Synthesis of leukotrienes in frog retina and retinal pigment epithelium

Role of leukotrienes in diabetic retinopathy

The pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy is highly complex and encompasses the detrimental roles of numerous factors/mediators in inducing various molecular pathological alterations. Although the roles of many inflammatory mediators, involved in the progression of this complication, have been thoroughly researched and studied, the part played by leukotrienes remains widely neglected. This review focuses on leukotrienes-induced mediation and aggravation of the pathological pathways, such as inflammation, oxidative stress and retinal angiogenesis, responsible for exhibition of various characteristic events including leukostasis, macular edema, retinal neovascularization and vitreous hemorrhages, hence, marking the advent of diabetic retinopathy. Acknowledging these roles, it might be possible to potentially utilize leukotrienes antagonists for suppressing or reducing the intensity of the mentioned pathological alterations. Hence, leukotrienes antagonists may act as an effective adjuvant therapy either along with other developing novel therapies (such as anti-VEGF or anti-TNF-α therapy), or with the established conventional laser photocoagulation treatment, to provide additional symptomatic relief or, possibly prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Cellular and molecular events mediated by docosahexaenoic acid-derived neuroprotectin D1 signaling in photoreceptor cell survival and brain protection

Deficiency in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is associated with impaired visual and neurological postnatal development, cognitive decline, macular degeneration, and other neurodegenerative diseases. DHA is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acyl chain concentrated in phospholipids of brain and retina, with photoreceptor cells displaying the highest content of DHA of all cell membranes. The identification and characterization of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1, 10R, 17S-dihydroxy-docosa-4Z,7Z,11E,13E,15Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid) contributes in understanding the biological significance of DHA. In oxidative stress-challenged human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, human brain cells, or rat brains undergoing ischemia-reperfusion, NPD1 synthesis is enhanced as a response for sustaining homeostasis. Thus, neurotrophins, Abeta peptide 42 (Abeta42), calcium ionophore A23187, interleukin (IL)-1beta, or DHA supply enhances NPD1 synthesis. NPD1, in turn, up-regulates the antiapoptotic proteins of the Bcl-2 family and decreases the expression of proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members. Moreover, NPD1 inhibits IL-1beta-stimulated expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Because both RPE and photoreceptors are damaged and then die in retinal degenerations, elucidating how NPD1 signaling contributes to retinal cell survival may lead to a new understanding of disease mechanisms. In human neural cells, DHA attenuates amyloid-beta (Abeta) secretion, resulting in concomitant formation of NPD1. NPD1 was found to be reduced in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) cornu ammonis region 1 (CA1) hippocampal region, but not in other areas of the brain. The expression of key enzymes for NPD1 biosynthesis, cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)), and 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) was found altered in the AD hippocampal CA1 region. NPD1 repressed Abeta42-triggered activation of pro-inflammatory genes and upregulated the antiapoptotic genes encoding Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, and Bfl-1(A1) in human brain cells in culture. Overall, these results support the concept that NPD1 promotes brain and retina cell survival via the induction of antiapoptotic and neuroprotective gene-expression programs that suppress Abeta42-induced neurotoxicity and other forms of cell injury, which in turn fosters homeostasis during development in aging, as well as during the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.

Photoreceptor outer segment phagocytosis attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis with concomitant neuroprotectin D1 synthesis

Photoreceptor cell (rods and cones) renewal is accompanied by intermittent shedding of the distal tips of the outer segment followed by their phagocytosis in the retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. This renewal is essential for vision, and it is thought that it fosters survival of photoreceptors and of RPE cells. However, no specific survival messenger/mediators have as yet been identified. We show here that photoreceptor outer segment (POS) phagocytosis markedly attenuates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells in culture. This phenomenon does not seem to be a generalized outcome of phagocytosis because nonbiological (polystyrene microsphere) phagocytosis did not elicit protection. The free docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) pool size and neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1) content increased during POS phagocytosis but not during microspheres phagocytosis. We have also explored other lipid mediators [lipoxin A4 and 15(S)- and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids] under these conditions and found them unchanged upon POS phagocytosis. Moreover, oxidative stress challenge to RPE cells undergoing POS phagocytosis further increased DHA and NPD1 content. Under these conditions, NPD1 was found within the RPE cells as well as in the culture medium, suggesting autocrine and paracrine bioactivity. Furthermore, using deuterium-labeled DHA, we show that as the availability of free DHA increases during oxidative stress, NPD1 synthesis is augmented in ARPE-19 cells. Our data suggest a distinct signaling that promotes survival of photoreceptor and RPE cells by enhancing the synthesis of NPD1 during phagocytosis. Taken together, NPD1 may be a mediator that promotes homeostatic regulation of cell integrity during photoreceptor cell renewal.

