G-protein coupled receptor-mediated activation of PI 3-kinase in neutrophils

Kupffer cells regulate liver recovery through induction of chemokine receptor CXCR2 on hepatocytes after acetaminophen overdose in mice

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used analgesic, but also a main cause of acute liver injury in the United States and many western countries. APAP hepatotoxicity is associated with a sterile inflammatory response as shown by the infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes. While the contribution of the immune cells to promote liver repair have been demonstrated, the direct interactions between macrophages or neutrophils with hepatocytes to help facilitate hepatocyte proliferation and tissue repair remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between resident macrophages (Kupffer cells) and hepatocytes with a focus on the chemokine receptor CXCR2. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to an APAP overdose (300 mg/kg) and the role of CXCR2 on hepatocytes was investigated using a selective antagonist, SB225002. In addition, clodronate liposomes were used to deplete Kupffer cells to assess changes in CXCR2 expression. Our data showed that CXCR2 was mainly expressed on hepatocytes and it was induced specifically in hepatocytes around the necrotic area 24 h after APAP treatment. Targeting this receptor using an inhibitor caused a delayed liver recovery. Depletion of Kupffer cells significantly prevented CXCR2 induction on hepatocytes. In vitro and in vivo experiments also demonstrated that Kupffer cells regulate CXCR2 expression and pro-regenerative gene expression in surviving hepatocytes through production of IL-10. Thus, Kupffer cells support the transition of hepatocytes around the area of necrosis to a proliferative state through CXCR2 expression.

TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 enhances the antibacterial functions of GM-CSF induced neutrophils to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

A proliferation of studies have demonstrated that the toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) pathway affects the chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokine release of neutrophils when pathogens invade. Our previous studies have demonstrated that pretreatment with high doses of Pam3CSK4 (>25 μg/ml) improves the antimicrobial activity of neutrophils, however, short-lived neutrophils limit their therapeutic functions. Here, we used granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to generate neutrophils from murine bone marrow, and assessed their effect on the immune response against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. As comparing with classical method of generating neutrophils directly from murine bone marrow, our findings show that pretreatment with Pam3CSK4 enhanced the phagocytic and killing activities against MRSA by the GM-CSF induced neutrophils (GM-CSF neutrophils). Chemotaxis of GM-CSF induced neutrophils was significantly increased after the pretreatment with Pam3CSK4. Furthermore, Pam3CSK4 pretreatment enhanced iNOS, CRAMP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 expression. Finally, we observed that p38MAPK and Akt phosphorylation kinases were increased significantly in GM-CSF neutrophils pretreatment with Pam3CSK4 in a dose- and time-dependent manner, whereas p38MAPK inhibitor (SB2021190) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) attenuated the antimicrobial activities including phagocytosis, killing activity, respiratory burst, and the release of lactoferrin(LTF) by the GM-CSF induced neutrophils. Together, these findings suggest that pretreatment with Pam3CSK4 enhances the antibacterial function of GM-CSF neutrophils against MRSA, and this could be related to the p38MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways.

Mechanisms of the Immunological Effects of Volatile Anesthetics: A Review

Volatile anesthetics (VAs) have been in clinical use for a very long time. Their mechanism of action is yet to be fully delineated, but multiple ion channels have been reported as targets for VAs (canonical VA targets). It is increasingly recognized that VAs also manifest effects outside the central nervous system, including on immune cells. However, the literature related to how VAs affect the behavior of immune cells is very limited, but it is of interest that some canonical VA targets are reportedly expressed in immune cells. Here, we review the current literature and describe canonical VA targets expressed in leukocytes and their known roles. In addition, we introduce adhesion molecules called β2 integrins as noncanonical VA targets in leukocytes. Finally, we propose a model for how VAs affect the function of neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells via concerted effects on multiple targets as examples.

