Dimethyl fumarate is a nuclear factor (erythroid-derived)-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway activator and induces upregulation of antioxidant gene expression.
Dimethyl fumarate causes short-lived oxidative stress, which leads to increased levels and nuclear localization of the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and a subsequent increase in glutathione synthesis and recycling in neuronal cells[1]. Dimethyl fumarate inhibits dendritic cell (DC) maturation by reducing inflammatory cytokine production (IL-12 and IL-6) and the expression of MHC class II, CD80, and CD86. Dimethyl fumarate impairs nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling via reduced p65 nuclear translocalization and phosphorylation. Dimethyl fumarate inhibits maturation of DCs and subsequently Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation by suppression of both NF-κB and ERK1/2-MSK1 signaling[2]. Dimethyl fumarate inhibits TNF-alpha-induced nuclear entry of NF-kappaB in rat heart endothelial cells (RHEC)[3]. Dimethyl fumarate, an immune modulator and inducer of the antioxidant response, suppresses HIV replication and neurotoxin release. Dimethyl fumarate attenuates CCL2-induced monocyte chemotaxis, suggesting that Dimethyl fumarate could decrease recruitment of activated monocytes to the CNS in response to inflammatory mediators[4].
Dimethyl fumarate inhibits nuclear entry of NF-kappaB in RHEC and reduces myocardial infarct size after ischemia and reperfusion in rats in vivo[3]. Dimethyl fumarate oral administration is shown to upregulate mRNA and protein levels of Nrf2 and Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective genes, attenuate 6-OHDA induced striatal oxidative stress and inflammation in C57BL/6 mice[5].
References:
[1]. Albrecht P, et al. Effects of dimethyl fumarate on neuroprotection and immunomodulation. J Neuroinflammation. 2012 Jul 7;9:163
[2]. Peng H, et al. Dimethyl fumarate inhibits dendritic cell maturation via nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and mitogen stress-activated kinase 1 (MSK1) signaling. J Biol Chem. 2012 Aug 10;287(33):28017-26.
[3]. Meili-Butz S, et al. Dimethyl fumarate, a small molecule drug for psoriasis, inhibits Nuclear Factor-kappaB and reduces myocardial infarct size in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 May 31;586(1-3):251-8.
[4]. Cross SA, et al. Dimethyl fumarate, an immune modulator and inducer of the antioxidant response, suppresses HIV replication and macrophage-mediated neurotoxicity: a novel candidate for HIV neuroprotection. J Immunol. 2011 Nov 15;187(10):5015-25.
[5]. Jing X, et al. Dimethyl fumarate attenuates 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells and in animal model of Parkinson's disease by enhancing Nrf2 activity. Neuroscience. 2015 Feb 12;286:131-40
[6]. Li Y, et al. Dimethyl fumarate accelerates wound healing under diabetic condition. J Mol Endocrinol. 2018 Jul 23. pii: JME-18-0102.