Role of the Fas/FasL system in a model of RSV infection in mechanically ventilated mice

Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children can progress to respiratory distress and acute lung injury necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV). MV enhances apoptosis and inflammation in mice infected with pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), a mouse pneumovirus that has been used as a model for severe RSV infection in mice. We hypothesized that the Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system, a dual proapoptotic/proinflammatory system involved in other forms of lung injury, is required for enhanced lung injury in mechanically ventilated mice infected with PVM. C57BL/6 mice and Fas-deficient ("lpr") mice were inoculated intratracheally with PVM. Seven or eight days after PVM inoculation, the mice were subjected to 4 h of MV (tidal volume 10 ml/kg, fraction of inspired O(2) = 0.21, and positive end-expiratory pressure = 3 cm H(2)O). Seven days after PVM inoculation, exposure to MV resulted in less severe injury in lpr mice than in C57BL/6 mice, as evidenced by decreased numbers of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and lower concentrations of the proinflammatory chemokines KC, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-2 in the lungs. However, when PVM infection was allowed to progress one additional day, all of the lpr mice (7/7) died unexpectedly between 0.5 and 3.5 h after the onset of ventilation compared with three of the seven ventilated C57BL/6 mice. Parameters of lung injury were similar in nonventilated mice, as was the viral content in the lungs and other organs. Thus, the Fas/FasL system was partly required for the lung inflammatory response in ventilated mice infected with PVM, but attenuation of lung inflammation did not prevent subsequent mortality.     

Dysregulation of pulmonary elastin synthesis and assembly in preterm lambs with chronic lung disease

Failed alveolar formation and excess, disordered elastin are key features of neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD). We previously found fewer alveoli and more elastin in lungs of preterm compared with term lambs that had mechanical ventilation (MV) with O(2)-rich gas for 3 wk (MV-3 wk). We hypothesized that, in preterm more than in term lambs, MV-3 wk would reduce lung expression of growth factors that regulate alveolarization (VEGF, PDGF-A) and increase lung expression of growth factors [transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, TGF-beta(1)] and matrix molecules (tropoelastin, fibrillin-1, fibulin-5, lysyl oxidases) that regulate elastin synthesis and assembly. We measured lung expression of these genes in preterm and term lambs after MV for 1 day, 3 days, or 3 wk, and in fetal controls. Lung mRNA for VEGF, PDGF-A, and their receptors (VEGF-R2, PDGF-Ralpha) decreased in preterm and term lambs after MV-3 wk, with reduced lung content of the relevant proteins in preterm lambs with CLD. TGF-alpha and TGF-beta(1) expression increased only in lungs of preterm lambs. Tropoelastin mRNA increased more with MV of preterm than term lambs, and expression levels remained high in lambs with CLD. In contrast, fibrillin-1 and lysyl oxidase-like-1 mRNA increased transiently, and lung abundance of other elastin-assembly genes/proteins was unchanged (fibulin-5) or reduced (lysyl oxidase) in preterm lambs with CLD. Thus MV-3 wk reduces lung expression of growth factors that regulate alveolarization and differentially alters expression of growth factors and matrix proteins that regulate elastin assembly. These changes, coupled with increased lung elastase activity measured in preterm lambs after MV for 1-3 days, likely contribute to CLD.     

In vitro articular cartilage growth with sequential application of IGF-1 and TGF-β1 enhances volumetric growth and maintains compressive properties

In vitro cultures with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) have previously been shown to differentially modulate the growth of immature bovine articular cartilage. IGF-1 stimulates expansive growth yet decreases compressive moduli and increases compressive Poisson's ratios, whereas TGF-β1 maintains tissue size, increases compressive moduli, and decreases compressive Poisson's ratios. The current study's hypothesis was that sequential application of IGF-1 and TGF-β1 during in vitro culture produces geometric and compressive mechanical properties that lie between extreme values produced when using either growth factor alone. Immature bovine articular cartilage specimens were harvested and either untreated (D0, i.e., day zero) or cultured in vitro for either 6 days with IGF-1 (D6 IGF), 12 days with IGF-1 (D12 IGF), or 6 days with IGF-1 followed by 6 days with TGF-β1 (D12 SEQ, i.e., sequential). Following treatment, all specimens were tested for geometric, biochemical, and compressive mechanical properties. Relative to D0, D12 SEQ treatment enhanced volumetric growth, but to a lower value than that for D12 IGF. Furthermore, D12 SEQ treatment maintained compressive moduli and Poisson's ratios at values higher and lower, respectively, than those for D12 IGF. Considering the previously described effects of 12 days of treatment with TGF-β1 alone, D12 SEQ induced both growth and mechanical property changes between those produced with either IGF-1 or TGF-β1 alone. The results suggest that it may be possible to vary the durations of select growth factors, including IGF-1 and TGF-β1, to more precisely modulate the geometric, biochemical, and mechanical properties of immature cartilage graft tissue in clinical repair strategies.     

Mechanical ventilation of isolated septic rat lungs: effects on surfactant and inflammatory cytokines.

The effects of mechanical ventilation (MV) on the surfactant system and cytokine secretion were studied in isolated septic rat lungs. At 23 h after sham surgery or induction of sepsis by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP), lungs were excised and randomized to one of three groups: 1) a nonventilated group, 2) a group subjected to 1 h of noninjurious MV (tidal volume = 10 ml/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure = 3 cmH(2)O), or 3) a group subjected to 1 h of injurious MV (tidal volume = 20 ml/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure = 0 cmH(2)O). Nonventilated sham and CLP lungs had similar compliance, normal lung morphology, surfactant, and cytokine concentrations. Injurious ventilation decreased compliance, altered surfactant, increased cytokines, and induced morphological changes compared with nonventilation in sham and CLP lungs. In these lungs, the surfactant system was similar in sham and CLP lungs; however, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels were significantly higher in CLP lungs. We conclude that injurious ventilation altered surfactant independent of sepsis and that the CLP lungs were predisposed to the secretion of larger amounts of cytokines because of ventilation.     

Pulmonary hemodynamic responses to in utero ventilation in very immature fetal sheep

Background

The onset of ventilation at birth decreases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) resulting in a large increase in pulmonary blood flow (PBF). As the large cross sectional area of the pulmonary vascular bed develops late in gestation, we have investigated whether the ventilation-induced increase in PBF is reduced in immature lungs.

Methods

Surgery was performed in fetal sheep at 105 d GA (n = 7; term ~147 d) to insert an endotracheal tube, which was connected to a neonatal ventilation circuit, and a transonic flow probe was placed around the left pulmonary artery. At 110 d GA, fetuses (n = 7) were ventilated in utero (IUV) for 12 hrs while continuous measurements of PBF were made, fetuses were allowed to develop in utero for a further 7 days following ventilation.

Results

PBF changes were highly variable between animals, increasing from 12.2 ± 6.6 mL/min to a maximum of 78.1 ± 23.1 mL/min in four fetuses after 10 minutes of ventilation. In the remaining three fetuses, little change in PBF was measured in response to IUV. The increases in PBF measured in responding fetuses were not sustained throughout the ventilation period and by 2 hrs of IUV had returned to pre-IUV control values.

Discussion and conclusion

Ventilation of very immature fetal sheep in utero increased PBF in 57% of fetuses but this increase was not sustained for more than 2 hrs, despite continuing ventilation. Immature lungs can increase PBF during ventilation, however, the present studies show these changes are transient and highly variable.     

Effects of MMP-9 inhibition by doxycycline on proteome of lungs in high tidal volume mechanical ventilation-induced acute lung injury

Background  

Although mechanical ventilation (MV) is a major supportive therapy for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, it may result in side effects including lung injury. In this study we hypothesize that MMP-9 inhibition by doxycycline might reduce MV-related lung damage. Using a proteomic approach we identified the pulmonary proteins altered in high volume ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI). Forty Wistar rats were randomized to an orally pretreated with doxycycline group (n = 20) or to a placebo group (n = 20) each of which was followed by instrumentation prior to either low or high tidal volume mechanical ventilation. Afterwards, animals were euthanized and lungs were harvested for subsequent analyses.     

TGFβ signaling in lung epithelium regulates bleomycin-induced alveolar injury and fibroblast recruitment

The response of alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) to lung injury plays a central role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanisms by which AECs regulate fibrotic processes are not well defined. We aimed to elucidate how transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling in lung epithelium impacts lung fibrosis in the intratracheal bleomycin model. Mice with selective deficiency of TGFβ receptor 2 (TGFβR2) in lung epithelium were generated and crossed to cell fate reporter mice that express β-galactosidase (β-gal) in cells of lung epithelial lineage. Mice were given intratracheal bleomycin (0.08 U), and the following parameters were assessed: AEC death by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling assay, inflammation by total and differential cell counts from bronchoalveolar lavage, fibrosis by scoring of trichrome-stained lung sections, and total lung collagen content. Mice with lung epithelial deficiency of TGFβR2 had improved AEC survival, despite greater lung inflammation, after bleomycin administration. At 3 wk after bleomycin administration, mice with epithelial TGFβR2 deficiency showed a significantly attenuated fibrotic response in the lungs, as determined by semiquantitatve scoring and total collagen content. The reduction in lung fibrosis in these mice was associated with a marked decrease in the lung fibroblast population, both total lung fibroblasts and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-derived (S100A4(+)/β-gal(+)) fibroblasts. Attenuation of TGFβ signaling in lung epithelium provides protection from bleomycin-induced fibrosis, indicating a critical role for the epithelium in transducing the profibrotic effects of this cytokine.     

Early surfactant administration protects against lung dysfunction in a mouse model of ARDS

Sepsis can predispose the lung to insults such as mechanical ventilation (MV). It was hypothesized that treating the lung with exogenous surfactant early in the development of sepsis will reduce the lung dysfunction associated with MV 18 h later. Mice underwent sham or cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Immediately after surgery, mice were either untreated or given 100 mg/kg of bovine lipid extract surfactant intratracheally. Eighteen hours later, the lungs were removed and analyzed either immediately or following ventilation ex vivo for 2 h by an "injurious" mode of ventilation (20 ml/kg, 0 cm positive end-expiratory pressure). In nonventilated lungs, exogenous surfactant had no impact on compliance or IL-6 concentrations in the lungs. In the ventilated groups, the administered surfactant had a significant protective effect on the lung dysfunction induced by MV, but only in the CLP lungs. We conclude that administration of exogenous surfactant at the time of a systemic insult can protect the lung from the damaging effects of MV 18 h later.     

Gene transfer of hepatocyte growth factor by electroporation reduces bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis

Abnormal alveolar wound repair contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis after lung injury. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogenic factor for alveolar epithelial cells and may therefore improve alveolar epithelial repair in vitro and in vivo. We hypothesized that HGF could increase alveolar epithelial repair in vitro and improve pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Alveolar wound repair in vitro was determined using an epithelial wound repair model with HGF-transfected A549 alveolar epithelial cells. Electroporation-mediated, nonviral gene transfer of HGF in vivo was performed 7 days after bleomycin-induced lung injury in the rat. Alveolar epithelial repair in vitro was increased after transfection of wounded epithelial monolayers with a plasmid encoding human HGF, pCikhHGF [human HGF (hHGF) gene expressed from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate-early promoter and enhancer] compared with medium control. Electroporation-mediated in vivo HGF gene transfer using pCikhHGF 7 days after intratracheal bleomycin reduced pulmonary fibrosis as assessed by histology and hydroxyproline determination 14 days after bleomycin compared with controls treated with the same vector not containing the HGF sequence (pCik). Lung epithelial cell proliferation was increased and apoptosis reduced in hHGF-treated lungs compared with controls, suggesting increased alveolar epithelial repair in vivo. In addition, profibrotic transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) was decreased in hHGF-treated lungs, indicating an involvement of TGF-beta1 in hHGF-induced reduction of lung fibrosis. In conclusion, electroporation-mediated gene transfer of hHGF decreases bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, possibly by increasing alveolar epithelial cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis, resulting in improved alveolar wound repair.     

Altered expression of tight junction molecules in alveolar septa in lung injury and fibrosis

The dysfunction of alveolar barriers is a critical factor in the development of lung injury and subsequent fibrosis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. To clarify the pathogenic roles of tight junctions in lung injury and fibrosis, we examined the altered expression of claudins, the major components of tight junctions, in the lungs of disease models with pulmonary fibrosis. Among the 24 known claudins, claudin-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, claudin-7, and claudin-10 were identified as components of airway tight junctions. Claudin-5 and claudin-18 were identified as components of alveolar tight junctions and were expressed in endothelial and alveolar epithelial cells, respectively. In experimental bleomycin-induced lung injury, the levels of mRNA encoding tight junction proteins were reduced, particularly those of claudin-18. The integrity of the epithelial tight junctions was disturbed in the fibrotic lesions 14 days after the intraperitoneal instillation of bleomycin. These results suggest that bleomycin mainly injured alveolar epithelial cells and impaired alveolar barrier function. In addition, we analyzed the influence of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), a critical mediator of pulmonary fibrosis that is upregulated after bleomycin-induced lung injury, on tight junctions in vitro. The addition of TGF-β decreased the expression of claudin-5 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and disrupted the tight junctions of epithelial cells (A549). These results suggest that bleomycin-induced lung injury causes pathogenic alterations in tight junctions and that such alterations seem to be induced by TGF-β.     

Increased deposition of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate glycosaminoglycan and upregulation of β1,3-glucuronosyltransferase I in pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterized by increased deposition of proteoglycans (PGs), in particular core proteins. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are key players in tissue repair and fibrosis, and we investigated whether PF is associated with changes in the expression and structure of GAGs as well as in the expression of β1,3-glucuronosyltransferase I (GlcAT-I), a rate-limiting enzyme in GAG synthesis. Lung biopsies from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients and lung tissue from a rat model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF were immunostained for chondroitin sulfated-GAGs and GlcAT-I expression. Alterations in disaccharide composition and sulfation of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) were evaluated by fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) in BLM rats. Lung fibroblasts isolated from control (saline-instilled) or BLM rat lungs were assessed for GAG structure and GlcAT-I expression. Disaccharide analysis showed that 4- and 6-sulfated disaccharides were increased in the lungs and lung fibroblasts obtained from fibrotic rats compared with controls. Fibrotic lung fibroblasts and transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1))-treated normal lung fibroblasts expressed increased amounts of hyaluronan and 4- and 6-sulfated chondroitin, and neutralizing anti-TGF-β(1) antibody diminished the same. TGF-β(1) upregulated GlcAT-I and versican expression in lung fibroblasts, and signaling through TGF-β type I receptor/p38 MAPK was required for TGF-β(1)-mediated GlcAT-I and CS-GAG expression in fibroblasts. Our data show for the first time increased expression of CS-GAGs and GlcAT-I in IPF, fibrotic rat lungs, and fibrotic lung fibroblasts. These data suggest that alterations of sulfation isomers of CS/DS and upregulation of GlcAT-I contribute to the pathological PG-GAG accumulation in PF.     

Evidence for early fibrosis and increased airway resistance in bone marrow transplant recipient mice deficient in MMP12

Idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality post-bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in humans. In our established murine IPS model in which lethally conditioned recipients are given allogeneic bone marrow and splenocytes, recruitment of host monocytes occurs early post-BMT, followed by donor T cells concomitant with development of severe lung dysfunction. Because matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12) is important for macrophage infiltration and injury in other mouse models of lung disease such as emphysema, lethally conditioned MMP12(-/-) mice were used as allogeneic recipients to determine whether MMP12 plays a similar role in potentiating lung injury in IPS. Surprisingly, MMP12(-/-) mice developed IPS and exhibited an accelerated allogeneic T cell-dependent decrease in compliance compared with wild-type (WT) recipients. MMP12(-/-), but not WT, mice also had allogeneic T cell-dependent elevated lung resistance post-BMT. Recruitment of monocytes and T cells into the lungs was not altered on day 7 post-BMT, but the lungs of MMP12(-/-) recipients had increased collagen deposition, a feature normally not seen in our IPS model. MMP12(-/-) mice had a compensatory increase in MMP2 in the lungs post-BMT, as well as increased β6-integrin compared with WT recipients, and only in the presence of allogeneic T cells. Levels of total transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 protein in the lungs were elevated compared with WT recipients, consistent with the profibrotic function of β6-integrin as an activator of TGF-β. These data indicate that host-derived MMP12 may be important in limiting development of IPS by allowing proper remodeling of extracellular matrix and effective repair of BMT-related injury.     

Neonatal mice genetically modified to express the elastase inhibitor elafin are protected against the adverse effects of mechanical ventilation on lung growth

