AN INCREASE OF ACIDIC ISOFORM OF CATALASE IN RED-BLOOD-CELLS FROM HIV(+) POPULATION

A systemic oxidative stress of HIV (+) individuals has been recognized from a low glutathione level and a high level of inflammatory cytokin es such as TNF alpha. Previously, we demonstrated that the catalase en zyme activity in HIV (+) population is significantly altered depending on the cell types; the level was significantly high in red blood cell s while the enzymes in white blood cells were remarkably low (Res Comm un Subs Abuse 16: 161-176, 1995). In this study, we further characteri zed the difference in RBC catalase molecules between HIV (+) and contr ol population. We have found that RBC from HIV (+) population, whether they were asymptomatic or symptomatic, contained a significantly elev ated catalase protein accompanied by the enzyme activities, and that t he majority of the elevated protein were acidic pI of the molecules wi th an identical subunit mass of approximately 60 KDa. These results su ggest that catalase is induced prior to and/or during erythroid differ entiation lineage in HIV (+) population as a somatic defense to respon d and compensate for a systemic oxidative stress and for an anemic con dition.