Nickel-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression inhibits the fibrinolytic activity of human airway epithelial cells

The Gilded Clot: Review of Metal-Modulated Platelet Activation, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis

The processes of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis that in part maintain the physical integrity of the circulatory system and fluidity of its contents are complex as they are critical for life. While the roles played by cellular components and circulating proteins in coagulation and fibrinolysis are widely acknowledged, the impact of metals on these processes is at best underappreciated. In this narrative review we identify twenty-five metals that can modulate the activity of platelets, plasmatic coagulation, and fibrinolysis as determined by in vitro and in vivo investigations involving several species besides human beings. When possible, the molecular interactions of the various metals with key cells and proteins of the hemostatic system were identified and displayed in detail. It is our intention that this work serve not as an ending point, but rather as a fair evaluation of what mechanisms concerning metal interactions with the hemostatic system have been elucidated, and as a beacon to guide future investigation.

Integration of proteomic and metabolomic analyses: New insights for mapping informal workers exposed to potentially toxic elements

Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a concerning reality of informal workers engaged in the jewelry production chain that can lead to adverse health effects. In this study, untargeted proteomic and metabolomic analyses were employed to assess the impact of these exposures on informal workers' exposome in Limeira city, São Paulo state, Brazil. PTE levels (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg, and Pb) were determined in blood, proteomic analyses were performed for saliva samples (n = 26), and metabolomic analyses in plasma (n = 145) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometry. Blood PTE levels of workers, controls, and their family members were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). High concentration levels of Sn and Cu were detected in welders' blood (p < 0.001). Statistical analyses were performed using MetaboAnalyst 4.0. The results showed that 26 proteins were upregulated, and 14 proteins downregulated on the welder group, and thirty of these proteins were also correlated with blood Pb, Cu, Sb, and Sn blood levels in the welder group (p < 0.05). Using gene ontology analysis of these 40 proteins revealed the biological processes related to the upregulated proteins were translational initiation, SRP-dependent co-translational protein targeting to membrane, and viral transcription. A Metabolome-Wide Association Study (MWAS) was performed to search for associations between blood metabolites and exposure groups. A pathway enrichment analysis of significant features from the MWAS was then conducted with Mummichog. A total of 73 metabolomic compounds and 40 proteins up or down-regulated in welders were used to perform a multi-omics analysis, disclosing seven metabolic pathways potentially disturbed by the informal work: valine leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, valine leucine and isoleucine degradation, arginine and proline metabolism, ABC transporters, central carbon metabolism in cancer, arachidonic acid metabolism and cysteine and methionine metabolism. The majority of the proteins found to be statistically up or downregulated in welders also correlated with at least one blood PTE level, providing insights into the biological responses to PTE exposures in the informal work exposure scenario. These findings shed new light on the effects of occupational activity on workers' exposome, underscoring the harmful effects of PTE.

Silica Induces Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression through a MAPKs/AP-1-Dependent Mechanism in Human Lung Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) plays an important role in the silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The effect of silica on the expression of PAI-1 was investigated in human lung epithelial cells (A549). Silica induced PAI-1 expression in a concentration-(50-200 mug/mL) and time-(4-24 h) dependent manner in A549 cells. Furthermore, the roles of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathways in silica-induced PAI-1 expression were examined. We found that silica (200 mug/mL) treatment for 4 to 24 h resulted in AP-1 activation in A549 cells. Cells were pretreated with the AP-1 inhibitor curcumin (10, 25, 50 muM), and silica-induced PAI-1 expression was reduced by 20%, 63%, and 65%, respectively. In addition, dominant-negative mutant c-Jun (TAM67) down-regulated silica-induced PAI-1 expression by 59%. P38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (20 muM) and Erk inhibitor PD98059 (50 muM) suppressed silica-induced PAI-1 expression by 35% and 51%, respectively. Additionally, PD98059 but not SB203580 inhibited the AP-1 DNA binding activity induced by silica. The results suggest that the PAI-1 expression induced by silica may be involved in the activation of MAPKs/AP-1 signaling pathways in human lung epithelial cells.

