Analysis of choline and phosphorylcholine content in human neutrophils stimulated by f-Met-Leu-Phe and phorbol myristate acetate: contribution of phospholipase D and C.

ABSTRACT. We analysed changes in choline (CHO) and phosphorylcholine (PCHO) content of stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by a chemiluminescence assay to further examine the relative contributions of phospholipase D (PLD) and PLC to phosphatidylcholine (PC) breakdown. PLD activation was also analysed by measuring tritiated phosphatidic acid (PA) and diglycerides (GDs) in PMNs labelled with tritiated alkyl-lyso PC. Stimulation of PMNs with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine fMLP; 0.1 microM induced a weak elevation of mass choline (+25% of basal level) that was strongly potentiated in PMNs primed with cytochalasin B (+350% relative to the control value of 657+/-53 pmol/10(7) cells). CHO production was rapid and transient, peaking within 1 min, and ran parallel to that of tritiated PA. Thereafter, the amount of tritiated PA declined strongly (40% of maximum by 3 min), whereas the elevated choline content induced by fMLP plateaued for at least 5 min. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) sustained the formation of CHO for as long as 20 min, which correlated with that of [3H]PA in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. PCHO content of resting PMN leukocytes (1560 +/- 56 pmol/10(7) cells) was not modified after stimulation of PMNs with fMLP or PMA for at least 10 min, which argues against breakdown of phosphatidylcholine by PLC. For longer treatment (10-20 min), fMLP stimulated a significant enhancement of PCHO level, which occurred concomitantly with a decrease in CHO level, suggesting that choline kinase rather than PLC may be activated. Unlike fMLP, PMA stimulated a fall in PCHO between 10 and 15 min after PMN stimulation, pointing to different regulatory mechanisms of PCHO level. These data indicate that DG formation from PC in PMNs is mediated by PLD but not by PLC and show that chemiluminescence measurement of choline is a reliable index of PLD activation.

Priming of phosphatidic acid production by staurosporine in f-Met-Leu-Phe-stimulated human neutrophils--correlation with respiratory burst.

Staurosporine, a microbial alkaloid known as a potent though non specific PKC inhibitor, enhances the production of superoxide anion (respiratory burst) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated by chemoattractants such as f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). To gain insights into the mechanisms of this priming, we analysed staurosporine effects on formation of second messengers issued from phospholipase D (PLD), i.e., phosphatidic acid (PA) and its dephosphorylated form, diglycerides (DG). PA and DG were measured by two methods, in mass and after the labelling of PMN with a phosphatidylcholine precursor, [3H]-1-O-alkyl-2-lyso-3-phosphatidylcholine. Treatment of labelled PMN with low concentrations of staurosporine (12.5 and 50 nM) which prime respiratory burst had no significant effect on basal amounts of tritiated PA and DG, but potentiated fMLP-mediated formation of [3H]PA and phosphatidylethanol (PEt) pointing to a priming of PLD activity. PA mass in resting PMN increased (approximately 80 +/- 7%) in the presence of high drug concentrations only (250-500 nM), with no change in basal DAG mass. Low staurosporine concentrations (6.25-25 nM) markedly potentiated PA mass formation induced by fMLP and positive correlation (R = 0.95) was found between enhanced superoxide formation and generation of PA but not DG. Furthermore, cytochalasin B, which is known to prime PA production induced by fMLP, synergised the priming of respiratory burst by staurosporine, which further suggests a functional role of PA. In contrast to staurosporine, the more selective PKC inhibitor GF109203X neither stimulated PLD nor primed fMLP-induced PLD or respiratory burst. These data indicate that priming of fMLP-mediated PMN respiratory burst by staurosporine correlates with PA formation. This priming may be linked to alteration of early signalling events upstream of PLD rather than to feedback inhibition of PKC.

W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, primes the stimulation of human neutrophil respiratory burst by formyl peptides and platelet-activating factor.

Low concentrations of the calmodulin antagonist W-7 (1-10 microM) enhanced the respiratory burst (RB) of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated by N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, whereas high drug concentrations (above 20 microM) depressed it. The maximal increase obtained with 5-10 microM W-7 affected both initial rate (50%) and total superoxide anion production (150%). W-7 also primed both parameters of the RB mediated by platelet-activating factor, although higher drug concentrations were required (15-50 microM). By contrast, W-7 depressed the RB induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 and by a protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate, with an IC50 of approximately 20 and 8 microM, respectively. These data show the enhancing effect of W-7 on chemoattractant-mediated RB and suggest that RB priming may involve calmodulin-dependent regulation of chemoattractant-mediated early signalling events.

