The NADPH Oxidase Nox4 Controls Macrophage Polarization in an NF κ B-Dependent Manner

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Apr 18:2019:3264858. doi: 10.1155/2019/3264858. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The family of NADPH oxidases represents an important source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cell. Nox4 is a special member of this family as it constitutively produces H2O2 and its loss promotes inflammation. A major cellular component of inflammation is the macrophage population, which can be divided into several subpopulations depending on their phenotype, with proinflammatory M(LPS+IFNγ) and wound-healing M(IL4+IL13) macrophages being extremes of the functional spectrum. Whether Nox4 is expressed in macrophages is discussed controversially. Here, we show that macrophages besides a high level of Nox2 indeed express Nox4. As Nox4 contributes to differentiation of many cells, we hypothesize that Nox4 plays a role in determining the polarization and the phenotype of macrophages. In bone marrow-derived monocytes, ex vivo treatment with LPS/IFNγ or IL4/IL13 results in polarization of the cells into M(LPS+IFNγ) or M(IL4+IL13) macrophages, respectively. In this ex vivo setting, Nox4 deficiency reduces M(IL4+IL13) polarization and forces M(LPS+IFNγ). Nox4-/- M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages express more Nox2 and produce more superoxide anions than wild type M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages. Mechanistically, Nox4 deficiency reduces STAT6 activation and promotes NFκB activity, with the latter being responsible for the higher level of Nox2 in Nox4-deficient M(LPS+IFNγ)-polarized macrophages. According to those findings, in vivo, in a murine inflammation-driven fibrosarcoma model, Nox4 deficiency forces the expression of proinflammatory genes and cytokines, accompanied by an increase in the number of proinflammatory Ly6C+ macrophages in the tumors. Collectively, the data obtained in this study suggest an anti-inflammatory role for Nox4 in macrophages. Nox4 deficiency results in less M(IL4+IL13) polarization and suppression of NFκB activity in monocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Polarity / physiology
  • Fibrosarcoma / enzymology
  • Fibrosarcoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Interleukins / pharmacology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Macrophages / cytology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / enzymology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / deficiency
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Interferon-gamma
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • NOX4 protein, human
  • Nox4 protein, mouse