Chromium(VI) stimulates Fyn to initiate innate immune gene induction in human airway epithelial cells

Mechanisms for pathogenic metal signaling in airway injury or disease promotion are poorly understood. It is widely believed that one mechanism for pathogenic and possible carcinogenic effects of inhaled chromium (Cr(VI)) is inhibition of inducible gene transactivation. However, we recently reported that Cr(VI) inhibition of Sp1-dependent transactivation required signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)-dependent expression of an inhibitory protein in airway epithelium. Thus, Cr(VI) exposures can induce genes, and we hypothesized that this induction resulted from Cr(VI) signaling through an innate immune-like STAT1-dependent pathway initiated by Fyn. Exposure of human airway epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells to Cr(VI) selectively transactivated the STAT-responsive interferon-stimulated response element (ISRE) and induced ISRE-driven transactivation of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), without affecting the gamma interferon-activated site (GAS)-driven IRF1 expression. Cr(VI)-induced IRF7 was absent or greatly reduced in cells that lacked STAT1, were treated with the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP2, or lacked Fyn. Expressing Fyn, but not Src, in mouse embryonic fibroblasts cells null for Src, Yes, and Fyn restored Cr(VI)-stimulated STAT1 tyrosine phosphorylation and IRF7 expression. Finally, shRNA knockdown of Fyn in BEAS-2B cells prevented Cr(VI)-activated STAT1 transactivation of IRF7. These data support a novel mechanism through which Cr(VI) stimulates Fyn to initiate interferon-like signaling for STAT1-dependent gene transactivation.

Effects of nickel on cyclin expression, cell cycle progression and cell proliferation in human pulmonary cells

Frequent exposure to nickel compounds has been considered as one of the potential causes of human lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of nickel-induced lung carcinogenesis remains obscure. In the current study, slight S-phase increase, significant G(2)/M cell cycle arrest, and proliferation blockage were observed in human bronchial epithelial cells (Beas-2B) upon nickel exposure. Moreover, the induction of cyclin D1 and cyclin E by nickel was shown for the first time in human pulmonary cells, which may be involved in nickel-triggered G(1)/S transition and cell transformation. In addition, we verified that hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, an important transcription factor of nickel response, was not required for the cyclin D1 or cyclin E induction. The role of p53 in nickel-induced G(2)/M arrest was excluded, respecting that its protein level, ser(15) phosphorylation, and transcriptional activity were not changed in nickel response. Further study revealed that cyclin A was not activated in nickel response, and cyclin B1, which not only promotes G(2)/M transition but also prevents M-phase exit of cells if not degraded in time, was up-regulated by nickel through a manner independent of hypoxia-inducible factor. More importantly, our results verified that overexpressed cyclin B1, veiling the effect of cyclin D1 or cyclin E, mediated nickel-caused M-phase blockage and cell growth inhibition, which may render pulmonary cells more sensitive to DNA damage and facilitates cancer initiation. These results will not only deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in nickel carcinogenecity, but also lead to the further study on chemoprevention of nickel-associated human cancer.

Arsenic activates EGFR pathway signaling in the lung

Arsenic is an established lung carcinogen, however, the carcinogenic mechanisms are currently under investigation. Phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported with arsenic exposure in bladder cells. EGFR is a tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor that regulates important processes in carcinogenesis, including cell survival, cell cycle progression, tumor invasion, and angiogenesis. We investigated the mechanisms of EGFR pathway activation by levels of arsenic relevant to human exposure scenarios both in vitro using cultured lung epithelial cells, and in lung tumors samples from New England Lung Cancer Study participants. Toenail arsenic levels were used as an internal biomarker of arsenic exposure. Our in vitro data suggest that arsenic increases levels of the EGFR ligand, heparin binding-EGF, and activate EGFR phosphorylation in the lung. Downstream of EGFR, arsenic exposure increased pERK and cyclin D1 levels. These effects were inhibited by treatment of cultured cells with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Tarceva (erlotinib). In a consecutive series of human lung tumor specimens, pEGFR protein levels were higher in subjects with elevated toenail arsenic levels compared to those with low exposure (odds ratio adjusted for other factors, OR 4.1 (95% confidence interval 1.1-15.6) (p = 0.04). These data suggest that arsenic exposure may stimulate EGFR pathway activation in the lung. Moreover, the tumors that arise in arsenic-exposed individuals also exhibit signs of EGFR pathway dysregulation. Further work is needed to assess the clinical utility of targeting the EGFR pathway in subgroups of lung cancer patients who have been exposed to elevated levels of arsenic.

