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Tan YH, Wang KCW, Chin IL, Sanderson RW, Li J, Kennedy BF, Noble PB, Choi YS. Stiffness Mediated-Mechanosensation of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells on Linear Stiffness Gradient Hydrogels. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2304254. [PMID: 38593989 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202304254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
In obstructive airway diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein amount and composition of the airway smooth muscle (ASM) is often remodelled, likely altering tissue stiffness. The underlying mechanism of how human ASM cell (hASMC) mechanosenses the aberrant microenvironment is not well understood. Physiological stiffnesses of the ASM were measured by uniaxial compression tester using porcine ASM layers under 0, 5 and 10% longitudinal stretch above in situ length. Linear stiffness gradient hydrogels (230 kPa range) were fabricated and functionalized with ECM proteins, collagen I (ColI), fibronectin (Fn) and laminin (Ln), to recapitulate the above-measured range of stiffnesses. Overall, hASMC mechanosensation exhibited a clear correlation with the underlying hydrogel stiffness. Cell size, nuclear size and contractile marker alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression showed a strong correlation to substrate stiffness. Mechanosensation, assessed by Lamin-A intensity and nuc/cyto YAP, exhibited stiffness-mediated behaviour only on ColI and Fn-coated hydrogels. Inhibition studies using blebbistatin or Y27632 attenuated most mechanotransduction-derived cell morphological responses, αSMA and Lamin-A expression and nuc/cyto YAP (blebbistatin only). This study highlights the interplay and complexities between stiffness and ECM protein type on hASMC mechanosensation, relevant to airway remodelling in obstructive airway diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hwee Tan
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Kimberley C W Wang
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Ian L Chin
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Rowan W Sanderson
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jiayue Li
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Brendan F Kennedy
- BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands and Centre for Medical Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Grudziadzka 5, Torun, 87-100, Poland
| | - Peter B Noble
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Yu Suk Choi
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
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He K, Zhao Z, Hu X, Li Y. NMDA Receptor Modulation in COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Syndrome in both In Silico and In Vitro Approach. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12010-023-04813-2. [PMID: 38157155 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The normal function of the N-methyl D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) in human lungs depends on precisely regulated synaptic glutamate levels. Pathophysiology of the lungs is brought on by the changes in homeostasis of glutamate in the synapsis that leads to abnormal NMDAR activity. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) primarily results in lung infections, particularly lung muscle stiffening, and NMDA receptor potentiation may increase calcium ion influx and support downstream signaling mechanisms. Hence, NMDAR modulators that depend on glutamate levels could be therapeutically useful medications with fewer unintended side effects. A compound called THP (tetrahydropalmatine) that amplifies Ca2+ influx and potentiates NMDA receptors has been identified in the current study. In asthmatic human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells, THP regulates the NMDA receptor and helps in asthmatic ASM contraction, and the pharmacological stimulation of ASM depends on both brain and respiratory NMDA receptors. Glutamate potency is altered by this substance without any voltage-dependent side effects. Additionally, a GGPP (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate)-dependent mechanism of THP reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in ASM. THP is distinctive in terms of its chemical makeup, functioning, and agonist concentration-dependent and allosteric modulatory activity. To treat COVID-19-related SARS, THP, or any future-related compounds will make good drug-like molecule candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun He
- Department of Emergency, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xuan Hu
- Department of Emergency, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030032, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital, Shanxi Hospital Affiliated to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030013, China.
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Spector C, De Sanctis CM, Panettieri RA, Koziol-White CJ. Rhinovirus induces airway remodeling: what are the physiological consequences? Respir Res 2023; 24:238. [PMID: 37773065 PMCID: PMC10540383 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhinovirus infections commonly evoke asthma exacerbations in children and adults. Recurrent asthma exacerbations are associated with injury-repair responses in the airways that collectively contribute to airway remodeling. The physiological consequences of airway remodeling can manifest as irreversible airway obstruction and diminished responsiveness to bronchodilators. Structural cells of the airway, including epithelial cells, smooth muscle, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and adjacent lung vascular endothelial cells represent an understudied and emerging source of cellular and extracellular soluble mediators and matrix components that contribute to airway remodeling in a rhinovirus-evoked inflammatory environment. MAIN BODY While mechanistic pathways associated with rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling are still not fully characterized, infected airway epithelial cells robustly produce type 2 cytokines and chemokines, as well as pro-angiogenic and fibroblast activating factors that act in a paracrine manner on neighboring airway cells to stimulate remodeling responses. Morphological transformation of structural cells in response to rhinovirus promotes remodeling phenotypes including induction of mucus hypersecretion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Rhinovirus exposure elicits airway hyperresponsiveness contributing to irreversible airway obstruction. This obstruction can occur as a consequence of sub-epithelial thickening mediated by smooth muscle migration and myofibroblast activity, or through independent mechanisms mediated by modulation of the β2 agonist receptor activation and its responsiveness to bronchodilators. Differential cellular responses emerge in response to rhinovirus infection that predispose asthmatic individuals to persistent signatures of airway remodeling, including exaggerated type 2 inflammation, enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, and robust production of pro-angiogenic mediators. CONCLUSIONS Few therapies address symptoms of rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling, though understanding the contribution of structural cells to these processes may elucidate future translational targets to alleviate symptoms of rhinovirus-induced exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Spector
- Rutgers Institute for Translation Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Camden M De Sanctis
- Rutgers Institute for Translation Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Beri P, Plunkett C, Barbara J, Shih CC, Barnes SW, Ross O, Choconta P, Trinh T, Gomez D, Litvin B, Walker J, Qiu M, Hammack S, Toyama EQ. A high-throughput 3D cantilever array to model airway smooth muscle hypercontractility in asthma. APL Bioeng 2023; 7:026104. [PMID: 37206658 PMCID: PMC10191677 DOI: 10.1063/5.0132516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is often characterized by tissue-level mechanical phenotypes that include remodeling of the airway and an increase in airway tightening, driven by the underlying smooth muscle. Existing therapies only provide symptom relief and do not improve the baseline narrowing of the airway or halt progression of the disease. To investigate such targeted therapeutics, there is a need for models that can recapitulate the 3D environment present in this tissue, provide phenotypic readouts of contractility, and be easily integrated into existing assay plate designs and laboratory automation used in drug discovery campaigns. To address this, we have developed DEFLCT, a high-throughput plate insert that can be paired with standard labware to easily generate high quantities of microscale tissues in vitro for screening applications. Using this platform, we exposed primary human airway smooth muscle cell-derived microtissues to a panel of six inflammatory cytokines present in the asthmatic niche, identifying TGF-β1 and IL-13 as inducers of a hypercontractile phenotype. RNAseq analysis further demonstrated enrichment of contractile and remodeling-relevant pathways in TGF-β1 and IL-13 treated tissues as well as pathways generally associated with asthma. Screening of 78 kinase inhibitors on TGF-β1 treated tissues suggests that inhibition of protein kinase C and mTOR/Akt signaling can prevent this hypercontractile phenotype from emerging, while direct inhibition of myosin light chain kinase does not. Taken together, these data establish a disease-relevant 3D tissue model for the asthmatic airway, which combines niche specific inflammatory cues and complex mechanical readouts that can be utilized in drug discovery efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranjali Beri
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | | | - Joshua Barbara
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Chien-Cheng Shih
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - S. Whitney Barnes
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Olivia Ross
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Paula Choconta
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Ton Trinh
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Datzael Gomez
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Bella Litvin
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - John Walker
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Minhua Qiu
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Scott Hammack
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Erin Quan Toyama
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, San Diego, California 92121, USA
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Carroll OR, Pillar AL, Brown AC, Feng M, Chen H, Donovan C. Advances in respiratory physiology in mouse models of experimental asthma. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1099719. [PMID: 37008013 PMCID: PMC10060990 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1099719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in mouse models of experimental asthma coupled with vast improvements in systems that assess respiratory physiology have considerably increased the accuracy and human relevance of the outputs from these studies. In fact, these models have become important pre-clinical testing platforms with proven value and their capacity to be rapidly adapted to interrogate emerging clinical concepts, including the recent discovery of different asthma phenotypes and endotypes, has accelerated the discovery of disease-causing mechanisms and increased our understanding of asthma pathogenesis and the associated effects on lung physiology. In this review, we discuss key distinctions in respiratory physiology between asthma and severe asthma, including the magnitude of airway hyperresponsiveness and recently discovered disease drivers that underpin this phenomenon such as structural changes, airway remodeling, airway smooth muscle hypertrophy, altered airway smooth muscle calcium signaling, and inflammation. We also explore state-of-the-art mouse lung function measurement techniques that accurately recapitulate the human scenario as well as recent advances in precision cut lung slices and cell culture systems. Furthermore, we consider how these techniques have been applied to recently developed mouse models of asthma, severe asthma, and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap, to examine the effects of clinically relevant exposures (including ovalbumin, house dust mite antigen in the absence or presence of cigarette smoke, cockroach allergen, pollen, and respiratory microbes) and to increase our understanding of lung physiology in these diseases and identify new therapeutic targets. Lastly, we focus on recent studies that examine the effects of diet on asthma outcomes, including high fat diet and asthma, low iron diet during pregnancy and predisposition to asthma development in offspring, and environmental exposures on asthma outcomes. We conclude our review with a discussion of new clinical concepts in asthma and severe asthma that warrant investigation and how we could utilize mouse models and advanced lung physiology measurement systems to identify factors and mechanisms with potential for therapeutic targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia R. Carroll
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Amber L. Pillar
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexandra C. Brown
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Min Feng
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hui Chen
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantal Donovan
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Science, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Chantal Donovan,
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Nizamoglu M, Burgess JK. Current possibilities and future opportunities provided by three-dimensional lung ECM-derived hydrogels. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1154193. [PMID: 36969853 PMCID: PMC10034771 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1154193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Disruption of the complex interplay between cells and extracellular matrix (ECM), the scaffold that provides support, biochemical and biomechanical cues, is emerging as a key element underlying lung diseases. We readily acknowledge that the lung is a flexible, relatively soft tissue that is three dimensional (3D) in structure, hence a need exists to develop in vitro model systems that reflect these properties. Lung ECM-derived hydrogels have recently emerged as a model system that mimics native lung physiology; they contain most of the plethora of biochemical components in native lung, as well as reflecting the biomechanics of native tissue. Research investigating the contribution of cell:matrix interactions to acute and chronic lung diseases has begun adopting these models but has yet to harness their full potential. This perspective article provides insight about the latest advances in the development, modification, characterization and utilization of lung ECM-derived hydrogels. We highlight some opportunities for expanding research incorporating lung ECM-derived hydrogels and potential improvements for the current approaches. Expanding the capabilities of investigations using lung ECM-derived hydrogels is positioned at a cross roads of disciplines, the path to new and innovative strategies for unravelling disease underlying mechanisms will benefit greatly from interdisciplinary approaches. While challenges need to be addressed before the maximum potential can be unlocked, with the rapid pace at which this field is evolving, we are close to a future where faster, more efficient and safer drug development targeting the disrupted 3D microenvironment is possible using lung ECM-derived hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Nizamoglu
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Janette K. Burgess
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, W.J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science-FB41, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Janette K. Burgess,
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Guo T, He C, Venado A, Zhou Y. Extracellular Matrix Stiffness in Lung Health and Disease. Compr Physiol 2022; 12:3523-3558. [PMID: 35766837 PMCID: PMC10088466 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c210032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support and imparts a wide variety of environmental cues to cells. In the past decade, a growing body of work revealed that the mechanical properties of the ECM, commonly known as matrix stiffness, regulate the fundamental cellular processes of the lung. There is growing appreciation that mechanical interplays between cells and associated ECM are essential to maintain lung homeostasis. Dysregulation of ECM-derived mechanical signaling via altered mechanosensing and mechanotransduction pathways is associated with many common lung diseases. Matrix stiffening is a hallmark of lung fibrosis. The stiffened ECM is not merely a sequelae of lung fibrosis but can actively drive the progression of fibrotic lung disease. In this article, we provide a comprehensive view on the role of matrix stiffness in lung health and disease. We begin by summarizing the effects of matrix stiffness on the function and behavior of various lung cell types and on regulation of biomolecule activity and key physiological processes, including host immune response and cellular metabolism. We discuss the potential mechanisms by which cells probe matrix stiffness and convert mechanical signals to regulate gene expression. We highlight the factors that govern matrix stiffness and outline the role of matrix stiffness in lung development and the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. We envision targeting of deleterious matrix mechanical cues for treatment of fibrotic lung disease. Advances in technologies for matrix stiffness measurements and design of stiffness-tunable matrix substrates are also explored. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12:3523-3558, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Guo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central-South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chao He
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Aida Venado
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Characterization of Circular RNA Expression Profiles in Colon Specimens of Patients with Slow Transit Constipation. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:3653363. [PMID: 35730015 PMCID: PMC9206760 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3653363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Slow transit constipation (STC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a decreased urge to defecate and delayed colonic transit. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently discovered class of regulatory RNAs that have emerged as critical biomarkers and regulators of various diseases. However, the expression profiles and mechanisms underlying circRNA regulation in human STC tissues have not been explored. Methods High-throughput RNA sequencing technology was used to compare the differences in circRNA expression profiles in colon samples taken from patients with STC or controls. Bioinformatics analyses were performed on the host genes of the differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs), a competing endogenous RNA network was constructed, and the expression levels of some DE-circRNAs were verified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR). Results There were 190 DE-circRNAs identified in the STC group. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that the DE-circRNAs were enriched in the relaxation of smooth muscle, actin binding, actin cytoskeleton organization, dilated cardiomyopathy, and cardiac muscle contraction. These results suggest that muscle diseases may be related to the pathogenesis of STC. The expression levels of the 12 most differentially expressed circRNAs were verified using qRT-PCR. In addition, circRNA–microRNA–mRNA regulatory networks were constructed using the 8 most significant circRNAs. Some mRNAs predicted to be closely related to smooth muscle function were found in these networks. Conclusions This study provides a helpful blueprint for researchers to select candidate circRNAs for further study of the pathogenesis of STC and screen potential biomarkers or targets for use in the diagnosis and treatment of STC.
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Defnet AE, Shah SD, Huang W, Shapiro P, Deshpande DA, Kane MA. Dysregulated retinoic acid signaling in airway smooth muscle cells in asthma. FASEB J 2021; 35:e22016. [PMID: 34784434 PMCID: PMC9361782 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100835r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin A deficiency has been shown to exacerbate allergic asthma. Previous studies have postulated that retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A and high-affinity ligand for RA receptor (RAR), is reduced in airway inflammatory condition and contributes to multiple features of asthma including airway hyperresponsiveness and excessive accumulation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. In this study, we directly quantified RA and examined the molecular basis for reduced RA levels and RA-mediated signaling in lungs and ASM cells obtained from asthmatic donors and in lungs from allergen-challenged mice. Levels of RA and retinol were significantly lower in lung tissues from asthmatic donors and house dust mite (HDM)-challenged mice compared to non-asthmatic human lungs and PBS-challenged mice, respectively. Quantification of mRNA and protein expression revealed dysregulation in the first step of RA biosynthesis consistent with reduced RA including decreased protein expression of retinol dehydrogenase (RDH)-10 and increased protein expression of RDH11 and dehydrogenase/reductase (DHRS)-4 in asthmatic lung. Proteomic profiling of non-asthmatic and asthmatic lungs also showed significant changes in the protein expression of AP-1 targets consistent with increased AP-1 activity. Further, basal RA levels and RA biosynthetic capabilities were decreased in asthmatic human ASM cells. Treatment of human ASM cells with all-trans RA (ATRA) or the RARγ-specific agonist (CD1530) resulted in the inhibition of mitogen-induced cell proliferation and AP-1-dependent transcription. These data suggest that RA metabolism is decreased in asthmatic lung and that enhancing RAR signaling using ATRA or RARγ agonists may mitigate airway remodeling associated with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Defnet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sushrut D. Shah
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul Shapiro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deepak A. Deshpande
- Center for Translational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Nakada EM, Sun R, Fujii U, Martin JG. The Impact of Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Protein Modifications, Folding and Degradation on Lung Structure and Function. Front Physiol 2021; 12:665622. [PMID: 34122136 PMCID: PMC8188853 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.665622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of unfolded/misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes ER stress and induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) and other mechanisms to restore ER homeostasis, including translational shutdown, increased targeting of mRNAs for degradation by the IRE1-dependent decay pathway, selective translation of proteins that contribute to the protein folding capacity of the ER, and activation of the ER-associated degradation machinery. When ER stress is excessive or prolonged and these mechanisms fail to restore proteostasis, the UPR triggers the cell to undergo apoptosis. This review also examines the overlooked role of post-translational modifications and their roles in protein processing and effects on ER stress and the UPR. Finally, these effects are examined in the context of lung structure, function, and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Nakada
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rui Sun
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Utako Fujii
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Chakraborty A, Pinar AA, Lam M, Bourke JE, Royce SG, Selomulya C, Samuel CS. Pulmonary myeloid cell uptake of biodegradable nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-fibrotic agent provides a novel strategy for treating chronic allergic airways disease. Biomaterials 2021; 273:120796. [PMID: 33894403 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Asthma (chronic allergic airways disease, AAD) is characterized by airway inflammation (AI), airway remodeling (AWR) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Current treatments for AAD mainly focus on targeting AI and its contribution AHR, with the use of corticosteroids. However, there are no therapies for the direct treatment of AWR, which can contribute to airway obstruction, AHR and corticosteroid resistance independently of AI. The acute heart failure drug, serelaxin (recombinant human gene-2 relaxin, RLX), has potential anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic effects but only when continuously infused or injected to overcome its short half-life. To alleviate this limitation, we conjugated serelaxin to biodegradable and noninflammatory nanoparticles (NP-RLX) and evaluated their therapeutic potential on measures of AI, AWR and AHR, when intranasally delivered to a preclinical rodent model of chronic AAD and TGF-β1-stimulated collagen gel contraction from asthma patient-derived myofibroblasts. NP-RLX was preferentially taken-up by CD206+-infiltrating and CD68+-tissue resident alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, NP-RLX ameliorated the chronic AAD-induced AI, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL11) and the pro-fibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis on AWR and resulting AHR, as well as human myofibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction, to a similar extent as unconjugated RLX. Hence, NP-RLX represents a novel strategy for treating the central features of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amlan Chakraborty
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maggie Lam
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E Bourke
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon G Royce
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cordelia Selomulya
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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12
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Jamieson RR, Stasiak SE, Polio SR, Augspurg RD, McCormick CA, Ruberti JW, Parameswaran H. Stiffening of the extracellular matrix is a sufficient condition for airway hyperreactivity. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2021; 130:1635-1645. [PMID: 33792403 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00554.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic approach to asthma focuses exclusively on targeting inflammation and reducing airway smooth muscle force to prevent the recurrence of symptoms. However, even when inflammation is brought under control, airways in an asthmatic can still hyperconstrict when exposed to a low dose of agonist. This suggests that there are mechanisms at play that are likely triggered by inflammation and eventually become self-sustaining so that even when airway inflammation is brought back under control, these alternative mechanisms continue to drive airway hyperreactivity in asthmatics. In this study, we hypothesized that stiffening of the airway extracellular matrix is a core pathological change sufficient to support excessive bronchoconstriction even in the absence of inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we increased the stiffness of the airway extracellular matrix by photo-crosslinking collagen fibers within the airway wall of freshly dissected bovine rings using riboflavin (vitamin B2) and Ultraviolet-A radiation. In our experiments, collagen crosslinking led to a twofold increase in the stiffness of the airway extracellular matrix. This change was sufficient to cause airways to constrict to a greater degree, and at a faster rate when they were exposed to 10-5 M acetylcholine for 5 min. Our results show that stiffening of the extracellular matrix is sufficient to drive excessive airway constriction even in the absence of inflammatory signals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Targeting inflammation is the central dogma on which current asthma therapy is based. Here, we show that a healthy airway can be made to constrict excessively and at a faster rate in response to the same stimulus by increasing the stiffness of the extracellular matrix, without the use of inflammatory agents. Our results provide an independent mechanism by which airway remodeling in asthma can sustain airway hyperreactivity even in the absence of inflammatory signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan R Jamieson
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Suzanne E Stasiak
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Samuel R Polio
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ralston D Augspurg
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Jeffrey W Ruberti
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
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13
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Liu L, Stephens B, Bergman M, May A, Chiang T. Role of Collagen in Airway Mechanics. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:13. [PMID: 33467161 PMCID: PMC7830870 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen is the most abundant airway extracellular matrix component and is the primary determinant of mechanical airway properties. Abnormal airway collagen deposition is associated with the pathogenesis and progression of airway disease. Thus, understanding how collagen affects healthy airway tissue mechanics is essential. The impact of abnormal collagen deposition and tissue stiffness has been an area of interest in pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we discuss (1) the role of collagen in airway mechanics, (2) macro- and micro-scale approaches to quantify airway mechanics, and (3) pathologic changes associated with collagen deposition in airway diseases. These studies provide important insights into the role of collagen in airway mechanics. We summarize their achievements and seek to provide biomechanical clues for targeted therapies and regenerative medicine to treat airway pathology and address airway defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumei Liu
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA;
| | - Brooke Stephens
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Maxwell Bergman
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Anne May
- Section of Pulmonary Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Tendy Chiang
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43215, USA;
- Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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14
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Chung E, Ojiaku CA, Cao G, Parikh V, Deeney B, Xu S, Wang S, Panettieri RA, Koziol-White C. Dexamethasone rescues TGF-β1-mediated β 2-adrenergic receptor dysfunction and attenuates phosphodiesterase 4D expression in human airway smooth muscle cells. Respir Res 2020; 21:256. [PMID: 33032603 PMCID: PMC7545943 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-020-01522-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists improve asthma outcomes in most patients. GCs also modulate gene expression in human airway smooth muscle (HASM), thereby attenuating airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness that define asthma. Our previous studies showed that the pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) increases phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) expression that attenuates agonist-induced levels of intracellular cAMP. Decreased cAMP levels then diminishes β2 agonist-induced airway relaxation. In the current study, we investigated whether glucocorticoids reverse TGF-β1-effects on β2-agonist-induced bronchodilation and modulate pde4d gene expression in HASM. Dexamethasone (DEX) reversed TGF-β1 effects on cAMP levels induced by isoproterenol (ISO). TGF-β1 also attenuated G protein-dependent responses to cholera toxin (CTX), a Gαs stimulator downstream from the β2AR receptor. Previously, we demonstrated that TGF-β1 treatment increased β2AR phosphorylation to induce hyporesponsiveness to a β2 agonist. Our current data shows that expression of grk2/3, kinases associated with attenuation of β2AR function, are not altered with TGF-β1 stimulation. Interestingly, DEX also attenuated TGF-β1-induced pde4d gene expression. These data suggest that steroids may be an effective therapy for treatment of asthma patients whose disease is primarily driven by elevated TGF-β1 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Chung
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, EOHSI, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Christie A Ojiaku
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Gaoyuan Cao
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Vishal Parikh
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Brian Deeney
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Shengjie Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, EOHSI, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Serena Wang
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Cynthia Koziol-White
- Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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15
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Amrani Y, Panettieri RA, Ramos-Ramirez P, Schaafsma D, Kaczmarek K, Tliba O. Important lessons learned from studies on the pharmacology of glucocorticoids in human airway smooth muscle cells: Too much of a good thing may be a problem. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107589. [PMID: 32473159 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the treatment of choice for chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma. Despite proven effective anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, long-term and/or systemic use of GCs can potentially induce adverse effects. Strikingly, some recent experimental evidence suggests that GCs may even exacerbate some disease outcomes. In asthma, airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells are among the targets of GC therapy and have emerged as key contributors not only to bronchoconstriction, but also to airway inflammation and remodeling, as implied by experimental and clinical evidence. We here will review the beneficial effects of GCs on ASM cells, emphasizing the differential nature of GC effects on pro-inflammatory genes and on other features associated with asthma pathogenesis. We will also summarize evidence describing how GCs can potentially promote pro-inflammatory and remodeling features in asthma with a specific focus on ASM cells. Finally, some of the possible solutions to overcome these unanticipated effects of GCs will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassine Amrani
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Institute for Lung Health, Leicester Biomedical Research Center Respiratory, Leicester, UK
| | - Reynold A Panettieri
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Patricia Ramos-Ramirez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, NY, USA
| | | | - Klaudia Kaczmarek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, NY, USA
| | - Omar Tliba
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Long Island University, Brookville, NY, USA.
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16
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Fustin JM, Li M, Gao B, Chen Q, Cheng T, Stewart AG. Rhythm on a chip: circadian entrainment in vitro is the next frontier in body-on-a chip technology. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2019; 48:127-136. [PMID: 31600661 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Organoids, bioprinted mini-tissues and body-on-a-chip technologies are poised to transform the practice of preclinical pharmacology, with a view to achieving better predictive value. We review the need for further refinement in static and dynamic biomechanical aspects of such microenvironments. Further consideration of the developments required in perfusion systems to enable delivery of an appropriate soluble microenvironment are argued. We place particular emphasis on a major deficiency in these systems, being the absence or aberrant circadian behaviour of cells used in such settings, and consider the technical challenges that are needing to be met in order to achieve rhythm-on-a-chip.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Michel Fustin
- Laboratory of Molecular Metabology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Meina Li
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Bryan Gao
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Qianyu Chen
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Tianhong Cheng
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Alastair G Stewart
- ARC Centre for Personalised Therapeutics Technologies, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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17
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Defnet AE, Huang W, Polischak S, Yadav SK, Kane MA, Shapiro P, Deshpande DA. Effects of ATP-competitive and function-selective ERK inhibitors on airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. FASEB J 2019; 33:10833-10843. [PMID: 31266368 PMCID: PMC6766654 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201900680r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell mass and secretory functions are characteristics of airway inflammatory diseases, such as asthma. To date, there are no effective therapies to combat ASM cell proliferation, which contributes to bronchoconstriction and airway obstruction. Growth factors such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the activation of the ERK1/2 are major regulators of ASM cell proliferation and airway remodeling in asthma. However, given the ubiquitous expression and multiple functions of ERK1/2, complete inhibition of ERK1/2 using ATP-competitive inhibitors may lead to unwanted off-target effects. Alternatively, we have identified compounds that are designed to target substrate docking sites and act as function-selective inhibitors of ERK1/2 signaling. Here, we show that both function-selective and ATP-competitive ERK1/2 inhibitors are effective at inhibiting PDGF-mediated proliferation, collagen production, and IL-6 secretion in ASM cells. Proteomic analysis revealed that both types of inhibitors had similar effects on reducing proteins related to TGF-β and IL-6 signaling that are relevant to airway remodeling. However, function-selective ERK1/2 inhibitors caused fewer changes in protein expression compared with ATP-competitive inhibitors. These studies provide a molecular basis for the development of function-selective ERK1/2 inhibitors to mitigate airway remodeling in asthma with defined regulation of ERK1/2 signaling.-Defnet, A. E., Huang, W., Polischak, S., Yadav, S. K., Kane, M. A., Shapiro, P., Deshpande, D. A. Effects of ATP-competitive and function-selective ERK inhibitors on airway smooth muscle cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E. Defnet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Steven Polischak
- Department of Medicine, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Santosh Kumar Yadav
- Department of Medicine, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul Shapiro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Deepak A. Deshpande
- Department of Medicine, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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18
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Sethi GS, Naura AS. Progressive increase in allergen concentration abrogates immune tolerance in ovalbumin-induced murine model of chronic asthma. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 60:121-131. [PMID: 29729496 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Persistent inflammation and remodeling of airways are the major hallmarks of asthma. Though airway inflammation diminishes in ovalbumin (OVA)-based mouse model of chronic asthma owing to immune-tolerance linked with repeated allergen exposure, which limits the application of the disease model. Accordingly, the present study was designed to develop a murine model of chronic asthma which presents persistent airway inflammation coupled with remodeling traits. Herein, OVA-sensitized BALB/c mice were challenged with increasing (modified protocol) or constant concentration (conventional protocol) of the allergen for 6 weeks; 3 times/week. The results, indeed, revealed that mice subjected to modified protocol demonstrate an improved response to the allergen as reflected by the significant increase in inflammatory cells particularly, eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to conventional protocol. Moreover, the expression of Th2 cytokines and their responsible transcription factors (GATA-3 and STAT-6) was markedly enhanced in lungs. The increase in inflammation was further accompanied by a marked increase in mucus production, collagen deposition, and the expression of allied factors (Muc5ac, Col1α1, and α-SMA). Interestingly, pre-treatment of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid (0.5 mg/kg b.wt., i.p.), suppressed the allergen-induced airway inflammation and mucus production without altering collagen deposition. Failure of dexamethasone seems to be related to their ineffectiveness to modulate the expression of TGF-β, MMP-9, COL1α1, and α-SMA. Overall, our results strongly suggest that mice underwent modified chronic protocol bears more resemblance with asthmatics as it imitates persistent airway inflammation allied with steroid-refractory remodeling traits; hence, may be useful for the evaluation of new/alternative drugs in steroid-refractory asthmatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurupreet S Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Amarjit S Naura
- Department of Biochemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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19
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Sun Q, Liu L, Wang H, Mandal J, Khan P, Hostettler KE, Stolz D, Tamm M, Molino A, Lardinois D, Lu S, Roth M. Constitutive high expression of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 in asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells is caused by reduced microRNA-19a expression and leads to enhanced remodeling. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140:510-524.e3. [PMID: 28081849 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In asthma remodeling airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) contribute to airway wall thickness through increased proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix deposition. Previously, we described that protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) participates in airway remodeling in pulmonary inflammation in E3 rats. OBJECTIVE We sought to define the asthma-specific regulatory mechanism of PRMT1 in human ASMCs. METHODS ASMCs from healthy subjects and asthmatic patients were activated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB. PRMT1 was localized by means of immunohistochemistry in human lung tissue sections and by means of immunofluorescence in isolated ASMCs. PRMT1 activity was suppressed by the pan-PRMT inhibitor AMI-1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) was suppressed by small interfering RNA, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was suppressed by PD98059. MicroRNAs (miRs) were assessed by using real-time quantitative PCR and regulated by miR mimics or inhibitors. RESULTS PRMT1 expression was significantly increased in lung tissue sections and in isolated ASMCs of patients with severe asthma. PDGF-BB significantly increased PRMT1 expression through ERK1/2 MAPK and STAT1 signaling in control ASMCs, whereas in ASMCs from asthmatic patients, these proteins were constitutively expressed. ASMCs from asthmatic patients had reduced miR-19a expression, causing upregulation of ERK1/2 MAPK, STAT1, and PRMT1. Inhibition of PRMT1 abrogated collagen type I and fibronectin deposition, cell proliferation, and migration of ASMCs from asthmatic patients. CONCLUSIONS PRMT1 is a central regulator of tissue remodeling in ASMCs from asthmatic patients through the pathway: PDGF-BB-miR-19a-ERK1/2 MAPK and STAT1. Low miR-19a expression in ASMCs from asthmatic patients is the key event that results in constitutive increased PRMT1 expression and remodeling. Therefore PRMT1 is an attractive target to limit airway wall remodeling in asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhu Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Ministry of Education), Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China; Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Ministry of Education), Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Stem Cells and Hematopoiesis, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jyotshna Mandal
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Petra Khan
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katrin E Hostettler
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daiana Stolz
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Molino
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Didier Lardinois
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shemin Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Ministry of Education), Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Michael Roth
- Pneumology and Pulmonary Cell Research, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
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20
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Kalbe B, Knobloch J, Schulz VM, Wecker C, Schlimm M, Scholz P, Jansen F, Stoelben E, Philippou S, Hecker E, Lübbert H, Koch A, Hatt H, Osterloh S. Olfactory Receptors Modulate Physiological Processes in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Front Physiol 2016; 7:339. [PMID: 27540365 PMCID: PMC4972829 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathophysiological mechanisms in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) significantly contribute to the progression of chronic inflammatory airway diseases with limited therapeutic options, such as severe asthma and COPD. These abnormalities include the contractility and hyperproduction of inflammatory proteins. To develop therapeutic strategies, key pathological mechanisms, and putative clinical targets need to be identified. In the present study, we demonstrated that the human olfactory receptors (ORs) OR1D2 and OR2AG1 are expressed at the RNA and protein levels in HASMCs. Using fluorometric calcium imaging, specific agonists for OR2AG1 and OR1D2 were identified to trigger transient Ca2+ increases in HASMCs via a cAMP-dependent signal transduction cascade. Furthermore, the activation of OR2AG1 via amyl butyrate inhibited the histamine-induced contraction of HASMCs, whereas the stimulation of OR1D2 with bourgeonal led to an increase in cell contractility. In addition, OR1D2 activation induced the secretion of IL-8 and GM-CSF. Both effects were inhibited by the specific OR1D2 antagonist undecanal. We herein provide the first evidence to show that ORs are functionally expressed in HASMCs and regulate pathophysiological processes. Therefore, ORs might be new therapeutic targets for these diseases, and blocking ORs could be an auspicious strategy for the treatment of early-stage chronic inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kalbe
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Knobloch
- Department of Internal Medicine III for Pneumology, Allergology, Sleep- and Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Germany
| | - Viola M Schulz
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Christine Wecker
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Marian Schlimm
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Paul Scholz
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Fabian Jansen
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Erich Stoelben
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lungenklinik Merheim, Kliniken der Stadt Köln Cologne, Germany
| | - Stathis Philippou
- Department of Pathology and Cytology, Augusta-Kranken-Anstalt Bochum, Germany
| | - Erich Hecker
- Thoraxzentrum Ruhrgebiet, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Herne Herne, Germany
| | - Hermann Lübbert
- Department of Animal Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Andrea Koch
- Department of Internal Medicine III for Pneumology, Allergology, Sleep- and Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Germany
| | - Hanns Hatt
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Sabrina Osterloh
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
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21
