Cigarette Smoke Extract Exposure Research Articles

Characterization of IL-15 Expression for the Regulation to Cigarette Smoke Exposure in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

P-279 Abstract: Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine stimulate the proliferation, activation and recruitment of B cell, T cell and natural killer cell. In general, the level of IL-15 protein in human is relatively low. The IL-15 mRNA, however, is detectable in tissues or organs such as monocyte, epithelial cell, skeleton muscle, kidney, heart, and etc. Since the bronchial epithelium is the primary barrier forward the environmental air pollutants in lung, the expression of IL-15 in airway epithelial cells may reveal the association with the inflammatory process due to environmental tobacco exposure. In our experiment, we used cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) individually to induce the inflammatory process, and investigate the effect on the characterization of the expression of IL-15 and its variants. Human bronchial epithelial cells, BEAS-2B, were plated into 6-well plates for the subconfluent cultures, and then respectively treated with 10ug/ml LPS, 2.5% CSE or both for 24-hour exposure. Total RNA were harvested from treated BEAS-2B cells to determine the expression of IL-15 and its variant forms by complementary DNA PCR. Human BEAS-2B cells with CSE treatment had the IL-15 expression. In contrast to the IL-15 expression in BEAS-2B cells induced by LPS treatment only, the cells had more IL-15 expression with CSE treatment after LPS sensitized cells first. Although CSE induced IL-15 expression as well as LPS, there were different in the expression of IL-15 variant forms. We have demonstrated BEAS-2B cells mainly expressed IL-15 variant 1, and after CSE exposure, the cells decreased the expression of IL-15 variant 1 and switched to express the variant 2 for message of IL-15 no matter LPS sensitization or none. The expressions of variant 1- and 3-form messages are either low or not in BEAS-2B cells treated with CSE. However, BEAS-2B cells with LPS treatment expressed more the variant 3 message form besides variant 1 than the cell with CSE exposure. CSE dose increase the expression of IL-15, regardless of LPS sensitization. Furthermore, CSE may have different effect on the variant messages of IL-15 from LPS. The LPS also increases the IL-15 expression, but the mechanism in regulation is different from CSE due to the expression of IL-15 variant messages. Since LPS is an inflammatory stimulant, whereas, CSE is with oxidative damage potential, it suggests LPS and CSE stimulate the expression of IL-15 in different ways. The regulation mechanism of IL-15 variants needs to further investigate.

Sirtuin regulates cigarette smoke-induced proinflammatory mediator release via RelA/p65 NF-κB in macrophages in vitro and in rat lungs in vivo: implications for chronic inflammation and aging

The silent information regulator 2 (Sir2) family of proteins (sirtuins or SIRTs), which belong to class III histone/protein deacetylases, have been implicated in calorie restriction, aging, and inflammation. We hypothesized that cigarette smoke-mediated proinflammatory cytokine release is regulated by SIRT1 by its interaction with NF-kappaB in a monocyte-macrophage cell line (MonoMac6) and in inflammatory cells of rat lungs. Cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure to MonoMac6 cells caused dose- and time-dependent decreases in SIRT1 activity and levels, which was concomitant to increased NF-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory mediator release. Similar decrements in SIRT1 were also observed in inflammatory cells in the lungs of rats exposed to cigarette smoke as well as with increased levels of several NF-kappaB-dependent proinflammatory mediators in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and in lungs. Sirtinol, an inhibitor of SIRT1, augmented, whereas resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, inhibited CSE-mediated proinflammatory cytokine release. CSE-mediated inhibition of SIRT1 was associated with increased NF-kappaB levels. Furthermore, we showed that SIRT1 interacts with the RelA/p65 subunit of NF-kappaB, which was disrupted by cigarette smoke, leading to increased acetylation RelA/p65 in MonoMac6 cells. Thus our data show that SIRT1 regulates cigarette smoke-mediated proinflammatory mediator release via NF-kappaB, implicating a role of SIRT1 in sustained inflammation and aging of the lungs.

Cigarette Smoke Induces Cellular Senescence

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for COPD. Fibroblasts play an important role in repair and lung homeostasis. Recent studies have demonstrated a reduced growth rate for lung fibroblasts in patients with COPD. In this study we examined the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on fibroblast proliferative capacity. We found that cigarette smoke stopped proliferation of lung fibroblasts and upregulated two pathways linked to cell senescence (a biological process associated with cell longevity and an inability to replicate), p53 and p16-retinoblastoma protein pathways. We compared a single exposure of CSE to multiple exposures over an extended time course. A single exposure to CSE led to cell growth inhibition at multiple phases of the cell cycle without killing the cells. The decrease in proliferation was accompanied by increased ATM, p53, and p21 activity. However, several important senescent markers were not present in the cells at an earlier time point. When we examined multiple exposures to CSE, we found that the cells had profound growth arrest, a flat and enlarged morphology, upregulated p16, and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase activity, which is consistent with a classic senescent phenotype. These observations suggest that while a single exposure to cigarette smoke inhibits normal fibroblast proliferation (required for lung repair), multiple exposures to cigarette smoke move cells into an irreversible state of senescence. This inability to repair lung injury may be an essential feature of emphysema.

