Swelling-induced O2- generation in guinea-pig neutrophils

Voltage-gated proton channels and other proton transfer pathways

Proton channels exist in a wide variety of membrane proteins where they transport protons rapidly and efficiently. Usually the proton pathway is formed mainly by water molecules present in the protein, but its function is regulated by titratable groups on critical amino acid residues in the pathway. All proton channels conduct protons by a hydrogen-bonded chain mechanism in which the proton hops from one water or titratable group to the next. Voltage-gated proton channels represent a specific subset of proton channels that have voltage- and time-dependent gating like other ion channels. However, they differ from most ion channels in their extraordinarily high selectivity, tiny conductance, strong temperature and deuterium isotope effects on conductance and gating kinetics, and insensitivity to block by steric occlusion. Gating of H(+) channels is regulated tightly by pH and voltage, ensuring that they open only when the electrochemical gradient is outward. Thus they function to extrude acid from cells. H(+) channels are expressed in many cells. During the respiratory burst in phagocytes, H(+) current compensates for electron extrusion by NADPH oxidase. Most evidence indicates that the H(+) channel is not part of the NADPH oxidase complex, but rather is a distinct and as yet unidentified molecule.

Novel priming compounds of cystathionine metabolites on superoxide generation in human neutrophils

Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes were preincubated with cystathionine and cystathionine metabolites found in the urine of patients with cystathioninuria. Among the cystathionine metabolites, cystathionine ketimine and N-acetyl-S-(3-oxo-3-carboxy-n-propyl) cysteine (NAc-OCPC) significantly enhanced the N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide generation, but cystathionine, NAc-cystathionine, and cyclothionine did not enhance the superoxide generation. Cystathionine ketimine and NAc-OCPC also enhanced superoxide generation induced by opsonized zymosan (OZ) but not that induced by arachidonic acid (AA) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Superoxide generation induced by cystathionine ketimine and NAc-OCPC was inhibited by genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, and was enhanced by 1-(5-isoquinoline sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7), an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Cystathionine ketimine and NAc-OCPC markedly also increased phosphorylation of 45-kDa protein in human neutrophils and the phosphorylation depended on the concentrations of cystathionine ketimine and NAc-OCPC. The phosphorylation of 45-kDa protein induced by cystathionine ketimine and NAc-OCPC was inhibited by genistein and herbimycin A, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase, but was not inhibited by H-7 and staurosporine, inhibitors of protein kinase C. Cystathionine metabolites and l-cystathionine sulfoxides were separated into two diastereoisomers, CS-I and CS-II. CS-I enhanced the superoxide generation induced by AA and PMA but not that induced by fMLP and OZ. In contrast, CS-II enhanced the superoxide generation induced by fMLP and OZ, but not that induced by AA and PMA.

Protection against cellular damage in the rat heart by hyperosmotic solutions

In this comparative study, rat hearts were perfused at 37 degrees C with three clearly defined protocols: the Ca2+ paradox, the O(2) paradox, and with 20 mM caffeine. Each protocol involved an initial priming (Ca(2+)(0) depletion or anoxia; stage 1) and subsequent full activation (Ca(2+)(0) repletion, caffeine or reoxygenation; stage 2) of the damage system of the sarcolemma. Creatine kinase release in stage 2 was completely inhibited (P < 0.001) in all three protocols when 420 mOsm was added to the perfusion medium throughout the experiments, or only during stage 1, or only during stage 2. Increasing the perfusion pressure in the Ca2+ paradox significantly (P < 0.001) exacerbated creatine kinase release, although this was still completely inhibited at 28 degrees C. Amiloride (1 mM) inhibited creatine kinase release completely at 40 cm of water pressure but only some 50% at 80 cm of water pressure. It is suggested that the transmembrane damage system needs to be uncoupled or deactivated by modifying its relationship with the cytosol or with the underlying cytoskeleton by hyperosmotic cell shrinkage for only one of the stages in all three protocols to block the damage pathway. Increased perfusion pressure has the opposite effect and exacerbates damage.

MAP kinase activation by hypoosmotic stress of tobacco cell suspensions: towards the oxidative burst response?

