U.S. patent application number 11/401722 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for carbon monoxide improves outcomes in tissue and organ transplants and suppresses apoptosis.
This patent application is currently assigned to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation. Invention is credited to Fritz H. Bach, Jeanne Gose, Leo E. Otterbein, Miguel P. Soares, Edda M. Tobiasch.
Application Number | 20070202083 11/401722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27404726 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070202083 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bach; Fritz H. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Carbon monoxide improves outcomes in tissue and organ transplants
and suppresses apoptosis
Abstract
The present invention features methods for transplanting organs,
tissues and individual cells. Also featured are methods for
maintaining cells in vitro and for enhancing survival and/or
function of cells following transplantation. The methods include
the administration of carbon monoxide in an amount sufficient to
enhance cell survival and/or function.
Inventors: |
Bach; Fritz H.;
(Manchester-by-the Sea, MA) ; Otterbein; Leo E.;
(New Kensington, PA) ; Soares; Miguel P.; (Boston,
MA) ; Tobiasch; Edda M.; (Bonn, DE) ; Gose;
Jeanne; (Manchester-by-the Sea, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation
|
Family ID: |
27404726 |
Appl. No.: |
11/401722 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
10177930 |
Jun 21, 2002 |
7238469 |
|
|
11401722 |
Apr 10, 2006 |
|
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60300289 |
Jun 21, 2001 |
|
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60334340 |
Nov 29, 2001 |
|
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60337974 |
Dec 7, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/93.7 ;
424/699; 435/1.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61P 37/00 20180101;
A61P 37/06 20180101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61K 33/00 20130101; A01N
1/0226 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/093.7 ;
424/699; 435/001.1 |
International
Class: |
A61K 35/12 20060101
A61K035/12; A01N 1/02 20060101 A01N001/02; A61K 33/00 20060101
A61K033/00 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT AS TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] This invention was made with Government support under
National Institutes of Health Grant Nos. HL 58688. The Government
has certain rights in this invention.
Claims
1-47. (canceled)
48. A method of transplanting an organ, the method comprising: (a)
providing an organ from a donor; (b) transplanting the organ into a
recipient; and (c) before, during, or after (b), administering to
the recipient a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon
monoxide in an amount sufficient to enhance survival of the
transplanted organ in the recipient.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before
(b).
50. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient during
(b).
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient after
(b).
52. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before
and during (b).
53. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before
and after (b).
54. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide is administered to the recipient before,
during, and after (b).
55. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered to the recipient within 1 to 20 days after (b).
56. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered to the recipient at least once within the period
beginning 21 days after (b).
57. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered to the recipient multiple times or continuously
during the period beginning 21 days after (b).
58. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered to the recipient upon determination that the
transplanted organ is undergoing or about to undergo chronic
rejection.
59. The method of claim 48, wherein the pharmaceutical composition
is administered to the recipient upon determination that the
transplanted organ is undergoing or about to undergo acute
rejection.
60. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of, prior
to obtaining the organ from the donor, administering to the donor a
second pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide.
61. The method of 60, wherein the second pharmaceutical composition
is administered to a live donor.
62. The method of claim 60, wherein the second pharmaceutical
composition is administered to a brain-dead donor.
63. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of, prior
to (b), administering to the organ a second pharmaceutical
composition comprising carbon monoxide.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein the second pharmaceutical
composition is administered to the organ in situ in the donor.
65. The method of claim 63, wherein the second pharmaceutical
composition is administered to the organ ex vivo.
66. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a liver.
67. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a kidney.
68. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a heart.
69. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a pancreas.
70. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a lung.
71. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is a small
intestine.
72. The method of claim 48, wherein the organ is skin.
73. The method of claim 48, wherein the donor is of a species
different from that of the recipient.
74. The method of claim 48, wherein the donor and the recipient are
of the same species.
75-149. (canceled)
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 60/300,289, filed Jun. 21, 2001; 60/334,340, filed
Nov. 29, 2001; and 60/337,974, filed Dec. 7, 2001.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention relates to the field of enhancing cell
survival.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is poisonous in high
concentrations. However, it is now recognized as an important
signaling molecule (Verma et al., Science 259:381-384, 1993). It
has also been suggested that carbon monoxide acts as a neuronal
messenger molecule in the brain (Id.) and as a neuro-endocrine
modulator in the hypothalamus (Pozzoli et al., Endocrinology
735:2314-2317, 1994). Like nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide is a
smooth muscle relaxant (Utz et al., Biochem Pharmacol. 47:195-201,
1991; Christodoulides et al., Circulation 97:2306-9, 1995) and
inhibits platelet aggregation (Mansouri et al, Thromb Haemost.
48:286-8, 1982). Inhalation of low levels of CO has been shown to
have anti-inflammatory effects in some models.
[0005] Islet cell transplantation is a viable treatment for the
amelioration of type I diabetes (Lacy et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol.,
2:183-98, 1984; Weir et al., J. Am. Optom. Assoc. 69:727-32, 2000;
Berney et al., Langenbechs Arch. Surg. 385: 378-8, 2000; Shapiro et
al., N Engl. J. Med., 343:230-8, 2000). However, the processes of
clinical islet transplantation are made difficult by a number of
factors. One factor is primary nonfunction (PNF) of the graft.
Another is the need for high numbers of donor islets needed for a
successful reversal of diabetes (Shapiro et al., N Engl. J. Med.,
343:230-8, 2000). Both situations reflect the same pathophysiology:
the substantial cell loss in the graft within the first weeks after
transplantation. After transplantation, islets suffer a variety of
stress factors such as hypoxia before secondary vascularization
(Carlsson et al., Diabetes 47:1027-32, 1998) and exposure to
pro-inflammatory cytokines and free radicals released from
macrophages in the microenvironment of the transplant (Rabinovitch
et al., Diabetes 48:1223-9,1999; Kaufman et al., J Exp Med.
772:291-302, 1990; Corbett et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA
90:1731-5, 1993) and from resident islet macrophages
(Mandrup-Poulsen et al., J. Immunol. 739:4077-82, 1987; Arnush et
al., J. Clin Invest. 702:516-26, 1998). The toxic effects of
immunosuppressive drugs as well as rejection (Weir et al.,
Diabetes-46:1247-56, 1997) also contribute to islet cell loss. The
existence of PNF after experimental syngeneic islet transplantation
(Nagata et al., Transplant Proc. 22:855-6, 1990; Arita et al.,
Transplantation 65:1429-33, 1998) indicates that non-specific
inflammation plays a major role in this scenario.
[0006] Survival of a transplanted organ is thought to relate mainly
to the success of immunosuppression, in terms of blocking the
immune response that leads to graft rejection. However, it has
previously been shown that transplanted organs can protect
themselves from vascular injury leading to rejection through the
expression of "protective genes" (see, e.g., Bach et al., Nature
Med. 3:196-202 (1997); and Soares et al., Nat Med. 4:1073-1077,
1998). One such gene, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catabolizes heme into
biliverdin, free iron and CO (Tenhunen et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci
USA 61:748-755, 1968).
[0007] Endothelial cells (ECs) lining blood vessels maintain blood
flow, allowing the continuous traffic of plasma and cellular
constituents between blood and parenchymal tissues. To accomplish
this function, ECs must promote a certain level of vasorelaxation
and inhibit leukocyte adhesion as well as coagulation and
thrombosis. However, when ECs are exposed to proinflammatory
stimuli, they become "activated" and promote vasoconstriction,
leukocyte adhesion and activation, and coagulation and thrombosis.
These functional changes are due to the expression by activated ECs
of a series of proinflammatory genes encoding adhesion molecules,
cytokines/chemokines, and costimulatory and procoagulant molecules.
Unfettered EC activation, as during acute and chronic inflammation,
can lead to EC injury and apoptosis. EC apoptosis is a prominent
feature associated with acute and/or chronic inflammation such as
it occurs during hyperoxia, endotoxic shock, arteriosclerosis,
ischemia reperfusion injury, and acute or chronic graft
rejection.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present invention is based, in part, on the observations
that CO promotes the survival and/or function of organ, tissue, and
individual cell transplants.
[0009] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a
method of administering to a transplant donor a pharmaceutical
composition containing carbon monoxide, obtaining an organ, tissue
or cells from the donor, and transplanting the organ, tissue or
cells into a recipient, where the amount of carbon monoxide
administered to the donor is sufficient to enhance survival or
function of the organ or tissue after transplantation into the
recipient.
[0010] The pharmaceutical composition-can be administered to a live
donor, to a brain-dead donor, or to the donor prior to and
following brain death.
[0011] Optionally, the organ can be treated in situ in the donor
and/or ex vivo with a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon
monoxide.
[0012] The method can also or alternatively include the step of
administering to the recipient a second pharmaceutical composition
that includes carbon monoxide, before and/or during and/or after
the step of transplanting the organ or tissue into the
recipient.
[0013] In this or any of the methods described herein, the organ or
tissue can be any organ which can be transplanted, e.g., a liver, a
kidney, a heart, a pancreas, a lung, small intestine, and/or skin,
and the donor can be of a species different from that of the
recipient, or the donor and the recipient can be of the same
species. The donor and the recipient can both be non-human animals
or humans. Alternatively, the donor can be a non-human animal such
as pig, and the recipient can be a-human.
[0014] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of
transplanting an organ, tissue or cells which includes providing an
organ, tissue or cells of a donor, administering ex vivo or in situ
to the organ, tissue or cells a pharmaceutical composition that
includes carbon monoxide, and transplanting the organ or tissue
into a recipient, wherein the amount of carbon monoxide is
sufficient to enhance survival or function of the organ, tissue or
cells in-the recipient. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition is administered by perfusing the organ or tissue in
situ while the organ or tissue is in the donor.
[0015] Optionally, the method can include the step of administering
to the recipient a second pharmaceutical composition containing
carbon monoxide before and/or during and/or after transplantation
of the organ or tissue into the recipient.
[0016] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of
transplanting an organ, tissue or cells that includes the steps of
providing an organ, tissue or cells of a donor, transplanting the
organ, tissue or cells into a recipient, and before, and/or during,
and/or after the step of transplanting the organ, tissue or cells
into the recipient, administering to the recipient an amount of a
pharmaceutical composition containing carbon monoxide sufficient to
enhance survival and/or function of the transplanted organ, tissue
or cells in the recipient.
[0017] In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition can be
administered to the recipient within 0 to 20 days, e.g., within 1,
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, or 20 days, after the organ has been
transplanted into the recipient. In another embodiment, the
pharmaceutical composition is administered to the recipient at
least once, e.g., multiple times or continuously, from the time
beginning 21 days after the step of transplanting the organ or
tissue into the recipient for as long as needed to ensure survival
of the graft. The pharmaceutical composition can be administered to
the recipient upon determination that the transplanted organ or
tissue-is undergoing or about to undergo rejection, e.g., chronic
rejection or acute rejection.
[0018] Optionally, the method can further include the step of
administering to the donor a second pharmaceutical composition
containing carbon monoxide prior to obtaining the organ or tissue
from the donor. The second pharmaceutical composition can be
administered to a live donor or to a brain-dead donor.
[0019] The method can include the step of administering to the
organ a second pharmaceutical composition containing carbon
monoxide in situ in the donor and/or ex vivo.
[0020] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of
enhancing the survival and/or function of a donor organ, tissue or
cell which includes providing an organ, tissue or cell of a
marginal donor and exposing the organ, tissue or cell to an amount
of a pharmaceutical composition containing carbon monoxide
sufficient to enhance the survival and/or function of the donor
organ, tissue or cell.
[0021] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of
maintaining an animal cell in vitro that includes providing a
vessel containing a pressurized gas that includes carbon monoxide
gas, providing an isolated cell in vitro, wherein the cell is a
primary cell or stem cell, releasing the pressurized gas from the
vessel to form an atmosphere that includes carbon monoxide gas, and
maintaining the animal cell in vitro in the presence of the
atmosphere that includes carbon monoxide gas.
[0022] If desired, the cell can then be transplanted into a
recipient. The cell may be obtained from a donor that is not the
recipient, or it may be obtained from the recipient. Further, a
carbon monoxide composition can be administered to the recipient
prior to, and/or during, and/or after the transplantation step.
This composition will typically be in the form of an inhaled
gas.
[0023] In another embodiment, the animal cell is obtained from a
donor by a method that includes administering a composition
comprising carbon monoxide to the donor and obtaining the cell from
a tissue of the donor.
[0024] The invention also provides a method of maintaining an
animal cell in vitro that includes providing a culture medium
containing an effective amount of carbon monoxide, for example, at
least 0.0001 g CO/100 g medium, and maintaining an isolated cell in
the medium. The medium can contain, for example, at least 0.0002,
0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008, 0.0010, 0.0013, 0.0014, 0.0015, 0.0016,
0.0018, 0.0020,0.0021, 0.0022, 0.0024, 0.0026, 0.0028, 0.0030,
0.0032, 0.0035, 0.0037, 0.0040, 0.0042, or 0.0044 g CO/100 g
medium.
[0025] Further, the invention provides a method of enhancing
survival of an animal cell after removal from a donor that includes
administering to a live or brain-dead donor a pharmaceutical
composition-comprising carbon monoxide, and obtaining an isolated
cell from the donor. The pharmaceutical composition can be, for
example, supplied in the form of a pressurized gas suitable for
inhalation by the donor.
[0026] The method cam further include the step of maintaining the
cell in vitro in the presence of a second composition containing
carbon monoxide.
[0027] While in vitro the cell may be disposed in a liquid medium.
In such a case, the step of exposing the cell to the second carbon
monoxide composition can be performed by providing a source of
pressurized carbon monoxide gas and contacting the liquid medium
with carbon monoxide gas released from the source. The liquid
medium itself may also be provided as a carbon monoxide
composition, i.e., with carbon monoxide dissolved therein.
[0028] Further, the invention provides a method of transplanting an
animal cell that includes the steps of administering to a live or
brain-dead donor a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon
monoxide, obtaining an isolated cell from the donor, and
transplanting the cell into a recipient. The animal cell may be
obtained from a donor that is not the recipient, or it may be
obtained from the recipient. If desired, a carbon monoxide
composition can be administered to the recipient prior to and/or
during and/or after the transplantation step.
[0029] The invention also provides a method of enhancing survival
or function of an animal cell transplanted into a recipient that
includes the steps of transplanting an animal cell into a recipient
and before, during, and/or after the transplanting step, causing
the recipient to inhale a sufficient amount of carbon monoxide gas
to enhance survival or function of the transplanted cell in the
recipient. The carbon monoxide gas can be supplied in the form of a
vessel containing pressurized gas that includes carbon monoxide. In
one embodiment, the cell is maintained in vitro in an atmosphere
comprising carbon monoxide prior to the transplant step. For
example, the animal cell can be maintained in a liquid medium that
includes at least at least 0.0001 g carbon monoxide/100 g medium
(e.g., at least about 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008, 0.0010,
0.0013, 0.0014, 0.0015, 0.0016, 0.0018, 0.0020, 0.0021, 0.0022,
0.0024, 0.0026, 0.0028, 0.0030, 0.0032, 0.0035, 0.0037,
0.0040,;0.0042, or 0.0044 g CO/100 g medium).
[0030] The method can optionally include the step of exposing the
cell to a carbon monoxide composition ex vivo, prior to the
transplanting step.
[0031] The carbon monoxide gas can be administered to the recipient
prior to and/or during and/or after the transplantation step. The
animal cell may be obtained from a donor that is not the recipient,
or it may be obtained from the recipient. A pharmaceutical
composition comprising carbon monoxide can be administered to the
donor prior to and/or during removal of the cell from the
donor.
[0032] In another aspect, the invention provides a method of
improving survival of a transplanted cell in a recipient that
includes administering to the recipient before and/or during and/or
after transplantation of the cell into the recipient, an effective
amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising carbon monoxide
gas.
[0033] In any of the above methods of the invention, the survival
effect may be enhanced by inducing the enzyme hemeoxygenase-1
(HO-1) in a donor or recipient, e.g., induced with heme, heavy
metals, cytokines, hormones, nitric oxide endotoxins, UV
irradiation, or glutathione depletors; or via heat shock. In the
donor, such induction can occur prior to or during removal of the
organ, tissue, or cells. In the recipient, such induction can
occur, prior to, during, or following transplantation.
Alternatively, the enzyme can be induced in the organ, tissue, or
cells ex vivo, prior to transplantation into the recipient.
[0034] The invention further provides an article of manufacture
that includes a vessel containing pressurized gas, that contains at
least 0.001 ppm, e.g., at least about 1, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200,
250, 300, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 100,000, 200,000, 300,000,
400,000, 500,000, and up to 1,000,000 ppm carbon monoxide, and a
label describing use of the gas to enhance survival of isolated
animal cells, tissues, or islets before, during or after
transplantation of the cells, tissues, or islets into a
patient.
[0035] Also within the invention is a sterile cell medium that
includes nutrients suitable for maintaining an animal cell in
culture and at least about 0.0001 g carbon monoxide/100 g medium,
e.g., at least 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008, 0.0010, 0.0013,
0.0014, 0.0015, 0.0016, 0.0018, 0.0020, 0.0021, 0.0022, 0.0024,
0.0026, 0.0028, 0.0030, 0.0032, 0.0035, 0.0037, 0.0040, 0.0042, or
0.0044 g CO/100 g medium. It may also contain animal cells.
[0036] A method of maintaining an animal cell in vitro and then
transplanting it is also provided. The method includes the steps of
providing a vessel containing pressurized gas containing carbon
monoxide gas; providing an isolated animal cell in vitro, wherein
the cell is disposed in a medium that contains dissolved carbon
monoxide; releasing the pressurized gas from the vessel to form an
atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide gas; maintaining the cell in
the presence of the atmosphere; and transplanting the cell into a
recipient.
[0037] In any of the above aspects or embodiments of the invention,
the cell can be any cell. For example, the cell can be an animal
cell such as a primary, secondary, or cell line cell. As another
example, the cell can be part of a pancreatic islet, e.g., a
e-cell. The cell can also be, e.g., a liver cell, a fibroblast, a
bone marrow cell, a neuronal cell, a mocyte, a lymphocyte, or a
stem cell. In each of the ex vivo methods of the invention, the
tissue is preferably not blood and contains little if any whole
blood, and the cells are preferably not red blood cells and are not
accompanied by a significant number of red blood cells.
[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present
invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All
publications, patent applications, patents, and other references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In case of conflict, the present specification, including
definitions, will control. The materials, methods, and examples are
illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
[0039] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1A is a bar graph that illustrates the effect of
treatment of .beta.TC3 cells with increasing concentrations of
TNF-.alpha..
[0041] FIG. 1B is a graphical representation illustrating a
FACScan.TM. analysis of DNA fragmentation in .beta.TC3 cells
following treatment with TNF-.alpha..
[0042] FIG. 1C is a bar graph that illustrates the effect of
co-transfecting .beta.TC3 with a .beta.-gal expressing vector
(pcDNA3/.beta.-gal) plus control (pcDNA3), and treatment with
either the caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK (C3-i) or the caspase-8
inhibitor IETD-CHO (C8-i). Gray histograms represent untreated
.beta.-cells and black histograms represent .beta.-cells treated
with TNF-.alpha. for 24 hours. Results shown are the
mean.+-.standard deviation from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three.
[0043] FIG. 2A is a bar graph showing that exogenous carbon
monoxide can substitute for HO-1 (hemeoxygenase-1) when HO-1
activity is blocked. Gray histograms represent untreated
.beta.-cells and black histograms represent .beta.-cells treated
with TNF-.alpha. or etoposide or subjected to serum deprivation.
Results shown are mean.+-.standard deviation from duplicate wells
taken from one representative experiment out of three.
[0044] FIG. 2B is a graphical representation of a FACScan.TM.
analysis of DNA fragmentation in .beta.TC3 cells following 24 hour
treatment with carbon monoxide after treatment with
TNF-.alpha..
[0045] FIG. 2C is a bar graph illustrating that exogenous carbon
monoxide protects .beta.-cells from apoptosis in the absence of
HO-1. .beta.TC3 cells were transfected with .beta.-gal expressing
vectors and were exposed to exogenous carbon monoxide. Gray
histograms represent untreated .beta.-cells and black histograms
represent .beta.-cells treated with TNF-.alpha. or etoposide or
subjected to serum deprivation as indicated. Results shown are
mean.+-.standard deviation from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a DNA fragmentation analysis by FACScan.TM. that
indicates that exogenous carbon monoxide protects murine islets of
Langerhans from apoptosis. CHX=cycloheximide.
[0047] FIG. 4A is a bar graph illustrating that the anti-apoptotic
effect of exogenous carbon monoxide is mediated by guanylate
cyclase activation. ODQ=guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ.
[0048] FIG. 4B is a bar graph illustrating that cGMP analogue can
substitute for carbon monoxide in protecting cells from apoptosis.
8-Br-cGMP=cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP.
[0049] FIG. 4C is a bar graph illustrating that cGMP-dependent
protein kinases (cGK) mediate the anti-apoptotic effect of carbon
monoxide. .beta.TC3 cells were co-transfected with .beta.-gal
expressing vector. For FIGS. 4A-C, gray histograms represent
untreated .beta.-cells and-black histograms represent .beta.-cells
treated with TNF-.alpha.. Results shown are mean.+-.standard
deviation from duplicate wells taken from one representative
experiment out of three. KT=protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823.
[0050] FIG. 5A is a bar graph showing that one hour of carbon
monoxide exposure is sufficient to prevent apoptosis.
[0051] FIG. 5B is a bar graph showing that carbon monoxide protects
.beta.-cells after induction of apoptosis.
[0052] FIG. 5C is a bar graph showing that preincubation with
carbon monoxide prevents .beta.-cell apoptosis. For FIGS. 5A-C,
gray histograms represent untreated sells and black histograms
represent .beta.-cells treated with TNF-.alpha.. Results shown are
mean.+-.standard deviation from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three.
[0053] FIG. 6A is a line graph indicating that exposure of murine
islets to carbon monoxide improves survival and function following
transplantation.
