Alginic acid isolated from Sargassum wightii exhibits anti-inflammatory potential on type II collagen induced arthritis in experimental animals

The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of alginic acid isolated from the brown algae Sargassum wightii in type II collagen induced arthritic rats, a well established arthritic model that resembles more closely to human rheumatoid arthritis in its clinical, pathological, immunological and histological aspects. Type II collagen induced arthritic rats showed increased activities of inflammatory marker enzymes like cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase (5-LOX), xanthine oxidase (XO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) along with increased concentration of rheumatoid factor (RF), ceruloplasmin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Treatment with alginic acid significantly reduced the activities of COX-2 and 5-LOX along with reduction in MPO, XO, RF and CRP. Alginic acid treatment reverted to the altered levels of hematological parameters like RBC count, WBC count and ESR in arthritic rats. Concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1 β, TNF α and IL-6 were significantly higher in arthritic rats which were reduced on treatment with alginic acid. Increased activities of lysosomal enzymes that manifest the systemic damage during arthritis were significantly reduced by the treatment with alginic acid which indicates the reduction in the rupture and degradation of connective tissue. Histopathology of knee joint tissues showed that extensive bone degradation and synovial hyperplasia along with infiltrating cells and treatment with alginic acid reversed the histopathological changes which indicate the protective potential of alginic acid in rheumatoid arthritis.

Autophagy induced by cathepsin S inhibition induces early ROS production, oxidative DNA damage, and cell death via xanthine oxidase

Cathepsin S plays multiple roles in MHC class II antigen presentation, extracellular matrix degradation, angiogenesis, and tumorogenesis. Our previous study revealed that targeting cathepsin S could induce cellular cytotoxicity and reduce cell viability. For the current study, we further investigated the molecular mechanism responsible for targeting cathepsin S-induced cell death and its association with autophagy. Distinct from regulation of the classic autophagy pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS), we demonstrated that autophagy is the genuine regulator of early ROS production. The molecular silencing of autophagy-dependent ATG genes (ATG5, ATG7, and LC3) and the pharmacologic inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA and wortmannin reduced ROS production significantly. In addition, xanthine oxidase (XO), which is upregulated by autophagy, is required for early ROS production, oxidative DNA damage, and consequent cell death. Autophagy inhibition suppresses the upregulation of XO, which is induced by cathepsin S inhibition, resulting in reduced ROS generation, DNA damage, and cell death. Collectively, our study reveals a noncanonical molecular pathway in which, after the inhibition of cathepsin S, autophagy induces early ROS production for oxidative DNA damage and cell death through XO.

Modeling the effects of estradiol and progesterone on the acute phase proinflammatory axis: variability in tumor necrosis factor-α, nitric oxide, and xanthine oxidase responses to endotoxin challenge in steers

The severity of host response in some diseases differs between sexes, and this dimorphism has been attributed to the immunomodulating effects of reproductive steroid hormones. In females, susceptibility to disease stress has been associated with reproductive status and attributed to prevailing progesterone (P4) or estrogen concentrations during different estrous cycle phases. Our objective was to clarify and define the effect of P4 or 17β-estradiol (E2) on the acute proinflammatory component of the innate immune system by administering these hormones to steers and evaluating initial and tolerance-associated concentration patterns of circulating proinflammatory immune response mediators after two consecutive lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenges (LPS1 and LPS2, 6 d apart; 2.5 μg/kg BW, intravenously, Escherichia coli 055:B5). Plasma concentrations of the proinflammatory initiation cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitrate+nitrite [NO(x), estimate of nitric oxide (NO) production], haptoglobin (HG; acute phase protein) and plasma xanthine oxidase activity (mediator of superoxide production) were measured. Crossbred steers (392 ± 7 kg) were fed a forage-concentrate diet (15% CP) to appetite and assigned to control (C; n = 7), P4 (n = 8), or E2 (n = 5) treatment. Jugular blood samples were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 24 h relative to each of the two LPS injections. For each proinflammatory biomarker, the area under the time by concentration curve (AUC) was used to evaluate and compare responses to the LPS challenge. Treatment with E2 disrupted LPS tolerance as observed in augmented plasma TNF-α (P < 0.01) and NO(x) (P < 0.01) responses to LPS2. Compared with C, P4 treatment decreased plasma NO(x) AUC after LPS2 (P < 0.05) and tended to reduce TNF-α AUC after LPS1 (P = 0.08). Plasma xanthine oxidase activity AUC was increased (P < 0.01) over C by E2 treatment after both LPS1 and LPS2. HG response to LPS1 within 24 h was not affected by any treatment. However, 6 d after LPS1 plasma HG concentration remained higher (P < 0.01) in steers treated with E2 than with C or P4. Results indicate that in cattle, P4 and E2, respectively, attenuate or amplify the response to LPS challenge at several points critical to the regulation of the progression of the proinflammatory cascade.

[Prospects for using antigenic nanosystems in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases]

AIM

To study whether immobilized antigenic nanosystems (ANS) may be designed on the basis of antigens of varying chemical nature to identify and to remove specific antibodies (Ab) from the blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients with the diagnosis of SLE verified by the 1997 American College of Rheumatology criteria and 30 apparently healthy individuals were followed up. The levels of Ab to catalase (Cat), xanthine oxidase (XO), and cardiolipin (CL) were measured by enzyme immunoassay, by applying the respective ANS as an antigenic matrix.

RESULTS

There was a significant relationship of the levels of Ab to Cat and XO to the activity of SLE. It was shown that Ab to Cat and XO could affect the functional activity of serum enzymes. The level of Ab to CL in patients with SLE was found to depend on two parameters - the intensity of the disease and the presence of antiphospholipid syndrome; acute cerebral circulatory disorder and thrombocytopenia were observed to have a significant unidirectional impact on the level of Ab to CL. Immobilized CL-based ANSs were effective in eliminating Ab to CL from the whole blood of patients with SLE, without resulting in a significant hemolysis of blood corpuscles and in a reduction of total protein concentrations.

CONCLUSION

The development and introduction of preventive methods for the early diagnosis of SLE may be extended, by using ANS based on Cat, XO, and CL antigen. The designing and putting into practice novel ANS-based hemosorbents may allow immunosorption to occupy a prominent place in the pathogenetic therapy of inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

Anti-xanthine oxidase antibodies in sera and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other joint inflammations

OBJECTIVE

To study anti-bovine milk xanthine oxidoreductase XOR antibody levels in synovial fluid as well as in serum of patients suffering from rheumatoid affections to assess a possible correlation between antibody titres and severity of disease.

METHODS

Sera and synovial fluids were collected from volunteer donors at Setif University Hospital, Setif, Algeria from 2001--2007 with the consent of patients. Human IgG and IgM levels of free and bound anti-bovine milk XOR antibodies were determined using bovine XOR as antigen, with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA.

RESULTS

Serum IgG anti-bovine milk XOR titres in 30 healthy normal subjects 2.74+/-2.31 microgram/mL are in agreement with that reported in the literature. Immunoglobulin G and IgM anti-bovine milk XOR antibody titres were found to be significantly higher in serum from patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA, and latex positives subjects. Synovial IgM antibody titres to bovine XOR were found to be significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to patients with other joint inflammations.

CONCLUSION

In rheumatoid arthritis patients, high concentrations of antibodies against XOR were noticed. These antibodies may play a major role in RA by inhibiting both xanthine and NADH oxidase activities of XOR. They may also play a key role in eliminating XOR from serum and synovial fluid positive role but unfortunately, immune complex formation could also activate complement and participate in self maintenance of inflammation.

Effect of environmental nitric oxides on the antitumor resistance of rats

AIM

To evaluate the influence of exogenous nitric oxides (NOx) on the antitumor resistance of rats, and to compare the activity of enzymes influencing the level of free radicals upon normal conditions and tumor growth.

METHODS

The growth kinetics of Guerin carcinoma (GC) was studied. NO inhalation was performed in special chamber for 16 h per day during 1 month before GC transplantation. Proliferative activity of nonstimulated lymphocytes (PANSL), functional activity of peritoneal macrophages (PM) and cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells (NK) were studied in vitro. Proliferative activity of lymphocytes from lymph nodes (BTLR) was studied upon administration of Concanavalin A in vivo. The activity of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in tumor tissues were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The inhalation of exogenous NOx results in toxic effect on the T-cells of immune system in vivo. Tumor growth was accompanied by activation of NK cells, PM and by decrease of proliferative activity of T-lymphocytes. The influence of NO accelerated the growth of tumor and was accompanied by the decrease of relative weight of thymus, peripheral lymph nodes and spleen 2.9, 2 and 1.5 fold, respectively; 4.9 fold increase of functional activity of PM; 2 and 2.3 fold decrease of PANSL and BTLR, respectively. In tumor tissue was observed 3.5 fold decrease of LPO level but the ratio of XOR isoforms increased by 18 fold mainly due to inactivation of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH).

CONCLUSION

The relation between the NO inhalation, immune status and antitumor resistance has been evaluated. The prolonged action of exogenous NOx negatively influence T-cells of immune system and caused hyperactivation of PM, sharp decrease of XDH activity and LPO level, and accompanied by accelerated tumor growth in vivo.

A defect of neuronal nitric oxide synthase increases xanthine oxidase-derived superoxide anion and attenuates the control of myocardial oxygen consumption by nitric oxide derived from endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important role in the control of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) by nitric oxide (NO). A NOS isoform is present in cardiac mitochondria and it is derived from neuronal NOS (nNOS). However, the role of nNOS in the control of MVO2 remains unknown. MVO2 in left ventricular tissues from nNOS-/- mice was measured in vitro. Stimulation of NO production by bradykinin or carbachol induced a significant reduction in MVO2 in wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast to WT, bradykinin- or carbachol-induced reduction in MVO2 was attenuated in nNOS-/-. S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline, a potent isoform selective inhibitor of nNOS, had no effect on bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in WT. Bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in eNOS-/- mice, in which nNOS still exists, was also attenuated. The attenuated bradykinin-induced reduction in MVO2 in nNOS-/- was restored by preincubation with Tiron, ascorbic acid, Tempol, oxypurinol, or SB203850, an inhibitor of p38 kinase, but not apocynin. There was an increase in lucigenin-detectable superoxide anion (O2-) in cardiac tissues from nNOS-/- compared with WT. Tempol, oxypurinol, or SB203850 decreased O2- in all groups to levels that were not different from each other. There was an increase in phosphorylated p38 kinase normalized by total p38 kinase protein level in nNOS-/- compared with WT mice. These results indicate that a defect of nNOS increases O2- through the activation of xanthine oxidase, which is mediated by the activation of p38 kinase, and attenuates the control of MVO2 by NO derived from eNOS.

