Nrf1结构及功能研究进展

NF-E2相关因子1(Nrf1)属于CNC碱性亮氨酸拉链(basic-leucine-zipper,bZIP)调节蛋白家族。研究表明Nrf1与Nrf2有相似的下游靶基因,在抗氧化应激反应中发挥重要作用。新近发现,Nrf1在细胞组织分化发育、炎症及肝脏成瘤等方面发挥重要功能。本文将近几十年来发表的以细胞或基因敲除鼠为工具的Nrf1研究内容进行综述。     

COX-2/Nrf2/ARE信号通路与体内外的抗炎、抗氧化作用机理

近年新研究发现COX-2可使用比COX-1更广泛的底物。比如,除了标准的花生四烯酸外,COX-2也能将二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）和二十碳五烯酸（EPA）等转换成前列腺素衍生物。这些前列腺素衍生物可进一步转化成促进消炎、抗氧化的亲电羰基衍生物（EFOX）分子,并且可以从Keap1解离转录因子Nrf2,继而可以激活多种与抗氧化相关的含ARE应答元件的基因,如血红素氧化酶-1、谷胱甘肽还原酶等。COX-2的这些新功能有可能帮助更好地理解Nrf2/ARE信号通路及其抗炎、抗氧化、诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡等机理。对外源性抗氧化剂触发体内的抗氧化基因及抗炎信号的可能性,以及与饮食相关的抗衰老机理进行探讨。     

Nrf2/ARE通路在抗病原生物感染中的作用研究进展

氧化应激反应是病原生物感染并致病的重要环节,病原生物感染可诱导宿主细胞产生大量的活性氧(ROS)或直接激活Nrf2/ARE通路,产生一系列保护性蛋白,保护宿主细胞抵抗氧化应激损伤。转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(Nrf2)是宿主细胞调节抗氧化应激的一种关键转录因子,可与抗氧化反应元件(ARE)相互作用,诱导抗氧化酶/Ⅱ相解毒酶基因的表达,从而在细胞保护防御中发挥重要作用。Nrf2的表达活性与病原生物感染密切相关,对N rf2/ARE通路在抗病原生物感染中的最新研究进展进行了综述。     

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在动脉粥样硬化中的作用

氧化应激是动脉粥样硬化的重要发病机制之一,降低体内氧化应激水平对预防和治疗动脉粥样硬化具有重要意义。核因子-红细胞相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, Nrf2)属于CNC亮氨酸拉链转录激活因子家族,是内源性抗氧化途径的中枢转录因子,能调节抗氧化因子的表达,对动脉粥样硬化的预防和治疗具有重要作用。近年来,关于Nrf2在动脉粥样硬化中的研究表明,Nrf2可能是动脉粥样硬化的潜在治疗靶点。本文总结了Nrf2在动脉粥样硬化中作用的最新研究进展。     

Nrf2在阿尔茨海默病中的研究现状

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是最常见的神经系统变性疾病,主要病理特征为细胞外老年斑(senile plaques,SP)和细胞内神经原纤维缠结(neurofibrillary tangles,NFT)形成.但其发病机制不清,涉及多种病理学变化如炎症反应、氧化应激、线粒体功能障碍、细胞凋亡以及突触功能障碍等.核因子E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,Nrf2)是经典的调控机体抗氧化应激反应的核转录因子.Nrf2激活后诱导抗氧化蛋白的表达,提高机体的抗氧化应激能力.随着Nrf2抗氧化应激作用研究的深入,发现Nrf2不仅能够通过抗氧化应激延缓AD的发生发展,且在AD的病理性沉积物的清除、抗炎、抗凋亡、神经营养等方面扮演着重要的角色.近年来,由于多种针对单一靶点的抗AD药物临床试验的失败,有学者提出Nrf2可能是实现AD多靶点疗法的重要因子.因此,本文对Nrf2在AD中的研究现状做一综述,为寻找治疗AD潜在的生物学靶点提供理论依据.     

