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Protein phosphorylation in retinal pigment epithelium of Long-Evans and Royal College of Surgeons rats.

Cultures of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) from normal Long-Evans (LE) and dystrophic Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats were incubated with 32P-orthophosphate and then phagocytically challenged with isolated rod outer segments (ROS) or polystyrene latex spheres (PSL). The 32P incorporation into individual proteins was quantified by image analysis of two-dimensional gel autoradiograms, and changes in phosphorylation were identified by comparison with unchallenged control cultures. Phosphorylation changes that were similar in response to either ROS or PSL were classified as nonspecific and omitted from further analysis; those associated solely with ROS exposure were classified as ROS specific and compared between the two strains. None of the 30 ROS-specific changes in protein phosphorylation identified in normal LE RPE were the same as in RCS RPE. However, unique ROS-specific changes in phosphorylation were observed in 13 RCS RPE proteins. Three RCS proteins showed ROS-specific decreases; ten showed ROS-specific increases. Six of these ten RCS proteins with increased phosphorylation showed ROS-specific decreases in LE RPE. No other correspondence in ROS-specific changes was found among the remaining LE or RCS RPE proteins, but several RCS proteins were phosphorylated at abnormal levels under control conditions. Even though ROS-induced changes in phosphorylation were aberrant in RCS RPE, their presence indicated that a ROS-specific transmembrane signal was generated after interaction with ROS. The abnormal increases and decreases observed in ROS-specific phosphorylation in the RCS suggested that the defect in ROS phagocytosis was associated with the misregulation or malfunction of both protein kinases and phosphatases.

Animals↗

Immunologic characterization of the photoreceptor outer segment cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase.

High affinity (KD approximately 1 X 10(-9) M) monoclonal antibodies (ROS-1 and ROS-2) were prepared to bovine photoreceptor outer segment cGMP phosphodiesterase. ROS-1 immunoadsorbed greater than 95% of the cGMP phosphodiesterase activity from a detergent-solubilized bovine retina extract while ROS-2 immunoadsorbed only a subfraction of the same activity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel analysis of these immunoadsorbates demonstrated that ROS-1 and ROS-2 specifically adsorbed only peptides that comigrated with purified rod outer segment phosphodiesterase. Limited trypsin digestion of purified rod outer segment phosphodiesterase greatly reduced its affinity for ROS-1 but not ROS-2. When a crude heat-stable inhibitor fraction was added back to the activated enzyme, the affinity for ROS-1 was restored, suggesting that the inhibitor was necessary for ROS-1 binding. ROS-1 but not ROS-2 was found to inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterase which had been activated either by dilution or guanyl nucleotide. The inhibitory property of ROS-1 may provide a useful probe for directly studying the effects of this phosphodiesterase on the phototransduction response in the retina. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel analysis demonstrated that the ROS-1 immunoadsorbates from mammals, fish, and amphibia contained peptides of similar mobility. Immunocytochemistry performed with ROS-1 and fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated rabbit anti-mouse IgG localized the antigenic determinant to both rod and cone outer segments suggesting the presence of an antigenically similar phosphodiesterase in both types of photoreceptors.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Reactive oxygen species-induced aortic vasoconstriction and deterioration of functional integrity.

Oxygen derived free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in a variety of disease states, which can have cardiac and vascular implications. The present study was performed to investigate the mechanism of ROS-induced vasoconstriction and the influence of ROS on the functional integrity of isolated rat thoracic aorta. ROS were generated by means of electrolysis (30 mA, during 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 min) of the organ bath fluid. ROS induced a transient (approximately 60 min) vasoconstriction and the maximally induced contraction was dependent on the duration of electrolysis. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) diminished the ROS-induced vasoconstriction almost completely, indicating a major influence of hydroxyl radicals on contractility. The dual cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, meclofenamate, completely prevented the ROS-induced vasoconstriction. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, oleyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, was able to reduce the vasoconstriction elicited by ROS by approximately 70%. Conversely, the specific cytoplasmic PLA2 inhibitor arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone proved ineffective in this respect. By using the specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPkinase) kinase inhibitor PD98059, it was shown that the activation of extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPkinase contributes to the ROS-induced vasoconstriction. The effects of ROS on the functional integrity of the aortae were investigated, in particular with respect to receptor (alpha1-adrenoceptor) and non-receptor-mediated contractile responses (high potassium solution). In addition, both the endothelium dependent (methacholine) and endothelium independent (sodium nitroprusside) vasorelaxation were investigated before and after ROS exposure. Electrolysis periods of 0.5 and 1 min induced a modest leftward shift of the concentration response curves for the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist methoxamine. Longer electrolysis periods of 2 and 3 min additionally decreased the maximal response to (alpha1-adrenoceptor stimulation. Methacholine-induced vasorelaxation proved diminished in aortae subjected to electrolysis (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 min), whereas relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was nearly complete in all groups. KCl-induced contractions proved attenuated only after longer electrolysis periods of 2 and 3 min. This ROS-induced deterioration of functional integrity was almost completely prevented by 0.6% DMSO. From these results we may conclude that ROS induce an eicosanoid and ERK MAPkinase-mediated vasoconstriction in isolated rat thoracic aorta. In addition, exposure to ROS leads to a deterioration of functional integrity characterized by endothelial dysfunction and decreased contractile function.

