Effects of cyclic AMP analogues and phosphodiesterase inhibitors on phospholipid biosynthesis in fetal type II pneumocytes

Differential expression of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases 4 in developing rat lung

During the perinatal period, lungs undergo changes to adapt to air breathing. The genes involved in these changes are developmentally regulated by various signaling pathways, including the cyclic nucleotide cAMP. As PDE4s are critical enzymes for regulation of cAMP levels, the objective of this study was to investigate PDE4's ontogeny in developing rat lung during the perinatal period. Pulmonary PDE4 activity, PDE4A-D, PDE4B, and PDE4D variant expression levels, PDE4B and PDE4D protein levels, and PDE4D localization in distal lung were determined. PDE4 activity increased towards term, dropped at birth, and increased thereafter to reach a plateau at the end of the second week of life. PDE4B2 and PDE4D long forms demonstrated a pattern of expression that increased markedly at birth. After birth, PDE4D was expressed in alveolar epithelial and mesenchymal cells. The study, therefore, evidenced striking variations in expression patterns among the PDE4 family that differed from changes in global PDE4 activity.

Up-regulation of fetal rat lung parathyroid hormone-related protein gene regulatory network down-regulates the Sonic Hedgehog/Wnt/betacatenin gene regulatory network

Lung development depends on endodermal Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling to mesodermal Wingless/int/beta catenin (Wnt/betacatenin), followed by parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) signaling from endoderm to mesoderm. Fluid distension of fetal rat lung explants up-regulates PTHrP signaling and down-regulates Shh/Wnt/betacatenin signaling, marked by decreases in Patched, Gli, Frizzled, and Dishevelled, inducing fibroblast triglyceride uptake, type II cell saturated phosphatidylcholine, and surfactant protein-B expression. Bumetanide, which inhibits fluid distension, blocked down-regulation of the Shh/Wnt/betacatenin pathway and up-regulation of the PTHrP pathway, whereas PTHrP (1-34, 5 x 10(-7) M) treatment overcame bumetanide inhibition, and the PTHrP receptor antagonist PTHrP (7-34) amide (5 x 10(-6) M) mimicked bumetanide, indicating that PTHrP signaling mediates fluid distension-induced alveolar differentiation. Fetal rat lung explant automaturation was characterized by decreased Wnt/betacatenin signaling and increased PTHrP/PTHrP receptor signaling, up-regulating fibroblast-specific adipocyte differentiation related protein (ADRP) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Wnt/betacatenin agonists (LiCl or SB415268) maintained Shh/Wnt/betacatenin signaling, blocking spontaneous up-regulation of the PTHrP pathway, whereas PTHrP or cAMP down-regulated Shh/Wnt/betacatenin signaling and stimulated PTHrP signaling for fibroblast and type II cell differentiation. This is the first evidence that alveolar fluid distension is an organizing principle for PTHrP signaling down-regulation of the Shh/Wnt/betacatenin pathway.

Dermatophyte lipids-Composition and regulation of phospholipids

This review presents the extensive work carried out on lipid components of dermatophytes, their biosynthesis, turnover and regulation. It emerges from the work done so far that the pathways of lipid biosynthesis/ degradation and the lipid composition in dermatophytes are similar to those in yeasts and other fungi. Second messengers (Ca(2+), cAMP) were demonstrated to have a regulatory role in phospholipid metabolism and they mainly act by stimulating Ca(2+)/CaM or cAMP dependent protein kinase(s). Both these kinases were purified and characterized inMicrosporum gypseum. Further work is being carried out to elucidate the molecular mechanism of regulation of phospholipid metabolism by these second messengers.

Effects of glucagon on in vitro liquid production by lungs from fetal guinea pigs

BACKGROUND

Lung liquid reabsorption in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome can be deficient. Respiratory distress syndrome is often seen in infants of diabetic mothers, in whom the neonatal surge of glucagon is suppressed.

AIM

To investigate the possible effects of glucagon on lung liquid reabsorption.

METHODS

Lungs from near term fetal guinea pigs (62 (2) days gestation; term = 67 days) were supported in vitro for three hours; lung liquid production and reabsorption were monitored by a dye dilution method.

RESULTS

Untreated control preparations produced fluid at 1.75 (0.33) ml/h per kg body weight, and did not change significantly in three hours; those immersed in 10(-12) M glucagon during the middle hour showed no significant change, but those given higher concentrations all showed significant reductions in fluid production or even reabsorption (65.6 (10.3)% fall at 10(-11) M, 70.0 (6.3)% fall at 10(-10) M, and 90.6 (11.1)% fall at 10(-9) M; based on 54 preparations). At 10(-9) M glucagon, 12 out of 30 preparations reabsorbed fluid. The linear log dose-response curve (r(2) = 0.94) gave a theoretical threshold at 4 x 10(-15) M glucagon. Responses appeared to involve the amiloride sensitive Na(+) based reabsorptive system: responses to 10(-9) M glucagon appeared to be reduced by 10(-6) M amiloride, and were abolished by 10(-5) M amiloride (based on 72 preparations).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the surge of glucagon at birth may help to drain the lungs of fluid. As glucagon liberates cAMP, which also stimulates surfactant, glucagon is worth consideration for possible use in neonatal respiratory distress.