Xanthine oxidoreductase is present in bile ducts of normal and cirrhotic liver

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) is a widely distributed enzyme, involved in the metabolism of purines, which generates superoxide and is thought to be involved in free radical-generated tissue injury. It is present at high concentrations in the liver, from where it may be released during liver injury into the circulation, binding to vascular endothelium and causing vascular dysfunction. The cellular localization of the enzyme, essential to understanding its function, is, however, still debated. The present study has used a highly specific mouse monoclonal antibody to define the cellular distribution of XOR in normal and cirrhotic human liver. As shown previously, XOR is present in hepatocytes. However, the novel finding of this study is that XOR is present in bile duct epithelial cells, where it is concentrated toward the luminal surface. Moreover, in liver disease, proliferating bile ducts are also strongly positive for XOR. These findings suggest that the enzyme is secreted into bile, and this was confirmed by analysis of human and rat bile. Xanthine oxidase activity was 10 to 20-fold higher in liver tissue obtained from patients with liver disease, than in healthy liver. We conclude that XOR is expressed primarily in hepatocytes, but is also present in bile duct epithelial cells and is secreted into bile. Its role in bile is unknown but it may be involved in innate immunity of the bowel muscosa.

Innate and acquired control of trypanosome parasitaemia in Cape buffalo

The review discusses the roles of serum xanthine oxidase, serum catalase and trypanosome-specific immune responses in the regulation of the level of trypanosome parasitaemic waves in Cape buffalo.

Seasonal variation of xanthine oxidoreductase activity in the digestive gland cells of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis: a biochemical, histochemical and immunochemical study

The activity and the tissue distribution of the oxygen radical producing enzyme xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) were measured in the digestive gland of the common marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lmk along an annual cycle. No xanthine oxidase (XOX) activity could be measured, the enzyme only displaying xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activity in all the cases. This is interpreted as a mechanism to avoid the harmful effects of the oxygen radicals that would be produced by XOX during periods following anoxic conditions at low tide. The highest XDH activities coincided with the late spring/early summer months, the activity maxima being recorded from May to July. Histochemically XOR activity was very pronounced in duct and stomach epithelial cells as well as in the surrounding connective tissue and hemolymph vessels, the activity increasing towards the summer months. These seasonal variations in XDH or XOR activities are possibly linked to hormonal changes governing the reproductive cycle and to changes in food availability. The localization of the protein in the connective tissue lining the hemolymph vessels was confirmed immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody against rat liver protein that cross-reacted specifically with a polypeptide of 150 kDa of molecular mass in homogenates of the digestive gland. This polypeptide was linked to cytosolic fractions isolated by differential centrifugation from mussel digestive glands. In paraffin sections the antibody labeled the digestive cells of digestive tubules, as well as the connective tissue surrounding the hemolymph vessels, gonadal follicles, digestive epithelia and certain protozoan parasites. Taken together our results suggest that in the digestive gland of bivalve molluscs XOR is involved in the metabolism of purines and in the scavenging of oxygen free radicals.

Determination of xanthine oxidase in human serum by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Xanthine oxidase was purified from human milk and used to immunise rabbits. A competitive immunoenzymatic assay with purified enzyme and rabbit antiserum was optimised to measure xanthine oxidase in human serum, the lowest detectable amount being 0.03 pmol of enzymatic protein. Thus, the test (i) is sensitive enough to determine xanthine oxidase in human serum, being more sensitive than the spectrophotometric method, (ii) it is more convenient for clinical laboratories than other sensitive tests and (iii) it has the advantage over the enzyme activity-based assays of also detecting inactive enzyme molecules. A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum xanthine oxidase level in healthy donors and in patients with liver diseases, and it was found that any concentration below 1 mg/L is in the normal range.

Immunoaffinity localization of the enzyme xanthine oxidase on the outside surface of the endothelial cell plasma membrane

BACKGROUND

Reactive oxygen metabolites generated from endothelial xanthine oxidase (XO) trigger reperfusion injury in many organs. We evaluated the possibility that endothelial XO was localized on the endothelial cell surface, as well as within the cytoplasm.

METHODS

Primary cultures of bovine (BAECs) and porcine (PAECs) aortic endothelial cells were grown in media documented to be free of XO. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were developed against XO. These antibodies were used to evaluate BAEC and PAEC for cell surface XO through immunofluorescence staining, hybridoma cell surface labeling, and endothelial cell surface binding.

RESULTS

These antibodies bound specifically to the surface of these cells when the membrane was shown to be intact and impermeable (and the cytoplasm inaccessible) to immunoglobulins Moreover, hybridoma cells expressing monoclonal antibody to XO bound specifically to the endothelial cell surface. Finally, intact endothelial cells bound specifically to the anti-XO polyclonal antibodies immobilized to the surface of a Petri dish. The integrity of these endothelial cell plasma membranes was demonstrated by the subsequent growth and replication of these cells in culture.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that XO is present on the outside surface of the endothelial cell plasma membrane. This would not only explain the known in vivo efficacy of intravascularly administered large molecular weight antioxidants (such as superoxide dismutase) but could have important implications for inflammatory signaling.

