bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Na+-K+-ATPase-G protein coupling in myocardial sarcolemma: separation and reconstitution
Authors: Danilenko Mikhail P. , Turmukhambetova Vera C. , Yesirev Oleg V. , Tkachuk Vsevolod A. , Panchenko Mikhail P.
Published: December 2017

The cholinergic agonist carbachol produces a concentration-dependent (half-maximum inhibitory concentration = 0.9 μM) decrease in the Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of rabbit cardiac sarcolemma that occurred only in the presence of guanosine 5'-[ggr-thio]triphosphate (0.1 μM GTPggrS) and reached 40% inhibition. The inhibition is blocked by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (10 μM) and is abolished in sarcolemma treated with pertussis toxin (20 μg/ml) in the presence of 100 μM NAD. GTPggrS alone reduces Na+-K+-ATPase activity by 45% (half-maximum inhibitory = 1 μM). The apparent affinity of the enzyme for GTPgγS is increased ≈10-fold in the presence of 1 μM carbachol. In sarcolemma solubilized with the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS, 10 mM), the GTPgγS-dependent inhibition of the Na+-K+-ATPase is also observed. Gel filtration of a CHAPS extract of sarcolemma on a Sepharose CL-6B column resulted in a separation of Na+-K+-ATPase and pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi activities. Na+-K+-ATPase activity that was separated on the column lost its sensitivity to the inhibitory action of guanine nucleotides. Inhibitory effects (20–30%) of guanosine 5'-triphosphate analogues [Gpp(NH)p, GTPggrS, or Gpp(CH2)p] at micromolar concentrations were restored when the Na+-K+-ATPase activity was recombined with fractions that contained the pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein(s). Similar concentrations of guanosine 5'-triphosphate, guanosine 5'-diphosphate, guanosine-5' -[beta-thio]diphosphate, or App(NH)p were unable to induce the Gi protein-mediated attenuation of Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the reconstitution system. These results suggest that a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein may act as a transducer of the inhibitory hormonal signals on Na+-K+-ATPase in the sarcolemma.

cardiac sarcolemma
Release of tachykinins by histamine, methacholine, PAF, LTD4, and substance P from guinea pig lungs
Authors: Martins M. A. , Shore S. A. , Drazen J. M.
Published: December 2017

The release of substance P- and neurokinin A-like immunoreactivities (SP-LI and NKA-LI) after tracheal infusion of histamine, methacholine, leukotriene D4, and platelet-activating factor was measured in isolated guinea pig lungs superfused through the trachea. Infusion of each of these agonists was associated with a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in the recovery of both SP-LI and NKA-LI from lung perfusates compared with preinfusion baseline recoveries of these peptides. After infusion of bronchoactive mediators, approximately 4-15 times more NKA-LI than SP-LI was recovered from the lung superfusate. Coincident with the release of neuropeptides, mediator infusion was accompanied by an increase in airway opening pressure (Pao). Addition to the perfusate of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor thiorphan, 1 microM increased the change in Pao induced by histamine (10(-8) mol, P less than 0.005) and methacholine (10(-8) mol, P less than 0.02) and increased the recovery of NKA-LI (P less than 0.05 for histamine and methacholine). Addition of isoproterenol to the perfusion buffer reduced, but did not abolish, either the Pao response or the increased recovery of NKA-LI (P less than 0.05) observed after histamine infusion. We conclude that bronchoactive agonists have the capacity to release both SP-LI and NKA-LI, and we speculate that NKA contributes to the bronchomotor response observed in response to histamine or methacholine.
Mucosal histamine inhibits Na absorption and stimulates Cl secretion across equine tracheal epithelium
Authors: Tessier G. J. , Traynor T. R. , Kannan M. S. , O'Grady S. M.
Published: December 2017

When the equine tracheal epithelium is mounted in Ussing chambers and bathed in plasma-like Ringer solution, the tissue generates a lumen-negative transepithelial potential (PD) of 22 mV and a short-circuit current (Isc) of 70-200 microA/cm2. Mucosal addition of 10 microM histamine produces a transient increase in the Isc followed by a return to baseline or below. Mucosal addition of 2 microM diphenhydramine inhibits the Isc response to mucosal histamine, whereas 100 microM mucosal cimetidine produces no effect. The average initial increases in Isc over time for mucosal vs. serosal histamine addition are significantly different (17.32 +/- 2.8 and 3.76 +/- 0.69 microA/min, respectively). Pretreatment with mucosal amiloride significantly prolongs the effect of mucosal histamine on Isc over a 20-min period from 4.73 +/- 0.33 to 15.48 +/- 3.16 microA. When Cl is replaced by gluconate, mucosal histamine addition results in a gradual decrease in Isc and significantly reduces the effect of mucosal amiloride on Isc from 80.8% to 54.9%. Mucosal histamine inhibits the net transepithelial Na flux by 42% and stimulates the secretion of Cl by 106%. Subsequent addition of serosal bumetanide decreases net Cl secretion by 70% These results suggest that histamine stimulates bumetanide-sensitive Cl secretion and inhibits amiloride-sensitive Na absorption; these effects are mediated by H1 receptors at the apical membrane surface
Altered ion transport by tracheal glands in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Yamaya M. , Finkbeiner W. E. , Widdicombe J. H.
Published: December 2017

Acini of tracheal glands from 12 humans without cystic fibrosis (CF) and from two CF patients were isolated by enzymatic digestion. They were plated on flasks coated with human placental collagen (HPC) in media containing Ultroser G serum substitute and a variety of growth factors. Confluent cell sheets formed after 20 days. Cells were then isolated by trypsinization and replated at 10(6) cells/cm2 onto porous-bottomed inserts coated with HPC. Confluent sheets formed on day 1 after replating and were studied on day 10 in Ussing chambers. Transepithelial resistance (Rte) and baseline short-circuit current (Isc) of CF cultures (171 +/- 67 omega.cm2, 3.8 +/- 0.8 microA/cm2; n = 5) were significantly less than non-CF (541 +/- 116 omega.cm2, 9.9 +/- 2.3 microA/cm2; n = 14). Responses in Isc to mediators were also significantly reduced in CF: isoproterenol (10(-5)M) = 0.04 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.6; methacholine (10(-5)M) = 0.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 7.1 +/- 1.7; bradykinin (10(-6)M) = 0.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.0 microA/cm2; n = 5 for CF, n = 14 for non-CF. When CF and non-CF cells were matched for baseline Isc and Rte, the responses of CF cells to mediators still remained statistically lower than normal. The reduced responses of CF cells to bradykinin and methacholine, in addition to isoproterenol, suggest that both Ca-dependent and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent regulation of Cl secretion are defective in CF tracheobronchial glands. The resulting reduction in fluid secretion by glands may contribute to the accumulation of airway mucus in CF.
Agonist-induced myosin phosphorylation during isometric contraction and unloaded shortening in airway smooth muscle
Authors: Hai C. M. , Szeto B.
Published: December 2017

We measured myosin phosphorylation during isometric contraction at optimal length (Lo) and unloaded shortening induced by K(+)-depolarization, electrical stimulation, carbachol, histamine, and phorbol dibutyrate (PDB) in bovine trachealis. Peak myosin phosphorylation during unloaded shortening was lower than that during isometric contraction in response to all stimuli. The lower peak myosin phosphorylation during unloaded shortening appeared to be a stretch-sensitive response because myosin phosphorylation was either equally low or further reduced during the second unloaded shortening of preshortened tissues. Similar to peak myosin phosphorylation, steady-state myosin phosphorylation was also lower during unloaded shortening in carbachol-induced contractions. However, steady-state phosphorylation during unloaded shortening and isometric contraction were not significantly different in histamine- and PDB-induced contractions. Since the coupling between Ca2+ and myosin phosphorylation was not stretch sensitive, these results suggest the coexistence of stretch-sensitive and stretch-insensitive signal transduction mechanisms in the airway smooth muscle cell membrane, and the stretch-insensitive signal transduction mechanism might involve protein phosphorylation by protein kinase C.
Exposure of surfactant protein A to ozone in vitro and in vivo impairs its interactions with alveolar cells
Authors: Oosting R. S. , Van Iwaarden J. F. , Van Bree L. , Verhoef J. , Van Golde L. M. , Haagsman H. P.
Published: December 2017

This study focused on the question of whether exposure of surfactant protein A (SP-A) to ozone affected properties of this protein that may be involved in regulating alveolar type II cell and alveolar macrophage functions. In vitro exposure of human or canine SP-A to ozone reduced the ability of this protein to inhibit phorbol-ester induced secretion of [3H]phosphatidylcholine by alveolar type II cells in culture. Ozone-exposed human SP-A showed a decreased ability to enhance phagocytosis of herpes simplex virus and to stimulate superoxide anion production by alveolar macrophages. Experiments with elastase showed that ozone-exposed canine SP-A was more susceptible to proteolysis. A conformational change of the protein could underlie this phenomenon. Surfactant isolated from ozone-exposed rats (0.4 ppm ozone for 12 h) was also less able to stimulate superoxide anion production by alveolar macrophages than surfactant from control rats, which suggested that SP-A in vivo was also susceptible to ozone. The results of this study suggest that SP-A-alveolar cell interactions can be inhibited by ozone exposure, which may contribute to the toxicity of ozone in the lungs.
Oxidants and antioxidants in alveolar epithelial type II cells: in situ, freshly isolated, and cultured cells
Authors: Kinnula V. L. , Chang L. , Everitt J. I. , Crapo J. D.
Published: December 2017

Antioxidant enzyme activities, H2O2 clearance, and H2O2 generation by rat alveolar epithelial type II cells were compared between in situ, freshly isolated (6 h ex vivo), and cultured cells (48 h ex vivo). Immunocytochemical studies did not show changes in catalase, Mn superoxide dismutase, or CuZn superoxide dismutase labeling density in cytoplasm, peroxisomes, or mitochondria. Numbers of peroxisomes and mitochondria per cell decreased in cultured cells. Biochemical studies showed that cell culture resulted in a significant decrease in activities of catalase (49%), glutathione reductase (50%), glutathione peroxidase (74%), and in the capacity of the cells to scavenge extracellular H2O2. Addition of the specific catalase inhibitor, aminotriazole, decreased the rate of consumption of exogenously added H2O2 in freshly isolated cells but not in cultured cells. Neither aminotriazole nor 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, which inactivates glutathione reductase, altered H2O2 consumption by cultured cells. The rate of extracellular H2O2 release in both freshly isolated and cultured cells was 0.71 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1. It can be concluded that levels of some antioxidant enzymes fall in cultured alveolar epithelial type II cells, and that, although catalase likely plays a significant role in protection of freshly isolated cells against oxidant stress, this pathway may be less important after culture.
Inhibition of canine tracheal smooth muscle by mediators from cultured bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Yu X. Y. , Hubbard W. , Spannhake E. W.
Published: December 2017

