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Regulation of taurocholate and ursodeoxycholate uptake in hamster hepatocytes by Ca(2+)-mobilizing agents.

In isolated hamster hepatocytes, the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 immediately decreased the uptake rate of taurocholic acid (TCA) by 60-70%, whereas it slowly inhibited that of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) by a maximum of 35-45%, with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 0.36 and 1.93 microM, respectively. In contrast to ionomycin, which mimicked the effect of A-23187, vasopressin inhibited the bile acid uptake rate by 40 and 45%, respectively, only after a 5- to 10-min preincubation. The Na(+)-dependent bile acid transport was exclusively inhibited by these agents, and this inhibition was independent of extracellular Ca2+. However, intracellular Ca2+ depletion with ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or chelation with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid resulted in 40-50% inhibition of the uptake rate of both bile acids. The exogenous protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), but not the nonactive 4 alpha-phorbol, significantly inhibited TCA uptake rate. Although both A-23187 and ionomycin immediately increased and decreased the cellular Na+ and K+ concentration, respectively, neither vasopressin nor PMA had a significant effect on the cellular concentration of these cations, even after a 10-min incubation. Furthermore, the effect of A-23187 and ionomycin on TCA uptake and Na+ flux, respectively, disappeared after a 40-min preincubation, and additional ionophore remained without effect. However, after a 40-min incubation with A-23187, PMA was still able to inhibit TCA uptake. Therefore, A-23187 and ionomycin transiently inhibited Na(+)-dependent uptake of both TCA and UDCA, in part because of transient alteration of the cellular Na+ and K+ concentration. Vasopressin and PMA inhibited Na(+)-dependent bile acid uptake, at least in part, through protein kinase C activation.

Animals↗

A primary culture of guinea pig gallbladder epithelial cells that is responsive to secretagogues.

We have developed a cell culture of guinea pig gallbladder epithelial cells with which to study ion transport. When grown on permeable supports, the cultured epithelia developed a transepithelial resistance (R(t)) of approximately 500 Omega. cm(2). The epithelial cell origin of the cell culture was further confirmed by immunocytochemical localization of cytokeratin. Ionomycin and forskolin increased transepithelial voltage and short-circuit current (I(sc)) and decreased R(t). The response to ionomycin was transient, whereas that to forskolin was sustained. Both were attenuated by replacement of Cl(-) and/or HCO(3)(-). Mucosal addition of the anion transport inhibitors DIDS or diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid (DPC) blocked the response to ionomycin. The response to forskolin was blocked by DPC but not by DIDS. Ionomycin, but not forskolin, increased intracellular Ca(2+) concentration in fura 2-loaded cells. PGE(2), histamine, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, and secretin elicited a sustained increase in I(sc). Responses to ATP and CCK were transient. Thus cultured guinea pig gallbladder epithelia display the range of responses observed in the native tissue and are an appropriate model for studies of ion transport in gallbladder and intestinal epithelia.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibition by heparin in mesangial cells.

Heparin exerts an antiproliferative effect in smooth muscle cells, and the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) signaling pathway is heparin sensitive. Here, we report that transfection with a truncated 326-amino acid fragment of CaMK-IIalpha increases basal activity of CaMK-II in mesangial cells. Ionomycin increased CaMK-II activity in both transfected and untransfected cells, with a concomitant increase in activated Ca(2+)/calmodulin. Heparin (1 microg/ml), but not chondroitin or dermatan sulfate, significantly attenuated both serum- or ionomycin-induced CaMK-II activity, and attendant c-fos mRNA expression, but did not affect upstream Ca(2+)/calmodulin. Autophosphorylation of Thr286 generates an autonomously active CaMK-II. Both serum and ionomycin increased phosphorylation at this site and increased CaMK-II activity in antiphosphothreonine immunoprecipitates. Heparin (1 microg/ml) did not inhibit phosphorylation of Thr286 (although much higher concentrations did). Replacement of Thr286 with Asp produces a constitutively active mutant that was insensitive to ionomycin but was inhibited by heparin maximally at 1 microg/ml. These results suggest that heparin at physiological concentrations acts at or downstream of CaMK-II to suppress its activity independent of an effect on autophosphorylation.

