胶原蛋白肽经由Nrf2信号通路对H2O2诱导的肝细胞氧化损伤的保护作用

目的：氧化应激在肝脏疾病中扮演着重要的角色。胶原蛋白肽是天然的抗氧化剂,其在动物实验中已经被证实有抑制氧化应激的作用。最新研究证实胶原蛋白肽将有可能被应用在肝脏疾病的预防中,但是很少有研究报道其分子作用机制。因此本研究在胶原蛋白肽是对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用的基础上,并探索其分子作用机制。方法：实验设空白对照组,H2O2模型组,胶原蛋白肽低、中、高剂量组（10,100,200μg/ml）。胶原蛋白肽各组加入相应浓度的药物预处理12 h后,与模型组一起加入300μM H2O2的H2O2共同培养12 h,空白对照组正常培养。细胞毒性是由CCK8和乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）的释放检测。抗氧化试剂盒检测细胞内活性氧的水平,超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性和丙二醛（MDA）含量的变化。Western blot检测细胞内Nrf2蛋白的表达水平。结果：胶原蛋白肽对H2O2诱导的正常人的肝细胞系HL7702氧化损伤有保护作用。胶原蛋白肽能够及时清除细胞内的活性氧,增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）的活性,减轻脂质过氧化反应,从而保护正常人的肝细胞系HL7702。结论：总之,胶原蛋白肽通过增加Nrf2的蛋白表达水平,提高抗氧化活性,对H2O2诱导损伤的肝细胞发挥保护作用。本研究为胶原蛋白肽的分子作用机制提供了新的证据,将有助于预防氧化应激所致的肝损伤。     

花旗松素通过激活Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α/Autophagy信号通路对H_2O_2所致H9C2细胞氧化应激保护作用的研究

氧化应激(oxidative stress,OS)是缺血性心肌病(ischemic cardiomyopathy,ICM)的主要发病机制之一,抗氧化应激损伤是防治缺血性心肌病的关键。为了探讨花旗松素(taxifolin,tax)对过氧化氢(hydrogen peroxide,H_2O_2)诱导的大鼠心肌细胞H9C2氧化应激的影响及其可能的分子机制,将培养的H9C2心肌细胞随机分为对照组(Control)、氧化应激组(H_2O_2)、tax预处理组(tax+H_2O_2)、tax单独处理组(tax)。通过观察细胞形态的改变,检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)的生成、自噬体自噬泡的形成,以及自噬(autophagy)相关蛋白质LC3 I/II、p62的表达,验证tax对氧化应激及自噬的影响。同时,通过检测Nrf2、HO-1、HIF1α的表达,研究可能存在的分子机制。研究发现tax可缓解H_2O_2诱导的H9C2细胞氧化应激,表现为细胞肥大形态缓解、ROS生成降低、MDA产生减少,而且Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α蛋白的表达升高,自噬水平升高。实验结果表明:tax可能通过激活Nrf2/HO-1/HIF1α/Autophagy信号通路促进自噬及抗氧化应激,从而发挥心肌保护作用。     

依达拉奉通过Nrf2信号分子调节氧化应激减轻脑缺血再灌注诱导的神经损伤

本研究旨在探讨依达拉奉(edaravone,ED)在脑缺血再灌注损伤中发挥神经元保护作用与Nrf2信号分子间的关系。体内实验利用脑内脑中动脉闭塞(middle cerebral artery occlusion model,MCAO)建立SD大鼠脑缺血再灌注损伤模型,体外实验采用过氧化氢(H2O2)损伤PC12细胞建立氧化应激模型。通过TTC染色、HE染色、Nissl染色来检测大脑的病理状态。测定活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)、丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)含量、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性,来反映氧化应激水平。此外,通过Hoechst 33342染色和线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential,MTP)测定,探究细胞水平的损伤。采用免疫组织化学和蛋白质印记测定Nrf2的表达。构建Nrf2敲除的PC12细胞系,证实Nrf2信号分子抑制氧化应激损伤的作用。结果提示,经依达拉奉给药后,在动物体内水平,TTC染色证实,脑缺血再灌注损伤(cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury,CIRI)大鼠的脑组织梗死体积减小(P<0.001),ROS和MDA水平下降(P<0.01),SOD活性上升(P<0.01);在细胞水平,凋亡细胞减少(P<0.05),MTP上升(P<0.01),ROS和MDA水平下降,SOD活性上升(P<0.01);在分子水平,免疫组化和Western印迹结果均提示,Nrf2蛋白质含量较正常组增加。H2O2诱导Nrf2基因敲除的PC12细胞损伤加重,且依达拉奉的治疗效果明显削弱。综上所述,Nrf2在依达拉奉减轻脑缺血再灌注诱导的氧化应激损伤中发挥关键作用。     

