Hemoglobin as a pseudoperoxidase and drug target for oxidative stress-related diseases

Hemoglobin (Hb) is well known for transporting oxygen in the blood, but its role in the brain remains poorly understood. Here, we identified Hb in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nuclei of hippocampal and substantia nigra astrocytes and dopaminergic neurons. As a pseudoperoxidase, Hb decomposes hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and mitigates H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage. However, in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and aging, excessive H₂O₂ diminishes astrocytic Hb, perpetuating a vicious cycle of oxidative stress and neurodegeneration. To counter the harmful effects of aberrant H₂O₂ production in diseases, we developed KDS12025, a BBB-permeable small molecule that enhances Hb pseudoperoxidase activity 100-fold, even at a low level of Hb. KDS12025 and its analogs achieve this enhancement through its electron-donating amine group, possibly stabilizing the complex between Hb, H₂O₂, and KDS12025. KDS12025 reduces astrocytic H₂O₂, alleviates astrogliosis, normalizes Hb, and reverts to a virtuous cycle of redox balance, preventing neurodegeneration without altering the oxygen-transport function of Hb. Gene silencing of Hb abrogates the impact of KDS12025 in both culture and animal models, confirming the necessity of Hb for the effects of KDS12025. KDS12025 extends survival and improves motor function even in severe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and aging. Furthermore, the enrichment of astrocytic Hb in the nucleolus highlights a novel antioxidative mechanism potentially protecting against nuclear oxidative damage. Our findings suggest that Hb is a new therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases, with KDS12025 emerging as a first-in-class approach that enhances Hb pseudoperoxidase activity to reduce H₂O₂. Increasing Hb pseudoperoxidase activity with KDS12025 mitigates oxidative stress and alleviates neurodegeneration in AD, PD, and ALS patients and increases the degree of aging, with broad applicability for numerous oxidative-stress-driven diseases.