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Neurohr, C.* ; Lenz, A.-G. ; Ding, I.* ; Leuchte, H.* ; Kolbe, T.* ; Behr, J.*

Glutamate-cysteine ligase modulatory subunit in BAL alveolar macrophages of healthy smokers.

Eur. Respir. J. 22, 82-87 (2003)
DOI
Open Access Green as soon as Postprint is submitted to ZB.
The antioxidant glutathione (GSH) is increased in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of chronic smokers. The rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis is glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL), also known as γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase, consisting of a heavy, catalytic (GCLC) and a light, modulatory (GCLM) subunit. To determine the contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells to GSH levels in ELF, BAL was performed in eight smokers and eight never-smokers. Intra- and extracellular total glutathione (GSHt) levels and GCL subunit expression were assessed. GSHt was increased in ELF from smokers (1,090.1±163.0 µM versus 559.2±48.2 µM). GSHt content of BAL cells (nmol·mg protein−1) was decreased in smokers without differences reaching statistical significance (8.0±1.4 versus 12.4±2.6). GCLM expression was also reduced in smokers (0.6±0.1 versus 2.8±0.4) and correlated with intracellular GSHt content. There was no significant difference in GCLC expression and in differential cell counts in BAL fluid. The authors conclude that smoking does increase glutathione levels in the epithelial lining fluid but not intracellular levels in bronchoalveolar lavage cells. The data suggest that the intracellular glutathione concentration of bronchoalveolar lavage cells (predominately alveolar macrophages) is regulated by the modulatory glutamate-cysteine ligase subunit rather than the catalytic subunit.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Scientific Article
Keywords Alveolar macrophages; Bronchoalveolar lavage; Glutamate-cysteine ligase; Glutathione; Smoker
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0903-1936
e-ISSN 1399-3003
Journal European Respiratory Journal
Quellenangaben Volume: 22, Issue: 1, Pages: 82-87 Article Number: , Supplement: ,
Publisher European Respiratory Society
Publishing Place Sheffield
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Lung Health and Immunity (LHI)