Platelet-activating factor (PAF)-acetylhydrolase and PAF-like compounds in the lung: effects of hyperoxia

Biosynthesis of oxidized lipid mediators via lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 hydrolysis of extracellular cardiolipin induces endothelial toxicity

We (66) have previously described an NSAID-insensitive intramitochondrial biosynthetic pathway involving oxidation of the polyunsaturated mitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL), followed by hydrolysis [by calcium-independent mitochondrial calcium-independent phospholipase A2-γ (iPLA2γ)] of oxidized CL (CLox), leading to the formation of lysoCL and oxygenated octadecadienoic metabolites. We now describe a model system utilizing oxidative lipidomics/mass spectrometry and bioassays on cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) to assess the impact of CLox that we show, in vivo, can be released to the extracellular space and may be hydrolyzed by lipoprotein-associated PLA2 (Lp-PLA2). Chemically oxidized liposomes containing bovine heart CL produced multiple oxygenated species. Addition of Lp-PLA2 hydrolyzed CLox and produced (oxygenated) monolysoCL and dilysoCL and oxidized octadecadienoic metabolites including 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic (HODE) acids. CLox caused BPAEC necrosis that was exacerbated by Lp-PLA2 Lower doses of nonlethal CLox increased permeability of BPAEC monolayers. This effect was exacerbated by Lp-PLA2 and partially mimicked by authentic monolysoCL or 9- or 13-HODE. Control mice plasma contained virtually no detectable CLox; in contrast, 4 h after Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection, 34 ± 8 mol% (n = 6; P < 0.02) of circulating CL was oxidized. In addition, molar percentage of monolysoCL increased twofold after P. aeruginosa in a subgroup analyzed for these changes. Collectively, these studies suggest an important role for 1) oxidation of CL in proinflammatory environments and 2) possible hydrolysis of CLox in extracellular spaces producing lysoCL and oxidized octadecadienoic acid metabolites that may lead to impairment of pulmonary endothelial barrier function and necrosis.

Platelet-activating factor synthesis and receptor-mediated signaling are downregulated in ovine newborn lungs: relevance in postnatal pulmonary adaptation and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid with a wide range of biological activities. We studied PAF metabolism and PAF receptor (PAFR) signaling in perinatal ovine lungs to understand PAF's role in transition of the perinatal pulmonary hemodynamics and pathophysiology of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. We hypothesized that downregulation of PAF synthesis with upregulation of PAF catabolism by acetylhydrolase (PAF-Ah) in the newborn lung is needed for fetus-to-newborn pulmonary adaptation. Studies were conducted on fetal and newborn lamb pulmonary arteries (PA), veins (PV) and smooth muscle cells (SMC). PAF metabolism, PAFR binding and cell proliferation were studied by cell culture; gene expression was studied by qPCR. Fetal lungs synthesized 60% more PAF than newborn lungs. Compared with the fetal PVs and SMCs, PAF-Ah activity in newborn was 40-60% greater. PAF-Ah mRNA expression in newborn vessels was different from the expression by fetal PA. PAF-Ah gene clone activity confirmed deletion of hypoxia-sensitive site. PAFR mRNA expression by the PVs and SMC-PV of the fetus and newborn was greater than by corresponding PAs and SMC-PA. Q-PCR study of PAFR expression by the SMC-PV of both groups was greater than SMC-PA. Fetal SMCs bound more PAF than the newborn SMCs. PAFR antagonist, CV-3988, inhibited PAFR binding and DNA synthesis by the fetal SMCs, but augmented binding and DNA synthesis by newborn cells. We show different PAF-PAFR mediated effects in perinatal lungs, suggesting both transcriptional and translational regulation of PAF-Ah and PAFR expression in the perinatal lamb lungs. These indicate that the downregulation of PAF-mediated effects postnatally protects against persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Lipoxin A4 and platelet activating factor are involved in E. coli or LPS-induced lung inflammation in CFTR-deficient mice

CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) is expressed by both neutrophils and platelets. Lack of functional CFTR could lead to severe lung infection and inflammation. Here, we found that mutation of CFTR (F508del) or inhibition of CFTR in mice led to more severe thrombocytopenia, alveolar neutrocytosis and bacteriosis, and lower lipoxin A4/MIP-2 (macrophage inhibitory protein-2) or lipoxin A4/neutrophil ratios in the BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) during acute E. coli pneumonia. In vitro, inhibition of CFTR promotes MIP-2 production in LPS-stimulated neutrophils; however, lipoxin A4 could dose-dependently suppress this effect. In LPS-induced acute lung inflammation, blockade of PSGL-1 (P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1) or P-selectin, antagonism of PAF by WEB2086, or correction of mutated CFTR trafficking by KM11060 could significantly increase plasma lipoxin A4 levels in F508del relevant to wildtype mice. Concurrently, F508del mice had higher plasma platelet activating factor (PAF) levels and PAF-AH activity compared to wildtype under LPS challenge. Inhibiting hydrolysis of PAF by a specific PAF-AH (PAF-acetylhydrolase) inhibitor, MAFP, could worsen LPS-induced lung inflammation in F508del mice compared to vehicle treated F508del group. Particularly, depletion of platelets in F508del mice could significantly decrease plasma lipoxin A4 and PAF-AH activity and deteriorate LPS-induced lung inflammation compared to control F508del mice. Taken together, lipoxin A4 and PAF are involved in E. coli or LPS-induced lung inflammation in CFTR-deficient mice, suggesting that lipoxin A4 and PAF might be therapeutic targets for ameliorating CFTR-deficiency deteriorated lung inflammation.

Short-term administration of a high oxygen concentration is not injurious in an ex-vivo rabbit model of ventilator-induced lung injury

BACKGROUND

Mechanical ventilation and administration of a high oxygen concentration are simultaneously used in the management of respiratory failure. We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of a high inspired oxygen concentration on ventilator-induced lung injury.

METHODS

Forty sets of isolated/perfused rabbit lungs were randomized for 60 min of pressure-control ventilation at a plateau inspiratory pressure of 25 or 15 cm H(2)O and positive end-expiratory pressure of 3 cm H(2)O while receiving 100% or 21% O(2). The temperature, pH, and partial pressure of CO(2) in the perfusate were maintained the same in all groups (n = 10 for each group). The outcome measures used to assess lung injury included: the change in weight gain and ultrafiltration coefficient, the frequency of vascular failure, the histological lesions and the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and malondialdehyde in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

RESULTS

The two groups ventilated at the higher inspiratory pressure/tidal volume experienced greater weight gain and increases in the ultrafiltration coefficient, more frequently suffered vascular failure, and presented higher composite scores of histological damage than the two groups ventilated at the lower inspiratory pressure/tidal volume. Hyperoxia was not found to further increase any of the monitored markers of lung injury. No difference was noticed among the four experimental groups in the alveolar lavage fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha or malondialdehyde.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that short-term administration of a high oxygen concentration is not a major determinant of ventilator-induced lung injury in this experimental model.

Acute lung injury in a rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion: the potential time depended role of phospholipases A(2)

BACKGROUND

A pivotal role of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AcH) as enzymes involved in lung inflammation has recently been suggested. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role and the time dependence of PLA(2) and PAF-AcH fluctuations in the lung relative to the evolution of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rats were randomly allocated to five groups of IIR induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by 1 min, 2, 4, and 8 h of reperfusion (expGroups) and five corresponding sham groups (sGroups). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was obtained from the right lung and its biochemical (protein, PLA(2), PAF-AcH) and cytological characteristics were determined. Plasma malonyldialdehyde was measured as a marker of lipid peroxidation. The 4 and 8 h reperfusion expGroups had significantly (P < 0.05) elevated alveolar-arterial O(2) gradient values compared with the corresponding controls. Total protein, PLA(2) and PAF-AcH levels significantly (P < 0.05) increased in expGroups compared with the corresponding shams after 4 h of reperfusion. Total bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells and plasma malonyldialdehyde were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in expGroups compared with the sGroups after 2 h of reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

PLA(2) could act synergistically or parallel with the reactive oxygen species produced during IIR, resulting in the induction or even in the exacerbation of the inflammatory reaction in acute respiratory distress syndrome. PAF-AcH could play an anti-inflammatory role by reducing the concentration of PAF.