Animals↗

Ca2(+)-dependent inhibition of sodium transport in rabbit cortical collecting tubules.

Experiments were carried out to test whether maneuvers believed to increase intracellular Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]cell) inhibit Na transport in cortical collecting tubules (CCTs). Unidirectional Na efflux (JNa1----b) and Na influx (JNab----1) were measured isotopically in isolated perfused renal CCTs of rabbits. The animals were either untreated or pretreated with deoxycorticosterone (DOC) for 1-3 wk. To raise [Ca2+]cell, ionomycin or quinidine were added to, or [Na] reduced in, pertubular fluid. In control DOC-pretreated CCTs JNa1----b tended to saturate as luminal Na concentration was increased, reaching 22.9 +/- 1.2 pmol.cm-1.s-1 at 145 mM. In addition, in these CCTs, in contrast to non-DOC-treated tubules, the apical cell membrane was not found to be rate limiting for Na reabsorption as neither amphotericin B nor vasopressin further enhanced JNa1----b. In non-DOC-treated CCTs 10(-6) M ionomycin inhibited JNa1----b by 44.7%. When DOC-pretreated CCTs were exposed to either 10(-6)M ionomycin or 10(-4)M quinidine, JNa1----b was inhibited by 27 and 26%, respectively, while JNab----1 remained unchanged. This ionomycin-induced inhibition was Ca dependent. Exposure of DOC-pretreated CCTs to 5 mM Na-Ringer solution (Na replaced by choline or N-methyl-D-glucamine) for 30 min reduced JNa1----b by 18-30%. The inhibition of JNa1----b caused by any of the three maneuvers was fully reversed upon addition of amphotericin B to the luminal fluid. The results are consistent with the view that a sustained increase in [Ca2+]cell reduces Na transport by inhibition of the rate of Na+ entry across the apical cell membrane.

Amphotericin B↗

Endothelin-1-induced mesangial cell contraction involves activation of protein kinase C-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon.

In endothelin-1 (ET-1)-stimulated mesangial cells, to identify the independent roles of calcium and protein kinase C (PKC) causing contraction, the changes in planar surface area in response to ET-1, ionomycin, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were compared. ET-1, PMA, and ionomycin reduced planar area to 49 +/- 3%, 56 +/- 3%, and 78 +/- 2% of basal (means +/- SE, n = 40-50 cells), respectively. ET-1 or ionomycin increased cytosolic calcium from 80 +/- 7 to 220 +/- 30 nM or 97 +/- 10 to 192 +/- 10 nM, respectively. The myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, ML-7, blunted ET-1- but not PMA-stimulated contraction (82 +/- 3% and 48 +/- 6% of time 0, respectively). Cells pretreated with 10 microM chelerythrine for 1 h or PMA for 24 h failed to contract to either ET-1 or PMA. To identify the specific PKC isoform response to ET-1, cytosolic, membrane, and particulate fractions of mesangial cell lysates were immunoblotted with PKC isoform-specific polyclonal antibodies. ET-1 increased membrane PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon to 173 +/- 30%, 162 +/- 26%, and 166 +/- 11% of basal (P < 0.05 vs. basal), respectively, and decreased PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon in the cytosol to 56 +/- 11% and 37 +/- 6% of basal, respectively (P < 0.05). ET-1 increased particulate PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon to 172 +/- 15% and 187 +/- 33% of basal (P < 0.05), respectively. PKC-alpha in the cytosol and particulate fractions was not altered by ET-1, but translocation to the nucleus and cell periphery was observed by confocal immunofluorescence imaging. Ionomycin did not change PKC isoform distribution. PKC-zeta was expressed but unaltered by ET-1. Therefore, mesangial cell ET-1-stimulated contraction not only involves a calcium-dependent pathway but also includes the activation of one or more PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon, but not PKC-zeta.

Animals↗

A role for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.

