Inflammatory microcrystals differentially regulate the secretion of macrophage inflammatory protein 1 and interleukin 8 by human neutrophils: a possible mechanism of neutrophil recruitment to sites of inflammation in synovitis.

Human neutrophils at inflammatory sites may be an important source of the chemotactic cytokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (M1P-1 alpha; a C-C chemokine) and interleukin 8 (IL-8; a C-X-C chemokine). In this study, we show that the inflammatory microcrystals monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD), the major mediators of gout and pseudogout, differentially regulate the production of these two chemokines by human neutrophils. Both MSU and CPPD increased the secretion of IL-8 by neutrophils in a dose- and time-dependent manner, but had no effect on that of MIP-1 alpha. Since inflammatory cytokines are likely to be present in the synovium during crystal-induced inflammation, we examined the interaction between TNF-alpha and GM-CSF and the crystals. Both TNF-alpha and GM-CSF stimulated IL-8 production; however, only TNF-alpha exerted a significant effect on MIP-1 alpha secretion in neutrophils. IL-8 production induced by TNF-alpha and GM-CSF was synergistically enhanced in the presence of MSU or CPPD, whereas MIP-1 alpha secretion induced by TNF was completely inhibited in the presence of either MSU or CPPD. Interestingly, no interaction between the crystals and the inflammatory cytokines was observed with respect to synthesis of the C-X-C chemokine MGSA in neutrophils. These results suggest that the combination of TNF-alpha and GM-CSF with MSU or CPPD will lead to the production of IL-8 by neutrophils and abolish the release of MIP-1 alpha, an event that will theoretically lead to recruitment of neutrophils but not mononuclear cells. These results are in accordance with the pathological state of gout and pseudogout, where the predominant inflammatory cell is the neutrophil.

Involvement of a phospholipase D in the mechanism of action of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF): priming of human neutrophils in vitro with GM-CSF is associated with accumulation of phosphatidic acid and diradylglycerol.

The generation of diradylglycerol (DRG) and phosphatidic acid (PdtOH) was investigated in neutrophils primed with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Mass accumulation of DRG and PdtOH was measured using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, respectively. GM-CSF had no direct effect on the levels of PdtOH and DRG, but it increased PdtOH generation and the late phase of DRG accumulation in human neutrophils stimulated with FMLP. The elevation of the mass of PdtOH peaked approximately 100 s and clearly preceded that of DRG, which peaked at 150 s. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 enhanced the sustained increase in DRG but did not produce a parallel inhibition in PdtOH production. GM-CSF was without effect on the level of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and did not affect the liberation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced by FMLP. These findings exclude the involvement of the PtdIns(4,5)P2-specific phospholipase C/diacylglycerol pathway in the sustained phase of DRG accumulation. The early (30-s) appearance of PdtOH clearly suggests that GM-CSF enhanced FMLP receptor-linked phospholipase D (PLD) generation of PdtOH. PLD was assessed more directly by formation of labeled phosphatidylethanol (PEt) through PLD capacity of catalyzing a trans-phosphatidylation in presence of ethanol. The formation of PEt associated with a concomitant decrease in PdtOH directly demonstrated that the mechanism by which GM-CSF enhances PdtOH production is activation of a PLD active on phosphatidylcholine. This study provides evidence that the mechanism of action of GM-CSF involves upregulation of PLD activity leading to enhanced generation of PdtOH and DRG in FMLP-stimulated neutrophils. These findings may provide the basis for several of the priming effects of GM-CSF.

Guanine nucleotide-induced polymerization of actin in electropermeabilized human neutrophils.

