Myeloperoxidase is abundantly present in inflammatory diseases where activation of monocytes/macrophages and T-cell-mediated immune response occurs. The potent oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl), generated by the myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-chloride system of activated phagocytes, converts low-density lipoprotein (LDL) into a proinflammatory lipoprotein particle. Here, we investigated the apoptotic effect of HOCl-LDL, an in vivo occurring LDL modification, on human T-cell lymphoblast-like Jurkat cells. Experiments revealed that HOCl-LDL, depending on the oxidant:lipoprotein molar ratio, induces apoptosis via activation of caspase-3, PARP cleavage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The absence of Fas-associated protein with death domain or caspase-8 in mutant cells did not prevent HOCl-LDL induced apoptosis. In contrast, overexpression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein protects Jurkat cells against HOCl-LDL-induced apoptosis and prevents accumulation of reactive oxygen species. We conclude that HOCl-LDL-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat cells follows predominantly the intrinsic, mitochondrial pathway. Insitu experiments revealed that an antibody raised against HOCl-LDL recognized epitopes that colocalize both with myeloperoxidase and CD3-positive T-cells in human decidual tissue where local stimulation of the immune system occurs. We provide convincing evidence that formation of HOCl-modified (lipo)proteins generated by the myeloperoxidase-H(2)O(2)-chloride system contributes to apoptosis in T-cells.
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