(Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2002;72:554-563.)
© 2002
by Society for Leukocyte Biology
RAW 264.7 macrophages induce apoptosis selectively in transformed fibroblasts: intercellular signaling based on reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
Stefanie Heigold and
Georg Bauer
Abteilung Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universität Freiburg, Germany
Correspondence: Georg Bauer, Abteilung Virologie, Hermann-Herder Str. 11, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. E-mail: tgfb{at}ukl.uni-freiburg.de
 |
ABSTRACT
|
|---|
The rationale for this study was to determine whether macrophages
induce apoptosis selectively in transformed compared with
nontransformed fibroblasts and to elucidate the underlying
intercellular signaling chemistry. Murine fibroblasts transformed by
oncogene expression (ras, src) or methylcholanthrene treatment were
sensitive for apoptosis induction by RAW 264.7 macrophages, whereas
parental cells and revertants were insensitive. Moreover, RAW 264.7
macrophages induced apoptosis in normal rat kidney (NRK)
fibroblasts transiently transformed by epidermal growth
factor/transforming growth factor-ß. Sensitivity for intercellular
apoptosis induction was based on target cell-derived superoxide anions
and effector cell-derived peroxidase and nitric oxide (NO). Superoxide
anions dismutate to hydrogen peroxide, which is converted to HOCl by
the peroxidase. The interaction of HOCl with superoxide anions then
generates hydroxyl radicals. In parallel, NO interacts with superoxide
anions and generates apoptosis-inducing peroxynitrite. Signaling by
reactive oxygen and nitrogen species seems to represent a hitherto
unrecognized signaling principle for the selective elimination of
potential tumor cells by macrophages.
Key Words: peroxidase nitric oxide superoxide anion
 |
INTRODUCTION
|
|---|
Macrophages represent an essential part of the natural anti-tumor
defense system. They use several different signaling mechanisms for
apoptosis induction in tumor cells. The specificity of these mechanisms
with regard to the transformed state of potential target cells and
their potential interdependencies and interactions is not yet
completely understood. Release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and
transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) represents one aspect of
macrophage anti-tumor action [1
2
3
4
5
6
]. TNF interacts with
transformed and nontransformed cells, but selective apoptosis induction
in transformed cells derives from a selective target cell response,
which seems to be based on a decreased concentration of endogenous
apoptosis inhibitors [7
]. TGF-ß has been shown to
induce apoptosis in certain tumor cell lines [8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
] and
to modulate the sensitivity of certain tumor cells for apoptosis
induction by the apo/fas system [18
] or by DNA-damaging
agents [19
]. The molecular basis of TGF-ß-mediated
anti-tumor action is not completely resolved. However, there is strong
evidence for an involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this
process [11
, 20
]. Direct apoptosis
induction by TGF-ß seems not to be restricted to tumor cells, as
nontransformed cells have also been reported to be affected under
certain conditions [8
, 10
, 20
,
21
]. So far, it remains enigmatic how sensitivity to
apoptosis induction by TGF-ß is controlled on the molecular level.
Macrophages release nitric oxide (NO), which is known to be involved in
anti-tumor defense [22
, 23
]. Recent
evidence indicates that NO may interact with transformed, cell-derived
superoxide anions and thereby generate the apoptosis inducer
peroxynitrite [24
, 25
]. As extracellular
superoxide anion production represents a hallmark of the transformed
state [26
, 27
] (for review, see refs
[28
, 29
]), peroxynitrite generation based
on interaction of NO with target cell-derived superoxide anion may
represent the key for selective, NO-based anti-tumor action by
macrophages. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), which is known to be involved in
the tumoricidal activity of granulocytes (in cooperation with their
oxidative burst) [30
, 31
] (for review, see
ref [32
]), is not considered a typical
macrophage-specific enzyme. However, direct measurements indicated that
RAW macrophages synthesize MPO, although in much lower concentration
than granulocytes [33
]. Therefore, macrophages might
also use the peroxidase/HOCl-dependent signaling pathway for selective
apoptosis induction as recently described [24
,
28
, 29
] and discussed below.
We have recently shown that TGF-ß-pretreated, nontransformed
fibroblasts use target cell-generated ROS for selective apoptosis
induction in transformed target cells [24
] (for review,
see refs [28
, 29
]). Signaling is based on
superoxide anion generation by transformed target cells and uses two
signaling pathways: the HOCl/hydroxyl radical and the NO/peroxynitrite
pathway. The HOCl/hydroxyl radical pathway requires dismutation of
superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide. Effector cell-derived
peroxidase then converts hydrogen peroxide to hypochlorous acid, which
interacts with target cell-derived superoxide anions to yield highly
reactive, apoptosis-inducing hydroxyl radicals. As superoxide anions
have an extremely short free-diffusion pathway [34
],
hydroxyl radical generation is confined to the intimate vicinity of the
membrane of target cells and thus warrants selectivity of apoptosis
induction. In a parallel signaling pathway, effector cell-derived NO is
converted to apoptosis-inducing peroxynitrite through target
cell-derived superoxide anions. Extracellular superoxide anion
production through membrane-associated reduced nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase represents a general feature of
many transformed and tumor cells [26
, 27
,
35
36
37
] and therefore may be the key for selective
apoptosis induction by natural anti-tumor systems. The aim of this
study was to elaborate whether transformed cell-derived superoxide
anions are the basis for efficient and selective apoptosis induction by
macrophages.
As the src- or ras-transformed rat fibroblasts used as target cells in
this study are not sensitive to direct apoptosis induction by TNF or
TGF-ß under the conditions of our assays (G. Bauer,
unpublished observation), they should allow for studying peroxidase-
and NO-based signaling pathways exclusively.
 |
MATERIALS AND METHODS
|
|---|
4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone [acetovanillone, apocynin
(APO)] was obtained from Calbiochem (San Diego, CA) and kept as a
stock solution of 2.5 mg/ml in medium at -20°C. APO represents a
specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase [38
39
40
].
N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester hydrochloride (NAME) and
N6-methyl-L-arginine (NMMA) were obtained from Sigma
Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO). Stock solutions (60 mM) in medium were
kept at -20°C. NAME and NMMA inhibit NO synthesis.
5-, 10-, 15-, 20-Tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato iron(III)
chloride (FeTPPS) was obtained from Calbiochem. Stock solutions (10 mM)
were kept at -20°C. FeTPPS represents a specific decomposition
catalyst for peroxynitrite [41
, 42
].
Control experiments ensured that FeTPPS effectively decomposes
peroxynitrite but that it does not affect hydrogen peroxide or
superoxide anions [25
].
Superoxide dismutase (SOD; from bovine erythrocytes) was obtained from
Sigma Chemical Co. Stock solutions [30,000 units/ml in
phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)] were kept at -20°C and only used
once per aliquot.
Catalase (from Aspergillus niger) was obtained from Sigma Chemical Co.
and applied at a final concentration of 77 U/ml.
Taurine (Sigma Chemical Co.) was kept as a stock solution of 500 mM in
medium at -20°C. The solution had been passed through a sterile
filter. Taurine represents a specific scavenger of HOCl
[43
].
