Purification of alpha 1-microglobulin produced by human hepatoma cell lines. Biochemical characterization and comparison with alpha 1-microglobulin synthesized by human hepatocytes

alpha 1-Microglobulin (alpha 1m) was determined by radio-immunoassay in the supernatants of five human hepatoma cell lines. High amounts of alpha 1m were produced by PLC/PRF/5, intermediate ones by Hep G2 and Hep 3B and very low ones by Malhavu and SK Hepl. alpha 1m isolated from hepatoma cell lines PLC/PRF/5 or Hep G2 supernatants displayed the same physicochemical properties as that purified from human urines: the apparent molecular mass was 26 kDa and the pI from 5.6 to 6.4 as measured after two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in denaturating conditions; for the native molecule the pI was estimated to be 4.0-4.9. Both urinary and hepatoma alpha 1m migrate as a diffuse band in the alpha zone in agarose gel at pH 8.6 in non-denaturing conditions and present a brown chromophore covalently associated with the molecule. After biosynthetic labelling with [35S]methionine, proteins extracted from hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 and from isolated hepatocytes of human liver were separated by two-dimensional PAGE and transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane. alpha 1m was identified and found to be identical in both cases. However, when compared with the alpha 1m isolated from cell supernatants, less charge heterogeneity but also minor additional spots of higher molecular mass were observed.     

The lipocalin alpha1-microglobulin protects erythroid K562 cells against oxidative damage induced by heme and reactive oxygen species

Alpha(1)-microglobulin is a 26 kDa plasma and tissue glycoprotein that belongs to the lipocalin protein superfamily. Recent reports show that it is a reductase and radical scavenger and that it binds heme and has heme-degrading properties. This study has investigated the protective effects of alpha(1)-microglobulin against oxidation by heme and reactive oxygen species in the human erythroid cell line, K562. The results show that alpha(1)-microglobulin prevents intracellular oxidation and up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 induced by heme, hydrogen peroxide and Fenton reaction-generated hydroxyl radicals in the culture medium. It also reduces the cytosol of non-oxidized cells. Endogeneous expression of alpha(1)-microglobulin was up-regulated by these oxidants and silencing of the alpha(1)-microglobulin expression increased the cytosol oxidation. alpha(1)-microglobulin also inhibited cell death caused by heme and cleared cells from bound heme. Binding of heme to alpha(1)-microglobulin increased the radical reductase activity of the protein as compared to the apo-protein. Finally, alpha(1)-microglobulin was localized mainly at the cell surface both when administered exogeneously and in non-treated cells. The results suggest that alpha(1)-microglobulin is involved in the defence against oxidative cellular injury caused by haemoglobin and heme and that the protein may employ both heme-scavenging and one-electron reduction of radicals to achieve this.     

Biosynthesis of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and alpha 1-microglobulin in a human hepatoma cell line.

1. Biosynthesis of alpha 1-microglobulin and inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor was investigated in a human hepatoma cell line HepG-2. 2. alpha 1-Microglobulin was translated as a precursor common with the light chain of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor. 3. alpha 1-Microglobulin was synthesized and secreted into the growth medium within 30 min. 4. Processing of inter-alpha-trypsin-inhibitor-related proteins appeared slow and incomplete. The light chain was connected via a chondroitinsulphate to a heavy chain to form a 125,000-Mr protein and secreted within 1-4 hr.     

Ultraviolet irradiation-dependent fluorescence enhancement of hemoglobin catalyzed by reactive oxygen species

Ultraviolet (UV) light has a potent effect on biological organisms. Hemoglobin, an oxygen-transport protein, plays an irreplaceable role in sustaining life of all vertebrates. In this study we scrutinize the effects of ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) as well as visible irradiation on the fluorescence characteristics of bovine hemoglobin (BHb) in vitro. Data show that UVI results in fluorescence enhancement of BHb in a dose-dependant manner. Furthermore, UVI-induced fluorescence enhancement is significantly increased when BHb is pretreated with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a type of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Meanwhile, The water-soluble antioxidant vitamin C suppresses this UVI-induced fluorescence enhancement. In contrast, green light irradiation does not lead to fluorescence enhancement of BHb no matter whether H(2)O(2) is acting on the BHb solution or not. Taken together, these results indicate that catalysis of ROS and UVI-dependent irradiation play two key roles in the process of UVI-induced fluorescence enhancement of BHb.     

The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and the reactive oxygen species in the modulation of glutathione transferase by heavy metals in murine hepatoma cell lines

Glutathione transferase (GST) is a phase II detoxifying enzyme that plays a protective mechanism against oxidizing substances and toxic contaminants. Among these contaminants, heavy metals and polycyclic and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) have been shown to exert their toxic effects through the modulation of detoxifying enzymes, including the GSTs. Recently, we showed that heavy metals particularly Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ modulate the expression of phase II detoxifying enzymes such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 and Gsta1 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. However, the effect of heavy metals and their potential interactions with aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligands, PHAHs, on total Gst activity is still unknown. In the current study, we have investigated the effects of Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ in the absence and presence of four AhR ligands on the total Gst activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in wild-type and AhR-deficient Hepa 1c1c7 cells. Our results showed that Hg2+ and Cu2+, but not Pb2+, significantly induced Gst activity in wild-type cells, whereas all metals induced the Gst activity in AhR-deficient cells. The induction of Gst activity by heavy metals was strongly correlated with an increase in the ROS production in wild-type, but not in AhR-deficient cells. Co-administration of heavy metals with AhR ligands differentially modulated Gst activity, in that co-exposure to Hg2+ plus AhR ligands could be beneficial in protecting against cytotoxicity as demonstrated by the increase in Gst activity with a proportional decrease in ROS production. Whereas co-exposure to Cu2+ plus AhR ligands was more toxic in that a decrease in Gst activity and an increase in oxidative stress of the cell were observed. We concluded that heavy metals differentially modulate the Gst activity through oxidative stress- and AhR-mediated mechanisms.     

Monoamine-dependent production of reactive oxygen species catalyzed by pseudoperoxidase activity of human hemoglobin

Hemoglobin (Hb) solution-based blood substitutes are being developed as oxygen-carrying agents for the prevention of ischemic tissue damage and low blood volume-shock. However, the cell-free Hb molecule has intrinsic toxicity to the tissue since harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) are readily produced during autoxidation of Hb from the ferrous state to the ferric state, and the cell-free Hb also causes distortion in the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the tissues. There may be further hindering dangers in the use of free Hb as a blood substitute. It has been reported that Hb has peroxidase-like activity oxidizing peroxidase substrates such as aromatic amines. Here we observed the Hb-catalyzed ROS production coupled to oxidation of a neurotransmitter precursor, beta-phenylethylamine (PEA). Addition of PEA to Hb solution resulted in generation of superoxide anion (O2*-). We also observed that PEA increases the Hb-catalyzed monovalent oxidation of ascorbate to ascorbate free radicals (Asc'). The O2*- generation and Asc formation were detected by O2*--specific chemiluminescence of the Cypridina lucigenin analog and electron spin resonance spectroscopy, respectively. PEA-dependent O2*- production and monovalent oxidation of ascorbate in the Hb solution occurred without addition of H2O2, but a trace of H2O2 added to the system greatly increased the production of both O2*- and Asc*. Addition of GSH completely inhibited the PEA-dependent production of O2*- and Asc* in Hb solution. We propose that the O2*- generation and Asc* formation in the Hb solution are due to the pseudoperoxidase activity-dependent oxidation of PEA and resultant ROS may damage tissues rich in monoamines, if the Hb-based blood substitutes were circulated without addition of ROS scavengers such as thiols.     