Cigarette Smoke–Induced Egr-1 Upregulates Proinflammatory Cytokines in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and is a progressive and irreversible disorder. Cigarette smoking is associated with 80-90% of COPD cases; however, the genes involved in COPD-associated emphysema and chronic inflammation are poorly understood. It was recently demonstrated that early growth response gene 1 (Egr-1) is significantly upregulated in the lungs of smokers with COPD (Ning W and coworkers, Proc Natl Acad Sci 2004;101:14895-14900). We hypothesized that Egr-1 is activated in pulmonary epithelial cells during exposure to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Using immunohistochemistry, we demonstrated that pulmonary adenocarcinoma cells (A-549) and primary epithelial cells lacking basal Egr-1 markedly induce Egr-1 expression after CSE exposure. To evaluate Egr-1-specific effects, we used antisense (alphaS) oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) to knock down Egr-1 expression. Incorporation of Egr-1 alphaS ODN significantly decreased CSE-induced Egr-1 mRNA and protein, while sense ODN had no effect. Via Egr-1-mediated mechanisms, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were significantly upregulated in pulmonary epithelial cells exposed to CSE or transfected with Egr-1. To investigate the relationship between Egr-1 induction by smoking and susceptibility to emphysema, we determined Egr-1 expression in strains of mice with different susceptibilities for the development of smoking-induced emphysema. Egr-1 was markedly increased in the lungs of emphysema-susceptible AKR/J mice chronically exposed to cigarette smoke, but only minimally increased in resistant NZWLac/J mice. In conclusion, Egr-1 is induced by cigarette smoke and functions in proinflammatory mechanisms that likely contribute to the development of COPD in the lungs of smokers.

DIFFERENTIAL IN VIVO EFFECTS OF WHOLE CIGARETTE SMOKE EXPOSURE VERSUS CIGARETTE SMOKE EXTRACT ON MOUSE CILIATED TRACHEAL EPITHELIUM

In this study the authors compared the affect of vapor phase cigarette smoke (CS) versus cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on the lungs and upper airway of C57BL/6 mice. The authors found that CSE treatment significantly increased neutrophil influx (P < .001), baseline ciliary beat frequency (CBF) (P < .05), and protein kinase C activity compared to CS and controls. Isoproterenol increased CBF with CS exposure, but decreased CBF with CSE (P < .01). Isoproterenol increased protein kinase A (PKA) activity in all groups except CSE. CSE exposure induced inflammatory cell bronchiolitis. These data indicate that CSE exposure has differential effects on the lungs and tracheal epithelium compared to CS exposure.

Estrogen receptor α increases basal and cigarette smoke extract-induced expression ofCYP1A1 andCYP1B1, but notGSTP1, in normal human bronchial epithelial cells

Gender-specific estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) expression may plausibly influence lung carcinogenesis in females. Initial genome-wide microarray studies confirmed that carcinogen metabolism genes (CYP1A1, CYP1B1) were those most responsive to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) in normal bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. These two genes encoding phase I bioactivating enzymes and the GSTP1 gene encoding a phase II deactivating enzyme were then tested for induction by ERalpha. NHBE cells (native ERalpha-) were transfected with wild-type ERalpha-adenoviral constructs, and then exposed to CSE, 17beta-estradiol (E2), and/or the ERalpha inhibitor, ICI 182,780. The expression levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, and GSTP1 were then determined by RNA-specific quantitative RT-PCR and immunoassay. ERalpha increased the basal expression of CYP1B1 4.04-fold (P < 0.01) at the mRNA level and 6.5-fold at the protein level. ERalpha also increased the CSE-induced mRNA expression of CYP1B1 2.26-fold (P < 0.01), but not the protein expression. ERalpha did not alter the CYP1A1 mRNA levels, but did increase protein expression 2.0-fold (P < 0.01) on CSE exposure, and 6.2-fold (P < 0.01) upon E2 exposure. These effects could be inhibited by ICI 182,780. ERalpha did not alter the expression of GSTP1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) assay confirmed ERalpha binding to CYP1B1 promoter near the transcription start site. These results suggest that ERalpha regulates the CYP1B1 expression at a transcriptional level, and CYP1A1 expression at a translational level. These data raise the possibility that inter-gender differences in expression of ERalpha that are known to exist in human lung may contribute to inter-individual expression differences in CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, and to differences in carcinogen metabolism and mutation.

Reversible cigarette smoke extract-induced DNA damage in human lung fibroblasts.

