Crocidolite activates NF-kappa B and MIP-2 gene expression in rat alveolar epithelial cells. Role of mitochondrial-derived oxidants.

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is a transcription factor that regulates expression of several genes coding for inflammatory and immunoregulatory proteins including the neutrophil chemotactic cytokine MIP-2. In previous studies we found that crocidolite asbestos activates the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B as well as MIP-2 gene expression in rat alveolar type II cells. Here we report that both crocidolite-induced NF-kappa B activation of MIP-2 gene expression can be attenuated by the antioxidant tetramethylthiourea, suggesting the dependence of these responses on oxidative stress. Crocidolite exposure of RLE-TN cells also increased production of H2O2, a response that was inhibited by the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA). TTFA treatment of RLE-6TN cells also inhibited crocidolite-induced nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B and MIP-2 gene expression. These results indicate crocidolite exposure of rat alveolar type II cells results in increased production of mitochondrial-derived hydrogen peroxide and that mitochondrial-derived oxidants contribute to crocidolite activation of NF-kappa B and increases in MIP-2 gene expression.