Enhancement of thrombin- and ionomycin-stimulated prostacyclin and platelet-activating factor production in cultured endothelial cells by a tumor-promoting phorbol ester

Cinnamon extract inhibits angiogenesis in zebrafish and human endothelial cells by suppressing VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and PKC-mediated MAP kinase

Angiogenesis is a process of new blood vessel generation and under pathological conditions, lead to tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Many bioactive components have been studied for its antiangiogenic properties as a preventive strategy against tumor development. This study is focused on the effects of cinnamon extract in modulating the pathway involved in angiogenesis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with cinnamon extract at a concentration of 25 μg/mL for 1, 3, or 6 h followed by treatment with phorbol ester (TPA) at a concentration of 10 nmol/L to induce mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression. Results show that cinnamon extract inhibited TPA-induced phosphorylation of MAPK and AKT in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression results in HUVEC showed that cinnamon extract treatment inhibited TPA induction of protein kinase C, PKCα and PKCη messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in a dose-dependent manner along with suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1/Flt1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2/KDR/Flk1) mRNA expression. Cinnamon extract was administered to zebrafish embryos during gastrulation at 6–8 h post fertilization (hpf). The embryos were observed for changes in morphology, toxicity, and blood vessel development. The intersegmental vessels in the zebrafish embryos were attenuated and underdeveloped at an effective cinnamon extract dose of 250 μg/mL compared with the DMSO-treated control. Exposure to cinnamon extract for 36 h resulted in gross morphological deformities. The results suggest the effect of cinnamon extract on angiogenesis is mediated by PKC-dependent phosphorylation of MAPK.

Mechanisms in bradykinin stimulated arachidonate release and synthesis of prostaglandin and platelet activating factor

Regulatory mechanisms in bradykinin (BK) activated release of arachidonate (ARA) and synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) and platelet activating factor (PAF) were studied in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). A role for GTP binding protein (G-protein) in the binding of BK to the cells was determined. Guanosine 5-O- (thiotriphosphate), (GTPtauS), lowered the binding affinity for BK and increased the Kd for the binding from 0.45 to 1.99 nM. The Bmax remained unaltered at 2.25 x 10(-11) mole. Exposure of the cells to aluminium fluoride also reduced the affinity for BK. Bradykinin-induced release of ARA proved pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive, with a maximum sensitivity at 10 ug/ml PTX. GTPtauS at 100 muM increased the release of arachidonate. The effect of GTPtauS and BK was additive at suboptimal doses of BK up to 0.5 nM but never exceeded the levels of maximal BK stimulation at 50 nM. PTX also inhibited the release of ARA induced by the calcium ionophore, A23187. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or more commonly known as tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) itself had little effect on release by the intact cells. However, at 100 nM it augmented the BK activated release. This was downregulated by overnight exposure to TPA and correlated with down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity. The down-regulation only affected the augmentation of ARA release by TPA but not the original BK activated release. TPA displayed a similar, but more potent amplification of PAF synthesis in response to both BK or the calcium ionophore A23187. These results taken together point to the participation of G-protein in the binding of BK to BPAEC and its activation of ARA release. Possibly two types of G-protein are involved, one associated with the receptor, the other activated by Ca(2+) and perhaps associated with phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)). Our results further suggest that a separate route of activation, probably also PLA(2) related, takes place through a PKC catalysed phosphorylation.

The regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in human first trimester trophoblast by cyclic AMP

Human trophoblast cells are known to release a range of arachidonic acid metabolites into culture medium, including cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase and epoxygenase products. In this study we investigated the effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cAMP) on arachidonic acid metabolism in human first trimester trophoblast cells, and also determined the distribution of metabolites between intracellular and extracellular compartments. db cAMP increased intracellular levels of radioactivity within 2 min, and extracellular levels of radioactivity were increased after 30 min. These changes were reflected in increased levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in both compartments, indicating that arachidonic acid was metabolised. db cAMP increased intracellular levels of 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (5,6-EpETrE) within 2 min of addition to cultured cells. No changes were detected after 5-10 min, but substantial changes were found 30 min after the addition of db cAMP. The dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (DiHETrE) breakdown products also increased with similar kinetics. In contrast, levels of 14,15-EpETrE increased after 5-10 min.

