Modulation by lipid mediators of immune complex-induced lung inflammation in mice

Bifunctional lipocalin ameliorates murine immune complex-induced acute lung injury

Molecules that simultaneously inhibit independent or co-dependent proinflammatory pathways may have advantages over conventional monotherapeutics. OmCI is a bifunctional protein derived from blood-feeding ticks that specifically prevents complement (C)-mediated C5 activation and also sequesters leukotriene B4 (LTB₄) within an internal binding pocket. Here, we examined the effect of LTB₄ binding on OmCI structure and function and investigated the relative importance of C-mediated C5 activation and LTB₄ in a mouse model of immune complex-induced acute lung injury (IC-ALI). We describe two crystal structures of bacterially expressed OmCI: one binding a C16 fatty acid and the other binding LTB₄ (C20). We show that the C5 and LTB₄ binding activities of the molecule are independent of each other and that OmCI is a potent inhibitor of experimental IC-ALI, equally dependent on both C5 inhibition and LTB₄ binding for full activity. The data highlight the importance of LTB₄ in IC-ALI and activation of C5 by the complement pathway C5 convertase rather than by non-C proteases. The findings suggest that dual inhibition of C5 and LTB₄ may be useful for treatment of human immune complex-dependent diseases.

Intrapulmonary application of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor using surfactant as a carrier reduces lung edema in a piglet model of airway lavage

Leukotriene-generated effects on microvascular integrity and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) play a key role in the inflammatory process of the alveolar-capillary unit in neonatal acute respiratory distress syndrome. We asked if intrapulmonary application of MK886, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, and the use of a porcine surfactant preparation (Curosurftrade mark) as a carrier substance would improve lung function in a neonatal piglet model of airway lavage. Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated newborn piglets (n = 19) underwent repeated airway lavage to induce acute lung injury. Piglets then received either surfactant alone (S, n = 6), or MK886 admixed with surfactant (S + MK, n = 7), or an air-bolus injection as control (C, n = 6). Measurements of gas exchange, lung function, extravascular lung water (EVLW), cell counts, and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) were performed during 6 hr of mechanical ventilation. Arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO(2)) (S, 13.8 +/- 4.2 kPa, vs. S + MK, 20 +/- 6.6; P < 0.05), functional residual capacity (S, 15.1 +/- 6.8 ml/kg, vs. S + MK, 18.8 +/- 3.7 ml/kg; P < 0.05), and EVLW (S, 29 +/- 14 ml/kg, vs. S + MK 24 +/- 4 ml/kg; P < 0.05) were significantly improved in the MK886 group. This clinical effect was linked with a decrease in LTB(4) concentration in BAL (S, 3.5 (1.9-5.4) pg/ml, vs. S + MK, 1.6 (0.7-4.7) pg/ml; P < 0.05) and an increase in IL-8 (S, 2,103 (852-4,243) pg/ml, vs. S + MK, 3,815 (940-26,187) pg/ml; P < 0.05). PMNL counts in BAL were reduced (S, 570 +/- 42 cells/ml, vs. 275 +/- 35 cells/ml; P < 0.05). In conclusion, intrapulmonary application of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor MK886 with surfactant as a carrier improves lung function by decreasing EVLW as the main response to LTB(4) reduction.

Increased responsiveness to 5-hydroxytryptamine after antigenic challenge is inhibited by nifedipine and niflumic acid in rat trachea in vitro

Antigenic challenge often induces hyperreactivity in asthmatic airway, although the precise mechanism(s) underlying this increased responsiveness is not entirely known. Tracheae obtained from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized saline- or OVA-challenged rats were placed in 10 mL bath chambers for isometric recording of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contractions. 5-Hydroxytryptamine induced a stronger contraction compared with control in antigen-challenged trachea under normal or Ca2+-free conditions. In tracheae pretreated with the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (10(-6) mol/L) or the Ca2+-activated Cl- channel blocker niflumic acid (10(-4) mol/L), this hyperresponsiveness was not developed in either normal or Ca2+-free medium. The increased contractile response to 5-HT in allergic rat isolated trachea may be related to a greater ionic (Ca2+ and Cl-) channel involvement.

