Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the 1-cys peroxiredoxin gene to mouse lung protects against hyperoxic injury

1-Cys peroxiredoxin (1-cysPrx) is a novel antioxidant enzyme that has been shown to reduce a broad spectrum of peroxides including phospholipid hydroperoxides. We tested the hypothesis that adenovirus-mediated transfer of the 1-cysPrx gene can protect lungs of mice from oxidant injury. Mice infected with AdLacZ/AdNull were used as a control (AdCon). X-galactosidase staining revealed widespread expression of the LacZ gene in airways and lung alveoli. Compared with AdCon, 1-cysPrx expression was increased about twofold at 3 days after adenovirus infection. Mice with increased Prx expression showed less loss of body weight and longer survival during exposure to 100% O(2) or to 85% O(2) for 4 days followed by 100% O(2). At 72 h of 100% O(2) exposure, AdPrx infection protected mouse lungs from injury as indicated by less pleural effusion, lower lung wet/dry weight, less protein and fewer nucleated cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and lower content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls in lung homogenate. These findings show that increased expression of 1-cysPrx through adenovirus-mediated gene transfer protects mouse lungs from hyperoxic injury and delays death.     

RAB26-dependent autophagy protects adherens junctional integrity in acute lung injury

Microvascular barrier dysfunction is the central pathophysiological feature of acute lung injury (ALI). RAB26 is a newly identified small GTPase involved in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) permeability. However, the mechanism behind this protection has not been clearly elucidated. Here we found that RAB26 promoted the integrity of adherens junctions (AJs) in a macroautophagy/autophagy-dependent manner in ALI. RAB26 is frequently downregulated in mouse lungs after LPS treatment. Mice lacking Rab26 exhibited phosphorylated SRC expression and increased CDH5/VE-cadherin phosphorylation, leading to AJ destruction. rab26-null mice showed further aggravation of the effects of endotoxin insult on lung vascular permeability and water content. Depletion of RAB26 resulted in upregulation of phosphorylated SRC, enhancement of CDH5 phosphorylation, and aggravation of CDH5 internalization, thereby weakening AJ integrity and endothelial barrier function in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). RAB26 overexpression caused active interaction between SRC and the autophagy marker LC3-II and promoted degradation of phosphorylated SRC. Furthermore, RAB26 was involved in a direct and activation-dependent manner in autophagy induction through interaction with ATG16L1 in its GTP-bound form. These findings demonstrate that RAB26 exerts a protective effect on endothelial cell (EC) permeability, which is in part dependent on autophagic targeting of active SRC, and the resultant CDH5 dephosphorylation maintains AJ stabilization. Thus, RAB26-mediated autophagic targeting of phosphorylated SRC can maintain barrier integrity when flux through the RAB26-SRC pathway is protected. These findings suggest that activation of RAB26-SRC signaling provides a new therapeutic opportunity to prevent vascular leakage in ALI.

Abbreviations: AJs: adherens junctions; ALI: acute lung injury; ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome; ATG5: autophagy related 5; ATG12: autophagy related 12; ATG 16L1: autophagy related 16 like; 1 BALF: bronchoalveolar lavage fluidCQ: chloroquine; Ctrl: control; EC: endothelial cell; GFP: green fluorescent protein; HA-tagged; RAB26^WT: HA-tagged wild-type; RAB26 HA-tagged; RAB26^QL: HA-tagged; RAB26^Q123LHA-tagged; RAB26^NI: HA-tagged; RAB26^N177IHPMECs: human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells; H&E: hematoxylin & eosin; IgG: immunoglobulin; GIF: immunofluorescence; IP: immunoprecipitationi;. p.: intraperitoneal; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; PBS: phosphate-buffered salinesi; RNA: small interfering;RNASQSTM1/p62, sequestosome; 1TBS: Tris-buffered saline; VEGF: vascular endothelial growth factor; WB: western blot; WT: wild-type     

Retracted: microRNA-542-5p protects against acute lung injury in mice with severe acute pancreatitis by suppressing the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway through the negative regulation of P21-activated kinase 1

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a condition associated with high rates of mortality and lengthy hospital stays. In the current study, SAP mouse models were established in BALB/c wild-type and P21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) knockdown mice with the objective of determining the expression of microRNA-542-5p (miR-542-5p) and the subsequent elucidation of the mechanism by which it influences acute lung injury (ALI) by mediating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and binding to PAK1. The targeting relationship between miR-542-5p and PAK1 was verified using the bioinformatics prediction website and by the means of a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Following the SAP model establishment, the mice were assigned into various groups with the introduction of different mimic and inhibitors in an attempt to investigate the effects involved with miR-542-5p on inflammatory reactions among mice with SAP-associated ALI. Our results indicated that PAK1 was targeted and negatively mediated by miR-542-5p. Mice with SAP-associated ALI exhibited an increased wet-to-dry weight ratio, myeloperoxidase activity, serum amylase activity, TNF-α, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) contents, p-p38MAPK, p-ERK1/2, and p-JNK protein levels as well as PAK1 positive expression, while decreased miR-542-5p levels were observed. Functionally, overexpression of miR-542-5p improves ALI in mice with SAP via inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway by binding to PAK1.Based on the evidence from experimental models, miR-542-5p was shown to improve ALI among mice with SAP, while suggesting that the effect may be related to the inactivation of the MAPK signaling pathway and downregulation of PAK1 gene. Thus, miR-542-5p could serve as a promising target for ALI treatment.     

复方清下汤对脓毒症大鼠肺组织ICAM-1及AQP-1基因表达的影响

目的探讨复方清下汤对脓毒症大鼠肺组织ICAM-1及AQP-1基因表达的影响,进一步探讨其减轻肺损伤机制。方法将健康SD大鼠随机分为4组,每组10只：（1）假手术组（SHAM组）,SHAM组只翻动盲肠,不做其他处理;（2）脓毒症肺损伤组（模型组）,以盲肠结扎穿孔诱发ALI模型;（3）盲肠结扎穿孔＋复方清下汤组（造模后立即灌胃给药,造模后8 h再次灌胃1次,剂量：10 m l/kg）;（4）盲肠结扎穿孔＋头孢哌酮舒巴坦（舒普深）（造模后立即静脉注射1次,造模后8 h再次静脉注射1次,剂量：0.2 g/kg）造模24 h后收集标本。应用免疫组织化学和Western blotting法检测肺组织中AQP-1、ICAM-1的表达,RT-PCR检测肺组织上述蛋白mRNA表达。结果与SHAM组比较,模型组应用免疫组织化学及W estern-b lotting法检测ICAM-1的表达均显著升高（P〈0.01）,而AQP-1则表达明显降低（P〈0.01）;RT-PCR法检测mRNA转录水平与蛋白表达结果基本一致。抗生素及中药处理组与模型组比较,上述细胞因子ICAM-1的表达明显降低（P〈0.05）,而AQP-1表达上调（P〈0.01）,抗生素及中药处理组2组检测数据相近。结论脓毒症大鼠肺损伤时细胞因子ICAM-1过度表达而AQP-1蛋白表达下调可能是造成脓毒症肺损伤的重要原因;复方清下汤处理的动物模型肺损伤减轻的同时ICAM-1和AQP-1表达变化,提示它可能通过调控ICAM-1和AQP-1表达起作用。     

Losartan, an antagonist of AT1 receptor for angiotensin II, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rat

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in inflammatory process. Acute lung injury (ALI), an inflammatory disorder of the lung, is commonly associated with endotoxemia; however, the mechanism that endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) induces the inflammatory response in ALI is not well defined. Here, we showed, in LPS-induced ALI rat model, that Ang II and Ang II type 1 (AT₁) receptor were significantly increased in lung tissues, compared with those in controls. Meanwhile, nuclear factor (NF)-κB-DNA-binding activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA, and pneumocytic apoptosis were significantly increased. Moreover, pretreatment of rats with losartan, an antagonist of AT₁ receptor for Ang II, improved the inflammation, reduced the elevation of Ang II and AT₁ receptor, and inhibited NF-κB-DNA-binding activity, expression of TNF-α mRNA, and pneumocytic apoptosis. The data indicate that Ang II may mediate the inflammatory process in LPS-induced ALI through AT₁ receptor, which can be blocked by losartan.     

CGRP is essential for protection against alveolar epithelial cell necroptosis by activating the AMPK/L-OPA1 signaling pathway during acute lung injury

Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) necroptosis is critical to disrupt the alveolar barrier and provoke acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we define calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), the most abundant endogenous neuropeptide in the lung, as a novel modulator of AEC necroptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Upon LPS-induced ALI, overexpression of Cgrp significantly mitigates the inflammatory response, alleviates lung tissue damage, and decreases AEC necroptosis. Similarly, CGRP alleviated AEC necroptosis under the LPS challenge in vitro. Previously, we identified that long optic atrophy 1 (L-OPA1) deficiency mediates mitochondrial fragmentation, leading to AEC necroptosis. In this study, we discovered that CGRP positively regulated mitochondrial fusion through stabilizing L-OPA1. Mechanistically, we elucidate that CGRP activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, the blockade of AMPK compromised the protective effect of CGRP against AEC necroptosis following the LPS challenge. Our study suggests that CRGP-mediated activation of the AMPK/L-OPA1 axis may have potent therapeutic benefits for patients with ALI or other diseases with necroptosis.     

复方清下汤对脓毒症大鼠肺组织细胞因子白介素-1及白介素-6基因表达的影响

目的 探讨复方清下汤对脓毒症大鼠肺组织白介素-1(IL-1)及白介素-6(IL-6)基因表达的影响,进一步探讨其减轻肺损伤机制.方法 将健康SD大鼠随机分为4组,每组10只:假手术组(SHAM组),脓毒症肺损伤组(模型组),盲肠结扎穿孔+复方清下汤组,以及盲肠结扎穿孔+头孢哌酮舒巴坦(舒普深)组,造模24 h后收集标本.应用免疫组织化学和Westernblotting法检测肺组织中IL-1、IL-6的表达,RT-PCR检测肺组织上述蛋白mRNA表达.结果 与SHAM组比较,模型组IL-1、IL-6的mRNA转录水平和蛋白水平表达均显著升高(P＜0.01);抗生素及中药处理组与模型组比较,IL-1、IL-6的表达明显降低(P＜0.01),抗生素及中药处理组两组检测数据相近.结论 脓毒症大鼠肺损伤时细胞因子IL-1、IL-6过度表达可能是造成脓毒症肺损伤的重要原因;复方清下汤处理的动物模型肺损伤减轻的同时IL-1、IL-6表达变化,提示它可能通过调控IL-1、IL-6表达起作用.     

复方清下汤对脓毒症大鼠细胞因子白介素-1、白介素-6调控及肺损伤的作用

目的盲肠结扎穿孔导致大肠埃希菌腹膜炎进而建立脓毒症肺损伤大鼠模型,检测炎性反应时,细胞因子的调控变化,探讨肺水肿的形成机制。经复方清下汤处理后检测上述变化。方法将健康SD大鼠随机分为4组,每组10只:假手术组(SHAM组),只翻动盲肠,不做其他处理;脓毒血症肺损伤组(模型组),盲肠结扎穿孔诱发急性肺损伤(ALI)模型;盲肠结扎穿孔+复方清下汤组(造模后立即灌胃给药,造模后8 h再次灌胃1次,剂量:10 ml/kg);盲肠结扎穿孔+头孢哌酮舒巴坦组(抗生素舒普深)(造模后立即静脉注射1次,造模后8 h再次静脉注射1次,剂量:0.2 g/kg),造模24 h后收集标本。分别观察大鼠的一般状态,留取下腔静脉血清进行白介素-1(IL-1)、白介素-6(IL-6)的测定。镜下观察肺组织病理形态学改变,测量肺湿/干比值的变化。结果与SHAM组比较,模型组IL-1、IL-6水平明显升高(P0.01),肺间质和肺泡内水肿,伴大量红细胞渗出(出血)和纤维素沉积,肺泡间隔毛细血管内皮细胞高度肿胀。肺湿/干比值明显增加(P0.01),抗生素及中药处理组与模型组比较,IL-1、IL-6水平明显降低(P0.01),肺湿/干比值明显降低(P0.01),肺组织镜下表现:中药处理组及抗生素组组较模型组肺泡间隔变窄,毛细血管内皮细胞肿胀减轻,出血减轻,纤维素渗出明显减少。结论实验应用放免检测、显微镜观察以及称量肺湿/干比值等手段,进一步证实了脓毒血症大鼠肺损伤时血清中主要的炎性细胞因子IL-1、IL-6过度表达的情况,并从病理学角度,证实炎性介质的过度表达是造成脓毒症肺损伤的重要原因。经复方清下汤处理的动物模型得到相反结论,为治疗脓毒血症大鼠肺损伤提供一个可能的新的手段。     

MicroRNA-363-3p/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 axis inhibits sepsis-induced acute lung injury via the inactivation of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand signaling

Infection-associated inflammation and coagulation are critical pathologies in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI). This study aimed to investigate the effects of microRNA-363-3p (miR-363-3p) on sepsis-induced ALI and explore the underlying mechanisms. A cecal ligation and puncture-induced septic mouse model was established. The results of this study suggested that miR-363-3p was highly expressed in lung tissues of septic mice. Knockdown of miR-363-3p attenuated sepsis-induced histopathological damage, the inflammation response and oxidative stress in lung tissues. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-363-3p reduced the formation of platelet-derived microparticles and thrombin generation in blood samples of septic mice. Downregulation of miR-363-3p suppressed sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) expression in lung tissues and subsequently inactivated the nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (NF-κB) signaling. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-363-3p directly targeted the 3’-untranslated region of the mouse S1pr1 mRNA. Collectively, our study suggests that inactivation of NF-κB signaling is involved in the miR-363-3p/S1PR1 axis-mediated protective effect on septic ALI.     

Abietic acid attenuates sepsis-induced lung injury by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway to inhibit M1 macrophage polarization

Lung injury is one of the leading causes of death in sepsis. Abietic acid (AA) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and bacteriostatic properties. Herein, we established a mouse model of sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture, and intraperitoneally injected AA to treat. Lung injury was assessed by H&E staining and the inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were assessed by counting the number of inflammatory cells and detecting the content of inflammatory factors. Meanwhile, we also designed to study the effect of AA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response and macrophage marker gene expression in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. In this study, we found that AA inhibited LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6 and MIP-2), and decreased the expression of M1 macrophage e markers (CD16 and iNOS) and p-p65 protein, while increased the expression of M2 macrophage markers (CD206 and Arg-1) in RAW264.7 cells in vitro. In vivo, the therapy of AA not only rescued septic animals, but also attenuated lung injury in sepsis mice. Moreover, AA decreased the number of total cells, neutrophils and macrophages, the conceration of total protein, and the levels of inflammatory mediators in BALF of sepsis mice. Further, we found that AA inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and blocked nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway in BALF of sepsis mice. In conclusion, Abietic acid attenuates sepsis-induced lung injury, and its mechanism may be related to reducing inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB signaling to inhibit M1 macrophage polarization.     

Nicotinamide treatment reduces the levels of histone H3K4 trimethylation in the promoter of the mper1 circadian clock gene and blocks the ability of dexamethasone to induce the acute response

Circadian rhythms, which measure time on a scale of 24 h, are generated by one of the most ubiquitous endogenous mechanisms, the circadian clock. SIRT1, a class III histone deacetylase, and PARP-1, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, are two NAD⁺-dependent enzymes that have been shown to be involved in the regulation of the clock. Here we present evidence that the metabolite nicotinamide, an inhibitor of SIRT1, PARP-1 and mono(ADP-ribosyl) transferases, blocks the ability of dexamethasone to induce the acute response of the circadian clock gene, mper1, while it concomitantly reduces the levels of histone H3 trimethylation of lysine 4 (H3K4me3) in the mper1 promoter. Moreover, application of alternative inhibitors of SIRT1 and ADP-ribosylation did not lead to similar results. Therefore, inhibition of these enzymes does not seem to be the mode by which NAM exerts these effects. These results suggest the presence of a novel mechanism, not previously documented, by which NAM can alter gene expression levels via changes in the histone H3K4 trimethylation state.     

YM155 sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cells to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors through the mechanism of autophagy induction

Resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), such as erlotinib and gefitinib, is a major clinical problem in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). YM155 is a survivin small molecule inhibitor and has been demonstrated to induce cancer cell apoptosis and autophagy. EGFR-TKIs have been known to induce cancer cell autophagy. In this study, we showed that YM155 markedly enhanced the sensitivity of erlotinib to EGFR-TKI resistant NSCLC cell lines H1650 (EGFR exon 19 deletion and PTEN loss) and A549 (EGFR wild type and KRAS mutation) through inducing autophagy-dependent apoptosis and autophagic cell death. The effects of YM155 combined with erlotinib on apoptosis and autophagy inductions were more obvious than those of YM155 in combination with survivin knockdown by siRNA transfection, suggesting that YM155 induced autophagy and apoptosis in the NSCLC cells partially depend on survivin downregulation. Meanwhile, we found that the AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in modulation of survivin downregulation and autophagy induction caused by YM155. In addition, YM155 can induce DNA damage in H1650 and A549 cell lines. Moreover, combining erlotinib further augmented DNA damage by YM155, which were retarded by autophagy inhibitor 3MA, or knockdown of autophagy-related protein Beclin 1, revealing that YM155 induced DNA damage is autophagy-dependent. Similar results were also observed in vivo xenograft experiments. Therefore, combination of YM155 and erlotinib offers a promising therapeutic strategy in NSCLC with EGFR-TKI resistant phenotype.