Phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens Stimulates Formation and Release of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF-Acether) in Cultured Intestinal Epithelial Cells (INT 407)

Abstract

This study demonstrates the ability of phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens to stimulate the generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF-acether) in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (INT 407). Cells were exposed to phospholipase C for up to 60 min, and the content of PAF-acether within the cells and in the extracellular medium was determined. Phospholipase C caused a time-dependent formation of PAF-acether within the cells and also release of PAF-acether to the medium. In contrast, phospholipase C did not affect the cellular acetylhydrolase activity or the ability of the cells to metabolize extracellulary added ¹⁴C-PAF-acether. These findings suggest the possibility that intestinal epithelial cells, when stimulated with a naturally occurring intestinal bacterial toxin, generate and release PAF-acether. The possibility that this might contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease is discussed.

Key Words:

• Bacterial phospholipase C
• intestinal epithelial cells
• platelet-activating factor