Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate activation of phospholipase D in human neutrophils leads to the production of phosphatides and diglycerides

Simultaneous analysis of saturated and unsaturated oxylipins in 'ex vivo' cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells and neutrophils

Oxylipins are a family of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids peroxidation products with bioactive properties. We have developed an improved method for the measurement of ex vivo oxylipin production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and neutrophils. We aimed to develop an analytical method to determine the production rates of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), PUFA-oxylipin, and saturated-oxylipins by stimulated PBMCs and neutrophils based on solid phase extraction and HPLC-MS/MS technology. A UHPLC system coupled to a Q-Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to identify and quantify oxylipin production. For each oxylipin and PUFA their differential response was calculated with respect to a deuterated internal standard factor (ISF). To calculate oxylipin and PUFAs in the culture samples, the individual ISF was used for each oxylipin and PUFA with respect to the deuterated internal standard. PBMCs and neutrophils showed a different pattern of oxylipin production and fatty acid secretion. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not stimulate oxylipin production or fatty acids secretion in PBMCs, whereas phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation increased the production rate of 5-HETE, 15-HETE, 15-HEPE, 17-DoHE, PGE2, AA, and DHA. LPS stimulation decreased 16-hydroxyl-palmitatte (16-OHPAL) production and DHA secretion in neutrophils, while PMA stimulation increased the production rate of AA and its derivate oxylipins, 5-HETE, 15-HETE, and PGE2. In conclusion, we have developed a new method to determine oxylipins derived from both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in culture cell media. This method has enough sensitivity, and accuracy, to determine oxylipin production and fatty acid secretion by PBMCs and neutrophils.

Role of phospholipase D2 in anti-apoptotic signaling through increased expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL

We have previously reported that Fas-resistant A20 cells (FasR) have phospholipase D (PLD) activity upregulated by endogenous PLD2 overexpression. In the present study, we investigated how overexpressed PLD2 in FasR could generate survival signals by regulating the protein levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. To confirm the effect of PLD2 on Bcl-2 protein levels, we transfected PLD2 into wild-type murine B lymphoma A20 cells. The transfected cells showed markedly the increases in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein levels, and became resistant to Fas-induced apoptosis, similar to FasR. Treatment of wild-type A20 cells with phosphatidic acid (PA), the metabolic end product of PLD2 derived from phosphatidylcholin, markedly increased levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins. Moreover, PA-induced expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were enhanced by propranolol, an inhibitor of PA phospholydrolase (PAP), whereas completely blocked by mepacrine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), suggesting that PLA(2) metabolite of PA is responsible for the increases in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein levels. We further confirmed the involvement of arachidonic acid (AA) in PA-induced survival signals by showing that 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (DPPA), PA without AA, was unable to increase Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins. Moreover, PA notably increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression, and PA-induced expression of both Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL was inhibited by NS-398, a specific inhibitor of COX-2. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that PA generated by PLD2 plays an important role in cell survival during Fas-mediated apoptosis through the increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein levels which resulted from PLA(2) and AA-COX2 pathway.

Resveratrol inhibits the formation of phosphatidic acid and diglyceride in chemotactic peptide- or phorbol ester-stimulated human neutrophils

Resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, Res) is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in grape berry skins and red wine. It has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the effect of Res on the formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) and diglyceride (DG), in human neutrophils stimulated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). We measured the masses of PA and DG by using a nonradioactive method. Our results showed that Res inhibited the formation of PA in a concentration dependent manner with an IC(50) value of 42.4 and 60.9 microM in fMLP- and PMA-stimulated cells, respectively. Res also suppressed the formation of phosphatidylethanol (PEt), thereby implying inhibition of phospholipase D (PLD) activity. In addition, Res inhibited the formation of both diacylglycerol (DAG) and ether-linked acylglycerol (EAG) induced by fMLP and by PMA. Our results suggest that Res inhibition of PLD activity may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Differentiation of U937 cells enables a phospholipase D-dependent pathway of cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation

Treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP) of the human, premonocytic U937 cell line results in differentiation toward a monocyte/granulocyte-like cell. This differentiation enables the cell to activate cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) to release arachidonate upon stimulation. In contrast, undifferentiated cells are unable to release arachidonate even when stimulated with calcium ionophores. In the present research, a role for phospholipase D (PLD) in the regulation of cPLA2 was shown based on a number of observations. First, the ionomycin- and fMLP-stimulated production of arachidonate in differentiated cells was sensitive to ethanol (2% (v/v)). Ethanol acts as an alternate substrate in place of water for PLD producing phosphatidylethanol (PEt) instead of phosphatidic acid. Indeed, ionomycin stimulation of differentiated cells produced a 14-fold increase in PEt levels. Further evidence for the involvement of PLD in the regulation of cPLA2 came from the observation that the stimulated production of diacylglycerol (for which phosphatidic acid is a major source) was greatly diminished in undifferentiated cells as compared to differentiated cells. Moreover, the normally deficient activation of cPLA2 in undifferentiated cells could be stimulated to release arachidonate if the cells were electroporated in the presence of GTP[gamma]S and MgATP. This treatment stimulates phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) production which appears to activate PLD and cPLA2 in subsequent steps. The phosphatidic acid (and diacylglycerol derived from phosphatidic acid) appears to greatly regulate the action of cPLA2 by an unknown mechanism, and undifferentiated cells lack the ability to stimulate PLD activity due to a dysfunction of PIP2 production.

Phospholipase D: a novel major player in signal transduction

The role of the mammalian phospholipase D (PLD) in the control of key cellular responses has been recognised for a long time, but only recently have there been the reagents to properly study this very important enzyme in the signalling pathways, linking cell agonists with intracellular targets. With the recent cloning of PLD isoenzymes, their association with low-molecular-weight G proteins, protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases, the availability of antibodies and an understanding of the role of PLD product, phosphatidic acid (PA), in cell physiology, the field is gaining momentum. In this review, we will explore the molecular properties of mammalian PLD and its gene(s), the complexity of this enzyme regulation and the myriad physiological roles for PLD and PA and related metabolic products, with particular emphasis on a role in the activation of NADPH oxidase, or respiratory burst, leading to the generation of oxygen radicals.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor promotes functional maturation of O-2 generating system during differentiation of HL-60 cells to neutrophil-like cells

The effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on development of O-2 generating system during differentiation of HL-60 cells to neutrophil-like cells have been studied. G-CSF enhanced O-2 generating ability of HL-60 cells whose differentiation had been initiated by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or retinoic acid (RA). The O-2 generations by the differentiated HL-60 cells in response to opsonized zymosan (OZ), formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP), and IgG-coated zymosan were increased two- to fourfold as a result of incubation of the cells undergoing the differentiation with G-CSF. The potentiation by G-CSF occurred in a dose-dependent manner with the maximum effect at about 10 ng/ml G-CSF. The effect of G-CSF could not be fully explained by up-regulation of the receptor expression on the HL-60 cells, because the number of C3bi receptors was not altered by G-CSF, whereas the expression of fMLP receptor was enhanced by G-CSF. On the other hand, the O2 generation of the differentiated cells activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was not affected by the G-CSF treatment, suggesting that the biochemical events in the cells after PKC activation might not be enhanced by G-CSF. Assuming that the signaling pathways linking OZ or fMLP receptor might be enhanced by G-CSF, alteration in the cellular sn-1, 2-diacylglycerols (DAG) level upon stimulation with OZ or fMLP was compared between the G-CSF-treated and nontreated cells. Whereas DAG level was not increased by the stimulation in the cells treated with DMSO alone, a significant increase in DAG level upon the stimulation was observed in the cells treated with G-CSF and DMSO. These results suggest that G-CSF would enhance the organization of a receptor-linked DAG generating system in the differentiating cells, leading the cells to generate more O2.

Modulation of neutrophil superoxide response and intracellular diacylglyceride levels by the bacterial pigment pyocyanin

Low concentrations of pyocyanin are reported to enhance superoxide production by human neutrophils exposed to various stimuli, yet the mechanism remains unknown. Using lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, we examined the kinetics of the neutrophil superoxide response in the presence of pyocyanin. At all concentrations (12.5 to 200 microM), pyocyanin decreased the peak superoxide response while prolonging the duration of the response. The prolonged response may be associated with an observed increase in intracellular diacylglyceride levels due to pyocyanin exposure.

Protein kinase C inhibitors and PAF stimulate phosphatidylserine synthesis in human leucocytes

To study the regulation and turnover of phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) in human leucocytes, we investigated the effect of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), I-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3 or edelfosine), staurosporine and platelet activating factor (PAF) on [14C]serine incorporation into phospholipids. More than 80% of lipid radioactivity was in PtdSer. ET-18-OCH3 stimulated incorporation into PtdSer 5-fold, without increasing incorporation into other lipids. PAF stimulated PtdSer synthesis 3-fold after 1 h, while staurosporine stimulated the synthesis 2-fold after 3 h. TPA inhibited PtdSer synthesis. It abolished the ET-18-OCH3 stimulation, and reduced the staurosporine stimulation. ET-18-OCH3 and TPA did not significantly alter the incorporation of [14C]arachidonic acid into PtdSer, and did not increase PtdSer turnover judged from chase and stability experiments. The results demonstrate that PKC inhibitors and PAF induce increased incorporation of [14C]serine into PtdSer, while TPA inhibits stimulated PtdSer synthesis. This suggests that modulation of PtdSer synthesis may regulate PKC activity in PMN cells.

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.

Messenger functions of phosphatidic acid

Under physiological conditions, phosphatidic acid (PA) is an anionic phospholipid with moderate biological reactivity. Some of its biological effects can be attributed to lyso-PA and diacylglycerol generated by the action of cellular hydrolases. However, it is clear that the parent compound exhibits biological activities of its own. Early studies implicated PA in the transport of Ca++ across plasma membranes as well as in the mobilization of intracellular stored calcium. Both responses may be induced as a consequence of other cellular processes activated by PA, as opposed to being directly mediated by the lipid. PA may be involved in the activation of certain functions confined to specialized groupings of cells, such as the neutrophil superoxide-generating enzyme or actin polymerization. Recent studies implicate PA as an activator of intracellular protein kinases, and a PA-dependent superfamily of kinases involved in cellular signalling has been hypothesized. Deployed on the outer surface of the plasma membrane, PA potentially provides a method of communication between cells in direct contact. This review will explore the known functions of PA as an intracellular mediator and extracellular messenger of biological activities and address ways in which these functions are potentially regulated by cellular enzymes which hydrolyse the phospholipid.

Raf-1 kinase possesses distinct binding domains for phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid regulates the translocation of Raf-1 in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-stimulated Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Previous studies demonstrated that the cysteine-rich amino-terminal domain of Raf-1 kinase interacts selectively with phosphatidylserine (Ghosh, S., Xie, W. Q., Quest, A. F. G., Mabrouk, G. M., Strum, J. C., and Bell, R. M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10000-10007). Further analysis showed that full-length Raf-1 bound to both phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic acid (PA). Specifically, a carboxyl-terminal domain of Raf-1 kinase (RafC; residues 295 648 of human Raf-1) interacted strongly with phosphatidic acid. The binding of RafC to PA displayed positive cooperativity with Hill numbers between 3.3 and 6.2; the apparent Kd ranged from 4.9 +/- 0.6 to 7.8 +/- 0.9 mol % PA. The interaction of RafC with PA displayed a pH dependence distinct from the interaction between the cysteine-rich domain of Raf-1 and PA. Also, the RafC-PA interaction was unaffected at high ionic strength. Of all the lipids tested, only PA and cardiolipin exhibited high affinity binding; other acidic lipids were either ineffective or weakly effective. By deletion mutagenesis, the PA binding site within RafC was narrowed down to a 35-amino acid segment between residues 389 and 423. RafC did not bind phosphatidyl alcohols; also, inhibition of PA formation in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells by treatment with 1% ethanol significantly reduced the translocation of Raf-1 from the cytosol to the membrane following stimulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. These results suggest a potential role of the lipid second messenger, PA, in the regulation of translocation and subsequent activation of Raf-1 in vivo.

Regulation of phospholipase D by protein kinase C in human neutrophils. Conventional isoforms of protein kinase C phosphorylate a phospholipase D-related component in the plasma membrane

In a variety of intact cells, phorbol esters are known to activate phospholipase D. In a cell-free system consisting of plasma membrane and cytosol from human neutrophils, phorbol esters activated phospholipase D in an adenosine nucleotide triphosphate-dependent manner. ATP gamma S (adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)) was 2-3-fold more effective than ATP, while ADP and AppNHp (adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate) were ineffective, and activation was blocked by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine. In cytosol deplete of protein kinase C by chromatography on threnoine-Sepharose, phorbol ester-dependent activation was lost, but was restored upon addition of purified rat brain protein kinase C. The target for phosphorylation was shown to be the plasma membrane plasma membrane was phosphorylated using ATP gamma S/phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate and protein kinase C and was reisolated to remove activators. Upon adding nucleotide-depleted cytosol, activator-independent phospholipase D activity was seen. Using this prephosphorylation protocol, PKC-dependent activation of plasma membranes was found to require micromolar calcium, implicating a conventional protein kinase C. Using recombinant isoforms of protein kinase C, only the conventional isoforms showed significant activation, with the following rank order of potency: beta 1 > alpha > gamma; the beta 2, delta, epsilon, eta, and sigma isoforms showed little or no activity. Thus, conventional isoform(s) of protein kinase C activate neutrophil phospholipase D by phosphorylating a target protein located in the plasma membrane.

An inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase enhances the superoxide production of human neutrophils stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine

Intact human neutrophils produced superoxide (O2-) by the stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) even when the extracellular Ca2+ was absent (0.56 +/- 0.13 nmol/min per 10(6) cells). The production by fMLP was enhanced more than twice in the presence of the extracellular Ca2+. Moreover, the O2- production by fMLP in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ was enhanced nearly three times by the treatment of cells with H-89, an inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The enhancement was not observed when the extracellular Ca2+ was depleted from the reaction mixture. In addition, H-89 did not enhance fMLP-induced O2- production of electropermeabilized neutrophils in which the intracellular Ca2+ concentration was fixed to about 100 nM. These observations suggest that not only Ca2+ influx but the inhibition of PKA is necessary for the maximum O2- production by fMLP and that the O2- production is partially suppressed by the activation of PKA induced by fMLP.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate synthesis is required for activation of phospholipase D in U937 cells

