Lewisite has been identified as a potential threat chemical which could be used in chemical warfare. Topical exposure to lewisite results in cutaneous blistering and inflammation, which may be severe and painful. In this application, we will test the hypothesis that lewisite, by penetrating skin, ruptures the cutaneous barrier functions as a consequence of disruption of proteins associated with tight junctions and water/glycerin transport. These effects are mediated via activation of hippo signaling pathway, FAK kinases, ubiquitin ligases, proteases such as Cathepsin, and other lysozymal proteases. The acute inflammation is mediated through the activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling triggered by arsenic-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and activation of DNA damage response signaling. Crosstalk between these intricate signaling pathways results in the pathogenesis of painful blisters and inflammation. Blocking these molecular targets by small molecules may intercept these effects.
Aim 1 will investigate the effects of lewisite on disruption of skin barrier function and blistering by studying its effects o tight junction proteins such as claudins, occludin, zonula occludens (ZO), etc. in epidermis. In addition, proteins involved in the regulation of water/glycerin transport, the aquaporins, will be studied. The effects of lewisite on acute cutaneous inflammatory response will also be investigated by determining the kinetics of inflammatory responses and, at their peak, assessing hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration. Then, we will assay the pro-inflammatory mediators, IL-6, interferon-?, prostaglandin E2, ROS, RNS (including NO) etc. using skin biopsies from lewisite- treated Ptch1+/-/SKH-1 hairless mice. We will determine whether lewisite-modulated UPR signaling regulates these pro-inflammatory effects.
In Aim 2, we will screen the effectiveness of dietary and synthetic test agents on biomarkers depicting barrier function, blistering, and inflammation. The two most efficacious agents chosen from a series of dietary and synthetic chemicals based on their known potential to block molecular targets involved in barrier function/blistering/inflammation will be evaluated further in this aim. After defining the therapeutic window, kinetics of action, ability to reverse lewisite-induced molecular changes and underlying cutaneous inflammation/blistering by these select agents will be assessed. Thus, this proposal will employ a novel murine model to unravel the molecular mechanism of lewisite in order to develop mechanism-based antidotes/therapy. Small molecule candidate lead-compounds can easily be taken to further murine studies by submitting a prospective application (R01 or U01) and finally to clinical trials based on their known toxicity profile and use for other conditions. The outcome of the proposed research is likely to have a significant impact on human health protection in the event of mass population exposure to war threat chemicals.

Public Health Relevance

This proposal unravels the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of lewisite- induced painful cutaneous blistering/inflammation and develops small molecules that can attenuate these effects. In this regard, the focus of this research is on the amelioration of disrupted tight and coherens junction and water/glycerin transport proteins which may be involved in blistering/inflammation. The outcome of the proposed research is likely to have a significant impact on human health protection in the event of mass population exposure to war threat chemicals.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
3R21AR064595-02S1
Application #
8927140
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-B (55))
Program Officer
Tseng, Hung H
Project Start
2014-09-18
Project End
2015-08-31
Budget Start
2014-09-18
Budget End
2015-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$73,500
Indirect Cost
$23,500
Name
University of Alabama Birmingham
Department
Dermatology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
063690705
City
Birmingham
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
35294
Srivastava, Ritesh K; Li, Changzhao; Weng, Zhiping et al. (2016) Defining cutaneous molecular pathobiology of arsenicals using phenylarsine oxide as a prototype. Sci Rep 6:34865
Li, Changzhao; Srivastava, Ritesh K; Weng, Zhiping et al. (2016) Molecular Mechanism Underlying Pathogenesis of Lewisite-Induced Cutaneous Blistering and Inflammation: Chemical Chaperones as Potential Novel Antidotes. Am J Pathol 186:2637-49
Srivastava, Ritesh K; Li, Changzhao; Ahmad, Aftab et al. (2016) ATF4 regulates arsenic trioxide-mediated NADPH oxidase, ER-mitochondrial crosstalk and apoptosis. Arch Biochem Biophys 609:39-50
Athar, Mohammad; Li, Changzhao; Kim, Arianna L et al. (2014) Sonic hedgehog signaling in Basal cell nevus syndrome. Cancer Res 74:4967-75
Hunt, Katherine M; Srivastava, Ritesh K; Elmets, Craig A et al. (2014) The mechanistic basis of arsenicosis: pathogenesis of skin cancer. Cancer Lett 354:211-9
Li, Changzhao; Srivastava, Ritesh K; Elmets, Craig A et al. (2013) Arsenic-induced cutaneous hyperplastic lesions are associated with the dysregulation of Yap, a Hippo signaling-related protein. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 438:607-12
Li, Changzhao; Weng, Zhiping; Doran, Stephen F et al. (2013) Chlorine induces the unfolded protein response in murine lungs and skin. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 49:197-203
Srivastava, Ritesh K; Li, Changzhao; Chaudhary, Sandeep C et al. (2013) Unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling regulates arsenic trioxide-mediated macrophage innate immune function disruption. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 272:879-87