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PubMed1988

Complement C5a receptor antagonism by protamine and poly-L-Arg on human leukocytes.

It is shown that protamine selectively and dose-dependently inhibits complement C5a-induced leukocyte responses such as histamine release from basophils, chemiluminescence and beta-glucuronidase release from neutrophils. Protamine produces parallel rightward displacements of the C5a dose-response curves. The inhibitory capacity of the polypeptide is reversible and disappears following repeated washing of exposed cells. In neutrophils poly-L-Arg similarly and specifically antagonizes C5a-induced chemiluminescence and enzyme release. This polymer alone, however, degranulates basophils and neutrophils, leading to histamine and enzyme release, respectively. It is concluded that on human neutrophils the arginine-rich polycations protamine and poly-L-Arg exhibit a competitive C5a receptor antagonism. In addition, protamine inhibits the C5a receptors on basophils. It is hypothesized that molecular conformations of the arginine-rich polycations might bind reversibly to, and block negatively charged groups at the C5a-receptor sites.

Basophils↗
PubMed2001

Neuronal expression of a functional receptor for the C5a complement activation fragment.

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether neuronal subsets in normal brains constitutively express functionally competent C5a receptors. In situ hybridization studies coupled with immunohistochemical approaches revealed that most neurons in the hippocampal formation, many pyramidal cortical neurons, and cerebellar Purkinje neurons in normal human and murine brains constitutively express C5a receptors. Neuronal C5a receptors bound C5a-coated fluorescent microspheres, and primary rodent hippocampal neurons responded to C5a with increased calcium fluxes via a pertussis-sensitive, presumably Gi-coupled protein. Additional studies with human neuroblastoma cells conducted to address the functional role of C5a receptors revealed that C5a triggered rapid activation of protein kinase C and activation and nuclear translocation of the NF-kappa B transcription factor. In addition, C5a was found to be mitogenic for undifferentiated human neuroblastoma cells, a novel action for the C5aR. In contrast, C5a protected terminally differentiated human neuroblastoma cells from toxicity mediated by the amyloid A beta peptide. Thus, normal rodent hippocampal neurons as well as undifferentiated and differentiated human neuroblastoma cells express functional C5a receptors. These results have implications for understanding the role of neuronal C5aR receptors in normal neuronal development, neuronal homeostasis, and neuroinflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The human chemoattractant complement C5a receptor inhibits cyclic AMP accumulation through Gi and Gz proteins.

The human C5a receptor is known to signal through Gi proteins. The ability of the cloned C5a receptor to inhibit adenylyl cyclase or to stimulate phospholipase C through Gi proteins was examined in transfected cells. Activation of recombinant C5a receptors resulted in the stimulation of phospholipase C in Ltk- cells and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in 293 cells. Pertussis toxin potently abolished both responses indicating the involvement of Gi proteins. Previous studies have shown that Gi-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase can be similarly regulated by the pertussis toxin-insensitive GZ. In 293 cells co-transfected with the alpha subunit of GZ, the C5a-mediated inhibition of cAMP accumulation became pertussis toxin-resistant, signifying functional coupling between the C5a receptor and GZ. However, GZ cannot substitute for Gi in the C5a-induced stimulation of phospholipase C or inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in Ltk- cells.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1998

Complement C5a anaphylatoxin fragment causes apoptosis in TGW neuroblastoma cells.

Human neuroblastoma TGW cells express a C5a anaphylatoxin receptor-like molecule termed neuronal C5a receptor. A C5a-receptor fragment peptide (termed PR226-multiple antigenic peptide) can induce rapid apoptosis in TGW cells via neuronal C5a receptor-associated signal transduction pathways. In order to analyse role of activated complement system in neurodegeneration, TGW cells were exposed to an oligomer form of a C5a fragment (amino acids: 37-53) peptide termed PL37-multiple antigenic peptide. Upon treatment with PL37-multiple antigenic peptide, an increased nuclear c-fos expression was shown within 30 min. DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, was noted within 4 h. Extracellular administration of 100 nM PL37-multiple antigenic peptide evoked inward calcium current pulses. At higher doses (0.5 microM-1 microM), PL37-multiple antigenic peptide evoked higher current pulses, followed by an irreversible, high inward current. To exert its apoptotic effect, PL37-multiple antigenic peptide utilizes a pertussis toxin-sensitive signal transduction pathway associated with the neuronal C5a receptor. Activation of the complement system and therefore release of C5a has already been reported in Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the presence of the Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors indicates an impaired protease function and a possible abnormal fragmentation of C5a anaphylatoxin. Our data suggest that neurons expressing neuronal C5a receptor are more vulnerable to the apoptosis associated with the neuronal C5a receptor and the possibility that abnormal activation of C5a receptor and C5a anaphylatoxin fragments might be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Anaphylatoxins↗
PubMed1993