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which may contribute to cytotoxicity and carcinogenesis. Using assays detecting DNA strand breaks (terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling [TUNEL]) and DNA content (flow cytometry), we evaluated the genotoxic effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) cultured in three-dimensional collagen gels as well as in monolayer culture. When HFL-1 cells were exposed to CSE, DNA strand breaks were detected in most, as determined by TUNEL. This effect was dependent on CSE concentration, duration of CSE exposure, and the density of HFL-1 cells cast into the collagen gels. Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, significantly increased DNA damage induced by 1% CSE, and N-acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor, blocked 5% CSE from inducing DNA damage. After CSE exposure, most cells were TUNEL-positive, but DNA quantification revealed no hypodiploid cells, indicating that apoptosis was not occurring during the CSE exposure. CSE-induced DNA damage was reversible, and cells proliferated when CSE was removed after 24 h exposure. These results demonstrate that cigarette smoke can induce DNA damage in HFL-1 cells cultured in both three-dimensional collagen gels and monolayer cultures, and that oxidants likely play a role in this damage. Moreover, this DNA damage is reversible, with cells surviving and TUNEL positivity reversing when CSE is removed within 24 h.

Cigarette smoke extract increases S-adenosylmethionine and cystathionine in human lung epithelial-like (A549) cells

The effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and sulfur amino acid metabolism was examined in human lung epithelial-like (A549) cells exposed to various CSE concentrations (2.5–100%) for 24 or 48 h. Intracellular SAM and SAM/SAH ratio were elevated after exposure to CSE for 48 h. Cell SAH content decreased, but the effect was not consistent. Cellular cystathionine, cysteine, and methionine levels were increased after CSE exposure for 48 h. Sub-acute exposure to CSE induced increases in cellular SAM and SAM/SAH ratio. The transsulfuration pathway was likely activated by CSE since cystathionine increased, potentially contributing to the increased total intracellular GSH content.

Cigarette smoke extract induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in human lung fibroblasts.

Cigarette smoke is a mixture of chemicals having direct and/or indirect toxic effects on different lung cells. We investigated the effect of cigarette smoke on human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) oxidation and apoptosis. Cells were exposed to various concentrations (1, 5, and 10%) of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 3 h, and oxidative stress and apoptosis were assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting and confocal laser fluorescence microscopy. Both oxidative stress and apoptosis exhibited a dose-response relationship with CSE concentrations. Lung fibroblasts also showed marked DNA fragmentation at the Comet assay after exposure to 10% CSE. Coincubation of HLF-1 cells with N-acetylcysteine (1 mM) during CSE exposure significantly reduced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and DNA fragmentation, whereas preincubation (3 h) with the glutathione-depleting agent buthionine sulfoximine (125 microM) produced a significant increase of oxidative stress. Cigarette smoke is a potent source of oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis for HFL-1 cells, and we speculate that this could contribute to the development of pulmonary emphysema in the lungs of smokers.

CIGARETTE SMOKE DECREASES INDUCIBLE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE IN LUNG EPITHELIAL CELLS

Cigarette smoking has been associated with decreased exhaled nitric oxide (NO). To investigate the mechanism of this decrease, the effects of a cigarette smoke extract were evaluated a murine lung epithelial cell line (LA-4), a human lung epithelial cell line (A549), and primary cultures of human lung epithelial cells induced to produce NO by cytokines. NO production was evaluated by measuring nitrite, a stable end product of NO, in cell culture supernatant fluids. Cigarette smoke extract caused a reduction in the cytokine-induced nitrite concentrations in the culture supernatant fluids from all 3 cell types (P<.01, all comparisons). To further investigate these observations, immunohistochemistry demonstrated a decrease in cytokine-induced inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein expression and iNOS mRNA after cigarette smoke extract exposure in LA-4 cells. However, iNOS mRNA half-life was not altered by the smoke extract, suggesting that the smoke extract decreased NO by decreasing iNOS mRNA transcription. These findings demonstrate that cigarette smoke extract decreases iNOS expression and NO production from lung epithelial cells.

Chronic Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Extract Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation of Chicken Embryo Pulmonary Arteries

Maternal smoking may increase the risk for various adverse neonatal outcomes including persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). We investigated whether chronic prenatal cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure could produce abnormal vasoreactivity in pulmonary arteries. Daily injections of CSE (diluted in phosphate buffered saline) or vehicle were added to the air cells of fertilized eggs starting on day 5 of the 21-day incubation period of the chicken embryo. On day 19, pulmonary arteries were dissected out and their contractile properties were assessed using small vessel myography. Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxations were examined by using acetylcholine (ACh, 10^–8 to 10^–4M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10^–8 to 10^–4M), respectively. The drug concentration inducing 50% of the maximal relaxation was determined for each concentration-response curve and expressed as negative log molar (pD₂). Exposure to CSE significantly decreased the sensitivity of pulmonary arteries to ACh (pD₂ control group: 7.29 ± 0.24; pD₂ CSE-exposed group 6.24 ± 0.12, p < 0.05). SNP elicited similar responses in vessels of both groups at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, chronic prenatal exposure to CSE impaired endothelium-dependent but not endothelium-independent vasodilation in chicken embryo pulmonary arteries. This observation suggests that cigarette smoke components may produce deleterious effects on fetal vascular endothelial vasorelaxant pathways, leading to the development of adverse outcomes such as PPHN.