The respiratory burst of phagocytic cells is associated with a rise in vacuolar pH

Proton channels, plasma membrane potential, and respiratory burst in human neutrophils

When confronted with invading microorganisms, neutrophils undergo a number of nearly synchronous reactions including the generation of microbicidal reactive oxygen intermediates by the NADPH oxidase. These reactions are accompanied by a slow depolarization, from resting values of-60 mV to levels probably exceeding 0 mV. The depolarization is transient, indicating that a compensatory charge transport mechanism is activated. Activation of the oxidase system causes a massive burst of metabolic acid generation that would, if uncompensated, lower the intracellular pH of neutrophils by over 5 units, to lethal levels (pH = 2). Neutrophils must therefore possess particularly effective regulatory systems to avoid excessive cytosolic acidification. The recently described H+ conductance of neutrophils may counteract both the acidification and the depolarization. Activation of the H+ conductance occurs at depolarizing voltages and is promoted by cytosolic acidification, a combination that takes place during the respiratory burst. The NADPH oxidase of neutrophils is thus associated to an unusual, particularly efficient mechanism of H+ export and charge compensation. The sequential activation of these two systems causes neutrophils to depolarize through the activation of an electron transport chain, and to repolarize through the activation of a H+ conductance.

Proton conductance of the plasma membrane: properties, regulation, and functional role

H+ conductive pathways have been detected in the plasma membranes of a variety of cell types. The large exquisitely H(+)-selective permeability of the conductive pathway can support sizable net H+ fluxes. Although subtle differences exist among tissues and species, certain common features suggest that related transport systems are involved in all cases. The H+ conductance is gated by depolarizing voltages and is promoted by intracellular acidification. Conversely, extracellular acidification inhibits the conductance. These features facilitate net H+ efflux, while precluding potentially deleterious H+ uptake. In some cell types, activation of the conductance is additionally controlled by physiological ligands and by second messengers. The conductance most likely functions in the regulation of intracellular pH, contributing to the extrusion of H+ during repetitive depolarization of the plasma membrane, as occurs in neurons and muscle cells. This pathway may be particularly relevant in the case of phagocytes. When stimulated, these cells undergo a sustained depolarization, while generating large amounts of metabolic acid. In addition, conductive H+ fluxes may also provide counterions to neutralize the activity of electrogenic enzymes, as suggested for the phagocyte NADPH oxidase.

Synthetic peptides of human lysosomal cathepsin G with potent antipseudomonal activity

Enzymatically active and inactive (diisopropylfluorophosphate-treated) cathepsin G exerted antibacterial action in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, whereas only enzymatically active cathepsin G displayed bactericidal action against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In order to further test the requirement for protease activity for the antipseudomonal action of cathepsin G, synthetic peptides spanning the full-length mature protein were prepared and examined for antibacterial action. Surprisingly, three structurally distinct peptides that correspond to residues 61 to 80, 117 to 136, and 198 to 223 within the full-length protein were found to exert potent antipseudomonal action (> 4.5 logs of killing at 500 micrograms/ml) against P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and four mucoid clinical isolates. Only the peptide (CG117-136) corresponding to residues 117 to 136 (117-RPGTLCTVAGWGRVSMRRGT-136) within cathepsin G exerted antibacterial action against the gram-positive pathogen S. aureus. The antipseudomonal action of CG117-136 was rapid and could be inhibited either by increasing concentrations of NaCl or by 0.5 mM MgCl2 plus 0.5 mM CaCl2, and these conditions appeared to reduce binding of the peptide to whole bacteria. Variants of peptide CG117-136 lacking either a hydrophobic N-terminal domain or a positively charged C-terminal domain were found to have significantly less antipseudomonal action than CG117-136. The antibacterial capacity of the all-D-enantiomeric form of peptide CG117-136 was found to be identical to that of the all-L-peptide, suggesting that the mechanism of killing does not require the recognition of a target site possessing a chiral center.

Changes in free amino acids in peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes after treatment with diazepam

The effect of single and chronic (15 days) i.p. injections (1.0 and 8.0 mg/kg) of diazepam (DZ) on free amino acid profile in peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes of male Wistar Albino rats were investigated. Depletion of some free amino acids was observed in the lymphocytes (mixed T- and B-lymphocytes) and PMN leukocytes (91-95%) neutrophils especially after chronic DZ-treatment. A dose-dependent depletion in the lymphocyte amino acids, Tau, Gly, Ala, Met and Ile, was found after both acute and chronic DZ-treatment. A similar depletion of Tau, Asp, Glu and Met appeared in the PMN leukocytes after single doses as well as chronic DZ-treatment. These results suggest that administration of 1.0-8.0 mg/kg of DZ in single dose or after chronic administration may interfere with the transport of certain important amino acids and/or protein turnover in PB lymphocytes and PMN leukocytes. On the other hand, the basic amino acids Lys, His and Arg were significantly increased in PMN leukocytes after chronic administration of 1.0 mg/kg DZ. It was suggested that the increased levels of the basic amino acids in the neutrophils may interact with the intracellular changes in pH that normally accompany the respiratory burst.

The biochemical basis of the NADPH oxidase of phagocytes

The NADPH oxidase is an electron transport chain found in lymphocytes and in the wall of the endocytic vacuole of 'professional' phagocytic cells. It is so called because NADPH is used as an electron donor to reduce oxygen to superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. The redox components are provided by a very unusual flavocytochrome b from the membrane, which is dependent upon cytosolic factors (including two specialized proteins, p47phox and p67phox) for activation. The small GTP-binding protein, p21rac, is also implicated in this system, possibly as the switch that triggers electron transport. This system provides a key to our understanding of the way in which these GTP-binding proteins function.

Human neutrophil azurocidin synergizes with leukocyte elastase and cathepsin G in the killing of Capnocytophaga sputigena

Azurocidin was purified in the presence of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. Electrophoresis revealed at least seven species which exhibited N-terminal sequences consistent with azurocidin. Azurocidin exhibited no bactericidal activity against Capnocytophaga sputigena or other oral bacteria but synergized the bactericidal activity of enzymatically active elastase. Azurocidin also interacted synergistically with cathepsin G.

Activity of defensins from human neutrophilic granulocytes against Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare

We have examined the activity of defensins from human neutrophilic granulocytes against Mycobacterium avium-Mycobacterium intracellulare. M. avium-M. intracellulare at 2.5 x 10(6)/ml or 2.5 x 10(8)/ml was cultured in the presence of defensins at 37 degrees C from 4 to 48 h. After incubation, CFU were enumerated. Human neutrophil peptide 1 (HNP-1) at 5 micrograms/ml had the ability to kill M. avium-M. intracellulare. Treatment with HNP-1 resulted in significant (96.3 to 97.7%) killing of M. avium-M. intracellulare, even after taking clumping into consideration. This activity was not affected by the presence of calcium (0.5 and 1.0 mM), magnesium (0.5 and 1.0 mM), or sodium chloride (25, 50, and 100 mM). The optimal pH for bactericidal activity was higher than 5. We tested numerous M. avium-M. intracellulare strains, and HNP-1 was successful in killing every strain, although the degree of killing varied among them (34.2 to 87.2%). Additionally, this activity was independent of colonial morphology. We also examined the activity of HNP-2 and HNP-3 against M. avium-M. intracellulare and found that they were as effective in killing M. avium-M. intracellulare as HNP-1 was. These observations suggest that defensins may play an important role in the host defense against M. avium-M. intracellulare.

Susceptibility of Porphyromonas gingivalis and P. asaccharolytica to the non-oxidative killing mechanisms of human neutrophils

Neutrophils are essential for host defence against bacterial dental plaque and the pathogenic bacterial species within it, but in anaerobic environments such as the gingival crevice neutrophils can kill bacteria only with non-oxidative microbicidal compounds stored in their granules. Porphyromonas gingivalis W83, a pathogenic plaque species, and the avirulent non-oral type-strain P. asaccharolytica were incubated anaerobically with intact neutrophils and with compounds extracted from normal human neutrophil granules. The killing of bacteria and the inactivation of lysozyme, cathepsin G, elastase, bacterial-permeability increasing factor and defensins by culture supernatants were assayed. P. asaccharolytica but not P. gingivalis was killed under anaerobic conditions by intact neutrophils. P. gingivalis was also resistant to neutrophil granule compounds, its viability being reduced from a mean of 3.3 x 10(6) to 6.1 x 10(4) c.f.u/ml in 60 min by 400 micrograms/ml neutrophil granule extract, as compared to a reduction from 4.4 x 10(6) to 2.3 x 10(3) c.f.u/ml for P. asaccharolytica. P. gingivalis culture supernatant inactivated cathepsin G, elastase, bacterial-permeability increasing factor and defensins. Resistance to neutrophil non-oxidative killing mechanisms may be an important virulence factor for P. gingivalis.

Identification of the defective NADPH-oxidase component in chronic granulomatous disease: a study of 57 European families

Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) manifests as a predisposition to infection as a result of defective function of the NADPH oxidase of phagocytic cells. Proteins identified as part of this system include two subunits of a cytochrome b (cytochrome b-245) and two cytosolic factors. The affected oxidase component was determined in 63 CGD patients from 57 families, by Western blotting of extracts of their neutrophils with antibodies to those proteins. 38 (67%) of the families were X-linked with a defect of the beta subunit of the cytochrome. 13 (23%) lacked p47-phox, 3 (5%) p67-phox, and 3 (5%) the alpha subunit of the cytochrome.

Effects of omeprazole on neutrophil chemotaxis, super oxide production, degranulation, and translocation of cytochrome b-245

The effects of omeprazole on polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis, superoxide generation, degranulation and translocation of cytochrome b-245 were investigated. Omeprazole (10(-6) - 5 x 10(-3) mol/l) reduced chemotaxis under agarose in a dose dependent manner, and the effect was irreversible. Superoxide anion generation was inhibited 50% at a concentration of 2.5 x 10(-5) mol/l and completely abolished at 5 x 10(-3) mol/l. Acid degraded omeprazole also inhibited O2- generation. Omeprazole did not scavenge O2- generated in a cell free xanthin-xanthine oxidase system. Degranulation by PMNs was inhibited only by omeprazole in concentrations above 10(-4) mol/l. Translocation of cytochrome b-245, essential for generation of O2-, was not affected by omeprazole. In conclusion, the anti-ulcer agent omeprazole in concentrations obtained during intravenous administration may inhibit the function of PMNs in vitro.

