Adenovirus type 5 exerts multiple effects on the expression and activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin synthesis.

In this study, we examine how infection of murine and human fibroblasts by adenovirus (Ad) serotype 5 (Ad5) affects the expression and activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and production of PGs. Our experiments showed that infection with Ad5 is accompanied by the rapid activation of cPLA2 and the cPLA2-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid ([3H]AA). Increased expression of COX-2 was also observed after Ad infection, as was production of PGE2 and PGI2. Later, however, as the infection progressed, release of [3H]AA and production of PGs stopped. Late-stage Ad5-infected cells also did not release [3H]AA or PGs following treatment with a panel of biologically diverse agents. Experiments with UV-inactivated virus confirmed that Ad infection is accompanied by the activation of a host-dependent response that is later inhibited by the virus. Investigations of the mechanism of suppression of the PG pathway by Ad5 did not reveal major effects on the expression or activity of cPLA2 or COX-2. We did note a change in the intracellular position of cPLA2 and found that cPLA2 did not translocate normally in infected cells, raising the possibility that Ad5 interferes with the PG pathway by interfering with the intracellular movement of cPLA2. Taken together, these data reveal dynamic interactions between Ad5 and the lipid mediator pathways of the host and highlight a novel mechanism by which Ad5 evades the host immune response. In addition, our results offer insight into the inflammatory response induced by many Ad vectors lacking early region gene products.

Group V phospholipase A2-derived lysophosphatidylcholine mediates cyclooxygenase-2 induction in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.

Activation of macrophages and macrophage cell lines by bacterial LPS elicits a delayed phase of PG biosynthesis that appears to be entirely mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In previous work, we found that a catalytically active group V secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-V) was required for COX-2 induction, but the nature of the sPLA(2)-V metabolite involved was not defined. In this study, we identify lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) as the sPLA(2)-V downstream mediator involved in COX-2 induction by LPS-stimulated macrophages. Inhibition of sPLA(2)-V by RNA interference or by the cell-permeable compound scalaradial blocked LPS-induced COX-2 expression, and this inhibition was overcome by incubating the cells with a nonhydrolyzable lysoPC analog, but not by arachidonic acid or oleic acid. Moreover, inhibition of sPLA(2)-V by scalaradial also prevented the activation of the transcription factor c-Rel, and such an inhibition was also selectively overcome by the lysoPC analog. Collectively, these results support a model whereby sPLA(2)-V hydrolysis of phospholipids upon LPS stimulation results in lysoPC generation, which in turn regulates COX-2 expression by a mechanism involving the transcriptional activity of c-Rel.

A novel role of group VIB calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2gamma) in the inducible expression of group IIA secretory PLA2 in rat fibroblastic cells.

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)-IIA) is a prototypic sPLA(2) enzyme that may play roles in modification of eicosanoid biosynthesis as well as antibacterial defense. In several cell types, inducible expression of sPLA(2) by pro-inflammatory stimuli is attenuated by group IVA cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)alpha) inhibitors such as arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, leading to the proposal that prior activation of cPLA(2)alpha is required for de novo induction of sPLA(2). However, because of the broad specificity of several cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors used so far, a more comprehensive approach is needed to evaluate the relevance of this ambiguous pathway. Here, we provide evidence that the induction of sPLA(2)-IIA by pro-inflammatory stimuli requires group VIB calcium-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)gamma), rather than cPLA(2)alpha, in rat fibroblastic 3Y1 cells. Results with small interfering RNA unexpectedly showed that the cytokine induction of sPLA(2)-IIA in cPLA(2)alpha knockdown cells, in which cPLA(2)alpha protein was undetectable, was similar to that in replicate control cells. By contrast, knockdown of iPLA(2)gamma, another arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone-sensitive intracellular PLA(2), markedly reduced the cytokine-induced expression of sPLA(2)-IIA. Supporting this finding, the R-enantiomer of bromoenol lactone, an iPLA(2)gamma inhibitor, suppressed the cytokine-induced sPLA(2)-IIA expression, whereas (S)-bromoenol lactone, an iPLA(2)beta inhibitor, failed to do so. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated sPLA(2)-IIA expression was also abolished by knockdown of iPLA(2)gamma. These findings open new insight into a novel regulatory role of iPLA(2)gamma in stimulus-coupled sPLA(2)-IIA expression.

Gene expression of cyclooxygenase-1 and Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) is altered in rat hippocampus during normal aging.

Brain aging is associated with inflammatory changes. However, data on how the brain arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism is altered as a function of age are limited and discrepant. AA is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and then further metabolized to bioactive prostaglandins and thromboxanes by cyclooxygenases (COX)-1 and -2. We examined the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))/COX-mediated AA metabolic pathway in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of 4-, 12-, 24- and 30-month-old rats. A two-fold increase in brain thromboxane B(2) level in 24 and 30 months was accompanied by increased hippocampal COX-1 mRNA levels at 12, 24, and 30 months. COX-2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased only at 30 months. Hippocampal Ca(2+)-independent iPLA(2) mRNA levels were decreased at 24 and 30 months without any change in Ca(2+)-dependent PLA(2) expression. In the cerebral cortex, mRNA levels of COX and PLA(2) were not significantly changed. The specific changes in the AA cascade observed in the hippocampus may alter phospholipids homeostasis and possibly increase the susceptibility of the aging brain to neuroinflammation.

Recombinant production and properties of binding of the full set of mouse secreted phospholipases A2 to the mouse M-type receptor.

To date, 12 secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) have been identified in the mouse species and divided into three structural collections (I/II/V/X, III, and XII). On the basis of their different molecular properties and tissue distributions, each sPLA2 is likely to exert distinct functions by acting as an enzyme or ligand for specific soluble proteins or receptors, among which the M-type receptor is the best-characterized target. Here, we present the properties of binding of the full set of mouse sPLA2s to the mouse M-type receptor. All enzymes have been produced in Escherichia coli or insect cells, and their properties of binding to the cloned and native M-type receptor have been determined. sPLA2s IB, IIA, IIE, IIF, and X are high-affinity ligands (K0.5 = 0.3-3 nM); sPLA2s IIC and V are low-affinity ligands (K0.5 = 30-75 nM), and sPLA2s IID, III, XIIA, and XIIB bind only very weakly or do not bind to the M-type receptor (K0.5 > 100 nM). Three exogenous parvoviral group XIII PLA2s and two fungal group XIV sPLA2s do not bind to the receptor. Together, these results indicate that the mouse M-type receptor is selective for only a subset of mouse sPLA2s from the group I/II/V/X structural collection. Binding of mouse sPLA2s to a recombinant soluble mouse M-type receptor leads in all cases to inhibition of enzymatic activity, and the extent of deglycosylation of the receptor decreases yet does not abolish sPLA2 binding. The physiological meaning of binding of sPLA2 to the M-type receptor is discussed on the basis of our current knowledge of sPLA2 functions.

Production of synthetically created phospholipase A(2) variants with industrial impact.

Phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) play an important role for the production of lysophospholipids. Presently they are mainly obtained from porcine or bovine pancreas but these mammalian sources are not accepted in several fields of application. To make accessible a non-mammalian PLA(2) to industrial application, synthetic genes encoding PLA(2) from honey bee (Apis mellifera) with modified N-termini were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. While expression of the gene with an N-terminal leader sequence to direct the protein into the periplasm failed, four variants with slightly modified N-termini (I1A-PLA(2), I1V-PLA(2), His(6)-tagged PLA(2) and PLA(2) still containing the start methionine) were successfully expressed. In all cases, the PLA(2) variants were produced as inclusion bodies. Their protein content amounted to 26-35% of total cell protein. The optimized renaturation procedure and subsequent purification by cation-exchange chromatography yielded pure active enzymes in yields of 4-11 mg L(-1). The recombinant PLA(2) variants showed activities, far-UV CD and fluorescence spectra similar to the glycosylated PLA(2) isolated from the venom glands of honey bee (bv-PLA(2)). The thermodynamic stabilities of the recombinant enzymes calculated from the transition curves of guanidine hydrochloride induced unfolding were also nearly identical to the stability of bv-PLA(2). For the variant I1A-PLA(2) high-cell density fermentation in 10 L-scale using mineral salt medium was shown to increase the volumetric enzyme yield considerably.

