Comparison of the measurement of lysosomal hydrolase activity in mycoplasma-contaminated and non-contaminated human fibroblast cultures treated with mycoplasma removal agen

Objectives: To investigate the effect of both mycoplasma contamination and of its remover (MRA), through human fibroblasts culture over the activity of some lysosomal hydrolases. Design and methods: Activity was measured in contaminated fibroblasts before and after the addition of MRA. Results were compared with the enzymatic activity in control fibroblasts with and without MRA. Results: Only β-glucosidase showed no significant alteration in the presence of either mycoplasma or MRA. Total hexosaminidase and β-galactosidase underwent significant interference in the presence of the mycoplasma and the MRA. The % of hexosaminidase A and arylsulphatase A altered their activity only in the presence of MRA. β-Glucuronidase changed its activity only in the presence of mycoplasma. Conclusions: The fibroblast enzymes behaved differently in the presence of MRA and/or mycoplasma, demonstrating the sensitivity of these hydrolases. Our work suggests that mycoplasma and MRA alter the activity of some lysosomal hydrolases.