Visualizing the H2O2-Nrf2 Relationship Using an Oxygen-Independent Nrf2
Biosensor Under Controlled Oxygen Conditions
Abstract
Background & Purpose: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play pivotal roles
in cellular signaling. Nrf2 is a key transcription factor that regulates
redox homeostasis. However, the relationship between Nrf2 and H2O2 is
controversially discussed in the literature. Thus, we aimed to
investigate how varying intracellular H2O2 levels, manipulated through
different methods, influence Nrf2 regulation in brain endothelial cells
under physiological normoxia (5 kPa O₂), contrasting with typical
hyperoxic cell culture conditions. Experimental Approach: In this study,
we developed and validated a novel oxygen-independent Nrf2 biosensor,
Pericellular Oxygen-Insensitive Nrf2 Total LEvel Reporter (POINTER),
using human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3). We
investigated the relationship between intracellular H2O2 and Nrf2 levels
under varying oxygen conditions, employing exogenous H₂O₂ application,
chemogenetic production of H2O2 via modified D-amino acid oxidase
(mDAAO), and pharmacological induction of H2O2 with Auranofin. Key
Results: POINTER confirmed significantly lower Nrf2 levels in hCMEC/D3
cells under physiological normoxia (5 kPa) compared to hyperoxia (room
air). Auranofin demonstrated efficacy in modulating intracellular H2O2
increase comparable to exogenous administration of H₂O₂, yet H₂O₂ levels
recovered to the baseline 24 hours after this treatment. Moreover, only
chemogenetically produced H2O2 remained significantly elevated in cells
after 24 hours. More importantly, only Auranofin, but not exogenous
provision of H2O2 and chemogenetically induced oxidative stress robustly
increased Nrf2 levels under physiological oxygen conditions demonstrated
by the POINTER biosensor. Conclusion and Implications: These findings
reveal the intricate regulation of Nrf2, indicating that both
antioxidant inhibition and the elevation of H₂O₂ are crucial for
modulating Nrf2 levels under physioxia.