Hydrogen peroxide stimulates macrophages and monocytes to actively release HMGB1

Daolin Tang1, Yongzhong Shi, Rui Kang

  • 1Department of Pathophysiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Insights

Oxidative stress from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) triggers the release of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) from immune cells. This release involves cellular mechanisms dependent on MAPK and CRM1 signaling pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

  • High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) is a crucial mediator of inflammatory responses, secreted by immune cells or released from necrotic cells.
  • HMGB1 plays a significant role in both innate and adaptive immunity during infection and injury.
  • Understanding the triggers for HMGB1 release is vital for comprehending inflammatory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species, on HMGB1 release from macrophages and monocytes.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying H2O2-induced HMGB1 release, including cellular translocation and signaling pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Macrophage and monocyte cultures were treated with varying concentrations of H2O2.
  • HMGB1 release, cytoplasmic translocation, and cytotoxicity were assessed over time.
  • The involvement of specific signaling pathways (MAPK, JNK, MEK, p38) and nuclear export factor CRM1 was investigated using inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • H2O2 induced both active and passive HMGB1 release in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
  • Non-toxic H2O2 concentrations promoted HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation and active release.
  • Higher H2O2 concentrations caused cytotoxicity, leading to both active and passive HMGB1 release.
  • H2O2 stimulated the interaction between HMGB1 and the nuclear export factor CRM1.
  • JNK and MEK pathway inhibitors, but not p38 MAPK inhibitors, abrogated H2O2-induced active HMGB1 release.

Conclusions:

  • Oxidative stress, specifically H2O2, plays a significant role in inducing active HMGB1 release from macrophages and monocytes.
  • The H2O2-induced HMGB1 release mechanism appears to involve mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and chromosome region maintenance (CRM1) signaling.
  • These findings highlight a novel link between oxidative stress and inflammatory mediator release, with potential implications for inflammatory diseases.