Nitric oxide activates an Nrf2/sulfiredoxin antioxidant pathway in macrophages

Abstract Peroxiredoxins (Prx's) are a family of peroxidases that maintain thiol homeostasis by catalyzing the reduction of organic hydroperoxides, H 2 O 2 , and peroxynitrite. Under conditions of oxidative stress, eukaryotic Prx's can be inactivated by the substrate-dependent oxidation of the catalytic cysteine to sulfinic acid, which may regulate the intracellular messenger function of H 2 O 2 . A small redox protein, sulfiredoxin (Srx), conserved only in eukaryotes, has been shown to reduce sulfinylated 2-Cys Prx's, adding to the complexity of the H 2 O 2 signaling network. In this study, we addressed the regulation of Srx expression in immunostimulated primary macrophages that produce both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO • ). We present genetic evidence that NO-mediated Srx up-regulation is mediated by the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2). We also show that the NO • /Srx pathway inhibits generation of ROS. These results reveal a link between innate immunity and H 2 O 2 signaling. We propose that an NO • /Nrf2/Srx pathway participates in the maintenance of redox homeostasis in cytokine-activated macrophages and other inflammatory settings.