Role of platelet-activating factor in cardiovascular pathophysiology

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator that belongs to a family of biologically active, structurally related alkyl phosphoglycerides. PAF acts via a specific receptor that is coupled with a G protein, which activates a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. In this review we focus on the aspects that are more relevant for the cell biology of the cardiovascular system. The in vitro studies provided evidence for a role of PAF both as intercellular and intracellular messenger involved in cell-to-cell communication. In the cardiovascular system, PAF may have a role in embryogenesis because it stimulates endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis and may affect cardiac function because it exhibits mechanical and electrophysiological actions on cardiomyocytes. Moreover, PAF may contribute to modulation of blood pressure mainly by affecting the renal vascular circulation. In pathological conditions, PAF has been involved in the hypotension and cardiac dysfunctions occurring in various cardiovascular stress situations such as cardiac anaphylaxis and hemorrhagic, traumatic, and septic shock syndromes. In addition, experimental studies indicate that PAF has a critical role in the development of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Indeed, PAF cooperates in the recruitment of leukocytes in inflamed tissue by promoting adhesion to the endothelium and extravascular transmigration of leukocytes. The finding that human heart can produce PAF, expresses PAF receptor, and is sensitive to the negative inotropic action of PAF suggests that this mediator may have a role also in human cardiovascular pathophysiology.

Thrombin activates a membrane-associated calcium-independent PLA2 in ventricular myocytes

Activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and accumulation of lysophosphatidylcholine contribute importantly to arrhythmogenesis during acute myocardial ischemia. We examined thrombin stimulation of PLA2 activity in isolated ventricular myocytes. Basal and thrombin-stimulated cardiac myocyte PLA2 activity demonstrated a distinct preference for sn-1 ether-linked phospholipids with arachidonate esterified at the sn-2 position. The majority of PLA2 activity was calcium independent and membrane associated. Thrombin stimulation of membrane-associated PLA2 occurs in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. An increase in PLA2 activity was also observed using the synthetic peptide SFLLRNPNDKYEPF (the tethered ligand generated by thrombin cleavage of its receptor). Bromoenol lactone, a selective inhibitor of calcium-independent PLA2, completely blocked thrombin-stimulated increases in PLA2 activity and arachidonic acid release. No significant inhibition of thrombin-induced PLA2 was observed following pretreatment with mepacrine or dibucaine. These data confirm the presence of high-affinity thrombin receptors on isolated cardiac myocytes and demonstrate the specific activation of a unique membrane-associated, calcium-independent PLA2 following thrombin receptor ligation.

Transfection of human endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE

The introduction of recombinant genes into endothelial cells provides a method to study specific gene products and their effect on cell function. In addition, endothelial cells can be used for implantation into vessels or prosthetic vascular grafts. Because transfection efficiencies in human endothelial cells have been low, it is important to develop improved gene transfer techniques. Therefore, several transfection methods were optimized and transfection efficiencies were determined.

METHODS

Transfection by particle-mediated gene transfer (biolistics) or by cationic liposomes were optimized and compared to calcium phosphate and DEAE-dextran. Transfection efficiency was determined using either a beta-galactosidase or placental alkaline phosphatase reporter gene. The effect of promoter strength was analyzed by transfecting plasmids with either the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter or cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter regions.

RESULTS

Optimal conditions for particle-mediated gene transfer utilized gold particles of 1.6 microns diameter, a target distance of 3 cm, helium pressures of 8.96 MPa (1300 psi) and cell confluence of 75%. Transfection with different cationic liposomes demonstrated that one compound, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N,N-dimethyl-2,3-(bis-dodecyloxy)-1-propanimi nium bromide/dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (gamma AP-DLRIE/DOPE), was optimal for gene transfer when 5 micrograms of DNA and 10 to 20 micrograms of lipid was used. With both gold particles and gamma AP-DLRIE/DOPE, the alkaline phosphatase reporter was more efficient than beta-galactosidase using comparable promoters and polyadenylation sites. CMV regulatory elements were more efficient than the RSV promoter in optimizing gene expression. Optimal gene transfer efficiency was 20.28% of cells with gamma AP-DLRIE/DOPE, 3.96% with biolistics, 2.09% with calcium phosphate and 0.88% with DEAE-dextran.

CONCLUSIONS

Gene expression is detectable in a high percentage of human endothelial cells after liposome-mediated transfection when expression is controlled by a strong promoter. Particle-mediated transfection is less efficient under these conditions, but more effective than liposomes when expression is driven by a relatively weak promoter. Calcium phosphate and DEAE-dextran are less useful.

Phosphorylation and activation of p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase are required for the P2 purinoceptor stimulation of endothelial prostacyclin production

Extracellular ATP and ADP, released from platelets and other sites stimulate the endothelial production of prostacyclin (PGI2) by acting on G-protein-coupled P2Y2 and P2Y2 purinoceptors, contributing to the maintenance of a non-thrombogenic surface. The mechanism, widely described as being dependent on elevated cytosolic [Ca2+], also requires protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Here we show that activation of both these P2 receptor types leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of both the p42 and p44 forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). 2-Methylthio-ATP and UTP, selectively activating P2Y1 and P2Y2 purinoceptors respectively, and ATP, a non-selective agonist at these two receptors, stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of both p42mapk and p44mapk, as revealed by Western blots with an antiserum specific for the tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of the enzymes. By using separation on Resource Q columns, peptide kinase activity associated with the phosphorylated MAPK enzymes distributes into two peaks, one mainly p42mapk and one mainly p44mapk, both of which are stimulated by ATP with respect to kinase activity and phospho-MAPK immunoreactivity. Stimulation of P2Y1 or P2Y2 purinoceptors leads to a severalfold increase in PGI2 efflux; this was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by the selective MAPK kinase inhibitor PD98059. This drug also blocked the agonist-stimulated increase in phospho-MAPK immunoreactivity for both p42mapk and p44mapk but left the phospholipase C response to P2 agonists essentially unchanged. Olomoucine has been reported to inhibit p44mapk activity. Here we show that in the same concentration range olomoucine inhibits activity in both peaks from the Resource Q column and also the agonist stimulation of 6-keto-PGF1, but has no effect on agonist-stimulated phospho-MAPK immunoreactivity. These results provide direct evidence for the involvement of p42 and p44 MAPK in the PGI2 response of intact endothelial cells: we have shown that both the endothelial P2Y purinoceptors are linked to activation of MAPK, and that activation of this pathway is a requirement for the stimulation by ATP/ADP of endothelial PGI2 production.

Protein kinase C isoforms in bovine aortic endothelial cells: role in regulation of P2Y- and P2U-purinoceptor-stimulated prostacyclin release

