Superoxide radical generation and Mn- and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutases activities in human leukemic cells

Mn- and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and generation of superoxide radicals (O(2) (-)) were assessed in leukemic cells from 10 patients with acute myeloid or monocytic leukemia (AML) and 10 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), using a sensitive, specific chemiluminescence method. Leukemic cells were classified according to the French-American-British classification. M4 AML cells from two patients produced some O(2) (-) upon stimulation with opsonized zymosan (OZ), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP), but less than normal granulocytes or monocytes. M5b AML cells from one patient produced as much O(2) (-) in response to these stimulants as normal monocytes. No O(2) (-) generation was induced in other types of leukemic cells. Total SOD activity in AML cells was significantly greater in normal granulocytes, but was only half of the activity in ALL cells. Mn-SOD in AML cells was very low or undetectable. These results suggest that except in M5b cells, decreased O(2) (-) production may contribute to susceptibility to infections in AML patients. Decreased Mn-SOD activity in AML cells may predispose them to oxidative stress.