MD-2 regulates LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1beta secretion by a MyD88/NF-κB-dependent pathway in alveolar macrophages cell line

Myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) is required in the recognition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and participates in LPS-induced alveolar macrophage (AM) inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI). Activation of the NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome aggravates inflammation in LPS-induced ALI. However, there is currently little known about the relationship between MD-2 signaling and the NLRP3 inflammasome. This study showed that NLRP3 expression, IL-1beta (IL-1β) secretion, and pyroptosis were up-regulated after LPS stimulation in the NR8383 AM cell-line. MD-2 gene knock-down reduced LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β secretion in NR8383 cells, and inhibited the MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Conversely, over-expression of MD-2 not only heightened NLRP3, MyD88, and NF-κB p65 protein expression, it also aggravated the LPS-induced inflammatory response. Furthermore, the NF-κB inhibitor SN50 had a beneficial role in decreasing NLRP3 and caspase-1 mRNA and protein expression. The observations suggest that MD-2 helps to regulate LPS-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the inflammatory response in NR8383 cells, and likely does so by affecting MyD88/NF-κB signaling.     

miR-142-5p Encapsulated by Serum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Protects against Acute Lung Injury in Septic Rats following Remote Ischemic Preconditioning via the PTEN/PI3K/Akt Axis

This study intends to investigate the effects of miR-142-5p encapsulated by serum-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on septic acute lung injury (ALI) following remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) through a PTEN-involved mechanism. ALI was induced in rats by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, 24 h before which RIPC was performed via the left lower limb. Next, the binding affinity between miR-142-5p and PTEN was identified. EVs were isolated from serum and injected into rats. The morphology of lung tissues, pulmonary edema, and inflammatory cell infiltration into lung tissues were then assessed, and TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum and lung tissues were measured. The results indicated that RIPC could attenuate ALI in sepsis. miR-142-5p expression was increased in serum, lung tissues, and serum-derived EVs of ALI rats following RIPC. miR-142-5p could target PTEN to activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. miR-142-5p shuttled by serum-derived EVs reduced pulmonary edema, neutrophil infiltration, and TNF-α and IL-6 levels, thus alleviating ALI in LPS-induced septic rats upon RIPC. Collectively, serum-derived EVs-loaded miR-142-5p downregulated PTEN and activated PI3K/Akt to inhibit ALI in sepsis following RIPC, thus highlighting potential therapeutic molecular targets against ALI in sepsis.     

Propofol pretreatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats by activating the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol pretreatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the role of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in this procedure. Survival was determined 48 h after LPS injection. At 1 h after LPS challenge, the lung wet- to dry-weight ratio was examined, and concentrations of protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using the bicinchoninic acid method or ELISA. Lung injury was assayed via lung histological examination. PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in the lung tissue were determined by Western blotting. Propofol pretreatment prolonged survival, decreased the concentrations of protein, TNF-α, and IL-6 in BALF, attenuated ALI, and increased PI3K and p-Akt expression in the lung tissue of LPS-challenged rats, whereas treatment with wortmannin, a PI3K/Akt pathway specific inhibitor, blunted this effect. Our study indicates that propofol pretreatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI, partly by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.     

Protective Effect of Amygdalin on LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting NF-κB and NLRP3 Signaling Pathways

The acute lung injury (ALI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Amygdalin is derived from the bitter apricot kernel, an efficacious Chinese herbal medicine. Although amygdalin is used by many cancer patients as an antitumor agent, there is no report about the effect of amygdalin on acute lung injury. Here we explored the protective effect of amygdalin on ALI using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine model by detecting the lung wet/dry ratio, the myeloperoxidase (MPO) in lung tissues, inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), inflammatory cytokines production, as well as NLRP3 and NF-κB signaling pathways. The results showed that amygdalin significantly reduced LPS-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells and the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the BALF. The activity of MPO and lung wet/dry ratio were also attenuated by amygdalin. Furthermore, the western blotting analysis showed that amygdalin remarkably inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB and NLRP3 activation. These findings indicate that amygdalin has a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in mice. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.     

