Insights into ARDS and VILI pathobiology have been incremental and effective targeted pharmacotherapies have not yet been realized. Project #2 addresses the novel role of NAMPT, the gene encoding nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, in the pathobiology of ARDS and ventilator?induced lung injury (VILI). We identified NAMPT by genomic?intensive approaches utilizing cellular and preclinical models of excessive mechanical stress and VILI. We demonstrated that excessive mechanical stress induces robust NAMPT expression and secretion (extracellular NAMPT or eNAMPT) serves as a novel ARDS biomarker. We have shown that NAMPT exhibits 5' promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that significantly alter NAMPT promoter activity and confer significantly increased ARDS susceptibility and ARDS severity (reduced ventilator-free days, increased ARDS mortality). We determined that eNAMPT is an essential participant in VILI pathobiology directly producing a neutrophilic alveolitis and lung injury whereas reductions in eNAMPT availability (neutralizing antibodies, siRNAs, NAMPT+/- mice) dramatically attenuates the severity of lung injury in preclinical VILI /ARDS models. Finally, we demonstrated that NAMPT expression is spatially-localized with robust expression and secretion by lung endothelial cells (ECs) with eNAMPT a novel ligand for the Toll?like receptor 4 (TLR4) inducing NF?B transcriptional activities and inflammatory lung injury. Although eNAMPT is clearly an attractive ARDS/VILI target, critical gaps remain in the understanding of NAMPT-mediated lung pathobiology, issues which need to be addressed for robust translation to an ICU therapy. Project #2 will address these key gaps focusing on mechanical stress-challenged lung EC (a major source of secreted eNAMPT), on eNAMPT contribution to increases in vascular permeability (a major therapeutic target in ARDS), and on the critical influence of eNAMPT binding to lung EC TLR4 in VILI development. Project #2 Specific Aims (SAs) are designed to address these gaps with SA #1 elucidating mechanical stress-mediated genetic and epigenetic regulation of NAMPT expression (transcription factors, CpG demethylation, 3'UTR miRNA binding, NAMPT SNPs). Based on exciting preliminary data, SA #2 will define regulation of eNAMPT secretion by caspase-mediated cleavage and ABC transporters. With Core B (Molecular Biology & Genetics Core) and Core D (Protein Chemistry Core), SA #3 will define structure/function mechanisms involved in NAMPT binding of TLR4 and the influence of TLR4 and NAMPT coding SNPs on ligand?receptor interactions. Finally, utilizing preclinical VILI/ARDS models, including a novel conditional EC?specific and lung epithelium-specific NAMPT KO mice (Core C: Pre-clinical Animal Model Core), SA #4 will translate SA #1- #3 data into actionable information to attenuate VILI/ARDS and define the impact of reduced NAMPT expression and secretion (STAT5/HIF2? inhibitors), eNAMPT elimination (neutralizing antibodies), and TLR4 antagonism (peptide inhibitors). Project #2 will advance understanding of NAMPT participation in VILI/ARDS and promote the application of individualized therapies for the critically ill.

Public Health Relevance

/RELEVANCE: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating inflammatory lung disease with an estimated 200,000 cases/yr in the United States and an unacceptable high mortality rate of 30-40%. Mechanical ventilation directly contributes to de novo lung injury and exaggerates established acute lung injury, a condition known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Despite recent advances in care of the critically ill, there remains a need for improved understanding of VILI/ARDS pathophysiology and a need for improved therapeutic options for these patients that are currently severely limited. We have developed and proposed new therapeutic approaches that target NAMPT and TLR4, which will result in the development of precise, individualized therapies for the critically ill.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01HL134610-04
Application #
10094248
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1)
Program Officer
Zhou, Guofei
Project Start
2018-02-05
Project End
2023-01-31
Budget Start
2021-02-01
Budget End
2022-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Type
DUNS #
806345617
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
Gross, Christine M; Kellner, Manuela; Wang, Ting et al. (2018) LPS-induced Acute Lung Injury Involves NF-?B-mediated Downregulation of SOX18. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 58:614-624
Liu, Pengfei; Rojo de la Vega, Montserrat; Sammani, Saad et al. (2018) RPA1 binding to NRF2 switches ARE-dependent transcriptional activation to ARE-NRE-dependent repression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:E10352-E10361
Whitaker, Morgan E; Nair, Vineet; Sinari, Shripad et al. (2018) Diabetes Mellitus Associates with Increased Right Ventricular Afterload and Remodeling in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Am J Med 131:702.e7-702.e13
Oita, Radu C; Camp, Sara M; Ma, Wenli et al. (2018) Novel Mechanism for Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Inhibition of TNF-?-mediated Apoptosis in Human Lung Endothelial Cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 59:36-44