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Beyond oxidative stress: an immunologist's guide to reactive oxygen species

Carl Nathan1, Amy Cunningham-Bussel

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York 10065, USA. cnathan@med.cornell.edu

Nature Reviews. Immunology
|April 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) impact cell functions from homeostasis to death by altering proteins and DNA. Overcoming challenges in ROS localization and quantification is key for medical advancements.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical signaling molecules with diverse biological roles.
  • ROS influence fundamental cellular processes, including homeostasis, cell death, and gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of ROS in cellular functions and biological competition.
  • To highlight the challenges in studying ROS and their implications for medical translation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ROS chemistry and biological effects.
  • Analysis of ROS involvement in molecular and cellular processes.
  • Discussion of challenges in ROS detection and manipulation.

Main Results:

  • ROS exhibit preferential reactivity with specific atoms, modulating protein function, DNA integrity, and gene transcription.
  • Cellular actions of ROS encompass inflammation, immunity, and carcinogenesis.
  • ROS play roles in host-microorganism and intermicrobial competition.

Conclusions:

  • The complex chemistry and pleiotropic effects of ROS present significant challenges for their localization, quantification, and manipulation.
  • Overcoming these challenges is essential for translating ROS biology into effective medical therapies and advancements.

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