Glycine uptake by cultured human Y79 retinoblastoma cells: effect of changes in phospholipid fatty acid unsaturation

Effects of Lipids on Cancer Therapy

The fatty acid composition of cancer cell membranes can change substantially when the cells are exposed to different types of fat. Such change occurs when tumors are grown in animals fed high-fat diets that differ in degree of unsaturation or during culture in media supplemented with various fatty acids. Certain physical and functional properties of the membrane are modified when the polyunsaturated fatty acid content is increased, and the cells become more sensitive to hyperthermia or treatment with doxorubicin. These findings suggest a potential role for lipid nutrition in cancer therapy. By altering the properties of the membrane lipids, changes in the dietary fat intake may provide a new approach for enhancing the effectiveness of certain antineoplastic therapies.

Engineering cells for cell culture bioprocessing--physiological fundamentals

In the past decade, we have witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of mammalian cell-derived therapeutic proteins with clinical applications. The success of making these life-saving biologics available to the public is partly due to engineering efforts to enhance process efficiency. To further improve productivity, much effort has been devoted to developing metabolically engineered producing cells, which possess characteristics favorable for large-scale bioprocessing. In this article we discuss the fundamental physiological basis for cell engineering. Different facets of cellular mechanisms, including metabolism, protein processing, and the balancing pathways of cell growth and apoptosis, contribute to the complex traits of favorable growth and production characteristics. We present our assessment of the current state of the art by surveying efforts that have already been undertaken in engineering cells for a more robust process. The concept of physiological homeostasis as a key determinant and its implications on cell engineering is emphasized. Integrating the physiological perspective with cell culture engineering will facilitate attainment of dream cells with superlative characteristics.

Identification and functional characterization of riboflavin transporter in human-derived retinoblastoma cell line (Y-79): mechanisms of cellular uptake and translocation

Drug delivery to the retina is a challenging task owing to its complex physiology and presence of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), which regulates the permeation of substances from blood into the retina. Transporter-targeted drug delivery has become a clinically significant drug-delivery approach for enhancing the bioavailability of various drugs. Different nutrient transporters have been reported to be expressed on the retina. Riboflavin (vitamin B2), an essential nutritional vitamin for the development and maintenance of the surface structures and functions of epithelial cells of the ocular tissues, must be acquired from retinal or choroidal blood supply. The uptake mechanism, cellular translocation, and major regulatory pathways of riboflavin uptake into retina are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a riboflavin transporter and delineate uptake and intracellular trafficking of riboflavin in the human-derived retinoblastoma cell line (Y-79), a model for neural retina. Uptake characteristics of [3H]riboflavin in Y-79 cells were found to be (1) linear with time over 10 min of incubation; (2) temperature- and energy-dependent; (3) sodium, chloride-, and pH-independent; (4) concentration dependence with an apparent K(m) of 19.21 +/- 0.37 nM and V(max) of 6.98 +/- 0.30 pmol/min/mg protein; (5) inhibited by the structural analogs (lumiflavin and lumichrome) but not by the structurally unrelated vitamins; and (6) uptake of [3H]riboflavin was trans-stimulated by the intracellular riboflavin. Neither protein kinase C- nor protein tyrosine kinase-mediated pathways were involved in regulating riboflavin uptake. However, protein kinase A pathway activators (IBMX and forskolin) and inhibitors (H-89) and Ca2+/calmodulin pathways appeared to play important roles in the regulation of riboflavin uptake in Y-79 cells through significant reduction in V(max) (39%) and significant increase in K(m) (112%) of the uptake process. These studies demonstrated, for the first time, the existence of a specialized carrier-mediated system for riboflavin uptake in human-derived retinoblastoma cells. The system appears to be regulated by protein kinase A and Ca2+/calmodulin pathways. Being a high-affinity low-capacity transport system, the presence of this transporter on the retina may be suitable for the design of transporter-targeted prodrugs to achieve enhanced permeability for highly potent, but poorly bioavailable, compounds where a small increase in the bioavailability could result in a significant increase in therapeutic response.

