Cyclic AMP counteracts mitogen-induced inositol phosphate generation and increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in human lymphocytes

Effects of the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor rolipram on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the phosphodiesterase IV inhibitor rolipram on Th1 and Th2 immune responses in mice. Mice were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with ovalbumin (OVA) emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant (day 0) and were treated daily with oral administration of various doses of rolipram from days 0 to 20. On day 21, production of anti-OVA IgG and proliferative responses to the antigen were determined. Anti-OVA IgG2a and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), as indicators of Th1 responses, and anti-OVA IgG1 and interleukin-10 (IL-10), as indicators of Th2 responses, were also measured. The results showed that treatment with rolipram failed to affect the production of OVA-specific IgG but decreased the proliferation of spleen cells to the antigen. Its inhibitory effect on these immune responses was correlated with a marked decrease in IFN-γ but not IL-10 production, although neither anti-OVA IgG2a nor IgG1 production was affected by rolipram. These results suggest that rolipram may preferentially inhibit Th1 responses more effectively than Th2 responses. Administration of rolipram resulted in suppression of antigen (OVA)-induced arthritis in mice. The suppression of joint inflammation by rolipram was associated with the inhibition of the OVA-specific proliferative responses of spleen cells and IFN-γ secretion. These results indicate that rolipram may be effective in regulating Th1-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

PDE4 inhibitors as new anti-inflammatory drugs: effects on cell trafficking and cell adhesion molecules expression

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a major cyclic AMP-hydrolyzing enzyme in inflammatory and immunomodulatory cells. The wide range of inflammatory mechanisms under control by PDE4 points to this isoenzyme as an attractive target for new anti-inflammatory drugs. Selective inhibitors of PDE4 have demonstrated a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory activities including the inhibition of cellular trafficking and microvascular leakage, cytokine and chemokine release from inflammatory cells, reactive oxygen species production, and cell adhesion molecule expression in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The initially detected side effects, mainly nausea and emesis, appear at least partially overcome by the 'second generation' PDE4 inhibitors, some of which like roflumilast and cilomilast are in the later stages of clinical development for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These new drugs may also offer opportunities for treatment of other inflammatory diseases.

Dimethylsphingosine increases cytosolic calcium and intracellular pH in human T lymphocytes

N,N-Dimethyl-D-erythro-sphingosine (DMS) is the N-methyl derivative of sphingosine; both are activators of sphingosine-dependent protein kinases. The aim of this work was to study the effect of DMS on cytosolic calcium and intracellular pH (pHi) in human T lymphocytes. The variations of calcium and pH were determined by fluorescence digital imaging using Fura-2-AM and BCECF-AM, respectively. DMS increased both pHi and Ca(2+)-cytoslic in human T lymphocytes. These effects were dose-dependent. This drug induced a fast increase in pHi and a release of calcium from different intracellular calcium pools than thapsigargin. DMS also induced a Ca(2+)-influx different from the store-operated calcium channels, since drug effect was not modified by 30 microM SKF 96365. The influx of calcium induced by DMS was completely blocked by preincubation in the presence of nickel, or lanthanum, while the increase in pHi was no affected. However, the presence of cadmium reduced but does not block Ca(2+)-influx. The inhibition of G-protein by 100 ng/mL pertussis toxin, and the inhibition of tyrosine kinases by genistein significantly reduced the cytosolic calcium increase induced by DMS by an inhibition of both, release of calcium from intracellular pools and influx from extracellular medium. The inhibition of pools emptiness by these drugs was related with the inhibition that they induce in the DMS cytosolic alcalinization. In summary, DMS increases pHi and as consequence releases calcium from intracellular pools, and it increases calcium-influx through a channel different from store-operated channel (SOC). Both cytosolic calcium and pHi increase are modulated by G-proteins and tyrosine kinases.

Azaspiracid-1, a potent, nonapoptotic new phycotoxin with several cell targets

This paper reports on potential cellular targets of azaspiracid-1 (AZ-1), a new phycotoxin that causes diarrhoeic and neurotoxic symptoms and whose mechanism of action is unknown. In excitable neuroblastoma cells, the systems studied were membrane potential, F-actin levels and mitochondrial membrane potential. AZ-1 does not modify mitochondrial activity but decreases F-actin concentration. These results indicate that the toxin does not have an apoptotic effect but uses actin for some of its effects. Therefore, cytoskeleton seems to be an important cellular target for AZ-1 effect. AZ-1 does not induce any modification in membrane potential, which does not support for neurotoxic effects. In human lymphocytes, cAMP, cytosolic calcium and cytosolic pH (pHi) levels were also studied. AZ-1 increases cytosolic calcium and cAMP levels and does not affect pHi (alkalinization). Cytosolic calcium increase seems to be dependent on both the release of calcium from intracellular Ca(2+) pools and the influx from extracellular media through Ni(2+)-blockable channels. AZ-1-induced Ca(2+) increase is negatively modulated by protein kinase C (PKC) activation, protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) inhibition and cAMP increasing agents. The effect of AZ-1 in cAMP is not extracellularly Ca(2+) dependent and insensitive to okadaic acid (OA).