Phospholipase D (PLD) has been implicated in signal transduction and membrane traffic. We have previously shown that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2) stimulates in vitro partially purified brain membrane PLD activity, defining a novel function of PtdIns-4,5-P2 as a PLD cofactor. In the present study we extend these observations to permeabilized U937 cells. In these cells, the activation of PLD by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) is greatly potentiated by MgATP. We have utilized this experimental system to test the hypothesis that MgATP potentiates PLD activation by G proteins because it is required for PtdIns-4,5-P2 synthesis by phosphoinositide kinases. As expected, MgATP was absolutely required for maintaining elevated phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns-4-P) and PtdIns-4,5-P2 levels in the permeabilized cells. In the presence of MgATP, GTP gamma S further elevated the levels of the phosphoinositides. The importance of PtdIns-4,5-P2 for PLD activation was examined by utilizing a specific inhibitory antibody directed against phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PtdIns 4-kinase), the enzyme responsible for the first step in the synthesis of PtdIns-4,5-P2. Anti-PtdIns 4-kinase completely inhibited PtdIns 4-kinase activity in vitro and reduced by 75-80% PtdIns-4-P and PtdIns-4,5-P2 levels in the permeabilized cells. In parallel, the anti-PtdIns 4-kinase fully inhibited the activation of PLD by GTP gamma S and caused a 60% inhibition of PLD activation by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, indicating that elevated PtdIns-4,5-P2 levels are required for PLD activation. This conclusion is supported by the fact that neomycin, a high affinity ligand of PtdIns-4,5-P2, also blocked PLD activation. Furthermore, the activity of PLD in U937 cell lysate was stimulated by PtdIns-4,5-P2 in a dose-dependent manner. The current results indicate that PtdIns-4,5-P2 synthesis is required for PLD activation in permeabilized U937 cells and strongly support the proposed function of PtdIns-4,5-P2 as a cofactor for PLD. In addition, the results further establish PtdIns-4,5-P2 as a key component in the generation of second messengers via multiple pathways including phosphoinositide-phospholipase C, phosphoinositide 3-kinase and PLD.

Very long chain fatty acids in higher animals--a review

Fatty acids with greater than 22 carbon atoms (very long chain fatty acids, VLCFA) are present in small amounts in most animal tissues. Saturated and monoenoic VLCFA are major components of brain, while the polyenoic VLCFA occur in significant amounts in certain specialized animal tissues such as retina and spermatozoa. Biosynthesis of VLCFA occurs by carbon chain elongation of shorter chain fatty acid precursors while beta-oxidation takes place almost exclusively in peroxisomes. Mitochondria are unable to oxidize VLCFA because they lack a specific VLCFA coenzyme A synthetase, the first enzyme in the beta-oxidation pathway. VLCFA accumulate in the tissues of patients with inherited abnormalities in peroxisomal assembly, and also in individuals with defects in enzymes catalyzing individual reactions along the beta-oxidation pathway. It is believed that the accumulation of VLCFA in patient tissues contributes to the severe pathological changes which are a feature of these conditions. However, little is known of the role of VLCFA in normal cellular processes, and of the molecular basis for their contribution to the disease process. The present review provides an outline of the current knowledge of VLCFA including their biosynthesis, degradation, possible function and involvement in human disease.

Agonist-stimulated and basal phosphatidylethanol formation in neutrophils from alcoholics

Phospholipase D has been shown to be a key enzyme in the signal transduction systems involved in neutrophil activation. In the presence of ethanol, the enzyme catalyzes a transphosphatidylation reaction through which phosphatidylethanol is formed instead of the normal product phosphatidic acid. The effects of ethanol on the formation of phosphatidylethanol and phosphatidic acid was studied in neutrophils from human alcoholics in vitro. Neutrophils were isolated and cellular lipids were labeled with [3H]oleate, whereafter the cells were preincubated with cytochalasin B. Subsequently, cells were stimulated with the chemotactic peptide formyl-Met-Leu-Phe in the presence of ethanol concentration ranging from 0 to 200 mM. In the presence of ethanol, both neutrophils from alcoholics and controls produced phosphatidylethanol, with a concomitant reduction of the production of phosphatidic acid. The amounts of phosphatidyl-ethanol and phosphatidic acid formed were dependent on the concentration of ethanol. In neutrophils from alcoholics, a higher apparent Km for the phospholipase D-mediated transphosphatidylation reaction was noted (58 mM ethanol compared with 28 mM in controls). The in vivo mass of phosphatidylethanol in recently drinking alcoholics was also analyzed in neutrophils. Measurable phosphatidyl-ethanol levels (average 5.6 pmol/10(8) neutrophils) were found in alcoholics up to 23 hr after the last intake of ethanol. Thus, in addition to the ethanol-induced changes in the normal production of phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylethanol accumulated in vivo in alcoholics may be expected to influence neutrophil function.

