Potential mechanisms for lung fibrosis associated with COVID-19 infection.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that currently lacks effective preventative or therapeutic measures. Post-viral lung fibrosis due to SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to be progressive on selected patients using imaging studies. Persistent infiltration of macrophages and monocytes, a main feature of SARS-CoV-2 pulmonary fibrosis, and long-lived circulating inflammatory monocytes might be driving factors promoting the profibrotic milieu in the lung. The upstream signal(s) that regulates the presence of these immune cells (despite complete viral clearance) remains to be explored. Current data indicate that much of the stimulating signals are localized in the lungs. However, an ongoing low-grade systemic inflammation in long Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms suggests that certain non-pulmonary regulators such as epigenetic changes in hematopoietic stem cells might be critical to the chronic inflammatory response. Since nearly one-third of the world population have been infected, a timely understanding of the underlying pathogenesis leading to tissue remodeling is required. Herein, we review the potential pathogenic mechanisms driving lung fibrosis following SARS-CoV-2 infection based upon available studies and our preliminary findings (Graphical abstract).

Anti-fibrotic Effects of CXCR4-Targeting i-body AD-114 in Preclinical Models of Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease that is prevalent in individuals >50 years of age, with a median survival of 3-5 years and limited therapeutic options. The disease is characterized by collagen deposition and remodeling of the lung parenchyma in a process that is thought to be driven by collagen-expressing immune and structural cells. The G-protein coupled C-X-C chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4, is a candidate therapeutic target for IPF owing to its role in the recruitment of CXCR4+ fibrocytes from the bone marrow to fibrotic lung tissue and its increased expression levels by structural cells in fibrotic lung tissue. We have engineered a novel fully human single domain antibody "i-body" called AD-114 that binds with high affinity to human CXCR4. We demonstrate here that AD-114 inhibits invasive wound healing and collagen 1 secretion by human IPF fibroblasts but not non-diseased control lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, in a murine bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, AD-114 reduced the accumulation of fibrocytes (CXCR4+/Col1+/CD45+) in fibrotic murine lungs and ameliorated the degree of lung injury. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that AD-114 holds promise as a new biological therapeutic for the treatment of IPF.

Toll-like receptor 3 L412F polymorphism promotes a persistent clinical phenotype in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a multi-systemic disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by the presence of non-caseating granulomas in target organs. In 90% of cases, there is thoracic involvement. Fifty to seventy percent of pulmonary sarcoidosis patients will experience acute, self-limiting disease. For the subgroup of patients who develop persistent disease, no targeted therapy is currently available. AIM: To investigate the potential of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Toll-like receptor 3 Leu412Phe (TLR3 L412F; rs3775291), as a causative factor in the development of and in disease persistence in pulmonary sarcoidosis. To investigate the functionality of TLR3 L412F in vitro in primary human lung fibroblasts from pulmonary sarcoidosis patients. DESIGN: SNP-genotyping and cellular assays, respectively, were used to investigate the role of TLR3 L412F in the development of persistent pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHODS: Cohorts of Irish sarcoidosis patients (n = 228), healthy Irish controls (n = 263) and a secondary cohort of American sarcoidosis patients (n = 123) were genotyped for TLR3 L412F. Additionally, the effect of TLR3 L412F in primary lung fibroblasts from pulmonary sarcoidosis patients was quantitated following TLR3 activation in the context of cytokine and type I interferon production, TLR3 expression and apoptotic- and fibroproliferative-responses. RESULTS: We report a significant association between TLR3 L412F and persistent clinical disease in two cohorts of Irish and American Caucasians with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Furthermore, activation of TLR3 in primary lung fibroblasts from 412 F-homozygous pulmonary sarcoidosis patients resulted in reduced IFN-ß and TLR3 expression, reduced apoptosis- and dysregulated fibroproliferative-responses compared with TLR3 wild-type patients. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This study identifies defective TLR3 function as a previously unidentified factor in persistent clinical disease in pulmonary sarcoidosis and reveals TLR3 L412F as a candidate biomarker.

