Tat-ATOX1 inhibits inflammatory responses via regulation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways

Antioxidant 1 (ATOX1) protein has been reported to exhibit various protective functions, including antioxidant and chaperone. However, the effects of ATOX1 on the inflammatory response has not been fully elucidated. Thus, we prepared cell permeable Tat-ATOX1 and studied the effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation. Experimental results showed that transduced Tat-ATOX1 protein significantly suppressed LPS-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Also, Tat-ATOX1 protein markedly inhibited LPS- and TPA-induced inflammatory responses by decreasing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and further inhibited phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs; JNK, ERK and p38) and the nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. These results indicate that the Tat-ATOX1 protein has a pivotal role in inflammation via inhibition of inflammatory responses, suggesting Tat-ATOX1 protein may offer a therapeutic strategy for inflammation.