The role of ion channels and protein kinase C activation in the stimulation of complement protein synthesis

Lappin, D. and Whaley, K. (1987) The role of ion channels and protein kinase C activation in the stimulation of complement protein synthesis. Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology, 24(2), pp. 57-62.

Abstract

Monocyte C2 synthesis is stimulated by antigen-antibody complexes (IC), carbamylcholine (C-Ch), phenylephrine (PE) and gamma-interferon. Tetrodotoxin or nifedipine abrogated the effects of IC, C-Ch and PE but did not influence the effect of gamma-interferon on C2 synthesis. Thus stimulation of C2 synthesis by IC, C-Ch and PE is dependent upon activation of Na+/K+ and Ca2+ channels, whereas gamma-interferon operates independently of these ion channels. Calcium channel agonists (CG28392 and BK8644) stimulated C2 synthesis, and this effect was prevented by nifedipine but not by tetrodotoxin. Thus Na+/K+ channels are activated prior to Ca2+ channels. Stimulation of C2 synthesis occurred when phospholipase C or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were added to the monocyte cultures, suggesting that PI cycle turnover and protein kinase-C (PK-C) activation are involved in the stimulation of C2 synthesis in monocytes. PMA, an activator of PK-C, stimulated the synthesis of C2, C3, B, P and C1-inhibitor approximately two-fold. In contrast gamma-interferon reduced synthesis of C3 and P by 44% and 22% respectively, and stimulated C1-inhibitor synthesis twelve-fold. These data suggest that the action of gamma-interferon complement synthesis is, at least partially, independent of PK-C activation. The effects of IC, C-Ch, PE, PI, CG28392, BK8644 and gamma-interferon were inhibited by trifluoperazine implying that calmodulin and/or other calcium binding proteins play a role in the modulation of complement protein production.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lappin, Dr David
• Authors: Lappin, D., and Whaley, K.
• Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Dental School
• Journal Name: Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Immunology
• ISSN: 0141-2760