Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA).

Transcriptional regulation of gene expression is controlled through the binding of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins (transcription factors) to the regulatory regions of genes. The exact gene expression program of a cell is determined by the spectrum of transcription factors present with the nucleus of a cell. The presence of these factors is dependent upon the cell type being examined and the stimulus to which the cell has been subjected. A knowledge of the transcription factors present during any given time can be important in generating a more thorough understanding of how a cell or tissue responds to its environment. Additionally, identifying the transcription factors required for the expression of a specific gene can provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved and suggest new therapies which may specifically target an individual gene or set of genes.

Fenspiride inhibits histamine-induced responses in a lung epithelial cell line.

Using the human lung epithelial WI26VA4 cell line, we investigated the capacity of fenspiride, an anti-inflammatory drug with anti-bronchoconstrictor properties, to interfere with histamine-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase and eicosanoid formation. Histamine and a histamine H1 receptor agonist elicited a rapid and transient intracellular Ca2+ increase (0-60 s) in fluo 3-loaded WI26VA4 cells. This response was antagonized by the histamine H1 receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine, the histamine H2 receptor antagonist, cimetidine, having no effect. Fenspiride (10(-7)-10(-5) M) inhibited the histamine H1 receptor-induced Ca2+ increase. In addition, histamine induced a biphasic increase in arachidonic acid release. The initial rise (0-30 s), a rapid and transient arachidonic acid release, was responsible for the histamine-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase. In the second phase release (15-60 min), a sustained arachidonic acid release appeared to be associated with the formation of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites. Fenspiride (10(-5) M) abolished both phases of histamine-induced arachidonic acid release. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory and antibronchoconstrictor properties of fenspiride may result from the inhibition of these effects of histamine.

Immunocytochemical characterization of lung macrophage surface phenotypes and expression of cytokines in acute experimental silicosis in mice.

The expression of the surface phenotypical profile and the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta from murine lung macrophages was studied in parenchymal lung tissue and bronchoalveolar fluid of mice, over a 2-week period, following a single intratracheal instillation of silica. The acute inflammatory reaction, confirmed by a significant augmentation of four times the control values of the number of macrophages recovered by lavage from experimental animals, was followed by organized granulomas in the interstitium. The immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissue sections after silica instillation demonstrated the increased alveolar and interstitial tissue expression of all surface antigens and cytokines studied, mainly Mac-1, F4/80 antigens, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta, which were occasionally observed in normal uninjected and saline-treated mice. These findings show that, after silica instillation, the expression of surface phenotypical markers of lung macrophages increased, and this change was concomitantly associated with an increased expression of the cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. These changes support the conclusion that an influx of the newly recruited and activated macrophage population, with a different phenotype, is induced by treatment during inflammation. The populational changes involve difference in functional activity and enhance TNF-alpha and IL-1beta expression. These cytokines, produced in the silicosis-induced inflammatory process, are associated with the development of fibrosis and may contribute to disease severity.

Reactive oxygen intermediates as regulators of TNF-alpha production in rat lung inflammation induced by silica.

Exposure to mineral dusts such as silica has been associated with progressive pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. There is evidence that the release of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and cytokines by alveolar macrophages (AM) is involved in lung injury associated with silica exposure. However, the chronology and relationship between these two mediators are poorly understood. In this study, an animal model of silicosis has been used, allowing simultaneous follow-up of lung histopathologic state, AM TNF-alpha production at the protein (biologic assay) and mRNA (reverse transcriptase-PCR) levels, and the release of ROI (luminol-dependent chemiluminescence), after bronchoalveolar lavages. In particular, it has been shown that intratracheal instillation of silica (50 mg/kg) in rats led to fibrosis characterized by cellular interstitial infiltrates with granulomas, and in AM, it led to 1) an early and continuous increase in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate- or zymosan-triggered ROI production (days 1, 3, 14, and 28 post-treatment), and 2) a rise of TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein secretion on days 3 and 14. A free radical scavenger pretreatment (N-ter-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone) reversed lung histopathologic changes and decreased AM ROI production and TNF-alpha expression at the level of mRNA. These findings suggest that ROI production is an important primary event determining the silica-induced inflammatory process. ROI may act in an autocrine or paracrine manner and regulate TNF-alpha production by a mechanism promoting gene expression. The critical role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of silicosis was confirmed by anti-TNF-alpha Ab treatment.