A phospholipase A2 isoenzyme provokes lipoxin B formation from endogenous sources of arachidonic acid in porcine leukocytes

Phospholipase A2: its usefulness in laboratory diagnostics

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids. This article reviews the source and structure of PLA2, the involvement of the enzyme in various biological and pathological phenomena, and the usefulness of PLA2 assays in laboratory diagnostics. Of particular importance is the role of PLA2 in the cellular production of mediators of inflammatory response to various stimuli. Assays for PLA2 activity and mass concentration are discussed, and the results of enzyme determinations in plasma from patients with different pathological conditions are presented. The determination of activity and mass concentration in plasma is particularly useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of pancreatitis, multiple organ failure, septic shock, and rheumatoid arthritis. A very important result is the demonstration that PLA2 is an acute phase protein, like CRP. Indeed, there is a close correlation between PLA2 mass concentration and CRP levels in several pathological conditions. Although the determination of C-reactive protein is much easier to perform and is routinely carried out in most clinical laboratories, the assessment of PLA2 activity or mass concentration has to be considered as a reliable approach to obtain a deeper understanding of some pathological conditions and may offer additional information concerning the prognosis of several disorders.

Eicosanoid production from porcine neutrophils and platelets: differential production with various agonists

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and platelets interact to produce both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators during human disease. Because swine models of human disease are used, it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in the formation of lipid mediators from porcine PMN-platelet interactions. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of thromboxane (Tx) A2 and lipoxin A4 (LXA4) formation from porcine PMN and platelets, respectively. PMN (10(7)/ml) and platelet (30 x 10(7)/ml) suspensions stimulated with porcine C5a (pC5a), but not recombinant human C5a (rhC5a), significantly enhanced TxB2 formation. After cytochalasin B treatment, pC5a or rhC5a significantly and equally enhanced TxB2 formation from PMN-platelet suspensions. A-23187-induced TxB2 formation from platelets was not significantly augmented by the presence of PMN in these suspensions. A-23187 induced significant LXA4 production from porcine PMN that was not augmented by addition of platelets. Flow cytometric analysis of PMN-platelet suspensions revealed activated platelets adherent to PMN following pC5a stimulation. CV-6209, a platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist, dose dependently prevented pC5a-induced platelet adherence to PMN and TxB2 formation. These data demonstrate that 1) porcine PMN alone can biosynthesize LXA4 without the assistance of platelets, which is in sharp contrast to human PMN-platelet interactions, and 2) in the absence of cytochalasin B, pC5a stimulates PAF biosynthesis from porcine PMN, resulting in TxB2 formation from platelets.

Lipoxins: eicosanoids carrying intra- and intercellular messages

The lipoxins are a recent addition to the family of biologically active products derived from arachidonic acid. Compounds of this series contain a conjugated tetraene structure and can be generated by the actions of the major lipoxygenases of human tissues (5-, 12-, and 15-LO's). Biosynthesis of the lipoxins from cellular sources of unesterified arachidonic acid is triggered by the initial actions of either the 15-LO or 5-LO followed by additional reactions. Recent results indicate that lipoxins are also generated by receptor-mediated events during cell-cell interactions with the transcellular metabolism of key intermediates. Lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 each possess a unique spectrum of biological activities unlike those of other eicosanoids in both in vivo and in vitro systems. Lipoxin A4 stimulates changes in the microvasculature and can block some of the proinflammatory effects of leukotrienes (in vivo). Lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 both inhibit natural killer cells (in vitro), and lipoxin B4 displays selective actions on hematopoietic cells. The finding that lipoxin A4 activates isolated protein kinase C suggests that it may also serve an intracellular role in its cell of origin before it is released to the extracellular milieu. Thus, cell-cell interactions, along with multiple oxygenations by lipoxygenases, generate compounds that can regulate cellular responses by serving as both intra- and intercellular messages.

Lipoxin formation during human neutrophil-platelet interactions. Evidence for the transformation of leukotriene A4 by platelet 12-lipoxygenase in vitro

Human neutrophils from peripheral blood may physically interact with platelets in several settings including hemostasis, inflammation, and a variety of vascular disorders. A role for lipoxygenase (LO)-derived products has been implicated in each of these events; therefore, we investigated the formation of lipoxins during coincubation of human neutrophils and platelets. Simultaneous addition of FMLP and thrombin to coincubations of these cells led to formation of both lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4, which were monitored by reversed-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Neither stimulus nor cell type alone induced the formation of these products. When leukotriene A4 (LTA4), a candidate for the transmitting signal, was added to platelets, lipoxins were formed. In cell-free 100,000 g supernatants of platelet lysates, which displayed 12-LO activity, LTA4 was also transformed to lipoxins. Platelet formation of lipoxins was inhibited by the LO inhibitor esculetin and partially sensitive to chelation of Ca2+, while neither acetylsalicylic acid nor indomethacin significantly inhibited their generation. In contrast, neutrophils did not transform LTA4 to lipoxins. Cell-free 100,000 g supernatants of neutrophil lysates converted LTA4 to LTB4. These results indicate that neutrophil-platelet interactions can lead to the formation of lipoxins from endogenous sources and provide a role for platelet 12-LO in the formation of lipoxins from LTA4.

