Peroxynitrite is a mediator of cytokine-induced destruction of human pancreatic islet beta cells.

The proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and interferon gamma (IFNgamma), are cytotoxic to pancreatic islet beta cells, possibly by inducing nitric oxide and/or oxygen radical production in the beta cells. Peroxynitrite, the reaction product of nitric oxide and the superoxide radical, is a strong oxidant and cytotoxic mediator; therefore, we hypothesized that peroxynitrite might be a mediator of cytokine-induced islet beta-cell destruction. To test this hypothesis we incubated islets isolated from human pancreata with the cytokine combination of IL-1beta, TNFalpha, and IFNgamma. We found that these cytokines induced significant increases in nitrotyrosine, a marker of peroxynitrite, in islet beta cells, and the increase in nitrotyrosine preceded islet-cell destruction. Peroxynitrite mimicked the effects of cytokines on nitrotyrosine formation and islet beta-cell destruction. L-N(G)-monomethyl arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, prevented cytokine-induced nitric oxide production but not hydrogen peroxide production, nitrotyrosine formation, or islet beta-cell destruction. In contrast, guanidinoethyldisulphide, an inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase and scavenger of peroxynitrite, prevented cytokine-induced nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production, nitrotyrosine formation, and islet beta-cell destruction. These results suggest that cytokine-induced peroxynitrite formation is dependent upon increased generation of superoxide (measured as hydrogen peroxide) and that peroxynitrite is a mediator of cytokine-induced destruction of human pancreatic islet beta cells.

An inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase and scavenger of peroxynitrite prevents diabetes development in NOD mice.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is a highly reactive oxidant produced by the interaction of the free radicals superoxide (O*-2) and nitric oxide (NO(*)). In a previous study, we found that peroxynitrite is formed in islet beta-cells of nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Here, we report that guanidinoethyldisulphide (GED), a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and scavenger of peroxynitrite prevents diabetes in NOD mice. GED treatment of female NOD mice, starting at age 5 weeks, delayed diabetes onset (from age 12 to 22 weeks) and significantly decreased diabetes incidence at 30 weeks (from 80% to 17%). GED did not prevent pancreatic islet infiltration by leukocytes; however, beta-cells that stained positive for nitrotyrosine (a marker of peroxynitrite) were significantly decreased in islets of GED-treated mice (1+/-1%) compared with vehicle-treated mice (30+/-9%). In addition, GED significantly inhibited nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine formation and decreased destruction of beta-cells in NOD mouse islets incubated in vitro with the combination of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). These findings indicate that both superoxide and nitric oxide radicals contribute to islet beta-cell destruction in autoimmune diabetes via peroxynitrite formation in the beta-cells.

Expression of calbindin-D(28k) in a pancreatic islet beta-cell line protects against cytokine-induced apoptosis and necrosis.

Cytokines produced by immune system cells that infiltrate pancreatic islets are candidate mediators of islet beta-cell destruction in autoimmune (type 1) diabetes mellitus. Because the calcium binding protein, calbindin-D(28k), can prevent apoptotic cell death in different cell types, we investigated the possibility that calbindin-D(28k) may prevent cytokine-mediated islet beta-cell destruction. Using the expression vector BSRalpha, rat calbindin-D(28k) was stably expressed in the pancreatic islet beta-cell line, betaTC-3. Calbindin-D(28k) expression resulted in increased cell survival in the presence of the cytotoxic combination of the cytokines IL-1beta (30 U/ml), TNFalpha (10(3) U/ml), and interferon gamma (10(3) U/ml). The greatest protection was observed in the betaTC-3 cell clone expressing the highest concentration of calbindin-D(28k). Apoptotic cell death was detected by annexin V staining and by the TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling assay in vector-transfected betaTC-3 cells incubated with cytokines (14-15% apoptotic cells). The number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased in calbindin-D(28k)-overexpressing betaTC-3 cells incubated with cytokines (5-6% apoptotic cells). To address the mechanism of the antiapoptotic effects of calbindin, studies were done to examine whether calbindin inhibits free radical formation. The stimulatory effects of the cytokines on lipid hydroperoxide, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite production were significantly decreased in the calbindin-D(28k)-expressing betaTC-3 cells. Our findings indicate that calbindin-D(28k), by inhibiting free radical formation, can protect against cytokine-mediated apoptosis and destruction of beta-cells. These findings suggest that calbindin-D(28k) may be an important regulator of cell death that can protect pancreatic islet beta-cells from autoimmune destruction in type 1 diabetes.

