Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Pulmonary acute inflammation'

The hypothesis driving this work was that genetic augmentation of elafin may protect the lung against acute inflammatory injury. A replication-deficient adenovirus encoding human elafin cDNA under the control of the powerful murine cytomegalovirus promoter (Ad-elafin) was used to augment elafin production because of the natural tropism of adenovirus for respiratory epithelium. Ad-elafin significantly protected pulmonary epithelial cells against the effects of both HNE and whole activated human neutrophils in vitro. These findings were extended by studying the effect of Ad-elafin on pulmonary neutrophilia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. Intratracheal (IT) Ad-elafin, administered in doses low enough to obviate overt vector-induced inflammation, significantly augmented LPS-mediated neutrophilia. In addition, LPS significantly up-regulated elafin secretion in Ad-elafin transfected murine airways and in Ad-elafin transfected human pulmonary epithelial cells. The demonstration of a cytoprotective effect for a low molecular weight, cationic elastase inhibitor capable of augmenting neutrophil recruitment during inflammation suggested a potential antimicrobial function for elafin. Elafin was shown to have significant antimicrobial activity against the respiratory pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. On the basis of these observations, the hypothesis that elafin may be protective against inflammatory injury was tested in vivo. Low dose IT Ad-elafin (3x10⁷ plaque forming units) was associated with a significant reduction in acute lung injury induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice. These findings suggest that genetic augmentation of endogenous host defence molecules can protect the lung against acute inflammatory injury. They further suggest that adenoviral constructs containing selective promoters may allow inflammation-specific expression of transgene using low doses of vector.

Doctor of Philosophy
Department of Kinesiology
Craig A. Harms
The overall aim of this dissertation was to determine the impact of lifestyle (i.e. habitual and acute physical activity and diet), age, and sex on systemic and airway inflammation and oxidative stress. In study 1 (Chapter 2) we examined the impact of habitual physical activity level on the post-prandial airway inflammatory response following an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise. Results indicated that the mean exhaled nitric oxide (eNO; marker of airway inflammation) response increased for all groups at two hours post high-fat meal (HFM) (~6%) and returned to baseline by four hours post-HFM. However, there was a varying eNO response from baseline to four hours in the group that exercised in the post-prandial period compared to the group that remained sedentary. These findings suggest airway inflammation occurs after a HFM when exercise is performed in the post-prandial period, regardless of habitual physical activity level. In study 2 (Chapter 3) we investigated the post-prandial oxidative stress response to meals of varying calories and fat. Specifically, we assessed the post-prandial airway and systemic 8-isoprostane (a marker of oxidative stress) responses to meals with moderate-fat (8.5 kcal/kg of bodyweight) and high-fat content (17 kcal/kg of bodyweight) from baseline to six hours post-meal in a randomized crossover design. This study revealed that systemic 8-isoprostane increased from baseline to six hours post-meal (38.3%), but there was no difference between the moderate-fat meal (MFM) and HFM conditions. There were no changes in airway 8-isoprostane from baseline to six hours post-MFM or HFM, or between the MFM and HFM conditions. Lastly, in study 3 (Chapter 4), we were interested in examining 8-isoprostane responses in older adults, since 8-isoprostane has been reported to increase with age. Previous research also suggests that older women (OW) and older men (OM) have differences with regard to prevalence and severity of late-onset asthma. In this study, we sought to determine whether the airway 8-isoprostane response to a strenuous bout of exercise was different in OW compared to OM. A secondary aim was to determine whether post-exercise 8-isoprostane generation was correlated with decrements in lung function. Our results showed that the generation of 8-isoprostane from pre- to post-exercise increased ~74±77% in OW and decreased ~12±50% in OM. The decrease in 8-isoprostane generation was not correlated with improvements in lung function from pre- to post-exercise. These findings collectively contribute to the literature by enhancing our understanding of the impact of lifestyle factors, age and sex on modifying and potentially mitigating the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Abstract Intracoronary administration of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMC) has been postulated to repair the myocardial damage in patients who have suffered acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to find determinants for the left ventricular functional recovery after BMC treatment of STEMI and to study the effect of BMC treatment on different biochemical and clinical parameters associated with the outcome of STEMI patients. In this study, STEMI patients treated with thrombolysis were randomly assigned to receive either intracoronary BMC (n=39) or placebo (n=39) into the infarct related artery at the time of percutaneous coronary intervention. The efficacy of the BMC treatment was assessed by measurement of the change of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from baseline to six months after STEMI. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to assess PA pressure, LV systolic and diastolic function. Blood samples were drawn for biochemical determinations at several time points and BMCs were cultured in the laboratory for in vitro analyses. In the BMC group, the most powerful determinant of the change of LVEF was the baseline LVEF. Patients with baseline LVEF at or below the median (≤62.5%) experienced a more marked improvement of LVEF than those above the median. Elevated levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) were also associated with an improvement of LVEF in the BMC group. However, no difference was observed between the BMC group and the placebo group in the changes of the levels of NT-proANP, NT-proBNP or any of the inflammatory markers measured. The BMC group showed a trend toward a reduction of peak PA pressure, while the placebo group had a significant increase of peak PA pressure at 6 months. In addition, there was a greater improvement in the LV diastolic function, assessed in quartiles, in the BMC group. The in vitro studies of BMCs revealed that exposure to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) significantly enhanced the proliferation of BMCs and resulted in activation of immunosuppression by altering the expression of several immunosuppressive proteins. In conclusion, low baseline LVEF as well as high levels of natriuretic peptides NT-proANP and NT-proBNP, which reflect the severity of the hemodynamic and neurohumoral reactions evoked by the myocardial damage, have a considerable association to a better response to stem cell therapy after an acute STEMI. BMC therapy also prevents the increase of PA pressure and improves the cardiac diastolic function. Based on in vitro studies, the inflammatory cytokine TNF-α seems to evoke an enhanced proliferation of the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and activation of several immunosuppressive defence mechanisms
Tiivistelmä Sydäninfarktipotilaiden sepelvaltimoon pallolaajennuksen yhteydessä injektoitujen kantasolujen tiedetään parantavan hieman sydämen pumppauskykyä, mutta taustalla olevaa mekanismia ei tunneta. Kantasoluhoidon onnistumiseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä on tutkittu vasta vähän, eikä myöskään sitä tiedetä, miksi kaikki potilaat eivät hyödy kantasoluhoidosta. Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää infarktialueelle annetun kantasoluhoidon vaikutuksia äkillisen ST-nousuinfarktin (STEMI) sairastaneissa potilaissa, ja etsiä hoidon onnistumiseen vaikuttavia tekijöitä. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin potilasaineistoa, johon otettiin 78 äkilliseen sydäninfarktiin sairastunutta potilasta, jotka hoidettiin liuotushoidolla ja sen jälkeen pallolaajennuksella. Puolet potilaista satunnaistettiin saamaan lumeliuosta ja puolet omaa luuydinsolukkoaan (BMC), joka ruiskutettiin pallolaajennuksen yhteydessä sepelvaltimon kautta infarktialueelle. Hoidon vaikusta tutkittiin mittaamalla angiografian avulla vasemman kammion ejektiofraktion (LVEF) muutosta lähtötilanteen ja kuuden kuukauden seurannan välillä. Lisäksi sydämen ultraäänitutkimuksella määritettiin keuhkovaltimopainetta ja vasemman kammion systolista ja diastolista toimintaa. Potilaista otettiin lisäksi verinäytteitä, joista määritettiin erilaisia tulehdusmerkkiaineita ja natriureettisia peptidejä. Lisäksi potilaista kerättyjä luuydinkantasoluja viljeltiin laboratoriossa in vitro-analyyseja varten. Tutkimuksessa todettiin, että LVEF ennen kantasoluhoitoa oli voimakkain ennustetekijä suotuisalle LVEF:n muutokselle kantasoluhoidon jälkeen. Potilaat, joilla LVEF oli ennen kantasoluhoitoa alle mediaaniarvon (≤62.5%), hyötyivät kantasoluhoidosta enemmän kuin potilaat, joilla LVEF oli yli mediaanin. Myös natriureettisten peptidien NT-proBNP:n ja NT-proANP:n korkea taso infarktin jälkeen oli yhteydessä suurempaan LVEF:n paranemiseen BMC-potilailla. Natriureettisten peptidien ja tulehdusmerkkiaineiden pitoisuuksien muutoksissa kantasoluhoidon jälkeen ei kuitenkaan todettu eroa BMC- ja kontrolliryhmän välillä. Sydämen diastolisen toiminnan havaittiin paranevan enemmän BMC-ryhmässä kuin kontrolliryhmässä. Lisäksi BMC-ryhmässä havaittiin lievää laskua keuhkovaltimopaineessa, kun taas kontrolliryhmässä se nousi merkittävästi. In vitro-tutkimukset luuytimestä erilaistetuilla mesenkymaalisilla kantasoluilla puolestaan osoittivat, että tuumorinekroositekijä alfa (TNF-α)-altistus lisäsi solujakautumista ja monien immunosupressiivisten proteiinien tuottoa soluissa. Matala LVEF sekä natriureettisten peptidien NT-proBNP:n ja NT-proANP:n korkea taso sydäninfarktin jälkeen kuvaavat infarktivaurion aiheuttamien hemodynaamisten ja neurohumoraalisten reaktioiden vakavuutta, ja tässä tutkimuksessa niiden osoitettiin olevan vahvasti yhteydessä äkillisen ST-nousuinfarktin jälkeen annetun kantasoluhoidon hyötyyn. Kantasoluhoito saattaa myös suojata infarktipotilaita haitalliselta keuhkovaltimopaineen nousulta ja parantaa sydämen diastolista toimintaa. Tulehdusvälittäjäaine TNF-α näytti in vitro-kokeiden perusteella lisäävän luuytimen mesenkymaalisten kantasolujen jakautumista ja aktivoivan niissä monia immunosuppressiivisia puolustusmekanismeja tulehdusta vastaan

