Platelet hyaluronidase-2 regulates the early stages of inflammatory disease in colitis.

Platelets are specialized cells essential for hemostasis that also function as crucial effectors capable of mediating inflammatory and immune responses. These sentinels continually survey their environment and discriminate between homeostatic and danger signals such as modified components of the extracellular matrix. The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) is a major extracellular matrix component that coats the vascular lumen and, under normal conditions, restricts access of inflammatory cells. In response to tissue damage, the endothelial HA matrix enhances leukocyte recruitment and regulates the early stages of the inflammatory response. We have shown that platelets can degrade HA from the surface of activated endothelial cells via the enzyme hyaluronidase-2 (HYAL2) and that HYAL2 is deficient in platelets isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Platelets are known to be involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic disease states, including IBD, but they have been largely overlooked in the context of intestinal inflammation. We therefore wanted to define the mechanism by which platelet HYAL2 regulates the inflammatory response during colitis. In this study, we provide evidence that HA catabolism is disrupted in human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells isolated from patients with IBD. Furthermore, mice deficient in HYAL2 are more susceptible to an acute model of colitis, and this increased susceptibility is abrogated by transfusion of HYAL2-competent platelets. Finally, we show that platelets, via HYAL2-dependent degradation of endothelial HA, regulate the early stages of inflammation in colitis by limiting leukocyte extravasation.

Hyaluronan 35 kDa enhances epithelial barrier function and protects against the development of murine necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Disruption of tight junctions (TJs) predisposes to bacterial translocation, intestinal inflammation, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Previously, studies showed that hyaluronan (HA), a glycosaminoglycan in human milk, maintains intestinal permeability, enhances intestinal immunity, and reduces intestinal infections. In this study, we investigated the effects of HA 35 kDa on a NEC-like murine model. METHODS: Pups were divided into Sham, NEC, NEC+HA 35, and HA 35. Severity of intestinal injury was compared using a modified macroscopic gut scoring and histologic injury grading. The effect of HA 35 on intestinal permeability was determined by measuring FITC dextran and bacterial translocation. RNA and protein expression of TJ proteins (claudin-2, -3, -4, occludin, and ZO-1) were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Pups in the NEC+HA 35 group had increased survival and lower intestinal injury compared to untreated NEC. In addition, HA 35 reduced intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, and proinflammatory cytokine release. Ileal expression of claudin-2, -3, -4, occludin, and ZO-1 was upregulated in NEC+HA 35 and HA 35 compared to untreated NEC and shams. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that HA 35 protects against NEC partly by upregulating intestinal TJs and enhancing intestinal barrier function.

A new non-diffusional gas bubble production route in used nuclear fuel: implications for fission gas release, cladding corrosion, and next generation fuel design.

A novel relationship between noble metal phase particles and fission gas bubble production in used nuclear fuel is described. The majority of Te atoms within noble metal phase undergo radioactive decay to form stable Xe within a few hours after particle formation. This results in the production of clusters of Xe atoms contained within the solid metal matrix exhibiting an equivalent gas bubble pressure approaching 1 GPa. These high pressure bubbles are stabilized by the UO2 within the bulk of the fuel. However, when these bubbles form near the fuel/cladding interface, in combination with local and temporal damage caused by fission recoil, they are capable of overcoming the fracture strength of the UO2 and rupturing catastrophically. The force of the resulting bubble rupture is sufficient to eject noble metal phase particles several microns into the cladding. This proposed mechanism explains the observance of noble metal phase in cladding and is consistent with a host of morphological features found near the fuel/cladding interface.

Hyaluronan Depolymerization by Megakaryocyte Hyaluronidase-2 Is Required for Thrombopoiesis.

