A rapid isolation procedure of plasma membranes from human neutrophils using self-generating Percoll gradients. Importance of pH in avoiding contamination by intracellular membranes

Surface expression of lactoferrin by resting neutrophils

We examined the surface expression of lactoferrin by human neutrophils. Western blot analysis with anti-lactoferrin antibodies demonstrated the presence of a 78- to 79-kDa band in plasma membranes isolated from resting neutrophils that corresponded to the 78- to 79-kDa protein in neutrophil secondary granules. Flow cytometry using FITC-conjugated anti-lactoferrin antibodies confirmed that lactoferrin is expressed on the neutrophil surface. Preincubating the neutrophils in acidic (pH 3.9) buffer did not alter staining of the cells by the antibodies. Surface expression of lactoferrin was also detected on neutrophils in whole blood. Neutrophil activation by C5a or the calcium ionophore A23187 did not increase the surface expression of lactoferrin. Instead, the level of lactoferrin expression detected with one of two monoclonal antibodies was diminished after neutrophil activation, suggesting a possible conformational change in the lactoferrin. The surface-expressed lactoferrin may provide a mechanism for the interaction between lactoferrin-binding microorganisms and neutrophils.

PAF-induced elastase-dependent neutrophil transendothelial migration is associated with the mobilization of elastase to the neutrophil surface and localization to the migrating front

One of the cardinal signs of acute inflammation is neutrophil (PMN) emigration across the endothelium and into the affected tissue. We have previously shown that human PMN migration across human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers is dependent on PMN-derived elastase. However, whether migrating PMN release elastase into the extracellular milieu or retain it on the cell surface is unclear. In the present study, we show that when PMN are activated by platelet activating factor (PAF), elastase was mobilized to and retained in the cell membrane; no elastase activity was detected in the supernatant. Neutroplasts (enucleated cells devoid of granules) prepared from PAF-activated PMN contained twice as much elastase as did neutroplasts prepared from unstimulated PMN. Neutroplasts from PAF-activated PMN migrated across HUVEC monolayers in response to a chemotactic gradient (PAF), while those prepared from unstimulated PMN did not. The neutroplast transendothelial migration was inhibited (80%) by a monoclonal antibody against elastase. Using confocal microscopy, we noted that the localization of elastase on the cell surface of PMN, which were adherent to HUVEC but not migrating, was largely confined to the apical aspect of the PMN. There was little or no elastase detectable on the basal aspect of the PMN membrane in contact with the endothelium. By contrast, in migrating PMN the membrane-bound elastase was primarily localized to the migrating front, i.e. pseudopodia penetrating the HUVEC monolayers. Taken together, our findings indicate that migrating PMN localize their membrane-bound elastase to the migrating front where it facilitates transendothelial migration.

Subcellular localization of enzyme activities involved in the metabolism of platelet-activating factor in rainbow trout leukocytes

The subcellular distribution of an alkyllyso-GPC: acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.67) and transacylase, two important enzyme activities involved in the remodeling pathway for the biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, PAF) have been examined in leukocytes isolated from the pronephros of the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Contrary to mammalian systems, in which the acetyltransferase is localized to intracellular membranes, the subcellular distribution of an acetyltransferase activity in rainbow trout leukocytes was localized to the plasma membrane. Analysis of the acetyltransferase products by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed synthesis of two subclasses of PAF, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The transacylase activity in this study was detected in membrane fractions in two domains of the intermediate density region which also contained the NADH dehydrogenase activity, a marker enzyme for the endoplasmic reticulum. Acylation of lysoPAF (1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) exhibited approximately 95% specificity for omega-3 fatty acids. Acylation patterns were not significantly different in either domain of the endoplasmic reticulum. A model is proposed herein for the metabolism of PAF in rainbow trout leukocytes.

Biochemical and immunochemical properties of B lymphocyte cytochrome b558

Like neutrophils, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-immortalized B lymphocytes express all constituents of the NADPH oxidase complex necessary to generate superoxide anion O2-. The NADPH oxidase activity in EBV-B lymphocytes is only 5% of that measured in neutrophils upon PMA stimulation. Cytochrome b558 is the sole redox membrane component of NADPH oxidase; it is the protein core around which cytosolic factors assemble in order to mediate oxidase activity. In the present study, we have compared the structural and functional properties of cytochrome b558 from EBV-B lymphocytes and neutrophils. Cytochrome b558 from EBV-B lymphocyte plasma membrane, like that from neutrophils, is characterized by a heterodimeric structure with a highly glycosylated beta subunit, known as gp91-phox. While the amount of cytochrome b558 recovered after purification from EBV-B lymphocytes (approximately 0.24 nmol from 1010 cells) was low compared to that recovered from neutrophils (approximately 10 nmol), the biochemical properties of purified cytochrome b558 from both EBV-B lymphocytes and neutrophils were quite similar with respect to their differential spectra, redox potential, and FAD binding site. Once cytochrome b558 was extracted from the EBV-B lymphocyte membrane, it was able to mediate, in a reconstituted system of O2- production the same oxidase turnover as that found for cytochrome b558 extracted from neutrophils. A comparison between membrane bound and soluble cytochrome b558 suggested that the weak oxidase activity measured in intact EBV-B cells might be the result not only of the small amount of expressed cytochrome b558, but also of a defect of the activation process in lymphocyte membrane.

