Assay of H2O2 production by macrophages and neutrophils with homovanillic acid and horse-radish peroxidase.

A simple and sensitive method for measurement of the release of H2O2 from phagocytic cells is described. The assay is based on the H2O2-dependent oxidation of homovanillic acid (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, HVA) to a highly fluorescent dimer (2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxydiphenyl-5,5'-diacetic acid) which is mediated by horse-radish peroxidase. A linear relationship between fluorescence (lambda ex = 312 nm and lambda em = 420 nm) and amount of H2O2 was found in the range of 0.1-10 nmoles per 2.25 ml assay. The method was reliable for monitoring H2O2 production in large numbers of cell samples, as suspensions or monolayers, over periods of time extending between minutes and several hours. At concentrations optimal for detection of cellular release of H2O2, HVA and horse-radish peroxidase were devoid of cytotoxic effects. The time course of H2O2 release by mouse peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages and by human neutrophils was determined following stimulation with zymosan particles or phorbol myristate acetate, and the dependence of H2O2 release on cell number and stimulus dosage was studied.