Classic Phytochemical Antioxidant and Lipoxygenase Inhibitor, Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid, Activates Phospholipase D through Oxidant Signaling and Tyrosine Phosphorylation Leading to Cytotoxicity in Lung Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a dicatechol and phytochemical polyphenolic antioxidant and an established inhibitor of human arachidonic acid (AA) 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) and 15-LOX, is widely used to ascertain the role of LOXs in vascular endothelial cell (EC) function. As the modulatory effect of NDGA on phospholipase D (PLD), an important lipid signaling enzyme in ECs, thus far has not been reported, here we have investigated the modulation of PLD activity and its regulation by NDGA in the bovine pulmonary artery ECs (BPAECs). NDGA induced the activation of PLD (phosphatidic acid formation) in cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion that was significantly attenuated by iron chelator and antioxidants. NDGA induced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as evidenced from fluorescence microscopy and fluorimetry of ROS and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy of oxygen radicals. Also, NDGA caused a dose-dependent loss of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in BPAECs. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTyK)-specific inhibitors significantly attenuated NDGA-induced PLD activation in BPAECs. NDGA also induced a dose- and time-dependent phosphorylation of tyrosine in proteins in cells. NDGA caused in situ translocation and relocalization of both PLD1 and PLD2 isoforms, in a time-dependent fashion. Cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors were ineffective in attenuating NDGA-induced PLD activation in BPAECs, thus ruling out the activation of COXs by NDGA. NDGA inhibited the AA-LOX activity and leukotriene C4 (LTC4) formation in cells. On the other hand, the 5-LOX-specific inhibitors, 5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid and kaempferol, were ineffective in activating PLD in BPAECs. Antioxidants and PTyK-specific inhibitors effectively attenuated NDGA cytotoxicity in BPAECs. The PLD-specific inhibitor, 5-fluoro-2-indolyl deschlorohalopemide (FIPI), significantly attenuated and protected against the NDGA-induced PLD activation and cytotoxicity in BPAECs. For the first time, these results demonstrated that NDGA, the classic phytochemical polyphenolic antioxidant and LOX inhibitor, activated PLD causing cytotoxicity in ECs through upstream oxidant signaling and protein tyrosine phosphorylation.

Molecular Regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression by E2F Transcription Factor 2 in Lung Fibroblast Cells: Relevance to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal chronic lung disease. Heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1/HO-1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of heme. The role of HO-1 in the pathogenesis of IPF has been studied; however, the molecular regulation of HO-1 and its role in IPF are still unclear. In this study, we found that HO-1 protein levels significantly increased in lung myofibroblasts in IPF patients and in lungs in a murine model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. In addition, we observed that administration of a E2F transcription factor inhibitor elevated HO-1 mRNA and protein levels in lung fibroblasts. Downregulation of E2F2 by siRNA transfection increased HO-1 mRNA and protein levels, while overexpression of E2F2 reduced HO-1 levels. However, overexpression of E2F2 did not alter hemin-induced HO-1 protein levels. Furthermore, modulation of HO-1 levels regulated TGF-ß1-induced myofibroblast differentiation without altering the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in lung fibroblast cells. Moreover, the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) was significantly upregulated in HO-1-depleted lung fibroblast cells. In summary, this study demonstrated that E2F2 regulates the baseline expression of HO-1, but has no effect on modulating HO-1 expression by hemin. Finally, elevated HO-1 expression contributes to the TGF-ß1-induced lung myofibroblast differentiation through the activation of the serine/threonine kinase AKT pathway. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting E2F2/HO-1 might be a new therapeutic strategy to treat fibrotic diseases such as IPF.

Pentalinonsterol, a Phytosterol from Pentalinon andrieuxii, is Immunomodulatory through Phospholipase A2 in Macrophages toward its Antileishmanial Action.