Immunohistochemical localization of xanthine oxidase in human retina

Xanthine oxidase has been established as an important source of oxygen free radicals in ischemia-reperfusion injury. It has been localized in many different tissues such as heart and intestine, but it has not yet been localized in the eye. Xanthine oxidase was detected using immunohistochemistry on paraformaldehyde/glutaraldehyde fixed cryosections. Antibodies used included rabbit antibovine xanthine oxidase antibody and rabbit antihuman xanthine oxidase antibody. Xanthine oxidase was detected in the capillary endothelium cells of blood vessels in the retina of bovine and post mortem human eyes. Whole mount preparation of human retinas showed xanthine oxidase present throughout the small capillary network. Furthermore, whole mounts showed that xanthine oxidase was present in cones. This was confirmed by using mouse anticalbindin antibody for co-labelling. It is possible that xanthine oxidase can be a source of oxidative damage in the retina following ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Effects of in-vivo generation of oxygen free radicals on immune responsiveness in rabbits

Oxygen free radicals (OFRs) generated during biological processes are reportedly involved in the pathogenesis of several disease states and various reports have indicated that oxidative stress may alter immune competence. Hence, effects of in-vivo generation of OFRs by using xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XO) system on immune responsiveness were evaluated in rabbits. Intravenous injections of xanthine (0.14 mg/kg) along with xanthine oxidase (2 U/Kg) following primary and secondary immunizations of animals with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) significantly attenuated the primary and secondary antibody responses respectively. In tests for cell-mediated immunity, tuberculin sensitivity and leucocyte migration inhibition were also decreased significantly in sensitized animals following X/XO treatment. The observed changes in both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses following such in-vivo generation of OFRs indicate a possible nexus between OFR generation and immune suppression.

Circulating anti-(xanthine oxidoreductase) antibodies in healthy human adults

Levels of free anti-(xanthine oxidoreductase) (XOR) antibodies in the serum of normal healthy human subjects were determined, using both human and bovine enzyme as antigen, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Levels of IgM class anti-(human XOR) antibodies were found to be particularly high (mean values representing approximately 3% of total IgM) and to be significantly higher than levels of IgM anti-(bovine XOR) antibodies, indicating that endogenous XOR, rather than ingested bovine milk XOR, is the immunogen. IgM anti-XOR antibody levels were significantly higher in women under 50 years than in age-matched men, or in older women. Levels of IgG class anti-XOR antibodies were much lower and showed no correlation with gender or age. Affinity-purified anti-(human XOR) antibodies only partially inhibited enzymic activities of XOR. The majority of both IgM and IgG anti-(human XOR) antibodies in serum occurred as immune complexes, suggesting that the specific antibodies have a protective role in removing potentially damaging XOR from the circulation.

Neutrophil mediated microvascular injury in acute, experimental compartment syndrome

The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of neutrophils and tissue xanthine oxidase to the skeletal muscle microvascular dysfunction in an ex vivo model of acute compartment syndrome. Adult dogs were rendered neutropenic or depleted of tissue xanthine oxidase before gracilis muscle isolation. Compared with continuously perfused, nonischemic muscles, acute, experimental compartment syndrome resulted in a dramatic increase in microvascular permeability, muscle neutrophil content, and muscle vascular resistance. Neutropenia prevented, whereas xanthine oxidase depletion had no effect on, the microvascular dysfunction and muscle neutrophil infiltration elicited by experimental compartment syndrome. These results suggest that neutrophils contribute to the microvascular dysfunction and blood flow distribution abnormalities elicited by acute, experimental compartment syndrome.

Immunohistochemical localization of aldehyde and xanthine oxidase in rat tissues using polyclonal antibodies

Tissues from male Wistar rats, fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin, were studied with immunoperoxidase techniques using polyclonal antibodies raised against aldehyde oxidase or xanthine oxidase purified from rat liver. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that aldehyde oxidase-bearing cells were strongly stained in renal tubules, esophageal, gastric, intestinal and bronchial epithelium as well as liver cytoplasm. Weak but positive immunoreactivity was observed on the pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells, gastric glands and intestinal goblet cells. In contrast, it was demonstrated that cells with xanthine oxidase were strongly stained in renal tubules, esophageal, gastric, and small and large intestinal and bronchial epithelia etc. Positive immunostaining was also found in adrenal gland, skeletal muscle, spleen and cerebral hippocampus. Immunoreactivity againt aldehyde oxidase was not found in adrenal gland, spleen, mesentery or aorta, while immunoreactivity against xanthine oxidase was not found in mesentery or aorta. Although the significance of this ubiquitous and similar localization of aldehyde and xanthine oxidase seems unclear at present, these results may provide a clue as to the full understanding of the pathophysiological role of these oxidases in tissues.

