Microbial stimulation by Mycoplasma fermentans synergistically amplifies IL-6 release by human lung fibroblasts in response to residual oil fly ash (ROFA) and nickel

NADPH oxidase and mitochondria are relevant sources of superoxide anion in the oxinflammatory response of macrophages exposed to airborne particulate matter

Exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. In this context, alveolar macrophages exhibit proinflammatory and oxidative responses as a result of the clearance of particles, thus contributing to lung injury. However, the mechanisms linking these pathways are not completely clarified. Therefore, the oxinflammation phenomenon was studied in RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to Residual Oil Fly Ash (ROFA), a PM surrogate rich in transition metals. While cell viability was not compromised under the experimental conditions, a proinflammatory phenotype was observed in cells incubated with ROFA 100 μg/mL, characterized by increased levels of TNF-α and NO production, together with PM uptake. This inflammatory response seems to precede alterations in redox metabolism, characterized by augmented levels of H₂O₂, diminished GSH/GSSG ratio, and increased SOD activity. This scenario resulted in increased oxidative damage to phospholipids. Moreover, alterations in mitochondrial respiration were observed following ROFA incubation, such as diminished coupling efficiency and spare respiratory capacity, together with augmented proton leak. These findings were accompanied by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Finally, NADPH oxidase (NOX) and mitochondria were identified as the main sources of superoxide anion () in our model. These results indicate that PM exposure induces direct activation of macrophages, leading to inflammation and increased reactive oxygen species production through NOX and mitochondria, which impairs antioxidant defense and may cause mitochondrial dysfunction.

iNOS Inhibition Reduces Lung Mechanical Alterations and Remodeling Induced by Particulate Matter in Mice

Background. The epidemiologic association between pulmonary exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and acute lung damage is well known. However, the mechanism involved in the effects of repeated exposures of PM in the lung injury is poorly documented. This study tested the hypotheses that chronic nasal instillation of residual oil fly ash (ROFA) induced not only distal lung and airway inflammation but also remodeling. In addition, we evaluated the effects of inducible nitric oxide inhibition in these responses. For this purpose, airway and lung parenchyma were evaluated by quantitative analysis of collagen and elastic fibers, immunohistochemistry for macrophages, neutrophils, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), and alveolar septa 8-iso prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF-2α) detection. Anesthetized in vivo (airway resistance, elastance, H, G, and Raw) respiratory mechanics were also analyzed. C57BL6 mice received daily 60ul of ROFA (intranasal) for five (ROFA-5d) or fifteen days (ROFA-15d). Controls have received saline (SAL). Part of the animals has received 1400W (SAL+1400W and ROFA-15d+1400W), an iNOS inhibitor, for four days before the end of the protocol. A marked neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and an increase in the iNOS, nNOS, and 8-iso-PGF2 α expression was observed in peribronchiolar and alveolar wall both in ROFA-5d and in ROFA-15d groups. There was an increment of the collagen and elastic fibers in alveolar and airway walls in ROFA-15d group. The iNOS inhibition reduced all alterations induced by ROFA, except for the 8-iso-PGF2 α expression. In conclusion, repeated particulate matter exposures induce extracellular matrix remodeling of airway and alveolar walls, which could contribute to the pulmonary mechanical changes observed. The mechanism involved is, at least, dependent on the inducible nitric oxide activation.

Associations of fine particulate matter species with mortality in the United States: a multicity time-series analysis

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have examined the association between PM2.5 and mortality, but uncertainty remains about the seasonal variations in PM2.5-related effects and the relative importance of species.

OBJECTIVES

We estimated the effects of PM2.5 species on mortality and how infiltration rates may modify the association.

METHODS

Using city-season specific Poisson regression, we estimated PM2.5 effects on approximately 4.5 million deaths for all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and respiratory diseases in 75 U.S. cities for 2000-2006. We added interaction terms between PM2.5 and monthly average species-to-PM2.5 proportions of individual species to determine the relative toxicity of each species. We combined results across cities using multivariate meta-regression, and controlled for infiltration.