Our earlier in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that the phytosterol, pentalinonsterol (cholest-4,20,24-trien-3-one) (PEN), isolated from the roots of Pentalinon andrieuxii, possesss immunomodulatory properties in macrophages and dendritic cells. Leishmaniasis, caused by the infection of Leishmania spp. (a protozoan parasite), is emerging as the second-leading cause of mortality among the tropical diseases and there is an unmet need for a pharmacological intervention of leishmaniasis. Given the beneficial immunomodulatory actions and lipophilic properties of PEN, the objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism(s) of action of the immunomodulatory action(s) of PEN in macrophages through the modulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity that might be crucial in the antileishmanial action of PEN. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether PEN would modulate the activity of PLA2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived primary macrophages (BMDMs) in vitro and further determined how the upstream PLA2 activation would regulate the downstream cytokine release in the macrophages. Our current results demonstrated that (i) PEN induced PLA2 activation (arachidonic acid release) in a dose- and time-dependent manner that was regulated upstream by the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs); (ii) the PEN-induced activation of PLA2 was attenuated by the cPLA2-specific pharmacological inhibitors; and (iii) the cPLA2-specific pharmacological inhibitors attenuated the release of inflammatory cytokines from the macrophages. For the first time, our current study demonstrated that PEN exhibited its immunomodulatory actions through the activation of cPLA2 in the macrophages, which potentially could be used in the development of a pharmacological intervention against leishmaniasis.

NOX4 Mediates Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Induced Nuclear Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Chromatin Remodeling in Lung Epithelium.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) infection increases reactive oxygen species (ROS), and earlier, we have shown a role for NADPH oxidase-derived ROS in PA-mediated lung inflammation and injury. Here, we show a role for the lung epithelial cell (LEpC) NOX4 in PA-mediated chromatin remodeling and lung inflammation. Intratracheal administration of PA to Nox4flox/flox mice for 24 h caused lung inflammatory injury; however, epithelial cell-deleted Nox4 mice exhibited reduced lung inflammatory injury, oxidative stress, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased histone acetylation. In LEpCs, NOX4 was localized both in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions, and PA stimulation increased the nuclear NOX4 expression and ROS production. Downregulation or inhibition of NOX4 and PKC δ attenuated the PA-induced nuclear ROS. PA-induced histone acetylation was attenuated by Nox4-specific siRNA, unlike Nox2. PA stimulation increased HDAC1/2 oxidation and reduced HDAC1/2 activity. The PA-induced oxidation of HDAC2 was attenuated by N-acetyl-L-cysteine and siRNA specific for Pkc δ, Sphk2, and Nox4. PA stimulated RAC1 activation in the nucleus and enhanced the association between HDAC2 and RAC1, p-PKC δ, and NOX4 in LEpCs. Our results revealed a critical role for the alveolar epithelial NOX4 in mediating PA-induced lung inflammatory injury via nuclear ROS generation, HDAC1/2 oxidation, and chromatin remodeling.

Defective immunometabolism pathways in cystic fibrosis macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondria play a key role in immune defense pathways, particularly for macrophages. We and others have previously demonstrated that cystic fibrosis (CF) macrophages exhibit weak autophagy activity and exacerbated inflammatory responses. Previous studies have revealed that mitochondria are defective in CF epithelial cells, but to date, the connection between defective mitochondrial function and CF macrophage immune dysregulation has not been fully elucidated. Here, we present a characterization of mitochondrial dysfunction in CF macrophages. METHODS: Mitochondrial function in wild-type (WT) and CF F508del/F508del murine macrophages was measured using the Seahorse Extracellular Flux analyzer. Mitochondrial morphology was investigated using transmission electron and confocal microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as well as mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) were measured using TMRM and MitoSOX Red fluorescent dyes, respectively. All assays were performed at baseline and following infection by Burkholderia cenocepacia, a multi-drug resistant bacterium that causes detrimental infections in CF patients. RESULTS: We have identified impaired oxygen consumption in CF macrophages without and with B. cenocepacia infection. We also observed increased mitochondrial fragmentation in CF macrophages following infection. Lastly, we observed increased MMP and impaired mROS production in CF macrophages following infection with B. cenocepacia. CONCLUSIONS: The mitochondrial defects identified are key components of the macrophage response to infection. Their presence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to impaired bacterial killing in CF macrophages. Our current study will enhance our understanding of the pathobiology of CF and lead to the identification of novel mitochondrial therapeutic targets for CF.

The expression of Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster in sputum samples correlates with pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multi-organ disorder characterized by chronic sino-pulmonary infections and inflammation. Many patients with CF suffer from repeated pulmonary exacerbations that are predictors of worsened long-term morbidity and mortality. There are no reliable markers that associate with the onset or progression of an exacerbation or pulmonary deterioration. Previously, we found that the Mirc1/Mir17-92a cluster which is comprised of 6 microRNAs (Mirs) is highly expressed in CF mice and negatively regulates autophagy which in turn improves CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function. Therefore, here we sought to examine the expression of individual Mirs within the Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster in human cells and biological fluids and determine their role as biomarkers of pulmonary exacerbations and response to treatment. METHODS: Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster expression was measured in human CF and non-CF plasma, blood-derived neutrophils, and sputum samples. Values were correlated with pulmonary function, exacerbations and use of CFTR modulators. RESULTS: Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster expression was not significantly elevated in CF neutrophils nor plasma when compared to the non-CF cohort. Cluster expression in CF sputum was significantly higher than its expression in plasma. Elevated CF sputum Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster expression positively correlated with pulmonary exacerbations and negatively correlated with lung function. Patients with CF undergoing treatment with the CFTR modulator Ivacaftor/Lumacaftor did not demonstrate significant change in the expression Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster after six months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Mirc1/Mir17-92 cluster expression is a promising biomarker of respiratory status in patients with CF including pulmonary exacerbation.

Pentalinonsterol, a Constituent of Pentalinon andrieuxii, Possesses Potent Immunomodulatory Activity and Primes T Cell Immune Responses.

The use of natural products as adjuvants has emerged as a promising approach for the development of effective vaccine formulations. Pentalinonsterol (PEN) is a recently isolated compound from the roots of Pentalinon andrieuxii and has been shown to possess antileishmanial activity against Leishmania spp. The objective of this study was to examine the immunomodulatory properties of PEN and evaluate its potential as an adjuvant. Macrophages and bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were stimulated with PEN and tested for gene expression, cytokine production, and their ability to activate T cells in vitro. PEN was also evaluated for its ability to generate antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 responses in vivo, following ovalbumin (OVA) immunization using PEN as an adjuvant. The results obtained demonstrate that PEN enhances the expression of NF-κB and AP1 transcription factors, promotes gene expression of Tnfα, Il6, Nos2, and Arg1, and upregulates MHCII, CD80, and CD86 in macrophages. PEN also enhanced IL-12 production in BMDCs and promoted BMDC-mediated production of IFN-γ by T cells. Further, mice immunized with OVA and PEN showed enhanced antigen-specific Th1 and Th2 cytokines in their splenocytes and lymph node cells, as well as increased levels of IgG1 and IgG2 in their sera. Taken together, this study demonstrates that PEN is a potent immunomodulatory compound and potentially can be used as an adjuvant for vaccine development against infectious diseases.

Polyvinyl polypyrrolidone attenuates genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles synthesized via green route, tested in Lathyrus sativus L. root bioassay.

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized extracellularly from silver nitrate (AgNO3) using kernel extract from ripe mango Mengifera indica L. under four different reaction conditions of the synthesis media such as the (i) absence of the reducing agent, trisodium citrate (AgNPI), (ii) presence of the reducing agent (AgNPII), (iii) presence of the cleansing agent, polyvinyl polypyrrolidone, PVPP (AgNPIII), and (iv) presence of the capping agent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, PVP (AgNPIV). The synthesis of the AgNPs was monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometry. The AgNPs were characterised by the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Functional groups on the AgNPs were established by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The AgNPs (AgNPI, AgNPII, AgNPIII and AgNPIV) were spherical in shape with the diameters and size distribution-widths of 14.0±5.4, 19.2±6.6, 18.8±6.6 and 44.6±13.2nm, respectively. Genotoxicity of the AgNPs at concentrations ranging from 1 to 100mgL(-1) was determined by the Lathyrus sativus L. root bioassay and several endpoint assays including the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell death, lipid peroxidation, mitotic index, chromosome aberrations (CA), micronucleus formation (MN), and DNA damage as determined by the Comet assay. The dose-dependent induction of genotoxicity of the silver ion (Ag(+)) and AgNPs was in the order Ag(+)>AgNPII>AgNPI>AgNPIV>AgNPIII that corresponded with their relative potencies of induction of DNA damage and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the findings underscored the CA and MN endpoint-based genotoxicity assay which demonstrated the genotoxicity of AgNPs at concentrations (≤10mgL(-1)) lower than that (≥10mgL(-1)) tested in the Comet assay. This study demonstrated the protective action of PVPP against the genotoxicity of AgNPIII which was independent of the size of the AgNPs in the L. sativus L. root bioassay system.

Correction of MFG-E8 Resolves Inflammation and Promotes Cutaneous Wound Healing in Diabetes.

Milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a peripheral glycoprotein that acts as a bridging molecule between the macrophage and apoptotic cells, thus executing a pivotal role in the scavenging of apoptotic cells from affected tissue. We have previously reported that apoptotic cell clearance activity or efferocytosis is compromised in diabetic wound macrophages. In this work, we test the hypothesis that MFG-E8 helps resolve inflammation, supports angiogenesis, and accelerates wound closure. MFG-E8(-/-) mice displayed impaired efferocytosis associated with exaggerated inflammatory response, poor angiogenesis, and wound closure. Wound macrophage-derived MFG-E8 was recognized as a critical driver of wound angiogenesis. Transplantation of MFG-E8(-/-) bone marrow to MFG-E8(+/+) mice resulted in impaired wound closure and compromised wound vascularization. In contrast, MFG-E8(-/-) mice that received wild-type bone marrow showed improved wound closure and improved wound vascularization. Hyperglycemia and exposure to advanced glycated end products inactivated MFG-E8, recognizing a key mechanism that complicates diabetic wound healing. Diabetic db/db mice suffered from impaired efferocytosis accompanied with persistent inflammation and slow wound closure. Topical recombinant MFG-E8 induced resolution of wound inflammation, improvements in angiogenesis, and acceleration of closure, upholding the potential of MFG-E8-directed therapeutics in diabetic wound care.

A Novel Sterol Isolated from a Plant Used by Mayan Traditional Healers Is Effective in Treatment of Visceral Leishmaniasis Caused by Leishmania donovani.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani, is a global health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Treatment of VL largely depends on therapeutic drugs such as pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, and others, which have major drawbacks due to drug resistance, toxicity, and high cost. In this study, for the first time, we have successfully demonstrated the synthesis and antileishmanial activity of the novel sterol pentalinonsterol (PEN), which occurs naturally in the root of a Mexican medicinal plant, Pentalinon andrieuxii. In the experimental BALB/c mouse model of VL induced by infection with L. donovani, intravenous treatment with liposome-encapsulated PEN (2.5 mg/kg) led to a significant reduction in parasite burden in the liver and spleen. Furthermore, infected mice treated with liposomal PEN showed a strong host-protective TH1 immune response characterized by IFN-γ production and formation of matured hepatic granulomas. These results indicate that PEN could be developed as a novel drug against VL.

The mitochondrial cardiolipin remodeling enzyme lysocardiolipin acyltransferase is a novel target in pulmonary fibrosis.

RATIONALE: Lysocardiolipin acyltransferase (LYCAT), a cardiolipin-remodeling enzyme regulating the 18:2 linoleic acid pattern of mammalian mitochondrial cardiolipin, is necessary for maintaining normal mitochondrial function and vascular development. We hypothesized that modulation of LYCAT expression in lung epithelium regulates development of pulmonary fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: To define a role for LYCAT in human and murine models of pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: We analyzed the correlation of LYCAT expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with the outcomes of pulmonary functions and overall survival, and used the murine models to establish the role of LYCAT in fibrogenesis. We studied the LYCAT action on cardiolipin remodeling, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells under bleomycin challenge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: LYCAT expression was significantly altered in PBMCs and lung tissues from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which was confirmed in two preclinical murine models of IPF, bleomycin- and radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. LYCAT mRNA expression in PBMCs directly and significantly correlated with carbon monoxide diffusion capacity, pulmonary function outcomes, and overall survival. In both bleomycin- and radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis murine models, hLYCAT overexpression reduced several indices of lung fibrosis, whereas down-regulation of native LYCAT expression by siRNA accentuated fibrogenesis. In vitro studies demonstrated that LYCAT modulated bleomycin-induced cardiolipin remodeling, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species generation, and apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells, potential mechanisms of LYCAT-mediated lung protection. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to identify modulation of LYCAT expression in fibrotic lungs and offers a novel therapeutic approach for ameliorating lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis.

Molecular mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses of pharmacological inhibitors of HIF-prolyl 4-hydroxylases for treatment of ischemic diseases.

SIGNIFICANCE: In this review, we have discussed the efficacy and effect of small molecules that act as prolyl hydroxylase domain inhibitors (PHDIs). The use of these compounds causes upregulation of the pro-angiogenic factors and hypoxia inducible factor-1α and -2α (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) to enhance angiogenic, glycolytic, erythropoietic, and anti-apoptotic pathways in the treatment of various ischemic diseases responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in humans. RECENT ADVANCES: Sprouting of new blood vessels from the existing vasculature and surgical intervention, such as coronary bypass and stent insertion, have been shown to be effective in attenuating ischemia. However, the initial reentry of oxygen leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress and result in ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. This apparent "oxygen paradox" must be resolved to combat IR injury. During hypoxia, decreased activity of PHDs initiates the accumulation and activation of HIF-1α, wherein the modulation of both PHD and HIF-1α appears as promising therapeutic targets for the pharmacological treatment of ischemic diseases. CRITICAL ISSUES: Research on PHDs and HIFs has shown that these molecules can serve as therapeutic targets for ischemic diseases by modulating glycolysis, erythropoiesis, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Efforts are underway to identify and synthesize safer small-molecule inhibitors of PHDs that can be administered in vivo as therapy against ischemic diseases. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: This review presents a comprehensive and current account of the existing small-molecule PHDIs and their use in the treatment of ischemic diseases with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of therapeutic action in animal models.

Phospholipase D signaling mediates reactive oxygen species-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as critical players in the pathophysiology of pulmonary disorders and diseases. Earlier, we have demonstrated that ROS stimulate lung endothelial cell (EC) phospholipase D (PLD) that generates phosphatidic acid (PA), a second messenger involved in signal transduction. In the current study, we investigated the role of PLD signaling in the ROS-induced lung vascular EC barrier dysfunction. Our results demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a typical physiological ROS, induced PLD activation and altered the barrier function in bovine pulmonary artery ECs (BPAECs). 1-Butanol, the quencher of PLD, generated PA leading to the formation of physiologically inactive phosphatidyl butanol but not its biologically inactive analog, 2-butanol, blocked the H2O2-mediated barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, cell permeable C2 ceramide, an inhibitor of PLD but not the C2 dihydroceramide, attenuated the H2O2-induced PLD activation and enhancement of paracellular permeability of Evans blue conjugated albumin across the BPAEC monolayers. In addition, transfection of BPAECs with adenoviral constructs of hPLD1 and mPLD2 mutants attenuated the H2O2-induced barrier dysfunction, cytoskeletal reorganization and distribution of focal adhesion proteins. For the first time, this study demonstrated that the PLD-generated intracellular bioactive lipid signal mediator, PA, played a critical role in the ROS-induced barrier dysfunction in lung vascular ECs. This study also underscores the importance of PLD signaling in vascular leak and associated tissue injury in the etiology of lung diseases among critically ill patients encountering oxygen toxicity and excess ROS production during ventilator-assisted breathing.

Regulation of the MIR155 host gene in physiological and pathological processes.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small nonprotein-coding RNAs, play a critical role in posttranscriptional gene regulation by acting as adaptors for the miRNA-induced silencing complex to inhibit gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translational repression and/or cleavage. miR-155-5p and miR-155-3p are processed from the B-cell Integration Cluster (BIC) gene (now designated, MIR155 host gene or MIR155HG). MiR-155-5p is highly expressed in both activated B- and T-cells and in monocytes/macrophages. MiR-155-5p is one of the best characterized miRNAs and recent data indicate that miR-155-5p plays a critical role in various physiological and pathological processes such as hematopoietic lineage differentiation, immunity, inflammation, viral infections, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Down syndrome. In this review we summarize the mechanisms by which MIR155HG expression can be regulated. Given that the pathologies mediated by miR-155-5p result from the over-expression of this miRNA it may be possible to therapeutically attenuate miR-155-5p levels in the treatment of several pathological processes.

Adiponectin protects against hyperoxic lung injury and vascular leak.

Adiponectin (Ad), an adipokine exclusively secreted by the adipose tissue, has emerged as a paracrine metabolic regulator as well as a protectant against oxidative stress. Pharmacological approaches of protecting against clinical hyperoxic lung injury during oxygen therapy/treatment are limited. We have previously reported that Ad inhibits the NADPH oxidase-catalyzed formation of superoxide from molecular oxygen in human neutrophils. Based on this premise, we conducted studies to determine whether (i) exogenous Ad would protect against the hyperoxia-induced barrier dysfunction in the lung endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro, and (ii) endogenously synthesized Ad would protect against hyperoxic lung injury in wild-type (WT) and Ad-overexpressing transgenic (AdTg) mice in vivo. The results demonstrated that exogenous Ad protected against the hyperoxia-induced oxidative stress, loss of glutathione (GSH), cytoskeletal reorganization, barrier dysfunction, and leak in the lung ECs in vitro. Furthermore, the hyperoxia-induced lung injury, vascular leak, and lipid peroxidation were significantly attenuated in AdTg mice in vivo. Also, AdTg mice exhibited elevated levels of total thiols and GSH in the lungs as compared with WT mice. For the first time, our studies demonstrated that Ad protected against the hyperoxia-induced lung damage apparently through attenuation of oxidative stress and modulation of thiol-redox status.

Phospholipase A(2) activation by poultry particulate matter is mediated through extracellular signal-regulated kinase in lung epithelial cells: regulation of interleukin-8 release.

The mechanisms of poultry particulate matter (PM)-induced agricultural respiratory disorders are not thoroughly understood. Hence, it is hypothesized in this article that poultry PM induces the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) by lung epithelial cells that is regulated upstream by the concerted action of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). To test this hypothesis, the widely used cultured human lung epithelial cells (A549) were chosen as the model system. Poultry PM caused a significant activation of PLA2 in A549 cells, which was attenuated by AACOCF3 (cPLA2 inhibitor) and PD98059 (ERK-1/2 upstream inhibitor). Poultry PM induced upstream ERK-1/2 phosphorylation and downstream cPLA2 serine phosphorylation, in a concerted fashion, in cells with enhanced association of ERK-1/2 and cPLA2. The poultry PM-induced cPLA2 serine phosphorylation and IL-8 release were attenuated by AACOCF3, PD98059, and by transfection with dominant-negative ERK-1/2 DNA in cells. The poultry PM-induced IL-8 release by the bone marrow-derived macrophages of cPLA2 knockout mice was significantly lower. For the first time, this study demonstrated that the poultry PM-induced IL-8 secretion by human lung epithelial cells was regulated by cPLA2 activation through ERK-mediated serine phosphorylation, suggesting a mechanism of airway inflammation among poultry farm workers.

Aluminum induces oxidative burst, cell wall NADH peroxidase activity, and DNA damage in root cells of Allium cepa L.

Plants under stress incur an oxidative burst that involves a rapid and transient overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS: O(2) (•-) , H(2) O(2) , (•) OH). We hypothesized that aluminum (Al), an established soil pollutant that causes plant stress, would induce an oxidative burst through the activation of cell wall-NADH peroxidase (NADH-PX) and/or plasma membrane-associated NADPH oxidase (NADPH-OX), leading to DNA damage in the root cells of Allium cepa L. Growing roots of A. cepa were treated with Al(3+) (800 µM of AlCl(3) ) for 3 or 6 hr without or with the pretreatment of inhibitors specific to NADH-PX and NADPH-OX for 2 hr. At the end of the treatment, the extent of ROS generation, cell death, and DNA damage were determined. The cell wall-bound protein (CWP) fractions extracted from the untreated control and the Al-treated roots under the aforementioned experimental conditions were also subjected to in vitro studies, which measured the extent of activation of peroxidase/oxidase, generation of (•) OH, and DNA damage. Overall, the present study demonstrates that the cell wall-bound NADH-PX contributes to the Al-induced oxidative burst through the generation of ROS that lead to cell death and DNA damage in the root cells of A. cepa. Furthermore, the in vitro studies revealed that the CWP fraction by itself caused DNA damage in the presence of NADH, supporting a role for NADH-PX in the stress response. Altogether, this study underscores the crucial function of the cell wall-bound NADH-PX in the oxidative burst-mediated cell death and DNA damage in plants under Al stress.

Prostaglandin E2 induces oncostatin M expression in human chronic wound macrophages through Axl receptor tyrosine kinase pathway.

Monocytes and macrophages (m) are plastic cells whose functions are governed by microenvironmental cues. Wound fluid bathing the wound tissue reflects the wound microenvironment. Current literature on wound inflammation is primarily based on the study of blood monocyte-derived macrophages, cells that have never been exposed to the wound microenvironment. We sought to compare pair-matched monocyte-derived macrophages with m isolated from chronic wounds of patients. Oncostatin M (OSM) was differentially overexpressed in pair-matched wound m. Both PGE2 and its metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 (PGE-M) were abundant in wound fluid and induced OSM in wound-site m. Consistently, induction of OSM mRNA was observed in m isolated from PGE2-enriched polyvinyl alcohol sponges implanted in murine wounds. Treatment of human THP-1 cell-derived m with PGE2 or PGE-M caused dose-dependent induction of OSM. Characterization of the signal transduction pathways demonstrated the involvement of EP4 receptor and cAMP signaling. In human m, PGE2 phosphorylated Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Axl phosphorylation was also induced by a cAMP analogue demonstrating interplay between the cAMP and RTK pathways. PGE2-dependent Axl phosphorylation led to AP-1 transactivation, which is directly implicated in inducible expression of OSM. Treatment of human m or mice excisional wounds with recombinant OSM resulted in an anti-inflammatory response as manifested by attenuated expression of endotoxin-induced TNF-α and IL-1ß. OSM treatment also improved wound closure during the early inflammatory phase of healing. In summary, this work recognizes PGE2 in the wound fluid as a potent inducer of m OSM, a cytokine with an anti-inflammatory role in cutaneous wound healing.