Hyaluronan is the predominant glycosaminoglycan component of the extracellular matrix with an emerging role in hematopoiesis. Modulation of hyaluronan polymer size is responsible for its control over cellular functions, and the balance of hyaluronan synthesis and degradation determines its molecular size. Although two active somatic hyaluronidases are expressed in mammals, only deficiency in hyaluronidase-2 (Hyal-2) results in thrombocytopenia of unknown mechanism. Our results reveal that Hyal-2 knockout mice accumulate hyaluronan within their bone marrow and within megakaryocytes, the cells responsible for platelet generation. Proplatelet formation by Hyal-2 knockout megakaryocytes was disrupted because of abnormal formation of the demarcation membrane system, which was dilated and poorly developed. Importantly, peptide-mediated delivery of exogenous hyaluronidase rescued deficient proplatelet formation in murine and human megakaryocytes lacking Hyal-2. Together, our data uncover a previously unsuspected mechanism of how hyaluronan and Hyal-2 control platelet generation.

The epithelial danger signal IL-1α is a potent activator of fibroblasts and reactivator of intestinal inflammation.

Intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) death is typical of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated: i) whether IEC-released necrotic cell products (proinflammatory mediators) amplify mucosal inflammation, ii) the capacity of necrotic cell lysates from HT29 cells or human IECs to induce human intestinal fibroblasts' (HIF) production of IL-6 and IL-8, and iii) whether IL-1α, released by injured colonocytes, exacerbated experimental IBD. Necrotic cell lysates potently induced HIF IL-6 and IL-8 production independent of Toll-like receptors 2 and 4, receptor for advanced glycation end-products, high-mobility group box 1, uric acid, IL-33, or inflammasome activation. IL-1α was the key IEC-derived necrotic cell product involved in HIF cytokine production. IL-1α-positive cells were identified in the epithelium in human IBD and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. IL-1α was detected in the stool of colitic mice before IL-1ß. IL-1α enemas reactivated inflammation after DSS colitis recovery, induced IL-1 receptor expression in subepithelial fibroblasts, and activated de novo inflammation even in mice without overt colitis, after the administration of low-dose DSS. IL-1α amplifies gut inflammation by inducing cytokine production by mesenchymal cells. IL-1α-mediated IEC-fibroblast interaction may be involved in amplifying and perpetuating inflammation, even without obvious intestinal damage. IL-1α may be a target for treating early IBD or preventing the reactivation of IBD.

Heterogeneous Oxidation of Atmospheric Organic Aerosol: Kinetics of Changes to the Amount and Oxidation State of Particle-Phase Organic Carbon.

Atmospheric oxidation reactions are known to affect the chemical composition of organic aerosol (OA) particles over timescales of several days, but the details of such oxidative aging reactions are poorly understood. In this study we examine the rates and products of a key class of aging reaction, the heterogeneous oxidation of particle-phase organic species by the gas-phase hydroxyl radical (OH). We compile and reanalyze a number of previous studies from our laboratories involving the oxidation of single-component organic particles. All kinetic and product data are described on a common basis, enabling a straightforward comparison among different chemical systems and experimental conditions. Oxidation chemistry is described in terms of changes to key ensemble properties of the OA, rather than to its detailed molecular composition, focusing on two quantities in particular, the amount and the oxidation state of the particle-phase carbon. Heterogeneous oxidation increases the oxidation state of particulate carbon, with the rate of increase determined by the detailed chemical mechanism. At the same time, the amount of particle-phase carbon decreases with oxidation, due to fragmentation (C-C scission) reactions that form small, volatile products that escape to the gas phase. In contrast to the oxidation state increase, the rate of carbon loss is nearly uniform among most systems studied. Extrapolation of these results to atmospheric conditions indicates that heterogeneous oxidation can have a substantial effect on the amount and composition of atmospheric OA over timescales of several days, a prediction that is broadly in line with available measurements of OA evolution over such long timescales. In particular, 3-13% of particle-phase carbon is lost to the gas phase after one week of heterogeneous oxidation. Our results indicate that oxidative aging represents an important sink for particulate organic carbon, and more generally that fragmentation reactions play a major role in the lifecycle of atmospheric OA.

Human milk hyaluronan enhances innate defense of the intestinal epithelium.

