Early induction of NRF2 antioxidant pathway by RHBDF2 mediates rapid cutaneous wound healing.

Authors

Vishnu Hosur, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Lisa M. Burzenski, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Timothy M Stearns, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Michelle L Farley, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
John P Sundberg, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Michael V. Wiles, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow
Leonard D. Shultz, The Jackson LaboratoryFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-6-2017

JAX Source

Exp Mol Pathol 2017 Mar 6; 102(2):337-346.

Volume

102

Issue

2

First Page

337

Last Page

346

ISSN

1096-0945

PMID

28268192

Grant

CA034196, OD011190, AR049288, Sackler Fund

Abstract

Rhomboid family protein RHBDF2, an upstream regulator of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor signaling, has been implicated in cutaneous wound healing. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still emerging. In humans, a gain-of-function mutation in the RHBDF2 gene accelerates cutaneous wound healing in an EGFR-dependent manner. Likewise, a gain-of-function mutation in the mouse Rhbdf2 gene (Rhbdf2(cub/cub)) shows a regenerative phenotype (rapid ear-hole closure) resulting from constitutive activation of the EGFR pathway. Because the RHBDF2-regulated EGFR pathway is relevant to cutaneous wound healing in humans, we used Rhbdf2(cub/cub) mice to investigate the biological networks and pathways leading to accelerated ear-hole closure, with the goal of identifying therapeutic targets potentially effective in promoting wound healing in humans. Comparative transcriptome analysis of ear pinna tissue from Rhbdf2(cub/cub) and Rhbdf2(+/+) mice at 0h, 15min, 2h, and 24h post-wounding revealed an early induction of the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2)-mediated anti-oxidative pathway (0h and 15min), followed by the integrin-receptor aggregation pathway (2h) as early-stage events immediately and shortly after wounding in Rhbdf2(cub/cub) mice. Additionally, we observed genes enriched for the Fc fragment of the IgG receptor IIIa (FCGR3A)-mediated phagocytosis pathway 24h post-wounding. Although cutaneous wound repair in healthy individuals is generally non-problematic, it can be severely impaired due to aging, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. This study suggests that activation of the NRF2-antioxidant pathway by rhomboid protein RHBDF2 might be beneficial in treating chronic non-healing wounds. Exp Mol Pathol 2017 Mar 6; 102(2):337-346.

Recommended Citation

Hosur V, Burzenski LM, Stearns T, Farley M, Sundberg J, Wiles MV, Shultz LD. Early induction of NRF2 antioxidant pathway by RHBDF2 mediates rapid cutaneous wound healing. Exp Mol Pathol 2017 Mar 6; 102(2):337-346.