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Effect of secretagogues on cytoplasmic free calcium in alveolar type II epithelial cells.

Pulmonary surfactant is synthesized and secreted by alveolar type II epithelial cells. Although intracellular calcium and other second messengers have been implicated in secretion by type II cells, this is the first report on measurement of cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Known secretagogues, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and terbutaline, were tested to see if they caused rapid increases in cytoplasmic calcium. Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, was used to increase cytoplasmic free calcium concentration, to determine if a rapid increase in cytoplasmic free calcium would stimulate secretion, and to measure interactions with other secretagogues. Ionomycin increased both [Ca2+]i and pulmonary surfactant secretion from alveolar type II cells. A low concentration of ionomycin (100 nM) greatly enhanced secretion stimulated by terbutaline or by 8-bromo-cAMP but only had an additive effect on secretion stimulated by TPA. Terbutaline transiently increased [Ca2+]i by 24% over control basal condition, and the increase in [Ca2+]i produced by terbutaline occurred in the absence of extracellular calcium. TPA itself did not change [Ca2+]i. However, TPA completely inhibited the terbutaline-induced increase of [Ca2+]i but not the increase due to ionomycin. When alveolar type II cells were loaded with 2-(2-bis-[carboxymethyl]-amino-5-methyl-phenoxy)-methyl-6-methoxy-8-bis carboxymethylaminoquinoline (quin2) in calcium-free buffer, [Ca2+]i decreased from 143 +/- 10 to 31 +/- 8 nM. Lowering [Ca2+]i inhibited TPA- or terbutaline-induced secretion by 22 and 40%, respectively. Although the precise role of cytoplasmic free calcium on surfactant secretion cannot be established on the basis of current data, our results indicate that an increase in cytoplasmic free calcium produced by ionomycin stimulates secretion and that an increase in [Ca2+]i affects cAMP-induced secretion more than protein kinase C-mediated secretion in alveolar type II cells.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Ca2+ depolarizes adrenal cortical cells through selective inhibition of an ATP-activated K+ current.

Bovine adrenal zona fasciculata cells (AZF) express a noninactivating K+ current (IAC) whose inhibition by adrenocorticotropic hormone and ANG II may be coupled to membrane depolarization and Ca2+-dependent cortisol secretion. We studied IAC inhibition by Ca2+ and the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin in whole cell and single-channel patch-clamp recordings of AZF. In whole cell recordings with intracellular (pipette) Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) buffered to 0.02 microM, IAC reached maximum current density of 25.0 +/- 5.1 pA/pF (n = 16); raising [Ca2+]i to 2.0 microM reduced it 76%. In inside-out patches, elevated [Ca2+]i dramatically reduced IAC channel activity. Ionomycin inhibited IAC by 88 +/- 4% (n = 14) without altering rapidly inactivating A-type K+ current. Inhibition of IAC by ionomycin was unaltered by adding calmodulin inhibitory peptide to the pipette or replacing ATP with its nonhydrolyzable analog 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate. IAC inhibition by ionomycin was associated with membrane depolarization. When [Ca2+]i was buffered to 0.02 microM with 2 and 11 mM 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), ionomycin inhibited IAC by 89.6 +/- 3.5 and 25.6 +/- 14.6% and depolarized the same AZF by 47 +/- 8 and 8 +/- 3 mV, respectively (n = 4). ANG II inhibited IAC significantly more effectively when pipette BAPTA was reduced from 11 to 2 mM. Raising [Ca2+]i inhibits IAC through a mechanism not requiring calmodulin or protein kinases, suggesting direct interaction with IAC channels. ANG II may inhibit IAC and depolarize AZF by activating parallel signaling pathways, one of which uses Ca2+ as a mediator.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Protein kinase C and Ca2+ activation of mucin secretion in airway goblet cells.

