Essential requirement of cytosolic phospholipase A2 for activation of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase

The requirement of both extracellular regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase for stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) activity by either FcgammaRIIA or FcgammaRIIIB in human neutrophils. A possible role for Pyk2 but not for the Grb2-Sos-Shc complex

The signal transduction pathways initiated by opsonized zymosan (OZ) leading to activation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) in human neutrophils remain obscure. In a previous study, we showed that the activation of cPLA(2) by OZ is tyrosine kinase-dependent. The present study demonstrates that the signals initiated by OZ involve activation of tyrosine kinase Pyk2 but not the formation of the adhesion protein complex, Shc-Grb2-Sos. Stimulation of cPLA(2) activity by OZ is mediated by Fc gamma receptors (FcgammaRs) and not by complement receptors for the C3b protein. Cross-linking of FcgammaRIIA or FcgammaRIIIB induces p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. The kinetics of cPLA(2) activity stimulated by either of the FcgammaRs or by both is similar to that of p38 MAP kinase and was detected as early as 15 s after stimulation, maintained a plateau for 10 min, and decreased thereafter. ERK activation was detected also within 15 s but decreased significantly 5 min after stimulation. The MEK inhibitor, PD-098059, or the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB-203580, caused a partial inhibition during the time course of cPLA(2) activity, whereas their combination caused a total inhibition. Thus, although ERK activation is significantly shorter than that of p38 MAP kinase, it is equally required for activation and maintenance of cPLA(2) activity by occupancy of a single receptor, FcgammaRIIA or FcgammaRIIIB.

A central role for the endothelial NADPH oxidase in atherosclerosis

An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated that NADPH oxidase plays a critical role in several early steps leading toward the development of atherosclerosis. These effects appear to be carried out by both the ability of O2- to act as a small second messenger molecule, and potentially the oxidation of low density lipoprotein by O2-. We describe a model for the initiation and development of atherosclerosis that suggests targeted inhibition of NADPH oxidase as a powerful site for prevention and treatment of this disease.

Independent functioning of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and phospholipase D1 in Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met-induced superoxide generation in human monocytes

Recently, a novel peptide (Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-D-Met, WKYMVm) has been shown to induce superoxide generation in human monocytes. The peptide stimulated phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Superoxide generation as well as arachidonic acid (AA) release evoked by treatment with WKYMVm could be almost completely blocked by pretreatment of the cells with cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2)-specific inhibitors. The involvement of cPLA2 in the peptide-induced AA release was further supported by translocation of cPLA2 to the nuclear membrane of monocytes incubated with WKYMVm. WKYMVm-induced phosphatidylbutanol formation was completely abolished by pretreatment with PKC inhibitors. Immunoblot showed that monocytes express phospholipase D1 (PLD1), but not PLD2. GF109203X as well as butan-1-ol inhibited peptide-induced superoxide generation in monocytes. Furthermore, the interrelationship between the two phospholipases, cPLA2 and PLD1, and upstream signaling molecules involved in WKYMVm-dependent activation was investigated. The inhibition of cPLA2 did not blunt peptide-stimulated PLD1 activation or vice versa. Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was indispensable for the activation of PLD1 as well as cPLA2. The WKYMVm-dependent stimulation of cPLA2 activity was partially dependent on the activation of PKC and mitogen-activated protein kinase, while PKC activation, but not mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, was an essential prerequisite for stimulation of PLD1. Taken together, activation of the two phospholipases, which are absolutely required for superoxide generation, takes place through independent signaling pathways that diverge from a common pathway at a point downstream of Ca2+.

Elevated cytosolic phospholipase A2 expression and activity in human neutrophils during sepsis

Sepsis is defined as the systemic inflammatory response to infection. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays an important role in inflammation processes by initiating the production of inflammatory mediators. The role of cytosolic PLA (cPLA2) has not yet been identified in inflammatory and infectious disease clinical settings. The aim of the present research was to determine whether cPLA2 activity has a role during sepsis. Since neutrophil activation has been documented during sepsis, these cells were chosen as a model to evaluate the function of cPLA2 in this clinical setting. cPLA2 was studied at 3 levels: activity, protein expression, and messenger RNA (mRNA). Neutrophils from 32 septic patients with and without bacteremia were examined. cPLA2 activity was measured using labeled phosphatidyl choline vesicles as a substrate, and total PLA2 was determined by the release of labeled arachidonic acid from prelabeled cells. A significant increase in cPLA2activity, protein expression, and total PLA2 activity in neutrophils was detected during sepsis. mRNA levels, detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, were significantly higher during sepsis, indicating that the increase in the amount of cPLA2 is regulated on the mRNA level. The significant elevation of cPLA2 activity and expression in neutrophils during sepsis suggests that this enzyme plays a major role in neutrophil function in this clinical setting.