Arrest Functions of the MIF Ligand/Receptor Axes in Atherogenesis

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been defined as an important chemokine-like function (CLF) chemokine with an essential role in monocyte recruitment and arrest. Adhesion of monocytes to the vessel wall and their transendothelial migration are critical in atherogenesis and many other inflammatory diseases. Chemokines carefully control all steps of the monocyte recruitment process. Those chemokines specialized in controlling arrest are typically immobilized on the endothelial surface, mediating the arrest of rolling monocytes by chemokine receptor-triggered pathways. The chemokine receptor CXCR2 functions as an important arrest receptor on monocytes. An arrest function has been revealed for the bona fide CXCR2 ligands CXCL1 and CXCL8, but genetic studies also suggested that additional arrest chemokines are likely to be involved in atherogenic leukocyte recruitment. While CXCR2 is known to interact with numerous CXC chemokine ligands, the CLF chemokine MIF, which structurally does not belong to the CXC chemokine sub-family, was surprisingly identified as a non-cognate ligand of CXCR2, responsible for critical arrest functions during the atherogenic process. MIF was originally identified as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (this function being eponymous), but is now known as a potent inflammatory cytokine with CLFs including chemotaxis and leukocyte arrest. This review will cover the mechanisms underlying these functions, including MIF’s effects on LFA1 integrin activity and signal transduction, and will discuss the structural similarities between MIF and the bona fide CXCR2 ligand CXCL8 while emphasizing the structural differences. As MIF also interacts with CXCR4, a chemokine receptor implicated in CXCL12-elicited lymphocyte arrest, the arrest potential of the MIF/CXCR4 axis will also be scrutinized as well as the recently identified role of pericyte MIF in attracting leukocytes exiting through venules as part of the pericyte “motility instruction program.”

CXC chemokine signaling in the liver: impact on repair and regeneration

The process of liver repair and regeneration following hepatic injury is complex and relies on a temporally coordinated integration of several key signaling pathways. Pathways activated by members of the CXC family of chemokines play important roles in the mechanisms of liver repair and regeneration through their effects on hepatocytes. However, little is known about the signaling pathways used by CXC chemokine receptors in hepatocytes. Here we review our current understanding of the pathways involved in both CXC chemokine receptor signaling in other cell types, most notably neutrophils, and similar pathways operant during hepatocyte proliferation/liver regeneration to formulate a basis for the function of CXC chemokine receptor signaling in hepatocytes.

Increased cardiac microvascular permeability and activation of cardiac endothelial nitric oxide synthase in high tidal volume ventilation-induced lung injury

Background: Positive pressure ventilation with large tidal volumes has been shown to cause lung injury via the serine/threonine kinase-protein kinase B (Akt) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-pathways. However, the effects of high tidal volume (VT) ventilation on the heart are unclear. Objectives: Evaluate the effect of VT ventilation on the cardiac vascular permeability and intracellular Akt and eNOS signaling pathway. Methods: C57BL/6 and Akt knock-out (heterozygotes, +/−) mice were exposed to high VT (30 mL/kg) mechanical ventilation with room air for one and/or five hours. Results: High VT ventilation increased cardiac microvascular permeability and eNOS phosphorylation in a timedependent manner. Serum cardiac troponin I was increased after one hour of high VT ventilation. Cardiac Akt phosphorylation was accentuated after one hour and attenuated after five hours of high VT ventilation. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt with LY294002 and high VT ventilation of Akt+/− mice attenuated cardiac Akt phosphorylation, but not eNOS phosphorylation. Conclusion: High VT ventilation increased cardiac myocardial injury, microvascular permeability, and eNOS phosphorylation. Involvement of cardiac Akt in high VT ventilation was transient.

Signaling and cross-talk by C5a and UDP in macrophages selectively use PLCbeta3 to regulate intracellular free calcium

