Multiple C-terminal serine phosphorylation accompanies both protein kinase C-dependent and -independent activation of cytosolic 85 kDa phospholipase A2 in macrophages

Ser515 phosphorylation-independent regulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha) by calmodulin-dependent protein kinase: possible interaction with catalytic domain A of cPLA2alpha

Calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) is proposed to regulate the type alpha of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)alpha), which has a dominant role in the release of arachidonic acid (AA), via phosphorylation of Ser515 of the enzyme. However, the exact role of CaM kinase in the activation of cPLA(2)alpha has not been well established. We investigated the effects induced by transfection with mutant cPLA(2)alpha and inhibitors for CaM and CaM kinase on the Ca(2+)-stimulated release of AA and translocation of cPLA(2)alpha. The mutation of Ser515 to Ala (S515A) did not change cPLA(2)alpha activity, although S228A and S505A completely and partially decreased the activity, respectively. Stimulation with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2), 1 mM) and A23187 (10 microM) markedly released AA in C12 cells expressing S515A and wild-type cPLA(2)alpha, but the responses in C12-S505A, C12-S727A, and C12-S505A/S515A/S727A (AAA) cells were reduced. In HEK293T cells expressing cPLA(2)alpha, A23187 caused the translocation of the wild-type, the every mutants, cPLA(2)alpha-C2 domain, and cPLA(2)alpha-Delta397-749 lacking proposed phosphorylation sites such as Ser505 and Ser515. Treatment with inhibitors of CaM (W-7) and CaM kinase (KN-93) at 10 microM significantly decreased the release of AA in C12-cPLA(2)alpha cells and C12-S515A cells. KN-93 inhibited the A23187-induced translocation of the wild-type, S515A, AAA and cPLA(2)alpha-Delta397-749, but not cPLA(2)alpha-C2 domain. Our findings show a possible effect of CaM kinase on cPLA(2)alpha in a catalytic domain A-dependent and Ser515-independent manner.

The macrophage beta-glucan receptor mediates arachidonate release induced by zymosan: essential role for Src family kinases

Yeast-derived zymosan beads are among the classical agents used to induce sterile inflammatory responses in experimental animals and macrophage activation in cell culture. In macrophages the cytosolic phospholipase A2 becomes activated, leading to mobilization of arachidonate and the generation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Although zymosan can interact with several receptors it has not been unequivocally demonstrated which interaction is required for induction of the eicosanoid response. We have compared arachidonate release induced in primary mouse macrophages by zymosan and particulate beta-glucan and found striking similarities. The similarities include the effects of dectin-1 antagonists (soluble beta-glucan and laminarin) and of inhibitors of Src family kinases, the Tec kinase Btk, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the Map kinases ERK and p38. Furthermore, particulate beta-glucan was equally effective as zymosan in causing phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma2, arguing that both agents act via the beta-glucan receptor dectin-1 and that the above signal components are engaged down-stream of that receptor. Suggestive evidence for a role of the scaffold adaptor Gab2 is also presented.

PKCalpha regulates phosphorylation and enzymatic activity of cPLA2 in vitro and in activated human monocytes

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) are potent regulators of the inflammatory response. We have observed that Group IV cPLA(2) activity is required for the production of superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) in human monocytes [Li Q., Cathcart M.K. J. Biol. Chem. 272 (4) (1997) 2404-2411.]. We have previously identified PKCalpha as a kinase pathway required for monocyte O(2)(-) production [Li Q., Cathcart M.K. J. Biol. Chem. 269 (26) (1994) 17508-17515.]. We therefore investigated the potential interaction between PKCalpha and cPLA(2) by evaluating the requirement for specific PKC isoenzymes in the process of activating cPLA(2) enzymatic activity and protein phosphorylation upon monocyte activation. We first showed that general PKC inhibitors and antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODN) to the cPKC group of PKC enzymes inhibited cPLA(2) activity. To distinguish between PKCalpha and PKCbeta isoenzymes in regulating cPLA(2) protein phosphorylation and enzymatic activity, we employed our previously characterized PKCalpha or PKCbeta isoenzyme-specific antisense ODN [Li Q., Subbulakshmi V., Fields A.P., Murray, N.R., Cathcart M.K., J. Biol. Chem. 274 (6) (1999) 3764-3771]. Suppression of PKCalpha expression, but not PKCbeta expression, inhibited cPLA(2) protein phosphorylation and enzymatic activity. Additional studies ruled out a contribution by Erk1/2 to cPLA(2) phosphorylation and activation. We also found that cPLA(2) co-immunoprecipitated with PKCalpha and vice versa. In vitro studies demonstrated that PKCalpha could directly phosphorylate cPLA(2).and enhance enzymatic activity. Finally, we showed that addition of arachidonic acid restored the production of O(2)(-) in monocytes defective in either PKCalpha or cPLA(2) expression. Taken together, our data suggest that PKCalpha, but not PKCbeta, is the predominant cPKC isoenzyme required for cPLA(2) protein phosphorylation and maximal induction of cPLA(2) enzymatic activity upon activation of human monocytes. Our data also support the concept that the requirements for PKCalpha and cPLA(2) in O(2)(-) generation are solely due to their seminal role in generating arachidonic acid.

