白介素17抗体减轻吸烟所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病模型小鼠的气道炎症

目的 研究白介素17(interhukin-17,IL-17)抗体在吸烟所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)模型小鼠气道炎症中的作用.方法 C67/BL6雄性小鼠随机分为COPD组(8只)、COPD+IL-17抗体干预组(简称COPD+干预组,8只)和正常对照组(10只).对支气管肺泡灌洗液(BALF)进行细胞计数、染色和分类;用酶联免疫吸附试验检测小鼠肺组织匀浆IL-17水平,观察各组小鼠气道病理改变.结果 COPD组与COPD+干预组相比肺功能差异无统计学意义.COPD组、COPD+干预组小鼠与正常对照组相比BALF细胞总数显著增高[分别为(19.64±1.89)×104/ml,(15.47±2.99)×104/ml和(5.13±1.00)×104/ml,P＜0.01];COPD+干预组较COPD组细胞总数下降(P＜0.01);中性粒细胞比例[分别为(8.58+6.77)%,(22.98±8.46)%]及绝对值[(1.28±0.96)×104/ml,(4.53±1.73)×104/ml]显著下降(P值均＜0.01).肺组织HE染色病理评分COPD+干预组(73.25±18.58)较cOPD组(106.13±36.27)炎症有所减轻(P＜0.05).COPD+干预组小鼠肺组织匀浆中IL-17含量(0.084±0.041)pg/mg pro与COPD组(0.221±0.081)pg/mg pro相比显著降低(P＜0.01).结论 吸烟所致COPD小鼠模型中IL-17参与了中性粒细胞引起的气道炎症,抑制IL-17的表达,可以减少气道内中性粒细胞的数量,减轻气道炎症.     

Involvement of MMP-12 and phosphodiesterase type 4 in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in mice.

The aim of the present study was to characterise a mouse model of airways inflammation induced by cigarette smoke and to compare it with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model with regards to the efficacy of a PDE4 inhibitor (cilomilast), a corticosteroid (dexamethasone) and macrophage metalloelastase (MMP)-12 gene deletion. Cigarette smoke exposure for 3 days induced a time-dependent airway neutrophilia associated with an increased level of keratinocyte-derived chemokine (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, MIP-1alpha and MMP-9 in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). LPS exposure also induced an increase in the number of neutrophils in BAL. Studies in MMP-12-/- mice showed that in contrast to the smoking model, MMP-12 did not have a critical role in LPS-induced inflammation. Both cilomilast and dexamethasone blocked LPS-induced neutrophilia in a dose-dependent manner. Cilomilast inhibited cigarette smoke-induced neutrophilia and MIP-1alpha, but only 10 mg.kg(-1) of dexamethasone was effective. Both anti-inflammatory treatments had no effect on the levels of KC and MIP-2 in the BAL. Although the inflammatory response was very similar in the smoking model and LPS, the pharmacological modulation and the MMP-12 gene deletion highlighted the differences in the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, the cigarette smoke model seemed to better represent the situation described in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. In conclusion, these differences underline the importance of using an acute smoke-exposure model to investigate potential new treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor p75 in cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation and emphysema.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by a local pulmonary inflammatory response to respiratory pollutants and by systemic inflammation. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been implicated in systemic effects of COPD and operates by binding the p55 (R1) and p75 (R2) TNF-alpha receptors. To investigate the contribution of each TNF-alpha receptor in the pathogenesis of COPD, the present study examined the effects of chronic air or cigarette smoke (CS) exposure in TNF-alpha R1 knockout (KO) mice, TNF-alpha R2 KO mice and wild type (WT) mice. CS was found to significantly increase the protein levels of soluble TNF-alpha R1 (by four-fold) and TNF-alpha R2 (by 10-fold) in the bronchoalveolar lavage of WT mice. After 3 months, CS induced a prominent pulmonary inflammatory cell influx in WT and TNF-alpha R1 KO mice. In TNF-alpha R2 KO mice, CS-induced pulmonary inflammation was clearly attenuated. After 6 months, no emphysema was observed in CS-exposed TNF-alpha R2 KO mice in contrast to WT and TNF-alpha R1 KO mice. CS-exposed WT and TNF-alpha R1 KO mice failed to gain weight, whereas the body mass of TNF-alpha R2 KO mice was not affected. These current findings suggest that both tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptors contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor-2 is the most active receptor in the development of inflammation, emphysema and systemic weight loss in this murine model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

