Neutral protease activation of peritoneal macrophage prostaglandin synthesis

Lipid profiling reveals arachidonate deficiency in RAW264.7 cells: Structural and functional implications

Glycerophospholipids containing arachidonic acid (20:4) serve as the precursors for an array of biologically active lipid mediators, most of which are produced by macrophages. We have applied mass spectrometry-based lipid profiling technology to evaluate the glycerophospholipid structure and composition of two macrophage populations, resident peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells, with regard to their potential for 20:4-based lipid mediator biosynthesis. Fatty acid analysis indicated that RAW264.7 cells were deficient in 20:4 (10 +/- 1 mol %) compared to peritoneal macrophages (26 +/- 1 mol %). Mass spectrometry of total glycerophospholipids demonstrated a marked difference in the distribution of lipid species, including reduced levels of 20:4-containing lipids, in RAW264.7 cells compared to peritoneal macrophages. Enrichment of RAW264.7 cells with 20:4 increased the fatty acid to 20 +/- 1 mol %. However, the distribution of the incorporated 20:4 remained different from that of peritoneal macrophages. RAW264.7 cells pretreated with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor followed by lipopolysaccharide and interferon-gamma mobilized similar quantities of 20:4 and produced similar amounts of prostaglandins as peritoneal macrophages treated with LPS alone. LPS treatment resulted in detectable changes in specific 20:4-containing glycerophospholipids in peritoneal cells, but not in RAW264.7 cells. 20:4-enriched RAW264.7 cells lost 88% of the incorporated fatty acid during the LPS incubation without additional prostaglandin synthesis. These results illustrate that large differences in glycerophospholipid composition may exist, even in closely related cell populations, and demonstrate the importance of interpreting the potential for lipid-mediator biosynthesis in the context of overall glycerophospholipid composition.

Glycerylprostaglandin synthesis by resident peritoneal macrophages in response to a zymosan stimulus

Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 oxygenates arachidonic acid (AA) and 2-arachidonylglycerol (2-AG) to endoperoxides, which are subsequently transformed to prostaglandins (PGs) and glycerylprostaglandins (PG-Gs). PG-G formation has not been demonstrated in intact cells treated with a physiological agonist. Resident peritoneal macrophages, which express COX-1, were pretreated with lipopolysaccharide to induce COX-2. Addition of zymosan caused release of 2-AG and production of the glyceryl esters of PGE2 and PGI2 over 60 min. The total quantity of PG-Gs (16 +/- 6 pmol/10(7) cells) was much lower than that of the corresponding PGs produced from AA (21,000 +/- 7,000 pmol/10(7) cells). The differences in PG-G and PG production were partially explained by differences in the amounts of 2-AG and AA released in response to zymosan. The selective COX-2 inhibitor, SC236, reduced PG-G and PG production by 49 and 17%, respectively, indicating a significant role for COX-1 in PG-G and especially PG synthesis. Time course studies indicated that COX-2-dependent oxygenation rapidly declined 20 min after zymosan addition. When exogenous 2-AG was added to macrophages, a substantial portion was hydrolyzed to AA and converted to PGs; 1 microm 2-AG yielded 820 +/- 200 pmol of PGs/10(7) cells and 78 +/- 41 pmol of PG-Gs/10(7) cells. SC236 reduced PG-G and PG production from exogenous 2-AG by 88 and 76%, respectively, indicating a more significant role for COX-2 in the utilization of exogenous substrate. In conclusion, lipopolysaccharide-pretreated macrophages produce PG-Gs from endogenous 2-AG during zymosan phagocytosis, but PG-G formation is limited by substrate hydrolysis and inactivation of COX-2.

Cyclooxygenase-1-dependent prostaglandin synthesis modulates tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in lipopolysaccharide-challenged murine resident peritoneal macrophages

Comprehensive studies of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis in murine resident peritoneal macrophages (RPM) responding to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) revealed that the primary PGs produced by RPM were prostacyclin and PGE(2). Detectable increases in net PG formation occurred within the first hour, and maximal PG formation had occurred by 6-10 h after LPS addition. Free arachidonic acid levels rose and peaked at 1-2 h after LPS addition and then returned to baseline. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal PGE synthase levels markedly increased upon exposure of RPM to LPS, with the most rapid increases in protein expression occurring 2-6 h after addition of the stimulus. RPM constitutively expressed high levels of COX-1. Studies using isoform-selective inhibitors and RPM from mice bearing targeted deletions of ptgs-1 and ptgs-2 demonstrated that COX-1 contributes significantly to PG synthesis in RPM, especially during the initial 1-2 h after LPS addition. Selective inhibition of either COX isoform resulted in increased secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); however, this effect was much greater with the COX-1 than with the COX-2 inhibitor. These results demonstrate autocrine regulation of TNF-alpha secretion by endogenous PGs synthesized primarily by COX-1 in RPM and suggest that COX-1 may play a significant role in the regulation of the early response to endotoxemia.

