Tumor necrosis factor-α plus actinomycin D-induced apoptosis of L929 cells is prevented by nitric oxide

Treatment with the nitric oxide-(NO)-generating compoundS-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine protected cultured L929 cells from apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plus actinomycin D, as determined by the detection of DNA fragmentation and morphological changes. NO also prevented an enhancement of the production of reactive oxygen intermediates by TNF-α plus actinomycin D, as assessed by the oxidation of dihydrorhodamine 123 and hydroethidine. Because the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration by rotenone or antimycin A suppressed the increased oxidation of both dihydrorhodamine 123 and hydroethidine, it was suggested that TNF-α accelerated the leakage of reactive oxygen intermediates from the mitochondrial electron transport system. Polarography showed that NO reversibly inhibited mitochondrial respiration at either complexes I–III, II–III, or IV, thus suggesting the inhibition of cytochrome oxidase. Taken together, these findings indicate that the decreased mitochondrial formation of reactive oxygen intermediates in the presence of NO might have a protective effect against TNF-α plus actinomycin D-induced apoptosis.