title: Bleomycin-induced apoptosis of alveolar epithelial cells requires angiotensin synthesis de novo.
abstract: Primary cultures of rat type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) or human AEC-derived A549 cells, when exposed to bleomycin (Bleo), exhibited concentration-dependent apoptosis detected by altered nuclear morphology, fragmentation of DNA, activation of caspase-3, and net cell loss over time. In both cell culture models, exposure to Bleo caused time-dependent increases in angiotensinogen (ANGEN) mRNA. Antisense oligonucleotides against ANGEN mRNA inhibited Bleo-induced apoptosis of rat AEC or A549 cells by 83 and 84%, respectively (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), and prevented Bleo-induced net cell loss. Apoptosis of rat AECs or A549 cells in response to Bleo was inhibited 91% by the ANG-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril or 82%, respectively, by neutralizing antibodies specific for ANG II (both P < 0.01). Antagonists of ANG receptor AT(1) (losartan, L-158809, or saralasin), but not an AT(2)-selective blocker (PD-123319), inhibited Bleo-induced apoptosis of either rat AECs (79%, P < 0.01) or A549 cells (83%, P < 0.01) and also reduced the activity of caspase-3 by 52% (P < 0.05). These data indicate that Bleo, like Fas(L) or TNF-alpha, induces transactivation of ANG synthesis de novo that is required for AEC apoptosis. They also support the theory that ANG system antagonists have potential for the blockade of AEC apoptosis in situ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaopeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Soledad-Conrad
authors.forename: Jiaju
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Uhal
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000809:Angiotensins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000494:pharmacology; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000809:Angiotensins; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D001761:Bleomycin; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases