bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular mechanisms of antioxidant enzyme expression in lung during exposure to and recovery from hyperoxia
Authors: Clerch Linda Biadasz , Massaro Donald , Berkovich Alla
Published: December 2017

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity falls ∼50% in lung during 48 h of exposure of adult rats to >95% O2(L. B. Clerch and D. Massaro. J. Clin. Invest. 91: 499–508, 1993). We now show that hyperoxia also decreased MnSOD activity in lungs of adult baboons, making the phenomenon potentially more important to humans. In rats, a decrease in lung MnSOD activity during an initial 48 h of exposure to >95% O2and its increase during an immediately subsequent 24 h in air were due to decreases and increases, respectively, in MnSOD specific activity and synthesis rate; the latter was due to altered translational efficiency. The concentration in the lung of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase mRNA, catalase mRNA, and glutathione peroxidase mRNA, unchanged during the initial 48 h of exposure to O2, rose approximately twofold during reexposure to O2after 24 h in air. The demonstration that the fall in MnSOD activity is translationally and posttranslationally regulated during the initial exposure to hyperoxia suggests that gene transfer to increase MnSOD activity in hyperoxic lungs may also require therapy that maintains translational efficiency and MnSOD specific activity.
Disruption of normal iron homeostasis after bronchial instillation of an iron-containing particle
Authors: Ghio Andrew J. , Carter Jacqueline D. , Richards Judy H. , Brighton Luisa E. , Lay John C. , Devlin Robert B.
Published: December 2017

The atmosphere constitutes a prime vehicle for the movement and redistribution of metals. Metal exposure can be associated with an oxidative stress. We tested the hypothesis that, in response to an iron-containing particle, the human respiratory tract will demonstrate an increased expression of both lactoferrin and ferritin as the host attempts to transport and store the metal in a chemically less-reactive form and therefore diminish the oxidative stress the particle presents. Subjects ( n = 22) were instilled with 20 ml of saline and 20 ml of an iron-containing particle suspended in saline in a right middle lobe bronchus and a lingular bronchus, respectively. At either 1, 2, or 4 days after this exposure, the volunteer was lavaged for a sample of the lower respiratory tract, and concentrations ofl-ferritin, transferrin, and lactoferrin were measured by enzyme immunoassay, immunoprecipitin analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Transferrin receptor was also quantified by ELISA. The concentrations of l-ferritin in the lavage fluid of lung exposed to particles were significantly increased relative to the levels of the protein in the segment exposed to saline. Relative to saline instillation, transferrin was significantly diminished after exposure to the iron-containing particle, whereas both lactoferrin and transferrin receptor concentrations in the segment of the lung exposed to the particle were significantly elevated. We conclude that instillation of an iron-containing particle was associated with a disequilibrium in iron metabolism in the lower respiratory tract. The response included increased ferritin and lactoferrin concentrations, whereas transferrin concentrations diminished. This coordinated series of reactions by the host effects a decrease in the availability of catalytically reactive iron to likely diminish the consequent oxidative stress to the human host.
Repeated allergen inhalations induce DNA synthesis in airway smooth muscle and epithelial cells in vivo
Authors: Panettieri Reynold A. , Murray Richard K. , Eszterhas Andrew J. , Bilgen Gulsevil , Martin James G.
Published: December 2017

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass appears to be increased in the bronchi of patients with chronic severe asthma. Although the precise mechanisms that induce these changes are unknown, increases in ASM mass are caused, in part, by ASM cell proliferation. After allergen challenge in rats, it has been possible to demonstrate an increase in ASM mass by morphometric techniques. To examine whether hyperplasia is involved in ASM cell growth in vivo, we investigated whether repeated allergen challenges in sensitized Brown Norway rats stimulated DNA synthesis in airway epithelial and ASM cells. Animals that were actively sensitized to ovalbumin (OA) received either three aerosolized OA or saline challenges at 5-day intervals. DNA synthesis was measured by indirect immunohistochemical techniques with an anti-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) antibody. OA inhalations increased ASM mass as determined by morphometry and also induced DNA synthesis in both airway epithelial and ASM cells in the airways of sensitized animals compared with saline-challenged control animals. ASM mass was increased in large- and medium-sized airways but not in small airways. However, the number of BrdU-positive ASM cells normalized to basement membrane length was also greater in the large- and medium-sized airways compared with that in the small airways. When the number of BrdU-positive epithelial cells was normalized to basement membrane length, there was no difference among airway sizes and the number of BrdU-positive epithelial cells. These data suggest that DNA synthesis is induced in both airway epithelial and ASM cells after inhalational antigen challenge.
Dexamethasone activates expression of the PDGF-α receptor and induces lung fibroblast proliferation
Authors: Warshamana G. Sakuntala , Martinez Sylvia , Lasky Joseph A. , Corti Miriam , Brody Arnold R.
Published: December 2017

Corticosteroids (CSs) are commonly used for anti-inflammatory therapy in asthma and in interstitial lung diseases. In attempting to understand the mechanisms through which CSs control cell proliferation, we have carried out experiments to test the effects of dexamethasone (Dex) on the growth of lung fibroblasts. Using mouse 3T3 fibroblasts as well as early-passage rat lung fibroblasts (RLFs), we show that the quiescent cells in 1% serum or in serum-free media proliferate significantly in response to the addition of 10−7to 10−9M Dex. Increases as high as fourfold in cell numbers were recorded for the RLFs after 48 h in culture. A polyclonal antibody to the AB isoform of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) blocked the proliferative response. As expected, the fibroblasts produced primarily PDGF-A chain, and the RLFs exhibited few PDGF-α receptors (PDGF-Rα), the receptor type necessary for binding the AA isoform. Accordingly, we determined that Dex upregulated PDGF-Rα mRNA and protein. Therefore, we can postulate that Dex-induced fibroblast proliferation is mediated, at least in part, by PDGF-AA, which binds to the PDGF-Rα.
Cloning and expression of rat lung acidic Ca2+-independent PLA2and its organ distribution
Authors: Kim Tae-Suk , Dodia Chandra , Chen Xi , Hennigan Brian B. , Jain Mahendra , Feinstein Sheldon I. , Fisher Aron B.
Published: December 2017

A clone for a rat acidic Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2(aiPLA2) was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from rat granular pneumocytes with a probe based on the human aiPLA2sequence (T. S. Kim, C. S. Sundaresh, S. I. Feinstein, C. Dodia, W. R. Skach, M. K. Jain, T. Nagase, N. Seki, K. Ishikawa, N. Nomura, and A. B. Fisher. J. Biol. Chem. 272: 2542–2550, 1997). In addition, a consensus sequence for mouse aiPLA2was constructed from several mouse cDNA clones in the GenBank and dbEST databases. Each sequence codes for a 224-amino acid protein with 88% identity of the amino acids among the three species and conservation of a putative lipase motif (GDSWG). Translation of mRNA produced from the rat clone in a wheat germ system resulted in expression of PLA2activity with properties similar to those of the human enzyme, i.e., acidic pH optimum and Ca2+independence. The localization of aiPLA2in rat tissues was studied with the human cDNA probe, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and aiPLA2activity. aiPLA2is present in the lung as evidenced by high levels of mRNA and protein expression and by enzymatic activity that is inhibited by anti-PLA2antibody and by the transition state analog 1-hexadecyl-3-trifluoroethylglycero- sn-2-phosphomethanol (MJ33). Immunocytochemistry showed the presence of aiPLA2in alveolar type II cells, alveolar macrophages, and bronchiolar epithelium. In the brain, heart, liver, kidney, spleen, and intestine, aiPLA2mRNA content was <50% of that in the lung, immunoreactive protein was not detectable, and enzymatic activity was not inhibited by MJ33 or aiPLA2antibody. These results show marked enrichment of aiPLA2in the lung compared with the other organs and suggest translational control of aiPLA2expression.
Role of cAMP and neuronal K+channels on α2-AR-induced inhibition of ACh release in equine trachea
Authors: Zhang Xiang-Yang , Zhu Feng-Xia , Robinson N. Edward
Published: December 2017

To investigate the effects of changes in intracellular cAMP on α2-adrenoceptor (AR)-induced inhibition of airway acetylcholine (ACh) release, we examined the effects of the α2-AR agonist clonidine on electrical field stimulation-evoked ACh release from equine tracheal parasympathetic nerves before and after treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP or forskolin. We also tested whether charybdotoxin (ChTX)- or iberiotoxin (IBTX)-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels mediate α2-AR-induced inhibition by examining the effect of clonidine in the absence and presence of ChTX or IBTX on ACh release. The amount of released ACh was measured by HPLC coupled with electrochemical detection. Clonidine (10−7 to 10−5 M) dose dependently inhibited ACh release before and after treatment with 8-bromo-cAMP (10−3 M) or forskolin (3 × 10−5M). ChTX and IBTX, both at the concentration of 5 × 10−7 M, significantly increased ACh release; however, they did not alter the magnitude of clonidine-induced inhibition. These results indicated that in equine tracheal parasympathetic nerves, α2-AR-induced inhibition of ACh release is via an intracellular cAMP-independent pathway. Activation of both ChTX- and IBTX-sensitive Ca2+-activated K+ channels inhibits the electrical field stimulation-evoked ACh release, but these channels are not involved in the α2-AR-induced inhibition of ACh release.
Cytokine-induced nitric oxide formation in normal but not in neoplastic murine lung epithelial cell lines
Authors: Thompson David C. , Porter Stephanie E. , Bauer Alison K. , Das Kumuda C. , Ou Brandon , Dwyer-Nield Lori , White Carl W. , Malkinson Alvin M.
Published: December 2017

Cytomix, a mixture of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β, induces nitric oxide (NO) production in lung epithelial cell lines. It is not known whether neoplastic transformation alters a cell’s ability to form NO in response to cytokines. The present study investigated NO formation in two murine lines of immortalized “normal” (nontumorigenic) lung epithelial cells of alveolar type II origin, E10 and C10, and their sibling spontaneous transformants, E9 and A5. Nontumorigenic cells elaborated much more NO after cytomix exposure than did their tumorigenic counterparts. NO production was prevented by inhibiting protein synthesis and NO synthase and attenuated by dexamethasone. Northern and Western blot analyses of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) demonstrated cytomix-induced induction of iNOS only in nontumorigenic cells. The deficiency in NO production in tumorigenic cells was not associated with reduced iNOS mRNA stability or with differences in cytomix-induced nuclear factor-κB activation. Although cytomix caused a greater production of NO in E10 cells than in E9 cells, the same treatment induced equivalent proliferation in both cell lines. These results indicate a specific deficiency in cytokine-induced NO synthesis in transformed murine lung epithelial cells relative to their normal progenitor cells and provide a model for investigating iNOS regulation.
Acetylcholine stimulates alveolar macrophages to release inflammatory cell chemotactic activity
Authors: Sato Etsuro , Koyama Sekiya , Okubo Yoshio , Kubo Keishi , Sekiguchi Morie
Published: December 2017

Neurological transmitters including ACh, substance P (SP), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) play an important role in regulating airway tone, and increased bronchial reactivity to cholinergic stimulation is a well-recognized phenomenon in patients with bronchial asthma. We postulated that ACh, SP, and CGRP might stimulate alveolar macrophages (AMs) to release neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil chemotactic activities. To test this hypothesis, bovine AMs were isolated by bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured. AMs released chemotactic activities in response to ACh in a dose- and time-dependent manner ( P < 0.05). However, SP and CGRP did not stimulate bovine AMs. Checkerboard analysis revealed that these released activities were predominantly chemotactic. Partial characterization and molecular-sieve column chromatography revealed that low-molecular-weight lipid-soluble activity was predominant. Lipoxygenase inhibitors significantly blocked the release of chemotactic activities ( P < 0.05). Leukotriene B4- and platelet-activating factor-receptor antagonists blocked the chemotactic activities. Immunoreactive leukotriene B4significantly increased in supernatant fluids in response to ACh ( P < 0.05), but platelet-activating factor did not. The receptor responsible for the release of the chemotactic activities was the muscarinic M3receptor. These data demonstrate that ACh stimulates AMs to release lipoxygenase-derived chemotactic activities and plays a role in inflammatory cell recruitment into the airway.
Induction of arginase isoforms in the lung during hyperoxia
Authors: Que Loretta G. , Kantrow Stephen P. , Jenkinson Christopher P. , Piantadosi Claude A. , Huang Yuh-Chin T.
Published: December 2017

l-Arginine can be metabolized by nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) to produce NO or by arginase to produce urea andl-ornithine. In the liver, arginase (the AI isoform) is a key enzyme in the urea cycle. In extrahepatic organs including the lung, the function of arginase (the AII isoform) is less clear. Because we found that lung AII was upregulated during 100% O2exposure in preliminary experiments, we sought to characterize expression of the arginase isoforms and inducible NOS and to assess the functions of arginase in hyperoxic lung injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 100% O2for 60 h. Protein expression of AI and AII and their cellular distribution were determined. The activities of arginase and NOS were also measured. Expression of arginase was correlated with that of ornithine decarboxylase, a biochemical marker for tissue repair, in a separate group of rats allowed to recover in room air for 48 h. We found by Western blot analyses that both AI and AII proteins were upregulated after 60 h of hyperoxic exposure (403 and 88% increases by densitometry, respectively) and, like ornithine decarboxylase, remained elevated during the recovery phase. Arginase activity increased by 37%. Immunostaining showed that increases in AI and AII were mainly in the peribronchial and perivascular connective tissues. NOS activity was unchanged and inducible NOS was not induced, but the level of nitrogen oxides in the lung decreased by 67%. Our study showed in vivo induction of arginase isoforms during hyperoxia. The strong expression of arginase in the connective tissues suggests that the function of pulmonary arginase may be linked to connective tissue elements, e.g., fibroblasts, during lung injury and recovery.
Garlic prevents hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats
Authors: Fallon Michael B. , Abrams Gary A. , Abdel-Razek Tarek T. , Dai Jun , Chen Shi-Juan , Chen Yiu-Fai , Luo Bao , Oparil Suzanne , Ku David D.
Published: December 2017

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction underlies the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema. Anecdotal observations suggest a beneficial effect of garlic in preventing high-altitude symptoms. To determine whether garlic influences pulmonary vasoconstriction, we assessed the effect of garlic on pulmonary pressures in rats subjected to alveolar hypoxia and on vasoconstriction in isolated pulmonary arterial rings. Garlic gavage (100 mg/kg body wt) for 5 days resulted in complete inhibition of acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction compared with the control group. No difference in mean arterial pressure or heart rate response to hypoxia was seen between the groups. Garlic solution resulted in a significant dose-dependent vasorelaxation in both endothelium-intact and mechanically endothelium-disrupted pulmonary arterial rings. The administration of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) inhibited the vasodilatory effect of garlic by 80%. These studies document that garlic blocks hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in vivo and demonstrate a combination of endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms for the effect in pulmonary arterial rings.
Interleukin-4 inhibits mitogen-induced proliferation of human airway smooth muscle cells in culture
Authors: Hawker Kristen M. , Johnson Peter R. A. , Hughes J. Margaret , Black Judith L.
Published: December 2017

The increase in the amount of airway smooth muscle in the bronchial wall associated with asthma is partly due to hyperplasia. It is therefore important to determine which factors regulate growth and especially proliferation. In this study, we describe the effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4), a mast cell- and T lymphocyte-derived cytokine, on human airway smooth muscle proliferation as determined by [3H]thymidine uptake in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS), platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and thrombin. IL-4 (5, 15, 50, and 150 ng/ml) significantly decreased 10% FBS-induced proliferation by 50, 73, 43, and 46%, respectively. The proliferative responses to platelet-derived growth factor (20 and 40 ng/ml), basic fibroblast growth factor (30 ng/ml), and thrombin (1 and 10 U/ml) were significantly reduced by 19, 21, 37, 36, and 57% respectively in the presence of 50 ng/ml of IL-4. We investigated the effect of IL-4 and other known inhibitors of smooth muscle proliferation, namely PGE2, heparin, and forskolin, on intracellular cAMP concentrations. IL-4 (50 ng/ml) and heparin (100 U/ml) did not alter intracellular cAMP levels when cells were treated with 1 or 10% FBS. PGE2(1 μM) and forskolin (10 μM) significantly increased cAMP concentration above the control value in nonproliferating cells (1% FBS treated) by 7- and 37-fold, respectively. The effect of IL-4 (50 ng/ml), PGE2(1 μM), and forskolin (10 μM) on cyclin D1 protein expression in 10% FBS-stimulated human airway smooth muscle cells was also examined. PGE2and forskolin did not significantly inhibit cyclin D1 expression. However, IL-4 decreased cyclin D1 expression by 21%. These results provide evidence that IL-4 decreases human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation via a mechanism that is cAMP independent and mediated, in part, by a decrease in cyclin D1 protein expression.
Phosphodiesterase expression in human epithelial cells
Authors: Wright Lyndon C. , Seybold Joachim , Robichaud Annette , Adcock Ian M. , Barnes Peter J.
Published: December 2017

Epithelial cells play a critical role in airway inflammation and have the capacity to produce many inflammatory mediators, including bioactive lipids and proinflammatory cytokines. Intracellular levels of cAMP and cGMP are important in the control of inflammatory cell function. These cyclic nucleotides are inactivated via a family of phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes, providing a possible site for drug intervention in chronic inflammatory conditions. We studied the expression of PDE activity in an epithelial cell line (A549) and in primary human airway epithelial cells (HAECs). We measured PDE function using specific inhibitors to identify the PDE families present and used RT-PCR to elucidate the expression of PDE isogenes. Both A549 cells and HAECs predominantly expressed PDE4 activity, with lesser PDE1, PDE3, and PDE5 activity. RT-PCR identified HSPDE4A5 and HSPDE4D3 together with HSPDE7. Inhibition of PDE4 and PDE3 reduced secretion by these cells. Epithelial PDE may be an important target for PDE4 inhibitors in the development of the control of asthmatic inflammation, particularly when delivered via the inhaled route.
Intravenous keratinocyte growth factor protects against experimental pulmonary injury
Authors: Guo Jane , Yi Eunhee S. , Havill Andrew M. , Sarosi Ildiko , Whitcomb Lane , Yin Songmei , Middleton Scot C. , Piguet Pierre , Ulich Thomas R.
Published: December 2017

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) administered by intratracheal instillation is well documented to stimulate the proliferation of alveolar and bronchial cells. In the present study, intravenous KGF was also shown to stimulate the proliferation of alveolar and bronchial cells in mice and rats, although to a lesser degree than intratracheal KGF. Despite the decreased potency of intravenous KGF on pulmonary cell 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation compared with intratracheal KGF, intravenous KGF was very effective in preventing experimental bleomycin-induced pulmonary dysfunction, weight loss, and mortality in either mice or rats and experimental hyperoxia-induced mortality in mice. The effectiveness of intravenous administration of KGF in preventing lung injury suggests that the mechanisms of the protective effect of KGF may involve more than pulmonary cell proliferation and also suggests the potential use of systemic KGF for clinical trials in settings of pulmonary injury.
Induction of apoptosis by particulate matter: role of TNF-α and MAPK
Authors: Chin Beek Yoke , Choi Mary E. , Burdick Marie D. , Strieter Robert M. , Risby Terence H. , Choi Augustine M. K.
Published: December 2017

Particulate matter (PM) is a major by-product from the combustion of fossil fuels. The biological target of inhaled PM is the pulmonary epithelium and resident macrophages. In this study, we demonstrate that cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) exposed continously to a well-defined model of PM [benzo[ a]pyrene adsorbed on carbon black (CB+BaP)] exhibit a time-dependent expression and release of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). CB+BaP also evoked programmed cell death or apoptosis in cultured macrophages as assessed by genomic DNA-laddering assays. The CB+BaP-induced apoptosis was inhibited when macrophages were treated with CB+BaP in the presence of a neutralizing antibody to TNF-α, suggesting that TNF-α plays an important role in mediating CB+BaP-induced apoptosis in macrophages. Interestingly, neither untreated carbon black nor benzo[ a]pyrene alone induced apoptosis or caused the release of TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, we observed that TNF-α activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity, the extracellular signal-regulated kinases p42/p44, in a time-dependent manner. RAW 264.7 cells treated with PD-098059, a selective inhibitor of MAPK kinase activity, did not exhibit CB+BaP-induced apoptosis and TNF-α secretion. Furthermore, cells treated with the MAPK kinase inhibitor did not undergo TNF-α-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest that TNF-α mediates PM-induced apoptosis and that the MAPK pathway may play an important role in regulating this pathway.
Surfactant proteins A and D specifically stimulate directed actin-based responses in alveolar macrophages
Authors: Tino Michael James , Wright Jo Rae
Published: December 2017

Surfactant protein (SP) A and SP-D are the pulmonary members of the collectin family, structurally related proteins involved in innate immune responses. Here, we have examined the abilities of SP-A, SP-D, mannose-binding protein (MBP), and the complement component C1q to stimulate actin-based cellular functions in rat alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes. Our goal in this study was to examine the cell specificity of the effects of the collectins to understand further the mechanisms by which SP-A and SP-D stimulate alveolar macrophages. We found that SP-A and SP-D have lung cell-specific effects at physiologically relevant concentrations; they stimulate directional actin polymerization and chemotaxis in alveolar macrophages but not in monocytes. Although C1q and MBP weakly stimulate the rearrangement of actin in both cell types, C1q is chemotactic only for peripheral blood monocytes and MBP does not stimulate chemotaxis of either cell type. Neither C1q nor MBP stimulates actin polymerization in alveolar macrophages. These results support the hypothesis that alveolar macrophages express receptors specific for the pulmonary collectins SP-A and SP-D and provide insight into the potential roles of collectins in the recruitment and maturation of mononuclear phagocytes in the lung.
Endothelin-1 is elevated in monocrotaline pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Frasch H. Frederick , Marshall Carol , Marshall Bryan E.
Published: December 2017

These studies document striking pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition in monocrotaline (MCT) pulmonary hypertension in rats. This constriction is caused by elevated endothelin (ET)-1 production acting on ETAreceptors. Isolated, red blood cell plus buffer-perfused lungs from rats were studied 3 wk after MCT (60 mg/kg) or saline injection. MCT-injected rats developed pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, and heightened pulmonary vasoconstriction to ANG II and the NOS inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA). In MCT-injected lungs, the magnitude of the pulmonary pressor response to NOS inhibition correlated strongly with the extent of pulmonary hypertension. Pretreatment of isolated MCT-injected lungs with combined ETA(BQ-123) plus ETB(BQ-788) antagonists or ETAantagonist alone prevented thel-NMMA-induced constriction. Addition of ETAantagonist reversed establishedl-NMMA-induced constriction; ETBantagonist did not. ET-1 concentrations were elevated in MCT-injected lung perfusate compared with sham-injected lung perfusate, but ET-1 levels did not differ before and after NOS inhibition. NOS inhibition enhanced hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in both sham- and MCT-injected lungs, but the enhancement was greater in MCT-injected lungs. Results suggest that in MCT pulmonary hypertension, elevated endogenous ET-1 production acting through ETAreceptors causes pulmonary vasoconstriction that is normally masked by endogenous NO production.
Effect of azelastine on platelet-activating factor-induced microvascular leakage in rat airways
Authors: Tamaoki Jun , Yamawaki Isao , Tagaya Etsuko , Kondo Mitsuko , Aoshiba Kazutetsu , Nakata Junko , Nagai Atsushi
Published: December 2017

To determine the effect of the antiallergic drug azelastine on airway mucosal inflammation, we studied airway microvascular permeability in response to platelet-activating factor (PAF) in pathogen-free rats. Vascular permeability and neutrophil accumulation were assessed by the percent area occupied by Monastral blue-labeled blood vessels and by myeloperoxidase-containing granulocytes, respectively, in whole mounts of the trachea and main bronchus. Intravenous PAF caused dose-dependent increases in the area density of Monastral blue-labeled vessels and neutrophil influx, and the former effect was inhibited by depletion of circulating neutrophils by cyclophosphamide or treatment with the neutrophil elastase inhibitor ONO-5046. Pretreatment with azelastine inhibited PAF-induced vascular leakage without affecting neutrophil accumulation. This inhibitory effect of azelastine was not seen in neutropenic rats and ONO-5046-treated rats. PAF increased neutrophil elastase contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an effect that was inhibited by azelastine. Therefore, azelastine attenuates PAF-induced airway mucosal microvascular leakage, probably involving inhibition of the release of neutrophil elastase from activated neutrophils.
Protective effects of transient HO-1 overexpression on susceptibility to oxygen toxicity in lung cells
Authors: Suttner Denise M. , Sridhar Kunju , Lee Christen S. , Tomura Toshiya , Hansen Thomas N. , Dennery Phyllis A.
Published: December 2017

Rat fetal lung cells (RFL-6) were transiently transfected with a full-length rat heme oxygenase (HO)-1 cDNA construct and then exposed to hyperoxia (95% O2-5% CO2) for 48 h. Total HO activity and HO-1 protein were measured as well as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and total glutathione to measure oxidative injury. HO-1 overexpression resulted in increased total HO activity (2-fold), increased HO-1 protein (1.5-fold), and increased cell proliferation. Immunohistochemistry revealed perinuclear HO-1 localization, followed by migration to the nucleus by day 3. Decreased cell death, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation but increased LDH release and glutathione depletion were seen with HO-1 overexpression. Reactive iron content could not explain the apparent loss of cell membrane integrity. With the addition of tin mesoporphyrin, total HO activity was decreased and all changes in injury parameters were normalized to control values. We conclude that moderate overexpression of HO-1 is protective against oxidative injury, but we speculate that there is a beneficial threshold of HO-1 expression.
Surfactant function and composition after free radical exposure generated by transition metals
Authors: Mark L. , Ingenito E. P.
Published: December 2017

