Cytoplasts generate oxidants but require added neutrophil granule constituents for fungicidal activity against Candida albicans hyphae

Killing of Candida albicans hyphae requires oxidant generation by neutrophils (PMNL), but it is uncertain whether hyphal killing is mediated by PMNL oxidants alone or requires contributions by granule constituents. This was assessed using U-cytoplasts (U-CYT), anucleate PMNL fragments depleted of cytoplasmic granules but retaining motility and respiratory burst activity. Granule-depleted U-CYT killed Staphylococcus aureus, but hyphae remained viable despite targeted generation of putatively fungicidal oxidants by avidly adherent U-CYT. Hyphal killing occurred by combining U-CYT with sublethal concentrations of purified PMNL granule extracts approximating those present in equivalent numbers of intact PMNL. Contributions of granule constituents were not entirely attributable to purified granule constituents with known antimicrobial activity (lactoferrin, cathepsin G, myeloperoxidase, and human neutrophil peptide defensins 1-3) individually or combined. Thus, oxidant generation by intact PMNL may be necessary but not always sufficient to mediate hyphal killing without complementary nonoxidative mechanisms.

Enhanced luminescence study of liver homogenate response to oxidative stress

An enhanced luminescence technique was used to monitor the response of liver homogenates stressed with sodium perborate. Rat liver homogenates were subjected to oxidative stress with sodium perborate, and the light signals, generated by a suitable system, containing luminol and compounds producing enhancement of light emission such as sodium benzoate and indophenol, were detected by a luminometer. The intensity of light emission (E) was found dependent on homogenate concentration (C). When C increased, E at first increased as well and, then, decreased rapidly. The graphic expression of this phenomenon resulted as a curve that can be described by the equation: E = a.C/exp(b.C). It is proposed that the a value represents the capacity of the tissue to catalyze the production of .OH radical species. The b value might be related to the capacity of the tissue to scavenge such radicals, since it increases when homogenates are supplemented with antioxidants and decreases when homogenates are treated with prooxidant. The results obtained by supplementing homogenates with iron containing substances, or using model systems, suggest that cell substances catalyzing the luminescent reaction, such as the hemoproteins, are "scavengers" as well as radical producers. The concentration-emission curve obtained with suitable model system is described by the equation: E = a.C/exp(b.Ck). It is suggested that, using the k value, information can be obtained on the relative capacity of hemoproteins and antioxidant systems to interact with .OH radicals.

Human eosinophil peroxidase enhances tumor necrosis factor and hydrogen peroxide release by human monocyte-derived macrophages

Inhibition of growth or eradication of experimentally induced tumors has been shown to be accompanied by infiltration of eosinophils and macrophages into the tumor mass. Since macrophages are important mediators of host antitumor activity, the possibility arises that a collaboration may exist between these two cell types in the control of tumor growth. In this study, we report the effect of eosinophil peroxidase (EPO), a basic protein contained in eosinophils that binds to several cell types including macrophages, on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production and hydrogen peroxide release by human monocyte-derived macrophages. After incubation with EPO, the macrophages produced large amounts of TNF and displayed an enhanced phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-triggered hydrogen peroxide release. These effects were accompanied by an increased cell protein content and by morphologic changes leading the large, round macrophages of the control cultures to become elongated, pear-like or spindle shaped cells after treatment with EPO. The stimulatory effect of EPO on hydrogen peroxide release was insensitive to addition of exogenous catalase, a H2O2-degrading enzyme, suggesting that an extracellular catalytic activity of EPO was not involved. In addition, myeloperoxidase, the homologous peroxidase of neutrophils with a catalytic activity similar to that of EPO, was ineffective. The EPO-induced effects differed in several aspects from the effects of lipopolysaccaride and interferon-gamma, two well-known macrophage activators. These findings provide supportive evidence for a functional interrelationship between eosinophils and macrophages that may be physiologically relevant in the tumoricidal activity of macrophages.

