ALBERT

Notes: Abstract. The putative role for Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ mobilization in the activation of the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) response has been assessed in Ehrlich cells. Following hypotonic exposure (50% osmolarity) there is: (i) no increase in cellular Ins(1,4,5)P3 content, as measured in extracts from [2-3H]myoinositol-labeled cells, a finding at variance with earlier reports from our group; (ii) no evidence of Ca2+-signaling recorded in a suspension of fura-2-loaded cells; (iii) Ca2+-signaling in only about 6% of the single, fura-2-loaded cells at 1-mm Ca2+ (1% only at 0.1-mm Ca2+ and in Ca2+-free medium), as monitored by fluorescence-ratio imaging; (iv) no effect of removing external Ca2+ upon the volume-induced K+ loss; (v) no significant inhibition of the RVD response in cells loaded with the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA when the BAPTA-loading is performed in K+ equilibrium medium; (vi) an inhibition of the swelling-induced K+ loss (about 50%) at 1-mm Ba2+, but almost no effect of charybdotoxin (100 nm) or of clotrimazole (10 μm), reported inhibitors of the K+ loss induced by Ca2+-mobilizing agonists. Thus, Ca2+signaling by Ca2+ release or Ca2+ entry appears to play no role in the activation mechanism for the RVD response in Ehrlich cells.

Notes: Abstract. Stimulation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells with leukotriene D4 (LTD4) within the concentration range 1–100 nm leads to a concentration-dependent, transient increase in the intracellular, free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+] i . The Ca2+ peak time, i.e., the time between addition of LTD4 and the highest measured [Ca2+] i value, is in the range 0.20 to 0.21 min in ten out of fourteen independent experiments. After addition of a saturating concentration of LTD4 (100 nm), the highest measured increase in [Ca2+] i in Ehrlich cells suspended in Ca2+-containing medium is 260 ± 14 nm and the EC50 value for LTD4-induced Ca2+ mobilization is estimated at 10 nm. Neither the peptido-leukotrienes LTC4 and LTE4 nor LTB4 are able to mimic or block the LTD4-induced Ca2+ mobilization, hence the receptor is specific for LTD4. Removal of Ca2+ from the experimental buffer significantly reduces the size of the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i . Furthermore, depletion of the intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive Ca2+ stores by addition of the ER-Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin also reduces the size of the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i in Ehrlich cells suspended in Ca2+-containing medium, and completely abolishes the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i in Ehrlich cells suspended in Ca2+-free medium containing EGTA. Thus, the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i in Ehrlich cells involves an influx of Ca2+ from the extracellular compartment as well as a release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive stores. The Ca2+ peak times for the LTD4-induced Ca2+ influx and for the LTD4-induced Ca2+ release are recorded in the time range 0.20 to 0.21 min in four out of five experiments and in the time range 0.34 to 0.35 min in six out of eight experiments, respectively. Stimulation with LTD4 also induces a transient increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 generation in the Ehrlich cells, and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 peak time is recorded in the time range 0.27 to 0.30 min. Thus, the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content seems to increase before the LTD4-induced Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores but after the LTD4-induced Ca2+ influx. Inhibition of phospholipase C by preincubation with U73122 abolishes the LTD4-induced increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 as well as the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i , indicating that a U73122-sensitive phospholipase C is involved in the LTD4-induced Ca2+ mobilization in Ehrlich cells. The LTD4-induced Ca2+ influx is insensitive to verapamil, gadolinium and SK&F 96365, suggesting that the LTD4-activated Ca2+ channel in Ehrlich cells is neither voltage gated nor stretch activated and most probably not receptor operated. In conclusion, LTD4 acts in the Ehrlich cells via a specific receptor for LTD4, which upon stimulation initiates an influx of Ca2+, through yet unidentified Ca2+ channels, and an activation of a U73122-sensitive phospholipase C, Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation and finally release of Ca2+ from the intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive stores.

Notes: Abstract. The putative role of lysophospholipids in activation and regulation of the volume-sensitive taurine efflux was investigated in HeLa cells using tracer technique. Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC, 10 μm) with oleic acid increased taurine efflux during hypotonic and isotonic conditions. Substituting palmitic or stearic acid for oleic acid enhanced taurine release during isotonic conditions, whereas ethanolamine, serine or inositol containing lysophospholipids were ineffective. High concentrations of LPC (25 μm) induced Ca2+ influx, loss of adenosine nucleotides, taurine and the Ca2+-sensitive probe Fura-2, and thus reflected a general breakdown of the membrane permeability barrier. Low concentrations of LPC (5–10 μm) solely induced taurine efflux. The LPC-induced taurine release was unaffected by anion channel blockers (DIDS, MK196) and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor ETH 615-139, which all blocked the volume sensitive taurine efflux. Furthermore, LPC-induced taurine release was reduced by antioxidants (NDGA, vitamin E) and the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. The swelling-induced taurine efflux was in the absence of LPC unaffected by vitamin E, blocked by genistein, and increased by H2O2 and the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor vanadate. It is suggested that low concentrations of LPC permeabilizes the plasma membrane in a Ca2+-independent process that involves generation of reactive oxygen species and tyrosine phosphorylation, and that LPC is not a second messenger in activation of the volume sensitive taurine efflux in HeLa cells.

