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Zhou H, Lau VM, Love JA. Colorimetric Detection of Sulfur Mustard with 4-( p-Nitrobenzyl)pyridine and Its Derivatives. Anal Chem 2024; 96:8406-8415. [PMID: 38728057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we present a simple, highly sensitive, and selective colorimetric method for detecting sulfur mustard (SM) and its simulants. This method relies on a nucleophilic substitution reaction between derivatives of 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine (NBP) and SM and subsequent treatment with an external base, resulting in a visible response. This reaction exhibits an impressively low detection threshold by the naked eye, as low as 10 ppm at room temperature. In contrast to the conventional use of NBP for detecting other alkylating agents, such as nitrogen mustard, our approach eliminates the need for prolonged heating or intricate extraction processes. Both computational and experimental investigations underscore the significance of water within our detection medium as it stabilizes crucial episulfonium cation intermediates. Furthermore, we demonstrate the practical applicability of this sensor by incorporating it onto cellulose and silica surfaces, which may provide guidance for the design and development of solid-state SM detectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Vivian M Lau
- Defence Research and Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Jennifer A Love
- Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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Goswami DG, Singh SK, Okoyeocha EOM, Roney AK, Madadgar O, Tuttle R, Sosna W, Anantharam P, Croutch CR, Agarwal R, Tewari-Singh N. Dermal Exposure to Vesicating Nettle Agent Phosgene Oxime: Clinically Relevant Biomarkers and Skin Injury Progression in Murine Models. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:536-545. [PMID: 37652710 PMCID: PMC10801780 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosgene oxime (CX), categorized as a vesicating chemical threat agent, causes effects that resemble an urticant or nettle agent. CX is an emerging potential threat agent that can be deployed alone or with other chemical threat agents to enhance their toxic effects. Studies on CX-induced skin toxicity, injury progression, and related biomarkers are largely unknown. To study the physiologic changes, skin clinical lesions and their progression, skin exposure of SKH-1 and C57BL/6 mice was carried out with vapor from 10 μl CX for 0.5-minute or 1.0-minute durations using a designed exposure system for consistent CX vapor exposure. One-minute exposure caused sharp (SKH-1) or sustained (C57BL/6) decrease in respiratory and heart rate, leading to mortality in both mouse strains. Both exposures caused immediate blanching, erythema with erythematous ring (wheel) and edema, and an increase in skin bifold thickness. Necrosis was also observed in the 0.5-minute CX exposure group. Both mouse strains showed comparative skin clinical lesions upon CX exposure; however, skin bifold thickness and erythema remained elevated up to 14 days postexposure in SKH-1 mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. Our data suggest that CX causes immediate changes in the physiologic parameters and gross skin lesions resembling urticaria, which could involve mast cell activation and intense systemic toxicity. This novel study recorded and compared the progression of skin injury to establish clinical biomarkers of CX dermal exposure in both the sexes of two murine strains relevant for skin and systemic injury studies and therapeutic target identification. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Phosgene oxime (CX), categorized as a vesicating agent, is considered as a potent chemical weapon and is of high military and terrorist threat interest since it produces rapid onset of severe injury as an urticant. However, biomarkers of clinical relevance related to its toxicity and injury progression are not studied. Data from this study provide useful clinical markers of CX skin toxicity in mouse models using a reliable CX exposure system for future mechanistic and efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh G Goswami
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Satyendra K Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Ebenezar O M Okoyeocha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Andrew K Roney
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Omid Madadgar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Rick Tuttle
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - William Sosna
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Poojya Anantharam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Claire R Croutch
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine (D.G.G., E.O.M.O., A.K.R., O.M., N.T.-S.) and Department of Biomedical Engineering (S.K.S.), Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan; MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri (R.T., W.S., P.A., C.R.C.); and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (R.A.)
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Srivastava RK, Muzaffar S, Khan J, Crossman DK, Agarwal A, Athar M. HSP90, a Common Therapeutic Target for Suppressing Skin Injury Caused by Exposure to Chemically Diverse Classes of Blistering Agents. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:546-559. [PMID: 37914412 PMCID: PMC10801768 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicants such as arsenicals and mustards produce highly painful cutaneous inflammatory and blistering responses, hence developed as chemical weapons during World War I/II. Here, using lewisite and sulfur mustard surrogates, namely phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), respectively, we defined a common underlying mechanism of toxic action by these two distinct classes of vesicants. Murine skin exposure to these chemicals causes tissue destruction characterized by increase in skin bifold thickness, Draize score, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and apoptosis of epidermal and dermal cells. RNA sequencing analysis identified ∼346 inflammatory genes that were commonly altered by both PAO and CEES, along with the identification of cytokine signaling activation as the top canonical pathway. Activation of several proinflammatory genes and pathways is associated with phosphorylation-dependent activation of heat shock protein 90α (p-HSP90α). Topical treatment with known HSP90 inhibitors SNX-5422 and IPI-504 post PAO or CEES skin challenge significantly attenuated skin damage including reduction in overall skin injury and clinical scores. In addition, highly upregulated inflammatory genes Saa3, Cxcl1, Ccl7, IL-6, Nlrp3, Csf3, Chil3, etc. by both PAO and CEES were significantly diminished by treatment with HSP90 inhibitors. These drugs not only reduced PAO- or CEES-induced p-HSP90α expression but also its client proteins NLRP3 and pP38 and the expression of their target inflammatory genes. Our data confirm a critical role of HSP90 as a shared underlying molecular target of toxicity by these two distinct vesicants and provide an effective and novel medical countermeasure to suppress vesicant-induced skin injury. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Development of effective and novel mechanism-based antidotes that can simultaneously block cutaneous toxic manifestations of distinct vesicants is important and urgently needed. Due to difficulties in determining the exact nature of onsite chemical exposure, a potent drug that can suppress widespread cutaneous damage may find great utility. Thus, this study identified HSP90 as a common molecular regulator of cutaneous inflammation and injury by two distinct warfare vesicants, arsenicals and mustards, and HSP90 inhibitors afford significant protection against skin damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Kumar Srivastava
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Suhail Muzaffar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jasim Khan
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David K Crossman
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Anupam Agarwal
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Mohammad Athar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Departments of Dermatology (R.K.S., S.M., J.K., M.A.) and Genetics (D.K.C.) and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine (A.A.), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Shalwitz R, Day T, Ruehlmann AK, Julio L, Gordon S, Vandeuren A, Nelson M, Lyman M, Kelly K, Altvater A, Ondeck C, O'Brien S, Hamilton T, Hanson RL, Wayman K, Miller A, Shalwitz I, Batchelor E, McNutt P. Treatment of Sulfur Mustard Corneal Injury by Augmenting the DNA Damage Response (DDR): A Novel Approach. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:526-535. [PMID: 37977813 PMCID: PMC10801765 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly reactive organic chemical has been used as a chemical warfare agent and terrorist threat since World War I. The cornea is highly sensitive to SM toxicity and exposure to low vapor doses can cause incapacitating acute injuries. Exposure to higher doses can elicit persistent secondary keratopathies that cause reduced quality of life and impaired or lost vision. Despite a century of research, there are no specific treatments for acute or persistent ocular SM injuries. SM cytotoxicity emerges, in part, through DNA alkylation and double-strand breaks (DSBs). Because DSBs can naturally be repaired by DNA damage response pathways with low efficiency, we hypothesized that enhancing the homologous recombination pathway could pose a novel approach to mitigate SM injury. Here, we demonstrate that a dilithium salt of adenosine diphosphoribose (INV-102) increases protein levels of p53 and Sirtuin 6, upregulates transcription of BRCA1/2, enhances γH2AX focus formation, and promotes assembly of repair complexes at DSBs. Based on in vitro evidence showing INV-102 enhancement of DNA damage response through both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways, we next tested INV-102 in a rabbit preclinical model of corneal injury. In vivo studies demonstrate a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of secondary keratopathies in INV-102-treated eyes compared with vehicle-treated eyes when treatment was started 24 hours after SM vapor exposure. These results suggest DNA repair mechanisms are a viable therapeutic target for SM injury and suggest topical treatment with INV-102 is a promising approach for SM as well as other conditions associated with DSBs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Sulfur mustard gas corneal injury currently has no therapeutic treatment. This study aims to show the therapeutic potential of activating the body's natural DNA damage response to activate tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Shalwitz
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Tovah Day
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Anna Kotsakis Ruehlmann
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Lindsay Julio
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Shellaina Gordon
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Adrianna Vandeuren
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Marian Nelson
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Megan Lyman
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Kyle Kelly
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Amber Altvater
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Celinia Ondeck
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Sean O'Brien
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Tracey Hamilton
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Ryan L Hanson
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Kayla Wayman
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Alexandrea Miller
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Isaiah Shalwitz
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Eric Batchelor
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
| | - Patrick McNutt
- Invirsa, Inc., Columbus, Ohio (R.S., A.K.R., A.M., I.S.); Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts (T.D., L.J., S.G., A.V.); Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (R.L.H., K.W., E.B.); United States Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense, Gunpowder, Maryland (M.N., M.L., K.K., A.A., C.O., S.O., T.H., P.M.); and Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (S.O., C.O., P.M.)