The effects of exogenous guanine nucleotides on the polymerization of actin in human neutrophils were tested in an electropermeabilized cell preparation. Close to 40% permeabilization was achieved with a single electric discharge as measured by nucleic acid staining with ethidium bromide or propidium iodide with minimal (less than 2%) release of the cytoplasmic marker lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, electropermeabilized neutrophils retained their capacity to produce superoxide anions and to sustain a polymerization of actin in response to surface-receptor dependent stimuli such as chemotactic factors. Electropermeabilization produced a rapid and transient permeabilization that allowed the entry of guanine nucleotides into the cells. GTP and, to a larger extent, its nonhydrolyzable analog guanosine 5'-O-2-thiotriphosphate (GTP[S]), induced a time- and concentration-dependent polymerization of actin, as determined by increased staining with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazolylphallacidin. The effects of the aforementioned guanine nucleotides were antagonized by GDP[S], but were insensitive to pertussis toxin. Cholera toxin potentiated to a small degree the amount of actin polymerization induced by GTP[S]. These results provided direct evidence for the involvement of GTP-binding proteins in the regulation of the organization of the cytoskeleton of neutrophils, an event that is of crucial importance to the performance of the defense-oriented functions of these cells.

Involvement of membrane calcium in the response of rabbit neutrophils to chemotactic factors as evidenced by the fluorescence of chlorotetracycline.

We have utilized the fluorescent chelate probe chlorotetracycline to investigate the possible involvement of membrane calcium in the response of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils to chemotactic factors. Two chemotactic factors, the small molecular weight fragment of the fifth component of complement C5a and the synthetic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (F-Met-Leu-Phe), were tested and found to decrease the fluorescence of cell-associated chlorotetracycline in a manner strongly suggesting stimulus-induced displacement of membrane calcium. The time-course, concentration dependence, and receptor specificity of the calcium redistribution induced by the stimuli are consistent with its early role in the initiation of the various neutrophil functions. F-Met-Leu-Phe and C5a appear to interact with the same pool of membrane calcium and to release it to the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. Intracellular calcium then binds back to the membrane(s) from where it can be displaced by additional stimulation. The release of membrane calcium, experimentally defined here, appears to play a central role in the initiation of the various neutrophil functions.

Transport of sodium, potassium, and calcium across rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes. Effect of chemotactic factor.

The transport properties of the rabbit peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) plasma membrane to Na+, K+, and Ca2+ have been characterized. The use of a silicone oil centrifugation technique provided a rapid and reliable method for measuring ion fluxes in these cells. Na+ and K+ movements across PMN membranes were found to be rapid. The value for the unifirectional steady-state fluxes (in meq/liter cell X min) were of the order of 3.0 for Na+ and 7.4 for K+. Ouabian inhibited both K+ influx and Na+ efflux, the latter being also dependent on the presence of extracellular potassium. The rate constant (in min-1) for 45Ca influx was found to be .05 and that for 45Ca efflux .04. The synthetic chemotactic factor formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was found to affect the fluxes of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ at concentrations as low as 10(-10)M. FMLP induced a large and rapid increase in the permeability of the PMN plasma membrane to 22Na. Smaller and delayed enhancements of 42K influx and 22Na efflux were also noted. Some evidence that the latter findings are a consequence of the increased 22Na influx is presented. 45Ca influx and efflux were also stimulated by FMLP. In the presence of 0.25 mM extracellular calcium, FMLP induced an increase in the steady-state level of cell-associated 45Ca. In the presence of .01 mM extracellular calcium, however, a transient decrease in the steady-state level of cell-associated 45Ca was induced by FMLP. The curves relating the concentration of FMLP to its effects on cation fluxes are very similar to those found for its enhancement of migration.

Changes in ionic movements across rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes during lysosomal enzyme release. Possible ionic basis for lysosomal enzyme release.

Changes in the movements of Na+, K+, and Ca+2 across rabbit neutrophils under conditions of lysosomal enzyme release have been studied. We have found that in the presence of cytochalasin B, the chemotactic factor formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP) induces within 30 s large enhancements in the influxes of both 22Na+ and 45Ca+2 and an increase in the cellular pool of exchangeable calcium. The magnitude of the changes induced by cytochalasin B and FMLP exceeds that induced by FMLP or cytochalasin B alone, and cannot be explained on the basis of an additive effect of the two agents. However, these compounds either separately or together produce much smaller enhancements in 45Ca efflux. The divalent cation ionophore A23187 also produces a rapid and large increase in the influxes of both 22Na and 45Ca+2 in the presence and absence of cytochalasin B. We have also found an excellent correlation between calcium influx and lysosomal enzyme release. 42K influx is not significantly affected by any of these compounds. On the other hand, a large and rapid increase of 42K efflux is observed under conditions which give rise to lysosomal enzyme release. A flow diagram of the events that are thought to accompany the stimulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) by chemotactic or degranulating stimuli is presented.

