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Biomedical subjects

Marc B Hershenson

Publications and source records attributed to Marc B Hershenson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Rhinovirus activates interleukin-8 expression via a Src/p110beta phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Rhinovirus (RV) is responsible for the majority of common colds and triggers exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. We have shown that RV serotype 39 (RV39) infection activates phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI 3)-kinase and the serine threonine kinase Akt minutes after infection and that the activation of PI 3-kinase and Akt is required for maximal interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression. Here, we further examine the contributions of Src and PI 3-kinase activation to RV-induced Akt activation and IL-8 expression. Confocal fluorescent microscopy of 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells showed rapid (10-min) colocalization of RV39 with Src, p85alpha PI 3-kinase, p110beta PI 3-kinase, Akt and Cit-Akt-PH, a fluorescent Akt pleckstrin homology domain which binds PI(3,4,5)P(3). The chemical Src inhibitor PP2 {4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo [3,4-d]pyrimidine} and the PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 each inhibited Akt phosphorylation and the colocalization of RV39 with Akt. Digoxigenin-tagged RV coprecipitated with a Crosstide kinase likely to be Akt, and inhibition of Src blocked kinase activity. Digoxigenin-tagged RV39 colocalized with the lipid raft marker ceramide. In 16HBE14o- and primary mucociliary differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells, inhibition of Src kinase activity with the Src family chemical inhibitor PP2, dominant-negative Src (K297R), and Src small interfering RNA (siRNA) each inhibited RV39-induced IL-8 expression. siRNA against p110beta PI 3-kinase also inhibited IL-8 expression. These data demonstrate that, in the context of RV infection, Src and p110beta PI 3-kinase are upstream activators of Akt and the IL-8 promoter and that RV colocalizes with Src, PI 3-kinase, and Akt in lipid rafts.

Bronchi↗

Protein kinase R, IkappaB kinase-beta and NF-kappaB are required for human rhinovirus induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cells.

Rhinovirus infections cause the majority of acute exacerbations of airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production by infected bronchial epithelial cells contributing to disease pathogenesis. Theses diseases are a huge cause of morbidity worldwide, and contribute a major economic burden to healthcare costs. Current steroid based treatments are only partially efficient at controlling virus induced inflammation, which remains an unmet therapeutic goal. Although NF-kappaB has been implicated, the precise mechanisms of rhinovirus induction of pro-inflammatory gene expression in bronchial epithelial cells are unclear. We hypothesised that rhinovirus replication and generation of dsRNA was an important process of pro-inflammatory cytokine induction. Using pharmalogical (2-aminopurine and a new small molecule inhibitor) and genetic inhibition of the dsRNA binding kinase protein kinase R, striking inhibition of dsRNA (polyrIC) and rhinovirus induced CCL5, CXCL8 and IL-6 protein was observed. Using confocal microscopy, rhinovirus induced protein kinase R phosphorylation co-located with NF-kappaB p65 nuclear translocation. Focusing on CXCL8, both rhinovirus infection and dsRNA treatment required IkappaB kinase-beta for induction of CXCL8. Analysis of cis-acting sites in the CXCL8 promoter revealed that both rhinovirus infection and dsRNA treatment upregulated CXCL8 promoter activation via NF-kappaB and NF-IL6 binding sites. Together, the results demonstrate the importance of dsRNA in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines by rhinoviruses, and suggest that protein kinase R is involved in NF-kappaB mediated gene transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines via IkappaB kinase-beta. These molecules regulating rhinovirus induction of inflammation represent therapeutic targets.

2-Aminopurine↗

Regulation of airway smooth muscle alpha-actin expression by glucocorticoids.

Airway smooth muscle hypertrophy appears to be present in severe asthma. However, the effect of corticosteroids on airway smooth muscle cell size or contractile protein expression has not been studied. We examined the effects of dexamethasone, fluticasone, and salmeterol on contractile protein expression in transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-treated primary bronchial smooth muscle cells. Dexamethasone and fluticasone, but not salmeterol, each reduced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and the short isoform of myosin light chain kinase. Steady-state alpha-actin mRNA level and stability were unchanged, consistent with posttranscriptional control. Fluticasone significantly decreased alpha-actin protein synthesis following treatment with the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D, indicative of an inhibitory effect on mRNA translation. Fluticasone also significantly increased alpha-actin protein turnover. Finally, fluticasone reduced TGF-beta-induced incorporation of alpha-actin into filamentous actin, cell length, and cell shortening in response to ACh and KCl. We conclude that glucocorticoids reduce human airway smooth muscle alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and incorporation into contractile filaments, as well as contractile function, in part by attenuation of mRNA translation and enhancement of protein degradation.

Actins↗

H. influenzae potentiates airway epithelial cell responses to rhinovirus by increasing ICAM-1 and TLR3 expression.

Rhinovirus (RV) is an important trigger of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. In addition, respiratory viruses are more likely to be isolated in patients with a history of frequent exacerbations, suggesting that these patients are more susceptible to viral infection. To examine potential mechanisms for cooperative effects between bacterial and viral infection in COPD, we studied the responses of cultured human airway epithelial cells to nontypeable Hemophilus influenzae and RV. In both 16HBE14o- and primary mucociliary-differentiated cells, preincubation with H. influenzae enhanced RV serotype 39-induced protein expression of interleukin (IL)-8, epithelial-derived neutrophil attractant-78, and growth-related oncogene-alpha. H. influenzae infection also increased the binding of RV39 to cultured cells, as well as expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3, receptors for RV and dsRNA, respectively. Neutralizing antibody against tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibited IL-8 expression induced by H. influenzae and RV39. Finally, siRNA against TLR3 attenuated RV-induced IL-8 expression. We conclude that H. influenzae infection increases airway epithelial cell ICAM-1 and TLR3 expression, leading to enhanced binding of RV and a potentiation of RV-induced chemokine release. These data provide a cellular mechanism by which H. influenzae infection may increase the susceptibility of COPD patients to RV-induced exacerbations.

Cells, Cultured↗

Quercetin blocks airway epithelial cell chemokine expression.

Quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone), a dietary flavonoid, is an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and potent antioxidant. We hypothesized that quercetin blocks airway epithelial cell chemokine expression via PI 3-kinase-dependent mechanisms. Pretreatment with quercetin and the PI 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 each reduced TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 (also called CCL2) expression in cultured human airway epithelial cells. Quercetin also inhibited TNF-alpha-induced PI 3-kinase activity, Akt phosphorylation, intracellular H(2)O(2) production, NF-kappaB transactivation, IL-8 promoter activity, and steady-state mRNA levels, consistent with the notion that quercetin inhibits chemokine expression by attenuating NF-kappaB transactivation via a PI 3-kinase/Akt-dependent pathway. Quercetin also reduced TNF-alpha-induced chemokine secretion in the presence of the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D, while inducing phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)-2alpha, suggesting that quercetin attenuates chemokine expression by post-transcriptional as well as transcriptional mechanisms. Finally, we tested the effects of quercetin in cockroach antigen-sensitized and -challenged mice. These mice show MCP-1-dependent airways hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Quercetin significantly reduced lung MCP-1 and methacholine responsiveness. We conclude that quercetin blocks airway cell chemokine expression via transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways.

Allergens↗

Absence of typical unfolded protein response in primary cultured cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells.

We examined whether the unfolded protein response is activated in cells expressing incorrectly folded cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. Airway epithelial cells from three control and three CF patients homozygous for the deltaF508 mutation were tested. There were no differences in protein expression of the pro-apoptotic factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) or the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone binding Ig protein. Nor were there differences in phosphorylation of protein kinase R-like ER kinase or eukaryotic initiation factor-2alpha, or the splicing of X-box binding protein (XBP)-1. However, CF cells showed increased mRNA expression of CHOP and XBP-1. A proteasome inhibitor increased CHOP expression in CF cells, suggesting that enhanced proteasome activation is responsible for the observed post-transcriptional regulation. Finally, CF cells were resistant to apoptosis, suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation of CHOP prevents apoptosis. While CHOP and XBP-1 mRNA expression is increased in CF cells, the classic UPR is not present.

Activating Transcription Factor 6↗

Intracellular trafficking and replication of Burkholderia cenocepacia in human cystic fibrosis airway epithelial cells.