Studies in fibroblasts, neurons, and platelets have demonstrated the integration of signals from different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in raising intracellular free Ca(2+). To study signal integration in macrophages, we screened RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) for their Ca(2+) response to GPCR ligands. We found a synergistic response to complement component 5a (C5a) in combination with uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP), platelet activating factor (PAF), or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The C5a response was Galpha(i)-dependent, whereas the UDP, PAF, and LPA responses were Galpha(q)-dependent. Synergy between C5a and UDP, mediated by the C5a and P2Y6 receptors, required dual receptor occupancy, and affected the initial release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores as well as sustained Ca(2+) levels. C5a and UDP synergized in generating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, suggesting synergy in activating phospholipase C (PLC) beta. Macrophages expressed transcripts for three PLCbeta isoforms (PLCbeta2, PLCbeta3, and PLCbeta4), but GPCR ligands selectively used these isoforms in Ca(2+) signaling. C5a predominantly used PLCbeta3, whereas UDP used PLCbeta3 but also PLCbeta4. Neither ligand required PLCbeta2. Synergy between C5a and UDP likewise depended primarily on PLCbeta3. Importantly, the Ca(2+) signaling deficiency observed in PLCbeta3-deficient BMDM was reversed by re-constitution with PLCbeta3. Neither phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase nor protein kinase C was required for synergy. In contrast to Ca(2+), PI 3-kinase activation by C5a was inhibited by UDP, as was macropinocytosis, which depends on PI 3-kinase. PLCbeta3 may thus provide a selective target for inhibiting Ca(2+) responses to mediators of inflammation, including C5a, UDP, PAF, and LPA.

Involvement of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ventilation-induced neutrophil infiltration: a prospective, controlled animal experiment

Introduction

Positive pressure ventilation with large tidal volumes has been shown to cause release of cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), a functional equivalent of human IL-8, and neutrophil infiltration. Hyperoxia has been shown to increase ventilator-induced lung injury, but the mechanisms regulating interaction between a large tidal volume and hyperoxia are unclear. We hypothesized that large tidal volume ventilation using hyperoxia would increase MIP-2 production and neutrophil infiltration via the serine/threonine kinase/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway.

Methods

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to large tidal volume (30 ml/kg) mechanical ventilation with room air or hyperoxia for 1–5 hours.

Results

Large tidal volume ventilation using hyperoxia induced neutrophil migration into the lung, MIP-2 production, and Akt and eNOS activation in a time-dependent manner. Both the large tidal volume ventilation of Akt mutant mice and the pharmacological inhibition of Akt with LY294002 attenuated neutrophil sequestration, MIP-2 protein production, and Akt and eNOS activation.

Conclusion

We conclude that hyperoxia increased large tidal volume-induced MIP-2 production and neutrophil influx through activation of the Akt and eNOS pathways.

Class IA phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases, rather than p110 gamma, regulate formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated chemotaxis and superoxide production in differentiated neutrophil-like PLB-985 cells

Class I PI3Ks, through the formation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P(3)), are thought of as essential elements of the neutrophil response to chemotactic factors. Moreover, the recent development of PI3K-deficient mice and isoform-specific inhibitors enabled examinations of the contribution of the distinct PI3K isoforms in neutrophil activation. However, the results of these various studies are conflicting, and the exact role of the different PI3K isoforms is not yet clearly established, particularly in human cells. In the present study, we used a different approach to assess the role of the distinct PI3K isoforms in response to the chemotactic agent fMLP. We inhibited PI3K activities by the transient expression following nucleofection of dominant negative mutants of either p85alpha or p110gamma in the human myeloid cell line PLB-985, which can be induced to express a neutrophil-like phenotype. The data obtained with this approach showed that the production of PI(3,4,5)P(3) triggered by fMLP is biphasic, with a peak of production observed in a short time period that entirely depends on p110gamma activity, and a delayed phase that is mediated by class I(A) PI3K. We also provide evidence that the PI3K-dependent functional responses (i.e., superoxide production and chemotaxis) induced by the chemotactic factor mainly involve PI3K I(A) and, by implication, the delayed phase of PI(3,4,5)P(3) production, whereas p110gamma and the early peak of PI(3,4,5)P(3) do not play major roles in the initiation or the control of these responses.

Leukocytes on the move with phosphoinositide 3-kinase and its downstream effectors

Cell signalling mediators derived from membrane phospholipids are frequent participants in biological processes. The family of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) phosphorylate the membrane lipid phosphatidylinositol, generating second messengers that direct diverse responses. These PI3K products are fundamental for leukocyte migration or chemotaxis, a pivotal event during the immune response. This system is therefore of significant biomedical interest. This review focuses on the biochemistry and signalling pathways of PI3K, with particular emphasis on chemokine (chemotactic cytokine)-directed responses. The key objectives of chemotaxis are motility and direction. The latter--direction--requires distinct events at the front and back of a cell. In light of this, the coordinated localisation of signalling factors, an event choreographed by a sharp intracellular gradient of PI3K-derived products, is a common theme.

