Hepoxilin A3 induces changes in cytosolic calcium, intracellular pH and membrane potential in human neutrophils.

The effects of hepoxilin A3 (HxA3), a 12-lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i), intracellular pH (pHi), transmembrane potential and right-angle light scattering in human neutrophils were investigated. A rapid, transient elevation of [Ca2+]i was observed with HxA3 which was dependent on the concentration used. The effect of HxA3 on [Ca2+]i was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting involvement of receptors coupled to GTP-binding proteins. Experiments in Ca2(+)-free medium and using intracellular Ca2+ chelators indicated that HxA3 mobilized Ca2+ from intracellular stores. At similar concentrations, HxA3 altered pHi, producing an initial acidification followed by an alkalinization. The initial acidification was decreased in cells loaded with a Ca2+ chelator. In the presence of N-ethyl-N-(1-methylethyl)amino amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/H+ antiport, HxA3 induced a greater acidification but failed to elicit the recovery phase, suggesting that the latter is due to activation of the antiport. HxA3 also depolarized the membrane potential, although this effect was small. A decrease in right-angle light scattering, qualitatively similar to that observed with chemotactic peptides, was seen with HxA3, indicating that the 12-lipoxygenase metabolite can induce shape changes in neutrophils. At the concentrations used for the above effects, HxA3 was unable to generate a respiratory burst. These findings suggest that hepoxilins, which are formed by stimulated neutrophils, may have a role as messengers in neutrophil activation.