Reactive oxygen species induced structural alterations of substance P

Substance P (SP(1-11)) was exposed to a continuous flux of superoxide (O2-) or hydroxyl radicals ((.)OH) in a hypoxanthine (HX)/xanthine oxidase (86 mU) system in the presence of 1 mM deferoxamine and 40 mM D-mannitol or 50 muM FeCI(3). 6H(2)O and 50 muM EDTA, respectively. O2- caused fragmentation between the Phe(7) and Phe(8), whereas (.)OH induced cleavage also between the Phe(8) and Gly(9). Reactive oxygen species H(2)O(2) and HCIO did not cause fragmentation, but modification of the amino acid side chains and/or aggregation with altered hydrophobicity in reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography compared to native SP(1-11). Furthermore, exposure of SP(1-11) to phorbol myristate acetate preactivated neutrophils resuited in products similar to those observed upon exposure to superoxide or hydroxyl radicals in a cell-free HX/xanthine oxidase system. This study suggests that, in contrast to rigid proteins, fragmentation is relatively easily induced in a small peptide like SP(1-11), perhaps due to strain on the peptide and t-carbon bonds caused by the movable, random coil configuration acquired by SP(1-11) in an aqueous solution. Oxidative modification might modulate paracrine actions of SP(1-11) at site of inflammation.     

Interaction of Mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) with the mutagenicity of cyclophosphamide in vitro and in vivo

The effects of sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mesna) on the mutagenicity of cyclophosphamide (CP) were assessed in vitro by the Ames test and in vivo in rats by analyzing micronuclei in bone marrow and mutagenic activity in urine. Mesna alone was negative in all test systems, while CP gave a positive response in all of them. In a combined treatment there was no significant reduction of the CP-induced mutagenicity in Salmonella. In rats the frequency of bone marrow micronuclei was not diminished when Mesna was given together with CP. May-Grunwald-Giemsa staining and Hoechst-Pyronin fluorescent staining techniques for micronuclei yielded similar results. The urine of rats treated with CP was mutagenic to Salmonella and no significant difference was observed when the rats had received both Mesna and CP. The results give support to the theory that Mesna acts primarily by reducing the toxicity of metabolites of CP, particularly acrolein, in the urinary tract and not by suppressing the mutagenicity of the active metabolites of CP.     

Ultrastructure of E1 + 2 + 9 + 12 inversion breakpoints in Drosophila subobscura

The ultrastructure of the Drosophila subobscura chromosome regions around the breakpoints of the complex E1 + 2 + 9 + 12 gene arrangement was analyzed. This overlapping inversion is formed by the association of the E1, E2, E9, and E12 simple inversions. Ultrastructure of sections involving 58D/59A, 61C/D, 62D/63A, 64B/C, 67A/B, and 68B/C breakpoints on Est chromosomes were compared with the ultrastructure of sections involving chromosomes were compared with the ultrastructure of sections involving 58D/68B, 62D/64C, 59A/63A, 64B/68C, 67B/61C, and 67A/61B breakpoints on E1 + 2 + 9 + 12 chromosomes. No detectable changes of structural organization on banding patterns induced by the E1 + 2 + 9 + 12 inversion were found. Ultrastructural analysis of the two E12 breakpoints has, however, facilitated the analysis of the left boundary of E12 inversion. Accordingly, we propose 61B/C as a new breakpoint instead of 61C/D.     

Activation of latent human neutrophil collagenase by reactive oxygen species and serine proteases

The ability of various reactive oxygen species and serine proteases to activate latent collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) purified from human neutrophils was examined. Latent 70-75 kD human neutrophil collagenase (HNC) was efficiently activated by known non-proteolytic activators phenylmercuric chloride (an organomercurial compound) and gold thioglucose (Au(I)-salt). Corresponding degree of activation was achieved by reactive oxygen species including hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical generated by hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XAO). The presence of trace amounts of iron and EDTA were necessary and even enhanced H2O2 induced activation of latent HNC. This activation could be abolished by an iron chelator desferrioxamine and a hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol. HOCl induced activation of latent HNC was not affected by desferrioxamine and mannitol. Thus, these compounds do not inhibit the active/activated form of HNC. Latent HNC could also be activated by trypsin and chymotrypsin but not by plasmin and plasma kallikrein. The ability of mannitol and desferrioxamine to inhibit the H2O2-induced activation of HNC suggests the transition metal dependent Fenton reaction to be responsible for localized and/or site-specific generation of hydroxyl radical/hydroxyl radical -like oxidants to act as the activating oxygen species. Our results support the ability of myeloperoxidase derived HOCl to act as a direct oxidative activator of HNC and further suggest the existence of a new/alternative oxidative activation pathway of HNC involving hydroxyl radical.     

Examination of ras oncoproteins in human plasma from healthy controls and workers exposed to petroleum emissions, including benzene-related compounds

Ras oncoproteins in blood plasma from workers exposed to petroleum emissions and unexposed controls were examined from Polish and Estonian samples. Twenty-four workers and 35 unexposed controls were examined from Poland and 97 exposed and 40 unexposed controls from Estonia. Of the Estonian workers, 50 were exposed to benzene in a benzene production plant and 47 to polyaromatic hydrocarbons and benzene in a cokery. Blood plasma proteins were separated by gel electrophoresis, transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane by Western blotting and detected by chemiluminescence using a monoclonal antibody as the primary antibody. There were no statistically significant differences between the exposed and the control groups in either the Polish or the Estonian samples.     

Endostatin inhibits human tongue carcinoma cell invasion and intravasation and blocks the activation of matrix metalloprotease-2, -9, and -13

Endostatin, a 20-kDa collagen XVIII fragment, inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo, but the mechanisms are still unclear. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a family of extracellular and membrane-associated endopeptidases, collectively digest almost all extracellular matrix and basement membrane components, and thus play an important role in tumor progression. We studied the effects of recombinant human endostatin on human MMP-2, -9, -8, and -13. We found that endostatin inhibited the activation and catalytic activity of pro-MMP-9 and -13 as well as recombinant pro-MMP-2. It prevented the fragmentation of pro-MMP-2 that was associated with reduction of catalytic activity. Endostatin had no effect on MMP-8 as shown by collagenase activity assays. An in vitro migration assay and an in vivo chicken chorioallantoic membrane intravasation assay with the human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC-3 revealed the biphasic nature of endostatin; low endostatin concentrations inhibited intravasation and migration of these cells in a dose-dependent manner, but at increased concentrations, the inhibitory effect was far less efficient. The results show that endostatin blocks the activation and activities of certain tumor-associated pro-MMPs, such as pro-MMP-2, -9, and -13, which may explain, at least in part, the antitumor effect of endostatin. Our results also suggest that endostatin inhibits tumor progression by directly affecting the tumor cells and not just acting via endothelial cells and blockage of angiogenesis.     

Matrix Metalloproteinases -8 and -9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 in Burn Patients. A Prospective Observational Study

IntroductionMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -8 and -9 are released from neutrophils in acute inflammation and may contribute to permeability changes in burn injury. In retrospective studies on sepsis, levels of MMP-8, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) differed from those of healthy controls, and TIMP-1 showed an association with outcome. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between these proteins and disease severity and outcome in burn patients.MethodsIn this prospective, observational, two-center study, we collected plasma samples from admission to day 21 post-burn, and burn blister fluid samples on admission. We compared MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels between TBSA<20% (N = 19) and TBSA>20% (N = 30) injured patients and healthy controls, and between 90-day survivors and non-survivors. MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels at 24-48 hours from injury, their maximal levels, and their time-adjusted means were compared between groups. Correlations with clinical parameters and the extent of burn were analyzed. MMP-8, -9, and TIMP-1 levels in burn blister fluids were also studied.ResultsPlasma MMP-8 and -9 were higher in patients than in healthy controls (P<0.001 and P = 0.016), but only MMP-8 differed between the TBSA<20% and TBSA>20% groups. MMP-8 and -9 were not associated with clinical severity or outcome measures. TIMP-1 differed significantly between patients and controls (P<0.001) and between TBSA<20% and TBSA>20% groups (P<0.002). TIMP-1 was associated with 90-day mortality and correlated with the extent of injury and clinical measures of disease severity. TIMP-1 may serve as a new biomarker in outcome prognostication of burn patients.     

Stabilization of the activated alphaMbeta2 integrin by a small molecule inhibits leukocyte migration and recruitment

Integrins are potential targets for the development of antiinflammatory agents. Here we develop a novel high-throughput assay by allowing a chemical library to compete with phage display peptide binding and identify a novel small-molecule ligand to the leukocyte-specific alpha(M)beta(2) integrin. The identified thioxothiazolidine-containing compound, IMB-10, had an unexpected activity in that it stabilized binding of alpha(M)beta(2) to its endogenous ligands proMMP-9 and fibrinogen. Single amino acid substitutions in the activity-regulating C-terminal helix and the underlying region in the ligand-binding I domain of the integrin suppressed the effect of IMB-10. A computational model indicated that IMB-10 occupies a distinct cavity present only in the activated form of the integrin I domain. IMB-10 inhibited alpha(M)beta(2)-dependent migration in vitro and inflammation-induced neutrophil emigration in vivo. Stabilization of integrin-mediated adhesion by a small molecule is a novel means to inhibit cell migration and may have a utility in treatment of inflammatory diseases involving leukocyte recruitment.     

Arresten,a Collagen-Derived Angiogenesis Inhibitor,Suppresses Invasion of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The turnover of extracellular matrix liberates various cryptic molecules with novel biological activity. Among these are the collagen-derived anti-angiogenic fragments, some of which are suggested to affect carcinoma cells also directly. Arresten is an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor that is derived from the non-collagenous domain of the basement membrane collagen IV α1 chain. As the mere prevention of tumor angiogenesis leads to hypoxia that can result in selection of more aggressive cell types and reduces the efficacy of chemotherapy, we aimed here to elucidate how arresten influences the aggressive human carcinoma cells. Arresten efficiently inhibited migration and invasion of HSC-3 tongue carcinoma cells in culture and in an organotypic model. Subcutaneous Arr-HSC xenografts grew markedly more slowly in nude mice and showed reduced tumor cell proliferation, vessel density and local invasiveness. In the organotypic assay, HSC-3 cells overproducing arresten (Arr-HSC) showed induction of cell death. In monolayer culture the Arr-HSC cells grew in aggregated cobblestone-like clusters and, relative to the control cells, showed increased expression and localization of epithelial marker E-cadherin in cell-cell contacts. Application of electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) further supported our observations on altered morphology and motility of the Arr-HSC cells. Administration of a function-blocking α1 integrin antibody abolished the impedance difference between the Arr-HSC and control cells suggesting that the effect of arresten on promotion of HSC-3 cell-cell contacts and cell spreading is at least partly mediated by α1β1 integrin. Collectively, our data suggest novel roles for arresten in the regulation of oral squamous carcinoma cell proliferation, survival, motility and invasion through the modulation of cell differentiation state and integrin signaling.