美国肉参胶原蛋白肽对H_2O_2损伤PC12细胞的保护作用

采用风味蛋白酶对美国肉参体壁进行酶解,经超滤制备不同分子量的美国肉参胶原蛋白肽I1(6 k DMr10 k D)和I2(Mr6 k D)。利用H_2O_2诱导PC12细胞建立氧化损伤模型,比较I1和I2对氧化应激损伤的神经细胞的保护作用及机制。结果显示:不同浓度的I1、I2均能显著提高H_2O_2损伤的PC12细胞的增殖活性(P0.05,P0.01),降低细胞内ROS水平,减少LDH释放量和MDA含量(P0.05,P0.01),提高细胞的SOD、CAT和GSH-Px活力(P0.05,P0.01),抑制caspase-3酶活性的升高。表明美国肉参胶原蛋白肽具有良好的抗氧化活性,可以保护H_2O_2诱导的神经细胞损伤。其中,低分子量段的胶原蛋白肽组分保护效果更好。     

葡萄籽原花青素通过Nrf2/ARE信号通路抗高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞氧化损伤

研究葡萄籽原花青素提取物(GSPE)对高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞HUVEC-12氧化应激损伤的保护作用及其相关机制。建立高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞模型,测定细胞活力,检测细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)与超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性及Nrf2/ARE信号通路中相关基因mRNA水平和蛋白含量。结果显示GSPE作用后显著提高HUVEC-12细胞活力,抑制高糖诱导的细胞内ROS水平升高,增强SOD活性(P0.05),并呈现剂量依赖效应。GSPE作用能同时提高抗氧化转录因子Nrf2和下游区GSH-Px、HO-1、γ-GCS、NQO1基因的表达量以及HO-1、NQO1蛋白的含量(P0.05)。结果表明GSPE能通过激活Nrf2/ARE通路对抗高糖诱导的HUVEC-12细胞氧化应激损伤。     

自噬抑制剂3-MA上调H2O2损伤的PC12细胞氧化应激水平

为探究自噬抑制剂6-氨基-3-甲基腺嘌呤（3-methyladenine,3-MA）对损伤细胞氧化应激水平的影响,将3-MA作用于H2O2诱导的PC12细胞损伤模型,以自噬增强剂雷帕霉素（rapamycin,Rap）作为对照,探讨自噬与氧化应激的关系。测定线粒体的膜电位和细胞内的活性氧（reactive oxygen species, ROS）与丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)含量,以及超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)和过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)活性,评价损伤细胞的氧化应激状态。单丹(磺)酰戊二胺（monodansylcadaverine,MDC）染色,观察损伤细胞的自噬情况。蛋白质印迹分析损伤细胞中的自噬相关蛋白质LC3-II/LC3-I比值变化。实验结果显示：与正常组相比,H2O2损伤细胞的ROS水平上升到正常组的141%,MDA含量增加(P<0.001);CAT与SOD酶活力显著降低(P<0.001),差异均有统计学意义,证明损伤细胞氧化应激水平增加;MDC染色结果表明,H2O2组自噬明显增加。Western印迹结果表明,LC3-II/LC3-I值显著升高（P<0.05）;与损伤组相比,3-MA组MDC染色结果表明,自噬水平降低。Western印迹结果表明,LC3-II/LC3-I值下降;细胞内ROS水平升高,增加到正常组的208%。MDA含量增加(P<0.001),CAT、SOD酶活力降低(P<0.001)。综上结果表明,自噬抑制剂可增加H2O2诱导的PC12细胞损伤模型的氧化应激水平,增加细胞凋亡。     