[0054] FIG. 6B is a line graph that indicates the probability of
recovery (blood glucose level below 200 mg/dl) for animals
receiving islets pre-exposed to carbon monoxide or control islets.
*P=0.001 versus control.
[0055] FIG. 7 is a bar graph that illustrates expression of HO-1 in
mouse hearts transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated rats. Mouse
hearts were transplanted into rats treated at the time of
transplantation with cobra venom factor (CVF) plus daily treatments
after transplantation with cyclosporin A (CsA). Expression of HO-1
and .beta.-actin mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. The symbol -/-
indicates RNA from HO-1-/- mouse hearts used as a negative control.
Histograms represent relative level of HO-1 mRNA expression
normalized for expression of .beta.-actin mRNA.
[0056] FIG. 8 is a set of bar graphs illustrating that SnPPIX
inhibits HO-1 enzymatic activity in vivo. Mouse hearts were
transplanted into untreated rats (II) or into rats treated with,
CVF and CsA (III) plus FePPIX (TV) or SnPPIX (V). Total HO activity
in donor and recipient hearts was measured 2 days after
transplantation and compared with basal HO activity in normal mouse
and rat hearts, respectively (D). Results shown are the
mean.+-.standard deviation (SD) of three animals analyzed for each
treatment. Statistical analyses were conducted by using unpaired
Welsh t test.
[0057] FIG. 9 is a set of line graphs illustrating that SnPPIX and
FePPIX do not interfere with the generation of anti-graft
antibodies (Abs). Mouse hearts were transplanted into rats treated
with CVF plus CsA, as described above. Serum level of anti-graft
IgM Abs-was evaluated by a cellular ELISA. Binding of rat
complement component C3 to mouse endothelial cells was evaluated by
cellular ELISA. Complement hemolytic activity (CH50) was evaluated
by a standard hemolytic assay. Results shown are the mean.+-.SD
(n=3).
[0058] FIG. 10A is a set of bar graphs illustrating that exogenous
CO does not affect the ability of SnPPIX to suppress HO-1 enzymatic
activity. Mouse hearts were transplanted into rats treated with CVF
plus CsA plus SnPPIX (II) or SnPPIX and CO (III). Total HO activity
was measured in donors' and recipients' hearts as well as in
recipients' livers 2 days after transplantation. HO activity in
different specimens was compared with basal HO activity in normal
mouse hearts (I), rat hearts (I), or livers (I), according to the
sample analyzed. Results shown are the mean.+-.SD of three animals
analyzed for each treatment. Statistical analyses were conducted by
using unpaired Welsh t test.
[0059] FIG. 10B is a bar graph that illustrates that exogenous CO
does not affect the ability of SnPPIX to suppress HO-1 activity.
The animals used to generate the data of FIG. 10A were analyzed for
carboxyhemoglobin content 2 days after transplantation. Results
shown are the mean.+-.SD (n=3).
[0060] FIG. 11 is a line graph illustrating that up-regulation of
HO-1 in endothelial cells inhibits platelet activation. Mouse 2F-2B
endothelial cells were left untreated (NT) or were treated with
CoPPIX (50 .mu.M, 16 h) to up-regulate HO-1 activity, SnPPIX to
suppress HO-1 activity (50 .mu.M, 16 h), or CoPPIX (50 .mu.M, 12 h)
plus SnPPIX (50 .mu.M, 4 h) to control for the specificity of
CoPPIX in up-regulating HO-1 activity. Rat platelets were isolated,
overlaid onto the mouse endothelial cells for 5 min, and tested for
aggregation after stimulation with 2 .mu.M of adenosine diphosphate
(ADP).
[0061] FIG. 12 is a bar graph illustrating that carbon monoxide
suppresses endothelial cell apoptosis. Gray histograms represent
cells treated with Act.D alone and black histograms represent cells
treated with Act.D plus TNF-.alpha.. Where indicated, endothelial
cells were treated with SnPPIX (50 .mu.M) and exposed to exogenous
CO (10,000 parts per million (ppm)).
[0062] FIG. 13A is a histogram illustrating the ability of ECs to
be transiently transfected. Filled histogram=cells transfected with
pcDNA3 control; open histogram=cells transfected with green
fluorescent protein (GFP) expression plasmids.
[0063] FIG. 13B is a set of bar graphs illustrating that HO-1
overexpression in ECs prevents EC apoptosis. Gray bars represent
ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. BAEC=bovine aortic endothelial cells.
[0064] FIG. 13C is a set of Western blots illustrating that BAECs
transfected with HO-1 overexpress HO-1. No Tr=nontransfected.
NT=nontreated.
[0065] FIG. 13D is a set of bar graphs illustrating that
overexpression of HO-1 prevents EC apoptosis induced by
proapoptotic stimuli such as etoposide or serum deprivation. Gray
bars represent untreated ECs and black bars represent ECs treated
with etoposide (200 .mu.M, 8 h) or subjected to serum deprivation
(0.1% FCS for 24 h).
[0066] FIG. 14A is a bar graph illustrating that the antiapoptotic
effect of HO-1 is dose dependent. Results shown are the mean.+-.SD
from duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment-out
of three.
[0067] FIG. 14B is a set of Western blots illustrating the
expression of HO-1 in BAECs transfected with increasing amounts of
HO-1 expression vector. Values indicate the amount of HO-1 vector
(pcDNA3/HO-1) used in each transfection (ng of DNA per
3.times.10.sup.5 cells). No Tr.=nontransfected.
[0068] FIG. 15A is a set of bar graphs illustrating that the
antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 is dependent on HO enzymatic activity.
Control=untreated cells; SnPPIX=cells treated with tin
protoporphyrin; CoPPIX=cells treated with cobalt protoporphyrin.
Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent
ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0069] FIG. 15B is a bar graph illustrating that protoporphyrins
alone have no detectable effect on EC viability. Control=untreated
cells; SnPPIX=cells treated with tin protopbrphyrin; COPPIX=cells
treated with cobalt protoporphyrin.
[0070] FIG. 16 is a set of bar graphs illustrating that scavenging
of CO by hemoglobin (Hb) suppresses the antiapoptotic effect of
HO-1. pcDNA3=.beta.-galactosidase plus control expression vector,
HO-1=.beta.-galactosidase plus .beta.-actin/HO-1 expression vector,
Bcl-2=.beta.-galactosidase plus bcl-2 expression vector. ECs were
either left untreated (0) or were treated with increasing
concentrations of Hb. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D.
Black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0071] FIG. 17A is a bar graph illustrating that exogenously
administered CO suppresses TNF-.alpha.-mediated apoptosis in ECs.
Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent
ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0072] FIG. 17B is a bar graph illustrating that exogenously
administered CO (10,000 ppm) suppresses TNF-.alpha.-mediated
apoptosis in ECs in the presence of tin protoporphyrin, but not in
the presence of Hb. Control=untreated cells; CO=cells treated with
CO; CO+Hb=cells treated with both CO and Hb. Gray bars represent
ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0073] FIG. 17C is a bar graph and grid illustrating that
exogenously administered CO (10,000 ppm) suppressed
TNF-.alpha.-mediated apoptosis in ECs in the presence of tin
protoporphyrin. (+)=HO-1 transfected cells treated with tin
protoporphyrin and/or exogenous CO. Gray bars represent ECs treated
with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus
Act.D.
[0074] FIG. 18 is a bar graph and diagram illustrating that ECs
that express HO-1 suppress apoptosis of ECs that do not express
HO-1. ECs were transfected with control (pcDNA3; I and II) or HO-1
(III) expression vectors. ECs were then transfected with
.beta.-galactosidase (I and II) or with .beta.-galactosidase plus
HO-1 (III). Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0075] FIG. 19A is a bar graph illustrating that upregulation of
endogenous HO-1 expression by heme inhibits EC apoptosis via CO.
pcDNA=control; FePP=iron protoporphyrin (heme). Gray bars represent
ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0076] FIG. 19B is a bar graph illustrating that heme is unable to
suppress EC apoptosis when CO is scavenged by Hb. pcDNA=control;
pcDNA+Hb=control cells treated with Hb (50 .mu.M); FePP=cells
treated with iron protoporphyrin; FePP+Hb=cells treated with iron
protoporphyrin and Hb (50 .mu.M). Gray bars represent ECs treated
with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus
Act.D.
[0077] FIG. 20A is a bar graph illustrating that iron chelation by
deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) suppresses EC apoptosis. Gray bars
represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated
with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0078] FIG. 20B is a bar graph and grid illustrating that DFO
suppresses EC apoptosis in the presence of tin protoporphyrin.
(+)=HO-1 transfected cells treated with tin protoporphyrin and/or
exogenous DFO. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black
bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0079] FIG. 20C is a bar graph and grid illustrating that DFO
suppresses EC apoptosis in the presence of heme. (+)=HO-1
transfected cells treated with tin protoporphyrin and/or exogenous
DFO. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0080] FIG. 21 is a bar graph and grid illustrating that iron
chelation and CO have additive effects in suppressing EC apoptosis.
(+)=HO-1 transfected cells treated with tin protoporphyrin and/or
exogenous DFO (100 .mu.M) and/or CO (250 ppm). Gray bars represent
ECs treated with Act.D. Black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0081] FIG. 22A is a bar graph illustrating that the antiapoptotic
effect of HO-1 does not involve a cGMP-dependent pathway.
HO-1-transfected cells were exposed to increasing doses of the
guanylcyclase inhibitor ODQ. Gray bars represent ECs treated with
Act.D alone and black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha.
plus Act.D.
[0082] FIG. 22B is a picture of a Western blot illustrating that
expression of HO-1 in ECs did not result in a detectable increase
of vasodilatator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation.
P-VASP (50 kD) and VASP (46 kD) are the phosphorylated and
nonphosphorylated forms of VASP, respectively. N.T.=not treated;
pcDNA3=cells transfected with pcDNA3; and HO-1=cells transfected
with HO-1.
[0083] FIG. 22C is a bar graph that illustrates that the cGMP
analogue 8-Br-cGMP does not suppress EC apoptosis. Gray bars
represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs
treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0084] FIG. 22D is a picture of a Western blot illustrating that
exposure of ECs to 8-Br-cGMP results in a detectable increase of
VASP phosphorylation. N.T.=not treated; pcDNA3=cells transfected
with pcDNA3; and HO-1=cells transfected with HO-1.
[0085] FIG. 23A are pictures of Western blots illustrating that
HO-1 increases TNF-.alpha.-mediated activation of p38 MAPK in ECs.
BAECs were stimulated with TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml; time 0) and MAPK
phosphorylation was monitored by Western blot (0, 5, 15, 30, 60,
and 120 min after TNF-.alpha. stimulation). "n.s."=nonspecific
band.
[0086] FIG. 23B is a line graph illustrating the quantification of
phosphorylation of several MAPKs. The results are presented as fold
induction in arbitrary units (A.U.), compared with time 0, before
TNF-.alpha. stimulation.
[0087] FIG. 24A is a bar graph illustrating that HO-1 modulates p38
MAPK activation in ECs. BAECs were either nontransduced (NT) or
transduced with a .beta.-galactosidase (.beta.gal.) or HO-1
recombinant adenovirus, and were left untreated (-) or treated (+)
with TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml for 15 min). Results are presented as
fold induction of MAPK activation by TNF-.alpha. in arbitrary units
(A.U.), compared with time 0, before TNF-.alpha. stimulation.
[0088] FIG. 24B is a bar graph illustrating that CO modulates p38
MAPK activation in ECs. BAECs were stimulated (+) or not (-) by
TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml, 30 min) in the presence or absence of CO
(10,000 ppm). Results are presented as fold induction of MAPK
activation by TNF-.alpha. in arbitrary units (A.U.), compared with
time 0, before TNF-.alpha. stimulation.
[0089] FIG. 25A is a bar graph illustrating that the antiapoptotic
action of HO-1 is suppressed when p38 MAPK activation is blocked
with pyridinyl imidazol SB203580 (10-20 .mu.M) a specific inhibitor
of p38 MAPK. ECs were cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase,
control (pcDNA3), or HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors.
Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D alone and black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0090] FIG. 25B is a line graph illustrating that activation of p38
MAPK by TNF-.alpha. was significantly inhibited (85-95%) in ECs
exposed to SB203580 (5-20 .mu.M), compared with control ECs
stimulated by TNF-.alpha. in the absence of SB203580. BAECs were
transfected with a control (pcDNA3) vector and stimulated with
TNF-.alpha. in the presence (.cndot.) or absence (.smallcircle.) of
the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (20 .mu.M). MAPK phosphorylation
was monitored by Western blot (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after
TNF-.alpha. stimulation).
[0091] FIG. 25C is a bar graph illustrating that overexpression of
a dominant negative mutant of p38/CSBP1 suppressed the ability of
HO-1 to prevent EC apoptosis. ECs were cotransfected with
.beta.-galactosidase, control, HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1), and where
indicated with a phosphorylation-deficient p38/CSBP1 dominant
negative mutant (DNM) expression vector. The values indicate the
amount of vector used, in nanograms of DNA per 300.times.10.sup.3
cells. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
[0092] FIG. 25D is a picture of a Western blot illustrating that
the inhibitory effect was dose dependent in that increasing amounts
of the p38/CSBP1 dominant negative mutant were more efficient in
suppressing the antiapoptotic action of HO-1. No Tr.,
nontransfected ECs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0093] The term "carbon monoxide" (or "CO") as used herein
describes molecular-carbon monoxide in its gaseous state,
compressed into liquid form, or dissolved in aqueous solution. The
terms "carbon monoxide composition" and "pharmaceutical composition
comprising carbon monoxide" are used throughout the specification
to describe a gaseous, liquid, solid, or semi-solid composition
containing carbon monoxide that can be administered to a donor
patient, cadaver, or animal; to an organ; or to a portion of an
organ, e.g., tissues of the organ, or individual cell(s) that make
up the organ, e.g., neurons, hepatocytes, myocytes, islets, or
islet cells such as a pancreatic .beta.-cell. The skilled
practitioner will recognize which form of the pharmaceutical
composition, e.g., gaseous, liquid, or both gaseous and liquid
forms, is preferred for a given application.
[0094] The terms "effective amount" and "effective to treat," as
used herein, refer to an amount or concentration of carbon monoxide
utilized for period of time (including acute or chronic
administration and periodic or continuous administration) that is
effective within the context of its administration for causing an
intended effect or physiological outcome. Effective amounts of
carbon monoxide for use in the present invention include, for
example, amounts that are effective for enhancing survival and/or
improving function of organs or cells in vivo and/or in vitro.
Within the context of transplantation of individual cells or masses
of cells, e.g., transplant donors and/or recipients, an effective
amount of carbon monoxide is that amount administered to the
transplant donor and/or recipient sufficient to enhance survival of
the cell or mass of cells, e.g. to reduce loss of the cell, or mass
of cells, and/or to improve functional performance of a
transplanted cell or a mass of cells. Within the context of
treating cells outside a body, e.g., islet cells to be cultured
and/or used for transplantation, an effective amount of carbon
monoxide is that amount with which the cells are incubated or
stored in order to enhance preservation of the cells and/or to
reduce cell loss, e.g., loss via apoptosis, and/or to enhance
function. Within the context of transplantation of organs and
tissues, e.&, transplant donors and/or recipients, an effective
amount of carbon monoxide is that amount administered to the
transplant donor and/or recipient sufficient to enhance survival of
the organ, tissue or cells of interest, e.g., to reduce loss of
cells from which the organ or tissue is composed, and/or to improve
functional performance of an organ. Within the context of treating
organs, tissues or cells ex vivo to be stored or used for
transplantation, an effective amount of carbon monoxide is an
amount sufficient to enhance survival and/or function of the organ
or tissues. As used herein, the term "inhibiting" includes delaying
the onset of, reducing, preventing, or alleviating a biological
process, e.g., apoptosis. For gases, effective amounts of carbon
monoxide generally fall within the range of about 0.0000001% to
about 0.3% by weight, e.g., 0.0001% to about 0.25% by weight,
preferably at least about 0.001%, e.g., at least 0.005%, 0.010%,
0.02%, 0.025%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.08%, 0.10%, 0.15%,
0.20%, 0.22%, or 0.24% by weight of carbon monoxide. Preferred
ranges of carbon monoxide include 0.001% to about 0.24%, about
0.005% to about 0.22%, about 0.01% to about 0.20%, and about 0.01%
to about 0.1% by weight. For liquid solutions of CO, effective
amounts generally fall within the range of about 0.0001 to about
0.0044 g CO/100 g liquid, e.g., at least 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006,
0.0008, 0.0010, 0.0013, 0.0014, 0.0015, 0.0016, 0.0018, 0.0020,
0.0021, 0.0022, 0.0024, 0.0026, 0.0028, 0.0030, 0.0032, 0.0035,
0.0037, 0.0040, or 0.0042 g CO/100 g aqueous solution. Preferred
ranges include, e.g., about 0.0010 to about 0.0030 g CO/100 g
liquid, about 0.0015 to about 0.0026 g CO/100 g liquid, or about
0.0018 to about 0.0024 g CO/100 g liquid. A skilled practitioner
will appreciate that amounts outside of these ranges may be used,
depending upon the application.
[0095] The term "patient" is used throughout the specification to
describe an animal, human or non-human, to whom treatment according
to the methods of the present invention is provided. Veterinary
applications are clearly anticipated by the present invention. The
term includes but is not limited to birds, reptiles, amphibians,
and mammals, e.g., humans, other primates, pigs, rodents such as
mice and rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, cows, horses, cats,
dogs, sheep and goats. The term "donor" or "donor patient" as used
herein refers to an animal (human or non-human) from whom an organ,
tissue or individual cells can be obtained for the purposes of
storage and/or transplantation to a recipient patient. The term
"recipient" or "recipient patient" refers to an animal (human or
non-human) into which an organ, tissue, mass of cells or individual
cells can be transferred.
[0096] The term "diabetes" is a general term to describe diabetic
disorders as they are recognized in the art, e.g., Diabetes
Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by an inability to
regulate blood glucose levels. The two most prevalent types of
diabetes are known as Type I and Type II diabetes. In Type I, or
insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), the pancreas makes little or no
insulin because the insulin-producing beta cells have been
destroyed. In Type II, or noninsulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM),
the pancreas makes some insulin-but the insulin is not effective.
The term also encompasses the myriad secondary disorders caused by
diabetes, both acute and chronic, e.g., diabetic complications,
e.g., hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, retinopathy, angiopathy,
neuropathy, and nephropathy.
[0097] The term "cell(s)" or "animal cell(s)" as used herein refers
to any type of animal cells, including animal cells suitable for
transplantation. The cells are typically primary cells obtained
from an animal donor, but can be secondary cells or even cells of
an established cell line. They are optionally transfected ex vivo
with an expression vector that alters their function in some way.
The cells include, but are not limited to, e.g., islet cells, e.g.,
cells which are part of a pancreatic islet, and liver cells,
fibroblasts, bone marrow cells, myocytes, and stem cells, and cells
of the central nervous system, including the spinal cord. The term
"islet cell(s)" is used throughout the specification as a general
term to describe the clumps of cells within the pancreas known as
islets, e.g., islets of Langerhans. Islets of Langerhans contain
several cell types that include, e.g., .beta.-cells (which make
insulin), .alpha.-cells (which produce glucagons), .gamma.-cells
(which make somatostatin), F cells (which produce pancreatic
polypeptide), enterochromaffin cells (which produce serotonin), PP
cells and D1 cells. The term "stem cell" is an art recognized term
that refers to cells having the ability to divide for indefinite
periods in culture and to give rise to specialized cells. Included
within this term are, for example, totipotent, pluripotent,
multipotent, and unipotent stem cells, e.g., neuronal, liver,
muscle, and hematopoietic stem cells.
[0098] By "isolated cell" is meant that the cell is removed from
the tissue or organ in which it (or its predecessor) naturally
occurs. A cell can be just partially purified from its natural
milieu and be deemed "isolated." For example, an intact islet of
Langerhans is considered to be made up of "isolated" cells, once
the islet is removed from a pancreas and can be physically
separated from other islets. The cells of an intact organ such as a
kidney or heart or a partial organ such as a piece of a blood
vessel are not considered to be "isolated cells" while still part
of the organ.
[0099] The term "organ(s)" is used throughout the specification as
a general term to describe any anatomical part or member having a
specific function in the animal. Further included within the
meaning of this term are substantial portions of organs, e.g.,
cohesive tissues obtained from an organ. Such organs include but
are not limited to kidney, liver, heart, intestine, e.g., large or
small intestine, pancreas, and lungs. Further included in this
definition are bones and blood vessels, e.g., aortic
transplants.
[0100] The term "transplantation" is used throughout the
specification as a general term to describe the process of
implanting an organ, tissue, mass of cells, or individual cells
into a patient. The term "transplantation" is defined in the art as
the transfer of living tissues or cells from a donor to a
recipient, with the intention of maintaining the functional
integrity of the transplanted tissue or cells in the recipient
(see, e.g., The Merck Manual, Berkow, Fletcher, and Beers, Eds.,
Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, N.J., 1992). The term "cell
transplantation" is used throughout the specification as a general
term to describe the process of transferring at least one cell,
e.g., an islet cell(s), to a patient. For example, such
transplantation can be performed by removing the .beta.-cells (or
intact islets) from a donor's pancreas and putting them into a
recipient patient whose pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin.
The terms include all categories of transplants known in the art,
except blood transfusions. Transplants are categorized by site and
genetic relationship between donor and recipient. The term
includes, e.g., autotransplantation (removal and transfer of cells
or tissue from one location on a patient to the same or another
location on the same patient), allotransplantation (transplantation
between members of the same species), and xenotransplantation
(transplantations between members of different species).
[0101] The terms "organ rejection", "transplant rejection" or
"rejection" are art-recognized, and are used throughout the
specification as a general term to describe the process of
rejection of an organ, tissues, or cells in a recipient. Included
within the definition are, for example, three main patterns of
rejection that are usually identified in clinical practice:
hyperacute rejection, acute rejection, and chronic rejection (see,
e.g., Oxford Textbook of Surgery, Morris and Malt, Eds., Oxford
University Press, 1994).