Mononuclear phagocyte hydrolytic enzyme activity associated with cerebral HIV-1 infection

In patients with HIV encephalitis, activated macrophages and microglial cells in the brain are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1). Immune activation can release neurotoxic chemicals including cytokines, free radicals, autocoids, and hydrolytic enzymes. In this study, the presence of hydrolytic enzymes in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related neurodegeneration was addressed. Activities of four lysosomal hydrolases were assayed in the frontal lobe of 69 males who died with AIDS and 31 age-matched control men. Activities of all four enzymes were increased significantly (1.6 to 3.6 times) in white matter of patients with AIDS. Less pronounced increases were present in cerebral cortex. Of 69 of the subjects with AIDS, 50 (72%), had at least one abnormally active enzyme. Patients with HIV encephalitis and other neuropathological changes were affected as were many subjects without any clear neuropathological anomaly. Lysosomal cathepsin D immunostaining revealed increased lysosomes within perivascular macrophages, multinucleated cells, activated microglial cells, and hypertrophic astrocytes. Increased enzyme activity was correlated significantly with assay results for HIV-1 DNA using the polymerase chain reaction. The release of acid hydrolases associated with cerebral HIV-1 infection could lead to unopposed hydrolysis of matrix and surface proteins. These post-translational disturbances could contribute to white matter and synaptic injury in AIDS.

Neutrophil accumulation in the lung in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. Spontaneous release of leukotriene B4 by alveolar macrophages

The emphysema of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) deficiency is conceptualized to result from insufficient alpha 1AT allowing neutrophil elastase to destroy lung parenchyma. In addition to the deficiency of alpha 1AT in these individuals resulting from mutations in the alpha 1AT gene, it is recognized that, for unknown reasons, there are also increased numbers of neutrophils in their lungs compared with normal individuals. With the knowledge that alveolar macrophages have surface receptors for neutrophil elastase, we hypothesized that the neutrophil accumulation in the lower respiratory tract in alpha 1AT deficiency may result, in part, from release of neutrophil chemotactic activity by alveolar macrophages as they bind uninhibited neutrophil elastase. Consistent with this hypothesis, alpha 1AT-deficient alveolar macrophages spontaneously released nearly threefold more neutrophil chemotactic activity than normal alveolar macrophages. Analysis of alpha 1AT-deficient macrophage supernates by reverse-phase HPLC, molecular sieve chromatography, radioimmunoassay, and absorption with anti-LTB4 antibody revealed that the majority of the chemotactic activity was leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a mediator absent from normal macrophage supernates. Consistent with this hypothesis, incubation of normal macrophages with human neutrophil elastase resulted in the release of the same neutrophil chemotactic mediator. Furthermore, purified human alpha 1AT was able to prevent the neutrophil elastase from stimulating the macrophages to release the chemotactic factor. Together, these findings suggest that the absence of a normal antineutrophil elastase screen in the lower respiratory tract permits free neutrophil elastase to bind to alveolar macrophages, resulting in the release of LTB4, a process which attracts neutrophils to the alveoli of alpha 1AT deficient individuals, thus accelerating the lung destruction that characterizes this disorder.

Dissociation between the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A survey of their analgesic efficacy

The authors challenge the general view that the analgesic effect of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be universally attributed to their inhibitory effects on the synthesis of peripherally formed prostaglandins. Analgesic activity by some of these compounds in the reduction of physiological pain elicited by a single noxious stimulus, or the treatment of acute pain which results from sudden trauma to otherwise healthy tissue, is better described as an antinociceptive effect. Single-dose studies in the dental pain model that have been conducted in double-blind conditions and included a placebo control group have been reviewed; those NSAIDs which are significantly superior to the reference compound aspirin 650mg and those which could represent real alternatives to the use of narcotics in certain situations for the management of acute pain have been identified. Azapropazone, diflunisal, naproxen, oxaprozin and tolmetin are all weak inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis, yet they have been shown to be more effective than aspirin. In a model of joint pain, azapropazone 600mg has been shown to be as effective as pethidine (meperidine) 100mg despite being the weakest inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Whether the antinociceptive effect of azapropazone acts at a peripheral or a central level, or both, is not clear; evidence for the effects of NSAIDs on the central nervous system (CNS) is discussed. Historically, the antinociceptive character of some NSAIDs is apparent in several studies in both animals and humans. More recently, experimental algesimetry models designed to distinguish the antinociceptive effects of NSAIDs include the use in humans of photoplethysmography and computer-supported infrared thermographic imaging.

Inhibition of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity by nifedipine and nisoldipine is independent of their calcium-channel-blocking activity

The effects of several calcium antagonists on phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity were examined. Nifedipine and nisoldipine inhibited a cell-free preparation of PLA2 in a dose-dependent manner with maximal inhibition of 71-77% observed at 100 microM. More potent or equipotent dihydropyridine calcium antagonists such as nitrendipine and felodipine did not inhibit PLA2 activity. In addition, nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists such as diltiazem, verapamil, and cinnarazine failed to reduce PLA2 activity markedly. Nifedipine and nisoldipine also reduced PLA2 activity in intact mouse peritoneal macrophages where PLA2 activity was monitored by free [14C]arachidonic acid release from [14C]arachidonic acid-prelabeled cells. When levels of PGE2 and LTC4 were measured by radioimmunoassay, it was found that the synthesis of these two metabolites was concomitantly inhibited by nifedipine and nisoldipine. In vivo, nifedipine and nisoldipine inhibited tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) induced ear edema. UV irradiation of nifedipine and nisoldipine (which destroys the slow calcium-channel-blocking activity of these compounds) did not result in a loss of PLA2 inhibitory activity. In fact, in both instances the UV-irradiated forms of nifedipine and nisoldipine were slightly more potent PLA2 inhibitors than the parent compound alone. We therefore conclude that the ability of nifedipine and nisoldipine to inhibit PLA2 was direct and unrelated to their actions on slow calcium channels.

Trypsin- and chymotrypsin-induced chemiluminescence by isolated rat glomeruli

We examined whether the generation of reactive oxygen metabolites (as quantified by measuring luminol-amplified chemiluminescence) by isolated rat glomeruli could be triggered enzymatically. No response was observed with thrombin (1 or 10 U/ml), collagenase (100, 200, or 400 U/ml), or plasmin (0.1 or 1 U/ml). In contrast, chymotrypsin and trypsin caused a dose-dependent (10-200 micrograms/ml) increase in chemiluminescence from glomeruli. The peak response with chymotrypsin (100 micrograms/ml) and trypsin (50 micrograms/ml) was as follows: resting, 16 +/- 2 X 10(3) cpm/mg protein, n = 17; chymotrypsin, 233 +/- 58 X 10(3) cpm/mg protein, n = 17; and trypsin, 221 +/- 38 X 10(3) cpm/mg protein, n = 10. Tubules had only a minor response. Soybean trypsin inhibitor and aprotinin caused marked inhibition, indicating the dependency of the chemiluminescence response on the protease enzyme activity. The chemiluminescence response was by glomeruli rather than by "contaminating" leukocytes, since a similar marked response (n = 6) was observed in glomeruli isolated from cyclophosphamide-treated leukopenic (leukocyte less than 1,000/mm3) rats. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of superoxide, and free-radical scavengers benzoate and tryptophan inhibited the glomerular chemiluminescence response to trypsin and chymotrypsin. Neutral proteases from infiltrating leukocytes and/or renal tissue have been shown to be released in glomerular diseases; our results, which show the generation of chemiluminescence in response to neutral proteases, suggest a potential mechanism for the production of reactive oxygen metabolites in glomerular diseases.

The antiinflammatory activity of the immunomodulator Wy-18,251 (3-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-acetic acid)

The antiinflammatory activity of the immunomodulatory agent Wy-18,251 (3-(p-chlorophenyl)thiazolo-[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-acetic acid) was examined using a variety of antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic animal models in comparison to aspirin, levamisole and indomethacin. The acute antiinflammatory and analgesic activity of Wy-18,251 (ED50 = 100-200 mg/kg, p.o.) was similar to aspirin, but in contrast to aspirin Wy-18,251 failed to demonstrate antipyretic activity. Wy-18,251 (10-100 mg/kg, p.o.) also inhibited chronic inflammatory responses in the adjuvant- and collagen-induced arthritis models. Wy-18,251 was a modest inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis but did not inhibit either 5- or 15-lipoxygenase enzymes. Wy-18,251 (up to 480 mg/kg, p.o.) produced little gastrointestinal pathology in 16 h fasted rats. The combined immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory activity of Wy-18,251 suggests that this agent may have therapeutic promise in certain immunoinflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis.