Activation of group IV cytosolic phospholipase A2 in human eosinophils by phosphoinositide 3-kinase through a mitogen-activated protein kinase-independent pathway

Activation of group IV cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (gIV-PLA(2)) is the essential first step in the synthesis of inflammatory eicosanoids and in integrin-mediated adhesion of leukocytes. Prior investigations have demonstrated that phosphorylation of gIV-PLA(2) results from activation of at least two isoforms of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). We investigated the potential role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) in the activation of gIV-PLA(2) and the hydrolysis of membrane phosphatidylcholine in fMLP-stimulated human blood eosinophils. Transduction into eosinophils of Deltap85, a dominant negative form of class IA PI3K adaptor subunit, fused to an HIV-TAT protein transduction domain (TAT-Deltap85) concentration dependently inhibited fMLP-stimulated phosphorylation of protein kinase B, a downstream target of PI3K. FMLP caused increased arachidonic acid (AA) release and secretion of leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)). TAT-Deltap85 and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, blocked the phosphorylation of gIV-PLA(2) at Ser(505) caused by fMLP, thus inhibiting gIV-PLA(2) hydrolysis and production of AA and LTC(4) in eosinophils. FMLP also caused extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 and p38 MAPK phosphorylation in eosinophils; however, neither phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 nor p38 was inhibited by TAT-Deltap85 or LY294002. Inhibition of 1) p70 S6 kinase by rapamycin, 2) protein kinase B by Akt inhibitor, or 3) protein kinase C by Ro-31-8220, the potential downstream targets of PI3K for activation of gIV-PLA(2), had no effect on AA release or LTC(4) secretion caused by fMLP. We find that PI3K is required for gIV-PLA(2) activation and hydrolytic production of AA in activated eosinophils. Our data suggest that this essential PI3K independently activates gIV-PLA(2) through a pathway that does not involve MAPK.

Pharmacological analysis of signal transduction pathways required for oxidative burst in chicken heterophils stimulated by a Toll-like receptor 2 agonist

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate immune response of avian heterophils. We previously used the pharmacological inhibitors genistein, verapamil, chelerythrine, and pertussis toxin to investigate the upstream signaling events involved in TLR2-mediated oxidative burst in chicken heterophils. Only chelerythrine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, was found to significantly inhibit oxidative burst stimulated by the TLR2 agonist lipoteichoic acid (LTA). In the present study, we used selective pharmacological inhibitors to investigate the roles of phosphatidylinositol-3'-kinase (PI3-K), phospholipase C (PLC), calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC), extra-cellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), and nuclear translocation factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) on TLR2-mediated oxidative burst. U-73122 (a PLC inhibitor), wortmannin (a PI3-K inhibitor), PD 98059 (an ERK inhibitor), Gö 6976 (a PKC inhibitor) and Bay 11-7082 (a NF-kappaB inhibitor) significantly decreased LTA-stimulated oxidative burst in heterophils by 77%, 30%, 36%, 78%, and 61%, respectively. Activated TLR2 utilizes PI3-K, PLC, PKC, ERK, and NF-kappaB as signaling factors that mediate the oxidative burst of chicken heterophils.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator potentiates lipopolysaccharide-induced neutrophil activation

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a serine protease that catalyzes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Although increased circulating levels of uPA are present in endotoxemia and sepsis, conditions in which activated neutrophils contribute to the development of acute organ dysfunction, the ability of uPA to participate directly in LPS-induced neutrophil activation has not been examined. In the present experiments, we show that uPA can enhance activation of neutrophils exposed to submaximal stimulatory doses of LPS. In particular, uPA increased LPS-induced activation of intracellular signaling pathways, including Akt and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, nuclear translocation of the transcriptional regulatory factor NF-kappa B, and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 beta, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and TNF-alpha. There was no effect of uPA on LPS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in neutrophils. Transgenic mice unable to produce uPA (uPA(-/-)) were protected from endotoxemia-induced lung injury, as determined by development of lung edema, pulmonary neutrophil accumulation, lung IL-1 beta, macrophage-inflammatory protein-2, and TNF-alpha cytokine levels. These results demonstrate that uPA can potentiate LPS-induced neutrophil responses and also suggest that such effects are sufficiently important in vivo to play a major contributory role in neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses, such as the development of acute lung injury.

Essential role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta in neutrophil directional movement

Neutrophil chemotaxis is a critical component of the innate immune response. Neutrophils can sense an extremely shallow gradient of chemoattractants and produce relatively robust chemotactic behavior. This directional migration requires cell polarization with actin polymerization occurring predominantly in the leading edge. Synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate (PIP3) by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) contributes to asymmetric F-actin synthesis and cell polarization during neutrophil chemotaxis. To determine the contribution of the hemopoietic cell-restricted PI3K delta in neutrophil chemotaxis, we have developed a potent and selective PI3K delta inhibitor, IC87114. IC87114 inhibited polarized morphology of neutrophils, fMLP-stimulated PIP3 production and chemotaxis. Tracking analysis of IC87114-treated neutrophils indicated that PI3K delta activity was required for the directional component of chemotaxis, but not for random movement. Inhibition of PI3K delta, however, did not block F-actin synthesis or neutrophil adhesion. These results demonstrate that PI3K delta can play a selective role in the amplification of PIP3 levels that lead to neutrophil polarization and directional migration.

Involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase gamma in neutrophil apoptosis

Although phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3-K) are known to participate in anti-apoptotic pathways, their importance in modulating neutrophil apoptosis in vivo has not been examined. In these studies, we used neutrophils from mice lacking the PI3-Kgamma isoform (PI3-Kgamma-/-) to determine the role that PI3-Kgamma occupies in neutrophil apoptosis under in vivo conditions. We found that neutrophil apoptosis under basal and LPS-stimulated conditions was increased in PI3-Kgamma-/- mice compared to that present in control PI3-Kgamma+/+ animals. Neutrophils from PI3-Kgamma-/- mice demonstrated decreased amounts of active, serine 473 phosphorylated Akt, phosphorylated CREB, and diminished nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. Levels of the CREB-dependent anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 and of the NF-kappaB-dependent anti-apoptotic mediator Bcl-x(L) were significantly decreased in PI3-Kgamma-/- neutrophils. In contrast, PI3-Kgamma-/- neutrophils contained diminished amounts of phosphorylated, inactive forms of the pro-apoptotic mediators, Bad, FKHR, and GSK-3beta. These results demonstrate that PI3-Kgamma directly participates in multiple in vivo pathways involved in regulating neutrophil apoptosis.

Role of NF-kappaB in endotoxemia-induced alterations of lung neutrophil apoptosis

Acute lung injury is frequently associated with endotoxemia and is characterized by the accumulation in the lungs of large numbers of neutrophils activated to produce proinflammatory mediators. In the setting of acute lung injury, the percentage of apoptotic cells among lung neutrophils is decreased. The transcriptional regulatory factor NF-kappaB is activated in neutrophils and other pulmonary cell populations after endotoxemia and appears to play a central role in the development of the acute inflammatory process that leads to lung injury. Because NF-kappaB can modulate apoptosis through increasing expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, activation of NF-kappaB may contribute to the alterations in lung neutrophil apoptosis associated with acute lung injury. In the present experiments, endotoxemia resulted in decreased apoptosis and increased expression of anti-apoptotic mediators among lung neutrophils. Amounts of A1, A20, and Bcl-x(L), anti-apoptotic proteins whose transcription is dependent on NF-kappaB, were increased in lung neutrophils after endotoxemia. Inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB increased the percentage of apoptotic lung neutrophils after endotoxemia, but not back to the levels found in unmanipulated animals. Although inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB prevented endotoxemia-induced increases in Bcl-x(L), A1, and A20 in lung neutrophils, this intervention did not prevent endotoxemia-associated elevation of Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic protein primarily under the transcriptional regulation of CREB. These results demonstrate that mechanisms independent of NF-kappaB activation play an important role in modulating lung neutrophil apoptosis after endotoxemia.