Airway goblet cells secrete mucin in response to ATP and uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), but the underlying signal transduction pathways are poorly understood. Cultures of SPOC1 cells (L. H. Abdullah, S. W. Davis, L. Burch, M. Yamauchi, S. H. Randell, P. Nettesheim, and C. W. Davis. Biochem. J. 316: 943-951, 1996) secreted mucin on exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) [apparent affinity (K0.5) approximately 100 nM] and ionomycin (K0.5 approximately 5 microM) almost fivefold over baseline. Thapsigargin also elicited secretion (K0.5 approximately 20 nM). Ionomycin and PMA together elicited approximately twice the secretion of either agent alone. Overnight exposure to half-maximal PMA abolished the response to maximal doses of UTP and PMA, whereas ionomycin was fully effective. Protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the membrane fraction was increased by maximal doses of PMA and UTP, whereas ionomycin had no effect. PKC inhibitors were relatively ineffective against PMA- and UTP-induced mucin secretion. Human and canine goblet cells in epithelial explants, by video microscopy, underwent exocytosis with ionomycin (1 microM) and PMA (0.1 or 1 microM). SPOC1 cell mucin secretion was not stimulated by forskolin, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, or 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator was not detected in SPOC1 cells by Western blotting, and its mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) only as a very weak band and after 55 PCR cycles. Multidrug resistance (MDR1), however, was readily detected by Western blotting, and its mRNA was detected as a major band after 35 PCR cycles. Thus airway goblet cell mucin secretion, distal to receptor activation, may be regulated independently by Ca(2+)- and PKC-dependent pathways. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and cyclic nucleotides, however, may not play a major role in this secretion.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

Cytokine production by highly purified human CD8+ T cells.

We have systematically investigated the capacity of highly purified human peripheral CD8+ T cells to produce interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma when triggered by different stimuli. CD8+ T cells were isolated from peripheral blood by positive selection to > 99% purity and stimulated with one of three different stimuli: phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and IL-2, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and plate-bound anti CD3 and PMA. On their own, ionomycin and IL-2 failed to stimulate significant CD8+ T cell proliferation while PHA, plate-bound anti-CD3 and PMA induced weak proliferation. A combination of PHA and IL-2, PMA and ionomycin, or plate-bound anti-CD3 and PMA all induced vigorous CD8+ T cell proliferation. IFN-gamma was produced following all three stimuli, but was greatest from cells cultured with PMA and ionomycin. However, IL-4 secretion was only detected in cell cultures stimulated with PMA and ionomycin. These results indicate that, with sufficient stimulation, human CD8+ T cells have the potential to produce Th2 as well as Th1 cytokines.

CD3 Complex↗

Rise and fall of agonist-evoked platelet Ca2+ in hypertensive rats.

We previously reported an enhanced peak response of intracellular free Ca2+ to thrombin in platelets of spontaneously hypertensive rats in comparison with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. In the present study, we compared the platelet intracellular Ca2+ response to the receptor-linked agonist thrombin with the response to the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. Basal intracellular Ca2+ was higher in hypertensive platelets as was leakage of fura-2. We confirmed the previous finding that the thrombin-induced intracellular Ca2+ peak is greater in platelets of hypertensive rats and noted that the rate of recovery from peak intracellular Ca2+ is significantly greater in this model. In contrast, the peak platelet intracellular Ca2+ response to ionomycin (50 nM and 5 microM) was not different between the two strains, and the rate of recovery from the peak response was only slightly depressed in hypertensive rats after the low dose of ionomycin. Internal Ca2+ discharge capacity, assessed by the intracellular Ca2+ response to a maximal dose of ionomycin in Ca(2+)-free medium, was not different between platelets of the two strains. Thus, activated platelet intracellular Ca2+ is not altered in the hypertensive rat when the nonphysiological ionophore ionomycin is used as agonist. However, a heightened intracellular Ca2+ response is observed when the receptor-mediated agonist thrombin is used. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that differences in receptor-linked second messenger pathways underlie the altered intracellular Ca2+ response in platelets of genetically hypertensive rats and may contribute to differences both in the mobilization of Ca2+ and in its fall.

Animals↗

Mechanisms of vasodilation induced by NKH477, a water-soluble forskolin derivative, in smooth muscle of the porcine coronary artery.

