Identification, localization and expression of NHE isoforms in the alveolar epithelial cells.

Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs), encoded by Solute Carrier 9A (SLC9A) genes in human, are ubiquitous integral membrane ion transporters that mediate the electroneutral exchange of H+ with Na+ or K+. NHEs, found in the kidney and intestine, play a major role in the process of fluid reabsorption together via Na+,K+-ATPase pump and Na+ channels. Nevertheless, the expression pattern of NHE in the lung and its role in alveolar fluid homeostasis has not been addressed. Therefore, we aimed to examine the expression of NHE specific isoforms in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), and assess their role in congestive heart failure (CHF). Three NHE isoforms were identified in AEC and A549 cell line, at the level of protein and mRNA; NHE1, NHE2 and mainly NHE8, the latter was shown to be localized in the apical membrane of AEC. Treating A549 cells with angiotensin (Ang) II for 3, 5 and 24 hours displayed a significant reduction in NHE8 protein abundance. Moreover, the abundance of NHE8 protein was downregulated in A549 cells that were treated overnight with Ang II. NHE8 abundance in whole lung lysate was increased in rats with 1-week CHF compared to sham operated rats. However, lower abundance of NHE8 was observed in 4-week CHF group. In conclusion, we herein show for the first time, the expression of a novel NHE isoform in AEC, namely NHE8. Notably, Ang II decreased NHE8 protein levels. Moreover, NHE8 was distinctly affected in CHF rats, probably depending on the severity of the heart failure.

[THE CELLULAR MECHANISMS OF LUNG EDEMA CLEARANCE: DOES THE ALVEOLAR EPITHELIUM PLAY A ROLE?]

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary edema develops as a result of either alteration in the hydrostatic and oncotic pressure gradients across the pulmonary circulation and the lung interstitium or due to increased lung permeability. Alveolar fluid clearance is important in keeping the airspaces free of edema. This process is carried out via the alveolar epithelial active transport of Na+ across the alveolo-capillary barrier mostly by apical Na+ channels and basolateral Na,K-ATPases. Several pharmacologic agents such as catecholamines, vasopressin and gene therapy interventions have currently been found to stimulate the active Na+ transport and lung edema clearance. While others such as amiloride, ouabain, high tidal volume ventilation, hyperoxia and sepsis decrease the rate of alveolar fluid clearance. In conclusion, this review discusses the mechanisms and signal pathways by which the alveolar epithelium impacts lung edema clearance.

The prognostic value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in non-cardiac patients with sepsis, ultra-long follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: Sepsis is a multifactorial syndrome with increasing incidence of morbidity and mortality. Identification of outcome predictors is therefore essential. Recently, elevated brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been observed in patients with septic shock. Little information is available concerning BNP levels in patients with critical illness, especially with sepsis. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the role of BNP as a biomarker for long-term mortality in patients with sepsis. METHODS: We studied 259 patients with sepsis and absence of heart failure. BNP levels were obtained for all patients. A long-term survival follow-up was done, and survival was evaluated 90days after admission, and during the subsequent 60months of follow-up. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients died during the 90-day follow-up (31.7%), 53 died in the index hospitalization (20.5%). On multivariate analysis models, elevated values of BNP were a strong predictor of in-hospital mortality, 90-day and 60-month mortality in patients with sepsis. BNP was a better prognostic predictor than the Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for 90-day mortality, and a better predictor for 60-month mortality in low risk groups. CONCLUSION: In the population of hospitalized patients with sepsis, BNP is a strong independent predictor of short- and long-term mortality.

Involvement of Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Salt and Water Imbalance in Congestive Heart Failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) has become a major medical problem in the western world with high morbidity and mortality rates. CHF adversely affects several systems, mainly the kidneys and the lungs. While the involvement of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the sympathetic nervous system in the progression of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and renal dysfunction in experimental and clinical CHF is well established, the importance of pro-inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of this clinical setting is still evolving. In this context, CHF is associated with overexpression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6, which are activated in response to environmental injury. This family of cytokines has been implicated in the deterioration of CHF, where it plays an important role in initiating and integrating homeostatic responses both at the myocardium and circulatory levels. We and others showed that angiotensin II decreased the ability of the lungs to clear edema and enhanced the fibrosis process via phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and p42/44, which are generally involved in cellular responses to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Literature data also indicate the involvement of these effectors in modulating ion channel activity. It has been reported that in heart failure due to mitral stenosis; there were varying degrees of vascular and other associated parenchymal changes such as edema and fibrosis. In this review, we will discuss the effects of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators on the kidneys and the lungs in heart failure; especially their role in renal and alveolar ion channels activity and fluid balance.

Severe Coagulation Disorder and Thrombocytopenia Associated with Tigecycline - Case Report and Review of Literature.

Herein, we report a 70-year-old male patient, with recurrent multiple hepatic abscesses, that was admitted to the internal medicine department for treatment of Carbapenem Resistant Escherichia Coli (CRE) bacteremia. The patient was treated with Tigecycline; few days later, he developed "Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)" like coagulation study abnormality that seemed to be related to Tigecycline treatment. Upon discontinuing it, the DIC-like condition was resolved. Tigecycline should be considered as a possible etiological factor in patients with DIC-like, and this therapy should be withdrawn immediately in suspected cases.

The Role of Angiotensin II and Cyclic AMP in Alveolar Active Sodium Transport.

Active alveolar fluid clearance is important in keeping airspaces free of edema. Angiotensin II plays a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, heart failure and others. However, little is known about its contribution to alveolar fluid clearance. Angiotensin II effects are mediated by two specific receptors; AT1 and AT2. The localization of these two receptors in the lung, specifically in alveolar epithelial cells type II, was recently reported. We hypothesize that Angiotensin II may have a role in the regulation of alveolar fluid clearance. We investigated the effect of Angiotensin II on alveolar fluid clearance in rats using the isolated perfused lung model and isolated rat alveolar epithelial cells. The rate of alveolar fluid clearance in control rats was 8.6% ± 0.1 clearance of the initial volume and decreased by 22.5%, 28.6%, 41.6%, 48.7% and 39% in rats treated with 10-10 M, 10-9 M, 10-8 M, 10-7 M or 10-6 M of Ang II respectively (P < 0.003). The inhibitory effect of Angiotensin II was restored in losartan, an AT1 specific antagonist, pretreated rats, indicating an AT1 mediated effect of Ang II on alveolar fluid clearance. The expression of Na,K-ATPase proteins and cAMP levels in alveolar epithelial cells were down-regulated following the administration of Angiotensin II; suggesting that cAMP may be involved in AngII-induced reduced Na,K-ATPase expression, though the contribution of additional factors could not be excluded. We herein suggest a novel mechanism of clinical relevance by which angiotensin adversely impairs the ability of the lungs to clear edema.

Vasopressin-2 receptor antagonist attenuates the ability of the lungs to clear edema in an experimental model.

In the last two decades, the role of the alveolar active sodium transport was extensively studied and was found to play a crucial role in regulating alveolar fluid clearance (AFC), and thus in keeping the airspaces free of edema. The recent development of highly selective nonpeptide vasopressin-receptor antagonists gives us a rare chance to explore the role of vasopressin in the pathogenesis of lung edema. Therefore, the present study examined the involvement of vasopressin in modulating the ability of the lung to clear edema. Vasopressin enhanced the rate of lung edema clearance by 30% as compared with untreated control rats (from 0.49 ± 0.02 to 0.64 ± 0.02 ml/h), whereas V(2) receptor antagonists significantly decreased the ability of the lung to clear water (from 0.64 ± 0.02 to 0.31 ± 0.06 ml/h; P < 0.0001). In contrast, V(1) receptor antagonist did not change the rate of AFC. The administration of ouabain (a Na,K-ATPase inhibitor) and amiloride (a Na(+) channel blocker) inhibited the stimulatory effects of vasopressin (from 0.64 ± 0.02 to 0.22 ± 0.02 ml/h [P < 0.0001] and from 0.64 ± 0.017 to 0.23 ± 0.02 ml/h [P < 0.0001], respectively). Vasopressin significantly increased Na,K-ATPase protein abundance in the basolateral membranes of the alveolar epithelial cells via V(2) receptor activation. We report a novel role of the vasopressin pathway in AFC. This observation indicates a beneficial role of vasopressin in AFC by up-regulating active sodium transport.