Hepatic phosphatidylcholine catabolism driven by PNPLA7 and PNPLA8 supplies endogenous choline to replenish the methionine cycle with methyl groups.

Choline supplies methyl groups for regeneration of methionine and the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine in the liver. Here, we report that the catabolism of membrane phosphatidylcholine (PC) into water-soluble glycerophosphocholine (GPC) by the phospholipase/lysophospholipase PNPLA8-PNPLA7 axis enables endogenous choline stored in hepatic PC to be utilized in methyl metabolism. PNPLA7-deficient mice show marked decreases in hepatic GPC, choline, and several metabolites related to the methionine cycle, accompanied by various signs of methionine insufficiency, including growth retardation, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia, increased energy consumption, reduced adiposity, increased fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and an altered histone/DNA methylation landscape. Moreover, PNPLA8-deficient mice recapitulate most of these phenotypes. In contrast to wild-type mice fed a methionine/choline-deficient diet, both knockout strains display decreased hepatic triglyceride, likely via reductions of lipogenesis and GPC-derived glycerol flux. Collectively, our findings highlight the biological importance of phospholipid catabolism driven by PNPLA8/PNPLA7 in methyl group flux and triglyceride synthesis in the liver.

Multiplex fatty acid imaging inside cells by Raman microscopy.

Visualizing intracellular fatty acids (including free and esterified form) is very useful for understanding how and where such molecules are incorporated, stored, and metabolized within cells. However, techniques of imaging multiple intracellular fatty acids have been limited by their small size, making it difficult to label and track without changing their biological and biophysical characteristics. Here, we present a new method for simultaneously visualizing up to five atomically labeled intracellular fatty acid species. For this, we utilized the distinctive Raman spectra depending on the labeling patterns and created a new, extensible opensource software to perform by-pixel analysis of extracting original spectra from mixed ones. Our multiplex imaging method revealed that fatty acids with more double bonds tend to concentrate more efficiently at lipid droplets. This novel approach contributes to reveal not only the spatial dynamics of fatty acids, but also of any other metabolites inside cells.

The COX-2/PGE2 pathway suppresses apical elimination of RasV12-transformed cells from epithelia.

At the initial stage of carcinogenesis, when RasV12-transformed cells are surrounded by normal epithelial cells, RasV12 cells are apically extruded from epithelia through cell competition with the surrounding normal cells. In this study, we demonstrate that expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is upregulated in normal cells surrounding RasV12-transformed cells. Addition of COX inhibitor or COX-2-knockout promotes apical extrusion of RasV12 cells. Furthermore, production of Prostaglandin (PG) E2, a downstream prostanoid of COX-2, is elevated in normal cells surrounding RasV12 cells, and addition of PGE2 suppresses apical extrusion of RasV12 cells. In a cell competition mouse model, expression of COX-2 is elevated in pancreatic epithelia harbouring RasV12-exressing cells, and the COX inhibitor ibuprofen promotes apical extrusion of RasV12 cells. Moreover, caerulein-induced chronic inflammation substantially suppresses apical elimination of RasV12 cells. These results indicate that intrinsically or extrinsically mediated inflammation can promote tumour initiation by diminishing cell competition between normal and transformed cells.

Quantification of Fatty Acids in Mammalian Tissues by Gas Chromatography-Hydrogen Flame Ionization Detection.

In mammalian organisms, fatty acids (FAs) exist mostly in esterified forms, as building blocks of phospholipids, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters, while some exist as non-esterified free FAs. The absolute quantification of FA species in total lipids or in a specific lipid class is critical in lipid-metabolism studies. To quantify FAs in biological samples, gas chromatography-hydrogen flame ionization detection (GC-FID)-based methods have been used as highly robust and reliable techniques. Prior to GC-FID analysis, FAs need to be derivatized to volatile FA methyl esters (FAMEs). The derivatization of unsaturated FAs using classical derivatization methods that rely on high reaction temperature requires skill; consequently, the quantification results are often unreliable. The recently available FA-methylation procedure rapidly and reliably derivatizes a variety of FA species, including poly-unsaturated FAs (PUFAs). To analyze FAs in mammalian tissue samples, lipid extraction and fractionation are also critical for robust analysis. In this report, we describe a whole protocol for the GC-FID-based FA quantification of mammalian tissue samples, including lipid extraction, fractionation, derivatization, and quantification. The protocol is useful when various FAs, especially unsaturated FAs, need to be reliably quantified.

