Repetitive Sulfur Dioxide Exposure in Mice Models Post-Deployment Respiratory Syndrome.

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Pulmonary medicine
• Toxicology

Background:

• Soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan exhibit increased respiratory symptoms, sometimes diagnosed as post-deployment respiratory syndrome (PDRS).
• Exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) is frequently reported by deployed military personnel.

Approach:

• A mouse model was created to simulate repetitive SO 2 exposure.
• This model was used to investigate the development of PDRS-like symptoms, including airway remodeling and pulmonary vascular disease (PVD).
• Pharmacologic and genetic methods were employed to identify the mechanisms underlying PVD.

Key Points:

• Repetitive SO 2 exposure in mice replicated key features of PDRS, such as immune activation, airway remodeling, and PVD.
• While small airway changes did not impact lung mechanics, PVD was linked to pulmonary hypertension and reduced exercise tolerance.
• Oxidative stress and isolevuglandins were identified as critical mediators of PVD in the SO 2 exposure model.

Conclusions:

• Repetitive SO 2 exposure serves as a relevant model for studying PDRS.
• Oxidative stress is implicated as a mediator of PVD in the context of inhaled irritant exposure.
• This research provides a foundation for future studies on the links between inhaled irritants, PVD, and PDRS.