A murine model of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation using intranasally administered smoke-conditioned medium

To date, few animal models of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exist that are ideal for the evaluation of pathophysiology, as they typically require many months of cigarette smoke exposure in inhalation facilities. Here we show that pulmonary inflammation and some of the inflammatory hallmarks of COPD can be induced in mice by cigarette smoke-conditioned media (CS) administered by the intranasal route. Balb/c mice were challenged with CS for up to 40 days. At the end of smoke treatment, mice were sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid collected. Total cell counts and cell differentials were performed. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for KC and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were performed on BAL fluid. Lungs and nasal cavities were examined histologically. Intranasal CS treatment significantly increased BAL neutrophils, lymphocytes, KC, TNF-alpha, and mucin. Changes in pulmonary reactivity to methacholine were also observed in mice challenged with CS for 40 days. The model described above demonstrates that within 1 to 8 weeks of intranasal instillation of CS, mice develop pulmonary inflammation and cellular lung changes that are characteristic of human COPD and therefore may be a good short-term in vivo model that can be utilized to monitor intervention strategies targeted for COPD.     

Effects of strain and treatment with inhaled aII-trans-retinoic acid on cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice

Models of emphysema produced by exposing animals to cigarette smoke (CS) have potential for use in testing treatments of this disease. To better characterize development of emphysema in an animal model, male and female mice of the B6C3F1 and A/J strains were exposed to CS at 250 mg total particulate material (TPM)/m3 for 15 weeks. Emphysema was evident in both strains of mice to differing degrees of severity. The CS-induced increase in the mean linear intercept (normalized to BW) of A/J mice was 51% greater than the control value, while CS-exposed B6C3F1 had an increase of 38% in this morphometric measurement of alveolar air space enlargement. In separate experiments, female B6C3F1 mice and male A/J mice were exposed to CS for 32 weeks and 15 weeks, respectively, and were then used to test the efficacy of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) treatments to ameliorate emphysema lesions. Following CS exposure, the B6C3F1 mice were treated once daily for 14 days in a 3-week period by nose-only inhalation exposure to aerosols of 180 or 1,800 mg-minutes ATRA/m3. The A/J mice were treated once daily, 4 days/week, for three weeks by either intraperitoneal injection of ATRA (0.5 or 2.5 mg/kg) or inhalation exposure to ATRA (3,600 or 18,000 mg-minutes/m3). Neither the injections nor inhalation exposures of ATRA in either strain of mouse caused reversal of the emphysema. In summary, CS-induced emphysema was more severe in A/J mice than in B6C3F1 mice. Treatment with ATRA did not reverse emphysema in either strain of CS-exposed mice.     

L-NAME and L-arginine differentially ameliorate cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in mice

Nitric oxide (NO) represents one of the most important intra- and extracellular mediators and takes part in both biologic and pathologic processes. This study aimed to verify the treatment with an NO inhibitor and an NO substrate in pulmonary emphysema induced by cigarette smoke (CS) in a murine model. We compared N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione, to G-nitro-l-Arginine-Methyl Ester or l-NAME (LN), which is an NO inhibitor, and to l-arginine (LA), which is a substrate for NO formation. Mice were divided into several groups: control, CS, CS + LN, CS + LA, and CS + NAC. Control and CS groups were treated daily with a vehicle, while CS + LN, CS + LA, and CS + NAC groups were treated daily with LN (60 mg/kg), LA (120 mg/kg) and NAC (200 mg/kg), respectively. The bronchoalveolar lavage was analyzed and the lungs were removed for histological and biochemical analysis. CS increases neutrophil number. Neutrophil number was lowest in CS + LN, followed by CS + LA. The lungs of CS + LN, CS + LA and CS + NAC mice were protected compared to the lungs of CS mice, but not equal to the quality of lungs in control mice. The CS group also exhibited increased oxidative stress, which was also present in the CS + LN group and to a lesser extent in the CS + LA group. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 and 2 increased in the CS + LN group and to a lesser extent in the CS + LA group relative to the control group. These results suggest that LN and LA treatment protected the mouse lung from CS. However, NAC treatment was more than LN and LA. We suggest that the protection conferred by LN treatment requires a balance between proteases and antiproteases, and that protection conferred by LA treatment involves the balance between oxidants and antioxidants.     

Platinum nanoparticle antioxidants inhibit pulmonary inflammation in mice exposed to cigarette smoke

Recent evidence implicates increased oxidative stress as an important mechanism of the pulmonary inflammation that occurs in cigarette smokers. Since cigarette smoke (CS) contains and generates a large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that elicit pulmonary inflammation, antioxidants may become effective therapeutic agents for CS-related inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Platinum nanoparticles stabilized with polyacrylate to form a stable colloid solution (PAA-Pt) are a new class of antioxidants that has been shown to efficiently quench ROS. In the present study we investigated the therapeutic effects of PAA-Pt on pulmonary inflammation in smoking mice. PAA-Pt or saline was administered intranasally to DBA/2 mice, which were then exposed to CS or control air daily for 3 days. Mice were sacrificed 4 h after their final exposure to CS or control air. CS exposure caused depletion of antioxidant capacity, NFκB activation, and neutrophilic inflammation in the lungs of mice, and intranasal administration of PAA-Pt prior to CS exposure was found to inhibit these changes. Intranasal administration of PAA-Pt alone did not elicit pulmonary inflammation or toxicity. In in vitro experiments, treatment of alveolar-type-II-like A549 cells with PAA-Pt inhibited cell death after exposure to a CS extract. These results suggest that platinum nanoparticles act as antioxidants that inhibit pulmonary inflammation induced by acute cigarette smoking.     

Macrophage metalloelastase mediates acute cigarette smoke-induced inflammation via tumor necrosis factor-alpha release

The cells and proteases that mediate cigarette smoke-induced emphysema are controversial, with evidence favoring either neutrophils and neutrophil-derived serine proteases or macrophages and macrophage-derived metalloproteases as the important effectors. We recently reported that both macrophage metalloelastase (MMP-12) and neutrophils are required for acute cigarette smoke-induced connective tissue breakdown, the precursor of emphysema. Here we show how these disparate observations can be linked. Both wild-type (MMP-12 +/+) mice and mice lacking MMP-12 (MMP-12 -/-) demonstrated rapid increases in whole-lung nuclear factor-kappaB activation and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines after cigarette smoke exposure, indicating that a lack of MMP-12 does not produce a global failure to upregulate inflammatory mediators. However, only MMP-12 +/+ mice demonstrated increased whole-lung tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) protein or release of TNF-alpha from cultured alveolar macrophages exposed to smoke in vitro. Levels of whole-lung E-selectin, an endothelial activation marker, were increased in only MMP-12 +/+ mice. These findings suggest that, acutely, MMP-12 mediates smoke-induced inflammation by releasing TNF-alpha from macrophages, with subsequent endothelial activation, neutrophil influx, and proteolytic matrix breakdown caused by neutrophil-derived proteases. TNF-alpha release may be a general mechanism whereby metalloproteases drive cigarette smoke-induced inflammation.     

Exposure to neonatal cigarette smoke causes durable lung changes but does not potentiate cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adult mice

The impact of early childhood cigarette smoke (CS) exposure on CS-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown. This study was performed to evaluate the individual and combined effects of neonatal and adult CS exposure on lung structure, function, and gene expression in adult mice. To model a childhood CS exposure, neonatal C57/B6 mice were exposed to 14 days of CS (Neo CS). At 10 weeks of age, Neo CS and control mice were exposed to 4 months of CS. Pulmonary function tests, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung morphometry were measured and gene expression profiling was performed on lung tissue. Mean chord lengths and lung volumes were increased in neonatal and/or adult CS-exposed mice. Differences in immune, cornified envelope protein, muscle, and erythrocyte genes were found in CS-exposed lung. Neonatal CS exposure caused durable structural and functional changes in the adult lung but did not potentiate CS-induced COPD changes. Cornified envelope protein gene expression was decreased in all CS-exposed mice, whereas myosin and erythrocyte gene expression was increased in mice exposed to both neonatal and adult CS, suggesting an adaptive response. Additional studies may be warranted to determine the utility of these genes as biomarkers of respiratory outcomes.     