Immune regulatory functions of human beta-defensin-2 in odontoblast-like cells.

AIM: To investigate the effects of human beta-defensins on the expression of genes involved in the host immune response of the dental pulp. METHODOLOGY: Human odontoblast-like cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. Cells were stimulated by recombinant human beta-defensins (rhBDs) up to 4 h. RNA was extracted followed by cDNA synthesis (oligo-(dT)-primer). Samples were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. Genes of interest were: human beta-defensin-1, -2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, cyclooxygenase-2, leukotriene-A4-hydrolase, cytosolic phospholipase-A-2 (cPLA(2)), and dentine sialophosphoprotein. Gene expression of beta-actin served as internal standard for normalizing real-time PCR data. Two-way anova and the paired t-test were applied for comparison of the gene expression. RESULTS: In odontoblast-like cells rhBD-2 stimulation led to a down-regulation of the gene expression of hBD-1 (P < 0.05), whilst the mRNA expression of IL-6 (P < 0.05), IL-8 (P < 0.05) and cPLA(2) was increased in response to rhBD-2. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest immune regulatory functions of human beta-defensin-2 in odontoblast-like cells.

Dramatic accumulation of triglycerides and precipitation of cardiac hemodynamic dysfunction during brief caloric restriction in transgenic myocardium expressing human calcium-independent phospholipase A2gamma.

Previously, we identified calcium-independent phospholipase A2gamma (iPLA2gamma) with multiple translation initiation sites and dual mitochondrial and peroxisomal localization motifs. To determine the role of iPLA2gamma in integrating lipid and energy metabolism, we generated transgenic mice containing the alpha-myosin heavy chain promoter (alphaMHC) placed proximally to the human iPLA2gamma coding sequence that resulted in cardiac myocyte-restricted expression of iPLA2gamma (TGiPLA2gamma). TGiPLA2gamma mice possessed multiple phenotypes including: 1) a dramatic approximately 35% reduction in myocardial phospholipid mass in both the fed and mildly fasted states; 2) a marked accumulation of triglycerides during brief caloric restriction that represented 50% of total myocardial lipid mass; and 3) acute fasting-induced hemodynamic dysfunction. Biochemical characterization of the TGiPLA2gamma protein expressed in cardiac myocytes demonstrated over 25 distinct isoforms by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE Western analysis. Immunohistochemistry identified iPLA2gamma in the peroxisomal and mitochondrial compartments in both wild type and transgenic myocardium. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of loosely packed and disorganized mitochondrial cristae in TGiPLA2gamma mice that were accompanied by defects in mitochondrial function. Moreover, markedly elevated levels of 1-hydroxyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1-hydroxyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were prominent in the TGiPLA2gamma myocardium identifying the production of signaling metabolites by this enzyme in vivo. Collectively, these results identified the participation of iPLA2gamma in the remarkable lipid plasticity of myocardium, its role in generating signaling metabolites, and its prominent effects in modulating energy storage and utilization in myocardium in different metabolic contexts.

EP4 receptor regulates collagen type-I, MMP-1, and MMP-3 gene expression in human tendon fibroblasts in response to IL-1 beta treatment.

