Induction of secretory phospholipase A2 in reactive astrocytes in response to transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat brain

Role of secretory phospholipase a(2) in CNS inflammation: implications in traumatic spinal cord injury

Secretory phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)s) are a subfamily of lipolytic enzymes which hydrolyze the acyl bond at the sn-2 position of glycerophospholipids to produce free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. These products are precursors of bioactive eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF). The hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids by PLA(2) is a rate-limiting step for generation of eicosanoids and PAF. To date, more than 10 isozymes of sPLA(2) have been found in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). Under physiological conditions, sPLA(2)s are involved in diverse cellular responses, including host defense, phospholipid digestion and metabolism. However, under pathological situations, increased sPLA(2) activity and excessive production of free fatty acids and their metabolites may lead to inflammation, loss of membrane integrity, oxidative stress, and subsequent tissue injury. Emerging evidence suggests that sPLA(2) plays a role in the secondary injury process after traumatic or ischemic injuries in the brain and spinal cord. Importantly, sPLA(2) may act as a convergence molecule that mediates multiple key mechanisms involved in the secondary injury since it can be induced by multiple toxic factors such as inflammatory cytokines, free radicals, and excitatory amino acids, and its activation and metabolites can exacerbate the secondary injury. Blocking sPLA(2) action may represent a novel and efficient strategy to block multiple injury pathways associated with the CNS secondary injury. This review outlines the current knowledge of sPLA(2) in the CNS with emphasis placed on the possible roles of sPLA(2) in mediating CNS injuries, particularly the traumatic and ischemic injuries in the brain and spinal cord.

Chronic intracerebroventricular delivery of the secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitor, 12-epi-scalaradial, does not improve outcome after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Phospholipase A2s (PLA2s) seem to be involved in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain injury, but their specific role is far from being completely understood. The present study was carried out to ascertain how and to what extent secretory PLA2s (sPLA2s) activity influences outcome after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, and to correlate this with the inflammatory response. To do this we used the potent and selective sPLA2 inhibitor, 12-epi-scalaradial. Male Wistar rats were separated into three groups: a control group receiving intracerebroventricular vehicle, and two groups receiving intracerebroventricular 0.005 or 0.5 microg/h 12-epi-scalaradial. Every animal was subjected to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (90 min, intraluminal thread technique) under continuous moni-torization of cerebrocortical perfusion (CP, laser-Doppler flowmetry), followed by reperfusion (3 days). Neurological status, infarct volume, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were the main end points. Three days after the 90-min ischemia period, neurological examination did not reveal significant differences between the three groups of rats. Control rats showed a mean infarct volume of 145.9 +/- 24.7 mm3 (21 +/- 4.1% of the ipsilateral hemisphere volume), while mean infarct volume in rats treated with 0.005 or 0.5 microg/h 12-epi-scalaradial increased to 164.8 +/- 86.8 mm3 (22.0 +/- 10.9%) and 211.5 +/- 12.2 mm3 (28 +/- 3%, P < 0.05), respectively. Treatment with the highest dose of 12-epi-scalaradial (0.5 microg/h) increased MPO activity in the ipsilateral hemisphere by about 140% (from 0.59 +/- 0.59 to 1.42 +/- 1.03 units of activity/g of tissue in comparison with the control ischemic hemisphere, P < 0.05). Overall, our results point to a positive rather than a negative influence of sPLA2 activity during ischemia. This, along with its inability to decrease the inflammatory response, does not allow to propose the use of 12-epi-scalardial as a potential drug for stroke therapy.

