title: Characterization of platelet-activating factor-induced elevation of cytosolic free calcium concentration in eosinophils.
abstract: In order to evaluate the role of calcium in the activation processes in eosinophils induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF), we investigated the changes in free cytoplasmatic Ca2+ concentration using fura-2. PAF causes a rapid and transitory rise of the intracellular free calcium ion concentration [( Ca2+]i) in purified guinea pig eosinophils of approx. 1000 nM above a basal level of 120.7 +/- 36.5 nM (n = 10). The effect was dose-related with a maximum rise at 1000 nM PAF and an EC50 of 17.4 nM and specifically inhibited by the PAF antagonist WEB 2086 with an IC50 of 95.5 nM. WEB 2086 did not affect either the leukotriene B4- or the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i. The response to PAF was dependent on external Ca2+ as it was significantly inhibited by EGTA (85.6 +/- 5.4%) and Ni2+ (95.8 +/- 2.1%) but not by the dihydropyridine antagonist nimodipine. We conclude that Ca2+ entry via receptor-operated Ca2+ channels may be involved in PAF-induced degranulation of eosinophils.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Medicine, Brompton Hospital, University of London, England.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kroegel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pleass
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yukawa
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Westwick
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D003600:Cytosol / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012016:Reference Values; D014227:Triazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D014230:Triazoles
chemical_list: D001381:Azepines; C029271:O-deacetyl platelet activating factor; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D014227:Triazines; D014230:Triazoles; C052518:WEB 2086; D002118:Calcium