NF-κB, Nrf2, and HO-1 interplay in redox-regulated VCAM-1 expression

Oxidative processes are considered to play a crucial role in the induction of cell adhesion molecules, a key event in inflammatory processes. We recently reported on an unexpected unidirectional effect of an overexpressed antioxidant [phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx)] and an oxidant [15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX)] enzyme on the basal and interleukin-1 induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). Both enzymes inhibited VCAM-1 expression and reduced the cellular protein thiol content, thus, both exerting an oxidant effect. We now investigated whether transcription factors known to be regulated by oxidation, i.e., the nuclear factor-kappa B and the Keap1/Nrf2 system, were affected in our set of cells: SMC, SMCPHGPx, and SMCLOX, as well as ECV and ECVPHGPx. PHGPx and 15-LOX inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B activation most efficiently at a step downstream of DNA binding, which explains their inhibitory effect on VCAM-1 expression. Both enzymes up-regulated endogenous heme oxygenase-1 most probably via activation of Nrf2. Transfected Nrf2 strongly inhibited VCAM-1 promoter activity, which could be reversed by cotransfection with Keap1. The key player in this complex cross-talk obviously is heme oxygenase-1, which is known to be induced by oxidant-activated Nrf2. The moderate oxidative stress initiated by enhanced PHGPx or 15-LOX activity appears to induce a defense system that diminishes the response to further proinflammatory stimuli.