Thermal injury-induced peroxynitrite production and pulmonary inducible nitric oxide synthase expression depend on JNK/AP-1 signaling

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether burn-induced peroxynitrite production and expression of lung inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, CXCR2, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, and neutrophil chemokine (KC) are mediated by the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). DESIGN: Prospective, experimental study. SETTING: Research laboratory at a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Thermal injury models in the mice. INTERVENTIONS: In experiment 1, specific pathogen-free C57/BL6 mice were subjected to 30% total body surface area third-degree burn over shaved back. At 0 hr, 2 hrs, 4 hrs, and 6 hrs after burn, lung tissues of those mice were harvested for JNK activity assay, AP-1 DNA-binding activity, and pJNK immunohistochemistry. In experiment 2, a specific JNK inhibitor, SP600125, was given (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally) to mice immediately postburn to suppress the JNK activity. At 8 hrs after burn, blood was assayed for the peroxynitrite-mediated dihydrorhodamine (DHR) 123 oxidation. Lung tissues were harvested for myeloperoxidase (MPO) determination, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CXCR2, KC, MIP-2, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 messenger RNA expression; iNOS immunohistochemical staining; and histologic studies. Pulmonary microvascular dysfunction was quantified by measuring the extravasations of Evans blue dye. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The JNK activity and AP-1 DNA-binding activity of lung tissue significantly increased to a peak at 2 hrs and 4 hrs, respectively, after thermal injury. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated that the increase of the pJNK was mostly from the bronchiole epithelial cells. This increase of MPO activity in lung, blood DHR 123 oxidation level, and lung permeability increased six-fold, nine-fold, and four-fold after burn. SP600125 administration obliterated the thermal injury-induced JNK activity, AP-1 DNA-binding activity, and iNOS expression in lung tissue. SP600125 treatment also significantly decreased MPO activity, blood DHR 123 oxidation, and lung permeability by 54%, 8%, and 47%, respectively, and markedly decreased the thermal injury-induced perivascular and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and septum edema. Furthermore, SP600125 abolished thermal injury-induced ICAM-1, VCAM-1, CXCR2, MIP-2, and KC but not interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 messenger RNA levels of lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal injury induces lung tissue JNK activation and AP-1 DNA-binding activity mainly from airway epithelial cells. Thermal injury-induced peroxynitrite production and lung iNOS, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 expression are mediated by the JNK signaling. JNK inhibition decreases thermal injury-induced lung neutrophil infiltration and subsequently pulmonary hyperpermeability.     

Involvement of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in ventilation-induced neutrophil infiltration: a prospective,controlled animal experiment

Introduction  

Positive pressure ventilation with large tidal volumes has been shown to cause release of cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), a functional equivalent of human IL-8, and neutrophil infiltration. Hyperoxia has been shown to increase ventilator-induced lung injury, but the mechanisms regulating interaction between a large tidal volume and hyperoxia are unclear. We hypothesized that large tidal volume ventilation using hyperoxia would increase MIP-2 production and neutrophil infiltration via the serine/threonine kinase/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway.     

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1-mediated signaling pathway regulates hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species initiate pulmonary vascular endothelial cell damage leading to an increase in endothelial permeability resulting in the production of pulmonary edema. Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase (ASK)-1 is a ubiquitously expressed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) that activates the MKK3/MKK6-p38 MAPK and the SEK1-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade. ASK1 has been implicated in cytokine- and stress-induced apoptosis. However, little is known about the role of ASK1 in apoptosis in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells and how ASK1-mediated apoptosis is executed. To clarify this issue, we examined the role of ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade in apoptosis and caspase-3 activation in H2O2-stimulated pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. DESIGN: Experimental laboratory study. SETTING: University laboratory. SUBJECTS: Normal human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. INTERVENTIONS: Western blot analysis and quantification of apoptosis in cells. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The results showed that H2O2 induced ASK1 phosphorylation and concomitantly p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation as well as induced caspase-3 activation in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells. To further characterize the role of ASK1 cascade in H2O2-induced apoptosis of pulmonary vascular endothelial cells, the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells was used. p38 MAPK and JNK phosphorylation, caspase-3 activation, and apoptosis in the dominant negative form of ASK1-stably transfected porcine artery endothelial cells were depressed compared with those in the parental porcine artery endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: ASK1-p38 MAPK/JNK cascade regulates apoptosis of H2O2-stimulated human pulmonary vascular endothelial cells.     

