Project description:Mechanical ventilation of lungs is capable of activating the innate immune system and inducing sterile inflammatory response. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1? is among the definitive markers for accurately identifying ventilator-induced lung inflammation. However, mechanisms of IL-1? release during mechanical ventilation are unknown. In this study, we show that cyclic stretch activates the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and induces the release of IL-1? in mouse alveolar macrophages via caspase-1- and TLR4-dependent mechanisms. We also observed that NADPH oxidase subunit gp91(phox) was dispensable for stretch-induced cytokine production, whereas mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species was required for stretch-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1? release. Further, mechanical ventilation activated the NLRP3 inflammasomes in mouse alveolar macrophages and increased the production of IL-1? in vivo. IL-1? neutralization significantly reduced mechanical ventilation-induced inflammatory lung injury. These findings suggest that the alveolar macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome may sense lung alveolar stretch to induce the release of IL-1? and hence may contribute to the mechanism of lung inflammatory injury during mechanical ventilation.
Project description:BackgroundSurvival of patients with acute lung injury or the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been improved by ventilation with small tidal volumes and the use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP); however, the optimal level of PEEP has been difficult to determine. In this pilot study, we estimated transpulmonary pressure with the use of esophageal balloon catheters. We reasoned that the use of pleural-pressure measurements, despite the technical limitations to the accuracy of such measurements, would enable us to find a PEEP value that could maintain oxygenation while preventing lung injury due to repeated alveolar collapse or overdistention.MethodsWe randomly assigned patients with acute lung injury or ARDS to undergo mechanical ventilation with PEEP adjusted according to measurements of esophageal pressure (the esophageal-pressure-guided group) or according to the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network standard-of-care recommendations (the control group). The primary end point was improvement in oxygenation. The secondary end points included respiratory-system compliance and patient outcomes.ResultsThe study reached its stopping criterion and was terminated after 61 patients had been enrolled. The ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen at 72 hours was 88 mm Hg higher in the esophageal-pressure-guided group than in the control group (95% confidence interval, 78.1 to 98.3; P=0.002). This effect was persistent over the entire follow-up time (at 24, 48, and 72 hours; P=0.001 by repeated-measures analysis of variance). Respiratory-system compliance was also significantly better at 24, 48, and 72 hours in the esophageal-pressure-guided group (P=0.01 by repeated-measures analysis of variance).ConclusionsAs compared with the current standard of care, a ventilator strategy using esophageal pressures to estimate the transpulmonary pressure significantly improves oxygenation and compliance. Multicenter clinical trials are needed to determine whether this approach should be widely adopted. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00127491.)
Project description:IntroductionPrediction of death and prolonged mechanical ventilation is important in terms of projecting resource utilization and in establishing protocols for clinical studies of acute lung injury (ALI). We aimed to identify risk factors for a combined end-point of death and/or prolonged ventilator dependence and developed an ALI-specific prediction model.MethodsIn this retrospective analysis of three multicenter clinical studies, we identified predictors of death or ventilator dependence from variables prospectively recorded during the first three days of mechanical ventilation. After the prediction model was derived in an international cohort of patients with ALI, it was validated in two independent samples of patients enrolled in a clinical trial involving 17 academic centers and a North American population-based cohort.ResultsA combined end-point of death and/or ventilator dependence at 14 days or later occurred in 68% of patients in the international cohort, 60% of patients in the clinical trial, and 59% of patients in the population-based cohort. In the derivation cohort, a model based on age, oxygenation index on day 3, and cardiovascular failure on day 3 predicted death and/or ventilator dependence. The prediction model performed better in the clinical trial validation cohort (area under the receiver operating curve 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.84) than in the population-based validation cohort (0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 0.76).ConclusionA model based on age and cardiopulmonary function three days after the intubation is able to predict, moderately well, a combined end-point of death and/or prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients with ALI.
Project description:Podocyte detachment due to mechanical stress is a common issue in hypertension-induced kidney disease. This study highlights the role of zyxin for podocyte stability and function. We have found that zyxin is significantly up-regulated in podocytes after mechanical stretch and relocalizes from focal adhesions to actin filaments. In zyxin knockout podocytes, we found that the loss of zyxin reduced the expression of vinculin and VASP as well as the expression of matrix proteins, such as fibronectin. This suggests that zyxin is a central player in the translation of mechanical forces in podocytes. In vivo, zyxin is highly up-regulated in patients suffering from diabetic nephropathy and in hypertensive DOCA-salt treated mice. Furthermore, zyxin loss in mice resulted in proteinuria and effacement of podocyte foot processes that was measured by super resolution microscopy. This highlights the essential role of zyxin for podocyte maintenance in vitro and in vivo, especially under mechanical stretch.
