Surface tension effects on instability in viscoelastic respiratory fluids

This paper establishes the mathematical formalism for the modeling of the mucus layer in the human trachea as a viscoelastic multiphase fluid system with surface tension with a view toward study of instability properties of the air-mucus system aimed at improving the design of new bioaerosol suppressing medication. The effects of surface tension, previously only conjectured and very poorly understood, are clearly established with quantitative relationships. Several very important physiological conclusions are obtained supporting one method of potential treatment and prevention of disease transmission by alteration of the mucus layer properties over other potential methods.     

Effects of hyperosmotic stress on cultured airway epithelial cells

Inhalation of hyperosmotic solutions (salt, mannitol) has been used in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis or asthma, but the mechanism behind the effect of hyperosmotic solutions is unclear. The relation between osmolarity and permeability changes was examined in an airway cell line by the addition of NaCl, NaBr, LiCl, mannitol, or xylitol (295–700 mOsm). Transepithelial resistance was measured as an indicator of the tightness of the cultures. Cell-cell contacts and morphology were investigated by immunofluorescence and by transmission electron microscopy, with lanthanum nitrate added to the luminal side of the epithelium to investigate tight junction permeability. The electrolyte solutions caused a significant decrease in transepithelial resistance from 450 mOsm upwards, when the hyperosmolar exposure was gradually increased from 295 to 700 mOsm; whereas the nonelectrolyte solutions caused a decrease in transepithelial resistance from 700 mOsm upwards. Old cultures reacted in a more rigid way compared to young cultures. Immuno-fluorescence pictures showed weaker staining for the proteins ZO-1, claudin-4, and plakoglobin in treated samples compared to the control. The ultrastructure revealed an increased number of open tight junctions as well as a disturbed morphology with increasing osmolarity, and electrolyte solutions opened a larger proportion of tight junctions than nonelectrolyte solutions. This study shows that hyperosmotic solutions cause the opening of tight junctions, which may increase the permeability of the paracellular pathway and result in increased transepithelial water transport. This study was supported by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association and the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation.     

Maintaining nitric oxide-induced airway relaxation with superoxide dismutase

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that the protective effect of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) against methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction is negated in airways subjected to hyperosmotic stress. In this study, hypothesizing that the impaired efficiency of iNO was caused by release of reactive oxygen radicals, we examined the effect of the radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). METHODS: Hemodynamic and respiratory measurements were performed on anesthetized rabbits after (1) inhalation of methacholine (MCh), (2) iNO (80ppm), followed by MCh, (3) inhalation of hypertonic saline (HS), followed by iNO and MCh and (4) pre-treatment with inhalation of SOD, followed by HS, iNO and MCh. We analyzed plasma for a marker of oxidative stress, 8-iso-prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) and for a marker of activation of COX-mediated inflammatory cascades, PGF(2alpha) metabolite. RESULTS: Pre-treatment with SOD restored the bronchoprotective response to iNO in hyperosmotic airways. No direct effect was seen by SOD treatment on levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), but this marker of oxidative stress correlated positively with increased bronchoconstriction. Hyperosmotic challenge elevated levels of PGF(2alpha) metabolite, and pre-treatment with SOD protected against this activation of the inflammatory cascade. CONCLUSION: SOD pre-treatment restores the relaxant effects of iNO in hyperosmotically challenged airways by attenuating oxidative stress and activation of COX-mediated inflammatory cascades.     

MMP-12-mediated by SARM-TRIF signaling pathway contributes to IFN-γ-independent airway inflammation and AHR post RSV infection in nude mice

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most frequently observed pathogens during infancy and childhood. However, the corresponding pathogenesis has not been determined to date. We previously demonstrated that IFN-γ plays an important role in RSV pathogenesis, and SARM-TRIF-signaling pathway could regulate the production of IFN-γ. This study is to investigate whether T cells or innate immune cells are the predominant producers of IFN-γ, and further to explore other culprits in addition to IFN-γ in the condition of RSV infection.

Methods

Normal BALB/c mice and nude mice deficient in T cells were infected intranasally with RSV. Leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted, lung histopathology was examined, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured by whole-body plethysmography. IFN-γ and MMP-12 were detected by ELISA. MMP408, a selective MMP-12 inhibitor, was given intragastrically. Resveratrol, IFN-γ neutralizing antibody and recombinant murine IFN-γ were administered intraperitoneally. SARM and TRIF protein were semi-quantified by Western blot. siRNA was used to knock-down SARM expression.

Results

RSV induced significant airway inflammation and AHR in both mice; IFN-γ was significantly increased in BALB/c mice but not in nude mice. MMP-12 was dramatically increased in both mice but earlier in nude mice. When MMP-12 was inhibited by MMP408, RSV-induced respiratory symptoms were alleviated. SARM was significantly suppressed while TRIF was significantly enhanced in both mice strains. Following resveratrol administration in nude mice, 1) SARM inhibition was prevented, 2) TRIF and MMP-12 were correspondingly down-regulated and 3) airway disorders were subsequently alleviated. Moreover, when SARM was efficiently knocked down using siRNA, TRIF and MMP-12 were markedly enhanced, and the anti-RSV effects of resveratrol were remarkably abrogated. MMP-12 was significantly increased in the IFN-γ neutralizing antibody-treated BALB/c mice but reduced in the recombinant murine IFN-γ-treated nude mice.

Conclusions

MMP-12 can result in at least part of the airway inflammation and AHR independent of IFN-γ. And SARM-TRIF- signaling pathway is involved in regulating the overproduction of MMP-12. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first that has examined the effects of SARM on MMP-12 and further highlights the potential to target SARM-TRIF-MMP-12 cascades to treat RSV infection.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0176-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

三种关于建立家兔人工气道方法的评价

目的比较关于家兔三种人工气道（artificial airway,AA）建立方法,为实验中快速建立家兔人工气道选择较好的方法提供参考。方法选用新西兰大耳白兔共30只,随机均分为3组。分别采用气管切开法、经口明视气管插管法、经口盲探气管插管法建立人工气道,比较各组建立人工气道的时间,首次成功率及并发症发生情况。结果经口盲探气管插管法建立人工气道的时间明显短于经口明视气管插管法和气管切开法,首次成功率由高到低依次是气管切开法、经口盲探气管插管法、经口明视气管插管法。经口盲探气管插管组并发症发生率最低,为（10±5）%,气管切开组和经口明视气管插管组并发症发生率分别为（20±10）%,（30±10）%。结论经口盲探气管插管是现阶段建立家兔人工气道时值得优先考虑的方法,简便易行、可操作性强,成功率高。     

Involvement of endogenous hydrogen sulfide in cigarette smoke-induced changes in airway responsiveness and inflammation of rat lung

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), recently considered the third endogenous gaseous transmitter, may have an important role in systemic inflammation. We investigated whether endogenous H₂S may be a crucial mediator in airway responsiveness and airway inflammation in a rat model of chronic exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Rats randomly divided into control and CS-exposed groups were treated with or without sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, donor of H₂S) or propargylglycine (PPG, inhibitor of cystathionine-γ-lyase [CSE], an H₂S-synthesizing enzyme) for 4-month exposure. Serum H₂S level and CSE protein expression in lung tissue were higher, by 2.04- and 2.33-fold, respectively, in CS-exposed rats than in controls (P < 0.05). Exogenous administration of NaHS to CS-exposed rats alleviated airway reactivity induced by acetylcholine (Ach) or potassium chloride (KCl) by 17.4% and 13.8%, respectively, decreased lung pathology score by 32.7%, inhibited IL-8 and TNF- α concentrations in lung tissue by 34.2% and 31.4%, respectively, as compared with CS-exposed rats (all P < 0.05). However, blocking endogenous CSE with PPG in CS-exposed rats increased airway reactivity induced by Ach or KCl, by 24.1% and 24.5%, respectively, and aggravated lung pathology score, by 44.8%, as compared with CS-exposed rats (all P < 0.01). Incubation in vitro with NaHS, 1–3 mmol/L, relaxed rat tracheal smooth muscle precontracted by Ach or KCl. However, the NaHS-induced relaxation was not blocked by glibenclamide (10^?4 mol/L), L-NAME (10^?4 mol/L), or ODQ (1 μmol/L) or denudation of epithelium. Endogenous H₂S may have a protective role of anti-inflammation and bronchodilation in chronic CS-induced pulmonary injury.     

TLR4 signalling in pulmonary stromal cells is critical for inflammation and immunity in the airways

Inflammation of the airways, which is often associated with life-threatening infection by Gram-negative bacteria or presence of endotoxin in the bioaerosol, is still a major cause of severe airway diseases. Moreover, inhaled endotoxin may play an important role in the development and progression of airway inflammation in asthma. Pathologic changes induced by endotoxin inhalation include bronchospasm, airflow obstruction, recruitment of inflammatory cells, injury of the alveolar epithelium, and disruption of pulmonary capillary integrity leading to protein rich fluid leak in the alveolar space. Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important signalling receptors in innate host defense. Among these receptors, TLR4 plays a critical role in the response to endotoxin.Lungs are a complex compartmentalized organ with separate barriers, namely the alveolar-capillary barrier, the microvascular endothelium, and the alveolar epithelium. An emerging theme in the field of lung immunology is that structural cells (SCs) of the airways such as epithelial cells (ECs), endothelial cells, fibroblasts and other stromal cells produce activating cytokines that determine the quantity and quality of the lung immune response. This review focuses on the role of TLR4 in the innate and adaptive immune functions of the pulmonary SCs.     

清热化痰、宣肺解痉法治疗支气管哮喘的临床疗效及对气道呼吸参数、生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨清热化痰、宣肺解痉法治疗支气管哮喘的临床疗效及对气道呼吸参数、生活质量的影响。方法：选取我院2019年10月到2021年9月收治的60例支气管哮喘患者作为研究对象,分为观察组与对照组,每组30例。对照组予吸入布地奈德福莫特罗粉吸入剂,观察组在对照组基础上增加清热化痰宣肺解痉法治疗,对比两组患者临床疗效,治疗前与治疗1个月后的中医证候积分变化,气道呼吸参数变化,炎症因子以及生活质量变化。结果：观察组总有效率较对照组高（P<0.05）;两组患者治疗前中医证候积分对比无差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后降低,且观察组低于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者治疗前第1秒用力呼气容积（FEV₁）、用力肺活量（FVC）、第1s用力呼气量/用力肺活量（FEV₁/FVC）最大呼气流速（PEF）对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后两组患者FVC、FEV₁、FEV₁/ FVC、PEF均有提升,且观察组高于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者治疗前肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、基质金属蛋白-9（MMP-9）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、白细胞介素-4（IL-4）水平对比无明显差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后两组患者TNF-α、TGF-β1、MMP-9、VEGF、IFN-γ、IL-4水平均明显降低,且观察组低于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者治疗前生活质量评分对比无差异（P＞0.05）,治疗后1个月生活质量相关评分均降低,且观察组较对照组低（P＜0.05）。结论：支气管哮喘患者在常规西医治疗基础上增加清热化痰宣肺解痉法治疗可减轻患者症状。另外可改善患者呼吸功能,降低炎症因子反应,提升患者生活质量。     

miR-455-5p靶向SOCS3抑制RSV感染致气道上皮炎症反应的机制研究

摘要 目的：揭示miR-455-5p对呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）感染致气道上皮细胞炎症反应的作用机制。方法：qRT-PCR检测30例健康体检儿童（健康组）、RSV感染轻症组（n=41）和重症组（n=31）患儿血清miR-455-5p水平。将16HBE细胞分为Control组、NC-agomir组、miR-455-5p-agomir组、NC-antagomir组、miR-455-5p-antagomir组。使用Lipofectamine 3000转染16HBE细胞后培养48 h后,分为Blank组、NC组（转染了NC-agomir的细胞）、RSV+NC-agomir组、RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组,用RSV病毒液感染RSV+NC-agomir组和RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组16HBE细胞,Blank组和NC组16HBE细胞正常培养。用CCK-8法和EdU法检测细胞增殖、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡、ELISA法检测上清液中TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8水平,qRT-PCR检测miR-455-5p和SOCS3的mRNA水平,Western blot检测SOCS3、IFN-α、STAT1、STAT2、p-STAT1和p-STAT2的蛋白水平。结果：与健康组相比,轻症组和重症组患儿的血清miR-455-5p水平降低（P<0.05）。与轻症组相比,重症组的血清miR-455-5p水平降低（P<0.05）。与Control组和NC-agomir组相比,miR-455-5p-agomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率升高（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率降低（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平降低（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平降低（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平升高（P<0.05）。与Control组和NC-antagomir组相比,miR-455-5p-antagomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率降低（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率升高（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平升高（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平升高（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。与Blank组和NC组相比,RSV+NC-agomir组16HBE细胞的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率降低（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率升高（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平升高（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平升高（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平降低（P<0.05）。与RSV+NC-agomir组相比,RSV+miR-455-5p-agomir组的miR-455-5p水平、相对细胞活力和EdU阳性率升高（P<0.05）,TUNEL阳性率降低（P<0.05）,上清液中的TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平降低（P<0.05）,SOCS3 mRNA和蛋白水平降低（P<0.05）,IFN-α蛋白、STAT1和STAT2磷酸化水平升高（P<0.05）。结论：miR-455-5p在RSV感染患儿血清中下调,上调miR-455-5p通过抑制SOCS3的转录和表达从而激活RSV感染的16HBE细胞中IFN-α介导的抗病毒反应。