Role of Lipids in Brain Injury and Diseases

Lipid metabolism is of particular interest due to its high concentration in CNS. The importance of lipids in cell signaling and tissue physiology is demonstrated by many CNS disorders and injuries that involve deregulated metabolism. The long suffering lipid field is gaining reputation and respect as evidenced through the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Lipidomics and Pathobiology (COBRE), Lipid MAPS (Metabolites And Pathways Strategy) Consortium sponsored by NIH, European initiatives for decoding the lipids through genomic approaches, and Genomics of Lipid-associated Disorder (GOLD) project initiated by Austrian government. This review attempts to provide an overview of the lipid imbalances associated with neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's; Niemann-Pick; Multiple sclerosis, Huntington, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and epilepsy) and CNS injury (Stroke, traumatic brain injury; and spinal cord injury) and a few provocative thoughts. Lipidomic analyses along with RNA silencing will provide new insights into the role of lipid intermediates in cell signaling and hopefully open new avenues for prevention or treatment options.

Interactions between neural membrane glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid mediators: A recipe for neural cell survival or suicide

The neural membranes contain phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, and proteins. Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are precursors for lipid mediators involved in signal transduction processes. Degradation of glycerophospholipids by phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) generates arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). Arachidonic acid is metabolized to eicosanoids and DHA is metabolized to docosanoids. The catabolism of glycosphingolipids generates ceramide, ceramide 1-phosphate, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. These metabolites modulate PLA(2) activity. Arachidonic acid, a product derived from glycerophospholipid catabolism by PLA(2), modulates sphingomyelinase (SMase), the enzyme that generates ceramide and phosphocholine. Furthermore, sphingosine 1-phosphate modulates cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for eicosanoid production in brain. This suggests that an interplay and cross talk occurs between lipid mediators of glycerophospholipid and glycosphingolipid metabolism in brain tissue. This interplay between metabolites of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism may play an important role in initiation and maintenance of oxidative stress associated with neurologic disorders as well as in neural cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent studies indicate that PLA(2) and SMase inhibitors can be used as neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic agents. Development of novel inhibitors of PLA(2) and SMase may be useful for the treatment of oxidative stress, and apoptosis associated with neurologic disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and head and spinal cord injuries.

The roles of NADPH oxidase and phospholipases A2 in oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in mammalian cells through enzymic and non-enzymic mechanisms. Although some ROS production pathways are needed for specific physiological functions, excessive production is detrimental and is regarded as the basis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Among enzymes producing superoxide anions, NADPH oxidase is widespread in mammalian cells and is an important source of ROS in mediating physiological and pathological processes in the cardiovascular and the CNS. ROS production is linked to the alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis, activation of Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes, alteration of cytoskeletal proteins, and degradation of membrane glycerophospholipids. There is evolving evidence that ROS produced by NADPH oxidase regulate neuronal functions and degrade membrane phospholipids through activation of phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)). This review is intended to cover recent studies describing ROS generation from NADPH oxidase in the CNS and its downstream activation of PLA(2), namely, the group IV cytosolic cPLA(2) and the group II secretory sPLA(2). A major focus is to elaborate the dual role of NADPH oxidase and PLA(2) in mediating the oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurodegenerative diseases, including cerebral ischemia and Alzheimer's disease. Elucidation of the signaling pathways linking NADPH oxidase with the multiple forms of PLA(2) will be important in understanding the oxidative and degradative mechanisms that underline neuronal damage and glial activation and will facilitate development of therapeutic intervention for prevention and treatment of these and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Omega-3 fatty acid ethyl-eicosapentaenoate attenuates IL-1beta-induced changes in dopamine and metabolites in the shell of the nucleus accumbens: involved with PLA2 activity and corticosterone secretion

