title: JP-8 induces immune suppression via a reactive oxygen species NF-kappabeta-dependent mechanism.
abstract: Applying jet fuel (JP-8) to the skin of mice induces immune suppression. JP-8-treated keratinocytes secrete prostaglandin E(2), which is essential for activating immune suppressive pathways. The molecular pathway leading to the upregulation of the enzyme that controls prostaglandin synthesis, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, is unclear. Because JP-8 activates oxidative stress and because reactive oxygen species (ROS) turn on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappabeta), which regulates the activity of COX-2, we asked if JP-8-induced ROS and NF-kappabeta contributes to COX-2 upregulation and immune suppression in vivo. JP-8 induced the production of ROS in keratinocytes as measured with the ROS indicator dye, aminophenyl fluorescein. Fluorescence was diminished in JP-8-treated keratinocytes overexpressing catalase or superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes. JP-8-induced COX-2 expression was also reduced to background in the catalase and SOD transfected cells, or in cultures treated with N-acetylcysteine (NAC). When NAC was injected into JP-8-treated mice, dermal COX-2 expression, and JP-8-induced immune suppression was inhibited. Because ROS activates NF-kappabeta, we asked if this transcriptional activator played a role in the enhanced COX-2 expression and JP-8-induced immune suppression. When JP-8-treated mice, or JP-8-treated keratinocytes were treated with a selective NF-kappabeta inhibitor, parthenolide, COX-2 expression, and immune suppression were abrogated. Similarly, when JP-8-treated keratinocytes were treated with small interfering RNA specific for the p65 subunit of NF-kappabeta, COX-2 upregulation was blocked. These data indicate that ROS and NF-kappabeta are activated by JP-8, and these pathways are involved in COX-2 expression and the induction of immune suppression by jet fuel.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Immunology and the Center for Cancer Immunology Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Alberto Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Limon-Flores
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Ullrich
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006838:Hydrocarbons; C098607:JP8 aviation fuel; D016328:NF-kappa B; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C498144:Rela protein, mouse; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; C002669:parthenolide; C077623:Ptgs2 protein, mouse; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase