Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain-Derived Superoxide Exits Macrophages: Implications for Mononuclear Cell-Mediated Pathophysiological Processes

Authors

  • Yunbo Li Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
  • Hong Zhu Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Pathophysiology, Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC 27506, USA
  • Periannan Kuppusamy Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology and the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; EPR Center, Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA
  • Jay L. Zweier Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Laboratories, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology and the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
  • Michael A. Trush Department of Environmental Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA

Keywords:

Chemiluminescence, Electron paramagnetic resonance, Low-density lipoprotein, Macrophages, Mitochondrial electron transport chain, Monocytes, Mononuclear cells, Peroxynitrite, Reactive oxygen species, Superoxide

Abstract

The involvement of mitochondrial electron transport chain (METC)-derived superoxide anion radical in cell protooncogene activation, mitogenic responses, and cancerous growth has recently received much attention. In order for METC-derived superoxide to participate in any of the above processes, its exit from mitochondria would be a critical step. Detection of intracellular superoxide showed that mitochondrial respiration is the major source of cellular superoxide in unstimulated or resting monocytes/macrophages. However, direct evidence for the exit of superoxide from mitochondria is presently lacking. Here we show that METC-derived superoxide does exit from mitochondria in unstimulated monocytes/macrophages. Release of superoxide was first found to occur with substrate-supported mitochondria isolated from these cells. We also observed the presence of extracellular superoxide with the intact unstimulated/resting cells.  Extracellular superoxide was markedly diminished (>90%) by the mitochondrial inhibitor, rotenone, or the uncoupler, carbonylcyanide p-(trifluromethy) phenylhydrazone. Furthermore, cells with a deficient METC exhibited significant reduction (>90%) in extracellular superoxide, demonstrating that with intact cells METC-derived superoxide not only exits from mitochondria, but can be released extracellularly. Superoxide anion radical released from mitochondria could react with exogenous nitric oxide, forming peroxynitrite. Mitochondria-derived extracellular superoxide could also oxidize low-density lipoprotein (LDL). These results thus resolve any uncertainty on the ability of superoxide to exit from mitochondria. This study for the first time also identifies mitochondria as the major source of extracellular superoxide in unstimulated resting monocytes/macrophages, which has implications for the involvement of these mononuclear cells in various pathophysiological situations.

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Published

2016-01-01

How to Cite

Li, Y., Zhu, H., Kuppusamy, P., Zweier, J. L., & Trush, M. A. (2016). Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain-Derived Superoxide Exits Macrophages: Implications for Mononuclear Cell-Mediated Pathophysiological Processes. Reactive Oxygen Species, 1(1), 81–98. Retrieved from https://rosj.org/index.php/ros/article/view/15

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL RESEARCH