Auranofin modulated cytoplasmic free calcium in neutrophils by mobilizing intracellular calcium and inhibiting protein kinase.

The effect of the lipophilic gold compound, auranofin (AUR) on the calcium homeostasis of human neutrophils treated with or without n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) was investigated. In agreement with previous reports, FMLP induced a rapid release of intracellular Ca2+ stores followed by a smaller influx of extracellular Ca2+. AUR and staurosporine enhanced while phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate suppressed the secondary influx of Ca2+. Mn2(+)-quenching-of-fluorescence studies indicate that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate incubation blocked cation entry. AUR or staurosporine potentiation of FMLP effects on cytoplasmic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i) was attributed to suppression of negative feedback effects of protein kinase C. AUR (5-45 microM) per se induced a slow release of internal Ca2+ stores followed by a delayed influx of extracellular Ca2+. Control studies showed that AUR did not induce the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, lyse cells, or promote dye leakage. Dithiothreitol suppressed the AUR effect. AUR triggered biphasic but smaller increases in [Ca2+]i of neutrophil cytoplasts. Studies with permeabilized neutrophils showed that AUR directly released Ca2+ from internal stores. By comparison, gold sodium thiomalate, which had no effect on intact cells, also released Ca2+ from permeabilized cells. Present results indicate that AUR modulated [Ca2+]i directly by mobilized Ca2+ from multiple storage sites and indirectly by inhibiting protein kinase C.