RESULTS

We estimated a 1.18% (95% CI: 0.93, 1.44%) increase in all-cause mortality, a 1.03% (95% CI: 0.65, 1.41%) increase in CVD, a 1.22% (95% CI: 0.62, 1.82%) increase in MI, a 1.76% (95% CI: 1.01, 2.52%) increase in stroke, and a 1.71% (95% CI: 1.06, 2.35%) increase in respiratory deaths in association with a 10-μg/m3 increase in 2-day averaged PM2.5 concentration. The associations were largest in the spring. Silicon, calcium, and sulfur were associated with more all-cause mortality, whereas sulfur was related to more respiratory deaths. County-level smoking and alcohol were associated with larger estimated PM2.5 effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed an increased risk of mortality associated with PM2.5, which varied with seasons and species. The results suggest that mass alone might not be sufficient to evaluate the health effects of particles.

Medical Screening After a Coal Fly Ash Spill in Roane County, Tennessee

Objective

To assess the health of community residents following a coal fly ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee, on December 22, 2008.

Methods

A uniform health assessment was developed by epidemiologists at Oak Ridge Associated Universities and medical toxicologists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Residents who believed that their health may have been affected by the coal fly ash spill were invited to participate in the medical screening program.

Results

Among the 214 individuals who participated in the screening program, the most commonly reported symptoms were related to upper airway irritation. No evidence of heavy metal toxicity was found.

Conclusions

This is the first report, to our knowledge, regarding the comprehensive health evaluation of a community after a coal fly ash spill. Because this evaluation was voluntary, the majority of residents screened represented those with a high percentage of symptoms and concerns about the potential for toxic exposure. Based on known toxicity of the constituents present in the coal fly ash, health complaints did not appear to be related to the fly ash. This screening model could be used to assess immediate or baseline toxicity concerns after other disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1–8)

Role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1, α subunit and cAMP-response element binding protein 1 in synergistic release of interleukin 8 by prostaglandin E2 and nickel in lung fibroblasts

Numerous epidemiological studies have linked exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution with acute respiratory infection and chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. We have previously shown that soluble nickel (Ni), a common component of PM, alters the release of CXC chemokines from cultured human lung fibroblasts (HLF) in response to microbial stimuli via a pathway dependent on disrupted prostaglandin (PG)E2 signaling. The current study sought to identify the molecular events underlying Ni-induced alterations in PGE2 signaling and its effects on IL-8 production. PGE2 synergistically enhances Ni-induced IL-8 release from HLF in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of PGE2 were mimicked by butaprost and PGE1-alcohol and inhibited with antagonists AH6809 and L-161,982, indicating PGE2 signals via PGE2 receptors 2 and 4. PGE2 and forskolin stimulated cAMP, but it was only in the presence of Ni-induced hypoxia-inducible factor 1, α subunit (HIF1A) that these agents stimulated IL-8 release. The Ni-induced HIF1A DNA binding was enhanced by PGE2 and mediated, in part, by activation of p38 MAPK. Negation of cAMP-response element binding protein 1 or HIF1A using short interfering RNA blocked the synergistic interactions between Ni and PGE2. The results of the current study provide novel information on the ability of atmospheric hypoxia-mimetic metals to disrupt the release of immune-modulating chemokines by HLF in response to PGE2. Moreover, in the presence of HIF1A, cAMP-mediated signaling pathways may be altered to exacerbate inflammatory-like processes in lung tissue, imparting a susceptibility of PM-exposed populations to adverse respiratory health effects.

A framework to spatially cluster air pollution monitoring sites in US based on the PM2.5 composition

BACKGROUND

Heterogeneity in the response to PM2.5 is hypothesized to be related to differences in particle composition across monitoring sites which reflect differences in source types as well as climatic and topographic conditions impacting different geographic locations. Identifying spatial patterns in particle composition is a multivariate problem that requires novel methodologies.

OBJECTIVES

Use cluster analysis methods to identify spatial patterns in PM2.5 composition. Verify that the resulting clusters are distinct and informative.

METHODS

109 monitoring sites with 75% reported speciation data during the period 2003-2008 were selected. These sites were categorized based on their average PM2.5 composition over the study period using k-means cluster analysis. The obtained clusters were validated and characterized based on their physico-chemical characteristics, geographic locations, emissions profiles, population density and proximity to major emission sources.

RESULTS

Overall 31 clusters were identified. These include 21 clusters with 2 or more sites which were further grouped into 4 main types using hierarchical clustering. The resulting groupings are chemically meaningful and represent broad differences in emissions. The remaining clusters, encompassing single sites, were characterized based on their particle composition and geographic location.