Phosphatidic acid induces the respiratory burst of electropermeabilized human neutrophils by acting on a downstream step of protein kinase C

Phosphatidic acid (PA) dose-dependently induced superoxide (O2-) production of electropermeabilized human neutrophils but not of intact neutrophils, indicating that PA induces the activation of NADPH oxidase by acting on an intracellular target. The O2- production by PA was not inhibited by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, such as staurosporine and calphostin C, and an inhibitor of PA phosphohydrolase, propranolol. These observations suggest that the activation of the oxidase by PA is independent of the activity of PKC and may dominate the activation by diacylglycerol which is formed from PA via the action of PA phosphohydrolase. Furthermore, the production by PA, as well as that by phorbol myristate acetate, was inhibited by cyclic AMP and GDP beta S. Therefore, PA seems to act at a site downstream of PKC.

Mechanism and regulation of neutrophil priming by platelet-activating factor

Although a weak direct stimulus of superoxide anion (O2-) production, platelet-activating factor (PAF) markedly enhances responses to chemotactic peptides (such as n-formyl-met-leu-phe, FMLP) and phorbol esters (such as phorbol myristate acetate, PMA) in human neutrophils. The mechanism of priming was explored first through inhibition of steps in the signal transduction pathway at and following PAF receptor occupation. Priming was not altered by pertussis toxin or intracellular calcium chelation, but the PAF receptor antagonist WEB 2086 and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors sphinganine and staurosporine significantly inhibited the primed response. In order to study the regulation of PAF priming, the effect of PAF alone was desensitized by exposure to escalating doses of PAF prior to exposure to the secondary stimuli. The priming effect of PAF was not desensitized under these conditions. The role of PKC in desensitization was also studied. Prior exposure to PAF also desensitized the increase in membrane PKC activity evoked by a single concentration of PAF. However, when the PAF response was desensitized, PKC priming of the response to FMLP or PMA still occurred, suggesting that PKC activity may play a role in the maintenance of the primed state despite PAF desensitization. These data suggest that: (1) PAF priming is receptor- and PKC-mediated but is independent of pertussis toxin-inhibitable G-proteins or intracellular calcium, (2) during migration in vivo, neutrophils may be desensitized to the direct effects of PAF but maintain the capacity for enhanced responses to other stimuli, (3) desensitization of PAF-induced particulate PKC activity also occurs, but PAF primes PKC activity despite PAF desensitization, and (4) distinct mechanisms govern the direct and priming effects of PAF on oxidative metabolism.

Protein kinase C activity is not involved in N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced phospholipase D activation in human neutrophils, but is essential for concomitant NADPH oxidase activation: studies with a staurosporine analogue with improved selectivity for protein kinase C

Stimulation of human neutrophils by the receptor agonist N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) results in a respiratory burst, catalysed by an NADPH oxidase. Concomitantly, phospholipase D (PLD) is activated. To investigate the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in these neutrophil responses, we have compared the effects of staurosporine and a structural analogue of staurosporine (cgp41251), that reflects a higher selectivity towards PKC [Meyer, Regenass, Fabbro, Alteri, Rösel, Müller, Caravatti and Matter (1989) Int. J. Cancer 43, 851-856]. Both staurosporine and cgp41251 dose-dependently inhibited the production of superoxide induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Both compounds also caused inhibition of the fMLP-induced respiratory burst, but with a lower efficacy during the initiation phase of this response. This latter observation cannot be taken as evidence against PKC involvement in the activation of the respiratory burst, because pretreatment of neutrophils with ionomycin before PMA stimulation also results in a lower efficacy of inhibition. Activation of PLD by fMLP was enhanced in the presence of staurosporine, but not in the presence of cgp41251. Enhancement of PLD activation was also observed in the presence of H-89, an inhibitor of cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Both staurosporine and H-89 reversed the dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP-induced inhibition of PLD activation, whereas cgp41251 was without effect. These results indicate that the potentiating effect of staurosporine on PLD activation induced by fMLP does not reflect a feedback inhibition by PKC activation, but instead a feedback inhibition by PKC activation. Taken together, our results indicate that in human neutrophils: (i) PKC activity is not essential for fMLP-induced activation of PLD; (ii) PKC activity does play an essential role in the activation of the respiratory burst by fMLP, other than mediating or modulating PLD activation; (iii) there exists a negative-feedback mechanism on fMLP-induced PLD activation by concomitant activation of PKA.

Phospholipase D: regulation and functional significance

PLD is a major route for hydrolysis of PC in most tissues, consistent with it playing an important role in signal transduction. The enzyme appears to be activated by a variety of different mechanisms in different tissues, suggesting there might be several different isoforms. Little, however, is known at present about its enzymology and molecular biology. There is little direct evidence to indicate the functional significance of PLD activation but an accumulation of indirect evidence links PLD with prolonged changes in cell function. In particular, two areas where there is strong evidence for a role for PLD are mitogenesis and leukocyte hyperresponsiveness. An important area for future work will be the investigation of how products from the PLD pathway exert these effects. Current evidence suggests an important role for Ca(2+)-independent PKC isoforms and probably also for novel cellular targets for the putative second messenger PA.

New pathways of phagocyte activation: the coupling of receptor-linked phospholipase D and the role of tyrosine kinase in primed neutrophils

Protein kinase C (PKC) appears to have a central role in the O2- response of neutrophils following stimulation of membrane receptors. The second messenger, diacylglycerol (DG), that activates PKC is derived from membrane phospholipids via activation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD), with the latter pathway being more prominent in primed cells. In resting cells receptor coupling to PLD is through a G-protein. Priming brings a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase into the transducer sequence which, through protein phosphorylation, increases the efficiency of coupling between membrane receptors and PLD. Phosphatidic acid (PA), the initial product of the PLD pathway, also appears to act as a second messenger by directly activating the NADPH oxidase responsible for generating O2-. Interconversion of PA and DG by phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and DG kinase determines which of these second messengers has the dominant role.

Stimulation of phosphatidate synthesis in endothelial cells in response to P2-receptor activation. Evidence for phospholipase C and phospholipase D involvement, phosphatidate and diacylglycerol interconversion and the role of protein kinase C

To investigate the stimulation of phosphatidic acid formation in bovine aortic endothelial cells by P2-purinergic agonists, we labelled AG4762 cells with [32P]P1 and stimulated in the presence of butanol. Under these conditions phospholipase D generated [32P]phosphatidylbutanol, whereas the [32P]phosphatidic acid from phospholipase C and diacylglycerol kinase was unchanged. The action of various purinergic agonists on both [32P]phosphatidic acid and [32P]phosphatidylbutanol was consistent with the presence of a P2Y receptor. The stimulation of phospholipase D was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and was mostly transient (completed within 3 min), whereas the initial stimulation of phospholipase C was independent of extracellular Ca2+, followed by a Ca(2+)-dependent phase. The agonist stimulation of phospholipase D was dependent on protein kinase C, as judged by its sensitivity to the relatively selective protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8220. These results show that purinergic-receptor-mediated stimulation of phosphatidic acid has three phases: an initial Ca(2+)-independent stimulation of phospholipase C, an early but transient Ca(2+)- and protein kinase C-dependent stimulation of phospholipase D, and a sustained Ca(2+)-dependent stimulation of phospholipase C. Using propranolol to inhibit phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, we provide evidence that phosphatidic acid derived from purinergic-receptor-mediated stimulation of the phospholipase C/diacylglycerol kinase route can itself be converted back into diacylglycerol.

Rapid priming of calcium mobilization and superoxide anion production in human neutrophils by substimulatory concentrations of phorbol esters: a novel role for protein kinase C and tyrosine phosphorylation in the up-modulation of signal transduction

The modulatory influences of phorbol esters on the functional responsiveness of human peripheral blood neutrophils have been investigated. These studies focused on measurements of the levels of cytoplasmic free calcium and of tyrosine phosphorylation as well as on their ability to mount an oxidative response. Short incubation times (< 1 min) with low concentrations of phorbol esters (5-50 nM) were shown to enhance the above indices of neutrophil responsiveness to chemotactic factors such as fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4. On the other hand, a time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of calcium mobilization and superoxide production was also observed. The effects of the phorbol esters were stereo-specific and were antagonized by a novel protein kinase C inhibitor (RO 318220) but were not affected by the oxidative burst inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium. Pre-incubation of the cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) altered in a concentration-dependent manner the tyrosine phosphorylation pattern stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe. In addition, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor erbstatin inhibited the priming of the mobilization of calcium induced by PDBu. These data demonstrate the rapidity of the effects of the activation of protein kinase C, their potential to modulate positively the early events of the excitation-response coupling sequence and the complexity of the functional interrelationships among the various cellular activation pathways available to human neutrophils and other non-muscle cells.

Phospholipase D activation in human natural killer cells through the Kp43 and CD16 surface antigens takes place by different mechanisms. Involvement of the phospholipase D pathway in tumor necrosis factor alpha synthesis