Essentiality of fatty acids

All fatty acids have important functions, but the term "essential" is applied only to those polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that are necessary for good health and cannot be completely synthesized in the body. The need for arachidonic acid, which is utilized for eicosanoid synthesis and is a constituent of membrane phospholipids involved in signal transduction, is the main reason why the n-6 class of PUFA are essential. Physiological data indicate that n-3 PUFA also are essential. Although eicosapentaenoic acid also is a substrate for eicosanoid synthesis, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is more likely to be the essential n-3 constituent because it is necessary for optimal visual acuity and neural development. DHA is present in large amounts in the ethanolamine and serine phospholipids, suggesting that its function involves membrane structure. Because the metabolism of n-6 PUFA is geared primarily to produce arachidonic acid, only small amounts of 22-carbon n-6 PUFA are ordinarily formed. Thus, the essentiality of n-3 PUFA may be due to their ability to supply enough 22-carbon PUFA for optimal membrane function rather than to a unique biochemical property of DHA.

Human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells express functional corticotropin-releasing hormone receptors

In human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) produces a marked and rapid increase of adenylate cyclase activity. The concentration of the peptide producing half-maximal stimulation is 60 nM. The effect of CRH is significantly antagonized by the specific CRH receptor antagonist alpha-helical CHR 9-41 and is mimicked by sauvagine and urotensin I, two peptides displaying sequence homology with CRH. These results demonstrate the presence of functional CRH receptors in human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells and suggest that this cell line may be a suitable model in which to study the action of CRH on human retinal cell function.

Effect of dietary n-3 fatty acid deficiency on blood-to-brain transfer of sucrose, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and phenylalanine in the rat

Possible alterations in blood-to-brain unidirectional transport of sucrose (mol. wt., 342), alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (mol. wt., 104), and L-phenylalanine (mol. wt., 165) induced by a diet deficient in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were studied with respect to blood-brain barrier function. Two groups of rats were for to two generations with a semisynthetic diet. One group of rats was fed a peanut oil+rapeseed oil diet which contained both essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) and alpha-linolenic acid, (18:3 n-3). Another group was fed a diet of peanut oil, this diet (containing 18:2 n-6) was deficient in alpha-linolenic acid. The experiments were performed at 6 months of age. Unidirectional transfer rate constants (Ki) of sucrose, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and L-phenylalanine were measured. The diet based on peanut oil (deficient in n-3) caused a greater blood-to-brain transport of sucrose but not of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid or L-phenylalanine. These observations indicate that regardless of the mechanisms involved, alterations in essential fatty acids induced by diet can modulate to some extent the blood-brain transport of hydrophilic molecules without a carrier.

Essential fatty acid deficiency in cultured SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells

SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells grown under standard culture conditions contain significant amounts of Mead acid (20:3 omega 9) in phospholipids, indicating essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency. The amount of esterified 20:3 omega 9 was augmented by growth in a chemically defined EFA-free medium, whereas its presence could be virtually eliminated by supplementation of the culture medium with either arachidonic (20:4 omega 6; AA), eicosapentaenoic (20:5 omega 3; EPA), or linolenic (18:3 omega 3) acids. Substitution of Mead acid for omega 6 fatty acids, particularly evident in phosphatidylinositol (PI), indicates a compensatory replacement of omega 9 for omega 6 fatty acids during EFA deficiency. Studies evaluating [3H]scopolamine binding to the M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) present in these neurotumor cells as well as effects of carbachol on phosphoinositide turnover and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, indicate that the biosubstitution of 20:4 omega 6 with 20:3 omega 9 does not detectably impair these measures of signal transduction. Stimulation of mAChRs with carbachol increased the cellular mass of diacylglycerol (DAG) approximately 60%. On the basis of distinctive fatty acid "signatures" of each of the phospholipid classes, it is concluded that the DAG initially released following muscarinic stimulation is derived from phosphoinositide breakdown. After several minutes, however, a significant amount of DAG comes from phosphatidylcholine (PC) as well. In contrast to DAG, the composition of phosphatidate (PA) following receptor stimulation closely resembles that of the phosphoinositides, even at the later time points examined. These results support a selective phosphorylation of DAG arising from the stimulated breakdown of phosphoinositides, favoring the conservation of the 1-stearoyl, 2-arachidonoyl (or 20:3 omega 9) moiety.

