Hydrogen Sulfide: A Novel Player in Airway Development, Pathophysiology of Respiratory Diseases, and Antiviral Defenses.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a biologically relevant signaling molecule in mammals. Along with the volatile substances nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), H2S is defined as a gasotransmitter. It plays a physiological role in a variety of functions, including synaptic transmission, vascular tone, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cellular signaling. The generation of H2S is catalyzed by cystathionine ß-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST). The expression of CBS and CSE is tissue specific, with CBS being expressed predominantly in the brain, and CSE in peripheral tissues, including lungs. CSE expression and activity are developmentally regulated, and recent studies suggest that CSE plays an important role in lung alveolarization during fetal development. In the respiratory tract, endogenous H2S has been shown to participate in the regulation of important functions such as airway tone, pulmonary circulation, cell proliferation or apoptosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In the past few years, changes in the generation of H2S have been linked to the pathogenesis of a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory lung diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Recently, our laboratory made the critical discovery that cellular H2S exerts broad-spectrum antiviral activity both in vitro and in vivo, in addition to independent antiinflammatory activity. These findings have important implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for viral respiratory infections, as well as other inflammatory lung diseases, especially in light of recent significant efforts to generate controlled-release H2S donors for clinical therapeutic applications.

TSG-6 as a biomarker to predict efficacy of human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (hMSCs) in modulating sterile inflammation in vivo.

Human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (hMSCs) from bone marrow and other tissues are currently being administered to large numbers of patients even though there are no biomarkers that accurately predict their efficacy in vivo. Using a mouse model of chemical injury of the cornea, we found that bone-marrow-derived hMSCs isolated from different donors varied widely in their efficacy in modulating sterile inflammation. Importantly, RT-PCR assays of hMSCs for the inflammation-modulating protein TSG-6 expressed by the TNFα-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6 or TNFAIP6) predicted their efficacy in sterile inflammation models for corneal injury, sterile peritonitis, and bleomycin-induced lung injury. In contrast, the levels of TSG-6 mRNA were negatively correlated with their potential for osteogenic differentiation in vitro and poorly correlated with other criteria for evaluating hMSCs. Also, a survey of a small cohort suggested that hMSCs from female donors compared with male donors more effectively suppressed sterile inflammation, expressed higher levels of TSG-6, and had slightly less osteogenic potential.

Hydrogen Sulfide Is an Antiviral and Antiinflammatory Endogenous Gasotransmitter in the Airways. Role in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous transmitter whose role in the pathophysiology of several lung diseases has been increasingly appreciated. Our recent studies in vitro have shown, we believe for the first time, that H2S has an important antiviral and antiinflammatory activity in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, the leading cause of bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in children. Our objective was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of GYY4137, a novel slow-releasing H2S donor, for the prevention and treatment of RSV-induced lung disease, as well as to investigate the role of endogenous H2S in a mouse model of RSV infection. Ten- to 12-week-old BALB/c mice treated with GYY4137, or C57BL/6J mice genetically deficient in the cystathionine γ-lyase enzyme, the major H2S-generating enzyme in the lung, were infected with RSV and assessed for viral replication, clinical disease, airway hyperresponsiveness, and inflammatory responses. Our results show that intranasal delivery of GYY4137 to RSV-infected mice significantly reduced viral replication and markedly improved clinical disease parameters and pulmonary dysfunction compared with the results in vehicle-treated control mice. The protective effect of the H2S donor was associated with a significant reduction of viral-induced proinflammatory mediators and lung cellular infiltrates. Furthermore, cystathionine γ-lyase-deficient mice showed significantly enhanced RSV-induced lung disease and viral replication compared with wild-type animals. Overall, our results indicate that H2S exerts a novel antiviral and antiinflammatory activity in the context of RSV infection and represent a potential novel pharmacological approach for ameliorating virus-induced lung disease.

Phase-directed therapy: TSG-6 targeted to early inflammation improves bleomycin-injured lungs.

Previous reports demonstrated that bleomycin-induced injury of lungs in mice can be improved by the administration of murine multipotent adult stem/progenitor cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow. Recently some of the beneficial effects of MSCs have been explained by the cells being activated by signals from injured tissues to express the inflammation modulating protein TNF-α-stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6). In this study, we elected to test the hypothesis that targeting the early phase of bleomycin-induced lung injury with systemic TSG-6 administration may produce therapeutic effects such as preventing the deterioration of lung function and increasing survival by modulation of the inflammatory cascade. Lung injury in C57Bl/6J mice was induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin. Mice then received intravenous injections of TSG-6 or sham controls. Pulse oximetry was used to monitor changes in lung function. Cell infiltration was evaluated by flow cytometry, cytokine expression was measured by ELISA assays, and lungs were assessed for histological attributes. The results demonstrated that intravenous infusion of TSG-6 during the early inflammatory phase decreased cellular infiltration into alveolar spaces. Most importantly, it improved both the subsequent decrease in arterial oxygen saturation levels and the survival of the mice. These findings demonstrated that the beneficial effects of TSG-6 in a model of bleomycin-induced lung injury are largely explained by the protein modulating the early inflammatory phase. Similar phase-directed strategy with TSG-6 or other therapeutic factors that MSCs produce may be useful for other lung diseases and diseases of other organs.

Dynamic compaction of human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells into spheres self-activates caspase-dependent IL1 signaling to enhance secretion of modulators of inflammation and immunity (PGE2, TSG6, and STC1).

Human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSC) are similar to some other stem/progenitor cells in that they compact into spheres when cultured in hanging drops or on nonadherent surfaces. Assembly of MSC into spheres alters many of their properties, including enhanced secretion of factors that mediate inflammatory and immune responses. Here we demonstrated that MSC spontaneously aggregated into sphere-like structures after injection into a subcutaneous air pouch or the peritoneum of mice. The structures were similar to MSC spheres formed in cultures demonstrated by the increased expression of genes for inflammation-modulating factors TSG6, STC1, and COX2, a key enzyme in production of PGE2. To identify the signaling pathways involved, hanging drop cultures were used to follow the time-dependent changes in the cells as they compacted into spheres. Among the genes upregulated were genes for the stress-activated signaling pathway for IL1α/ß, and the contact-dependent signaling pathway for Notch. An inhibitor of caspases reduced the upregulation of IL1A/B expression, and inhibitors of IL1 signaling decreased production of PGE2, TSG6, and STC1. Also, inhibition of IL1A/B expression and secretion of PGE2 negated the anti-inflammatory effects of MSC spheres on stimulated macrophages. Experiments with γ-secretase inhibitors suggested that Notch signaling was also required for production of PGE2 but not TSG6 or STC1. The results indicated that assembly of MSC into spheres triggers caspase-dependent IL1 signaling and the secretion of modulators of inflammation and immunity. Similar aggregation in vivo may account for some of the effects observed with administration of the cells in animal models.

Anti-inflammatory protein TSG-6 secreted by activated MSCs attenuates zymosan-induced mouse peritonitis by decreasing TLR2/NF-κB signaling in resident macrophages.

Human mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (hMSCs) repair tissues and modulate immune systems but the mechanisms are not fully understood. We demonstrated that hMSCs are activated by inflammatory signals to secrete the anti-inflammatory protein, TNF-α-stimulated gene 6 protein (TSG-6) and thereby create a negative feedback loop that reduces inflammation in zymosan-induced peritonitis. The results demonstrate for the first time that TSG-6 interacts through the CD44 receptor on resident macrophages to decrease zymosan/TLR2-mediated nuclear translocation of the NF-κB. The negative feedback loop created by MSCs through TSG-6 attenuates the inflammatory cascade that is initiated by resident macrophages and then amplified by mesothelial cells and probably other cells of the peritoneum. Because inflammation underlies many pathologic processes, including immune responses, the results may explain the beneficial effects of MSCs and TSG-6 in several disease models.

Aggregation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) into 3D spheroids enhances their antiinflammatory properties.

Previous reports suggested that culture as 3D aggregates or as spheroids can increase the therapeutic potential of the adult stem/progenitor cells referred to as mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Here we used a hanging drop protocol to prepare human MSCs (hMSCs) as spheroids that maximally expressed TNFalpha stimulated gene/protein 6 (TSG-6), the antiinflammatory protein that was expressed at high levels by hMSCs trapped in the lung after i.v. infusion and that largely explained the beneficial effects of hMSCs in mice with myocardial infarcts. The properties of spheroid hMSCs were found to depend critically on the culture conditions. Under optimal conditions for expression of TSG-6, the hMSCs also expressed high levels of stanniocalcin-1, a protein with both antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic properties. In addition, they expressed high levels of three anticancer proteins: IL-24, TNFalpha-related apoptosis inducing ligand, and CD82. The spheroid hMSCs were more effective than hMSCs from adherent monolayer cultures in suppressing inflammatory responses in a coculture system with LPS-activated macrophages and in a mouse model for peritonitis. In addition, the spheroid hMSCs were about one-fourth the volume of hMSCs from adherent cultures. Apparently as a result, larger numbers of the cells trafficked through the lung after i.v. infusion and were recovered in spleen, liver, kidney, and heart. The data suggest that spheroid hMSCs may be more effective than hMSCs from adherent cultures in therapies for diseases characterized by sterile tissue injury and unresolved inflammation and for some cancers that are sensitive to antiinflammatory agents.

GENDER-RELATED VARIATIONS IN PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS PNEUMONIA AND SEPSIS.

ABSTRACT: In preclinical studies, the protective effects of female sex hormones and the immunosuppressive effects of male sex hormones were demonstrated. However, gender-related differences in multiorgan failure and mortality in clinical trials have not been consistently explained. This study aims to investigate gender-related differences in the development and progression of sepsis using a clinically relevant ovine model of sepsis. Adult Merino male (n=7) and female (n=7) sheep were surgically prepared with multiple catheters before the study. To induce sepsis, bronchoscopy instilled methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus into sheep's lungs. The time from the bacterial inoculation until the modified Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (q-SOFA) score became positive was measured and analyzed primarily. We also compared the SOFA score between these male and female sheep over time. Survival, hemodynamic changes, the severity of pulmonary dysfunction, and microvascular hyperpermeability were also compared. The time from the onset of bacterial inoculation to the positive q-SOFA in male sheep was significantly shorter than in female sheep. Mortality was not different between these sheep (14% vs. 14%). There were no significant differences in hemodynamic changes and pulmonary function between the two groups at any time point. Similar changes in hematocrit, urine output, and fluid balance were observed between females and males. The present data indicate that the onset of multiple organ failure and progression of sepsis is faster in male sheep than in female sheep, even though the severity of cardiopulmonary function is comparable over time. Further studies are warranted to validate the above results.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for treatment of sepsis.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of sepsis is an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. At the onset of sepsis, the lungs are severely affected, and the injury progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), with a mortality rate of up to 40%. Currently, there is no effective treatment for sepsis. Cellular therapies using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been initiated in clinical trials for both ARDS and sepsis based on a wealth of pre-clinical data. However, there remains concern that MSCs may pose a tumor risk when administered to patients. Recent pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) for the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI) and sepsis. Methods: After recovery of initial surgical preparation, pneumonia/sepsis was induced in 14 adult female sheep by the instillation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (~1.0×1011 CFU) into the lungs by bronchoscope under anesthesia and analgesia. After the injury, sheep were mechanically ventilated and continuously monitored for 24 h in a conscious state in an ICU setting. After the injury, sheep were randomly allocated into two groups: Control, septic sheep treated with vehicle, n=7; and Treatment, septic sheep treated with MSC-EVs, n=7. MSC-EVs infusions (4ml) were given intravenously one hour after the injury. Results: The infusion of MSCs-EVs was well tolerated without adverse events. PaO2/FiO2 ratio in the treatment group tended to be higher than the control from 6 to 21 h after the lung injury, with no significant differences between the groups. No significant differences were found between the two groups in other pulmonary functions. Although vasopressor requirement in the treatment group tended to be lower than in the control, the net fluid balance was similarly increased in both groups as the severity of sepsis progressed. The variables reflecting microvascular hyperpermeability were comparable in both groups. Conclusion: We have previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of bone marrow-derived MSCs (10×106 cells/kg) in the same model of sepsis. However, despite some improvement in pulmonary gas exchange, the present study demonstrated that EVs isolated from the same amount of bone marrow-derived MSCs failed to attenuate the severity of multiorgan dysfunctions.

Therapeutic factors secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells and tissue repair.

