Nox2 is a mediator of ischemia reperfusion injury

Delayed graft function (DGF) results from ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and the generation of reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) plays an important role in pathways leading to DGF. We tested this hypothesis in vitro, in an animal model of IRI using wild type and Nox2(-/-) mice, and in patients with DGF. Under hypoxic conditions, primary tubular epithelial cells from Nox2(-/-) mice had reduced expression of MMP2, vimentin, and HSP27. BUN and creatinine levels were significantly increased in both Nox2(-/-) and WT mice at 4 weeks and 6 months after IRI, suggesting the development of acute and chronic kidney injury. At 4 weeks, kidney fibrosis (α-SMA, picrosirius) and oxidative stress (dihydroethidine, HNE) were significantly reduced in Nox2(-/-) mice, confirming the oxidative and pro-fibrotic effects of Nox2. The molecular signature of IRI using genomic analyses demonstrated a significant decline in hypoxia reponse, oxidative stress, fibrosis, and inflammation in Nox2(-/-) mice. Immunohistochemical analyses of pre-implanatation kidney allograft biopsies from patients with subsequent DGF showed significantly greater Nox2 levels and vascular injury compared with patients without DGF. These studies demonstrate that Nox2 is a modulator of IRI and its absence is associated with reduced inflammation, OS, and fibrosis.