Transgene expression of thioredoxin (TRX/ADF) protects against 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced hematotoxicity

Differential expression of hepatic genes with embryonic exposure to an environmentally relevant PCB mixture in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The upper Hudson River was contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) Aroclor mixtures from the 1940s until the late 1970s. Several well-established biomarkers, such as induction of hepatic cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, were used to measure exposure to PCBs and similar contaminants in birds. In the present study, Japanese quail eggs were injected with a PCB mixture based upon a congener profile found in spotted sandpiper eggs at the upper Hudson River and subsequently, RNA was extracted from hatchling liver tissue for hybridization to a customized chicken cDNA microarray. Nominal concentrations of the mixture used for microarray hybridization were 0, 6, 12, or 49 μg/g egg. Hepatic gene expression profiles were analyzed using cluster and pathway analyses. Results showed potentially useful biomarkers of both exposure and effect attributed to PCB mixture. Biorag and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis® analyses revealed differentially expressed genes including those involved in glycolysis, xenobiotic metabolism, replication, protein degradation, and tumor regulation. These genes included cytochrome P450 1A5 (CYP1A5), cytochrome b5 (CYB5), NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase, glutathione S-transferase (GSTA), fructose bisphosphate aldolase (ALDOB), glycogen phosphorylase, carbonic anhydrase, and DNA topoisomerase II. CYP1A5, CYB5, GSTA, and ALDOB were chosen for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmation, as these genes exhibited a clear dose response on the array. Data demonstrated that an initial transcriptional profile associated with an environmentally relevant PCB mixture in Japanese quail occurred.

Mouse Models of Oxidative Stress Indicate a Role for Modulating Healthy Aging

Aging is a complex process that affects every major system at the molecular, cellular and organ levels. Although the exact cause of aging is unknown, there is significant evidence that oxidative stress plays a major role in the aging process. The basis of the oxidative stress hypothesis is that aging occurs as a result of an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, which leads to the accrual of damaged proteins, lipids and DNA macromolecules with age. Age-dependent increases in protein oxidation and aggregates, lipofuscin, and DNA mutations contribute to age-related pathologies. Many transgenic/knockout mouse models over expressing or deficient in key antioxidant enzymes have been generated to examine the effect of oxidative stress on aging and age-related diseases. Based on currently reported lifespan studies using mice with altered antioxidant defense, there is little evidence that oxidative stress plays a role in determining lifespan. However, mice deficient in antioxidant enzymes are often more susceptible to age-related disease while mice overexpressing antioxidant enzymes often have an increase in the amount of time spent without disease, i.e., healthspan. Thus, by understanding the mechanisms that affect healthy aging, we may discover potential therapeutic targets to extend human healthspan.

Fragrant unsaturated aldehydes elicit activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 system leading to the upregulation of thioredoxin expression and protection against oxidative stress

Thioredoxin, a key molecule in redox regulation, and many redox enzymes are regulated through the antioxidant responsive element (ARE). To search for antioxidative constituents, we screened extracts from vegetables and found that the extracts of Perilla frutescens and Artemisia princeps have potent thioredoxin-inducing activities. By activity-guided purification of Perilla frutescens extracts, we identified perillaldehyde as a novel thioredoxin inducer. Fragrant unsaturated aldehydes, such as trans-cinnamaldehyde, safranal, 2,4-octadienal, citral, trans-2, cis-6-nonadienal, and trans-2-hexenal showed the ability to activate ARE. Perillaldehyde-induced activation through the ARE was suppressed by the overexpression of wild-type Keap1, whereas sulforaphane-induced activation seemed to be partially suppressed. Mutant Keap1 (R272A/K287A or C273A/C288A) did not suppress this activation. Pretreatment with perillaldehyde reduced the H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity. Thus, we show that fragrant unsaturated aldehydes from edible plants are novel thioredoxin inducers and ARE activators and may be beneficial for protection against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. These results also suggest that perillaldehyde activates the Nrf2-Keap1 system and that the lysine and arginine residues juxtaposed to the critical cysteine residues of Keap1 are required for signal sensing.

Oxygen sensing and redox signaling: the role of thioredoxin in embryonic development and cardiac diseases

It is important to regulate the oxygen concentration and scavenge oxygen radicals throughout the life of animals. In mammalian embryos, proper oxygen concentration gradually increases in utero and excessive oxygen is rather toxic during early embryonic development. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by-products in the respiratory system and increased under inflammatory conditions. In the pathogenesis of a variety of adult human diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders, ROS cause an enhancement of tissue injuries. ROS promote not only the development of atherosclerosis but also tissue injury during the reperfusion process. The thioredoxin (TRX) system is one of the most important mechanisms for regulating the redox balance. TRX is a small redox active protein distributed ubiquitously in various mammalian tissues and cells. TRX acts as not only an antioxidant but also an anti-inflammatory and an antiapoptotic protein. TRX is induced by oxidative stress and released from cells in response to oxidative stress. In various human diseases, the serum/plasma level of TRX is a well-recognized biomarker of oxidative stress. Here we discuss the roles of TRX on oxygen stress and redox regulation from different perspectives, in embryogenesis and in adult diseases focusing on cardiac disorders.

