ALBERT

Description: Morphological and functional modifications occurring in Langendorff rabbit heart preparations perfused with purified human leukocytes (PMNL), as an organ model of sulfidopeptide-leukotrienes (sLT) transcellular biosynthesis, were studied. Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), monitored as an index of coronary vasospasm, increased by 295% after challenge with the Ca(2+)-ionophore A-23187 (0.5 micromol/L) for 30′, accompanied by a significant formation of sLT. Increase in CPP was prevented by PMNL pretreatment with the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK-886 (1 micromol/L) or by heart pretreatment with LTD4-receptor antagonist SKF 104353, indicating a pivotal role of PMNL-derived 5-lipoxygenase (5- LO) products in the observed functional modifications. Similar effects were obtained using granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor- primed PMNL challenged with the tripeptide n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl- phenylalanine. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of coronary arteries showed craters on the vessel luminal surface, PMNL adhering to endothelial cells (EC), increased number of microvilli on EC, presence of nonviable, desquamating, fusiform EC. SEM and transmission electron microscopy of myocardial microvessels, showed presence of perivascular and intermuscle edema, presence of activated PMNL and decreased number of patent microvessels. These morphological alterations were significantly blunted by MK-886 or SKF 104353. These data provide evidence of close interaction between PMNL and myocardial EC, resulting in enhanced sLT formation via transcellular biosynthesis, originating from transfer of PMNL-derived LTA4 to EC. These potent proinflammatory autacoids are responsible for coronary vasospasm and the morphological alternations observed.

Description: In response to ionophore A 23187, thrombasthenic and EDTA-treated control platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) undergo a change in light transmission (LT) accompanied by a normal 14C-serotonin (5HT) release and thromboxane (TX) synthesis in the absence of aggregation. Ultrastructural qualitative electron microscopy revealed central apposition of organelles and loosely packed platelets in both models, while a central gel mass appeared only in thrombasthenic patients. Quantitative analysis of this ultrastructural change showed an increase in the elongation and a decrease in the circularity coefficients of thrombasthenic platelets, indicating a shape change with pseudopod formation, while EDTA-treated platelets underwent a shape change in the absence of pseudopod formation. Morphometric analysis showed that the ionophore caused extensive degranulation in both types of platelets (decrease of the granule volume), which occurred in the presence of contraction of thrombasthenic PRP (decrease of the SCS plus granule volume) but in its absence in EDTA-treated platelets. The change in LT was not inhibited by aspirin, suggesting a dissociation between release of 14C-5HT and TX formation. Moreover, it was not inhibited by creatine phosphate plus creatine phosphokinase, prostaglandin E1, or cytochalasin and/or colchicine. It was not dependent on ADP, cAMP, or the integrity of microfilaments and microtubules. However, chlorpromazine, TMB 8, and dibucaine, which interfere with intracellular membrane transport of Ca2+, inhibited this platelet activation (change in LT, 14C-5HT release and TX synthesis.

Description: Increased frequency of thromboembolic events has been recently observed in patients with beta-thalassemia major (TM). Platelet function anomalies including impaired aggregation, increased circulating aggregates, and our finding of shortened platelet survival indicate that platelets may be involved in the hypercoagulability in thalassemia. Consequently, we used a technique based on thin layer chromatography purification and enzyme immunoassay to measure urinary metabolites of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) in nine splenectomized patients with beta-TM regularly transfused, five non- splenectomized patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia (TI), and 20 healthy individuals. A significant 4- to 10-fold increase was observed in the urinary excretion of 2,3-dinor-TXB2, 11-dehydro-TXB2 and 2,3- dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha in patients with TM and TI as compared with healthy controls. No significant differences were found in the concentrations of these metabolites between TM and TI patients. Six TM patients received a very low dose of aspirin (20 mg/day) for 7 days. A significant decrease was observed in the urinary concentrations of 2,3- dinor-TXB2 and 11-dehydro-TXB2 derived from platelets. However, the levels of urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha reflecting vascular production and TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha originating from the kidney were not significantly changed. These results are consistent with those of increased in vivo production of TXA2 because of endogenous platelet activation.

Description: 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3 ] induces the differentiation of monocytes into macrophage-like cells in vitro. To identify the genes expressed during this process, we performed differential display polymerase chain reaction on RNA extracted from cord blood monocytes (CBMs) treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 . Treated CBMs expressed type-I 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (type-I 15-PGDH), the key enzyme of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ) catabolism and a 15-PGDH–related mRNA (15-PGDHr). This newly described 15-PGDH–related mRNA was constitutively expressed in adult monocytes. 15-PGDH gene(s) transcription was accompanied by the appearance of the 15-PGDH activity in treated CBMs. In addition, the cyclooxygenase 2 mRNA level was decreased and PGE2 levels in the culture mediums were lowered (50%). Our results stress that 1,25-(OH)2D3 , at least in neonatal monocytes, can exert, directly or indirectly, a dual control on key enzymes of PGE2 metabolism. In conclusion, we suggest that modifications in prostaglandin metabolism, induced by the expression of type-I 15-PGDH and the downregulation of cyclooxygenase 2, could be involved in monocytic differentiation.

