Objective: Periodontitis is a progressive and inflammatory oral disease and results in the damage of the supporting tissues of teeth. Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is an antioxidant enzyme identified as a regulator in ferroptosis. This study aimed to investigate whether PRDX6 could protect human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and its mechanisms.
Material and methods: Both inflamed and non-inflamed human gingival tissues were collected to assess the expression of PRDX6 and nuclear factor erythropoietin 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) by Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of PRDX6 have been clarified in PRDX6 silenced cells. The inflammatory cytokines in HGFs were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA. The lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) was detected by C11-BODIPY.
Results: The expression of PRDX6 and NRF2 were decreased in gingival tissues of severe periodontitis patients. The increased LPS-induced LOOH and inflammatory cytokines were found in PRDX6 knockdown HGFs. Besides, the inhibition of ferroptosis or PRDX6 phospholipase A2 activity (PLA2) alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and LOOH. However, inhibiting NRF2 signalling upregulated those in HGFs.
Conclusions: Therefore, this study provided a new mechanistic insight that PRDX6, regulated by the NRF2 signalling, alleviates LPS-induced inflammation and ferroptosis in human gingival fibroblasts.
Keywords: LPS; PRDX6; ferroptosis; periodontitis.