Lysophosphatidylcholine generates superoxide anions through activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in human neutrophils

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) accumulates in inflammatory tissues, where neutrophils are recruited to generate superoxide anions (O-2(.-)). Here, we show that LPC stimulates O-2(.-) generation in human neutrophils and that the activity is inhibited,vith phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3 kinase) inhibitors, but not with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors. Furthermore, we demonstrate that LPC activates PI3 kinase in neutrophils. Thus, LPC might contribute to host defense by generating O-2(.-) in neutrophils through PI3 kinase activation, but not through PKC activation. (C) 1998 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.