Regulatory roles of adenylate cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases 1 and 4 in interleukin-13 production by activated human T cells

We studied the activities of 3',5'-adenosine-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)- synthesizing adenylate cyclase (AC) and cAMP-hydrolyzing cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)- or anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28-stimulated human T cells, and examined their roles in interleukin-13 (IL-13) production. The AC inhibitor MDL 12,330A [cis-N-(2-phenylcyclopentyl)azacyclotridec-1-en-2-amine hydrochloride] completely blocked PHA- or anti-CD3/CD28-induced IL-13 production. The PDE 1 inhibitor 8-methoxymethyl-3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram partially inhibited IL-13 production, and the addition of both resulted in 100 or 85% inhibition in PHA- or anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated T cells, respectively. AC in T cells was transiently activated 5 min after stimuli, followed by the transient activation of PDE4 at 30 min. PDE1 activity, undetectable in resting T cells, was detected 3 hr after stimuli, and then increased gradually. Although PDE1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-independent PDE activity was low (< or = 15% of total), it began to increase 3 hr after anti-CD3/CD28; the increase was blocked by PDE7 antisense oligonucleotide, and such an increase was not induced by PHA. PHA or anti-CD3/CD28 induced PDE1B mRNA expression, undetectable in resting T cells. PDE4 mRNA level in T cells was not altered by either stimulus. PDE7 mRNA expression was detected in resting T cells, and was enhanced by anti-CD3/CD28, but not by PHA. The cAMP level of T cells increased 5 min after stimuli, returned to the basal level at 2 hr, and then continued to decrease. These results suggest that PHA or anti-CD3/CD28 initially (< or = 5 min) increases cAMP in T cells via AC, then reverses the increase via PDE4 (< or = 2 hr), and in the later phase (> 2 hr) further decreases cAMP via PDE1. Both the time-dependent increase and decrease of cAMP may be required for IL-13 production.

Modulation of thapsigargin-induced calcium mobilisation by cyclic AMP-elevating agents in human lymphocytes is insensitive to the action of the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89

Ca2+ mobilisation from internal stores and from the extracellular medium is one of the primary events involved in lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Regulation of these processes by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was studied in Fura2-loaded human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single cells by the use of a ratio imaging fluorescence microscope and Ca2+ mobilisation was achieved by the use of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin (Thg). Our results show that both activation and inhibition of PKA, with forskolin (FSK) and N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide.2HCl (H-89), respectively, inhibited the Thg-induced Ca2+ entry. Furthermore, FSK also reduced the ability of Thg to release Ca2+ from internal stores. This reduction was inhibited by the adenylyl cyclase (AC) inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9-H-purin-6-amine (SQ22,536), but not by the PKA inhibitor H89, indicating that cAMP but not PKA is responsible for this effect. FSK effect was mimicked by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and by inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) with rolipram (ROL) and milrinone (MIL). We also showed that a very high concentration of H-89 (100 microM) releases Ca2+ from an intracellular pool, although this action is probably independent of PKA inhibition. Neither 10 microM H-89 nor other cAMP/PKA-modulating drugs had any effect on the basal [Ca2+]i of human lymphocytes. We conclude that PKA may act as a fine modulator of capacitative Ca2+ entry, while cAMP has a PKA-independent interaction with the Ca2+ stores of human lymphocytes.

Inhibition of stimulated Jurkat cell adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate synthesis by the immunomodulatory compound HR325

HR325 (2-cyano-3-cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-N-[3'-methyl-4'(trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-propenamide) is an immunomodulatory compound through pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibition with antiproliferative properties which was derived from the isoxazol compound A77 1726 [2-cyano-3-cyclopropyl-3-hydroxy-enoic acid (4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-amide]. During studies of the effects on early signal transduction events of this type of compound, it was found that HR325 dose-dependently inhibited adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) synthesis by Jurkat cells stimulated with prostaglandin E(2), (PGE(2)), cholera toxin (CTX), or forskolin (FKN). The potency of inhibition by HR325 of FKN-stimulated cells (IC(50) 30.4 microM) was approximately 3-fold higher than that of the other agonists (11.6 and 11.7 microM) and was independent of time of preincubation for both PGE(2) and FKN. Interestingly, A77 1726, an analogue of HR325, displayed a markedly different profile of stimulus-dependent potencies. The inhibition of cAMP synthesis by HR325 when stimulated by both PGE(2) and FKN was unaffected by glucose supplementation, in contrast to HR325-inhibited ATP levels, which were restored under such conditions. Further studies revealed that HR325 reduced intracellular ATP levels by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation, albeit with a 1000-fold lower potency than the antihelmintic drug niclosamide. In addition, glucose supplementation experiments showed that, in contrast to HR325, the niclosamide-mediated reduction of ATP levels was wholly responsible for its inhibition of PGE(2)- and FKN-stimulated cAMP synthesis.

Disease activity related catecholamine response of lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

In patients with chronic rheumatic diseases, a decreased density of beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2R) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) could be demonstrated negatively correlating with various disease activity parameters. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of this decrease on catecholamine response of PBMC from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in vitro. PBMC from 17 patients with RA and 6 healthy blood donors (HD) were investigated. The effects of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) on PBMC proliferation were studied using cells activated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and monoclonal anti-CD3-antibodies (OKT3), respectively. The results revealed that lymphocytes of patients with RA showed a significantly reduced influence of catecholamines on PBMC function. In RA patients with high disease activity only, a shift to alpha 1-adrenergic-mediated catecholamine effects upon PBMC reactivity could be observed. The study demonstrates the intricate relationship between PBMC reactivity and catecholamine effects that is mediated via alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors due to disease activity. In this respect the altered catecholamine response of PBMC from patients with RA may contribute to the pathogenic process of RA.