Activation of the rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocyte membrane "Na+, K+"-ATPase by chemotactic factor.

Addition of the synthetic chemotactic factor, formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylala-nine (F-Met-Leu-Phe) to medium containing magnesium, sodium, and potassium results in a doubling of the "Na+, K+"-ATPase activity of the plasma membrane fraction from polymophonuclear leukocytes (PMN). This activation is sensitive to ouabain inhibition and is dose dependent, maximal activity occuring at 10(-9)MF-Met-Leu-Phe. Equivalent activation was observed with the nonformylated derivative Met-Leu-Phe at 10(-9)M. The dipeptide, carbobenzoxy-methionylphenylalanine, which acts as an antagonist for F-Met-Leu-Phe, prevents the stimulation of the "Na+, K+"-ATPase by F-Met-Leu-Phe.

The inhibition of neutrophil granule enzyme secretion and chemotaxis by pertussis toxin.

Pertussis toxin treatment of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils causes a concentration-dependent inhibition of granule enzyme secretion induced by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, C5a, and leukotriene B4. It also inhibits chemotaxis induced by formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. The same toxin treatment, however, has no effect on granule enzyme secretion induced by the calcium ionophore A23187 or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Moreover, pertussis toxin treatment does not affect either the number or affinity of the formylpeptide receptors on the neutrophil nor does it have any effect on the unstimulated levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) or the transient rise in cAMP induced by chemotactic factor stimulation in these cells. We hypothesize that pertussis toxin, as in other cells, interacts with a GTP binding regulatory protein identical with or analogous to either Ni or transducin which mediates the receptor-induced inhibition or activation of a target protein or proteins required in neutrophil activation. The nature of the target protein is unknown, but it is not the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase. The target protein acts after binding of chemotactic factor to its receptor in the sequence that leads to the receptor-induced rise in intracellular Ca2+. It does not affect the responses elicited by the direct introduction of calcium into the cells or the activity of protein kinase C.

Is a rise in intracellular concentration of free calcium necessary or sufficient for stimulated cytoskeletal-associated actin?

The addition of the calcium ionophore A23187 to rabbit neutrophils increases the amount of actin associated with the cytoskeleton regardless of the presence or absence of calcium in the incubation medium. In the presence of extracellular calcium, the effect of A23187 is biphasic with respect to concentration. The action of the ionophore is rapid, transient, and is inhibited by pertussis toxin, hyperosmolarity, and quinacrine. On the other hand, the addition of pertussis toxin or hyperosmolarity has small if any, effect on the rise in intracellular calcium produced by A23187. While quinacrine does not affect the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced increase in cytoskeletal actin and the polyphosphoinositide turnover, its addition inhibits completely the stimulated increase in Ca-influx produced by the same stimulus. The results presented here suggest that a rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium is neither necessary nor sufficient for the stimulated increase in cytoskeletal-associated actin. A possible relationship between the lipid remodeling stimulated by chemoattractants and the increased cytoskeletal actin is discussed.

Effects of chemotactic factors and other agents on the amounts of actin and a 65,000-mol-wt protein associated with the cytoskeleton of rabbit and human neutrophils.

Stimulation of rabbit neutrophils by the chemotactic factors fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4, by platelet activating factor, or by arachidonic acid produces a rapid and dose-dependent increase in the amounts of actin and of a 65,000-mol-wt protein associated with the cytoskeleton. Phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate, the calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence or absence of EGTA, and the fluorescent calcium chelator quin-2 also cause an increase in cytoskeletal actin. The stimulated increases in the cytoskeletal actin are not dependent on a rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium and are not mediated by an increase in the intracellular pH or activation of protein kinase C. The increases in the cytoskeletal actin produced by fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4, but not by phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate, are inhibited by high osmolarity. The effect of hyperosmolarity requires a decrease in cell volume, is not mediated by an increase in basal intracellular concentration of free calcium, and is not prevented by pretreating the cells with amiloride. Preincubation of the cells with hyperosmotic solution also inhibits degranulation produced by all the stimuli tested. The inhibitory action of high osmolarity on the fMet-Leu-Phe and leukotriene B4 induced stimulation of cytoskeletal actin is discussed in terms of the possibility that the addition of high osmolarity, either directly or through activation of protein kinase C, causes receptor uncoupling.

