Plasma Lysophosphatidylcholine and Phospholipase A2 Activity in Chagas Disease Patients: A Comparative Analysis

Chagas disease (CD) affects 21 countries in the Americas and is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. A key molecule involved in CD is lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), which has been studied in various contexts: in the saliva of insect vectors, during the establishment of infection in the vertebrate host, and for the parasite itself. This lipid can be produced by the action of phospholipases A2 (PLA2), enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phospholipids releasing fatty acids and lysophospholipids, such as LPC. This study investigates LPC levels and PLA2 activities in the plasma of CD patients and compares these levels with those in healthy individuals and patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM). Plasma from 64 CD patients, 54 healthy individuals, and 16 IDCM patients were analyzed. LPC levels and the activity of two types of phospholipase A2: secreted (sPLA2) and lipoprotein-associated (Lp-PLA2) were measured. LPC levels and sPLA2 activity were similar between CD patients and the control groups. However, there were notable differences in LPC levels and sPLA2 activity between subgroups of CD patients and IDCM patients. This study is the first to identify LPC in patients with CD across various stages of the disease. It also offers new insights into the biochemical changes observed in the plasma of patients with IDCM.

Functions and mechanisms of cytosolic phospholipase A_(2)in central nervous system trauma

Central nervous system(CNS)trauma,including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury,has a high rate of disability and mortality,and effective treatment is currently lacking.Previous studies have revealed that neural inflammation plays a vital role in CNS trauma.As the initial enzyme in neuroinflammation,cytosolic phospholipase A_(2)(cPLA2)can hydrolyze membranous phosphatides at the sn-2 position in a preferential way to release lysophospholipids andω3-polyunsaturated fatty acid dominated by arachidonic acid,thereby inducing secondary injuries.Although there is substantial fresh knowledge pertaining to cPLA2,in-depth comprehension of how cPLA2 participates in CNS trauma and the potential methods to amelio rate the clinical res ults after CNS trauma are still insufficient.The present review summarizes the latest understanding of how cPLA2 participates in CNS trauma,highlighting novel findings pertaining to how cPLA2 activation initiates the potential mechanisms specifically,neuroinflammation,lysosome membrane functions,and autophagy activity,that damage the CNS after trauma.Moreover,we focused on testing a variety of drugs capable of inhibiting cPLA2 or the upstream pathway,and we explored how those agents might be utilized as treatments to improve the results following CNS trauma.This review aimed to effectively understand the mechanism of cPLA2 activation and its role in the pathophysiological processes of CNS trauma and provide clarification and a new referential framework for future research.

Changes of gastric and intestinal blood flow, serum phospholipase A_2 and interleukin-1β in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis

AIM:To explore the relationship between gastric and intestinal microcirculatory impairment and inflammatory mediators released in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: A total of 64 rats were randomized into control group and ANP group. ANP model was induced by injection of 5% sodium taurocholate under the pancreatic membrane. Radioactive biomicrosphere technique was used to measure the gastric and intestinal tissue blood flow at 2 and 12 h after the induction of ANP, meanwhile serum phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities and interleukin-1β levels were determined. Pathologic changes in pancreas, gastric and intestinal mucosae were studied. RESULTS: The gastric blood flow in ANP group (0.62±0.06 and 0.35±0.05) mL/(min·g) was significantly lower than that in control group (0.86±0.11 and 0.85±0.06) mL/(min·g) (P<0.01) at 2 and 12 h after induction of ANP. The intestinal blood flow in ANP group (0.80±0.07 and 0.50±0.06) mlV(min·g) was significantly lower than that in control group (1.56±0.18 and 1.61±0.11) mL/(min·g) (P<0.01). Serum PLA2 activities (94.29±9.96 and 103.71± 14.40) U/L and IL-1β levels (0.78±0.13 and 0.83±0.20)μg/L in ANP group were higher than those in control group (65.27±10.52 and 66.63±9.81) U/L, (0.32±0.06 and 0.33±0.07)μg/L (P<0.01). At 2 and 12 h after introduction of the model, typical pathologic changes were found in ANP. Compared with control group, the gastric and intestinal mucosal pathologic changes were aggravated significantly (P<0.01) at 12 h after induction of ANP. Gastric and intestinal mucosal necrosis, multiple ulcer and hemorrhage occurred. CONCLUSION: Decrease of gastric and intestinal blood flow and increase of inflammatory mediators occur simultaneously early in ANP, both of them are important pathogenic factors for gastric and intestinal mucosal injury in ANP.

The Use of Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 in a Chinese Population to Predict Cardiovascular Events

Objective To explore associations between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)and the risk of cardiovascular events in a Chinese population,with a long-term follow-up.Methods A random sample of 2,031 participants(73.6%males,mean age=60.4 years)was derived from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community study(APAC)from 2010 to 2011.Serum Lp-PLA2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The composite endpoint was a combination of first-ever stroke,myocardial infarction(MI)or all-cause death.Lp-PLA2 associations with outcomes were assessed using Cox models.Results The median Lp-PLA2 level was 141.0 ng/m L.Over a median follow-up of 9.1 years,we identified 389 events(19.2%),including 137 stroke incidents,43 MIs,and 244 all-cause deaths.Using multivariate Cox regression,when compared with the lowest Lp-PLA2 quartile,the hazard ratios with95%confidence intervals for developing composite endpoints,stroke,major adverse cardiovascular events,and all-cause death were 1.77(1.24–2.54),1.92(1.03–3.60),1.69(1.003–2.84),and 1.94(1.18–3.18)in the highest quartile,respectively.Composite endpoints in 145(28.6%)patients occurred in the highest quartile where Lp-PLA2(159.0 ng/m L)was much lower than the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommended cut-off point,200 ng/m L.Conclusion Higher Lp-PLA2 levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular event/death in a middle-aged Chinese population.The Lp-PLA2 cut-off point may be lower in the Chinese population when predicting cardiovascular events.

Bromophenacyl bromide,a phospholipase A_2 inhibitor attenuates chemically induced gastroduodenal ulcers in rats

AIM: To study the effect of bromophenacyl bromide (BPB), a phospholipase A2 inhibitor on gastric secretion and to protect chemically induced gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats. METHODS: Acid secretion studies were undertaken in pylorus-ligated rats with BPB treatment (0, 5, 15 and 45 mg/kg). Gastric and duodenal lesions in the rats were induced by ethanol and cysteamine respectively. The levels of gastric wall mucus, nonprotein sulfhydryls (NP- SH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were also measured in the glandular stomach of rats following ethanol induced gastric lesions. RESULTS: BPB produced a dose-dependent inhibition of gastric acid secretion and acidity in rats. Pretreatment with BPB significantly attenuated the formation of etha- nol induced gastric lesion. BPB also protected intestinal mucosa against cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcers. The antiulcer activity of BPB was associated with signifi- cant inhibition of ethanol-induced depletion of gastric wall mucus, NP-SH and MPO. These findings pointed towards the mediation of sulfhydryls in BPB induced gas- trointestinal cytoprotection. CONCLUSION: BPB possesses significant antiulcer and cytoprotective activity against experimentally induced gastroduodenal lesions.

Destabilization of acrosome and elastase influence mediate the release of secretory phospholipase A2 from human spermatozoa

