Free radical reactions in atherosclerosis; An EPR spectrometry study

The copper catalysed oxidation of homocysteine has been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and spin trapping techniques to determine the nature of free radical species formed under varying experimental conditions. Three radicals; thiyl, alkyl and hydroxyl were detected with hydroxyl being predominant. A reaction mechanism is proposed involving Fenton chemistry. Inclusion of catalase to test for intermediate generation of hydrogen peroxide showed a marked reduction in amount of hydroxyl radical generated. In contrast, the addition of superoxide dismutase showed no significant effect on the level of hydroxyl radical formed. Enhanced radical formation was observed at higher levels of oxygen, an effect which has consequences for differential oxygen levels in arterial and venous systems. Implications are drawn for a higher incidence of atherosclerotic plaque formation in arteries versus veins. © 2006 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.

Mass spectrometric analysis of HOCl- and free-radical-induced damage to lipids and proteins

In inflammatory diseases, release of oxidants leads to oxidative damage to biomolecules. HOCl (hypochlorous acid), released by the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/Cl- system, can cause formation of phospholipid chlorohydrins, or alpha-chloro-fatty aldehydes from plasmalogens. It can attack several amino acid residues in proteins, causing post-translational oxidative modifications of proteins, but the formation of 3-chlorotyrosine is one of the most stable markers of HOCl-induced damage. Soft-ionization MS has proved invaluable for detecting the occurrence of oxidative modifications to both phospholipids and proteins, and characterizing the products generated by HOCl-induced attack. For both phospholipids and proteins, the application of advanced mass spectrometric methods such as product or precursor ion scanning and neutral loss analysis can yield information both about the specific nature of the oxidative modification and the biomolecule modified. The ideal is to be able to apply these methods to complex biological or clinical samples, to determine the site-specific modifications of particular cellular components. This is important for understanding disease mechanisms and offers potential for development of novel biomarkers of inflammatory diseases. In the present paper, we review some of the progress that has been made towards this goal.

Sequence distributions in free-radical polymers

This thesis is concerned with demonstrating how the visual representation of the sequence distribution of individual monomer units, of a polymer, that would be observed upon polymerisation, may be utilised in designing and synthesizing polymers with relatively low cell adhesion characteristics, The initial part of this thesis is concerned with demonstrating the use of a computer simulation technique, in illustrating the sequence distribution that would be observed upon the polymerisation of a set of monomers. The power of the computer simulation technique has been demonstrated through the simulation of the sequence distributions of some generic contact lens materials. These generic contact lens materials were chosen simply because in the field of biomaterials their compositions are amongst the most systematically regulated and they present a wide range of compositions. The validity of the computer simulation technique has been assessed through the synthesis and analysis of linear free-radical polymers at different conversions. Two main parameters were examined, that of composition and the number-average sequence lengths of individual monomer units, at various conversions. The polymers were synthesized through the solution polymerisation process. The monomer composition was determined by elemental analysis and 13C nuclear magnetic analysis (NMR). Number-average sequence lengths were determined exclusively through 13C NMR. Although the computer simulation technique provides a visual representation of the monomer sequence distribution up to 100% conversion, these assessments were made on linear polymers at a reasonably high conversion (above 50%) but below 100% conversion of ease for analysis. The analyses proved that the computer simulation technique was reasonably accurate in predicting the sequence distribution of monomer units, upon polymerisation, in the polymer.An approach has been presented which allows one to manipulate the use of monomers, with their reactivity ratios, thereby enabling us to design polymers with controlled sequence distributions.Hydrogel membranes, with relatively controlled sequence distributions and polymerised to 100% conversion, were synthesized to represent prospective biomaterials. Cell adhesion studies were used as a biological probe to investigate the susceptibility of the surface of these membranes to cell adhesion. This was necessary in order to assess the surface biocompatibility or biotolerance of these prospective biomaterials.

The pH-induced swelling and collapse of a polybase brush synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization

We have used neutron reflectometry to characterize the swelling behaviour of brushes of poly[2-(diethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate], a polybase, as a function of pH. The brushes, synthesized by the "grafting from" method of atom transfer radical polymerization, were observed to approximately double their thickness in low pH solutions, although the pK is shifted to a lower pH than in dilute solution. The composition-depth profile obtained from the reflectometry experiments for the swollen brushes reveals a region depleted in polymer between the substrate and the extended part of the brush.

Luminescent techniques for studying free radical production and cell viability in relation to cardiovascular disease and HRT

Epidemiological studies have suggested that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) offers protection from atherosclerosis, a precursor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), in postmenopausal women. There is good evidence that oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by leucocyte-derived reactive oxygen species plays a key role in development of an atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore we have investigated whether the possible protection against CVD by HRT could be due to immunomodulation, specifically of free radical production. The study involves 2 approaches: I) analysing the production of free radicals by leucocytes from women on HRT, 2) investigating the effect of I7p-oestradiol and progesterone on cultured myeloid cells (HL60 and U937). Free radical production by leucocytes was determined using a recently developed bioluminescent assay. In the assay, Pholasin® emits light in the presence of free radicals produced by the NADPH oxidase system of leucocytes stimulated with PMA or fMLP. Cell viability was also investigated using a bioluminescent assay (Cell Titer-Glo®) in which cytosolic ATP levels were measured by the production of luminescence in the presence of Luciferin/Luciferase reagent. Studies of leucocytes from HRT patients showed considerable variation in free radical production, which appeared to be dependent on HRT regime. Studies on the cultured cells showed that there was no cell proliferation at low hormone concentrations, while high concentrations caused cytotoxicity. The effect of hormones on free radical production in this in vitro model system is currently being investigated. The results show that the effects of the hormones on cells of the immune system are very dose dependent, and that both beneficial and adverse effects may occur. In conclusion, luminescent techniques offer a valuable and sensitive approach to studying inflammatory and oxidative processes both in vivo and in vitro.

Free radical reaction products and antioxidant capacity in beating heart coronary artery surgery compared to conventional bypass

Oxygen-derived free radicals are important agents of tissue injury during ischemia and reperfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in protein and lipid oxidation and antioxidant status in beating heart coronary artery surgery and conventional bypass and to compare oxidative stress parameters between the two bypass methods. Serum lipid hydroperoxide, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, nitrotyrosine, vitamin E, and β-carotene levels and total antioxidant capacity were measured in blood of 30 patients undergoing beating heart coronary artery surgery (OPCAB, off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting) and 12 patients undergoing conventional bypass (CABG, on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting). In the OPCAB group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after reperfusion. Similarly, β-carotene level and total antioxidant capacity also decreased after anesthesia and reperfusion. In the CABG group, nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine levels decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. However, protein carbonyl levels elevated after ischemia and reperfusion. Vitamin E, β-carotene, and total antioxidant capacity decreased after ischemia and reperfusion. Significantly decreased nitration and impaired antioxidant status were seen after reperfusion in both groups. Moreover, elevated protein carbonyls were found in the CABG group. The off-pump procedure is associated with lower degree of oxidative stress than on-pump coronary surgery. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Is the generation of neo-antigenic determinants by free radicals central to the development of autoimmune rheumatoid disease?

Biomolecules are susceptible to many different post-translational modifications that have important effects on their function and stability, including glycosylation, glycation, phosphorylation and oxidation chemistries. Specific conversion of aspartic acid to its isoaspartyl derivative or arginine to citrulline leads to autoantibody production in models of rheumatoid disease, and ensuing autoantibodies cross-react with native antigens. Autoimmune conditions associate with increased activation of immune effector cells and production of free radical species via NADPH oxidases and nitric oxide synthases. Generation of neo-antigenic determinants by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species ROS and RNS) may contribute to epitope spreading in autoimmunity. The oxidation of amino acids by peroxynitrite, hypochlorous acid and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) increases the antigenicity of DNA, LDL and IgG, generating ligands for which autoantibodies show higher avidity. This review focuses on the evidence for ROS and RNS in promoting the autoimmune responses observed in diseases rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It considers the evidence for ROS/RNS-induced antigenicity arising as a consequence of failure to remove or repair ROS/RNS damaged biomolecules and suggests that an associated defect, probably in T cell signal processing or/or antigen presentation, is required for the development of disease.

Inhibition of iron-catalysed hydroxyl radical formation by inositol polyphosphates: a possible physiological function for myo-inositol hexakisphosphate

1. The ability of myo-inositol polyphosphates to inhibit iron-catalysed hydroxyl radical formation was studied in a hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system [Graf, Empson and Eaton (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11647-11650]. Fe3+ present in the assay reagents supported some radical formation, and a standard assay, with 5 microM Fe3+ added, was used to investigate the specificity of compounds which could inhibit radical generation. 2. InsP6 (phytic acid) was able to inhibit radical formation in this assay completely. In this respect it was similar to the effects of the high affinity Fe3+ chelator Desferral, and dissimilar to the effects of EDTA which, even at high concentrations, still allowed detectable radical formation to take place. 3. The six isomers of InsP5 were purified from an alkaline hydrolysate of InsP6 (four of them as two enantiomeric mixtures) and they were compared with InsP6 in this assay. Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5 and D/L-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 were similar to InsP6 in that they caused a complete inhibition of iron-catalysed radical formation at > 30 microM. Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 and D/L-Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5, however, were markedly less potent than InsP6, and did not inhibit radical formation completely; even when Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5 was added up to 600 microM, significant radical formation was still detected. Thus InsP5s lacking 2 or 1/3 phosphates are in this respect qualitatively different from InsP6 and the other InsP5s. 4. scyllo-Inositol hexakisphosphate was also tested, and although it caused a greater inhibition than Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, it too still allowed detectable free radical formation even at 600 microM. 5. We conclude that the 1,2,3 (equatorial-axial-equatorial) phosphate grouping in InsP6 has a conformation that uniquely provides a specific interaction with iron to inhibit totally its ability to catalyse hydroxyl radical formation; we suggest that a physiological function of InsP6 might be to act as a 'safe' binding site for iron during its transport through the cytosol or cellular organelles

Oxygen free radicals denature human IgG and increase its reactivity with rheumatoid factor antibody

Rheumatoid inflammation is characterised by the production of rheumatoid factor antibodies directed against denatured IgG. Oxygen free radicals have the potential to denature all manner of proteins and can be generated by activated phagocytic cells in the inflamed joint. By modifying routine ELISA and nephelometric procedures for measuring rheumatoid factor, (i.e. substituting free radical altered IgG for rabbit and heat aggregated IgG as antigens) we have observed that oxygen radicals, generated by (1) UV light and (2) PMA-activated neutrophils, give rise to monomeric and polymeric forms of IgG which have increased reactivity towards IgM and IgA polyclonal rheumatoid factor antibodies. We conclude that free radical alteration of IgG may be a stimulus to the formation of immune complexes with rheumatoid factor antibody, thereby promoting and amplifying tissue damage during rheumatoid inflammation.

Free radicals as potential antitumour agents

The aim of this work was to use extremely low concentrations of free radical generating compounds as a 'catalyst' to trigger endogenous free radical chain reactions in the host and to selectively eliminate neoplastic cells in the host. To test the hypothesis, a number of free radical generating compounds were screened on several malignant cell lines in vitro to select model compounds that were used against tumour models in vivo. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and its derivatives were selected at the model compounds for in vivo experiments in view of their high cytotoxic potency against several malignant cell lines in vitro. The water soluble derivative, 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2', 4'-dinitro-6'-sulphophenyl) hydrazyl (DDSH) given by subcutaneous injections demonstrated significant antitumour activities against the MAC 16 murine colon adenocarcinoma implanted subcutaneously in male NMRI mice at nanomolar concentration range. 40-60% of long term survival of over 60 days was achieved (compared with control survival of 20 days) with total tumour elimination. This compound was also active against both P388 leukaemia in male BDF1 mice and TLX5 lymphoid tumour in male CBA/CA mice at a similar concentration range. However, some of these animals died suddenly after treatment with no evidence of disease present at post mortem. The cause of death was unknown but thought to be related to the treatment. There was significant increase in serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) following treatment, but did not correlate to the antitumour activities of these compounds. Induction of supcroxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) occurred around day 8 after the administration of DDSH. Histological sections of MAC16 tumours showed areas of extensive massive haemorrhagic necrosis and vascular collapse associated with perivascular cell death following the administration of nanomolar concentration of DDSH which was probably compatible with the effects of free radicals. It was concluded that the antitumour activities of these compounds may be related to free radical and cytokine production.