Restoration of TNF-alpha-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis in resistant human leukemia KG1a cells by the P-glycoprotein blocker PSC833

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is a cytokine with antitumor activity against several cellular models. TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis seems to be mediated by a signaling pathway termed 'sphingomyelin-ceramide' pathway, which consists of the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin and the production of its breakdown product ceramide. Our study shows that KG1a cells, which are inherently resistant to TNF-alpha and do not produce ceramide upon cytokine stimulation, can be sensitized by the use of the P-glycoprotein inhibitor PSC833. Coincubation with 1 microM of this cyclosporin derivative restored the apoptotic potential of 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha. This effect was associated with the restoration of ceramide generation (315%) and activation of neutral, but not acid sphingomyelinase activity (143%). Furthermore, we demonstrate that treatment of KG1a cells with 1 microM PSC833 led to a threefold increase in inner plasma membrane sphingomyelin content and basal neutral sphingomyelinase activity. These results support the hypothesis whereby resistance to TNF-alpha-mediated apoptosis of certain leukemic cells is linked to the disposability of the sphingomyelin pool. These data also suggest a role for P-glycoprotein in sphingomyelin transverse plasma membrane asymmetry.

Transacylase-mediated alkylacyl-GPC synthesis and its hydrolysis by phospholipase D occur in separate cell compartments in the human neutrophil

Subcellular localizations of CoA-independent transacylase and phospholipase D enzymes have been investigated in human neutrophils performing a two-step gradient system to separate plasma membranes from internal membranes and from the bulk of granules. The internal membranes were constituted by endoplasmic reticulum and by a subpopulation of specific and tertiary granules. The enzymes activities were assayed in vitro on gradient fractions using exogenous substrates. Following cell prelabelling with [3H]alkyllyso-GPC, we also analyzed the in situ localization of labelled products involving the action of both enzymes. The CoA-independent transacylase activity, together with the CoA-dependent transacylase and acyltransferase activities were only located in the internal membranes. Following 15 min cell labelling, part of the [3H]alkylacyl-GPC was recovered in plasma membranes indicating a rapid redistribution of the acylated compound. Very high contents in arachidonate containing [3H]alkylacyl-GPC were recovered both in plasma membranes and internal membranes. Phospholipase D activity being assayed in the presence of cytosol, GTP gamma S and gradient fractions, only the plasma membrane fractions from resting or stimulated cells allowed the enzyme to be active. The [3H]alkylacyl-GP and [3H]alkylacyl-GPethanol, phospholipase D breakdown products from [3H]alkylacyl-GPC, obtained after neutrophil prelabelling and activation by phorbol myristate acetate, were exclusively present in the plasma membranes. In contrast, the secondary generated [3H]alkylacylglycerols were equally distributed between plasma and internal membranes. No labelled product was recovered on azurophil granules. These data demonstrate that internal membranes are the site of action of the CoA-independent transacylase and plasma membranes are the site of action of the phospholipase D. This topographical separation between CoA-independent transacylase which generated substrate and phospholipase D which degraded it, suggested that subcellular localisation and traffic of substrates within the cell can be important to regulate the enzymes.

Phosphatidylcholine turnover in activated human neutrophils. Agonist-induced cytidylyltransferase translocation is subsequent to phospholipase D activation

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis and degradation are tightly regulated to assure a constant amount of the phospholipid in cellular membranes. The chemotactic peptide fMLP and the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, are known to stimulate phosphatidylcholine degradation by phospholipase D in human neutrophils. fMLP alone triggered phosphatidylcholine breakdown into phosphatidic acid, but did not stimulate phosphatidylcholine synthesis or activation of the rate-limiting enzyme CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. Adding cytochalasin B to fMLP led to some conversion of phosphatidic acid into diglyceride, and fMLP was then able to trigger choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine, and cytidylyltransferase translocation from cytosol to membranes. Inhibition of phosphatidyl-choline-phospholipase D activation with tyrphostin led to inhibition of choline incorporation. Therefore, phosphatidic acid-derived diglyceride but not phosphatidic acid alone was effective to promote cytidylyltransferase translocation. With phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate as agonist, and by selective labeling of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine, we demonstrated that only phosphatidylcholine-derived diglyceride participated in cytidylyltransferase translocation. Oleic acid stimulated phosphatidylcholine synthesis, but induced a weak increase in diglyceride and a slight cytidylyltransferase translocation, and did not stimulate phospholipase D activity. Our data established that only diglyceride derived from phosphatidylcholine degradation by the phospholipase D/phosphatidate phosphatase pathway are required for agonist-induced cytidylyltransferase translocation and subsequent choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine.