Aim： To determine the cellular distribution of secretory phospholipase A2 （sPLA2） in dependence on the acrosomal state and under the action of elastase released under inflammatory processes from leukocytes. Methods： Acrosome reaction of spermatozoa was triggered by calcimycin. Human leukocyte elastase was used to simulate inflammatory conditions. To visualize the distribution of sPLA2 and to determine the acrosomal state, immunofluorescence techniques and lectin binding combined with confocal laser scanning fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry were used. Results： Although sPLA2 was detected at the acrosome and tail regions in intact spermatozoa, it disappeared from the head region after triggering the acrosome reaction. This release of sPLA2 was associated with enhanced binding of annexin V-fluoroscein isothiocyanate （FITC） to spermatozoa surfaces, intercalation of ethidium-homodimer I, and binding of FITC-labelled concanavalin A at the acrosomal region. Spermatozoa from healthy subjects treated with elastase were characterized by release of sPLA2, disturbance of acrosome structure, and loss of vitality. Conclusion： The ability of spermatozoa to release secretory phospholipase A2 is related to the acrosomal state. Premature destabi- lization of the acrosome and loss of sPLA2 can occur during silent inflammations in the male genital tract. The distribution pattern of sPLA2 in intact spermatozoa might be an additional parameter for evaluating sperm quality.

Oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A_2 as important determinants of Lp(a) functionality and pathophysiological role

Lipoprotein（a） [Lp（a）] is composed of a low density lipoprotein（LDL）-like particle to which apolipoprotein（a）[apo（a）] is linked by a single disulfide bridge. Lp（a） is considered a causal risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease（CVD） and calcific aortic valve stenosis（CAVS）. The evidence for a causal role of Lp（a） in CVD and CAVS is based on data from large epidemiological databases, mendelian randomization studies, and genome-wide association studies. Despite the well-established role of Lp（a） as a causal risk factor for CVD and CAVS, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. A key role in the Lp（a） functionality may be played by its oxidized phospholipids（OxPL） content. Importantly, most of circulating OxPL are associated with Lp（a）; however, the underlying mechanisms leading to this preferential sequestration of OxPL on Lp（a） over the other lipoproteins,are mostly unknown. Several studies support the hypothesis that the risk of Lp（a） is primarily driven by its OxPL content.An important role in Lp（a） functionality may be played by the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A_2（Lp-PLA_2）,an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of OxPL and is bound to plasma lipoproteins including Lp（a）. The present review article discusses new data on the pathophysiological role of Lp（a） and particularly focuses on the functional role of OxPL and Lp-PLA_2 associated with Lp（a）.

Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 and Its Role in Cancer

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α （cPLA2α） catalyzes the release of arachidonic acid （AA） and lysophosphoglyceride from membrane phospholipids. Although the roles of AA and eicosanoids in cellular viability, the processes of inflammation and cancer cell development have been extensively studied, the function of cPLA2α in the processes of inflammation and cancer cell development is not clear. This review summarizes published evidences for the biochemical properties and regulatory mechanisms of cPLA2α. The potential for use of cPLA2α as a novel diagnostic target and predictive biomarker for tumors is also discussed.

Phospholipase A_2 and Its Relationship with Acute Lung Injury in Acute Pancreatitis in Dogs

Acute fulminant pancreatitis was produced in dogs by injection of autobile into the main pancreatic duct.After injection the phospholipase A_2(PLA_2)activities in serum,lung lymph and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BAL)were elevated significantly,lung lymph flow and pulmonary transvascular potein clearance increased progressively,protein content and cell numbers in BAL in the experimental animals were significantly higher than those in the control animals.Furthermore the lung index,wet to dry lung weight ratio,extravascular lung water to bloodless dry lung weight ra- tio,extravascuar lung water to bloodless dry lung weight ratio increased significantly as compared to control animals.Pretreatment with PLA_2 inhibitor,chloroquine,blocked the changes mentioned above.This experiment suggests:1.PLA_2 activity in lung lymph fluid as well as in serum and BAL is elevated in acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.2.Elevated PLA_2 activity may increase the pulmonary vascular permeability.3.PLA_2 is the major factor leading to pulmonary edema in acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.4.Phagocytes contribute to the lung injury induced by PLA_2 to some ex- tent.