Kinetic study of the activation of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase by arachidonic acid. Antagonistic effects of arachidonic acid and phenylarsine oxide

The O(2)(-) generating NADPH oxidase complex of neutrophils comprises two sets of components, namely a membrane-bound heterodimeric flavocytochrome b which contains the redox centers of the oxidase and water-soluble proteins of cytosolic origin which act as activating factors of the flavocytochrome. The NADPH oxidase can be activated in a cell-free system consisting of plasma membranes and cytosol from resting neutrophils in the presence of GTPgammaS and arachidonic acid. NADPH oxidase activation is inhibited by phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a sulfhydryl reagent for vicinal or proximal thiol groups. The site of action of PAO was localized by photolabeling in the beta-subunit of flavocytochrome b [Doussière, J., Poinas, A, Blais, C., and Vignais, P. V. (1998) Eur. J. Biochem. 251, 649-658]. Moreover, the spin state of heme b is controlled by interaction of arachidonic acid with the flavocytochrome b [Doussière, J., Gaillard, J., and Vignais, P. V. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 13400-13410]. Here we report that the promoting effect of arachidonic acid on the activation of NADPH oxidase is due to specific binding of arachidonic acid to flavocytochrome b. Elicitation of NADPH oxidase activity by arachidonic acid is in part associated with an increased affinity of flavocytochrome b for O(2), an effect that was counteracted by the methyl ester of arachidonic acid. On the other hand, the affinity for NADPH was not affected by arachidonic acid. We further demonstrate that PAO antagonizes the effect of arachidonic acid on oxidase activation by decreasing the affinity of the oxidase for O(2), but not for NADPH. PAO induced a change in the spin state of heme b, as arachidonic acid does, with, however, some differences in the constraints imposed to the heme. It is concluded that the opposite effects of arachidonic acid and PAO are exerted on the beta-subunit of flavocytochrome b at two different interacting sites.

Roles of RhoA and phospholipase A2 in the elevation of intracellular H2O2 by transforming growth factor-beta in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

We have investigated the mechanisms by which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) increased intracellular H2O2 in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. Increase of intracellular H2O2 by TGF-beta was maximal at 30 min and blocked by catalase from Aspergillus niger. Scrape-loading of C3 transferase, which down-regulated RhoA, inhibited the production of H2O2 in response to TGF-beta. TGF-beta stimulated release of arachidonic acid, which was completely inhibited by mepacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. Mepacrine also blocked the increase of H2O2 by TGF-beta. In addition, arachidonic acid increased intracellular H2O2. Furthermore, TGF-beta stimulated stress fibre formation, which was blocked by catalase, without membrane ruffling. Catalase also inhibited stimulation of thymidine incorporation by TGF-beta. These results suggested that TGF-beta increased intracellular H2O2 through RhoA and phospholipase A2, and also suggested that intracellular H2O2 was required for the stimulation of stress fibre formation and DNA synthesis in response to TGF-beta.

Activation of human neutrophil NADPH oxidase by phosphatidic acid or diacylglycerol in a cell-free system. Activity of diacylglycerol is dependent on its conversion to phosphatidic acid

The superoxide-generating neutrophil NADPH oxidase can be activated in cell-free reconstitution systems by several agonists, most notably arachidonic acid and the detergent sodium dodecyl sulfate. In this study, we show that both phosphatidic acids and diacylglycerols can serve separately as potent, physiologic activators of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system. Stimulation of superoxide generation by these lipids was dependent upon both Mg(2+) and agonist concentration. Activation of NADPH oxidase by phosphatidic acids did not appear to require their conversion to corresponding diacylglycerols by phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, since diacylglycerols were much slower than phosphatidic acids to activate the system and required the presence of ATP. Stimulation of the oxidase by dioctanoylglycerol proved to be by a means other than the activation of protein kinase C. Instead, dioctanoylglycerol was converted to dioctanoylphosphatidic acid by an endogenous diacylglycerol kinase present in the cell-free reaction system. This conversion was sensitive to the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59949 and explains the markedly slower kinetics of activation and the novel ATP requirement seen with dioctanoylglycerol. The level of dioctanoylphosphatidic acid formed was suboptimal for NADPH oxidase activation but could synergize with the unmetabolized dioctanoylglycerol to activate superoxide generation.

