Renal Transplantation With Final Allocation Based on the Virtual Crossmatch.

Solid phase immunoassays (SPI) are now routinely used to detect HLA antibodies. However, the flow cytometric crossmatch (FCXM) remains the established method for assessing final donor-recipient compatibility. Since 2005 we have followed a protocol whereby the final allocation decision for renal transplantation is based on SPI (not the FCXM). Here we report long-term graft outcomes for 508 consecutive kidney transplants using this protocol. All recipients were negative for donor-specific antibody by SPI. Primary outcomes are graft survival and incidence of acute rejection within 1 year (AR <1 year) for FCXM+ (n = 54) and FCXM- (n = 454) recipients. Median follow-up is 7.1 years. FCXM+ recipients were significantly different from FCXM- recipients for the following risk factors: living donor (24% vs. 39%, p = 0.03), duration of dialysis (31.0 months vs. 13.5 months, p = 0.008), retransplants (17% vs. 7.3%, p = 0.04), % sensitized (63% vs. 19%, p = 0.001), and PRA >80% (20% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.001). Despite these differences, 5-year actual graft survival rates are 87% and 84%, respectively. AR <1 year occurred in 13% FCXM+ and 12% FCXM- recipients. Crossmatch status was not associated with graft outcomes in any univariate or multivariate model. Renal transplantation can be performed successfully, using SPI as the definitive test for donor-recipient compatibility.

Does opening the peritoneum at the time of renal transplanation prevent lymphocele formation?

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of lymphocele formation following renal transplantation is variable, and the optimal approach to treatment remains undefined. Opening the peritoneum at the time of transplantation is one method of decreasing the incidence of lymphocele formation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether creating a peritoneal window at the time of transplantation decreases the incidence of lymphocele formation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of renal transplants conducted at our institution between 2002 and 2004. Records were reviewed to obtain details regarding opening of the peritoneum at the time of transplant and occurrence of lymphocele. Every patient underwent routine ultrasound imaging in the peri-operative period. Graft dysfunction secondary to the lymphocele was the primary indication for intervention. Data were analyzed by chi-square. RESULTS: During the initial transplant the peritoneum was opened in 35% of patients. The overall incidence of fluid collections, identified by ultrasound, was 24%. Opening the peritoneum did not decrease the incidence of lymphocele. However, more patients with a closed peritoneum required an intervention for a symptomatic lymphocele. In the 11 patients with an open peritoneum and a fluid collection, only one required an intervention. In patients whose peritoneum was left intact, 24% of fluid collections required intervention. Graft survival was equivalent. CONCLUSION: Creating a peritoneal window at the time of transplantation did not decrease the overall incidence of postoperative fluid collections. However, forming a peritoneal window at the time of transplantation did decrease the incidence of symptomatic lymphocele.

Inhibition of cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase abrogates the synergism of hypoxia with lipopolysaccharide in the induction of macrophage TNF-alpha production.

