Similarity of kinetics of three types of myeloperoxidase from human leukocytes and four types from HL-60 cells

Essentials in saline pharmacology for nasal or respiratory hygiene in times of COVID-19

PURPOSE

Nasal irrigation or nebulizing aerosol of isotonic or hypertonic saline is a traditional method for respiratory or nasal care. A recent small study in outpatients with COVID-19 without acute respiratory distress syndrome suggests substantial symptom resolution. We therefore analyzed pharmacological/pharmacodynamic effects of isotonic or hypertonic saline, relevant to SARS-CoV-2 infection and respiratory care.

METHODS

Mixed search method.

RESULTS

Due to its wetting properties, saline achieves an improved spreading of alveolar lining fluid and has been shown to reduce bio-aerosols and viral load. Saline provides moisture to respiratory epithelia and gels mucus, promotes ciliary beating, and improves mucociliary clearance. Coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 damage ciliated epithelium in the nose and airways. Saline inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero cells; possible interactions involve the viral ACE2-entry mechanism (chloride-dependent ACE2 configuration), furin and 3CLpro (inhibition by NaCl), and the sodium channel ENaC. Saline shifts myeloperoxidase activity in epithelial or phagocytic cells to produce hypochlorous acid. Clinically, nasal or respiratory airway care with saline reduces symptoms of seasonal coronaviruses and other common cold viruses. Its use as aerosol reduces hospitalization rates for bronchiolitis in children. Preliminary data suggest symptom reduction in symptomatic COVID-19 patients if saline is initiated within 48 h of symptom onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Saline interacts at various levels relevant to nasal or respiratory hygiene (nasal irrigation, gargling or aerosol). If used from the onset of common cold symptoms, it may represent a useful add-on to first-line interventions for COVID-19. Formal evaluation in mild COVID-19 is desirable as to establish efficacy and optimal treatment regimens.

[Enzymatic and bactericidal activity of monomeric and dimeric forms of myeloperoxidase]

This study was carried out to compare the enzymatic and bactericidal activity of mature, dimeric myeloperoxidase (MPO) and its monomeric form. Dimeric MPO was isolated from HL-60 cells. Hemi-MPO obtained from dimeric MPO by reductive cleavage of a disulfide bond between protomeric subunits was used as the monomeric form. Both peroxidase and halogenating (chlorinating) activities of MPO were assayed, each of them by two methods. Bactericidal activity of the MPO/Н2О2/Cl- system was tested using the Escherichia coli laboratory strain DH5a. No difference in the enzymatic and bactericidal activity between dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO was found. Both forms of the enzyme also did not differ in the resistance to HOCl, the main product of MPO. HOCl caused a dose-dependent decrease in peroxidase and chlorinating activity, and the pattern of this decrease was identical for dimeric MPO and hemi-MPO. At equal heme concentration, a somewhat higher bactericidal effect was observed for the hemi-MPO/Н2О2/Cl- system compared with the dimeric MPO/Н2О2/Cl- system. However, this is most likely not related to some specific property of hemi-MPO and can be accounted for by the higher probability of contacting between bacterial surface and hemi-MPO molecules due to their two-fold greater number relative to that of dimeric MPO molecules at the same heme concentration. By using Western-blotting with antibodies to MPO, we showed, for the first time, that the dimeric molecule of MPO could be cleaved into two monomeric subunits by HOCl, most probably due to oxidation of the disulfide bond between these subunits. This finding suggests that appearance in blood of MPO corresponding in mass to its monomer may result from the damage of dimeric MPO by reactive halogen species, especially upon their overproduction underlying oxidative/halogenative stress in inflammatory diseases.

Clinical features of patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies targeting native myeloperoxidase antigen

OBJECTIVES

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) are useful diagnostic markers in systemic vasculitic disorders with small-vessel involvement, but depending on the particular test used, the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA results are variable. In the present study, we performed a comparative analysis between our originally developed nMPO-ANCA assay that targets the native MPO antigen and other commercially available assays using sera of patients with clinical features of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV).

METHODS

Sera of 24 patients strongly suspected of having AAV were examined for the presence of MPO-ANCAs by our nMPO-ANCA assay and by other commercial-based MPO-ANCA assays. These results were correlated to indirect immunofluorescence microscopy staining patterns and patient clinical parameters.

RESULTS

Eighteen out of 24 patients (75 %) were positive for nMPO-ANCA, compared with 13 out of 24 patients (54 %) by one of the most frequently used commercial-based MPO-ANCA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in Japan. Interestingly, the patients who tested positive with our nMPO-ANCA assay alone showed clinical features of AAV marked by continuous fever, polyarthritis, and mild nephritis. The titers of nMPO-ANCA decreased in association with clinical improvement after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that a positive nMPO-ANCA result, which identifies antibodies to human native MPO antigen, correlates with AAV disease activity. Moreover, the nMPO-ANCA test has clinical utility in detecting AAV-affected patients who have tested negative using commercially available assays.

Contribution of neutrophil-derived myeloperoxidase in the early phase of fulminant acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by influenza virus infection

Because the pathogenesis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by influenza virus infection remains unknown, we can only improve on existing therapeutic interventions. To approach the subject, we investigated immunological etiology focused on cytokines and an acute lung damage factor in influenza-induced ARDS by using a PR-8 (A/H1N1)-infected mouse model. The infected mouse showed fulminant severe pneumonia with leukocyte infiltration, claudin alteration on tight junctions, and formation of hyaline membranes. In addition to interferon (IFN)-α, plenty of keratinocyte-derived chemokines (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were significantly released into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model. We focused on neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a potent tissue damage factor and examined its contribution in influenza pneumonia by using mice genetically lacking in MPO. The absence of MPO reduced inflammatory damage with suppression of leakage of total BALF proteins associated with alteration of claudins in the lung. MPO(-/-) mice also suppressed viral load in the lung. The present study suggests that MPO-mediated OCl(-) generation affects claudin molecules and leads to protein leakage and viral spread as a damage factor in influenza-induced ARDS.

Identification and characterization of VPO1, a new animal heme-containing peroxidase

Animal heme-containing peroxidases play roles in innate immunity, hormone biosynthesis, and the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Using the peroxidase-like domain of Duox1 as a query, we carried out homology searching of the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Two novel heme-containing peroxidases were identified in humans and mice. One, termed VPO1 for vascular peroxidase 1, exhibits its highest tissue expression in heart and vascular wall. A second, VPO2, present in humans but not in mice, is 63% identical to VPO1 and is highly expressed in heart. The peroxidase homology region of VPO1 shows 42% identity to myeloperoxidase and 57% identity to the insect peroxidase peroxidasin. A molecular model of the VPO1 peroxidase region reveals a structure very similar to that of known peroxidases, including a conserved heme binding cavity, critical catalytic residues, and a calcium binding site. The absorbance spectra of VPO1 are similar to those of lactoperoxidase, and covalent attachment of the heme to VPO1 protein was demonstrated by chemiluminescent heme staining. VPO1 purified from heart or expressed in HEK cells is catalytically active, with a K(m) for H(2)O(2) of 1.5 mM. When co-expressed in cells, VPO1 can use H(2)O(2) produced by NADPH oxidase enzymes. VPO1 is likely to carry out peroxidative reactions previously attributed exclusively to myeloperoxidase in the vascular system.

Biodiversity of voltage sensor domain proteins

The six-transmembrane type voltage-gated ion channels play an essential role in neuronal excitability, muscle contraction, and secretion. The voltage sensor domain (VSD) is the key element of voltage-gated ion channels for sensing transmembrane potential, and has been studied at the levels of both biophysics and protein structure. Two recently identified proteins containing VSD without a pore domain showed unexpected biological roles: regulation of phosphatase activity and proton permeation. These proteins not only provide novel platforms to understand mechanisms of voltage sensing and ion permeation but also highlight previously unappreciated roles of membrane potential in non-neuronal cells.

Arginine to cysteine mutation (R499C) found in a Japanese patient with complete myeloperoxidase deficiency

Animal models suggest that a deficiency in myeloperoxidase (MPO; EC 1.11.1.7), a lysosomal hemoprotein involved in host defense, may be associated with a decreased level of immunity. A nonsynonymous mutation, resulting in an arginine to cysteine substitution (Arg499Cys or R499C), has been identified in the exon 9 genetic coding region of a Japanese patient with complete MPO deficiency. Genetic analysis revealed that the mRNA of the patient could be correctly transcribed then further translated into a peptide sequence. However, the Western blot analysis confirmed the absence of MPO peptides. An initial screening assay of the patient's blood exhibited an abnormal hematograph, and no MPO activity was detected. To determine if this mutation might be associated with MPO deficiency, DNA samples for 387 controls were examined. Genetic analysis was performed using standard PCR techniques for amplification and sequencing. None of the control samples possessed the R499C substitution. This mutation is in close proximity to a different mutation (G501S) previously found in another Japanese MPO-deficient patient, and the amino acid, H502, which is strongly involved in heme binding, leading to the speculation that heme binding may play a role in complete MPO deficiency.