Tendinopathy is accompanied by inflammation, tendon matrix degradation, or both. Inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta, which is a potent inflammatory mediator, is likely present within the tendon. The purpose of this study was to determine the biological impact of IL-1beta on tendon fibroblasts by assessing the expression of cPLA(2), COX-2, PGE(2) and its receptors (EPs), collagen type-I, and MMPs. We also studied the role of the p38 MAPK pathway in IL-1beta-induced catabolic effects. We found that IL-1beta increased the expression levels of cPLA(2) and COX-2, and also increased the secretion of PGE(2). Induction of MMPs, such as MMP-1 and MMP-3 at the mRNA level, was also observed after stimulation with IL-1beta. Furthermore, the presence of IL-1beta significantly decreased the level of collagen type-I mRNA in tendon fibroblasts. These effects were found to be mediated by selective upregulation of EP(4) receptor, which is a member of G-protein-coupled receptor that transduces the PGE(2) signal. Blocking EP(4) receptor by a specific chemical inhibitor abolished IL-1beta-induced catabolic effects. These results suggest that IL-1beta-induced catabolic action on tendon fibroblasts occurs via the upregulation of two key inflammatory mediators, cPLA(2) and COX-2, which are responsible for the synthesis of PGE(2). IL-1beta further stimulates the expression of EP(4) receptor, suggesting positive feedback regulation which may lead to accelerated catabolic processes in tendon fibroblasts. Studies using pathway-specific chemical inhibitors suggest that the p38 MAPK pathway is the key signaling cascade transducing IL-1beta-mediated catabolic effects. Collectively, our findings suggest that the EP(4) receptor mediates the IL-1beta-induced catabolic metabolism via the p38 MAPK pathway in human tendon fibroblasts and may play a major role in the tendon's degenerative changes often seen in the later stages of tendinopathy.

Roles of cPLA2alpha and arachidonic acid in cancer.

Phospholipase A(2)s (PLA(2)s) are key enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids to release bioactive lipids that play an important role in normal cellular homeostasis. Under certain circumstances, disrupted production of key lipid mediators may adversely impact physiological processes, leading to pathological conditions such as inflammation and cancer. In particular, cytosolic PLA(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha) has a high selectivity for liberating arachidonic acid (AA) that is subsequently metabolized by a panel of downstream enzymes for eicosanoid production. Although concentrations of free AA are maintained at low levels in resting cells, alterations in AA production, often resulting from dysregulation of cPLA(2)alpha activity, are observed in transformed cells. In this review, we summarize recent evidence that cPLA(2)alpha plays a role in the pathogenesis of many human cancers. Much of this evidence has been accumulated from functional studies using cPLA(2)alpha-deficient mice, as well as mechanistic studies in cell culture. We also discuss the potential contribution of cPLA(2)alpha and AA to apoptosis, and the regulatory mechanisms leading to aberrant expression of cPLA(2)alpha.

Transgenic expression of group V, but not group X, secreted phospholipase A2 in mice leads to neonatal lethality because of lung dysfunction.

In an effort to elucidate the functions of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) enzymes in vivo, we generated transgenic (Tg) mice for group V sPLA2 (sPLA2-V) and group X sPLA2 (sPLA2-X), which act potently on phosphatidylcholine in vitro. We found that sPLA2-V Tg mice died in the neonatal period because of respiratory failure. The lungs of sPLA2-V Tg mice exhibited atelectasis with thickened alveolar walls and narrow air spaces, accompanied by infiltration of macrophages and only modest changes in eicosanoid levels. This severe pulmonary defect in sPLA2-V Tg mice was attributable to marked reduction of the lung surfactant phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol. Given that the expression of sPLA2-V is greatly elevated in human lungs with severe inflammation, our present results raise the intriguing possibility that this isozyme may contribute to ongoing surfactant hydrolysis often observed in the lungs of patients with respiratory distress syndrome. In contrast, sPLA2-X Tg neonates displayed minimal abnormality of the respiratory tract with normal alveolar architecture and surfactant composition. This unexpected result was likely because sPLA2-X protein existed as an inactive zymogen in most tissues. The active form of sPLA2-X was detected in tissues with inflammatory granulation in sPLA2-X Tg mice. These results suggest that sPLA2-X mostly remains inactive under physiological conditions and that its proteolytic activation occurs during inflammation or other as yet unidentified circumstances in vivo.

Differential effects of oxidative stress on hepatic endothelial and Kupffer cell eicosanoid release in response to endothelin-1.

