Autacoid 14S,21R-dihydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid counteracts diabetic impairment of macrophage prohealing functions.

Impaired macrophage functions imposed by diabetic complications and the suppressed formation of 14S,21R-dihydroxydocosa-4Z,7Z,10Z,12E,16Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid (14S,21R-diHDHA) in wounds contribute significantly to deficient wound healing in diabetics, but how are macrophage functions and 14S,21R-diHDHA formation associated? We studied 14S,21R-diHDHA generation from macrophages using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. The role in macrophage-mediated wound healing functions was determined using a murine splinted excisional wound healing model and in vitro assays. 14S,21R-diHDHA acts as a macrophage-generated autacoid, and its attenuated formation in macrophages of diabetic db/db mice was accompanied by impairment of macrophage prohealing functions. 14S,21R-diHDHA restored db/db macrophage-impaired prohealing functions by promoting wound re-epithelialization, formulation of granulation tissue, and vascularization. Additionally, 12/15-lipoxygenase-deficient macrophages, which are unable to produce 14S,21R-diHDHA, exhibited impaired prohealing functions, which also were restored by 14S,21R-diHDHA treatment. The molecular mechanism for 14S,21R-diHDHA-induced recovery of impaired prohealing functions of db/db macrophages involves enhancing their secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor BB, decreasing hyperglycemia-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and increasing IL-10 expression under inflammatory stimulation. Taken together, these results indicate that deficiency of 14S,21R-diHDHA formation by diabetic macrophages contributes to their impaired prohealing functions. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into wound healing in diabetics and suggest the possibility of using autologous macrophages/monocytes, treated with 14S,21R-diHDHA, or related compounds, to promote diabetes-impaired wound healing.

Dynamics of leukotriene C production by macrophages.

A method for the radiochemical assay of LTC production by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro is presented. The method involves labeling macrophages in culture with [5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15-3H]20:4 followed by stimulation of arachidonic acid (20:4) release under the experimental conditions desired. Radiolabeled leukotriene C (LTC) is recovered from the culture medium by extraction and silicic acid chromatography in 40% yield with full retention of biological activity. Because this LTC is radiochemically pure, the quantity of LTC release may be estimated from the amount of radioactivity in the sample. Use of the radioassay to study parameters affecting LTC synthesis by macrophages indicated that the time course of LTC synthesis and its relationship to the dose of a phagocytic stimulus (zymosan) were very similar to those of prostaglandin (PG) release. LTC release was also similar to that of PG in that lower levels of both metabolites were produced by Corynebacterium parvum-elicited macrophages than by resident cells. Finally, LTC release was stimulated in response to a challenge with antigen-antibody complexes, but lower maximal levels were attained than those with zymosan. The data presented here are consistent with the hypothesis that challenge of macrophages with a phagocytic stimulus leads to the release of 20:4 by an inducible phospholipase. Cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase then compete for the released 20:4, leading to the production of PG, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and LTC.

Leukotriene generation by eosinophils.

Horse eosinophils purified to greater than 98% generated slow reacting substance (SRS) when incubated with the calcium ionophore A23187. On a per cell basis, eosinophils generated four to five times the SRS produced by similarly treated horse neutrophils. Eosinophil SRS production was inhibited by 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid and augmented by indomethacin and arachidonic acid, suggesting that it was a product(s) of the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. Compounds with SRS activity were purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and identified by ultraviolet spectra, spectral shift on treatment with lipoxygenase, incorporation of [14C]arachidonic acid, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and comparison of retention times on HPLC to authentic standards. The eosinophil products characterized were 5-(S), 12-(R)-dihydroxy-6-cis-8, 10-trans-14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (leukotriene B4) and its 5-(S), 12-(R)-6-trans and 5-(S), 12-(S)-6-trans isomers, 5-(S)-hydroxy-6-(R)-S-glutathionyl-7,9-trans-11, 14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (leukotriene C4) and its 11-trans isomer, and 5-(S)-hydroxy-6-(R)-S-cysteinylglycine-7,9-trans-11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid (leukotriene D4).

Regulation of endothelium-derived vasoactive autacoid production by hemodynamic forces.

Endothelial cells, which are situated at the interface between blood and the vessel wall, have a crucial role in controlling vascular tone and homeostasis, particularly in determining the expression of pro-atherosclerotic and anti-atherosclerotic genes. Many of these effects are mediated by changes in the generation and release of endothelium-derived autacoids [from the Greek autos (self) and akos (remedy)], which are generally short-lived and locally acting. In vivo, endothelial cells are constantly subjected to mechanical stimulation, which in turn determines the acute production of autacoids and the levels of autacoid-producing enzymes.

Synthesis of slow reacting substance-like activity in rabbit conjunctiva and anterior uvea.

The ability of rabbit conjunctiva and anterior uvea to synthesize lipoxygenase products was assessed. Using autoradiographic techniques, we demonstrate that rabbit anterior uvea synthesizes 5 and 12 lipoxygenase products such as 12-HETE, 5-HETE and 5,12-DiHETE and cyclooxygenase product HHT from 14C-arachidonic acid. Indomethacin pretreated conjunctiva and anterior uvea generated slow reacting substance (SRS)-like activity from arachidonic acid in the presence of reduced glutathione and A23187. This SRS-like activity contracted guinea pig ileum. Specific SRS-like activity antagonist FPL-55712 inhibited the contractions of guinea pig ileum induced by SRS-like substance generated by either conjunctiva or anterior uvea. The activity was still present in the sample following extraction with organic solvents. SRS-like activity was destroyed by arylsulfatase and its generation was prevented by either boiling or pretreatment with cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitors, BW755 and nordihydroguaiacetic acid. These results indicate that following cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin rabbit conjunctiva and anterior uvea generate SRS-like activity from arachidonic acid via lipoxygenase pathways.

