IL-13 induces serine phosphorylation of cPLA2 in mouse peritoneal macrophages leading to arachidonic acid and PGE2 production and blocks the zymosan-induced serine phosphorylation of cPLA2 and eicosanoid production.

In a recent investigation, we demonstrated that long-term treatment of macrophages with IL-13 enhances cPLA2 expression and modulates zymosan-stimulated AA mobilization. In the present study, we examine the ability of IL-13 to modify the cPLA2 activity and the AA mobilization of macrophages after a short-period of treatment. We demonstrate that in resting macrophages, IL-13 induces, through a MAP kinase-dependent process, (1) an increase of free AA release within 15 min, followed by increased PGE2 production and (2) a time-dependent serine phosphorylation of cPLA2. Conversely, in macrophages stimulated by zymosan, IL-13 added 30 min before zymosan inhibited the AA release and the serine phosphorylation of cPLA2 induced by the phagocytic agonist. In conclusion, these findings show for the first time that a Th2-type cytokine can upregulate cPLA2 activity and downregulate zymosan-induced AA metabolism. Thus, establishment of the connection between these two events may help to understand the complex regulatory role of IL-13 on the macrophage AA metabolism.

Roles of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenases in ochratoxin A genotoxicity in human epithelial lung cells.

The roles of constitutive prostaglandin-H-synthetase (PGHS) and lipoxygenases in ochratoxin A (OTA) genotoxicity, as reflected by DNA adduct formation, have been investigated in vitro: (1) in culture of human epithelial cells and (2) by incubation in presence of pig seminal vesicle microsomes. Indomethacin (0.1 µM), which inhibits PGHS and significantly increases leukotriene C(4) production by enhancement of lipoxygenases, enhanced formation of OTA-DNA adducts tenfold. At highest dose of 10 µM, indomethacin inhibited all pathways (PGHS and lipoxygenases) and thus prevented OTA-DNA adduct formation. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, which inhibits lipoxygenases, suppressed OTA-DNA adduct formation. The OTA metabolites formed were analysed by HPLC. OTα, 4[R]- and 4[S]-hydroxy-OTA and a unidentified derivative were formed in control cells. After pre-incubation with indomethacin (0.1 µM), further unidentified metabolites were obtained. They were similar to those obtained in presence of pig seminal vesicle microsomes. These data demonstrate that OTA is biotransformed into genotoxic metabolites via a lipoxygenase, whereas PGHS decreases OTA genotoxicity.

Fenspiride inhibits histamine-induced responses in a lung epithelial cell line.

Using the human lung epithelial WI26VA4 cell line, we investigated the capacity of fenspiride, an anti-inflammatory drug with anti-bronchoconstrictor properties, to interfere with histamine-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase and eicosanoid formation. Histamine and a histamine H1 receptor agonist elicited a rapid and transient intracellular Ca2+ increase (0-60 s) in fluo 3-loaded WI26VA4 cells. This response was antagonized by the histamine H1 receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine, the histamine H2 receptor antagonist, cimetidine, having no effect. Fenspiride (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited the histamine H1 receptor-induced Ca2+ increase. In addition, histamine induced a biphasic increase in arachidonic acid release. The initial rise (0-30 s), a rapid and transient arachidonic acid release, was responsible for the histamine-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase. In the second phase release (15-60 min), a sustained arachidonic acid release appeared to be associated with the formation of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites. Fenspiride (10(-5) M) abolished both phases of histamine-induced arachidonic acid release. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory and antibronchoconstrictor properties of fenspiride may result from the inhibition of these effects of histamine.

Involvement of calcium and arachidonate metabolism in acetylated-low-density-lipoprotein-stimulated tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha production by rat peritoneal macrophages.

We show that lipopolysaccharide-free actetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL), but not native LDL, stimulates tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion by rat peritoneal macrophages and the signal-transduction pathways involved. The role of the scavenger receptor (SR) in this response was suggested by the absence of an effect induced by native LDL, signal coupling involving pertussis-toxin-dependent guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory (G) protein, and the complete inhibition of this response by SR ligands [poly(I) and dextran sulfate]. Acetylated LDL induces rapid Ca2+ release from inositol-phosphate-sensitive Ca2+ stores mediated by pertussis-sensitive G proteins and a sustained Ca2+ rise mediated by Ca2+ influx and by Ca2+ release from ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores. Acetylated LDL-induced Ca2+ influx and TNF-alpha production were abolished by inhibitors of phospholipase C (U73122) and phospholipase A2 (bromophenacyl bromide), but were not affected by an inhibitor of protein kinase C (calphostine C). Therefore, Ca2+ influx induced by acetylated LDL is dependent on Ca2+ store depletion. Arachidonate released by acetylated LDL acts as a second messenger to activate TNF-alpha secretion via Ca2+ influx. While the Ca2+ signal was not modified by an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinases (PTK; herbimycin A), this inhibitor completely blocked TNF-alpha production, suggesting the involvement of PTK downstream of the Ca2+ signal. These results suggest that a sustained elevation of intracellular Ca2+, mediated through Ca2+ influx via the phospholipase-A2-dependent pathway, is essential for induction of TNF-alpha secretion. The type of SR class involved in these pathways remains to be identified.