OBJECTIVE: The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 can induce vasomodulators release like nitric oxide in the liver. Here the authors explored whether endothelin-1 can stimulate endothelial and Kupffer cells release of other vasomodulators under normal and stress conditions. METHODS: Cells were cultured for 24 h and treated with H2O2 (25 microM) for 6 h and subsequently with endothelin-1 (10 nM) for 10 min. Eicosanoid release was assessed in the media by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Endothelin-1 mediated cPLA2 phosphorylation and increased prostaglandin (PG) I2, PGE2 and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) release in endothelial cells while it only increased TXA2 in Kupffer cells. H2O2 significantly increased PGI2, PGE2 and TXA2 in endothelial cells through an upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2, thromboxane synthase A2, and phosphorylation of cPLA2. Endothelin-1-induced PGI2, PGE2, and TXA2 release in endothelial cells were inhibited by H2O2 correlating with the absence of further cPLA2 phosphorylation. In Kupffer cells, H2O2 only increased TXA2 synthesis and further endothelin-1 stimulation of TXA2 was possible through a higher increase in cPLA2. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that under normal conditions endothelial cells play a pivotal role in liver microcirculation regulation. Oxidative stress not only disrupts the basal balance of vasomodulators in the liver but also affects endothelin-1-induced effects in both Kupffer cells and endothelial cells.

Analysis of expression of secreted phospholipases A2 in mouse tissues at protein and mRNA levels.

Secreted phospholipases A(2) (sPLA(2)) form a group of low-molecular weight enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phospholipids. Some sPLA(2)s are likely to play a role in inflammation, cancer, and as antibacterial enzymes in innate immunity. We developed specific and sensitive time-resolved fluroimmunoassays (TR-FIA) for mouse group (G) IB, GIIA, GIID, GIIE, GIIF, GV and GX sPLA(2)s and measured their concentrations in mouse serum and tissues obtained from both Balb/c and C57BL/6J mice. We also analyzed the mRNA expression of the sPLA(2)s by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qPCR). In most tissues, the concentrations of sPLA(2) proteins corresponded to the expression of sPLA(2)s at the mRNA level. With a few exceptions, the sPLA(2) proteins were found in the gastrointestinal tract. The qPCR results showed that GIB sPLA(2) is synthesized widely in the gastrointestinal tract, including esophagus and colon, in addition to stomach and pancreas. Our results also suggest that the loss of GIIA sPLA(2) in the intestine of GIIA sPLA(2)-deficient C57BL/6J mice is not compensated by other sPLA(2)s under normal conditions. Outside the gastrointestinal tract, sPLA(2)s were expressed occasionally in a number of tissues. The TR-FIAs developed in the current study may serve as useful tools to measure the levels of sPLA(2) proteins in mouse serum and tissues in various experimental settings.

Heterologous expression of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 in different expression systems.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) is a key enzyme involved in atherosclerosis, and has been considered as a new target for drug discovery. The major difficulty for high-throughput screening of Lp-PLA(2) inhibitors and for functional studies was their fast and efficient production. Purification of native Lp-PLA(2) from human plasma was complicated and produced a very low yield. We herein examined the feasibility of expressing and purifying recombinant Lp-PLA(2) in different heterologous expression systems. The fusion Lp-PLA(2) was expressed at high levels and exhibited strong enzyme activity in insect cell-baculovirus expression system. The functional enzyme could also be produced in Pichia pastoris. The inclusion of a Kozak sequence increased greatly the expression level of recombinant Lp-PLA(2) in insect cells, but had little effect on the expression of recombinant Lp-PLA(2) in P. pastoris and Escherichia coli. P. pastoris-produced Lp-PLA(2) could be purified rapidly and conveniently through a one-step procedure, while baculovirus-produced Lp-PLA(2) could be efficiently purified through a two-step procedure. This ability to readily produce recombinant Lp-PLA(2) could provide a screening model for Lp-PLA(2) inhibitors and will facilitate further studies on this enzyme.

Chronic fluoxetine upregulates activity, protein and mRNA levels of cytosolic phospholipase A2 in rat frontal cortex.

