High-level reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in neutrophils is tightly regulated, as it can damage host cells. Neutrophils also undergo low-level ROS production when stimulated by cytokines or chemoattractants, but its biologic significance remains largely unknown. Voltagegated proton channels (Hv1/VSOP) activity reportedly supports ROS production in neutrophils; however, we show here that Hv1/VSOP balances ROS production to suppress neutrophil directional migration in the presence of low concentrations of N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF).Neutrophils derived from Hvcn1 gene knockout mice produced more ROS than neutrophils from wild-type mice in the stimulation with fMLF at concentration of 1 µM and nonstimulus condition. They also exhibited stronger chemotactic responses to low concentrations of fMLF than did wild-type neutrophils. Receptor sensitivity to fMLF and evoked Ca 2+ responses did not differ between Hv1/VSOP-deficient and wild-type neutrophils. Activation of ERK, but not p38, was enhanced and prolonged during the increased ROS production seen after fMLF stimulation in Hv1/VSOP-deficient neutrophils. Inhibiting ROS production suppressed the enhanced ERK activation in Hv1/VSOP-deficient neutrophils and their directional migration. These results indicate that Hv1/VSOP balances ROS production to reduce ERK signaling and suppress excessive neutrophil migration in response to fMLF. Our findings thus reveal a novel role for ROS in the directional migration of neutrophils.
K E Y W O R D S
ERK, migration, proton channel, ROS
INTRODUCTIONVoltage-gated proton channels (Hv1/VSOP) regulate a variety of cell functions, including T cell homeostasis, 1 BCR signaling, 2 sperm motility, 3 and pH regulation in airway epithelium. 4 However, the most extensively studied function of Hv1/VSOP is its positive regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in phagocytes. 2,5-7 Because the ROS generator NADPH oxidase transfers electrons across the cell membrane and releases protons inside the cell, its activity can lead to intracellular acidification and depolarization. 8 Hv1/VSOP offsets acidification and depolarization by mediating extrusion of intra-