Establishment of LC-MS methods for the analysis of palmitoylated surfactant proteins.

The surfactant proteins (SPs), SP-B and SP-C, are important components of pulmonary surfactant involved in the reduction of alveolar surface tension. Quantification of SP-B and SP-C in surfactant drugs is informative for their quality control and the evaluation of their biological activity. Western blot analysis enabled the quantification of SP-B, but not SP-C, in surfactant drugs. Here, we report a new procedure involving chemical treatments and LC-MS to analyze SP-C peptides. The procedure enabled qualitative analysis of SP-C from different species with discrimination of the palmitoylation status and the artificial modifications that occur during handling and/or storage. In addition, the method can be used to estimate the total amount of SP-C in pulmonary surfactant drugs. The strategy described here might serve as a prototype to establish analytical methods for peptides that are extremely hydrophobic and behave like lipids. The new method provides an easy measurement of SP-C from various biological samples, which will help the characterization of various experimental animal models and the quality control of surfactant drugs, as well as diagnostics of human samples.

Lysophospholipid acyltransferases mediate phosphatidylcholine diversification to achieve the physical properties required in vivo.

The acyl-chain composition of the major mammalian phospholipid phosphatidylcholine (PC) is distinct in various tissues. Although it was classically suggested that PC diversity is acquired through acyl-chain remodeling, the mechanisms and biological relevance of acyl-chain diversity remain unclear. Here, we show that differences in the substrate selectivity of lysophospholipid acyltransferases regulate tissue PC acyl-chain composition through contribution of both the de novo and remodeling pathways, depending on the fatty acid species. Unexpectedly, while dipalmitoyl-PC (DPPC) is enriched through the remodeling pathway, several polyunsaturated PC molecules accumulate during the de novo pathway. We confirmed this concept for DPPC in pulmonary surfactant and showed that the biophysical properties of this lipid are important to prevent the early onset of acute lung injury. We propose a model of harmonized processes for phospholipid diversification to satisfy in vivo requirements, with an example of its biological relevance.

Selective ablation of mast cells or basophils reduces peanut-induced anaphylaxis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Studies with c-kit mutant mast cell (MC)-deficient mice and antibody-mediated depletion of basophils suggest that both MCs and basophils can contribute to peanut-induced anaphylaxis (PIA). However, interpretation of data obtained by using such approaches is complicated because c-kit mutant mice have several phenotypic abnormalities in addition to MC deficiency and because basophil-depleting antibodies can also react with MCs. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed (1) the changes in the features of PIA in mice after the selective and inducible ablation of MCs or basophils and (2) the possible importance of effector cells other than MCs and basophils in the PIA response. METHODS: Wild-type and various mutant mice were orally sensitized with peanut extract and cholera toxin weekly for 4 weeks and challenged intraperitoneally with peanut extract 2 weeks later. RESULTS: Peanut-challenged, MC-deficient Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice had reduced immediate hypothermia, as well as a late-phase decrease in body temperature that was abrogated by antibody-mediated depletion of neutrophils. Diphtheria toxin-mediated selective depletion of MCs or basophils in Mcpt5-Cre;iDTR and Mcpt8(DTR) mice, respectively, and treatment of wild-type mice with the basophil-depleting antibody Ba103 significantly reduced peanut-induced hypothermia. Non-c-kit mutant MC- and basophil-deficient Cpa3-Cre;Mcl-1(fl/fl) mice had reduced but still significant responses to peanut. CONCLUSION: Inducible and selective ablation of MCs or basophils in non-c-kit mutant mice can significantly reduce PIA, but partial responses to peanut can still be observed in the virtual absence of both cell types. The neutrophilia in Kit(W-sh/W-sh) mice might influence the responses of these mice in this PIA model.

Alkylglycerol monooxygenase as a potential modulator for PAF synthesis in macrophages.