The oxidation of cyclic sulfides by tetramethyldioxetane and the isobutanal/O2/peroxidase system: oxygen transfer versus electron transfer

The oxidation of chlorpromazine (CPZ) by tetramethyldioxetane (TMD) and isobutanal (IBAL)/O2/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) system was investigated. The reaction with TMD proved to be of the oxygen transfer type, generating chlorpromazine-5-oxide (CPZO) and tetramethylethylene-oxide, and not by single-electron transfer, as previously reported. In contrast, the reaction of CPZ with IBAL/O2/HRP leads to formation of chlorpromazine cation radical, through reaction with active intermediates Compound I and II, following its dismutation and hydrolysis to CPZO. For comparison, 10-methylphenothiazine was also tested. Despite the fact that both systems are known to generate oxidizing triplet acetone, this species does not participate in the oxidation path in either case.

Autoxidation of dopamine: a comparison of luminescent and spectrophotometric detection in basic solutions

Oxidation products of catecholamines, particularly dopamine, could play an important role in the physiology and pathology of the nervous system. This study has therefore characterised autoxidation of dopamine monitored in a variety of systems. Lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence and reduction of cytochrome c were exploited to register generation of the byproduct superoxide anion, whereas the quinone product was detected by a direct spectrophotometric measurement. Accumulation of hydrogen peroxide was followed as an increase in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. In all cases, basic solutions were used to initiate the oxidation of dopamine. The results obtained could be interpreted as specific reactions at the particular stages of the autoxidation process: the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence system detected accumulation of hydrogen peroxide during dopamine oxidation, whereas the lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence indicated generation of superoxide anion. Furthermore, cytochrome c reduction, observed during dopamine oxidation, was probably attributed to a direct interaction with dopamine semiquinone. In addition, the effects of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase were examined in each of the systems: Each enzyme exhibited a different effect in each system used. The possible reaction mechanisms leading to different action of enzymes affecting reactive oxygen species are discussed. The methods described here of monitoring dopamine autoxidation could thus be used in parallel to detect the effects of different preparations on various stages of the dopamine autoxidation process.

A possible interaction between acetylcholinesterase and dopamine molecules during autoxidation of the amine

Acetylcholinesterase has an action in the central nervous system, independent of hydrolysis of acetylcholine. This study explored the possible interaction between the two molecules: the effects of acetylcholinesterase on the autoxidation of the catecholamine were tested, and, in turn, modification of the catalytic activity of the enzyme by products of dopamine oxidation were studied. Acetylcholinesterase selectively inhibited the speed of quinone production from dopamine as well as accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, whilst the rate of generation of superoxide was increased. Analysis of absorption spectra revealed the formation of a new product, which appeared after mixing acetylcholinesterase and dopamine in neutral pH. In all cases, butyrylcholinesterase was ineffective. Incubation of acetylcholinesterase in the presence of dopamine resulted in a significant decrease in the catalytic activity of the enzyme. The effects of application of preparations modifying autoxidation of dopamine (SOD, catalase, peroxidase) suggested that inactivation of the enzyme occurred as a result of the direct interaction of a quinone and/or semiquinone oxidation product with enzyme, as opposed to any effects of reactive oxygen species. Because acetylcholinesterase and dopamine are co-released from the neurons degenerating in Parkinson's disease, a direct chemical interaction between these two molecules could have significance both for the normal functioning of the substantia nigra and for related pathological states.

T cell reactivity to proteinase 3 and myeloperoxidase in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG)

T cell-mediated immunity is hypothesized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis as found in patients with WG. The antigenic specificities of those T cells remain, however, unknown. Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) present in patients with WG are directed to proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In the present study we investigated the proliferative capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with WG and age- and sex-matched controls in response to the WG autoantigens PR3 and MPO. Possible mitogenic effects of active PR3 and toxic effects of active MPO were excluded by using heat-inactivated PR3 and MPO. Antigen-specific stimulation induced by these autoantigens was studied by using processed PR3 and MPO in the lymphocyte stimulation test (LST). Proliferation induced by processed antigen correlated with that by heat-inactivated free antigen. The general capacity to proliferate in response to mitogens and recall antigens did not differ between patients and controls. However, patients with WG who were or had been positive for PR3-ANCA (n = 17) responded more strongly to PR3 than to MPO and showed higher responses to PR3 compared with controls (n = 13). Within the PR3-ANCA group T cell proliferation did not correlate with ANCA titre. In a small group of patients with MPO-ANCA (n = 5) no differences were observed compared with controls for MPO-specific proliferation. The data presented demonstrate that autoreactive PR3-specific T cells are present in patients with WG. Their fine specificity and possible role in the pathogenesis of WG have to be defined in further studies.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes increase glomerular albumin permeability via hypohalous acid

Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by the presence of neutrophils within glomeruli and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other ROS including hypothalous acids have been implicated in PMN mediated injury. To determine the role of specific ROS in PMN mediated glomerular injury, isolated rat glomeruli were incubated for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C with H2O2, with H2O2 and myeloperoxidase, or with activated PMNs. Scavengers of ROS were included in some experiments. PMNs were harvested from rat peritoneal cavity and activated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Glomerular albumin permeability (Palbumin) was calculated from the volume response to an oncotic gradient. Palbumin of glomeruli incubated with H2O2 (10(-3) or 10(-1) M) was not increased, while Palbumin after incubation with H2O2 and MPO was markedly increased (0.94 +/- 0.004). Palbumin after incubation with PMA, or with non-activated PMNs was not different from that of control glomeruli, Palbumin of the glomeruli incubated with activated PMNs increased (0.85 +/- 0.01, P < 0.001). This increase in Palbumin was inhibited by superoxide dismutase, catalase, or taurine (Palbumin = 0.035 +/- 0.06, -0.39 +/- 0.10, 0.028 +/- 0.06, respectively) and ameliorated by sodium azide (Palbumin = 0.21 +/- 0.03). In contrast, dimethyl sulfoxide did not prevent the increase in Palbumin (Palbumin = 0.92 +/- 0.01). Our results show that the hypohalous acid derived from that of H2O2-MPO-halide system is capable of increasing Palbumin. We conclude that hypohalous acid may be the primary mediator of the immediate increase in glomerular protein permeability induced by PMNs.

Circulating myeloperoxidase may cause false negative findings in the analysis of myeloperoxidase antibodies in systemic vasculitis

In systemic vasculitis reliable detection of myeloperoxidase antibodies (MPO-Abs) is of great clinical importance in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients. We have studied whether circulating myeloperoxidase (MPO) could have an effect on MPO-Ab findings. Serum MPO and MPO-Abs were measured in 50 healthy individuals, 35 patients and in the follow-up samples from two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis. Heating the sera at 56 degrees C for 30 min reduced the concentration of immunoreactive MPO both in control and patient sera. In 71% of the patient sera heating made initially negative MPO-Abs detectable. In a few cases with severe vasculitis the antibody findings remained totally negative. These results, together with the data from the follow-up samples from two patients with Wegener's granulomatosis, revealed that the serological diagnosis of vasculitis may be considerably delayed if only native samples are analysed for MPO-Abs. These findings are of considerable clinical significance for the interpretation of MPO-Ab results. Circulating myeloperoxidase affects MPO-Ab measurements, causing false negative findings in MPO-Ab assays. Therefore, it is recommended to denaturate circulating MPO by heating the sera before the analysis of MPO-Abs and to re-evaluate the cut off-values.

Free fatty acids enhance hypochlorous acid production by activated neutrophils

Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) may contribute to the genesis of chronic obstructive lung disease in long-term cigarette smokers. However, it is not presently known which elements in smoke are important in triggering this progressive pulmonary damage or in affecting the activities of inflammatory cells such as PMNS. We earlier found substances in organic concentrates of cigarette smoke that bound ferrous iron and transferred the metal into organic phases. These substances were later identified as saturated free fatty acids, predominantly palmitic and stearic acids (16:0 and 18:0). We now report investigations of the effects of fatty acids on the oxidative metabolism of PMNs. In accord with most earlier reports, we find that saturated fatty acids have little direct effect on PMN oxidative metabolism. However, micromolar amounts of free fatty acids will more than double production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) by PMNs stimulated with small amounts of phorbol myristate acetate. Similar fatty acid-mediated increases in HOCl production also occur when PMNs are stimulated with 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (also thought to be agonists of protein kinase C) but not when cells are stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, the formylated tripeptide f-met-leu-phe, or opsonized zymosan. Fatty acid-mediated enhancement of PMN HOCl production evidently arises from increased release of myeloperoxidase from stimulated PMNs. Furthermore, in the presence of free fatty acids, stimulated PMNs are much more cytotoxic toward cultured mink lung epithelial cells, a toxicity that is blocked by scavengers of HOCl. These results suggest that the relatively large amounts of free fatty acids present in tobacco smoke may act to amplify PMN-mediated oxidative damage to the lungs of smokers.