转录因子Nrf2在肝脏疾病中的作用

NF-E2相关因子2(nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2,Nrf2)是一种能调节肝脏中大量解毒和抗氧化防御基因表达的重要转录因子.氧化应激与各种形式的肝损伤有密切的关系.Nrf2由亲电体压力或氧化应激激活,并通过结合抗氧化反应元件(antioxidant response element,ARE)诱导其靶基因,从而对细胞产生保护作用.因此,Nrf2通路在肝脏疾病中的作用已被深入研究.多种动物模型研究结果表明,Nrf2通路通过靶基因表达,在对抗病毒性肝炎、药物性肝损伤、酒精性肝病、非酒精性脂肪肝及肝癌方面表现出了不同的生物功能.根据Nrf2及其信号通路在对抗肝损伤中产生保护作用的相关文献,本文综述并讨论了其作为治疗肝损伤的药物作用靶点方面可能的应用前景.     

Nrf2/ARE信号通路与胃癌耐药关系的研究进展

胃癌是癌症死亡的第二大原因。化疗是胃癌治疗的主要方法之一,胃癌化疗失败的主要原因是对化疗药物的耐受。Nrf2/ARE信号通路与肿瘤耐药的关系是当前的研究热点。转录因子Nrf2作为抗氧化反应中的关键转录因子,可以与抗氧化反应元件ARE结合,正向调节II相解毒酶、抗氧化酶及某些药物转运泵基因等靶基因的表达,诱导胃癌耐药性的产生。该综述整理归纳了Nrf2/ARE信号通路与胃癌耐药之间的关系。     

Nrf2信号通路在复发性外阴阴道念珠菌病发病机制中的作用CSCD

复发性外阴阴道念珠菌病是一种由念珠菌机会感染引起的皮肤黏膜疾病,其发病机制复杂,而念珠菌的侵袭与宿主诱发因素是复发性外阴阴道念珠菌病的主要致病因素。其中,念珠菌可通过多种方式攻击宿主细胞和逃避宿主免疫系统而导致机体损伤。Nrf2信号通路是细胞抗氧化的主要调控机构,同时也是一种重要的免疫调节机构。一方面,Nrf2通路可下调NF-κB通路和促进Th17、Treg、Th1细胞的活化,启动宿主适应性免疫;同时,Nrf2通路可激活树突状细胞介导机体固有免疫。另一方面,Nrf2通路还可通过抗氧化应激损伤来阻止阴道炎的发展。该文对Nrf2通路在复发性念珠菌性阴道炎发病机制中的抗氧化应激和免疫调节作用进行综述,旨在研究Nrf2信号通路与复发性外阴阴道念珠菌病发病机制间的关系,从而指导临床治疗复发性外阴阴道念珠菌病。     

Nrf2及天然产物导向的Nrf2激活剂研究进展

氧化应激能够破坏细胞内氧化还原平衡,造成系统和组织损伤,最终引起一系列疾病的产生。转录因子E2相关因子2(Nrf2),受Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白1(Keap1)蛋白的调控,是细胞氧化应激反应中的关键因子,在氧化应激条件下,Nrf2从Keap1中分离,然后进入细胞核与抗氧化反应元件(ARE)结合,增加了Ⅱ相解毒酶的表达,保护细胞免受氧化损伤。天然产物对于药物发现具有重要意义,研究显示,Nrf2激活剂绝大多数也是天然产物或天然产物的衍生物。本文介绍Nrf2-Keap1信号通路的作用机制以及常见的天然产物导向的Nrf2激活剂。     

Involvement of Nrf2 and Keap1 in the activation of antioxidant responsive element (ARE) by chemopreventive agent peptides from soft-shelled turtle

The antioxidant response element (ARE) is a cis-acting enhancer sequence located in the region containing genes related to antioxidant and detoxification. Under oxidative stress, the induction of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ARE is considered as a fundamental process involved in defending reactive oxygen species (ROS) and providing protection against toxic xenobiotics. In this study, we obtained seven antioxidant peptides from soft-shelled turtle and concluded that Glu-Asp-Tyr-Gly-Ala (EDYGA) is the most potent ARE-luciferase inducer. To gain fundamental insights into the role of EDYGA in oxidative stress, we evaluated the effects of EDYGA on the Nrf2/Keap1 system in HepG₂ cells. The results revealed that EDYGA modulated the Nrf2/ARE pathway by enhancing Nrf2 level through the stabilization of Nrf2, which was accomplished by a decrease in the level of Keap1. These actions eventually led to an increase in nuclear Nrf2 accumulation and ARE-binding activity. Moreover, silencing Nrf2 markedly reduced ARE-driven activity induced by EDYGA. Docking results proved that glutamate residues of peptide EDYGA directly bind to Arg 415 of Kelch domain receptor pocke. The results were helpful in understanding the antioxidant activity of peptides from soft-shelled turtle which have potential to be used in foods and drugs as functional ingredients.     

