Innate immunity forms a critical arm of host defense in the lungs, and neutrophils are an important component. This application focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate the response of neutrophils. hanges in cytoskeletal structure and adhesivity are critical events in this response. The cytoskeletal changes induced by binding of mediators result in the initial sequestration of neutrophils within pulmonary capillaries. They take the form of increased cytoskeletal formation in a circumferential rim beneath the plasma membrane that leads to decreased ability to deform. Subsequent cytoskeletal rearrangements required for flattening and rawling along and between cells and through connective tissue are initiated by both ligation of adhesion molecules and binding of chemotaxic factors to their receptors. These rearrangements are dynamic and likely to ?esult from complex interactions between signaling pathways activated by adhesion and mediator receptors. Furthermore, the release of neutrophils from the bone marrow, necessary for mobilization of neutrophils needed for host defense in the lungs, likely involves similar cytoskeletal structural and adhesive changes initiated by circulating mediators. The working hypothesis for this proposal is that the response of neutrophils to nflammatory stimuli in the lung tissue and blood is modulated by a series of cytoskeletal structural and adhesive changes.
Aim 1 determines the signaling pathways leading to cytoskeletal rearrangements following nnding of mediators to receptors and the role of these rearrangements in neutrophil sequestration in vivo.
Aim 2 focuses on determining the interactions between adhesive and structural changes in neutrophils when they bind to pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo through GDI l/CD18-dependent and - ndependent pathways. The goal of Aim 3 is to determine the role of adhesive and structural changes in the ?elease of neutrophils from the bone marrow.
Aim 4 determines the mechanisms through which CD44, a ?eceptor on neutrophils for hyaluronic acid, modulates neutrophil emigration in the lungs upon ligation. Our goal is to provide informationthat will ultimatelybe used to therapeutically modulate human disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37HL048160-20
Application #
7650382
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Harabin, Andrea L
Project Start
1992-04-10
Project End
2012-03-31
Budget Start
2009-04-01
Budget End
2010-03-31
Support Year
20
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$370,000
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Gomez, John C; Dang, Hong; Kanke, Matthew et al. (2017) Predicted effects of observed changes in the mRNA and microRNA transcriptome of lung neutrophils during S. pneumoniae pneumonia in mice. Sci Rep 7:11258
Gomez, John C; Dang, Hong; Martin, Jessica R et al. (2016) Nrf2 Modulates Host Defense during Streptococcus pneumoniae Pneumonia in Mice. J Immunol 197:2864-79
Gomez, John C; Yamada, Mitsuhiro; Martin, Jessica R et al. (2015) Mechanisms of interferon-? production by neutrophils and its function during Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 52:349-64
Kebaier, Chahnaz; Chamberland, Robin R; Allen, Irving C et al. (2012) Staphylococcus aureus ?-hemolysin mediates virulence in a murine model of severe pneumonia through activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. J Infect Dis 205:807-17
Yamada, Mitsuhiro; Gomez, John C; Chugh, Pauline E et al. (2011) Interferon-? production by neutrophils during bacterial pneumonia in mice. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 183:1391-401
Kang, Inkyung; Wang, Qin; Eppell, Steven J et al. (2010) Effect of neutrophil adhesion on the mechanical properties of lung microvascular endothelial cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 43:591-8
Gomez, John C; Doerschuk, Claire M (2010) The role of CD18 in the production and release of neutrophils from the bone marrow. Lab Invest 90:599-610
Gomez, John C; Soltys, Jindrich; Okano, Keiichi et al. (2008) The role of Rac2 in regulating neutrophil production in the bone marrow and circulating neutrophil counts. Am J Pathol 173:507-17
Kang, Inkyung; Panneerselvam, Dinesh; Panoskaltsis, Vassilis P et al. (2008) Changes in the hyperelastic properties of endothelial cells induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Biophys J 94:3273-85
Yoshida, Kazuo; Kondo, Ryoichi; Wang, Qin et al. (2006) Neutrophil cytoskeletal rearrangements during capillary sequestration in bacterial pneumonia in rats. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 174:689-98

Showing the most recent 10 out of 47 publications