Notes: Abstract. The present study aimed at elucidating the initial intracellular lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-induced signaling events, in order to investigate the sequence in which LPA affects the intracellular concentration of free, cytosolic Ca2+, [Ca2+] i , ion channels, the F-actin cytoskeleton, cell volume and the Na+/H+ exchanger. We found that stimulation of Ehrlich cells with LPA induced a transient, concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+] i , which is due to Ca2+ release from intracellular Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive stores as well as an influx of Ca2+. The EC50 values for LPA-induced Ca2+ mobilization were estimated at 0.03 nm and 0.4 nm LPA in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+, respectively. The LPA-induced increase in [Ca2+] i resulted in (i) co-activation of Ca2+-activated, charybdotoxin (ChTX)-sensitive K+ and niflumic acid-sensitive Cl− currents; (ii) a subsequent cell shrinkage and increased polymerization of F-actin, and (iii) activation of a Na+/H+ exchange, resulting in a concentration-dependent intracellular alkalinization. The EC50 value for the LPA-induced rate of alkalinization was estimated at 0.37 nm LPA. When cell shrinkage was prevented, the LPA-induced activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger was impaired. In conclusion, the initial signaling events induced by LPA involves activation of volume regulatory mechanisms.

Notes: Abstract. The role of 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphatases in the regulation of the taurine influx via the β-system in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells has been investigated. The taurine uptake by the β-system in Ehrlich cells is inhibited when PKC is activated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and when protein phosphatases are inhibited by calyculin A (CLA). On the other hand, taurine uptake by the β-system is stimulated by an increased level of cAMP or following addition of N6,2′-O-dibutyryl-3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP). The effect of dbcAMP is partially blocked by addition of the protein kinase inhibitor H-89, and suppressed in the presence of CLA. It is proposed that the β-system in the Ehrlich cells exists in three states of activity: State I, where a PKC phosphorylation site on the transporter or on a regulator is phosphorylated and transport activity is low. State II, where the PKC phosphorylation site is dephosphorylated and transport activity is normal. State III, representing a state with high transport activity, induced by an elevated cellular cAMP level. Apparently, cAMP preferentially stimulates taurine transport when the β-system is in State II.

Notes: Abstract. Stimulation with leukotriene D4 (LTD4) (3–100 nm) induces a transient increase in the free intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+] i ) in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i is, however, significantly reduced in Ca2+-free medium (2 mm EGTA), and under these conditions stimulation with a low LTD4 concentration (3 nm) does not result in any detectable increase in [Ca2+] i . Addition of LTD4 (3–100 nm) moreover accelerates the KCl loss seen during Regulatory Volume Decrease (RVD) in cells suspended in a hypotonic medium. The LTD4-induced (100 nm) acceleration of the RVD response is also seen in Ca2+-free medium and also at 3 nm LTD4, indicating that LTD4 can open K+- and Cl−-channels without any detectable increase in [Ca2+] i . Buffering cellular Ca2+ with BAPTA almost completely blocks the LTD4-induced (100 nm) acceleration of the RVD response. Thus, the reduced [Ca2+] i level after BAPTA-loading or buffering of [Ca2+] i seems to inhibit the LTD4-induced stimulation of the RVD response even though the LTD4-induced cell shrinkage is not necessarily preceded by any detectable increase in [Ca2+] i . The LTD4 receptor antagonist L649,923 (1 μm) completely blocks the LTD4-induced increase in [Ca2+] i and inhibits the RVD response as well as the LTD4-induced acceleration of the RVD response. When the LTD4 receptor is desensitized by preincubation with 100 nm LTD4, a subsequent RVD response is strongly inhibited. In conclusion, the present study supports the notion that LTD4 plays a role in the activation of the RVD response. LTD4 seems to activate K+ and Cl− channels via stimulation of a LTD4 receptor with no need for a detectable increase in [Ca2+] i .

Notes: Abstract. Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, loaded with 3H-labeled arachidonic acid and 14C-labeled stearic acid for two hours, were washed and transferred to either isotonic or hypotonic media containing BSA to scavenge the labeled fatty acids released from the cells. During the first two minutes of hypo-osmotic exposure the rate of 3H-labeled arachidonic acid release is 3.3 times higher than that observed at normal osmolality. Cell swelling also causes an increase in the production of 14C-stearic acid-labeled lysophosphatidylcholine. This indicates that a phospholipase A2 is activated by cell swelling in the Ehrlich cells. Within the same time frame there is no swelling-induced increase in 14C-labeled stearic acid release nor in the synthesis of phosphatidyl 14C-butanol in the presence of 14C-butanol. Furthermore, U7312, an inhibitor of phospholipase C, does not affect the swelling induced release of 14C-labeled arachidonic acid. Taken together these results exclude involvement of phospholipase A1, C and D in the swelling-induced liberation of arachidonic acid. The swelling-induced release of 3H-labeled arachidonic acid from Ehrlich cells as well as the volume regulatory response are inhibited after preincubation with GDPβS or with AACOCF3, an inhibitor of the 85 kDa, cytosolic phospholipase A2. Based on these results we propose that cell swelling activates a phospholipase A2—perhaps the cytosolic 85 kDa type—by a partly G-protein coupled process, and that this activation is essential for the subsequent volume regulatory response.