title: Immunotoxic effects of mercuric compounds on human lymphocytes and monocytes. IV. Alterations in cellular glutathione content.
abstract: The major goal of this investigation was to determine if the sensitivity of lymphocytes and monocytes to mercury (Hg++) was related to intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and the thiol redox status [GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG)]. To isolate cells based upon their GSH content, T and B-cells were stained with monochlorobimane (MCB) and separated into high and low fluorescent groups by FACS analysis. Cells with high GSH fluorescence were found to be resistant to both the cytotoxic and immunotoxic effects of HgCl2 as evidenced by cell viability and their responsiveness to mitogen, respectively. In contrast, cells with low levels of GSH were extremely sensitive to mercury. To further examine the relationship between GSH level and mercury exposure, T-cells, B-cells and monocytes were treated with different doses of HgCl2 for 12 hrs. All cells exhibited a dose-dependent decrease in GSH content with a concomitant reduction in GSSG levels. However, the GSH/GSSG ratio in these cells remained constant, or increased following exposure to mercury. GSH levels were also reduced in monocytes following exposure to HgCl2; in this case, GSSG levels remained constant and a decline in the GSH/GSSG ratio was observed. For all cell types, mercury did not inhibit the activities of GSH reductase and GSH peroxidase, enzymes responsible for oxidation/reduction of GSH and GSSG, respectively. Results of the study clearly show that susceptibility to the immunotoxic effects of HgCl2 is, in part, dependent upon GSH levels and further that mercury inhibits GSH generation by lymphocytes and monocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia 19104-6002.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Shenker
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Mayro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rooney
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005978:Glutathione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008627:Mercuric Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008627:Mercuric Chloride; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide