Effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase on alveolar epithelial permeability in guinea pigs.

Elastase-deficient mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are less virulent than the wild type and are easily cleared from the lungs of guinea pigs. The effect of P. aeruginosa elastase on lung epithelium, however, is not yet understood. We addressed the hypothesis that breach of the epithelial barrier by elastase from P. aeruginosa allows invading organisms and toxic substances to penetrate the interstitium. We measured the clearance of aerosolized technetium-labeled albumin (molecular weight, 69,000) from the lungs of anesthetized guinea pigs with the aid of a gamma camera and a dedicated computer. Aerosols of the elastase (0.1 to 5 micrograms) increased the rate of clearance of labeled albumin from the lungs in proportion to the elastase dose. Electron microscopic studies using horseradish peroxidase as a tracer revealed that elastase interrupts intercellular tight junctions of the epithelial lining, thereby increasing the permeability to macromolecules. The amounts of elastase used in this report did not cause interstitial or alveolar edema, as determined by both postmortem extravascular lung water volume measurement and morphological examination. The data indicate that the elastase is a potentially important virulence factor in acute lung infection.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase disables proteinase-activated receptor 2 in respiratory epithelial cells

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major lung pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, secretes an elastolytic metalloproteinase (EPa) contributing to bacterial pathogenicity. Proteinase-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), implicated in the pulmonary innate defense, is activated by the cleavage of its extracellular N-terminal domain, unmasking a new N-terminal sequence starting with SLIGKV, which binds intramolecularly and activates PAR2. We show that EPa cleaves the N-terminal domain of PAR2 from the cell surface without triggering receptor endocytosis as trypsin does. As evaluated by measurements of cytosolic calcium as well as prostaglandin E(2) and interleukin-8 production, this cleavage does not activate PAR2, but rather disarms the receptor for subsequent activation by trypsin, but not by the synthetic receptor-activating peptide, SLIGKV-NH(2). Proteolysis by EPa of synthetic peptides representing the N-terminal cleavage/activation sequences of either human or rat PAR2 indicates that cleavages resulting from EPa activity would not produce receptor-activating tethered ligands, but would disarm PAR2 in regard to any further activating proteolysis by activating proteinases. Our data indicate that a pathogen-derived proteinase like EPa can potentially silence the function of PAR2 in the respiratory tract, thereby altering the host innate defense mechanisms and respiratory functions, and thus contributing to pathogenesis in the setting of a disease like CF.     

铜绿假单胞菌活菌对呼吸道上皮细胞表达IL-8的影响

目的:探讨铜绿假单胞菌活菌与人呼吸道上皮细胞的相互关系,细菌对呼吸道上皮炎症反应的影响。方法:采用PAO1及ATCC 27853两株铜绿假单胞菌,在体外与培养的呼吸道上皮细胞株A549及无血清培养的人支气管上皮原代细胞相互作用,收集细胞培养上清,ELISA检测上清IL-8浓度。结果:两株绿脓杆菌均能诱导呼吸道上皮细胞IL-8分泌增加,在细菌刺激下,A549细胞IL-8分泌比对照高出5倍(P<0.05),原代上皮细胞IL-8分泌比对照高出8倍(P<0.05)。结论:铜绿假单胞菌呼吸道感染的过程中,细菌与上皮细胞的直接作用可能是呼吸道炎症反应的重要原因。铜绿假单胞菌刺激上皮细胞炎症的分子机制和信号传导值得进一步探讨。     

Pneumocystis carinii activates the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in alveolar epithelial cells

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PcP) is a clinically important infection of immunocompromised patients. Although the interaction of Pneumocystis with the alveolar epithelium has been well documented, very little information regarding the epithelial response to Pneumocystis is currently available. In order to study Pneumocystis-epithelium interactions, a murine cell line derived specifically from an alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) was utilized. The coculture of murine AECs with mouse Pneumocystis induced a dose- and time-dependent release of the CXC chemokine MIP-2. Importantly, the specific removal of Pneumocystis from the preparation, or the pretreatment of AECs with sulfasalazine, a potent and specific inhibitor of NF-kappaB, nearly completely abrogated the chemokine response to Pneumocystis. Since the murine MIP-2 promoter contains consensus kappaB binding sequences, the ability of Pneumocystis to stimulate NF-kappaB signaling in AECs was examined. Pneumocystis stimulation of an AEC line stably transfected with a kappaB-dependent reporter construct triggered the NF-kappaB signaling pathway and reporter production. These data were confirmed in gel shift assays, providing direct evidence that Pneumocystis induced the nuclear translocation of the p50/p65 heterodimeric form of NF-kappaB. Maximal NF-kappaB activation was dependent upon direct contact with viable Pneumocystis organisms. These data demonstrate that Pneumocystis activates NF-kappaB signaling in AECs and establish a reporter cell line for studying NF-kappaB activation in AECs. Given the global regulatory functions of the NF-kappaB family, these findings suggest that Pneumocystis directly alters AEC gene expression in a manner that promotes pulmonary immune and inflammatory responses.     

Surfactant protein D stimulates phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by alveolar macrophages.

Surfactant protein (SP)-D is an oligomeric glycoprotein belonging to the family of collagen-like lectins known as collectins, which have previously been shown to stimulate phagocytosis and other immune cell functions. The hypothesis investigated in this study was that SP-D would stimulate the phagocytosis of an important pulmonary pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. SP-D, isolated from the lavage fluid of silica-treated rats, significantly enhanced the uptake of three of six strains of P. aeruginosa by rat alveolar macrophages as analyzed by both fluorescence and electron microscopy. SP-D had only minimal effects on phagocytosis of Haemophilus influenzae. SP-D bound to live P. aeruginosa, and binding was inhibited by chelation of calcium and by a competing saccharide, inositol. In vitro killing assays demonstrated that macrophage-mediated killing of one of the mucoid strains of P. aeruginosa was modestly enhanced by SP-D. P. aeruginosa was not measurably aggregated by SP-D either macroscopically or microscopically. Further, SP-D does not appear to act as an activation ligand because adherence of macrophages to SP-D- coated slides did not stimulate the uptake of P. aeruginosa. These findings suggest that SP-D may be important in controlling the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa in the lung.     

铜绿假单胞菌活菌诱导不同分化状态的U937细胞表达IL-8的研究

目的探讨铜绿假单胞菌（Pseudomonas aenginasa，Pα）活菌对不同分化状态的U937细胞表达IL-8的诱导作用及通过蛋白激酶C（PKC）和核因子κB（NF-κB）的调控机理。方法采用ELISA和RT-PCR法，分别对Pα诱导不同分化状态的人单核白血病细胞系U937细胞分泌IL-8及U937细胞IL-8 mRNA表达进行研究，应用Western blot检验IκB及NF-κB的蛋白表达，观察PKC和NF-κB活化抑制剂对IL-8表达的影响。结果Pα可促进U937细胞及佛波酯（PMA）分化的U937细胞IL-8 mRNA的表达及IL-8的分泌，而且具有明显的量效和时效关系。Pα能直接诱导并迅速活化NF-κB，1h达到高峰，以后逐渐下降。PKC阻断剂calphostin C及NF-κB阻断剂PDTC均能显著抑制NF-κB的活化及IL-8的表达（P〈0．01）。结论IL-8的产生可能与U937细胞的分化状态有关；Pα可能通过PKC信号通路促进NF-κB的活化，从而启动IL-8的高效表达和分泌。     

RTN1A通过ERK信号诱导肾小管上皮细胞分泌VEGF和IL-8并促进糖尿病肾病肾纤维化

目的:探讨网状蛋白1A(RTN1A)对肾小管上皮细胞分泌血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和白细胞介素8(IL-8)及糖尿病肾病(DN)肾纤维化的影响及潜在机制。方法:构建DN小鼠模型,并检测其血糖、肾脏指数、尿微量白蛋白和肌酐清除率进行验证; Western blot检测RTN1A、p-ERK、ERK、细胞因子VEGF和IL-8以及肾脏纤维化标志物α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和纤维连接蛋白(FN)的表达;高糖处理人肾小管上皮细胞株HK-2模拟体内DN细胞,Western blot和ELISA检测ERK信号蛋白、纤维化标志物及细胞因子分泌变化;高糖联合沉默RTN1A或ERK抑制剂PD98059处理24 h,检测细胞因子的分泌和纤维化蛋白的变化。结果:DN小鼠模型中血糖、肾脏指数、尿微量白蛋白和肌酐清除率均明显高于对照组,说明DN模型构建成功; DN模型小鼠中RTN1A及其下游蛋白p-ERK的水平显著增加,并且细胞因子VEGF和IL-8及纤维化标志物α-SMA和FN也显著增加;高糖处理HK-2细胞后,细胞中RTN1A及其下游蛋白p-ERK水平升高,细胞因子VEGF和IL-8及纤维化标志物α-SMA和FN也显著升高;而ERK抑制剂PD98059处理与沉默RTN1A结果一致,p-ERK、VEGF、IL-8、α-SMA和FN均明显降低。结论:RTN1A可能与DN发生发展有关。沉默RTN1A可能通过ERK信号抑制DN肾炎症反应及纤维化。RTN1A可能是一个有效的治疗靶点。     

Age-dependent changes in protease and elastase production in cultures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The intracellular and extracellular protease and elastase contents of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were studied in relation to the age of the culture. The intracellular protease and elastase content of the organisms decreased as the culture grew older, whereas extracellular protease and elastase greatly increased 24 h after incubation commenced, suggesting that host tissue injury by P. aeruginosa infection may increase in proportion to the duration of tissue colonisation.     

