Inhaled hydrogen sulfide induces suspended animation, but does not alter the inflammatory response after blunt chest trauma

The treatment of acute lung injury and septic complications after blunt chest trauma remains a challenge. Inhaled hydrogen sulfide (H?S) may cause a hibernation-like metabolic state, which refers to an attenuated systemic inflammatory response. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that inhaled H?S-induced suspended animation may attenuate the inflammation after pulmonary contusion. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to blunt chest trauma (blast wave) or sham procedure and subsequently exposed to a continuous flow of H?S (100 ppm) or control gas for 6 h. Body temperature and activity were measured by an implanted transmitter. At 6, 24, or 48 h after trauma, animals were killed, and the cellular contents of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as well as cytokine concentrations in BAL, plasma, and culture supernatants of blood mononuclear cells, Kupffer cells, splenic macrophages, and splenocytes were determined. Hydrogen sulfide inhalation caused a significant reduction in body temperature and activity. The trauma-induced increase in alveolar macrophage counts was abrogated 48 h after trauma when animals received H?S, whereas the trauma-induced increase in neutrophil counts was unaltered. Furthermore, H?S inhalation partially attenuated the mediator release in BAL and culture supernatants of Kupffer cells as well as splenic cells; it altered plasma cytokine concentrations but did not affect the trauma-induced changes in mononuclear cell culture supernatants. These findings indicate that inhaled H?S induced a reduced metabolic expenditure and partially attenuated inflammation after trauma. Nevertheless, in contrast to hypoxic- or pathogen-induced lung injury, H?S treatment appears to have no protective effect after blunt chest trauma.     

Divergent effects of activated neutrophils on inflammation, Kupffer cell/splenocyte activation, and lung injury following blunt chest trauma

Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) have been attributed a primarily deleterious role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). However, evidence exists that PMNs might also act beneficially in certain types of ALI. In this regard, we investigated the role of activated neutrophils in the pathophysiology of lung contusion-induced ALI. We used the model of blunt chest trauma accompanied by PMN-depletion in male C3H/HeN mice. Animals received 25 μg/g body weight PMN-depleting antibody Gr-1 intravenously 48 h before trauma. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue interleukin 6 (IL-6) were similarly elevated in PMN-depleted and control animals after trauma, whereas macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in BAL and lungs, IL-10 in BAL, and lung keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were even further increased in the absence of PMNs. Plasma IL-6 and KC were also increased in response to the insult and even further in the absence of PMNs. Chest trauma induced an enhanced release of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and IL-10 from isolated KU, which was blunted in the absence of PMNs. In the presence of PMNs, BAL protein was further increased at 30 h when compared with the 3-h time point, which was not the case in the absence of PMNs. Taken together, in response to lung trauma, activated neutrophils control inflammation including mediator release from distant immune cells but simultaneously mediate pulmonary tissue damage. Thus, keeping in mind potential inflammatory adverse effects, modulation of neutrophil activation or trafficking might be a reasonable therapeutic approach in chest trauma-induced lung injury.     

雷公藤内酯醇诱导T淋巴细胞凋亡时Fas/FasL的表达

目的 检测Fas/FasL在雷公藤内酯醇诱导的T淋巴细胞凋亡中的表达。 方法 培养人T淋巴细胞，10、20、30μg/L的雷公藤内酯醇分别刺激细胞4、8、16 h，流式细胞仪DNA分析、FITC-Annexin Ⅴ binding/PI染色检测细胞凋亡，Western blot分析检测Fas/FasL蛋白的表达。 结果 雷公藤内酯醇以剂量和时间依赖的形式诱导T细胞凋亡，雷公藤内酯醇诱导T细胞凋亡的同时伴随有Fas和FasL表达的上调，同样，雷公藤内酯醇诱导Fas和FasL表达呈现剂量和时间依赖性。结论 雷公藤内酯醇以剂量和时间依赖的形式诱导人T细胞凋亡，雷公藤内酯醇诱导T细胞凋亡的信号通路可能是通过Fas/FasL途径激活的。     

Effect of hyperoxia on reduced glutathione in alveolar macrophages and polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Reduced glutathione (GSH) protects alveolar macrophages (AMs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) against oxidative damage. To obtain further knowledge of the oxygen toxicity we determined GSH in AMs and PMNs of guinea pigs exposed to an oxygen concentration of 85% for up to 90 h. AMs and PMNs from control animals contained 17.93 and 11.67 nmol GSH/mg protein, respectively. During the exposure to a FIO2 of 85% we observed a significant continuous increase of GSH in AMs. By 90 h of oxygen exposure, AMs contained 51.22 nmol GSH/mg protein. In addition, the protein content of AMs decreased during hyperoxia. In contrast, no change of the GSH amount and protein content was detectable in PMNs. The increase of GSH in AMs could serve as an adaptation of the cells to hyperoxia. The lack of the GSH increase in PMNs could be due to the different oxygen concentrations between the lung and the peritoneal cavity. The greater GSH content in AMs may account for the difference between these cells in their susceptibility to oxidant injury.     

Independent contributions of GR-1+ leukocytes and Fas/FasL interactions to induce apoptosis following interleukin-12 gene therapy in a metastatic model of prostate cancer

In a mouse model of prostate cancer, adenovirus-mediated interleukin-12 (Ad.mIL-12) gene therapy resulted in significant growth inhibition of both the injected primary tumor and synchronous metastases. Within 2 days of vector injection, two distinct patterns of apoptosis were detected within the primary tumor, the inhibition of which with a caspase inhibitor substantially negated growth suppression. The dominant pattern displayed localized sheets of apoptotic cells in close association with necrosis containing polymorphic neutrophils (PMNs). Depletion of PMNs resulted in the loss of this pattern of apoptosis and reduced growth suppression. A second major wave of growth suppression within the primary tumor was mediated by an immune response. Natural killer (NK) cell activity was detected within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) by the eighth day post-vector injection, the depletion of which resulted in a significant loss of survival enhancement. A more modest role for T cells was identified, which in the absence of documented cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity may be related to a significant reduction in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels found in mice depleted of T cells, thereby reducing the secondary influences of IFN-gamma. However, depletion of NK cells or T cells had no discernible negative effect on IL-12-mediated anti-metastatic activity. Attention focused on the role of IFN-gamma, observed following Ad.mIL-12 therapy, to mediate the diffuse pattern of apoptosis seen in the primary and metastatic lesions. In vitro studies noted the ability of IFN-gamma to up-regulate tumor cell expression of Fas and FasL to mediate apoptosis, whereas in vivo blockage of Fas/FasL interactions with soluble Fas resulted in a modest reduction in primary tumor growth suppression but complete abrogation within metastatic lesions.     

高压氧联合阿霉素对白血病K562/A02细胞凋亡的影响

本研究探讨0.2MPa高压氧(HBO)联合阿霉素对白血病多药耐药细胞K562/A02细胞凋亡的影响。利用流式细胞术法和透射电子显微镜检测细胞凋亡和caspase-3表达,用定量qReal-time PCR法检测HIF-1α、BCL-2和BAXmRNA表达水平,运用caspase-8试剂盒检测caspase-8的活性,Western blot法检测P-gp活性。结果表明:0.2MPa HBO联合阿霉素组细胞凋亡率高于ADM组[(47.36±3.87)%vs(28.51±1.09)%],差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。0.2MPa HBO联合阿霉素组细胞HIF-1αmRNA、P-gp及BCL-2的蛋白水平低于ADM组,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。0.2MPa HBO联合阿霉素组细胞的BAX、caspase-3及caspase-8蛋白活性均高于ADM组,差异有统计学意义(p<0.05)。结论 :0.2MPa HBO联合阿霉素可逆转耐药细胞株K562/A02对阿霉素的耐药,提高细胞凋亡率,其机制可能与HIF-1α下调P-gp和BCL-2的表达以及提高caspase活性有关。     

