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Biomedical subjects

R M Tuder

Publications and source records attributed to R M Tuder.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Primary pulmonary hypertension between inflammation and cancer.

We believe that the monoclonal cell expansion in primary pulmonary hypertension is the result of autonomous growth of stem cell-like endothelial cells, whereas the polyclonal proliferation in secondary pulmonary hypertension occurs as a response of endothelial cells to exogenous stimuli (like viral infection or high shear stress). In this context, we propose that different transcriptional and translational events govern the growth and expansion of monoclonal when compared with polyclonal pulmonary endothelial cells. The availability of antibodies directed against specific tyrosine kinase proteins involved in vasculogenesis/angiogenesis now permits the identification and localization of the components of such a misguided angiogenesis cell proliferation program in the pulmonary hypertensive vascular lesions.

Animals↗

Prolonged endothelin A receptor blockade attenuates chronic pulmonary hypertension in the ovine fetus.

Based on past studies of an experimental model of severe intrauterine pulmonary hypertension, we hypothesized that endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to high pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), hypertensive lung structural changes, and right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) caused by prolonged closure of the ductus arteriosus. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of BQ 123, a selective ET(A) receptor antagonist, after ligation of the ductus arteriosus in utero. In 19 late gestation fetal lambs (126+/-3 d; 147 d, term) we ligated the ductus arteriosus at surgery, and treated animals with either BQ 123 (1 mg/d) or vehicle (0.1% DMSO, HTN) in the pulmonary artery for 8 d. Chronic BQ 123 treatment attenuated the rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) 8 d after ductus arteriosus ligation (78+/-2, HTN vs. 70+/-4 mmHg, BQ 123, P < 0.05). To study the effects of ET(A) blockade at birth, 15 animals were delivered by cesarean section and ventilated with 10% oxygen (O2), 100% O2 and inhaled nitric oxide (NO). Lambs treated with BQ 123 had lower PVR after delivery during ventilation with 10% O2, 100% O2, and inhaled NO (HTN vs. BQ 123, P < 0.05 for each intervention). Acute BQ 123 treatment (2 mg/30 min) lowered PVR in three HTN animals ventilated with 100% O2 and inhaled NO (P < 0.05). Chronic BQ 123 treatment prevented the development of RVH as determined by the ratio of the right ventricle/left ventricle + septum (0.79+/-0.03, HTN vs. 0.57+/-0.06, BQ 123, P < 0.05) and attenuated the increase in wall thickness of small pulmonary arteries (61+/-2, HTN vs. 50+/-2%, BQ 123, P < 0.05). In summary, chronic intrauterine ET(A) receptor blockade decreased PAP in utero, decreased RVH and distal muscularization of small pulmonary arteries, and increased the fall in PVR at delivery. We conclude that ET(A) receptor stimulation contributes to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of experimental perinatal pulmonary hypertension.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Pathogenesis and evolution of plexiform lesions in pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension develop vascular lesions characterized by proliferated blood channels, the so-called plexiform lesions. These lesions are often associated with concentric intimal obliteration of pulmonary vessels. We report that the lungs of three patients with scleroderma-associated pulmonary hypertension showed a predominance of obliterative-concentric lesions, with relatively few plexiform or combined lesions. In contrast, plexiform lesions predominated in the lungs obtained from three patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated pulmonary hypertension; pure obliterative-concentric lesions were infrequent. Both plexiform and concentric obliterative lesions stained strongly positive for the endothelial cell marker factor VIII-related antigen. Muscle-specific actin immunostaining highlighted the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media of plexiform vessels, but not the luminal layers of the concentric-obliterative lesions. Proliferating cells, as determined by immunostaining with the MIB-1 antibody, were only detected in the plexiform vascular lesions. We postulate that concentric-obliterative lesions and plexiform lesions are temporally and etiologically related. A scaffolding of proliferating endothelial cells could be the common denominator of both lesions. Our hypothesis that there exists a chronological continuum, proceeding from early, proliferative plexiform lesions to late, nonproliferative concentric-obliterative lesions in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension, may lead to better targeted treatment strategies and disease classification.