CONCLUSIONS

The framework presented here provides a novel tool which can be used to identify and further classify sites based on their PM2.5 composition. The solution presented is fairly robust and yielded groupings that were meaningful in the context of air-pollution research.

Arsenic activates endothelin-1 Gi protein-coupled receptor signaling to inhibit stem cell differentiation in adipogenesis

Dysfunctional lipid and glucose metabolism contribute to metabolic syndrome-a major public health concern that enhances cardiovascular disease risk. Arsenic (As(III)) exposure may increase metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk by impairing adipose tissue differentiation, function, and insulin sensitivity through pathogenic mechanisms that remain unclear. We hypothesized that As(III) signals through the Pertussis toxin (Ptx) sensitive, Gi protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) to impair adipogenesis, as previously demonstrated for its stimulation of vascular oxidant generation, angiogenesis, and remodeling. Because both As(III) and GPCR ligands inhibit progenitor cell differentiation into adipocytes, we investigated the hypothesis in a model of low-passage human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). As(III) (0.1-1.0 µM) suppressed dexamethasone/insulin-induced hMSC adipogenesis, as indicated by decreased transcriptional promoters of differentiation, decreased fat droplet formation, and decreased expression of differentiated adipocyte markers, such as adiponectin and perilipin. Preincubating hMSC with Ptx prevented 90% of the suppressive effect of As(III). Selective competitive antagonists of Gi-coupled endothelin-1 type A and B receptors were ~60% effective in blocking As(III) inhibition and combination of antagonists to both receptors were 85% effective. In contrast, antagonists to the sphingosine-1-phosphate type 1 receptor (previously shown to mediate As(III) vascular effects) or the angiotensin II type 1 receptor were ineffective in blocking As(III) effects. These studies suggest a majority of arsenic-inhibited adipocyte differentiation, and metabolism requires endothelin-1 GPCRs and that As(III) effects on GPCR signaling are tissue and context specific. This may represent a significant mechanism for the contribution of arsenic exposure to increased metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Multiple protein kinase pathways mediate amplified IL-6 release by human lung fibroblasts co-exposed to nickel and TLR-2 agonist, MALP-2

Microbial stimuli and atmospheric particulate matter (PM) interact to amplify the release of inflammatory and immune-modulating cytokines. The basis of this interaction, however, is not known. Cultured human lung fibroblasts (HLF) were used to determine whether various protein kinase pathways were involved in the release of IL-6 following combined exposure to the PM-derived metal, Ni, and M. fermentans-derived macrophage-activating lipopeptide 2 (MALP-2), a toll-like receptor 2 agonist. Synergistic release of IL-6 by MALP-2 and NiSO4 was obvious after 8h of co-stimulation and correlated with a late phase accumulation of IL-6 mRNA. Ni and MALP-2, alone or together, all led to rapid and transient phosphorylations of ERK(1/2) and JNK/SAPK of similar magnitude. p38 phosphorylation, however, was observed only after prolonged treatment of cells with both stimuli together. A constitutive level of PI3K-dependent Akt phosphorylation remained unchanged by Ni and/or MALP-2 exposure. IL-6 induced by Ni/MALP-2 co-exposure was partially dependent on activity of HIF-1alpha and COX-2 as shown by targeted knockdown using siRNA. IL-6 release in response to Ni/MALP-2 was partially sensitive to pharmacological inhibition of ERK(1/2), p38, and PI3K signaling. The protein kinase inhibitors had minimal or no effects on Ni/MALP-2-induced accumulation of HIF-1alpha protein, however, COX-2 expression and, more markedly PGE(2) production, were suppressed by LY294002, SB203580, and U0126. Thus, Ni/MALP-2 interactions involve multiple protein kinase pathways (ERK(1/2), p38, and PI3K) that modulate events downstream from the early accumulation of HIF-1alpha to promote IL-6 gene expression directly or secondarily, through COX-2-derived autocrine products like PGE(2).