Vanadium compounds discriminate hepatoma and normal hepatic cells by differential regulation of reactive oxygen species

Our previous study indicated that vanadium compounds can block cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase in human hepatoma HepG2 cells via a highly activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) signal. To explore their differential action on normal cells, we investigated the response of an immortalized hepatic cell line, L02 cells. The results demonstrated that a higher concentration of vanadium compounds was needed to inhibit L02 proliferation, which was associated with S and G2/M cell cycle arrest. In addition, in contrast to insignificant reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HepG2 cells, all of the vanadium compounds resulted significant increases in both O ₂ ^·? and H₂O₂ levels in L02 cells. At the same time, ERK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) as well as cell division control protein 2 homolog (Cdc2) were found to be highly phosphorylated, which could be counteracted with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The current study also demonstrated that both the ERK and the JNK pathways contributed to the cell cycle arrest induced by vanadium compounds in L02 cells. More importantly, it was found that although NAC can ameliorate the cytotoxicity of vanadium compounds in L02 cells, it did not decrease their cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. It thus shed light on the potential therapeutic applications of vanadium compounds with antioxidants as synergistic agents to reduce their toxicities in human normal cells without affecting their antitumor activities in cancer cells.     

Antioxidant defences and homeostasis of reactive oxygen species in different human mitochondrial DNA-depleted cell lines.

Three pairs of parental (rho+) and established mitochondrial DNA depleted (rho0) cells, derived from bone, lung and muscle were used to verify the influence of the nuclear background and the lack of efficient mitochondrial respiratory chain on antioxidant defences and homeostasis of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial DNA depletion significantly lowered glutathione reductase activity, glutathione (GSH) content, and consistently altered the GSH2 : oxidized glutathione ratio in all of the rho0 cell lines, albeit to differing extents, indicating the most oxidized redox state in bone rho0 cells. Activity, as well as gene expression and protein content, of superoxide dismutase showed a decrease in bone and muscle rho0 cell lines but not in lung rho0 cells. GSH peroxidase activity was four times higher in all three rho0 cell lines in comparison to the parental rho+, suggesting that this may be a necessary adaptation for survival without a functional respiratory chain. Taken together, these data suggest that the lack of respiratory chain prompts the cells to reduce their need for antioxidant defences in a tissue-specific manner, exposing them to a major risk of oxidative injury. In fact bone-derived rho0 cells displayed the highest steady-state level of intracellular ROS (measured directly by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin, or indirectly by aconitase activity) compared to all the other rho+ and rho0 cells, both in the presence or absence of glucose. Analysis of mitochondrial and cytosolic/iron regulatory protein-1 aconitase indicated that most ROS of bone rho0 cells originate from sources other than mitochondria.     

Diacylglycerol kinase alpha regulates globular adiponectin-induced reactive oxygen species

It has previously been reported that the globular form of adiponectin (gAd), mature adipocyte-derived cytokine, induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264. This study investigated whether diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs), enzymes functioning in sub-cellular signalling pathways, had a role on gAd-induced ROS generation in RAW 264 cells. Administration of R59022, a specific inhibitor for DGK, reduced gAd-induced ROS generation and NO release. RAW 264 cell expressed DGKα mRNA. Depression of DGKα mRNA by RNA interference significantly reduced the ROS generation in response to gAd treatment. Interestingly, transfection with the DGKα-specific small interfering RNA attenuated the expression level of Nox1 mRNA in gAd-treated RAW 264 cells. In addition, the DGKα knockdown with siRNA suppressed gAd-induced NO release.     

Diacylglycerol kinase alpha regulates globular adiponectin-induced reactive oxygen species

Abstract:

It has previously been reported that the globular form of adiponectin (gAd), mature adipocyte-derived cytokine, induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the murine macrophage cell line RAW 264. This study investigated whether diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs), enzymes functioning in sub-cellular signalling pathways, had a role on gAd-induced ROS generation in RAW 264 cells. Administration of R59022, a specific inhibitor for DGK, reduced gAd-induced ROS generation and NO release. RAW 264 cell expressed DGKα mRNA. Depression of DGKα mRNA by RNA interference significantly reduced the ROS generation in response to gAd treatment. Interestingly, transfection with the DGKα-specific small interfering RNA attenuated the expression level of Nox1 mRNA in gAd-treated RAW 264 cells. In addition, the DGKα knockdown with siRNA suppressed gAd-induced NO release.     