Actins↗

Chronic intrauterine pulmonary hypertension impairs endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the ovine fetus.

Endothelial (e) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity modulates pulmonary vascular tone in the normal fetus and decreases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) at birth. Mechanisms contributing to sustained elevations of PVR and the failure of postnatal adaptation at birth are uncertain but may include decreased eNOS activity. To test this hypothesis, we studied the effects of chronic intrauterine pulmonary hypertension on lung eNOS content and NOS activity in an ovine model of perinatal pulmonary hypertension and in normal lambs. We measured eNOS mRNA and protein content by Northern and Western blot analyses, respectively. Calcium-dependent and total NOS activities were determined by assaying the conversion of L-[14C]arginine to L-[14C]citrulline from lung homogenates. To determine the effects of intrauterine hypertension on lung eNOS content, fetal lung tissue was harvested 8-12 days after intrauterine closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) performed at 125-128 days of gestation (term = 147 days). Although positive immunostaining for eNOS persisted in lung vascular endothelium, eNOS protein content was reduced by 48%, as measured by Western analysis (P < 0.001). Chronic hypertension reduced lung eNOS mRNA content by 30% (P < 0.05). Compared with age-matched controls, Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity was decreased after DA ligation by 75% (P < 0.01). We conclude that chronic intrauterine pulmonary hypertension decreases eNOS in the fetal lung. We speculate that decreased NO production contributes to failure of postnatal adaptation in this experimental model of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Animals↗

Persistent eNOS in lung hypoplasia caused by left pulmonary artery ligation in the ovine fetus.

Because increased flow and shear stress upregulate endothelial (e) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in adult endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro, we hypothesized that decreased pulmonary blood flow would decrease eNOS content in the late-gestation ovine fetus. To investigate the effects of decreased blood flow and the potential role of altered eNOS content in lung hypoplasia, we studied an animal model of lung hypoplasia after left pulmonary artery (LPA) ligation in nine fetal lambs (114-124 days gestation; term = 147 days). After at least 14 days, animals were killed, and lungs were harvested for histology, immunostaining, Western blot analysis for eNOS protein content, and biochemical assays of NOS activity. LPA ligation markedly reduced left lung size. Histology demonstrated loose connective tissue and airway immaturity in the left lungs. eNOS immunostaining demonstrated equal staining in the left pulmonary vessels compared with the right. Solitary endothelial cells staining for eNOS and factor VIII-related antigen were observed throughout the mesenchyme of left, but not right, lungs. eNOS protein content and activity were similar in left and right lungs. We conclude that, despite the absence of pulmonary blood flow and marked lung hypoplasia, eNOS content and NOS activity were not reduced after LPA ligation in the late fetal lung. We speculate that low pulmonary blood flow does not downregulate fetal pulmonary vascular eNOS expression and that other factors, such as paracrine or autocrine stimuli, may account for the persistence of eNOS in the developing lung circulation.

Animals↗

Prostaglandins induce vascular endothelial growth factor in a human monocytic cell line and rat lungs via cAMP.

Prostaglandins have emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with peripheral vascular disease as well as pulmonary hypertension as a means to increase blood flow. We tested the hypothesis that prostaglandins regulate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the human monocytic THP-1 cell line and in isolated perfused rat lungs. Our data show that the stable PGI2-analogue iloprost induces VEGF gene expression (predominantly VEGF121, but also VEGF165 isoforms) and VEGF protein synthesis in THP-1 cells. This effect is abolished by dexamethasone and by Rp-cAMP, a specific inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activation. The calcium channel blocker diltiazem has no effect on the iloprost-induced VEGF gene expression, and depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores by long-term exposure (16 h) of THP-1 cells to thapsigargin does not inhibit iloprost-induced VEGF gene expression, suggesting that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ is not essential for VEGF gene induction by iloprost. However, an increase of intracellular Ca2+ by a short-term (2 h) exposure of THP-1 cells to thapsigargin or to the calcium-ionophore A23187 increases VEGF mRNA levels, indicating that a change in intracellular Ca2+ by itself can alter VEGF gene expression. The effects of thapsigargin or A23187 on VEGF gene expression are also mediated via cAMP-PKA since they are inhibited by Rp-cAMP. In isolated perfused rat lungs, PGI2 and PGE2 increases VEGF mRNA abundance whereas Rp-cAMP inhibits the prostaglandin-induced VEGF gene activation. Thus, our data suggest that prostaglandins stimulate VEGF gene expression in monocytic cells and in rat lungs via a cAMP-dependent mechanism.

Animals↗

Vascular endothelial growth factor in pulmonary hypertension.

The best studied of the endothelial cell specific growth factors, VEGF, is present in alveolar and bronchial epithelial cells, in vascular smooth muscle cells, and in macrophages. The gene encoding VEGF is abundantly present in lung tissue and is induced by short-term and long-term hypoxia, as well as by prostacyclin, prostaglandin E2, and cyclic AMP. In the case of prostaglandin-stimulated gene upregulation protein kinase A (PKA) is involved. Suramin, an inhibitor of growth factor receptor binding inhibits the development of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats. Further evidence is necessary to link VEGF with pulmonary hypertensive vascular remodeling. This requires the development of antibodies directed against VEGF or against VEGF receptors and gene transfection or antisense strategies.

Animals↗

Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) reduces pulmonary vascular reactivity and pulmonary hypertension in hypoxic rats.

Chronically elevated shear stress and inflammation are important in hypertensive lung vessel remodeling. We postulate that 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) is a molecular determinant of these processes. Immunohistology localized the 5-LO to macrophages of normal and chronically hypoxic rat lungs and also to vascular endothelial cells in chronically hypoxic lungs only. In situ hybridization of normal and chronically hypoxic lungs demonstrated that 5-LO mRNA is expressed in macrophages. Rats hypoxic for 4 wk-developed pulmonary hypertension increased translocation of the lung 5-LO from the cytosol to the membrane fraction and increased levels of lung tissue 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP). A FLAP ligand, 3-[l-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-t-butyl-thio-t-isopropylindol-2-yl]-2,2- dimethylpropanoic acid (MK-886), inhibited the acute angiotensin II and hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in vitro and the development of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats in vivo. Mice bred with the deletion of the 5-LO enzyme (5-LO knockout) developed less right heart hypertrophy than age-matched 5-LO competent mice. Our results support the hypothesis that the 5-LO is involved in lung vascular tone regulation and in the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension in hypoxic rodent models.

5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins↗

NK recognition of cytomegalovirus-infected endothelial cells depends on viral replication and MHC class I expression.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection has been associated with graft rejection in solid organ transplantation and with graft-versus-host disease in marrow transplantation. We hypothesized that CMV-infected endothelial cells play an important role in the rejection process, because of their strategic localization at the interface with the host immune system and their ability to modulate T cell function. To study the effect of CMV infection on cell-mediated cytotoxicity against endothelial cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were incubated with CMV-infected umbilical vein endothelial cells (CMV-UVEC) or mock-infected controls (M-UVEC) and lysis measured by [3H]leucine release. MNC lysed only CMV-UVEC to a maximum of 23% at E:T 20:1. Lysis was not affected by CD3+ cell depletion, but was abolished by CD16+ cell depletion, indicating that NK cells were the effectors. The kinetics of the NK-mediated lysis of CMV-UVEC paralleled the time course of CMV antigen expression. Furthermore, ganciclovir treatment of CMV-UVEC cultures decreased both specific antigen synthesis and NK-mediated lysis. This indicated that NK might recognize either a viral antigen or a cellular antigen modulated by CMV infection. Treatment of CMV-UVEC with F(ab)2 fragments of human polyclonal anti-CMV antibodies failed to inhibit NK cytotoxicity. In contrast, F(ab)2 fragments of MB40.5, a murine MAb reactive with a conserved epitope on the human MHC class I, significantly decreased lysis, proving that NK lysis of CMV-UVEC is an MHC class I-dependent function. To determine whether CMV-UVEC lysis was dependent solely on upregulation of MHC class I, MNC were incubated with CMV-UVEC mixed with uninfected UVEC. There was no competition for NK-target recognition sites, indicating that NK lysis required an interaction with an MHC class I antigen modified by viral infection. Antibodies against IFN-alpha or -beta did not block NK cytotoxicity against CMV-UVEC. Our findings provide a working frame for further evaluation of cellular immune responses to CMV infection.