Human hemi-myeloperoxidase. Initial chlorinating activity at neutral pH, compound II and III formation, and stability towards hypochlorous acid and high temperature

Human neutrophilic myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in the defence mechanism of the body against micro-organisms. The enzyme catalyses the generation of the strong oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from hydrogen peroxide and chloride ions. In normal neutrophils MPO is present in the dimeric form (140 kDa). The disulphide-linked protomers each consist of a heavy subunit and a light one. Reductive alkylation converts the dimeric enzyme into two promoters, 'hemi-myeloperoxidase'. We studied the initial activities of human dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO at the physiological pH of 7.2 and found no significant differences in chlorinating activity. These results indicate that, at least at neutral pH, the protomers of MPO function independently. The absorption spectra of MPO compounds II and III, both inactive forms concerning HOCl generation, and the rate constants of their formation were the same for dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO, but hemi-MPO required a slightly larger excess of H2O2 for complete conversion. Hemi-MPO was less stable at a high temperature (80 degrees C) as compared to the dimeric enzyme. Furthermore, the resistance of the chlorinating activity of hemi-MPO against its oxidative product hypochlorous acid was somewhat lower (IC50 = 32 microM HOCl) compared to dimeric MPO (IC50 = 50 microM HOCl). The higher stability of dimeric MPO in the presence of its oxidative product compared to that of monomeric MPO might be the reason for the occurrence of MPO as a dimer.

Biochemistry and molecular biology of chronic granulomatous disease

The NADPH oxidase of phagocytic cells is an electron transport chain in the wall of the endocytic vacuole that is activated upon engulfment of the microbe, and is important for its efficient killing and digestion. The oxidase consists of a heterodimeric cytochrome b in the membrane, which is the site of the haem and FAD groups, and two cystolic factors p47-phox and p67-phox that appear to activate the system. Absence of this oxidase as a result of defects in each of these specialized proteins causes the syndrome of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), that is characterized by a profound predisposition to pyogenic infection.

The superoxide-generating oxidase of phagocytic cells. Physiological, molecular and pathological aspects

Professional phagocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and macrophages) possess an enzymatic complex, the NADPH oxidase, which is able to catalyze the one-electron reduction of molecular oxygen to superoxide, O2-. The NADPH oxidase is dormant in non-activated phagocytes. It is suddenly activated upon exposure of phagocytes to the appropriate stimuli and thereby contributes to the microbicidal activity of these cells. Oxidase activation in phagocytes involves the assembly, in the plasma membrane, of membrane-bound and cytosolic components of the oxidase complex, which were diassembled in the resting state. One of the membrane-bound components in resting phagocytes has been identified as a low-potential b-type cytochrome, a heterodimer composed of two subunits of 22-kDa and 91-kDa. The link between NADPH and cytochrome b is probably a flavoprotein whose subcellular localization in resting phagocytes remains to be determined. Genetic defects in the cytochrome b subunits and in the cytosolic factors have been shown to be the molecular basis of chronic granulomatous disease, a group of inherited disorders in the host defense, characterized by severe, recurrent bacterial and fungal infections in which phagocytic cells fail to generate O2- upon stimulation. The present review is focused on recent data concerning the signaling pathway which leads to oxidase activation, including specific receptors, the production of second messengers, the organization of the oxidase complex and the molecular defects responsible for granulomatous disease.

The effect of antistaphylococcal agents used alone and in combinations on the survival of Staphylococcus aureus ingested by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

The intracellular activity of a number of drugs used alone and in combinations against Staphylococcus aureus was investigated using an experimental design which imitates the clinical situation and differs from other published methods. Staphylococci were phagocytosed by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and, after differential centrifugation and washing, the granulocytes were incubated in 90% pooled human serum with clinically relevant drug concentrations. When exposed to antibiotics, more than 40-50% of the bacteria were located intracellularly. Fusidic acid (100 mg/l), erythromycin (20 mg/l), and clindamycin (20 mg/l) all had a bacteriostatic effect during the first 6 h of incubation, whereas rifampicin (1 and 5 mg/l), vancomycin (5 and 20 mg/l), and ciprofloxacin (2 mg/l) all acted bactericidally with decreases in viable counts between 1.3-1.9 log10. The greatest bactericidal effect was achieved with tobramycin (10 mg/l), which produced more than a 4 log10 decrease in viable counts at 6 h. Combinations of fusidic acid with other antibiotics all resulted in killing kinetics different from those achieved with the drugs used individually. The bactericidal effect of ciprofloxacin and dicloxacillin during the first 6 h was abolished when these drugs were combined with fusidic acid. However, at 24 h no significant difference was found between the effect of dicloxacillin alone versus the combination dicloxacillin and fusidic acid. The combination of fusidic acid and rifampicin resulted in a killing identical to that achieved with rifampicin used alone during the first 6 h, but at 24 h the killing by the combination was significantly greater. The bactericidal effect of the combination dicloxacillin (20 mg/l) and tobramycin (10 mg/l) equalled that obtained with tobramycin (10 mg/l) used alone. Rifampicin (5 mg/l) antagonized the bactericidal effect of ciprofloxacin (2 mg/l) during the first 6 h of incubation but at 24 h the combination acted synergistically. The results obtained are partly in agreement and partly in conflict with previous results.

A novel flow cytometric method for measuring protein digestion within the phagocytic vacuole of polymorphonuclear neutrophils

When rhodamine is attached to albumin at a high molar ratio its fluorescence is quenched but fluorescence is released when the protein is digested and the dye released. Using this observation it is possible to measure protein digestion within the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils. The assay is simple, rapid and measures digestion even in the presence of abnormal phagocytosis.

In vitro sensitivity of oral, gram-negative, facultative bacteria to the bactericidal activity of human neutrophil defensins

Neutrophils play a major role in defending the periodontium against infection by oral, gram-negative, facultative bacteria, such as Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, and Capnocytophaga spp. We examined the sensitivity of these bacteria to a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and highly purified individual defensin peptides (HNP-1, HNP-2, and HNP-3) isolated from human neutrophils. Whereas the Capnocytophaga spp. strains were killed significantly by the mixed human neutrophil peptides, the A. actinomycetemcomitans and E. corrodens strains were resistant. Killing was attributable to the defensins. The bactericidal activities of purified defensins HNP-1 and HNP-2 were equal, and both of these activities were greater than HNP-3 activity against strains of Capnocytophaga sputigena and Capnocytophaga gingivalis. The strain of Capnocytophaga ochracea was more sensitive to defensin-mediated bactericidal activity than either C. sputigena or C. gingivalis was. The three human defensins were equipotent in killing C. ochracea. C. ochracea was killed under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and over a broad pH range. Killing was most effective under hypotonic conditions but also occurred at physiologic salt concentrations. We concluded that Capnocytophaga spp. are sensitive to oxygen-independent killing by human defensins. Additional studies will be required to identify other components that may equip human neutrophils to kill A. actinomycetemcomitans, E. corrodens, and other oral gram-negative bacteria.

Rapid membrane permeabilization and inhibition of vital functions of gram-negative bacteria by bactenecins

Bactenecins are a class of arginine-rich antibacterial peptides of bovine neutrophil granules. Two bactenecins with approximate molecular weights of 5,000 and 7,000 designated Bac5 and Bac7, respectively, exert in vitro a potent bactericidal activity toward several gram-negative bacteria (R. Gennaro, B. Skerlavaj, and D. Romeo, Infect. Immun. 57:3142-3146, 1989). We have now found that this activity shows an inverse relationship to the ionic strength of the medium and is inhibited by divalent cations and greatly potentiated by lactoferrin. Under conditions supporting marked bactericidal activity, the two peptides cause a rapid increase in the permeability of both the outer and inner membranes of Escherichia coli, as shown by unmasking of periplasmic beta-lactamase and of cytoplasmic beta-galactosidase. In addition, the two bactenecins inhibit the respiration of E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae but not of Bac5- and Bac7-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, they induce a drop in ATP content in E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Salmonella typhimurium and a marked decrease in the rates of transport and incorporation of [3H]leucine and [3H]uridine into E. coli protein and RNA, respectively. In general, all these effects become evident within 1 to 2 min and reach their maximal expression within about 5 min. Overall, these data strongly suggest that the decrease in bacterial viability is causally related to the increase in membrane permeability and the subsequent fall in respiration-linked proton motive force, with the attendant loss of cellular metabolites and macromolecular biosynthesis ability.

Prooxidant activity of transferrin and lactoferrin

Acceleration of the autoxidation of Fe2+ by apotransferrin or apolactoferrin at acid pH is indicated by the disappearance of Fe2+, the uptake of oxygen, and the binding of iron to transferrin or lactoferrin. The product(s) formed oxidize iodide to an iodinating species and are bactericidal to Escherichia coli. Toxicity to E. coli by FeSO4 (10(-5) M) and human apotransferrin (100 micrograms/ml) or human apolactoferrin (25 micrograms/ml) was optimal at acid pH (4.5-5.0) and with logarithmic phase organisms. Both the iodinating and bactericidal activities were inhibited by catalase and the hydroxyl radical (OH.) scavenger mannitol, whereas superoxide dismutase was ineffective. NaCl at 0.1 M inhibited bactericidal activity, but had little or no effect on iodination. Iodide increased the bactericidal activity of Fe2+ and apotransferrin or apolactoferrin. The formation of OH.was suggested by the formation of the OH.spin-trap adduct (5,5-dimethyl-1-pyroline N-oxide [DMPO]/OH)., with the spin trap DMPO and the formation of the methyl radical adduct on the further addition of dimethyl sulfoxide. (DMPO/OH).formation was inhibited by catalase, whereas superoxide dismutase had little or no effect. These findings suggest that Fe2+ and apotransferrin or apolactoferrin can generate OH.via an H2O2 intermediate with toxicity to microorganisms, and raise the possibility that such a mechanism may contribute to the microbicidal activity of phagocytes.

