Lipoxygenase metabolites as mediators of UTP-induced intracellular acidification in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages

Malate initiates a proton-sensing pathway essential for pH regulation of inflammation

Metabolites can double as a signaling modality that initiates physiological adaptations. Metabolism, a chemical language encoding biological information, has been recognized as a powerful principle directing inflammatory responses. Cytosolic pH is a regulator of inflammatory response in macrophages. Here, we found that L-malate exerts anti-inflammatory effect via BiP-IRF2BP2 signaling, which is a sensor of cytosolic pH in macrophages. First, L-malate, a TCA intermediate upregulated in pro-inflammatory macrophages, was identified as a potent anti-inflammatory metabolite through initial screening. Subsequent screening with DARTS and MS led to the isolation of L-malate-BiP binding. Further screening through protein‒protein interaction microarrays identified a L-malate-restrained coupling of BiP with IRF2BP2, a known anti-inflammatory protein. Interestingly, pH reduction, which promotes carboxyl protonation of L-malate, facilitates L-malate and carboxylate analogues such as succinate to bind BiP, and disrupt BiP-IRF2BP2 interaction in a carboxyl-dependent manner. Both L-malate and acidification inhibit BiP-IRF2BP2 interaction, and protect IRF2BP2 from BiP-driven degradation in macrophages. Furthermore, both in vitro and in vivo, BiP-IRF2BP2 signal is required for effects of both L-malate and pH on inflammatory responses. These findings reveal a previously unrecognized, proton/carboxylate dual sensing pathway wherein pH and L-malate regulate inflammatory responses, indicating the role of certain carboxylate metabolites as adaptors in the proton biosensing by interactions between macromolecules.

Protein kinase C-β and -δ isoenzymes promote arachidonic acid production and proliferation of MonoMac-6 cells

In this study, we investigated the putative roles of certain protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes in the regulation of proliferation and arachidonic acid (AA) release in the human monocytoid MonoMac-6 cell line. Experiments employing specific PKC inhibitors and molecular biological methods (RNA-interference, recombinant overexpression) revealed that the two dominantly expressed isozymes, i.e., the "conventional" cPKCbeta and the "novel" nPKCdelta, promote AA production and cellular proliferation. In addition, using different phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitors, we were able to show that the calcium-independent iPLA(2) as well as diacylglycerol lipase (but not the cytosolic PLA(2)) function as "downstream" targets of cPKCbeta and nPKCdelta. In addition, we have also found that, among the other existing PKC isoforms, cPKCalpha plays a minor inhibitory role, whereas nPKCvarepsilon and aPKCzeta apparently do not regulate these cellular processes. In conclusion, in this paper we provide the first evidence that certain PKC isoforms play pivotal, specific, and (at least partly) antagonistic roles in the regulation of AA production and cellular proliferation of human monocytoid MonoMac-6 cells.

Multidrug resistance related protein (ABCC1) and its role on nitrite production by the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7

Multidrug resistance related protein 1 (MRP1/ABCC1) is an ABC transporter protein related to the extrusion of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and GSH-conjugates, as well as leukotriene C(4) and cyclopentane prostaglandins. Inhibition of ABCC1 activity impairs lymphocyte activation. The present work studied ABCC1 expression and activity on a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 267.4 and the effects of ABCC1 classical inhibitors, as well as GSH metabolism modulators, on LPS induced activation. Approximately, 75% of resting cells were positive for ABCC1 and the classical ABCC1 reversors (indomethacin, 0.1-2mM; probenecid, 0.1-10mM and MK571, 0.01-1mM) were able to enhance intracellular CFDA accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting ABCC1 inhibition. After LPS (100ng/ml) activation 50% of the population was positive for ABCC1, and this protein was still active. In LPS-activated cells, ABCC1 activity was also impaired by BSO (1mM), an inhibitor of GSH synthesis. Conversely, GSH (5mM) reversed the BSO effect. ABCC1 inhibition by indomethacin, probenecid or MK571 decreased LPS induced nitrite production in a concentration-dependent manner, the same result was observed with BSO and again GSH reversed its effect. The ABCC1 reversors were also able to inhibit iNOS expression. In conclusion, LPS modulated the expression and activity of ABCC1 transporters in RAW macrophages and inhibitors of these transporters were capable of inhibiting nitrite production suggesting a role for ABCC1 transporters in the inflammatory process.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine as endogenous signaling molecules in immunity and inflammation