Serine/threonine kinase-protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase regulate ventilator-induced pulmonary fibrosis after bleomycin-induced acute lung injury: a prospective, controlled animal experiment

Introduction

Lung fibrosis, reduced lung compliance, and severe hypoxemia found in patients with acute lung injury often result in a need for the support of mechanical ventilation. High-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation can increase lung damage and fibrogeneic activity but the mechanisms regulating the interaction between high tidal volume and lung fibrosis are unclear. We hypothesized that high-tidal-volume ventilation increased pulmonary fibrosis in acute lung injury via the serine/threonine kinase-protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

Methods

After 5 days of bleomycin administration to simulate acute lung injury, male C57BL/6 mice, weighing 20 to 25 g, were exposed to either high-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation (30 ml/kg) or low-tidal-volume mechanical ventilation (6 ml/kg) with room air for 1 to 5 hours.

Results

High-tidal-volume ventilation induced type I and type III procollagen mRNA expression, microvascular permeability, hydroxyproline content, Masson's trichrome staining, S100A4/fibroblast specific protein-1 staining, activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and production of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and 10 kDa IFNγ-inducible protein in a dose-dependent manner. High-tidal-volume ventilation-induced lung fibrosis was attenuated in Akt-deficient mice and in mice with pharmacologic inhibition of ERK1/2 activity by PD98059.

Conclusion

We conclude that high-tidal-volume ventilation-induced microvascular permeability, lung fibrosis, and chemokine production were dependent, in part, on activation of the Akt and ERK1/2 pathways.     

机械通气对急性肺损伤大鼠细胞凋亡的影响

目的 研究不同潮气量及不同呼气末正压(PEEP)水平对急性肺损伤(AU)大鼠支气管和肺组织细胞凋亡的影响,并初步探讨细胞凋亡在呼吸机相关性肺损伤(VILI)中的作用机制.方法 选用40只SD大鼠,制作ALI模型,随机(随机数字法)分为:(1)小潮气量组(LV组),潮气量8 mL/kg,不加PEEP;(2)大潮气量组,潮气量30 mL./kg,不加PEEP;(3)小潮气量+ 2PEEP组(LV2P组),潮气量8 mL/kg,同时给PEEP 2 cmH2O(1 crnH2O =0.098 kPa);(4)小潮气量+5PEEP组(LV5P组),潮气量8 mL/kg,同时给PEEP 5 cmH2O;(5)小潮气量+8PEEP组(LV8P组),潮气量8 mL/kg,同时给PEEP 8 cmH2O.通气2h后处死动物,留取肺标本.用脱氧核糖核苷酸末端转移酶介导的末端标记法(TUNEL)分析肺组织中的细胞凋亡情况,用免疫组化法检测肺组织中caspase-3蛋白的表达及分布.结果 大潮气量组支气管和肺组织细胞凋亡的明显增加(P＜0.01),caspase-3蛋白酶表达最强.采用PEEP后,支气管和肺组织细胞凋亡减少,capase-3蛋白酶表达弱阳性,以LV5P组最为显著(P＜0.01).结论 小潮气量对肺组织有保护作用,采用PEEP后保护作用更加明显,细胞凋亡在VILI的发生中有重要作用.     

中性粒细胞活化在呼吸机所致肺损伤中的作用

目的探讨中性粒细胞活化在呼吸机所致肺损伤中的作用。方法32只Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组、小潮气量组、常规潮气量组和大潮气量组。分别测定支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)中白细胞及中性粒细胞计数,血浆和BALF中蛋白含量及髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性。结果常规潮气量组和大潮气量组大鼠BALF中白细胞及中性粒细胞计数、BALF中MPO活性和蛋白含量均明显高于对照组和小潮气量组(P<0.05或P<0.01),大潮气量组大鼠BALF中MPO活性和蛋白含量均明显高于常规潮气量组(P均<0.01),对照组和小潮气量组间比较差异均无显著性(P均>0.05)。各组大鼠间血浆MPO活性和蛋白含量比较差异均无显著性(P均>0.05)。结论中性粒细胞募集和活化在呼吸机所致肺损伤中起着重要作用,BALF中MPO活性是反映中性粒细胞活化程度的可靠指标,BALF中蛋白含量测定对评价肺损伤程度有实用价值。     

合成短肽S247对呼吸机所致肺损伤p38MAPK通路激活的影响

目的研究合成短肽S247对大鼠呼吸机所致肺损伤(VILI)p38MAPK通路激活的影响。方法30只健康雄性SD大鼠随机均分成A、B、C三组：A组潮气量(V_T)为8mL/kg,B组V_T为40 ml/kg,C组V_T为40mL/kg。试验前一周每天一次腹腔注射合成短肽S247溶液(100 mg/kg),直至试验前0．5h。各组通气时间均为2h,呼吸频率均为80次/min。试验结束处死大鼠,收集肺灌洗液和组织标本,光镜观察肺病理改变,Western Blot方法检测各组肺组织中p38、磷酸化p38(p-p38)的水平。同时分别检测各组肺灌洗液中总蛋白、白细胞计数、MPO以及MIP-2的水平。结果和A组相比,B组肺病理改变明显,总蛋白、白细胞计数、MPO、MIP-2、p-p38等指标均显著高于A组(P＜0．01)。和B组相比,C组病理改变明显减轻,p-p38和其他各项指标指标均显著低于B组(P＜0．01或P＜0．05)。结论合成短肽S247能显著抑制VILI时p38通路的激活,减轻肺损伤,对VILI具有一定保护作用。     

Injurious ventilation strategies cause systemic release of IL-6 and MIP-2 in rats in vivo

In vivo experiments showed no increased production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in response to injurious ventilation strategies in otherwise untreated animals. Because interleukin-6 (IL-6) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) are more sensitive markers of ventilation-induced cytokine release, serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were examined for these mediators. Eighty-five adult rats were randomized to three different ventilation strategies. Rats were ventilated with low pressures and low tidal volumes [13/3; peak inspiratory pressure (PIP)/positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in cmH2O], the second group of rats was ventilated with high pressures and low PEEP resulting in high tidal volumes (32/6), and the third group was ventilated with the same high pressures but without PEEP (32/0). Animals were ventilated either for 90 or 240 min, subsequently serum and BAL were collected for analyses on IL-6 and MIP-2 content. Non-ventilated animals served as healthy controls. Ventilation with 32/0 for 90 or 240 min, led to increased serum IL-6 levels. Serum MIP-2 levels were increased by ventilation with 32/6 (90 min) and 32/0 (240 min). Ventilation under any condition, even at 13/3, resulted in elevated MIP-2 levels in the BAL fluid. Even at normal pressures pulmonary MIP-2 levels were increased, suggesting that ventilation may promote pro-inflammatory responses in healthy subjects.     

The cytoplasmic domain of Alzheimer's amyloid-beta protein precursor causes sustained apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated neurotoxic signal via dimerization

The biological function of full-length amyloid-beta protein precursor (AbetaPP), the precursor of Abeta, is not fully understood. Multiple laboratories have reported that antibody binding to cell surface AbetaPP causes neuronal cell death. Here we examined whether induced dimerization of the cytoplasmic domain of AbetaPP (AbetaPPCD) triggers neuronal cell death. In neurohybrid cells expressing fusion constructs of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor with AbetaPPCD (EGFR/AbetaPP hybrids), EGF drastically enhanced neuronal cell death in a manner sensitive to acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamyl-l-valyl-l-aspartyl-aldehyde (Ac-DEVD-CHO; DEVD), GSH-ethyl ester (GEE), and pertussis toxin (PTX). Dominant-negative apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) blocked this neuronal cell death, but not alpha-synuclein-induced cell death. Constitutively active ASK1 (caASK1) caused DEVD/GEE-sensitive cell death in a manner resistant to PTX and sensitive to Humanin, which also suppressed neuronal cell death by EGFR/AbetaPP hybrid. ASK1 formed a complex with AbetaPPCD via JIP-1b, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein. EGFR/AbetaPP hybrid-induced and caASK1-induced neuronal cell deaths were specifically blocked by SP600125 (anthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one), a specific JNK inhibitor. Combined with our earlier study, these data indicate that dimerization of AbetaPPCD triggers ASK1/JNK-mediated neuronal cell death. We also noticed a potential role of ASK1/JNK in sustaining the activity of this mechanism after initial activation by AbetaPP, which allows for the achievement of cell death by short-term anti-AbetaPP antibody treatment. Understanding the function of AbetaPPCD and its downstream pathway should lead to effective anti-Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.     