Surfactant dysfunction in acute lung injury has been postulated as a result of free radical damage to lipid and protein components. This study examines whether transition metals with different redox potentials and different binding affinities for lipids and proteins affect interfacial properties differently. Purified whole calf lung surfactant (CLS) was incubated with 0.125 mM Fe2+, Fe3+, Fe3+-EDTA complex, or Cu2+either alone or with 0.25 mM H2O2or H2O2plus 0.25 mM ascorbate for 4 and 24 h. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measurement of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and free radical-mediated alterations in protein structure were assessed by fluorescamine assay and Western blot analysis. Function was assayed by pulsating bubble surfactometry. Lipid peroxidation was detected in samples incubated with Fe2+, Fe3+, and Fe3+-EDTA but not with Cu2+. All transition metal-based free radical systems affected surfactant protein composition by fluorescamine assay, indicating free radical-mediated modification of protein side chains. Western blot analysis demonstrated surfactant protein A modification, with the generation of higher- and lower-molecular-mass immunoreactive products. Despite biochemical evidence of lipid and protein modification, surfactant dysfunction was minimal and was manifest as an increase in the compression ratio required to achieve surface tension < 1 dyn/cm. This dysfunction was readily reversed by the addition of 5 mM Ca2+either before or after oxidation. These data indicate that copper- and iron-based free radical-generating systems modify the lipid and protein components of surfactant differently but suggest that these changes have little effect on surfactant function.
Carbon monoxide provides protection against hyperoxic lung injury
Authors: Otterbein Leo E. , Mantell Lin L. , Choi Augustine M. K.
Published: December 2017

Findings in recent years strongly suggest that the stress-inducible gene heme oxygenase (HO)-1 plays an important role in protection against oxidative stress. Although the mechanism(s) by which this protection occurs is poorly understood, we hypothesized that the gaseous molecule carbon monoxide (CO), a major by-product of heme catalysis by HO-1, may provide protection against oxidative stress. We demonstrate here that animals exposed to a low concentration of CO exhibit a marked tolerance to lethal concentrations of hyperoxia in vivo. This increased survival was associated with highly significant attenuation of hyperoxia-induced lung injury as assessed by the volume of pleural effusion, protein accumulation in the airways, and histological analysis. The lungs were completely devoid of lung airway and parenchymal inflammation, fibrin deposition, and pulmonary edema in rats exposed to hyperoxia in the presence of a low concentration of CO. Furthermore, exogenous CO completely protected against hyperoxia-induced lung injury in rats in which endogenous HO enzyme activity was inhibited with tin protoporphyrin, a selective inhibitor of HO. Rats exposed to CO also exhibited a marked attenuation of hyperoxia-induced neutrophil infiltration into the airways and total lung apoptotic index. Taken together, our data demonstrate, for the first time, that CO can be therapeutic against oxidative stress such as hyperoxia and highlight possible mechanism(s) by which CO may mediate these protective effects.
Extracellular matrix deposition by primary human lung fibroblasts in response to TGF-β1 and TGF-β3
Authors: Eickelberg Oliver , Köhler Eleonore , Reichenberger Frank , Bertschin Sybille , Woodtli Thomas , Erne Paul , Perruchoud André P. , Roth Michael
Published: December 2017

Increased collagen and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition within the lung is a characteristic feature of lung fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms play a pivotal role in the production of collagen and ECM. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 on the main processes controlling ECM deposition using primary human lung fibroblasts. We analyzed 1) collagen metabolism by [3H]proline incorporation, 2) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression by substrate gel zymography, and 3) tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) expression by Western blot analysis. TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 increased the percentage of secreted collagens in supernatants of primary fibroblasts from 8.0 ± 1.2 (control) to 23.6 ± 4.6 and 22.3 ± 1.3%, respectively. The collagen percentage in deposited ECM was increased from 5.8 ± 0.3 (control) to 9.0 ± 0.5 and 8.8 ± 0.5% by TGF-β1 and TGF-β3, respectively. Secretion of MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) by fibroblasts was reduced by both TGF-β isoforms, whereas secretion of MMP-2 (gelatinase A) was unaffected by either of the two isoforms. Both TGF-β isoforms increased TIMP-1 protein expression, whereas TIMP-2 protein was decreased. We thus conclude that TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 are equally potent in increasing ECM deposition. Their fibrotic effect in lung fibroblasts results from 1) an increase in the secretion and deposition of total ECM and collagens, 2) a decrease in MMP-1 secretion, and 3) an increase of TIMP-1 expression.
Inhibition of gap junction communication in alveolar epithelial cells by 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid
Authors: Guo Yihe , Martinez-Williams Cara , Gilbert Kirk A. , Rannels D. Eugene
Published: December 2017

Cultured alveolar epithelial cells exhibit gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) and express regulated levels of connexin (Cx) 43 mRNA and protein. Newly synthesized radiolabeled Cx43 protein equilibrates with phosphorylated Cx43 isoforms; these species assemble to form both connexons and functional gap junction plaques. The saponin 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) rapidly and reversibly blocks GJIC at low concentrations (5 μM). Extended exposure to 18α-GA at higher concentrations causes inhibition of GJIC and time- and dose-dependent reductions in both Cx43 protein and mRNA expression. The latter toxic effects are paralleled by disassembly of gap junction plaques and are reversed less readily than acute effects on GJIC. These observations demonstrate 18α-GA-sensitive regulation of intercellular communication in epithelial cells from the mammalian lung and suggest a role for Cx43 expression and phosphorylation in acute and chronic regulation of GJIC between alveolar epithelial cells.
Reactive oxygen intermediates stimulate interleukin-6 production in human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Yoshida Yoshimasa , Maruyama Muneharu , Fujita Tadashi , Arai Nobuki , Hayashi Ryuji , Araya Jun , Matsui Shoko , Yamashita Naohiro , Sugiyama Eiji , Kobayashi Masashi
Published: December 2017

Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) play an important role in the initiation and progression of lung diseases. In this study, we investigated whether ROIs were involved in the induction of interleukin (IL)-6 in human bronchial epithelial cells. We exposed normal human bronchial epithelial cells as well as a human bronchial epithelial cell line, HS-24, to ROIs. We measured the amount of IL-6 in the culture supernatants using ELISA and the IL-6 mRNA levels using RT-PCR. Superoxide anions ([Formula: see text]), but not hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), increased IL-6 production. To examine whether it is a cell type-specific mechanism of airway epithelial cells, the experiments were also performed in human lung fibroblasts, WI-38-40. In WI-38-40 cells, neither [Formula: see text] nor H2O2increased IL-6 production. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (200 U/ml) induced IL-6 at the protein and mRNA levels in both airway epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts. This cytokine-induced IL-6 production was significantly suppressed by several antioxidants, including dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), in airway epithelial cells. In WI-38-40 cells, DMSO was not able to suppress IL-6 production induced by TNF-α. Pretreatment with DMSO recovered the TNF-α-induced depletion of intracellular reduced glutathione in HS-24 cells. These findings indicate that oxidant stress specifically induces IL-6 production in human bronchial epithelial cells and that in these cells ROIs may be involved in IL-6 production after stimulation with cytokines such as TNF-α. Presumably, ROIs participate in the local immune response in lung diseases via IL-6 release from bronchial epithelial cells.
SP-A 3′-UTR is involved in the glucocorticoid inhibition of humanSP-Agene expression
Authors: Hoover Russell R. , Floros Joanna
Published: December 2017

The synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone has a major inhibitory effect on human surfactant protein A1 ( SP-A1) and SP-A2 gene expression that occurs at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Toward the identification of cis-acting elements that may be involved in the dexamethasone regulation of SP-A mRNA stability, chimeric chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) constructs that contained various portions of SP-A1 or SP-A2 cDNA in place of the native CAT 3′-untranslated region (UTR) were transiently transfected into the lung adenocarcinoma cell line NCI-H441. CAT activity was reduced in NCI-H441 cells by exposure to 100 nM dexamethasone only for the chimeric CAT constructs that contained the SP-A 3′-UTR. Moreover, the inhibitory response seen with dexamethasone was greater for the 3′-UTR derived from the SP-A1 allele 6A3than with the 3′-UTR derived from either the SP-A1 allele 6A2or SP-A2 allele 1A0, indicating differential regulation between SP-Agenes and/or alleles.
Silica-induced chemokine expression in alveolar type II cells is mediated by TNF-α-induced oxidant stress
Authors: Barrett Edward G. , Johnston Carl , Oberdörster Günter , Finkelstein Jacob N.
Published: December 2017

We have shown previously that epithelial cells may contribute to the inflammatory response in the lung after exposure to crystalline silica through the production of and response to specific chemokines and cytokines. However, the exact cellular and molecular responses of epithelial cells to silica exposure remain unclear. We hypothesize that non-oxidant-mediated silica-cell interactions lead to the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), whereby TNF-α-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to the activation of the monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 genes. Using a murine alveolar type II cell line, murine lung epithelial (MLE)-15, we measured the early changes in TNF-α, MCP-1, and MIP-2 mRNA species after exposure of the cells to 18 μg/cm2silica (cristobalite) in combination with various antioxidants. Total mRNA was isolated and assayed using an RNase protection assay after 6 h of particle exposure. We found that extracellular GSH could completely attenuate the cristobalite-induced expression of MCP-1 and MIP-2 mRNAs, whereas TNF-α mRNA levels were unaltered. We also found using the oxidant-sensitive dye 6-carboxy-2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate di(acetoxymethyl ester) that treatment of MLE-15 cells with cristobalite and TNF-α (1 ng/ml) resulted in ROS production. This ROS production could be inhibited with extracellular GSH treatment, and in the case of cristobalite-induced ROS, inhibition was also achieved with an anti-TNF-α antibody. The results support the hypothesis that TNF-α mediates cristobalite-induced MCP-1 and MIP-2 expression through the generation of ROS.
Brief 95% O2exposure effects on surfactant protein and mRNA in rat alveolar and bronchiolar epithelium
Authors: Allred Thomas F. , Mercer Robert R. , Thomas Ronald F. , Deng Hui , Auten Richard L.
Published: December 2017

