Leukocytic myeloperoxidase-mediated formation of bromohydrins and lysophospholipids from unsaturated phosphatidylcholines

Using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, we have shown that leukocytic myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the presence of its substrates (H₂O₂ and Br^?) does not induce any changes in saturated 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Incubation of liposomes prepared from mono-unsaturated phosphatidylcholine (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) with the (MPO + H₂O₂ + Br^?) system resulted in formation of bromohydrins as the main products. 1-Palmitoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lysophosphatidylcholine) was the main product of the reaction of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) with the (MPO + H₂O₂ + Br^?) system. The formation of lysophospholipids as well as of bromohydrins was not observed when the enzyme or one of its substrates (H₂O₂ or Br^?) was absent from the incubation medium, or if an inhibitor of MPO (sodium azide) or hypobromite scavengers (taurine or methionine) were added. Thus, it can be postulated that the formation of bromohydrins as well as lysophospholipids by the (MPO + H₂O₂ + Br^?) system results from reactions of hypobromite formed during MPO catalysis with double bonds of acyl chains of phosphatidylcholine. Such destructive processes may take place in vivo in membrane-or lipoprotein-associated unsaturated lipids in centers of inflammation.     

Hypohalous acid-modified human serum albumin induces neutrophil NADPH oxidase activation,degranulation, and shape change

Halogenated lipids, proteins, and lipoproteins formed in reactions with myeloperoxidase (MPO)-derived hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypobromous acid (HOBr) can contribute to the regulation of functional activity of cells and serve as mediators of inflammation. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the major plasma protein target of hypohalous acids. This study was performed to assess the potency of HSA modified by HOCl (HSA–Cl) and HOBr (HSA–Br) to elicit selected neutrophil responses. HSA–Cl/Br were found to induce neutrophil degranulation, generation of reactive oxygen intermediates, shape change, and actin cytoskeleton reorganization. Thus HSA–Cl/Br can initially act as a switch and then as a feeder of the “inflammatory loop” under oxidative stress. In HSA–Cl/Br-treated neutrophils, monoclonal antibodies against CD18, the β subunit of β₂ integrins, reduced the production of superoxide anion radicals and hydrogen peroxide as well as MPO exocytosis, suggesting that CD18 contributed to neutrophil activation. HSA–Cl/Br-induced neutrophil responses were also inhibited by genistein, a broad-specificity tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and wortmannin, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, supporting the notion that activation of both tyrosine kinase and PI3K may play a role in neutrophil activation by HSA modified in MPO-dependent reactions. These results confirm the hypothesis that halogenated molecules formed in vivo via MPO-dependent reactions can be considered as a new class of biologically active substances potentially able to contribute to activation of myeloid cells in sites of inflammation and serve as inflammatory response modulators.     

Influence of chloride on modification of unsaturated phosphatidylcholines by the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/bromide system

The leukocyte enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) is capable of catalyzing the oxidation of chloride and bromide ions, at physiological concentrations of these substrates, by hydrogen peroxide, generating hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypobromous acid (HOBr), respectively. Our previous results showed that the hypohalous acids formed react with double bonds in phosphatidylcholines (PCs) to produce chloro- and bromohydrins. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC) is additionally formed in PCs with two or more double bonds. This study was conducted to determine the effect physiological chloride concentration (140 mM) has on the formation of bromohydrins and lyso-PC from unsaturated PC upon treatment with the myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/bromide (MPO/H2O2/Br-) system using physiological bromide concentrations (20-100 microM). The composition of reaction products was analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). With monounsaturated PC, we demonstrated that the rate and extent of mono-bromohydrin formation were higher in the samples with 140 mM chloride compared to those with no added chloride. Moreover, mono-bromohydrin came to be the major product and no mono-chlorohydrin was observed already at 60 microM bromide. We attributed these effects to the involvement of HOBr arising from the reaction of MPO-derived HOCl with bromide rather than to the exchange of bromide with chlorine atoms of chlorohydrins or direct formation of HOBr by MPO. The presence of chloride shifted the pH optimum for mono-bromohydrin formation (pH 5.0) toward neutral values, and a significant yield of mono-bromohydrin was detected at physiological pH values (7.0-7.4). For polyunsaturated PC, chloride enhanced also lyso-PC production, the effect being pronounced at bromide concentrations below 40 microM. The results indicate that at physiological levels of chloride and bromide, chloride promotes MPO-mediated formation of bromohydrins and lyso-PC in unsaturated phospholipids.     

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.     

Chlorinated and brominated phosphatidylcholines are generated under the influence of the Fenton reagent at low pH-a MALDI-TOF MS study

Lipid (phospholipid) oxidation is an increasingly important research topic due to the significant physiological relevance. The Fenton reaction, i.e. the transition metal catalyzed decomposition of H₂O₂ is frequently used to generate hydroxyl radicals (HO). Lipids with unsaturated fatty acyl residues are primarily converted by HO radicals into peroxides.In contrast, chloro- and bromohydrins as well as dihalogenides are formed by the addition of HOCl or HOBr to the olefinic groups of the fatty acyl residues of lipids or under the influence of the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) from Cl⁻ and H₂O₂. We will show here by using MALDI-TOF MS for product analysis that halogenated products may also be generated in the presence of the Fenton reagent, if either FeCl₂ or FeBr₂ is used. In the presence of FeSO₄, however, peroxides are exclusively generated. It will also be shown that the generation of halogen-containing products is a competing reaction with the cleavage of the double bond under generation of the corresponding aldehyde or carboxylic acid that is favored at prolonged incubation times and at elevated pH.     

Sulfite-mediated oxidation of myeloperoxidase to a free radical: Immuno-spin trapping detection in human neutrophils

Previous studies focused on catalyzed oxidation of (bi)sulfite, leading to the formation of the reactive sulfur trioxide (^•SO₃⁻), peroxymonosulfate (⁻O₃SOO^•), and sulfate (SO₄^•−) anion radicals, which can damage target proteins and oxidize them to protein radicals. It is known that these very reactive sulfur- and oxygen-centered radicals can be formed by oxidation of (bi)sulfite by peroxidases. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), an abundant heme protein secreted from activated neutrophils that play a central role in host defense mechanisms, allergic reactions, and asthma, is a likely candidate for initiating the respiratory damage caused by sulfur dioxide. The objective of this study was to examine the oxidative damage caused by (bi)sulfite-derived free radicals in human neutrophils through formation of protein radicals. We used immuno-spin trapping and confocal microscopy to study the protein oxidations driven by sulfite-derived radicals. We found that the presence of sulfite can cause MPO-catalyzed oxidation of MPO to a protein radical in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-activated human neutrophils. We trapped the MPO-derived radicals in situ using the nitrone spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide and detected them immunologically as nitrone adducts in cells. Our present study demonstrates that myeloperoxidase initiates (bi)sulfite oxidation leading to MPO radical damage, possibly leading to (bi)sulfite-exacerbated allergic reactions.     

Myeloperoxidase deficiency induces MIP-2 production via ERK activation in zymosan-stimulated mouse neutrophils

Abstract

Myeloperoxidase (MPO), a major constituent of neutrophils, catalyzes the production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and chloride anion. We have previously reported that MPO-deficient (MPO^?/?) neutrophils produce greater amount of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in vitro than do wild type when stimulated with zymosan. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms governing the up-regulation of MIP-2 production in the mutant neutrophils. Interestingly, we found that zymosan-induced production of MIP-2 was blocked by pre-treatment with U0126, an inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and with BAY11-7082, an inhibitor of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Western blot analysis indicated that U0126 also inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-κB (p65), indicating that MIP-2 was produced via the ERK/NF-κB pathway. Intriguingly, we found that ERK1/2, p65, and alpha subunit of inhibitor of κB (IκBα) in the MPO^?/? neutrophils were phosphorylated more strongly than in the wild type when stimulated with zymosan. Exogenous H₂O₂ treatment in addition to zymosan stimulation enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without affecting the zymosan-induced MIP-2 production. In contrast, exogenous HOCl inhibited the production of MIP-2 as well as IκBα phosphorylation without affecting ERK activity. The zymosan-induced production of MIP-2 in the wild-type neutrophils was enhanced by pre-treatment of the MPO inhibitor 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that both lack of HOCl and accumulation of H₂O₂ due to MPO deficiency contribute to the up-regulation of MIP-2 production in mouse neutrophils stimulated with zymosan.     

