Abstract. Lipoxins (LX) are eicosanoids with antiinflammatory activity in glomerulonephritis (GN) and inflammatory diseases, hypersensitivity, and ischemia reperfusion injury. It has been demonstrated that LXA 4 stimulates non-phlogistic phagocytosis of apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) by monocyte-derived macrophages (M) in vitro, suggesting a role for LX as endogenous pro-resolution lipid mediators. It is here reported that LXA 4 , LXB 4 , the aspirin-triggered LX (ATL) epimer, 15-epi-LXB 4 , and a stable synthetic analogue 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA 4 stimulate phagocytosis of exogenously administered excess apoptotic PMN by macrophages (M) in vivo in a classic model of acute inflammation, namely thioglycollate-induced peritonitis. Significant enhancement of phagocytosis in vivo was observed with 15-min exposure to LX and with intraperitoneal doses of LXA 4 , LXB 4 , 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA 4 , and 15-epi-LXB 4 of 2.5 to 10 g/kg. Non-phlogistic LX-stimulated phagocytosis by M was sensitive to inhibition of PKC and PI 3-kinase and associated with increased production of transforming growth factor-␤ 1 (TGF-␤ 1 ). LX-stimulated phagocytosis was not inhibited by phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR) antisera and was abolished by prior exposure of M to ␤1,3-glucan, suggesting a novel M-PMN recognition mechanism. Interestingly, the recently described peptide agonists of the LXA 4 receptor (MYFINITL and LESI-FRSLLFRVM) stimulated phagocytosis through a process associated with increased TGF-␤ 1 release. These data provide the first demonstration that LXA 4 , LXB 4 , ATL, and LX stable analogues rapidly promote M phagocytosis of PMN in vivo and support a role for LX as rapidly acting, proresolution signals in inflammation. Engagement of the LXR by LX generated during cell-cell interactions in inflammation and by endogenous LXR peptide agonists released from distressed cells may be an important stimulus for clearance of apoptotic cells and may be amenable to pharmacologic mimicry for therapeutic gain.Rapid, efficient and tightly regulated recruitment and clearance of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) at sites of inflammation are essential components of effective host defense. Evidence from in vitro models and from histopathology suggests that tissue damage mediated by PMN is limited by apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis of the apoptotic PMN by macrophages (M) and "nonprofessional" phagocytes (1). A direct role for PMN in tissue injury in inflammation and ischemia reperfusion injury of the kidney and other organs is well established (2). Impaired clearance of apoptotic cells by M has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory conditions, including glomerulonehritis (GN) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (3). The endogenous signals that promote clearance of apoptotic PMN from an inflammatory focus are still being defined. By dissecting out the mediator systems that regulate this process, it may be possible to design new pro-resolution strategies for inflammatory diseases.Lipoxins (LX), an acronym for...

The higher-plant shoot apical meristem is a dynamic structure continuously producing cells that become incorporated into new leaves, stems and flowers. The maintenance of a constant flow of cells through the meristem depends on coordination of two antagonistic processes: self-renewal of the stem cell population and initiation of the lateral organs. This coordination is stringently controlled by gene networks that contain both positive and negative components. We have previously defined the ULTRAPETALA1(ULT1) gene as a key negative regulator of cell accumulation in Arabidopsis shoot and floral meristems, because mutations in ULT1 cause the enlargement of inflorescence and floral meristems, the production of supernumerary flowers and floral organs, and a delay in floral meristem termination. Here, we show that ULT1 negatively regulates the size of the WUSCHEL (WUS)-expressing organizing center in inflorescence meristems. We have cloned the ULT1 gene and find that it encodes a small protein containing a B-box-like motif and a SAND domain, a DNA-binding motif previously reported only in animal transcription factors. ULT1 and its Arabidopsis paralog ULT2 define a novel small gene family in plants. ULT1 and ULT2 are expressed coordinately in embryonic shoot apical meristems, in inflorescence and floral meristems, and in developing stamens, carpels and ovules. Additionally, ULT1 is expressed in vegetative meristems and leaf primordia. ULT2 protein can compensate for mutant ULT1 protein when overexpressed in an ult1 background, indicating that the two genes may regulate a common set of targets during plant development. Downregulation of both ULT genes can lead to shoot apical meristem arrest shortly after germination, revealing a requirement for ULT activity in early development.

Lipoxins (LXs) are endogenously produced anti-inflammatory agents that modulate leukocyte trafficking and stimulate nonphlogistic macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils, thereby promoting the resolution of inflammation. Previous data suggest a role for altered protein phosphorylation and cytoskeletal rearrangement in LX-stimulated phagocytosis but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. In this study we examine the effects of LXA4 on the protein phosphorylation pattern of THP-1 cells differentiated into a macrophage-like phenotype. THP-1 cells stimulated with LXA4 (1 nM) exhibit dephosphorylation of a 220-kDa protein. Using mass spectrometry, this protein was identified as MYH9, a nonmuscle myosin H chain II isoform A, which is involved in cytoskeleton rearrangement. THP-1 cells treated with LXA4 adopt a polarized morphology with activated Cdc42 localized toward the leading edge and MYH9 localized at the cell posterior. Polarized distribution of Cdc42 is associated with Akt/PKB-mediated Cdc42 activation. Interestingly, the annexin-derived peptide Ac2–26, a recently described agonist for the LXA4 receptor, also stimulates macrophage phagocytosis, MYH9 dephosphorylation, and MYH9 redistribution. In addition, we demonstrate that LXA4 stimulates the phosphorylation of key polarity organization molecules: Akt, protein kinase Cζ, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β. Inhibition of LXA4-induced Akt and protein kinase Cζ activity with specific inhibitors prevented LXA4-stimulated phagocytosis of both apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils and lymphocytes, highlighting a potential use for LXA4 in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, phosphorylation and subsequent inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β resulted in an increase in phagocytosis similar to that of LXA4. These data highlight an integrated mechanism whereby LXA4 regulates phagocytosis through facilitative actin cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell polarization.