Mechanical ventilation (MV) with O(2)-rich gas (MV-O(2)) offers life-saving treatment for newborn infants with respiratory failure, but it also can promote lung injury, which in neonates translates to defective alveolar formation and disordered lung elastin, a key determinant of lung growth and repair. Prior studies in preterm sheep and neonatal mice showed that MV-O(2) stimulated lung elastase activity, causing degradation and remodeling of matrix elastin. These changes yielded an inflammatory response, with TGF-β activation, scattered elastic fibers, and increased apoptosis, culminating in defective alveolar septation and arrested lung growth. To see whether sustained inhibition of elastase activity would prevent these adverse pulmonary effects of MV-O(2), we did studies comparing wild-type (WT) and mutant neonatal mice genetically modified to express in their vascular endothelium the human serine elastase inhibitor elafin (Eexp). Five-day-old WT and Eexp mice received MV with 40% O(2) (MV-O(2)) for 24-36 h. WT and Eexp controls breathed 40% O(2) without MV. MV-O(2) increased lung elastase and MMP-9 activity, resulting in elastin degradation (urine desmosine doubled), TGF-β activation (pSmad-2 increased 6-fold), apoptosis (cleaved-caspase-3 increased 10-fold), and inflammation (NF-κB activation, influx of neutrophils and monocytes) in lungs of WT vs. unventilated controls. These changes were blocked or blunted during MV-O(2) of Eexp mice. Scattered lung elastin and emphysematous alveoli observed in WT mice after 36 h of MV-O(2) were attenuated in Eexp mice. Both WT and Eexp mice showed defective VEGF signaling (decreased lung VEGF-R2 protein) and loss of pulmonary microvessels after lengthy MV-O(2), suggesting that elafin's beneficial effects during MV-O(2) derived primarily from preserving matrix elastin and suppressing lung inflammation, thereby enabling alveolar formation during MV-O(2). These results suggest that degradation and remodeling of lung elastin can contribute to defective lung growth in response to MV-O(2) and might be targeted therapeutically to prevent ventilator-induced neonatal lung injury.     

Chest wall restriction limits high airway pressure-induced lung injury in young rabbits

High peak inspiratory pressures (PIP) during mechanical ventilation can induce lung injury. In the present study we compare the respective roles of high tidal volume with high PIP in intact immature rabbits to determine whether the increase in capillary permeability is the result of overdistension of the lung or direct pressure effects. New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to one of three protocols, which produced different degrees of inspiratory volume limitation: intact closed-chest animals (CC), closed-chest animals with a full-body plaster cast (C), and isolated excised lungs (IL). The intact animals were ventilated at 15, 30, or 45 cmH2O PIP for 1 h, and the lungs of the CC and C groups were placed in an isolated lung perfusion system. Microvascular permeability was evaluated using the capillary filtration coefficient (Kfc). Base-line Kfc for isolated lungs before ventilation was 0.33 +/- 0.31 ml.min-1.cmH2O-1.100g-1 and was not different from the Kfc in the CC group ventilated with 15 cmH2O PIP. Kfc increased by 850% after ventilation with only 15 cmH2O PIP in the unrestricted IL group, and in the CC group Kfc increased by 31% after 30 cmH2O PIP and 430% after 45 cmH2O PIP. Inspiratory volume limitation by the plaster cast in the C group prevented any significant increase in Kfc at the PIP values used. These data indicate that volume distension of the lung rather than high PIP per se produces microvascular damage in the immature rabbit lung.     

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by mechanical ventilation is associated with ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis in healthy lungs

Background

Mechanical ventilation (MV) with high tidal volumes (V_T) can cause or aggravate lung damage, so-called ventilator induced lung injury (VILI). The relationship between specific mechanical events in the lung and the cellular responses that result in VILI remains incomplete. Since activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been suggested to be central to mechanisms of lung healing and fibrosis, we hypothesized that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays a role during VILI.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study using adult, healthy, male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals (n = 6/group) were randomized to spontaneous breathing or two strategies of MV for 4 hours: low tidal volume (V_T) (6 mL/kg) or high V_T (20 mL/kg). Histological evaluation of lung tissue, measurements of WNT5A, total β-catenin, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), cyclin D1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2) protein levels by Western blot, and WNT5A, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, MMP-7, and AXIN2 immunohistochemical localization in the lungs were analyzed. High-V_T MV caused lung inflammation and perivascular edema with cellular infiltrates and collagen deposition. Protein levels of WNT5A, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, MMP-7, cyclin D1, VEGF, and AXIN2 in the lungs were increased in all ventilated animals although high-V_T MV was associated with significantly higher levels of WNT5A, non-phospho (Ser33/37/Thr41) β-catenin, MMP-7, cyclin D1, VEGF, and AXIN2 levels.

Conclusions/Significance

Our findings demonstrate that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is modulated very early by MV in lungs without preexistent lung disease, suggesting that activation of this pathway could play an important role in both VILI and lung repair. Modulation of this pathway might represent a therapeutic option for prevention and/or management of VILI.     

Inhibition of α-SMA by the Ectodomain of FGFR2c Attenuates Lung Fibrosis

The soluble ectodomain of fibroblast growth factor receptor-IIIc (sFGFR2c) is able to bind to fibroblast growth factor (FGF) ligands and block the activation of the FGF-signaling pathway. In this study, sFGFR2c inhibited lung fibrosis dramatically in vitro and in vivo. The upregulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibroblasts by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is an important step in the process of lung fibrosis, in which FGF-2, released by TGF-β1, is involved. sFGFR2c inhibited α-SMA induction by TGF-β1 via both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and Smad3 pathways in primary mouse lung fibroblasts and the proliferation of mouse lung fibroblasts. In a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis, mice were treated with sFGFR2c from d 3 or d 10 to 31 after BLM administration. Then we used hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining to evaluate the inhibitory effects of sFGFR2c on lung fibrosis. The treatment with sFGFR2c resulted in significant attenuation of the lung fibrosis score and collagen deposition. The expression levels of α-SMA, p-FGFRs, p-ERK1/2 and p-Smad3 in the lungs of sFGFR2c-treated mice were markedly lower. sFGFR2c may have potential for the treatment of lung fibrosis as an FGF-2 antagonist.     

Lung tissue extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels protect against radiation-induced lung injury by suppressing epithelial–mesenchymal transition

This study aimed to examine whether lung tissue extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogels have protective effects on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). The cytocompatibility and histocompatibility were tested for the obtained ECM-derived hydrogel. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 18): control group (control); rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of normal saline (IR + NS); and rats receiving irradiation and intratracheal injection of lung ECM-derived hydrogel (IR + ECM). The wet/dry weight ratio was used to evaluate the congestion and edema of the lungs. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues was performed using hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analyses were carried out to determine the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in lung tissues (E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], and vimentin). In addition, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), hydroxyproline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were also evaluated. The ECM-derived hydrogels had good cytocompatibility and histocompatibility. ECM-derived hydrogel treatment improved lung histopathology injury and pulmonary edema. Higher expression of E-cadherin and lower expression of vimentin and α-SMA were found in the IR + ECM group compared with those in the IR + NS group. Hydroxyproline levels were reduced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment compared with those in the IR + NS group. Obvious increases of TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β1 were identified following irradiation. Marked reductions in MDA content and increases in SOD were induced by ECM-derived hydrogel treatment in rats after radiation. ECM-derived hydrogels were shown to protect against RILI, potentially by reducing EMT, inflammation, and oxidative damage.     

大潮气量致急性肺损伤犬呼吸机相关性肺损伤模型的构建

目的建立大潮气量致急性肺损伤（ALI）犬呼吸机相关性肺损伤（VILI）模型。方法健康雄性杂种犬12只用油酸静脉注射法制备犬ALI模型,造模成功后进行支持通气15min过渡,然后随机分为VILI组及对照组行机械通气6 h,每组6只。VILI组潮气量（Vt）=20 mL/kg,对照组Vt=6 mL/kg,两组呼气末正压（PEEP）均为10 cmH2O。动态观察各组血气交换指标变化。通气6 h后取支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）作白蛋白浓度检查,取肺组织作病理切片肺损伤评分。结果各组在油酸静脉注射后（2.50±0.80）h达到ALI标准。VILI组在犬机械通气6 h后PaO2、SaO2及氧合指数（OI）较对照组略下降（P〈0.05）,而PaCO2波动不大,且心率、血压波动也较对照组小（P〈0.05）。VILI组BALF中蛋白浓度和肺组织损伤评分均较对照组显著升高（分别P〈0.05,P〈0.01）。结论本实验成功建立了大潮气量致ALI犬VILI模型。     

Changes in lung hyaluronidase activity associated with lung growth, injury and repair

We measured lung hyaluronidase activity in rats during postnatal life and during the repair of oxygen-induced lung injury. Hyaluronidase activity increased rapidly after birth and peaked at 16-fold the initial value at 8 days. The peak preceded decreased cell proliferation and the onset of differentiation; this is consistent with current concepts of the role of hyaluronidase. During the repair of lung injury, hyaluronidase activity increased to 2.5-fold the control value at 1 day post-injury, but had decreased by 3 days. This early peak is probably related to simultaneous cell proliferation and differentiation. We postulate that changes in hyaluronidase can influence lung growth and repair and that the system may be amenable to manipulation.