Biomedical subjects

P Borgeat

Publications and source records attributed to P Borgeat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Colocalization of cytosolic phospholipase A2, 5-lipoxygenase, and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein at the nuclear membrane of A23187-stimulated human neutrophils.

The distribution of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (5-LAP) was investigated in subcellular fractions of human neutrophils disrupted by three techniques. As determined by immunoblot analysis, the bulk of cPLA2 and 5-lipoxygenase was detected in cytosolic fractions of unstimulated neutrophils disrupted by sonication or cavitation. After cell stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187, both proteins accumulated primarily in nuclei-containing fractions; this accumulation was accompanied by a loss of these enzymes from cytosolic fractions. Further resolution of nuclear fractions revealed that 5-lipoxygenase and cPLA2 were localized in a fraction that contained nuclear membranes. In comparison, 5-LAP was localized to the nuclear-membrane fraction of resting and activated neutrophils, as determined by immunoblotting and photoaffinity labeling. In agreement with the immunoblot data, A23187 stimulation markedly enhanced 5-lipoxygenase enzymatic activity in the nuclear-membrane fraction, which was accompanied by decreased cytosolic 5-lipoxygenase activity. Similarly, neutrophil activation caused increased phosphorylation of cPLA2, a process that is known to result in enhanced catalytic activity. Our data demonstrate that in activated human neutrophils, the key proteins involved in leukotriene synthesis colocalize at the nuclear membrane, in a catalytically active state.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗

PubMed1996

Priming of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with lipopolysaccharides for enhanced arachidonic acid release and leukotriene synthesis.

In a previous study, we have shown that the ability of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to prime isolated neutrophils for enhanced leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis was dependent on the presence of plasma and involved the CD 14 antigen. In the present study, we have investigated the priming of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with LPS for the subsequent release and metabolism of arachidonic acid. When PBMC were incubated with LPS for up to 2 h or when freshly isolated PBMC were stimulated with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or with LPS alone, little or no synthesis of 5-lipoxygenase products nor arachidonic acid liberation were detected. However, the preincubation of PBMC with LPS for as little as 5 min primed cells for the subsequent synthesis of LTB4 upon stimulation with fMLP. Maximal priming was observed following a 15-min preincubation period and the priming effect was transient as cells preincubated with LPS for 90 min or more were no longer primed for leukotriene synthesis. Monocytes were found to be responsible for the enhanced response to fMLP since purified lymphocytes did not produce LTB4 nor LTC4 in contrast to monocyte-enriched suspensions. The priming for leukotriene synthesis coincided with an increased capacity for the release of free arachidonic acid as measured by mass spectrometry; LPS-primed cells released 8-15 times more arachidonic acid than unprimed cells within 1 min of stimulation with fMLP. Priming was observed with as little as 0.001-0.01 microg LPS/mL when cells were incubated in the presence of 10% autologous plasma. Interestingly, in the absence of plasma, priming was only observed at LPS concentrations of 0.1 microg/mL or greater. Pretreatment of cells with anti-CD14 antibodies significantly decreased the priming effect observed with 0.01 microg/mL LPS but did not affect priming with 1 microg/mL LPS. These results indicate that the priming of human PBMC with LPS for the subsequent synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway is dependent on plasma and CD14 at lower concentrations of LPS (0.001-0.01 microg/mL) but not at LPS concentrations of 0.1 microg/mL or greater.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

PubMed1996

Adenosine A2 receptor-induced inhibition of leukotriene B4 synthesis in whole blood ex vivo.

