eNOS-β-Actin Interaction Contributes to Increased Peroxynitrite Formation during Hyperoxia in Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells and Mouse Lungs

Oxygen toxicity is the most severe side effect of oxygen therapy in neonates and adults. Pulmonary damage of oxygen toxicity is related to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, we investigated the effect of hyperoxia on the production of peroxynitrite in pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) and mouse lungs. Incubation of PAEC under hyperoxia (95% O₂) for 24 h resulted in an increase in peroxynitrite formation. Uric acid, a peroxynitrite scavenger, prevented hyperoxia-induced increase in peroxynitrite. The increase in peroxynitrite formation is accompanied by increases in nitric oxide (NO) release and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity. We have previously reported that association of eNOS with β-actin increases eNOS activity and NO production in lung endothelial cells. To study whether eNOS-β-actin association contributes to increased peroxynitrite production, eNOS-β-actin interaction were inhibited by reducing β-actin availability or by using a synthetic peptide (P326TAT) containing a sequence corresponding to the actin binding site on eNOS. We found that disruption of eNOS-β-actin interaction prevented hyperoxia-induced increases in eNOS-β-actin association, eNOS activity, NO and peroxynitrite production, and protein tyrosine nitration. Hyperoxia failed to induce the increases in eNOS activity, NO and peroxynitrite formation in COS-7 cells transfected with plasmids containing eNOS mutant cDNA in which amino acids leucine and tryptophan were replaced with alanine in the actin binding site on eNOS. Exposure of mice to hyperoxia resulted in significant increases in eNOS-β-actin association, eNOS activity, and protein tyrosine nitration in the lungs. Our data indicate that increased association of eNOS with β-actin in PAEC contributes to hyperoxia-induced increase in the production of peroxynitrite which may cause nitrosative stress in pulmonary vasculature.     

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of the SOCS-1 gene to mouse lung confers protection against hyperoxic acute lung injury

Suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) is a member of the suppressor of cytokine signaling family of proteins and an inhibitor of interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling. SOCS-1 has been shown to protect cells from cellular damage and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interferon gamma (IL-γ). However, it is not known whether increased SOCS-1 is protective during pulmonary oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesized that increased SOCS-1 in the lungs of mice would be protective in the setting of hyperoxic lung injury. We administered SOCS-1 adenovirus (Ad-SOCS-1) intratracheally into the lungs and exposed the mice to 100% O₂. Mice infected with GFP adenovirus (Ad-GFP) were used as controls. Mice treated with Ad-SOCS-1 had enhanced survival in 100% oxygen compared to Ad-GFP-administered mice. After 3 days of hyperoxia, Ad-GFP mice were ill and tachypnic and died after 4 days. In contrast, all Ad-SOCS-1-treated mice survived for at least 6 days in hyperoxia and 80% survived beyond 7 days. Ad-SOCS-1 transfection protected mouse lungs from injury as indicated by lower lung wet/dry weight, alveolar–capillary protein leakage, reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells, and lower content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in lung homogenate. Our results also indicated that Ad-SOCS-1 significantly inhibits hyperoxia-induced ASK-1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1) expression. Taken together, these findings show that increased expression of adenovirus-mediated SOCS-1 in the lungs of mice significantly protects against hyperoxic lung injury.     

Protection against pulmonary oxygen toxicity by interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor: Role of antioxidant enzymes and effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Rats injected with interleukin-1 (10 g) and tumor necrosis factor (10 g) and then exposed continuously to hyperoxia (> 99% O₂, 1 atm) survived longer, had increased lung reduced/oxidized glutathione ratios, smaller pleural effusions, less pulmonary hypertension and improv+++ed arterial blood gases. The percentage of animals surviving for 72 hours in hyperoxia increased from 8% to 94%. Although relatively small increases in glutathione redox cycle enzymes occurred four and sixteen hours following cytokine injection, dramatic increases in all major antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase had occurred following 72 hours of exposure to hyperoxia. The protective effect of IL-1 + TNF against lethal pulmonary O₂ toxicity could be partially inhibited by pre-injection of lysine acetylsalicylate or, less effectively, of ibuprofen.Recent studies have suggested that both IL-1 and TNF can induce manganese (mitochondrial) superoxide dismutase mRNA and protein synthesis in a variety of cell types. Preliminary studies suggest that IL-1 alone, in ample dosage, can provide protection against lethal pulmonary O₂ toxicity. Future studies should be directed toward identification of acute phase changes in lung antioxidant enzymes, surfactant proteins and/or lipid components, enzymes needed for synthesis of surfactant phospholipids, and/or other protective proteins. Additional work also needs to be done in identifying the lung cell types in which early enzyme induction occurs. These studies should provide a better understanding of mechanisms whereby protection against pulmonary O₂ toxicity can occur. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms inducing protective proteins should lead to more precise pharmacologic control of these processes.     

Intratracheal Instillation of High Dose Adenoviral Vectors Is Sufficient to Induce Lung Injury and Fibrosis in Mice

Rationale

Replication deficient adenoviruses (Ad) vectors are common tools in gene therapy. Since Ad vectors are known to activate innate and adaptive immunity, we investigated whether intratracheal administration of Ad vectors alone is sufficient to induce lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

We instilled Ad viruses ranging from 10⁷ to 1.625×10⁹ ifu/mouse as well as the same volume of PBS and bleomycin. 14 and 21 days after administration, we collected bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and mouse lung tissues. We measured the protein concentration, total and differential cell counts, and TGF-β1 production, performed Trichrome staining and Sircol assay, determined gene and protein levels of profibrotic cytokines, MMPs, and Wnt signaling proteins, and conducted TUNEL staining and co-immunofluorescence for GFP and α-SMA staining.

Results

Instillation of high dose Ad vectors (1.625×10⁹ ifu/mouse) into mouse lungs induced high levels of protein content, inflammatory cells, and TGF-β1 in BALF, comparable to those in bleomycin-instilled lungs. The collagen content and mRNA levels of Col1a1, Col1a2, PCNA, and α-SMA were also increased in the lungs. Instillation of both bleomycin and Ad vectors increased expression levels of TNFα and IL-1β but not IL-10. Instillation of bleomycin but not Ad increased the expression of IL-1α, IL-13 and IL-16. Treatment with bleomycin or Ad vectors increased expression levels of integrin α1, α5, and αv, MMP9, whereas treatment with bleomycin but not Ad vectors induced MMP2 expression levels. Both bleomycin and Ad vectors induced mRNA levels of Wnt2, 2b, 5b, and Lrp6. Intratracheal instillation of Ad viruses also induced DNA damages and Ad viral infection-mediated fibrosis is not limited to the infection sites.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that administration of Ad vectors induces an inflammatory response, lung injury, and pulmonary fibrosis in a dose dependent manner.     

Novel Peptide for Attenuation of Hyperoxia-induced Disruption of Lung Endothelial Barrier and Pulmonary Edema via Modulating Peroxynitrite Formation

Pulmonary damages of oxygen toxicity include vascular leakage and pulmonary edema. We have previously reported that hyperoxia increases the formation of NO and peroxynitrite in lung endothelial cells via increased interaction of endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) with β-actin. A peptide (P326TAT) with amino acid sequence corresponding to the actin binding region of eNOS residues 326–333 has been shown to reduce the hyperoxia-induced formation of NO and peroxynitrite in lung endothelial cells. In the present study, we found that exposure of pulmonary artery endothelial cells to hyperoxia (95% oxygen and 5% CO₂) for 48 h resulted in disruption of monolayer barrier integrity in two phases, and apoptosis occurred in the second phase. NOS inhibitor N^G-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester attenuated the endothelial barrier disruption in both phases. Peroxynitrite scavenger uric acid did not affect the first phase but ameliorated the second phase of endothelial barrier disruption and apoptosis. P326TAT inhibited hyperoxia-induced disruption of monolayer barrier integrity in two phases and apoptosis in the second phase. More importantly, injection of P326TAT attenuated vascular leakage, pulmonary edema, and endothelial apoptosis in the lungs of mice exposed to hyperoxia. P326TAT also significantly reduced the increase in eNOS-β-actin association and protein tyrosine nitration. Together, these results indicate that peptide P326TAT ameliorates barrier dysfunction of hyperoxic lung endothelial monolayer and attenuates eNOS-β-actin association, peroxynitrite formation, endothelial apoptosis, and pulmonary edema in lungs of hyperoxic mice. P326TAT can be a novel therapeutic agent to treat or prevent acute lung injury in oxygen toxicity.     

