Abstract
The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) controls a network of cytoprotective genes. Neither how Nrf2 is activated in the heart under hemodynamic overload nor its role and mechanism of action are known. This study aimed to investigate the activation and role of Nrf2 during chronic cardiac pressure overload. We first compared the responses of Nrf2(-/-) mice and wild-type littermates to chronic pressure overload. Hearts of Nrf2(-/-) mice showed impaired antioxidant gene expression, increased hypertrophy, and worse function compared with those of wild-type littermates after overload. Hearts of Nrf2(-/-) mice had increased mitochondrial DNA damage, a caspase 8/BH3-interacting domain death agonist-related cleavage of mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor, nuclear DNA damage, and cell death. Nrf2 activation was under the control of the endogenous reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-4, both in vivo and in vitro. In mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-4, Nrf2 deletion significantly attenuated their protective phenotype during chronic pressure overload. This study identifies nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-4-dependent upregulation of Nrf2 as an important endogenous protective pathway that limits mitochondrial damage and apoptosis-inducing factor-related cell death in the heart under hemodynamic overload.