Toll like receptor-2 modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses during chronic fungal asthma in mice.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the effect of TLR2 gene deletion in a murine model of chronic fungal asthma. METHODS: TLR2 wildtype (TLR2(+/+)) and TLR2 deficient (TLR2(-/-)) mice were sensitized to soluble A. fumigatus antigens and challenged with live A. fumigatus conidia, and the extent of allergic airways disease was analyzed in both groups of mice at 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after conidia. RESULTS: At day 7 post-conidia, TLR2(-/-) mice exhibited significantly lower airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation, and whole lung Th2 cytokine levels compared with the TLR2(+ / +) group. TLR2 deletion also significantly reduced mucus cell metaplasia and peribronchial fibrosis at day 30 after conidia. However, fungal material persisted in the TLR2(-/-) group, and at day 30 after conidia TLR2(-/-) mice exhibited enhanced airway neutrophil recruitment and airway hyperresponsiveness. CONCLUSION: Thus, during chronic fungal asthma in mice, TLR2 is a major contributor to the maintenance of the adaptive Th2-cytokine driven and anti-fungal innate responses.

TLR9 is expressed in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and its activation promotes in vitro myofibroblast differentiation.

Infectious diseases can be cofactors in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP) pathogenesis; recent data suggests that toll-like receptors 9 (TLR9) ligands contribute to experimental chronic tissue remodeling. Real-time TAQMAN and immunohistochemical analysis of IIP normal surgical lung biopsies (SLBs), primary fibroblast lines grown from both IIP and normal SLBs indicate that TLR9 is prominently and differentially expressed in a disease-specific manner. TLR9 expression was increased in biopsies from patients with IIP compared with normal lung biopsies and its expression is localized to areas of marked interstitial fibrosis. TLR9 in fibroblasts appeared to be increased by profibrotic Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) and this was true in fibroblasts cultured from the most severe form of IIP, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) SLBs, in non-specific interstitial pneumonia fibroblast lines, and in normal fibroblasts. Finally, confocal microscopy studies have shown that TLR9 activation by its synthetic agonist CpG-ODN significantly increased the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, the main marker of myofibroblast differentiation. These data indicate that TLR9 expression may drive the abnormal tissue healing response in severe forms of IIP and its activation can have a key role in myofibroblast differentiation promoting the progression of disease during the terminal phase of IPF.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis fibroblasts migrate and proliferate to CC chemokine ligand 21.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the severest form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia for which therapeutic targets are needed. Surgical lung biopsy specimens from IPF/UIP patients exhibit focal expression of CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 7, but the identity of these CCR7-positive cells is unknown. The purpose of the present study was to examine the functional and signalling significance of CCR7 expression of primary fibroblasts grown from IPF/UIP and normal surgical lung biopsy specimens. Primary fibroblasts were cultured from surgical lung biopsy specimens from IPF/UIP and normal patients. Fibroblasts treated with or without CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 21 were analysed for functional, transcriptional and proteomic differences using immunocytochemical analysis, gene arrays, Taqman real-time PCR, and migration, proliferation and Western blot assays. CCR7 was expressed by IPF/UIP fibroblasts, but not normal fibroblasts. IPF/UIP fibroblasts, but not normal fibroblasts, showed significant migratory and proliferative responses when exposed to CCL21, which were inhibited by pertussis toxin or neutralising antibodies to CCR7. Exposure of IPF/UIP fibroblasts to CCL21 altered the phosphorylation status of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and ribosomal S6 kinase (90 kDa) in these cells; this was abrogated by pertussis toxin or CCR7-specific small interfering RNA. Together, these data demonstrate that CC chemokine ligand 21 modulates the functional properties of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonia fibroblasts, but not normal fibroblasts.

The link between fungi and severe asthma: a summary of the evidence.

There is current evidence to demonstrate a close association between fungal sensitisation and asthma severity. Whether such an association is causal remains to be confirmed, but this is explored by means of a detailed literature review. There is evidence from two randomised controlled trials that, in the example of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), treatment with systemic antifungal therapy can offer a therapeutic benefit to approximately 60% of patients. ABPA is only diagnosed if a combination of clinical and immunological criteria is achieved. It is not known whether such cases are a discrete clinical entity or part of a spectrum of the pulmonary allergic response to fungi or fungal products. This paper describes the epidemiological evidence that associates severity of asthma with fungi and discusses possible pathogenetic mechanisms. Many airborne fungi are involved, including species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium, and exposure may be indoors, outdoors or both. The potential for a therapeutic role of antifungal agents for patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitisation is also explored. Not only are many patients with severe asthma desperately disabled by their disease, but, in the UK alone, asthma accounts for 1,500 deaths per yr. The healthcare costs of these patients are enormous and any treatment option merits close scrutiny. Within this report, the case for the consideration of a new term related to this association is put forward. The current authors propose the term "severe asthma with fungal sensitisation". However, it is recognised that enhanced and precise definition of fungal sensitisation will require improvements in diagnostic testing.

Focal interstitial CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expression in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are a diverse grouping of chronic pulmonary diseases characterised by varying degrees of pulmonary fibrosis. The triggers of the fibroproliferative process in IIP remain enigmatic but recent attention has been directed towards chemokine involvement in this process. METHODS: The expression of two chemokine receptors, CCR7 and CXCR4, and their respective ligands, CCL19, CCL21, and CXCL12, were examined in surgical lung biopsies (SLBs) from patients with IIP. Transcript and protein expression of these receptors and their ligands was compared with that detected in histologically normal margin SLBs. RESULTS: CCR7 and CXCR4 were detected by gene array and real time polymerase chain reaction analysis and CCR7, but not CXCR4, expression was significantly raised in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) relative to biopsies from patients diagnosed with non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) or respiratory bronchiolitis/interstitial lung disease (RBILD). CCR7 protein was expressed in interstitial areas of all upper and lower lobe UIP SLBs analysed. CCR7 expression was present in 50% of NSIP SLBs, and CCR7 was restricted to blood vessels and mononuclear cells in 75% of RBILD SLBs. Immune cell specific CXCR4 expression was seen in IIP and normal margin biopsies. CCR7 positive areas in UIP biopsies were concomitantly positive for CD45 (the leucocyte common antigen) but CCR7 positive areas in all IIP SLBs lacked the haemopoietic stem cell antigen CD34, collagen 1, and alpha smooth muscle actin. CONCLUSION: This molecular and immunohistochemical analysis showed that IIPs are associated with abnormal CCR7 transcript and protein expression.

Aspergillus and asthma--any link?

The innate immune and acquired immune responses are not separate, parallel systems but form interdependent components of a single integrated immune response. This is nicely highlighted by an expanding database demonstrating that the innate immune response provides the acquired immune response with information about the origin of the antigen and the type of response required via pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Aspergillus is among a growing list of allergens that can aggravate asthmatic responses. Significant pulmonary pathology is associated with Aspergillus-induced allergic and asthmatic lung disease characterized by increased Th2 cytokine generation, IgE and IgG, eosinophilia, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway remodeling. Experimental data from a model of chronic fungal asthma demonstrate that thymus associated and regulated chemokine (TARC/CCL17) and macrophage derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22), working via CCR4, directly impair the innate anti-fungal immune response, thereby promoting the maintenance of acquired Th2-mediated asthmatic disease. Both chemokines appear to accomplish this by regulating the expression of PRRs such as toll like receptors (TLRs) and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM-1) by immune cells. Thus, the link between Aspergillus and asthma appears to reside in the magnitude and appropriateness of the host innate immune response, and ongoing research is revealing promising targets for therapy.

