Levels Of Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase Research Articles

Abstract 297: Role of purine metabolism in CLL cell pathobiology and CLL disease progression

Abstract The treatment of Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has been revolutionized in recent years, however CLL is still incurable, and the leukemic cells often develop drug resistance. Previous studies show that the interaction of CLL cells with the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment promotes spontaneous and drug induced survival. But the nature of this interaction is still in need of a full understanding. To pursue this we discerned RNA profiles using RNA-seq in paired CLL cells isolated from untreated blood and BM (n=6) and in untreated patients CLL cells (n=4) cultured alone or cocultured with BM stromal cells (BMSCs). CLL cells from blood/BM and CLL cells cultured alone or with BMSCs were examined by Western blot (WB), untargeted metabolomics (LCMS+GCMS) and preclinical drug sensitivity assays. We found upregulation of 232 genes in CLL cells from BM vs the paired blood and 917 genes in cocultured CLL cells compared to CLL cells cultured alone (p&lt0.05, fold change &gt1.5). Here we detected only 13 genes that overlap between BM and cocultured CLL cells. When we analyzed the expression of these 13 genes in blood CLL cells from a cohort of 162 untreated patients by RNA-seq we found a positive relationship between 4 (PNP, C16orf54, MOB3A, CDK2AP2) with CLL patient clinical outcome including overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and time to first treatment (TTFT) [multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, p&lt0.05]. Out of the 4 genes, purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), an enzyme in the purine salvage pathway, showed the most significant association for patient’s OS, PFS, and TTFT. Metabolomic profiling indicated an increased level of purine salvage pathway metabolites adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine in cocultured CLL cells. WB analysis using blood CLL cells from untreated patients showed a variable PNP protein expression (high, low/no PNP) and induction in PNP protein levels were found in blood CLL cells expressing low/no PNP only when in contact with BM/BMSCs. But PNP inhibitor forodesine did not show any significant killing in high vs low/no PNP group. When we treated CLL cells from untreated patients with Bcl2 inhibitors venetoclax, S55746 and LP-118 (Bcl-2/Bcl-xl inhibitor, Newave), CLL cells showed increasing sensitivity to the Bcl2 inhibitors associated with their PNP expression (high&gtlow&gtno PNP). But a covalent and non-covalent BTKi LP-168 (Newave) cultured with CLL cells showed no difference in drug sensitivity associated with CLL PNP levels. In contrast CLL cells when treated with both venetoclax and LP-168, showed more drug sensitivity in the high PNP expressing CLL cells vs low/no PNP. These results indicate that active purine metabolism in CLL cells can contribute to differential novel agent drug responses of CLL patients. Future studies to understand the exact mechanism of how PNP relates to this differential drug sensitivity should be instructive in regard to alternate maneuvers to treat CLL. Citation Format: Sutapa Sinha, Weiguo Han, Zhiquan Wang, Kari G. Rabe, Susan L. Slager, Chantal E. McCabe, Daniel R. O'Brien, Sameer A. Parikh, Esteban Braggio, Yi Chen, Fenlai Tan, Stephen P. Anthony, Yu Chen, Bing Dai, Yue Shen, Neil E. Kay. Role of purine metabolism in CLL cell pathobiology and CLL disease progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 297.

Study of changes in the activity levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase and the role of nitric oxide in the development of pathology in alloxan-diabetic rats

The problem of treating diabetes mellitus has not been resolved to this day; it requires a detailed study of various links of pathogenesis at the molecular level. In diabetes, conditions arise for the formation of oxidative stress. Diabetes mellitus is associated with the early development of cardiovascular complications, the immune e system is destroyed. Endothelial cells produce nitric oxide (NO), a substance that is able to maintain a balance of vascular tone, coagulation and inflammation. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is one of the most important enzymes of purine metabolism, which characterizes the immune status of the organism. The aim of this study was to study the enzymatic activity of PNP, as well as to determine the levels of nitric oxide in the blood serum, liver and pancreas in albino rats with simulated alloxan diabetes. The results of our studies on the detection of changes in the activity of PNP in the pancreas on the model of alloxandiabetic rats showed that at the late stage, the activity of PNP in the pancreas is completely suppressed, which indicates significant changes in the immune status of the body, the content of nitric oxide increases. Understanding the complex metabolic disorders that interact with the NO system may provide us with additional therapeutic options to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetes mellitus. Indicators of NO and PNP can be used as additional paraclinical indicators for early diagnosis and to identify and clarify the degree of activity of the pathological process, the nature of the course, the stage of the disease, which contributes to the appointment of individualized adequate therapy.