Antigens, Viral↗

A pathologist's approach to interstitial lung disease.

In this review, we outline how each cellular lung component participates in the multiple entities that constitute the pathological spectrum of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). It is our intent to highlight the clinically important differential diagnoses. In addition, we discuss the new concepts of the pathogenesis of ILD as they relate to the morphologic presentation of the lung diseases that target the interstitium. The interaction of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells with lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts results in destruction of the lung parenchyma. These cells participate in the disease entities that comprise ILD. They are sources of growth factors and cytokines that allow intercellular communication to occur. Thus, they play a significant role in the process of lung disease.

Cell Communication↗

Pulmonary histiocytosis X: pulmonary function and exercise pathophysiology.

Pulmonary histiocytosis X (PHX) is a diffuse, smoking-related lung disease characterized pathologically by bronchocentric inflammation, cyst formation, and widespread vascular abnormalities and physiologically by exercise limitation. The major mechanism underlying exercise impairment in this disease has not been previously defined. Spirometry, lung volumes, lung mechanics, and exercise physiology were performed on 23 patients with PHX. Two subgroups were identified on the basis of elastic recoil: 12 subjects had an elevated coefficient of elastic recoil with 11 demonstrating a predominant pattern of restriction, and 10 subjects had normal elastic recoil and relatively normal lung function. Exercise performance was severely limited in both subgroups (workload 53 +/- 3%). Abnormalities of ventilatory function and gas exchange were present but did not appear to be exercise-limiting in the majority of subjects. Indices reflecting pulmonary vascular function (DLCO, baseline VD/VT, exercise VD/VT) were abnormal. Strong correlations between overall exercise performance (% predicted VO2max) and indices of vascular involvement were present: DLCO (r = 0.68, p = 0.0004), baseline VD/VT (-0.65, 0.001), exercise VD/VT (-0.67, 0.0004). Similar correlations were found when exercise performance was measured by maximal workload achieved. We conclude that (1) subjects with PHX present with either normal or predominantly restrictive pulmonary physiology and that (2) exercise impairment is common and appears to reflect pulmonary vascular dysfunction.

Adult↗

Diffuse panbronchiolitis in the United States.

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), an important cause of progressive obstructive lung disease in the Far East, represents a distinctive sinobronchial syndrome with typical radiologic and histologic features. We have identified DPB in five citizens of the United States, three with histologic confirmation, who have never traveled to the Far East. There were four men and one woman, whose ages ranged from 46 to 75 yr at the time of diagnosis. All had a prior history of chronic sinusitis and presented with cough, dyspnea, and sputum production. Three were never smokers and two were current smokers. Pulmonary function testing revealed severe airflow limitation (the FEV1 ranging from 22% to 56% of predicted), and overdistention. All patients had high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scans indicating centrilobular nodules with adjoining thickened and dilated bronchioles. In the three patients in whom open lung biopsy was performed, there was bronchiolocentric infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and foamy macrophages. Three patients remain alive and are being treated with chronic macrolide therapy. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of these patients closely resemble those described in Japanese patients. DPB must be considered in the differential diagnosis of sinopulmonary syndromes, bronchiolitis, and cryptic cases of obstructive lung disease among United States citizens, since therapy now offers an improved prognosis.

Aged↗

Pulmonary capillaritis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. A primary manifestation of polymyositis.

Polymyositis is often complicated by either usual interstitial pneumonitis, diffuse alveolar damage, cellular interstitial pneumonitis, or bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia. Pulmonary capillaritis, a distinct interstitial reaction associated with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, occurs with the systemic vasculitides and some collagen vascular diseases. It has not been described in patients with polymyositis. We describe two patients who developed a relatively acute onset of polymyositis based on the appearance of a severe proximal myopathy, elevated serum creatine phosphokinase levels, compatible electromyographic abnormalities, inflammatory muscle biopsies, and in one case, the presence of serum anti-Jo-1 antibodies. Concomitant with their muscle disease, they developed respiratory failure that proved to be pulmonary capillaritis with varying degrees of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage as well as bronchiolitis obliterans-organizing pneumonia. Although those reactions are reported to occur with other collagen vascular diseases, these two cases are the first reports of pulmonary capillaritis and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage complicating polymyositis.

Adult↗

Increased gene expression for VEGF and the VEGF receptors KDR/Flk and Flt in lungs exposed to acute or to chronic hypoxia. Modulation of gene expression by nitric oxide.

Endothelial cells constitute an essential integrator of factors that effect blood vessel remodeling induced by chronic hypoxia. We hypothesized that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may participate in the lung response to acute and to chronic hypoxia. We found that ex vivo perfusion of isolated lungs under hypoxic conditions (when compared with normoxia) caused an increase in lung tissue mRNA of VEGF and of the VEGF receptors KDR/Flk and Flt. Chronic hypobaric hypoxia also increased lung tissue mRNA levels of VEGF, KDR/Flk, and Flt and the amount of VEGF protein. In situ hybridization studies demonstrated increased VEGF and KDR/flk hybridization signals in lungs from chronically hypoxic rats. Since endotoxin treatment of rats decreased lung VEGF mRNA, we postulated that nitric oxide (NO) or an NO-related metabolite might be involved in lung VEGF gene expression. Indeed, sodium nitroprusside, a NO donor, decreased and L-NAME (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), an inhibitor of NO-synthesis, increased both VEGF and VEGF receptor transcripts. We conclude that VEGF in the isolated perfused lung acts as an early gene in response to hypoxia and that lung VEGF and VEGF receptor mRNA levels are influenced by hypoxia and NO-dependent mechanisms.

Actins↗

Cellular and molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of severe pulmonary hypertension.

Chronic pulmonary hypertension leads to structural alterations of the lung vessels. The pathophysiology of this remodelling process is still poorly understood. Furthermore, the structural damage of the lung vessels limits the clinical success of vasodilator treatment. Given a genetic susceptibility, shear stress and inflammation are the principal pathogenetic factors involved in lung vessel remodelling. In this overview, we compared the lung vascular histology of patients with unexplained pulmonary hypertension, scleroderma, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated pulmonary hypertension. We demonstrate the presence of inflammatory cells (T- and B-lymphocytes and macrophages) in plexiform lesions and discuss the potential role of growth factors (platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pulmonary hypertensive remodelling. Ultimately, we need to develop an in-depth understanding of the key mechanisms of gene expression and signalling pathways, which transduce signals generated from increased chronic shear stress (or from chronic hypoxia) and lead to vascular injury and repair.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Maturation-related changes in endothelial nitric oxide synthase immunolocalization in developing ovine lung.

It is unknown whether high fetal pulmonary vascular tone is due in part to absent or decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the enzyme that produces nitric oxide in the vascular endothelium. To determine the timing of appearance and maturational changes of eNOS in the developing pulmonary circulation, we performed immunohistochemistry in lungs from fetal, neonatal, and adult sheep. Using a mouse monoclonal antibody against bovine aortic eNOS, we found immunoreactive eNOS selectively in the endothelium and it was present at all fetal ages. Immunoreactivity was seen as early as 29% gestation in the developing capillaries coursing through fetal mesenchyme. By 6 days after birth, immunoreactivity was decreased in most vessels and nearly absent in the distal pulmonary arteries of adult animals. We conclude that immunoreactive eNOS is present very early in fetal life and appears to decrease postnatally. We speculate that the early presence of eNOS in the fetal lung supports a possible role for endogenous nitric oxide activity in the regulation of vascular tone or angiogenesis in the developing pulmonary circulation.

Aging↗