Induction of type I interferon signaling by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is diminished in cystic fibrosis epithelial cells

The clinical manifestations of infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) are restricted to the lung, and involve a limited number of pathogens, suggesting a specific defect in mucosal immunity. We postulated that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CTFR) mutations could affect the activation of type I interferon signaling in airway epithelial cells, which function in immune surveillance and initiate the recruitment and activation of immune cells. In response to infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ifnb was induced more than 100-fold in the murine lung, and the phosphorylation of STAT1 was similarly induced by the expected TLR4/TRIF/MD2/TBK1 cascade. The stimulation by P. aeruginosa of CF (IB3) cells and control (C-38) human cell lines similarly resulted in the induction of IFN-β, but to a significantly lower extent in CF airway cells. The potential consequences of diminished type I IFN signaling were demonstrated in a murine model of P. aeruginosa pneumonia, pretreatment with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid significantly enhanced bacterial clearance and correlated with increased numbers of mature CD11c(+)/CD86(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in the lung. Using culture supernatants from CF or control cell lines stimulated with P. aeruginosa, we similarly demonstrated the diminished activation of human monocyte-derived DCs by incubation with CF compared with normal epithelial cell culture supernatants, which was dependent on IFN-β. These observations suggest that dysfunction of the CFTR in airway epithelial cells may contribute to impaired immune surveillance in the CF airway and resultant colonization by P. aeruginosa.     

Small molecular weight secretory factors from Pseudomonas aeruginosa have opposite effects on IL-8 and RANTES expression by human airway epithelial cells

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes both an acute lung disease in patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia and a chronic lung disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Many of the pathophysiologic effects of P. aeruginosa infection are due to factors secreted by the bacterium. Conditioned media from cultures of P. aeruginosa increased interleukin-8 expression and decreased regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES) expression by human airway epithelial cells. Both of these activities were present in heat-treated, protease-treated, small molecular weight fractions. The activities were not inhibited by polymyxin B and were not extracted into ethyl acetate, suggesting that they were not due to endotoxin or autoinducer. Conversely, results from chloroform extractions and studies with a phenazine-minus mutant suggested that the blue pigment pyocyanin contributes to these activities when present. In addition to the effects of small molecular weight factors on cytokine expression, proteases in bacterial-conditioned media further decreased levels of RANTES. By altering expression, release, and/or activity of inflammatory cytokines, secretory factors from P. aeruginosa could disrupt the delicate balance that constitutes the immune response to bacterial infection and thus could contribute to the lung damage that occurs in P. aeruginosa-infected airways.     

Myeloid related protein-8/14 stimulates interleukin-8 production in airway epithelial cells

Excessive neutrophil recruitment is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases by causing collateral tissue damage. The cells move from the circulation in response to chemokines, such as interleukin (IL)-8, that are secreted by several lung cell types including epithelial cells. This study has investigated factors present in bronchial secretions that are responsible for IL-8 expression and secretion by epithelial cells and hence initiate or perpetuate the recruitment of neutrophils. A549 epithelial cells were stimulated with proinflammatory molecules likely to be of relevance in the lung. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IL-1beta, and lipopolysaccharide stimulated IL-8 production from epithelial cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and these effects were abrogated by specific antibodies or inhibitors. Bronchial secretions also stimulated IL-8 production, and lipopolysaccharide accounted for approximately 33% of this activity. An abundant 32-kD protein capable of stimulating IL-8 production was isolated from the secretion and identified as neutrophil cytoplasmic protein myeloid-related protein (MRP)-14, which is the heavy polypeptide chain in the MRP-8/14 heterodimer. Abrogation of MRP-14 activity with a specific antibody also reduced the IL-8-stimulating potential of bronchial secretions, suggesting it was a significant stimulus to IL-8 production in the lung and may amplify the neutrophilic inflammation seen in bronchial disease.     