Immunomodulatory effects of pharmacological elevation of cyclic AMP in T lymphocytes proceed via a protein kinase A independent mechanism

The role of the cAMP pathway as an immunomodulatory system has been an area of intensive research. Pharmacological elevation of the cAMP pathway inhibits T lymphocyte proliferation and production of Th1-type cytokines. The effects of cAMP are thought to be mediated via activation of the intracellular receptor, protein kinase A (PKA). We investigated the inhibitory effects of cAMP elevation on human lymphocyte proliferation and function by utilising a range of selective inhibitors of PKA. Elevation of cAMP activity by dbcAMP, Sp-cAMPS and forskolin induced significant decreases of Con A stimulated PBMC proliferation. Co-incubation with the selective PKA inhibitors HA1004, KT5720 and Rp-cAMPS showed these antiproliferative effects to persist, despite measurable PKA activity being inhibited to that of untreated cells or less. IL-2 production was also inhibited by dbcAMP in the presence of HA1004 and Rp-cAMPS. It has been demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of pharmacological elevations in cAMP on human T cell proliferation and IL-2 production do not require PKA activity. These observations indicate that control of lymphocyte proliferation and functional status by cAMP proceeds through PKA-independent events. Identification of the underlying mechanisms behind these effects would increase our understanding of the cAMP cascade and may provide a potentially novel target for immunomodulation.

Reduced catecholamine response of lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Catecholamines modulate lymphocyte function via stimulation of beta2-adrenergic receptors (beta2R). Previous investigations revealed a decreased density of beta2R on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. Aim of the present study was to determine the impact of this decrease on catecholamine response of PBMC from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in vitro. PBMC from 17 patients with RA and 12 healthy blood donors (HD) were investigated. Beta2R were determined by a radioligand binding assay. The effects of epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) on PBMC proliferation were studied using cells activated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and monoclonal anti-CD3-antibodies (OKT3), respectively. In parallel, alpha1- or beta-receptor antagonist were added to the culture to determine the specificity of the catecholaminergic effects. The results showed that depending on the stimulus and the catecholamine concentration employed E and NE exert inhibitory (OKT3) or stimulatory signals (PWM) on lymphocyte proliferation. Inhibitory effects could be abolished by adding beta-antagonist, while stimulatory signals were diminished after addition of alpha1- of beta-antagonist. Patients with RA showed a significantly reduced density of beta2R compared to HD paralleled by a significantly reduced influence of catecholamines on lymphocyte function. The study demonstrates the intricate relationship between PBMC reactivity and catecholamine effects that are mediated via alpha1- and beta-adrenergic receptors. In this respect the reduced catecholamine response of PBMC from RA patients may contribute to the pathogenic process of RA.

Iron deficiency reduces the hydrolysis of cell membrane phosphatidyl inositol-4,5-bisphosphate during splenic lymphocyte activation in C57BL/6 mice

Iron deficiency impairs lymphocyte proliferation in humans and laboratory animals by unknown mechanisms. In this study, we investigated whether this alteration can be attributed in part to impaired hydrolysis of cell membrane phosphatidyl inositol-4, 5-bisphosphate (PIP2), a required early event of T-lymphocyte activation. The study involved 46 iron-deficient (ID), 26 control (C) and 23 pair-fed (PF) mice, and ID mice that were repleted for 3 (n = 16), 7 (n = 17) or 14 d (n = 18). Mice were killed after 40-63 d (mean, 48 d) of consuming the test diet (0.09 mmol/kg iron) or the control diet (0.9 mmol/kg). The mean (+/-SEM) hemoglobin concentrations were 57 +/- 16.7, 176 +/- 2.6 and 181 +/- 9.7 g/L for ID, C and PF groups, respectively. After splenic lymphocytes were labeled in vitro with 3H-myoinositol for 3 h, PIP2 hydrolysis was estimated by measuring the radioactivity recovered as a mixture of inositol mono-, di- and triphosphate (IP) from concanavalin A (0, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/L) activated cells. Although cells from ID mice and those from mice repleted for 3 d incorporated slightly more radioactivity in cellular phospholipids than did cells from C or PF mice, less (P < 0.005) was recovered as IP than in controls, suggesting impaired conversion of the precursor to PIP2. At almost all incubation periods (10-120 min) and mitogen concentrations, the rate of PIP2 hydrolysis expressed as the ratio of radioactivity obtained in Con A-treated to untreated cells was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in cells from ID mice compared with those obtained from C and PF mice. For cells that were activated for 60 min or less, iron repletion for 14 d significantly (P < 0.05) improved the rate of PIP2 hydrolysis. PIP2 hydrolysis positively and significantly (P < 0.05) correlated (r = 0.27-0.56) with indicators of iron status. Mitogenic response was also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in ID but not PF mice, and it was corrected by iron repletion for 3, 7 or 14 d. Lymphocyte proliferation positively (r = 0.27-0.37, P < 0.01) correlated with indices of iron status and IP ratios. The data suggest that reduced PIP2 hydrolysis contributes to impaired blastogenesis in iron deficiency.