BACKGROUND: Local tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production by resident macrophages (M phi) contributes to posttraumatic tissue injury. Hypoxia decreases cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels and enhances M phi secretion of TNF-alpha following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Thus, tissue hypoxia associated with trauma likely synergizes with proinflammatory mediators in the induction of M phi TNF-alpha production through an influence on cAMP generation or degradation. It is unclear whether elevation of cellular cAMP inhibits LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha production by hypoxic M phi. Moreover, it is unknown whether the synergism of hypoxia with LPS can be abrogated by promotion of cAMP generation or inhibition of cAMP degradation. METHODS: Rat peritoneal M phi were stimulated with Escherichia coli LPS (20 ng/ml) in a normoxic (room air with 5% CO(2)) or hypoxic (95% N(2) with 5% CO(2)) condition. TNF-alpha levels in cell-free supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol (ISP; 5.0 microM) and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (FSK; 50 microM) were applied to promote cAMP generation. The nonselective cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX; 1.0 mM) and the PDE III-specific inhibitor milrinone (200 microM) were used to inhibit cAMP degradation. The nondegradable cAMP analogue dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP; 100 microM) was applied to further determine the role of PDE. RESULTS. Although hypoxia alone had a minimal effect on TNF-alpha production, it dramatically enhanced LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha production (4.08 +/- 0.28 ng/10(6) cells in hypoxia plus LPS vs 1.63 +/- 0.26 ng/10(6) cells in LPS, 2.5-fold, P < 0.01). Promotion of cAMP generation by either ISP or FSK reduced TNF-alpha production by hypoxic cells. However, neither of these two agents abolished the synergism of hypoxia with LPS (1.68 +/- 0.13 ng/10(6) cells in ISP plus hypoxia plus LPS vs 0.55 +/- 0.04 ng/10(6) cells in ISP plus LPS, threefold; 1.17 +/- 0.03 ng/10(6) cells in FSK plus hypoxia plus LPS vs 0.33 +/- 0.02 ng/10(6) cells in FSK plus LPS, 3.5-fold; both P < 0.01). Inhibition of cAMP degradation with IBMX reduced TNF-alpha production in hypoxic cells and abrogated the synergism (0.31 +/- 0.11 ng/10(6) cells in IBMX plus hypoxia plus LPS vs 0.27 +/- 0.04 ng/10(6) cells in IBMX plus LPS, P > 0.05), and the PDE III inhibitor milrinone had a comparable effect. Moreover, dbcAMP also attenuated TNF-alpha production with abrogation of the synergistic effect of hypoxia (0.56 +/- 0.08 ng/10(6) cells in dbcAMP plus hypoxia plus LPS vs 0.46 +/- 0.04 ng/10(6) cells in dbcAMP plus LPS, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that elevation of cellular cAMP, either by promotion of generation or by inhibition of degradation, suppresses LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha production in hypoxic M phi. It appears that hypoxia synergizes with LPS in the induction of M phi TNF-alpha production through PDE-mediated cAMP degradation. Inhibition of PDE may be a therapeutic approach for suppression of synergistic induction of M phi TNF-alpha production by hypoxia and LPS in posttraumatic tissue.

Suppression of tumor necrosis factor alpha production by cAMP in human monocytes: dissociation with mRNA level and independent of interleukin-10.

BACKGROUND: Elevation of cellular cAMP inhibits lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production and increases the expression of interleukin (IL)-10 in mononuclear cells. TNF-alpha gene expression obligates activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Exogenous IL-10 inhibits NF-kappaB in monocytes and thus attenuates TNF-alpha production. We examined the role of endogenous IL-10 in the regulation of NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha production in human monocytes by cAMP. METHODS: Human monocytes were stimulated with Escherichia coli LPS (100 ng/ml) with and without forskolin (FSK, 50 microM) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP, 100 microM). Cytokine (TNF-alpha and IL-10) release was measured by immunoassay. TNF-alpha mRNA was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was assessed by gel mobility shift assay. RESULTS: cAMP-elevating agents inhibited LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha release (0.77 +/- 0.13 ng/10(6) cells in LPS + dbcAMP and 0.68 +/- 0.19 ng/10(6) cells in LPS + FSK, both P < 0.05 vs 1.61 +/- 0.34 ng/10(6) cells in LPS alone). Conversely, cAMP enhanced LPS-stimulated IL-10 release (100 +/- 21.5 pg/10(6) cells in LPS + dbcAMP and 110 +/- 25.2 pg/10(6) cells in LPS + FSK, both P < 0.05 vs 53.3 +/- 12.8 pg/10(6) cells in LPS alone). Neither TNF-alpha mRNA expression nor NF-kappaB activation stimulated by LPS was inhibited by the cAMP-elevating agents. Neutralization of IL-10 with a specific antibody did not attenuate the effect of cAMP-elevating agents on TNF-alpha production. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that cAMP inhibits LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha production through a posttranscriptional mechanism that is independent of endogenous IL-10.

L-arginine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced lung chemokine production.

