Myeloperoxidase deficiency enhances zymosan phagocytosis associated with up-regulation of surface expression of CD11b in mouse neutrophils

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a major component of neutrophils, catalyzes the production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from hydrogen peroxide and chloride anion. Phagocytosis is a critical event induced by neutrophils for host defense and inflammation. Interestingly, we found that MPO-deficient (MPO^?/?) neutrophils engulfed larger amounts of zymosan than wild-type neutrophils. Blocking of the CD11b subunit of complement receptor 3 (CR3) as well as inhibition of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) dramatically reduced zymosan phagocytosis. In contrast, blocking of dectin-1, toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), or spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) had no significant effects on phagocytosis. Western blotting analysis showed that inhibition of FAK decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, indicating that ERK1/2 is a downstream regulator of FAK in neutrophils. Importantly, we found that cell surface expression of CD11b and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was significantly higher in zymosan-stimulated MPO^?/? neutrophils than in zymosan-stimulated wild-type neutrophils. Pretreatment with the MPO inhibitor 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide dramatically enhanced both zymosan phagocytosis and the surface expression of CD11b in wild-type neutrophils, but not in MPO^?/? neutrophils. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that up-regulation of the CD11b/FAK/ERK signaling pathway due to absence of MPO enhances the zymosan phagocytic activity of mouse neutrophils.     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 is involved in the activation of NADPH oxidase induced by FMLP receptor but not by complement receptor 3 in rat neutrophils

This experiment was performed to clarify the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ERK1/2, in NADPH oxidase-dependent O_{2^{- production in rat peritoneal neutrophils. When neutrophils were exposed to N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) to stimulate an N-formyl peptide receptor, not only the production of Opact">-} but also the activation of ERK1/2 was observed. The translocation of an NADPH oxidase component, p47phoxphox, from cytosol to membrane also occurred in neutrophils stimulated with fMLP. U0126, an ERK1/2 kinase inhibitor, inhibited both the production of Opact">- and the translocation of p47phoxphox elicited by fMLP. On the other hand, when complement receptor 3 of neutrophils was stimulated with opsonized zymosan (OZ), weaker activation of ERK1/2 than that by fMLP was observed. In this case, U0126 showed no inhibition against the production of Opact">- and slight inhibition against the translocation of p47phoxphox. Large inhibition against the OZ-induced production of Opact">- was only observed in neutrophils treated with GF109203X, a PKC inhibitor. The present study indicates that receptor dependence exists in the ERK1/2 signaling pathway leading to the activation of NADPH oxidase.}     

The photoprotein pholasin as a luminescence substrate for detection of superoxide anion radicals and myeloperoxidase activity in stimulated neutrophils

Pholasin, the photoprotein of the common piddock Pholas dactylus, emits an intense luminescence upon oxidation. The contribution of superoxide anion radicals and myeloperoxidase (MPO) to Pholasin luminescence in stimulated neutrophils was investigated. Data on Pholasin luminescence were compared with results of superoxide anion radical generation detected by the cytochrome c test as well as with the release of elastase and MPO. In N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) stimulated neutrophils, most of the luminescence is caused by superoxide anion radicals, whereas MPO shows only a small effect as shown by coincubation with superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as potassium cyanide (KCN), an inhibitor of MPO. However, both, O₂^- and MPO contribute to light emission in fMLP/cytochalasin B and phorbol myristoyl acetate (PMA) stimulated cells. Thus, the kinetics of O₂^- generation and MPO release can be very well detected by Pholasin luminescence in stimulated neutrophils.

Degranulation of azurophilic granules was assessed using an ELISA test kit for released MPO or detection of elastase activity with MeO-Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide in the supernatant of stimulated cells. Both approaches revealed concurrently similar results concerning the amount and kinetics of enzyme release with data of Pholasin luminescence. Both, cytochrome c measurements and Pholasin luminescence indicate that fMLP/cytochalasin B and PMA stimulated neutrophils produce more O₂^- than fMLP stimulated cells. Thus, Pholasin luminescence can be used to detect, sensitively and specifically, O₂^- production and MPO release from stimulated neutrophils.     

Influences of chloride and hypochlorite on neutrophil extracellular trap formation

Background

The release by neutrophils of DNA-based extracellular traps (NETs) is a recently recognized innate immune phenomenon that contributes significantly to control of bacterial pathogens at tissue foci of infection. NETs have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of non-infectious diseases such as small vessel vasculitis, lupus and cystic fibrosis lung disease. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important mediators of NET generation (NETosis). Neutrophils with reduced ROS production, such as those from patients with chronic granulomatous disease or myeloperoxidase (MPO) deficiency, produce fewer NETs in response to inflammatory stimuli. To better understand the roles of various ROS in NETosis, we explore the role of MPO, its substrates chloride ion (Cl⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and its product hypochlorite (HOCl) in NETosis.

Findings

In human peripheral blood neutrophils, pharmacologic inhibition of MPO decreased NETosis. Absence of extracellular Cl⁻, a substrate for MPO, also reduced NETosis. While exogenous addition of H₂O₂ and HOCl stimulated NETosis, only exogenous HOCl could rescue NETosis in the setting of MPO inhibition. Neither pharmacological inhibition nor genetic deletion of MPO in murine neutrophils blocked NETosis, in contrast to findings in human neutrophils.

Conclusions

Our results pinpoint HOCl as the key ROS involved in human NETosis. This finding has implications for understanding innate immune function in diseases in which Cl⁻ homeostasis is disturbed, such as cystic fibrosis. Our results also reveal an example of significant species-specific differences in NET phenotypes, and the need for caution in extrapolation to humans from studies of murine NETosis.     

α1 adrenoceptor activation by norepinephrine inhibits LPS‐induced cardiomyocyte TNF‐α production via modulating ERK1/2 and NF‐κB pathway

Cardiomyocyte tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) production contributes to myocardial depression during sepsis. This study was designed to observe the effect of norepinephrine (NE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced cardiomyocyte TNF‐α expression and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes and endotoxaemic mice. In cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, NE inhibited LPS‐induced TNF‐α production in a dose‐dependent manner. α₁‐ adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist (prazosin), but neither β₁‐ nor β₂‐AR antagonist, abrogated the inhibitory effect of NE on LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α production. Furthermore, phenylephrine (PE), an α₁‐AR agonist, also suppressed LPS‐induced TNF‐α production. NE inhibited p38 phosphorylation and NF‐κB activation, but enhanced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and c‐Fos expression in LPS‐treated cardiomyocytes, all of which were reversed by prazosin pre‐treatment. To determine whether ERK1/2 regulates c‐Fos expression, p38 phosphorylation, NF‐κB activation and TNF‐α production, cardiomyocytes were also treated with U0126, a selective ERK1/2 inhibitor. Treatment with U0126 reversed the effects of NE on c‐Fos expression, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation and TNF‐α production, but not NF‐κB activation in LPS‐challenged cardiomyocytes. In addition, pre‐treatment with SB202190, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, partly inhibited LPS‐induced TNF‐α production in cardiomyocytes. In endotoxaemic mice, PE promoted myocardial ERK1/2 phosphorylation and c‐Fos expression, inhibited p38 phosphorylation and IκBα degradation, reduced myocardial TNF‐α production and prevented LPS‐provoked cardiac dysfunction. Altogether, these findings indicate that activation of α₁‐AR by NE suppresses LPS‐induced cardiomyocyte TNF‐α expression and improves cardiac dysfunction during endotoxaemia via promoting myocardial ERK phosphorylation and suppressing NF‐κB activation.     

The free amino acid tyrosine enhances the chlorinating activity of human myeloperoxidase

A key function of neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) is the synthesis of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potent oxidizing agent that plays a cytotoxic role against invading bacteria and viruses at inflammatory sites and in phagosomes. MPO displayed a chlorinating activity preferably at acidic pH but at neutral pH MPO catalyzes mainly reactions of the peroxidase cycle. In the present work effects of tyrosine on the chlorinating activity of MPO were studied. At pH 7.4 we detected an increased HOCl production in the presence of tyrosine not only by the MPO-H₂O₂-Cl^- system but also in suspensions of zymosan-activated neutrophils. An excess of H₂O₂ is known to cause an accumulation of compound II of MPO blocking the generation of HOCl at neutral pH. As evidenced by spectral changes, tyrosine-induced activation of MPO to synthesize HOCl was due to the ability of tyrosine to reduce compound II back to the native state, thus accelerating the enzyme turnover. MPO-induced oxidation of tyrosine is relevant to what can be in vivo; we detected MPO-catalyzed formation of dityrosine in the presence of plasma under experimental conditions when tyrosine concentration was about three magnitudes of order less than the Cl⁻ concentration. At acidic pH formation of compound II was impaired in the presence of chloride and dityrosine couldn't be detected in plasma. In conclusion, the ability of tyrosine to increase the chlorinating activity of MPO at neutral pH and enhanced values of H₂O₂ may be very effective for the specific enhancement of HOCl production under acute inflammation.     

The effects of antioxidants and hypohalous acid scavengers on neutrophil activation by hypochlorous acid-modified low-density lipoproteins

Hypochlorous acid-modified human blood low density lipoprotein (LDL–HOCl) was shown to stimulate neutrophils and to increase the luminol- (lm-CL) or lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (lc-CL) of neutrophils. Antioxidants and HOCl scavengers (glutathione, taurine, cysteine, methionine, ceruloplasmin, and human serum albumin (HSA)) were tested for effects on lm-CL, lc-CL, H₂O₂ production, and degranulation of azurophilic granules of neutrophils. All agents used in increasing concentrations were found to decrease lm-CL produced by neutrophils upon stimulation with LDL–HOCl or subsequent treatment with the activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The agents exerted a far lower, if any, effect on lc-CL and the H₂O₂ production by neutrophils in the same conditions. In the majority of cases, a decline in neutrophil chemiluminescence in the presence of the agents was not related to their effect on neutrophil degranulation, but was most likely due to their direct interactions with reactive halogen (RHS) or oxygen (ROS) species generated upon neutrophil activation or to myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibition. Antioxidants and HOCl scavengers present in the human body were assumed to decelerate the development of oxidative or halogenative stress and thereby prevent neutrophil activation.     

Lipopolysaccharide regulates biosynthesis of cystathionine γ-lyase and hydrogen sulfide through toll-like receptor-4/p38 and toll-like receptor-4/NF-κB pathways in macrophages

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), formed mainly by the enzyme cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) in macrophages, is emerging as a novel regulator in inflammation. Although elevated production of H₂S has been shown in inflammatory processes, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be further elucidated. In this study, we compared parallel TLR4 knockout (TLR4^?/?) mice with their wild-type counterparts following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. It showed that LPS increased the expressions of CSE and biosynthesis of H₂S in C57BL/6 mice both in vivo and in vitro. However, the effects of LPS were not present in TLR4^?/? mice, indicating the crucial role of TLR4 in LPS-induced expression of CSE and biosynthesis of H₂S. We subsequently used JNK inhibitor, P38 inhibitor, and ERK inhibitor to block the downstream MAPK pathways of TLR4 in macrophages, and found that LPS-induced CSE expression and H₂S synthesizing activity were inhibited by pretreatment with the p38 inhibitor. Similarly, the NF-κB inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) reversed the effects of LPS. These results suggest that LPS increases the biosynthesis of CSE and H₂S in macrophages mainly in a TLR4-p38-dependent and TLR-4-NF-κB-dependent manner. These findings expand our knowledge of H₂S biosynthesis during inflammation and provide a foundation for the development of novel H₂S-based therapies.     

Superoxide Anion Production by Human Neutrophils Activated by Trichomonas vaginalis

Neutrophils are the predominant inflammatory cells found in vaginal discharges of patients infected with Trichomonas vaginalis. In this study, we examined superoxide anion (O₂^.-) production by neutrophils activated by T. vaginalis. Human neutrophils produced superoxide anions when stimulated with either a lysate of T. vaginalis, its membrane component (MC), or excretory-secretory product (ESP). To assess the role of trichomonad protease in production of superoxide anions by neutrophils, T. vaginalis lysate, ESP, and MC were each pretreated with a protease inhibitor cocktail before incubation with neutrophils. Superoxide anion production was significantly decreased by this treatment. Trichomonad growth was inhibited by preincubation with supernatants of neutrophils incubated for 3 hr with T. vaginalis lysate. Furthermore, myeloperoxidase (MPO) production by neutrophils was stimulated by live trichomonads. These results indicate that the production of superoxide anions and MPO by neutrophils stimulated with T. vaginalis may be a part of defense mechanisms of neutrophils in trichomoniasis.     