1. Engagement of adenosine A2 receptors suppresses several leukocyte functions. In the present study, we examined the effect of adenosine on the inhibition of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) synthesis in heparinized human whole blood, pretreated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and stimulated with the chemotactic peptide, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP). 2. The FMLP-induced synthesis of LTB4 in whole blood pretreated with LPS and TNF-alpha was dose-dependently inhibited by adenosine analogues in the following order of potency; 5'(N-ethyl)carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) approximately equal to CGS 21680 > 2-Cl-adenosine > N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA), indicating the involvement of the adenosine A2 receptor subtype. The IC50 values for NECA, CGS 21680, 2-Cl-adenosine, and CPA were 6 nM, 9 nM, 180 nM, and 990 nM, respectively. 3. Dipyridamole, an agent that blocks the cellular uptake of adenosine by red cells and causes its accumulation in plasma, also inhibited the synthesis of LTB4 in LPS and TNF-alpha-treated whole blood stimulated by FMLP; moreover, this inhibition was reversed upon addition of adenosine deaminase. 4. A highly selective antagonist of the adenosine A2 receptor, 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC), reversed the inhibition of LTB4 synthesis by 2-Cl-adenosine and dipyridamole in LPS and TNF-alpha-treated whole blood, stimulated by FMLP. 5. LTB4 synthesis in whole blood originates predominantly from neutrophils and to a lesser extent from monocytes. 2-Cl-adenosine also inhibited the synthesis of LTB4 induced by FMLP in these isolated LPS and TNF-alpha-treated cells; however, 2-Cl-adenosine was a more potent inhibitor of LTB4 synthesis in neutrophils than monocytes. 6. The present data demonstrate that adenosine, acting through A2 receptors, exerts a potent inhibitory effect on the synthesis of LTB4 and thus contribute to the understanding of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Adenosine↗

PubMed1996

Interleukin-4, transforming growth factor beta 1, and dexamethasone inhibit superantigen-induced prostaglandin E2-dependent collagenase gene expression through their action on cyclooxygenase-2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2.

Signalling via MHC class II in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes selectively induces interstitial collagenase gene expression over its natural inhibitor, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP), through a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-dependent pathway involving cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). In the present study, we investigated the effect of three different agents the T-cell-derived cytokine IL-4, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), and dexamethasone (DXS) on this response. Our results indicate that treatment of superantigen-stimulated synoviocytes with DXS or IL-4 inhibited collagenase gene expression without affecting TIMP gene expression. In contrast, treatment of superantigen-stimulated synoviocytes with TGF-beta 1 resulted in an inhibition of collagenase induction and an increase in TIMP gene expression. IL-4, TGF-beta 1, and DXS abolished PGE2 production and the expression of COX-2 and cPLA2 but failed to affect the constitutive expression of COX-1 and secreted PLA2. Moreover, all agents abolished protein production and phosphorylation of COX-2 and cPLA2, respectively. The inhibitory effect of the three agents on collagenase gene expression was partially reversed by exogenous PGE2, which confirms that major histocompatibility complex class II-induced collagenase gene expression is regulated through a PGE2-mediated pathway. These data highlight a mode of action of a classical anti-inflammatory agent (DXS) and of two cytokines with recognized anti-inflammatory characters (IL-4 and TGF-beta 1) on a major histocompatibility complex class II-induced response and support the involvement of COX-2 and cPLA2 in major histocompatibility complex class II-induced interstitial collagenase production in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1995

Superantigen-induced collagenase gene expression in human IFN-gamma-treated fibroblast-like synoviocytes involves prostaglandin E2. Evidence for a role of cyclooxygenase-2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2.

MHC class II molecules expressed in lymphoid and nonlymphoid cells act as signal-transducer molecules. We demonstrate that engagement of MHC class II molecules on human IFN-gamma-treated fibroblast-like synoviocytes by their natural ligand, the staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), selectively induces the production of interstitial collagenase over the expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP). Collagenase gene expression required de novo protein synthesis and was accompanied by high levels of PGE2 production, suggesting its implication in this response. Two inhibitors that affect prostaglandin biosynthesis, indomethacin and arachidonyl-trifluoromethyl-ketone, inhibited both PGE2 production and collagenase gene expression. The addition of exogenous PGE2 to inhibitor-treated cells partially restored the SEA-induced collagenase, indicating a role for PGE2 in this response. As cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and -2), cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), and secreted PLA2 (sPLA2) are the enzymes potentially implicated in prostaglandin synthesis, their involvement in SEA-induced collagenase was investigated. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and cPLA2 rapidly increased following ligation of MHC class II molecules, while COX-1 and sPLA2 mRNA levels were unchanged and transiently depressed, respectively. SEA-induced COX-2 mRNA was translated adequately to protein, whereas cPLA2 protein level was not enhanced, but rapidly phosphorylated, a process previously linked to the enzyme activation. In conclusion, this work demonstrates a selective induction of collagenase gene expression over its natural inhibitor TIMP in human IFN-gamma-treated fibroblast-like synoviocytes mediated, at least in part, by PGE2, and provides evidence that signaling via MHC class II molecules induces the production of PGE2 through enhanced production of COX-2 and possibly activation of the cPLA2.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1995