Alkylglycerol monooxygenase (AGMO, glyceryl ether monooxygenase) is an enzyme known to catalyze the cleavage of the O-alkyl bond of glyceryl ether lipids. Identification of the gene encoding AGMO was reported recently, however, the involvement of AGMO in modulating cellular lipids has not been reported until now. In this report, we investigate a possible role for AGMO in macrophage platelet-activating factor (PAF) production. AGMO mRNA expression levels decreased with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatments in mouse peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells. Tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent conversion of lyso-PAF to glycerophosphocholine in the microsomal fraction was also reduced in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. In the LPS-treated cells, both lyso-PAF and PAF levels increased. Moreover, exogenously expressed AGMO caused a reduction in cellular lyso-PAF and PAF levels in HEK293 cells. Collectively, our results suggest a possible mechanism for AGMO in modulating macrophage PAF production by regulating cellular lyso-PAF levels.

Disruption of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A(2) attenuates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury partly through inhibition of TNF-α-mediated pathway.

Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)α), which preferentially cleaves arachidonic acid from phospholipids, plays a role in apoptosis and tissue injury. Downstream signals in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a mediator of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, involve cPLA(2)α activation. This study examined the potential role of cPLA(2)α and its mechanistic link with TNF-α in myocardial I/R injury using cPLA(2)α knockout (cPLA(2)α(-/-)) mice. Myocardial I/R was created with 10-wk-old male mice by 1 h ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 24 h of reperfusion. As a result, compared with wild-type (cPLA(2)α(+/+)) mice, cPLA(2)α(-/-) mice had a 47% decrease in myocardial infarct size, preservation of echocardiographic left ventricle (LV) function (%fractional shortening: 14 vs. 21%, respectively), and lower content of leukotriene B(4) and thromboxane B(2) (62 and 50% lower, respectively) in the ischemic myocardium after I/R. Treatment with the TNF-α inhibitor (soluble TNF receptor II/IgG1 Fc fusion protein, sTNFR:Fc) decreased myocardial I/R injury and LV dysfunction in cPLA(2)α(+/+) mice but not cPLA(2)α(-/-) mice. sTNFR:Fc also suppressed cPLA(2)α phosphorylation in the ischemic myocardium after I/R of cPLA(2)α(+/+) mice. Similarly, sTNFR:Fc exerted protective effects against hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced injury in the cultured cardiomyocytes from cPLA(2)α(+/+) mice but not cPLA(2)α(-/-) cardiomyocytes. H/R and TNF-α induced cPLA(2)α phosphorylation in cPLA(2)α(+/+) cardiomyocytes, which was reversible by sTNFR:Fc. In cPLA(2)α(-/-) cardiomyocytes, TNF-α induced apoptosis and release of arachidonic acid to a lesser extent than in cPLA(2)α(+/+) cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, disruption of cPLA(2)α attenuates myocardial I/R injury partly through inhibition of TNF-α-mediated pathways.

Analysis of two major intracellular phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)) in mast cells reveals crucial contribution of cytosolic PLA(2)α, not Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2)ß, to lipid mobilization in proximal mast cells and distal fibroblasts.

Mast cells release a variety of mediators, including arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, to regulate allergy, inflammation, and host defense, and their differentiation and maturation within extravascular microenvironments depend on the stromal cytokine stem cell factor. Mouse mast cells express two major intracellular phospholipases A(2) (PLA(2)s), namely group IVA cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)α) and group VIA Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)ß), and the role of cPLA(2)α in eicosanoid synthesis by mast cells has been well documented. Lipidomic analyses of mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) lacking cPLA(2)α (Pla2g4a(-/-)) or iPLA(2)ß (Pla2g6(-/-)) revealed that phospholipids with AA were selectively hydrolyzed by cPLA(2)α, not by iPLA(2)ß, during FcεRI-mediated activation and even during fibroblast-dependent maturation. Neither FcεRI-dependent effector functions nor maturation-driven phospholipid remodeling was impaired in Pla2g6(-/-) BMMCs. Although BMMCs did not produce prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), the AA released by cPLA(2)α from BMMCs during maturation was converted to PGE(2) by microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1) in cocultured fibroblasts, and accordingly, Pla2g4a(-/-) BMMCs promoted microenvironmental PGE(2) synthesis less efficiently than wild-type BMMCs both in vitro and in vivo. Mice deficient in mPGES-1 (Ptges(-/-)) had an augmented local anaphylactic response. These results suggest that cPLA(2)α in mast cells is functionally coupled, through the AA transfer mechanism, with stromal mPGES-1 to provide anti-anaphylactic PGE(2). Although iPLA(2)ß is partially responsible for PGE(2) production by macrophages and dendritic cells, it is dispensable for mast cell maturation and function.