Assessment of Emerging Biomarkers of Liver Injury in Human Subjects

Hepatotoxicity remains a major challenge in drug development. Although alanine aminotransferase (ALT) remains the gold standard biomarker of liver injury, alternative biomarker strategies to better predict the potential for severe drug-induced liver injury (DILI) are essential. In this study, we evaluated the utility of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and paraxonase 1 (PON1) as indicators of liver injury in cohorts of human subjects, including healthy subjects across age and gender, subjects with a variety of liver impairments, and several cases of acetaminophen poisoning. In the healthy subjects, levels of GLDH and MDH were not affected by age or gender. Reference ranges for GLDH and MDH in healthy subjects were 1-10 and 79-176U/L, respectively. In contrast, the levels of PON1 and PNP were not consistent across cohorts of healthy subjects. Furthermore, GLDH and MDH had a strong correlation with elevated ALT levels and possessed a high predictive power for liver injury, as determined by ROC analysis. In contrast, PON1 and PNP did not detect liver injury in our study. Finally, evaluation of patients with acetaminophen-induced liver injury provided evidence that both GLDH and MDH might have utility as biomarkers of DILI in humans. This study is the first to evaluate GLDH, MDH, PON1, and PNP in a large number of human subjects and, and it provides an impetus for prospective clinical studies to fully evaluate the diagnostic value of GLDH and MDH for detection of liver injury.

Abstract 3166: Molecular target regulated by tumor suppressive microRNA-1 and microRNA-133a in prostate cancer

Abstract (Background) Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death among men in developing countries. Hormone-refractory PCa is currently difficult to treat and most clinical trials for advanced PCa have shown limited benefits, with disease progression and metastasis to bone or other sites. Thus, new prognostic markers and effective treatment strategies are urgently needed. Our expression signatures of human cancer including prostate cancer revealed that the expression of microRNA-1 (miR-1) and microRNA-133a (miR-133a) were significantly reduced in cancer cells. In human genome, miR-1 and miR-133a located same chromosomal regions called cluster. In this study, we investigated the functional significance of miR-1 and miR-133a and identified the novel molecular targets regulated by miR-1 and miR-133a commonly in PCa. (Methods) Cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays were performed by restoration of mature miR-1 and/or miR-133a in PCa cell lines (PC3 and DU145). Genome-wide gene expression analysis was performed to identify the molecular targets of miR-1 and miR-133a by microarray methods. A luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the actual binding site between miR-1 and miR-133a and its candidate target genes. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration assays were performed to investigate the targets genes in PCa cell lines. To investigate of expression of candidate target gene, immunohistochemistry was performed by using PCa tissue microarray. (Results) Restoration of miR-1 and/or miR-133a significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cancer cells. Genome-wide molecular targets search and luciferase reporter assay showed that 6 genes: Transgelin2 (TAGLN2), WD repeat domain 78 (WDR78), chromosome 4 open reading frame 34 (C4orf34), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), LAG1 homologue, ceramide synthase 2 (LASS2) and syntaxin binding protein (STXBP4) had putative target sites of both miR-1 and miR-133a in their 3′UTR. Among them, PNP mRNA was highly expressed in the PCa clinical specimen compered with non-PCa tisses. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PNP were markedly downregulated in miR-1 and miR-133a -transfected PCa cells. A luciferase reporter assay suggested that miR-1 and miR-133a directly bind to specific sites on 3′UTR of PNP mRNA. Silencing of the target genes inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in PCa cells. Immunohistochemistry showed that PNP expression level was significantly higher in PCa than normal prostate tissues. (Conclusions) miR-1 and miR-133a function as tumor suppressor in PCa. PNP was directly regulated by tumor suppressive miR-1 and miR-133a commonly. PNP may function as oncogenes in PCa. Tumor suppressive miR-1 and miR-133a mediates novel molecular targets provide new insights of molecular mechanisms of PCa oncogenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3166. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3166

Effect of expression of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase on the in vivo anti-tumor activity of prodrugs activated by E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase

The use of E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) to activate prodrugs has demonstrated excellent activity in the treatment of various human tumor xenografts in mice. E. coli PNP cleaves purine nucleoside analogs to generate toxic adenine analogs, which are activated by adenine phosphoribosyl transferase (APRT) to metabolites that inhibit RNA and protein synthesis. We created tumor cell lines that encode both E. coli PNP and excess levels of human APRT, and have used these new cell models to test the hypothesis that treatment of otherwise refractory human tumors could be enhanced by overexpression of APRT. In vivo studies with 6-methylpurine-2′-deoxyriboside (MeP-dR), 2-F-2′-deoxyadenosine (F-dAdo) or 9-β-D-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine 5′-monophosphate (F-araAMP) indicated that increased APRT in human tumor cells coexpressing E. coli PNP did not enhance either the activation or the anti-tumor activity of any of the three prodrugs. Interestingly, expression of excess APRT in bystander cells improved the activity of MeP-dR, but diminished the activity of F-araAMP. In vitro studies indicated that increasing the expression of APRT in the cells did not significantly increase the activation of MeP. These results provide insight into the mechanism of bystander killing of the E. coli PNP strategy, and suggest ways to enhance the approach that are independent of APRT.

Plasma purine nucleoside phosphorylase in cancer patients

Background : Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is the purine salvage enzyme that converts guanosine to guanine and inosine to hypoxanthine. Methods : 279 samples from patients with differing cancers were collected during treatment at both pre- and post-dose stages for plasma PNP activity and compared with a normal population. Results : Normal plasma PNP activity was found to be 3.2±1.4 U/l ( n =55) as compared with the cancer patients (pre-dose 12.3±7.4 U/l [ n =215] and post-dose 11.2±5.9 U/l [ n =64]). Levels of plasma PNP did not differ greatly between the different cancer types but were on average four times greater than that found in the reference population.

Plasma purine nucleoside phosphorylase in cancer patients

Background: Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) is the purine salvage enzyme that converts guanosine to guanine and inosine to hypoxanthine. Methods: 279 samples from patients with differing cancers were collected during treatment at both pre- and post-dose stages for plasma PNP activity and compared with a normal population. Results: Normal plasma PNP activity was found to be 3.2±1.4 U/l ( n=55) as compared with the cancer patients (pre-dose 12.3±7.4 U/l [ n=215] and post-dose 11.2±5.9 U/l [ n=64]). Levels of plasma PNP did not differ greatly between the different cancer types but were on average four times greater than that found in the reference population.

Selective fluorescent and fluorogenic substrates for purine-nucleoside phosphorylases from various sources, and direct fluorimetric determination of enzyme levels in human and animal blood

Abstract The decrease in fluorescence of 7-methylguanosine (m7Guo) accompanying its phosphorolysis is readily applicable to monitoring the level of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) in mammalian whole blood lysates, without prepurification of the latter. A 10-fold higher sensitivity is attained with the use of 8-azaguanine (8-azaGua), a non-reversible, highly fluorogenic, substrate in the reverse, synthetic pathway. Although its affinity for human PNP is low (Km=250 μM at pH 7), its high reaction rate and fluorescence quantum yield of the product, 8-azaguanosine (ϕ=0.55 at pH 9), permit direct fluorometric monitoring of nucleoside synthesis in 1000-fold diluted hemolysates. It is also quite selective for mammalian enzymes, 8-azaGua being a poor substrate for bacterial (E. coli) PNP. Specificity of the assay was confirmed by the competitive effects of the natural purines hypoxanthine and adenine, with IC50 values comparable to their Km values. PNP levels in animal blood, assayed with both substrates, gave comparable results. With the exception of mice, PNP blood levels in animals were lower than in humans. We have also characterized specific fluorescent/fluorogenic substrates for bacterial (E. coli) PNP. The best of these is 2,6-diaminopurine riboside. Kinetic parameters for all the foregoing substrates are listed, and shown to be favorable for analytical applications.

The effects of FR167653 in extended liver resection with ischemia in dogs

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are cytokines commonly associated with inflammatory conditions such as hepatic injury after ischemia-reperfusion. FR167653 has been characterized as a potent suppressant of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production. In this study, we evaluated the effect of FR167653 in an extended liver resection with ischemia in a dog model. The right portal pedicle was clamped for 60 minutes, while the left portal branch was patent to avoid portal congestion. Following reperfusion, 75% of the liver (including the right central, quadrate, left central, left lateral, and papillary lobes) were resected. Animals were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 10), and a FR-treated group (n = 6) in which FR167653 was administered via the portal vein. Hepatic venous blood was collected to measure alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels, and IL-1beta expression was also measured by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ALT, AST, LDH, PNP, and HA levels after reperfusion were significantly lower (P < .05) in the FR-treated group than in the control group, and the FR-treated group showed inhibited IL-1beta expression. Liver tissue blood flow, measured by a laser Doppler flow meter, was kept higher in the FR-treated group than in the control group. Histologically, tissue damage was mild in the FR-treated group. The 2-day survival rate was statistically better (P < .05) in the FR-treated group than in the control group. We conclude that FR167653 provides a protective effect for liver parenchyma and sinusoidal endothelial cells in extended liver resection with ischemia.

Warm flush at 37 degrees C following cold storage attenuates reperfusion injury in preserved rat livers.

Pretransplant rinse solutions have been shown to reduce reperfusion injury in cold-stored liver grafts, especially at the nonparenchymal level in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC). In this study, different rinse temperatures were tested in a rat liver preservation model. Livers were washed out in situ via the portal vein with cold (4 degrees C) University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and after hepatectomy (t0), were stored for 8, 16, or 24 h of cold ischemia time (CIT). After storage, livers were flushed with UW solution at either 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C, or 37 degrees C and reperfused for 90 min (37 degrees C). Control livers were reperfused at t0 without preflush. Levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), AST, and LDH were measured in the reperfusion medium. Bile production was monitored during reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, liver biopsies were taken for enzyme hystochemistry (5'-nucleotidase and LDH). After 8-h CIT and a flush at 4 degrees C, a release of endogenous HA (-7%) was observed, whereas uptake of exogenous HA occurred after the 20 degrees C flush (2%, P = NS) and after the 37 degrees C flush (24%, p < 0.001). HA release occurred at all three preflush temperatures after the 16-h CIT but was significantly lower when flushed at 37 degrees C (-10%) that at 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C (-64% and -17%, respectively, p = 0.05). After the 24-h CIT, the release of endogenous HA increased in the 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C preflush groups, but not in the 37 degrees C group. Levels of PNP and AST increased until the 24-h CIT in all groups but were significantly lower after preflush at 37 degrees C. Release of LDH did not increase with increasing periods of cold storage in any of the flush series. Compared to control livers, mean bile production during reperfusion was significantly decreased following preflush at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C after all periods of CIT. No differences in mean bile production could be demonstrated in the three preflush groups after any period of CIT. LDH activity in liver tissue was best preserved after the 8 and 16-h CIT in combination with the 37 degrees C preflush, indicating less hepatocellular damage. In conclusion, in cold stored rat livers flushed at 37 degrees C before reperfusion, SEC and hepatocellular damage is attenuated.

Warm flush at 37°C following cold storage attenuates reperfusion injury in preserved rat livers

Abstract Pretransplant rinse solutions have been shown to reduce reperfusion injury in cold-stored liver grafts, especially at the nonparenchymal level in sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC). In this study, different rinse temperatures were tested in a rat liver preservation model. Livers were washed out in situ via the portal vein with cold (4°C) University of Wisconsin (UW) solution, and after hepatectomy (t0), were stored for 8,16, or 24 h of cold ischemia time (CIT). After storage, livers were flushed with UW solution at either 4 °C, 20 °C, or 37 °C and reperfused for 90 min (37 °C). Control livers were reperfused at t0 without preflush. Levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), AST, and LDH were measured in the reperfusion medium. Bile production was monitored during reperfusion. At the end of reperfusion, liver biopsies were taken for enzyme histochemistry (5′-nucleotidase and LDH). After 8-h CIT and a flush at 4°C, a release of endogenous HA (-7 %) was observed, whereas uptake of exogenous HA occurred after the 20°C flush (2 %, P = NS) and after the 37°C flush (24 %, p < 0.001). HA release occurred at all three preflush temperatures after the 16-h CIT but was significantly lower when flushed at 37 °C (-10 %) that at 4 °C and 20 °C (-64 % and -17 %, respectively, p =0.05). After the 24-h CIT, the release of endogenous HA increased in the 4 °C and 20 °C preflush groups, but not in the 37 °C group. Levels of PNP and AST increased until the 24-h CIT in all groups but were significantly lower after preflush at 37 °C. Release of LDH did not increase with increasing periods of cold storage in any of the flush series. Compared to control livers, mean bile production during reperfusion was significantly decreased following preflush at 4°C or 37 °C after all periods of CIT. No differences in mean bile production could be demonstrated in the three preflush groups after any period of CIT. LDH activity in liver tissue was best preserved after the 8 and 16-h CIT in combination with the 37 °C preflush, indicating less hepatocellular damage. In conclusion, in cold stored rat livers flushed at 37 °C before reperfusion, SEC and hepatocellular damage is attenuated.