[0102] The terms "marginal donor(s)" and "marginal organ" are used
herein as general terms to describe a donor or organ presenting
with problems that render its use in a transplantation procedure
less than optimal. For example, a marginal donor can include a
donor that is older than 50 years old, or that is afflicted with a
chronic disease that may affect graft function, e.g., diabetes, HTA
and alcohol intake. A marginal organ is, for example, (1) an organ
from such a donor, or (2) an organ that has experienced prolonged
warm or cold ischemia times, or (3) an organ that presents with
anatomical abnormalities (e.g., small and multiple vessels, e.g.,
in the kidney) that can render the vascular anastomosis difficult,
or with evidence of atherosclerostic plaques on graft vessels.
Preparation of Gaseous Compositions
[0103] A carbon monoxide composition may be a gaseous carbon
monoxide composition. Compressed or pressurized gas useful in the
methods of the invention can be obtained from any commercial
source, and in any type of vessel appropriate for storing
compressed gas. For example, compressed or pressurized gases can be
obtained from any source that supplies compressed gases, such as
oxygen, for medical use. The pressurized gas including carbon
monoxide used in the methods of the present invention can be
provided such that all gases of the desired final composition
(e.g., CO and O.sub.2, and optionally N.sub.2, He, and/or CO.sub.2)
are mixed together in the same vessel. If desired, the methods of
the present invention can be performed using multiple vessels
containing individual gases. For example, a single vessel can be
provided that contains carbon monoxide, with or without other
gases, the contents of which can be optionally mixed with room air
or with the contents of other vessels, e.g., vessels containing
oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, compressed air, or any other
suitable gas or mixtures thereof Gaseous compositions administered
to a patient according to the present invention typically contain
0% to about 79% by weight nitrogen, about 21% to about 100% by
weight oxygen and about 0.0000001% to about 0.3% by weight
(corresponding to about 0.001 ppm (i.e., 1 ppb) to about 3,000 ppm)
carbon monoxide. Preferably, the amount of nitrogen in the gaseous
composition is about 79% by weight, the amount of oxygen is about
21% by weight and the amount of carbon monoxide is about 0.0001% to
about 0.25% by weight. The amount of carbon monoxide is preferably
at least about 0.001%, e.g., at least about 0.005%, 0.01%, 0.02%,
0.025%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05%, 0.06%, 0.08%, 0.10%, 0.15%, 0.20%,
0.22%, or 0.24% by weight. Preferred ranges of carbon monoxide
include about 0.001% to about 0.24%, about 0.005% to about 0.22%,
about 0.010% to about 0.20%, and about 0.015% to about 0.1% by
weight. It is noted that gaseous carbon monoxide compositions
having concentrations of carbon monoxide greater than 0.3% (such as
1% or greater) may be used for short periods (e.g., one or a few
breaths), depending upon the application. They are particularly
useful for ex vivo applications, where carbon monoxide poisoning is
not a risk. Where the gas is used to form an atmosphere for
cultivation of cells in vitro, the gas can contain carbon dioxide
as well, to help maintain the pH of the medium. The carbon dioxide
can be present at, for example, 1% to 10%, commonly 5%, by
weight.
[0104] A gaseous carbon monoxide composition may be used to create
an atmosphere that comprises carbon monoxide gas. An atmosphere
that includes- appropriate levels of carbon monoxide gas can be
created, for example, by providing a vessel containing a
pressurized gas comprising carbon monoxide gas, and releasing the
pressurized gas from the vessel into a chamber or space to form an
atmosphere that includes the carbon monoxide gas inside the chamber
or space. Alternatively, the gases can be released into an
apparatus that culminates in a breathing mask or breathing tube,
thereby creating an atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide gas in
the breathing mask or breathing tube and ensuring the patient is
the only person in the room exposed to significant levels of carbon
monoxide.
[0105] Carbon monoxide levels in an atmosphere or a ventilation
circuit can be measured or monitored using any method known in the
art. Such methods include electrochemical detection, gas
chromatography, radioisotope counting, infrared absorption,
colorimetry, and electrochemical methods based on selective
membranes (see, e.g., Sunderman et al., Clin. Chem. 28:2026-2032,
1982; Ingi et al., Neuron 16:835-842, 1996). Sub-parts per million
carbon monoxide levels can be detected by, e.g., gas chromatography
and radioisotope counting. Further, it is known in the art that
carbon monoxide levels in the sub-ppm range can be measured in
biological tissue by a midinfrared gas sensor (see, e.g., Morimoto
et al., Am. J. Physiol. Heart. Circ. Physiol 280:H482-H488, 2001).
Carbon monoxide sensors and gas detection devices are widely
available from many commercial sources.
Preparation of Liquid Compositions
[0106] A carbon monoxide composition may also be a liquid carbon
monoxide composition. A liquid can be made into a carbon monoxide
composition by any method known in the art for causing gases to
become dissolved in liquids. For example, the liquid can be placed
in a so-called "CO.sub.2 incubator" and exposed to a continuous
flow of carbon monoxide until a desired concentration of carbon
monoxide is reached in the liquid. As another example, carbon
monoxide gas can be "bubbled" directly into the liquid until the
desired concentration of carbon monoxide in the liquid is reached.
The amount of carbon monoxide that can be dissolved in a given
aqueous solution increases with decreasing temperature. As still
another example, an appropriate liquid may be passed through tubing
that allows gas diffusion, where the tubing runs through an
atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide (e.g., utilizing a device
such as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenator). The carbon monoxide
diffuses into the liquid to create a liquid carbon monoxide
composition.
[0107] The liquid can be any liquid known to those of skill in the
art to be suitable for administration to patients (see, for
example, Oxford Textbook of Surgery, Morris and Malt, Eds., Oxford
University Press, 1994) or for maintaining organs, tissues or cells
ex-vivo. In general, the liquid will be an aqueous solution.
Examples of solutions include Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS),
Celsior.TM. solution, Perfadex.TM. solution, Collins solution,
citrate solution, and University of Wisconsin (UW) solution (Oxford
Textbook of Surgery, Morris and Malt, Eds., Oxford University
Press, 1994). The liquid compositions can include carbon monoxide
at concentrations in the range of about 0.0001 to about 0.0044 g
CO/100 g liquid, e.g., at least 0.0002, 0.0004, 0.0006, 0.0008,
0.0010, 0.0013, 0.0014, 0.0015, 0.0016, 0.0018, 0.0020, 0.0021,
0.0022, 0.0024, 0.0026, 0.0028, 0.0030, 0.0032, 0.0035, 0.0037,
0.0040, or 0.0042 g CO/100 g aqueous solution. Preferred ranges
include, e.g., about 0.0010 to about 0.0030 g CO/100 g liquid,
about 0.0015 to about 0.0026 g CO/100 g liquid, or about 0.0018 to
about 0.0024 g CO/100 g liquid. For water at 0.degree. C., the
saturation point is about 0.0044 g CO/100 g medium.
[0108] Any suitable liquid can be saturated to a set concentration
of carbon monoxide via gas diffusers. Alternatively, pre-made
solutions that have been quality controlled to contain set levels
of carbon monoxide can be used. Accurate control of dose can be
achieved via measurements with a gas permeable, liquid impermeable
membrane connected to a carbon monoxide analyzer. Solutions can be
saturated to desired effective concentrations and maintained at
these levels. In both liquid and gaseous compositions, the
inclusion of the inert gas helium can improve carbon monoxide
delivery to the tissues of an organ.
Treatment of Patients with Carbon Monoxide Compositions
[0109] The present invention contemplates the use of carbon
monoxide compositions to treat donors, recipients, organs, tissues,
masses of cells, and/or individual cells at any step of the
harvesting, storage and transplant process. An organ, a tissue, a
mass of cells, or individual cells may be harvested from a donor,
treated with a carbon monoxide composition ex vivo in accordance
with the present invention, and transplanted into a recipient.
Alternatively or in addition, the organ, tissue, mass of cells, or
individual cells can be treated in situ, while still in the donor.
Optionally, a carbon monoxide composition can be administered to
the recipient prior to, during, and/or after the surgery: e.g.,
after an organ is reperfused with the recipient's blood. The carbon
monoxide composition may also be administered to the donor prior to
or during the process of harvesting the organ, tissue, mass of
cells, or individual cells.
[0110] Organs, tissues, masses of cells, and/or isolated cells can
be harvested from a donor and transplanted by any methods known to
those of skill in the art (see, for example, Oxford Textbook of
Surgery, Morris and Malt, Eds., Oxford University Press (1994)).
The skilled practitioner will recognize that methods for harvesting
and transplantation may vary depending upon many circumstances,
such as the type of organ, tissue or cells and the type of
donor.
[0111] It is further contemplated by the present invention that the
methods described herein can be used with organs, tissue, masses of
cells or isolated cells ex vivo, e.g., bioartificial organs, such
as a bioartificial liver, kidney or pancreas (see, e.g., Sambanis
et al, Cytotechnology 15:351-363, 1994). The organs, tissues, or
cells (or masses of cells) can be treated with carbon monoxide
either prior to putting them in the device, or while they are
utilized in the device, or both. Alternatively or in addition, the
donor animal can be administered carbon monoxide prior to removal
of the organ, tissue, mass of cells, or individual cells for use in
the device.
[0112] Alternatively or in addition, a cell can be cultured as
described below and transplanted into a recipient.
[0113] A patient can be treated with a carbon monoxide composition
by any method known in the art of administering gases and/or
liquids to patients. The present invention contemplates the
systemic administration of liquid or gaseous carbon monoxide
compositions to patients (e.g., by inhalation and/or ingestion),
and the topical administration of the compositions to the patient's
organs or tissues in situ (e.g., by ingestion, insufflation, and/or
introduction into the abdominal cavity).
[0114] The present invention also contemplates the use of carbon
monoxide compositions to treat patients to inhibit endothelial cell
apoptosis, e.g., as it occurs during hyperoxia, endotoxic shock,
arteriosclerosis, ischemia reperfusion injury, and acute or chronic
graft rejection.
[0115] Systemic Delivery of Carbon Monoxide
[0116] Gaseous carbon monoxide compositions can be, delivered
systemically to a patient, e.g., a patient undergoing or in need of
a transplant. Gaseous carbon monoxide compositions are typically
administered by inhalation through the mouth or nasal passages to
the lungs, where the carbon monoxide is readily absorbed into the
patient's bloodstream. The concentration of active compound (CO)
utilized in the therapeutic gaseous composition will depend on
absorption, distribution, inactivation, and excretion (generally,
through respiration) rates of the carbon monoxide as well as other
factors known to those of skill in the art. It is to be further
understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage
regimens be adjusted over time according to the individual need and
the professional judgment of the person administering or
supervising the administration of the compositions, and that the
concentration ranges set forth herein are exemplary only and are
not intended to limit the scope or practice of the claimed
invention. Acute, sub-acute and chronic administration of carbon
monoxide are contemplated by the present invention, depending upon,
e.g., the severity or persistence of the disorder in the patient.
Carbon monoxide can be delivered to the patient for a time
(including indefinitely) sufficient to treat the condition and
exert the intended pharmacological or biological effect.
[0117] The following are examples of some methods and devices that
can be utilized to administer gaseous carbon monoxide compositions
to patients.
[0118] Ventilators
[0119] Carbon monoxide (concentrations can vary) can be purchased
mixed with air or another oxygen-containing gas in a standard tank
of compressed gas (e.g., 21% O.sub.2, 79% N.sub.2). It is
non-reactive, and the concentrations that are required for the
methods of the present invention are well below the combustible
range (10% in air). In a hospital setting, the gas presumably will
be delivered to the bedside where it will be mixed with oxygen or
house air in a blender to a desired concentration. The patient will
inhale the gas mixture through a ventilator, which will be set to a
flow rate based on patient comfort and needs. This is determined by
pulmonary graphics (i.e., respiratory rate, tidal volumes, etc.).
Fail-safe mechanism(s) to prevent the patient from unnecessarily
receiving greater than desired amounts of carbon monoxide can be
designed into the delivery system. The patient's carbon monoxide
level can be monitored by studying (1) carboxyhemoglobin (COHb),
which can be measured in venous blood, and (2) exhaled carbon
monoxide collected from a side port of the ventilator. Carbon
monoxide exposure can be adjusted based upon the patient's health
status and on the basis of the markers. If necessary, carbon
monoxide can be washed out of the patient by switching to 100%
O.sub.2 inhalation. Carbon monoxide is not metabolized; thus,
whatever is inhaled will ultimately be exhaled except for a very
small percentage that is converted to CO.sub.2. Carbon monoxide can
also be mixed with any level of O.sub.2 to provide therapeutic
delivery of carbon monoxide without consequential hypoxic
conditions.
[0120] Face Mask and Tent
[0121] A carbon monoxide-containing gas mixture is prepared as
above to allow inhalation by the patient using a facemask or tent.
The concentration inhaled can be changed and can be washed out by
simply switching over to 100% O.sub.2. Monitoring of carbon
monoxide levels would occur at or near the mask or tent with a
fail-safe mechanism that would prevent too high of a concentration
of carbon monoxide from being inhaled.
[0122] Portable Inhaler
[0123] Compressed carbon monoxide can be packaged into a portable
inhaler device and inhaled in a metered dose, for example, to
permit intermittent treatment of a recipient who is not in a
hospital setting. Different concentrations of carbon monoxide could
be packaged in the containers. The device could be as simple as a
small tank (e.g., under 5 kg) of appropriately diluted CO with an
on-off valve and a tube from which the patient takes a whiff of CO
according to a standard regimen or as needed.
[0124] Intravenous Artificial Lung
[0125] An artificial lung (a catheter device for gas exchange in
the blood) designed for O.sub.2 delivery and CO.sub.2 removal can
be used for carbon monoxide delivery. The catheter, when implanted,
resides in one of the large veins and would be able to deliver
carbon monoxide at given concentrations either for systemic
delivery or at a local site. The delivery can be a local delivery
of a high concentration of carbon monoxide for a short period of
time at a specific site (this high concentration would rapidly be
diluted out in the bloodstream), or a relatively longer systemic
exposure to a lower concentration of carbon monoxide (see, e.g.,
Hattler et al., Artif. Organs 18(11):806-812, 1994; and Golob et
al., ASAIO J. 47(5):432-437, 2001),.
[0126] Normobaric Chamber
[0127] In certain instances, it would be desirable to expose the
whole patient to carbon monoxide. The patient would be inside an
airtight chamber that would be flooded with carbon monoxide (at a
level that does not endanger the patient, or at a level that poses
an acceptable risk without the risk of bystanders being exposed).
Upon completion of the exposure, the chamber could be flushed with
air (e.g., 21% O.sub.2, 79% N.sub.2), and samples could be analyzed
by carbon monoxide analyzers to ensure no carbon monoxide remains
before allowing the patient to exit the exposure system.
[0128] Aqueous Solutions
[0129] The present invention further contemplates that aqueous
solutions comprising carbon monoxide can be created for systemic
delivery to a patient, e.g., for oral delivery and/or by injection
into the body, e.g., intravenously, intra-arterially,
intraperitoneally and/or subcutaneously.
[0130] Preservation buffers and culture media can be saturated to a
set concentration of carbon monoxide via gas diffusers or pre-made
stock solutions that have been quality controlled to contain set
levels of carbon monoxide. Accurate control of dose can be achieved
via measurements with a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane
connected to a carbon monoxide analyzer. The buffers and solutions
can be saturated to desired effective concentrations and maintained
at these levels. For procedures that require perfusion of a given
organ, tissue, or cell preparation, pre-made saturated solutions
can be on hand to maintain the levels of carbon monoxide. If carbon
monoxide levels drop, fresh solutions can be added to replace those
where carbon monoxide concentrations have dropped. Once the
preparation of the organ, tissue or cell has been accomplished, it
can be maintained in the solution in an airtight container for
transport. The presence of the inert gas helium makes uptake of
carbon monoxide more efficient.
Topical Treatment of Organs, Tissues, and Isolated Cells with
Carbon Monoxide in situ and ex vivo.
[0131] The present invention features methods of transplanting an
organ(s), tissues, masses of cells and/or isolated cells. The
methods can include a step of exposing the organ(s), tissues, mass
of cells and/or isolated cells to a carbon monoxide composition
prior to transplantation. Such exposures can occur in situ and/or
ex vivo. The organ(s), tissues and/or isolated cells may be exposed
to an atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide gas, to a liquid carbon
monoxide composition, e.g., a liquid perfusate, storage solution,
or wash solution having carbon monoxide dissolved therein, or
both.
[0132] Exposure of an organ or tissue to liquid carbon monoxide
compositions can be performed ex vivo and/or in situ by any method
known in the art. For example, the exposure may be performed ex
vivo in any chamber or space having sufficient volume for
submerging the organ or tissue, completely or partially, in the
carbon monoxide composition. As another example, the organ may be
exposed to a carbon monoxide composition by placing the organ in
any suitable container, and causing the carbon monoxide composition
to "wash over" the organ, such that the organ is exposed to a
continuous flow of the carbon monoxide composition.
[0133] Alternatively, the organ may be perfused with a carbon
monoxide composition. The term "perfusion" is an art recognized
term, and relates to the passage of a liquid, e.g., a carbon
monoxide composition, through the blood vessels of an organ or
tissue. Methods for perfusing organs ex vivo and in situ are well
known in the art. An organ can be perfused with a carbon monoxide
composition ex vivo, for example, by continuous hypothermic machine
perfusion (see Oxford Textbook of Surgery, Morris and Malt, Eds.,
Oxford University Press, 1994). Optionally, in in situ or ex vivo
perfusions, the organ can be perfused with a wash solution, e.g.,
UW solution without carbon monoxide, prior to perfusion with the
carbon monoxide composition, to remove the donor's blood from the
organ. Such a process could be performed to avoid competition for
carbon monoxide by the donor's hemoglobin. As another option, the
wash solution can be a carbon monoxide composition. An appropriate
liquid may be passed through tubing that allows gas diffusion; this
tubing runs through an atmosphere comprising carbon monoxide (e.g.,
through a chamber, such as with extracorporeal membrane
oxygenation), to create a liquid carbon monoxide composition, which
may then be passed into an organ (e.g., perfused into the organ by
connecting the tubing to the organ).
[0134] The organ or tissue may be placed, e.g., submerged, in a
medium or solution that does not include carbon monoxide, and
placed in a chamber that exposes thee medium or solution to a
carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere. Alternatively or in
addition, carbon monoxide can be "bubbled" into the medium or
solution. In situ exposures can be performed by any method known in
the art, e.g., by in situ flushing or perfusion of the organ with a
liquid carbon monoxide composition (see Oxford Textbook of Surgery,
Morris and Malt, Eds., Oxford University Press, 1994).
[0135] The present invention contemplates that any or all of the
above methods for exposing an organ or tissue to a liquid carbon
monoxide composition, e.g., washing, submerging, or perfusing, can
be used in a given transplantation procedure.
[0136] The present invention further contemplates that a solid or
semi-solid carbon monoxide composition can be created. For example,
a liquid that is a carbon monoxide composition, as described above,
can be made into a solid or semi-solid composition, in which an
organ or tissue may be overlaid or embedded. Alternatively, a
semi-solid carbon monoxide composition can be infused into the
organ. Solid or semi-solid compositions can be made, for example,
by adding a solidifying agent such as a gelling agent (e.g.,
collagen or alginate) to the liquid.
Cell Culture
[0137] The present invention features a method of maintaining or
culturing an animal cell in vitro. The method can include the steps
of providing a vessel containing a pressurized gas comprising
carbon monoxide gas, providing an animal cell in vitro and
releasing the pressurized gas from the vessel to form an atmosphere
that includes the carbon monoxide gas. The animal cell is then
cultured or simply maintained in the presence of the atmosphere
comprising carbon monoxide gas.
[0138] The method can be performed in any chamber or space suitable
for creating an atmosphere that includes appropriate levels of
carbon monoxide gas. Such chambers or spaces include, e.g.,
incubators, mixing cylinders, and any vessel suitable for culturing
or holding cells, such as roller bottles, cell culture flasks,
petri dishes, and test tubes. For example, a CO.sub.2 incubator may
be used, wherein carbon monoxide gas is supplied in a continuous
flow from a vessel that contains the gas. As another example, a
roller bottle may be used, wherein carbon monoxide is included to
create an appropriate atmosphere inside the roller bottle.
[0139] The skilled practitioner will appreciate that culture
conditions, e.g., temperature, can be selected and/or varied
depending upon the type of cell to be cultured (see, for example,
Cells: A Laboratory Manual, Spector and Leinwand, Eds., Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1997). For
example, the murine insulinoma cell line .beta.BTC3 (DSMZ,
Braunschweig, Germany) can be incubated in humidified 5%
CO.sub.2/95% air at 37.degree. C.
[0140] The animal cell may be disposed, e.g., suspended or bathed
in, a liquid medium. The medium can be any medium known to those of
skill in the art to be suitable for culturing, preserving, or
washing the cells of interest (see, for example, Cells: A
Laboratory Manual, Spector and Leinwand, Eds., Cold Spring Harbor
Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1997). Such types of
media include, but are not limited to, various buffers, Eagle's
minimal essential medium (MEM), Dulbecco/Vogt modified Eagle's
minimal essential medium (DMEM), or Roswell Park Memorial Institute
(RPMI) Medium. Such media may also comprise appropriate
supplements, e.g., fetal bovine serum (FBS), individual amino
acids, antibiotics, and/or vitamins. For example, the medium can be
RPMI medium 1640 (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y.)
supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin G, 100 U/ml
streptomycin and 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) (Life Technologies). In
those embodiments of the present invention wherein the cells are in
a liquid medium, the cells can be exposed to a carbon monoxide
composition by contacting the liquid medium with pressurized gas
comprising carbon monoxide, e.g., with carbon monoxide gas released
from a source of pressurized gas in accordance with the methods of
the invention.
[0141] In another embodiment of the present invention, the liquid
medium itself is a carbon monoxide composition, created as
described above. The medium can be infused with carbon monoxide
before or following addition of the cells to the medium.
