The surface molecular orientation of a liquid crystalline (LC) layer made up of semifluorinated (SF) single side groups [−CO−(CH2) x - 1−(CF2) y F] (single SF groups) attached to polyisoprene homopolymer or the isoprene block of a styrene−isoprene diblock copolymer was determined by analyzing the partial electron yield C-edge NEXAFS signal. The results show that the surfaces of thin SF polymer films are covered with a uniform layer, consisting of the SF−LC groups whose average −CF2− tilt angle with the surface normal lies in the range 29−46°. This is in direct contrast to the bulk, where the directors of the SF−LC mesogens are aligned parallel to the polystyrene/SF−polyisoprene interface of the block copolymers. This average tilt angle increases with increasing the length of the −(CH2) x - 1− group (x increases) but decreases with increasing the length of the −(CF2) y − part of the molecule (y increases) at constant x.

Hemorrhagic shock (HS) due to major trauma and surgery predisposes the host to the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) including acute lung injury (ALI) through activating and exaggerating the innate immune response. IL-1β is a crucial pro-inflammatory cytokine that contributes to the development of SIRS and ALI. Lung endothelial cells (EC) are one important source of IL-1β, and the production of active IL-1β is controlled by the inflammasome. In this study, we addressed the mechanism underlying HS activation of the inflammasome in lung EC. We show that high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) acting through TLR4, and a synergistic collaboration with TLR2 and RAGE signaling, mediates HS-induced activation of EC NAD(P)H oxidase. In turn, reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NAD(P)H oxidase promote the association of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) with the Nod-like receptor protein NLRP3 and subsequently induce inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion from the EC. We also show that neutrophil-derived ROS play a role in enhancing EC NAD(P)H oxidase activation, and therefore an amplified inflammasome activation in response to HS. The present study explores a novel mechanism underlying HS activation of EC inflammasome and, thus, presents a potential therapeutic target for SIRS and ALI induced after HS.