Nickel induces intracellular calcium mobilization and pathophysiological responses in human cultured airway epithelial cells

Environmental exposure to nickel is associated to respiratory disorders and potential toxicity in the lung but molecular mechanisms remain incompletely explored. The extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR) is widely distributed and may be activated by divalent cations. In this study, we investigated the presence of CaSR in human cultured airway epithelial cells and its activation by nickel. Nickel transiently increased intracellular calcium (-logEC(50)=4.67+/-0.06) in A549 and human bronchial epithelial cells as measured by epifluorescence microscopy. Nickel (20muM)-induced calcium responses were reduced after thapsigargin or ryanodine exposure but not by Ca(2+)-free medium. Inhibition of phospholipase-C or inositol trisphosphate release reduced intracellular calcium responses to nickel indicating activation of G(q)-signaling. CaSR mRNA and protein expression in epithelial cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. Transfection of specific siRNA inhibited CaSR expression and suppressed nickel-induced intracellular calcium responses in A549 cells thus confirming nickel-CaSR activation. NPS2390, a CaSR antagonist, abolished the calcium response to nickel. Nickel-induced contraction, proliferation, alpha(1)(I)collagen production and inflammatory cytokines mRNA expression by epithelial cells as measured by traction microscopy, BrdU assay and RT-PCR, respectively. These responses were blocked by NPS2390. In conclusion, micromolar nickel concentrations, relevant to nickel found in the lung tissue of humans exposed to high environmental nickel, trigger intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human airway epithelial cells through the activation of CaSR which translates into pathophysiological outputs potentially related to pulmonary disease.

Fine particulate air pollution and its components in association with cause-specific emergency admissions

BACKGROUND

Although the association between exposure to particulate matter and health is well established, there remains uncertainty as to whether certain chemical components are more harmful than others. We explored whether the association between cause-specific hospital admissions and PM(2.5) was modified by PM(2.5) chemical composition.

METHODS

We estimated the association between daily PM(2.5) and emergency hospital admissions for cardiac causes (CVD), myocardial infarction (MI), congestive heart failure (CHF), respiratory disease, and diabetes in 26 US communities, for the years 2000-2003. Using meta-regression, we examined how this association was modified by season- and community-specific PM(2.5) composition, controlling for seasonal temperature as a surrogate for ventilation.

RESULTS

For a 10 microg/m3 increase in 2-day averaged PM(2.5) concentration we found an increase of 1.89% (95% CI: 1.34- 2.45) in CVD, 2.25% (95% CI: 1.10- 3.42) in MI, 1.85% (95% CI: 1.19- 2.51) in CHF, 2.74% (95% CI: 1.30- 4.2) in diabetes, and 2.07% (95% CI: 1.20- 2.95) in respiratory admissions. The association between PM2.5 and CVD admissions was significantly modified when the mass was high in Br, Cr, Ni, and Na(+), while mass high in As, Cr, Mn, OC, Ni, and Na(+) modified MI, and mass high in As, OC, and SO(4)(2-) modified diabetes admissions. For these species, an interquartile range increase in their relative proportion was associated with a 1-2% additional increase in daily admissions per 10 microg/m(3) increase in mass.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that PM(2.5) mass higher in Ni, As, and Cr, as well as Br and OC significantly increased its effect on hospital admissions. This result suggests that particles from industrial combustion sources and traffic may, on average, have greater toxicity.

Beryllium alters lipopolysaccharide-mediated intracellular phosphorylation and cytokine release in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Beryllium exposure in susceptible individuals leads to the development of chronic beryllium disease, a lung disorder marked by release of inflammatory cytokine and granuloma formation. We have previously reported that beryllium induces an immune response even in blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals. In this study, we investigate the effects of beryllium on lipopolysaccharide-mediated cytokine release in blood mononuclear and dendritic cells from healthy individuals. We found that in vitro treatment of beryllium sulfate inhibits the secretion of lipopolysaccharide-mediated interleukin 10, while the release of interleukin 1beta is enhanced. In addition, not all lipopolysaccharide-mediated responses are altered, as interleukin 6 release in unaffected upon beryllium treatment. Beryllium sulfate-treated cells show altered phosphotyrosine levels upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Significantly, beryllium inhibits the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transducer 3, induced by lipopolysaccharide. Finally, inhibitors of phosphoinositide-3 kinase mimic the effects of beryllium in inhibition of interleukin 10 release, while they have no effect on interleukin 1beta secretion. This study strongly suggests that prior exposures to beryllium could alter host immune responses to bacterial infections in healthy individuals, by altering intracellular signaling.