吸烟和生物燃料所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者临床特征差异研究

目的 观察吸烟和生物燃料所致慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者临床特征的差异。方法 回顾性分析2011年3月至2014年3月在广州呼吸疾病研究所206例由吸烟和81例生物燃料导致的慢阻肺患者的临床资料,分别比较了两组患者的一般情况、临床症状、呼吸困难评分和合并症等方面的差异;肺功能和分级及急性加重的差异。结果 (1)一般情况的差异：吸烟所致慢阻肺患者中男性和女性的比例分别为83.5%和16.5%,生物燃料所致慢阻肺的患者中男性和女性的比例分别为14.8%和85.2%(χ2=27.2,P<0.05)。吸烟所致慢阻肺患者多见于男性,而生物燃料所致慢阻肺患者多见于女性;性别矫正后,生物燃料所致的女性COPD患者的体重指数(BMI)低于吸烟所致的女性COPD患者的BMI。其他指标如年龄两组差异无统计学意义。(2)临床症状差异：生物燃料和吸烟所致慢阻肺患者的呼吸困难指数mMRC差异无统计学意义;生物燃料所致慢阻肺患者出现喘息症状多于吸烟所致慢阻肺的患者,分别为38.3%和11.1%(χ2=17.9,P<0.05)。生物燃料所致慢阻肺患者合并过敏性疾病(如过敏性鼻炎、支气管哮喘)比例高于吸烟所致慢阻肺的患者,分别为43.2%和18%(χ2=16.1,P<0.05);而吸烟所致慢阻肺患者合并肺癌比例高于生物燃料所致慢阻肺的患者,分别为7.77%和3.7%(χ2=9.7,P<0.05)。(3)肺功能分级的差异：慢阻肺分级上,性别校正后生物燃料所致慢阻肺患者分级更多见于B级或D级,症状多。(4)急性加重的差异：生物燃料所致和吸烟所致的慢阻肺患者1年内急性加重次数无显著差异。结论 吸烟和生物燃料所致的慢阻肺在临床特征上有很多差异：生物燃料所致慢阻肺患者多见于女性,BMI低,临床症状较多,合并症以过敏性鼻炎和支气管哮喘较多,慢阻肺分级多见于B级或D级。吸烟所致慢阻肺患者多见于男性,合并症以肺癌较多。     

CD4+白细胞介素-17+辅助性T细胞对香烟暴露小鼠肺部炎症及肺气肿的作用

Objective To evaluate the expression and the role of Th 17 in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and emphysema in mice.Methods Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including a control group C12, a control group C24, a smoke-exposure 12 week group (S12) and a smoke-exposure 24 week group S24 (n = 10 each).Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts and destructive index (DI).The proportion of CD4+ IL-17 + Th17, CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1, CD4+ IL-17 +IFN-γ+ T( Th17/ Th1 ), CD8+ IFN-γ+ Tc1, CD8+ IL-21R + and CD4+ IL-17 + IL-21 + T cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry.The mRNA expressions of RORγt and IL-17 were evaluated by real-time PCR.Results Mean linear intercepts and DI were significantly higher in S12 and S24 groups [(39 ± 4)μm, (47 ±7) μm], (39.1 ± 1.6, 45.2 ±3.1 ) as compared to C12[(32 ±4) μm,28.2 ± 1.6] and C24groups [(33 ± 3 ) μm ,28.9 ± 2.1], all P ＜ O.05.The percentage of Th17 of S12 and S24 groups [(3.3 ±1.1 )%, (7.2 ±2.2)%] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 and C24 groups [( 1.8± 0.8) %, (2.0 ± 0.6) %], all P ＜ 0.05.The mRNA levels of RORγt [( 25 ± 4), ( 35 ± 3 )] and IL-17 [(26 ± 3), (36 ± 3 )] in S12 and S24 groups were higher than in C12 [(10 ± 5 ), (13 ± 5 )] and C24 groups [( 11 ± 7 ), (8 ± 6)], all P ＜ 0.05.The percentage of Th 1, Th17/Th1 and Tc1 cells of S12 and S24 groups [(10.0 ±3.7)%, (26.2 ±6.0)%], [(0.61 ±0.30)%, (1.82 ±0.52)%], [(17.0±4.5 ) %, ( 26.8 ± 8.5 ) %] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 [( 3.8 ± 1.7 ) %,(0.27±0.17)%, (4.8 ±1.9)%] and C24 groups [(4.2±1.3)%, (0.28±0.11)%, (5.2±1.0)%], all P＜0.05.Moreover, the frequency of Th17 cells had a positive correlation with Th1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions ( r =0.519 - 0.797, all P ＜ 0.01 ).In addition, a positive correlation between Th17/Th1 cells and emphysematous lesions was also found (r =0.742, 0.802, all P ＜0.01 ).The percentage of CD4+ IL-17+ IL-21 +T cells was significantly increased in S12 and S24 groups [(0.19 ±0.04) %, (0.55 ± 0.24) %] compared to controls [(0.07 ± 0.03 ) %, (0.08 ± 0.03 ) %], all P ＜ 0.05.Meanwhile, as compared with that of the controls [( 1.22 ± 0.31 ), ( 1.34 ± 0.18 )], the percentage of CD8+ IL-21 R + T cells was also increased in SI 2 and S24 groups [( 2.94 ± 1.26 ), (4.12 ± 2.26 )], but there were no differences among smoke-exposure groups ( P ＞0.05 ).The frequency of CD4+ IL-17 + IL-21 + T cells had a positive correlation with Th 1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions (r = 0.694 -0.754, all P ＜0.05).And the frequency of CD8+ IL-21R+ T cells also had a positive correlation with emphysematous lesions ( r = 0.516, 0.725, all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Cigarette smoke increased the expression and the activity of Th17 in mice.Th17 may play a potential (active) role in the development of lung inflammation through IL-21/IL-21R pathway.     