Project description:Rationale: The lung-protective effects of dopamine and its role in the pathology of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) are emerging. However, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Objective: To investigate the contribution of dopamine receptor dysregulation in the pathogenesis of VILI and therapeutic potential of dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) agonist in VILI. Methods: The role of dopamine receptors in mechanical stretch-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury was studied in DRD1 knockout mice, in isolated mouse lung vascular endothelial cells (MLVECs), and in lung samples from patients who underwent pulmonary lobectomy with mechanical ventilation for different time periods. Measurements and Main Results: DRD1 was downregulated in both surgical patients and mice exposed to mechanical ventilation. Prophylactic administration of dopamine or DRD1 agonist attenuated mechanical stretch-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury. By contrast, pulmonary knockdown or global knockout of DRD1 exacerbated these effects. Prophylactic administration of dopamine attenuated mechanical stretch-induced α-tubulin deacetylation and subsequent endothelial hyperpermeability through DRD1 signaling. We identified that cyclic stretch-induced glycogen-synthase-kinase-3β activation led to phosphorylation and activation of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), which resulted in deacetylation of α-tubulin. Upon activation, DRD1 signaling attenuated mechanical stretch-induced α-tubulin deacetylation and subsequent lung endothelial barrier dysfunction through cAMP/exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC)-mediated inactivation of HDAC6. Conclusions: This work identifies a novel protective role for DRD1 against mechanical stretch-induced lung endothelial barrier dysfunction and lung injury. Further study of the mechanisms involving DRD1 in the regulation of microtubule stability and interference with DRD1/cAMP/EPAC/HDAC6 signaling may provide insight into therapeutic approaches for VILI.
Project description:RationaleAcute lung injury and the acute respiratory distress syndrome are characterized by increased lung oxidant stress and apoptotic cell death. The contribution of epithelial cell apoptosis to the development of lung injury is unknown.ObjectivesTo determine whether oxidant-mediated activation of the intrinsic or extrinsic apoptotic pathway contributes to the development of acute lung injury.MethodsExposure of tissue-specific or global knockout mice or cells lacking critical components of the apoptotic pathway to hyperoxia, a well-established mouse model of oxidant-induced lung injury, for measurement of cell death, lung injury, and survival.Measurements and main resultsWe found that the overexpression of SOD2 prevents hyperoxia-induced BAX activation and cell death in primary alveolar epithelial cells and prolongs the survival of mice exposed to hyperoxia. The conditional loss of BAX and BAK in the lung epithelium prevented hyperoxia-induced cell death in alveolar epithelial cells, ameliorated hyperoxia-induced lung injury, and prolonged survival in mice. By contrast, Cyclophilin D-deficient mice were not protected from hyperoxia, indicating that opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore is dispensable for hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Mice globally deficient in the BH3-only proteins BIM, BID, PUMA, or NOXA, which are proximal upstream regulators of BAX and BAK, were not protected against hyperoxia-induced lung injury suggesting redundancy of these proteins in the activation of BAX or BAK.ConclusionsMitochondrial oxidant generation initiates BAX- or BAK-dependent alveolar epithelial cell death, which contributes to hyperoxia-induced lung injury.
Project description:BackgroundSesamin is a well-known antioxidant extracted from sesame seeds that exhibits various curative effects. The present study investigated whether sesamin would protect neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against mechanical stretch injury-induced increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying these actives were investigated. Following exposure to mechanical stretch injury, cells were incubated for further investigations. Lactate dehydrogenase and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were used to assess cell viability, and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay and flow cytometric analysis were performed to evaluate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Furthermore, intracellular levels of ROS production were measured by 20, 70-dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining, the mRNA levels of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, and the determinations had also been made on related proteins by Western blot analysis.ResultsExposure to mechanical stretch injury significantly decreased cell viability but this decrease was attenuated by pretreatment with sesamin (50 μM). Sesamin also significantly inhibited mechanical stretch injury-induced increases in intracellular ROS production, attenuated declines in ΔΨm, diminished the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins, and decreased cell apoptosis. Stretch injury increased Bax and cleaved caspase 3 levels, enhanced the gene expression of MMP-9, increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt, p38, and JNK and decreased Bcl-2 levels in the cells. However, pretreatment with sesamin reduced the mechanical stretch injury-induced overexpression of MMP-9.ConclusionsSesamin protected SH-SY5Y cells against stretch injury by attenuating increases in ROS levels and suppressing apoptosis. Accordingly, sesamin seems to be a potentially therapeutic agent in the treatment of traumatic brain injury.
Project description:Background: Mechanical stretch is utilized to promote skin regeneration during tissue expansion for reconstructive surgery. Although mechanical stretch induces characteristic morphological changes in the skin, the biological processes and molecular mechanisms involved in mechanically induced skin regeneration are not well elucidated. Methods: A male rat scalp expansion model was established and the important biological processes related to mechanical stretch-induced skin regeneration were identified using Gene Ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Analysis was also conducted by constructing a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, identifying key modules and hub genes, determining transcription factor (TF)-mRNA regulatory relationships, and confirming the expression pattern of the TFs and hub genes. Results: We identified nine robust hub genes (CXCL1, NEB, ACTN3, MYOZ1, ACTA1, TNNT3, PYGM, AMPD1, and CKM) that may serve as key molecules in skin growth. These genes were determined to be involved in several important biological processes, including keratinocyte differentiation, cytoskeleton reorganization, chemokine signaling pathway, glycogen metabolism, and voltage-gated ion channel activity. The potentially significant pathways, including the glucagon signaling pathway, the Wnt signaling pathway, and cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, were distinguished. In addition, we identified six TFs (LEF1, TCF7, HMGA1, TFAP2C, FOSL1, and ELF5) and constructed regulatory TF–mRNA interaction networks. Conclusion: This study generated a comprehensive overview of the gene networks underlying mechanically induced skin regeneration. The functions of these key genes and the pathways in which they participate may reveal new aspects of skin regeneration under mechanical strain. Furthermore, the identified TF regulators can be used as potential candidates for clinical therapeutics for skin pretreatment before reconstructive surgery.
Project description:ObjectivesTo provide proof-of-concept for a protocol applying a strategy of personalized mechanical ventilation in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Positive end-expiratory pressure and inspiratory pressure settings were optimized using real-time electrical impedance tomography aiming to maximize lung recruitment while minimizing lung overdistension.DesignProspective interventional trial.SettingTwo PICUs.PatientsEight children with early acute respiratory distress syndrome (< 72 hr).InterventionsOn 3 consecutive days, electrical impedance tomography-guided positive end-expiratory pressure titration was performed by using regional compliance analysis. The Acute Respiratory Distress Network high/low positive end-expiratory pressure tables were used as patient's safety guardrails. Driving pressure was maintained constant. Algorithm includes the following: 1) recruitment of atelectasis: increasing positive end-expiratory pressure in steps of 4 mbar; 2) reduction of overdistension: decreasing positive end-expiratory pressure in steps of 2 mbar until electrical impedance tomography shows collapse; and 3) maintaining current positive end-expiratory pressure and check regional compliance every hour. In case of derecruitment start at step 1.Measurements and main resultsLung areas classified by electrical impedance tomography as collapsed or overdistended were changed on average by -9.1% (95% CI, -13.7 to -4.4; p < 0.001) during titration. Collapse was changed by -9.9% (95% CI, -15.3 to -4.5; p < 0.001), while overdistension did not increase significantly (0.8%; 95% CI, -2.9 to 4.5; p = 0.650). A mean increase of the positive end-expiratory pressure level (1.4 mbar; 95% CI, 0.6-2.2; p = 0.008) occurred after titration. Global respiratory system compliance and gas exchange improved (global respiratory system compliance: 1.3 mL/mbar, 95% CI [-0.3 to 3.0], p = 0.026; Pao2: 17.6 mm Hg, 95% CI [7.8-27.5], p = 0.0039; and Pao2/Fio2 ratio: 55.2 mm Hg, 95% CI [27.3-83.2], p < 0.001, all values are change in pre vs post).ConclusionsElectrical impedance tomography-guided positive end-expiratory pressure titration reduced regional lung collapse without significant increase of overdistension, while improving global compliance and gas exchange in children with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Project description:With gene expression profiling it was aimed to identify the differentially expressed genes associated with the regulation of the cytoskeleton to investigate the stretch-induced cell alignment mechanism. A whole genome microarray based analysis of the stretch-induced gene expression changes was done. Gene expression was measured at the beginning of the alignment process showing first reoriented cells after 5 h stretching and at the end after 24 h, where nearly all cells are aligned. Cyclic mechanical stretching of cells results in cellular alignment perpendicular to the stretch direction regulating cellular response. This stress response is assumed to be an adaptation mechanism to reduce extensive stretching but also acts as architectural restructuring changing performance and biomechanics of the tissue. Gene expression profiling of control vs. stretched primary human dermal fibroblasts after 5 h and 24 h demonstrated the regulation of differentially expressed genes associated with metabolism, differentiation and morphology. Primary human dermal fibroblasts from ten donors were cultured on Bioflex culture plates and stretched for 5h and 24 h or left untreated to avoid changes according to cell culturing. Each of the subject provided 4 samples (control/treated and 5hrs/24hrs) resulting in 40 samples total.