Hypoosmotic stress activates a phosphorylation-dependent oxidative burst. In-gel kinase assays were performed to characterize the protein kinases that could be implicated in osmoregulation and in the activation of the oxidative burst. Hypoosmotic stress activated several kinases among which 50 and 46 kDa proteins displayed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) properties. They phosphorylated myelin basic protein in the absence of calcium, were recognized by antibodies directed against human MAP kinases, and were phosphorylated on tyrosine. Immunoprecipitation with an antibody directed against the tobacco MAP kinase Ntf4 showed that at least one of the activated kinases would be Ntf4-like. Apigenin, a MAP kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor which prevents the hypoosmotically induced oxidative burst (Cazale et al. 1998; Plant Physiol. 116, 659-669), inhibited these kinases in vitro suggesting that they may play a role in the activation of the oxidative burst. Like the oxidative response, activation of the kinases depended on extracellular calcium influx and protein kinases sensitive to staurosporine and 6-DMAP. However, kinase activation did not depend on effluxes through anion channels or on the oxidative burst. Two-dimensional in-gel kinase assays revealed the presence of three protein kinases with an apparent molecular mass of 50 kDa and one of 46 kDa, all four being activated by hypoosmotic stress. The same kinases were also activated by oligogalacturonides and salicylic acid, underlying the importance of these MAP kinases as common components of different signaling pathways triggered by different extracellular stimuli.

Effect of water extracts of Rhizopus delemar on the stimulus coupled responses of neutrophils and their modulation by various protein kinase inhibitors

Human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes were preincubated with water extracts from Rhizopus delemar. The water extracts significantly inhibited arachidonic acid induced superoxide generation, whereas enhanced superoxide generation induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate but not those induced by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. Superoxide generation induced by water extracts was inhibited by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, and was enhanced by genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase. The water extracts incubated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate markedly increased phosphorylation of serine residue of 28.5 kDa protein with time and the phosphorylation depended on the concentration of the water extracts, whereas the water extracts incubated with arachidonic acid decreased the phosphorylation of serine residue of 38 and 42 kDa proteins. The phosphorylation of 28.5 kDa protein induced by the water extracts was inhibited by staurosporine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, but was not inhibited by genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase.

Influence of heat shock on cell volume regulation: protection from hypertonic challenge in a human monocyte cell line

Heat shock response provides cells with higher tolerance against a variety of insults such as heavy metals, reperfusion injury, and endotoxin. In addition, heat treatment is known to affect ion transport mechanisms associated with vital cellular processes, including cell volume regulation. However, there has been no reports to date of a heat shock effect on cellular volume regulation itself. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the heat shock response influences volume regulation of cells. Human promonocytic U937 cells display an increase in volume in response to osmotic shrinkage. This regulatory volume increase (RVI) is mediated mainly by ion antiporters. U937 cells exposed to a temperature of 45 degrees C for 10 min (heat shock) show an enhancement of RVI after hypertonic challenge compared with untreated cells. Also, heat-treated cells display a lower intracellular pH (pHi) than untreated cells; similar control mechanisms are believed to be involved in regulating both pHi and RVI. In agreement with this, heat-shocked cells demonstrated increased activity of an HCO3(-)-independent/DIDS-sensitive pHi down-regulator, postulated to be a Cl-/HCO3- exchange. We suggest that heat shock-mediated RVI enhancement is at least partially mediated by an increased Cl-/HCO3- exchange. Our results indicate that heat shock of U937 cells activates a hitherto unknown cytoprotective effect that may help cells to overcome hypertonic challenge.

The effects of serum iminodipeptides and prednisolone on superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins in neutrophils from a patient with prolidase deficiency

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of serum iminodipeptides and prednisolone on superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation of proteins in neutrophils from a patient with prolidase deficiency, and also to find the causative effects of superoxide on inflammatory skin lesions. When the neutrophils from a patient with prolidase deficiency (PDPPMN) were preincubated with prolyl-proline (Pro-Pro), which is one of the iminodipeptides found at high concentration in the serum of patients with prolidase deficiency, the N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide generation was enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner, although the extent of enhancing effect was lower than that in neutrophils from healthy humans (HPPMN). Pro-Pro also enhanced superoxide generation induced by opsonized zymosan (OZ) in PDPPMN but not that induced by arachidonic acid or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Herbimycin A and genistein decreased the fMLP- and OZ-induced superoxide generations after priming by Pro-Pro. 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H-7) and staurosporine did not decrease, but rather enhanced, the superoxide generation in a low concentration range. When PDPPMN were prepared, tyrosyl phosphorylation of 45 kDa protein in PDPPMN had already occurred. The phosphorylation was scarcely increased by incubation of the cells with Pro-Pro, in contrast to that in HPPMN. Genistein decreased the phosphorylation of 45 kDa protein in both PDPPMN and HPPMN. These results suggest that the priming effect of iminodipeptides on superoxide generation in PDPPMN is coupled with phosphorylation of 45 kDa protein by protein tyrosine kinase. Protein tyrosine kinase may play a critical role(s) in the regulatory mechanism of priming by iminodipeptides and activation of NADPH oxidase in the patient's neutrophils. In prolidase deficiency, the characteristic skin manifestations are inflammatory indurations and chronic leg ulcers. Prednisolone improves the ulcers, and this compound decreased the fMLP- and OZ-induced superoxide generation and tyrosyl phosphorylation of 45 kDa protein in the patient's neutrophils after priming by Pro-Pro. When inflammatory skin lesions were present, the levels of iminodipeptides in the patient's serum were elevated and the superoxide generation by neutrophils was up-regulated. When skin lesions were healing or absent, the levels of iminodipeptides in the patient's serum and superoxide generation by neutrophils were higher than those of healthy controls but lower than those in the inflammatory stages. Thus, the enhancement of superoxide generation by neutrophils via serum iminodipeptides would be one of the inducers of inflammatory skin lesions. Corticosteroid administration might be a therapeutic modality of choice for skin lesions.