Virucidal effect of myeloperoxidase on human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected T cells

Myeloperoxidase is virucidal to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the persistently infected CEM human T-cell line or in acutely infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as judged by viral infectivity and P24 radioimmunoassay. HIV-1 was specifically inactivated by low doses of the human myeloperoxidase (1.4 to 14.3 mU/ml) and the cells were spared. A higher enzyme concentration (143 mU/m) was cytotoxic, but uninfected CEM cells and normal lymphocytes were resistant to > or = 143 mU of myeloperoxidase per ml. The enzyme was virucidal with the Cl- present in medium and did not require exogenous H2O2. Catalase, an antioxidant enzyme, partially inhibited the virucidal effect of myeloperoxidase. Hence, the H2O2 probably came from the HIV-infected cells themselves. These in vitro findings indicate that the myeloperoxidase system is capable of inactivating HIV-1 of infected cells.

Influence of various compounds on the degradation of hyaluronic acid by a myeloperoxidase system

Myeloperoxidase in the presence of 0.7 mM hydrogen peroxide degrades hyaluronic by a mechanism which involves iron. Degradation is enhanced in the presence of chloride ion, which is attributed to the formation of hypochlorous acid. Myeloperoxidase-dependent degradation of hyaluronic acid is inhibited by superoxide dismutase, desferrioxamine, iodide ion, bromide ion, mannitol, histidine and various antiinflammatory agents. The destructing agent is presumably the hydroxyl radical.

N-chlorination of sulfamethoxazole and dapsone by the myeloperoxidase system

It is known that activation of neutrophils or monocytes leads to the formation of hydrogen peroxide and the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO). We found that sulfamethoxazole was chlorinated by the combination of MPO, hydrogen peroxide, and chloride. The product, N-chlorosulfamethoxazole, is reasonably stable but reacts rapidly with a variety of compounds. The same product was formed by the reaction between sulfamethoxazole and hypochlorous acid, and dapsone was also N-chlorinated by the MPO system or hypochlorous acid. Although N-chlorination was not observed when sulfamethoxazole or dapsone was incubated with activated neutrophils, this is presumably because the chloramine products react rapidly with the cells. When radiolabeled sulfamethoxazole was incubated with activated neutrophils, covalent binding was observed. When radiolabeled sulfamethoxazole was incubated with MPO and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of albumin, covalent binding to the albumin occurred. Although binding to albumin occurred in the absence of chloride, it was increased by the presence of chloride. This suggests that N-chlorosulfamethoxazole may be one of several reactive metabolites of sulfamethoxazole that covalently bind to neutrophils. We suspect that covalent binding of arylamine drugs, such as sulfamethoxazole, to activated leukocytes is responsible for some of the adverse reactions associated with these drugs, especially adverse reactions that involve leukocytes such as agranulocytosis or drug-induced lupus.

Differential effects of reactive oxygen species on native synovial fluid and purified human umbilical cord hyaluronate

