Modification of the hyperthermic response on neuroblastoma cells by cAMP and sodium butyrate

The role of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and sodium butyrate in modifying the effect of heat on murine neuroblastoma cells (NBP2) in culture was evaluated on the criterion of survival. An elevation of cellular cAMP level by prostaglandin (PG) A2, a stimulator of adenylate cyclase, and 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (R020-1724), an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, only during heat treatment (43 degrees C and 40 degrees C) was sufficient to enhance the effect of heat. The extent of enhancement (additive versus synergistic) depended upon the cAMP stimulating agent and the experimental condition. When these agents were added after heat treatment for the entire observation period, they produced similar results. PGA2 and R020-1724 are known to increase the intracellular level of cAMP in these cells by three and fivefold, respectively; therefore, the effect of these agents in enhancing the heat-response may be mediated by cAMP-dependent mechanisms. The presence of sodium butyrate during heat treatment alone was ineffective; however, when it was added before or after heat treatment for the entire observation period, the survival of heated cell was markedly reduced.