The generation of stable CHO cell lines expressing very high levels of complement C5A receptors and subsequent modulation of binding affinity for C5A.

A single gene fragment encoding for the C5a receptor was produced by reverse transcription of mRNA isolated from differentiated U937 cells and subsequently amplified by means of the polymerase chain reaction. This fragment was introduced into the mammalian expression vector pEE6hCMV.neo and used to transfect a CHO cell line constitutively expressing a viral transactivator protein. Binding characteristics identical to the native neutrophil receptor were observed. A combination of antibiotic selection and cell sorting using anti-C5a receptor antiserum were then used to generate stable cell lines expressing up to 1.2 x 10(7) functional C5a receptors/cell with a lower affinity for C5a. It is postulated that this modulation of receptor affinity is dependent on coupling to native G-proteins in the host cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Dynamics of protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of the complement C5a receptor on serine 334.

Upon agonist binding, the C5a anaphylatoxin receptor (C5aR) is rapidly phosphorylated on phosphorylation sites that are located within the C-terminal domain of the receptor. Previous studies suggested that C5aR phosphorylation proceeds in a hierarchical manner with serine 334 presenting a highly accessible priming site that controls subsequent phosphorylation at other positions. To better understand the dynamics of Ser-334 phosphorylation, we generated site-specific monoclonal antibodies that specifically react with phosphoserine 334. In differentiated U937 cells, which endogenously express C5aR, stimulation with low C5a concentrations resulted in a very rapid (t((1/2)) approximately 20 s), albeit transient, receptor phosphorylation. Whole cell phosphorylation assays with specific inhibitors as well as in vitro phosphorylation assays with recombinant enzymes and peptide substrates revealed that phosphorylation of Ser-334 is regulated by protein kinase C-beta and a calyculin A-sensitive protein phosphatase. Surprisingly, at high concentrations (>10 nM) of C5a, the protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of Ser-334 was essentially blocked. This could be attributed to the even faster (t((1/2)) < 5 s) binding of beta-arrestin to the receptor. Analysis of C5aR Ser/Ala mutants that possess a single intact serine residue either at position 334 or at neighboring positions 327, 332, or 338 revealed functional redundancy of C-terminal phosphorylation sites since all 4 serine residues could individually support C5aR internalization and desensitization. This study is among the first to analyze in a detailed manner, using a non-mutational approach, modifications of a defined phosphorylation site in a G protein-coupled receptor and to correlate these findings with functional parameters of receptor deactivation.

Antibodies, Phospho-Specific↗
PubMed1997

Expression of the receptor for complement C5a (CD88) is up-regulated on reactive astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells in the inflamed human central nervous system.

C5a receptor (C5aR, CD88) is a receptor originally described on neutrophils and monocyte-macrophages but recently found on hepatocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and tissue mast cells. We recently reported that human fetal astrocytes expressed a functional C5aR in vitro. Here we examine C5aR expression in adult brain cultures by immunostaining with six different anti-C5aRs and show that C5aR is expressed constitutively by astrocytes, microglia, and fibroblast-like cells but not by oligodendrocytes. In fetal brain cultures we confirmed that astrocytes constitutively expressed C5aR and demonstrated that fetal microglia and fibroblast-like cells but not oligodendrocytes and neurones expressed C5aR. Incubation with inflammatory cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) or phorbol ester failed to induce or up-regulate C5aR expression on fetal or adult brain cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of C5aR in the normal and inflamed brain. In the normal brain C5aR was minimally expressed, whereas in inflamed brains from a variety of pathologies, C5aR expression was greatly up-regulated on reactive astrocytes and microglia and to a lesser extent on endothelial cells. We propose that expression of C5aR is a marker of central nervous system inflammation, and that C5aR expression on brain cells in inflammation plays an important role in cell activation and recruitment (gliosis).