Previously, we have reported that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) induces changes in dopaminergic (DA) and serotonergic systems in the core of the [corrected] nucleus accumbens (NAc). We have also demonstrated that n-3 fatty acid ethyl-eicosapentaenoate (EPA) can significantly reduce stress and anxiety-like behaviors, corticosterone concentrations [corrected] and peripheral inflammatory response induced by IL-1 administration. Compared to the core, the shell is involved more in emotion, stress and psychiatric diseases. However, the relationship between inflammation and the functions of DA system in the shell has not been studied. Since phospholipase (PL) A2 is a key enzyme in the [corrected] arachidonic acid-eicosanoids-prostaglandin [corrected] (PG)E2 pathway, and the change in NAc DA [corrected] system has been associated with glucocorticoid stimulation; [corrected] therefore, the hypotheses of this study are (1) that IL-1 induced changes in DA neurotransmission in the shell may be through PLA2-PGE2-corticosterone pathway; (2) EPA may attenuate IL-1 effects via inhibiting PLA2 activities, which blocks PGE2 stimulation of corticosterone. Using an in vivo microdialysis method, the present study showed that IL-1 administration significantly increased extracellular levels of DA, and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, [corrected] and homovanillic acid [corrected] in the shell of the NAc. IL-1 also increased blood concentration of corticosterone and PGE2, and increased the activities of cytosolic and secretory [corrected] PLA2. IL-1-induced changes were significantly attenuated by EPA treatment. Furthermore, glucocorticoid [corrected] receptor antagonist mifepristone (RU486) pretreatment significantly blocked IL-1-induced changes in DA and metabolites. Quinacrine, [corrected] a PLA2 antagonist significantly blocked IL-1-induced [corrected] increase in PGE2 and corticosterone concentrations. These results demonstrated the hypotheses that IL-1 effects may be via PLA2-PGE2-corticosterone pathway and EPA attenuated IL-1 effects may be through the suppression of PLA2 expression, which then reduced PGE2 synthesis and corticosterone secretion.

Modulation of inflammation in brain: a matter of fat

Neuroinflammation is a host defense mechanism associated with neutralization of an insult and restoration of normal structure and function of brain. Neuroinflammation is a hallmark of all major CNS diseases. The main mediators of neuroinflammation are microglial cells. These cells are activated during a CNS injury. Microglial cells initiate a rapid response that involves cell migration, proliferation, release of cytokines/chemokines and trophic and/or toxic effects. Cytokines/chemokines stimulate phospholipases A2 and cyclooxygenases. This results in breakdown of membrane glycerophospholipids with the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Oxidation of AA produces pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. One of the lyso-glycerophospholipids, the other products of reactions catalyzed by phospholipase A2, is used for the synthesis of pro-inflammatory platelet-activating factor. These pro-inflammatory mediators intensify neuroinflammation. Lipoxin, an oxidized product of AA through 5-lipoxygenase, is involved in the resolution of inflammation and is anti-inflammatory. Docosahexaenoic acid is metabolized to resolvins and neuroprotectins. These lipid mediators inhibit the generation of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. Levels of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes are markedly increased in acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. Docosahexaenoic acid and its lipid mediators prevent neuroinflammation by inhibiting transcription factor NFkappaB, preventing cytokine secretion, blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, and modulating leukocyte trafficking. Depending on its timing and magnitude in brain tissue, inflammation serves multiple purposes. It is involved in the protection of uninjured neurons and removal of degenerating neuronal debris and also in assisting repair and recovery processes. The dietary ratio of AA to DHA may affect neurodegeneration associated with acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases. The dietary intake of docosahexaenoic acid offers the possibility of counter-balancing the harmful effects of high levels of AA-derived pro-inflammatory lipid mediators.

Secretory phospholipase A2 IIA is up-regulated by TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha/beta after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rat

Cerebral ischemia initiates an inflammatory response in the brain that is associated with the induction of a variety of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1alpha/beta (IL-1alpha/beta) that contributes to stroke injury. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) resulted in significant increases in TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels. We have previously demonstrated up-regulation of secretory phospholipase A2 IIA (sPLA2 IIA) mRNA and protein expression, increased PLA2 activity, and loss of phosphatidylcholine after 1-h tMCAO and 24-h reperfusion in SHR. Treatment with TNF-alpha antibody or IL-1 receptor antagonist significantly attenuated infarction volume, sPLA2 IIA protein expression, PLA2 activity and significantly restored phosphatidylcholine levels after tMCAO. This suggests that cytokine induction up-regulates sPLA2 IIA protein expression, resulting in altered lipid metabolism that contributes to stroke injury.