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is cytotoxic to 36B10 malignant rat astrocytoma cells but not to 'normal' rat astrocytes

This study compares the effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and its precursor linoleic acid (LA) on survival of 36B10 malignant rat astrocytoma cells and 'normal' rat astrocytes. GLA was cytotoxic to 36B10 cells but not to astrocytes. By contrast, LA supplementation did not affect the survival of either cell types. There were minor differences in the uptake, distribution and use of radiolabelled GLA and LA by the 36B10 cells and astrocytes. GLA and LA supplementation increased the total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content of the cells indicating increased oxidative potential. However, elevated levels of 8-isoprostane, an indicator of increased oxidative stress, were only observed in the GLA supplemented 36B10 cells. Addition of the antioxidant trolox to GLA-enriched 36B10 cells blocked the cytotoxic effect. Further, GLA enhanced the radiation sensitivity of the astrocytoma cells but not the astrocytes; trolox blocked the GLA-mediated increase in astrocytoma cell radiosensitivity. LA did not affect the radiation response of either cell type. While cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors did not affect GLA cytotoxicity, they blocked the enhanced radiation response of GLA-supplemented cells. The lipoxygenase inhibitor NDGA did not affect the toxicity produced by GLA. Thus, GLA is toxic to the neoplastic astrocytoma cells but not to normal astrocytes.

beta-Adrenergic priming of rats in vivo modulates the effect of beta-agonist in vitro on surfactant phospholipid metabolism of isolated lungs

To evaluate the effects of multiple beta-adrenergic stimulations on pulmonary surfactant phospholipids, perfused lungs from beta-adrenergic primed and non-primed rats were challenged with the beta-agonist terbutaline in vitro. Cell-free lung lavage, lavagable alveolar cells and lung tissue were analysed for phospholipid content and incorporation of precursors. In lung lavage, terbutaline in vitro doubled the incorporation of 14C-choline and 3H-palmitate into total phosphatidylcholine (PC) and of 3H-palmitate into phosphatidylglycerol (PG). beta-adrenergic priming in vivo prior to terbutaline in vitro lowered the increase of precursor incorporation. For lavagable cells, terbutaline in vitro increased the incorporation of 3H-palmitate into PC. Priming in vivo reduced this effect and diminished the specific 3H-choline incorporation into lavagable cell PC below control level. For lung tissue, priming increased the amounts of PC and disaturated PC (DSPC) whereas terbutaline in vitro decreased DSPC in both primed and non-primed lungs. Terbutaline in vitro slightly increased the incorporation of 14C-choline and 3H-palmitate into PC and DSPC in non-primed but not in primed lungs. beta-adrenergic blockade by ICI 118.551 prevented all effects but generally increased 3H-palmitate incorporation into the phospholipids and, in lavagable cells, the amount of PC. We conclude that long-term beta-adrenergic treatment may alter the metabolism of pulmonary surfactant phospholipids by increasing tissue PC and DSPC and by decreasing the secretion of newly-synthesized PC.

Detection and hormonal regulation of the mRNA for cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in rat lung

We have studied the presence of the messenger RNA (mRNA) for the cytosolic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), in rat lung by Northern blot hybridization to a complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. Lung from normal rats contained substantial amounts of this mRNA, although its relative concentration was approximately six times lower than in liver. Fasting produced an eightfold increase in the content of the enzyme mRNA in lung, which could be reverted to normal values by glucose refeeding. Induced diabetes also resulted in a sevenfold increase of the levels of PEPCK mRNA in lung. Dexamethasone, thyroid hormone, dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), histamine, and serotonin also induced important accumulations of the enzyme mRNA without affecting the concentration of beta-tubulin mRNA measured as reference. Thus, the PEPCK gene appears to be regulated in a similar manner in lung and liver. The results suggest that PEPCK may be involved in lung metabolism in starvation, diabetes, and other specific hormonal situations.