Different roles for non-receptor tyrosine kinases in arachidonate release induced by zymosan and Staphylococcus aureus in macrophages

Background

Yeast and bacteria elicit arachidonate release in macrophages, leading to the formation of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, important mediators of inflammation. Receptors recognising various microbes have been identified, but the signalling pathways are not entirely understood. Cytosolic phospholipase A₂ is a major down-stream target and this enzyme is regulated by both phosphorylation and an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺. Potential signal components are MAP kinases, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phospholipase Cγ2. The latter can undergo tyrosine phosphorylation, and Src family kinases might carry out this phosphorylation. Btk, a Tec family kinase, could also be important. Our aim was to further elucidate the role of Src family kinases and Btk.

Methods

Arachidonate release from murine peritoneal macrophages was measured by prior radiolabeling. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation and Western blotting were used to monitor changes in activity/phosphorylation of intermediate signal components. To determine the role of Src family kinases two different inhibitors with broad specificity (PP2 and the Src kinase inhibitor 1, SKI-1) were used as well as the Btk inhibitor LFM-A13.

Results

Arachidonate release initiated by either Staphylococcus aureus or yeast-derived zymosan beads was shown to depend on members of the Src kinase family as well as Btk. Src kinases were found to act upstream of Btk, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phospholipase Cγ2 and the MAP kinases ERK and p38, thereby affecting all branches of the signalling investigated. In contrast, Btk was not involved in the activation of the MAP-kinases. Since the cytosolic phospholipase A₂ in macrophages is regulated by both phosphorylation (via ERK and p38) and an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺, we propose that members of the Src kinase family are involved in both types of regulation, while the role of Btk may be restricted to the latter type.

Conclusion

Arachidonate release induced by either Staphylococcus aureus or zymosan was found to depend on Src family kinases as well as Btk. While members of the Src kinase family were shown to act upstream of Btk and the MAP kinases, Btk plays another role independent of MAP kinases, but down-stream of the Src family kinases.

Regulation of Akt by arachidonic acid and phosphoinositide 3-kinase in angiotensin II-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells

Angiotensin (Ang) II stimulates cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA(2))-dependent release of arachidonic acid (ArAc) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). ArAc release and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) lead to the activation of downstream kinases resulting in VSMC growth. To determine the role of Akt in this pathway, we used VSMC to link Ang II-induced ArAc release and ROS production to the activation of Akt and VSMC growth. We observed that Ang II, ArAc, or H(2)O(2) increased Akt activation. The Akt inhibitor SH6 blocked Ang II-, ArAc-, or H(2)O(2)-induced Akt activation, as did inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K). Inhibition of cPLA(2) blocked Ang II effects, while the ROS scavenger NaC decreased Ang II- and ArAc-induced Akt activation. Inhibition of Akt blocked the (3)H-thymidine incorporation induced by all three agonists. Thus, Ang II-induced ArAc release and ROS production leads to the PI(3)K-dependant activation of Akt and VSMC growth.