Lung production of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a proinflammatory mediator that plays a central role in acute lung injury (ALI). PAF- acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs) terminate PAF's signals and regulate inflammation. In this study, we describe the kinetics of plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) PAF-AH in the early phase of ALI. Six pigs with oleic acid induced ALI and two healthy controls were studied. Plasma and BAL samples were collected every 2h and immunohistochemical analysis of PAF-AH was performed in lung tissues. PAF-AH activity in BAL was increased at the end of the experiment (BAL PAF-AH Time 0=0.001+/-0.001 nmol/ml/min/g vs Time 6=0.031+/-0.018 nmol/ml/min/g, p=0.04) while plasma activity was not altered. We observed increased PAF-AH staining of macrophages and epithelial cells in the lungs of animals with ALI but not in healthy controls. Our data suggest that increases in PAF-AH levels are, in part, a result of alveolar production. PAF-AH may represent a modulatory strategy to counteract the excessive pro-inflammatory effects of PAF and PAF-like lipids in lung inflammation.

Vitamin E differentially regulates the expression of peroxiredoxin-1 and -6 in alveolar type II cells

Vitamin E is the primary lipophilic antioxidant in mammals. Lack of vitamin E may lead to an increase of cytotoxic phospholipid-peroxidation products (PL-Ox). However, we could previously show that alimentary vitamin E-depletion in rats did not change the concentrations of dienes, hydroperoxides, and platelet-activating factor-related oxidation products in alveolar type II cells (TII cells). We hypothesized that vitamin E deficiency increases the activity of enzymes involved in the degradation of PL-Ox. Degradation of PL-Ox may be catalyzed by phospholipase A2, PAF-acetylhydrolase, or peroxiredoxins (Prx's). Alimentary vitamin E deficiency in rats increased the expression of Prx-1 at the mRNA and protein levels and the formation of Prx-SO3, but it did not change the expression of Prx-6 or the activity of phospholipase A2 and PAF-acetylhydrolase in TII cells. H2O2-induced oxidative stress in isolated TII cells activated protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) and increased the expression of Prx-1 and Prx-6. Inhibition of PKCalpha in isolated TII cells by long-time incubation with PMA inhibited PKCalpha and Prx-1 but not Prx-6. We concluded that the expression of Prx-1 and -6 is selectively regulated in TII cells; PKCalpha regulates the expression of Prx-1 but not Prx-6. Prx-6 expression may be closely linked to lipid peroxidation.

Phospholipases A2 and platelet-activating-factor acetylhydrolase in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome*

OBJECTIVE

Phospholipases A2 (PLA2) comprise a family of enzymes probably implicated in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim was to investigate PLA2 activities and characteristics in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, BAL cells, and plasma from patients with ARDS by a fluorometric method.

DESIGN

Prospective, controlled study.

SETTING

Fourteen-bed polyvalent intensive care unit in a university hospital.

PATIENTS

A total of 31 mechanically ventilated patients, 20 with and 11 without ARDS, were studied.

INTERVENTION

BAL was performed by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in mechanically ventilated patients with a controlled mechanical ventilation mode.

MEASUREMENTS

PLA2 and platelet-activating-factor acetylhydrolase were determined in BAL fluid, cells, and plasma. For the classification of PLA2-specific inhibitors, Western blot analysis and their biochemical characteristics were used.

RESULTS

In ARDS patients, increased PLA2 levels were detected in BAL fluid, BAL cells, and plasma compared with the control patients. PLA2 in BAL fluid was mainly type IIA secretory and cytosolic types. In plasma, type IIA secretory and cytosolic and a Ca-independent PLA2 were found. In BAL cells, a cytosolic form, probably a Ca-independent intracellular form, and a low activity of type IIA secretory PLA2 was also observed. Total PLA2 activity correlated inversely with Pao2/Fio2 ratio and positively with the mortality rate. Patients with direct ARDS exhibited higher PLA2 activity compared with patients with indirect ARDS. Platelet-activating-factor acetylhydrolase activity was higher in BAL fluid and plasma, but it was lower in BAL cells.