Circulating immune complexes of xanthine oxidase in normal subjects

An antigen-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect immune complexes of xanthine oxidase (XODIC), and applied to assay serum XODIC in normal subjects. It was found that XODIC of both IgM and IgG isotypes could be detected in all the 85 sera tested. XODIC levels as a percentage of total xanthine oxidase antibody (XODAb) in the free and bound forms were mostly less than 20%, and there was also significant correlation in XODIC and XODAb levels for both IgM and IgG isotypes. The implications of these findings are discussed.

[Free-radical mechanism of antimicrobial action of xanthine oxidase and lactoperoxidase]

The interaction between milk xanthine oxidase (XO) and lactoperoxidase (LP) in model system and antimicrobial action of these enzymes on Escherichia coli 0-111 were studied. It was shown, that bacterial superoxide dismutase (SOD), which transforms O2-. (XO-reaction product) into H2O2 (substrate of LP), is necessary for binding of the reaction sequence: XO-->LP-->antimicrobial products. It is suggested, that these enzymes unite in the protective system in intestinal infections of newborns. Bacterial SOD in this case acts as the key factor, creating the system.

Subcellular localization of xanthine oxidase in rat hepatocytes: high-resolution immunoelectron microscopic study combined with biochemical analysis

Xanthine oxidase (XO), a molybdo-flavoprotein enzyme involved in purine degradation, was localized immunocytochemically in rat hepatocytes by high-resolution immunoelectron microscopy. XO was isolated from rat liver and a 150 KD polypeptide was purified. Antibodies were raised in rabbits. Small pieces of fresh liver were quickly frozen by contact with a copper block pre-cooled with liquid helium and were freeze-substituted with either 2.5% OsO4 or 0.2% glutaraldehyde in acetone. They were then warmed and embedded in Epon-Araldite or Araldite 6005. Resin sections were treated by indirect immunostaining using anti-rat liver XO antibody and protein A-gold. The labeling pattern was clearly over the cytosol and not on cell organelles. A few gold particles were found over the mitochondrial matrix, but not over the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, or peroxisomes, including their crystalloid core. These results are consistent with those of the biochemical assay of XO in this study. The significance of the occasional immunolabeling of the mitochondrial matrix remains obscure, since biochemical determinations in this study indicate no XO activity in the mitochondrial fraction.

Purification and partial characterization of xanthine oxidase from human milk

Xanthine oxidase was purified from human milk in yields comparable with those obtained from bovine milk. The freshly purified enzyme appeared homogeneous in gel permeation FPLC and SDS-PAGE, consistent with its being a homodimer with total M(r) 290,000 +/- 6000. The ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrum differed only slightly from that of bovine milk enzyme and showed an A280/A450 ratio of 5.13 +/- 0.29, indicating a high degree of purity. Xanthine oxidase activities of purified enzyme varied with batches of milk, ranging between 3 and 46 mU/mg protein; values that are some two to three orders of magnitude smaller than those shown by the most highly purified samples of bovine milk enzyme. Direct comparison with commercially-available bovine milk enzyme showed that activities involving xanthine as reducing substrate were 1-6% that of the bovine enzyme, whereas those involving NADH, in contrast, were of the same order for the two enzymes. Anaerobic bleaching experiments indicated that less than 2% of the human enzyme was present as a form active with xanthine. These findings, together with the activity data, are consistent with a very high content, possibly greater than 98%, of demolybdo- and/or desulpho-forms of human enzyme, both of which occur, to a lesser extent, in bovine xanthine oxidase. Molybdenum assay indicated that demolybdo-enzyme could only account for some 26% of this inactive component, suggesting that desulpho-enzyme may account for the remainder.

Localisation of xanthine oxidase to synovial endothelium

The presence of the xanthine oxidase enzyme system has been demonstrated in the rheumatoid synovium. This supplies a reactive oxygen species generating system to synovium that is subjected to hypoxic-reperfusion cycles (cf inflamed rheumatoid synovium). An antibody to bovine milk xanthine oxidase has been used to localise the enzyme by immunohistochemistry to synovial endothelium. This implicates the endothelial cell as playing a major part in exacerbations of synovitis, induced by radicals.

Immunocytochemical localization of xanthine oxidase in rat myocardium

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb's) to xanthine oxidase (XO) (from bovine milk) were produced by hybridoma technique. Culture supernatants were initially screened using enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA). Forty four positive clones were subcloned and further characterized by ELISA and immunoblot analysis. Out of fifteen clones, which were positive in immunoblot analysis, one clone N2-26 was also positive in immunocytochemical studies. Indirect immunoperoxidase and enzyme histochemistry staining showed that XO activity is present in endothelial cells of capillaries, small blood vessels and also in interstitial cells. Electron microscopy revealed that diaminobenzidine reaction product was distributed in the cytoplasm of interstitial cells and endothelial cells of capillaries and small blood vessels. This is the first report of the presence of XO in interstitial cells and endothelial cells of small blood vessels. Allopurinol, which inhibits the xanthine oxidase activity, did not have any effect on the immunocytochemical staining. Our results in normal rat heart suggest that XO activity is confined to interstitial cells, endothelial cells of capillaries and small blood vessels.