Accumulation of phosphatidylalcohol in cultured cells: use of subcellular fractionation to investigate phospholipase D activity during signal transduction

Phosphatidylalcohol accumulates as a product of a phospholipase D (PLD)-catalysed transphosphatidylation reaction in cells incubated in the presence of a primary alcohol. In the presence of ethanol the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), stimulated the accumulation of [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in HeLa cells prelabelled with [3H]palmitic acid. Radioactivity associated with PEth increased linearly during a 30 min incubation, indicating that a sustained activation of PLD is caused by PMA in these cells. This was accompanied by the membrane association of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha), the PKC isoform that recent studies indicate is involved in the activation of PLD. In similar experiments, the neuropeptide bradykinin stimulated an accumulation of PEth in 3T3 Li cells. The radioactivity associated with PEth increased to a maximal level at 30 s and plateaued after this time, suggesting that bradykinin induces only a transient activation of PLD in these cells. This is consistent with the effects of bradykinin on PKC-alpha, which underwent a rapid and transient association with cell membranes. The subcellular localization of PEth was examined using the technique of subcellular fractionation on Percoll density gradients to isolate organelle-enriched fractions from HeLa and 3T3 Li cells. An accumulation of [3H]PEth was measured in the plasma-membrane (PM)-enriched fractions of both HeLa and 3T3 Li cells after incubation with PMA and bradykinin respectively. This was accompanied by a time-dependent accumulation of [3H]PEth in the combined mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum (MER)-enriched fractions of both cell lines. PMA was also found to cause translocation of PKC-alpha to both the PM- and MER-enriched fractions in HeLa cells. However, bradykinin stimulated the translocation of PKC-alpha to the PM-enriched fractions only of 3T3 Li cells. The results show that PLD activation leads to the accumulation of PEth in both the PM and MER fractions. We therefore propose that either bradykinin activates a PM-associated PLD and the PLD reaction product is rapidly translocated to other membrane systems or it activates an MER-associated PLD by a mechanism that does not involve PKC-alpha.

Identification of a novel neutrophil membrane protein involved in modulation of oxidative burst

On the basis of selective recognition by antibodies directed against neutrophil membrane determinants, a new neutrophil protein (molecular mass 82 kDa) has been identified, and shown to be functionally correlated with the oxidative response evoked in these cells by agonist stimulation. The protein is present in neutrophil membrane fraction but only upon activation it becomes accessible to recognition by a specific monoclonal antibody. In these conditions a complete and selective inhibition of O2- production occurs. The presence of a new protein antigen in neutrophil membranes linked to the activation of the O2- producing multienzyme complex that becomes external to the cell surface in primed or activated cells, might be important for future approaches aiming at the control of neutrophil response and at the identification of the activated forms of these cells.

Isolation of the plasma membrane and organelles from Chinese hamster ovary cells

Two methods are described enabling the plasma membrane from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to be obtained rapidly, relatively pure and with a good yield. In both cases, cells were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation in an isoosmotic buffer either at pH 5.4 or at pH 7.4. In the first approach, cells were lysed at pH 7.4 and the plasma membrane and cell organelles were isolated on a self-generated gradient of Percoll, at neutral pH. Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were recovered in the denser fractions, plasma membrane fragments were found in the lighter fractions, but always contaminated by lysosomes. Because lysosomes were found to sediment in acidic conditions, cells were lysed at pH 5.4 and presedimentation (1500 x g) of the cell homogenate at the same pH enabled more than 80% of the lysosomes to be removed. Then, ultracentrifugation of the supernatant over a Percoll gradient at neutral pH yielded plasma membrane fractions practically free of lysosomes with an enrichment ratio of 3 and fractions of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum with enrichment ratios of 17 and 6, respectively. A major problem was encountered in the final step of elimination of Percoll from the purified plasma membrane fractions. Whatever the technique used for eliminating Percoll, plasma membranes were observed to be contaminated by a Percoll constituent which prevented further purification and biochemical identification of the lipids extracted from these membrane fractions to be carried out. A second method of plasma membrane preparation was tested consisting first in the coating of the cell surface with positive colloidal silica which was stabilized by an anionic polymer. Then, and through differential centrifugations, plasma membrane fractions were easily obtained within less than 1 h, with a yield of 65% and an enrichment ratio of 7. The coating pellicle was quantitatively removed thus enabling any biochemical manipulation of the plasma membrane to be carried out. The lipids present in the plasma membrane of CHO cells were analyzed and are described, both in terms of headgroup and acyl chain composition.