Chronic lithium and carbamazepine, which are effective against mania in bipolar disorder, decrease the activity of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) and the turnover rate of arachidonic acid in phospholipids in rat brain. Assuming that stages of bipolar disorder are related to brain arachidonic acid metabolism, we hypothesized that drugs effective in depression would increase cPLA(2) activity. To test this hypothesis, adult male CDF-344 rats were administered fluoxetine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) or saline (control) (i.p.) chronically for 21 days. Frontal cortex cPLA(2) protein, phosphorylated cPLA(2), activity and mRNA levels were increased after chronic fluoxetine. Transcription factors (activator protein-1, activator protein-2, glucocorticoid response element, polyoma enhancer element-3 and nuclear factor-kappa B) that are known to regulate cPLA(2) gene expression were not significantly changed by chronic fluoxetine, but nuclear AU-rich element/poly(U)-binding/degradation factor-1 RNA-stabilizing protein was increased significantly. The results suggest that chronic fluoxetine increases brain cPLA(2) gene expression post-transcriptionally by increasing cPLA(2) mRNA stabilization. Chronic fluoxetine's effect on cPLA(2) expression was opposite to the effect reported with chronic lithium or carbamazepine administration, and may be part of fluoxetine's mode of action.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 enzymes are not required by mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages for the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro.

During the course of infection Mycobacterium tuberculosis predominantly resides within macrophages, where it encounters and is often able to resist the antibacterial mechanisms of the host. In this study, we assessed the role of macrophage phospholipases A2 (PLA2s) in defense against M. tuberculosis. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) expressed cPLA2-IVA, cPLA2-IVB, iPLA2-VI, sPLA2-IIE, and sPLA2-XIIA. The expression of cPLA2-IVA was increased in response to M. tuberculosis, gamma interferon, or their combination, and cPLA2-IVA mediated the release of arachidonic acid, which was stimulated by M. tuberculosis in activated, but not unactivated, macrophages. We confirmed that arachidonic acid is highly mycobactericidal in a concentration- and pH-dependent manner in vitro. However, when M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages were treated with PLA2 inhibitors, intracellular survival of M. tuberculosis was not affected, even in inducible nitric oxide synthase-deficient macrophages, in which a major bactericidal mechanism is removed. Moreover, intracellular survival of M. tuberculosis was similar in cPLA2-IVA-deficient and wild-type macrophages. Our results demonstrate that the cytosolic PLA2s are not required by murine BMDMs to kill M. tuberculosis.

Group V secretory phospholipase A2 translocates to the phagosome after zymosan stimulation of mouse peritoneal macrophages and regulates phagocytosis.

We have previously reported that group V secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) amplifies the action of cytosolic phospholipase A2(cPLA2) alpha in regulating eicosanoid biosynthesis by mouse peritoneal macrophages stimulated with zymosan (Satake, Y., Diaz, B. L., Balestrieri, B., Lam, B. K., Kanaoka, Y., Grusby, M. J., and Arm, J. P. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 16488-16494). To further understand the role of group V sPLA2, we studied its localization in resting mouse peritoneal macrophages before and after stimulation with zymosan and the effect of deletion of the gene encoding group V sPLA2 on phagocytosis of zymosan. We report that group V sPLA2 is present in the Golgi apparatus and recycling endosome in the juxtanuclear region of resting peritoneal macrophages. Upon ingestion of zymosan by mouse peritoneal macrophages, group V sPLA2 is recruited to the phagosome. There it co-localizes with cPLA2alpha, 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, and leukotriene C4 synthase. Using immunostaining for the cysteinyl leukotrienes in carbodiimide-fixed cells, we show, for the first time, that the phagosome is a site of cysteinyl leukotriene formation. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages from group V sPLA2-null mice demonstrated a >50% attenuation in phagocytosis of zymosan particles, which was restored by adenoviral expression of group V sPLA2 but IIA not group sPLA2. These data demonstrate that group V sPLA2 contributes to the innate immune response both through regulation of eicosanoid generation in response to a phagocytic stimulus and also as a component of the phagocytic machinery.

