bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential role of NADH oxidoreductase-derived reactive O2 species in calf pulmonary arterial PO2-elicited responses
Authors: Mohazzab K. M. , Fayngersh R. P. , Kaminski P. M. , Wolin M. S.
Published: December 2017

Our laboratory has previously reported evidence that tone responses of isolated endothelium-removed calf pulmonary arteries elicited by changes in PO2 appear to be mediated via changes in H2O2 and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, and that the PO2 sensor mechanism is hypothesized to involve changes in superoxide anion (O2-.) production by a microsomal NADH-oxidoreductase, which is the major source of O2-. detected by lucigenin-elicited chemiluminescence (CL) in this tissue. In this study we examined if the flavoprotein-directed inhibitor of O2-. producing NAD(P)H oxidoreductases, diphenyliodonium (DPI), could be employed as an inhibitor of O2-. production by NADH oxidoreductase, which functions as a selective probe for PO2-elicited tone responses in calf pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. It was found that 1 microM DPI inhibited NADH-dependent production of CL in the arterial smooth muscle homogenate by 49% (n = 10). DPI reduced basal CL from endothelium-removed pulmonary arteries by 41% (n = 15). In endothelium-removed pulmonary arteries precontracted with U-46619, the hypoxic contraction of 2.3 +/- 0.5 g was reduced to 0.1 +/- 0.4 g (n = 7) by DPI, and the reoxygenation relaxation of 32.7 +/- 7.5% was decreased to 4.4 +/- 1.4% (n = 7). DPI did not have any significant effect on U-46619- or K(+)-elicited tone generation. DPI also did not alter the relaxation to H2O2 (1 microM-0.1 mM, n = 6), nitric oxide (0.42 nM-420 nM, n = 12), or isoproterenol (1 nM-1 microM, n = 6).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Intratracheal injection of endotoxin and cytokines. IX. Contribution of CD11a/ICAM-1 to neutrophil emigration
Authors: Tang W. W. , Yi E. S. , Remick D. G. , Wittwer A. , Yin S. , Qi M. , Ulich T. R.
Published: December 2017

Intratracheal injection of endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] in rats causes acute inflammation characterized by the emigration of neutrophils (PMNs) into the bronchoalveolar airspace. Antibody to PMN adhesion molecule CD11a inhibited LPS-initiated PMN accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid by 32% (P < 0.001). Antibody to the endothelial CD11a counterreceptor intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) inhibited LPS-initiated PMN accumulation in BAL fluid by 66% (P < 0.0001). Combined antibody blockade of ICAM-1 and the C-X-C chemokine cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) inhibited LPS-initiated PMN emigration by 80%, significantly more than antibody against either ICAM-1 or CINC alone. To study the relative contribution of alveolar macrophages and PMNs to intra-alveolar tumor necrosis factor (TNF), the LPS-induced TNF in BAL fluid was measured after depletion of circulating PMNs with a cytolytic antibody to CD18. Although the anti-CD18 antibody completely abrogated LPS-initiated PMN emigration into BAL fluid, TNF levels in BAL fluid were unaffected, suggesting that alveolar macrophages are the predominant cellular source of LPS-induced TNF production. In conclusion, 1) CD11a, ICAM-1, and CINC play major roles in the LPS-initiated emigration of PMNs into the bronchoalveolar space, and 2) the TNF that drives ICAM-1 and CINC expression is derived largely from alveolar macrophages rather than PMNs.
Enhanced growth of fetal and neonatal pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts is dependent on protein kinase C
Authors: Das M. , Stenmark K. R. , Dempsey E. C.
Published: December 2017

The earliest and most striking proliferative changes in the neonatal pulmonary arterial wall occur in the adventitia where the fibroblast resides. The protein kinase C (PKC) pathway is developmentally regulated and important in vascular cell growth. We tested the hypothesis that developmental differences in growth of pulmonary artery adventitial fibroblasts would be detectable in vitro and dependent on PKC. Fibroblasts were isolated from bovine fetal, neonatal, and adult pulmonary arteries. Growth was measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell counts. Under serum-stimulated conditions, fetal and neonatal pulmonary artery fibroblasts grew faster and reached higher plateau densities than adult cells. Increased growth of fetal cells in vitro was dependent on time of harvest during fetal life (early > late). Under quiescent conditions, fetal and neonatal fibroblasts had increased DNA synthesis compared with adult cells in response to the PKC agonist phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. To test whether the developmental differences in fibroblast growth were dependent on PKC, three different inhibitor strategies were used (dihydrosphingosine, phorbol-ester-induced downregulation, and heparin). Fetal and neonatal fibroblasts were more susceptible than adult cells to each antagonist strategy. Finally, we measured whole cellular PKC catalytic activity and found it correlated with growth and susceptibility to PKC inhibition (i.e., fetal PKC activity > neonatal > adult). We conclude that PKC-dependent developmental differences in growth of pulmonary artery fibroblasts are detectable in vitro and that the enhanced growth capacity of fetal and neonatal cells may contribute to the dramatic adventitial thickening seen in vivo after hypoxic exposure in the neonatal calf.
Effects of separate and combined ETA and ETB blockade on ET-1-induced constriction in perfused rat lungs
Authors: Sato K. , Oka M. , Hasunuma K. , Ohnishi M. , Sato K. , Kira S.
Published: December 2017

To evaluate the role of endothelin (ET) receptors in ET-1-induced pulmonary vasoreactivity, we studied the effects of ET-receptor agonists and antagonists in isolated perfused rat lungs. ET-1 (1-10 nM) caused concentration-dependent pulmonary vasoconstriction and gross pulmonary edema at a concentration of 10 nM. The combination of the selective ETA antagonist BQ-123 and the selective ETB antagonist BQ-788 inhibited ET-1-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction more effectively than BQ-123 alone, whereas BQ-788 alone enhanced the constriction. ET-1-induced hydrostatic pulmonary edema was prevented by the combination of BQ-123 and BQ-788 but not by either BQ-123 or BQ-788 alone. After the addition of 125 ng of exogenous ET-1, the perfusate levels of ET-1 were significantly higher in BQ-788-treated lungs than in either the vehicle control or BQ-123-treated lungs. The selective ETB agonist IRL-1620 also caused pulmonary vasoconstriction and edema, both of which were completely inhibited by BQ-788. ET-1-induced transient vasodilation was abolished by BQ-788 but was unaffected by BQ-123. These results suggest that in the isolated perfused rat lung, ET-1-induced vasoconstriction is mediated by both ETA and ETB receptors, whereas ET-1-induced transient vasodilation is mediated exclusively by the ETB receptor. Blockade of ETB receptors may result in enhanced ET-1 activity (via the ETA receptor) through inhibition of the ETB-mediated clearance of ET-1. Thus combined ETA and ETB blockade is required for the complete inhibition of ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in the rat pulmonary circulation.
Putrescine uptake in hamster lung slices and primary cultures of type II pneumocytes
Authors: Hoet P. H. , Lewis C. P. , Dinsdale D. , Demedts M. , Nemery B.
Published: December 2017

Putrescine is accumulated in the lungs of various species by an active uptake system that also mediates the uptake of cystamine and paraquat. We have characterized this uptake in both lung slices and type II pneumocytes isolated from hamsters by trypsin digestion, differential adherence on plastic, and centrifugation on a discontinuous Percoll gradient. The accumulation of [14C]putrescine in lung slices was shown to be temperature and energy dependent, and to obey saturation kinetics, with mean calculated values of apparent Michaelis constant (Km) 29.4 microM and maximum rate of uptake (Vmax) 637 nmol.g-1.h-1. In the presence of cystamine or paraquat, the putrescine uptake was reduced in a manner compatible with competitive inhibition. The calculated inhibitor constants (Ki) were 16 and 1,017-1,328 microM for the inhibition by cystamine and paraquat, respectively. The cellular localization of [3H]putrescine in lung slices after incubation with 2.5 microM putrescine was determined by light-microscopic autoradiography. Labeling was present in type II and possibly also in type I pneumocytes of the alveolar epithelium but not in macrophages, endothelium, or cells of the interstitium. Two days after their isolation, cultured type II pneumocytes exhibited an uptake of putrescine that had kinetic characteristics similar to those of slices (Km of 23 microM and Vmax of 3.06 mumol.g protein-1.h-1) and was also competitively inhibited by paraquat (Ki of 222-350 microM paraquat). Our data demonstrate the presence of an active uptake system for putrescine in both lung slices and cultured type II pneumocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ETA-receptor antagonist prevents and reverses chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rat
Authors: DiCarlo V. S. , Chen S. J. , Meng Q. C. , Durand J. , Yano M. , Chen Y. F. , Oparil S.
Published: December 2017

The selective endothelin-A (ETA)-receptor antagonist BQ-123 has been shown to prevent chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the rat. Therefore in the current study we utilized BQ-123 to test the hypothesis that blockade of the ETA receptor can reverse as well as prevent the increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure, right ventricle-to-left ventricle plus septum ratio, and percent wall thickness in small (50-100 microns) pulmonary arteries observed in male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to normobaric hypoxia (10% O2, 2 wk). Infusion of BQ-123 (0.4 mg.0.5 microliter-1.h-1 for 2 wk in 10% O2) begun after 2 wk of hypoxia significantly reversed the established pulmonary hypertension and prevented further progression of right ventricular hypertrophy during the third and fourth week of hypoxia. BQ-123 infusion instituted before exposure to hypoxia completely prevented the hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling. These findings suggest that, in the lung, hypoxia induced an increase synthesis of endothelin-1, which acts locally on ETA receptors to cause pulmonary hypertension, right heart hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular remodeling, while ETA-receptor blockade can both prevent and reverse these processes.
Plasticity of airway cell proliferation and gene expression after acute naphthalene injury
Authors: Stripp B. R. , Maxson K. , Mera R. , Singh G.
Published: December 2017

The goal of this study was to determine the temporal and spatial sequence of events that accompany lung injury and repair after parenteral administration of the Clara cell-specific cytotoxicant, naphthalene. Changes in airway epithelial cells were evaluated by measuring alterations in the expression of markers for differentiated Clara cells (CYPIIF and Clara cell 10-kDa secretory protein, CC10), distal airway/alveolar type II cells (surfactant protein B; SP-B) and for cycling/proliferating cells (cyclin dependent kinase 1;CDK1). Naphthalene-induced Clara cell cytotoxicity resulted in the exfoliation of epithelial cells containing CC10 protein. This was accompanied by a dramatic reduction in the abundance of mRNA for CC10 and CYPIIF. Large numbers of CDK1 mRNA-positive cells were identified in and around bronchioles and terminal bronchioles 48 h after treatment. This cellular proliferation resulted in the population of airways by immature epithelial cells lacking normal levels of CC10 mRNA but overexpressing SP-B mRNA. Seventy-two hours after naphthalene treatment a reduction in CDK1 mRNA-positive cells was noted within bronchioles and terminal bronchioles at all locations, with the exception of airway bifurcations. At airway bifurcations CDK1 mRNA appeared to be more abundant at the 72-h time point than at 48 h. Comparison of these sections with serial sections probed for CC10 mRNA demonstrated a correlation between the expression of CDK1 and CC10 mRNA at bifurcations. Temporal increases in the abundance of CC10 mRNA observed at later time points were largely accounted for by the processive maturation of newly repopulated cells neighboring bifurcations in bronchioles. These studies identify spatially distinct populations of cells that act in concert to repopulate naphthalene-injured airways and support the notion that branch point cells play an important role in the maturation of newly regenerated airway epithelial cells after acute injury.
Cellular response in naphthalene-induced Clara cell injury and bronchiolar epithelial repair in mice
Authors: Van Winkle L. S. , Buckpitt A. R. , Nishio S. J. , Isaac J. M. , Plopper C. G.
Published: December 2017

Clara cells, progenitors for bronchiolar epithelium, are also primary targets for metabolically activated pulmonary cytotoxicants and have an abundance of the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenases required for xenobiotic metabolism. To define the repair pattern after massive Clara cell injury, mice were treated with naphthalene, and lungs evaluated 1-14 days postinjury (DPI). Clara cells of terminal bronchioles were vacuolated and swollen 1 DPI, exfoliated 2 DPI, and resembled controls at 14 DPI. The volume fraction of vacuolated cells was highest 1 and 2 DPI and minimal at 5-7 DPI. The volume fraction of normal nonciliated cells decreased 40% at 1 DPI. Cell proliferation increased within epithelium and interstitium at 1 DPI, was maximal at 2 DPI, and at all other time points was similar to baseline levels. Expression of Clara cell differentiation markers was barely detectable in terminal bronchiolar epithelium at 1 and 2 DPI, clearly detectable at 4 DPI, and gradually returned to control levels at 5-14 DPI. We conclude that bronchiolar epithelial repair after naphthalene injury involves distinct phases of proliferation and differentiation, proliferation of cells that are not differentiated Clara cells, and interaction of multiple cell types including nontarget cells.
Differential tachykinin receptor subtype activation in capsaicin and KCl contractions of guinea pig trachealis
Authors: Mitchell R. W. , Ndukwu I. M. , Herrnreiter A. , Uzendoski K. , Gitter B. , Solway J. , Leff A. R.
Published: December 2017

We assessed the role of endogenously secreted tachykinins in mediating contraction caused by potassium chloride (KCl) in guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips in vitro. Maximal isometric contraction was elicited with approximately 45 mM KCl and was 196 +/- 8% of the response to electrical field stimulation (% EFS) in the same tissues. Muscarinic receptor blockade with atropine modestly attenuated this contraction caused by KCl to 175 +/- 9 %EFS (P < 0.05), and treatment with a selective neurokinin subtype 1 (NK1) receptor antagonist, LY-297911, caused even greater inhibition of KCl-elicited contraction to 124 +/- 8 %EFS (P < 0.001). By contrast, SR-48968, a selective NK2 antagonist, had no effect on contraction caused by KCl (183 +/- 9 %EFS; P = NS vs. KCl alone). However, given together at the same concentration, SR-48968 augmented the inhibition of contraction caused by LY-297911 to 93 +/- 15 %EFS (P < 0.05 vs. LY-297911 alone). In contrast to the effect on KCl-induced contraction, LY-297911 caused only moderate inhibition of the contraction caused by capsaicin to 81 +/- 13 %EFS (P < 0.05 vs. control, 114 +/- 15 %EFS), whereas SR-48968 caused substantial attenuation of contraction caused by capsaicin to 23 +/- 5 %EFS (P < 0.005 vs. LY-297911). We demonstrate that a significant portion of the contraction caused by KCl, in addition to capsaicin, is elicited in guinea pig TSM through neurokinin secretion. However, NK1 receptors predominantly mediate contraction caused by KCl, and NK2 receptors predominantly mediate contraction elicited by capsaicin in guinea pig airway smooth muscle.
Expression of iNOS in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells is inhibited by the heat shock response
Authors: Wong H. R. , Finder J. D. , Wasserloos K. , Pitt B. R.
Published: December 2017

The heat shock response is a highly conserved stress response known to alter patterns of gene expression in many cell types. We hypothesized that interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-mediated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression would be inhibited after induction of the heat shock response in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (RPASMC). Exposure of RPASMC to sodium arsenite or heat led to expression of heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Prior induction of the heat shock response inhibited IL-1 beta-mediated iNOS gene expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects were not due to cytotoxicity, since cell viability was not affected by either sodium arsenite, heat, IL-1 beta, or their combination. Transcriptional analysis via transient transfection of the murine macrophage iNOS promoter [-1592 and -367 base pairs (bp)], upstream from the reporter gene luciferase, revealed that the heat shock response did not affect IL-1 beta-mediated promoter activation, as measured by luciferase activity. We conclude that induction of the heat shock response inhibits IL-1 beta-mediated iNOS gene expression in cultured RPASMC.
Respiratory syncytial virus increases IL-8 gene expression and protein release in A549 cells
Authors: Fiedler M. A. , Wernke-Dollries K. , Stark J. M.
Published: December 2017

The mechanism of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced inflammation in the airways of infants and children is not fully understood. We hypothesized that RSV directly induces interleukin (IL)-8 gene expression in airway epithelial cells, independent of IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. Exposure of A549 cells (an airway epithelial cell line) to RSV resulted in increased IL-8 mRNA expression and IL-8 protein release from the cells as early as 2 h after treatment. Neither IL-1 beta nor TNF-alpha (mRNA or protein) were detected. Viral replication was not necessary for the effects of RSV on IL-8 mRNA expression and protein release early in the infectious process. However, sustained levels of increased IL-8 production required RSV replication. A dose-response relationship was observed between the multiplicity of infection and IL-8 production with both active and nonreplicative RSV at the 2-h time point. Both active RSV and nonreplicative RSV increased the transcriptional activity of the 1.6-kb 5' flanking region of the IL-8 gene. Neither active RSV nor nonreplicative RSV increased the stability of the IL-8 mRNA in A549 cells. We conclude that RSV increases IL-8 gene expression in A549 cells in a biphasic pattern independent of viral replication early (2 h) but dependent on viral replication late (24 h).
Hyperoxia enhances expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and increases protein S-glutathiolation in rat lung
Authors: Knickelbein R. G. , Ingbar D. H. , Seres T. , Snow K. , Johnston R. B. , Fayemi O. , Gumkowski F. , Jamieson J. D. , Warshaw J. B.
Published: December 2017

By participating in glutathione (GSH) synthesis, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) influences the GSH redox cycle, which is a major contributor in protecting against reactive oxygen metabolites. This study determined the effect of prolonged exposure of neonatal rats to > 98% oxygen on expression of GGT and on GSH metabolism. Lungs of neonatal rats chronically exposed to hyperoxia had increased expression of GGT mRNA, resulting in significantly higher GGT protein levels and enzyme activity than in lungs of animals raised in room air. Hyperoxia also upregulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, but Na-K-ATPase activity was not changed. GGT mRNA, protein level, and enzyme activity returned to control levels after recovery in room air for 3 days. Levels of GSH, glutathione disulfide, and protein-bound GSH (S-glutathiolated protein) rose with hyperoxia and fell during recovery. S-glutathiolation is likely a mechanism for protection and a regulatory modification of protein sulfhydryl groups. Hyperoxia-induced upregulation of GGT and the concomitant increase in protein S-glutathiolation appear to be additional components fundamental in protecting the lung against oxidative injury.
Effect of changes in paracellular permeability on airspace liquid clearance: role of glucose transport
Authors: Saumon G. , Martet G.
Published: December 2017

The role of the pulmonary sodium-glucose cotransport is unknown. We hypothesized that altering glucose balance (the level of passive vs. active transport) across the airspace epithelium might affect luminal liquid clearance (Jw). A mathematical model was developed to calculate Jw from the rate of epithelial glucose uptake and paracellular permeability. The model predicted that steady-state luminal glucose concentration in fluid-filled lungs should be very low (< 0.5 mM, plasma concentration being 10 mM) and that selective changes in paracellular permeability might affect Jw. Protamine was used to increase paracellular permeability in fluid-filled isolated rat lungs. Protamine modified the glucose equilibrium across the epithelium and increased Jw (P < 0.001) in lungs instilled with fluid that contained no glucose. This increase was accurately described by the model (R2 = 0.92). Jw increased because the entry into airspaces of one glucose molecule and its reuptake results in the net absorption of four osmolytes as long as the cotransport has Na-to-glucose stoichiometry of 2:1, operates below saturation, and the barrier selectivity is preserved. Thus modulating paracellular permeability to small solutes might aid in the removal of edema fluid and participate in the regulation of epithelial lining fluid volume and composition.
Muscarinic inhibition of adenylyl cyclase regulates intracellular calcium in single airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Madison J. M. , Yamaguchi H.
Published: December 2017

To determine whether muscarinic agonists attenuated isoproterenol-stimulated decreases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), changes in [Ca2+]i were measured in single airway smooth muscle cells using ratiometric analysis of fura 2 fluorescence. Isoproterenol (10(-5) M) and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) decreased [Ca2+]i by 24 +/- 3% (P < 0.05, n= 28) and 17 +/- 1% (P < 0.05, n = 6), respectively. The decreased [Ca2+]i in response to isoproterenol was inhibited by propranolol (10(-6) M) and Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-cAMPS) (10-40 microM). In subsequent experiments assessing the effects of muscarinic agonists, isoproterenol did not decrease [Ca2+]i in the presence of carbachol (5 x 10(-8) M) (6 +/- 8% increase; NS, n = 8). To determine the mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect of carbachol, cells were loaded with 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzyl adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (caged cAMP). For cells loaded with 20 microM caged cAMP, photolysis of caged cAMP decreased basal [Ca2+]i by 28 +/- 3% (P < 0.05, n = 12). In the presence of carbachol (5 x 10(-8) M), photolysis of caged cAMP still induced a 27 +/- 4% decrease in [Ca2+]i (P < 0.05, n = 12). We concluded that a low concentration of carbachol did attenuate isoproterenol-stimulated decreases in [Ca2+]i. Because low concentrations of carbachol attenuated the decreases in [Ca2+]i stimulated by isoproterenol but not the comparable decreases stimulated by cAMP directly, we concluded that the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by muscarinic agonists contributed to the regulation of [Ca2+]i in airway smooth muscle cells. The findings suggested that physiological levels of cholinergic stimulation inhibit adenylyl cyclase, thereby attenuating the effects that beta-adrenergic agonists have on [Ca2+]i.
Enhancement of airway epithelial Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity by NO2 and protective role of nordihydroguaiaretic acid
Authors: Robison T. W. , Kim K. J.
Published: December 2017

We examined the effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) on guinea pig tracheobronchial (GPTE) ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake, as an index of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity, and specific [3H]ouabain binding. A 1-h exposure of GPTE monolayers to 5 ppm NO2 increased ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake (nmol.mg protein-1.30 min-1) to 512 +/- 39 compared with an air-control value of 278 +/- 20. Similarly, 1 ppm NO2 increased 86Rb uptake to 336 +/- 19 from an air control of 219 +/- 31. The specific [3H]ouabain-binding capacity (Bmax) for monolayers exposed to 5 ppm NO2 was increased to 23.2 +/- 1.2 pmol/mg protein in comparison with an air-control value of 18.4 +/- 0.4; however, there was no change at 1 ppm NO2. Binding constants (Kd) for 1 or 5 ppm NO2 were increased to 0.64 +/- 0.02 and 0.79 +/- 0.08 microM, respectively, in comparison with an air-control value of 0.53 +/- 0.02 microM. Changes of Bmax and Kd may be consistent with a recruitment of latent pumps to the basolateral cell plasma membrane and/or increased turnover of the sodium pump. However, the increase of Bmax was no more than 126% of the air control, while 86Rb uptake increased to 184%, suggesting that an increased turnover is the more predominant effect. Incubation of GPTE monolayers during NO2 exposure with nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an antioxidant, blocked the increase of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake almost completely and partially protected transepithetial resistance, suggesting that lipid peroxidation processes may play a role in alterations of airway epithelial barrier and active ion transport properties.
Postnatal treatment with retinoic acid increases the number of pulmonary alveoli in rats
Authors: Massaro G. D. , Massaro D.
Published: December 2017

Dexamethasone, a glucocorticosteroid hormone, inhibits the formation of alveoli; retinoids and glucocorticosteroid hormones can be mutually antagonistic. These observations led us to test the hypothesis that the administration of retinoic acid to postnatal rats would prevent the low alveolar number and the low body mass-specific gas-exchange surface area (Sa) produced by treatment with dexamethasone. We used serial lung sections to distinguish alveoli from alveolar ducts and stereological procedures that allow quantitation of alveoli uninfluenced by their size, shape, or distribution. Treatment with retinoic acid prevented the low number of alveoli and the low body mass-specific Sa caused by treatment with dexamethasone. In otherwise untreated rats, retinoic acid caused a 50% increase in the number of alveoli, but without an increase in Sa, suggesting the action of a regulatory mechanism to prevent unneeded Sa. These findings provide the first experimental support for the possibility that, in individuals with too few alveoli for adequate gas exchange, treatment with a pharmacological agent may provide preventative or remedial therapy.
Parathyroid hormone-related protein, an autocrine regulatory factor in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Hastings R. H. , Summers-Torres D. , Cheung T. C. , Ditmer L. S. , Petrin E. M. , Burton D. W. , Spragg R. G. , Li J. , Deftos L. J.
Published: December 2017

Alveolar epithelial cells in vivo, primary cultures of adult rat type II cells, and human A549 alveolar carcinoma cells express parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Here we demonstrated that type II cells and A549 cells also express the PTHrP receptor and that they exhibit differentiation-related responses to the amino-terminal PTHrP fragment, PTHrP-(1-34). PTHrP receptor expression in A549 cells was shown by detection of a 0.3-kb reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction product formed by primers specific for PTHrP receptor. In situ hybridization studies localized the site of production of PTHrP and PTHrP receptor mRNA in rat lung cells with morphology and location typical of type II cells. Primary cultures of such type II cells also expressed PTHrP receptor mRNA. Incubation with PTHrP-(1-34) stimulated disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) synthesis in A549 cells and increased the release of newly synthesized DSPC by cultured type II cells and A549 cells. In addition, PTHrP-(1-34) increased the number of lamellar bodies per type II cell and increased their expression of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner. Thus PTHrP-(1-34) promoted a differentiated type II cell phenotype. Since cultured type II cells, alveolar epithelial cells in vivo, and A549 cells express PTHrP and the PTHrP receptor, PTHrP-(1-34) may be an autocrine regulatory factor in type II cells and lung cancer cells.
In situ activation of mouse alveolar macrophages by aerosolized liposomal IFN-gamma and muramyl tripeptide
Authors: Goldbach P. , Dumont S. , Kessler R. , Poindron P. , Stamm A.
Published: December 2017