To study the mechanism of vasodilation induced by 6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl) forskolin (NKH477), a water-soluble forskolin derivative, its effects on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction of muscle strips of porcine coronary artery were examined. [Ca2+]i, isometric force, and cellular concentrations of cAMP and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were measured. NKH477 (0.1-1.0 microM), isoproterenol (0.01-0.1 microM), or forskolin (0.1-1.0 microM) increased cAMP and attenuated the contraction induced by 128 mM K+ or 10 microM ACh in a concentration-dependent manner. These agents, at concentrations up to 0.3 microM, did not change the amount of cGMP. NKH477 (0.1 microM) attenuated the contraction induced by 128 mM K+ without corresponding changes in the evoked [Ca2+]i responses. ACh (10 microM) produced a large phasic increase followed by a small tonic increase in [Ca2+]i and produced a sustained contraction. The ACh-induced phasic increase in [Ca2+]i, but not the tonic increase, disappeared after application of 0.1 microM ionomycin. NKH477 (0.1 microM) attenuated both the increase in [Ca2+]i and the force induced by 10 microM ACh in muscle strips that were not treated with ionomycin and inhibited the ACh-induced contraction without corresponding changes in [Ca2+]i in ionomycin-treated muscle strips. These results suggest that NKH477 inhibits ACh-induced Ca2+ mobilization through its action on ionomycin-sensitive storage sites. In ionomycin-treated and 128 mM K(+)-treated muscle strips, 0.1 microM NKH477 shifted the [Ca2+]i-force relation to the right in the presence or absence of 10 microM ACh. In beta-escin-skinned smooth muscle strips, 0.1 microM NKH477 shifted the pCa-force relation to the right but had no effects on Ca(2+)-independent contraction. We conclude that in smooth muscle of porcine coronary artery, NKH477 inhibits ACh-induced contraction by both attenuating ACh-induced Ca2+ mobilization and reducing the sensitivity of the contractile machinery to Ca2+, possibly by activating cAMP-dependent mechanisms.

Acetylcholine↗

The role of calcium in the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene in GT1-7 cells.

The role of calcium in the regulation of GnRH gene expression and the mechanism for its effects were examined in the present study. Using the immortalized hypothalamic GT1-7 cell line, which synthesizes and secretes GnRH, we demonstrated by ribonuclease protection assay and Northern blot analysis that these cells respond to treatment with the calcium ionophores ionomycin and A23187 with an inhibition of transcription of the GnRH gene and decreases in GnRH messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. Ionomycin treatment caused the GnRH mRNA half-life to decrease from 25 to 9 h, concomitant with a decrease in mRNA poly(A) tail length, suggesting that ionomycin causes a decrease in GnRH mRNA stability. The ionomycin inhibitory effect on GnRH cytoplasmic mRNA levels was significantly inhibited in the presence of cycloheximide or the RNA synthesis inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1beta-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, indicating that novel protein/RNA synthesis is obligatory for this effect. We conclude that an increase in calcium levels caused by ionomycin inhibits GnRH gene expression at multiple levels, including GnRH gene transcription and mRNA stability in GT1-7 cells.

Animals↗

Intracellular calcium and protein kinase C mediate expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin in osteoblasts.

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) produced by osteoblasts/stromal cells are involved as positive and negative regulators in osteoclast formation. Three independent signals have been proposed to induce RANKL expression in osteoblasts/stromal cells: vitamin D receptor-, cAMP-, and gp130-mediated signals. We previously reported that intracellular calcium-elevating compounds such as ionomycin, cyclopiazonic acid, and thapsigargin induced osteoclast formation in cocultures of mouse bone marrow cells and primary osteoblasts. Increases in calcium concentration in culture medium also induced osteoclast formation in cocultures. Treatment of primary osteoblasts with these compounds or with high calcium medium stimulated the expression of both RANKL and OPG messenger RNAs (mRNAs). 1,2-Bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid)-tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester, an intracellular calcium chelator, suppressed both ionomycin-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures and expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, also stimulated osteoclast formation in these cocultures and the expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Protein kinase C inhibitors such as calphostin and staurosporin suppressed ionomycin- and PMA-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures and expression of RANKL and OPG mRNAs in primary osteoblasts. Ionomycin stimulated RANKL mRNA expression in ST2 and MC3T3-G2/PA6 cells, but not in MC3T3-E1 or NIH-3T3 cells. These effects were closely correlated with osteoclast formation in response to ionomycin in cocultures with these stromal cell lines. OPG strongly inhibited osteoclast formation induced by calcium-elevating compounds and PMA in cocultures, suggesting that RANKL expression in osteoblasts is a rate-limiting step for osteoclast induction. Forskolin, an activator of cAMP signals, also stimulated osteoclast formation in cocultures. Forskolin enhanced RANKL mRNA expression but suppressed OPG mRNA expression in primary osteoblasts. These results suggest that the calcium/protein kinase C signal in osteoblasts/stromal cells is the fourth signal for inducing RANKL mRNA expression, which, in turn, stimulates osteoclast formation.

3T3 Cells↗

Role of intracellular pH during cytoprotection of proximal tubule cells by glycine or acidosis.

