Silica-induced Pulmonary Inflammation Research Articles

Simvastatin attenuates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in rats via the AMPK-NOX pathway

BackgroundSimvastatin (Sim), a hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, has been widely used in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have suggested that Sim exerts anti-fibrotic effects by interfering fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis. This study was to determine whether Sim could alleviate silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis and explore the underlying mechanisms.MethodsThe rat model of silicosis was established by the tracheal perfusion method and treated with Sim (5 or 10 mg/kg), AICAR (an AMPK agonist), and apocynin (a NOX inhibitor) for 28 days. Lung tissues were collected for further analyses including pathological histology, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and the AMPK-NOX pathway.ResultsSim significantly reduced silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis at 28 days after administration. Sim could reduce the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and transforming growth factor-β1 in lung tissues. The expressions of hydroxyproline, α-SMA and vimentin were down-regulated, while E-cad was increased in Sim-treated rats. In addition, NOX4, p22pox, p40phox, p-p47phox/p47phox expressions and ROS levels were all increased, whereas p-AMPK/AMPK was decreased in silica-induced rats. Sim or AICAR treatment could notably reverse the decrease of AMPK activity and increase of NOX activity induced by silica. Apocynin treatment exhibited similar protective effects to Sim, including down-regulating of oxidative stress and inhibition of the EMT process and inflammatory reactions.ConclusionsSim attenuates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis by downregulating EMT and oxidative stress through the AMPK-NOX pathway.

Macrophage-derived exosomal HMGB3 regulates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation by promoting M1 macrophage polarization and recruitment

BackgroundChronic inflammation and fibrosis are characteristics of silicosis, and the inflammatory mediators involved in silicosis have not been fully elucidated. Recently, macrophage-derived exosomes have been reported to be inflammatory modulators, but their role in silicosis has not been explored. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of macrophage-derived exosomal high mobility group box 3 (HMGB3) in silica-induced pulmonary inflammation.MethodsThe induction of the inflammatory response and the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages were evaluated by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry and transwell assays. The expression of inflammatory cytokines was examined by RT–PCR and ELISA, and the signalling pathways involved were examined by western blot analysis.ResultsHMGB3 expression was increased in exosomes derived from silica-exposed macrophages. Exosomal HMGB3 significantly upregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, activated the STAT3/MAPK (ERK1/2 and p38)/NF-κB pathways in monocytes/macrophages, and promoted the migration of these cells by CCR2.ConclusionsExosomal HMGB3 is a proinflammatory modulator of silica-induced inflammation that promotes the inflammatory response and recruitment of monocytes/macrophages by regulating the activation of the STAT3/MAPK/NF-κB/CCR2 pathways.

Crystalline silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and autoimmunity in mature adult NZBW/f1 mice: age-related sensitivity and impact of omega-3 fatty acid intervention

Objective Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (cSiO2) has been linked to lupus development. Previous studies in young lupus-prone mice revealed that intranasal cSiO2 exposure triggered autoimmunity, preventable with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). This study explores cSiO2 and DHA effects in mature lupus-prone adult mice, more representative of cSiO2-exposed worker age. Methods Female NZBWF1 mice (14-week old) were fed control (CON) or DHA-supplemented diets. After two weeks, mice were intranasally instilled saline (VEH) or 1 mg cSiO2 weekly for four weeks. Cohorts were then analyzed 1- and 5-weeks postinstillation for lung inflammation, cell counts, chemokines, histopathology, B- and T-cell infiltration, autoantibodies, and gene signatures, with results correlated to autoimmune glomerulonephritis onset. Results VEH/CON mice showed no pathology. cSiO2/CON mice displayed significant ectopic lymphoid tissue formation in lungs at 1 week, increasing by 5 weeks. cSiO2/CON lungs exhibited elevated cellularity, chemokines, CD3+ T-cells, CD45R + B-cells, IgG + plasma cells, gene expression, IgG autoantibodies, and glomerular hypertrophy. DHA supplementation mitigated all these effects. Discussion The mature adult NZBWF1 mouse used here represents a life-stage coincident with immunological tolerance breach and one that more appropriately represents the age (20–30 yr) of cSiO2-exposed workers. cSiO2-induced robust pulmonary inflammation, autoantibody responses, and glomerulonephritis in mature adult mice, surpassing effects observed previously in young adults. DHA at a human-equivalent dosage effectively countered cSiO2-induced inflammation/autoimmunity in mature mice, mirroring protective effects in young mice. Conclusion These results highlight life-stage significance in this preclinical lupus model and underscore omega-3 fatty acids’ therapeutic potential against toxicant-triggered autoimmune responses.