Chemokines stimulate the influx of leukocytes into tissues. Their production is regulated by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), an inducible transcription factor under the control of inhibitory factor kappaB-alpha (IkappaB-alpha). We have previously demonstrated that L-arginine (L-Arg) attenuates neutrophil accumulation and pulmonary vascular injury after administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We hypothesized that L-Arg would attenuate the production of lung chemokines by stabilizing IkappaB-alpha and preventing NF-kappaB DNA binding. We examined the effect of L-Arg on chemokine production, IkappaB-alpha degradation, and NF-kappaB DNA binding in the lung after systemic LPS. To block nitric oxide (NO) production, a NO synthase inhibitor was given before L-Arg. LPS induced the production of chemokine protein and mRNA. L-Arg attenuated the production of chemokine protein and mRNA, prevented the decrease in IkappaB-alpha levels, and inhibited NF-kappaB DNA binding. NO synthase inhibition abolished the effects of L-Arg on all measured parameters. Our results suggest that L-Arg abrogates chemokine protein and mRNA production in rat lung after LPS. This effect is dependent on NO and is mediated by stabilization of IkappaB-alpha levels and inhibition of NF-kappaB DNA binding.

Differential cellular immunolocalization of renal tumour necrosis factor-alpha production during ischaemia versus endotoxaemia.

Both renal ischaemia and endotoxaemia provoke renal dysfunction and cellular injury. Although the clinical manifestation of each insult is similar (global renal dysfunction), ischaemia and endotoxaemia induce different patterns of cellular injury. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in both types of renal injury; however, it remains unknown whether differential cellular TNF-alpha expression accounts for these changes. We hypothesized that renal glomerular cells and tubular cells differentially express TNF-alpha in response to ischaemia compared with endotoxaemia. To investigate this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats were anaesthetized and exposed to various time-periods of renal ischaemia, with or without reperfusion (sham operation=negative control), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). The kidneys were harvested following renal injury, and rat TNF-alpha protein expression was determined (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), as were TNF-alpha bioactivity (by WEHI-164 cell clone cytotoxicity assay) and TNF-alpha cellular localization (by immunohistochemistry). TNF-alpha protein expression and TNF-alpha bioactivity peaked following 1 hr of ischaemia and 2 hr of reperfusion (48 +/- 11 pg/mg of protein, P < 0.05, and 12 +/- 0.5 x 10-3 units/mg of protein, P < 0.05, respectively). The concentration of TNF-alpha increased to a similar extent following exposure to LPS; however, while TNF-alpha production following ischaemia-reperfusion injury localized predominantly to renal tubular epithelial cells, animals exposed to LPS demonstrated a primarily glomerular distribution of TNF-alpha production. Hence, the cellular localization of renal TNF-alpha production appears to be injury specific, i.e. renal tubular cells are the primary source of TNF-alpha following an ischaemic insult, whereas LPS induces glomerular TNF-alpha production. The cellular source of TNF-alpha following different insults may have therapeutic implications for targeted inhibition of TNF-alpha production.

Living-unrelated renal transplantation at the University of Wisconsin.

Since 1984, we have performed 243 living-unrelated renal transplants at the University of Wisconsin. Rejection occurred in 47% of the patients. Graft loss occurred in 59 patients and 39 patients died. Graft survival in LURD transplants at 10 years is 54% and 43% at 15 years. Patient survival is 68% at 10 years and 54% at 15 years. These long-term results demonstrate that LURD is equivalent to haploidentical renal transplantation and superior to cadaveric transplantation. Husband-to-wife donation demonstrated improved graft survival when compared with wife-to-husband and nonspousal donation. Living-unrelated renal transplantation has been utilized successfully at the University of Wisconsin and may help to alleviate the donor shortage.

Thirty years of clinical trials in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review clinical trials in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). DATA SOURCES: Computerized bibliographic search of published research and citation review of relevant articles. STUDY SELECTION: All clinical trials of therapies for ARDS were reviewed. Therapies that have been compared in prospective, randomized trials were the focus of this analysis. DATA EXTRACTION: Data on population, interventions, and outcomes were obtained by review. Studies were graded for quality of scientific evidence. MAIN RESULTS: Lung protective ventilator strategy is supported by improved outcome in a single large, prospective trial and a second smaller trial. Other therapies for ARDS, including noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, inverse ratio ventilation, fluid restriction, inhaled nitric oxide, almitrine, prostacyclin, liquid ventilation, surfactant, and immune-modulating therapies, cannot be recommended at this time. Results of small trials using corticosteroids in late ARDS support the need for confirmatory large clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Lung protective ventilator strategy is the first therapy found to improve outcome in ARDS. Trials of prone ventilation and fluid restriction in ARDS and corticosteroids in late ARDS support the need for large, prospective, randomized trials.