Lowering extracellular pH to less than 7.0 strongly protects isolated proximal tubules against ATP depletion and Ca(2+)-induced injury, but there is little information about alterations of intracellular pH (pHi) in renal tubules during either injury or its modification by decreasing medium pHi or other potent protective factors such as glycine. pHi was assessed with 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-carboxyfluorescein during proximal tubule injury produced by simple ATP depletion with the electron transport inhibitor antimycin or by large increases of cytosolic free Ca2+ induced by treatment with the calcium ionophore ionomycin, alone and in combination with antimycin. Freshly isolated rabbit proximal tubules studied under superfusion conditions in the presence of probenecid were suitable for monitoring pHi during relatively prolonged and severe injury states. Probenecid, used to promote the retention of intracellular fluorophores, only minimally modified the injury response by transiently delaying lactate dehydrogenase release during antimycin treatment. The tubules did not exhibit spontaneous decreases of pHi during simple ATP depletion, but pHi fully equilibrated with cytoprotective decreases of medium pH. Irrespective of the presence of antimycin, ionomycin induced intracellular alkalinization in Ca(2+)-replete medium, which may have further enhanced the severity of injury. When medium Ca2+ was buffered to 100 nM, ionomycin induced intracellular acidification, which likely resulted from a combination of Ca2+/H+ exchange activity of the ionophore and H+ uptake during Ca(2+)-ATPase-mediated extrusion of Ca2+ released by ionomycin from intracellular pools. Alterations of pHi did not contribute to glycine cytoprotection because glycine did not affect the behavior of pHi during treatment with antimycin, ionomycin, or both agents in combination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Calcium-regulated protein tyrosine phosphorylation is required for endothelin-1 to induce prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis in mesangial cells.

The role of endothelin (ET)-1-mediated cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevation in regulating ET-1-induced prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS)-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis was investigated in mesangial cells (MC). Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, and thapsigargin, an inhibitor of calcium ATPase, mimicked the ET-1-stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein induction. Inhibition of [Ca2+]i increases with (2-¿C2-bis-(carboxymethyl)-amino-5 methylphenoxy]methyl¿-6-methoxy-8-bis-(carboxymethyl)-aminoquinoline tetra-(acetoxymethyl)ester (Quin/AM), a calcium chelator, or with the combined presence of [8-(diethylamino)-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate, HCl] (TMB), an inhibitor of intracellular calcium stores release, and ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl)- N,N,N',N'-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA) suppressed ET-1, as well as ionomycin and thapsigargin-mediated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein formation. Also, the ET-1-, ionomycin-, and thapsigargin-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression and protein formation was inhibited in MC pretreated with inhibitors of calcium calmodulin kinase. In contrast, these conditions did not inhibit interleukin (IL)-1-induced PGHS-2 mRNA expression and protein synthesis. Pretreatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors abolished the ET-1-, ionomycin-, thapsigargin-, and IL-1-mediated PGHS-2 mRNA and protein induction. ET-1-, ionomycin-, and thapsigargin- induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation, but not IL-1-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation, was suppressed by inhibiting either [Ca2+]i elevation or calcium calmodulin kinase activation. It was concluded that elevation of [Ca2+]i and activation of calcium calmodulin kinases are upstream mediators of ET-1-induced PGHS-2 gene expression through activation of non-receptor-linked protein tyrosine kinase in MC.