Augmented pulmonary IL-4 and IL-13 receptor subunit expression in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Some idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) are characterised by fibroproliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix. Because efficacious treatment options are limited, research has been directed towards understanding the cytokine networks that may affect fibroblast activation and, hence, the progression of certain IIPs. AIMS: To examine the expression of interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-13, and their corresponding receptor subunits in the various forms of IIP and normal patient groups. METHODS: Molecular and immunohistochemical analysis of IL-4, interferon gamma (IFNgamma), IL-13, IL-4 receptor (IL-R), and IL-13 receptor subunits in surgical lung biopsies (SLBs) from 39 patients (21 usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), six non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), eight respiratory bronchiolitic interstitial lung disease (RBILD), and five normal controls). RESULTS: Molecular analysis demonstrated that IL-13Ralpha2, IL-13Ralpha1, and IL-4Ralpha were present in a greater proportion of upper and lower lobe biopsies from patients with UIP than patients with NSIP and RBILD. Immunohistochemical analysis of patients with UIP, NSIP, and RBILD revealed interstitial staining for all three receptor subunits, whereas such staining was only seen in mononuclear cells present in normal SLBs. Fibroblastic foci in patients with UIP strongly stained for IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha2. Localised expression of IL-4Ralpha was also seen in SLBs from patients with NSIP but not in other groups. CONCLUSION: Some histological subtypes of IIP are associated with increased pulmonary expression of receptor subunits responsive to IL-4 and IL-13. These findings may be of particular importance in understanding the pathogenesis of IIP and, more importantly, may provide important novel therapeutic targets.

IFN-gamma-inducible protein-10 (CXCL10) is hepatoprotective during acute liver injury through the induction of CXCR2 on hepatocytes.

IFN-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL10) is a non-ELR-CXC chemokine that is present during various forms of acute and chronic liver injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of IP-10 during acute liver injury induced by acetaminophen (APAP). After a 400 mg/kg APAP challenge in fasted CD-1 mice, immunoreactive levels of IP-10 were dramatically elevated in the serum within 8 h. CXCR3, the receptor for IP-10, was up-regulated in the liver. Mice that received an i.v. injection of rIP-10 10 h after APAP challenge exhibited a dramatic reduction in alanine aminotransferase 8 h later. Histologic analysis confirmed that the delayed IP-10 therapy dramatically improved the appearance of the liver when examined 48 h after APAP. The therapeutic effect of IP-10 was associated with a marked increase in CXCR2 expression on hepatocytes. Neutralization of CXCR2 during IP-10 therapy resulted in an abrogation of the hepatoprotective effect of IP-10. Furthermore, IP-10 treatment of cultured hepatocytes stimulated a CXCR2-dependent proliferative response. In conclusion, IP-10 has a hepatoregenerative effect in a murine model of acute liver injury that is dependent on its up-regulation of CXCR2 on hepatocytes.

Analysis of the temporal expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors during experimental granulomatous inflammation: role and expression of MIP-1alpha and MCP-1.

1. Chemokine expression and function was monitored in an experimental model of granulomatous tissue formation after injection of croton oil in complete Freund's adjuvant (CO/CFA) into mouse dorsal air-pouches up to 28 days. 2. In the first week, mast cell degranulation and leukocyte influx (mononuclear cell, MNC, and polymorphonuclear cell, PMN) were associated with CXCR2, KC and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 mRNA expression, as determined by TaqMan reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. KC ( approximately 400 pg x mg protein(-1), n=12) and MIP-2 (approximately 800 pg x mg protein(-1), n=12) proteins peaked at day 7, together with myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Highest MIP-1alpha (>1 ng x mg protein(-1), n=12) levels were measured at day 3. 3. After day 7, a gradual increase in CCR2 and CCR5 mRNA, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 mRNA and protein expression was measured. MCP-1 protein peaked at day 21 (approximately 150 pg x mg protein(-1), n=12) and was predominantly expressed by mast cells. A gradual increase in N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity (maximal at 28 days) was also measured. 4. An antiserum against MIP-1alpha did not modify the inflammatory response measured at day 7 (except for a 50% reduction in MIP-1alpha levels), but provoked a significant increase in MPO, NAG and MCP-1 levels as measured at day 21 (n=6, P<0.05). An antiserum to MCP-1 reduced NAG activity at day 21 but increased MPO activity values (n=8, P<0.05). 5. In conclusion, we have shown that CO/CFA initiates a complex inflammatory reaction in which initial expression of MIP-1alpha serves a protective role whereas delayed expression of MCP-1 seems to have a genuine pro-inflammatory role.