Exposure of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells to the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin produced an increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activity that was maximal between 2 and 5 minutes but then declined to basal values within 20 minutes of stimulation. Elevation of [Ca2+]i in VSM cells leads to an even more rapid activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II); thus, it was postulated that the Ca(2+)-dependent component of ERK1/2 activation was mediated by CaM kinase II. Transient ERK1/2 activation by ionomycin was almost completely abolished by pretreating cells with 30 mumol/L KN-93, a CaM kinase II inhibitor. Treatment of cells with KN-93 did not antagonize the ability of ionomycin to mobilize intracellular Ca2+ but prevented CaM kinase II and ERK1/2 activation with almost identical potencies. Consistent with a role for Ca2+ and calmodulin in intracellular Ca(2+)-induced activation of ERK, cells pretreated with calmodulin inhibitors (W-7 or calmidazolium) exhibited an attenuated ERK response to ionomycin. ERK1/2 activation in response to phorbol esters and platelet-derived growth factor were not significantly affected by KN-93, whereas the response to angiotensin II and thrombin were attenuated by 60% and 40%, respectively. Transient expression of wild-type delta 2 CaM kinase II in COS-7 cells resulted in increased ERK2 activity, whereas coexpression of wild-type and a kinase-negative mutant resulted in a diminution of this response. These data suggest that regulation of cellular responses by Ca(2+)-dependent pathways in VSM cells may be mediated in part by CaM kinase II-dependent activation of ERK1/2.

Animals↗

Synergistic effects of a calcium ionophore and activators of protein kinase C on epithelial paracellular permeability.

Oxidants reversibly increase the paracellular permeability of Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cell monolayers, and the decrease in resistance occurs within 10 to 15 min of initiating oxidant exposure. Oxidants also initiate hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol in MDCK cells, with resultant increases in diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates. Phorbol esters and synthetic diacylglycerols increase the paracellular permeability of MDCK monolayers with a time course similar to the oxidants. In contrast, calcium ionophores increase MDCK monolayer paracellular permeability only after 2 to 3 h of exposure. Because the products of the oxidant-initiated phospholipid hydrolysis would be likely to both activate protein kinase C and increase cell calcium, we asked if ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, and phorbol esters or diacylglycerols, activators of protein kinase C, might not act in concert to alter MDCK monolayer paracellular permeability. When ionomycin was added alone to MDCK monolayers, there was an increase in cell calcium, activation of a lumen negative current, a limited transitory decrease in transepithelial resistance, but no increase in mannitol flux across the monolayers. When phorbol dibutyrate (PDBU) or oleyl acetyl glycerol (OAG) were added to MDCK monolayers, there was no current activated, there was a progressive decrease in transepithelial resistance, and there was an increase in mannitol flux across the monolayers which was evident within 20 to 40 min of adding the agent. When 1 microM ionomycin was added to the monolayers along with PDBU or OAG, there was a synergistic increase in paracellular permeability of the monolayers when compared to addition of ionomycin, PDBU, or OAG alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗

Adrenocorticotropin secretion by mouse pituitary tumor cells in culture: the role of Ca+2 in stimulated and somatostatin-inhibited secretion.

SRIF inhibits ACTH secretion by AtT20/D16v (D16) mouse pituitary cells stimulated by high (50 mM) extracellular concentrations of K+ or by divalent cation ionophores. Although stimulation of ACTH secretion by K+ requires extracellular Ca+2, the response is invariant over medium Ca+2 concentrations of 0.003-1 mM; with Ca+2 concentrations from 1-5 mM there is a dramatic amplification of the secretory response. SRIF at concentrations of 10(-8) M completely inhibits the secretory response to K+ at Ca+2 concentrations between 0.2 and 1 mM; with increasing medium Ca+2 above 1 mM there is a progressive attenuation of SRIF-inhibition. At concentrations of 5 mM, Ca+2 alone can serve as an ACTH secretagogue. The ionophore ionomycin stimulates ACTH secretion in a Ca+2-dependent manner with a half-maximal effect at 5 X 10(-6) M ionomycin. The secretory response to ionomycin and to X537A is inhibited by at least 50% by SRIF. The secretory response to K+ is accompanied by a rapid and sustained increase in 45Ca+2 uptake, whereas the ionophores ionomycin, X537A, and A23187 increase Ca+2 efflux. SRIF does not affect Ca+2 movement across D16 cell membranes in response to either K+ or ionophores. These results show that an increase in intracellular Ca+2 is an effective stimulus to ACTH secretion by D16 cells and inhibition of ACTH secretion by SRIF is not effected by interference with the stimulus-elicited increase in intracellular Ca+2.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Regulation of pancreastatin release from a human pancreatic carcinoid cell line in vitro.