Effect of endothelins on human neutrophil activation by immune complexes

Neutrophils are important effector cells of tissue injury in several pathological conditions, among them, immune complexes (IC)-induced inflammation and tissue injury. There is evidence that endothelins modulate IC-induced tissue injury in experimental models in vivo. In the present study we investigated the effect of endothelins on neutrophil activation by IC in vitro. To this purpose, pre-formed insoluble immune complexes were used to stimulate human neutrophils and production of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and hydrogen peroxyde (H(2)O(2)) were measured as indicative of phospholipase A(2) and oxidative burst activation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) release as indicative of cell degranulation. The effect of endothelins (ETs) in these events induced by IC was then examined. We found that IC stimulated all three events in human neutrophils. Addition of ET-1 but not ET-2 or ET-3 to the IC-stimulated neutrophils potentiated LTB(4) but not H(2)O(2) production. The endothelins added to resting neutrophils did not induce LTB(4) production but they were effective to stimulate H(2)O(2) production. The increased MPO activity induced by IC was not affected by endothelins nor did they stimulate the release of this enzyme in resting cells. These results show that endothelins are able to activate some neutrophil functions and to upregulate the IC-induced production of the pro-inflammatory molecule LTB(4). These data indicate that products of endothelial cells, such as endothelins, can be involved in the potentiation of neutrophil-dependent tissue injury.

Early vascular permeability in murine experimental peritonitis is co-mediated by resident peritoneal macrophages and mast cells: crucial involvement of macrophage-derived cysteinyl-leukotrienes

The initial phase of zymosan-induced peritonitis involves an increase of vascular permeability (peak at 30 min) that is correlated with high levels of vasoactive eicosanoids, namely, prostaglandins (PGI2 and PGE2) of cyclooxygenase-1 origin (as estimated by RT-PCR) and cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Previously, we showed that the increase of vascular permeability can be attributed only partially to mast cells and their histamine, as seen in mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice. Thus we aimed to identify the major cellular source(s) that mediate vasopermeability, as well as particular vasoactive mediators operating in this model. For this purpose, some mice were selectively depleted of either peritoneal macrophages or mast cells, and/or they were treated with several pharmacologic inhibitors of cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-metabolic pathways. More-over, macrophage-depleted mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice and their controls (+/+) were used. The macrophage depletion always caused a profound decrease of both vascular permeability and lipid-mediator levels, which was particularly pronounced for leukotrienes, whereas the effects of mast-cell depletion were less severe. The macrophage/mast-cell co-mediation of vasopermeability was also revealed in thioglycolate-induced peritonitis, as well as the macrophage origin of cysteinyl-leukotrienes. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the resident peritoneal macrophages are in fact the main contributors to the vasopermeability at the early stages of zymosan-induced peritonitis.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and leukotriene B(4) mediate the neutrophil migration in immune inflammation

1. We investigated the mediators responsible for neutrophil migration induced by ovalbumin (OVA) in immunized mice and the mechanisms involved in their release. 2. OVA administration promoted dose- and time-dependent neutrophil migration in immunized, but not in non-immunized mice, which was mediated by leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, since it was inhibited by LTB(4) synthesis inhibitor (MK 886) or by LTB(4) receptor antagonist (CP 105,696), by dexamethasone and by antiserum to TNFalpha (82, 85, 63 and 87%, respectively). Confirming TNFalpha involvement, OVA challenge in immunized p55 TNF receptor deficient mice (p55(-/-)) did not promote neutrophil migration (control: 2.90 +/- 0.68; p55(-/-): 0.92+/-0.23 x 10(6) neutrophils cavity(-1)). 3. OVA-stimulated peritoneal cells from immunized mice released a neutrophil chemotactic factor which mimicked, in naive mice, neutrophil migration induced by OVA. 4. Supernatant chemotactic activity is due to TNFalpha and LTB(4), since its release was inhibited by MK 886 (93%) and dexamethasone (90%), and significant amounts of these mediators were detected. 5. TNFalpha and LTB(4) released by OVA challenge seem to act through a sequential mechanism, since MK 886 inhibited (88%) neutrophil migration induced by TNFalpha. Moreover, peritoneal cells stimulated with TNFalpha released LTB(4). 6. CD(4)(+) T cells are responsible for TNFalpha release, because the depletion of this subset prevented the release of TNFalpha (control: 400 +/- 25; immunized: 670 +/- 40; CD(4)(+) depleted: 435 +/- 18 pg ml(-1)). 7. In conclusion, neutrophil migration induced by OVA depends on TNFalpha released by CD(4)(+) cells, which acts through an LTB(4)-dependent mechanism.