Combination Therapy With Polydeoxyribonucleotide and Pirfenidone Alleviates Symptoms of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Human Lung Epithelial A549 Cells

Article information

Int Neurourol J. 2020;24(Suppl 1):S56-64

Publication date (electronic) : 2020 May 31

doi : https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2040152.076

Jae-Joon Hwang ¹

, Il-Gyu Ko ²

, Jun-Jang Jin ²

, Lakkyong Hwang ²

, Sang-Hoon Kim ²^,³

, Jung Won Jeon ⁴

, Seung Sook Paik ⁵

, Bok Soon Chang^,¹

, Cheon Woong Choi^,¹

¹Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

²Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

³Department of Sport & Health Care, College of Art & Culture, Sangmyung University, Seoul, Korea

⁴Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Korea

⁵Department of Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea

Corresponding author: Cheon Woong Choi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2536-6151 Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 892 Dongnamro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05278, Korea E-mail: ccwmd@hanmail.net / Tel: +82-2-440-6118 / Fax: +82-2-440-6073

Co-Corresponding author: Bok Soon Chang http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1623-2685 Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 892 Dongnamro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05278, Korea E-mail: bs.chang@khu.ac.kr / Tel: +82-2-440-6118 / Fax: +82-2-440-6073

Received 2020 April 2; Accepted 2020 May 4.

Abstract

Purpose

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by its acute onset of symptoms such as bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, severe hypoxemia, and pulmonary edema. Many patients with ARDS survive in the acute phase, but then die from significant lung fibrosis.

Methods

The effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on ARDS was investigated using human lung epithelial A549 cells. ARDS environment was induced by treatment with lipopolysaccharide and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Enzyme-linked immunoassay for connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and hydroxyproline were conducted. Western blot for collagen type I, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6 was performed.

Results

In this study, 8-μg/mL PDRN enhanced cell viability. Combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and pirfenidone monotherapy suppressed expressions of CTGF and hydroxyproline and inhibited expressions of collagen type I and FGF. Combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and PDRN monotherapy suppressed expression of TNF-α and IL-1β.

Conclusions

The combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone exerted stronger therapeutic effect against lipopolysaccharide and TGF-β-induced ARDS environment compared to the PDRN monotherapy or pirfenidone monotherapy. The excellent therapeutic effect of combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone on ARDS was shown by promoting the rapid anti-inflammatory effect and inhibiting the fibrotic processes.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome; Polydeoxyribonucleotide; Pirfenidone, Combination therapy

• HIGHLIGHTS

- The effect of combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone on ARDS environment was investigated.

- Combination therapy inhibited expressions of CTGF, hydroxyproline, collagen type I, FGF, TNF-α, and IL-1β.

- The therapeutic effect of combination therapy appeared by promoting anti-inflammatory effect as well as inhibiting fibrotic processes.

INTRODUCTION

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by its acute onset of symptoms such as bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, severe hypoxemia, and pulmonary edema [1]. Although mortality from ARDS has some decreased due to the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ventilator bundles, and pharmacological agents, such as heparin and steroid, ARDS-related lethality remains high [2]. Even in patients who survive ARDS, there is evidence that their long-term quality of life is adversely affected [3].

The pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic response may become persistent or uncontrolled during mechanical ventilation, resulting in pulmonary fibrosis and deterioration of lung function [4]. Because of this process, many patients with ARDS survive in the acute phase, but then die from significant lung fibrosis [5,6].

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which is extracted from the sperm of salmon, stimulates tissue repair in chronic wound and burn [7]. PDRN stimulates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor by activating adenosine A_2A receptor [8]. PDRN shows an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, and by increasing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 [9,10]. In addition, PDRN inhibits apoptosis by suppressing production of cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury [11]. Although PDRN suppresses inflammatory lung symptoms, it does not inhibit the process of pulmonary fibrosis.

Pirfenidone is a drug used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It works by reducing lung fibrosis through downregulation of growth factors and production of pro-collagen types I and II [12]. Pirfenidone attenuates fibrosis in numerous animal models, including fibrosis in the lungs, liver, heart, and kidneys [13,14].

In the present study, the effect of combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone on ARDS was investigated using human lung epithelial A549 cells. ARDS environment was induced by treatment with LPS and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in human lung epithelial A549 cells. MTT assay and WST-8 assay were performed to determine the effective concentration of each drug. After determination of effective dosage of PDRN and pirfenidone, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and hydroxyproline were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Western blot for collagen type I, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), TNF-α, and IL-6 was performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell Culture

Human lung epithelial cells, A549 cells, were purchased from Korean Cell Line Bank (KCLB, Seoul, Korea). The cells were maintained in RPMI1640 medium (Gibco BRL, Grand Island, NY, USA) supplemented with 10% inactivated fetal bovine serum, 100-μg/mL streptomycin, and 100-IU/mL penicillin. The cells were cultured under the condition of 37°C and 5% CO₂, as the previously described method [15,16]. This experimental procedure was approved by the Institutional Care and Use Committee of Kyung Hee University (KHUASP[SE]-18-036).

