The Short-Form 36 and older people: some problems encountered when using postal administration

Clinical neutrophil (PMN) priming is the net result of multiple stimuli, with intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) being a key second messenger for PMN agonists such as the chemokines. Thus, [Ca2+]i measurement may be a robust tool for the assessment of global PMN activation. [Ca2+]i is difficult to measure in complex biologic environments, however, so data in this area are limited. We therefore developed an in vitro system to measure the effects of chemokines on PMN [Ca2+]i. PMN were isolated from volunteer blood. PMN [Ca2+]i responses to interleukin (IL)-8 and Growth-Related Oncogene (GRO)-alpha were studied by fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence with or without reincubation in autologous plasma just prior to study. The effects of IL-8 and GRO-alpha on PMN [Ca2+]i at ascending doses, with or without plasma reincubation, given sequentially and in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium, were studied. PMN basal [Ca2+]i was increased by plasma, as were low-dose priming and higher-dose spike responses to IL-8. GRO-alpha caused a more pronounced priming of PMN [Ca2+]i than IL-8 at low doses, although significantly lower peak responses were observed with GRO-alpha than IL-8 at higher doses. Plasma suppressed both priming and spike responses to GRO-alpha. When given serially at clinically relevant agonist doses, GRO-alpha was permissive of IL-8 signaling, whereas IL-8 blocked GRO-alpha signaling. IL-8 generates high [Ca2+]i spikes using intracellular calcium stores only. GRO-alpha produces lower [Ca2+]i spikes despite using both intra- and extracellular stores. Plasma preincubation has profound effects on PMN [Ca2+]i responses to chemokines. These can be measured accurately, as described. In clinically relevant environments, IL-8 and GRO-alpha interact in a regulatory fashion. GRO-alpha may act as a priming agent, with IL-8 activating PMN functions requiring high [Ca2+]i. This cross-cooperation is probably terminated by IL-8 regulation of GRO-alpha activity at the C-X-C chemokine receptor 2.     

Transient inhibition by chemotactic peptide of a store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway in human neutrophils

Emptying the intracellular calcium stores of fura-2-loaded human neutrophils by treatment with the endomembrane ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin leads to a maintained increase of [Ca2+]i by Ca2+ entry through a store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway. Under these conditions, [Ca2+]i was reduced transiently by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and permanently by phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB). Platelet-activating factor (PAF) had no effect. The fMLP- and PDB-induced [Ca2+]i decreases were not due to stimulated Ca2+ efflux but to inhibition of store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway. PDB and fMLP, but not PAF, inhibited the entry of Ca2+, Mn2+, and Ba2+ in thapsigargin-treated cells. This inhibition was dependent on [Ca2+]i, barely detectable at [Ca2+]i of 50 nM and increasingly strong and fast to appear at 170 and 630 nM. Inhibition of entry by fMLP was complete within 5-10s, disappeared within 2-3 min, and was partially prevented by staurosporin (100 nM). Inhibition by PDB was equally fast, but no recovery was detected within 5 min, and it was fully prevented by staurosporin. The inhibitory effect of fMLP had similar characteristics when PAF was used instead of thapsigargin to induce the entry of Ca2+ or Mn2+. We conclude that fMLP, but not PAF, is able to produce a transient inhibition of store-operated Ca2+ entry pathway, probably mediated by protein kinase C. This action could be part of a general homeostatic mechanism designed to moderate [Ca2+]i increases induced by some agonists.     

Effects of a protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro 31-7549, on the activation of human leukocytes by particulate stimuli

1. A new specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, Ro 31-7549, was used to explore the mechanisms by which particulate stimuli, quartz and chrysotile, stimulate human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to produce reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). Also soluble stimuli, formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine (fMLP) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were used. 2. Ro 31-7549 inhibited chrysotile-induced free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevations but did not have an effect on quartz-induced elevations of [Ca2+]i. Both quartz and chrysotile induced production of ROM were partially inhibited by Ro 31-7549. fMLP-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was inhibited by Ro 31-7549 whereas PMA did not affect [Ca2+]i. Ro 31-7549 strongly inhibited fMLP-induced ROM production, and completely abolished that induced by PMA. 3. These result suggest that PKC may have an important role in the activation of PMNL to produce ROM by particulate and soluble stimuli. However, the inhibition of chrysotile-, but not of quartz-induced [Ca2+]i elevations by Ro 31-7549 provides evidence that both PKC-dependent and -independent mechanisms may play a role in the activation of human leukocytes to produce ROM.     

Cellular localization of the inhibitory action of abruquinone A against respiratory burst in rat neutrophils

1. The possible mechanisms of action of the inhibitory effect of abruquinone A on the respiratory burst in rat neutrophils in vitro was investigated. 2. Abruquinone A caused an irreversible and a concentration-dependent inhibition of formylmethionylleucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) plus dihydrocytochalasin B (CB)- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced superoxide anion (O2.-) generation with IC50 values of 0.33 +/- 0.05 microgram ml-1 and 0.49 +/- 0.04 microgram ml-1, respectively. 3. Abruquinone A also inhibited O2 consumption in neutrophils in response to fMLP/CB and PMA. However, abruquinone A did not scavenge the generated O2.- in xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and during dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF) autoxidation. 4. Abruquinone A inhibited both the transient elevation of [Ca2+]i in the absence of [Ca2+]o (IC50 7.8 +/- 0.2 micrograms ml-1) and the generation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) (IC50 10.6 +/- 2.0 micrograms ml-1) in response to fMLP. 5. Abruquinone A did not affect the enzyme activaties of neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC) and porcine heart protein kinase A (PKA). 6. Abruquinone A had no effect on intracellular guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) levels but decreased the adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels. 7. The cellular formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylethanol (PEt) induced by fMLP/ CB was inhibited by abruquinone A with IC50 values of 2.2 +/- 0.6 micrograms ml-1 and 2.5 +/- 0.3 micrograms ml-1, respectively. Abruquinone A did not inhibit the fMLP/CB-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation but induced additional phosphotyrosine accumulation on proteins of 73-78 kDa in activated neutrophils. 8. Abruquinone A inhibited both the O2.- generation in PMA-activated neutrophil particulate NADPH oxidase (IC50 0.6 +/- 0.1 microgram ml-1) and the iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) reduction in arachidonic acid (AA)-activated cell-free system (IC50 1.5 +/- 0.2 micrograms ml-1) 9. Collectively, these results indicate that the inhibition of respiratory burst in rat neutrophils by abruquinone A is mediated partly by the blockade of phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase D (PLD) pathways, and by suppressing the function of NADPH oxidase through the interruption of electron transport.     

