Aprile L Pilon

Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

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Publications (7)21.19 Total impact

  • Article: CC10 reduces inflammation in meconium aspiration syndrome in newborn piglets.
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    ABSTRACT: Complications from meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) remain significant despite a variety of therapeutic interventions. Clara cell protein (CC10) is a novel anti-inflammatory agent that can also inhibit phospholipase A2 (PLA2) (an important component of meconium). The present study examined whether administration of recombinant human CC10 (rhCC10) would reduce inflammation and improve lung function in a piglet model of MAS. Following meconium instillation, piglets exhibited significant physiologic dysfunction that improved significantly after surfactant administration. Analysis of tracheal aspirates revealed significant increases in both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL)-8 after meconium instillation. rhCC10-treated animals had significantly lower TNF-alpha levels at 24 h (561 +/- 321 versus 1357 +/- 675 pg/mL, p < 0.05) compared with saline controls. There were no differences between rhCC10-treated and untreated groups with respect to other measured physiologic variables or inflammatory markers, including secretory PLA2 activity. Histologic analyses revealed marked inflammatory infiltrates and thickened alveolar walls, but no significant differences among rhCC10 and control animals. Newborn piglets with MAS have significant physiologic dysfunction, marked inflammatory changes and histologic abnormalities, which was partially counteracted by a single dose of exogenous surfactant and rhCC10.
    Pediatric Research 12/2007; 62(6):684-8. · 2.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of recombinant Clara cell secretory protein (rhCC10) on inflammatory-related matrix metalloproteinase activity in a preterm lamb model of neonatal respiratory distress.
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    ABSTRACT: To test the hypothesis that recombinant Clara cell secretory protein (rhCC10) instillation would foster improved lung function, acute structural preservation, and attenuation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in a surfactant-deficient, mechanically ventilated lung. Interventional laboratory study. An academic medical research facility in the northeastern United States. Sedated, ventilated premature lambs. Preterm lambs (n = 18; 126 +/- 3 days gestation) were instrumented, ventilated, and treated with 100 mg/kg exogenous surfactant. Lambs were randomized to receive 0, 0.5, or 5.0 mg/kg rhCC10 (n = 6 per group) and were ventilated for 4 hrs. Posttreatment, lung function and cardiopulmonary stability were monitored for the ventilation period and then animals were killed for in vitro surfactant function analysis, lung histomorphometry, and analysis of MMP-2, -7, and -9 as well as their tissue inhibitors (TIMP)-1 and -2. Ventilation efficiency and pulmonary compliance were improved in the 5.0-mg/kg rhCC10 group by 4 hrs. Lung expansion was variable in the apical regions only. MMP-2 quantity was greater in the apical than the base lung regions of rhCC10-treated groups, and rhCC10 decreased MMP-7 in the base of the lung. These data suggest that improved lung function in the surfactant-treated preterm lamb following intratracheal rhCC10 may be related to the reduction of proteolytic activity of MMP-7.
    Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 02/2007; 8(1):40-6. · 3.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: Recombinant human uteroglobin/CC10 inhibits the adhesion and migration of primary human endothelial cells via specific and saturable binding to fibronectin.
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    ABSTRACT: Uteroglobin (UG) or Clara Cell 10 kDa protein (CC10) is a small, stable, epithelial secretory anti-inflammatory protein. Uteroglobin has been shown to inhibit neointimal formation in vivo after balloon angioplasty through an unknown mechanism. An interaction between UG and plasma fibronectin (Fn) has been demonstrated in mice. Since Fn plays a key role in endothelial cell (EC) migration and angiogenesis, we investigated whether recombinant human UG (rhUG) affects EC migration via Fn binding. In this report, we show a saturable binding of rhUG to Fn depending on Fn conformation and that rhUG is covalently cross-linked to Fn by transglutaminase (TGase). Additionally, our study highlights that rhUG can also bind to exogenously added or self-secreted Fn on the membrane of human primary microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC), although these complexes are weakly associated with the plasmalemma. Upon the interaction with Fn in solid phase, rhUG strongly inhibits HMVEC attachment on Fn, but not on other ECM proteins. Consequently, rhUG also inhibits cell migration in a dose dependent fashion (I.C.50 = 65 nM) and hinders the "wound healing" in vitro. The small size, stability and human tolerability of rhUG suggest that rhUG in slow-release form or genetically delivered could be used in humans to modulate cell/Fn interactions in the context of tumor microenvironment or in the context of inflammation and fibrosis.