To determine the effect of mediators released from cultured canine bronchial epithelial cells on contraction of canine tracheal smooth muscle, we treated smooth muscle strips with piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) buffer “conditioned” by 5 h incubation with cultures of 4- to 5-day-old cultured epithelial cells. Pretreatment of tracheal smooth muscle with conditioned buffer for 5 min resulted in a significant shift to the right of the contractile dose-response curve to histamine in the range of 10(-8) to 5 x 10(-4) M. In addition, conditioned buffer induced a dose-related relaxation of the muscle precontracted by histamine (5 microM). Relaxant activity was also evident against tissues precontracted by 5-hydroxytryptamine or methacholine. Lipid extraction of conditioned buffer reduced its activity to that of the fresh buffer control. Prior treatment of the cells in culture with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, sodium meclofenamate (4 microM), markedly reduced the relaxant effect of the conditioned buffer, whereas prior treatment with MK-886, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, did not alter relaxant activity. Analysis of prostanoids released into the buffer by epithelial cells indicated the presence of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha, the former in concentrations sufficient to account for the effect of conditioned buffer on precontracted tracheal muscle. Prostaglandin I2 appeared to have a synergistic effect on PGE2-induced relaxation. We conclude that canine bronchial epithelial cells exhibit baseline release of a relaxant lipid factor(s) that can both inhibit and reverse the contraction of tracheal smooth muscle by histamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lung surfactant protein SP-C from human, bovine, and canine sources contains palmityl cysteine thioester linkages
Authors: Stults John T. , Griffin Patrick R. , Lesikar David D. , Naidu Asha , Moffat Barbara , Benson Bradley J.
Published: December 2017

Pages L118B–L125: John T. Stults, Patrick R. Griffin, David D. Lesikar, Asha Naidu, Barbara Moffat, and Bradley J. Benson. “Lung surfactant protein SP-C from human, bovine, and canine sources contains palmityl cysteine thioester linkages.” Page L124: received and accepted dates were inadvertently omitted. They should read “Received 4 October 1990; accepted in final form 11 February 1991.”
Endothelial cell cystine uptake and glutathione increase with N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea exposure
Authors: Deneke S. M. , Lawrence R. A. , Jenkinson S. G.
Published: December 2017

Glutathione (gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine, GSH) is an important cellular antioxidant. In typical cultured cell preparations GSH synthesis is limited by the availability of intracellular cysteine. Because extracellular cystine is the chief source of intracellular cysteine in cultured cells, increasing cystine transport can result in increased intracellular GSH. Depletion of GSH or exposure to oxidants has been shown to stimulate cystine transport in bovine pulmonary endothelial cells and other cell types. BCNU [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea] is a potent inhibitor of glutathione reductase (GSSG-Red). We examined the effects of BCNU on cystine uptake by bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). We hypothesized that blocking GSSG-Red could result in increased cellular uptake of cystine to replenish decreases in GSH caused by oxidation. Levels of BCNU between 0.005 and 0.05 mM added to the cell culture medium inhibited GSSG-Red at 2, 4, and 24 h after addition. BCNU treatment resulted in concentration-dependent increases in both cystine uptake and GSH levels after 24 h of exposure. The increases in uptake were specific for cystine and glutamate and were sodium independent, suggesting induction of a xc(-)-like transport system. No intracellular accumulation of GSSG was measured nor was any significant depletion of GSH noted at any time of BCNU exposure.
In vitro bronchial hyperresponsiveness after lung transplantation in the rat
Authors: Tavakoli R. , Buvry A. , Le Gall G. , Barbet J. P. , Houssin D. , Lockhart A. , Frossard N.
Published: December 2017

In this study, we examined the effect of unilateral lung transplantation on in vitro responses of bronchial smooth muscle to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and exogenous acetylcholine (ACh). In syngeneic Lewis rats, we compared the contractile responses of the left hilar transplanted bronchus with that of the nontransplanted right bronchus and the left and right bronchi from control and sham-operated animals. Atropine-sensitive bronchial contraction to EFS was greater on left transplanted than on right nontransplanted bronchi at all frequencies and voltages used. In control and sham-operated animals, contractile responses to EFS were identical on left and right sides and similar to the responses of the right nontransplanted bronchus of the lung transplant recipient. Concentration-response curves to exogenous ACh were similar on transplanted and all control bronchi. Intramural cholinergic nerve cell bodies reactive for acetylcholinesterase were present in the transplanted bronchus. We conclude that EFS-induced cholinergic contraction of rat bronchial smooth muscle is enhanced after lung transplantation. Enhancement is not a result of medication, inflammation, or rejection, absent from our syngeneic transplant, or of upregulation of muscarinic post-junctional receptors because the response to exogenous ACh was normal. Hence, an increased release of ACh from cholinergic nerve terminals may occur, due either to hyperexcitability of postganglionic parasympathetic nerves or to loss of inhibitory mechanism resulting from interruption of neural connections with the central nervous system.
Large conducting potassium channel reconstituted from airway smooth muscle
Authors: Savaria D. , Lanoue C. , Cadieux A. , Rousseau E.
Published: December 2017

Microsomal fractions were prepared from canine and bovine airway smooth muscle (ASM) by differential and gradient centrifugations. Surface membrane vesicles were characterized by binding assays and incorporated into planar lipid bilayers. Single-channel activities were recorded in symmetric or asymmetric K+ buffer systems and studied under voltage and Ca2+ clamp conditions. A large-conductance K(+)-selective channel (greater than 220 pS in 150 mM K+) displaying a high Ca2+, low Ba2+, and charybdotoxin (CTX) sensitivity was identified. Time analysis of single-channel recordings revealed a complex kinetic behavior compatible with the previous schemes proposed for Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in a variety of biological surface membranes. We now report that the open probability of the channel at low Ca2+ concentration is enhanced on in vitro phosphorylation, which is mediated via an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase. In addition to this characterization at the molecular level, a second series of pharmacological experiments were designed to assess the putative role of this channel in ASM strips. Our results show that 50 nM CTX, a specific inhibitor of the large conducting Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel, prevents norepinephrine transient relaxation on carbamylcholine-precontracted ASM strips. It was also shown that CTX reversed the steady-state relaxation induced by vasoactive intestinal peptide and partially antagonized further relaxation induced by cumulative doses of this potent bronchodilatator. Thus it is proposed that the Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels have a physiological role because they are indirectly activated on stimulation of various membrane receptors via intracellular mechanisms.
Ontogeny of surfactant secretion in type II pneumocytes from fetal, newborn, and adult rats
Authors: Griese M. , Gobran L. I. , Rooney S. A.
Published: December 2017

We measured phosphatidylcholine secretion and its response to surfactant secretagogues in type II cells from developing rats. Cells were isolated from fetal rats on day 21 of gestation by digestion with collagenase and trypsin and purification by differential adhesion. Cells were isolated from adult and postnatal rats on days 1, 7, 14, and 30 by elastase digestion and panning on immunoglobulin G-coated dishes. The basal rate of phosphatidylcholine secretion was the same at all ages but there were developmental changes in the response to secretagogues. The response to terbutaline and an adenosine A2 receptor agonist increased from fetal life until day 7 when it reached the level of adult cells. Adenosine deaminase did not increase the response of the cells to these agonists until day 30, suggesting that the adenosine A1 receptor inhibiting secretion does not become functional until that age. The response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate was lower in the fetal cells but had reached the adult level by day 1. The developmental increase in the response of the cells to ATP was more prolonged with the maximum response not being attained until day 30. With the exception of day 30, when the response to most of the secretagogues was very high, the response to ionomycin was the same at the other ages. These data suggest differential maturation of the signal-transduction pathways mediating surfactant secretion in type II cells.
Isotonic relaxation of sensitized bronchial smooth muscle
Authors: Jiang H. , Stephens N. L.
Published: December 2017

Although the mechanisms underlying asthma are not clear, we have demonstrated that in dogs antigen sensitization results in alterations of contractile properties, such as greater early maximum shortening velocity and capacity of bronchial smooth muscle. These changes could account for the hyperresponsiveness reported in asthma. The failure of the muscle to relax could be another important factor responsible for maintaining high airway resistance. This, a relatively less-studied area, requires study. In the current study, we therefore developed an index of isotonic relaxation, T1/2,CE (half-time for relaxation which is independent of muscle load and initial contractile element length) for evaluation of the relaxation process. Because the maximum shortening velocity at 2 s but not at 10 s was greater in sensitized bronchial smooth muscle (SBSM) than that in controls studies of relaxation were also undertaken at these two times. The mean half-relaxation time indicated by T1/2,CE showed no difference between sensitized and control muscles after 10 s of stimulation (8.38 +/- 0.92 s vs. 7.78 +/- 0.93, means +/- SE); however, it was prolonged significantly in SBSM stimulated only for 1 s (12.74 +/- 2.5 s, mean +/- SE) compared with the control (6.98 +/- 1.01). Unexpectedly, we found that during the late phase of isotonic relaxation, both groups showed spontaneous increase in zero load shortening velocity, which is an index of cross-bridge cycling rate.2
Hormonal regulation of calcium current in freshly isolated airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Welling A. , Felbel J. , Peper K. , Hofmann F.
Published: December 2017

Single freshly isolated smooth muscle cells of adult bovine trachea were voltage clamped, and the calcium inward current was separated from K+ currents by blocking the large outward currents with intra- and extracellular Cs+ and extracellular tetraethylammonium chloride. Isoproterenol stimulated peak calcium current (ICa) in a dose-dependent manner through the beta-adrenergic receptor. The isoproterenol effect was not mediated or caused by the stimulation of a K+ or Na+ current, a decrease in the intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ or H+, the stimulation of the Na(+)-H+ or the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchanger. Neither basal nor isoproterenol-stimulated ICa was affected by internal dialysis of the cell with adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), cAMP analogues, or the catalytic subunit of cAMP-kinase. Internal dialysis of the cells with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) blocked the stimulation of isoproterenol whereas dialysis with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) induced an isoproterenol-like maximal increase of ICa. These results show that the beta-adrenergic receptor stimulates the L-type calcium current of isolated tracheal smooth muscle cells independent of cAMP and cAMP-kinase through a GTP/GDP regulated protein.
Bleomycin stimulation of cytokine secretion by the human alveolar macrophage
Authors: Scheule R. K. , Perkins R. C. , Hamilton R. , Holian A.
Published: December 2017