Transfection of human pancreatic islets with an anti-apoptotic gene (bcl-2) protects beta-cells from cytokine-induced destruction.

Apoptosis has been identified as a mechanism of pancreatic islet beta-cell death in autoimmune diabetes. Proinflammatory cytokines are candidate mediators of beta-cell death in autoimmune diabetes, and these cytokines can induce beta-cell death by apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether transfection of human islet beta-cells with an anti-apoptotic gene, bcl-2, can prevent cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction. Human islet beta-cells were transfected by a replication-defective herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon vector that expressed the bcl-2 gene (HSVbcl-2) and, as a control, the same HSV vector that expressed a beta-galactosidase reporter gene (HSVlac). Two-color immunohistochemical staining revealed that 95+/-3% of beta-cells transfected with HSVbcl-2 expressed Bcl-2 protein compared with 14+/-3% of beta-cells transfected with HSVlac and 19+/-4% of nontransfected beta-cells. The bcl-2-transfected beta-cells were fully protected from impaired insulin secretion and destruction resulting from incubation for 5 days with the cytokine combination of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma. In addition, the bcl-2-transfected islet cells were significantly protected from cytokine-induced lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation. These results demonstrate that cytokine-induced beta-cell dysfunction and death involve mechanisms subject to regulation by an anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2. Therefore, bcl-2 gene therapy has the potential to protect human beta-cells in pancreatic islets, or islet grafts, from immune-mediated damage in type 1 diabetes.

Generation of peroxynitrite contributes to ischemia-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts.

OBJECTIVE: The acute release of radicals upon reperfusion following myocardial ischemia may include both nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O2-.). The generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO-) from these radicals may contribute to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our objective was to measure the generation of ONOO- during reperfusion of isolated hearts subjected to ischemia and to determine the effects of inhibition of NO synthase with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), or supplementation of NO with S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP), on ONOO- generation and on the recovery of mechanical function. METHODS AND RESULTS: Isolated rat hearts were perfused at constant pressure with Krebs' buffer containing L-tyrosine, which reacts with ONOO- to form dityrosine, a fluorescent product. Dityrosine was detected in the coronary effluent of hearts infused with synthetic ONOO-. In hearts subjected to 20 min of global, no-flow ischemia there was a marked rise in endogenous ONOO- formation which peaked at 30 s of reperfusion. Formation of ONOO- was dependent upon synthesis of both NO and O2-., as dityrosine release was abolished by L-NMMA or superoxide dismutase, respectively. L-NMMA caused a concentration-dependent improvement in the recovery of mechanical function during reperfusion. Infusion of SNAP also abolished dityrosine release at reperfusion and improved the recovery of post-ischemic function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show for the first time that reperfusion of the ischemic heart causes the acute production of ONOO-. Inhibiting the biosynthesis of ONOO- with L-NMMA or antagonizing its oxidant actions with SNAP are possible strategies to protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Destruction of rat pancreatic islet beta-cells by cytokines involves the production of cytotoxic aldehydes.

Cytokines produced by mononuclear leukocytes infiltrating pancreatic islets are candidate mediators of islet beta-cell destruction in autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Cytokines may damage islet beta-cells by inducing oxygen free radical production in the beta-cells. Lipid peroxidation and aldehyde production are measures of oxygen free radical-mediated cell injury. In the current study, we used a HPLC technique to measure levels of different aldehydes produced in rat islets incubated with cytokines. The cytokine combination of interleukin-1beta (10 U/ml), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10(3) U/ml), and interferon-gamma (10(3) U/ml), and the oxidant, t-butylhydroperoxide, induced significant increases in islet levels of the same aldehydes: butanal, pentanal, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), and hexanal. Cytokine-induced aldehyde production was associated with islet beta-cell destruction. Thus, cytokine-induced increases in malondialdehyde (MDA; at 4 h) and 4-HNE (at 8 h) preceded islet cell destruction (at 16 h), and the addition of 4-HNE, hexanal, MDA, and pentanal (1-200 microM) to th islets, but not other aldehydes at similar concentrations, produced dose-dependent destruction of islet beta-cells. Furthermore, an antioxidant (lazaroid U78518E) prevented cytokine-induced increases in 4-HNE, hexanal, and MDA and significantly inhibited cytokine-induced decreases in insulin and DNA in the islets. In contrast, N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, prevented cytokine-induced nitrite production, but did not prevent cytokine-induced increases in 4-HNE, hexanal, and MDA or decreases in insulin and DNA in the islets. These results suggest that cytokines may damage islet beta-cells by inducing oxygen free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and, consequently, the formation of cytotoxic aldehydes in the islet cells.

Human pancreatic islet beta-cell destruction by cytokines involves oxygen free radicals and aldehyde production.

Cytokines produced by immune system cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are candidate mediators of islet beta-cell destruction in autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Cytokine-induced islet beta-cell destruction may be mediated by reactive oxygen intermediates. To determine the possible roles of oxygen free radicals and nitric oxide (NO) as mediators of islet beta-cell destruction, we studied the relationships among cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction, production of malondialdehyde (MDA; an end product of lipid peroxidation), and production of nitrite (the stable end product of NO). The cytokine combination of interleukin-1 beta (50 U/mL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10(3) U/mL), and interferon-gamma (10(3) U/mL) induced significant increases in MDA and nitrite and significant decreases in insulin and DNA in islets after 60-h incubation. A novel antioxidant (lazaroid U78518E) significantly inhibited both a strong oxidant. t-butylhydroperoxide, and the combination of cytokines from inducing MDA production, but not from increasing nitrite production in the islets. Also, the lazaroid antioxidant significantly reversed the cytokine-induced decreases in insulin and DNA contents of the islet cultures. In contrast, L-NG-monomethyl arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthase, prevented cytokine-induced nitrite production, but did not prevent cytokine-induced increases in MDA and decreases in insulin and DNA in the islet cultures. In addition, the addition of MDA to the islets produced a dose-dependent decrease in their insulin and DNA contents, and this was only partially prevented by the lazaroid antioxidant. These results suggest that cytokines may be toxic to human islet beta-cells by inducing oxygen free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and aldehyde production in the islets, and that MDA is one of the cytotoxic mediators of cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction.

Human pancreatic islet beta-cell destruction by cytokines is independent of nitric oxide production.

The inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma are cytotoxic to human islet beta-cells in vitro. To determine the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator of cytokine-induced islet beta-cell destruction, we studied the relationships between NO production and destruction of human pancreatic islet cells incubated with cytokines in vitro. The cytokine combination of interleukin-1 beta (50 U/mL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10(3) U/mL), and interferon-gamma (10(3) U/mL) induced a significant increase in NO production and significant decreases in DNA and insulin contents of the islet cell cultures after a 48-h incubation. L-NG-Monomethyl arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthase, completely prevented cytokine-induced NO production during incubations of 18, 36, 60, and 84 h. Cytokine-induced decreases in DNA and insulin contents of the islet cell cultures, however, were unaffected by the NO synthase inhibitor. Conversely, nicotinamide prevented cytokine-induced islet beta-cell destruction without inhibiting NO production. We conclude that cytokine-induced NO production in human islet cells may be neither necessary nor sufficient to destroy the islet beta-cells and that cytotoxic mechanisms, independent of NO, exist and can be inhibited by nicotinamide.

Mechanisms of cytokine-induced destruction of rat insulinoma cells: the role of nitric oxide.

Cytokines produced by immune system cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are candidate mediators of islet beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In this study, we examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator of cytokine-induced islet beta-cell destruction in a rat insulinoma cell line (RINm5F). The cytokine combination of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta; 10 U/ml), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (10(3) U/ml), and interferon-gamma (10(3) U/ml) induced DNA fragmentation (first detected at 6 h), mitochondrial damage (by 12 h), and death (by 24 h) of RIN cells, whereas the individual cytokines did not have these destructive effects. Also, the cytokine combination of IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma induced a 10-fold increase in NO production by RIN cells, and L-NG-monomethyl arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthase, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of cytokine-induced NO production, DNA fragmentation, and cell destruction. However, IL-1 beta, acting alone, induced a 7-fold increase in NO production without causing DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial damage, or cell destruction. In addition, nicotinamide, a known inhibitor of ADP ribosylation and scavenger of oxygen free radicals, inhibited cytokine-induced DNA fragmentation and cell destruction without affecting NO production. We conclude that stimulation of NO production may be a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for cytokine-induced destruction of islet beta-cells.

