Subsequent Lung Injury Research Articles

Alveolar Type II Cells Escape Stress Failure Caused by Tonic Stretch through Transient Focal Adhesion Disassembly

Mechanical ventilation-induced excessive stretch of alveoli is reported to induce cellular stress failure and subsequent lung injury, and is therefore an injurious factor to the lung. Avoiding cellular stress failure is crucial to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) treatment. In the present study, primary rat alveolar type II (ATII) cells were isolated to evaluate their viability and the mechanism of their survival under tonic stretch. By the annexin V/ PI staining and flow cytometry assay, we demonstrated that tonic stretch-induced cell death is an immediate injury of mechanical stress. In addition, immunofluorescence and immunoblots assay showed that the cells experienced an expansion-contraction-reexpansion process, accompanied by partial focal adhesion (FA) disassembly during contraction. Manipulation of integrin adherent affinity by altering bivalent cation levels in the culture medium and applying an integrin neutralizing antibody showed that facilitated adhesion affinity promoted cell death under tonic stretch, while lower level of adhesion protected the cells from stretch-induced stress failure. Finally, a simplified numerical model was established to reveal that adequate disassembly of FAs reduced the forces transmitting throughout the cell. Taken together, these results indicate that ATII cells escape stress failure caused by tonic stretch via active cell morphological remodeling, during which cells transiently disassemble FAs to unload mechanical forces.

Spontaneous Transient Lateral Thoracic Lung Herniation Resulting in Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) and Subsequent Contralateral Lung Injury

Lung herniation is a relatively rare clinical entity that is most commonly either congenital or acquired traumatically. We describe a case of spontaneous lung herniation secondary to acute cough in an obese male smoker complicated by contralateral acute lung injury and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Mechanisms of lung herniation, classification, diagnosis, and management will be discussed.

Hypoxia-inducible factor plays a gut-injurious role in intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury

Gut injury and loss of normal intestinal barrier function are key elements in the paradigm of gut-origin systemic inflammatory response syndrome, acute lung injury, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). As hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is a critical determinant of the physiological and pathophysiological response to hypoxia and ischemia, we asked whether HIF-1 plays a proximal role in the induction of gut injury and subsequent lung injury. Using partially HIF-1α-deficient mice in an isolated superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury model (45 min SMAO followed by 3 h of reperfusion), we showed a direct relationship between HIF-1 activation and intestinal I/R injury. Specifically, partial HIF-1α deficiency attenuated SMAO-induced increases in intestinal permeability, lipid peroxidation, mucosal caspase-3 activity, and IL-1β mRNA levels. Furthermore, partial HIF-1α deficiency prevented the induction of ileal mucosal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein levels after SMAO and iNOS deficiency ameliorated SMAO-induced villus injury. Resistance to SMAO-induced gut injury was also associated with resistance to lung injury, as reflected by decreased levels of myeloperoxidase, IL-6 and IL-10 in the lungs of HIF-1α(+/-) mice. In contrast, a short duration of SMAO (15 min) followed by 3 h of reperfusion neither induced mucosal HIF-1α protein levels nor caused significant gut and lung injury in wild-type or HIF-1α(+/-) mice. This study indicates that intestinal HIF-1 activation is a proximal regulator of I/R-induced gut mucosal injury and gut-induced lung injury. However, the duration and severity of the gut I/R insult dictate whether HIF-1 plays a gut-protective or deleterious role.

HIF-1 mediates pathogenic inflammatory responses to intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and the development of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) are major causes of death in trauma patients. Gut inflammation and loss of gut barrier function as a consequence of splanchnic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) have been implicated as the initial triggering events that contribute to the development of the systemic inflammatory response, ALI, and MODS. Since hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1) is a key regulator of the physiological and pathophysiological response to hypoxia, we asked whether HIF-1 plays a proximal role in the induction of gut injury and subsequent lung injury. Utilizing partially HIF-1α-deficient mice in a global trauma hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) model, we found that HIF-1 activation was necessary for the development of gut injury and that the prevention of gut injury was associated with an abrogation of lung injury. Specifically, in vivo studies demonstrated that partial HIF-1α deficiency ameliorated T/HS-induced increases in intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation, and caspase-3 activation. Lastly, partial HIF-1α deficiency reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in the ileal mucosa after T/HS whereas IL-1β mRNA levels were reduced in the lung after T/HS. This study indicates that prolonged intestinal HIF-1 activation is a proximal regulator of I/R-induced gut mucosal injury and gut-induced lung injury. Consequently, these results provide unique information on the initiating events in trauma-hemorrhagic shock-induced ALI and MODS as well as potential therapeutic insights.

Molecular Microbiological Characterization of Preterm Neonates at Risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

The role of infection in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is unknown. We present an observational study of 55 premature infants born weighing less than 1.3 kg within two level III neonatal intensive care units. Endotracheal aspirates (ETA) and nasogastric aspirates (NGA) were studied with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiling to elucidate the total bacterial community, and species-specific PCR was used to detect the presence of Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum. DGGE identified bacterial species in 59% of NGA and ETA samples combined. A diverse range of species were identified including several implicated in preterm labor. Species-specific PCR identified M. hominis in 25% of NGA and 11% of ETA samples. Among the 48 infants surviving up to 36 wk-postconceptual age, ordinal logistic regression showed the odds ratio for BPD or death where Ureaplasma was present/absent as 4.80 (95% CI 1.15-20.13). After adjusting for number of days ventilated, this was reduced to 2.04 (0.41-10.25). These data demonstrate how the combined use of DGGE and species-specific PCR identifies a high exposure in utero and around the time of birth to bacteria that might be causally related to preterm delivery and subsequent lung injury.

Inhaled activated protein C protects mice from ventilator-induced lung injury

IntroductionActivated Protein C (APC), an endogenous anticoagulant, improves tissue microperfusion and endothelial cell survival in systemic inflammatory states such as sepsis, but intravenous administration may cause severe bleeding. We have thus addressed the role of APC delivered locally by inhalation in preventing acute lung injury from alveolar overdistention and the subsequent ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We also assessed the effects of APC on the activation status of Extracellular- Regulated Kinase 1/2 (ERK) pathway, which has been shown to be involved in regulating pulmonary responses to mechanical stretch.MethodsInhaled APC (12.5 μg drotrecogin-α × 4 doses) or saline was given to tracheotomized C57/Bl6 mice starting 20 min prior to initiation of injurious mechanical ventilation with tidal volume 25 mL/Kg for 4 hours and then hourly thereafter; control groups receiving inhaled saline were ventilated with 8 mL/Kg for 30 min or 4 hr. We measured lung function (respiratory system elastance H), arterial blood gases, surrogates of vascular leak (broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) total protein and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-activity), and parameters of inflammation (BAL neutrophils and lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity). Morphological alterations induced by mechanical ventilation were examined in hematoxylin-eosin lung tissue sections. The activation status of ERK was probed in lung tissue homogenates by immunoblotting and in paraffin sections by immunohistochemistry. The effect of APC on ERK signaling downstream of the thrombin receptor was tested on A549 human lung epithelial cells by immunoblotting. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA with appropriate post-hoc testing.ResultsIn mice subjected to VILI without APC, we observed hypoxemia, increased respiratory system elastance and inflammation, assessed by BAL neutrophil counts and tissue MPO activity. BAL total protein levels and ACE activity were also elevated by VILI, indicating compromise of the alveolo-capillary barrier. In addition to preserving lung function, inhaled APC prevented endothelial barrier disruption and attenuated hypoxemia and the inflammatory response. Mechanistically, we found a strong activation of ERK in lung tissues by VILI, which was prevented by APC, suggestive of pathogenetic involvement of the Mitogen-Activated Kinase pathway. In cultured human lung epithelial cells challenged by thrombin, APC abrogated the activation of ERK and its downstream effector, cytosolic Phospholipase A2.ConclusionsTopical application of APC by inhalation may effectively reduce lung injury induced by mechanical ventilation in mice.

Tracheobronchial Protease Inhibitors, Body Surface Area Burns, and Mortality in Smoke Inhalation

The objective of this study was to assess tracheobronchial protease inhibitor concentrations longitudinally and determine whether initial concentrations predict subsequent lung injury and mortality in intubated burn victims. Tracheobronchial suction fluid was collected every 2 hours for 36 hours. Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI), alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and cell and differential counts were assayed. Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) and peak airway pressure (PAP) were recorded for 72 hours. Standard statistics were used to evaluate cross-sectional relationships; random coefficient (mixed) models were used to evaluate temporal trends in marker concentrations and relation to clinical outcomes. Among 29 patients, 24 (83%) developed hypoxemia (PaO2/FIO2 <200); six died within 2 weeks. When adjusted for gender, age, %TBSA burn, and positive end-expiratory pressure setting, A2M (P = .007) and neutrophils (P = .032) increased linearly during 36 hours, and SLPI decreased (P = .038). Initial SLPI concentration was a negative predictor of maximum PAP (P = .009). None of the markers predicted longitudinal change in PaO2/FIO2. Mean levels of AAT and A2M in initial samples were significantly lower in patients with >35% TBSA burn (P = .010 and .033, respectively), when compared with patients with less severe burns. However, patients with increased A2M in combination with >35% TBSA burn had a 6-fold (95% CI: 1.8-20) increased relative risk of death. Tracheobronchial AAT and A2M levels were significantly lower in patients with more severe burns and increased over time. Initial SLPI levels predicted subsequent PAP. Increased early A2M in combination with extensive burn predicted early mortality.

Hypoxic Preconditioning with Cobalt Attenuates Hypobaric Hypoxia-Induced Oxidative Damage in Rat Lungs

Shukla, Dhananjay, Saurabh Saxena, Purushotman Jayamurthy, Mustoori Sairam, Mrinalini, Singh, Swatantra Kumar Jain, Anju Bansal, and Govindaswamy Ilavazaghan. High Alt. Med. Biol. 10:57-69, 2009.-Hypoxic preco759nditioning (HPC) provides robust protection against injury from subsequent prolonged hypobaric hypoxia, which is a characteristic of high altitude and is known to induce oxidative injury in lung by increasing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing the effectiveness of the antioxidant defense system. We hypothesize that HPC with cobalt might protect the lung from subsequent hypobaric hypoxia-induced lung injury. HPC with cobalt can be achieved by oral feeding of CoCl(2) (12.5 mg kg(-1)) in rats for 7 days. Nonpreconditioned rats responded to hypobaric hypoxia (7619 m) by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio. They also showed a marked increase in lipid peroxidation, heat-shock proteins (HSP32, HSP70), metallothionins (MT), levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, MCP-1), and SOD, GPx, and GST enzyme activity. In contrast, rats preconditioned with cobalt were far less impaired by severe hypobaric hypoxia, as observed by decreased ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and inflammatory cytokine release and an inceased GSH/GSSG ratio. Increased expression of antioxidative proeins Nrf-1, HSP-32, and MT was also observed in cobalt- preconditioned animals. A marked increase in the protein expression and DNA binding activity of hypoxia-inducible transcriptional factor (HIF-1alpha) and its regulated genes, such as erythropoietin (EPO) and glucose transporter-1 (glut-1), was observed after HPC with cobalt. We conclude that HPC with cobalt enhances antioxidant status in the lung and protects from subsequent hypobaric hypoxia-induced oxidative stress.

