Slc11a1 (Nramp1) alleles interact with acute inflammation loci to modulate wound-healing traits in mice

Neutrophil extracellular traps induced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer promotes vascular endothelial damage

BACKGROUND

The mechanisms underpinning neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced vascular endothelial injury in breast cancer remain elusive. Our study aims to demonstrate that Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) play a pivotal role in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-induced vascular endothelial injury in breast cancer, elucidating that chemotherapy-induced upregulation of Solute Carrier 11a1 (Slc11a1) modulates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation, which may be critical for NETs formation.

METHODS

We investigated the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer on NETs formation and vascular endothelial injury by analyzing NETs dsDNA and serum markers in patients, cells, and chemotherapy mouse models. RNA sequencing of neutrophils from chemotherapy mouse models was performed to identify the potential NETs formation-associated gene Slc11a1, which was further validated through cellular and animal experiments by assessing Slc11a1 expression, intracellular ferrous ion content, and ROS levels. Knockdown of Slc11a1 in human neutrophils and mouse models were also performed to further confirm the phenotypic results.

RESULTS

Our study revealed that plasma NETs formation and endothelial injury markers were significantly elevated in breast cancer patients undergoing docetaxel & carboplatin (TCb) neoadjuvant chemotherapy, compared to controls. In these patients, NETs formation was associated with the augmentation of endothelial injury markers. Chemotherapy mouse models demonstrated that TCb treatment markedly elevated NETs formation and endothelial injury, which can be mitigated by CI-amidine, a protein-arginine deiminase inhibitor. In human neutrophils, we demonstrated that the TCb chemotherapeutic agents (combination of docetaxel and carboplatin) induced the formation of NETs, which subsequently facilitated damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. RNA sequencing of mouse neutrophils identified Slc11a1 as a key NETs formation-related gene, which was upregulated by TCb chemotherapy in neutrophils, leading to increased intracellular ferrous ion content and ROS generation. Knockdown of Slc11a1 in human neutrophils and mouse models demonstrated its reversal effect on TCb-induced ferrous ion upregulation, ROS generation, and NETs formation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research underscores the capacity of TCb neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer to augment NETs formation in neutrophils through Slc11a1-mediated ROS generation, which is linked to vascular endothelial injury. Our study elucidates the potential mechanisms underlying perioperative vascular endothelial injury in breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy, offering novel insights into perioperative therapeutic management strategies for these patients.

Intermediate and Transitory Inflammation Mediate Proper Alveolar Bone Healing Outcome in Contrast to Extreme Low/High Responses: Evidence from Mice Strains Selected for Distinct Inflammatory Phenotypes

Alveolar bone healing is influenced by various local and systemic factors, including the local inflammatory response. This study aimed to evaluate the role of inflammatory responsiveness in alveolar bone healing using 8-week-old male and female mice (N = 5/time/group) strains selected for maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammatory response carrying distinct homozygous RR/SS Slc11a1 genotypes, namely AIRminRR, AIRminSS, AIRmaxRR, and AIRmaxSS mice. After upper right incisor extraction, bone healing was analyzed at 0, 3, 7, and 14 days using micro-computed tomography, histomorphometry, birefringence, immunohistochemistry, and PCRArray analysis. AIRmaxSS and AIRminRR presented the highest and lowest inflammatory readouts, respectively, associated with lowest repair levels in both strains, while intermediate inflammatory phenotypes observed in AIRminSS and AIRmaxRR were associated with higher repair levels in such strains. The better healing outcomes are associated with intermediate inflammatory cell counts, a balanced expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, increased expression of growth and osteogenic factors and MSCs markers. Our results demonstrate that extreme high and low inflammatory responses are not ideal for a proper bone repair outcome, while an intermediate and transitory inflammation is associated with a proper alveolar bone healing outcome.

