Bovine parainfluenza-3 virus selectively depletes a calcium-independent, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C and inhibits superoxide anion generation in bovine alveolar macrophages.

Bovine parainfluenza-3 (PI-3) virus inhibits oxygen-dependent bacterial killing by phagocytes, a key pulmonary defense, thus predisposing the host to intrapulmonary bacterial superinfection. PI-3 virus inhibited opsonized zymosan or PMA-activated superoxide anion (O2-) generation in bovine alveolar macrophages. The respiratory virus influenza also inhibits O2- generation by phagocytes, however, the mechanisms(s) of viral inhibition differs from PI-3. PI-3 did not trigger O2- generation before inhibition, whereas influenza triggered O2- generation before desensitization of ligand-initiated respiratory burst. PI-3 modified the twin signals of calcium and protein kinase C in alveolar macrophages. PI-3 infection increased macrophage membrane permeability to extracellular calcium, but did not inhibit calcium mobilization triggered by opsonized zymosan. These effects further distinguish bovine PI-3 from human influenza, which triggers mobilization of cell-associated calcium and inhibits calcium mobilization activated by physiologic ligands. Macrophages possessed two classes of PKC activity, a calcium/phosphatidylserine/diglyceride (Ca/PS/DG))-dependent activity and a Ca-independent, PS/DG-dependent histone IIIS phosphorylating activity. PI-3 infection selectively depleted the Ca-independent, PS/DG-dependent kinase activity but not the classical Ca/PS/DG-dependent activity. Inhibition of Ca-independent, PS/DG-dependent kinase activity and inhibition of O2- generation by PI-3 occurred at a similar viral dose and time frame, suggesting a role for this kinase in activating the respiratory burst. Inhibition of the oxygen-dependent bactericidal function of alveolar macrophages and disturbances in signal transduction may contribute to the immunosuppression and bacterial superinfection accompanying viral respiratory disease.