Surfactant protein A inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced in vivo production of interleukin-10 by mononuclear phagocytes during lung inflammation

We previously demonstrated that resident alveolar macrophages from naive mice do not synthesize interleukin (IL)-10, whereas mononuclear phagocytes (MP) recruited during the lung inflammatory process are transiently competent for IL-10 production when exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro. As surfactant protein A (SP-A), a member of the collectin family, inhibits LPS-induced in vitro IL-10 formation by bone marrow-derived macrophages, we studied its effect on MP under in vivo inflammatory conditions. When mice with LPS-induced inflamed lungs were given a second intranasal LPS administration, IL-10 concentration recovered in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids varied as a function of the time interval between the two LPS doses. Thus, IL-10 concentration increased with the number of MP up to Day 3, and then decreased to undetectable values within 24 h, despite a continued increase in the number of MP. Analysis of IL-10 mRNA from purified MP indicated that gene expression correlated with the IL-10 level in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In contrast to IL-10 production, SP-A concentrations during LPS-induced inflammation decreased with a nadir at Day 3, and then increased significantly within 24 h. Furthermore, intranasal administration of exogenous SP-A to mice with LPS-induced inflamed lungs led to a repression of the IL-10 production. In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time an in vivo inhibitory role of SP-A on the anti-inflammatory activity of MP, through inhibition of IL-10 production.     

中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网在新生大鼠急性肺损伤中的作用

目的:探讨中性粒细胞胞外诱捕网(NETs)在新生大鼠急性肺损伤(ALI)中的作用。方法:取出生7 d的SD大鼠30只,按照随机数字表法分成生理盐水对照组、ALI组及ALI+脱氧核糖核酸酶(Dnase)组,每组10只。ALI组用脂多糖(LPS)以20 mg/kg的剂量腹腔注射,ALI+Dnase组则在注射LPS后即腹腔注射Dnase(5 mg/kg)。给药6 h后,水合氯醛麻醉大鼠,收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF),荧光酶标仪检测BALF中游离DNA(cf-DNA)的含量;右肺组织固定于4%多聚甲醛中,HE染色观察各组大鼠肺组织形态结构;左肺组织制备肺组织匀浆,酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法检测肺组织匀浆中白细胞介素6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的含量;使用免疫荧光法与Western blot检测各组大鼠肺组织中瓜氨酸化组蛋白H3(CitH3)及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)的生成情况。结果:与对照组相比,ALI组与ALI+Dnase组中cf-DNA、CitH3、MPO、IL-6及TNF-α水平均升高(P<0.05),肺组织中炎性细胞浸润严重;与ALI组相比,ALI+Dnase组新生大鼠肺组织中cf-DNA、Cith3、MPO、IL-6及TNF-α水平降低(P<0.05),ALI+Dnase组炎症浸润程度降低。结论:新生大鼠ALI中,NETs水平为反映肺组织损伤的重要指标,NETs可能为治疗新生儿ALI的新靶点。     

Treatment of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Inhibits Systemic Inflammation and Prevents Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

To determine whether low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is able to reduce pulmonary inflammation and improve the survival in rats with endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Rat ALI model was reproduced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into tail vein. Rats were divided randomly into three groups: control group, ALI group, LMWH-treated group. Blood was collected and lung tissue was harvested at the designated time points for analysis. The lung specimens were harvested for morphological studies, streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry examination. Lung tissue edema was evaluated by tissue water content. The levels of lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Meanwhile, the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein levels in the lung were studied. In survival studies, a separate group of rats were treated with LMWH or sterile saline after LPS administration. Then, the mortality was recorded. Treatment with LMWH after ALI was associated with a reduction in the severity of LPS-induced lung injury. Treatment with LMWH significantly decreased the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, HMGB1 and ICAM-1 in the lung of ALI rats. Similarly, treatment with LMWH dramatically diminished LPS-induced neutrophil sequestration and markedly reduced the enhanced lung permeability. In the present study, LMWH administration inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in the lung. Survival was significantly higher among the LMWH-treated group compared with the ALI group. These data suggest that LMWH attenuates inflammation and prevents lethality in endotoxemic rats.     

