Colony-Stimulating Factors Signal for Increased Transport of Vitamin C in Human Host Defense Cells

[(11)C]Ascorbic and [(11)C]dehydroascorbic acid, an endogenous redox pair for sensing reactive oxygen species using positron emission tomography

Here we report the radiosynthesis of an endogenous redox pair, [(11)C]ascorbic acid ([(11)C]VitC) and [(11)C]dehydroascorbic acid ([(11)C]DHA), the reduced and oxidized forms of vitamin C, and their application to ROS sensing. These results provide the basis for in vivo detection of ROS using positron emission tomography (PET).

Noninvasive in vivo imaging of diabetes-induced renal oxidative stress and response to therapy using hyperpolarized 13C dehydroascorbate magnetic resonance

Oxidative stress has been proposed to be a unifying cause for diabetic nephropathy and a target for novel therapies. Here we apply a new endogenous reduction-oxidation (redox) sensor, hyperpolarized (HP) (13)C dehydroascorbate (DHA), in conjunction with MRI to noninvasively interrogate the renal redox capacity in a mouse diabetes model. The diabetic mice demonstrate an early decrease in renal redox capacity, as shown by the lower in vivo HP (13)C DHA reduction to the antioxidant vitamin C (VitC), prior to histological evidence of nephropathy. This correlates with lower tissue reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and higher NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) expression, consistent with increased superoxide generation and oxidative stress. ACE inhibition restores the HP (13)C DHA reduction to VitC with concomitant normalization of GSH concentration and Nox4 expression in diabetic mice. HP (13)C DHA enables rapid in vivo assessment of altered redox capacity in diabetic renal injury and after successful treatment.

Cellular pathways for transport and efflux of ascorbate and dehydroascorbate

The mechanisms allowing the cellular transport of ascorbic acid represent a primary aspect for the understanding of the roles played by this vitamin in pathophysiology. Considerable research effort has been spent in the field, on several animal models and different cell types. Several mechanisms have been described to date, mediating the movements of different redox forms of ascorbic acid across cell membranes. Vitamin C can enter cells both in its reduced and oxidized form, ascorbic acid (AA) and dehydroascorbate (DHA), utilizing respectively sodium-dependent transporters (SVCT) or glucose transporters (GLUT). Modulation of SVCT expression and function has been described by cytokines, steroids and post-translational protein modification. Cellular uptake of DHA is followed by its intracellular reduction to AA by several enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. Efflux of vitamin C has been also described in a number of cell types and different pathophysiological functions were proposed for this phenomenon, in dependence of the cell model studied. Cellular efflux of AA is mediated through volume-sensitive (VSOAC) and Ca(2+)-dependent anion channels, gap-junction hemichannels, exocytosis of secretory vesicles and possibly through homo- and hetero-exchange systems at the plasma membrane level. Altogether, available data suggest that cellular efflux of ascorbic acid - besides its uptake - should be taken into account when evaluating the cellular homeostasis and functions of this important vitamin.

Dehydroascorbic acid as pre-conditioner: protection from lipopolysaccharide induced mitochondrial damage

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is a common consequence of severe sepsis. However, oxidative stress also activates signalling cascades which enable protection of cells against subsequent oxidative damage. This study hypothesized that cellular uptake of vitamin C as dehydroascorbic acid rather than ascorbic acid would up-regulate antioxidant enzyme systems and impart a protective effect to mitochondria in cells subsequently exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in an iron free environment. Treatment of monocytes with dehydroascorbic acid, but not ascorbic acid, caused oxidative stress (p< 0.001). Dehydroascorbic acid exposure also resulted in increased manganese superoxide dismutase (p= 0.018) and catalase (p= 0.003) expression. Pre-treatment of monocytes with dehydroascorbic acid followed by LPS resulted in higher mitochondrial membrane potentials than cells without pre-treatment (p< 0.0001). Lower cytochrome c in cytosol (p< 0.05) and higher mitochondrial expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein (p= 0.029) was also found in monocytes pre-treated before subsequent LPS exposure, compared to cells without pre-treatment. In conclusion, acute exposure of monocytes to dehydroascorbic acid in an iron free environment induces cytoprotective antioxidant enzymes and protected mitochondria from the harmful effects of oxidative stress prior to a septic insult, which was abrogated when cells were pre-incubated with the DHA uptake inhibitor cytocholasin B.

The role of ascorbate in the modulation of HIF-1alpha protein and HIF-dependent transcription by chromium(VI) and nickel(II)

Molecular oxygen is involved in hydroxylation and subsequent degradation of HIF-1alpha, a subunit of HIF-1 transcription factor; therefore oxygen shortage (hypoxia) stabilizes this protein. However, HIF-1alpha can also be stabilized by transition metal ions in the presence of oxygen, suggesting that a different mechanism is involved in metal-induced hypoxic stress. Recently, we showed that the depletion of intracellular ascorbate by metals may lead to the inhibition of hydroxylases. Because nickel(II) has similarity to iron(II), an alternative hypothesis suggests that iron substitution for nickel in the enzyme inhibits hydroxylase activity. Here we investigated the induction of HIF-1 by another metal, chromium, which cannot replace iron in the enzyme. We show that chromium(VI), but not chromium(III), can oxidize ascorbate both in cells and in a cell-free system. In agreement with these data chromium(VI) stabilizes HIF-1alpha protein in cells only until it is reduced to chromium(III). In contrast, nickel(II) was found to be a catalyst, which facilitated continuous oxidation of ascorbate by ambient oxygen. These data correlate with extended stabilization of HIF-1alpha after acute exposure to nickel(II). The HIF-1-dependent reporter assays revealed that 20-24 h was required to fully develop the HIF-1 transcriptional response, and the acute exposure to nickel(II), but not chromium(VI), meets this requirement. However, repeated (chronic) exposure to chromium(VI) can also lead to extended stabilization of HIF-1alpha. Thus, the obtained data emphasize the important role of ascorbate in regulation of HIF-1 transcriptional activity in metal-exposed human lung cells.

Herbs or Natural Products That Increase Cancer Growth or Recurrence: Part Two of a Four-Part Series

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To review 32 herbs and natural products that show potential to increase cancer growth or recurrence or to interfere with cancer treatments.

DATA SOURCES

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and Lawrence Review of Natural Products Monograph System.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Early evidence shows that patients who have or have had cancer should avoid 32 herbs and natural products. Some herbs and natural products have estrogenic effects that enable these products to compete with hormone cancer therapies, whereas others interfere with chemotherapy treatment or may induce recurrence of cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare professionals can be resources for patients who have cancer, helping them to avoid or identify products that may induce cancer growth or interfere with cancer treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

The information in this article is designed to provide quick access for healthcare professionals working in clinical oncology.

Regulation of vitamin C transport

Ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA, oxidized vitamin C) are dietary sources of vitamin C in humans. Both nutrients are absorbed from the lumen of the intestine and renal tubules by, respectively, enterocytes and renal epithelial cells. Subsequently vitamin C circulates in the blood and enters all of the other cells of the body. Concerning flux across the plasma membrane, simple diffusion of ascorbic acid plays only a small or negligible role. More important are specific mechanisms of transport and metabolism that concentrate vitamin C intracellularly to enhance its function as an enzyme cofactor and antioxidant. The known transport mechanisms are facilitated diffusion of DHAA through glucose-sensitive and -insensitive transporters, facilitated diffusion of ascorbate through channels, exocytosis of ascorbate in secretory vesicles, and secondary active transport of ascorbate through the sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters SVCT1 and SVCT2 proteins that are encoded by the genes Slc23a1 and Slc23a2, respectively. Evidence is reviewed indicating that these transport pathways are regulated under physiological conditions and altered by aging and disease.

Hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in human endothelial cells are inhibited by vitamin C

Hypoxia and hypoxia-reperfusion (H-R) play important roles in human pathophysiology because they occur in clinical conditions such as circulatory shock, myocardial ischemia, stroke, and organ transplantation. Reintroduction of oxygen to hypoxic cells during reperfusion causes an increase in generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can alter cell signaling, and cause damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA leading to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Since vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and quenches ROS, we investigated the role of intracellular ascorbic acid (iAA) in endothelial cells undergoing hypoxia-reperfusion. Intracellular AA protected human endothelial cells from H-R-induced apoptosis. Intracellular AA also prevents loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome C and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 during H-R. Additionally, inhibition of caspase-9 activation prevented H-R-induced apoptosis, suggesting a mitochondrial site of initiation of apoptosis. We found that H-R induced an increase in ROS in endothelial cells that was abrogated in the presence of iAA. Our results indicate that vitamin C prevents hypoxia and H-R-induced damage to human endothelium.

Differential signalling for enhanced hexose uptake by interleukin (IL)-3 and IL-5 in male germ cells

We studied the expression and function of the IL (interleukin)-3 and IL-5 family of receptors in male germ cells. RT (reverse transcription)-PCR showed expression of mRNAs encoding the alpha and beta subunits of the IL-3 and IL-5 receptors in human testis, and the presence of IL-3 and IL-5 receptors alpha and beta proteins was confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-alpha and anti-beta antibodies. The immunolocalization studies showed expression of these receptors in the germ line in the human testis and in human and bovine ejaculated spermatozoa. Functional studies with bull spermatozoa indicated that IL-3 signalled for increased uptake of hexoses in these cells at picomolar concentrations compatible with expression of functional high-affinity IL-3 receptors in these cells. In contrast, IL-5 failed to induce increased hexose uptake in bull spermatozoa. Experiments using HL-60 eosinophils that express functional IL-3 and IL-5 receptors confirmed that IL-3, but not IL-5, signalled for increased hexose uptake. Our findings suggest that differential signalling for increased hexose uptake by heteromeric high-affinity IL-3 and IL-5 receptors in mammalian spermatozoa is a property that depends on the identity of the alpha-subunit forming part of the alphabeta-complex and is not a property specific to the germ cells.

A human sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 isoform acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of ascorbic acid transport

Vitamin C is transported as ascorbic acid (AA) through the sodium-ascorbate cotransporters (SVCT1 and -2) and as dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) through the facilitative glucose transporters. All cells have glucose transporters and take up DHA that is trapped intracellularly by reduction and accumulated as AA. SVCT2 is widely expressed in cells and tissues at the mRNA level; however, only specialized cells directly transport AA. We undertook a molecular analysis of SVCT2 expression and discovered a transcript encoding a short form of human SVCT2 (hSVCT2-short) in which 345 bp is deleted without a frame shift. The deletion involves domains 5 and 6 and part of domain 4. cDNA encoding this isoform was isolated and expressed in 293T cells, where the protein was detected on the plasma membrane. Transport studies, however, revealed that hSVCT2-short gave rise to a nonfunctional transporter protein. hSVCT2-short arises by alternative splicing and encodes a protein that strongly inhibited the function of SVCT2 and, to a lesser extent, SVCT1 in a dominant-negative manner, probably by protein-protein interaction. The expression of hSVCT2-short varies among cells. PCR analysis of cDNA isolated from melanocytes capable of transporting AA revealed a predominance of the full-length isoform, while HL-60 cells, which express SVCT2 at the mRNA level and were incapable of transporting AA, showed a predominance of the short isoform. These findings suggest a mechanism of AA uptake regulation whereby an alternative SVCT2 gene product inhibits transport through the two known AA transporters.