The objective of these experiments was to investigate the influence of activation of three second messenger systems (protein kinase-C, adenylate cyclase-cAMP, and calcium mobilization) on the secretion of pancreastatin (PST) and chromogranin-A (CGA) by a human pancreatic carcinoid cell line (BON) in tissue culture. Stimulation of protein kinase-C by a phorbol ester (0.025-7.5 microM) caused a significant dose-related release of PST (186 +/- 22-4271 +/- 228% over controls). Treatment of BON cells with graded doses of 8-bromo-cAMP (0.14-3.0 mM) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX; 0.01-1.0 mM) also stimulated a dose-related release of PST (107 +/- 22-284 +/- 28 and 16 +/- 12-1076 +/- 100% over controls, respectively). Incubation of BON cells with ionomycin (0.134-13.4 microM) increased the release of PST (102 +/- 15-554 +/- 21% over controls) in a dose-related manner. A combination of IBMX and ionomycin resulted in an additive effect, whereas treatment with a phorbol ester plus IBMX resulted in a synergistic effect on PST release. Pretreatment of BON cells with monensin, an agent that prevents processing of precursors to smaller peptides, significantly decreased PST, but not CGA, secretion in response to phorbol ester or ionomycin. These findings indicate that protein kinase-C, cAMP, and Ca2+ mobilization participate in CGA and PST secretion. Although the observation that secretions of PST and CGA in response to theophylline are quantitatively associated, the absence of a quantitative relationship in the release patterns of PST and CGA in response to phorbol ester and ionomycin do not support a simple precursor-product relationship between CGA and PST. The monensin experiments are consistent with the notion that PST is derived from CGA in BON cells.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Calcium-stimulated parathyroid hormone-like protein secretion: potentiation through a protein kinase-C pathway.

The effect of altering intracellular calcium levels on PTH-like protein (PLP) secretion was assessed in the NCI-H727 cell line. Ionomycin stimulated PLP secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with a maximum rate of secretion occurring within minutes. Phorbol esters (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and phorbol 12,13-didecanoate) stimulated PLP secretion at 10(-7)-10(-5) M, whereas forskolin treatment had no effect. When cells were treated initially with phorbol esters, ionomycin-stimulated PLP secretion was potentiated. The kinetics of this effect were rapid (t1/2, less than 1 min), and pretreatment with cycloheximide or actinomycin-D before phorbol ester and ionomycin treatment did not alter PLP secretion. Pretreatment for 24 h with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to desensitize the cells or use of inactive phorbol ester isomer 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate did not potentiate the ionomycin-stimulated PLP secretion. Treatment with exogenously added phospholipase-C caused a dose-dependent increase in PLP secretion. These data indicate that PLP secretion can be stimulated through a phospholipase-C-mediated mechanism.

Calcium↗

Effects of calcium and calcium ionophores on prolactin gene expression in GH3 and 235-1 rat pituitary tumor cells.

