Development and in Vitro Testing of a Nitric Oxide Nanoparticle Carrier for Acute Lung Injury

Abstract

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is an infectious clinical condition in which gas exchange inside the airways and alveoli are disturbed. Fluid filled lungs need to be mechanically ventilated for airway reopening.Ventilation might further damage delicate lung tissue and lead to edema,a phenomenon known as ventilator-induced lung injury VILI is a result of propagation of small air bubbles in gas exchange sites, injuring epithelial cells due to shear stress. Potential rescue of epithelial cells (EPCs) under injurious stresses is possible by altering their mechanical properties and hence deformation amount under stress (decreased stiffness, decreased deformation). This is possible by altering the cytoskeleton. Nitric oxide (NO) inhalation therapy for ARDS enhances oxygenation. Also NO secretion was shown to decrease stiffness in various tissue types which can aid as a treatment of conditions like ARDS.One issue with using NO is that the life-time is too short so the treatment is not very effective. We have used nanoparticles which secretes NO in aqueous environment. We hypothesize that Administration of NO through releasing polymers will soften lung cells and suppress inflammatory markers which enhance survival of lung cells against shear stress.