Role of Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2 V IA in Mediating Neurological Disorder and Cancer

Calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) belongs to the group VI family of phospholipase superfamily (PLA2) that catalyses the hydrolysis of glycerophospholipids at the sn-2 ester bond, producing unesterified fatty acids and 2-lysophospholipids. Research interests on iPLA2 have not been as significant as those on secretary PLA2 and cytosolic PLA2. However, more efforts have been made recently on understanding the expression, regulation and biological function of iPLA2. iPLA2 plays important roles in several biological processes, including signal transduction, phospholipid remodelling, eicosanoid formation, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and apoptosis. Modulation of iPLA2 activity can have prominent effects on cellular metabolism, central nervous system and cardiovascular functions. Thus, dysregulation iPLA2 can play a vital role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. The aim of this review is to provide the current understanding of the structure, function and regulation of group VI iPLA2 and highlight its potential mechanisms of action in mediating several neurological disorders and cancer.

CONTROL OF ANGIOGENESIS BY INHIBITOR OF PHOSPHOLIPASE A_2

Objective To investigate the potential effects of angiogenic process by secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2)inhibitor-HyPE(linking N-derivatized phosphatidyl-ethanolamine to hyaluronic acid)on human bone marrow endothelial cell line(HBME-1). Methods In order to examine the suppressing effects of HyPE on HBME-1 proliferation, migration, and capillary-like tube formation, HBME-1 were activated by angiogenic factor, specifically by basic fibroblast growth factor(b-FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and oncostatin M(OSM)(at a final concentration of 25, 20, and 2.5 ng/mL, respectively), then HBME-1 proliferation, migration, and tube forma-tion were studied in the absence or presence of HyPE. HBME-1 tube formation was specially analyzed in fibrin gel. Results HyPE effectively inhibited HBME-1 proliferation and migration as a dose-dependent manner, whatever HBME-1 were grown in the control culture medium or stimulated with b-FGF, VEGF, or OSM. In fibrin, the formations of HBME-1 derived tube-like structures were enhanced by all angiogenic factors, but these were strongly suppressed by HyPE. Conclusions The results support the involvement of sPLA2 in angiogenesis. It is proposed that sPLA2 inhibitor introduces a novel approach in the control of cancer development.

Time-dependent changes of glial fibriliary acidic protein and cytosolic phospholipase A2 in hippocampal area of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats

BACKGROUND： Interaction between astrocyte and neuron may two-dimensionally influence on ischemic injury; however, glial fibriliary acidic protein （GFAP） and cytosolic phospholipase A2 （cPLA2） are both important markers to reflect changes of astrocyte and neuron after cerebral ischemia, respectively. OBJECTIVE： To observe the changes of GFAP and positive cPLA2 cells in hippocampal area of model rats with focal cerebral ischemia in various phases of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. DESIGN ： Randomized contrast observation SETTING： Department of Basic Medical Science of Human Anatomy and Histology ＆ Embryology, Medical College of Wuhan Polytechnic University; Faculty Medical College of Wuhan University. MATERIALS： The experiment was carried out in the Department of Basic Medical Science, Medical College of Wuhan Industry College from May to June 2004. A total of 28 healthy SD rats of either gender and weighing 200-250 g were provided by Animal Department of Medical College of Jianghan University. METHODS： All 28 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups, including sham operation group, 2-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 48-reperfusion groups, and triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） group, with 4 in each group. Two hours after ischemia, ischemia/reperfusion models were established in left middle cerebral artery （MCA）; common carotid artery was ligated and line cork was inserted into it with the depth of （1.8±0.5） cm. Rats in sham operation group were inserted with the depth of 1.0 cm, and other operations were as the same as those in 2-hour ischemia/reperfusion groups. Models in TTC group were established as the same as those in 2-hour ischemia/24-hour reperfusion group, and they were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Changes of GFAP and cPLA2 in hippocampal area in various phases were detected with immunohisto- chemical method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES ： Changes of GFAP and positive cPLA2 cells in hippocampal area of rats with focal cerebral ischemia in various phases of ischemia/reperfusion. RESULTS： All 28 rats were involved in the final analysis without any loss. （1） Animal models successfully showed the effect of focal cerebral ischemia. （2） Changes of GFAP and cPLA2 in hippocampal area in various phases： Two hours after ischemia/reperfusion, changes of GFAP and cPLA2 were increased gradually, reached at peak at 24 hours, and decreased gradually. CONCLUSION ： Courses of GFAP and cPLA2 are changed at the onset of focal cerebral ischemia, and this suggests that both of them participate in injury or protection of brain tissue of focal cerebral ischemia.