Essential requirement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) for activation of the H(+) channel in phagocyte-like cells

The NADPH oxidase-producing superoxide is the major mechanism by which phagocytes kill invading pathogens. We previously established a model of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2))-deficient differentiated PLB-985 cells (PLB-D cells) and demonstrated that cPLA(2)-generated arachidonic acid (AA) is essential for NADPH oxidase activation (Dana, R., Leto, T., Malech, H., and Levy, R. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 441-445). In the present study, we used this model to determine the physiological role of cPLA(2) in the regulation of both the H(+) channel and the Na(+)/H(+) antiporter and to study whether NADPH oxidase activation is regulated by either of these transporters. PLB-D cells and two controls: parent PLB-985 cells and PLB-985 cells transfected with the vector only (PLB cells) were differentiated using 1.25% Me(2)SO or 5 x 10(-8) M 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). Activation of differentiated PLB cells resulted in a Zn(2+)-sensitive alkalization, indicating H(+) channel activity. In contrast, differentiated PLB-D cells failed to activate the H(+) channel, but the addition of exogenous AA fully restored this activity, indicating the role of cPLA(2) in H(+) channel activation. The presence of the H(+) channel inhibitor Zn(2+) caused significant inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity, suggesting a role of the H(+) channel in regulating oxidase activity. Na(+)/H(+) antiporter activity was stimulated in differentiated PLB-D cells, indicating that cPLA(2) does not participate in the regulation of this antiporter. These results establish an essential and specific physiological requirement of cPLA(2)-generated AA for activation of the H(+) channel and suggest the participation of this channel in the regulation of NADPH oxidase activity.

A novel protein kinase target for the lipid second messenger phosphatidic acid

Activation of phospholipase D occurs in response to a wide variety of hormones, growth factors, and other extracellular signals. The initial product of phospholipase D, phosphatidic acid (PA), is thought to serve a signaling function, but the intracellular targets for this lipid second messenger are not clearly identified. The production of PA in human neutrophils is closely correlated with the activation of NADPH oxidase, the enzyme responsible for the respiratory burst. We have developed a cell-free system, in which the activation of NADPH oxidase is induced by the addition of PA. Characterization of this system revealed that a multi-functional cytosolic protein kinase was a target for PA, and that two NADPH oxidase components were substrates for the enzyme. Partial purification of the PA-activated protein kinase separated the enzyme from known protein kinase targets of PA. The partially purified enzyme was selectively activated by PA, compared to other phospholipids, and phosphorylated the oxidase component p47-phox on both serine and tyrosine residues. PA-activated protein kinase activity was present in a variety of hematopoietic cells and cell lines and in rat brain, suggesting it has widespread distribution. We conclude that this protein kinase may be a novel target for the second messenger function of PA.

New developments in phospholipase A2

Some of the most recent data concerning various phospholipases A2, with special emphasis on secretory, cytosolic, and calcium-independent phospholipases A2 are summarized. Besides their contribution to the production of proinflammatory lipid mediators, the involvement of these enzymes in key cell responses such as apoptosis or tumor cell metastatic potential is also discussed, taking advantage of transgenic models based on gene invalidation by homologous recombination. The possible role of secretory and cytosolic platelet-activating factor acetyl hydrolases is also briefly mentioned. Finally, the ectopic expression in epididymis of an intestinal phospholipase B opens some novel issues as to the possible function of phospholipases in reproduction.

Activation of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase by protein kinase C in a partially recombinant cell-free system

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase is an enzyme present in phagocytes and B lymphocytes that when activated catalyzes the production of O-2 from oxygen at the expense of NADPH. A correlation between the activation of the oxidase and the phosphorylation of p47(PHOX), a cytosolic oxidase component, is well recognized in whole cells, and direct evidence for a relationship between the phosphorylation of this oxidase component and the activation of the oxidase has been obtained in a number of cell-free systems containing neutrophil membrane and cytosol. Using superoxide dismutase-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction to quantify O-2 production, we now show that p47(PHOX) phosphorylated by protein kinase C activates the NADPH oxidase not only in a cell-free system containing neutrophil membrane and cytosol, but also in a system in which the cytosol is replaced by the recombinant proteins p67(PHOX), Rac2, and phosphorylated p47(PHOX), suggesting that neutrophil plasma membrane plus those three cytosolic proteins are both necessary and sufficient for oxidase activation. In both the cytosol-containing and recombinant cell-free systems, however, activation by SDS yielded greater rates of O-2 production than activation by protein kinase C-phosphorylated p47(PHOX), indicating that a system that employs protein kinase C-phosphorylated p47(PHOX) as the sole activating agent, although more physiological than the SDS-activated system, is nevertheless incomplete.

Roles of reactive oxygen species: signaling and regulation of cellular functions

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the side products (H2O2, O2.-, and OH.) of general metabolism and are also produced specifically by the NADPH oxidase system in most cell types. Cells have a very efficient antioxidant defense to counteract the toxic effect of ROS. The physiological significance of ROS is that ROS at low concentrations are able to mediate cellular functions through the same steps of intracellular signaling, which are activated by natural stimuli. Moreover, a variety of natural stimuli act through the intracellular formation of ROS that change the intracellular redox state (oxidation-reduction). Thus, the redox state is a part of intracellular signaling. As such, ROS are now considered signal molecules at nontoxic concentrations. Progress has been achieved in studying the oxidative activation of gene transcription in animal cells and bacteria. Changes in the redox state of intracellular thiols are considered to be an important mechanism that regulates cell functions.

Dynamics of a chemoattractant receptor in living neutrophils during chemotaxis

Persistent directional movement of neutrophils in shallow chemotactic gradients raises the possibility that cells can increase their sensitivity to the chemotactic signal at the front, relative to the back. Redistribution of chemoattractant receptors to the anterior pole of a polarized neutrophil could impose asymmetric sensitivity by increasing the relative strength of detected signals at the cell's leading edge. Previous experiments have produced contradictory observations with respect to receptor location in moving neutrophils. To visualize a chemoattractant receptor directly during chemotaxis, we expressed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged receptor for a complement component, C5a, in a leukemia cell line, PLB-985. Differentiated PLB-985 cells, like neutrophils, adhere, spread, and polarize in response to a uniform concentration of chemoattractant, and orient and crawl toward a micropipette containing chemoattractant. Recorded in living cells, fluorescence of the tagged receptor, C5aR-GFP, shows no apparent increase anywhere on the plasma membrane of polarized and moving cells, even at the leading edge. During chemotaxis, however, some cells do exhibit increased amounts of highly folded plasma membrane at the leading edge, as detected by a fluorescent probe for membrane lipids; this is accompanied by an apparent increase of C5aR-GFP fluorescence, which is directly proportional to the accumulation of plasma membrane. Thus neutrophils do not actively concentrate chemoattractant receptors at the leading edge during chemotaxis, although asymmetrical distribution of membrane may enrich receptor number, relative to adjacent cytoplasmic volume, at the anterior pole of some polarized cells. This enrichment could help to maintain persistent migration in a shallow gradient of chemoattractant.

Phospholipases and phagocytosis: the role of phospholipid-derived second messengers in phagocytosis

Phagocytosis, the process by which leukocytes recognize and destroy invading pathogens, is essential for host defense. The binding of foreign organisms to phagocytic leukocytes initiates a complex signaling cascade which ultimately results in the entrapment and destruction of the pathogen. The signal transduction pathway mediating phagocytosis is the subject of intense investigation and is known to include protein tyrosine kinases, GTP-binding proteins, protein kinase C (PKC), actin polymerization and membrane movement. A rapidly expanding body of evidence suggests that phospholipases play an integral role in phagocytosis by generating essential second messengers. Here we review the data linking activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), phospholipase C (PLC) phospholipase D (PLD), and phosphoinositide 3-OH kinase (PI(3)K) to antibody (IgG)-mediated phagocytosis. Evidence is presented that (1) PLA2-derived arachidonic acid (AA) stimulates NADPH oxidase and membrane redistribution during phagocytosis, (2) the inositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) products of PLC activate NADPH oxidase and PKC, and (3) sequential activation of PLD and phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase may provide an alternative pathway for generation of DAG. Additionally, considerable evidence exists that wortmannin, a PI(3)K inhibitor, depresses phagocytosis. This finding is discussed in the context of the extensive effects PI(3)K products have on endocytosis and exocytosis and the potential role of membrane redistribution in phagocytosis. Finally, a model is presented which integrates data obtained from a variety of phagocytic systems and illustrates potential interactions that may exist between phospholipase-derived second messengers and signaling events required for phagocytosis.

