I. V. Gorudko

Hypochlorous acid as a precursor of free radicals in living systems.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is produced in the human body by the family of mammalian heme peroxidases, mainly by myeloperoxidase, which is secreted by neutrophils and monocytes at sites of inflammation. This review discusses the reactions that occur between HOCl and the major classes of biologically important molecules (amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and inorganic substances) to form free radicals. The generation of such free radical intermediates by HOCl and other reactive halogen species is accompanied by the development of halogenative stress, which causes a number of socially important diseases, such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, infectious, and other diseases usually associated with inflammatory response and characterized by the appearance of biomarkers of myeloperoxidase and halogenative stress. Investigations aimed at elucidating the mechanisms regulating the activity of enzyme systems that are responsible for the production of reactive halogen species are a crucial step in opening possibilities for control of the development of the body’s inflammatory response.

Proatherogenic modification of LDL by surface-bound myeloperoxidase.

One of the factors promoting oxidative/halogenating modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is myeloperoxidase (MPO). We have shown previously that MPO binds to the LDL surfaces. The LDL-MPO complex is uncoupled in the presence of peptide EQIQDDCTGDED that corresponds to a fragment of apoB-100 (445-456). In this paper we studied how this peptide, as well as inhibitors and modulators of halogenating activity of MPO such as ceruloplasmin (CP), 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide (ABAH) and thiocyanate (SCN(-)) affect the accumulation of cholesterol and its esters in monocytes/macrophages after incubation with LDL subjected to different kinds of MPO-dependent oxidative/halogenating modification. In the presence of H2O2 and halides MPO causes stronger proatherogenic modification of LDL than exogenous reactive halogen species (HOCl and HOBr). Both monocytes, which differentiate into macrophages, and neutrophils secrete MPO in response to the presence of damaged LDL. The peptide EQIQDDCTGDED preventing interaction between MPO and LDL reduces the uptake of modified LDL and MPO by monocytes/macrophages and thus precludes the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol. Our results indicate that binding to MPO is important for LDL to become modified and acquire proatherogenic properties. The peptide EQIQDDCTGDED, CP, ABAH, and SCN(-) can play the role of anti-atherogenic factors reducing the deleterious effect of catalytically active MPO on LDL and accumulation of cholesterol in macrophages.

New approaches to the measurement of the concentration and peroxidase activity of myeloperoxidase in human blood plasma

A novel method for spectrophotometrical measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in plasma with o-dianisidine (DA) as a substrate is proposed. We have determined the optimal conditions, including the pH and hydrogen peroxide concentration, under which MPO is the main contributor to DA oxidation in plasma. Specific MPO inhibitors, salicylhydroxamic acid or 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide, are added to measure the activity of other heme-containing peroxidases (mainly hemoglobin and its derivatives) and subtract their contribution from the total plasma peroxidase activity. Plasma MPO concentrations are quantified by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed by us and based on the use of antibodies raised in rats and rabbits. The sensitivity of this ELISA is high: 0.2–250 ng/ml. A direct and significant (P < 0.0001) correlation was observed between the MPO activities measured spectrophotometrically and the MPO level determined by ELISA in blood samples from 38 healthy donors. The proposed approaches to MPO measurement in plasma can be used to evaluate the enzyme activity and concentration, as well as the efficacy of mechanisms by which MPO is regulated under physiological conditions and against the background of various inflammatory diseases.

Differential potency of two crosslinking plant lectins to induce formation of haptenic‐sugar‐resistant aggregates of rat thymocytes by post‐binding signaling

To evaluate the significance of post‐binding events for stable aggregate formation, the aggregation/dissociation of rat thymocytes initiated by two crosslinking plant lectins, namely concanavalin A (Con A) and Solanum tuberosum agglutinin (STA), were comparatively studied. Despite intimate cell contacts in the aggregates only Con A led to establishment of haptenic‐sugar‐resistant (HSR) complexes. The presence of inhibitor II of diacylglycerol kinase, a dual calmodulin antagonist/protein kinase C inhibitor (trifluoperazine), and a sulfhydryl group reagent (N‐ethylmaleimide) impaired this process. The obtained results indicate that the formation of HSR cellular contacts is not an automatic response to lectin‐dependent cell association. In contrast to STA, Con A binding elicits this reaction with involvement of diacylglycerol kinase, protein kinase C and/or calmodulin as well as thiol level perturbation, as inferred by the application of target‐selective inhibitors.

