Mild ozonisation activates antioxidant cell response by the Keap1/Nrf2 dependent pathway

Treatment with low-dose ozone is successfully exploited as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of several disorders. Although the list of medical applications of ozone therapy is increasing, molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are still partially known. Clinical and experimental evidence suggests that the therapeutic effects of ozone treatment may rely on its capability to mount a beneficial antioxidant response through activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway. However, a conclusive mechanistic demonstration is still lacking. Here, we bridge this gap of knowledge by providing evidence that treatment with a low concentration of ozone in cultured cells promotes nuclear translocation of Nrf2 at the chromatin sites of active transcription and increases the expression of antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven genes. Importantly, we show that ozone-induced ARE activation can be reverted by the ectopic expression of the Nrf2 specific inhibitor Kelch-like ECH associated protein (Keap1), thus proving the role of the Nrf2 pathway in the antioxidant response induced by mild ozonisation. [Display omitted] •Low ozone concentrations induce increases nuclear translocation of Nrf2 at the transcriptional sites.•Low ozone concentrations activate ARE-driven transcription in a dose-dependent manner.•Low ozone concentrations trigger an antioxidant response through activation of the Nrf2/Keap1-dependent pathway.