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Anaparti V, Ilarraza R, Orihara K, Stelmack GL, Ojo OO, Mahood TH, Unruh H, Halayko AJ, Moqbel R. NMDA receptors mediate contractile responses in human airway smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2015; 308:L1253-64. [PMID: 25888577 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00402.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human airway smooth muscle (HASM) exhibits enhanced contractility in asthma. Inflammation is associated with airway hypercontractility, but factors that underpin these features are not fully elucidated. Glutamate toxicity associated with increased plasma glutamate concentrations was observed in airway inflammation, suggesting that multisubunit glutamate receptors, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA-R) contribute to airway hyperreactivity. We tested the hypothesis that HASM expresses NMDA-R subunits that can form functional receptors to mediate contractile responses to specific extracellular ligands. In cultured HASM cells, we measured NMDA-R subunit mRNA and protein abundance by quantitative PCR, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and epifluorescence immunocytochemistry. We measured mRNA for a number of NMDA-R subunits, including the obligatory NR1 subunit, which we confirmed to be present as a protein. In vitro and ex vivo functional NMDA-R activation in HASM cells was measured using intracellular calcium flux (fura-2 AM), collagen gel contraction assays, and murine thin-cut lung slices (TCLS). NMDA, a pharmacological glutamate analog, induced cytosolic calcium mobilization in cultured HASM cells. We detected three different temporal patterns of calcium response, suggesting the presence of heterogeneous myocyte subpopulations. NMDA-R activation also induced airway contraction in murine TCLS and soft collagen gels seeded with HASM cells. Responses in cells, lung slices, and collagen gels were mediated by NMDA-R, as they could be blocked by (2R)-amino-5-phosphonopentanoate, a specific NMDA-R inhibitor. In summary, we reveal the presence of NMDA-R in HASM that mediate contractile responses via glutamatergic mechanisms. These findings suggest that accumulation of glutamate-like ligands for NMDA-R associated with airway inflammation contributes directly to airway hyperreactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidyanand Anaparti
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Ramses Ilarraza
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kanami Orihara
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Gerald L Stelmack
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Oluwaseun O Ojo
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Thomas H Mahood
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Helmut Unruh
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Andrew J Halayko
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada;
| | - Redwan Moqbel
- Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Biology of Breathing Group, Child Health Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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22
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Horie M, Saito A, Yamauchi Y, Mikami Y, Sakamoto M, Jo T, Nakajima J, Takizawa H, Nagase T, Kohyama T. Histamine induces human lung fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction via histamine H1 receptor. Exp Lung Res 2015; 40:222-36. [PMID: 24809793 DOI: 10.3109/01902148.2014.900155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airway remodeling is implicated in irreversible airflow limitation of refractory asthma, which includes increased smooth muscle mass and subepithelial fibrosis. Activated fibroblasts acquire contractile phenotype to participate in tissue contraction and structural alteration of extracellular matrices. Histamine is a potent mediator of allergic inflammation, substantially involved in asthmatic pathophysiology. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that histamine might play a role in airway remodeling, and investigated its effect on fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. METHODS Fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction was studied. Histamine's regulation of collagen gel contraction was characterized by using specific histamine-receptor antagonists, an IP3 receptor antagonist and a PKC inhibitor. RESULTS Histamine induced contraction of collagen gels embedded with human lung fibroblasts, in a time-dependent manner, and at the concentration more than 10(-6) M, both in four primary cultured adult lung fibroblasts and three fetal lung fibroblast cell lines. This effect was attenuated by H1 receptor antagonist, whereas those for H2 to H4 receptors failed to show an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, IP3 receptor-mediated Ca(2+) mobilization was implicated in histamine's action on collagen gel contraction. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that histamine is involved in airway remodeling through its action on lung fibroblasts, and antihistamine drugs, especially H1 receptor antagonists, might be potentially beneficial for a subset of asthmatic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Horie
- 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Lambers C, Qi Y, Eleni P, Costa L, Zhong J, Tamm M, Block LH, Roth M. Extracellular matrix composition is modified by β₂-agonists through cAMP in COPD. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 91:400-8. [PMID: 25107701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Revised: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Long acting β₂-agonists (LABA) have been reported to modify the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition in the airway wall. Based on our earlier studies we here investigated the mechanism underlying the control of ECM modification by LABA in primary human airway smooth muscle cells. Cells were treated with formoterol or salmeterol (30 min) before TGF-β₁ stimulation (2-3 days) Using RT-PCT, immuno-blotting and ELISA the de novo synthesis and deposition of collagen type-I, -III, -IV and fibronectin were determined. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 were analyzed by zymography. Both LABA activated cAMP and its corresponding transcription factor CREB within 60 min and thus partly reduced TGF-β₁-induced gene transcription of collagen type-I, -III, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The inhibitory effect of both LABA on collagen type-I and -III deposition involved a cAMP dependent mechanism, while the inhibitory effect of the two drugs on TGF-β1-induced fibronectin deposition and on CTGF secretion was independent of cAMP. Interestingly, none of the two LABA reduced CTGF-induced synthesis of collagen type-I or type-III deposition. In addition, none of the two LABA modified collagen type-IV deposition or the expression and activity of MMP-2 or MMP-9. Our results show that LABA can prevent de novo deposition of specific ECM components through cAMP dependent and independent signaling. However, they do not reduce all ECM components by the same mechanism and they do not reduce existing collagen deposits. This might explain some of the controversial reports on the anti-remodeling effect of LABA in chronic inflammatory lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lambers
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ying Qi
- Pulmonary Cell Research, Dept Biomedicine and Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Papakonstantinou Eleni
- Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaloniki, GR-54621 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Luigi Costa
- Pulmonary Cell Research, Dept Biomedicine and Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jun Zhong
- Pulmonary Cell Research, Dept Biomedicine and Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Tamm
- Pulmonary Cell Research, Dept Biomedicine and Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lutz-Henning Block
- Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Roth
- Pulmonary Cell Research, Dept Biomedicine and Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Dismuke WM, Liang J, Overby DR, Stamer WD. Concentration-related effects of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 on human trabecular meshwork cell contractility. Exp Eye Res 2013; 120:28-35. [PMID: 24374036 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 12/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The contractility status of trabecular meshwork (TM) cells influences aqueous humor outflow resistance and intraocular pressure. Using human TM cells as a model, the goal of the present study was to examine concentration-response relationships of two prototypical molecules, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), known to differentially influence vascular smooth muscle contractility. Efficacy of ET-1, two NO donors (DETA-NO and SNP) and a cGMP analog (8-Br-cGMP) were assessed using two complementary methods: functionally in a gel contraction assay and biochemically using a myosin light chain phosphorylation assay. The NO donors DETA-NO and SNP dose dependently relaxed cultured human TM cells (EC50 for DETA-NO = 6.0 ± 2.4 μM, SNP = 12.6 ± 8.8 μM), with maximum effects at 100 μM. Interestingly, at concentrations of NO donors above 100 μM, the relaxing effect was lost. Relaxation caused by DETA-NO (100 μM) was dose dependently blocked by the soluble guanylate cyclase specific inhibitor ODQ (IC50 = 460 ± 190 nM). In contrast to the NO donors, treatment of cells with the cGMP analog, 8-Br-cGMP produced the largest relaxation (109.4%) that persisted at high concentrations (EC50 = 110 ± 40 μM). ET-1 caused a dose-dependent contraction of human TM cells (EC50 = 1.5 ± 0.5 pM), with maximum effect at 100 pM (56.1%) and this contraction was reversed by DETA-NO (100 μM). Consistent with functional data, phosphorylation status of myosin light chain was dose dependently reduced with DETA-NO, and increased with ET-1. Together, data show that TM cells rapidly change their contractility status over a wide dynamic range, well suited for the regulation of outflow resistance and intraocular pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin Liang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Darryl R Overby