Inhibitors of brain phospholipase A2 activity: their neuropharmacological effects and therapeutic importance for the treatment of neurologic disorders

The phospholipase A(2) family includes secretory phospholipase A(2), cytosolic phospholipase A(2), plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A(2), and calcium-independent phospholipase A(2). It is generally thought that the release of arachidonic acid by cytosolic phospholipase A(2) is the rate-limiting step in the generation of eicosanoids and platelet activating factor. These lipid mediators play critical roles in the initiation and modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress. Neurological disorders, such as ischemia, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, prion diseases, and epilepsy are characterized by inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, altered phospholipid metabolism, accumulation of lipid peroxides, and increased phospholipase A(2) activity. Increased activities of phospholipases A(2) and generation of lipid mediators may be involved in oxidative stress and neuroinflammation associated with the above neurological disorders. Several phospholipase A(2) inhibitors have been recently discovered and used for the treatment of ischemia and other neurological diseases in cell culture and animal models. At this time very little is known about in vivo neurochemical effects, mechanism of action, or toxicity of phospholipase A(2) inhibitors in human or animal models of neurological disorders. In kainic acid-mediated neurotoxicity, the activities of phospholipase A(2) isoforms and their immunoreactivities are markedly increased and phospholipase A(2) inhibitors, quinacrine and chloroquine, arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, bromoenol lactone, cytidine 5-diphosphoamines, and vitamin E, not only inhibit phospholipase A(2) activity and immunoreactivity but also prevent neurodegeneration, suggesting that phospholipase A(2) is involved in the neurodegenerative process. This also suggests that phospholipase A(2) inhibitors can be used as neuroprotectants and anti-inflammatory agents against neurodegenerative processes in neurodegenerative diseases.

Secretory PLA2-IIA: a new inflammatory factor for Alzheimer's disease

Secretory phospholipase A₂-IIA (sPLA₂-IIA) is an inflammatory protein known to play a role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases. Although this enzyme has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, there has not been a direct demonstration of its expression in diseased human brain. In this study, we show that sPLA₂-IIA mRNA is up-regulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains as compared to non-demented elderly brains (ND). We also report a higher percentage of sPLA₂-IIA-immunoreactive astrocytes present in AD hippocampus and inferior temporal gyrus (ITG). In ITG, the majority of sPLA₂-IIA-positive astrocytes were associated with amyloid β (Aβ)-containing plaques. Studies with human astrocytes in culture demonstrated the ability of oligomeric Aβ_1–42 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to induce sPLA₂-IIA mRNA expression, indicating that this gene is among those induced by inflammatory cytokines. Since exogenous sPLA₂-IIA has been shown to cause neuronal injury, understanding the mechanism(s) and physiological consequences of sPLA₂-IIA upregulation in AD brain may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies to inhibit the inflammatory responses and to retard the progression of the disease.

Involvement of Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 isoforms in oxidant-induced neural cell death

This study determined the roles of Ca2+-independent PLA2 (iPLA2) in phospholipid chemistry and oxidant-induced cell death in human astrocytes. A172 cells expressed both cytosolic Group VIA (iPLA2beta) and microsomal Group VIB (iPLA2gamma) PLA2 as determined by activity assays and immunoblot analysis. Inhibition of total iPLA2 activity using racemic bromoenol lactone (BEL, 2.5 microM) decreased the expression of 14:0-16:0 phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) 15% and increased 18:0-18:1-PtdCho expression 15%. Treatment of cells with the iPLA2gamma specific inhibitor R-BEL decreased 14:0-16:0-PtdCho 35%, 16:0-16:0-PtdCho 15% and induced a 35% increase in 18:0-18:1-PtdCho. In contrast, treatment of cells with the iPLA2beta inhibitor S-BEL did not alter any phospholipid studied. To determine the roles of iPLA2 in oxidant-induced cell death, A172 cells were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP); both induced time- and concentration-dependent increases in cell death as assessed by annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Treatment of cells with racemic-BEL alone did not induce cell death. However, pretreatment with BEL prior to H2O2 (500 microM) or TBHP (200 microM) significantly increased necrosis as determined by increases in propidium iodide staining. Treatment with BEL prior to exposure to oxidants accelerated the loss of ATP levels, but not the formation of reactive oxygen species. These data support the hypothesis that iPLA2 mediates oxidant-induced neural cell death and demonstrates differential roles of iPLA2 isoforms in physiological and pathological events.

