The Effect of Reactive Oxygen Species on Modulation of Structural and Functional Properties of Human Lymphocytes

Abstract

The effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on functional properties (the level of cytotoxic activity, antibody-forming ability, synthesis of tumor necrosis factor α, and free cytosolic calcium), the structural state of membranes, assessed based on the level of some surface markers, and apoptosis processes in lymphocyte cells in donor peripheral blood were studied. It was revealed that О2•, ОН•, Н2О2, and 1О2 have a predominantly inactivating effect on the level of cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes in relation to Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma cells, IgG synthesis, as well as the expression of receptors and surface markers: Fc receptors, CD3, CD19, CD56. It has been established that the level of intracellular calcium, which is a secondary messenger, increases in lymphocytes exposed to Н2О2 (10−6 mol/l), 1O2, and OH•, compared to intact cells. Compared to lymphocytes modified in a calcium-free medium, the presence of calcium ions in the lymphocyte suspension medium induces an increase in the number of cells at the early and late stages of apoptosis 6 hours after exposure to Н2О2 and 1О2. Apoptotic death of lymphocytes in a calcium-containing medium, induced by exposure to ROS involves the р53-dependent pathway of the nuclear mechanism, as well as receptor-mediated caspase and mitochondrial mechanisms of programmed cell death.