Nickel compounds induce apoptosis in human bronchial epithelial Beas-2B cells by activation of c-Myc through ERK pathway

Nickel compounds are carcinogenic to humans and have been shown to alter epigenetic homeostasis. The c-Myc protein controls 15% of human genes and it has been shown that fluctuations of c-Myc protein alter global epigenetic marks. Therefore, the regulation of c-Myc by nickel ions in immortalized but not tumorigenic human bronchial epithelial Beas-2B cells was examined in this study. It was found that c-Myc protein expression was increased by nickel ions in non-tumorigenic Beas-2B and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The results also indicated that nickel ions induced apoptosis in Beas-2B cells. Knockout of c-Myc and its restoration in a rat cell system confirmed the essential role of c-Myc in nickel ion-induced apoptosis. Further studies in Beas-2B cells showed that nickel ion increased the c-Myc mRNA level and c-Myc promoter activity, but did not increase c-Myc mRNA and protein stability. Moreover, nickel ion upregulated c-Myc in Beas-2B cells through the MEK/ERK pathway. Collectively, the results demonstrate that c-Myc induction by nickel ions occurs via an ERK-dependent pathway and plays a crucial role in nickel-induced apoptosis in Beas-2B cells.

Inhalation of inorganic particles as a risk factor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis--elemental microanalysis of pulmonary lymph nodes obtained at autopsy cases

Exposure to inorganic particles may induce fibrosis in the lung. However, the association between exposure to inorganic particles and the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is obscure. We examined inorganic particles in the pulmonary hilar lymph nodes affected by IPF/UIP to investigate whether inhaled elements are involved in the etiology, and whether there is an increasing risk of developing IPF/UIP. Twenty-three IPF/UIP cases and 23 controls without IPF/UIP were investigated. Pulmonary hilar lymph nodes constituted the study material. The elemental analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope, and we analyzed particles quantitatively and qualitatively. The results showed that the cases contained silicon and aluminum as compared with the control in lymph nodes, and these deposits were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of IPF/UIP (adjusted odds were 2.99, 95% CI: 1.29-6.85 and 57.84, 95% CI: 1.45-2306.19, respectively). In addition, higher nickel levels in lymph nodes were associated with lung cancer. This study shows that inorganic particles, such as Si and Al, have higher concentrations in the hilar lymph nodes in IPF/UIP, and may play a role in one of the risk factors in the pathogenesis of IPF/UIP.

Essential role of PI-3K, ERKs and calcium signal pathways in nickel-induced VEGF expression

Exposure to a highly nickel-polluted environment has the potential to cause a variety of adverse health effects, such as the respiratory tract cancers. Since numerous studies have demonstrated that nickel generally has weak mutagenic activity, research focus had turned to cell signalling activation leading to gene modulation and epigenetic changes as a plausible mechanism of carcinogenesis. Previous studies have revealed that nickel compounds can induce the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a key mediator of angiogenesis both in physiological and pathologic conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential roles of PI-3K, ERKs, p38 kinase and calcium signalling in VEGF induction by nickel in Cl 41 cells. Exposure of Cl 41 cells to nickel compounds led to VEGF induction in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Pre-treatment of Cl 41 cells with PI-3K inhibitor, wortmannin or Ly294002, resulted in a striking inhibition of VEGF induction by nickel compounds, implicating the role of PI-3K in the induction. However, mTOR, one of downstream molecules of PI-3K, may not contribute to the induction because pre-treatment of Cl 41 cells with its inhibitor, rapamycin, did not show obvious decrease in nickel-induced VEGF expression. Furthermore, pre-treatment of Cl 41 cells with MEK1/2-ERKs pathway inhibitor, PD98059, significantly inhibited VEGF induction by both NiCl2 and Ni3S2, whereas p38 kinase inhibitor, SB202190, did not impair the induction. Pre-treatment of Cl 41 cells with intracellular calcium chelator, but not calcium channel blocker, inhibited VEGF induction by nickel. Collectively these data demonstrate that PI-3K, ERKs and cytosolic calcium, but not p38 kinase, play essential roles in VEGF induction by nickel compounds.

Gene expression changes during the development of acute lung injury: role of transforming growth factor beta

RATIONALE

Acute lung injury can occur from multiple causes, resulting in high mortality. The pathophysiology of nickel-induced acute lung injury in mice is remarkably complex, and the molecular mechanisms are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To integrate molecular pathways and investigate the role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) in acute lung injury in mice.