MTT Assay

To determine the viability, A549 cells were plated at a density of 1×10⁴ cells/well in a 96-well plate, as the previously described method [15,17]. For the induction of ARDS environment, 1-μg/mL LPS (Escherichia coli serotype 026:B6; Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) and 5-ng/mL TGF-β (Kolon Pharm., Seoul, Korea) were treated. Immediately, the drugs in each group, including PDRN (Kyongbo Pharm., Seoul, Korea) and pirfenidone (Kolon Pharma.) were treated as Table 1. After 48 hours the drug treatment, MTT solution (Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co.) was added to a well plate treated with the drug at a final concentration of 0.05 mg/mL and incubated at 37°C for 1 hour. After media was removed, 100 μL of dimethylsulfoxide (Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co.) was added and shaken for 15 minutes to dissolve the MTT formazan crystals formed. Each well was placed in an ELISA microplate reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) and the optical density was measured at a wavelength of 570 nm.

Table 1.

The concentration of monotherapy in each drug

WST-8 Assay

To determine the viability, A549 cells were plated at a density of 1×10⁴ cells/well in a 96-well plate, as the previously described method [15]. To induce the ARDS environment, 1-μg/mL LPS and 5-ng/mL TGF-β were treated. Immediately, the drugs in each group were treated as shown in Table 1. After 48 hours drug treatment, 10 μL of the WST-8 kit solution (Biomax, Seoul, Korea) was added to each well, and incubated for 1 hour. The WST-8 well was placed in an ELISA microplate reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.) and the optical density was measured at the 450 nm wavelength.

ELISA

The supernatants were collected to measure CTGF (Wuhan Fine Biotech Co. Ltd., Wuhan, China) and hydroxyproline (Wuhan Fine Biotech Co. Ltd.) concentration by ELISA, as the previously described method [15,18]. To induce the ARDS environment, 1-μg/mL LPS and 5-ng/mL TGF-β were treated. Immediately, the drugs in each group were treated as shown in Table 2. Standard, control, and sample were treated to each well and incubated at 37°C for 90 minutes, and washed plate. Biotin-labeled antibody working solution was treated to each well and incubated at 37°C for 60 minutes. Streptavidin conjugate working solution was incubated to each well for 30 minutes at 37°C. Tetramethylbenzidine substrate was added and incubated at 37°C for 20 minutes. Stop solution was added and calculated at 450 nm wavelength in microplate reader (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.).

Table 2.

The concentration of monotherapy and combination therapy in each drug

Western Blot

A549 cells were plated at a density of 1×10⁶ cells/dish in 100-mm dish, as the previously described method [15,19]. To induce the ARDS environment, 1-μg/mL LPS and 5-ng/mL TGF-β were added. Immediately, the drugs in each group were treated as shown in Table 2. A549 cells was washed in phosphate buffered saline to removed media. RIPA buffer (Cell Signaling Technology, Beverly, MA, USA) with 1mM PMSF (Sigma-Aldrich Chemical Co.) was added to 100 mm dish and incubated on ice for 5 minutes. The treated cells were collected in 1.5-mL tube and briefly sonicated. Lysate cells were centrifuged at 14,000 g for 20 minutes at 4°C and supernatants were collected. The sample was measured using a microdrop reader. Protein 20 μg was loaded on 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gel, and transferred on nitrocellulose membrane (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech GmbH, Freiburg, Germany). The nitrocellulose membrane was blocked in 5% nonfat milk buffer for 1 hour. Primary antibodies were reacted overnight at 4°C as flows: mouse anti-TNF-α, mouse anti-IL-6, mouse collagen type I, mouse anti-β-actin, rabbit antiIL-6, and rabbit anti-bFGF (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA, USA). Nitrocellulose membrane was developed using enhanced chemiluminescence detection kit (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). Detected band was quantified by image pro plus version 6.0 (Media Cybernetics Inc., Silver Spring, MD, USA).

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was conducted using 1-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan post hoc test using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 23.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). The results are expressed as the means ±standard errors of the mean. Significance was set as P<0.05.

RESULTS

Cell Viability

The percentage of cell viability in the control group of the MTT assay and WST-8 assay was set at 1.00. The results are presented in Fig. 1. Current results showed that cell viability was significantly reduced by the induction of ARDS in MTT assay and WST-8 assay (P<0.05). However, treatment with 8-μg/mL PDRN showed an enhanced effect on cell viability in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05).

Fig. 1.

Effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) treatment on cell viability following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: The cells were stained using the MTT methods. Lower panel: The cells were stained using the WST-8 method. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and 2-μg/mL PDRN with 100-μg/mL pirfenidone teated group; D, ARDS-induced and 4-μg/mL PDRN with 200 μg/mL pirfenidone teated group; E, ARDS-induced and 8 μg/mL PDRN with 500-μg/mL pirfenidone teated group; F, ARDS-induced and 16-μg/mL PDRN with 1,000-μg/mL pirfenidone teated group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

CTGF and Hydroxyproline Expression

CTGF and hydroxyproline expression in A549 cells was measured using the ELISA kit. The results are presented in Fig. 2. Current results showed that the expression of CTGF and hydroxyproline was significantly increased by the induction of ARDS (P<0.05). However, pirfenidone monotherapy and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone showed suppressing effect on CTGF and hydroxyproline expression in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05).

Fig. 2.

Effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and hydroxyproline expression following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: CTGF expression in enzyme assay using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit. Lower panel: Hydroxyproline expression in enzyme assay using ELISA kit. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and PDRN monotherapy group; D, ARDS-induced and pirfenidone monotherapy group; E, ARDS-induced and combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

Collagen Type I Expression

Collagen type I expression in A549 cells was measured using the western blot. The results are presented in Fig. 3. Current results showed that collagen type I expression was significantly increased by the induction of ARDS (P<0.05). However, PDRN monotherapy, pirfenidone monotherapy, and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone showed a suppressing effect on collagen type I expression in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05). Pirfenidone monotherapy and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone more potently suppressed collagen type I expression than PDRN monotherapy (P<0.05).

Fig. 3.

Effect of combination therapy of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) with pirfenidone on collagen type I expression following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: The results of band detection using the enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection kit. Lower panel: The relative expression of collagen type I. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and PDRN monotherapy group; D, ARDS-induced and pirfenidone monotherapy group; E, ARDS-induced and combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

FGF Expression

FGF expression in A549 cells was measured using the western blot. The results are presented in Fig. 4. Current results showed that FGF expression was significantly increased by the induction of ARDS (P<0.05). However, pirfenidone monotherapy and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone showed suppressing effect on FGF expression in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05).

Fig. 4.

Effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on fibroblast growth factor (FGF) expression following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: The results of band detection using the enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection kit. Lower panel: The relative expression of FGF. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and PDRN monotherapy group; D, ARDS-induced and pirfenidone monotherapy group; E, ARDS-induced and combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

TNF-α Expression

TNF-α expression in A549 cells was measured using the western blot. The results are presented in Fig. 5. Current results showed that TNF-α expression was significantly increased by the induction of ARDS (P<0.05). However, PDRN monotherapy and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone showed suppressing effect on TNF-α expression in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05). Combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone more potently suppressed TNF-α expression compared to PDRN monotherapy (P<0.05).

Fig. 5.

Effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: The results of band detection using the enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection kit. Lower panel: The relative expression of TNF-α. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and PDRN monotherapy group; D, ARDS-induced and pirfenidone monotherapy group; E, ARDS-induced and combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

IL-6 Expression

IL-6 expression of A549 cells was measured using the western blot. The results are presented in Fig. 6. Current results showed that IL-6 expression was significantly increased by the induction of ARDS (P<0.05). However, PDRN monotherapy, pirfenidone monotherapy, and combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone showed suppressing effect on IL-6 expression in ARDS-induced human lung epithelial A549 cells (P<0.05). Combination therapy of PDRN with pirfenidone more potently suppressed IL-6 compared to PDRN monotherapy or pirfenidone monotherapy (P<0.05).

Fig. 6.

Effect of combination therapy with polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and pirfenidone on interleukin (IL)-6 expression following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) environment induction in human lung epithelial A549 cells. Upper panel: The results of band detection using the enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) detection kit. Lower panel: The relative expression of IL-6. A, control group; B, ARDS-induced group; C, ARDS-induced and PDRN monotherapy group; D, ARDS-induced and pirfenidone monotherapy group; E, ARDS-induced and combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone group. ^*P<0.05 compared to the control group. ^#P<0.05 compared to the ARDS-induced group.