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Shahid A, Yeung S, Miwalian R, Mercado A, Andresen BT, Huang Y. Mitigation of Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Skin Injury by the β-Blocker Carvedilol and Its Enantiomers. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:495-505. [PMID: 37827703 PMCID: PMC10801755 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard and its structural analog nitrogen mustard (NM) cause severe vesicating skin injuries. The pathologic mechanisms for the skin injury following mustard exposure are poorly understood; therefore, no effective countermeasure is available. Previous reports demonstrated the protective activity of carvedilol, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved β-blocker, against UV radiation-induced skin damage. Thus, the current study evaluated the effects of carvedilol on NM-induced skin injuries in vitro and in vivo. In the murine epidermal cell line JB6 Cl 41-5a, β-blockers with different receptor subtype selectivity were examined. Carvedilol and both of its enantiomers, R- and S-carvedilol, were the only tested ligands statistically reducing NM-induced cytotoxicity. Carvedilol also reduced NM-induced apoptosis and p53 expression. In SKH-1 mice, NM increased epidermal thickness, damaged skin architecture, and induced nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-related proinflammatory genes as assessed by RT2 Profiler PCR (polymerase chain reaction) Arrays. To model chemical warfare scenario, 30 minutes after exposure to NM, 10 μM carvedilol was applied topically. Twenty-four hours after NM exposure, carvedilol attenuated NM-induced epidermal thickening, Ki-67 expression, a marker of cellular proliferation, and multiple proinflammatory genes. Supporting the in vitro data, the non-β-blocking R-enantiomer of carvedilol had similar effects as racemic carvedilol, and there was no difference between carvedilol and R-carvedilol in the PCR array data, suggesting that the skin protective effects are independent of the β-adrenergic receptors. These data suggest that the β-blocker carvedilol and its enantiomers can be repurposed as countermeasures against mustard-induced skin injuries. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The chemical warfare agent sulfur mustard and its structural analog nitrogen mustard cause severe vesicating skin injuries for which no effective countermeasure is available. This study evaluated the effects of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved β-blocker carvedilol on nitrogen mustard-induced skin injuries to repurpose this cardiovascular drug as a medical countermeasure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayaz Shahid
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Steven Yeung
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Rita Miwalian
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Angela Mercado
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Bradley T Andresen
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California
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Nick HJ, Johnson CA, Stewart AR, Christeson SE, Bloomquist LA, Appel AS, Donkor AB, Veress LA, Logue BA, Bratcher PE, White CW. Mesna Improves Outcomes of Sulfur Mustard Inhalation Toxicity in an Acute Rat Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:576-585. [PMID: 37541763 PMCID: PMC10801720 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalation of high levels of sulfur mustard (SM), a potent vesicating and alkylating agent used in chemical warfare, results in acutely lethal pulmonary damage. Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (mesna) is an organosulfur compound that is currently Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for decreasing the toxicity of mustard-derived chemotherapeutic alkylating agents like ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide. The nucleophilic thiol of mesna is a suitable reactant for the neutralization of the electrophilic group of toxic mustard intermediates. In a rat model of SM inhalation, treatment with mesna (three doses: 300 mg/kg intraperitoneally 20 minutes, 4 hours, and 8 hours postexposure) afforded 74% survival at 48 hours, compared with 0% survival at less than 17 hours in the untreated and vehicle-treated control groups. Protection from cardiopulmonary failure by mesna was demonstrated by improved peripheral oxygen saturation and increased heart rate through 48 hours. Additionally, mesna normalized arterial pH and pACO2 Airway fibrin cast formation was decreased by more than 66% in the mesna-treated group at 9 hour after exposure compared with the vehicle group. Finally, analysis of mixtures of a mustard agent and mesna by a 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) assay and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry demonstrate a direct reaction between the compounds. This study provides evidence that mesna is an efficacious, inexpensive, FDA-approved candidate antidote for SM exposure. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Despite the use of sulfur mustard (SM) as a chemical weapon for over 100 years, an ideal drug candidate for treatment after real-world exposure situations has not yet been identified. Utilizing a uniformly lethal animal model, the results of the present study demonstrate that sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate is a promising candidate for repurposing as an antidote, decreasing airway obstruction and improving pulmonary gas exchange, tissue oxygen delivery, and survival following high level SM inhalation exposure, and warrants further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi J Nick
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Carly A Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Amber R Stewart
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Sarah E Christeson
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Leslie A Bloomquist
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Amanda S Appel
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Abigail B Donkor
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Livia A Veress
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Brian A Logue
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Preston E Bratcher
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
| | - Carl W White
- Department of Pediatrics, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado (H.J.N., S.E.C., P.E.B.); Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado (H.J.N., C.A.J., A.R.S., S.E.C., L.A.B., L.A.V., P.E.B., C.W.W.); and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota (A.S.A., A.B.D., B.A.L.)
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Caré W, Delacour H, Vodovar D, Langrand J, Laborde-Castérot H. Occupational vesicant-induced skin lesions. Contact Dermatitis 2024; 90:91-93. [PMID: 37775955 DOI: 10.1111/cod.14432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Weniko Caré
- Paris Poison Control Center, Toxicology Federation (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP. Nord Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Internal Medicine, Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, Saint-Mandé, France
- INSERM, UMR-S 1144, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Delacour
- Department of Medical Biology, Bégin Military Teaching Hospital, Saint-Mandé, France
- Val-de-Grâce School, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Vodovar
- Paris Poison Control Center, Toxicology Federation (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP. Nord Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM, UMR-S 1144, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Langrand
- Paris Poison Control Center, Toxicology Federation (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP. Nord Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM, UMR-S 1144, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Laborde-Castérot
- Paris Poison Control Center, Toxicology Federation (FeTox), Hôpital Fernand Widal, AP-HP. Nord Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM, UMR 1153, Paris, France
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8
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Biyashev D, Siwicka ZE, Onay UV, Demczuk M, Xu D, Ernst MK, Evans ST, Nguyen CV, Son FA, Paul NK, McCallum NC, Farha OK, Miller SD, Gianneschi NC, Lu KQ. Topical application of synthetic melanin promotes tissue repair. NPJ Regen Med 2023; 8:61. [PMID: 37919305 PMCID: PMC10622536 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-023-00331-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In acute skin injury, healing is impaired by the excessive release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melanin, an efficient scavenger of radical species in the skin, performs a key role in ROS scavenging in response to UV radiation and is upregulated in response to toxic insult. In a chemical injury model in mice, we demonstrate that the topical application of synthetic melanin particles (SMPs) significantly decreases edema, reduces eschar detachment time, and increases the rate of wound area reduction compared to vehicle controls. Furthermore, these results were replicated in a UV-injury model. Immune array analysis shows downregulated gene expression in apoptotic and inflammatory signaling pathways consistent with histological reduction in apoptosis. Mechanistically, synthetic melanin intervention increases superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, decreases Mmp9 expression, and suppresses ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, we observed that the application of SMPs caused increased populations of anti-inflammatory immune cells to accumulate in the skin, mirroring their decrease from splenic populations. To enhance antioxidant capacity, an engineered biomimetic High Surface Area SMP was deployed, exhibiting increased wound healing efficiency. Finally, in human skin explants, SMP intervention significantly decreased the damage caused by chemical injury. Therefore, SMPs are promising and effective candidates as topical therapies for accelerated wound healing, including via pathways validated in human skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dauren Biyashev
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zofia E Siwicka
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Ummiye V Onay
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michael Demczuk
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Madison K Ernst
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Spencer T Evans
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Cuong V Nguyen
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Florencia A Son
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Navjit K Paul
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Naneki C McCallum
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Omar K Farha
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nathan C Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- International Institute of Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California San Diego, San Diego, Ca, USA.
| | - Kurt Q Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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9
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Laskin JD, Ozkuyumcu K, Zhou P, Croutch CR, Heck DE, Laskin DL, Joseph LB. Skin Models Used to Define Mechanisms of Action of Sulfur Mustard. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2023; 17:e551. [PMID: 37849329 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a threat to both civilian and military populations. Human skin is highly sensitive to SM, causing delayed erythema, edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration, followed by the appearance of large fluid-filled blisters. Skin wound repair is prolonged following blistering, which can result in impaired barrier function. Key to understanding the action of SM in the skin is the development of animal models that have a pathophysiology comparable to humans such that quantitative assessments of therapeutic drugs efficacy can be assessed. Two animal models, hairless guinea pigs and swine, are preferred to evaluate dermal products because their skin is morphologically similar to human skin. In these animal models, SM induces degradation of epidermal and dermal tissues but does not induce overt blistering, only microblistering. Mechanisms of wound healing are distinct in these animal models. Whereas a guinea pig heals by contraction, swine skin, like humans, heals by re-epithelialization. Mice, rats, and rabbits are also used for SM mechanistic studies. However, healing is also mediated by contraction; moreover, only microblistering is observed. Improvements in animal models are essential for the development of therapeutics to mitigate toxicity resulting from dermal exposure to SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Kevin Ozkuyumcu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Peihong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | | | - Diane E Heck
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Debra L Laskin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Laurie B Joseph
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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10
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Li H, Li Z, Li X, Cai C, Zhao SL, Merritt RE, Zhou X, Tan T, Bergdall V, Ma J. MG53 Mitigates Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Skin Injury. Cells 2023; 12:1915. [PMID: 37508578 PMCID: PMC10378386 DOI: 10.3390/cells12141915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) and nitrogen mustard (NM) are vesicant agents that cause skin injury and blistering through complicated cellular events, involving DNA damage, free radical formation, and lipid peroxidation. The development of therapeutic approaches targeting the multi-cellular process of tissue injury repair can potentially provide effective countermeasures to combat vesicant-induced dermal lesions. MG53 is a vital component of cell membrane repair. Previous studies have demonstrated that topical application of recombinant human MG53 (rhMG53) protein has the potential to promote wound healing. In this study, we further investigate the role of MG53 in NM-induced skin injury. Compared with wild-type mice, mg53-/- mice are more susceptible to NM-induced dermal injuries, whereas mice with sustained elevation of MG53 in circulation are resistant to dermal exposure of NM. Exposure of keratinocytes and human follicle stem cells to NM causes elevation of oxidative stress and intracellular aggregation of MG53, thus compromising MG53's intrinsic cell membrane repair function. Topical rhMG53 application mitigates NM-induced dermal injury in mice. Histologic examination reveals the therapeutic benefits of rhMG53 are associated with the preservation of epidermal integrity and hair follicle structure in mice with dermal NM exposure. Overall, these findings identify MG53 as a potential therapeutic agent to mitigate vesicant-induced skin injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haichang Li
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Zhongguang Li
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiuchun Li
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chuanxi Cai
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Serena Li Zhao
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Robert E Merritt
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhou
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tao Tan
- TRIM-Edicine, Inc., 1275 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212, USA
| | - Valerie Bergdall
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jianjie Ma
- Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Ramos E, Gil-Martín E, De Los Ríos C, Egea J, López-Muñoz F, Pita R, Juberías A, Torrado JJ, Serrano DR, Reiter RJ, Romero A. Melatonin as Modulator for Sulfur and Nitrogen Mustard-Induced Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage: Molecular Therapeutics. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12020397. [PMID: 36829956 PMCID: PMC9952307 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12020397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur and nitrogen mustards, bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide and tertiary bis(2-chloroethyl) amines, respectively, are vesicant warfare agents with alkylating activity. Moreover, oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammatory response induction, metalloproteinases activation, DNA damage or calcium disruption are some of the toxicological mechanisms of sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced injury that affects the cell integrity and function. In this review, we not only propose melatonin as a therapeutic option in order to counteract and modulate several pathways involved in physiopathological mechanisms activated after exposure to mustards, but also for the first time, we predict whether metabolites of melatonin, cyclic-3-hydroxymelatonin, N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine, and N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine could be capable of exerting a scavenger action and neutralize the toxic damage induced by these blister agents. NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in response to a wide variety of infectious stimuli or cellular stressors, however, although the precise mechanisms leading to activation are not known, mustards are postulated as activators. In this regard, melatonin, through its anti-inflammatory action and NLRP3 inflammasome modulation could exert a protective effect in the pathophysiology and management of sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced injury. The ability of melatonin to attenuate sulfur and nitrogen mustard-induced toxicity and its high safety profile make melatonin a suitable molecule to be a part of medical countermeasures against blister agents poisoning in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ramos