1. Enhanced synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) and inositol polyphosphates in bovine aortic endothelial cells in response to ATP and ADP is mediated by co-existing P2Y- and P2U-purinoceptors. Here we examine the regulation of these responses by isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC). 2. Immunoblots with antisera specific for 8 different PKC isoforms revealed the presence of alpha, epsilon and zeta, while no immunoreactivity was found for beta, gamma, delta, eta and theta isoforms. PKC-alpha was largely cytosolic in unstimulated cells and almost all translocated to the membrane (Triton X-100 soluble) after a 1 min treatment with the PKC activating phorbol myristate acetate (PMA); PKC-epsilon was always in a Triton X-100 insoluble membrane fraction, while PKC-zeta was found in both soluble and membrane bound (Triton X-100 soluble) forms in the unstimulated cells and was unaffected by PMA. 3. Treatment with PMA for 6 h led to a 90% downregulation of PKC-alpha, while the immunoreactivity to the epsilon and zeta isoforms remained largely unchanged. 4. After either 10 min or 6 h exposure to PMA the PGI2 response to activation of both receptors was enhanced, while the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate response to P2Y-purinoceptor activation was substantially attenuated and the P2U-purinoceptor response was unchanged. Thus the PGI2 response to PMA under conditions when 90% of the PKC-alpha was lost resembles that seen on acute stimulation of PKC by PMA, and the PGI2 response does not correlate with phospholipase C response. 5. Inhibition of PKC with the isoform non-selective inhibitors, Ro 31-8220 and Go 6850 abolished the PGI2 response to both P2U- and P2Y-purinoceptor stimulation. However, Go 6976, which preferentially inhibits Ca2+ sensitive isoforms (such as PKC-alpha) and not Ca2+ insensitive isoforms (such as PKC-epsilon), had no effect on the PGI2 response. 6. The results show that there is a requirement for PKC in the stimulation of PGI2 production by endothelial P2Y- and P2U-purinoceptors. Both downregulation and inhibition studies show that PKC-alpha is not responsible for the regulation of the response to P2-purinergic stimulation, and imply that the response is mediated by PKC-epsilon (PKC-zeta is unresponsive to PMA), or an as yet uncharacterized PKC isoform.

Evidence for requirement of tyrosine phosphorylation in endothelial P2Y- and P2U- purinoceptor stimulation of prostacyclin release

1. The release of prostacyclin (PGI2) from vascular endothelial cells is stimulated by ATP acting at G protein-coupled P2-purinoceptors. Here we investigate the hypothesis that tyrosine protein phosphorylations are involved in this response. 2. The use of Western blots with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies showed that 30 microM 2MeSATP (selective for P2Y-purinoceptors), 300 microM UTP (selective for P2U-purinoceptors) and 300 microM ATP (effective at both these purinoceptors), each stimulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in bovine cultured aortic endothelial cells. Each of these agonists also stimulates 6-keto PGF1 alpha accumulation in the medium (an index of PGI2 release) in these cells in the same period. 3. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, inhibits the 6-keto PGF1 alpha response with the same concentration-dependency (1-100 microM) as the tyrosine phosphorylation response. 4. Tyrphostin, a structurally and functionally distinct tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is also a potent inhibitor (0.1-10 microM) of the 6-keto PGF1 alpha response. 5. Neither tyrphostin nor genistein inhibit the phospholipase C response to P2-purinoceptor stimulation. Furthermore, these inhibitors do not affect the 6-keto PGF1 alpha response to ionomycin. 6. These results show that the regulation of vascular endothelial cells by ATP acting at both P2Y- and P2U-purinoceptors involves the stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation, and suggest that this is a necessary event for the purinoceptor-mediated stimulation of PGI2 production.

Proliferation-dependent changes in release of arachidonic acid from endothelial cells

Stimulation of endothelial cells resulted in release of arachidonic acid from phospholipids. The magnitude of this response decreased as the cells became confluent and the change coincided with a decrease in the percentage of cells in growth phases (G2+M); this was not a consequence of time in culture or a factor in the growth medium. Preconfluent cells released approximately 30% of arachidonic acid; confluent cells released only 6%. The decreasing release of arachidonic acid was demonstrated using metabolic labeling, mass measurements of arachidonic acid, and measurement of PGI2. The decrease was not due to a changing pool of arachidonic acid, and mass measurements showed no depletion of arachidonic acid. Release from each phospholipid and from each phospholipid class decreased with confluence. Conversion of confluent cells to the proliferative phenotype by mechanical wounding of the monolayer caused increased release of arachidonic acid. Potential mechanisms for these changes were investigated using assays of phospholipase activity. Phospholipase A2 activity changed in concert with the alteration in release, a consequence of changes in phosphorylation of the enzyme. The increased release of arachidonic acid from preconfluent, actively dividing cells may have important physiologic implications and may help elucidate mechanisms regulating release of arachidonic acid.