Human neutrophil phospholipase D activation by N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine reveals a two-step process for the control of phosphatidylcholine breakdown and oxidative burst

A comparative study of real-time kinetics of respiratory burst, monitored by H2O2-dependent chemiluminescence, and phospholipase D (PLD)-mediated phosphatidylcholine breakdown has been undertaken on human neutrophils stimulated by N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine in the absence of cytochalasin B. The fungal metabolite 17-hydroxywortmannin (HWT), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activation, decreases phosphatidic acid (PA) production by 30% at a concentration of 1 nM. Higher concentrations (10 nM-1 microM) inhibit PA formation maximally by 50% as compared with control. In all cases, the inhibition is delayed by 20-30 s after addition of the agonist. Thus the full PA generation is actually the result of an early (HWT-insensitive) and a late (HWT-sensitive) phosphatidylcholine breakdown. However, under all conditions, alkylacylglycerol remains at the basal level. PLD activity is dependent on Ca2+ influx, but is fully inhibited in cells depleted of Ca2+ with EGTA and Quin 2. The effect of HWT on the respiratory burst was investigated by measuring the kinetics of H2O2-induced chemiluminescence. This method allows to distinguish various phases of superoxide ion production: a lag, an increase in H2O2 formation (early phase), the duration of H2O2 production (late phase) and the termination of the oxidative burst. The lag remains constant for all HWT concentrations. A concentration of 10 nM-HWT, which fully inhibits the HWT-sensitive part of PA production, decreases superoxide ion production with a delay of about 20 s after addition of the agonist. Higher HWT concentrations, which have no additional effect on PLD inhibition, equally affect an early and a late phase of the burst. Thus high doses of HWT have a site of action which decreases the whole burst but does not affect the PLD any more. Therefore HWT and Ca2+ provide evidence for a two-step process for PLD activation. Only the delayed PA generation is functionally linked to a late phase of the oxidative burst.

Expression of recombinant soluble and membrane-bound catechol O-methyltransferase in eukaryotic cells and identification of the respective enzymes in rat brain

The rat and human recombinant soluble and membrane-bound catechol O-methyltransferase (S- and MB-COMT, respectively) were expressed using mammalian and baculovirus vectors. Low levels of rat and human S-COMT polypeptides were detected by immunoprecipitation in K-562 cell lines transfected with the S-COMT vectors. From K-562 cells transfected with the rat MB-COMT construct, both S- and MB-COMT recombinant proteins were detected by a rat COMT-specific anti-serum. Infection of lepidopteran Spodoptera frugiperda cells with recombinant S- or MB-COMT baculovirus constructs yielded high amounts of enzymically active and immunoreactive S- or MB-COMT proteins, respectively. Pulse/chase experiments with [35S]methionine-labelled insect cells infected with the MB-COMT baculovirus showed that the 30-kDa recombinant human MB-COMT polypeptide was not processed into the 25-kDa S-COMT form. Subcellular fractionations of insect cells, followed by immunoblotting with COMT antiserum, showed that recombinant S-COMT was found only in the soluble, cytoplasmic fraction, whereas MB-COMT resided both in soluble and membrane fractions. The recombinant MB-COMT sedimented in Percoll gradients at the density of 1.042 g/ml cosedimenting with the plasma-membrane marker. Fractionation and immunoblotting experiments on homogenized total rat brains indicated that the rat S-COMT (24 kDa) and some of the rat MB-COMT (28 kDa) was recovered in soluble fractions, whereas the microsomal material having COMT activity contained the MB-COMT polypeptide. The rat brain microsomal MB-COMT had a density of 1.042 g/ml in Percoll gradients, cosedimenting with the plasma-membrane and rough-endoplasmic-reticulum marker enzymes. The meta/para methylation ratio of dihydroxybenzoic-acid substrate by different recombinant and rat brain COMT-containing subcellular fractions was analysed.

Nuclear localization and characterization of alkaline phosphatase in neutrophils from normal controls and pregnant women

There were controversial data concerning localization of alkaline phosphatase (AP) in neutrophil nuclei under physiological conditions. In this context, the AP pattern has been determined on nuclei preparations from normal human neutrophils. Blood cells were isolated from 10 healthy adults and from 3 women in the third trimester of an uncomplicated pregnancy. Purity of nuclear suspension was checked by electron microscopy and assay of organelle marker enzymes. Electron microscope cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry studies were carried out on WBC. Enzyme characterization was performed by the usual biochemical procedures. AP was found in nuclear preparations from four of ten normal controls. When present, AP was detected in approximately two-thirds of the nuclei examined, representing an average of 20% of the total cell activity. Conversely, a large amount of nucleus-bound enzyme (55% of total AP activity) was recognized in all pregnant women samples. Biochemical and immunological characteristics clearly differentiate AP forms in the two groups of subjects. Normal controls have an heterogeneous enzyme pattern. AP positive preparations contain a mixture of isoenzymes: a prominent heat labile form and a relatively heat stable minor component. The heat stable fraction displays some properties similar to those previously described in leukocyte AP. Pregnant women express a unique very heat labile isoenzyme identical in its main characteristics to the early placental type.

Acylation of lyso platelet-activating factor by splenocytes of the rainbow trout, Oncorhyncus mykiss

In mammalian systems, platelet-activating factor, 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (PAF) is rapidly inactivated by a deacetylation/reacylation system that produces 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine which is highly enriched in arachidonic acid. There is some evidence that n-3 fatty acids may have an impact on this system in humans but the nature of this impact is unclear. In rainbow trout, n-3 fatty acids are known to be essential dietary components which are derived through the food chain. Substantial quantities of n-3 fatty acids are found in trout membrane phospholipids. We show here that in sharp contrast to mammalian cells, trout cells acylate lyso platelet-activating factor, alkyl-GPC, 1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, (lyso-PAF) with a high degree of specificity for n-3 fatty acids. When [3H]lysoPAF was incubated with these cells, only three molecular species of alkylacylglycerophosphocholine were produced, and 92% contained n-3 fatty acids. Since isolated membranes yielded similar results, it appears that the acylation proceeds via a coenzyme A-independent transacylase as found in mammalian systems.

