We previously identified significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for inflammatory and hyperpermeability responses to 0.3 ppm ozone (O3) on chromosomes 17 and 4, respectively. The chromosome 17 QTL includes the candidate gene Tnf that encodes TNF-a. TNF-a is a key proinflammatory cytokine, and pretreatment of susceptible C57BL/6J mice with anti-TNF-a antibody significantly attenuated O3-induced pulmonary injury, providing strong evidence for Tnf as an O3-susceptibility gene. To understand further the mechanisms through which TNF-a modulates O3-induced inflammation and injury, we began to investigate TNF-a cell signaling following O3 exposure. The cellular effects of TNF-a are mediated by two structurally related, but functionally distinct, receptors: TNF receptor 1 (55 kDa, TNFR1) and TNF receptor 2 (75 kDa, TNFR2). To investigate the roles of TNFR1 and TNFR2 in this model, O3-susceptible C57BL/6J mice (B6; wild type, wt) and B6 mice with targeted disruption (knockout) of the genes for p55 TNF receptor (TNFR1-/-), p75 TNF receptor (TNFR2-/-), or both (TNFR1/TNFR2-/-), were exposed to 0.3 ppm O3 for 48 h (sub-acute), and lung responses were determined by bronchoalveolar lavage. All TNFR-deficient mice had significantly less O3-induced inflammation and epithelial damage, but not lung hyperpermeability, than wt mice did. Compared to air controls, O3 elicited up-regulation of lung TNFR1 and TNFR2 mRNA in wt mice, and down-regulated TNFR1 and TNFR2 mRNA in TNFR2-/- and TNFR1-/- mice, respectively. Airway hyperreactivity induced by acute O3 exposure (2 ppm, 3 hr) was diminished in knockout mice compared to wt, though lung inflammation and permeability remained elevated. Results suggested a critical role for TNFR signaling in sub-acute O3-induced pulmonary epithelial injury and inflammation, and in acute O3-induced airway hyperreactivity. We have continued these studies to further investigate the mechanisms through which TNFR modulates O3-induced lung injury. To further investigate the genes within the chromosome 17 QTL that control susceptibility to O3-induced inflammation, we have used additional genetic tools to restrict the QTL and focus on additional candidate genes within the restricted QTL. Using congenic mice, differential gene expression, and informative sequence variation we have identified MHC Class II genes as novel important genes that contribute to differential O3 susceptibility. ? ? As early inflammatory response by inhaled O3 is characterized primarily by release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and airway neutrophil accumulation. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of oxidative lung disorders including acute lung injury, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We have therefore begun to characterize the role of these mediators and innate immune molecules in the acute phase of the inflammatory response induced by O3 exposure. ? ? Our laboratory has also begun to investigate the role innate immunity genes (in particular, TLR4) and inflammation in lung neoplasia. TLRs transduce exogenous and endogenous signals into production of inflammatory cytokines to shape and coordinate adaptive immune responses. By using models of Tlr4 deletion and mutation, we have determined that TLR4 has a protective role in chronic lung inflammation and carcinogenesis.
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