conjugated tetraene to form triene-containing products. Moreover, they suggest that monocytes participate in lipoxin metabolism in their local milieu.

Induction of functional lipoxin A4 receptors in HL-60 cells

The appearance of [11,12-3H]lipoxin A4 (LXA4) specific binding sites was examined with human acute promyelocytic leukemic cell line 60 (HL-60) cells exposed to either retinoic acid, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). All three agents induced a threefold to fivefold increase in the expression of specific [11,12-3H]LXA4 binding. Similar results were obtained in parallel with [14,15-3H]leukotriene (LT) B4. For both 3H-ligands, homologous displacement curves were similar and independent of the agent used to induce differentiation. Specific binding of [11,12-3H]LXA4 to differentiated HL-60 cells gave a kd = 0.6 +/- 0.3 nmol/L. The appearance of both [11,12-3H]LXA4 and [14,15-3H]LTB4-specific binding sites was inhibited by actinomycin D, and LXA4 binding was sensitive to protease treatment. Specific binding of [11,12-3H]LXA4 was not evident with human platelets, red blood cells (RBCs) or the cultured B-cell (Raji), T-cell (Jurkat) lines save human endothelial cells (kd = 11.0 +/- 0.3 nmol/L). The structural specificity of induced [11,12-3H]-LXA4 recognition sites was assessed with LXB4, LTC4, LTB4, and trihydroxyhepatanoic methyl ester. Only LTC4, at 3-log molar excess, competed for 3H-LXA4-specific binding with HL-60 cells and gave a 30% reduction. The leukotriene D4 receptor antagonist SKF 104353 was ineffective in blocking [11,12-3H]LXA4-specific binding with HL-60 cells while it competed for specific [11,12-3H]LXA4 binding with endothelial cells where LTD4 binding appears to be virtually identical to that of LXA4 binding. In addition, the LTB4 receptor antagonist ONO 4057 was ineffective at competing for [11,12-3H]LXA4 binding. When phospholipase D activation was monitored in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and HL-60 cells, a correlation was shown between activation and specific 3H-LXA4 binding. LXA4-induced phospholipase D (PLD) activation gave a biphasic concentration-dependent response comprised of at least two components: one phase being islet-activating protein (IAP)-sensitive (LXA4 10(-9) mol/L peak activity) and the other was staurosporine-sensitive (LXA4 10(-7) mol/L peak activity). Results indicate that HL-60 cells exposed to differentiating agents express [11,12-3H]LXA4 recognition sites also present in PMN. In addition, specific LXA4 recognition sites of myeloid cells can be distinguished by competition binding with SKF 104353 and 3H-LXA4 cross-reactivity with putative LTD4 receptors present on human endothelial cells. Moreover, they provide evidence indicating that binding of LXA4 to its recognition sites confers functional responses.

Inhibition of granuloma formation induced by potassium permanganate in the mouse by a specific human recombinant receptor antagonist for interleukin-1 (hrIL-1ra)

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a polypeptide which mediates several systemic changes associated with infection, inflammation and injury, such as fever, neutrophilia, increased acute phase protein synthesis, and arachidonic acid metabolites. Recently, a natural inhibitor of IL-1 has been cloned, called IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), which prevents Escherichia coli-induced shock in rabbits and blocks PGE2 induced by IL-1. In this report we study the effect of human recombinant (hr) IL-1ra on chronic inflammation induced by dorsal injections of 200 microliters of a 1:40 saturated crystal solution of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in mice. After 7 days, all mice developed a subcutaneous granulomatous tissue indicative of a chronic inflammatory response, at the site of injection. KMnO4-treated mice, injected intraperitoneally twice with hrIL-1ra, 20 micrograms/dose (the first at the same time of induction of the granuloma and the second 24 hr later), show significant decreases in size and weight of the granuloma when compared to mice not treated with hrIL-1ra (controls); the inhibitory effect was approximately 32-46 and 25-51%, respectively. In addition, in all mice treated with hrIL-1ra, there was a strong inhibition of PGE2 and LTB4 on assay of freshly minced granuloma tissue. Moreover, when hrIL-1 beta (1.0 ng/ml) or LPS (100 ng/ml) were added overnight to the minced granuloma tissue cultures, these compounds enhanced the production of LTB4 and PGE2 from the untreated mice, whereas in IL-1ra-treated mice they failed. In the histological studies of the granuloma, animals treated with hrIL-1ra show a lesser degree of mononuclear cell (MC) accumulation. The inhibitory effect of hrIL-1ra on PGE2 production was also confirmed on peritoneal macrophages from untreated mice, stimulated overnight with hrIL-1 beta or LPS in vitro. The resulting inhibition was dose-dependent. In these studies we show, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory effect of hrIL-1ra on chronic inflammation as assessed by the inhibition of granuloma formation, PGE2, LTB4, and white cell accumulation in inflamed tissue.

