Marked deterioration in the quality of life of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis during the last two years of life.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic disease with a high symptom burden and poor survival that influences patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We aimed to evaluate IPF patients' symptoms and HRQOL in a well-documented clinical cohort during their last two years of life. METHODS: In April 2015, we sent the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC), the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and a self-rating HRQOL questionnaire (RAND-36) to 300 IPF patients, of which 247 (82%) responded. Thereafter, follow-up questionnaires were sent every six months for two years. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients died by August 2017. Among these patients, HRQOL was found to be considerably low already two years before death. The most prominent declines in HRQOL occurred in physical function, vitality, emotional role and social functioning (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with MMRC scores ≥3 increased near death. Breathlessness and fatigue were the most severe symptoms. Symptom severity for the following symptoms increased significantly and reached the highest mean scores during the last six months of life (numeric rating scale/standard deviation): breathlessness (7.1/2.8), tiredness (7.0/2.3), dry mouth (6.0/3.0), cough (5.8/2.9), and pain with movement (5.0/3.5). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating, that IPF patients experience remarkably low HRQOL already two years before death, especially regarding physical role. In addition, they suffer from severe breathlessness and fatigue. Furthermore, physical, social and emotional wellbeing deteriorate, and symptom burden increases near death. Regular symptom and HRQOL measurements are essential to assess palliative care needs in patients with IPF.

Treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a position paper from a Nordic expert group.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal progressive lung disease occurring in adults. In the last decade, the results of a number of clinical trials based on the updated disease classification have been published. The registration of pirfenidone and nintedanib, the first two pharmacological treatment options approved for IPF, marks a new chapter in the management of patients with this disease. Other nonpharmacological treatments such as lung transplantation, rehabilitation and palliation have also been shown to be beneficial for these patients. In this review, past and present management is discussed based on a comprehensive literature search. A treatment algorithm is presented based on available evidence and our overall clinical experience. In addition, unmet needs with regard to treatment are highlighted and discussed. We describe the development of various treatment options for IPF from the first consensus to recent guidelines based on evidence from large-scale, multinational, randomized clinical trials, which have led to registration of the first drugs for IPF.

End-of-life care of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with median survival from 2 to 7 years. Palliative care is an important part of patients´ care as lung transplantation is not an option for the majority of patients. The aim of this study was to describe treatment practices, decision-making and symptoms during end-of-life care of IPF patients. METHODS: We identified 59 deceased patients from a national prospective IPF cohort study (FinnishIPF) and analyzed retrospectively their health care documentation during the 6 months that preceded death. RESULTS: Hospital was the place of death for 47 patients (80 %). A majority of the patients (93 %) were hospitalized for a mean of 30 days (range 1-96 days) during the last 6 months of their life. Altogether, patients spent 15 % of their last 6 months of life in a hospital. End-of-life decisions and do not resuscitate (DNR) orders were made for 19 (32 %) and 34 (57 %) of the patients, respectively, and 22 (42 %) of these decisions were made ≤ 3 days prior to death. During the final hospital stay, antibiotics were given to 79 % and non-invasive ventilation to 36 % of patients. During the last 24 h of life, radiologic imaging or laboratory tests were taken in 19 % and 53 % of the hospitalized patients, respectively. These tests and life prolonging therapies were more common in tertiary hospitals compared to other places of death. Dyspnea (66 %) and pain (31 %) were the most common symptoms recorded. Opioids were prescribed to 71 % of the patients during the last week before death. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of IPF patients died in a hospital with ongoing life-prolonging procedures until death. The frequent use of opioids is an indicator of an intention to relieve symptoms, but end-of-life decisions were still made very late. Early integrated palliative care with advance care plan could improve the end-of-life care of dying IPF patients.

