Hydrogen peroxide production by epidermal dual oxidase 1 regulates nociceptive sensory signals

• Published in: Redox biology 2023-06, Vol.62, p.102670-102670, Article 102670
• Main Authors: Pató, Anna, Bölcskei, Kata, Donkó, Ágnes, Kaszás, Diána, Boros, Melinda, Bodrogi, Lilla, Várady, György, Pape, Veronika F.S., Roux, Benoit T., Enyedi, Balázs, Helyes, Zsuzsanna, Watt, Fiona M., Sirokmány, Gábor, Geiszt, Miklós
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Dual oxidase 1; Dual Oxidases - genetics; DUOX1; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - metabolism; Mammals - metabolism; NADPH oxidase; NADPH Oxidase 1; NADPH Oxidases - metabolism; Nociception; Peroxides; Research Paper; Skin
• ISSN: 2213-2317; 2213-2317
• DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102670

Keratinocytes of the mammalian skin provide not only mechanical protection for the tissues, but also transmit mechanical, chemical, and thermal stimuli from the external environment to the sensory nerve terminals. Sensory nerve fibers penetrate the epidermal basement membrane and function in the tight intercellular space among keratinocytes. Here we show that epidermal keratinocytes produce hydrogen peroxide upon the activation of the NADPH oxidase dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1). This enzyme can be activated by increasing cytosolic calcium levels. Using DUOX1 knockout animals as a model system we found an increased sensitivity towards certain noxious stimuli in DUOX1-deficient animals, which is not due to structural changes in the skin as evidenced by detailed immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic analysis of epidermal tissue. We show that DUOX1 is expressed in keratinocytes but not in the neural sensory pathway. The release of hydrogen peroxide by activated DUOX1 alters both the activity of neuronal TRPA1 and redox-sensitive potassium channels expressed in dorsal root ganglia primary sensory neurons. We describe hydrogen peroxide, produced by DUOX1 as a paracrine mediator of nociceptive signal transmission. Our results indicate that a novel, hitherto unknown redox mechanism modulates noxious sensory signals. [Display omitted] •DUOX1 is the most abundantly expressed NADPH oxidase in mouse keratinocytes.•Biotinyl tyramide-based method was devised to visualize DUOX1 produced H2O2in vitro.•DUOX1 knockout mice displayed enhanced thermal allodynic response.•H2O2 pretreated TRPA1 expressing cells reduced their responsiveness to TRPA1 agonists.•H2O2 modulates the redox state of Kcnq4 (Kv7.4) potassium channel.