Animals↗

Newborn neurons acquire high levels of reactive oxygen species and increased mitochondrial proteins upon differentiation from progenitors.

A population of embryonic rat cortical cells cultured in the presence of FGF2 and having neuronal morphology expressed higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than did progenitor cells, astrocytes, and several cell lines of neuronal and non-neuronal origin. ROS were assessed using 5-(and-6)-chlormethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, acetyl ester (CM-H2DCF-DA), and high levels persisted in the presence of antioxidants or lowered levels of ambient oxygen. Greater than 95% of high ROS-producing cells, isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, expressed the neuronal marker beta III tubulin. These cells did not incorporate BrdU or express nestin, unlike low ROS-producing cells, 99% of which exhibited both of these characteristics. Upon growth factor removal, low ROS-expressing cells differentiated into neurons and astrocytes and these neurons expressed high levels of ROS, indicating that ROS accumulation accompanies the differentiation of progenitors into neurons. ROS levels were decreased by added superoxide dismutase and catalase, suggesting that both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide contribute to the ROS signal. High ROS-expressing cells also contained higher levels of several mitochondrial respiratory chain components. Although ROS have been associated with conditions that lead to cell death, our results and recent studies on the role of ROS as regulators of signal pathways are consistent with the possibility that ROS play a role in the development of the neuronal phenotype. Moreover, the differential production of ROS provides a useful method to isolate from mixed populations cells that are highly enriched for either progenitor cells or neurons.

Animals↗

Proliferation of Toxoplasma gondii in inflammatory macrophages in vivo is associated with diminished oxygen radical production in the host cell.

While reactive oxygen species (ROS) can kill Toxoplasma gondii in vitro the role these molecules play in vivo is not known. We used a flow cytometry-based assay to investigate the relationship between intracellular infection and ROS production during acute peritoneal toxoplasmosis in mice. A distinct population of ROS(+) inflammatory macrophages, detected by the oxidation of hydroethidine, was observed to increase progressively in frequency during the course of infection, and to be inversely correlated with the degree of cell parasitization. These data imply that either intracellular parasites inhibit ROS synthesis or, alternatively, ROS-producing cells contain anti-Toxoplasma activity. The latter interpretation was supported by the finding that uninfected ROS-producing inflammatory macrophages were resistant to infection in vivo. However, in the same animals, ROS-producing macrophages that had previously been parasitized could readily be infected with additional parasites, suggesting that the difference in ROS production between highly infected and less infected cells was not due to ROS-associated killing of parasites within these cells. In addition, macrophages infected with T. gondii in vitro and then briefly transferred to acutely infected mice upregulated ROS production in a manner that was again inversely correlated with the degree of intracellular parasitization. Taken together, these findings suggest that both ROS-associated anti-Toxoplasma activity and parasite-driven inhibition of ROS production underlie the observed pattern of ROS production. ROS function and parasite evasion of this function may contribute significantly to the balance between host defense and disease progression during acute infection.

Acute Disease↗

The reactive oxygen species-total antioxidant capacity score is a new measure of oxidative stress to predict male infertility.