Two homologous neutrophil serine proteases bind to POPC vesicles with different affinities: When aromatic amino acids matter

Neutrophil serine proteases Proteinase 3 (PR3) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) are homologous antibiotic serine proteases of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Despite sharing a 56% sequence identity they have been shown to have different functions and localizations in the neutrophils. In particular, and in contrast to HNE, PR3 has been detected at the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane and its membrane expression is a risk factor in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases. Although a plethora of studies performed in various cell-based assays have been reported, the mechanism by which PR3, and possibly HNE bind to simple membrane models remains unclear. We used surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments to measure and compare the affinity of PR3 and HNE for large unilamellar vesicles composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC). We also conducted 500-nanosecond long molecular dynamics simulations of each enzyme at the surface of a POPC bilayer to map the interactions between proteins and lipids and rationalize the difference in affinity observed in the SPR experiment. We find that PR3 binds strongly to POPC large unilamellar vesicles (K_d = 9.2 × 10^− 7 M) thanks to the insertion of three phenylalanines, one tryptophan and one leucine beyond the phosphate groups of the POPC lipids. HNE binds in a significantly weaker manner (K_d > 10^− 5 M) making mostly electrostatic interactions via lysines and arginines and inserting only one leucine between the hydrophobic lipid tails. Our results support the early reports that PR3, unlike HNE, is able to directly and strongly anchor directly to the neutrophil membrane.     

Molecular basis of the anchoring and stabilization of human islet amyloid polypeptide in lipid hydroperoxidized bilayers

The molecular structure of membrane lipids is formed by mono- or polyunsaturations on their aliphatic tails that make them susceptible to oxidation, facilitating the incorporation of hydroperoxide (R-OOH) functional groups. Such groups promote changes in both composition and complexity of the membrane significantly modifying its physicochemical properties. Human Langerhans islets amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is the main component of amyloid deposits found in the pancreas of patients with type-2 diabetes (T2D). hIAPP in the presence of membranes with oxidized lipid species accelerates the formation of amyloid fibrils or the formation of intermediate oligomeric structures. However, the molecular bases at the initial stage of the anchoring and stabilization of the hIAPP in a hydroperoxidized membrane are not yet well understood. To shed some light on this matter, in this contribution, three bilayer models were modeled: neutral (POPC), anionic (POPS), and oxidized (POPC_OOH), and full atom Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations were performed. Our results show that the POPC_OOH bilayer increases the helicity in hIAPP when compared to POPC or POPS bilayer. The modification in the secondary structure covers the residues of the so-called amyloidogenic core of the hIAPP. Overall, the hydroperoxidation of the neutral lipids modifies both the anchoring and the stabilization of the peptide hIAPP by reducing the random conformations of the peptide and increasing of hydrogen bond population with the hydroperoxidized lipids.     

Spent growth medium of Pantoea agglomerans primes wheat suspension cells for augmented accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and enhanced peroxidase activity upon elicitation

Induced disease resistance in plants is based on multiple mechanisms, including cell “priming”, i.e. an enhancement of the capacity to mobilize cellular defense responses upon pathogen attack. Potent inducers of priming are, for example, salicylic acid, synthetic compounds such as a benzothiadiazole, and certain rhizosphere bacteria. While priming is well characterized for a number of dicot plants, only few cases of priming are documented in monocots. Here, we report that the spent growth medium of the Gram negative bacterium Pantoea agglomerans is capable of priming wheat cells (Triticum aestivum L. cv Prelude-Sr5) for elicitor-induced defense responses. Pre-incubation of suspension-cultured wheat cells with growth medium of P. agglomerans led to a strong enhancement of an oxidative burst that has been induced by chitin or chitosan and to an increase in extracellular peroxidase activity. Moreover, exopolysaccharides (EPS) were isolated from the spent growth medium and demonstrated to be sufficient for the induction of H₂O₂ priming. The EPS-induced priming was shown to be time- and concentration-dependent. We conclude that EPS are the or one of several priming-active component(s) in the spent growth medium of P. agglomerans. The present work is the first report of priming in a monocot plant by a specific component of bacterial origin. A comparison with known chemical inducers of resistance revealed that a benzothiadiazole was able to enhance the oxidative burst similar to the spent growth medium or the EPS of P. agglomerans, while salicylic acid was not.     

Effects of sphingomyelin on melittin pore formation

The effect of sphingomyelin (SM), one of the main lipids in the external monolayer of erythrocyte plasma membrane, on the ability of the hemolytic peptide melittin to permeabilize liposomes was investigated. The peptide induced contents efflux in large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC)/SM (1:1 mole ratio), at lower (>1:10,000) peptide-to-lipid mole ratios than in pure POPC (>1:1000) or POPC/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG) (1:1 mole ratio) (>1:300) vesicles. Analysis of the leakage data according to a kinetic model of pore formation showed a good fit for hexameric-octameric pores in SM-containing vesicles, whereas mediocre fits and lower surface aggregation constants were obtained in POPC and POPC/POPG vesicles. Disturbance of lateral separation into solid (s_o) and liquid-disordered (l_d) phases in POPC/SM mixtures increased the peptide-dose requirements for leakage. Inclusion of cholesterol (Chol) in POPC/SM mixtures under conditions inducing lateral separation of lipids into liquid-ordered (l_o) and l_d phases did not alter the number of melittin peptides required to permeabilize a single vesicle, but increased surface aggregation reversibility. Partitioning into liposomes or insertion into lipid monolayers was not affected by the presence of SM, suggesting that: (i) melittin accumulated at comparable doses in membranes with different SM content, and (ii) differences in leakage were due to promotion of melittin transmembrane pores under coexistence of s_o-l_d and l_o-l_d phases. Our results support the notion that SM may regulate the stability of size-defined melittin pores in natural membranes.     

Ion channel clustering enhances weak electric field detection by neutrophils: apparent roles of SKF96365-sensitive cation channels and myeloperoxidase trafficking in cellular responses

We have tested Galvanovskis and Sandblom’s prediction that ion channel clustering enhances weak electric field detection by cells as well as how the elicited signals couple to metabolic alterations. Electric field application was timed to coincide with certain known intracellular chemical oscillators (phase-matched conditions). Polarized, but not spherical, neutrophils labeled with anti-K_v1.3, FL-DHP, and anti-TRP1, but not anti-T-type Ca²⁺ channels, displayed clusters at the lamellipodium. Resonance energy transfer experiments showed that these channel pairs were in close proximity. Dose-field sensitivity studies of channel blockers suggested that K⁺ and Ca²⁺ channels participate in field detection, as judged by enhanced oscillatory NAD(P)H amplitudes. Further studies suggested that K⁺ channel blockers act by reducing the neutrophil’s membrane potential. Mibefradil and SKF93635, which block T-type Ca²⁺ channels and SOCs, respectively, affected field detection at appropriate doses. Microfluorometry and high-speed imaging of indo-1-labeled neutrophils was used to examine Ca²⁺ signaling. Electric fields enhanced Ca²⁺ spike amplitude and triggered formation of a second traveling Ca²⁺ wave. Mibefradil blocked Ca²⁺ spikes and waves. Although 10 μM SKF96365 mimicked mibefradil, 7 μM SKF96365 specifically inhibited electric field-induced Ca²⁺ signals, suggesting that one SKF96365-senstive site is influenced by electric fields. Although cells remained morphologically polarized, ion channel clusters at the lamellipodium and electric field sensitivity were inhibited by methyl-β-cyclodextrin. As a result of phase-matched electric field application in the presence of ion channel clusters, myeloperoxidase (MPO) was found to traffic to the cell surface. As MPO participates in high amplitude metabolic oscillations, this suggests a link between the signaling apparatus and metabolic changes. Furthermore, electric field effects could be blocked by MPO inhibition or removal while certain electric field effects were mimicked by the addition of MPO to untreated cells. Therefore, channel clustering plays an important role in electric field detection and downstream responses of morphologically polarized neutrophils. In addition to providing new mechanistic insights concerning electric field interactions with cells, our work suggests novel methods to remotely manipulate physiological pathways.     