Prostaglandin E2-prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4) signaling mediates UV irradiation-induced systemic immunosuppression.

UV radiation induces systemic immunosuppression. Because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs suppress UV-induced immunosuppression, prostanoids have been suspected as a crucial mediator of this UV effect. However, the identity of the prostanoid involved and its mechanism of action remain unclear. Here, we addressed this issue by subjecting mice deficient in each prostanoid receptor individually or mice treated with a subtype-specific antagonist to UV irradiation. Mice treated with an antagonist for prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4), but not those deficient in other prostanoid receptors, show impaired UV-induced immunosuppression, whereas administration of an EP4 agonist rescues the impairment of the UV-induced immunosuppression in indomethacin-treated mice. The EP4 antagonist treatment suppresses an increase in the number of CD4(+)/forkhead box P3-positive (Foxp3(+)) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the peripheral lymph nodes (LNs) and dendritic cells expressing DEC205 in the LNs and the skin after UV irradiation. Furthermore, the EP4 antagonist treatment down-regulates UV-induced expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) in skin keratinocytes. Finally, administration of anti-RANKL antibody abolishes the restoration of UV-induced immunosuppression by EP4 agonism in indomethacin-treated mice. Thus, prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))-EP4 signaling mediates UV-induced immunosuppression by elevating the number of Treg cells through regulation of RANKL expression in the epidermis.

Protective role of the leukotriene B4 receptor BLT2 in murine inflammatory colitis.

BLT2 is a low-affinity leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) receptor that is activated by 12(S)-hydroxyheptadeca-5Z,8E,10E-trienoic acid (12-HHT) and LTB(4). Despite the well-defined proinflammatory roles of BLT1, the in vivo functions of BLT2 remain elusive. To clarify the role of BLT receptors in intestinal inflammation, we assessed susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice lacking either BLT1 or BLT2. BLT2(-/-) mice exhibited increased sensitivity to DSS as compared to wild-type and BLT1(-/-) mice, with more severe body weight loss and inflammation. Expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6, chemokines such as CXC chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9) and C-C motif chemokine 19 (CCL19), and metalloproteinases was highly up-regulated in the colons of DSS-treated BLT2(-/-) mice, and there was an enhanced accumulation of activated macrophages. Phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was also markedly accelerated in the crypts of DSS-treated BLT2(-/-) mice. Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCKII) cells transfected with BLT2 exhibited enhanced barrier function as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and FITC-dextran leakage through MDCK monolayers. Thus, BLT2 is expressed in colon cryptic cells and appears to protect against DSS-induced colitis, possibly by enhancing barrier function in epithelial cells of the colon. These novel results suggest a direct anti-inflammatory role of BLT2 that is distinct from the proinflammatory roles of BLT1.

Decrease in expression or activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha increases cyclooxygenase-1 action: A cross-talk between key enzymes in arachidonic acid pathway in prostate cancer cells.

The eicosanoid pathway is activated in many types of cancers including prostate. Eicosanoids are synthesized from intracellular arachidonic acid (AA), which is released from membrane glycerophospholipids mainly by the action of cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha). Thus, targeting cPLA(2)alpha has been proposed as a treatment option. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cPLA(2)alpha inhibition on cyclooxygenase (COX) expression and PGE(2) production. Inhibition of cPLA(2)alpha expression by siRNA or activity by Efipladib in prostate cancer cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP) led to an increase in COX-1 protein and PGE(2) levels in a dose-dependent manner from 24 to 72 h. The COX-2 response was less evident. Efipladib treatment increased COX-1 promoter transcriptional activity without changing the rate of COX-1 protein degradation. Treatment with Efipladib also led to a decrease in most LOX products (HETEs) as measured by LC/MS/MS. Replenishing 5- and 12-HETEs abolished Efipladib-induced COX-1 and PGE(2) levels. Decreasing 5- and 12-HETE production, as a result of treating cells with inhibitors MK886 and Baicalein, respectively, mimicked the effect of Efipladib on COX-1 and PGE(2) levels. Hence, the mechanism underlying the cPLA(2)alpha inhibition-induced COX-1 is likely due to a decrease in LOX products, which may exert a negative feedback on COX-1 gene expression in prostate cancer cells. Considering that PGE(2) is a potent promoter of cancer cell proliferation and survival, understanding the mechanism coupling cPLA(2)alpha with COX-1 is of potential clinical significance.

The cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor, etodolac, but not aspirin reduces neovascularization in a murine ischemic hind limb model.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors are often prescribed to relieve severe ischemic leg pain in critical ischemic limb patients. Prescription of high doses of aspirin and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors is reported to increase cardiovascular events through suppression of the vasodilative prostanoid prostaglandin I(2) in endothelium. Here, we evaluated the influence of aspirin and etodolac, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, on neovascularization using a murine ischemia hind limb model. C57BL/6J mice were treated with aspirin or etodolac for twenty-eight days after induction of ischemia. We exploited a concentration of the agents that suppressed cyclooxygenase activity efficiently, especially in prostaglandin I(2) production. Recovery of limb blood perfusion and capillary density in ischemic limbs was significantly suppressed by etodolac treatment when compared to the aspirin treated group and untreated group. Production of 6-keto prostaglandin F(1alpha) and prostaglandin E(2) was lower in the aspirin treated group when compared with the etodolac-treated group. Also, these concentrations were lower in both treatment groups compared with the untreated group. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested cyclooxygenase-2 was expressed in endothelium but not in inflammatory cells in ischemic tissue from the acute to chronic phase. Cyclooxygenase-1 was expressed strongly in inflammatory cells in the acute phase. Furthermore, bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell transplantation improved neovascularization, whereas aspirin and etodolac did not inhibit these effects. Production of arachidonic acid metabolites by transplanted cells was independent of the improvement of neovascularization. In conclusion, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition reduces ischemia-induced neovascularization.

Platelet-activating factor production in the spinal cord of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis mice via the group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2-lyso-PAFAT axis.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) plays a critical role in inflammatory disorders including experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Although PAF accumulation in the spinal cord (SC) of EAE mice and cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients has been reported, little is known about the metabolic processing of PAF in these diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that the activities of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and acetyl-CoA:lyso-PAF acetyltransferase (LysoPAFAT) are elevated in the SC of EAE mice on a C57BL/6 genetic background compared with those of naive mice and correlate with disease severity. Correspondingly, levels of groups IVA, IVB, and IVF cytosolic PLA(2)s, group V secretory PLA(2), and LysoPAFAT transcripts are up-regulated in the SC of EAE mice. PAF acetylhydrolase activity is unchanged during the disease course. In addition, we show that LysoPAFAT mRNA and protein are predominantly expressed in microglia. Considering the substrate specificity and involvement of PAF production, group IVA cytosolic PLA(2) is likely to be responsible for the increased PLA(2) activity. These data suggest that PAF accumulation in the SC of EAE mice is profoundly dependent on the group IVA cytosolic PLA(2)/LysoPAFAT axis present in the infiltrating macrophages and activated microglia.

Attenuation of folic acid-induced renal inflammatory injury in platelet-activating factor receptor-deficient mice.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent lipid mediator with various biological activities, plays an important role in inflammation by recruiting leukocytes. In this study we used platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR)-deficient mice to elucidate the role of PAF in inflammatory renal injury induced by folic acid administration. PAFR-deficient mice showed significant amelioration of renal dysfunction and pathological findings such as acute tubular damage with neutrophil infiltration, lipid peroxidation observed with antibody to 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (day 2), and interstitial fibrosis with macrophage infiltration associated with expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the kidney (day 14). Acute tubular damage was attenuated by neutrophil depletion using a monoclonal antibody (RB6-8C5), demonstrating the contribution of neutrophils to acute phase injury. Macrophage infiltration was also decreased when treatment with a PAF antagonist (WEB2086) was started after acute phase. In vitro chemotaxis assay using a Boyden chamber demonstrated that PAF exhibits a strong chemotactic activity for macrophages. These results indicate that PAF is involved in pathogenesis of folic acid-induced renal injury by activating neutrophils in acute phase and macrophages in chronic interstitial fibrosis. Inhibiting the PAF pathway might be therapeutic to kidney injury from inflammatory cells.