CD4+白细胞介素-17+辅助性T细胞对香烟暴露小鼠肺部炎症及肺气肿的作用

目的 观察香烟烟雾暴露小鼠肺实质中CD4+白细胞介素(IL)-17+辅助性T细胞(Th17)数量及活性的表达,探讨其在香烟暴露小鼠肺部CD4+ γ-干扰素+(Th1)炎症及肺气肿中的作用及相关机制.方法 将40只雄性Balb/c小鼠按随机数字表法分为4组:对照12周(C12)组、对照24周(C24)组、烟雾暴露12周(S12)组、烟雾暴露24周(S24)组,每组10只.香烟烟雾暴露法建立小鼠肺气肿模型.HE染色观察小鼠肺气肿的改变,计算平均内衬间隔和肺泡破坏指数(DI);流式细胞术检测小鼠肺实质中CD4+IL-17+T(Th17)细胞、CD4+γ-干扰素+T(Th1)细胞、CD4+IL-17+γ-干扰素+T(Th17/Th1)细胞、CD8+γ-干扰素+T(Tc1)细胞、CD8+IL-21R+细胞及CD4+IL-17+IL-21+细胞比例;荧光定量PCR法检测小鼠肺实质中维甲酸相关孤独受体(RORγt)和IL-17的mRNA表达,并分析这些指标的相互关系.结果 S12组和S24组的平均内衬间隔[(39±4)μm和(47±7)μm]和DI(39.1±1.6和45.2±3.1)明显高于C12组[(32±4)μm和28.2±1.6]和C24组[(33±3)μm和28.9±2.1],且以S24组的增高更为明显,差异均有统计学意义(t值为4.378～15.188,均P＜0.05);S12组和S24组Th17细胞比例[(3.3±1.1)%和(7.2±2.2)%]均明显高于C12组和C24组[(1.8±0.8)%和(2.0±0.6)%];S12组和S24组RORγtmRNA表达量[(25±4)和(35±3)]及IL-17的mRNA表达量[(26±3)和(36±3)]亦明显高于C12组[(10±5)和(13±5)]和C24组[(11±7)和(8±6)],以S24组增高更为明显,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);S12组和S24组Th1细胞比例[(10.0±3.7)%和(26.2 ±6.0)%]、Th17/Th1细胞比例[(0.61±0.30)%和(1.82±0.52)%]及Tc1细胞比例[(17.0±4.5)%和(26.8±8.5)%]均明显高于C12组[(3.8±1.7)%、(0.27±0.17)%和(4.8±1.9)%]和C24组[(4.2±1.3)%、(0.28±0.11)%和(5.2±1.0)%],以S24组增高更为明显,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);S12组和S24组小鼠Th17细胞与Th1、Tc1细胞比例、平均内衬间隔、DI值均呈显著正相关(r值为0.519～0.797,均P＜0.01);Th17/Th1细胞比例与平均内衬间隔、DI值呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.742和0.802,均P＜0.01);S12组和S24组CD4+IL-17+IL-21+细胞比例[(0.19±0.04)和(0.55±0.24)]明显高于C12组和C24组[(0.07±0.03)和(0.08±0.03)],S24组增高更为明显,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).S12组和S24组的CD8+IL-21R+细胞比例[(2.94±1.26)和(4.12±2.26)]高于C12组和C24组[(1.22±0.31)和(1.34±0.18)](P＞0.05);S12组及S24组小鼠CD4+IL-17+IL-21+细胞比例与Th1、Tc1细胞比例、平均内衬间隔和DI值均呈显著正相关(r值为0.694～0.754,均P＜0.05);S12及S24组小鼠CD8+IL-21R+细胞比例与平均内衬间隔和DI呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.516和0.725均P＜0.05).结论 香烟暴露导致肺气肿小鼠肺内Th17细胞数量及活性上调,并随烟雾暴露时间延长而增强;Th17细胞通过IL-21及IL-21R在肺部Th1/Tc1炎症中起重要促进作用;这对探讨COPD肺部炎症和肺气肿发生机制以及新的治疗靶点具有重要意义.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the expression and the role of Th 17 in cigarette smoke-induced lung inflammation and emphysema in mice.Methods Forty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including a control group C12, a control group C24, a smoke-exposure 12 week group (S12) and a smoke-exposure 24 week group S24 (n = 10 each).Morphological changes were evaluated by mean linear intercepts and destructive index (DI).The proportion of CD4+ IL-17 + Th17, CD4+ IFN-γ+ Th1, CD4+ IL-17 +IFN-γ+ T( Th17/ Th1 ), CD8+ IFN-γ+ Tc1, CD8+ IL-21R + and CD4+ IL-17 + IL-21 + T cells in lungs of mice was determined by flow cytometry.The mRNA expressions of RORγt and IL-17 were evaluated by real-time PCR.Results Mean linear intercepts and DI were significantly higher in S12 and S24 groups [(39 ± 4)μm, (47 ±7) μm], (39.1 ± 1.6, 45.2 ±3.1 ) as compared to C12[(32 ±4) μm,28.2 ± 1.6] and C24groups [(33 ± 3 ) μm ,28.9 ± 2.1], all P ＜ O.05.The percentage of Th17 of S12 and S24 groups [(3.3 ±1.1 )%, (7.2 ±2.2)%] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 and C24 groups [( 1.8± 0.8) %, (2.0 ± 0.6) %], all P ＜ 0.05.The mRNA levels of RORγt [( 25 ± 4), ( 35 ± 3 )] and IL-17 [(26 ± 3), (36 ± 3 )] in S12 and S24 groups were higher than in C12 [(10 ± 5 ), (13 ± 5 )] and C24 groups [( 11 ± 7 ), (8 ± 6)], all P ＜ 0.05.The percentage of Th 1, Th17/Th1 and Tc1 cells of S12 and S24 groups [(10.0 ±3.7)%, (26.2 ±6.0)%], [(0.61 ±0.30)%, (1.82 ±0.52)%], [(17.0±4.5 ) %, ( 26.8 ± 8.5 ) %] was significantly increased as compared with that of C12 [( 3.8 ± 1.7 ) %,(0.27±0.17)%, (4.8 ±1.9)%] and C24 groups [(4.2±1.3)%, (0.28±0.11)%, (5.2±1.0)%], all P＜0.05.Moreover, the frequency of Th17 cells had a positive correlation with Th1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions ( r =0.519 - 0.797, all P ＜ 0.01 ).In addition, a positive correlation between Th17/Th1 cells and emphysematous lesions was also found (r =0.742, 0.802, all P ＜0.01 ).The percentage of CD4+ IL-17+ IL-21 +T cells was significantly increased in S12 and S24 groups [(0.19 ±0.04) %, (0.55 ± 0.24) %] compared to controls [(0.07 ± 0.03 ) %, (0.08 ± 0.03 ) %], all P ＜ 0.05.Meanwhile, as compared with that of the controls [( 1.22 ± 0.31 ), ( 1.34 ± 0.18 )], the percentage of CD8+ IL-21 R + T cells was also increased in SI 2 and S24 groups [( 2.94 ± 1.26 ), (4.12 ± 2.26 )], but there were no differences among smoke-exposure groups ( P ＞0.05 ).The frequency of CD4+ IL-17 + IL-21 + T cells had a positive correlation with Th 1, Tc1 cells and emphysematous lesions (r = 0.694 -0.754, all P ＜0.05).And the frequency of CD8+ IL-21R+ T cells also had a positive correlation with emphysematous lesions ( r = 0.516, 0.725, all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Cigarette smoke increased the expression and the activity of Th17 in mice.Th17 may play a potential (active) role in the development of lung inflammation through IL-21/IL-21R pathway.     

