loading page

The hydrogen sulfide signaling in macrophages: A foe or friend?
  • +5
  • Xin-Qiang Wang,
  • Wang Congyi,
  • Fei Sun,
  • Jia-hui Luo,
  • Tian-tian Yue,
  • Fa-xi Wang,
  • Chun-liang Yang,
  • Shu Zhang
Xin-Qiang Wang
Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Wang Congyi
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Fei Sun
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Jia-hui Luo
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Tian-tian Yue
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Fa-xi Wang
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Chun-liang Yang
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile
Shu Zhang
The Center for Biomedical Research, Tongji Hospital
Author Profile

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the latest identified small gaseous mediator featured by its lipophilic nature to freely permeate the biological membranes. Initially, H2S was recognized by its roles in neuronal activity and vascular relaxation, which makes it an important molecule involved in paracrine signaling pathways. Recently, the immune regulatory function of gasotransmitters, H2S in particular, is increasingly being appreciated. Endogenous H2S level has been linked to macrophage activation, polarization, and inflammasome formation. Mechanistically, H2S-induced protein S-sulfhydration suppresses several inflammatory pathways including NF-κB and JNK signaling. Moreover, H2S 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 H2S studies in macrophages, and to discuss with focus on the therapeutic potential of H2S donors by targeting macrophages. The feasibility of H2S signaling component as a macrophage biomarker under disease conditions would be also discussed.