Hemoglobin is expressed in alveolar epithelial type II cells

Hemoglobin is the main oxygen carrying heme protein in erythrocytes. In an effort to study the differential gene expression of alveolar epithelial type I and type II cells using DNA microarray technique, we found that the mRNAs of hemoglobin alpha- and beta-chains were expressed in type II cells, but not in type I cells. The microarray data were confirmed by RT-PCR. The mRNA expression of both chains decreased when type II cells trans-differentiated into type I-like cells. Immunocyto/histochemistry revealed that hemoglobin protein was specifically localized in type II cells of a lung cell mixture and rat lung tissue. The endogenous synthesis of hemoglobin in alveolar epithelial cells suggests that hemoglobin may have unidentified functions other than oxygen transport in the lung.     

TGF-beta1 induces alveolar epithelial to mesenchymal transition in vitro

The aim of this study was to investigate whether transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) could induce alveolar epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. Alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) from SD rats were isolated by elastase cell dispersion and IgG panning. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was assayed using Western blotting and immunostaining analysis. Morphological changes, the markers of epithelial cell (E-cadherin), and stress fiber by actin reorganization were detected by an indirect immunostaining. The contents of collagen I were determined by spectrophotometry. The levels of endogenous TGF-beta1 were measured with ELISA. Incubation of AECs with TGF-beta1 (0.1 approximately 10 ng/mL) induced abundant expression of alpha-SMA protein, and alpha-SMA expression in AECs reached a plateau when TGF-beta1 was > 3 ng/mL. Furthermore, we found that TGF-beta1 (3 ng/mL) exposure of AECs induced an authentic EMT characterized by abundant expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, transformation of myofibroblastic morphology, increased formation of stress fiber by actin reorganization, and loss of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Meanwhile, significant increase in the levels of collagen I from 32.0 +/- 6.6 mg/g in control to 98 +/- 10.8 mg/g in TGF-beta1-treated group was found over a 72 h incubation period. Moreover, following stimulated by TGF-beta1 (3 ng/mL), a marked and time-dependent increase in endogenous TGF-beta1 released from AECs was observed. At time points 72 h, TGF-beta1 release mounted to 3451 pg/ml, which was much enough to induce EMT in vitro. These results demonstrated that AECs, under stimulation of TGF-beta1, underwent a conversion process into myofibroblasts in vitro.     

Expression analysis of the novel gene collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1)

We recently identified collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1) as a novel gene induced in adventitial fibroblasts after arterial injury. Cthrc1 is a 30 kDa secreted protein that has the ability to inhibit collagen matrix synthesis. Cthrc1 is also glycosylated and retains a signal sequence consistent with the presence of Cthrc1 in the extracellular space. In injured arteries and skin wounds, we have found Cthrc1 expression to be associated with myofibroblasts and sites of collagen matrix deposition. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Cthrc1 inhibits collagen matrix deposition in vitro. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we characterized the expression domains of Cthrc1 during murine embryonic development and in postnatal tissues. In mouse embryos, Cthrc1 was expressed in the visceral endoderm, notochord, neural tube, developing kidney, and heart. Abundant expression of Cthrc1 was observed in the developing skeleton, i.e., in cartilage primordia, in growth plate cartilage with exclusion of the hypertrophic zone, in the bone matrix and periostium. Bones from adults showed expression of Cthrc1 only in the bone matrix and periostium while the articular cartilage lacked expression. Cthrc1 is typically expressed at epithelial-mesenchymal interfaces that include the epidermis and dermis, basal corneal epithelium, airway epithelium, esophagus epithelium, choroid plexus epithelium, and meninges. In the adult kidney, collecting ducts and distal tubuli expressed Cthrc1. Collectively, the sites of Cthrc1 expression overlap considerably with those reported for TGF-beta family members and interstitial collagens. The present study provides useful information towards the understanding of potential Cthrc1 functions.     

Proteome analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage in lung diseases

The proteomic approach is complementary to genomics and enables protein composition to be investigated under various clinical conditions. Its application to the study of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is extremely promising. BAL proteomic studies were initially based on two-dimensional electrophoretic separation of complex protein samples and subsequent identification of proteins by different methods. With the techniques available today it is possible to attain many different research objectives. BAL proteomics can contribute to the identification of proteins in alveolar spaces with possible insights into pathogenesis and clinical application for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Many proteins with different functions have already been identified in BAL. Some could be biomarkers that need to be individually confirmed by correlation with clinical parameters and validation by other methods on larger cohorts of patients. The standardization of BAL sample preparation and processing for proteomic studies is an important goal that would promote and facilitate clinical applications. Here, we review the principal literature on BAL proteomic analysis applied to the study of lung diseases.     

Allogeneic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Restore Epithelial Protein Permeability in Cultured Human Alveolar Type II Cells by Secretion of Angiopoietin-1

Acute lung injury is characterized by injury to the lung epithelium that leads to impaired resolution of pulmonary edema and also facilitates accumulation of protein-rich edema fluid and inflammatory cells in the distal airspaces of the lung. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may have therapeutic value for the treatment of acute lung injury. Here we tested the ability of human allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells to restore epithelial permeability to protein across primary cultures of polarized human alveolar epithelial type II cells after an inflammatory insult. Alveolar epithelial type II cells were grown on a Transwell plate with an air-liquid interface and injured by cytomix, a combination of IL-1β, TNFα, and IFNγ. Protein permeability measured by ¹³¹I-labeled albumin flux was increased by 5-fold over 24 h after cytokine-induced injury. Co-culture of human MSC restored type II cell epithelial permeability to protein to control levels. Using siRNA knockdown of potential paracrine soluble factors, we found that angiopoietin-1 secretion was responsible for this beneficial effect in part by preventing actin stress fiber formation and claudin 18 disorganization through suppression of NFκB activity. This study provides novel evidence for a beneficial effect of MSC on alveolar epithelial permeability to protein.     

Proteomics of rat biological fluids--the tenth anniversary update

In addition to a remarkable sexual dimorphism of serum and urine proteomes, the rat is exceptional for the wide difference between the serum patterns during an acute phase reaction vs baseline conditions. This feature allows monitoring with high sensitivity onset and progression of any pathological state that involves an inflammatory component as well as assessing the outcome of any therapeutic intervention. Reference maps have been defined for the proteomes of serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. For both serum and urine most of the proteomic investigations have dealt with toxicological testing, for BALF with allergic or irritative reactions, whereas with CSF the main aim was the characterization of rat models of neurological disorders. When surveying more than ten years of literature on rat biological fluid proteomics, it is puzzling to see how seldom a consistent analytical plan has been set up for the comparative investigation on two or more types of sample, whether to fully characterize a disease model or to evaluate pharmacological/toxicological effects of a drug. It is also regrettable that in several cases only a negligible part of the results is discussed at length whereas most data are not even made known to the scientific community.     

WNT7B in fibroblastic foci of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating interstitial pneumonia causing a loss of respiratory surface area due to a proliferative fibrotic response involving hyperplastic, hypertrophic, and metaplastic epithelium, cystic honeycomb change, septal expansion, and variable inflammation. Wnt (wingless) signaling glycoproteins are known to be involved in lung development and tissue repair, and are up-regulated in patients with IPF. Based on previous qRT-PCR data showing increased Wnt7B in lungs of IPF patients, a systematic, quantitative examination of its tissue site distribution was undertaken.

Methods

Tissue samples from the Lung Tissue Research Consortium (LTRC) of 39 patients diagnosed with mild to severe IPF/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and 19 normal patients were examined for the immunolocalization of Wnt7B.

Results

In normal lung, moderate Wnt7B reactivity was confined to airway epithelium, smooth muscle of airways and vasculature, and macrophages. IPF lung showed strong Wnt7B reactivity in fibroblastic foci, dysplastic airway and alveolar epithelium, and in highly discrete subepithelial, basement membrane-associated regions. All reactive sites were sized and counted relative to specific microscopic regions. Those in the subepithelial sites were found in significantly greater numbers and larger relative area compared with the others. No reactive sites were present in normal patient controls.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate Wnt7B to be expressed at high concentrations in regions of active hyperplasia, metaplasia, and fibrotic change in IPF patients. In this context and its previously established biologic activities, Wnt7B would be expected to be of potential importance in the pathogenesis of IPF.     

Lipoteichoic acid induces surfactant protein-A biosynthesis in human alveolar type II epithelial cells through activating the MEK1/2-ERK1/2-NF-κB pathway

Background

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways but recent studies have shown that alveoli are also subject to pathophysiological changes. This study was undertaken to compare hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations in different parts of the lung using a new technique of fractioned breath condensate sampling.

Methods

In 52 children (9-17 years, 32 asthmatic patients, 20 controls) measurements of exhaled nitric oxide (FE_NO), lung function, H₂O₂ in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and the asthma control test (ACT) were performed. Exhaled breath condensate was collected in two different fractions, representing mainly either the airways or the alveoli. H₂O₂ was analysed in the airway and alveolar fractions and compared to clinical parameters.

Results

The exhaled H₂O₂ concentration was significantly higher in the airway fraction than in the alveolar fraction comparing each single pair (p = 0.003, 0.032 and 0.040 for the whole study group, the asthmatic group and the control group, respectively). Asthma control, measured by the asthma control test (ACT), correlated significantly with the H₂O₂ concentrations in the alveolar fraction (r = 0.606, p = 0.004) but not with those in the airway fraction in the group of children above 12 years. FE_NO values and lung function parameters did not correlate to the H₂O₂ concentrations of each fraction.

Conclusion

The new technique of fractionated H₂O₂ measurement may differentiate H₂O₂ concentrations in different parts of the lung in asthmatic and control children. H₂O₂ concentrations of the alveolar fraction may be related to the asthma control test in children.