[0142] The present invention further contemplates that a solid or
semi-solid medium can be created wherein the solid or semi-solid
medium is a carbon monoxide composition. For example, a liquid
medium that is a carbon monoxide composition, as described above,
can be made into a solid or semi-solid medium, in which cells may
be overlaid or embedded. Such a process can be carried out, for
example, by adding a gelling agent such as collagen, alginate or
agar to a medium.
Use of Hemoxygenase-1, Compounds Associated with Hemoxypenase-1,
and Other Compounds and Treatments
[0143] Also contemplated by the present invention is the induction
or expression of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) in conjunction with
administration of carbon monoxide. HO-1 can be provided to a
patient by inducing or expressing HO-1 in the patient, or by
administering exogenous HO-1 directly to the patient. As used
herein, the term "induce(d)" means to cause increased production of
a protein, e.g., HO-1, in isolated cells or the cells of a tissue,
organ or animal using the cells' own endogenous (e.g.,
non-recombinant) gene that encodes the protein.
[0144] HO-1 can be induced in a patient, e.g., a donor and/or
recipient, by any method known in the art. For example, production
of HO-1 can be induced by hemin, by iron protoporphyrin, or by
cobalt protoporphyrin. A variety of non-heme agents including heavy
metals, cytokines, hormones, nitric oxide, COCl.sub.2, endotoxin
and heat shock are also strong inducers of HO-1 expression
(Otterbein et al., Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol.
279:L1029-L1037, 2000; Choi et al., Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol.
15:9-19, 1996; Maines, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 37:517-554,
1997; and Tenhunen et al., J. Lab. Clin. Med. 75:410-421, 1970).
HO-1 is also highly induced by a variety-of agents and conditions
that create oxidative stress, including hydrogen peroxide,
glutathione depletors, UV irradiation and hyperoxia (Choi et al.,
Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 15: 9-19, 1996; Maines, Annu. Rev.
Pharmacol. Toxicol. 37:517-554, 1997; and Keyse et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 86:99-103, 1989). A "pharmaceutical composition
comprising an inducer of HO-1" means a pharmaceutical composition
containing any agent capable of inducing HO-1 in a patient, e.g.,
any of the agents described above, e.g., hemin, iron
protoporphyrin, and/or cobalt protoporphyrin.
[0145] HO-1 expression in a cell can be increased via gene
transfer. As used herein, the term "express(ed)" means to cause
increased production of a protein, e.g., HO-1 or ferritin, in
isolated cells or the cells of a tissue, organ or animal using an
exogenously administered gene (e.g., a recombinant gene). The HO-1
or ferritin is preferably of the same species (e.g., human, mouse,
rat, etc.) as the transplant recipient, in order to minimize any
immune reaction. Expression could be driven by a constitutive
promoter (e.g., cytomegalovirus promoters) or a tissue-specific
promoter (e.g., milk whey promoter for mammary cells or albumin
promoter for liver cells). An appropriate gene therapy vector
(e.g., retrovirus, adenovirus, adeno associated virus (AAV), pox
(e.g., vaccinia) virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the
minute virus of mice, hepatitis B virus, influenza virus, Herpes
Simplex Virus-1, and lentivirus) encoding HO-1 or ferritin would be
administered to the patient orally, by inhalation, or by injection
at a location appropriate for treatment of transplant rejection.
Particularly preferred is local administration directly to the
donor's organ, tissue or cells to be transplanted, or to the site
of the transplant in the recipient. Similarly, plasmid vectors
encoding HO-1 or apo-ferritin can be administered, e.g., as naked
DNA, in liposomes, or in microparticles.
[0146] Further, exogenous HO-1 protein can be directly administered
to a patient by any method known in the art. Exogenous HO-1 can be
directly administered in-addition to, or as an alternative, to the
induction or expression of HO-1 in the patient as described above.
The HO-1 protein can be delivered to a patient, for example, in
liposomes, and/or as a fusion protein, e.g., as a TAT-fusion
protein (see, e.g., Becker-Hapak et al., Methods 24:247-256,
2001).
[0147] Alternatively or in addition, any of the products of
metabolism by HO-1, e.g., bilirubin, biliverdin, iron, and/or
ferritin, can be administered to a patient in conjunction with, or
instead of, carbon monoxide in order to prevent or treat the
disorder. Further, the present invention contemplates that
iron-binding molecules other than ferritin, e.g., desferoxamine
(DFO), iron dextran, and/or apoferritin, can be administered to the
patient. Any of the above compounds can be administered to the
patient topically and/or systemically.
[0148] Also contemplated by the present invention is the
administration of nitric oxide (NO) to a patient, organ(s),
tissue(s) and/or isolated cells in conjunction with administration
of carbon monoxide, HO-1 and/or HO-1 associated compounds. This
technique includes providing NO to the donor, the recipient, or the
gorgan, tissue or cell ex vivo, in conjunction with the
administration of HO-1 and/or any or all of the products of heme
degradation, e.g., CO, biliverdin, bilirubin, iron, and
ferritin.
[0149] The term "nitric oxide" (or "NO") as used herein describes
molecular nitric oxide in its gaseous state or dissolved in aqueous
solution. Gaseous compositions comprising NO are typically
administered by inhalation through the mouth or nasal passages to
the lungs, where the NO may exert its effect directly or be readily
absorbed into the patient's bloodstream. Compressed or pressurized
gas, e.g., NO (and/or CO, as described in further detail above),
useful in the methods of the invention can be obtained from any
commercial source, and in any type of vessel appropriate for
storing compressed gas. If desired, the methods of the present
invention can be performed using multiple vessels containing
individual gases. Alternatively, CO and NO can be combined in a
single vessel, diluted if desired in an inert gas.
[0150] NO for inhalation is available commercially (e.g.,
INOmax.TM., INO Therapeutics, Inc., Clinton, N.J.). The gas may be
obtained from commercial supplier typically as a mixture of 200-800
ppm NO in pure N.sub.2 gas. The source of NO can be essentially
100% NO, or diluted with N.sub.2 or any other inert gas (e.g.,
helium) to any desired concentration. It is vital that the NO be
obtained and stored as a mixture free of any contaminating O.sub.2
or higher oxides of nitrogen, because such higher oxides of
nitrogen (which can form by reaction of O.sub.2 with NO) are
potentially harmful to lung tissues. If desired, purity of the NO
may be demonstrated with chemiluminescence analysis, using known
methods, prior to administration to the patient. Chemiluminescence
NO--NO.sub.x analyzers are commercially available (e.g., Model 14A,
Thermo Environmental Instruments, Franklin, Mass.). The NO--N.sub.2
mixture may be blended with an O.sub.2-containing gas (e.g., 100%
O.sub.2 or air) just prior to inhalation by the patient, using, for
example, a calibrated rotameter that has been validated previously
with a spirometer. The final concentration of NO in the breathing
mixture may be verified with a chemical or chemiluminescence
technique well known to those in the field (e.g., Fontijin et al.,
Anal Chem 42:575, 1970). Alternatively, NO and NO.sub.2
concentrations may be monitored by means of an electrochemical
analyzer. Any impurities such as NO.sub.2 can be scrubbed by
exposure to NaOH solutions, baralyme, or sodalime. As an additional
control, the FiO.sub.2 of the final gas mixture may also be
assessed.
[0151] Pharmaceutical compositions comprising NO can be
administered using any method in the art for administering gases to
patients. Safe and effective methods for administration of NO by
inhalation are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,683; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,904,938; and Frostell et al., Circulation 83:2038-2047,
1991. Some exemplary methods for administering gases (such as CO)
to patients are described in detail above, and can be used to
administer NO. Examples of methods and devices that can be utilized
to administer gaseous pharmaceutical compositions comprising NO to
patients include ventilators, face masks and tents, portable
inhalers, intravenous artificial lungs (see, e.g., Hattler et al.,
Artif. Organs 18(11):806-812, 1994; and Golob et al. ASAIO J.,
47(5):432-437, 2001), and normobaric chambers. However, the
properties of NO may allow/necessitate some modification of these
methods. In a hospital or emergency field situation, administration
of NO gas can be accomplished, for example, by attaching a tank of
compressed NO gas in N.sub.2, and a second tank of oxygen or an
oxygen/N.sub.2 mixture (such as air), to an inhaler designed to mix
gas from two sources. By controlling the flow of gas from each
source, the concentration of NO inhaled by the patient can be
maintained at an optimal level. NO can also be mixed with room air,
using a standard low-flow blender (e.g., Bird Blender, Palm
Springs, Calif.). NO can be generated from N.sub.2 and O.sub.2
(i.e., air) by using an electric NO generator. A suitable NO
generator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,882. In addition, NO
can he provided intermittently from an inhaler equipped with a
source of NO such as compressed NO or an electric NO generator. The
use of an inhaler may be particularly advantageous if a second
compound (e.g., a phosphodiesterase inhibitor as described in
further detail below) is administered, orally or by inhalation, in
conjunction with the NO.
[0152] Preferably, in a pharmaceutical composition comprising NO
gas, the NO concentration at the time of inhalation is about 0.1
ppm to about 300 ppm, e.g., 0.5 ppm to 290 ppm, 1.0 ppm to 280 ppm,
5 ppm to 250 ppm, 10 ppm to 200 ppm, or 10 ppm to 100 ppm, in air,
pure oxygen, or another suitable gas or gas mixture. A suitable
starting dosage for NO administered by inhalation can be 20 ppm
(see, e.g., INOmax.TM. package insert), and the dosage can vary,
e.g., from 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm, depending on the age and condition
of the patient, the disease or disorder being treated, and other
factors that the treating physician may deem relevant. Acute,
sub-acute and chronic administration of NO are contemplated by the
present invention. NO can be delivered to the patient for a time
(including indefinitely) sufficient to treat the condition and
exert the intended pharmacological or biological effect. The
concentration can be temporarily increased for short periods of
time, e.g., 5 min at 200 ppm NO. This can be done when an immediate
effect is desired. Preferred periods of time for exposure of a
patient to NO include at least one hour, e.g., at least six hours;
at least one day; at least one week, two weeks, four weeks, six
weeks, eight weeks, ten weeks or twelve weeks; at least one year;
at least two years; and at least five years. The patient can be
exposed to the atmosphere continuously or intermittently during
such periods. The administration of pharmaceutical compositions
comprising NO (and/or CO) can be via spontaneous or mechanical
ventilation.
[0153] When inhaled NO is administered, it is desirable to monitor
the effects of the NO inhalation. Such monitoring can be used, in a
particular individual, to verify desirable effects and to identify
undesirable side effects that might occur. Such monitoring is also
useful in adjusting dose level, duration and frequency of
administration of inhaled NO in a given individual.
[0154] Gaseous NO can be dissolved in aqueous solution, and
utilized in that form. For example, such a solution could be used
to bathe an organ, tissue or cells ex vivo, or used to perfuse an
organ or tissue in situ. The solution can contain other active
agents such as CO, HO-1, heme, biliverdin, and/or bilirubin.
[0155] It may be desirable to prolong the beneficial effects of
inhaled NO within the patient. In determining how-to prolong the
beneficial effects of inhaled NO, it is useful to consider that one
of the in vivo effects of NO is activation of soluble guanylate
cyclase, which stimulates production of cGMP. At least some of the
beneficial effects of NO may result from its stimulation of cGMP
biosynthesis. Accordingly, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor can be
administered in conjunction with NO inhalation to inhibit the
breakdown of cGMP by endogenous phosphodiesterases.
[0156] The phosphodiesterase inhibitor can be introduced into a
patient by any suitable method, including via an oral,
transmucosal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or
intraperitoneal route. Alternatively, the inhibitor can be inhaled
by the patient. For inhalation, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor is
advantageously formulated as a dry powder or an aerosolized or
nebulized solution having a particle or droplet size of less than
10 .mu.m for optimal deposition in the alveoli, and may optionally
be inhaled in a gas containing NO.
[0157] It may be desirable to prolong the beneficial effects of
inhaled NO within the patient. In determining how to prolong the
beneficial effects of inhaled NO, it is useful to consider that one
of the in vivo effects of NO is activation of soluble guanylate
cyclase, which stimulates production of cGMP. At least some of the
beneficial effects of NO may result from its stimulation of cGMP
biosynthesis. Accordingly, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor can be
administered in conjunction with NO inhalation to inhibit the
breakdown of cGMP by endogenous phosphodiesterases.
[0158] The phosphodiesterase inhibitor can be introduced into a
patient by any suitable method, including via an oral,
transmucosal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or
intraperitoneal route. Alternatively, the inhibitor can be inhaled
by the patient. For inhalation, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor is
advantageously formulated as a dry powder or an aerosolized or
nebulized solution having a particle or droplet size of less than
10 .mu.m for optimal deposition in the alveoli, and may optionally
be inhaled in a gas containing NO.
[0159] A suitable phosphodiesterase inhibitor is Zaprinast{hacek
over (O)} (M&B 22948; 2-o-propoxyphenyl-8-azapurinie-6-one;
Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Dagenham Essex, UK). Zaprinast{hacek over (O)}
selectively inhibits the hydrolysis of cGMP with minimal effects on
the breakdown of adenosine cyclic-monophosphate in vascular smooth
muscle cells (Trapani et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 258:269, 1991;
Harris et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther 249:394, 1989; Lugnier et al.,
Biochem Pharmacol 35:1743, 1986; Souness et al., Br J Pharmacol
98:725, 1989). When using Zaprinast{hacek over (O)} according to
this invention, the preferred routes of administration are
intravenous or oral. The suitable dose range may be determined by
one of ordinary skill in the art. A stock solution of
Zaprinast{hacek over (O)} may be prepared in 0.05 N NaOH. The stock
can then be diluted with Ringer's lactate solution to the desired
final Zaprinast concentration, immediately before use.
[0160] This invention can be practiced with other phosphodiesterase
inhibitors. Various phosphodiesterase inhibitors are known in the
art, including Viagra.RTM. (sildenafil citrate) dipyridainole and
theophylline. A suitable route of administration and suitable dose
range can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0161] Administration of NO with phosphodiesterase inhibitors can
be performed as follows. The NO is administered at 20 ppm in air
for 45 min. At the start of the 45 min period, 1.0 mg of
Zaprinasti{hacek over (O)} per kg body weight is administered by
intravenous infusion over 4 min, followed by a continuous infusion
of 0.004 mg/kg/min for the rest of the 45 min period.
Alternatively, at the start of the 45 min period, 0.15 mg
dipyridamole per kg body weight is administered over 4 min,
followed by a continuous infusion of 0.004 mg/kg/min for the rest
of the 45 min period. The Zaprinast{hacek over (O)} or dipyridamole
is administered in a saline solution.
[0162] In the context of transplantation, the present invention
further contemplates that other procedures known in the art for
enhancing graft survival/function can be used along with the
methods described herein. Such procedures include, but are not
limited to immunosuppressive therapies and donor specific
transfusions (DSTs). For example, a DST can be administered to a
recipient prior to, during and/or after the administration of CO,
HO-1, other heme-associated products, and/or NO to a recipient.
Such administration, e.g., administration of DST(s) along with a
treatment described herein, can be carried out prior to, during,
and/or after transplantation.
EXAMPLE I
Carbon Monoxide Protects Pancreatic Beta Cells from Apoptosis and
Improves Islet Function/Survival After Transplantation
Cell Cultures
[0163] The murine insulinoma cell line .beta.TC3 (DSMZ,
Braunschweig, Germany) was cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's
Medium (DMEM) (Life Technologies, Grand Island, N.Y., USA)
supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin G, 100 U/ml
streptomycin and 10% Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) (Life Technologies) and
incubated in humidified 5% CO.sub.2/95% air at 37.degree. C. This
murine .beta.-cell line, derived from transgenic mice carrying a
hybrid insulin-promoter simian virus 40 tumor antigen, is known to
maintain the features of differentiated .beta.-cells for about 50
passages in culture. The cells produce mature insulin from
proinsulin I and II in a manner comparable to subcells in vivo and
are inducible up to 30 fold by glucose (Efrat et al., Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. USA 85:9037-41, 1988). Compared to other frequently used
transformed .beta.-cell lines such as RIN-m5F and HIT, levels of
secreted insulin are closer to normal .beta.-cells in the .beta.TC3
cell line. Thus, these cells are useful for studying .beta.-cell
regulation and gene expression (D'Ambra et al., Endocrinology
726:2815-22, 1990).
[0164] Pancreatic islets of Langerhans of C57BL/6 mice were
supplied by the islet isolation core facility of the Joslin
Diabetes Center.
Crystal Violet Vital Staining
[0165] .beta.TC3 were seeded at 2.times.10.sup.5 cells (Nunc, Marsh
Products, Rochester, N.Y., USA). Cells were washed once with 500
.mu.l PBS and stained with 200 .mu.l 0.05% Crystal Violet in 20%
ethanol for 10 min at RT. Crystal Violet was rinsed. To elute stain
from cells, 100 .mu.l 50% acetic acid were added to each well. 50
.mu.l were transferred into a 96 well microtiter plate and read
with a microtiter plate reader (EL 340 biokinetics reader, Bio-Tek
Instruments) at an absorbance of 562 nm.
Expression Plasmids
[0166] The .beta.-galactosidase expression vector (Clontech
Laboratories, Palo Alto, Calif.) was cloned into the pcDNA3 vector
(Sato et al., J. Immunol. 166:4185-4194, 2001). (Invitrogen,
Carlsbad, Calif.). A 1.0 kbp XhoI-HindIII fragment encoding the
full length rat HO-1 cDNA was cut from the prHO-1 vector (Shibahara
et al., J. Biochem. 113:214-218, 1993) and sub-cloned into the
pcDNA3 vector.
Transient Transfections
[0167] .beta.TC3 were seeded at 3.times.10.sup.5 cells in 16 mm
wells and transfected 15 to 20 hours later using Lipofectamine
plus.TM. reagents (Life Technologies) according to the
manufacturer's instructions. Total DNA was maintained constant
using empty pcDNA3 vector. The percentage of viable cells was
assessed by normalizing the percentage of viable cells of each DNA
preparation to the number of control-transfected cells without the
apoptotic stimulus (100% viability) (Soares et al., Nature Med.
4:1073-1077, 1998; Sato et al., J. Immunol. 166:4185-4194,
2001).
Flow Cytometry
[0168] .beta.TC3 cultures were incubated with recombinant
TNF-.alpha. (500 or 1000 U/ml) (R&D Systems) for 24 hours and
islet cultures were stimulated with TNF-E (5000 U/ml) (R&D
Systems) and cyclohexamide (CHX) (50 .mu.g/ml) for 48 hours.
.beta.TC3 or islets were harvested, dispersed, fixed in 70%
ethanol, and suspended in DNA staining buffer (PBS, pH 7.4,
containing 0.1% Triton X-100, 0.1 mM EDTA, 50 .mu.g/ml propidium
iodide, 50 mg/ml Rnase A). DNA content was analyzed on a
FACScan.TM. analyzer equipped with Cell Quest{hacek over (O)}
Software (Becton Dickinson, Palo Alto, Calif.). Cells with a normal
DNA content (2N) were scored as viable, whereas cells with a
hypoploid DNA content (<2N, termed A.sup.0) were scored as
apoptotic. To exclude debris and apoptotic cell-free fragments, all
events with an FL-2 area profile below that of chicken erythrocyte
nuclei were excluded from analysis.
Cell Treatment and Reagents
[0169] Murine recombinant TNF-.alpha. (R&D Systems) was
dissolved in PBS with 1% bovine serum albumin and added to the
culture medium (17.5 ng/ml=500 U) 24 hours after transfection. The
caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK and the caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-CHO
(Calbiochem, San Diego, Calif.) were dissolved in dimethyl
sulphoxide (DMSO, Sigma) and added to the culture medium (10 .mu.M
and 1 .mu.M respectively) two hours before treatment with
TNF-.alpha.. Tin protoporphyrin (SnPPIX) (Porphyrin Products,
Logan, Utah) was dissolved (10 mM) in 100 mM NaOH and added 6 hours
after transfection to the culture medium (50 EM). The guanylyl
cyclase inhibitor 1H[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-.alpha.]quinoxalin-1
(ODQ; Calbiochem) was dissolved in DMSO and added to the culture
medium (100 .mu.M) 6 hours after transfection. The cGMP analogue
8-bromoguanosine-3'-5'-cyclic-monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) (Sigma) was
dissolved in water and added to the culture medium (10 .mu.M) 30
minutes before induction of apoptosis. The protein kinase G
inhibitor KT5823 (Calbiochem) was dissolved in DMSO and added to
the culture medium (1.6 .mu.M) 6 hours after transfection.
CO Exposure
[0170] Cells and islets were exposed to 1% carbon monoxide in
compressed air balanced with 5% CO.sub.2, as described elsewhere
(see, e.g., Otterbein et al., Nature Med. 6:422-428, 2000). Islets
were incubated in RPMI medium pre-saturated with carbon monoxide
(4.degree. C. overnight, 1% CO, 5% CO.sub.2) for two hours at
37.degree. C. while treatment with 1% CO, 5% CO.sub.2 was
continued.
Mice and Induction of Diabetes
[0171] Male C57BL/6 were purchased from Charles River Laboratories
(Wilmington, Mass.) and housed in accordance with guidelines from
the NIH. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal
Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Recipient mice (8 weeks old) were
rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection (220 mg/kg)
of Streptozotocin{hacek over (O)} (Sigma) dissolved in citrate
buffer. Mice received transplants if 2 consecutive non-fasting
blood glucose levels of greater than 350 mg/dl were obtained from a
whole blood sample.
Islet Isolation
[0172] Pancreatic islets of Langerhans (C57BLU6 mice) were provided
by the Islet Core Laboratory of the JDRF Center for Islet
Transplantation at Harvard Medical School and isolated as described
previously (Gotoh et al., Transplantation 40:437-438, 1985).
Syngeneic Marginal Mass Islet Transplantation
[0173] 250 islets 150-250 m in diameter were hand-picked using a
dissecting microscope. Islets were transplanted under the kidney
capsule as described previously (Kaufman et al., J. Exp. Med.
172:291-302, 1990). From each islet preparation the same numbers of
control and treatment animals were transplanted.
