Evaluation of the inflammation-based modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving first-line chemotherapy: a post hoc analysis of the randomized phase III XELAVIRI trial (AIO KRK0110)

BACKGROUND

The inflammation-based modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) combines serum levels of C-reactive protein and albumin and was shown to predict survival in advanced cancer. We aimed to elucidate the prognostic impact of mGPS on survival as well as its predictive value when combined with gender in unselected metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients receiving first-line chemotherapy in the randomized phase III XELAVIRI trial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In XELAVIRI, mCRC patients were treated with either fluoropyrimidine/bevacizumab followed by additional irinotecan at first progression (sequential treatment arm; Arm A) or upfront combination of fluoropyrimidine/bevacizumab/irinotecan (intensive treatment arm; Arm B). In the present post hoc analysis, survival was evaluated with respect to the assorted mGPS categories 0, 1 or 2. Interaction between mGPS and gender was analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of 421 mCRC patients treated in XELAVIRI, 362 [119 women (32.9%) and 243 men (67.1%)] were assessable. For the entire study population a significant association between mGPS and overall survival (OS) was observed [mGPS = 0: median 28.9 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) 25.9-33.6 months; mGPS = 1: median 21.4 months, 95% CI 17.6-26.1 months; mGPS = 2: median 16.8 months, 95% CI 14.3-21.2 months; P < 0.00001]. Similar results were found when comparing progression-free survival between groups. The effect of mGPS on survival did not depend on the applied treatment regimen (P = 0.21). In female patients, a trend towards longer OS was observed in Arm A versus Arm B, with this effect being clearly more pronounced in the mGPS cohort 0 (41.6 versus 25.5 months; P = 0.056). By contrast, median OS was longer in male patients with an mGPS of 1-2 treated in Arm B versus Arm A (20.8 versus 17.4 months; P = 0.022).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate the role of mGPS as an independent predictor of OS regardless of the treatment regimen in mCRC patients receiving first-line treatment. mGPS may help identify gender-specific subgroups that benefit more or less from upfront intensive therapy.

Study protocol of the FIRE-8 (AIO-KRK/YMO-0519) trial: a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter phase II trial investigating the efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil plus panitumumab versus trifluridine/tipiracil plus bevacizumab as first-line treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Background

Initial systemic therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is usually based on two- or three-drug chemotherapy regimens with fluoropyrimidine (5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine), oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan, combined with either anti-VEGF (bevacizumab) or, for RAS wild-type (WT) tumors, anti-EGFR antibodies (panitumumab or cetuximab). Recommendations for patients who are not eligible for intensive combination therapies are limited and include fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab or single agent anti-EGFR antibody treatment. The use of a monochemotherapy concept of trifluridine/ tipiracil in combination with monoclonal antibodies is not approved for first-line therapy, yet. Results from the phase II TASCO trial evaluating trifluridine/ tipiracil plus bevacicumab in first-line treatment of mCRC patients and from the phase I/II APOLLON trial investigating trifluridine/ tipiracil plus panitumumab in pre-treated mCRC patients suggest favourable activity and tolerability of these new therapeutic approaches.

Methods

FIRE-8 (NCT05007132) is a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter phase II study which aims to evaluate the efficacy of first-line treatment with trifluridine/tipiracil (35 mg/m² body surface area (BSA), orally twice daily on days 1–5 and 8–12, q28 days) plus either the anti-EGFR antibody panitumumab (6 mg/kg body weight, intravenously on day 1 and 15, q28 days) [arm A] or (as control arm) the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab (5 mg/kg body weight, intravenously on day 1 and 15, q28 days) [arm B] in RAS WT mCRC patients. The primary objective is to demonstrate an improved objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST 1.1 from 30% (control arm) to 55% with panitumumab. With a power of 80% and a two-sided significance level of 0.05, 138 evaluable patients are needed. Given an estimated drop-out rate of 10%, 153 patients will be enrolled.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy of trifluridine/tipiracil plus panitumumab in first-line treatment of RAS WT mCRC patients. The administration of anti-EGFR antibodies rather than anti-VEGF antibodies in combination with trifluridine/tipiracil may result in an increased initial efficacy.