High-fat Western diet alters crystalline silica-induced airway epithelium ion transport but not airway smooth muscle reactivity

ObjectivesSilicosis is an irreversible occupational lung disease resulting from crystalline silica inhalation. Previously, we discovered that Western diet (HFWD)-consumption increases susceptibility to silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. This study investigated the potential of HFWD to alter silica-induced effects on airway epithelial ion transport and smooth muscle reactivity.MethodsSix-week-old male F344 rats were fed a HFWD or standard rat chow (STD) and exposed to silica (Min-U-Sil 5®, 15 mg/m3, 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 39 d) or filtered air. Experimental endpoints were measured at 0, 4, and 8 weeks post-exposure. Transepithelial potential difference (Vt), short-circuit current (ISC) and transepithelial resistance (Rt) were measured in tracheal segments and ion transport inhibitors [amiloride, Na+ channel blocker; NPPB; Clˉ channel blocker; ouabain, Na+, K+-pump blocker] identified changes in ion transport pathways. Changes in airway smooth muscle reactivity to methacholine (MCh) were investigated in the isolated perfused trachea preparation.ResultsSilica reduced basal ISC at 4 weeks and HFWD reduced the ISC response to amiloride at 0 week compared to air control. HFWD + silica exposure induced changes in ion transport 0 and 4 weeks after treatment compared to silica or HFWD treatments alone. No effects on airway smooth muscle reactivity to MCh were observed.

Increased m6A-RNA methylation and demethylase FTO suppression is associated with silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis

Silicosis is a severe worldwide occupational hazard, characterized with lung tissue inflammation and irreversible fibrosis caused by crystalline silicon dioxide. As the most common and abundant internal modification of messenger RNAs or noncoding RNAs, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation is dysregulated in the chromic period of silicosis. However, whether m6A modification is involved in the early phase of silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis and its specific effector cells remains unknown. In this study, we established a pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis mouse model by silica particles on day 7 and day 28. Then, we examined the global m6A modification level by m6A dot blot and m6A RNA methylation quantification kits. The key m6A regulatory factors were analyzed by RTqPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in normal and silicosis mice. The results showed that the global m6A modification level was upregulated in silicosis lung tissues with the demethylase FTO suppression after silica exposure for 7 days and 28 days. METTL3, METTL14, ALKBH5, and other m6A readers had no obvious differences between the control and silicosis groups. Then, single-cell sequencing analysis revealed that thirteen kinds of cells were recognized in silicosis lung tissues, and the mRNA expression of FTO was downregulated in epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and monocytes. These results were further confirmed in mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) exposed to silica and in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of silicosis patients. In conclusion, the high level of global m6A modification in the early stage of silicosis is induced by the downregulation of the demethylase FTO, which may provide a novel target for the diagnosis and treatment of silicosis.

Fermented cordyceps powder alleviates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in rats by regulating the Th immune response

BackgroundSilicosis is an important occupational disease caused by inhalation of free silica and is characterized by persistent pulmonary inflammation, subsequent fibrosis and lung dysfunction. Until now, there has been no effective treatment for the disease due to the complexity of pathogenesis. Fermented cordyceps powder (FCP) has a similar effect to natural cordyceps in tonifying the lung and kidney. It has started to be used in the adjuvant treatment of silicosis. This work aimed to verify the protective effects of FCP against silicosis, and to explore the related mechanism.MethodsWistar rats were randomly divided into four groups including the saline-instilled group, the silica-exposed group, the silica + FCP (300 mg/kg) group and the silica + FCP (600 mg/kg) group. Silicosis rat models were constructed by intratracheal instillation of silica (50 mg). Rats in the FCP intervention groups received the corresponding dose of FCP daily by intragastric gavage. Rats were sacrificed on days 7, 28 and 56 after treatment, then samples were collected for further analysis.ResultsFCP intervention reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the concentration of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) at days 7, 28, 56, and decreased the expression of collagen, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) at days 28 and 56 in the lung of silicosis rats. FCP also decreased the immune response of Th1 and Th17 at days 7, 28, 56 and inhibited the enhancement of the Th2 response at day 56.ConclusionsFCP intervention could alleviate silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, the protective effect may be achieved by reducing Th1 and Th17 immune responses and inhibiting the enhancement of the Th2 response.

ALKBH5 mediates silica particles-induced pulmonary inflammation through increased m6A modification of Slamf7 and autophagy dysfunction

Silica particles are commonly encountered in natural and industrial activities. Long-term environmental exposure to silica can result in silicosis, which is characterized by chronic inflammation and abnormal tissue repair in lung. To uncover the role of m6A modification in silica-induced pulmonary inflammation, we conducted this study using established mouse and macrophage models. In this study, the aerodynamic diameter of silica particles was approximately 1–2 µm. We demonstrated that silica exposure in mice caused pulmonary inflammation and increased global m6A modification levels, the downregulation of alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) might contribute to this alteration. Besides, we found that F4/80, a macrophage-specific biomarker, was co-expressed with ALKBH5 through dual immunofluorescent staining. In vitro studies using MeRIP assays suggested that Slamf7 was a target gene regulated by m6A modification, and specific inhibition of ALKBH5 increased Slamf7 expression. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 promoted m6A modification of Slamf7, which decreased Slamf7 mRNA stability in an m6A-dependent manner, ultimately regulating Slamf7 expression. In addition, silica exposure activated PI3K/AKT and induced macrophage autophagy. Inhibition of Slamf7 promoted autophagy, reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improved silica-induced pulmonary inflammation. In summary, ALKBH5 can regulate silica-induced pulmonary inflammation by modulating Slamf7 m6A modification and affecting the function of macrophage autophagy.

Anti-inflammatory protein TSG-6 secreted by BMSCs attenuates silica-induced acute pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in macrophages

Silicosis is a severe occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of silica particles. Unfortunately, there are currently limited treatment options available for silicosis. Recent advances have indicated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have a therapeutic effect on silicosis, but their efficacy and underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we focused on the early phase of silica-induced lung injury to investigate the therapeutic effect of BMSCs. Our findings demonstrated that BMSCs attenuated silica-induced acute pulmonary inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome pathways in lung macrophages. To further understand the mechanisms involved, we utilized RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of BMSCs co-cultured with silica-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). The results clued tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) might be a potentially key paracrine secretion factor released from BMSCs, which exerts a protective effect. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory and inflammasome pathway inhibition effects of BMSCs were attenuated when TSG-6 expression was silenced, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, treatment with exogenous recombinant mouse TSG-6 (rmTSG-6) demonstrated similar effects to BMSCs in attenuating silica-induced inflammation. Overall, our findings suggested that BMSCs can regulate the activation of inflammasome in macrophages by secreting TSG-6, thereby protecting against silica-induced acute pulmonary inflammation both in vivo and in vitro.

Exercise training inhibits macrophage-derived IL-17A-CXCL5-CXCR2 inflammatory axis to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis in mice exposed to silica

Exposure to crystalline silica leads to health effects beyond occupational silicosis. Exercise training's potential benefits on pulmonary diseases yield inconsistent outcomes. In this study, we utilized experimental silicotic mice subjected to exercise training and pharmacological interventions, including interleukin-17A (IL-17A) neutralizing antibody or clodronate liposome for macrophage depletion. Findings reveal exercise training's ability to mitigate silicosis progression in mice by suppressing scavenger receptor B (SRB)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways. Macrophage-derived IL-17A emerges as primary source and trigger for silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Exercise training effectively inhibits IL-17A-CXC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5)-Chemokine (C-X-C motif) Receptor 2 (CXCR2) axis in silicotic mice. Our study evidences exercise training's potential to reduce collagen deposition, preserve elastic fibers, slow pulmonary fibrosis advancement, and enhance pulmonary function post silica exposure by impeding macrophage-derived IL-17A-CXCL5-CXCR2 axis.