The thioredoxin system in retroviral infection and apoptosis

Human thioredoxin (TRX) was first identified in human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-positive T-cell lines and is associated with the pathophysiology of retroviral infections. TRX is a vital component of the thiol-reducing system and regulates various cellular function (redox regulation). Members of the TRX system regulate apoptosis through a wide variety of mechanisms. A family of thioredoxin-dependent peroxidases (peroxiredoxins) protects against apoptosis by scavenging hydrogen peroxide. Thioredoxin 2 is a critical regulator of cytochrome c release and mitochondrial apoptosis; transmembrane thioredoxin-related molecule (TMX) has a protective role in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis. TRX interacts with apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and is a sensor of oxidative stress. Thioredoxin binding protein-2/vitamin D(3) upregulated protein 1 is a growth suppressor and its expression is suppressed in HTLV-I-transformed cells. Studies of these molecules of the TRX system provide novel insights into the apoptosis associated with retroviral diseases.

Induction of Thioredoxin and Mitochondrial Survival Proteins Mediates Preconditioning-Induced Cardioprotection and Neuroprotection

Delayed cardio- and neuroprotection are observed following a preconditioning procedure evoked by a brief and nontoxic oxidative stress due to deprivation of oxygen, glucose, serum, trophic factors, and/or antioxidative enzymes. Preconditioning protection can be observed in vivo and is under clinical trials for preservation of cell viability following organ transplants of liver. Previous studies indicated that ischemic preconditioning increases the expression of heat-shock proteins (HSPs) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Our pilot studies indicate that the treatment of neuronal NOS inhibitor (7-nitroindazole) and 6Br-cGMP blocks and mimics, respectively, preconditioning protection in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. This minireview focuses on nitric oxide-mediated cellular adaptation and the related cGMP/PKG signaling pathway in a compensatory mechanism underlying preconditioning-induced hormesis. Both preconditioning and 6Br-cGMP increase the induction of human thioredoxin (Trx) mRNA and protein for cytoprotection, which is largely prevented by transfection of cells with Trx antisense but not sense oligonucleotides. Cytosolic Trx1 and mitochondrial Trx2 suppress free radical formation, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis; knock out/down of either Trx1 or Trx2 is detrimental to cell survival. Other recent findings indicate that a transgenic increase of Trx in mice increases tolerance against oxidative nigral injury caused by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Trx1 can be translocated into nucleus and phosphoactivated CREB for a delayed induction of mitochondrial anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and antioxidative MnSOD that is known to increase vitality and survival of cells in the brain and the heart. In conclusion, preconditioning adaptation or a brief oxidative stress induces a delayed nitric oxide-mediated compensatory mechanism for cell survival and vitality in the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. Preconditioning-induced adaptive tolerance may be signaling through a cGMP-dependent induction of cytosolic redox protein Trx1 and subsequently mitochondrial proteins such as Bcl-2, MnSOD, and perhaps Trx2 or HSP70.

Redox regulation by thioredoxin in cardiovascular diseases

Increasing evidence has indicated that the modulation of intracellular redox states has important aspects to cellular events, such as cellular proliferation, activation, growth inhibition, or death via the regulation of intracellular signal transduction and gene expression. Thioredoxin (TRX) is a multifunctional stress-inducible protein, which protects cells from various types of stresses. TRX has not only a scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species, but also a regulating activity of various intracellular molecules including transcription factors. We demonstrated that the serum TRX levels are correlated with the severity of heart failure, and are negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fractions of patients with heart failure. The expression of TRX is enhanced in endothelial cells and macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques, in balloon-injured rat arteries, and in damaged cardiomyocytes of rats with acute myocarditis. Overexpression of TRX in transgenic mice attenuates adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity by reducing oxidative stresses. These findings suggest that TRX and the redox system modulated by TRX have an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of TCDD upon IkappaB and IKK subunits localized in microsomes by proteomics

Biochemical studies have shown that microsomes represent an important subcellular fraction for determining 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) effects. Proteomic analysis by two-dimensional gel-mass spectrometry of liver microsomes was undertaken to gain new insight into the actions of TCDD in male and female rats. Proteomic analysis showed TCDD induced several xenobiotic metabolism enzymes as well as a protein at 90kDa identified by mass spectrometry as IkappaB kinase beta/IKK2. This observation led to the discovery of other NF-kappaB binding proteins and kinases in microsomes and effects by TCDD. Western blotting for IKK and IkappaB family members in microsomes showed a distinct pattern from cytosol. IKK1 and IKK2 were both present in microsomes and were catalytically active although, unlike cytosol, IKKgamma/NEMO was not detectable. TCDD exposure produced an elevation in cytosolic and microsomal IKK activity of both genders. The NF-kappaB binding proteins IkappaBbeta and IkappaBgamma were prevalent in microsomes, while IkappaBalpha and IkappaB epsilon proteins were absent. TCDD treatment produced hyperphosphorylation of microsomal IkappaBbeta in both sexes with females being most sensitive. In cytosol, IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, and IkappaB epsilon, but not IkappaBgamma, were clearly observed but were not changed by TCDD. Overall, proteomic analysis indicated the presence of NF-kappaB pathway members in microsomes, selectively altered by dioxin, which may influence immune and inflammatory responses within the liver.