Contribution of reactive oxygen species to the regulation of Glut1 in two hemopoietic cell lines differing in cytokine sensitivity

Glucose transport activity and its possible regulation by reactive oxygen species in two Glut1-expressing megakaryocytic cell lines, MO7e and B1647, differing in cytokine sensitivity were compared. Results show that: (1) In MO7e cells, glucose transport rate increased in response to thrombopoietin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or stem cell factor, due to a decreased Km. (2) A higher Vmax value was determined in B1647 cells, owing to the relative higher abundance of Glut1 on the plasmalemma; in these cells no change in glucose transport rate was observed on cytokine treatment. (3) The basal level of intracellular ROS was higher in B1647 than in M07e cells, where ROS production was enhanced upon cytokine exposure. (4) Basal or stimulated ROS production and Glut1 activity were significantly reduced by pretreating both cell lines with EUK-134, a superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetic. (5) In MO7e cells, EUK-134 brought back to control levels the Km values obtained on cytokine treatment, whereas in B1647 cells the antioxidant drastically reduced Vmax by decreasing the Glut1 content of the plasma membrane. Our data suggest that differences in acute regulation of glucose transport activity in the two cell lines may be related to differences in amplitude and spatial organization of ROS production.     

TNFalpha and reactive oxygen species in necrotic cell death

Death receptors, including the TNF receptor-1 （TNF-RI）, have been shown to be able to initiate caspase-independent cell death. This form of ＂necrotic cell death＂ appears to be dependent on the generation of reactive oxygen species. Recent data have indicated that superoxide generation is dependent on the activation of NADPH oxidases, which form a complex with the adaptor molecules RIP1 and TRADD. The mechanism of superoxide generation further establishes RIP1 as the central molecule in ROS production and cell death initiated by TNFa and other death receptors. A role for the sustained JNK activation in necrotic cell death is also suggested. The sensitization of virus-infected cells to TNFα indicates that necrotic cell death may represent an alternative cell death pathway for clearance of infected cells.     

Capsaicin induces apoptosis by generating reactive oxygen species and disrupting mitochondrial transmembrane potential in human colon cancer cell lines

Although genetic factors are a well-known cause of colorectal cancer, environmental factors contribute more to its development. Despite advances in the fields of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the cure rates for colon cancer have not substantially improved over the past few decades. Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), the principal pungent ingredient of hot chili pepper, has exhibited an anti-tumor effect in many cell types. However, the mechanisms responsible for the anti-tumor effect of capsaicin are not yet completely understood. In this study, we investigated whether capsaicin induces apoptosis in colon cancer cell lines. Capsaicin decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner in Colo320DM and LoVo cells. In addition, capsaicin produced cell morphology changes and DNA fragmentation, decreased the DNA contents, and induced phosphatidylserine translocation, which is a hallmark of apoptotic cell death. We showed that capsaicin-induced apoptosis is associated with an increase in ROS generation and a disruption of the mitochondrial transmenbrane potential. A possible mechanism of capsaicin-induced apoptosis is the activation of caspase 3, a major apoptosis-executing enzyme. Treatment with capsaicin induced a dramatic increase in caspase 3 activity, as assessed by the cleavage of Ac-DEVD-AMC, a fluorogenic substrate. In conclusion, our results clearly showed that capsaicin induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Although the actual mechanisms of capsaicin-induced apoptosis remain uncertain, it may be a beneficial agent for colon cancer treatment and chemoprevention.     

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in cell death signaling

During apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP) increases and the release into the cytosol of pro-apoptotic factors (procaspases, caspase activators and caspase-independent factors such as apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF)) leads to the apoptotic phenotype. Apart from this pivotal role of mitochondria during the execution phase of apoptosis (documented in other reviews of this issue), it appears that reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the mitochondria can be involved in cell death. These toxic compounds are normally detoxified by the cells, failing which oxidative stress occurs. However, ROS are not only dangerous molecules for the cell, but they also display a physiological role, as mediators in signal transduction pathways. ROS participate in early and late steps of the regulation of apoptosis, according to different possible molecular mechanisms. In agreement with this role of ROS in apoptosis signaling, inhibition of apoptosis by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) is associated with a protection against ROS and/or a shift of the cellular redox potential to a more reduced state. Furthermore, the fact that active forms of cell death in yeast and plants also involve ROS suggests the existence of an ancestral redox-sensitive death signaling pathway that has been independent of caspases and Bcl-2.     