Yangqing Chenfei formula alleviates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation in rats by inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization

BackgroundYangqing Chenfei formula (YCF) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for early-stage silicosis. However, the therapeutic mechanism is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism for the effects of YCF on early-stage experimental silicosis.MethodsThe anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of YCF were determined in a silicosis rat model, which was established by intratracheal instillation of silica. The anti-inflammatory efficacy and molecular mechanisms of YCF were examined in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon (IFN)-γ-induced macrophage inflammation model. Network pharmacology and transcriptomics were integrated to analyze the active components, corresponding targets, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of YCF, and these mechanisms were validated in vitro.ResultsOral administration of YCF attenuated the pathological changes, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, inhibited collagen deposition, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors, and reduced the number of M1 macrophages in the lung tissue of rats with silicosis. YCF5, the effective fraction of YCF, significantly attenuated the inflammatory factors induced by LPS and IFN-γ in M1 macrophages. Network pharmacology analysis showed that YCF contained 185 active components and 988 protein targets, which were mainly associated with inflammation-related signaling pathways. Transcriptomic analysis showed that YCF regulated 117 reversal genes mainly associated with the inflammatory response. Integrative analysis of network pharmacology and transcriptomics indicated that YCF suppressed M1 macrophage-mediated inflammation by regulating signaling networks, including the mTOR, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), PI3K-Akt, NF-κB, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. In vitro studies confirmed that the active components of YCF significantly decreased the levels of p-mTORC1, p-P38, and p-P65 by suppressing the activation of related-pathways.ConclusionYCF significantly attenuated the inflammatory response in rats with silicosis via the suppression of macrophage M1 polarization by inhibiting a “multicomponent-multitarget-multipathway” network.

FcεRI deficiency alleviates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

Silicosis is one of the most important occupational diseases worldwide, caused by inhalation of silica particles or free crystalline silicon dioxide. As a disease with high mortality, it has no effective treatment and new therapeutic targets are urgently needed. Recent studies have identified FCER1A, encoding α-subunit of the immunoglobulin E (IgE) receptor FcεRI, as a candidate gene involved in the biological pathways leading to respiratory symptoms. FcεRI is known to be important in allergic asthma, but its role in silicosis remains unclear. In this study, serum IgE concentrations and FcεRI expression were assessed in pneumoconiosis patients and silica-exposed mice. The role of FcεRI was explored in a silica-induced mouse model using wild-type and FcεRI-deficient mice. The results showed that serum IgE concentrations were significantly elevated in both pneumoconiosis patients and mice exposed to silica compared with controls. The mRNA and protein expression of FcεRI were also significantly increased in the lung tissue of patients and silica-exposed mice. FcεRI deficiency significantly attenuated the changes in lung function caused by silica exposure. Silica-induced elevations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly attenuated in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of FcεRI-deficient mice compared with wild-type controls. Additionally, FcεRI-deficient mice showed a significantly lower score of pulmonary fibrosis than wild-type mice following exposure to silica, with significantly lower hydroxyproline content and expression of fibrotic genes Col1a1 and Fn1. Immunofluorescent staining suggested FcεRI mainly on mast cells. Mast cell degranulation took place after silica exposure, as shown by increased serum histamine levels and β-hexosaminidase activity, which were significantly reduced in FcεRI-deficient mice compared with wild-type controls. Together, these data showed that FcεRI deficiency had a significant protective effect against silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Our findings provide new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis and a potential target for the treatment of silicosis.

