Lysophosphatidylcholine induces mast cell secretion and protein kinase C activation.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a natural product of phospholipase A2 activity, induced the secretion of both granule-associated beta-hexosaminidase and newly generated leukotriene C4 from mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. Micromolar concentrations of lyso-PC potentiated the release of beta-hexosaminidase induced by specific antigen but not the calcium ionophore, A23187. Exogenous adenosine was relatively ineffective in enhancing beta-hexosaminidase release from cells challenged with lyso PC. Lyso-PC caused a marked increase in intracellular free-calcium levels and induced the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). These effects could not be abrogated by a prolonged preincubation with pertussis toxin. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, partially inhibited the abilities of antigen and A23187 to induce beta-hexosaminidase release but was ineffective when lyso-PC was the secretagogue. Lyso-PC appears to activate mast cell PKC, but its ability to stimulate mast cell mediator release appears to be related to its ability to elevate intracellular free calcium concentrations.