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilio Gil-Martín
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Cristóbal De Los Ríos
- Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
| | - Javier Egea
- Molecular Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Plasticity Research Laboratory, Hospital Universitario Santa Cristina, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco López-Muñoz
- Faculty of Health, Camilo José Cela University of Madrid (UCJC), 28692 Madrid, Spain
- Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute, 28041 Madrid, Spain
| | - René Pita
- Chemical Defense Department, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense School, Hoyo de Manzanares, 28240 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Juberías
- Dirección de Sanidad Ejército del Aire, Cuartel General Ejército del Aire, 28008 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J. Torrado
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolores R. Serrano
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Alejandro Romero
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-913943970
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Isolation of human TRPA1 channel from transfected HEK293 cells and identification of alkylation sites after sulfur mustard exposure. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:429-439. [PMID: 36371551 PMCID: PMC9859856 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are important in the sensing of pain and other stimuli. They may be triggered by electrophilic agonists after covalent modification of certain cysteine residues. Sulfur mustard (SM) is a banned chemical warfare agent and its reactivity is also based on an electrophilic intermediate. The activation of human TRP ankyrin 1 (hTRPA1) channels by SM has already been documented, however, the mechanism of action is not known in detail. The aim of this work was to purify hTRPA1 channel from overexpressing HEK293 cells for identification of SM-induced alkylation sites. To confirm hTRPA1 isolation, Western blot analysis was performed showing a characteristic double band at 125 kDa. Immunomagnetic separation was carried out using either an anti-His-tag or an anti-hTRPA1 antibody to isolate hTRPA1 from lysates of transfected HEK293 cells. The identity of the channel was confirmed by micro liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization high-resolution tandem-mass spectrometry. Following SM exposure, hTRPA1 channel modifications were found at Cys462 and Cys665, as well as at Asp339 and Glu341 described herein for the first time. Since Cys665 is a well-known target of hTRPA1 agonists and is involved in hTRPA1 activation, SM-induced modifications of cysteine, as well as aspartic acid and glutamic acid residues may play a role in hTRPA1 activation. Considering hTRPA1 as a target of other SM-related chemical warfare agents, analogous adducts may be predicted and identified applying the analytical approach described herein.
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Cruz-Hernandez A, Roney A, Goswami DG, Tewari-Singh N, Brown JM. A review of chemical warfare agents linked to respiratory and neurological effects experienced in Gulf War Illness. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:412-432. [PMID: 36394251 PMCID: PMC9832991 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2147257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Over 40% of veterans from the Persian Gulf War (GW) (1990-1991) suffer from Gulf War Illness (GWI). Thirty years since the GW, the exposure and mechanism contributing to GWI remain unclear. One possible exposure that has been attributed to GWI are chemical warfare agents (CWAs). While there are treatments for isolated symptoms of GWI, the number of respiratory and cognitive/neurological issues continues to rise with minimum treatment options. This issue does not only affect veterans of the GW, importantly these chronic multisymptom illnesses (CMIs) are also growing amongst veterans who have served in the Afghanistan-Iraq war. What both wars have in common are their regions and inhaled exposures. In this review, we will describe the CWA exposures, such as sarin, cyclosarin, and mustard gas in both wars and discuss the various respiratory and neurocognitive issues experienced by veterans. We will bridge the respiratory and neurological symptoms experienced to the various potential mechanisms described for each CWA provided with the most up-to-date models and hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cruz-Hernandez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Andrew Roney
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Dinesh G Goswami
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jared M Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Ye F, Zeng Q, Dan G, Zhao Y, Yu W, Cheng J, Chen M, Wang B, Zhao J, Sai Y, Zou Z. Sulfur mustard analog 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide increases triglycerides by activating DGAT1-dependent biogenesis and inhibiting PGC1ɑ-dependent fat catabolism in immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. Toxicol Mech Methods 2022; 33:271-278. [PMID: 36106344 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2022.2124898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Using sulfur mustard analog 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES), we established an in vitro model by poisoning cultured immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. Nile Red staining revealed lipids accumulated 24 h after a toxic dose of CEES (0.9 mM). Lipidomics analysis showed most of the increased lipids were triglycerides (TGs), and the increase in TGs was further confirmed using a Triglyceride-Glo™ Assay kit. Protein and mRNA levels of DGAT1, an important TG biogenesis enzyme, were increased following 0.4 mM CEES exposure. Under higher dose CEES (0.9 mM) exposure, protein and mRNA levels of PPARγ coactivator-1ɑ (PGC-1ɑ), a well-known transcription factor that regulates fatty acid oxidation, were decreased. Finally, application with DGAT1 inhibitor A 922500 or PGC1ɑ agonist ZLN005 was able to block the CEES-induced TGs increase. Overall, our dissection of CEES-induced TGs accumulation provides new insight into energy metabolism dysfunction upon vesicant exposure.HIGHLIGHTSIn CEES (0.9 mM)-injured cells:Triglycerides (TGs) were abundant in the accumulated lipids.Expression of DGAT1, not DGAT2, was increased.Expression of PGC1ɑ, not PGC1β, was reduced.DGAT1 inhibitor or PGC1ɑ agonist blocked the CEES-mediated increase in TGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ye
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Qinya Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Guorong Dan
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yuanpeng Zhao
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Wenpei Yu
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jin Cheng
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Medical Adiministration, Dongda Proctology Hospital, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Jiqing Zhao
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yan Sai
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Zhongmin Zou
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
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15
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Zhao Z, Yan X, Li L, Shu Y, He J, Wang L, Huang Q, Xie J, Zhao J, Peng S. Proliferating Stem Cells are Acutely Affected by DNA Damage Induced by Sulfur Mustard. DNA Cell Biol 2022; 41:716-726. [PMID: 35834647 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2022.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent, can form adducts with DNA, RNA, and proteins. Reactions with DNA lead to the formation of both DNA monoadducts and interstrand cross-links, resulting in DNA damage, and is an important component of SM toxicity. Our previous in vivo studies indicated that dividing cells such as hematopoietic stem cells and intestinal villi stem cells seemed to have increased sensitivity to SM. Therefore, to compare the sensitivity of somatic and stem cells to SM and to investigate the mechanism of SM cytotoxicity, we isolated human foreskin fibroblasts, reprogrammed them into pluripotent stem cells, and then compared the DNA damage repair pathways involved upon SM treatment. Our results indicated that proliferating stem cells were more sensitive to SM-induced DNA damage, and the damage mainly comprised single-stranded breaks. Furthermore, the pathways involved in DNA repair in stem cells and somatic cells were different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengming Zhao
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Xiabei Yan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, Wuhan, China
| | - Lizhong Li
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Yulei Shu
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Jun He
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Qingzhen Huang
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwei Xie
- Institutes of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangqing Peng
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
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16
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Zheng P, Cao W, Zhang Y, Li F, Zhang M. Ultrafast Sulfur Mustard Simulant Gas Fluorescent Chemosensors Based on Triazole AIEE Material with High Selectivity and Sensitivity at Room Temperature. ACS Sens 2022; 7:1946-1957. [PMID: 35819023 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c00708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Herein, a novel blue aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) material 4-N-(naphthalen-l-yl)-3,5-bis(4-N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine)phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole (NDTAZ) is developed and used as a fluorescent chemosensor for sulfur mustard (SM) simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) vapor. The NDTAZ chemosensor is designed by introducing an electron-donating N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine group at 3 and 5 position of 4H-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ) to enhance the nucleophilicity of the TAZ group, and a naphthalene ring is connected to 4 position of the TAZ group to construct an AIEE molecule. The NDTAZ films show extraordinary stability and then are further used as reliable and portable fluorescent chemosensors. Upon exposure to 2-CEES vapor, the NDTAZ chemosensor exhibits an instantaneous fluorescence response (not more than 1 s). What should be noted is that this fluorescent chemosensor realizes the visualized detection of fluorescent color change from blue to green at "room temperature", which is rarely reported. The limit of detection is estimated to be 0.55 ppm, which is below the AEGL-1 (0.6 ppm for 1 min) safety ceiling level to SM exposure. Moreover, the NDTAZ chemosensor shows high selectivity toward 2-CEES vapor over closely related substances, including alkylating agents, aryl halide compounds, sulphur-containing compounds, and nerve agent mimics. More impressively, the NDTAZ chemosensor demonstrates good recyclability by water treatment. Also, the sensing mechanism is adequately proved by using multiple experimental methods and theoretical calculation. In addition, the NDTAZ-based facile filter paper-constructed test strips are fabricated for real-time and on-spot detection of leaked 2-CEES gas specifically. Therefore, this fluorescent chemosensor with excellent sensing performance greatly advances the practical detection of SM species at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Wenjuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Yimeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China
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17
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Supramolecular liquid barrier for sulfur mustard utilizing host-guest complexation of pillar[5]arene with triethylene oxide substituents. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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18
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Khazdair MR, Boskabady MH. Possible Treatment Approaches of Sulfur Mustard-Induced Lung Disorders, Experimental and Clinical Evidence, an Updated Review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:791914. [PMID: 35572987 PMCID: PMC9106304 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.791914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is one of the major potent chemical warfare that caused the death of victims in World War I and the Iraq-Iran conflict (1980-1988). The respiratory system is the main target of SM exposure and there are no definitive therapeutic modalities for SM-induced lung injury. The effects of the new pharmaceutical drugs on lung injury induced by SM exposure were summarized in this review. Literature review on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases was performed to find papers that reported new treatment approach on SM-exposure-induced injury in the respiratory system until October 2019. The search was restricted to sulfur mustard AND induced injury (in vitro studies, animal experiments, and clinical trials) AND respiratory system OR lung, AND treatment in all fields. Two hundred and eighty-three relevant articles were identified that 97 retrieved articles were eligible and were included in the review. Some new pharmaceutical drugs have shown therapeutic potential in controlling various characteristics of lung injury due to SM exposure. Recent studies showed therapeutic effects of mucolytic drugs, non-steroidal drugs, and antibiotics on reducing lung inflammation, oxidative stress responses, and modulating of the immune system as well as improving of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests. Studies on the therapeutic effects of new agents with amelioration or treatment of SM-induced lung injury were reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Khazdair
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Boskabady
- Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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19
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Gros-Désormeaux F, Caffin F, Igert A, Guatto N, Piérard C. Is CEES a good analog of sulfur mustard? Macroscopic aspect, histology, and molecular biology comparisons between sulfur mustard and CEES-induced skin lesions. Toxicol Lett 2022; 361:21-28. [PMID: 35341927 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical blistering warfare agent affecting multiple organs. SM is an ongoing chemical threat in addition to the accidental risk associated with World War I buried shells. As no specific treatments are available, only symptomatic therapies can be used. To test new medical countermeasures in standard laboratories, analogs such as 2-chloroethyl ethylsulfide (CEES) are currently used, although only a few studies compare its clinical effects with SM. In the present paper, skin lesions induced by SM and CEES are compared in terms of their macroscopic aspects, histology, and molecular biology to evaluate the pertinence of CEES as a SM analog. For this purpose, an in vivo model of CEES vapor exposure, similar to that of SM, is described in this paper. RESULTS: showed similar skin lesions with CEES and SM but with slight differences in the apparition delay and intensity of the lesions. Indeed, SM induced earlier, deeper, and stronger lesions. However, the same healing status was observed at the end of the study period (14 days). In conclusion, CEES appears a relevant analog of SM, leading to similar skin lesions. The CEES vapor exposure model therefore seems suitable for testing new medical countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Gros-Désormeaux
- Département de Toxicologie et Risques Chimiques - Unité Vésicants, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 1 place du Général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France.
