Activation of murine lymphocytes by cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate: specificity and role in mitogen activity

Cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) stimulates nucleic acid synthesis in lymphocytes, and has been implicated as the intracellular effector of the actions of mitogenic agents on these cells. In the present study, we examined the specificity of the mitogenic activity of cyclic GMP and of its 8-bromo (Br) derivatives, and the effects of the T cell mitogens, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and staphylococcal entertoxin B (SEB) on the cyclic GMP content and guanylate cyclase activity of mouse splenic lymphocytes. Cyclic GMP and guanosine modestly increased the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into DNA by cultured lymphocytes, but were far less effective than their 8-Br-guanosine and 8-Br-5'-GMP exceeded that of 8-Br-cyclic GMP, when tested in the presence and absence of serum in the culture media. Combined addition of maximal doses of these nucleotides did not give additive stimulatory effects, suggesting an action on a common subpopulation of cells, and possibly a common mechanism. By contrast, cyclic AMP, 8-Br-cyclic AMP, 8-Br-adenosine, cholera toxin and prostaglandin E1 suppressed both basal [3H]thymidine incorporation and stimulation of this parameter by T-cell mitogens and the guanine nucleotides. Rapid effects of concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, SEB, guanosine, 5'-GMP, 8-Br-guanosine, and 8-Br-5'-GMP on the cyclic GMP content of murine lymphocytes could not be demonstrated. Similarly, concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin and SEB failed to alter guanylate cyclase activity when added directly to cellular homogenates or pre-incubated with intact cells. Conversely, carbamylcholine rapidly increased lymphocyte cyclic GMP but was not mitogenic. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP are antagonistic in their influence on lymphocyte mitogenesis. However, they also demonstrate that related nucleotides are more potent mitogens than cyclic GMP itself and suggest that activation of murine lymphocytes by concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin and SEB may not be mediated by rapid increases in cellular cyclic GMP content. Since high concentrations of exogenous cyclic GMP and related nucleotides must be used to influence DNA synthesis, the biologic significance of this effect remains uncertain.