Immunochemical identification and translocation of protein kinase C zeta in human neutrophils.

Western blots of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) extracts were immunostained with antibodies specific for various protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms. Two bands corresponding to PKC type zeta with apparent molecular masses of 81 kDa and 76 kDa were identified in the cytosolic fraction of resting cells, in addition to PKC types alpha and beta. PKC zeta was apparently abundant, like PKC beta, whereas PKC delta, -epsilon, and -gamma were not detectable. Following short stimulation (5 min) of PMN with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (1 microgram/ml), physical translocation of PKC zeta from the cytosol to the plasma membrane fraction occurred, although this isoform does not bind phorbol esters. These data show that, in addition to the two calcium-dependent isoenzymes alpha and beta, human PMN express a calcium-independent isoenzyme zeta which translocates in stimulated cells, suggesting a role in the regulation of antibacterial activities.

Staurosporine stimulates phospholipase D activation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Treatment of 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-phosphatidylcholine-prelabeled human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) with staurosporine (50 nM to 1 microM) induced a time- and concentration-dependent generation of tritiated phosphatidic acid (PA), reaching approximately 225% of the control value at 15-20 min. In the presence of ethanol, staurosporine induced a production of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) reaching, 250% of control values, and partial inhibition of PA production, consistent with PLD activation. The amount of ether-linked acylglycerol (EAG) was weakly enhanced (29%) after 5 min of PMN treatment; longer treatment resulted in no significant EAG production, suggesting a possible late inhibition of PA hydrolase activity. Staurosporine concentrations that induced an elevation in PA completely depressed protein kinase C (PKC) activity in both soluble and particulate cell fractions, suggesting that PLD activation may occur independently from PKC activation. PLD may thus represent a potential cellular target for staurosporine action.

Staurosporine up-regulates the expression of phorbol dibutyrate binding sites in human platelets.

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters bind to and activate protein kinase C (PKC). Staurosporine, a potent PKC inhibitor, interferes with PKC catalytic activity without altering phorbol ester binding sites in cell-free systems. We found that, unlike cell-free systems, treatment of intact platelets with staurosporine enhances the expression of phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) binding sites. Incubation of platelets at 37 degrees with staurosporine (25 nM to 1 microM and 2 nM tritiated PDBu ([3H]PDBu) increased the amount of [3H]PDBu specifically bound to intact platelets by approximately 10 to 200% of control values. This effect was rapid and plateaued after 10 min of cell treatment. Scatchard analysis of the data showed that staurosporine (500 nM) significantly increased the total binding capacity Bmax from 42.9 +/- 15.4 x 10(3) to 78 +/- 7.3 x 10(3) sites per platelet and reduced the apparent dissociation constant value Kd from 30.8 +/- 8.6 nM to 9.4 +/- 3.4 nM. Enhanced PDBu binding capacity and affinity were also observed with human mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Fractionation of staurosporine-treated platelets showed an increased binding capacity of the particulate fraction (102%) and decreased binding capacity of the soluble fraction (60%) compared to controls, with no change in the affinity of PDBu binding to these fractions. Chelation of internal calcium with BAPTA did not significantly attenuate the staurosporine-mediated rise in PBDu binding but prevented the platelet-activating factor-induced response, indicating that cytosolic calcium does not play an important role in these staurosporine effects. These results show that, in addition to interfering with PKC protein-phosphorylating activity, staurosporine enhances PDBu binding affinity and capacity in intact platelets. This latter effect appears to be due to translocation of soluble PDBu binding sites, presumably PKC units.

Chemokinetic activity of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine on human neutrophils, and its modulation by phenylbutazone.

Phenylbutazone (PBZ) is known to inhibit the oriented migration of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), and to protect these cells against the deactivation caused by their prior incubation with FMLP. To gain insight into the mechanism of these effects, we measured the oriented PMN migration under agarose induced, in the presence and absence of PBZ, by FMLP, zymosan-activated serum and Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant. The two components of this migration, i.e. the speed (chemokinesis), and direction of locomotion (chemotaxis), were also assessed. At concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M, FMLP displayed similar chemotactic activity but the speed of PMN locomotion was maximal for 10(-7) M, and lower for concentrations above and below this level. Oriented migration was proportional to the mean cell locomotion speed during the experiments. PBZ inhibited both the oriented migration and locomotion speed induced by 10(-7) M FMLP, but did not affect its chemotactic activity. At concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, PBZ increased oriented migration and locomotion speed, again without influencing FMLP chemotactic activity. Oriented migration induced by zymosan-activated serum was not affected by PBZ but the migration induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant diminished slightly. These results demonstrate that PBZ modulates the chemokinetic effect of FMLP on PMNs and thus alters oriented PMN migration.

Stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes potentiates the uptake of diclofenac and the inhibition of chemotaxis.

Diclofenac sodium, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been shown to impair the stimulation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by chemoattractants. To gain insight into the mechanism of action of this agent, we investigated the uptake of diclofenac by resting and activated PMNs and the effect of the drug on PMN locomotion. During incubation of resting PMNs at 37 degrees in the presence of 78 microM (25 micrograms/mL) diclofenac, drug uptake reached a plateau in less than 2 min. The resulting cellular to extracellular diclofenac concentration ratio (C/E) was 1.01 +/- 0.13 (mean +/- SD). Stimulation of PMNs at 37 degrees but not at 4 degrees with the chemoattractant formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), induced a rise in diclofenac uptake, which was dependent on incubation time and diclofenac and stimulus concentrations. Maximal C/E was 1.83 +/- 0.18 and 4.40 +/- 0.60 (mean +/- SD) for PMNs stimulated with 10 microM fMLP and 0.16 microM PMA, respectively. The diclofenac associated with PMNs was predominantly present in the soluble fraction of disrupted cells. Interestingly, PMNs which were pretreated with diclofenac and stimulated with fMLP, exhibited impaired random and directional locomotion induced by activated serum, as compared to controls, i.e. PMNs treated with diclofenac alone or fMLP alone. Thus, stimulation of PMNs enhances diclofenac uptake and potentiates the drug impairment of chemotactic activity. These findings could explain, in part, the observed anti-inflammatory properties of this compound.

Effect of doxycycline on oxygen-dependent killing mechanisms of human neutrophils.

The effects of doxycycline on neutrophil adhesivity, ingestion rate, and oxidative burst by particle and soluble compounds have been analyzed. The rate of bacterial ingestion by neutrophils as well as its subsequently particle-induced oxidative burst comprising oxygen uptake, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion productions, and iodination were all inversely correlated to doxycycline concentration included in the assay medium. The neutrophil oxidative burst induced by phorbol myristate (a soluble stimulant) was also inversely correlated to doxycycline concentration. Drug effect was observed at lower concentrations when the neutrophil stimulant was a soluble compound than when it was particles. In contrast doxycycline did not affect neutrophil adhesivity to either nylon fibers or Petri dishes. Further studies are needed to assess whether the activity of the drug on the neutrophil is due only to its ability to chelate calcium and magnesium or to other properties.

Diclofenac sodium, a negative chemokinetic factor for neutrophil locomotion.

Diclofenac sodium, a non steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, was studied for its influence on the locomotion of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), in an attempt to define the mechanism governing the drug's anti-inflammatory properties. PMN locomotion was measured by the agarose technique under two conditions of stimulation of cell migration: in the presence of a gradient of stimuli (chemotaxis) and in the presence of various amounts of stimuli incorporated in the gel (chemokinesis). At concentrations below 10 micrograms/ml, diclofenac in the gel reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, the directed locomotion of PMN induced by a gradient of C5a-activated serum, peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or Klebsiella pneumoniae culture supernatant (KPCS). Diclofenac also inhibited the random locomotion of unstimulated PMN, as well as the PMN chemokinetic activity induced by various amounts of FMLP or activated serum. Inhibition of PMN locomotion by diclofenac decreased when the concentration of the stimulant was raised; this inhibition was inversely related to the concentration of heat-inactivated fetal calf serum in the medium. The directed locomotion and chemokinesis of PMN, induced by FMLP were also reduced in PMN preincubated with diclofenac before migration, suggesting a direct cellular effect of diclofenac. On the other hand, diclofenac did not affect the changes in shape induced in floating PMN by FMLP or activated serum. The observation that diclofenac did not alter the ingestion rate of bacteria by PMN indicates that this drug is not cytotoxic for PMN. Consequently, diclofenac reduces PMN locomotion by interfering with the PMN chemokinetic activity. Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory drug possessing the original property of acting as a negative chemokinetic agent, for migration of both stimulated and unstimulated PMN. It should therefore be a useful tool for analyzing the elements controlling PMN locomotion speed.