    Journal of Cellular Physiology 06/2006; 207(2):553-61. · 3.87 Impact Factor
  • Article: Effects of an intratracheally delivered anti-inflammatory protein (rhCC10) on physiological and lung structural indices in a juvenile model of acute lung injury.
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    ABSTRACT: Mechanical ventilation results in acute lung trauma that can stimulate processes that alter lung development. Activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue-produced inhibitors (TIMPs) is initiated by the inflammatory response to mechanical ventilation and are involved in breakdown of the basement membrane and parenchymal modeling. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that rhCC10, a lung anti-inflammatory mediator, would foster improved lung function, structural preservation, and a reduction in net MMP activity in a juvenile model of acute lung injury. Twenty-four juvenile rabbits were saline-lavage-injured and treated with 100 or 25 mg/kg surfactant (Survanta, Ross Labs) with or without rhCC10 (Claragen, Inc.; n=6 per group). Animals were ventilated for 4 h, then euthanized for in vitro surfactant function analysis, lung histomorphometry, and analysis of MMP-2, MMP-7, and MMP-9 and TIMPs 1 and 2 in the lung. Apical lung expansion, reduced with the lower dose of surfactant, was partially restored with the addition of rhCC10. Alveolar septal wall thickness was reduced (p<0.05) with low-dose surfactant plus rhCC10 compared to high-dose surfactant alone. Increased within-group variance in MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteolytic activity was found with the low-dose surfactant and was abolished with rhCC10. MMP-7 was reduced (p<0.05) with rhCC10 administration, independent of surfactant dose. Intratracheal administration of the anti-inflammatory rhCC10 resulted in preserved lung structure and MMP/TIMP profile after 4 h of mechanical ventilation, in a surfactant dose-dependent manner.
    Biology of the Neonate 01/2006; 89(3):159-70. · 1.90 Impact Factor
  • Article: Dose response to rhCC10-augmented surfactant therapy in a lamb model of infant respiratory distress syndrome: physiological, inflammatory, and kinetic profiles.
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    ABSTRACT: While surfactant (SF) therapy alone improves respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)-associated gas exchange and lung stability, absence of anti-inflammatory proteins limits efficacy with respect to inflammation. Clara cell secretory protein (CC10), deficient in preterm infants, prevents SF degradation and has anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, intratracheal recombinant human (rh) CC10 (Claragen)-augmented SF (Survanta, Ross) therapy was examined in a premature lamb model of RDS with respect to inflammation and kinetic dose-response profiles. Preterm lambs (n = 24; gestational age: 126 +/- 3 days) were delivered via cesarean section, sedated, ventilated, and randomized into groups: 100 mg/kg SF, 100 mg/kg SF followed by 0.5 mg/kg rhCC10, 100 mg/kg SF followed by 1.5 mg/kg rhCC10, and 100 mg/kg SF followed by 5.0 mg/kg rhCC10. Arterial blood chemistry and lung mechanics were monitored; lungs were lavaged and snap-frozen after 4 h. TNF-alpha, IL-8 in plasma; TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, myeloperoxidase in lung; and rhCC10 in plasma, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung were analyzed. Improvement in compliance, peak inspiratory pressure, and ventilatory efficiency index were greatest (P < 0.05) with SF + 5.0 mg/kg rhCC10. Plasma, urine, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung [rhCC10] (where brackets denote concentration) increased (P < 0.01) with dose. Plasma [IL-8] was lower (P < 0.05) with rhCC10 than SF alone. Treatment with at least 1.5 mg/kg rhCC10 resulted in lower (P < 0.05) lung [TNF-alpha], [IL-8], and [myeloperoxidase]; SF + 1.5 mg/kg rhCC10 group had lower (P < 0.05) lung [IL-6], compared with all other groups. Compared with SF alone, SF augmented with at least 1.5 mg/kg rhCC10 decreased RDS-induced lung and systemic inflammation. Given that inflammation may lead to functional compromise, these data suggest that early intervention with rhCC10 may enhance SF therapy and warrant longer duration studies to determine its role to decrease long-term complications of ventilator management.
