Interactions of keratinocyte growth factor with a nitrating species after marrow transplantation in mice

We reported that allogeneic T cells given to irradiated mice at the time of marrow transplantation stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α interferon (IFN)-γ, and nitric oxide (·NO) production in the lung, and the addition of cyclophosphamide (known to stimulate superoxide production) favored the generation of a nitrating species. Although keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) prevents experimental lung injury by promoting epithelial repair, its effects on the production of inflammatory mediators has not been studied. KGF given before transplantation inhibited the T cell-induced increase in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and nitrite levels measured on day 7 after transplantation without modifying cellular infiltration or proinflammatory cytokines and inducible ·NO synthase mRNA. KGF also suppressed ·NO production by alveolar macrophages obtained from mice injected with T cells. In contrast, the same schedule of KGF failed to prevent permeability edema or suppress TNF-α, IFN-γ, and ·NO production in mice injected with both T cells and cyclophosphamide. Because only epithelial cells respond to KGF, these data are consistent with the production of an epithelial cell-derived mediator capable of downregulating macrophage function. However, the presence of a nitrating agent impairs KGF-derived responses.