Analysis of myocardial plasmalogen and diacyl phospholipids and their arachidonic acid content using high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the assay of diacyl and plasmalogen (alk-1-enyl) phospholipid content and the determination of their fatty acid content from tissue homogenates is described. Myocardial phospholipids are rich in plasmalogens and have a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, including arachidonic acid, esterified in the sn-2 position. Using a three-stage HPLC assay we have analyzed the phospholipid subclass content and the amount of arachidonic acid esterified to these fractions extracted from isolated perfused rat hearts. After HPLC separation of total myocardial phospholipids, the phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine peak fractions are treated with phospholipase C to remove polar head groups and ultraviolet-absorbing benzoate derivatives are made. Separation and quantification of diacyl and plasmalogen content of the total phospholipids with nanomolar sensitivity is then achieved using isocratic elution with a silicic acid HPLC column. The separated plasmalogen and diacyl glycerobenzoates are then subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to remove fatty acids from the sn-2 position. The 2-(2,3-napthalimino)ethyltrifluoromethanesulfonate esters of the free fatty acids are then prepared and analyzed with subnanomolar sensitivity using reverse-phase chromatography with gradient elution. As plasmalogen-specific phospholipase A2 is activated during myocardial ischemia and comprises the majority of total phospholipase A2 activity in the heart, this methodology allows for a sensitive and complete determination of the changes in the mass of these phospholipids and their arachidonic acid content.

Solubilization and purification of the prostaglandin E2 receptor from cardiac sarcolemma.

A prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor was solubilized and isolated from cardiac sarcolemma membranes. Its binding characteristics are almost identical to those of the membrane bound receptor. [3H]PGE2 binding to solubilized and membrane bound receptor was sensitive to elevated temperature and no binding was observed in the absence of NaCl. No significant effects of DTT, ATP, Mg2+, Ca2+ or of changes in buffer pH were observed on [3H]PGE2 binding to either solubilized or membrane-bound receptor. Unlabelled PGE1 displaced over 90% of [3H]PGE2 from the CHAPS-solubilized receptor. PGD2, PGI2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were not effective in displacing [3H]PGE2 from the receptor. Scatchard analysis of [3H]PGE2 binding to CHAPS-solubilized receptor revealed the presence of two types of PGE2 binding sites with Kd of 0.33 +/- 0.05 nM and 3.00 +/- 0.27 nM and Bmax of 0.5 +/- 0.04 and 2.0 +/- 0.1 pmol/mg of protein. The functional PGE2 receptor was isolated from CHAPS-solubilized SL membrane using two independent methods: first by a WGA-Sepharose chromatography and second by sucrose gradient density centrifugation. Receptor isolated by these two methods bound [3H]PGE2. Unlabelled PGE1 and PGE2 displaced [3H]PGE2 from the purified receptor. Scatchard analysis of [3H]PGE2 binding to purified receptor revealed the presence of the two binding sites as observed for the membrane bound and CHAPS-solubilized receptor. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified receptor fractions revealed the presence of a protein band of M(r) of approx. 100,000. This 100-kDa was photolabelled with [3H]azido-PGE2, a photoactive derivative of PGE2. We propose that this 100-kDa protein is a cardiac PGE2 receptor.

Lysoplasmenylethanolamine accumulation in ischemic/reperfused isolated fatty acid-perfused hearts.

Lysophospholipid accumulation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of irreversible injury during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Plasmalogens (phospholipids with a vinyl-ether bond in the sn-1 position) account for more than 50% of total myocardial sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum phospholipids. Accumulation of plasmalogen choline and ethanolamine lysophospholipids (lysoplasmenylcholine and lysoplasmenylethanolamine) or the effects of exogenous fatty acids on lysoplasmalogen accumulation during ischemia and reperfusion have not been examined. Isolated working rat hearts perfused with buffer containing either 11 mM glucose or 11 mM glucose plus 1.2 mM palmitate were subjected to aerobic, ischemic, or ischemia/reperfusion protocols. Levels of lysoplasmenylcholine and lysoplasmenylethanolamine were quantified using a two-stage high-performance liquid chromatographic technique. In hearts perfused with glucose alone, no significant differences in levels of lysoplasmenylcholine or lysoplasmenylethanolamine were seen during ischemia or reperfusion. In fatty acid-perfused hearts, however, significant accumulation of lysoplasmenylethanolamine occurred during reperfusion but not during ischemia (723 +/- 112, 734 +/- 83, and 1,394 +/- 193 nmol/g dry wt for aerobic, ischemic, and ischemic/reperfused hearts, respectively; p less than 0.05 for ischemic/reperfused hearts versus aerobic or ischemic hearts). Lysoplasmenylcholine levels after ischemia and reperfusion did not differ significantly from aerobic values, regardless of whether fatty acids were present or absent from the perfusate. Aerobic and ischemic/reperfused rabbit hearts, in the presence of fatty acid, showed a similar profile in their lysoplasmalogen content. We conclude that differential lysoplasmenylethanolamine accumulation occurs during myocardial reperfusion when exogenous fatty acid concentrations are high. This may reflect the selective action of fatty acid intermediates on the metabolism of lysoplasmenylethanolamines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cytotoxic effects of cytokines on rat islets: evidence for involvement of free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