| | - Fanny Caffin
- Département de Toxicologie et Risques Chimiques - Unité Vésicants, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 1 place du Général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Alexandre Igert
- Département de Toxicologie et Risques Chimiques - Unité Vésicants, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 1 place du Général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Nathalie Guatto
- Département des Plateformes et Recherches Technologiques - Unité Imagerie, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 1 place du Général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
| | - Christophe Piérard
- Département de Toxicologie et Risques Chimiques - Unité Vésicants, Institut de Recherche Biomédicale des Armées (IRBA), 1 place du Général Valérie André, 91220 Brétigny sur Orge, France
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20
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Jan YH, Heck DE, An Y, Laskin DL, Laskin JD. Nitrogen Mustard Alkylates and Cross-Links p53 in Human Keratinocytes. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:636-650. [PMID: 35312310 PMCID: PMC9491701 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic blistering agents such as sulfur mustard and nitrogen mustard (HN2) were synthesized for chemical warfare. Toxicity is due to reactive chloroethyl side chains that modify and damage cellular macromolecules including DNA and proteins. In response to DNA damage, cells initiate a DNA damage response directed at the recruitment and activation of repair-related proteins. A central mediator of the DNA damage response is p53, a protein that plays a critical role in regulating DNA repair. We found that HN2 causes cytosolic and nuclear accumulation of p53 in HaCaT keratinocytes; HN2 also induced post-translational modifications on p53 including S15 phosphorylation and K382 acetylation, which enhance p53 stability, promote DNA repair, and mediate cellular metabolic responses to stress. HN2 also cross-linked p53, forming dimers and high-molecular-weight protein complexes in the cells. Cross-linked multimers were also modified by K48-linked ubiquitination indicating that they are targets for proteasome degradation. HN2-induced modifications transiently suppressed the transcriptional activity of p53. Using recombinant human p53, HN2 alkylation was found to be concentration- and redox status-dependent. Dithiothreitol-reduced protein was more efficiently cross-linked indicating that p53 cysteine residues play a key role in protein modification. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that HN2 directly alkylated p53 at C124, C135, C141, C176, C182, C275, C277, H115, H178, K132, and K139, forming both monoadducts and cross-links. The formation of intermolecular complexes was a consequence of HN2 cross-linked cysteine residues between two molecules of p53. Together, these data demonstrate that p53 is a molecular target for mustard vesicants. Modification of p53 likely mediates cellular responses to HN2 including DNA repair and cell survival contributing to vesicant-induced cytotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hua Jan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Diane E Heck
- Department of Environmental Health Science, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, United States
| | - Yunqi An
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Debra L Laskin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, United States
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21
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Goswami DG, Mishra N, Kant R, Agarwal C, Ammar DA, Petrash JM, Tewari-Singh N, Agarwal R. Effect of dexamethasone treatment at variable therapeutic windows in reversing nitrogen mustard-induced corneal injuries in rabbit ocular in vivo model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 437:115904. [PMID: 35108561 PMCID: PMC8849585 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.115904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen mustard (NM) is an analogue of the potent vesicating agent sulfur mustard, with well-established ocular injury models in rabbit eyes to study vesicant-induced ocular toxicity. The effects of NM-exposure to eyes may include irritation, redness, inflammation, fibrosis, epithelial degradation, blurred vision, partial/complete blindness, which may be temporary or permanent, depending on the route, duration, and dosage of exposure. Effective countermeasures against vesicant exposure are presently not available and are warranted in case of any terrorist activity or accidental leakage from stockpiles. Herein, our focus was to evaluate whether dexamethasone (DEX), an FDA approved potent corticosteroid with documented anti-inflammatory activities, could be an effective treatment modality. Accordingly, utilizing NM-induced corneal injuries in rabbit ocular in vivo model, we examined and compared the efficacy of DEX treatments when administration was started at early (2 h), intermediate (4 h), and late (6 h) therapeutic windows of intervention after NM-exposure and administered every 8 h thereafter. The effects of NM-exposure and DEX treatments were evaluated on clinical (corneal opacity, ulceration, and neovascularization), biological (epithelial thickness, epithelial-stromal separation, blood vessels density, and inflammatory cell and keratocyte counts) and molecular (COX-2 and VEGF expression) parameters, at day 1, 3, 7 and 14. Results indicated that DEX treatment markedly and effectively reversed the NM-induced injury markers in rabbit corneas. Early administration of DEX at 2 h was found to be most effective in reversing NM-induced corneal injuries, followed by DEX 4 h and DEX 6 h administration initiation, indicating that DEX has best efficacy at the early therapeutic window in our study model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh G. Goswami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Neha Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - David A. Ammar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - J. Mark Petrash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.
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22
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Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Kazemi S, Jafarian Amiri SR, Soleymani A, Moghadamnia AA. Ophthalmological aspects of mustard gas poisoning (focus on management). CASPIAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE 2022; 13:458-468. [PMID: 35974928 PMCID: PMC9348212 DOI: 10.22088/cjim.13.3.458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Background Amongst the chemical warfare agents, blistering (vesicant) agents can be significant materials. The most important agent in this group is sulfur mustard (mustard gas) which is known as "King of chemical warfare (CW) agents ". Exposure to this agent, seriously causes damages in several organs, such as the eyes. This article reviews the ophthalmological aspects of sulfur mustard with reference of its management. Methods A wide-ranging search in PubMed databases, Thomson Reuters and Scopus was done and different aspects of chemical properties of sulfur mustard, its mechanism of action and effects on eyes, clinical finding, diagnostic evaluation, initiate actions, pharmaceutical and surgical interventions was reported. Results Sulfur mustard can alkylate DNA and RNA strands and break down structures of protein and lipid of cell membrane. This may impair cell energy production, and leads to cell death. Exposure to sulfur mustard, therefore, causes such problems for organs, including irreversible damage to the eyes. Conclusion Understanding the mechanism of the sulfur mustard effect and the early training in prevention injuries will cause fewer complications and damage to organs, including the eyes. Washing the eyes with tap water or eyewash solutions, using mydriatic drops, anti- inflammatory drugs, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and antibiotics may help to the management of poisoning. Surgical interventions including tarsorrhaphy, amniotic membrane transplantation, stem cell transplantation and corneal transplantation could reduce the harm to the victims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Rafati-Rahimzadeh
- Department of Nursing, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,Neuroscience Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Sohrab Kazemi
- Cancer Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Soleymani
- Department of Ophthalmology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Moghadamnia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran ,Correspondence: Ali Akbar Moghadamnia , Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. E-mail: , Tel: 0098 1132207918, Fax: 0098 1132207918
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23
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Nair A, Yadav P, Behl A, Sharma RK, Kulshrestha S, Butola BS, Sharma N. Toxic blister agents: Chemistry, mode of their action and effective treatment strategies. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 350:109654. [PMID: 34634268 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Since their use during the First World War, Blister agents have posed a major threat to the individuals and have caused around two million casualties. Major incidents occurred not only due to their use as chemical warfare agents but also because of occupational hazards. Therefore, a clear understanding of these agents and their mode of action is essential to develop effective decontamination and therapeutic strategies. The blister agents have been categorised on the basis of their chemistry and the biological interactions that entail post contamination. These compounds have been known to majorly cause blisters/bullae along with alkylation of the contaminated DNA. However, due to the high toxicity and restricted use, very little research has been conducted and a lot remains to be clearly understood about these compounds. Various decontamination solutions and detection technologies have been developed, which have proven to be effective for their timely mitigation. But a major hurdle seems to be the lack of proper understanding of the toxicological mechanism of action of these compounds. Current review is about the detailed and updated information on physical, chemical and biological aspects of various blister agents. It also illustrates the mechanism of their action, toxicological effects, detection technologies and possible decontamination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashrit Nair
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Pooja Yadav
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Amanpreet Behl
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110016, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Sharma
- Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences, 162, Poonamallee High Road Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600077, India
| | - Shweta Kulshrestha
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Bhupendra Singh Butola
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110016, India.
| | - Navneet Sharma
- Department of Textile and Fibre Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi-110016, India.