Oxidative stress and arachidonic acid mobilization

Reactive oxygen species are known to contribute to tissue damage during injury and inflammation. However, these species can also be sensed by the cells and trigger intracellular signaling cascades. This review examines recent evidence on the involvement of reactive oxygen species in lipid signaling. Attention is focused on activation of phospholipase A2s, enzymes whose action on membrane phospholipids can also render molecules with opposite effects on cells. The participation of Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2s in arachidonic acid mobilization from phospholipids is discussed, with particular attention to the interplay between cytosolic and secreted Ca2+-dependent forms. The involvement of alternative routes for arachidonic acid mobilization under oxidative stress is also considered.

CDP-choline significantly restores phosphatidylcholine levels by differentially affecting phospholipase A2 and CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase after stroke

Phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) is a major membrane phospholipid, and its loss is sufficient in itself to induce cell death. PtdCho homeostasis is regulated by the balance between hydrolysis and synthesis. PtdCho is hydrolyzed by phospholipase A2 (PLA2), PtdChospecific phospholipase C (PtdCho-PLC), and phospholipase D (PLD). PtdCho synthesis is rate-limited by CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT), which makes CDP-choline. The final step of PtdCho synthesis is catalyzed by CDP-choline:1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase. PtdCho synthesis in the brain is predominantly through the CDP-choline pathway. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) significantly increased PLA2 activity, secretory PLA2 (sPLA2)-IIA mRNA and protein levels, PtdCho-PLC activity, and PLD2 protein expression following reperfusion. CDP-choline treatment significantly attenuated PLA2 activity, sPLA2-IIA mRNA and protein levels, and PtdCho-PLC activity, but did not affect PLD2 protein expression. tMCAO also resulted in loss of CCT activity and CCTalpha protein, which were partially restored by CDP-choline. No changes were observed in cytosolic PLA2 or calcium-independent PLA2 tMCAO. protein levels after Up-regulation of PLA2, PtdCho-PLC, and PLD and regulation of CCT collectively down-resulted in loss of PtdCho, which was significantly restored by CDP-choline treatment. CDP-choline treatment significantly attenuated the infarction volume by 55 +/- 5% after 1 h of tMCAO and 1 day of reperfusion. Taken together, these results suggest that CDP-choline significantly restores Ptd-Cho levels by differentially affecting sPLA2-IIA, PtdCho-PLC, and CCTalpha after transient focal cerebral ischemia. A hypothetical scheme is proposed integrating results from this study and from other reports in the literature.

Phospholipase A2, reactive oxygen species, and lipid peroxidation in cerebral ischemia

