Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR ) gene 1 . Although bacterial lung infection and the resulting inflammation cause most of the morbidity and mortality, how loss of CFTR first disrupts airway host defense has remained uncertain 2 – 6 . We asked what abnormalities impair eradication when a bacterium lands on the pristine surface of a newborn CF airway? To investigate these defects, we interrogated the viability of individual bacteria immobilized on solid grids and placed on the airway surface. As a model we studied CF pigs, which spontaneously develop hallmark features of CF lung disease 7 , 8 . At birth, their lungs lack infection and inflammation, but have a reduced ability to eradicate bacteria 8 . Here we show that in newborn wild-type pigs, the thin layer of airway surface liquid (ASL) rapidly killed bacteria in vivo , when removed from the lung, and in primary epithelial cultures. Lack of CFTR reduced bacterial killing. We found that ASL pH was more acidic in CF, and reducing pH inhibited the antimicrobial activity of ASL. Reducing ASL pH diminished bacterial killing in wild-type pigs, and increasing ASL pH rescued killing in CF pigs. These results directly link the initial host defense defect to loss of CFTR, an anion channel that facilitates HCO 3 − transport 9 – 13 . Without CFTR, airway epithelial HCO 3 − secretion is defective, ASL pH falls and inhibits antimicrobial function, and thereby impairs killing of bacteria that enter the newborn lung. These findings suggest that increasing ASL pH might prevent the initial infection in patients with CF and that assaying bacterial killing could report on the benefit of therapeutic interventions.

Superoxide and its derivatives are increasingly implicated in the regulation of physiological functions from oxygen sensing and blood pressure regulation to lymphocyte activation and sperm-oocyte fusion. Here we describe a novel superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase referred to as NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5). NOX5 is distantly related to the gp91 phox subunit of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase with conserved regions crucial for the electron transport (NADPH, FAD and heme binding sites). However, NOX5 has a unique N-terminal extension that contains three EF hand motifs. The mRNA of NOX5 is expressed in pachytene spermatocytes of testis and in B-and T-lymphocyte-rich areas of spleen and lymph nodes. When heterologously expressed, NOX5 was quiescent in unstimulated cells. However, in response to elevations of the cytosolic Ca 2؉ concentration it generated large amounts of superoxide. Upon Ca 2؉ activation, NOX5 also displayed a second function: it became a proton channel, presumably to compensate charge and pH alterations due to electron export. In summary, we have identified a novel NADPH oxidase that generates superoxide and functions as a H ؉ channel in a Ca 2؉ -dependent manner. NOX5 is likely to be involved in Ca 2؉ -activated, redox-dependent processes of spermatozoa and lymphocytes such as sperm-oocyte fusion, cell proliferation, and cytokine secretion.

NOX4 is an enigmatic member of the NOX (NADPH oxidase) family of ROS (reactive oxygen species)-generating NADPH oxidases. NOX4 has a wide tissue distribution, but the physiological function and activation mechanisms are largely unknown, and its pharmacology is poorly understood. We have generated cell lines expressing NOX4 upon tetracycline induction. Tetracycline induced a rapid increase in NOX4 mRNA (1 h) followed closely (2 h) by a release of ROS. Upon tetracycline withdrawal, NOX4 mRNA levels and ROS release decreased rapidly (<24 h). In membrane preparations, NOX4 activity was selective for NADPH over NADH and did not require the addition of cytosol. The pharmacological profile of NOX4 was distinct from other NOX isoforms: DPI (diphenyleneiodonium chloride) and thioridazine inhibited the enzyme efficiently, whereas apocynin and gliotoxin did not (IC(50)>100 muM). The pattern of NOX4-dependent ROS generation was unique: (i) ROS release upon NOX4 induction was spontaneous without need for a stimulus, and (ii) the type of ROS released from NOX4-expressing cells was H(2)O(2), whereas superoxide (O(2)(-)) was almost undetectable. Probes that allow detection of intracellular O(2)(-) generation yielded differential results: DHE (dihydroethidium) fluorescence and ACP (1-acetoxy-3-carboxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidine) ESR measurements did not detect any NOX4 signal, whereas a robust signal was observed with NBT. Thus NOX4 probably generates O(2)(-) within an intracellular compartment that is accessible to NBT (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium), but not to DHE or ACP. In conclusion, NOX4 has a distinct pharmacology and pattern of ROS generation. The close correlation between NOX4 mRNA and ROS generation might hint towards a function as an inducible NOX isoform.

