Correction: Fisher, Aron B., et al. A Peptide Inhibitor of NADPH Oxidase (NOX2) Activation Markedly Decreases Mouse Lung Injury and Mortality Following Administration of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 2395.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to our previously published paper [1] [...].

Genetic inactivation of the phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 in mice protects against LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a multifunctional enzyme that serves important antioxidant roles by scavenging hydroperoxides and reducing peroxidized cell membranes. Prdx6 also plays a key role in cell signaling by activating the NADPH oxidase, type 2 (Nox2) through its acidic Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 (aiPLA2) activity. Nox2 generation of O2·-, in addition to signaling, can contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation such as during sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). To evaluate a possible role of Prdx6-aiPLA2 activity in the pathophysiology of ALI associated with a systemic insult, wild-type (WT) and Prdx6-D140A mice, which lack aiPLA2 but retain peroxidase activity were administered intraperitoneal LPS. LPS-treated mutant mice had increased survival compared with WT mice while cytokines in lung lavage fluid and lung VCAM-1 expression, nitrotyrosine levels, PMN infiltration, and permeability increased in WT but not in mutant mice. Exposure of mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in primary culture to LPS promoted phosphorylation of Prdx6 and its translocation to the plasma membrane and increased aiPLA2 activity as well as increased H2O2 generation, nitrotyrosine levels, lipid peroxidation, NF-κB nuclear localization, and nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome assembly; these effects were not seen in Nox2 null cells, Prdx6-D140A cells, or WT cells pretreated with MJ33, an inhibitor of aiPLA2 activity. Thus aiPLA2 activity is needed for Nox2-derived oxidant stress associated with LPS exposure. Since inactivation of aiPLA2 reduced mortality and prevented lung inflammation and oxidative stress in this animal model, the aiPLA2 activity of Prdx6 could be a novel target for prevention or treatment of sepsis-induced ALI.

A Peptide Inhibitor of NADPH Oxidase (NOX2) Activation Markedly Decreases Mouse Lung Injury and Mortality Following Administration of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

We have previously derived three related peptides, based on a nine-amino acid sequence in human or rat/mouse surfactant protein A, that inhibit the phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) and prevent the activation of lung NADPH oxidase (type 2). The present study evaluated the effect of these Prdx6-inhibitory peptides (PIP) in a mouse (C57Bl/6) model of acute lung injury following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. All three peptides (PIP-1, 2 and 3) similarly inhibited the production of reactive O2 species (ROS) in isolated mouse lungs as detected by the oxidation of Amplex red. PIP-2 inhibited both the increased phospholipase A2 activity of Prdx6 and lung reactive oxygen species (ROS) production following treatment of mice with intratracheal LPS (5 µg/g body wt.). Pre-treatment of mice with PIP-2 prevented LPS-mediated lung injury while treatment with PIP-2 at 12 or 16 h after LPS administration led to reversal of lung injury when evaluated 12 or 8 h later, respectively. With a higher dose of LPS (15 µg/g body wt.), mortality was 100% at 48 h in untreated mice but only 28% in mice that were treated at 12-24 h intervals, with PIP-2 beginning at 12 h after LPS administration. Treatment with PIP-2 also markedly decreased mortality after intraperitoneal LPS (15 µg/g body wt.), used as a model of sepsis. This study shows the dramatic effectiveness of a peptide inhibitor of Prdx6 against lung injury and mouse mortality in LPS models. We propose that the PIP nonapeptides may be a useful modality to prevent or to treat human ALI.