补骨脂素联合长波紫外线A诱导HL-60细胞凋亡作用的研究

本研究探讨中药补骨脂素（psoralen，PSO）加长波紫外线A（ultraviolet A，UVA）（PUVA）诱导人白血病细胞HL-60凋亡的作用及其可能的作用机制。采用MTT法观察PUVA对HL-60细胞增殖的影响；采用电子显微镜技术观察细胞超微结构改变；流式细胞术（FCM）检测细胞凋亡率、线粒体跨膜电位水平以及细胞Fas、FasL蛋白的表达；荧光定量PCR技术检测细胞Fas、FasL mRNA的表达；免疫细胞化学法（immunocytochemistry，ICC）检测caspase 8、caspase3蛋白的表达。结果表明，PUVA可抑制HL-60细胞的增殖，使凋亡率增加，作用呈时间、浓度依赖性；UVA照射时间15分钟和PSO浓度为80μg／ml时，HL-60细胞增殖的抑制率、凋亡率达峰值；PUVA作用后HL-60细胞超微结构出现明显的凋亡形态学改变，细胞线粒体跨膜电位水平下降；PUVA作用4小时Fas mRNA的表达升高，FasL mRNA的表达下降；PUVA作用24小时Fas、FasL在蛋白水平的表达亦呈现相同规律；PUVA可使HL-60细胞caspase 8、caspase 3蛋白的表达增强，在作用后8小时强度达峰值。结论：PUVA能够抑制HL-60细胞的增殖，并诱导其凋亡，可能的机制是PUVA作用于Fas／FasL系统，使Fas基因表达升高、FasL基因表达下降，激活下游caspase 8、caspase 3的表达，线粒体膜电位水平降低亦可能参与了这个过程。     

联合应用磁性纳米Fe3O4颗粒和5溴汉防己甲素对柔红霉素诱导的K562／A02细胞凋亡效应的影响

本研究探讨磁性纳米Fe3O4颗粒[MNP（Fe3O4）]和5溴汉防己甲素（5-BrTet）联合治疗慢性髓系白血病的潜在可能性。采用流式细胞术、Wright染色和光学显微镜检测细胞凋亡情况;采用Western blot法检测细胞BCL-2和BAX表达水平。结果表明：MNP（Fe3O4）或5-BrTet与柔红霉素（DNR）联用对K562／A02细胞有细胞毒作用,而联合应用MNP（Fe3O4）和5-BrTet可协同促进DNR诱导K562／A02细胞凋亡,且细胞出现典型的凋亡形态改变,同时可见BCL-2表达下调,BAX表达上调。结论：MNP（Fe3O44）或5-Br/Tet联合DNR均能有效促进K562／A02细胞凋亡。两者联合应用作用增强,其机制可能与BCL-2表达下调及BAX表达上调有关。     

Mechanism for the inflammatory response in primate lungs. Demonstration and partial characterization of an alveolar macrophage-derived chemotactic factor with preferential activity for polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Approximately 4 h after an initial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of a primate's lung, an appreciable number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were noted to accumulate in respiratory fluids when lavage was repeated. Whereas, alveolar macrophages (90%) and lymphocytes (7%) were the principal respiratory cells recovered initially from lavage fluid, later samples contained 45-90% PMNs To explain the observed ingress of PMNs into lung fluids, concentrated BAL fluid was tested for chemoattractant activity. Such fluid obtained 4 and 24 h after an initial lavage contained material that produced directed migration (chemotaxis) for PMNs and mononuclear cells isolated from peripheral blood of normal donors. Gel filtration chromatography of BAL disclosed two peaks of chemotactic activity in the effluent fractions. Material from the column with an estimated molecular weight of 15,000 daltons was chemotactic for both PMNs and mononuclear cells. Because it was susceptible to inactivation with antiserum against the fifth component of complement, resistant to heating, and unaffected by antiserum against C3, this factor was considered analogous to the cleavage product of the fifth component of complement. C5a. In addition chemotactic activity for PMNs only was contained in an effluent peak having a molecular weight of about 5,000 daltons. This material was heat labile but unaffected by antisera to complement components. To locate the possible source of these factors in respiratory fluid, in vitro cultures of alveolar macrophages were established. These cells, whether stimulated by phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria or merely by attachment to a glass surface, produced chemotactic material which had physical characteristics similar to the small molecular weight material in BAL. Moreover, it induced preferential chemotaxis for PMNs. Thus, in primate lungs, at least two chemotactic substances may generate an inflammatory response; one which is a fragment of the complement component C5 and another small molecular weight factor which is released from alveolar macrophages.     

FAS,FASL及Bcl-2在化疗药物诱导RMA细胞凋亡过程中的表达

本研究通过测定RMA细胞Fas,FasL和Bcl-2表达的变化，探讨其在细胞凋亡过程中的作用。在培养的小鼠T淋巴瘤RMA细胞系中加化疗药物地塞米松（DEX）、足叶乙甙（VP－16）、三氧化二砷（As2O3)及维甲酸（ATRA）以及培养细胞中先分别与细胞国子IL－2，IL－6或GM－CSF共同培养后再加入上述药物，观察对细胞凋亡的影响及细胞凋亡过程中Fas,FasL mRNA,Fas及Bcl-2抗原的表达。DEX和VP－16能上调Fas和FasL表达，促进细胞凋亡，Bcl-2表达无变化。ATRA可下调Bcl-2表达，但不影响Fas和FasL系统，也未观察到有细胞凋亡。As2O3可以诱导细胞凋亡,但Fas,FasL及Bcl-2表达均无变化。提示不同药物对一种细胞可能通过不同的信号途径诱导调亡，而Fas系统诱导的细胞凋亡需要Fas和FasL共同参与。单独用IL－2，IL－6或GM－CSF虽然使Fas蛋白增加，但不引起细胞凋亡；如同时并用IL－2和IL－6则Fas和FasL表达均上升，并诱导细胞凋亡。上述细胞因子与化疗药物并用时可减低药物量，促进药物的凋亡诱导作用。在无FasL表达情况下，抗Fas单克隆抗体能诱导RMA细胞凋亡。实验结果表明，细胞因子与化疗药物可协同作用诱导细胞凋亡，Fas-FasL系统参与DEX和VP－16诱导的RMA细胞凋亡过程，不同的药物可以通过不同的信号途径诱导细胞凋亡。     

锌离子对脂多糖作用下大鼠腹膜间皮细胞凋亡的影响及机制

目的 研究锌离子对脂多糖（LPS）诱导的大鼠腹膜间皮细胞（RPMC）凋亡的影响及机制的探索,从而为锌离子在腹膜透析中的应用提供实验基础.方法 胰蛋白酶消化法培养原代大鼠腹膜间皮细胞、传代、经鉴定后分组：①对照组;②LPS组;③ZnSO4组;④ZnSO4/LPS组.应用AnnexinV-FITC凋亡检测试剂盒及流式细胞仪检测RPMC凋亡率,并采用Westen Blot方法检测细胞外信号调节激酶（P-ERK）,BAX,凋亡诱导因子（AIF）,天冬氨酸特异性半胧氨酸蛋白酶3（caspase3）,天冬氨酸特异性半胧氨酸蛋白酶9 （caspase9）蛋白表达.应用流式细胞术,采用活性氧自由基（ROS）检测试剂盒检测各组别的ROS蛋白表达情况.结果 与对照组相比,LPS组RPMC凋亡细胞数量和相关凋亡蛋白（BAX,AIF,caspase3,caspase9）表达升高（P＜0.01）.与LPS组相比,ZnSO4作用组RPMC凋亡细胞数量和相关凋亡蛋白表达明显降低（P＜0.01）.LPS组ROS显著高于对照组而ZnSO4作用组ROS显著低于LPS组（P＜0.01,P＜0.01）.与LPS组相比,ZnSO4作用组P-ERK的表达明显升高（P＜0.01）.结论 ZnSO4可能可以逆转LPS所致的RPMC凋亡,对腹膜透析相关腹膜炎过程中所导致的RPMC损伤具有保护作用,其作用机制可能是通过ERK通路而发挥作用.     

ANGⅡ诱导大鼠动脉内皮细胞凋亡作用分子机制研究

目的 探讨ANGⅡ诱导大鼠动脉内皮细胞凋亡的分子机制.方法 体外培养大鼠动脉内皮细胞株（RAOEC）,通过ANGⅡ诱导RAOEC凋亡,采用流式细胞仪检测ANGⅡ诱导凋亡改变,RT-PCR荧光相对定量检测相关凋亡蛋白mRNA水平变化,组间差异统计性分析采用Students T-test.结果 ANG Ⅱ诱导大鼠动脉内皮凋亡作用具有时间和剂量依赖性,高浓度和低浓度或者延长作用时间都不能增加凋亡率,血管紧张素特异性的受体拮抗剂缬沙坦和PD123319联合应用能够完全抑制ANGⅡ诱导RAOEC细胞凋亡作用,单独应用均不能完全抑制凋亡.与空白对照组比较,ANGⅡ组AT1R和AT2R mRNA水平显著上调,胞外死亡受体途径相关促凋亡分子Fas、FasL caspase 8 mRNA表达水平上调,胞内线粒体途径促凋亡分子BAX、caspase 9 mRNA显著上调,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论 ANGⅡ诱导RAOEC细胞凋亡具有剂量和时间依赖性,其机制可能是由AT1R和AT2R受体介导通过胞外死亡受体途径和胞内线粒体途径共同参与的信号转导机制.     