Impact of acute kidney injury on lung injury

classic animal models of critical illness have focused on injury of a single end-organ, with the goal of better understanding and attenuating that injury, and ultimately developing novel disease-focused therapies. For example, acute lung injury (ALI) can be induced in animal models by administration

Ontogeny of Toll Like Receptor 2 in the Developing Rat Lung

Background: Antenatal bacterial colonization and subsequent inflammation of the fetal membranes increases the risk of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), a disease associated with recruitment of various inflammatory cells to the lung. Innate immune signaling through Toll like receptor 2 (TLR2) is used by various pathogens causing antenatal infections. An increase in TLR2 postnatally may thus provide a molecular mechanism by which antenatal bacterial colonization causes subsequent preterm lung disease. Objective: We hypothesized that TLR2 expression increases postnatally in the developing lung, in part because of changes in the oxygen environment. To test this we used a rat model of fetal lung development. Methods: Lungs isolated from embryonic (E) day 15, 16, 18, 20 and postnatal (P) day 2 and 4 rats were used to quantify TLR2 gene expression. For invitro studies, E15 lung explants and mesenchymal cells were isolated and cultured in 21% (postnatal) O2 or 3% (fetal) O2. TLR2 gene expression was measured by RT‐PCR. Results: Lung TLR2 expression increased 700% from E15 to P4 (P &lt; 0.05). Almost half of this increase (300%) occurred in the first 2 days after birth. There was a trend towards increased expression of TLR2 in both explants (243% increase; P = 0.06) and isolated lung mesenchymal cells (244% increase; P = 0.08) cultured in 21% O2 Vs 3% O2. Conclusion: These data suggests that TLR2 gene expression increases in the immediate postnatal period. This postnatal increase may be mediated in part by changes in oxygen environment after birth. In the presence of antenatal bacterial colonization, increased TLR2 postnatally could lead to increased inflammation and subsequent chronic lung injury.

Tracheobronchial Markers of Lung Injury in Smoke Inhalation Victims

Although smoke inhalation injury victims frequently develop severe hypoxemia and are at increased risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), no early prognostic tests are currently available. The objectives were to determine early longitudinal changes in tracheobronchial fluid inflammatory markers and assess the value of initial concentrations as predictors of subsequent lung injury. Partial pressure of arterial oxygen (Pao2) and the fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) were recorded approximately every 6 hours from intubated smoke inhalation victims admitted to a regional burn center. Tracheobronchial suction fluid was collected every 2 hours and assayed for interleukins (IL-1beta, -8, and -10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta1, soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), and complement factor 5a. Temporal trends in marker concentrations during 36 hours and the relations between initial concentrations and lowest Pao2/Fio2 or ARDS within 72 hours were assessed using random coefficients modeling and cross-sectional analysis. In 21 subjects with tracheobronchial samples collected within 6.5 hours of intubation, 14 (66.7%) developed acute hypoxemia (Pao2/Fio2 < or =200) within 72 hours of exposure and nine (42.9%) developed ARDS, as defined by the American-European consensus conference on ARDS. IL-8 increased sharply in the first 6.5 hours postexposure (P < .001), and IL-1beta in the first 6.1 hours (P < .001). No significant temporal trends in IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta1, sFasL, or complement factor 5a were found. Only initial IL-8 was associated with increased Pao2/Fio2 (P = .013) and with a minimum Pao2/Fio2 >200 (P = .042) during 72 hours. In smoke inhalation victims, tracheobronchial IL-1beta and IL-8 increase rapidly and high initial IL-8 may predict improved oxygenation.

