Nox2 Deletion Research Articles

The Pathophysiological Role of NOX2 in Hypertension and Organ Damage.

NADPH oxidases (NOXs) represent one of the major sources of reactive oxygen species in the vascular district. Reactive oxygen species are responsible for vascular damage that leads to several cardiovascular pathological conditions. Among NOX isoforms, NOX2 is widely expressed in many cells types, such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, confirming its pivotal role in vascular pathophysiology. Studies in mice models with systemic deletion of NOX2, as well as in transgenic mice overexpressing NOX2, have demonstrated the undeniable involvement of NOX2 in the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, cardiac hypertrophy, platelet aggregation, and aging. Of note, the inhibition of NOX2 has been found to be protective for cardiovascular homeostasis. Here, we review the evidence demonstrating that the modulation of NOX2 activity is able to improve vascular physiology, suggesting that NOX2 may be a potential target for therapeutic applications.

OS 21-01 NOX1 OR NOX4 DELETION PREVENTS TYPE 1 DIABETES-INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION

Objective : The prognosis of type-1 diabetes remains poor and is primarily related to the increased risk of vascular complications. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species by NADPH oxidase (NOX) is believed to play an important role in diabetes-related vascular injury. NOX1 may play a role in the macrovascular disease, whereas NOX4 may have protective actions. Nevertheless, their role in diabetic microangiopathy is less well understood. We hypothesized that deletion of Nox1 would prevent diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling of small arteries whereas Nox4 would exaggerate vascular injury. Design and Method : Diabetes-related vascular injury were studied in atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein knockout (Apoe-/-) mice. Six-week-old male Apoe-/- mice, Apoe-/- mice deficient in Nox1 (Apoe-/-/Nox1y/-) and Nox4 (Apoe-/-/Nox4-/-) were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin treatment (STZ, 55 mg/kg/day, ip) for 5 days. Mice were studied 14 weeks later. Endothelial function and vascular remodeling were assessed in mesenteric arteries (MA) using pressurized myography. Results: Apoe-/- mice presented a maximal endothelium-dependent vasodilatory response to acetylcholine of only 46%, which was further decreased by ∼50% by diabetes. In contrast, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were 1.5-fold higher in diabetic Apoe-/-/Nox1y/- and Apoe-/-/Nox4-/- mice compared to vehicle-treated Apoe-/- mice. Endothelium-independent relaxation responses to the nitric oxide donor, sodium nitroprusside, were similar in all groups. Diabetes decreased MA stiffness in Apoe-/- mice, as indicated by a rightward displacement of the stress-strain curves, which was blunted by Nox1 or Nox4 knockout. MA media/lumen was unaltered by diabetes. Knockout of Nox4 but not Nox1 increased MA media/lumen 1.4-fold in diabetic Apoe-/- mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that NOX1 and NOX4 play a pathophysiological role in diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction and contribute to potentially maladaptive changes in vascular stiffness. NOX4 also seems to have dual actions on the vasculature, as it is also protective against vascular remodeling of small arteries in type 1 diabetes.

NADPH Oxidases Are Essential for Macrophage Differentiation

NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and osteoclast differentiation. However, the role of NOX1 and NOX2 in macrophage differentiation and tumor progression is still elusive. Here we report that NOX1 and NOX2 are critical for the differentiation of monocytes to macrophages, the polarization of M2-type but not M1-type macrophages, and the occurrence of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We found that deletion of both NOX1 and NOX2 led to a dramatic decrease in ROS production in macrophages and resulted in impaired efficiency in monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and M2-type macrophage polarization. We further showed that NOX1 and NOX2 were critical for the activation of the MAPKs JNK and ERK during macrophage differentiation and that the deficiency of JNK and ERK activation was responsible for the failure of monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation, in turn affecting M2 macrophage polarization. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the decrease in M2 macrophages and TAMs, concomitant with the reduction of cytokine and chemokine secretion, contributed to the delay in wound healing and the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis in NOX1/2 double knockout mice compared with WT mice. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence that NOX1 and NOX2 deficiency impairs macrophage differentiation and the occurrence of M2-type TAMs during tumor development.

The NADPH Oxidase Nox2 Mediates Vitamin D-Induced Vascular Regeneration in Male Mice.

1α,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25D) exerts protective effects in the vascular system and promotes myeloid cell differentiation, which are important sources of reactive oxygen species. Given that myeloid cell reactive oxygen species derives from Nox-family NADPH oxidases, we hypothesized that this enzyme family contributes to the beneficial effects of 1,25D on vascular regeneration. The function of Nox enzymes in this context was studied in the murine carotid artery electric injury regeneration model. Male mice were treated with daily injections of 1,25D (100 ng/kg · d) for 5 days and carotid injury was induced after 3 days. After injury, 1,25D increased the expression of Nox2 in the carotid artery. As determined by Evans blue staining on day 6, 1,25D improved vascular regeneration in a Nox2-dependent manner. Healing was lost in mice knockout for Nox2, but not in Nox1 or Nox4, knockout mice. Tissue specific knockouts demonstrated that the myeloid, but not the endothelial Nox2, was required for this effect. Mechanistically, the combination of injury and 1,25D induced the mobilization of angiogenic myeloid cells (AMCs) and increased the vascular expression of the cytokine stem cell derived factor (SDF)1, which attracts AMCs to the site of injury. Vitamin D in a Nox2-dependent manner activated MAPKs, and these are known to contribute to SDF1 induction. Accordingly, SDF1 induction was lost after deletion of Nox2. By inducing SDF1 and enhancing the number of AMCs, VitD3 is a novel approach to promote vascular repair.

Cell-specific effects of Nox2 on the acute and chronic response to myocardial infarction

BackgroundIncreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is involved in the process of adverse cardiac remodeling and development of heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI). NADPH oxidase-2 (Nox2) is a major ROS source within the heart and its activity increases after MI. Furthermore, genetic deletion of Nox2 is protective against post-MI cardiac remodeling. Nox2 levels may increase both in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells and recent studies indicate cell-specific effects of Nox2, but it is not known which of these cell types is important in post-MI remodeling. Methods and resultsWe have generated transgenic mouse models in which Nox2 expression is targeted either to cardiomyocytes (cardio-Nox2TG) or endothelial cells (endo-Nox2TG). We here studied the response of cardio-Nox2TG mice, endo-Nox2TG mice and matched wild-type littermates (WT) to MI induced by permanent left coronary artery ligation up to 4weeks. Initial infarct size assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cardiac dysfunction were similar among groups. Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis were augmented in cardio-Nox2TG compared to WT after MI and post-MI survival tended to be worse whereas endo-Nox2TG mice showed no significant difference compared to WT. ConclusionsThese results indicate that cardiomyocyte rather than endothelial cell Nox2 may have the more important role in post-MI remodeling.

Abstract 17034: Deletion of NAD(P)H Oxidase 2 Attenuates Angiotensin II-induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