Chemokines as mediators of diseases related to surgical conditions.

Chemokines are important mediators of inflammation. Animal studies suggest that inhibition of chemokine action results in a decrease in inflammation. Novel anti-inflammatory agents directed against chemokines are now available. Surgeons are uniquely positioned to treat multiple chemokine-mediated diseases. In this article, we review the biology and nomenclature of chemokines as well as their role in neutrophil migration. Further, the potential role of chemokines in various diseases related to surgical conditions, including adult respiratory distress syndrome, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and solid organ rejection, is reviewed. Finally, the idea that chemokines could be targets for novel therapeutic agents is discussed.

Adenosine preconditioning reduces both pre and postischemic arrhythmias in human myocardium.

INTRODUCTION: Consistently, clinical series record supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in approximately 30% of patients following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Ischemic preconditioning and adenosine preconditioning (Ado-PC) decrease postischemia/reperfusion (I/R) myocardial stunning, infarct size, and pharmacologically induced arrhythmias in all species including man. We hypothesized that adenosine preconditioning would decrease spontaneous pre- and postischemic atrial arrhythmias in human myocardium. The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of in vivo and in vitro Ado-PC on atrial arrhythmias. METHODS: Human atrial trabeculae were harvested from CABG patients, placed in organ baths, and paced (1 Hz). Developed force (DF) was recorded during simulated I/R (30/45 min). Prior to I/R, trabeculae were treated with Ado (125 microM) for 5 min (in vitro), or patients were treated with Ado (12 mg iv) 5 min (in vivo) prior to harvest of trabeculae. Contraction frequency >4 Hz (defined as atrial tachyarrhythmias) was recorded in all groups pre- and postischemia. RESULTS: Control trabeculae exhibited increased tachyarrhythmias pre- and postischemia. In vivo and in vitro Ado-PC suppressed both pre- and postischemic arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Adenosine preconditioning suppresses the frequency of pre- and postischemic tachyarrhythmias against an ischemia/reperfusion insult in human myocardium. This antiarrhythmic effect occurs with both in vitro and in vivo administration of adenosine. Preconditioning with adenosine prior to elective ischemia/reperfusion is a promising strategy of reducing spontaneous atrial arrhythmias in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization.

Differential inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in systemic and pulmonary vessels after endotoxin.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is associated with vascular hypocontractility in systemic vessels after endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Although lung iNOS is increased after LPS, its role in the pulmonary circulation is unclear. We hypothesized that whereas iNOS upregulation is responsible for LPS-induced vascular dysfunction in systemic vessels, iNOS does not play a significant role in the pulmonary artery (PA). Using isolated aorta (AO) and PA rings, we examined the effect of nonselective NOS inhibition [N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA); 100 micromol/l] and selective iNOS inhibition (aminoguanidine, AG; 100 micromol/l) on alpha(1)-adrenergic-mediated vasoconstriction (phenylephrine; 10(-9) to 10(-3) M) after LPS (Salmonella typhimurium, 20 mg/kg ip). We also determined the presence of iNOS using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. LPS markedly impaired AO contractility (maximal control tension 1,076 +/- 33 mg vs. LPS 412 +/- 39 mg, P < 0.05), but PA contractility was unchanged (control 466 +/- 29 mg vs. LPS 455 +/- 27 mg, P > 0.05). Selective iNOS inhibition restored the AO's response to vasoconstriction (LPS + AG 1,135 +/- 54 mg, P > 0.05 vs. control and P < 0.05 vs. LPS), but had no effect on the PA (LPS + AG 422 +/- 38 mg, P > 0.05 vs. control and LPS). Western blot and immunohistochemistry revealed increased iNOS expression in the AO after LPS, but iNOS was not detected in the PA. Our results suggest that differential iNOS expression after LPS in systemic and pulmonary vessels contributes to the phenomenon of sepsis/endotoxemia-induced systemic hypotension and pulmonary hypertension.

