IDENTIFICATION OF SN-2 ACETYL GLYCEROPHOSPHOCHOLINES IN HUMAN KERATINOCYTES

Evidence is accumulating suggesting that platelet-activating factor pl ays a role in inflammatory dermatoses. Mass spectrometric methods were used to examine the molecular species of sn-2 acetyl glycerophosphoch olines (GPC) synthesized by primary cultures of human neonatal foreski n-derived keratinocytes. Ionophore-stimulated keratinocytes synthesize both 1-alkyl and 1-acyl sn-2 acetyl-GPC, and the relative amounts wer e as follows: hexadecyl > palmitoyl > octadecyl > stearoyl at the sn-1 position. PAF synthesis in the keratinocyte-derived cell line HaCaT w as inhibited by dexamethasone, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory e ffects of glucocorticosteroids in inflammatory dermatoses might be in part related to the inhibition of the synthesis of mediators such as P AF. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.