Synthesis and high affinity uptake of serotonin and dopamine by human Y79 retinoblastoma cells

Human Y79 retinoblastoma cells are capable of synthesizing the putative retinal neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Separation of the catecholamines and indolamines by high performance liquid chromatography combined with electrochemical detection showed that the cells readily convert tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and, to a lesser extent, dopamine. When DOPA was added, a large quantity of dopamine was produced, as well as norepinephrine, epinephrine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. Exogenous tryptophan added to the cells was partially converted to 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin. A larger quantity of serotonin was produced when 5-hydroxytryptophan was added. Y79 cells have a high- and low-affinity uptake system for dopamine and serotonin. The K'm and V'max for the high-affinity uptake of dopamine and serotonin are 2.34 +/- 0.64 and 3.63 +/- 1.15 microM and 4.77 +/- 1.12 and 3.20 +/- 1.20 pmol min-1 mg protein-1, respectively. These kinetic parameters are similar to those reported for other retinal preparations where dopamine and serotonin have been suggested to function as neurotransmitters. Tyrosine and tryptophan, the physiologic precursors of dopamine and serotonin, respectively, and phenylalanine are also taken up by high- and low-affinity transport systems. The kinetic parameters for their high-affinity uptake systems are all very similar, suggesting that they may be taken up by the same transporter. These studies show that a tumor cell line derived from the human retina synthesizes dopamine and serotonin and has high-affinity uptake systems for these compounds and their precursors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alzheimer's disease: glutamate depletion in the hippocampal perforant pathway zone

The perforant pathway is the primary source of cortical input to the hippocampal formation. Its cells of origin, in the entorhinal cortex, are destroyed in Alzheimer's disease. Because the principal neurotransmitter of the perforant pathway's excitatory action is thought to be glutamate, we microdissected a portion of the pathway's terminal zone and assayed the excised tissue for glutamate. There was an 83% decrease in the level of free glutamate in subjects with Alzheimer's disease as compared to control subjects not affected by dementia (p less than 0.005). We believe that this diminution in the glutamate content is a direct neurochemical correlate of perforant pathway destruction and that disruption of this crucial corticolimbic pathway contributes to the memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Membrane fatty acid modification in tumor cells: a potential therapeutic adjunct

The fatty acid compositions of several tumors have been modified sufficiently to alter some of their properties and functions. These modifications were produced in culture by adding specific fatty acids to the growth medium or by feeding fat-supplemented diets to tumor-bearing mice. The phospholipid fatty acid composition of the plasma membrane was modified, but there were no changes in membrane phospholipid or cholesterol content or in phospholipid head group composition. Each of the most abundant membrane phosphoglyceride fractions exhibited some degree of fatty acid modification. Electron spin resonance measurements with nitroxystearate spin probes indicated that the fatty acid modifications were sufficient to alter the physical properties of the plasma membrane. The K'm for methotrexate uptake was reduced when the L1210 leukemia cells were enriched in linoleic acid. Even when the kinetics of uptake at 37 C were not altered, such as for melphalan and phenylalanine uptake, the temperature transition of transport was modified, indicating that these transport systems also are responsive to the membrane fatty acid modifications. Enrichment with highly polyunsaturated fatty acid did not affect either the growth rate or radiosensitivity of the L1210 leukemia. However, the sensitivity of the L1210 cells to the cytotoxic effects of Adriamycin and hyperthermia was increased. These findings suggest the possibility that fatty acid modification of tumors may be a useful adjunct to certain currently available therapeutic modalities.

