Nitric oxide stimulates Nrf2 nuclear translocation in vascular endothelium

Vascular endothelial cells respond to nitric oxide by activating MAPK pathways and upregulating stress-activated proteins such as gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Since consensus sequences for the antioxidant response element (ARE) are found in the promoters of the gamma-GCS and HO-1 genes, we examined nuclear translocation of Nrf2, a CNC-bZIP protein which binds to and activates the ARE. We found a dramatic increase in Nrf2 nuclear translocation 1-8h following the nitric oxide donor spermine NONOate. Translocation was inhibited by pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcysteine suggesting involvement of an oxidative mechanism in this response. Translocation was also blocked by PD 98059 and SB 203580, inhibitors of ERK and p38 pathways, respectively. In addition to effects on Nrf2 subcellular localization, spermine NONOate increased Nrf2 protein levels by a mechanism which was inhibited by PD 98059. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine, PD 98059, and SB 203580 decreased HO-1 upregulation in spermine NONOate-treated cells. These results suggest that ERK and p38 pathways may regulate nitric oxide-mediated adaptive responses in vascular endothelium via translocation of Nrf2 and activation of the ARE.     

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.     

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.