The ability of reactive oxygen species produced by triggered neutrophilic leukocytes, hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XAO), hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorous acid/myeloperoxidase (HOCl/MPO) systems to degrade hyaluronate (HA) in human synovial fluid (SF) and purified umbilical cord HA was compared by measuring the molecular weight distribution of HA using high-performance liquid chromatography with a size-exclusion column. The exposure of noninflammatory SF to phorbol myristic acetate (PMA)-activated neutrophils or to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) caused depolymerization of SF HA to the degree corresponding to that found in rheumatoid SFs. When HX/XAO was used as radical generator, the molecular weight of SF HA decreased from 3.42 x 10(6) to 1.40 x 10(4) daltons with concomitant decrease of SF viscosity to 36% from the original value. The HOCl/MPO system caused no depolymerization of SF HA, even at very high unphysiological HOCl concentrations that induced the precipitation of SF HA together with SF proteins. This effect was found to be comparable to conventional mucin clot formation in SF. However, purified human umbilical cord HA was easily depolymerized with HOCl/MPO or with H2O2, but these effects were sensitive to the hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol and iron chelator desferrioxamine, indicating that the formation of reactive hydroxyl radical (OH.) is likely to participate in these reactions. Thus we conclude that in inflammatory SF HA is mainly depolymerized by OH. produced by decomposition of H2O2 catalyzed by iron, free or locally bound to HA itself. In contrast to what has been reported earlier, HOCl/MPO only depolymerizes purified umbilical cord HA (in a hydroxyl radical-dependent manner) but does not depolymerize HA in SF. As a matter of fact, HOCl/MPO has a scavenging action on SF HA by consuming H2O2 and thus preventing the formation of reactive hydroxyl radicals.

Action of oxatomide on the hepatic microsomal enzyme system. Effect of the monoxygenase and peroxidase activity of P-450 on drug N-demethylations

The effect of oxatomide and astemizole on the rat's response to zoxazolamine was examined. It was found that the former increases the body's resistance to zoxazolamine. The effect of the pretreatment with oxatomide, pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile or tocopherol acetate on the in vitro N-demethylation of ethylmorphine, aminopyrine, the reduction of p-nitrobenzoic acid, P-450 and hepatic protein content was determined. It was found that 1) oxatomide increased N-demethylation and the content of both P-450 and hepatic protein, 2) PCN increased all the examined parameters and 3) tocopherol acetate induced only the ethylmorphine N-demethylation. The role of P-450 as a monoxygenase or as a peroxidase under these experimental conditions is discussed.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies can recognize vascular endothelial cell-bound anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated autoantigens

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) are strongly associated with the development of systemic vasculitis. Myeloperoxidase and proteinase-3 have been identified as targets for P-ANCA and C-ANCA, respectively. Both enzymes are released from neutrophil azurophil granules following neutrophil activation and both are highly cationic. Purified myeloperoxidase is demonstrated to bind non-convalently to endothelial cell membranes, to retain its enzymic function following binding, and to retain its antigenicity for P-ANCA. Endothelial cell-bound myeloperoxidase enhances complement-dependent cytotoxicity of some P-ANCA sere that also contain anti-endothelial cell antibodies. Studies using purified proteinase-3 show that it also can bind to endothelial cells and be recognized by C-ANCA. The interactions of myeloperoxidase and proteinase-3 with endothelial cells and ANCA may thus contribute to the development of vascular injury in patients with systemic vasculitis.

Myeloperoxidase-dependent loss of malondialdehyde: a limitation for detecting neutrophil-mediated lipid peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation is commonly measured using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay. We have examined how this assay is affected by hypochlorite, which is generated by the neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase. The TBA reactivity of phospholipid liposomes that had been partially peroxidized with iron/ascorbate was destroyed by low concentrations of sodium hypochlorite. Since most of the TBA reactivity in peroxidized liposomes is due to malondialdehyde, its reactivity was investigated. Addition of sodium hypochlorite destroyed the uv absorbance of malondialdehyde with a 2:1 stoichiometry and eliminated its TBA reactivity. The TBA reactivity of malondialdehyde and peroxidized liposomes was also lost after treatment with myeloperoxidase. The reaction with myeloperoxidase required chloride and was inhibited by catalase and methionine, indicating the involvement of hypochlorite. Neutrophils stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine destroyed the TBA reactivity of malondialdehyde and peroxidized liposomes by a hypochlorite-dependent mechanism. The ability of hypochlorite to break down malondialdehyde explains why lipid peroxidation by stimulated neutrophils, as measured with TBA, is apparently inhibited by myeloperoxidase. Myeloperoxidase may not, however, inhibit the peroxidation process. The TBA assay and other assays of malondialdehyde may be of limited value, therefore, for assessing lipid peroxidation in systems where neutrophils or myeloperoxidase are involved.

