Heterogeneity of hypochlorous acid production in individual neutrophil phagosomes revealed by a rhodamine-based probe

The macrophage-bacterium mismatch in persister formation

Many pathogens are hard to eradicate, even in the absence of genetically detectable antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and despite proven antibiotic susceptibility. The fraction of clonal bacteria that temporarily elude effective antibiotic treatments is commonly known as 'antibiotic persisters.' Over the past decade, there has been a growing body of research highlighting the pivotal role played by the cellular host in the development of persisters. In parallel, this research has also sought to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of intracellular antibiotic persisters and has demonstrated a prominent role for the bacterial stress response. However, questions remain regarding the conditions leading to the formation of stress-induced persisters among a clonal population of intracellular bacteria and despite an ostensibly uniform environment. In this opinion, following a brief review of the current state of knowledge regarding intracellular antibiotic persisters, we explore the ways in which macrophage functional heterogeneity and bacterial phenotypic heterogeneity may contribute to the emergence of these persisters. We propose that the degree of mismatch between the macrophage permissiveness and the bacterial preparedness to invade and thrive intracellularly may explain the formation of stress-induced nonreplicating intracellular persisters.

Molecular regulation of neutrophil swarming in health and disease: Lessons from the phagocyte oxidase

Neutrophil swarming is a complex coordinated process in which neutrophils sensing pathogen or damage signals are rapidly recruited to sites of infections or injuries. This process involves cooperation between neutrophils where autocrine and paracrine positive-feedback loops, mediated by receptor/ligand pairs including lipid chemoattractants and chemokines, amplify localized recruitment of neutrophils. This review will provide an overview of key pathways involved in neutrophil swarming and then discuss the cell intrinsic and systemic mechanisms by which NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) regulates swarming, including modulation of calcium signaling, inflammatory mediators, and the mobilization and production of neutrophils. We will also discuss mechanisms by which altered neutrophil swarming in disease may contribute to deficient control of infections and/or exuberant inflammation. Deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms controlling neutrophil swarming and how neutrophil cooperative behavior can be perturbed in the setting of disease may help to guide development of tools for diagnosis and precision medicine.

Detrimental Actions of Chlorinated Nucleosides on the Function and Viability of Insulin-Producing Cells

Neutrophils are innate immune cells that play a key role in pathogen clearance. They contribute to inflammatory diseases, including diabetes, by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species, and extracellular traps (NETs). NETs contain a DNA backbone and catalytically active myeloperoxidase (MPO), which produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Chlorination of the DNA nucleoside 8-chloro-deoxyguanosine has been reported as an early marker of inflammation in diabetes. In this study, we examined the reactivity of different chlorinated nucleosides, including 5-chloro-(deoxy)cytidine (5ClC, 5CldC), 8-chloro-(deoxy)adenosine (8ClA, 8CldA) and 8-chloro-(deoxy)guanosine (8ClG, 8CldG), with the INS-1E β-cell line. Exposure of INS-1E cells to 5CldC, 8CldA, 8ClA, and 8CldG decreased metabolic activity and intracellular ATP, and, together with 8ClG, induced apoptotic cell death. Exposure to 8ClA, but not the other nucleosides, resulted in sustained endoplasmic reticulum stress, activation of the unfolded protein response, and increased expression of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1). Exposure of INS-1E cells to 5CldC also increased TXNIP and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1) expression. In addition, a significant increase in the mRNA expression of NQO1 and GPx4 was seen in INS-1E cells exposed to 8ClG and 8CldA, respectively. However, a significant decrease in intracellular thiols was only observed in INS-1E cells exposed to 8ClG and 8CldG. Finally, a significant decrease in the insulin stimulation index was observed in experiments with all the chlorinated nucleosides, except for 8ClA and 8ClG. Together, these results suggest that increased formation of chlorinated nucleosides during inflammation in diabetes could influence β-cell function and may contribute to disease progression.

Human neutrophils ≠ murine neutrophils: Does it matter?

Human and murine neutrophils differ with respect to representation in blood, receptors, nuclear morphology, signaling pathways, granule proteins, NADPH oxidase regulation, magnitude of oxidant and hypochlorous acid production, and their repertoire of secreted molecules. These differences often matter and can undermine extrapolations from murine studies to clinical care, as illustrated by several failed therapeutic interventions based on mouse models. Likewise, coevolution of host and pathogen undercuts fidelity of murine models of neutrophil-predominant human infections. However, murine systems that accurately model the human condition can yield insights into human biology difficult to obtain otherwise. The challenge for investigators who employ murine systems is to distinguish models from pretenders and to know when the mouse provides biologically accurate insights. Testing with human neutrophils observations made in murine systems would provide a safeguard but is not always possible. At a minimum, studies that use exclusively murine neutrophils should have accurate titles supported by data and restrict conclusions to murine neutrophils and not encompass all neutrophils. For now, the integration of evidence from studies of neutrophil biology performed using valid murine models coupled with testing in vitro of human neutrophils combines the best of both approaches to elucidate the mysteries of human neutrophil biology.

Antioxidant Strategies to Modulate NETosis and the Release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps during Chronic Inflammation

Extracellular traps are released by neutrophils and other immune cells as part of the innate immune response to combat pathogens. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) consist of a mesh of DNA and histone proteins decorated with various anti-microbial granule proteins, such as elastase and myeloperoxidase (MPO). In addition to their role in innate immunity, NETs are also strongly linked with numerous pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, sepsis and COVID-19. This has led to significant interest in developing strategies to inhibit NET release. In this study, we have examined the efficacy of different antioxidant approaches to selectively modulate the inflammatory release of NETs. PLB-985 neutrophil-like cells were shown to release NETs on exposure to phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), hypochlorous acid or nigericin, a bacterial peptide derived from Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Studies with the probe R19-S indicated that treatment of the PLB-985 cells with PMA, but not nigericin, resulted in the production of HOCl. Therefore, studies were extended to examine the efficacy of a range of antioxidant compounds that modulate HOCl production by MPO to prevent NETosis. It was shown that thiocyanate, selenocyanate and various nitroxides could prevent NETosis in PLB-985 neutrophils exposed to PMA and HOCl, but not nigericin. These results were confirmed in analogous experiments with freshly isolated primary human neutrophils. Taken together, these data provide new information regarding the utility of supplementation with MPO inhibitors and/or HOCl scavengers to prevent NET release, which could be important to more specifically target pathological NETosis in vivo.

An improved method for the detection of myeloperoxidase chlorinating activity in biological systems using the redox probe hydroethidine

Conversion of the redox probe hydroethidine (HE) to 2-chloroethidium (2-Cl-E⁺) by myeloperoxidase (MPO)-derived hypochlorous acid (HOCl) provides comparable specificity and superior sensitivity to measurement of 3-chlorotyrosine (3-Cl-Tyr), the gold standard biomarker for MPO chlorinating activity in biological systems. However, a limitation of the former method is the complex mixture of products formed by the reaction of HE with reagent HOCl, coupled with the difficult purification of 2-Cl-E⁺ from this mixture for analytical purposes. This limitation prompted us to test whether 2-Cl-E⁺ could be formed by reaction of HE with the strong and widely used chlorinating agent, N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS). Unexpectedly, such reaction yielded 2-chlorohydroethidine (2-Cl-HE) as the major product in addition to 2-Cl-E⁺, as assessed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). 2-Cl-HE was also observed to be the major chlorination product formed from HE with both reagent and enzymatically generated HOCl, just as it was formed ex vivo in different healthy and diseased mouse and human tissues upon incubation with glucose/glucose oxidase to generate a flux of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Quantification of 2-Cl-HE plus 2-Cl-E⁺ improved the sensitivity of the HE-based method compared with measurement of only 2-Cl-E⁺. Moreover, 2-chlorodimidium (2-Cl-D⁺) was developed as a practical internal standard instead of the previously used internal standard, deuterated 2-Cl-E⁺ (d₅-2-Cl-E⁺). Overall, the present study describes an improved method for the detection of MPO/chlorinating activity in biological systems of health and disease.

Inside the phagosome: A bacterial perspective

The neutrophil phagosome is one of the most hostile environments that bacteria must face and overcome if they are to succeed as pathogens. Targeting bacterial defense mechanisms should lead to new therapies that assist neutrophils to kill pathogens, but this has not yet come to fruition. One of the limiting factors in this effort has been our incomplete knowledge of the complex biochemistry that occurs within the rapidly changing environment of the phagosome. The same compartmentalization that protects host tissue also limits our ability to measure events within the phagosome. In this review, we highlight the limitations in our knowledge, and how the contribution of bacteria to the phagosomal environment is often ignored. There appears to be significant heterogeneity among phagosomes, and it is important to determine whether survivors have more efficient defenses or whether they are ingested into less threatening environments than other bacteria. As part of these efforts, we discuss how monitoring or recovering bacteria from phagosomes can provide insight into the conditions they have faced. We also encourage the use of unbiased screening approaches to identify bacterial genes that are essential for survival inside neutrophil phagosomes.

Superoxide: The enigmatic chemical chameleon in neutrophil biology

The burst of superoxide produced when neutrophils phagocytose bacteria is the defining biochemical feature of these abundant immune cells. But 50 years since this discovery, the vital role superoxide plays in host defense has yet to be defined. Superoxide is neither bactericidal nor is it just a source of hydrogen peroxide. This simple free radical does, however, have remarkable chemical dexterity. Depending on its environment and reaction partners, superoxide can act as an oxidant, a reductant, a nucleophile, or an enzyme substrate. We outline the evidence that inside phagosomes where neutrophils trap, kill, and digest bacteria, superoxide will react preferentially with the enzyme myeloperoxidase, not the bacterium. By acting as a cofactor, superoxide will sustain hypochlorous acid production by myeloperoxidase. As a substrate, superoxide may give rise to other forms of reactive oxygen. We contend that these interactions hold the key to understanding the precise role superoxide plays in neutrophil biology. State-of-the-art techniques in mass spectrometry, oxidant-specific fluorescent probes, and microscopy focused on individual phagosomes are needed to identify bactericidal mechanisms driven by superoxide. This work will undoubtably lead to fascinating discoveries in host defense and give a richer understanding of superoxide's varied biology.

Bi-fluorescent Staphylococcus aureus infection enables single-cell analysis of intracellular killing in vivo

Techniques for studying the clearance of bacterial infections are critical for advances in understanding disease states, immune cell effector functions, and novel antimicrobial therapeutics. Intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by neutrophils can be monitored using a S. aureus strain stably expressing GFP, a fluorophore that is quenched when exposed to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in the phagolysosome. Here, we expand upon this method by developing a bi-fluorescent S. aureus killing assay for use in vivo. Conjugating S. aureus with a stable secondary fluorescent marker enables the separation of infected cell samples into three populations: cells that have not engaged in phagocytosis, cells that have engulfed and killed S. aureus, and cells that have viable internalized S. aureus. We identified ATTO647N-NHS Ester as a favorable dye conjugate for generating bi-fluorescent S. aureus due to its stability over time and invariant signal within the neutrophil phagolysosome. To resolve the in vivo utility of ATTO647N/GFP bi-fluorescent S. aureus, we evaluated neutrophil function in a murine model of chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) known to have impaired clearance of S. aureus infection. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from animals subjected to pulmonary infection with bi-fluorescent S. aureus demonstrated differences in neutrophil antimicrobial function consistent with the established phenotype of CGD.

Oxidation of bacillithiol during killing of Staphylococcus aureus USA300 inside neutrophil phagosomes

Targeting immune evasion tactics of pathogenic bacteria may hold the key to treating recalcitrant bacterial infections. Staphylococcus aureus produces bacillithiol (BSH), its major low-molecular-weight thiol, which is thought to protect this opportunistic human pathogen against the bombardment of oxidants inside neutrophil phagosomes. Here, we show that BSH was oxidized when human neutrophils phagocytosed S. aureus, but provided limited protection to the bacteria. We used mass spectrometry to measure the oxidation of BSH upon exposure of S. aureus USA300 to either a bolus of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or a flux generated by the neutrophil enzyme myeloperoxidase. Oxidation of BSH and loss of bacterial viability were strongly correlated (r = 0.99, p < 0.001). BSH was fully oxidized after exposure of S. aureus to lethal doses of HOCl. However, there was no relationship between the initial BSH levels and the dose of HOCl required for bacterial killing. In contrast to the HOCl systems, only 50% of total BSH was oxidized when neutrophils killed the majority of phagocytosed bacteria. Oxidation of BSH was decreased upon inhibition of myeloperoxidase, implicating HOCl in phagosomal BSH oxidation. A BSH-deficient S. aureus USA300 mutant was slightly more susceptible to treatment with either HOCl or ammonia chloramine, or to killing within neutrophil phagosomes. Collectively, our data show that myeloperoxidase-derived oxidants react with S. aureus inside neutrophil phagosomes, leading to partial BSH oxidation, and contribute to bacterial killing. However, BSH offers only limited protection against the neutrophil's multifaceted killing mechanisms.

Scylla, Charybdis, and navigating antimicrobial action in the neutrophil phagosome

The text extracted from the initial paragraph of a paper coauthored by Zanvil Cohn, one of the pioneers in the study of leukocyte biology, highlights two phenomena that stimulated investigations of innate immunity in the middle of the last century, namely phagocytosis and intracellular antimicrobial activity. Although many features of phagocytosis have been characterized since that time, fundamental aspects of the antimicrobial action of neutrophils remain unknown. The report by Ashby et al. provides a refined and nuanced look at the interface between an ingested microbe, Staphylococcus aureus, and HOCl generated by the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-H₂ O₂ -chloride system in neutrophil phagosomes and represents a holistic approach to the analysis of bactericidal mechanisms that recognizes contributions from both phagocyte and its ingested prey.

