Oxidants and antioxidants affect the expression of glycodelin

Glycodelin is a glycoprotein that has immunosuppressive activity. We have shown that K562 cells, hematopoitic progenitor cells, are capable of synthesizing glycodelin peptide (Gp) and, perhaps, contribute to Gp in tissues. In addition, several reproductive and nonreproductive tissues themselves are capable of synthesis of glycodelin. In this study, we report that lipid peroxides induce the synthesis of Gp. Antioxidants vitamin E and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) and antioxidizing enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) effectively blocked phorbol myristate acetate- (PMA-) and lyso phosphatidic acid- (LPA-) induced synthesis of Gp. Dioctanoin (a mimic of diacylglycerol) activated Gp synthesis, and an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) downregulated the response. Based on these observations, we postulate that oxidants by way of PKC might potentiate the angiogenic process. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Inc.