Nrf2: Redox and Metabolic Regulator of Stem Cell State and Function

Xiaozhen Dai; Xiaoqing Yan; Kupper A Wintergerst; Lu Cai; Bradley B Keller; Yi Tan

doi:10.1016/j.molmed.2019.09.007

Nrf2: Redox and Metabolic Regulator of Stem Cell State and Function

Trends Mol Med. 2020 Feb;26(2):185-200. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.09.007. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

Authors

Xiaozhen Dai¹, Xiaoqing Yan², Kupper A Wintergerst³, Lu Cai⁴, Bradley B Keller⁵, Yi Tan⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Biosciences and Technology, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
² Chinese-American Research Institute for Diabetic Complications, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
³ Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Wendy Novak Diabetes Center, Louisville, KY, USA; Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
⁴ Wendy Novak Diabetes Center, Louisville, KY, USA; Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
⁵ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Kosair Charities Pediatric Heart Research Program, Cardiovascular Innovation Institute, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. Electronic address: Brad.Keller@louisville.edu.
⁶ Wendy Novak Diabetes Center, Louisville, KY, USA; Pediatric Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA. Electronic address: yi.tan@louisville.edu.

PMID: 31679988
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.09.007

Abstract

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is ubiquitously expressed in most eukaryotic cells and functions to induce a broad range of cellular defenses against exogenous and endogenous stresses, including oxidants, xenobiotics, and excessive nutrient/metabolite supply. Because the production and fate of stem cells are often modulated by cellular redox and metabolic homeostasis, important roles of Nrf2 have emerged in the regulation of stem cell quiescence, survival, self-renewal, proliferation, senescence, and differentiation. In a rapidly advancing field, this review summarizes Nrf2 signaling in the context of stem cell state and function and provides a rationale for Nrf2 as a therapeutic target in stem cell-based regenerative medicine.

Keywords: adult stem cell; metabolic reprogramming; nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; pluripotent stem cell; reactive oxygen species.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Differentiation / physiology
Cell Proliferation / physiology
Homeostasis / physiology
Humans
NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
Oxidation-Reduction
Stem Cells / metabolism*
Stem Cells / physiology*

Substances

NF-E2-Related Factor 2