The DNA damage-inducible C. elegans tankyrase is a nuclear protein closely linked to chromosomes.

Tankyrases are protein members of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase family bearing several ankyrin domain and a WGR domain. They have functional role in telomere maintenance, are found at centrosome, and are associated with vesicular secretion. This diversity in localization and function makes it difficult to identify a unified role for tankyrases. We have shown that the C. elegans orthologue PME-5 is among the most transcriptionally up-regulated genes following ionizing radiations, linking a tankyrase with DNA damage response. Our analysis showed that the up-regulation of PME-5 is translated at the protein level, suggesting an effective role in DNA damage response or DNA repair. In order to gain more information on the potential role of PME-5 in DNA damage response, we analyzed its sub-cellular localization. Using immunostaining as well as gfp reporter assay, we have shown a nuclear localization for PME-5. Moreover, we showed that PME-5 is a ubiquitous nuclear protein expressed throughout the development of the worm and is closely linked to chromatin and condensed chromosomes. Taken together, our data suggest that C. elegans can be used to study the nuclear roles of tankyrase.

Comparison of two in vitro models of cigarette smoke exposure.

Cigarette smoke is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, and affects particularly the respiratory tract. Various in vitro models have been developed to study the effects of cigarette smoke on bronchial epithelial cells. To identify an adequate exposure model of cigarette smoke, we analysed the effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and a smoking chamber on bronchial epithelial cells. The release of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-10, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was measured. Bronchial epithelial cells isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat (NRBE) were exposed to 3% CSE or air control every day for 3 days. In the second model, NRBE were placed in an air/liquid interface and exposed, in a smoking chamber, to whole smoke from 2 cigarettes, twice daily for 3 days. Levels of MCP-1, IL-10, and VEGF were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 24 h after the last exposure. The pattern of MCP-1 production by bronchial epithelial cells was different between the two models. MCP-1 release was increased after 3 days of exposure in the CSE model, but was inhibited using the smoking chamber model. Production of IL-10 by NRBE was reduced after 3 days in both models. Finally, no difference was observed in the production of VEGF between the two models. CSE and the smoking chamber differently modulate bronchial epithelial cell mediator production, demonstrating that the model of cigarette smoke exposure used can influence the data obtained.

Alveolar macrophage cytotoxic activity is inhibited by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), a carcinogenic component of cigarette smoke.

4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is a carcinogenic compound of cigarette smoke that generates electrophilic intermediates capable of damaging DNA. Recently, we have shown that NNK can modulate mediator production by alveolar macrophages (AM) and bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, suggesting that cigarette smoke can alter lung immune response. Thus, we investigated the effect of NNK and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on AM capacity to eliminate tumoral cells. Rat AM cell line, NR8383, was treated with NNK (500 microM) or CSE (3%) and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (10 ng/ml). The release of cytotoxic mediators, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), was measured in cell-free supernatants using ELISA and superoxide anion production. TNF- and ROS-dependent cytotoxicity were studied using a (51)Chromium-release assay and WEHI-164 and P-815 cell lines. Treatment of AM with NNK and CSE for 18 h significantly inhibited AM TNF release. CSE exposure resulted in a significant increase of ROS production, whereas NNK did not. TNF-dependent cytotoxic activity of NR8383 and freshly isolated rat AM was significantly inhibited after treatment with NNK and CSE. Interestingly, although ROS production was stimulated by CSE and not affected by NNK, CSE inhibited AM ROS-dependent cytotoxicity. These results suggest that NNK may be one of the cigarette smoke components responsible for the reduction of pulmonary cytotoxicity. Thus, NNK may have a double pro-carcinogenic effect by contributing to DNA adduct formation and inhibiting AM cytotoxicity against tumoral cells.

Antigen sensitization modulates alveolar macrophage functions in an asthma model.

We have previously demonstrated that adoptive transfer of alveolar macrophages from allergy-resistant rats to alveolar macrophage-depleted allergic rats prevents airway hyperresponsiveness development, suggesting an important role for alveolar macrophages in asthma pathogenesis. Given that ovalbumin sensitization can modulate alveolar macrophage cytokine production, we investigated the role of sensitized and unsensitized alveolar macrophages in an asthma model. Alveolar macrophages from unsensitized or sensitized Brown Norway rats were transferred to alveolar macrophage-depleted sensitized rats 24 h before allergen challenge. Airway responsiveness to methacholine and airway inflammation were measured the following day. Methacholine concentration needed to increase lung resistance by 200% was significantly higher in alveolar macrophage-depleted sensitized rats that received unsensitized alveolar macrophages compared with alveolar macrophage-depleted sensitized rats that received sensitized alveolar macrophages. Tumor necrosis factor levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of sensitized rats that received unsensitized alveolar macrophages were significantly lower compared with rats that received sensitized alveolar macrophages. Interestingly, alveolar macrophages of unsensitized animals showed higher phagocytosis activity compared with alveolar macrophages of sensitized rats, suggesting that sensitization modulates alveolar macrophage phagocytosis function. Our data suggest an important role of allergen sensitization on alveolar macrophage function in asthma pathogenesis.

Cytokine production by alveolar macrophages is down regulated by the alpha-methylhydroxylation pathway of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK).

NNK, a nicotine-derived nitrosamine, is a potent lung carcinogen that generates electrophilic intermediates capable of damaging DNA. The effects of NNK on the immune response, which may facilitate lung carcinogenesis, are poorly understood. Alveolar macrophages (AM), a key cell in the maintenance of lung homeostasis, metabolize NNK via two major metabolic activation pathways: alpha-methylhydroxylation and alpha-methylenehydroxylation. We have shown previously that NNK inhibits the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), but stimulates the production of IL-10 and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) by AM. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of each activation pathway in the modulation of AM function. We used two precursors, 4-[(acetoxymethyl)-nitrosamino]-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNKOAc) and N-nitro(acetoxymethyl)methylamine (NDMAOAc), which generate the reactive electrophilic intermediates [4-(3-pyridyl)-4-oxo-butanediazohydroxide and methanediazohydroxide, respectively] in high yield and exclusively. Rat AM cell line, NR8383, was stimulated and treated with different concentrations of NNKOAc or NDMAOAc (12, 25 and 50 microM). Mediator release was measured in cell-free supernatants. NNKOAc significantly inhibited the production of IL-10, IL-12, TNF and nitric oxide but increased the release of PGE(2) and cyclooxygenase-2 expression suggesting that the alpha-methylhydroxylation pathway might be responsible for NNK modulation of AM cytokine release. In contrast, NDMAOAc did not modulate AM mediator production. However, none of these precursors, alone or in combination, could explain the stimulation of AM IL-10 production by NNK. Our results suggest that the alpha-methylhydroxylation of NNK leading to DNA pyridyloxobutylation also modulates cytokine production in NNK-treated AM.