scholarly journals Reversal of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema and promotion of alveolar epithelial cell proliferation by simvastatin in mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (5) ◽  
pp. L882-L890 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeko Takahashi ◽  
Hidetoshi Nakamura ◽  
Makoto Seki ◽  
Yoshiki Shiraishi ◽  
Miyuki Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Besides lowering cholesterol, statins exert multiple effects, such as anti-inflammatory activity and improvement of endothelial cell function. We examined whether simvastatin (SS) protects against the development of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice by using mean linear intercepts of alveoli (Lm) as a morphometric parameter of emphysema. After injection of intratracheal elastase on day 0, C57BL/6 mice were treated daily with SS (SS+ group) or PBS (SS− group) for 2 wk. A 21% decrease in Lm on day 7 was observed in the SS+ group vs. the SS− group. Anti-inflammatory effects of SS were observed as a decrease in percentage of neutrophils up to day 3, and in hydroxyproline concentration on day 3, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). SS also increased the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive alveolar epithelial cells between days 3 and 14. To confirm the role of statins in promoting proliferation of alveolar cells, mice were treated with SS (SS+) vs. PBS (SS−) for 12 days, starting 3 wk after elastase administration. After SS treatment, Lm decreased by 52% and PCNA-positive alveolar epithelial cells increased compared with the SS− group. Concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor in BALF and endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein expression in pulmonary vessels tended to be higher in the SS+ group vs. the SS− group in this protocol. In conclusion, SS inhibited the development of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema in mice. This therapeutic effect was due not only to anti-inflammation but also to the promotion of alveolar epithelial cell regeneration, partly mediated by restoring endothelial cell functions.

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. L342-L349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kida ◽  
Mitsuhiro Yoshida ◽  
Shigenori Hoshino ◽  
Koji Inoue ◽  
Yukihiro Yano ◽  
...  

The goal of this study was to examine whether IL-6 could directly protect lung resident cells, especially alveolar epithelial cells, from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell death. ROS induced IL-6 gene expression in organotypic lung slices of wild-type (WT) mice. ROS also induced IL-6 gene expression in mouse primary lung fibroblasts, dose dependently. The organotypic lung slices of WT were more resistant to ROS-induced DNA fragmentation than those of IL-6-deficient (IL-6−/−) mice. WT resistance against ROS was abrogated by treatment with anti-IL-6 antibody. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling stain and electron microscopy revealed that DNA fragmented cells in the IL-6−/− slice included alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells. In vitro studies demonstrated that IL-6 reduced ROS-induced A549 alveolar epithelial cell death. Together, these data suggest that IL-6 played an antioxidant role in the lung by protecting lung resident cells, especially alveolar epithelial cells, from ROS-induced cell death.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. L92-L100 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lannan ◽  
K. Donaldson ◽  
D. Brown ◽  
W. MacNee

The oxidant-antioxidant balance in the airspaces of the lungs may be critical in protecting the lungs from the effects of cigarette smoke. We studied the effect of cigarette smoke and its condensates on the detachment, attachment, and proliferation of the A549 human alveolar epithelial cell line, in an in vitro model of cell injury and regeneration and the protective effects of antioxidants. Whole and vapor phase cigarette smoke decreased 51Cr-labeled A549 cell attachment, increased cell detachment, and decreased cell proliferation, as assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake. Freshly isolated rat type II alveolar epithelial cells showed an enhanced susceptibility to smoke-induced cell lysis when compared with the A549 cell line. Reduced glutathione (GSH) (400 microM) protected against the effects of cigarette smoke exposure on cell attachment, proliferation, and detachment. Depletion of intracellular GSH with buthionine sulfoxamine enhanced the epithelial cell detachment injury produced by smoke condensates. We conclude that cigarette smoke and its condensates cause an oxidant-induced injury to A549 human type II alveolar epithelial cells. Both intra- and extracellular GSH have important roles in protecting epithelial cells from the injurious effects of cigarette smoke.


1992 ◽  
Vol 262 (4) ◽  
pp. L405-L411 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Russo ◽  
R. L. Lubman ◽  
E. D. Crandall

To maintain alveolar air spaces relatively fluid free, the alveolar epithelium appears capable of vectorial transport of water and solutes. Active transepithelial transport of sodium by alveolar epithelial cell monolayers has previously been demonstrated, indicating that alveolar pneumocytes must possess ion transport mechanisms by which sodium can enter the cells apically for subsequent extrusion via Na(+)-K(+)-adenosinetriphosphatase activity at the basolateral surface. In this study, sodium entry mechanisms were investigated by directly measuring 22Na uptake into rat alveolar epithelial cells grown in primary culture. Cells exhibited increasing 22Na uptake with time over a 30-min interval. Total sodium uptake was compared in the presence and absence of several sodium transport inhibitors. Uptake was inhibited by the sodium channel blockers amiloride and benzamil but was not affected by two amiloride analogues (bromohexamethylene amiloride and dimethylamiloride) with diminished specificity for blocking sodium channels and enhanced specificity for inhibiting the Na(+)-H+ antiporter. Uptake was also unaffected by the chloride transport inhibitor bumetanide or by the absence of glucose. These data suggest that sodium uptake occurs primarily via sodium channel and that Na(+)-H+ antiport, Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport, and Na(+)-glucose cotransport do not contribute significantly to sodium uptake under these experimental conditions. The presence of sodium channels in the alveolar epithelial cell membrane may provide the major entry mechanism by which sodium enters these cells for subsequent active extrusion, thereby effecting net salt and water reabsorption from the alveolar spaces.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (5) ◽  
pp. L707-L718 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. W. Barton ◽  
S. E. Wilcoxen ◽  
P. J. Christensen ◽  
R. Paine

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ICAM-1) is a transmembrane adhesion protein that is expressed constitutively on the apical surface of type I cells in vivo and on type II cells in vitro as they spread in culture, assuming type I cell-like characteristics. To investigate the possible interaction of ICAM-1 with the alveolar epithelial cell cytoskeleton, rat type II cells in primary culture were extracted with nonionic detergent, and residual ICAM-1 associated with the cytoskeletal remnants was determined using immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A large fraction of alveolar epithelial cell ICAM-1 remained associated with the cytoskeleton after detergent extraction, whereas two other transmembrane molecules, transferrin receptor and class II major histocompatibility complex, were completely removed. ICAM-1 was redistributed on the cell surface after the disruption of actin filaments with cytochalasin B, suggesting interaction with the actin cytoskeleton. In contrast, ICAM-1 was completely detergent soluble in rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and rat alveolar macrophages. The association of ICAM-1 with the alveolar epithelial cell cytoskeleton was not altered after stimulation with inflammatory cytokines. However, detergent resistant ICAM-1 was significantly increased after crosslinking of ICAM-1 on the cell surface, suggesting that this cytoskeletal association may be modulated by interactions of alveolar epithelial cells with inflammatory cells. The association of ICAM-1 with the cytoskeleton in alveolar epithelial cells may provide a fixed intermediary between mobile inflammatory cells and the alveolar surface.


1995 ◽  
Vol 268 (2) ◽  
pp. L192-L200 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Markewitz ◽  
D. E. Kohan ◽  
J. R. Michael

In the lung, endothelin-1 (ET-1) is synthesized by several cell types and acts locally to cause vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction, activate alveolar macrophages, and stimulate chloride secretion. We report ET-1 production, binding, and signal transduction by a previously unrecognized site, the alveolar epithelial cell. L2 cells, a cloned rat alveolar epithelial cell line, secreted ET-1 and contained ET-1 mRNA. Exposure of L2 cells to lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, or transforming growth factor-beta stimulated ET-1 release, whereas interferon-gamma or platelet-derived growth factor decreased ET-1 secretion. 125I-ET-1 binding to L2 cells revealed a single binding site with a maximal binding capacity of 22.4 fmol/mg protein and a dissociation constant of 4.03 nM. 125I-ET-1 binding was completely inhibited by ET receptor A (ETA) blockade and by unlabeled ET-1 >> ET-3 = sarafotoxin 6c, consistent with the presence of ETA. Exogenous ET-1 increased, whereas blockade of endogenous ET-1 decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by L2 cells; exogenous ET-1 also increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production. We conclude that 1) cloned rat alveolar epithelial cells synthesize ET-1; 2) inflammatory mediators modulate ET-1 production; 3) L2 cells express ETA; 4) ET-1 increases PGE2 and cAMP levels in these cells; and 5) BQ-123, an ETA antagonist, decreases their basal PGE2 production. These studies suggest that ET-1 may function as an autocrine factor in alveolar epithelial cells.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Cui ◽  
Huanhuan Ding ◽  
Yongyuan Yao ◽  
Wei Liu

Objective. To probe into the role of miR-92a in alleviating oxidative stress and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure through the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/activator protein-1 (AP-1) pathway. Methods. Acute lung injury (ALI) rat model and ALI alveolar epithelial cell model were constructed to inhibit the expression of miR-92a/TLR2/AP-1 in rat and alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), to detect the changes of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and cell apoptosis in rat lung tissues and AECs, and to measure the changes of wet-dry weight (W/D) ratio in rat lung tissues. Results. Both inhibition of miR-92a expression and knockout of TLR2 and AP-1 gene could reduce LPS-induced rat ALI, alleviate pulmonary edema, inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and reduce apoptosis of lung tissue cells. In addition, the TLR2 and AP-1 levels in the lung tissues of ALI rats were noticed to be suppressed when inhibiting the expression of miR-92a, and the AP-1 level was also decreased after the knockout of TLR2 gene. Further, we verified this relationship in AECs and found that inhibition of miR-92a/TLR2/AP-1 also alleviated LPS-induced AEC injury, reduced cell apoptosis, and inhibited oxidative stress and inflammatory response. What is more, like that in rat lung tissue, the phenomenon also existed in AECs, that is, when the expression of miR-92a was inhibited, the expression of TLR2 and AP-1 was inhibited, and silencing TLR2 can reduce the expression level of AP-1. Conclusion. MiR-92a/TLR2/AP-1 is highly expressed in ALI, and its inhibition can improve oxidative stress and inflammatory response and reduce apoptosis of AECs.


1994 ◽  
Vol 267 (5) ◽  
pp. L498-L507 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Khalil ◽  
R. N. O'Connor ◽  
K. C. Flanders ◽  
W. Shing ◽  
C. I. Whitman

Three isoforms of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are found in mammalian cells and are potent regulators of inflammation, connective tissue synthesis, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. To determine the distribution and regulation of TGF-beta isoforms during pulmonary injury, a rat model of bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and repair was used. Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrate that TGF-beta 2 and TGF-beta 3 were localized to alveolar macrophages as well as epithelial and smooth muscle cells of both normal rat lungs and rat lungs obtained at all time intervals after bleomycin administration. Early in bleomycin-induced lung injury, when there is active proliferation of type II alveolar epithelial cells, there was an increase in the number of type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated per lung and an increase in DNA synthesis by explanted type II alveolar epithelial cells. At this time, the secretion of biologically active TGF-beta 1–3, which are potent inhibitors of epithelial cell proliferation, was decreased. However, the secretion of TGF-beta 1–3 activity was markedly increased later in the injury response and coincided with a reduction in the number of type II alveolar epithelial cells isolated per lung and DNA synthesis in vitro. Furthermore, the addition of TGF-beta 1, 2, and 3 to cultures of actively proliferating type II alveolar epithelial cells resulted in inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation, whereas, in the presence of anti-TGF-beta 1-3 antibody, there was an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation. Our findings suggest that altered secretion of TGF-beta 1-3 activity by type II alveolar epithelial cells during bleomycin-induced lung injury may regulate pulmonary alveolar epithelial cell proliferation during injury and repair phases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-748
Author(s):  
Jianhua Liu ◽  
Liqing Zheng ◽  
Liang Cao ◽  
Changhong Zhang ◽  
Chen Li

Type II alveolar epithelial cells are a crucial component of alveolar epithelium, and transcriptional activator 3 (STAT3) have functions in regulating alveolar epithelial cell proliferation. Therefore, based on the modular approach, we analyzed the effects of silencing STAT3 on type II alveolar epithelial cells and studied its mechanism of action. Initially, in the GEO database, we downloaded data on type II alveolar epithelial cells. For transcript to me data in alveolar epithelial cell samples, we performed a differential analysis. Secondly, protein interaction network analysis (PPIs) were performed on the differential genes, and the PPIs were analyzed modularly. The module gene was subjected to enrichment analysis of GO function and KEGG pathway. Non-coding RNAs and transcription factors that regulate the module are predicted based on hyper geometric testing. Thus, we have a total of 13 dysfunction modules. These modular genes are significantly involved in biological processes such as nuclear membranes, embryonic organ development, and regulate the insulin signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway substantially. We identified vital ncRNA pivots (miR-205-5p) and TF pivot (Eomes, Etsl, Nfkbl, Spi1, Statl, Usfl) to regulate dysfunction modules significantly. Our work deciphered a co-expression network that involved essential gene regulation of type II alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. It helps to reveal the regulation of silencing STAT3 gene on alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and deepen our understanding of the mechanism. More importantly, we explained that the silencing gene STAT3 inhibits the apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells by activating the AKT signaling pathway, providing a new theoretical reference for the study of alveolar epithelial cells.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (1) ◽  
pp. L47-L57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Mariani ◽  
Sarah E. Dunsmore ◽  
Qinglang Li ◽  
Xueming Ye ◽  
Richard A. Pierce

Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are of critical importance during tissue morphogenesis and repair. Although the cellular and molecular aspects of many of these interactions are beginning to be understood, the ability of epithelial cells to regulate fibroblast interstitial matrix production has not been extensively studied. We report here that cultured alveolar epithelial cells are capable of modulating the expression of tropoelastin, the soluble precursor of the interstitial lung matrix component elastin, by lung fibroblasts. Phorbol ester-stimulated alveolar epithelial cells secrete a soluble factor that causes a time- and dose-dependent repression of lung fibroblast tropoelastin mRNA expression. This alveolar epithelial cell-mediated repressive activity is specific for tropoelastin, is effective on lung fibroblasts from multiple stages of development, and acts at the level of transcription. Partial characterization of the repressive activity indicates it is an acid-stable, pepsin-labile protein. Gel fractionation of alveolar epithelial cell conditioned medium revealed two peaks of activity with relative molecular masses of ∼25 and 50 kDa. These data support a role for epithelial cells in the regulation of fibroblast interstitial matrix production.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaling Liu ◽  
Xiaodong Wang ◽  
Liqun Yang ◽  
Hong Xie

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (MALAT1) plays an important role in the pathophysiological process of inflammation. We aimed to investigate MALAT1 and its function in modulating miRNA-181a-3p and Bcl-2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Methods We analysed MALAT1 in ALI patients, as well as the alveolar epithelial cell models of LPS-induced injury. The expression of MALAT1 and miRNA-181a-3p were evaluated by qRT-PCR, and Bcl-2 was measured by western blot. Inflammatory factors tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 mRNA levels were also quantified by qRT-PCR. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify direct interaction between MALAT1 and miRNA-181a-3p, or miRNA-181a-3p and Bcl-2. Transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay was performed to detect alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. Results Serum MALAT1 and Bcl-2 levels decreased in ALI patients, whereas miRNA-181a-3p, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels increased (P<0.01). MALAT1 was inversely correlated to miRNA-181a-3p (R=-0.508, P=0.0031) in ALI patients. SiMALAT1 transfection upregulated miRNA-181a-3p level and downregulated Bcl-2 expression, aggravating alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. MiRNA-181a-3p downregulated the Bcl-2 expression both in LPS-induced ALI rats and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as promoted apoptosis. TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels increased after LPS stimulation and siMALAT1 transfection. Conclusions The results demonstrate that LPS-induced ALI decreases lncRNA MALAT1, increases miRNA-181a-3p and inflammatory factor expression, downregulates the Bcl-2 level and promotes alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis. Down-regulation of MALAT1 may erase the protection of alveolar epithelial cells from LPS-induced ALI via up-regulating of miRNA-181a-3p.


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