Evaluation of pulmonary alveolar epithelial integrity by the detection of restriction to diffusion of hydrophilic solutes of different molecular sizes

2001 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. MASON ◽  
A. M. PETERS ◽  
E. BAGDADES ◽  
M. J. MYERS ◽  
D. SNOOK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Clearance Rates ◽  
Free Diffusion ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Alveolar Permeability

The rate of transfer of a hydrophilic solute from the alveoli to pulmonary blood following inhalation as an aerosol depends on the molecular size of the solute and the permeability of the alveolar epithelium. The value of this measurement for assessing damage to the epithelium in lung disease is compromised by cigarette smoking, which accelerates clearance by unknown mechanisms. The rates of clearance of 99mTc-labelled diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) (molecular mass 492 Da) and 113mIn-labelled biotinylated DTPA (B-DTPA) (molecular mass 1215 Da) were monitored simultaneously by dynamic γ-radiation camera imaging following simultaneous inhalation, and compared between eight normal non-smoking subjects and nine habitual cigarette smokers. The clearance rates of DTPA were 0.95 (S.D. 0.39)%/min in non-smokers and 4.13 (1.06) %/min in smokers. These were about twice the clearance rates of B-DTPA, which in the corresponding groups were 0.41 (0.26) and 2.12 (0.72)%/min respectively. The ratio of the B-DTPA/DTPA clearance rates was, in all subjects, less than the ratio (0.74) of the cube roots of the molecular masses of the solutes, assumed to correspond to the ratio of their free diffusion coefficients in water, and was not significantly different between smokers and non-smokers. As alveolar permeability increased, the ratio of clearance rates in the entire population showed a significant trend to increase in a non-linear fashion towards the value corresponding to the ratio of the free diffusion coefficients. We conclude that the diffusion of at least the larger of these two solutes through the pulmonary alveolar epithelium is restricted (i.e. associated with a reflection coefficient greater than zero). Cigarette smoking, however, does not appear to cause a loss of this restriction, and may increase solute clearance by other mechanisms, such as reducing fluid volume within the alveolus, thereby raising the local radiotracer concentration, or increasing the number of pores available for solute exchange without affecting pore size. Conversely, if restriction was lost in lung disease, the ratio of the clearance rates of two solutes of dissimilar sizes could be used to detect disease in smokers as well as non-smokers.

Response of alveolar epithelial solute permeability to changes in lung inflation

1980 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1032-1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Egan
Keyword(s):  
Pore Radius ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Lung Inflation ◽  
Solute Permeability ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Total Capacity ◽  
Inflation Volume

The relation between the solute permeability of th alveolar epithelium, characterized as a pore radius, and lung inflation was studied in anesthetized dogs. Pore radius was calculated from measurements of the rate of efflux of several radiolabeled solutes of known molecular size from alveolar saline. Individual animals were studied at two or more separate inflation volumes. The pore radius during the first volume studied averaged 20 A in high-volume animals (mean inflation 82% of capacity) and 15 A at lower volume (mean inflation, 47% of capacity). The difference was significantly P < 0.05. Lungs inflated to total capacity showed free solute movement across the lung epithelium. Increasing inflation volume in an animal always produced a larger pore radius. Decreasing the inflation volume did not produce a smaller pore radius; it remained the same or became larger. Volume induced increases in lung epithelial solute permeability do not reverse immediately at lower volumes, suggesting this phenomenon represents lung injury.

Transalveolar transport of large polar solutes (sucrose, inulin, and dextran)

1975 ◽  
Vol 229 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Theodore ◽  
ED Robin ◽  
R Gaudio ◽  
J Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Coefficients ◽  
Frog Skin ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Total Resistance ◽  
Free Diffusion ◽  
Apparent Permeability ◽  
Permeability Coefficients ◽  
Polar Solutes ◽  
Barrier Resistance

The in vivo transalveolar transport of three large polar solutes, sucrose, inulin, and dextran (mol wt 60,000-90,00), was compared with the transport of urea in saline-filled dog lung. Apparent permeability coefficents (p', in cm X sec-1 X 10(6)) were as follows; urea: 2.4 +/- 0.28 (SD) greater than sucrose: 0.64 +/- 0.31 (P less than 0.001) greater than inulin: 0.12 +/- .05 (P less than 0.001)--not different from dextran (mol wt 60,000-90,000): 0.08 +/- .02 (P greater then .01). Calculation of the resistance of the alveolar epithelium compared to total barrier resistance for the various solutes indicates that approximately 90% of the total resistance resides in the alveolar epithelium. Comparison of the ratio of permeability coefficients to the ratio of free-diffusion coefficients in water shows similar values for the three large polar solutes, suggesting that permeation through the alveolar epithelium occurs by means of water-filled channels. The values for permeability coefficients of alveolar epithelium fit into the spectrum of values reported for other epithelial structures (including gall bladder, frog skin, and toad bladder); it seems to have a system of channels with a small number of wide "pores" (greater than 80 A) that permit permeation of large polar solutes and is not a relatively homogeneous structure.

Effects of elastase and cigarette smoke on alveolar epithelial permeability

1985 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Schmid ◽  
D. Wangensteen ◽  
J. Hoidal ◽  
B. Gosnell ◽  
D. Niewoehner
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Serum Albumin ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Control Valve ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Epithelial Permeability ◽  
Pancreatic Elastase ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Porcine Pancreatic Elastase

To determine whether instilled porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) increases alveolar epithelial permeability, we measured alveolar epithelium permeability X surface area (PS) for [14C]sucrose and 125I-bovine serum albumin (125I-BSA) in isolated perfused lungs from hamsters previously exposed to PPE and/or cigarette smoke. Saline (0.5 ml) with 0, 5, or 20 units PPE was instilled intratracheally in anesthetized hamsters. Those exposed to smoke for 4–6 wk received 0 or 5 units; PS was measured 3 h later. Nonsmokers received 0, 5, or 20 units; PS was measured 3 h, 24 h, or 5 days later. Control PS values were (cm3/s X 10(-4), +/- SE) 0.84 +/- 0.11 for sucrose and 0.030 +/- 0.006 for BSA. Three and 24 h following 20 units PPE, (PS)sucrose was twice the control valve. (PS)BSA was four times control at 3 h but not significantly increased at 24 h. Five days after PPE both were back to control levels. Five units PPE or smoke exposure alone caused no PS changes. Smoke exposure and 5 units PPE caused (PS)sucrose to increase markedly (1.85 +/- 0.32); (PS)BSA was not significantly increased (0.076 +/- 0.026). Thus instilled PPE causes reversible increases in alveolar epithelial PS; cigarette smoking potentiates this effect.

New approaches for the determination of dextran in the sugar production process

2018 ◽  
pp. 138-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Abraham ◽  
Eckhard Flöter
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Mass Distribution ◽  
Molecular Mass Distribution ◽  
Molecular Size ◽  
Mass Variation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Precise Knowledge ◽  
Enzyme Application

The presence of polysaccharides in cane and beet raw juices causes several negative effects during the sugar manufacture. These are usually mitigated by enzymatic decomposition of dextrans. Such effects not only depend on the content, but also on the molecular mass distribution. This means that the different dextran fractions specifically affect the process. An accurate process control hence requires the most precise knowledge about the existing content and the molecular mass distribution present. A detailed understanding of the specific processing problems and also a targeted enzyme application hence requires the determination of a total dextran content and also its characterization including the differentiation between the different dextran fractions. An accurate analytical tool which equally satisfies industrial applicability is still lacking. To improve on this situation, two new approaches for the determination of dextran were developed and benchmarked against the commonly used and established Haze Method, which is rather inaccurate and also sensitive to molecular mass variation. The two new approaches are both based on polarimetry. These two methods indicate to be superior over the Haze Method with respect two molecular mass variation and hence enable the determination of a broader molecular size range including also low molecular mass dextrans.

scholarly journals Electron Microscopic Study of the Phagocytosis Process in Lung

1960 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Karrer
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Alveolar Macrophages ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Double Line ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Culture Cells ◽  
India Ink ◽  
Intracellular Vesicles

Diluted India ink was instilled into the nasal cavity of mice and the lungs of some animals were fixed with osmium tetroxide at various intervals after one instillation. The lungs of other animals were fixed after 4, 7, 9, 16, or 18 daily instillations. The India ink was found to be phagocytized almost exclusively by the free alveolar macrophages. A few particles are occasionally seen within thin portions of alveolar epithelium, within the "small" alveolar epithelial cells, or within occasional leukocytes in the lumina of alveoli. The particles are ingested by an invagination process of the plasma membrane resulting in the formation of intracellular vesicles and vacuoles. Ultimately large amounts of India ink accumulate in the cell, occupying substantial portions of the cytoplasm. The surfaces of phagocytizing macrophages show signs of intense motility. Their cytoplasm contains numerous particles, resembling Palade particles, and a large amount of rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. These structures are interpreted as indicative of protein synthesis. At the level of resolution achieved in this study the membranes of this reticulum appear as single dense "lines." On the other hand, the plasma membrane and the limiting membranes of vesicles and of vacuoles often exhibit the double-line structure typical of unit membranes (Robertson, 37). The inclusion bodies appear to be the product of phagocytosis. It is believed that some of them derive from the vacuoles mentioned above, and that they correspond to similar structures seen in phase contrast cinemicrographs of culture cells. Their matrix represents phagocytized material. Certain structures within this matrix are considered as secondary and some of these structures possess an ordered form probably indicative of the presence of lipid. The possible origin and the fate of alveolar macrophages are briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Patient-specific iPSCs carrying an SFTPC mutation reveal the intrinsic alveolar epithelial dysfunction at the inception of interstitial lung disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos-Dionysios Alysandratos ◽  
Scott J. Russo ◽  
Anton Petcherski ◽  
Evan P. Taddeo ◽  
Rebeca Acín-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interstitial Lung Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Disease ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Autophagic Flux ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Epithelial Dysfunction

SummaryThe incompletely understood pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and lack of reliable preclinical disease models have limited development of effective therapies. An emerging literature now implicates alveolar epithelial type 2 cell (AEC2) dysfunction as an initiating pathogenic event in the onset of a variety of PF syndromes, including adult idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and childhood interstitial lung disease (chILD). However, inability to access primary AEC2s from patients, particularly at early disease stages, has impeded identification of disease-initiating mechanisms. Here we present an in vitro reductionist model system that permits investigation of epithelial-intrinsic events that lead to AEC2 dysfunction over time using patient-derived cells that carry a disease-associated variant, SFTPCI73T, known to be expressed solely in AEC2s. After generating patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and engineering their gene-edited (corrected) counterparts, we employ directed differentiation to produce pure populations of syngeneic corrected and mutant AEC2s, which we expand >1015 fold in vitro, providing a renewable source of cells for modeling disease onset. We find that mutant iPSC-derived AEC2s (iAEC2s) accumulate large amounts of misprocessed pro-SFTPC protein which mistrafficks to the plasma membrane, similar to changes observed in vivo in the donor patient’s AEC2s. These changes result in marked reduction in AEC2 progenitor capacity and several downstream perturbations in AEC2 proteostatic and bioenergetic programs, including a late block in autophagic flux, accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria with consequent time-dependent metabolic reprograming from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, and activation of an NF-κB dependent inflammatory response. Treatment of SFTPCI73T expressing iAEC2s with hydroxychloroquine, a medication commonly prescribed to these patients, results in aggravation of autophagy perturbations and metabolic reprogramming. Thus, iAEC2s provide a patientspecific preclinical platform for modeling the intrinsic epithelial dysfunction associated with the inception of interstitial lung disease.

scholarly journals Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in the Pathogenesis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Salton ◽  
Maria Volpe ◽  
Marco Confalonieri
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Serious Disease

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious disease of the lung, which leads to extensive parenchymal scarring and death from respiratory failure. The most accepted hypothesis for IPF pathogenesis relies on the inability of the alveolar epithelium to regenerate after injury. Alveolar epithelial cells become apoptotic and rare, fibroblasts/myofibroblasts accumulate and extracellular matrix (ECM) is deposited in response to the aberrant activation of several pathways that are physiologically implicated in alveologenesis and repair but also favor the creation of excessive fibrosis via different mechanisms, including epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a pathophysiological process in which epithelial cells lose part of their characteristics and markers, while gaining mesenchymal ones. A role for EMT in the pathogenesis of IPF has been widely hypothesized and indirectly demonstrated; however, precise definition of its mechanisms and relevance has been hindered by the lack of a reliable animal model and needs further studies. The overall available evidence conceptualizes EMT as an alternative cell and tissue normal regeneration, which could open the way to novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as to more effective treatment options.

Silica directly increases permeability of alveolar epithelial cells

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1354-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Merchant ◽  
M. W. Peterson ◽  
G. W. Hunninghake
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cell ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Lactate Dehydrogenase Release ◽  
Capillary Membrane

Alveolar epithelial cell injury and increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability are important features of acute silicosis. To determine whether silica particles contribute directly to this increased permeability, we measured paracellular permeability of rat alveolar epithelium after exposure to silica, in vitro, using markers of the extracellular space. Silica (Minusil) markedly increased permeability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This was not the result of cytolytic injury, because lactate dehydrogenase release from monolayers exposed to silica was not increased. Pretreatment of the silica with serum, charged dextrans, or aluminum sulfate blocked the increase in permeability. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated adherence of the silica to the surface of the alveolar epithelial cells. Thus silica can directly increase permeability of alveolar epithelium.

scholarly journals Astragalin Inhibits Pulmonary Inflammation in Cigarette Smoking-Induced Embolism

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1526-1526
Author(s):  
Yun-Ho Kim ◽  
Young-Hee Kang
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Pulmonary Inflammation ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Coagulation Factor ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽  
Alveolar Cells ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial

Abstract Objectives Thrombin generation is crucial to the regulation of hemostasis and thrombosis and is essential to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and venous thrombosis. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lung caused by blood clots due to risk factors including tobacco use. Astragalin (kaempferol 3-O-glucoside) is a flavonoid present in persimmon leaves and green tea seeds and exhibits diverse activities such as asthma and obstructive pulmonary disease. This study investigated that astragalin encumbered pulmonary inflammation caused by cigarette smoking-induced embolism. Methods Pulmonary embolism was evoked through exposure of BALB/c mice to cigarette smoke for 30 min, five days a week for eight weeks. Mice were orally administrated with 10 or 20 mg/kg astragalin for 8 weeks. For the in vitro studies, 10 U/ml thrombin was loaded to alveolar epithelial A549 cells in the absence and presence of 1–20 μM astragalin. Results Oral supplementation of astragalin reduced tissue factor and urokinase-type plasminogen activator elevated in cigarette smoking-exposed lungs. In addition, 1–20 μM astragalin attenuated the induction of protease activated receptor-1 known as coagulation factor II (thrombin) receptor-like-1, in 10 U/ml thrombin-loaded alveolar epithelial cells. Astragalin curtailed induction of the inflammatory mediators of cyclooxygenase-2, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in alveolar cells subjected to thrombin. Furthermore, astragalin inhibited inflammatory signaling entailing MAPK/ERK pathway. Conclusions Astragalin may be a potential agent alleviating pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoking-induced embolism. Funding Sources This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2019R1A6A3A01094891).

Retinoic acid-induced proliferation of lung alveolar epithelial cells: relation with the IGF system

1998 ◽  
Vol 275 (1) ◽  
pp. L71-L79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Nabeyrat ◽  
Valérie Besnard ◽  
Sophie Corroyer ◽  
Véronique Cazals ◽  
Annick Clement
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Alveolar Epithelium ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Igf System ◽  
Tgf Β1

Retinoids, including retinol and retinoic acid (RA) derivatives, are important molecules for lung growth and homeostasis. The presence of RA receptors and of RA-binding proteins in the alveolar epithelium led to suggest a role for RA on alveolar epithelial cell replication. In the present study, we examined the effects of RA on proliferation of the stem cells of the alveolar epithelium, the type 2 cells. We showed that treatment of serum-deprived type 2 cells with RA led to a stimulation of cell proliferation, with an increase in cell number in a dose-dependent manner. To gain some insights into the mechanisms involved, we studied the effects of RA on the expression of several components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system that have been shown to be associated with the growth arrest of type 2 cells, mainly the IGF-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2), IGF-II, and the type 2 IGF receptor. We documented a marked decrease in the expression of these components upon RA treatment. Using conditioned media from RA-treated cells, we provided evidence that the proliferative response of type 2 cells to RA was mediated through production of growth factor(s) distinct from IGF-I. We also showed that RA was able to reduce the decrease in cell number observed when type 2 cells were treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. These results together with the known stimulatory effect of TGF-β1 on IGFBP-2 expression led to suggest that RA may be associated with type 2 cell proliferation through mechanisms interfering with the TGF-β1 pathway.

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