title: Stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin induces the synthesis of catecholamines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: role of protein kinase C and contribution of intracellular calcium.
abstract: Although it is now established that immunocompetent cells produce catecholamines (CA), which in turn may act as autocrine/paracrine mediators, little is known about the mechanisms regulating CA production in these cells. In the present study, evidence is provided that stimulation of human cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) induces the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA and subsequently increases intracellular CA levels through protein kinase C (PKC) activation and the contribution of intracellular Ca(++)-dependent mechanisms. Increased production of CA in PHA-stimulated PBMCs suggests a preferential involvement of catecholaminergic pathways in the functional modulation of activated cells. These findings may help to better define the role of immunocompetent cell-derived CA in the neuroimmune network.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research in Clinical and Applied Pharmacology, University of Insubria, Via Ottorino Rossi n. 9, 21100 Varese (VA), Italy. marco.cosentino@uninsubria.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bombelli
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rasini
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lecchini
authors.forename: Gianmario
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Frigo
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D002614:Chelating Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C070379:1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D002118:Calcium