Introduction: Skeletal muscle atrophy is observed in aging and a variety of diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic renal failure, and heart failure. It has been considered that it is associated with chronic inflammation in the skeletal muscle. We have previously reported that angiotensin II (Ang II) could directly induce skeletal muscle abnormalities including atrophy in mice. Hypothesis: Here, we hypothesized that the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase by Ang II induced the skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods: Either saline (vehicle) or Ang II (1000 ng/kg/min) was infused into male wild-type (WT) and Nox2 knock out (KO) mice via subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps for 4 weeks. Experiments were performed in following 4 groups; WT+vehicle (n=8), KO+vehicle (n=6), WT+Ang II (n=8), and KO+Ang II (n=6). Lower skeletal muscle limbs were removed and used for the analysis. Exercise capacity was measured by using treadmill test. Results: Increased activation of NAD(P)H oxidase and production of superoxide in the skeletal muscle by Ang II were completely inhibited in KO mice. Body and skeletal muscle weight, and myocyte cross sectional area were significantly decreased in WT+Ang II compared to WT+vehicle (24±1 vs. 28±1 g, 356±3 vs. 390±4 mg, and 2351±84 vs. 3221±118 μm2, respectively). These changes were significantly attenuated in KO+Ang II (27±1 g, 392±9 mg, 3012±150 μm2, respectively) Phospho-Akt and phospho-p70S6K, key molecule of protein synthesis, were decreased in WT+Ang II compared to WT+vehicle, which was attenuated in KO+Ang II. On the other hand, protein expressions of Muscle RING Finger-1 and MAFbx/Atrogin-1, key molecule of protein degradation, were significantly increased in WT+Ang II compare to WT+vehicle, which was not affected in KO+Ang II. Mitochondrial electron transfer complex and citrate synthase activities were also impaired in WT+Ang II and were not improved in KO+Ang II. In agreements with these results, exercise, Ang II-induced reduction in exercise capacity was not improved in KO mice. Conclusions: The deletion of Nox2 attenuated the skeletal muscle atrophy and decreased protein synthase induced by Ang II, suggesting that Nox2 plays an essential role in the development of skeletal muscle atrophy.

Nox2 knockout delays infarct progression and increases vascular recovery through angiogenesis in mice following ischaemic stroke with reperfusion.

Evidence suggests the NADPH oxidases contribute to ischaemic stroke injury and Nox2 is the most widely studied subtype in the context of stroke. There is still conjecture however regarding the benefits of inhibiting Nox2 to improve stroke outcome. The current study aimed to examine the temporal effects of genetic Nox2 deletion on neuronal loss after ischaemic stroke using knockout (KO) mice with 6, 24 and 72 hour recovery. Transient cerebral ischaemia was induced via intraluminal filament occlusion and resulted in reduced infarct volumes in Nox2 KO mice at 24 h post-stroke compared to wild-type controls. No protection was evident at either 6 h or 72 h post-stroke, with both genotypes exhibiting similar volumes of damage. Reactive oxygen species were detected using dihydroethidium and were co-localised with neurons and microglia in both genotypes using immunofluorescent double-labelling. The effect of Nox2 deletion on vascular damage and recovery was also examined 24 h and 72 h post-stroke using an antibody against laminin. Blood vessel density was decreased in the ischaemic core of both genotypes 24 h post-stroke and returned to pre-stroke levels only in Nox2 KO mice by 72 h. Overall, these results are the first to show that genetic Nox2 deletion merely delays the progression of neuronal loss after stroke but does not prevent it. Additionally, we show for the first time that Nox2 deletion increases re-vascularisation of the damaged brain by 72 h, which may be important in promoting endogenous brain repair mechanisms that rely on re-vascularisation.

Abstract 536: Myeloid Nox2 Mediates Vitamin D-induced Vascular Healing

Background: Vitamin D deficiency in humans is frequent and has been associated with inflammation. The role of the active hormone, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1,25-VitD3) in the cardiovascular system is controversial; high doses induce vascular calcification whereas deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that treatment with 1,25-VitD3 promotes vascular regeneration. Methods and Results: The effects of 1,25-VitD3 in mice and of its precursor, VitD3, in healthy volunteers were studied. In mice, a 1,25-VitD3 (100ng/kg/d) enhanced carotid artery reendothelialization and increased the number of circulating CD45-CD117+Sca1+Flk1+ angiogenic myeloid cells (AMC). Importantly, in streptozotocin-diabetic mice, 1,25-VitD3 also promoted reendothelialization and restored the massively impaired angiogenesis in the femoral artery ligation model. As revealed my conditional knockout mice of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), 1,25-VitD3 increased the production of SDF1 in myeloid, but not endothelial or smooth muscle cells, which then promoted healing and attracted AMCs. This pathway was dependent on Nox2: 1,25-VitD3-induced healing was not affected by genetic deletion of Nox1 or Nox4 but absent in Nox2 knockout mice. Moreover, Nox2 but not Nox1 or Nox4 was induced in the course of healing. 1,25-VitD3 also increased the ROS formation of AMCs as determined by Amplex red / HRP assay. Conditional Nox2 knockout revealed that the effect of 1,25-VitD3 on healing and SDF1 production was mediated by LysM-positive cells but not through the endothelium. Accordingly, in cultured monocytes, stimulation with the combination of cytokines and vitamin D3 increased SDF1 production and this effect was blocked after knockdown of Nox2 or inhibition of the enzyme by gp91-ds-TAT. To determine the clinical relevance of this finding, healthy volunteers were treated with VitD3 (4000 I.E. cholecalciferol/day). Similarly as in mice, also in humans, VitD3 increased the number of circulating AMCs. Conclusions: By inducing SDF1 and enhancing AMCs, VitD3 through a pathway involving Nox2 is a novel approach to promote vascular repair.

Nox1 upregulates the function of vascular T-type calcium channels following chronic nitric oxide deficit.

Cardiovascular disease is characterised by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability resulting from oxidative stress. Our previous studies have shown that nitric oxide deficit per se increases the contribution of T-type calcium channels to vascular tone through increased superoxide from NADPH oxidase (Nox). The aim of the present study was therefore to identify the Nox isoform responsible for modulating T-type channel function, as T-type channels are implicated in several pathophysiological conditions involving oxidative stress. We evaluated T-channel function in skeletal muscle arterioles in vivo, using a novel T-channel blocker, TTA-A2 (3 μmol/L), which demonstrated no cross reactivity with L-type channels. Wild-type and Nox2 knockout (Nox2ko) mice were treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (40 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. L-NAME treatment significantly increased systolic blood pressure and the contribution of T-type calcium channels to arteriolar tone in wild-type mice, and this was not prevented by Nox2 deletion. In Nox2ko mice, pharmacological inhibition of Nox1 (10 μmol/L ML171), Nox4 (10 μmol/L VAS2870) and Nox4-derived hydrogen peroxide (500 U/mL catalase) significantly reduced the effect of chronic nitric oxide inhibition on T-type channel function. In contrast, in wild-type mice, ML171 and VAS2870, but not catalase, reduced the contribution of T-type channels to vascular tone, suggesting a role for Nox1 and non-selective actions of VAS2870. We conclude that Nox1, but not Nox2 or Nox4, is responsible for the upregulation of T-type calcium channels elicited by chronic nitric oxide deficit. These data point to an important role for this isoform in increasing T-type channel function during oxidative stress.

NADPH Oxidase, NOX1, Mediates Vascular Injury in Ischemic Retinopathy

Ischemic retinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity are major causes of blindness due to damage to the retinal microvasculature. Despite this clinical situation, retinopathy of prematurity is mechanistically poorly understood. Therefore, effective preventative therapies are not available. However, hypoxic-induced increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been suggested to be involved with NADPH oxidases (NOX), the only known dedicated enzymatic source of ROS. Our major aim was to determine the contribution of NOX isoforms (1, 2, and 4) to a rodent model of retinopathy of prematurity. Using a genetic approach, we determined that only mice with a deletion of NOX1, but not NOX2 or NOX4, were protected from retinal neovascularization and vaso-obliteration, adhesion of leukocytes, microglial accumulation, and the increased generation of proangiogenic and proinflammatory factors and ROS. We complemented these studies by showing that the specific NOX inhibitor, GKT137831, reduced vasculopathy and ROS levels in retina. The source of NOX isoforms was evaluated in retinal vascular cells and neuro-glial elements. Microglia, the immune cells of the retina, expressed NOX1, 2, and 4 and responded to hypoxia with increased ROS formation, which was reduced by GKT137831. Our studies are the first to identify the NOX1 isoform as having an important role in the pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity. Our findings suggest that strategies targeting NOX1 have the potential to be effective treatments for a range of ischemic retinopathies.

Nox2 NADPH Oxidase Has a Critical Role in Insulin Resistance–Related Endothelial Cell Dysfunction

Insulin resistance is characterized by excessive endothelial cell generation of potentially cytotoxic concentrations of reactive oxygen species. We examined the role of NADPH oxidase (Nox) and specifically Nox2 isoform in superoxide generation in two complementary in vivo models of human insulin resistance (endothelial specific and whole body). Using three complementary methods to measure superoxide, we demonstrated higher levels of superoxide in insulin-resistant endothelial cells, which could be pharmacologically inhibited both acutely and chronically, using the Nox inhibitor gp91ds-tat. Similarly, insulin resistance–induced impairment of endothelial-mediated vasorelaxation could also be reversed using gp91ds-tat. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nox2, which was specifically elevated in insulin-resistant endothelial cells, significantly reduced superoxide levels. Double transgenic mice with endothelial-specific insulin resistance and deletion of Nox2 showed reduced superoxide production and improved vascular function. This study identifies Nox2 as the central molecule in insulin resistance–mediated oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. It also establishes pharmacological inhibition of Nox2 as a novel therapeutic target in insulin resistance–related vascular disease.

184 CHARACTERISATION OF ROS PRODUCTION IN DIFFERENT ORGANS OF MICE DEFICIENT OF NOX2, APOE, AND BOTH NOX2 AND APOE

Multi-organ oxidative stress has been found to be associated with dietary obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Recent studies have suggested that the activation of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating enzyme, NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis linked to metabolic disorders. However, detailed investigation of the role of Nox2 in the development of atherosclerosis is still missing. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) knockout mouse is an established animal model of atherosclerosis. In this study, we generated apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and Nox2 double knockout mice by crossing the Nox2−/− with the ApoE−/− mice on the C57BL/6J background, and characterised these mice in comparison with their littermates of wild-type, Nox2−/− and ApoE−/− mice. Male mice (n=6/per group) at 3 m of age were used for the study. We found that there was no significant difference in the levels of body weight, food intake, water intake, fasting serum glucose between these groups of mice. The blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography, and we found no significant difference between these mice (mmHg: wild-type 124±5, Nox2−/−123±1, ApoE−/− 123±7, ApoE−/−/Nox2−/− 119±5). We then examined the NADPH-dependent ROS production in different organ homogenates (heart, aorta, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas, fat, skeletal muscle, brain) by lucigenin (5 µM)-chemiluminescence, and found that lung, liver and brain tissues produce higher levels of ROS as compared to other organs in all mice examined. Compared to wild-type mice, Nox2−/− mice had significantly lower levels of ROS production in all organs except the liver, and ApoE−/− mice had significantly higher levels of ROS production in the heart, aorta, kidney and pancreas. Compared to ApoE−/− mice, ApoE−/−/Nox2−/−mice reduced significantly the levels of ROS production in the heart, aorta, liver, kidney, pancreas, but significantly increased the levels of ROS production in the fat, skeletal muscle and brain tissues. In conclusion, Nox2 deletion reduced significantly the levels of ROS production in the metabolic and cardiovascular organs of ApoE−/− mice. ApoE−/−/Nox2−/−mice serves a good animal model to study the role of Nox2-derived ROS in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases associated with metabolic disorders.

NADPH Oxidase 1 Plays a Key Role in Diabetes Mellitus–Accelerated Atherosclerosis

In diabetes mellitus, vascular complications such as atherosclerosis are a major cause of death. The key underlying pathomechanisms are unclear. However, hyperglycemic oxidative stress derived from NADPH oxidase (Nox), the only known dedicated enzyme to generate reactive oxygen species appears to play a role. Here we identify the Nox1 isoform as playing a key and pharmacologically targetable role in the accelerated development of diabetic atherosclerosis. Human aortic endothelial cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions showed increased expression of Nox1, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory markers in a Nox1-siRNA reversible manner. Similarly, the specific Nox inhibitor, GKT137831, prevented oxidative stress in response to hyperglycemia in human aortic endothelial cells. To examine these observations in vivo, we investigated the role of Nox1 on plaque development in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice 10 weeks after induction of diabetes mellitus. Deletion of Nox1, but not Nox4, had a profound antiatherosclerotic effect correlating with reduced reactive oxygen species formation, attenuation of chemokine expression, vascular adhesion of leukocytes, macrophage infiltration, and reduced expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic markers. Similarly, treatment of diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice with GKT137831 attenuated atherosclerosis development. These studies identify a major pathological role for Nox1 and suggest that Nox1-dependent oxidative stress is a promising target for diabetic vasculopathies, including atherosclerosis.

Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate–Reduced Oxidase Proteins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa–Induced Lung Inflammation and Permeability

Earlier studies indicated a role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) in host defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. However, the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-reduced (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) proteins and the mechanism of activation for NADPH oxidase in P. aeruginosa infection are not well-defined. Here, we investigated the role of NOX2 and NOX4 proteins in P. aeruginosa infection, ROS generation, and endothelial barrier function in murine lungs and in human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs). Airway instillation of P. aeruginosa strain 103 (PA103) significantly increased ROS concentrations in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, along with the expression of NOX2 and NOX4, but not NOX1 and NOX3, in lung tissue. In addition, PA103-infected HLMVECs revealed elevated concentrations of ROS, NOX2, and NOX4. In murine lungs and HLMVECs, PA103 induced the NF-κB pathway, and its inhibition blocked PA103-dependent NOX2 and NOX4 expression. Barrier function analysis showed that heat-killed PA103 induced endothelial permeability in a dose-dependent manner, which was attenuated by treatment with small interfering (si)RNA specific for NOX4, but not NOX2. Furthermore, the knockdown of NOX4, but not NOX2, with siRNA reduced PA103-mediated apoptosis in HLMVECs. In vivo, the down-regulation of NOX4 with NOX4 siRNA attenuated PA103-induced lung vascular permeability. The deletion of NOX2 in mice exerted no effect on permeability, but offered significant resistance to P. aeruginosa-induced lung inflammation. These data show that P. aeruginosa lung infection up-regulates NOX2 and NOX4 expression and ROS generation, which play distinct roles in regulating lung inflammation, apoptosis, and permeability.

Brain infarct volume after permanent focal ischemia is not dependent on Nox2 expression

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by Nox2 oxidase are reported to contribute to infarct damage following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Here we have examined for the first time the role of Nox2 expression in outcomes following permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery filament occlusion (MCAO) for 24h in wild-type (WT) and Nox2(-/y) mice. Neurological deficit and the hanging wire test were assessed, and infarct and edema volumes were estimated using thionin-stained brain sections. Genetic deletion of Nox2 had no effect on any outcome measures at 24h after permanent MCAO. Our data therefore suggest that ROS production by Nox2 oxidase activity plays no significant role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia in the absence of reperfusion.

105 NOX2 NADPH—oxidase a novel target to prevent insulin resistance related endothelial cell dysfunction

IntroductionInsulin resistance, a central pathophysiological feature of type 2 diabetes is characterised by a deleterious change in endothelial cell phenotype, a hallmark of which is increased generation of reactive oxygen...

Activation of TRPC6 channels is essential for lung ischaemia–reperfusion induced oedema in mice

Lung ischaemia–reperfusion-induced oedema (LIRE) is a life-threatening condition that causes pulmonary oedema induced by endothelial dysfunction. Here we show that lungs from mice lacking nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (Nox2y/−) or the classical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6−/−) are protected from LIR-induced oedema (LIRE). Generation of chimeric mice by bone marrow cell transplantation and endothelial-specific Nox2 deletion showed that endothelial Nox2, but not leukocytic Nox2 or TRPC6, are responsible for LIRE. Lung endothelial cells from Nox2- or TRPC6-deficient mice showed attenuated ischaemia-induced Ca2+ influx, cellular shape changes and impaired barrier function. Production of reactive oxygen species was completely abolished in Nox2y/− cells. A novel mechanistic model comprising endothelial Nox2-derived production of superoxide, activation of phospholipase C-γ, inhibition of diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase, DAG-mediated activation of TRPC6 and ensuing LIRE is supported by pharmacological and molecular evidence. This mechanism highlights novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of LIRE.

Significance of marrow‐derived nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase in experimental ischemic stroke

Reperfusion after stroke leads to infiltration of inflammatory cells into the ischemic brain. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX2) is a major enzyme system that generates superoxide in immune cells. We studied the effect of NOX2 derived from the immune cells in the brain and in blood cells in experimental stroke. To establish whether NOX2 plays a role in brain ischemia, strokes were created in mice, then mice were treated with the NOX2 inhibitor apocynin or vehicle and compared to mice deficient in NOX2's gp91 subunit and their wild-type littermates. To determine whether NOX2 in circulating cells versus brain resident cells contribute to ischemic injury, bone marrow chimeras were generated by transplanting bone marrow from wild-type or NOX2-deficient mice into NOX2 or wild-type hosts, respectively. Apocynin and NOX2 deletion both significantly reduced infarct size, blood-brain barrier disruption, and hemorrhagic transformation of the infarcts, compared to untreated wild-type controls. This was associated with decreased matrix metalloproteinase 9 expression and reduced loss of tight junction proteins. NOX2-deficient mice receiving wild-type marrow had better outcomes compared to the wild-type mice receiving wild-type marrow. Interestingly, wild-type mice receiving NOX2-deficient marrow had even smaller infarct sizes and less hemorrhage than NOX2-deficient mice receiving wild-type marrow. This indicates that NOX2, whether present in circulating cells or brain resident cells, contributes to ischemic brain injury and hemorrhage. However, NOX2 from the circulating cells contributed more to the exacerbation of stroke than that from brain resident cells. These data suggest the importance of targeting the peripheral immune system for treatment of stroke.

Deletion of NADPH Oxidase Homologue Nox2 Accelerates Age-Related Cardiac Remodeling in Mice

Deletion of NADPH Oxidase Homologue Nox2 Accelerates Age-Related Cardiac Remodeling in Mice

Reactive Oxygen Species, NADPH Oxidases, and Hypertension

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in the neuronal, renal, and vascular systems not only influence cardiovascular physiology but are also strongly implicated in pathological signaling leading to hypertension. Different sources of ROS have been identified, ranging from xanthine-xanthine oxidase and mitochondria to NADPH oxidase (Nox) enzymes. Of 7 Nox family members, Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 (and Nox5 in humans) influence the cardiovascular system. Their activation processes and cell and tissue distribution vary widely, adding complexity to understanding their functional roles. Whether these systems act collectively or independently in disease conditions is unclear, but recently feed forward mechanisms have been established between ROS sources. Studies published in Hypertension over the last few years are the focus of this review, and they provide a framework with which to consider the roles of Nox enzymes in neuronal, renal, and vascular hypertensive mechanisms, as well as cardiac remodeling, and their relationships with other ROS-generating systems. ### Neuronal ROS in Hypertension Redox signaling in the central nervous system is well recognized in neuronal control of blood pressure (BP), as well as in response to angiotensin II (Ang II) and aldosterone, which are linked to ROS-dependent hypertension. Recently, new roles for ROS have been described in the hypothalamus and brain stem, nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), subfornical organ (SFO), rostral ventrolateral medulla, and area postrema (Figure 1). Figure 1. Neuronal NADPH oxidase–dependent ROS involved in central regulation of hypertension. NADPH oxidase homologues, mainly Nox2 and Nox4, are found in different regions of the neuronal system and are reported to have a role in the neuropathogenesis of hypertension by enhancing the sympathetic nerve activity. Nox-induced ROS initiate a forward loop in cross-activation of different receptors and between Nox and mitochondrial ROS. OVLT indicates organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis; PVN, paraventricular nucleus; PP, posterior pituitary; AP, area postrema; RVLM, rostral ventrolateral medulla. Several …