title: Low-dose sulfur mustard primes oxidative function and induces apoptosis in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
abstract: Although considerable work has focused on understanding the processes of direct tissue injury mediated by the chemical warfare vesicant, sulfur mustard (2,2'-bis-chloroethyl sulfide; SM), relatively little is known regarding the mechanisms of secondary injury caused potentially by the acute inflammatory response that follows SM exposure. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) play a central role in the initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses that, in some cases, result in autoimmune tissue damage. The potential for PMN-derived tissue damage following SM exposure may, in part, account for the protracted progression of the injury before it resolves. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the priming, oxidative function, and viability of PMN following exposure to low doses of SM such as those that might remain in tissues as a result of topical exposure. Our results demonstrate that doses of SM ranging from 25 to 100 microM primed PMN for oxidative burst in response to activation by fMLP, and that doses of SM ranging from 50 to 100 microM induced PMN apoptosis. Understanding the mechanisms through which SM directly affects PMN activation and apoptosis will be of critical value in developing novel treatments for inflammatory tissue injury following SM exposure.
authors.affiliation: Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Levitt
authors.forename: Irfan J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Lodhi
authors.forename: Phu Kim
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Vinh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clift
authors.forename: Daniel B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hinshaw
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009151:Mustard Gas / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D016877:Oxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D017452:Receptors, IgG; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D009151:Mustard Gas