Mutation of Serine 32 to Threonine in Peroxiredoxin 6 Preserves Its Structure and Enzymatic Function but Abolishes Its Trafficking to Lamellar Bodies.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a bifunctional protein with phospholipase A2 (aiPLA2) and GSH peroxidase activities, protects lungs from oxidative stress and participates in lung surfactant phospholipid turnover. Prdx6 has been localized to both cytosol and lamellar bodies (LB) in lung epithelium, and its organellar targeting sequence has been identified. We propose that Prdx6 LB targeting facilitates its role in the metabolism of lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine (PC). Ser-32 has been identified as the active site in Prdx6 for aiPLA2 activity, and this activity was abolished by the mutation of serine 32 to alanine (S32A). However, aiPLA2 activity was unaffected by mutation of serine 32 in Prdx6 to threonine (S32T). Prdx6 protein expression and aiPLA2 activity were normal in the whole lung of a "knock-in" mouse model carrying an S32T mutation in the Prdx6 gene but were absent from isolated LB. Analyses by proximity ligation assay in lung sections demonstrated the inability of S32T Prdx6 to bind to the chaperone protein, 14-3-3ϵ, that is required for LB targeting. The content of total phospholipid, PC, and disaturated PC in lung tissue homogenate, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lung LB was increased significantly in Prdx6-S32T mutant lungs, whereas degradation of internalized [(3)H]dipalmitoyl-PC was significantly decreased. Thus, Thr can substitute for Ser for the enzymatic activities of Prdx6 but not for its targeting to LB. These results confirm an important role for LB Prdx6 in the degradation and remodeling of lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine.

Binding sites for interaction of peroxiredoxin 6 with surfactant protein A.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a bifunctional enzyme with peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities. This protein participates in the degradation and remodeling of internalized dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), the major phospholipid component of lung surfactant. We have shown previously that the PLA2 activity of Prdx6 is inhibited by the lung surfactant-associated protein called surfactant protein A (SP-A) through direct protein-protein interaction. Docking of SPA and Prdx6 was modeled using the ZDOCK (zlab.bu.edu) program in order to predict molecular sites for binding of the two proteins. The predicted peptide sequences were evaluated for binding to the opposite protein using isothermal titration calorimetry and circular dichroism measurement followed by determination of the effect of the SP-A peptide on the PLA2 activity of Prdx6. The sequences 195EEEAKKLFPK204.in the Prdx6 helix and 83DEELQTELYEIKHQIL99 in SP-A were identified as the sites for hydrophobic interaction and H(+)-bonding between the 2 proteins. Treatment of mouse endothelial cells with the SP-A peptide inhibited their recovery from lipid peroxidation associated with oxidative stress indicating inhibition of Prdx6 activity by the peptide in the intact cell.

The phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 modulates NADPH oxidase 2 activation via lysophosphatidic acid receptor signaling in the pulmonary endothelium and alveolar macrophages.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is essential for activation of NADPH oxidase type 2 (NOX2) in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs), alveolar macrophages (AMs), and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Angiotensin II and phorbol ester increased superoxide/H2O2 generation in PMVECs, AMs, and isolated lungs from wild-type (WT) mice, but had much less effect on cells or lungs from Prdx6-null or Prdx6-D140A-knock-in mice that lack the phospholipase A2 activity (PLA2) of Prdx6; addition of either lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) to cells restored their oxidant generation. The generation of LPC by PMVECs required Prdx6-PLA2 We propose that Prdx6-PLA2 modulates NOX2 activation by generation of LPC that is converted to LPA by the lysophospholipase D activity of autotaxin (ATX/lysoPLD). Inhibition of lysoPLD with HA130 (cells,10 µM; lungs, 20 µM; IC50, 29 nM) decreased agonist-induced oxidant generation. LPA stimulates pathways regulated by small GTPases through binding to G-protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPARs). The LPAR blocker Ki16425 (cells, 10 µM; lungs, 25 µM; Ki, 0.34 µM) or cellular knockdown of LPAR type 1 decreased oxidant generation and blocked translocation of rac1 to plasma membrane. Thus, Prdx6-PLA2 modulates NOX2 activation through generation of LPC for conversion to LPA; binding of LPA to LPAR1 signals rac activation.-Vázquez-Medina, J. P., Dodia, C., Weng, L., Mesaros, C., Blair, I. A., Feinstein, S. I., Chatterjee, S., Fisher, A. B. The phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 modulates NADPH oxidase 2 activation via lysophosphatidic acid receptor signaling in the pulmonary endothelium and alveolar macrophages.