Oxidative Burst and Hypoosmotic Stress in Tobacco Cell Suspensions

Oxidative burst constitutes an early response in plant defense reactions toward pathogens, but active oxygen production may also be induced by other stimuli. The oxidative response of suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi) cells to hypoosmotic and mechanical stresses was characterized. The oxidase involved in the hypoosmotic stress response showed similarities by its NADPH dependence and its inhibition by iodonium diphenyl with the neutrophil NADPH oxidase. Activation of the oxidative response by hypoosmotic stress needed protein phosphorylation and anion effluxes, as well as opening of Ca2+ channels. Inhibition of the oxidative response impaired Cl- efflux, K+ efflux, and extracellular alkalinization, suggesting that the oxidative burst may play a role in ionic flux regulation. Active oxygen species also induced the cross-linking of a cell wall protein, homologous to a soybean (Glycine max L.) extensin, that may act as part of cell volume and turgor regulation through modification of the physical properties of the cell wall.

Characterization of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6)-mediated priming in human neutrophils: lack of extracellular [3H]-InsP6 receptors

1. Inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6) is a ubiquitous and abundant cytosolic inositol phosphate that has been reported to prime human neutrophils for enhanced agonist-stimulated superoxide anion generation. This led to the proposal that the release of InsP6 from necrotic cells may augment the functional responsiveness of neutrophils at an inflammatory focus. The aim of this study was to examine whether the functional effects of InsP6 in neutrophils are receptor-mediated and establish the magnitude of this priming effect relative to other better characterized priming agents. 2. Analysis of [3H]-InsP6 binding to human neutrophil membranes in 20 mM Tris, 20 mM NaCl, 100 mM KCl, 5 mM EDTA (pH 7.7) buffer using 0.1 mg ml-1 membrane protein and 2.5 nM [3H]-InsP6 (90 min, 4 degrees C), demonstrated specific low affinity [3H]-InsP6 binding that was non-saturable up to a radioligand concentration of 10 nM. 3. [3H]-InsP6 displacement by InsP6 gave a Hill coefficient of 0.55 and best fitted a two-site logistic model (53% KD 150 nM, 47% KD 5 microM). [3H]-InsP6 binding also displayed low (3 fold) selectivity for InsP6 over Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5. 4. The specific [3H]-InsP6 binding displayed a pH optimum of 8, was abolished by pre-boiling the membranes, and was enhanced by Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. 5. In incubations with intact neutrophils, where high levels of specific [3H]-LTB4 binding was observed, no [3H]-InsP6 binding could be identified. 6. Preincubation of neutrophils with 100 microM InsP6 had no effect on resting cell morphology, but caused a minor and transient (maximal at 30 s) enhancement of (0.1 nM) fMLP-induced shape change (% cells shape changed: fMLP 53 +/- 3%, fMLP+InsP6 66 +/- 4%). Similarly, InsP6 (100 microM, 30 s) had no effect on basal superoxide anion generation and, compared to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 100 ng ml-1, 60 min), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha, 200 u ml-1, 30 min) or platelet-activating factor (PAF, 100 nM, 5 min) caused only a small enhancement of 100 nM fMLP-stimulated superoxide anion generation (fold-increase in superoxide anion generation over fMLP alone: InsP6 1.8 +/- 0.3, LPS 6.8 +/- 0.6, TNF alpha 5.2 +/- 0.7, PAF 5.8 +/- 0.6). 7. While these data support the presence of a specific, albeit low affinity, [3H]-InsP6 binding site in human neutrophil membrane preparations, the lack of binding to intact cells implies that the functional effects of InsP6 (ie. enhanced fMLP-stimulated superoxide anion generation and shape change) are not receptor-mediated.