Correlation between intracellular cAMP levels and phospholipids of Microsporum gypseum

Atropine, a modulator of cAMP has been used to examine the relationship between phospholipids and intracellular levels of cAMP in Microsporum gypseum. A decreased phospholipid content was observed in atropine grown cells as a result of reduced levels of intracellular cAMP. This decline was caused by the inhibitory effect of atropine on adenylate cyclase. Lowered phospholipid content was supported by decreased [14C]acetate incorporation as well as reduced activities of key enzymes of phospholipid biosynthesis. In vitro supplementation of atropine in control cells also caused inhibition in lipid synthesis indicating similar effects of atropine and its metabolites. These results in conjunction with our previous report, in which enhanced levels of cAMP resulted in increased phospholipid synthesis, suggest a direct correlation between phospholipid biosynthesis and intracellular levels of cAMP in M. gypseum.

Influence of aminophylline on the lipids in Microsporum gypseum

The effect of aminophylline on the lipid synthesis of Microsporum gypseum has been examined. A decreased incorporation of [14C]acetate into lipids was observed when the cells were incubated for 1 h with aminophylline which was reflected in all the individual lipid fractions. However, cells grown with aminophylline in the growth medium exhibited increased levels of total phospholipids, which was probably due to a rise in intracellular cAMP as these cells exhibited 4-fold increased levels of cAMP. Decreased activity of phosphodiesterase by aminophylline accounts for the increased cAMP levels. Increased phospholipid content in aminophylline grown cells was further supported by the increased incorporation of [14C]acetate into phospholipids as well as increased activities of phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes in comparison to non-supplemented cells.

Effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on lipid synthesis in Microsporum gypseum

The influence of intracellular levels of cAMP on the lipid synthesis of Microsporum gypseum has been examined by exogenous supplementation of dibutyryl cAMP and its activators/inhibitors. Incorporation of [14C]acetate into various lipid fractions of M. gypseum was markedly enhanced in the presence of dibutyryl cAMP and its modulators, probably as a consequence of increased intracellular cAMP levels, which, in turn, affected the lipid biosynthesis. Increased activities of phosphatidic acid phosphatase, glycerol kinase, ethanolamine kinase and choline kinase in the presence of these additives supports the enhanced synthesis of phospholipids and suggests that lipid biosynthesis is being controlled by cAMP in M. gypseum.

Regulation of fetal lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis by de novo palmitate supply

Lung surfactant disaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is highly dependent on the supply of palmitate as a source of fatty acid. The purpose of this study was to investigate the importance of de novo fatty acid synthesis in the regulation of disaturated PC production during late prenatal lung development. Choline incorporation into disaturated PC and the rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis was determined by the relative incorporation of [14C]choline and 3H2O, respectively, in 20-day-old fetal rat lung explants and in 18-day-old explants which were cultured 2 days. Addition of exogenous palmitate (0.15 mM) increased (26%) choline incorporation into disaturated PC but did not inhibit de novo fatty acid synthesis, as classically seen in other lipogenic tissue. Even in the presence of exogenous palmitate, de novo synthesis accounted for 87% of the acyl groups for disaturated PC. Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis by agaric acid or levo-hydroxycitrate decreased the rate of choline incorporation into disaturated PC. When explants were subjected to both exogenous palmitate and 60% inhibition of de novo synthesis, disaturated PC synthesis was below control values and 75% of disaturated PC acyl moieties were still provided by de novo synthesis. These data show that surfactant disaturated PC synthesis is highly dependent on the supply of palmitate from de novo fatty acid synthesis.

Fatty acid synthesis in the fetal lung: relationship to surfactant lipids

The aims of this study were to investigate the control of fatty acid synthesis and its relationship to surfactant production in the fetal lung during alteration of hormonal and substrate conditions. Lung explants from 18 day fetuses (term = 22 days) which were cultured 2 days in the presence of 10 mM lactate showed parallel acceleration of de novo fatty acid synthesis (3H2O incorporation) and [14C]choline incorporation into disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) compared to culture of explants in glucose. Both the cultured and fresh explants were resistant to the classical short term (4 h) cAMP inhibition of fatty acid synthesis with 3 mM dibutyryl cAMP or 0.5 mM aminophylline. In the cultured explants short term cAMP elevation increased DSPC production, and long term (2 day) cAMP elevation caused a further increase in DSPC synthesis and also stimulated fatty acid synthesis. In cultured explants from 17 day fetuses, dexamethasone (0.1 microM) caused a synergistic increase with aminophylline in both fatty acid synthesis and DSPC production whereas, in explants from 18 day fetuses, dexamethasone inhibited both processes and reduced the level of stimulation of DSPC and fatty acid synthesis seen with aminophylline alone. Dexamethasone also reduced the stimulation of both DSPC and fatty acid synthesis produced in the culture of 18 day explants with bacitracin (0.5 mg/ml), whereas the combination of bacitracin and aminophylline resulted in a synergistic increase in DSPC production. Culture with glucagon (0.1 microM) also stimulated DSPC synthesis but at physiological levels insulin had no effect on either DSPC or fatty acid synthesis. These data show that lung fatty acid synthesis exhibits unique features of fatty acid synthesis regulation compared to other lipogenic tissues and also suggest a link between de novo fatty acid synthesis and surfactant production during the critical period of accelerated lung maturation.

Effect of aminophylline on lung maturation in preterm rabbit fetuses

Pregnant rabbit does were treated intravenously with aminophylline (6 mg/kg/day) from the twenty-fifth day after the day of mating, and the fetuses were delivered by hysterotomy on the twenty-eighth day. One group of neonates was breathing air, and another group 100% oxygen. Lung mechanics were evaluated in the newborn animals during spontaneous or artificial ventilation, and the lungs were studied histologically with particular reference to the alveolar volume density. In one series of experiments, the lungs were washed and the lavage fluid was analyzed for phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Aminophylline-treated litters had greater body weights, an improved survival rate, and an increased amount of phosphatidylglycerol in lung lavage fluid. Respiratory frequency was increased in aminophylline-treated animals breathing air, but data on lung compliance showed no significant difference between treated and control animals. In the present model, the beneficial effect of aminophylline can be attributed largely to a combination of accelerated fetal growth and improved postnatal regulation of breathing and less to a specific influence on the biochemical and functional maturation of the lung.

Stimulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis by fatty acids in fetal rabbit type II pneumocytes

After 24 h exposure to 0.1 mM oleate or 0.1 mM palmitate there was a 2- and 1.7-fold increase, respectively, in the incorporation of choline into the lipids of type II pneumocytes. Palmitate increased the labeling of disaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) from 23.0% of total labeled PC in control cultures to 56.6% and oleate decreased labeling of disaturated PC to 9.4%. The percentage of total cellular radioactivity found in the lipid fraction was also markedly higher in the fatty acid-treated cells (83.3% for oleate and 78.7% for palmitate) than in control cultures (64.0%). Radioactivity in water-soluble choline metabolites was correspondingly lower, with phosphocholine representing more than 95% of the label in both control and experimental cultures. After a 3 h pulse-chase period, oleate and palmitate significantly increased the percentage of total cellular radioactivity in PC and decreased the percentage in phosphocholine. Similar results were obtained by adding melittin (1-2 micrograms/ml) or phospholipase C (0.05 U/ml) to the culture medium. The stimulation of PC synthesis by fatty acids was demonstrated as early as 1 h after exposure to oleate or palmitate and at all concentrations from 0.025 to 0.25 mM. Cytidylyltransferase activity in total cell homogenates was also enhanced by long-term exposure to fatty acids and short-term addition of fatty acids or phospholipase C and melittin to the culture medium. A similar increase in cytidylyltransferase activity was found in the 100 000 X g particulate fraction of type II cells exposed to fatty acids, whereas no differences were found between the cytosolic fractions of control and treated cells. These results support the concept that an increase in intracellular level of fatty acids either from an exogenous source or following the activation of endogenous phospholipases regulates PC synthesis in fetal type II pneumocytes.

Regulation of phospholipid synthesis by intracellular phospholipases in fetal rabbit type II pneumocytes

Exposure of fetal type II pneumocytes to phospholipase A2 inhibitors led to significantly reduced choline uptake and decreased synthesis of total and disaturated phosphatidylcholines from both [methyl-14C]choline and [9,10(n)-3H]palmitate precursors. The percentage of the total synthesized phosphatidylcholine recovered as disaturated phosphatidylcholine was increased when compared to that in control cultures, suggesting that unsaturated phosphatidylcholine synthesis was reduced to a greater extent than that of the disaturated species. Synthesis of sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine from labeled palmitate was also reduced, whereas that of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylglycerol was significantly increased. Addition of phospholipase C resulted in increased synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from both labeled precursors; no significant changes were found in synthesis of most of the other 3H-labeled lipids. Added phospholipase A2 did not lead to any changes in either choline or palmitate incorporation. However, when melittin (a phospholipase A2 activator) was added to the cultures, greater incorporation of both palmitate and choline was observed, along with a significant increase in the percentage of total cellular radioactivity in 14C-labeled lipids, indicating also stimulation of phosphatidylcholine synthesis. A marked increase in CTP: phosphorylcholine cytidylyltransferase activity was found after treatment of the cultures with phospholipase C. Exposure to quinacrine also increased the activity of this enzyme. Addition of phospholipase C and melittin to prelabeled pneumocyte cultures accelerated degradation of cell phospholipids and the release of free fatty acids as the main degradation products. These findings suggest that intracellular phospholipases are regulators of synthesis of surfactant phospholipids in fetal type II pneumocytes, and that activation or inhibition of these phospholipases could represent a mechanism through which hormones and pharmacological agents modify surfactant and other phospholipid synthesis.