Vitamin C inhibits FAS-induced apoptosis in monocytes and U937 cells

The FAS receptor-FAS ligand system is a key apoptotic pathway for cells of the immune system. Ligation of the FAS-receptor (CD95) induces apoptosis by activation of pro-caspase-8 followed by downstream events, including an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of proapoptotic factors from the mitochondria, leading to caspase-3 activation. We investigated the role of vitamin C in FAS-mediated apoptosis and found that intracellular accumulation of pharmacologic concentrations of vitamin C inhibited FAS-induced apoptosis in the monocytic U937 cell line and in fresh human monocytes. Cells were loaded with vitamin C by exposure to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), thereby circumventing in vitro artifacts associated with the poor transport and pro-oxidant effects of ascorbic acid (AA). Vitamin C inhibition of FAS-mediated apoptosis was associated with reduced activity of caspase-3, -8, and -10, as well as diminished levels of ROS and preservation of mitochondrial membrane integrity. Mechanistic studies indicated that the major effect of vitamin C was inhibition of the activation of caspase-8 with no effect on it enzymatic activity. An independent action of high intracellular concentrations of vitamin C on mitochondrial membrane stabilization was also detected. These studies illuminate the nature of redox-dependent signaling in FAS-induced apoptosis of human monocytes and suggest that vitamin C can modulate the immune system by inhibiting FAS-induced monocyte death.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor signals for increased glucose transport via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- and hydrogen peroxide-dependent mechanisms

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulates cellular glucose uptake by decreasing the apparent K(m) for substrate transport through facilitative glucose transporters on the plasma membrane. Little is known about this signal transduction pathway and the role of the alpha subunit of the GM-CSF receptor (alpha GMR) in modulating transporter activity. We examined the function of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) in GM-CSF-stimulated glucose uptake and found that PI 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, completely blocked the GM-CSF-dependent increase of glucose uptake in Xenopus oocytes expressing the low affinity alpha GMR and in human cells expressing the high affinity alpha beta GMR complex. We identified a Src homology 3 domain-binding motif in alpha GMR at residues 358-361 as a potential interaction site for the PI 3-kinase regulatory subunit, p85. Physical evidence for p85 binding to alpha GMR was obtained by co-immunoprecipitation with antibodies to alpha GMR and p85, and an alpha GMR mutant with alteration of the Src homology 3 binding domain lost the ability to bind p85. Experiments with a construct eliminating most of the intracellular portion of alpha GMR showed a 50% reduction in GM-CSF-stimulated glucose uptake with residual activity blocked by wortmannin. Searching for a proximally generated diffusible factor capable of activating PI 3-kinase, we identified hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), generated by ligand or antibody binding to alpha GMR, as the initiating factor. Catalase treatment abrogated GM-CSF- or anti-alpha GMR antibody-stimulated glucose uptake in alpha GMR-expressing oocytes, and H(2)O(2) activated PI 3-kinase and led to some stimulation of glucose uptake in uninjected oocytes. Human myeloid cell lines and primary explant human lymphocytes expressing high affinity GM-CSF receptors responded to alpha GMR antibody with increased glucose uptake. These results identify the early events in the stimulation of glucose uptake by GM-CSF as involving local H(2)O(2) generation and requiring PI 3-kinase activation. Our findings also provide a mechanistic explanation for signaling through the isolated alpha subunit of the GM-CSF receptor.

Recycling of vitamin C by a bystander effect

Human cells transport dehydroascorbic acid through facilitative glucose transporters, in apparent contradiction with evidence indicating that vitamin C is present in human blood only as ascorbic acid. On the other hand, activated host defense cells undergoing the oxidative burst show increased vitamin C accumulation. We analyzed the role of the oxidative burst and the glucose transporters on vitamin C recycling in an in vitro system consisting of activated host-defense cells co-cultured with human cell lines and primary cells. We asked whether human cells can acquire vitamin C by a "bystander effect" by taking up dehydroascorbic acid generated from extracellular ascorbic acid by neighboring cells undergoing the oxidative burst. As activated cells, we used HL-60 neutrophils and normal human neutrophils activated with phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate. As bystander cells, we used immortalized cell lines and primary cultures of human epithelial and endothelial cells. Activated cells produced superoxide anions that oxidized extracellular ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid. At the same time, there was a marked increase in vitamin C uptake by the bystander cells that was blocked by superoxide dismutase but not by catalase and was inhibited by the glucose transporter inhibitor cytochalasin B. Only ascorbic acid was accumulated intracellularly by the bystander cells. Glucose partially blocked vitamin C uptake by the bystander cells, although it increased superoxide production by the activated cells. We conclude that the local production of superoxide anions by activated cells causes the oxidation of extracellular ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid, which is then transported by neighboring cells through the glucose transporters and immediately reduced to ascorbic acid intracellularly. In addition to causing increased intracellular concentrations of ascorbic acid with likely associated enhanced antioxidant defense mechanisms, the bystander effect may allow the recycling of vitamin C in vivo, which may contribute to the low daily requirements of the vitamin in humans.