Nrf2抗氧化的分子调控机制

Nrf2是调控细胞氧化应激反应的重要转录因子,同时也是维持细胞内氧化还原稳态的中枢调节者。Nrf2通过诱导调控一系列抗氧化蛋白的组成型和诱导型表达,可以减轻活性氧和亲电体引起的细胞损伤,使细胞处于稳定状态,维持机体氧化还原动态平衡。本研究为了从分子层面深入探讨剖析Nrf2发挥抗氧化功能的作用机制,通过查找阅读大量相关文献并进行整理归纳,最终从Nrf2的结构与激活、Nrf2抗氧化功能以及Nrf2抗氧化的分子调控机制三个方面进行了概述分析。其中在对Nrf2抗氧化的分子调控机制的探讨部分,既探析了对Nrf2起激活作用的相关调节因子的作用机制,又分析了Nrf2被激活后对其下游多种抗氧化因子及谷胱甘肽氧化还原系统的诱导调控机制,以期较深入了解Nrf2抵抗机体氧化应激损伤作用及其抗氧化分子调控机制。     

Nrf2/ARE通路相关因子在脂肪变性HepG2细胞中的表达及其意义

目的:探讨建立一种新型的脂肪变性人肝癌细胞(Hep G2)模型,观察核因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2)/抗氧化反应元件(ARE)通路相关因子在脂肪变性Hep G2细胞中的表达及其意义。方法:Hep G2细胞给予含25%的胎牛血清、0.1%医用脂肪乳和0.1 mmol/L游离脂肪酸(FFA)的DMEM培养基分阶段诱导后,建立脂肪变性Hep G2细胞模型,并设置对照组。模型成功后,以油红O染色观察细胞内脂滴形成状况,并用全自动生化仪检测细胞内甘油三酯(TG)含量;采用流式细胞仪测定细胞内活性氧(ROS)的含量,采用生物试剂盒检测细胞内一氧化氮(NO)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)含量及活性的变化;运用Western blot法检测各组细胞Nrf2、血红素氧化酶-1(HO-1)和醌氧化还原酶1(NQO1)蛋白的表达。结果:与对照组比较,模型组油红O染色可见细胞内橘红色脂滴大量形成,TG、ROS、NO、MDA含量水平明显增高(P0.05,P0.01),SOD、GSHPx活性明显下降(P0.01),Nrf2、HO-1和NQO1蛋白表达均显著增高(P0.05,P0.01)。结论:本模型可以成功诱导Hep G2细胞发生脂肪变性和氧化应激损伤状态;Nrf2/ARE通路下游相关因子发生激活可能与脂肪变性Hep G2细胞氧化应激的过度反应有关。     

氧化应激对肝星状细胞转录因子Nrf2核转位的影响

目的:研究细胞转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2,Nrf2)在大鼠肝星状细胞系HSC-T6中的表达及氧化应激对其核转位的影响.方法:将大鼠肝星状细胞(HSC-T6)分成空白对照组和氧化应激组,氧化应激组加入100mU/ml葡萄糖氧化酶(glucose oxidase,GO)干预2h制备细胞氧化应激模型,空白对照组予以DMEM正常培养未进行GO干预.Western blot方法检测Nrf2总蛋白及核蛋白的变化,细胞免疫化学法观察HSC-T6细胞Nrf2核转位情况,流式细胞术检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species,ROS)水平的变化,分光光度法检测细胞丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)、谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)水平.结果:1氧化应激组ROS及MDA水平较空白对照组显著升高(P<0.01).2 WB显示Nrf2总蛋白在两组的表达无显著差异,而Nrf2核蛋白在空白对照组中无明显表达,在氧化应激组表达明显增加;ICC显示空白对照组中Nrf2蛋白仅在胞浆中表达;而氧化应激组胞核和胞浆中均可见Nrf2蛋白表达.3氧化应激组GSH水平较空白对照组显著升高(P<0.01).结论:在氧化应激过程中Nrf2发生核转位从而发挥其生物学功能.     