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Airway hyper-reactivity mediated by B-1 cell immunoglobulin M antibody generating complement C5a at 1 day post-immunization in a murine hapten model of non-atopic asthma.

Contact skin immunization of mice with reactive hapten antigen and subsequent airway challenge with the same hapten induces immediate airflow obstruction and subsequent airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) to methacholine challenge, which is dependent on B cells but not on T cells. This responsiveness to airway challenge with antigen is elicited as early as 1 day postimmunization and can be adoptively transferred to naïve recipients via 1-day immune cells. Responses are absent in 1-day immune B-cell-deficient JH(-/-) mice and B-1 B-cell-deficient xid male mice, as well as in recipients of 1-day immune cells depleted of cells with the B-1 cell phenotype (CD19(+) B220(+) CD5(+)). As B-1 cells produce immunoglobulin M (IgM), we sought and found significantly increased numbers of anti-hapten IgM-producing cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of 1-day immune wild-type mice, but not in xid mice. Then, we passively immunized naive mice with anti-hapten IgM monoclonal antibody and, following airway hapten challenge of the recipients, we showed both immediate airflow obstruction and AHR. In addition, AHR was absent in complement C5 and C5a receptor-deficient mice. In summary, this study of the very early elicited phase of a hapten asthma model suggests, for the first time, a role of B-1 cells in producing IgM to activate complement to rapidly mediate asthma airway reactivity only 1 day after immunization.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Elevated complement C5a receptor expression on neurons and glia in astrocyte-targeted interleukin-3 transgenic mice.

Evidence from several central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disease models suggests that intrathecal complement synthesis may contribute to early inflammatory events in the brain. In this study, we examined the expression of the receptor for C5a (C5aR), a potent inflammatory and chemotactic factor, in the brains of transgenic mice with constitutive astrocyte expression of interleukin-3 (IL-3), a hematopoietic and immunomodulatory cytokine. By in situ hybridization, we demonstrated that cells infiltrating the cerebellar meninges, the cerebellum, and demyelinating lesions in the cerebellum were strongly positive for C5aR mRNA. By immunohistochemistry, the infiltrating cells expressing the C5aR were identified as macrophages based on staining with antibodies to the complement receptor type 3 and F4/80, a mouse macrophage-specific marker. In addition, some of the cells in cerebellar lesions were positive for the astrocyte-specific marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, suggesting that a subpopulation of astrocytes in these lesions express elevated levels of the C5aR. Increased C5aR expression was also observed in cortical neurons in the occipital cortex and in pyramidal neurons in the cornu ammonis and subiculum of the hippocampus, at both the protein and mRNA levels. These data suggest that IL-3 may play an immunomodulatory role in C5aR expression on several cell types in the brain and that increased C5aR expression correlates with the pathology seen in this model. The transgenic mice used in this study provide a useful tool for characterizing the mechanism of regulation of the C5aR expression and for examining the functions of this chemotactic receptor in CNS inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Potent cyclic antagonists of the complement C5a receptor on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Relationships between structures and activity.