Hyperoxia increases ventilator-induced lung injury via mitogen-activated protein kinases: a prospective,controlled animal experiment

Introduction  

Large-tidal volume (V_T) mechanical ventilation and hyperoxia used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome can damage pulmonary epithelial cells through lung inflammation and apoptotic cell death. Hyperoxia has been shown to increase ventilator-induced lung injury, but the mechanisms regulating interaction between large V_T and hyperoxia are unclear. We hypothesized that the addition of hyperoxia to large-V_T ventilation would increase neutrophil infiltration by upregulation of the cytokine macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and would increase apoptosis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.     

大鼠机械通气所致肺损伤时p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶通路的激活

目的探讨大鼠机械通气所致呼吸机相关性肺损伤(VILI)时p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)的激活以及致炎因子的表达。方法30只健康SD大鼠随机均分成A、B、C3组,A组:潮气量(VT)8ml/kg,呼吸频率(RR)80次/min;B组:VT20ml/kg,RR80次/min;C组:VT40ml/kg,RR80次/min。各组机械通气时间均为2h。实验结束处死大鼠,收集支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)和肺组织标本,光镜下观察肺组织病理学改变。采用蛋白质免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测各组肺组织中p38、磷酸化p38(p-p38)水平,逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测细胞间黏附分子-1(ICAM-1)表达水平,考马斯亮蓝染色法检测肺组织中总蛋白浓度和髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性,双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法检测BALF中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-2(MIP-2)和白细胞计数(WBC)。结果肺组织病理观察显示,A、B、C3组的改变依次加重;与A组相比,B、C两组p-p38和ICAM-1的表达以及总蛋白、WBC、MIP-2、TNF-α及MPO的水平均显著增高(P均<0.01);与B组相比,C组p-p38和ICAM-1的表达以及总蛋白、WBC、MIP-2、TNF-α及MPO的水平均显著增高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论大VT机械通气能显著激活p38通路以及致炎因子的表达,这可能是大鼠机械通气所致肺损伤的重要致病机制之一。     

AIP1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced ASK1 activation by facilitating dissociation of ASK1 from its inhibitor 14-3-3

TNF-alpha activates ASK1 in part by dissociating 14-3-3 from apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). In the present study, we identified a novel Ras GTPase-activating protein (Ras-GAP) as an ASK1-interacting protein (AIP1). AIP1 binds to the C-terminal domain of ASK1 via a lysine-rich cluster within the N-terminal C2 domain. AIP1 exists in a closed form through an intramolecular interaction between the N-terminus and the C-terminus, and TNF-alpha induces unfolding of AIP1 leading to association of AIP1 with ASK1. Thus, the N-terminus of AIP1 containing the C2 and GAP domains constitutively binds to ASK1 and facilitates the release of 14-3-3 from ASK1. In contrast to 14-3-3, AIP1 binds preferentially to dephosphorylated ASK1. Recruited AIP1 enhances ASK1-induced JNK activation, and the ASK1 binding and the GAP activity of AIP1 are critical for AIP1-enhanced ASK1 activation. Furthermore, TNF-induced ASK1/JNK activation is significantly blunted in cells where AIP1 is knocked down by RNA interference. These data suggest that AIP1 mediates TNF-alpha-induced ASK1 activation by facilitating dissociation of inhibitor 14-3-3 from ASK1, a novel mechanism by which TNF-alpha activates ASK1.     

Perflubron dosing affects ventilator-induced lung injury in rats with previous lung injury

OBJECTIVES: Randomized controlled trials of partial liquid ventilation in acute respiratory distress syndrome have been negative. Reasons for this failure may reside in the use of too large doses of perfluorocarbon. The objective was to evaluate whether various doses of perflubron affect ventilation-induced injury in edematous lungs in different ways. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled animal study. SETTING: Research laboratory of a university. SUBJECTS: Male Wistar rats weighing 300+/-20 g. INTERVENTIONS: Separate groups of rats were injected with alpha-naphtylthiourea to produce mild permeability pulmonary edema. They were then given 0, 7 (low), 13 (moderate), or 20 mL/kg (near functional residual capacity) perflubron doses and mechanically ventilated with a large (33 mL/kg) tidal volume for 15 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 125I-albumin distribution space was used to assess lung microvascular permeability. Quasi-static respiratory system pressure-volume curves were analyzed. Administration of low and moderate perflubron doses significantly improved respiratory mechanics and reduced the ventilator-induced permeability alterations to the level observed in rats that were not ventilated. By contrast, a perflubron dose that was near functional residual capacity increased end-inspiratory plateau pressure and aggravated the permeability alterations due to high tidal volume ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Near functional residual capacity but not low perflubron dose worsens ventilation-induced lung injury of preinjured lungs. This may provide some explanation for the negative results of the recent clinical trials, and it stresses the importance of the amount of perflubron used for partial liquid ventilation.     