We investigated the trafficking of Burkholderia cenocepacia, an opportunistic respiratory pathogen of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF), in immortalized CF airway epithelial cells in vitro. Our results indicate that bacteria enter cells in a process involving actin rearrangement. Whereas both live and heat-killed bacteria reside transiently in early endosomes, only live bacteria escape from late endosomes to colocalize in vesicles positive for lysosomal membrane marker LAMP1, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane marker calnexin, and autophagosome marker monodansylcadavarine (MDC). Twenty-four hours after infection, microcolonies of live bacteria were observed in the perinuclear area colocalizing with calnexin. In contrast, after ingestion, dead bacteria colocalized with late endosome marker Rab7, and lysosome markers LAMP1 and cathepsin D, but not with calnexin or MDC. Six to eight hours after ingestion of dead bacteria, degraded bacterial particles were observed in the cytoplasm and in vesicles positive for cathepsin D. These results indicate that live B. cenocepacia gain entry into human CF airway cells by endocytosis, escape from late endosomes to enter autophagosomes that fail to fuse with mature lysosomes, and undergo replication in the ER. This survival and replication strategy may contribute to the capacity of B. cenocepacia to persist in the lungs of infected CF patients.

Acridine Orange↗

Transforming growth factor-beta induces airway smooth muscle hypertrophy.

Although smooth muscle hypertrophy is present in asthmatic airways, little is known about the biochemical pathways regulating airway smooth muscle protein synthesis, cell size, or accumulation of contractile apparatus proteins. We sought to develop a model of airway smooth muscle hypertrophy in primary cells using a physiologically relevant stimulus. We hypothesized that transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta induces hypertrophy in primary bronchial smooth muscle cells. Primary human bronchial smooth muscle cells isolated from unacceptable lung donor tissue were studied. Cells were seeded on uncoated plastic dishes at 50% confluence and TGF-beta was added. Experiments were performed in the absence of serum. TGF-beta increased cell size and total protein synthesis, expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, formation of actomyosin filaments, and cell shortening to acetylcholine. Further, TGF-beta increased airway smooth muscle alpha-actin synthesis in the presence of the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D, evidence that translational control is a physiologically important element of the observed hypertrophy. TGF-beta induced the phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor-4E-binding protein, a signaling event specifically involved in translational control. Finally, two inhibitors of 4E-binding protein phosphorylation, the phosphoinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 and a phosphorylation site mutant of 4E-binding protein-1 that dominantly inhibits eukaryotic initiation factor-4E, each blocked TGF-beta-induced alpha-actin expression and cell enlargement. We conclude that TGF-beta induces hypertrophy of primary bronchial smooth muscle cells. Further, phosphorylation of 4E-binding protein is required for the observed hypertrophy.

Acetylcholine↗

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is required for rhinovirus-induced airway epithelial cell interleukin-8 expression.

Rhinovirus (RV) is a common cause of asthma exacerbations. The signaling mechanisms regulating RV-induced airway epithelial cell responses have not been well studied. We examined the role of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase in RV-induced interleukin (IL)-8 expression. Infection of 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells with RV39 induced rapid activation of PI 3-kinase and phosphorylation of Akt, a downstream effector of PI 3-kinase. RV39 also colocalized with cit-Akt-PH, a citrogen-tagged fluorescent fusion protein encoding the pleckstrin homology domain of Akt, indicating that 3-phosphorylated PI accumulates at the site of RV infection. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase and Akt attenuated RV39-induced NF-kappaB transactivation and IL-8 expression. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase also blocked internalization of labeled RV39 into 16HBE14o- cells, suggesting that the requirement of PI 3-kinase for RV39-induced IL-8 expression, at least in part, relates to its role in viral endocytosis.

Bronchi↗

4E-binding protein phosphorylation and eukaryotic initiation factor-4E release are required for airway smooth muscle hypertrophy.

The molecular mechanisms of airway smooth muscle hypertrophy, a feature of severe asthma, are poorly understood. We previously established a conditionally immortalized human bronchial smooth muscle cell line with a temperature-sensitive SV40 large T antigen. Temperature shift and loss of large T cause G1-phase cell cycle arrest that is accompanied by increased airway smooth muscle cell size. In the present study, we hypothesized that phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-4E (eIF4E)-binding protein (4E-BP), which subsequently releases eIF4E and initiates cap-dependent mRNA translation, was required for airway smooth muscle hypertrophy. Treatment of cells with chemical inhibitors of PI 3-kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin blocked protein synthesis and cell growth while decreasing the phosphorylation of 4E-BP and increasing the binding of 4E-BP to eIF4E, consistent with the notion that 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and eIF4E function are required for hypertrophy. To test this directly, we infected cells with a retrovirus encoding a phosphorylation site mutant of 4E-BP1 (AA-4E-BP-1) that dominantly inhibits eIF4E. Upon temperature shift, cells infected with AA-4E-BP-1, but not empty vector, failed to undergo hypertrophic growth. We conclude that phosphorylation of 4E-BP, eIF4E release, and cap-dependent protein synthesis are required for hypertrophy of human airway smooth muscle cells.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