Phospholipase A2 as leukotriene B4 secretagogue for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

High levels of soluble phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity have been detected in tissues fluids associated with inflammatory diseases. However, the cellular origin for PLA2 has not been demonstrated. Several groups of investigators have proposed that platelets, macrophages and chondrocytes may be the cellular source of this enzyme. In fact, soluble PLA2 is secreted extracellularly from rabbit and rat chondrocytes and from human synovial cells in response to cytokine stimulation (1). PLA2 activity has been shown to be increased upon stimulation by the chemotactic peptide (f-met-leu-phe) and thrombin in neutrophils and platelets (2). PLA2 has been found to have pro-inflammatory effects and causes a dose dependent infiltration of leukocytes and increased vascular permeability (3). The vascular actions of PLA2 have been proposed to be mediated through the release of prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane (4). We have reported that purified PLA2 from snake venom stimulated the release of leukotrienes and lipoxins from endogenous sources in porcine leukocytes. However, there is no information regarding the mechanism of action of human PLA2 on inflammatory cells and the generation of leukotrienes. In this report, we present evidence that PLA2 isolated from human platelets can stimulate the production of leukotriene B4 from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These results suggest that soluble PLA2 may function as a secretagogue of LTB4 in inflammatory sites and further amplify the inflammatory processes by inducing chemotaxis of circulating leukocytes.

Lipoxins are major lipoxygenase products of rainbow trout macrophages

Rainbow trout macrophages synthesize lipoxins as major lipoxygenase products entirely from endogenous fatty acids. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the supernatants from macrophages challenged with calcium ionophore A23187 revealed a range of lipoxygenase products including mono-hydroxy fatty acids, leukotrienes B4 and B5 and four major peaks with retention times and UV spectra characteristic of lipoxins (lambda max 302 nm). Cochromatography with authentic standards, UV spectroscopy and radiolabeling with [14C]arachidonate and eicosapentaenoate allowed tentative identification of the two largest peaks as lipoxin A4 and A5.

Agonist-dependent generation of lipoxins from rat basophilic leukemia cell (RBL-1)

Incubation of RBL-1 cells in the presence of 15-HPETE and various agonists generated lipoxins and several isomers. Addition of either A23187, fMLP or PMA modulated the number of isomers and amount of lipoxins produced. Administration of A23187 yielded the largest amount of product (5.3 +/- 1.6 micrograms per 10(8) cells) and generated a total of six and three isomers of LXA4 and B4, respectively. This was 2-fold greater than fMLP, which produced a total of two isomers of LXA4 and LXB4. Addition of PMA generated only LXA4 (0.68 +/- 0.26 micrograms). This is similar to the control receiving only 15-HPETE. Biologically derived LXA4 (3 nM) isolated from RBL-1 incubations contracted a rat tail artery preparation to 12% of the maximum induced by phenylephrine (0.125 microM), whereas LXA4 standard (3 nM) elicited 17.6% of the maximum contraction. These results indicate that RBL-1 cells can utilize exogenous 15-HPETE to generate biologically active lipoxins. Further, the yield and isomers of lipoxins can be modified by different agonists.

On the relationship between leukotriene and lipoxin production by human neutrophils: evidence for differential metabolism of 15-HETE and 5-HETE

Lipoxygenase (LO) products generated by human PMN were examined utilizing a gradient-HPLC and rapid spectral detector which permitted continuous UV-spectral monitoring of leukotrienes, lipoxins and related oxygenated products of arachidonic acid. When exposed to the ionophore A23187, PMN generated LTB4 and its omega-oxidation products as well as LXA4, LXB4, and 7-cis-11-trans-LXA4 from endogenous sources. Addition of 15-HETE changed the profile of products generated by activated PMN and led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in lipoxins and related compounds while the production of LTB4 and its omega-oxidation products was inhibited. Results of time-course and radiolabel studies revealed that 15-HETE is rapidly transformed within 15 s to 5,15-DHETE and conjugated tetraene-containing products, and that the inhibition of leukotriene formation followed a similar time-course. In contrast, PMN did not generate either lipoxins or related products from 5-[3H]HETE, nor did 5-HETE block leukotriene formation. Stimulated PMN generated 5,15-DHETE from exogenous 5-HETE, while in the absence of ionophore, 5-HETE was transformed to 5,20-HETE. These results indicate that PMN can generate lipoxins and related products from endogenous sources and that 15-HETE and 5-HETE are transformed by different routes.