Analysis of radicals and radical reaction products in cell signalling and biomolecular damage:the long hard road to gold-standard measures

The field of free radical biology and medicine continues to move at a tremendous pace, with a constant flow of ground-breaking discoveries. The following collection of papers in this issue of Biochemical Society Transactions highlights several key areas of topical interest, including the crucial role of validated measurements of radicals and reactive oxygen species in underpinning nearly all research in the field, the important advances being made as a result of the overlap of free radical research with the reinvigorated field of lipidomics (driven in part by innovations in MS-based analysis), the acceleration of new insights into the role of oxidative protein modifications (particularly to cysteine residues) in modulating cell signalling, and the effects of free radicals on the functions of mitochondria, extracellular matrix and the immune system. In the present article, we provide a brief overview of these research areas, but, throughout this discussion, it must be remembered that it is the availability of reliable analytical methodologies that will be a key factor in facilitating continuing developments in this exciting research area.

Homocysteine from endothelial cells promotes LDL nitration and scavenger receptor uptake

We recently reported that methionine-loaded human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exported homocysteine (Hcy) and were associated with hydroxyl radical generation and oxidation of lipids in LDL. Herein we have analysed the Hcy-induced posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of LDL protein. PTMs have been characterised using electrophoretic mobility shift, protein carbonyl ELISA, HPLC with electrochemical detection and Western blotting of 3-nitrotyrosine, and LDL uptake by scavenger receptors on monocyte/macrophages. We have also analysed PTMs in LDL isolated from rheumatoid (RA) and osteo-(OA) arthritis patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). While reagent Hcy (<50 μM) promoted copper-catalysed LDL protein oxidation, Hcy released from methionine-loaded HUVECs promoted LDL protein nitration. In addition, LDL nitration was associated with enhanced monocyte/macrophage uptake when compared with LDL oxidation. LDL protein nitration and uptake by monocytes, but not carbonyl formation, was elevated in both RA and OA patients with CVD compared with disease-matched patients that had no evidence of CVD. Moreover, a direct correlation between plasma total Hcy (tHcy) and LDL uptake was observed. The present studies suggest that elevated plasma tHcy may promote LDL nitration and increased scavenger receptor uptake, providing a molecular mechanism that may contribute to the clinical link between CVD and elevated plasma tHcy. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Urinary 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine:Redox regulation of DNA repair in vivo?

DNA is susceptible to damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are produced during normal and pathophysiological processes in addition to ionizing radiation, environmental mutagens, and carcinogens. 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) is probably one of the most abundant DNA lesion formed during oxidative stress. This potentially mutagenic lesion causes G → T transversions and is therefore an important candidate lesion for repair, particularly in mammalian cells. Several pathways exist for the removal, or repair, of this lesion from mammalian DNA. The most established is via the base excision repair enzyme, human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (hOgg1), which acts in combination with the human apurinic endonuclease (hApe). The latter is known to respond to regulation by redox reactions and may act in combination with hOgg1. We discuss evidence in this review article concerning alternative pathways in humans, such as nucleotide excision repair (NER), which could possibly remove the 8-oxodG lesion. We also propose that redox-active components of the diet, such as vitamin C, may promote such repair, affecting NER specifically. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc.