Loss of Notch1-dependent p21Waf1/Cip1 expression influences the Notch1 outcome in tumorigenesis

Notch signaling plays a complex role in carcinogenesis, and its signaling pathway has both tumor-suppressor and oncogenic components. In this study we investigated the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on Notch1 signaling outcome in keratinocyte biology. We demonstrate that Notch1 function contributes to the arsenic-induced keratinocyte transformation. We found that acute exposure to arsenite increases oxidative stress and inhibits proliferation of keratinocyte cells by upregulation of p21^waf1/Cip1. The necessity of p21^waf1/Cip1 for arsenite-induced cell death was demonstrated by targeted downregulation of p21^waf1/Cip1 by using RNA interference. We further demonstrated that on acute exposure to arsenite, p21^waf1/Cip1 is upregulated and Notch1 downmodulated, whereas on chronic exposure to arsenite, malignant progression of arsenite-treated keratinocytes cells was accompanied by regained expression and activity of Notch1. Notch1 activity in arsenite-transformed keratinocytes inhibits arsenite-induced upregulation of p21^waf1/Cip1 by sustaining c-myc expression. We further demonstrated that c-myc collaborates with Nrf2, a key regulator for the maintenance of redox homeostasis, to promote metabolic activities that support cell proliferation and cytoprotection. Therefore, Notch1-mediated repression of p21^waf1/Cip1 expression results in the inhibition of cell death and keratinocytes transformation. Our results not only demonstrate that sustained Notch1 expression is at least one key event implicated in the arsenite human skin carcinogenic effect, but also may provide mechanistic insights into the molecular aspects that determine whether Notch signaling will be either oncogenic or tumor suppressive.     

Redox control of cell fate by MAP kinase: physiological roles of ASK1-MAP kinase pathway in stress signaling

The intracellular redox state is a key determinant of cell fate, such as cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Redox imbalance is closely linked to a variety of human diseases, so that the intracellular redox condition should be tightly regulated. The redox state of the cell is a consequence of the precise balance between the levels of oxidizing and reducing equivalents, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants. ROS are not only toxicants to the cell, but also second messengers in intracellular signal transduction, and control the action of several signaling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is a MAP kinase kinase kinase of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase pathways, which is preferentially activated in response to various types of stress such as oxidative stress and plays pivotal roles in a wide variety of cellular responses. Recent studies have revealed that ASK1 is also required for innate immune response through ROS production. In this review, we focus on redox control of cell function by MAP kinase signaling, and provide the advanced mechanism of redox-regulated ASK1 activation and physiological roles of the ASK1-MAP kinase pathway in stress signaling.     

活性氧对NF-κB活性及JNK信号通路的调节

活性氧（ROS）是生物体有氧代谢过程中产生的一类活性含氧化合物的总称,机体细胞可通过多种途径维持ROS产生与降解的动态平衡。研究表明,活性氧可作为第二信使调节与细胞增殖、分化、凋亡相关的信号转导通路。c-JunN端激酶（JNK）通路可以介导氧化应激、细胞因子、紫外照射等引起的细胞凋亡。另外,κ基因结合核因子（NF-κB）是氧化应激调节的靶因子之一,同样也能诱导促进细胞内的氧化应激反应,还可通过活性氧蓄积抑制JNK的激活。简要综述活性氧对NF-κB和JNK信号通路的调节。     

Ellagic acid inhibits PKC signaling by improving antioxidant defense system in murine T cell lymphoma

Antioxidants protect the cells from the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Production of ROS during cellular metabolism is balanced by their removal by antioxidants. Any condition leading to increased levels of ROS results in oxidative stress, which participates in multistage carcinogenesis by causing oxidative DNA damage, mutations in the proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Antioxidant defense system is required to overcome the process of carcinogenesis generated by ROS. Antioxidant enzymes are major contributors to endogenous antioxidant defense system. Protein kinase C (PKC) is generally involved in cell proliferation and its over expression leads to abnormal tumor growth. Out of three classes of PKC, classical PKC is mainly involved in cell proliferation and tumor growth. Classical PKC initiates signaling pathway and leads to activation of a number of downstream protein via activation of NF-κB. Therefore any agent which can promotes the endogenous antioxidant defense system should be able to down regulate PKC and NF-κB activation and thus may be useful in reducing cancer progression. To investigate this hypothesis we have tested the effect of antioxidant ellagic acid on antioxidant enzymes and PKC signaling in Dalton’s lymphoma bearing (DL) mice. DL mice were treated with three different doses of ellagic acid. The treatment significantly increases the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and down regulates the expression of classical isozymes of PKC as well as the activation of NF-κB, indicating that ellagic acid improves antioxidant defense system and PKC signaling via NF-κB which may contribute to its cancer preventive role.     

Oxidative stress-CBP axis modulates MOB1 acetylation and activates the Hippo signaling pathway

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are constantly produced in cells, an excess of which causes oxidative stress. ROS has been linked to regulation of the Hippo pathway; however, the underlying detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that MOB1, a substrate of MST1/2 and co-activator of LATS1/2 in the canonical Hippo pathway, interacts with and is acetylated at lysine 11 by acetyltransferase CBP and deacetylated by HDAC6. MOB1-K11 acetylation stabilizes itself by reducing its binding capacity with E3 ligase Praja2 and subsequent ubiquitination. MOB1-K11 acetylation increases its phosphorylation and activates LATS1. Importantly, upstream oxidative stress signals promote MOB1 acetylation by suppressing CBP degradation, independent of MST1/2 kinase activity and HDAC6 deacetylation effect, thereby linking oxidative stress to activation of the Hippo pathway. Functionally, the acetylation-deficient mutant MOB1-K11R promotes lung cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and accelerates tumor growth in vivo, compared to the wild-type MOB1. Clinically, acetylated MOB1 corresponds to better prediction of overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, as demonstrated, an oxidative stress-CBP regulatory axis controls MOB1-K11 acetylation and activates LATS1, thereby activating the Hippo pathway and suppressing YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation and tumor progression.     

In vitro identification of mitochondrial oxidative stress production by time-resolved fluorescence imaging of glioma cells

Oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis are important features, by which cells could bypass oxidative stress. The level of oxidative stress, and the ability of cells to promote oxidative phosphorylation or glycolysis, significantly determined proliferation or cell demise. In the present work, we have employed selective mitochondrial probe MitoTracker? Orange CMTM/Ros (MTO) to estimate the level of oxidative stress in cancer cells at different stressed conditions. MTO is partially sensitive to decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential and to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in mitochondria. We have demonstrated, that fluorescence lifetime of MTO is much more sensitive to oxidative stress than intensity-based approaches. This method was validated in different cancer cell lines. Our approach revealed, at relatively low ROS levels, that Gö 6976, a protein kinase C (PKC) α inhibitor, and rottlerin, an indirect PKCδ inhibitor, increased mitochondrial ROS level in glioma cell. Their involvement in oxidative phosphorylation and apoptosis was investigated with oxygen consumption rate estimation, western blot and flow-cytometric analysis. Our study brings new insight to identify feeble differences in ROS production in living cells.     

Modification of oxidative stress on gene expression profiling in the rat infarcted heart

Cardiac oxidative stress is developed following myocardial infarction (MI) particularly in the first week of MI. The influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on gene expression profiling and molecular pathways in the infarcted myocardium remains uncertain and is explored in the present study. Rats with MI were treated with or without antioxidants for 1 week. Normal rats served as controls. Cardiac oxidative stress and gene profiling were investigated. Compared to normal hearts, malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly increased in the infarcted myocardium, which was significantly suppressed by antioxidants. Microarray assay showed that over a thousand genes were differentially expressed in the infarcted myocardium. Antioxidants significantly altered the expression of 159 genes compared to untreated MI rats. Ingenuity pathway analysis indicated that multiple pathway networks were affected by antioxidants, including those related to cell movement, growth/development, death, and inflammatory/fibrotic responses. IPA further identified that these changes were primarily related to NFκB, p38 MAPK, and ERκ1/2 pathways. Hub genes were identified in the associated gene networks. This study reveals the gene networks associated with cardiac oxidative stress postMI. These observations indicate that ROS regulate various molecular and cellular actions related to cardiac repair/remodeling through multiple gene networks.     

The roles of cellular reactive oxygen species,oxidative stress and antioxidants in pregnancy outcomes

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products of aerobic respiration and metabolism. Mammalian cells have evolved a variety of enzymatic mechanisms to control ROS production, one of the central elements in signal transduction pathways involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Antioxidants also ensure defenses against ROS-induced damage to lipids, proteins and DNA. ROS and antioxidants have been implicated in the regulation of reproductive processes in both animal and human, such as cyclic luteal and endometrial changes, follicular development, ovulation, fertilization, embryogenesis, embryonic implantation, and placental differentiation and growth. In contrast, imbalances between ROS production and antioxidant systems induce oxidative stress that negatively impacts reproductive processes. High levels of ROS during embryonic, fetal and placental development are a feature of pregnancy. Consequently, oxidative stress has emerged as a likely promoter of several pregnancy-related disorders, such as spontaneous abortions, embryopathies, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm labor and low birth weight. Nutritional and environmental factors may contribute to such adverse pregnancy outcomes and increase the susceptibility of offspring to disease. This occurs, at least in part, via impairment of the antioxidant defense systems and enhancement of ROS generation which alters cellular signalling and/or damage cellular macromolecules. The links between oxidative stress, the female reproductive system and development of adverse pregnancy outcomes, constitute important issues in human and animal reproductive medicine. This review summarizes the role of ROS in female reproductive processes and the state of knowledge on the association between ROS, oxidative stress, antioxidants and pregnancy outcomes in different mammalian species.     

Screening of dietary antioxidants against mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress by visualization of intracellular redox state

Mitochondrial impairment and the resulting generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been associated with aging and its related pathological conditions. Recently, dietary antioxidants have gained significant attention as potential preventive and therapeutic agents against ROS-generated aging and pathological conditions. We previously demonstrated that food-derived antioxidants prevented intracellular oxidative stress under proteasome inhibition conditions, which was attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS generation, followed by cell death. Here, we further screened dietary antioxidants for their activity as redox modulators by visualization of the redox state using Redoxfluor, a fluorescent protein redox probe. Direct alleviation of ROS by antioxidants, but not induction of antioxidative enzymes, prevented mitochondria-mediated intracellular oxidation. The effective antioxidants scavenged mitochondrial ROS and suppressed cell death. Our study indicates that redox visualization under mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress is useful for screening potential antioxidants to counteract mitochondrial dysfunction, which has been implicated in aging and the pathogenesis of aging-related diseases.     

Altered iron homeostasis involvement in arsenite-mediated cell transformation

Chronic exposure to low doses of arsenite causes transformation of human osteogenic sarcoma (HOS) cells. Although oxidative stress is considered important in arsenite-induced cell transformation, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which arsenite transforms human cells are still unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether altered iron homeostasis, known to affect cellular oxidative stress, can contribute to the arsenite-mediated cell transformation. Using arsenite-induced HOS cell transformation as a model, it was found that total iron levels are significantly higher in transformed HOS cells in comparison to parental control HOS cells. Under normal iron metabolism conditions, iron homeostasis is tightly controlled by inverse regulation of ferritin and transferrin receptor (TfR) through iron regulatory proteins (IRP). Increased iron levels in arsenite transformed cells should theoretically lead to higher ferritin and lower TfR in these cells than in controls. However, the results showed that both ferritin and TfR are decreased, apparently through two different mechanisms. A lower ferritin level in cytoplasm was due to the decreased mRNA in the arsenite-transformed HOS cells, while the decline in TfR was due to a lowered IRP-binding activity. By challenging cells with iron, it was further established that arsenite-transformed HOS cells are less responsive to iron treatment than control HOS cells, which allows accumulation of iron in the transformed cells, as exemplified by significantly lower ferritin induction. On the other hand, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an antioxidant previously shown to suppress As-mediated cell transformation, prevents As-mediated ferritin depletion. In conclusion, our results suggest that altered iron homeostasis contributes to arsenite-induced oxidative stress and, thus, may be involved in arsenite-mediated cell transformation.     

RAS/MAPK signaling functions in oxidative stress,DNA damage response and cancer progression

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways organize a great constitution network that regulates several physiological processes, like cell growth, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death. Due to the crucial importance of this signaling pathway, dysregulation of the MAPK signaling cascades is involved in the pathogenesis of various human cancer types. Oxidative stress and DNA damage are two important factors which in common lead to carcinogenesis through dysregulation of this signaling pathway. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a common subproduct of oxidative energy metabolism and are considered to be a significant physiological modulator of several intracellular signaling pathways including the MAPK pathway. Studies demonstrated that the MAP kinases extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 were activated in response to oxidative stress. In addition, DNA damage is a partly common circumstance in cell life and may result in mutation, cancer, and even cell death. Recently, accumulating evidence illustrated that the MEK/ERK pathway is associated with the suitable performance of cellular DNA damage response (DDR), the main pathway of tumor suppression. During DDR, the MEK/ERK pathway is regularly activated, which contributes to the appropriate activation of DDR checkpoints to inhibit cell division. Therefore, the aim of this review is to comprehensively discuss the critical function of MAPK signaling in oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer progression.     

Cancer-derived immunoglobulin G promotes tumor cell growth and proliferation through inducing production of reactive oxygen species

Cancer cells have been found to express immunoglobulin G (IgG), but the exact functions and underlying mechanisms of cancer-derived IgG remain elusive. In this study, we first confirmed that downregulation of IgG restrained the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate its mechanism, we carried out a co-immunoprecipitation assay in HeLa cells and identified 27 potential IgG-interacting proteins. Among them, receptor of activated protein kinase C 1 (RACK1), ras-related nuclear protein (RAN) and peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) are closely related to cell growth and oxidative stress, which prompted us to investigate the mechanism of action of IgG in the above phenomena. Upon confirmation of the interactions between IgG and the three proteins, further experiments revealed that downregulation of cancer-derived IgG lowered levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by enhancing cellular total antioxidant capacity. In addition, a few ROS scavengers, including catalase (CAT), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), n-acetylcysteine (NAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), further inhibited the growth of IgG-deficient cancer cells through suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway induced by a low level of intracellular ROS, whereas exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at low concentration promoted their survival via increasing intracellular ROS levels. Similar results were obtained in an animal model and human tissues. Taken together, our results demonstrate that cancer-derived IgG can enhance the growth and proliferation of cancer cells via inducing the production of ROS at low level. These findings provide new clues for understanding tumor proliferation and designing cancer therapy.     

Regulation of cytochrome P450 2e1 expression by ethanol: role of oxidative stress-mediated pkc/jnk/sp1 pathway

CYP2E1 metabolizes ethanol leading to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acetaldehyde, which are known to cause not only liver damage but also toxicity to other organs. However, the signaling pathways involved in CYP2E1 regulation by ethanol are not clear, especially in extra-hepatic cells. This study was designed to examine the role of CYP2E1 in ethanol-mediated oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, as well as signaling pathways by which ethanol regulates CYP2E1 in extra-hepatic cells. In this study, we used astrocytic and monocytic cell lines, because they are important cells in central nervous system . Our results showed that 100 mM ethanol significantly induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell death at 24 h in the SVGA astrocytic cell line, which was rescued by a CYP2E1 selective inhibitor, diallyl sulfide (DAS), CYP2E1 siRNA, and antioxidants (vitamins C and E). Further, we showed that DAS and vitamin C abrogated ethanol-mediated (50 mℳ) induction of CYP2E1 at 6 h, as well as production of ROS at 2 h, suggesting the role of oxidative stress in ethanol-mediated induction of CYP2E1. We then investigated the role of the protein kinase C/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/specificity protein1 (PKC/JNK/SP1) pathway in oxidative stress-mediated CYP2E1 induction. Our results showed that staurosporine, a non-specific inhibitor of PKC, as well as specific PKCζ inhibitor and PKCζ siRNA, abolished ethanol-induced CYP2E1 expression. In addition, inhibitors of JNK (SP600125) and SP1 (mithramycin A) completely abrogated induction of CYP2E1 by ethanol in SVGA astrocytes. Subsequently, we showed that CYP2E1 is also responsible for ethanol-mediated oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in U937 monocytic cell lines. Finally, our results showed that PKC/JNK/SP1 pathway is also involved in regulation of CYP2E1 in U937 cells. This study has clinical implications with respect to alcohol-associated neuroinflammatory toxicity among alcohol users.     

SERPINA3K Plays Antioxidant Roles in Cultured Pterygial Epithelial Cells through Regulating ROS System

We recently demonstrated that SERPINA3K, a serine proteinase inhibitor, has antioxidant activity in the cornea. Here we investigated the antioxidant effects of SERPINA3K on the pterygial, which is partially caused by oxidative stress in pathogenesis. The head part of primary pterygial tissue was dissected and then cultured in keratinocyte serum-free defined medium (KSFM). The cultured pterygial epithelial cells (PECs) were treated with SERPINA3K. The cell proliferation and migration of PECs were measured and analyzed. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were performed. It showed that SERPINA3K significantly suppressed the cell proliferation of PECs in a concentration-dependent manner, compared with cultured human conjunctival epithelial cells. SERPINA3K also inhibited the cell migration of PECs. Towards its underlying mechanism, SERPINA3K had antioxidant activities on the PECs by significantly inhibiting NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), which is an important enzyme of ROS generation, and by elevating the levels of key antioxidant factors of ROS: such as NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone 1) (NQO1), NF-E2–related factor-2 (NRF2) and superoxide dismutases (SOD2). Meanwhile, SERPINA3K down-regulated the key effectors of Wnt signaling pathway: β-catenin, nonphospho-β-catenin, and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6). We provided novel evidence that SERPINA3K had inhibitory effects on pterygium and SERPINA3K played antioxidant role via regulating the ROS system and antioxidants.     

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and redox regulation in cellular signaling

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as well as in cellular response to xenobiotics, cytokines, and bacterial invasion. Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance due to excess ROS or oxidants over the capability of the cell to mount an effective antioxidant response. Oxidative stress results in macromolecular damage and is implicated in various disease states such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging. Paradoxically, accumulating evidence indicates that ROS also serve as critical signaling molecules in cell proliferation and survival. While there is a large body of research demonstrating the general effect of oxidative stress on signaling pathways, less is known about the initial and direct regulation of signaling molecules by ROS, or what we term the "oxidative interface." Cellular ROS sensing and metabolism are tightly regulated by a variety of proteins involved in the redox (reduction/oxidation) mechanism. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms through which ROS directly interact with critical signaling molecules to initiate signaling in a broad variety of cellular processes, such as proliferation and survival (MAP kinases, PI3 kinase, PTEN, and protein tyrosine phosphatases), ROS homeostasis and antioxidant gene regulation (thioredoxin, peroxiredoxin, Ref-1, and Nrf-2), mitochondrial oxidative stress, apoptosis, and aging (p66Shc), iron homeostasis through iron-sulfur cluster proteins (IRE-IRP), and ATM-regulated DNA damage response.     

Cell oxidant stress delivery and cell dysfunction onset in type 2 diabetes

Most known pathways of diabetic complications involve oxidative stress. The mitochondria electron transport chain is a significant source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in insulin secretory cells, insulin peripheral sensitive cells and endothelial cells. Elevated intracellular glucose level induces tricarboxylic acid cycle electron donor overproduction and mitochondrial proton gradient increase leading to an increase in electron transporter lifetime. Subsequently, the electrons leaked combine with respiratory oxygen (O₂) resulting in superoxide anion (^•O₂⁻) production. Advanced glycation end products derive ROS via interaction with their receptors. Elevated diacylglycerol and ROS activate the protein kinase C pathway which, in turn, activates NADPH oxidases. A vicious circle of pathway derived ROS installs. Pathologic pathways induced ROS are activated and persistent though glycemia returns to normal due to hyperglycemia memory. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase may produce both superoxide anion (^•O₂⁻) and nitric oxide (NO) leading to peroxynitrite (^•ONOO⁻) generation. Homocysteine is also implicated in oxidative stress pathogenesis. In this paper we have highlighted the pathologic mechanisms of ROS on atherosclerosis, renal dysfunction, retina dysfunction and nerve dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Cell oxidant stress delivery have pivotal role in cell dysfunction onset and progression of angiopathies but an early introduction of good glycemic control may protect cells more efficiently than antioxidants.     

Activation of C-Jun N-terminal kinase is required for glutathione transferase A4 induction during oxidative stress, not during cell proliferation, in mouse hepatocytes

Expression of the mouse glutathione transferase Alpha 4 (mGSTA4) has been studied during hepatocyte isolation and in cultured hepatocytes. Transient mGSTA4 induction during liver disruption correlated to strong oxidative stress and induction of the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Similarly, tumor necrosis factor alpha induced both JNK phosphorylation and mGSTA4 expression while specific JNK inhibitor JNKI1 prevented these two events and JNK activator anisomycin strongly induced mGSTA4 expression. We also found that endogenous JNK and mGSTA4 co-immunoprecipitate. A second mGSTA4 induction occurred 2 days after cell seeding concomitantly to DNA replication and was prevented by treatment with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126. Our data demonstrate that mGSTA4 is strongly increased during oxidative stress possibly via JNK pathway and during proliferation via MEK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway, and suggest that mGSTA4 might be an endogenous regulator of JNK activity by direct binding.     

砷暴露诱导人肝细胞氧化应激过程中NADPH氧化酶作用机制

目的：探讨砷暴露诱导细胞氧化应激的分子机制。方法：采用人正常肝细胞进行亚砷酸钠和砷酸钠的暴露处理,并设相应对照组,采用SOD模拟物MnTMPyP和还原型谷胱甘肽（reducedglutathione,GSH）预处理,检测细胞超氧阴离子（02。）和细胞整体ROS的水平。WestemBlot方法检测细胞氧化／抗氧化重要酶微粒体谷胱甘肽硫转移酶（microsomalglutathioneS-transferase-l,Mgst．1）、半胱氨酸双加氧酶l（cysteinedioxygenasel,Cd01）和NADPH氧化酶的催化亚基NOX4的表达。针对NADPH氧化酶,采用特异性抑制剂（diphenyleneiodoniumchloride,DPI）进行预处理,观察对砷暴露引起的细胞ROS水平及细胞凋亡的影响。结果：砷暴露能够显著诱导细胞超氧阴离子的产生,提高细胞整体ROS水平,其中三价砷（亚砷酸钠,A矿）诱导氧化应激作用显著强于五价砷（砷酸钠,As5＋）。亚砷酸钠能够显著提高NOX4的表达。针对NADPH氧化酶的抑制剂DPI能够显著抑制砷暴露引起的细胞ROS水平升高以及细胞凋亡的增加。结论：NADPH氧化酶是砷暴露诱导人肝细胞的作用靶点,砷能够通过NADPH氧化酶产生大量超氧阴离子,提高ROS水平,造成氧化应激,诱导人正常肝细胞凋亡。