Involvement of phosphoinositide 3-kinases in neutrophil activation and the development of acute lung injury

Activated neutrophils contribute to the development and severity of acute lung injury (ALI). Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3-K) and the downstream serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B have a central role in modulating neutrophil function, including respiratory burst, chemotaxis, and apoptosis. In the present study, we found that exposure of neutrophils to endotoxin resulted in phosphorylation of Akt, activation of NF-kappaB, and expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha through PI3-K-dependent pathways. In vivo, endotoxin administration to mice resulted in activation of PI3-K and Akt in neutrophils that accumulated in the lungs. The severity of endotoxemia-induced ALI was significantly diminished in mice lacking the p110gamma catalytic subunit of PI3-K. In PI3-Kgamma(-/-) mice, lung edema, neutrophil recruitment, nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB, and pulmonary levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were significantly lower after endotoxemia as compared with PI3-Kgamma(+/+) controls. Among neutrophils that did accumulate in the lungs of the PI3-Kgamma(-/-) mice after endotoxin administration, activation of NF-kappaB and expression of proinflammatory cytokines was diminished compared with levels present in lung neutrophils from PI3-Kgamma(+/+) mice. These results show that PI3-K, and particularly PI3-Kgamma, occupies a central position in regulating endotoxin-induced neutrophil activation, including that involved in ALI.

The respiratory burst response of surface-adhering leukocytes. A key to tissue engineering

Biomaterials implanted into tissue will participate in the complex signalling between cells during wound healing. Recent studies have revealed that crucial cellular signalling pathways are regulated by the extra- and intracellular redox states and that reactive oxygen species function as intercellular signal molecules. Biomaterials have been shown to affect the respiratory burst response of surface-adhering leukocytes, thus interfering with major regulatory functions of cells also in surrounding tissues. The respiratory burst of surface-adhering leukocytes may thus be a key event in the understanding of biomaterial interaction with tissues, and the aim of this review is to highlight this field of research.

Analysis of the murine phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma gene

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma is preferentially expressed in leukocytes. PI3Kgamma is activated by betagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins, which thus link seven transmembrane helix receptor activation to phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate production. Here we describe the molecular cloning of the murine PI3Kgamma cDNA, the PI3Kgamma gene structure, its chromosomal assignment and the analysis of promoter activity. The mouse cDNA shares 86% identity to its pig and human orthologues at the nucleotide level. The MmPI3Kgamma gene spans approximately 30kb and comprises 11 exons. RACE-PCR indicated the presence of multiple start sites generating 5' UTRs with different lengths, the longest being 874bp. The putative promoter region contains no TATA box but several putative binding sites for hematopoietic specific transcription factors. A 1200bp long sequence upstream the first transcription start site was found to possess tissue specific promoter activity. Deletion constructs revealed two contiguous regions, with activator function, ranging from positions -139 to -557, and with inhibitory function, ranging from positions -557 to -892. FISH analysis revealed that the MmPI3Kgamma is located on chromosome 12 band B and that the human orthologue is positioned on chromosome 7q22.2-22.3. In spite of some differences in the ATP-binding site, recombinant murine PI3Kgamma protein is equally sensitive to wortmannin as its human counterpart. This suggests that mouse models will provide reliable results in the assessments of novel PI3Kgamma inhibitors.

Roles of phospholipid signaling in chemoattractant-induced responses

Chemoattractants, including chemokines, play a central role in regulation of inflammatory reactions by attracting and activating leukocytes. These molecules have been found to regulate metabolism of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P(2)) via phospholipase C (PLC) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Recent studies of mouse lines that lack PLC-(beta)2, PLC-(beta)3, or PI3K(gamma) demonstrate that chemoattractants act through PLC-(beta)2 and PLC-(beta)3 to hydrolyze PtdIns(4,5)P(2) and through PI3K(gamma) to phosphorylate PtdIns(4,5)P(2) in mouse neutrophils. These studies also confirmed the importance and revealed new roles of these signaling pathways in chemoattractant-induced responses.

Role of reactive oxygen species and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in cardiomyocyte differentiation of embryonic stem cells

Cardiotypic development in embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies may be regulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS were generated by a NADPH oxidase-like enzyme which was transiently expressed during the time course of embryoid body development. Incubation with either H(2)O(2) or menadione enhanced cardiomyogenesis, whereas the radical scavengers trolox, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and N-acetylcysteine exerted inhibitory effects. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) inhibitors LY294002 and wortmannin abolished cardiac commitment and downregulated ROS in embryoid bodies. Coadministration of LY294002 with prooxidants resumed cardiomyocyte differentiation, indicating a role for PI-3-kinase in the regulation of the intracellular redox state.