Mechanical ventilation in itself can harm the lung and cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), which can induce or aggravate acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Much debate remains over pivotal concepts regarding the pathophysiology of VILI, especially about the precise contribution, kinetics, and primary role of potential VILI mechanisms. Consequently, it remains largely unknown how best to design a well-timed and full-bodied mechanical ventilation strategy. Little is known also about small airways dysfunction in ARDS. Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) with [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) can be used to image cellular metabolism, which during lung inflammation mainly reflects neutrophil activity, allowing the study of regional lung inflammation in vivo. We studied the regional evolution of inflammation using dynamic PET/CT imaging of 18F-FDG in VILI and during different lung-protective mechanical ventilation strategies. By dynamic CT we investigated also the location and magnitude of peripheral airway closure and alveolar collapse under high and low distending pressures and high and low inspiratory oxygen fraction. Piglets were submitted to an experimental model of early ARDS combining repeated lung lavages and injurious mechanical ventilation. The animals were subsequently studied during sustained VILI, or submitted to distinct approaches of lung-protective mechanical ventilation: the one recommended by the ARDS Network (ARDSNet), or to one defined as open lung approach (OLA). The normally and poorly aerated regions - corresponding to intermediate gravitational zones - were the primary targets of the inflammatory process accompanying early VILI, which may be attributed to the small volume of the aerated lung that receives most of ventilation. The ARDSNet strategy did not attenuate global pulmonary inflammation during 27h and led to a concentration of inflammatory activity in the upper and poorly aerated lung regions. The OLA, in comparison with the ARDSNet approach, resulted in sustained and better gas exchange and lung mechanics. Moreover, the OLA strategy resulted in less global and regional inflammation. Dynamic CT data suggested that a significant amount of airway closure and related reabsorption atelectasis occurs in acute lung injury. Whether potential distal bronchioles injury (“bronchiolotrauma”) is a critical and decisive element in ventilator-associated lung injury is a matter for future studies.

Sepse é uma resposta inflamatória inapropriada desencadeada pela presença de bactérias e/ou produtos bacterianos como lipopolissacarídeos (LPS). A sepse grave e o choque séptico estão associados a taxas de mortalidade de 40 a 60%. A falência respiratória está entre as mais frequentes complicações da sepse grave, ocorrendo em quase 80% dos casos. Cerca de 40% dos pacientes com sepse desenvolvem a síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo (SDRA), caracterizada principalmente pela alteração da função respiratória, surgimento de edema intersticial pulmonar e deposição de colágeno nos pulmões. Embora a reposição volêmica seja normalmente utilizada em pacientes sépticos, não há consenso quanto ao volume a ser administrado, sendo atualmente recomendada a utilização de pequenos volumes. Neste contexto, a solução salina hipertônica (NaCl 7,5%, SH) tem sido apresentada como um potencial agente terapêutico. Visando contribuir para o conhecimento dos benefícios da solução salina hipertônica (SH) na sepse, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a ação do tratamento precoce e tardio com solução hipertônica no pulmão de ratos endotoxêmicos. Ratos Wistar foram separados em 4 grupos (n=10): CTL (sem nenhum insulto ou tratamento); LPS (injetados com LPS 10mg/Kg i.p); HIPER (animais que receberam tratamento com solução hipertônica 7,5% NaCl i.p na dose de 4ml/Kg 15 min. ou 1,5 horas após injeção de LPS) e SALINA ((animais que receberam tratamento com solução salina 0,9% NaCl i.p na dose de 34ml/Kg 15 min. ou 1,5 horas após injeção de LPS). Foram avaliados a mortalidade, e após 24 horas o edema e a mecânica pulmonar, os colágenos tipo I e tipo III, a expressão e atividade da MMP-9, a expressão de FAK e a síntese de óxido nítrico (NO). Nossos resultados mostraram que o tratamento precoce com solução hipertônica evitou a morte dos animais endotoxêmicos. Nenhum dos tratamentos modulou os mediadores inflamatórios. O tratamento precoce com solução hipertônica diminuiu a síntese de iNOS e nitrito, a expressão e atividade de MMP-9 e de FAK, junto com a deposição de colágeno tipo I evitando a substituição do colágeno III. Observamos melhora dos parâmetros de mecânica respiratória. O tratamento tardio com solução hipertônica não apresentou os mesmos resultados promissores observados no tratamento precoce, sugerindo que o tempo de administração da hipertônica é de grande importância para obtenção de seus efeitos terapêuticos
Sepsis syndrome is caused by inappropriate immune activation due to bacteria and bacterial components released during infection. The respiratory failure is among the most frequent complication of severe sepsis, occurring in almost 80% of the cases. About 40% of septic patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is characterized mainly by the change of respiratory function, interstitial lung edema and fibronectin and collagen deposition in the lung. Fluid resuscitation is normally used in the management of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. Hypertonic saline solution (HS, NaCl 7,5%) has shown to modulates immune function and decrease pulmonary injury triggered by endotoxemic shock. Our objective was to investigate the effects of early and later HS treatment on the mechanism involved in pulmonary injury, in an experimental model of endotoxemic shock. Wistar rats received lipopolysaccharide - LPS (10mg/kg i.p.) and volume i.v. after 15 minutes (early) or 1,5 hours (later). The animals were assigned in four groups (n=10): control group (not subjected to LPS); LPS group (injected with LPS 10mg/kg i.p); HS group (treated with hypertonic saline, 4 mL/Kg i.v. after LPS) and NS group (treated with normal saline, 34 mL/kg i.v. after LPS). We evaluated mortality and at 24h after treatment, pulmonary edema and mechanics, type I and type III collagen expression, metalloproteinase 9 expression and activity, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis were measured. In the early treatment NS increased pulmonary resistance and elastance, compared to other groups. HS inhibited collagen expression compared to LPS and NS groups and prevented pulmonary injury by decreasing MMP-9 activity in tissue. Expression of FAK was decreased in HS groups compared to LPS and NS groups. NO expression was decreased in HS group, compared to LPS and NS groups. The later treatment with HS did not showed improvement of previous parameters increasing mortality and pulmonary injury. We concluded that HS treatment of endotoxemic shock at the earliest possible time point maximizes its efficacy in preventing pulmonary injury probably acting on nitric oxide-induced FAK activation pathway, which could modulate the collagen deposition in pulmonary tissue, and consequently decrease the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. Later treatment with HS decreased beneficial effects of hypertonic saline observed in early infusion, showed the importance of timing in the result of fluid therapy

L'interleukine 7 (IL-7) est une cytokine indispensable au développement et à l'homéostasie des lymphocytes T. Le récepteur à l'IL-7 (IL-7R) est composé de la chaîne alpha (ou CD127) partagée avec le récepteur au TSLP et de la chaîne commune gamma c (ou CD132) partagée avec plusieurs récepteurs de cytokines gamma. L'expression de son récepteur a été décrite dans les lymphocytes T, mais n'a pas été clairement démontrée dans les cellules présentatrices d'antigène (CPA). Cependant, l'expression de CD127 et des récepteurs aux cytokines gamma ont été décrits sur ces cellules suggérant l'expression d'un IL-7R fonctionnel par les CPA. De façon intéressante, la chaîne CD127 existe également sous différentes formes solubles (CD127s) résultant d'épissages alternatifs de l'ARN messager. Toutefois, l'expression et la régulation de l'expression des isoformes de CD127 ont été peu étudiées dans les CPA. Par ailleurs, des polymorphismes du gène CD127 ont été identifiés et associés à une forte concentration plasmatique de la forme soluble CD127s ∆6 chez l'Homme et à une plus forte susceptibilité de développer des maladies auto-immunes. Certains de ces polymorphismes ont également été associés à une évolution plus rapide vers le stade SIDA chez les patients HIV. Enfin, sa capacité à lier l'IL-7 suggère un rôle important de cette forme soluble dans la régulation de la réponse à l'IL-7 en agissant sur sa biodisponibilité. Cependant, l'expression de CD127s plasmatique est très controversée chez les patients HIV en phase chronique. De plus, son expression n'est pas connue dans les organes infectés et n'a jamais été décrite en phase aiguë de l'infection. Enfin, son origine et sa fonction ne sont pas encore élucidées. La quantification spécifique de CD127s ∆6 par RT-qPCR chez le macaque rhésus sain révèle une expression minoritaire de CD127s ∆6 dans les PBMC, faible dans les intestins, plus importante dans les ganglions et encore plus importante dans les poumons. De façon plus précise, cette étude met en évidence sur cellules isolées du sang et de la rate de singes sains, une faible expression de CD127 par les monocytes caractérisée néanmoins par une représentation majeure de la forme soluble contrairement aux lymphocytes T. Ces résultats ont été confirmés par la suite in vitro dans 2 populations immunitaires majoritaires des poumons : les macrophages alvéolaires primaires (MA) issus de lavages broncho-alvéolaires (LBA) de macaque rhésus sains et les cellules épithéliales pulmonaires (CEP) humaines de la lignée NCI-H226. Dans une deuxième partie, la quantification spécifique de CD127s ∆6 par RT-qPCR dans les organes (ganglions et poumons) et le dosage de la protéine CD127s plasmatique en phase aiguë de l'infection SIVmac251 révèlent une augmentation significative de son expression dans les poumons aux temps J7, J10 et J14 post infection et de sa concentration plasmatique à J10 chez les singes infectés. Enfin dans une dernière partie, la charge virale et l'IL-7 endogène ont également été mesurées chez les singes infectés afin de mieux comprendre les mécanismes de régulation de l'expression de CD127s ∆6 au cours de l'infection par le SIVmac251. De façon surprenante, aucune corrélation n'a été trouvée entre l'expression de CD127s ∆6 et la charge virale ou l'expression d'IL-7 endogène chez les singes infectés et les singes sains après injection d'une dose pharmacologique d'IL-7. Ces données suggèrent un effet indirect de l'IL-7 et du virus sur l'expression de CD127s ∆6 et un rôle des facteurs de l'inflammation dans la régulation de son expression. Dans l'objectif de mieux définir ces mécanismes de régulation, les transcrits codant pour la forme soluble ont été quantifiés dans les MA et les CEP in vitro après 6H de stimulation ou non sous IL-7 ou TSLP (ligands de CD127) seul ou couplé au TNFα (cytokine pro inflammatoire). (...)
Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a crucial cytokine for T-cell development and peripheral T-cell homeostasis. The IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) is composed by the alpha chain (or CD127) shared with the TSLP receptor and the common gamma chain (or CD132) shared with several receptors of gamma cytokines. IL-7R expression was described in T lymphocytes but was not clearly demonstrated in antigen presenting cells (APC). However, CD127 chain and gamma cytokine receptors were described in these cells suggesting a functional IL-7R expression in APC. Interestingly, the CD127 chain also exists under various soluble forms (CD127s) resulting in alternative splicing of CD127 mRNA. However, the expression and the regulation of CD127 isoforms expression have been barely studied in APC. Moreover, polymorphisms in CD127 gene were identified and associated with a strong plasmatic concentration of the soluble form CD127s ∆6 in Humans and a stronger susceptibility to develop autoimmune diseases. Some of these polymorphisms are also associated with a faster evolution to the AIDS stage for HIV patients. Finally, the capacity of this soluble form to bound IL-7 suggests an important role of CD127s ∆6 to regulate IL-7 response by acting on his availability. However, the plasmatic CD127s expression is very controversial in HIV patients in chronic phase of infection. Moreover it expression was not known in infected organs and has never been described in acute phase of infection. Finally, nobody defines its origin and its function yet. The specific quantification of CD127s ∆6 by RT-qPCR revealed a minority expression of CD127s ∆6 in PBMC, weak in gut, more important in ganglions and even more in lung. More precisely, this study highlight on isolated cells from healthy monkey’s blood and spleen, a weak expression of CD127 by monocytes characterized by a majority expression of the soluble form contrary to T lymphocytes. Afterwards, we confirmed these results in vitro in two major immune populations in lung: in primary alveolar macrophages (AM) isolated from broncho-alveolar lavages (BAL) from healthy rhesus monkey and in the NCI-H226 lineage of human lung epithelial cells (LEC). In a second part, the specific quantification of CD127s Δ6 by RT-qPCR in organs (ganglions and lung) and the determination of the CD127s plasmatic protein at the acute phase of SIVmac251 infection revealed a significant up-regulation of this expression in lung in times D7, D10 and D14 post infection and its plasmatic concentration at D10 in infected monkeys. Finally, in the last part, we also quantified the viral load and IL-7 expression from infected monkeys to understand mechanisms implicated in regulation of CD127 expression during SIVmac251 infection. Surprisingly, we found none correlation between CD127s ∆6 expression and viral load or IL-7 expression from infected monkeys and healthy monkeys after injection of a pharmacological dose of IL-7. These data suggest an indirect effect of IL-7 and virus on CD127s ∆6 expression and a role of inflammation factors in regulation of his expression. In order to better define these mechanisms of regulation, the transcripts coding for the soluble form were quantified on AM and LEC in vitro after 6H of stimulation with or without IL-7 or TSLP (ligands of CD127) alone or combined with TNFα (pro inflammatory cytokine). Surprisingly, contrary to T lymphocytes, IL-7 do not induces down regulation of CD127 expression on AM and LEC. Nevertheless, CD127s ∆6 expression is upregulated upon TNFα by AM in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, the costimulation (IL-7 + TNFα) induces CD127s ∆6 expression by LEC revealing a synergic effect of IL-7 and TNFα. Finally the polarization of macrophages derived from human monocytes (hMDM) show that activated state of macrophages impact not only expression but also regulation of CD127 expression by these cytokines. (...)

Nosso objetivo foi determinar que tipo de estatina pode atenuar a lesão pulmonar aguda (LPA) induzida por lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) em camundongos da linhagem C57Bl/6. Trinta camundongos machos ( 23 g) foram divididos em 5 grupos (n=6 cada): grupo LPS (10 mg/kg) administrado intraperitonealmente (i.p.), LPS mais atorvastatina (10 mg/kg/dia; grupo LPS+A), LPS mais pravastatina (5 mg/kg/dia; grupo LPS+P) e LPS mais sinvastatina (20 mg/kg/dia; grupo LPS+S). O grupo controle recebeu salina i.p.. Em um grupo separado de camundongos (n=5), a soma das pressões pulmonares resistivas e viscoelásticas (DeltaPtot) e elastância estática (E[st]) foram medidas. Um dia após a administração de LPS os camundongos foram sacrificados (24 h) por deslocamento cervical e logo em seguida foi realizado lavado broncoalveolar (LBA). Os pulmões foram removidos para análise histopatológica e homogeneizados para análises bioquímicas (ELISA, catalase, superóxido dismutase, mieloperoxidase, substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico, carbonilação de proteínas e método de Griess). A quantidade de leucócitos foi menor no grupo LPS+P (p<0,01) e LPS+S (p<0,05) em comparação ao grupo LPS. Os níveis de MCP-1 e IL-6 reduziram no grupo LPS+P (p<0,01), enquanto o grupo LPS + S mostrou redução apenas nos níveis de IL-6 (p<0,05) em comparação ao grupo LPS. Marcadores redox (superóxido dismutase e catalase) foram menores no grupo LPS+A (p<0,01) em comparação ao grupo LPS. A peroxidação lipídica (malondialdeído e hidroperóxidos) diminuiu em todos os grupos tratados (p<0,05) quando comparados ao grupo LPS. A mieloperoxidase foi menor no grupo LPS+P (p<0,01) quando comparado ao grupo LPS. DeltaPtot e E(st) foram, significativamente, maiores no grupo LPS do que nos outros grupos. Nossos resultados sugerem que atorvastatina e pravastatina, mas não a sinvastatina, exibiram ações anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes na LPA induzida por LPS.
To determinate what statins could attenuate acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice. Young male mice ( 23 g) were divided into 5 groups (n=6 each): injected with LPS i.p. (10 mg/kg), LPS plus atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day; LPS+A group) or pravastatin (5 mg/kg/day; LPS+P group) or simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day; LPS+S group). Control group received saline (i.p.). In a separated group of mice (n=5) the sum of pulmonary resistive and viscoelastic pressures (DeltaPtot) and static elastance (E[st]) were measured. One day later (24 h), the animals were sacrificed, BAL performed and lungs were removed for histopathological analysis and homogenized for biochemical analyses (ELISA, catalase, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyls and griess assay). The amount of leukocytes was lower in LPS+P (p<0.01) and LPS+S (p<0.05). Cytokine levels of MCP-1 was lower in LPS+P (p<0.01) while IL-6 was lower in LPS+P (p<0.01) and LPS+S (p <0.05). Redox markers (superoxide dismutase and catalase) were lower in LPS+A (p<0.01). Lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde and hydroperoxides) were lower in all treated groups (p<0.05). Myeloperoxidase was lower in LPS+P (p<0.01). DeltaPtot and E(st) were significantly higher in the LPS group than in the other groups. Our results suggest that atorvastatin and pravastatin, but no simvastatin, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions in LPS-induced ALI.

Les deux formes d'inflammation pulmonaire en réanimation sont la pneumonie et le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA). Nous avons conçu un test diagnostique rapide basé sur l'autofluorescence des neutrophiles alvéolaires. S'appuyant sur une étude expérimentale, puis sur une étude clinique randomisée, nous avons montré que les sondes d'intubation avec ballonnets coniques diminuaient les micro-inhalations sans prévenir l'incidence des pneumonies post-opératoire. Une grande variabilité des pressions des ballonnets coniques pose la question de leur effet délétère. La thérapie cellulaire basée sur les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM) est prometteuse. L'étude des effets thérapeutiques des vésicules extracellulaires issues de CSM (VE-CSM) constitue un nouvel axe de recherche. Dans 2 modèles murins de SDRA, puis dans un modèle de poumons humains ex vivo, nous avons démontré des effets thérapeutiques des VE-CSM. Nous avons ensuite étudié les lymphocytes T régulateurs (Treg) pulmonaires et systémiques dans le SDRA. Cette étude a montré un déficit quantitatif plutôt que fonctionnel de la population Treg pulmonaire dans le SDRA, avec une cinétique évoquant un recrutement des Treg circulants vers le compartiment pulmonaire au cours de la maladie. En conclusion, nos travaux ont développé de nouvelles stratégies diagnostiques et préventives des pneumonies de réanimation, afin de réduire leur impact en termes de morbi-mortalité. Les bénéfices thérapeutiques des CSM et des VE-CSM dans le SDRA expérimental, ainsi que l'altération du phénotype Treg observé chez nos patients, ouvrent de nouveaux champs de recherche vers le développement d'immunothérapies innovantes
Pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are two facets of severe acute lunginflammation, often met in intensive care unit (ICU). Rapid diagnosis of pneumonia remains essential inorder to optimize their management. We worked on setting up a quick test diagnosis based on theintensity of alveolar neutrophils autofluorescence. The validation of this test in a multicenter cohort isunderway. Preventing microaspiration across the cuff remains a priority to prevent pneumonia inmechanically ventilated patients. Based on the results of an ex vivo study followed by a clinicalrandomized trial, we showed that tapered-cuff endotracheal tube prevented microaspiration in the exvivo model, without lowering intraoperative microaspirations and postoperative pneumonia rate aftermajor vascular surgery. Both studies yielded similar results concerning the higher variation of cuffpressureover time, which leads to the question of their safety of use in terms of potential resultingtracheal wall ischemia.Pneumonia represents 80% of the cause of ARDS, which can be viewed as lung uncontrolledinflammatory response. Cell-based therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is a growing field ofresearch in ARDS therapy. Despite numerous beneficial effects in ARDS, their capacity of self-renewalpoints them out as a potential cancer inducer in the mid-long term. In this context, evaluating thetherapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles-released from MSC (EV-MSC) represents a novel approach.We showed therapeutic effects of EC-CSM in two murine model of ARDS induced by endotoxin or liveEscherichia coli bacteria, and in another ex vivo human lung preparation.We then focused our research on temporal and compartmental dynamics of regulatory T cells(Treg) phenotypes in ARDS patients. This prospective observational clinical study showed that Early ARDSwas characterized with an alveolar compartment fully polarized towards pro-inflammatory state andneutrophils chemotaxis. In lung compartment, and compared to control patients, ARDS patients showeda quantitative Tregs deficiency, which partially recovered over time, while activation markers wereoverexpressed in both Tregs and effectors T cells (Teff). Conversely, patients with ARDS had a higherproportion of systemic Tregs compared to controls. Significant increased proportion in circulating Th1,Th22, and ILC1 subsets, and decreased proportion in ILC3 subsets were also found in ARDS patientscompared to controls.In conclusion, we developed novel strategies to diagnose and prevent pneumonia in ICU, whichremains essential to improve patients’ outcomes. Therapeutic effects of MSC and EV-MSC, as well asTreg phenotype alterations pave the way for development of novel immunoregulatory therapies

INTRODUÇÃO: A lesão pulmonar aguda (LPA) decorrente de aspiração do conteúdo gástrico é freqüente em pacientes com nível de consciência comprometido e depressão dos reflexos de vias aéreas. A solução salina hipertônica (HS) a 7,5% apresenta resultados ainda controversos quanto ao seu potencial efeito protetor na resposta inflamatória pulmonar. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial efeito antiinflamatório da solução salina hipertônica no modelo experimental de lesão pulmonar por aspiração de ácido clorídrico (HCl). MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 32 suínos (n=32; 8/grupo) divididos aleatoriamente nos seguintes grupos: Sham, onde os animais foram somente anestesiados, ventilados e observados; HS, onde os animais receberam infusão de HS a 7,5% (4 ml/kg), sem LPA; ALI, onde os animais foram submetidos à LPA com HCl; ALI+HS, onde os animais foram submetidos à LPA com HCl e tratados com HS a 7,5% (4 ml/kg). Foram mensurados parâmetros hemodinâmicos e ventilatórios. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para hemogasometria e análise dos níveis plasmáticos de TNF-?. Foram coletadas amostras do lavado broncoalveolar para mensuração das seguintes citocinas: IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 e TNF-?, e realização do burst oxidativo das células pulmonares. O tecido pulmonar foi coletado para análise histológica posterior. A análise estatística foi realizada pela análise de variância com medidas repetidas (ANOVA) seguida por teste de Tukey. O grau de significância estabelecido foi de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatística significante quanto aos parâmetros ventilatórios, oxigenação sanguinea, burst oxidativo e análise histológica pulmonar dos grupos ALI e ALI+HS, quando comparados aos grupos Sham e HS. Níveis de IL-6 e IL-8 apresentaram-se mais elevados nos grupos ALI e ALI+HS, porém sem diferença estatística entre grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo de LPA estudado foi capaz de promover lesão pulmonar direta e heterogênea, porém o grupo tratado com solução salina 7,5% não apresentou diferença estatística sobre o grupo não tratado no que alude aos parâmetros avaliados.
BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by aspiration of gastric contents is not ununsual in patients with depression of airway reflexes. The potential anti-inflammatory effects of hypertonic saline 7.5% (HS) is still controversial on pulmonary response. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-inflamatory effect of hypertonic saline (HS) in a swine model of hydrochloric acid (HCl) aspiration. METHODS: 32 pigs (n=32; 8/group) were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham, the animals were only anesthetized, ventilated and observed; HS, the animals received an 7.5% hypertonic saline infusion (4ml/kg); ALI, animals were submitted to ALI with HCl infusion; ALI+HS, animals were submitted to ALI with HCl infusion and treated with 7.5% hypertonic saline (4ml/kg). Hemodynamic and ventilatory parameters were measured. Blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis and plasma levels mensuration of TNF-?. Bronchoalveolar samples were also collected for IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-? cytokine mensuration and oxidative burst analysis. Lung tissue was collected for histological analysis. A parametrical analysis of variance with repeated measurement (ANOVA) followed by Tukey test was done. The significance level was set at 5% (p<0,05). RESULTS: There were estatistical differences regarding to ventilatory parameters, oxigenation, oxidative burst and pulmonary histological evaluation in ALI and ALI+HS groups, when compared to Sham and HS. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher in ALI and ALI+HS groups. However, no statistical difference were found between groups. CONCLUSION: The ALI model was effective to promote diffuse and heterogeneous lung injury. However, the group treated with 7.5% hypertonic saline did not presented statistical difference when compared to the non treated group regarding the evaluated parameters.

A diabetes tipo 1 (DT1) está associada `a inflamação estéril (IE) e maior susceptibilidade a sepse. A sepse induz a síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica (SIRS) e a inflamação pulmonar aguda (ALI). O leucotrieno (LT) B4 produzido condições inflamatórias induz a expressão de MyD88 em macrófagos (MA). Hipotetizamos que a DT1 induz a síntese de LTB4 promovendo a IE e isto contribui para SIRS, susceptibilidade a sepse e ALI. Os diabéticos apresentaram níveis elevados de LTB4 e IL-1b no soro e seu MA expressaram mais MyD88/STAT-1. A expressão de STAT-1 foi induzida por c-Jun de forma dependente de LTB4. O tratamento com insulina restaurou os níveis de LTB4 e STAT-1/MyD88 e a inibição de LTB4 restaurou os níveis de MyD88 e IL-1b. Na sepse, a inibição de 5LO prolongou a sobrevida dos diabéticos e diminuiu a SIRS menos IL-1b e IL-10 no soro e TNF-a e IL-1b na cavidade peritoneal. O pulmão dos diabéticos apresentaram ALI menos intensa que se correlacionou com um altos níveis de SOCS-1, baixos níveis de MyD88 e falha na ativação de NFkB nos macrófagos alveolares.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with sterile inflammation (SI) and increased sepsis susceptibility. Sepsis induces Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and Acute Lung Injury (ALI). Leukotriene (LT) B4 is produced in inflammatory conditions and induces MyD88 expression in macrophages (MA). We hypothesized that T1D induce LB4 that promotes SI contributing to SIRS, sepsis susceptibility and ALI. Diabetics presented higher levels of LTB4 and e IL-1b in the serum and MA expressed more MyD88/STAT-1. STAT-1 expression was induced by c-Jun on LTB4 dependent manner. Insulin treatment restored LTB4 and STAT-1/MyD88 levels and inhibition of LTB4 restored MyD88 and IL-1b levels. During sepsis, 5LO inhibition increased diabetics survival and inhibited SIRS- lower levels of IL-1b and IL-10 in the serum and TNF-a and IL-1b in the peritoneal cavity. Lungs from diabetics presented milder ALI that correlated with high levels of SOCS-1, low levels of MyD88 and impaired NFkB activation in alveolar macrophages.

Le SDRA est défini comme une inflammation pulmonaire aiguë généralisée associée à une perméabilité vasculaire accrue et entraînant une insuffisance respiratoire menaçant le pronostic vital. Le SDRA reste une affection grave et fréquente chez les patients admis en réanimation, résultant de lésions épithéliales pulmonaires (telles qu'observées dans la pneumonie) et d'états inflammatoires systémiques aigus tels que le choc septique, dans lesquels les lésions endothéliales et le recrutement cellulaire excessif jouent un rôle majeur. Cette affection est caractérisée par une augmentation du recrutement leucocytaire et en particulier neutrophilique du compartiment sanguin vers les poumons. Après une étape d'adhérence ferme résultant de l'interaction entre l'intégrine LFA-1 et son ligand endothélial ICAM-1, la migration transendothéliale repose sur des mécanismes moléculaires complexes impliquant d'une part des molécules d'adhésion endothéliale (E-sélectine, ICAM) et leurs ligands leucocytaires (PSGL-1, LFA-1, Mac-1) et, d'autre part, des activateurs chimiotactiques de la diapédèse des leucocytes (CXCL-12, CCL-2, IL-8) ou des inhibiteurs tels que l'endocan.Endocan est un protéoglycane circulant principalement synthétisé et sécrété par l'endothélium pulmonaire. Cette molécule a été décrite comme un inhibiteur fonctionnel de l'interaction LFA-1 / ICAM-1, ce qui explique sa capacité à inhiber le recrutement des leucocytes. De manière concordante, de faibles niveaux d'endocan ont été rapportés comme étant associés à un risque accru de défaillance respiratoire chez les patients admis en réanimation en état de sepsis sévère. Cette association pourrait résulter d'un manque de sécrétion d'endocan entraînant un déficit de protection contre une inflammation pulmonaire excessive chez ces patients. Une autre explication pourrait être avancée, basée sur les résultats de De Freitas Caires et al., qui ont montré l'existence d'un catabolite majeur de l'endocan produit sous l'effet protéolytique de la cathepsine G des neutrophiles. Ce fragment d'endocan, dénommé p14, dépourvu de la chaîne glycanique requise pour l'activité anti-inflammatoire d'endocan, pourrait être impliqué dans la restauration de niveaux élevés d'inflammation pulmonaire. En effet, il pourrait antagoniser la capacité d’endocan à interagir avec le LFA-1, avec pour conséquence de réverser son effet anti-migratoire. Ainsi, endocan et p14 pourraient constituer une voie innovante, dont l'exploration associée à celles d'autres paramètres pourrait finalement améliorer la prise en charge du SDRA.Au cours de ma thèse, nous avons d'abord étudié les effets de l'endocan humain sur la migration transendothéliale, puis exploré l'implication potentielle de l'interaction LFA-1 / ICAM-1 dans ces effets et évalué l'effet anti-inflammatoire hypothétique de l'endocan dans un modèle murin d'inflammation aiguë pulmonaire. Nous avons également exploré les effets de p14 sur l'interaction endocan / LFA-1 / ICAM-1 et ses conséquences sur le recrutement des leucocytes humains. Par la suite, nous avons décrit les conditions de fiabilité de la mesure de l'endocan chez les patients afin de déterminer si les résultats concernant les effets de l'endocan et de p14 dans le domaine de la science fondamentale pouvaient être extrapolés pour les investigations cliniques. Enfin, nous avons cherché à conforter la valeur pronostique de l'endocan sanguin mesurée à l'admission en réanimation en tant que prédicteur du SDRA, confortant ainsi l'hypothèse émise par Palud et al., dans une cohorte indépendante et plus large de patients
ARDS is defined as an acute diffuse, inflammatory lung injury associated with increased vascular permeability and leading to life-threatening respiratory failure. ARDS is still a severe and common condition in ICU patients, resulting from lung epithelial injuries (as observed in pneumonia) as well as systemic acute inflammatory states, such as septic shock, in which endothelial injury and excessive cellular recruitment play a major role. This condition is characterized by an increase in the migration of leukocytes and especially neutrophils from blood compartment into the lung. Following a firm adherence step depending on the interaction between the integrin LFA-1 and its endothelial ligand ICAM-1, transendothelial migration is based on complex molecular mechanisms involving on one hand endothelial adhesion molecules (E-selectine, ICAMs), and their leukocyte ligands (PSGL-1, LFA-1, Mac-1) and on the other hand chemotactic activators of leukocyte diapedesis (CXCL-12, CCL-2, IL-8) or inhibitors such as endocan.Endocan is a circulating proteoglycan mainly synthesized and secreted by lung endothelium. This molecule has been reported as a functional inhibitor of the LFA-1 / ICAM-1 interaction, explaining its ability to inhibit leukocyte recruitment. Consistently, low levels of endocan have been reported to be associated with high occurrence of respiratory failure in patients admitted in ICU with severe sepsis. This association could result from a lack of secretion of endocan leading to an insufficient protection against excessive lung inflammation in these patients. Another explanation could be advanced, based on the results from De Freitas Caires et al, who have reported the existence of a major catabolite of endocan produced under the proteolytic effect of neutrophil cathepsin G. This endocan fragment, named p14, devoid of the glycanic chain required for the anti-inflammatory activity of endocan, could be involved in the restoration of high levels of lung inflammation. Indeed, it could compete with endocan’s ability to interact with LFA-1, and then could reverse its biological anti-migratory effect. Thus, endocan and p14 could constitute an interesting innovative pathway integrating in much larger models that could finally improve the management of ARDS.During my PhD, we first investigated the effects of human endocan on transendothelial migration, then assessed the potential involvement of the LFA-1 / ICAM-1 interaction in those effects and finally evaluated the hypothetical anti-inflammatory effect of human endocan in a mouse LPS-induced ALI model. We also explored the effects of p14 on the endocan / LFA-1 / ICAM-1 interaction and its consequence on the recruitment of human leukocytes. Then, to assess whether those results concerning the effects of endocan and p14 in the field of basic science could be extrapolated for clinical investigations, we described the conditions of reliability of measurement of blood endocan in ICU patients. Finally, we aimed to comfort the prognostic value of blood endocan measured at ICU admission as a predictor of ARDS, thus supporting the hypothesis emitted by Palud et al, in an independent and larger cohort of patients

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Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)
A Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) caracteriza-se por processo inflamatório que leva à quebra da barreira alvéolo-capilar com desenvolvimento de edema intersticial e alveolar, diminuição da complacência pulmonar, hipertensão pulmonar, desequilíbrio da relação ventilação/perfusão e hipoxemia refratária à administração de oxigênio. Apesar do progresso no entendimento de sua fisiopatologia e consequente avanço em estratégias terapêuticas de pacientes com SDRA, a mortalidade permanece elevada. Entre os mecanismos que levam a síndrome, várias evidências sugerem que pacientes portadores de SDRA estão expostos a elevado grau de estresse oxidativo (EO) induzido por ampla variedade de eventos. Por essa razão é fundamental a compreensão do papel do EO tanto na instalação como na perpetuação do processo infamatório que ocorre na doença. No entanto, apesar do uso de antioxidantes ter mostrado algum benefício na evolução da doença, ainda não há evidência clínica para sua utilização rotineira na prática. O licopeno é um carotenoide sem atividade provitamina A encontrado principalmente no tomate e nas frutas vermelhas. Em decorrência de seu grande número de duplas ligações conjugadas, o licopeno é considerado um dos melhores antioxidantes entre os carotenoides. Além disso, é um dos mais potentes antioxidantes encontrados no organismo humano, apresentando potência antioxidante 100 vezes maior do que a vitamina E e a vitamina C. A ventilação mecânica convencional protetora (VMC) constitui um dos principais pilares do tratamento da SDRA, sendo capaz de modificar a evolução da doença e reduzir a mortalidade. Baseado nos efeitos protetores da ventilação oscilatória de alta frequência (VOAF) sobre a SDRA, anteriormente descritos pelo grupo, bem como o potencial papel antioxidante e antiinflamatório do licopeno, nossa hipótese é que esse carotenoide exerce efeito protetor adicional em modelo experimental de SDRA. O objetivo do estudo foi investigar os efeitos da suplementação com licopeno sobre o EO pulmonar, por meio da capacidade antioxidante total (TAP) e dano oxidativo do DNA (teste do Cometa), em modelo experimental de lesão pulmonar induzida em coelhos ventilados com VMC e VOAF, comparando-os com grupo controle. Também foram avaliadas a histologia pulmonar e a inflamação pela contagem de células de neutrófilos no lavado broncoalveolar. Cinquenta e cinco coelhos foram instrumentados com traqueostomia, acessos vasculares e ventilados mecanicamente. Os animais suplementados receberam 10mg/Kg de licopeno durante 21 dias antes do experimento. A lesão pulmonar foi induzida por infusão traqueal de salina aquecida (30mL/Kg, 38°C). Foram formados os seguintes grupos experimentais: animais sadios foram submetidos a eutanásia para compor o grupo baseline sem suplementação: GBL; n=5 e baseline suplementado com licopeno: GBLL; n=5, animais sadios submetidos à VM Protetora, sem suplementação denominado grupo controle GC; n=5, animais submetidos à indução da lesão pulmonar e tratamento com ventilação mecânica e suplementados com licopeno GVMCL; n=10 e sem suplementação GVMC; n=10, com LP submetidos à VOAF e suplementados com licopeno GVAFL; n=10 e sem suplementação GVAF; n=10. Após a confirmação da lesão pulmonar, as gasometrias foram realizadas a cada 30 minutos pelas 4 horas de duração do protocolo experimental. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Comparando os momentos, antes e depois da lesão pulmonar em cada grupo, houve piora significante da oxigenação e também diminuição da complacência pulmonar estática em todos os grupos. Após 4 horas, os grupos tratados com VOAF, com e sem licopeno, e o grupo sob VMC protetora com licopeno, apresentaram melhora significante em relação ao grupo VMC protetora sem suplementação, apresentando relação de PaO2/FiO2 semelhante aos momentos antes da indução da lesão pulmonar e em relação ao GC. A contagem de neutrófilos no lavado broncoalveolar mostrou que os grupos GVMCL e GVAFL, apresentaram valores significantemente menores em comparação com os animais sem suplementação. GC, GVAFL e GVMCL apresentaram escore de lesão histológica significantemente menor quando comparados com os grupos sem suplementação. Quanto ao TAP no tecido pulmonar, não houve diferença estatística entre os grupos. O dano do DNA nos linfócitos, comparando os animais sob VMC protetora, foi significantemente mais baixo nos animais suplementados com licopeno. Este estudo demonstra que independentemente do modo ventilatório, a suplementação prévia com licopeno melhora a oxigenação, reduz a lesão inflamatória bem como a lesão histopatológica nos animais, assemelhando-se aos benefícios propostos pela VOAF, e minimiza o dano no DNA nos animais sob VMC protetora com suplementação em relação aos animais sob mesma ventilação.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by inflammatory process that leads to the breakdown of the alveolar-capillary barrier with the development of interstitial and alveolar edema, decreased pulmonary compliance, pulmonary hypertension, impaired ventilation and perfusion, and hypoxemia refractory to administration of oxygen. Despite better understanding in pathophysiology and consequent advancement in therapeutic strategies for ARDS patients, mortality remains high. Although the exact mechanism leading to ARDS is unknown, several evidences suggest that patients with the syndrome are exposed to a high degree of oxidative stress. For this reason it is important to understand the role of oxidative stress in both, initiation and progress of inflammatory process that occurs in the disease. However, although the use of antioxidants has shown some benefit in ARDS evolution, there is still no clinical evidence for its use in practice routine. Lycopene is a carotenoid with no provitamin A activity found mainly in tomatoes and red fruits. Due to its large number of double conjugated bonds, lycopene is considered one of the best antioxidants among carotenoids. In addition, it is one of the most potent antioxidants found in the human body, with antioxidant potency 100 times higher than vitamin E and vitamin C. Conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) is the main ARDS treatment, capable of modifying disease evolution and reducing mortality. Based on the protective effects of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) on ARDS, previously described by our group, as well as the potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory role of lycopene, our hypothesis is that this carotenoid has additional protective effect in ARDS model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lycopene supplementation on pulmonary oxidative damage, analyzing total antioxidant performance (TAP) and oxidative DNA damage (Comet Assay), in an experimental induced lung injury model in rabbits, ventilated by CMV and HFOV compared to control group. Pulmonary histology and neutrophil cell counts were also evaluated. Fifty-five rabbits were instrumented with tracheostomy, vascular accesses and mechanically ventilated. Supplemented animals received 10mg/ kg of lycopene for 21 days prior to the experiment. Lung injury was induced by tracheal infusion of warm saline (30mL/ kg, 38°C). The following experimental groups were: healthy animals submitted to euthanasia to compose the baseline group without supplementation: GBL; n = 5 and baseline supplemented with lycopene: GBLL; n = 5, healthy animals submitted to Protective CMV, without supplementation, denominated GC control group; n = 5, animals submitted to lung injury induction and mechanical ventilation treatment and supplemented with lycopene GVMCL; n = 10 and without supplementation GVMC; n = 10, animals with LP submitted to HFOV and supplemented with lycopene GVAFL; n = 10 and without supplementation GVAF; n = 10. After confirming lung injury induction, blood gases were performed every 30 minutes during the 4 hours of the experimental protocol. The level of significance was 5%. Comparing the moments before and after the pulmonary injury induction in each group, there was a significant worsening of oxygenation and decrease in static lung compliance in all groups after injury induction. After 4 hours, groups treated with HFOV, with and without lycopene supplementation, and group with lycopene supplementation and submitted protective CMV, showed a significant improvement compared to Protective CMV group without supplementation, showing PaO2/FiO2 ratio similar to the moments before the pulmonary induction and CG. Neutrophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage showed that GVMCL and GVAFL groups presented significantly lower comparing with animals without supplementation. GC, GVAFL and GVMCL had a significantly lower histological injury score compared to groups without supplementation. TAP in lung tissue showed no statistical difference among groups. DNA damage on lymphocytes comparing animals submitted to protective CMV was significantly lower in animals supplemented with lycopene. This study demonstrates that independent of the ventilatory mode, prior lycopene supplementation improves oxygenation, reduced inflammatory injury, as well as histopathological injury score in this lung injury animal model. Both HFOV groups, and animals submitted to protective CMV and supplemented with lycopene showed reduced DNA-free damage compared to animals under de same ventilation without supplementation.
FAPESP: 2014/15683-9

