Search

Adiponectin, an adipokine, accumulated in lung system via T-cadherin after allergens/ozone challenge. However, the roles of adiponectin on lung pathologies were controversial. Here we reported that adiponectin stimulated expression of inflammatory proteins, cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human alveolar type II A549 cells. AdipoR1/2 involved in adiponectin-activated NADPH oxidase and mitochondria, which further promoted intracellular ROS accumulation. Protein kinase C (PKC) may involve an adiponectin-activated NADPH oxidase. Similarly, p300 phosphorylation and histone H4 acetylation occurred in adiponectin-challenged A549 cells. Moreover, adiponectin-upregulated cPLA2 and COX-2 expression was significantly abrogated by ROS scavenger (N-acetylcysteine) or the inhibitors of NADPH oxidase (apocynin), mitochondrial complex I (rotenone), PKC (Ro31-8220, Gö-6976, and rottlerin), and p300 (garcinol). Briefly, we reported that adiponectin stimulated cPLA2 and COX-2 expression via AdipoR1/2-dependent activation of PKC/NADPH oxidase/ mitochondria resulting in ROS accumulation, p300 phosphorylation, and histone H4 acetylation. These results suggested that adiponectin promoted lung inflammation, resulting in exacerbation of pulmonary diseases via upregulating cPLA2 and COX-2 expression together with intracellular ROS production. Understanding the adiponectin signaling pathways on regulating cPLA2 and COX-2 may help develop therapeutic strategies on pulmonary diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) plays a pivotal role in mediating agonist-induced arachidonic acid release for prostaglandin (PG) synthesis during inflammation triggered by tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). However, the mechanisms underlying TNF-a-induced cPLA2 expression in human lung epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs) were not completely understood. Here, we demonstrated that TNF-a induced cPLA2 mRNA and protein expression, promoter activity, and PGE2 secretion in HPAEpiCs. These responses induced by TNF-a were inhibited by pretreatment with the inhibitor of Jak2 (AG490), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) (AG1296), phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) (LY294002), or MEK1/2 (PD98059) and transfection with siRNA of Jak2, PDGFR, Akt, or p42. We showed that TNF-a markedly stimulated Jak2, PDGFR, Akt, and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation, which were attenuated by their respective inhibitors. Moreover, TNF-a stimulated Akt activation via a Jak2/PDGFR pathway in HPAEpiCs. In addition, TNF-a-induced p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation was reduced by AG1296 or LY294002. On the other hand, TNF-a could induce Akt and p42/p44 MAPK translocation from the cytosol into the nucleus, which was inhibited by AG490, AG1296, or LY294002. Finally, we showed that TNF-a stimulated Elk-1 phosphorylation, which was reduced by LY294002 or PD98059. We also observed that TNF-a time dependently induced p300/Elk-1 and p300/Akt complex formation in HPAEpiCs, which was reduced by AG490, AG1296, or LY294002. The activity of cPLA2 protein upregulated by TNF-a was reflected on the PGE2 release, which was reduced by AG490, AG1296, LY294002, or PD98059. Taken together, these results demonstrated that TNF-a-induced cPLA2 expression and PGE2 release were mediated through a Jak2/PDGFR/PI3K/Akt/p42/p44 MAPK/Elk-1 pathway in HPAEpiCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes in correlation with total body fat mass. In addition to regulating energy homeostasis, leptin modulates immune functions such as macrophage phagocytosis and cytokine synthesis. Previously, we reported defective leukotriene synthesis in macrophages from leptin-deficient mice that could be restored with exogenous leptin. In the present study, we utilized macrophages from normal rodents to explore the mechanism by which leptin could enhance cellular leukotriene synthesis. Leptin pretreatment of either rat alveolar or murine peritoneal macrophages for 16 h dose dependently increased the synthesis of leukotriene B4 and cysteinyl leukotrienes in response to calcium ionophore or the particulate zymosan. Leptin also enhanced calcium ionophore-stimulated release of free arachidonic acid. Calcium-dependent and -independent arachidonoylselective phospholipase activities in macrophage lysates were likewise increased following leptin treatment. Immunoblot analysis of leptin-treated cells revealed that group IVC iPLA2 (cPLA2γ) protein expression increased ∼80%. These data demonstrate for the first time that phospholipase A2 activity and cPLA2γ protein levels in alveolar macrophages represent targets for upregulation by leptin and provide previously unrecognized mechanisms by which this hormone can promote inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]