Regulation and production of IL-8 by human proximal tubular epithelial cells in vitro

A number of inflammatory kidney diseases are associated with interstitial nephritis and influx of leucocytes in the renal interstitium. Potentially the influx of neutrophils in the interstitium may be induced by the chemotactic cytokine IL-8. In the present study we have analysed the production of IL-8 by cultured human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) in response to a number of proinflammatory cytokines. Primary cell lines of proximal tubular epithelium obtained from ten different kidneys, and cultured under serum-free conditions, were found to produce IL-8 to different degrees from not detectable levels up to 10·8±1·5 ng IL-8 per 1×10⁵ cells in 72 h. Gel filtration chromatography of PTEC supernatant indicated that the size of IL-8 of PTEC is 15·1 and 8·1 kD, and is chemotactically active for polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). Addition of 0·5 ng/ml rIL-1α or 1000 U/ml recombinant tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) to the culture media of PTEC induced an up-regulation of IL-8 production up to 6·3-fold and 3·0-fold, respectively. The up-regulation by IL-1α and TNF-α was dose- and time-dependent. In contrast, 500 U/ml recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-γ) down-regulated the production of IL-8 3·4-fold. Northern blot analysis showed that IL-1α and TNF-α increased the expression of IL-8 mRNA, whereas IFN-γ reduced IL-8 mRNA expression. Taken together, these experiments indicate that human PTEC are a potential source of IL-8 in the kidney, and that IL-8 produced in the proximal tubule can be induced by various proinflammatory cytokines.     

Involvement of epidermal growth factor receptor-linked signaling responses in Pseudomonas fluorescens-infected alveolar epithelial cells

Pseudomonas fluorescens is an opportunistic indoor pathogen that can cause severe airway proinflammatory responses. Pulmonary epithelium, like other mucosal epithelial linings of the body, constitutes the first line of defense against airway microbial pathogens. Mucosal epithelial cells can be a sentinel of pathogenic bacteria via stimulation of specific cell surface receptors, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Toll-like receptor (TLR). This study addressed the involvement of EGFR in airway epithelial pathogenesis by P. fluorescens. Human A549 pneumocytes showed prolonged production of proinflammatory interleukin-8 (IL-8) in response to infection with P. fluorescens, which was via the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Production of proinflammatory cytokine IL-8 was not mediated by P. fluorescens lipopolysaccharide, a representative TLR4 agonist, but was mediated through EGFR-linked signals activated by the opportunistic bacteria. Moreover, EGFR signals were involved in NF-κB signal-mediated production of proinflammatory cytokines. Along with persistent NF-κB activation, P. fluorescens enhanced the EGFR phosphorylation and subsequent activation of downstream mediators, including protein kinase B or extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2. Blocking of EGFR-linked signals increased epithelial susceptibility to pathogen-induced epithelial cell death, suggesting protective roles of EGFR signals. Thus, airway epithelial exposure to P. fluorescens can trigger antiapoptotic responses via EGFR and proinflammatory responses via TLR4-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in human pneumocytes.     

细胞外调节蛋白激酶信号通路参与机械牵张诱导肺泡上皮细胞高迁移率族蛋白B1的表达调控

目的 探讨细胞外调节蛋白激酶（ERK）信号通路在机械牵张诱导肺泡上皮细胞（A549）表达高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）中的作用。 方法 肺泡上皮细胞A549分为A、B、C 3组,A组为对照组;B组A549细胞施加14%牵张应变,牵张时间为4 h;C组细胞的牵张模式与B组相同,只是于施加牵张前用ERK的特异性抑制剂PD98059预处理A549细胞2h。分别用免疫细胞化学染色和RT-PCR检测细胞HMGB1蛋白和mRNA的表达,用Western blotting检测ERK激酶的活性。 结果 A549细胞施加14 %牵张应变后,HMGB1蛋白和mRNA表达明显增加,ERK激酶活性明显增高（P＜0.05）;该诱导激活作用可被PD98059阻断。 结论 机械牵张通过ERK信号通路,调节A549细胞的HMGB1基因和蛋白表达。     

Nonchromogenic hydrolysis of elastase and cathepsin G p-nitroanilide substrates by Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which may cause severe lung infections, secretes a metalloelastase that may interfere with the assay of neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G in lung secretions. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we have shown that P. aeruginosa elastase (PsE) cleaves succinyl-Ala3-p-nitroanilide between the first and the second alanine residue, rendering this substrate inefficient for the assay of neutrophil elastase. The cleavage occurs with a kcat/Km of 2.4 X 10(3) M-1 s-1, a value eightfold higher than the kcat/Km for the chromogenic cleavage of succinyl-Ala3-p-nitroanilide by neutrophil elastase. P. aeruginosa elastase also cleaves the elastase substrate succinyl-Ala3-Val-p-nitroanilide between the second and the third alanine residue and the cathepsin G substrate succinyl-Ala2-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide at the Pro-Phe linkage. By contrast, methoxysuccinyl-Ala2-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide, another elastase substrate, is not hydrolyzed by the bacterial enzyme. Our data indicate that synthetic substrates should be used with caution to assay elastase and cathepsin G in lung secretions or other biologic fluids in which metalloproteinases may be present.