IL-13 fusion cytotoxin ameliorates chronic fungal-induced allergic airway disease in mice.

IL-13 has emerged as a major contributor to allergic and asthmatic responses, and as such it represents an attractive target in these diseases. In this study, IL-13-responsive cells in the lung were targeted via the intranasal administration of IL-13-PE38QQR (IL-13-PE), comprised of human IL-13 and a derivative of Pseudomonas exotoxin, to Aspergillus fumigatus-sensitized mice challenged with A. fumigatus spores, or conidia. Mice received 50, 100, or 200 ng of IL-13-PE or diluent alone (i.e., control group) on alternate days from day 14 to day 28 after the conidia challenge. The control group of mice exhibited significant airway hyperreactivity, goblet cell hyperplasia, and peribronchial fibrosis at day 28 after conidia. Although the two lower doses of IL-13-PE had limited therapeutic effects in mice with fungal-induced allergic airway disease, the highest dose of IL-13-PE tested significantly reduced all features of airway disease compared with the control group. Whole lung mRNA expression of IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1 was markedly reduced, whereas bronchoalveolar lavage and whole lung levels of IFN-gamma were significantly elevated in mice treated with 200 ng of IL-13-PE compared with the control group. This study demonstrates that a therapy designed to target IL-13-responsive cells in the lung ameliorates established fungal-induced allergic airway disease in mice.

Respiratory syncytial virus predisposes mice to augmented allergic airway responses via IL-13-mediated mechanisms.

The development of severe childhood asthma may be influenced by several factors including environmental and infectious stimuli. The causal relationship between infectious viral responses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe asthma during early childhood is unclear. In these studies, the ability for an initial RSV infection to exacerbate and promote a more severe asthmatic-type response was investigated by combining established murine models of disease. We examined the ability of RSV to induce exacerbation of allergic disease over a relatively long period, leading to development of severe airway responses including airway inflammation and hyperreactivity. The preferential production of IL-13 during a primary RSV infection appears to play a critical role for the exacerbation of cockroach allergen-induced disease. The depletion of IL-13 during RSV infections inhibited the exacerbation and acceleration of severe allergen-induced airway hyperreactivity. This was indicated by decreases in airway hyperreactivity and changes in lung chemokine production. These data suggest that the airway responses during asthma can be greatly affected by a previous RSV infection, even when infection occurs before allergen sensitization. Overall, infection of the airways with RSV can induce an IL-13-dependent change in airway function and promotes an environment that contributes to the development of severe allergic asthmatic responses.

Tapeworm infection reduces epithelial ion transport abnormalities in murine dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.

The rat tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta was used to test the hypothesis that helminth infection could modulate murine colitis. Mice were infected with five H. diminuta cysticercoids, and colitis was evoked via free access to 4% (wt/vol) dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-containing drinking water for 5 days. BALB/c mice were either infected with H. diminuta and 7 days later exposed to DSS (prophylactic strategy) or started on DSS and infected with H. diminuta 48 h later (treatment strategy). Naive and H. diminuta-only-infected mice served as controls. On autopsy, colonic segments were processed for histological examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) measurement or mounted in Ussing chambers for assessment of epithelial ion transport. Cytokines (gamma interferon [IFN-gamma], interleukin 12 [IL-12], and IL-10) were measured in serum and colonic tissue homogenates. DSS treatment resulted in reduced ion responses (indicated by short-circuit current [Isc]) to electrical nerve stimulation, the cholinergic agonist carbachol, and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin compared to controls. H. diminuta infection, either prophylactic or therapeutic, caused a significant (P < 0.05) amelioration of these DSS-induced irregularities in stimulated ion transport. In contrast, the histopathology (i.e., mixed immune cell infiltrate, edema, and ulcerative damage) and elevated MPO levels that accompany DSS colitis were unaffected by concomitant H. diminuta infection. Similarly, there were no significant differences in levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12, or IL-10 in serum or tissue from any of the treatment groups at the time of autopsy. We suggest that abolishment of colitis-induced epithelial ion transport abnormalities by H. diminuta infection provides proof-of-principle data and speculate that helminth therapy may provide relief of disease symptoms in colitis.

