Novel particulate spin probe for targeted determination of oxygen in cells and tissues

Measuring brain tissue oxygenation under oxidative stress by ESR/MR dual imaging system

The in vivo measurement of oxygen in tissues is of great interest because of oxygen's fundamental role in life. Many methods have been developed for such measurement, but all have been limited, especially with regard to repeated measurement, degree of invasiveness, and sensitivity. We describe electron spin resonance (ESR) oximetry with paramagnetic oxygen-sensing probe for in vivo measurement of oxygen in brain tissues by home-made ESR/MR dual imaging spectroscopy. Lithium 5, 9, 14, 18, 23, 27, 32, 36-octa-n-butoxy-2,3-naphthlocyanine (LiNc-BuO) radical was employed as the solid oxygen-sensing probe, and we confirmed its ability to report partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) in brain tissues of live animals under normal and pathological conditions for more than a month. pO(2) measurements could also be made repeatedly on the same animal and at the same location. The implantation site of LiNc-BuO in examined rats was verified by 0.5 T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Septic-shock rats were used to monitor tissue oxygenation during pathological state. A decline in pO(2) levels from severe hypotension during sepsis was detected, and generation of nitric oxide (NO) in brain tissues was confirmed by NO spin trapping. ESR oximetry using oxygen-sensing probe and NO spin-trapping can be used to monitor pO(2) change and NO production simultaneously and repeatedly at the same site in examined animals.

Stimulation of peri-implant vascularization with bone marrow-derived progenitor cells: monitoring by in vivo EPR oximetry

The poorly vascularized fibrous capsule that develops around implantable biomedical devices (for drug delivery, biosensors, etc.) severely limits their applications. We tested the hypotheses that co-implantation of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells could stimulate the vascularization of implants. To assess the presence of functional peri-implant microvasculature, we developed a novel model of implanted device containing an oxygen (O(2))-sensing spin probe (detectable using electron paramagnetic resonance) placed inside a nanoporous filter-limited capsule. These devices were implanted subcutaneously in C57/Bl6 mice alone, with the addition of a Matrigel plug in front of the filter, or with the addition of Matrigel containing equal proportions of c-kit(+) and stem cell antigen-1(+) bone marrow-derived cells. Implants partial pressure of O(2) (pO(2)) were recorded non-invasively and periodically for up to 10 weeks. Tissue surrounding the implants was collected for immunohistochemistry. Initially, there were no differences in pO(2) between the experimental groups. After 3 weeks, the devices supplied with progenitor cells showed more than twice the O(2) concentrations as controls. This difference remained significant for 4 more weeks and then started to decrease slightly, still being 6 mmHg higher than in the controls at 10 weeks post-implantation. Collagen deposition was detected around the control implants, along with F4/80-positive macrophages and giant cells. In the plugs collected from the cell treatment group, we found an active process of adipogenesis, accompanied by neovascularization, and a highly vascularized adipose layer surrounding the implants. In conclusion, we successfully developed a cell therapy-type strategy to maintain vascularization around implanted devices using co-administration of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells, and we demonstrated a novel O(2)-sensing method to functionally monitor neovascularization in vivo.

Role of oxygen in postischemic myocardial injury

Myocardial function is dependent on a constant supply of oxygen from the coronary circulation. A reduction of oxygen supply due to coronary obstruction results in myocardial ischemia, which leads to cardiac dysfunction. Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is required for tissue survival. Thrombolytic therapy, coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty are some of the treatments available for the restoration of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium. However, the restoration of blood flow may also lead to reperfusion injury, resulting in myocyte death. Thus, any imbalance between oxygen supply and metabolic demand leads to functional, metabolic, morphologic, and electrophysiologic alterations, causing cell death. Myocardial ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury is a multifactorial process that is mediated by oxygen free radicals, neutrophil activation and infiltration, calcium overload, and apoptosis. Controlled reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium has been advocated to prevent the IR injury. Studies have shown that reperfusion injury and postischemic cardiac function are related to the quantity and delivery of oxygen during reperfusion. Substantial evidence suggests that controlled reoxygenation may ameliorate postischemic organ dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the role of oxygenation during reperfusion and subsequent biochemical and pathologic alterations in reperfused myocardium and recovery of heart function.

Skeletal myoblasts transplanted in the ischemic myocardium enhance in situ oxygenation and recovery of contractile function

It is unclear whether oxygen plays a role in stem cell therapy. Hence, the determination of local oxygenation (Po(2)) in the infarct heart and at the site of transplantation may be critical to study the efficacy of cell therapy. To demonstrate this, we have developed an oxygen-sensing paramagnetic spin probes (OxySpin) to monitor oxygenation in the region of cell transplantation using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Skeletal myoblast (SM) cells isolated from thigh muscle biopsies of mice were labeled with OxySpin by coculturing the cells with submicron-sized (270 +/- 120 nm) particulates of the probe. Myocardial infarction was created by left coronary artery ligation in mice. Immediately after ligation, labeled SM cells were transplanted in the ischemic region of the heart. The engraftment of the transplanted cells and in situ Po(2) in the heart were monitored weekly for 4 wk. EPR measurements revealed the retention of cells in the infarcted tissue. The myocardial Po(2) at the site of SM cell therapy was significantly higher compared with the untreated group throughout the 4-wk period. Histological studies revealed differentiation and engraftment of SM cells into myotubes and increased incidence of neovascularization in the infarct region. The infarct size in the treated group was significantly decreased, whereas echocardiography showed an overall improvement in cardiac function when compared with untreated hearts. To our knowledge, this the first report detailing changes in in situ oxygenation in cell therapy. The increased myocardial Po(2) positively correlated with neoangiogenesis and cardiac function.

Transverse oriented electric field re-entrant resonator (TERR) with automatic tuning and coupling control for EPR spectroscopy and imaging of the beating heart

Sample motion, particularly that of a beating heart, induces baseline noise and spectral distortion on an EPR spectrum. In order to quench motional noise and restore the EPR signal amplitude and line-width, an L-band transverse oriented electric field re-entrant resonator (TERR) was designed and constructed with provisions for automatic tuning control (ATC) and automatic coupling control (ACC) suited for studies of isolated beating rat hearts. Two sets of electronic circuits providing DC biased voltage to two varactor diodes were implemented to electronically adjust coupling and tuning. The resonator has a rectangular cross-sectional sample arm of 25 mm diameter with a Q value of 1100 without sample. Once inserted with lossy aqueous samples of 0.45% NaCl, Q value drops to 400 with a volume of 0.5 ml and 150 with 5 ml. The ATC/ACC functions were tested with a moving phantom and isolated beating rat hearts with the improvement of signal to noise ratio (S/N, peak amplitude of signal over peak amplitude of baseline noise) of 6.7-, and 4 to 6-fold, respectively. With these improvements, EPR imaging could be performed on an isolated beating rat heart. Thus, this TERR resonator with ATC/ACC enables application of EPR spectroscopy and imaging for the measurement and imaging of radical metabolism, redox state, and oxygenation in the isolated beating rat heart.

In vivo imaging of changes in tumor oxygenation during growth and after treatment

A novel procedure for in vivo imaging of the oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in implanted tumors is reported. The procedure uses electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) of oxygen-sensing nanoprobes embedded in the tumor cells. Unlike existing methods of pO2 quantification, wherein the probes are physically inserted at the time of measurement, the new approach uses cells that are preinternalized (labeled) with the oxygen-sensing probes, which become permanently embedded in the developed tumor. Radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF-1) cells, internalized with nanoprobes of lithium octa-n-butoxy-naphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO), were allowed to grow as a solid tumor. In vivo imaging of the growing tumor showed a heterogeneous distribution of the spin probe, as well as oxygenation in the tumor volume. The pO2 images obtained after the tumors were exposed to a single dose of 30-Gy X-radiation showed marked redistribution as well as an overall increase in tissue oxygenation, with a maximum increase 6 hr after irradiation. However, larger tumors with a poorly perfused core showed no significant changes in oxygenation. In summary, the use of in vivo EPR technology with embedded oxygen-sensitive nanoprobes enabled noninvasive visualization of dynamic changes in the intracellular pO2 of growing and irradiated tumors.

Encapsulation of a highly sensitive EPR active oxygen probe into sonochemically prepared microspheres

High-power ultrasound (20 kHz) was used to encapsulate a solution of perchlorotriphenylmethyl triester (PTM-TE, a stable organic free radical) dissolved in hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS) into a polymerized shell of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The size distribution of the microspheres was between 0.5 and 3 microm with a maximum at approximately 1.2 microm. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum of PTM-TE consists of a single, sharp line which is sensitive to the surrounding concentration of oxygen. It was found that the technique of encapsulating a solution of PTM-TE dissolved in HMDS into the BSA microspheres resulted in an overall loss of EPR signal intensity from the washed suspension of microspheres. However, the encapsulated PTM-TE/HMDS solution remained sensitive to the partial pressure of oxygen in the surrounding environment. The microspheres were found to be useful for determining the partial pressure of oxygen in the muscle and tumor tissue of mice.

A highly sensitive biocompatible spin probe for imaging of oxygen concentration in tissues

The development of an injectable probe formulation, consisting of perchlorotriphenylmethyl triester radical dissolved in hexafluorobenzene, for in vivo oximetry and imaging of oxygen concentration in tissues using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging is reported. The probe was evaluated for its oxygen sensitivity, biostability, and distribution in a radiation-induced fibrosarcoma tumor transplanted into C3H mice. Some of the favorable features of the probe are: a single narrow EPR peak (anoxic linewidth, 41 microT), high solubility in hexafluorobenzene (>12 mM), large linewidth sensitivity to molecular oxygen ( approximately 1.8 microT/mmHg), good stability in tumor tissue (half-life: 3.3 h), absence of spin-spin broadening (up to 12 mM), and lack of power saturation effects (up to 200 mW). Three-dimensional spatial and spectral-spatial (spectroscopic) EPR imaging measurements were used to visualize the distribution of the probe, as well as to obtain spatially resolved pO(2) information in the mice tumor subjected to normoxic and hyperoxic treatments. The new probe should enable unique opportunities for measurement of the oxygen concentration in tumors using EPR methods.

Labeling of skeletal myoblasts with a novel oxygen-sensing spin probe for noninvasive monitoring of in situ oxygenation and cell therapy in heart

We report the labeling (internalization) of skeletal myoblasts (SMs) with a novel class of oxygen-sensing paramagnetic spin probe for noninvasive tracking and in situ monitoring of oxygenation in stem cell therapy using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. SM cells were isolated from thigh muscle biopsies of mice and propagated in culture. Labeling of SM cells with the probe was achieved by coincubating the cells with submicron-sized (270 +/- 120 nm) particulates of the probe in culture for 48 h. The labeling had no significant effect on the viability or proliferation of the cells. The SM cells labeled with the probe were transplanted in the infarcted region of mouse hearts. The engraftment of the transplanted cells in the infarct region was verified by using MY-32 staining for skeletal myocytes. The in situ Po(2) in the heart was determined noninvasively and repeatedly for 4 wk after transplantation. The results showed significant enhancement of myocardial oxygenation at the site of cell transplant compared with untreated control. In conclusion, labeling of SM cells with the oxygen-sensing spin probe offers a unique opportunity for the noninvasive monitoring of transplanted cells as well as in situ tissue Po(2) in infarcted mouse hearts.

Electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry as a quantitative method to measure cellular respiration: a consideration of oxygen diffusion interference

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry is being widely used to measure the oxygen consumption of cells, mitochondria, and submitochondrial particles. However, further improvement of this technique, in terms of data analysis, is required to use it as a quantitative tool. Here, we present a new approach for quantitative analysis of cellular respiration using EPR oximetry. The course of oxygen consumption by cells in suspension has been observed to have three distinct zones: pO(2)-independent respiration at higher pO(2) ranges, pO(2)-dependent respiration at low pO(2) ranges, and a static equilibrium with no change in pO(2) at very low pO(2) values. The approach here enables one to comprehensively analyze all of the three zones together-where the progression of O(2) diffusion zones around each cell, their overlap within time, and their potential impact on the measured pO(2) data are considered. The obtained results agree with previously established methods such as high-resolution respirometry measurements. Additionally, it is also demonstrated how the diffusion limitations can depend on cell density and consumption rate. In conclusion, the new approach establishes a more accurate and meaningful model to evaluate the EPR oximetry data on cellular respiration to quantify related parameters using EPR oximetry.

Application of magnetic field over-modulation for improved EPR linewidth measurements using probes with Lorentzian lineshape

Magnetic field modulation in CW electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used for signal detection. However, it can also distort signal lineshape. In experiments where the linewidth information is of particular importance, small modulation amplitude is usually used to limit the lineshape distortion. The use of small modulation amplitude, however, results in low signal-to-noise ratio and therefore affects the precision of linewidth measurements. Recently, a new spectral simulation model has been developed enabling accurate fitting of modulation-broadened EPR spectra in liquids. Since the use of large modulation amplitude (over-modulation) can significantly enhance the EPR signal, the precision of linewidth measurements is therefore greatly improved. We investigated the over-modulation technique in EPR oximetry experiments using the oxygen-sensing probe lithium octa-n-butoxy-substitued naphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO). Modulation amplitudes 2-18 times the intrinsic linewidth of the probe were applied to increase the spectral signal-to-noise ratio. The intrinsic linewidth of the probe at different oxygen concentrations was accurately extracted through curve fitting from the enhanced spectra. Thus, we demonstrated that the over-modulation model is also applicable to particulate oxygen-sensing probes such as LiNc-BuO and that the lineshape broadening induced by oxygen is separable from that induced by over-modulation. Therefore, the over-modulation technique can be used to enhance sensitivity and improve linewidth measurements for EPR oximetry with particulate oxygen-sensing probes with Lorentzian lineshape. It should be particularly useful for in vivo oxygen measurements, in which direct linewidth measurements may not be feasible due to inadequate signal-to-noise ratio.

Effect of nitrogen dioxide on the EPR property of lithium octa-n-butoxy 2,3-naphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO) microcrystals

Lithium octa-n-butoxy-naphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO) is a stable free radical that can be detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Previously we have reported that microcrystals of LiNc-BuO exhibit a single sharp EPR peak, whose width varies linearly with the partial pressure of paramagnetic molecules such as oxygen and nitric oxide. In this report, we present the effect of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is also a paramagnetic molecule, on the EPR properties of LiNc-BuO. The gas-sensing property of LiNc-BuO is attributed to the open molecular framework of the crystal structure which is arranged with wide channels capable of accommodating large molecules such as NO2. The EPR linewidth of LiNc-BuO was highly sensitive to the partial pressure of NO2 in the gas mixture. The line-broadening was quick and reversible in the short-term for low concentration of NO2. However, the EPR signal intensity decreased with time of exposure, apparently due to a reaction of NO2 with LiNc-BuO crystals to give diamagnetic products. The results suggested that LiNc-BuO may be a useful probe for the determination of trace amounts of NO2 using EPR spectroscopy.

Electron spin resonance microscopy applied to the study of controlled drug release

We describe our recent developments towards 3D micron-scale imaging capability, based on electron spin resonance (ESR), and its application to the study of controlled release. The method, termed ESR microscopy (ESRM), is an extension of the conventional "millimeter-scale" ESR imaging technique. It employs paramagnetic molecules (such as stable radicals or spin-labeled drugs) and may enable one to obtain accurate 3D spatially resolved information about the drug concentration, its self-diffusion tensor, rotational correlation time and the pH in the release matrix. Theoretical calculations, along with initial experimental results, suggest that a 3D resolution of approximately 1 microm is feasible with this method. Here we were able to image successfully a high spin concentration sample with a resolution of approximately 3 x 3 x 8 microm and subsequently study a single approximately 120 microm biodegradable microsphere, internalized with a dilute solution of trityl radical, with a resolution of approximately 12.7 x 13.2 x 26 microm. Analysis of the microsphere ESR imaging data revealed a likely increase in the viscosity inside the sphere and/or binding of the radical molecule to the sphere matrix. Future directions for progress are also discussed.

Absolute oxygen tension (pO(2)) in murine fatty and muscle tissue as determined by EPR

The absolute partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) in the mammary gland pad and femoral muscle of female mice was measured using EPR oximetry at 700 MHz. A small quantity of lithium phthalocyanine (LiPc) crystals was implanted in both mammary and femoral muscle tissue of female C3H mice. Subsequent EPR measurements were carried out 1-30 days after implantation with or without control of core body temperature. The pO(2) values in the tissue became stable 2 weeks after implantation of LiPc crystals. The pO(2) level was found to be higher in the femoral muscle than in the mammary tissue. However, the pO(2) values showed a strong dependence on the core body temperature of the mice. The pO(2) values were responsive to carbogen (95% O(2), 5% CO(2)) breathing even 44-58 days after the implantation of LiPc. The LiPc linewidth was also sensitive to changes in the blood supply even 60 days after implantation of the crystals. This study further validates the use of LiPc crystals and EPR oximetry for long-term non-invasive assessment of pO(2) levels in tissues, underscores the importance of maintaining normal body core temperature during the measurements, and demonstrates that mammary tissue functions at a lower pO(2) level than muscle in female C3H mice.