Applying task analysis in design specification: current problems and a solution

The immune and endocrine mediators that are released during sepsis (e.g., tumor necrosis factor [TNF] alpha, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, transforming growth factor [TGF] beta, prostaglandin [PG] E2, catecholamines, vasopressin, glucagon, insulin, and glucocorticoids) can produce inappropriate detrimental cellular responses contributing to exacerbation of septic injury. Examples of such sepsis-related inappropriate responses are: exaggerated hepatic acute-phase protein (APP) expression and release skeletal muscle insulin resistance, and suppressed T-lymphocyte proliferation. The studies discussed in this article present evidence that the generation of the sepsis-related hepatic, skeletal muscle, and T-lymphocyte responses emanate from alterations in intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) homeostasis. In hepatocytes, there is indication of a sepsis-mediated increase in Ca2+ influx from the extracellular milieu leading to a sustained increase in the apparent resting cell Ca2+i concentration ([Ca2+]i) and its depressed elevation on stimulation with Ca2+-mobilizing hormones such as catecholamines and vasopressin. These Ca(2+)- related changes can affect not only the signaling pathways in which Ca2+i itself serves as a signaling component, but also the signaling systems turned on by other sepsis-induced agonists which may not be dependent on Ca2+ signaling. TGF-beta, IL-1, TNF alpha, and IL-6 activate a primarily protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent intracellular signal system for the elicitation of a normal hepatic APP response (APPR). The increased apparent basal [Ca2+]i in sepsis can hypersensitize PKC activation and thus lead to an exaggerated APPR. In the skeletal muscle, an evident increase in Ca2+ membrane flux during sepsis pointed to an increase in the basal [Ca2+]i resulting from a plausible cytokine-mediated overactivation of the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. The increased basal [Ca2+]i can negatively modulate the insulin-mediated stimulation of GLUT4-dependent glucose transport despite the possibility that Ca2+i might not participate as a component in the insulin-receptor-regulated signaling pathway. Increased [Ca2+]i in skeletal myocytes can either directly promote the phosphorylation of GLUT4 or prevent its dephosphorylation, both of which effectively block insulin stimulation of glucose uptake, thereby contributing to insulin resistance. In T lymphocytes, septic injury appears to induce an attenuation in the mitogen and, thus, presumably a T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)-mediated elevation in [Ca2+]i without affecting the basal [Ca2+]i. This decrease in TCR-related Ca2+i mobilization evidently contributes to the suppression of T lymphocyte proliferation during sepsis, probably via an in vivo action of prostaglandin (PG) E2 on the T cells during sepsis. The blockade of PGE2 production after indomethacin administration to septic animals prevents alterations in both T-cell Ca2+i mobilization and proliferation. PGE2 probably acts through its second messenger, cyclic adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate, which can antagonize Ca2+i signaling in T cells.     

Involvement of cyclic AMP generation in the inhibition of respiratory burst by 2-phenyl-4-quinolone (YT-1) in rat neutrophils

The inhibitory effect of 2-phenyl-4-quinolone (YT-1) on respiratory burst in rat neutrophils was investigated, and the underlying mechanism of action was assessed. YT-1 caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the rate of O2.- release from rat neutrophils in response to formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), but not to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), with an IC50 value of 60.7+/-8.2 microM. A comparable effect was also demonstrated in the inhibition of O2 consumption. Unlike superoxide dismutase, YT-1 had no effect on O2.- generation in the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and during dihydroxyfumaric acid autoxidation. The fMLP-induced inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation was unaffected by YT-1. In addition, YT-1 did not affect the initial spike of [Ca2+]i, but it accelerated the rate of [Ca2+]i decline in cells in response to fMLP. YT-1 was found to have little effect on the activity of neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C (PKC). YT-1 increased the cellular cyclic AMP level, while having no effect on the cyclic GMP level. In addition, YT-1 increased neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase A (PKA) activity, but had no direct effect on the enzyme activity of pure porcine heart PKA. When neutrophils were treated with (8R,9S,11S)-(-)-9-hydroxy-9-hexoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetra hydro-8,11-epoxy- 1H,8H,11H-2,7b,11a-triazadibenzo[a,g]cycloocta[cde]trinde n-1-one, (KT 5720), a PKA inhibitor, the inhibition of O2.- generation by YT-1, as well as by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, was attenuated effectively. YT-1 did not activate the adenylate cyclase associated with neutrophil particulate fraction but inhibited the cytosolic phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Neutrophils treated with YT-1 had a more pronounced increase in cellular cyclic AMP level by PGE1. Moreover, the ability of PGE1 to inhibit the respiratory burst in neutrophils was greatly enhanced by YT-1. These results suggest that the increase in cellular cyclic AMP levels by YT-1 through the inhibition of PDE (probably PDE4 isoenzyme) activity is involved in its inhibition of fMLP-induced respiratory burst in rat neutrophils.     