Arachidonic acid in postshock mesenteric lymph induces pulmonary synthesis of leukotriene B4

Mesenteric lymph is the mechanistic link between splanchnic hypoperfusion and acute lung injury (ALI), but the culprit mediator(s) remains elusive. Previous work has shown that administration of a phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) inhibitor attenuated postshock ALI and also identified a non-ionic lipid within the postshock mesenteric lymph (PSML) responsible for polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) priming. Consequently, we hypothesized that gut-derived leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of ALI. Trauma/hemorrhagic shock (T/HS) was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats and the mesenteric duct cannulated for lymph collection/diversion. PSML, arachidonic acid (AA), and a LTB(4) receptor antagonist were added to PMNs in vitro. LC/MS/MS was employed to identify bioactive lipids in PSML and the lungs. T/HS increased AA in PSML and increased LTB(4) and PMNs in the lung. Lymph diversion decreased lung LTB(4) by 75% and PMNs by 40%. PSML stimulated PMN priming (11.56 +/- 1.25 vs. 3.95 +/- 0.29 nmol O(2)(-)/min; 3.75 x 10(5) cells/ml; P < 0.01) that was attenuated by LTB(4) receptor blockade (2.64 +/- 0.58; P < 0.01). AA stimulated PMNs to produce LTB(4), and AA-induced PMN priming was attenuated by LTB(4) receptor antagonism. Collectively, these data indicate that splanchnic ischemia/reperfusion activates gut PLA(2)-mediated release of AA into the lymph where it is delivered to the lungs, provoking LTB(4) production and subsequent PMN-mediated lung injury.

Methylene Blue in Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury after Pneumonectomy: an Experimental Study

Objective: to study the expediency and efficiency of using methylene blue (MB) on a model of pneumectomy (PE) and subsequent ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) in sheep. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at the Research Laboratory of University of Tromse. The experiment included 23 sheep weighing 41.0±4.9 kg. Thoracotomy and right-sided pneumonectomy were performed in the animals under general anesthesia and controlled artificial ventilation. After measurement of the parameters of systemic hemodynamics and extravascular water of the lung (EVWL), the animals were divided into 3 groups: 1) a control group (CG, n=7) with a tidal volume (TV) of 6 ml/kg and an end-expiratory positive pressure (PEEP) of 2 cm H2O; 2) a VILI group (n=9) with a TV of 12 ml/kg and a PEEP of 0 cm H2O; 3) a group of MB (n=7) that was given in parallel with a damaging ventilation mode. The thermodilution technique (using a Cold Z-021 monitor, (Pulsion, Germany)) was employed to measure volumetric parameters and EVWL. The parameters of pulmonary hemodynamics, respiratory mechanics, and blood gas composition were recorded. Results: After its reduction at PE, EVWL index increased during damaging ventilation in the VILI and MB groups. In addition, there was an increase in pulmonary artery wedge pressure after PE in the MB and VILI groups. In the latter group, arterial hypoxemia was observed at the end of the experiment. Along with this, after PE pulmonary compliance decreased and airway pressure elevated in the VILI and MB groups. Conclusion: In the presented model of VILI, MB does not prevent the development of postp-neumectomic edema of the lung. Key words: thermochromodilution, acute lung injury, pneumectomy, ventilator-induced lung injury, postpneumectomic edema of the lung, methylene blue.

Neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat) attenuates subsequent ventilator-induced lung injury in mice

Mechanical ventilation can paradoxically cause acute lung injury, which is termed ventilator-induced lung injury. Neutrophil recruitment and neutrophil elastase release play a central role in the pathogenesis of ventilator-induced lung injury including cell damage, extracellular matrix degradation and alveolar-capillary hyperpermeability. We therefore speculated that neutrophil elastase inhibition ameliorates ventilator-induced lung injury. Anesthetized C57/BL6 mice received mechanical ventilation with a high tidal volume (V T; 20 ml/kg) for 4 h. The neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat, 100 mg/kg) or saline was given intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min before ventilation. Sivelestat completely inhibited both neutrophil elastase and myeloperoxidase activities that were increased by ventilation, and attenuated the histopathological degree of lung damage, neutrophil accumulation and lung water content, as well as the concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum. Moreover, mechanical ventilation increased the phosphorylation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and the expression of early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) mRNA, and these increases were also recovered by sivelestat. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining revealed apoptotic cells mainly in alveolar epithelial cells and their numbers corresponded to histological damage. These data suggested that sivelestat could protect against ventilator-induced lung injury by suppressing apoptotic responses through mechanical stress-induced cell signaling in addition to inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis.