Previous observations that extracellular calcium (Ca2+) enhanced PRL mRNA levels posttranscriptionally in GH3 rat pituitary tumor cells were made using double-stranded transcription probes. The effects of Ca2+ and the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, on PRL gene expression in GH3 and 235-1 cells were investigated using site- and strand-specific probes. Treatment of GH3 and 235-1 cells with 0.5 mM Ca2+ in serum-free medium specifically increased PRL mRNA levels by severalfold. In 235-1 but not GH3 cells PRL gene transcription was comparably induced by Ca2+. Use of single-stranded 5' and 3' probes revealed no antisense transcription, nor any Ca2+ effect on transcriptional elongation. Treatment with Ca2+ plus ionomycin inhibited PRL mRNA levels and gene transcription in both cell lines. Although their PRL gene transcription rates are similar, several basic differences were noted between the cell lines. The 235-1 cells exhibit a different profile of nuclear PRL pre-RNAs than GH3 cells. Also, mRNA levels for a Ca(2+)-regulated gene (GRP78) did not change in Ca(2+)-treated GH3 cells but decreased in Ca(2+)-treated 235-1 cells. Ionomycin treatment increased GRP78 mRNA levels in both cell lines. Thus, addition of extracellular Ca2+ appears to affect [Ca2+]i in 235-1 but not GH3 cells, while ionomycin affects [Ca2+]i in both cell lines. These data suggest that changing [Ca2+]i modulates PRL gene transcription. The comparative data suggest that posttranscriptional PRL regulation is Ca(2+)-regulated in GH3 cells, but is constitutive in 235-1 cells.

Animals↗

Regulation of parathyroid hormone-stimulated phospholipase D in UMR-106 cells by calcium, MAP kinase, and small G proteins.

UNLABELLED: Signaling intermediates for PTH and phorbol activation of PLD in UMR-106 cells were determined. Calcium was required, and the effects of PTH, phorbol, and calcium were dependent on p42/44 MAP kinase and small G proteins, specifically RhoA, acting through Rho kinase. INTRODUCTION: Phospholipase D (PLD) plays a key signaling role in numerous cellular processes. PLD-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) generates phosphatidic acid, a source of diacylglycerol (DAG). We previously reported that parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates PLD activity in UMR-106 osteoblastic cells by a protein kinase C (PKC)-independent mechanism. The current study investigated the roles of calcium, MAP kinase, and small G proteins in PTH- and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu)-stimulated transphosphatidylation of ethanol, a reaction catalyzed by PLD. METHODS: UMR-106 cells were labeled with 3H-palmitic and treated in the presence of ethanol. Phosphatidylethanol was separated by thin-layer chromatography and detected by autoradiography, and the bands were scraped and counted. Statistical significance of the responses from three to nine replicates was determined by ANOVA and Tukey's post-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: PTH and PDBu effects were attenuated by EGTA, BAPTA, nifedipine, and dantrolene, whereas ionomycin or 2X calcium increased basal PLD activity. PTH activated p42/p44 MAP kinase, and the effects of PTH, PDBu, and ionomycin on PLD, but not on calcium influx, were prevented by the MEK inhibitors PD98059 and U0126. Small G proteins were shown to be involved in the effects of PTH, PDBu, and ionomycin on PLD. Inhibition of ARF by brefeldin prevented the PLD activation by all three agonists. A nonselective Rho/Rac/cdc-42 inhibitor, Clostridium difficile toxin B, also inhibited the effects of all three agonists on PLD. More selective inhibition of RhoA with a dominant negative RhoA construct or by inhibiting geranylgeranyltransferase I antagonized the effects of PTH, PDBu, and ionomycin, as did inhibiting the downstream kinase, Rho kinase. The current results reveal the importance of calcium, MAP kinase, and small G proteins in PTH and PDBu stimulation of PLD activity in UMR-106 cells.

Animals↗

Follicle-stimulating hormone-dependent estrogen secretion by rat Sertoli cells in vitro: modulation by calcium.

We have investigated the role of Ca2+ in the control of FSH-induced estradiol secretion by Sertoli cells isolated from 8-10 days old rats. Exogenous Ca2+ (4-8 mmol/l) inhibited FSH-stimulated E2 secretion such that, with 8 mmol/l Ca2+ and FSH (8 IU/l) E2 secretion decreased from 2091 +/- 322 to 1480 +/- 84 pmol/l (p less than 0.002), whilst chelation of Ca2+ in the culture medium with EGTA (3 mmol/l) increased E2 secretion from 360 +/- 45 to 1242 +/- 133 pmol/l) in the absence of FSH. Further, EGTA (3 mmol/l) markedly potentiated FSH (8 IU/l), forskolin (1 mumol/l) and dibutyryl cAMP (1 mmol/l)-stimulated E2 secretion. Addition of the Ca2+ ionophores, ionomycin (2-5 mumol/l) and A23187 (2 mumol/l), inhibited FSH (8 IU/l)-stimulated E2 secretion by greater than 80%. The effect of ionomycin was totally reversible, whereas that of A23187 was irreversible. Ionomycin (5 mumol/l) had no effect on EGTA-induced E2 secretion in the absence of FSH, but reduced EGTA-provoked E2 secretion by 59% in the presence of FSH (8 IU/l). Similarly, forskolin- and dibutyryl cAMP-provoked E2 production was inhibited 46-50% by ionomycin (5 mumol/l). We conclude that FSH-induced E2 secretion from immature rat Sertoli cells is modulated by intra- and extracellular Ca2+.

Animals↗

A novel mechanism for the melatonin inhibition of testosterone secretion by rat Leydig cells: reduction of GnRH-induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+.

The site of inhibition, by melatonin, of GnRH-dependent testosterone secretion was investigated in adult rat Leydig cells cultured in vitro. The various effects downstream of the binding of GnRH to its own receptor were isolated and mimicked by specific drugs. Testosterone secretion was then evaluated after 3 h stimulation with GnRH, thapsigargin (1 microM), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (100 nM), arachidonic acid (20 microM), and ionomycin (1 microM) in the presence or absence of melatonin (215 nM). The effect of melatonin on the GnRH-induced changes in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was also studied, using Fura-2 as fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator. Melatonin attenuated the increase in [Ca(2+)](i) and inhibited the testosterone secretion induced by GnRH, but not that induced by ionomycin. Both ionomycin and thapsigargin potentiated GnRH-induced testosterone secretion; however, ionomycin, but not thapsigargin, partially prevented the inhibitory effect of melatonin on cells stimulated with GnRH. The effect of melatonin was probably dependent on the binding of melatonin to its Gi-protein-coupled receptor, as the inhibitory effect on GnRH-induced secretion was supressed in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin in a concentration of 180 ng/ml for 20 h. Assay of 17-hydroxy-progesterone showed that, irrespective of the treatment, cells cultured with melatonin secreted greater amounts than controls. We conclude that melatonin reduces GnRH-induced testosterone secretion by 1) decreasing [Ca(2+)](i), through impairment of the GnRH-dependent release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and 2) blocking 17-20 desmolase enzymatic activity, an effect that occurs irrespective of changes in [Ca(2+)](i).

17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone↗

Supramaximal inhibition of cholecystokinin-induced pancreatic amylase release involves desensitization to cytoplasmic Ca2+.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a major stimulant of pancreatic enzyme secretion. The dose-response relationship for CCK-induced secretion is bell-shaped, with a characteristic supramaximal inhibition. The mechanism for this inhibition has now been studied. METHODS: The kinetics of amylase release and the changes of the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were recorded during stimulation of guinea-pig pancreatic acinar cells with different concentrations of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin. RESULTS: Individual cells reacted with [Ca2+]i oscillations at 10(-11)-10(-10) M CCK-8 and with an initial peak followed by a sustained suprabasal level at 10(-9)-10(-8) M of the agonist. The latter response was also seen in suspensions of acinar cells at all tested concentrations of CCK-8 and at 10(-6)-10(-5) M of ionomycin. With increases of extracellular Ca2+ from 0.5 to 5.0 mM there was a rise of [Ca2+]i during exposure to 10(-9)-10(-8) M CCK-8 or 10(-5) M ionomycin but a paradoxical decrease at lower concentrations of CCK-8 or ionomycin. A dose-dependent increase of amylase release was seen at CCK-8 concentrations from 10(-11) to 10(-9) M. At 10(-9)-10(-8) M CCK-8 secretion was characterized by an initial peak followed by a sustained phase. Whereas the initial peak of secretion remained unaffected by increasing CCK-8 from 10(-9) to 10(-8) M, the sustained phase was inhibited (supramaximal inhibition). Increasing extracellular Ca2+ from 0.5 to 5.0 mM transiently enhanced secretion in response to 10(-9) M but lacked effect during supramaximal inhibition of secretion by 10(-8) M CCK-8. CONCLUSIONS: Both initial and sustained CCK-8-stimulated amylase release increase with [Ca2+]i. However, supramaximal inhibition of secretion was not due to a decrease of [Ca2+]i but was characterized by desensitization to the stimulatory effect of [Ca2+]i.

Amylases↗

Irreversible suppression of CD8 expression in CD4-CD8+ thymocytes upon in vitro stimulation.

CD8 (Ly-2) expression was suppressed in purified murine CD4-CD8+ thymocytes at the mRNA level upon continuous stimulation with PMA and ionomycin in the presence of rIL-2. The level of CD8 expression on CD4-CD8+ thymocytes was reduced gradually during the culture and a majority of them turned into CD4-CD8- cells after 48 hr. This suppression was not transient, since CD8 expression was not recovered on these cells in additional 48 hr of culture without PMA and ionomycin. The suppression was dependent on the concentrations of PMA and ionomycin, and inhibited by adding an immunosuppressant, CsA to the culture. Treatment with either PMA or ionomycin alone did not induce suppression of CD8. Crosslinking of CD3-epsilon chains also induced suppression of CD8 for a part of CD4-CD8+ thymocytes. Interestingly, CD8 expression was hardly suppressed in CD4-CD8+ peripheral T lymphocytes, suggesting that the mechanisms of suppression of CD8 is developmentally regulated. We propose that the suppression of CD8 expression at CD4-CD8+ stage involves an additional mechanism of negative selection of thymic T cells.

Animals↗

Impaired interleukin-3 mRNA decay in autocrine mast cell tumors after transient calcium ionophore stimulation.

Autocrine interleukin-3 (IL-3) expression of v-H-ras transformed mast cell tumors involves either IL-3 mRNA stabilization (class-I tumors) or enhanced IL-3 transcription (class-II tumors). Since calcium ionophores induce IL-3 expression in untransformed PB-3c cells by transcript stabilization, we asked whether class-I tumor could still respond to calcium ionophores. We found that ionomycin treatment further increased IL-3 mRNA expression of class-I tumor cells. Following ionomycin wash-out, IL-3 mRNA decay was slower in class-I tumor cells than in class-II tumor or precursor cell lines (t1/2 > 50 min versus < 20 min, respectively). Somatic cell fusion of the class-I tumor cells with the non-tumorigenic PB-3c cells resulted in reversion to rapid decay after ionomycin wash-out. The data indicate that a recessive defect of IL-3 mRNA degradation can be revealed in class-I tumor cells by transient calcium ionophore stimulation. However, IL-3 mRNA stabilization operating constitutively in class-I tumor cells appears to be distinct from the ionomycin induced process.

Animals↗

Cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate and calcium induce CD152 (CTLA-4) up-regulation in resting CD4+ T lymphocytes.

The CTLA-4 (CD152) molecule is up-regulated upon T cell activation and proliferation, and plays a critical role in the inhibition of immune responses. We show in this study that cAMP induces up-regulation of CD152 in human CD4(+) T lymphocytes. This effect occurs in the absence of the up-regulation of CD69 and CD25 activation markers and T cell proliferation. In addition, we found that the Ca(2+) ionophore ionomycin also up-regulates CD152, and that the combination of a cAMP analog or cAMP inducers with ionomycin further enhances the expression of CD152 in resting CD4(+) T lymphocytes. However, cyclosporin A, which inhibits Ca(2+)/calcineurin signaling pathway, fully prevented the ionomycin- but not the cAMP-induced up-regulation of CD152. The effects of cAMP and ionomycin involve increase of both CD152 mRNA transcripts, coding for the membrane and the soluble forms of CD152. Furthermore, we show that CD152 molecules are translocated to the membrane and are functional, as their engagement by specific mAbs prevented NF-kappaB activation by anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation. These findings demonstrate that at least two novel signal pathways regulate CTLA-4 gene expression and CD152 molecule up-regulation in human CD4(+) T lymphocytes, in the absence of full T cell activation.

Abatacept↗