Metformin alleviates crystalline silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis by remodeling endothelial cells to mesenchymal transition via autophagy signaling

Silicosis is a severe progressive lung disease without effective treatment methods. Previous evidence has demonstrated that endothelial cell to mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) plays an essential role in pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis is associated with dysregulation of autophagy, while the relationship between autophagy and EndoMT has not yet been adequately studied. Herein, we established a mouse model of silicosis, and we found that the pharmacological induction of the AMPK/mTOR-dependent pathway using 100 mg/kg Metformin (Met) enhanced autophagy in vivo, and results of the Western blot showed that autophagy-related proteins, LC3 II/I ratio, and Beclin-1 increased while p62 decreased. In addition, Met treatment attenuated silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and decreased collagen deposition by suppressing EndoMT, and the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was also inhibited. Notably, the tube forming assay showed that Met also protected the vascular endothelial cells from silica-induced morphological damage. In conclusion, Met can alleviate inflammatory response and collagen deposition in the process of pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica via suppressing EndoMT through the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Acute Silica Exposure Triggers Pulmonary Inflammation Through Macrophage Pyroptosis: An Experimental Simulation

Silica is an essential substrate of various materials, and inhaling silica induces pulmonary diseases potentially associated with macrophage pyroptosis. Utilizing silica of micro- and nano- sizes, we explored the role of macrophage pyroptosis in silica-induced pulmonary inflammation. Under the transmission electron microscopy, we found that the internalization of silica nanoparticle induced membrane rupture and increased the number of intracellular vacuoles, and both sizes of silica could suppress cell viability and proliferation. Also, silica-exposed macrophages generated higher levels of ROS, together with the upregulated expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1β, and IL-6. However, the expression of these proteins was suppressed after removing ROS or NLRP3. In addition, we found increased expression of TLR4 and NF-κB responsible for silica recognition and pyroptosis priming after silica exposure. For in vivo studies, we established animal model by intratracheally instilling 5 mg of silica into mice with/without NLRP3 inhibition. Four weeks later, we found diffused infiltration of inflammatory cells and enhanced collagen hyperplasia partially reversed by additional treatment with MCC950, so as the expression of pyroptotic molecules and proinflammatory cytokines. In particular, the dual immunofluorescent staining showed co-expression of macrophage-specific biomarker F4/80 and NLRP3 within the cells, and silica of nano-size showed more potent toxicity and pathogenicity than that of the micro-sized particles both in vitro and in vivo. To sum up, macrophage pyroptosis is an upstream event of silica-induced pulmonary inflammation promoted by ROS through the TLR4/NLRP3/NF-κB signaling axis.

A Novel N-Arylpyridone Compound Alleviates the Inflammatory and Fibrotic Reaction of Silicosis by Inhibiting the ASK1-p38 Pathway and Regulating Macrophage Polarization.

Silicosis is one of the potentially fatal occupational diseases characterized by respiratory dysfunction, chronic interstitial inflammation, and fibrosis, for which treatment options are limited. Previous studies showed that a novel N-arylpyridone compound named AKEX0011 exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis; however, it is unknown whether it could also be effective against silicosis. Therefore, we sought to investigate the preventive and therapeutic roles of AKEX0011 in a silicosis rodent model and in a silica-stimulated macrophage cell line. In vivo, our results showed that AKEX0011 ameliorated silica-induced imaging lung damages, respiratory dysfunction, reduced the secretion of inflammatory and fibrotic factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10), and the deposition of fibrosis-related proteins (collagen I, fibronectin, and α-SMA), regardless of early or advanced therapy. Specifically, we found that AKEX0011 attenuated silicosis by inhibiting apoptosis, blocking the ASK1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway, and regulating polarization of macrophages. In vitro, AKEX0011 inhibited macrophages from secreting inflammatory cytokines and inhibited apoptosis of macrophages in pre-treated and post-treated models, concurrent with blocking the ASK1-p38 pathway and inhibiting M1 polarization. Collectively, AKEX0011, as a novel N-arylpyridone compound, exerted protective effects for silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro, and hence, it could be a strong drug candidate for the treatment of silicosis.