A novel lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase activity is expressed by peroxiredoxin 6.

The phospholipase A2(PLA2) activity of peroxiredoxin (Prdx)6 has important physiological roles in the synthesis of lung surfactant and in the repair of peroxidized cell membranes. These functions require the activity of a lysophospholipid acyl transferase as a critical component of the phospholipid remodeling pathway. We now describe a lysophosphatidylcholine acyl transferase (LPCAT) activity for Prdx6 that showed a strong preference for lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) as the head group and for palmitoyl CoA in the acylation reaction. The calculated kinetic constants for acylation wereKm18 µM andVmax30 nmol/min/mg protein; theVmaxwas increased 25-fold by phosphorylation of the protein whileKmwas unchanged. Study of recombinant protein in vitro and in mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells infected with a lentiviral vector construct indicated that amino acid D31 is crucial for LPCAT activity. A linear incorporation of labeled fatty acyl CoA into dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (PC) indicated that LPC generated by Prdx6 PLA2activity remained bound to the enzyme for the reacylation reaction. Prdx6 is the first LPCAT enzyme with demonstrated cytoplasmic localization. Thus, Prdx6 is a complete enzyme comprising both PLA2and LPCAT activities for the remodeling pathway of PC synthesis or for repair of membrane lipid peroxidation.

Absence of Peroxiredoxin 6 Amplifies the Effect of Oxidant Stress on Mobility and SCSA/CMA3 Defined Chromatin Quality and Impairs Fertilizing Ability of Mouse Spermatozoa.

Oxidative stress, the imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defenses, is associated with male infertility. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes with a wide distribution in spermatozoa. PRDX6 is highly abundant and located in all subcellular compartments of the spermatozoon. Infertile men have lower levels of sperm PRDX6 associated with low sperm motility and high DNA damage. In order to better understand the role of PRDX6 in male reproduction, the aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of the lack of PRDX6 on male mouse fertility. Spermatozoa lacking PRDX6 showed significantly increased levels of cellular oxidative damage evidenced by high levels of lipid peroxidation, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (DNA oxidation), and protein oxidation (S-glutathionylation and carbonylation), lower sperm chromatin quality (high DNA fragmentation and low DNA compaction, due to low levels of protamination and a high percentage of free thiols), along with decreased sperm motility and impairment of capacitation as compared with wild-type (WT) spermatozoa. These manifestations of damage are exacerbated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide treatment in vivo. While WT males partially recovered the quality of their spermatozoa (in terms of motility and sperm DNA integrity), Prdx6(-/-) males showed higher levels of sperm damage (lower motility and chromatin integrity) 6 mo after the end of treatment. In conclusion, Prdx6(-/-) males are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than WT males, resulting in impairment of sperm quality and ability to fertilize the oocyte, compatible with the subfertility phenotype observed in these knockout mice.

Solution structure of the reduced form of human peroxiredoxin-6 elucidated using zero-length chemical cross-linking and homology modelling.

Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) is an unusual member of the peroxiredoxin family of antioxidant enzymes that has only one evolutionarily conserved cysteine. It reduces oxidized lipids and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidation of the active-site cysteine (Cys(47)) to a sulfenic acid, but the mechanism for conversion back to a thiol is not completely understood. Moreover, it has phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in addition to its peroxidase activity. Interestingly, some biochemical data are inconsistent with a known high-resolution crystal structure of the catalytic intermediate of the protein, and biophysical data indicate that the protein undergoes conformational changes that affect enzyme activity. In order to further elucidate the solution structure of this important enzyme, we used chemical cross-linking coupled with high-resolution MS (CX-MS), with an emphasis on zero-length cross-links. Distance constraints from high confidence cross-links were used in homology modelling experiments to determine a solution structure of the reduced form of the protein. This structure was further evaluated using chemical cross-links produced by several homo-bifunctional amine-reactive cross-linking reagents, which helped to confirm the solution structure. The results show that several regions of the reduced version of human PRDX6 are in a substantially different conformation from that shown for the crystal structure of the peroxidase catalytic intermediate. The differences between these two structures are likely to reflect catalysis-related conformational changes. These studies also demonstrate that CX-MS using zero-length cross-linking is a powerful strategy for probing protein conformational changes that is complementary to alternative methods such as crystallographic, NMR and biophysical studies.

Protection against LPS-induced acute lung injury by a mechanism-based inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (type 2).

The phospholipase A2 activity of peroxiredoxin 6 is inhibited by the transition state analog, 1-hexadecyl-3-(trifluoroethyl)-sn-glycero-2-phosphomethanol (MJ33). This activity is required for the activation of NADPH oxidase, type 2. The present study evaluated the effect of MJ33 on manifestations of acute lung injury. Mice were injected intratracheally (IT) with LPS from Escherichia coli 0111:B4 (LPS, 1 or 5 mg/kg), either concurrently with LPS or 2 h later, and evaluated for lung injury 24 h later. MJ33 inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by lungs when measured at 24 h after LPS. LPS at either a low or high dose significantly increased lung infiltration with inflammatory cells, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2), expression of lung vascular cell adhesion molecule, lung permeability (protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, leakage of FITC-dextran, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio), tissue lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, 8-isoprostanes), tissue protein oxidation (protein carbonyls), and activation of NF-κB. MJ33, given either concurrently or 2 h subsequent to LPS, significantly reduced all of these measured parameters. Previous studies of toxicity showed a high margin of safety for MJ33 in the intact mouse. Thus we have identified MJ33 as a potent, nontoxic, and specific mechanism-based inhibitor of NADPH oxidase type 2-mediated ROS generation that protects mice against lung injury associated with inflammation.

NOX2 in lung inflammation: quantum dot based in situ imaging of NOX2-mediated expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Quantum dot (QD) imaging is a powerful tool for studying signaling pathways as they occur. Here we employ this tool to study adhesion molecule expression with lung inflammation in vivo. A key event in pulmonary inflammation is the regulation of vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM), which drives activated immune cell adherence. The induction of VCAM expression is known to be associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, but the exact mechanism or the cellular source of ROS that regulates VCAM in inflamed lungs is not known. NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) has been reported to be a major source of ROS with pulmonary inflammation. NOX2 is expressed by both endothelial and immune cells. Here we use VCAM-targeted QDs in a mouse model to show that NOX2, specifically endothelial NOX2, induces VCAM expression with lung inflammation in vivo.

p67(phox) terminates the phospholipase A(2)-derived signal for activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX2).

The phospholipase A2 (PLA2)activity of phosphorylated peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is required for activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX2). We investigated the interaction of Prdx6 with p67(phox) and its effect on NOX2 activity. With the use of specific antibodies, coimmunoprecipitation of p67(phox) and phosphorylated Prdx6 was demonstrated with lysates of mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MPMVECs) that were stimulated with angiotensin II; the interaction of p67(phox) with nonphosphorylated Prdx6 was relatively weak. Association of p67(phox) and phosphoPrdx6 in intact MPMVECs after angiotensin II stimulation was demonstrated by proximity ligation assay and was abolished by U0126, a MAP kinase inhibitor. By isothermal titration calorimetry, p67(phox) bound strongly to phosphoPrdx6 but bound poorly to Prdx6; phosphorylated p67(phox) did not bind to either Prdx6 or phosphoPrdx6. PLA2 activity of recombinant phosphoPrdx6 was decreased by >98% in the presence of p67(phox); the calculated dissociation constant (Kd) of the p67(phox): phosphoPrdx6 complex was 65 nM. PLA2 activity (MJ33 sensitive) in cell lysates following angiotensin II treatment of MPMVECs was increased by 85% following knockdown of p67(phox) with siRNA. These data indicate that p67(phox) binds to phosphoPrdx6 and inhibits its PLA2 activity, an interaction that could function to terminate the PLA2-mediated NOX2 activation signal.-Krishnaiah, S. Y., Dodia, C., Feinstein, S. I., and Fisher, A. B. p67(phox) terminates the phospholipase A2-derived signal for activation of NADPH oxidase (NOX2).

A novel nontoxic inhibitor of the activation of NADPH oxidase reduces reactive oxygen species production in mouse lung.

1-Hexadecyl-3-trifluoroethylglycero-sn-2-phosphomethanol (MJ33) is a fluorinated phospholipid analog that inhibits the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6). Prdx6 PLA2 activity is required for activation of NADPH oxidase 2 and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In vitro, MJ33 inhibited agonist-stimulated production of ROS by the isolated perfused mouse lung, lung microvascular endothelial cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. MJ33 (0.02-0.5 µmol MJ33/kg body weight) in mixed unilamellar liposomes was administered to C57BL/6 mice by either intratracheal (i.t.) or i.v. routes. Lung MJ33 content, measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy, showed uptake of 67-87% of the injected dose for i.t. and 23-42% for i.v. administration at 4 hours postinjection. PLA2 activity of lung homogenates was markedly inhibited (>85%) at 4 hours postadministration. Both MJ33 content and PLA2 activity gradually returned to near control levels over the subsequent 24-72 hours. Mice treated with MJ33 at 12.5-25 µmol/kg did not show changes (compared with control) in clinical symptomatology, body weight, hematocrit, and histology of lung, liver, and kidney during a 30- to 50-day observation period. Thus, the toxic dose of MJ33 was >25 µmol/kg, whereas the PLA2 inhibitory dose was approximately 0.02 µmol/kg, indicating a high margin of safety. MJ33 administered to mice prior to lung isolation markedly reduced ROS production and tissue lipid and protein oxidation during ischemia followed by reperfusion. Thus, MJ33 could be useful as a therapeutic agent to prevent ROS-mediated tissue injury associated with lung inflammation or in harvested lungs prior to transplantation.

Increased phospholipase A2 activity with phosphorylation of peroxiredoxin 6 requires a conformational change in the protein.

We have shown previously and confirmed in this study that the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) activity of peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is markedly increased by phosphorylation. This report evaluates the conformation and thermodynamic stability of Prdx6 protein after phosphorylation to understand the physical basis for increased activity. Phosphorylation resulted in decreased negative far-UV CD, strengthened ANS binding, and a lack of rigid tertiary structure, compatible with a change in conformation to that of a molten globule. The ΔG°(D) was 3.3 ± 0.3 kcal mol(-1) for Prdx6 and 1.7 ± 0.7 kcal mol(-1) for pPrdx6, suggesting that phosphorylation destabilizes the protein. Phosphorylation of Prdx6 changed the conformation of the N-terminal domain exposing Trp 33, as determined by tryptophan fluorescence and NaI fluorescence quenching. The kinetics of interaction of proteins with unilamellar liposomes (50:25:15:10 DPPC:egg PC:cholesterol:PG molar ratio) were evaluated with tryptophan fluorescence. pPrdx6 bound to liposomes with a higher affinity (K(d) = 5.6 ± 1.2 µM) than Prdx6 (K(d) = 24.9 ± 4.5 µM). By isothermal titration calorimetry, pPrdx6 bound to liposomes with a large exothermic heat loss (ΔH = -31.49 ± 0.22 kcal mol(-1)). Correlating our conformational studies with the published crystal structure of oxidized Prdx6 suggests that phosphorylation results in exposure of hydrophobic residues, thereby providing accessibility to the sites for liposome binding. Because binding of the enzyme to the phospholipid substrate interface is a requirement for PLA(2) activity, these results indicate that a change in the conformation of Prdx6 upon its phosphorylation is the basis for enhancement of PLA(2) enzymatic activity.