Human xanthine oxidase antibody levels: variation between males and females in Chinese and Europeans

Levels of antibody specific for Xanthine oxidase (XODAb) of the immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgM and IgA have been determined in the sera of blood donors of Chinese and European ethnic origin by immunoassay. No significant differences were found between the two ethnic groups. Significant differences were found in the distribution, of XODAb IgM levels between Chinese males and females and European males and females (chi 2 = 8.262, P = 0.025; chi 2 = 9.423, P = less than 0.001). Since the age range of the female blood donors is 16-49 years, it was postulated that the higher IgM XODAb levels in the females was the result of autoimmunisation by endothelial Xanthine oxidase during menstruation. A group of post-menopausal women showed significantly lower IgM XODAb levels compared to the blood donors (chi 2 = 31.748, P = less than 0.0005). IgM levels in a group of older men were also significantly lower (chi 2 = 3.895, P = less than 0.05) but the difference was much less marked. Unlike the younger males and females there was no significant difference in the distribution of XODAb IgM levels between older males and females. The results seem to support the hypothesis of menstrual auto-immunisation.

[The effect of immune antibodies and the xanthine oxidase-xanthine enzymatic link on Vibrio cholerae]

As revealed in experiments on V. cholerae, highly diluted cholera antiserum enhanced the inhibitory action of the enzymatic link xanthine oxidase-xanthine-Fe2+ on the multiplication of V. cholerae, while low dilutions of the antiserum weakened this action. Normal rabbit serum produced no such effect. The antivibrionic effectiveness of the immune molecular cycle, viz. antiserum--the xanthine oxidase enzymatic link, was found to depend also on the concentration of xanthine. Immune antibodies to cholera antigens activated the bacteriostatic action of the enzymatic link at the concentration of xanthine oxidase equal to 0.0125 g/l and its bactericidal action at the concentration of xanthine oxidase equal to 0.025 g/l. In this article the values of the specificity indices of immune interaction and immunological effectiveness, characterizing the effectiveness of immune molecular cycles (antibodies--the xanthine oxidase enzymatic link), are presented.

Antibodies to xanthine oxidase: elevated levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Circulating antibodies to whole dried cows' milk, previously reported to be elevated in patients with myocardial infarction, have been shown to be directed mainly to the bovine milk fat globule membrane. Human antibodies against the bovine milk fat globule membrane themselves interact primarily with the enzyme, xanthine oxidase. Comparison of anti-(xanthine oxidase) antibody levels in 107 patients, who had suffered a myocardial infarction, with those in 86 control subjects showed significantly higher IgM levels in the patients with myocardial infarction. No corresponding differences were found for IgG or IgA anti-(xanthine oxidase) antibodies. Total levels of IgM class immunoglobulins did not differ between patients and controls. Serial assays following myocardial infarction showed no evidence that raised levels of IgM anti-(xanthine oxidase) antibodies result from the infarction itself.

Preparation and characterization of xanthine oxidase-antibody and -hapten conjugates for use in sensitive chemiluminescent immunoassays

Methods have been developed to label haptens or antibodies with xanthine oxidase for use in chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays. We have optimised coupling reactions involving the use of heterobifunctional cross-linkers, the introduction of sulfhydryl groups and the utilization of accessible cysteine residues on the native enzyme. The versatility of xanthine oxidase as a label in immunoanalysis was studied in five assay systems, including both competition procedures (TT4 and direct serum estradiol assays) and immunometric assays (TSH, IgE, hCG). In all of the assay systems, the performance of the conjugates was excellent, demonstrating that the chelate enhanced luminometric detection of xanthine oxidase should have a wide potential in many immunoassays.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determination of antibodies to xanthine oxidase

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies to xanthine oxidase. The method used xanthine oxidase to coat sample wells on microtitre plates. The anti-xanthine oxidase concentrations were determined by reference to standard curves constructed by coating plates with anti-IgG, anti-IgA and anti-IgM to capture antibodies of different classes in standard human serum. The standard curves for IgG, IgA and IgM had a working range of 0 to about 60 ng/ml, and all results with commercial quality control serum fell within expected ranges. The coefficients of variation (CV) for within-batch precision (n = 30) and between-batch precision (n = 20) for IgG and IgM were about 9% and 12% respectively. The detection limit was 2 ng/ml. The ELISA was applied to assay serum samples of 110 Chinese and 110 European healthy subjects. A positively-skewed distribution in their anti-xanthine oxidase IgG and IgM levels was observed.

Preparation of antibodies against xanthine oxidase from human milk

1. Human xanthine oxidase [XO; EC 1.2.3.2.] was isolated by a non-proteolytic method from fresh human milk. Final purification of the protein was achieved by hydroxyapatite chromatography. Most (less than 95%) of the enzyme was released in the 0.40 M phosphate fraction at pH 6.8. 2. The specific activity of this preparation was found to be 0.047 microM min-1 mg-1 with xanthine as substrate. 3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) separated two subunits, each with a mol. wt approximately 122 kDa. 4. On non-denaturing acrylamide gels both of these subunits exhibited oxidase-like activity with xanthine as substrate in the presence of nitroblue tetrazolium and molecular oxygen. 5. Immunoconjugates of XO were prepared by the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)- and glutaraldehyde-crosslinking techniques. 6. Polyclonal antibodies to XO were raised by i.m. injection of these conjugates into female New Zealand rabbits. 7. Western blot analysis using the semi-dry technique was employed to confirm the specificity of the antibody.