Inhibition of microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transport in human neutrophils results in apoptosis: a potential explanation for neutrophil dysfunction in glycogen storage disease type 1b

Mutations in the gene of the hepatic glucose-6-phosphate transporter cause glycogen storage disease type 1b. In this disease, the altered glucose homeostasis and liver functions are accompanied by an impairment of neutrophils/monocytes. However, neither the existence of a microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transport, nor the connection between its defect and cell dysfunction has been demonstrated in neutrophils/monocytes. In this study we have characterized the microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transport of human neutrophils and differentiated HL-60 cells. The transport of glucose-6-phosphate was sensitive to the chlorogenic acid derivative S3483, N-ethylmaleimide, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, known inhibitors of the hepatic microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transporter. A glucose-6-phosphate uptake was also present in microsomes from undifferentiated HL-60 and Jurkat cells, but it was insensitive to S3483. The treatment with S3484 of intact human neutrophils and differentiated HL-60 cells mimicked some leukocyte defects of glycogen storage disease type 1b patients (ie, the drug inhibited phorbol myristate acetate-induced superoxide anion production and reduced the size of endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores). Importantly, the treatment with S3484 also resulted in apoptosis of human neutrophils and differentiated HL-60 cells, while undifferentiated HL-60 and Jurkat cells were unaffected by the drug. The proapoptotic effect of S3483 was prevented by the inhibition of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase or by antioxidant treatment. These results suggest that microsomal glucose-6-phosphate transport has a role in the antioxidant protection of neutrophils, and that the genetic defect of the transporter leads to the impairment of cellular functions and apoptosis.

The physiological role of dehydroascorbic acid

Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) is abundant in the human diet and also is generated from vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. DHA is absorbed from the lumen of the small intestine and reduced to AA, which subsequently circulates in the blood. Utilization of AA as an antioxidant and enzyme cofactor causes its oxidation to DHA in extracellular fluid and cells. DHA has an important role in many cell types because it can be used to regenerate AA. Both physiological (e.g. insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, cyclic AMP) and pathological (e.g. oxidative stress, diabetes, sepsis) factors alter the transport and metabolic mechanisms responsible for this DHA recycling.

Vitamin C inhibits granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-induced signaling pathways

Vitamin C is present in the cytosol as ascorbic acid, functioning primarily as a cofactor for enzymatic reactions and as an antioxidant to scavenge free radicals. Human granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induces an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uses ROS for some signaling functions. We therefore investigated the effect of vitamin C on GM-CSF-mediated responses. Loading U937 cells with vitamin C decreased intracellular levels of ROS and inhibited the production of ROS induced by GM-CSF. Vitamin C suppressed GM-CSF-dependent phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (Stat-5) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase (Erk1 and Erk2) in a dose-dependent manner as was phosphorylation of MAP kinase induced by both interleukin 3 (IL-3) and GM-CSF in HL-60 cells. In 293T cells transfected with alpha and beta GM-CSF receptor subunits (alphaGMR and betaGMR), GM-CSF-induced phosphorylation of betaGMR and Jak-2 activation was suppressed by vitamin C loading. GM-CSF-mediated transcriptional activation of a luciferase reporter construct containing STAT-binding sites was also inhibited by vitamin C. These results substantiate the importance of ROS in GM-CSF signaling and indicate a role for vitamin C in downmodulating GM-CSF signaling responses. Our findings point to vitamin C as a regulator of cytokine redox-signal transduction in host defense cells and a possible role in controlling inflammatory responses.

Mechanism of vitamin C inhibition of cell death induced by oxidative stress in glutathione-depleted HL-60 cells

Vitamin C is a well known antioxidant whose precise role in protecting cells from oxidative challenge is uncertain. In vitro results have been confounded by pro-oxidant effects of ascorbic acid and an overlapping role of glutathione. We used HL-60 cells as a model to determine the precise and independent role of vitamin C in cellular protection against cell death induced by oxidative stress. HL-60 cells do not depend on glutathione to transport or reduce dehydroascorbic acid. Depletion of glutathione rendered the HL-60 cells highly sensitive to cell death induced by H2O2, an effect that was not mediated by changes in the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, or superoxide dismutase. The increased sensitivity to oxidative stress was largely reversed when glutathione-depleted cells were preloaded with ascorbic acid by exposure to dehydroascorbic acid. Resistance to H2O2 treatment in cells loaded with vitamin C was accompanied by intracellular consumption of ascorbic acid, generation of dehydroascorbic acid, and a decrease in the cellular content of reactive oxygen species. Some of the dehydroascorbic acid generated was exported out of the cells via the glucose transporters. Our data indicate that vitamin C is an important independent antioxidant in protecting cells against death from oxidative stress.

Expression of GM-CSF receptors in male germ cells and their role in signaling for increased glucose and vitamin C transport

We studied the expression and function of the granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor in male germ cells. RT-PCR showed expression of mRNAs encoding the alpha- and beta-subunits of the GM-CSF receptor in human testis, and the presence of the alpha- and beta-proteins was confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-alpha and anti-beta-antibodies. Immunolocalization studies showed the level of expression of GM-CSF alpha- and beta-subunits in the germ line in the testis and in ejaculated spermatozoa. Receptor binding studies using radiolabeled GM-CSF revealed that bull spermatozoa have about 105 high-affinity sites with a K(d) of 222 pM and approximately 1100 low-affinity sites with a K(d) of 10 nM. GM-CSF signaled, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, for an increased uptake of glucose and vitamin C.

Kinetic Resolution of Two Mechanisms for High-Affinity Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Binding to Its Receptor

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important hematopoietic cytokine that exerts its effects by interaction with the GM-CSF receptor (GMR) on the surface of responsive cells. The GM-CSF receptor consists of two subunits: GMR, which binds GM-CSF with low affinity, and GMRβ, which lacks intrinsic ligand-binding capability but complexes with GMR to form a high-affinity receptor (GMR/β). We conducted dynamic kinetic analyses of GM-CSF receptors to define the role of GMRβ in the interaction of ligand and receptor. Our data show that GMR/β exhibits a higher kon than GMR, indicating that GMRβ facilitates ligand acquisition to the binding pocket. Heterogeneity with regard to GM-CSF dissociation from GMR/β points to the presence of loose and tight ligand-receptor complexes in high-affinity binding. Although the loose complex has a koff similar to GMR, the lower koffindicates that GMRβ inhibits GM-CSF release from the tight receptor complex. The two rates of ligand dissociation may provide for discrete mechanisms of interaction between GM-CSF and its high-affinity receptor. These results show that the β subunit functions to stabilize ligand binding as well as to facilitate ligand acquisition.

Preferential uptake and accumulation of oxidized vitamin C by THP-1 monocytic cells

THP-1 cells preferentially accumulate vitamin C in its oxidized form. The uptake displays first-order kinetics and leads to a build-up of an outward concentration gradient which is stable in the absence of extracellular vitamin. The transport is faster than reduction by extracellular glutathione or by added cytosolic extract, and glutathione-depleted cells show the same uptake rates as control cells. In addition, energy depletion or oxidation of intracellular sulfhydryls does not inhibit accumulation of ascorbate. The accumulation, however, always occurs in the reduced form. The affinity for dehydroascorbate is lower (Km 450 microM vs 60 microM) than for reduced ascorbate, but the maximal rate is more than 30 times higher (581 compared to 19 pmol.min-1 per 106 cells), and it is independent of sodium, whereas the uptake of ascorbate is not. The sodium gradient also allows accumulation of reduced ascorbate. Inhibitors of glucose transport by the GLUT-1 transporter also inhibit uptake of dehydroascorbate (DHA), but there are some inconsistencies, because the Ki-values are higher than reported for the isolated transporter and one inhibitor (deoxyglucose) is noncompetitive. The preferential uptake of the dehydro-form of the vitamin may be useful for situations where this short-lived metabolite is formed by oxidation in the environment.