Molecular hydrogen ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice through reducing inflammation and apoptosis

Acute lung injury (ALI) is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Recently, our and other studies have found that hydrogen gas (H?) treatment can ameliorate the lung injury induced by sepsis, ventilator, hyperoxia, and ischemia-reperfusion. However, the molecular mechanisms by which H? ameliorates lung injury remain unclear. In the current study, we investigated whether H? or hydrogen-rich saline (HS) could exert protective effects in a mouse model of ALI induced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via inhibiting the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-mediated inflammation and apoptosis. Two percent of H? was inhaled for 1 h beginning at 1 and 6 h after LPS administration, respectively. We found that LPS-challenged mice exhibited significant lung injury characterized by the deterioration of histopathology and histologic scores, wet-to-dry weight ratio, and oxygenation index (PaO?/FIO?), as well as total protein in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), which was attenuated by H? treatment. Hydrogen gas treatment inhibited LPS-induced pulmonary early and late NF-κB activation. Moreover, H? treatment dramatically prevented the LPS-induced pulmonary cell apoptosis in LPS-challenged mice, as reflected by the decrease in TUNEL (deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) staining-positive cells and caspase 3 activity. Furthermore, H? treatment markedly attenuated LPS-induced lung neutrophil recruitment and inflammation, as evidenced by downregulation of lung myeloperoxidase activity, total cells, and polymorphonuclear neutrophils in BALF, as well as proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and high-mobility group box 1) and chemokines (keratinocyte-derived chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein [MIP] 1α, MIP-2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) in BALF. In addition, i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline also significantly attenuated the LPS-induced ALI. Collectively, these results demonstrate that molecular hydrogen treatment ameliorates LPS-induced ALI through reducing lung inflammation and apoptosis, which may be associated with the decreased NF-κB activity. Hydrogen gas may be useful as a novel therapy to treat ALI. munosorbent assay; H?-hydrogen gas; HMGB1-high-mobility group box 1; HS-hydrogen-rich saline; i.t.-intratracheal; KC-keratinocyte-derived chemokine; LPS-lipopolysaccharide; MCP-1-monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; MIP-1α-macrophage inflammatory protein 1α; MIP-2-macrophage inflammatory protein 2; MPO-myeloperoxidase; PBS-phosphate-buffered saline; PMNs-polymorphonuclear neutrophils; TUNEL-deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling; W/D-wet-to-dry.     

Critical role for CXCR2 and CXCR2 ligands during the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung injury

Mortality related to adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) ranges from 35% to 65%. Lung-protective ventilator strategies can reduce mortality during ARDS. The protective strategies limit tidal volumes and peak pressures while maximizing positive end-expiratory pressure. The efficacy of this approach is due to a reduction of shear-stress of the lung and release of inflammatory mediators. Ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) is characterized by inflammation. The specific mechanism(s) that recruit leukocytes during VILI have not been elucidated. Because the murine CXC chemokines KC/CXCL1 and MIP-2/CXCL2/3, via CXCR2, are potent neutrophil chemoattractants, we investigated their role in a murine model of VILI. We compared two ventilator strategies in C57BL/6 mice: high peak pressure and high stretch (high peak pressure/stretch) versus low peak pressure/stretch for 6 hours. Lung injury and neutrophil sequestration from the high-peak pressure/stretch group were greater than those from the low-peak pressure/stretch group. In addition, lung expression of KC/CXCL1 and MIP-2/CXCL2/3 paralleled lung injury and neutrophil sequestration. Moreover, in vivo inhibition of CXCR2/CXC chemokine ligand interactions led to a marked reduction in neutrophil sequestration and lung injury. These findings were confirmed using CXCR2(-/-) mice. Together these experiments support the notion that increased expression of KC/CXCL1 and MIP-2/CXCL2/3 and their interaction with CXCR2 are important in the pathogeneses of VILI.     