Systemic administration of MSCs resulted in remarkable functional improvements in injured tissues without either long-term engraftment or differentiation in many clinical and experimental situations. Emerging evidence suggest that most of the beneficial effects of MSCs could be explained by secretion of soluble factors that have multiple effects including modulation of inflammatory and immune reactions, protection from cell death, and stimulation of endogenous progenitor cells. In this review, we focus on the therapeutic factors that account for the beneficial effects of MSCs in animal models of human diseases.

Evolving paradigms for repair of tissues by adult stem/progenitor cells (MSCs).

In this review, we focus on the adult stem/progenitor cells that were initially isolated from bone marrow and first referred to as colony forming units-fibroblastic, then as marrow stromal cells and subsequently as either mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The current interest in MSCs and similar cells from other tissues is reflected in over 10,000 citations in PubMed at the time of this writing with 5 to 10 new publications per day. It is also reflected in over 100 registered clinical trials with MSCs or related cells (http//www.clinicaltrials.gov). As a guide to the vast literature, this review will attempt to summarize many of the publications in terms of three paradigms that have directed much of the work: an initial paradigm that the primary role of the cells was to form niches for haematopoietic stem cells (paradigm I); a second paradigm that the cells repaired tissues by engraftment and differentiation to replace injured cells (paradigm II); and the more recent paradigm that MSCs engage in cross-talk with injured tissues and thereby generate microenvironments or 'quasi-niches' that enhance the repair tissues (paradigm III).

Reversible commitment to differentiation by human multipotent stromal cells in single-cell-derived colonies.

OBJECTIVE: Human multipotent stromal cells readily form single-cell-derived colonies when plated at clonal densities. However, the colonies are heterogeneous because cells from a colony form new colonies that vary in size and differentiation potential when replated at clonal densities. The experiments here tested the hypothesis that cells in the inner regions of colonies are partially differentiated, but the differentiation is reversible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were separately isolated from the dense inner (IN) regions and less-dense outer regions (OUT) of single-cell-derived colonies. Cells were then compared by assays of their transcriptomes and proteins, and for clonogenicity and differentiation. RESULTS: IN cells expressed fewer cell-cycle genes and higher levels of genes for extracellular matrix than the OUT cells. When transferred to differentiation medium, differentiation of the colonies occurred primarily in the IN regions. However, the IN cells were indistinguishable from OUT cells when replated at clonal densities and assayed for rates of propagation and clonogenicity. Also, colonies formed by IN cells were similar to colonies formed by OUT cells because they had distinct IN and OUT regions. Cultures of IN and OUT cells remained indistinguishable through multiple passages (30 to 75 population doublings), and both cells formed colonies that were looser and less dense as they were expanded. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that cells in the IN region of single-cell-derived colonies are partially differentiated, but the differentiation can be reversed by replating the cells at clonal densities.

Thiol-Activated Hydrogen Sulfide Donors Antiviral and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

We have recently shown that endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an important cellular gaseous mediator, exerts an antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo, and that exogenous H2S delivered via the synthetic H2S-releasing compound GYY4137 also has similar properties. In this study, we sought to extend our findings to a novel class of H2S donors, thiol-activated gem-dithiol-based (TAGDDs). In an in vitro model of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, TAGDD-1 treatment significantly reduced viral replication, even when added up to six hours after infection. Using a mouse model of RSV infection, intranasal delivery of TAGDD-1 to infected mice significantly reduced viral replication and lung inflammation, markedly improving clinical disease parameters and pulmonary dysfunction, compared to vehicle treated controls. Overall our results indicate that this novel synthetic class of H2S-releasing compounds exerts antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity in the context of RSV infection and represents a potential novel pharmacological approach to ameliorate viral-induced lung disease.