Evidence that cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors suppress interleukin-2 release from murine splenocytes by interacting with a 'low-affinity' phosphodiesterase 4 conformer

1. We have investigated the suppressive effects of rolipram, RP 73401 (piclamilast) and other structurally diverse inhibitors of cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) on interleukin (IL)-2 generation from Balb/c mouse splenocytes exposed to the superantigen, Staphylococcocal enterotoxin-A (Staph. A). The purpose was to determine whether their potencies are more closely correlated with inhibition of PDE4 from CTLL cells, against which rolipram displays weak potency (low-affinity PDE4), or displacement of [3H]-(+/-)-rolipram from its high-affinity binding site (HARBS) in mouse brain cytosol. 2. RP 73401 (IC50 0.46 +/- 0.07 nM, n = 4) was a very potent inhibitor of Staph. A-induced IL-2 release from Balb/c mouse splenocytes, being > 1100 fold more potent than (+/-)-rolipram (IC50 540 +/- 67 nM, n = 3). 3. A close correlation (r = 0.95) was observed between suppression of IL-2 release by PDE inhibitors and inhibition of PDE4. In contrast, little correlation (r = 0.39) was observed between suppression of IL-2 release and their affinities for the high-affinity rolipram binding site (HARBS). 4. RP 73401 only inhibited partially (30-40%) Staph. A-induced incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into splenocyte DNA. The PDE3 inhibitor, siguazodan (10 microM), had little or no effect on IL-2 release or DNA synthesis. This concentration of siguazodan did not enhance the inhibitory action of RP 73401 on IL-2 release but potentiated its effect on DNA synthesis, increasing potency and efficacy. 5. Staph. A-induced DNA synthesis was only partially inhibited by anti-IL-2 neutralizing antibody, whereas dexamethazone (100 nM) and cyclosporine A (100 nM) completely blocked the response. 6. RP 73401 (IC50 6.3 +/- 1.9 nM, n = 4) was 140 fold more potent than rolipram (IC50 900 +/- 300 nM, n = 3) in inhibiting Staph. A-induced [3H]-thymidine incorporation into splenocyte DNA. 7. The results implicate a low-affinity form of PDE4 in the suppression of Staph. A-induced IL-2 release from murine splenocytes by PDE inhibitors. The data also indicate that mitogenic factors other than IL-2, whose elaboration or responses to which are regulated by PDE3 as well as PDE4, contribute to the superantigen-induced DNA synthesis.

Identification of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases 3, 4 and 7 in human CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes: role in regulating proliferation and the biosynthesis of interleukin-2

1. The cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases (PDE) expressed by CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes purified from the peripheral blood of normal adult subjects were identified and characterized, and their role in modulating proliferation and the biosynthesis of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma evaluated. 2. In lysates prepared from both subsets, SK&F 95654 (PDE3 inhibitor) and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) suppressed cyclic AMP hydrolysis indicating the presence of PDE3 and PDE4 isoenzymes in these cells. Differential centrifugation and subsequent inhibitor and kinetic studies revealed that the particulate fraction contained, predominantly, a PDE3 isoenzyme. In contrast, the soluble fraction contained a PDE4 (approximately 65% of total activity) and, in addition, a novel enzyme that had the kinetic characteristics of the recently identified PDE7. 3. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) studies with primer pairs designed to recognise unique sequences in the human PDE4 and PDE7 genes amplified cDNA fragments that corresponded to the predicted sizes of HSPDE4A, HSPDE4B, HSPDE54D and HSPDE7. No message was detected for HSPDE4C after 35 cycles of amplification. 4. Functionally, rolipram inhibited phytohaemagglutinin- (PHA) and anti-CD3-induced proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, and the elaboration of IL-2, which was associated with a three to four fold increase in cyclic AMP mass. In all experiments, however, rolipram was approximately 60 fold more potent at suppressing IL-2 synthesis than at inhibiting mitogenesis. In contrast, SK&F 95654 failed to suppress proliferation and cytokine generation, and did not elevate the cyclic AMP content in T-cells. Although inactive alone, SK&F 95654 potentiated the ability of rolipram to suppress PHA- and anti-CD3-induced T-cell proliferation, and PHA-induced IL-2 release. 5. When a combination of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin were used as a co-mitogen, rolipram did not affect proliferation but, paradoxically, suppressed IL-2 release indicating that cyclic AMP can inhibit mitogenesis by acting at, or proximal to, the level of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis. 6. Collectively, these data suggest that PDE3 and PDE4 isoenzymes regulate the cyclic AMP content, IL-2 biosynthesis and proliferation in human CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes. However, the ability of rolipram to suppress markedly mitogen-induced IL-2 generation without affecting T-cell proliferation suggests that growth and division of T-lymphocytes may be governed by mediators in addition to IL-2. Finally, T-cells have the potential to express PDE7, although elucidating the functional role of this enzyme must await the development of selective inhibitors.

Identification of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase variants from the PDE4D gene expressed in human peripheral mononuclear cells

To determine whether the expression of different PDE4D variants is unique to the rat or conserved through evolution, we have characterized the different PDE4D mRNAs expressed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RT-PCR was performed using primers based on rat sequences and mRNAs from mononuclear cells. The specifically amplified fragments had a size identical to that predicted for rat PDE4D1, PDE4D2 and PDE4D3. Sequencing confirmed that these fragments are derived from the human PDE4D gene. Their sequence was highly homologous to that reported for the rat variants. cDNAs corresponding to the entire ORF of human PDE4D2 and PDE4D3 were expressed in mammalian cells, causing a large increase in PDE activity. Western blot analysis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell extracts demonstrated the presence of proteins corresponding to the recombinant PDE4D1 and PDE4D2. The pattern of splicing and different promoter usage of the PDE4D gene is therefore conserved during evolution, which indicates an important physiological role.