Breast-feeding is associated with enhanced protection from gastrointestinal disease in infants, mediated in part by an array of bioactive glycan components in milk that act through molecular mechanisms to inhibit enteric pathogen infection. Human milk contains hyaluronan (HA), a glycosaminoglycan polymer found in virtually all mammalian tissues. We have shown that synthetic HA of a specific size range promotes expression of antimicrobial peptides in intestinal epithelium. We hypothesize that hyaluronan from human milk also enhances innate antimicrobial defense. Here we define the concentration of HA in human milk during the first 6 months postpartum. Importantly, HA isolated from milk has a biological function. Treatment of HT-29 colonic epithelial cells with human milk HA at physiologic concentrations results in time- and dose-dependent induction of the antimicrobial peptide human ß-defensin 2 and is abrogated by digestion of milk HA with a specific hyaluronidase. Milk HA induction of human ß-defensin 2 expression is also reduced in the presence of a CD44-blocking antibody and is associated with a specific increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting a role for the HA receptor CD44. Furthermore, oral administration of human milk-derived HA to adult, wild-type mice results in induction of the murine Hß D2 ortholog in intestinal mucosa and is dependent upon both TLR4 and CD44 in vivo. Finally, treatment of cultured colonic epithelial cells with human milk HA enhances resistance to infection by the enteric pathogen Salmonella typhimurium. Together, our observations suggest that maternally provided HA stimulates protective antimicrobial defense in the newborn.

Pro-angiogenic activity of TLRs and NLRs: a novel link between gut microbiota and intestinal angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In intestinal inflammation the gut microbiota induces an innate immune response by activating epithelial and immune cells that initiate or maintain inflammation. We investigated whether the microbiota also can activate local microvascular cells and induce angiogenesis. METHODS: Human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) and human intestinal fibroblasts (HIF) were exposed to bacterial ligands specific for Toll-like receptor (TLR)2/6 and 4, and NOD1 and NOD2, and cell proliferation, migration, transmigration, tube formation, and production of pro-angiogenic factors were measured. The ability of the ligands to induce ex vivo vessel sprouting in an aortic ring assay and in vivo angiogenesis using a collagen gel assay also were assessed. RESULTS: Bacterial ligands induced proliferation, migration, transmigration, tube formation of HIMEC, vessel sprouting, and in vivo angiogenesis; they also stimulated production of angiogenic factors from HIMEC and HIF, and HIF-derived angiogenic factors promoted HIMEC proliferation. To various degrees, all ligands induced angiogenic responses, but these were ligand- and cell type-dependent. Responses were mediated through receptor interacting protein-2 (RIP2)- and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-dependent signaling, involved the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways and the up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Knockdown of RIP2 and TRAF6 by RNA interference and neutralization of interleukin-8, basic fibroblast growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor inhibited TLR-/NOD-like receptor-induced HIMEC angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: The gut microbiota can selectively activate mucosal endothelial and mesenchymal cells to promote specific angiogenic responses in a TLR- and NOD-like receptor-dependent fashion. This innate immunity-mediated response may expand the mucosal microvascular network, foster immune cell recruitment, and contribute to chronic intestinal inflammation.

Influence of molecular structure and chemical functionality on the heterogeneous OH-initiated oxidation of unsaturated organic particles.

The kinetics and products of the heterogeneous OH-initiated oxidation of squalene (C30H50, a branched alkene with 6 C═C double bonds) particles are measured. These results are compared to previous measurements of the OH-initiated oxidation of linoleic acid (C18H32O2, a linear carboxylic acid with 2 C═C double bonds) particles to understand how molecular structure and chemical functionality influence reaction rates and mechanisms. In a 10% mixture of O2 in N2 in the flow reactor, the effective uptake coefficients (γeff) for squalene and linoleic acid are larger than unity, providing clear evidence for particle-phase secondary chain chemistry. γeff for squalene is 2.34 ± 0.07, which is smaller than γeff for linoleic acid (3.75 ± 0.18) despite the larger number of C═C double bonds in squalene. γeff for squalene increases with [O2] in the reactor, whereas γeff for linoleic acid decreases with increasing [O2]. This suggests that the chain cycling mechanism in these two systems is different since O2 promotes chain propagation in the OH + squalene reaction but promotes chain termination in the OH + linoleic acid reaction. Elemental analysis of squalene aerosol shows that an average of 1.06 ± 0.12 O atoms are added per reactive loss of squalene prior to the onset of particle volatilization. O2 promotes particle volatilization in the OH + squalene reaction, suggesting that fragmentation reactions are important when O2 is present in the OH oxidation of branched unsaturated organic aerosol. In contrast, O2 does not influence the rate of particle volatilization in the OH + linoleic acid reaction. This indicates that O2 does not alter the relative importance of fragmentation reactions in the OH oxidation of linear unsaturated organic aerosol.

Specific-sized hyaluronan fragments promote expression of human ß-defensin 2 in intestinal epithelium.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan polymer found in the extracellular matrix of virtually all mammalian tissues. Recent work has suggested a role for small, fragmented HA polymers in initiating innate defense responses in immune cells, endothelium, and epidermis through interaction with innate molecular pattern recognition receptors, such as TLR4. Despite these advances, little is known regarding the effect of fragmented HA at the intestinal epithelium, where numerous pattern recognition receptors act as sentinels of an innate defense response that maintains epithelial barrier integrity in the presence of abundant and diverse microbial challenges. Here we report that HA fragments promote expression of the innate antimicrobial peptide human ß-defensin 2 (HßD2) in intestinal epithelial cells. Treatment of HT-29 colonic epithelial cells with HA fragment preparations resulted in time- and dose-dependent up-regulated expression of HßD2 protein in a fragment size-specific manner, with 35-kDa HA fragment preparations emerging as the most potent inducers of intracellular HßD2. Furthermore, oral administration of specific-sized HA fragments promotes the expression of an HßD2 ortholog in the colonic epithelium of both wild-type and CD44-deficient mice but not in TLR4-deficient mice. Together, our observations suggest that a highly size-specific, TLR4-dependent, innate defense response to fragmented HA contributes to intestinal epithelium barrier defense through the induction of intracellular HßD2 protein.

OH-initiated oxidation of sub-micron unsaturated fatty acid particles.

The heterogeneous reaction of OH radicals with sub-micron unsaturated fatty acid particles in the presence of H2O2 and O2 is studied to explore how surface OH addition reactions initiate chain reactions that rapidly transform the chemical composition of an organic particle. In the presence of 20.7 ppm [H2O2] in a 10% mixture of O2 in N2, the effective uptake coefficients of oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid are found to be 1.72 ± 0.08, 3.75 ± 0.18 and 5.73 ± 0.14, respectively. These effective uptake coefficients are larger than unity, providing clear evidence for particle-phase secondary chain chemistry. The effective uptake coefficient increases linearly with the number of C=C double bonds in the unsaturated fatty acid molecule. Elemental composition analysis reveals that there is an addition of, on average, 0.57 ± 0.02, 0.61 ± 0.01 and 0.73 ± 0.04 O atoms per reactive loss of oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, respectively, which suggests that OH addition to the C=C double bond is not the sole reaction pathway that consumes the molecular species. These results suggest the potential presence of secondary reactions that consume the unsaturated fatty acid molecular species without increasing the particulate oxygen content. As the unsaturated fatty acid particles become more oxygenated, volatilization also becomes significant. The magnitudes of the effective uptake coefficients are found to be dependent on the concentrations of OH, O2 and H2O2 in the flow reactor. A plausible reaction mechanism is presented to show how surface OH addition reactions initiate chain reactions that rapidly transform an unsaturated organic particle's physicochemical properties.

The protein kinase R modifies gut physiology to limit colitis.

Here we investigate the function of the innate immune molecule protein kinase R (PKR) in intestinal inflammation. To model a colitogenic role of PKR, we determine the physiological response to dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) of wild-type and two transgenic mice strains mutated to express either a kinase-dead PKR or to ablate expression of the kinase. These experiments recognize kinase-dependent and -independent protection from DSS-induced weight loss and inflammation, against a kinase-dependent increase in the susceptibility to DSS-induced injury. We propose these effects arise through PKR-dependent alteration of gut physiology, evidenced as altered goblet cell function and changes to the gut microbiota at homeostasis that suppresses inflammasome activity by controlling autophagy. These findings establish that PKR functions as both a protein kinase and a signaling molecule in instituting immune homeostasis in the gut.

Animal models of intestinal fibrosis: new tools for the understanding of pathogenesis and therapy of human disease.