Regulation of macrophage function by human recombinant myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase is an enzyme which is found in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils and is associated with bactericidal, fungicidal, and tumoricidal activity. The present studies show that human recombinant myeloperoxidase (rec-MyPo) can regulate a number of macrophage (M phi) capacities and functions. Macrophages from mice exposed to rec-MyPo in vitro released reactive oxygen intermediates, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and interferon alpha/beta (IFN alpha/beta). Enhanced target cell killing was also demonstrated with TNF alpha sensitive but not TNF alpha insensitive cells. Intravenous injection of rec-MyPo induced high titers of systemic TNF alpha and IFN alpha/beta. These results indicate that MyPo can function as an immunomodulator both in vitro and in vivo. Because of these actions, it is apparent that MyPo represents a previously unrecognized endogenous immunomodulator.

Oxidants from neutrophil myeloperoxidase do not enhance elastase-induced emphysema in the hamster

Alpha-1-protease inhibitor is susceptible to oxidative impairment by the neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) system. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the MPO oxidant system on elastase-induced emphysema in the hamster. Intratracheal instillation of 200 micrograms of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) induced a significant secretory cell metaplasia (SCM) and airspace enlargement [23% increase in mean linear intercept (MLI) as compared with control values]. Instillation of MPO system components [0.6 international units (U) of MPO, 5.5 U of glucose oxidase and glucose (0.02 M)] along with 200 micrograms HNE failed to enhance the severity of the SCM or emphysema induced by HNE alone. A second experiment was carried out using 50 micrograms of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) to induce emphysema. PPE produced a significant 45% increase in MLI, but the MPO system combined with PPE failed to enhance the emphysema induced by PPE alone. The MPO system alone had no measurable effect on airspace size or SCM. In vitro studies showed that PPE was partially inactivated by the MPO system; a 56% loss of elastolytic activity occurred during a 6-min incubation of PPE with the MPO system. This may explain why the MPO system did not exacerbate PPE-induced injury, but it does not explain the lack of enhancement for HNE. A 6-minute incubation of HNE with the MPO system resulted in a nonsignificant 10% decrease of elastolytic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Candidicidal activity of the human recombinant myeloperoxidase system

The effect of the human recombinant myeloperoxidase (recMPO) system on the viability of Candida albicans blastospores was determined. Cells were incubated in the presence of the enzyme, H2O2, and various substrates. In optimal conditions, 100% mortality was reached with only 41 mU of recMPO per ml, confirming its powerful candidicidal activity.

Myeloperoxidase binds to vascular endothelial cells, is recognized by ANCA and can enhance complement dependent cytotoxicity

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase-3 (Pr-3) can bind to vascular endothelial cells (EC) and are available for recognition by autoantibodies present in P-ANCA or C-ANCA containing sera, respectively. The bound MPO also retains its enzymic functions and effectively interacts with hydrogen peroxide to mediate detachment of endothelial cells from their substratum. EC bound MPO-anti-MPO complexes can contribute to the complement-dependent EC injury demonstrated by some P-ANCA sera.

Protection by antibiotics against myeloperoxidase-dependent cytotoxicity to lung epithelial cells in vitro

Myeloperoxidase, in the presence of noncytotoxic concentrations of H2O2, was used to induce cytotoxicity to the lung epithelial cell line, AKD. When the cationic aminoglycosides, tobramycin and gentamicin were added to the cells in the presence of myeloperoxidase and H2O2, cytotoxicity was completely inhibited. In addition, tobramycin prevented cytotoxicity induced by cystic fibrosis sputum and H2O2. Protection against myeloperoxidase and H2O2 was also observed with the thioether-containing antibiotics, ticarcillin and ceftazidime, but at higher concentrations than with the aminoglycosides. Analysis of spectral properties, dimethylsulfoxide-mediated reduction, and ethyl acetate/NaCl partitioning, demonstrated that aminoglycosides converted HOCl to hydrophilic noncytotoxic chloramines, but were unable to prevent the oxidation of sulfhydryls and methionine by HOCl. In contrast, ticarcillin and ceftazidime were highly effective inhibitors of HOCl-mediated sulfhydryl and methionine oxidation. These results suggest that aminoglycosides protect lung epithelial cells against myeloperoxidase-dependent oxidant injury by binding to anionic cell surfaces and converting HOCl to hydrophilic noncytotoxic chloramines, whereas penicillins and cephalosporins are potent HOCl scavengers capable of protecting critical extracellular molecules against oxidation.

