scholarly journals Differential Lysotracker Uptake Defines Two Populations of Distal Epithelial Cells in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Author(s):  
Roxana Maria Wasnick ◽  
Irina Shalashova ◽  
Jochen Wilhelm ◽  
Ali Khadim ◽  
Nicolai Schmidt ◽  
...  

Idiopathic lung fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal degenerative lung disease of unknown etiology. Although in its final stages it implicates in a reactive manner all lung cell types, the initial damage involves the alveolar epithelial compartment, in particular the alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s). AEC2s serve dual progenitor and surfactant secreting functions, both of which are deeply impacted in IPF. Thus, we hypothesize that the size of the surfactant processing compartment, as measured by Lysotracker incorporation, allows the identification of different epithelial states in the IPF lung. Flow cytometry analysis of epithelial Lysotracker incorporation delineates two populations (Lysohigh and Lysolow) of AEC2s which behave in a compensatory manner during bleomycin injury and in the donor/IPF lung. Employing flow cytometry and transcriptomic analysis of cells isolated from donor and IPF lungs, we demonstrate that the Lysohigh population expresses all classical AEC2 markers and is drastically diminished in IPF. The Lysolow population, which is increased in proportion in IPF, co-expresses AEC2s and basal cell markers resembling the phenotype of the previously identified intermediate AEC2 population in the IPF lung. In that regard, we provide an in-depth flow-cytometry characterization of Lysotracker uptake, HTII-280, proSP-C, mature SP-B, NGFR, KRT5 and CD24 expression in human lung epithelial cells. Combining functional analysis with extra- and intra- cellular marker expression and transcriptomic analysis, we advance the current understanding of epithelial cell behavior and fate in lung fibrosis.

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 235
Author(s):  
Roxana Maria Wasnick ◽  
Irina Shalashova ◽  
Jochen Wilhelm ◽  
Ali Khadim ◽  
Nicolai Schmidt ◽  
...  

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal degenerative lung disease of unknown etiology. Although in its final stages it implicates, in a reactive manner, all lung cell types, the initial damage involves the alveolar epithelial compartment, in particular the alveolar epithelial type 2 cells (AEC2s). AEC2s serve dual progenitor and surfactant secreting functions, both of which are deeply impacted in IPF. Thus, we hypothesize that the size of the surfactant processing compartment, as measured by LysoTracker incorporation, allows the identification of different epithelial states in the IPF lung. Flow cytometry analysis of epithelial LysoTracker incorporation delineates two populations (Lysohigh and Lysolow) of AEC2s that behave in a compensatory manner during bleomycin injury and in the donor/IPF lung. Employing flow cytometry and transcriptomic analysis of cells isolated from donor and IPF lungs, we demonstrate that the Lysohigh population expresses all classical AEC2 markers and is drastically diminished in IPF. The Lysolow population, which is increased in proportion in IPF, co-expressed AEC2 and basal cell markers, resembling the phenotype of the previously identified intermediate AEC2 population in the IPF lung. In that regard, we provide an in-depth flow-cytometry characterization of LysoTracker uptake, HTII-280, proSP-C, mature SP-B, NGFR, KRT5, and CD24 expression in human lung epithelial cells. Combining functional analysis with extracellular and intracellular marker expression and transcriptomic analysis, we advance the current understanding of epithelial cell behavior and fate in lung fibrosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
CF Hung

Abstract Purpose of Review In this brief review, we will highlight important observational and experimental data in the literature that address the origin of scar-forming cells in lung fibrosis. Recent Findings Several cellular sources of activated scar-forming cells (myofibroblasts) have been postulated including alveolar epithelial cells; circulating fibrocytes; and lung stromal cell subpopulations including resident fibroblasts, pericytes, and resident mesenchymal stem cells. Recent advances in lineage-tracing models, however, fail to provide experimental evidence for epithelial and fibrocyte origins of lung myofibroblasts. Resident mesenchymal cells of the lung, which include various cell types including resident fibroblasts, pericytes, and resident mesenchymal stem cells, appear to be important sources of myofibroblasts in murine models of lung injury and fibrosis. Summary Lung myofibroblasts likely originate from multiple sources of lung-resident mesenchymal cells. Their relative contributions may vary depending on the type of injury. Although lineage-tracing experiments have failed to show significant contribution from epithelial cells or fibrocytes, they may play important functional roles in myofibroblast activation through paracrine signaling.


Diagnostics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 504
Author(s):  
Kiyoharu Fukushima ◽  
Takashi Satoh ◽  
Hiroshi Kida ◽  
Atsushi Kumanogoh

Fibrosis is a life-threatening disorder caused by excessive formation of connective tissue that can affect several critical organs. Innate immune cells are involved in the development of various disorders, including lung fibrosis. To date, several hematopoietic cell types have been implicated in fibrosis, including pro-fibrotic monocytes like fibrocytes and segregated-nucleus-containing atypical monocytes (SatMs), but the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying its development remain unclear. Repetitive injury and subsequent cell death response are triggering events for lung fibrosis development. Crosstalk between lung structured and non-structured cells is known to regulate the key molecular event. We recently reported that RNA-binding motif protein 7 (RBM7) expression is highly upregulated in the fibrotic lung and plays fundamental roles in fibrosis development. RBM7 regulates nuclear degradation of NEAT1 non-coding RNA, resulting in sustained apoptosis in the lung epithelium and fibrosis. Apoptotic epithelial cells produce CXCL12, which leads to the recruitment of pro-fibrotic monocytes. Apoptosis is also the main source of autoantigens. Recent studies have revealed important functions for natural autoantibodies that react with specific sets of self-antigens and are unique to individual diseases. Here, we review recent insights into lung fibrosis development in association with crosstalk between structured cells like lung epithelial cells and non-structured cells like migrating immune cells, and discuss their relevance to acquired immunity through natural autoantibody production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 1802441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Morse ◽  
Tracy Tabib ◽  
John Sembrat ◽  
Kristina L. Buschur ◽  
Humberto Trejo Bittar ◽  
...  

A comprehensive understanding of the changes in gene expression in cell types involved in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) will shed light on the mechanisms underlying the loss of alveolar epithelial cells and development of honeycomb cysts and fibroblastic foci. We sought to understand changes in IPF lung cell transcriptomes and gain insight into innate immune aspects of pathogenesis.We investigated IPF pathogenesis using single-cell RNA-sequencing of fresh lung explants, comparing human IPF fibrotic lower lobes reflecting late disease, upper lobes reflecting early disease and normal lungs.IPF lower lobes showed increased fibroblasts, and basal, ciliated, goblet and club cells, but decreased alveolar epithelial cells, and marked alterations in inflammatory cells. We found three discrete macrophage subpopulations in normal and fibrotic lungs, one expressing monocyte markers, one highly expressing FABP4 and INHBA (FABP4hi), and one highly expressing SPP1 and MERTK (SPP1hi). SPP1hi macrophages in fibrotic lower lobes showed highly upregulated SPP1 and MERTK expression. Low-level local proliferation of SPP1hi macrophages in normal lungs was strikingly increased in IPF lungs.Co-localisation and causal modelling supported the role for these highly proliferative SPP1hi macrophages in activation of IPF myofibroblasts in lung fibrosis. These data suggest that SPP1hi macrophages contribute importantly to lung fibrosis in IPF, and that therapeutic strategies targeting MERTK and macrophage proliferation may show promise for treatment of this disease.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiurong Liang ◽  
Guanling Huang ◽  
Xue Liu ◽  
Forough Taghavifar ◽  
Ningshan Liu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAging is a critical risk factor in progressive lung fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Loss of integrity of type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2s) is the main causal event in the pathogenesis of IPF. To systematically examine the genomic program changes of AEC2s with aging and lung injury, we performed unbiased single cell RNA-seq analyses of lung epithelial cells from either uninjured or bleomycin-injured young and old mice. Major lung epithelial cell types were readily identified with canonical cell markers in our dataset. Heterogenecity of AEC2s was apparent, and AEC2s were then classified into three subsets according to their gene signatures. Genes related to lipid metabolism and glycolysis were significantly altered within these three clusters of AEC2s, and also affected by aging and lung injury. Importantly, IPF AEC2s showed similar genomic programming and metabolic changes as that of AEC2s from bleomycin injured old mouse lungs relative to controls. Furthermore, perturbation of both lipid metabolism and glycolysis significantly changed progenitor renewal capacity in 3-Demensional organoid culture of AEC2s. Taken togather, this work identified metabolic defects of AEC2s in aging and during lung injury. Strategies to rectify these altered programs would promote AEC2 renewal which in turn improves lung repair.One sentence summaryMetabolic defects of alveolar progenitors in aging and during lung injury impair their renewal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006052098604
Author(s):  
Dong Yuan ◽  
Yuanshun Liu ◽  
Mengyu Li ◽  
Hongbin Zhou ◽  
Liming Cao ◽  
...  

Objective The primary aim of our study was to explore the mechanisms through which long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-mediated sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) signaling regulates type II alveolar epithelial cell (AECII) senescence induced by a cigarette smoke-media suspension (CSM). Methods Pharmacological SIRT1 activation was induced using SRT2104 and senescence-associated lncRNA 1 (SAL-RNA1) was overexpressed. The expression of SIRT1, FOXO3a, p53, p21, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in different groups was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting; the activity of SA-β gal was detected by staining; the binding of SIRT1 to FOXO3a and p53 gene transcription promoters was detected by Chip. Results We found that CSM increased AECII senescence, while SAL-RNA1 overexpression and SIRT1 activation significantly decreased levels of AECII senescence induced by CSM. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that SIRT1 bound differentially to transcriptional complexes on the FOXO3a and p53 promoters. Conclusion Our results suggested that lncRNA-SAL1-mediated SIRT1 signaling reduces senescence of AECIIs induced by CSM. These findings suggest a new therapeutic target to limit the irreversible apoptosis of lung epithelial cells in COPD patients.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (1) ◽  
pp. L104-L110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Fang ◽  
Yuanlin Song ◽  
Rachel Zemans ◽  
Jan Hirsch ◽  
Michael A. Matthay

Previous studies have used fluid-instilled lungs to measure net alveolar fluid transport in intact animal and human lungs. However, intact lung studies have two limitations: the contribution of different distal lung epithelial cells cannot be studied separately, and the surface area for fluid absorption can only be approximated. Therefore, we developed a method to measure net vectorial fluid transport in cultured rat alveolar type II cells using an air-liquid interface. The cells were seeded on 0.4-μm microporous inserts in a Transwell system. At 96 h, the transmembrane electrical resistance reached a peak level (1,530 ± 115 Ω·cm2) with morphological evidence of tight junctions. We measured net fluid transport by placing 150 μl of culture medium containing 0.5 μCi of 131I-albumin on the apical side of the polarized cells. Protein permeability across the cell monolayer, as measured by labeled albumin, was 1.17 ± 0.34% over 24 h. The change in concentration of 131I-albumin in the apical fluid was used to determine the net fluid transported across the monolayer over 12 and 24 h. The net basal fluid transport was 0.84 μl·cm−2·h−1. cAMP stimulation with forskolin and IBMX increased fluid transport by 96%. Amiloride inhibited both the basal and stimulated fluid transport. Ouabain inhibited basal fluid transport by 93%. The cultured cells retained alveolar type II-like features based on morphologic studies, including ultrastructural imaging. In conclusion, this novel in vitro system can be used to measure net vectorial fluid transport across cultured, polarized alveolar epithelial cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Dragan ◽  
Richard C. Kurten ◽  
Daniel E. Voth

ABSTRACTHuman Q fever is caused by the intracellular bacterial pathogenCoxiella burnetii. Q fever presents with acute flu-like and pulmonary symptoms or can progress to chronic, severe endocarditis. After human inhalation,C. burnetiiis engulfed by alveolar macrophages and transits through the phagolysosomal maturation pathway, resisting the acidic pH of lysosomes to form a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) in which to replicate. Previous studies showed thatC. burnetiireplicates efficiently in primary human alveolar macrophages (hAMs) inex vivohuman lung tissue. AlthoughC. burnetiireplicates in most cell typesin vitro, the pathogen does not grow in non-hAM cells of human lung tissue. In this study, we investigated the interaction betweenC. burnetiiand other pulmonary cell types apart from the lung environment.C. burnetiiformed a prototypical PV and replicated efficiently in human pulmonary fibroblasts and in airway, but not alveolar, epithelial cells. Atypical PV expansion in alveolar epithelial cells was attributed in part to defective recruitment of autophagy-related proteins. Further assessment of theC. burnetiigrowth niche showed that macrophages mounted a robust interleukin 8 (IL-8), neutrophil-attracting response toC. burnetiiand ultimately shifted to an M2-polarized phenotype characteristic of anti-inflammatory macrophages. Considering our findings together, this study provides further clarity on the uniqueC. burnetii-lung dynamic during early stages of human acute Q fever.


2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (3) ◽  
pp. L593-L601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Hao ◽  
Christine H. Wendt ◽  
Gurpreet Sandhu ◽  
David H. Ingbar

Na+-K+-ATPase plays an essential role in active alveolar epithelial fluid resorption. In fetal and adult alveolar epithelial cells, glucocorticoids (GC) increase Na+-K+-ATPase activity and mRNA levels. We sought to define the mechanism of Na+-K+-ATPase gene upregulation by GC. In a rat alveolar epithelial cell line (RLE), dexamethasone (Dex) increased β1-subunit Na+-K+-ATPase mRNA expression two- to threefold within 3 h after exposure to the GC. The increased gene expression was due to increased transcription as demonstrated by nuclear run-on assays, whereas mRNA stability remained unchanged. Transient transfection of 5′ deletion mutants of a β1promoter-reporter construct demonstrated a 1.5- to 2.2-fold increase in promoter activity by Dex. All of the 5′ deletion constructs contained partial or palindromic GC regulatory elements (GRE) and responded to GC. The increased expression of promoter reporter was inhibited by RU-486, a GC receptor (GR) antagonist, suggesting the involvement of GR. The palindromic GRE at -631 demonstrated Dex induction in a heterologous promoter construct. Gel mobility shift assays using RLE nuclear extracts demonstrated specific binding to this site and the presence of GR. We conclude that GC directly stimulate transcription of Na+-K+-ATPase β1gene expression in adult rat lung epithelial cells through a GR-dependent mechanism that can act at multiple sites.


1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (4) ◽  
pp. L797-L806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heimo Mairbäurl ◽  
Ralf Wodopia ◽  
Sigrid Eckes ◽  
Susanne Schulz ◽  
Peter Bärtsch

A reduced cation reabsorption across the alveolar epithelium decreases water reabsorption from the alveoli and could diminish clearing accumulated fluid. To test whether hypoxia restricts cation transport in alveolar epithelial cells, cation uptake was measured in rat lung alveolar type II pneumocytes (AII cells) in primary culture and in A549 cells exposed to normoxia and hypoxia. In AII and A549 cells, hypoxia caused a[Formula: see text]-dependent inhibition of the Na-K pump, of Na-K-2Cl cotransport, and of total and amiloride-sensitive22Na uptake. Nifedipine failed to prevent hypoxia-induced transport inhibition in both cell types. In A549 cells, the inhibition of the Na-K pump and Na-K-2Cl cotransport occurred within ∼30 min of hypoxia, was stable >20 h, and was reversed by 2 h of reoxygenation. There was also a reduction in cell membrane-associated Na-K-ATPase and a decrease in Na-K-2Cl cotransport flux after full activation with calyculin A, indicating a decreased transport capacity. [14C]serine incorporation into cell proteins was reduced in hypoxic A549 cells, but inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not reduce ion transport. In AII and A549 cells, ATP levels decreased slightly, and ADP and the ATP-to-ADP ratio were unchanged after 4 h of hypoxia. In A549 cells, lactate, intracellular Na, and intracellular K were unchanged. These results indicate that hypoxia inhibits apical Na entry pathways and the basolateral Na-K pump in A549 cells and rat AII pneumocytes in culture, indicating a hypoxia-induced reduction of transepithelial Na transport and water reabsorption by alveolar epithelium. If similar changes occur in vivo, the impaired cation transport across alveolar epithelial cells might contribute to the formation of hypoxic pulmonary edema.


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