Graft Functional Outcome Analysis
[0174] Graft function was defined as the point when the first of
three consecutive days of non-fasting blood glucose levels
<200mg/dl was reached. The primary endpoint of the experiment
was defined as time to normoglycemia.
Statistical Analysis
[0175] Blood glucose data were summarized as mean.+-.standard
deviation of mice receiving untreated or treated islets. Time to
recovery of islet function was calculated using Kaplan-Meier life
tables and differences between groups tested using a log-rank test,
with the three islet preparations treated as separate strata in the
analysis, and the median time to recovery, with 95% confidence
interval, reported.
TNF-.alpha. Induces Apoptosis in .beta.TC3 Cells
[0176] The effect of TNF-.alpha. on .beta.TC3 cells was
investigated. The following procedures were utilized to generate
the data illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C. FIG. 1A: .beta.TC3 were treated
with increasing concentrations of TNF-.alpha.. Viable cells were
stained 24 hours after activation by crystal violet. The extinction
was measured at 562 nm and normalized to untreated cells. FIG. 1B:
.beta.TC3 were treated with TNF-.alpha., stained by propidium
iodide 24 hours later and analyzed for DNA fragmentation
(FACScan.TM.). FIG. 1C: .beta.TC3 were co-transfected with a
.beta.-gal expressing vector (pcDNA3/.beta.-gal) plus control
(pcDNA3). When indicated, cells were treated with the caspase-3
inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK (C3-i) or the caspase-8 inhibitor IETD-CHO
(C8-i). Gray histograms represent untreated .beta.-cells and black
histograms represent .beta.-cells treated with TNF-.alpha. for 24
hours. Results shown are the mean.+-.standard deviation from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three.
[0177] TNF-.alpha. induced high levels of cell death in the
insulinoma cell line .beta.TC3, in a dose-dependent manner
(Stephens et al., Endocrinology 140:3219-3227, 1999) (FIG. 1A). DNA
fragmentation was demonstrated by propidium iodide (PI) staining
(FIG. 1B), suggesting that TNF-.alpha. induces .beta.-cell death
through apoptosis. TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis was strictly
dependent on the activation of caspase-8 and partially dependent on
that of caspase-3, as illustrated by the finding that blocking
caspase-8 with a specific caspase-8 inhibitor (IETD-CHO) prevented
apoptosis (96% inhibition) while blocking caspase-3 by a specific
caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) prevented apoptosis only partially
(53% inhibition) (FIG. 1C).
Carbon Monoxide Protects .beta.TC3 Cells
[0178] Whether exogenous carbon monoxide could protect .beta.-cells
from apoptosis was investigated (FIGS. 2A-C). The following
procedures were utilized to generate the data illustrated in FIGS.
2A-C. FIG. 2A: Exogenous CO can substitute for HO-1 when HO-1
activity is blocked. .beta.TC3 were co-transfected with a
.beta.-gal expressing vector plus control or HO-1-expressing rector
(Brouardet al., J. Exp. Med. 192:1015-1026, 2000). When indicated,
HO-1 enzymatic activity was inhibited by tin protoporphyrin (SnPP).
When indicated, .beta.-cells were exposed to exogenous carbon
monoxide (1%) as described earlier (Otterbein et al., Nature Med.
6:422-428, 2000). Gray histograms represent untreated .beta.-cells
and black histograms represent .beta.-cells treated with
TNF-.alpha.. Results shown are mean.+-.standard deviation from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three. FIG. 2B: Exogenous carbon monoxide protects .beta.-cells
from apoptosis in the DNA fragmentation analysis. .beta.TC3 were
treated with TNF-.alpha.. Directly after stimulation, .beta.TC3
were exposed to exogenous carbon monoxide for 24 hours. Control
.beta.TC3 were treated in the same manner but not exposed to carbon
monoxide. After 24 hours cells were stained by propidium iodide and
analyzed for DNA fragmentation on a FACScan.TM.. FIG. 2C: Exogenous
carbon monoxide protects .beta.-cells from apoptosis in absence of
HO-1. .beta.TC3 were transfected with .beta.-gal expressing vectors
and were exposed to exogenous carbon monoxide (Stephens et al.,
Endocrinology 740:3219-27,1999). Gray histograms represent
untreated .beta.-cells and black histograms represent .beta.-cells
treated with TNF-.alpha. or etoposide or subjected to serum
deprivation as indicated. Results shown are mean.+-.standard
deviation from duplicate wells taken from one representative
experiment out of three.
[0179] To evaluate whether expression of HO-1 would protect
.beta.-cells from TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis, .beta.TC3 cells
were transiently transfected with a HO-1 expression vector and
tested for their ability to survive when exposed to TNF-.alpha..
Over-expression of HO-1 protected .beta.TC3 from TNF-.alpha.
mediated apoptosis (Pileggi et al., Diabetes 50:1983-1991, 2001)
(87% survival versus 33% in control) (FIG. 2A). When HO-1 activity
was blocked by tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX) (Kappas et al.,
Hepatology 4:336-341, 1994), the anti-apoptotic effect was
suppressed (FIG. 2A), suggesting that the generation of at least
one of the end products of heme catabolism by HO-1, i.e. iron,
bilirubin and/or CO, is required for its anti-apoptotic
function.
[0180] On the hypothesis that the anti-apoptotic effect of HO-1
could be mediated by carbon monoxide, whether exposure to exogenous
carbon monoxide would substitute for HO-1 in protecting
.beta.-cells from apoptosis was tested. When the action of HO-1 was
suppressed by SnPPIX, carbon monoxide exposure suppressed
TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis to a similar extent as HO-1 (FIG.
2A). Exposure to exogenous carbon monoxide alone was protective
(11.7% apoptotic cells versus 20.3% in controls not exposed to CO),
as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation analysis (FIG. 2B). Similarly,
.beta.-cell apoptosis induced by etoposide or serum starvation was
suppressed by carbon monoxide exposure (FIG. 2C).
Induction of HO-1 in Donors and Recipients Leads to Prolonged Islet
Graft Survival
[0181] Whether induction of HO-1 in donors and recipients would
protect islet cell grafts was investigated. The following
procedures were utilized to generate the data illustrated in Table
1, below. A mouse model was utilized for the experiments. Donors of
islet cells were treated with cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) (20
mg/kg) once per day before islet cell isolation. Recipients of
islet cell grafts were treated with CoPP (20 mg/kg) once per day on
days 1, 3, 5, 7 or with CoPP (10 mg/kg) once per day on days 1, 3,
5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17. Treatment with CoPP induces expression
of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Induction of
HO-1 in Donors and Recipients Leads to Prolonged Islet Graft
Survival No. of Rejection/ Treatment Islets Rejection day Mean .+-.
SD Total CoPP 20 350-400 17, 33, 33, 44.85 .+-. 17.81 4/7 mg/kg
.times. 5 48, >58 .times. 2, >67 .times. 1 CoPP 10 350-400
30, 30, >51 .times. 2 40.5 .+-. 12.12 2/4 mg/kg .times. 10
Control 350-400 8, 8, 15, 15, 16, 15.71 .+-. 6.65 7/7 22, 26
[0182] Listed under "rejection day" are the days to which islets
survived. For instance, ">51.times.2", means that islets in 2
recipients were still surviving after 51 days. The mean date of
rejection is shown in the fourth column. These data demonstrate
that induction of HO-1 results in longer survival of islets after
transplantation.
Exogenous Carbon Monoxide Protects Murine Islet Cells from
Apoptosis
[0183] Whether exogenous carbon monoxide protects murine islet
cells from apoptosis was also investigated (FIG. 3). The following
procedures were utilized to generate the data illustrated in FIG.
3. Apoptosis was induced in freshly isolated murine islets
(C57BL/6) by stimulation with TNF-.alpha. and cycloheximide (CHX).
Directly after stimulation, islets were exposed to exogenous carbon
monoxide for 24 hours. Control islets were treated in the same
manner but not exposed to carbon monoxide. After 48 hours cells
were analyzed on a FACScan.TM. for DNA fragmentation. This
experiment was done twice with indistinguishable results.
[0184] Exposure to carbon monoxide for 24 hours protected isolated
murine (C57/BL6) islets of Langerhans from TNF-.alpha. plus
cycloheximide (CHX) mediated apoptosis (11.7% apoptotic cells
versus 20.3% in controls not exposed to CO) as assayed by DNA
fragmentation analysis (FIG. 3).
The Anti-Apoptotic Effect of Exogenous Carbon Monoxide is Mediated
by Guanylate Cyclase Activation and Signals Through cGMP-Dependant
Protein Kinases (cGK)
[0185] Whether the anti-apoptotic effect of carbon monoxide acted
via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) and generation of
cGMP was investigated (FIGS. 4A-C). The-following procedures were
utilized to generate the data illustrated in FIGS. 4A-C. FIG. 4A:
The anti-apoptotic effect of exogenous carbon monoxide is mediated
by guanylate cyclase activation. .beta.TC3 were transfected with
.beta.-gal expressing vectors and exposed to exogenous carbon
monoxide (1%). Where indicated, .beta.TC3 were treated with the
guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ. FIG. 4B: A cGMP analogue can
substitute for carbon monoxide in protecting from apoptosis.
.beta.TC3 were transfected with .beta.-gal expressing vectors.
Where indicated, .beta.TC3 were exposed to exogenous carbon
monoxide. Where indicated, .beta.TC3 were treated with the cGMP
analogue 8-Br-cGMP but not exposed to carbon monoxide. FIG. 4C:
cGMP-dependent protein kinases (cGK) mediate the anti-apoptotic
effect of carbon monoxide. .beta.TC3 were co-transfected with
.beta.-gal expressing vector. When indicated, .beta.TC3 were
exposed to exogenous carbon monoxide. When indicated, cells were
treated with the protein kinase G inhibitor KT5823 (KT). Gray
histograms represent untreated .beta.-cells and black histograms
represent .beta.-cells treated with TNF-.alpha.. Results shown are
mean.+-.standard deviation from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three.
[0186] Whether the anti-apoptotic effect of carbon monoxide acted
via activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and generation of cGMP
(as described in fibroblasts) was investigated (Petrache et al.,
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell Mol. Physiol. 278:L312-319, 2000).
Inhibition of sGC activity by oxadiazoloquinoxalin (ODQ) suppressed
the anti-apoptotic effect of CO, suggesting that a soluble
guanylate cyclase is a major mediator for carbon monoxide in this
experimental system (FIG. 4A). The cGK activator/cGMP analogue,
8-Br-cGMP, suppressed .beta.TC3 apoptosis to an extent similar to
that seen with carbon monoxide (FIG. 4B). Also, inhibition of
cGMP-dependent protein kinases by the specific inhibitor KT5823
suppressed the anti-apoptotic effect of exogenous carbon monoxide
(FIG. 4C), suggesting that the anti-apoptotic effect of carbon
monoxide is mediated through the activation of one or several
cGMP-dependent protein kinases.
Exogenous Carbon Monoxide Provided Anti-Apoptotic Protection Under
Various Protocols
[0187] The ability of carbon monoxide to protect .beta.-cells after
induction of apoptosis was investigated (FIGS. 5A-C). The following
procedures were utilized to generate the data illustrated in FIGS.
5A-C. FIG. 5A: one hour of carbon monoxide exposure is sufficient
to prevent apoptosis. .beta.TC3 were transfected with .beta.-gal
expressing vectors. Apoptosis of .beta.-cells was induced by
TNF-.alpha.. Immediately after TNF-.alpha. activation, cells were
exposed to 1% carbon monoxide for varying periods (0-24 hours).
Control .beta.TC3 were treated in the same manner but were not
exposed to carbon monoxide. Cell survival was determined 24 hours
after application of TNF-.alpha.. FIG. 5B: carbon monoxide protects
.beta.-cells after induction of apoptosis. .beta.TC3 were
transfected with .beta.-gal expressing vectors. Apoptosis was
induced by TNF-.alpha.. After varying periods (0.5-12 hours, as
indicated), .beta.TC3 were exposed to 1% carbon monoxide (Otterbein
et al., Nat. Med, 6:422-428, 2000). Control .beta.TC3 were treated
in the same manner but were not exposed to carbon monoxide. Cell
survival was determined 24 hours after application of TNF-.alpha..
FIG. 5C: Preincubation with carbon monoxide prevents .beta.-cell
apoptosis. .beta.TC3 were transfected with .beta.-gal expressing
vectors and apoptosis was induced by TNF-.alpha.. .beta.TC3 were
pre-exposed to 1% carbon monoxide for one hour. Control .beta.TC3
were treated in the same manner but were not exposed to carbon
monoxide. 16 hours after termination of the pre-exposure, apoptosis
was induced by TNF-.alpha.. Gray histograms represent untreated
sells and black histograms represent .beta.-cells treated with
TNF-.alpha.. Results shown are mean.+-.standard deviation from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three.
[0188] .beta.TC3 were exposed to carbon monoxide for different time
periods (1-24 hours) immediately after the addition of TNF-.alpha.
and tested for apoptosis 24 hours later. One hour of carbon
monoxide exposure was sufficient to prevent .beta.-cell apoptosis
(FIG. 5A).
[0189] To investigate whether carbon monoxide exposure can block
ongoing apoptosis, .beta.-cells were exposed for one hour to CO,
0.5 to 12 hours after induction of apoptosis by TNF-.alpha.. Even
when exposed two hours after TNF-.alpha. stimulation, carbon
monoxide was still able to suppress .beta.-cell apoptosis (FIG.
5B).
[0190] To investigate whether pre-incubation with carbon monoxide
would protect .beta.-cells from apoptosis, .beta.TC3 were exposed
to carbon monoxide for 0.5 to 3 hours before apoptosis induction.
One hour pre-incubation in the presence of carbon monoxide was
sufficient to prevent .beta.-cell apoptosis (data not shown). To
evaluate for how long this effect would last when the time between
pre-incubation and the apoptotic stimulus was extended,
.beta.-cells were preexposed for one hour to CO, one to six hours
before induction of apoptosis with TNF-.alpha. (FIG. 5C). One hour
of pre-incubation with carbon monoxide prevented .beta.-cell
apoptosis in cells stimulated with TNF-.alpha. even two to three
hours after the end of the one-hour treatment with carbon monoxide.
These data indicate that relatively brief treatment with carbon
monoxide can act in an anti-apoptotic manner and that this
anti-apoptotic effect will last for an extended time period.
Exposure of Murine Islets to Carbon Monoxide Improves Islet
Survival/Function Following Transplantation
[0191] To determine whether carbon monoxide could also improve
islet graft function in vivo, a marginal islet mass of 250
handpicked islets was transplanted in a syngeneic system, a model
for primary non-function (Berney et al., Transplantation 71:125-32,
2001); Kaufman et al., Diabetes 43:778-83, 1994). Transplantation
of a marginal (e.g., sub-optimal) number of islets (a "marginal
mass") into a diabetic syngeneic recipient causes a delay in the
return to normoglycemia without the effects of rejection or
recurrence of auto-immune disease. In determining what would be a
marginal islet mass in the C57/BL6 syngeneic system, it was
observed that transplantation of 500 handpicked islets under the
kidney capsule of the recipient led to rapid return to
normoglycemia (1.5.+-.0.5 days (n=4)) whereas transplantation of
250 islets resulted in a significant delay (14.2.+-.2.94 days
(n=9)). Thus, 250 islets were defined as a marginal mass. Using a
marginal mass in this manner does not involve rejection or
recurrence of auto-immune disease (Berney et al., Transplantation
71:125-132, 2000).
[0192] Whether carbon monoxide pre-incubation of islet grafts prior
to transplantation results in better functional performance in vivo
was investigated (FIGS. 6A-B). The following procedures were
utilized to generate the data illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B. FIG. 6A:
Two hundred and fifty freshly isolated and hand-picked islets from
C57BL/6 mice were incubated in medium pre-saturated with 1% carbon
monoxide for two hours at 37.degree. C. Control islets were treated
in the same manner but were not exposed to carbon monoxide. The
islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule of the diabetic
syngeneic recipients as described previously. After
transplantation, blood glucose levels were determined on a daily
basis. A total of 16 animals (8 with pre-exposed islets; 8
controls) were transplanted. One animal receiving pre-exposed
islets died on day 3 of non-exposure related technical reasons and
was included in the statistical analysis as censored animal. The
primary endpoint of these experiments was the first day of
normoglycemia. Data are shown as mean.+-.standard deviations. FIG.
6B: indicates the probability of recovery (blood glucose level
below 200 mg/dl) for animals receiving islets pre-exposed to carbon
monoxide or control islets. *P=0.001 versus control.
[0193] Based on the observation that the effects of carbon monoxide
treatment last for an extended time period (FIGS. 5A and B) and
that relatively brief pre-treatment with carbon monoxide (before
the apoptotic stimulus is applied) is anti-apoptotic (FIG. 5C),
whether pre-exposure of islets to carbon monoxide can improve islet
survival and/or function following transplantation was evaluated. A
marginal islet mass was transplanted under the kidney capsule of
diabetic syngeneic recipients. The time needed to reach
normoglycemia was reduced in a highly significant manner (P=0.0011)
when islets were pre-incubated for two hours in medium
pre-saturated with carbon monoxide (7 days, 95% confidence
interval: 6-8 days) as compared to control islets not pre-exposed
to carbon monoxide (14 days, 95% confidence interval 12-18 days)
(FIG. 6). In total, three different islet preparations were used
for these experiments. There was no statistically significant
difference in the time to normoglycemia for islets among these
three preparations (P>0.25).
Carbon Monoxide Exposures
[0194] For cell culture experiments, 5% CO.sub.2 is present for
buffering requirements. CO at a concentration of 1% (10,000 ppm) in
compressed air is mixed with compressed air with or without
CO.sub.2 in a stainless steel mixing cylinder before delivery into
the exposure chamber. Flow into the 3.70-ft.sup.2 plexiglass animal
chamber is maintained at 12 L/min and into the 1.2-ft.sup.2 cell
culture chamber at a flow of 2 L/min. The cell culture chamber is
humidified and maintained at 37.degree. C. A CO analyzer
(Interscan, Chatsworth, Calif.) is used to measure CO levels
continuously in the chambers. Gas samples were taken by the
analyzer through a port in the top of the chambers at a rate of 1
L/min and analyzed by electrochemical detection, with a sensitivity
of 10-600 ppm. Concentration levels are measured hourly. There are
no fluctuations in the CO concentrations once the chamber had
equilibrated (approximately 5 min).
[0195] Animals are exposed to >98% O.sub.2 or 98% O.sub.2+CO
mixtures at a flow rate of 12 liters/min in a 3.70-cubic-foot glass
exposure chamber. Animals are supplied food and water during the
exposures. CO at a concentration of 1% (10,000 ppm) in compressed
air is mixed with >98% O.sub.2 in a stainless steel mixing
cylinder prior to entering the exposure chamber. By varying the
flow rates of CO into the mixing cylinder, concentrations delivered
to the exposure chamber are controlled. Because the flow rate was
primarily determined by the O.sub.2 flow, only the CO flow was
changed to generate the different concentrations delivered to the
exposure chamber. O.sub.2 concentrations in the chamber are
determined using a gas spectrometer.
Cell Isolation Procedure
[0196] The following example illustrates a protocol used for the
isolation of islet cells from rats or mice. One bottle of Rat
Liberase{hacek over (O)} (from Boehringer Manheim/Roche cat. #1 815
032) was dissolved in 4 ml of sterile HBSS, chilled on ice for 30
min, aliquoted into 0.5 ml aliquots, and stored at -20.degree. C.
To each 0.5 ml aliquot, 33 ml of medium, e.g., M199, HBSS or RPMI
1640 without calf serum, was added.
[0197] Rats were overdosed with anesthesia (0.1 ml plus 0.1 ml/100
g body weight of Nembutol I.P.). For mice, 3 ml syringes were
prepared with 2 ml of Liberase solution with a 27 g-needle bent at
a 90-degree angle. For the surgery, 2 pairs of scissors were used;
one large pair for the abdominal cut and one fine pair to snip the
bile duct. Two pairs of forceps were used for excision of the
pancreas. One hemostat was used to clamp off the bile duct.
[0198] The abdomen was opened and the pancreas was exposed as much
as possible by making a v cut from the lower abdomen. The
pancreatic duct was clamped off (with a hemostat in rats or a small
bulldog clamp in mice) at its duodenal insertion, taking care not
to injure the surrounding pancreatic tissue. The bile duct was
isolated at the proximal end. Fat was removed before inserting the
cannula, making sure not to puncture the portal vein. The duct was
cut with the fine scissors one third of the way across and the
cannula was inserted in the duct. The cannula was held in the duct
by clamping the duct lightly with forceps. Liberase{hacek over (O)}
solution was injected rapidly. The pancreas appeared to be
distended and fully dilated after 6 mls of fluid injection. In
mice, the needle was inserted into the duct as proximal to the
liver as possible and Liberase{hacek over (O)} solution was
injected. The rat or mouse was then sacrificed by cutting the
diaphragm and heart or aorta.
[0199] After Liberase{hacek over (O)} infiltration, the pancreas
was removed, starting by removing from the intestines, then the
stomach and then the spleen. When the pancreas was attached only by
the bile duct, it was cut out of the rat. The pancreas was placed
in a 50 ml conical tube, and placed in a water bath at 37.degree.
C. for 30 min.
[0200] Following incubation, 20 ml of medium+NCS were added to each
tube. The remainder of the isolation was completed on ice. Tubes
were shaken by hand vigorously for 5-10 seconds to break up the
tissue. The islets were washed several times to remove the
Liberase{hacek over (O)} in a clinical centrifuge at 800 rpm
(approx. 180.times.g) for 120 sec or 1200 rpm (approx. 200.times.g)
for 90 sec. The supernatant was poured off and 25-35 ml of medium
was added and vortexed gently (about 1/2 max.). The centrifugation
step was repeated, followed by washing 2-3 times. The tissue was
resuspended in 20 ml of medium, and the suspension was filtered
through a 400 m diameter wire mesh (Thomas scientific mesh 35 cat.
#8321-M22) to remove the remaining undigested tissue, fat and
lymph. 5-10 ml more was added to the tube to wash any remaining
islets off and filter through the mesh.
