Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2003 Substance P-induced pulmonary vascular remodelling in precision cut lung slices1 Anatomy and Cell Biology, JustusLiebigUniversity, Giessen and 2 Division of Allergy Research, Dept of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Charité, HumboldtUniversity, Berlin, Germany CORRESPONDENCE: J. Springer, Division of Allergy Research, Dept of Pediatric Pneumology and Immunology, Biomedical Research Center, VirchowCampus, Charité, HumboldtUniversity, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany. Fax: 49 30450559951. E-mail: jochen.springer@charite.de Keywords: precision cut lung slices, pulmonary hypertension, reactive oxygen species, substance P, vascular remodelling
Received: March 13, 2003
Substance P (SP) levels have been reported to be elevated in animal models of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and chronic administration of SP has been shown to induce PH. In the present study, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as mediators of SP-induced vascular remodelling and PH was analysed.
Vascular remodelling was induced in precision cut lung slices by treatment with [Sar9,Met11(O2)]-SP and by hypoxia. Functional analyses were used to study the chronic [Sar9,Met11(O2)]-SP-mediated effects on proliferation and generation of ROS, which is involved in the pathogenesis of PH. The nonpeptide NK-1 receptor antagonist CP 96345 was used to block [Sar9,Met11(O2)]-SP effects. ROS generation and proliferation was assayed by the dichloroflouresceindiacetate method and incorporation of 5-Bromo-2'-Deoxyuridine, respectively.
ROS generation was induced by either 1% oxygen (5.8-fold) or [Sar9,Met11(O2)]-SP (8-fold) in normoxia in the alveolar region. [Sar9,Met11(O2)]-SP did not further elevate ROS levels in hypoxia, suggesting an oxygendependent mechanism. High ROS levels stabilised hypoxia inducible factor-1
The results presented in this study indicate a role of SP in proliferative events associated with vascular remodelling in pulmonary hypertension.
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