PAF-acether transfer activity in HL-60 cells is induced during differentiation

Platelet-activating factor is a proinflammatory lipid active at subnanomolar concentrations. The intermembrane transfer of a biologically active PAF analog has been previously demonstrated in macrophages. Here we demonstrate that the specific activity of this transfer activity increases when HL-60 cells are induced to differentiate by treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide, dibutyryl cAMP or phorbol diester. In undifferentiated HL-60 cells, methylcarbamyl-PAF transfer activity was only 0.56 U.min-1.mg-1. This basal value was increased 2.6 and 6.7 times upon granulocytic and macrophagic differentiation, respectively. On the other hand, the transfer of 2-O-methyl-PAF, a cytotoxic analog with no PAF biological activity, remained very low and did not vary during differentiation.

Conversion of alkylacetylglycerol to platelet-activating factor in HL-60 cells and subcellular localization of the mediator

A human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell line was used to investigate the conversion of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (alkylacetyl-G) to platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) by intact cells and in subcellular fractions in order to examine the fate of PAF synthesized de novo. Lipid extracts obtained from undifferentiated HL-60 cells incubated with [3H]alkylacetyl-G contained 2-4% of the label as [3H]PAF; several related metabolites were also detected. The yield of [3H]PAF could be dramatically increased by pretreating the cells with either oleic acid, an activator of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of PAF acetylhydrolase. These results, together with a kinetic study of [3H]alkylacetyl-G metabolism, indicate the sequential participation of a cholinephosphotransferase for the conversion of [3H]-alkylacetyl-G to PAF and acetylhydrolase and transacylase activities in the remodeling pathway that metabolize the newly formed [3H]PAF to 1-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl(long chain)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. The dithiothreitol-insensitive cholinephosphotransferase activity capable of converting alkylacetyl-G to PAF was localized in subcellular fractions that contain CDP-choline:1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase (dithiothreitol-sensitive), as well as marker enzyme activities for the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi membranes. Subcellular localization analyses also indicated that the majority of newly formed [3H]PAF and a large portion of its deacetylated metabolite were associated with the plasma membrane-containing fractions, whereas most of the 1-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl(long chain)-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine was present in the intracellular organelles. Incubations of HL-60 cells with exogenous [3H]PAF produced a similar subcellular distribution of metabolites. Very little (less than 10%) of the [3H]PAF produced from [3H]alkylacetyl-G was released from intact cells under a variety of incubation conditions but 50% of the de novo-derived mediator was recovered in the medium of cells that were permeabilized with saponin. Our results indicate that PAF is rapidly translocated from its intracellular site of enzymatic synthesis to the plasma membrane where it is apparently sequestered in a pool that is not accessible to extracellular acceptors in contact with intact cells.

Preparation and characterization of plasma membrane vesicles from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

It would be advantageous to prepare models of the neutrophil plasma membrane in order to examine the role of the plasma membrane in transmembrane signal transduction in the human neutrophil and to dissect ligand-receptor interactions and structural changes in the cell surface upon stimulation. A number of investigators have prepared neutrophil membrane vesicles by homogenization, sonication, or centrifugation--techniques that can result in the loss of substantial amounts of surface membrane material, disruption of lysosomes causing proteolysis of membrane proteins, and contamination of the plasma membrane fraction by internal membranes. These limitations have been overcome in the present studies by employing a modification of the method previously developed in this laboratory. Human neutrophils were suspended in a buffer simulating cytoplasmic ionic and osmotic conditions and disrupted by nitrogen cavitation. The resultant cavitate was freed of undisrupted cells and nuclei and then centrifuged through discontinuous isotonic/isoosmotic Percoll gradients, which resolved four fractions: alpha (intact azurophilic granules), beta (intact specific granules), gamma (membrane vesicles), and delta (cytosol). The gamma fraction was highly enriched in alkaline phosphatase, a marker of the plasma membrane. In addition, this fraction contained less than 5% of the amounts of lysosomes (indicated by lysozyme activity) and nuclei (indicated by DNA content) found in intact cells or in unfractionated cavitate. Furthermore, the gamma fraction contained less than 10% of the levels of endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, mitochondrial, and lysosomal membranes in cells or cavitates, as determined by assays for glucose 6-phosphatase, galactosyl transferase, monoamine oxidase, and Mo1 (CD11b/CD18; Mac-1), respectively. Finally, 75% of the membrane vesicles were sealed, as indicated by assay of ouabain-sensitive (Na+,K+) ATPase activity, and 55% were oriented right-side-out, as determined by exposure of concanavalin A (ConA) receptors and sialic acid residues on the surfaces of the vesicles. These heterogeneous preparations could be enriched for right-side-out vesicles by their selective adherence to ConA-coated plates and subsequent detachment by rinsing the surfaces of the plates with alpha-methylmannoside. This enrichment protocol did not affect the integrity of the vesicles and resulted in populations in which greater than 85% of the vesicles were oriented right-side-out. This procedure thus permits the preparation of sealed, right-side-out membrane vesicles that may be used as valid experimental models of the neutrophil plasma membrane in a variety of functional studies.

