Key result
Pretreatment with losartan or the Caspase 3 inhibitor ZVAD-fmk significantly decreased meconium-induced Caspase-3 activation and lung cell apoptosis in newborn rabbit lungs and human epithelial cells.
Why the study?
Does AT1 receptor blockade or Caspase 3 inhibition prevent meconium-induced apoptosis in newborn lungs?
Does AT1 receptor blockade or Caspase 3 inhibition prevent meconium-induced apoptosis in newborn lungs?
AT1 receptor blockade and Caspase 3 inhibition attenuate meconium-induced lung cell apoptosis, suggesting a role for the local pulmonary renin-angiotensin system in meconium aspiration syndrome.
Supports AT1 blockade in meconium aspiration models; leaves open clinical translation and requires prospective newborn trials.
Background and objectives: In prior studies we demonstrated that meconium-induced lung cell death by apoptosis was associated with activation of the local pulmonary renin-angiotensin system (RASL). Alveolar epithelial apoptosis requires the authocrine synthesis and proteolytic processing of angiotensinogen (AGT) to Angiotensin II (ANG II). Inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) block meconium-induced apoptosis. ANG II plays an essential role in vascular homeostasis and lung injury. The objectives of this study were to evaluate expression of AGT, ANG II and Caspase 3 in meconium and saline treated newborn lungs and to study mechanisms of its inhibition by a selective antagonist of the AT1 receptor. Methods: Two week old rabbits were studied. Three treatment groups were studied (six rabbit pups in each group): Group 1: rabbits instilled with saline; Group 2: rabbits instilled with 10% meconium; Group 3: Losartan pretreated followed by meconium-instillation. Three groups of A549 human lung epithelial cells were studies as well. Group 4: AGT pretreated and then meconium-exposed cells; Group 5: ANG II pretreated and then meconium exposed cells and Group 6: Caspase 3 inhibitor ZVAD-fmk pretreated and then meconium exposed cells. AGT, ANG II and Caspase 3 were evaluated and compared with and without inhibitors in meconium and control groups. Results: In Situ End Labeling (ISEL) and Caspase 3 assays showed that purified ANG II induced dose dependent apoptosis in rabbit lung lavage cells and the human A549 lung epithelial cell line. Apoptosis also was induced by purified AGT. The increase in apoptotic cells was accompanied by increases in ANG II and Caspase 3 activities. In both airway epithelium and alveolar wall cells, measures of apoptosis were attenuated by Losartan or by the Caspase 3 inhibitor ZVAD-fmk. Conclusions: These data demonstrate the presence of a functional ANG II and Caspase 3 dependent apoptotic pathways in newborn meconium-instilled lungs. They also imply that meconium-induced apoptosis is modulated by the pulmonary RASL system in which ANG II plays a critical role. Both losartan and the Caspase 3 inhibitor ZVAD-fmk pretreatment significantly decreased meconium-induced Caspase-3 activation and lung cell apoptosis.
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Zagariya et al. (2011) studied Meconium-induced lung cell apoptosis (n=18). Losartan and ZVAD-fmk vs. Saline or meconium alone was evaluated on Apoptosis and Caspase 3 activation. Pretreatment with losartan or the Caspase 3 inhibitor ZVAD-fmk significantly decreased meconium-induced Caspase-3 activation and lung cell apoptosis in newborn rabbit lungs and human epithelial cells.
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