SCREENING A CDNA LIBRARY FOR PHOSPHOLIPASE A2 CLONES USING BLOOD AGAR PLATES

A technique was developed for detecting venom phospholipase A2(PLA2) using serum and red blood cells. M1 and M2, two PLA2s isolated from Crotalus m.molossus (Northern black-tail rattlesnake), were used for preliminary development of the as say. Various combinations of human, sheep, rat, and mouse red blood cells (RBC) with human,rat,and mouse sera were tested on their effectiveness to detect PLA2.Complete hemolysis (b hemolysis) was evident in the plate with rat RBC mixed with mouse serum.No hemolysis was detected in plates containing human RBC and human serum. Human RBC mixed with mouse serum proved to be ideal, even though this combination displayed incomplete hemolysis(a hemolysis).Susceptible RBC, in conjunction with rat or mouse serum, are excellent indicators for the presence of PLA2.Mixtures of RBC and serum in combination with BB4(E. coli) cells,λbacteriophage,and IPTG on LB agar plates provide an excellent detection system for cDNA clones that express venonl PLA2. Hemolysis surrounding a plaque is identified as positive for PLA2.

Effects of anisodamine on pulmonary α_1-adrenergic receptor and phospholipase A, in acute lung injury

Objective: To imastigate the effects of anisodamine on pulmonary α1- adrenergic receptor andphospholipase A, in acute lung injurg. Methods: Change of α1--adrenergic receptor (al AR ) in lung tissllesduring endotoxin--induced rat acute lung injury was measured with radioligand biding assay. The effects ofanisodamine on pulmonary α1--AR and phospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) were observed. Results: 1. 4 h after theendotoxin injection, there was a significant decrease in the maximal binding capacity of α1--AR by 34% ascompared with the control group. meanwhile elevated activity of PLA2 in rat lung and reduction of thephospholipids content of cell membrane was found. 2. Anisodamine could attenuate endotoxin--induced acutelung injury in rats. Conclusion: This effect might be related to anisodamine’s blockage of α1--AR andsuppression of PLA2, prevention of membranous phospholipids from degradation. and the reduction ofarachidonic acid release.

Relation of phospholipase A2-Ⅴ and indoxam to hippocampal neuronal death

BACKGROUND: Ⅴ secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-Ⅴ) is abundant in many mammal tissues. However, it remains unknown whether sPLA2-Ⅴ causes biological or pathological response in central nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of phospholipase A2-Ⅴ (PLA2-Ⅴ) and its inhibitor (indoxam) on hippocampal neuron survival. DESIGN: A repetitive measurement. SETTING: The Animal Center of South Carolina University. MATERIALS: Sprague-Dawley pregnancy day-7, 14, 21 female rats were selected; Reagents: sPLA2- Ⅴ and indoxam were obtained from the Dennis Research Laboratories METHODS: The experiment was finished at the animal center in South Carolina University from January to December, 2004. 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L sPLA2-Ⅴ were added to neuron with none-MgCl2 Eagle’s medium at 37 ℃, then changed to normal neuron culture medium after 3 hours. 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L indoxam was added at 6 hours after 100 μg/L sPLA2-Ⅴwas put to Day-21 SD rat hippocampal embryonic neurons with none-MgCl2 Eagle’s medium at 37 ℃. After 3 hours in the inhibition experiment, it was changed to normal neuron culture medium. The embryonic hippocampal neurons were primarily cultured, and the neuron survival ratio was detected with morphological method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival ratio of hippocampal neurons. RESULTS: ① Effects of sPLA2-Ⅴon neuron survival: When sPLA2-Ⅴ was 0, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μg/L, the neuron survival ratios in embryonic neurons of day-7 SD rats were (95.3±1.1)%, (81.4±3.1)%, (74.2±2.2)%, (62.4±1.7)% and (48.9±1.6)%, those in embryonic neurons of day-14 rats were (93.2±1.4)%, (74.3±1.9)%, (68.1±1.7)%, (56.1±1.4)% and (42.5±1.1)%, and those in embryonic neurons of day-21 rats were (91.2±1.2)%, (69.4±2.1)%, (60.3±2.2)%, (49.1±1.2)% and (35.5±1.9)%. There were significant differences among different concentrations (P < 0.05). ② Effects of indoxam on neuron survival: In case of sPLA2-Ⅴ 100 μg/L, the neuron survival ratios were (58.65±1.4)%, (69.34±1.1)%, (82.11±1.2)% and (95.28±0.9)% when indoxam was 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 μmol/L, respectively. There were significant differences among different concentrations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ① The of neuronal death ratio is in a concentration-dependent manner with sPLA2-Ⅴ, and increases as the embryonic aging. ② Indoxam inhibits the proapoptotic effect of sPLA2-Ⅴ.