O-alkyl-O-methylglycerophosphocholine, an antineoplastic lipid, undergoes spontaneous redistribution between biological membranes prepared from HL-60 cells

Cytotoxic actions of the unnatural phospholipid 1-O-alkyl-2-O-methyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkylmethyl-GPC) appear to be targeted to the plasma membrane of sensitive cells. We analyzed the distribution of [3H]alkylmethoxy-GPC in subcellular membranes isolated from human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. [3H]Alkylmethyl-GPC added to intact cells selectively labels plasma membrane-enriched fractions of the postnuclear supernatant, but the labeling profile is independent of the temperature and duration of the incubation, and concentration of the molecule. Also, an identical distribution pattern is obtained when [3H]alkylmethyl-GPC is directly added to postnuclear supernatants. Moreover, [3H]alkylmethyl-GPC translocates between subcellular membranes in a manner that does not depend on membrane-adsorbed or cytosolic transfer proteins. These results indicate that the subcellular localization studies reported for alkylmethyl-GPC and structurally-related molecules must be interpreted with caution.

Subcellular localization of phospholipids and enzymes involved in PAF-acether metabolism

The biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether or 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) through the remodeling pathway was investigated at the subcellular level in two different cell lines. In human neutrophils, plasma membrane was isolated not only from granules, but also from internal membranes related to endoplasmic reticulum. Interestingly, the latter exhibited enhanced acetyltransferase upon neutrophil stimulation with ionophore A23187. A similar study was undertaken on the tumor strain Krebs-II cells. The enzyme acetyltransferase was found to be located only on an endoplasmic reticulum subfraction, whereas most alkylacyl-GPC, the source of PAF-precursor alkyl-lyso-GPC, was located in the plasma membrane inner leaflet. The topographical separation of enzyme and precursor emphasizes the central role of the intracellular phospholipase A2 in providing lyso-PAF to the acetyltransferase to form PAF-acether.

Histamine incorporation into murine myeloblasts and promyelocytes. Formation of a histamine transport system

When isolated murine myeloblasts and promyelocytes were treated with 3H-histamine (5 x 10(-7) M) in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 20% horse serum at 37 degrees, the radioactivity of these cells increased gradually, reaching a maximum after 6 hr. However, when these progenitor cells were pretreated with unlabeled histamine (5 x 10(-7) M) for 1 hr, subsequent exposure to 3H-histamine caused prompt incorporation, the extent of which was more than 3.8 times that seen in cells which were not pretreated. This acceleration was prevented by simultaneous addition of cycloheximide (4 x 10(-7) M) or actinomycin D (10(-7) M) in the pre-incubation stage. While the microsomal fraction of progenitor cells pretreated with histamine initially yielded a higher binding capacity, that of the plasma membrane fraction rose significantly after 1 hr. Most of the incorporated 3H-histamine was detected as unmetabolized. Non-histone chromatin protein had a higher affinity to 3H-histamine than did the DNA fraction of progenitor cell nuclei. Histamine inhibited myeloperoxidase activity of myeloid progenitor cells selectively and dose-dependently without affecting eosinophil peroxidase. These findings suggest that histamine incorporated into murine myeloblasts and promyelocytes induces the synthesis of a specific protein(s) through interaction with the nucleus, and that these proteins, in turn, may be combined into the cell membrane, where they act as a transport system for histamine incorporation.

Isolation of plasma membranes from cultured glioma cells and application to evaluation of membrane sphingomyelin turnover

A rapid and reliable method for the isolation of plasma membranes and microsomes of high purity and yield from cultured glioma cells is described. The procedure involves disruption by N2 cavitation, preliminary separation by centrifugation in Tricine buffer, and final separation on a gradient formed from 40% Percoll at pH 9.3. Enzyme and chemical markers indicated greater than 60% yield with six- to eightfold enrichment for plasma membranes and greater than 25% yield with three- to fourfold enrichment for a microsomal fraction consisting mainly of endoplasmic reticulum. The final fractions were obtained with high reproducibility in less than 1 h from the time of cell harvesting. Application of this procedure to human fibroblasts in culture is assessed. The isolation procedure was applied to investigations of synthesis and turnover of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine in plasma membranes of glioma cells following incubation for 4-24 h with [methyl-3H]choline. These studies indicated that radioactivity from phosphatidylcholine synthesized in microsomes from exogenous choline may serve as a precursor of the head-group of sphingomyelin accumulating in the plasma membrane.

Characterization of plasma membranes from A431 cells, isolated by self-generating Percoll gradient: a rapid isolation procedure to obtain plasma membranes with functional epidermal growth factor receptors

Plasma membranes have been isolated from the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431 by a rapid fractionation of lysate on Percoll density gradient at pH 9.6. Endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes and mitochondria sedimented at the bottom of gradient whereas plasma membranes focused at low density, as shown with specific markers. Plasma membranes displayed a 4.5- and 4.4-fold enrichment in [3H]concanavalin A and 5'-nucleotidase, respectively. This proteic fraction was further characterized by its lipid composition and phospholipid analysis. The cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio was 0.45 in plasma membranes against 0.19 in lysate. Sphingomyelin increased from 7.5% of total phospholipids in lysate to 16.2% in plasma membranes, as well as phosphatidylserine which displayed a 1.5-fold enrichment in the plasma membrane fraction. This was at the expense of phosphatidylcholine (45.2% in lysate, against 35% in plasma membranes). Electron microscopy of the isolated material showed vesicles essentially free from endoplasmic reticulum and organelles. These plasma membranes retained the ability to bind 125I-labelled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) with a Kd = 4.7 nM and Bmax = 63 pmol/mg protein. EGF binding resulted in a stimulation of the phosphorylation protein reaction in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels of phosphorylated proteins indicated that the radioactivity of the major band of molecular weight 170,000 was clearly enhanced by EGF binding. These results indicate that the EGF receptor and its intrinsic protein kinase activity were preserved during our plasma membrane isolation procedure.

Human neutrophil plasma membrane. Specific labelling, topological distribution of proteins and surface antigen detection

We describe here the major protein components of a highly purified human neutrophil plasma membrane fraction analyzed by uni- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, as well as their glycoprotein nature as determined by PAS staining, [125I]-Con A binding and [3H]-sodium borohydride labelling. A polypeptide of about 150 kDa appeared as the main Con A binding protein. The topology of the polypeptides has also been determined by protein labelling from the outside of the cell surface by lactoperoxidase catalyzed iodination and from within the bilayer by using the hydrophobic reagent [125I]-iodonaphtylazide. The antigenic features of some cell surface polypeptides have also been determined by the use of monoclonal antibodies. In this context we have detected by immunoprecipitation in human neutrophils the antigen MAC 120, previously found in monocytes and putatively associated with antigen presenting function.

Subcellular distribution of Ca2+ pumping sites in human neutrophils

The distribution of nonmitochondrial Ca2+ pumping sites and the site of action of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4,5-P3) were studied in subcellular fractions of human neutrophils. In homogenates, two different Ca2+ pools could be observed: a mitochondrial Ca2+ pool and a nonmitochondrial, ATP-dependent, Ins 1,4,5-P3-responsive Ca2+ pool. When the homogenate was separated into microsomes, primary granules, and secondary granules, the nonmitochondrial Ca2+ pumping and the Ins 1,4,5-P3-induced Ca2+ release occurred only in the microsomal fraction. In a gradient developed to separate different microsomal organelles, maximal Ca2+ pumping activity occurred in fractions of low densities. Correlations between Ca2+ uptake and organelle markers were negative for the endoplasmic reticulum (r = -0.49) and positive for plasma membrane (r = 0.47), Golgi (r = 0.62), and endosomes (r = 0.96). Because the Ca2+ pumping organelles in these fractions were insensitive to micromolar vanadate and digitonin treatment, they are unlikely to be plasma membrane vesicles. We conclude first that microsomal fractions of human neutrophils contain organelles that lower the ambient free Ca2+ concentration and respond to Ins 1,4,5-P3. Second, granules are not involved in intracellular Ca2+ regulation in neutrophils. Third, nonendoplasmic reticulum organelles, such as endosomes, Golgi elements, or yet undefined specialized structures, play a major role in intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in human neutrophils.

Monoclonal antibody characterization of a chymotrypsin-like molecule on neutrophil membrane associated with cellular activation

Monoclonal antibody 1-15 (Ab 1-15), is a murine anti-human neutrophil (PMN) IgG1 that inhibits PMN effector responses to N-formyl-met-leu-phe (FMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate. In this study, the effects of Ab 1-15 on PMN membrane-related functions were characterized: Ab 1-15 inhibited PMN superoxide (O-2) response to FMLP by 60% (P less than 0.005) without effect on the onset or duration of O-2 production. This inhibition of O-2 response was associated with a significant inhibition of PMN chymotrypsin-like, but not trypsin-like, protease activity. Cell fractionation studies indicated the presence of an Ab 1-15 inhibitable, chymotryptic neutral protease activity in PMN membranes. In studies of Ab 1-15 effects on membrane-related second messenger pathways, Ab 1-15 augmented both FMLP- and isoproterenol-induced intracellular cAMP accumulation, whereas alpha-chymotrypsin decreased PMN cAMP response to these stimuli. Our data suggest that the function-inhibiting, anti-PMN monoclonal Ab 1-15 defines a PMN chymotryptic enzyme on the membrane surface that is involved in regulation of two membrane-related functions, O-2 generation and cAMP generation.

