APOBEC3G Is a p53-Dependent Restriction Factor in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection of Human Cells Included in the p53/Immune Axis

Identifying and understanding genetic factors that influence the propagation of the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to health benefits and possibly augment recent vaccine approaches. We previously identified a p53/immune axis in which the tumor suppressor p53 directly regulates the expression of immune system genes, including the seven members of the APOBEC3 family of DNA cytidine deaminases (A3), which are innate immune sentinels against viral infections. Here, we examined the potential p53 and A3 influence in RSV infection, as well as the overall p53-dependent cellular and p53/immune axis responses to infection. Using a paired p53 model system of p53+ and p53- human lung tumor cells, we found that RSV infection activates p53, leading to the altered p53-dependent expression of A3D, A3F, and A3G, along with p53 site-specific binding. Focusing on A3G because of its 10-fold-greater p53 responsiveness to RSV, the overexpression of A3G can reduce RSV viral replication and syncytial formation. We also observed that RSV-infected cells undergo p53-dependent apoptosis. The study was expanded to globally address at the transcriptional level the p53/immune axis response to RSV. Nearly 100 genes can be directly targeted by the p53/immune axis during RSV infection based on our p53BAER analysis (Binding And Expression Resource). Overall, we identify A3G as a potential p53-responsive restriction factor in RSV infection. These findings have significant implications for RSV clinical and therapeutic studies and other p53-influenced viral infections, including using p53 adjuvants to boost the response of A3 genes.

Vanadium Pentoxide Exposure Causes Strain-Dependent Changes in Mitochondrial DNA Heteroplasmy, Copy Number, and Lesions, but Not Nuclear DNA Lesions

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are lethal lung diseases characterized by pulmonary inflammation and progressive lung interstitial scarring. We previously developed a mouse model of ILD using vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) and identified several gene candidates on chromosome 4 associated with pulmonary fibrosis. While these data indicated a significant genetic contribution to ILD susceptibility, they did not include any potential associations and interactions with the mitochondrial genome that might influence disease risk. To conduct this pilot work, we selected the two divergent strains we previously categorized as V2O5-resistant C57BL6J (B6) and -responsive DBA/2J (D2) and compared their mitochondrial genome characteristics, including DNA variants, heteroplasmy, lesions, and copy numbers at 14- and 112-days post-exposure. While we did not find changes in the mitochondrial genome at 14 days post-exposure, at 112 days, we found that the responsive D2 strain exhibited significantly fewer mtDNA copies and more lesions than control animals. Alongside these findings, mtDNA heteroplasmy frequency decreased. These data suggest that mice previously shown to exhibit increased susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation sustain damage to the mitochondrial genome that is evident at 112 days post-V2O5 exposure.

Prospective epigenome and transcriptome analyses of cord and peripheral blood from preterm infants at risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a prevalent chronic lung disease of prematurity with limited treatment options. To uncover biomarkers of BPD risk, this study investigated epigenetic and transcriptomic signatures of prematurity at birth and during the neonatal period at day 14 and 28. Peripheral blood DNAs from preterm infants were applied to methylation arrays and cell-type composition was estimated by deconvolution. Covariate-adjusted robust linear regression elucidated BPD- and prolonged oxygen (≥ 14 days) exposure-associated CpGs. RNAs from cord and peripheral blood were sequenced, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for BPD or oxygen exposure were determined. Estimated neutrophil-lymphocyte ratios in peripheral blood at day 14 in BPD infants were significantly higher than nonBPD infants, suggesting an heightened inflammatory response in developing BPD. BPD-DEGs in cord blood indicated lymphopoiesis inhibition, altered Th1/Th2 responses, DNA damage, and organ degeneration. On day 14, BPD-associated CpGs were highly enriched in neutrophil activation, infection, and CD4 + T cell quantity, and BPD-DEGs were involved in DNA damage, cellular senescence, T cell homeostasis, and hyper-cytokinesis. On day 28, BPD-associated CpGs along with BPD-DEGs were enriched for phagocytosis, neurological disorder, and nucleotide metabolism. Oxygen supplementation markedly downregulated mitochondrial biogenesis genes and altered CpGs annotated to developmental genes. Prematurity-altered DNA methylation could cause abnormal lymphopoiesis, cellular assembly and cell cycle progression to increase BPD risk. Similar pathways between epigenome and transcriptome networks suggest coordination of the two in dysregulating leukopoiesis, adaptive immunity, and innate immunity. The results provide molecular insights into biomarkers for early detection and prevention of BPD.

Epigenome-wide association study of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants: results from the discovery-BPD program

BACKGROUND

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disease in premature infants caused by therapeutic oxygen supplemental and characterized by impaired pulmonary development which persists into later life. While advances in neonatal care have improved survival rates of premature infants, cases of BPD have been increasing with limited therapeutic options for prevention and treatment. This study was designed to explore the relationship between gestational age (GA), birth weight, and estimated blood cell-type composition in premature infants and to elucidate early epigenetic biomarkers associated with BPD.

METHODS

Cord blood DNA from preterm neonates that went on to develop BPD (n = 14) or not (non-BPD, n = 93) was applied to Illumina 450 K methylation arrays. Blood cell-type compositions were estimated using DNA methylation profiles. Multivariable robust regression analysis elucidated CpGs associated with BPD risk. cDNA microarray analysis of cord blood RNA identified differentially expressed genes in neonates who later developed BPD.

RESULTS

The development of BPD and the need for oxygen supplementation were strongly associated with GA (BPD, p < 1.0E-04; O2 supplementation, p < 1.0E-09) and birth weight (BPD, p < 1.0E-02; O2 supplementation, p < 1.0E-07). The estimated nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) percent was negatively associated with birth weight and GA, positively associated with hypomethylation of the tobacco smoke exposure biomarker cg05575921, and high-NRBC blood samples displayed a hypomethylation profile. Epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) identified 38 (Bonferroni) and 275 (false discovery rate 1%) differentially methylated CpGs associated with BPD. BPD-associated CpGs in cord blood were enriched for lung maturation and hematopoiesis pathways. Stochastic epigenetic mutation burden at birth was significantly elevated among those who developed BPD (adjusted p = 0.02). Transcriptome changes in cord blood cells reflected cell cycle, development, and pulmonary disorder events in BPD.

CONCLUSIONS

While results must be interpreted with caution because of the small size of this study, NRBC content strongly impacted DNA methylation profiles in preterm cord blood and EWAS analysis revealed potential insights into biological pathways involved in BPD pathogenesis.