We have recently described a novel glycoprotein, Kp43, expressed on the surface of human natural killer (NK) cells that appears to regulate their functional activity. In this report, signaling mechanisms through the Kp43 surface antigen have been studied. Incubation of interleukin 2 (IL-2)-treated NK cells with anti-Kp43 monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragments resulted in the time- and dose-dependent stimulation of NK cell phospholipase D. Phospholipase D activation through the Kp43 surface antigen was found to take place in the absence of polyphosphoinositide turnover and appeared not to depend on the presence of Ca2+ in the extracellular medium. On the other hand, signaling mechanisms through the CD16 receptor (FcR-III) on NK cells were comparatively studied. Stimulation of IL-2-treated NK cells with anti-CD16 monoclonal antibody F(ab')2 fragment also resulted in time- and dose-dependent activation of phospholipase D. However, CD16-triggered phospholipase D activation took place concomitant to phospholipase C-mediated polyphosphoinositide breakdown and showed a strong dependence on extracellular Ca2+. These results provide, to our knowledge, the first evidence for the presence of activatable phospholipase D in NK cells, as well as the first indication that distinct receptor-modulated pathways exist for activation of phospholipase D within the same cell type. On the other hand, phosphatidic acid, the physiologic product of phospholipase D action on phospholipids, was found to mimic the effect of anti-Kp43 monoclonal antibody regarding tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) biosynthesis and secretion by NK cells. Addition of phosphatidic acid vesicles to IL-2-treated NK cell cultures stimulated a TNF-alpha production that was abolished when the cells were previously treated with actinomycin D. Other phospholipids, including lysophosphatidic acid, were ineffective. However, phosphatidic acid-induced TNF-alpha production was strongly inhibited by the presence of propranolol, an inhibitor of phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase. Moreover, in cells responding to phorbol myristate acetate, a compound that triggers activation of phospholipase D, TNF-alpha synthesis was also inhibited by propranolol. Thus, these data suggest a second messenger role for phosphatidic acid-derived diradylglycerol in the induction of TNF-alpha gene expression.

Phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is activated by cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

We have investigated the effect of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) on signal transduction pathways. CDDP treatment did not cause any change in the binding of [3H]-phorbol dibutyrate to PC-9 (human lung adenocarcinoma cell line) cells, a measure of protein kinase C activation. However, 2-h CDDP treatment (20 micrograms/ml) caused approximately 200% increase in 1,2-sn-diacylglycerol (DAG) production and approximately 50% decrease in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production. To explore the different source of DAG, we analyzed phospholipids labeled with [14C]choline by TLC and revealed that [14C]choline-labeled phosphatidylcholine (PC) was decreased to 50% by CDDP treatment. This suggested that PC turnover was increased by CDDP-treatment. PC-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activity was increased to 2.5-fold (2.58 +/- 0.28 nmol/mg protein per min) by 2 h CDDP (20 micrograms/ml) treatment compared with control (1.05 +/- 0.24 nmol/mg protein per min). Treatment of CDDP also stimulated PC-PLC in the crude membrane extract from PC-9 cells. CDDP had no effect on the activities of phospholipase A2 and D. Trans-DDP, which has far less cytotoxicity than its stereoisomer, CDDP, did not cause any change in PC-PLC activity. A significant inhibition of DNA synthesis (less than 80%) occurred 4 h after 2 h CDDP (20 micrograms/ml) treatment. These results demonstrated that CDDP-induced PC-PLC activation was an early event in CDDP-induced cytotoxicity and suggested that the effects of CDDP on signal transduction pathways had an important role in CDDP-induced cytotoxicity.

Differential effects of propranolol on responses to receptor-dependent and receptor-independent stimuli in human neutrophils

Recent evidence suggests that the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) by phospholipase D (PLD) may mediate superoxide anion (O2-) production in human neutrophils. To define the role of the PC-specific PLD products phosphatidic acid (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) in O2- production in response to agonists which activate the PLD pathway, we blocked the metabolism of PA to DAG with propranolol, an inhibitor of PA phosphohydrolase. Propranolol (150 microM) enhanced the production of O2- in response to the receptor agonists n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP, 292 +/- 94% of controls), platelet-activating factor (PAF, 932 +/- 215%) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4, 1305 +/- 475%). In the presence of propranolol, total O2- production in response to PAF and LTB4, which are potent priming stimuli but very weak direct agonists, was similar to that obtained with FMLP. IN contrast, responses to receptor-independent agonists phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin were inhibited (81 +/- 8% and 87 +/- 5% inhibition, respectively). The effects of propranolol were demonstrable in the absence of cellular calcium and were shared by both stereoisomers of the drug. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that PA produced through the hydrolysis of PC by PLD is an important mediator of O2- production in response to receptor-dependent agonists. However, the inhibitory effects of propranolol on receptor-independent stimuli suggest that PA generated through the PLD pathway plays a different role in the signal transduction mechanisms of these agonists or that propranolol may have additional effects beyond inhibition of PA phosphohydrolase.

The superoxide-generating oxidase of phagocytic cells. Physiological, molecular and pathological aspects

Professional phagocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and macrophages) possess an enzymatic complex, the NADPH oxidase, which is able to catalyze the one-electron reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide, O2-. The NADPH oxidase is dormant in non-activated phagocytes. It is suddenly activated upon exposure of phagocytes to the appropriate stimuli and thereby contributes to the microbicidal activity of these cells. Oxidase activation in phagocytes involves the assembly, in the plasma membrane, of membrane-bound and cytosolic components of the oxidase complex, which were diassembled in the resting state. One of the membrane-bound components in resting phagocytes has been identified as a low-potential b-type cytochrome, a heterodimer composed of two subunits of 22-kDa and 91-kDa. The link between NADPH and cytochrome b is probably a flavoprotein whose subcellular localization in resting phagocytes remains to be determined. Genetic defects in the cytochrome b subunits and in the cytosolic factors have been shown to be the molecular basis of chronic granulomatous disease, a group of inherited disorders in the host defense, characterized by severe, recurrent bacterial and fungal infections in which phagocytic cells fail to generate O2- upon stimulation. The present review is focused on recent data concerning the signaling pathway which leads to oxidase activation, including specific receptors, the production of second messengers, the organization of the oxidase complex and the molecular defects responsible for granulomatous disease.

