Oxygen radical production in leukocytes and disease severity in multiple sclerosis

J Neuroimmunol. 2009 Aug 18;213(1-2):131-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2009.05.013. Epub 2009 Jul 8.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between the formation of NADPH oxidase-dependent oxygen radicals in peripheral blood leukocytes ('respiratory burst') and disease severity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Oxygen radical production was induced by formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF), Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-Met-NH2 (WKYMVM) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and was assessed by quantifying superoxide anion, i.e. the initial radical formed by the NADPH oxidase. Disease severity was evaluated using the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS). In patients with severe disease, the production of superoxide anion was significantly lower for all three inducers of radical formation (p=0.04-0.004). Our findings are supportive of a protective role of oxygen radicals in autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • Cytoprotection / immunology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / pharmacology
  • Leukocytes / drug effects
  • Leukocytes / immunology*
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / immunology*
  • Phagocytes / immunology
  • Phagocytes / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / immunology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Respiratory Burst / immunology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / pharmacology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Oligopeptides
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-Met
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Superoxides
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate