Changes in airway resistance by simultaneous exposure to TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in perfused rat lungs

Models and mechanisms of acute lung injury caused by direct insults

Acute lung injury (ALI) and its more severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are life-threatening diseases that are characterized by acute onset, pulmonary inflammation, oedema due to increased vascular permeability and severe hypoxemia. Clinically, ARDS can be divided into ARDS due to direct causes such as pneumonia, aspiration or injurious ventilation, and due to extrapulmonary indirect causes such as sepsis, severe burns or pancreatitis. In order to identify potential therapeutic targets, we asked here whether common molecular mechanisms can be identified that are relevant in different models of the direct form of ALI/ARDS. To this end, we reviewed three widely used models: (a) one based on a biological insult, i.e. instillation of bacterial endotoxins; (b) one based on a chemical insult, i.e. instillation of acid; and (c) one based on a mechanical insult, i.e. injurious ventilation. Studies were included only if the mediator or mechanism of interest was studied in at least two of the three animal models listed above. As endpoints, we selected neutrophil sequestration, permeability, hypoxemia (physiological dysfunction) and survival. Our analysis showed that most studies have focused on mechanisms of pulmonary neutrophil sequestration and models with moderate forms of oedema. The underlying mechanisms that involve canonical inflammatory pathways such as MAP kinases, CXCR2 chemokines, PAF, leukotrienes, adhesions molecules (CD18, ICAM-1) and elastase have been defined relatively well. Further mechanisms including TNF, DARC, HMGB1, PARP, GADD45 and collagenase are under investigation. Such mechanisms that are shared between the three ALI models may represent viable therapeutic targets. However, only few studies have linked these pathways to hypoxemia, the most important clinical aspect of ALI/ARDS. Since moderate oedema does not necessarily lead to hypoxemia, we suggest that the clinical relevance of experimental studies can be further improved by putting greater emphasis on gas exchange.

Modulations of phenotype and cytokine expression of porcine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Phenotypic and functional property changes of bone marrow-derived immature dendritic cells (BM-imDCs) after porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection have been detailed in a previous report. A down-regulated expression of MHC I molecules along with an up-regulated expression of CD80/86 were observed in BM-imDCs after the exposure to PRRSV. In this study, we further investigate the expression of surface phenotypes of BM-imDCs in relation to their infection status. Exposure of PRRSV to BM-imDCs resulted in a down-regulated expression of MHC I and an up-regulated expression of CD80/86 in infected cells, as demonstrated by significant alterations in both percentage of expressing cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in PRRSV-positive cells. A significant suppression in MFI of MHC I and an increase in percentage of cells expressing CD80/86 were observed in noninfected bystander cells. We also demonstrated that exposure of BM-imDCs to PRRSV resulted in a significantly increased secretion of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IFN-gamma but not IL-12 or TNF-alpha. In addition, the PRRSV infection modulates cytokine expressions of BM-imDCs through their response to microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These results will prove helpful in clarification of the factors that mediate host defense against PRRSV, as well as the possible interaction mechanisms between PRRSV and other microbes in the pathogenesis of PRRSV infection in pigs.

Airway mechanics and methods used to visualize smooth muscle dynamics in vitro

Contraction of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is regulated by the physiological, structural and mechanical environment in the lung. We review two in vitro techniques, lung slices and airway segment preparations, that enable in situ ASM contraction and airway narrowing to be visualized. Lung slices and airway segment approaches bridge a gap between cell culture and isolated ASM, and whole animal studies. Imaging techniques enable key upstream events involved in airway narrowing, such as ASM cell signalling and structural and mechanical events impinging on ASM, to be investigated.

Inhibition of COX-2 aggravates neutrophil migration and pneumocyte apoptosis in surfactant-depleted rat lungs

Pulmonary inflammation and parenchymal apoptosis are implicated in the pathogenesis of the acute lung injury, but the mechanisms of these reactions are still unclear. Because inhibition of the proinflammatory cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 enzyme action is proposed to be useful in various inflammatory lung injuries, we decided to investigate the expression of COX-2 and the possible beneficial effects of its inhibition on pulmonary inflammation and apoptosis in surfactant-depleted lungs. The injury was induced in 2-mo-old rats by repeated lung lavage to remove alveolar surfactant. Eight of these rats were pretreated with a specific COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398. All rats, including control rats without lung lavage, were ventilated with 60% oxygen for 5 h, and the lungs were then studied histologically for tissue injury and with DNA nick-end labeling, cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy for apoptotic cell death. Lung tissue myeloperoxidase activity and the expression of COX-2 protein and concentration of prostaglandin E2 were additionally analyzed. Lung lavage increased pulmonary neutrophil migration, histologic injury, and the occurrence of epithelial apoptosis. In contrast, expression of COX-2 and amount of PGE2 were significantly lower in surfactant-depleted lungs than controls. Pretreatment with the COX-2 inhibitor further increased the migration of neutrophils and occurrence of epithelial apoptosis in the surfactant-depleted lungs, compared with nontreated insulted lungs. These results suggest that specific inhibitors of COX-2 should be used cautiously in association with surfactant-deficient lung injuries.

The combination of PRRS virus and bacterial endotoxin as a model for multifactorial respiratory disease in pigs

This paper reviews in vivo studies on the interaction between porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and LPS performed in the authors’ laboratory. The main aim was to develop a reproducible model to study the pathogenesis of PRRSV-induced multifactorial respiratory disease. The central hypothesis was that respiratory disease results from an overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. In a first series of studies, PRRSV was shown to be a poor inducer of TNF-α and IFN-α in the lungs, whereas IL-1 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were produced consistently during infection. We then set up a dual inoculation model in which pigs were inoculated intratracheally with PRRSV and 3–14 days later with LPS. PRRSV-infected pigs developed acute respiratory signs for 12–24 h upon intratracheal LPS inoculation, in contrast to pigs inoculated with PRRSV or LPS only. Moreover, peak TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 titers were 10–100 times higher in PRRSV–LPS inoculated pigs than in the singly inoculated pigs and the cytokine overproduction was associated with disease. To further prove the role of proinflammatory cytokines, we studied the effect of pentoxifylline, a known inhibitor of TNF-α and IL-1, on PRRSV–LPS induced cytokine production and disease. The clinical effects of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), meloxicam and flunixin meglumine, were also examined. Pentoxifylline, but not the NSAIDs, significantly reduced fever and respiratory signs from 2 to 6 h after LPS. The levels of TNF-α and IL-1 in the lungs of pentoxifylline-treated pigs were moderately reduced, but were still 26 and 3.5-fold higher than in pigs inoculated with PRRSV or LPS only. This indicates that pathways other than inhibition of cytokine production contributed to the clinical improvement. Finally, we studied a mechanism by which PRRSV may sensitize the lungs for LPS. We hypothesized that PRRSV would increase the amount of LPS receptor complex in the lungs leading to LPS sensitisation. Both CD14 and LPS-binding protein, two components of this complex, increased significantly during infection and the amount of CD14 in particular was correlated with LPS sensitisation. The increase of CD14 was mainly due to infiltration of strongly CD14-positive monocytes in the lungs. The PRRSV–LPS combination proved to be a simple and reproducible experimental model for multifactorial respiratory disease in pigs. To what extent the interaction between PRRSV and LPS contributes to the development of complex respiratory disease is still a matter of debate.

NPY, NPY receptors, and DPP IV activity are modulated by LPS, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in HUVEC

Since NPY increases endothelial cell (EC) stickiness for leukocytes, we studied the effects of LPS, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma on its expression and action in HUVEC. Cytokines raised NPY and pro-NPY intracellular content and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) activity. Y1 and Y2 receptors were expressed in basal conditions, and LPS, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma induced Y5 receptor expression with a concomitant extinction of Y2 receptor expression. NPY induced an intracellular calcium increase mainly mediated by Y2 and Y5 receptors in basal conditions. After stimulation with LPS, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, calcium increase was mainly caused by Y5 receptor. The modulation of the NPY system by LPS, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma, and the NPY-induced calcium signaling suggest a role for NPY during the inflammatory response.

Asthma, body mass index, and C-reactive protein among US adults

Obesity, a state that may be characterized by a low-grade inflammation, has been associated with asthma. C-reactive protein, an acute phase reactant, is elevated in obese people. However, little is known about how asthma affects C-reactive protein concentrations. Using data from 14,224 participants of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), the author examined C-reactive protein concentrations among participants with current asthma (n = 651), who formerly had asthma (n = 303), and who never had asthma (n = 13,270). Compared with 21% of participants with current asthma, 11% with former asthma (P < .001) and 15% without asthma (P = .018) had C-reactive protein concentrations > or = 85th percentile of the sex-specific distribution. Compared with participants without asthma, the age-adjusted odds ratios for having an elevated C-reactive protein concentration was 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11, 2.00) for persons with current asthma. After adjusting for age, sex, race or ethnicity, years of education, cotinine concentration, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, physical activity level, aspirin use, oral corticosteroid use, and inhaled corticosteroid use, the odds ratio decreased to 1.15 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.59). Body mass index was the main reason for the attenuation of the odds ratio. Whether the inflammatory activity associated with body mass index contributes to the pathophysiology of asthma is unknown.

Interaction between porcine reproductive-respiratory syndrome virus and bacterial endotoxin in the lungs of pigs: potentiation of cytokine production and respiratory disease

Porcine reproductive-respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a key agent in multifactorial respiratory disease of swine. Intratracheal administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) to PRRSV-infected pigs results in markedly enhanced respiratory disease, whereas the inoculation of each component alone results in largely subclinical disease. This study examines whether PRRSV-LPS-induced respiratory disease is associated with the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. Gnotobiotic pigs were inoculated intratracheally with PRRSV and then with LPS at 3, 5, 7, 10, or 14 days of infection and euthanatized 6 h after LPS inoculation. Controls were inoculated with PRRSV or LPS only or with phosphate-buffered saline. Virus titers, (histo)pathological changes in the lungs, numbers of inflammatory cells, and bioactive tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), and IL-6 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids were examined. All pigs inoculated with PRRSV-LPS developed severe respiratory disease, whereas the controls that were inoculated with PRRSV or LPS alone did not. PRRSV infection significantly enhanced cytokine production in response to LPS. Peak TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-6 titers were 10 to 100 times higher in the PRRSV-LPS-inoculated pigs than in the pigs inoculated with PRRSV or LPS alone; and the titers correlated with the respiratory signs. The levels of neutrophil infiltration and the pathological changes detected in the lungs of PRRSV-LPS-inoculated pigs resembled those detected when the effects of PRRSV and LPS inoculated alone are combined, but with no synergistic effects between PRRSV and LPS. These data demonstrate a synergism between PRRSV and LPS in the induction of proinflammatory cytokines and an association between induction of these cytokines and disease.

Characterization of lung hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and alveolar macrophage mediator production in allergy resistant and susceptible rats

To better understand asthma pathogenesis, we characterized airway responsiveness, lung inflammation, and mediator production of alveolar macrophages (AM) after allergen sensitization and challenge in two strains of rats showing different susceptibilities in developing airway allergic reactions. Airway responsiveness to acethylcholine was measured 24 h after ovalbumin (OVA) challenge, whereas bronchoalveolar lavages were performed 5 min, 8 h, and 24 h after challenge. Brown Norway rats showed airway hyperresponsiveness after challenge, whereas lung resistance remained unchanged in Sprague-Dawley rats. Interestingly, Sprague-Dawley rats developed a neutrophilic inflammation, whereas both neutrophils and eosinophils were increased in Brown Norway rats. AM mediator production varied with time with a lower tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-10 release at 8 h after challenge. OVA challenge stimulated spontaneous TNF and IL-10 release by AM isolated 24 h after challenge in both strains of rats, although AM from Brown Norway rats released significantly more IL-10 and TNF. Furthermore, nitric oxide production was increased only in OVA-challenged (24 h) Brown Norway rats. Our results suggest that AM may participate to the expansion of Th2 inflammation in Brown Norway rats and that differences in AM mediator production may explain, in part, distinct allergic susceptibilities in these two strains of rats.

Cyclooxygenase 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 expression is abnormally regulated in human nasal polyps

BACKGROUND

There is evidence that impairment of prostanoid metabolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NPs). Prostanoids are synthesized by 2 cyclooxygenase (Cox) enzymes, one constitutive (Cox-1) and another inducible (Cox-2).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of these studies was to investigate Cox-1 and Cox-2 regulation in NPs of aspirin-tolerant human patients compared with that seen in nasal mucosa (NM).

METHODS

Cultured explants from human NPs and healthy mucosa from patients undergoing polypectomy and corrective nasal surgery, respectively, were examined for Cox-1 and Cox-2 expression by means of semiquantitative competitive PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Cox-1 mRNA was spontaneously upregulated in cultured NM but not in NPs. A spontaneous but delayed upregulation of Cox-2 mRNA was found in NPs (24 hours) compared with that seen in NM (6 hours). After cytokine stimulation (IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha), the induction of Cox-2 mRNA and protein was also faster in NM (1 hour) than in NPs (4 hours).

CONCLUSION

These data showing an abnormal regulation of Cox-1 and Cox-2 in NPs from aspirin-tolerant patients reinforce the concept that prostanoid metabolism might be important in the pathogenesis of inflammatory nasal diseases and suggest a potential role for this alteration in the formation of NPs.

Age-related differences in pulmonary inflammatory responses to JP-8 jet fuel aerosol inhalation

Our previous studies have demonstrated that JP-8 jet fuel aerosol inhalation induced lung injury and dysfunction. To further examine JP-8 jet fuel-induced inflammatory mechanisms, a total of 40 male C57BL/6 mice (young, 3.5 months; adult, 12 months; half in each age group) were randomly assigned to the exposure or control groups. Mice were nose-only exposed to room air or atmospheres of 1000 mg/m3 JP-8 jet fuel for 1 h/day for 7 days. Lung injury was assessed by pulmonary mechanics, respiratory permeability, lavaged cell profile, and chemical mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The young and adult mice exposed to JP-8 jet fuel had similar values with regards to increased lung dynamic compliance, lung permeability, BALF cell count, and decreased PGE2. However, there were several different responses between the young-versus-adult mice with respect to BALF cell differential, TNF-alpha, and 8-iso-PGF2,, levels after exposure to JP-8 jet fuel. These data suggest that JP-8 jet fuel may have different inflammatory mechanisms leading to lung injury and dysfunction in the younger-versus-adult mice.