The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal fluid indicates oxidative stress and is correlated with male infertility. A composite ROS-TAC score may be more strongly correlated with infertility than ROS or TAC alone. We measured ROS, TAC, and ROS-TAC scores in semen from 127 patients and 24 healthy controls. Of the patients, 56 had varicocele, eight had varicocele with prostatitis, 35 had vasectomy reversals, and 28 had idiopathic infertility. ROS levels were higher among infertile men, especially those with varicocele with prostatitis (mean +/- SE, 3.25 +/- 0.89) and vasectomy reversals (2.65 +/- 1.01). All infertile groups had significantly lower ROS-TAC scores than control. ROS-TAC score identified 80% of patients and was significantly better than ROS at identifying varicocele and idiopathic infertility. The 13 patients whose partners later achieved pregnancies had a mean ROS-TAC score of 47.7 +/- 13.2, similar to controls but significantly higher than the 39 patients who remained infertile (35.8 +/- 15.0; P < 0.01). ROS-TAC score is a novel measure of oxidative stress and is superior to ROS or TAC alone in discriminating between fertile and infertile men. Infertile men with male factor or idiopathic diagnoses had significantly lower ROS-TAC scores than controls, and men with male factor diagnoses that eventually were able to initiate a successful pregnancy had significantly higher ROS-TAC scores than those who failed.

Antioxidants↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation in bovine rod outer segments.

PURPOSE: We have previously shown that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity is present in bovine rod outer segments (ROS). The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of PI 3-kinase activation in these membranes. METHODS: Tyrosine-phosphorylated ROS (PY-ROS) were obtained by incubating ROS with ATP, MgCl2, and orthovanadate (Na3VO4), a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor. Non-phosphorylated ROS (N-ROS) were obtained by incubating ROS under the same conditions, but without ATP and orthovanadate. Both were subjected to immunoprecipitation using antibodies against the regulatory p85 (anti-p85) subunit of PI 3-kinase, the catalytic p110 (anti-p110) subunit of PI 3-kinase, or phosphotyrosine (anti-PY). The immunoprecipitates (IPs) were assayed for PI 3-kinase activity. Enzyme assay products were separated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), deacylated, and identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: PI 3-kinase activity in anti-p85 and p110alpha IPs was significantly higher in PY-ROS than in N-ROS. No enzyme activity was recovered in anti-p110beta IPs. PI 3-kinase activity in anti-PY IPs from PY-ROS was six-fold greater than those from N-ROS. Immunoblot analysis showed that the amount of p85 in PY IPs from PY-ROS was significantly higher than those from N-ROS. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of p85 and p110alpha was not observed in anti-p85 and anti-p110alpha IPs that were probed with anti-PY. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the p85/p110alpha complex of PI 3-kinase is present in ROS and tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in the regulation of its activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Reactive oxygen species cause direct damage of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm matrix.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced and released into the extracellular spaces in numerous diseases and contribute to development and progression, for example, of inflammatory diseases, proteinuria, and tumor invasion. However, little is known about ROS-induced chemical changes of interstitial matrix proteins and their consequences for the integrity of the matrix meshwork. As basement membranes and other matrices are highly cross-linked and complex, the relatively simple matrix produced by Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) sarcoma, and proteins isolated therefrom, were incubated in vitro with defined concentrations of ROS that were generated by the Fenton or xanthine oxidase/xanthine reactions. This resulted in two counter-current effects. Although up to approximately 15% of the EHS matrix proteins were released into the supernatant in a ROS dose-response relationship, the residual insoluble matrix was partially cross-linked by ROS. Matrix proteins released into the supernatants were examined by rotary shadowing, quantitative sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and fluorospectrometry for loss of tryptophans and formation of bityrosine residues. At relatively low ROS concentrations, selective liberation of morphologically intact laminin/entactin was found that, however, failed to reassociate and showed oxidative damage of its tryptophan residues. At higher ROS concentrations, laminin and entactin were progressively disintegrated, partially fragmented, and eventually completely degraded. At this point oligomers of type IV collagen predominated in the supernatant, and proteoglycans were not encountered at any concentration of ROS. Similar gradual molecular changes were also obtained when fractions of isolated soluble EHS matrix proteins were incubated with graded concentrations of ROS. In these experiments, the formation of covalently linked oligomers and aggregates paralleled the ROS-dependent formation of cross-linking bityrosine groups. ROS scavengers pinpointed to the hydroxyl radical as the most damaging radical species. Protease inhibitor experiments suggested that degradation of matrix proteins was caused primarily by the direct action of ROS and not by proteolysis by potentially contaminating proteases. Collectively, these results provide evidence that EHS matrix proteins show differential sensitivity to ROS-induced damage in a reproducible, sequential pattern, in the order entactin > laminin > type IV collagen, and that ROS cause partial dissociation and cross-linking of the EHS matrix.