Maternal and umbilical cord blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes showed moderate oxidative burst at phagocytosis of Gardnerella vaginalis

OBJECTIVE

Pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis due to Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) infection presents with a wide-ranging disease symptomatology. We speculate this may be due to interaction that varies between host immune response and the pathogen. We studied the oxidative burst in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL)s from maternal blood (MB) and cord blood (CB) upon phagocytosis of GV and compared against E. coli and Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

RESULTS

The PHAGOBURST™ assay detects fluorescence from oxidized dihydrorhodamine during oxidative burst. The average percentage of PMNL showing oxidative burst was almost two-fold greater with GBS (99.5%) and E. coli (98.2%) than GV (56.9%) (p  < 0.01) in MB, but a similar proportion of PMNL with burst activity was seen in CB (84.7%). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of oxidative burst in MB PMNL with GV was lower compared to E. coli but comparable to GBS. The MFI of CB PMNL (1580 ± 245.8) was significantly higher than MB PMNL (1198 ± 262.1) with GV, p  = 0.031. The live-cell imaging showed neutrophil oxidative burst upon phagocytosis of GV produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Overall, the HOCL-mediated microbicidal activity against GV is more variable and less robust than E. coli and GBS, especially in maternal than CB PMNL.

The role of NADPH oxidases in infectious and inflammatory diseases

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOX) are enzymes that generate superoxide or hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen utilizing NADPH as an electron donor. There are seven enzymes in the NOX family: NOX1-5 and dual oxidase (DUOX) 1-2. NOX enzymes in humans play important roles in diverse biological functions and vary in expression from tissue to tissue. Importantly, NOX2 is involved in regulating many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity, including regulation of type I interferons, the inflammasome, phagocytosis, antigen processing and presentation, and cell signaling. DUOX1 and DUOX2 play important roles in innate immune defenses at epithelial barriers. This review discusses the role of NOX enzymes in normal physiological processes as well as in disease. NOX enzymes are important in autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and have also been implicated in acute lung injury caused by infection with SARS-CoV-2. Targeting NOX enzymes directly or through scavenging free radicals may be useful therapies for autoimmunity and acute lung injury where oxidative stress contributes to pathology.

Role of myeloperoxidase and oxidant formation in the extracellular environment in inflammation-induced tissue damage

The heme peroxidase family generates a battery of oxidants both for synthetic purposes, and in the innate immune defence against pathogens. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is the most promiscuous family member, generating powerful oxidizing species including hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Whilst HOCl formation is important in pathogen removal, this species is also implicated in host tissue damage and multiple inflammatory diseases. Significant oxidant formation and damage occurs extracellularly as a result of MPO release via phagolysosomal leakage, cell lysis, extracellular trap formation, and inappropriate trafficking. MPO binds strongly to extracellular biomolecules including polyanionic glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, proteins, and DNA. This localizes MPO and subsequent damage, at least partly, to specific sites and species, including extracellular matrix (ECM) components and plasma proteins/lipoproteins. Biopolymer-bound MPO retains, or has enhanced, catalytic activity, though evidence is also available for non-catalytic effects. These interactions, particularly at cell surfaces and with the ECM/glycocalyx induce cellular dysfunction and altered gene expression. MPO binds with higher affinity to some damaged ECM components, rationalizing its accumulation at sites of inflammation. MPO-damaged biomolecules and fragments act as chemo-attractants and cell activators, and can modulate gene and protein expression in naïve cells, consistent with an increasing cycle of MPO adhesion, activity, damage, and altered cell function at sites of leukocyte infiltration and activation, with subsequent tissue damage and dysfunction. MPO levels are used clinically both diagnostically and prognostically, and there is increasing interest in strategies to prevent MPO-mediated damage; therapeutic aspects are not discussed as these have been reviewed elsewhere.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) enhances hypochlorous acid production in phagocytic neutrophils

BACKGROUND

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important immuno-regulatory cytokine and is elevated in inflammatory conditions. Neutrophils are the first immune cells to migrate to sites of infection and inflammation, where they generate, among other mediators, the potent oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Here, we investigated the impact of MIF on HOCl production in neutrophils in response to phagocytic stimuli.

METHODS

Production of HOCl during phagocytosis of zymosan was determined using the specific fluorescent probe R19-S in combination with flow cytometry and live cell microscopy. The rate of phagocytosis was monitored using fluorescently-labeled zymosan. Alternatively, HOCl production was assessed during phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by measuring the oxidation of bacterial glutathione to the HOCl-specific product glutathione sulfonamide. Formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), an oxidant-dependent process, was quantified using a SYTOX Green plate assay.