Chemotactic factor-induced release of membrane calcium in rabbit neutrophils.

The interaction of chemotactic factors (fMet-Leu-Phe and C5a) with rabbit neutrophils leads to rapid and specific release of membrane calcium, as evidenced by changes in the fluorescence of cell-associated chlorotetracycline. These two structurally different stimuli appear to interact with the same pool of membrane calcium.

Mono- and dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids alter calcium homeostasis in rabbit neutrophils.

Products of the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid that express neutrophil chemotactic activity were examined in vitro for effects on the uptake of 45Ca by rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. At optimally chemotactic concentrations, 5- and 11-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 11- and 12L-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, and leukotriene B4 enhanced 45Ca uptake within 1 min by a mean of 212-694% of the values for control neutrophils incubated in buffer alone, as compared with 75% for 5(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and no effect for 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. The approximate rank of potency of the factors stimulating 45Ca uptake was similar to that observed for chemotaxis. Leukotriene B4, in addition to stimulating the rate of 45Ca uptake into rabbit neutrophils, also displaced intracellular calcium. The net result of the leukotriene B4-induced changes in calcium homeostasis ws to elevate transiently the intracellular level of exchangeable calcium. That neutrophil lipoxygenase metabolites of endogenous arachidonic acid rapidly enhance the influx of 45Ca supports a possible role for such metabolites in general, and leukotriene B4 in particular, in the regulation of the intracellular levels of free calcium in the neutrophils and possibly in other hormonally sensitive cells in which this cation is a second messenger.

Stimulated cytokineplasts from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes mobilize calcium and polymerize actin. Cytoplasts made in cytochalasin B retain a defect in actin polymerization.

Biologically active fragments from polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are simplified systems that can be used to elucidate specific pathways by which cell function is altered. In the current study we have found that cytokineplasts, which are motile fragments derived from the leading front (protopod, lamellipodium) of human PMN, rapidly increase their intracellular free calcium concentration when stimulated by chemotactic formyl peptide or by leukotriene B4, as measured by Quin-2 acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence. As in the parent cell, extracellular EGTA blunts this response only partially. Hence, cytokineplasts retain a mobilizable internal calcium pool, despite a general lack of intracellular organelles. In addition, formyl peptide more than doubles the amount of cytoskeleton-associated (polymerized) actin. In contrast, cytoplasts made by high-speed, discontinuous gradient centrifugation of cytochalasin B-treated leukocytes also increase their intracellular free calcium on stimulation, but cytoskeleton-associated actin increases by only approximately 14%. Thus, defective motile function in the latter cytoplast is associated with compromised effector function (actin polymerization).

Crystal-induced neutrophil activation. IV. Specific inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation by colchicine.

We recently demonstrated that pathologically relevant inflammatory microcrystals, namely triclinic monosodium urate (MSU) and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals, potently stimulate a characteristic protein tyrosine phosphorylation pattern in human neutrophils that differed from that observed in response to other soluble or particulate agonists. In this study, the effects of colchicine on protein tyrosine phosphorylation induced by MSU and CPPD crystals in human blood neutrophils were investigated. Immunoblot analysis with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated that colchicine dose-dependently inhibited the tyrosine phosphorylation of all the proteins phosphorylated in response to MSU and CPPD crystals. Other microtubule-disruptive agents such as vinblastine, nocodazole, and colcemid also inhibited crystal-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation while lumicolchicine and trimethylcolchicinic acid were without effect. Indomethacin and phenylbutazone were similarly without effect on microcrystal-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Colchicine, as well as the other active alkaloids, failed to inhibit the protein tyrosine phosphorylation elicited by FMLP, C5a, leukotriene B4, and unopsonized zymosan. Overall, these results demonstrate that colchicine specifically and significantly inhibits the protein tyrosine phosphorylation induced by MSU and CPPD crystals and suggest that its effects are associated, at least in part, with its interaction with microtubules. Furthermore, the use of microtubule-disrupting drugs demonstrate that the mechanisms implicated in the induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by microcrystals differed from those involved in response to other soluble or particulate agonists.