Differential effects of 2'-deoxyguanosine on peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation in healthy donors and Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients.

The aim of this study was to determine possible differences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation of healthy donors and Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients and whether a statistical approach to cell proliferation analysis might be used to discern the differences. The effect of a wide range of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) concentrations (0-1250 microM) on the mitogen-induced proliferation of PBMC was studied in healthy donors and Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients. Activity levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in PBMC were also measured. For the first time in a study of these models of dGuo toxicity in vitro, the analysis of polynomial trends of orders from 1 to 7 was applied to evaluate cell proliferation. A dose-dependent inhibition of mitogen-induced PBMC proliferation was observed in both groups. Data for linear trend established that PBMC from Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients were more sensitive to dGuo toxicity than PBMC from healthy donors. A positive quadratic trend at low dGuo doses was found in the cell proliferation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients. A decrease in PNP activity (P < 0.025) and an increase in ADA activity (P < 0.005) was observed in PBMC of Hashimoto's thyroiditis group. The differences in PBMC proliferation subjected to dGuo toxicity between the two groups could be related with the distinct pattern of purine salvage enzymes observed.

An improved technique for isolated perfusion of rat livers and an evaluation of perfusates.

We have modified the apparatus for isolated rat liver perfusion (IPRL) in order to be able to perform two perfusions simultaneously. In addition, we studied the quality and stability of livers by comparison of five different perfusates: Blood (Group A), Original Krebs Henseleit buffer (Group B), Krebs buffer with glucose (Group C) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) added, (Group D). In a last group (E) albumin, glucose, and taurocholic acid were added to Krebs. After 180 min of perfusion, livers perfused with solutions including 2% albumin (Group D, E) had a significantly higher release of hepatocellular and endothelial cell (purine nucleoside phosphorylase) enzymes and lower bile production as compared to Groups A, B, and C (P less than 0.0001). Increasing levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), a reflection of damage to the microvascular endothelium preceded the increases in hepatocellular enzymes. Histologically, damages of sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes are appreciated moderate to severe in Groups D and E, slight to mild in Groups A and B, and not significant in Group C. These results suggest that BSA may have toxic effects to the perfused rat liver. These data also confirm that the IPRL modified for simultaneous perfusion of two livers is efficient, and that with this technique the rat liver can be optimally perfused for up to 3 hr with oxygenated Krebs Henseleit buffer without additives (Group B) and without blood. These two improvements should allow those performing studies with perfused rat livers to obtain data in a more efficient, accurate, and inexpensive fashion.

Purine metabolism and B-lymphocyte development in the chicken bursa of fabricius

The activity of three enzymes involved in the salvage pathway of purine nucleosides—purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT)—was investigated in cellular fractions of the chicken bursa of Fabricius differentially enriched in epithelial cells or lymphocytes. Markedly increasing levels of PNP and XDH were observed along with the enrichment in epithelial cells together with a slight, though significant, decrease in HGPRT activity. By contrast, a dramatic fall in PNP and XDH activities was detected along with the enrichment in lymphocytes together with a slight, though significant, increase in HGPRT activity. This sharply different distribution of the three enzymes, all sharing hypoxanthine as a substrate, clearly indicates that lymphocytes preferentially channel hypoxanthine into the salvage and interconversion pathways, phosphorylating it to IMP, while epithelial cells rapidly catabolize such a purine base to uric acid. Moreover, epithelial cells, unlike lymphocytes, are able to retain high intracellular levels of both hypoxanthine and inosine. These results support the possibility that epithelial cells contribute to the normal development of bursal lymphocytes by supplying such actively proliferating cells with purine rings and at the same time by preventing them from accumulating potentially toxic high levels of purine nucleotides being able to rapidly eliminate excess hypoxanthine as uric acid from the bursa environment into the bloodstream.

