Possible involvement of phospholipase activation in erythroid progenitor cell proliferation

The possible role of phospholipase activation in erythroid progenitor (colony-forming units erythroid; CFU-E) cell proliferation was investigated using a variety of inhibitors of phospholipase activity. Quinacrine and alpha-p-dibromoacetophenone (BPB), both nonselective phospholipase inhibitors, were tested for their effects on CFU-E-derived colony formation. Both drugs significantly inhibited colony formation in the presence or absence of added erythropoietin (Epo). For quinacrine, the concentration causing 50% inhibition (IC50) was 1 microM, whereas for BPB the IC50 was 25 microM. A more selective inhibitor of phospholipase A2, 7,7-dimethyleicosadienoic acid (DEDA), was also tested and the IC50 was 250 microM in the presence of Epo. The addition of phospholipase A or C did not significantly affect CFU-E colony formation, although arachidonic acid increased CFU-E formation as did 12-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HPETE), whereas 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), 15-HETE, and 15-HPETE had no effect. These findings suggest an important role for phospholipase activation in erythroid progenitor cell proliferation.