Blocking the interleukin-1 receptor inhibits leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 generation in human monocyte cultures

Interleukin-1 is a potent stimulator of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and this activity could be attributed to the activation of the prostaglandin-forming enzyme cyclooxygenase or of the arachidonic-releasing enzyme phospholipase A2 or both. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a cyclooxygenase product, and LTB4 (5-(S),12-(R)-dihydroxy-6,14-cis-8,10-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid), a lipoxygenase product, are potent mediators of inflammation. Recently a new cytokine produced by macrophages and named interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) (MW 22,000 Da) which specifically binds and blocks IL-1 receptors, has proven to be a potent inflammatory inhibitor. In our studies we found that monocyte suspensions, pretreated with hrIL-1ra at increasing concentrations (0.25-250 ng/ml) for 10 min and then treated with LPS in an overnight incubation inhibits, in a dose-dependent manner, the generation of LTB4 as measured by the highly sensitive radioimmunoassay method. In monocytes pretreated with hrIL-1ra (250 ng/ml) for 10 min and treated with arachidonic acid (10(-5)-10(-9) M) and LPS overnight, the release of LTB4 was partially inhibited when compared to hrIL-1ra-untreated cells. Moreover, hrIL-1ra (250 ng/ml) caused a partial inhibition of monocyte LTB4 production when the cells were activated with AA (10(-7) M) and then treated with IL-1 beta (5 ng/ml) overnight or 24 hr incubation. In addition, human monocytes pretreated for 10 min with increasing doses of hrIL-1ra (0.25-250 ng/ml) and then treated with hrIL-1 alpha (5 ng/ml) or beta (5 ng/ml) for 18 hr, also resulted in the inhibition of PGE2 generation as measured by RIA when compared with hrIL-1ra-untreated cells. When the cells were treated with hrIL-1ra (250 ng/ml) and activated for 18 and 48 hr with increasing doses of hrIL-1 beta a strong inhibitory effect was found on PGE2 production. HrIL-1ra used at 15 ng/ml gave a partial inhibition of LTB4 generation, after LPS (1-100 ng/ml) treatment, while NDGA totally blocked the production of LTB4. Moreover, PGE2 released by macrophages activated with LPS (100 ng/ml) or hrIL-1 beta (5 ng/ml) at 18 hr incubation time was strongly inhibited when hrIL-1ra (250 ng/ml) was used. These data suggest that the inhibition of LTB4 and PGE2 by this new macrophage-derived monokine IL-1ra occurs through the block of the IL-1 receptor, rather than phospholipase A2, and thus IL-1ra may offer a potential therapeutic approach to inflammatory states.

Lipoxin recognition sites. Specific binding of labeled lipoxin A4 with human neutrophils

Lipoxin A4 stimulates rapid lipid remodeling and a pertussis toxin-sensitive release of arachidonic acid in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) (Nigam, S., Fiore, S., Luscinskas, F.W., and Serhan, C.N. (1990) J. Cell. Physiol. 143, 512-523) and has been shown to inhibit leukocyte responses in several systems. To examine the basis underlying these actions, we have prepared [11,12-3H]lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and characterized its interactions with human PMN. Time course studies (0-90 min) with intact PMN demonstrated cell association of 3H label which was specific and reversible. PMN bound [3H]LXA4 with a Kd of 0.5 +/- 0.3 nM, representing approximately 1,830 sites/PMN, and the Hill plot value of 1.9 suggests cooperative binding. [3H]LXA4 binding was stereoselective since neither leukotriene B4 (LTB4), lipoxin B4 (LXB4), (6S)-LXA4, 11-trans-LXA4, nor SKF 104353 competed for [3H]LXA4-specific binding while LTD4 and LTC4 partially competed. Subcellular fractionation revealed that specific binding with [3H]LXA4 was associated with membrane (42.1%)-, granule (34.5%)-, and nuclear (23.3%)-enriched fractions, a distribution distinct from that of [14,15-3H] LTB4 binding. [11,12-3H]LXA4-specific binding was modulated by guanosine analogs, suggesting the involvement of G proteins. A fluorescent LXA4 derivative (methyl-7-methoxycoumarin-LXA4) competed with [3H]LXA4 binding to intact PMN and showed specific and reversible binding as monitored by flow cytometric analysis. These results indicate that PMN possess specific recognition sites for LXA4 which may mediate its actions.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor potentiates human polymorphonuclear leukocyte aggregation responses to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are known to be activated by several lymphokines and can be induced to release lysosomal enzymes, prostaglandins (PG), thromboxanes (TX) and lipoxygenase products that may be involved in PMN aggregation responses during inflammatory reactions. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a glycoprotein cytokine released by immunocompetent cells, has been found to prime neutrophil responses, such as increased cell aggregation after exposure to various biological stimulants. In this study, we examined the effects of the cytokine GM-CSF on human neutrophilic aggregation stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and its influence on the production of various arachidonic acid metabolites. Neutrophil aggregation of purified PMNs was measured by the percent change in light transmission in a standard aggregometer, and the arachidonic acid products leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were quantified by radioimmunoassay. We found that GM-CSF and other cytokines, used alone, did not cause any significant increase in aggregation of the PMN. However, prior exposure of PMN to GM-CSF markedly increased the aggregation induced by FMLP as opposed to that detected with PMN stimulated with only FMLP. This priming effect was not observed with PMN preincubated with interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, GM-CSF and IL-6 both failed to stimulate the production of LTB4 and TXA2, products which are known to induce PMN aggregation. These findings provide new evidence suggesting that GM-CSF facilitates the action of FMLP on the adhesion dependent cellular functions of the inflammatory response, serving as an important co-factor in neutrophil aggregation.

Formation of lipoxins and leukotrienes during receptor-mediated interactions of human platelets and recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor-primed neutrophils

The generation of lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid is considered an important event in inflammation. This study demonstrates the levels of both lipoxins and leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTB4, and omega-oxidized LTB4) generated from endogenous sources of arachidonate by PMN primed with recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and in coincubations with platelets (1:1 to 1:100 ratio). Upon exposure to receptor-mediated stimuli (FMLP and thrombin), the levels of lipoxins generated were within the range of both LTB4 and LTC4. Co-incubation of [1-14C]arachidonate-labeled platelets with primed polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) followed by addition of thrombin and FMLP led to the formation of both 5- and 15-LO products that carried 14C label. Thus, in addition to the transcellular conversion of LTA4 to platelet-derived lipoxins and LTC4, PMN can use platelet-derived arachidonate to generate lipoxygenase products. These results are the first to document the relationship between the levels of lipoxins and leukotrienes generated by receptor-mediated activation of cytokineprimed PMN interacting with platelets. Moreover, they indicate that PMN-platelet interactions utilize bidirectional transcellular routes to contribute to lipoxin formation.

Lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 stimulate the release but not the oxygenation of arachidonic acid in human neutrophils: dissociation between lipid remodeling and adhesion

The profiles of actions of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and lipoxin B4 (LXB4), two lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids, were examined with human neutrophils. At nanomolar concentrations, LXA4 and LXB4 each stimulated the release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid from esterified sources in neutrophils. Lipoxin-induced release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid was both dose- and time-dependent and was comparable to that induced by the chemotactic peptide f-met-leu-phe. Time-course studies revealed that lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 each induced a biphasic release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid, which was evident within seconds (5-15 sec) in its initial phase and minutes (greater than 30 sec) in the second phase. In contrast, the all-trans isomers of LXA4 and LXB4 did not provoke [1-14C]AA release. Lipoxin-induced release of arachidonic acid was inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin but not by its beta-oligomers, suggesting the involvement of guaninine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins in this event. Dual radiolabeling of neutrophil phospholipid classes with [1-14C]arachidonic acid and [3H]palmitic acid showed that phosphatidylcholine was a major source of lipoxin-induced release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid. They also demonstrated that lipoxins rapidly stimulate both formation of phosphatidic acid as well as phospholipid remodeling. Although both LXA4 and LXB4 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) stimulated the release of [1-14C]arachidonic acid, neither compound evoked its oxygenation by either the 5- or 15-lipoxygenase pathways (including the formation of LTB4, 20-COOH-LTB4, 5-HETE, or 15-HETE). LXA4 and LXB4 (10(-7) M) each stimulated the elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ as monitored with Fura 2-loaded cells, albeit to a lesser extent than equimolar concentrations of FMLP. Neither lipoxin altered the binding of [3H]LTB4 to its receptor on neutrophils. In addition, they did not stimulate aggregation or induce adhesion of neutrophils to human endothelial cells. Results indicate that both LXA4 and LXB4 stimulate the rapid remodeling of neutrophil phospholipids to release arachidonic acid without provoking either aggregation or the formation of lipoxygenase-derived products within a similar temporal and dose range. Together they indicate that LXA4 and LXB4 display selective actions with human neutrophils and suggest that these eicosanoids possess unique profiles of action which may regulate neutrophil function during inflammation.

Leukocyte inhibitory factor activates human neutrophils and macrophages to release leukotriene B4 and thromboxanes

Recent evidence has proved that cytokines can stimulate the production of 5-lipoxygenase products. Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a major mediator of leukocyte activation in acute inflammatory reactions, which produce chemotaxis, lysosomal enzyme release, and cell aggregation. Leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) also causes biological responses related to inflammation, i.e., LIF directly induces specific granule secretion by polymorphonuclears (PMNs) and potentiates many formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLPs) mediated responses. Since arachidonic acid products are important mediators of inflammation, we have studied the effects of LIF on the arachidonic acid cascade products LTB4 and thromboxane A2 (TxA2). Resuspended at a final concentration of greater than 95% polymorphonuclear PMNs were isolated and tested with some cytokines on the release of LTB4 and TxA2. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and seeded in Petri dishes and incubated for 60 min. Adherent macrophages were used for the cytokine stimulation study. Both types of leukocytes were treated with LIF, interleukin 6 (IL 6), and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) at different concentrations, and test agents A23187 and FMLP. Radioimmunoassay for LTB4 and TxB2 was determined by the resulting supernatants. Treatment of PMNs and macrophages with LIF at different concentrations proved to generate significant increases in LTB4 and TxA2 production. This was compared with IL 6 and GM-CSF, which had no effects. In these experiments, TxA2 generations could not be attributed to platelet contamination of PMN suspensions. The quantity of platelet contamination was not sufficient to influence how much TxB2 was produced. The similarities of LIF to other arachidonate stimulating cytokines suggest a similar mode of action in producing hematologic changes typical of tissue injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of synthetic sphingosine, lysosphingolipids and glycosphingolipids as inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils

Human neutrophils, when exposed to soluble stimuli, aggregate, release oxygenated products of arachidonic acid and generate active oxygen species. Sphingolipid-derived products such as sphingosine and lysosphingolipids have been shown to exert selective actions on a variety of cell types, including neutrophils. Therefore, to determine the structural basis for selective inhibition of neutrophil responses by naturally occurring sphingolipids, seven compounds were prepared by total organic synthesis, and their impact on neutrophils in suspension has been studied. The compounds synthesized included sphingosine, psychosine, lactosyl lysosphingolipid, globotriaosyl (Gb3) lysosphingolipid, galactosyl cerebroside, lactosyl ceramide and Gb3 ceramide. The neutrophil responses studied were aggregation, leukotriene generation and superoxide anion production. When exposed to non-cytotoxic levels of the synthetic compounds, as monitored by exclusion of Trypan Blue, none of the synthetic sphingolipids inhibited A23187-induced aggregation of neutrophils. Only lactosyl lysosphingolipid, at a concentration of 1 microM, significantly inhibited aggregation induced by fMetLeuPhe; the other compounds in this series including sphingosine were without effect at equal molar concentrations (1 microM). Aggregation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) (0.1 microM) was significantly blocked by only two of the synthetic sphingolipids (1 microM). At concentrations below 1 microM, these inhibitory actions were not evident, nor was it possible to assign a structure-activity relationship for this series of compounds. None of the synthetic sphingolipids effectively inhibited the generation of superoxide anions induced by PMA. In addition, neither synthetic sphingosine nor psychosine affected either the formation or metabolism of leukotriene B4. Taken together, the results provide further evidence that sphingolipids, when added to intact cells, are not potent selective inhibitors of functional responses of human neutrophils.

Phospholipid bilayers enhance the stability of leukotriene A4 and epoxytetraenes: stabilization of eicosanoids by liposomes

The hydrolysis of leukotriene A4 and two epoxytetraenes was examined in the presence and absence of liposomes. When added to liposomes in suspension, the stability of LTA4 was increased in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. At 10 min, the half-life of LTA4 was increased 67.1 +/- 6.8% in the presence of liposomes which was comparable to that observed with albumin (10 mg/ml): 68.3 +/- 6.9%. Phosphatidylcholine, in a non-bilayer configuration, was also effective in enhancing the half-life of LTA4, albeit to a lesser extent than liposomes. At equal molar concentrations, the enhanced stability of eicosanoid epoxides with liposomes gave a rank order with leukotriene A4 greater than 5(6)epoxytetraene greater than 14(15)epoxytetraene. Results indicate that phospholipid bilayers can protect leukotriene A4 and 5(6)epoxytetraene from non-enzymatic hydrolysis. Moreover, they suggest that the biological half-life of intermediates involved in the formation of both leukotrienes and lipoxins can be increased by their association with membranes.

Enhanced natural killer cell activity by proglumetacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

In this paper we show the stimulatory effect of a new indolyl derivative drug, proglumetacin, alone and in combination with some cytokines, on natural killer cell activity.

Recombinant interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor acting in synergy to release thromboxane, 6-KETO-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 by human neutrophils

The cyclooxygenase pathway promotes formation of an endoperoxide that is the precursor of prostaglandins (PG), thromboxanes (Tx) and prostacyclins (PGI2), all of which have important biologic activities. In this study, we examined the ability of human polymorphonuclears (PMN) to synthesize TRxA2, 6-KETO-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 in response to human recombinant interleukin 1 (IL1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alone and in combination. Blood was obtained from healthy donors and whole blood was centrifuged over Ficoll-Hypaque in 2% dextran for 30 min. PMNs were resuspended in Gey's buffer, exposed to the IL1 and TNF at 300 ng/ml and 0.5 ng/ml concentrations, and incubate for 30 min. at 10(6) cell/ml. Results indicate that IL1 and TNF alone have little or no effect on human neutrophils to synthesize TxA2, 6-KETO-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 production. This effect was completely inhibited by two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. indomethacin and proglumetacin).