Animals↗

Intracellular free radical production in synovial T lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cellular and molecular sources of oxidative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through analysis of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in synovium. METHODS: Cytochemical procedures based on the 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB)-Mn2+ deposition technique were used on unfixed cryostat sections of synovium from RA patients and rheumatic disease controls. For immunophenotyping, sections were incubated, fixed, and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled antibodies. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis of the ROS-reactive dye 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate-di(acetoxymethyl ester) was used to measure intracellular ROS in T lymphocytes from peripheral blood and synovial fluid. To determine which enzymes produced ROS, different inhibitors were tested. RESULTS: Large quantities of DAB precipitated in the majority of RA synovial T lymphocytes, indicative of intracellular ROS production. These ROS-producing T lymphocytes were observed throughout the synovium. Polymerization of DAB was observed to a lesser extent in other forms of chronic arthritis, but was absent in osteoarthritis. DAB staining of cytospin preparations of purified RA synovial fluid T cells confirmed the presence of ROS-producing cells. One of the ROS involved appeared to be H2O2, since catalase suppressed intracellular ROS production. Superoxide dismutase, which uses superoxide as a substrate to form H2O2, diphenyleneiodonium (an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis), nordihydroguaiaretic acid (an inhibitor of lipoxygenase), and rotenone (an inhibitor of mitochondrial ROS production) failed to suppress ROS production. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that chronic oxidative stress observed in synovial T lymphocytes is not secondary to exposure to environmental free radicals, but originates from intracellularly produced ROS. Additionally, our data suggest that one of the intracellularly generated ROS is H2O2, although the oxidase(s) involved in its generation remains to be determined.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Mitochondrial metabolism of reactive oxygen species.

Oxidative stress is considered a major contributor to etiology of both "normal" senescence and severe pathologies with serious public health implications. Mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are thought to augment intracellular oxidative stress. Mitochondria possess at least nine known sites that are capable of generating superoxide anion, a progenitor ROS. Mitochondria also possess numerous ROS defense systems that are much less studied. Studies of the last three decades shed light on many important mechanistic details of mitochondrial ROS production, but the bigger picture remains obscure. This review summarizes the current knowledge about major components involved in mitochondrial ROS metabolism and factors that regulate ROS generation and removal. An integrative, systemic approach is applied to analysis of mitochondrial ROS metabolism, which is now dissected into mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondrial ROS removal, and mitochondrial ROS emission. It is suggested that mitochondria augment intracellular oxidative stress due primarily to failure of their ROS removal systems, whereas the role of mitochondrial ROS emission is yet to be determined and a net increase in mitochondrial ROS production in situ remains to be demonstrated.

Animals↗

Basal reactive oxygen species determine the susceptibility to apoptosis in cirrhotic hepatocytes.

Hepatocytes from cirrhotic murine livers exhibit increased basal ROS activity and resistance to TGFbeta-induced apoptosis, yet when ROS levels are decreased by antioxidant pretreatment, these cells recover susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli. To further study these redox events, hepatocytes from cirrhotic murine livers were pretreated with various antioxidants prior to TGFbeta treatment and the ROS activity, apoptotic response, and mitochondrial ROS generation were assessed. In addition, normal hepatocytes were treated with low-dose H(2)O(2) and ROS and apoptotic responses determined. Treatment of cirrhotic hepatocytes with various antioxidants decreased basal ROS and rendered them susceptible to apoptosis. Examination of normal hepatocytes by confocal microscopy demonstrated colocalization of ROS activity and respiring mitochondria. Basal assessment of cirrhotic hepatocytes showed nonfocal ROS activity that was abolished by antioxidants. After pretreatment with an adenovirus expressing MnSOD, basal cirrhotic hepatocyte ROS were decreased and TGFbeta-induced colocalization of ROS and mitochondrial respiration was present. Treatment of normal hepatocytes with H(2)O(2) resulted in a sustained increase in ROS and resistance to TGFbeta apoptosis that was reversed when these cells were pretreated with an antioxidant. In conclusion, cirrhotic hepatocytes have a nonfocal distribution of ROS. However, normal and cirrhotic hepatocytes exhibit mitochondrial localization of ROS that is necessary for apoptosis.

