Activation of AP-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB transcription factors is involved in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death of oligodendrocytes.

H2O2-induced onset and execution of programmed cell death in mature rat brain oligodendrocytes in culture is accompanied by the induction and nuclear translocation of the transcription factors AP-1 and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), both of which have been discussed as regulators of cell death and survival. Supershift analysis of nuclear extracts indicated that the AP-1 complex consists of c-Jun, c-Fos, JunD, and possibly JunB proteins, and that the NF-kappaB complex contains p50, p65, and c-Rel proteins. The first signs of DNA fragmentation were seen already during the first hour after the treatment. DNA fragmentation could be prevented by the antioxidants pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and vitamin E, by the nuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid, and by preincubation with the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO). Additionally, DFO protected oligodendrocytes from H2O2-induced cytotoxic effects as assessed by the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay, and suppressed the formation of free radicals. DFO alone led to a slight increase and in combination with H2O2 synergistically induced DNA-binding activities of AP-1 and NF-kappaB in oligodendrocytes. Our data suggest that although low levels of H2O2 directly activate AP-1 and NF-kappaB and might contribute to signal transduction pathways promoting cell survival, the formation and action of hydroxyl radicals promote cell death mechanisms that can be attenuated by the iron chelator DFO.