高迁移率族蛋白1对内毒素急性肺损伤大鼠中性粒细胞凋亡改变的影响

目的 观察体外高迁移率族蛋白1（HMGB1）对内毒素急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠中性粒细胞（PMN）凋亡改变的影响，以探讨HMGB1在ALI发病机制中的作用。方法 脂多糖注射复制大鼠急性肺损伤模型，在LPS致伤后不同时相点（有或无正丁酸钠干预时）获取肺组织、外周血中性粒细胞（PMN）、支气管肺泡灌洗液（BALF）。RT-PCR检测肺组织HMGB1 mRNA表达，流式细胞术（FCM）、Giemsa染色及TUNEL法检测PMN的凋亡改变。结果 与对照组比较，LPS急性肺损伤大鼠PMN凋亡率逐渐减低，鼠BALF中PMN凋亡开始时间及无存活细胞时间明显延长；LPS致伤后6-24h肺组织HMGB1 mRNA表达明显增高。正丁酸钠（SB）处理组动物肺组织于伤后6、12h肺组织HMGB1 mRNA表达均显著抑制，与LPS组比较，差异有显著性意义（P〈0．05）；形态学检查显示，LPS致伤后大鼠肺组织出现水肿及明显的病理变化，SB干预可减轻肺损伤的严重程度。致伤后肺损伤程度与肺组织HMGB1表达水平及PMN凋亡改变有关。结论 LPS致伤后，鼠肺HMGB1 mRNA高表达发生较晚，但持续较长时间；SB处理可削弱LPS诱导的PMN凋亡延迟及抑制，下调肺组织HMGB1 mRNA表达。HMGB1可能参与内毒素急性肺损伤时PMN的凋亡延迟及抑制效应。     

Roles of CC chemokine receptors (CCRs) on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 2b and CCR1 antagonist RS504393 as well as the roles of CCRs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). In A549 cell line, treatment with RS504393 significantly inhibited the expression of CCR1, CCR2 and interleukin (IL)-8 after either LPS or tumor necrosis factor-α stimulation. An ALI model with intranasal LPS administration was used on C57BL/6J, CCR1, CCR2 and CCR3 knockout mice. Treatment with RS504393 had a noteworthy preventative effect on LPS-induced over-expression of IL-1β, plasminogen activator inhibitor and CCR2. In CCR1 and CCR2-deficient animals, LPS-induced less increase of lung weight, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) leukocytes and IL-6 compared to the C57BL/6J and CCR3 knockout mice. This was most prominent in the CCR2 knockout mice where no LPS-induced lung edema and no increase of IL-6 in BAL fluid occurred. Our results indicate that CCR2, and to some extent CCR1, play pivotal roles in the development of ALI.     

Galantamine protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia triggers the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and can cause acute lung injury (ALI). The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein plays an important role as a late mediator of sepsis and ALI. Galantamine (GAL) is a central acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that inhibits the expression of HMGB1. This study evaluated the effects of GAL by measuring levels of inflammatory mediators and observing histopathological features associated with LPS-induced ALI. Sixty 8-10 week old male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-240 g) were randomized into three groups as follows: control group, LPS group (7.5 mg/kg LPS), and LPS+GAL group (5 mg/kg GAL before LPS administration). Histopathological examination of lung specimens obtained 12 h after LPS administration was performed to analyze changes in wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and HMGB1 expression level. Additionally, plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and HMGB1 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 0 (baseline), 3, 6, 9, and 12 h after LPS administration. Mortality in the three groups was recorded at 72 h. LPS-induced ALI was characterized by distortion of pulmonary architecture and elevation of MPO activity, W/D weight ratio, and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and HMGB1. Pretreatment with GAL significantly reduced the LPS-induced lung pathological changes, W/D weight ratio, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and MPO activity (ANOVA). Moreover, GAL treatment significantly decreased the mortality rate (ANOVA). In conclusion, we demonstrated that GAL exerted a protective effect on LPS-induced ALI in rats.     