Tetracycline ameliorates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis via inhibition of caspase-1

BackgroundInhalation of dust containing silica particles is associated with severe pulmonary inflammation and lung injury leading to chronic silicosis including fibrotic remodeling of the lung. Silicosis represents a major global health problem causing more than 45.000 deaths per year. The inflammasome-caspase-1 pathway contributes to the development of silica-induced inflammation and fibrosis via IL-1β and IL-18 production. Recent studies indicate that tetracycline can be used to treat inflammatory diseases mediated by IL-1β and IL-18. Therefore, we hypothesized that tetracycline reduces silica-induced lung injury and lung fibrosis resulting from chronic silicosis via limiting IL-1β and IL-18 driven inflammation.MethodsTo investigate whether tetracycline is a therapeutic option to block inflammasome-caspase-1 driven inflammation in silicosis, we incubated macrophages with silica alone or combined with tetracycline. The in vivo effect of tetracycline was determined after intratracheal administration of silica into the mouse lung.ResultsTetracycline selectively blocks IL-1β production and pyroptotic cell death via inhibition of caspase-1 in macrophages exposed to silica particles. Consistent, treatment of silica-instilled mice with tetracycline significantly reduced pulmonary caspase-1 activation as well as IL-1β and IL-18 production, thereby ameliorating pulmonary inflammation and lung injury. Furthermore, prolonged tetracycline administration in a model of chronic silicosis reduced lung damage and fibrotic remodeling.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that tetracycline inhibits caspase-1-dependent production of IL-1β in response to silica in vitro and in vivo. The results were consistent with tetracycline reducing silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and chronic silicosis in terms of lung injury and fibrosis. Thus, tetracycline could be effective in the treatment of patients with silicosis as well as other diseases involving silicotic inflammation.

High-fat Western diet consumption exacerbates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis

Consumption of a high-fat Western diet (HFWD) contributes to obesity, disrupted adipose endocrine function, and development of metabolic dysfunction (MetDys). Impaired lung function, pulmonary hypertension, and asthma are all associated with MetDys. Over 35% of adults in the U.S. have MetDys, yet interactions between MetDys and hazardous occupational inhalation exposures are largely unknown. Occupational silica-inhalation leads to chronic lung inflammation, progressive fibrosis, and significant respiratory morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aim to determine the potential of HFWD-consumption to alter silica-induced inflammatory responses in the lung. Six-wk old male F344 rats fed a high fat Western diet (HFWD; 45 kcal % fat, sucrose 22.2% by weight) to induce MetDys, or standard rat chow (STD, controls) for 16 wk were subsequently exposed to silica (6 h/d, 5 d/wk, 39 d; Min-U-Sil 5®, 15 mg/m3) or filtered air; animals remained on their assigned diet for the study duration. Indices of lung inflammation and histopathologic assessment of lung tissue were quantified at 0, 4, and 8 wk after cessation of exposure. Combined HFWD+silica exposure increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) total cells, leukocytes, and BAL lactate dehydrogenase compared to STD+silica exposure controls at all timepoints. HFWD+silica exposure increased BAL proinflammatory cytokines at 4 and 8 wk compared to STD+silica exposure. At 8 wk, histopathological analysis confirmed that alveolitis, epithelial cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia, lipoproteinosis, fibrosis, bronchoalveolar lymphoid hyperplasia and granulomas were exacerbated in the HFWD+silica-exposed group compared to STD+silica-exposed controls. Our results suggest an increased susceptibility to silica-induced lung disease caused by HFWD consumption.

Inhibition of gasdermin D-dependent pyroptosis attenuates the progression of silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis

Silicosis is a leading cause of occupational disease-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, but the molecular basis underlying its development remains unclear. An accumulating body of evidence supports gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis as a key component in the development of various pulmonary diseases. However, there is little experimental evidence connecting silicosis and GSDMD-driven pyroptosis. In this work, we investigated the role of GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in silicosis. Single-cell RNA sequencing of healthy and silicosis human and murine lung tissues indicated that GSDMD-induced pyroptosis in macrophages was relevant to silicosis progression. Through microscopy we then observed morphological alterations of pyroptosis in macrophages treated with silica. Measurement of interleukin-1β release, lactic dehydrogenase activity, and real-time propidium iodide staining further revealed that silica induced pyroptosis of macrophages. Additionally, we verified that both canonical (caspase-1-mediated) and non-canonical (caspase-4/5/11-mediated) signaling pathways mediated silica-induced pyroptosis activation, in vivo and in vitro. Notably, Gsdmd knockout mice exhibited dramatically alleviated silicosis phenotypes, which highlighted the pivotal role of pyroptosis in this disease. Taken together, our results demonstrated that macrophages underwent GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis in silicosis and inhibition of this process could serve as a viable clinical strategy for mitigating silicosis.