Animals↗

Reactive oxygen species released by activated neutrophils, but not by deficient spermatozoa, are sufficient to affect normal sperm motility.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by abnormal or deficient spermatozoa and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN, activated or not) can affect normal sperm motility. To determine what level of ROS is detrimental to spermatozoa. SUBJECTS: Patients consulting the Infertility Clinic at the Royal Victoria Hospital and healthy volunteers. METHODS: Normal spermatozoa (not producing ROS) were incubated with ROS-producing spermatozoa or PMN (activated or not), and motility was analyzed using a computer-aided sperm analysis system. The proportion of ROS produced by spermatozoa and released extracellularly was estimated by the decrease in the chemiluminescence observed in the presence of catalase and superoxide dismutase. RESULTS: There was no consistent effect on motility when ROS-producing and non-ROS-producing spermatozoa were mixed. This lack of effect could be due to the relatively low level of ROS produced by spermatozoa as well as the fact that only a third of these ROS are released outside spermatozoa. To cause a low but significant decrease (15 +/- 4%) in sperm motility after a 5-hour incubation, the level of ROS imposed on spermatozoa must be equivalent to ROS released by 1 x 10(6) activated PMN/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The production of ROS by deficient spermatozoa is low and of no consequence to the motility of normal spermatozoa present in the same sperm preparation. However, 1 x 10(6) activated PMN/mL, with a 1,000-fold higher ROS production, have detrimental effects on the motility of normal washed spermatozoa.

Extracellular Space↗

Increased intracellular reactive oxygen species in patients with end-stage renal failure: effect of hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in various forms of cellular injury. ROS may cause cell damage and are involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases, including atherosclerosis and chronic inflammation. METHODS: Disturbances of intracellular ROS levels were investigated in 28 patients with end-stage renal failure. The intracellular ROS levels were measured in lymphocytes before and after hemodialysis using biocompatible membranes and were compared with those from 11 patients with end-stage renal failure, not yet on renal replacement therapy, and 27 healthy control subjects. ROS levels were measured spectrophotometrically using the intracellular dye dichlorofluorescin diacetate. RESULTS: The spontaneous production of ROS was significantly higher in lymphocytes from patients with end-stage renal failure compared with healthy control subjects (P < 0.01). The addition of 100 nmol/L phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA) produced a significant increase of ROS, both in lymphocytes from patients with end-stage renal failure and healthy control subjects. The PMA-induced ROS increase was significantly higher in lymphocytes from patients with end-stage renal failure compared with healthy control subjects (P < 0.01). In patients with end-stage renal failure, not yet on renal replacement therapy, the PMA-induced ROS was also significantly higher compared with healthy control subjects. The PMA-induced ROS increases were significantly inhibited by catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase or the superoxide dismutase mimetic, tempol. PMA-induced ROS was significantly reduced by tyrphostin A51 in lymphocytes from patients with end-stage renal failure and from healthy control subjects (each P < 0.01), indicating the involvement of a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. In patients with end-stage renal failure, the spontaneous and the PMA-induced production of ROS was not significantly different before and after hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONS: Regular hemodialysis sessions using biocompatible membranes have no effect on the elevated intracellular ROS in patients with end-stage renal failure.

Aged↗

Regulation of intracellular cyclic GMP concentration by light and calcium in electropermeabilized rod photoreceptors.

This study examines the regulation of cGMP by illumination and by calcium during signal transduction in vertebrate retinal photoreceptor cells. We employed an electropermeabilized rod outer segment (EP-ROS) preparation which permits perfusion of low molecular weight compounds into the cytosol while retaining many of the features of physiologically competent, intact rod outer segments (ROS). When nucleotide-depleted EP-ROS were incubated with MgGTP, time- and dose-dependent increases in intracellular cGMP levels were observed. The steady state cGMP concentration in EP-ROS (0.007 mol cGMP per mol rhodopsin) approached the cGMP concentration in intact ROS. Flash illumination of EP-ROS in a 250-nM free calcium medium resulted in a transient decrease in cGMP levels; this occurred in the absence of changes in calcium concentration. The kinetics of the cGMP response to flash illumination of EP-ROS were similar to that of intact ROS. To further examine the effects of calcium on cGMP metabolism, dark-adapted EP-ROS were incubated with MgGTP containing various concentrations of calcium. We observed a twofold increase in cGMP steady state levels as the free calcium was lowered from 1 microM to 20 nM; this increase was comparable to the behavior of intact ROS. Measurements of guanylate cyclase activity in EP-ROS showed a 3.5-fold increase in activity over this range of calcium concentrations, indicating a retention of calcium regulation of guanylate cyclase in EP-ROS preparations. Flash illumination of EP-ROS in either a 50- or 250-nM free calcium medium revealed a slowing of the recovery time course at the lower calcium concentration. This observation conflicts with any hypothesis whereby a reduction in free calcium concentration hastens the recovery of cytoplasmic cGMP levels, either by stimulating guanylate cyclase activity or by inhibiting phosphodiesterase activity. We conclude that changes in the intracellular calcium concentration during visual transduction may have more complex effects on the recovery of the photoresponse than can be accounted for solely by guanylate cyclase activation.

