Regulation of neutrophil superoxide generation by alpha-tocopherol in human peripheral and umbilical-cord blood.

OBJECTIVES

Alfa-tocopherol (VE) inhibits protein phosphorylation and affects protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent superoxide (O2) generation of phagocytic cells. Because umbilical-cord blood contains low concentrations of VE, we studied the effects of VE on stimulation-dependent O2 generation of neutrophils derived from the healthy human peripheral circulation (HPMNs) and the umbilical cord (UCBNs).

METHODS

O2- generation and VE content were assayed by reduction of ferricytochrome c and by HPLC with an electrochemical detector, respectively. Neutrophil-specific annexin protein was identified by an immunological method.

RESULTS

Both types of neutrophils generate significant amounts of PKC-dependent O2-generation, but weak PKC-independent O2-generation, except for opsonized zymosan-stimulated O2- generation in UCBNs. The VE content of UCBNs was similar to that of HPMNs although umbilical-cord blood contains a low concentration of VE. A neutrophil-specific annexin protein was also found in the UCBNs.

CONCLUSION

UCBNs have a greater ability to incorporate VE than HPMNs do, but have similar general characteristics of stimulation-dependent O2-generation to those of HPMNs.