Pirfenidone ameliorates silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the secretion of interleukin-17A.

Silicosis is a global occupational disease characterized by lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation, and fibrosis, for which there is a lack of effective drugs. Pirfenidone has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties in the lung. However, whether and how pirfenidone is effective against silicosis remains unknown. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of pirfenidone in the treatment of early and advanced silicosis in an experimental mouse model and explored its potential pharmacological mechanisms. We found that pirfenidone alleviated silica-induced lung dysfunction, secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and deposition of fibrotic proteins (collagen I and fibronectin) in both early and advanced silicosis models. Moreover, we observed that both 100 and 200 mg/kg pirfenidone can effectively treat early-stage silicosis, while 400 mg/kg was recommended for advanced silicosis. Mechanistically, antibody array and bioinformatic analysis showed that the pathways related to IL-17 secretion, including JAK-STAT pathway, Th17 differentiation, and IL-17 pathway, might be involved in the treatment of silicosis by pirfenidone. Further in vivo experiments confirmed that pirfenidone reduced the production of IL-17A induced by silica exposure via inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation. Neutralizing IL-17A by anti-IL-17A antibody improved lung function and reduced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis animals. Collectively, our study has demonstrated that pirfenidone effectively ameliorated silica-induced lung dysfunction, pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mouse models by inhibiting the secretion of IL-17A.

Triiodothyronine ameliorates silica-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice

Environmental exposure to silica or particles is very common in natural, agricultural and industrial activities. Chronic silica exposure can lead to silicosis, which remains one of the most serious interstitial lung diseases all through the world, while viable therapeutic choices are restricted. Triiodothyronine (T3) has been shown to exert a defensive role in many pulmonary diseases, however, rare data are available regarding the role of T3 on silica-induced injury. We constructed an experimental silicosis mouse model and T3 was intraperitoneally administrated after instillation of silica to observe the effect of T3 on silica-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis. Our results showed that the silicosis mouse model was accompanied by changes in thyroid morphology and function, and T3 supplement reduced silica-induced lung damage, inflammation and collagen deposition. The protective properties of T3 on silica-induced lung injury could be partially mediated through thyroid hormone receptors. And the mechanism by which T3 treatment ameliorated silica-induced fibrosis appeared to be via the reduction of glycolysis. Also, T3 could sufficiently postpone the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in established silicosis. Our findings reveal that administration of T3 could down-regulate the inflammatory response, pulmonary fibrosis and other lung damage caused by silica. The reduction of glycolysis may be one of the mechanisms.

Multi-omics study of silicosis reveals the potential therapeutic targets PGD2 and TXA2.

Rationale: Silicosis is a severe occupational lung disease. Current treatments for silicosis have highly limited availability (i.e., lung transplantation) or, do not effectively prolong patient survival time (i.e., lung lavage). There is thus an urgent clinical need for effective drugs to retard the progression of silicosis.Methods: To systematically characterize the molecular changes associated with silicosis and to discover potential therapeutic targets, we conducted a transcriptomics analysis of human lung tissues acquired during transplantation, which was integrated with transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses of silicosis mouse lungs. The results from the multi-omics analyses were then verified by qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The effect of Ramatroban on the progression of silicosis was evaluated in a silica-induced mouse model.Results: Wide metabolic alterations were found in lungs from both human patients and mice with silicosis. Targeted metabolite quantification and validation of expression of their synthases revealed that arachidonic acid (AA) pathway metabolites, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), were significantly up-regulated in silicosis lungs. We further examined the effect of Ramatroban, a clinical antagonist of both PGD2 and TXA2 receptors, on treating silicosis using a mouse model. The results showed that Ramatroban significantly alleviated silica-induced pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiopulmonary dysfunction compared with the control group.Conclusion: Our results revealed the importance of AA metabolic reprogramming, especially PGD2 and TXA2 in the progression of silicosis. By blocking the receptors of these two prostanoids, Ramatroban may be a novel potential therapeutic drug to inhibit the progression of silicosis.