Surfactant protein A differentially regulates IFN-gamma- and LPS-induced nitrite production by rat alveolar macrophages

Although several studies have demonstrated that the pulmonary collectins surfactant protein (SP)-A and SP-D contribute to innate immunity by enhancing pathogen phagocytosis, the role of SP-A and SP-D in regulating production of free radicals and cytokines is controversial. We hypothesized that the state and mechanism of activation of the immune cell influence its response to SP-A. The effects of SP-A and SP-D on production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were assessed in isolated rat alveolar macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), or both agonists. SP-A inhibited production of NO and iNOS in macrophages stimulated with smooth LPS, which did not significantly bind SP-A, or rough LPS, which avidly bound SP-A. In contrast, SP-A enhanced production of NO and iNOS in cells stimulated with IFN-gamma or INF-gamma plus LPS. Neither SP-A nor SP-D affected baseline NO production, and SP-D did not significantly affect production of NO in cells stimulated with either LPS or IFN-gamma. These results suggest that SP-A contributes to the lung inflammatory response by exerting differential effects on the responses of immune cells, depending on their state and mechanism of activation.     

急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织白细胞介素-13表达的初步研究

目的：动态观察急性肺损伤（ＡＬＩ）大鼠肺组织白细胞介素－１３（ＩＬ－１３）mＲＮ Ａ表达的变化,初步探讨ＩＬ－１３mＲＮＡ的表达。结果：正常肺组织表达一定水平的Ｉ Ｌ－１３mＲＮＡ;在ＡＬＩ大鼠肺组织,ＩＬ－１３mＲＮＡ表达呈短暂性上调,随即逐渐下调。结论：正常肺组织可表达一定水平的ＩＬ－１３mＲＮＡ;在ＡＬＩ肺组织,ＩＬ－ １３mＲＮＡ表达逐渐下调,提示局部抗炎作用减弱,可能引起抗炎和致炎作用失衡,从而     

地塞米松对大鼠内毒素急性肺损伤肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素-1β和肿瘤坏死因子-α含量的影响

目的 探讨地塞米松对大鼠内毒素（LPS）急性肺损伤（ALI）肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）和肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）含量的影响.方法 将48只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、急性肺损伤组（内毒素ALI模型组）、地塞米松干预组,每组16只.每组大鼠依据不同的观察时间点（以大鼠气管内滴注LPS的时刻为起始时刻后的1、2、4、8 h 4个时间点）分为4个亚组（n=4）.给予正常对照组气管内滴注0.9%氯化钠溶液 0.3 mL,10 min后股静脉注射0.9%氯化钠溶液 1 mL;急性肺损伤组气管内滴注LPS 0.2 mg/kg（溶于0.3 mL 0.9%氯化钠溶液）,10 min后股静脉注射0.9%氯化钠溶液 1 mL;地塞米松干预组气管内滴注LPS 0.2 mg/kg,10 min后股静脉注射地塞米松注射液3 mg/kg（溶于1 mL 0.9%氯化钠溶液）.各组于1、2、 4、8 h 4个时间点于心脏抽血检测动脉血氧分压（PaO2）;取肺组织进行肺湿/干质量比值（W/D）测定,并采用苏木精-伊红（HE）染色观察肺组织形态学变化;用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法检测肺泡灌洗液（BALF）中IL-1β和TNF-α的含量.结果 给予气管内滴注LPS后于1、2、4、8 h观察大鼠动脉血PaO2,急性肺损伤组、地塞米松干预组较正常对照组显著降低,两组PaO2均在4 h时达最低点,各时间点动脉血PaO2对比,地塞米松干预组均显著高于急性肺损伤组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.在LPS致炎后1、2、4、8 h 4个时间点急性肺损伤组、地塞米松干预组各时间点W/D比值均较正常对照组显著增加,两组间比较地塞米松干预组较急性肺损伤组降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）.病理形态学观察可见急性肺损伤组与地塞米松干预组均出现肺水肿、出血、炎性细胞浸润,而地塞米松干预组肺损伤程度较急性肺损伤组减轻.ELISA试验结果显示急性肺损伤组在气管内滴入LPS 1 h后BALF中IL-1β、TNF-α含量迅速升高,4 h时达峰值,地塞米松干预后IL-1β、TNF-α表达在相同时间点均较模型组显著降低,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;而正常对照组BALF中IL-1β、TNF-α在不同时间点无明显变化.结论 地塞米松可通过抑制内毒素性大鼠ALI肺组织中IL-1β、TNF-α的表达,改善呼吸氧合功能,减轻肺损伤.     

miR-133靶向NLRP3对小鼠Kupffer细胞炎性活化的影响

目的:探究微小RNA-133(miR-133)靶向核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白3(NLRP3)对小鼠库普弗(Kupffer)细胞(KCs)炎症活化的影响。方法:从小鼠肝脏中分离KCs并鉴定。鉴定成功后用1 mg/L脂多糖(LPS)诱导KCs,并分别转染miR-133 inhibitor和miR-133 mimic。采用RT-qPCR检测细胞中miR-133和NLRP3的mRNA水平;ELISA法检测细胞培养液中白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平;Western blot实验检测细胞中NLRP3、含胱天蛋白酶募集结构域的凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(ASC)和胱天蛋白酶1(caspase-1)蛋白水平;TargetScan查找NLRP3 mRNA的3’UTR与miR-133的结合位点,并经双萤光素酶报告基因检测试剂盒鉴定。结果:72 h时KCs体积较24 h时大,边界清晰,形态基本稳定;碳素墨水实验观察到细胞中有大量黑色颗粒,证明该细胞有较强的吞噬能力,为KCs。1 mg/L LPS诱导后KCs中miR-133水平降低,NLRP3 mRNA和蛋白、caspase-1...     

miR-141 is negatively correlated with TLR4 in neonatal sepsis and regulates LPS-induced inflammatory responses in monocytes

Neonatal sepsis is an inflammatory system syndrome and a main cause of neonatal mortality. However, there is a lack of ideal biomarkers for early neonatal sepsis diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of miR-141 in sepsis in neonates, and explore the regulatory effects of miR-141 on inflammation in monocytes. This study used qRT-PCR to calculate the expression of miR-141 in the serum of septic neonates. The diagnostic values of procalcitonin (PCT) and serum miR-141 were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The relationship between miR-141 and TLR4 was determined using luciferase reporter assay. An inflammation model was established using monocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. ELISA assay was used to analyze the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The expression of miR-141 in neonatal sepsis was significantly lower than healthy controls. ROC curves showed that miR-141 had diagnostic accuracy. LPS stimulation in monocytes led to a decrease in the expression of miR-141. A luciferase reporter assay proved that miR-141 targeted TLR4, and a negative correlation of miR-141 with TLR4 was found in septic neonates. ELISA results demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-141 inhibited LPS-induced inflammation in monocytes. In conclusion, serum decreased miR-141 expression served as a candidate diagnostic biomarker of neonatal sepsis. TLR4 is a target gene of miR-141, which may mediate the inhibitory effects of miR-141 overexpression on LPS-induced inflammation in monocytes. Therefore, miR-141 is expected to be a potential diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in neonatal sepsis.     

常山酮通过CD14/ NF-κB 通路调控LPS 诱导的大鼠急性肺损伤免疫系统紊乱

目的:探究常山酮(Halofuginone,HF)对脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharide,LPS)诱导的大鼠急性肺损伤(Acute lung injury,ALI)免疫系统紊乱的作用及机制。方法:用LPS 复制大鼠ALI 模型并腹腔注射HF,HE 染色检测肺病理损伤情况, TUNEL 检测凋亡小体数量,ELISA 检测炎症因子含量,流式细胞术检测CD14 含量,Western blot 检测CD14/ NF鄄资B 通路蛋白的 表达。结果:HF 可改善LPS 诱导的肺组织损伤,并能显著抑制ALI 大鼠凋亡小体的形成;同时,HF 可显著抑制LPS 诱导的炎 症因子(IL-1β、IL-6、IL-18)的分泌;此外,HF 能明显减少ALI 大鼠外周血CD14+ 细胞含量;HF 还可显著下调CD14/ NF鄄资B 通 路标记蛋白(CD14、TLR4、NF-κB p65)的表达。结论:HF 可通过CD14/ NF鄄资B 通路调控LPS 诱导的大鼠ALI 免疫系统紊乱。