Leukotriene B(4) inhibits neutrophil apoptosis via NADPH oxidase activity: redox control of NF-κB pathway and mitochondrial stability

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012 Oct;1823(10):1990-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2012.07.012. Epub 2012 Aug 4.

Abstract

Leukotriene B(4), an arachidonic acid-derived lipid mediator, is a known proinflammatory agent that has a direct effect upon neutrophil physiology, inducing reactive oxygen species generation by the NADPH oxidase complex and impairing neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis, which in turn may corroborate to the onset of chronic inflammation. Despite those facts, a direct link between inhibition of neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis and NADPH oxidase activation by leukotriene B(4) has not been addressed so far. In this study, we aim to elucidate the putative role of NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species in leukotriene B(4)-induced anti-apoptotic effect. Our results indicate that NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species are critical to leukotriene B(4) pro-survival effect on neutrophils. This effect also relies on redox modulation of nuclear factor kappaB signaling pathway. We have also observed that LTB(4)-induced Bad degradation and mitochondrial stability require NADPH oxidase activity. All together, our results strongly suggest that LTB(4)-induced anti-apoptotic effect in neutrophils occurs in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. We do believe that a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis may contribute to the development of more successful strategies to control chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene B4 / pharmacology*
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Neutrophils / cytology*
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Neutrophils / enzymology*
  • Oxidation-Reduction / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Leukotriene B4
  • NADPH Oxidases