Bactenecins, defense polypeptides of bovine neutrophils, are generated from precursor molecules stored in the large granules

Bactenecins are highly cationic polypeptides of bovine neutrophil granules and exert in vitro a potent antimicrobial activity. We have previously purified two bactenecins, designated in an abbreviated form Bac7 and Bac5 from their approximate molecular masses of 7 and 5 kD (Gennaro, R., B. Skerlavaj, and D. Romeo. 1989. Infect. Immun. 57:3142-3146). Here we have studied the biosynthesis, processing, and localization of precursors of Bac7 and Bac5 in bovine bone marrow cells of the myeloid lineage. In vitro translation directed by mRNA isolated from these cells has shown that the primary translation products are preprobactenecins of 23.5 and 21 kD, and are processed to polypeptides of 20 and 15.8 kD, respectively. The 20-kD polypeptide is the granule storage form of Bac7, or proBac7, as also demonstrated by Western blot analysis of lysates of peripheral neutrophils. Between 15 and 50 min from the beginning of its biosynthesis the 15.8-kD polypeptide is converted into the 15-kD granule storage form of Bac5, or proBac5. As shown by immunogold EM, proBac7 and proBac5 are sorted and targeted to the matrix of the so called large granules, which are the predominant organelles in the cytoplasm of bovine neutrophils and are the exclusive store of the nonoxidative antimicrobial system of these cells. Solubilization of granules with Triton X-100 with concomitant unmasking of proteases leads to cleavage of the proforms to Bac7 and Bac5. Experiments performed with protease inhibitors suggest that the proteolytic cleavage is catalyzed in detergent-solubilized neutrophils by neutral serine protease(s), very likely derived from the azurophil granules.

Regulation of cGMP production by intracellular alkalinization in cultured rat inner medullary collecting duct cells

We evaluated the relationship between cell pH and cGMP production in cultured rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells. The cGMP level, 21 +/- 6, was not different in control vs. alkalinized cells, 49 +/- 17 fmol/mg protein (p greater than 0.5). 10(-11) M atrial natriuretic peptide (ANF) enhanced cGMP production in alkalinized cells, 426 +/- 34 vs. 141 +/- 9*. Conversely, alkalinization inhibited 10(-4)M nitroprusside (SNP) induced cGMP formation, 29 +/- 9 vs. 332 +/- 67*. Phosphodiesterase inhibition abolished the difference in cGMP production by ANF but did not reverse the inhibitory effect of alkalinization on SNP induced cGMP production. In rat renal inner medullary collecting duct cells, cellular alkalinization plays a significant role in the regulation of guanylate cyclase mediated cGMP production. * = p less than 0.05).

Azurocidin and a homologous serine protease from neutrophils. Differential antimicrobial and proteolytic properties

Two 29-kD polypeptides, azurocidin and p29b, were purified to homogeneity from human neutrophils by acid extraction of azurophil granule membrane-associated material followed by gel filtration and reverse-phase chromatography. Azurocidin and p29b share NH2-terminal sequence homology with each other as well as with elastase, cathepsin G, and other serine proteases. p29b bound [3H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate and hydrolyzed elastin, casein, and hemoglobin. A peptide substrate for p29b could not be identified. Azurocidin neither bound [3H]diisopropyl fluorophosphate nor hydrolyzed any of the proteins, peptides, or esters tested. In microbicidal assays, purified azurocidin was comparable to p29b in activity against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of azurocidin was enhanced under mildly acidic conditions, but was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by NaCl, CaCl2, or serum. Immunoblot analysis with monospecific antibodies localized greater than 90% of the azurocidin and greater than 75% of the p29b to azurophil granule-rich fractions of PMN lysates. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the localization of azurocidin to the azurophil granules. Azurocidin associated with the azurophil granule membrane, but did not appear to be an integral membrane protein. Thus, azurocidin and p29b are members of a family of serine protease homologs stored in azurophil granules and may play a role in inflammatory and antimicrobial processes involving PMN.

The chlorinating activity of human myeloperoxidase: high initial activity at neutral pH value and activation by electron donors

The steady-state activity of myeloperoxidase in the chlorination of monochlorodimedone at neutral pH was investigated. Using a stopped-flow spectrophotometer we were able to show that the enzymic activity at pH 7.2 rapidly declined in time. During the first 50-100 ms after addition of H2O2 to the enzyme, a turnover number of about 320 s-1 per haem was observed. However, this activity decreased rapidly to a value of about 25s-1 after 1 s. This shows that in classical steady-state activity measurements, the real activity of the enzyme at neutral pH is grossly underestimated. By following the transient spectra of myeloperoxidase during turnover it was shown that the decrease in activity was probably caused by the formation of an enzymically inactive form of the enzyme, Compound II. As demonstrated before (Bolscher, B.G.J.M., Zoutberg, G.R., Cuperus, R.A. and Wever, R. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 784, 189-191) reductants such as ascorbic acid and ferrocyanide convert Compound II, which accumulates during turnover, into active myeloperoxidase. Activity measurements in the presence of ascorbic acid showed, indeed, that the moderate enzymic activity was higher than in the absence of ascorbic acid. With 5-aminosalicylic acid present, however, the myeloperoxidase activity remained at a much higher level, namely about 150 s-1 per haem during the time interval from 100 ms to 5 s after mixing. From combined stopped-flow/rapid-scan experiments during turnover it became clear that in the presence of 5-aminosalicylic acid the initially formed Compound II was rapidly converted back to native enzyme. Presteady-state experiments showed that 5-aminosalicylic acid reacted with Compound II with a K2 of 3.2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1, whereas for ascorbic acid a K2 of 1.5 x 10(4) M-1.s-1 was measured at pH 7.2. In the presence of 5-aminosalicylic acid during the time interval in which the myeloperoxidase activity remained constant, a Km for H2O2 at pH 7.2 was determined of about 30 microM at 200 mM chloride. In the absence of reductants the same value was found during the first 100 ms after addition of H2O2 to the enzyme. The physiological consequences of these findings are discussed.

Defensins

Defensins are a family of small, variably cationic proteins which are highly abundant in the granules of mammalian phagocytes. Three defensins, HNP-1, 2, and 3, comprise 30-50% of total protein in azurophil granules of human neutrophils. Some defensins are broadly antimicrobial, antiviral and cytotoxic, while others are chemotactic, opsonic, or may modulate hormonal responses. The defensin molecule typically consists of 29-34 amino acids with a conserved pattern of disulfide linkage among its 6 cysteines. The three-dimensional fold of defensins forms a highly amphiphilic molecule. Microbicidal and cytotoxic properties of defensins are most likely a consequence of their ability to insert into biological membranes and to generate pores. Defensins are synthesized by phagocytes or their precursors as a 94-95 amino acid charge-neutralized preprodefensin, an arrangement which may avoid cytotoxic injury to the phagocyte. Although defensins were recognized only recently, the existence of homologs in certain invertebrates suggests that they are ancestral components of the host defense system.

Isoniazid-mediated irreversible inhibition of the myeloperoxidase antimicrobial system of the human neutrophil and the effect of thyronines

During aerobic myeloperoxidase-catalysed oxidation of isoniazid at pH 7.8, compound III was generated. Oxidation of isoniazid or hydrazine sulphate at pH values of 6.5 or 7.8 in a myeloperoxidase-H2O2 system caused considerable haem loss, which was associated with compound III formation. Haem loss and also compound III formation could be inhibited when 8 microM thyroxine was included in the reaction mixtures. During the reaction with isoniazid, an intense pink-coloured pigment with maximum absorbance at 500 nm was formed which could be bleached with ascorbate or hypochlorous acid. The pigment was more stable at pH 7.8 than at pH 6.5. A similar pink colour was generated when a mixture of isoniazid and thyroxine in alkaline solution was irradiated with light of wavelength greater than 300 nm. A possible product of thyroxine oxidation, 3,5-diiodotyrosine, could not protect the enzyme against isoniazid-mediated haem loss and no colour formation was observed. Haem loss was most extensive when isoniazid was oxidised in a myeloperoxidase system at pH 7.8 in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl. Thyroxine (8 microM), however, could still inhibit haem loss under these conditions. A good correlation was found between haem loss and irreversible loss of peroxidase activity.

The electron transport chain of the microbicidal oxidase of phagocytic cells and its involvement in the molecular pathology of chronic granulomatous disease

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Effect of intracellular Na+ on platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization

The effects of ionophores, which can carry alkali metal cations, on platelet aggregation were examined. At an alkaline extracellular pH, alkali metal cation/H+ exchanger nigericin accelerated aggregation in K+-enriched medium, whereas it rather inhibited aggregation in Na+-enriched medium, even though the intracellular pH was only slightly alkaline. The inhibitory effect of Na+ on platelet aggregation was more clearly shown with the alkali metal cation exchanger gramicidin D. The ionophore had no effect or a slightly accelerative effect on aggregation in K+-enriched medium, whereas it significantly inhibited aggregation induced by thrombin, ADP and platelet activating factor in Na+-enriched medium. Fluorescence studies on fura-2-labeled platelets revealed that in Na+-enriched medium gramicidin D inhibited agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization both in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. These results suggest that the intracellular Na+ inhibits platelet aggregation by inhibiting Ca2+ mobilization.

New, simple flow cytometry technique to discriminate between internalized and membrane-bound particles in phagocytosis

This report describes a new flow cytometry technique to measure phagocytic activity and discriminate simultaneously between internalized and membrane-bound particles. Fluorescein-conjugated heat-killed Candida albicans (F-Ca) are opsonized with purified antibodies or normal human serum and used as targets for human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN). The procedure is based on the observation that F-Ca lose their green fluorescence and acquire red fluorescence upon incubation with ethidium bromide (EB) through the resonance energy-transfer phenomenon occurring between the two fluorochromes. PMN are incubated with opsonized F-Ca particles for 20 min at 37 degrees C or, as a control, at 4 degrees C and in the presence of cytochalasin B, an inhibitor of the phagocytic process that does not affect membrane binding of F-Ca. EB is added, and green and red fluorescence associated with PMN is evaluated using a mercury-lamp-powered instrument. Because EB does not penetrate intact cell membranes, internalized particles are not affected by EB and remain green, whereas membrane-bound particles assume an intense red stain. By means of contour plot analysis, the number of PMN containing and/or binding F-Ca particles can be readily assessed. The method described here allows precise quantitative analysis of the phagocytic process on the part of human PMN in a single, one-step assay that does not require sophisticated instrumentation or reagents and should prove to become a test suitable for clinical purposes.