III. Chemokines and other mediators, 8. Chemokines and their receptors in cell-mediated immune responses in the lung.

Chemokines constitute a large family of chemotactic cytokines that belong to a super-gene family of 8-10 kDa proteins. The chemokines are considered to be primarily beneficial in host defense against invading pathogens. However, the reactions induced by chemokines can be occasionally excessive, resulting in a harmful response to the host. Recent studies in chemokine biology have elucidated that chemokines are involved in the initiation, development, and maintenance of numbers of diseases including lung diseases. In addition to its chemotactic activity, evidence suggests that chemokines can modify the outcome of the cell-mediated immune responses by altering the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile. Chemokines are also capable of dictating the direction of specific immune responses. Chemokine action is mediated by a large super-family of G-protein coupled receptors, and the receptors are preferentially expressed on Th1/Th2 cells. Certain chemokine receptors are constitutively expressed in immune surveying cells such as dendritic cells and naive T cells. The corresponding chemokines are present in normal lymphoid tissues, suggesting a role of chemokines/receptors in cell homing and cell-cell communication in lymphoid tissue that can be an initial step for immune recognition. Thus, comprehension of the chemokine biology in immune responses appears to be fundamental for understanding the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated immune responses. The following review will highlight the current insight into the role of chemokines and their receptors in the cell-mediated immune response, with a special focus on lung diseases.

SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity is dependent on leukotriene production.

Stem cell factor (SCF) is directly involved in the induction of airway hyperreactivity during allergen-induced pulmonary responses in mouse models. In these studies, we examined the specific mediators and mechanisms by which SCF can directly induce airway hyperreactivity via mast cell activation. Initial in vitro studies with bone marrow-derived mast cells indicated that SCF was able to induce the production of bronchospastic leukotrienes, LTC(4) and LTE(4). Subsequently, when SCF was instilled in the airways of naive mice, we were able to observe a similar induction of LTC(4) and LTE(4) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lungs of treated mice. These in vivo studies clearly suggested that the previously observed SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity may be related to the leukotriene production after SCF stimulation. To further investigate whether the released leukotrienes were the mediators of the SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) binding to the 5-LO activating protein (FLAP) was utilized. The FLAP inhibitor MK-886, given to the animals before intratracheal SCF administration, significantly inhibited the release of LTC(4) and LTE(4) into the BAL fluid. More importantly, use of the FLAP inhibitor nearly abrogated the SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity. In addition, blocking the LTD(4)/E(4), but not LTB(4), receptor attenuated the SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity. In addition, the FLAP inhibitor reduced other mast-derived mediators, including histamine and tumor necrosis factor. Altogether, these studies indicate that SCF-induced airway hyperreactivity is dependent upon leukotriene-mediated pathways.

Therapeutic effect of IL-13 immunoneutralization during chronic experimental fungal asthma.