Slc11a1 gene polymorphism influences dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in a murine model of acute inflammation

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an inflammatory disease characterized by colonic mucosal lesions associated with an increased risk of carcinogenesis. UC pathogenesis involves environmental and genetic factors. Genetic studies have indicated the association of gene variants coding for the divalent metal ion transporter SLC11A1 protein (formerly NRAMP1) with UC susceptibility in several animal species. Two mouse lines were genetically selected for high (AIRmax) or low (AIRmin) acute inflammatory responses (AIR). AIRmax is susceptible, and AIRmin is resistant to DSS-induced colitis and colon carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AIRmin mice present polymorphism of the Slc11a1 gene. Here we investigated the possible modulating effect of the Slc11a1 R and S variants in DSS-induced colitis by using AIRmin mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R (AIRmin^RR) or S (AIRmin^SS) alleles. We evaluated UC by the disease activity index (DAI), considering weight loss, diarrhea, blood in the anus or feces, cytokines, histopathology, and cell populations in the distal colon epithelium. AIRmin^SS mice have become susceptible to DSS effects, with higher DAI, IL6, G-CSF, and MCP-1 production and morphological and colon histopathological alterations than AIRmin^RR mice. The results point to a role of the Slc11a1 S allele in DSS colitis induction in the genetic background of AIRmin mice.

Pycard and BC017158 Candidate Genes of Irm1 Locus Modulate Inflammasome Activation for IL-1β Production

We identified Pycard and BC017158 genes as putative effectors of the Quantitative Trait locus (QTL) that we mapped at distal chromosome 7 named Irm1 for Inflammatory response modulator 1, controlling acute inflammatory response (AIR) and the production of IL-1β, dependent on the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. We obtained the mapping through genome-wide linkage analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in a cross between High (AIRmax) and Low (AIRmin) responder mouse lines that we produced by several generations of bidirectional selection for Acute Inflammatory Response. A highly significant linkage signal (LOD score peak of 72) for ex vivo IL-1β production limited a 4 Mbp interval to chromosome 7. Sequencing of the locus region revealed 14 SNPs between “High” and “Low” responders that narrowed the locus to a 420 Kb interval. Variants were detected in non-coding regions of Itgam, Rgs10 and BC017158 genes and at the first exon of Pycard gene, resulting in an E19K substitution in the protein ASC (apoptosis associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) an adaptor molecule in the inflammasome complex. Silencing of BC017158 inhibited IL1-β production by stimulated macrophages and the E19K ASC mutation carried by AIRmin mice impaired the ex vivo IL-1β response and the formation of ASC specks in stimulated cells. IL-1β and ASC specks play major roles in inflammatory reactions and in inflammation-related diseases. Our results delineate a novel genetic factor and a molecular mechanism affecting the acute inflammatory response.

Bioinformatic identification of hub genes and key pathways in neutrophils of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized as a neutrophil-dominant disorder without effective pharmacological interventions. Knowledge of neutrophils in ARDS patients at the transcriptome level is still limited. We aimed to identify the hub genes and key pathways in neutrophils of patients with ARDS. The transcriptional profiles of neutrophils from ARDS patients and healthy volunteers were obtained from the GSE76293 dataset. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ARDS and healthy samples were screened using the limma R package. Subsequently, functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed based on the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (DAVID). The construction of a protein-protein interaction network was carried out using the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes (STRING) database and the network was visualized by Cytoscape software. The Cytoscape plugins cytoHubba and MCODE were used to identify hub genes and significant modules. Finally, 136 upregulated genes and 95 downregulated genes were identified. Gene ontology analyses revealed MHC class II plays a major role in functional annotations. SLC11A1, ARG1, CHI3L1, HP, LCN2, and MMP8 were identified as hub genes, and they were all involved in the neutrophil degranulation pathway. The MAPK and neutrophil degranulation pathways in neutrophils were considered as key pathways in the pathogenesis of ARDS. This study improves our understanding of the biological characteristics of neutrophils and the mechanisms underlying ARDS, and key pathways and hub genes identified in this work can serve as targets for novel ARDS treatment strategies.

Alveolar bone healing in mice genetically selected in the maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) inflammatory reaction

The exact role of inflammatory immune response in bone healing process is still unclear, but the success of the alveolar bone healing process seems to be associated with a moderate and transitory inflammatory response, while insufficient or exacerbated responses seems to have a detrimental influence in the healing outcome. In this context, we performed a comparative analysis of mice strains genetically selected for maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammatory response to address the influence of inflammation genes in alveolar bone healing outcome. Experimental groups comprised 8-week-old male or female AIRmax and AIRmin submitted to extraction of upper right incisor, and evaluated at 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after upper incision extraction by micro-computed tomography (μCT), histomorphometry, birefringence, immunohistochemistry and molecular (PCRArray) analysis. Overall, the results demonstrate a similar successful bone healing outcome at the endpoint was evidenced in both AIRmin and AIRmax strains. The histormophometric analysis reveal a slight but significant decrease in blood clot and inflammatory cells density, as well a delay in the bone formation in AIRmax strain in the early times, associated with a decreased expression of BMP2, BMP4, BMP7, TGFb1, RUNX2, and ALP. The evaluation of inflammatory cells nature reveals increased GR1+ cells counts in AIRmax strain at 3d, associated with increased levels of neutrophil chemoattractants such as CXCL1 and CXCL2, and its receptor CXCR1, while F4/80+ cell prevails in AIRmin strain at 7d. Also, our results demonstrate a relative predominance of M2 macrophages in AIRmin strain, associated with an increased expression of ARG1, IL10, TGFb, while M1 macrophages prevail in AIRmax, which parallel with increased IL-1B, IL-6 and TNF expression. At late repair stage, AIRmax presents evidences of increased bone remodeling, characterized by increased density of blood vessels and osteoclasts in parallel with decreased bone matrix density, as well increased levels of MMPs, osteoclastogenic and osteocyte markers. In the view of contrasting inflammatory and healing phenotypes of AIRmin and AIRmax strains in other models, the unpredicted phenotype observed suggests the existence of specific QTLs (Quantitative trait loci) responsible for the regulation 'sterile' inflammation and bone healing events. Despite the similar endpoint healing, AIRmax strain delayed repair was associated with increased presence of neutrophils and M1 macrophages, supporting the association of M2 cells with faster bone healing. Further studies are required to clarify the elements responsible for the regulation of inflammatory events at bone healing sites, as well the determinants of bone healing outcome.

Slc11a1 (Nramp-1) gene modulates immune-inflammation genes in macrophages during pristane-induced arthritis in mice

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Pristane-induced arthritis (PIA) in AIRmax mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R and S alleles was used to characterize the influence of Slc11a1 gene polymorphism on immune responses during disease manifestation. Previous reports demonstrated that the presence of the Slc11a1 S allele increased the incidence and severity of PIA in AIRmax ^SS , suggesting that this gene could interact with inflammatory loci to modulate PIA. We investigated the effects of Slc11a1 alleles on the activation of phagocytes during PIA.

TREATMENT

Mice were injected intraperitoneally with two doses of 0.5 mL of mineral oil pristane at 60-day intervals. Arthritis development was accompanied for 180 days.

RESULTS

AIRmax ^SS mice showed differential peritoneal macrophage gene expression profiles during PIA, with higher expression and production of H₂O₂, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and several chemokines. The presence of the Slc11a1 R allele, on the other hand, diminished the intensity of macrophage activation, restricting arthritis development.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrated the fine-tuning roles of Slc11a1 alleles modulating macrophage activation, and consequent PIA susceptibility, in those mouse lines.

Drug-induced regeneration in adult mice

Whereas amphibians regenerate lost appendages spontaneously, mammals generally form scars over the injury site through the process of wound repair. The MRL mouse strain is an exception among mammals because it shows a spontaneous regenerative healing trait and so can be used to investigate proregenerative interventions in mammals. We report that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a central molecule in the process of regeneration in adult MRL mice. The degradation of HIF-1α protein, which occurs under normoxic conditions, is mediated by prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs). We used the drug 1,4-dihydrophenonthrolin-4-one-3-carboxylic acid (1,4-DPCA), a PHD inhibitor, to stabilize constitutive expression of HIF-1α protein. A locally injectable hydrogel containing 1,4-DPCA was designed to achieve controlled delivery of the drug over 4 to 10 days. Subcutaneous injection of the 1,4-DPCA/hydrogel into Swiss Webster mice that do not show a regenerative phenotype increased stable expression of HIF-1α protein over 5 days, providing a functional measure of drug release in vivo. Multiple peripheral subcutaneous injections of the 1,4-DPCA/hydrogel over a 10-day period led to regenerative wound healing in Swiss Webster mice after ear hole punch injury. Increased expression of the HIF-1α protein may provide a starting point for future studies on regeneration in mammals.