Regulation of Superoxide Anion Production by NADPH Oxidase in Monocytes/Macrophages

Monocyte extravasation into the vessel wall has been shown to be a critical step in the development of atherosclerosis. Upon activation, monocytes produce a burst of superoxide anion due to activation of the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex. Monocyte-derived superoxide anion contributes to oxidant stress in inflammatory sites, is required for monocyte-mediated LDL oxidation, and alters basic cell functions such as adhesion and proliferation. We hypothesize that monocyte-derived superoxide anion production contributes to atherosclerotic lesion formation. In this brief review, we summarize our current understanding of the signal transduction pathways regulating NADPH oxidase activation and related superoxide anion production in activated human monocytes. Novel pathways are identified that may serve as future targets for therapeutic intervention in this pathogenic process. The contributions of superoxide anion and NADPH oxidase to atherogenesis are discussed. Future experiments are needed to clarify the exact role of NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide anion in atherogenesis, particularly that derived from monocytes.

Atypical lambda/iota PKC conveys 5-lipoxygenase/leukotriene B4-mediated cross-talk between phospholipase A2s regulating NF-kappa B activation in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays crucial roles in a wide variety of biological functions such as inflammation, stress, and immune responses. We have shown previously that secretory nonpancreatic (snp) and cytosolic (c) phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) regulate NF-kappaB activation in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or interleukin (IL)-1beta activation and that a functional coupling mediated by the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) metabolite leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) exists between snpPLA(2) and cPLA(2) in human keratinocytes. In this study, we have further investigated the mechanisms of PLA(2)-modulated NF-kappaB activation with respect to specific kinases involved in TNF-alpha/IL-1beta-stimulated cPLA(2) phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activation. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors RO 31-8220, Gö 6976, and a pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor of atypical PKCs attenuated arachidonic acid release, cPLA(2) phosphorylation, and NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha or IL-1beta, thus indicating atypical PKCs in cPLA(2) regulation and transcription factor activation. Transfection of a kinase-inactive mutant of lambda/iotaPKC in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts completely abolished TNF-alpha/IL-1beta-stimulated cellular arachidonic acid release and cPLA(2) activation assayed in vitro, confirming the role of lambda/iotaPKC in cPLA(2) regulation. Furthermore, lambda/iotaPKC and cPLA(2) phosphorylation was attenuated by phosphatidyinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitors, which also reduced NF-kappaB activation in response to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, indicating a role for PI3-kinase in these processes in human keratinocytes. TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-induced phosphorylation of lambda/iotaPKC was attenuated by inhibitors toward snpPLA(2) and 5-LO and by an LTB(4) receptor antagonist, suggesting lambda/iotaPKC as a downstream effector of snpPLA(2) and 5-LO/LTB(4) the LTB(4) receptor. Hence, lambda/iotaPKC regulates snpPLA(2)/LTB(4)-mediated cPLA(2) activation, cellular arachidonic acid release, and NF-kappaB activation induced by TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. In addition, our results demonstrate that PI3-kinase and lambda/iotaPKC are involved in cytokine-induced cPLA(2) and NF-kappaB activation, thus identifying lambda/iotaPKC as a novel regulator of cPLA(2).

Effects of dexamethasone on mitogen-activated protein kinases in mouse macrophages: implications for the regulation of 85 kDa cytosolic phospholipase A(2)

In mouse macrophages, arachidonate mobilisation in response to several stimuli is severely inhibited by prolonged (16-20 hr) treatment with nanomolar dexamethasone (dex). It was shown earlier that this inhibition was accompanied by a dual effect on cPLA(2); down-regulation of the enzyme protein and inhibition of its activation. We now report that cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, caused an almost complete reversion of the inhibitory effects of dex on cPLA(2) activation. These results indicate that the effects depend on new protein synthesis. This is consistent with other data, obtained with a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, indicating that the effects are mediated via the glucocorticoid receptor. Northern blot results showed pronounced down-regulation of cPLA(2) at the level of its mRNA. The possibility that dex also targeted the level or activation of one or more of the three mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, or c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was also addressed. While the level of these MAP kinases and their phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced activation were unaffected by dex, there was a partial inhibition of their zymosan-induced activation. However, this inhibition was not as pronounced as the dex-mediated inhibition of cPLA(2) activation. These data were confirmed by Western blot using antibodies against the phosphorylated forms of ERK, p38, and JNK. The results suggest that dex-mediated inhibition of PMA-induced cPLA(2) activation is exerted downstream of the MAP kinases, while the partial inhibition of the zymosan-induced activation may be explained by effects exerted more upstream. Thus, the MAP kinases investigated here do not appear to be main targets for the inhibitory effects of dex on cPLA(2) activation.

Activation of arachidonate release and cytosolic phospholipase A2 via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in macrophages stimulated by bacteria or zymosan

The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38, can both contribute to the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). We have investigated the hypothesis that ERK and p38 together or independent of one another play roles in the regulation of cPLA2 in macrophages responding to the oral bacterium Prevotella intermedia or zymosan. Stimulation with bacteria or zymosan beads caused arachidonate release and enhanced in vitro cPLA2 activity of cell lysate by 1.5- and 1.7-fold, respectively, as well as activation of ERK and p38. The specific inhibitor of MAP kinase kinase, PD 98059, and the inhibitor of p38, SB 203580, both partially inhibited cPLA2 activation and arachidonate release induced by bacteria and zymosan. Together, the two inhibitors had additive effects and completely blocked cPLA2 activation and arachidonate release. The present results demonstrate that ERK and p38 both have important roles in the regulation of cPLA2 and together account for its activation in P. intermedia and zymosan-stimulated mouse macrophages.

Dexamethasone differentially regulates cytokine transcription and translation in macrophages responding to bacteria or okadaic acid

Many microorganisms and microbial products induce expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1alpha/beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in macrophages, primarily by transcriptional activation. We show here, by using mouse macrophages in primary culture, that pre-treatment with dexamethasone inhibits bacteria-induced IL-1beta expression as mRNA and cellular pro-IL-1beta in parallel, consistent with an effect primarily on transcriptional activation. In contrast, the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was only partly inhibited despite virtually complete inhibition of TNF-alpha protein formation. Furthermore, the selective induction of primarily cell-associated 26,000 M, pro-TNF-alpha by the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid also was partly inhibited at the mRNA level by dexamethasone, whereas additional translational inhibition appeared to be lacking. This latter finding is reminiscent of earlier findings regarding signalling to activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, which is sensitive to dexamethasone when elicited by bacteria, but not when elicited by okadaic acid. The present results raise the possibility that the inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on TNF-alpha translation, but not on transcriptional activation, is mediated by one or more okadaic acid-sensitive protein phosphatases.

Dexamethasone alters arachidonate release from human epithelial cells by induction of p11 protein synthesis and inhibition of phospholipase A2 activity

The effect of the glucocorticosteroid, dexamethasone, on arachidonic acid (AA) release and on protein levels of p11 and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) was studied in two epithelial cell lines, HeLa cells and BEAS-2B cells. Dexamethasone treatment of HeLa cells and BEAS-2B cells increased cellular p11 protein and mRNA levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It had little effect on levels of cPLA2 protein. In order to determine if increased p11 protein expression resulted in increased interaction between p11 and cPLA2, anti-cPLA2 antibodies were used to immunoprecipitate p11.cPLA2 complexes and Western blots of the immunoprecipitate were used to detect p11. In cells treated with dexamethasone, more p11 was detected in the anti-cPLA2 immunoprecipitate compared with control cells. Dexamethasone treatment of HeLa cells prelabeled with [3H]AA decreased the release of [3H]AA under basal conditions and after stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187 (10(-6) M). In order to determine if altering the p11 protein levels in HeLa cells independent of glucocorticosteroid treatment could also produce an effect on [3H]AA release, cells were stably transfected with plasmids expressing either p11 antisense mRNA or p11 mRNA. Cloned HeLa cells expressing p11 antisense mRNA exhibited less cellular p11 protein compared with control cells and greater [3H]AA release compared with cells transfected with a control vector. Cloned HeLa cells stably transfected with a p11 expression vector exhibited increased p11 cellular protein and diminished [3H]AA release under basal conditions and in response to A23187. Therefore, dexamethasone alteration of epithelial cell AA release may be due in part to induction of p11 protein expression.

Differential potentiation of arachidonic acid release by rat alpha2 adrenergic receptor subtypes

CHO transfectants expressing the three subtypes of rat alpha2 adrenergic receptors (alpha2AR): alpha2D, alpha2B, alpha2C were studied to compare the transduction pathways leading to the receptor-mediated stimulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) in the corresponding cell lines CHO-2D, CHO-2B, CHO-2C. The alpha2B subtype stimulated the arachidonic acid (AA) release after incubation of the cells with 1 microM epinephrine, whereas alpha2D and alpha2C gave no stimulation. Calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM) increased the release by a factor of 2-4 in the three strains. When cells were incubated with both epinephrine and Ca2+ ionophore, the AA release differed greatly between cell lines with strong potentiation in CHO-2B (2-3 times greater than Ca2+ ionophore alone), moderate potentiation in CHO-2D, and no potentiation in CHO-2C. The three cell lines each inhibited adenylylcyclase with similar efficiencies when 1 microM epinephrine was used as the agonist. The potentiation depended on both alpha2AR and Gi proteins since yohimbine and pertussis toxin inhibited the process. Pretreatment of CHO-2B cells with MAFP which inhibits both cytosolic and Ca2+-independent PLA2, reduced the release of AA induced by epinephrine+Ca2+ ionophore to basal value, whereas bromoenol lactone, a specific Ca2+-independent PLA2 inhibitor, had no effect. Preincubation of the cells with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA gave a dose-dependent inhibition of the arachidonic acid (AA) release. In CHO cells expressing the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, coupled to a Gq protein, the agonist (10-7 M) produced maximal AA release: there was no extra increase when angiotensin and Ca2+ ionophore were added together. There was no increase in the amount of inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate following stimulation of CHO-2B, -2C, -2D cells with 1 microM epinephrine. Epinephrine led to greater phosphorylation of cPLA2, resulting in an electrophoretic mobility shift for all three cell lines, so inadequate p42/44 MAPKs stimulation was not responsible for the weaker stimulation of cPLA2 in CHO-2C cells. Therefore, the stimulation of cPLA2 by Gi proteins presumably involves another unknown mechanism. The differential stimulation of cPLA2 in these transfectants will be of value to study the actual involvement of the transduction pathways leading to maximal cPLA2 stimulation.

Complement activates phospholipases and protein kinases in glomerular epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

In rat membranous nephropathy, complement C5b-9 induces glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) injury and proteinuria, which in some models is partially mediated by eicosanoids. In cultured rat GEC, sublytic C5b-9 injures plasma membranes and releases arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosanoids, due to activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). In this study, we address the role of protein kinases in cPLA2 activation.

METHODS

GEC were stably transfected with cDNAs of wild-type (wt) cPLA2, and serine505-->alanine mutant (cPLA2-SA505), which lacks the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation site.

RESULTS

Complement stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activity in GEC, and activated p42 (but not p38) MAPK. Overexpression of either cPLA2-wt or cPLA2-SA505 markedly amplified the release of [3H]AA by C5b-9. Depletion of PKC blocked the complement-dependent activation of cPLA2-wt or cPLA2-SA505, but inhibition of the p42 MAPK pathway had no effect. Epidermal growth factor was a strong activator of p42 MAPK, but stimulated PKC activity weakly. Unlike complement, activation of cPLA2-wt by epidermal growth factor was dependent on PKC, and was augmented significantly by p42 MAPK. Stable overexpression of phospholipase C-gamma 1 in GEC amplified C5b-9-induced production of [3H]inositol phosphates and [3H]diacylglycerol, an endogenous activator of PKC, and complement stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma 1.

CONCLUSIONS

C5b-9 induces activation of cPLA2 that is dependent on the diacylglycerol-PKC pathway. The role of p42 MAPK in cPLA2 activation becomes redundant in the presence of relatively potent PKC activation.

Ca2+ -independent cytosolic phospholipase A in HL-60 cells differentiating to granulocytes

The release of various fatty acids (FAs) from permeabilized HL-60 cells, predominantly oleic acid (OA) rather than arachidonic acid, was greatly enhanced by GTP-gamma-S and vanadate [Tsujishita, Y., Asaoka, Y. and Nishizuka, Y., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91 (1994) 6274-62781. The present study shows that phospholipase A (A2/A1) activity which cleaves the acyl group from both sn-2 and sn-1 positions of phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn) is increased in HL-60 cells during differentiation to granulocyte-like cells. This enzyme does not require Ca2+ and releases various FAs, preferentially OA from PtdEtn and, to lesser extent, from lysoPtdEtn. Other phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid serve as very poor substrates. Although further studies are necessary to show the direct link of this enzyme activation to receptor stimulation, the results described here imply that this enzyme is responsible for the release of various FAs, particularly OA, from permeabilized HL-60 cells.