4-Aminobenzoyl hydrazide (ABH; Acros Organics, Geel, Belgium) was
dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a concentration of 1 M. It
was then diluted with medium to a concentration of 1 mM (stock
solution). The stock solution was kept at -20°C. The remaining 0.1%
DMSO in the stock solution was diluted to 0.0025% final concentration
in the assays, which was found to be without effect on intercellular
induction of apoptosis or MPO activity. ABH represents a
mechanism-based inhibitor of MPO [44
45
46
].
Terephthalate was obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. It was kept as a
stock solution of 40 mM in water at -20°C. Terephthalate represents
a specific scavenger of hydroxyl radicals [47
].
TGF-ß1 has been purified from human platelets.
Cell lines and cell culture
Murine RAW 264.7 macrophages were a gift of Dr. Bruene
(Erlangen, Germany). They were kept in suspension in RPMI medium
containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) that had been heated for 30 min
at 56°C prior to use. Medium was supplemented with penicillin (40
U/ml), streptomycin (50 µg/ml), neomycin (10 µg/ml), moronal (10
U/ml), and glutamine (280 µg/ml). Cell culture was performed in
plastic tissue culture flasks. Cells were passaged once or twice
weekly. Cell density was never lower than 300,000 cells/ml.
Nontransformed rat fibroblasts 208 F and their src oncogene-transformed
derivatives 208 F src3 and 208 F cells with an inducible H-ras oncogene
(IR-1) were a generous gift of Drs. C. Sers and R. Schäfer
(Charité, Berlin). Ras oncogene induction through addition of 20
mM isopropyl ß-D-thioglactoside (IPTG) to IR-1 cells caused the
expression of the transformed phenotype within 2448 h. 208 F src3
cells and IPTG-treated IR-1 cells show crisscross morphology, form
colonies in soft agar, and are sensitive to intercellular induction of
apoptosis by TGF-ß-pretreated fibroblasts [24
,
48
, 49
], whereas parental 208 F cells do not
exhibit these features of transformed cells. Revertants derived from
208 F src3 cells have been recently described [49
].
Revertants have lost the morphological characteristics of transformed
cells such as criss-cross morphology and colony formation in soft agar.
They have been shown to be resistant to intercellular induction of
apoptosis by TGF-ß-pretreated fibroblasts. The nontransformed mouse
fibroblast line C3H 10 T1/2 and its methylcholanthrene-transformed
derivative MCA 18 Cl18 have been recently described
[50
]. Normal rat kidney (NRK) 536 rat
fibroblasts were obtained from Dr. U. Rapp (Würzburg). Treatment
of NRK 536 with TGF-ß and epidermal growth factor (EGF) causes
transient morphological transformation [51
52
53
].
Fibroblasts were kept in Eagles minimal essential medium containing
5% FCS that had been heated for 30 min at 56°C prior to use. Medium
was supplemented with penicillin (40 U/ml), streptomycin (50 µg/ml),
neomycin (10 µg/ml), moronal (10 U/ml), and glutamine (280 µg/ml).
Cell culture was performed in plastic tissue culture flasks. Cells were
passaged once or twice weekly.
Determination of intercellular induction of apoptosis in
transformed cells cocultured with RAW macrophages without direct
cell-to-cell contact
For cocultivation of cells without cell-to-cell contact,
cell-culture clusters with inserts were used [pore-size of inserts,
0.4 µm (Falcon, obtained from Becton Dickinson, Heidelberg, Germany);
distance between cell layers, approximately 2 mm]. RAW macrophages as
effector cells were seeded into the inserts (120x103 cells
per insert or as indicated in the respective figure legends). The
inserts were placed above 40,000 transformed target cells in six-well
plates. Determination and quantitation of apoptosis were based on the
classical, morphological criteria membrane blebbing, nuclear
condensation, and nuclear fragmentation. These were determined using
inverted-phase contrast microscopy, as recently described
[49
, 50
]. The percentage of apoptotic cells
(apoptotic cells/total number of cells inspected) was determined from
at least a total of 200 cells categorized per assay. Apoptotic cells
were attached or rounded and showed membrane blebbing, membrane
blebbing and nuclear condensation/fragmentation, or nuclear
fragmentation/condensation without blebbing. (These cells seem to
represent later stages of apoptosis where the blebs have already been
lost.) Care was taken to differentiate apoptotic cells from
nonapoptotic rounded cells with intact nuclei, reflecting mitotic
stages.
All quantitative data in this paper were derived using this method.
Parallel assays ensured that apoptotic cells characterized by
morphological criteria as described above showed a positive TUNEL
reaction, indicative of free 3' hydroxyl groups of the DNA, one of the
hallmarks of apoptotic cells. DNA strand breaks (free 3' hydroxyl
groups) were detected by the TUNEL reaction [54
] using a
commercially available detection kit (Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany).
It is based on the incorporation of fluorescein-labeled deoxyuridine
triphosphate by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. After the TUNEL
reaction, cells were stained with 1 µg/ml bisbenzimide (in PBS) for
30 min for the verification of chromatin condensation and
fragmentation.
Differentiation of intact and depolarized mitochondria through staining
with rhodamine 123 is described in the legend to Figure 3 .

View larger version (50K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 3. Intercellular induction of apoptosis in src-transformed fibroblasts by
RAW macrophages aims at target-cell mitochondria. Assays were performed
as described in Figure 1
, using transformed 208 F src3 fibroblasts as
target and RAW macrophages as effector cells. After 3 days of
coculture, rhodamine 123 was added to target cells at a concentration
of 5 µg/ml, and the assays were incubated for 30 min at 37°C.
Medium was removed, and the cells were washed twice with PBS before the
assays were inspected by fluorescence microscopy. Rhodamine 123 stains
functional but not depolarized mitochondria. Mitochondrial
depolarization and cytochrome C release are found during many signaling
pathways involved in apoptosis induction and precede activation of
caspase 3 [55
56
57
]. (A, B) Transformed target cells
challenged by RAW macrophages; (C, D) transformed cells cultivated
without macrophages. (A, C) Phase-contrast microscopy of cells using
visible light; (B, D) rhodamine staining for functional mitochondria.
Note that practically all cells in the control show functional
mitochondria, stained by rhodamine 123, whereas transformed target
cells challenged by macrophages show a substantial number of cells with
depolarized mitochondria, which are not stained by rhodamine 123.
During the staining procedure, most of the cells with morphological
signs of apoptosis (like blebbing and chromatin
condensation/fragmentation) detach from the plate. These cells show no
staining with rhodamine 123 (data not shown) and are absent in this
photograph. The unstained cells (B) represent cells that already have
depolarized mitochondria but do not exhibit the final signs of
apoptosis such as membrane blebbing or chromatin condensation
(therefore, these cells are still attached to the plate). This finding
indicates that mitochondrial depolarization precedes the final state of
apoptosis in transformed cells challenged by
macrophages.
|
|
Statistical analysis
In all experiments, assays were performed in duplicate. The mean
values (from duplicate assays within the same experiment) and the
empirical standard deviations were calculated and are shown in the
figures. Absence of standard deviation bars for certain points
indicates that the standard deviation was too small to be reported by
the graphic program; i.e., results obtained in parallel were nearly
identical. Empirical standard deviations were calculated merely to
demonstrate how close the results were obtained in parallel assays
within the same experiment and not with the intention of statistical
ANOVA, which would require larger numbers of parallel assays.
