association between nox4 and nrf2 genes in non-small-cell lung carcinoma:a case-control study

Background: epithelial malignancy in lung cancer, which is initiated with myofibroblast differentiation and remodeling, promotes hypoxia and intracellular ros generation most affected by the prototypical enzyme, nadph oxidase 4 (nox4). in addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (nrf2) acts as a critical transcription factor by stimulating antioxidant proteins as redox homeostasis regulators. the aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between lung tissue nox4 and nrf2 genes (nox4 and nrf2) mrna expression and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (balf) protein expression in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (nsclc) patients. methods: samples from 25 patients with various nsclc types and stages and 20 healthy controls were collected. nox4 and nrf2 mrna were measured by qrt-pcr, and protein by western blot analysis. results: nox4 mrna and protein expression was significantly up-regulated in nsclc patients’ lung tissues and balfs (p= 0.03 and 0.01, respectively). in addition, by adjusting for age, sex, and nsclc types and stages, a significant and positive correlation was observed between nox4 and nrf2 mrna expression (r= 0.927, p= 0.001). this was also true when not adjusted as above (r= 0.944, p< 0.001). conclusions: nox4 mrna and protein expression is significantly up-regulated in nsclc patients’ lung tissues and balfs, and nox4 and nrf2 mrna expression is positively correlated in nsclc tissues.