Nickel induces oxidative burst, NF-κB activation and interleukin-8 production in human neutrophils

Many lines of evidence have suggested that oxidative stress and inflammation play a pivotal role in the toxicity of nickel salts. Considering that neutrophils are active participants in inflammatory processes, namely by producing high amounts of reactive oxygen species, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the putative activation of human neutrophils’ oxidative burst by nickel. Subsequently, the influence of nickel in the pathways leading to NADPH oxidation in neutrophils was evaluated by measuring protein kinase C (PKC) activation. The effects of nickel on neutrophils’ nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation and on the production of the proinflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor α were also evaluated. The results obtained showed that nickel, at concentrations that may be attained in vivo, stimulates the production of superoxide radical (O₂ ^·−), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in human neutrophils in vitro, via activation of PKC. In addition, nickel was shown to activate NF-κB and to induce the production of IL-8 in these cells. These observations indicate that the sustained activation of human neutrophils by nickel may contribute for the long-term adverse effects on human health mediated by this metal.     

The Formation of Phosphatidylcholine Oxidation Products by Stimulated Phagocytes

Phagocytic cells produce a variety of oxidants as part of the immune defence, which react readily both with proteins and lipids, and could contribute to the oxidation of low density lipoprotein in atherosclerosis. We have investigated the oxidation of phospholipid vesicles by neutrophils and mononuclear cells, to provide a model of lipid oxidation in the absence of competing protein. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils were incubated with phospholipid vesicles containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, palmitoyl-arachidonoyl phosphatidylcholine (PAPC) and stearoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine, before extraction of the lipids for analysis by HPLC coupled to electrospray mass spectrometry. The formation of monohydroperoxides (814?m/z) and bishydroperoxides (846?m/z) of PAPC was observed. However, the major oxidized product occurred at 828?m/z, and was identified as 1-palmitoyl-2-(5,6-epoxyisoprostane E²)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. These products were also formed in incubations where the neutrophils were replaced by mononuclear cells, and the amounts produced per million cells were similar. These results show that following oxidative attack by phagocytes stimulated by PMA, intact phospholipid oxidation products can be detected. The identification of an epoxyisoprostane phospholipid as the major product of phagocyte-induced phospholipid oxidation is novel, and in view of its inflammatory properties has implications for phagocyte involvement in atherogenesis.     

Hypochlorite modification of sphingomyelin generates chlorinated lipid species that induce apoptosis and proteome alterations in dopaminergic PC12 neurons in vitro

Recent observations link myeloperoxidase (MPO) activation to neurodegeneration. In multiple sclerosis MPO is present in areas of active demyelination where the potent oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl), formed by MPO from H₂O₂ and chloride ions, could oxidatively damage myelin-associated lipids. The purpose of this study was (i) to characterize reaction products of sphingomyelin (SM) formed in response to modification by HOCl, (ii) to define the impact of exogenously added SM and HOCl-modified SM (HOCl-SM) on viability parameters of a neuronal cell line (PC12), and (iii) to study alterations in the PC12 cell proteome in response to SM and HOCl-SM. MALDI-TOF-MS analyses revealed that HOCl, added as reagent or generated enzymatically, transforms SM into chlorinated species. On the cellular level HOCl-SM but not SM induced the formation of reactive oxygen species. HOCl-SM induced severely impaired cell viability, dissipation of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspase-3 and DNA damage. Proteome analyses identified differential expression of specific subsets of proteins in response to SM and HOCl-SM. Our results demonstrate that HOCl modification of SM results in the generation of chlorinated lipid species with potent neurotoxic properties. Given the emerging connections between the MPO–H₂O₂–chloride axis and neurodegeneration, this chlorinating pathway might be implicated in neuropathogenesis.     

Correlation of neutrophil and monocyte derived interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-8 with colitis severity in the rabbit