Cobra phospholipase A2 protect cerebellar granule neurons from apoptosis with mechanism independent of enzymatic activity

A fraction of cobra （Naja naja atra） venom has been discovered to have protective effect on rat cultural cerebellar granule neurons （CGNs） from apoptosis induced by removing serum and reducing the extracellular potassium concentration from 25 to 5 mM. This component has been purified and identified as secreted phospholipase A2 （cobra sPLA2）. In order to study the relationship between the protection on CGNs and enzymatic activity of phospholipase A2, CGNs stained by Hoechst 33258 were quantified to determine survival rate under the fluorescence microscopy; the protective potencies on apoptosis of cultural CGNs were compared among cobra sPLA2, the cobra sPLA2 modified in carboxylate groups with water soluble carbodiimide and semicarbazide, and the heated cobra sPLA2 at 80℃ for 30 rain. The results showed that the CGN survival rate was unaffected significantly both in modified cobra sPLAz whose enzymatic activity of PLA2 had decreased by 80%, and in cobra sPLA2 adding 7, 7-Dimethyleicosadienoic acid, an inhibitor of sPLA2 at concentration of 10-fold IC50; contrary, the neuronal survival rate fell about 60% in heated cobra sPLA2, although its PLA2 activity only decreased by 10%. The protection on CGNs were also found in some of sPLA2s derived from venoms of bee, Naja naja mossambica, Crotalus atroxalso and Vipera Ammodytes Ammodytes but could not be found in other sPLA2s from bovine pancreas and Streptomyces violaceoruber. Above results suggest that the protection on CGNs of cobra sPLA2 is independent of its enzymatic activity.

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 prognostic role in atherosclerotic complications