Re-evaluation of diagnostic parameters is crucial for obtaining accurate data on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The FinnishIPF registry is a prospective, longitudinal national registry study on the epidemiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). It was designed to describe the characteristics, management and prognosis of prevalent and incident IPF patients. The study was initiated in 2012. METHODS: We present here results limited to five university hospitals. Patients with IPF were screened from hospital registries using ICD-10 diagnosis codes J84.1 and J84.9. All patients who gave informed consent were included and evaluated using novel diagnostic criteria. Point prevalence on the 31(st) of December in 2012 was calculated using the reported population in each university hospital city as the denominator. RESULTS: Patients with ICD-10 codes J84.1 and J84.9 yielded a heterogeneous group - on the basis of patient records assessed by pulmonologists only 20-30 % of the cases were IPF. After clinical, radiological and histological re-evaluation 111 of 123 (90 %) of patients fulfilled the clinical criteria of IPF. The estimated prevalence of IPF was 8.6 cases/100 000. 60.4 % were men. Forty four percent of the patients were never-smokers. At diagnosis, the patients' mean age was 73.5 years and mean FVC was 80.4 % and DLCO 57.3 % of predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hospital registries are inaccurate for epidemiological studies unless patients are carefully re-evaluated. IPF is diagnosed in Finland at a stage when lung function is still quite well preserved. Smoking in patients with IPF was less common than in previous reports.

Upregulation of alveolar levels of activin B, but not activin A, in lungs of west highland white terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse alveolar damage.

Activins, cytokines belonging to the transforming growth factor-ß superfamily, have an important role in inflammation and fibrosis. Activin A has been suggested to participate in the pathophysiology of human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but studies on the role of activin B are sparse. Canine IPF (CIPF) is an incurable interstitial lung disease occurring particularly in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). During the disease course there are acute exacerbations (AEs) and the condition has a poor prognosis. Microscopically, AEs of CIPF are characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, which is also a key feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to study expression of activin A and B in lung tissue of WHWTs with CIPF and WHWTs with CIPF and concurrent AE, and dogs of various breeds with ARDS and to compare these findings with those of healthy WHWTs. In addition, western blot analysis of activin B from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from WHWTs with CIPF and healthy WHWTs was conducted. Activin B, but not activin A, was strongly expressed in the altered alveolar epithelium in the lungs of WHWTs with CIPF as well as in the lungs of dogs with ARDS. Activin B was detected in the BALF of WHWTs with CIPF, most notably in samples from dogs with AE, but activin B was not detected in BALF from healthy WHWTs. These findings suggest that activin B may be part of the pathophysiology of CIPF and might act as a marker of alveolar epithelial damage.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 activation, storage, and signaling pathways in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in dogs is poorly understood. In human, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) is considered central in the pathogenesis. OBJECTIVES: To investigate TGF-ß1 pathway in IPF. ANIMALS: Lung tissues from 12 affected and 11 control dogs. Serum from 16 affected West Highland white Terriers (WHWTs) and healthy dogs from predisposed (13 WHWTs, 12 Scottish Terriers and 13 Bichons Frise) and nonpredisposed breeds (10 Whippets, 10 Belgian shepherds, 8 Labradors). METHODS: In this prospective study, immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate expression and localization of TGF-ß1 protein and proteins involved in TGF-ß1 signaling (TGF-ß receptor type I and phospho-Smad2/3). Pulmonary expression of TGF-ß1 and molecules involved in its storage (latent TGF-ß binding proteins [LTBP] 1, 2, and 4), activation (ανß6 and ανß8 integrins, thrombospondin-1) and signal inhibition (Smad 7) was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Circulating TGF-ß1 concentration was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In IPF, high level of TGF-ß1 protein was found in areas of fibrosis, epithelial cells had strong expression of TGF-ß receptor type 1 and phospho-Smad2/3, gene expression was decreased for LTBP 4 (P = .009) and ß8 integrin (P < .001) and increased for thrombospondin-1 (P = .016); no difference was seen for Smad7, LTBP1 and 2. Serum TGF-ß1 concentration was higher in predisposed compared with nonpredisposed breeds (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study identified an enhanced TGF-ß1 signaling activity in IPF. TGF-ß1 storage and activation proteins with altered expression represent potential therapeutic targets. Higher circulating TGF-ß1 concentration in predisposed breeds might partly explain their susceptibility for IPF.

Comparative study of transforming growth factor-ß signalling and regulatory molecules in human and canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Activation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß is a key event in the progression of fibrosis in human lung tissue. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs) shares histopathological features of human usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), the histopathological counterpart of IPF and non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). The aim of the present immunohistochemical study was to investigate TGF-ß signalling activity and its known extracellular matrix (ECM) regulatory proteins, latent TGF-ß binding protein (LTBP)-1 and fibrillin-2, in lung tissue of WHWTs with IPF and healthy WHWTs and to compare these with findings in human UIP and NSIP. P-Smad2 immunoreactivity, indicating TGF-ß signalling activity, was increased in WHWTs with IPF relative to healthy WHWTs and expression was localized predominantly in the altered alveolar epithelium, as seen in both UIP and NSIP. Increased peribronchial and perivascular LTBP-1 immunoreactivity was seen in WHWTs with IPF compared with controls, possibly indicating the importance of the small airways in the canine disease. Alveolar LTPB-1 immunolabelling in diseased WHWTs was seen mainly in the altered alveolar epithelium, resembling more closely the labelling in UIP than in NSIP. Alveolar interstitial fibrillin-2 immunoreactivity, which is up-regulated in the lungs of people with UIP, was also detected in the lungs of WHWTs with IPF and people with NSIP. However, no significant difference was seen between WHWTs with IPF and control WHWTs. The results suggest that increased TGF-ß signalling and expression of the ECM regulatory proteins LTBP-1 and fibrillin-2 are part of the molecular pathophysiology of canine IPF.

Gremlin-1 associates with fibrillin microfibrils in vivo and regulates mesothelioma cell survival through transcription factor slug.

Malignant mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is highly resistant to conventional cancer therapy for which no major therapeutic advances have been introduced. Here, we identify gremlin-1, a known bone morphogenetic protein inhibitor crucial for embryonic development, as a potential therapeutic target for mesothelioma. We found high expression levels of gremlin-1 in the mesothelioma tumor tissue, as well as in primary mesothelioma cells cultured from pleural effusion samples. Downregulation of gremlin-1 expression by siRNA-mediated silencing in a mesothelioma cell line inhibited cell proliferation. This was associated with downregulation of the transcription factor slug as well as mesenchymal proteins linked to cancer epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Further, resistance to paclitaxel-induced cell death was associated with high gremlin-1 and slug expression. Treatment of gremlin-1-silenced mesothelioma cells with paclitaxel or pemetrexed resulted in efficient loss of cell survival. Finally, our data suggest that concomitant upregulation of fibrillin-2 in mesothelioma provides a mechanism for extracellular localization of gremlin-1 to the tumor microenvironment. This was supported by the demonstration of interactions between gremlin-1, and fibrillin-1 and -2 peptides as well as by colocalization of gremlin-1 to fibrillin microfibrils in cells and tumor tissue samples. Our data suggest that gremlin-1 is also a potential target for overcoming drug resistance in mesothelioma.

The histopathology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in West Highland white terriers shares features of both non-specific interstitial pneumonia and usual interstitial pneumonia in man.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs) is a breed-related, spontaneously arising disease that is a potential animal model for IPF in man. Histopathological similarity between IPF in WHWTs and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), the histopathological correlate for IPF in man, has not been confirmed and histological features of non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), another form of human idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, have been reported in WHWTs with IPF. This study describes the pulmonary histopathological findings in 18 WHWTs with IPF, including lobe-specific samples in nine of the dogs. The canine lesions and their distribution pattern are compared with histopathological characteristics in samples of human UIP and NSIP. Underlying diffuse mature fibrosis, resembling human NSIP more than UIP, was seen in the lungs of all dogs with IPF. Additionally, the majority of dogs with IPF showed multifocal areas of accentuated subpleural and peribronchiolar fibrosis with occasional 'honeycombing' and profound alveolar epithelial changes, reminiscent of human UIP and not commonly seen in NSIP. Interstitial fibroblastic foci, characteristic of UIP, were not seen in WHWTs with IPF. Progressive fibrosis, with intra-alveolar organizing fibrosis alongside interstitial mature collagen deposition, was present within the more severely affected areas of lung in WHWTs with IPF. Severe pulmonary lesions were seen more commonly in the caudal than in the cranial lung lobes.

Matrix metalloproteinases-7, -8, -9 and TIMP-1 in the follow-up of diisocyanate-induced asthma.

