NADPH oxidases 2 activation in patients with Parkinson's disease

Structure, Activation, and Regulation of NOX2: At the Crossroad between the Innate Immunity and Oxidative Stress-Mediated Pathologies

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) is a multisubunit enzyme complex that participates in the generation of superoxide or hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and plays a key role in several biological functions. Among seven known NOX isoforms, NOX2 was the first identified in phagocytes but is also expressed in several other cell types including endothelial cells, platelets, microglia, neurons, and muscle cells. NOX2 has been assigned multiple roles in regulating many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity, and human and mouse models of NOX2 genetic deletion highlighted this key role. On the other side, NOX2 hyperactivation is involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases with different etiologies but all are characterized by an increase in oxidative stress and inflammatory process. From this point of view, the modulation of NOX2 represents an important therapeutic strategy aimed at reducing the damage associated with its hyperactivation. Although pharmacological strategies to selectively modulate NOX2 are implemented thanks to new biotechnologies, this field of research remains to be explored. Therefore, in this review, we analyzed the role of NOX2 at the crossroads between immunity and pathologies mediated by its hyperactivation. We described (1) the mechanisms of activation and regulation, (2) human, mouse, and cellular models studied to understand the role of NOX2 as an enzyme of innate immunity, (3) some of the pathologies associated with its hyperactivation, and (4) the inhibitory strategies, with reference to the most recent discoveries.

RRx-001 Exerts Neuroprotection Against LPS-Induced Microglia Activation and Neuroinflammation Through Disturbing the TLR4 Pathway

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many central nervous system diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of an anti-cancer compound RRx-001 on neuroinflammation and its possible new applications. BV2 cells and primary microglia cells were used to evaluate the role of RRx-001 in LPS-induced microglial activation and inflammatory response in vitro. And, we found that the increase in the synthesis and release of cytokines and the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory factors in LPS-treated microglial cells were significantly reduced by RRx-001 pretreatment. As the most classical inflammatory pathways, NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways were activated by LPS, but were inhibited by RRx-001. Transcription of NLRP3 was also reduced by RRx-001. In addition, LPS induced oxidative stress by increasing the expression of Nox mediated by transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1, while RRx-001 pretreatment ameliorated Nox-mediated oxidative stress. LPS-induced activation of TAK1, an upstream regulator of NF-κB and MAPK pathways, was significantly inhibited by RRx-001 pretreatment, whereas recruitment of MyD88 to TLR4 was not affected by RRx-001. LPS-primed BV2 condition medium induced injury of primary neurons, and this effect was inhibited by RRx-001. Furthermore, we established a neuroinflammatory mouse model by stereotactic injection of LPS into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and RRx-001 dose-dependently reduced LPS-induced microglial activation and loss of TH + neurons in the midbrain. In conclusion, the current study found that RRx-001 suppressed microglia activation and neuroinflammation through targeting TAK1, and may be a candidate for the treatment of neuroinflammation-related brain diseases.

Pharmacological Modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway as a Therapeutic Target of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder featuring both motor and nonmotor symptoms associated with a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PD. Genetic and environmental factors can produce OS, which has been implicated as a core contributor to the initiation and progression of PD through the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) orchestrates activation of multiple protective genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which protects cells from OS. Nrf2 has also been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects and modulate both mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Recently, a series of studies have reported that different bioactive compounds were shown to be able to activate Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) and can ameliorate PD-associated neurotoxin, both in animal models and in tissue culture. In this review, we briefly overview the sources of OS and the association between OS and the pathogenesis of PD. Then, we provided a concise overview of Nrf2/ARE pathway and delineated the role played by activation of Nrf2/HO-1 in PD. At last, we expand our discussion to the neuroprotective effects of pharmacological modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 by bioactive compounds and the potential application of Nrf2 activators for the treatment of PD. This review suggests that pharmacological modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway by bioactive compounds is a therapeutic target of PD.

NADPH Oxidases in the Central Nervous System: Regional and Cellular Localization and the Possible Link to Brain Diseases

Significance: The significant role of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox) in signal transduction is mediated by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), especially in the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of some neurologic and psychiatric diseases is regulated by ROS, acting as a second messenger or pathogen. Recent Advances: In the CNS, the involvement of Nox-derived ROS has been implicated in the regulation of multiple signals, including cell survival/apoptosis, neuroinflammation, migration, differentiation, proliferation, and synaptic plasticity, as well as the integrity of the blood/brain barrier. In these processes, the intracellular signals mediated by the members of the Nox family vary among different tissues. The present review illuminates the regions and cellular, subcellular localization of Nox isoforms in the brain, the signal transduction, and the role of NOX enzymes in pathophysiology, respectively. Critical Issues: Different signal transduction cascades are coupled to ROS derived from various Nox homologues with varying degrees. Therefore, a critical issue worth noting is the varied role of the homologues of NOX enzymes in different signaling pathways and also they mediate different phenotypes in the diverse pathophysiological condition. This substantiates the effectiveness of selective Nox inhibitors in the CNS. Future Directions: Further investigation to elucidate the role of various homologues of NOX enzymes in acute and chronic brain diseases and signaling mechanisms, and the development of more specific NOX inhibitors for the treatment of CNS disease are urgently needed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 951-973.

Involvement of NADPH oxidase in patulin-induced oxidative damage and cytotoxicity in HEK293 cells

Patulin (PAT) is a kind of mycotoxins that commonly found in decayed fruits and their products. Our previous studies have shown that PAT induced cell apoptosis and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. The present study aimed to further investigate the functional role of NADPH oxidase, one of the main cellular sources of ROS, in PAT-induced apoptosis and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells. We demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit NOX2 and regulatory subunit p47phox were up-regulated under PAT stress. Inhibiting of NADPH oxidase with the specific antagonist diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) suppressed cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by PAT as evidenced by the increase of cell viability, the decrease of LDH release and the inhibition of caspase activities. Furthermore, DPI re-established mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and enhanced cellular ATP content. Importantly, DPI supplementation elevated endogenous GSH contents as well as the ratio of GSH/GSSG. Meanwhile, the antioxidant-enzyme activities of GPx, GR, CAT and SOD were significantly promoted. Collectively, our results suggested that NADPH oxidase played a critical role in PAT-induced nephrotoxicity, and inhibition of NADPH oxidase by DPI attenuated cell injury and apoptosis via regulation of oxidative damage.

Dual Oxidase Mutant Retards Mauthner-Cell Axon Regeneration at an Early Stage via Modulating Mitochondrial Dynamics in Zebrafish

Dual oxidase (duox)-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been correlated with neuronal polarity, cerebellar development, and neuroplasticity. However, there have not been many comprehensive studies of the effect of individual duox isoforms on central-axon regeneration in vivo. Here, we explored this question in zebrafish, an excellent model organism for central-axon regeneration studies. In our research, mutation of the duox gene with CRISPR/Cas9 significantly retarded the single-axon regeneration of the zebrafish Mauthner cell in vivo. Using deep transcriptome sequencing, we found that the expression levels of related functional enzymes in mitochondria were down-regulated in duox mutant fish. In vivo imaging showed that duox mutants had significantly disrupted mitochondrial transport and redox state in single Mauthner-cell axon. Our research data provide insights into how duox is involved in central-axon regeneration by changing mitochondrial transport.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Mechanisms and Therapy

Significance: The growing incidence of neurodegenerative diseases significantly impacts the individuals who suffer from these disorders and is a major health concern globally. Although the specific mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases are still far from being acknowledged, it is becoming clear that oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are critical contributing factors to the progression of neurodegeneration. Thus, it is conceivable that the inhibition of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation may represent promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent Advances: Recently, the strategy for neurodegenerative disease therapy has shifted from the use of antioxidants and conventional anti-inflammatory targets to upstream mediators due to the failure of most antioxidants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in clinical trials. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOXs), a family of superoxide-producing enzyme complexes, have been identified as an upstream factor that controls both oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Genetic inactivation or pharmacological inhibition of NOX enzymes displays potent neuroprotective effects in a broad spectrum of neurodegenerative disease models. Critical Issues: The detailed mechanisms of how NOX enzymes regulate oxidative stress and neuroinflammation still remain unclear. Moreover, the currently available inhibitors of NOX enzymes exhibit nonspecificity, off-target effects, unsuitable pharmacokinetic properties, and even high toxicity, markedly limiting their potential clinical applications. Future Directions: This review provides novel insights into the roles of NOXs in neurodegenerative pharmacology, and indicates the types of NOX enzyme inhibitors that should be identified and developed as candidates for future applications, which might reveal novel neurodegenerative disease therapies based on NOXs.