IL-13 and IL-4 are key contributors to the asthmatic phenotype. The temporal role of these cytokines in airway function, inflammation, and remodeling were assessed in a chronic murine model of Asperigillus fumigatus-induced allergic asthma. IL-13 and IL-4 protein levels were significantly elevated by 30 days after conidia challenge in A. fumigatus-sensitized mice. Furthermore, IL-13Ralpha1 mRNA expression was significantly elevated 7 days after conidia challenge and remained elevated until day 21. In contrast, IL-13Ralpha2 mRNA expression, although constitutively expressed in naive lung, was absent in the lungs of A. fumigatus-sensitized mice both before and after conidia challenge. Membrane-bound IL-4R mRNA expression was significantly elevated 7 days after conidia challenge; however, soluble IL-4R mRNA expression was increased 30 days after conidia challenge. Immunoneutralization of IL-13 between days 14 and 30 or days 30 and 38 after fungal sensitization and challenge significantly attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness, collagen deposition, and goblet cell hyperplasia at day 38 after conidia challenge; however, the effects of IL-4 immunoneutralization during the same time periods were not as marked. IFN-gamma and IL-12 release after Aspergillus Ag restimulation was elevated from spleen cells isolated from mice treated with IL-4 anti-serum compared with IL-13 anti-serum or normal rabbit serum-treated mice. This study demonstrates a pronounced therapeutic effect of IL-13-immunoneutralization at extended time points following the induction of chronic asthma. Most importantly, these therapeutic effects were not reversed following cessation of treatment, and IL-13 anti-serum treatment did not alter the systemic immune response to Ag restimulation, unlike IL-4 immunoneutralization. Therefore, IL-13 provides an attractive therapeutic target in allergic asthma.

Pivotal role of signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)4 and Stat6 in the innate immune response during sepsis.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)4 and Stat6 are transcription factors that provide type 1 and type 2 response, respectively. Here, we explored the role of Stat4 and Stat6 in innate immunity during septic peritonitis. Stat4-/- and Stat6-/- mice were resistant to the lethality compared with wild-type (WT) mice. At the mechanistic level, bacterial levels in Stat6-/- mice were much lower than in WT mice, which was associated with increased peritoneal levels of interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and C10, known to enhance bacterial clearance. In Stat4-/- mice, hepatic inflammation and injury during sepsis were significantly ameliorated without affecting local responses. This event was associated with increased hepatic levels of IL-10 and IL-13, while decreasing those of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 and KC. Sepsis-induced renal injury was also abrogated in Stat4-/- mice, which was accompanied by decreased renal levels of MIP-2 and KC without altering IL-10 and IL-13 levels. Thus, Stat6-/- and Stat4-/- mice appeared to be resistant to septic peritonitis by enhancing local bacterial clearance and modulating systemic organ damage, respectively, via balancing cytokine responses. These results clearly highlight an important role of local type 1 and systemic type 2 cytokine response in protective immunity during sepsis, which can be regulated by Stat proteins.

Antifungal and airway remodeling roles for murine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CCL2 during pulmonary exposure to Asperigillus fumigatus conidia.

Asperigillus fumigatus spores or conidia are quickly eliminated from the airways of nonsensitized individuals but persist in individuals with allergic pulmonary responsiveness to fungus. A. fumigatus-induced allergic airway disease is characterized by persistent airway hyperreactivity, inflammation, and fibrosis. The present study explored the role of CCR2 ligands in the murine airway response to A. fumigatus conidia. Nonsensitized and A. fumigatus-sensitized CBA/J mice received an intratracheal challenge of A. fumigatus conidia, and pulmonary changes were analyzed at various times after conidia. Whole lung levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), but neither MCP-3/CCL7 nor MCP-5/CCL12, were significantly elevated at days 3 and 7 after conidia in nonsensitized mice. MCP-1/CCL2 was significantly increased in lung samples from A. fumigatus-sensitized mice at days 14 and 30 after a conidia challenge. Administration of anti-MCP-1/CCL2 antiserum to nonsensitized mice for14 days after the conidia challenge attenuated the clearance of conidia and significantly increased airway hyperreactivity, eosinophilia, and peribronchial fibrosis compared with nonsensitized mice that received conidia and normal serum. Adenovirus-directed overexpression of MCP-1/CCL2 in A. fumigatus-sensitized mice markedly reduced the number of conidia, airway inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness at day 7 after the conidia challenge in these mice. Immunoneutralization of MCP-1/CCL2 levels in A. fumigatus-sensitized mice during days14-30 after the conidia challenge did not affect the conidia burden but significantly reduced airway hyperreactivity, lung IL-4 levels, and lymphocyte recruitment into the airways compared with the control group. These data suggest that MCP-1/CCL2 participates in the pulmonary antifungal and allergic responses to A. fumigatus conidia.