BACKGROUND: Diisocyanate-induced asthma (DIA) is known to be associated with poor prognosis. We wished to clarify if matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7, -8 or -9 or tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP-1) are associated with the functional or inflammatory outcome in DIA patients. METHODS: This is a longitudinal study where 17 patients with DIA diagnosed by a specific challenge test to diisocyanates were monitored. Exposure to diisocyanates was terminated seven (mean) months before the challenge test. The studies included spirometry, histamine challenge test and bronchoscopy. MMP-7, MMP-8, TIMP-1 [Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)- and immunofluorometric assay-methods], MMP-9 (ELISA and zymography), interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, -8, -15, -17, CXCL-5/ENA-78, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and macrophage inhibitory factor (MIF) (ELISA) were assayed from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Inhaled steroid therapy was initiated after the examinations, which were repeated at 6 months and at 3 years during the treatment. The results were compared with those of 15 healthy controls. RESULTS: Inhaled steroid medication increased BAL levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 and decreased MMP-7 and MMP-7/TIMP-1. The increase in MMP-9 levels was associated with a decline in the TH-2 type inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that reduced TH-2 type inflammation in DIA after inhaled steroid medication is reflected as elevated MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 levels in BAL. MIF may be the inducer of MMP-9. This might point to some protective role for MMP-9 in DIA.

Expression of GATA-6 transcription factor in pleural malignant mesothelioma and metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumour with poor prognosis and limited response to therapy. New markers for the prediction of prognosis in MM and in pulmonary adenocarcinoma of the pleura are valuable. GATA-6 belongs to a six member zinc finger transcription factor family named after their recognition motif W-GATA-R. AIM: To clarify the distribution and possible function of GATA-6 transcription factor in MM and in pleural metastasis of lung adenocarcinomas. METHODS: 63 pleural MM and 36 pleural metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinomas were studied for GATA-6 expression by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. Expression of GATA-6 was examined in relation to thyroid transcription factor-1 expression, survival, proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS: Nuclear immunoreactivity for GATA-6 was stronger and more frequent in MM than in metastatic pleural adenocarcinoma. Prognosis was better in patients with GATA-6 expression when compared to those with no GATA-6 expression (p = 0.002); in the subgroup analysis the difference was significant in epithelial and sarcomatous mesothelioma. GATA-6 was not associated with spontaneous proliferation or apoptosis of the tumour cells in situ. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that GATA-6 plays a role in pleural malignancies, predicting longer survival in subgroups of MM.

Gremlin localization and expression levels partially differentiate idiopathic interstitial pneumonia severity and subtype.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (histopathology of usual interstitial pneumonia, UIP) and non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) are diseases characterized by loss of normal lung architecture and function. The differential diagnosis between IPF/UIP and NSIP may be difficult. The levels of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 antagonist gremlin are up-regulated in IPF/UIP. The present study was performed to clarify whether the localization or the mRNA expression of gremlin or BMP-4 could be used in the differential diagnosis or assessment of severity of IPF/UIP and NSIP. Gremlin and BMP-4 immunoreactivities were quantitated from 24 UIP and 12 NSIP lung specimens. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed to compare gremlin and BMP-4 expression between UIP (n = 8) and NSIP (n = 5) biopsies. Immunohistochemical positivity and mRNA levels were correlated to lung function parameters. In IPF/UIP biopsies, gremlin was detected mainly in the thickened lung parenchyma, whereas in NSIP it was observed in the alveolar epithelium. BMP-4-positive (BMP-4+) cells were detected solely in the alveolar wall. The percentage of gremlin-positive area was higher in IPF/UIP (5.1 +/- 0.6) than in NSIP (1.8 +/- 0.7) (n = 36, p < 0.0001). Gremlin mRNA levels were higher in advanced UIP (p = 0.008) and NSIP (p = 0.007) biopsies than in the normal control lung. A negative correlation was found between the specific diffusion capacity corrected for alveolar volume (DLCO/VA) and gremlin mRNA levels (r = - 0.69, p = 0.007). The highest numbers of BMP-4+ cells were found in NSIP biopsies. BMP-4 mRNA levels correlated positively with forced vital capacity (r = 0.801, p < 0.0001) and diffusion capacity. Parenchymal gremlin immunoreactivity is thus suggestive of a UIP-type interstitial pneumonia. Gremlin expression levels correlating negatively and BMP-4 levels positively with disease severity support recent observations of a fibroprotective role for the BMPs.

Thiol proteins, redox modulation and parenchymal lung disease.

The lung is a unique organ in terms of its direct exposure to high levels of oxygen and reactive compounds. Several parenchymal lung diseases (e.g. emphysema associated with smoking and a number of fibrotic lung disorders) have been proposed to be due to the exposure of the lung to exogenous irritants leading to local redox imbalance in the alveolar epithelium. The disease progression of emphysema/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and fibrosis share several common factors, such as the role of reactive oxygen species, disturbances of the pulmonary thiol status and activation of growth factors and tissue destructing proteases. Importantly in COPD or fibrosis, medication does not provide any significant therapeutic effect. This review concentrates on the key thiol (-SH)-regulated mechanisms leading to the development of COPD and/or pulmonary fibrosis and the major redox-regulated defense/oxidant repair mechanisms, thioredoxin/peroxiredoxin and glutaredoxin protein families in the lung. Redox-regulated proteins, both proteases and oxidant repair enzymes, undergo conformational changes during oxidative stress, a process that modulates their activation or inactivation. In addition, some of the redox-regulated proteins influence the metabolism of glutathione (GSH), a major small molecular antioxidant of human lung, and participate in the crosstalk between numbers of GSH associated enzymes functioning in the detoxification pathways of human lung. An understanding of the processes involved in oxidant-mediated lung damage may provide the key to devising interventional strategies that can actually prevent the progression of lung parenchymal disease.

8-Isoprostane as a marker of oxidative stress in nonsymptomatic cigarette smokers and COPD.

8-Isoprostane is a potential in vivo marker for oxidant burden, but its usefulness in induced sputum of smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been investigated. The current study investigated 58 subjects comprising 11 never-smokers, 11 ex-smokers, 13 healthy current smokers and 23 COPD with stage 0-III disease (according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria). 8-Isoprostane was determined from induced sputum by enzyme immunoassay. Sputum 8-isoprostane levels were similar in the never-smokers and ex-smokers, but were elevated in the healthy smokers compared with nonsmokers, and in those with stage I-III COPD. Sputum 8-isoprostane levels could not differentiate nonsymptomatic smokers from those with Stage 0 COPD. There was a correlation between sputum 8-isoprostane level and lung function parameters (forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity and sputum neutrophils. In conclusion, sputum 8-isoprostane levels correlate with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, they do not appear to differentiate healthy smokers from those who are at risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage 0).

Quantitation of cell migration in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model. Indications for a perivascular origin of the neointimal cells.

UNLABELLED: Medial and neointimal smooth muscle cells differ in phenotype. Adventitial cells have been shown to migrate to the intima and this could partly explain this difference. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to quantitate the kinetics of cell migration from the adventitial and medial layers to the intima after endothelial injury. METHODS: Labelled proliferating cells at different periods post-injury in a rat carotid artery balloon injury model, were used to calculate the kinetics of migration using the alteration in cell populations and the ratio of proliferating cells. RESULTS: The increase in the number of neointimal cells was greater than the level of proliferation during the 30-day follow-up. Changes in the number and percentage of proliferating cells remained low after the appearance of the first neointimal cells. 28% of the neointimal cells were labelled during the first wave of migration, and in reverse at least 72% had migrated there. Of these migrating cells, 74% were non-proliferating. The formation of neointima was efficiently blocked with cyclophosphamide and batimastat (metalloproteinase inhibitor), which resulted in a decrease in the number of medial and intimal cells. CONCLUSION: The increase in the number of neointimal cells is mostly due to cells migrating from the outer layers through the media. The majority of these cells are not proliferating, but migration can still be efficiently blocked with antiproliferative drugs.

Selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the platelet-derived growth factor receptor in vitro inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation after reinjury of arterial intima in vivo.

The long-term success of coronary angioplasty is limited by restonosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether and to what extent the enhanced proliferative response observed in a balloon reinjury model of rat aorta is regulated by the PDGF receptor (PDGF-R). Balloon injury was performed to 14-day-old pre-existing neointimal lesion in rat aorta. PDGF receptor and ligand immunoreactivity were measured at several time points after the first and second injury, and PDGF-R signaling was blocked with a selective inhibitor of PDGF-R tyrosine kinase. In the neointima, after repeated injury, upregulation of PDGF-AA was seen to coincide with a prompt proliferative response of smooth muscle cells (SMC). Administration of the PDGF-R tyrosine kinase inhibitor in vivo, tested and found to inhibit the proliferation of SMC induced by PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB, but not by IGF-1, EGF, or bFGF, resulted in a 60% reduction in the absolute number and percentage of BrdU + cells after the second balloon injury to pre-existing neointima, but had no significant effect on proliferation after the first injury. Endpoint lesion area was reduced by 50% in the treated group at 14 days after the second injury. The results suggest that systemic administration of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor specific for the PDGF-R can be useful in the prevention of restenosis.

Differentiation between vasculoprotective and uterotrophic effects of ligands with different binding affinities to estrogen receptors alpha and beta.

Estrogen-based drug therapy in cardiovascular diseases has been difficult because it has not been possible to separate the wanted vasculoprotective effect from the unwanted effects of the hormone to the reproductive system. Here, we demonstrate that, after endothelial denudation of rat carotid artery, the mRNA of the classical estrogen receptor (ERalpha) is constitutively expressed at a low level whereas the expression of the novel ERbeta mRNA increases >40-fold. Under in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, ERbeta mRNA and protein colocalize with the smooth muscle cells in the media and neointima. Treatment of ovariectomized female rats with the isoflavone phytoestrogen genistein, which shows 20-fold higher binding affinity to ERbeta than to ERalpha, or with 17beta-estradiol, which does not differentiate between the two receptors, provides similar dose-dependent vasculoprotective effect in rat carotid injury model. In addition in concentrations <10 microM, both ligands are equally inhibitory to the replication and migration of smooth muscle cells in vitro. However, only treatment with 17beta-estradiol, but not with genistein, is accompanied with a dose-dependent uterotrophic effect. The results suggest that preferential targeting to ERbeta will provide vasculoprotective estrogen analogs devoid of effects to the reproductive system.

Prevention of cardiac allograft arteriosclerosis by protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor selective for platelet-derived growth factor receptor.

BACKGROUND: Increased immunoreactivity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AA, -Ralpha, and -Rbeta in intimal cells correlates with the development of cardiac allograft arteriosclerosis, a condition for which there is little or no current therapy. Therefore, we hypothesized that PDGF may have a rate-limiting role in the development of this disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: The hypothesis was tested in a rat model of heterotopic cardiac and aortic allografts using dark agouti (AG-B4, RT1(a)) donors and Wistar-Furth (AG-B2, RT1(u)) recipients. The recipients received CGP 53716, a selective PDGF-R protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 50 mg. kg-1. d-1, or vehicle for 60 days. Cardiac allograft recipients also received background cyclosporin A immunosuppression. Our results demonstrate that CGP 53716 significantly reduced the incidence and intensity of arteriosclerotic lesions in rat cardiac and aortic allograft recipients. When rat coronary smooth muscle cells were stimulated in vitro with PDGF-AA or -BB in the presence of interleukin-1beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha, CGP 53716 significantly inhibited only AA-ligand-induced but not BB-ligand-induced replication. Concomitantly, in quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, interleukin-1beta or tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulation specifically upregulated the expression of PDGF-Ralpha mRNA but not of other ligand or receptor genes in cultured smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a PDGF-AA/Ralpha-dependent cycle is induced in the generation of allograft arteriosclerosis that may be inhibited by blocking of signaling downstream of PDGF-R.

Inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.

Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) and their receptors (PDGFRs) have been linked to vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation leading to atherosclerosis, restenosis, and chronic allograft rejection. This study describes the effect of CGP 53716, a specific PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor on SMC proliferation and migration in vitro and in neointimal formation in vivo. CGP 53716 inhibited dose dependently tyrosine phosphorylation of both the known PDGFRs: the PDGFR-alpha and PDGFR-beta. In primary rat SMC cultures, a dose-dependent inhibition of PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB induced migration, and tritiated thymidine incorporation of SMC was seen at nontoxic concentrations. After rat carotid artery ballooning injury in vivo, the migration of alpha-actin-positive cells on the luminal side of internal elastic lamina was decreased with 50 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) of CGP 53716 from 38 +/- 10 (control group) to 4 +/- 2 (P<0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test, N=18). CGP 53716 did not inhibit the number of replicating bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporating cells in the intima, media, or adventitia during BrdU labeling at 0-96 postoperative h, though it inhibited significantly (P<0.01) the replication of medial and intimal cells from 93 h onward. Intima/media ratio was inhibited by 40% after 14 days in the CGP 53716-treated group (P=0.028) after rat aortic denudation. The results indicate that inhibition of the PDGFR tyrosine kinase inhibits SMC migration and proliferation in vitro, SMC migration, and, to a lesser extent, proliferation after ballooning injury in vivo, confirming a causal role for activation of the PDGFR and the formation of neointimal lesions.