Animals↗

A method of human semen centrifugation to minimize the iatrogenic sperm injuries caused by reactive oxygen species.

Current techniques of sperm preparation for in vitro fertilization or intrauterine insemination require centrifugation of human semen to separate spermatozoa from the seminal plasma. Centrifugation increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in semen. Moreover, high levels of ROS are associated with sperm membrane injury through spontaneous lipid peroxidation, which may alter sperm function. We investigated the relationship between centrifugation variables (time and g-force) and ROS production to establish an optimal centrifugation protocol for sperm preparation techniques. Semen from 38 men (24 patients and 14 normal volunteers) was evaluated for the formation of ROS before centrifugation and after centrifugation at 200 g for 2 or 10 min and after 500 g for 2 or 10 min. The absence of white blood cells in semen which can also produce ROS was determined with the myeloperoxidase technique (Endtz test). All specimens were negative (< 1 x 10(6)/ml) by the Endtz test. The formation of ROS was measured by chemiluminescence. ROS formation was regarded as high (positive) when the chemiluminescence response was at least 10 x 10(4) counted photons/min (cpm). The sperm concentration in each sample was adjusted to 15-20 x 10(6) cells/ml before analysis. Eight specimens (7 patients and 1 donor) exhibited high levels of ROS before centrifugation. All 8 showed further, significant increases in ROS formation regardless of g-force or time. The increase in ROS was significantly less when semen was centrifuged for 2 as compared to 10 min (p < 0.001). Six specimens previously ROS-negative became ROS-positive after centrifugation for 10 min at 200 and 500g. We conclude that the time of centrifugation is more important than g-force for inducing ROS formation in semen. Based on these results, we recommend a shorter centrifugation period in the preparation of sperm for assisted reproductive techniques.

Centrifugation↗

Involvement of L-arginine-nitric oxide system in the response of isolated trachea to reactive oxygen species.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by electrolysis of Krebs-Henseleit solution (GE-KHS), on isolated guinea pig trachea and to assess the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the observed effects. The isolated trachea was superfused in GE-KHS, generating H2O2 and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), both of which slowly increased in the organ bath and reached final stable concentrations of 42 and 63 microM, respectively, at the rate of 20 ml/min(-1), and 261 and 245 microM, respectively, at the rate of 5 ml/min(-1). ROS GE-KHS-induced relaxation of tracheal rings was preceded by a small transient contraction in 40% and 65% of experiments when tracheal rings were superfused at the rate of 20 ml/min(-1) and 5 ml/min(-1), respectively. Removal of tracheal epithelium abolished the relaxation of the trachea induced by ROS GE-KHS and unmasked or potentiated trachealis contraction. The ROS GE-KHS-induced changes in trachealis tension were accompanied by an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and a decrease in nonprotein (NP) thiols in the trachea. These changes were inhibited by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (100 microM). Pretreatment of tracheal rings with the inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS) N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG; 100 microM) for 20 min prior to exposure to ROS GE-KHS decreased the ROS GE-KHS-induced relaxation. When L-NOARG (100 microM) was present in the superfusing solution, not only 20 min before but also during superfusion with ROS GE-KHS, the evoked trachealis relaxation was reduced in the first 15 min but was enhanced in the 30th min. This late enhancement of relaxation was accompanied by a 12-fold increase in nitric oxide metabolites (NO(x)). ROS GE-KHS-induced elevation of TBARS levels in the trachea was decreased to 63% by pretreatment with L-NOARG (100 microM). Elevation of TBARS levels induced by incubation of brain liposomes with a hydroxyl radical generating system was decreased to 90% by L-NOARG (10, 100 microM), while the antioxidant stobadine (100 microM) nearly completely inhibited the evoked lipid peroxidation. In comparison with Trolox, L-NOARG exerted a slight scavenging effect on the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical. The presence of L-arginine and D-arginine in the superfusion fluid for 15-20 min before and during exposure of the trachea to ROS GE-KHS inhibited trachealis relaxation. Results indicate that epithelium derived NO may participate in the response of guinea pig trachea to ROS GE-KHS. The presence of L-NOARG in the bathing fluid during superfusion with ROS GE-KHS gave rise to NO(x), with relaxing activity. L- and D-arginine induced an inhibition of the relaxatory response to ROS GE-KHS and partially prevented a ROS-induced decrease in NP thiols. The involvement of the small antioxidant effects of L-NOARG and L- and D-arginine in the above mentioned actions of L-NOARG and L-arginine requires additional investigation.