Docosahexaenoic acid metabolism and effect on prostacyclin production in endothelial cells

Bovine aortic endothelial cultures readily take up docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Most of the DHA was incorporated into phospholipids, primarily in ethanolamine and choline phosphoglycerides, and plasmalogens accounted for 34% of the DHA contained in the ethanolamine fraction after a 24-h incubation. The retention of DHA in endothelial phospholipids was not greater than other polyunsaturated fatty acids and unlike arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids, DHA did not continue to accumulate in the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides after the initial incorporation. About 15% of the [14C(U)]DHA uptake was retroconverted to docosapentaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids in 24 h. Some of the newly incorporated [14C(U)]DHA was released when the cells were incubated subsequently in a medium containing serum and albumin. The released radioactivity was in the form of free fatty acid and phospholipids and after 24 h, 11% was retroconverted to docosapentaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids. Total DHA uptake was decreased only 10% by the presence of a 100 microM mixture of physiologic fatty acids, but as little as 10 microM docosatetraenoic acid reduced DHA incorporation into phospholipids by 25%. DHA was not converted to prostaglandins or lipoxygenase products by the endothelial cultures. When DHA was available, however, less arachidonic acid was incorporated into endothelial phospholipids, and less was converted to prostacyclin (PGI2). Enrichment of the endothelial cells with DHA also reduced their capacity to subsequently produce PGI2. These findings indicate that endothelial cells can play a role in DHA metabolism and like eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA can inhibit endothelial PGI2 production when it is available in elevated amounts.

Embryonal central neuroepithelial tumors: current concepts and future challenges

While the embryonal central neuroepithelial tumors present complex conceptual and clinical problems, advances in cell type identification by special neurohistological, immunohisto- and immunocytochemical techniques have permitted discrimination of distinct cytomorphogenetic entities. These are based in part on their resemblance to the normal phases of neurocytogenesis. Four of these tumors, medulloepithelioma, desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma, pineoblastoma and medulloblastoma, are designated as multipotential in light of their capacity to undergo divergent differentiation. Cytomorphogenetic, clinical and experimental data implicate fetal neural cell targets for transformation and raise the possibility that aberrant developmental regulatory mechanisms may contribute to the biologic behavior of these tumors. Growth factors and some neuroregulatory neurotransmitters (such as serotonin) are known to act as modulators of normal neuromorphogenesis. They could play a regulatory role in central neuroepithelial tumors on the hypothesis that the aberrant behavior of the embryonal neoplasms could either be modified by functional receptor responses or result from abnormal receptor responses to these substances. Future challenges include the definition of new cytomorphogenetic entities and subgroups of the currently defined forms of embryonal CNS tumors based on the presence of specific growth factors and neuroregulatory neurotransmitters, or their receptors, the characterization of neoplastic receptor responses mediating any modulatory role of the presently known growth factors or neuroregulatory neurotransmitters on the growth and maturation potential of the embryonal central neuroepithelial tumors and the further definition of developmental, stage-specific modulators that might be operative in these tumors.

Studies of the regulation of basal adenylate cyclase activity by membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in cultured neuroblastoma

The role of membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the regulation of basal adenylate cyclase activity was examined in intact N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. Addition of linoleic acid (50 microM) to the culture medium for 48 h resulted in a significant increase in phospholipid PUFA content and in a two- to fivefold increase in basal accumulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Both phenomena were reversed on removal of linoleate from the medium. PUFA enrichment stimulated cell proliferation by approximately 20% without altering the relative proportion of cellular protein. The supplemented cells synthesized significantly larger amounts of prostaglandin (PG) E and D than did the controls; however, blockade of PG synthesis by indomethacin or ibuprofen did not alter cAMP formation. Supplemented cells contained higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) than did controls, and MDA formation was reduced by coculture with alpha-tocopherol; however, its inclusion in the medium did not affect cAMP accumulation. Linoleate-supplemented cells responded to cyclase-activating agonists to the same extent as did control cells. Responses to inhibitory agonists (e.g., isoproterenol and carbamylcholine) were altered, but not to a sufficient extent to account for the PUFA-dependent increases in basal adenylate cyclase activity.

Myoinositol uptake by four cultured mammalian cell lines

The uptake of myo-[2-3H]inositol by mouse neuroblastoma, human Y79 retinoblastoma, human HL60, and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells occurs by a saturable, Na+-dependent and partially energy-dependent mechanism. Inositol uptake by all four cell lines occurred by both a high-and low-affinity system. The kinetic parameters for the high-affinity uptake systems were similar for all four cell lines. These data suggest that all four of these diverse cell lines have similar inositol transport systems and probably rely on extracellular inositol for anabolic processes.

