Increased cAMP levels in stimulated neutrophils inhibit their adhesion to human bronchial epithelial cells.

Bronchial epithelial cells express the intercellular adhesion molecule-1 that mediates binding of activated neutrophils via interaction with Mac-1 and/or leukocyte function-associated antigen-1. In this study, we examined whether increased intracellular levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) affected neutrophil adhesion to the human bronchial epithelial cells. It was found that the N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated neutrophil adhesion was concentration dependently inhibited when the cAMP analogs dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were present. The beta-adrenergic receptor agonists isoprenaline and salmeterol, in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), were also able to inhibit the fMLP-stimulated adhesion of neutrophils to bronchial epithelial cells. These agonists in combination with IBMX significantly increased the intracellular cAMP level in both neutrophils and epithelial cells. Preincubation of neutrophils with the long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist salmeterol (in the presence of IBMX) inhibited their fMLP-stimulated adhesion to epithelial cells, whereas pretreatment of epithelial cells did not influence the adhesion process. When ethanol-fixed epithelium was used, salmeterol pretreatment also diminished the adhesion of stimulated neutrophils. Moreover, combinations of salmeterol or isoprenaline with IBMX inhibited fMLP-upregulated Mac-1 expression. Therefore, we conclude from these data that elevation of intracellular cAMP in the neutrophil inhibits stimulated neutrophil adhesion to bronchial epithelial cells via Mac-1.

Relaxation of guinea-pig trachea by sodium nitroprusside: cyclic GMP and nitric oxide not involved.

1. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) completely relaxed the guinea-pig isolated, perfused trachea in a concentration-dependent manner. Although SNP was less potent by about 2 orders of magnitude, its maximal effect was 25% higher compared to isoprenaline. 2. SNP (3.2 microM) increased cyclic GMP levels by 300% and relaxed guinea-pig isolated, perfused trachea by 54%. The SNP-induced relaxations of the preparations were not affected by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue. Moreover, zaprinast, a cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor which was supposed to enhance SNP-induced relaxations, decreased the maximal relaxation by 22% (P < 0.001). 3. In contrast, 8Br-cyclic GMP (10 microM) increased the cyclic GMP levels by 1100% without inducing a marked relaxation. 4. SNP (10 microM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP; a direct donor of nitric oxide; 10 microM), relaxed the tissues by 75% and 25%, respectively, without any nitric oxide (NO) release by SNP (< 1 pmol 100 microliters-1), but a substantial NO release by SNAP (560 pmol 100 microliters-1). 5. It is concluded that the SNP-induced tracheal relaxations are probably not mediated by cyclic GMP and NO.

Induction of guinea pig airway hyperresponsiveness by inactivation of guanylate cyclase.

To examine the role of cyclic 3', 5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in airway responsiveness the effects of substances known to interfere with nitric oxide (NO) or cGMP were investigated on guinea pig airways. Using a perfused organ bath system, it was possible to apply the chemicals from either the serosal or the mucosal side independently. In addition, levels of intracellular cGMP were determined in tissues after various treatments. Sodium nitroprusside (a donor of NO), zaprinast (a specific inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase) and 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP) caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of guinea pig trachea. These results indicate that cGMP is an important second messenger mediating tracheal relaxations. The above mentioned drugs caused a more profound relaxation when applied to the serosal side compared to the mucosal side, suggesting a barrier function of the epithelial layer. Incubation on the mucosal side of the tissues with 100 microM pyrogallol (a generator of superoxide that may inactivate NO) increased the contractile response to histamine at concentrations 0.3-3.2 microM (P < 0.05). Treatment of the preparations with 1 mM cystamine (an inactivator of guanylate cyclase) caused a 5-fold increase in the sensitivity to histamine (P < 0.05), indicating the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness. Incubation of the tissues with 100 microM histamine elevated the intracellular cGMP levels 10-fold; this effect was completely prevented by incubation of the tissues with methylene blue (a potent inactivator of guanylate cyclase). Mucosal incubation of the tracheal tubes with 10 microM methylene blue induced an 8-fold increase in sensitivity to histamine (P < 0.01) and the Emax was slightly increased. 25 min after instillation of 0.4 mumol methylene blue into the airways of anaesthetized guinea pigs, the lung resistance in response to histamine was elevated up to 395 +/- 82% (P < 0.001). The present study revealed that inactivation of NO or guanylate cyclase enhances the histamine-induced contractions of guinea pig tracheas. Therefore, it is suggested that the NO/cGMP pathway may be implicated in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness and that drugs which enhance cGMP levels in airway smooth muscle may be of significance in the treatment of airway obstruction and enhanced reactivity.