Trial registration

EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT) 2019-004223-20. Registered October 22, 2019, ClinicalTrials.govNCT05007132. Registered on August 12, 2021.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-09892-8.

A randomized second line trial in patients with gemcitabine refractory advanced pancreatic cancer - CONKO 003

4517

Objective: For nearly ten years gemcitabine (G) was standard first line therapy for patients (pts) with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). There is no consensus about second line therapy after disease progression while receiving G, but 5-FU-based regimens are considered. Results about randomized second line studies in APC are very rare. Our phase II study (ASCO 2002) showed activity of the OFF (oxaliplatin/folinic Acid (FA)/5-fluorouracil (FU) [24h] ) regimen in 23 pts. To examine the impact and the side effects of oxaliplatin we initiated a multicenter phase III study to compare OFF and FF in pts with G refractory APC. Methods: Pts with CT/ MRT confirmed failure with G in first line therapy, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) >60%, controlled pain, adequate hematological, renal and liver functions were eligible. Pts were stratified according to duration of first line therapy, KPS and tumor stage. We randomized pts to outpatient treatment with FF (FU 2g/m2 (24h)/ FA 200 mg/m2 (30min) on d1, d8, d15 and d22) or OFF (FF+Oxaliplatin 85mg/m2, d8, d22). In both arms the next cycle started on day 43. Pts were followed with regular staging every 3 months or at any signs of disease progression. Results: Until now we randomized 161 of 165 (planned) pts between 02/2004 and 01/2007. So we expect to present first results (side effects, progression free survival, overall survival) at the meeting.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Monoclonal antibody FMC7 detects a conformational epitope on the CD20 molecule: evidence from phenotyping after rituxan therapy and transfectant cell analyses

Numerous studies have reported that monoclonal antibody (mAb) FMC7 detects an antigen present on only a subset of circulating B lymphocytes. In particular, this mAb may distinguish typical B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (FMC7 negative) from other types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL; FMC7 positive). We treated patients with B-NHL with Rituxan, a chimeric CD20 mAb, and observed abrogation of staining not only with prototype CD20 mAb B-1 but also with mAb FMC7. To investigate the relation between antigens CD20 and FMC7, we performed mutual blocking studies that showed mutual inhibition of FMC7 and CD20. In addition, FMC7 modulated CD23 expression and confirmed the presence of mAb B-1 in B-lymphoblastoid cell lines CESS and JVM. Transient transfection of myeloid cell line K562 with plasmid containing CD20-encoding cDNA produced de novo expressions of CD20 and FMC7. Our data indicate that FMC7 binds to a particular conformation of the CD20 antigen, probably to a multimeric CD20 complex. We assume that FMC7 stains positively only when CD20 antigen is present in high densities and in the postulated multimeric complex formation.

High-dose chemotherapy with carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide followed by autologous stem cell rescue in patients with relapsed or refractory malignant lymphomas: a phase I/II study

Patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD) with recurrences after an anthracyclin-containing regimen only have a chance of cure of below 10% with conventional chemotherapy. In order to improve their prognosis, we started a phase I/II trial using high-dose therapy comprising carboplatin, together with etoposide and ifosfamide (CEI), followed by autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) as consolidation after salvage treatment. Since September 1990, 40 patients with intensively pretreated advanced NHL (n = 24) or HD (n = 16) received one cycle of high-dose therapy (HDT) consisting of carboplatin 1500 mg/m2, ifosfamide 10 g/m2 and etoposide in escalating doses from 1200 mg/m2 to 2400 mg/m2 followed by ASCR. Thirty-nine patients were assessable for toxicity and response. The following doses appeared to be safe: carboplatin 1500 mg/m2, etoposide 2400 mg/m2 and ifosfamide 10 g/m2. All patients developed grade 3 nausea and grade 3 or 4 mucositis. Granulocytopenic fever occurred in 100% with grade 4 infections in 15%. Mild transient kidney toxicity was noted in 36% and liver toxicity in 20% of patients. One toxic death occurred (2.5%). Objective responses were obtained in 36 of 39 patients (92%) with complete remissions (CR) in 24 patients (61.5%) and partial remissions (PR) in 12 (30.7%). Median observation time for surviving patients was 23.3 months (range 3.4-52.3). The probabilities of overall, event-free and relapse-free survival at 2 years are 62, 39 and 55%, respectively. Patients with primary refractory disease or resistant relapse had a poor prognosis. High-dose carboplatin, etoposide and ifosfamide plus autologous stem cell rescue represents an effective, potentially curative salvage treatment with acceptable toxicities.