The Yates continuity-corrected
-square test was used for the
statistical determination of significances.
 |
RESULTS
|
|---|
Src-oncogene transformed target cells were seeded in six-well
tissue culture clusters, and RAW macrophages were added in tissue
culture inserts. These allow exchange of signaling molecules between
the two populations of cells, and a distance of about 1 mm prevents
direct cell-to-cell contact. RAW macrophages induced apoptosis in
transformed target cells, dependent on the time and on the
concentration of effector cells (Fig. 1
). Apoptotic transformed cells were characterized by membrane
blebbing and chromatin condensation or fragmentation. For further
verification of apoptotic cell death, transformed cells in coculture
with RAW macrophages were stained for chromatin structure (bisbenzimide
staining) and DNA strand breaks (TUNEL) reaction. As can be seen in
Figure 2
, RAW cells induced chromatin condensation/fragmentation and DNA
strand breaks in transformed target cells. Based on these two criteria
and on the morphological appearance of challenged target cells, their
death was characterized as apoptosis. Staining for mitochondrial
activity revealed that apoptosis induction in transformed cells through
coculture with RAW macrophages was paralleled by mitochondrial
depolarization (Fig. 3
). Depolarization was frequently found in cells that did not yet
show the morphological signs of apoptosis, indicating that
mitochondrial depolarization preceded chromatin condensation and
membrane blebbing.

View larger version (25K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 1. Apoptosis induction in transformed cells by RAW macrophages depends on
the number of effector cells. Transformed 208 F src3 fibroblasts
(40,000) were seeded in Costar six-well tissue-culture clusters as
target cells. After the cells had attached, tissue-culture inserts
(pore size, 0.4 µm) were placed above the target cells.
Tissue-culture inserts received the indicated numbers of RAW
macrophages. Controls remained without macrophages. All assays were
performed in duplicate. The percentage of apoptotic cells
(characterized by membrane blebbing and/or nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined kinetically.
|
|

View larger version (69K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 2. Apoptosis induction in transformed fibroblasts by RAW macrophages:
verification by the TUNEL reaction. Assays were performed as described
in Figure 1
using transformed 208 F src3 fibroblasts as target and RAW
macrophages as effector cells. Transformed target cells were stained
for DNA strand breaks following the TUNEL reaction described by Gorcyca
et al. [54
] after 3 days of coculture between effector
and target cells. After performance of the TUNEL reaction, cells were
stained with bisbenzimide as recently described [49
].
(A, B) Transformed target cells challenged by RAW macrophages; (C, D)
transformed cells cultivated without macrophages. (A, C) Bisbenzimide
staining (for detection of condensed/fragmented nuclei); (B, D) TUNEL
staining of the same area (for detection of DNA strand breaks). Note
the condensed nuclei (A), which correspond to a positive TUNEL reaction
(B). (C, D) Only a minor background of apoptotic cells.
|
|
To test for the role of target cell density during intercellular
signaling, 10,000 transformed 208 F src3 cells were seeded dispersely
or in four distinct clumps of fourfold higher density. In parallel,
40,000 target cells were seeded dispersely. Target cells were then
challenged with RAW macrophages. The rationale for this experiment was
based on recent work from our group that had shown that 10,000
dispersely seeded transformed target cells did not produce optimal
hydrogen peroxide for efficient intercellular signaling (with
TGF-ß-pretreated, nontransformed fibroblasts as effector cells),
whereas 10,000 cells seeded at high local density or 40,000 cells
seeded dispersely did [24
, 58
]. Hydrogen
peroxide derives from spontaneous dismutation of superoxide anions
generated by target cells and therefore its generation depends on the
cell density. Figure 4
demonstrates that RAW macrophages achieved higher apoptosis
induction in 40,000 transformed target cells or in 10,000 target cells
seeded at high local density than in 10,000 target cells seeded at
lower density. Therefore, the efficiency of apoptosis induction seems
to depend on target-cell density rather than target-cell number. This
finding also shows that transformed target cells significantly
contribute to signaling, which leads to their own apoptosis.

View larger version (18K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 4. Apoptosis induction in transformed target cells depends on their
density. Transformed 208 F src3 fibroblasts were seeded in Costar
six-well tissue-culture clusters in three different configurations:
10,000 cells disperse (10 T), 10,000 cells at high local density (10 T
HD), and 40,000 cells disperse (40 T). High local density was achieved
by seeding four clumps of 2500 cells in 7 µl medium. After the cells
had attached (12 h), medium was added to 3 ml. Target cells were then
cocultured with tissue-culture inserts containing 120,000 RAW
macrophages. Control assays remained free of effector cells. Assays
were performed in duplicate The percentage of apoptotic cells
(characterized by membrane blebbing and/or nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined at day 3 of coculture.
|
|
To test whether the apoptosis-inducing effect of RAW macrophages was
specific for target cells exhibiting the transformed phenotype, several
types of target cells were challenged with RAW macrophages, and
sensitivity for apoptosis induction was measured (Figs. 5
6
7
). Whereas rat fibroblasts with constitutive expression of the src
oncogene were sensitive for apoptosis induction by RAW cells,
nontransformed, parental 208 F cells remained insensitive (Fig. 5)
. 208
F cells with an inducible ras oncogene were only sensitive when ras
expression had been induced through the addition of IPTG. Similarly,
mouse fibroblasts transformed by the chemical carcinogen
methylcholanthrene (MCA) [50
] were sensitive for
apoptosis induction by RAW cells, whereas their nontransformed parental
cells (C3H 10 T1/2) were not. Revertants derived from 208 F src3 cells
that had lost their transformed phenotype had also lost their
sensitivity to apoptosis induction by RAW macrophages (Fig. 6)
. NRK 536
cells that were transiently induced to express the transformed
phenotype through the combined action of TGF-ß and EGF showed
sensitivity to apoptosis induction (Fig. 7)
. Treatment with either
cytokine alone (which did not result in establishment of the
transformed state) was not sufficient to induce sensitivity. These data
demonstrate that RAW macrophages induce apoptosis selectively in cells
that express the transformed phenotype.

View larger version (23K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 5. Selective apoptosis induction in src-, ras-, or chemically transformed
fibroblasts. The following target cells were seeded in Costar six-well
tissue clusters (40,000 cells per assay; target cell line indicated in
the left corner of each graph): 208 F src3 cells (constitutive src
expression); nontransformed 208 F parental cells; IR-1 cells pretreated
with IPTG for 2 days for induction of RAS expression (and IPTG
treatment continued during the experiment); IR-1 control cells without
RAS induction; MCA 18 Cl18 (C3H 10 T1/2 cells transformed by
methylcholanthrene); and parental C3H 10 T1/2 cells. Tissue-culture
inserts received 120,000 RAW macrophages. Control assays of target
cells remained free of effector cells (control). Assays were performed
in duplicate. The percentage of apoptotic cells (characterized by
membrane blebbing and/or nuclear condensation/fragmentation) was
determined kinetically.
|
|

View larger version (26K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 6. Revertants from src-transformed cells have lost the transformed
phenotype as well as sensitivity for apoptosis induction by RAW
macrophages. Transformed 208 F src3 fibroblasts (40,000) or their
revertants R2, R4, or R5 [49
] were seeded in Costar
six-well tissue-culture clusters. Assays received 120,000 RAW
macrophages in tissue-culture inserts or remained free of effector
cells (control). All assays were performed in duplicate. The percentage
of apoptotic cells (characterized by membrane blebbing and/or nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined kinetically.
|
|

View larger version (19K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 7. Transient induction of the transformed phenotype in NRK 536 cells
causes transient sensitivity to apoptosis induction by RAW macrophages.