Fibrosis is a serious condition complicating chronic inflammatory processes affecting the intestinal tract. Advances in this field that rely on human studies have been slow and seriously restricted by practical and logistic reasons. As a consequence, well-characterized animal models of intestinal fibrosis have emerged as logical and essential systems to better define and understand the pathophysiology of fibrosis. In point of fact, animal models allow the execution of mechanistic studies as well as the implementation of clinical trials with novel, pathophysiology-based therapeutic approaches. This review provides an overview of the currently available animal models of intestinal fibrosis, taking into consideration the methods of induction, key characteristics of each model, and underlying mechanisms. Currently available models will be classified into seven categories: spontaneous, gene-targeted, chemical-, immune-, bacteria-, and radiation-induced as well as postoperative fibrosis. Each model will be discussed in regard to its potential to create research opportunities to gain insights into the mechanisms of intestinal fibrosis and stricture formation and assist in the development of effective and specific antifibrotic therapies.

Inflammation-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: a novel mechanism of intestinal fibrosis.

In addition to mesenchymal cells, endothelial cells may contribute to fibrosis through the process of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). We investigated whether human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (HIMEC) undergo EndoMT and contribute to fibrosis in human and experimental inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). HIMEC were exposed to TGF-ß1, IL-1ß, and TNF-α or supernatants of lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMC) and evaluated for morphological, phenotypic, and functional changes compatible with EndoMT. Genomic analysis was used to identify transcription factors involved in the transformation process. Evidence of in situ and in vivo EndoMT was sought in inflamed human and murine intestine. The combination of TGF-ß1, IL-1ß and TNF-α, or activated LPMC supernatants induced morphological and phenotypic changes consistent with EndoMT with a dominant effect by IL-1. These changes persisted after removal of the inducing agents and were accompanied by functional loss of acetylated LDL-uptake and migratory capacity, and acquisition of de novo collagen synthesis capacity. Sp1 appeared to be the main transcriptional regulator of EndoMT. EndoMT was detected in microvessels of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mucosa and experimental colonic fibrosis of Tie2-green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter-expressing mice. In conclusion, chronic inflammation induces transdifferentiation of intestinal mucosal microvascular cells into mesenchymal cells, suggesting that the intestinal microvasculature contributes to IBD-associated fibrosis through the novel process of EndoMT.

The statistical evolution of multiple generations of oxidation products in the photochemical aging of chemically reduced organic aerosol.

The heterogeneous reactions of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with squalane and bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (BES) particles are used as model systems to examine how distributions of reaction products evolve during the oxidation of chemically reduced organic aerosol. A kinetic model of multigenerational chemistry, which is compared to previously measured (squalane) and new (BES) experimental data, reveals that it is the statistical mixtures of different generations of oxidation products that control the average particle mass and elemental composition during the reaction. The model suggests that more highly oxidized reaction products, although initially formed with low probability, play a large role in the production of gas phase reaction products. In general, these results highlight the importance of considering atmospheric oxidation as a statistical process, further suggesting that the underlying distribution of molecules could play important roles in aerosol formation as well as in the evolution of key physicochemical properties such as volatility and hygroscopicity.

OH-initiated heterogeneous aging of highly oxidized organic aerosol.

The oxidative evolution ("aging") of organic species in the atmosphere is thought to have a major influence on the composition and properties of organic particulate matter but remains poorly understood, particularly for the most oxidized fraction of the aerosol. Here we measure the kinetics and products of the heterogeneous oxidation of highly oxidized organic aerosol, with an aim of better constraining such atmospheric aging processes. Submicrometer particles composed of model oxidized organics-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (C(8)H(10)O(8)), citric acid (C(6)H(8)O(7)), tartaric acid (C(4)H(6)O(6)), and Suwannee River fulvic acid-were oxidized by gas-phase OH in a flow reactor, and the masses and elemental composition of the particles were monitored as a function of OH exposure. In contrast to our previous studies of less-oxidized model systems (squalane, erythritol, and levoglucosan), particle mass did not decrease significantly with heterogeneous oxidation. Carbon content of the aerosol always decreased somewhat, but this mass loss was approximately balanced by an increase in oxygen content. The estimated reactive uptake coefficients of the reactions range from 0.37 to 0.51 and indicate that such transformations occur at rates corresponding to 1-2 weeks in the atmosphere, suggesting their importance in the atmospheric lifecycle of organic particulate matter.