Diclofenac binding to human polymorphonuclear neutrophils: effect on respiratory burst and N-formylated peptide binding.

The respiratory burst of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) induced by particle or soluble stimuli was measured in the presence of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac sodium (Voltaren). Diclofenac (25-100 micrograms/ml) inhibited the oxygen consumption of PMN stimulated by 5 X 10(-7) M of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). The inhibition was linearly correlated to diclofenac concentration. By contrast, diclofenac did not affect the rate of heat-killed Klebsiella pneumoniae ingestion of PMN, or the PMN O2-uptake induced by (0.67 microgram/ml) serum-opsonized zymosan or (1 microgram/ml) phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The PMN production of superoxide anion induced by various FMLP concentrations (10(-7), 10(-6) and 10(-5) M) was also decreased by diclofenac. However, this inhibition declined when the formylated peptide concentration was raised suggesting that diclofenac could alter FMLP binding to the PMN membrane. Binding experiments of tritiated FMLP to intact PMN performed at 22 degrees and 4 degrees showed high- and low-affinity FMLP sites with dissociation constant (Kd) values of approximately 2 X 10(-8) M and 10(-5) M respectively. Diclofenac did not significantly alter the low-affinity component but induced modifications of the high-affinity component which were different at 22 degrees and 4 degrees. At 22 degrees only the dissociation constant value was enhanced by diclofenac (competitive inhibition) whereas at 4 degrees both binding parameters (i.e. dissociation constant and number of available binding sites) were modified (mixed inhibition). Diclofenac was also shown to bind to PMN with a low affinity. This binding was not diminished at 4 degrees by various concentrations of FMLP which even increased the number of diclofenac binding sites on PMN at 22 degrees. These data suggest that diclofenac binding to PMN may decrease FMLP-induced PMN respiratory burst by interfering with the peptide recognition by specific FMLP receptors.

Protective effect of indomethacin against chemotactic deactivation of human neutrophils induced by formylated peptide.

The effects of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug indomethacin on the parameters relating to the migration and respiratory burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were studied in an attempt to clarify the mechanism of this drug's action on PMN. At various concentrations below 200 micrograms/ml, indomethacin partially inhibited the spontaneous migration of PMN but did not alter the directional migration induced by C5a-activated serum. In the presence of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) as chemoattractant, directed PMN migration was either inhibited or stimulated by indomethacin, depending on FMLP concentration. When PMN migration was induced by the optimal and suboptimal FMLP concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-8) M, indomethacin inhibited this migration, but when the high FMLP concentration of 10(-6) M depressed this migration by chemotactic deactivation, indomethacin restored it to its maximum. Both the inhibitory and stimulatory effects of indomethacin on FMLP-induced PMN migration were due to changes in the migration speed. Indomethacin also inhibited FMLP-induced changes in the shape of floating PMN, and in respiratory burst, as well as specific FMLP binding to PMN. In contrast, indomethacin did not alter the PMN respiratory burst induced by phorbol myristate acetate or C5a-activated serum. These data show that indomethacin is able to prevent the loss of PMN chemokinetic activity induced by formylated peptides and suggest that it might be useful for investigating the mechanism of peptide-induced chemotactic deactivation.

In vivo interaction of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the locomotion of neutrophils elicited by acute non-specific inflammations in the rat--effect of indomethacin, ibuprofen and flurbiprofen.

The in vivo effects of Flurbiprofen, Ibuprofen and Indomethacin (1.5, 6 and 3 mg/kg respectively) were studied on two acute non-specific pleurisies induced by calcium pyrophosphate crystals (CaPP) or decomplemented isologous rat serum (DIRS) in the rat. Drug effects on the exudation phase (pleural exudate volume), leukocyte emigration (number of leukocytes in the fluid) and on random and directed locomotion of elicited neutrophils (PMN) under agarose were investigated. In the CaPP model, Indomethacin, Flurbiprofen and Ibuprofen reduced the pleural exudate volume by approximately 48, 57 and 22% respectively while leukocyte emigration was inhibited 50, 45 and 50% respectively. In the DIRS model Indomethacin and Flurbiprofen reduced the exudate volume by 54 and 52% and leukocyte emigration by 51 and 31% respectively. Ibuprofen administration produced a decrease in exudate volume of only 27%. The three drugs did not alter in vitro locomotion of DIRS-elicited PMN. On the other hand, Flurbiprofen reduced both random and directed locomotion of CaPP-elicited PMN stimulated with peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), isologous rat serum (IRS) or cell-free exudates. Ibuprofen induced a slight increase in random migration of CaPP-elicited PMN while Indomethacin was without effect. None of the three drugs altered the chemotactic activity of inflammatory exudate. These data suggest that therapeutic doses of anti-inflammatory drugs interfere with PMN at inflammatory sites and induce modifications in their movement per se which persist after cell washing.

