Bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa is acquired by cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages after uptake of myeloperoxidase.

in Experientia (1996), 52(2), 167-74

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme located within polymorphonuclear neutrophils capable of producing cytotoxic oxidant species that are particularly active against bacteria with polysaccharide capsules ... [more ▼]

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme located within polymorphonuclear neutrophils capable of producing cytotoxic oxidant species that are particularly active against bacteria with polysaccharide capsules. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10(6) bacteria per 1ml) are killed within 1 h in vitro by a MPO/H2O2/C1- system (48mU=132ng of MPO). The question arose as to whether human macrophages would acquire cytotoxic activity when loaded with this enzyme. Monocytes were therefore isolated from human blood and cultured for up to ten days to induce maturation to macrophages. These cells lost endogenous MPO within five days while H2O2 production in response to stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate (10(-6)M) decreased to 23% within ten days. On the other hand, their capacity to take up exogenous MPO increased fourfold from day three to day ten. Human macrophages cultured from eight days (when both H2O2 production and MPO uptake were sufficient) were therefore used to study the effects of MPO uptake on cytocidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After a 1 h MPO loading period, macrophages (5X10(5) cells per ml) were incubated in the presence of bacteria (0.5 to 2X10(6) bacteria per ml) for 2 h at 37 degrees C. At a bacteria/macrophage ratio of 1, only 34.8+/-7.0% of bacteria survived (compared to killing by non-loaded macrophages), while 74.4+/-9.3% survived at a ratio of 4. From these results, we conclude that loading macrophages with exogenous MPO could enhance their microbicidal activity, suggesting a potentially useful therapeutic application. [less ▲]

Self-Labeling of Human Polymorphonuclear Leucocyte Myeloperoxidase with 125iodine

in Experientia (1991), 47(9), 952-7

In order to obtain a radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique for the measurement of human plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO), we purified the enzyme from polymorphonuclear granulocytes (neutrophils), and compared ... [more ▼]

In order to obtain a radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique for the measurement of human plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO), we purified the enzyme from polymorphonuclear granulocytes (neutrophils), and compared three methods of labeling it with 125Iodine:chloramine T, lactoperoxidase, and an original technique of 'self labeling' based on the ability of the enzyme to oxidize and bind 125I in the presence of H2O2. The chloramine T technique produced a degraded protein, as well shown by a high non-specific binding of tracer to antibody. The lactoperoxidase technique did not succeed in labeling MPO with an adequate specific activity. In contrast, the self-labeling method gave a stable tracer with a specific activity of 23 microCi/micrograms MPO (85 MBq), a satisfactory level of immunoreactivity, and a low-specific binding (less than or equal to 3%). After labeling, purification of tracer was achieved by gel filtration chromatography in phosphate buffer (0.05 M; pH7) to which 0.1% poly-L-lysine was added. The labeled molecule remained stable for 40 days and could be used for RIA with a polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits. [less ▲]

Distribution of Cd, Zn and Cu in the mussel Mytilus edulis. Existence of Cd-binding proteins similar to metallothioneins.

in Experientia (1976), 32