The endoperoxides/TxA2 analogue, U46619, inhibits human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function.

The effects of the stable analogue of TxA2, U46619, on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) function were investigated. U46619, at micromolar concentrations, inhibited fMLP-stimulated aggregation, beta-glucuronidase release, and superoxide production. fMLP-induced LTB4 synthesis was also inhibited. U46619 did not modify intracellular Ca2+ increase induced by fMLP in Fura-2-loaded PMN, suggesting that early events of cell activation were not involved. In fact, U46619 also inhibited aggregation, beta-glucuronidase release, superoxide anion and LTB4 production induced by the calcium ionophore A23187. By comparison with the specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, L-663,536, which prevented LTB4 synthesis without affecting degranulation, we excluded the impairment of PMN function by U46619 as a consequence of the reduction of this endogenous agonist. TLC separation of lipid extracts from [3H]-AA-loaded PMN, stimulated by A23187, showed significant reduction of the radioactivity associated with authentic free AA, suggesting that U46619 could interfere with mechanisms regulating AA release from membrane phospholipids. This suggestion is also supported by the observation that manoalide, a standard inhibitor of phospholipase A2, similarly to U46619, inhibits beta-glucuronidase release from stimulated PMN. Prostaglandin endoperoxides, produced by cells participating in inflammatory reactions, might therefore play a role in modulating PMN activities.