Eosinophil Cysteinyl Leukotriene Synthesis Mediated by Exogenous Secreted Phospholipase A2 Group X*

Secreted phospholipase A2 group X (sPLA2-X) has recently been identified in the airways of patients with asthma and may participate in cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT; C4, D4, and E4) synthesis. We examined CysLT synthesis and arachidonic acid (AA) and lysophospholipid release by eosinophils mediated by recombinant human sPLA2-X. We found that recombinant sPLA2-X caused marked AA release and a rapid onset of CysLT synthesis in human eosinophils that was blocked by a selective sPLA2-X inhibitor. Exogenous sPLA2-X released lysophospholipid species that arise from phospholipids enriched in AA in eosinophils, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine as well as plasmenyl phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. CysLT synthesis mediated by sPLA2-X but not AA release could be suppressed by inhibition of cPLA2α. Exogenous sPLA2-X initiated Ser505 phosphorylation of cPLA2α, an intracellular Ca2+ flux, and translocation of cPLA2α and 5-lipoxygenase in eosinophils. Synthesis of CysLTs in response to sPLA2-X or lysophosphatidylcholine was inhibited by p38 or JNK inhibitors but not by a MEK 1/2 inhibitor. A further increase in CysLT synthesis was induced by the addition of sPLA2-X to eosinophils under conditions of N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-mediated cPLA2α activation. These results indicate that sPLA2-X participates in AA and lysophospholipid release, resulting in CysLT synthesis in eosinophils through a mechanism involving p38 and JNK MAPK, cPLA2α, and 5-lipoxygenase activation and resulting in the amplification of CysLT synthesis during cPLA2α activation. Transactivation of eosinophils by sPLA2-X may be an important mechanism leading to CysLT formation in the airways of patients with asthma.