Characterization of platelet-activating factor synthesis in glomerular endothelial cell lines

Platelet-activating factor synthesis in two transformed lines of glomerular endothelial cells was characterized and contrasted with platelet-activating factor production in macrovascular-derived endothelial cells as well as with glomerular cells of mesenchymal origin. Platelet-activating factor synthesis was assessed in intact cells and in cell-free preparations. Glomerular endothelial cells constitutively synthesize bio-active alkyl-PAF, and this basal activity can be chronically augmented by various inflammatory and thrombotic agents. In contrast, thrombin-mediated platelet-activating factor formation in bovine pulmonary aortic endothelial cells as well as in glomerular mesangial cells is acute and transient. The potential role of anti-inflammatory prostanoids to function as negative feedback modulators of thrombin- or endothelin-mediated platelet-activating factor synthesis was also investigated, as the synthesis of platelet-activating factor is often associated with the formation of these prostanoids. Indomethacin augmented receptor-mediated platelet-activating factor synthesis while prostanoids of the E and I series reduced agonist-stimulated PAF synthesis. In summary, the unique capacity of glomerular endothelial cells to respond to inflammatory stimuli with sustained platelet-activating factor synthesis is a clear indication of this cell's pivotal role in augmenting the inflammatory response in the limited environment of the glomerulus.

Vitamin E suppresses diacylglycerol (DAG) level in thrombin-stimulated endothelial cells through an increase of DAG kinase activity

The present study has examined the role of vitamin E, a natural lipid antioxidant, in the production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) in thrombin-stimulated human endothelial cells. Cells were labelled with [3H]myristate and the incorporation and distribution of [3H]myristate into cellular lipids was not affected by vitamin E. However, in response to thrombin stimulation, considerably more PA and less DAG were formed in cells enriched with vitamin E. The time-course of thrombin stimulation indicated that vitamin E attenuated the accumulation of sustained DAG levels with a concomitant increase in PA. Direct determination of DAG mass further confirmed that vitamin E suppresses the accumulation of DAG induced by thrombin. In the presence of ethanol, the formation of [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt) in [3H]myristate-labelled cells stimulated by thrombin was unaffected by vitamin E enrichment. DL-Propranolol, a PA phosphohydrolase inhibitor, caused an accumulation of PA, without affecting DAG formation in either vitamin E-treated and untreated cells. This indicated that the increase in PA and decrease in DAG in vitamin E-treated cells was not due to a stimulation of phospholipase D or an inhibition of PA phosphohydrolase. Determination of inositol phosphates formation in response to thrombin showed that the change of DAG levels elicited by vitamin E was independent of phospholipase C-induced hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids. In contrast, analysis of DAG kinase activity revealed that vitamin E enrichment enhanced the activity of the enzyme in both basal and thrombin-stimulated cells. Taken together, these data indicated that vitamin E caused an increased conversion of DAG to PA by activating DAG kinase activity without causing any change in the activities of phospholipase D, PA phosphohydrolase or phospholipase C.

S35b, a new phenylsulfonylfuroxan compound, inhibits thrombin-induced synthesis of platelet-activating factor and prostacyclin in human endothelial cells

Endothelial cells (EC) produce platelet activating factor (PAF) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in response to inflammatory agents such as thrombin. Upon cell stimulation a calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is activated which hydrolyzes a membrane phospholipid to yield 1-0-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phospho-choline (lyso-PAF) and free arachidonic acid. Lyso-PAF is in turn converted into PAF by a specific acetyltransferase and arachidonic acid is metabolized via cyclic endoperoxides to PGI2. In the present study we report that S35b (4-methyl-3-phenylsulfonylfuroxan), a new phenyl-sulfonylfuroxan compound with potent antiaggregatory effect, inhibits thrombin-induced PAF synthesis and acetyltransferase activation as well as PGI2 production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in a concentration-dependent way. Additionally, we show that S35b stimulates the production of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in HUVEC in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. At high concentration, S35b potentiates the cAMP increase induced by iloprost or forskolin without having a significant influence on cAMP level itself. Potentiation of cAMP increase during agonist-induced EC stimulation seems not to be important for the effect of S35b on cellular function as the compound is active in inhibiting PAF production when endothelial cells are pretreated with indomethacin to block PGI2 synthesis. The increase of cGMP evoked by S35b may account for the effect on endothelial cell function.