Atherosclerosis manifests itself clinically at advanced stages when plaques undergo hemorrhage and/or rupture with superimposed thrombosis, thus abruptly stopping blood supply. Identification of markers of plaque destabilization at a pre-clinical stage is, therefore, a major goal of cardiovascular research. Promising results along this line were provided by studies investigating the lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2), a member of phospholipase A2 proteins family that plays a key role in the metabolism of pro-inflammatory phospholipids, as oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and in the generation of pro-atherogenic metabolites, including lysophosphatidylcholine and oxidized free fatty acids. We herein review the experimental and clinical studies supporting use of Lp-PLA2 activity for predicting cardiovascular events. To his end we considered not only Lp-PLA2 activity and mass, but also Lp-PLA2 gene variations and their association with incident coronary artery disease, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality. Based on these evidences the major scientific societies have included in their guidelines the measurement of Lp-PLA2 activity among the biomarkers that are useful in risk stratification of adult asymptomatic patients at intermediate cardiovascular risk. The results of two recently published major clinical trials with the LpPLA2 inhibitor darapladib, which seem to challenge the pathogenic role of Lp-PLA2, will also be discussed.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α modulates cell-matrix adhesion via the FAK/paxillin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: To explore the effect of cytosolic phospholipase A2α(cPLA2α) on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cell adhesion and the underlying mechanisms.Methods: Cell adhesion, detachment, and hanging-drop assays were utilized to examine the effect of cPLA2α on the cell-matrix and cell-cell adhesion. Downstream substrates and effectors of cPLA2α were screened via a phospho-antibody microarray.Associated signaling pathways were identified by the functional annotation tool DAVID. Candidate proteins were verified using Western blot and colocalization was investigated via immunofluorescence. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to detect protein expression in HCC tissues. Prognosis evaluation was conducted using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-proportional hazards regression analyses.Results: Our findings showed that cPLA2α knockdown decreases cell-matrix adhesion but increases cell-cell adhesion in HepG2 cells. Microarray analysis revealed that phosphorylation of multiple proteins at specific sites were regulated by cPLA2α. These phosphorylated proteins were involved in various biological processes. In addition, our results indicated that the focal adhesion pathway was highly enriched in the cPLA2α-relevant signaling pathway. Furthermore, cPLA2α was found to elevate phosphorylation levels of FAK and paxillin, two crucial components of focal adhesion. Moreover, localization of p-FAK to focal adhesions in the plasma membrane was significantly reduced with the downregulation of cPLA2α. Clinically, cPLA2α expression was positively correlated with p-FAK levels. Additionally, high expression of both cPLA2α and p-FAK predicted the worst prognoses for HCC patients.Conclusions: Our study indicated that cPLA2α may promote cell-matrix adhesion via the FAK/paxillin pathway, which partly explains the malignant cPLA2α phenotype seen in HCC.

Phospholipase A_2 changes and its significance on brain tissue of rat in severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To survey changes and the significance of phospholipase A_2(PLA_2) on brain tissue of SD rat in acute pancreatitis.Methods With retrograde injection of 3% taurocholate sodium into pancreatic and biliary duct,rat model of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP) was made,and it included four groups: the control group,the sham-operation group, the SAP group and the PLA_2 inhibitor-treated group of SAP.Serum amylases,PLA_2 and PLA_2 in brain tissue were measured and the brain tissue changes were observed.Results There were no significant difference in serum amylases, PLA_2 and PLA_2 in brain tissue between the sham-operation and the control groups;the levels of serum amylases,PLA_2 and PLA_2 in brain tissue in the SAP group were higher than those in the control.In the SAP group expansion and hemorrhage of meninges,intracephalic arteriolar hyperemia,in meninges and cephalic-parenchyma infiltration of inflammatory cells and interval broaden were observed,significant differences were found between two groups.Compared with the SAP group,the level of serum amylase,PLA_2 and PLA_2 in brain tissue were reduced significantly in the treatment group of SAP.Pathological damages in the treatment group were significantly reduced when compared with the SAP group.Conclusion PLA_2 might play an important role in brain tissue damages in severe acute pancreatitis.

A mix & act liposomes of phospholipase A2-phosphatidylserine for acute brain detoxification by blood‒brain barrier selective-opening

In the treatment of central nervous system disease,the blood-brain barrier(BBB)is a major obstruction to drug delivery that must be overcome.In this study,we propose a brain-targeted delivery strat-egy based on selective opening of the BBB.This strategy allows some simple bare nanoparticles to enter the brain when mixed with special opening material;however,the BBB still maintains the ability to completely block molecules from passing through.Based on the screening of BBB opening and matrix delivery mate-rials,we determined that phospholipase A2-catalyzed 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine li-posomes can efficiently carry drugs into the brain immediately.At an effective dose,this delivery system is safe,especially with its effect on the BBB being reversible.This mix&act delivery system has a simple structure and rapid preparation,making it a strong potential candidate for drug delivery across the BBB.