[0201] The cells were pelleted by spinning at 1200 rpm for 90 sec.
The supernatant was removed, leaving as little excess medium as
possible.
[0202] To make the gradient, the pellet was resuspended in 10-15 ml
Histopaque 1077{hacek over (O)} (Sigma cat # H 1077) and vortexed
until the suspension was homogeneous (same as for washes). 10 ml of
medium was overlaid, without NCS, being careful to maintain the
sharp interface between the Histopaque{hacek over (O)} and the
medium. The medium was added by pipetting slowly down the side of
the tube. The gradient was centrifuged for 20 minutes at 2400 rpm
(900 g) at 10.degree. C. with very slow acceleration and no
braking.
[0203] Following centrifugation, the islet layer was collected from
the interface with a disposable 10 cc serologic pipette (Falcon),
and placed in 50 cc conical tubes. Islets were washed several times
to remove the Histopaque{hacek over (O)} by adding 25-35 ml of the
medium+NCS. The initial centifugation was performed at 1200 rpm for
2 min., but the subsequent centrifugations were performed for 90
sec. After the 3 washes, the islets were resuspended by pipetting
up and down. 7-10 ml each were put on 60 mm sterile culture dishes
for hand picking.
[0204] Hand picking of islet cells was performed using a 100 il
sterile pipette tip, under a microscope. Each islet was picked
individually, and care was taken to avoid all other tissue. Only
those islets between 50 and 225 m in diameter exhibiting a smooth
and round or oval shape were picked.
EXAMPLE II
Carbon Monoxide Suppresses the Rejection of Mouse-to-Rat Cardiac
Transplants
Animals
[0205] BALB/c mouse hearts were used as donor organs for
transplantation into inbred adult male Lewis rats (Harlan
Sprague-Dawley, Indianapolis, Ind.). Animals were housed in
accordance with guidelines from the American Association for
Laboratory Animal Care, and research protocols were approved by the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees of the Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center.
Surgical Model
[0206] Animals were anesthetized by a combination of methoxyflurane
(Pitman-Moore, Mundelain, Ill.) inhalation and pentobarbital
(Abbott, North Chicago, Ill.) at a dose of 30-50 mg/kg i.p. during
all procedures. Heterotopic cardiac transplants were performed as
described previously (Berk et al., Physiol Rev. 8:999-1030, 2001;
Petkova et al., J Biol. Chem. 276:7932-7936, 2001). Graft survival
was assessed daily by palpation. Rejection was diagnosed by
cessation of ventricular contractions and confirmed by histologic
examination.
Experimental Reagents
[0207] Cobra venom factor (CVF; which blocks complement activation)
(Quidel, San Diego, Calif.) was administered i.p. on day-1 (60
U/kg) and on day 0 (20 U/kg) with respect to the day of
transplantation (day 0). Cyclosporin A (CsA; Novartis, Basel,
Switzerland), which blocks T cell activation, was administered i.m.
(15 mg/kg) starting at day 0 and daily thereafter until the end of
each experiment. Tin protoporphyrin (SnPPIX), cobalt protoporphyrin
(CoP-PIX), and iron protoporphyrin (FePPIX; Porphyrin Products,
Logan, Utah) were diluted in 100 mM NaOH to a stock solution of 50
mM and kept at -70.degree. C. until used. Light exposure was
limited as much as possible. Both SnPPIX and FePPIX were
administered i.p. (30 .mu.M/kg) in PBS. FePPIX and SnPPIX were
administered to the donor at days-2 and -1 (30 .mu.M/kg) and to the
recipient at the time of transplantation (day 0) and daily
thereafter (30 .mu.M/kg).
CO Exposure
[0208] Briefly, CO at a concentration of 1% (10,000 parts per
million; ppm) in compressed air was mixed with balanced air (21%
oxygen) in a stainless steel mixing cylinder before entering the
exposure chamber. CO concentrations were controlled by varying the
flow rates of CO in a mixing cylinder before delivery to the
chamber. Because the flow rate is primarily determined by the
O.sub.2 flow, only the CO flow was changed to deliver the final
concentration to the exposure chamber. A CO analyzer (Interscan
Corporation, Chatsworth, Calif.) was used to measure CO levels
continuously in the chamber. Graft donors were placed in the CO
exposure chamber 2 days before transplantation. Graft recipients
were placed in the exposure chamber immediately following
transplantation and were kept in the exposure chamber for 14 (n=3)
or 16 (n=3) days. CO concentration was maintained between 250 and
400 ppm at all times. Animals were removed daily from the chamber
to assess graft survival and to administer CsA, SnPPIX, or FePPIX,
as described above.
HO Enzymatic Activity
[0209] HO enzymatic activity was measured by bilirubin generation
in heart and liver microsomes. Animals were sacrificed, and the
liver and hearts were flushed with ice-cold PBS and frozen at
-70.degree. C. until used. Organs were homogenized in four volumes
of sucrose (250 MM) Tris-HCl (10 mM/L) buffer (pH 7.4) on ice and
centrifuged (28,000 RPM 3.times., 20 min, 4.degree. C.). The
supernatant was centrifuged (105,000 RPM 3.times., 60 min,
4.degree. C.), and the microsomal pellet was resuspended in
MgCl.sub.2 (2 mM)-potassium phosphate (100 mM) buffer (pH 7.4) and
sonicated on ice. The samples (1 mg of protein) were added to the
reaction mixture (400 l) containing rat liver cytosol (2 mg of
protein), hemin (50 M), glucose-6-phosphate (2 mM),
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (0.25 U), and NADPH (0.8 mM) for
60 min at 37.degree. C. in the dark. The formed bilirubin was
extracted with chloroform and, OD was measured at 464-530 nm
(extinction coefficient, 40 mM/cm for bilirubin). Enzyme activity
is expressed as picomoles of bilirubin formed per milligram of
protein per 60 min (pmol/mg/h). The protein concentration was
determined by the bicinchoninic acid protein assay (Pierce,
Georgetown). The background was .about.5 pmol/mg/h. All reagents
used in this assay were purchased from Sigma (St. Louis, Mo.),
unless otherwise indicated. Carboxyhemoglobin was measured 2 days
after transplantation by using a Corning 865 blood gas analyzer
(Clinical Chemistry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston,
Mass.).
Histomorphometric Analysis
[0210] Grafts were harvested 3 days after transplantation, embedded
in paraffin, fixed in formalin, and serially sectioned (5 m) in
toto from the apex to the base. Ten sections were placed per slide
in a total of about 20-25 slides. Every fifth slide was stained
with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for hisitomorphometric
analysis. Two images per slide were captured by using a Nikon
Eclipse E6000 microscope (Nikon, Melville, N.Y.) connected to a
Hitachi 3-CCD Color Camera (model HV-C20; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan)
and to a Power Macintosh{hacek over (O)} 7300/200 computer (Apple
Computer, Cupertino, Calif.) equipped with IPLab Spectrum digital
imaging software (Signal Analytics Corporation, Vienna, Va.). About
50 images were captured from each transplanted heart from two to
three animals per group. Images were analyzed by manual
segmentation, tracing the infarcted and noninfarcted areas from the
right and left ventricles in each section. Areas corresponding to,
infarcted and noninfarcted tissue were calculated by digital
imaging software as number of pixels corresponding to those areas.
Infarcted and noninfarcted areas were then calculated as percentage
of total area. Pooled data for each group, expressed as area in
pixels or as percentage of infarction, was analyzed by using ANOVA.
Results obtained in this manner were similar whether using either
pixels or percentage of infarction and only the results obtained
using percentage of infarction are shown (see Table II). Results
are expressed as mean=SD.
Immunohistology
[0211] Grafts were harvested 3 days after transplantation,
snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80.degree. C.
Cryostat sections were fixed and stained as described previously
(Soares et al, Nature Med. 4:1073, 1998). Rat leukocyte populations
were analyzed by using anti-rat leukocyte common Ag (LCA, CD45;
OX-1), Ee TCR (TCREe-chains; R73), B cell (CD45RB; OX-33), NK cell
(NKR-P1; 3.2.3), and M.PHI. (CD68; ED-1), mAbs (Serotec, Harlan
Bioproducts for Science, Indianapolis, Ind.). Detection of
fibrin/fibrinogen was conducted by using a rabbit anti-human
fibrin/fibrinogen polyclonal Ab (Dako, Carpinteria, Calif.).
Intragraft complement activation was detected by using an anti-rat
C1q (The Binding Site, Birmigham, U.K.), C3 (ED11; Serotec), or
C5b-9 mAb (Dako). Rat IgM was detected by using the mouse anti-rat
IgM mAb MARM-4 (a kind gift of Dr. H. Bazin, University of Louvain,
Brussels, Belgium). Isotype-matched mabs or purified Ig, as well as
a control for residual endogenous peroxidase activity, were
included in each experiment. Detection of apoptosis was carried out
by using ApopTag{hacek over (O)} in situ apoptosis detection kit
(Oncor, Gaithersburg, Md.) according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
Complement Hemolytic Assay (CH50)
[0212] CH50 units were defined as the dilution of rat serum
required to produce 50% maximal lysis of Ab-sensitized sheep
erythrocytes. Briefly, Ab-sensitized sheep erythrocytes
(1.times.10.sup.8 cells/ml; Sigma) were incubated (30 min,
37.degree. C.) with rat serum in gelatin Veronal buffer
(GVB.sup.++; Sigma). Cells were centrifuged and hemoglobin release
was measured (1 I=550 nm). Background was measured in the absence
of sheep erythrocytes or in the absence of serum and subtracted
from all samples.
Cellular ELISA
[0213] Serum levels of rat anti-mouse Abs were measured by
cellular-based indirect ELISA. The mouse 2F-2B endothelial cell
line (CRL-2168; American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas,
Va.) was used as an antigenic target. Briefly, 2F-2B cells were
cultured in DMEM (Life Technologies, Rockville, Md.), 10% FCS, 100
U/ml penicillin, and. 100 g/ml streptomycin (Life Technologies).
Glutaraldehyde-fixed 2F-2B cells were incubated (1 h, 37.degree.
C.) in the presence of rat serum serially diluted in PBS 0.05%
Tween 20 (Sigma) and rat anti-mouse Abs were detected by using
mouse anti-rat IgM (MARM-4), IgG1 (MARG1-2), IgG2a (Marg2a-1),
IgG2b (MARGb-8), or IgG2c (MARG2c-5) (kind gifts from Prof. H.
Bazin, University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium). Mouse anti-rat
Abs were detected by using HRP-labeled goat anti-mouse Fab'
depleted of anti-rat Ig cross reactivity (0.1 g/ml, 1 h, room
temperature; Pierce, Rockford, Ill.). HRP was revealed by using
ortho-phenyldiamine (Sigma) and H.sub.2O.sub.2 (0.03%) in citrate
buffer (pH 4.9). Absorbance was measured at I=490 nm. The relative
amount of circulating anti-graft Abs in the serum was expressed as
OD (I=490) taken from one serial dilution in the linear range of
the assay (1:32-1:1024).
[0214] Binding of rat C3 to mouse endothelial cells was measured by
a modified cellular ELISA with mouse 2F-2B endothelial cells as
antigenic targets (Miyatake et al, J. Immunol. 160:4114, 1998).
Briefly, nonfixed 2F-2B endothelial cells were incubated in the
presence of rat serum serially diluted in GVB buffer (1 h,
37.degree. C.). Cells were fixed in PBS, 0.05% glutaraldehyde, and
rat C3 deposition was detected by using a mouse anti-rat C3 mAb
(Serotec).
Platelet Aggregation Assay
[0215] Mouse 2F-2B endothelial cells were cultured on 0.2% gelatin
(Sigma) coated six-well plates in 88% DMEM (Life Technologies), 10%
FCS (FCS), 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 g/ml streptomycin (Life
Technologies). Confluent endothelial cells either were left
untreated or were treated with the HO-inducing agent CoPPIX (50 M;
18 h), the HO inhibitor SnPPIX (50 M, 18 h), or both CoPPIX (50 M,
15 h) and SnPPIX (50 M, 3 h). Platelet-rich plasma was obtained by
centrifugation (290-g, 12 min, 19.degree. C.) of normal rat plasma
in 3.8% sodium-citrate. Rat platelets (3-10.sup.8 cells ml) were
resuspended in HT buffer (8.9 mM NaHCO.sub.3, 0.8 mM KH.sub.2PO,
5.6 mM dextrose, 2.8 mM KCl solution, 0.8 mM MgCl.sub.2, 129 mM
NaCl, 10 mM HEPES). Platelets were overlaid (5 min; 37.degree. C.)
on mouse endothelial cells, and platelet aggregation assays were
conducted as described before (Kaczmarek et al, J. Biol. Chem.
271:33116, 1996) by using an aggregometer (Chrono-Log, Harestown,
Pa.) and ADP (0.5-4 .mu.M) as an agonist.
Cell Extracts and Western Blot Analysis
[0216] Endothelial cells were washed in PBS (pH 7.2), harvested by
scraping, and lysed in Laemmli buffer. Electrophoresis was
conducted under denaturing conditions with 10% polyacrylamide gels.
Proteins were transferred onto a polyvinyldifluoridine membrane
(Immobilon P; Millipore, Bedford, Mass.) by electroblotting and
detected with rabbit polyclonal Abs directed against human HO-1 or
HO-2 (StressGen, Victoria, Canada) or e-tubulin (Behringer
Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany). Proteins were visualized by using
HRP-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit IgG or goat anti-mouse IgG
(Pierce) and the ECL assay (Amersham Life Science, Arlington
Heights, Ill.) according to manufacturer's instructions.
[0217] Transient Transfections and Apoptosis Assay
[0218] The murine 2F-2B endothelial cell line (ATCC) was
transiently transfected as described elsewhere (Soares et al.,
Nature Med. 4:1073, 1998; Brouard et al., J. Exp. Med. 192:1015,
2000). All experiments were conducted 24-48 h after transfection.
e-galactosidase-transfected cells were detected as described
elsewhere (Soares et al., Nature Med. 4:1073, 1998; Brouard et al.,
J. Exp. Med. 192:1015, 2000). Percentage of viable cells was
assessed by evaluating the number of e-galactosidase-expressing
cells that retained normal morphology as described elsewhere
(Soares et al., Nature Med. 4:107i, 1998; Brouard et al., J. Exp.
Med. 192:1015, 2000). The number of random fields counted was
determined to have a minimum of 200 viable transfected cells per
control well. The percentage of viable cells was normalized for
each DNA preparation to the number of transfected cells counted in
the absence of the apoptosis-inducing agent (100% viability). All
experiments were performed at least three times in duplicate.
Actinomycin D (Act. D; Sigma) was dissolved in PBS and added to the
culture medium (10 g/ml) 24 h after transfection. SnPPIX (Porphyrin
Products) was dissolved (10 M) in 100 mM NaOH and conserved at
-20.degree. C. until used. SnPPIX was added to the culture medium
(50 M) 6 h after transfection. Human recombinant TNF-.alpha.
(R&D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn.) was dissolved in PBS, 1% BSA,
and added to the culture medium (10-100 ng/ml) 24 h after
transfection.
Exposure of Cultured Endothelial Cells to CO
[0219] Cells were exposed to compressed air or varying
concentration of CO. (250 and 10,000 ppm), as described elsewhere
(Otterbein et al., Nature Med. 6:422, 2000; and Brouard et al., J.
Exp. Med. 192:1015, 2000).
Aortic Transplant Model
[0220] Aortic transplantation was carried out done as described
elsewhere (Plissonnier. et al, Transplantation 60:414-424, 1995).
Briefly, the aorta and the inferior vena cava were cut to be bled
after heparinization. After additional left thoracotomy, three or
four pairs of the inter-costal arteries were ligated using 7-0
nylon suture (Keisei Medical Industrial Co., LTD, Tokyo, Japan),
and 2 cm of the descending aorta was harvested. The graft was
inserted between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation by
standard microsurgery technique using 9-0 Nylon sutures
(Ethilon.TM., Ethicon, Inc, Somerville, N.J.). The native abdominal
aorta was left after both edges were ligated.
[0221] CO at a concentration of 1% (10,000 parts per million; ppm)
in compressed air was mixed with balanced air (21% oxygen) as
described previously (Otterbein et al., Am J Physiol 276(4 Pt
1):L688-L694, 1999). For the transplant model, graft donors were
placed in the CO chamber two days before transplantation.
Recipients were placed in the chamber immediately following
transplantation and kept there 56 days. CO concentration was
maintained at 250 ppm at all times.
[0222] Adult male (250-350g) Brown Norway rats (RT1 were used as
aortic graft donors and adult male (250-350g) Lewis rats (RTI) as
recipients (Charles River Lab. Wilmington, Mass.). Male C57BL/6,
p21.sup.-/- and p53.sup.-/- null mice were purchased from Jackson
Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me.). The MKK3.sup.(-/-) null mice were
generated as previously described (Lu et al., EMBO. J.
18:1845-1857, 1999). Mice were allowed to acclimate for one week
with rodent chow and water ad libitum.
RT-PCR
[0223] RT-PCR was conducted after RNA isolation from the
transplanted hearts by using an RNA extracting kit, according to
the manufacturer's instructions (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.).
Primers used for mouse .beta.-actin were: sense (5'-3'),
CCTGACCGAGCGTGGCTACAGC (SEQ ID NO:1); antisense (3'-5'),
AGCCTCCAGGGCATCGGAC (SEQ ID NO:2); and for mouse HO-1: sense
(5'-3'), TCCCAGACACCGCTCCTCCAG (SEQ ED NO:3); antisense (3'-5'),
GGAMTIGGGGCTGCTGGTTTC (SEQ ID NO:4).
Enzymatic Activity is Critical to Suppress Acute Vascular
Rejection
[0224] Mouse hearts transplanted into untreated rats underwent
acute vascular rejection 2-3 days after transplantation, an
observation consistent with previous reports (Soares et al., Nature
Med. 4:1073, 1998; and Koyamada et al., Transplantation 65:1210,
1998). Under cobra venom factor (CVF) plus cyclosporin A (CsA)
treatment, mouse cardiac grafts survived long term (see Table H,
below), a finding also consistent with previous reports. Under CVF
plus CsA treatment, graft survival was associated with
up-regulation of HO-1 expression by graft endothelial and smooth
muscle cells as well as by cardiac myocytes (FIG. 7). Expression of
HO-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR 12-24 h after transplantation and
HO-1 protein 24-72 h after transplantation (FIG. 7). Long-term
graft survival did not occur when the HO inhibitor SnPPIX was
administered to the donor and then to the recipient, despite
treatment with CVF plus CsA. Under these conditions, all grafts
were rejected in 3-7 days (Table II). Control treatment with
FePPIX, a protoporphyrin that does not inhibit HO activity, did not
lead to graft rejection (Table II). TABLE-US-00002 TABLE II
Inhibition of HO-1 activity by SnPPIX precipitates graft rejection.
Treatment Survival Time CVF + CsA >50 (n = 8) CVF + CsA + FePPIX
>50 (n = 4) CVF + CsA + SnPPIX 3, 4, 5 (n = 2); 6 (n = 4); 7 (n
= 2)
[0225] To generate the data in Table II, mouse hearts were
transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated rats. Graft recipients were
treated with FePPIX or SnPPIX. Treatment with SnPPIX induced graft
rejection 3-7 days after transplantation (p<0.0001 as compared
to rats treated with CVF plus CsA alone or with CVF plus CsA plus
FePPIX). Statistical analyses were carried out using Fisher's exact
test.
[0226] To demonstrate that SnPPIX, but not FePPIX, blocked HO-1
function in vivo, total HO enzymatic activity was quantified in
transplanted and recipient hearts 2 days after transplantation
(FIG. 8). Naive mouse hearts produced 35.5.+-.4 picomols-of
bilirubin per milligram of total protein per hour (pmol/mg/h; FIG.
8). HO activity was significantly increased in mouse hearts
transplanted into untreated (98.+-.7.21 pmol/mg/h; p=0.001), CVF
plus CsA-treated (98.3.+-.7.23 pmol/mg/h), or CVF plus CsA plus
FePPIX-treated (77.3.+-.5.51 pmol/mg/h; p=0.0009) rats, as compared
with naive hearts (FIG. 8). HO activity was inhibited to-basal
levels, as present in naive hearts, in mouse hearts transplanted
into rats treated with CVF plus CsA plus SnPPIX (32.37.+-.7.23
pmol/mg/h). This represented a highly significant inhibition as
compared with mouse hearts transplanted into untreated (p=0.0009),
CVF plus CsA-treated (p=0.0009), or CVF plus CsA plus
FePPIX-treated rats (p=0.0018; FIG. 8). HO activity in the
recipient's livers was also up-regulated after transplantation in a
manner that mimicked that of the transplanted hearts (data not
shown). However, this was not the case for the recipient's own
heart, in which HO activity was not up-regulated following
transplantation (FIG. 8). In grafts transplanted into
SnPPIX-treated rats, there was progressive myocardial infarction,
which became apparent as early as 2 days after transplantation
(data not shown). This was not observed in grafts transplanted into
control rats treated with FePPIX (data not shown).
[0227] It has previously been shown that rats that receive a mouse
cardiac graft under CVF plus CsA treatment generate anti-mouse Abs
that are exclusively of the IgM isotype (Koyamada et al.,
Transplantation 65:1210, 1998). Additional treatment with SnPPIX or
FePPIX did not influence this Ab response (FIG. 9). Generation of
antigraft Abs was correlated with complement activation, as
demonstrated by C3 deposition on mouse endothelial cells (FIG. 9).
Neither SnPPIX or FePPIX treatment influenced C3 deposition on
mouse endothelial cells (FIG. 9).
Exogenous CO Fully Substitutes for HO-1 Enzymatic Activity in
Suppressing Acute Vascular Rejection
[0228] All mouse hearts transplanted into rats treated with SnPPIX
and exposed to CO (400 ppm; 0.04%) survived long term (see. Table
III, below). The dose of CO used (400-500 ppm) corresponds to
approximately one-twentieth of the lethal dose (data not shown).
