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Electron currents generated by the human phagocyte NADPH oxidase

J Schrenzel¹, L Serrander, B Bánfi

¹Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.

|May 16, 1998

Summary

Researchers detected electron currents in human immune cells, a novel finding in eukaryotic plasma membranes. This electron transport by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase may have functions beyond superoxide generation.

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Area of Science:

Cellular Biology
Immunology
Biochemistry

Background:

Electron transport is crucial in bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts for energy generation.
Electron transport is typically absent in eukaryotic plasma membranes to maintain electrical processes.
Phagocyte NADPH oxidase is vital for host defense, generating superoxide via electron transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the electrogenic nature of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase.
To determine if electron transport occurs across the plasma membrane of human granulocytes.
To explore potential physiological roles of NADPH oxidase-mediated electron currents.

Main Methods:

Utilized the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to measure electrical currents.
Studied human eosinophil granulocytes.

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Examined granulocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease and under varying oxygen conditions.

Main Results:

Demonstrated the generation of electron currents by NADPH oxidase in human eosinophil granulocytes.
Observed the absence of these currents in chronic granulomatous disease patients and low oxygen conditions.
Provided the first evidence of electron currents across a eukaryotic plasma membrane.

Conclusions:

The phagocyte NADPH oxidase generates measurable electron currents across the plasma membrane of human eosinophil granulocytes.
These electron currents represent a previously unrecognized function of NADPH oxidase, potentially independent of superoxide production.
This discovery opens new avenues for understanding immune cell function and host defense mechanisms.