Human C5a is a plasma protein with potent chemoattractant and pro-inflammatory properties, and its overexpression correlates with severity of inflammatory diseases. C5a binds to its G protein-coupled receptor (C5aR) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) through a high-affinity helical bundle and a low-affinity C terminus, the latter being solely responsible for receptor activation. Potent and selective C5a antagonists are predicted to be effective anti-inflammatory drugs, but no pharmacophore for small molecule antagonists has yet been developed, and it would significantly aid drug design. We have hypothesized that a turn conformation is important for activity of the C terminus of C5a and herein report small cyclic peptides that are stable turn mimics with potent antagonism at C5aR on human PMNLs. A comparison of solution structures for the C terminus of C5a, small acyclic peptide ligands, and cyclic antagonists supports the importance of a turn for receptor binding. Competition between a cyclic antagonist and either C5a or an acyclic agonist for C5aR on PMNLs supports a common or overlapping binding site on the C5aR. Structure-activity relationships for 60 cyclic analogs were evaluated by competitive radioligand binding with C5a (affinity) and myeloperoxidase release (antagonist potency) from human PMNLs, with 20 compounds having high antagonist potencies (IC(50), 20 nM-1 microM). Computer modeling comparisons reveal that potent antagonists share a common cyclic backbone shape, with affinity-determining side chains of defined volume projecting from the cyclic scaffold. These results define a new pharmacophore for C5a antagonist development and advance our understanding of ligand recognition and receptor activation of this G protein-coupled receptor.

Binding, Competitive↗
PubMed2003

Complement C5a receptor-mediated signaling may be involved in neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

In our earlier results, we demonstrated that cells expressing the complement C5aR are vulnerable since abnormal activation of C5aR caused apoptosis of these cells. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of C5aR by antisense homology box (AHB) peptides synthesized in multiple antigenic peptide form and representing putative interaction sites of the C5a/C5aR evoked calcium influx in TGW neuroblastoma cells. Dose-dependent inhibition of the response was found when the cells were pretreated with C5a, suggesting that C5aR was involved in this process. In addition, pretreatment with monomeric forms of the AHB peptides resulted in attenuation of the calcium signals, supporting the idea of the role of C5aR in this process. Cells of a neuron-rich primary culture and pyramidal cells of rat brain slices also responded to the AHB peptide activation with an increase in the intracellular calcium level, showing that calcium metabolism might be affected in these cells. TUNEL staining demonstrated that C5aR-mediated apoptosis could be induced both in cells of the primary culture as well as in cortical pyramidal neurons of the rat brain. In addition, we investigated expression of C5aR in the hippocampal and cortical neurons of human brains of healthy and demented patients using two anti-human C5aR Abs. Pyramidal cells of the hippocampus and cortex and granular cells of the hippocampus were immunopositive on staining. Although staining was also positive in the vascular dementia brain, it disappeared in the brain with Alzheimer's disease. These results provide further support that C5aR may be involved in neurodegeneration.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Complement C5a activation of phospholipase D in human neutrophils. A major route to the production of phosphatidates and diglycerides.

The contribution of phospholipase D (PLD) to the production of phosphatidic acid (PA) and diglyceride (DG) by C5a-stimulated human neutrophils has been studied. Membrane-associated 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidylcholine (alkyl-PC) was double labeled with 3H and 32P by incubating neutrophils with [3H]alkyl-lysoPC and alkyl-[32P]lysoPC. Upon stimulation with recombinant C5a, these labeled neutrophils produce 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidic acid (alkyl-PA) and, in the presence of ethanol, 1-O-alkyl-phosphatidyl-ethanol (alkyl-PEt), containing both 3H and 32P. Formation of radiolabeled alkyl-PEt parallels that of radiolabeled alkyl-PA and requires both extracellular Ca2+ and cytochalasin B. Furthermore, the 3H/32P ratios of alkyl-PA and alkyl-PEt formed during stimulation are very similar to that of th substrate alkyl-PC. These results demonstrate that, in C5a-stimulated neutrophils, alkyl-PA and alkyl-PEt are formed from alkyl-PC almost exclusively by PLD-catalyzed hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation, respectively. Upon C5a stimulation, neutrophils labeled with 3H and 32P also produce 1-O-[3H]alkyl-diglyceride [( 3H]alkyl-DG) and [32P]orthophosphate [( 32P]PO4), but not [32P]phosphocholine. [3H]Alkyl-DG and [32P]PO4 are formed in parallel, although temporally lagging behind alkyl-PA. Propranolol, a PA phosphohydrolase (PPH) inhibitor, decreases the formation of both [3H]alkyl-DG and [32P]PO4, although increasing alkyl-PA accumulation. These data support the conclusion that alkyl-DG is formed from alkyl-PC by the combined activities of PLD and PPH and not by phospholipase C (PLC). Furthermore, by using [3H]acyl-PC-labeled neutrophils, it is demonstrated that, like alkyl-PC, 1-acyl-PC is also degraded sequentially by PLD and PPH to 1-acyl-DG. Propranolol does not inhibit phosphoinositide-specific PLC and yet it causes almost complete inhibition of the total DG mass accumulation in C5a-stimulated neutrophils. We conclude that, in cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils stimulated with C5a, PLD-catalyzed hydrolysis of PC determines the levels of both PA and DG with potentially important ramifications for neutrophil-mediated defense functions.

