Ethanol attenuates contraction of primary cultured rat airway smooth muscle cells

Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Harmful Effects on the Contractility of Skeletal, Cardiac and Smooth Muscles

Alcohol misuse has deleterious effects on personal health, family, societal units, and global economies. Moreover, alcohol misuse usually leads to several diseases and conditions, including alcoholism, which is a chronic condition and a form of addiction. Alcohol misuse, whether as acute intoxication or alcoholism, adversely affects skeletal, cardiac and/or smooth muscle contraction. Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the main effector of alcohol-induced dysregulation of muscle contractility, regardless of alcoholic beverage type or the ethanol metabolite (with acetaldehyde being a notable exception). Ethanol, however, is a simple and "promiscuous" ligand that affects many targets to mediate a single biological effect. In this review, we firstly summarize the processes of excitation-contraction coupling and calcium homeostasis which are critical for the regulation of contractility in all muscle types. Secondly, we present the effects of acute and chronic alcohol exposure on the contractility of skeletal, cardiac, and vascular/ nonvascular smooth muscles. Distinctions are made between in vivo and in vitro experiments, intoxicating vs. sub-intoxicating ethanol levels, and human subjects vs. animal models. The differential effects of alcohol on biological sexes are also examined. Lastly, we show that alcohol-mediated disruption of muscle contractility, involves a wide variety of molecular players, including contractile proteins, their regulatory factors, membrane ion channels and pumps, and several signaling molecules. Clear identification of these molecular players constitutes a first step for a rationale design of pharmacotherapeutics to prevent, ameliorate and/or reverse the negative effects of alcohol on muscle contractility.

Isolation of Murine Coronary Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

While the isolation and culture of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from large vessels is well established, we sought to isolate and culture VSMCs from the coronary circulation. Hearts with intact aortic arches were removed and perfused via retrograde Langendorff with digestion solution containing 300 Units/ml of collagenase type II, 0.1 mg/ml soybean trypsin inhibitor and 1 M CaCl2. The perfusates were collected at 15 min intervals for 90 min, pelleted by centrifugation, resuspended in plating media, and plated on tissue culture dishes. VSMCs were characterized by presence of SM22α, α-SMA, and vimentin. One of the main advantages of using this technique is the ability to isolate VSMCs from the coronary circulation of mice. Although the small number of cells obtained can limit some of the applications for which the cells can be utilized, isolated coronary VSMCs can be used in a variety of well-established cell culture techniques and assays. Studies investigating VSMCs from genetically modified mice can provide further information about structure-function and signaling processes associated with vascular pathologies.

Effects of acute ethanol exposure on cytokine production by primary airway smooth muscle cells

Both chronic and binge alcohol abuse can be significant risk factors for inflammatory lung diseases such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, metabolic basis of alcohol-related lung disease is not well defined, and may include key metabolites of ethanol [EtOH] in addition to EtOH itself. Therefore, we investigated the effects of EtOH, acetaldehyde [ACE], and fatty acid ethyl esters [FAEEs] on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and nuclear translocation of phosphorylated (p)-NF-κB p65 in primary human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells stimulated to produce cytokines using LPS exposure. Both FAEEs and ACE induced evidence of cellular oxidative stress and ER stress, and increased p-NF-κB in nuclear extracts. EtOH and its metabolites decreased p-AMPKα activation, and induced expression of fatty acid synthase, and decreased expression of sirtuin 1. In general, EtOH decreased secretion of IP-10, IL-6, eotaxin, GCSF, and MCP-1. However, FAEEs and ACE increased these cytokines, suggesting that both FAEEs and ACE as compared to EtOH itself are proinflammatory. A direct effect of EtOH could be consistent with blunted immune response. Collectively, these two features of EtOH exposure, coupled with the known inhibition of innate immune response in our model might explain some clinical manifestations of EtOH exposure in the lung.

Effects of ethanol on RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated calcium sensitization in mouse lung parenchymal tissue

Calcium sensitization by the RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway contributes to the contraction in smooth muscle. Contractile stimuli can sensitize myosin to Ca(2+) by activating RhoA/Rho-kinase that inhibits myosin light chain phosphatase activity. The present study was aimed at investigating the possible involvement of RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in contractile responses to agonist (phenylephrine) and depolarizing (KCl) of mouse lung parenchymal tissues. Also, we investigated the effect of ethanol on RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway. Phenylephrine (10(-8)-10(-4) M) and KCl (10-80 mM) induced sustained contractions in parenchymal strips. Ethanol significantly attenuated the contractions to phenylephrine and KCl. The Rho-kinase inhibitors fasudil (5×10(-5) M) and Y-27632 (5×10(-5) M) inhibited contractions to in both control and ethanol-treated parenchymal strips. In addition, the relaxations induced by fasudil (10(-4) M) and Y-27632 (5×10(-4) M) on parenchymal strips contracted by phenylephrine but not KCl was decreased in ethanol-treatment group. Also, RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 expressions were detected in mouse lung parenchymal tissue. In ethanol-treated group, expression of RhoA and ROCK1 but not ROCK2 decreased compared to control. Furthermore, ethanol causes apoptotic changes in alveolar type I epithelial cells of parenchymal tissue. These results suggest that RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway plays an important role in phenylephrine- and KCl-induced Ca(2)(+) sensitization in mouse lung parenchymal tissue. Also, ethanol may be decrease phenylephrine- and KCl-induced contraction due to lowering the RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+)-sensitizing by inhibiting RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in parenchymal tissue. These results may be lead to important insights into the mechanisms of lung diseases due to alcohol consumption.

Combined inhaled salbutamol and mannitol therapy for mucus hyper-secretion in pulmonary diseases

This study focuses on the co-engineering of salbutamol sulphate (SS), a common bronchodilator, and mannitol (MA), a mucolytic, as a potential combination therapy for mucus hypersecretion. This combination was chosen to have a synergic effect on the airways: the SS will act on the β2-receptor for relaxation of smooth muscle and enhancement of ciliary beat frequency, whilst mannitol will improve the fluidity of mucus, consequently enhancing its clearance from the lung. A series of co-spray-dried samples, containing therapeutically relevant doses of SS and MA, were prepared. The physico-chemical characteristics of the formulations were evaluated in terms of size distribution, morphology, thermal and moisture response and aerosol performance. Additionally, the formulations were evaluated for their effects on cell viability and transport across air interface Calu-3 bronchial epithelial cells, contractibility effects on bronchial smooth muscle cells and cilia beat activity using ciliated nasal epithelial cells in vitro. The formulations demonstrated size distributions and aerosol performance suitable for inhalation therapy. Transport studies revealed that the MA component of the formulation enhanced penetration of SS across the complex mucus layer and the lung epithelia cells. Furthermore, the formulation in the ratios of SS 10(-6) and MA 10(-3) M gave a significant increase in cilia beat frequency whilst simultaneously preventing smooth muscle contraction associated with mannitol administration. These studies have established that co-spray dried combination formulations of MA and SS can be successfully prepared with limited toxicity, good aerosol performance and the ability to increase ciliary beat frequency for improving the mucociliary clearance in patients suffering from hyper-secretory diseases, whilst simultaneously acting on the underlying smooth muscle.

Alcohol and immunology: Summary of the 2012 Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting

On October 27, 2012, the 17th annual Alcohol and Immunology Research Interest Group (AIRIG) meeting was held at the Grand Wailea Hotel in Maui, Hawaii as a satellite meeting to the 2012 Society of Leukocyte Biology conference. This year's meeting focused on the influence of alcohol on signal transduction pathways in various disease and injury models. Three plenary sessions were held where invited speakers shared their research on alcohol-mediated alterations of cell signaling components, immune cell subsets, and inflammation. These studies suggested alcohol has a negative effect on cell signaling machinery and immune cell homeostasis, resulting in disease, disease progression, and increased mortality. Researchers also identified tissue-specific alcohol-linked elevations in markers of inflammation, including cold-shock proteins and microRNAs. Additionally, one study revealed the effects of alcohol on immune cell subsets in a model of allergic asthma.

A contraction assay system using primary cultured mouse bronchial smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Contraction of bronchial smooth muscle is the main mechanism of asthmatic responses. Inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and mast cells produce chemical mediators that induce smooth muscle contraction. To investigate the mechanisms of IgE-independent asthmatic response in murine asthma models, a novel in vitro assay system using primary cultured mouse bronchial smooth muscle cells (BSMC) was explored.

METHOD

Trachea and bronchi were taken from young mice and underwent primary culture. BSMC were expanded in culture and then embedded in a collagen gel. The well-known constrictors leukotriene D4 (LTD4), methacholine and histamine were applied to the BSMC gels. The gel images were captured by an image analyzer and contractile responses were evaluated.

RESULTS

LTD4 and methacholine significantly induced the gel contraction in a dose-dependent manner, but histamine did not. Montelukast, a CysLT type ΙΙ receptor antagonist, and atropine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, inhibited the contractile responses in an agonist-specific manner.

CONCLUSION

A contraction assay system using cultured mouse BSMC was successfully established for the first time. It may go a long way toward identifying bronchoconstricting mediators involved in murine asthma models.

Alcohol reduces airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and allergic airway inflammation in mice

There is very limited knowledge about the effects of alcohol on airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in asthma. Historical accounts of alcohol administration to patients with breathing problems suggest that alcohol may have bronchodilating properties. We hypothesized that alcohol exposure will alter airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and pulmonary inflammation in a mouse model of allergic asthma. To test this hypothesis, BALB/c mice were fed either 18% alcohol or water and then sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). AHR was assessed by means of ventilation or barometric plethysmography and reported as either total lung resistance or enhanced pause, respectively. Airway inflammation was assessed by total and differential cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), cytokine levels in BALF, lung histology, and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. Alcohol feeding significantly blocked methacholine-induced increases in AHR compared with water-fed controls. Alcohol feeding significantly reduced total cell numbers (64%) as well as the number of eosinophils (84%) recruited to the lungs of these mice. Modest changes in lung pathology were also observed. Alcohol exposure led to a reduction of IgE in the serum of the EtOH OVA mice. These data demonstrate that alcohol exposure blunts AHR and dampens allergic airway inflammation indices in allergic mice and suggest that there may be an important role for alcohol in the modulation of asthma. These data provide an in vivo basis for previous clinical observations in humans substantiating the bronchodilator properties of alcohol and for the first time demonstrates an alcohol-induced reduction of allergic inflammatory cells in a mouse model of allergic asthma.