Topological and functional discovery in a gene coexpression meta-network of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is a leading cause of global cancer mortality, but comparatively little is known about the cellular pathways regulating different aspects of the gastric cancer phenotype. To achieve a better understanding of gastric cancer at the levels of systems topology, functional modules, and constituent genes, we assembled and systematically analyzed a consensus gene coexpression meta-network of gastric cancer incorporating >300 tissue samples from four independent patient populations (the "gastrome"). We find that the gastrome exhibits a hierarchical scale-free architecture, with an internal structure comprising multiple deeply embedded modules associated with diverse cellular functions. Individual modules display distinct subtopologies, with some (cellular proliferation) being integrated within the primary network, and others (ribosomal biosynthesis) being relatively isolated. One module associated with intestinal differentiation exhibited a remarkably high degree of autonomy, raising the possibility that its specific topological features may contribute towards the frequent occurrence of intestinal metaplasia in gastric cancer. At the single-gene level, we discovered a novel conserved interaction between the PLA2G2A prognostic marker and the EphB2 receptor, and used tissue microarrays to validate the PLA2G2A/EphB2 association. Finally, because EphB2 is a known target of the Wnt signaling pathway, we tested and provide evidence that the Wnt pathway may also similarly regulate PLA2G2A. Many of these findings were not discernible by studying the single patient populations in isolation. Thus, besides enhancing our knowledge of gastric cancer, our results show the broad utility of applying meta-analytic approaches to genome-wide data for the purposes of biological discovery.

CLA isomers inhibit TNFalpha-induced eicosanoid release from human vascular smooth muscle cells via a PPARgamma ligand-like action.

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) were reported to have anti-atherogenic properties in animal feeding experiments. In an attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these anti-atherogenic effects, the modulatory potential of CLA on cytokine-induced eicosanoid production from smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which contributes to the chronic inflammatory response associated with atherosclerosis, has been investigated in the present study. cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA were shown to reduce proportions of the eicosanoid precursor arachidonic acid in SMC total lipids and to inhibit cytokine-induced NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity, mRNA levels of inducible enzymes involved in eicosanoid formation (cPLA2, COX-2, mPGES), and the production of the prostaglandins PGE2 and PGI2 by TNFalpha-stimulated SMCs in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of 50 micromol/L of either CLA isomer was as effective as 10 micromol/L of the PPARgamma agonist troglitazone in terms of inhibiting the TNFalpha-stimulated eicosanoid production by SMCs. PPARgamma DNA-binding activity was increased by both CLA isomers compared to control cells. Moreover, it was shown that the PPARgamma antagonist T0070907 partially abrogated the inhibitory action of CLA isomers on cytokine-induced eicosanoid production and NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity by vascular SMCs suggesting that PPARgamma signalling is at least partially involved in the action of CLA in human vascular SMCs. With respect to the effects of CLA on experimental atherosclerosis, our findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of CLA is at least partially responsible for the anti-atherogenic effects of CLA observed in vivo.

Ceramide-1-phosphate activates cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha directly and by PKC pathway.

Ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), a novel bioactive sphingolipid, is implicated in the vital cellular processes such as cell proliferation and inflammation. The role of C1P on activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha), a key enzyme for the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and prostanoids, has not been well elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of C1P on the release of AA from L929 cells and a variant, which lacks cPLA2alpha expression, C12 cells. C1P at 30 microM alone induced AA release from L929 cells without an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. C1P-induced AA release was marginal in C12 cells, and treatment with an intracellular Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA-AM) or an inhibitor of cPLA2alpha (2 microM pyrrophenone) decreased C1P-induced AA release in L929 cells. C1P increased the enzymatic activity of cPLA2alpha over two-fold in the presence of Ca2+. C1P triggered the translocation of cPLA2alpha and its C2 domain from the cytosol to the perinuclear region in CHO-K1 cells. Interestingly, C1P at 10 microM synergistically enhanced ionomycin-induced AA release from L929 cells. The AA release induced by C1P with and without ionomycin decreased by treatment with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (10 microM GF109203X) and in the PKC-depleted cells. C1P at 10 microM stimulated the translocation of PKC (alpha and delta) from the soluble to the membrane fractions. We propose that C1P stimulates AA release via two mechanisms; direct activation of cPLA2alpha, and the PKC-dependent pathway.