We have previously reported that oxygen free radical scavengers protect rat islet cells from damage by cytokines and we interpreted these findings as suggesting the involvement of oxygen free radicals but did not directly measure indices of free radical activity. In this study, we report on malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation, in rat islets incubated with cytokines. The individual cytokines, interleukin 1 (1 U/ml), tumour necrosis factor (10(2) U/ml), and interferon gamma (10(2) U/ml) inhibited insulin release but did not increase islet malondialdehyde levels. Combination of these cytokines however, produced significant increases in islet malondialdehyde and this was accompanied by islet necrosis. Furthermore, an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation, U78518E, significantly decreased the cytokine-induced increase in islet malondialdehyde and protected islet Beta cells from destruction by the cytokine combination of interleukin 1, tumour necrosis factor and interferon gamma. These findings suggest that the cytotoxic action of cytokines on islet Beta cells may result from free radical production and lipid peroxidation in the islet cells.

Photolabelling of the prostaglandin E2 receptor in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles.

A [3H]azidophenacyl ester of PGE2 ([3H]azido-PGE2) was synthesized and used to photoaffinity label the protein component of the high affinity PGE2 binding site in cardiac sarcolemma membrane. Photolysis of the isolated cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles in the presence of [3H]azido-PGE2 resulted in the covalent labelling of a protein component that migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with an apparent molecular weight of 100,000. Incorporation of the [3H]azido-PGE2 did not occur in the absence of photolysis. The photolabelling of the 100-kDa protein by [3H]azido-PGE2 was inhibited by excess unlabelled PGE2 and azido-PGE2. Specific binding of [3H]azido-PGE2 was displaced by excess unlabelled PGE2 or azido-PGE2, but not PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha or PGD2. These results indicate that the 100-kDa photoaffinity labelled [3H]azido-PGE2 binding protein contains the binding site for PGE2 in isolated cardiac sarcolemma membranes.

Decreased polyamine content of concanavalin a stimulated lymphocytes in Down's syndrome subjects.

Increased polyamine content is associated with increased rates of cell growth. Several Down's syndrome (D.S.) tissues have been shown to have decreased growth rates. Studies were undertaken to determine if the polyamine content of stimulated D.S. lymphocytes was similar to that of stimulated normal cells. Lymphocytes were isolated and cultured in the presence of Concanavalin A for 4 or 5 days. Polyamines were than extracted and quantitated. After 4 days spermidine content for normal cells was 930.9 +/- 127 and for D.S. cells 489.2 +/- 113.1 nmoles/10(9) cells (P less than 0.025). Spermine content of normal cells was 1152.8 +/- 157.4 and for D.S. cells 533.9 +/- 82.0 (P less than 0.005). After 5 days in culture spermidine content of normal cells was 803.0 +/- 75.9 and for D.S. cells 446.2 +/- 76.5 nmoles/10(9) cells (P less than 0.005). Spermine content was 1155.7 +/- 121.9 for normal cells and 555.1 +/- 68.4 nmoles/10(9) for D.S. cells. Decreased content of polyamines in D.S.-stimulated lymphocytes is most probably due to decreased rate of polyamine synthesis. Decreased content of polyamines in response to stimulation may be a factor in decreased growth rates and altered immune function seen in D.S. patients.

Phospholipid composition of Down's syndrome and normal platelets.

1. Total and individual phospholipids were quantitated in platelets isolated from normal and Down's syndrome (D.S.) subjects. Phospholipids were extracted from isolated platelets, separated by thin layer chromatography and quantitated by measurement of fluorescence of the compounds using a thin layer chromatogram scanner. The total amount of phospholipid was similar in D.S. and control subjects. The amount and percent composition of phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidgl inositol, phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin was also similar in D.S. and normal platelets. 2. The studies were undertaken to determine if the decrease in Na+/K+ AtPase activity observed in D.S. platelets was associated with alteration in phospholipid composition. The present report would indicate that no major differences in phospholipid composition are present in D.S. platelets that would account for the observed decrease in Na+/K+ AtPase activity.