The antiinflammatory profile of (5H-dibenzo[a,d]-cyclohepten-5-ylidene)acetic acid (WY-41,770), an agent possessing weak prostaglandin synthetase inhibitory activity that is devoid of gastric side effects

Wy-41,770 [(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)acetic acid], a novel acrylic acid, was compared to indomethacin and aspirin in standard antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic animal models. The acute antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity of Wy-41,770 (oral ED50S 50-170 mg/kg) was similar to aspirin; however, it was considerably more potent orally in adjuvant arthritis in the rat (ED50, 16 mg/kg) and urate-induced synovitis in the dog (ED50, 4.5 mg/kg). Wy-41,770 was a weak inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis and did not inhibit either 5- or 15-lipoxygenase. Furthermore, the cellular migration characteristic of carrageenan pleurisy was not affected by Wy-41,770. Unlike a majority of NSAIDs, it produced no gastric irritation in rats after either acute or chronic oral administration over the range 400-800 mg/kg. The major mechanism of action of Wy-41,770 has yet to be identified but does not seem to involve interference of arachidonic acid metabolism.

An adherent cell perifusion technique to study the overall and sequential response of rat alveolar macrophages to toxic substances

Essentially pure (97%) alveolar macrophages were isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage of rats with warm (37 degrees C) PBS solution. These cells were allowed to adhere to the inside walls of open-ended glass cylinders which were closed off at each end by three-way stopcocks. The adhering cells were perifused with RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum for 18 hr at the rate of 1 mL/hr, and the effluent medium was collected automatically in 2-mL aliquots. Cell recoveries and viabilities did not differ from those found for Petri cultures treated similarly, indicating that the perifusion method under study offered an adequate milieu for short-term primary cultures. The alveolar macrophages in culture were subjected to the presence of particulate (chrysotile asbestos) and soluble (phorbol myristate) toxicants, and their response was monitored in the effluent medium by measuring the release of prostaglandins (PGE) by radioimmunoassay. A significant increase in the sequential release of PGE was observed in the presence of asbestos (100 micrograms/mL) or phorbol myristate (200 ng/mL). Treatment of the cells with indomethacin (20 microM) completely abolished the release of PGE stimulated with phorbol myristate. A cumulative response to the toxicants was also observed when cells were harvested manually from the chambers: asbestos caused a 2-fold increase in cell mortality relative to control, while phorbol myristate brought about a 3-fold increase in the number of dead cells. This effect was not prevented by the presence of indomethacin. Cell aggregation was also observed when cells were perifused in the presence of phorbol myristate, whether indomethacin was present or absent. Our results indicate that the cell perifusion system combines the advantages of conventional adherent cell cultures (viability, aggregation) with those of perifusion techniques (sequential metabolism studies).

Characterization of a high-affinity receptor for phorbol esters in rat alveolar macrophages

Macrophages display varied responses to the tumor promoter, TPA. In this study, a high-affinity receptor for phorbol ester is characterized in a viable alveolar macrophage population. The binding assay is performed using tritiated PDBu and specific binding is demonstrated to be temperature-sensitive. At 37 degrees C, the level of bound ligand reaches maximal binding within 2-5 min but rapidly decays to within 30% of the original specific binding. Equilibrium, however, can be established when the assay is carried out at 4 degrees C. The data indicate that at this temperature maximal binding is reached within 2 h and remains constant thereafter. Scatchard analysis shows that the receptor has an apparent Kd of 21 nM and each macrophage possesses 2 X 10(5) binding sites. Active phorbol derivatives such as TPA and PDBu compete with the labeled ligand for the receptor, whereas the inactive phorbol alcohol does not modulate the specific binding. Mezerein, a related diterpene which has been shown to share some of the properties of phorbol esters, also competes for the binding site. The high-affinity receptor is not affected by zymosan or EIgG phagocytosis. Inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha and platelet-activating factor do not compete for the receptor.

Priming of macrophages for enhanced oxidative metabolism by exposure to proteolytic enzymes

Preincubation for 10-30 min with trypsin, pronase, chymotrypsin, or papain primed macrophages to undergo a twofold to sixfold increase in oxidative metabolism, measured as release of superoxide anion or hydrogen peroxide, during stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate or ingestion of Candida parapsilosis. Preincubation of macrophages with inactivated proteases, nonenzyme proteins, or neuraminidase did not affect their oxidase response. Exposure of macrophages to proteases generated at sites of inflammation could prime these cells for a more effective oxidase response to phagocytosis or for greater tissue damage from release of toxic oxygen metabolites.