Chlamydia pneumoniae activates nuclear factor kappaB and activator protein 1 in human vascular smooth muscle and induces cellular proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Observational data strongly suggest an association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have mechanistically linked C. pneumoniae to vascular remodeling. The purpose of the present study was to examine the mechanistic relationship between C. pneumoniae and human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) physiology. We sought to determine the influence of human VSMC infection by C. pneumoniae on (1) VSMC proliferation and (2) activation of the proinflammatory and proliferative transcription factors nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: C. pneumoniae was grown and isolated from Hep 2 cells. Human aortic VSMCs were inoculated with C. pneumoniae in the presence and absence of the azalide antibiotic azithromycin. Cell proliferation was assayed by direct cell counting 48 h following infection. Two hours following infection, nuclear extracts were isolated, and activation of both NF-kappaB and AP-1 was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Compared with control, C. pneumoniae infection stimulated VSMC proliferation (P < 0.05) and induced both NF-kappaB and AP-1 DNA binding activity. These effects were eliminated by concurrent treatment with azithromycin. CONCLUSIONS: VSMC infection with C. pneumoniae activates proliferative intracellular signals and stimulates cell growth. These data implicate C. pneumoniae as a pathogenic mediator and a potential therapeutic target in the prevention of atherosclerotic disease.

Interleukin-1beta deficiency results in reduced NF-kappaB levels in pregnant mice.

Interleukin (IL)-1beta-deficient (IL-1beta(-/-)) mice were assessed for cytokine production during pregnancy. A significant reduction in nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB p65 protein content was observed in the uteri and spleens of pregnant IL-1beta(-/-) mice, as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblot analysis. In addition, electromobility gel shift assay revealed less DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB p65-containing complex in pregnant IL-1beta(-/-) mice. To investigate differences in cytokine production regulated by NF-kappaB, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, and interferon-gamma were measured in the uterine wall, spleen homogenates, and spleen cell cultures obtained from pregnant mice. Endocervical administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased cytokine levels in both wild-type (IL-1beta(+/+)) and IL-1beta(-/-) animals, but in IL-1beta(-/-) mice this response was 50-75% lower. Splenocytes from nonpregnant mice exhibited decreased LPS-induced cytokine production when primed in vitro with progesterone. This suppression was 25% greater in IL-1beta(-/-) than in IL-1beta(+/+) mice. These data suggest that constitutive NF-kappaB p65 protein synthesis is regulated by IL-1beta, particularly during pregnancy.

Inhibition of PARS attenuates endotoxin-induced dysfunction of pulmonary vasorelaxation.

Endotoxin (Etx) causes excessive activation of the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) synthase (PARS), which depletes cellular energy stores and leads to vascular dysfunction. We hypothesized that PARS inhibition would attenuate injury to mechanisms of pulmonary vasorelaxation in acute lung injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of in vivo PARS inhibition on Etx-induced dysfunction of pulmonary vasorelaxation. Rats received intraperitoneal saline or Etx (Salmonella typhimurium; 20 mg/kg) and one of the PARS inhibitors, 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB; 10 mg/kg) or nicotinamide (Nic; 200 mg/kg), 90 min later. After 6 h, concentration-response curves were determined in isolated pulmonary arterial rings. Etx impaired endothelium-dependent (response to ACh and calcium ionophore) and -independent (sodium nitroprusside) cGMP-mediated vasorelaxation. 3-AB and Nic attenuated Etx-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent and -independent pulmonary vasorelaxation. 3-AB and Nic had no effect on Etx-induced increases in lung myeloperoxidase activity and edema. Lung ATP decreased after Etx but was maintained by 3-AB and Nic. Pulmonary arterial PARS activity increased fivefold after Etx, which 3-AB and Nic prevented. The beneficial effects were not observed with benzoic acid, a structural analog of 3-AB that does not inhibit PARS. Our results suggest that PARS inhibition with 3-AB or Nic improves pulmonary vasorelaxation and preserves lung ATP levels in acute lung injury.

