Protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation is involved in resistance to tumour necrosis factor-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in a human monocytoid cell line.

To investigate the mechanism underlying resistance to tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha)-induced cytotoxicity, we have developed a human hybrid cell line, designated A10, derived from the fusion of human U-937 monocytoid cells and human monocytes, which expressed large numbers of TNF alpha receptors and yet remained highly resistant to TNF alpha. However, in the presence of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors RO-31-7549 or RO-31-8220 (donated by Roche), these cells became sensitive to TNF alpha-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that PKC activity is required for protective mechanisms. On investigation of protein phosphorylation in TNF alpha-stimulated permeabilized A10 cells, a rapid increase in serine/threonine phosphorylation of phosphoproteins of molecular masses 130, 90, 80, 65 and 42 kDa was found. Subsequently, we found a similar pattern of increased phosphorylation following stimulation of A10 cells with mezerein, a phorbol ester derivative which activates PKC, a serine/threonine kinase. The theory that activation of PKC was responsible for increased phosphorylation was confirmed by a dose-dependent inhibition of the TNF alpha-induced protein phosphorylation by the PKC inhibitors RO-31-7549 and RO-31-8220. The possible link between the TNF alpha-stimulated early protein phosphorylation events and the maintenance of protective mechanisms against TNF alpha-induced cytotoxicity is discussed.