Three isoforms of a novel member of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor superfamily related to the retinoic acid receptors have been identified. The three isoforms, referred to as RORal, R0Ra2, and R0Ra3, share common DNA-and putative ligand-binding domains but are characterized by distinct amino-terminal domains generated by alternative RNA processing. An exon encoding a functionally important subregion of the amino-terminal domain of the RORa2 isoform resides on the opposite strand of a cytochrome c-processed pseudogene. Binding site selection using in vitro-synthesized proteins reveals that the RORal and R0Ra2 isoforms bind DNA as monomers to hormone response elements composed of a 6-bp AT-rich sequence preceding a half-site core motif PuGGTCA (RORE). However, RORal and RORa2 display different binding specificities: RORal binds to and constitutively activates transcription from a large subset of ROREs, whereas R0Ra2 recognizes ROREs with strict specificity and displays weaker transcriptional activity. The differential DNA-binding activity of each isoform maps to their respective amino-terminal domains. Whereas truncation of the amino-terminal domain diminishes the ability of RORal to bind DNA, a similar deletion relaxes RORa2-binding specificity to that displayed by RORal. Remarkably, transfer of the entire amino-terminal region of RORal or amino-terminal deletion of RORa2 confers RORE-binding specificities to het^erologous receptors. These results demonstrate that the amino-terminal domain and the zinc finger region work in concert to confer high affinity and specific DNA-binding properties to the ROR isoforms and suggest a novel strategy to control DNA-binding activity of nuclear receptors.

Cultured rat fetal distal lung epithelial cells (FDLEs), when switched from fetal (3%) to postnatal (21%) O2 concentrations, have increased epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) mRNA levels and amiloride-sensitive Na+transport [O. Pitkänen, A. K. Tanswell, G. Downey, and H. O’Brodovich. Am. J. Physiol. 270 ( Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 14): L1060–L1066, 1996]. The mechanisms by which O2 mediates these effects are unknown. After isolation, FDLEs were kept at 3% O2 overnight, then switched to 21% O2 (3–21% O2 group) or maintained at 3% O2 (3–3% O2 group) for 48 h. The amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current ( I sc) in the 3–21% O2 group was double that in the 3–3% O2 group. Amiloride-sensitive I sc could not be induced by medium conditioned by 21% O2-exposed FDLEs but was reversed by returning the cells to 3% O2. Neither the cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen, liposome-encapsulated catalase, nor hydroperoxide scavengers (U-74389G or Trolox) blocked the O2-induced amiloride-sensitive I sc. In contrast, the cell-permeable superoxide scavenger tetramethylpiperidine- N-oxyl (TEMPO) eliminated the O2-induced increases in amiloride-sensitive I sc and ENaC mRNA levels. The switch from 3 to 21% O2 induced the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB, which could also be blocked by TEMPO. We conclude that 1) the O2-induced increase in amiloride-sensitive I sc is reversible and 2) the O2-induced increase in amiloride-sensitive I sc and ENaC mRNA levels is associated with activation of nuclear factor-κB and may be mediated, at least in part, by superoxide.

The vertebrate lens is a classical system for examining mechanisms of tissue determination and differentiation, yet little is known about the signaling molecules controlling its development. Here, we report that retinoic acid IRA}, a substance known for its teratogenic effects on the eye and as a natural endogenous morphogenetic agent, acts as a regulator of gene expression in the lens. We have identified a novel type of RA response element (RARE) within the lens-specific mouse 7F-crystallin promoter, consisting of two (A/G)GGTCA motifs in an everted arrangement spaced by 8 nucleotides. This element {TF-RARE) mediates activation of the 7F-crystallin promoter by ligand-activated endogenous lens cell RA receptors (RARs) and confers RA responsiveness when linked to a heterologous promoter. 7F-RARE is bound in vitro by RAR/RXR heterodimers, and both receptors cooperate in vivo to trans-activate this element. These observations demonstrate a direct effect of RA on lens-specific gene expression and reveal a novel role for retinoids in the development and homeostasis of the mammalian eye.

The rat amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (rENaC) is the rate-limiting step for vectorial transport of Na+ across tight epithelia. The complex is composed of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma. Expression of the subunits has been shown to be tissue-specific and developmentally and hormonally regulated. To study mechanisms involved in transcriptional regulation of alpharENaC, we determined the genomic organization of the alpharENaC gene. By 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and primer extension, two transcriptional start sites were detected 453 base pairs (bp) apart, resulting in alternative 5' untranslated region (UTR) lengths of 515 or 62 bp. The longer 5' UTR is more prevalent in fetal lung than in adult lung or kidney. The 5' untranslated and coding regions are contained within 12 exons, with the translation start site located within the first exon. Sequence analysis of approximately 1,500 bp of 5' flanking DNA identified putative binding sites for transcription factors PEA3, SP1, AP-1, nuclear factor-kappaB, and thyroid and glucocorticoid receptors. alpharENaC promoter-reporter gene constructs produced low levels of reporter gene activity in transiently transfected cells, which could be increased by dexamethasone (DEX) treatment. Tri-iodothyronine treatment alone had no effect but potentiated stimulation by DEX.

All 3 subunits of the hENaC are low in preterm relative to full-term infants. alpha-hENaC mRNA in respiratory epithelium is increased by therapeutic doses of glucocorticosteroid. Low expression of alpha-hENaC in human respiratory epithelium may play a role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in preterm infants.

NETosis was induced in VILI, and DNase treatment eliminated NETs. In contrast to experimental transfusion-related acute lung injury, NETs do not play a major pathogenic role in the current model of VILI.

Impaired lung epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) activity at the time of birth results in respiratory distress. To investigate potential mechanisms, the ontogeny and cellular distribution of the alphaENaC subunit mRNA expression was studied in normal, immature, and abnormal (hypoplastic) human fetal lungs using nonradioisotopic in situ hybridization. Surprisingly, alphaENaC expression was detected at the embryonic stage of normal lung development (4 to 5 wk gestation) when expression was localized to the fetal lung bud epithelium. By late gestation, ENaC was expressed in the conductive and respiratory airway epithelium, serous cells, and the distal lung unit in an alveolar type II (ATII) epitheliumlike distribution. Significant alphaENaC expression was found in newborn lung diseases associated with respiratory distress. One explanation is that alphaENaC mRNA is constitutively expressed, and that activity is regulated, at least in part, at the post-transcriptional level. Alternative explanations are that the expression of the beta or gammaENaC subunits may be impaired in certain newborn lung diseases or that alternate Na(+) permeant channels or transporters are important to lung liquid absorption in humans at birth.

In a classic model of ventilator-induced lung injury, high peak pressure (and zero positive end-expiratory pressure) causes respiratory swings (obliteration during inspiration) in right ventricular filling and pulmonary perfusion, ultimately resulting in right ventricular failure and dilation. Pulmonary edema was due to increased permeability, which was augmented by a modest (approximately 40%) increase in hydrostatic pressure. The lung injury and acute cor pulmonale is likely due to pulmonary microvascular injury, the mechanism of which is uncertain, but which may be due to cyclic interruption and exaggeration of pulmonary blood flow.