Modulation of endothelial autacoid release by protein kinase C: feedback inhibition or non-specific attenuation of receptor-dependent cell activation?

Receptor-mediated elevations of intracellular Ca2+ in endothelial cells may be controlled by a negative feedback mechanism through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of an activation or inhibition of PKC on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2) from cultured bovine and porcine aortic endothelial cells (EC). Preincubation with the PKC activators phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (3-300 nM) or 1-oleyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG) (30 microM) significantly attenuated the release of NO and PGI2 from EC stimulated with bradykinin (0.3-30 nM), whereas phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (PDD) (30-300 nM), which does not activate PKC, had no effect. UCN-01 (10 nM), a specific PKC inhibitor, significantly augmented the bradykinin-stimulated release of NO from EC. These effects were correlated with a reduced (PMA) or enhanced (UCN-01) elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in response to bradykinin in both types of EC. Neither the PKC activators nor the inhibitor had any effect on resting intracellular Ca2+ or basal endothelial autacoid release. Several isoforms of PKC (namely PKC alpha, PKC delta, PKC epsilon, and PKC zeta) were detected in bovine, human, and porcine EC by immunoblotting analysis with isotype-specific anti-PKC antibodies, which, except PKC epsilon, were predominantly located in the cytosol. Incubation of bovine EC with PMA elicited a significant increase in membrane-bound PKC alpha immunoreactivity, whereas there was no translocation of PKC alpha from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction with bradykinin. As determined by histone phosphorylation, PKC activity was similarly reduced in the cytosol, but increased in the membrane fraction of bovine EC exposed to PMA, whereas bradykinin had no significant effect. These findings indicate that endothelial autacoid release can be modulated by activators and inhibitors of PKC. However, stimulation of EC with bradykinin does not lead to a detectable activation of PKC, suggesting that PKC does not exert a negative feedback in the signal transduction pathway of this receptor-dependent agonist.

Synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor and eicosanoids in human endothelial cells induced by different agonists

Production of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and eicosanoids by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after stimulation with different agonists has been studied. Significant amounts of PAF were measured in the cellular fraction after treatment with thrombin (2 NIHu/ml), calcium ionophore A23187 (2 microM) and histamine (100 microM) (110.3 +/- 14.3, 80.7 +/- 19.2 and 119.2 +/- 22.4 pg/10(5) cells, respectively). Only thrombin caused a partial release of PAF into the supernatant. IL-1 alpha (0.1 nM), TNF (1 nM), arachidonic acid (10 microM) and endothelin (0.1 microM) were not able to induce any PAF synthesis. High levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were found after stimulation with thrombin and calcium ionophore A23187 (8641 +/- 2575 and 6715 +/- 3340 pg/10(5) cells, respectively). Cytokines IL-1 alpha and TNF were also able to stimulate PGI2 synthesis, although to a lesser extent. PGE2 production increased after treatment with thrombin and calcium ionophore A23187 three- and two-fold, respectively. Our results confirm that stimulated HUVEC are able to synthesize PAF and eicosanoids simultaneously, the relative amounts depending upon the agonist used. None of the agonists studied showed any significant effect on 15-HETE production.