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was entrapped with an efficiency of 30-40% in muramyl tripeptide-containing liposomes by a freeze-thawing procedure. A microcytotoxicity assay was developed to measure the tumoricidal activity of mouse alveolar macrophages (AM) against tumoral target cells with a colorimetric viability test. Free IFN-gamma and liposomal muramyl tripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (MTP-PE) were found to be only slightly effective to activate in vitro AM, whereas encapsulation of both INF-gamma and MTP-PE within the same liposomes produced higher activation of AM. Aerosolized IFN-gamma and liposomal immunomodulators enhanced antitumor properties of AM recovered in mice 24 h postinhalation. Whereas free IFN-gamma also induced a substantial activation of peritoneal macrophages, liposomal encapsulation significantly reduced the systemic activity of inhaled immunomodulators. This approach provides a useful model for the compartmentalized organ-specific activation of AM in mice.
Salt and water transport across alveolar and distal airway epithelia in the adult lung
Authors: Matthay M. A. , Folkesson H. G. , Verkman A. S.
Published: December 2017

Substantial progress has been made in understanding the role of the distal airway and alveolar epithelial barriers in regulating lung fluid balance. Molecular, cellular, and whole animal studies have demonstrated that reabsorption of fluid from the distal air spaces of the lung is driven by active sodium transport. Several different in vivo, in situ, and isolated lung preparations have been used to study the mechanisms that regulate fluid transport in the normal and injured lung. Catecholamine-dependent and -independent regulatory mechanisms have been identified that modulate fluid transport, probably by acting on apical sodium channel uptake or the activity of the Na, K-ATPase pumps. Recently, a family of molecular water channels (aquaporins) has been identified that are small (approximately 30 kDa) integral membrane proteins expressed widely in fluid-transporting epithelia and endothelia. At present, four different water channels have been identified in trachea and lung. Measurements of osmotic water permeability in in situ perfused lung and isolated perfused airways suggest a significant contribution of these molecular water channels to measured water permeability. However, further studies are required to determine the role of these water channels in normal pulmonary physiology and disease. Recent studies have provided new insights into the role of the alveolar epithelial barrier in clinical and experimental acute lung injury. Unlike the lung endothelium, the alveolar epithelium is resistant to several clinically relevant types of injury, including endotoxemia and bacteremia as well as aspiration of hyperosmolar solutions. In addition, even when the alveolar barrier has been injured, its capacity to transport edema fluid from the distal air spaces of the lung recovers rapidly. Future studies need to integrate new insights into the molecular mechanisms of alveolar epithelial sodium and water transport with functional studies in the normal and injured lung.
Oxygen upregulates nitric oxide synthase gene expression in ovine fetal pulmonary artery endothelial cells
Authors: North A. J. , Lau K. S. , Brannon T. S. , Wu L. C. , Wells L. B. , German Z. , Shaul P. W.
Published: December 2017

Nitric oxide (NO) is critically involved in oxygen-mediated pulmonary vasodilatation in the fetus and newborn. We determined the effects of prolonged alterations in oxygenation on endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression in early passage ovine fetal intrapulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC). PAEC were exposed to PO2 = 50 or 150 mmHg for 48 h, and eNOS protein expression was evaluated by immunoblot analysis. eNOS protein expression was 2.7-fold greater at higher oxygen tension; eNOS upregulation was also evident after 24 h. Inducible NOS protein was not detectable by immunoblot at either level of oxygenation. In the lung, the effect of oxygen on eNOS expression may be specific to the endothelium, as eNOS expression in bronchiolar epithelial cells of Clara cell lineage was not altered by varying oxygen tension. The oxygen-related increase in eNOS protein in the fetal PAEC was associated with 2.5-fold greater NOS enzymatic activity. In parallel, there was a 2.8-fold rise in eNOS mRNA abundance. Thus eNOS gene expression in ovine fetal PAEC is upregulated by oxygen, and this is mediated at the level of gene transcription or mRNA stability. This process may play an important role in oxygen modulation of pulmonary vasomotor tone in the fetus and newborn.
Surfactant protein A stimulates phagocytosis of specific pulmonary pathogens by alveolar macrophages
Authors: Tino M. J. , Wright J. R.
Published: December 2017

Surfactant protein A (SP-A) regulates alveolar macrophage function and has been implicated in the mediation of pulmonary host defense. Our goals were to characterize the interaction of SP-A with various pulmonary pathogens, to investigate the mechanism of SP-A-mediated phagocytosis using an assay that distinguishes bound from internalized bacteria by quenching the fluorescence of extracellular bacteria, and to examine further the interactions of SP-A and the structurally homologous protein complement component 1q (C1q) with alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes. We found that SP-A binds to and increases the phagocytosis of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Group A Streptococcus; SP-A aggregates only H. influenzae. SP-A neither binds to, aggregates, nor stimulates the phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We have also found that bronchoalveolar lavage stimulates phagocytosis and that this stimulation is reduced by an anti-SP-A antibody. While the enhancement of phagocytosis by SP-A is inhibited in blood monocytes adhered to C1q-coated surfaces, which presumably clusters the C1q receptor on the basal surface of the cell, alveolar macrophages on C1q-coated slides show no significant change in their response to SP-A. In summary, SP-A stimulates the phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages of specific pulmonary pathogens to which it binds, but aggregation is not required for the effect. Additionally, the role of the C1q receptor in the response to SP-A may differ between monocytes and alveolar macrophages.
Phenotypic and immunologic factors affecting plasmid-mediated in vivo gene transfer to rat diaphragm
Authors: Petrof B. J. , Acsadi G. , Bourdon J. , Matusiewicz N. , Yang L.
Published: December 2017

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing adaptive responses of the diaphragm in the setting of lung disease. By permitting the study of regulatory elements and the effects of overexpressing genes of interest, direct in vivo gene transfer to the diaphragm could be used as a tool to address such questions. Therefore, we evaluated parameters affecting transfection efficiency and duration of foreign gene expression in the diaphragm after plasmid-mediated gene transfer. Reporter gene constructs were injected into adult rat diaphragm and hindlimb muscles. Transfection efficiency at 8-10 days postinjection was decreased in large caliber ( > 1,000 microns2) and type II myosin heavy chain (MHC)-expressing fibers. There were also strong trends toward augmented transfection efficiency in type I MHC- and embryonic MHC-expressing fibers. All diaphragms demonstrated evidence of muscle injury and inflammatory cell infiltrates at this early time point. By 30 days postinjection, however, neither inflammation nor reporter gene expression was detectable in diaphragm or hindlimb muscles of immunocompetent animals. By contrast, immunosuppressed rats (given cyclosporine; 15 mg.kg-1. day-1) showed high levels of foreign gene expression at 30 days postinjection, which remained stable up to 60 days. Therefore, exploitation of plasmid-mediated in vivo gene transfer as a tool for studying regulated gene expression in the diaphragm may be facilitated by the use of immunodeficient animal models.
In vivo mitogenic action of HGF on lung epithelial cells: pulmotrophic role in lung regeneration
Authors: Ohmichi H. , Matsumoto K. , Nakamura T.
Published: December 2017

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has mitogenic, morphogenic, and motogenic activities on epithelial cells and plays important roles in regeneration of the liver and the kidney. We previously found that the expression of HGF gene is rapidly induced in the lung after acute lung injury in experimental animals and that HGF levels are elevated in blood of patients with lung diseases. To search for a possible pulmotrophic function of HGF in lung regeneration, we examined the mitogenic activity of HGF on tracheal epithelial cells in vitro and evaluated the efficacy of HGF-administration on lung regeneration after acute lung injury in mice. HGF markedly stimulated proliferation and DNA synthesis of rat tracheal epithelial cells in primary culture in a dose-dependent manner. The intravenous injection of human recombinant HGF (10 micrograms.mouse-1.day-1) into mice with acute lung injury induced by the intratracheal infusion of 10 mM HCI stimulated DNA synthesis of airway epithelial cells to levels threefold higher than those in mice with no HGF-injections, but it did not stimulate DNA synthesis of alveolar epithelial cells. However, HGF injection at higher dose (100 micrograms.mouse-1.day-1) stimulated DNA synthesis of alveolar epithelial cells in vivo. These results indicate that HGF is a potent mitogen for airway epithelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells in vivo as well as in vitro. HGF may act as pulmotrophic factor responsible for airway and alveolar regeneration during lung regeneration after acute lung injury.
Activation of KCa channels in airway smooth muscle cells by endogenous protein kinase A
Authors: Wang Z. W. , Kotlikoff M. I.
Published: December 2017

The regulation of calcium-activated potassium (KCa) channels by endogenous protein kinase A (PKA) was examined in inside-out patches from equine tracheal myocytes. In the absence of exogenous protein kinases, ATP (500 microM) significantly augmented KCa channel activity when applied to the cytosolic patch surface [open-state probability (nP0, mean +/- SE) increased from 0.010 +/- 0.001 to 0.034 +/- 0.005 (n = 24)]. The stimulatory effect of ATP was mimicked by ATP-gamma-S but not by AMP-PNP. Rather, AMP-PNP significantly inhibited channel activity. The PKA inhibitory peptide (PKI) significantly reduced nPo and prevented the augmenting effect of subsequent ATP. Ht 31, an inhibitory peptide for A-kinase-anchoring proteins (AKAP), but not its proline-substituted mutant, also blocked the stimulatory effect of ATP. These results suggest that 1) ATP augments KCa channel activity through phosphorylation; 2) the phosphorylation is catalyzed by endogenous PKA; 3) anchoring via AKAP is required to maintain association of PKA with the membrane; and 4) in a newly obtained patch, some of the KCa channels are probably already in a phosphorylated state.
Insulin-like growth factor-I and type I insulin-like growth factor receptor in 85% O2-exposed rat lung
Authors: Han R. N. , Han V. K. , Buch S. , Freeman B. A. , Post M. , Tanswell A. K.
Published: December 2017

The expression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) was studied in the lungs of adult rats exposed to air or 85% O2, using Northern analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Distribution of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) was assessed by immunohistochemistry. IGF-I, but not IGF-II, was localized to airway epithelium, while IGF-IR was localized to perivascular and peribronchial cells, in the lungs of animals breathing air. IGF-II mRNA did not increase with exposure to 85% O2, but IGF-II was localized to sites of perivascular edema and to occasional peribronchial cells. A widespread increase in IGF-I mRNA and peptide was seen after both a 6-day and a 14-day exposure to O2, with maximal expression in the airway and alveolar epithelium, and lesser expression in interstitial cells. After 6 days in 85% O2, increased IGF-IR immunoreactivity was localized to both perivascular and peribronchial cells and to endothelial cells. By 14 days in 85% O2, IGF-IR immunoreactivity was also localized to alveolar epithelial cells. The distribution of IGF-IR immunoreactivity was consistent with a paracrine role for IGF-I in O2-mediated pulmonary hypertension and airway hyperreactivity, by mediating smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, as well as a role in endothelial cell repair and late pneumocyte hyperplasia. The relative insensitivity of IGF-IR immunohistochemistry did not allow us to identify cells with low abundance IGF-IR, and potential cellular targets for IGF-I actions after O2-exposure may be even more extensive than those recognized here.
Redox regulation of manganese superoxide dismutase
Authors: Warner B. B. , Stuart L. , Gebb S. , Wispe J. R.
Published: December 2017

The importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or changes in cellular redox state in signal transduction and gene regulation is becoming increasingly evident. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ROS are directly involved in the induction of the mitochondrial antioxidant manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and mediate the induction of MnSOD by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Pretreatment of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells H441 with the antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) blocked MnSOD induction by TNF-alpha, implicating ROS as a signaling agent in this pathway. Treatment of H441 cells with the exogenous oxidants hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and diamide increased MnSOD mRNA, supporting the hypothesis that ROS directly affect expression of MnSOD. The temporal pattern of MnSOD induction differed for TNF-alpha and H2O2, suggesting distinct signaling pathways. DNA binding of two redox-sensitive transcription factors, NF-kappa B and activator protein (AP)-1, was evaluated. TNF-alpha increased nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B-DNA binding, an effect blocked by pretreatment with NAC. H2O2 did not alter NF-kappa B-DNA binding. There was no evidence of AP-1 binding in cells treated with either TNF-alpha or H2O2. We conclude that ROS directly alter MnSOD expression and are involved in the induction of MnSOD by TNF-alpha.
Bioelectric response of human nasal epithelial cells to polycationic protein
Authors: Van Scott M. R. , Smith M. D. , Welch C. A. , Bentzel C. , Metzger W. J.
Published: December 2017

Polycationic proteins alter electrolyte transport by epithelium and endothelium, and in asthma are thought to disrupt the airway epithelium and contribute to hyperresponsiveness and airway plugging. In the present study, we used primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells to investigate the response of respiratory tract epithelium to luminal presentation of a polycationic protein, protamine. Protamine (100 micrograms/ml) in the apical bathing solution had no significant effect on basal transepithelial resistance (Rt) but decreased short-circuit current (Isc) and hyperpolarized the apical membrane, indicating that Na+ absorption had been inhibited. Pretreating with amiloride inverted the response to protamine, resulting in an increase in Isc, depolarization of the apical membrane, and decrease in the fractional resistance of the apical membrane (fRa). The increase in Isc was inhibited by pretreatment with bumetanide. These results indicated that protamine augmented amiloride-induced Cl- secretion. Induction of Cl- secretion by bathing the apical surface in 3 mM Cl(-)-Ringer solution similarly resulted in protamine-induced depolarization of the apical membrane. Heparin precipitated protamine from solution and reversed the Isc responses. In summary, low concentrations of polycationic protein can alter electrolyte transport by human airway epithelium without desquamation, and the response is dependent on the secretory state of the tissue.
Distribution of alveolar type II cells in neonatal and adult rat lung revealed by RT-PCR in situ
Authors: Mensah E. A. , Kumar N. M. , Nielsen L. , Lwebuga-Mukasa J. S.
Published: December 2017

Type II pneumocytes in newborn lungs are more uniformly distributed, whereas in adult lungs they are located at alveolar corners. We used morphometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in situ hybridization of surfactant protein C mRNA to determine the patterns of type II cell distribution in random lung sections from Sprague-Dawley rats at various neonatal stages and adults. There was a progressive increase in the percentage of type II cells at alveolar corners from 30% at 1 day to 51, 62, 78, and 81% at 3, 5, and 7 days old and adult rats, respectively. There were statistically significant differences (P < 0.001) in the localization of type II cells from the nearest alveolar corner in the 1-day-old compared with 7-day-old and adult rat lungs. These results show that rat type II cells localize to the alveolar corners within the first 7 days postnatally and provide a system for study of factors that regulate alveolar epithelial cell distribution.
Amiloride inhibits cytokine production in epithelium infected with respiratory syncytial virus
Authors: Mastronarde J. G. , Monick M. M. , Gross T. J. , Hunninghake G. W.
Published: December 2017

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important respiratory pathogen in infants and children. RSV preferentially infects airway epithelium and causes local production of inflammatory cytokines. Ribavirin, the only specific agent available for treatment of RSV infection, has limited effectiveness. There are few data regarding the ability of drugs to modulate the inflammatory response of epithelium infected with RSV. This study evaluated the effect of amiloride and ribavirin on cytokine production by RSV-infected epithelium. We observed a dose-dependent reduction in interleukin (IL)-8 protein release with both amiloride and ribavirin in RSV-infected A549 epithelial cells. Peak effects were observed at concentrations of 200 microM amiloride and 60 microM ribavirin. Both amiloride and ribavirin inhibited IL-8 mRNA induction. Pretreatment with either agent was not required to inhibit IL-8 release. Both drugs also inhibited IL-6 release. However, unlike ribavirin, amiloride did not inhibit viral replication or infection. Amiloride also inhibited IL-8 release from A549 cells stimulated with IL-1 or tumor necrosis factor. Amiloride similarly inhibited IL-8 protein release from primary human airway epithelium infected with RSV. These data demonstrate that both amiloride and ribavirin inhibit cytokine production in RSV-infected airway epithelium. These results suggest amiloride, as well as ribavirin, may be useful as a therapeutic agent in RSV infections.