RESULTS

Exposure of human neutrophils to MIF doubled the proportion of neutrophils producing HOCl during early stages of zymosan phagocytosis, and the concentration of HOCl produced was greater. During phagocytosis of P. aeruginosa, a greater fraction of bacterial glutathione was oxidized to glutathione sulfonamide in MIF-treated compared to control neutrophils. The ability of MIF to increase neutrophil HOCl production was independent of the rate of phagocytosis and could be blocked by the MIF inhibitor 4-IPP. Neutrophils pre-treated with MIF produced more NETs than control cells in response to PMA.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest a role for MIF in potentiating HOCl production in neutrophils in response to phagocytic stimuli. We propose that this newly discovered activity of MIF contributes to its role in mediating the inflammatory response and enhances host defence.

Mycobacterium smegmatis Resists the Bactericidal Activity of Hypochlorous Acid Produced in Neutrophil Phagosomes

Neutrophils are often the major leukocyte at sites of mycobacterial infection, yet little is known about their ability to kill mycobacteria. In this study we have investigated whether the potent antibacterial oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) contributes to killing of Mycobacterium smegmatis when this bacterium is phagocytosed by human neutrophils. We found that M. smegmatis were ingested by neutrophils into intracellular phagosomes but were killed slowly. We measured a t _1/2 of 30 min for the survival of M. smegmatis inside neutrophils, which is 5 times longer than that reported for Staphylococcus aureus and 15 times longer than Escherichia coli Live-cell imaging indicated that neutrophils generated HOCl in phagosomes containing M. smegmatis; however, inhibition of HOCl production did not alter the rate of bacterial killing. Also, the doses of HOCl that are likely to be produced inside phagosomes failed to kill isolated bacteria. Lethal doses of reagent HOCl caused oxidation of mycothiol, the main low-m.w. thiol in this bacterium. In contrast, phagocytosed M. smegmatis maintained their original level of reduced mycothiol. Collectively, these findings suggest that M. smegmatis can cope with the HOCl that is produced inside neutrophil phagosomes. A mycothiol-deficient mutant was killed by neutrophils at the same rate as wild-type bacteria, indicating that mycothiol itself is not the main driver of M. smegmatis resistance. Understanding how M. smegmatis avoids killing by phagosomal HOCl could provide new opportunities to sensitize pathogenic mycobacteria to destruction by the innate immune system.

Taurine Chloramine and Hydrogen Peroxide as a Potential Source of Singlet Oxygen for Topical Application

Singlet oxygen (¹ O₂ ) is the "active principle" in photodynamic therapy. Taurine chloramine (Tau-NHCl) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂ O₂ ) are well-tolerated and widely used antiseptics. Due to its mild oxidizing features and stability, Tau-NHCl can be directly used to treat skin diseases. We found that a diluted aqueous mixture of Tau-NHCl and H₂ O₂ acts as a slow and long-lasting potential source of ¹ O₂ . The reactions were studied by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence. Evidence of the formation of ¹ O₂ was obtained using deuterium oxide, sodium azide and 9,10-Anthracenediyl-bis(methylene)dimalonic acid, a chemical trap of ¹ O₂ . The reaction was optimized, and a mechanism was proposed, including theoretical calculations at B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,2p) level of theory, adding D3Bj empirical dispersion and SMD (Water) solvent effects. Chloramines produced by the reactions between HOCl and L-alanine, 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid were also prepared, and their reactivity and stability were compared with Tau-NHCl. We found that Tau-NHCl is more stable and adequate for the production of ¹ O₂ . In conclusion, we propose applying these drugs combination as a potential source of ¹ O₂ with applications for skin diseases treatment.

Induction of the reactive chlorine-responsive transcription factor RclR in Escherichia coli following ingestion by neutrophils

Neutrophils generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and related reactive chlorine species as part of their defence against invading microorganisms. In isolation, bacteria respond to reactive chlorine species by upregulating responses that provide defence against oxidative challenge. Key questions are whether these responses are induced when bacteria are phagocytosed by neutrophils, and whether this provides them with a survival advantage. We investigated RclR, a transcriptional activator of the rclABC operon in Escherichia coli that has been shown to be specifically activated by reactive chlorine species. We first measured induction by individual reactive chlorine species, and showed that HOCl itself activates the response, as do chloramines (products of HOCl reacting with amines) provided they are cell permeable. Strong RclR activation was seen in E. coli following phagocytosis by neutrophils, beginning within 5 min and persisting for 40 min. RclR activation was suppressed by inhibitors of NOX2 and myeloperoxidase, providing strong evidence that it was due to HOCl production in the phagosome. RclR activation demonstrates that HOCl, or a derived chloramine, enters phagocytosed bacteria in sufficient amount to induce this response. Although RclR was induced in wild-type bacteria following phagocytosis, we detected no greater sensitivity to neutrophil killing of mutants lacking genes in the rclABC operon.

Myeloperoxidase Modulates Hydrogen Peroxide Mediated Cellular Damage in Murine Macrophages

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is involved in the development of many chronic inflammatory diseases, in addition to its key role in innate immune defenses. This is attributed to the excessive production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) by MPO at inflammatory sites, which causes tissue damage. This has sparked wide interest in the development of therapeutic approaches to prevent HOCl-induced cellular damage including supplementation with thiocyanate (SCN^-) as an alternative substrate for MPO. In this study, we used an enzymatic system composed of glucose oxidase (GO), glucose, and MPO in the absence and presence of SCN^-, to investigate the effects of generating a continuous flux of oxidants on macrophage cell function. Our studies show the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by glucose and GO results in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in metabolic activity and cell viability, and the activation of stress-related signaling pathways. Interestingly, these damaging effects were attenuated by the addition of MPO to form HOCl. Supplementation with SCN^-, which favors the formation of hypothiocyanous acid, could reverse this effect. Addition of MPO also resulted in upregulation of the antioxidant gene, NAD(P)H:quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1. This study provides new insights into the role of MPO in the modulation of macrophage function, which may be relevant to inflammatory pathologies.

Redox regulation in host-pathogen interactions: thiol switches and beyond

Our organism is exposed to pathogens on a daily basis. Owing to this age-old interaction, both pathogen and host evolved strategies to cope with these encounters. Here, we focus on the consequences of the direct encounter of cells of the innate immune system with bacteria. First, we will discuss the bacterial strategies to counteract powerful reactive species. Our emphasis lies on the effects of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), arguably the most powerful oxidant produced inside the phagolysosome of professional phagocytes. We will highlight individual examples of proteins in gram-negative bacteria activated by HOCl via thiol-disulfide switches, methionine sulfoxidation, and N-chlorination of basic amino acid side chains. Second, we will discuss the effects of HOCl on proteins of the host. Recent studies have shown that both host and bacteria address failing protein homeostasis by activation of chaperone-like holdases through N-chlorination. After discussing the role of individual proteins in the HOCl-defense, we will turn our attention to the examination of effects on host and pathogen on a systemic level. Recent studies using genetically encoded redox probes and redox proteomics highlight differences in redox homeostasis in host and pathogen and give first hints at potential cellular HOCl signaling beyond thiol-disulfide switch mechanisms.

The Role of Myeloperoxidase in Biomolecule Modification, Chronic Inflammation, and Disease

Significance: The release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by activated leukocytes is critical in innate immune responses. MPO produces hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and other strong oxidants, which kill bacteria and other invading pathogens. However, MPO also drives the development of numerous chronic inflammatory pathologies, including atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disease, lung disease, arthritis, cancer, and kidney disease, which are globally responsible for significant patient mortality and morbidity. Recent Advances: The development of imaging approaches to precisely identify the localization of MPO and the molecular targets of HOCl in vivo is an important advance, as typically the involvement of MPO in inflammatory disease has been inferred by its presence, together with the detection of biomarkers of HOCl, in biological fluids or diseased tissues. This will provide valuable information in regard to the cell types responsible for releasing MPO in vivo, together with new insight into potential therapeutic opportunities. Critical Issues: Although there is little doubt as to the value of MPO inhibition as a protective strategy to mitigate tissue damage during chronic inflammation in experimental models, the impact of long-term inhibition of MPO as a therapeutic strategy for human disease remains uncertain, in light of the potential effects on innate immunity. Future Directions: The development of more targeted MPO inhibitors or a treatment regimen designed to reduce MPO-associated host tissue damage without compromising pathogen killing by the innate immune system is therefore an important future direction. Similarly, a partial MPO inhibition strategy may be sufficient to maintain adequate bacterial activity while decreasing the propagation of inflammatory pathologies.

An Ultrasensitive Fluorescence Assay for the Detection of Halides and Enzymatic Dehalogenation

Halide assays are important for the study of enzymatic dehalogenation, a topic of great industrial and scientific importance. Here we describe the development of a very sensitive halide assay that can detect less than a picomole of bromide ions, making it very useful for quantifying enzymatic dehalogenation products. Halides are oxidised under mild conditions using the vanadium-dependent chloroperoxidase from Curvularia inaequalis, forming hypohalous acids that are detected using aminophenyl fluorescein. The assay is up to three orders of magnitude more sensitive than currently available alternatives, with detection limits of 20 nM for bromide and 1 μM for chloride and iodide. We demonstrate that the assay can be used to determine specific activities of dehalogenases and validate this by comparison to a well-established GC-MS method. This new assay will facilitate the identification and characterisation of novel dehalogenases and may also be of interest to those studying other halide-producing enzymes.

Neutrophils suppress mucosal-associated invariant T cells in humans

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are innate-like T lymphocytes that are abundant in mucosal tissues and the liver where they can respond rapidly to a broad range of riboflavin producing bacterial and fungal pathogens. Neutrophils, which are recruited early to sites of infection, play a nonredundant role in pathogen clearance and are crucial for controlling infection. The interaction of these two cell types is poorly studied. Here, we investigated both the effect of neutrophils on MAIT cell activation and the effect of activated MAIT cells on neutrophils. We show that neutrophils suppress the activation of MAIT cells by a cell-contact and hydrogen peroxide dependent mechanism. Moreover, highly activated MAIT cells were able to produce high levels of TNF-α that induced neutrophil death. We therefore provide evidence for a negative regulatory feedback mechanism in which neutrophils prevent overactivation of MAIT cells and, in turn, MAIT cells limit neutrophil survival.

Measurement of Respiratory Burst Products, Released or Retained, During Activation of Professional Phagocytes

Activation of professional phagocytes, potent microbial killers of our innate immune system, is associated with an increased cellular consumption of molecular oxygen (O₂). The O₂ molecules consumed are reduced by electrons delivered by a membrane localized NADPH-oxidase that initially generate one- and two electron reduced superoxide anions (O₂^-) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), respectively. These oxidants can then be processed into other highly reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can kill microbes, but that may also cause tissue destruction and drive other immune cells into apoptosis. The development of basic techniques to measure and quantify ROS generation by phagocytes is of great importance, and a large number of methods have been used for this purpose. A selection of methods (including chemiluminescence amplified by luminol or isoluminol, absorbance change following reduction of cytochrome c, and fluorescence increase upon oxidation of PHPA) are described in detail in this chapter with special emphasis on how to distinguish between ROS that are released extracellularly, and those that are retained within intracellular organelles. These techniques can be valuable tools in research spanning from basic phagocyte biology to diagnosis of diseases linked to the NADPH-oxidase and more clinically oriented research on innate immune mechanisms and inflammation.

TRPA1 Ion Channel Determines Beneficial and Detrimental Effects of GYY4137 in Murine Serum-Transfer Arthritis

Modulation of nociception and inflammation by sulfide in rheumatoid arthritis and activation of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channels by sulfide compounds are well documented. The present study aims to investigate TRPA1-mediated effects of sulfide donor GYY4137 in K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis, a rodent model of rheumatoid arthritis. TRPA1 and somatostatin sst4 receptor wild-type (WT) and knockout mice underwent K/BxN serum transfer and were treated daily with GYY4137. Functional and biochemical signs of inflammation were recorded, together with histological characterization. These included detection of hind paw mechanical hyperalgesia by dynamic plantar esthesiometry, hind paw volume by plethysmometry, and upside-down hanging time to failure. Hind paw erythema, edema, and passive movement range of tibiotarsal joints were scored. Somatostatin release from sensory nerve endings of TRPA1 wild-type and knockout mice in response to polysulfide was detected by radioimmunoassay. Polysulfide formation from GYY4137 was uncovered by cold cyanolysis. GYY4137 aggravated mechanical hyperalgesia in TRPA1 knockout mice but ameliorated it in wild-type ones. Arthritis score was lowered by GYY4137 in TRPA1 wild-type animals. Increased myeloperoxidase activity, plasma extravasation, and subcutaneous MIP-2 levels of hind paws were detected in TRPA1 knockout mice upon GYY4137 treatment. Genetic lack of sst4 receptors did not alter mechanical hyperalgesia, edema formation, hanging performance, arthritis score, plasma extravasation, or myeloperoxidase activity. TRPA1 WT animals exhibited smaller cartilage destruction upon GYY4137 administration. Sodium polysulfide caused TRPA1-dependent somatostatin release from murine nerve endings. Sulfide released from GYY4137 is readily converted into polysulfide by hypochlorite. Polysulfide potently activates human TRPA1 receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. According to our data, the protective effect of GYY4137 is mediated by TRPA1, while detrimental actions are independent of the ion channel in the K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis model in mice. At acidic pH in inflamed tissue sulfide is released from GYY4137 and reacts with neutrophil-derived hypochlorite. Resulting polysulfide might be responsible for TRPA1-mediated antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory as well as TRPA1-independent pro-inflammatory effects.

Exposure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to bactericidal hypochlorous acid during neutrophil phagocytosis is compromised in cystic fibrosis

Myeloperoxidase is a major neutrophil antimicrobial protein, but its role in immunity is often overlooked because individuals deficient in this enzyme are usually in good health. Within neutrophil phagosomes, myeloperoxidase uses superoxide generated by the NADPH oxidase to oxidize chloride to the potent bactericidal oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl). In this study, using phagocytosis assays and LC-MS analyses, we monitored GSH oxidation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa to gauge their exposure to HOCl inside phagosomes. Doses of reagent HOCl that killed most of the bacteria oxidized half the cells' GSH, producing mainly glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and other low-molecular-weight disulfides. Glutathione sulfonamide (GSA), a HOCl-specific product, was also formed. When neutrophils phagocytosed P. aeruginosa, half of the bacterial GSH was lost. Bacterial GSA production indicated that HOCl had reacted with the bacterial cells, oxidized their GSH, and was sufficient to be solely responsible for bacterial killing. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase lowered GSA formation in the bacterial cells, but the bacteria were still killed, presumably by compensatory nonoxidative mechanisms. Of note, bacterial GSA formation in neutrophils from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) was normal during early phagocytosis, but it was diminished at later time points, which was mirrored by a small decrease in bacterial killing. In conclusion, myeloperoxidase generates sufficient HOCl within neutrophil phagosomes to kill ingested bacteria. The unusual kinetics of phagosomal HOCl production in CF neutrophils confirm a role for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in maintaining HOCl production in neutrophil phagosomes.

Cell intrinsic functions of neutrophils and their manipulation by pathogens

Neutrophils are a crucial first line of defense against infection, migrating rapidly into tissues where they deploy granule components and toxic oxidants for efficient phagocytosis and microbe killing. Subsequent apoptosis and clearance of dying neutrophils are essential for control of infection and resolution of the inflammatory response. A subset of microbial pathogens survive exposure to neutrophils by manipulating phagocytosis, phagosome-granule fusion, oxidant production, and lifespan. Elucidating how they accomplish this unusual feat provides new insights into normal neutrophil function. In this review, we highlight recent discoveries about the ways in which neutrophils use cell-intrinsic mechanisms to control infection, and how these defenses are subverted by pathogens.

The phagocyte NOX2 NADPH oxidase in microbial killing and cell signaling

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase possesses a transmembrane electron transferase comprised of gp91phox (aka NOX2) and p22phox and two multicomponent cytosolic complexes, which in stimulated phagocytes translocate to assemble a functional enzyme complex at plasma or phagosomal membranes. The NOX2-centered NADPH oxidase shuttles electrons from cytoplasmic NADPH to molecular oxygen in phagosomes or the extracellular space to produce oxidants that support optimal antimicrobial activity by phagocytes. Additionally, NOX2-generated oxidants have been implicated in both autocrine and paracrine signaling in a variety of biological contexts. However, when interpreting experimental results, investigators must recognize the complexity inherent in the biochemistry of oxidant-mediated attack of microbial targets and the technical limitations of the probes currently used to detect intracellular oxidants.

Reactive species and pathogen antioxidant networks during phagocytosis

This review discusses the generation of phagosomal cytotoxic reactive species by activated macrophages and neutrophils for the control of intracellular pathogens, and the mechanisms by which microbes combat host-derived oxidants via antioxidant networks that mitigate the redox-dependent control of infection.

The generation of phagosomal cytotoxic reactive species (i.e., free radicals and oxidants) by activated macrophages and neutrophils is a crucial process for the control of intracellular pathogens. The chemical nature of these species, the reactions they are involved in, and the subsequent effects are multifaceted and depend on several host- and pathogen-derived factors that influence their production rates and catabolism inside the phagosome. Pathogens rely on an intricate and synergistic antioxidant armamentarium that ensures their own survival by detoxifying reactive species. In this review, we discuss the generation, kinetics, and toxicity of reactive species generated in phagocytes, with a focus on the response of macrophages to internalized pathogens and concentrating on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Trypanosoma cruzi as examples of bacterial and parasitic infection, respectively. The ability of pathogens to deal with host-derived reactive species largely depends on the competence of their antioxidant networks at the onset of invasion, which in turn can tilt the balance toward pathogen survival, proliferation, and virulence over redox-dependent control of infection.