TRACE AMOUNTS OF ENHANCING FACTOR PHOSPHOLIPASE A(2) IN MOUSE PERITONEAL-EXUDATE CELLS

Enhancing factor (EF), a mouse phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), has been p urified from the small intestines, based on its ability to increase th e binding of epidermal growth factor in a radioreceptor assay. EF/PLA( 2) was found to he localized predominantly in the Paneth cells in the small intestines. Whether mouse intestinal EF/PLA(2) is identical/simi lar to mouse secretory PLA(2) was to be determined. Phospholipases are known to play a crucial role in the process of inflammation. This pap er reports the presence of trace amounts of EF/PLA(2) in the peritonea l exudate cells. Western blot analysis of the acid extracts showed the presence of a 14 kDa immunologically cross-reactive protein, RT-PCR a nalysis using EF specific primers amplified a similar to 700 bp produc t which was further confirmed to be EF-specific by nested PCR analysis and sequencing. Presence of EF in the peritoneal exudate cells could be a unique mode of transport of growth factor modulator to the site o f injury to aid in regeneration/cell proliferation of damaged tissue.