Xanthine oxidase activity and immunologically detectable protein in the C57B1/6 mouse

1. Xanthine oxidase (XO) was purified from livers of C57B1/6 mice. Antibodies generated against the purified protein were used in an immunoassay to measure total XO protein. 2. Both the specific activity and amount of XO protein were greater in the proximal small intestine than in the liver. A pool of inactive enzyme was present in the small intestine which developed after weaning. 3. Male C57B1/6 mice had the same XO specific activity as females and neither the hepatic nor the intestinal XO activity were affected by the level of dietary protein. 4. When mice were fed diets with tungsten, XO activity was lost and the amount of XO protein in the small intestine was decreased.

High concentrations of antibodies to xanthine oxidase in human and animal sera. Molecular characterization

The widespread occurrence of antibodies (IgG) specific to xanthine oxidase in both normal (nonimmune) human and animal sera, and in antisera raised against a diversity of unrelated antigens is described. A study of sera from 81 humans revealed that xanthine oxidase-specific IgG represents a high proportion (1-8%) of total IgG. No obvious correlation to pathological events or symptoms of disease could be found. These xanthine oxidase-specific antibodies could be isolated by immunoaffinity chromatography on purified human or bovine xanthine oxidase and showed specific binding to the enzyme polypeptide of Mr 155,000 in immunoblotting experiments. By immunofluorescence microscopy they displayed the same cell type-specific reaction as experimentally induced antibodies, i.e., the staining of lactating mammary gland epithelium and capillary endothelium. The naturally occurring xanthine oxidase-specific antibodies consisted of polyclonal IgG of various subclasses. F(ab')2 preparations gave immune-reactions identical to those of IgG. The human xanthine oxidase-specific IgG cross-reacted with the bovine enzyme and both human and animal antibodies partially inhibited its activity. The xanthine oxidase activity of human milk lipid globules and supernatant fractions from various human tissues was extremely low when compared with that of the bovine antigen. The enzyme protein, however, was effectively precipitated from these sources by both the human and bovine antibodies. We suggest that the exceptionally high concentrations of antibodies against one protein, xanthine oxidase, are due to self-immunization to the xanthine oxidase antigen present in endothelial cells of capillaries. We do not exclude, however, nutritional contributions of bovine milk antigen to the appearance of xanthine oxidase antibodies in human sera. The possible biological functions of this immunological reaction are discussed.

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody to bovine xanthine oxidase

The isolation of a hybridoma cell line, C-41, secreting monoclonal antibody to bovine xanthine oxidase (EC 1.2.3.2), is described. The specificity of this antibody was determined by solid-phase immunoassay, immunoblotting procedures, affinity chromatography, immunoelectrophoresis and precipitation techniques. The results are compared with those obtained in similar specificity studies on a previously described monoclonal antibody secreted by hybridoma cell line A-94 [Mather, Nace, Johnson & Goldsby (1980) Biochem. J. 188, 925-928]. This latter antibody appears to bind to xanthine oxidase only when the enzyme is immobilized on a solid support such as a plastic plate or nitrocellulose paper. Potential problems in the determination of the specificity of monoclonal antibodies, especially towards membrane proteins of unknown biological activity, are discussed.

[Xanthine oxidase in homogenized cow's milk and Oster's hypothesis: a review]

Oster has postulated that the enzyme xanthine oxidase in homogenized cow's milk is the cause of myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. This enzyme may be absorbed by ingestion, especially of the small particles of the fat globules, and then carried by lymph streams to the arterial vascular system, where it is deposited into the myocardium. Then it destroys the aldehydes liberated from the cell membrane-based plasmalogens. This results in the intimal damage to the cell membranes of the arterial intima and the myocardium and ultimately in the development of typical atherosclerotic lesions in the arteries. The presented review is a critical approach to this hypothesis. The following factors are discussed: - the influence of conditions prevailing in the intestine and the stomach on the activity of the xanthine oxidase in milk, - the possibility of this enzyme being absorbed in the intestine, - the formation of antibodies against absorbed xanthine oxidase and - the behaviour of xanthine oxidase administered intravenously. Compared with present knowledge, this theory gives little evidence only.

Homogenized bovine milk xanthine oxidase: a critique of the hypothesis relating to plasmalogen depletion and cardiovascular disease

A hypothesis has repeatedly been promoted that xanthine oxidase from homogenized bovine milk is absorbed intact, damaging cardiovascular tissue by depleting plasmalogens and initiating atherosclerotic changes that culminate in heart disease. In the light of recent experimental evidence, the present paper examines the validity of this hypothesis and associated claims. The evidence leads to the conclusion that 1) absorption of dietary xanthine oxidase has not been demonstrated; 2) a relationship between intakes of homogenized milk and levels of serum xanthine oxidase activity have not been established; 3) a direct role for xanthine oxidase in plasmalogen depletion has not been established; 4) neither liposome formation during homogenization of milk nor absorption of intact liposomes from the gastrointestinal tract has been demonstrated; and 5) data are lacking to support the claim that large doses of folic acid inhibit xanthine oxidase in vivo and/or are therapeutic in heart disease. Experimental evidence has failed to substantiate, and in many cases has refuted, the xanthine oxidase/plasmalogen depletion hypothesis.