CONCLUSION

Ca-dependent, secretory, cytosolic, and Ca-independent forms of PLA2 and platelet-activating-factor acetylhydrolase could play important roles in the development or down-regulation of inflammation in ARDS, respectively.

Occurence of lipid bodies in canine type II pneumocytes during hypothermic lung ischemia

Type II pneumocytes defend the pulmonary alveolus by synthesis and secretion of surfactant and by contributing to alveolar epithelial regeneration. Lipid bodies are regarded as intracellular domains for the synthesis of eicosanoid mediators that can be induced by inflammatory stimuli. The aim of the present study was to establish whether hypothermic ischemic lung storage without further preservation measures leads to an induction of lipid body formation in canine type II pneumocytes. The lungs of 18 dogs were fixed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) immediately after cardiac arrest (six double lungs) and after ischemic storage in Tutofusin solution at 4 degrees C for 20 min, 4 hr, 8 hr, and 12 hr (six single lungs, respectively). Type II pneumocytes were analyzed qualitatively by conventional TEM (CTEM) and quantitatively by stereology. The relative phosphorus content of surfactant containing lamellar bodies, lipid bodies, and intermediate forms was investigated by energy-filtering TEM (EFTEM). By CTEM, lipid bodies as well as forms intermediate between lipid bodies and lamellar bodies were already noted in the control group but were more pronounced in the ischemia groups. Beginning at 20 min of ischemic storage, a significant increase in the volume density of lipid bodies was noted in the ischemic groups as compared to the control group. By EFTEM, the highest intracellular phosphorus signals were recorded over lamellar bodies and lamellar areas of intermediate forms in all experimental groups, while lipid bodies and homogeneous areas of intermediate forms did not show a clear phosphorus signal. These results indicate that the formation of lipid bodies in canine type II pneumocytes is induced early during ischemic lung storage.

PAF responsiveness in Japanese subjects with plasma PAF acetylhydrolase deficiency

Approximately 4% of the Japanese population genetically lack plasma platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) and show a higher prevalence of thromboembolic disease, but whether they are susceptible to another PAF-related disease, asthma, remains controversial. To determine the role of plasma PAF-AH in airway physiology, we performed PAF bronchoprovocation tests in 8 plasma PAF-AH-deficient subjects and 16 control subjects. Serial inhalation of PAF (1-1000 microg/ml) concentration-dependently induced acute bronchoconstriction, but there was no significant difference between PAF-AH-deficient and control subjects (11.7 +/- 4.6% vs. 9.6 +/- 2.8% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s). Transient neutropenia after single inhalation of PAF (1000 microg/ml) showed no significant difference between the groups either in its magnitude (72 +/- 11% vs. 65 +/- 9% decrease) or duration (4.1 +/- 1.0 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.8 min). In conclusion, a lack of plasma PAF-AH activity alone does not augment physiological responses to PAF in the airway.

Regulation of platelet-activating factor synthesis in human monocytes by dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has a major role in inflammatory responses within the lung. This study investigates the effect of pulmonary surfactant on the synthesis of PAF in human monocytic cells. The pulmonary surfactant preparation Curosurf significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated PAF biosynthesis (P<0.01) in a human monocytic cell line, Mono mac-6 (MM6), as determined by (3)H PAF scintillation-proximity assay. The inhibitory properties of surfactant were determined to be associated, at least in part, with the 1,2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) component of surfactant. DPPC alone also inhibited LPS-stimulated PAF biosynthesis in human peripheral blood monocytes. DPPC treatment did not affect LPS-stimulated phospholipase A(2) activity in MM6 cell lysates. However, DPPC significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated coenzyme A (CoA)-independent transacylase and acetyl CoA:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase activity. DPPC treatment of MM6 cells decreased plasma membrane fluidity as demonstrated by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy coupled with spin labeling. Taken together, these findings indicate that pulmonary surfactant, particularly the DPPC component, can inhibit LPS-stimulated PAF production via perturbation of the cell membrane, which inhibits the activity of specific membrane-associated enzymes involved in PAF biosynthesis.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase is increased in lung lavage fluid from patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a proinflammatory phospholipid that may contribute to inflammation in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) degrades PAF and regulates its biological activity. We characterized PAF-AH in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from ARDS patients (n = 33, 22 survivors), patients at risk for ARDS (n = 6), and healthy controls (n = 6).

