A paradoxical protective role for the proinflammatory peptide substance P receptor (NK1R) in acute hyperoxic lung injury

The neuropeptide substance P manifests its biological functions through ligation of a G protein-coupled receptor, the NK1R. Mice with targeted deletion of this receptor reveal a preponderance of proinflammatory properties resulting from ligand activation, demonstrating a neurogenic component to multiple forms of inflammation and injury. We hypothesized that NK1R deficiency would afford a similar protection from inflammation associated with hyperoxia. Counter to our expectations, however, NK1R-/- animals suffered significantly worse lung injury compared with wild-type mice following exposure to 90% oxygen. Median survival was shortened to 84 h for NK1R-/- mice from 120 h for wild-type animals. Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs was significantly increased; NK1R-/- animals also exhibited increased pulmonary edema, hemorrhage, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein levels. TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was significantly elevated in NK1R-/- animals following hyperoxia. Furthermore, induction of metallothionein and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was accelerated in NK1R-/- compared with wild-type mice, consistent with increased oxidative injury and edema. In cultured mouse lung epithelial cells in 95% O(2), however, addition of substance P promoted cell death, suggesting the neurogenic component of hyperoxic lung injury is mediated by additional mechanisms in vivo. Release of bioactive constituents including substance P from sensory neurons results from activation of the vanilloid receptor, TRPV1. In mice with targeted deletion of the TRPV1 gene, acute hyperoxic injury is attenuated relative to NK1R-/- animals. Our findings thus reveal a major neurogenic mechanism in acute hyperoxic lung injury and demonstrate concerted actions of sensory neurotransmitters revealing significant protection for NK1R-mediated functions.