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Effect of ammonium metavanadate on the mouse peritoneal macrophage lysosomal enzymes

K Vaddi1, C I Wei

  • 1Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611-0163.

Insights

Ammonium metavanadate exposure in mice significantly reduced acid phosphatase activity in peritoneal macrophages, potentially impairing their ability to kill Listeria monocytogenes. This enzyme inhibition is linked to vanadium

Area of Science:

  • Immunotoxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Ammonium metavanadate exposure can impact immune cell function.
  • Peritoneal macrophages (PEM) are crucial for intracellular pathogen killing.
  • Acid phosphatase is an important lysosomal enzyme involved in cellular defense.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of ammonium metavanadate on intracellular enzyme activities in murine peritoneal macrophages (PEM).
  • To determine the impact of ammonium metavanadate on the killing of Listeria monocytogenes by PEM.
  • To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying vanadium-induced immunomodulation.

Main Methods:

  • Female B6C3F1 mice were administered ammonium metavanadate, ammonium chloride, or phosphate buffer intraperitoneally for 6 weeks.
  • Resident peritoneal macrophage (PEM) cytolysates were analyzed for intracellular enzyme activities (beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, lysozyme).
  • In vitro kinetic studies and Lineweaver-Burk analysis were performed to assess vanadium's inhibitory effects on acid phosphatase.

Main Results:

  • Ammonium metavanadate significantly depressed acid phosphatase activity in a dose-dependent manner (22.8% at 2.5 mg V/kg, 44.7% at 10 mg V/kg).
  • No significant effects were observed on beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, or lysozyme activities.
  • In vitro studies confirmed noncompetitive inhibition of acid phosphatase by vanadium (Kj = 14.8 mM).
  • Ammonium chloride and high-dose vanadium enhanced extracellular secretion of beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme.

Conclusions:

  • Vanadium-induced decrease in acid phosphatase activity may contribute to the impaired intracellular killing of Listeria monocytogenes by murine PEM.
  • Acid phosphatase inhibition by vanadium likely occurs through interference with phosphorylation/dephosphorylation processes.
  • The findings highlight the immunotoxic potential of ammonium metavanadate, specifically targeting macrophage enzymatic functions.

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