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24
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Ye F, Dan G, Zhao Y, Yu W, Cheng J, Chen M, Sai Y, Zou Z. Small-interfering RNA for c-Jun attenuates cell death by preventing JNK-dependent PARP1 cleavage and DNA fragmentation in nitrogen mustard-injured immortalized human bronchial epithelial cells. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2021; 10:1034-1044. [PMID: 34733488 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (a type of vesicant) can directly damage lung bronchial epithelium via aerosol inhalation, and prevalent cell death is an early event that obstructs the respiratory tract. JNK/c-Jun is a stress response pathway, but its role in cell death of the injured cells is not clear. Here, we report that JNK/c-Jun was activated in immortalized human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells exposed to a lethal dose (20 μM) of nitrogen mustard (NM, a sulfur mustard analog). c-Jun silencing using small-interfering RNA (siRNA) rendered the cells resistant to NM-mediated cell death by blocking poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) cleavage and DNA fragmentation. In addition, the transduction of upstream extrinsic (Fasl-Fas-caspase-8) and intrinsic (loss of Bcl-2 and mitochondrial membrane potential, ΔΨm) apoptosis pathways, as well as phosphorylated (p)-H2AX (Ser139), an epigenetic marker contributing to DNA fragmentation and PARP1 activity, was partially suppressed. To mimic the detachment of cells by NM, HBE cells were trypsinized and seeded on culture plates that were pre-coated with poly-HEMA to prevent cell adhesion. The JNK/c-Jun pathway was found to be activated in the detached cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that JNK/c-Jun pathway activation is necessary for NM-caused HBE cell death and further suggest that c-Jun silencing may be a potential approach to protect HBE cells from vesicant damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ye
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Guorong Dan
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yuanpeng Zhao
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Wenpei Yu
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jin Cheng
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yan Sai
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Zhongmin Zou
- Department of Chemical Defense Medicine, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
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Cruz-Hernandez A, Mendoza RP, Nguyen K, Harder A, Evans CM, Bauer AK, Tewari-Singh N, Brown JM. Mast Cells Promote Nitrogen Mustard-Mediated Toxicity in the Lung Associated With Proinflammatory Cytokine and Bioactive Lipid Mediator Production. Toxicol Sci 2021; 184:127-141. [PMID: 34453837 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfab107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) has been widely used as a chemical warfare agent including most recently in Syria. Mice exposed to SM exhibit an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines followed by immune cell infiltration in the lung, however, the mechanisms leading to these inflammatory responses has not been completely elucidated. Mast cells are one of the first responding innate immune cells found at the mucosal surfaces of the lung and have been reported to be activated by SM in the skin. Therefore, we hypothesized that nitrogen mustard (NM: a surrogate for SM) exposure promotes activation of mast cells causing chronic respiratory inflammation. To assess the role of mast cells in NM-mediated pulmonary toxicity, we compared the effects of NM exposure between C57BL/6 and B6.Cg-KitW-sh/HNihrJaeBsmJ (KitW-sh; mast cell deficient) mice. Lung injury was observed in C57BL/6J mice following NM exposure (0.125 mg/kg) at 72 h, which was significantly abrogated in KitW-sh mice. Although both strains exhibited damage from NM, C57BL/6J mice had higher inflammatory cell infiltration and more elevated prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared with KitW-sh mice. Additionally, we utilized murine bone marrow-derived mast cells to assess NM-induced early and late activation. Although NM exposure did not result in mast cell degranulation, we observed an upregulation in PGD2 and IL-6 levels following exposure to NM. Results suggest that mast cells play a prominent role in lung injury induced by NM and may contribute to the acute and potentially long-term lung injury observed caused by SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cruz-Hernandez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Ryan P Mendoza
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Kathleen Nguyen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Anna Harder
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Christopher M Evans
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Alison K Bauer
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Jared M Brown
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA
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26
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Goswami DG, Mishra N, Kant R, Agarwal C, Croutch CR, Enzenauer RW, Petrash MJ, Tewari-Singh N, Agarwal R. Pathophysiology and inflammatory biomarkers of sulfur mustard-induced corneal injury in rabbits. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258503. [PMID: 34637469 PMCID: PMC8509852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a cytotoxic, vesicating, chemical warfare agent, first used in 1917; corneas are particularly vulnerable to SM exposure. They may develop inflammation, ulceration, neovascularization (NV), impaired vision, and partial/complete blindness depending upon the concentration of SM, exposure duration, and bio-physiological conditions of the eyes. Comprehensive in vivo studies have established ocular structural alterations, opacity, NV, and inflammation upon short durations (<4 min) of SM exposure. In this study, detailed analyses of histopathological alterations in corneal structure, keratocytes, inflammatory cells, blood vessels, and expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cytokines were performed in New Zealand white rabbits, in a time-dependent manner till 28 days, post longer durations (5 and 7 min) of ocular SM exposure to establish quantifiable endpoints of injury and healing. Results indicated that SM exposure led to duration-dependent increases in corneal thickness, opacity, ulceration, epithelial-stromal separation, and epithelial degradation. Significant increases in NV, keratocyte death, blood vessels, and inflammatory markers (COX-2, MMP-9, VEGF, and interleukin-8) were also observed for both exposure durations compared to the controls. Collectively, these findings would benefit in temporal delineation of mechanisms underlying SM-induced corneal toxicity and provide models for testing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinesh G. Goswami
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Neha Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rama Kant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Chapla Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Claire R. Croutch
- Medical Countermeasures Division, MRIGlobal, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Robert W. Enzenauer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Mark J. Petrash
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Timperley CM, Forman JE, Abdollahi M, Al-Amri AS, Baulig A, Benachour D, Borrett V, Cariño FA, Curty C, Geist M, Gonzalez D, Kane W, Kovarik Z, Martínez-Álvarez R, Mourão NMF, Neffe S, Raza SK, Rubaylo V, Suárez AG, Takeuchi K, Tang C, Trifirò F, van Straten FM, Vanninen PS, Vučinić S, Zaitsev V, Zafar-Uz-Zaman M, Zina MS, Holen S, Alwan WS, Suri V, Hotchkiss PJ, Ghanei M. Advice on assistance and protection provided by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons: Part 3. On medical care and treatment of injuries from sulfur mustard. Toxicology 2021; 463:152967. [PMID: 34619302 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Blister agents damage the skin, eyes, mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissues. Other toxic effects may occur after absorption. The response of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to a request from the OPCW Director-General in 2013 on the status of medical countermeasures and treatments to blister agents is updated through the incorporation of the latest information. The physical and toxicological properties of sulfur mustard and clinical effects and treatments are summarised. The information should assist medics and emergency responders who may be unfamiliar with the toxidrome of sulfur mustard and its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Timperley
- Chair of the OPCW SAB from 2015-2018, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
| | - Jonathan E Forman
- Science Policy Adviser and Secretary to the SAB, OPCW, The Hague, 2417, JR, the Netherlands, from 2015-2018
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), and Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | | | - Augustin Baulig
- Secrétariat Général de la Défense et de la Sécurité Nationale (SGDSN), Paris, France
| | - Djafer Benachour
- LMPMP, Faculty of Technology, Ferhat Abbas University, Setif-1, Algeria
| | - Veronica Borrett
- La Trobe Institute for Agriculture and Food, La Trobe University, Victoria, 3086, Australia
| | | | | | | | - David Gonzalez
- Facultad De Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Zrinka Kovarik
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | | | | | - Syed K Raza
- Chairperson Accreditation Committee, National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), India
| | - Valentin Rubaylo
- State Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology (GosNIIOKhT), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Alejandra Graciela Suárez
- Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Koji Takeuchi
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tokyo, Japan
| | - Cheng Tang
- Office for the Disposal of Japanese Abandoned Chemical Weapons, Ministry of National Defence, Beijing, China
| | - Ferruccio Trifirò
- Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Paula S Vanninen
- VERIFIN, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Slavica Vučinić
- National Poison Control Centre, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | | | - Stian Holen
- Head of Strategy and Policy at the OPCW from 2009 to 2015
| | - Wesam S Alwan
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, 3052, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vivek Suri
- Intern in the OPCW Office of Strategy and Policy, Summer 2018
| | - Peter J Hotchkiss
- Senior Science Policy Officer and Secretary to the SAB, OPCW, The Hague, 2417, JR, the Netherlands.