NRF2 Alters Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Neonate Mice Exposed to Hyperoxia

Approximately 1 in 10 newborns are born preterm and require supplemental oxygen (O₂) in an extrauterine environment following birth. Supplemental O₂ can induce oxidative stress that can impair mitochondrial function, resulting in lung injury and increased risk in early life pulmonary diseases. The nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (NRF2) protects the cells from oxidative stress by regulating the expression of genes containing antioxidant response elements and many mitochondrial-associated genes. In this study, we compared Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2^−/−) and wild-type (Nrf2^+/+) mice to define the role of NRF2 in lung mitochondrial genomic features in late embryonic development in mice (embryonic days, E13.5 and E18.5) versus birth (postnatal day 0, PND0). We also determined whether NRF2 protects lung mitochondrial genome parameters in postnatal mice exposed to a 72 h hyperoxia environment. We found Nrf2^−/− embryonic lungs were characterized by decreases in mtDNA copies from E13.5 to E18.5. Interestingly, Nrf2^−/− heteroplasmy frequency was significantly higher than Nrf2^+/+ at E18.5, though this effect reversed at PND0. In postnatal mice exposed to hyperoxia, we identified three- to four-fold increases in mitochondria-encoded mitochondrial genes, which regulate oxidative phosphorylation. Overall, our findings demonstrate a potentially critical role of NRF2 in mediating long-term effects of hyperoxia on mitochondrial function.

Murine Neonatal Oxidant Lung Injury: NRF2-Dependent Predisposition to Adulthood Respiratory Viral Infection and Protection by Maternal Antioxidant

NRF2 protects against oxidant-associated airway disorders via cytoprotective gene induction. To examine if NRF2 is an important determinant of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) susceptibility after neonate lung injury, Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2^−/−) and wild-type (Nrf2^+/+) mice neonatally exposed to hyperoxia were infected with RSV. To investigate the prenatal antioxidant effect on neonatal oxidative lung injury, time-pregnant Nrf2^−/− and Nrf2^+/+ mice were given an oral NRF2 agonist (sulforaphane) on embryonic days 11.5–17.5, and offspring were exposed to hyperoxia. Bronchoalveolar lavage and histopathologic analyses determined lung injury. cDNA microarray analyses were performed on placenta and neonatal lungs. RSV-induced pulmonary inflammation, injury, oxidation, and virus load were heightened in hyperoxia-exposed mice, and injury was more severe in hyperoxia-susceptible Nrf2^−/− mice than in Nrf2^+/+ mice. Maternal sulforaphane significantly alleviated hyperoxic lung injury in both neonate genotypes with more marked attenuation of severe neutrophilia, edema, oxidation, and alveolarization arrest in Nrf2^−/− mice. Prenatal sulforaphane altered different genes with similar defensive functions (e.g., inhibition of cell/perinatal death and inflammation, potentiation of angiogenesis/organ development) in both strains, indicating compensatory transcriptome changes in Nrf2^−/− mice. Conclusively, oxidative injury in underdeveloped lungs NRF2-dependently predisposed RSV susceptibility. In utero sulforaphane intervention suggested NRF2-dependent and -independent pulmonary protection mechanisms against early-life oxidant injury.

Fatal enhanced respiratory syncytial virus disease in toddlers

In 1967, two toddlers immunized with a formalin-inactivated vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (FIRSV) in the United States died from enhanced RSV disease (ERD), a severe form of illness resulting from aberrant priming of the antiviral immune response during vaccination. Up to 80% of immunized children subsequently exposed to wild-type virus were hospitalized. These events hampered RSV vaccine development for decades. Here, we provide a characterization of the clinical, immunopathological, and transcriptional signature of fatal human ERD, outlining evidence for safety evaluation of RSV vaccines and a framework for understanding disease enhancement for pathogens in general.

Role for Mucin-5AC in Upper and Lower Airway Pathogenesis in Mice

Mucin-5AC (MUC5AC) is a major secreted mucin in pathogenic airways. To determine its role in mucus-related airway disorders, Muc5ac-deficient (Muc5ac^-/-) and wild-type (Muc5ac^+/+) mice were compared in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease, and ozone toxicity. Significantly greater inflammation and fibrosis by bleomycin were developed in Muc5ac^-/- lungs compared to Muc5ac^+/+ lungs. More severe mucous cell metaplasia in fibrotic Muc5ac^-/- lungs coincided with bronchial Muc2, Muc4, and Muc5b overexpression. Airway RSV replication was higher in Muc5ac^-/- than in Muc5ac^+/+ during early infection. RSV-caused pulmonary epithelial death, bronchial smooth muscle thickening, and syncytia formation were more severe in Muc5ac^-/- compared to Muc5ac^+/+. Nasal septal damage and subepithelial mucoserous gland enrichment by RSV were greater in Muc5ac^-/- than in Muc5ac^+/+. Ozone exposure developed more severe nasal airway injury accompanying submucosal gland hyperplasia and pulmonary proliferation in Muc5ac^-/- than in Muc5ac^+/+. Ozone caused periodic acid-Schiff-positive secretion only in Muc5ac^-/- nasal airways. Lung E-cadherin level was relatively lower in Muc5ac^-/- than in Muc5ac^+/+ basally and after bleomycin, RSV, and ozone exposure. Results indicate that MUC5AC is an essential mucosal component in acute phase airway injury protection. Subepithelial gland hyperplasia and adaptive increase of other epithelial mucins may compensate airway defense in Muc5ac^-/- mice.

Association between Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Variants and V˙O2 max Trainability

PURPOSE

We designed the study to determine whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup, sequence, and heteroplasmy differed between individuals previously characterized as low (LR) or high responders (HR) as defined by their maximal oxygen uptake response to a standardized aerobic exercise training program.

METHODS

DNA was isolated from whole blood in subjects from the HERITAGE Family Study that were determined to be either HR (n = 15) or LR (n = 15). mtDNA was amplified by long-range polymerase chain reaction, then tagged with Nextera libraries and sequenced on a MiSeq instrument.

RESULTS

Different mtDNA haplogroup subtypes were found in HR and LR individuals. Compared with HR subjects, significantly more LR subjects had variants in 13 sites, including 7 in hypervariable (HV) regions: HV2 (G185A: 0 vs 6, P = 0.02; G228A: 0 vs 5, P = 0.04; C295T: 0 vs 6; P = 0.04), HV3 (C462T: 0 vs 5, P = 0.04; T489C: 0 vs 5; P = 0.04), and HV1 (C16068T: 0 vs 6, P = 0.02; T16125C: 0 vs 6, P = 0.02). Remaining variants were in protein coding genes, mtND1 (1 vs 8, P = 0.02), mtND3 (A10397G: 0 vs 5, P = 0.04), mtND4 (A11250G: 1 vs 8, P = 0.02), mtND5 (G13707A: 0 vs 5, P = 0.04), and mtCYTB (T14797C: 0 vs 5, P = 0.04; C15451A: 1 vs 8, P = 0.02). Average total numbers of heteroplasmies (P = 0.83) and frequency of heteroplasmies (P = 0.05) were similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide specific sites across the mitochondrial genome that may be related to maximal oxygen uptake trainability.

Role of Mitochondrial DNA in Inflammatory Airway Diseases

The mitochondrial genome is a small, circular, and highly conserved piece of DNA which encodes only 13 protein subunits yet is vital for electron transport in the mitochondrion and, therefore, vital for the existence of multicellular life on Earth. Despite this importance, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is located in one of the least-protected areas of the cell, exposing it to high concentrations of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and threat from exogenous substances and pathogens. Until recently, the quality control mechanisms which ensured the stability of the nuclear genome were thought to be minimal or nonexistent in the mitochondria, and the thousands of redundant copies of mtDNA in each cell were believed to be the primary mechanism of protecting these genes. However, a vast network of mechanisms has been discovered that repair mtDNA lesions, replace and recycle mitochondrial chromosomes, and conduct alternate RNA processing for previously undescribed mitochondrial proteins. New mtDNA/RNA-dependent signaling pathways reveal a mostly undiscovered biochemical landscape in which the mitochondria interface with their host cells/organisms. As the myriad ways in which the function of the mitochondrial genome can affect human health have become increasingly apparent, the use of mitogenomic biomarkers (such as copy number and heteroplasmy) as toxicological endpoints has become more widely accepted. In this article, we examine several pathologies of human airway epithelium, including particle exposures, inflammatory diseases, and hyperoxia, and discuss the role of mitochondrial genotoxicity in the pathogenesis and/or exacerbation of these conditions. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1485-1499, 2021.

Glutathione reductase deficiency alters lung development and hyperoxic responses in neonatal mice

Cellular antioxidants protect against hyperoxic lung injury. The role of the glutathione (GSH) system in lung development and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) pathogenesis has not been systematically investigated. The current study utilized GSH reductase-deficient (Gsr-KO) neonatal mice to test the hypothesis that early disruption of the GSH system negatively impacts lung development and hyperoxic responses. Lungs from wild-type (Gsr-WT) and Gsr-KO mice were analyzed for histopathology, developmental markers, redox indices, and transcriptome profiling at different developmental stages following exposure to room air or hyperoxia (85% O2) for up to 14 d. Lungs from Gsr-KO mice exhibited alveolar epithelial dysplasia in the embryonic and neonatal periods with relatively normal lung architecture in adulthood. GSH and its oxidized form (GSSG) were 50-70% lower at E19-PND14 in Gsr-KO lungs than in age-matched Gsr-WT. Differential gene expression between Gsr-WT and Gsr-KO lungs was analyzed at discrete developmental stages. Gsr-KO lungs exhibited downregulated cell cycle and DNA damage checkpoint genes at E19, as well as lung lipid metabolism and surfactant genes at PND5. In addition to abnormal baseline lung morphometry, Gsr-KO mice displayed a blunted response to hyperoxia. Hyperoxia caused a more robust upregulation of the lung thioredoxin system in Gsr-KO compared to Gsr-WT. Gsr-dependent, hyperoxia-responsive genes were highly associated with abnormal cytoskeleton, skeletal-muscular function, and tissue morphology at PND5. Overall, our data in Gsr-KO mice implicate the GSH system as a key regulator of lung development, cellular differentiation, and hyperoxic responses in neonatal mice.

Mitochondrial DNA lesions and copy number are strain dependent in endurance-trained mice

In this pilot work, we selected two inbred strains that respond well to endurance training (ET) (FVB/NJ, and SJL/J strains), and two strains that respond poorly (BALB/cByJ and NZW/LacJ), to determine the effect of a standardized ET treadmill program on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (nucDNA) integrity, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. DNA was isolated from plantaris muscles (n = 37) and a gene-specific quantitative PCR-based assay was used to measure DNA lesions and mtDNA copy number. Mean mtDNA lesions were not different within strains in the sedentary or exercise-trained states. However, mtDNA lesions were significantly higher in trained low-responding NZW/LacJ mice (0.24 ± 0.06 mtDNA lesions/10 Kb) compared to high-responding strains (mtDNA lesions/10 Kb: FVB/NJ = 0.11 ± 0.01, p = .049; SJL/J = 0.04 ± 0.02; p = .003). ET did not alter mean mtDNA copy numbers for any strain, although both sedentary and trained FVB/NJ mice had significantly higher mtDNA copies (99,890 ± 4,884 mtDNA copies) compared to low-responding strains (mtDNA copies: BALB/cByJ = 69,744 ± 4,675; NZW/LacJ = 65,687 ± 5,180; p < .001). ET did not change nucDNA lesions for any strain, however, SJL/J had the lowest mean nucDNA lesions (3.5 ± 0.14 nucDNA lesions/6.5 Kb) compared to all other strains (nucDNA lesions/6.5 Kb: FVB/NJ = 4.4 ± 0.11; BALB/cByJ = 4.7 ± 0.09; NZW/LacJ = 4.4 ± 0.11; p < .0001). Our results demonstrate strain differences in plantaris muscle mtDNA lesions in ET mice and, independent of condition, differences in mean mtDNA copy and nucDNA lesions between strains.

p53-responsive TLR8 SNP enhances human innate immune response to respiratory syncytial virus

The Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8) has an important role in innate immune responses to RNA viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We previously reported that TLR8 expression was increased directly by the tumor suppressor and transcription factor p53 via a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs3761624) in the TLR8 promoter, thereby placing TLR8 in the p53/immune axis. Because this SNP is in linkage disequilibrium with other SNPs associated with several infectious diseases, we addressed the combined influence of p53 and the SNP on downstream inflammatory signaling in response to a TLR8 cognate ssRNA ligand. Using human primary lymphocytes, p53 induction by chemotherapeutic agents such as ionizing radiation caused SNP-dependent synergistic increases in IL-6 following incubation with an ssRNA ligand, as well as TLR8 RNA and protein expression along with p53 binding at the TLR-p53 SNP site. Because TLR8 is X-linked, the increases were generally reduced in heterozygous females. We found a corresponding association of the p53-responsive allele with RSV disease severity in infants hospitalized with RSV infection. We conclude that p53 can strongly influence TLR8-mediated immune responses and that knowledge of the p53-responsive SNP can inform diagnosis and prognosis of RSV disease and other diseases that might have a TLR8 component, including cancer.

Toll-like receptor 4-mediated respiratory syncytial virus disease and lung transcriptomics in differentially susceptible inbred mouse strains

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants, young children, and susceptible adults. The pathogenesis of RSV disease is not fully understood, although toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related innate immune response is known to play a role. The present study was designed to determine TLR4-mediated disease phenotypes and lung transcriptomics and to elucidate transcriptional mechanisms underlying differential RSV susceptibility in inbred strains of mice. Dominant negative Tlr4 mutant (C3H/HeJ, HeJ, Tlr4^Lps-d) and its wild-type (C3H/HeOuJ, OuJ, Tlr4^Lps-n) mice and five genetically diverse, differentially responsive strains bearing the wild-type Tlr4^Lps-n allele were infected with RSV. Bronchoalveolar lavage, histopathology, and genome-wide transcriptomics were used to characterize the pulmonary response to RSV. RSV-induced lung neutrophilia [1 day postinfection (pi)], epithelial proliferation (1 day pi), and lymphocytic infiltration (5 days pi) were significantly lower in HeJ compared with OuJ mice. Pulmonary RSV expression was also significantly suppressed in HeJ than in OuJ. Upregulation of immune/inflammatory (Cxcl3, Saa1) and heat shock protein (Hspa1a, Hsph1) genes was characteristic of OuJ mice, while cell cycle and cell death/survival genes were modulated in HeJ mice following RSV infection. Strain-specific transcriptomics suggested virus-responsive (Oasl1, Irg1, Mx1) and epidermal differentiation complex (Krt4, Lce3a) genes may contribute to TLR4-independent defense against RSV in resistant strains including C57BL/6J. The data indicate that TLR4 contributes to pulmonary RSV pathogenesis and activation of cellular immunity, the inflammasome complex, and vascular damage underlies it. Distinct transcriptomics in differentially responsive Tlr4-wild-type strains provide new insights into the mechanism of RSV disease and potential therapeutic targets.

Mitochondrial biology in airway pathogenesis and the role of NRF2

A constant improvement in understanding of mitochondrial biology has provided new insights into mitochondrial dysfunction in human disease pathogenesis. Impaired mitochondrial dynamics caused by various stressors are characterized by structural abnormalities and leakage, compromised turnover, and reactive oxygen species overproduction in mitochondria as well as increased mitochondrial DNA mutation frequency, which leads to modified energy production and mitochondria-derived cell signaling. The mitochondrial dysfunction in airway epithelial, smooth muscle, and endothelial cells has been implicated in diseases including chronic obstructive lung diseases and acute lung injury. Increasing evidence indicates that the NRF2-antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway not only enhances redox defense but also facilitates mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergetics. Identification of functional or potential AREs further supports the role for Nrf2 in mitochondrial dysfunction-associated airway disorders. While clinical reports indicate mixed efficacy, NRF2 agonists acting on respiratory mitochondrial dynamics are potentially beneficial. In lung cancer, growth advantage provided by sustained NRF2 activation is suggested to be through increased cellular antioxidant defense as well as mitochondria reinforcement and metabolic reprogramming to the preferred pathways to meet the increased energy demands of uncontrolled cell proliferation. Further studies are warranted to better understand NRF2 regulation of mitochondrial functions as therapeutic targets in airway disorders.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes upregulate mitochondrial gene expression and trigger mitochondrial dysfunction in primary human bronchial epithelial cells

Nanomaterials are a relatively new class of materials that acquire novel properties based on their reduced size. While these materials have widespread use in consumer products and industrial applications, the potential health risks associated with exposure to them remain to be fully characterized. Carbon nanotubes are among the most widely used nanomaterials and have high potential for human exposure by inhalation. These nanomaterials are known to penetrate the cell membrane and interact with intracellular molecules, resulting in a multitude of documented effects, including oxidative stress, genotoxicity, impaired metabolism, and apoptosis. While the capacity for carbon nanotubes to damage nuclear DNA has been established, the effect of exposure on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is relatively unexplored. In this study, we investigated the potential of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to impair mitochondrial gene expression and function in human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs). Primary BECs were exposed to sub-cytotoxic doses (up to 3 μg/ml) of MWCNTs for 5 d and assessed for changes in expression of all mitochondrial protein-coding genes, heteroplasmies, and insertion/deletion mutations (indels). Exposed cells were also measured for cytotoxicity, metabolic function, mitochondrial abundance, and mitophagy. We found that MWCNTs upregulated mitochondrial gene expression, while significantly decreasing oxygen consumption rate and mitochondrial abundance. Confocal microscopy revealed induction of mitophagy by 2 hours of exposure. Mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy and insertion/deletion mutations were not significantly affected by any treatment. We conclude that carbon nanotubes cause mitochondrial dysfunction that leads to mitophagy in exposed BECs via a mechanism unrelated to its reported genotoxicity.

Microbiota-derived acetate protects against respiratory syncytial virus infection through a GPR43-type 1 interferon response

Severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants <2 years-old. Here we describe that high-fiber diet protects mice from RSV infection. This effect was dependent on intestinal microbiota and production of acetate. Oral administration of acetate mediated interferon-β (IFN-β) response by increasing expression of interferon-stimulated genes in the lung. These effects were associated with reduction of viral load and pulmonary inflammation in RSV-infected mice. Type 1 IFN signaling via the IFN-1 receptor (IFNAR) was essential for acetate antiviral activity in pulmonary epithelial cell lines and for the acetate protective effect in RSV-infected mice. Activation of Gpr43 in pulmonary epithelial cells reduced virus-induced cytotoxicity and promoted antiviral effects through IFN-β response. The effect of acetate on RSV infection was abolished in Gpr43^−/− mice. Our findings reveal antiviral effects of acetate involving IFN-β in lung epithelial cells and engagement of GPR43 and IFNAR.

Dietary fibers and SCFAs can exert a protective effect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Here, the authors report that microbiota-derived acetate protects mice against RSV infection via GPR43- mediated type 1 interferon response induction in the lungs.

Sulforaphane enriched transcriptome of lung mitochondrial energy metabolism and provided pulmonary injury protection via Nrf2 in mice

Nrf2 is essential to antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated host defense. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytochemical antioxidant known to affect multiple cellular targets including Nrf2-ARE pathway in chemoprevention. However, the role of SFN in non-malignant airway disorders remain unclear. To test if pre-activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling protects lungs from oxidant-induced acute injury, wild-type (Nrf2^+/+) and Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2^-/-) mice were given SFN orally or as standardized broccoli sprout extract diet (SBE) before hyperoxia or air exposure. Hyperoxia-induced pulmonary injury and oxidation indices were significantly reduced by SFN or SBE in Nrf2^+/+ mice but not in Nrf2^-/- mice. SFN upregulated a large cluster of basal lung genes that are involved in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, energy metabolism, and cardiovascular protection only in Nrf2^+/+ mice. Bioinformatic analysis elucidated ARE-like motifs on these genes. Transcript abundance of the mitochondrial machinery genes remained significantly higher after hyperoxia exposure in SFN-treated Nrf2^+/+ mice than in SFN-treated Nrf2^-/- mice. Nuclear factor-κB was suggested to be a central molecule in transcriptome networks affected by SFN. Minor improvement of hyperoxia-caused lung histopathology and neutrophilia by SFN in Nrf2^-/- mice implies Nrf2-independent or alternate effector mechanisms. In conclusion, SFN is suggested to be as a preventive intervention in a preclinical model of acute lung injury by linking mitochondria and Nrf2. Administration of SFN alleviated acute lung injury-like pathogenesis in a Nrf2-dependent manner. Potential AREs in the SFN-inducible transcriptome for mitochondria bioenergetics provided a new insight into the downstream mechanisms of Nrf2-mediated pulmonary protection.

Inter-individual variation in health and disease associated with pulmonary infectious agents

Respiratory infectious diseases resulting from bacterial or viral pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or influenza, are major global public health concerns. Lower respiratory tract infections are leading causes of morbidity and mortality, only behind ischemic heart disease and stroke (GBD 2015 LRI Collaborators in Lancet Infect Dis 17(11):1133–1161, 2017). Developing countries are particularly impacted by these diseases. However, while many are infected with viruses such as RSV (> 90% of all individuals are infected by age 2), only sub-populations develop severe disease. Many factors may contribute to the inter-individual variation in response to respiratory infections, including gender, age, socioeconomic status, nutrition, and genetic background. Association studies with functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in biologically plausible gene candidates have been performed in human populations to provide insight to the molecular genetic contribution to pulmonary infections and disease severity. In vitro cell models and genome-wide association studies in animal models of genetic susceptibility to respiratory infections have also identified novel candidate susceptibility genes, some of which have also been found to contribute to disease susceptibility in human populations. Genetic background may also contribute to differential efficacy of vaccines against respiratory infections. Development of new genetic mouse models such as the collaborative cross and diversity outbred mice should provide additional insight to the mechanisms of genetic susceptibility to respiratory infections. Continued investigation of susceptibility factors should provide insight to novel strategies to prevent and treat disease that contributes to global morbidity and mortality attributed to respiratory infections.

Inter-individual variation in adaptations to endurance and resistance exercise training: genetic approaches towards understanding a complex phenotype

Exercise training which meets the recommendations set by the National Physical Activity Guidelines ensues a multitude of health benefits towards the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. However, not all individuals respond well to exercise training. That is, some individuals have no response, while others respond poorly. Genetic background is known to contribute to the inter-individual (human) and -strain (e.g., mice, rats) variation with acute exercise and exercise training, though to date, no specific genetic factors have been identified that explain the differential responses to exercise. In this review, we provide an overview of studies in human and animal models that have shown a significant contribution of genetics in acute exercise and exercise training-induced adaptations with standardized endurance and resistance training regimens, and further describe the genetic approaches which have been used to demonstrate such responses. Finally, our current understanding of the role of genetics and exercise is limited primarily to the nuclear genome, while only a limited focus has been given to a potential role of the mitochondrial genome and its interactions with the nuclear genome to predict the exercise training-induced phenotype(s) responses. We therefore discuss the mitochondrial genome and literature that suggests it may play a significant role, particularly through interactions with the nuclear genome, in the inherent ability to respond to exercise.

Genetic determinants of susceptibility to silver nanoparticle-induced acute lung inflammation in mice

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are employed in a variety of consumer products; however, in vivo rodent studies indicate that AgNPs can cause lung inflammation and toxicity in a strain- and particle type-dependent manner, but mechanisms of susceptibility remain unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the variation in AgNP-induced lung inflammation and toxicity across multiple inbred mouse strains and to use genome-wide association (GWA) mapping to identify potential candidate susceptibility genes. Mice received doses of 0.25 mg/kg of either 20-nm citrate-coated AgNPs or citrate buffer using oropharyngeal aspiration. Neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) served as markers of inflammation. We found significant strain- and treatment-dependent variation in neutrophils in BALF. GWA mapping identified 10 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (false discovery rate, 15%) in 4 quantitative trait loci on mouse chromosomes 1, 4, 15, and 18, and Nedd4l (neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-like; chromosome 18), Ano6 (anocatmin 6; chromosome 15), and Rnf220 (Ring finger protein 220; chromosome 4) were considered candidate genes. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed significant inverse associations between mRNA levels of these genes and neutrophil influx. Nedd4l, Ano6, and Rnf220 are candidate susceptibility genes for AgNP-induced lung inflammation that warrant additional exploration in future studies.-Scoville, D. K., Botta, D., Galdanes, K., Schmuck, S. C., White, C. C., Stapleton, P. L., Bammler, T. K., MacDonald, J. W., Altemeier, W. A., Hernandez, M., Kleeberger, S. R., Chen, L.-C., Gordon, T., Kavanagh, T. J. Genetic determinants of susceptibility to silver nanoparticle-induced acute lung inflammation in mice.

Potential therapeutic targets in Nrf2-dependent protection against neonatal respiratory distress disease predicted by cDNA microarray analysis and bioinformatics tools

Hyperoxia exposure of newborn rodents has served as a model for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) phenotypes found in a sub-population of human premature infants. We previously demonstrated that Nrf2 modulates molecular events during saccular-to-alveolar lung maturation and also has a protective role in the pathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury, mortality, arrest of saccular-to-alveolar transition, and lung injury, using Nrf2-deficient and wild-type neonate mice. In this review, we describe how whole-genome transcriptome analyses can identify the means through which Nrf2 transcriptionally modulates organ injury and morphology, cellular growth/proliferation, vasculature development, and immune response during BPD-like pathogenesis. We illustrate how recently developed bioinformatics tools can be used to identify sets of Nrf2-dependently modulated genes in the BPD model, and elucidate direct Nrf2 downstream targets and chemicals/drugs that may act on them. These approaches will provide significant insights into promising therapeutic agents for Nrf2-dependent treatments of complications of preterm birth like BPD.

Determinants of host susceptibility to murine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease identify a role for the innate immunity scavenger receptor MARCO gene in human infants

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the global leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants. Nearly 30% of all infected infants develop severe disease including bronchiolitis, but susceptibility mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

We infected a panel of 30 inbred strains of mice with RSV and measured changes in lung disease parameters 1 and 5 days post-infection and they were used in genome-wide association (GWA) studies to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and susceptibility gene candidates.

Findings

GWA identified QTLs for RSV disease phenotypes, and the innate immunity scavenger receptor Marco was a candidate susceptibility gene; targeted deletion of Marco worsened murine RSV disease. We characterized a human MARCO promoter SNP that caused loss of gene expression, increased in vitro cellular response to RSV infection, and associated with increased risk of disease severity in two independent populations of children infected with RSV.

Interpretation

Translational integration of a genetic animal model and in vitro human studies identified a role for MARCO in human RSV disease severity. Because no RSV vaccines are approved for clinical use, genetic studies have implications for diagnosing individuals who are at risk for severe RSV disease, and disease prevention strategies (e.g. RSV antibodies).

•

In a panel of inbred strains of mice, RSV disease phenotypes were characterized that resemble those in human disease.

•

We identified Marco as a susceptibility gene, and a human MARCO mutation increased risk of disease severity in children.

•

These studies have implications for diagnosing individuals who are at risk for severe RSV disease and prevent disease.

RSV disease is the primary global cause for hospitalization one year after birth but the causes of differential RSV disease severity are not understood. We show that RSV disease phenotypes vary significantly between inbred strains of mice, and resemble those in human disease. We used genetic approaches to identify and validate the innate immunity gene Marco as a host susceptibility determinant for murine RSV disease. We then characterized a loss of function polymorphism in human MARCO that increases risk of severe RSV disease risk in infants. Results have important implications for identifying genetic risk factors for severe RSV disease.

Effects of mannose-binding lectin on pulmonary gene expression and innate immune inflammatory response to ozone

Ozone is a common, potent oxidant pollutant in industrialized nations. Ozone exposure causes airway hyperreactivity, lung hyperpermeability, inflammation, and cell damage in humans and laboratory animals, and exposure to ozone has been associated with exacerbation of asthma, altered lung function, and mortality. The mechanisms of ozone-induced lung injury and differential susceptibility are not fully understood. Ozone-induced lung inflammation is mediated, in part, by the innate immune system. We hypothesized that mannose-binding lectin (MBL), an innate immunity serum protein, contributes to the proinflammatory events caused by ozone-mediated activation of the innate immune system. Wild-type (Mbl(+/+)) and MBL-deficient (Mbl(-/-)) mice were exposed to ozone (0.3 ppm) for up to 72 h, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was examined for inflammatory markers. Mean numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils and levels of the neutrophil attractants C-X-C motif chemokines 2 [Cxcl2 (major intrinsic protein 2)] and 5 [Cxcl5 (limb expression, LIX)] in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly lower in Mbl(-/-) than Mbl(+/+) mice exposed to ozone. Using genome-wide mRNA microarray analyses, we identified significant differences in transcript response profiles and networks at baseline [e.g., nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (NRF2)-mediated oxidative stress response] and after exposure (e.g., humoral immune response) between Mbl(+/+) and Mbl(-/-) mice. The microarray data were further analyzed to discover several informative differential response patterns and subsequent gene sets, including the antimicrobial response and the inflammatory response. We also used the lists of gene transcripts to search the LINCS L1000CDS(2) data sets to identify agents that are predicted to perturb ozone-induced changes in gene transcripts and inflammation. These novel findings demonstrate that targeted deletion of Mbl caused differential levels of inflammation-related gene sets at baseline and after exposure to ozone and significantly reduced pulmonary inflammation, thus indicating an important innate immunomodulatory role of the gene in this model.

A Polymorphic Antioxidant Response Element Links NRF2/sMAF Binding to Enhanced MAPT Expression and Reduced Risk of Parkinsonian Disorders

The NRF2/sMAF protein complex regulates the oxidative stress response by occupying cis-acting enhancers containing an antioxidant response element (ARE). Integrating genome-wide maps of NRF2/sMAF occupancy with disease-susceptibility loci, we discovered eight polymorphic AREs linked to 14 highly ranked disease-risk SNPs in individuals of European ancestry. Among these SNPs was rs242561, located within a regulatory region of the MAPT gene (encoding microtubule-associated protein Tau). It was consistently occupied by NRF2/sMAF in multiple experiments and its strong-binding allele associated with higher mRNA levels in cell lines and human brain tissue. Induction of MAPT transcription by NRF2 was confirmed using a human neuroblastoma cell line and a Nrf2-deficient mouse model. Most importantly, rs242561 displayed complete linkage disequilibrium with a highly protective allele identified in multiple GWASs of progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson's disease, and corticobasal degeneration. These observations suggest a potential role for NRF2/sMAF in tauopathies and a possible role for NRF2 pathway activators in disease prevention.

Functional polymorphisms in Nrf2: implications for human disease

Nuclear factor (erythroid derived)-2 like 2 (NFE2L2), also known as nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), is a ubiquitous transcription factor essential for protecting cells and tissues from oxidative stress-induced injury. Positional cloning and studies with Nrf2 knockout mice have identified important roles for this transcription factor in disease phenotypes for many organ systems. Studies have also characterized the means through which human Nrf2 is regulated and the mechanisms of interaction with antioxidant response elements (ARE) in promoters of effector genes. Moreover, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Nrf2 have been identified and evaluated for effects on gene expression and function, and translational investigations have sought to determine whether loss of function SNPs associate with disease progression. In this review, we present 1) an overview of the human Nrf2 gene and protein domain, 2) identification of genetic mutations in Nrf2 and associations of the mutations with multiple diseases, and 3) the role of somatic mutations in Nrf2 in diseases, primarily various cancers.

Novel Roles for Notch3 and Notch4 Receptors in Gene Expression and Susceptibility to Ozone-Induced Lung Inflammation in Mice

BACKGROUND

Ozone is a highly toxic air pollutant and global health concern. Mechanisms of genetic susceptibility to ozone-induced lung inflammation are not completely understood. We hypothesized that Notch3 and Notch4 are important determinants of susceptibility to ozone-induced lung inflammation.

METHODS

Wild-type (WT), Notch3 (Notch3-/-), and Notch4 (Notch4-/-) knockout mice were exposed to ozone (0.3 ppm) or filtered air for 6-72 hr.

RESULTS

Relative to air-exposed controls, ozone increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein, a marker of lung permeability, in all genotypes, but significantly greater concentrations were found in Notch4-/- compared with WT and Notch3-/- mice. Significantly greater mean numbers of BALF neutrophils were found in Notch3-/- and Notch4-/- mice compared with WT mice after ozone exposure. Expression of whole lung Tnf was significantly increased after ozone in Notch3-/- and Notch4-/- mice, and was significantly greater in Notch3-/- compared with WT mice. Statistical analyses of the transcriptome identified differentially expressed gene networks between WT and knockout mice basally and after ozone, and included Trim30, a member of the inflammasome pathway, and Traf6, an inflammatory signaling member.

CONCLUSIONS

These novel findings are consistent with Notch3 and Notch4 as susceptibility genes for ozone-induced lung injury, and suggest that Notch receptors protect against innate immune inflammation.

Association of Nrf2 polymorphism haplotypes with acute lung injury phenotypes in inbred strains of mice

AIMS

Nrf2 is a master transcription factor for antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated cytoprotective gene induction. A protective role for pulmonary Nrf2 was determined in model oxidative disorders, including hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (ALI). To obtain additional insights into the function and genetic regulation of Nrf2, we assessed functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Nrf2 in inbred mouse strains and tested whether sequence variation is associated with hyperoxia susceptibility.

RESULTS

Nrf2 SNPs were compiled from publicly available databases and by re-sequencing DNA from inbred strains. Hierarchical clustering of Nrf2 SNPs categorized the strains into three major haplotypes. Hyperoxia susceptibility was greater in haplotypes 2 and 3 strains than in haplotype 1 strains. A promoter SNP -103 T/C adding an Sp1 binding site in haplotype 2 diminished promoter activation basally and under hyperoxia. Haplotype 3 mice bearing nonsynonymous coding SNPs located in (1862 A/T, His543Gln) and adjacent to (1417 T/C, Thr395Ile) the Neh1 domain showed suppressed nuclear transactivation of pulmonary Nrf2 relative to other strains, and overexpression of haplotype 3 Nrf2 showed lower ARE responsiveness than overexpression of haplotype 1 Nrf2 in airway cells. Importantly, we found a significant correlation of Nrf2 haplotypes and hyperoxic lung injury phenotypes.

INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION

The results indicate significant influence of Nrf2 polymorphisms and haplotypes on gene function and hyperoxia susceptibility. Our findings further support Nrf2 as a genetic determinant in ALI pathogenesis and provide useful tools for investigators who use mouse strains classified by Nrf2 haplotypes to elucidate the role for Nrf2 in oxidative disorders.

TLR4 genotype and environmental LPS mediate RSV bronchiolitis through Th2 polarization

While 30%-70% of RSV-infected infants develop bronchiolitis, 2% require hospitalization. It is not clear why disease severity differs among healthy, full-term infants; however, virus titers, inflammation, and Th2 bias are proposed explanations. While TLR4 is associated with these disease phenotypes, the role of this receptor in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pathogenesis is controversial. Here, we evaluated the interaction between TLR4 and environmental factors in RSV disease and defined the immune mediators associated with severe illness. Two independent populations of infants with RSV bronchiolitis revealed that the severity of RSV infection is determined by the TLR4 genotype of the individual and by environmental exposure to LPS. RSV-infected infants with severe disease exhibited a high GATA3/T-bet ratio, which manifested as a high IL-4/IFN-γ ratio in respiratory secretions. The IL-4/IFN-γ ratio present in infants with severe RSV is indicative of Th2 polarization. Murine models of RSV infection confirmed that LPS exposure, Tlr4 genotype, and Th2 polarization influence disease phenotypes. Together, the results of this study identify environmental and genetic factors that influence RSV pathogenesis and reveal that a high IL-4/IFN-γ ratio is associated with severe disease. Moreover, these molecules should be explored as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.

Noblesse oblige: NRF2 functions in the airways

The transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF), erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), was discovered nearly 2 decades ago. Since then, over 4,000 papers have been published on NRF2 function in diverse biological systems, and it has been found to be a critical regulator of antioxidant and defense genes with antioxidant response elements in their promoters. NRF2 is particularly important in protecting cells and tissues under highly oxidative microenvironments, including the airways that interface with the external environment and are exposed to pollutants and other oxidant stressors. Using mice with targeted deletion of Nrf2, a protective role for this transcription factor has been determined in many model diseases, including acute lung injury, emphysema, allergy and asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, and respiratory syncytial virus disease. Recent studies have also found that murine Nrf2 is important in lung development and protection against neonatal lung injury. Moreover, functional polymorphisms in human NRF2 have been known to associate with disease severity, indicating a potentially important protective function. However, there is also a "dark side" to NRF2 function, as it has been found to enhance advanced stages of carcinogenesis in the lung and some other tissues. NRF2 inducers such as phytochemical isothyocyanates and synthetic triterpenoids, have been discovered and used in model systems of oxidant-induced lung diseases, and data suggest a potential for clinical interventions. Future investigations of NRF2 should yield further insight into its contribution to normal and pathophysiological conditions in the airways, and alternative treatment strategies to protect against oxidative respiratory disease.

Genome-wide association mapping of acute lung injury in neonatal inbred mice

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the pathogenesis of many acute and chronic pulmonary disorders, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a respiratory condition that affects preterm infants. However, the mechanisms of susceptibility to oxidant stress in neonatal lungs are not completely understood. We evaluated the role of genetic background in response to oxidant stress in the neonatal lung by exposing mice from 36 inbred strains to hyperoxia (95% O2) for 72 h after birth. Hyperoxia-induced lung injury was evaluated by using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis and pathology. Statistically significant interstrain variation was found for BALF inflammatory cells and protein (heritability estimates range: 33.6-55.7%). Genome-wide association mapping using injury phenotypes identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. Comparative mapping of the chromosome 6 QTLs identified Chrm2 (cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 2, cardiac) as a candidate susceptibility gene, and mouse strains with a nonsynonymous coding single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in Chrm2 that causes an amino acid substitution (P265L) had significantly reduced hyperoxia-induced inflammation compared to strains without the SNP. Further, hyperoxia-induced lung injury was significantly reduced in neonatal mice with targeted deletion of Chrm2, relative to wild-type controls. This study has important implications for understanding the mechanisms of oxidative lung injury in neonates.

A genetic model of differential susceptibility to human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the primary cause of lower respiratory tract infection during childhood and causes severe symptoms in some patients, which may cause hospitalization and death. Mechanisms for differential responses to RSV are unknown. Our objective was to develop an in vitro model of RSV infection to evaluate interindividual variation in response to RSV and identify susceptibility genes. Populations of human-derived HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) were infected with RSV. Compared with controls, RSV-G mRNA expression varied from ~1- to 400-fold between LCLs. Basal expression of a number of gene transcripts, including myxovirus (influenza virus) resistance 1 (MX1), significantly correlated with RSV-G expression in HapMap LCLs. Individuals in a case-control population of RSV-infected children who were homozygous (n=94) or heterozygous (n=172) for the predicted deleterious A allele in a missense G/A SNP in MX1 had significantly greater risk for developing severe RSV disease relative to those with the major allele (n=108) (χ(2)=5.305, P=0.021; OR: 1.750, 95% CI: 1.110, 2.758, P=0.021). We conclude that genetically diverse human LCLs enable identification of susceptibility genes (e.g., MX1) for RSV disease severity in children, providing insight for disease risk.

Genetic susceptibility to interstitial pulmonary fibrosis in mice induced by vanadium pentoxide (V2O5)

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are characterized by injury, inflammation, and scarring of alveoli, leading to impaired function. The etiology of idiopathic forms of ILD is not understood, making them particularly difficult to study due to the lack of appropriate animal models. Consequently, few effective therapies have emerged. We developed an inbred mouse model of ILD using vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), the most common form of a transition metal found in cigarette smoke, fuel ash, mineral ores, and steel alloys. Pulmonary responses to V2O5, including dose-dependent increases in lung permeability, inflammation, collagen content, and dysfunction, were significantly greater in DBA/2J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice. Inflammatory and fibrotic responses persisted for 4 mo in DBA/2J mice, while limited responses in C57BL/6J mice resolved. We investigated the genetic basis for differential responses through genetic mapping of V2O5-induced lung collagen content in BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains and identified significant linkage on chromosome 4 with candidate genes that associate with V2O5-induced collagen content across the RI strains. Results suggest that V2O5 may induce pulmonary fibrosis through mechanisms distinct from those in other models of pulmonary fibrosis. These findings should further advance our understanding of mechanisms involved in ILD and thereby aid in identification of new therapeutic targets.

N-acetylcysteine protects murine alveolar type II cells from cigarette smoke injury in a nuclear erythroid 2-related factor-2-independent manner

Emphysema is caused by the cigarette smoke (CS)-induced destruction of alveolar wall septa, and CS is the main risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To study the mechanisms of response to this insult, we focused on oxidant-induced lung injury and the potential role of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), which is a key regulator of the antioxidant defense system. We studied the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against the injury of alveolar type II (ATII) cells induced by CS in vivo and in vitro. ATII cells were isolated and purified using magnetic MicroBeads (Miltenyi Biotec, Auburn, CA) from Nrf2(-/-) mice and wild-type mice. We analyzed pulmonary injury, inflammation, glutathione (GSH) concentrations, the expression of glutathione cysteine ligase catalytic subunit mRNA, glutathione cysteine ligase modifier subunit mRNA, and glutathione reductase mRNA, and Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-reduced:quinone oxireductase levels by Western blotting, TUNEL assay, and immunocytofluorescence for 4-hydroxynonenal as a marker of oxidative stress. We found that CS induced greater injury in ATII cells obtained from Nrf2(-/-) mice than from wild-type mice. Furthermore, NAC attenuated the injuries by CS in ATII cells obtained from wild-type mice both in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, NAC decreased the injury of ATII cells obtained from Nrf2(-/-) mice. Our results suggest that Nrf2-GSH signaling is important for the protective activity of NAC. In addition, in ATII cells deficient in Nrf2, this compound can provide partial protection through its reactive oxygen species-scavenging activities. Targeting the antioxidant system regulated by Nrf2 may provide an effective strategy against lung injury in COPD.