Neurotransmitter systems in morphologically undifferentiated human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells: studies of GABAergic, glycinergic, and beta-adrenergic systems

Elements of three neurotransmitter systems were investigated in morphologically undifferentiated human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells in suspension culture. Specific gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake, GABA binding, and glycine binding were absent from these cells, although the cells had been shown to exhibit an active uptake and release of [3H]glycine. Binding and competition studies using both alpha- and beta-adrenergic ligands indicated the presence of a beta-adrenergic receptor. This finding was confirmed by treatment of the cells with beta-agonists in competition with a beta-antagonist and with an alpha-antagonist; the level of cyclic AMP was competitively stimulated. Therefore, human Y-79 cells in suspension culture contain beta-adrenergic receptors, and not glycinergic or GABAergic ones. Thus, the Y-79 cells may be of use in studying the factors involved in developmental regulation of neurotransmitter function.

The effects of exposure to exogenous fatty acids and membrane fatty acid modification on the electrical properties of NG108-15 cells

The role of membrane lipid composition in determining the electrical properties of neuronal cells was investigated by altering the available fatty acids in the growth medium of cultured neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells, clone NG108-15. Growth of the cells for several days in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic) caused a pronounced decrease in the Na+ action-potential rate of rise (dV/dt) and smaller decreases in the amplitude, measured by intracellular recording. Oleic acid had no effect on the action potentials generated by the cells. In contrast, a saturated fatty acid (palmitate) and a trans monounsaturated fatty acid (elaidate) caused increases in both the rate of rise and the amplitude. No changes in the resting membrane potentials or Ca2+ action potentials of fatty acid-treated cells were observed. The membrane capacitance and time constant were not altered by exposure to arachidonate, oleate, or elaidate, whereas arachidonate caused a small increase in membrane resistance. Examination of the membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition of cells grown with various fatty acids revealed no consistent alterations which could explain these results. To examine the mechanism for arachidonate-induced decreases in dV/dt, the binding of 3H-saxitoxin (known to interact with voltage-sensitive Na+) channels was measured. Membranes from cells grown with arachidonate contained fewer saxitoxin binding sites, suggesting fewer Na+ channels in these cells. We conclude that conditions which lead to major changes in the membrane fatty acid composition have no effect on the resting membrane potential, membrane capacitance, time constant, or Ca2+ action potentials in NG108-15 cells. Membrane resistance also does not appear to be very sensitive to membrane fatty acid composition. However, changes in the availability of fatty acids and/or changes in the subsequent membrane fatty acid composition lead to altered Na+ action potentials. The primary mechanism for this alteration appears to be through changes in the number of Na+ channels in the cells.

Characterization of an insulin receptor in human Y79 retinoblastoma cells

Cultured human Y79 retinoblastoma cells bind [125I]iodoinsulin in a manner similar to that of other CNS and peripheral tissues. The only difference noted between the insulin binding properties of the Y79 cells and other CNS preparations is that insulin binding to Y79 cells is down-regulated by prolonged exposure of the cells to insulin. By contrast, studies with the various brain preparations indicate that the brain insulin receptor is not down-regulated by circulating levels of insulin. Insulin binding to Y79 cells exhibits negative cooperativity, has a pH optimum of 7.8, is responsive to cations, and gives a curvilinear Scatchard plot. Y79 cell insulin binding capacity is 26 fmol/100 micrograms of cell protein, corresponding to about 125,000 binding sites per cell. These findings are the first to report insulin binding in a human cell line of retinal origin. The characterization of the insulin binding in this cell line may facilitate an understanding of the relationship between insulin and its specific functions in the human retina.