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - W Daniel Stamer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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25
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Prakash YS. Airway smooth muscle in airway reactivity and remodeling: what have we learned? Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2013; 305:L912-33. [PMID: 24142517 PMCID: PMC3882535 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00259.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is now established that airway smooth muscle (ASM) has roles in determining airway structure and function, well beyond that as the major contractile element. Indeed, changes in ASM function are central to the manifestation of allergic, inflammatory, and fibrotic airway diseases in both children and adults, as well as to airway responses to local and environmental exposures. Emerging evidence points to novel signaling mechanisms within ASM cells of different species that serve to control diverse features, including 1) [Ca(2+)]i contractility and relaxation, 2) cell proliferation and apoptosis, 3) production and modulation of extracellular components, and 4) release of pro- vs. anti-inflammatory mediators and factors that regulate immunity as well as the function of other airway cell types, such as epithelium, fibroblasts, and nerves. These diverse effects of ASM "activity" result in modulation of bronchoconstriction vs. bronchodilation relevant to airway hyperresponsiveness, airway thickening, and fibrosis that influence compliance. This perspective highlights recent discoveries that reveal the central role of ASM in this regard and helps set the stage for future research toward understanding the pathways regulating ASM and, in turn, the influence of ASM on airway structure and function. Such exploration is key to development of novel therapeutic strategies that influence the pathophysiology of diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y S Prakash
- Dept. of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, 4-184 W Jos SMH, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
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Schuliga M, Javeed A, Harris T, Xia Y, Qin C, Wang Z, Zhang X, Lee PVS, Camoretti-Mercado B, Stewart AG. Transforming growth factor-β-induced differentiation of airway smooth muscle cells is inhibited by fibroblast growth factor-2. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2013; 48:346-53. [PMID: 23239497 PMCID: PMC3604085 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2012-0151oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In asthma, basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) plays an important (patho)physiological role. This study examines the effects of FGF-2 on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-stimulated differentiation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells in vitro. The differentiation of human ASM cells after incubation with TGF-β (100 pM) and/or FGF-2 (300 pM) for 48 hours was assessed by increases in contractile protein expression, actin-cytoskeleton reorganization, enhancements in cell stiffness, and collagen remodeling. FGF-2 inhibited TGF-β-stimulated increases in transgelin (SM22) and calponin gene expression (n = 15, P < 0.01) in an extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signal transduction-dependent manner. The abundance of ordered α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) filaments formed in the presence of TGF-β were also reduced by FGF-2, as was the ratio of F-actin to G-actin (n = 8, P < 0.01). Furthermore, FGF-2 attenuated TGF-β-stimulated increases in ASM cell stiffness and the ASM-mediated contraction of lattices, composed of collagen fibrils (n = 5, P < 0.01). However, the TGF-β-stimulated production of IL-6 was not influenced by FGF-2 (n = 4, P > 0.05), suggesting that FGF-2 antagonism is selective for the regulation of ASM cell contractile protein expression, organization, and function. Another mitogen, thrombin (0.3 U ml(-1)), exerted no effect on TGF-β-regulated contractile protein expression (n = 8, P > 0.05), α-SMA organization, or the ratio of F-actin to G-actin (n = 4, P > 0.05), suggesting that the inhibitory effect of FGF-2 is dissociated from its mitogenic actions. The addition of FGF-2, 24 hours after TGF-β treatment, still reduced contractile protein expression, even when the TGF-β-receptor kinase inhibitor, SB431542 (10 μM), was added 1 hour before FGF-2. We conclude that the ASM cell differentiation promoted by TGF-β is antagonized by FGF-2. A better understanding of the mechanism of action for FGF-2 is necessary to develop a strategy for therapeutic exploitation in the treatment of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aqeel Javeed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan; and
| | | | | | | | - Zhexing Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and
| | - Peter V. S. Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Ammit AJ. Glucocorticoid insensitivity as a source of drug targets for respiratory disease. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2013; 13:370-6. [PMID: 23434363 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2012] [Revised: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (corticosteroids) are effective and clinically useful medicines for repressing inflammation in lung disease; however, the number of respiratory conditions that have been recognized to be refractory or insensitive to glucocorticoids is on the rise--either due to an inherent difference in the glucocorticoid sensitivity as part of the disease process or due to exogenous stressors such as cigarette smoke and other oxidative insults. Independent of causality, the aim of future therapeutic advances to conquer this frontier will no doubt be based on our growing knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying glucocorticoid insensitivity in respiratory diseases. The current article aims to highlight the key molecular mechanisms responsible for glucocorticoid insensitivity in asthma and COPD. This new knowledge will ultimately allow us to enhance lung health by restoring glucocorticoid responsiveness in respiratory disease. In this way, our increased understanding of corticosteroid insensitivity can be exploited as a source of drug targets for respiratory disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaina J Ammit
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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28
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Aso H, Ito S, Mori A, Suganuma N, Morioka M, Takahara N, Kondo M, Hasegawa Y. Differential regulation of airway smooth muscle cell migration by E-prostanoid receptor subtypes. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2012; 48:322-9. [PMID: 23221043 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2012-0158oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Migration of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells plays an important role in the pathophysiology of airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in asthma. It has been reported that prostaglandin (PG)E2 inhibits migration of ASM cells. Although PGE2 regulates cellular functions via binding to distinct prostanoid EP receptors, the role of EP receptor subtypes in mechanisms underlying cell migration has not been fully elucidated. We investigated the role of EP receptors in the inhibitory effects of PGE2 on the migration of human ASM cells. Migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB (10 ng/ml, 6 h) was assessed by a chemotaxis chamber assay. PDGF-BB-induced cell migration was inhibited by PGE2, the specific EP2 agonist ONO-AE1-259-01, the specific EP4 agonist ONO-AE1-329, and cAMP-mobilizing agents. The inhibition of cell migration by PGE2 was significantly reversed by a blockade of EP2 and EP4 receptors using antagonists or transfection with siRNAs. Moreover, PGE2, the EP2 agonist, and the EP4 agonist significantly increased phosphorylation of small heat shock protein 20, one of the protein substrates for protein kinase A (PKA), with depolymerization of actin. In contrast, the EP3 agonist ONO-AE-248 significantly promoted baseline cell migration without affecting PDGF-BB-induced cell migration. In summary, activation of EP2 and EP4 receptors and subsequent activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway are the main mechanisms of inhibition of ASM cell migration by PGE2. HSP20 phosphorylation by PKA is possibly involved in this mechanism. Conversely, EP3 is potent in promoting cell migration. EP receptor subtypes may be novel therapeutic target molecules in airway remodeling and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiromichi Aso
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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29