| | - Mostafa Ghanei
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
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28
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DeSantis-Rodrigues A, Hahn RA, Zhou P, Babin M, Svoboda KK, Chang YC, Gerecke DR, Gordon MK. SM1997 downregulates mustard-induced enzymes that disrupt corneal epithelial attachment. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 304:1974-1983. [PMID: 33554453 PMCID: PMC11236088 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Amino-Plex (SM1997) is a spray or liquid cosmeceutical that has been used for skin dryness, aging, or sun exposure. Its formulation includes electrolytes, trace minerals, amino acids, peptides, nucleosides and nucleotides, all substances that are <10 kDa. It is designed to increase oxygen levels in cells, improve glucose transport, stimulate ATP synthesis, and stimulate collagen formation, actions that can help facilitate repair of damaged cells. It also supports collagen synthesis and formation of healthy granulation tissue, accelerating reepithelization of damaged skin. Here, SM1997 has been tested as an agent to improve the healing of mustard injury to the cornea. The results indicate that SM1997 facilitates the retention of corneal epithelial attachment when applied to corneal organ cultures after nitrogen mustard exposure. In addition, it reduces the activation of enzymes that lead to epithelial-stromal separation, namely, ADAM17 and MMP-9. Therefore, SM1997 should be further investigated as a potential therapy sulfur mustard and nitrogen mustard exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea DeSantis-Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Rita A. Hahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Peihong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Michael Babin
- Medical Research and Evaluation Facility, Battelle Biomedical Research Center, West Jefferson, Ohio
| | - Kathy K.H. Svoboda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yoke-Chen Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Donald R. Gerecke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Marion K. Gordon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
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29
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Singh SK, Goswami DG, Wright HN, Kant R, Ali IA, Braucher LN, Klein JA, Godziela MG, Ammar DA, Pate KM, Tewari-Singh N. Effect of supersaturated oxygen emulsion treatment on chloropicrin-induced chemical injury in ex vivo rabbit cornea. Toxicol Lett 2021; 349:124-133. [PMID: 34153409 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
With a possibility for the use of chemical weapons in battlefield or in terrorist activities, effective therapies against the devastating ocular injuries, from their exposure, are needed. Oxygen plays a vital role in ocular tissue preservation and wound repair. We tested the efficacy of supersaturated oxygen emulsion (SSOE) in reducing ex vivo corneal and keratocyte injury from chloropicrin (CP). CP, currently used as a pesticide, is a chemical threat agent like the vesicating mustard agents and causes severe corneal injury. Since our previous study in human corneal epithelial cells showed the treatment potential of SSOE (55 %), we further tested its efficacy in an ex vivo CP-induced rabbit corneal injury model. Corneas were exposed to CP (700 nmol) for 2 h, washed and cultured with or without SSOE for 24 h or 96 h. At 96 h post CP exposure, SSOE treatment presented a healing tendency of the corneal epithelial layer, and abrogated the CP-induced epithelial apoptotic cell death. SSOE treatment also reduced the CP induced DNA damage (H2A.X phosphorylation) and inflammatory markers (e.g. MMP9, IL-21, MIP-1β, TNFα). Further examination of the treatment efficacy of SSOE alone or in combination with other therapies in in vivo cornea injury models for CP and vesicants, is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyendra K Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Dinesh G Goswami
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Holly N Wright
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Rama Kant
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | - Izza A Ali
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Leah N Braucher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Joshua A Klein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - Madeline G Godziela
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States
| | - David A Ammar
- University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 E. Montview Blvd., Aurora, CO, 80045, United States
| | | | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI, 48824, United States.
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30
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Sawyer TW, Wang Y, Song Y, Villanueva M, Jimenez A. Sulphur mustard induces progressive toxicity and demyelination in brain cell aggregate culture. Neurotoxicology 2021; 84:114-124. [PMID: 33753116 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Sulphur mustard (H; bis(2-chloroethyl) sulphide) is a vesicant chemical warfare (CW) agent that has been well documented as causing acute injury to the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Although a great deal of research effort has been expended to understand how H exerts these effects, its mechanism of action is still poorly understood. At high exposures, H also causes systemic toxicity with chronic and long-term effects to the immune, cardiovascular and central nervous systems, and these aspects of H poisoning are much less studied and comprehended. Rat aggregate cultures comprised of multiple brain cell types were exposed to H and followed for four weeks post-exposure to assess neurotoxicity. Toxicity (LDH, caspase-3 and aggregate diameter) was progressive with time post-exposure. In addition, statistically significant changes in neurofilament heavy chain (NFH), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Akt phosphorylation, IL-6, GRO-KC and TNF-α were noted that were time- and concentration-dependent. Myelin basic protein, CNPase and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were found to be especially sensitive to H exposure in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion, with levels falling to ∼50 % of control values at ∼10 μM H by 8 days post-exposure. Demyelination and VEGF inhibition may be causal in the long-term neuropsychological illnesses that have been documented in casualties exposed to high concentrations of H, and may also play a role in the peripheral neuropathy that has been observed in some of these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Sawyer
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada.
| | - Yushan Wang
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Yanfeng Song
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Mercy Villanueva
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada
| | - Andres Jimenez
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada
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31
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Singh SK, Klein JA, Wright HN, Tewari-Singh N. Phosgene oxime: a highly toxic urticant and emerging chemical threat. Toxicol Mech Methods 2020; 31:288-292. [PMID: 33297803 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2020.1861670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Highly toxic industrial chemicals that are widely accessible, and hazardous chemicals like phosgene oxime (CX) that can be easily synthesized, pose a serious threat as potential chemical weapons. In addition, their accidental release can lead to chemical emergencies and mass casualties. CX, an urticant, or nettle agent, grouped with vesicating agents, causes instant pain, injury and systemic effects, which can lead to mortality. With faster cutaneous penetration, corrosive properties, and more potent toxicity compared to other vesicating agents, CX causes instantaneous and severe tissue damage. CX, a potential chemical terrorism threat agent, could therefore be weaponized with other chemical warfare agents to enhance their harmful effects. CX is the least studied vesicant and its acute and long-term toxic effects as well as its mechanism of action are largely unknown. This has hampered the identification of therapeutic targets and the development of effective medical countermeasures. There are only protective measures, decontamination, and supportive treatments available for reducing the toxic effects from CX exposure. This review summarizes CX toxicity, its known mechanism of action, and our current studies exploring the role of mast cell activation and associated signaling pathways in CX cutaneous exposure under the National Institutes of Health Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats program. Potential treatment options and the development of effective targeted countermeasures against CX-induced morbidity and mortality is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyendra K Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Joshua A Klein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Holly N Wright
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Neera Tewari-Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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32
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Pulmonary toxicants and fibrosis: innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 409:115272. [PMID: 33031836 PMCID: PMC9960630 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by destruction and remodeling of the lung due to an accumulation of collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the tissue. This results in progressive irreversible decreases in lung capacity, impaired gas exchange and eventually, hypoxemia. A number of inhaled and systemic toxicants including bleomycin, silica, asbestos, nanoparticles, mustard vesicants, nitrofurantoin, amiodarone, and ionizing radiation have been identified. In this article, we review the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and mediators they release in the pathogenesis of fibrotic pathologies induced by pulmonary toxicants. A better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying fibrogenesis may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for patients with these debilitating and largely irreversible chronic diseases.
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33
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Sawyer TW. N-Acetylcysteine as a treatment for sulphur mustard poisoning. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 161:305-320. [PMID: 32980537 PMCID: PMC7516373 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In the long and intensive search for effective treatments to counteract the toxicity of the chemical warfare (CW) agent sulphur mustard (H; bis(2-chloroethyl) sulphide), the most auspicious and consistent results have been obtained with the drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC), particularly with respect to its therapeutic use against the effects of inhaled H. It is a synthetic cysteine derivative that has been used in a wide variety of clinical applications for decades and a wealth of information exists on its safety and protective properties against a broad range of toxicants and disease states. Its primary mechanism of action is as a pro-drug for the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), particularly in those circumstances where oxidative stress has exhausted intracellular GSH stores. It impacts a number of pathways either directly or through its GSH-related antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a prime candidate as a potential treatment for the wide range of deleterious cellular effects that H is acknowledged to cause in exposed individuals. This report reviews the available literature on the protection afforded by NAC against the toxicity of H in a variety of model systems, including its efficacy in treating the long-term chronic lung effects of H that have been demonstrated in Iranian veterans exposed during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Although there is overwhelming evidence supporting this drug as a potential medical countermeasure against this CW agent, there is a requirement for carefully controlled clinical trials to determine the safety, efficacy and optimal NAC dosage regimens for the treatment of inhaled H.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas W Sawyer
- Defence Research & Development Canada, Suffield Research Centre, Box 4000, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8K6, Canada.
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34
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Radbel J, Laskin DL, Laskin JD, Kipen HM. Disease-modifying treatment of chemical threat agent-induced acute lung injury. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1480:14-29. [PMID: 32726497 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a highly morbid lung pathology induced by exposure to chemical warfare agents, including vesicants, phosgene, chlorine, and ricin. In this review, we describe the pathology associated with the development of ARDS in humans and experimental models of acute lung injury following animal exposure to these high-priority threat agents. Potential future approaches to disease-modifying treatment used in preclinical animal studies, including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, biologics, and mesenchymal stem cells, are also described. As respiratory pathologies, including ARDS, are the major cause of morbidity and mortality following exposure to chemical threat agents, understanding mechanisms of disease pathogenesis is key to the development of efficacious therapeutics beyond the primary intervention principle, which remains mechanical ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Radbel
- Department of Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Debra L Laskin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Howard M Kipen
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
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Srivastava RK, Muzaffar S, Khan J, Traylor AM, Zmijewski JW, Curtis LM, George JF, Ahmad A, Antony VB, Agarwal A, Athar M. Protective role of HO-1 against acute kidney injury caused by cutaneous exposure to arsenicals. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1480:155-169. [PMID: 32885420 PMCID: PMC9109234 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Lewisite and many other similar arsenicals are warfare vesicants developed and weaponized for use in World Wars I and II. These chemicals, when exposed to the skin and other epithelial tissues, cause rapid severe inflammation and systemic damage. Here, we show that topically applied arsenicals in a murine model produce significant acute kidney injury (AKI), as determined by an increase in the AKI biomarkers NGAL and KIM-1. An increase in reactive oxygen species and ER stress proteins, such as ATF4 and CHOP, correlated with the induction of these AKI biomarkers. Also, TUNEL staining of CHOP-positive renal tubular cells suggests CHOP mediates apoptosis in these cells. A systemic inflammatory response characterized by a significant elevation in inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, IFN-α, and COX-2, in the kidney could be the underlying cause of AKI. The mechanism of arsenical-mediated inflammation involves activation of AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathways, which regulate heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Indeed, HO-1 induction with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) treatment in arsenical-treated HEK293 cells afforded cytoprotection by attenuating CHOP-associated apoptosis and cytokine mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that topical exposure to arsenicals causes AKI and that HO-1 activation may serve a protective role in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh K. Srivastava
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Suhail Muzaffar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jasim Khan
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Amie M. Traylor
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | | | - Lisa M. Curtis
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - James F. George
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Veena B. Antony
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Anupam Agarwal
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Mohammad Athar
- UAB Research Center of Excellence in Arsenicals, Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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36
