Modulation of glutaredoxin-1 expression in a mouse model of allergic airway disease

Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2007 Feb;36(2):147-51. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2006-0259RC. Epub 2006 Sep 15.

Abstract

Glutaredoxins (GRX) are antioxidant enzymes that preferentially catalyze the reduction of protein-glutathione mixed disulfides. The formation of mixed disulfides with GSH is known as S-glutathionylation, a post-translational modification that is emerging as an important mode of redox signaling. Since asthma is a disease that is associated with increased oxidative stress and altered antioxidant defenses, we investigated the expression of GRX in a murine model of allergic airway disease. Sensitization and challenge of C57BL/6 mice with ovalbumin resulted in increased expression of GRX1 mRNA, as well as increased amounts of GRX1 protein and total GRX activity in the lung. Because GRX1 expression is prominent in bronchial epithelium, we isolated primary epithelial cells from mouse trachea to investigate the presence of GRX. Primary tracheal epithelial cells were found to express both GRX1 and 2 mRNA and detectable GRX activity. Treatment with IFN-gamma increased the expression of GRX1 and overall GRX activity, resulting in attenuation of protein S-glutathionylation. In contrast, TGF-beta1 caused decreased GRX1 expression and overall GRX activity, leading to markedly enhanced protein S-glutathionylation. GRX1 joins the cadre of antioxidant defenses known to be modulated during allergic airway inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / enzymology
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / drug effects
  • Glutaredoxins
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / enzymology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Oxidoreductases / genetics*
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / chemically induced*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / enzymology*
  • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / pathology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology

Substances

  • Glrx protein, mouse
  • Glutaredoxins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Oxidoreductases
  • Glutathione