Bleomycin (BLM) is a very effective antineoplastic drug for many gynecologic and urinary tract carcinomas. However, its use, e.g., cumulative dosage, often is limited by the pulmonary fibrosis that it causes. The mechanism by which BLM causes fibrosis is not understood but is proposed to involve the pulmonary macrophage, a central cell in the cytokine network of the lung. To examine the direct effects of this drug on the human alveolar macrophage, we have treated human alveolar macrophages (isolated from normal subjects by bronchoalveolar lavage) with BLM in vitro and examined resultant macrophage secretory products that have importance for inflammatory and fibrotic processes. A 24-h treatment with BLM (0.5–100 mU/ml) was found to result in 1) a concentration-dependent decrease in the ability of the macrophage to produce superoxide anion in response to phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 2) an increase in secreted interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and 3) a decrease in intracellular levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Kinetic studies revealed a time-dependent appearance of BLM-induced cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha could be detected as early as 4 h after stimulation, followed by IL-1 beta at 8 h. The secretion of these cytokines was found to precede the release of prostaglandin E2, which became significant only at 24 h. Taken together, the present results imply that the human alveolar macrophage does not contribute to BLM-induced oxidant injury of the lung but that it may contribute to the development of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Cloning of human airway 15-lipoxygenase: identity to the reticulocyte enzyme and expression in epithelium
Authors: Sigal E. , Dicharry S. , Highland E. , Finkbeiner W. E.
Published: December 2017

Lipoxygenases constitute a family of enzymes which are implicated in a variety of inflammatory disorders including asthma. Although the 15-lipoxygenase has been identified as the major route of arachidonic acid metabolism in human lung, airway epithelial cells, eosinophils, and developing red cells, the localization of the enzyme within lung has not been clearly defined. Furthermore, the existence of isoforms of 15-lipoxygenase in different tissues has recently been proposed. To address these issues, we isolated a 2.6-kb cDNA encoding human airway 15-lipoxygenase from a human bronchus cDNA library using a previously characterized reticulocyte 15-lipoxygenase cDNA as a probe. The airway 15-lipoxygenase sequence was found to be identical to that of the reticulocyte-derived clone. Immunocytochemical studies using an antibody to human recombinant 15-lipoxygenase specifically localizes the enzyme to the basal and ciliated cells of the trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles. Staining for 15-lipoxygenase is not present in the airway secretory epithelial cells, epithelial cells located in the gas-exchanging regions of lung, vascular structures, or inflammatory cells. Taken together these results suggest that the 15-lipoxygenase of human lung is identical to that of the reticulocyte enzyme and is preferentially expressed in airway epithelium.
Evidence for amiloride-sensitive sodium channels in alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Russo R. M. , Lubman R. L. , Crandall E. D.
Published: December 2017

To maintain alveolar air spaces relatively fluid free, the alveolar epithelium appears capable of vectorial transport of water and solutes. Active transepithelial transport of sodium by alveolar epithelial cell monolayers has previously been demonstrated, indicating that alveolar pneumocytes must possess ion transport mechanisms by which sodium can enter the cells apically for subsequent extrusion via Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase activity at the basolateral surface. In this study, sodium entry mechanisms were investigated by directly measuring 22Na uptake into rat alveolar epithelial cells grown in primary culture. Cells exhibited increasing 22Na uptake with time over a 30-min interval. Total sodium uptake was compared in the presence and absence of several sodium transport inhibitors. Uptake was inhibited by the sodium channel blockers amiloride and benzamil but was not affected by two amiloride analogues (bromohexamethylene amiloride and dimethylamiloride) with diminished specificity for blocking sodium channels and enhanced specificity for inhibiting the Na(+)-H+ antiporter. Uptake was also unaffected by the chloride transport inhibitor bumetanide or by the absence of glucose. These data suggest that sodium uptake occurs primarily via sodium channel and that Na(+)-H+ antiport, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport, and Na(+)-glucose cotransport do not contribute significantly to sodium uptake under these experimental conditions. The presence of sodium channels in the alveolar epithelial cell membrane may provide the major entry mechanism by which sodium enters these cells for subsequent active extrusion, thereby effecting net salt and water reabsorption from the alveolar spaces.
Fibrin degradation by rat pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Simon R. H. , Gross T. J. , Edwards J. A. , Sitrin R. G.
Published: December 2017