In acute lung injury, a disturbed surfactant system may impair gas exchange. Previous evaluations of hyperoxia effects on surfactant proteins (SPs) followed exposures >1–2 days. To evaluate the effects of brief exposure to hyperoxia on the SP system, we exposed adult male rats to 95% O2or air for 12, 36, and 60 h. SP-A, -B, and -C mRNAs were analyzed by Northern blot and semiquantitative in situ hybridization (ISH). SP-A and -B were analyzed in whole lung homogenates, lung lavage fluid, and fixed tissue by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC). All SP mRNAs were diminished at 12 h and rose to or exceeded control by 60 h as determined by Northern blot and ISH. These effects were seen mainly in the intensity of ISH signal per cell in both type II and bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells and to a lesser extent on numbers of positively labeled cells. SP-B declined to 50% of control in lavage at 12 h, but no changes in total lung SP-A and -B were seen. The number of SP-A positively labeled cells did not change, but SP-A label intensity measured by IHC in type II cells showed parallel results to Northern blots and ISH. The response of SP-A in Clara cells was similar. SP-B immunolabeling intensity rose in both type II and Clara cells throughout the exposure. SP-C ISH intensity fell at 12 h and was increased to two times control by 60 h of hyperoxia. Sharp declines in SP expression occurred by 12 h of 95% O2and may affect local alveolar stability.
Pre- and postjunctional effects of inflammatory mediators in horse airways
Authors: Olszewski Michal A. , Zhang Xiang-Yang , Robinson N. Edward
Published: December 2017

In addition to their direct contractile effects, histamine (Hist), serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], and leukotriene (LT) D4, in low concentrations, dramatically augment electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced smooth muscle contractions in equine airways. To determine the mechanism of their action, we studied, in trachealis strips, the effect of these mediators on both cholinergically induced tension and the release of ACh from cholinergic nerves. All three mediators synergistically augmented the contraction of the trachealis that was due to release of endogenous ACh, i.e., EFS-induced contraction. These same mediators caused only a small but parallel shift of the ACh concentration-response curve. Comparison of the mediator effects on the responses to endogenous and exogenous ACh suggested a prejunctional effect. However, release of ACh was augmented only by Hist and 5-HT but not by LTD4. Hist-induced contraction of trachealis was abolished by pyrilamine (H1-receptor antagonist) but not by ranitidine (H2-receptor antagonist), whereas thioperamide (H3-receptor antagonist) shifted the Hist response curve to the left. The augmenting effect of Hist on EFS-induced contraction was abolished by pyrilamine and unaffected by ranitidine or thioperamide. We conclude that inflammatory mediators can increase endogenous cholinergic responses of equine airways via both prejunctional and postjunctional mechanisms. LTD4acts solely on smooth muscle, whereas 5-HT and Hist additionally act on neuronal receptors to facilitate release of ACh. Excitatory effects of Hist, i.e., direct contractile effect, and augmentation of endogenous cholinergic response are both mediated via H1receptors, whereas the inhibitory H3receptors partially oppose the direct contractile effect of this mediator.
Hypoxia reduces airway epithelial sodium transport in rats
Authors: Tomlinson L. A. , Carpenter T. C. , Baker E. H. , Bridges J. B. , Weil J. V.
Published: December 2017

Ascent to high altitude leads to pulmonary edema formation in some individuals. Recent laboratory evidence supports the hypothesis that hypoxia may impair the function of the alveolar epithelium and thus augment edema accumulation via reduced clearance of lung liquid. We investigated the effect of hypobaric hypoxia on epithelial sodium transport in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by measuring the nasal transepithelial potential difference (PD) as an index of airway sodium transport. Baseline PDs were similar to those previously reported in other species. Administration of amiloride resulted in a significant fall in nasal PD, as did ouabain administration for 24 h (−27.8 vs. −18.8 mV; P = 0.001; n = 5 rats). Exposure to hypobaric hypoxia (0.5 atm) for 24 h caused a significant fall in nasal PD (−23.7 vs. −18.8 mV; P = 0.002; n = 15 rats), which was not additive to the changes in nasal PD produced by amiloride or ouabain. We conclude that subacute exposure to moderate hypobaric hypoxia can inhibit sodium transport by the airway epithelium in rats.
Human lung myofibroblast-derived inducers of alveolar epithelial apoptosis identified as angiotensin peptides
Authors: Wang Rongi , Ramos Carlos , Joshi Iravati , Zagariya Alex , Pardo Annie , Selman Moises , Uhal Bruce D.
Published: December 2017

Earlier work from this laboratory found that fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic human lung [human interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (HIPF)] secrete a soluble inducer(s) of apoptosis in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) in vitro [B. D. Uhal, I. Joshi, A. True, S. Mundle, A. Raza, A. Pardo, and M. Selman. Am. J. Physiol. 269 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 13): L819–L828, 1995]. The cultured human fibroblast strains most active in producing the apoptotic activity contained high numbers of stellate cells expressing α-smooth muscle actin, a myofibroblast marker. The apoptotic activity eluted from gel-filtration columns only in fractions corresponding to proteins. Western blotting of the protein fraction identified immunoreactive angiotensinogen (ANGEN), and two-step RT-PCR revealed expression of ANGEN by HIPF fibroblasts but not by normal human lung fibroblasts. Specific ELISA detected angiotensin II (ANG II) at concentrations sixfold higher in HIPF-conditioned medium than in normal fibroblast-conditioned medium. Pretreatment of the concentrated medium with purified renin plus purified angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) further increased the ELISA-detectable ANG II eightfold. Apoptosis of AECs in response to HIPF-conditioned medium was completely abrogated by the ANG II receptor antagonist saralasin (50 μg/ml) or anti-ANG II antibodies. These results identify the protein inducers of AEC apoptosis produced by HIPF fibroblasts as ANGEN and its derivative ANG II. They also suggest a mechanism for AEC death adjacent to HIPF myofibroblasts [B. D. Uhal,, I. Joshi, C. Ramos, A. Pardo, and M. Selman. Am. J. Physiol. 275 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 19): L1192–L1199, 1998].