Interleukin-1 mediates thermal injury-induced lung damage through C-Jun NH2-terminal kinase signaling

OBJECTIVE: The molecular mechanisms of lung damage following thermal injury are not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether interleukin (IL)-1 mediates burn-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, peroxynitrite production, and lung damage through c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling. DESIGN: Prospective, experimental study. SETTING: Research laboratory at a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Thermal injury models in the mice. INTERVENTIONS: IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1) mice, Tnfrsf1a mice, and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to 30% total body surface area third-degree burn. The JNK inhibitor, SP600125, was given to mice to study the involvement of the JNK pathway in thermal injury-induced lung damage. WT --> WT, WT --> IL-1R1, and IL-1R1 --> WT chimeric mice were generated to determine the role of hematopoietic cells in IL-1-mediated lung damage. Neutrophils were harvested and treated in vitro with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: IL-1R1 mice rather than Tnfrsf1a mice showed less thermal injury-induced lung damage. IL-1R1 mice displayed less lung JNK activity; intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP2), messenger RNA expression; myeloperoxidase activity; and neutrophil p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation after thermal injury. SP600125 significantly reduced thermal injury-induced blood dihydrorhodamine (DHR) 123 oxidation, iNOS expression, and lung permeability in WT mice but not in IL-1R1 mice. IL-1R1 --> WT chimeric mice rather than WT --> IL-1R1 chimeric mice showed less thermal injury-induced lung damage. fMLP increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of neutrophils in WT mice but not in IL-1R1 mice. SP600125 decreased ROS production of neutrophils in WT mice but not in IL-1R1 mice. CONCLUSIONS: Thermal injury-induced lung JNK activation; lung ICAM, VCAM, CXCR2, and MIP2 expression; and DHR 123 oxidation are IL-1 dependent. JNK inhibition decreases IL-1-mediated thermal injury-induced lung damage. Given that the IL-1 receptor is critical in thermal injury-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and ROS production of neutrophils, we conclude that IL-1 mediates thermal injury-induced iNOS expression and lung damage through the JNK signaling pathway.     

Fluid shear stress inhibits vascular inflammation by decreasing thioredoxin-interacting protein in endothelial cells

Regions in the vasculature that are exposed to steady laminar blood flow are protected from atherosclerosis as compared with regions where flow is disturbed. We found that flow decreased TNF-mediated VCAM1 expression by inhibiting JNK and p38. JNK inhibition correlated with inhibition of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a JNK and p38 activator. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is a stress-responsive protein that inhibits thioredoxin (TRX) activity. Since thioredoxin inhibits ASK1, we hypothesized that changes in TXNIP-TRX-ASK1 interactions mediate the antiinflammatory effects of flow. To explore this, we used perfused vessels and cultured ECs. Exposure of rabbit aortae or ECs to normal flow (12 dyn/cm2, 24 hours) was associated with decreased TXNIP expression and increased TRX activity compared with exposure to low flow (0.4 dyn/cm2). Normal flow inhibited TNF activation of JNK/p38 and VCAM1 expression. In cultured ECs, reduction of TXNIP expression by small interfering RNA increased TRX binding to ASK1 and inhibited TNF activation of JNK/p38 and VCAM1 expression. Conversely, overexpression of TXNIP stimulated JNK and p38. In aortae from TXNIP-deficient mice, TNF-induced VCAM1 expression was inhibited. The data suggest that TXNIP and TRX are key components of biomechanical signal transduction and establish them as potentially novel regulators of TNF signaling and inflammation in ECs.     

Augmented lung injury due to interaction between hyperoxia and mechanical ventilation

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical overdistension and hyperoxia can independently cause lung injury, yet little is known about their combined effects. We hypothesized that hyperoxia exacerbates lung injury caused by large tidal volume ventilation. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University laboratory. SUBJECTS: Anesthetized, paralyzed rabbits. INTERVENTIONS: In experiment 1, 12 rabbits were ventilated with 25 mL/kg tidal volumes at positive end-expiratory pressure of 0 cm H2O for 4 hrs with either hyperoxia (HO; FiO2 = 0.5) or normoxia (NO; FiO2 = 0.21). In experiment 2, a separate group of animals were randomized to one of four groups to assess the interaction of tidal volume and inspired oxygen concentration on potential mediators of injury after 2 hrs of ventilation, before significant injury occurs: a) NO+normal tidal volume (NV; VT = 10 mL/kg); b) HO+NV; c) NO+high tidal volume (HV; VT = 25 mL/kg); d) HO+HV (n = 3 per group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:: In the first study, HO compared with the NO group had significantly reduced PaO2/FiO2 ratio (320 +/- 110 vs. 498 +/- 98, p = .014) and increased lung injury scores at 4 hrs. Hyperoxia also significantly increased polymorphonuclear leukocytes, growth-related oncogene-alpha (2073 +/- 535 vs. 463 +/- 236 pg/mL, p = .02), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (7517 +/- 1612 vs. 2983 +/- 1289 pg/mL, p = .05) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The second study showed increased alveolar-capillary permeability to a 70-kD fluorescent-labeled dextran only in response to the combination of both HO and HV. Chemokines and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid neutrophils were elevated in both HV groups; however, hyperoxia did not further increase chemokine or neutrophil counts over normoxia. No difference in lipid peroxidation was seen between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate hyperoxia exacerbates lung injury in a large tidal volume model of ventilator-induced lung injury. The mechanism by which this occurs is not mediated by increased production of CXC chemokines or lipid peroxidation.     

High-molecular-weight hyaluronan – a possible new treatment for sepsis-induced lung injury: a preclinical study in mechanically ventilated rats

Introduction

Mechanical ventilation with even moderate-sized tidal volumes synergistically increases lung injury in sepsis and has been associated with proinflammatory low-molecular-weight hyaluronan production. High-molecular-weight hyaluronan (HMW HA), in contrast, has been found to be anti-inflammatory. We hypothesized that HMW HA would inhibit lung injury associated with sepsis and mechanical ventilation.

Methods

Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: nonventilated control rats; mechanical ventilation plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion as a model of sepsis; mechanical ventilation plus LPS with HMW HA (1,600 kDa) pretreatment; and mechanical ventilation plus LPS with low-molecular-weight hyaluronan (35 kDa) pretreatment. Rats were mechanically ventilated with low (7 ml/kg) tidal volumes. LPS (1 or 3 mg/kg) or normal saline was infused 1 hour prior to mechanical ventilation. Animals received HMW HA or low-molecular-weight hyaluronan via the intraperitoneal route 18 hours prior to the study or received HMW HA (0.025%, 0.05% or 0.1%) intravenously 1 hour after injection of LPS. After 4 hours of ventilation, animals were sacrificed and the lung neutrophil and monocyte infiltration, the cytokine production, and the lung pathology score were measured.

Results

LPS induced lung neutrophil infiltration, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 and TNFα mRNA and protein, which were decreased in the presence of both 1,600 kDa and 35 kDa hyaluronan pretreatment. Only 1,600 kDa hyaluronan completely blocked both monocyte and neutrophil infiltration and decreased the lung injury. When infused intravenously 1 hour after LPS, 1,600 kDa hyaluronan inhibited lung neutrophil infiltration, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 mRNA expression and lung injury in a dose-dependent manner. The beneficial effects of hyaluronan were partially dependent on the positive charge of the compound.

Conclusions

HMW HA may prove to be an effective treatment strategy for sepsis-induced lung injury with mechanical ventilation.     

Laminar flow inhibits TNF-induced ASK1 activation by preventing dissociation of ASK1 from its inhibitor 14-3-3

The inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha stimulates several presumed pro-atherogenic signaling events in endothelial cells (ECs), including activation of c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK) and induction of E-selectin. Here, we show that apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), a MAP kinase kinase kinase, is required for TNF-mediated JNK activation. TNF activates ASK1 in part by dissociating ASK1 from its inhibitor 14-3-3. Because the risk of atherosclerosis is decreased in regions of steady laminar flow, we hypothesized that laminar flow inhibits proinflammatory cytokine-mediated activation of JNK. Steady laminar flow inhibited both TNF activation of ASK1 and JNK. Inhibition of ASK1 by flow correlated with increased association of ASK1 with 14-3-3. A constitutively active form of ASK1 lacking the 14-3-3-binding site (ASK1-Delta NS967A) was not inhibited by flow. These data establish ASK1 as a target for flow-mediated inhibition of cytokine signaling and indicate a novel role for 14-3-3 as an anti-inflammatory mediator in ECs.