Functional Activity of Neutrophils in Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease: Role of Myeloperoxidase in the Development of Oxidative Stress

We performed a comparative analysis of functional activity of neutrophils in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without symptoms of CHD. Enhanced H2O2 production by neutrophils in response to N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) was found in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with CHD, fML-Pinduced release of myeloperoxidase from azurophilic granules of neutrophils was reduced and plasma myeloperoxidase level was elevated. Increased peroxidase activity of myeloperoxidase, reduced plasma catalase activity, and increased levels of TBA-reactive lipid peroxidation products and oxidized glutathione were detected in patients of both groups. Since myeloperoxidase is an important neutrophilic mediator of oxidative stress, its increased activity in the blood can be an additional marker of oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Dissection of the impact of various intracellular signaling pathways on stable cell aggregate formation of rat thymocytes after initial lectin-dependent cell association using a plant lectin as model and target-selective inhibitors

Bivalent lectins as bridging molecules between cells or cell surface lectins as docking points are involved in mediation of cell adhesion by specific recognition of suitable glycoconjugates on an opposing surface. The initial contact formation by a lectin can lead to intracellular post-binding events which effect stable cell association even in the presence of the haptenic sugar. To delineate the participation of intracellular signaling pathways in the cascade of reactions to establish firm association, reagents with proven inhibitory capacity on certain biochemical targets provide suitable tools. Using this approach with rat thymocytes and the galactoside-binding lectin from mistletoe (Viscum album L. agglutinin, VAA) as a model, a panel of 27 inhibitors with impact on e.g. several types of kinases, tyrosine phosphatases, NO synthases, G proteins, enzymes of arachidonate and cyclic nucleotide metabolism and calmodulin was systematically tested with respect to their capacity to impair the formation of lactose-resistant cell aggregates. In addition to the recently reported effectiveness of N-ethyimaleimide, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and trifluoperazine the agents diacyigiycerol kinase inhibitor II, emodin, D609, DPI, KT5720, KT5926, MK-886, bisindolyimaleimide I, and (±)methoxyverapamil were able to reduce aggregate stability in the presence of the haptenic sugar. Thus, various types of kinases including p56 tyrosine kinase, lipoxygenases, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C as well as calmodulin and Ca2+-currents, but not modulators of the metabolism of cyclic nucleotides, NO synthases, MAP kinases, tyrosine phosphatases and phospholipase A (preferentially group II) and C can play a role in eliciting contact stability. More than one principal signaling pathway appears to be linked to the measurable parameter, since inhibitory substances show additive properties in co-incubation assays and differentially affect two lectin-elicited cellular activities, i.e. intracellular movement of Ca2+-ions and H2O2-generation, which can accompany cell adhesion and aggregation. Pronounced differences in the extent of modulation of H2O2-generation in human neutrophils by the same set of substances emphasizes that general conclusions on the post-binding effects for a certain lectin in different cell types are definitely precluded. In aggregate, the approach to employ inhibitors with target selectivity intimates an involvement of protein kinases A, C, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, p56 tyrosine kinase, leukotrienes and/or hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and Ca2+-fluxes in events following initial binding of a galactoside-specific plant lectin to rat thymocytes which establish firm cell contacts.