Peroxiredoxin 6 phosphorylation and subsequent phospholipase A2 activity are required for agonist-mediated activation of NADPH oxidase in mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelium and alveolar macrophages.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a bifunctional enzyme with glutathione peroxidase and phospholipase A2 (PLA(2)) activities, participates in the activation of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) in neutrophils, but the mechanism for this effect is not known. We now demonstrate that Prdx6 is required for agonist-induced NOX2 activation in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) and that the effect requires the PLA(2) activity of Prdx6. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to angiotensin II (Ang II) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was markedly reduced in perfused lungs and isolated PMVEC from Prdx6 null mice. Rac1 and p47(phox), cytosolic components of NOX2, translocated to the endothelial cell membrane after Ang II treatment in wild-type but not Prdx6 null PMVEC. MJ33, an inhibitor of Prdx6 PLA(2) activity, blocked agonist-induced PLA(2) activity and ROS generation in PMVEC by >80%, whereas inhibitors of other PLA(2)s were ineffective. Transfection of Prx6 null cells with wild-type and C47S mutant Prdx6, but not with mutants of the PLA(2) active site (S32A, H26A, and D140A), "rescued" Ang II-induced PLA(2) activity and ROS generation. Ang II treatment of wild-type cells resulted in phosphorylation of Prdx6 and its subsequent translocation from the cytosol to the cell membrane. Phosphorylation as well as PLA(2) activity and ROS generation were markedly reduced by the MAPK inhibitor, U0126. Thus, agonist-induced MAPK activation leads to Prdx6 phosphorylation and translocation to the cell membrane, where its PLA(2) activity facilitates assembly of the NOX2 complex and activation of the oxidase.

Human peroxiredoxin 6 is essential for malaria parasites and provides a host-based drug target.

The uptake and digestion of host hemoglobin by malaria parasites during blood-stage growth leads to significant oxidative damage of membrane lipids. Repair of lipid peroxidation damage is crucial for parasite survival. Here, we demonstrate that Plasmodium falciparum imports a host antioxidant enzyme, peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6), during hemoglobin uptake from the red blood cell cytosol. PRDX6 is a lipid-peroxidation repair enzyme with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity. Inhibition of PRDX6 with a PLA2 inhibitor, Darapladib, increases lipid-peroxidation damage in the parasite and disrupts transport of hemoglobin-containing vesicles to the food vacuole, causing parasite death. Furthermore, inhibition of PRDX6 synergistically reduces the survival of artemisinin-resistant parasites following co-treatment of parasite cultures with artemisinin and Darapladib. Thus, PRDX6 is a host-derived drug target for development of antimalarial drugs that could help overcome artemisinin resistance.

Intracellular targeting of peroxiredoxin 6 to lysosomal organelles requires MAPK activity and binding to 14-3-3ε.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), a bifunctional protein with GSH peroxidase and lysosomal-type phospholipase A(2) activities, has been localized to both cytosolic and acidic compartments (lamellar bodies and lysosomes) in lung alveolar epithelium. We postulate that Prdx6 subcellular localization affects the balance between the two activities. Immunostaining localized Prdx6 to lysosome-related organelles in the MLE12 and A549 alveolar epithelial cell lines. Inhibition of trafficking by brefeldin A indicated processing of the protein through the vesicular pathway. Trafficking of Prdx6 was decreased by inhibitors of PKC, ERK, and p38 MAPK. Immunocytochemistry, immunoprecipitation, and an in situ proximity ligation assay (Duolink) showed that binding of the lysosomal targeting sequence of Prdx6 (amino acids 31-40) to 14-3-3ε was dependent on activity of PKC, ERK, and p38 MAPK. Knockdown of 14-3-3ε with siRNA inhibited the lysosomal targeting of Prdx6. In vitro study with recombinant proteins by pull-down assay and surface plasmon resonance confirmed the interaction of Prdx6 and 14-3-3ε. These findings suggest that ERK and p38 MAPK regulate subcellular localization of Prdx6 by activation of 14-3-3ε as a chaperone protein, resulting in its translocation to acidic organelles.

Novel variants in the PRDX6 Gene and the risk of Acute Lung Injury following major trauma.

BACKGROUND: Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is involved in redox regulation of the cell and is thought to be protective against oxidant injury. Little is known about genetic variation within the PRDX6 gene and its association with acute lung injury (ALI). In this study we sequenced the PRDX6 gene to uncover common variants, and tested association with ALI following major trauma. METHODS: To examine the extent of variation in the PRDX6 gene, we performed direct sequencing of the 5' UTR, exons, introns and the 3' UTR in 25 African American cases and controls and 23 European American cases and controls (selected from a cohort study of major trauma), which uncovered 80 SNPs. In silico modeling was performed using Patrocles and Transcriptional Element Search System (TESS). Thirty seven novel and tagging SNPs were tested for association with ALI compared with ICU at-risk controls who did not develop ALI in a cohort study of 259 African American and 254 European American subjects that had been admitted to the ICU with major trauma. RESULTS: Resequencing of critically ill subjects demonstrated 43 novel SNPs not previously reported. Coding regions demonstrated no detectable variation, indicating conservation of the protein. Block haplotype analyses reveal that recombination rates within the gene seem low in both Caucasians and African Americans. Several novel SNPs appeared to have the potential for functional consequence using in silico modeling. Chi2 analysis of ALI incidence and genotype showed no significant association between the SNPs in this study and ALI. Haplotype analysis did not reveal any association beyond single SNP analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed novel SNPs within the PRDX6 gene and its 5' and 3' flanking regions via direct sequencing. There was no association found between these SNPs and ALI, possibly due to a low sample size, which was limited to detection of relative risks of 1.93 and above. Future studies may focus on the role of PRDX6 genetic variation in other diseases, where oxidative stress is suspected.

Inhibition of Peroxiredoxin 6 PLA2 Activity Decreases Oxidative Stress and the Severity of Acute Lung Injury in the Mouse Cecal Ligation and Puncture Model.

The use of agents to inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed for the treatment of Acute Lung Injury (ALI). However, this approach also inhibits the bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) and other cells, raising the possibility of aggravating lung injury in ALI associated with bacterial infection. We used the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of ALI associated with sepsis to investigate the effect of inhibiting NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-derived ROS production, the main source of ROS in lungs. A phospholipase A2 inhibitor called peroxiredoxin 6 inhibitory peptide-2 (PIP-2) was used to inhibit NOX2 activation; the peptide prevents liberation of Rac, a necessary NOX2 co-factor. At 18 h after intravenous treatment with 2 µg PIP-2 /gram body weight (wt), the number of colony-forming bacteria in lungs and peritoneal fluid of mice with CLP was approximately doubled as compared to untreated mice. Treatment with 10 µg PIP-2/g body wt resulted in 100% mortality within 18 h. Antibiotic treatment abolished both the increase in lung bacteria with low dose PIP-2 and the increased mortality with high dose PIP-2. Treatment with PIP-2 plus antibiotics resulted in significantly improved lung histology, decreased PMN infiltration, decreased lung fluid accumulation, and decreased oxidative lung injury compared to antibiotics alone. We conclude that the administration of PIP-2 provides partial protection against lung injury in a model of ALI due to bacterial infection, while concurrent antibiotic treatment abolishes the deleterious effects of PIP-2 on lung bacterial clearance. These results suggest that addition of PIP-2 to the antibiotic regimen is beneficial for treatment of ALI associated with bacterial infection.