title: Propionate induces polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation and inhibits formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulated activation.
abstract: Short-chain carboxylic acids (SCCA) are metabolic by-products of bacterial pathogens which can alter cytoplasmic pH and inhibit a variety of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) motile functions. Since cytoskeletal F-actin alterations are central to PMN mobility, in this study we examined the effects of SCCA on cytoskeletal F-actin. Initially, we tested nine SCCA (formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, caproate, lactate, succinate, and isobutyrate). We document here that while eight altered cytoplasmic pH, only six altered cytoskeletal F-actin. We then selected one SCCA that altered both F-actin and cytoplasmic pH (propionate) and one SCCA that altered only cytoplasmic pH (lactate) for further study. Propionate, but not lactate, caused an irregular cell shape and F-actin distribution. Furthermore, propionate, but not lactate, inhibited formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-stimulated PMN polarization, F-actin localization, and cytoplasmic pH oscillation. Propionate-induced changes in cytoskeletal F-actin and cytoplasmic acidification were not affected by the fMLP receptor antagonist N-t-BOC-1-methionyl-1-leucyl-1-phenylalanine; however, alkalinization was affected. Pertussis toxin treatment completely inhibited propionate-induced changes in F-actin but had no effect on propionate-induced cytoplasmic pH oscillation. These results indicate that propionate (i) bypasses the fMLP receptor and G protein(s) to induce cytoplasmic pH oscillation, (ii) operates through G protein(s) to induce actin oscillation, cell shape changes (to irregular), and F-actin localization, and (iii) inhibits fMLP-stimulated cytoplasmic pH and actin oscillation, PMN polarization, and F-actin localization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Forsyth Research Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Brunkhorst
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coppi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Budnick
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Niederman
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D009842:Oligopeptides; D011422:Propionates; D044042:Receptors, Formyl Peptide; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; D009240:N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; C046832:t-butyloxycarbonyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; C029658:propionic acid