NRK 536 fibroblasts (30,000) were seeded in Costar six-well
tissue-culture clusters. They were pretreated for 2 days with EGF (1
ng/ml), TGF-ß (1 ng/ml), EGF plus TGF-ß (1 ng/ml each), or without
addition. Then 120,000 RAW macrophages in tissue-culture inserts were
placed above the cultures. Control assays (control, EGF, TGF, and TGF
plus EGF) remained without effector cells. All assays were
performed in duplicate. The percentage of apoptotic cells
(characterized by membrane blebbing and/or nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined kinetically.
|
|
Oncogenic transformation has been shown to induce extracellular
superoxide anion production through a membrane-associated NADPH oxidase
[26
]. Published as well as ongoing work in our
laboratory have confirmed that 208 F cells transformed by an inducible
ras oncogene or a constitutively expressed src oncogene, C3H 10 T1/2
cells transformed by the chemical carcinogen MCA, and NRK 536 cells
transiently transformed by the addition of EGF plus TGF-ß-generated
extracellular superoxide anions. Extracellular superoxide anion
generation (followed by spontaneous dismutation to hydrogen peroxide)
rendered the cells sensitive to peroxidase-based apoptosis induction
through HOCl synthesis and hydroxyl radical generation
[24
, 53
, 58
]. In contrast,
nontransformed 208 F, C3H 10 T1/2, or NRK cells showed no or only
marginal extracellular superoxide anion production. To test whether
apoptosis induction in transformed fibroblasts by RAW macrophages was
dependent on extracellular superoxide anion generation, transformed
fibroblasts were challenged with RAW macrophages in the absence and
presence of APO. APO represents a selective and efficient inhibitor of
NADPH oxidase [38
39
40
]. As can be seen in Figure 8
, APO markedly blocked apoptosis induction in transformed
fibroblasts by RAW macrophages, thus demonstrating the central role of
superoxide anions for this process.

View larger version (21K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 8. Apoptosis induction in transformed fibroblasts by RAW macrophages is
inhibited by APO, a specific inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. Transformed
208 F src3 cells (40,000) were seeded in Costar six-well tissue-culture
clusters. Assays received tissue-culture inserts with 120,000 RAW
macrophages (+RAW) or no effector cells (CONTROL). Assays received 50
µ/ml NADPH oxidase inhibitor APO or no addition. All assays were
performed in duplicate. The percentage of apoptotic cells
(characterized by membrane blebbing and/or nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined kinetically.
|
|
To test whether the interaction of RAW macrophages with transformed
target cells is based on the same ROS and reactive nitrogen species
(RNS)-mediated, intercellular signaling chemistry as recently
described for intercellular induction of apoptosis by nontransformed
fibroblasts, src-transformed fibroblast were challenged by RAW
macrophages in tissue-culture inserts in the presence of inhibitors
that interfere with the HOCl/hydroxyl radical signaling pathway and the
NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway. The following inhibitors were used:
SOD (to delineate the role of extracellular superoxide anions),
catalase (to test for an involvement of hydrogen peroxide), the
mechanism-based peroxidase inhibitor ABH (to test for an involvement of
peroxidase), taurine (to test for the potential role of HOCl),
terephthalate (to test for an involvement of hydroxyl radicals), and
NAME (to delineate the potential role of NO). As can be seen in
Figure 9
, catalase, ABH, taurine, SOD, and terephthalate showed a strong,
inhibitory effect, and NAME showed a weaker yet distinct, inhibitory
effect on apoptosis induction in src-transformed cells by RAW
macrophages. These findings point to the involvement of the
HOCl/hydroxyl radical and the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway for
apoptosis induction.

View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 9. Intercellular signaling during the interaction of macrophages and
transformed fibroblasts. Transformed 208 F src3 cells (40,000) were
seeded in Costar six-well tissue-culture clusters. Assays received
tissue-culture inserts with 120,000 RAW macrophages (TCI) or no
effector cells (CONTROL, etc.). Assays received the following
inhibitors: none (CONTROL and TCI); catalase, 77 U/ml (CAT); ABH, 50
µg/ml: taurine, 25 mM (TAU); SOD, 150 U/ml; terephthalate, 200 µM
(TER), and NAME, 1.2 mM. All assays were performed in duplicate. The
percentages of apoptotic cells (characterized by membrane blebbing
and/or nuclear condensation/fragmentation) were determined after 2 days
of coculture. Statistical analysis showed that inhibition of RAW
macrophage-mediated apoptosis induction by catalase, ABH, SOD, taurine,
and terephtalate was highly significant (P<0.001), whereas
the weak inhibition by NAME was border-line significant
(P=0.05) at the time point shown. One day later, inhibition
by NAME was still much weaker than inhibition by the other scavengers
but was significant (P<0.001). A follow-up experiment is
shown in Figure 10
.
|
|
As NAME had only shown a weak, inhibitory effect, the significance of
the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway for intercellular induction of
apoptosis in transformed fibroblasts by RAW macrophages was tested in a
repeat experiment. In this experiment, a second inhibitor of NO
synthesis, NMMA, was applied in parallel to NAME. To test for the
potential role of peroxynitrite (potentially generated by the
interaction of NO with target cell-derived superoxide anions) as an
ultimate apoptosis inducer, FeTPPS, a selective
peroxynitrite-decomposition catalyst [41
,
42
], was also applied. As shown in Figure 10
, both inhibitors of NO synthesis as well as FeTPPS showed a
significant inhibition of RAW macrophage-dependent apoptosis induction
in transformed fibroblasts. Both inhibitors of NO synthesis as well as
FeTPPS showed a similar degree of inhibition, indicating that NO
synthesis as well as peroxynitrite formation were involved in apoptosis
induction. As the effect of these inhibitors of the NO/peroxynitrite
signaling pathway was weaker than the effect of taurine (an inhibitor
of the HOCl/hydroxyl radical signaling pathway), it may be concluded
that the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway plays a minor yet distinct
role during intercellular signaling.

View larger version (21K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 10. Involvement of the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway during
intercellular signaling. Transformed 208 F src3 cells (40,000) were
seeded in Costar six-well tissue-culture clusters. Assays received
tissue-culture inserts with 120,000 RAW macrophages or no effector
cells (CONTROL). Where indicated, assays received the following
additions: NAME (1.2 mM), NMMA (1.2 mM), FeTPPS (20 µM), or taurine
(TAU; 25 mM). All assays were performed in duplicate. The percentage of
apoptotic cells (characterized by membrane blebbing, nuclear
condensation/fragmentation) was determined after 2 days of coculture.