Leukotriene synthesis in calcium-depleted human neutrophils: arachidonic acid release correlates with calcium influx.

The relationship between intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), the release of arachidonic acid and the synthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was investigated using Ca(2+)-depleted human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) in which [Ca2+]i can be manipulated by varying the concentration of exogenous Ca2+ added with agonists. In this model, Ca2+, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP), added alone, were unable to induce arachidonic acid release or LTB4 synthesis, as assessed by measurements of the products by MS and HPLC, respectively. However, the simultaneous addition of Ca2+ and either PAF or FMLP to these Ca(2+)-depleted PMNs resulted in an influx of Ca2+ proportional to the extracellular concentration of Ca2+ and caused a substantial release of arachidonic acid and synthesis of LTB4. The [Ca2+]i values for threshold and maximal arachidonic acid release were found to be 150 nM and 350 nM respectively, suggesting the involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). Under stimulatory conditions resulting in similar [Ca2+]i, Ca(2+)-depleted PMNs released significant amounts of arachidonic acid but normal (Ca(2+)-repleted) PMNs did not, indicating that Ca2+ depletion of PMNs altered the normal regulation of arachidonic acid release and facilitated the release of the fatty acid upon stimulation with agonists. cPLA2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) phosphorylation, as assessed by changes of electrophoretic mobility, occurred in both Ca(2+)-depleted and Ca(2+)-depleted PMNs upon addition of agonist. These data demonstrate that in Ca(2+)-depleted PMNs stimulated with agonists, arachidonic acid release and LTB4 synthesis correlated with extracellular Ca2+ influx.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

PubMed1995

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) expression in clones of McA-RH 7777 rat hepatoma: correlation with the occurrence of homogeneously staining regions on chromosome 14.

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a well-established cell differentiation and tumor marker. We showed previously that McA-RH 7777 hepatoma cells are heterogeneous in terms of their AFP cellular expression. In the present study, we developed stable and unstable 7777 hepatoma clones in terms of their AFP phenotype: AFP-producing (AFP+) or AFP-nonproducing (AFP-) clones, and investigated in these clones (a) AFP phenotype related to protein and mRNA levels; (b) cellular morphology; and (c) expression of several liver-specific markers. Our results demonstrated that alpha-albumin expression paralleled that of AFP, from the absence of alpha-albumin message in AFP- clones to high expression in AFP+ clones, suggesting that common mechanisms control the expression of both proteins in this hepatoma cell population. In addition, the karyotypes of the McA-RH 7777 hepatoma cell line and its 15 generated clones were analyzed and correlated to their AFP phenotypes. Only the stable AFP+ clones showed homogeneously staining regions on the chromosome carrying the AFP gene. These results strongly suggest that amplification of either structural or regulatory sequences of the AFP gene is involved in maintaining its high expression.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Inhibition of lipid mediator biosynthesis in human inflammatory cells by BIRM 270.

BIRM 270 was developed as a potent and enantioselective inhibitor of LTB4 biosynthesis by human neutrophils, and was also found to inhibit LTC4 production by human eosinophils and lung mast cells. BIRM 270 inhibited LTB4 synthesis in neutrophils by preventing arachidonate release from membrane phospholipids, and over the same concentration range, inhibited PAF biosynthesis. BIRM 270 did not directly inhibit acylhydrolases which have been implicated in eicosanoid and PAF biosynthesis, suggesting an indirect mode of action.

Arachidonic Acid↗

PubMed1995

Leukotriene C4 receptors on guinea pig tracheocytes.

Leukotriene (LT) C4 receptors have been characterized on freshly isolated guinea pig tracheal epithelial cells (tracheocytes). The [3H]LTC4 receptor affinity was enhanced by increasing the sodium (60-160 mM) and the magnesium (0-10 mM) concentrations. Low concentrations of calcium (0-3 mM) increased [3H]LTC4 binding, but high concentrations (3-10 mM) decreased it. The pH (6.5-8.0) had no effect on [3H]LTC4 binding to tracheocytes. Under our experimental conditions, binding equilibrium was reached after 20 min. The association and the dissociation rate constants were estimated to be 2.75 +/- 0.25 x 10(6) M-1.min-1 and 0.093 +/- 0.008 min-1, respectively. The Kd (35.4 +/- 8.6 nM) and the Bmax values (2.4 +/- 0.6 x 10(5) receptors/cell) were determined by Scatchard analysis. LTB4, LTD4 and LTE4 did not inhibit [3H]LTC4 binding to the receptors. However, the compound FPL 55712 inhibited the binding of [3H]LTC4 with an IC50 value of 9.0 +/- 1.0 microM. [3H]LTC4 was not metabolized during the binding assays, as confirmed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The lack of [3H]LTC4 binding to glutathione-S-transferase was demonstrated in the presence of an excess of reduced glutathione. LTC4 produced a concentration-dependent increase of free Ca++ in tracheocytes. Our results suggest that guinea pig tracheocytes possess a specific LTC4 receptor coupled to a Ca++ signaling pathway. This LTC4 receptor may play a key role in the epithelium-dependent responses of airway smooth muscle.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Kinetics of 5-lipoxygenase activation, arachidonic acid release, and leukotriene synthesis in human neutrophils: effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

The kinetics of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activation in human neutrophils was compared with that of arachidonic acid (AA) release and leukotriene (LT) B4 synthesis, and the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on these processes was examined. The soluble agonists N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe and platelet-activating factor stimulated 5-LO activity, which peaked within 10 s and then rapidly declined. At all time points investigated, 5-LO activity was greater in GM-CSF-treated neutrophils. The release of AA was detectable only in GM-CSF-treated neutrophils and peaked 1 min after the agonist stimulation. Accordingly, synthesis of LTB4 was detected only in GM-CSF-treated neutrophils. By comparison, 100 nM of ionomycin induced a greater and sustained activation of 5-LO, resulting in a greater synthesis of LTB4. These results show that 5-LO activation is immediate and transient in response to soluble agonists and that temporal dissociation with the release of AA limits LTB4 synthesis.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

PubMed1994

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulates the expression of the 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) in human neutrophils.

The synthesis of leukotrienes in human blood neutrophils chiefly relies on the activity of two enzymes, phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). In turn, the activation of the 5-LO requires the participation of a recently characterized membrane-bound protein, the 5-LO-activating protein (FLAP). In this study, we have investigated conditions under which FLAP expression in neutrophils may be modulated. Of several cytokines tested, only granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) (and to a lesser extent tumor necrosis factor alpha) significantly increased expression of FLAP. GM-CSF increased FLAP mRNA steady-state levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of GM-CSF on FLAP mRNA was inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with the transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, and pretreatment of the cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, failed to prevent the increase in FLAP mRNA induced by GM-CSF. The accumulation of newly synthesized FLAP, as determined by immunoprecipitation after incorporation of 35S-labeled amino acids, was also increased after incubation of neutrophils with GM-CSF. In addition, the total level of FLAP protein was increased in GM-CSF-treated neutrophils, as determined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, followed by Western blot. GM-CSF did not alter the stability of the FLAP protein, indicating that the effect of GM-CSF on FLAP accumulation was the consequence of increased de novo synthesis as opposed to decreased degradation of FLAP. Finally, incubation of neutrophils with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone directly stimulated the upregulation of FLAP mRNA and protein, and enhanced the effect of GM-CSF. Taken together, these data demonstrate that FLAP expression may be upmodulated after appropriate stimulation of neutrophils. The increase in FLAP expression induced by GM-CSF in inflammatory conditions could confer upon neutrophils a prolonged capacity to synthesize leukotrienes.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗

PubMed1994

Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of arachidonic acid metabolites in plasma after stimulation of whole blood ex vivo.

Following the stimulation of heparinized blood ex vivo, aliquots of plasma were denatured with organic solvents containing the internal standards prostaglandin (PG) B2 and 19-hydroxy-PGB2. Precipitated material was removed by centrifugation and the supernatants were directly analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with on-line extraction and uv detection. Stimulation of blood with A23187 lead to the formation of both leukocyte and platelet arachidonic acid metabolites as the 5-lipoxygenase products leukotriene (LT) B4, 5-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 20-hydroxy-LTB4 and 20-carboxy-LTB4, the 12-lipoxygenase product 12-HETE, and the cyclooxygenase product 12-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHTrE) were detected in plasma; in some plasma samples LTC4 and/or LTE4 were also detected. Stimulation of blood with zymosan lead to the synthesis of LTB4 and 5-HETE as major products and of 12-HETE. Recoveries of 20-hydroxy-LTB4, LTB4, 5-HETE, 12-HETE, and HHTrE added to plasma were high (> or = 90%) while those of LTC4 and LTE4 were lower (50-70%); however, washing of the precipitated protein pellet resulted in > 90% recoveries for all metabolites including the cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in native plasma samples stored at -20 degrees C were stable for at least 28 days, while significant loss of material was observed over the same period of time in denatured plasma samples. Finally, we made the critical observation that the capacity for A23187- (but not zymosan-, ionomycin-, or LPS and FMLP-) induced arachidonic acid metabolite synthesis in blood decreased by 80% within 1 h of blood collection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor enhances 5-lipoxygenase levels in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) with granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) results in the enhanced expression of several genes, including some coding for cytokines and enzymes. In this study, we investigated the ability of GM-CSF to up-regulate the human neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), a key enzyme in the leukotriene synthetic pathway. GM-CSF induced a dose- and time-dependent de novo synthesis of the 5-LO in PMNL, as determined by immunoprecipitation of 35S-methionine-labeled 5-LO. This up-regulation occurred within 30 min of treatment with GM-CSF and was observed using concentrations of GM-CSF as low as 30 pM. Prior treatment of the cells with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide abolished this effect of GM-CSF. Western blot analyses demonstrated that levels of 5-LO did not vary over a 6-h period in unstimulated PMNL treated with CX, and that GM-CSF induced a rapid increase in the total cellular level of 5-LO protein; taken together these results indicated a translational effect of GM-CSF on the expression of the 5-LO. However, GM-CSF did not significantly affect the level of 5-LO mRNA in neutrophils, as determined by Northern blot analysis. Furthermore GM-CSF did not alter the stability of 5-LO mRNA, in agreement with a posttranscriptional effect of GM-CSF on 5-LO expression in PMNL. These results show that human PMNL are capable of up-regulating the expression of the 5-LO in response to physiologic activation.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

PubMed1994

Highly purified guinea pig type II pneumocytes have the leukotriene A4 hydrolase but do not express 5-lipoxygenase activity.

Guinea pig lung cells have been obtained by enzymatic digestion of lung tissue and type II pneumocytes have been purified by centrifugal elutriation and adherence on Petri dishes coated with guinea pig IgG. The cells have been characterized by histochemical staining of alkaline phosphatase and by electron microscopy. Arachidonic acid metabolism was studied by incubating purified type II pneumocytes with exogenous arachidonic acid in the presence or absence of calcium ionophore A23187 or with leukotriene A4. The reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography profiles of cells stimulated with calcium ionophore and/or arachidonic acid did not show peaks co-eluting with authentic leukotrienes, which suggested that these cells do not express 5-lipoxygenase activity. On the other hand, type II pneumocytes converted exogenous leukotriene A4 into leukotriene B4; a small amount of peptido-leukotrienes, accounting for less than 5% of total leukotrienes produced, was also detected. It is suggested that transcellular metabolism of leukotriene A4 between type II pneumocytes and other lung cells containing the 5-lipoxygenase may contribute to the previously reported LTB4 production by guinea pig lungs. The type II pneumocyte purification technique described represents a useful alternative to cell culture for studying arachidonic acid metabolism and other cell functions.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Metabolic disposition of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and oxidation-resistant analogues of LTB4 in conscious rabbits.

1. The kinetics of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), after single i.v. injections of doses of 0.1 to 1 micrograms kg-1, were investigated in conscious rabbits and compared with those of the omega- and beta-oxidation resistant bioactive analogues, 20, 20, 20-trifluoro-LTB4 (20-F3-LTB4) and 3-thio-LTB4, respectively. 2. Immunoreactive LTB4 (IR-LTB4) elimination was first-order, as shown by a constant systemic clearance (ClLTB4) and a proportional increase in the area under the curve (AUC) of the plasma concentration versus time curve over the dose-range studied. Our results showed a good correlation between observed steady-state plasma concentrations (Css) of IR-LTB4 after continuous infusion of LTB4 and those predicted by using the mean estimated ClLTB4 of 93 +/- 4 ml min-1 kg-1, further confirming the linearity of IR-LTB4 elimination. 3. The half-life (t1/2) or IR-LTB4 increased from 0.47 +/- 0.02 to 0.63 +/- 0.04 min as a consequence of a change in the apparent volume of distribution (Vd) from 72 +/- 5 to 109 +/- 13 ml kg-1, for the 0.1 and 1 micrograms kg-1 doses injected, respectively. 4. Single i.v. injections of [3H]-LTB4 (4.7 ng kg-1) were administered, and the decay of plasma [3H]-LTB4 following h.p.l.c. purification was used to estimate the kinetic parameters. The kinetic parameters of [3H]-LTB4 were characterized by a mean systemic clearance (Cl) of 96 +/- 11 ml min-1 kg-1, a t1/2 of 0.53 +/- 0.03 min, and an apparent Vd of 85 +/- 9 ml kg-1, similar to the parameters obtained after LTB4 boluses. 5. The disposition of LTB4 analogues, whether resistant to Omega- or to Beta-oxidation in vitro, did not differ significantly from the disposition of the LTB4 molecule. The half-lives of 20-F3-LTB4 and 3-thio-LTB4 in the circulation were 0.52 +/- 0.07 min and 0.70 +/- 0.11 min, respectively.6. In summary, our results showed that LTB4, as well as Omega-oxidation- and Beta-oxidation-resistant analogues were cleared very rapidly from the rabbit circulation and indicate that in situ, metabolism in blood is not a rate-limiting factor for the elimination of LTB4.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Autocrine enhancement of leukotriene synthesis by endogenous leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor in human neutrophils.

1. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), two potent lipid mediators synthesized by activated neutrophils, are known to stimulate several neutrophil functional responses. In this study, we have determined that endogenous LTB4 and PAF exert autocrine effects on LT synthesis, as well as the underlying mechanism involved. 2. Pretreatment of neutrophils with either pertussis toxin (PT), or with receptor antagonists for LTB4 and PAF, resulted in an inhibition of LT synthesis induced by calcium ionophore, A23187. This inhibition was most marked at submaximal (100-300 nM) A23187 concentrations, whilst it was least at ionophore concentrations which induce maximal LT synthesis (1-3 microM). Thus newly-synthesized PAF and LTB4 can enhance LT synthesis induced by A23187 under conditions where the LT-generating system is not fully activated. 3. In recombinant human (rh) granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-primed neutrophils, LT synthesis in response to chemoattractants (fMet-Leu-Phe or rhC5a) was also significantly inhibited by the LTB4 receptor antagonist, and to a lesser extent by PAF receptor antagonists. 4. Further investigation revealed that LTB4 and/or PAF exert their effects on LT synthesis via an effect on arachidonic acid (AA) availability, as opposed to 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activation. Indeed, the receptor antagonists, as well as PT, inhibited LT synthesis and AA release to a similar extent, whereas 5-LO activation (assessed with an exogenous 5-LO substrate) was virtually unaffected under the same conditions. Accordingly, we showed that addition of exogenous LTB4 could enhance AA availability in response to chemoattractant challenge in rhGM-CSF-primed cells, without significantly affecting the 5-LO activation status. Our data show that newly-generated PAF and LTB4 have the ability to positively feedback on LT synthesis by acting at the level of the phospholipase A2/re-esterification component of the LT biosynthetic pathway in neutrophils. Such autocrine affects are likely to represent an important amplification step of LT synthesis, and may as such contribute to the rapid onset, as well as to the evolution, of inflammatory responses.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Effect of Pygeum africanum extract on A23187-stimulated production of lipoxygenase metabolites from human polymorphonuclear cells.

