Peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) is a bifunctional enzyme with peroxidase and phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) activities. Although the cellular function of the peroxidase of Prdx6 has been well elucidated, the function of the PLA 2 of Prdx6 is largely unknown. Here, we report a novel function for the PLA 2 in regulating TNF-induced apoptosis through arachidonic acid (AA) release and interleukin-1b (IL-1b) production. Prdx6 knockdown (Prdx6 KD ) in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS2B) shows severe decreases of peroxidase and PLA 2 activities. Surprisingly, Prdx6KD cells are markedly resistant to apoptosis induced by TNF-a in the presence of cycloheximide, but are highly sensitive to hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, the release of AA and the production of IL-1b induced by proinflammatory stimuli, such as TNF-a, LPS, and poly I/C, are severely decreased in Prdx6 KD cells. More interestingly, the restoration of Prdx6 expression with wild-type Prdx6, but not PLA 2 -mutant Prdx6 (S32A), in Prdx6 KD cells dramatically induces the recovery of TNF-induced apoptosis, AA release, and IL-1b production, indicating specific roles for the PLA 2 activity of Prdx6. Our results provide new insights into the distinct roles of bifunctional Prdx6 with peroxidase and PLA 2 activities in oxidative stress-induced and TNF-induced apoptosis, respectively.