Neutrophil contribution to the crescentic glomerulonephritis in SCG/Kj mice

BACKGROUND

Myeloperoxidase-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibody (MPO-ANCA) has been a useful diagnostic marker in systemic vasculitis with crescentic glomerulonephritis (CrGN). It is highly suspected that the antigenic enzyme MPO released from activated neutrophils is involved in these lesions. We evaluated the relationship between neutrophil functions including peripheral neutrophil counts and renal lesions in SCG/Kj mice as a model of ANCA-associated CrGN and vasculitis.

METHODS

Peripheral neutrophil counts, the plasma levels of MPO-ANCA and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured. The capacity of MPO release and superoxide generation were evaluated as neutrophil activity. The renal lesions were estimated by grade of proteinuria, histopathological lesion, such as glomerular neutrophil infiltration and active or chronic renal injury scores with crescent formation.

RESULTS

MPO-ANCA and TNF-alpha levels were higher than those of normal mice C57BL/6 even before overt proteinuria; subsequently, peripheral neutrophils increased. In the phase of nephritis with low grade proteinuria, the spontaneous release of MPO from peripheral neutrophils increased, while superoxide generation increased before spontaneous MPO release occurred. In addition, the renal lesion in histological observations was aggravated with ageing and the glomerular neutrophil infiltration was positively correlated with MPO-ANCA levels, as well as with histological indices of nephritis, active renal injury score; in particular, crescent formation was correlated with spontaneous MPO release. In contrast, superoxide generation was negatively correlated with the severity of this lesion during the progression.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that neutrophils are activated and contribute to the development of the active crescentic lesion in SCG/Kj mice.

Novel missense mutation found in a Japanese patient with myeloperoxidase deficiency

Myeloperoxidase (MPO; EC 1.11.1.7) plays an important role in the host defense mechanism against microbial diseases. The neutrophil disorder characterized by the lack of MPO activity, is speculated to be associated with a decreased level of immunity. A Japanese patient was identified with complete MPO deficiency through automated hematography. Neutrophil function analysis revealed that MPO activity was significantly diminished with slightly elevated superoxide production. Mutational analysis of the patient revealed a glycine to serine substitution (G501S) in the exon 9 region. This mutation was not detected in the 96 healthy controls analyzed. The amino acid substitution found may be responsible for the failure of mature MPO production in the patient. This is the first case of MPO deficiency of G501S missense mutation identified in a Japanese patient.

Contribution of myeloperoxidase to coronary artery vasculitis associated with MPO-ANCA production

The role of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the pathogenesis of vasculitis associated with MPO-specific anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (MPO-ANCA) was examined in a murine animal model. Coronary artery vasculitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice with and without endogenous MPO by intraperitoneal injection of Candida albicans-derived substances (CADS). The corresponding levels of MPO-ANCA in sera of mice with and without vasculitis were measured and compared in both wild-type and MPO-deficient animals. The MPO-ANCA titers in sera were significantly higher in mice with vasculitis than in vasculitis-negative mice, indicating that MPO-ANCA correlated with vasculitis formation. However, the increase of MPO-ANCA titers observed in sera of wild C57BL/6 mice were strongly suppressed in MPO-deficient C57BL/6 mice, accompanied with prevention of vasculitis formation. These results show that MPO acted as an antigen for MPO-ANCA production by CADS and was followed by the vasculitis formation. Vasculitis did develop in a few MPO-deficient mice, though the incidence of vasculitis was much lower in MPO-deficient mice than in C57BL/6 mice.

