Extended hypoxia‐mediated H2S production provides for long‐term oxygen sensing

AIM: Numerous studies have shown that H2 S serves as an acute oxygen sensor in a variety of cells. We hypothesize that H2 S also serves in extended oxygen sensing. METHODS: Here, we compare the effects of extended exposure (24-48 hours) to varying O2 tensions on H2 S and polysulphide metabolism in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293), human adenocarcinomic alveolar basal epithelial (A549), human colon cancer (HTC116), bovine pulmonary artery smooth muscle, human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells and porcine tracheal epithelium (PTE) using sulphur-specific fluorophores and fluorometry or confocal microscopy. RESULTS: All cells continuously produced H2 S in 21% O2 and H2 S production was increased at lower O2 tensions. Decreasing O2 from 21% to 10%, 5% and 1% O2 progressively increased H2 S production in HEK293 cells and this was partially inhibited by a combination of inhibitors of H2 S biosynthesis, aminooxyacetate, propargyl glycine and compound 3. Mitochondria appeared to be the source of much of this increase in HEK 293 cells. H2 S production in all other cells and PTE increased when O2 was lowered from 21% to 5% except for HTC116 cells where 1% O2 was necessary to increase H2 S, presumably reflecting the hypoxic environment in vivo. Polysulphides (H2 Sn , where n = 2-7), the key signalling metabolite of H2 S also appeared to increase in many cells although this was often masked by high endogenous polysulphide concentrations. CONCLUSION: These results show that cellular H2 S is increased during extended hypoxia and they suggest this is a continuously active O2 -sensing mechanism in a variety of cells.