Electroporation-mediated Gene Transfer of the Na+,K+-ATPase Rescues Endotoxin-induced Lung Injury

Acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome are common clinical syndromes resulting largely from the accumulation of and inability to clear pulmonary edema, due to injury to the alveolar epithelium. Gene therapy may represent an important alternative for the treatment and prevention of these diseases by restoring alveolar epithelial function. We have recently developed an electroporation strategy to transfer genes to the lungs of mice, with high efficiency and low inflammation. We asked whether electroporation-mediated transfer of genes encoding subunits of the Na+,K+ -ATPase could protect from LPS-induced lung injury or be used to treat already injured lungs by up-regulating mechanisms of pulmonary edema clearance. Plasmids were delivered to the lungs of mice using transthoracic electroporation. Lung injury was induced by intratracheal administration of LPS (4 mg/kg body weight). Biochemical, cellular, and physiologic measurements were taken to assess gene transfer and lung injury. Improvements in wet-to-dry ratios, pulmonary effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage protein levels and cellularity, alveolar fluid clearance, and respiratory mechanics were seen after delivery of plasmids expressing Na+,K+ -ATPase subunits, but not control plasmids, in LPS-injured lungs. Delivery of plasmids expressing Na+,K+ -ATPase subunits both protected from subsequent lung injury and partially reversed existing lung injury by these measures. These results demonstrate that electroporation can be used effectively in healthy and injured lungs to facilitate gene delivery and expression. To our knowledge, this is the first successful use of gene delivery to treat existing lung injury, and may have future clinical potential.

Proinflammatory response of alveolar epithelial cells is enhanced by alveolar macrophage-produced TNF-α during pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury

Pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury entails acute activation of alveolar macrophages followed by neutrophil sequestration. Although proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) from macrophages are known to modulate acute IR injury, the contribution of alveolar epithelial cells to IR injury and their intercellular interactions with other cell types such as alveolar macrophages and neutrophils remain unclear. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that following IR, alveolar macrophage-produced TNF-alpha further induces alveolar epithelial cells to produce key chemokines that could then contribute to subsequent lung injury through the recruitment of neutrophils. Cultured RAW264.7 macrophages and MLE-12 alveolar epithelial cells were subjected to acute hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) as an in vitro model of pulmonary IR. H/R (3 h/1 h) significantly induced KC, MCP-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), RANTES, and IL-6 (but not TNF-alpha) by MLE-12 cells, whereas H/R induced TNF-alpha, MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1alpha, and MIP-2 (but not KC) by RAW264.7 cells. These results were confirmed using primary murine alveolar macrophages and primary alveolar type II cells. Importantly, using macrophage and epithelial coculture methods, the specific production of TNF-alpha by H/R-exposed RAW264.7 cells significantly induced proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine expression (KC, MCP-1, MIP-2, RANTES, and IL-6) by MLE-12 cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that alveolar type II cells, in conjunction with alveolar macrophage-produced TNF-alpha, contribute to the initiation of acute pulmonary IR injury via a proinflammatory cascade. The release of key chemokines, such as KC and MIP-2, by activated type II cells may thus significantly contribute to neutrophil sequestration during IR injury.

The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) ‐ A link between inflammation and hemostasis?