Enhanced susceptibility to lipopolysaccharide-induced arthritis and endotoxin shock in interleukin-32 alpha transgenic mice through induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha

Introduction

The present study assessed the potential functions of interleukin (IL)-32α on inflammatory arthritis and endotoxin shock models using IL-32α transgenic (Tg) mice. The potential signaling pathway for the IL-32-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α axis was analyzed in vitro.

Methods

IL-32α Tg mice were generated under control of a ubiquitous promoter. Two disease models were used to examine in vivo effects of overexpressed IL-32α: Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligand-induced arthritis developed using a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or zymosan into the knee joints; and endotoxin shock induced with intraperitoneal injection of LPS and D-galactosamine. TNFα antagonist etanercept was administered simultaneously with LPS in some mice. Using RAW264.7 cells, in vitro effects of exogenous IL-32α on TNFα, IL-6 or macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) production were assessed with or without inhibitors for nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).

Results

Single injection of LPS, but not zymosan, resulted in development of severe synovitis with substantial articular cartilage degradation in knees of the Tg mice. The expression of TNFα mRNA in inflamed synovia was highly upregulated in the LPS-injected Tg mice. Moreover, the Tg mice were more susceptive to endotoxin-induced lethality than the wild-type control mice 48 hours after LPS challenge; but blockade of TNFα by etanercept protected from endotoxin lethality. In cultured bone marrow cells derived from the Tg mice, overexpressed IL-32α accelerated production of TNFα upon stimulation with LPS. Of note, exogenously added IL-32α alone stimulated RAW264.7 cells to express TNFα, IL-6, and MIP-2 mRNAs. Particularly, IL-32α -induced TNFα, but not IL-6 or MIP-2, was inhibited by dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ) and U0126, which are specific inhibitors of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and extracellular signal regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), respectively.

Conclusions

These results show that IL-32α contributed to the development of inflammatory arthritis and endotoxin lethality. Stimulation of TLR signaling with LPS appeared indispensable for activating the IL-32α-TNFα axis in vivo. However, IL-32α alone induced TNFα production in RAW264.7 cells through phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B (IκB) and ERK1/2 MAPK. Further studies on the potential involvement of IL-32α-TNFα axis will be beneficial in better understanding the pathology of autoimmune-related arthritis and infectious immunity.     

Inhibition of myeloperoxidase- and neutrophil-mediated oxidant production by tetraethyl and tetramethyl nitroxides

The powerful oxidant HOCl (hypochlorous acid and its corresponding anion, ⁻OCl) generated by the myeloperoxidase (MPO)–H₂O₂–Cl⁻ system of activated leukocytes is strongly associated with multiple human inflammatory diseases; consequently there is considerable interest in inhibition of this enzyme. Nitroxides are established antioxidants of low toxicity that can attenuate oxidation in animal models, with this ascribed to superoxide dismutase or radical-scavenging activities. We have shown (M.D. Rees et al., Biochem. J. 421, 79–86, 2009) that nitroxides, including 4-amino-TEMPO (4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxyl radical), are potent inhibitors of HOCl formation by isolated MPO and activated neutrophils, with IC₅₀ values of ~1 and ~6 µM respectively. The utility of tetramethyl-substituted nitroxides is, however, limited by their rapid reduction by biological reductants. The corresponding tetraethyl-substituted nitroxides have, however, been reported to be less susceptible to reduction. In this study we show that the tetraethyl species were reduced less rapidly than the tetramethyl species by both human plasma (89–99% decreased rate of reduction) and activated human neutrophils (62–75% decreased rate). The tetraethyl-substituted nitroxides retained their ability to inhibit HOCl production by MPO and activated neutrophils with IC₅₀ values in the low-micromolar range; in some cases inhibition was enhanced compared to tetramethyl substitution. Nitroxides with rigid structures (fused oxaspiro rings) were, however, inactive. Overall, these data indicate that tetraethyl-substituted nitroxides are potent inhibitors of oxidant formation by MPO, with longer plasma and cellular half-lives compared to the tetramethyl species, potentially allowing lower doses to be employed.     