German cockroach proteases regulate interleukin-8 expression via nuclear factor for interleukin-6 in human bronchial epithelial cells.

German cockroach extract synergistically regulates tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced interleukin (IL)-8 expression in human airway epithelial cells. The IL-8 promoter contains nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, activating protein (AP)-1, and NF for IL-6 (NF-IL6) transcription factor binding regions. Because cockroach extract activates extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), a known activator of AP-1 and NF-IL6, we focused on the regulation of these transcription factors. Although TNF-alpha and cockroach extract both increased AP-1 translocation, mutation of the AP-1 site in the context of the wild-type promoter had no effect on cockroach extract-induced synergy. Mutation of the NF-IL6 site in the context of the wild-type IL-8 promoter, or overexpression of a dominant-negative NF-IL6 mutant, each abolished cockroach extract-induced synergy. Cockroach extract induced NF-IL6 translocation and DNA binding, an effect that was further increased in the presence of TNF-alpha. Cockroach extract-induced regulation of NF-IL6 was due to active serine proteases in the extract as well as activation of protease activated receptor (PAR)-2, but not PAR-1. Chemical inhibition of ERK also attenuated cockroach extract-induced NF-IL6-DNA binding. We conclude that proteases in German cockroach extract regulate PAR-2 and ERK to increase NF-IL6 activity and synergistically regulate TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 promoter activity in human airway epithelium.

Animals↗

Interleukin (IL)-1 beta in tracheal aspirates from premature infants induces airway epithelial cell IL-8 expression via an NF-kappa B dependent pathway.

Tracheal aspirate IL-8 concentration and airway epithelial cell IL-8 expression are each increased in premature infants undergoing mechanical ventilation. We sought to determine the cytokines responsible for IL-8 expression in this context. Tracheal aspirates were collected from 18 mechanically ventilated premature infants. IL-8 protein abundance was high in tracheal aspirates from ventilated premature infants (mean, 5806 +/- 4923 pg/mL). IL-1 alpha (mean, 20 +/- 6 pg/mL), IL-1 beta (mean 67 +/- 46 pg/mL), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (mean, 8 +/- 2 pg/mL) were also found. Incubation of tracheal aspirates with 16HBE14o- human bronchial epithelial cells increased IL-8 protein in both cell lysates and supernatants, as well as transcription from the IL-8 promoter. Aspirates also induced nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activation. Mutation of the IL-8 promoter NF-kappa B site abolished aspirate-induced IL-8 transcription. Endotoxin concentrations in the tracheal aspirates were negligible and incapable of inducing IL-8 promoter activity. Finally, incubation of tracheal aspirates with a neutralizing antibody against IL-1 beta reduced epithelial cell IL-8 production, whereas neutralizing antibodies against IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha had no effect. We conclude that airway fluid from mechanically ventilated premature infants contains soluble factors capable of inducing airway epithelial cell IL-8 expression via a NF-kappa B-dependent pathway, and that IL-1 beta plays a specific role in this process.

Cells, Cultured↗

Azithromycin blocks neutrophil recruitment in Pseudomonas endobronchial infection.

Macrolides exert their effects on the host by modulation of immune responses. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin in a murine model of mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa endobronchial infection. The clearance of Pseudomonas from the airway of mice treated with the macrolide azithromycin was not different than untreated mice challenged with Pseudomonas beads. However, the azithromycin-treated mice showed a remarkable reduction in lung cellular infiltrate in response to Pseudomonas beads, as compared with untreated mice. This effect was associated with significant decreases in lung levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in azithromycin-treated mice compared with untreated mice. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the response of both mouse and human neutrophils to chemokine-dependent and -independent chemoattractants when studied in vitro. Inhibition of chemotaxis correlated with azithromycin-mediated inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 activation. This study indicates that the azithromycin treatment in vivo results in significant reduction in airway-specific inflammation, which occurs in part by inhibition of neutrophil recruitment to the lung through reduction in proinflammatory cytokine expression and inhibition of neutrophil migration via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 signal transduction pathway.

Animals↗

Phophatidylinositol-3 kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin/p70S6K regulates contractile protein accumulation in airway myocyte differentiation.

Increased airway smooth muscle in airway remodeling results from myocyte proliferation and hypertrophy. Skeletal and vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy is induced by phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI(3) kinase) via mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70S6 kinase (p70S6K). We tested the hypothesis that this pathway regulates contractile protein accumulation in cultured canine airway myocytes acquiring an elongated contractile phenotype in serum-free culture. In vitro assays revealed a sustained activation of PI(3) kinase and p70S6K during serum deprivation up to 12 d, with concomitant accumulation of SM22 and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) proteins. Immunocytochemistry revealed that activation of PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K occurred almost exclusively in myocytes that acquire the contractile phenotype. Inhibition of PI(3) kinase or mTOR with LY294002 or rapamycin blocked p70S6K activation, prevented formation of large elongated contractile phenotype myocytes, and blocked accumulation of SM22 and smMHC. Inhibition of MEK had no effect. Steady-state mRNA abundance for SM22 and smMHC was unaffected by blocking p70S6K activation. These studies provide primary evidence that PI(3) kinase and mTOR activate p70S6K in airway myocytes leading to the accumulation of contractile apparatus proteins, differentiation, and growth of large, elongated contractile phenotype airway smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗

Yersinia YopJ inhibits pro-inflammatory molecule expression in human bronchial epithelial cells.

Human bronchial epithelial cell pro-inflammatory molecule expression plays a role in the pathogenesis of airway diseases. We hypothesize that Yersinia outer protein-J (YopJ), a Yersinia virulence effector which inhibits mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase kinases (MKKs), attenuates epithelial cell pro-inflammatory molecule expression. 16HBE14o-cells were co-transfected with cDNAs encoding Yersinia pseudotuberculosis YopJ or empty vector. Expression of YopJ reduced activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)-2, Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK)-1 and IkappaB kinase (IKK)-beta. YopJ also blocked transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 promoter sequences which has been shown to regulate chemokine expression. Finally, expression of YopJ reduced transcription from the IL-8, RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 promoters. We conclude that YopJ expression blocks the innate immune response in lung epithelial cells, the site of Yersinia pestis infection. Inhibition of bronchial epithelial cell responses by YopJ is consistent with the notion that MAP kinases regulates bronchial epithelial cell pro-inflammatory molecule expression.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Pulmonary function in bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

The purpose of this study was to examine lung function and bronchodilator responsiveness in infants with a history of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), using the raised volume rapid thoracoabdominal compression technique as well as with whole-body plethysmography. Spirometric measurements were obtained in 28 infants with a history of BPD, defined as preterm birth with O2 requirement at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (gestational age at birth, 26.4 +/- 2.1 weeks, mean +/- SD; birthweight, 898 +/- 353 g; age at study, 68.0 +/- 35.6 weeks). Fractional lung volumes were measured in 27 subjects. Values were expressed as percentage of predicted normal values. Compared to normal infants, those with a history of BPD exhibited decreases in forced expiratory flows including forced expiratory volume in 0.5 sec (76.3 +/- 19.6%), forced expiratory flow at 75% of expired forced vital capacity (FEF75; 59.5 +/- 30.7%), and FEF(25-75) (74.0 +/- 26.8%; P<0.01 for all). Functional residual capacity (107.9 +/- 25.3%), residual volume (RV, 124.5 +/- 42.7%), and RV/total lung capacity (RV/TLC, 128.2 +/- 35.3%) were increased in infants with a history of BPD (P<0.05 for each). There was no difference in TLC between groups. Seventeen infants were studied both pre- and postalbuterol, and 6 (35%) demonstrated significant bronchodilator responsiveness. Infants with recurrent wheezing showed greater expiratory flow limitation, hyperinflation, and airways responsiveness, whereas those without wheezing showed only modest airway dysfunction. We conclude that infants with a history of BPD have pulmonary function abnormalities characterized by mild to moderate airflow obstruction and air trapping.

Airway Obstruction↗