Oxidant stress mechanism of homocysteine potentiating Con A-induced proliferation in murine splenic T lymphocytes

Abstract

Objective: An elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level is considered an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which hyperhomocysteinemia induces atherosclerosis are only partially understood. The effect of Hcy on T lymphocyte proliferation and its mechanisms were examined in normal and hyperhomocysteinemia ApoE-knockout mice.

Methods: The mouse splenic T-cells were treated with Hcy, related compounds and/or antioxidants in the presence or absence of Concanavalin A (Con A). DNA synthesis, cell apoptosis, interleukin-2 level and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured.

Results: Hcy (0.3-3.0 mM) and related compounds with thiol (-SH), such as cysteine and glutathione significantly potentiated Con A-induced proliferation and partially inhibited apoptosis in T lymphocytes, but it had no direct effect on resting T lymphocyte. ApoE-knockout mice with hyperhomocysteinemia (the level of plasma Hcy was 20.3+/-2.9 vs. 2.6+/-0.6 microM in control group, P<0.05) had a significant promotion of T-cell proliferation in response to Con A. Hcy (0.3-3.0 mM) also increased the intracellular ROS. Radical scavengers reduced Hcy effect.

Conclusions: These data indicate that ROS generated by thiol (-SH) of Hcy auto-oxidation are involved in Hcy effect on Con A-induced T lymphocyte proliferation. These findings suggest a novel mechanism may be involved in chronic inflammatory progression of atherosclerosis with hyperhomocysteinemia.