Nitric oxide activates an Nrf2/sulfiredoxin antioxidant pathway in macrophages.

Peroxiredoxins (Prx's) are a family of peroxidases that maintain thiol homeostasis by catalyzing the reduction of organic hydroperoxides, H2O2, 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 H2O2. 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 H2O2 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 H2O2 signaling. We propose that an NO(•)/Nrf2/Srx pathway participates in the maintenance of redox homeostasis in cytokine-activated macrophages and other inflammatory settings.