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Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a late cause of morbidity and mortality following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Previous work in our laboratory showed that alveolar macrophages were primed for increased responsiveness to lipopolysaccharides, as evidenced by augmented inflammatory cytokine production. Recent studies have shown that macrophages can be polarized into two phenotypes, namely pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, in response to various environmental cues. The major hypothesis to be tested in this thesis is that HS/R shifts the M1/M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages to favour a pro-inflammatory milieu in the lung. A biphasic shift in the phenotype of alveolar macrophages in response to HS/R characterized by an early reduction of M2 cells followed by a late up-regulation of M1 macrophages was observed. The administration of M2- polarizing PPARγ agonists prior to HS/R restored the M1/M2 balance of alveolar macrophages and reduced lung injury.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a late cause of morbidity and mortality following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. Previous work in our laboratory showed that alveolar macrophages were primed for increased responsiveness to lipopolysaccharides, as evidenced by augmented inflammatory cytokine production. Recent studies have shown that macrophages can be polarized into two phenotypes, namely pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, in response to various environmental cues. The major hypothesis to be tested in this thesis is that HS/R shifts the M1/M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages to favour a pro-inflammatory milieu in the lung. A biphasic shift in the phenotype of alveolar macrophages in response to HS/R characterized by an early reduction of M2 cells followed by a late up-regulation of M1 macrophages was observed. The administration of M2- polarizing PPARγ agonists prior to HS/R restored the M1/M2 balance of alveolar macrophages and reduced lung injury.

Introduction: Civilian trauma remains a significant health care problem in North American society. Hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (S/R) have been shown to prime the immune system for an exaggerated response to subsequent otherwise innocuous inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), resulting in multiple organ failure or death. Using a rodent model of lung injury, we previously demonstrated that antecedent S/R leads to augmented LPS-induced lung injury by way of heightened NF-κB nuclear translocation, resulting in increased elaboration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in alveolar macrophages. Further studies revealed that oxidative stress generated during S/R is responsible for this priming phenomenon. Our group recently identified two significant alterations to LPS signaling under oxidative stress conditions in macrophages: 1) the rapid recruitment of the LPS receptor Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) to membrane lipid rafts, and 2) the reprogramming of LPS signaling to a Src-dependent pathway involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Major Objective and Hypothesis: The objective of this thesis is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the augmented cellular responsiveness observed in macrophages following oxidative stress. The central hypothesis is that oxidative stress regulates LPS signaling by altering the activation and assembly of TLR4 receptor signaling components through generation of the lipid ceramide. Summary of Findings: In the first paper, we demonstrate that the antioxidant stilbazulenyl nitrone (STAZN), a novel second-generation azulenyl nitrone, is protective in a rodent two-hit model of lung injury involving hemorrhagic S/R and subsequent intra-tracheal LPS injection. Resultant oxidative stress and lung injury in vivo were significantly reduced by STAZN following S/R and LPS. In the second paper, we explore the mechanism underlying oxidant-induced surface up-regulation of TLR4 in macrophages. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry techniques, hydrogen peroxide in vitro and hemorrhagic S/R in vivo are shown to induce TLR4 translocation in macrophages in a ceramide and Src-dependent manner, and the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is shown to mediate ceramide generation. In the third paper, the role of ceramide in oxidant-induced macrophage priming for LPS signaling is investigated. Ceramide generation via ASM is shown to have a prominent upstream role in oxidant activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway via Src kinases in macrophages. Furthermore, oxidative stress is shown to reprogram LPS signaling to a ceramide dependent pathway. Conclusion: Together, these findings highlight the role of oxidative stress in mediating augmented cellular responsiveness following S/R, and describe the role of ceramide as a central upstream mediator of oxidant priming in macrophages. The hierarchy of signaling molecules and interactions described herein represent novel targets for modulating oxidative stress in the treatment of critical illness and organ injury.

Includes copies of articles co-authored by the author during the preparation of this thesis, in back pocket. / Errata attached to back flyleaf. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-139). / 139 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / The results presented lend further evidence to previous work suggesting that cold shock domain factors function to repress granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor transcription via DNA binding to single stranded regions across the proximal promoter. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Adelaide University, Dept. of Medicine, 2001

Glucocorticoids (GC) are powerful metabolic hormones with anti-inflammatory actions. Despite major side effects they remain widely prescribed therapies. GC regulates gene expression through an intracellular receptor (GR), which is a ligand activated transcription factor. Macrophages are innate immune cells and major targets of GC. Traditionally repression of pro-inflammatory genes in the context of an inflammatory stimulus has been considered the primary mode of action of GC in macrophages. The work described in this thesis has demonstrated that GC act primarily as inducers of gene expression in primary macrophages from both mouse and man, but the set of induced genes is very different between the two species. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and sequencing (ChIP-seq) in each species using anti-GR antibodies revealed candidate enhancers in the vicinity of inducible genes that were generally not shared between mouse and man. The differences in binding were correlated with DNA sequence changes at the enhancer sites between the two species, that caused gain or loss of predicted GR receptor-binding motifs. The mechanism of action of GC was investigated by imaging several different target loci using fluorescence in situ hybridisation in macrophage nuclei. Chromatin at specific GC responsive loci was found to decondense within minutes of exposure of macrophages to the ligand. The apparent decondensation was effect was maintained for at least 24 hours and was not prevented by inhibitors of transcription. The general principles of the GC response were shared between species. However the divergence found underlines the caution that must be used when translating specific findings from mouse to man. Additionally, the data support a role for GR driven changes to chromatin structure in gene regulation in macrophages.

Macrophages are mononuclear phagocytic cells that have diverse roles within the body. Tissue specific macrophages, e.g. Kupffer cells, microglia and osteoclasts, have roles in tissue homeostasis, while circulating macrophages play an important role in the innate immune system. Macrophages detect the presence of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) via a range of receptors known collectively as pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). Detection of pathogens causes the macrophages to become ‘activated,’ during which the macrophages undergo extreme morphological and translational changes that enable the pathogen to be neutralised and other immune system components to be recruited. Macrophage activation must be carefully regulated and promptly resolved, as chronic inflammation is damaging to the host. MicroRNAs have emerged as one mechanism by which activation is regulated. MicroRNAs are small, non-coding pieces of RNA that function as a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism. Their action is exerted through binding with a complementary region in the 3’ untranslated region (3’UTR) of the target mRNA. This binding, facilitated by the ribonuclear protein complex RISC, prevents successful translation of the mRNA into its protein product. MicroRNAs have been shown to function across species, throughout development and during the adult life-span. In the immune system, microRNAs are known to be required for correct formation of germinal centres and normal development of B- and T-cells. MicroRNAs have also been shown to be differentially regulated during macrophage activation with different stimuli. In particular, miR-155, miR-146a and miR-21 are associated with macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The objective of this work was to further understand the role of microRNAs during macrophage activation with LPS. Two approaches were adopted. Firstly, the regulation of individual microRNAs in LPS-activated bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) was characterised by the use of illumina small RNA sequencing. Secondly, the requirement of the global microRNA population during macrophage biology was investigated through the use of DGCR8 and Dicer knockout systems. In keeping with the large number of changes reported in mRNA translation upon activation, expression of >400 microRNAs were found to be differentially regulated by exposure to LPS. Twelve of these microRNAs were chosen for further study (miR- 142-3p, -146a, -15b, -155, -16, -191, -21, -27b, -30b, -322-5p, -378 and -7a). Individual knock-down of these microRNAs in the RAW264.7 macrophage-like cell line mostly demonstrated subtle, rather than dramatic changes to the activation marker genes studied by RT-QPCR analysis. However, knock-down of miR-146a, -15b, - 155 and -191 were able to significantly alter the expression of the activation marker genes (Tnf-a, Cox2, Cxcl2, Il-6 and Saa3). Interestingly, knock-down of miR-142-3p, miR-146a and miR-155 appeared to show cross-regulation of these microRNAs. The cell index (CI) data suggested that miR-191 and miR-21 influence adhesion in activated macrophages. Studies with the DGCR8 and Dicer knockout systems showed that the global microRNA population was required for successful differentiation of macrophages from embryonic stem cells, and for normal expression of differentiation and activation markers in bone marrow derived macrophages. Overall, these results show that dynamic expression of microRNAs is an integral part of the macrophage response to LPS.

Macrophages play a key role in maintaining the balance and efficiency of the immune response. TH2 cytokines IL-4 & IL-13, through shared IL-4Rα signalling, trigger a state of alternative activation in macrophages and also drive their proliferation. Alternatively activated macrophages (AAMΦ) are involved in the control of helminth infections and have also been implicated in tissue repair. However, TH2 weighted imbalance can result in inflammatory disorders such as asthma and fibrosis. Hence, macrophage responses must be tightly regulated. MicroRNAs, a short (~22nt) class of non-coding RNA, are one such immunomodulatory feedback mechanism that can regulate gene expression by targeting the 3’ UTR of mRNA resulting in destabilisation of the mRNA and/or inhibition of translation. With their ability for vast gene regulation, it was hypothesised that microRNAs could play a crucial role in the regulation of AAMΦ by targeting genes and pathways critical for their induction, maintenance & proliferation. Previously generated microarrays in the lab have allowed us to identify microRNAs differentially expressed in AAMΦ. In an effort to determine which microRNAs are genuinely associated with alternative activation, the first part of this project examined the expression profiles of ten shortlisted microRNA candidates under varying conditions of alternative activation, ranging from a reductionist in vitro IL-4/13 stimulation of macrophage cell lines to a complex in vivo TH2 mouse model of filarial infection. Profiling of microRNA expression under these conditions revealed that the expression of two IL-4Rα dependent microRNAs, namely miR-199b-5p and miR-378, along with another microRNA, miR-146, was highly regulated and consistently associated with alternative activation. The subsequent chapters of this thesis investigated the contribution of these microRNAs in regulating AAMΦ responses. Interestingly, we identified miR-199b-5p as being highly expressed in AAMΦ in vivo but not in vitro. Pathway analysis identified insulin signalling and other proliferative pathways such as PI3K/AKT as being highly targeted by miR-199b-5p. Overexpression of miR-199b-5p in RAW 264.7 cells resulted in a reduction in the rate of proliferation and a change in the levels of Insulin Receptor Substrate -1 (IRS-1), suggesting that miR-199b- 5p might regulate macrophage proliferation via insulin signalling. An alteration in the expression of YM-1 and RELM-α, markers characteristic of alternative activation, was also observed. MiR-199b-5p was successfully delivered to the lung and overexpressed in alternatively activated alveolar macrophages. No effect was observed on IL-4 induced proliferation, potentially due to the lack of significant insulin receptor and IRS-1 expression in alveolar macrophages. However, secreted levels of YM-1, but not RELM-α, were significantly reduced. MiR-378 is a microRNA that has previously been shown to be associated with AAMΦ through targeting of AKT-1; however, a direct influence of this microRNA on the regulation of this phenotype is yet to be determined. In this thesis, we have provided direct evidence of the impact of miR-378 deficiency on the regulation of AAMΦ and their responses using miR-378 KO mice. The ability of macrophages isolated from WT and KO animals to alternatively activate was studied in various systems both in vitro and in vivo. The influence of miR-378 deficiency on IL-4 induced proliferation was also addressed in vivo. Although the lack of miR-378 had no significant effect on IL-4 driven macrophage proliferation, results from this chapter support a role for miR-378 in the regulation of alternative activation through regulation of YM-1 and RELM-α expression. Lastly, to determine whether this regulation by miR-378 had functional consequences, we also utilised Litomosoides sigmodontis, a murine model of filarial infection. Due to experimental limitations, a concrete role for miR-378 in the context of infection could not be established. The final chapter of this thesis focuses on examining the role of miR-146 in the regulation of AAMΦ. MiR-146a is a highly studied microRNA that has previously been linked strongly to TH1 immune responses, especially classical activation of macrophages. However, a role for this microRNA in regulating AAMΦ is yet to be determined. Expression levels of miR-146a and miR-146b, the two isoforms of miR-146, were found to be differentially regulated upon alternative activation, with a decrease in miR-146a and increase in miR-146b expression in response to IL-4 both in vitro and in vivo. Based on this difference in expression and their known functions in suppressing excessive proinflammatory responses, it was hypothesised that miR-146a/b serve to regulate proinflammatory molecules (and signals) in a fine balance to allow efficient alternative activation to occur. However, the high sequence similarity between these two isoforms proved to be a hindrance to test this hypothesis in terms of shared targets. Therefore, the latter half of this chapter was devoted to the generation and optimisation of a stable cell line for the identification of microRNA targets using CLASH (cross-linking, ligation and sequencing of hybrids). In summary, the results from this thesis provide an important foundation for further studies of the functional role of microRNAs in the regulation of AAMΦ. Firstly, it characterises the expression profiles of ten different microRNAs differentially expressed during alternative activation. Secondly, for the first time, it identifies a role for miR-199b- 5p in the regulation of macrophage proliferation and activation. Thirdly, this thesis has provided direct evidence for the effect of miR-378 deficiency on AAMΦ responses. Lastly, it identifies and demonstrates the robust differential expression of two separate isoforms of the same microRNA (miR-146) under varying conditions of alternative activation, whose functional properties as regulators of the AAMΦ phenotype await further investigation.

Macrophages are an important cell type well known for its’ role in the immune system. Macrophages have two hematopoietic sources; they can be derived from hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) progenitors or erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMP). Synovial macrophages exist within the normal healthy joint, but the current origins and functions of these cells are unclear, including those involved in inflammatory arthritis (IA). To explore the origins of the synovial macrophages we utilized both cell lineage-tracing models and an arthritic model, K/BxN mice serum transfer arthritis (STA). We used Flt3Cre;Rosa26LSL-YFP mice to label HSC-derived cells and Cx3cr1CreERT2;Rosa26LSL-tdTomato and CSF1rmericremer;Rosa26LSL-tdTomato mice to label EMP-derived cells. Our histological data showed a unique population of EMP derived synovial tissue resident macrophages that was present in mice at ages E16.5 and P0 (neonate). Additionally, we found that HSC-derived cells do not significantly contribute to synovial macrophage populations throughout development. Interestingly, in arthritic conditions, we detected a dramatic increase in HSC-derived synovial macrophages in the inflamed synovium. Using macrophage markers F4/80 and CD68 we were able to fluorescently label and identify three different subtypes of synovial macrophages that exist within the joint in both homeostatic and arthritic conditions. Although further studies need to be completed, we have taken a pivotal step towards characterizing synovial macrophages in healthy and arthritic mice.

Glucans are (1-3)-β-D-linked polymers of glucose that are produced as fungal cell wall constituents and are also released into the extracellular milieu. Glucans modulate immune function via macrophage participation. The first step in macrophage activation by (1-3)-β-D-glucans is thought to be the binding of the polymer to specific macrophage receptors. We examined the binding/uptake of a variety of water soluble (1-3)-β-D-glucans and control polymers with different physicochemical properties to investigate the relationship between polymer structure and receptor binding in the CR3- human promonocytic cell line, U937. We observed that the U937 receptors were specific for (1→3)-β-D-glucan binding, since mannan, dextran, or barley glucan did not bind. Scleroglucan exhibited the highest binding affinity with an IC50 of 23 nM, three orders of magnitude greater than the other (1→3)-β-D-glucan polymers examined. The rank order competitive binding affinities for the glucan polymers were scleroglucan >>> schizophyllan > laminarin > glucan phosphate > glucan sulfate. Scleroglucan also exhibited a triple helical solution structure (ν = 1.82, β = 0.8). There were two different binding/uptake sites on U937 cells. Glucan phosphate and schizophyllan interacted nonselectively with the two sites. Scleroglucan and glucan sulfate interacted preferentially with one site, while laminarin interacted preferentially with the other site. These data indicate that U937 cells have at least two non-CR3 receptor(s) which specifically interact with (1→3)-β-D-glucans and that the triple helical solution conformation, molecular weight and charge of the glucan polymer may be important determinants in receptor ligand interaction.