Dual phase regulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by platelet-activating factor.

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) serves as a model for multiple sclerosis and is considered to be a CD4+ Th1 cell-mediated autoimmune disease. To investigate the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in this disease, PAF receptor (PAFR) KO (PAFR-KO) and wild-type (WT) mice, on a C57BL/6 genetic background, were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 35-55. The levels of PAF production and PAFR mRNA expression in the spinal cord (SC) correlated with the EAE symptoms. PAFR-KO mice showed lower incidence and less severe symptoms in the chronic phase of EAE than WT mice. However, no difference was observed in T cell proliferation, Th1-cytokine production, or titer of IgG2a between both genotypes. Before onset, as revealed by microarray analysis, mRNAs of inflammatory mediators and their receptors-including IL-6 and CC chemokine receptor 2-were down-regulated in the SC of PAFR-KO mice compared with WT mice. Moreover, in the chronic phase, the severity of inflammation and demyelination in the SC was substantially reduced in PAFR-KO mice. PAFR-KO macrophages reduced phagocytic activity and subsequent production of TNF-alpha. These results suggest that PAF plays a dual role in EAE pathology in the induction and chronic phases through the T cell-independent pathways.

A multiplex quantitation method for eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor using column-switching reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF) are phospholipid-derived lipid mediators produced by various tissues and cells through a cascade pathway. For a comprehensive analysis of these lipid mediators, a simultaneous quantitation method with sensitivity and reliability is necessary. This article details a development of column-switching reversed-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for multiplex quantitation of eicosanoids and PAF. The adsorptive nature of lipids caused significant loss of signal in a conventional column-switching configuration. The use of an online-dilution method allowed use of 100% methanol as a sample solvent, which prevented sample adsorption to contacting surfaces. Addition of 0.2% formic acid to the sample solvent was required for the successful introduction of LTC4 to the trapping column and minimizing its carryover. The optimized method provided rapid analysis of 14 lipid mediators with a throughput of 96 samples/24 h, lower limits of quantitation of 5 pg on column, and linear calibration ranges up to 2000-5000 pg. The system was highly compatible with solid-phase-extracted samples, as methanol-eluted fractions were directly injected without reconstitution. The analysis of lipid mediator production of macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells demonstrated that the cell-based assay can be performed in a 96-well format, suitable for metabolomics analyses and/or screening strategies.

Discrete role for cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha in platelets: studies using single and double mutant mice of cytosolic and group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2).

Among several different types of phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2))alpha and group IIA (IIA) secretory PLA(2) (sPLA(2)) have been studied intensively. To determine the discrete roles of cPLA(2)alpha in platelets, we generated two sets of genetically engineered mice (cPLA(2)alpha(-/-)/sPLA(2)-IIA(-/-) and cPLA(2)alpha(-/-)/sPLA(2)-IIA(+/+)) and compared their platelet function with their respective wild-type C57BL/6J mice (cPLA(2)alpha(+/+)/sPLA(2)-IIA(-/-)) and C3H/HeN (cPLA(2)alpha(+/+)/sPLA(2)-IIA(+/+)). We found that cPLA(2)alpha is needed for the production of the vast majority of thromboxane (TX)A(2) with collagen stimulation of platelets. In cPLA(2)alpha-deficient mice, however, platelet aggregation in vitro is only fractionally decreased because small amounts of TX produced by redundant phospholipase enzymes sufficiently preserve aggregation. In comparison, adenosine triphosphate activation of platelets appears wholly independent of cPLA(2)alpha and sPLA(2)-IIA for aggregation or the production of TX, indicating that these phospholipases are specifically linked to collagen receptors. However, the lack of high levels of TX limiting vasoconstriction explains the in vivo effects seen: increased bleeding times and protection from thromboembolism. Thus, cPLA(2)alpha plays a discrete role in the collagen-stimulated production of TX and its inhibition has a therapeutic potential against thromboembolism, with potentially limited bleeding expected.