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Biyashev D, Onay UV, Dalal P, Demczuk M, Evans S, Techner JM, Lu KQ. A novel treatment for skin repair using a combination of spironolactone and vitamin D3. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1480:170-182. [PMID: 32892377 PMCID: PMC7754145 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Injury of the skin from exposure to toxic chemicals leads to the release of inflammatory mediators and the recruitment of immune cells. Nitrogen mustard (NM) and other alkylating agents cause severe cutaneous damage for which there are limited treatment options. Here, we show that combined treatment of vitamin D3 (VD3) and spironolactone (SP), a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, significantly improves the resolution of inflammation and accelerates wound healing after NM exposure. SP enhanced the inhibitory effect of VD3 on nuclear factor-kB activity. Combined treatment of NM-exposed mice with VD3 and SP synergistically inhibited the expression of iNOS in the skin and decreased the expression of matrix metallopeptidase-9, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, interleukin (IL)-1α, and IL-1β. The combined treatment decreased the number of local proinflammatory M1 macrophages resulting in an increase in the M2/M1 ratio in the wound microenvironment. Apoptosis was also decreased in the skin after combined treatment. Together, this creates a proresolution state, resulting in more rapid wound closure. Combined VD3 and SP treatment is effective in modulating the immune response and activating anti-inflammatory pathways in macrophages to facilitate tissue repair. Altogether, these data demonstrate that VD3 and SP may constitute an effective treatment regimen to improve wound healing after NM or other skin chemical injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dauren Biyashev
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Ummiye V Onay
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Prarthana Dalal
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Michael Demczuk
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Spencer Evans
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - José-Marc Techner
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kurt Q Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
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Sadeghi S, Tapak M, Ghazanfari T, Mosaffa N. A review of Sulfur Mustard-induced pulmonary immunopathology: An Alveolar Macrophage Approach. Toxicol Lett 2020; 333:115-129. [PMID: 32758513 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Despite many studies investigating the mechanism of Sulfur Mustard (SM) induced lung injury, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Inflammatory and subsequent fibroproliferative stages of SM-toxicity are based upon several highly-related series of events controlled by the immune system. The inhalation of SM gas variably affects different cell populations within the lungs. Various studies have shown the critical role of macrophages in triggering a pulmonary inflammatory response as well as its maintenance, resolution, and repair. Importantly, macrophages can serve as either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory populations depending on the present conditions at any pathological stage. Different characteristics of macrophages, including their differentiation, phenotypic, and functional properties, as well as interactions with other cell populations determine the outcomes of lung diseases and the extent of long- or short-term pulmonary damage induced by SM. In this paper, we summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the role of alveolar macrophages and their mediators in the pathogenesis of SM in pulmonary injury. Investigating the specific cells and mechanisms involved in SM-lung injury may be useful in finding new target opportunities for treatment of this injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaye Sadeghi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahtab Tapak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tooba Ghazanfari
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nariman Mosaffa
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Hassanpour M, Hajihassani F, Abdollahpourasl M, Cheraghi O, Aghamohamadzade N, Rahbargazi R, Nouri M, Pilehvar-Soltanahmadi Y, Zarghami N, Akbarzadeh A, Panahi Y, Sahebkar A. Pathophysiological Effects of Sulfur Mustard on Skin and its Current Treatments: Possible Application of Phytochemicals. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2020; 24:3-19. [PMID: 32679016 DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666200717150414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sulfur-(SM) and nitrogen (NM)-based mustards are the mutagenic incapacitating compounds which are widely used in vesicating the chemical warfare and cause toxicity in many organs, especially skin. SM, as a potent vesicating agent, contributes to the destruction of skin in dermis and epidermis layers. The progression of the lesion depends on the concentration of SM and the duration of exposure. Body responses start with pruritus, erythema, edema and xerosis, which lead to the accumulation of immune cells in the target sites and recruitment of mast cells and paracrine-mediated activity. Pro-inflammatory effectors are accumulated in the epidermis, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands resulting in the destruction of the basement membrane beneath the epidermis. There is still no satisfactory countermeasure against SM-induced lesions in clinical therapy, and the symptomatic or supportive treatments are routine management approaches. OBJECTIVE The current review highlights the recent progression of herbal medicines application in SM-induced injuries through the illustrative examples and also demonstrates their efficacies, properties and mechanism of actions as therapeutic agents. CONCLUSION Phytochemicals and herbal extracts with anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have been recently shown to hold therapeutic promise against the SM-induced cutaneous complications. The present review discusses the possible application of herbal medicines in the healing of SM-induced injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Hassanpour
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fateme Hajihassani
- Department of Health Management, School of Management and Medical informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Omid Cheraghi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasser Aghamohamadzade
- Endocrine and Metabolism Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Rahbargazi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Younes Pilehvar-Soltanahmadi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nosratollah Zarghami
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Akbarzadeh
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yunes Panahi
- Pharmacotherapy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Chang YC, Hahn RA, Gordon MK, Laskin JD, Gerecke DR. A type IV collagenase inhibitor, N-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2-(4-phenylbenzenesulfonamido) propanamide (BiPS), suppresses skin injury induced by sulfur mustard. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 401:115078. [PMID: 32479919 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) is a highly toxic blistering agent thought to mediate its action, in part, by activating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the skin and disrupting components of the basement membrane zone (BMZ). Type IV collagenases (MMP-9) degrade type IV collagen in the skin, a major component of the BMZ at the dermal-epidermal junction. In the present studies, a type IV collagenase inhibitor, N-hydroxy-3-phenyl-2-(4-phenylbenzenesulfonamido) propanamide (BiPS), was tested for its ability to protect the skin against injury induced by SM in the mouse ear vesicant model. SM induced inflammation, epidermal hyperplasia and microblistering at the dermal/epidermal junction of mouse ears 24-168 h post-exposure. This was associated with upregulation of MMP-9 mRNA and protein in the skin. Dual immunofluorescence labeling showed increases in MMP-9 in the epidermis and in the adjacent dermal matrix of the SM injured skin, as well as breakdown of type IV collagen in the basement membrane. Pretreatment of the skin with BiPS reduced signs of SM-induced cutaneous toxicity; expression of MMP-9 mRNA and protein was also downregulated in the skin by BiPS. Following BiPS pretreatment, type IV collagen appeared intact and was similar to control skin. These results demonstrate that inhibiting type IV collagenases in the skin improves basement membrane integrity after exposure to SM. BiPS may hold promise as a potential protective agent to mitigate SM induced skin injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoke-Chen Chang
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America.
| | - Rita A Hahn
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Marion K Gordon
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
| | - Donald R Gerecke
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, United States of America
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Laskin JD, Wahler G, Croutch CR, Sinko PJ, Laskin DL, Heck DE, Joseph LB. Skin remodeling and wound healing in the Gottingen minipig following exposure to sulfur mustard. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 115:104470. [PMID: 32445752 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM), a dermal vesicant that has been used in chemical warfare, causes inflammation, edema and epidermal erosions depending on the dose and time following exposure. Herein, a minipig model was used to characterize wound healing following dermal exposure to SM. Saturated SM vapor caps were placed on the dorsal flanks of 3-month-old male Gottingen minipigs for 30 min. After 48 h the control and SM wounded sites were debrided daily for 7 days with wet to wet saline gauze soaks. Animals were then euthanized, and full thickness skin biopsies prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry. Control skin contained a well differentiated epidermis with a prominent stratum corneum. A well-developed eschar covered the skin of SM treated animals, however, the epidermis beneath the eschar displayed significant wound healing with a hyperplastic epidermis. Stratum corneum shedding and a multilayered basal epithelium consisting of cuboidal and columnar cells were also evident in the neoepidermis. Nuclear expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was contiguous in cells along the basal epidermal layer of control and SM exposed skin; SM caused a significant increase in PCNA expression in basal and suprabasal cells. SM exposure was also associated with marked changes in expression of markers of wound healing including increases in keratin 10, keratin 17 and loricrin and decreases in E-cadherin. Trichrome staining of control skin showed a well-developed collagen network with no delineation between the papillary and reticular dermis. Conversely, a major delineation was observed in SM-exposed skin including a web-like papillary dermis composed of filamentous extracellular matrix, and compact collagen fibrils in the lower reticular dermis. Although the dermis below the wound site was disrupted, there was substantive epidermal regeneration following SM-induced injury. Further studies analyzing the wound healing process in minipig skin will be important to provide a model to evaluate potential vesicant countermeasures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America
| | - Gabriella Wahler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America
| | | | - Patrick J Sinko
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America
| | - Debra L Laskin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America
| | - Diane E Heck
- Department of Environmental Health Science, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, United States of America
| | - Laurie B Joseph
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States of America.
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Chang YC, Wang JD, Chang HY, Zhou P, Hahn RA, Gordon MK, Laskin JD, Gerecke DR. Expression of Laminin γ2 Proteolytic Fragments in Murine Skin Following Exposure to Sulfur Mustard. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 303:1642-1652. [PMID: 32421930 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Laminin-332 is a basement membrane protein composed of three genetically distinct polypeptide chains that actively promote both skin epidermal cell adhesion and migration. Proteolytic fragments of the laminin γ2 chain stimulate migration and scattering of keratinocytes and cancer cells. Sulfur mustard (SM) is a bifunctional alkylating agent that induces separation of basal keratinocytes from the dermal-epidermal junction and invokes a strong inflammatory response leading to delayed wound repair. In the present studies, the role of laminin γ2 in SM-induced skin injury and wound repair was investigated using the mouse ear vesicant model. We found that laminin γ2 chain mRNA was preferentially upregulated in mouse ear skin exposed to SM. In situ hybridization confirmed overexpression of laminin γ2 transcript. Western blot analysis showed increased protein expression of the full-length proform of laminin γ2 and smaller processed fragments of laminin γ2 in skin exposed to SM. Dual immunofluorescence labeling indicated that laminin γ2 fragments are prevalent in suprabasal keratinocytes behind the leading edge in areas of hyperplasia in injured skin. In addition, co-expression of laminin γ2 and the senescent marker, p16-INK4a was found to overlap with the hyperplastic migratory epithelial sheet. This observation is similar to hypermotile keratinocytes reported in invasive carcinoma cells. Overall, our studies indicate that laminin γ2 is preferentially expressed in skin post SM exposure and that protein expression appears to become progressively more fragmented. The laminin γ2 fragments may play a role in regulating SM-induced skin wound repair. Anat Rec, 2020. © 2020 American Association for Anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoke-Chen Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - James D Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Hui-Ying Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Peihong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Rita A Hahn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Marion K Gordon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jeffrey D Laskin
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Donald R Gerecke
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
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Forsberg E, Öberg L, Artursson E, Wigenstam E, Bucht A, Thors L. Decontamination efficacy of soapy water and water washing following exposure of toxic chemicals on human skin. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2020; 39:134-142. [DOI: 10.1080/15569527.2020.1748046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Forsberg
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Linda Öberg
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Artursson
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth Wigenstam
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Anders Bucht
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lina Thors
- Division of CBRN Defence and Security, Swedish Defence Research Agency, Umeå, Sweden
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Wahler G, Heck DE, Heindel ND, Laskin DL, Laskin JD, Joseph LB. Antioxidant/stress response in mouse epidermis following exposure to nitrogen mustard. Exp Mol Pathol 2020; 114:104410. [PMID: 32113906 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2020.104410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a highly reactive bifunctional alkylating agent that induces inflammation, edema and blistering in skin. An important mechanism mediating the action of NM and related mustards is oxidative stress. In these studies a modified murine patch-test model was used to analyze DNA damage and the antioxidant/stress response following NM exposure in isolated epidermis. NM (20 μmol) was applied to glass microfiber filters affixed to a shaved dorsal region of skin of CD-1 mice. NM caused structural damage to the stratum corneum as reflected by increases in transepidermal water loss and skin hydration. This was coordinate with edema, mast cell degranulation and epidermal hyperplasia. Within 3 h of NM exposure, a 4-fold increase in phosphorylated histone H2AX, a marker of DNA double-stranded breaks, and a 25-fold increase in phosphorylated p53, a DNA damage marker, were observed in the epidermis. This was associated with a 40% increase in 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine modified DNA in the epidermis and a 4-fold increase in 4-hydroxynonenal modified epidermal proteins. At 12 h post NM, there was a 3-75 fold increase in epidermal expression of antioxidant/stress proteins including heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin reductase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, heat shock protein 27 and cyclooxygenase 2. These data indicate that NM induces early oxidative epidermal injury in mouse skin leading to an antioxidant/stress response. Agents that enhance this response may be useful in mitigating mustard-induced skin injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Wahler
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Diane E Heck
- Department of Environmental Health Science, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, United States
| | - Ned D Heindel
- Department of Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, United States
| | - Debra L Laskin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Jeffrey D Laskin
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States
| | - Laurie B Joseph
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rutgers University Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Piscataway, NJ 08854, United States.