Virucidal effects of glucose oxidase and peroxidase or their protein conjugates on human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Glucose oxidase and peroxidase (lactoperoxidase or myeloperoxidase) are virucidal to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the presence of sodium iodide, as assessed by the loss of viral replication in a syncytium-forming assay or by the inhibition of cytopathic effects on infected cells. In the presence of low concentrations of sodium iodide, five HIV-1 isolates were equally susceptible to this virucidal system at enzyme concentrations of a few milliunits. The loss of viral replication was linearly related to the time of incubation in the enzyme solutions, with an inactivation rate of 1 log unit every 30 min. These enzymes and this halide were also cytotoxic to chronically infected, but not to uninfected, cultured CEM cells. Protein conjugates were prepared by using the enzymes and murine antibody 105.34, which recognized the V3 loop of HIV-1 LAI isolate surface glycoprotein, or recombinant human CD4. The protein conjugates inactivated free virus at rates similar to those of the free enzymes and were more effective than antibody or recombinant CD4 alone. These in vitro findings demonstrate that the peroxidase-H2O2-halide system provides potent virucidal activity against HIV-1.

Indirect evidence of nasal inflammation assessed by titration of inflammatory mediators and enumeration of cells in nasal secretions of patients with chronic rhinitis

Pathophysiologic mechanisms of perennial rhinitis are poorly understood. The characterization of inflammation was studied in nasal lavage of patients with perennial rhinitis by the enumeration of cells involved in the allergic inflammation and the measurement of six mediators released in nasal secretions to determine whether some mediators were relevant for the etiologic diagnosis and the occurrence of symptoms. Ten healthy subjects and 57 patients with perennial rhinitis were placed into four groups according to the symptoms they presented at the time of the study and the origin of the allergy. Allergy was characterized by the history, skin prick tests to standardized allergens, and RAST. Eosinophil protein X (EPX), tryptase, histamine, myeloperoxidase, prostaglandin D2, and leukotriene C4/D4 (LTC4/D4) were measured in nasal lavage by enzyme assay or radioimmunoassay. Eosinophils and neutrophils were enumerated after cytocentrifugation of the lavage fluid and May Grunwald Giemsa staining. Tryptase, myeloperoxidase and EPX but not histamine levels were increased in all four patient groups. Eosinophils, LTC4/D4, and prostaglandin D2 were significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.03, and p < 0.01) increased in allergic and symptomatic patients. EPX was significantly increased in symptomatic allergic and nonallergic patients. This study suggests the involvement of mast cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils, but the latter cells appear to have a more prominent role. The importance of EPX and LTC4/D4 in the characterization of chronic symptomatic rhinitis was also observed.

Oxidation markedly reduces bilirubin interference in the Jaffé creatinine assay

Bilirubin causes underestimation of serum creatinine in the Jaffé alkaline picrate assay. We report an approach for preventing bilirubin interference by pretreating serum samples with peroxidase and H2O2. The dissociation of bilirubin from albumin and its subsequent oxidation markedly reduces the bilirubin interference and enables accurate determination of creatinine concentrations by the Jaffé reaction even in hyperbilirubinemic sera. Within-run CVs were 2.6%, 4.0%, and 3.8% at mean creatinine concentrations of 88, 165, and 349 mumol/L, respectively (n = 20). Day-to-day CVs were 4.0%, 6.3%, and 5.8% for mean creatinine concentrations of 87, 168, and 364 mumol/L, respectively (n = 12). Average recovery of creatinine added to serum in the presence of 600 mumol/L bilirubin was 97% (n = 15). This method requires only small serum volumes (70 microL) and is easily applicable to automated analyzers that can be programmed to add three reagents consecutively.