The effect of cholesterol on macrophage-foam-cell generation upon zymosan-induced inflammation in mice

It has been shown that a significant number (about 40% of the total population) of macrophage-foam cells (MFCs) are formed during the early period (24 h) of zymosan-induced peritonitis resolution. Agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α, γ (PPAR-α, γ) exert an anti-inflammatory effect, preventing its formation (Dushkin et al., 2007). The work is devoted to the influence of cholesterol-containing liposomes (CHLs) on the dynamics of zymosan-induced peritonitis in C57Bl/6 mice. Cholesterol accumulation, cytokine production, PPAR-γ activity, and cholesterol efflux in macrophages have been assayed. Infiltration of neutrophils, mononuclears, and increased MFC number in the peritonel cavity of zymosan-induced mice enhanced the inflammation process and MFC resolution period. Macrophages obtained after zymosan injection preferentially accumulated triglycerides (TGs) incorporated into TG, whereas CHLs at zymosan-induced inflammation promoted utilization of the [1-¹⁴C]oleate pool in cholesterol ethers (maximum after 2 days) and reduction of fluorescent NBD-cholesterol efflux from macrophages during the whole inflammation period. Cholesterol efflux after zymosan exposure was inhibited for 1–2 days, restored after 3 days, and enhanced at the fifth day. CHLs stimulated TNF-α and TGF-β1 production but inhibited IL-10 production and PPAR-γ DNA-binding activity in macrophages at early stages of zymosan-induced peritonitis. Thus, accumulation of cholesterol in inflammatory macrophages and MFC generation prolong the resolution of acute inflammation changing the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokins and inhibiting PPAR-γ activity and cholesterol efflux.     

Radiation activates myeloperoxidase (MPO) to generate active chlorine species (ACS) via a dephosphorylation mechanism - inhibitory effect of LGM2605

BackgroundRadiation exposure of tissues is associated with inflammatory cell influx. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme expressed in granulocytes, such as neutrophils (PMN) and macrophages, responsible for active chlorine species (ACS) generation. The present study aimed to: 1) determine whether exposure to γ-irradiation induces MPO-dependent ACS generation in murine PMN; 2) elucidate the mechanism of radiation-induced ACS generation; and 3) evaluate the effect of the synthetic lignan LGM2605, known for ACS scavenging properties.MethodsMPO-dependent ACS generation was determined by using hypochlorite-specific 3′-(p-aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) and a highly potent MPO inhibitor, 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide (ABAH), and confirmed in PMN derived from MPO^−/− mice. Radiation-induced MPO activation was determined by EPR spectroscopy and computational analysis identified tyrosine, serine, and threonine residues near MPO's active site.Resultsγ-radiation increased MPO-dependent ACS generation dose-dependently in human MPO and in wild-type murine PMN, but not in PMN from MPO^−/− mice. LGM2605 decreased radiation-induced, MPO-dependent ACS. Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and protein serine/threonine phosphatase (PSTP) inhibitors decreased the radiation-induced increase in ACS. Peroxidase cycle results demonstrate that tyrosine phosphorylation blocks MPO Compound I formation by preventing catalysis on H₂O₂ in the active site of MPO. EPR data demonstrate that γ-radiation increased tyrosyl radical species formation in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionsWe demonstrate that γ-radiation induces MPO-dependent generation of ACS, which is dependent, at least in part, by protein tyrosine and Ser/Thr dephosphorylation and is reduced by LGM2605. This study identified for the first time a novel protein dephosphorylation-dependent mechanism of radiation-induced MPO activation.     