Salmeterol inhibits interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

T-lymphocytes play an important role in allergic asthma. In the present study, the effect of beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonists was examined on proliferation, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The proliferation after 24 h phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) activation was significantly inhibited at high concentrations of salmeterol, isoprenaline and salbutamol (> or = 10(-6) M). A U-shaped concentration response curve was observed for the effect of all agonists on IL-4 production 24 h after PHA activation. Maximal inhibition occurred at 10(-9) M and amounted to 71% (P < 0.02), 38% (P < 0.01) and 49% (P < 0.01) for salmeterol, isoprenaline and salbutamol, respectively. In contrast, no significant effect of salmeterol (10(-11)-10(-5) M) on IL-4 production could be detected after 96 h. A biphasic concentration response curve was observed for the inhibitory activity of all beta-adrenoceptor agonists on IFN-gamma production by PBMC 24 h after PHA activation. The first phase reached a plateau at 10(-9) M and the inhibition amounted to 50% (P < 0.05), 33% (P < 0.01) and 44% (P < 0.05) for salmeterol, isoprenaline and salbutamol, respectively. At higher concentrations of the three beta-adrenoceptor agonists the inhibition was increased up to 80% (P < 0.05), 60% (P < 0.05) and 58% (P < 0.01), respectively. Similar to the results obtained after 24 h, IFN-gamma production after 96 h was biphasically inhibited by salmeterol, and this inhibition (60%) was significantly at 10(-5) M. Together, the present data provide clear evidence for concentration-dependent effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists on the IL-4 and IFN-gamma production by human PBMC. These results suggest that beta-agonists, at low concentrations, predominantly inhibit IL-4 production and may therefore act as anti-inflammatory drugs in allergic asthma.

Catecholamine responsiveness in human lymphocytes evaluated by intracellular free calcium measurements

Intracellular free calcium concentration [f(Ca2+)i] and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in lymphocytes and basal plasma noradrenaline (NA) were measured in nine healthy male subjects (age 22-72 years). Lymphocytes were stimulated with isoproterenol and the plant lectin concanavalin A (Con A). Con A induced a dose dependent increase in f(Ca2+)i without increasing inositol lipid turnover. The mechanism by which Con A mobilized f(Ca2+)i is not clear, but we found that the level of prostaglandin E2, a metabolite from arachidonic acid, increased after stimulation with Con A, indicating the possibility of arachidonic acid released by phospholipase A2. Isoproterenol inhibited the Con A-induced calcium mobilization in a dose dependent manner in lymphocytes stimulated with both isoproterenol and Con A. This inhibitory effect of isoproterenol is most probably mediated via cAMP. Both isoproterenol induced increase in cAMP and inhibition of calcium mobilization were significantly correlated to basal plasma NA. Taken together our data indicate that the lymphocyte response to a specific stimulus may depend not only on the strength of this stimulus, but also on the level of sympathetic nerve activity.

Continuous Measurement of Changes in Intracellular Calcium Concentration in Mouse Splenic T Cells Attached to a Glass Substrate

Mitogen- and isoproterenol-induced changes of [Ca(2+)](i) in T cells attached to a glass substrate were examined. Murine (C57BL/6) splenic T cells were attached to coverslips or 35-mm dishes (MatTek) precoated with Cell Tak((R)) (3.5 &mgr;g/cm(2)). The cells were then loaded with fluorescent dye (2 &mgr;g/ml of fura2-AM or fluo3-AM) and changes in [Ca(2+)](i) in a population of cells (using a spectrofluorometer) or in single cells (using a confocal microscope) were measured during continuous superfusion. Population measurements of [Ca(2+)](i) demonstrated that concanavalin A (Con A, 2 or 5 &mgr;g/ml) caused an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) that rose to a peak and then declined to a steady state. The concentration-response relationship (0.05-5 &mgr;g/ml) had an EC(50) of approximately 0.3 &mgr;g/ml. Isoproterenol decreased the Con A-induced elevation of steady state [Ca(2+)](i). In single cell studies, the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in response to Con A typically occurred in about 50% of the cells in a microscope field, and the delay before activation varied among cells. Taken together these data demonstrate that Cell Tak((R)) can be used to attach T cells to glass coverslips and will be useful for the study of signaling mechanisms in T cells. Copyright 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel

Cross-talk between calcium and cAMP-dependent intracellular signaling pathways. Implications for synergistic secretion in T84 colonic epithelial cells and rat pancreatic acinar cells

Treatment of various cells with combinations of agents that increase either cAMP or cytosolic calcium can lead to synergistic responses. This study examined interactions, or cross-talk, between these two intracellular messengers and its implication for signaling in two secretory cell types, T84 human colonic epithelial cells and rat pancreatic acinar cells. T84 cell chloride secretion was measured in Ussing chambers. Acinar cell activation was monitored as amylase secretion. Cytosolic calcium was assessed via fura-2 microfluorimetry. A cell-permeant analogue of cAMP synergistically enhanced secretory responses to calcium-mobilizing hormones in both cell types, but paradoxically reduced overall calcium mobilization. The reduction in calcium mobilization could be attributed to an inhibition of calcium influx in T84 cells, although a different mechanism likely operates in acinar cells. The effects of the cAMP analogue were reproduced by other agents that increase cAMP. Furthermore, econazole, an inhibitor of calcium influx, potentiated secretory responses to calcium-dependent stimulation in T84 cells without itself inducing secretion. We conclude that there is cross-talk between calcium and cAMP-dependent signaling pathways at the level of second messenger generation in two secretory cell types. This cross-talk appears to regulate the extent of secretory responses.