Targeted deletion of nrf2 impairs lung development and oxidant injury in neonatal mice

AIMS

Nrf2 is an essential transcription factor for protection against oxidant disorders. However, its role in organ development and neonatal disease has received little attention. Therapeutically administered oxygen has been considered to contribute to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in prematurity. The current study was performed to determine Nrf2-mediated molecular events during saccular-to-alveolar lung maturation, and the role of Nrf2 in the pathogenesis of hyperoxic lung injury using newborn Nrf2-deficient (Nrf2(-/-)) and wild-type (Nrf2(+/+)) mice.

RESULTS

Pulmonary basal expression of cell cycle, redox balance, and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism genes was lower while lymphocyte immunity genes were more highly expressed in Nrf2(-/-) neonates than in Nrf2(+/+) neonates. Hyperoxia-induced phenotypes, including mortality, arrest of saccular-to-alveolar transition, and lung edema, and inflammation accompanying DNA damage and tissue oxidation were significantly more severe in Nrf2(-/-) neonates than in Nrf2(+/+) neonates. During lung injury pathogenesis, Nrf2 orchestrated expression of lung genes involved in organ injury and morphology, cellular growth/proliferation, vasculature development, immune response, and cell-cell interaction. Bioinformatic identification of Nrf2 binding motifs and augmented hyperoxia-induced inflammation in genetically deficient neonates supported Gpx2 and Marco as Nrf2 effectors.

INNOVATION

This investigation used lung transcriptomics and gene targeted mice to identify novel molecular events during saccular-to-alveolar stage transition and to elucidate Nrf2 downstream mechanisms in protection from hyperoxia-induced injury in neonate mouse lungs.

CONCLUSION

Nrf2 deficiency augmented lung injury and arrest of alveolarization caused by hyperoxia during the newborn period. Results suggest a therapeutic potential of specific Nrf2 activators for oxidative stress-associated neonatal disorders including BPD.

Identification of novel NRF2-regulated genes by ChIP-Seq: influence on retinoid X receptor alpha

Cellular oxidative and electrophilic stress triggers a protective response in mammals regulated by NRF2 (nuclear factor (erythroid-derived) 2-like; NFE2L2) binding to deoxyribonucleic acid-regulatory sequences near stress-responsive genes. Studies using Nrf2-deficient mice suggest that hundreds of genes may be regulated by NRF2. To identify human NRF2-regulated genes, we conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing experiments in lymphoid cells treated with the dietary isothiocyanate, sulforaphane (SFN) and carried out follow-up biological experiments on candidates. We found 242 high confidence, NRF2-bound genomic regions and 96% of these regions contained NRF2-regulatory sequence motifs. The majority of binding sites were near potential novel members of the NRF2 pathway. Validation of selected candidate genes using parallel ChIP techniques and in NRF2-silenced cell lines indicated that the expression of about two-thirds of the candidates are likely to be directly NRF2-dependent including retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRA). NRF2 regulation of RXRA has implications for response to retinoid treatments and adipogenesis. In mouse, 3T3-L1 cells' SFN treatment affected Rxra expression early in adipogenesis, and knockdown of Nrf2-delayed Rxra expression, both leading to impaired adipogenesis.

Mouse models of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is a component of many interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, progressive disease for which there is currently no effective therapy. Bleomycin has been widely used in rodents to model pulmonary fibrosis for the study of mechanisms involved in fibrogenesis and for evaluation of potential therapies. Bleomycin induces DNA strand breaks, resulting in pulmonary inflammation, injury, and subsequent interstitial fibrosis. This unit describes methods for delivering bleomycin, either directly into the lung or systemically, to create models of pulmonary fibrosis in rodents. Also described is a rapid and easy procedure for measuring lung collagen content to quantify the severity of fibrosis.

Human rhinoviruses in severe respiratory disease in very low birth weight infants

OBJECTIVES

To assess incidence, burden of illness, and risk factors for human rhinoviruses (HRVs) in a cohort of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

METHODS

A 2-year prospective cohort study was conducted among VLBW premature infants in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Infants were enrolled in the NICU from June 1, 2003, to May 31, 2005, and managed monthly and with every acute respiratory illness (ARI) during the first year of life. Nasal wash samples were obtained during every respiratory episode and tested for HRV, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human parainfluenza viruses, influenza viruses, and human metapneumovirus using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Of 119 patients, 66 (55%) had HRV-associated ARIs. The incidence of HRV-associated ARI was 123 events per 100 child-years of follow-up. Of those infants experiencing an episode of bronchiolitis, 40% had HRV versus 7% with RSV. The incidence of HRV-associated bronchiolitis was 75 per 100 infant-years of follow-up. HRV was associated with 12 of 36 hospitalizations (33%), and RSV was associated with 9 of 36 hospitalizations (25%). The incidence of HRV-associated hospitalization was 12 per 100 infant-years of follow-up. The risk of HRV-associated hospitalization was higher for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and those who were not breastfed.

CONCLUSIONS

HRV is an important and frequent pathogen associated with severe respiratory infections in VLBW infants. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and the absence of breastfeeding are risk factors for hospitalization. The results of our study reveal that HRV is the predominant pathogen of respiratory infections in premature infants.

Cardiac physiologic and genetic predictors of hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury in mice

Exposure of mice to hyperoxia produces pulmonary toxicity similar to acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome, but little is known about the interactions within the cardiopulmonary system. This study was designed to characterize the cardiopulmonary response to hyperoxia, and to identify candidate susceptibility genes in mice. Electrocardiogram and ventilatory data were recorded continuously from 4 inbred and 29 recombinant inbred strains during 96 hours of hyperoxia (100% oxygen). Genome-wide linkage analysis was performed in 27 recombinant inbred strains against response time indices (TIs) calculated from each cardiac phenotype. Reductions in minute ventilation, heart rate (HR), low-frequency (LF) HR variability (HRV), high-frequency HRV, and total power HRV were found in all mice during hyperoxia exposure, but the lag time before these changes began was strain dependent. Significant (chromosome 9) or suggestive (chromosomes 3 and 5) quantitative trait loci were identified for the HRTI and LFTI. Functional polymorphisms in several candidate susceptibility genes were identified within the quantitative trait loci and were associated with hyperoxia susceptibility. This is the first study to report highly significant interstrain variation in hyperoxia-induced changes in minute ventilation, HR, and HRV, and to identify polymorphisms in candidate susceptibility genes that associate with cardiac responses. Results indicate that changes in HR and LF HRV could be important predictors of subsequent adverse outcome during hyperoxia exposure, specifically the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. Understanding the genetic mechanisms of these responses may have significant diagnostic clinical value.