Comparative studies on immunologically and non-immunologically produced slow-reacting substances from man, guinea-pig and rat.

1 Slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) was produced by antigen challenge of passively sensitized human lung and actively sensitized guinea-pig lung. 2 A slow-reacting substance (SRS) was prepared from the peritoneal fluid of rats treated with calcium ionophore A23187. 3 These substances were extensively purified by charcoal adsorption, Sephadex G-15 gel filtration, ether extraction and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. 4 The three substances are pharmacologically, chemically and chromatographically indistinguishable. 5 Our data suggest that the same SRS entities are released from a variety of tissues and that these acidic lipids may have a wider physiological significance than just anaphylaxis.

Demonstration of a range of inflammatory mediators released in trichostrongylosis of sheep.

The levels of inflammatory mediators in the intestinal contents of sheep immunized with Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae increased in the first 6 days after challenge. These mediators were histamine, leukotriene C4, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (from prostacyclin) and thromboxane B2. Leukotriene C4 was released in the greatest quantities. Leukotriene B4 was present but its concentration remained unchanged after challenge. The presence of these particular mediators in the intestinal contents after challenge is consistent with antigen-induced mediator release from the mucosal mast cells found in immune sheep undergoing challenge infection. This is the first sequential analysis of mediator release in sheep that also demonstrates the release of prostacyclin and thromboxane into the intestine during expulsion of a nematode infection.

Towards a psychobiological model of cancer: biological considerations.

The control of tissue homeostasis is extremely complex and many factors contribute to the growth and development of tumours. Although the immune system has been regarded as an essential intermediary between putative psychological factors and the development or restraint of malignant tumours, this review indicates that many other possible mechanisms also exist. Current aspects of tumour biology, immunology and hormonal control systems are reviewed, and detailed psychobiological mediating mechanisms are considered at each stage of tumour development. An approach to the future investigation of this difficult field is proposed.

Laxatives and the production of autacoids by rat colon.

The effects of some laxatives were examined on the formation of histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and prostaglandin-like material (PG-LM) by rat intestine in-vitro. Castor oil, senna, sulphosuccinate and bisacodyl, but not mannitol or lactulose, in doses that cause laxation, increased the formation of histamine, 5-HT and PG-LM. Indomethacin or hydrocortisone reduced the increase of PG-LM formation. The data support the idea that the laxative effects of these intestinal secretagogues are due to increased intestinal production of PG-LM, histamine and 5-HT.

Mechanisms in anti-inflammation and resolution: the role of lipoxins and aspirin-triggered lipoxins.

Multicellular host responses to infection, injury or inflammatory stimuli lead to the formation of a broad range of chemical mediators by the host. The integrated response of the host is essential to health and disease; thus it is important to achieve a more complete understanding of the molecular and cellular events governing the formation and actions of endogenous mediators of resolution that appear to control the duration of inflammation. Lipoxins are trihydroxytetraene-containing lipid mediators that can be formed during cell-cell interactions and are predominantly counterregulators of some well-known mediators of inflammation. Since this circuit of lipoxin formation and action appears to be of physiological relevance for the resolution of inflammation, therapeutic modalities targeted at this system are likely to have fewer unwanted side effects than other candidates and current anti-inflammatory therapies. Here, we present an overview of the recent knowledge about the biosynthesis and bioactions of these anti-inflammatory lipid mediators.

Enzymatic assembly of slow reacting substance.

When basophils or mast cells are stimulated by a specific antigen they release chemical mediators, including a potent bronchoconstrictor, slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A). The structure of SRS from a mouse mastocytoma and rat basophilic leukaemia (RBL-1) cells has been identified as a thioether or arachidonic acid and glutathione [not a thioether of cystene as was originally thought]. SRS has been named leukotriene (LT) C and may be formed by a novel lipoxygenase pathway which also synthesizes 5,6-oxido-7,9,11,14-icosatetraenoic acid (LTA) and 5,12-dihydroxy-6,8,10,14-icosatetraenoic acid (LTB). Homogenates of RBL-1 cells, when incubated with C-arachidonic acid, form 5-hydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) and 5,12-dihydroxy- and 5,6-dihydroxy-icosatetraenoic acid. The latter is the spontaneous breakdown product of the labile intermediate LTA. Formation of both compounds is stimulated by calcium. We have now produced biologically active SRS in a cell-free system generated from RBL-1 cells. Glutathione was essential for SRS synthesis and calcium stimulated its formation.

Relationship of biosynthesis of slow reacting substance to intracellular glutathione concentrations.

To further elucidate the role of glutathione (GSH) in the biosynthesis of slow reacting substance (SRS), SRS generation was studied in rat basophilic leukemia cells that had been preincubated with 2-cyclohexen-1-one or diethyl maleate to decrease their intracellular GSH concentrations. At low GSH levels SRS formation was markedly inhibited. The formation of other lipoxygenase products was much less affected, although some decrease in 5-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid formation also occurred, apparently due in part to less rapid reduction of the 5-hydroperoxide.