The role of platelet-activating factor in the corneal response to injury

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a potent bioactive lipid that is generated in the cornea after injury and whose actions are mediated through specific receptors. Studies from our laboratory have shown that PAF interactions with its receptor activate several transmembrane signals involved in inflammation, wound healing, and apoptosis. The wide variety of responses to PAF implicate this lipid as a central player in many responses of the cornea after a pathologic stimulus. An exciting facet of PAF is that it induces the expression of specific genes involved in the remodeling of components of the extracellular matrix, such as some metalloproteinases, urokinase plasminogen activator, and selective inhibitors of metalloproteinases. These enzymes, when overexpressed, could lead to corneal ulceration. Continuous exposure to PAF during prolonged inflammation produces increase keratocyte apoptosis and inhibition of epithelial adhesion to the basement membrane. As a consequence, there is a marked delay in wound healing, which is not countered by the actions of growth factors. In this review, we present data mainly from our laboratory showing actions of PAF in corneal epithelium in vivo and in vitro in corneal models of injury as well as in cells in culture. We also discuss the signal-transduction mechanisms involved in the different actions of PAF. A therapeutic role for PAF antagonists in blocking the effects of PAF is guaranteed in the future.

Light stimulates in vivo inositol lipid turnover in frog retinal pigment epithelial cells at the onset of shedding and phagocytosis of photoreceptor membranes

We have developed an experimental model to study in vivo inositol lipid metabolism in frog retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, including the effect of light on phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. RPE cells were rapidly isolated after either brief light or dark periods. Light and electron microscopy showed complete detachment of the retina from the RPE cells, and that the RPE cell suspensions were devoid of photoreceptor cell outer segments. Frog tissues were labeled in vivo for 20 hr by intravitreal injection of [3H]inositol (4 microCi, 4 microliters per eye) within a 24-hr constant illumination period. Following 1 hr of darkness (priming period), frogs were intravitreally injected with LiCl (0.5 M, 4 microliters per eye) 15 min before the onset of either 30-min light stimulation or an additional 30 min of darkness (controls). In order to preserve endogenous inositol phosphate pools present after dark and light exposure, the RPE cells were harvested in the shortest time possible, at low temperatures (18-20 degrees C), and in the presence of 10 mM LiCl. Total [3H]inositol-labeled water-soluble products (inositol plus inositol phosphates) were increased by 86% after 30 min of light. Inositol trisphosphate (IP3) showed the highest accumulation (a 5.5-fold increase), followed by inositol bisphosphate (1.9-fold increase) and inositol monophosphate (1.4-fold increase). Free [3H]inositol also accumulated (2.8-fold increase), reflecting only a partial inhibition of phosphomonoesterase by LiCl. These changes were paralleled by a 12% decrease in 3H-labeled phosphatidylinositol with no significant difference in the labeling of polyphosphoinositides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of leukotriene C4 binding sites in the brain of the American bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

In this study, specific binding sites for [3H]-LTC4 on membrane preparations from American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) brain were characterized. Binding assays were done in the presence of serine (5mM) borate (10 mM) for 30 min at 23 degrees C. Under these conditions, no metabolism of LTC4 to LTD4 occurred. Specific binding of [3H]-LTC4 reached steady state within 10 min, remained constant for 60 min, and was reversible with the addition of 1,000-fold excess unlabelled LTC4. Scatchard analysis of the binding data indicated a single class of binding sites with an estimated Kd of 89.83 nM and Bmax of 43.79 pmol/mg protein. Competition binding studies demonstrated that LTD4 and LTE4 were ineffective in displacing [3H]-LTC4 from its binding site. The Ki for LTC4 was 51 nM. S-decylglutathione, glutathione and hematin had Ki values of 44, 312,602, and 25,576 nM, respectively. The mammalian cysteinyl leukotriene antagonist L-660,711 inhibited specific binding of [3H]-LTC4, with a Ki of 87,149 nM. Guanosine-5'-0-3-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) did not affect specific binding of [3H]-LTC4 indicating that, like mammalian LTC4 receptors, a Gi protein is not involved in the transduction mechanism. The LTC4 binding site in bullfrog brain demonstrates both similarities and differences from its mammalian counterpart.

