DNA damage in human T-lymphoblastoid cell line Molt-3 induced by reactive oxygen species

In the course of studying the effect of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion (O 2 − ), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) on oxidant-sensitive human T-lymphoblastoid cell line Molt-3, O 2 − has been generated by the interaction of xanthine with xanthine oxidase (XOD). To confirm that H 2 O 2 is a key intermediate for inducing DNA single-strand breaks in Molt-3 cells, studies have been carried out with pure H 2 O 2 . In the presence of xanthine + XOD or H 2 O 2 the amount of DNA single-strand breaks has been found found to increase as a function of the O 2 − and H 2 O 2 concentration. Data from studies with antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase and catalase supports a mechanism of DNA damage dependent on the presence of H 2 O 2 in Molt-3 cells. Molt-3 cells are CD4 + and sensitive to reactive oxygen stress and therefore, could be an ideal cell line for determining the relationship between oxidative stress and various diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).