Platelet-derived hyaluronidase 2 cleaves hyaluronan into fragments that trigger monocyte-mediated production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Hyaluronan (HA) occurs in the body as a large, hydrating, space-filling, carbohydrate polymer in the extracellular matrix; it has both anti-angiogenic and immunosuppressive properties. Cleavage of HA results in the generation of variably sized fragments that stimulate multiple angiogenic and inflammatory responses in a size-specific manner. In this study, we report that platelets, as well as their megakaryocyte precursors, are unusual among somatic cells in that they contain only hyaluronidase 2 (HYAL2) but not HYAL1. Platelet HYAL2 is sufficient to cleave HA into fragments that are specific for inflammatory and angiogenic signaling; this process occurs in the absence of HYAL1, which is necessary in all other tissues to perform further HA degradation. Platelets can bind to HA, some of which derives from the stressed microvessel endothelial cell surface. Platelet-derived HYAL2 cleaves HA into fragments that stimulate mononuclear leukocytes in the immediate microenvironment to produce proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 and interleukin-8. Platelets, thus, are not only involved in hemostasis, the earliest step in wound healing, but are also important in the signaling of subsequent inflammatory and angiogenic steps. We hypothesize that aberrations in these sequential steps can promote chronic inflammation, as found in inflammatory bowel disease. The platelet may thus provide an interface between acute and chronic inflammation, wound healing, and their subsequent fibrotic responses.

Chemical sinks of organic aerosol: kinetics and products of the heterogeneous oxidation of erythritol and levoglucosan.

The heterogeneous oxidation of pure erythritol (C(4)H(10)O(4)) and levoglucosan (C(6)H(10)O(5)) particles was studied in order to evaluate the effects of atmospheric aging on the mass and chemical composition of atmospheric organic aerosol. In contrast to what is generally observed for the heterogeneous oxidation of reduced organics, substantial volatilization is observed in both systems. However, the ratio of the decrease in particle mass to the decrease in the concentration of the parent species is about three times higher for erythritol than for levoglucosan, indicating that details of chemical structure (such as carbon number, cyclic moieties, and oxygen-containing functional groups) play a governing role in the importance of volatilization reactions. The kinetics of the reaction indicate that while both compounds react at approximately the same rate, reactions of their oxidation products appear to be slowed substantially. Estimates of volatilities of organic species based on elemental composition measurements suggest that the heterogeneous oxidation of oxygenated organics may be an important loss mechanism of organic aerosol.

Arginine metabolic control of airway inflammation.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-2 (ARG2) share a common substrate, arginine. Higher expression of iNOS and exhaled NO are linked to airway inflammation in patients. iNOS deletion in animal models suggests that eosinophilic inflammation is regulated by arginine metabolism. Moreover, ARG2 is a regulator of Th2 response, as shown by the development of severe eosinophilic inflammation in ARG2-/- mice. However, potential synergistic roles of iNOS and ARG2 in asthma have not been explored. Here, we hypothesized that arginine metabolic fate via iNOS and ARG2 may govern airway inflammation. In an asthma cohort, ARG2 variant genotypes were associated with arginase activity. ARG2 variants with lower arginase activity, combined with levels of exhaled NO, identified a severe asthma phenotype. Airway inflammation was present in WT, ARG2-/-, iNOS-/-, and ARG2-/-/iNOS-/- mice but was greatest in ARG2-/-. Eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltration in the ARG2-/- mice was abrogated in ARG2-/-/iNOS-/- animals. Similarly, angiogenic airway remodeling was greatest in ARG2-/- mice. Cytokines driving inflammation and remodeling were highest in lungs of asthmatic ARG2-/- mice and lowest in the iNOS-/-. ARG2 metabolism of arginine suppresses inflammation, while iNOS metabolism promotes airway inflammation, supporting a central role for arginine metabolic control of inflammation.