Production of hydrogen peroxide by cutaneous T-cell lymphoma following photopheresis with psoralens and ultraviolet light

Involvement of oxygen radicals in cytarabine-induced apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear cells

We investigated apoptosis in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) induced by cytarabine (Ara-C). This drug increased apoptosis by 100% with respect to the controls after 3 hr of incubation. This increase was inhibited by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI). Ara-C alone caused an early increase (after a 30-min incubation) in intracellular oxidant generation (inhibitable by rotenone, fumonisin b1, and DPI) and in protein tyrosine phosphorylations (inhibitable by NAC). The drug also affected the observed reduction of dimethylthiazol diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). No extracellular release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was elicited by the addition of Ara-C, while the drug increased the release of ROS by N-formyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-(f-MLP) but not phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated PMNs. This phenomenon was abolished by the addition of genistein, whereas such an effect was not observed following the addition of 1-(5-isoquinolynilsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7). Ara-C induced ROS release from PMNs in the presence of subthreshold concentrations of f-MLP (priming effect). These results indicate that intracellular ROS production from mitochondria promotes Ara-C-induced apoptosis. Ara-C primes plasma membranes by a mechanism involving protein tyrosine phosphorylations and may also contribute to ROS generation from the granules.

*NO, RSNO, ONOO-, NO+, *NOO, NOx--dynamic regulation of oxidant scavenging, nitric oxide stores, and cyclic GMP-independent cell signaling

Following its release from nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide seldom perfuses the cytosol; rather this reactive mediator quickly interacts with available target molecules proximate to its site of release. Within the cell, virtually every component, low-molecular-weight oxidants and reductants, proteins, lipids, sugars, and nucleic acids can be modified by nitrogen oxides thus acting as potential targets for reactive nitrogen oxides. Adducts formed by nitrogen oxides often modulate the cellular activities of the target molecules, and these modified molecules may be differentially metabolized or localized. The formation of nitrogen oxide adducts can be a reversible process, and the reactive nitrogen species released may be specifically oxidized or reduced during the process. Recently, numerous studies have demonstrated that reversible nitration of cellular proteins acts to transduce molecular signals regulating such diverse processes as muscle contraction, neurotransmission, protein metabolism, and apoptosis. The vast numbers of molecules that undergo biologically relevant interactions with nitrogen oxides imply that the cellular concentration of nitrosated and nitrated species may effectively comprise a reserve or cellular store. Potentially, these nitroso reserves function as critical components of the overall redox status of the intracellular environs. Understanding the dynamic regulation of nitric oxide/nitrogen oxides release from these stores is likely to provide clues important in resolving the complex pathophysiology of poorly understood multifactorial disorders, including neurodegeneration, multiorgan failure, cardiomyopathy, and septic shock.

Negative feedback regulation of activated macrophages via Fas-mediated apoptosis

Apoptosis is a critical event for eliminating activated macrophages. Here we show that Fas-mediated apoptosis may participate in the mechanism of negative feedback regulation of activated macrophages. Cytokine-activated macrophages released high levels of nitric oxide (NO) that induced apoptosis in macrophages themselves. This NO-induced macrophage apoptosis was inhibited by a Fas-Fc chimeric molecule that binds to Fas ligand (FasL) and prevents its interaction with endogenous cell surface Fas. High levels of NO stimulated the release of the soluble form of FasL that was inhibited by a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor KB-8301. High levels of NO also upregulated the expression of Fas mRNA in macrophages. In addition, macrophages isolated from Fas-lacking mice were resistant to NO-induced apoptosis. Finally, inhibition of apoptosis by a caspase inhibitor augmented peroxide production from activated macrophages. These findings suggest that high levels of NO released from activated macrophages may promote the Fas-mediated macrophage apoptosis that may be a negative feedback mechanism for elimination and the downregulation of activated macrophages in the vessel wall.

Alcohol-induced thymocyte apoptosis is accompanied by impaired mitochondrial function

This study examines the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on thymic apoptosis with or without pretreatment with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Apoptotic cell death of thymocytes was monitored by DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis and the appearance of apoptotic cells by flow cytometry. Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as indicated by 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide [DiOC6(3)] uptake, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production as indicated by oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluresin diacetate (DCFH-DA), were used to assess altered mitochondrial function. Glutathione levels were also determined to obtain information concerning alterations in the antioxidant potential in the cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed a nutritionally adequate liquid diet for 8-9 weeks, were divided in four groups: 1) saline-injected, diet controls; 2) LPS-injected, diet controls; 3) saline-injected, alcohol-consuming; and 4) LPS-injected, alcohol-consuming animals. LPS (0.5 mg/kg in 4 ml saline) or saline (4 ml) was continuously infused i.v. for 12 h before the experiments. The results showed that the weight and cell numbers of thymus from the chronic alcoholic rats were significantly less than values found in diet controls. Administration of LPS aggravated thymic apoptosis, as indicated by the presence of significant DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis and increased rate of apoptotic cells in flow cytometry. The alcohol-induced apoptotic changes were also accompanied by decreased MMP, indicating impaired mitochondrial function. Although H2O2 production by the total thymocyte population did not show marked changes among the experimental groups, the subpopulation of thymocytes exhibiting low H2O2 production was increased markedly in the LPS-treated groups. Ethanol consumption or LPS treatment decreased total glutathione concentration in the thymocytes. In summary, 1) chronic administration of alcohol induces atrophy of the thymus gland; 2) apoptosis is a major factor in thymic atrophy under these conditions; 3) chronic alcohol consumption is accompanied by alterations in mitochondrial function of the thymocytes, as indicated by decreased MMP and an increase in the low H2O2-producing cell subpopulation; 4) chronic alcohol abuse may impair intracellular defense mechanisms as reflected by the depletion of the intracellular antioxidant, glutathione; and 5) administration of LPS further enhances thymic apoptosis in chronic alcohol-consuming rats, suggesting that the dual insults of infection and chronic alcoholism exaggerate in vivo immunosuppression.

Psoralen photobiology: recent advances

Clinical efficacy may arise from psoralen-induced photodamage by the induction of a panoply of biomolecules. In cellular studies with UV or photoactivatable agents, the activation of NF-kappa B, probably the most widely studied transcription factor, occurs after its release from an inhibiting factor, I kappa B. The activation of transcription factors has also been correlated with the UV absorption spectrum of DNA (35). Furthermore, it was shown that the photoadducts do not need to be processed or repaired because transcription factor induction is observed in repair-deficient cells. In these latter cells lower UV doses are required to induce these transcription factors. As a result of transcription factor induction, treated cells may have a greater number of class I molecules on their surface and an altered cytokine profile. It is possible (and likely) that these effects occur in different cells to different extents. The important message is that activational events may occur that could alter the cell's (or cells') ability to regulate a disease process. Many studies have shown that the time frame for this type of damage-induced event may range from seconds to minutes (36). Clearly 8-MOP/UVA-induced events such as those described above could be initiated as the result of a single photochemotherapy session.

Decreased production of reactive oxygen intermediates is an early event during in vitro apoptosis of rat thymocytes

Thymocyte apoptosis is one of the best characterized experimental models of apoptosis that can be induced by a variety of stimuli such as glucocorticoids, ionizing radiation, antibodies, and toxins. Recently, it has been suggested that oxidative stress is a common mediator of apoptosis. However, little is known about the production and possible function of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) in thymocytes. We used a highly sensitive flow cytometric assay with the hydrogen peroxide-sensitive dye, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA), to measure intracellular ROI production in rat thymocytes, to study its primary sources, and to compare ROI levels in normal and apoptotic thymocytes. Apoptosis was induced by incubating the cells in the presence or absence of dexamethasone (Dex) at 37 degrees C in vitro. Normal thymocytes spontaneously produced significant amounts of ROI. Catalase or superoxide dismutase did not affect this intracellular fluorescence, presumably due to their failure to penetrate into the cells. However, N-acetyl-L-cysteine significantly attenuated the fluorescence in a dose-dependent manner. Significant inhibition of the intracellular fluorescence was also observed by addition of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), that could not be reversed by L-arginine. The addition of N-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME) also caused considerable inhibition. This indicates that the inhibition by L-NAME or D-NAME is due to a direct scavenging effect, and nitric oxide production is not likely to be involved. In contrast to neutrophils and macrophages whose superoxide anions are released from membrane-bound NADPH oxidase, the production of ROI in thymocytes is likely to originate mainly from mitochondria, as indicated by the inhibitory effect of the addition of rotenone or antimycin A. The addition of lymphocyte simulators phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) enhanced intracellular fluorescence of thymocytes. This increase was abrogated by addition of rotenone or antimycin A. The ROI production was decreased with time after incubation of the thymocytes for 1, 3, and 6 h in vitro. The appearance of apoptosis of thymocytes in vitro, as indicated by DNA content of cells by flow cytometry and DNA ladder formation in agarose gel electrophoresis, was delayed, as compared to the time course of the decreased ROI production. The addition of Dex to the culture medium accelerated both of these processes. The results suggest that a decreased spontaneous production of ROI in thymocytes precedes the spontaneous in vitro apoptosis and Dex exaggerates these changes.

