OXIDANT-INDUCED STRESS-RESPONSE IN LYMPHOID-CELLS

The stress response to reactive oxygen species is an important defence system which can reduce their potential to induce biomolecule damage. In this investigation the effect of exposing Molt-3 lymphoblastoid ce lls or peripheral blood lymphocytes to a non-toxic dose of hydrogen pe roxide (10 mu M) was studied. Cellular response to a subsequent high d ose of hydrogen peroxide (100-200 mu M) was assessed by measurement of growth, viability, proliferation and DNA damage (lymphocytes only) an d intracellular activities of the enzymes, superoxide dismutase, gluta thione peroxidase and catalase (Molt-3 only). The results indicate tha t pretreatment of lymphocytes with 10 mu M hydrogen peroxide can elici t a response which is protective against DNA damage normally inducible in these cells by subsequent exposure to toxic doses of hydrogen pero xide. It appears from the results with Molt-3 cells that altered activ ities of glutathione peroxidase may contribute to this enhanced resist ance to hydrogen peroxide.