Extracellular calcium regulates HeLa cell morphology during adhesion to gelatin: role of translocation and phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2

Attachment of HeLa cells to gelatin induces the release of arachidonic acid (AA), which is essential for cell spreading. HeLa cells spreading in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ released more AA and formed more distinctive lamellipodia and filopodia than cells spreading in the absence of Ca2+. Addition of exogenous AA to cells spreading in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ restored the formation of lamellipodia and filopodia. To investigate the role of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in regulating the differential release of AA and subsequent formation of lamellipodia and filopodia during HeLa cell adhesion, cPLA2 phosphorylation and translocation from the cytosol to the membrane were evaluated. During HeLa cell attachment and spreading in the presence of Ca2+, all cPLA2 became phosphorylated within 2 min, which is the earliest time cell attachment could be measured. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, the time for complete cPLA2 phosphorylation was lengthened to <4 min. Maximal translocation of cPLA2 from cytosol to membrane during adhesion of cells to gelatin was similar in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+ and remained membrane associated throughout the duration of cell spreading. The amount of total cellular cPLA2 translocated to the membrane in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ went from <20% for unspread cells to >95% for spread cells. In the absence of Ca2+ only 55-65% of the total cPLA2 was translocated to the membrane during cell spreading. The decrease in the amount translocated could account for the comparable decrease in the amount of AA released by cells during spreading without extracellular Ca2+. Although translocation of cPLA2 from cytosol to membrane was Ca2+ dependent, phosphorylation of cPLA2 was attachment dependent and could occur both on the membrane and in the cytosol. To elucidate potential activators of cPLA2, the extracellular signal-related protein kinase 2 (ERK2) and protein kinase C (PKC) were investigated. ERK2 underwent a rapid phosphorylation upon early attachment followed by a dephosphorylation. Both rates were enhanced during cell spreading in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. Treatment of cells with the ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059 completely inhibited the attachment-dependent ERK2 phosphorylation but did not inhibit cell spreading, cPLA2 phosphorylation, translocation, or AA release. Activation of PKC by phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) induced and attachment-dependent phosphorylation of both cPLA2 and ERK2 in suspension cells. However, in cells treated with the PKC inhibitor Calphostin C before attachment, ERK2 phosphorylation was inhibited, whereas cPLA2 translocation and phosphorylation remained unaffected. In conclusion, although cPLA2-mediated release of AA during HeLa cell attachment to a gelatin substrate was essential for cell spreading, neither ERK2 nor PKC appeared to be responsible for the attachment-induced cPLA2 phosphorylation and the release of AA.

Glucocorticoids inhibit superoxide anion production and p22 phox mRNA expression in human aortic smooth muscle cells

-Recent reports suggest that the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vascular wall may contribute to the functional and structural changes associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis. Although glucocorticoid therapy can promote atherosclerosis, protective effects of these compounds on vascular lesion formation have been reported. In the present study, we investigated whether ROS production in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells (HSMCs) can be modulated by glucocorticoids. Pretreatment of HSMCs with dexamethasone for 24 hours attenuated the basal and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB- and angiotensin II-induced superoxide anion (O2. -) production. PDGF-AB-stimulated O2. - production was also inhibited by prednisolone and hydrocortisone but not by other steroids, such as testosterone and norgestrel. Incubation of HSMCs with glucocorticoids for 24 hours decreased 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCHF) oxidation, an indicator of intracellular ROS levels. Dexamethasone decreased the mRNA expression of p22 phox, one of the components of NADPH oxidase, but had no effect on the activity of superoxide dismutase. The effects of dexamethasone on DCHF oxidation, and p22 phox mRNA expression and PDGF-AB-stimulated O2. - production were inhibited by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486. These results indicate that glucocorticoids decrease O2. - production by HSMCs via a receptor-dependent pathway. This effect is likely to be mediated by a decrease in the generating system, such as downregulation of p22 phox mRNA, rather than an increased inactivation of O2. -. The inhibition of ROS production might contribute to the local protective effects that glucocorticoids have on vascular lesion formation.