NAME and NMMA represent inhibitors of NO synthesis, whereas FeTPPS is a
specific decomposition catalyst for peroxynitrite. Taurine scavenges
HOCl. Therefore, inhibition by taurine indicates the degree of
involvement of the HOCl/hydroxyl radical signaling pathway in addition
to the NO/signaling pathway, which seems to be less prominent.
Statistical analysis showed that NAME, NMMA, or FeTTPS inhibited RAW
macrophage-mediated apoptosis significantly (P 0.001).
There was no significant difference among the inhibitory effects of
NAME, NMMA, or FeTPPS. This result was expected, as they seem to act at
the same signaling pathway. Taurine also caused significant inhibition
(P<0.001) of RAW macrophage-mediated apoptosis induction.
Inhibition of apoptosis induction by taurine (an inhibitor of the
HOCl/hydroxyl radical pathway) was significantly different
(P<0.001) from inhibition by NAME, NMMA, or FeTTPS, which
represents inhibitors of the NO/peroxynitrite pathway.
|
|
 |
DISCUSSION
|
|---|
Our data show that RAW macrophages cause apoptosis induction
selectively in transformed fibroblasts. Selectivity was assured, as
cells exhibiting the transformed phenotype through constitutive src
expression, induced ras expression, transformation by
methylcholanthrene, or TGF-ß/EGF treatment were sensitive, whereas
nontransformed parental cells were insensitive to apoptosis induction.
Furthermore, src-transformed cells that had lost their transformed
state after reversion had also lost sensitivity to apoptosis induction.
These data demonstrate a strict correlation between the expression of
the transformed phenotype and sensitivity for apoptosis induction by
macrophages.
Fibroblasts that express the transformed state differ from parental
cells through constitutive, extracellular generation of superoxide
anions. This had been first demonstrated by Irani et al.
[26
] for ras-transformed fibroblasts. Src- or
ras-transformed fibroblasts as well as MCA-transformed fibroblasts used
in our study have also been shown to generate extracellular superoxide
anions, as addition of NO caused apoptosis, which was blocked by
extracellular SOD [24
, 25
]. In addition,
src- and ras-transformed cells were subject to apoptosis induction by
extracellular MPO [58
]. This reaction requires
superoxide anion at two distinct steps: hydrogen peroxide production
through superoxide anion dismutation [59
,
60
] and superoxide anion interaction with HOCl
synthesized by MPO [32
, 58
], resulting in
the generation of apoptosis inducing hydroxyl radicals
[61
, 62
]. Similarly, NRK 536 cells
transiently transformed by TGF-ß plus EGF were sensitive to apoptosis
induction by MPO in a reaction that was blocked by SOD, pointing to the
role of cell-derived superoxide anions generated by EGF/TGF-ß-treated
NRK cells [53
]. Therefore, all transformed cell lines
that were sensitive to apoptosis induction by macrophages also
exhibited extracellular superoxide anion generation, whereas
insensitive cells did not. The central functional role of superoxide
anion generation by transformed cells for apoptosis induction mediated
by RAW macrophages is demonstrated here, as either inhibition of
superoxide anion generation through the NADPH oxidase inhibitor APO or
scavenging superoxide anions through SOD blocked apoptosis induction by
macrophages.
Apoptosis induction in transformed cells by macrophages seems to
depend on the hypochlorous acid/hydroxyl radical and the
NO/peroxynitrite-signaling pathway, similar to the interaction of
nontransformed and transformed fibroblasts [24
]
(Fig. 11
).

View larger version (20K):
[in this window]
[in a new window]
|
Figure 11. Proposed model for selective apoptosis induction in transformed
fibroblasts by macrophages. Macrophages release TNF, TGF-ß, NO, and
peroxidase. TNF does not discriminate between transformed and
nontransformed cells per se, but transformed cells are more sensitive
to the action of TNF [7
]. TGF-ß has been shown to
sensitize transformed fibroblasts for apoptosis induction
[18
, 19
, 63
] and may thus
possibly enhance the effects of the NO and peroxidase-based signaling
pathways. Transformed fibroblasts generate extracellular superoxide
anions through a membrane-associated NADPH oxidase
[24
25
26
, 58
], which is inhibited by APO.
Transformed cell-derived superoxide anions interact with NO and form
the ultimate apoptosis inducer peroxynitrite
(NO+O2- ONOO-
k=6x109 M-1 s-1)
[64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
]. Superoxide anions dismutate and form hydrogen
peroxide (2 O2-+2
H+ H2O2+O2
k=2x105 M-1 s-1)
[59
, 60
, 73
], which is used by
peroxidase to synthesize HOCl
(H2O2+Cl-+H+ H2O+HOCl)
[32
]. HOCl interacts with target cell-derived superoxide
anions and generates highly reactive, apoptosis-inducing hydroxyl
radicals
(HOCl+O2- OH+Cl-+O2
k=107 M-1 s-1) [71
,
74
, 75
]. The NO/peroxynitrite and the
HOCl/hydroxyl radical signaling pathways mediated by macrophages are
identical to the signaling pathways exerted by TGF-ß-treated,
nontransformed fibroblasts [24
] and by promyelocytes
[76
]. In each of these systems, target cell-derived
superoxide anions drive the efficiency and selectivity of signaling.
The limited, free-diffusion path length of superoxide anions
[34
] restricts generation of the ultimate apoptosis
inducers to the direct vicinity of the transformed target cells. These
signaling pathways have been delineated from the effect of specific
inhibitors and the known interdependencies and redox potentials of the
molecules involved. The site of action of the inhibitors is shown in
this Figure
;7> (APO; Tau=taurine; TER=terephthalate; SOD;
CAT=catalase; and ABH). In contrast to many other transformed cells,
208 F src3 cells that have been used for these studies are not
sensitive to apoptosis induction by TGF-ß or TNF under the conditions
of our experiments. Therefore, they are allowed to delineate the ROS
and RNS-based signaling chemistry exclusively. Mitochondria become
depolarized during apoptosis induction in transformed fibroblasts by
RAW macrophages (see Fig. 3
). Therefore, mitochondrial ROS and
cytochrome C may be involved in triggering the execution phase of
apoptosis.
|
|
The evidence for the HOCl/hydroxyl radical signaling pathway for RAW
macrophage-mediated apoptosis induction is based on the inhibition by
APO and SOD (which show the functional role of superoxide anions), the
inhibition by catalase (pointing to the role of hydrogen peroxide), the
inhibition by the mechanism-based peroxidase inhibitor ABH (which shows
that a peroxidase is involved), the inhibition by taurine (which
demonstrates the functional role of HOCl), and the inhibition by
terephthalate (pointing to the role of hydroxyl radicals). As
superoxide anions and HOCl in the µmolar concentration range have no
apoptosis-inducing potential by themselves (for review, see ref
[28
]), the most likely scenario derived from the
inhibitor experiments and based on the known redox potentials of the
molecules involved is the following: Transformed cell-derived
superoxide anions foster hydrogen peroxide generation, which then
allows the effector cell-derived peroxidase to synthesize HOCl
(therefore, apoptosis induction by RAW macrophages is inhibited by
catalase, ABH, and taurine). HOCl is converted by superoxide anions to
yield hydroxyl radicals, which are efficient apoptosis inducers
(therefore, apoptosis induction is inhibited by APO, SOD, and
terephthalate). Transformed target cells seem to be a sufficient source
for ROS required for selective apoptosis induction, as addition of
purified MPO (in the absence of effector cells) caused apoptosis
selectively in transformed target cells compared with nontransformed
cells [58
]. Apoptosis induction in these reconstitution
experiments was inhibited by scavenging superoxide anions, hydrogen
peroxide, hypochlorous acid, or hydroxyl radicals, pointing to the
central role of target cell-derived ROS. Taken together, these findings
allow the conclusion that apoptosis induction becomes effective when
target cell-derived superoxide anions interact with effector
cell-derived peroxidase.