The rapid inhibitory effect of glucocorticoid on cytosolic free Ca2+ increment induced by high extracellular K+ and its underlying mechanism in PC12 cells

The effect of glucocorticoid(GC) on peak cytosolic free calcium net increment (delta[Ca2+]i) induced by high-K+ was detected with MiraCal Image System. The main results were as follows: (1) Corticosterone(B) could inhibit delta[Ca2+]i in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. (2) The inhibitory effect of B could be mimicked by bovine-serum albumin conjugated corticosterone (B-BSA) also in a dose-dependent manner. (3) G-protein inhibitor, either PTX or GDP beta S significantly reduced the inhibitory effect of B and B-BSA on delta[Ca2+]i (4) PMA, a stimulator for protein kinase C(PKC), could inhibit delta[Ca2+]i. (5) Although the inhibitors of PKC, chelerythrine chloride and bisindolylamide I per se had no influence on delta[Ca2+]i, but they significantly antagonized the inhibitory effect of B and B-BSA on delta[Ca2+]i. It is postulated that GC inhibit delta[Ca2+]i induced by high-K+ through a membrane mechanism and by a pathway involving G-protein and PKC.     

Morphine inhibits signal transduction subsequent to activation of protein kinase C in mouse splenocytes

Morphine administered as a subcutaneous implant was previously reported to inhibit the mitogen-induced initial increases in cytoplasmic free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in mouse splenocytes. The present studies were initiated to determine whether morphine affects signal transduction subsequent to activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in immune cells. Administration of morphine significantly inhibited the phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated increase in interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression in both CD4+ and CD8+ mouse T cells. In contrast, morphine treatment had no effect on PMA/calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced increase in IL-2 secretion, suggesting a selective inhibition of IL-2R expression. Simultaneous administration of morphine and the opiate antagonist naltrexone blocked the effect of morphine on CD4+ cells. The inhibition of PMA-stimulated IL-2R expression was not reproduced by incubating splenocytes with morphine (10(-8)-10(-5) M). These results suggest that this effect of morphine was mediated through opiate-receptors, but not directly via opiate receptors located on T cells. Moreover, adrenalectomy abolished this effect of morphine in CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of morphine on IL-2R expression in CD4+ T cells may be mediated through a morphine-induced increase in corticosteroid levels. Thus, opiate-induced immunosuppression may involve an inhibition of post-PKC events, especially IL-2R expression, as well as impairment of earlier events in the activation of immune cells such as the increase in [Ca2+]i.     

Impaired interleukin-2 production in active ulcerative colitis is reversed by calcium ionophore plus phorbol myristate acetate and related to altered intracellular Ca2+ responses

Phytohemagglutin in (PHA)-induced IL-2 production in vitro by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) from patients with active UC (n = 24, n = 8, respectively) was significantly less than that in controls (n = 13, n = 8, respectively) and inactive patients (n = 11). In contrast, PBMC from inactive disease showed no significant difference when compared with the controls. Depressed IL-2 production in active UC was not reversed by the addition of anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody plus phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), but was largely reversed by adding calcium ionophore plus PMA. Using a fluorescent Ca2+ probe fura-2, we found that after PHA stimulation LPMC from patients with active UC showed a lower magnitude of rise in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) than control cells. These results suggest that impaired PHA-induced IL-2 production in active UC may be related to some alterations of the early signaling events that cause elevation of the [Ca2+]i.     

12-Lipoxygenase product as an inhibitor of the action of chemoattractant peptide fMet-Leu-Phe in rat neutrophils

1. 12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) has been evaluated for its capacities to modulate neutrophil migration and cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) using compounds prepared by chemical synthesis and tissue extract from dog gingiva. 2. 12-HETE inhibited N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP)-stimulated neutrophil migration in a concentration-dependent fashion. 3. The tissue extract from dog gingiva mimicked the actions of 12-HETE. 4. Although 12-HETE failed to increase [Ca2+]i, preincubation of neutrophils with 12-HETE led to a suppression of [Ca2+]i when the cells were subsequently stimulated by fMLP. 5. Again tissue extract from dog gingiva mimicked the action of 12-HETE on [Ca2+]i. 6. These results suggest the possible correlation of the inhibitory activities of 12-HETE on the regulation of neutrophil migration and Ca2+ mobilization, and this may be important for the role of 12-HETE in pathogenesis in periodontal tissues.     

