Increased synthesis of phospholipid during phagocytosis

Peter Elsbach

doi:10.1172/JCI105907

Published October 1, 1968 - More info

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Abstract

Incorporation in vitro of ³²P-labeled lysolecithin (LPC) or lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) into respectively lecithin (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of rabbit granulocytes and alveolar macrophages was compared in the absence and in the presence of ingestible particles. Maximal synthesis of PC by intact cells occurred at added LPC concentrations of less than 0.05 mmole/liter, i.e., at levels found in plasma. Accumulation of PC-³²P proceeded linearly for at least 30 min and varied directly with cell concentration. While per cell granulocytes and macrophages converted comparable amounts of medium LPC to cellular PC, per milligram of protein, the granulocytes were approximately four times more active than the much larger macrophages. After 30 min newly synthesized PC-³²P represented as much as 5% of total granulocyte PC. For macrophages this fraction did not exceed 1%. Addition of polystyrene or zymosan particles to the cell suspension resulted in up to 3-fold stimulation of incorporation of LPC-³²P or LPE-³²P into their respective diacyl derivatives. This stimulation did not occur when the cells were homogenized. Breakdown of LPC to water-soluble products during phagocytosis of polystyrene particles was the same as at rest. By use of doubly labeled LPC, the mechanism of PC synthesis by the two cell types has been identified as direct acylation of medium LPC, both at rest and during engulfment. Evidence presented in the case of granulocytes suggests that the increased translocation of medium LPC-³²P during phagocytosis and its conversion to PC represents net synthesis.

The findings indicate that LPC, a normal constituent of plasma, can serve as substrate in PC synthesis by phagocytic cells. This mechanism of PC synthesis can account for appreciable addition of membrane PC, especially by granulocytes. It is proposed that stimulation of this pathway provides building blocks for increased membrane formation during phagocytosis.