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide regulates postischemic myocardial oxygenation and oxygen consumption by modulation of mitochondrial electron transport

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide (NO) production is increased in postischemic myocardium, and NO can control mitochondrial oxygen consumption in vitro. Therefore, we investigated the role of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-derived NO on in vivo regulation of oxygen consumption in the postischemic heart.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Mice were subjected to 30 minutes of coronary ligation followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion. Myocardial oxygen tension (Po2) was monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry. In wild-type, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-treated (with 1 mg/mL in drinking water), and eNOS knockout (eNOS-/-) mice, no difference was observed among baseline myocardial Po2 values (8.6+/-0.7, 10.0+/-1.2, and 10.1+/-1.2 mm Hg, respectively) or those measured at 30 minutes of ischemia (1.4+/-0.6, 2.3+/-0.9, and 3.1+/-1.4 mm Hg, respectively). After reperfusion, myocardial Po2 increased markedly (P<0.001 versus baseline in each group) but was much lower in L-NAME-treated and eNOS-/- mice (17.4+/-1.6 and 20.4+/-1.9 mm Hg) than in wild-type mice (46.5+/-1.7 mm Hg; P<0.001). A transient peak of myocardial Po2 was observed at early reperfusion in wild-type mice. No reactive hyperemia was observed during early reperfusion. Endothelial NO decreased the rate-pressure product (P<0.05), upregulated cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) mRNA expression (P<0.01) with no change in CcO activity, and inhibited NADH dehydrogenase (NADH-DH) activity (P<0.01) without alteration of NADH-DH mRNA expression. Peroxynitrite-mediated tyrosine nitration was higher in hearts from wild-type mice than in eNOS-/- or L-NAME-treated hearts.

CONCLUSIONS

eNOS-derived NO markedly suppresses in vivo O2 consumption in the postischemic heart through modulation of mitochondrial respiration based on alterations in enzyme activity and mRNA expression of NADH-DH and CcO. The marked myocardial hyperoxygenation in reperfused myocardium may be a critical factor that triggers postischemic remodeling.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced alterations in oxygen consumption and radical generation in endothelial cells

Oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and generation of superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied. The OCR was determined in cell suspensions at 37 degrees C by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. LPS significantly altered the OCR in a dose and time-dependent fashion. The OCR was significantly elevated immediately following the treatment of MAECs with LPS (5 and 10 microg/ml) and NADPH (100 microM) whereas the same was depressed 1 h after exposure to similar conditions of incubation. Under similar experimental conditions, superoxide generation was also determined by EPR spectroscopy and cytochrome c reduction assays. A marginal increase in the superoxide production was observed when the cells were treated with LPS and NADPH alone whereas the same was further enhanced significantly when the cells were treated with LPS and NADPH together. The increase in oxygen consumption and superoxide production caused by LPS was inhibited by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), suggesting the involvement of NAD(P)H oxidase. A significant increase in the NO production by MAECs was noticed 1 h after treatment with LPS and was inhibited by L-NAME, further suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Thus, on a temporal scale, LPS-induced alterations in oxygen consumption by MAECs may be under the control of dual regulation by NAD(P)H oxidase and NOS.

Hypoxic reperfusion of the ischemic heart and oxygen radical generation

Postischemic myocardial contractile dysfunction is in part mediated by the burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which occurs with the reintroduction of oxygen. We hypothesized that tissue oxygen tension modulates this ROS burst at reperfusion. After 20 min of global ischemia, isolated rat hearts were reperfused with temperature-controlled (37.4 degrees C) Krebs-Henseleit buffer saturated with one of three different O2 concentrations (95, 20, or 2%) for the first 5 min of reperfusion and then changed to 95% O2. Additional hearts were loaded with 1) allopurinol (1 mM), a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, 2) diphenyleneiodonium (DPI; 1 microM), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor, or 3) Tiron (10 mM), a superoxide scavenger, and were then reperfused with either 95 or 2% O2 for the first 5 min. ROS production and tissue oxygen tension were quantitated using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Tissue oxygen tension was significantly higher in the 95% O2 group. However, the largest radical burst occurred in the 2% O2 reperfusion group (P < 0.001). Recovery of left ventricular (LV) contractile function and aconitase activity during reperfusion were inversely related to the burst of radical production and were significantly higher in hearts initially reperfused with 95% O2 (P < 0.001). Allopurinol, DPI, and Tiron reduced the burst of radical formation in the 2% O2 reperfusion groups (P < 0.05). Hypoxic reperfusion generates an increased ROS burst originating from multiple pathways. Recovery of LV function during reperfusion is inversely related to this oxygen radical burst, highlighting the importance of myocardial oxygen tension during initial reperfusion.

Cancer chemopreventive oltipraz generates superoxide anion radical

The cancer chemopreventive actions of oltipraz, a member of a class of 1,2-dithiolethiones, have been primarily associated with the induction of phase 2 enzymes mediated by a 41bp enhancer element known as the anti-oxidant response element in the promoter regions of many phase 2 genes. It has been suggested that oxygen radical formation by oltipraz may be a critical mechanism by which it exerts chemoprevention. Therefore, in the present work, studies were performed to directly determine if oltipraz generates oxygen free radicals. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping demonstrated that oltipraz slowly reacts in the presence of oxygen to generate the superoxide anion radical. This formation of superoxide by oltipraz was concentration- and time-dependent. EPR oximetry studies showed that oxygen was also slowly consumed paralleling the process of superoxide formation. Thus, oltipraz induced superoxide formation occurs and could be involved in the mechanism by which it exerts chemoprotection.

Pulmonary surfactant protein a inhibits macrophage reactive oxygen intermediate production in response to stimuli by reducing NADPH oxidase activity

Alveolar macrophages are important host defense cells in the human lung that continuously phagocytose environmental and infectious particles that invade the alveolar space. Alveolar macrophages are prototypical alternatively activated macrophages, with up-regulated innate immune receptor expression, down-regulated costimulatory molecule expression, and limited production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in response to stimuli. Surfactant protein A (SP-A) is an abundant protein in pulmonary surfactant that has been shown to alter several macrophage (Mphi) immune functions. Data regarding SP-A effects on ROI production are contradictory, and lacking with regard to human Mphi. In this study, we examined the effects of SP-A on the oxidative response of human Mphi to particulate and soluble stimuli using fluorescent and biochemical assays, as well as electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. SP-A significantly reduced Mphi superoxide production in response to the phorbol ester PMA and to serum-opsonized zymosan (OpZy), independent of any effect by SP-A on zymosan phagocytosis. SP-A was not found to scavenge superoxide. We measured Mphi oxygen consumption in response to stimuli using a new oxygen-sensitive electron paramagnetic resonance probe to determine the effects of SP-A on NADPH oxidase activity. SP-A significantly decreased Mphi oxygen consumption in response to PMA and OpZy. Additionally, SP-A reduced the association of NADPH oxidase component p47(phox) with OpZy phagosomes as determined by confocal microscopy, suggesting that SP-A inhibits NADPH oxidase activity by altering oxidase assembly on phagosomal membranes. These data support an anti-inflammatory role for SP-A in pulmonary homeostasis by inhibiting Mphi production of ROI through a reduction in NADPH oxidase activity.

Simultaneous measurement of oxygenation in intracellular and extracellular compartments of lung microvascular endothelial cells

A new technique is described for simultaneous determination of intra- and extracellular oxygen concentrations [partial pressure of O(2) (pO(2))] in bovine lung microvascular endothelial cells (BLMVECs) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry. The measurements were performed in BLMVEC suspensions of a 20- micro l volume containing 4,000 cells. The extracellular pO(2) was measured using a trityl EPR probe [triarylmethyl (TAM), 10 micro M], a tricarboxylate anion radical, that stays exclusively in the extracellular space. The intracellular oxygen was measured using a pre-internalized particulate spin probe, lithium 5,9,14,18,23,27,32,36-octa-n-butoxy-naphthalocyanine (LiNc-BuO). Because there is a wide discrepancy in the reported values of cellular oxygenation by and large due to differences in the methods employed, we utilized the dual EPR probe technique to measure the oxygen gradient that apparently exists across the cell membrane. The intra- and extracellular pO(2) values were 139 +/- 2.5 and 157 +/- 3.6 mm Hg, respectively, for cells exposed to room air. A fairly smaller gradient of oxygen was observed in cells exposed to 7.5% oxygen (pO(2) = 57 mm Hg). In summary, this study confirms the feasibility of simultaneous and accurate measurements of intra- and extracellular pO(2) using LiNc-BuO and TAM EPR oximetry probes.