Activation of respiratory complex II by interferon-gamma and its inhibition by pyrimidine derivatives.
OBJECTIVES: Formation of formazan is a commonly used measure of cytotoxicity of compounds. It is a product of reduction of tetrazolium salts such as 4-[3- (4-iodophenyl)-2- (4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate (WST-1) and 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride. The extent of substrates reduction reflects the activity of enzymes succinate dehydrogenase (SDH; respiratory complex II) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), respectively. The aim of present study was a) to investigate formazan formation under the conditions of in vitro stimulation of cells with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and b) to analyse possible interference of pyrimidine analogues with formazan production.
METHODS: Peritoneal cells and splenocytes were obtained from C57BL/6 mice. They were cultured at 37 degrees C, 5% CO2 in humidified incubator. Levels of formazan were determined at the interval of 24 h of culture using the WST-1 and LDH assays. Nitric oxide (NO) was activated by IFN-γ plus LPS and assayed by Griess reagent 24 h afterwards. Pyrimidines were applied concomitantly with immunostimulatory agents.
RESULTS: IFN-γ enhanced concentration of SDH-produced formazan by macrophages (not by splenocytes) by approximately 50%. The activity of LDH remained unaffected. LPS was ineffective in both cases. While pyrimidines with NO-inhibitory properties suppressed the IFN-γ-enhanced levels of SDH-produced formazan, they did not change the LDH-dependent formazan production.
CONCLUSION: IFN-γ augments the SDH-produced formazan by macrophages. It does not change the LDH-dependent formazan formation. The enhancing effect may have a significant impact upon the appropriate interpretation of cytotoxic properties of drugs investigated under the conditions of immune stimulation of cells.
Citation
Zídek Z, Jansa P, Kmoníčková E. Activation of respiratory complex II by interferon-gamma and its inhibition by pyrimidine derivatives. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2014 Jan; 35(Suppl 2): 141-148