NOX1, an NADPH oxidase expressed predominantly in colon epithelium, shows a high degree of similarity to the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. However, superoxide generation by NOX1 has been difficult to demonstrate. Here we show that NOX1 generates superoxide when co-expressed with the p47 phox and p67 phox subunits of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase but not when expressed by itself. Since p47 phox and p67 phox are restricted mainly to myeloid cells, we searched for their homologues and identified two novel cDNAs. The mRNAs of both homologues were found predominantly in colon epithelium. Differences between the homologues and the phagocyte NADPH oxidase subunits included the lack of the autoinhibitory domain and the protein kinase C phosphorylation sites in the p47 phox homologue as well as the absence of the first Src homology 3 domain and the presence of a hydrophobic stretch in the p67 phox homologue. Co-expression of NOX1 with the two novel proteins led to stimulus-independent high level superoxide generation. Stimulus dependence of NOX1 was restored when p47 phox was used to replace its homologue. In conclusion, NOX1 is a superoxide-generating enzyme that is activated by two novel proteins, which we propose to name NOXO1 (NOX organizer 1) and NOXA1 (NOX activator 1).Superoxide generation by phagocytes plays a crucial role in the elimination of invading microorganisms. It is catalyzed by the phagocyte NADPH oxidase, an enzyme consisting of two transmembrane subunits, p22 phox and gp91 phox , and at least three cytosolic subunits, p47 phox , p67 phox , and Rac2 (1). Upon activation, the NADPH oxidase subunits assemble, and electrons are transported from intracellular NADPH to extracellular oxygen by the flavo-heme gp91 phox subunit (2). Recently six gp91 phox homologues have been described in mammals: NOX1 1 (3, 4), NOX3 (5, 6), and NOX4 (7, 8) with an overall structure similar to gp91 phox (alias NOX2), NOX5 with an N-terminal EF hand-containing extension (9), and DUOX1 and DUOX2 with an additional peroxidase homology domain (10 -12). NOX1 is found mainly in colon epithelium (3, 4); NOX3 in embryonic kidney (5, 6), NOX4 in the kidney cortex (7, 8), NOX5 in lymphoid organs and testis (9), DUOX1 in thyroid and lung, and DUOX2 in thyroid and colon (10 -12).Based on their primary structure all members of the NOX/ DUOX family should be flavo-heme electron transporters. However, it is not established whether all NOX enzymes transfer electrons to oxygen or whether some of them may use other electron acceptors as has been shown for a yeast homologue of gp91phox that functions as a ferric reductase (13). Among NOX enzymes, only gp91 phox and NOX5 have appeared capable of generating large amounts of superoxide, both of them in a stimulus-dependent manner (1, 9).Based on data gained with NOX1-transfected NIH 3T3 cell clones NOX1 has been suggested to be a subunit-independent, low capacity superoxide-generating enzyme involved in the regulation of mitogenesis (4, 14). However, we have not been able to measure any superoxide generat...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in drug-, noise-, and age-dependent hearing loss, but the source of ROS in the inner ear remains largely unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that NADPH oxidase (NOX) 3, a member of the NOX/dual domain oxidase family of NADPH oxidases, is highly expressed in specific portions of the inner ear. As assessed by real-time PCR, NOX3 mRNA expression in the inner ear is at least 50-fold higher than in any other tissues where its expression has been observed (e.g. fetal kidney, brain, skull). Microdissection and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that NOX3 is localized to the vestibular and cochlear sensory epithelia and to the spiral ganglions. Transfection of human embryonic kidney 293 cells with NOX3 revealed that it generates low levels of ROS on its own but produces high levels of ROS upon co-expression with cytoplasmic NOX subunits. NOX3-dependent superoxide production required a stimulus in the absence of subunits and upon co-expression with phagocyte NADPH oxidase subunits p47 phox and p67 phox , but it was stimulus-independent upon co-expression with colon NADPH oxidase subunits NOX organizer 1 and NOX activator 1. Pre-incubation of NOX3-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells with the ototoxic drug cisplatin markedly enhanced superoxide production, in both the presence and the absence of subunits. Our data suggest that NOX3 is a relevant source of ROS generation in the cochlear and vestibular systems and that NOX3-dependent ROS generation might contribute to hearing loss and balance problems in response to ototoxic drugs.The inner ear is a highly complex structure involved in hearing and balancing. The conversion of sound into electrical signals occurs within the cochlea, in the organ of Corti, and the electrical signals are conducted by the axons of spiral ganglion neurons to the brain. The linear movement of the head is sensed by the otolith organs (utricle and saccule) and the rotation movements by the ampulla of the semicircular canals. The signals generated in the vestibular system are transmitted by the vestibular ganglion neurons to the central nervous system.Hearing impairment caused by loss of cochlear function occurs frequently, if not invariably, over a lifetime. Noise and ototoxic chemicals may lead to a precocious, rapid hearing loss, whereas aging leads to a more insidious, chronic loss of hearing. Research over the last decades has identified reactive oxygen species (ROS) 1 as the major factor mediating hearing loss (1). ROS is generated within the cochlea after exposure to ototoxic drugs (e.g. cisplatin (2, 3), aminoglycoside antibiotics (3)) or to noise (4). Signs of oxidative stress, such as DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, have been documented in vivo in response to those challenges (5, 6), as well as in cochlear aging (7). The vestibular system is also damaged by ototoxic drugs (8, 9) in a process that includes excessive ROS production (10, 11).Although the role of oxidative stress in inner ear damage is well established, its source ...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH oxidases (Nox) have been implicated in the regulation of signal transduction. However, the cellular mechanisms that link Nox activation with plasma membrane receptor signaling remain poorly defined. We have found that Nox2-derived ROS influence the formation of an active interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor complex in the endosomal compartment by directing the H2O2-dependent binding of TRAF6 to the IL-1R1/MyD88 complex. Clearance of both superoxide and H2O2 from within the endosomal compartment significantly abrogated IL-1β-dependent IKK and NF-κB activation. MyD88-dependent endocytosis of IL-1R1 following IL-1β binding was required for the redox-dependent formation of an active endosomal receptor complex competent for IKK and NF-κB activation. Small interfering RNAs to either MyD88 or Rac1 inhibited IL-1β induction of endosomal superoxide and NF-κB activation. However, MyD88 and Rac1 appear to be recruited independently to IL-1R1 following ligand stimulation. In this context, MyD88 binding was required for inducing endocytosis of IL-1R1 following ligand binding, while Rac1 facilitated the recruitment of Nox2 into the endosomal compartment and subsequent redox-dependent recruitment of TRAF6 to the MyD88/IL-1R1 complex. The identification of Nox-active endosomes helps explain how subcellular compartmentalization of redox signals can be used to direct receptor activation from the plasma membrane.

NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) is a homologue of the gp91 phox subunit of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. NOX5 is expressed in lymphoid organs and testis and distinguished from the other NADPH oxidases by its unique N terminus, which contains three canonical EFhands, Ca 2؉ -binding domains. Upon heterologous expression, NOX5 was shown to generate superoxide in response to intracellular Ca 2؉ elevations. In this study, we have analyzed the mechanism of Ca 2؉ activation of NOX5. In a cell-free system, Ca 2؉ elevations triggered superoxide production by NOX5 (K m ‫؍‬ 1.06 M) in an NADPH-and FAD-dependent but cytosol-independent manner. That result indicated a role for the N-terminal EF-hands in NOX5 activation. Therefore, we generated recombinant proteins of NOX5 N terminus and investigated their interactions with Ca 2؉ . Flow dialysis experiments showed that NOX5 N terminus contained four Ca 2؉ -binding sites and allowed us to define the hitherto unidentified fourth, non-canonical EF-hand. The EFhands of NOX5 formed two pairs: the very N-terminal pair had relatively low affinity for Ca 2؉ , whereas the more C-terminal pair bound Ca 2؉ with high affinity. Ca 2؉ binding caused a marked conformation change in the N terminus, which exposed its hydrophobic core, and became able to bind melittin, a model peptide for calmodulin targets. Using a pull-down assay, we demonstrate that the regulatory N terminus and the catalytic C terminus of NOX5 interact in a Ca 2؉ -dependent way. Our results indicate that the Ca 2؉ -induced conformation change of NOX5 N terminus led to enzyme activation through an intra-molecular interaction. That represents a novel mechanism of activation among NAD(P)H oxidases and Ca 2؉ -activated enzymes.

ROS generation by NOX4 is a key player in epithelial cell death leading to pulmonary fibrosis.