EGCG对高糖诱导的HK-2细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用

探究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸脂(EGCG)对高糖诱导的人肾小管上皮细胞HK-2氧化应激损伤的保护作用及其相关机制。用EGCG干预可以显著提高HK-2细胞抗氧化能力,抑制高糖诱导的细胞内ROS水平升高,提高细胞活力(P0.05),并呈现剂量依赖效应。同时,研究发现EGCG能显著诱导HK-2细胞Nrf2核转位,并且其下游的Ⅱ相解毒酶HO-1蛋白表达水平也相应提高,Nrf2 mRNA的表达含量也相应升高(P0.05)。说明EGCG可能通过激活Nrf2/ARE通路,发挥对高糖诱导的HK-2细胞氧化应激损伤的保护作用。     

Effects of L-carnitine against oxidative stress in human hepatocytes: involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha

Background

Excessive oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation have been demonstrated to play important roles in the production of liver damage. L-carnitine is a natural substance and acts as a carrier for fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for subsequent beta-oxidation. It is also an antioxidant that reduces metabolic stress in the cells. Recent years L-carnitine has been proposed for treatment of various kinds of disease, including liver injury. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of L-carnitine against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced cytotoxicity in a normal human hepatocyte cell line, HL7702.

Methods

We analyzed cytotoxicity using MTT assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Antioxidant activity and lipid peroxidation were estimated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, activities and protein expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. Expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha and its target genes were evaluated by RT-PCR or western blotting. The role of PPAR-alpha in L-carnitine-enhanced expression of SOD and CAT was also explored. Statistical analysis was performed by a one-way analysis of variance, and its significance was assessed by Dennett''s post-hoc test.

Results

The results showed that L-carnitine protected HL7702 cells against cytotoxity induced by H₂O₂. This protection was related to the scavenging of ROS, the promotion of SOD and CAT activity and expression, and the prevention of lipid peroxidation in cultured HL7702 cells. The decreased expressions of PPAR-alpha, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1) and acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX) induced by H₂O₂ can be attenuated by L-carnitine. Besides, we also found that the promotion of SOD and CAT protein expression induced by L-carnitine was blocked by PPAR-alpha inhibitor MK886.

Conclusions

Taken together, our findings suggest that L-carnitine could protect HL7702 cells against oxidative stress through the antioxidative effect and the regulation of PPAR-alpha also play an important part in the protective effect.     

Eriodictyol protects against H(2)O(2)-induced neuron-like PC12 cell death through activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

Eriodictyol, a flavonoid isolated from the Chinese herb Dracocephalum rupestre has long been established as an antioxidant. The present study was designed to explore the protective effects of eriodictyol against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced neurotoxicity with cultured rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) and the possible mechanisms involved. For this purpose, differentiated PC12 cells were cultured and exposed to 200 μM H(2)O(2) in the absence or presence of eriodictyol (20, 40 and 80 μM). In addition, the potential contribution of the Nrf2/ARE neuroprotective pathway in eriodictyol-mediated protection against H(2)O(2)-induced neurotoxicity was also investigated. The results showed that H(2)O(2)-induced cell death can be inhibited in the presence of eriodictyol as measured by assays for MTT and apoptosis. Further study revealed that eriodictyol induced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, enhanced the expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1) and γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), and increased the levels of intracellular glutathione. Treatment of PC12 cells with Nrf2 small interference RNA abolished eriodictyol-induced HO-1 and γ-GCS expression and its protective effects. In conclusion, these results suggest that eriodictyol upregulates HO-1 and γ-GCS expression through the activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway and protects PC12 cells against H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress.     

