The Effect of FK506 to Generate Reactive Oxygen Species on T Lymphocyte Death

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Tacrolimus (FK506) has been widely used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplanted recipients to suppress organ rejection phenomenon. We investigated the role of oxidative stress and heme oxygense-1 by FK506 on human Jurkat T cells. METHODS: The cells viability was examined by DAPI stain, enzyme activity of caspase family proteins, and western blotting for Baks, PUMA, iNOS, HO-1. Cells were cultured in the absence or presence of CoPPIX or ZnPPIX and the fluorescence intensity was analyzed using a flow cytometry. RESULTS: Treatment with FK506 increased the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion, and NO in Jurkat cells in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis data revealed the hemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) was induced by the addition of FK506 in Jurkat cells. Induction of CoPP, HO-1 inducer, resulted in decreased intracellular H2O2 and NO concentrations. Instead ZnPP, an HO-1 competitive inhibitor did it reversely. In addition, ZnPP regulates iNOS protein synthesis by inhibition of HO-1. CONCLUSION: Increase of HO-1 expression would induce to decrease the intracellular H2O2 and NO concentrations. Also, HO-1 would regulate iNOS protein synthesis. Consequently, we can expect the regulation of HO-1 expression with concomitants use of FK506 to suppress organ rejection phenomenon by enhancing apoptosis.