Alkylation↗
PubMed2000

The C5a complement activation peptide increases IL-1beta and IL-6 release from amyloid-beta primed human monocytes: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains contain large numbers of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) deposits associated with activated microglia, astrocytes and dystrophic neurites. Activated complement components and pro-inflammatory cytokines are also present, indicative of focal inflammation. However, neither Abeta, nor the chemokine-like mediator, C5a, which is generated by Abeta-mediated complement activation, significantly activates microglia, as assessed by pro-inflammatory cytokine release. We evaluated the possibility that both together would co-stimulate such release using the THP-1 human monocytic cell line as a microglial surrogate, and found this to be the case. These studies support the hypothesis that Abeta and C5a induce a chronic microglia-mediated focal inflammatory response in AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2000

Recombinant human complement C5a receptor antagonist reduces infarct size after surgical revascularization.

OBJECTIVES: This study tested the hypothesis that a recombinant human C5a antagonist, CGS 32359, attenuates neutrophil activation and reduces infarct size in a porcine model of surgical revascularization. METHODS: CGS 32359 (0.16-16 micromol/L) dose-dependently inhibited superoxide production by human C5a-activated porcine neutrophils (18 +/- 3.7 vs 1.6 +/- 0.5 nmol/5 min/5 x 10(6) neutrophils; P <.05) and reduced neutrophil adherence to coronary endothelium from 194 +/- 9 to 43 +/- 6 neutrophils/mm(2) (P <.05). The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 50 minutes, after which saline solution (n = 8), mannitol-buffer vehicle (n = 9, 102 mg/kg bolus, 102 mg. kg(-1). h(-1)), or CGS 32359 (CGS, n = 7, 60 mg/kg bolus, 60 mg. kg(-1). h(-1)) was infused. After ischemia, 1-hour arrest was achieved by means of multidose hypothermic (4 degrees C) blood cardioplegia, followed by 2.5 hours of off-bypass reperfusion. The ligature on the left anterior descending artery was released before the second infusion of cardioplegic solution. RESULTS: Area at risk was similar in all groups (saline solution, 27% +/- 2%; mannitol-buffer vehicle, 26% +/- 2%; CGS, 26% +/- 2% left ventricular mass). Infarct size (area necrosis/area at risk) was significantly reduced by CGS (18% +/- 6%, P <.05) versus saline solution (52% +/- 3%) and mannitol-buffer vehicle (60% +/- 4%). Postischemic systolic shortening (sonomicrometry) in the area at risk was significantly improved with CGS (0.8% +/- 0.9%) compared with saline solution (-3.7% +/- 1.1%) and mannitol-buffer vehicle (-6.4% +/- 1.0%). Myeloperoxidase activity from accumulated neutrophils was less in the ischemic zone of CGS (0.014 +/- 0.002 U/100 mg tissue; P <.05) than mannitol-buffer vehicle (0.133 +/- 0.012 U/100 mg tissue). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the recombinant human C5a receptor antagonist CGS 32359 inhibits surgical ischemia-reperfusion injury after coronary occlusion.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Complement C5a, TGF-beta 1, and MCP-1, in sequence, induce migration of monocytes into ischemic canine myocardium within the first one to five hours after reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that reperfusion promotes healing of formerly ischemic heart tissue even when myocardial salvage is no longer possible. Since monocyte-macrophage infiltration is the hallmark of the healing infarct, we have attempted to identify mechanisms that attract monocytes into the heart after reperfusion of ischemic canine myocardium. METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated autologous 99mTc-labeled mononuclear leukocytes injected into the left atrium localized preferentially in previously ischemic myocardium within the first hour after reperfusion. Histological studies revealed CD64+ monocytes in small venules and the perivascular connective tissue within the first hour after reperfusion. Flow cytometric analysis of cells in cardiac lymph showed systematically increasing numbers of neutrophils and monocytes between 1 and 4 hours after reperfusion; monocyte enrichment was eventually greater than neutrophil enrichment. Monocyte chemotactic activity in cardiac lymph collected in the first hour after reperfusion was wholly attributable to C5a. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 contributed significantly to this chemotactic activity after 60 to 180 minutes, and after 180 minutes, monocyte chemotactic activity in lymph was largely dependent on monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 acting in concert with TGF-beta 1. CONCLUSIONS: Beginning in the first 60 minutes after reperfusion, C5a, TGF-beta 1, and MCP-1, acting sequentially, promote infiltration of monocytes into formerly ischemic myocardium. These events may promote the healing of myocardial injury facilitated by reperfusion.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Thrombin-activatable procarboxypeptidase B regulates activated complement C5a in vivo.

Plasma procarboxypeptidase B (proCPB) is activated by the endothelial thrombin-thrombomodulin [corrected] complex. Activated proCPB [corrected] (CPB) functions as a fibrinolysis inhibitor, but it may play a broader role by inactivating inflammatory mediators. To test this hypothesis, C5a-induced alveolitis was studied in wild-type (WT) and proCPB-deficient mice (proCPB-/-). C5a-induced alveolitis, as measured by cell counts and total protein contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, was markedly enhanced in the proCPB-/- mice. E229K thrombin, a thrombin mutant with minimal clotting activity but retaining its ability to activate protein C and proCPB, attenuated C5a-induced alveolitis in WT but not in proCPB-/- mice, indicating that its beneficial effect is mediated primarily by its activation of proCPB. Lung tissue histology confirmed these cellular inflammatory responses. Delayed administration of E229K thrombin after the C5a instillation was ineffective in reducing alveolitis in WT mice, suggesting that the beneficial effect of E229K thrombin is due to the direct inhibition of C5a by CPB. Our studies show that thrombin-activatable proCPB, in addition to its role in fibrinolysis, has intrinsic anti-inflammatory functions. Its activation, along with protein C, by the endothelial thrombin-TM complex represents a homeostatic response to counteract the inflammatory mediators generated at the site of vascular injury.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The in vivo effect of leukotriene B4 on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the microcirculation. Comparison with activated complement (C5a des Arg) and enhancement by prostaglandin E2.

The effect of synthetic leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on chemotaxis in vivo (51Cr-polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN] accumulation) was examined and its potency compared with that of C5a des Arg-containing zymosan-activated plasma (ZAP). On a molar basis the amount of C5a des Arg calculated to be in our preparation of ZAP was found to be up to approximately 80 times more potent than LTB4, although in vitro the two chemotaxins have been reported to be about equipotent. ZAP is more representative of what may happen in vivo than its principal constituent C5a des Arg, but for a more precise comparison the purified and isolated peptide will have to be compared with synthetic LTB4. Whereas ZAP induced severe PMN-dependent microvascular injury (increase in vessel permeability [125I-albumin] and hemorrhage [59Fe-erythrocytes]), LTB4 only induced an increase in vascular permeability, and this occurred only in the presence of simultaneously injected prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 also enhanced substantially the number of PMNs and the amount of exuded plasma at injection sites of the chemotaxins. However, unlike in two other reports, LTB4 did not cause an immediate transient increase in vessel permeability, nor did it enhance the permeability-increasing effect of bradykinin. Furthermore, unlike PGE2 LTB4 did not induce an increase in blood flow, but a decrease (57Co-microspheres). It is concluded that LTB4 may act as a host-derived chemoattractant in vivo, but, compared with that of ZAP (primarily activated complement), its role in acute inflammation is probably less significant than that of the complement-derived chemotaxin(s).

Animals↗