Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species ROS in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
Trichostatin A Shows Transient Protection from Chronic Alcohol-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production in
Tiyash Parira1, Gloria Figueroa1, Sherly Granado1
1Department of Immunology and Nano-Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to understand whether histone deacetylase (HDACs) inhibitor Trichostatin A or TSA can block and/or reverse chronic alcohol exposure-induced ROS in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). Additionally, since nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is a known regulator of antioxidant responses, we studied the effects of alcohol and TSA on ROS production and modulation of Nrf2 by MDDCs.
Methods:
Intra-cellular, extra-cellular, and total ROS levels were measured in MDDCs treated chronically with alcohol (0.1 and 0.2 % EtOH) using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCF-DA) followed by detection of ROS in microplate reader and imaging flow cytometer. Nrf2 expression was analyzed by qRT- PCR and western blot. In addition, NFE2L2 (Nrf2), class I HDAC genes HDAC1, HDAC2, and histone acetyltransferase genes KAT5 were analyzed in silico using the GeneMania prediction server.
Results:
Our results confirmed alcohol's ability to increase intracellular ROS levels in MDDCs within minutes of treatment. Our findings have also demonstrated, for the first time, that TSA has a transient protective effect on MDDCs treated chronically with alcohol since the ability of TSA to reduce intracellular ROS levels is only detected up to 15 minutes post-chronic alcohol treatment with no significant protective effects by 10 hours. In addition, chronic alcohol treatment was able to increase the expression of the antioxidant regulator Nrf2 in a dose dependent manner, and the effect of the higher amount of alcohol (0.2%) on Nrf2 gene expression was significantly enhanced by TSA.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates that TSA has a transient protective effect against ROS induced by chronic alcohol exposure of human MDDCs and chronic long-term exposure of MDDCs with alcohol and TSA induces cellular toxicity. It also highlights imaging flow cytometry as a novel tool to detect intracellular ROS levels. Overall, the effect of TSA might be mediated through Nrf2; however, further studies are needed to fully understand the molecular mechanisms.
Insights
Trichostatin A (TSA) offers transient protection against alcohol-induced ROS in human dendritic cells, but long-term exposure causes toxicity. The antioxidant regulator Nrf2 may mediate TSA's effects, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Chronic alcohol exposure induces oxidative stress (ROS) in immune cells.
- Dendritic cells play a crucial role in immune responses.
- Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are being explored for therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Trichostatin A (TSA) can inhibit or reverse alcohol-induced ROS in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs).
- To examine the impact of alcohol and TSA on ROS production and the antioxidant regulator Nrf2 in MDDCs.
Main Methods:
- MDDCs were chronically treated with varying concentrations of alcohol (0.1% and 0.2%).
- Intracellular, extracellular, and total ROS levels were measured using DCF-DA and imaging flow cytometry.
- Nrf2 expression was analyzed via qRT-PCR and western blot; in silico analysis of relevant genes was performed.
Main Results:
- Alcohol rapidly increased intracellular ROS levels in MDDCs.
- TSA demonstrated a transient protective effect, reducing ROS only up to 15 minutes post-treatment.
- Chronic alcohol exposure upregulated Nrf2 expression in a dose-dependent manner, an effect enhanced by TSA at higher alcohol concentrations.
Conclusions:
- TSA provides a temporary protective effect against alcohol-induced ROS in MDDCs.
- Prolonged co-exposure to alcohol and TSA leads to cellular toxicity.
- Nrf2 may be involved in TSA's mechanism, but further research is needed to elucidate the molecular pathways.
Related Concept Videos
Protection of Alcohols
Protection
It defines a protecting group as the masking agent to make the more reactive species inert to a given set of conditions. This concept is depicted via the illustration of liquid flow through different outlets in an assembly of pipes. The analogy helps to understand the role...
Relative Reactivity of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
A key factor in assessing the reactivity of the acid derivatives is the basicity of the substituent or the leaving group. The lower the basicity of the leaving group, the higher the reactivity of the derivative. The basicity of the leaving group follows this order:
Halide ions < Acyloxy ions < Alkoxy ions < Amine ions
What is a Species?
Biodiversity and Human Values
Formation of Species
Keystone Species

