Abstract
Background and objectives: Increased oxidative stress is related to the pathogenesis of asthma. Peroxireoxin (Prx), ubiquitous antioxidant enzymes, also termed thioredoxin peroxidases. However, its role in the allergic inflammation remains unidentified. The present study investigates the expression and possible role of Prx and hyperoxidized Prx (Prx-SO3) in asthmatic patients.
Methods: At first, the expression of Prx and Prx-SO3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of asthma patients were semi-quantitatively measured by using Western blot methods from asthma patients and control subjects. And then, to evaluate if higher sensitivity to oxidative stress exposure exists in PBMCs from asthmatics, intracellular ROS levels with hydrogen peroxide treatment were also determined by flowcytometry.
Results: The levels of Prx-SO3/Prx in PBMCs of asthma patients were significantly higher compared to those in normal subjects and were also related with asthma severity. Furthermore, the intracellular ROS after hydrogen peroxide treatment were remarkably enhanced and prolonged in PBMCs from asthmatics, while transiently increased intracellular ROS levels were observed in control subjects.
Conclusions: The hyperoxidation of Prx may be related with increases susceptibility to oxidative stress and possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of severe asthma.
- © 2011 ERS