The evidence for the NO/peroxynitrite signaling pathway during RAW
macrophage-mediated apoptosis induction is based on the partial
inhibition by the NO synthase inhibitors NAME and NMMA. This finding
indicates that NO generation is involved in apoptosis induction. As NO
may form peroxynitrite through interaction with target cell-derived
superoxide anions in a diffusion-driven reaction, peroxynitrite may
represent the ultimate apoptosis inducer. This conclusion is in line
with the inhibitory effect of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst
FeTPPS [41
, 42
]. This model was also
verified in reconstitution experiments [25
], in which NO
donors induced apoptosis selectively in transformed fibroblasts
compared with nontransformed cells. As apoptosis induction mediated by
NO donors was blocked by scavengers for superoxide anions and by
FeTPPS, peroxynitrite is shown to represent the ultimate apoptosis
inducer in this system, whereas NO in the absence of superoxide anions
shows no apoptosis-inducing potential. In this signaling pathway, it
therefore seems sufficient for selective apoptosis induction that
effector cells release NO, and target cells generate superoxide anions.
Intercellular signaling mediated by macrophages therefore seems to be
identical to the model recently shown for apoptosis induction in
transformed cells by TGF-ß-treated, nontransformed fibroblasts
[24
] or by promyelocytes [77
]. In these
natural anti-tumor systems, transformed cell-derived superoxide
anions seem to be the central elements that control efficiency and
selectivity of apoptosis induction in transformed cells.
In line with this model, apoptosis induction in transformed fibroblasts
by RAW macrophages depended on the number of effector cells (as a
result of their release of peroxidase and NO) and was modulated by the
density of the target cells. High density of target cells increases
spontaneous dismutation of superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide and
therefore leads to optimal efficiency of the peroxidase reaction.
RAW cells have been shown to release small amounts of MPO
[33
]. It is not clear whether this enzyme is sufficient
for the reaction observed. As our study in the fibroblast system has
demonstrated that fibroblasts release a novel peroxidase, different
from classical MPO [24
], the occurrence of a similar
enzyme in macrophages is also possible. The resolution of this question
awaits further experiments.
Taken together, macrophages seem to possess several tools for their
attack against transformed cells (Fig. 11)
. The selectively acting ROS-
and RNS-based mechanisms described here are paralleled by TNF and
TGF-ß secretion. [The latter two mechanisms have been fated out in
our study, as src-transformed cells are not directly induced to
apoptosis by TNF or TGF-ß under the conditions of our study (G.
Bauer, unpublished observation).] In contrast to the ROS- and
RNS-based mechanisms, TNF does not act selectively on transformed
cells, but transformed cells show a differential response as they are
more susceptible for apoptosis induction [7
]. TGF-ß
may have several functions in the concert of macrophage tumor cell
interaction. It induces apoptosis in certain tumor cells directly, but
it has also been shown to sensitize cells for TNF action and for
intercellular induction of apoptosis [77
]. In parallel,
it may turn on intercellular induction of apoptosis in other effector
cells such as fibroblasts. In total, a sophisticated and selective
control system is effective, which may have to be overcome by
transformed cells during tumor formation. The detailed knowledge of the
individual branches of this control system will possibly be helpful to
understand resistance mechanisms of tumor cells and to find ways to
interfere with them.
 |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
|
|---|
This work was supported by the Dr. Mildred-Scheel-Stiftung
für Krebsforschung (Grant 10-1177-Ba3) and the Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft (Grant BA 626/4-1).
Received July 12, 2001;
revised February 26, 2002;
accepted April 16, 2002.
 |
REFERENCES
|
|---|
- Beutler, B., Cerami, A. (1987) Cachectin: more than a tumor necrosis factor (Review) New Engl. J. Med. 316,379-385[Medline]
- Fernandez, A., Ananthaswamy, H. N. (1994) Molecular basis for tumor necrosis factor-induced apoptosis Cancer Bull 46,153-160
- Wallach, D. (1997) Cell death induction by TNF: a matter of self control TIBS 22,107-109
- Nunes, I., Shapiro, R. L., Rifkin, D. B. (1995) Characterization of latent TGF-beta activation by murine peritoneal macrophages J. Immunol. 155,1450-1459[Abstract]
- Wahl, S. M., McCartney-Francis, N., Allen, J. B., Dougherty, E. B., Dougherty, S. F. (1990) Macrophage production of TGF-beta and regulation by TGF-beta Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 593,188-196[Medline]
- Schindler, H., Diefenbach, A., Rollinghoff, M., Bogdan, C. (1998) IFN-gamma inhibits the production of latent transforming growth factor-beta1 by mouse inflammatory macrophages Eur. J. Immunol. 28,1181-1188[Medline]
- Schulz, A., Bauer, G. (2000) Selective effect of tumor necrosis factor on transformed versus nontransformed cells: nonselective signal recognition but differential target cell response Anticancer Res 20,3435-3442[Medline]
- Gressner, A. M., Lahme, B., Mannherz, H. G., Polzar, B. (1997) TGF-beta-mediated hepatocellular apoptosis by rat and human hepatoma cells and primary rat hepatocytes J. Hepatol. 26,1079-1092[Medline]
- Buske, C., Becker, D., Feuring Buske, M., Hannig, H., Wulf, G., Schaefer, C., Hiddenmann, W., Woermann, B. (1997) TGF-beta inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in leukemic B cell precursors Leukemia 11,386-392[Medline]
- Hsing, A. Y., Kadomatsu, K., Bonham, M. J., Danielpour, D. (1996) Regulation of apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta-1 in nontumorigenic and tumorigenic rat prostatic epithelial cell lines Cancer Res 56,5146-5149[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Lafron, C., Mathieu, C., Guerrin, M., Pierre, O., Vidal, S., Valette, A. (1996) Transforming growth factor beta-1-induced apoptosis in human ovarian carcinoma cells: Protection by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine and bcl-2 Cell Growth Differ 7,1095-1104[Abstract]
- Marushige, K., Marushige, Y. (1994) Induction of apoptosis by transforming growth factor beta-1 in glioma and trigeminal neurinoma cells Anticancer Res 14,2419-2424[Medline]
- Mullauer, L., Grasl Kraupp, B., Bursch, W., Schulte Hermann, R. (1996) Transforming growth factor beta-1-induced cell death in preneoplastic foci of rat liver and sensitization by the antiestrogen tamoxifen Hepatology 23,840-847[Medline]