Crystal-induced neutrophil activation. III. Inflammatory microcrystals induce a distinct pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation in human neutrophils.

The activation of human neutrophils by monosodium urate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals is believed to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of arthritides such as acute gout and pseudogout, respectively. In this study, we investigated the potential involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in microcrystal-mediated activation of human neutrophils. Immunoblot analysis with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies demonstrated that triclinic monosodium urate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals stimulated a time- and concentration-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of at least five proteins (pp130, 118, 80, 70, and 60). While phosphoprotein (pp) 118 and pp70 were the major phosphorylated substrates, pp70 was the dominant one in reactivity with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. When the temporal patterns, as well as the levels of tyrosine phosphorylation for both types of crystals were compared, monosodium urate crystals were found to be more potent activators than calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. The tyrosine phosphorylation patterns induced by microcrystals differed from those stimulated by other soluble (FMLP, C5a, or leukotriene B4) or particulate (unopsonized latex beads or zymosan) agonists which stimulated preferentially the tyrosine phosphorylation of pp118. The ratio of the intensities of pp118 and pp70 were specific of the stimulation with microcrystals when compared to those observed with the other soluble or particulate agonists. Colchicine, a drug used specifically in the treatment of gout and pseudogout, inhibited microcrystal-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, while beta- and gamma-lumicolchicine were without effect. On the other hand, colchicine failed to inhibit FMLP-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, while colchicine inhibited the activation of the NADPH oxidase by microcrystals, it, on the other hand, enhanced the production of superoxide anions by FMLP. Taken together, these results (a) demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in the mechanism of activation of human neutrophils induced by microcrystals; and (b) suggest, on the basis of the characteristics of the observed patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation, that this response may be specific to the microcrystals and relevant to their phlogistic properties.

Calmodulin antagonists modulate rabbit neutrophil degranulation, aggregation and stimulated oxygen consumption.

In an attempt to define further the sequence of events involved in the activation of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils, we have investigated the effects of trifluperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (compound W7), two compounds with known anti-calmodulin activity, on these cells' ability to respond to several stimuli. Neutrophil granule enzyme release, aggregation and oxygen consumption were monitored. These functions were elicited by the addition of one of the following stimuli to cell suspensions: the chemotactic factor f Met-Leu-Phe, arachidonic acid and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Aggregation, oxygen consumption and granule enzyme release stimulated by the above three stimuli are all profoundly affected by calmodulin inhibitors. Low concentrations of trifluperazine slightly potentiates aggregation and oxygen consumption. At higher, but below lytic concentrations, compound W7 and trifluperazine significantly depress all three functions examined. In conjunction with previous results and by analogy to studies in other cell types, it therefore appears likely that calmodulin-stimulated events play central roles in the activation of rabbit neutrophils.

Calcium mobilization and right-angle light scatter responses to 12-oxo-derivatives of arachidonic acid in neutrophils: evidence for the involvement of the leukotriene B4 receptor.

The biological activities of two carbonyl compounds derived from arachidonic acid, (5Z,8Z,10E,14Z)-12-keto-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraeno ic acid (12-OxoETE) and (5Z,8Z,10E)-12-oxo-5,8,10-dodecatrienoic acid (12-OxoDTrE) were investigated. The ability of these compounds to induce a mobilization of calcium and to trigger a right-angle scatter response in isolated peripheral blood human neutrophils was determined. The two compounds induced a rapid and dose-dependent increase in the concentration of cytoplasmic free calcium; these effects were clearly detectable at concentrations greater than or equal to 10(-8) M. Pre-exposure of neutrophils to leukotriene B4 completely abolished the calcium mobilization induced by 12-OxoDTre and 12-OxoETE, while pre-exposure of the cells to the carbonyl compounds only slightly reduced the response to subsequent stimulation of neutrophils by leukotriene B4. The carbonyl compounds also induced a decrease in right-angle light scatter and these effects were abolished by pretreatment of neutrophils with leukotriene B4. These data demonstrate that 12-OxoETE and 12-OxoDTrE show significant agonist activities towards human neutrophils and strongly suggest that their mechanisms of action involve the leukotriene B4 binding sites or a common activation sequence.

