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Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Depletion and Reconstitution of Macrophages in Mice
Published on: August 1, 2012
Characterization of deoxyribonuclease activities derived from control and inflammation-associated mouse peritoneal
Abstract:
Native DNAase (deoxyribonuclease) activities derived from mouse peritoneal cavity and peripheral blood components were separated, detected, and characterized by electrophoresis into polyacrylamide gels containing DNA, followed by incubation of the gels, and staining of the substrate to reveal only the DNAase activities. Resident peritoneal macrophages contained 12 DNAase-II-like activities that were characteristic of that cell type, whereas lymphocytes and granulocytes each contained five DNAases. Induction of inflammation by peritoneal injection of thioglycollate resulted in changes in macrophage DNAase expression, including: increased total DNAase activity, a decrease in the number of activities from 12 to 11, increased activity of a specific subset of the enzymes, and a change in the apparent size of a specific subset of the enzymes. Electrophoretic and enzymic properties and sensitivity to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H indicated that the macrophage activities probably represented charge variants of one or two parent peptide chains.
Insights
This study characterized deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) activities in mouse immune cells. Inflammation altered macrophage DNAase expression, suggesting these enzymes play a role in cellular responses.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) enzymes are crucial for DNA metabolism and cellular processes.
- Understanding DNAase activity in different immune cell types is important for immunology.
- Investigating DNAase expression changes during inflammation can reveal insights into immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To separate, detect, and characterize native deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) activities in mouse peritoneal and peripheral blood cells.
- To investigate the impact of induced inflammation on macrophage DNAase expression profiles.
- To elucidate the nature of macrophage DNAase activities, potentially identifying parent peptide chains.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with DNA substrate to separate and detect DNAase activities.
- Incubated gels and stained substrates to visualize specific DNAase activities.
- Analyzed electrophoretic and enzymic properties, including sensitivity to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H.
Main Results:
- Resident peritoneal macrophages exhibited 12 distinct DNAase-II-like activities.
- Lymphocytes and granulocytes each displayed five unique DNAase activities.
- Thioglycollate-induced inflammation altered macrophage DNAase expression: total activity increased, the number of activities decreased to 11, specific enzyme subsets showed increased activity, and apparent enzyme sizes changed.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage DNAase activities likely represent charge variants of one or two parent peptide chains, as indicated by electrophoretic and enzymic properties.
- Inflammation significantly modifies macrophage DNAase expression, suggesting a role for these enzymes in inflammatory responses.
- The characterized DNAase activities provide a baseline for further studies on DNAase function in immune cells.