Satisfactory remission achieved by PUVA therapy in a case of crisis-type adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma with generalized cutaneous leukaemic cell infiltration

We used PUVA therapy in a patient with crisis-type adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma and generalized cutaneous leukaemic cell infiltration. PUVA proved very effective in reducing leukaemic cells and in clearing the eruption. To understand the way in which PUVA produced a reduction in the number of leukaemic cells, we examined peripheral blood cells by light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy was of little help, but electron microscopy revealed that PUVA induced apoptosis-like changes in circulating leukaemic cells. This suggests that apoptosis-like changes in leukaemic cells might be the reason for the success of this treatment.

Characterization of lethal action of near-ultraviolet on retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro

The lethal effect of near ultraviolet (NUV) with low intensity on cultured RPE cells has been investigated. RPE cultures with various cell densities were exposed to NUV (peaking at 365 nm) with or without ambient oxygen in phenol-red-free Dulbecco's PBS containing Ca2+, Mg2+ and glucose (PBS+). The cell viability was determined by dye exclusion and was expressed as cell death ratio (CDR, dead cells/total cells). When RPE cells at 5 x 10(3) cells/cm2, a non-contact low density, were irradiated either at a fixed irradiance (900 microW/cm2) with different exposure times (4 to 8h) or vice versa (8 h with irradiance from 430 to 900 microW/cm2), the change of CDR represented a similar linear function. The replotted data from both the time- and the irradiance-dependent curves indicated that the killing of RPE cells is dependent on the total energy dose of NUV. When a single NUV energy (19.44 J/cm2) was used, CDR was RPE cell density dependent. At confluence, NUV at the highest dosage tested (26 J/cm2) did not show any lethality. An oxygen-free condition abolished the NUV lethality on RPE cells even though the RPE cells were at a non-contact state. The presence of an antioxidant enzyme, catalase, in oxygen-saturated PBS+ protected RPE cells against NUV killing, but superoxide dismutase did not protect the RPE cells against NUV killing. These findings demonstrate that NUV possesses a lethal effect on RPE cells in vitro. Two key factors determine the magnitude and nature of this lethal effect: first, total NUV energy dose determines the nature of NUV's lethal effect; second, RPE growth conditions suggest the importance of cell-cell interaction in protecting these cells from NUV injury. Because an oxygen-free condition abolishes NUV lethality, it suggests that the oxidative stress is directly related to NUV lethal action. The selective inhibition by catalase of NUV killing of RPE cells suggests that the killing is oxidative species specific. NUV radiation might be highly risky to RPE viability in vivo, especially when the integrity of the RPE layer has been lost.

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.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms in photochemical sensitization: studies on the mechanism of action of psoralens

The interaction of chemicals and light to induce sensitization reactions in the skin is a complex multistep process resulting in physiological changes in both the dermal and epidermal cell layers as well as characteristic inflammatory reactions. It is becoming increasingly apparent that an array of growth factors and cytokines acting on different components of the skin are involved in the regulation of these processes. One of the best characterized classes of chemical photosensitizers are the psoralens, a group of compounds that must be activated by UV light in wavelengths ranging from 320 to 400 nm (UVA) to initiate their biological actions. Recent evidence suggests that the ability of the psoralens to induce sensitization reactions, which include alterations in epidermal cell growth and differentiation, is highly specific and due to interactions with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Specific receptor proteins for the psoralens have been identified in cytoplasmic and membrane fractions of responsive cells. Binding of psoralens to these proteins is of high affinity and reversible. UVA light causes psoralens to photoalkylate their receptors, a process thought to activate the receptor. One early biochemical event at the cell surface membrane linked to psoralen-receptor activation is the inhibition of EGF binding and alterations in the structure and function of the EGF receptor. These findings suggest that the cell surface membrane is an important target for chemical photosensitizers such as the psoralens. In addition, since photoactivated psoralens modulate epidermal cell growth and differentiation, the ability of these compounds to modify the function of the EGF receptor may underlie their biological activity as chemical photosensitizers.

Normal oxidative activity and chemotaxis of circulating neutrophils in patients treated with photopheresis

In photopheresis peripheral leukocytes are exposed to photoactivated 8-methoxypsoralen in an extra-corporeal flow system. The present study was performed to characterize the effect of photopheresis upon the function of peripheral circulating neutrophils. Superoxide generating capacity and chemotactic ability of peripheral circulating neutrophils were tested in seven patients immediately before and after treatment with photopheresis. Superoxide generation stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) and fMLP-induced chemotaxis were found not to be influenced by photopheresis. We conclude that circulating neutrophils obtained from patients treated with photopheresis possess normal superoxide-generating capacity and chemotactic ability.