Project description:Occupational exposure to crystalline silica results in serious health effects, most notably, silicosis and cancer. A proper understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying the initiation and progression of silica-induced pulmonary toxicity is critical for the intervention and/or prevention of the adverse health effects associated with crystalline silica exposure. Rats were exposed to crystalline silica by inhalation at a concentration of 15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3, 6 or 12 weeks. At the end of each exposure time point, toxicity and global gene expression changes were determined in the lungs. In general, silica exposure resulted in pulmonary toxicity that was dependent on the duration of silica exposure. A significant and silica exposure time-dependent increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity and accumulation of alveolar macrophages and infiltrating neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested crystalline silica-induced pulmonary toxicity in the rats. Histological changes indicative of pulmonary toxicity were detectable only in the lungs of rats that were exposed to silica for 6- or 12-weeks. Minimal, sub-acute pulmonary inflammation consisting mainly of macrophage accumulation and infiltration of neutrophils was seen in 2 out of 8 rats in the 6-week silica exposure group. Chronic active inflammation, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, and fibrosis were detected following 12-weeks of silica exposure in all rat lungs. In addition, crystalline silica was visible in the lungs of the rats belonging to the 12-week exposure group. A significant increase in the number of neutrophils seen in the blood indicated silica-induced systemic inflammation in the rats. Microarray analysis of the global gene expression profiles of the rat lungs detected significant differential expression (FDR p <0.05 and fold change >1.5) of 38, 77 and 99 genes in the rats exposed to silica for 3-, 6- and 12-weeks, respectively, compared to the time-matched controls. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed genes identified significant enrichment of functions, networks and pathways related to inflammation, cancer, oxidative stress, fibrosis and tissue remodeling in the lungs of the silica exposed rats. Collectively, the results of our study provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary toxicity following sub-chronic exposure to silica in rats.

Project description:Occupational exposure to crystalline silica results in serious health effects, most notably, silicosis and cancer. A proper understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying the initiation and progression of silica-induced pulmonary toxicity is critical for the intervention and/or prevention of the adverse health effects associated with crystalline silica exposure. Rats were exposed to crystalline silica by inhalation at a concentration of 15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3, 6 or 12 weeks. At the end of each exposure time point, toxicity and global gene expression changes were determined in the lungs. In general, silica exposure resulted in pulmonary toxicity that was dependent on the duration of silica exposure. A significant and silica exposure time-dependent increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity and accumulation of alveolar macrophages and infiltrating neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid suggested crystalline silica-induced pulmonary toxicity in the rats. Histological changes indicative of pulmonary toxicity were detectable only in the lungs of rats that were exposed to silica for 6- or 12-weeks. Minimal, sub-acute pulmonary inflammation consisting mainly of macrophage accumulation and infiltration of neutrophils was seen in 2 out of 8 rats in the 6-week silica exposure group. Chronic active inflammation, type II pneumocyte hyperplasia, and fibrosis were detected following 12-weeks of silica exposure in all rat lungs. In addition, crystalline silica was visible in the lungs of the rats belonging to the 12-week exposure group. A significant increase in the number of neutrophils seen in the blood indicated silica-induced systemic inflammation in the rats. Microarray analysis of the global gene expression profiles of the rat lungs detected significant differential expression (FDR p <0.05 and fold change >1.5) of 38, 77 and 99 genes in the rats exposed to silica for 3-, 6- and 12-weeks, respectively, compared to the time-matched controls. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed genes identified significant enrichment of functions, networks and pathways related to inflammation, cancer, oxidative stress, fibrosis and tissue remodeling in the lungs of the silica exposed rats. Collectively, the results of our study provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary toxicity following sub-chronic exposure to silica in rats. 36 samples were analyzed in this experiment. 6 rats were exposed to crystalline silica by inhalation 15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day, 5 days, 3 weeks. 6 rats were exposed to crystalline silica by inhalation 15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day, 5 days, 6 weeks. 6 rats were exposed to crystalline silica by inhalation 15 mg/m3, 6 hours/day, 5 days, 12 weeks. 18 rats served as controls (6 for each 3 week, 6 week, and 12 week exposure) and were exposed to air during treatment times. Lung gene expression profiling was performed using RNA isolated from rat lung samples.

Project description:Acute lung inflammation can alter the pulmonary function of susceptible individuals and exacerbate the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and asthma. Exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin, a constituent of outer cell membrane of gram negative bacteria, induces airway inflammation that is primarily characterized by increased polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) at early time points. Because LPS is present in variety of occupational and home environments and is an active constituent of cigarette smoke it is a risk factor for increasing prevalence and severity of non-occupational COPD, for adult onset of asthma and for wheezing in children. In airway epithelial cells, LPS stimulation increases mucin gene expression and mucous production. Hypersecretion of mucus overwhelms the ciliary clearance and obstructs airways, causing morbidity and mortality in chronic inflammatory respiratory lung diseases. In addition, acute bacterial infection contributes to the exacerbation of chronic airway diseases, specifically in advanced COPD and CF subjects, leading to increased healthcare burden and higher mortality. Bcl-2, a prosurvival protein that inhibits cell death plays a key role in normal cellular homeostasis and regulates the integrity of the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that Bcl-2 expression sustains hyperplastic epithelial cells, and Bcl-2 expression is elevated in airway epithelial cells of subjects with cystic fibrosis and asthma. The present study investigated which inflammatory mediators induce mucous cell metaplasia and Bcl-2 expression following LPS exposure. Microarray analyses of mRNA from airway epithelial cells captured by laser microdissection from rat lungs snap-frozen at day 0 and 2 post LPS exposure were analyzed. Microarray analysis of mRNA from airway epithelial cells captured by laser microdissection from rat lungs snap-frozen at day 0 and day 2 post LPS exposure was performed to identify inflammatory mediators modulated by LPS exposure. Specific pathogen-free F344/NCrR male rats of 8–10 wk of age (from NCI, Frederick, MD) were exposed to LPS (1000 ug in 0.5 ML Saline) and rats were sacrificed on day 0 and day 2 of LPS exposure. Right lungs were snap-frozen in OCT and airway epithelial cells were captured by laser-dissection microsopy to extract RNA. Gene expression data from nonexposed rats (0d) was used a control.

Project description:Pulmonary exposure to high doses of nanoparticles (NP) leads to well characterized lung toxicity in addition to long-term NP retention. However, pulmonary NP accumulation and toxicity following low dose exposures are not well described. In the present study we sought to: (1) investigate particle retention in mouse lungs following intratracheal instillation of varying doses of nano-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) and (2) determine the effects of long-term particle accumulation on pulmonary systems. Female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to rutile nano-TiO2 (primary size of 20.6 nm and surface area of 107.7 m2/g) via single intratracheal instillations of 18, 54 and 162 M-BM-5g/mouse and sampled 1, 3 and 28 days post-exposure. The deposition of nano-TiO2 in the lungs was assessed using Nanoscale Hyperspectral Microscope. DNA microarrays, pathway-specific real-time RT-PCR (qPCR) and gene-specific qPCR arrays, and tissue protein analyses were employed to characterize pulmonary responses. Hyperspectral mapping showed dose-dependent retention of nano-TiO2 in the lungs up to 28 days post-exposure time. Retention did not correlate with the extent of inflammatory neutrophil influx into the lungs. DNA microarray analysis showed altered expression of approximately 3000 genes across all treatment groups (M-BM-11.3 fold; p<0.1). Several inflammatory mediators changed in a dose- and time-dependent manner at both the mRNA and protein levels. Although the low dose exposure failed to induce observable inflammation, significant changes in the expression of genes and proteins associated with inflammation were observed. Moreover, diminished (or absent) neutrophil influx in the low and medium dose groups was correlated with negative regulation of genes associated with ion homeostasis and muscle regulation. Gene expression changes for several inflammatory mediators have previously been noted in mice exposed to the same nano-TiO2 via inhalation. Our results suggest that retention of nano-TiO2 in the absence of inflammation and effective clearance can perturb calcium and ion homeostasis, and affect smooth muscle activities over time. This experiment consists of three different dosages of TiO2, e.g., low (18 ug), medium (54 ug) and high (162 ug), and one control. There are 3 time points for each treatment and control group, e.g., day 1, day 3 and day 28. Each dose or time point has 5-6 biological replicates. There are total 65 samples (arrays)

Project description:Acute lung inflammation can alter the pulmonary function of susceptible individuals and exacerbate the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and asthma. Exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin, a constituent of outer cell membrane of gram negative bacteria, induces airway inflammation that is primarily characterized by increased polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) at early time points. Because LPS is present in variety of occupational and home environments and is an active constituent of cigarette smoke it is a risk factor for increasing prevalence and severity of non-occupational COPD, for adult onset of asthma and for wheezing in children. In airway epithelial cells, LPS stimulation increases mucin gene expression and mucous production. Hypersecretion of mucus overwhelms the ciliary clearance and obstructs airways, causing morbidity and mortality in chronic inflammatory respiratory lung diseases. In addition, acute bacterial infection contributes to the exacerbation of chronic airway diseases, specifically in advanced COPD and CF subjects, leading to increased healthcare burden and higher mortality. Bcl-2, a prosurvival protein that inhibits cell death plays a key role in normal cellular homeostasis and regulates the integrity of the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that Bcl-2 expression sustains hyperplastic epithelial cells, and Bcl-2 expression is elevated in airway epithelial cells of subjects with cystic fibrosis and asthma. The present study investigated which inflammatory mediators induce mucous cell metaplasia and Bcl-2 expression following LPS exposure. Microarray analyses of mRNA from airway epithelial cells captured by laser microdissection from rat lungs snap-frozen at day 0 and 2 post LPS exposure were analyzed. Microarray analysis of mRNA from airway epithelial cells captured by laser microdissection from rat lungs snap-frozen at day 0 and day 2 post LPS exposure was performed to identify inflammatory mediators modulated by LPS exposure.

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Differential contribution of bone marrow derived-monocytes to the lung tissue resident alveolar macrophages and persistent lung inflammation with chronic air pollution exposure

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