Identification of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 in the synovial fluid of painful, dysfunctional temporomandibular joints

It has been hypothesized that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) should be present in the synovial fluid of inflamed, dysfunctional temporomandibular joints. An assay to identify PGE2 and LTB4 and platelet-activating factor (PAF) was used, and a strong correlation between the levels of these lipid mediators of pain and inflammation and an index of clinical joint pathology was found.

Modern high-performance liquid chromatographic-radioimmunoassay strategies for the study of eicosanoids in biological samples

An evaluation of the most recent literature on the determination of eicosanoids by immunoassay methods confirms that owing to the inherent lack of specificity of many of the antibodies used for this purpose, immunological assays (radioimmunoassay or enzyme immunoassay) are often preceded by solid-phase extraction followed by further purification of the antigens of interest by routine reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. In this way the analytical potential of radioimmunoassay is remarkably enhanced and accuracy and precision of the assay are ensured.

Increased levels of leukotriene C4 in retinal pigment epithelium are correlated with early events in photoreceptor shedding in Xenopus laevis

The levels of 5-lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid, leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4 in retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) from Xenopus laevis were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RPE were isolated during various stages of photoreceptor renewal to determine possible alterations in 5-lipoxygenase activity concurrent with photoreceptor detachment and phagocytosis. Both LTC4 and LTB4 were released to RPE incubation media, although levels of LTB4 in unstimulated RPE were close to the limits of detection by RIA. Incubation of RPE with the calcium ionophore A23187 increased the levels of both LTB4 and LTC4. When animals were maintained on a cycle of 12 hr light/dark, normal photoreceptor shedding, as measured by histological quantitation of the appearance of phagosomes in the RPE, occurred 1 hr after light onset. Levels of LTC4 in RPE were lower 1 hr after light onset, as compared to 1 hr prior to light onset. Due to the low levels of LTB4, no significant differences could be detected. However, when LTB4 levels were elevated with A23187, LTB4 also declined 1 hr after light onset. When animals were maintained in constant light for 5 days, then exposed to 2 hr dark and 2 hr light, a massive shedding response occurred. Levels of LTC4 were stimulated 5 min after light onset (prior to detectable shedding) and declined below dark levels as shedding progressed. These data suggest a correlation between 5-lipoxygenase activity and the events of photoreceptor shedding and phagocytosis.

Light exposure stimulates arachidonic acid metabolism in intact rat retina and isolated rod outer segments

This paper presents evidence that short-term exposure to light increases synthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and stimulates the uptake and metabolism of 20:4 in phospholipids and triacylglycerols in rat retina. There was a time-dependent increase in incorporation of 1-14C-20:4 into glycerolipids in both dark-adapted and light-exposed groups. Exposure to light for 15 or 30 min enhanced the acylation of 20:4 into phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine and triacylglycerols. In the light-exposed groups there was a large increase in the conversion of 20:4 to leukotriene B4, two diHETEs, 5-HETE, 15-HETE, and PGD2. The stimulation of HETE synthesis by light could be due to early stages of light-induced lipid peroxidation in visual cells. To examine this, we studied peroxidation of 20:4 in isolated rod outer segments (ROS). There was more oxidation of 20:4 in light-exposed ROS, as compared to ROS incubated in the dark. Vitamin E and nordihydroguaiaretic acid inhibited the light-induced formation of some of these products. The data indicate that photo-oxidation of 20:4 in ROS is accompanied by enzymatic oxygenation that is stimulated by light. Increased production of HETEs an PGD2 may be a consequence of the light-induced stimulation of the metabolism of 20:4 in membrane phospholipids in the retina.