Ischemic stroke is caused by obstruction of blood flow to the brain, resulting in energy failure that initiates a complex series of metabolic events, ultimately causing neuronal death. One such critical metabolic event is the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), resulting in hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids and release of free fatty acids including arachidonic acid, a metabolic precursor for important cell-signaling eicosanoids. PLA2 enzymes have been classified as calcium-dependent cytosolic (cPLA2) and secretory (sPLA2) and calcium-independent (iPLA2) forms. Cardiolipin hydrolysis by mitochondrial sPLA2 disrupts the mitochondrial respiratory chain and increases production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxidative metabolism of arachidonic acid also generates ROS. These two processes contribute to formation of lipid peroxides, which degrade to reactive aldehyde products (malondialdehyde, 4-hydroxynonenal, and acrolein) that covalently bind to proteins/nucleic acids, altering their function and causing cellular damage. Activation of PLA2 in cerebral ischemia has been shown while other studies have separately demonstrated increased lipid peroxidation. To the best of our knowledge no study has directly shown the role of PLA2 in lipid peroxidation in cerebral ischemia. To date, there are very limited data on PLA2 protein by Western blotting after cerebral ischemia, though some immunohistochemical studies (for cPLA2 and sPLA2) have been reported. Dissecting the contribution of PLA2 to lipid peroxidation in cerebral ischemia is challenging due to multiple forms of PLA2, cardiolipin hydrolysis, diverse sources of ROS arising from arachidonic acid metabolism, catecholamine autoxidation, xanthine oxidase activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, activated neutrophils coupled with NADPH oxidase activity, and lack of specific inhibitors. Although increased activity and expression of various PLA2 isoforms have been demonstrated in stroke, more studies are needed to clarify the cellular origin and localization of these isoforms in the brain, their responses in cerebral ischemic injury, and their role in oxidative stress.

Spinal phospholipase A2 in inflammatory hyperalgesia: role of the small, secretory phospholipase A2

Current work emphasizes that peripheral tissue injury and inflammation results in a heightened sensitivity to subsequent noxious input (hyperalgesia) that is mediated in large part by the spinal synthesis and release of eicosanoids, in particular prostaglandins. Secreted phospholipase A(2)s (sPLA(2)s) form a class of structurally related enzymes that release arachidonic acid from cell membranes that is further processed to produce eicosanoids. We hypothesized that spinal sPLA(2)s may contribute to inflammation-induced hyperalgesia. Spinal cord tissue and cerebrospinal fluid were collected from rats for assessment of sPLA(2) protein expression and sPLA(2) activity. A basal sPLA(2) protein expression and activity was detected in spinal cord homogenate (87+/-17 pmol/min/mg), though no activity could be detected in cisternal cerebrospinal fluid, of naive rats. The sPLA(2) activity did not change in spinal cord tissue or cerebrospinal fluid assessed over 8 h after injection of carrageenan into the hind paw. However, the sPLA(2) activity observed in spinal cord homogenates was suppressed by addition of LY311727, a selective sPLA(2) inhibitor. To determine the role of this spinal sPLA(2) in hyperalgesia, we assessed the effects of lumbar intrathecal (IT) administration of LY311727 in rats with chronic IT catheters in three experimental models of hyperalgesia. IT LY311727 (3-30 microg) dose-dependently prevented intraplantar carrageenan-induced thermal hyperalgesia and formalin-induced flinching, at doses that had no effect on motor function. IT LY311727 also suppressed thermal hyperalgesia induced by IT injection of substance P (30 nmol). Using in vivo spinal microdialysis, we found that IT injection of LY311727 attenuated prostaglandin E(2) release into spinal dialysate otherwise evoked by the IT injection of substance P. Taken together, this work points to a role for constitutive sPLA(2)s in spinal nociceptive processing.

Role of nitric oxide in regulating secreted phospholipase A2 release from astrocytes

Inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide increase nitric oxide and secreted phospholipase A2 release from glial cells. However, the signaling mechanism(s) regulating secreted phospholipase A2 in glial cells is not known. Here, rat brain astrocytes treated with lipopolysaccharide generated nitrite and released secreted phospholipase A2, while microglia generated nitrite without releasing secreted phospholipase A2. Unexpectedly, attenuation of nitrite production by pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-Omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester greatly enhanced lipopolysaccharide-stimulated secreted phospholipase A2 release from astrocytes; postreatment with N-Omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester did not potentiate secreted phospholipase A2 release, and addition of an nitric oxide donor attenuated the secreted phospholipase A2 release. The regulation of secreted phospholipase A2 may act via the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB, as a nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor attenuated lipopolysaccharide-stimulated secreted phospholipase A2 release. These results demonstrate the role of basal nitric oxide levels as a regulator of inflammatory secreted phospholipase A2 release from glial cells of the brain.