Cysteine Trisulfide Induces the Generation of Hydropersulfides and Inhibits the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines

Presenter: Serena Pen

Co-Presenter(s):
Megan Hanley

Presenter Status: Undergraduate student

Academic Year: 22-23

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor: Joseph Lin

Department: Biology

Funding Source/Sponsor: McNair

Abstract:
The role of hydrogen sulfide in cellular and physiologic systems has been a topic of interest for many decades. While hydrogen sulfide itself has been extensively investigated by several groups, less is known about the effects of the hydropersulfides (RSSH) and polysulfides that can be generated following treatment of cells with hydrogen sulfide. In this study, we examine the effects of cysteine trisulfide (Cys-SSS-Cys; also known as thiocystine) on mammalian cells. We show that Cys-SSS-Cys treatment of cells results in the rapid production of cysteine hydropersulfide (Cys-SSH). These hydropersulfides display a protective effect against electrophile-induced toxicity. We go on to show that inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages is inhibited in cells treated with Cys-SSS-Cys. These data together demonstrate that cells can utilize Cys-SSS-Cys to generate Cys-SSH and that the Cys-SSH can protect cellular thiols from reactivity with electrophiles and inhibit the inflammatory response.