Neutrophil dysfunction after thermal injury: alteration of phagolysosomal acidification in patients with large burns

The neutrophil phagolysosomal acidification during phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus was examined in six patients with large burns, using a flow cytometric technique allowing the simultaneous measurement of phagocytosis and phagolysosomal pH. The kinetics of neutrophil phagolysosomal acidification were altered during the first 20 days following injury, as the initial alkalinization of the phagolysosomes documented in control neutrophils could not be demonstrated in patient cells. Only at discharge and follow-up were the kinetics of phagolysosomal acidification normal. In addition, measurements of neutrophil maximal phagolysosomal acidification showed a lower pH in patient phagolysosomes than in the controls during the first 5 days of hospitalization. The changes of phagolysosomal acidification did not correlate with the alterations of neutrophil maturity or phagocytic capacity. The results demonstrate alterations of an oxygen-independent microbicidal mechanism in neutrophils from patients with large burns, which may contribute to the reduced capacity of neutrophil intracellular killing following thermal injury.

Regulation of intracellular calcium by cell pH in vascular smooth muscle cells

Intracellular calcium (Cai2+) and intracellular pH (pHi) are important regulators of a variety of intracellular processes. Cai2+ is a regulator of muscle contraction, but the role of pHi is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of alterations of pHi on Cai2+. A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were grown to confluence on glass cover slips. Cai2+ was determined with the fluorescent probe fura-2 and pHi with 2,7-bis-carboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxy-fluorescein (BCECF). Alkalinization of the VSMC by exposure to 20 mM NH4Cl (delta pHi 0.41 +/- 0.07) resulted in a rise in Cai2+ from 99 +/- 8 to 146 +/- 13 nM (n = 5) in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ (Cao2+). In the absence of Cao2+, NH4Cl-induced alkalinization also resulted in a Cai2+ rise (delta Cai2+ = 26 +/- 4 nM, n = 5). Similar changes in Cai2+ were observed when cells were alkalinized by exposure to nigericin in a KCl buffer (pH 7.7). Neither 100 microM verapamil or 100 microM 8,8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate HCl (TMB-8) altered the alkaline-induced changes. After cellular Ca2+ stores were partially depleted by exposure to AVP in a Ca2+-free solution, subsequent cell alkalinization induced no changes in Cai2+. These results demonstrate that alkalinization of VSMCs leads to a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ via release of intracellular Ca2+ stores. The intracellular Ca2+ storage sites appear to be the same as those sites sensitive to AVP. Thus pHi may regulate Cai2+ and thereby play a role in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone.

Leukocytic oxygen activation and microbicidal oxidative toxins

Following a brief introduction of cellular response to stimulation comprising leukocyte activation, three major areas are discussed: (1) the neutrophil oxidase; (2) myeloperoxidase (MPO)-dependent oxidative microbicidal reactions; and (3) MPO-independent oxidative reactions. Topics included in section (A) are current views on the activation mechanism, redox composition, structural and topographic organization of the oxidase, and its respiratory products. In section (B), emphasis is placed on recent research on cidal mechanisms of HOCl, including the oxidative biochemistry of active chlorine compounds, identification of sites of lesions in bacteria, and attendant metabolic consequences. In section (C), we review the (bio)chemistry of H2O2 and .OH microbicidal reactions, with particular attention being given to addressing the controversial issue of probe methods to identify .OH radical and critical assessment of the recent proposal that MPO-independent killing arises from site-specific metal-catalyzed Fenton-type chemistry.

The inhibitory effect of acetaminophen on the myeloperoxidase-induced antimicrobial system of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte

Acetaminophen binds via its acetamido side chain to purified myeloperoxidase in a pH-dependent manner and maximum binding occurred around pH 6. The H2O2-dependent myeloperoxidase-catalysed polymerization products of acetaminophen had excitation maxima at 304 nm and 334 nm in acid and alkaline solutions, respectively, and an intense blue fluorescence maximum at 426 nm. Acetaminophen can compete effectively with Cl- as myeloperoxidase substrate and thus HOCl formation is suppressed while HOCl, nevertheless present, can be scavenged by the drug. In this way the microbicidal action of the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-Cl- system can be seriously limited in the presence of high concentrations of acetaminophen. To study the effect of acetaminophen on peptide bond splitting in the myeloperoxidase antimicrobial system, thyroglobulin was used as a model peptide. Peptide bond splitting was inhibited at acetaminophen concentrations below the accepted toxic range for plasma values.

Dimorphism-associated changes in intracellular pH of Candida albicans

Intracellular pH (pHi) was monitored during pH-regulated dimorphism of Candida albicans using two different methods: (1) by steady-state distribution of propionic acid and (2) by use of polyene antibiotic, nystatin. There was no significant change in pHi during the first 120 min in either bud- or germ tube-forming populations. However, there was a rapid increase around 135 min which also coincided with the time of evagination. The magnitude of increase in pHi was different in the two populations; being 0.44 and 0.14 pH units in bud- and germ tube-forming populations, respectively. In the two diverging populations, the transient increase in pHi was followed by a rapid drop. The sharp rise in pHi of the population destined to form buds was sensitive to orthovanadate and to the depletion of K+ from the medium while this was not the case with germ tube-forming cells. The results suggest that pHi may play an important role in the phenotypic divergence of C. albicans.

Oxygen concentration in milk of healthy and mastitic cows and implications of low oxygen tension for the killing of Staphylococcus aureus by bovine neutrophils

The partial pressure of O2 in milk from normal cows and from cows with mastitis was measured and the concentrations of O2 calculated. Oxygen levels of milk from normal cows were similar to those in venous plasma, but inflammation of the mammary gland led to a dramatic drop in O2 concentration to less than 10% of control values. Intracellular survival of Staphylococcus aureus strain M60 in bovine neutrophils was greater under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. The implications of low O2 concentrations in milk from infected mammary glands for the bactericidal activity of bovine neutrophils is discussed.

The bactericidal effects of the respiratory burst and the myeloperoxidase system isolated in neutrophil cytoplasts

Neutrophil polymorphonuclear leucocytes kill bacteria by oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent mechanisms. Many potentially toxic mechanisms have been described, but the complexity of the phagosomal environment and the synergy between oxidative and non-oxidative systems hamper the investigation of individual bactericidal mechanism in whole cells. Neutrophil cytoplasts are greatly depleted of granule proteins and permit the investigation of the bactericidal effects of the respiratory burst in isolation. In this study they have been used to examine the role of the respiratory burst and myeloperoxidase in oxygen-dependent killing of Staphylococcus aureus. Cytoplasts generated oxygen radicals at comparable rates to human neutrophils and phagocytosed but did not kill S. aureus. The selective reconstitution of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-halide system by coating bacteria with myeloperoxidase conferred on cytoplasts the ability to kill intracellular bacteria. However, extracellular killing by diffusible bactericidal factors was not detected in this system.

Sindbis virus infection decreases intracellular pH: alkaline medium inhibits processing of Sindbis virus polyproteins

Infection of baby hamster kidney cells by Sindbis virus, an alphavirus, resulted in a decrease in the intracellular pH of approximately 0.5 units within the first 1-2 hr after infection as measured either by equilibrium labeling with [14C]benzoic acid or by use of a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, 2,7-bis-carboxyethyl-5,6-carboxyfluorescein-acetooxymethyl ester. In contrast, intralysosomal pH, as measured using an endocytized pH-sensitive probe, fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran, was not altered by Sindbis virus infection. Production of Sindbis virus was reduced by more than 90% and post-translational processing of Sindbis virus envelope precursors was inhibited in infected cells incubated in alkaline medium.

A pulse radiolysis investigation of the reactions of myeloperoxidase with superoxide and hydrogen peroxide

Using pulse radiolysis, the rate constant for the reaction of ferric myeloperoxidase with O2- to give compound III was measured at pH 7.8, and values of 2.1.10(6) M-1.s-1 for equine ferric myeloperoxidase and 1.1.10(6) M-1.s-1 for human ferric myeloperoxidase were obtained. Under the same conditions, the rate constant for the reaction of human ferric myeloperoxidase with H2O2 to give compound I was 3.1.10(7) M-1.s-1. Our results indicate that although the reaction of ferric myeloperoxidase with O2- is an order of magnitude slower than with H2O2, the former reaction is sufficiently rapid to influence myeloperoxidase-dependent production of hypochlorous acid by stimulated neutrophils.

Chloroquine interaction with inflammatory human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

The molecular in vitro association of radiolabelled chloroquine (CQ) with both normal resting and inflammatory polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was measured. For this purpose a suitable ligand-association assay was developed to measure the cell association and the intracellular concentration of CQ. Under the influence of inflammatory stimuli PMNs display altered interaction with CQ. The intracellular concentration of CQ is reduced with 30 to 40% under inflammatory (disease) states when compared with non-inflammatory conditions. The mechanisms of CQ-PMN interaction associated with these altered intracellular concentrations of CQ are considered, with particular attention to the effects of rheumatic disease. Association experiments of CQ with PMNs performed in the presence of different established transport inhibitors showed that both diffusive uptake and carrier-mediated transport are involved in the cell accumulation of CQ in inflammatory PMNs. From these results, emphasis is given to three explanations for the decrease of the intracellular CQ concentration in inflamed PMNs. a) the expansion of the PMN volume under inflammatory conditions; b) the cytoplasmic or lysosomal pH changes and activation of the PMN Na+/H+ antiport by inflammatory stimuli; and c) the exocytic release of the granules (degranulation). Our data suggest that all these mechanisms, based on the events involved in inflammatory responses, may be involved in the decrease of the intracellular CQ concentration in inflammatory PMNs.