Binding of human myeloperoxidase to red blood cells: Molecular targets and biophysical consequences at the plasma membrane level.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an oxidant-producing enzyme that can also bind to cellular surface proteins. We found that band 3 protein and glycophorins A and B were the key MPO-binding targets of human red blood cells (RBCs). The interaction of MPO with RBC proteins was mostly electrostatic in nature because it was inhibited by desialation, exogenic sialic acid, high ionic strength, and extreme pH. In addition, MPO failed to interfere with the lectin-induced agglutination of RBCs, suggesting a minor role of glycan-recognizing mechanisms in MPO binding. Multiple biophysical properties of RBCs were altered in the presence of native (i.e., not hypochlorous acid-damaged) MPO. These changes included transmembrane potential, availability of intracellular Ca(2+), and lipid organization in the plasma membrane. MPO-treated erythrocytes became larger in size, structurally more rigid, and hypersensitive to acidic and osmotic hemolysis. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the plasma MPO concentration and RBC rigidity index in type-2 diabetes patients with coronary heart disease. These findings suggest that MPO functions as a mediator of novel regulatory mechanism in microcirculation, indicating the influence of MPO-induced abnormalities on RBC deformability under pathological stress conditions.

Myeloperoxidase modulates human platelet aggregation via actin cytoskeleton reorganization and store-operated calcium entry

Summary Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a heme-containing enzyme released from activated leukocytes into the extracellular space during inflammation. Its main function is the production of hypohalous acids that are potent oxidants. MPO can also modulate cell signaling and inflammatory responses independently of its enzymatic activity. Because MPO is regarded as an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases associated with increased platelet activity, we studied the effects of MPO on human platelet functional properties. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to reveal carbohydrate-independent MPO binding to human platelet membrane. Adding MPO to platelets did not activate their aggregation under basal conditions (without agonist). In contrast, MPO augmented agonist-induced platelet aggregation, which was not prevented by MPO enzymatic activity inhibitors. It was found that exposure of platelets to MPO leads to actin cytoskeleton reorganization and an increase in their elasticity. Furthermore, MPO evoked a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ through enhancement of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Together, these findings indicate that MPO is not a direct agonist but rather a mediator that binds to human platelets, induces actin cytoskeleton reorganization and affects the mechanical stiffness of human platelets, resulting in potentiating SOCE and agonist-induced human platelet aggregation. Therefore, an increased activity of platelets in vascular disease can, at least partly, be provided by MPO elevated concentrations.

Regulation of the functional and mechanical properties of platelet and red blood cells by nitric oxide donors

The effect of NO donors (sodium nitroprusside, S-nitrosoglutathione, dinitrosyl-iron complexes) on the functional and mechanical properties of human platelets and red blood cells has been investigated. It has been established by atomic force microscopy that NO donor-induced platelet disaggregation is accompanied by changes in the elastic properties of cells. It has been shown that, in the presence of NO donors, the detergent-induced hemolysis of red blood cells is delayed, and the elasticity modulus of these cells decreases. The results obtained indicate that NO donors regulate the structural and functional properties of platelets and red blood cells.

Lectin-induced activation of plasma membrane NADPH oxidase in cholesterol-depleted human neutrophils.

The gp91phox subunit of flavocytochrome b(558) is the catalytic core of the phagocyte plasma membrane NADPH oxidase. Its activation occurs within lipid rafts and requires translocation of four subunits to flavocytochrome b(558). gp91phox is the only glycosylated subunit of NADPH oxidase and no data exist about the structure or function of its glycans. Glycans, however, bind to lectins and this can stimulate NADPH oxidase activity. Given this information, we hypothesized that lectin-gp91phox interactions would facilitate the assembly of a functionally active NADPH oxidase in the absence of lipid rafts. To test this, we used lectins with different carbohydrate-binding specificity to examine the effects on H(2)O(2) generation by human neutrophils treated with the lipid raft disrupting agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). MβCD treatment removed membrane cholesterol, caused changes in cell morphology, inhibited lectin-induced cell aggregation, and delayed lectin-induced assembly of the NADPH oxidase complex. More importantly, MβCD treatment either stimulated or inhibited H(2)O(2) production in a lectin-dependent manner. Together, these results show selectivity in lectin binding to gp91phox, and provide evidence for the biochemical structures of the gp91phox glycans. Furthermore, the data also indicate that in the absence of lipid rafts, neutrophil NADPH oxidase activity can be altered by these select lectins.