Phloretin is a potent inhibitor of rabbit neutrophil activation by chemotactic factors.

We have studied the effect of phloretin, a compound known to interfere with carrier mediated transport processes, on the functional responsiveness of rabbit neutrophils. Phloretin was found to inhibit neutrophil degranulation, aggregation and calcium uptake stimulated by the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe. Part of these effects of phloretin may be accounted for by its interference with the binding of the synthetic peptide to its plasma membrane receptors. However, phloretin also inhibits the arachidonic acid and leukotriene B4 induced calcium uptake. These results imply that phloretin affects a component of membrane structure which is central to the activation sequences available to the neutrophils. The results of the present experiments demonstrate that phloretin can interfere with stimulus-response coupling in soluble mediator ('hormone') responsive cells.

C2-ceramide primes specifically for the superoxide anion production induced by N-formylmethionylleucyl phenylalanine (fMLP) in human neutrophils.

Activated sphingomyelinases release ceramide molecules believed to be involved in intracellular signalling. The present study investigated whether soluble C2-ceramide modulates some of the effects of N-formylmethionylleucyl phenylalanine (fMLP) and other agonists on human neutrophils (or polymorphonuclear leukocytes-PMN); principally superoxide anion (O2-) production. The preincubation of PMN for 15 min with C2-ceramide increased by up to almost 3-fold the amounts of O2- generated in response to 0.1 and 1 microM fMLP. Priming was detected at C2-ceramide concentrations of 2 microM to 4 microM per million PMN. Though less potent than C2-ceramide, C6-ceramide (N-hexanoylsphingosine) could prime for O2- generated in response to 0.1 microM fMLP, with maximal effects obtained at 10-20 microM. In contrast, micromolar concentrations of sphingosine, dihydroceramide, and ceramide-phosphate, failed to exert any potentiating effect on fMLP-induced O2- generation. As expected, TNF-alpha (1000 U/ml), also primed for fMLP-induced O2- production; however, the combination of TNF-alpha and C2-ceramide showed no additive effect. Moreover, S. aureus sphingomyelinase (0.1 U/ml), was unable to reproduce the priming effects of C2-ceramide and TNF-alpha. C2-ceramide at 2 microM did not enhance the production of O2- induced by 100 nM recombinant human interleukin-8 (IL-8), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), platelet-activating factor (PAF) or 20 mM sodium fluoride (NaF). Furthermore, C2-ceramide (2 microM) did not enhance the mobilization of calcium, the release of arachidonic acid or the accumulation of phosphatidylethanol, induced by 100 nM fMLP. This suggests that probably neither phospholipases C, A2 or D (PLC, PLA2, PLD) were involved in the priming effect by C2-ceramide. However, C2-ceramide inhibited in a dose-related manner the production of O2- induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and mezerein. Furthermore, PMA-stimulated PLD activity was also significantly reduced by a preincubation of PMN with C2-ceramide. The priming of O2- production by C2-ceramide could involve yet unidentified mechanisms specific for fMLP, or it might imply that cytokines such as TNF-alpha have different mechanisms than C2-ceramide.

Patterns of nonelectrolyte permeability in human red blood cell membrane.

The permeability of human red cell membrane to 90 different molecules has been measured. These solutes cover a wide spectrum of nonelectrolytes with varying chemical structure, chain length, lipid solubility, chemical reactive group, ability to form hydrogen bonds, and other properties. In general, the present study suggests that the permeability of red cell membrane to a large solute is determined by lipid solubility, its molecular size, and its hydrogen-bonding ability. The permeability coefficient increases with increasing lipid solubility and decreasing ability to form hydrogen bonds, whereas it decreases with increasing molecular size. In the case of small solutes, the predominant diffusion factor is steric hindrance augmented by lipid solubility. It is also found that replacement of a hydroxyl group by a carbonyl group or an ether linkage tends to increase permeability. On the other hand, replacement of a hydroxyl group by an amide group tends to decrease the permeability coefficient.