The role of Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in the treatment of respiratory diseases and the research progress on targeted drugs
Mengyang Zhang,
Jing Wang,
Runze Liu,
Qi Wang,
Song Qin,
Yuqin Chen,
Wenjun Li
Affiliations
Mengyang Zhang
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
Jing Wang
Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
Runze Liu
Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
Qi Wang
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
Song Qin
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
Yuqin Chen
State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510120, China; Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, 92093, USA
Wenjun Li
Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China; Corresponding author. Qingdao Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao, Shandong, 266112, China.
Lungs are exposed to external oxidants from the environment as in harmful particles and smog, causing oxidative stress in the lungs and consequently respiratory ailment. The NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the one with transcriptional regulatory function, while its related protein Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) inhibits Nrf2 activity. Together, they form the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which regulates the body's defense against oxidative stress. This pathway has been shown to maintain cellular homeostasis during oxidative stressing, inflammation, oncogenesis, and apoptosis by coordinating the expression of cytoprotective genes and making it a potential therapeutic target for respiratory diseases. This paper summarizes this point in detail in Chapter 2. In addition, this article summarizes the current drug development and clinical research progress related to the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, with a focus on the potential of Nrf2 agonists in treating respiratory diseases. Overall, the article reviews the regulatory mechanisms of the Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway in respiratory diseases and the progress of targeted drug research, aiming to provide new insights for treatment.