Role of protein kinase C in the regulation of prostaglandin synthesis in human endothelium

The present study specifically addresses the role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in human endothelial cell Ca2+ mobilization, a response that is functionally coupled to the production of the potent arachidonate (AA) metabolite, prostacyclin (PGI2). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), alpha-thrombin, and sodium fluoride (NaF), a direct G-protein activator, produced a rapid and time-dependent translocation of PKC from the cytosol to the membrane. Activation of PKC by brief pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers with PMA resulted in the inhibition of NaF-induced inositol phosphate increases and attenuation of both alpha-thrombin- and NaF-activated increases in intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i). Ca2+ mobilization induced by ionophore A23187 was not affected by PKC preactivation, suggesting PKC-dependent negative feedback inhibition of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-specific phospholipase C (PLC). Agonist-stimulated AA release and PGI2 synthesis in PMA-pretreated cultured human endothelial cells, however, was potentiated, and the enhanced PGI2 synthesis produced by A23187, NaF, and alpha-thrombin was dependent upon the dose of PMA. Treatment of HUVEC monolayers with an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N'N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethylester (BAPTA-AM), dramatically reduced alpha-thrombin-, NaF-, and A23187-induced PGI2 synthesis, demonstrating the importance of Ca2+i availability in PGI2 synthesis. BAPTA pretreatment did not inhibit PMA-induced PKC activation, and BAPTA-mediated inhibition of agonist-stimulated PGI2 synthesis was partially attenuated by prior PMA pretreatment. Staurosporine, a potent PKC inhibitor, at concentrations that inhibited PKC-induced phosphorylation of histone-1, augmented both alpha-thrombin- and NaF-induced production of inositol phosphates but markedly inhibited alpha-thrombin-, NaF-, and A23187-induced PGI2 synthesis. The downregulation of PKC activity by prolonged PMA treatment (18 h) produced similar inhibition of PGI2 synthesis by these agonists (approximately 50% inhibition). These studies indicate that the integrated phospholipase A2 and PLC activities are under complex regulation by factors that include both PKC activation and [Ca2+i]. PKC exerts dual effects on prostaglandin synthesis via negative regulation of Gp-coupled PI-specific PLC and positive feedback regulation of AA release and PGI2 synthesis. PKC is thus a critical determinant in the regulation of human endothelial cell prostaglandin synthesis by both receptor-mediated and G-protein-dependent cellular activation.

Interaction of vasculotropin/vascular endothelial cell growth factor with human umbilical vein endothelial cells: binding, internalization, degradation, and biological effects

Vasculotropin/vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VAS/VEGF) is a newly purified growth factor with a unique specificity for vascular endothelial cells. We have investigated the interactions of VAS/VEGF with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVE cells). 125I-VAS/VEGF was found to HUVE cells in a saturable manner with a half-maximum binding at 2.8 ng/ml. Scatchard analysis did show two classes of high-affinity binding sites. The first class displayed a dissociation constant of 9 pM with 500 sites/cell. The dissociation constant and the number of binding sites of the second binding class were variable for different HUVE cell cultures (KD = 179 +/- 101 pM, 5,850 +/- 2,950 sites/cell). Half-maximal inhibition of 125I-VAS/VEGF occurred with a threefold excess of unlabeled ligand. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and heparin did not compete with 125I-VAS/VEGF binding. In contrast, suramin and protamin sulfate completely displaced 125I-VAS/VEGF binding from HUVE cells. VAS/VEGF was shown to be internalized in HUVE cells. Maximum internalization (55% of total cell-associated radioactivity) was observed after 30 min. 125I-VAS/VEGF was completely degraded 2-3 hr after binding. At 3 hr, the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble radioactivity accumulated in the medium was 60% of the total radioactivity released by HUVE cells. No degradation fragment of 125I-VAS/VEGF was observed. Chloroquine completely inhibited degradation. VAS/VEGF was able to induce angiogenesis in vitro in HUVE cells. However, it did not significantly modulate urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), and tissue factor (TF). Prostacyclin production was only stimulated at very high VAS/VEGF concentrations. Taken together, these results indicate that VAS/VEGF might be a potent inducer of neovascularization resulting from a direct interaction with endothelial cells. The angiogenic activity seems to be independent of the plasminogen activator or inhibitor system.

