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Bacterial lipopolysaccharide up-regulates platelet-activating factor-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization and eicosanoid

M Aepfelbacher1, H W Ziegler-Heitbrock, I Lux

  • 1Institut für Prophylaxe und Epidemiologie, Kreislaufkrankheiten, München, Germany.

Insights

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances monocyte maturation, increasing their response to platelet-activating factor (PAF). LPS-treated cells show increased calcium influx and eicosanoid release upon PAF stimulation, indicating LPS up-regulates PAF signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Human monocytic Mono Mac 6 cells are a model for studying monocyte/macrophage differentiation and function.
  • Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to induce cellular maturation and activate immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of LPS on Mono Mac 6 cell maturation and their subsequent response to platelet-activating factor (PAF).
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying PAF-induced signaling in LPS-treated monocytes.

Main Methods:

  • Mono Mac 6 cells were treated with bacterial LPS.
  • Phagocytic activity, superoxide anion production, and cell surface antigen expression were measured.
  • Cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration was assessed using calcium imaging.
  • Platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding was evaluated using radioligand assays.
  • Release of arachidonic acid and thromboxane B2 was quantified.

Main Results:

  • LPS treatment increased phagocytic activity, superoxide production, and monocyte/macrophage marker expression in Mono Mac 6 cells.
  • LPS-treated cells exhibited a significant increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration upon PAF stimulation, dependent on PAF receptor and calcium influx.
  • Specific [3H]PAF binding and PAF-induced release of arachidonic acid and thromboxane B2 were observed only in LPS-treated cells.
  • These PAF-induced responses in LPS-treated cells were inhibited by a PAF receptor antagonist and EGTA.

Conclusions:

  • LPS treatment promotes the maturation of Mono Mac 6 cells, enhancing their responsiveness to PAF.
  • LPS up-regulates PAF-induced calcium influx, leading to downstream signaling events such as arachidonic acid and eicosanoid release.
  • These findings highlight a mechanism by which bacterial components can modulate monocyte/macrophage inflammatory responses.

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