Phospholipid and cholesteryl ester transfer activities in plasma from 14 vertebrate species. Relation to atherogenesis susceptibility

1. In this study, the underlying mechanism of stimulation of respiratory burst by kazinol B, a natural isoprenylated flavan, in rat neutrophils in vitro was investigated. 2. Kazinol B concentration-dependently stimulated the superoxide anion (O2*-) generation, with a lag but transient activation profile, in neutrophils but not in a cell-free system. The maximum response (13.2+/-1.4 nmol O2*- 10 min(-1) per 10(6) cells) was observed at 10 microM kazinol B. 3. Pretreatment of neutrophils with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) significantly enhanced the O2*- generation following the subsequent stimulation of cells with kazinol B. 4. Cells pretreated with EGTA or a protein kinase inhibitor staurosporine effectively attenuated the kazinol B-induced O2*- generation. However, a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 and a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin had no effect on the kazinol B-induced response. 5. Kazinol B significantly stimulated [Ca2+]i elevation in neutrophils, with a lag and slow rate of rise activation profile, and this response was attenuated by a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122. Kazinol B also stimulated the inositol bis- and trisphosphate (IP2 and IP3) formation with a 1 min lag time. 6. The membrane-associated PKC-alpha and PKC-theta but not PKC-iota were increased following the stimulation of neutrophils with kazinol B. It was more rapid and sensitive in the activation of PKC-theta than PKC-alpha by kazinol B. Kazinol B partially inhibited the [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDB) binding to the neutrophil cytosolic PKC. 7. Neither the cellular mass of phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylethanol (PEt), in the presence of ethanol, nor the protein tyrosine phosphorylation were stimulated by kazinol B. In addition, the kazinol B-induced O2*- generation remained relatively unchanged in cells pretreated with ethanol or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. 8. Collectively, these results indicate that the stimulation of the respiratory burst by kazinol B is probably mediated by the synergism of PKC activation and [Ca2+]i elevation in rat neutrophils.     

Cytosolic Ca2+ acts by two separate pathways to modulate the supply of release-competent vesicles in chromaffin cells

Recovery from depletion of the readily releasable pool of vesicles (RRP) in adrenal chromaffin cells was studied at differing basal [Ca2+]i or following protein kinase C (PKC) activation by phorbol esters. Following depletion, the pool size was estimated at varied times from cell capacitance jumps in response to paired depolarizations. The experimentally observed RRP recovery time course and steady-state size could be predicted from the measured [Ca2+]i signal assuming a Michaelis-Menten-type regulation of the vesicle supply by Ca2+. An elevated recruitment activity was observed at increased [Ca2+]i even when protein kinase C was blocked, but maximum effects could be obtained only after stimulation of PKC by phorbol esters or by prolonged elevations in [Ca2+]i. We suggest that, in chromaffin cells, elevated cytosolic Ca2+ modulates exocytotic plasticity via PKC-dependent and -independent pathways.     

Pharmacological comparison of UTP- and thapsigargin-induced arachidonic acid release in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages

1. Although stimulation of mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages by UTP elicits a rapid increase in intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, and arachidonic acid (AA) release, the causal relationship between these signalling pathways is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of phosphoinositide-dependent phospholipase C (PI-PLC) activation, Ca2+ increase and protein kinase activation in UTP-induced AA release. The effects of stimulating RAW 264.7 cells with thapsigargin, which cannot activate the inositol phosphate (IP) cascade, but results in the release of sequestered Ca2+ and an influx of extracellular Ca2+, was compared with the effects of UTP stimulation to elucidate the multiple regulatory pathways for cPLA2 activation. 2. In RAW 264.7 cells UTP (100 microM) and thapsigargin (1 microM) caused 2 and 1.2 fold increases, respectively, in [3H]-AA release. The release of [3H]-AA following treatment with UTP and thapsigargin were non-additive, totally abolished in the Ca2+-free buffer, BAPTA (30 microM)-containing buffer or in the presence of the cPLA2 inhibitor MAFP (50 microM), and inhibited by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng ml(-1)) or 4-bromophenacyl bromide (100 microM). By contrast, aristolochic acid (an inhibitor of sPLA2) had no effect on UTP and thapsigargin responses. 3. U73122 (10 microM) and neomycin (3 mM), inhibitors of PI-PLC, inhibited UTP-induced IP formation (88% and 83% inhibition, respectively) and AA release (76% and 58%, respectively), accompanied by a decrease in the [Ca2+]i rise. 4. Wortmannin attenuated the IP response of UTP in a concentration-dependent manner (over the range 10 nM-3 microM), and reduced the UTP-induced AA release in parallel. RHC 80267 (30 microM), a specific diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, had no effect on UTP-induced AA release. 5. Short-term treatment with PMA (1 microM) inhibited the UTP-stimulated accumulation of IP and increase in [Ca2+]i, but had no effect on the release of AA. In contrast, the AA release caused by thapsigargin was increased by PMA. 6. The role of PKC in UTP- and thapsigargin-mediated AA release was shown by the blockade of these effects by staurosporine (1 microM), Ro 31-8220 (10 microM), Go 6976 (1 microM) and the down-regulation of PKC. 7. Following treatment of cells with SK&F 96365 (30 microM), thapsigargin-, but not UTP-, induced Ca2+ influx, and the accompanying AA release, were down-regulated. 8. Neither PD 98059 (100 microM), MEK a inhibitor, nor genistein (100 microM), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, had any effect on the AA responses induced by UTP and thapsigargin. 9. We conclude that UTP-induced cPLA2 activity depends on the activation of PI-PLC and the sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+, which is essential for the activation of cPLA2 by UTP and thapsigargin. The [Ca2+]i-dependent AA release that follows treatment with both stimuli was potentiated by the activity of protein kinase C (PKC). A pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway downstream of the increase in [Ca2+]i was also shown to be involved in AA release.     

Translocation of protein kinase C isoenzymes by elevated extracellular Ca2+ concentration in cells from a human giant cell tumor of bone

In this study we investigated the protein kinase C isoenzymes expressed by human osteoclast-like cells harvested from a giant cell tumor of bone (GCT23 cells), and by freshly isolated rat osteoclasts. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that the -alpha, -delta, and -epsilon, PKC isoforms, but not the -beta isoenzyme, are expressed by GCT23 cells. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon are homogeneously expressed by both mononuclear and multinucleated GCT23 cells, as well as by rat osteoclasts. Similar to authentic osteoclasts, GCT23 cells responded to an increase of extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) with a dose-dependent elevation of the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). An increase of [Ca2+]o stimulated the translocation of PKC-alpha from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction, suggesting the involvement of this isoenzyme in the signal transduction mechanism prompted by stimulation of the [Ca2+]o sensing. By contrast, PKC-delta was not altered by exposure to elevated [Ca2+]o, whereas PKC-epsilon underwent reciprocal translocation, disappearing from the insoluble fraction and increasing in the cytosol. The effects of PKC on GCT23 cell functions were investigated by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA). We observed that activation of PKC by PMA failed to affect adhesion onto the substrate, but down-regulated the [Ca2+]o-induced [Ca2+]i increases. The latter effect was specific, since it was reversed by treatment with the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and chelerythrine.     

Protein kinase A-dependent stimulation of exocytosis in mouse pancreatic beta-cells by glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

The mechanisms by which glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) stimulates insulin secretion were investigated by measurements of whole-cell Ca2+ currents, the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and cell capacitance as an indicator of exocytosis in individual mouse pancreatic beta-cells maintained in short-term culture. GIP produced a 4.2-fold potentiation of depolarization-induced exocytosis. This stimulation of exocytosis was not associated with a change in the whole-cell Ca2+-current, and there was only a small increase (30%) in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [intercellular free Ca2+([Ca2+]i)]. The stimulatory effect of GIP on exocytosis was blocked by pretreatment with the specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS. Glucagon-like peptide-I(7-36) amide (GLP-I) stimulated exocytosis (90%) in the presence of a maximal GIP concentration (100 nmol/l). Replacement of GLP-I with forskolin produced a similar stimulatory action on exocytosis. These effects of GLP-I and forskolin in the presence of GIP did not involve a change in the whole-cell Ca2+-current or [Ca2+]i. GIP was ineffective in the presence of both forskolin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). Under the same experimental conditions, the protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated exocytosis (60%). Collectively, our data indicate that the insulinotropic hormone GIP stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, through the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, by interacting with the secretory machinery at a level distal to an elevation in [Ca2+]i.     

Role of intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and tyrosine phosphorylation in adhesion of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells to fibrinogen

OBJECTIVE: Fibrinogen is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study has investigated the role of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and tyrosine phosphorylation in the attachment of human and rat-derived cultured vascular smooth muscle cells to fibrinogen. METHODS: Cells were cultured from human saphenous vein segments (HVSMC) and from an established rat aortic cell line (A7r5). [Ca2+]i was measured using fura-2 and adhesion was studied using pre-coated 96 well polystyrene plates. RESULTS: Fibrinogen increased [Ca2+]i in both cell types. In A7r5 cells fibrinogen-induced increases in [Ca2+]i were partially inhibited by a peptide containing the amino acid sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) which interferes with binding to integrins. In contrast RGD increased [Ca2+]i in HVSMC, but did not inhibit responses to fibrinogen. Ni2+, an inorganic calcium channel blocker largely abolished the rise in [Ca2+]i, but blockers of voltage-operated calcium channels failed to affect [Ca2+]i responses to fibrinogen in either cell type. Genistein, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase inhibited fibrinogen-induced rises in [Ca2+]i, while daidzein, an inactive analogue, was without effect. Adhesion of cells to fibrinogen was concentration- and time-dependent. Cell adhesion to fibrinogen was partially inhibited by RGD peptide in both cell types. Adhesion of cell to fibrinogen was inhibited by chelation of [Ca2+]i with BAPTA-AM, inhibition of Ca2+ entry by Ni2+, and inhibition of tyrosine kinases by genistein, but heparin had no effect on adhesion. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular smooth muscle cells attach to fibrinogen in part through RGD-type interactions. Activation of tyrosine kinase(s) and a subsequent rise in [Ca2+]i appear to be important signals mediating the response to fibrinogen.     

Calcium-regulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation is required for endothelin-1 to induce prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis in mesangial cells

The role of endothelin (ET)-1-mediated cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevation in regulating ET-1-induced prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis was investigated in mesangial cells (MC). Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, and thapsigargin, an inhibitor of calcium ATPase, mimicked the ET-1-stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein induction. Inhibition of [Ca2+]i increases with (2-?C2-bis-(carboxymethyl)-amino-5 methylphenoxy]methyl?-6-methoxy-8-bis-(carboxymethyl)-aminoquinoline tetra-(acetoxymethyl)ester (Quin/AM), a calcium chelator, or with the combined presence of [8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, HCl] (TMB), an inhibitor of intracellular calcium stores release, and ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl)- N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) suppressed ET-1, as well as ionomycin and thapsigargin-mediated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein formation. Also, the ET-1-, ionomycin-, and thapsigargin-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression and protein formation was inhibited in MC pretreated with inhibitors of calcium calmodulin kinase. In contrast, these conditions did not inhibit interleukin (IL)-1-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis. Pretreatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors abolished the ET-1-, ionomycin-, thapsigargin-, and IL-1-mediated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein induction. ET-1-, ionomycin-, and thapsigargin- induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation, but not IL-1-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation, was suppressed by inhibiting either [Ca2+]i elevation or calcium calmodulin kinase activation. It was concluded that elevation of [Ca2+]i and activation of calcium calmodulin kinases are upstream mediators of ET-1-induced PGHS-2 gene expression through activation of non-receptor-linked protein tyrosine kinase in MC.     

Hydrogen peroxide induces intracellular calcium overload by activation of a non-selective cation channel in an insulin-secreting cell line

Fura-2 fluorescence was used to investigate the effects of H2O2 on [Ca2+]i in the insulin-secreting cell line CRI-G1. H2O2 (1-10 mM) caused a biphasic increase in free [Ca2+]i, an initial rise observed within 3 min and a second, much larger rise following a 30-min exposure. Extracellular calcium removal blocked the late, but not the initial, rise in [Ca2+]i. Thapsigargin did not affect either response to H2O2, but activated capacitive calcium entry, an action abolished by 10 microM La3+. Simultaneous recordings of membrane potential and [Ca2+]i demonstrated the same biphasic [Ca2+]i response to H2O2 and showed that the late increase in [Ca2+]i coincided temporally with cell membrane potential collapse. Buffering Ca2+i to low nanomolar levels prevented both phases of increased [Ca2+]i and the H2O2-induced depolarization. The H2O2-induced late rise in [Ca2+]i was prevented by extracellular application of 100 microM La3+. La3+ (100 microM) inhibited the H2O2-induced cation current and NAD-activated cation (NSNAD) channel activity in these cells. H2O2 increased the NAD/NADH ratio in intact CRI-G1 cells, consistent with increased cellular [NAD]. These data suggest that H2O2 increases [NAD], which, coupled with increased [Ca2+]i, activates NSNAD channels, causing unregulated Ca2+ entry and consequent cell death.     

Cyclosporin A inhibits apical secretory K+ channels in rabbit cortical collecting tubule principal cells

We used the cell-attached patch clamp configuration to examine the effect of basolateral cyclosporin A (CsA) exposure on low conductance K+ channels found in the principal cell apical membrane of rabbit cortical collecting tubule (CCT) primary cultures. Baseline K+ channel activity, measured as mean NPo (number of channels x open probability), was 2.7 +/- 1.1 (N = 29). NPo fell by 69% (0.84 +/- 0.32; N = 32) in cultures pretreated with 500 ng/ml CsA for 30 minutes prior to patching. Chelation of intracellular [Ca2+]i (10 mM BAPTA/AM; N = 8) or removal of extracellular Ca2+ (N = 9), but not prevention of [Ca2+]i store release (10 microM TMB-8; N = 7), abolished CsA-induced inhibition. This suggested that CsA effects were mediated by an initial rise in [Ca2+]i via Ca2+ influx. Either 25 nM AVP (N = 10) or 0.25 microM thapsigargin (N = 8) (causing IP3-dependent and -independent release of [Ca2+]i stores, respectively) augmented, while 25 pM (N = 6) or 250 pM AVP (N = 8) reversed CSA-induced channel inhibition. Apical membrane protein kinase C (PKC) activation with 0.1 microM phorbol ester, PMA (N = 8) or 10 microM synthetic diacylglycerol, OAG (N = 7), mimicked (mean NPo = 0.99 +/- 0.40) the inhibitory effect of CsA. Apical PKC inhibition by prolonged apical exposure to PMA (N = 10) or 100 microM D-sphingosine (N = 6) blocked CsA's effect. Cyclic AMP increasing maneuvers, 10 microM forskolin (N = 5) or 0.5 mM db-cAMP (N = 8), stimulated basal K+ channel activity in the absence of CsA. In Conclusion: (1) basolateral exposure to CsA inhibits the activity of apical membrane 13 pS channels responsible for physiologic K+ secretion in rabbit CCT principal cells. (2) The inhibition is mediated by changes in intracellular Ca2+ and activation of apical PKC. (3) Pharmacologic AVP (nM) augments CsA-induced inhibition by releasing intracellular Ca2+ stores; more physiologic AVP (pM) attenuates channel inhibition, probably through cAMP generation. (4) Inhibition of apical secretory K+ channels by CsA likely contributes to decreased kaliuresis and clinical hyperkalemia observed in patients on CsA therapy.