Sessile alveolar macrophage connexin-43 determines mechano-immunity in the lung
The lungs mechanosensitive immune response, which occurs when pulmonary alveoli are overstretched, is a major impediment to ventilation therapy for hypoxemic respiratory failure. The cause is not known. We tested the hypothesis that alveolar stretch causes stretch of alveolar macrophages (AMs), leading to the immune response. In lungs viewed by optical imaging, sessile AMs expressed gap junctional protein connexin-43 (Cx43), and they communicated with the alveolar epithelium through gap junctions. Alveolar hyperinflation increased Ca2+ in the AMs but did not stretch the AMs. The Ca2+ response, and concomitant TNF secretion by AMs were blocked in mice with AM-specific deletion of Cx43. The AM responses, as also lung injury due to mechanical ventilation at high tidal volume, were inhibited by AM-specific delivery of lipid nanoparticles containing Xestospongin C, which blocked the induced Ca2+ increases. We conclude, Cx43- and Ca2+-dependent AM-epithelial interactions determine the lungs mechanosensitive immunity, providing a basis for therapy for ventilator- induced lung injury.