- Wang, C. Y., Eshleman, J. R., Willson, J. K. V., Markovitz, S. (1995) Both transforming growth factor beta and substrate release are inducers of apoptosis in a human colon adenoma cell line Cancer Res 55,5101-5105[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Xiao, B. G., Bai, X. F., Zhang, G. X., Link, H. (1997) Transforming growth factor beta-1 induces apoptosis of rat microglia without relation to bcl-2 oncoprotein expression Neurosci. Lett. 226,71-74[Medline]
- Yamamoto, M., Maehara, Y., Sakaguchi, Y., Kusumoto, T., Ichiyoshi, Y., Sugimachi, K. (1996) Transforming growth factor-beta-1 induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells through a p53-independent pathway Cancer 77,1628-1633[Medline]
- Yanagihara, K., Tsumuraya, M. (1992) Transforming growth factor beta-1 induces apoptotic cell death in human gastric carcinoma cells Cancer Res 52,4042-4045[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Weller, M., Frei, K., Groscurth, P., Krammer, P. H., Yonekawa, Y., Fontana, A. (1994) Anti-fas-APO-1 antibody-mediated apoptosis of cultured human glioma cells: induction and modulation of sensitivity by cytokines J. Clin. Investig. 94,954-964
- Raynal, S., Nocentini, S., Croisy, A., Lawrence, D. A., Jullien, P. (1997) Transforming growth factor-beta-1 enhances the lethal effects of DNA-damaging agents in a human lung-cancer cell line Int. J. Cancer 72,356-361[Medline]
- Sanchez, A., Alvarez, A. M., Benito, M., Fabregat, I. (1996) Apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta in fetal hepatocyte primary cultures: involvement of reactive oxygen intermediates J. Biol. Chem. 271,7416-7422[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Inayat Hussain, S. H., Couet, C., Cohen, G. M., Cain, K. (1997) Processing/activation of CPP32-like proteases is involved in transforming growth factor beta-1-induced apoptosis in rat hepatocytes Hepatology 25,1516-1526[Medline]
- Dileepan, K. N., Page, J. C., Li, Y., Stechschulte, D. (1995) Direct activation of murine peritoneal macrophages for nitric oxide production and tumor cell killing by interferon gamma J. Interferon Cytokine Res. 15,387-394[Medline]
- Cui, S., Reichner, J. S., Matero, R. B., Albina, J. E. (1994) Activated murine macrophages induce apoptosis in tumor cells through nitric oxide-dependent or -independent mechanisms Cancer Res 54,2462-2467[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Herdener, M., Heigold, S., Saran, M., Bauer, G. (2000) Target cell-derived superoxide anions cause efficiency and selectivity of intercellular induction of apoptosis Free Radic. Biol. Med. 29,1260-1271[Medline]
- Heigold, S., Sers, C., Bechtel, W., Ivanovas, B., Schäfer, R., Bauer, G. (2002) Nitric oxide mediates apoptosis induction selectively in transformed fibroblasts compared to nontransformed fibroblasts Carcinogenesis 23,929-941[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Irani, K., Xia, Y., Zweier, J. L., Sollott, S. J., Der, C. J., Fearon, E. R., Sundaresan, M., Finkel, T., Goldschmidt-Clermont, P. J. (1997) Mitogenic signaling by oxidants in Ras-transformed fibroblasts Science 275,1649-1652[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Suh, Y-A., Arnold, R. S., Lassegue, B., Shi, J., Xu, X., Sorescu, D., Chung, A. B., Griendling, K. K., Lambeth, J. D. (1999) Cell transformation by the superoxide-generating oxidase Mox1 Nature 401,79-82[Medline]
- Bauer, G. (2000) Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: efficient, selective and interactive signals during intercellular induction of apoptosis Anticancer Res 20,4115-4140[Medline]
- Bauer, G. (2002) Signaling and proapoptotic functions of transformed cell-derived reactive oxygen species Prostaglandins Leukot. Essent. Fatty Acids 66,41-56[Medline]
- Clark, R. A., Klebanoff, S. J. (1975) Neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytotoxicity: role of the peroxidase system J. Exp. Med. 141,1442-1447[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Clark, R. A., Klebanoff, S. J. (1979) Role of the myeloperoxidase-H2O2-halide system in concanavalin A-induced tumor cell killing by human neutrophils J. Immunol. 122,2605-2610[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Kettle, A. J., Winterbourn, C. C. (1997) Myeloperoxidase: a key regulator of neutrophil oxidant production Redox Rep 3,3-15
- Bruno, J. G., Herman, T. S., Cano, V. L., Stribling, L., Kiel, J. L. () Selective cytotoxicity of 3-amino-L-tyrosine correlates with peroxidase activity In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. 35,376-382
- Saran, M., Bors, W. (1994) Signaling by O2- and NO: how far can either radical, or any specific reaction product, transmit a message under in vivo conditions? Chem.-Biol. Interact. 90,35-45[Medline]
- Morre, D. J., Chueh, P. J., Morre, D. M. (1995) Capsaicin inhibits preferentially the NADH oxidase and growth of transformed cells in culture Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92,1831-1835[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Morre, D. J., Reust, T. (1997) A circulating form of NADH oxidase activity responsive to the antitumor sulfonylurea n-4-(methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-chlorophenyl)urea (LY181984) specific to sera from cancer patients J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 29,281-289[Medline]
- Bittinger, F., Gonzalez-Garcia, J. L., Klein, C. L., Brochhausen, C., Offner, F., Kirkpatrick, C. J. (1998) Production of superoxide by human malignant melanoma cells Melanoma Res 8,381-387[Medline]
- THart, B. A., Simons, J. M., Knaan Shanzer, S., Bakker, N. P. M., Labadie, R. P. (1990) Antiarthritic activity of the newly developed neutrophil oxidative burst antagonist apocynin Free Radic. Biol. Med. 9,127-132[Medline]
- Stolk, J., Hiltermann, T. J. N., Dijkman, J. H., Verhoeven, A. J. (1994) Characteristics of the inhibition of NADPH oxidase activation in neutrophils by apocynin, a methoxy-substituted catechol Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 11,95-102[Abstract]
- Muijsers, R. B. R., van den Worm, E., Folkerts, G., Beukelman, C. J., Koster, A. S., Postma, D. S., Nijkamp, F. P. (2000) Apocynin inhibits peroxynitrite formation by macrophages Br. J. Pharmacol. 130,932-936[Medline]
- Misko, T. P., Highkin, M. K., Veenhuizen, A. W., Manning, P. T., Stern, M. K., Currie, M. G., Salvemini, D. (1998) Characterization of the cytoprotective action of peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts J. Biol. Chem. 273,15646-15653[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Salvemini, D., Wang, Z-Q., Stern, M. K., Currie, M. G., Misko, T. P. (1998) Peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts: therapeutics for peroxynitrite-mediated pathology Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95,2659-2663[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Aruoma, O. I., Halliwell, B., Hoey, B. M., Butler, J. (1988) The antioxidant action of taurine, hypotaurine and their metabolic precursors Biochem. J. 256,251-256[Medline]