The effects of physical exercise on the cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary oxidative response

Studies have shown that the oxidative power of cigarettes is related to the pathogenesis of several pulmonary diseases and that regular physical exercise contributes significantly to reducing the deleterious effects of cigarettes. The objective of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of physical exercise on histological and oxidative stress markers in animals exposed to cigarette smoke. Thirty-six male, eight-week-old C57BL-6 mice were divided into four groups (n = 9 for each group): control, exercise, cigarette smoke, and cigarette smoke plus exercise. The cigarette smoke (CS) groups were exposed to cigarette smoke 3 times/day (4 cigarettes/session) for 60 consecutive days. The exercise groups were submitted to swimming physical training 5 days/week for eight weeks. Forty-eight hours after the last exercise and cigarette exposure, the animals were sacrificed using cervical traction. The right lung was removed, processed, and stored for future analysis. In addition to the analysis of collagen content (hydroxyproline), oxidant production (anion superoxide), antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT), and lipid and protein oxidative damage (TBARS and Carbonylation), histological and morphological studies were performed. The results revealed that the animals exposed to cigarette smoke showed enlargement and destruction of the alveolar septum and increases in the numbers of macrophages and neutrophils, as well as in the amount of collagen. Our results also showed a decrease in the volume density of elastic fibers and an increase in the volume density of airspaces. However, physical exercise partially improved these markers. Additionally, physical exercise decreased oxidant production and increased the activity of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system, but did not reverse lipid and protein oxidative damage induced by cigarette smoke. These results suggest that physical training partially improves histological and oxidative stress parameters in the lungs of animals chronically exposed to cigarette smoke and that other therapies can contribute to potentiate these effects.     

ACE及ACE2在慢性香烟烟雾诱导的大鼠肺动脉高压对血管紧张素Ⅱ的调控作用

目的 探讨慢性香烟暴露诱导的肺动脉高压形成过程中ACE、ACE2和血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）的调控作用及特异性血管紧张素Ⅱ受体拮抗剂氯沙坦的治疗作用.方法 健康雄性SD大鼠60只,随机分为A组：对照组（Con）;B组：30 mg/kg单纯氯沙坦组（30 mg/kg Los）;C组：香烟诱导组（SM）;D组：香烟诱导＋10 mg/kg氯沙坦组（SM＋10 mg/kg Los）;E组：香烟诱导＋30 mg/kg氯沙坦组（SM＋30 mg/kg Los）.香烟暴露组和香烟暴露＋氯沙坦组在标准毒理香烟暴露箱中接受被动吸烟;对照组同时在同种毒理箱中暴露于新鲜空气;氯沙坦给药采用每天腹腔内注射;正常对照组给予等量生理盐水注射.建立香烟诱导的肺动脉高压大鼠模型后,用插入导管法检测右室收缩压（RVSP）;Western blotting法分析ACE2和ACE的蛋白表达量;放射免疫分析试剂药盒测定肺组织中的AngⅡ表达水平.结果 香烟暴露6个月后,慢性香烟暴露组大鼠RVSP较对照组明显升高,大鼠肺组织中AngⅡ表达水平显著增高.Western blotting结果显示,ACE表达水平增高,香烟暴露组大鼠肺组织ACE2蛋白表达水平降低,而ACE蛋白表达水平较对照组升高.氯沙坦干预治疗后,香烟暴露＋氯沙坦组大鼠RVSP和AngⅡ较香烟暴露组降低（P＜0.05）,肺组织ACE2蛋白表达水平较香烟暴露组增强,ACE蛋白表达水平较香烟暴露组减少（P＜0.05）.结论 慢性香烟暴露可导致肺动脉高压,还可刺激肺组织ACE2和ACE的蛋白表达变化,提示ACE2和ACE在慢性香烟暴露诱导的肺动脉高压中起一定作用.     

Aerosolized hyaluronan limits airspace enlargement in a mouse model of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema

This study was designed to determine if aerosolized hyaluronan (HA) could prevent airspace enlargement and elastic fiber injury in a mouse model of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema. Compared to untreated/smoked controls, HA-treated animals showed statistically significant reductions in mean linear intercept (54 versus 65 microm; P < .001) and elastic fiber breakdown products (desmosine and isodesmosine) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (0.3 versus 7.0 ng/mL; P < .05). As in previous studies, the aerosolized HA showed preferential binding to elastic fibers, suggesting that it may protect them from injury. These findings support further investigation of the potential use of HA as a treatment for pulmonary emphysema.     

Time course of some effects of cigarette smoking on platelets.

Eight male habitual smokers smoked two cigarettes over a 20-min period following a 12-h period of abstinence. Antecubital venipuncture was performed immediately before, immediately after, and 55 min and 2 h after smoking had ceased. At these times, the mean values (+/- SD) of collagen-induced platelet aggregation were 45 +/- 5, 68 +/- 5, 59 +/- 6 and 52 +/- 5 chart units, respectively, while the corresponding values for the mean platelet aggregate ratio were 0.91 +/- 0.01, 0.82 +/- 0.03, 0.87 +/- 0.02 and 0.90 +/- 0.02, respectively. Mean collagen-induced platelet aggregation was significantly (P less than 0.005) higher immediately after, and 55 min and 2 h after smoking. The mean platelet aggregate ratio was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower immediately after and 55 min after smoking. Correlation coefficients between the concentration of nicotine in each of the 24 plasma samples obtained after smoking and the corresponding values of collagen-induced platelet aggregation and the platelet aggregate ratio were 0.41 (P less than 0.05) and -0.50 (P less than 0.02), respectively. It is concluded that when habitual smokers abstain from smoking overnight, a 20-min period of cigarette smoking may enhance platelet aggregability for as long as 2 h.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha is central to acute cigarette smoke-induced inflammation and connective tissue breakdown

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as a mediator of cigarette smoke-induced disease is controversial. We exposed mice with knocked-out p55/p75 TNF-alpha receptors (TNF-alpha-RKO mice) to cigarette smoke and compared them with control mice. Two hours after smoke exposure, increases in gene expression of TNF-alpha, neutrophil chemoattractant, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and macrophage chemoattractant, protein-1 were seen in control mice. By 6 hours, TNF-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 gene expression levels had returned to control values in control mice and stayed at control values through 24 hours. In TNF-alpha-RKO mice, no changes in gene expression of these mediators were seen at any time. At 24 hours, control mice demonstrated increases in lavage neutrophils, macrophages, desmosine (a measure of elastin breakdown), and hydroxyproline (a measure of collagen breakdown), whereas TNF-alpha-RKO mice did not. In separate experiments, pure strain 129 mice, which produce low levels of TNF-alpha, showed no inflammatory response to smoke at 24 hours or 7 days. We conclude that TNF-alpha is central to acute smoke-induced inflammation and resulting connective tissue breakdown, the precursor of emphysema. The findings support the idea that TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms may be of importance in determining who develops smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.     

Genetic epidemiology of cigarette smoke-induced lung disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer represent two diseases that share a strong risk factor in smoking, and COPD increases risk of lung cancer even after adjusting for the effects of smoking. These diseases not only occur jointly within an individual but also there is evidence of shared occurrence within families. Understanding the genetic contributions to these diseases, both individually and jointly, is needed to identify the highest risk group for screening and targeted prevention, as well as aiding in the development of targeted treatments. The chromosomal regions that have been identified as being associated either jointly or independently with lung cancer, COPD, nicotine addiction, and lung function are presented. Studies jointly measuring genetic variation in lung cancer and COPD have been limited by the lack of detailed COPD diagnosis and severity data in lung cancer populations, the lack of lung cancer-specific phenotypes (histology and tumor markers) in COPD populations, and the lack of inclusion of minorities. African Americans, who smoke fewer cigarettes per day and have different linkage disequilibrium and disease patterns than whites, and Asians, also with different patterns of exposure to lung carcinogens and linkage patterns, will provide invaluable information to better understand shared and independent genetic contributions to lung cancer and COPD to more fully define the highest risk group of individuals who will most benefit from screening and to develop molecular signatures to aid in targeted treatment and prevention efforts.     

Short-term cigarette smoke exposure potentiates endotoxin-induced pulmonary inflammation

Long-term cigarette smoke exposure is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the effects of short-term smoke inhalation are less clear, because it may adversely affect the lung only if underlying disease is present. To test this hypothesis, Syrian hamsters were passively exposed to cigarette smoke for 2 hours per day over a period of 3 days either before or after intratracheal instillation of low-dose (20 microg) Escherichia coli endotoxin. The results indicate that short-term smoke exposure can potentiate endotoxin-induced lung inflammation. They also suggest that nonsmokers with underlying lung disease may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of second-hand smoke.