Purification of xanthine oxidase from the fat-globule membrane of bovine milk by electrofocusing

Xanthine oxidase was purified from bovine milk-fat globule membrane by extraction with butan-1-ol, precipitation with ammonium sulphate, separation by preparative electrofocusing and chromatography on Concanavalin-A/Agarose. The enzyme had an A280/A450 ratio of 4.8 and a specific activity of 3.09. At least five to seven variants of the enzyme with isoelectric points from pH 6.9 to 7.6 were identified. Previously identified minor "variants' of the enzymes with apparently acidic isoelectric points (1) were shown to be the result of aggregation of enzyme with membrane sialoglycoproteins. Specific antibodies to xanthine oxidase were prepared by fractionating immune serum on a column of enzyme covalently bound to Sepharose 4B. A single immunoprecipitate was obtained when the purified antibodies were allowed to diffuse in agarose gels against either Triton-X-100-extracted membrane or purified xanthine oxidase. Immunoelectrophoresis of the enzyme against anti-sera to xanthine oxidase, however, revealed two precipitin lines, both of which were positive when histochemically stained for enzyme activity. The results are discussed with reference to previous purification schemes for xanthine oxidase and previous estimates for the isoelectric points of the enzyme. We also outline practical uses for the antibody prepared against the enzyme in this present study.

Detection of xanthine oxidase and immunologically related proteins in fractions from bovine mammary tissue and milk after electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate

A solid-phase immunoassay was used to detect xanthine oxidase in fractions from bovine mammary glands after electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecyl sulphate. Under these conditions the major proportion of xanthine oxidase in either mammary tissue or mild could be recovered as a protein of mol.wt. 150 000. In mammary tissue approx. 80% of the enzyme was in a soluble form and the remainder was accounted for in either 'mitochondrial' or microsomal fractions after tissue homogenization and fractionation. Affinity chromatography of either detergent-solubilized microsomal membranes or postmicrosomal supernatants on immobilized antibody to xanthine oxidase yielded a single protein that cross-reacted with antibody to the enzyme. In milk presumptive degradation products of the enzyme were detected in minor quantities with mol.wts. of 43 000 in the whey fraction and 90 000 in fat-globule membrane. Only the undegraded enzyme was present in the skim-milk membrane fraction. Xanthine oxidase is therefore synthesized and secreted as a protein with a monomeric mol.wt. of 150 000 and is not subjected to extensive proteolytic degradation during the storage of milk in mammary alveoli. The significance of the results is discussed in relation to the overall protein composition of the membranes of milk-fat globules and skim milk.

Preparation of monoclonal antibodies to xanthine oxidase and other proteins of bovine milk-fat-globule membrane

Nine hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibody to proteins of bovine milk-fat-globule membrane were isolated. All nine cell lines continued to secrete monoclonal antibody after serial transfer in culture and after passage as solid tumours in Balb/cJ mice. Four of the cell lines secreted monoclonal antibody specific for xanthine oxidase, one of the major proteins of milk-fat-globule membrane.

Immunological similarities of mammalian xanthine oxidases

The degree of relatedness among mammalian xanthine oxidases (XO) was determined by microcomplement fixation. Rabbit anti bovine milk XO serum was tested against xanthine oxidase (homologous protein) and against the heterologous proteins of bovine liver, monkey liver, rat liver, lactating cow serum, nonlactating cow serum, and steer serum. The indices of dissimilarity for the heterologous proteins were expressed as units of immunological distance and the percent sequence differences among these proteins inferred from the y = 5x relationship where y is immunological distance and x is percent sequence difference. Rat liver XO differed by approximately 27% in amino acid sequence from bovine milk XO. In order of increasing immunological distance from bovine milk XO, the sources of XO ranked as follows: lactating cow serum less than nonlactating cow serum less than steer serum = beef liver less than monkey liver less rat liver. The monkey ranked much closer than the rat in order of phylogenetic kinship to the cow. Starch gel electrophoresis of liver, milk, and serum showed that the milk and the serum contained only cationic forms of xanthine oxidase while all the liver samples tested contained cationic as well as anionic forms of the enzyme. The electrophoretic mobility properties of xanthine oxidase confirmed the polymorphic nature of the enzyme as revealed by the immunological data.

Antigenicity of bovine milk xanthine oxidase in guinea pigs

Six female and four male albino guinea pigs were immunized with active purified xanthine oxidase of bovine milk mixed with equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant. One male and one female were immunized with heat-inactivated xanthine oxidase mixed with equal volume of adjuvant. Two males and four females were controls and received a phosphate buffer mixed with equal volume of adjuvant. The mixtures were administered intradermally and subcutaneously at weekly intervals for 6 consecutive wk and blood samples collected weekly. The enzyme was antigenic by the coated tanned red blood cell method. After the third weekly immunization, precipitating antibodies were in the sera of animals that received the active enzyme. Hemagglutination titers increased during subsequent weeks and reached a maximum after the sixth weekly immunization. Antisera from animals immunized with heat-inactivated xanthine oxidase gave a positive response similar to that with animals immunized with the active enzyme. However, when the same antisera were tested with sheep red blood cells coated with heat-inactivated enzyme, no hemagglutination was observed. Ouchterlony double gel-diffusion tests showed that it may be possible to differentiate between antibodies elicited to active and heat-inactivated xanthine oxidase.