何首乌苷通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号通路拮抗H2O2诱导的大鼠海马神经元氧化损伤

探讨脑源性神经营养因子/酪氨酸激酶受体B(BDNF/TrkB)信号通路激活参与何首乌苷(PMG)对过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导神经元氧化应激损伤的保护作用。实验采用神经元原代培养,建立大鼠乳鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤模型。实验结果显示高浓度的H2O2与MTT测定的细胞存活率降低相关,选择细胞存活率在40%~50%之间的200μmol/LH2O2浓度作为氧化应激损伤的实验浓度。与模型组相比,PMG预处理组(200μmol/L)可抑制H2O2诱导的神经元损伤(P<0.001)。TUNEL和β-微管蛋白III荧光染色显示PMG保护H2O2诱导的神经细胞损伤,明显降低细胞凋亡率(P<0.001),细胞骨架形态恢复正常。与PMG+H2O2预处理组相比较,当加入BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路阻断剂K252a后,PMG+H2O2+K252a组神经元细胞存活率大幅度下降(P<0.01),细胞骨架形态呈损伤状态。同时,我们发现PMG预处理恢复H2O2诱导的BDNF和P-TrkB的低表达水平,并且用K252a阻断BDNF/TrkB信号传导抑制了PMG对BDNF和P-TrkB表达水平的影响(P<0.01)。综上所述,何首乌苷可能通过激活BDNF/TrkB信号转导通路及维护神经元骨架的完整,实现对大鼠海马神经元氧化应激损伤的拮抗作用。     

Grape seed procyanidin extract ameliorates lead-induced liver injury via miRNA153 and AKT/GSK-3β/Fyn-mediated Nrf2 activation

Lead-induced hepatotoxicity is characterized by an extensive oxidative stress. Grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) possesses abundant biological activities. Herein, we investigated the protective role of GSPE against lead-induced liver injury and determined the potential molecular mechanisms. In vivo, rats were treated with/without lead acetate (PbAc) (0.05%, w/v) in the presence/absence of GSPE (200 mg/kg). In vitro, hepatocytes were pretreated with/without GSPE (100 μg/ml) in the presence/absence of PbAc (100 μM). PbAc administration to rats resulted in anemia, liver dysfunction, lead accumulation in the bone and liver, oxidative stress, DNA damage and apoptosis. GSPE significantly attenuated these adverse effects, except lead accumulation in liver. GSPE also decreased the expression of miRNA153 and increased the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and levels of its downstream protein, and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation in PbAc-induced liver injury. In primary hepatocytes treated with PbAc, GSPE increased hepatocyte viability and decreased lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species levels. Dietary GSPE attenuated PbAc-induced liver injury in rats via an integrated mechanism associated with the miRNA153 and AKT/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/Fyn-mediated Nrf2 activation.     

Nrf2/HO-1信号通路在人诱导性多能干细胞氧化应激中的作用

氧化应激是诱导性多能干细胞(induced pluripotent stem cell, iPSC)在培养和应用中遇到的一个关键问题,探讨其作用机制具有重要的理论和实践意义。目前有关iPSC氧化应激的研究相对较少,Nrf2/HO-1信号通路在其中的作用尚不明了。因此,本研究以不同浓度的H2O2(100、200、300、400 μmol/L)处理人iPSC(hiPSC),分别在4 h和24 h于倒置显微镜下观察hiPSC及其饲养层细胞SNL氧化损伤的程度,通过碱性磷酸酶（alkaline phosphatase, AP）试剂盒和超氧化物阴离子荧光探针,分别检测hiPSC多能性和细胞活性氧(reactive oxygen species, ROS)水平,并通过qRT-PCR检测H2O2处理4 h后早期应激状态下Nrf2和HO 1 mRNA的表达水平,免疫细胞化学和Western印迹检测p-Nrf2和HO-1蛋白质的表达量。结果表明：hiPSC和SNL细胞的ROS水平呈H2O2剂量依赖性升高。除了100 μmol/L H2O2组hiPSC的细胞形态和多能性保持较好外,其余浓度H2O2均导致hiPSC出现不同程度损伤和死亡。但与SNL细胞相比,hiPSC中ROS水平相对较低,细胞状态也相对较好。SNL细胞中Nrf2和HO-1-mRNA表达的变化幅度与H2O2浓度呈线性相关,而hiPSC中Nrf2和HO-1表达的变化幅度与H2O2浓度之间并未呈现线性相关,其中Nrf2在100 μmol/L H2O2组表达量最高,而HO-1在200 μmol/L H2O2组表达量最高,意味着hiPSC氧化应激调控机制的复杂性。综上结果表明,hiPSC具有较好的抗氧化能力,其相关机制与Nrf2/HO-1信号通路有关,同时也可能涉及到其它相关通路的交互作用。     