Long-term survival of patients with recurrent or refractory germ cell tumors after high dose chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment of patients with recurrent or refractory germ cell tumors is still a debated topic. High dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous stem cell rescue (ASCR) might be promising for intensification of first or subsequent salvage treatment. However, the long-term results of this approach remain largely unknown.

METHODS

Between August 1989 and September 1992, 74 patients with recurrent and/or refractory germ cell tumors were treated in a Phase I/II trial with HDCT consisting of carboplatin (1500-2000 mg/m2), etoposide (1200-2400 mg/m2), and ifosfamide (0-10 g/m2). In September 1995 all patients were reevaluated to determine overall response, late toxicities, and survival.

RESULTS

Two patients died from treatment-related toxicity shortly after HDCT, and 47 had recurrence or progression of disease after a median of 3 months (range, 1-44 months). Of these latter patients, three were living continuously disease free at the conclusion of this study after a second HDCT regimen, salvage surgery, or chronic oral etoposide treatment. The results were an overall survival of 38% (95% confidence interval, 27-50%) and a failure free survival of 31% (95% confidence interval, 21-43%) at 5 years. There were no long-term survivors among patients whose disease progressed while they were receiving conventional doses of cisplatin before HDCT. Late toxicities consisted mainly or renal impairment (in 21% of patients), paresthesias (in 29%), and ototoxicity (in 18%).

CONCLUSIONS

HDCT can be curative for patients with germ cell tumors who do not become disease free after conventional dose chemotherapy but respond to this treatment.

Impact of preleukapheresis cell counts on collection results and correlation of progenitor-cell dose with engraftment after high-dose chemotherapy in patients with germ cell cancer

PURPOSE

To identify predictive factors for a good leukapheresis yield and to determine peripheral-blood progenitor cell (PBPC) dose requirements for rapid hematopoietic engraftment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-one patients with germ cell cancer (GCC) underwent PBPC harvest for autologous transplantation following high-dose therapy. Aphereses were performed after chemotherapy during granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration.

RESULTS

A median of two aphereses (range, two to five) resulted in 4.6 x 10(8) mononuclear cells (MNC)/kg, 15.7 x 10(4) colony-stimulating units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM)/kg, and 6.0 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. Peripheral blood MNC count correlated significantly with number of harvested CD34+ cells per kilogram (r = .49; P < .0001) and with CFU-GM count per kilogram (r = .35; P < .002). Circulating CD34+ cells from peripheral blood gave the best correlations to collected CD34+ cells per kilogram (r = .92; P < .0001), as well as to harvested CFU-GM per kilogram (r = .48; P < .0001). A preleukapheresis number of CD34+ cells greater than 4 x 10(4)/mL was highly predictive for a PBPC collection yield that contained more than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg harvested by a single leukapheresis. After autologous transplantation, 41 patients were assessable for hematopoietic engraftment. They engrafted in a median time of 9 days (range, 7 to 18) to a WBC count greater than 1.0 x 10(9)/L, 10 days (range, 7 to 18) to an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L, and 11 days (range, 7 to 62) to a platelet (PLT) count greater than 20 x 10(9)/L. Good correlations were seen between reinfused CD34+ cell count and recovery of WBC count, ANC, and PLT count, with r values of .65 (P < .001), .65 (P < .001), and .45 (P < .03), respectively. Patients reinfused with a PBPC dose greater than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg recovered hematopoiesis in a significantly shorter time than patients who received less than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg.

CONCLUSION

Rapid hematopoietic engraftment can be achieved by a PBPC dose of greater than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg. When circulating preleukapheresis CD34+ cell counts are greater than 4 x 10(4)/mL, a PBPC autograft that contains more than 2.5 x 10(6) CD34+ cells/kg can be collected by a single leukapheresis.

Hematopoietic rescue after high-dose chemotherapy using autologous peripheral-blood progenitor cells or bone marrow: a randomized comparison

PURPOSE

To compare autologous bone marrow (BM) with peripheral-blood progenitor cells (PBPC) as hematopoietic rescue after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 1991 until April 1993, 47 consecutive patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors were randomized to either BM harvest or collection of PBPC mobilized by chemotherapy plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). After additional conventional-dose salvage treatment, all patients received HDCT with carboplatin 1,500 mg/m2, etoposide 2,400 mg/m2, and ifosfamide 10 g/m2 with either BM or PBPC rescue.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were assessable for hematologic reconstitution, and one patient died on day +4 before engraftment. Rescue using PBPC resulted in a significantly shorter recovery time to neutrophil counts more than 500/microL (10.0 v 11.0 days, P < .01), neutrophil counts more than 1,000/microL (10.0 v 12.0 days, P = .001), and platelet counts more than 20,000/microL (10.0 v 17.0 days, P < .01), as well as in fewer days to transfusion independence from RBCs (8.0 v 12.0, P < .05) and platelets (9.0 v 12.0, P < .01) and fewer days of intravenous (IV) antibiotics (9.0 v 11.0, P < .05). However, no statistical differences in transfusion requirements or in other clinical outcome variables were observed. Overall survival and event-free survival also were not different in the two study arms.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the use of PBPC mobilized by chemotherapy plus G-CSF results in sustained trilineage reconstitution after HDCT, which occurs more rapidly as compared with BM. The earlier hematologic reconstitution in patients with PBPC rescue significantly reduces the time to transfusion independence.

Differential activation of Gi and Gs proteins by E- and I-type prostaglandins in membranes from the human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL

The group of prostaglandin (PG) E2- and prostacyclin receptors consists of different subtypes, which exhibit different affinities for prostaglandins and synthetic analogues. PGE2 activities the E-type PG receptor subtypes EP1, EP2 and EP3, whereas the PGE2 analogue, sulprostone, binds only to the EP1 and EP3 receptor subtypes. The stable PGI2 analogues, iloprost and cicaprost, both activate the PGI2 receptor (IP) and iloprost, additionally, bind to the EP1 subtype. Using these subtype-selective PG receptor agonists, we studied the interaction of PG receptor subtypes with Gs and Gi-type heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) in membranes from the human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL. Sulprostone stimulated high-affinity GTPase in HEL membranes in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner. In contrast, the stimulations induced by PGE2, iloprost and cicaprost were only partially inhibited by PTX. PGE2, sulprostone, iloprost and cicaprost stimulated cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation as well as labelling with GTP azidoanilide of membrane proteins comigrating with immunologically identified Gi protein alpha subunits. Furthermore, PGE2, iloprost and cicaprost enhanced GTP azidoanilide-labelling of Gs protein alpha subunits, whereas sulprostone did not. We suggest that in HEL cells (1) EP1 and EP3 receptor subtypes activate G1 proteins, that (2) the EP2 receptor subtype activates Gs proteins and that (3) the IP receptor activates both Gi and Gs proteins.

Mastoparan may activate GTP hydrolysis by Gi-proteins in HL-60 membranes indirectly through interaction with nucleoside diphosphate kinase

The wasp venom, mastoparan (MP), activates reconstituted pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G-proteins in a receptor-independent manner. We studied the effects of MP and its analogue, mastoparan 7 (MP 7), on G-protein activation in HL-60 cells and a reconstituted system and on nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK)-catalysed GTP formation. MP activated high-affinity GTP hydrolysis in HL-60 membranes with an EC50 of 1-2 microM and a maximum at 10 microM. Unlike the effects of the formyl peptide receptor agonist, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe), on GTPase, those of MP were only partially PTX-sensitive. MP-induced rises in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and superoxide-anion formation in intact HL-60 cells were also only incompletely PTX-sensitive. N-Ethylmaleimide inhibited MP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis to a greater extent than that stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe. Unlike the latter, MP did not enhance incorporation of GTP azidoanilide into, and cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of, Gi-protein alpha-subunits in HL-60 membranes. By contrast to fMet-Leu-Phe, MP did not or only weakly stimulated binding of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate to Gi-protein alpha-subunits. MP 7 was considerably more effective than MP at activating the GTPase of reconstituted Gi/G(o)-proteins, whereas in HL-60 membranes, MP and MP 7 were similarly effective. MP and MP 7 were similarly effective at activating [3H]GTP formation from [3H]GDP and GTP in HL-60 membranes and by NDPK purified from bovine liver mitochondria. Our data suggest the following: (1) MP activates Gi-proteins in HL-60 cells, but (2) the venom does not simply mimic receptor activation. (3) MP and MP 7 may activate GTP hydrolysis in HL-60 membranes indirectly through interaction with NDPK. (4) MP 7 is a more effective direct activator of PTX-sensitive G-proteins than MP, whereas with regard to NDPK, MP and MP 7 are similarly effective.

Differential activation of dibutyryl cAMP-differentiated HL-60 human leukemia cells by chemoattractants

Dibutyryl cAMP-differentiated HL-60 human leukemia cells possess receptors for the chemoattractants N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP), C5a and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). We compared the effects of these chemoattractants in HL-60 membranes and in intact HL-60 cells. fMLP, C5a and LTB4 stimulated GTP hydrolysis and guanosine 5'-O-[3-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma S]) binding in HL-60 membranes with similar effectiveness and in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner. They also stimulated photolabeling of the alpha-subunits of the guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), Gi2 and Gi3 with similar effectiveness. Chloride salts of monovalent cations differentially enhanced and inhibited chemoattractant-induced GTP hydrolyses. C5a was less effective than fMLP in enhancing cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha 2 and Gi alpha 3, and LTB4 was ineffective. fMLP was more effective than C5a and LTB4 in stimulating Ca2+ influx in HL-60 cells. C5a- and LTB4-induced rises in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were PTX-sensitive, whereas the effect of fMLP was partially PTX-insensitive. LTB4-induced rises in [Ca2+]i were more sensitive towards homologous desensitization than those induced by C5a, and the effect of fMLP was resistant in this regard. C5a was considerably less effective than fMLP in activating superoxide anion formation and azurophilic granule release, and LTB4 was ineffective. Our data suggest that fMLP, C5a and LTB4 effectively activate the G-proteins, Gi2 and Gi3, in HL-60 cells and that fMLP may additionally activate PTX-insensitive G-proteins. fMLP, C5a and LTB4 are full, partial and incomplete secretagogues, respectively, and these differences may be due to differences in homologous receptor desensitization and qualitative Gi-protein activation.

The H1 receptor agonist 2-(3-chlorophenyl)histamine activates Gi proteins in HL-60 cells through a mechanism that is independent of known histamine receptor subtypes

In dibutyryl-cAMP-differentiated HL-60 cells, histamine H1 and formyl peptide receptors mediate increases in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins of the Gi family. We compared the effects of 2-(3-chlorophenyl)-histamine (CPH) [2-[2-(3-chlorophenyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl] ethanamine], one of the most potent and selective H1 receptor agonists presently available, with those of histamine and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLP) in these cells. CPH increased [Ca2+]i through Ca2+ mobilization and Ca2+ influx. Unlike histamine-induced rises in [Ca2+]i, those induced by CPH were not desensitized in a homologous manner, and there was no cross-desensitization between CPH and histamine. Like fMLP, CPH activated phospholipases C and D, tyrosine phosphorylation, superoxide anion formation, and azurophilic granule release. The effects of CPH on [Ca2+]i, phospholipase D, and superoxide anion formation were inhibited by pertussis toxin. CPH and fMLP stimulated high affinity GTP hydrolysis by Gi proteins in HL-60 membranes. They also enhanced binding of guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate and GTP azidoanilide to, and cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of, Gi protein alpha subunits. Histamine receptor antagonists did not inhibit the stimulatory effects of CPH, and CPH did not reduce fMLP binding in HL-60 membranes. Our data suggest that CPH activates Gi proteins in HL-60 cells through a receptor agonist-like mechanism that is, however, independent of known histamine receptor subtypes and formyl peptide receptors. CPH may be an agonist at an as yet unknown histamine receptor subtype or, by analogy with other cationic-amphiphilic substances, may activate G proteins directly. Future studies will have to take into consideration the fact that CPH, in addition to activating H1 receptors, may show other, most unexpected, stimulatory effects on G protein-mediated signal transduction processes.