Rats and mice exposed to CO did not exhibit untoward-reactions. CO
exposure was discontinued 14 (n=3) or 16 (n=3) days after
transplantation without influencing graft survival, i.e., grafts
continued to function for >50 days (Table III). TABLE-US-00003
TABLE III Exogenous CO fully substitutes for HO-1 in suppressing
graft rejection Treatment Survival Time (days) CVF + CsA + SnPPIX
3, 4, 5, (n = 2); 6 (n = 4); 7 (n = 2) CVF + CsA + SnPPIX + CO
>50 (n = 6)
[0229] To generate the data in Table III, mouse hearts were
transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated rats. When indicated, graft
recipients were treated with SnPPIX with or without exposure to CO.
Graft rejection observed in SnPPIX-treated rats was suppressed
under exposure to exogenous CO (p<0.0001 as compared to
recipients treated with CVF plus CsA plus SnPPIX). Statistical
analyses were carried out using Fisher's exact test.
[0230] To determine whether exogenous CO interfered with inhibition
of HO-1 enzymatic activity by SnPPIX, which could account for the
ability of CO to suppress graft rejection, it was investigated
whether CO affected HO enzymatic activity in hearts transplanted
into SnPPIX-treated rats. As shown in FIG. 10, this was not the
case. Total HO enzymatic activity in hearts transplanted under
SnPPIX treatment (32.37.+-.7.23 pmol/mg/h) was not significantly
different from that of hearts transplanted into rats treated with
SnPPIX and exposed to CO (43.6.+-.7.57 pmol/mg/h; p=0.1095; FIG.
10). Similar results were obtained in the recipient's livers and
hearts (FIG. 10).
[0231] Exogenous CO may substitute for HO-1 activity in preventing
graft rejection. This might work by a mechanism that involves
"loading" of exogenous CO by inhalation into RBC and then delivery
through the circulation into the graft at an adequate
concentration. According to this theory, when endogenous HO-1
activity is being inhibited by SnPPIX, exogenous CO would mimic the
effect of endogenous CO that is produced when HO-1 enzymatic
activity is not impaired. Exposure of the transplant recipient to
400 ppm of exogenous CO increased carboxyl hemoglobin from
0.5.+-.1.5% to 32.1.+-.6.9% (FIG. 10). The fact that the
transplanted hearts survived in animals exposed to CO, even under
these suppressive effects of SnPPIX, may indicate that this level
of CO was sufficient to adequately "charge" RBC, deliver CO into
the graft, and suppress graft rejection (FIG. 10). Alternatively,
carbon monoxide may be delivered to the graft, and all tissues of
the body, dissolved in plasma.
[0232] Whether exogenous CO suppressed the development of
myocardial infarction that characterizes graft rejection in
SnPPIX-treated rats was investigated. Grafts were harvested 3 days
after transplantation and quantified for the percentage of
infarcted area Hearts transplanted into untreated rats showed
nearly complete transmural infarction of the right, ventricle
(87.1.+-.4.9% of the right ventricle area) with extensive
endomyocardial and transmural infarction of the left ventricle
(32.0.+-.6.7% of the left ventricle area; data not shown).
Infarctions showed nonviable eosinophic myocardium lacking nuclei
with interstitial hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophils. Left
ventricle infarctions were always endomyocardial with transmural
extension depending on the degree of infarction, and those in the
right ventricle were more diffuse in origin. The percentage of
infarcted area in both ventricles generally increased from the apex
to the base of the heart. Hearts transplanted into CVF plus
CsA-treated rats showed only small, diffuse, nontransmural areas of
infarction in the right (4.5.+-.4.9%) but not in the left
(0.7.+-.2.1%) ventricle (see Table IV, below). Hearts transplanted
into CVF plus CsA plus FePPIX-treated rats showed small diffuse
areas of infarction in the right (12.2.+-.9.5%) but not in the left
(0.7.+-.1.3%) ventricle (Table IV). These hearts were
indistinguishable from those transplanted into CVF plus CsA treated
rats without FePPIX treatment (data not shown). Hearts transplanted
into CVF plus CsA plus SnPPIX-treated rats showed significant
transmural right ventricular infarctions (26.1.+-.12.7%) with
extensive endomyocardial and transmural left ventricular
infarctions (37.6.+-.15.5%) (Table IV) in a pattern that was
indistinguishable from that of hearts transplanted into untreated
rats (data not shown). These lesions were specific to the
transplanted heart. The recipients' native hearts did not develop
any infarction. The percentage of infarcted area in hearts
transplanted into SnPPIX-treated rats was significantly higher
(p<0.001) as compared with that of hearts transplanted into rats
treated with CVF plus CsA with or without FePPIX treatment (Table
IV). Hearts transplanted into SnPPIX treated rats that received
exogenous CO showed very little infarction of the right
(8.4.+-.5.3%) and left (1.8.+-.3.4%) ventricles (Table IV), with
patterns that were similar to those of hearts transplanted into CVF
plus CsA-treated rats with or without FePPIX treatment (data not
shown). The percentage of infarcted area in hearts transplanted
into SnPPIX-treated rats that received exogenous CO was not
significantly different from that of hearts transplanted into CVF
plus CsA-treated rats with or without FePPIX treatment. However,
the percentage of infarcted area in these hearts was significantly
different (p<0.001) from that of hearts transplanted under the
same treatment but that did not receive exogenous CO.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE IV Morphometric analysis Treatment Right
Ventricle Left Ventricle CVF + CsA 4.5 .+-. 4.9 0.7 .+-. 2.1 CVF +
CsA + FePPIX 12.2 .+-. 9.5 0.7 .+-. 1.3 CVF + CsA + SnPPIX 26.1
.+-. 12.7* 37.6 .+-. 15.5* CVF + CsA + SnPPIX + CO 8.4 .+-. 5.3 1.8
.+-. 3.4
[0233] To generate the data in Table IV, mouse hearts were
transplanted into (n=3 per group) CVF plus CsA-treated rats. When
indicated, graft recipients were treated with FePPIX or SnPPIX and
exposed to CO. Results are shown as percentage of infarcted area.
Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA test. An asterisk
indicates significant difference as compared to all other
treatments.
Exogenous CO Suppresses Vascular Thrombosis and Monocyte/Macrophage
Infiltration that Characterize Acute Vascular Rejection
[0234] Mouse-hearts were transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated
rats. SnPPIX or FePPIX was administered and graft recipients were
exposed to CO (250-400 ppm). Grafts were harvested 3 days after
transplantation (n=3 per group) and stained for rat IgM, rat and
mouse complement C1q, rat and mouse P-selectin, rat and mouse
fibrin/fibrinogen, and rat CD45 expressing leukocytes. Mouse hearts
transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated rats with or without FePPIX
treatment showed extensive intravascular deposition of rat IgM and
C1q (data not shown) but no detectable IgG, C3, or CSb-9 (data not
shown). HO-2, HO-1, and ferritin were detected in graft endothelial
and smooth muscle cells as well as in cardiac myocytes (data not
shown). There was only minimal vascular thrombosis or infiltration
by host leukocytes usually associated with focal areas of
infarction (data not shown). There was low but detectable
P-selectin expression on the vascular endothelium (data not shown).
Hearts transplanted into CVF plus CsA-treated rats, under
inhibition of HO-1 activity by SnPPIX, showed similar levels of
intravascular deposition of IgM and C1q as compared with control
FePPIX-treated rats and no detectable IgG, C3, or C5b-9 (data not
shown). There was widespread vascular thrombosis of large coronary
vessels associated with P-selectin-expressing platelet aggregates
and intravascular fibrin. Thrombi were consistently observed in
large coronary vessels at the base of the heart. There were no
detectable P-selectin-expressing platelet aggregates in the
microvasculature (data not shown). There was extensive graft
infiltration by host neutrophils as well as by CD45.sup.++
leukocytes expressing the monocyte/M.PHI. marker CD68/ED-1 and MHC
class II Ags (data not shown). Infiltrating monocyte/M.PHI. were
found near arterioles and scattered throughout the myocardium,
associated with areas of infarction.
[0235] Hearts transplanted into SnPPIX-treated rats that were
exposed to CO were essentially indistinguishable from those
transplanted into rats treated with CVF plus CsA with or without
FePPIX (data not shown). These hearts showed similar level of IgM
and C1q vascular deposition as compared with hearts transplanted
into recipients treated with SnPPIX but not exposed to CO (data not
shown). Under CO exposure, there were no signs of vascular
thrombosis as revealed by the lack of detectable
P-selectin-expressing platelet aggregates or intravascular fibrin.
P-selectin was detected on the graft vascular endothelium. There
was some level of monocyte/M.PHI. infiltration associated with
small focal areas of infarction (data not shown).
Up-Regulation of HO-1 in Endothelial Cells Inhibits Platelet
Aggregation
[0236] Given the absence of platelet aggregation in grafts
transplanted into rats exposed to CO, whether expression of HO-1 in
endothelial cells would inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro was
investigated. Mouse endothelial cells were exposed to CoPPIX or
SnPPIX to induce or suppress HO activity in these cells,
respectively. Platelets were overlaid on the endothelial cells and
tested for their ability to aggregate on stimulation by ADP (2
.mu.M). Platelets overlaid on untreated endothelial cells
aggregated normally when stimulated with ADP (FIG. 11). When
platelets were exposed to endothelial cells pretreated with SnPPIX,
platelet aggregation was enhanced as compared with platelets
exposed to untreated endothelial cells (FIG. 11). This observation
indicates that untreated endothelial cells have a basal level of HO
activity presumably attributable to constitutive expression of HO-2
in these cells (FIG. 11). When platelets were exposed to
endothelial cells pretreated with CoPPIX, platelet aggregation was
significantly inhibited as compared with platelets exposed to
untreated or SnPPIX-treated endothelial cells (FIG. 11). This
inhibitory effect was suppressed when platelets were exposed to
endothelial cells treated with both CoPPIX and SnPPIX (FIG. 11).
Both CoPPIX and SnPPIX up-regulated the expression of HO-1 in
cultured endothelial cells (data not shown). The differential
effects of these protoporphyrins should be attributed to the
ability of SnPPIX to act as a potent inhibitor of HO-1 enzymatic
activity.
HO-1 Generates CO that Suppresses Endothelial Cell Apoptosis
[0237] One of the main features that characterizes the rejection of
mouse hearts transplanted into rats treated with SnPPIX is the
widespread apoptosis of endothelial cells and cardiac myocytes
(FIG. 12). Apoptosis did not occur in mouse hearts transplanted
into rats treated with FePPIX (FIG. 12). Given the ability of HO-1
to suppress endothelial cell apoptosis in vitro (Soares et al.,
Nature Med. 4:1073-1077, 1998; and Brouard et al., J. Exp. Med.
192:1015, 2000), whether this cytoprotective effect was mediated
via the generation of CO was investigated. Apoptosis did not occur
in mouse hearts transplanted into rats treated with SnPPIX and
exposed to CO, suggesting that this was the case (FIG. 12). It was
investigated in vitro whether under inhibition of HO-1 activity by
SnPPIX, exogenous CO would prevent endothelial cells from
undergoing TNF-E-mediated apoptosis. The data illustrated in FIG. 6
suggest that this is the case. Overexpression of HO-1 suppressed
TNF-.alpha.-mediated endothelial cell apoptosis, such as it occurs
in the presence of actinomycin D (FIG. 12). The antiapoptotic
effect of HO-1 is mediated through its enzymatic activity because
exposure of endothelial cells to SnPPIX blocked the antiapoptotic
effect of HO-1 (FIG. 12). Under inhibition of HO-1 activity by
SnPPIX, exogenous CO (10,000 ppm) suppressed TNF-E-mediated
apoptosis, suggesting that HO-1 suppresses endothelial cell
apoptosis via the generation of CO (FIG. 12).
Carbon Monoxide Suppresses the Development of Transplant-Associated
Arteriosclerosis
[0238] Brown Norway aortas were transplanted into Brown Norway rats
(syngeneic), untreated Lewis rats (allogeneic), or Lewis rats
exposed to carbon monoxide (250 ppm; allogeneic with carbon
monoxide). Samples were harvested 56 days after transplantation and
stained by a modified elastic tissue-masson trichrome, or by eosin
hematoxylin. Brown Norway aortic segments transplanted into Lewis
rats developed arteriosclerotic lesions that are consistent with
those associated with chronic graft rejection (data not shown).
These lesions became apparent 20-30 days after transplantation and
were significantly more pronounced by 50-60 days (data not shown).
For this reason, all analyses were carried out 56 days following
transplantation. These lesions were characterized by intimal
hyperplasia, loss of medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) and
accumulation of leukocytes in the adventitia, and were not observed
in aortas of the transplant recipient (data not shown). No signs of
these lesions were observed when rat aortic segments were
transplanted into syngeneic recipients. To test whether CO would
suppress the development of these lesions, aortic grafts were
transplanted into allogeneic recipients that were then exposed to
CO (250 ppm) immediately following transplantation and for the
subsequent 56 days. Intimal hyperplasia was inhibited in aortic
grafts transplanted into recipients exposed to CO, as compared to
those transplanted into recipients exposed to air, as was the
accumulation of leukocytes into the adventitia (data not shown). CO
had no significant effect on loss of medial SMC as compared to
grafts transplanted into untreated recipients (data not shown).
EXAMPLE III
Carbon Monoxide Suppresses Endothelial Cell Apoptosis Cell
Culture
[0239] The murine 2F-2B EC line and primary bovine aortic ECs
(BAECs) were cultured as described previously.
Expression Plasmids
[0240] .beta.-galactosidase cDNA was cloned into the pcDNA3 vector
(Invitrogen). Two vectors encoding rat HO-1 cDNA were used. The
original vector encoding the full-length rat HO-1 cDNA under the
control of a the .beta.-actin enhancer/promoter (.beta.-actin/HO-1)
has been described elsewhere. A 1.0-kbp XhoI-HindIII fragment
encoding the full-length rat HO-1 cDNA was cut from the prHO-1
vector and subcloned into the pcDNA3 vector to achieve expression
of the HO-1 cDNA under the control of the CMV enhancer/promoter
(pcDNA3/HO-1). The mouse Bcl-2 cDNA was cloned in the pac vector.
p38/CSBP1 MAPK was amplified from HeLa cell cDNA by PCR and cloned
into the pcDNA3/HA vector derived from pcDNA3 by inserting a DNA
fragment coding for an epitope derived from the hemagglutinin
protein of the human influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA;
MYPYDVPDYASL). A dominant negative mutant of p38/CSBP1, harboring a
T180A and a Y182F substitution, was generated by overlap extension
mutagenesis. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA (CLONTECH
Laboratories, Inc.) was cloned into the pcDNA3-expressing
vector.
Transient Transfections
[0241] BAECs and 2F-2B ECs were transiently transfected. All
experiments were carried out 24-48 h after transfection. The
percentage of viable cells was assessed by evaluating the number of
.beta.-galactosidase-expressing cells that retained normal
morphology. The number of random fields counted was determined to
have a minimum of 200 viable transfected cells per control well.
The percentage of viable cells was normalized for each DNA
preparation to the number of transfected cells counted in the
absence of the apoptosis-inducing agent (100% viability). All
experiments were performed at least three times in duplicate.
Adenovirus
[0242] The recombinant HO-1 adenovirus has been described
previously. The recombinant .beta.-galactosidase adenovirus was a
gift of Dr. Robert Gerard (University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center, Dallas, Tex.). Adenoviruses were produced, extracted,
purified, and titrated. Confluent BAECs were infected with a
multiplicity of infection of 200 PFU/cell.
Cell Extracts and Western Blot Analysis
[0243] Cell extracts were prepared, electrophoresed under
denaturing conditions (10-12.5% polyacrylamide gels), and
transferred into polyvinyldifluoridine membranes (Immobilon P.TM.;
Millipore). HO-1 was detected using a rabbit anti-human HO-1
polyclonal antibody (StressGen Biotechnologies).
Vasodilatator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) was detected using a
rabbit anti-human VASP polyclonal antibody
(Calbiochem-Novabiochem). Total and activated/phosphorylated forms
of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK-1 and -2), c-Jun
NH.sub.2-terminal kinases (JNK-1,-2, and -3), and p38 MAPK were
detected using rabbit polyclonal antibodies directed against the
total or phosphorylated forms of these MAPKs, according to the
manufacturer's suggestions (New England Biolabs, Inc.).
.beta.-Tubiulin was detected using anti-human .beta.-tubulin
monoclonal antibody (Boehringer). Primary antibodies were detected
using horseradish peroxidase-conjugated donkey anti-rabbit or goat
anti-mouse IgG secondary antibodies (Pierce Chemical Co.).
Peroxidase was visualized using the enhanced chemiluminescence
assay (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech) according to the manufacturer's
instructions, and stored in the form of photoradiographs
(Biomax.TM. MS; Eastman Kodak Co.). Digital images were obtained
using an image scanner (Arcus II; Agfa) equipped with FotoLook.TM.
and Photoshop.RTM. software. The amount of phosphorylated ERK, JNK,
and p38 MAPK was quantified using ImageQuant.RTM. software
(Molecular Dynamics). When indicated, membranes were stripped (62.5
mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 2% SDS, and 100 mM .beta.-mercaptoethanol, 30
min, 50.degree. C.). Phosphorylated ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK were
normalized to the total amount of total ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK
detected in the same membrane.
[0244] Flow Cytometry
[0245] 2F-2B ECs were transfected with the GFP expression plasmid
and harvested 24 h after transfection by trypsin digestion (0.05%
in PBS). ECs were washed in PBS, pH 7.2, 5% FCS, and fluorescent
labeling was evaluated-using a FACSort.TM. equipped with
CELLQuest.TM. software (Becton Dickinson).
Cell Treatment and Reagents
[0246] Actinomycin D (Act.D; Sigma-Aldrich) was dissolved in PBS
and added to the culture medium 24 h after transfection. The Act.D
concentration used corresponded to the optimal concentration
necessary to sensitize ECs to TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis, e.g.,
10 .mu.g/ml for 2F-2B ECs and 0.1 .mu.g/ml for BAECs. When
indicated, EC apoptosis was induced by etoposide (200 .mu.M, 8 h;
Calbiochem-Novabiochem) or by serum deprivation (0.1% FCS for 24
h). The iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate (DFO; Sigma-Aldrich)
was dissolved in water and added to culture medium (1-1 00 .mu.M) 1
h before the induction of apoptosis Hemoglobin (Hb; Sigma-Aldrich)
was dissolved (1 mM) in PBS, 10 mM Na.sub.2S.sub.2O.sub.4, dialyzed
against PBS (2 h, 4.degree. C., 1:800 dilution), and added to the
culture medium (1-100 .mu.M) 6 h after transfection. The
guanylcyclase inhibitor 1H(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3)quinoxalin-1 (ODQ;
Calbiochem-Novabiochem) was dissolved in DMSO (Sigma-Aldrich) and
added to the culture medium (10-100 .mu.M) 6 h after transfection.
Iron protoporphyrin ([FePP]/heme), cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPPIX),
and tin protoporphyrin (SnPPIX; all from Porphyrin Products, Inc.)
were dissolved (10 mM) in 100 mM NaOH and held at -20.degree. C.
until use. Metalloporphyrins were added to the culture medium (50
.mu.M) 6 h after transfection. The cGMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP
sodium salt (8-Br-cGMP; Sigma-Aldrich) was dissolved in water and
added to the culture medium (10-100 .mu.M) 30 min before the
induction of apoptosis. Human recombinant TNF-(R&D Systems) was
dissolved in PBS and 1% BSA, and added to the culture medium
(10-100 ng/ml) 24 h aftertransfection. The p38 MAPK inhibitor
pyridinyl imidazol SB203580 was dissolved in DMSO and added to the
culture medium (5-20 .mu.M) 6 h after transfection.
CO Exposure
[0247] Cells were exposed to compressed air from a compressed air
tank or varying concentrations of CO (250 and 10,000 ppm).
HO-1 Protects ECs from Apoptosis
[0248] TNF-.alpha. induces apoptosis of cultured ECs when
transcriptional activity is inhibited-by Act.D. We have used this
experimental system to ask whether transient overexpression of HO-1
could prevent ECs from undergoing apoptosis. The data in FIGS.
13A-D were generated as follows: (A) 2F-2B ECs were transfected
with a GFP-expressing plasmid and monitored for GFP expression by
flow cytometry. The percentage of transfected ECs was assessed by
measuring fluorescence intensity in ECs transfected with control
(pcDNA3; filled histogram) versus GFP (open histogram) expression
plasmids; (B) ECs were cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase plus
control (pcDNA3) or HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors. EC
apoptosis was induced by TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D and apoptosis of
.beta.-galactosidase-transfected ECs was quantified. Gray bars
represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs
treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. Results shown are the
mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from 1 representative
experiment out of 10; (C) HO-1 expression was detected in BAECs by
Western blot. No Tr, nontransfected. NT, nontreated; (D) 2F-2B ECs
were cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase plus control (pcDNA3)
or HO-1(.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors. Gray bars represent
untreated ECs and black bars represent ECs treated with etoposide
(200 .mu.M, 8 h) or subjected to serum deprivation (0.1% FCS for 24
h). Results shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken
from one representative experiment out of three independent
experiments. Similar results were obtained using BAECs. We first
evaluated the ability of ECs to be transiently transfected. To do
so, ECs were transfected with a GFP-expressing plasmid and the
percentage of GFP-expressing ECs was evaluated by flow cytometry.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, 45% of ECs expressed the GFP protein 24
h after transfection. We then tested whether transfection of Hal
would prevent ECs from undergoing TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis.
To do so, ECs were cotransfected with HO-1 and .beta.-galactosidase
and apoptosis was evaluated by counting the number of viable
.beta.-galactosidase-expressing ECs. TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D induced
apoptosis of control ECs transfected with the pcDNA3 (60-70%
apoptotic ECs). Overexpression of HO-1 prevented EC apoptosis
(5-10% apoptotic ECs; FIG. 13). The expression of HO-1 was
confirmed by Western blot (FIG. 13). Overexpression of HO-1 also
prevented EC apoptosis induced by other proapoptotic stimuli such
as etoposide or serum deprivation, which is in keeping with similar
observations in 293 cells.
[0249] The antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 was dose dependent in that
increasing levels of HO-1 expression resulted in increased
protection from TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D-mediated apoptosis (FIG.
14). The data in FIGS. 14A-B were generated as follows: (A) 2F-2B
ECs were cotransfected with increasing doses of HO-1 expression
vector (.beta.-actin/HO-1). EC apoptosis was induced by TNF-.alpha.
plus Act.D. Results shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells
taken from one representative experiment out of three. Similar
results were obtained using BAECs; (B) The expression of HO-1 was
detected in BAECs by Western blot. Values indicate the amount of
HO-1 vector (pcDNA3/HO-1) used in each transfection (ng of DNA per
3.times.10.sup.5 cells). No Tr., nontransfected. The maximal
antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 (90-100% protection) was reached using
500-1,000 ng of the .beta.-actin/HO-1 expression vector per
3.times.10.sup.5 cells (FIG. 14). All subsequent experiments were
carried out using these experimental conditions.
The Antiapoptotic Function of HO-1 Requires Its Enzymatic
Activity
[0250] To test whether the antiapoptotic action of HO-1 was
dependent on its enzymatic action, HO-1 activity was blocked using
SnPPIX (FIGS. 15A-B). The data in FIGS. 15A-B were generated as
follows: (A) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase
plus pcDNA3, HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1), or bcl-2 expression vectors.
Cells were either left untreated (Control) or treated with the
inhibitor of HO enzymatic activity SnPPIX. CoPPIX, a protoporphyrin
that does not inhibit HO enzymatic activity, was used as a control
treatment. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black
bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. Results
shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three. (B) 2F-2B ECs were
transfected with .beta.-galactosidase plus pcDNA3 expression
vectors. ECs were either left untreated (Control) or were treated
with SnPPIX and CoPPIX as in A. The results shown are the
mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from one representative
experiment out of three. When HO-1 activity was blocked by SnPPIX,
HO-1 was no longer able to prevent EC apoptosis (FIG. 15), and the
antiapoptotic effect of bcl-2 was not impaired by SnPPIX (FIG. 15).
CoPPIX, which has a similar structure to SnPPIX but does not
inhibit HO activity, did not suppress the antiapoptotic effect of
HO-1 or that of bcl-2 (FIG. 15). These protoporphyrins had no
detectable effect per se on EC viability (FIG. 15).
Endogenous CO Mediates the Antiapoptotic Effect of HO-1
[0251] Since HO-1 enzymatic activity is needed for its
antiapoptotic effect, this suggests that this antiapoptotic effect
is mediated through one or more end products of heme catabolism by
HO-1, i.e., bilirubin, iron, and/or CO. We tested whether CO would
account for the antiapoptotic effect of HO-1. ECs were transiently
transfected with HO-1 and treated with Hb to scavenge CO (FIG. 16).
The data in FIG. 16 were generated as follows: 2F-2B ECs were
cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase plus control (pcDNA3), HO-1
(.beta.-actin/HO-1), or bcl-2 expression vectors. ECs were either
left untreated (0) or were treated with increasing concentrations
of Hb. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The results
shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of four. Under these conditions, the
antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 was suppressed (FIG. 16). The ability
of Hb to block the antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 was dose dependent,
in that increasing concentrations of Hb (3-50 .mu.M) decreased the
ability of HO-1 to prevent EC apoptosis (FIG. 16). Hb did not
impair the antiapoptotic effect of bcl-2 (FIG. 16), nor did it
sensitize control ECs (pcDNA3) to apoptosis (FIG. 16).
[0252] Exogenous CO can Substitute for HO-1 in Preventing EC
Apoptosis
[0253] If CO mediates the antiapoptotic action of HO-1, then
exogenous CO should prevent EC apoptosis. The data illustrated in
FIGS. 17A-C show that this is the case. The data in FIGS. 17A-C
were generated as follows: (A) 2F-2B ECs were transfected with a
.beta.-galactosidase expression vector and exposed to exogenous CO.
Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D alone and black bars
represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. (B) 2F-2B ECs
were transfected with a .beta.-galactosidase expression vector and
exposed to exogenous CO (10,000 ppm) with or without Hb. Gray bars
represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs
treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. (C) 2F-2B ECs were
cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase and HO-1
(.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors. Where indicated (+), HO-1
enzymatic activity was inhibited by SnPPIX and/or exposed to
exogenous CO. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black
bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. Results
shown (A, B, and C) are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken
from one representative experiment out of three. When control ECs
(transfected with pcDNA3) were exposed to exogenous CO (10,000
ppm), TNF-.alpha. mediated apoptosis was suppressed (FIG. 17).
Exogenous CO also suppressed EC apoptosis when HO-1 activity was
inhibited by SnPPIX, suggesting that CO can prevent EC apoptosis in
the absence of other biological functions of HO-1 (FIG. 17). We
then tested whether the level of exogenous CO used (10,000 ppm) was
comparable to that produced when HO-1 is expressed in ECs. Given
that Hb (50 .mu.M) blocks the protective effect of endogenously
produced CO (FIG. 16), we reasoned that if were the case for
exogenous CO, then the effects of exogenous CO may mimic those of
endogenous CO. The antiapoptotic effect of exogenous CO was
suppressed by Hb (50 .mu.M), suggesting that the concentration of
exogenous CO (10,000 ppm) used in these experiments is not
supraphysiologic (FIG. 17).
ECs that Express HO-1 can Suppress Apoptosis of ECs that Do Not
Express HO-1
[0254] Given that CO can act as an intercellular signaling
molecule, we hypothesized that ECs that express HO-1 may generate
sufficient levels of CO to protect neighboring ECs that do not
express HO-1 from undergoing apoptosis. To test this hypothesis,
ECs were transfected with control (pcDNA3) or HO-1 expression
vectors and cocultured with .beta.-galactosidase-transfected ECs
(FIG. 18). The data in FIG. 18 were generated as follows: 2F-2B ECs
were transfected with control (pcDNA3; I and II) or HO-1 (III)
expression vectors. 16 h after transfection, ECs were harvested,
washed, and cocultured at a ratio of 1:1 with ECs transfected with
.beta.-galactosidase (I and II) or with .beta.-galactosidase plus
HO-1 (III). Cocultures were maintained for an additional 24 h
before induction of apoptosis by TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The
percentage of survival was evaluated by counting the number of
.beta.-galactosidase-positive cells that retained normal
morphology. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black
bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. Results
shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicates taken from one
representative experiment out of three. When cocultured with
control ECs (pcDNA3), TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D induced apoptosis of
.beta.-galactosidase-transfected ECs (that do not express HO-1).
However, when cocultured with ECs expressing HO-1,
.beta.-galactosidase-transfected ECs were protected from
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D-mediated apoptosis (FIG. 18).
Expression of Endogenous HO-1 Inhibits EC Apoptosis Via CO
[0255] We questioned whether upregulation of endogenous HO-1 by
heme would suppress EC apoptosis. The data illustrated in FIGS.
19A-B suggest that this is the case. The data in FIGS. 19A-B were
generated as follows: (A) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected with a
.beta.-galactosidase expression vector and exposed to FePP.
Apoptosis was induced by TNF-.alpha. and Act.D. Gray bars represent
ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The results shown are the mean.+-.SD from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three. (B) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected with a .beta.-galactosidase
expression vector and exposed to FePP (6.25 .mu.M). Where
indicated, ECs were treated with Hb (50 .mu.M). The results shown
are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from one
representative experiment out of three. Exposure to heme protected
ECs from TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D-mediated apoptosis (FIG. 19). This
protective effect was observed only at heme concentrations ranging
from 5 to 7 .mu.M and was lost at higher concentrations, suggesting
that heme becomes cytotoxic at concentrations higher than 10 .mu.M
(FIG. 19). The antiapoptotic effect of heme was dependent on the
generation of CO, since heme was no longer able to suppress EC
apoptosis when CO was scavenged by Hb (FIG. 19).
Iron Chelation Protects ECs from Apoptosis
[0256] The observation that CO can prevent EC apoptosis (FIGS. 16
and 17) contrasts with the notion that the antiapoptotic effect of
HO-1 derives exclusively on its ability to prevent intracellular
iron accumulation. Given that overexpression of HO-1 in ECs
resulted in significant upregulation of ferritin expression (data
not shown), we questioned whether elimination of reactive
intracellular iron such as it occurs when ferritin is expressed
would contribute to prevent TNF-.alpha.-mediated apoptosis of ECs.
To mimic the iron chelator effect of ferritin, we used the iron
chelator DFO and tested whether DFO would suppress EC apoptosis.
The data illustrated in FIGS. 20A-C suggest that this is the case.
The data in FIGS. 20A-C were generated as follows: (A) 2F-2B ECs
were transfected with a .beta.-galactosidase expression vector and
exposed to DFO. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D alone
and black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D.
(B) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected as described above in A. Where
indicated (+), HO-1 enzymatic activity was inhibited by SnPPIX and
iron was chelated by DFO, as described above in A. Gray bars
represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs
treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. (C) 2F-2B ECs were
cotransfected as described above in A. Where indicated (+), CO was
removed from the culture medium by Hb and/or iron was chelated by
DFO as described above in A and B. Gray bars represent ECs treated
with Act.D and black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha.
plus Act.D. Results shown (A, B, and C) are the mean.+-.SD from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three. Induction of EC apoptosis by TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D was
suppressed by DFO (FIG. 20). When HO-1 activity was inhibited by
SnPPIX or the action of CO was suppressed by Hb, DFO was still able
to prevent EC apoptosis (FIG. 20).
CO and Iron Chelation have Additive Effects in Protecting ECs from
Apoptosis
[0257] Given the ability of both CO and iron chelation to suppress
EC apoptosis, we asked whether these two biological functions, both
engendered by HO-1, would act together to suppress EC apoptosis
(FIG. 21). The data in FIG. 21 were generated as follows: 2F-2B ECs
were cotransfected with .beta.-galactosidase and HO-1
(.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors. Where indicated (+), cells
were treated with the inhibitor of HO enzymatic activity SnPPIX.
ECs were exposed to CO (250 ppm) and to the iron chelator DFO. Gray
bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs
treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The results shown are the
mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from one representative
experiment out of three. Under inhibition of HO activity by SnPPIX,
exposure to low levels of CO (250 ppm) did not suppress EC
apoptosis significantly. When used alone, DFO (100 .mu.M)
suppressed EC apoptosis, but to a lesser extent than HO-1 (FIG.
21). However, when ECs were exposed to both CO (250 ppm) and DFO
(100 .mu.M), inhibition of EC apoptosis was comparable to that
achieved with the expression of HO-1.
The Antiapoptotic Effect of HO-1 is Not Mediated by Guanylcyclase
Activation or cGMP Generation
[0258] Most biological functions attributed to CO have been linked
to its ability to bind guanylcyclase and increase the generation of
cGMP. Since cGMP can regulate apoptosis, we tested whether or not
the antiapoptotic effect of HO-1 acted via the activation of
guanylcyclase and/or the generation of cGMP. The data illustrated
in FIGS. 22A-D suggest that this is not the case. The data in FIGS.
22A-D were generated as follows: A) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected
with .beta.-galactosidase and HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression
vectors. HO-1-transfected cells were exposed to increasing doses of
the guanylcyclase inhibitor ODQ. Gray bars represent ECs treated
with Act.D alone and black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The results shown are the mean.+-.SD from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three. (B) Activation of guanylcyclase was monitored in BAECs by
analyzing the. phosphorylation of VASP. P-VASP (50 kD) and VASP (46
kD) are the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated forms of VASP,
respectively. (C) 2F-2B ECs were transfected with
.beta.-galactosidase or with .beta.-galactosidase plus HO-1
(.beta.-actin/HO-1) expression vectors as described above in A.
Where indicated, ECs were exposed to the cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP,
as described above. Gray bars represent ECs treated with Act.D and
black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The
results shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate wells taken from
one representative experiment out of three. (D) Phosphorylation of
VASP was analyzed by Western blot as described above in B. N.T.,
nontreated. Expression of HO-1 in ECs did not result in a
detectable increase of cGMP-related functions as illustrated by the
absence of VASP phosphorylation, a protein phosphorylated by cyclic
nucleotide-dependent protein kinases (protein kinase
G-.alpha./.beta.; FIG. 22). This finding is in keeping with that
reported by others. Inhibition of guanylcyclase activity by ODQ did
not suppress the antiapoptotic effects of HO-1, and the cGMP
analogue 8-Br-cGMP failed to suppress EC apoptosis (FIG. 22). That
8-Br-cGMP acted as a cGMP analogue was shown by its ability to
induce VASP phosphorylation (FIG. 22). That ODQ was efficient in
suppressing guanylcyclase activity in ECs was shown by its ability
to prevent constitutive VASP phosphorylation in 2F-2B ECs (data not
shown).
HO-1 Increases TNF-.alpha.-Mediated Activation of p38 MAPK in
ECs
[0259] Given that HO-1 and/or CO can modulate p38 MAPK activation
in monocyte/macrophages (M.phi.), we tested whether HO-1 and/or CO
would have similar effects in ECs (FIGS. 23A-B). The data in FIG.
23 were generated as follows: (A) BAECs were stimulated with
TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml; time 0) and MAPK phosphorylation was
monitored by Western blot (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after
TNF-.alpha. stimulation) using antibodies directed against the
phosphorylated forms of each MAPK. One single membrane was used for
all the stainings shown. Experiments were repeated three times with
virtually identical results. n.s., nonspecific band. (B)
Phosphorylation of different MAPKs was quantified. The results were
presented as fold induction in arbitrary units (A.U.), compared
with the amount induction at time 0, before TNF-.alpha.
stimulation. The results in B correspond to the membranes shown in
A. Stimulation of ECs with TNF-.alpha. resulted in transient
activation of JNK and p38 MAPK (FIG. 23), a finding consistent with
those of others. ERKs (42 and 44 kD) were constitutively active in
resting ECs, and no significant upregulation was detectable after
TNF-.alpha. stimulation (FIG. 23).
[0260] The data in FIGS. 24A-B were generated as follows: (A) BAECs
were either nontransduced (NT), transduced with a
.beta.-galactosidase (.beta.gal.) adenovirus, or transduced with
HO-1 recombinant adenovirus, and were left untreated (-) or treated
(+) with TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml for 15 min). p38 MAPK
phosphorylation was monitored by Western blot using antibodies
directed against the phosphorylated forms of each MAPK. Results are
presented as fold induction of MAPK activation by TNF-.alpha. in
arbitrary units (A.U.), compared with the amount of induction at
time 0, before TNF-.alpha. stimulation. (B) BAECs were stimulated
(+) or not (-) by TNF-.alpha. (10 ng/ml, 30 min) in the presence or
absence of CO (10,000 ppm). Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was
quantified as in A. The results are presented as fold induction of
MAPK activation by TNF-.alpha. in arbitrary units (A.U.).
Recombinant adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HO-1 potentiated
the ability of TNF-.alpha. to activate p38 MAPK (FIG. 24), but not
to activate INK (data not shown). Overexpression of
.beta.-galactosidase had no detectable effect on the activation of
either p38 MAPK or JNK by TNF-.alpha.. Exposure of ECs to exogenous
CO activated p38 MAPK even in the absence of TNF-.alpha. (FIG.
24).
The Mechanism by which CO Prevents EC Apoptosis Acts Via the
Activation of p38 MAPK
[0261] Since p38 MAPK can regulate apoptosis, we investigated
whether the ability of HO-1 to modulate p38 MAPK activation was
linked to its ability to prevent EC apoptosis. We found that this
is the case (FIGS. 25A-D). The data in FIGS. 25A-D were generated
as follows: A) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected with
.beta.-galactosidase, control (pcDNA3), or HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1)
expression vectors. Where indicated, ECs were treated with the p38
kinase inhibitor SB203580. Gray bars represent ECs treated with
Act.D alone and black bars represent ECs treated with TNF-.alpha.
plus Act.D. The results shown are the mean.+-.SD from duplicate
wells taken from one representative experiment out of three. (B)
BAECs were transfected with a control (pcDNA3) vector and
stimulated with TNF-.alpha. in the presence (v) or absence (o) of
the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580 (20 .mu.M). MAPK phosphorylation
was monitored by Western blot (0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after
TNF-.alpha. stimulation) using antibodies directed against the
phosphorylated forms of each MAPK. (C) 2F-2B ECs were cotransfected
with .beta.-galactosidase, control, HO-1 (.beta.-actin/HO-1), and
where indicated with a phosphorylation-deficient p38/CSBP1 dominant
negative mutant (DNM) expression vector. The values indicate the
amount of vector used, in nanograms of DNA per 300.times.10.sup.3
cells. Apoptosis was induced as in A. Gray bars represent ECs
treated with Act.D and black bars represent ECs treated with
TNF-.alpha. plus Act.D. The results shown are the mean.+-.SD from
duplicate wells taken from one representative experiment out of
three. (D) The expression of the p38/CSBP1 dominant negative mutant
was confirmed by Western blot using an anti-p38 specific antibody.
No Tr., nontransfected ECs. The antiapoptotic action of HO-1 was
suppressed when p38 MAPK activation was blocked by the pyridinyl
imidazol SB203580 (10-20 .mu.M), a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK.
This effect was dose dependent in that increasing concentrations of
SB203580 were increasingly efficient in suppressing the
antiapoptotic action of HO-1 (FIG. 25). Inhibition of p38 MAPK
activation per se did not sensitize ECs to TNF-.alpha.-mediated
apoptosis (data not shown). As expected, activation of p38 MAPK by
TNF-.alpha. was significantly inhibited (85-95%) in ECs exposed to
SB203580 (5-20 .mu.M), compared with control ECs stimulated by
TNF-.alpha. in the absence of SB203580 (FIG. 25). Similarly to
SB203580, overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of p38/CSBP1
also suppressed TNF-.alpha.-mediated p38 MAPK activation, as tested
by a kinase assay using the activating transcription factor (ATF)-2
as a substrate (data not shown). Overexpression of this dominant
negative mutant suppressed the ability of HO-1 to prevent EC
apoptosis (FIG. 25). This inhibitory effect was dose dependent in
that increasing amounts of the p38/CSBP1 dominant negative mutant
were more efficient in suppressing the antiapoptotic action of HO-1
(FIG. 25).
EXAMPLE IV
Protocols for the Treatment of Organs and Tissues, a Donor, and a
Recipient During Transplantation Procedures
[0262] The following example illustrates protocols for use in
treating a donor, and organ, and a recipient with carbon monoxide
during a transplantation procedure. Any one or more of the
following procedures may be used in a given transplantation
procedure.
Treatment of a Donor
[0263] Prior to harvesting an organ or tissue, the donor can be
treated with inhaled carbon monoxide (250 ppm) for one hour.
Treatment can be administered at doses varying from 10 ppm to 1000
ppm for times varying from one hour to six hours, or for the entire
period from the moment when it becomes possible to treat a
brain-dead (cadaver) donor to the time the organ is removed.
Treatment should start as soon as possible following the
declaration that brain death is present. In some applications, it
may be desirable to begin treatment before brain death.
[0264] For non-human animals (e.g., pigs) to be used as
xenotransplantation donors, the live animal can be treated with
relatively high levels of inhaled carbon monoxide, as desired, so
long as the carboxyhemoglobin so produced does not compromise the
viability and function of the organ to be transplanted. For
example, one could use levels greater than 500 ppm (e.g., 1000 ppm
or higher, and up to 10,000 ppm, particularly for brief times).
Treatment of the Organ in situ
[0265] Before an organ is harvested from a donor, it can be flushed
with a solution, e.g., a buffer or medium, without red blood cells
while it is still in the donor. The intent is to flush the organ
with a solution saturated with carbon monoxide and maintained in a
carbon monoxide atmosphere so that the carbon monoxide content
remains at saturation. Flushing can take place for a time period of
at least 10 minutes, e.g., 1 hour, several hours, or longer. The
solution should ideally deliver the highest concentration of carbon
monoxide possible to the cells of the organ.
Treatment of an Organ or Tissue
[0266] The organ or tissue can be preserved in a medium that
includes carbon monoxide from the time it is removed from the donor
to the time it is transplanted to the recipient. This can be
performed by maintaining the organ or tissue in the medium
comprising CO, or by perfusing it with such a medium. Since this
occurs ex vivo rather than in an animal, very high concentrations
of CO gas can be used (e.g., 10,000 ppm) to keep the medium
saturated with CO.
Treatment of a Recipient
[0267] The recipient can be treated with carbon monoxide. Treatment
can begin on the day of transplantation at least 30 minutes before
surgery begins. Alternatively, it could begin at least 30 minutes
before re-perfusion of the organ in the recipient. It can be
continued for at least 30 minutes, e.g., 1 hour. Carbon monoxide
doses between 10 ppm and 3000 ppm can be delivered for varying
times, e.g., minutes or hours, and can be administered on the day
of and on days following transplantation. For example, a recipient
can inhale a concentration of carbon monoxide, e.g., 3000 ppm, for
three consecutive 10 second breath holds. Alternatively, the
recipient can inhale, say 200 ppm for an extended time, such as 20
days. Carboxyhemoglobin concentrations can be utilized as a guide
for appropriate administration of carbon monoxide to a patient.
Usually, treatments for recipients should not raise
carboxyhemoglobin levels above those considered to pose an
acceptable risk for a patient in need of a transplant.
Other Embodiments
[0268] It is to be understood that, while the invention has been
described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the
foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the
scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the
appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are
within the scope of the following claims.
Sequence CWU 1
1
4 1 22 DNA Artificial Sequence sense primer 1 cctgaccgag cgtggctaca
gc 22 2 19 DNA Artificial Sequence antisense primer 2 caggctacgg
gacctccga 19 3 21 DNA Artificial Sequence sense primer 3 tcccagacac
cgctcctcca g 21 4 21 DNA Artificial Sequence antisense primer 4
ctttggtcgt cggggtttag g 21
* * * * *