Inhaled activated protein C attenuates lung injury induced by aerosolized endotoxin in mice.
The serine protease activated protein C (APC) possesses prominent anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory actions. In this study, we investigated the effect of inhaled recombinant human (rh) APC in a murine lung injury model. Animals inhaled 10 mg of Pseudomonas lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 3 mL normal saline (NS); 30 min prior to LPS, mice were pretreated with inhaled rhAPC (4 mg/3 mL NS; APC+LPS group) or NS (LPS group). A control animal group inhaled vehicle (NS) twice. 24 h later, total cells and cell-types, protein content, and the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, and mouse keratinocyte-derived chemokine (a homolog of human IL-8) were estimated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung pathology given as total histology score (THS), wet/dry lung weight ratios, and lung vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression were additionally assessed. rhAPC inhalation attenuated the aerosolized LPS-induced increases of: total cells, neutrophils and macrophages in BALF, lung tissue VCAM-1 protein levels, and THS. Total protein levels and cytokines in BALF, and wet/dry weight ratios were increased in the LPS group, but rhAPC pretreatment did not significantly alter the LPS-induced responses. In conclusion, in this murine septic model of lung injury, inhaled rhAPC appears to attenuate lung inflammation, without reversing the observed increases in lung permeability and BALF cytokines. This effect may be associated with leukocyte trafficking modifications, related, at least in part, to VCAM-1 reduction.
Kotanidou
Anastasia
A
1st Department of Critical Care Medicine--Pulmonary Services, Evangelismos Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. akotanid@med.uoa.gr
Loutrari
Heleni
H
Papadomichelakis
Evangelos
E
Glynos
Constantinos
C
Magkou
Christina
C
Armaganidis
Apostolos
A
Papapetropoulos
Andreas
A
Roussos
Charis
C
Orfanos
Stylianos E
SE
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000336:Aerosols; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004731:Endotoxins; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011486:Protein C / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000235:genetics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000336:Aerosols; D004731:Endotoxins; D011486:Protein C; D011994:Recombinant Proteins