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Tamagaki G, Kanazawa H, Hirata K. Association of airway pentosidine levels with bronchodilator response mediated by salbutamol administration in asthmatic patients. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2012; 25:478-82. [PMID: 22982562 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2012] [Revised: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, increased levels of pentosidine, an intermolecular cross-linking type of advanced glycation end products, are observed in the airways of asthmatic patients. This study was designed to determine whether differences in bronchodilator response among individuals with asthma are attributable to pentosidine levels in their airways. METHODS Fifty-six asthmatic patients (21 with airway obstruction, 35 without airway obstruction) and 10 normal controls were included in this study. For asthmatic patients, we evaluated the spontaneous reversibility of airway obstruction or the reversibility that can be obtained after methacholine provocation. And we also measured pentosidine levels and percentage of sputum eosinophils in induced sputum, and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) levels. RESULTS The pentosidine levels did not significantly differ between the two asthmatic subgroups with and without airway obstruction. In asthmatic patients without airway obstruction, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (PC20 methacholine) was significantly correlated with sputum eosinophils and exhaled NO levels. In contrast, PC20 methacholine was not significantly correlated with pentosidine levels. In asthmatic patients with or without airway obstruction, bronchodilator response was not significantly correlated with sputum eosinophils and exhaled NO levels. However, bronchodilator response was closely correlated with pentosidine levels (asthmatics without airway obstruction: r = -0.54, p = 0.002; asthmatics with airway obstruction: r = -0.48, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that pentosidine might be a potential biomarker reflecting the reduced bronchodilator response in asthma. This study will provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying persistent airway obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gakuya Tamagaki
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abenoku, Osaka 545-8585, Japan
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Tonelli FMP, Santos AK, Gomes KN, Lorençon E, Guatimosim S, Ladeira LO, Resende RR. Carbon nanotube interaction with extracellular matrix proteins producing scaffolds for tissue engineering. Int J Nanomedicine 2012; 7:4511-29. [PMID: 22923989 PMCID: PMC3423153 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s33612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, significant progress has been made in organ transplantation, surgical reconstruction, and the use of artificial prostheses to treat the loss or failure of an organ or bone tissue. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to carbon nanotubes and collagen composite materials and their applications in the field of tissue engineering due to their minimal foreign-body reactions, an intrinsic antibacterial nature, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the ability to be molded into various geometries and forms such as porous structures, suitable for cell ingrowth, proliferation, and differentiation. Recently, grafted collagen and some other natural and synthetic polymers with carbon nanotubes have been incorporated to increase the mechanical strength of these composites. Carbon nanotube composites are thus emerging as potential materials for artificial bone and bone regeneration in tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda M P Tonelli
- Cell Signaling and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Black JL, Panettieri RA, Banerjee A, Berger P. Airway smooth muscle in asthma: just a target for bronchodilation? Clin Chest Med 2012; 33:543-58. [PMID: 22929101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccm.2012.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle (ASM) has long been recognized as the main cell type responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness. It has, thus, been considered as a target for bronchodilation. In asthma, however, there is a complex relationship between ASM and inflammatory cells, such as mast cells and T lymphocytes. Moreover, the increased ASM mass in asthmatic airways is one of the key features of airway remodeling. This article aims to review the main concepts about the 3 possible roles of ASM in asthma: (1) contractile tone, (2) inflammatory response, and (3) remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith L Black
- University of Sydney, Discipline of Pharmacology and Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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33
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Beyond the Immune System: The Role of Resident Cells in Asthma and COPD. J Allergy (Cairo) 2012; 2012:968039. [PMID: 22675370 PMCID: PMC3362915 DOI: 10.1155/2012/968039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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34
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Gunst SJ, Panettieri RA. Point: alterations in airway smooth muscle phenotype do/do not cause airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2012; 113:837-9. [PMID: 22518830 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00483.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Gunst
- Department of Cell and Integrated Physiology Indianapolis, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, USA.
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Combined Beta-agonists and corticosteroids do not inhibit extracellular matrix protein production in vitro. J Allergy (Cairo) 2012; 2012:403059. [PMID: 22500185 PMCID: PMC3303634 DOI: 10.1155/2012/403059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Persistent asthma is characterized by airway remodeling. Whereas we have previously shown that neither β(2)-agonists nor corticosteroids inhibit extracellular matrix (ECM) protein release from airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells, the effect of their combination is unknown and this forms the rationale for the present study. Methods. ASM cells from people with and without asthma were stimulated with TGFβ1 (1 ng/ml) with or without budesonide (10(-8) M) and formoterol (10(-10) and 10(-8) M), and fibronectin expression and IL-6 release were measured by ELISA. Bronchial rings from nonasthmatic individuals were incubated with TGFβ1 (1 ng/ml) with or without the drugs, and fibronectin expression was measured using immunohistochemistry. Results. Budesonide stimulated fibronectin deposition, in the presence or absence of TGFβ1, and this was partially reversed by formoterol (10(-8) M) in both asthmatic and nonasthmatic cells. Budesonide and formoterol in combination failed to inhibit TGFβ-induced fibronectin in either cell type. A similar pattern of expression of fibronectin was seen in bronchial rings. TGFβ1-induced IL-6 release was inhibited by the combination of drugs. Conclusion. Current combination asthma therapies are unable to prevent or reverse remodeling events regulated by ASM cells.
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Abstract
Typically, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) reside within the bone marrow (BM) where they give rise to all hematopoietic populations. However, HSPCs also constantly egress from the BM into the blood and circulate through the peripheral tissues where upon encounter with inflammatory stimuli and epithelial cell-derived cytokines they rapidly release very high levels of Th2 cytokines/chemokines and differentiate into Th2 effector cells. The novel concept of the dual function of HSPCs as hematopoietic precursors and potent Th2 cytokine producers has important clinical implications in various inflammatory conditions, including allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Allakhverdi
- Laboratory on Allergy Research, CHUM Research Center, Notre-Dame Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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37
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The matrix: redefined role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Pediatr Neonatol 2011; 52:1-2. [PMID: 21385648 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2011.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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38
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Schuliga M, Harris T, Stewart AG. Plasminogen activation by airway smooth muscle is regulated by type I collagen. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2010; 44:831-9. [PMID: 20693403 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2009-0469oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmin, the activated protease product of plasminogen, is involved in collagen remodeling, and is strongly implicated in asthma pathophysiology by recent genome-wide association studies. This study examines plasminogen "activation" by airway smooth muscle cells, and its regulation in a fibrotic environment created by culture on type I collagen and incubation with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity was detected in the supernatants of human airway smooth muscle cell cultures maintained in serum-free conditions. Incubation with plasminogen (1.5-50.0 μg/ml, 24 h) increased plasmin activity in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.001). uPA activity was higher in cultures maintained on fibrillar type I collagen substrata than in those on plastic, as was plasmin activity after incubation with plasminogen (20 μg/ml). Pretreatment with TGF-β (100 pM) for 18 hours inhibited plasminogen activation by airway smooth muscle cells maintained on plastic, but not on collagen. TGF-β stimulated an increase in the level of uPA mRNA in airway smooth muscle cells grown on collagen, but not on plastic. Reducing the levels of β1-integrin collagen receptor, using interference RNA, attenuated plasmin formation by airway smooth muscle cells grown on collagen, and restored the inhibitory effect of TGF-β. This study shows that airway smooth muscle activation of plasminogen by uPA is accelerated in a collagen-rich environment in which the inhibitory effect of TGF-β is attenuated in association with greater uPA expression induced via β1-integrin signaling. These findings suggest that the plasminogen-activation system involving uPA has the potential to contribute to airway wall remodeling in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schuliga
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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