Description: It is known that at 37 degrees C plasmin may have two opposite effects on platelets: at high concentrations (greater than 1.5 caseinolytic units [CU]/mL), plasmin activates platelets; at lower concentrations (0.1 to 1.0 CU/mL) it inhibits platelet activation induced by thrombin, collagen, or calcium ionophore A23187. In this study, we report that when lowering the incubation temperature to 22 degrees C, plasmin at low concentrations (0.1 to 0.5 CU/mL) fully activated platelets. When platelets were treated with 0.2 CU/mL of plasmin, lowering the incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 22 degrees C resulted in an increase in the expression of fibrinogen receptors, in platelet release and aggregation. Thromboxane A2 was not generated by plasmin treatment at either temperature. Ultrastructural studies showed that platelets responded to low-dose plasmin at 37 degrees C by forming pseudopods, centralizing granules without fibrinogen release, whereas at 22 degrees C the same dose of plasmin caused platelet degranulation with the appearance of alpha-granule fibrinogen within the lumen of the surface connected canalicular system. In addition, at 22 degrees C plasmin at doses insufficient to induce platelet aggregation potentiated platelet response to thrombin. Thus, we suggest that plasmin may initiate both activating and inhibitory processes within platelets and that the change of temperature could influence this balance. These results may be of clinical relevance, because the fibrinolytic system was found activated during cardiopulmonary bypass in which the temperature of patient's blood circulation was reduced. This temperature-dependent behavior is also an interesting model for a further study on platelet response to serine proteinases.

Description: The ability of different cell types to cooperate in the metabolism of reactive intermediates of arachidonic acid such as leukotriene A4 (LTA4) is currently receiving considerable attention. Of critical importance is the demonstration that transfer of LTA4 could occur under conditions when relatively low amounts of LTA4 are produced such as would be expected for in vitro receptor-mediated stimulation. Stimulation of human neutrophils with a combination of chemotactic factor (formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, FMLP) and phagocytosable particles (opsonized zymosan) resulted in little production of LTC4 alone, but measurable quantities appeared when platelets were coincubated. When these agonists were added to platelets alone in the absence of neutrophils, no LTC4 was produced. In the presence of stimulated neutrophils, the final synthesis of LTC4 was shown to occur within the platelets (from neutrophil-derived LTA4) by experiments using platelets that had been prelabeled with 35S-cysteine to label intracellular platelet glutathione. Other 35S-labeled sulfidopeptide leukotriene metabolites were also produced in this coincubation of neutrophils and platelets. The observed synergy between FMLP and opsonized zymosan in the production of LTC4 when neutrophils and platelets were coincubated may involve priming the neutrophil for LTA4 production. Activation of platelets or endothelial cells with thrombin did not alter the capacity of either cell to convert exogenously added LTA4 into LTC4. This would support the suggestion that even when platelets are activated they retain their capacity to metabolize LTA4 into LTC4. Finally, previous exposure of the platelets to LTA4 did not affect subsequent metabolism of arachidonic acid by the cyclooxygenase pathway to thromboxane A2 (TXA2) except at very high concentration of LTA4. These results suggest that cell-cell interactions may be critical determinants of the profile of eicosanoids produced in physiologic and pathophysiologic circumstances. In particular, we believe that both endothelial cells and platelets can, together with neutrophils, contribute relatively large amounts of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes to inflammatory and thrombotic events. These cell-cell interactions are aspirin-insensitive; therefore, aspirin-treated platelets are capable of synthesizing the vasoconstrictor LTC4 from neutrophil LTA4 at a time when they can no longer produce thromboxane.

Description: Cells in the vasculature, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells, have been shown to be jointly involved in the biosynthesis of active lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid. Stimulation of neutrophils with the calcium ionophore A23187 as a model for cell activation results in production of leukotriene (LT)A4 with subsequent intracellular conversion into LTB4. When platelets or endothelial cells were present in the incubation system, LTC4 was produced from the neutrophil-derived LTA4. Whereas production and release of LTA4 under resting conditions in vivo might be expected to be quite low, under pathologic conditions, LTA4 production could be markedly increased. Therefore, the metabolism of exogenous LTA4 by platelets and endothelial cells was studied at a wide range of LTA4 concentrations. The production of LTC4 during coincubation of neutrophils with platelets was found to be dependent on neutrophil number ranging from 2 x 10(5) to 2 x 10(7) cells/mL. When a fixed number of neutrophils were stimulated with platelets alone or with mixtures of platelets and endothelial cells, LTC4 production was observed to be dependent on both acceptor cell types. These results suggest that mixed cell populations, which are likely to occur in vivo, may be critical determinants of the profile of eicosanoids produced in pathophysiologic circumstances. We suggest that both endothelial cells and platelets, in the presence of neutrophils, contribute large quantities of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes to inflammatory and thrombotic situations. Furthermore, platelets, because of their quantity and reactivity, may play a pivotal role in transcellular biosynthesis of eicosanoids.

Description: In response to ionophore A 23187, thrombasthenic and EDTA-treated control platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) undergo a change in light transmission (LT) accompanied by a normal 14C-serotonin (5HT) release and thromboxane (TX) synthesis in the absence of aggregation. Ultrastructural qualitative electron microscopy revealed central apposition of organelles and loosely packed platelets in both models, while a central gel mass appeared only in thrombasthenic patients. Quantitative analysis of this ultrastructural change showed an increase in the elongation and a decrease in the circularity coefficients of thrombasthenic platelets, indicating a shape change with pseudopod formation, while EDTA-treated platelets underwent a shape change in the absence of pseudopod formation. Morphometric analysis showed that the ionophore caused extensive degranulation in both types of platelets (decrease of the granule volume), which occurred in the presence of contraction of thrombasthenic PRP (decrease of the SCS plus granule volume) but in its absence in EDTA-treated platelets. The change in LT was not inhibited by aspirin, suggesting a dissociation between release of 14C-5HT and TX formation. Moreover, it was not inhibited by creatine phosphate plus creatine phosphokinase, prostaglandin E1, or cytochalasin and/or colchicine. It was not dependent on ADP, cAMP, or the integrity of microfilaments and microtubules. However, chlorpromazine, TMB 8, and dibucaine, which interfere with intracellular membrane transport of Ca2+, inhibited this platelet activation (change in LT, 14C-5HT release and TX synthesis.