Exogenous calcium preconditions myocardium from patients taking oral sulfonylurea agents.

We have previously reported that atrial trabeculae from patients taking oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents cannot be preconditioned by transient ischemia, which may, in part, explain the increased cardiovascular mortality historically associated with the use of these agents (J. C. Cleveland et al., 1997, Circulation 96, 29-32). Recently, we reported that clinically accessible and acceptable exogenous Ca(2+) pretreatment protects human atrial trabeculae from subsequent ischemia (B. S. Cain et al., 1998, Ann. Thoracic Surg. 65, 1065-1070). It remains unknown whether this preconditioning strategy could confer protection to trabeculae from patients taking oral sulfonylurea drugs. We therefore hypothesized that exogenous Ca(2+) confers ischemic protection to trabeculae from patients taking oral sulfonylureas. Human atrial trabeculae were suspended in organ baths and field stimulated at 1 Hz, and force development was recorded. Following 90 min equilibration, trabeculae from patients taking oral sulfonylurea agents (n = 6 patients) were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R; 45/120 min) with or without Ca(2+) (1 mM increase x 5 min) 10 min prior to I/R. I/R decreased postischemic human myocardial contractility in trabeculae from patients on oral hypoglycemics to 15.3 +/- 2.0% baseline developed force (%BDF). Ca(2+) pretreatment increased postischemic human myocardial developed force to 35.3 +/- 2.9 %BDF in these patients (P < 0.05 vs I/R, ANOVA and Bonferroni/Dunn). We conclude that atrial muscle from patients taking oral hypoglycemic agents can be preconditioned with exogenous Ca(2+). This therapy may offer a clinically relevant means to precondition the myocardium of diabetics taking oral hypoglycemic agents prior to clinical interventions such as coronary angioplasty or cardiac bypass.

Reduction of infarct size in the rat heart by LPS preconditioning is associated with expression of angiogenic growth factors and increased capillary density.

Inflammation induces the expression of angiogenic growth factors in tissues, which leads to microvascular growth. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provokes a transient inflammatory response in the heart and induces delayed cardiac resistance to post-ischemic contractile dysfunction. In this study, we examined: 1) the effects of LPS on myocardial expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 2) whether an increase in the density of myocardial microvessels follows the expression of angiogenic growth factors, and 3) the effect of LPS on myocardial resistance to infarction and its relationship with microvascular growth. Rats were treated with LPS (from Salmonella typhimurium, 0.5 mg/kg i.p.). The expression of bFGF and VEGF in the myocardium was examined at 6 and 12 h after LPS treatment by immunofluorescent staining. Myocardial capillary and arteriole densities were determined 3 days after LPS treatment by morphometry, using immunofluorescent staining of von Willebrand factor (a marker protein of endothelial cells) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (a marker protein of smooth muscle cells). To examine cardiac resistance to infarction, hearts were subjected to 40 min of regional ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion by reversible occlusion of left coronary artery at 3 days after LPS treatment. LPS induced cardiac bFGF and VEGF at 6 and 12 h after treatment. The expression of these growth factors was followed by an increase in myocardial capillary density (2032 +/- 78/mm2 vs. 1617 +/- 47/mm2 in saline control, P < 0.05), but not arteriole density, at 3 days. Meanwhile, infarct size was significantly reduced by LPS preconditioning (infarct/left ventricle 12.3 +/- 1.04% vs. 21.7 +/- 1.65% in saline control, 43% reduction, P < 0.05). These results suggest that LPS preconditioning induces cardiac bFGF and VEGF, and an increase in myocardial capillary density. This increased myocardial capillary density is associated with a reduced infarct size after in vivo regional ischemia-reperfusion.

Liposomal delivery of heat-shock protein 72 into the heart prevents endotoxin-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: The purposes of this study were to (1) determine whether functional heat-shock protein 72 (HSP-72) may be delivered into the heart, (2) determine whether HSP-72 itself is protective against endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-induced cardiodepression, and (3) compare relative protection and time courses required for protection for thermally induced HSP-72 versus liposomally introduced HSP-72. METHODS: HSP-72 was introduced (liposomal HSP-72) or induced (heat shock, 42 degrees C x 15 minutes, 24 hours before) in rat heart before LPS administration (0.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal or ex vivo coronary infusion). Western blot analysis for HSP-72 was used to confirm its expression. Left ventricular developed pressure (Langendorff) was used as an index of cardiac function. RESULTS: Direct intracoronary perfusion of liposomal HSP-72 delivered functioning HSP-72 into the myocardium. LPS induced cardiodepression; however, heat shock pretreatment abolished LPS-induced contractile dysfunction. A direct connection was found between HSP-72 and protection derived from liposomal transfer experiments that similarly reduced LPS-induced cardiodepression. CONCLUSIONS: (1) HSP-72 prevents LPS-induced myocardial contractile dysfunction, (2) liposomal transfer of HSP-72 into the myocardium provides the first direct mechanistic connection between myocardial HSP-72 and protection against LPS, (3) HSP-72 induction requires 24 hours and liposomal transfer of HSP-72 requires 90 minutes, and (4) HSP-72 may offer a clinically acceptable means of protecting the heart.

Inhibition of myocardial TNF-alpha production by heat shock. A potential mechanism of stress-induced cardioprotection against postischemic dysfunction.

Overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) contributes to cardiac dysfunction associated with systemic or myocardial stress, such as endotoxemia and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Heat shock has been demonstrated to enhance cardiac functional resistance to I/R. However, the protective mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) whether cardiac macrophages express heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) after heat shock, (2) whether induced cardiac HSP72 suppresses myocardial TNF-alpha production during I/R, and (3) whether preservation of postischemic myocardial function by heat shock is correlated with attenuated TNF-alpha production during I/R. Rats were subjected to heat shock (42 degrees C for 15 min) and 24 h recovery. Immunoblotting confirmed the expression of cardiac HSP72. Immunofluorescent staining detected HSP72 in cardiac interstitial cells including resident macrophages rather than myocytes. Global I/R caused a significant increase in myocardial TNF-alpha. The increase in myocardial TNF-alpha was blunted by prior heat shock and the reduced myocardial TNF-alpha level was correlated with improved cardiac functional recovery. This study demonstrates for the first time that heat shock induces HSP72 in cardiac resident macrophages and inhibits myocardial TNF-alpha production during I/R. These observations suggest that inhibition of myocardial TNF-alpha production may be a mechanism by which HSP72 protects the heart against postischemic dysfunction.

The NFkappaB inhibitory peptide, IkappaBalpha, prevents human vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

BACKGROUND: Vessel injury results in an inflammatory response characterized by the elaboration of cytokines and growth factors, which ultimately influence vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and contribute to atherogenesis. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkappaB) is a central transcription factor important in mediating stress and inflammatory-induced signals. We hypothesized that strategies aimed at inhibiting NFkappaB would abrogate mitogen-induced human VSMC proliferation. METHODS: Human aortic VSMC were stimulated with basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and proliferation was quantified by a colormetric assay. The influence of NFkappaB on VSMC proliferation was examined by both nonspecific NFkappaB blockade with calpain inhibitor-1 (CI-1) and dexamethasone (Dex) and specific NFkappaB blockade with liposomal delivery of the NFkappaB inhibitory peptide, IkappaBalpha. RESULTS: FGF and TNF induced concentration-dependent VSMC proliferation (p < 0.002). Neither CI-1, Dex, nor liposomal IkappaBalpha influenced proliferation of unstimulated VSMC. However, both FGF- and TNF-stimulated VSMC proliferation was inhibited to the level of control with CI-1, Dex, and liposomal IkappaBalpha (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The mitogenic effect of FGF and TNF on human arterial VSMC may be prevented by inhibiting NFkappaB. Furthermore, liposomal delivery of endogenous inhibitory proteins such as IkappaBalpha may represent a novel, therapeutically accessible method for selective transcriptional suppression in the response to vascular injury.