- Kettle, A. J., Gedye, C. A., Hampton, M. B., Winterbourn, C. C. (1995) Inhibition of myeloperoxidase by benzoic acid hydrazides Biochem. J. 308,559-563
- Kettle, A. J., Gedye, C. A., Winterbourn, C. C. (1997) Mechanisms of inactivation of myeloperoxidase by 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide Biochem. J. 321,503-508
- Burner, U., Obinger, C., Paumann, M., Furtmuller, P. G., Kettle, A. J. (1999) Transient and steady-state kinetics of the oxidation of substituted benzoic acid hydrazides by myeloperoxidase J. Biol. Chem. 274,9494-9502[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Saran, M., Summer, K. H. (1999) Assaying for hydroxyl radicals: hydroxylated terephthalate is a superior fluorescence marker than hydroxylated benzoate Free Radic. Res. 31,429-436[Medline]
- Schwieger, A., Bauer, L., Hanusch, J., Sers, C., Schäfer, R., Bauer, G. (2001) Ras oncogene expression determines sensitivity for intercellular induction of apoptosis Carcinogenesis 22,1385-1392[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Beck, E., Schäfer, R., Bauer, G. (1997) Sensitivity of transformed fibroblasts for intercellular induction of apoptosis is determined by their transformed phenotype Exp. Cell Res. 234,47-56[Medline]
- Panse, J., Hipp, M. L., Bauer, G. (1997) Fibroblasts transformed by chemical carcinogens are sensitive to intercellular induction of apoptosis: implications for the control of oncogenesis Carcinogenesis 18,259-264[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Vossbeck, H., Strahm, B., Höfler, P., Bauer, G. (1995) Direct transforming activity of TGF-beta on rat fibroblasts Int. J. Cancer 61,92-97[Medline]
- Dichgans, C., Höfler, P., Bauer, G. (1995) Transformation of rat fibroblasts by TGF-beta: restriction to a minor subpopulation, rather than a rare event Int. J. Oncol. 7,1367-1371
- Häufel, T., Bauer, G. (2001) Transformation of rat fibroblasts by TGF-beta and EGF induces sensitivity for intercellular induction of apoptosis Anticancer Res 21,2617-2628[Medline]
- Gorcyca, W., Gong, J., Darzynkiewicz, Z. (1993) Detection of DNA strand breaks in individual apoptotic cells by the in-situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and nick translation assays Cancer Res 53,1945-1951[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Waterhouse, N. J., Green, D. R. (1999) Mitochondria and apoptosis: HQ or high-security prison? J. Clin. Immunol. 19,378-387[Medline]
- Bossy-Wetzel, E., Green, D. R. (1999) Apoptosis: checkpoint at the mitochondrial frontier Mutat. Res. 434,243-251[Medline]
- Goldstein, J. C., Waterhouse, N. J., Juin, P., Evan, G. I., Green, D. R. (2000) The coordinate release of cytochrome c during apoptosis is rapid, complete and kinetically invariant Nat. Cell Biol. 2,156-162[Medline]
- Engelmann, I., Dormann, S., Saran, M., Bauer, G. (2000) Transformed target cell-derived superoxide anions drive apoptosis induction by myeloperoxidase Redox Rep 5,207-214[Medline]
- Bielski, B. H. J., Allen, A. O. (1977) Mechanism of disproportionation of superoxide J. Phys. Chem. 81,1048-1050
- Tauber, A. I., Babior, B. M. (1985) Neutrophil oxygen reduction: the enzymes and the products Adv. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 1,265-307
- Candeias, L. P., Patel, K. B., Stratford, M. R. L., Wardman, P. (1993) Free hydroxyl radicals are formed on reaction between the neutrophil-derived species superoxide anion and hypochlorous acid FEBS Lett 333,151-153[Medline]
- Ramos, C. L., Pou, S., Britigan, B. E., Cohen, M. S., Rosen, G. M. (1992) Spin trapping evidence for myeloperoxidase-dependent hydroxyl radical formation by human neutrophils and monocytes J. Biol. Chem. 267,8307-8312[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Dormann, S., Bauer, G. (1998) TGF-beta and FGF trigger intercellular induction of apoptosis: analogous activity on non-transformed but differential activity on transformed cells Int. J. Oncol. 13,1247-1252[Medline]
- Koppenol, W. H., Moreno, J.J, Pryor, W.A, Ischiropoulos, H., Beckman, J. S. (1992) Peroxynitrite, a cloaked oxidant formed by nitric oxide and superoxide Chem. Res. Toxicol. 5,834-842[Medline]
- Huie, R. E., Padmaja, S. (1993) The reaction of NO with superoxide Free Radic. Res. Commun. 18,195-199[Medline]
- Packer, M. A., Murphy, M. P. (1995) Peroxynitrite formed by simultaneous nitric acid and superoxide generation causes cyclosporin-A-sensitive mitochondrial calcium efflux and depolarisation Eur. J. Biochem. 234,231-239[Medline]
- Crow, J. P., Beckman, J. S. (1996) The importance of superoxide in nitric oxide-dependent toxicity: evidence for peroxynitrite mediated injury Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 387,147-161[Medline]
- Beckman, J. S., Koppenol, W. H. (1996) Nitric oxide, superoxide and peroxynitrite: the good, the bad, and the ugly Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 271,C1424-C1437[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Haddad, L. Y., Crow, J. P., Hu, P., Ye, Y., Beckman, J., Matalon, S. (1994) Concurrent generation of nitric oxide and superoxide damages surfactant protein A. Am. J. Physiol. 267,L242-L249
- Kissner, R., Nauser, T., Bugnon, P., Lye, P. G., Koppenol, W. H. (1997) Formation and properties of peroxynitrite as studied by laser flash photolysis, high pressure stopped-flow technique, and pulse radiolysis Chem. Res. Toxicol. 10,1285-1292[Medline]
- Pryor, W. A., Squadrito, G. L. (1995) The chemistry of peroxynitrite: a product from the reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide Am. J. Physiol. 268,L699-L722[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Squadrito, G. L., Pryor, W. A. (1998) Oxidative chemistry of nitric oxide: the roles of superoxide, peroxynitrite and carbon dioxide Free Radic. Biol. Med. 25,392-403[Medline]
- Long, C. A., Bielski, B. H. (1980) Rate of reaction of superoxide radical with chloride-containing species J. Phys. Chem. 84,555-557
- Folkes, L. K., Candeias, L-P., Wardman, P. (1995) Kinetics and mechanisms of hypochlorous acid reactions Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 323,120-126[Medline]
- Rosen, H., Klebanoff, S. J. (1979) Hydroxyl radical generation by polymorphonuclear leukocytes measured by electron spin resonance spectroscopy J. Clin. Investig. 64,1725-1729
- Paul, K., Bauer, G. (2001) Promyelocytic HL 60 cells induce apoptosis specifically in transformed cells: involvement of myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide and target cell-derived superoxide anions Anticancer Res 21,3237-3246[Medline]
- Schulz, A., Bauer, G. (2000) Synergistic action between tumor necrosis factor alpha and transforming growth factor beta: consequences for natural antitumor mechanisms Anticancer Res 20,3443-3448[Medline]