Pygeum africanum extract has been used for more than 20 years in France in patients suffering from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The extract displays anti-inflammatory activity and inhibits bladder hyperreactivity during the above conditions. However, the mechanism of action of P. africanum extract has never been clearly resolved. It has been recently demonstrated that infiltration by inflammatory cells may be involved in the development of BPH. Certain of these cell types, such as macrophages, are known to produce chemotactic mediators including leukotrienes, and thus may contribute to the development of the disease. In order to investigate the potential effect of P. africanum extract on arachidonate metabolism, we examined its effect in vitro on leukotriene (LT) synthesis in human polymorphonuclear cells stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187. Two formulations of the extract were tested, one dissolved in DMSO and one aqueous solution obtained after alkalinization (0.1 N; NaOH/acidification (0.1 N; HCl). Neither formulation had any effect on cell viability which was above 95% in both cases. P. africanum extract dissolved in DMSO significantly inhibited the production of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites (5-HETE, 20-COOH LTB4, LTB4 and 20-OH LTB4) at concentrations as low as 3 micrograms/ml (p < 0.01), while the same extract dissolved in NaOH/HCl only exhibited an inhibitory effect at 10 micrograms/ml (p < 0.01). This difference apparently reflects the greater solubility of the active components in the extract in DMSO. The ability of P. africanum to antagonize 5-lipoxygenase metabolite production may contribute, at least in part, to its therapeutic activity in inflammatory component of BPH.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed1994

BIRM 270: a novel inhibitor of arachidonate release that blocks leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor biosynthesis in human neutrophils.

(S)-N-[2-Cyclohexyl-1-(2-pyridinyl)ethyl]-5-methyl-2-benzoxazolamine+ ++ (BIRM 270) was identified as a potent and enantiomerically selective inhibitor of calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in human neutrophils. The (S)- and (R)-enantiomers exhibited IC50 values of 1 nM and 40 nM, respectively. BIRM 270 did not inhibit 5-lipoxygenase activity in a cell-free assay. In addition, the compound did not interfere with the conversion of exogenous 5-lipoxygenase substrate (15S)-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid to (5S, 15S)-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in intact, ionophore-stimulated neutrophils. Under the same experimental conditions, BIRM 270 inhibited the production of 5-lipoxygenase products from endogenous substrate, suggesting that the compound affected arachidonate availability rather than metabolism. Consistent with this concept, the inhibition of leukotriene B4 biosynthesis by BIRM 270 was overcome by the addition of exogenous arachidonic acid to the leukocyte preparation. Direct measurement of free arachidonate by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed that BIRM 270 inhibited arachidonate release from ionophore-stimulated neutrophils. The compound did not affect arachidonate reacylation. The blockage of arachidonate release coincided with inhibition of leukotriene B4 biosynthesis in these cells. BIRM 270 also inhibited ionophore-stimulated platelet-activating factor biosynthesis by human neutrophils. Although these results suggest that BIRM 270 inhibited phospholipase A2-mediated deacylation of membrane phospholipids, the compound did not directly inhibit the high molecular weight, cytosolic phospholipase A2 derived from human neutrophils or U937 cells. Thus, suppression of arachidonate mobilization by BIRM 270 may be due to indirect inhibition of intracellular phospholipase A2 or to inhibition of another acylhydrolase activity.

Arachidonic Acid↗