Lung endothelial barrier protection by resveratrol involves inhibition of HMGB1 release and HMGB1-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage via an Nrf2-dependent mechanism

High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) contributes to lung vascular hyperpermeability during ventilator-induced lung injury. We aimed to determine whether the natural antioxidant resveratrol protected against HMGB1-induced endothelial hyperpermeability both in vitro and in vivo. We found that HMGB1 decreased vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin expression and increased endothelial permeability, leading to mitochondrial oxidative damage in primary cultured mouse lung vascular endothelial cells (MLVECs). Both the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 mimetic MnTBAP and resveratrol blocked HMGB1-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage, VE-cadherin downregulation, and endothelial hyperpermeability. In in vivo studies, anesthetized male ICR mice were ventilated for 4 h using low tidal volume (6 ml/kg) or high tidal volume (HV_T; 30 ml/kg) ventilation. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with resveratrol immediately before the onset of ventilation. We found that resveratrol attenuated HV_T-associated lung vascular hyperpermeability and HMGB1 production. HV_T caused a significant increase in nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and Nrf2 target gene expression in lung tissues, which was further enhanced by resveratrol treatment. HMGB1 had no effect on Nrf2 activation, whereas resveratrol treatment activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway in HMGB1-treated MLVECs. Moreover, Nrf2 knockdown reversed the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on HMGB1-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage and endothelial hyperpermeability. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol on cyclic stretch-induced HMGB1 mRNA expression in primary cultured MLVECs was also abolished by Nrf2 knockdown. In summary, this study demonstrates that resveratrol protects against lung endothelial barrier dysfunction initiated by HV_T. Lung endothelial barrier protection by resveratrol involves inhibition of mechanical stretch-induced HMGB1 release and HMGB1-induced mitochondrial oxidative damage. These protective effects of resveratrol might be mediated through an Nrf2-dependent mechanism.     

Interplay between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2): implications for preeclampsia

Several recently published studies have suggested that decreasing VEGF levels result in placental oxidative stress in preeclampsia, although the question as to how decreased VEGF concentrations increase oxidative stress still remains unanswered. Here, we show that VEGF activated Nrf2, the main regulating factor of the intracellular redox balance, in the cytotrophic cell line BeWo. In turn, this activated the production of antioxidative enzymes thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase, and heme oxygenase-1, which showed a decrease in their expression in the placentas of preeclamptic women. Nevertheless, this activation occurred without oxidative stress stimulus. As a consequence, the activation of Nrf2 protected BeWo cells against H(2)O(2)/Fe(2+)-induced oxidative damage. We further show that VEGF up-regulated the expression of itself. A positive feedback loop was described in which VEGF activated Nrf2 in an ERK1/2-dependent manner; the up-regulation of HO-1 expression by Nrf2 augmented the production of carbon monoxide, which in turn up-regulated VEGF expression. In conclusion, VEGF induces the Nrf2 pathway to protect against oxidative stress and, via a positive feedback loop, to elevate VEGF expression. Therefore, decreased VEGF bioavailability during preeclampsia may result in higher vulnerability to placental oxidative cell damage and a further reduction of VEGF bioavailability, a vicious circle that may end up in preeclampsia.