O canabidiol (CBD), o principal canabinóide não psicotrópico extraído da marijuana (Cannabis sativa), é reconhecido por sua potente propriedade imunosupressora e anti-inflamatória. A injúria pulmonar aguda (ALI) é uma doença inflamatória para qual ainda não foi desenvolvida terapias específicas e a única alternativa de tratamento é meramente de suporte em UTI. Desta forma, foi proposta uma investigação sobre os efeitos anti-inflamatórios do CBD em um modelo murino de ALI, induzida pela instilação intra-nasal de LPS (lipopolissacarídeo), dentro de uma perspectiva imune-neuro-endocrinológica. Para a análise do potencial anti-inflamatório do CBD, avaliou-se a contagem total e diferencial de células do lavado broncoalveolar (LBA) (análise da migração de leucócitos para os pulmões), a atividade de mieloperoxidase (MPO) no tecido pulmonar (análise indireta da atividade de neutrófilos), a produção de citocinas e quimicionas no sobrenadante do LBA (análise do perfil inflamatório pulmonar), a concentração de proteínas (albumina) no sobrenadante do LBA (análise indireta da permeabilidade vascular pulmonar) e a expressão de moléculas de adesão (ICAM-1 e VLA-4) em leucócitos do LBA. Analisou-se, ainda, o mecanismo farmacológico dos efeitos anti-inflamatórios do CBD no modelo de ALI, utilizando-se de um antagonista altamente seletivo para o receptor de adenosina A2A (ZM241385). Por fim, avaliou-se os efeitos neuroendócrinos do CBD na vigência da inflamação pulmonar; analisou-se a atividade geral dos animais no campo aberto (análise do comportamento doentio) e os níveis séricos de corticosterona (análise da ativação do eixo Hipotálamo-Hipófise-Adrenal (HPA)). Mostrou-se que tanto o tratamento prolifático (antes da indução da inflamação) como o tratamento terapêutico (depois da indução da inflamação), com uma dose única de CBD (20 ou 80 mg/kg) apresenta um efeito anti-inflamatório prolongado em camundongos submetidos ao modelo de ALI (principalmente 1 e 2 dias após a indução da inflamação). Mostrou-se que o CBD diminuiu a migração de leucócitos para os pulmões (neutrófilos, macrófagos e linfócitos), diminuiu a produção de citocinas (TNF e IL-6) e quimicinas (MCP-1 e MIP-2) no LBA, diminuiu a atividade MPO no tecido pulmonar, diminuiu a concentração de albumina no LBA e diminuiu a expressão de moléculas de adesão (ICAM-1) em neutrófilos do LBA. Mostrou-se, ainda, que o receptor de adenosina A2A está envolvido nos efeitos anti-inflamatórios do CBD na ALI, uma vez que o tratamento com o ZM241385 aboliu todos os efeitos anti-inflamatórios descritos previamente. Por fim, mostrou-se que o CBD apresentou poucos efeitos comportamentais no campo aberto e que não ativou o eixo HPA. Desta forma, mostrou-se pela primeira vez que o tratamento profilático e, também, o tratamento terapêutico com CBD (20 ou 80 mg/kg) tem um efeito anti-inflamatório prolongado em um modelo murino de ALI, muito provavelmente em decorrência de um aumento da sinalização via receptor de adenosina A2A. Por esta razão, acredita-se que o CBD possa ser considerado, no futuro, uma ferramenta terapêutica útil no tratamento de doenças inflamatórias pulmonares.
Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychotropic plant (Cannabis sativa)-derived cannabinoid, is recognized for its immunossupressant and anti-inflammatory properties. Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory condition for which treatment is mainly supportive (ICU patients), because effective therapies have not been developed. Therefore, it was proposed an investigation in order to address the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in a murine model of LPS-induced ALI, within an immune-neuro-endocrine perspective. To analyze the potential anti-inflammatory effect of CBD, it was evaluated total and differencial cell count of leukocytes present in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (migration of leukocytes into the lungs), myeloperoxidase activity in the lung tissue (indirect analysis of neutrophil activity), production of cytokines and chemokines in the BAL (analysis of the pulmonar inflammatory profile), protein (albumin) concentration in the BAL (indirect analysis of pulmonar vascular permeability), and expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VLA-4) in leukocytes of the BAL. It was also analyzed the pharmacologic mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD in the model of ALI, by using a highly selective antagonist of the adenosine A2A receptor (ZM241385). Finally, it was analyzed the neuro-endocrine effects of CBD in the context of lung inflammation; it was analyzed the general activity of the mice in the open field (analysis of sickness behavior) and the seric levels of corticosterone (activation of HPA (Hypothalamus-Hypophysis-Adrenal) axis). It was shown that both prophylactic (before the induction of inflammation) and therapeutic (after the induction of inflammation) protocols of treatment, with a sigle dose of CBD (20 or 80 mg/kg), has a long-term anti-inflammatory effect in mice submitted to the model of ALI (specially, after 1 and 2 days of the induction of inflammation). It was shown that CBD decreased leukocyte (neutrophil, macrophage, and lymphocytes) migration into the lungs, decreased cytokines (TNF and IL-6) and chemokines (MCP-1 and MIP-2) in the BAL, decreased MPO activity in the lung tissue, decreased albumin concentration in the BAL, and decreased adhesion molecule expression (ICAM-1) in neutrophils of the BAL. It was also shown that adenosine A2A receptor is involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD on LPS-induced ALI, because ZM241385 abrogated all of the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol previously described. Finally, it was shown that CBD has discreet behavioral effects in the open field and was not able to activate the HPA axis. Thus, it was shown for the first time that both prophylactic and also therapeutic treatment with CBD (20 or 80 mg/kg) has a long-term anti-inflammatory effect in a murine model of ALI, most likely associated with an increase in the signaling through the adenosine A2A receptor. Hence, it is possible that in the future CBD may prove useful as a therapeutical tool in the treatment of pulmonar inflammatory conditions.

Estudos epidemiológicos e experimentais mostram que a poluição do ar pode causar diversos efeitos adversos na saúde, dentre eles inflamação sistêmica e pulmonar, doenças cardiovasculares e exacerbação de doenças pré-existentes. A síndrome do desconforto respiratório aguda é caraterizada por intenso infiltrado inflamatório, dano na barreira alvéolo-capilar e hipoxemia, e desde a sua descrição em 1967 ainda apresenta elevados índices de mortalidade. O presente estudo tem como objetivos: 1. Avaliar qual o impacto da poluição atmosférica de uma região urbana sobre a progressão da LPA induzida por LPS; e 2. Avaliar se a lesão induzida por LPS é alterada em um indivíduo previamente exposto à poluição atmosférica. Os principais achados relativos ao objetivo 1 mostram que, de uma forma geral, quando há a interação do material particulado fino (MP2,5) anterior à fase aguda da LPA, esta não se desenvolve de forma tão grave. Quanto aos parâmetros inflamatórios, nota-se que, na maioria dos parâmetros, as células inflamatórias e citocinas pró-inflamatórias aumentam no grupo LPS 24 horas, mas não, ou não tanto quanto, no grupo poluição+LPS. Como base nestes resultados podemos hipotetizar que pode ter ocorrido uma alteração do perfil da resposta inflamatória ou imunotoxicidade. Quando observamos os resultados referente ao objetivo 2, nota-se que, o grupo LPS + poluição permanece em um estado inflamatório persistente com número de leucócitos aumentado no lavado bronco-alveolar e níveis elevados de citocinas pró-inflamatórias (IL-1beta, IL-6 e IL-8) no tecido pulmonar, enquanto o grupo LPS 5 semanas tem estes parâmetros mais próximos do grupo controle. Na morfologia tecidual, o grupo LPS + poluição a diminuição do espaço aéreo alveolar e o espessamento septal. É bastante plausível que a poluição do ar dificulte recuperação e o reparo adequado da lesão causada pelo LPS, uma vez que a poluição do ar, e especialmente o material particulado fino, exerce um papel pró-inflamatório contínuo sobre a lesão. Podemos concluir que: o uso do LPS por nebulização é um modelo viável para a reprodução dos parâmetros característicos da lesão pulmonar aguda, a exposição ao material particulado pode alterar o perfil de resposta imediata (24 horas) na lesão pulmonar aguda e pode dificultar a recuperação da lesão. Estudo adicionais são necessários para entender o possível papel da modulação da resposta imunológica nos mecanismos envolvidos nestes processos
Epidemiological and experimental studies show that the air pollution can cause several harmful outcomes to the health, which include systemic and pulmonary inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, and exacerbation of preexisting diseases. The acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by intense inflammatory response, alveolo-capillary barrier damage and hypoxemia and since it was described for the first time in 1967 it still has high mortality rates. This study aims to 1. Evaluate the impact of urban air pollution exposure on the acute lung injury progression and 2. Evaluate if the LPS-induced injury is altered in an individual previously exposed to the air pollution. The main findings regarding objective 1 show that when there is an interaction of the particulate matter on the acute phase of LPS-induced injury, the lesion is not as severe as in the group that received only LPS. The inflammatory parameters show that inflammatory cells and pro inflammatory cytokines are increased in the LPS 24 hour, whereas not, or not as much as, in the air pollution + LPS group. Based on these results, we can hypothesize that may have occurred a shift of the inflammatory profile or immunotoxicity. Results of the objective 2 show that the group LPS + air pollution remains in a persistent inflammatory condition with increased leucocytes in BALF and pro inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6 e IL-8) also increased in the lung tissue, while the LPS 5 weeks group shows these parameters levels closer to the control group. The tissue morphology displays a diminished alveolar air space and septal thickening. It is very likely that the air pollution interferes on the adequate LPS-induced lesion recovery and repair, once that the air pollution, specially the fine particulate matter, has a continuous pro-inflammatory role over the lesion. We can conclude that: the use of nebulized LPS is a feasible acute lung injury model; the exposure to the particulate matter could alter the profile of the immediate response (24 hours) of the acute lung injury and it can impair the lesion recovery. Additional studies are necessary to understand the possible role of the immunological response modulation mechanisms involved in these processes

La transplantation pulmonaire est depuis une vingtaine d’années une option thérapeutique valide pour une grande variété de pathologies pulmonaires au stade terminal. Malgré les progrès réalisés ces dernières années en matière de traitement immunosuppresseur, les rejets restent une cause majeure de la perte du greffon. Plusieurs études ont souligné l'importance du rejet aigu comme un facteur contributif important à l’évolution de la dysfonction chronique du greffon (ou CLAD) et, in fine, à la perte du greffon. Par conséquent, des outils diagnostiques fiables de rejet aigu s’imposent pour mieux prévenir le CLAD. Dans notre première étude, nous avons évalué les marqueurs tissulaires de rejet aigu humoral (RAH) pulmonaire. Nous avons montré ainsi que les lésions histologiques dont l’inflammation microvasculaire ne sont pas spécifiques et le marquage C4d est un marqueur utile pour confirmer le diagnostic de RAH. Dans un second temps, nous avons étudié en cytométrie de flux la polarisation des macrophages obtenus par lavage bronchiolo-alvéolaire (LBA) chez des patients transplantés avec et sans rejet. Nos résultats montrent les limites des marqueurs membranaires (HLA-DR et CD206) dans l’évaluation de l’état de polarisation des macrophages au cours des rejets. Ce travail montre l’intérêt des marqueurs tissulaires, en particulier le marquage C4d, dans le suivi des patients transplantés pulmonaires et souligne la nécessité d’identifier des marqueurs appropriés et utilisables en cytométrie de flux pour avancer sur l’état de polarisation des macrophages alvéolaires
Lung transplantation is considered as a valid therapeutic option for patients with end-stage lung disease. Despite considerable progress in immunosuppressive therapy, allograft rejection remains a major cause of graft loss. Multiple studies have highlighted the importance of acute rejection as an important risk factor for the development of chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) leading to graft failure. Therefore, the improvement in the diagnosis of acute rejection represents a major challenge to prevent CLAD. In this study, we evaluated the tissue markers of acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in lung transplantation. In our experience, the histopathologic findings including the microvascular inflammation in pulmonary AMR are not specific and C4d staining is a useful marker to confirm the diagnosis of AMR. Secondly, we investigated by flow cytometry the polarization of alveolar macrophage obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from lung transplant patients with and without acute rejection. Our results show the limits of surface markers (CD206 and HLA-DR) in the evaluation of alveolar macrophage polarization. This study shows the interest of tissue markers, especially the C4d staining, in monitoring of lung transplant patients and highlights the need to identify appropriate and available markers for future studies of alveolar macrophage polarization by flow cytometry