The persistence of intra-alveolar fibrin during acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases indicates that the normally profibrinolytic environment of the alveolar space has been altered as part of the disease process. We have recently shown that alveolar epithelial cells may control fibrinolysis by expressing both urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. In this study, monolayers of rat alveolar epithelial cells were used as a model of the alveolar surface and were found to lyse plasma-derived fibrin matrices by a process that was plasminogen and uPA dependent. Fibrinolysis was not achieved by fluid-phase epithelial products but required the presence of epithelial cells, optimally in close contact with the clot surface. Epithelial cell-mediated fibrinolytic activity was augmented 99% by endotoxin and suppressed 66% by dexamethasone. Fibrinolysis also increased 84% as cells aged in culture from day 1 to day 4, during which time the cells lose many type II cell characteristics and assume a type I cell-like phenotype. We conclude that alveolar epithelial cells actively participate in fibrin clearance through mechanisms that require close proximity between epithelial cell and clot surfaces. Alterations in these mechanisms may be partly responsible for the persistence of intraalveolar fibrin during lung inflammation.
Endothelium-dependent and independent cGMP mechanisms appear to mediate O2 responses in calf pulmonary resistance arteries
Authors: Omar H. A. , Wolin M. S.
Published: December 2017

Our laboratory has previously described in isolated 1- to 4-mm calf pulmonary arteries, an endothelium-independent contraction to hypoxia that appears to involve the removal of a H2O2-elicited guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated relaxation. In this study, we examined the effects of changes in O2 tension (PO2) on isolated endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded calf pulmonary resistance arteries of approximately 200 microns in diameter. Resistance arteries precontracted with U46619 were found to undergo a contraction when exposed to a PO2 of 24–27 Torr (hypoxia) from a Po2 of 150 Torr (O2 atmosphere). This contraction was significantly larger in endothelium-intact than endothelium-removed arteries. In the intact artery, 30 microM nitro-L-arginine (NLA), an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of nitric oxide-like activators of guanylate cyclase, increased tone under O2 atmosphere and reduced the contraction to hypoxia to the level observed in the endothelium-removed artery. Reoxygenation caused a relaxation, which was not dependent on the endothelium or inhibited by NLA. The inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activation, LY83583 (10 microM), increased tone under O2 atmosphere, eliminated the contraction to hypoxia, and inhibited the relaxation to reoxygenation, whereas indomethacin (10 microM) did not alter these responses. Thus modulation of a cGMP mechanism, not involving the endothelium or metabolism of arginine, is a primary mediator of responses to changes in O2 tension, and the endothelium appears to cause an enhancement of the contraction to hypoxia via suppression by hypoxia of the tonic generation of an arginine-derived relaxing factor.
Effects of histamine on guinea pig nasal mucosal secretion
Authors: Gawin A. Z. , Baraniuk J. N. , Kaliner M.
Published: December 2017

A guinea pig model of nasal secretory responses was developed to assess the contributions of vascular permeability and glandular secretion in the production of nasal secretions. The secretory responses to saline, histamine, chlorpheniramine (H1-antagonist), cimetidine (H2 antagonist), and atropine (muscarinic antagonist) on ipsilateral and contralateral (reflex) secretory responses were analyzed by measurement of total protein (Lowry method), 125I-labeled bovine serum albumin (125I-BSA; administered intravenously) and guinea pig albumin (measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay) in nasal secretions. Significant, dose-dependent secretion of total protein, 125I-BSA, and albumin occurred after histamine provocation on the ipsilateral challenged nostril and at several doses on the contralateral (unchallenged) nostril. Histamine-induced total protein and albumin secretion were blocked by chlorpheniramine but not cimetidine. Atropine pretreatment partially reduced total protein secretion. Guinea pig albumin immunoreactive material was detected by immunohistochemistry in superficial vessels, interstitial areas, the epithelium, between glandular cells of submucosal glands, and in gland lumens. Approximately 10% of submucosal gland cells contained albumin immunoreactive material in their cytoplasm. Autoradiography demonstrated that intravenously injected 125I-BSA moved quickly into extracellular areas and then to the epithelium and glands. These observations suggest that histamine stimulates vascular permeability, glandular secretion, and sensory nerve stimulation and that the ipsilateral and contralateral glandular secretion was at least partly due to an atropine-inhibitable cholinergic reflex.
IL-1 beta and IL-6 gene expression in alveolar macrophages: modulation by extracellular matrices
Authors: Xing Z. , Jordana M. , Gauldie J.
Published: December 2017

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are two cytokines involved in a variety of host inflammatory reactions. The alveolar macrophage (AM), a predominant cell source for IL-1 and IL-6, exists in a microenvironment in which there are abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and it is likely that ECM may participate in the inflammatory response in the lung by modulating the effector activities of AMs. To investigate this hypothesis, we cultured rat AMs on different substrates including plastic, collagen, and airways fibroblast-derived ECM (fECM) and assessed IL-1 beta and IL-6 gene expression in these cells. Our study demonstrates that cytokine gene expression in AMs is affected by the conditions of culture. IL-1 gene expression is stimulated by adherence to plastic and exposure to endotoxin, whereas IL-6 mRNA is detectable only in the cells stimulated by endotoxin. Coating the plastic with collagen or fECM modifies cytokine gene expression. At early time points, collagen enhances gene expression. At later times (5 days), actin and cytokine gene expression are predominantly maintained in the endotoxin-stimulated cells cultured on fECM. These findings suggest an extracellular environment-directed mechanism of regulation of cytokine expression in alveolar macrophages.
Rabbit lung surfactant protein A gene: identification of a lung-specific DNase I hypersensitive site
Authors: Chen Q. , Boggaram V. , Mendelson C. R.
Published: December 2017