Implication of reactive oxygen species in the antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhimurium of hepatocyte cell lines

We recently described the antibacterial activity of a murine hepatocyte cell line stimulated with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) against intracellular Salmonella organisms. Here we show for the first time the existence of basal antibacterial activity in cultured hepatocyte cell lines. Thus treatment of resting and stimulated hepatocytes with catalase or superoxide dismutase increased bacterial number recovered per monolayer, which suggests that the mechanism involved with antibacterial activity of hepatocytes is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also, the capacity of these cell lines to generate intracellular peroxides under resting and stimulated conditions was investigated. This revealed that IL-1 and LPS did not induce any increase in the amount of intracellular peroxides by themselves, but they primed IFN-gamma for maximal induction of peroxides. The intracellular amount of peroxides was highly increased on stimulation with IFN-gamma, IL-1, and LPS, and it was strongly inhibited by catalase. This explains that the mechanism whereby this enzyme inhibits antibacterial activity takes place by decreasing the intracellular pool of peroxides. In turn, experiments performed in the presence of several inhibitors of metabolic pathways involved in ROS generation suggested that cyclo-oxygenase are a source of these species in hepatocyte cell lines. These results attribute a prominent role to the generation of peroxides as effector molecules of antibacterial activity in hepatocyte cell lines. Thus these cells displayed a moderate basal level, which increased on stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-1, and bacterial products such as LPS. Finally, it has been also shown for the first time that IFN-gamma stimulation induces production of peroxides in human and murine hepatocyte cell lines.     

Hypoxic but not anoxic stabilization of HIF-1alpha requires mitochondrial reactive oxygen species

The molecular mechanisms by which cells detect hypoxia (1.5% O2), resulting in the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) protein remain unclear. One model proposes that mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species is required to stabilize HIF-1alpha protein. Primary evidence for this model comes from the observation that cells treated with complex I inhibitors, such as rotenone, or cells that lack mitochondrial DNA (rho(0)-cells) fail to generate reactive oxygen species or stabilize HIF-1alpha protein in response to hypoxia. In the present study, we investigated the role of mitochondria in regulating HIF-1alpha protein stabilization under anoxia (0% O2). Wild-type A549 and HT1080 cells stabilized HIF-1alpha protein in response to hypoxia and anoxia. The rho(0)-A549 cells and rho(0)-HT1080 cells failed to accumulate HIF-1alpha protein in response to hypoxia. However, both rho(0)-A549 and rho(0)-HT1080 were able to stabilize HIF-1alpha protein levels in response to anoxia. Rotenone inhibited hypoxic, but not anoxic, stabilization of HIF-1alpha protein. These results indicate that a functional electron transport chain is required for hypoxic but not anoxic stabilization of HIF-1alpha protein.     

NO restores HIF-1alpha hydroxylation during hypoxia: role of reactive oxygen species

The activity of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is primarily determined by stability regulation of its alpha subunit, which is stabilized under hypoxia but degraded during normoxia. Hydroxylation of HIF-1alpha by prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) recruits the von Hippel-Lindau (pVHL) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex to initiate proteolytic destruction of the alpha subunit. Hypoxic stabilization of HIF-1alpha has been reported to be antagonized by nitric oxide (NO). By using a HIF-1alpha-pVHL binding assay, we show that NO released from DETA-NO restored prolyl hydroxylase activity under hypoxia. Destabilization of HIF-1alpha by DETA-NO was reversed by free radical scavengers such as NAC and Tiron, thus pointing to the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, we examined the effects of ROS on HIF-1alpha stabilization. Treatment of cells under hypoxia with low concentrations of the superoxide generator 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone lowered HIF-1alpha protein stabilization. In vitro HIF-1alpha-pVHL interaction assays demonstrated that low-level ROS formation increased prolyl hydroxylase activity, an effect antagonized by ROS scavengers. While determining intracellular ROS formation we noticed that reduced ROS production under hypoxia was restored by the addition of DETA-NO. We propose that an increase in ROS formation contributes to HIF-1alpha destabilization by NO donors under hypoxia via modulation of PHD activity.