DISCUSSION

ARDS is a life-threatening condition associated with the migration of lethal inflammatory cells to the lungs, which can lead to the release of inflammatory mediators that obstruct alveolar capillary epithelial and endothelial barriers [20]. Corticosteroids are the preferred therapeutic agents to treat ARDS patients, but these agents are limited in use because they cause numerous side effects. To overcome this today, researchers are looking for new and safer drugs to treat ARDS symptoms. In the present study, 8-μg/mL PDRN enhanced cell viability in the MTT assay and WST-8 assay. However, pirfenidone treatment increased cytotoxicity as the high dose dependently, thus pirfenidone of high dose reduced cell viability [21].

The effect of adenosine is mediated by the four G proteincoupled receptors (A₁, A_2A, A_2B, and A₃) expressed in immune cells. Among them, adenosine A_2A receptor agonists have strong anti-inflammatory property [22]. PDRN, adenosine A_2A receptor agonist, suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through promoting phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine-3,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein through the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway [10,23]. Therefore, adenosine A_2A receptor agonists are known to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases [24]. Pulmonary fibrosis develops late in ARDS, and the morbidity and mortality rates of ARDS are particularly high when it causes persistent alveolar and interstitial fibrosis [4]. Pulmonary fibrosis results in diffuse interstitial inflammation and exaggerated collagen accumulation, which in turn leads to destruction and remodeling of the alveolar structure [25].

The present study showed that the expression of CTGF and hydroxyproline was significantly increased after LPS and TGF-β treatment for ARDS environment induction. CTGF and hydroxyproline are early markers of collagen synthesis during fibrosis [26,27]. Thus, an increase in CTGF and hydroxyproline means increased collagen synthesis for fibrosis. In the present study, combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and pirfenidone monotherapy suppressed expressions of CTGF and hydroxyproline. PDRN monotherapy showed no significant effect on CTGF and hydroxyproline expression. In the present study, combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and pirfenidone monotherapy inhibited fibrosis-related factors including collagen type I and FGF. PDRN also showed mild inhibitory effect on collagen type I but not FGF. Pirfenidone has a strong anti-fibrotic effect.

Enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels activate multiple inflammatory signaling pathways that contribute to lung inflammation, such as ARDS. Among them, TNF-α has been implicated as the main inflammatory cytokine of ARDS [28,29]. The generation of reactive oxygen species with increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration is associated with elevated level of TNF-α [30]. The present study showed that the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 was significantly increased after LPS and TGF-β treatment for ARDS environment induction. Pirfenidone reduces some inflammatory cytokines in addition to its anti-fibrotic action [31]. In the human peripheral blood lymphocytes, pirfenidone exerts a similar anti-inflammatory effect inhibiting staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced proliferation and synthesis of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-6 [12,32]. In the present study, combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone and PDRN monotherapy suppressed expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. Pirfenidone monotherapy decreased IL-6 expression, but not TNF-α. Combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone showed more potent suppressing effect on expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. PDRN showed a strong anti-inflammatory effect in this experiment.

In conclusion, the combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone exerted stronger therapeutic effect on LPS and TGF-β-induced ARDS environment compared to PDRN monotherapy or pirfenidone monotherapy. PDRN and pirfenidone combination therapy may offer the potential to provide new therapeutic techniques for refractory urogenital ulcers. The excellent therapeutic effect of combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone on ARDS was shown by promoting rapid anti-inflammatory effect and inhibiting the fibrotic processes. In conclusion, the combination therapy with PDRN and pirfenidone may provide new guideline for the treatment of ARDS.

Notes

Fund/Grant Support

This study was supported by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2018R1A_2B2008421).

Research Ethics

The study was approved by the Institutional Care and Use Committee of Kyung Hee University (KHUASP[SE]-18-036).

Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT

· Conceptualization: JJH, JWJ

· Formal Analysis: JJH, BSC, CWC

· Investigation: JJJ, LH, SHK. SSP

· Methodology: JJJ, LH, SHK. SSP

· Project Administration: CWC

· Writing – Original Draft: IGK

· Writing – Review & Editing: IGK

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	A	B	C	D	E	F
LPS	-	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL
TGF-β	-	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL
PDRN	-	-	2 μg/mL	4 μg/mL	8 μg/mL	16 μg/mL
Pirfenidone	-	-	100 μg/mL	200 μg/mL	500 μg/mL	1,000 μg/mL

	A	B	C	D	E
LPS	-	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL	1 μg/mL
TGF-β	-	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL	5 ng/mL
PDRN	-	-	8 μg/mL	-	8 μg/mL
Pirfenidone	-	-	-	500 μg/mL	500 μg/mL