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Mononuclear phagocytes play a pivotal role in the progression of septic shock by producing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and other inflammatory mediators in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Gram-negative bacteria. Our previous studies have shown monocyte and macrophage activation correlate with changes in membrane phospholipid composition, mediated by acyltransferases. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), which activates and primes these cells for enhanced inflammatory responses to LPS, was found to selectively activate lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) (P < 0.05) but not lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT) activity. When used to prime the human monocytic cell line MonoMac 6, the production of TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was approximately five times greater in cells primed with IFN-gamma than unprimed cells. Two LPCAT inhibitors SK&F 98625 (diethyl 7-(3,4,5-triphenyl-2-oxo2,3-dihydro-imidazole-1-yl)heptane phosphonate) and YM 50201 (3-hydroxyethyl 5,3'-thiophenyl pyridine) strongly inhibited (up to 90%) TNF-alpha and IL-6 production in response to LPS in both unprimed MonoMac-6 cells and in cells primed with IFN-gamma. In similar experiments, these inhibitors also substantially decreased the response of both primed and unprimed peripheral blood mononuclear cells to LPS. Sequence-based amplification methods showed that SK&F 98625 inhibited TNF-alpha production by decreasing TNF-alpha mRNA levels in MonoMac-6 cells. Taken together, the data from these studies suggest that LPCAT is a key enzyme in both the pathways of activation (priming) and the inflammatory response to LPS in monocytes.

A novel human homologue of Escherichia coli, yeast and plant 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase has been isolated from U937 cell cDNA. Expression of the cloned sequence in 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-deficient E. coli resulted in increased incorporation of oleic acid into cellular phospholipids. Membranes made from COS7 cells transfected with the cDNA exhibited higher acyltransferase activity towards a range of donor fatty acyl-CoAs and lysophosphatidic acid. Northern-blot analysis of the cDNA sequence indicated high levels of expression in immune cells and epithelium. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed differentially expressed splice variants, which suggests regulation of the enzyme by alternative splicing. This cDNA therefore represents the first described sequence of a mammalian gene homologous to non-mammalian lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferases.

The elevation of intracellular levels of cyclic AMP by forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase regulates early and late phase neutrophil responses differentially. Early phase neutrophil responses as measured by shape change in response to chemotactic factors, transmigration across a polycarbonate membrane and priming were unaffected by forskolin-induced elevation of intracellular cAMP. Late phase neutrophil responses such as release of Superoxide anions, activation of phospholipase A2 and platelet activating factor (PAF) synthesis were inhibited by increasing intracellular cAMP through the addition of 10 μM forskolin for 10 min prior to stimulation. N-Formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated arachidonic acid release fell from 9.3% (untreated cells) to 4.6% in forskolin-treated cells. PAF generation was also inhibited from 430 pg 10 6 cells in untreated cells to background levels in forskolin-treated cells (110 pg 10 6 cells). Also, the reduction of cytochrome c by Superoxide anions fell from 4.2 solnmol 10 6 cells in the absence of forskolin to 2.0 nmol 10 6 cells following forskolin treatment. These results indicate that in neutrophils the elevation of cAMP acts differentially on cellular responses, not affecting early activation events, but markedly inhibiting late events such as the release of inflammatory mediators.

A sensitive fluorimetric assay to determine both Phase 1 (oxidation) and Phase 2 (conjugation) drug metabolism in epidermal cells isolated from hairless mice, using ethoxycoumarin as a model substrate, is described. Ethoxycoumarin was metabolized by isolated epidermal cells via dealkylation to 7-hydroxycoumarin (7-OHC) and subsequent conjugation. Phase 1 metabolites were extracted in ether from the aqueous incubation media, back extracted into sodium hydroxide and determined fluorimetrically. Conjugated metabolites remaining in the aqueous phase were hydrolysed by the action of beta-glucuronidase and extracted and determined in a similar manner. The production of free 7-OHC by isolated epidermal cells was biphasic at all substrate concentrations tested, exhibiting an initial linear increase followed by a plateau phase. The plateau phase was attributable to the conjugation of 7-OHC produced in situ. Metabolism was inhibited by SKF 525A, carbon monoxide, and alpha-naphthoflavone. Endogenous supplies of reducing equivalents in the form of NADPH were adequate to attain maximal rates of metabolism. With human hair follicles both Phase 1 and Phase 2 activity was detectable in 7 out of 11 subjects. The assay has the advantages of being sensitive, producing single defined metabolites from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 metabolism; is readily adaptable to human skin samples.

The inflammatory dose-response to topical anthralin and whole skin aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity were measured before and 24 h after application of a coal tar solution to the uninvolved skin of patients with psoriasis. The inflammatory response to anthralin decreased and total AHH activity increased after the tar treatment. A possible explanation is that anthralin or an irritant product is metabolized by AHH activity in the skin. Induction of AHH by coal tar increases its removal and reduces anthralin irritancy.

Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) has been measured in the skin, jejunum and liver of normal and psoriatic individuals. We have been unable to confirm previous reports of an abnormality in AHH activity in patients with psoriasis. Re-examination of the laboratory records on which the original reports were based leads us to doubt their veracity and validity.

SUMMARY Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity has been measured in full-thickness biopsies of human skin from patients with and without psoriasis. Basal levels of enzyme activity varied over a fivefold range and were not related to age, sex or clinical condition. Induction of AHH activity by the application of coal tar resulted in a two-to fivefold increase in activity above basal levels, which was not related to the presence or absence of psoriasis. Separation of human skin into dermis and epidermis showed that human skin AHH activity is predominantly dermal.

Dithranol (anthralin) inflammation of forearm skin was completely inhibited by various scavengers of free radicals of the oxygen species. It is concluded that dithranol inflammation is initiated by formation of free radicals; these may act through lipid peroxidation and production of inflammatory endoperoxides or by a more direct mechanism.