Contrasting effects of calyculin A and okadaic acid on the respiratory burst of human neutrophils.

The involvement of serine/threonine protein-phosphatases in the production of superoxide (respiratory burst) by human neutrophils was investigated using calyculin A, a potent inhibitor of both protein phosphatases type 1 and 2A, and okadaic acid, which preferentially inhibits protein phosphatase type 2A. Treatment of neutrophils with calyculin A (25-75 nM) or okadaic acid (1-4 microM) had no stimulatory effect but potently enhanced total superoxide production induced by an optimal fMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine) concentration (0.1 microM). The maximum increase plateaued with 50-75 nM calyculin A and 2-4 microM okadaic acid, reaching approximately 120 and 200% of control values, respectively. Unlike calyculin A, okadaic acid also primed the initial rate of superoxide production, suggesting that protein phosphatases may down-regulate both initiation and termination of respiratory burst. Optimal stimulation of the respiratory burst by PMA (160 nM) was inhibited by calyculin A and okadaic acid, with an IC50 of 60 nM and 2 microM, respectively, although both drugs caused protein hyperphosphorylation. The inhibition was partially prevented by a nonstimulatory concentration of A23187, indicating a role of calcium in the inhibitory effects of the drugs. Unlike the optimal respiratory burst, suboptimal respiratory burst induced by PMA (1-7 nM) was enhanced by calyculin A and okadaic acid. Unprimed and primed respiratory bursts were depressed by a selective antagonist of protein kinase C (GF 109203X), indicating positive regulation of these responses by protein kinase C. Thus, the use of calyculin A and okadaic acid distinguishes two regulatory processes of superoxide production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In vivo effects of indomethacin and flurbiprofen on the locomotion of neutrophils elicited by immune and non-immune inflammation in the rat.

The in vivo effects of indomethacin (3 mg/kg) and flurbiprofen (1.5 mg/kg) were investigated on the development of three different pleural inflammations in the rat and on in vitro locomotion of elicited neutrophils (PMN). Indomethacin and flurbiprofen similarly reduced the development of non-immune pleurisy induced by decomplemented isologous rat serum (DIRS) to a similar degree but had no effect in the delayed hypersensitivity reaction (DHR) model. Flurbiprofen was less effective than indomethacin in the immediate hypersensitivity reaction (IHR) model. PMN elicited by the two immune reactions (IHR and DHR) displayed lower random and directed locomotion than DIRS-elicited PMN. Neither drug interfered with DIRS-elicited PMN locomotion. They inhibited both random migration and directed locomotion of unwashed PMN (i.e. suspended in their original exudate) elicited by IHR or DHR and stimulated by the peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or isologous rat serum (IRS). Locomotion of washed IHR-elicited PMN stimulated with IRS was also inhibited by the two drugs. The data suggest that these drugs could impair PMN movement at inflammatory sites.

TEGDMA modulates glutathione transferase P1 activity in gingival fibroblasts.

Dental resinous materials can contain large amounts (from 30 to 50%) of triethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). This compound leaches into aqueous media and is toxic to dental pulp, as well as to gingival fibroblasts in vitro. To elucidate the mechanism of TEGDMA toxicity, we investigated the effects on glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione transferase P1 (GSTP1) activity in cultured human gingival fibroblasts. TEGDMA cytotoxic concentrations (from 0.5 to 2 mM) induced a depletion of GSH without formation of oxidized GSH (GSSG). In fibroblasts expressing the wild-type GSTP1, TEGDMA both inhibited and potentiated GSTP1 activity at high (IC50 = 1.1 mM) and low concentrations, respectively. In contrast, cells expressing the GSTP1 *A/*B variant showed a weak inhibition of GST activity only, associated with greater sensitivity to drug toxicity. Biochemical analysis of GSTP1 inhibition revealed that TEGDMA is a non-competitive antagonist with respect to GSH and substrate. Thus, TEGDMA interference with GSH and GSTP1 activity may contribute to dental-resin-induced adverse effects.