DESIGN

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed during acute (<96 hrs from onset), plateau (6 to 12 days), and late (> or = 14 days) phases of ARDS.

PATIENTS

Intubated patients with ARDS or a risk factor for ARDS.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In ARDS, total bronchoalveolar lavage PAF-AH activity was markedly increased in the acute phase (87 +/- 89 mU/mL, n = 33) and then decreased in the plateau (23 +/- 14 mU/mL, n = 10) and late phases (19 +/- 14 mU/mL, n = 7) (p = .003). Total bronchoalveolar lavage PAF-AH activity during the acute phase of ARDS was also increased as compared with patients at risk for ARDS (16 +/- 13 mU/mL, n = 6) and healthy controls (3 +/- 3 mU/mL, n = 6) (p < .001). In contrast, plasma PAF-AH activities were the same in controls (3215 +/- 858 mU/mL, n = 6), in patients at risk for ARDS (3606 +/- 1607 mU/mL, n = 6), and during the acute phase of ARDS (3098 +/- 2395 mU/mL, n = 33) (p = .18). PAF-AH mRNA was present in alveolar macrophages in the acute phase of ARDS (five of six) and in at-risk patients (two of three) but not in healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

PAF-AH activity is increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with ARDS. Likely sources include leakage of plasma PAF-AH into alveoli or release of PAF-AH from injured cells; however, the presence of PAF-AH mRNA in alveolar macrophages suggests that PAF-AH may be actively synthesized in the lungs of patients with ARDS. PAF-AH activity in the lungs of ARDS patients may regulate inflammation caused by PAF and related oxidized phospholipids generated in the inflammatory response.

Vitamin E as an antioxidant of the lung: mechanisms of vitamin E delivery to alveolar type II cells

Oxidants play an important role in the development of acute and chronic lung injuries. Alveolar surfactant is the first target of air-borne oxidants. Surfactant contains, besides dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and polyunsaturated phospholipids that play an important functional role. Therefore, vitamin E could be important for protecting surfactant lipids against oxidation and subsequent lung injury. Alveolar type II cells play a central role in synthesis and secretion of surfactant lipids and also supplement the surfactant with vitamin E during intracellular assembly. High density lipoprotein (HDL) is the primary source of vitamin E for type II cells. The uptake of vitamin E by specific lipid transfer is mediated by at least three HDL-specific receptors (scavenger receptor BI, membrane dipeptidase, and HDL-binding protein-2). In addition, cubilin and megalin mediate in a cooperative manner HDL-holoparticle uptake by alveolar type II cells. A temporary vitamin E deficiency induces a reversible change of the expression of pro- and antiinflammatory markers and of markers defining apoptosis, and reduces surfactant lipid synthesis in alveolar type II cells. These metabolic changes of type II cells may prime the lung to develop clinically manifest injury in response to an additional insult, e.g., hyperoxia.

Metabolism of platelet activating factor by intrapulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells. Effect of oxygen on phospholipase A2 protein expression and activities of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and cholinephosphotransferase

We have demonstrated that platelet activating factor (PAF) plays an important physiological role in the maintenance of high pulmonary vascular tone in fetal lambs, a role attributable to increased PAF receptor binding (J. Appl. Physiol. 85 (1998) 1079; Am J. Physiol. 278 (2000) H1168). In this study, we examined the possibility that increased PAF synthesis via de novo and remodeling pathways as well as decreased PAF catabolism in hypoxic state of fetal lungs may account for the PAF action in vivo. We investigated effect of oxygen tension on PAF synthesis by ovine fetal intrapulmonary venous (PV) and arterial (PA) smooth muscle cells pulsed with [3H]choline (de novo), or [3H]acetate (remodeling), while PAF catabolism was studied by assay of acetylhydrolase (PAF-Ah) activity. Hypoxia stimulated PAF synthesis by choline incorporation (pmol/10(6)cells) in both PVSMC (1.14+/-0.13 vs 0.53+/-0.05) and PASMC (0.39+/-0.12 vs 0.22+/-0.04). Hypoxia stimulated PAF synthesis via remodeling pathway only in PVSMC (408+/-32 vs 225+/-17) which was 5-fold greater than in PASMC (77+/-15 vs 105+/-24), however, with A23187 in remodeling pathway, PAF synthesis increased 5-fold compared to baseline conditions and then synthesis in hypoxia was greater than in normoxia in both cell types. Phospholipase A2 protein expression was significantly higher in hypoxia in both cells and was approximately 2-fold higher in PVSMC. PAF-Ah activity (nmol lyso-PAF/min/mg protein) was greater in hypoxia vs normoxia in PVSMC (0.81+/-0.24 vs 0.44+/-0.088), but in PASMC activity was less in hypoxia vs normoxia (1.68+/-0.24 vs 3.93+/-0.44). Compared to PVSMC PAF-Ah activity in PASMC was 4-fold higher in hypoxia. Our data demonstrate that (1) PAF synthesis in intrapulmonary SMC of fetal lambs occurs by both de novo studied by choline incorporation and remodeling pathways, the latter being predominant. (2) There is heterogeneity in PAF synthetic and catabolic activities in lung vasculature of fetal lambs. We conclude that increased PAF synthesis in veins by the two synthetic pathways coupled with decreased catabolism will result in a higher venous PAF levels in the hypoxic environment of fetal lungs. We speculate that in vivo, a high PAF level in veins will make more PAF available for binding to its receptors so as to sustain the desired high venous tone in the fetal pulmonary circulation.

Maturational changes in ovine pulmonary metabolism of platelet-activating factor: implications for postnatal adaptation

We recently reported that PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-Ah) mRNA level and PAF-Ah activity in lamb lungs are up-regulated in the immediate newborn period, thereby facilitating the fall in postnatal PAF levels as well as a fall in pulmonary vascular resistance (B. O. Ibe, F. C. Sardar, and J. U. Raj, Mol Genet Metab 69:46-55, 2000). We have studied hypoxia effects on PAF synthesis and PAF-Ah activity in fetal lamb pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (FPASMC) and endothelial cells (FPAEC). We also studied PAF synthesis by platelets, and PAF-Ah activity in plasma of perinatal lambs at different ages. PAF synthesis (means +/- SEM, pmol/10(6) cells) by SMC in baseline was 168 +/- 27 and increased 3-fold on stimulation with A23187. Hypoxia augmented A23187-stimulated PAF synthesis by 30%. In FPAEC, baseline synthesis was 0.54 +/- 0.062 and increased 3-fold to 1.72 +/-.34. Hypoxia had no effect on PAF synthesis by EC. FPASMC produced over 300-fold more PAF than FPAEC. PAF synthesis by platelets was 47.02 +/- 7.1, 63.4 +/- 6.6, 71.5 +/- 9.9, and 62.2 +/- 5.2 for fetal, and newborn lambs <2 h, <1 day, and 6-12 days, old, respectively. PAF synthesis by platelets of <1 day-old lambs was different from that of fetal lambs. PAF-Ah activity (nmol lyso-PAF/min/mg protein) by FPASMC in normoxia was 3.41 +/- 0.38 which was 50% higher than the rate in hypoxia. Activity in FPAEC was 1.75 +/- 0.37 which was not different from hypoxia. PAF-Ah activity in fetal lamb plasma was 47.83 +/- 6.87 which was different from 155.32 +/- 12.10, the activity in plasma of newborn <1 day old. Activity in the other perinatal lambs did not differ from fetal or newborn <1 d. Our data suggest that lower pulmonary vascular PAF synthesis in normoxia together with higher PAF-Ah activity during immediate postnatal period is necessary to ensure rapid catabolism of PAF in vivo so as to facilitate postnatal adaptation of the pulmonary and systemic circulations.