Aminoquinolines↗

Effects of different activation treatments on fertilization of horse oocytes by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The effects of four reagents on the activation and subsequent fertilization of equine oocytes, and the development of these after intracytoplasmic sperm injection, were investigated. Cumulus-oocyte complexes collected from equine ovaries obtained from an abattoir were matured in vitro for 40-44 h in TCM199 medium before being injected, when in metaphase II, with an immobilized stallion spermatozoon. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were then subjected to one of five activation treatments: (a) 10 micromol ionomycin l(-1) for 10 min; (b) 7% (v/v) ethanol for 10 min; (c) 100 micromol thimerosal l(-1) for 10 min; (d) 250 micromol inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate l(-1) injection; and (e) no treatment (control). After 18-20 h further culture, the cumulus-oocyte complexes were assessed for activation by observing whether they had progressed through second anaphase-telophase and had formed a female pronucleus. The proportions of oocytes activated after each treatment were: 16/27 (59%) for ionomycin; 14/25 (56%) for ethanol; 22/28 (79%) for thimerosal; 15/27 (56%) for inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate; and 0/20 (0%) for the untreated controls. Thus, significantly more oocytes (P < 0.05) were activated by treatment with thimerosal than by the other four treatments. The proportions of oocytes that cleaved to the two-cell stage at 24-30 h after sperm injection in the groups treated with ionomycin, ethanol and thimerosal were 7/20 (35%), 5/19 (26%) and 11/23 (48%), respectively. No cleavage was observed in any of the control oocytes or those treated with inositol 1,4, 5-triphosphate. Furthermore, evidence of normal fertilization was observed in 2/7 (29%), 2/5 (40%) and 7/11 (64%) of the oocytes treated with ionomycin, ethanol and thimerosal, respectively. These results demonstrated that: (a) it is possible to activate equine oocytes with the chemical stimulants, ionomycin, ethanol, thimerosal and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate; (b) thimerosal is more effective than the other three reagents in facilitating both meiotic activation and normal fertilization of equine oocytes; and (c) chemical activation may also stimulate parthenogenetic cleavage of oocytes without concurrent changes in the head of the spermatozoon.

Animals↗

Superoxide responses to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in primed neutrophils. Role of intracellular and extracellular calcium.

For superoxide (O2-) responses of human neutrophils stimulated by FMLP, experiments were designed to assess the requirement of extracellular calcium [( Ca2+]o) for priming of O2- responses by platelet-activating factor (PAF), PMA, or ionomycin. Although priming by PMA did not require [Ca2+]o, there was, as expected, a requirement for [Ca2+]o for the optimal priming effects of PAF and ionomycin. The ED50 value for [Ca2+]o in the priming function of PAF was 105 microM. The [Ca2+]o-dependent priming with ionomycin was bimodal with two ED50 values for [Ca2+]o of 90 microM and 3.2 mM. Optimal priming by PAF required at least 4-min exposure of cells to [Ca2+]o. Cells primed by PAF exhibited faster initial rates of O2-production after addition of FMLP, but the duration of O2- production was not prolonged. Whereas PAF-primed responses to FMLP are usually associated with increases in intracellular calcium [( Ca2+]i) after addition of FMLP, two conditions were found in which O2- responses to FMLP in PAF-primed cells occurred in the absence of any detectable increase in [Ca2+]i. When cells were loaded with the calcium chelator, bis-(O-aminophenoxy)-ethane-H,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, and then primed with PAF, normal amounts of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were formed, but no increase in [Ca2+]i occurred after addition of FMLP even though the cells exhibited a fully primed O2- response; in Ca2(+)-depleted and ionomycin-permeabilized cells that were primed with PAF and then stimulated with FMLP, O2- was generated in amounts comparable to reference control (primed) cells, but there was suppressed production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and no increase in [Ca2+]i after addition of FMLP to PAF-primed cells. These data confirm the requirement of [Ca2+]o for optimal priming of neutrophils by PAF and ionomycin (but not cells primed by PMA) and indicate that, under certain conditions, generation of O2- in response to FMLP in PAF-primed neutrophils can occur independent of any increase in [Ca2+]i.

Calcium↗

Mechanism of maitotoxin-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown in HL-60 cells.

The marine toxin maitotoxin (MTX) and the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP) induce the formation of inositol phosphates in HL-60 cells differentiated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The increase in [3H]inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate is rapid but transient after fMLP stimulation, whereas MTX-induced increase in [3H]inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate occurs at a slower rate and is sustained over time. In both cases increases in [Ca++]i, measured with fura-2, parallel the formation of inositol trisphosphate. MTX-mediated stimulation of inositol phosphate formation is inhibited in the absence of calcium, whereas the response to fMLP is not. The calcium ionophore ionomycin stimulates the formation of inositol phosphates in differentiated HL-60 cells. The magnitude of the response is smaller than that obtained with MTX. Ionomycin also induces a rapid but sustained increase of [Ca++]i. In undifferentiated HL-60 cells, neither fMLP nor ionomycin induce significant inositol phosphate formation, and the increase in [Ca++]i elicited by ionomycin is transient. In contrast, the effects of MTX on phosphoinositide breakdown and on [Ca++]i in undifferentiated cells are nearly identical to those elicited by MTX in differentiated cells. In the presence of the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA, fMLP, ionomycin and MTX still stimulate the generation of inositol phosphates. Guanyl nucleotides and calcium stimulate phospholipase C activity in membrane preparations from differentiated HL-60 cells. fMLP stimulates the enzyme only in the presence of GTP. MTX has no effect on membrane phospholipase C activity.

Calcium↗

Dissociation of Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ mobilization responses to angiotensin II in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

In fura-2-loaded bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, 0.5 microM angiotensin II (AII) stimulated a 185 +/- 19 nM increase of intracellular-free calcium [( Ca2+]i) approximately 3 s after addition. The time from the onset of the response until achieving 50% recovery (t 1/2) was 67 +/- 10 s. Concomitantly, AII stimulated both the release of 45Ca2+ from prelabeled cells, and a 4-5-fold increase of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [( 3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) levels. In the presence of 50 microM LaCl3, or when extracellular-free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]o) was less than 100 nM, AII still rapidly increased [Ca2+]i by 95-135 nM, but the t 1/2 for recovery was then only 23-27 s. In medium with 1 mM MnCl2 present, AII also stimulated a small amount of Mn2+ influx, as judged by quenching of the fura-2 signal. When [Ca2+]o was normal (1.1 mM) or low (less than 60 nM), 1-2 microM ionomycin caused [Ca2+]i to increase 204 +/- 26 nM, while also releasing 45-55% of bound 45Ca2+. With low [Ca2+]o, ionomycin pretreatment abolished both the [Ca2+]i increase and 45Ca2+ release stimulated by AII. However, after ionomycin pretreatment in normal medium, AII produced a La3+-inhibitable increase of [Ca2+]i (103 +/- 13 nM) with a t 1/2 of 89 +/- 8 s, but no 45Ca2+ release. No pretreatment condition altered AII-induced formation of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3. We conclude that AII increased [Ca2+]i via rapid and transient Ca2+ mobilization from Ins(1,4,5)P3- and ionomycin-sensitive stores, accompanied (and/or followed) by Ca2+ entry through a La3+-inhibitable divalent cation pathway. Furthermore, the ability of AII to activate Ca2+ entry in the absence of Ca2+ mobilization (i.e. after ionomycin pretreatment) suggests a receptor-linked stimulus other than Ca2+ mobilization initiates Ca2+ entry.

Adrenal Glands↗

Synergisms between different activation pathways in adult and aged human lymphocytes.

The present report investigates the synergistic effects of different agents (phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA), anti-CD3, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and Ionomycin on T cell activation. Results indicate that in normal lymphocytes PMA causes a dose-dependent decrease of PHA-induced blastogenesis and a marked enhancement of anti-CD3-induced 3H-thymidine uptake. There is positive synergism when cells are costimulated with PMA and the calcium ionophore Ionomycin. These data show that phorbol esters can exert either positive or negative synergisms depending on the experimental conditions. We also studied the simultaneous stimulation with PHA and anti-CD3 which gives an addictive effect for the minimal doses of the two stimuli, and an appreciable negative synergism for their highest concentrations. In order to evaluate T lymphocyte functions in the age-associated immune defect, PHA plus anti-CD3 and PMA plus Ionomycin costimulation assays were applied to a population of healthy elderly subjects. An additive effect is found after costimulation with the highest doses of PHA and anti-CD3, at variance with the negative synergism found in younger adult controls. Following costimulation with PMA plus Ionomycin, elderly subjects also display an impaired response, as compared to adult controls. No correlation was found with PHA-, anti-CD3- and PMA plus Ionomycin-induced T cell proliferation. These results underline the complexity of age-associated immune defects and suggest that alterations in different mechanisms of lymphocyte activation are responsible for the immune deficiency of aging.

Adult↗

Thrombin induces a calcium transient that mediates an activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger in human fibroblasts.