Acetylcysteine↗

Reactive oxygen species alter gene expression in podocytes: induction of granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor.

It has been suggested that reactive oxygen radicals (ROS) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria and podocyte injury. It was investigated whether changes in gene expression might account for ROS-induced podocyte dysfunction. Differentiated podocytes were incubated with control media or with exogenous ROS from the xanthine/xanthine-oxidase reaction for 4 h. A PCR-based suppressive subtractive hybridization assay was applied to isolate and clone mRNAs that were differentially expressed by exogenous ROS. One differentially expressed clone was identified as the proinflammatory cytokine granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Regulation of GM-CSF in podocytes was further studied by Northern analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Exogenous ROS caused a concentration-dependent, >10-fold induction of GM-CSF mRNA after 4 h. A >50-fold increase in GM-CSF protein release in podocytes that had been stimulated with ROS could be detected. Induction of GM-CSF protein was inhibited by actinomycin D, which indicated that increased mRNA transcription was involved. The ROS scavengers dimethyl-thio-urea and pyrrolidone-dithio-carbamate strongly inhibited increased GM-CSF production induced by ROS. GM-CSF release was also induced when internal ROS production was triggered with NADH, whereas H2O2 had only a small effect. GM-CSF release by podocytes was also stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and phorbolester (PMA). Dimethyl-thio-urea significantly inhibited the LPS-, IL-1-, and PMA-induced GM-CSF production. Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) but not activator protein-1 was involved in the upregulation of ROS-induced GM-CSF production. The data indicate that GM-CSF is differentially expressed by ROS in podocytes. ROS also partially mediate the effects of PMA and IL-1 on podocyte GM-CSF production. Because GM-CSF can enhance glomerular inflammation and induces mesangial proliferation, these data might provide further insight into the mechanisms of ROS-induced glomerular injury.

Animals↗

Cytokine effects on phagocytosis of rod outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells of normal and dystrophic rats.

PURPOSE: Phagocytosis of rod outer segments (ROS) is an important function of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Since the details of the process are not fully known, we studied effects of cytokines produced by RPE and photoreceptor cells on phagocytosis of ROS by rat RPE cells. METHODS: RPE cells were isolated and cultivated from two strains of rats: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with normal phagocytosis and Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats, which have genetic deficiencies in ROS phagocytosis. A double immunofluorescence staining technique was used to study the effects in vitro of several cytokines on phagocytosis of ROS. RESULTS: We found that transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) had dose-dependent effects on RPE cells of both strains of rat: at a concentration of 10 ng/ml, TGF-beta 1 significantly (p < 0.01) reduced total ROS (to 74% of control in SD rats and to 51% of control in RCS rats), reduced bound ROS (to 56% of control in SD rats and to 48% in RCS rats), and increased the ratio of ingested ROS to total ROS (to 140% in SD rats but not significantly in RCS rats). Treatment of medium with anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody before incubation of RPE cells of SD rats with TGF-beta 1 decreased the magnitude of these effects. The cytokine acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF, 10 ng/ml) affected RPE cells of SD rats only, decreasing ROS ingested to 56% of control and the ratio of ingested ROS to total ROS to 64% of control. We also examined effects of basic fibroblast growth factor and insulin-like growth factor. None of the cytokines tested increased ingestion of ROS by RPE cells of RCS rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TGF-beta 1 and aFGF have roles in regulating ROS phagocytosis by normal and dystrophic RPE cells in the rat.

Animals↗