Leukotrienes mediate tracheal hyperresponsiveness after nitric oxide synthesis inhibition.

Preincubation of guinea pig tracheas with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 120 microM) resulted in a significant upward shift of the histamine concentration-response curve with a concomitant inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production. Preincubation of the preparations with a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor (AA-861, 2-(12-hydroxy-5,10-dodecadiynyl)-3,5,6-trimethyl-p-benzoquinone) or a leukotriene C4,D4,E4 receptor antagonist (FPL 55712, sodium 7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-propylphenoxy)-2-hydroxy propoxy]-4-oxo-8- propyl-4H-1-benzopyran-2-carboxylate) totally blocked the L-NAME-induced tracheal hyperresponsiveness. A shift from cyclo-oxygenase to lipoxygenase products, in particular leukotrienes, is likely to be responsible for the L-NAME-induced tracheal hyperresponsiveness.

Nephrotoxicity of the glutathione conjugate of menadione (2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone) in the isolated perfused rat kidney. Role of metabolism by gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and probenecid-sensitive transport.

The renal processing of the glutathione conjugate of menadione, 2-methyl-3-S-glutathionyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (thiodione) was studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney. Thiodione at an initial concentration of 600 microM was eliminated rapidly from the perfusate (clearance = 6.0 ml/min). Renal disposition could be ascribed to metabolism and transport of the glutathione conjugate. Renal metabolism by gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase was inhibited by AT-125 [L-(alpha S,5S)-alpha-amino-3-chloro-4,5-dihydro-5-isoxazoleacetic acid] (0.5 mM) resulting in a reduction of the thiodione clearance to 0.86 ml/min. Further reduction of the renal clearance of thiodione was achieved by a combination of AT-125 (0.5 mM) and probenecid (0.5 mM), resulting in a renal clearance of 0.58 ml/min which equalled glomerular filtration rate. Addition of thiodione to the perfusate caused loss of renal function and cellular damage, as reflected by a decreased glucose reabsorption and an increased urinary secretion of lactate dehydrogenase, respectively. Thiodione-induced nephrotoxicity was ameliorated by AT-125 and prevented completely by a combination of AT-125 and probenecid. Aminooxyacetic acid (0.5 mM), an inhibitor of beta-lyase, did not afford protection against the nephrotoxic action of thiodione. From our results it can be concluded that the thiodione-mediated toxicity in the isolated perfused rat kidney can be linked to cellular uptake by anionic transport systems and metabolism by gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase.

The effect of Gla-containing proteins on the precipitation of insoluble salts.

The precipitation of insoluble salts containing divalent metal ions is inhibited by Gla-containing proteins of various origin. In this paper we demonstrate that: Gla-residues are required for the inhibitory activity; the inhibition is effected by a protein which in vivo is bound to calcified tissue (osteocalcin) as well as by proteins occurring in blood plasma (factor X) and urine (the urinary Gla-protein); The inhibitor concentration required for 50% precipitation-inhibition varied slightly from one salt to the other, but no marked differences were observed between the effects of the various Gla-containing proteins used; Precipitation-inhibition occurred in all phosphates (Be, Ca, Mn and Zn) and in all calcium salts (phosphate, oxalate and carbonate) tested.

Vitamin K and the urogenital tract.

Solubilized microsomes from bovine liver, kidney and testis were compared with regard to their content of vitamin-K-dependent carboxylase, the presence of endogenous vitamin K as well as that of endogenous carboxylatable precursor proteins. The isolation and purification of these protein substrates was not successful. Using antibodies against various well characterized proteins containing gammacarboxyglutamic acid (Gla), we were able to identify precursors of the blood coagulation factors II, IX and X in liver microsomes. The nonhepatic proteins could not be identified in this way. Gla-containing proteins, however, were isolated from human sperm, urine and renal stones. It was demonstrated that - like osteocalcin - also the urinary Gla protein inhibits the precipitation of various calcium salts from supersaturated solutions. The concentration of the urinary Gla protein (16 mg/l) in human urine is well above the concentration required for the in vitro inhibition of salt precipitation.