A pivotal role for NF-κB in the macrophage inflammatory response to the myeloperoxidase oxidant hypothiocyanous acid

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Atherosclerosis is characterised by the infiltration of macrophages at sites of inflammation within the vessel wall and the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), which forms hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN). HOCl is a damaging oxidant implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Preferential formation of HOSCN occurs under conditions where thiocyanate ions are elevated, as is the case in smokers. HOSCN reacts selectively with thiols, which can result in more enzyme inactivation and damage than HOCl at susceptible sites, which may contribute to atherosclerosis in smokers. In this study, we show that exposure of macrophages to HOSCN results in a time- and dose-dependent increase in the mRNA expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including monocyte chemotactic protein 1, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interleukins 6, 8 and 1 beta. At high oxidant concentrations (> 200 mu M), a significant loss of cellular thiols and increased cell death is observed. HOSCN-induced cytokine/chemokine expression and cell death were decreased on pharmacological inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B. These data highlight a pathway by which HOSCN could promote inflammation and the development of atherosclerosis, in the presence of supra-physiological levels of the precursor thiocyanate, which are achievable by cigarette smoking.
Original languageEnglish
JournalArchives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Volume642
Pages (from-to)23-30
Number of pages8
ISSN0003-9861
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018

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