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Assessment of the time-dependent dermatotoxicity of mechlorethamine using the mouse ear vesicant model. Interdiscip Toxicol 2019; 11:255-266. [PMID: 31762677 PMCID: PMC6853016 DOI: 10.2478/intox-2018-0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechlorethamine (HN2) is an alkylating agent and sulfur mustard gas mimetic which is also used in anticancer therapy. HN2 is associated with skin inflammation and blistering which can lead to secondary infections. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the time-dependent dermatotoxicity of HN2 using the mouse ear vesicant model (MEVM). To this end, our operational definition of dermatotoxicity included tissue responses to HN2 consistent with an increase in the wet weights of mouse ear punch biopsies, an increase in the morphometric thickness of H&E stained ear sections and histopathologic observations including tissue edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and vesication. The ears of male Swiss Webster mice were topically exposed to a single dose of HN2 (0.5 μmol/ear) or DMSO vehicle (5 μl/ear) or left untreated (naive). Mice were then euthanized at 15 min, 1, 2, 4, 8 or 24 hr following HN2 exposure. Compared to control ears, mouse ears exposed to HN2 at all time points showed an increase in wet weights, morphometric thickness, edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and signs of vesication. The incidence in tissue vesication sharply increased between 4 and 8 hr after exposure, revealing that tissue vesication is well established by 8 hr and remains elevated at 24 hr after exposure. It is noteworthy that, compared to control ears, mouse ears treated with DMSO vehicle alone also exhibited an increase in wet weights and morphometric thickness at 15 min, 1, 2 and 4 hr following treatment; however, these vehicle effects begin to subside after 4 hr. The results obtained here using the MEVM provide a more holistic understanding of the kinetics of vesication, and indicate that time points earlier than 24 hr may prove useful not only for investigating the complex mechanisms involved in vesication but also for assessing the effects of vesicant countermeasures.
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45
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Ye F, Zeng Q, Dan G, Dong X, Chen M, Sai Y, Lin H, Zou Z. Nitrogen mustard prevents transport of Fra-1 into the nucleus to promote c-Fos- and FosB-dependent IL-8 induction in injured mouse epidermis. Toxicol Lett 2019; 319:256-263. [PMID: 31639410 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor activator protein (AP)-1 can be activated in nitrogen-mustard-injured mouse skin, and is thought to participate in the inflammatory response. AP-1 consists of homo- or heterodimers of Fos [c-Fos, Fos-B, fos-related antigen (Fra)-1 and Fra-2] and Jun (c-Jun, JunB and JunD) family members, and information about their expression, location and function are still unclear. In nitrogen-mustard-exposed mouse skin, we found p-ERK activation increased Fra-1 and FosB. Unlike the nucleus location of c-Fos and FosB, Fra-1 and Fra-2 were mainly expressed in the cytoplasm. In nitrogen-mustard-exposed cultured immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells), Fra-1 in the nucleus functioned as an inhibitor of inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-8. Co-immunoprecipitation showed that Fra-1 formed dimers with IL-8 transcription factors c-Jun, JunB and JunD. Fra-1 depletion increased c-Fos and FosB in the nucleus, accompanied by increased heterodimers of c-Fos/c-Jun, c-Fos/JunB, c-Fos/JunD, and FosB/JunB. In conclusion, Fra-1 trapped in the cytoplasm after nitrogen mustard exposure might be a driving force for IL-8 over-expression in injured skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ye
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Qinya Zeng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400037, China
| | - Guorong Dan
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Xunhu Dong
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Mingliang Chen
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yan Sai
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Zhongmin Zou
- Department of Chemical Defense, School of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
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Acute corneal injury in rabbits following nitrogen mustard ocular exposure. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 110:104275. [PMID: 31233733 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.104275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM), a potent vesicating chemical warfare agent, and its analog nitrogen mustard (NM), are both strong bi-functional alkylating agents. Eyes, skin, and the respiratory system are the main targets of SM and NM exposure; however, ocular tissue is most sensitive, resulting in severe ocular injury. The mechanism of ocular injury from vesicating agents' exposure is not completely understood. To understand the injury mechanism from exposure to vesicating agents, NM has been previously employed in our toxicity studies on primary human corneal epithelial cells and ex vivo rabbit cornea organ culture model. In the current study, corneal toxicity from NM ocular exposure (1%) was analyzed for up to 28 days post-exposure in New Zealand White male rabbits to develop an acute corneal injury model. NM exposure led to conjunctival and eyelid swelling within a few hours after exposure, in addition to significant corneal opacity and ulceration. An increase in total corneal thickness and epithelial degradation was observed starting at day 3 post-NM exposure, which was maximal at day 14 post-exposure and did not resolve until 28 days post-exposure. There was an NM-induced increase in the number of blood vessels and inflammatory cells, and a decrease in keratocytes in the corneal stroma. NM exposure resulted in increased expression levels of cyclooxygenase-2, Interleukin-8, vascular endothelial growth factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 indicating their involvement in NM-induced corneal injury. These clinical, biological, and molecular markers could be useful for the evaluation of acute corneal injury and to screen for therapies against NM- and SM-induced ocular injury.
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Nagarajan V, Chandiramouli R. Adsorption Ability of Germanane Nanosheets Towards Nitrogen and Sulfur Mustard Gas Molecules: A First-Principles Study. J Inorg Organomet Polym Mater 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10904-019-01162-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Rafati-Rahimzadeh M, Kazemi S, Moghadamnia AA. Therapeutic options to treat mustard gas poisoning - Review. CASPIAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE 2019; 10:241-264. [PMID: 31558985 PMCID: PMC6729161 DOI: 10.22088/cjim.10.3.241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Among the blistering (vesicant) chemical warfare agents (CWA), sulfur mustard is the most important since it is known as the "King of chemical warfare agents". The use of sulfur mustard has caused serious damages in several organs, especially the eyes, skin, respiratory, central and peripheral nervous systems after short and long term exposure, incapacitating and even killing people and troops. In this review, chemical properties, mechanism of actions and their effects on each organ, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation of the actions triage, and treatment of injuries have been described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrdad Rafati-Rahimzadeh
- Cancer Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Sohrab Kazemi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Moghadamnia
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
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49
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A mass spectrometric platform for the quantitation of sulfur mustard-induced nucleic acid adducts as mechanistically relevant biomarkers of exposure. Arch Toxicol 2018; 93:61-79. [PMID: 30324314 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-018-2324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Despite its worldwide ban, the warfare agent sulfur mustard (SM) still represents a realistic threat, due to potential release in terroristic attacks and asymmetric conflicts. Therefore, the rigorous and quantitative detection of SM exposure is crucial for diagnosis, health risk assessment, and surveillance of international law. Alkylation adducts of nucleic acids can serve as valuable toxicologically relevant 'biomarkers of SM exposure'. Here, we developed a robust and versatile bioanalytical platform based on isotope dilution UPLC-MS/MS to quantify major SM-induced DNA and RNA adducts, as well as adducts induced by the monofunctional mustard 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide. We synthesized 15N/13C-labeled standards, which allowed absolute quantitation with full chemical specificity and subfemtomole sensitivities. DNA and RNA mono-alkylation adducts and crosslinks were carefully analyzed in a dose- and time-dependent manner in various matrices, including human cancer and primary cells, derived of the main SM-target tissues. Nucleic acid adducts were detected up to 6 days post-exposure, indicating long persistence, which highlights their toxicological relevance and proves their suitability as forensic and medical biomarkers. Finally, we investigated ex vivo-treated rat skin biopsies and human blood samples, which set the basis for the implementation into the method portfolio of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-designated laboratories to analyze authentic samples from SM-exposed victims.
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50
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Tumu HCR, Cuffari BJ, Pino MA, Palus J, Piętka-Ottlik M, Billack B. Ebselen oxide attenuates mechlorethamine dermatotoxicity in the mouse ear vesicant model. Drug Chem Toxicol 2018; 43:335-346. [DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2018.1488858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hemanta C. Rao Tumu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA
| | - Benedette J. Cuffari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA
| | - Maria A. Pino
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA
- Department of Clinical Specialties, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA
| | - Jerzy Palus
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Magdalena Piętka-Ottlik
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Blase Billack
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY, USA
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