Phospholipid-induced changes of gamma-aminobutyric acid transport in cortex grey matter in culture

The function of membrane phospholipids (PL) in the regulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transport and GABA carrier binding has been investigated in organized cultures of rat cerebral cortex. The cellular lipid composition has been changed by growing the cells in a delipidated nutrient solution or by short-term exposure of the cells to PL emulsions. Introduction of PL into the cellular matrix was monitored by analysis of biologically active fluorescently labeled phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Parinaroyl and dansyl derivatives were used. Conditions of maintenance as well as exogenously given PL affected the transport of GABA. Two transport systems were observed, one first-order system and one cooperative system. Saturated species of PC or PE reduced first-order GABA uptake with increase in chain length of the fatty acid residues. The effects of unsaturated PL were dependent upon the polar head. Unsaturated PC enhanced the capacity of the first-order transport of the amino acid. In comparison to cultures grown in lipid-free medium, introduction of diarachinoyl-PC into the cells increased the density of the first-order active transport sites by a factor of 8 and the affinity constant by a factor of 17. Diarachinoyl-PE reduced both kinetic parameters. GABA uptake via the cooperative system was enhanced by the unsaturated PE, not by PC. The role of endogenous PL and their asymmetric distribution was studied by application of phospholipase A2, C, and D. Stimulation of carrier activity was induced by hydrolysis of PL on the external leaflet. Inhibition occurred upon enzymatic degradation of external and cytoplasmic PL. Lipolysis also affected GABA receptor binding, suggesting that the effects observed represent the activity of both classes of binding sites, the carrier and the receptor. However the latter accounted for a small fraction of the binding. Transport of the amino acid was temperature sensitive. The temperature curve was shifted within two discontinuities, appearing in the Arrhenius plot as a function of membrane lipids. The results suggest a partitioning of the proteins between fluid and ordered lipid domains. Displacement of the protein may govern the rate constants and/or the effective protein concentration.

Comparative utilization of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by cultured human Y-79 retinoblastoma cells

The Y-79 retinoblastoma cell, a cultured human line derived from the retina, was utilized as a model for investigating the metabolism of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in neural tissue. When cultures were incubated with 5 microM linolenic (18:3), eicosapentaenoic (20:5) or docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids, a low concentration probably representative of physiologic levels, the amount incorporated was 20:5 congruent to 18.3 greater than 22:6. Regardless of which fatty acid was provided, 65-75% of the total uptake accumulated in phosphatidylethanolamine and ethanolamine plasmalogen, suggesting that these phospholipids play an important role in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism. A small amount of 22:6 was converted to 20:5, which was recovered in phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine. Therefore, one metabolic function of 22:6 may be to serve as an intracellular storage pool for the formation of 20:5 through retroconversion. When any of the n-3 polyunsaturates was available, the main fatty acid that accumulated in the cell phospholipids was 22:6. The extent to which 22:6 accumulated, however, depended on the particular n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that was available. This suggests that the 22:6 content of a neural cell, and any cellular function dependent on 22:6 content, may be regulated by changes in the type of n-3 polyunsaturate available to the nervous system.

Exposure to free fatty acid increases the transfer of albumin across cultured endothelial monolayers

An initial exposure to high concentrations of free fatty acid increased the transfer of albumin across cultured endothelial monolayers. The rate and amount of albumin transfer was dependent on the oleic acid concentration to which the cultures were initially exposed, with 300 microM producing the maximum transfer. The albumin transfer also increased with the increasing time of exposure to oleic acid, the maximum effect occurring during the first 24 hours. An exposure to 300 microM linoleic acid produced an even greater increase in albumin transfer than did 300 microM oleic acid. The increased albumin transfer observed when cells were exposed to high concentrations of free fatty acid was largely reversible after reincubation of the cell monolayers in free fatty acid-poor media. In parallel experiments, radioactive oleic acid incorporation into cell triglycerides increased linearly as the fatty acid concentration was raised, with cell triglyceride content increasing up to sevenfold after incubation in a medium containing 300 microM oleic acid. A significant amount of oleic acid was incorporated into phospholipids, and the fatty acid composition of the endothelial triglycerides and phospholipids was modified. All these effects of oleic occurred without altering the incorporation of leucine into the cell protein. These results indicate that exposure to high concentrations of free fatty acid can alter endothelial cell lipid composition, and that this increases the albumin transfer across endothelium. This process might permit more macromolecules to enter the arterial wall.

