Mycoplasma fermentans glycolipid triggers inflammatory response in rat astrocytes.

Abstract

Mycoplasma fermentans glycolipid (MfGL-II) is a major lipid in the membranes of this AIDS-associated mycoplasma and constituting up to 20% of the total phospholipids of this organism. It was recently shown that MfGL-II, mainly through its phosphocholine moiety, is responsible for the attachment of M. fermentans to host cells. We now show that MfGL-II is also associated with the secretion of inflammatory mediators by cells of the central nervous system. Stimulation of primary rat astrocytes by MfGL-II caused activation of protein kinase C, secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2, and augmented glucose utilization and lactate formation in a dose-dependent manner. In an attempt to define the minimal structural requirements for MfGL-II activity, the two O-acylated fatty acids in the molecule were removed. Deacylation pronouncedly reduced the stimulatory activity of the glycolipid, suggesting that the fatty acyl residues are essential. Incubation of MfGL-II with polyclonal anti-MfGL-II antiserum or with monoclonal anti-phosphocholine antibody diminished NO release, whereas incubation of MfGL-II with normal rabbit serum had no effect. It is, therefore, likely that the terminal phosphocholine moiety plays an important role in MfGL-IIs stimulation of glial cells.

• Authors: G Ben-Menachem, S Rottem, M Tarshis, V Barash, T Brenner
• Journal: Brain research (Brain Res) Vol. 803 Issue 1-2 Pg. 34-8 (Aug 24 1998) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 9729257 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Chemical References

• Glycolipids
• Nitric Oxide
• Lactic Acid
• Protein Kinase C
• Glucose
• Dinoprostone

Topics

• Animals
• Astrocytes (cytology, drug effects, immunology)
• Brain (cytology, enzymology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Dinoprostone (biosynthesis, metabolism)
• Enzyme Activation (drug effects, immunology)
• Fetus
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Glycolipids (immunology, pharmacology)
• Inflammation (immunology)
• Lactic Acid (biosynthesis)
• Mycoplasma fermentans (chemistry, immunology)
• Neuroglia (cytology, drug effects, immunology)
• Nitric Oxide (biosynthesis)
• Protein Kinase C (analysis, metabolism)
• Rats