Expression of the gene encoding pulmonary surfactant protein A, SP-A, is lung specific and developmentally and hormonally regulated. Previously, we observed that SP-A gene transcription is initiated in fetal rabbit lung after day 21 of gestation and reaches maximal levels by day 28. In the present study, a cDNA specific for rabbit SP-A was used to isolate the SP-A gene from a rabbit genomic library. A 7.6-kb fragment containing the entire structural gene and approximately 380 bp of 5'-flanking DNA was isolated and characterized. The transcription initiation site, mapped by primer extension analysis, was localized 23 bp downstream of a putative TATA element. The structural gene is composed of five exons and four introns. The first exon encodes the 5'-untranslated region of the mRNA; the translation initiation site is in exon II, and exon V contains the two polyadenylation sites that give rise to the 2.0- and 3.0-kb species of SP-A mRNA. A potential adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-regulatory element (CRE) was identified at -261 bp, and sequences with homology to glucocorticoid-regulatory element (GRE) half-sites were found at -150 and -190 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site and within the first intron. A DNase I hypersensitive site was identified in genomic DNA isolated from 21- and 28-day fetal and adult rabbit lung tissues. This site was mapped within the 5'-flanking region of the SP-A gene, at approximately -80 to -180 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. The absence of this hypersensitive site in genomic DNA of liver, kidney, and heart tissues suggests that altered chromatin structure may serve a role in lung-specific SP-A gene expression. The presence of this tissue-specific DNase I hypersensitive site in lung nuclei from 21-day gestational age fetal rabbits suggests that the SP-A gene may exist in an accessible conformation prior to the time of transcription initiation.
Growth and developmental regulation of wnt-2 (irp) gene in mesenchymal cells of fetal lung
Authors: Levay-Young B. K. , Navre M.
Published: December 2017

The wnt gene family encodes a group of proteins implicated as intercellular signaling molecules in vertebrate development. Because many wnt genes are also expressed in the lung, we have examined whether the wnt family member wnt-2 (irp) plays a role in lung development. We have cloned rat wnt-2 and found that this cDNA detects multiple mRNAs expressed at high levels in fetal rat lung. Much lower levels were found in adult rat lung and other tissues, including, surprisingly, the mammary gland. The wnt-2 mRNA was also detected in human fetal lung fibroblast cell lines, where the mRNA levels were dramatically regulated by growth state as well as growth factor stimulation. In situ hybridization showed that, in fetal rat lung, wnt-2 mRNA expression is restricted to the mesenchyme; levels in the developing epithelium were indistinguishable from background. Based on the known properties of other wnt proteins, our data lead us to propose that wnt-2 may play a role in lung development by mediating intercellular interaction(s) between mesenchyme and epithelium.
Surfactant protein C: hormonal control of SP-C mRNA levels in vitro
Authors: Veletza S. V. , Nichols K. V. , Gross I. , Lu H. , Dynia D. W. , Floros J.
Published: December 2017

We have studied hormonal regulation of the surfactant protein C (SP-C) in fetal 18-dah rat lung explants. SP-C mRNA was detected in Northern blots with a specific rat SP-C cDNA probe and quantified by densitometry. Treatment of the explants with dexamethasone resulted in a dose-dependent increase of the SP-C mRNA level. Transcriptional assays have shown that the regulation of SP-C mRNA by dexamethasone involves a transcriptional step. Administration of the cAMP analogues, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP), produced a dose-dependent increase of SP-C mRNA levels, with maximum stimulation observed at 200 microM. The thyroid hormone T3 had no effect on SP-C mRNA levels, whether administered alone or in combination with dexamethasone. Variation in the effects of the above hormones on three surfactant protein mRNAs, SP-A, SP-B and SP-C, indicates that the hormonal regulation of the surfactant proteins is a complex process and that each gene is, in part, differentially regulated.
Differentiated structure and function of cultures from human tracheal epithelium
Authors: Yamaya M. , Finkbeiner W. E. , Chun S. Y. , Widdicombe J. H.
Published: December 2017

Here we describe the conditions which allow cultured human tracheal epithelial cells to retain the ion transport properties and ultrastructure of the original tissue. The order of potency of growth supports and media additives in elevating baseline short-circuit current (Isc) and responses to mediators were vitrogen gel (VIT) greater than extracellular matrix from bovine corneal endothelial cells (ECM) greater than human placental collagen (HPC), and 2% Ultroser G serum substitute (USG) greater than 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) greater than defined growth factors (GF). For all combinations of medium and growth supports, an air interface (AIR) gave better electrical properties than immersion feeding (IMM). As opposed to our earlier conditions (HPC/FCS/IMM), the best new combination (VIT/USG/AIR) produced higher baseline Isc (58.0 +/- 10.6 vs. 5.1 +/- 1.0 microA/cm2) and increased Isc responses to isoproterenol (6.1 +/- 1.5 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.3 microA/cm2) and bradykinin (9.6 +/- 2.0 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2 microA/cm2), while retaining high transepithelial resistance (227 +/- 5 omega.cm2). VIT/USG/AIR led to the appearance of cilia, an increase in the depth of the cell sheets (50 vs. 10 microns), longer and more frequent apical microvilli, and increased interdigitations of the basolateral membrane. Protein and DNA content were also significantly increased. Secretory granules were present which stained with antibody to goblet cells, but not to serous or mucous gland cells. CF cells grown in VIT/USG/AIR showed high baseline Isc (69 +/- 18 microA/cm2) and a proportionately larger inhibition of Isc by amiloride (70 +/- 10 vs. 34 +/- 3%). Isc did not respond to isoproterenol, and the response to bradykinin was 22% normal.
Exon 16 del: a novel form of human neutral endopeptidase (CALLA)
Authors: Iijima H. , Gerard N. P. , Squassoni C. , Ewig J. , Face D. , Drazen J. M. , Kim Y. A. , Shriver B. , Hersh L. B. , Gerard C.
Published: December 2017