Effect of prolonged catecholamine infusion on immunoregulatory function: implications in congestive heart failure

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to characterize the effects of prolonged catecholamine infusion on immunoregulatory cell traffic and activation.

BACKGROUND

Immunoregulation has been shown to be partially controlled by the sympathetic nervous system. Although short-term elevation of catecholamine levels is known to alter immunoregulatory cell traffic and activation, the effects of prolonged heightened sympathetic nervous system activity have not adequately been studied. We believe that the alterations in immune function seen in patients with congestive heart failure are linked to a prolonged elevation of circulating catecholamine levels.

METHODS

To characterize the effects of prolonged elevation of catecholamine levels, rats received 4 weeks of constant infusion of epinephrine or norepinephrine through implanted osmotic minipumps. Peripheral and splenic leukocyte subsets, T cell proliferation and interleukin-2 receptor expression were quantified. Antibody production to the novel antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin was assessed over the 4-week treatment period.

RESULTS

Both epinephrine and norepinephrine caused significant splenic atrophy and cardiac hypertrophy; both were blocked by propranolol. Epinephrine induced lymphocytosis; both catecholamines caused an increase in natural killer cells. In the spleen, both epinephrine and norepinephrine led to a dose-dependent decrease in total T cells, suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells and a significant increase in B cells. Epinephrine at the low dose enhanced mitogen-induced proliferation and interleukin-2 receptor expression. Norepinephrine at the low dose appeared to diminish proliferation. Epinephrine tended to inhibit IgG antibody production, whereas norepinephrine had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study indicate that prolonged elevation of catecholamine levels alters immune cell proliferation and differentiation. These alterations differ greatly from those induced by short-term stimulation but, for the most part, parallel those found in patients with congestive heart failure. We postulate that the shifts in immunoregulatory cell type and function seen in patients with congestive heart failure are due, in part, to longstanding increases in circulating catecholamine levels and may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of disease.

Homologous and heterologous regulation of receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis

Signal transduction at a diverse range of pharmacologically distinct receptors is effected by the enhanced turnover of inositol phospholipids, with the attendant formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. Although considerable progress has been made in recent years towards the identification and characterization of the individual components of this pathway, much less is known of mechanisms that may underlie its regulation. In this review, evidence is presented for the potential regulation of inositol lipid turnover at the level of receptor, phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C and substrate availability in response to either homologous or heterologous stimuli. Available data indicate that the extent of receptor-stimulated inositol lipid hydrolysis is regulated by multiple mechanisms that operate at different levels of the signal transduction pathway.

The role of adrenoceptor-mediated signals in the modulation of lymphocyte function

Adrenoceptors are heterotrimeric glycoproteins that bind specific endogenous ligands, such as the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine and the neurohormone epinephrine. Ligand binding to an adrenoceptor expressed on the cell surface initiates a cascade of biochemical and molecular responses inside the cell that lead to a change in cellular activity. Initially, the stimulation of an adrenoceptor directly activates G proteins that stimulate enzymes to induce the production of second messengers. The cascade continues as the second messengers activate serine/threonine protein kinases, resulting in either an inhibition or enhancement of cellular activity. The resulting changes in cellular activity are mediated by changes in gene expression that are induced by the phosphorylation of specific transcription factors. Adrenoceptor subtypes are expressed by both T and B lymphocytes. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the results from the many studies that have examined the role of adrenoceptor-mediated intracellular signals in the modulation of lymphocyte function. Another aim of this review is to discuss how these studies have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms by which the sympathetic nervous system transmits information to both T and B lymphocytes to maintain immune homeostasis.

Sensitization by dexamethasone of lymphocyte cyclic AMP formation: evidence for increased function of the adenylyl cyclase catalyst

1. Glucocorticoids and elevations of intracellular adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) may affect lymphocyte activation, proliferation and effector functions in similar ways. Therefore, we have investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on human lymphocyte cyclic AMP formation. 2. Treatment of resting human lymphocytes with the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, sensitized prostaglandin E2-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. 3. In membranes of lymphocytes treated for 24 h with 100 nM dexamethasone, maximal adenylyl cyclase activity stimulated by prostaglandin E2, isoprenaline, guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP), forskolin and MnCl2 was significantly enhanced; the EC50 for these agents was not significantly altered. 4. beta 2-Adrenoceptor density, immunodetectable alpha-subunits of the G-proteins Gs and Gi, and pertussis toxin-substrates were not significantly altered by dexamethasone treatment. 5. In dexamethasone-treated lymphocytes, prostaglandin E2-mediated inhibition of concanavalin A-induced Ca2+ elevations was doubled compared to control cells. 6. Based on these data and the observation that enhancement of forskolin- and MnCl2-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity could quantitatively account for the enhancement of prostaglandin E2-, isoprenaline- or GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, we conclude that dexamethasone treatment sensitizes cyclic AMP formation in resting human lymphocytes by altering the adenylyl cyclase catalyst rather than G-proteins or hormone receptors. This results in an enhanced capability of cyclic AMP generating agonists to inhibit early steps of lymphocyte activation.

Potentiation of adenylyl cyclase in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by cell-activating stimuli

The isoprenaline-induced production of cAMP in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was potentiated significantly by incubating PBMC with isoprenaline in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), Concanavalin A (Con A) or A23187. This potentiation, that proved to be dependent on the concentration of PHA, Con A or A23187, increased the maximal response but did not cause a change in the potency of isoprenaline. Potentiation could not be induced by the phorbol ester phorbol-myristate acetate, suggesting that protein kinase C-dependent pathways are not likely to be involved in potentiation of adenylyl cyclase. Potentiation could be inhibited by chelating extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA and also by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamine, an inhibitor of calmodulin. Potentiation could not be induced by preincubation of PBMC with PHA, suggesting that transient biochemical changes are involved. It was concluded from these results that potentiation in PBMC probably involves the activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent adenylyl cyclase subtypes. Potentiation of the adenylyl cyclase activity could be an important physiological mechanism in vivo preventing cells from becoming "over stimulated".

Alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the guinea-pig uterus: heterogeneity in the circular and longitudinal smooth muscle layers

Homogenate binding and functional studies have been undertaken to investigate the role of alpha 2-adrenoceptors on the circular and longitudinal myometrial layers of the dioestrous guinea-pig uterus. Each myometrial layer contained a single population of [3H]rauwolscine binding sites (KD values approximately 3 nM) for which yohimbine exhibited a higher affinity than prazosin, and xylazine a higher affinity than phenylephrine, indicating the presence of alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding sites. In circular myometrium, xylazine enhanced contractile responses, was more potent than either noradrenaline or phenylephrine in inhibiting forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP, and reduced the inhibitory effect of forskolin on phenylephrine-induced phosphatidyl inositol hydrolysis. In longitudinal myometrium xylazine enhanced contractile responses to phenylephrine but did not inhibit forskolin-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP. We conclude that alpha 2-adrenoceptor binding sites are present in both uterine layers and mediate uterine contractility possibly through different mechanisms.

Cyclic AMP inhibits macrophage suppressor function and enhances lymphocyte proliferation

The effects of increasing the level of cyclic AMP (cAMP) activity on lymphocyte proliferation in the rat mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) were investigated. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced a dose-dependent reduction in proliferation in the lymph node (LN) MLR, but produced a substantial increase in proliferation in the spleen MLR at the lower concentrations used (10(-5)-10(-4) M dbcAMP; 10(-7)-10(-6) M PGE2). Enhancement of proliferation was dependent on the presence of macrophages and was probably due to inhibition of macrophage activation. This was based on the following findings: (1) spleen MLR proliferation was lower than that in the LN MLR; (2) depletion of spleen macrophages increased proliferation in the spleen MLR and addition of these macrophages to the LN MLR reduced proliferation; (3) macrophage depletion from the spleen MLR abolished the proliferation-enhancing effect of dbcAMP. In conclusion, cAMP enhances lymphocyte proliferation in this system, apparently as a consequence of suppressing the inhibitory influence of macrophages.

Forskolin and phorbol myristate acetate inhibit intracellular Ca2+ mobilization induced by amitriptyline and bradykinin in rat frontocortical neurons

Regulations of the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels or activating protein kinase C (PKC) were studied in rat frontocortical cultured neurons. Amitriptyline (AMI; 1 mM), a tricyclic antidepressant, and bradykinin (BK; 1 microM) stimulated IP3 production and caused transient [Ca2+]i increases. Pretreatment with forskolin (100 microM, 15 min) decreased the AMI- and BK-induced [Ca2+]i increases by 33 and 48%, respectively. However, this treatment had no effect on the AMI- and BK-induced IP3 productions. Dibutyryl-cAMP (2 mM, 15 min) also decreased the AMI- and BK-induced [Ca2+]i increases by 23 and 47%, respectively. H-8 (30 microM), an inhibitor of protein kinase A (PKA), attenuated the ability of forskolin to inhibit the AMI- and BK-induced [Ca2+]i increases, suggesting that the activation of cAMP/PKA was involved in these inhibitory effects of forskolin. On the other hand, forskolin treatment had no effect on 20 mM caffeine-, 10 microM glutamate-, or 50 mM K(+)-induced [Ca2+]i increases. Pretreatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 100 nM, 90 min) decreased both the AMI-induced [Ca2+]i increases and the IP3 production by 31 and 25%, respectively. H-7 (200 microM), an inhibitor of PKC, inhibited the ability of PMA to attenuate the [Ca2+]i increases. PMA also inhibited the BK-induced IP3 production and the [Ca2+]i increases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of cAMP in regulating cytotoxic T lymphocyte adhesion and motility

We investigated the functional role of the cAMP pathway in human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-target interaction. Pharmacological increase of intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) inhibits killing, especially at low effector-to-target ratios, suggesting an inhibitory effect on CTL recycling. We show that this inhibitory effect is primarily at the level of conjugate formation. Pharmacological increase in [cAMP]i, as well as treatment with cytochalasin D, results in a "rounding up" of the CTL and inhibition of the dramatic changes in shape that occur when a CTL forms a conjugate, even with an irrelevant target. In addition, pharmacological increase in [cAMP]i affects the cytoskeleton of the CTL since it induces a decrease of filamentous actin, as detected by flow cytometry on phalloidin-stained CTL, and a stabilization of microtubules, as detected by increased resistance to the disrupting action of nocodazole. In mature CTL (but not in their immature precursors), T cell receptor triggering by specific targets results in a measurable increase in cAMP levels and strongly synergizes with adenylyl cyclase activators such as prostaglandin E2, cholera toxin and forskolin. We suggest that T cell receptor triggering may induce accumulation of cAMP that interferes with cytoskeleton function and, thus, terminates CTL secretion and adhesion. These effects of cAMP are rapidly reversible and may regulate CTL recycling.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mediates adrenaline activation of K+ conductance in mouse peritoneal macrophages

In mouse peritoneal macrophages, alpha 1-adrenoceptor stimulation evokes a Ca(2+)-dependent K+ current [Io(Adr)][Hara et al. (1991) Pflügers Arch 419:371-379]. The roles of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and a GTP-binding protein (G protein) in Io(Adr) were investigated with tight-seal whole-cell recordings and fura-2 fluorescence measurements. Intracellular injection of InsP3 (5-50 microM) evoked transient outward currents [Io(InsP3)] with or without damped oscillations in membrane currents at -40 mV. Dialysis with 0.2 mM guanosine 5'-[3-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma S], a poorly hydrolysable GTP analogue) at -40 mV activated oscillatory outward currents or a slowly developing steady current on which such oscillations were superimposed after a delay of 10-90 s. Io(InsP3) and the GTP[gamma S]-induced current [Io(GTP[gamma S])] were accompanied by an increase in conductance. Reversal potentials of both responses closely depended on the extracellular K+ concentration. Fura-2 measurements revealed that Io(InsP3) and Io(GTP[gamma S]) result from a rise in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Removal of extracellular Ca2+ did not abolish Io(InsP3) and Io(GTP[gamma S]). Both were blocked by bath-applied charybdotoxin. Intracellular D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (InsP4, 50 microM) did not evoke any responses, whereas D-myo-inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate [InsP3(2,4,5), 20 microM] elicited an outward current at -40 mV. Io(InsP3) was completely blocked by prior dialysis with the InsP3 receptor antagonist heparin (5 mg/ml). Inclusion of guanosine 5'-[2-thiol] diphosphate (GDP[beta S], 2 mM) or heparin (5 mg/ml) together with GTP[gamma S] in the patch pipette solution completely blocked Io(GTP[gamma S]). These results indicate that intracellular injection of InsP3 or GTP[gamma S] mimic Io(Adr).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dissociation between phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated generation of inositol phosphates and Ca2+ increase in human mononuclear leucocytes

We have tested whether phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated generation of inositol phosphates (IP) and increases in intracellular Ca2+ can be dissociated in human mononuclear leucocytes. Lowering the incubation temperature from 37 degrees to 25 degrees C decreased PHA-stimulated IP generation by more than 80%, but only marginally affected PHA-stimulated Ca2+ increases. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, PHA did not stimulate IP generation or Ca2+ increases, although PHA binding to its acceptor sites was not impaired. Increasing extracellular Ca2+ up to 0.15 mM enhanced PHA-stimulated PHA generation but this increase was attenuated by further increasing extracellular Ca2+ to 2.6 mM. Increasing extracellular Ca2+ to 0.3 mM also enhanced PHA-stimulated Ca2+ increases, and further increasing extracellular Ca2+ did not affect it. Co-treatment with 100 microM-prostaglandin E2 completely abolished PHA-stimulated IP generation, but inhibited Ca2+ increases by only 20-30%. These results could be explained by IP-generation-independent Ca2+ increases or by non-linear coupling of IP generation to Ca2+ increases. Since the PHA concentrations required to increase Ca2+ were greater than those required for IP generation, the latter hypothesis can be excluded. Furthermore, the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin increased intracellular Ca2+ and weakly stimulated IP generation, but with very similar concentration-response relationships. Our data suggest that PHA-stimulated IP generation and Ca2+ increases in human mononuclear leucocytes mainly occur independently of one another rather than sequentially.

Does verapamil act as an immunomodulatory drug in vivo?

Based on in vitro data, previous investigators have hypothesized that Ca2+ entry blockers might affect lymphocyte activation, proliferation and effector function. We have tested this hypothesis by comparing the in vitro and in vivo effects of the Ca2+ entry blocker verapamil on human lymphocytes. In vitro high concentrations of verapamil (100 microM) inhibited mitogen-stimulated Ca2+ influx, inositol phosphate generation, and proliferation; similar effects were observed with diltiazem and nifedipine. In vivo treatment of healthy volunteers with verapamil (2-4 times 240 mg per day for 7 days) did not affect the number of circulating lymphocytes or their subset distribution. Moreover, we did not observe any effect of in vivo treatment with verapamil on mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation or expression of interleukin-2 receptors in vitro. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of verapamil on lymphocyte activation in vitro are unlikely to be of therapeutic relevance and may not be related to the Ca2+ entry blocking effects of this drug.