INHIBITION OF FREE RADICAL GENERATION AND IMPROVED SURVIVAL BY PROTECTION OF THE HEPATIC MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM BY TARGETED ERYTHROCYTES IN ORTHOTOPIC RAT LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

The capacity of specifically targeted erythrocytes to inhibit free radical-mediated injury to the endothelial cell after cold preservation, and improve liver function was studied in two experimental models: An isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) system and syngeneic orthotopic rat liver transplantation. In the IPRL model, livers were preserved in University of Wisconsin solution for 24 h at 4 degrees C. At the end of the preservation period, livers were flushed with lactated Ringer's (control), immunoerythrocytes (IES), or blank intact erythrocytes prior to warm reperfusion for 2 h using an assanguinous Krebs-Henseleit buffer. Production of superoxide (O2-) anion during warm reperfusion in the IES-treated liver was reduced by 65% as compared with controls (P less than 0.001) and by 74% (P less than 0.001) when compared with blank erythrocyte-treated livers. Endothelial cell preservation, as assessed by levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), was much better in the IES-treated group (P less than 0.001) when compared with untreated livers. Hepatocellular preservation was markedly improved in the IES-treated livers. In the syngeneic liver transplantation model, livers were preserved in UW solution for 24 h at 4 degrees C. Prior to implantation, livers were flushed with 5 ml of cold lactated Ringer's or immunoerythrocytes. Survival after three weeks was 60% in the IES-treated group and 30% in the untreated group. Survival in the IES-treated group was not significantly different from a control (no preservation) group. IES-treated livers in both models demonstrated better endothelial cell integrity and ultimate liver function. IES treatment therefore appears to protect the hepatic microvascular endothelial cell from reperfusion injury and could prove to be an easy reproducible method of donor organ preparation after cold preservation.

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase: a new marker for free oxygen radical injury to the endothelial cell.

The effect of ischemia and reperfusion on purine nucleoside phosphorylase was studied in an isolated perfused rat liver model. This enzyme is localized primarily in the cytoplasm of the endothelial and Kupffer cells; some activity is associated with the parenchymal cells. Levels of this enzyme accurately predicted the extent of ischemia and reperfusion damage to the microvascular endothelial cell of the liver. Livers from Lewis rats were subjected to 30, 45 and 60 min of warm (37 degrees C) no flow ischemia that was followed by a standard reperfusion period lasting 45 min. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase was measured at the end of the no flow ischemia and reperfusion periods as was superoxide generation (O2-). Bile production was monitored throughout the no flow ischemia and reperfusion periods. Control perfusions were carried out for 120 min. A significant rise in purine nucleoside phosphorylase levels as compared with controls was observed at the end of ischemia in all the three groups. The highest level, 203.5 +/- 29.2 mU/ml, was observed after 60 min of ischemia. After the reperfusion period, levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase decreased in the 30- and 45-min groups 58.17 +/- 9.66 mU/ml and 67.5 +/- 17.1 mU/ml, respectively. These levels were equal to control perfusions. In contrast, after 60 min of ischemia, levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase decreased early in the reperfusion period and then rose to 127.8 +/- 14.8 mU/ml by the end of reperfusion (p less than 0.0001). Superoxide generation at the beginning of reperfusion was higher than in controls with similar values observed at the end of 30, 45 and 60 min of ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purine degradative enzymes in circulating malignant cells of patients with chronic B cell neoplasia.

Previous reports have shown that the purine degradative enzymes adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) and ecto-5'-nucleotidase (5'NT), play an important role in the normal development of lymphocytes and that investigations of these enzymes are of value in defining subsets of lymphoid malignancies of T-cell origin. Pharmacological inhibition of one of these enzymes has been found to be an effective treatment for a few lymphatic neoplasia. We have studied the activities of the above enzymes in the circulating malignant cells of 25 patients with B-chronic lymphatic leukemia (B-CLL), four patients with B prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL), seven patients with leukemic centrocytic lymphoma (CC), 18 patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and 16 patients with immunocytoma (IC). For comparison, the blasts of nine patients with 'common' acute lymphatic leukemia (cALL) and normal T (n = 12) and B (n = 8) cells were simultaneously investigated. Despite morphologic similarity, the leukemic cells of the chronic B cell malignancies demonstrate different enzyme patterns. B-CLL is characterized by very low activities of all the enzymes ADA, PNP and 5'NT. In the cells of HCL the highest values of PNP are found. The leukemic cells of IC are characterized by low levels of ADA but moderate levels of PNP and high levels of 5'NT. Thus some of the entities of B malignancies show typical enzyme patterns which might be of importance in defining maturation stages of the disease. The differences in these enzyme patterns can also be made use of in therapy with enzyme inhibitors such as deoxycoformycin.

Enzymes of purine metabolism in hairy cell leukemia.

Differences in activities of the purine degradative enzymes, adenosine deaminase (ADA), purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), and 5'-nucleotidase (5'NT), have been observed among different classes of lymphoid malignancies. Recent studies have shown that hairy cell leukemia (HCL) may respond to treatment with the ADA inhibitor, 2-deoxycoformycin. This study demonstrates that the cells of HCL have significantly lower levels of ADA and 5'NT (P always less than 0.01) when compared to levels in normal B- or T-lymphocytes, but have higher levels of PNP (P less than 0.001 for both comparisons). Recent studies have shown that when treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), cells of B-cell chronic lymphatic leukemia (B-CLL) acquire phenotypic characters of HCL. The authors have therefore also investigated the changes in enzyme pattern of B-CLL after incubation with TPA B-CLL cells are characterized by low levels of ADA, PNP, and 5'-NT, but TPA caused a marked increase in PNP activity (P less than 0.001, t test for paired samples), a pattern similar to HCL. The results from biochemical studies are thus in accordance with the hypothesis that HCL cells are more mature than B-CLL cells. The special enzyme profile of HCL suggests that a PNP inhibitor might also be effective in the treatment of this disease.

Acquired Spontaneous Cytotoxicity of K562 in a Subpopulation of Monocytes

Human peripheral blood monocytes were placed on a discontinuous density gradient of bovine serum albumin and fractionated into five subpopulations. Cells from each subpopulation were assayed for spontaneous cytotoxic activity against K562 tumor cells. Immediately following fractionation, monocytes were not cytotoxic. Following incubation for at least 48 hr, monocytes from two layers of the gradients clearly exhibited greater spontaneous cytotoxic activity than all others. The degree of cytotoxicity expressed by cells of these layers was enhanced by the addition of indomethacin and inhibited by prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2). Monocytes acquiring spontaneous cytotoxicity did not secrete measurable levels of PGE 2 and had increased levels of purine nucleoside phosphorylase after 72 hs of culture in vitro. Surface markers HNK-1 and Mac-1 normally associated with cytotoxic function, were detected on these cells by indirect immunofluorescence at isolation and after culture. The fraction with the greatest cytotoxic activity showed an increase in the proportion of cells displaying reactivity to HNK-1 after culture compared to initial isolation.

Modulation of enzyme activity in azaguanine-resistant V79 cells selected by chronic drug exposure

Exposure of V79 cells to azaguanine (7–21 μM for 2–7 weeks) had little effect on growth or plating efficiency but resulted in gradual acquisition of resistance to 8-azaguanine (AZ) and 6-thioguanine (TG) and loss of ability to grow in HAT. The rate of evolution of the resistant phenotype was dependent on the concentration and duration of exposure to AZ. The increase in proportion of resistant cells was paralleled by a rise in phosphatase activity (pH optimum 7.0–7.5) expressed by intact cells and this preceded the fall in HGPRT activity. Elevated phosphatase activity and a resistant phenotype were stably expressed in clones isolated and cultured in the absence of AZ. Hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) activity in cell extracts of three resistant clones ranged from 18 to 43% of wild-type levels but was unaltered with respect to substrate affinity and electrophoretic mobility. Mg 2+-dependent activity dephosphorylated inosine 5′monophosphate (IMP), guanine 5′monophosphate (GMP), adenosine-5-monophosphate (AMP) and p-nitrophenylphosphate (PNPP) and was also elevated with respect to wild-type levels in resistant cell extracts. Purine nucleoside phosphorylase levels were similar in sensitive and resistant cell extracts. Cross-sensitivity studies with other purine analogues suggest that the elevated phosphatase activity does not contribute to the resistant phenotype. No karyotypic changes were observed in the resistant cell lines.