Alveolar macrophage phagocytosis is enhanced after blunt chest trauma and alters the posttraumatic mediator release

Blunt chest trauma is known to induce a pulmonary invasion of short-lived polymorphonuclear neutrophils and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells. Apoptotic cells are removed by alveolar macrophages (AMΦ). We hypothesized that chest trauma alters the phagocytic response of AMΦ as well as the mediator release of AMΦ during phagocytosis. To study this, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to blunt chest trauma. Phagocytosis assays were performed in AMΦ isolated 2 or 24 h after trauma with apoptotic cells or opsonized beads. Phagocytosis of apoptotic AT2 cells by unstimulated AMΦ was significantly increased 2 h after trauma. At 24 h, AMΦ from traumatized animals, stimulated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, ingested significantly more apoptotic polymorphonuclear neutrophils than AMΦ from sham animals. Alveolar macrophages after trauma released significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor α, macrophage inflammatory protein 1α, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 when they incorporated latex beads, but significantly lower levels of interleukin 1β and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α when they ingested apoptotic cells. In vivo, phagocytosis of intratracheally instilled latex beads was decreased in traumatized rats. The bronchoalveolar lavage concentrations of the phagocytosis-supporting surfactant proteins A and D after blunt chest trauma were slightly decreased, whereas surfactant protein D mRNA expression in AT2 cells was significantly increased after 2 h. These findings indicate that chest trauma augments the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by AMΦ. Phagocytosis of opsonized beads enhances and ingestion of apoptotic cells downregulates the immunologic response following lung contusion. Our data emphasize the important role of phagocytosis during posttraumatic inflammation after lung contusion.     

TIEG1对K562细胞凋亡及BCL-2/BAX、PTEN表达的影响

本研究旨在观察TIEG1诱导K562细胞凋亡及BCL-2/BAX、PTEN表达的变化.用TIEGl0、1、5、10和20ng/ml处理K562细胞,MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率.TIEG1 10.00 ng/ml处理K562细胞后流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡,RT-PCR方法检测BCL-2/BAX及PTEN的表达.结果表明,T1EG1对K562细胞增殖具有抑制作用,且呈时间及剂量依赖性（r=0.52,P＜0.05）;处理细胞6、12、24和48 h后TIEGl IC50值分别为48.19、18.72、9.5和3.85 ng/ml.TIEG1 10.00 ng/ml处理K562细胞0、6、12、24和48 h后凋亡率分别为（2.13±0.42）％、（7.79±0.71）％、（11.17±1.37）％、（24.66±0.29）％和（48.60±1.38）％,各组凋亡率相比较统计学差异具有显著性（P＜0.05）.在TIEG1诱导K562细胞凋亡过程中,BCL-2表达逐渐减少（r=0.48,P＜0.05）,而BAX（r=0.69,P＜0.05）及PTEN（r=0.57,P＜0.05）表达逐渐增加.结论：TIEG1诱导K562细胞凋亡并抑制其增殖,且呈时间、剂量依赖性.在TIEG1诱导K562细胞凋亡的过程中,BCL-2/BAX及PTEN表达变化与K562细胞凋亡相关.     

干扰素α对慢性髓系白血病来源的树突状细胞表达Fas／FasL的影响

本研究探讨干扰素α对慢性髓系白血病（CML）来源的树突状细胞（DC）表达Fas／FasL的影响。在CML—DCs的培养液中除加入SCF，GM—CSF，TNF—α及IL-4外，还加入IFN—α。培养10-14天，除了鉴定细胞免疫表型和Ph^1染色体比例外，还应用流式细胞仪检测细胞表达Fas／FasL比例，用PI染色分析细胞凋亡，ELISA法检测上清液sFas含量。结果表明：加入IFN-α后，CML—DC共刺激分子的表达显著改善，Ph^1（＋）细胞比例随IFN—α浓度增加而减低；培养细胞Fas的表达上调，sFas含量却下降，FasL表达阴性，细胞凋亡比例增加。结论：IFN—α在改善CML-DC表型同时，可通过Fas途径促进Ph^1（＋）细胞凋亡，使Ph^1（-）细胞数量相对增加。     

Innate immune response to pulmonary contusion: identification of cell type-specific inflammatory responses

Lung injury from pulmonary contusion is a common traumatic injury, predominantly seen after blunt chest trauma, such as in vehicular accidents. The local and systemic inflammatory response to injury includes activation of innate immune receptors, elaboration of a variety of inflammatory mediators, and recruitment of inflammatory cells to the injured lung. Using a mouse model of pulmonary contusion, we had previously shown that innate immune Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) mediate the inflammatory response to lung injury. In this study, we used chimeric mice generated by adoptive bone marrow transfer between TLR2 or TLR4 and wild-type mice. We found that, in the lung, both bone marrow-derived and nonmyeloid cells contribute to TLR-dependent inflammatory responses after injury in a cell type-specific manner. We also show a novel TLR2-dependent injury mechanism that is associated with enhanced airway epithelial cell apoptosis and increased pulmonary FasL and Fas expression in the lungs from injured mice. Thus, in addition to cardiopulmonary physiological dysfunction, cell type-specific TLR and their differential response to injury may provide novel specific targets for management of patients with pulmonary contusion.     

亚砷酸联合蛋白酶体抑制剂硼替佐米诱导人淋巴瘤细胞Raji凋亡的研究

本研究探索亚砷酸、硼替佐米对人Burkitt淋巴瘤细胞系Raji的协同诱导凋亡作用。小剂量亚砷酸、硼替佐米单用以及二者联合分别处理Raji细胞，用台盼蓝拒染法计数活细胞数和细胞生长抑制率；用流式细胞术分析细胞凋亡和周期的变化；以Western blot检测Caspase-3、BCL-2、BAX、JNK2、IκB-α等凋亡相关元件在蛋白水平的变化。结果表明：相比于单用亚砷酸和硼替佐米，以小剂量亚砷酸联合硼替佐米处理Raji细胞后，细胞生长受明显抑制（P〈0．01），细胞凋亡比例增加（P=0.001），但细胞周期未见明显阻滞；在蛋白水平，细胞凋亡相关元件Caspase-3、BAX和IκB-α表达增加，而BCL-2和JNK2表达量下降。结论：小剂量亚砷酸联合硼替佐米能更有效地诱导Raji细胞凋亡，并具有协同作用。该作用可能是通过抑制NF—κB和JNK2通路实现的。     

Activation of polymorphonuclear neutrophils by immune complex: possible involvement in development of transfusion-related acute lung injury

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious side-effect of transfusion. We presumed that immune complex (IC)-activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are involved in the development of TRALI. The aim of this study is to examine the various effects of ICs on normal human PMNs. ICs used here were artificially formed by combining soluble human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II-positive serum and anti-HLA class II antiserum. The abilities of ICs to trigger PMNs and induce the production of soluble mediators and the involvement of the Fc receptor (FcR) in the activation of PMNs by ICs were investigated. Moreover, the ability of the culture supernatant of PMNs incubated with ICs regarded to induce the apoptosis of lung microvascular endothelial (LME) cells was examined. The results proved that PMNs are triggered by ICs resulting in the acceleration of the production of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), perforin and Fas ligand, in which FcR on PMNs appears to be involved. Furthermore, the culture supernatants of PMNs cultured with ICs were revealed to induce the apoptosis of LME cells. In conclusion, the ICs used here were proved to induce PMNs to release cytotoxic factors upon activation. These results suggest that ICs are mediators of the development of TRALI.     

Roles of Fas and Fas ligand during mammary gland remodeling

Mammary involution is associated with degeneration of the alveolar structure and programmed cell death of mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) in the mammary gland tissue and their possible role in the induction of apoptosis of mammary cells. FasL-positive cells were observed in normal mammary epithelium from pregnant and lactating mice, but not in nonpregnant/virgin mouse mammary tissue. Fas expression was observed in epithelial and stromal cells in nonpregnant mice but was absent during pregnancy. At day 1 after weaning, high levels of both Fas and FasL proteins and caspase 3 were observed and coincided with the appearance of apoptotic cells in ducts and glands. During the same period, no apoptotic cells were found in the Fas-deficient (MRL/lpr) and FasL-deficient (C3H/gld) mice. Increase in Fas and FasL protein was demonstrated in human (MCF10A) and mouse (HC-11) mammary epithelial cells after incubation in hormone-deprived media, before apoptosis was detected. These results suggest that the Fas-FasL interaction plays an important role in the normal remodeling of mammary tissue. Furthermore, this autocrine induction of apoptosis may prevent accumulation of cells with mutations and subsequent neoplastic development. Failure of the Fas/FasL signal could contribute to tumor development.