Chemokines and their receptors play a pivotal role in PMN recruitment during inflammation and in platelet activation. DARC differs from 'typical’ chemokine receptors in that it is not known to initiate intracellular signal transduction and that it is expressed on red blood cells and endothelial cells rather than on leukocytes. Here, we first studied the role of DARC in a murine, neutrophil (PMN)-dependent model of HCl-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Wild-type mice (WT) experienced severe hypoxemia 2h after intratracheal HCl-instillation (sham paO2 134±13mmHg, ALI paO2 47±5 mmHg, p<0.05) and a more than two-fold increase in lung myeloperoxidase activities (MPO, p<0.05), indicating strong pulmonary PMN recruitment. By contrast, DARC gene-deficient mice (DARC−/−) demonstrated no significant changes in paO2 and in lung MPO. When compared to WT, DARC−/− also exhibited a significanltly prolonged bleeding time (WT median 57sec, DARC−/− median 107sec, p<0.05) despite normal and statistically not different platelet counts (WT 702954±26073/μl, DARC−/− 638068±28771/μl). In conclusion, we show that DARC can act as a modulator of inflammatory PMN recruitment and subsequent lung injury and as a key factor in platelet-dependent pathways of hemostasis. Thus, DARC might represent a new link between inflammation and hemostasis. (This work was supported by a research grant from the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung to KS.)

Pneumocystis cariniiinfection sensitizes lung to radiation-induced injury after syngeneic marrow transplantation: role of CD4+T cells

A murine model of bone marrow transplant (BMT)-related lung injury was developed to study how infection sensitizes lung to the damaging effects of total body irradiation (TBI) at infectious and TBI doses that individually do not cause injury. Mice infected with Pneumocystis carinii exhibited an asymptomatic, rapid, and transient influx of eosinophils and T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). In contrast, mice infected with P. carinii 7 days before receiving TBI and syngeneic BMT (P. carinii/TBI mice) exhibited severe pulmonary dysfunction, surfactant aggregate depletion, and surfactant activity reductions at 17 days post-BMT. BALF from P. carinii/TBI mice contained a disproportionate initial influx of CD4(+) T cells (CD4(+):CD8(+) ratio of 2.7) that correlated with progressive lung injury (from 8 to 17 days post-BMT). Levels of TNF-alpha in BALF were significantly increased in P. carinii/TBI mice compared with mice given either insult alone, with peak values found at 11 days post-BMT. In vivo depletion of CD4(+) T cells in P. carinii/TBI mice abrogated pulmonary dysfunction and reduced TNF-alpha levels in BALF, whereas depletion of CD8(+) T cells did not affect lung compliance or TNF-alpha. Lung injury was not attributable to direct P. carinii damage, since CD4-depleted P. carinii/TBI mice that exhibited no injury had higher average lung P. carinii burdens than either mice given P. carinii alone or undepleted P. carinii/TBI mice. Together, these results indicate that P. carinii infection can sensitize the lung to subsequent TBI-mediated lung injury via a process dependent on non-alloreactive CD4(+) T cells.

Acute Lung Injury After Peppermint Oil Injection

We describe a case of acute lung injury following IV injection of peppermint oil. An 18-yr-old woman injected the oil and developed fulminant pulmonary edema requiring ventilator support. Within 4 h after injection her arterial oxygen tension was 8.1 kPa (60 mm Hg) at an inspired oxygen fraction (F(IO2)) of 0.7 (P/F ratio: 85) despite a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 20 mbar, therefore meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mean pulmonary artery pressures and pulmonary artery wedge pressures were within normal limits throughout the case (<25 mm Hg and <10 mm Hg, respectively). Ventilation with high PEEP and diuresis resulted in a P/F ratio of 265 after 24 h. The patient was successfully weaned from the ventilator on the 9th day. This report is the first description of the sequelae of IV peppermint oil injection. The injection resulted in pulmonary edema and acute lung injury, presumably due to direct toxicity and a resultant increase in pulmonary vascular permeability. This report is the first description of IV peppermint oil injection. The patient rapidly developed severe fluid overload of the lung and subsequent lung injury that required intubation, mechanical ventilation, and intensive care therapy for 13 days. The pulmonary edema was presumably caused by direct toxicity and an increase in pulmonary vascular permeability.

Does the use of 50% oxygen at birth in preterm infants reduce lung injury?

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is an inflammatory fibrotic condition produced as a consequence of injurious influences in the neonatal lung. Exposing the premature lung to high concentrations of oxygen is thought...