Platelet-activating factor both stimulates and "primes" human polymorphonuclear leukocyte actin filament assembly

The phospholipid inflammatory mediator, platelet-activating factor (PAF), can stimulate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis. Conversion of cytoplasmic actin from monomers to filaments is associated with PMN motile functions. Using the fluorescent actin filament stain nitrobenzodiaxole phallicidin, we have investigated PAF's effects on human PMN actin polymerization. Concentrations of PAF between 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-6) mol/L induced actin filament (F-actin) assembly. An optimal concentration of PAF (1-5 x 10(-8) mol/L) induced a significantly lower rise in relative F-actin content (1.72 +/- 0.07 SEM) than an optimal concentration (5 x 10(-7) mol/L) of the chemotactic peptide FMLP (2.21 +/- 0.06). Unlike FMLP (F-actin content: 1.25 +/- 0.04 at five seconds), PAF stimulation was associated with a delay of more than five seconds (1.04 +/- 0.01 at five seconds) before an increase in F-actin could be detected. F-actin concentration reached maximum levels by 30 to 60 seconds. Prolonged stimulation (20 minutes) with PAF was associated with two phases of polymerization and depolymerization. Like FMLP, the initiation of actin filament assembly by PAF required receptor occupancy, this reaction being totally blocked by the PAF receptor inhibitor, SKI 63-441. As evidenced by the lack of inhibition by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (5 to 20 mumol/L), the production of leukotriene B4 was not required for the PAF-induced changes in F-actin. Like FMLP, PAF's ability to stimulate PMN actin polymerization was inhibited by pertussis toxin (.05 to 2.5 micrograms/mL) but not impaired by the addition of EGTA and/or the calcium ionophore A23187. Preincubation with 1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-8) mol/L PAF for 2 to 60 minutes enhanced the rise in F-actin content induced by low concentrations of FMLP (5 x 10(-12) to 1 x 10(-10) mol/L) indicating that this phospholipid was capable of "priming" the PMN actin polymerization response.