The role of hydrogen sulphide signalling in macrophage activation
Fei Sun, Jia‐Hui Luo, Tiantian Yue, Faxi Wang, Chunliang Yang, Shu Zhang, X Y Wang, Cong‐Yi Wang
Abstract
Summary Hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) is the latest identified small gaseous mediator enabled by its lipophilic nature to freely permeate the biological membranes. Initially, H 2 S was recognized by its roles in neuronal activity and vascular relaxation, which makes it an important molecule involved in paracrine signalling pathways. Recently, the immune regulatory function of gasotransmitters, H 2 S in particular, is increasingly being appreciated. Endogenous H 2 S level has been linked to macrophage activation, polarization and inflammasome formation. Mechanistically, H 2 S‐induced protein S‐sulphydration suppresses several inflammatory pathways including NF‐κB and JNK signalling. Moreover, H 2 S serves as a potent cellular redox regulator to modulate epigenetic alterations and to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in macrophages. Here in this review, we intend to summarize the recent advancements of H 2 S studies in macrophages, and to discuss with focus on the therapeutic potential of H 2 S donors by targeting macrophages. The feasibility of H 2 S signalling component as a macrophage biomarker under disease conditions would be also discussed.