Production and Administration of Therapeutic Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell (MSC) Spheroids Primed in 3-D Cultures Under Xeno-free Conditions.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) hold great promise in bioengineering and regenerative medicine. MSCs can be isolated from multiple adult tissues via their strong adherence to tissue culture plastic and then further expanded in vitro, most commonly using fetal bovine serum (FBS). Since FBS can cause MSCs to become immunogenic, its presence in MSC cultures limits both clinical and experimental applications of the cells. Therefore, studies employing chemically defined xeno-free (XF) media for MSC cultures are extremely valuable. Many beneficial effects of MSCs have been attributed to their ability to regulate inflammation and immunity, mainly through secretion of immunomodulatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6 (TSG6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). However, MSCs require activation to produce these factors and since the effect of MSCs is often transient, great interest has emerged to discover ways of pre-activating the cells prior to their use, thus eliminating the lag time for activation in vivo. Here we present protocols to efficiently activate or prime MSCs in three-dimensional (3D) cultures under chemically defined XF conditions and to administer these pre-activated MSCs in vivo. Specifically, we first describe methods to generate spherical MSC micro-tissues or 'spheroids' in hanging drops using XF medium and demonstrate how the spheres and conditioned medium (CM) can be harvested for various applications. Second, we describe gene expression screens and in vitro functional assays to rapidly assess the level of MSC activation in spheroids, emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential of the cells. Third, we describe a novel method to inject intact MSC spheroids into the mouse peritoneal cavity for in vivo efficacy testing. Overall, the protocols herein overcome major challenges of obtaining pre-activated MSCs under chemically defined XF conditions and provide a flexible system to administer MSC spheroids for therapies.

Broad-Range Antiviral Activity of Hydrogen Sulfide Against Highly Pathogenic RNA Viruses.

Hydrogen sulfide is an important endogenous mediator that has been the focus of intense investigation in the past few years, leading to the discovery of its role in vasoactive, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory responses. Recently, we made a critical observation that H2S also has a protective role in paramyxovirus infection by modulating inflammatory responses and viral replication. In this study we tested the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity of the H2S slow-releasing donor GYY4137 on enveloped RNA viruses from Ortho-, Filo-, Flavi- and Bunyavirus families, for which there is no FDA-approved vaccine or therapeutic available, with the exception of influenza. We found that GYY4137 significantly reduced replication of all tested viruses. In a model of influenza infection, GYY4137 treatment was associated with decreased expression of viral proteins and mRNA, suggesting inhibition of an early step of replication. The antiviral activity coincided with the decrease of viral-induced pro-inflammatory mediators and viral-induced nuclear translocation of transcription factors from Nuclear Factor (NF)-kB and Interferon Regulatory Factor families. In conclusion, increasing cellular H2S is associated with significant antiviral activity against a broad range of emerging enveloped RNA viruses, and should be further explored as potential therapeutic approach in relevant preclinical models of viral infections.

Intraperitoneally infused human mesenchymal stem cells form aggregates with mouse immune cells and attach to peritoneal organs.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSC) have shown beneficial effects in many models of disease in part by modulating excessive inflammatory and immune responses. Frequently the beneficial effects of MSC persist long after their disappearance from host tissues, suggesting that MSC interact with intermediate cells in the host that relay or amplify their effects. The cells have usually been injected intravenously, but beneficial effects have also been reported with intraperitoneal (IP) injection of MSC. However the fate of IP injection of MSC has not been examined. METHODS: The fate of the human MSC injected IP into immune-competent mice was studied. In vivo imaging was used to track green fluorescent protein-labeled MSC in the peritoneal cavity. In addition, their retention in peritoneal tissues was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction for human GAPDH mRNA. To describe the effects of human MSC on the immune system of the peritoneum, the peritoneal lavage, omentum, lymph nodes and mesenteric tissues were collected. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the immune cell populations, while cytokine/chemokine production was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Challenge with lipopolysaccharide at 3 days after the administration of MSC was used to evaluate the preconditioning of the immune system. RESULTS: Within 20 min, single MSC were no longer detected in peritoneal lavage fluid. Instead they were recovered as aggregates of varying size that contained mouse macrophages and a few B220+ lymphocytes. After 1 day, most of the aggregates containing live MSC were attached to sites throughout the peritoneal cavity including the omentum and mesentery. Less than 0.05 % of the live injected cells were detected in the spleen and jejunal lymph nodes. In all locations, MSC colocalized with mouse macrophages and B220+ lymphocytes. Attachment to the omentum and mesentery was accompanied by the recruitment of immune cells and changes in the production of a series of mouse cytokines. A similar increase in mouse cytokines in the peritoneum was seen after IP injections of human fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: IP injected human MSC rapidly formed aggregates with mouse macrophages and B220+ lymphocytes and attached to the walls of the peritoneal cavity. The formation of the aggregates probably limits access of the cells to the systemic circulation.