Ablation of tumor necrosis factor receptor type I (p55) alters oxygen-induced lung injury

Hyperoxic lung injury, believed to be mediated by reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cell activation, and release of cytotoxic cytokines, complicates the care of many critically ill patients. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha is induced in lungs exposed to high concentrations of oxygen; however, its contribution to hyperoxia-induced lung injury remains unclear. Both TNF-alpha treatment and blockade with anti-TNF antibodies increased survival in mice exposed to hyperoxia. In the current study, to determine if pulmonary oxygen toxicity is dependent on either of the TNF receptors, type I (TNFR-I) or type II (TNFR-II), TNFR-I or TNFR-II gene-ablated [(-/-)] mice and wild-type control mice (WT; C57BL/6) were studied in >95% oxygen. There was no difference in average length of survival, although early survival was better for TNFR-I(-/-) mice than for either TNFR-II(-/-) or WT mice. At 48 h of hyperoxia, slightly more alveolar septal thickening and peribronchiolar and periarteriolar edema were detected in WT than in TNFR-I(-/-) lungs. By 84 h of oxygen exposure, TNFR-I(-/-) mice demonstrated greater alveolar debris, inflammation, and edema than WT mice. TNFR-I was necessary for induction of cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta, MIP-2, interferon-gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10), and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA in response to intratracheal administration of recombinant murine TNF-alpha. However, IL-1beta, IL-6, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, MIP-1alpha, MIP-2, and MCP-1 mRNAs were comparably induced by hyperoxia in TNFR-I(-/-) and WT lungs. In contrast, mRNA for manganese superoxide dismutase and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were induced by hyperoxia only in WT mice. Differences in early survival and toxicity suggest that pulmonary oxygen toxicity is in part mediated by TNFR-I. However, induction of specific cytokine and chemokine mRNA and lethality in response to severe hyperoxia was independent of TNFR-I expression. The current study supports the prediction that therapeutic efforts to block TNF-alpha receptor function will not protect against pulmonary oxygen toxicity.     

Blunted pulmonary pressor responses to hypoxia in blood perfused, ventilated lungs isolated from oxygen toxic rats: Possible role of prostaglandins

To determine the effects of high oxygen (O₂) tension on pulmonary vascular reactivity, we exposed rats either to 100% O₂ for 48 hrs or 40% O₂ for 3 to 5 weeks. Lungs from all rats were isolated, blood perfused and ventilated, and pressor responses to airway hypoxia and to infused angiotensin II were measured. We found that chronic subtoxic hyperoxia did not augment subsequent hypoxic vasoconstriction, and that 48 hrs of 100% O₂ markedly blunted hypoxic vasoconstriction. Meclofenamate restored hypoxic vasoconstriction to control levels in the lungs with blunted responses. Evidence for O₂ toxicity in the lungs exposed to 100% O₂ included interstitial swelling with alveolar exudates seen by light microscopy, and lung edema by water content calculations. We conclude that 1) chronic subtoxic hyperoxia does not influence subsequent hypoxic vasoconstriction, and 2) a dilator prostaglandin produced in the lung is a potent inhibitor of hypoxic vasoconstriction in O₂ toxic lungs.     

Proinflammatory role of inducible nitric oxide synthase in acute hyperoxic lung injury

BackgroundHyperoxic exposures are often found in clinical settings of respiratory insufficient patients, although oxygen therapy (>50% O₂) can result in the development of acute hyperoxic lung injury within a few days. Upon hyperoxic exposure, the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is activated by a variety of proinflammatory cytokines both in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we used a murine hyperoxic model to evaluate the effects of iNOS deficiency on the inflammatory response.MethodsWild-type and iNOS-deficient mice were exposed to normoxia, 60% O₂ or >95% O₂ for 72 h.ResultsExposure to >95% O₂ resulted in an increased iNOS mRNA and protein expression in the lungs from wild-type mice. No significant effects of iNOS deficiency on cell differential in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were observed. However, hyperoxia induced a significant increase in total cell count, protein concentration, LDH activity, lipid peroxidation, and TNF-α concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to iNOS knockout mice. Moreover, binding activity of NF-κB and AP-1 appeared to be higher in wild-type than in iNOS-deficient mice.ConclusionTaken together, our results provide evidence to suggest that iNOS plays a proinflammatory role in acute hyperoxic lung injury.     

Aerosolized bovine lactoferrin reduces lung injury and fibrosis in mice exposed to hyperoxia

This study investigated the ability of aerosolized bovine lactoferrin (bLF) to protect the lungs from injury induced by chronic hyperoxia. Female CD-1 mice were exposed to hyperoxia (FiO₂ = 80 %) for 7 days to induce lung injury and fibrosis. The therapeutic effects of bLF, administered via an aerosol delivery system, on the chronic lung injury induced by this period of hyperoxia were measured by bronchoalveolar lavage, lung histology, cell apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines in the lung tissues. After exposure to hyperoxia for 7 days, the survival of the mice was significantly decreased to 20 %. The protective effects of bLF against hyperoxia were further confirmed by significant reductions in lung edema, total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6), pulmonary fibrosis, and apoptotic DNA fragmentation. The aerosolized bLF protected the mice from oxygen toxicity and increased the survival fraction to 66.7 % in the hyperoxic model. The results support the use of an aerosol therapy with bLF in intensive care units to reduce oxidative injury in patients with severe hypoxemic respiratory failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

IFN-γ Directly Controls IL-33 Protein Level through a STAT1- and LMP2-dependent Mechanism

IL-33 contributes to disease processes in association with Th1 and Th2 phenotypes. IL-33 mRNA is rapidly regulated, but the fate of synthesized IL-33 protein is unknown. To understand the interplay among IL-33, IFN-γ, and IL-4 proteins, recombinant replication-deficient adenoviruses were produced and used for dual expression of IL-33 and IFN-γ or IL-33 and IL-4. The effects of such dual gene delivery were compared with the effects of similar expression of each of these cytokines alone. In lung fibroblast culture, co-expression of IL-33 and IFN-γ resulted in suppression of the levels of both proteins, whereas co-expression of IL-33 and IL-4 led to mutual elevation. In vivo, co-expression of IL-33 and IFN-γ in the lungs led to attenuation of IL-33 protein levels. Purified IFN-γ also attenuated IL-33 protein in fibroblast culture, suggesting that IFN-γ controls IL-33 protein degradation. Specific inhibition of caspase-1, -3, and -8 had minimal effect on IFN-γ-driven IL-33 protein down-regulation. Pharmacological inhibition, siRNA-mediated silencing, or gene deficiency of STAT1 potently up-regulated IL-33 protein expression levels and attenuated the down-regulating effect of IFN-γ on IL-33. Stimulation with IFN-γ strongly elevated the levels of the LMP2 proteasome subunit, known for its role in IFN-γ-regulated antigen processing. siRNA-mediated silencing of LMP2 expression abrogated the effect of IFN-γ on IL-33. Thus, IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-33 are engaged in a complex interplay. The down-regulation of IL-33 protein levels by IFN-γ in pulmonary fibroblasts and in the lungs in vivo occurs through STAT1 and non-canonical use of the LMP2 proteasome subunit in a caspase-independent fashion.     

Parathyroid hormone stimulation of the renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase—Effect of age and free radicals

The capacity of parathyroid hormone (PTH) to increase serum 1,25(OH)₂D levels declines with age in both rats and humans. In young rats, PTH stimulates renal 1,25(OH)₂D production and increases mRNA levels for the terminal mitochondrial P450 of the 1α-hydroxylase complex (CYP27B1 or CYP1α). However, in older rats PTH increases mRNA levels but not 1,25(OH)₂D production. This suggests that in old animals there is either decreased CYP1α protein levels in response to PTH or that the protein produced lacks functionality. The CYP1α protein is located on the inner mitochondrial membrane, the site of increased free radical production with age. To study these possibilities, we examined the effect of PTH and free radicals on CYP1α expression in a model system—AOK-B50 renal tubular cells. PTH increased CYP1α mRNA and protein in a similar time-dependent manner, suggesting that CYP1α protein levels were largely regulated by mRNA levels. The effect of free radicals was determined by preincubation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a standard model for studying free radical damage. H₂O₂ inhibited PTH-stimulated CYP1α protein levels and 1,25(OH)₂D production in a dose dependent manner. However, 1,25(OH)₂D production was more sensitive to H₂O₂ than was CYP1α protein levels. This suggests that the catalytic activity of the CYP1α protein may be reduced by free radical damage in these cells. Future studies will focus on detecting oxidative damage in this model system and in vivo.     

γδ T Cells Are Required for Pulmonary IL-17A Expression after Ozone Exposure in Mice: Role of TNFα

Ozone is an air pollutant that causes pulmonary symptoms. In mice, ozone exposure causes pulmonary injury and increases bronchoalveolar lavage macrophages and neutrophils. We have shown that IL-17A is important in the recruitment of neutrophils after subacute ozone exposure (0.3 ppm for 24–72 h). We hypothesized that γδ T cells are the main producers of IL-17A after subacute ozone. To explore this hypothesis we exposed wildtype mice and mice deficient in γδ T cells (TCRδ^−/−) to ozone or room air. Ozone-induced increases in BAL macrophages and neutrophils were attenuated in TCRδ^−/− mice. Ozone increased the number of γδ T cells in the lungs and increased pulmonary Il17a mRNA expression and the number of IL-17A⁺ CD45⁺ cells in the lungs and these effects were abolished in TCRδ^−/− mice. Ozone-induced increases in factors downstream of IL-17A signaling, including G-CSF, IL-6, IP-10 and KC were also decreased in TCRδ^−/− versus wildtype mice. Neutralization of IL-17A during ozone exposure in wildtype mice mimicked the effects of γδ T cell deficiency. TNFR2 deficiency and etanercept, a TNFα antagonist, also reduced ozone-induced increases in Il17a mRNA, IL-17A⁺ CD45⁺ cells and BAL G-CSF as well as BAL neutrophils. TNFR2 deficient mice also had decreased ozone-induced increases in Ccl20, a chemoattractant for IL-17A⁺ γδ T cells. Il17a mRNA and IL-17A⁺ γδ T cells were also lower in obese Cpe^fat versus lean WT mice exposed to subacute ozone, consistent with the reduced neutrophil recruitment observed in the obese mice. Taken together, our data indicate that pulmonary inflammation induced by subacute ozone requires γδ T cells and TNFα-dependent recruitment of IL-17A⁺ γδ T cells to the lung.     

EP2 Receptor Signaling Pathways Regulate Classical Activation of Microglia

Activation of EP2 receptors by prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) promotes brain inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases, but the pathways responsible are unclear. EP2 receptors couple to Gα_s and increase cAMP, which associates with protein kinase A (PKA) and cAMP-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Epacs). Here, we studied EP2 function and its signaling pathways in rat microglia in their resting state or undergoing classical activation in vitro following treatment with low concentrations of lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ. Real time PCR showed that PGE₂ had no effect on expression of CXCL10, TGF-β1, and IL-11 and exacerbated the rapid up-regulation of mRNAs encoding cyclooxygenase-2, inducible NOS, IL-6, and IL-1β but blunted the production of mRNAs encoding TNF-α, IL-10, CCL3, and CCL4. These effects were mimicked fully by the EP2 agonist butaprost but only weakly by the EP1/EP3 agonist 17-phenyl trinor PGE₂ or the EP4 agonist CAY10598 and not at all by the EP3/EP1 agonist sulprostone and confirmed by protein measurements of cyclooxygenase-2, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. In resting microglia, butaprost induced cAMP formation and altered the mRNA expression of inflammatory mediators, but protein expression was unchanged. The PKA inhibitor H89 had little or no effect on inflammatory mediators modulated by EP2, whereas the Epac activator 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2′-O-methyladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate acetoxymethyl ester mimicked all butaprost effects. These results indicate that EP2 activation plays a complex immune regulatory role during classical activation of microglia and that Epac pathways are prominent in this role.     

Atomic Layer Deposition Coating of Carbon Nanotubes with Aluminum Oxide Alters Pro-Fibrogenic Cytokine Expression by Human Mononuclear Phagocytes In Vitro and Reduces Lung Fibrosis in Mice In Vivo

Background

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) pose a possible human health risk for lung disease as a result of inhalation exposure. Mice exposed to MWCNTs develop pulmonary fibrosis. Lung macrophages engulf MWCNTs and produce pro-fibrogenic cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and osteopontin (OPN). Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a novel process used to enhance functional properties of MWCNTs, yet the consequence of ALD-modified MWCNTs on macrophage biology and fibrosis is unknown.

Methods

The purpose of this study was to determine whether ALD coating with aluminum oxide (Al2O3) would alter the fibrogenic response to MWCNTs and whether cytokine expression in human macrophage/monocytes exposed to MWCNTs in vitro would predict the severity of lung fibrosis in mice. Uncoated (U)-MWCNTs or ALD-coated (A)-MWCNTs were incubated with THP-1 macrophages or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cell supernatants assayed for cytokines by ELISA. C57BL6 mice were exposed to a single dose of A- or U-MWCNTs by oropharyngeal aspiration (4 mg/kg) followed by evaluation of histopathology, lung inflammatory cell counts, and cytokine levels at day 1 and 28 post-exposure.

Results

ALD coating of MWCNTs with Al2O3 enhanced IL-1β secretion by THP-1 and PBMC in vitro, yet reduced protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and OPN production by THP-1 cells. Moreover, Al2O3 nanoparticles, but not carbon black NPs, increased IL-1β but decreased OPN and IL-6 in THP-1 and PBMC. Mice exposed to U-MWCNT had increased levels of all four cytokines assayed and developed pulmonary fibrosis by 28 days, whereas ALD-coating significantly reduced fibrosis and cytokine levels at the mRNA or protein level.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ALD thin film coating of MWCNTs with Al2O3 reduces fibrosis in mice and that in vitro phagocyte expression of IL-6, TNF-α, and OPN, but not IL-1β, predict MWCNT-induced fibrosis in the lungs of mice in vivo.     

Effect of Linezolid on Clinical Severity and Pulmonary Cytokines in a Murine Model of Influenza A and Staphylococcus aureus Coinfection

Excessive inflammation contributes to the severity of post influenza pneumonia caused by methicillin resistant S.aureus (MRSA). Linezolid, vancomycin, and clindamycin are antibiotics used for MRSA infections. Linezolid has immunomodulatory properties. We report on the effects of the three antibiotics on microbial clearance, pulmonary cytokines and clinical course in a murine model of influenza and MRSA coinfection.

Methods

B6 mice were infected with influenza A virus and 3 days later with MRSA, both intranasally. Treatment with placebo, linezolid, vancomycin or clindamycin started immediately after MRSA infection and continued for 72 hours. Bacterial and viral titers as well as cytokine concentrations in the lungs were assessed 4 and 24 hours after MRSA coinfection. Mice were weighted daily for 13 days.

Results

Coinfected mice had increased pulmonary IL-1β, TNF-α and mKC at 4 and 24 hours, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 at 4 hours and IFN-γ at 24 hours after MRSA coinfection (all P<0.05). Compared to placebo, coinfected mice treated with linezolid, vancomycin or clindamycin had decreased pulmonary IL-6 and mKC at 4 hours and IFN-γ at 24 hours after MRSA coinfection (all P<0.05). IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-12 were similar in antibiotic-treated and placebo groups. All antibiotics similarly reduced MRSA without effect on influenza titers. Linezolid-treated mice had less weight loss on days 4–6 after influenza infection compared to placebo (all P<0.05). On all other days weight change was similar among all groups.

Conclusions

This is the first report comparing the effects of antibiotics on cytokines and clinical outcome in a murine model of influenza and MRSA coinfection. Compared to placebo, antibiotic treatment reduced maximum concentration of IL-6, mKC and IFN-γ in the lungs without any difference among antibiotics. During treatment, only linezolid delayed weight loss compared to placebo.     

An Evaluation of the Effects of Cytokines on Intracellular Oxidative Production in Normal Neutrophils by Flow Cytometry

To evaluate the effects of inflammatory cytokines on oxidative production in normal neutrophils, seven kinds of cytokines such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colonystimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-1α IL-1β, and interferon-β (IFN-β) were tested. The intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in individual cells was determined by flow cytometry. According to the levels of intracellular H₂O₂ enhanced by cytokines, these seven cytokines were classified into three types: (1) prominently effective—GM-CSF; (2) moderately effective—G-CSF, IL-6, and IL-2; (3) weakly or ineffective—IFN-β, IL-1α, and IL-1β. Changes in cell size and cell surface structure after stimulation of those seven cytokines were simultaneously measured by flow cytometry. The most prominently effective cytokine, GM-CSF, initially caused enlargement of cell size and irregularity of the cell surface and subsequently increased H₂O₂ production by neutrophils. In contrast, the weakly or ineffective cytokines, like IL-1β, had no effects on cell size or cell surface. Our study indicates that some kinds of cytokines enhance oxidetive production and cause morphological changes in neutrophils.     

Role of EC-SOD Overexpression in Preserving Pulmonary Angiogenesis Inhibited by Oxidative Stress

Angiogenesis is one of the most important processes for normal lung development. Oxidative stress can impair the pulmonary angiogenesis, leading to chronic lung disease or Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Objective

To investigate the protective effects of EC-SOD overexpression on pulmonary angiogenesis on neonates following exposure to acute hyperoxia.

Design/Methods

Transgenic (TG) and wild-type (WT) neonatal mice (10 mice per group) were exposed either to air (control group) or 95% O₂ for 7 days starting at birth. After exposure, all animals were sacrificed. ROS concentration was measured in lung homogenates using OxiSelect ROS assay kit. Mean vascular density (MVD) was measured using anti CD34 staining. RNA was extracted and the angiogenesis markers, VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 and PECAM-1 were analyzed by RT-q PCR. VGEF protein was measured using Western blots. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) was assayed by flow cytometer.

Results

There was a significant reduction of ROS in TG hyperoxic neonate group (156±14.2) compared to WT hyperoxic animals (255±35.1). Evaluation of MVD, using anti-CD34, showed marked significant increase of MVD in the TG group following hyperoxic exposure (85±12) in comparison to the WT hyperoxic group (62±8.4), (P<0.05). Among the hyperoxic groups, both RNA and protein of VEGF expression were significantly reduced in the WT animals compared to the TG group (P<0.05). The same trend was found in VEGFR 1 and 2 which were significantly reduced in WT group compared to the TG group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between hyperoxia TG and control group (P>0.05). PECAM expression was significantly reduced in both hyperoxic compared to normoxic groups (P<0.05). EPC’s showed significant reduction in WT hyperoxic group compared to others (P>0.05).

Conclusions

EC-SOD plays a key role in preserving angiogenesis by scavenging free radicals which has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis process in neonatal mice lung following exposure to hyperoxia.