Identification of a novel 7-cis-11-trans-lipoxin A4 generated by human neutrophils: total synthesis, spasmogenic activities and comparison with other geometric isomers of lipoxins A4 and B4

Addition of (15S)-hydroxy-5,8,11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and the ionophore A23187 (2.5 microM) to human neutrophils led to the formation of both lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 as well as a novel 5,6,15-trihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. The new compound was identified using an improved isolation and detection system and its basic structure was determined by physical methods. On the basis of biosynthetic considerations, geometric isomers of lipoxin A4 and lipoxin B4 were prepared by total synthesis. Comparison of these synthetic materials with the neutrophil-derived product showed that the new compound is (5S,6R,15S)-trihydroxy-9,11,13-trans-7-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid or the 7-cis-11-trans-isomer of LXA4 (7-cis-11-trans-LXA4). LXA4, 11-trans-LXA4, 7-cis-LXA4 and 7-cis-11-trans-LXA4 all evoked dose-dependent (0.1-10 microM) contractions of the guinea pig lung strip, whereas 6-cis-LXB4 and 6-cis-8-trans-LXB4 relaxed this preparation. LXA4 and 7-cis-LXA4 were approx. 10-times more potent than the compounds with 11-trans geometry. However, all four double-bond isomers of LXA4 caused contractions which, based upon pharmacological evidence, appeared to involve specific activation of the same site as cysteinyl-containing leukotrienes. In conclusion, 7-cis-11-trans-LXA4 was isolated and identified as a novel biologically active eicosanoid formed by human neutrophils.

Evidence for lipoxin formation by bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes via triple dioxygenation of arachidonic acid

Incubation of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with arachidonic acid leads to the formation of four lipoxins. The same lipoxins are also formed upon incubation of bovine PMNs with 5(S)-hydroperoxy-6-trans-8,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid, 5-hydroxy-6-trans-8,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid, 5(S)-hydroperoxy, 15(S)-hydroxy-6,13-trans-8,11-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid or 5(S),15(S)-dihydroxy-6,13-trans-8,11-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid. A 5,6-epoxide as intermediate in lipoxin formation in the bovine PMN is highly improbable because the 5-hydroxy compounds are as good substrates as the 5-hydroperoxy compounds. Moreover, the two main lipoxins were found to coelute with the two lipoxins produced via a triple dioxygenation of arachidonic acid by soybean lipoxygenase-1. Hence the bovine PMN is the first cell for which evidence is presented that the formation of lipoxins proceeds mainly via triple dioxygenation and not via 15-hydroxy-leukotriene A4 as is proposed for human and porcine PMNs.

Formation of lipoxins by alveolar macrophages

Rat alveolar macrophages incubated with (15S), 15-hydroperoxy-5,8, 11-cis-13-trans-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HPETE) in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187 produced a series of polar compounds. Reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to purify these compounds and their identities were characterized by physical criteria (UV spectroscopy, GC/MS) and by co-elution with synthetic compounds. Alveolar macrophage-derived materials proved to be lipoxin A4 [LXA4; (5S, 6R, 15S)-5,6,15-trihydroxy-7,9,13-trans-11-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid], lipoxin B4[LXB4; (5S, 14R, 15S)-5,14,15-trihydroxy-6,10,12-trans-8-cis- eicosatetraenoic acid], and a structural isomer. These results indicate that rat alveolar macrophages have the capacity to generate lipoxins and related compounds.

Biosynthesis and biological activities of lipoxin A5 and B5 from eicosapentaenoic acid

[1-14C]-Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was incubated with porcine leukocytes. Three polar metabolites were isolated after RP-HPLC separation in addition to pentaene leukotrienes and mono-hydroxy fatty acids. These compounds display U.V. absorbance with U.V. lambda max at 302 nm with shoulders at 289 and 317 nm which were typical of a conjugated tetraenes. Using an alkaline RP-HPLC solvent system, it was found that these three compounds co-eluted with synthetic standards of lipoxin A5, lipoxin B5 and 5S, 6S, 15S-lipoxin A5 [6-S-LXA5] and were identified accordingly. Their structures were further confirmed by GC/MS analysis. When tested for biological activities, it was found that both lipoxin A5 and lipoxin B5 induce superoxide anion generation in canine neutrophils. Furthermore, LXA5 caused a dose-related contraction of isolated rat tail artery. The biological potency of 5-series lipoxins were similar to those of 4-series.

Hydroperoxide lyase in rabbit leukocytes: conversion of 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid to 15-keto-pentadeca-5,8,11,13-tetraenoic acid

Incubation of 15-HPETE with rabbit peripheral blood leukocytes resulted in the generation of 8,15-diHETE, 14,15-diHETE, 5,15-diHETE, 15-HETE and a polar metabolite with a retention time on RP-HPLC of 9.5 min, U.V. max at 280 nm. Reduction of this polar metabolite with NaBH4 shifted the U.V. max to 233 nm, suggesting the presence of a conjugated dienone system. Electron impact GC/MS analysis on the polar metabolite revealed a structure of a C-15 short chain aldehyde: 15-keto-pentadeca 5,8,11,13-tetraenoic acid. The formation of this new metabolite is proposed to be catalyzed by the enzyme hydroperoxide lyase. Thus, it is possible that the presence of hydroperoxide lyase activity in leukocytes not only provide a new mechanism for the transformation of hydroperoxides it also may provide a de novo protective effect by controlling the level of intracellular arachidonic acid derived hydroperoxides as well as further prevented their clastogenic action and cellular damage.