Lipopeptides activate Gi-proteins in dibutyryl cyclic AMP-differentiated HL-60 cells

Synthetic lipopeptides activate superoxide-anion (O2-) formation in human neutrophils in a pertussis-toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner, suggesting the involvement of G-proteins of the Gi family in the signal-transduction pathway. We compared G-protein activation by lipopeptides and the chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP-differentiated HL-60 cells. The lipopeptide (2S)-2-palmitoylamino-6-palmitoyloxymethyl-7-palmitoyloxy heptanoyl-SK4 (Pam3AhhSK4) and fMLP activated high-affinity GTPase, i.e. the enzymic activity of G-protein alpha-subunits, in HL-60 membranes in a time- and protein-dependent manner, but they had no effect on Mg(2+)-ATPase and Na+/K(+)-ATPase. Pam3AhhSK4 and fMLP increased Vmax. of GTP hydrolysis. Pam3AhhSK4 activated GTP hydrolysis with half-maximal and maximal effects at about 2 microM and 10 microM respectively. Other lipopeptides activated GTP hydrolysis as well. Lipopeptides were less effective than fMLP to activate GTPase. In membranes from PTX-treated cells, the stimulatory effects of lipopeptides and fMLP on GTPase were abolished. In N-ethylmaleimide-treated membranes, the relative stimulatory effect of Pam3AhhSK4 on GTP hydrolysis was enhanced, whereas that of fMLP was diminished. fMLP and Pam3AhhSK4 activated GTPase in an over-additive manner in N-ethylmaleimide-treated membranes. Unlike fMLP, Pam3AhhSK4 did not enhance incorporation of GTP azidoanilide into, and cholera-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of Gi-protein alpha-subunits in, HL-60 membranes and did not induce rises in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Pam3AhhSK4 and fMLP stimulated phosphatidic acid formation in a PTX-sensitive manner. Pam3AhhSK4 itself did not activate O2- formation, but potentiated the stimulatory effects of fMLP. Our data suggest that (i) lipopeptides activate the GTPase of Gi-proteins, (ii) lipopeptides and fMLP activate Gi-proteins differently, (iii) lipopeptides stimulate phospholipase D via Gi-proteins, and (iv) phosphatidic acid formation is not sufficient for activation of O2- formation.

Histamine increases cytosolic Ca2+ in HL-60 promyelocytes predominantly via H2 receptors with an unique agonist/antagonist profile and induces functional differentiation

Histamine H1 receptors mediate activation of phospholipase C, with subsequent increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and H2 receptors mediate accumulation of cAMP. HL-60 promyelocytes possess H2 receptors, but it is not known whether these cells also possess H1 receptors. We studied the effects of histamine on [Ca2+]i and the functional importance of histamine receptors in HL-60 promyelocytes. In these cells, histamine and dimaprit increased [Ca2+]i with EC50 values of 15 microM and 30 microM, respectively. Diphenhydramine inhibited the effect of histamine (100 microM) on [Ca2+]i up to 40%, with an IC50 of 100 nM. Famotidine and cimetidine diminished the effect of histamine (100 microM) up to 75%, with IC50 values of 85 nM and 300 nM, respectively. Diphenhydramine plus famotidine abolished histamine-induced rises in [Ca2+]i. Impromidine, with an IC50 of 100 nM, abolished the effect of histamine (100 microM) on [Ca2+]i. Diphenhydramine, famotidine, cimetidine, and impromidine showed marked noncompetitive antagonism with histamine. Histamine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i were largely due to influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular space. Ca2+ influx was inhibited by 1-(beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxyl]-4-methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imida zole hydrochloride (SK&F 96365). Histamine activated phospholipase C. Histamine induced expression of formyl peptide receptors, which effect was abolished by famotidine. In U-937 promonocytes and in the human erythroleukemia cell lines HEL and K-562, histamine did not induce rises in [Ca2+]i. Our data suggest the following. (i) In HL-60 promyelocytes, histamine increases [Ca2+]i predominantly via H2 receptors and to a lesser extent via H1 receptors. (ii) The agonist/antagonist profile of the H2 receptor-mediated increases in [Ca2+]i differs markedly from that for cAMP accumulation, suggesting the involvement of different H2 receptor subtypes. (iii) In HL-60 promyelocytes, histamine activates nonselective cation channels and induces functional differentiation via H2 receptors.