METHODS

cDNA microarray analyses were used to identify lung gene expression changes after nickel exposure. MAPPFinder analysis of the microarray data was used to determine significantly altered molecular pathways. TGF-beta1 protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as the effect of inhibition of TGF-beta, was assessed in nickel-exposed mice. The effect of TGF-beta on surfactant-associated protein B (Sftpb) promoter activity was measured in mouse lung epithelial cells.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Genes that decreased the most after nickel exposure play important roles in lung fluid absorption or surfactant and phospholipid synthesis, and genes that increased the most were involved in TGF-beta signaling. MAPPFinder analysis further established TGF-beta signaling to be significantly altered. TGF-beta-inducible genes involved in the regulation of extracellular matrix function and fibrinolysis were significantly increased after nickel exposure, and TGF-beta1 protein was also increased in the lavage fluid. Pharmacologic inhibition of TGF-beta attenuated nickel-induced protein in bronchoalveolar lavage. In addition, treatment with TGF-beta1 dose-dependently repressed Sftpb promoter activity in vitro, and a novel TGF-beta-responsive region in the Sftpb promoter was identified.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that TGF-beta acts as a central mediator of acute lung injury through the alteration of several different molecular pathways.

Post-transcriptional regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by intracellular iron in cultured human lung fibroblasts--interaction of an 81-kDa nuclear protein with the 3'-UTR

The proteinase inhibitor, type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), is a major regulator of the plasminogen activator system involved in plasmin formation and fibrinolysis. The present study explores the effects of intracellular iron on the expression of PAI-1 and associated cell-surface plasmin activity in human lung fibroblasts; and reports the presence of a novel iron-responsive protein. ELISA revealed a dose-dependent increase in PAI-1 antigen levels expressed in the conditioned medium of cells treated with deferoxamine, in the three cell lines studied. A concomitant increase in mRNA levels was also observed by Northern analyses. Presaturation with ferric citrate quenched the effect of deferoxamine. Experiments with transcription and translation inhibitors on TIG 3-20 cells demonstrated that intracellular iron modulated PAI-1 expression at the post-transcriptional level with the requirement of de-novo protein synthesis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and UV crosslinking assays revealed the presence of an approximately 81-kDa nuclear protein that interacted with the 3'-UTR of PAI-1 mRNA in an iron-sensitive manner. Finally, we demonstrated that the increased PAI-1 is functional in suppressing cell-surface plasmin activity, a process that can affect wound healing and tissue remodeling.

Radiographic evidence of pulmonary fibrosis and possible etiologic factors at a nickel refinery in Norway

Animal studies have shown that nickel compounds may induce pulmonary fibrosis, but so far only limited documentation in humans has been available. Radiographs of 1046 workers in a nickel refinery in Norway were read blindly and independently by three NIOSH certified B-readers, according to the ILO standards. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) was defined as a median reading of ILO score > or = 1/0 and following this criterion, 47 cases (4.5%) were identified. In logistic regression models, controlling for age and smoking, there was evidence of increased risk of PF with cumulative exposure to soluble nickel or sulfidic nickel (p = 0.04 for both). For metallic nickel a p-value of 0.07 was found. For soluble nickel there was a dose-response trend for 4 categories of cumulated exposure. In the group with the highest cumulative exposure to soluble nickel (low exposure as reference), the crude odds ratio for PF was 4.34 (95% CI 1.75-10.77). The risk adjusted for age, smoking, asbestos and sulfidic nickel was 2.24 (0.82-6.16), with a dose-response trend. The corresponding figures for sulfidic nickel were 5.06 (1.70-15.09, crude) and 2.04 (0.54-7.70, adjusted for age, smoking, asbestos and soluble nickel). However, the dose-response trend was less clear for sulfidic nickel. Controlling for estimated asbestos exposure at the refinery tended to increase the odds ratios of soluble and sulfidic nickel. This study indicates that in addition to age and smoking exposure to soluble and sulfidic nickel compounds are risk factors of PF in humans. Since the number of cases identified in this study is small and undetected confounders may have been present, further studies in other cohorts are appropriate.

Metal-induced cell signaling and gene activation in lung diseases

Chronic environmental and occupational exposures to low levels of metals are associated with increased incidence of pulmonary and cardiopulmonary diseases. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of metals in the lung are unresolved and involve complex pleiotrophic effects. These effects are mediated by direct reaction of the metals with cellular macromolecules and indirect effects of reactive oxygen species generated when cells are exposed to metals. This review focuses on cell signaling pathways activated by two metals, chromium and nickel, that are known to promote a variety of lung diseases, including fibrosis, obstructive disease, and cancer. These signaling pathways are discussed in relation to the inclusion or exclusion of reactive oxygen in mediating cellular activation following metal exposures.

A novel pathway for nickel-induced interleukin-8 expression

Inhalation of particulate nickel subsulfide (Ni3S2) causes chronic active inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs. However, the mechanisms for these effects are not well understood. Therefore, cell culture experiments with BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cells were conducted to test the hypothesis that exposure to non-cytotoxic levels of Ni3S2 induces expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-8 (IL-8). Exposure to Ni3S2 for 48 h was required to significantly increase IL-8 protein levels. Transcriptional stimulation of IL-8 mRNA levels preceded the increase in protein. Transient exposure to soluble nickel sulfate failed to increase IL-8 mRNA. Transfection with truncated IL-8 promoter constructs linked to the luciferase gene demonstrated that nickel-induced IL-8 transcription required -272 bp of the promoter relative to the transcriptional start site. A -133-bp construct, containing cytokine and hypoxia-sensitive AP-1, NF-IL6, and NF-kappaB sites, was insufficient for induction by nickel. Transfection with a dominant negative AP-1 construct or mutation of the AP-1, GATA, or C/EBP sites in the -272-bp IL-8 promoter construct blocked induction by nickel. Inhibiting ERK, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, but not p38 kinase, diacylglycerol kinase, or hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha, attenuated nickel induction of IL-8. These studies indicate that nickel induced IL-8 transcription through a novel pathway that requires both AP-1 and non-traditional transcription factors.

Nickel requires hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha, not redox signaling, to induce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1

Human epidemiological and animal studies have associated inhalation of nickel dusts with an increased incidence of pulmonary fibrosis. At the cellular level, particulate nickel subsulfide inhibits fibrinolysis by transcriptionally inducing expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, an inhibitor of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Because nickel is known to mimic hypoxia, the present study examined whether nickel transcriptionally activates PAI-1 through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha signaling pathway. The involvement of the NADPH oxidase complex, reactive oxygen species, and kinases in mediating nickel-induced HIF-1 alpha signaling was also investigated. Addition of nickel to BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cells increased HIF-1 alpha protein levels and elevated PAI-1 mRNA levels. Pretreatment of cells with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor U-0126 partially blocked HIF-1 alpha protein and PAI-1 mRNA levels induced by nickel, whereas antioxidants and NADPH oxidase inhibitors had no effect. Pretreating cells with antisense, but not sense, oligonucleotides to HIF-1 alpha mRNA abolished nickel-stimulated increases in PAI-1 mRNA. These data indicate that signaling through extracellular signal-regulated kinase and HIF-1 alpha is required for nickel-induced transcriptional activation of PAI-1.

AP-1-dependent induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 by nickel does not require reactive oxygen

Inhalation of nickel dust has been associated with an increased incidence of pulmonary fibrosis. Nickel may promote fibrosis by transcriptionally activating plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 and inhibiting fibrinolysis. The current studies examined whether nickel stimulated the PAI-1 promoter though an oxidant-sensitive activator protein (AP)-1 signaling pathway. Addition of nickel to BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cells stimulated intracellular oxidation, induced c-Jun and c-Fos mRNA levels, increased phospho- and total c-Jun protein levels, and elevated PAI-1 mRNA levels over a 24-h time course. Pretreatment of the cells with antioxidants did not affect increased c-Jun protein or PAI-1 mRNA levels. Expression of the dominant negative inhibitor of AP-1, TAM67, prevented nickel-stimulated AP-1 DNA binding, AP-1-luciferase reporter construct activity, and PAI-1 mRNA levels. Overexpression of c-Jun, however, failed to induce the AP-1 luciferase reporter construct or PAI-1 mRNA levels. These data indicated that nickel activated AP-1 through an oxidant-independent pathway and that basal AP-1 is necessary for nickel-induced expression of PAI-1.