Activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is necessary for actin rearrangements in human neutrophils during phagocytosis.

We have investigated the role of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) in neutrophil phagocytosis. Inhibition of cAPK with H-89 reduced complement- and IgG-dependent phagocytosis to 83 and 46%, respectively. Fluorescence intensity measurements of phalloidin-stained actin in neutrophils showed a reduced amount of filamentous actin (F-actin) in pseudopods and around the phagosome in cells treated with H-89 or cAMP-elevating agents (forskolin and rolipram). The amount of phosphotyrosine-containing proteins was also reduced in pseudopods and around the phagosome. Taken together, the data show that cAMP/cAPK regulates F-actin reorganization during receptor-mediated phagocytosis, particularly triggered by IgG-FcR interaction. Our results support the hypothesis that active subcortical reorganization of F-actin is a prerequisite for FcR-mediated phagocytosis, but is less important during CR3-mediated ingestion.

Disruption of beta(2)-integrin-cytoskeleton coupling abolishes the signaling capacity of these integrins on granulocytes.

Integrin-dependent adhesion and dynamic modulations of the actin network are prerequisites for normal cell locomotion. To investigate whether the actin microfilamentous system does play a role in regulation of beta(2)-integrin-induced signalling, we pretreated granulocytes with staurosporine, a well-known protein kinase inhibitor that has also been shown to disrupt the cytoskeleton of intact cells. Pretreatment with staurosporine completely inhibited the beta(2)-integrin-induced Ca(2+) signal and also its ability to trigger actin polymerisation. This inhibition was not related to phosphorylation of the CD18-chain of the beta(2)-integrin, nor to inhibition of protein kinases. Instead, association of beta(2)-integrins with the cortical cytoskeleton, which was observed in untreated cells, was abolished after exposure to staurosporine, indicating that beta(2)-integrin signalling depends on integrin-cytoskeleton interaction. These results suggest not only that the actin network provides an adhesive link to the extracellular matrix and a driving force for the locomotory response, but also that it participates in regulation of beta(2)-integrin signalling during granulocyte locomotion.

Dual action of cAMP-dependent protein kinase on granulocyte movement.

Cell locomotion is a continuous cycle of integrin-dependent attachments and detachments along chemotactic gradients, driven by dynamic modulations of the actin network. Cyclic AMP (cAMP), which is known to be generated by N-formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (fMLP) receptors but not by beta2 integrins, was investigated as a coordinator of granulocyte locomotion. Elevation of cAMP by exposure to forskolin (100 microM) and 1-isobutyl-methylxanthine (IBMX; 100 microM) caused a marked reduction in beta2 integrin-induced polymerisation of actin, but had a less pronounced effect on the fMLP-induced actin response. Pretreatment of cells with rp-adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (rp-cAMPS; 50 microM), an inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK), resulted in a significant increase in the fMLP-induced actin polymerisation response. In agreement with the effect on filamentous actin (F-actin) forskolin and IBMX markedly suppressed the migration of granulocytes towards fMLP. Surprisingly enough, pretreatment of cells with rp-cAMPS inhibited cell movement to the same extent as forskolin and IBMX did. This dual action of cAMP on granulocyte migration suggest an important regulatory mechanism whereby the balance of this intracellular signal results in an optimal locomotory response.