Ubiquitin-like protein MNSFβ/endophilin II complex regulates Dectin-1-mediated phagocytosis and inflammatory responses in macrophages

Post-translational modification by monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor β (MNSFβ) has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular events. Previous studies have demonstrated that MNSFβ covalently binds to the intracellular pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-G in a macrophage cell line, Raw264.7, suggesting involvement of this ubiquitin-like protein in apoptosis. Most recently, we found that MNSFβ covalently conjugates to endophilin II, a member of the endophilin A family, and inhibits phagocytosis by macrophages. In this study, we further examined the mechanism of action of MNSFβ/endophilin II complex in the phagocytosis of zymosan. MNSFβ/endophilin II I mediated inhibition of phagocytosis in Raw264.7 cells was neutralized by anti-Decti-1, β-glucan receptor, mAb, indicating that MNSFβ/endophilin II is a mediator of Dectin-1 signaling in regulating phagocytosis. The β-glucan-dependent TNFα response to zymosan was significantly increased by the treatment with endophilin II siRNA and/or MNSFβ siRNA. Conversely, cotransfection of endophilin II and MNSFβ cDNAs inhibited the enhancement of zymosan-induced TNFα production. Interestingly, endophilin II siRNA did not affect Pam₃CSK₄ (TLR2 specific ligand)-induced TNFα production. Endophilin II and/or MNSFβ siRNA enhanced zymosan-induced IκBα degradation. Together, these results demonstrate that MNSFβ/endophilin II inhibits the signal pathway upstream of IKK activation, but not downstream of TLR2 signaling.     

Identification of the hydroxyl radical and other reactive oxygen species in human neutrophil granulocytes exposed to a fragment of the amyloid beta peptide

A fragment of the amyloid beta protein, βA(25-35), was investigated for its effect on production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neutrophil granulocytes. The formation and identification of ROS were examined by using a 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin (DCF) fluorescence assay, a luminol chemiluminescence assay, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy with DEPMPO as a spin trap, and hydroxylation of 4-hydroxybenzoate (4-HBA). The DCF assay showed that βA(25-35) stimulated formation of ROS in a concentration and time dependent manner. The inverted peptide, βA(35-25), gave no response. Also, luminol-amplified chemiluminescence was stimulated by βA(25-35). Incubation with diethyldithiocarbamate (a superoxide dimustase inhibitor) and salicylhydroxamate (SHA; a myeloperoxidase inhibitor) reduced the chemiluminescence. This indicates that hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is formed after exposure to βA(25-35). The EPR spectra indicated a concentration dependent formation of superoxide ( O 2 • - ) - and hydroxyl ( •OH)- radicals. Hydroxylation of 4-HBA to 3,4,-dihydroxybenzoate confirmed production of •OH. This response was attenuated by SHA, indicating involvement of HOCl in formation of •OH. The DCF fluorescence was inhibited with U0126 (an extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) inhibitor). Further analysis with western blot confirmed phosphorylation of ERK1/2 after exposure to βA(25-35). The phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) inhibitor 7,7-dimethyl-(5Z,8Z)-eicosadienoic acid, and diphenyleneiodonium, which inhibits the NADPH oxidase, also led to a reduction of the DCF fluorescence. The present findings indicate that βA(25-35) stimulates the NADPH oxidase by activating the ERK pathway and PLA 2 . Production of O 2 • - can lead to HOCl and further formation of •OH, which both have a cytotoxic potential.     

Secretion of myeloperoxidase isoforms by human neutrophils.

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

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor negatively regulates Toll-like receptor agonist-induced cytokine production in human neutrophils

We studied the effect of G-CSF on TLR agonist-induced cytokine production in human neutrophils. Human neutrophils produced IL-8 and TNF-α in response to stimulation with TLR agonists such as LPS and N-palmitoyl-S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-(R)-cysteinyl-seryl-(lysyl)(3)-lysine. This response was dependent on activation of ERK, p38, and PI3K, but not JNK. TLR agonist-induced cytokine production in neutrophils was inhibited by G-CSF, whereas it was enhanced by GM-CSF, and GM-CSF-mediated enhancement was attenuated by G-CSF. G-CSF and GM-CSF did not affect TLR agonist-induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38, JNK, Akt, and IκBα. STAT3 activation was much greater in G-CSF-stimulated neutrophils than that in GM-CSF-stimulated cells. G-CSF-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibition of TLR agonist-induced cytokine production were prevented by pretreatment of cells with AG-490 (JAK2 inhibitor). These findings suggest that G-CSF and GM-CSF exert the opposite effects on TLR agonist-induced cytokine production, and G-CSF negatively regulates TLR agonist-induced cytokine production in neutrophils via activation of STAT3.