Macrophage Secretory Phospholipase A2 Group X Enhances Anti-inflammatory Responses, Promotes Lipid Accumulation, and Contributes to Aberrant Lung Pathology.

D.M. Curfs*, S.A. Ghesquiere, M.N. Vergouwe, I. van der Made, M.J. Gijbels, D.R. Greaves, J.S. Verbeek, M.H. Hofker, M.P. de Winther

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Secreted phospholipase A(2) group X (sPLA(2)-X) is one of the most potent enzymes of the phospholipase A(2) lipolytic enzyme superfamily. Its high catalytic activity towards phosphatidylcholine (PC), the major phospholipid of cell membranes and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), has implicated sPLA(2)-X in chronic inflammatory conditions such as atherogenesis. We studied the role of sPLA(2)-X enzyme activity in vitro and in vivo, by generating sPLA(2)-X overexpressing macrophages and transgenic macrophage specific sPLA(2)-X mice. Our results show that sPLA(2)-X expression inhibits macrophage activation and inflammatory responses upon stimulation, characterized by reduced cell adhesion and nitric oxide production, a decrease in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and an increase in interleukin (IL)-10. These effects were mediated by an increase in IL-6, and enhanced production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and 15-deoxy-D12,14-prostaglandin J(2) (PGJ(2)). Moreover, we found that overexpression of active sPLA(2)-X in macrophages strongly increases foam cell formation upon incubation with native LDL but also oxidized LDL (oxLDL), which is mediated by enhanced expression of scavenger receptor CD36. Transgenic sPLA(2)-X mice died neonatally due to severe lung pathology characterized by interstitial pneumonia with massive granulocyte and surfactant-laden macrophage infiltration. We conclude that overexpression of the active sPLA(2)-X enzyme results in enhanced foam cell formation but reduced activation and inflammatory responses in macrophages in vitro. Interestingly, enhanced sPLA(2)-X activity in macrophages in vivo leads to fatal pulmonary defects, suggesting a crucial role for sPLA(2)-X in inflammatory lung disease.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)21640-21648
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume283
Issue number31
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2008

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