The calcium dependence of growth factor-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization was determined in serum-deprived human fibroblasts (WS-1 cells). Intracellular pH (pHi) and intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) were measured using the fluorescent dyes 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein and fura2, respectively. Thrombin (10 nM) induced an alkalinization (0.18 +/- 0.01 pH units, n = 23) that was Na+-dependent and amiloride-sensitive, suggesting that the alkalinization was mediated by the Na+/H+ exchanger. Thrombin treatment caused a transient increase in Ca2+i (325 +/- 39 nM, n = 12) that preceded the observed increase in pHi. The increases in Ca2+i and pHi were dependent on the concentration of thrombin. The thrombin-induced increase in Ca2+i occurred in the absence of external calcium indicating that thrombin released calcium from internal stores. Inhibition of the thrombin-induced increase in Ca2+i with 8-diethylaminooctyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate hydrochloride or bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid also inhibited the thrombin-stimulated increase in pHi. The calcium ionophore ionomycin was used to increase Ca2+i independent of growth factor stimulation. When Ca2+i was elevated with ionomycin, a concomitant increase in pHi was observed. The increase in pHi due to ionomycin was dependent on Na+ and sensitive to amiloride. The removal of external Ca2+i inhibited the ionomycin-induced elevation of both Ca2+i and pHi. The ionomycin-induced increases in Ca2+i and pHi were not inhibited by 8-diethylaminooctyl 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoate hydrochloride. The results suggest that thrombin treatment can activate the Na+/H+ exchanger, and this activation is mediated by an increase in Ca2+i.

Amiloride↗

Role of phosphoinositide-derived second messengers in mediating anti-IgM-induced growth arrest of WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells.

Anti-IgM irreversibly inhibits the growth of WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells and induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis--producing diacylglycerol, which activates protein kinase C, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which induces the release of calcium from intracellular storage sites into the cytoplasm, and other inositol polyphosphates. The roles of two of the possible second messengers, cytoplasmic free calcium and diacylglycerol, in mediating the action of anti-IgM on WEHI-231 cells were assessed by elevating [Ca2+]i with ionomycin and by activating protein kinase C with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu). The combination of 250 nM ionomycin and 4 to 7 nM PdBu was found to cause growth arrest and cell volume decrease responses in WEHI-231 cells which were similar to those caused by anti-IgM, although clearly slower. Both anti-IgM and the combination of mimicking reagents induced growth arrest of WEHI-231 cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. In both cases, this growth arrest was mitigated by addition of bacterial LPS. Moreover, 250 nM ionomycin plus 4 to 7 nM PdBu did not inhibit the growth of two other murine B lymphoma cell lines, each of which did exhibit increased phosphoinositide hydrolysis but not growth arrest in response to anti-Ig. Taken together, these results suggest that ionomycin and PdBu, at the concentrations used, did not inhibit WEHI-231 growth by general toxicity, but rather by mimicking the effects of the natural second messengers generated from Ag receptor cross-linking. Thus, the phosphoinositide-derived second messengers Ca2+i and diacylglycerol are capable of playing important roles in mediating the action of anti-IgM on WEHI-231 B lymphoma cells. However, the response of WEHI-231 cells to anti-IgM could not be fully reproduced with ionomycin and phorbol diester. These results suggest that another second messenger induced by anti-IgM may also play an important role in mediating the growth arrest of these cells.

Animals↗

Coordination and reversibility of signals for proliferative activation and interleukin-2 mRNA production in resting human T lymphocytes by phorbol ester and calcium ionophore.

Sequential stimulation and washout procedures were employed to examine the kinetics and reversibility of pharmacologically manipulated second messenger signals mediating phenotypic changes and proliferative activation of resting human T lymphocytes. Phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) was used to stimulate protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme) while ionomycin was used to manipulate intracellular Ca2+ levels. Stimulation by PDBu alone induced phosphorylation of several endogenous substrates and altered expression of phenotypic markers, downregulating expression of CD4 and CD3 while increasing expression of CD2 and the interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor. Stimulation with ionomycin alone caused an increase in intracellular Ca2+ levels but did not induce proliferation or cause major changes in the expression of phenotypic markers (CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, IL-2, and transferrin receptors). Analysis of endogenous PDBu stimulated phosphosubstrates indicated that some substrates (pp92, pp82, pp55) underwent dephosphorylation, returning to base-line levels following PDBu removal while others (pp61, pp65) showed only partial dephosphorylation, while one (pp28) remained phosphorylated. Washing ionomycin-stimulated cells resulted in an approximately 75% reduction of intracellular Ca2+. Ionomycin exposure did not alter the affinity (KD = 22.3 +/- 7.4 nM) or number of receptors (53,497 +/- 8,291 receptors/cell) for [3H]PDBu. These data suggest that signals induced by PDBu or ionomycin are reversible following removal of the stimulating agents with respect to proliferative activation of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, a transcriptional mechanism regulating the production of IL-2 mRNA requires simultaneous activation of protein kinase C and elevation of intracellular Ca2+.

Blotting, Northern↗