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
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Key Words: peroxidase nitric oxide superoxide anion
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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.
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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 .
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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.
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The Yates continuity-corrected
-square test was used for the
statistical determination of significances.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
.
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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.
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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 ).
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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.
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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.
Received July 12, 2001; revised February 26, 2002; accepted April 16, 2002.
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