Oxidation of guaiacol by myeloperoxidase: a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol transient species as a mediator of NADPH oxidation

The present study was first aimed at a complete steady-state kinetic analysis of the reaction between guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) and the myeloperoxidase (MPO)/H2O2 system, including a description of the isolation and purification of MPO from human polymorphonuclear neutrophil cells. Secondly, the overall reaction of the oxidation of NADPH, mediated by the reactive intermediates formed from the oxidation of guaiacol in the MPO/H2O2 system, was analysed kinetically. The presence of guaiacol stimulates the oxidation of NADPH by the MPO/H2O2 system in a concentration-dependent manner. Concomitantly, the accumulation of biphenoquinone (BQ), the final steady-state product of guaiacol oxidation, is lowered, and even inhibited completely, at high concentrations of NADPH. Under these conditions, the stoichiometry of NADPH:H2O2 is 1, and the oxidation rate of NADPH approximates to that of the rate of guaiacol oxidation by MPO. The effects of the presence of superoxide dismutase, catalase and of anaerobic conditions on the overall oxidation of NADPH have also been examined, and the data indicated that superoxide formation did not occur. The final product of NADPH oxidation was shown to be enzymically active NADP+, while guaiacol was generated continuously from the reaction between NADPH and oxidized guaiacol product. In contrast, similar experiments performed on the indirect, tyrosine-mediated oxidation of NADPH by MPO showed that a propagation of the free radical chain was occurring, with generation of both O2(-.) and H2O2. BQ, in itself, was able to spontaneously oxidize NADPH, but neither the rate nor the stoichiometry of the reaction could account for the NADPH-oxidation process involved in the steady-state peroxidation cycle. These results provide evidence that the oxidation of NADPH does not involve a free nucleotide radical intermediate, but that this is probably due to a direct electron-transfer reaction between NADPH and a two-electron-oxidized guaiacol intermediate.

A panel set for epitope analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody MPO-ANCA using recombinant hexamer histidine-tagged MPO deletion mutants

A major target protein of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody with a perinuclear staining pattern (P-ANCA) has been identified as myeloperoxidase (MPO). Recombinant deletion mutants of MPO, eight fragments of the heavy-chain subunit, and two fragments of the light chain subunit were expressed in E. coli using a pQE expression vector. The recombinant hexamer histidine-tagged fragments were partially purified as the denatured proteins on a Ni2+-charged nitrirotriacetic acid column. The recombinant fragments were reacted with a rabbit polyclonal antibody to human MPO in Western blotting. In addition, the reactivities of the proteins with MPO-ANCA-positive sera of four patients with renal diseases were examined by Western blotting. The profile of the reactivity showed that different sera recognized different sets of fragments of the heavy chain, whereas no serum reacted with the fragments of the light chain. These results indicate that the sera of patients with MPO-ANCA-positive diseases showed varied reactivities with the different fragments. Furthermore, an ELISA system using a set of the fragments completely purified by Sephacryl S-200HR column chromatography was established. The panel set is useful for subclassification of MPO-ANCA-related diseases.

Modulation of degranulation and superoxide generation in human neutrophils by unsaturated fatty acids of odd carbon numbers

Unsaturated fatty acids of odd carbons, 13:1(12), 17:1(10trans), 19:1(7) and 19:1(10) inhibited release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) from fMet-Leu-Phe-cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils. The inhibitory effect was smaller than that of aseanostatins which have been isolated as microbial-derived free fatty acids with a methyl blanch (i-14:0 and ai-15:0) (Journal of Antibiotics (1991) 44, 524-532). These unsaturated fatty acids also inhibited lactoferrin release by the same treatment. On the other hand, 13:1(12), 15:1(10) and 19:1(10) inhibited fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated superoxide generation of neutrophils, and the fatty acids 15:1(10), 17:(10) and 19:2(10,13) induced superoxide generation in both unstimulated cells and the cell-free system. However, none of unsaturated fatty acids of odd carbons tested inhibited beta-glucuronidase release, whereas 15:1(10), 17:1(10), 19:1(10) and 19:2(10,13) rather enhanced an increase in beta-glucuronidase activity liberated from cells at high concentrations over 35 microM, indicating cellular damages by these fatty acids. These observations suggest that unsaturated free fatty acids having odd carbons such as 13, 15, 17 and 19 may act as modulators of neutrophil functions including degranulation and superoxide generation.

Myeloperoxidase gene expression in normal granulopoiesis and acute leukemias

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an abundant heme protein found in granulocytes and monocytes, which plays an important role in host defense against infection. MPO enzyme activity as determined by light microscopic cytochemistry has long been an important marker used in the diagnosis of acute leukemias and other hematopoietic disorders. Recently, MPO expression has been studied at the electron microscopic level, and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against MPO protein have been developed. Furthermore, techniques and probes for analysing MPO expression at the RNA level are now available. This has made possible more extensive studies of MPO expression in a wide range of neoplastic and preneoplastic blood disorders. This review will discuss the fundamental biology of MPO as well as recent developments in our understanding of MPO expression in leukemic cells and cell lines of various lineages.

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.

Secretion of myeloperoxidase isoforms by human neutrophils

The human neutrophil lysosomal enzyme, myeloperoxidase (MPO), exists in three major and chromatographically distinct forms, MPO I, MPO II, and MPO III. We used cation-exchange medium-pressure liquid chromatography and kinetic microenzyme assay (or spectrophotometric monitoring) to analyze the secretion of MPO isoforms by neutrophils exposed to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP), digitonin, the ionophore A23187, and serum-opsonized zymosan A (SOZ). All three MPO isomers were released into the fluid phase after neutrophils were exposed to these secretagogues. A significant proportional increase in MPO I was released when neutrophils were stimulated with SOZ. MPO I was released in higher proportions than found in the whole cell constituency when neutrophils were stimulated with FMLP + cytochalasin B, A23187, and digitonin, but this was not statistically significant.

Preferential adsorption of human neutrophil myeloperoxidase isoform III by oral bacteria

Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) adsorbs to bacteria as a pre-requisite for killing by the MPO/hydrogen-peroxide/chloride system. Three chromatographically distinct isoforms of MPO (MPO I, MPO II, and MPO III) have been isolated from human neutrophils. The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral bacteria--including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Haemophilus aphrophilus, and Eikenella corrodens--differentially adsorb the three major isoforms of MPO from a mixture of MPO I, II, and III, and to assess the effect of pH and normal human serum (NHS) on MPO adsorption. MPO III adsorbed preferentially (i) at high bacterial concentrations, (ii) in the pH range of 6.0-8.0, and (iii) in the presence and absence of NHS. These results support the role of MPO III in the killing of oral bacteria.

Assembly of dimeric myeloperoxidase during posttranslational maturation in human leukemic HL-60 cells

Myeloperoxidase is a major protein component of the azurophilic granules (specialized lysosomes) of normal human neutrophils and serves as part of a potent bactericidal system in the host defense function of these cells. In normal, mature cells, myeloperoxidase occurs exclusively as a dimer of Mr 150,000 while in immature leukemia cells, there are both monomeric (Mr 80,000) as well as dimeric species. Like other lysosomal enzymes, myeloperoxidase is synthesized as a larger glycosylated precursor (Mr 91,000) that undergoes processing through single-chain intermediates (Mr 81,000 and 74,000) to yield mature heavy (Mr 60,000) and light (Mr 15,000) subunits. To study the assembly of dimeric myeloperoxidase, azurophilic granules were isolated from either unlabeled or pulse-labeled ([35S]methionine/cysteine) HL-60 cells, and myeloperoxidase was extracted and separated into monomeric and dimeric forms by FPLC gel filtration chromatography. Steady-state levels of dimeric and monomeric myeloperoxidase were found to account for 67% and 33%, respectively, of the total peroxidase activity and were correlated with the levels of associated heme as measured by absorption at 430 nm. Labeled myeloperoxidase polypeptides were immunoprecipitated using a monospecific rabbit antibody and were identified and quantitated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/fluorography and liquid scintillation counting. After a 2-h pulse, labeled myeloperoxidase species of Mr 74,000 and 60,000 were found in fractions coeluting with the monomeric form of myeloperoxidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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.

Localization of chemotactic activity and 64 kD protein phosphorylation for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in N-terminus of the chemotactic protein LUCT/IL-8

A synthetic peptide, AVLPRSAKEL (LU10), the N-terminal amino acid sequence of chemotactic protein (LUCT/IL-8), showed chemotactic activity to polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with an ED50 of 5 nM for comparable to that of LUCT. Native LUCT and LU10 specifically induced the phosphorylation of 64 kD protein of PMN, and serine residue in the 64 kD protein was major phosphorylated amino acid. Furthermore, native LUCT enhanced the release of myeloperoxidase and beta-glucuronidase from PMN in the presence of cytochalasin B and FMLP, but LU10 did not. These results strongly suggest that the active site for both chemotactic stimulation and 64 kD protein phosphorylation is localized on the sequence of N-terminal 10 amino acids of LUCT.

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against human myeloperoxidase

We established 11 hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), designated AM, against human myeloperoxidase (MPO), by immunizing mice with the three forms of MPO (I, II, and III) purified from healthy human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and characterized the specificity of the AM MoAbs. Ten of the AM MoAbs reacted similarly to each of the three forms using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. When a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CETAB) extract of human PMN was electrophoresed in a CETAB polyacrylamide gel and transferred to a nitrocellulose filter, IgG1 class AM MoAbs immunostained only the MPO band of the proteins of the extract. In addition, the AM MoAbs reacted to two radioactive bands of 94 and 92 kDa in a HL-60 cell lysate labeled with [35S]methionine for 1 h. After a chase period of 24 h, these bands were replaced by four radioactive bands of 64.5, 43, 16.7, and 13.4 kDa, demonstrating that the MoAbs recognize not only mature MPO but also the MPO precursors of 94 and 92 kDa. The data also indicated that the two major bands of 64.5 and 13.4 kDa corresponded to heavy and light chains of mature MPO, respectively, and the additive intermediate bands of 43 and 16.7 kDa were MPO-related proteins. Moreover, AM MoAbs reacted to a similar extent to the deglycosylated form of MPO III with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (Endo-H). Thus, IgG1 class AM MoAbs recognized MPO with high specificity and reacted to the structure which is commonly conserved in the three mature forms of MPO (I, II, and III), MPO precursors, and deglycosylated MPO with Endo-H. AM MoAbs also specifically reacted to PMN and/or monocytes but did not react to lymphocytes when the cell staining method was used.

Structural characterization of the isoenzymatic forms of human myeloperoxidase

Myeloperoxidase from human neutrophils was isolated by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography and shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be comprised of alpha and beta subunits with apparent Mr values of 58,000 and 15,000, respectively. The apparent Mr of the native protein was 130,000-140,000, indicating that the holoenzyme has the quaternary structure alpha 2 beta 2. Automated Edman degradation of the separated alpha and beta subunits showed that the amino-terminal sequences were different from one another and demonstrated no sequence microheterogeneity. Comparison of these sequences with those in the National Biomedical Research Foundation data bank of protein sequences revealed that the subunits of human myeloperoxidase were not homologous to any known protein. Myeloperoxidase purified from HL-60 cells grown in culture demonstrated the same alpha 2 beta 2 subunit structure. Three isoenzymes of myeloperoxidase, prepared by gradient elution from a CM-Sepharose column, underwent quantitative analysis. No structural basis for the different elution pattern of the myeloperoxidase isoenzymes was discerned by amino-acid analysis, N-terminal sequence, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or digestion with neuraminidase or enzymes known to cleave N-linked heterosaccharides. The structural basis for the myeloperoxidase isoenzymes of human neutrophils, each possessing equivalent activity, is not apparent from these studies.

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA coding for human myeloperoxidase

A cDNA encoding the carboxyl-terminal fragment of the human myeloperoxidase heavy chain was isolated and characterized. It was then used to determine the locations of the myeloperoxidase light and heavy chains in the polypeptide precursor. A cDNA library from poly(A)+ RNA from human leukemia HL-60 cells was constructed in pBR322 and screened by differential hybridization with enriched and depleted cDNA probes and then by hybridization with an oligonucleotide probe. A cDNA clone containing 1278 bp with an open reading frame of 474 bp and a 3' noncoding region of 804 bp was isolated. The amino acid sequence deduced from the nucleotide sequence consisted of 158 residues including a sequence of 14 amino acids known to be present in the heavy chain of the molecule. The cDNA also included a stop codon of TAG followed by a noncoding sequence that included a potential recognition site for polyadenylylation and a poly(A) tail. RNA transfer blot analysis with the cDNA probe indicated that myeloperoxidase mRNA was approximately 3.3 kb in length. In vitro translation of the mRNA selected by cDNA hybridization revealed preferential synthesis of a 74,000-Da polypeptide precursor that could be precipitated with anti-myeloperoxidase IgG. Antibodies specific for the heavy and light chains of myeloperoxidase were isolated from antiserum by affinity chromatography employing Sepharose columns covalently bound to the heavy or light chains. Antibodies specific for the light chain or the heavy chain readily precipitated the 74,000-Da precursor polypeptide. These results indicated that myeloperoxidase is synthesized as a single chain which undergoes processing into a light and heavy chain. Furthermore, the heavy chain of myeloperoxidase originates from the carboxyl terminus of the precursor polypeptide.