Human health is under constant threat of a wide variety of dangers, both self and nonself. The immune system is occupied with protecting the host against such dangers in order to preserve human health. For that purpose, the immune system is equipped with a diverse array of both cellular and non-cellular effectors that are in continuous communication with each other. The naturally occurring nucleotide adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and its metabolite adenosine (Ado) probably constitute an intrinsic part of this extensive immunological network through purinergic signaling by their cognate receptors, which are widely expressed throughout the body. This review provides a thorough overview of the effects of ATP and Ado on major immune cell types. The overwhelming evidence indicates that ATP and Ado are important endogenous signaling molecules in immunity and inflammation. Although the role of ATP and Ado during the course of inflammatory and immune responses in vivo appears to be extremely complex, we propose that their immunological role is both interdependent and multifaceted, meaning that the nature of their effects may shift from immunostimulatory to immunoregulatory or vice versa depending on extracellular concentrations as well as on expression patterns of purinergic receptors and ecto-enzymes. Purinergic signaling thus contributes to the fine-tuning of inflammatory and immune responses in such a way that the danger to the host is eliminated efficiently with minimal damage to healthy tissues.

The role of intracellular pH in cell growth arrest induced by ATP

In this study, we investigated ionic mechanisms involved in growth arrest induced by extracellular ATP in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. Extracellular ATP reversibly induced a rapid and sustained intracellular pH (pH(i)) decrease from 7.41 to 7.11. Inhibition of Ca(2+) influx, lowering extracellular Ca(2+), and buffering cytoplasmic Ca(2+) inhibited ATP-induced acidification, thereby demonstrating that acidification is a consequence of Ca(2+) entry. We show that ATP induced reuptake of Ca(2+) by the mitochondria and a transient depolarization of the inner mitochondrial membrane. ATP-induced acidification was reduced after the dissipation of the mitochondrial proton gradient by rotenone and carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone, after inhibition of Ca(2+) uptake into the mitochondria by ruthenium red, and after inhibition of the F(0)F(1)-ATPase with oligomycin. ATP-induced acidification was not induced by either stimulation of the Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger or inhibition of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. In addition, intracellular acidification, induced by an ammonium prepulse method, reduced the amount of releasable Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum, assessed by measuring change in cytosolic Ca(2+) induced by thapsigargin or ATP in a Ca(2+)-free medium. This latter finding reveals cross talk between pH(i) and Ca(2+) homeostasis in which the Ca(2+)-induced intracellular acidification can in turn regulate the amount of Ca(2+) that can be released from the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, pH(i) decrease was capable of reducing cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that ATP-induced acidification in DU-145 cells results from specific effect of mitochondrial function and is one of the major mechanisms leading to growth arrest induced by ATP.

Pyrimidinoceptor potentiation of macrophage PGE(2) release involved in the induction of nitric oxide synthase

We have previously demonstrated that Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) mediates pyrimidinoceptor potentiation of LPS-elicited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction in murine J774 macrophages. In the present paper, we have explored the role of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-dependent prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) formation in this event. In J774 macrophages predominantly expressing P2Y(6) receptors, the simultaneous addition of UTP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in potentiated increase in PGE(2) release. UTP-induced increased PGE(2) release was demonstrated by a concomitant increase in COX-2 protein expression, and was decreased by inhibitors specific for phosphatidylinositide-phospholipase C (PI-PLC), CaMK, protein kinase C (PKC), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) or COX-2. NS-398 (a selective COX-2 inhibitor) reduced LPS plus UTP-elicited iNOS induction and nitrite accumulation, supporting for the positive regulation of iNOS gene expression by endogenous PGE(2). Moreover, the cyclic AMP/PKA-dependent up-regulation of iNOS expression mediated by PGE(2) was drawn from the inhibitory effects of 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, KT5720 and H-89. Exogenous PGE(2) induced NF-kappaB activation and potentiated nitrite accumulation in response to LPS. In addition to COX-2 induction, arachidonic acid (AA) release and steady-state mRNA levels of type V secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) and Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)) were also increased in the presence of LPS and UTP; the LPS-induced increase in iPLA(2) activity was also potentiated by UTP. Taken together, we conclude that UTP-mediated COX-2 and iPLA(2) potentiation and PGE(2) formation contribute to the iNOS induction, and that CaMK activation is the primary step in the UTP enhancement of COX-2 induction.

Participation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in thapsigargin- and TPA-induced histamine production in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells

1. Stimulation of the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 with thapsigargin, an endomembrane Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, induced histamine production in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. 2. The protein kinase C activator, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), also enhanced histamine production. 3. alpha-Fluoromethylhistidine, a suicide substrate of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC), suppressed the thapsigargin (30 nM)- and TPA (30 nM)-induced histamine production. 4. Both thapsigargin (30 nM) and TPA (30 nM) induced phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase. 5. PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK-1 which phosphorylates p44/p42 MAP kinase, strongly suppressed both the thapsigargin (30 nM)- and TPA (30 nM)-induced histamine production, whereas SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, inhibited them only partially. 6. The other MEK-1 inhibitor, U-0126, also inhibited both the thapsigargin- and TPA-induced histamine production in a concentration-dependent manner. 7. Thapsigargin (30 nM) and TPA (30 nM) increased the levels of HDC mRNA at 4 h, but PD98059 suppressed both the thapsigargin- and TPA-induced increases in the HDC mRNA level. 8. These findings indicate that thapsigargin and TPA induce histamine production in RAW 264.7 cells by increasing the level of HDC mRNA, and that both the thapsigargin- and TPA-induced histamine production are regulated largely by p44/p42 MAP kinase and partially by p38 MAP kinase.

Role of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor and [Ah] gene battery in the oxidative stress response, cell cycle control, and apoptosis

The chronology and history of characterizing the aromatic hydrocarbon [Ah] battery is reviewed. This battery represents the Ah receptor (AHR)-mediated control of at least six, and probably many more, dioxin-inducible genes; two cytochrome P450 genes-P450 1A1 and 1A2 (Cypla1, Cypla2-and four non-P450 genes, have experimentally been documented to be members of this battery. Metabolism of endogenous and exogenous substrates by perhaps every P450 enzyme, but certainly CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 (which are located, in part, in the mitochondrion), have been shown to cause reactive oxygenated metabolite (ROM)-mediated oxidative stress. Oxidative stress activates genes via the electrophile response element (EPRE) DNA motif, whereas dioxin (acutely) activates genes via the AHR-mediated aromatic hydrocarbon response element (AHRE) DNA motif. In contrast to dioxin, AHR ligands that are readily metabolized to ROMs (e.g. benzo[a]pyrene, beta-naphthoflavone) activate genes via both AHREs and the EPRE. The importance of the AHR in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis has just begun to be realized. Current evidence suggests that the CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 enzymes might control the level of the putative endogenous ligand of the AHR, but that CYPA1/1A2 metabolism generates ROM-mediated oxidative stress which can be ameliorated by the four non-P450 EPRE-driven genes in the [Ah] battery. Oxidative stress is a major signal in precipitating apoptosis; however, the precise mechanism, or molecule, which determines the cell's decision between apoptosis and continuation with the cell cycle, remains to be elucidated. The total action of AHR and the [Ah] battery genes therefore represents a pivotal upstream event in the apoptosis cascade, providing an intricate balance between promoting and preventing ROM-mediated oxidative stress. These proposed endogenous functions of the AHR and [Ah] enzymes are, of course, in addition to the frequently described functions of "metabolic potentiation" and "detoxification" of various foreign chemicals.