Antilymphocyte antibodies in progressive systemic sclerosis.

Sera from 19 patients with scleroderma were tested for antilymphocyte antibodies (ALA) by indirect immunofluorescence assay. ALA were found in 47% of the cases when tested at 0 degrees, and in 27% at 25 degrees C. Anti-T cell specificity was shown after separation of B and T cells. The heterogeneity of the ALA detected was clear both among different patients and in serum from the same patient. A monoclonal antibody (UCHT1) inhibited ALA binding to T cells completely in one case, and partially in another three, implying that with these 4 sera, the lymphocyte receptors for ALA were either identical or very close to the UCHT1 receptor. This study defines another immunological abnormality in scleroderma: the presence of cold-reactive anti-T cell specific ALA. Their pathogenicity requires further investigation.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug as tools for analysis of neutrophil functions.

We investigated the effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs diclofenac sodium, indomethacin and phenylbutazone on the activities relating to the migration and respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). When diclofenac sodium, was incorporated into the agarose gel at various concentrations below 100 micrograms/ml, it inhibited, in a dose-dependent fashion, spontaneous PMN migration and the directional migrations induced by both C5a-activated serum and peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP). By contrast, phenylbutazone (below 100 micrograms/ml) only altered the directed PMN migration induced by FMLP, in two characteristic ways: by impairing the optimal response to 10(-7) M FMLP, and in particular, by restoring the loss of migration induced by higher but deactivating concentrations of 10(-6) and 10(-5) M. Indomethacin had similar effects to those of phenylbutazone on FMLP-induced PMN migration and in addition slightly impaired spontaneous PMN migration. The alterations in FMLP-induced migration caused by the three drugs tested were mainly chemokinetic and were due to changes in migratory speed. Of the three drugs, phenylbutazone and indomethacin also impaired FMLP-induced changes in the shape of PMN. All three interfered with the respiratory burst induced by FMLP but not with that induced by phorbol myristate acetate. These results demonstrate that phenylbutazone, indomethacin and diclofenac possess different spectra of biological activities as regards the parameters relating to PMN migration and respiratory burst, and therefore suggest that these drugs could serve as tools for investigating PMN functions.

Functional effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human polymorphonuclear (PMN) adherence antigens.

Two mouse monoclonal antibodies (mABs), 25.31 raised against an subunit epitope of LFA1 antigen and Mol against an epitope of the complement receptor type 3 (CR3) were used for investigating their effects on human polymorphonuclear (PMN) functions. The two mABs have an inhibitory effect on PMN adherence. Furthermore, the PMN adherence strength depends upon the support and the adherence induces the capping process of these antigens. Other PMN functions dependent upon adherence were also altered by these two mAbs: random locomotion and that directed by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) or by activated serum, degranulation induced by opsonized or non opsonized zymosan but not by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), iodination, K562 cell cytotoxicity. Luminol enhanced chemiluminescence of PMN was diminished by both mAbs when PMN were stimulated either by opsonized zymosan or by PMA. Our results confirm other workers' findings, and they are consistent with PMN functional abnormalities observed in children with congenital LFA1, Mol antigens defect.

Priming effect of fibronectin on respiratory burst of human neutrophils induced by formyl peptides and platelet-activating factor.

Fibronectin (FN), a glycoprotein present in the plasma and the extracellular matrix, has been shown to enhance adherence-related functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). In this study we investigated the effects of FN on the activation of human PMNs in suspension by soluble stimuli, as determined by the generation of superoxide radicals (respiratory burst). FN (up to 100 micrograms/ml) did not directly stimulate the PMN respiratory burst assessed using a sensitive assay, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL). Low FN concentrations (Up to 25 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-dependent enhancement of the CL induced by two chemoattractants. N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and platelet-activating factor (Paf), and also by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a known protein kinase C activator. Higher FN concentrations were less effective. The potentiation involved both initial rate and total CL responses and was more active on extracellular than intracellular generation of oxygen radicals. FN potentiation persisted after cell washing and was abolished by treatment of FN with trypsin. Measurement of the respiratory burst using the cytochrome c reduction assay confirmed that FN enhanced both the initial rate and total amount of superoxide anion generated by FMLP-stimulated PMNs. These data indicate that FN facilitates the respiratory burst of chemoattractant-stimulated PMNs and suggest that FN can prepare PMNs in suspension for amplified biological functions induced by soluble inflammatory stimuli.