Tendon regeneration and scar formation: The concept of scarless healing

Tendon healing is characterized by the formation of fibrovascular scar tissue, as tendon has very little intrinsic regenerative capacity. This creates a substantial clinical challenge in the setting of large, chronic tears seen clinically. Interest in regenerative healing seen in amphibians and certain strains of mice has arisen in response to the biological behavior of tendon tissue. Bone is also a model of tissue regeneration as healing bone will achieve the mechanical and histologic characteristics of the original tissue. The ultimate goal of the study of genes and mechanisms that contribute to true tissue regeneration is to ultimately attempt to manipulate the expression of those genes and activate these mechanisms in the setting of tendon injury and repair. Clearly, further research is needed to bring this to the forefront, however, study of scarless healing has potential to have meaningful application to tendon healing.

Acute Inflammation Loci Are Involved in Wound Healing in the Mouse Ear Punch Model

Significance: Molecular biology techniques are being used to aid in determining the mechanisms responsible for tissue repair without scar formation. Wound healing is genetically determined, but there have been few studies that examine the genes responsible for tissue regeneration in mammals. Research using genetic mapping is extremely important for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the different phases of tissue regeneration. This process is complex, but an early inflammatory phase appears to influence lesion closure, and the present study demonstrates that acute inflammation loci influence tissue regeneration in mice in a positive manner. Recent Advances: Mapping studies of quantitative trait loci (QTL) have been undertaken in recent years to examine candidate genes that participate in the regeneration phenotype. Our laboratory has identified inflammation modifier QTL for wound healing. Mouse lines selected for the maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammatory reactivity (AIR) have been used to study not only the tissue repair but also the impact of the genetic control of inflammation on susceptibility to autoimmune, neoplasic, and infectious diseases. Murphy Roths Large and AIRmax mice are exclusive in their complete epimorphic regeneration, although middle-aged inbred mice may also be capable of healing. Critical Issues: Inflammatory reactions have traditionally been described in the literature as negative factors in the process of skin injury closure. Inflammation is exacerbated due to the early release of mediators or the intense release of factors that cause cell proliferation after injury. The initial release of these factors as well as the clean-up of the lesion microenvironment are both crucial for following events. In addition, the activation and repression of some genes related to the regeneration phenotype may modulate lesion closure, demonstrating the significance of genetic studies to better understand the mechanisms involved in the initiation of wound repair processes. Future Directions: The pleiotropic effects of the QTL are important in the identification of the genes responsible for tissue repair processes, especially when combined with global gene expression research. Microarray analysis complements the biological information obtained in QTL mapping, making this tool essential for gene identification. This approach will allow the investigation of future targets for therapeutic wound healing treatments.

Inflammation and Its Correlates in Regenerative Wound Healing: An Alternate Perspective

Objective: The wound healing response may be viewed as partially overlapping sets of two physiological processes, regeneration and wound repair with the former overrepresented in some lower species such as newts and the latter more typical of mammals. A robust and quantitative model of regenerative healing has been described in Murphy Roths Large (MRL) mice in which through-and-through ear hole wounds in the ear pinna leads to scarless healing and replacement of all tissue through blastema formation and including cartilage. Since these mice are naturally autoimmune and display many aspects of an enhanced inflammatory response, we chose to examine the inflammatory status during regenerative ear hole closure and observed that inflammation has a clear positive effect on regenerative healing. Approach: The inflammatory gene expression patterns (Illumina microarrays) of early healing ear tissue from regenerative MRL and nonregenerative C57BL/6 (B6) strains are presented along with a survey of innate inflammatory cells found in this tissue type pre and postinjury. The role of inflammation on healing is tested using a COX-2 inhibitor. Innovation and Conclusion: We conclude that (1) enhanced inflammation is consistent with, and probably necessary, for a full regenerative response and (2) the inflammatory gene expression and cell distribution patterns suggest a novel mast cell population with markers found in both immature and mature mast cells that may be a key component of regeneration.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in genetically selected mouse lines: genetic linkage with quantitative trait locus controlling antibody response