The enzyme neutral metalloendopeptidase (E.C. 3.4.24.11), also known as the common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen, neutral endopeptidase, or enkephalinase, functions as an inactivator of a wide variety of signaling oligopeptides such as substance P, neurokinin A, enkephalins, endothelin, atrial natriuretic factor, and formyl chemotactic peptides. A cDNA clone isolated from a human lung library encodes a fragment of neutral metalloendopeptidase containing an internal 81 base pair deletion when compared with the human placental cDNA for this enzyme. Comparison of the deleted cDNA sequence with the intron-exon structure recently determined as the common acute lymphocytic leukemia antigen reveals that the 81 base pairs corresponds precisely with exon 16. RNA analysis using splice junction oligonucleotides indicates that the 16 del form constitutes a minor but significant fraction of the RNA species present in human lung. Expression of constructs containing “wild type” and “exon 16 del” neutral endopeptidases in COS-7 cells reveals that deletion of this 27 amino acid segment reduces enzymatic activity toward the synthetic substrate glutaryl-alanyl-alanyl-phenyl-alanyl-4-methoxy-2-naphthylamide to barely detectable levels.
Effects of surfactant apolipoproteins on liposome structure: implications for tubular myelin formation
Authors: Poulain F. R. , Allen L. , Williams M. C. , Hamilton R. L. , Hawgood S.
Published: December 2017

Tubular myelin is one of several forms of lung surfactant and may play an important role in its surface activity. To determine possible mechanisms of tubular myelin formation, we studied the effects of purified surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B, and SP-C) on large unilamellar dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine-egg phosphatidylglycerol (7/3; wt/wt) liposomes. We studied different types of membrane interaction induced by the apolipoproteins and correlated these with the observed changes in ultrastructure. Aggregation was assessed by measurement of light absorbance, lysis, and fusion by measurement of the fluorescence emitted by water-soluble and lipid-soluble probes, respectively. Mixtures of the apolipoproteins and liposomes were examined in ultrastructural studies by negative staining and by thin sectioning. We found that each protein had a pronounced and distinct effect on liposome structure. SP-A caused aggregation, whereas SP-B and SP-C also caused extensive leakage of liposome contents (lysis) and some degree of lipid mixing (fusion). The disruptive effects of SP-B and to a lesser extent those of SP-C were correlated by negative staining with the appearance of bilayer disks, which tended to aggregate into large sheets. There was a marked synergy between SP-A and SP-B in the process of membrane fusion in the presence of calcium, which correlated with an early (10 min) and extensive rearrangement of the structures seen by electron microscopy followed by a delayed (24 h) appearance of small amounts of tubular myelin.
A stable O2-resistant cell line: role of lipid peroxidation byproducts in O2-mediated injury
Authors: Sullivan S. J. , Oberley T. D. , Roberts R. J. , Spitz D. R.
Published: December 2017

HA-1 hamster fibroblasts receiving fresh media every 24 h were continuously passaged in progressively increasing O2 concentrations for 18 mo (designated O2R95). These cells were significantly more resistant than parental HA-1 to clonogenic inactivation mediated by 95% O2 without media replacement. The O2R95 cell line exhibited increases in the activities of catalase (CAT), Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). O2R95 cells demonstrated uniformly distributed increased staining for CAT, MnSOD, Cu,Zn SOD, and GPx proteins, as determined by immunohistochemistry. Cellular resistance to and metabolism of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE), a toxic byproduct of lipid peroxidation implicated in mechanisms of O2 toxicity, was examined in HA-1 and O2R95 cell lines. O2R95 cells were significantly more resistant to 4HNE cytotoxicity, which was accompanied by a significant increase in 4HNE metabolism. O2R95 cells also demonstrated an increase in total glutathione (GSH) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, an enzymatic system believed to be involved with 4HNE metabolism. Furthermore, homogenates from O2R95 cells consumed greater quantities of 4HNE in the presence of NADPH (but not NADH, NAD+, or NADP+), suggesting that an enzyme(s) utilizing NADPH contributes to 4HNE metabolism, resistance to 95% O2 and 4HNE as well as increased total GSH, antioxidant enzyme activities, and NADPH-dependent metabolism of 4HNE, persisted in O2R95 cells for 75 days of growth in 21% O2. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that aldehydic byproducts of lipid peroxidation contribute to mechanisms of O2 toxicity and the selective pressure exerted by exposure of cells to hyperoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).