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Phospholipase A2 activation and autoinduction of tumor necrosis factor gene expression by tumor necrosis factor

D R Spriggs1, M L Sherman, K Imamura

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Cancer Research
|November 15, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulates phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid metabolism in HL-60 cells. This pathway is crucial for the autoinduction of TNF gene expression, as indicated by blocked TNF mRNA levels when phospholipase A2 and lipoxygenase are inhibited.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) mediates diverse cellular responses like cytolysis and differentiation through cell surface receptors.
  • The precise mechanisms governing TNF's cell-specific actions and its autoinduction remain incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate post-receptor signaling events involved in TNF-induced autoinduction of TNF expression in HL-60 cells.
  • To elucidate the role of phospholipase enzymes and arachidonic acid metabolism in TNF signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Stimulation of HL-60 cells with TNF and measurement of phospholipase C and A2 activities.
  • Analysis of arachidonic acid metabolite release and TNF mRNA transcription.
  • Assessment of the effects of phospholipase A2 inhibitors and lipoxygenase inhibitors (ketoconazole, nordihydroguaiaretic acid) on TNF expression.

Main Results:

  • TNF stimulation significantly increased phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid metabolite release in HL-60 cells.
  • TNF autoinduction of TNF expression was observed within 15-30 minutes, linked to increased TNF transcription.
  • Inhibition of phospholipase A2 or lipoxygenase blocked TNF-induced TNF expression, while cyclooxygenase inhibition had no effect.

Conclusions:

  • TNF activates phospholipase A2 and subsequent arachidonic acid metabolism in HL-60 cells.
  • Phospholipase A2 and lipoxygenase pathways are essential for the transcriptional activation of TNF gene expression following TNF stimulation.
  • These findings reveal a novel mechanism for TNF autoinduction involving lipid mediator signaling.

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