Among those subjects admitted with AECOPD and concomitant pneumonia, a total of 118 patients (91 males) with 150 episodes were identified. Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest organism found in sputum (26.0%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.5%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (3.4%), and Moraxella catarrhalis (3.4%). In contrast to most studies from other countries reporting Streptococcus pneumoniae as the most likely bacterial pathogen, Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest bacterium isolated in sputum in this cohort of patients with AECOPD and concomitant pneumonia.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis is a novel tool which has been developed in recent years and the technique is believed to reflect the lower airway lining fluid. My previous work has demonstrated the repeatability of certain inflammatory markers in the EBC of stable asthma and COPD patients.
Hypothesis 1: Bacterial pathogens are the major cause of AECOPD with and without concomitant pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization. In the one-year retrospective bacteriology study, there were 329 patients with 418 episodes of AECOPD without concomitant pneumonia. These result noted that H. influenzae was the commonest bacterium isolated in sputum in patients with AECOPD without concomitant pneumonia. In areas endemic of tuberculosis, it is advisable to use fluoroquinolones for AECOPD with caution in view of the positive sputum culture of mycobacterium tuberculosis in some patients.
Hypothesis 2: Viral pathogens are an important cause of AECOPD in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. For the prospective infectious aetiology study, there were 643 episodes of AECOPD among 373 patients (307 males). Severe airflow obstruction (stable state spirometry) was associated with a higher chance of positive sputum culture (28.2% for FEV1 ≥30% vs. 40.4% for FEV1 <30% predicted normal, p=0.006). In this study, Haemophilus influenzae and influenza A were the commonest aetiological agents in patients hospitalized with AECOPD. More severe airflow obstruction was associated with a higher chance of positive sputum culture.
Hypothesis 3: The rates of hospital admissions due to AECOPD are associated with indices of air pollution in Hong Kong. Concerning the effect of air pollutants on AECOPD, significant associations were found between hospital admissions for COPD with all 5 air pollutants. Adverse effects of ambient concentrations of air pollutants on hospitalization rates for COPD are evident, especially during the winter season in Hong Kong.
Hypothesis 4: During the course of AECOPD, it is possible to assess inflammation in the airway by measuring biomarkers non-invasively using the method of EBC collection. To explore the course of inflammation in the airway during AECOPD, 26 patients (22 male) with AECOPD (mean percentage predicted FEV1, 44.8 +/- 14.3), 11 stable COPD and 14 age and sex-matched healthy controls were studied. Repeatability measurements of TNFalpha and LTB4 in 6 stable COPD patients were satisfactory. EBC TNFalpha level was low in patients receiving systemic steroid and antibiotic therapy for AECOPD whereas EBC TNFalpha level was also lower in stable patients receiving ICS post AECOPD than those who were not. These findings suggest a potential role for serial EBC TNFalpha for non-invasive monitoring of disease activity.
Summary. The above studies have shown that bacterial pathogens are the major cause of AECOPD with and without concomitant pneumonia in patients requiring hospitalization and the commonest bacterium found in the sputum of the patients was Haemophilus influenzae. Viral pathogens are also an important cause of AECOPD in patients hospitalized with AECOPD in Hong Kong and the commonest virus identified in the NPA of the patients was influenza A. Concerning the effect of air pollutants on AECOPD, significant associations were found between hospital admissions for AECOPD with the air pollutants of SO2, NO3, O3, PM10 and PM2.5. Finally, TNFalpha could be measured in the EBC of patients during the course of AECOPD and its level was low in patients receiving systemic steroid and antibiotic therapy for AECOPD. The results suggest that it is possible to assess inflammation in the airway by measuring biomarkers non-invasively using the method of EBC collection. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Ko, Wai-san Fanny.
Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-02, Section: B, page: 0926.
Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-250).
Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web.
School code: 1307.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) is a common gastrointestinal cause of emergency admissions in dogs and humans and can lead to a systemic inflammatory response syndrome resulting in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Among the various complications associated with ANP, acute lung injury (ALI) or its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are major contributors leading to high mortality rates associated with severe acute pancreatitis (AP) in human patients. The incidence of ALI/ARDS in ANP dogs is not well characterized. However, signs of respiratory complications have been reported clinically in dogs suffering from AP. The pathophysiology of ANP and its systemic complications in dogs and humans are not well understood. Most of the data related to AP comes from rodent models of AP, which may not always represent the true mechanisms occurring in the lungs of dogs or humans with ANP. I decided to undertake evaluation of pancreas and lungs from dogs (N=21) that died of ANP. The cases were selected through the search of the medical records of the Veterinary Medical Center of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM). Six healthy SPCA dogs were used as controls. The histology of pancreas was first graded to record the range of ANP severities within dog cases included in this study. Then, characterization of lung inflammation was done with histological grading and qualitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining for von Willebrand Factor (vWF), Toll-Like Receptor-4 (TLR4), interleukin-6 (IL6), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Quantification of the recruitment of septal macrophages in the lungs, designated as pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs), in ANP dogs was achieved by counting the number of positive cells in alveolar septa using a macrophage antibody (MAC387). The results revealed that dogs suffering from ANP have variable lung inflammation, which was characterized by a significant infiltration of mononuclear phagocyte cells in the alveolar septa of all ANP dogs (median, 138; range 31-935) compared to control dogs (median: 1.5; range 0-16; p < 0.001), which suggested that PIMs are induced in ANP. In addition, robust staining for vWF in alveolar septal capillaries in lungs of ANP dogs suggested a strong microvascular inflammatory response. Finally, TLR4, IL6, and iNOS expression was increased in lungs of ANP dogs compared to control dogs. The second study was to investigate whether PIMs are induced in a mouse model of L-arginine-induced ANP. Therefore, lungs of L-arginine treated mice (n=7 per time point) were evaluated at various time points (24 hours, 72 hours and 120 hours) using histology and immunohistochemical staining for CD68 cells and vWF. Nine control mice were used. Counting of CD68-positive cells in the lungs of mice treated with L-arginine showed increased numbers of mononuclear phagocytes in alveolar septa at every time point (p<0.001). Also, the lung’s vasculature from L-arginine-treated mice showed increased vWF staining. Taken together, the data showed that ANP in dogs caused significant recruitment of PIMs, increased expression of vWF, TLR4, IL-6, and iNOS suggesting presence of lung inflammation. The mouse model of L-arginine-induced ANP also showed recruitment of PIMs and increased vascular expression of vWF suggesting that this model may be relevant to study the mechanisms of PIMs recruitment and their functions in lung physiology associated with ANP.

碩士
國立成功大學
細胞生物及解剖學研究所
97
Acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are the most common causes of death in intensive care units and after major operation. The fundamental pathogenesis of ALI is increased alveolocapillary permeability largely due to inflammatory response in the pulmonary endothelium and alveoli. Activation and damage of pulmonary endothelium is another hallmark of ALI/ARDS. A number of endothelium-targeting therapies have been tested in clinical settings, but none of these restores pulmonary endothelial function during ALI/ARDS. Accumulating evidence suggests that peripheral blood contains bone marrow-derived progenitor cells. A portion of these circulating precursor cells can differentiate into mature endothelial cells and are referred to as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of EPCs on reendothelialization and neovascularization in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Previous report showed that autologous transplantation of EPCs attenuates pulmonary endothelial dysfunction and lung tissue damage in rabbits with oleic acid-induced ALI. Accordingly, this project examines the effect of EPCs on pulmonary reendothelialization in a more clinically relevant rabbit model of ALI induced by direct intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mononuclear cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of rabbits using the standard Ficoll gradient centrifugation. At day 7 of culture, the adherent cells, termed as early EPCs, were harvested for transplantation. Anesthetized rabbits received LPS (500 �慊/kg) via intratracheal instillation, and followed by autologous transplantation of EPCs through the ear vein. Rabbits were sacrificed 48 hours later and tissues were obtained for analysis. Compared with control, arterial oxygen content and saturation were higher in the EPC-treat animals, indicating that function of pulmonary alveolocapillary gas exchange was better preserved following transplantation of EPC. Endothelium-dependent relaxation response of pulmonary artery was significantly restored in rabbits received EPC transplantation. The degree of alveolar-capillary barrier leakage was measured by tissue Evans blue content, and was significantly reduced in EPC-treated group. Lung water content and degree of lung hemorrhage assessed by the lung wet-to-dry ratio and tissue hemoglobin were reduced in the EPC-treated group, respectively. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was also reduced following transplantation of EPCs, indicating that activation and accumulation of neutrophils was attenuated in EPC-treated group. Collectively, our data underscore that autologous transplantation of EPCs attenuates LPS-induced ALI by restoring alveolocapillary and pulmonary endothelial function. Administration of EPCs can be a novel cell-based, pulmonary endothelium-targeted therapeutic strategy for ALI/ARDS.

Le syndrome de détresse respiratoire aiguë (SDRA) est caractérisé par des dommages au niveau de la barrière alvéolo-capillaire, résultant en la formation d’un œdème pulmonaire et une réponse inflammatoire exacerbée. Sans résolution rapide de ces paramètres, le syndrome progresse vers le développement de fibrose menant à l’insuffisance respiratoire. Or, il a été établi que la réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire est une étape cruciale pour la résolution du SDRA. Une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire est donc nécessaire afin de proposer de nouvelles thérapies pour le SDRA, pour lequel aucun traitement efficace n’existe. Il a été montré que les mécanismes de réparation sont régulés par des protéines membranaires, non seulement par les récepteurs aux facteurs de croissance et les intégrines, mais également par les canaux ioniques, en particulier les canaux potassiques. L’objectif principal de cette étude était donc de caractériser l’impact de la modulation des canaux potassiques KCa3.1 et KvLQT1 dans la résolution du SDRA. Dans un premier temps, nos résultats ont montré le rôle coopératif du canal potassique KCa3.1, de la matrice extracellulaire et de l’intégrine-β1 dans les processus de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire in vitro. Nous avons montré que la matrice de fibronectine et le KCa3.1 étaient impliqués dans la migration et dans la réparation de monocouches de cellules alvéolaires de cultures primaires de rat. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons étudié l’impact de la modulation du canal potassique KvLQT1 dans certains aspects physiopathologiques du SDRA à l’aide de modèles in vivo. Nous avons montré que KvLQT1 n’était pas seulement impliqué dans les mécanismes de réparation de l’épithélium alvéolaire, mais également dans la résorption de l’œdème pulmonaire et la résolution de la réponse inflammatoire. Nos résultats démontrent que les canaux potassiques, tels que KCa3.1 et KvLQT1, pourraient être identifiés en tant que cibles thérapeutiques potentielles pour le SDRA.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by alveolar-capillary barrier damage, resulting in the formation of pulmonary oedema and an exacerbated inflammatory response. Without rapid recovery of these parameters, there is a gradual development of fibrosis, leading to respiratory failure. It has been established that alveolar regeneration is a critical step for the resolution of ARDS. A better understanding of alveolar epithelial repair mechanisms is hence necessary to identify new therapies for ARDS, for which no effective treatment exist. It has been shown that repair mechanisms are regulated by membrane proteins, not only by growth factor receptors and integrins, but also by ion channels, in particular potassium channels. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the impact of KCa3.1 and KvLQT1 potassium channels modulation in the resolution of ARDS. First, our results have shown the cooperative role of the potassium channel KCa3.1, the extracellular matrix and the β1-integrin in alveolar epithelial repair processes in vitro. We have shown that the fibronectin matrix and KCa3.1 are involved in the migration and repair of primary cultures of rat alveolar cell monolayers. Our data also revealed a putative relationship between Kca3.1 and the β1-integrin. Second, we studied the impact of KvLQT1 potassium channel modulation on ARDS pathophysiological aspects with in vivo models. We showed that KvLQT1 was not only involved in alveolar epithelial repair, but also in the resolution of pulmonary oedema and inflammatory response. Taken together, our data demonstrate that potassium channels, such as KCa3.1 and KvLQT1, may be identified as potential therapeutic targets for the resolution of ARDS.