CD39/NTPDase-1 activity and expression in normal leukocytes

• Published in: Thrombosis research Vol. 121; no. 3; pp. 309 - 317
• Main Authors: Pulte, E. Dianne, Broekman, M. Johan, Olson, Kim E, Drosopoulos, Joan H.F, Kizer, Jorge R, Islam, Naziba, Marcus, Aaron J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Ltd 2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antigens, CD - blood; Apyrase - blood; B-Lymphocytes - enzymology; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Chemical Analysis; Cardiology. Vascular system; CD39; Cell Separation; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Diseases of the peripheral vessels. Diseases of the vena cava. Miscellaneous; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Leukocytes - drug effects; Leukocytes - enzymology; Leukocytes - immunology; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytes; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mitogens - pharmacology; Monocytes - enzymology; Monocytes - immunology; Neutrophils - enzymology; Neutrophils - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - enzymology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Thrombosis; Vertebrates: cardiovascular system; CLL; lipopolysacchride; acute myeloblastic leukemia; PHA; chronic myelocytic leukemia; LRP; neutrophil; LPS; PRP; Lymphocytes; CD39; fetal calf serum; natural killer cell; AML; PBS; CML; phytohemagglutinin; platelet-rich plasma; Thrombosis; PMN; chronic lymphocytic leukemia; phosphate buffered saline; FCS; NK cell; leukocyte-rich plasma; Vascular disease; Leukocyte; Cardiovascular disease; Lymphocyte
• ISSN: 0049-3848; 1879-2472
• DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2007.04.008

Abstract Introduction CD39/NTPDase-1 is a cell surface enzyme expressed on leukocytes and endothelial cells that metabolizes ATP to ADP and AMP. CD39 is expressed on numerous different types of normal leukocytes, but details of its expression have not been determined previously. Methods We examined CD39 expression and activity in leukocytes isolated from healthy volunteers. Expression of CD39 on leukocytes was measured by FACS and activity of CD39 in lymphocytes and neutrophils was determined by an enzymatic radio-TLC assay. Results We established that CD39 is expressed on neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. The enzyme is found on > 90% of monocytes, neutrophils, and B-lymphocytes, and 6% of T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Per cell density of expression varied, with the highest expression on monocytes and B-lymphocytes. ATPase and ADPase activities were highest on B-lymphocytes, lower on neutrophils, lowest on T-lymphocytes. The ratio of ADPase:ATPase activity was 1.8 for neutrophils and B-lymphocytes and 1.4 for T-lymphocytes. Hypertensive volunteers had lower levels of CD39 on their T-lymphocytes and NK cells. No correlation between age, gender, ethnic background, or cholesterol level and CD39 expression was observed. Conclusions We conclude that CD39 activity and expression are present to varying degrees on all leukocytes types examined. Differences between leukocyte types should be considered when examining CD39 in disease states.