Generation of specific antibodies against the rap1A, rap1B and rap2 small GTP-binding proteins. Analysis of rap and ras proteins in membranes from mammalian cells

Specific antibodies against rap1A and rap1B small GTP-binding proteins were generated by immunization of rabbits with peptides derived from the C-terminus of the processed proteins. Immunoblot analysis of membranes from several mammalian cell lines and human thrombocytes with affinity-purified antibodies against rap1A or rap1B demonstrated the presence of multiple immunoreactive proteins in the 22-23 kDa range, although at strongly varying levels. Whereas both proteins were present in substantial amounts in membranes from myelocytic HL-60, K-562 and HEL cells, they were hardly detectable in membranes from lymphoma U-937 and S49.1 cyc- cells. Membranes from human thrombocytes and 3T3-Swiss Albino fibroblasts showed strong rap1B immunoreactivity, whereas rap1A protein was present in much lower amounts. In the cytosol of HL-60 cells, only small amounts of rap1A and rap1B proteins were detected, unless the cells were treated with lovastatin, an inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, suggesting that both proteins are isoprenylated. By comparison with recombinant proteins, the ratio of rap1A/ras proteins in membranes from HL-60 cells was estimated to be about 4:1. An antiserum directed against the C-terminus of rap2 reacted strongly with recombinant rap2, but not with membranes from tested mammalian cells. In conclusion, rap1A and rap1B proteins are distributed differentially among membranes from various mammalian cell types and are isoprenylated in HL-60 cells.

Receptor-mediated increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in the human erythroleukaemia cell line involve pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways

The pluripotent human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL, possesses erythrocytic, megakaryocytic and macrophage-like properties. With respect to signal transduction, HEL cells have been used as a model system for platelets, but little attention has been paid to their phagocytic properties. We studied the effects of various receptor agonists on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in HEL cells. Thrombin, platelet-activating factor (PAF), ATP, UTP, prostaglandins E1 and E2 (PGE1 and PGE2), the PGE2 analogue sulprostone and the stable PGI2 analogues iloprost and cicaprost increased [Ca2+]i. ADP was less effective than ATP, and UDP was unable to increase [Ca2+]i. The increases in [Ca2+]i induced by thrombin, PAF, ATP, UTP, iloprost and cicaprost were pertussis toxin-insensitive, whereas the increases induced by PGE2 and sulprostone were completely inhibited by the toxin. The increase in [Ca2+]i induced by PGE1 was partially inhibited by pertussis toxin. PGE2 did not desensitize the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by iloprost, and vice versa. PGE1 desensitized the response to PGE2 and iloprost but not vice versa. Adrenaline potentiated the iloprost- but not the PGE2-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. The phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate completely blocked the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by ATP and PGE1, whereas the increases induced by thrombin and PAF were only partially inhibited. Agonists increased [Ca2+]i through release from internal stores and sustained Ca2+ influx. Thrombin stimulated Mn2+ influx, which was blocked by Ni2+. Diltiazem, isradipine, gramicidin and 1-(beta-[3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propoxy]-4-methoxyphenethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride (SK&F 96365) did not affect agonist-induced rises in [Ca2+]i. HEL cells contained substantial amounts of beta-glucuronidase which, however, could not be released, and they did not aggregate or generate superoxide. Our data suggest that: (1) HEL cells possess nucleotide receptors with properties similar to those of phagocytes; (2) they possess receptors for PGE2 and PGI2, and PGE1 is an agonist at both receptors; (3) agonist-induced increases in [Ca2+]i are mediated through pertussis toxin-sensitive as well as -insensitive signal transduction pathways; and (4) agonists increase [Ca2+]i by mobilization from internal stores and influx from the extracellular space through cation channels with properties similar to those of phagocytes and platelets.