title: Inhibition of TNFalpha in vivo prevents hyperoxia-mediated activation of caspase 3 in type II cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mechanisms during the initial phase of oxygen toxicity leading to pulmonary tissue damage are incompletely known. Increase of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) represents one of the first pulmonary responses to hyperoxia. We hypothesised that, in the initial phase of hyperoxia, TNFalpha activates the caspase cascade in type II pneumocytes (TIIcells).
  
  
  METHODS
  Lung sections or freshly isolated TIIcells of control and hyperoxic treated rats (48 hrs) were used for the determination of TNFalpha (ELISA), TNF-receptor 1 (Western blot) and activity of caspases 8, 3, and 9 (colorimetrically). NF-kappaB activation was determined by EMSA, by increase of the p65 subunit in the nuclear fraction, and by immunocytochemistry using a monoclonal anti-NF-kappaB-antibody which selectively stained the activated, nuclear form of NF-kappa B. Apoptotic markers in lung tissue sections (TUNEL) and in TIIcells (cell death detection ELISA, Bax, Bcl-2, mitochondrial membrane potential, and late and early apoptotic cells) were measured using commercially available kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vivo, hyperoxia activated NF-kappaB and increased the expression of TNFalpha, TNF-receptor 1 and the activity of caspase 8 and 3 in freshly isolated TIIcells. Intratracheal application of anti-TNFalpha antibodies prevented the increase of TNFRI and of caspase 3 activity. Under hyperoxia, there was neither a significant change of cytosolic cytochrome C or of caspase 9 activity, nor an increase in apoptosis of TIIcells. Hyperoxia-induced activation of caspase 3 gradually decreased over two days of normoxia without increasing apoptosis. Therefore, activation of caspase 3 is a temporary effect in sublethal hyperoxia and did not mark the "point of no return" in TIIcells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the initiation phase of pulmonary oxygen toxicity, an increase of TNFalpha and its receptor TNFR1 leads to the activation of caspase 8 and 3 in TIIcells. Together with the hyperoxic induced increase of Bax and the decrease of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3 can be seen as sensitisation for apoptosis. Eliminating the TNFalpha effect in vivo by anti-TNFalpha antibodies prevents the pro-apoptotic sensitisation of TIIcells.
authors.affiliation: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Klinik für Neonatologie, Charité Campus Mitte, D-10098 Berlin, Germany. florian.guthmann@charite.de
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guthmann
authors.forename: Heide
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wissel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schachtrup
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tölle
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rüdiger
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spener
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rüstow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053148:Caspase 3; D053181:Caspase 8; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000378:metabolism*; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C505410:Casp3 protein, rat; C505528:Casp8 protein, rat; D053148:Caspase 3; D053181:Caspase 8; D020169:Caspases