Nickel mobilizes intracellular zinc to induce metallothionein in human airway epithelial cells

We recently reported that induction of metallothionein (MT) was critical in limiting nickel (Ni)-induced lung injury in intact mice. Nonetheless, the mechanism by which Ni induces MT expression is unclear. We hypothesized that the ability of Ni to mobilize zinc (Zn) may contribute to such regulation and therefore, we examined the mechanism for Ni-induced MT2A expression in human airway epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Ni induced MT2A transcript levels and protein expression by 4 hours. Ni also increased the activity of a metal response element (MRE) promoter luciferase reporter construct, suggesting that Ni induces MRE binding of the metal transcription factor (MTF-1). Exposure to Ni resulted in the nuclear translocation of MTF-1, and Ni failed to induce MT in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking MTF-1. As Zn is the only metal known to directly bind MTF-1, we then showed that Ni increased a labile pool of intracellular Zn in cells as revealed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter using the Zn-sensitive fluorophore, FluoZin-3. Ni-induced increases in MT2A mRNA and MRE-luciferase activity were sensitive to the Zn chelator, TPEN, supporting an important role for Zn in mediating the effect of Ni. Although neither the source of labile Zn nor the mechanism by which Ni liberates labile Zn was apparent, it was noteworthy that Ni increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although both N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) decreased Ni-induced increases in ROS, only NAC prevented Ni-induced increases in MT2A mRNA, suggesting a special role for interactions of Ni, thiols, and Zn release.

Ni(II) ions dysregulate cytokine secretion from human monocytes

Nickel-containing alloys are used in dentistry because of their low cost, but poor corrosion behavior increases their risk of causing adverse biological responses. Intraorally, nickel-containing alloys accumulate bacterial plaque that triggers periodontal inflammation via toxins such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recent evidence suggests that in monocytes, Ni(II) amplifies LPS-induced secretion of several cytokines that mediate periodontal destruction. Thus, we investigated the effects of Ni(II), with or without LPS, on the secretion of a broader array of cytokines from monocytes. We then measured monocytic expression of two proteins, Nrf2 and thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), that influence the regulation of cytokine secretion. Cytokine arrays were used to measure the effects of 0-50 microM Ni(II) on cytokine secretion from human THP1 monocytes, with or without LPS activation. Immunoblots were used to estimate Nrf2 and Trx1 levels. Our results indicate that both Ni(II) alone and Ni(II) with LPS have broad-based effects on cytokine secretion. Ni(II) increased Nrf2 levels by threefold, and LPS amplified the effects of Ni(II) by 10-fold. Trx1 levels did not change under any condition tested. Our results suggest that Ni(II)-induced changes in cytokine secretion by monocytes are diverse and may be influenced by Nrf2 but are not likely influenced by changes in whole-cell Trx1 levels.

Positive signaling interactions between arsenic and ethanol for angiogenic gene induction in human microvascular endothelial cells

Arsenic in the drinking water may promote vascular diseases in millions of people worldwide through unresolved mechanisms. In addition, little is known of the effects of coexposures to arsenic and other common vasculature toxicants, such as alcohol. To investigate signaling interactions between arsenic and alcohols, primary human microvascular endothelial (HMVEC) cells were exposed to noncytotoxic concentrations of arsenite (1-5 microM) in the presence or absence of 0.1% ethanol (EtOH). Coexposure, but not exposure to either agent alone, rapidly increased active Fyn tyrosine kinase, tyrosine phosphorylation of a 109-kDa protein and serine phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC)delta. The 109-kDa protein was identified as PYK2, a regulator of vascular integrin signaling and an upstream activator of PKCdelta. Membrane localization of phospholipase Cgamma1 was increased by coexposure within 15 min, but not by either agent alone. In contrast, both agents equally increased membrane localization of Rac1-GTPase. Coexposure, but not exposure to either agent alone, induced transcript levels for the angiogenic genes, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (Vegfa) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1). However, EtOH inhibited arsenic-induced, nuclear factor-kappaB-driven interleukin-8 and collagen-1 expression. Differential effects of selective PKC inhibitors on induced gene expression combined with a lack of interaction for induction of hemeoxygenase-1 further demonstrated that arsenic-responsive signaling pathways differ in sensitivity to EtOH interactions. Finally, coexposure enhanced endothelial tube formation in in vitro angiogenesis assays. These data indicate that complex interactions occur between arsenic and EtOH exposures that functionally affect endothelial signaling for gene induction and remodeling stimuli.

Nickel alterations of TLR2-dependent chemokine profiles in lung fibroblasts are mediated by COX-2

Particulate matter air pollution (PM) has been linked with chronic respiratory diseases. Real-life exposures are likely to involve a mixture of chemical and microbial stimuli, yet little attention has been paid to the potential interactions between PM components (e.g., Ni) and microbial agents on the development of inflammatory-like conditions in the lung. Using the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 agonist MALP-2 as a lipopeptide relevant to microbial colonization, we hypothesized that nickel sensitizes human lung fibroblasts (HLF) for microbial-driven chemokine release through modulation of TLR signaling pathways. NiSO(4) (200 muM) synergistically enhanced CXCL8, yet antagonized CXCL10 mRNA expression and protein release from HLF in response to MALP-2. RT(2)-PCR pathway-focused array results indicated that NiSO(4) exposure did not alter the expression of TLRs or their downstream signaling mediators, yet significantly increased the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). Moreover, when NiSO(4) was given in combination with MALP-2, there was an amplified induction of COX-2 mRNA and protein along with its metabolic product, PGE2, in HLF. The COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, attenuated NiSO(4) and MALP-2-induced PGE2 and CXCL8 release and partially reversed the NiSO(4)-dependent inhibition of MALP-2-induced CXCL10 release from HLF. These data indicate that NiSO(4) alters the pattern of TLR-2-dependent chemokine release from HLF via a COX-2-mediated pathway. The quantitative and qualitative effects of NiSO(4) on microbial-driven chemokine release from HLF shed new light on how PM-derived metals can exacerbate respiratory diseases.

Fibrin as a delivery vehicle for active macrophage activator lipoprotein-2 peptide: in vitro studies

Fibrin sealants have been used in hemostasis and tissue sealing for over 25 years and recent studies have shown them to be an ideal delivery vehicle for cells and bioactive substances. We examined the use of fibrin as a delivery vehicle for the macrophage activator lipoprotein peptide (MALP)-2. MALP-2, secreted by mycoplasma, plays an important role in an early influx of leukocytes and infiltration by monocytes and their subsequent activation into macrophages as detected by their secretion of cytokines and chemoattractants. We first showed that MALP-2 activated several monocytic cell lines by increasing the expression of cytokines and chemoattractants in these cells. Furthermore, using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction approach, we found that MALP-2 affected the gene expression of its own receptors: TLR2 and TLR4 in various cell types including fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. Furthermore, the conditioned medium, containing secreted cytokines and chemoattractants, collected from monocytes treated with MALP-2 enhanced fibroblast migration using a standard wound culture assay. Next, we examined MALP-2's effect on the human monocyte cell line when it is mixed with fibrin. Monocytes seeded on three-dimensional fibrin containing MALP-2 secreted more cytokines such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and chemoattractants such as macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 when compared with monocytes seeded on three-dimensional fibrin in the absence of MALP-2. This study supports the use of fibrin to deliver MALP-2, and possibly other peptides, in an active form that might enhance wound healing.

Cr(VI)-stimulated STAT3 tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation in human airway epithelial cells requires Lck

Chronic inhalation of low amounts of Cr(VI) promotes pulmonary diseases and cancers through poorly defined mechanisms. SFKs (Src family kinases) in pulmonary airway cells may mediate Cr(VI) signalling for lung injury, although the downstream effectors of Cr(VI)-stimulated SFKs and how they relate to pathogenic gene induction are unknown. Therefore SFK-dependent activation of transcription factors by non-cytotoxic exposure of human bronchial epithelial cells to Cr(VI) was determined. Protein-DNA binding arrays demonstrated that exposing BEAS 2B cells to 5 microM Cr(VI) for 4 and 24 h resulted in increased protein binding to 25 and 43 cis-elements respectively, while binding to 12 and 16 cis-elements decreased. Of note, Cr(VI) increased protein binding to several STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) cis-elements. Cr(VI) stimulated acute tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of STAT1 over a 4 h period and a prolonged activation of STAT3 that reached a peak between 48 and 72 h. This prolonged activation was observed for both STAT3alpha and STAT3beta. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy confirmed that Cr(VI) increased nuclear localization of phosphorylated STAT3 for more than 72 h in both primary and BEAS 2B human airway cells. Cr(VI) induced transactivation of both a STAT3-driven luciferase reporter construct and the endogenous inflammatory gene IL-6 (interleukin-6). Inhibition with siRNA (small interfering RNA) targeting the SFK Lck, but not dominant-negative JAK (Janus kinase), prevented Cr(VI)-stimulated phosphorylation of both STAT3 isoforms and induction of IL-6. The results suggest that Cr(VI) activates epithelial cell Lck to signal for prolonged STAT3 activation and transactivation of IL-6, an important immunomodulator of lung disease progression.

Mycoplasma fermentans and TNF-beta interact to amplify immune-modulating cytokines in human lung fibroblasts

Mycoplasma can establish latent infections and are associated with arthritis, leukemia, and chronic lung disease. We developed an experimental model in which lung cells are deliberately infected with Mycoplasma fermentans. Human lung fibroblasts (HLF) were exposed to live M. fermentans and immune-modulating cytokine release was assessed with and without known inducers of cytokine production. M. fermentans increased IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8, MCP-1/CCL2, and Gro-alpha/CXCL1 production. M. fermentans interacted with TNF-beta to release more IL-6, CXCL8, and CXCL1 than predicted by the responses to either stimulus alone. The effects of live infection were recapitulated by exposure to M. fermentans-derived macrophage-activating lipopeptide-2 (MALP-2), a Toll-like receptor-2- and receptor-6-specific ligand. The synergistic effect of combined stimuli was more pronounced with prolonged incubations. Preexposure to TNF-beta sensitized the cells to subsequent MALP-2 challenge, but preexposure to MALP-2 did not alter the IL-6 response to TNF-beta. Exposure to M. fermentans or MALP-2 did not enhance nuclear localization, DNA binding, or transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB and did not modulate early NF-kappaB activation in response to TNF-beta. Application of specific inhibitors of various MAPKs suggested that p38 and JNK/stress-activated protein kinase were involved in early IL-6 release after exposure to TNF-beta and M. fermentans, respectively. The combined response to M. fermentans and TNF-beta, however, was uniquely sensitive to delayed application of SP-600125, suggesting that JNK/stress-activated protein kinase contributes to the amplification of IL-6 release. Thus M. fermentans interacts with stimuli such as TNF-beta to amplify lung cell production of immune-modulating cytokines. The mechanisms accounting for this interaction can now be dissected with the use of this in vitro model.

Role of Toll-like receptor-4 in genetic susceptibility to lung injury induced by residual oil fly ash

The mechanisms of susceptibility to particle-induced lung injury are not clearly understood. To evaluate the contribution of genetic background to pulmonary pathogenesis, we compared the lung injury responses to residual oil fly ash (ROFA) in inbred mouse strains and calculated heritability estimates. Significant interstrain (genetic) variation was observed in ROFA-induced lung inflammation and hyperpermeability phenotypes; broad-sense heritability ranged from approximately 0.43 to 0.62, and the coefficient of genetic determination ranged from 0.28 to 0.45. C3H/HeJ (HeJ) mice were most resistant to the ROFA-induced injury responses. This was particularly important, as HeJ mice contain a dominant negative mutation in Toll-like receptor-4 (Tlr4). We then characterized ROFA-induced injury and TLR4 signaling in HeJ mice and its coisogenic strain C3H/HeOuJ (OuJ; Tlr4 normal) to understand the potential role of Tlr4 in this model. ROFA-induced lung injury was significantly greater in OuJ mice compared with HeJ mice. ROFA also significantly enhanced transcript and protein levels of lung TLR4 in OuJ but not in HeJ mice. Greater activation of downstream signal molecules (i.e., MYD88, TRAF6, IRAK-1, NF-kappaB, MAPK, AP-1) was observed in OuJ mice than in HeJ mice before the development of ROFA-induced pulmonary injury. Putative TLR4-dependent inflammatory genes that were differentially induced by ROFA in the two strains include interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Results support an important contribution of genetic background to particle-mediated lung injury, and Tlr4 is a candidate susceptibility gene.