Selective inhibition of formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF)-dependent superoxide generation in neutrophils by pravastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase

It has been shown previously that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, such as compactin, lovastatin, and pravastatin, block cholesterol synthesis, suppress lymphocyte functions, and beneficially affect atherogenesis. Recently, it was reported that compactin and lovastatin inhibit the respiratory burst of DMSO-differentiated HL-60 cells, an effect reversed by mevalonic acid. The mode of action of these inhibitors in this role is not understood fully. Thus, we studied the mechanism of inhibition of neutrophil superoxide (O2*-) generation by pravastatin and found that pravastatin at 0.5 mM inhibited the receptor-mediated tyrosine kinase (TK)-dependent pathway of O2*- generation and also luminol chemiluminescence but not the protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent or the TK- and PKC-independent pathways of O2*- generation in neutrophils. Pravastatin also inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-alpha- and formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced phosphorylation of a tyrosine of a 115-kDa protein. These effects were not reversed by mevalonate. From these results it is concluded that pravastatin inhibited receptor-mediated O2*-generation by decreasing tyrosine phosphorylation but not by inhibiting the formation of an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

Protein kinase A-dependent and -independent signaling pathways contribute to cyclic AMP-stimulated proliferation

The effects of cyclic AMP (cAMP) on cell proliferation are cell type specific. Although the growth-inhibitory effects of cAMP have been well studied, much less is known regarding how cAMP stimulates proliferation. We report that cAMP stimulates proliferation through both protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent and PKA-independent signaling pathways and that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is required for cAMP-stimulated mitogenesis. In cells where cAMP is a mitogen, cAMP-elevating agents stimulate membrane ruffling, Akt phosphorylation, and p70 ribosomal S6 protein kinase (p70s6k) activity. cAMP effects on ruffle formation and Akt were PKA independent but sensitive to wortmannin. In contrast, cAMP-stimulated p70s6k activity was repressed by PKA inhibitors but not by wortmannin or microinjection of the N-terminal SH2 domain of the p85 regulatory subunit of PI3K, indicating that p70s6k and Akt can be regulated independently. Microinjection of highly specific inhibitors of PI3K or Rac1, or treatment with the p70s6k inhibitor rapamycin, impaired cAMP-stimulated DNA synthesis, demonstrating that PKA-dependent and -independent pathways contribute to cAMP-mediated mitogenesis. Direct elevation of PI3K activity through microinjection of an antibody that stimulates PI3K activity or stable expression of membrane-localized p110 was sufficient to confer hormone-independent DNA synthesis when accompanied by elevations in p70s6k activity. These findings indicate that multiple pathways contribute to cAMP-stimulated mitogenesis, only some of which are PKA dependent. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the ability of cAMP to stimulate both p70s6k- and PI3K-dependent pathways is an important facet of cAMP-regulated cell cycle progression.

Differential fMet-Leu-Phe- and platelet-activating factor-induced signaling toward Ral activation in primary human neutrophils

We have measured the activation of the small GTPase Ral in human neutrophils after stimulation with fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), platelet activating factor (PAF), and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor and compared it with the activation of two other small GTPases, Ras and Rap1. We found that fMLP and PAF, but not granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, induce Ral activation. All three stimuli induce the activation of both Ras and Rap1. Utilizing specific inhibitors we demonstrate that fMLP-induced Ral activation is mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins and partially by Src-like kinases, whereas fMLP-induced Ras activation is independent of Src-like kinases. PAF-induced Ral activation is mediated by pertussis toxin-insensitive proteins, Src-like kinases and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is not involved in PAF-induced Ras activation. The calcium ionophore ionomycin activates Ral, but calcium depletion partially inhibits fMLP- and PAF-induced Ral activation, whereas Ras activation was not affected. In addition, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced activation of Ral is completely abolished by inhibitors of protein kinase C, whereas 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced Ras activation is largely insensitive. We conclude that in neutrophils Ral activation is mediated by multiple pathways, and that fMLP and PAF induce Ral activation differently.