Nutritional strategies to modulate inflammation and oxidative stress pathways via activation of the master antioxidant switch Nrf2

The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays an important role in cellular protection against cancer, renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases where oxidative stress and inflammation are common conditions. The Nrf2 regulates the expression of detoxifying enzymes by recognizing the human Antioxidant Response Element (ARE) binding site and it can regulate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cellular responses, playing an important protective role on the development of the diseases. Studies designed to investigate how effective Nrf2 activators or modulators are need to be initiated. Several recent studies have shown that nutritional compounds can modulate the activation of Nrf2–Keap1 system. This review aims to discuss some of the key nutritional compounds that promote the activation of Nrf2, which may have impact on the human health.     

Preconditioning by sesquiterpene lactone enhances H2O2-induced Nrf2/ARE activation

The Nrf2/ARE pathway plays a pivotal role in chemoprevention and neuroprotection. Here, we report that sesquiterpene lactones extracted from Calea urticifolia and feverfew increased enhancer activity of the ARE. ARE activation was dependent on the number of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl groups each compound bears and calealactone A (CL-A) harboring 3 of those was the most potent ARE inducer. At subtoxic doses, CL-A induced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene, one of ARE target genes, through activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway involving transient ROS generation and activation of PI3-K/Akt and MAPK pathways. Interestingly, H₂O₂-induced ARE activation and HO-1 induction were potentiated by pretreatment with CL-A at lower concentrations, at which Nrf2/ARE activation by the compound was minimal. These results suggest a possibility that preconditioning by sesquiterpene lactone may enhance activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway and induction of phase II detoxification/antioxidant enzymes upon oxidative stress, thereby resulting in increased resistance to oxidative damage.     

Pterostilbene protects against UVB-induced photo-damage through a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent Nrf2/ARE pathway in human keratinocytes

Objective: Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is the initial etiological factor for various skin disorders, including erythema, sunburn, photoaging, and photocarcinogenesis. Pterostilbene (Pter) displayed remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic activities. This study aimed to investigate the effective mechanism of Pter against UVB-induced photodamage in immortalized human keratinocytes.

Methods: Human keratinocytes were pretreated with Pter (5 and 10?μM) for 24?h prior to UVB irradiation (300?mJ/cm²). Harvested cells were analyzed by MTT, DCFH-DA, comet, western blotting, luciferase promoter, small interference RNA transfection, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay.

Results: Pter significantly attenuated UVB-induced cell death and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and effectively increased nuclear translocation of NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), expression of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant enzymes, and DNA repair activity. Moreover, the protective effects of Pter were abolished by small interference RNA-mediated Nrf2 silencing. Furthermore, Pter was also found to induce the phosphorylation of Nrf2 and the known phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylated kinase, Akt. The specific inhibitor of PI3K, LY294002, successfully abrogated Pter-induced Nrf2 phosphorylation, activation of Nrf2-antioxidant response element pathway, ROS scavenging ability, and DNA repair activity.

Conclusion: The present study indicated that Pter effectively protected against UVB-induced photodamage by increasing endogenous defense mechanisms, scavenging UVB-induced ROS, and aiding in damaged DNA repair through a PI3K-dependent activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway.     

Gualou Guizhi Granule Protects Against Oxidative Injury by Activating Nrf2/ARE Pathway in Rats and PC12 Cells

Stroke involves numerous pathophysiological processes and oxidative stress is considered as a main cellular event in its pathogenesis. The nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway plays a key role in inducing phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant proteins and is now considered as a interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of stroke. The objective of this study is to investigate the protective effect of Gualou Guizhi granule (GLGZG) against oxidative stress and explore the protective mechanism of the Nrf2/ARE pathway. In vivo, administration of GLGZG in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia significantly suppressed oxidative injury by increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione level and decreasing reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels. Western blot analysis showed that GLGZG induced nuclear translocation of Nrf2, and combined with real-time PCR results, which indicated that GLGZG up-regulated the Nrf2/ARE pathway. In addition, in cultured PC12 cells, GLGZG protected against H₂O₂ induced oxidative injury and activated the Nrf2/ARE pathway. All the results demonstrated that GLGZG in the management of cerebral ischemia and H₂O₂ induced oxidative injury may be associated with activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.