Activated neutrophils and monocytes produce interleukin (IL)-8, a pro-inflammatory chemokine, but also IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. We were interested to see the profiles of IL-8 and IL-1ra in the colonic tissue and in the peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) during the development of immune complex induced colitis in rabbits. IL-1ra and IL-8 in PBL were measured in 26 rabbits at time 0 h, 24 h, and 48 h after induction of colitis. The colons were removed at 48 h for measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO), ulcer area, IL-1ra and IL-8. Epithelial damage, crypt abscess formation and leukocyte infiltration of the colonic tissue were major features of this colitis model. During the development of colitis, there was an increase in circulating neutrophils and monocytes (P < 0.0001), but not lymphocytes. Likewise, elevated amounts of IL-1ra (P = 0.0001) and IL-8 (P = 0.0219) production by PBL were observed following induction of colitis. Flow cytometry revealed major source of IL-1ra was monocytes, while the main sources of IL-8 were neutrophils and monocytes. There was correlation between MPO and ulcer area (R_s = 0.6327, P < 0.0001). At 24 h, PBL from MPO^High group (n = 11) showed increased IL-1ra (P = 0.027) and IL-8 (P = 0.0128) levels vs MPO^Low group (n = 15). IL-8 production by PBL showed correlation with tissue MPO (R_s = 0.4273, P = 0.0295). The colitis in this model was associated with an increase in circulating monocytes and neutrophils, which released increased amounts of IL-8 and IL-1ra. Further, IL-8 and IL-1ra showed correlation with the severity of colitis. These observations should significantly further understandings on the role of neutrophils and monocytes in the immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.     

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.     

The Effect of Magnetite Nanoparticles and Bacteria on the Activity of NADPH-Oxidase and Myeloperoxidase in Neutrophils of Human Blood

Differences in the oxygen-dependent reactions of neutrophil granulocytes (NGs) depending on the nature of the agent affecting the cells were revealed. In vitro magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) cause suppression of the NADPH–oxidase activity of NGs, which manifests itself in falling rates of reactions (NBT test) both with the effect of MNPs on NGs alone and a combined effect (MNPs and zymosan), as well as in the reduction of the index of activation (IA) and functional reserve of neutrophils (FRN). However, the introduction of MNPs dose-dependently stimulates the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO). Gram-positive (S. aureus 2879 M) and gram-negative (E. coli 321) bacteria caused a respiratory burst of neutrophils, which manifested itself in a significant increase in the number of NBT-positive cells in single and combined influences (bacteria and zymosan). The lack of differences in the reaction of cells on opsonized and nonopsonized bacteria and the decrease in IA and FRN suggest that NGs are at the maximum level of functionality. Both strains of bacteria caused activation of the MPO.     

Human neutrophils do not express purinergic P2X7 receptors

It has been reported that in human neutrophils, external ATP activates plasma membrane purinergic P2X₇ receptors (P2X₇R) to elicit Ca²⁺ entry, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), processing and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, shedding of adhesion molecules and uptake of large molecules. However, the expression of P2X₇R at the plasma membrane of neutrophils has also been questioned since these putative responses are not always reproduced. In this work, we used electrophysiological recordings to measure functional responses associated with the activation of membrane receptors, spectrofluorometric measurements of ROS production and ethidium bromide uptake to asses coupling of P2X₇R activation to downstream effectors, immune-labelling of P2X₇R using a fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated antibody to detect the receptors at the plasma membrane, RT-PCR to determine mRNA expression of P2X₇R and Western blot to determine protein expression in neutrophils and HL-60 cells. None of these assays reported the presence of P2X₇R in the plasma membrane of neutrophils and non-differentiated or differentiated HL-60 cells—a model cell for human neutrophils. We concluded that P2X₇R are not present at plasma membrane of human neutrophils and that the putative physiological responses triggered by external ATP should be reconsidered.     

Involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 and Fc receptors gamma in human neutrophil priming by endotoxins from Escherichia coli

By using the fMLP-induced respiratory burst approach, the involvement of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in human neutrophil priming by S- or Re-glycoforms of endotoxin from Escherichia coli has been elucidated. The priming effect of Re-glycoform is more pronounced than that of the S-glycoform. Unexpectedly, fMLP-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by endotoxin primed neutrophils was amplified by preincubation of the cells with anti-TLR4 (HTA125) antibodies or with isotype-matched immunoglobulin IgG2a. The most significant finding of our study is that neutrophils exposed to anti-TLR4 antibodies retain their ability to distinguish between S- or Re-glycoforms being primed, respectively. Moreover, differentiated effect of HTA125 antibodies on functional responses of neutrophils during their priming and fMLP stimulation was revealed. Taking these results into consideration, it is reasonable to assume that there is a contribution of Fcγ receptors to fMLP-induced ROS generation by neutrophils preincubated with HTA125 or IgG2a and primed by endotoxins.