Phosphorylation of proteins in human neutrophils activated with phorbol myristate acetate or with chemotactic factor

In human neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or with the chemotactic factor N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) a number of proteins are phosphorylated, including proteins recovered in the membrane fraction corresponding to molecular masses of 130, 78, 46, 40, and 34 kDa and proteins recovered in the cytosol fraction corresponding to molecular masses of 65, 55, 48, 38, 36, 30, and 22 kDa. Phosphorylation of the membrane proteins was fourfold greater in cells stimulated with PMA, as compared to cells stimulated with fMLF, whereas both activators induced similar phosphorylation of proteins recovered in the cytosol fraction. Phosphorylation of membrane proteins appeared to be mediated by native protein kinase C (PKC) translocated from the cytosol to the plasma membrane. Thus phosphate incorporation was inhibited by retinal and a similar pattern of incorporation was reproduced in a reconstituted system composed of isolated cell membranes and purified PKC. Phosphorylation of cytosol proteins, on the other hand, appeared to be mediated by the proteolytically modified form of PKC. In this case, phosphate incorporation was inhibited by leupeptin, which prevents the conversion of native PKC to the proteolytically modified form, The phosphorylation pattern was reproduced when isolated cytosol fractions were incubated with the proteolytically modified form of the enzyme but not with the native PKC. These results demonstrate that responses to stimuli such as PMA or fMLF are mediated by different forms of PKC and that the proteolytically modified form is responsible for the major responses elicited by fMLF.

Saturable binding of thyroid hormone to isolated rat hepatocytes

The binding of [125I]triiodothyronine (T3) to freshly prepared rat hepatocytes was studied at 0 degrees C. The abundant non-saturable binding could be suppressed by washing the cells with alkaline buffer, pH 10.5 at 0 degrees C, without loss of cell viability, thus allowing detection of saturable binding. Three classes of binding sites were identified from analysis of the saturable T3 binding in the presence and absence of bromosulfophthalein (BSP). One of these classes was inhibited by BSP. The T3 dissociation constants were 3.5, 35 and 115 nM and the number of sites was respectively 0.9, 20 and 36 X 10(6) sites/cell. L-T3 had a 10-times higher affinity than D-T3 and a 50-times higher affinity than triiodothyroacetic acid. Saturable T3 binding was associated with plasma membrane-containing subcellular fractions. These binding sites may be related to those previously described in isolated plasma membranes from rat liver and could be involved in the entry of T3 into the hepatocyte.

Differential mechanisms of translocation of protein kinase C to plasma membranes in activated human neutrophils

Three classes of activators of human neutrophils that induce the intracellular translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol to the particulate fraction were compared for their effects on the properties of the particulate (membrane-bound) enzyme. In cells stimulated with 10 ng/ml of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) the particulate enzyme is almost fully active in the absence of added Ca2+ or phospholipids and this activity is not released by the Ca2+-chelator EDTA. In contrast, binding of protein kinase C to the particulate fraction in cells treated with the chemotactic factor f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF) or with the ionophore A-23187 plus Ca2+ is observed only when the cells are lysed in the presence of 1 mM Ca2+. With these stimuli the particulate enzyme retains a nearly absolute requirement for Ca2+ and phospholipids. Thus only the full intercalation of protein kinase C caused by PMA, which is resistant to removal by chelators stabilizes an active form of protein kinase C in the neutrophil membrane. In confirmation of this conclusion, in isolated plasma membranes loaded with partially purified protein kinase C by incubation with 5 microM Ca2+ further incubation with PMA, but not with fMLF, caused a significant fraction of the bound PKC to become resistant to removal by chelators, and to be nearly fully active in the absence of added activators.

Biochemical characterization of plasma membranes and intracellular membranes isolated from human platelets using Percoll gradients

Two kinds of membranes (plasma membranes and intracellular membranes) have been separated from human platelets by fractionation on Percoll gradients (successively at pH 7.4 and pH 9.6). On alkaline Percoll gradient, plasma membranes floated at low density, as shown with specific markers such as [3H]concanavalin A and monoacylglycerol lipase, whereas intracellular membranes sedimented in the higher densities and displayed a 5.6-12.4-fold enrichment in NADH diaphorase, antimycin insensitive NADH-cytochrome-c oxidoreductase and Ca2+-ATPase. Another criterion allowing differentiation of two membrane populations of human platelets was their lipid composition, which showed a cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio of 0.5 in plasma membranes against 0.2 in intracellular membranes. Phospholipid analysis of the two kinds of membranes displayed also quite different profiles, since phosphatidylcholine increased from 30-32% in the plasma membrane to 52-66% in the intracellular membranes. This was at the expense of sphingomyelin (20-23% in plasma membrane, against 6.8-7.7% in intracellular membranes) and of phosphatidylserine (12-13% in plasma membrane, against 2-6% in intracellular membranes). Other striking differences between plasma membranes and intracellular membranes were obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which revealed the absence of actin and myosin in the intracellular membrane, whereas both proteins were present in significant amounts in plasma membranes. Finally, intracellular membranes but not plasma membranes were able to incorporate calcium. These results suggest that intracellular membrane fractions are derived from the dense tubular system and plasma membranes should correspond to the whole surface membrane of human platelets.