Dual properties of cultured retinoblastoma cells: immunohistochemical characterization of neuronal and glial markers

The dual properties of two human retinoblastoma cell lines, WERI-Rb1 and Y79, were investigated with immunohistochemistry. Two neuron-specific markers, dopamine-B-hydroxylase (DBH) and tetanus toxin, and an astrocyte-specific marker, the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), were applied for immunohistochemical reactions. With peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) and immunofluorescence techniques, all of the WERI-Rb1 and Y79 cells showed consistently positive results with both neuronal and glial markers. The findings demonstrate that cultured retinoblastoma cells WERI-Rb1 and Y79 have both neuronal and glial properties.

Increasing membrane polyunsaturated fatty-acid content augments cyclic AMP formation and prostaglandin production in NIE-115 neuroblastoma

Addition of linoleic acid (50 microM) to culture medium significantly increases levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in membrane phospholipids of NIE-115 neuroblastoma. Basal levels of cyclic AMP are elevated significantly in supplemented cells. Exogenous prostaglandins (PG) PGE1 and PGD2 stimulate cAMP formation in NIE-115 neuroblastoma. Supplemented cells produce higher levels of PGE and PGD than do control cultures. Inclusion of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in culture medium does not block elevation of cyclic nucleotide in supplemented cells. Endogenous PG production and receptor activation cannot account for increased cAMP in EFA-supplemented neuroblastoma.

Effect of membrane polyunsaturation on carrier-mediated transport in cultured retinoblastoma cells: alterations in taurine uptake

Neural cell membranes naturally contain a large amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid, but the functional significance of this is unknown. An increase in membrane polyunsaturation has been shown previously to affect the high-affinity transport systems for choline and glycine in cultured human Y79 retinoblastoma cells. To test the generality of membrane polyunsaturation effects on transport, we investigated the uptake of other putative neurotransmitters and amino acids by these cells. Taurine, glutamate, and leucine were taken up by both high- and low-affinity transport systems, whereas serine, gamma-aminobutyrate, and alpha-aminoisobutyrate were taken up only by low-affinity systems. The high-affinity taurine and glutamate and low-affinity serine uptake systems were Na+ dependent. Arachidonic acid (20:4) supplementation of Y79 cells produced enrichment of all the major microsomal phosphoglycerides with 20:4, while docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) supplementation produced large increases in the 22:6 content of all fractions except the inositol phosphoglycerides. Enrichment with these polyunsaturated fatty acids facilitated taurine uptake by lowering the K'm of its high-affinity transport system. By contrast, enrichment with oleic acid did not affect taurine uptake. Glutamate, leucine, serine, gamma-aminobutyrate, and alpha-aminoisobutyrate uptake were not affected when the cells were enriched with any of these fatty acids. These findings demonstrate that only certain transport systems are sensitive to the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of the retinoblastoma cell membrane. The various transport systems either respond differently to changes in membrane lipid unsaturation, or they are located in lipid domains that are modified to different extents by changes in unsaturation.

Glycine release from Y79 retinoblastoma cells

Glycine release, induced by a high concentration of potassium chloride (K+), was investigated in cultured human Y79 retinoblastoma cells. The cells were labeled by incubation with [2-3H]glycine prior to K+ depolarization. Depolarization with 55 mM K+ caused an immediate, Ca2+-dependent release of approximately 20% of the cellular radiolabeled glycine content. Chemical analysis of the intracellular free glycine content also showed that approximately 20%, 2.4 nmol/mg protein, was released after K+ depolarization. Glycine release from labeled Y79 cells was not stimulated by incubation with 55 mM choline chloride. Based on measurements with an amino acid analyzer, it is concluded that of the free amino acids contained in the Y79 cell, only glycine is specifically released into the extracellular fluid by K+ depolarization. Although the intracellular content of serine and glutamate decreased, these amino acids were not released from the cells. Further studies with [U-14C]serine suggest that serine is converted into glycine in Y79 cells. Veratridine also caused an immediate release of [2-3H]glycine from the cells, and this was blocked by tetrodotoxin. This suggests that the Y79 cells possess voltage-dependent Na+ channels. These results indicate that K+- and veratridine-stimulated glycine release occurs in Y79 retinoblastoma cells, providing additional evidence that this continuously cultured line may be a useful model for certain human retinal and central nervous system functions.