Trypanosoma cruzi infection was studied in mouse lines selected for maximal (AIRmax) or minimal (AIRmin) acute inflammatory reaction and for high (H_III) or low (L_III) antibody (Ab) responses to complex antigens. Resistance was associated with gender (females) and strain—the high responder lines AIRmax and H_III were resistant. The higher resistance of H_III as compared to L_III mice extended to higher infective doses and was correlated with enhanced production of IFN-γ and nitric oxide production by peritoneal and lymph node cells, in H_III males and females. We also analyzed the involvement of previously mapped Ab and T. cruzi response QTL with the survival of Selection III mice to T. cruzi infections in a segregating backcross [F1(H_III×L_III) ×L_III] population. An Ab production QTL marker mapping to mouse chromosome 1 (34.8 cM) significantly cosegregated with survival after acute T. cruzi infections, indicating that this region also harbors genes whose alleles modulate resistance to acute T. cruzi infection.

Pristane-induced arthritis loci interact with the Slc11a1 gene to determine susceptibility in mice selected for high inflammation

AIRmax (maximal inflammation) and AIRmin (minimal inflammation) mice show distinct susceptibilities to pristane-induced arthritis (PIA). The Slc11a1 gene, which regulates macrophage and neutrophil activity, is involved in this infirmity. AIRmax^SS mice homozygous for the non-functional Slc11a1 S (gly169asp) allele obtained by genotype-assisted crosses from AIRmax and AIRmin mice are more susceptible than mice homozygous for the Slc11a1 resistant (R) allele. The present work sought to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTL) regulating PIA and to examine the interactions of these QTL with Slc11a1 alleles in modulating PIA. Mice were given two ip injections of 0.5 mL pristane at 60 day intervals, and the incidence and severity of PIA was scored up to 160 days. Genome-wide linkage studies were performed to search for arthritis QTL in an F2 (AIRmax × AIRmin, n = 290) population. Significant arthritis QTL (LODscore>4) were detected on chromosomes 5 and 8, and suggestive QTL on chromosomes 7, 17 and 19. Global gene expression analyses performed on Affymetrix mouse 1.0 ST bioarrays (27k genes) using RNA from arthritic or control mice paws showed 419 differentially expressed genes between AIRmax and AIRmin mice and demonstrated significantly (P<0.001) over-represented genes related to inflammatory responses and chemotaxis. Up-regulation of the chemokine genes Cxcl1, Cxcl9, Cxcl5, Cxcl13 on chromosome 5 was higher in AIRmax^SS than in the other lines. Macrophage scavenger receptor 1 and hemeoxigenase (decycling) 1 genes on chromosome 8 were also expressed at higher levels in AIRmax^SS mice. Our results show that the gene expression profiles of the two arthritis QTL (on chromosomes 5 and 8) correlate with Slc11a1 alleles, resulting in enhanced AIRmax^SS mice susceptibility to PIA.

Keratin gene expression profiles after digit amputation in C57BL/6 vs. regenerative MRL mice imply an early regenerative keratinocyte activated-like state

Mouse strains C57BL/6 (B6) and MRL were studied by whole mouse genome chip microarray analyses of RNA isolated from amputation sites at different times pre- and postamputation at the midsecond phalange of the middle digit. Many keratin genes were highly differentially expressed. All keratin genes were placed into three temporal response classes determined by injury/preinjury ratios. One class, containing only Krt6 and Krt16, were uniquely expressed relative to the other two classes and exhibited different temporal responses in MRL vs. B6. Immunohistochemical staining for Krt6 and Krt16 in tissue sections, including normal digit, flank skin, and small intestine, and from normal and injured ear pinna tissue exhibited staining differences in B6 (low) and MRL (high) that were consistent with the microarray results. Krt10 staining showed no injury-induced differences, consistent with microarray expression. We analyzed Krt6 and Krt16 gene association networks and observed in uninjured tissue several genes with higher expression levels in MRL, but not B6, that were associated with the keratinocyte activated state: Krt6, Krt16, S100a8, S100a9, and Il1b; these data suggest that keratinocytes in the MRL strain, but not in B6, are in an activated state prior to wounding. These expression levels decreased in MRL at all times postwounding but rose in the B6, peaking at day 3. Other keratins significantly expressed in the normal basal keratinocyte state showed no significant strain differences. These data suggest that normal MRL skin is in a keratinocyte activated state, which may provide it with superior responses to wounding.

Wound healing genes and susceptibility to cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil

Leishmania braziliensis causes cutaneous (CL) and mucosal (ML) leishmaniasis. In the mouse, Fli1 was identified as a gene influencing enhanced wound healing and resistance to CL caused by Leishmania major. Polymorphism at FLI1 is associated with CL caused by L. braziliensis in humans, with an inverse association observed for ML disease. Here we extend the analysis to look at other wound healing genes, including CTGF, TGFB1, TGFBR1/2, SMADS 2/3/4/7 and FLII, all functionally linked along with FLI1 in the TGF beta pathway. Haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tag-SNPs) were genotyped using Taqman technology in 325 nuclear families (652 CL cases; 126 ML cases) from Brazil. Robust case-pseudocontrol (CPC) conditional logistic regression analysis showed associations between CL and SNPs at CTGF (SNP rs6918698; CC genotype; OR 1.67; 95%CI 1.10-2.54; P=0.016), TGFBR2 (rs1962859; OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.12-1.99; P=0.005), SMAD2 (rs1792658; OR 1.57; 95%CI 1.04-2.38; P=0.03), SMAD7 (rs4464148; AA genotype; OR 2.80; 95%CI 1.00-7.87; P=0.05) and FLII (rs2071242; OR 1.60; 95%CI 1.14-2.24; P=0.005), and between ML and SNPs at SMAD3 (rs1465841; OR 2.15; 95%CI 1.13-4.07; P=0.018) and SMAD7 (rs2337107; TT genotype; OR 3.70; 95%CI 1.27-10.7; P=0.016). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that all SNPs associated with CL at FLI1, CTGF, TGFBR2, and FLII showed independent effects from each other, but SNPs at SMAD2 and SMAD7 did not add independent effects to SNPs from other genes. These results suggest that TGFβ signalling via SMAD2 is important in directing events that contribute to CL, whereas signalling via SMAD3 is important in ML. Both are modulated by the inhibitory SMAD7 that acts upstream of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in this signalling pathway. Along with the published FLI1 association, these data further contribute to the hypothesis that wound healing processes are important determinants of pathology associated with cutaneous forms of leishmaniasis.

Distinct early inflammatory events during ear tissue regeneration in mice selected for high inflammation bearing Slc11a1 R and S alleles

High inflammatory AIRmax mice homozygous for Slc11a1 R and S alleles were produced. AIRmax(SS) mice showed faster ear tissue regeneration than AIRmax(RR) mice, suggesting that the S allele favored tissue restoration. Here, we investigated the gene expression profiles and the inflammatory reactions of AIRmax(RR) and AIRmax(SS) mice during the initial phase of ear tissue regeneration. We observed superior levels of analysis of wound myeloperoxidase and edema in AIRmax(SS) mice, although similar cell influx was verified in both lines. Of the genes, 794 were up- and 674 down-regulated in AIRmax(RR), while 735 genes were found to be up- and 1616 down-regulated in AIRmax(SS) mice 48 h after punch. Both mouse lines showed significant over-represented genes related to cell proliferation; however AIRmax(SS) displayed up-regulation of inflammatory response genes. Quantitative PCR experiments showed higher expressions of Tgfb1, Dap12 and Trem1 genes in AIRmax(SS) mice. These results indicate that Slc11a1 gene modulated the early inflammatory events of ear tissue regeneration.

The role of p21 in regulating mammalian regeneration

The MRL (Murphy Roths Large) mouse has provided a unique model of adult mammalian regeneration as multiple tissues show this important phenotype. Furthermore, the healing employs a blastema-like structure similar to that seen in amphibian regenerating tissue. Cells from the MRL mouse display DNA damage, cell cycle G2/M arrest, and a reduced level of p21^CIP1/WAF. A functional role for p21 was confirmed when tissue injury in an adult p21^-/- mouse showed a healing phenotype that matched the MRL mouse, with the replacement of tissues, including cartilage, and with hair follicle formation and a lack of scarring. Since the major canonical function of p21 is part of the p53/p21 axis, we explored the consequences of p53 deletion. A regenerative response was not seen in a p53^-/- mouse and the elimination of p53 from the MRL background had no negative effect on the regeneration of the MRL.p53^-/- mouse. An exploration of other knockout mice to identify p21-dependent, p53-independent regulatory pathways involved in the regenerative response revealed another significant finding showing that elimination of transforming growth factor-β1 displayed a healing response as well. These results are discussed in terms of their effect on senescence and differentiation.

Genetic control of IL-1 beta production and inflammatory response by the mouse Irm1 locus

Genome-wide linkage analysis using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays was carried out in pedigrees of mice differing in the extent of acute inflammatory response (AIRmax or AIRmin). The AIR phenotype was determined by quantifying the number of infiltrating cells in the 24-h exudate induced by Biogel P-100 s.c. injection and by ex vivo IL-1beta production by leukocytes stimulated with LPS and ATP. We mapped the major inflammatory response modulator 1 locus on chromosome 7, at the 1-logarithm of odds (LOD) confidence interval from 116.75 to 139.75 Mb, linked to the number of infiltrating cells (LOD = 3.61) through the production of IL-1beta (LOD = 9.35). Of several interesting candidate genes mapping to the inflammatory response modulator 1 locus, 28 of these were differentially expressed in the bone marrow of AIRmax and AIRmin mice. These findings represent a step toward the identification of the genes underlying this complex phenotype.

The relationship between inflammation and regeneration in the MRL mouse: potential relevance for putative human regenerative(scarless wound healing) capacities?

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the regenerative response in amphibians and various mammalian models of regeneration. The neutrophil response is known to bring MMPs and other proteases to the wound to promote bacterial elimination and tissue remodeling. These issues in relation to what is occurring in the MRL mouse model of regeneration/wound healing are discussed, followed by speculation as to their possible relevance for examples of the putative scarless wound healing described by some medical anthropologists and clinicians.

Unexpected regeneration in middle-aged mice

Complete regeneration of damaged extremities, including both the epithelium and the underlying tissues, is thought to occur mainly in embryos, fetuses, and juvenile mammals, but only very rarely in adult mammals. Surprisingly, we found that common strains of mice are able to regenerate all of the tissues necessary to completely fill experimentally punched ear holes, but only if punched at middle age. Although young postweaning mice regrew the epithelium without typical pre-scar granulation tissue, they showed only minimal regeneration of connective tissues. In contrast, mice punched at 5-11 months of age showed true amphibian-like blastema formation and regrowth of cartilage, fat, and dermis, with blood vessels, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and, in black mice, melanocytes. These data suggest that at least partial appendage regeneration may be more common in adult mammals than previously thought and call into question the common view that regenerative ability is lost with age. The data suggest that the age at which various inbred mouse strains become capable of epimorphic regeneration may be correlated with adult body weight.

Gene expression profiles of bone marrow cells from mice phenotype-selected for maximal or minimal acute inflammations: searching for genes in acute inflammation modifier loci

Two mouse lines were phenotype-selected for maximum (AIRmax) or minimum (AIRmin) acute inflammation responses to polyacrylamide bead (Biogel) injection. These lines differ in terms of bone marrow granulopoiesis, neutrophil resistance to apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokine production during acute inflammation responses. We compared gene expression profiles in bone marrow cells (BMC) of AIRmax and AIRmin mice during acute inflammatory reactions. The BMC from femurs were recovered 24 hr after subcutaneous injections of Biogel. Global gene expression analysis was performed on CodeLink Bioarrays (36K genes) using RNA pools of BMC from both control and treated AIRmax and AIRmin mice. Differentially expressed genes were statistically established and the over-represented gene ontology biological process categories were identified. Upregulations of about 136 and 198 genes were observed in the BMC of Biogel-treated AIRmax and AIRmin mice, respectively, but 740 genes were found to be downregulated in AIRmin mice compared with 94 genes in AIRmax mice. The over-represented biological themes of the differently expressed genes among AIRmax and AIRmin mice represent inflammatory response, signal transduction, cell proliferation and immune cell chemotaxis. We were able to demonstrate a broad downmodulation of gene transcripts in BMC from AIRmin mice during acute inflammation, and significant differentially expressed genes colocalized with previously mapped regions for inflammation-related phenotypes in chromosomes 1, 3, 6 and 11.