    Journal of Applied Physiology 01/2006; 99(6):2204-11. · 3.75 Impact Factor
  • Article: Recombinant human Clara cell secretory protein in acute lung injury of the rabbit: effect of route of administration.
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    ABSTRACT: To test the hypothesis that intratracheal instillation of Clara cell secretory protein (CC 10) to the lung may afford greater protection than intravenous administration from ventilator-induced lung inflammation. Interventional laboratory study. An academic medical research facility in northeastern United States. Sedated, lavage-injured juvenile rabbits. A total of 18 juvenile rabbits were anesthetized, ventilated, injured with saline lavage (Pao2 of <100 mm Hg; respiratory compliance of <0.50 mL.cm H2O.kg and <50% baseline), and randomized to receive intratracheally administered surfactant plus no recombinant human CC 10 (rhCC 10, control), intravenous rhCC 10, or intratracheal rhCC 10. Arterial blood chemistry and pulmonary mechanics were monitored; plasma and urine were collected serially. After 4 hrs of ventilation, lungs were lavaged and harvested. Surfactant function was analyzed from bronchoalveolar lavage samples (surfactometry); rhCC 10, interleukin-8, and lung myeloperoxidase concentrations were measured. Pao2, oxygenation index, ventilatory efficiency index, and respiratory compliance were not different across time or group beyond injury. Surfactometry data identified no differences as a function of group or time. Plasma, bronchoalveolar lavage, and lung interleukin-8 concentrations, lung myeloperoxidase concentrations, and inflammatory cell counts in the alveolar and interstitial spaces of intravenous and intratracheal groups were lower than in the control group (p < .05) but not statistically different from each other. Concentrations of rhCC 10 in lung, bronchoalveolar lavage, and plasma were greater in the intratracheal group than in the intravenous group (p<.05). Urine rhCC 10 concentrations were greater for the intravenous group than for the intratracheal group (p<.05) at 1, 3, and 4 hrs after treatment. No group differences in histomorphometry were noted. Both intravenous and intratracheal rhCC 10 delivery, after surfactant therapy, effectively decrease lung inflammation vs. surfactant alone. While supporting the physiologic profile, intratracheal instillation results in greater, maintained lung and plasma rhCC 10 pools compared with intravenous administration. As such, intratracheal instillation of rhCC 10 may afford more prolonged protection against lung inflammation than intravenous administration.
    Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 11/2005; 6(6):698-706. · 3.13 Impact Factor
  • Article: The safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-inflammatory effects of intratracheal recombinant human Clara cell protein in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
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    ABSTRACT: Clara cell 10-kD protein (CC10) is a potent anti-inflammatory protein that is normally abundant in the respiratory tract. CC10 is deficient and oxidized in premature infants with poor clinical outcome (death or the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia). The safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-inflammatory activity of recombinant human CC10 (rhCC10) were evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multicenter trial in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. A total of 22 infants (mean birth weight: 932 g; gestational age: 26.9 wk) received one intratracheal dose of placebo (n = 7) or 1.5 mg/kg (n = 8) or 5 mg/kg (n = 7) rhCC10 within 4 h of surfactant treatment. Pharmacokinetic analyses demonstrated that the serum half-life was 11.6 (1.5 mg/kg group) and 9.9 h (5 mg/kg group). Excess circulating CC10 was eliminated via the urine within 48 h. rhCC10-treated infants showed significant reductions in total cell count (p < 0.0002), neutrophil counts (p < 0.001), and total protein concentrations (p < 0.01) and tended to have decreased IL-6 (p < 0.07) in tracheal aspirate fluid collected over the first 3 d of life. Infants in all three groups showed comparable growth. At 36 wk postmenstrual age, five of seven infants were still hospitalized and two of seven infants were receiving oxygen in the placebo group compared with two of seven hospitalized and one of seven receiving oxygen in the 1.5-mg/kg group and four of six hospitalized and three of six receiving oxygen in the 5-mg/kg group. A single intratracheal dose of rhCC10 was well tolerated and had significant anti-inflammatory effects in the lung. Multiple doses of rhCC10 will be investigated for efficacy in reducing pulmonary inflammation and ameliorating bronchopulmonary dysplasia in future studies.
    Pediatric Research 07/2005; 58(1):15-21. · 2.70 Impact Factor