Source and role of diacylglycerol formed during phagocytosis of opsonized yeast particles and associated respiratory burst in human neutrophils

The results presented in this paper demonstrate that in human neutrophils phagocytosis of C3b/bi and IgG-opsonized yeast particles is associated with activation of phospholipase D and that this reaction is the main source of diglycerides. The demonstration is based upon the following findings: 1) the challenge of neutrophils with these opsonized particles was followed by a rapid formation of [3H]alkyl-phosphatidic acid [( 3H]alkyl-PA) and [3H]alkyl-diglyceride [( 3H]alkyl-DG) in cells labeled with [3H]alkyl-lyso-phosphatidylcholine; 2) in the presence of ethanol [3H]alkyl-phosphatidylethanol was formed, and accumulation of [3H]alkyl-PA and [3H]alkyl-DG was depressed; 3) propranolol, by inhibiting the dephosphorylation of [3H]alkyl-PA, completely inhibited the accumulation of [3H]alkyl-DG and depressed by about 75% the formation of diglyceride mass. Evidence is also presented that phagocytosis of C3b/bi and IgG-opsonized yeast particles and associated respiratory burst can take place independently of diglyceride formation and of the activity of this second messenger on protein kinase C. In fact: a) propranolol while completely inhibited the formation of diglyceride mass did not modify either the phagocytosis or respiratory burst; b) these two processes were insensitive to staurosporine.

The neutrophil respiratory burst. Responses to fatty acids, N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine and phorbol ester suggest divergent signalling mechanisms

The oxygen-dependent respiratory burst is a key neutrophil function required for the killing of bacteria. However, despite intensive investigation, the molecular events which initiate the respiratory burst remain unclear. Recent reports have suggested the agonist-induced hydrolysis of cellular phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) by phospholipase D may be an essential requirement for initiating or mediating the respiratory burst. We have investigated the effects of the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLF), the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and the polyunsaturated fatty acids arachidonic [20:4 (n-6)] and docosahexaenoic [22:6 (n-3)] acids in light of this hypothesis. Ethanol-inhibited superoxide production in response to 20:4, 22:6 and fMLF, in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting an involvement of phospholipase D. The phosphatidic-acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor DL-propranolol completely inhibited superoxide production induced by both 20:4 and 22:6, and partially inhibited the response to TPA. In contrast, superoxide production in response to fMLF was increased by propranolol. fMLF and TPA, but not the fatty acids, stimulated phospholipase D as indicated by the accumulation of phosphatidic acid and, in the presence of ethanol, phosphatidylethanol derived from PtdCho. Extracellular Ca2+ was found to be an essential requirement for fMLF-induced superoxide production. However, responses to the fatty acids were dramatically enhanced under Ca(2+)-free conditions. Responses to TPA were independent of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. Both fatty acids and fMLF, but not TPA, mobilised Ca2+ from intracellular stores, a response insensitive to the effects of both ethanol and propranolol. These results show that, unlike fMLF and TPA, the fatty acids do not cause hydrolysis of PtdCho by phospholipase D. However, the data indirectly suggests that the fatty acids may initiate the phospholipase-D-catalysed hydrolysis of phospholipids other than PtdCho.

Phospholipase D in cell signalling and its relationship to phospholipase C

Phospholipases C and D are phosphodiesterases which act on phospholipid head groups. Although the presence of these enzymes in living organisms has long been known, it is only recently that their role in cell signal transduction has been appreciated. The new developments on phospholipases D (PLD) are especially noteworthy, since these enzymes catalyze a novel pathway for second messenger generation. In a variety of mammalian cell systems, several biological or chemical agents have recently been shown to stimulate PLD activity. Depending on the system, activation of PLD has been suggested to be either dependent on, or independent of, Ca2+ and protein kinase C. PLD primarily hydrolyses phosphatidylcholine (PC) but phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylethanolamine have also been reported as substrates. Different forms of endogenous PLD may also exist in cells. Exogenous addition of PLD causes alterations in cellular functions. In many instances, Ca2+ mobilizing agonists may stimulate both PLC and PLD pathways. Interestingly, several metabolites of these two enzymes are second messengers and are common to both pathways (e.g. phosphatidic acid, diglyceride). This has raised the issue of the interrelationship between these pathways. The regulation of either PLC or PLD by cellular components, e.g. guanine nucleotide binding proteins or protein kinases, is under intense investigation. These recent advances are providing novel information on the significance of phospholipase C and D mediated phospholipid turnover in cellular signalling. This review highlights some of these new discoveries and emerging issues, as well as challenges for future research on phospholipases.