Expression of a tumor necrosis factor-alpha transgene in murine lung causes lymphocytic and fibrosing alveolitis. A mouse model of progressive pulmonary fibrosis.

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Abstract

The murine TNF-alpha gene was expressed under the control of the human surfactant protein SP-C promoter in transgenic mice. A number of the SP-C TNF-alpha mice died at birth or after a few weeks with very severe lung lesions. Surviving mice transmitted a pulmonary disease to their offspring, the severity and evolution of which was related to the level of TNF-alpha mRNA in the lung; TNF-alpha RNA was detected in alveolar epithelium, presumably in type II epithelial cells. In a longitudinal study of two independent mouse lines, pulmonary pathology, at 1-2 mo of age, consisted of a leukocytic alveolitis with a predominance of T lymphocytes. Leukocyte infiltration was associated with endothelial changes and increased levels of mRNA for the endothelial adhesion molecule VCAM-1. In the following months, alveolar spaces enlarged in association with thickening of the alveolar walls due to an accumulation of desmin-containing fibroblasts, collagen fibers, and lymphocytes. Alveolar surfaces were lined by regenerating type II epithelial cells, and alveolar spaces contained desquamating epithelial cells in places. Platelet trapping in the damaged alveolar capillaries was observed. Pulmonary pathology in the SP-C TNF-alpha mice bears a striking resemblance to human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, in which increased expression of TNF-alpha in type II epithelial cells has also been noted. These mice provide a valuable animal model for understanding the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and exploring possible therapeutic approaches.

Authors

Y Miyazaki, K Araki, C Vesin, I Garcia, Y Kapanci, J A Whitsett, P F Piguet, P Vassalli

Hepatic overexpression of bovine scavenger receptor type I in transgenic mice prevents diet-induced hyperbetalipoproteinemia.

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Abstract

Hepatic scavenger receptors (SR) may play a protective role by clearing modified lipoproteins before they target the artery wall. To gain insight into this hypothesized function, transgenic mice expressing hepatic bovine SR (TgSR) were created and studied when fed chow, and during diet-induced hyperlipidemia. SR overexpression resulted in extensive hepatic parenchymal cell uptake of fluorescently labeled acetylated human low density lipoprotein (DiI ac-hLDL) and a twofold increase in 125I-acetylated-LDL clearance. Food intake and cholesterol absorption was indistinguishable between control and TgSR mice. In chow-fed mice, lipoprotein cholesterol was similar in control and TgSR mice. However, on a 3-wk high fat/cholesterol (HFHC) diet, the rise in apoB containing lipoproteins was suppressed in TgSR+/- and TgSR+/+ mice. The rise in HDL was similar in control and TgSR+/- mice, but significantly elevated in the TgSR+/+ mice. Overall, on chow, the ratio of apo-B containing lipoprotein cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was similar for all groups (control = 0.33; TgSR+/- = 0.32; TgSR+/+ = 0.38). However, after 3 wk on the HFHC diet, this ratio was markedly higher in control (2.34 +/- 0.21) than in either TgSR+/- (1.00 +/- 0.24) or TgSR+/+ (1.00 +/- 0.19) mice. In TgSR+/- mice, hepatic cholesteryl esters were reduced by 59%, 7 alpha-hydroxylase mRNA levels were elevated twofold, and a significant increase in fecal bile acid flux was observed after the 3-wk HFHC diet. These results suggest SR may play a protective role in liver by preventing diet-induced increases in apoB containing lipoproteins.

Authors

S Wölle, D P Via, L Chan, J A Cornicelli, C L Bisgaier

Hypoxia selectively induces proliferation in a specific subpopulation of smooth muscle cells in the bovine neonatal pulmonary arterial media.

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Abstract

Medial thickening of the pulmonary arterial wall, secondary to smooth muscle cell (SMC) hyperplasia, is commonly observed in neonatal hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Because recent studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple phenotypically distinct SMC populations within the arterial media, we hypothesized that these SMC subpopulations would differ in their proliferative responses to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and thus contribute in selective ways to the vascular remodeling process. Expression of meta-vinculin, a muscle-specific cytoskeletal protein, has been shown to reliably distinguish two unique SMC subpopulations within the bovine pulmonary arterial media. Therefore, to assess the proliferative responses of phenotypically distinct SMC subpopulations in the setting of neonatal pulmonary hypertension, we performed double immunofluorescence staining on pulmonary artery cryosections from control and hypertensive calves with antibodies against meta-vinculin and the proliferation-associated nuclear antigen, Ki-67. We found that, although neonatal pulmonary hypertension caused significant increases in overall cell replication, proliferation occurred almost exclusively in one, the meta-vinculin-negative SMC population, but not the other SMC population expressing meta-vinculin. We also examined fetal pulmonary arteries, where proliferative rates were high and meta-vinculin expression again reliably distinguished two SMC subpopulations. In contrast to the hypertensive neonate, we found in the fetus that the relative proliferative rates of both SMC subpopulations were equal, thus suggesting the existence of different mechanisms controlling proliferation and expression of cytoskeletal proteins in the fetus and neonate. We conclude that phenotypically distinct SMC populations in the bovine arterial media exhibit specific and selective proliferative responses to neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Distinct SMC subpopulations may, thus, contribute in unique ways to vascular homeostasis under both normal and pathologic conditions.

Authors

J D Wohrley, M G Frid, E P Moiseeva, E C Orton, J K Belknap, K R Stenmark

Localization of the Kv1.5 K+ channel protein in explanted cardiac tissue.

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Abstract

The cloned Kv1.5 K+ channel displays similar kinetics and pharmacology to a delayed rectifier channel found in atrial myocytes. To determine whether the Kv1.5 isoform plays a role in the cardiac action potential, it is necessary to confirm the expression of this channel in cardiac myocytes. Using antibodies directed against two distinct channel epitopes, the Kv1.5 isoform was localized in human atrium and ventricle. Kv1.5 was highly localized at intercalated disk regions as determined by colocalization with connexin and N-cadherin specific antibodies. While both antichannel antibodies localized the Kv1.5 protein in cardiac myocytes, only the NH2-terminal antibodies stained vascular smooth muscle. The selective staining of vasculature by this antiserum suggests that epitope accessibility, and perhaps channel structure, varies between cardiac and vascular myocytes. Kv1.5 expression was localized less in newborn tissue, with punctate antibody staining dispersed on the myocyte surface. This increasing organization with age was similar to that observed for connexin. Future work will address whether altered K+ channel localization is associated with cardiac disease in addition to changing with development.

Authors

D J Mays, J M Foose, L H Philipson, M M Tamkun

Aortic arch malformations and ventricular septal defect in mice deficient in endothelin-1.

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Abstract

Authors

Y Kurihara, H Kurihara, H Oda, K Maemura, R Nagai, T Ishikawa, Y Yazaki

Identification of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor-specific T cells in Graves' disease thyroid using autoantigen-transfected Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines.

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Abstract

The importance of thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) agonist antibodies in the manifestations of Graves' disease (GD) is recognized. There are, however, no convincing reports of TSHR-specific T cells. We have previously cloned T cells specific for thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) from GD lymphoid infiltrates and used autologous EBV-transformed B cell lines (EBVL) transfected with an expression vector encoding TPO to efficiently detect TPO-specific T cells. Here we used EBVL transfected with TSHR to seek TSHR-specific T cells in the GD infiltrates, after cloning the in vivo activated T cells without antigen. 3 out of 30 clones responded vigorously and reproducibly to EBVL-TSHR, with a mean stimulation index > 7. Their release of IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 after stimulation with soluble anti-CD3 and phorbol ester was indistinguishable from the other clones from this thyroid. However, they produced relatively little IFN gamma (median IL-4/IFN gamma ratio of 0.80) compared with the other clones (median IL-4/IFN gamma ratio 0.06). Thus, this new potent method of antigen presentation, using autoantigen-transfected EBVL, has permitted the first unequivocal identification of TSHR T cells in GD thyroid, with distinct Th0/Th2 characteristics, unlike previously cloned TPO-responsive cells which have Th1 characteristics.

Authors

R J Mullins, S B Cohen, L M Webb, Y Chernajovsky, C M Dayan, M Londei, M Feldmann

Dual inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin production contributes to the antiinflammatory properties of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors.

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Abstract

We have recently put forward the hypothesis that the dual inhibition of proinflammatory nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PG) may contribute to the antiinflammatory properties of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. This hypothesis was tested in the present study. A rapid inflammatory response characterized by edema, high levels of nitrites (NO2-, a breakdown product of NO), PG, and cellular infiltration into a fluid exudate was induced by the administration of carrageenan into the subcutaneous rat air pouch. The time course of the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein in the pouch tissue was found to coincide with the production of NO2-. Dexamethasone inhibited both iNOS protein expression and NO2- synthesis in the fluid exudate (IC50 = 0.16 mg/kg). Oral administration of N-iminoethyl-L-lysine (L-NIL) or NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NO2Arg) not only blocked nitrite accumulation in the pouch fluid in a dose-dependent fashion but also attenuated the elevated release of PG. Finally, carrageenan administration produced a time-dependent increase in cellular infiltration into the pouch exudate that was inhibited by dexamethasone and NOS inhibitors. At early times, i.e., 6 h, the cellular infiltrate is composed primarily of neutrophils (98%). Pretreatment with colchicine reduced both neutrophil infiltration and leukotriene B4 accumulation in the air pouch by 98% but did not affect either NO2- or PG levels. In conclusion, the major findings of this paper are that (a) selective inhibitors of iNOS are clearly antiinflammatory agents by inhibiting not only NO but also PG and cellular infiltration and (b) that neutrophils are not responsible for high levels of NO and PG produced.

Authors

D Salvemini, P T Manning, B S Zweifel, K Seibert, J Connor, M G Currie, P Needleman, J L Masferrer

Overexpression of GLUT3 placental glucose transporter in diabetic rats.

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Abstract

The localization of the two major placental glucose transporter isoforms, GLUT1 and GLUT3 was studied in 20-d pregnant rats. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that GLUT1 protein is expressed ubiquitously in the junctional zone (maternal side) and the labyrinthine zone (fetal side) of the placenta. In contrast, expression of GLUT3 protein is restricted to the labyrinthine zone, specialized in nutrient transfer. After 19-d maternal insulinopenic diabetes (streptozotocin), placental GLUT3 mRNA and protein levels were increased four-to-fivefold compared to nondiabetic rats, whereas GLUT1 mRNA and protein levels remained unmodified. Placental 2-deoxyglucose uptake and glycogen concentration were also increased fivefold in diabetic rats. These data suggest that GLUT3 plays a major role in placental glucose uptake and metabolism. The role of hyperglycemia in the regulation of GLUT3 expression was assessed by lowering the glycemia of diabetic pregnant rats. After a 5-d phlorizin infusion to pregnant diabetic rats, placental GLUT3 mRNA and protein levels returned to levels similar to those observed in nondiabetic rats. Furthermore, a short-term hyperglycemia (12 h), achieved by performing hyperglycemic clamps induced a fourfold increase in placental GLUT3 mRNA and protein with no concomitant change in GLUT1 expression. This study provides the first evidence that placental GLUT3 mRNA and protein expression can be stimulated in vivo under hyperglycemic conditions. Thus, GLUT3 transporter isoform appears to be highly sensitive to ambient glucose levels and may play a pivotal role in the severe alterations of placental function observed in diabetic pregnancies.

Authors

P Boileau, C Mrejen, J Girard, S Hauguel-de Mouzon

Production and localization of 92-kilodalton gelatinase in abdominal aortic aneurysms. An elastolytic metalloproteinase expressed by aneurysm-infiltrating macrophages.

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Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are characterized by disruption and degradation of the elastic media, yet the elastolytic proteinases involved and their cellular sources are undefined. We examined if 92-kD gelatinase, an elastolytic matrix metalloproteinase, participates in the pathobiology of AAA. Gelatin zymography of conditioned medium from normal, atheroocclusive disease (AOD), or AAA tissues in organ culture showed that all tissues produced 72-kD gelatinase. AOD and AAA cultures also secreted 92-kD gelatinase, but significantly more enzyme was released from AAA tissues. ELISA confirmed that AAA tissues released approximately 2-fold more 92-kD gelatinase than AOD tissue and approximately 10-fold more than normal aorta. Phorbol ester induced a 5.3-fold increase in 92-kD gelatinase secretion by normal aorta and AOD and an 11.5-fold increase by AAA. By immunohistochemistry, 92-kD gelatinase was not detected in normal aorta and was only occasionally seen within the neointimal lesions of AOD tissue. In all AAA specimens, however, 92-kD gelatinase was readily localized to numerous macrophages in the media and at the adventitial-medial junction. The expression of 92-kD gelatinase mRNA by aneurysm-infiltrating macrophages was confirmed by in situ hybridization. These results demonstrate that diseased aortic tissues secrete greater amounts of gelatinolytic activity than normal aorta primarily due to increased production of 92-kD gelatinase. In addition, the localization of 92-kD gelatinase to macrophages in the damaged wall of aneurysmal aortas suggests that chronic release of this elastolytic metalloproteinase contributes to extracellular matrix degradation in AAA.

Authors

R W Thompson, D R Holmes, R A Mertens, S Liao, M D Botney, R P Mecham, H G Welgus, W C Parks

Parathyroid hormone gene expression in hypophosphatemic rats.

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Abstract

Phosphate is central to bone metabolism and we have therefore studied whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) is regulated by dietary phosphate in vivo. Weanling rats were fed diets with different phosphate contents for 3 wk: low phosphate (0.02%), normal calcium (0.6%), normal phosphate (0.3%), and calcium (0.6%); high phosphate (1.2%), high calcium (1.2%). The low phosphate diet led to hypophosphatemia, hypercalcemia, and increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 together with decreased PTH mRNA levels (25 +/- 8% of controls, P < 0.01) and serum immunoreactive PTH (4.7 +/- 0.8: 22.1 +/- 3.7 pg/ml; low phosphate: control, P < 0.05). A high phosphate diet led to increased PTH mRNA levels. In situ hybridization showed that hypophosphatemia decreased PTH mRNA in all the parathyroid cells. To separate the effect of low phosphate from changes in calcium and vitamin D rats were fed diets to maintain them as vitamin D-deficient and normocalcemic despite the hypophosphatemia. Hypophosphatemic, normocalemic rats with normal serum 1,25(OH)2D3 levels still had decreased PTH mRNAs. Nuclear transcript run-ons showed that the effect of low phosphate was posttranscriptional. Calcium and 1,25(OH)2D3 regulate the parathyroid and we now show that dietary phosphate also regulates the parathyroid by a mechanism which remains to be defined.

Authors

R Kilav, J Silver, T Naveh-Many