Formation of Nitric Oxide–Derived Oxidants by Myeloperoxidase in Monocytes

Abstract
—Protein nitration and lipid peroxidation are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; however, neither the cellular mediators nor the reaction pathways for these events in vivo are established. In the present study, we examined the chemical pathways available to monocytes for generating reactive nitrogen species and explored their potential contribution to the protein nitration and lipid peroxidation of biological targets. Isolated human monocytes activated in media containing physiologically relevant levels of nitrite (NO2−), a major end product of nitric oxide (•NO) metabolism, nitrate apolipoprotein B-100 tyrosine residues and initiate LDL lipid peroxidation. LDL nitration (assessed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry quantification of nitrotyrosine) and lipid peroxidation (assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with online tandem mass spectrometric quantification of distinct products) required cell activation and NO2−; occurred in the presence of metal chelators, sup...