Protein kinase C and cyclic AMP modulate thrombin-induced platelet-activating factor synthesis in human endothelial cells

Stimulation of human endothelial cells (EC) by thrombin elicits a rapid increase of intracellular free Ca2+ [(Ca2+]i), platelet-activating factor (PAF) production and 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (lyso-PAF): acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) activity. The treatment of EC with thrombin leads to a 90% decrease in the cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) activity; this dramatic decline is accompanied by an increase of the enzymatic activity in the particulate fraction. The role of PKC in thrombin-mediated PAF synthesis has been assessed: (1) by the blockade of PKC activity with partially selective inhibitors (palmitoyl-carnitine, sphingosine and H-7); (2) by chronic exposure of EC to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which results in down-regulation of PKC. In both cases, a strong inhibition of thrombin-induced PAF production is observed, suggesting obligatory requirement of PKC activity for PAF synthesis. It is suggested that PKC regulates EC phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity as thrombin-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release is 90% inhibited in PKC-depleted cells. Brief exposure of EC to PMA strongly inhibits thrombin-induced [Ca2+]i rise, acetyltransferase activation and PAF production, suggesting that, in addition to the positive forward action, PKC provides a negative feedback control over membrane signalling pathways involved in the thrombin effect on EC. Forskolin and iloprost, two agents that increase the level of cellular cAMP in EC, are very effective in inhibiting thrombin-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ rise, acetyltransferase activation and PAF production; this suggests that endogenously generated prostacyclin (PGI2) may modulate the synthesis of PAF in human endothelial cells.

C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids and phorbol myristate acetate enhance agonist-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in vascular endothelial cells

This study has investigated the effect of supplementation of vascular endothelial cells with arachidonate and other polyunsaturated fatty acids on the agonist-stimulated synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC). Incubation of calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells for 48 h in medium containing 40 microM arachidonate resulted in a 2-3-fold enhancement of [3H]acetate incorporation into 1-radyl-2[3H]acetyl-GPC in response to either bradykinin or calcium ionophore A23187. The effects of arachidonate supplementation were both dose- and time-dependent, requiring a minimum exogenous arachidonate concentration of 2.5 microM and an incubation time of 4-6 h. Eicosapentaenoate and docosahexaenoate also enhanced the synthesis of 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC, but were less potent than arachidonate; alpha-linolenate, linoleate and oleate were without effect. Although not effective as an agonist, phorbol myristate acetate potentiated A23187- and bradykinin-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC. The effects of arachidonate supplementation were synergistic with potentiation by phorbol myristate acetate. Sphingosine inhibited agonist-stimulated incorporation of [3H]acetate into 1-radyl-2-[3H]acetyl-GPC both in the presence and absence of PMA. Characterization of the radiolabeled material indicated that the primary product was the acyl analogue of PAF (1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC) rather than PAF. The results from this study suggest that agonist-stimulated synthesis of 1-radyl-2-acetyl-GPC in vascular endothelial cells is modulated both by cellular fatty acyl composition and activation of protein kinase C. Enrichment of vascular endothelial cells with fatty acids, which are mobilized by agonist-stimulated phospholipase A2, may enhance subsequent deacylation of choline phospholipids and, thus, increase synthesis of both 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC and PAF.

Human serum stimulates endothelin-1 synthesis more potently than prostacyclin production by cultured vascular endothelial cells

Human serum stimulated the synthesis of a vasoconstrictive peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and a vasodilatory prostanoid, prostacyclin (PGI2), by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Incubation in 20% concentration of the serum for 24 h stimulated ET-1 synthesis almost six-fold while PGI2 production increased two-fold. In addition, a tumor-promoting phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), inhibited the serum-induced ET-1 production and stimulated PGI2 synthesis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Our results suggest that human serum derived factor(s) stimulate the production of vasoconstrictive ET-1 more potently than the synthesis of vasodilatory PGI2 by human vascular endothelial cells and that the production of these agents is differentially regulated by PMA.