Isolation and genome-wide evolutionary analysis of a type Ⅲ WU polyomavirus strain / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To isolate and culture WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), and to analyze the genome-wide evolutionary patterns, homology and population dynamics.Methods:Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection in Beijing Friendship Hospital during 2020 to 2022. Primary human airway epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were used to isolate and culture WUPyV. Whole genome sequence of the isolated strain was obtained by Sanger sequencing. For phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis, the whole genome was compared with the published whole genome sequences in GenBank database.Results:The detection rate of WUPyV was 4.7% (31/659) during 2020 to 2022, and a clinical strain BJ0593 of WUPyV type Ⅲc was successfully isolated. The homology of the whole genome and gene fragments of WUPyV was high. The average evolutionary rate of VP2 gene was about 1.256×10 -4 substitution/site every year, and the population dynamics of WUPyV tended to be flat in the last decade. Conclusions:This study successfully isolated a clinical WUPyV type Ⅲ strain for the first time, which provided the basis for further investigation on the molecular evolution and pathogenicity of WUPyV.

Bufei Yishen formula attenuates cigarette smoke extract-induced airway mucus hypersecretion by regulating Notch signaling pathway / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To explore the mechanism of Bufei Yishen formula (BYF) on attenuating cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced airway mucus hypersecretion by regulating Notch signaling pathway.Methods:The human airway epithelial cell 16HBE was cultured in vitro, and the cells in logarithmic growth phase were used for the experiments. ① Intervention condition screening experiment: the 16HBE cells were grouped, methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of CSE (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 40%), different concentrations of BYF drug-containing serum (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%), and different concentrations of Notch signal pathway blocker DAPT (5, 10, 20, 40 μmol/L) on cell activity and secretion of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) levels. In addition, a blank control group was set up to screen out the best conditions for preparing CSE-induced cell mucus hypersecretion model and BYF and DAPT intervention. ② Intervention experiment: the 16HBE cells were divided into four groups. The blank control group was not given any treatment; the 16HBE cells were induced by 10% CSE for 24 hours to prepare mucus hypersecretion model in the CSE model group; the cells in the CSE+BYF group and CSE+DAPT group were given 10% BYF or 20 μmol/L DAPT, respectively, for intervention at the same time for 24 hours. Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the mRNA expressions of MUC5AC, Notch3 and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1) in the cells. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of Notch3 and HES1 in the cells. Results:① Results of the screening experiment of intervention conditions: compared with the blank control group, 10% CSE induction for 24 hours was the best condition for establishing cell mucus hypersecretion model that neither affected cell viability nor increased the secretion of MUC5AC; while 10% BYF and 20 μmol/L DAPT was the optimal intervention condition. ② Intervention experiment results: compared with the blank control group, the mRNA expressions of MUC5AC, Notch3, and HES1 and the protein expressions of Notch3 and HES1 in the CSE model group were significantly increased, indicating that CSE activated Notch3 and HES1 signal activation and induced 16HBE cells to secrete mucus protein. Compared with the CSE model group, BYF and DAPT could significantly down-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of MUC5AC, Notch3, and HES1 in cells [MUC5AC mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.03±0.13, 0.96±0.05 vs. 1.35±0.07, Notch3 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.10±0.14, 1.10±0.02 vs. 1.31±0.15, HES1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCT): 1.26±0.10, 1.14±0.15 vs. 1.45±0.08, Notch3 protein (Notch3/GAPDH): 0.10±0.03, 0.16±0.03 vs. 0.31±0.09, HES1 protein (HES1/GAPDH): 0.37±0.06, 0.34±0.08 vs. 0.50±0.05, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The mechanism of BYF attenuating mucus hypersecretion of 16HBE cells induced by CSE was associated with the inhibition of Notch signaling pathway activation.

Ferroptosis of airway epithelial cells in asthma: current and future / 药学学报

Ferroptosis is a novel cell death mode proposed in recent years, which is characterized by intracellular iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Its mechanisms include lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation and the imbalance of antioxidant system. The crosstalk between ferroptosis and asthma is gradually deepening. Elucidating the specific mechanism of ferroptosis in regulating asthma is helpful to broaden the understanding of the pathology of asthma. This paper expounds the role of ferroptosis in airway epithelial cells in the occurrence and development of asthma from three perspectives: lipid peroxidation, iron accumulation and the imbalance of antioxidant system, hoping to find new targets and strategies for asthma treatment.

The protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on mitochondrial oxidative damage of airway epithelial cells induced by cigarette smoke extract / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine （NAC） on mitochondrial damage of airway epithelial cells induced by cigarette smoke extract （CSE）. 【Methods】 Human airway epithelial cells （BEAS-2B） were cultured and divided into three groups as follows： normal control group， 7.5% （75 mL/L） CSE-treated group and 7.5% CSE plus NAC group. After stimulation for 24 hours， cell viability was determined by MTT， and the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species （ROS） and mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） were observed under the fluorescence microscope. MMP was also measured by flow cytometry， the protein expressions of Sirt3 and manganese superoxide dismutase （MnSOD） were detected by Western blotting， and MnSOD activity was measured by colorimetry. 【Results】 Pretreatment with NAC significantly improved the viability of airway epithelial cells （P<0.05）. The results of fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry showed that NAC pretreatment significantly attenuated MMP decline in airway epithelial cells exposed to 7.5% CSE （P<0.05）. Compared with 7.5% CSE-treated group， mitochondrial ROS in airway epithelial cells was significantly decreased in 7.5% CSE plus NAC group （P<0.05）. In addition， pretreatment with NAC significantly inhibited the decrease of Sirt3 and MnSOD protein expression and improved MnSOD activity in airway epithelial cells exposed to 7.5% CSE （P<0.05）. 【Conclusion】 NAC attenuates CSE-induced airway epithelial mitochondrial damage through the regulation of Sirt3-MnSOD signaling pathway， which reveals a new mechanism of NAC treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

German Cockroach Extract Induces Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression, Leading to Tight Junction Disruption in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE: Cockroach exposure is a pivotal cause of asthma. Tight junctions are intercellular structures required for maintenance of the barrier function of the airway epithelium, which is impaired in this disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) digest extracellular matrix components and are involved in asthma pathogenesis: MMP1 is a collagenase with a direct influence on airway obstruction in asthmatics. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which German cockroach extract (GCE) induces MMP1 expression and whether MMP1 release alters cellular tight junctions in human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292). MATERIALS AND METHODS: mRNA and protein levels were determined using real-time PCR and ELISA. Tight junction proteins were detected using immunofluorescence staining. Epithelial barrier function was measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). The binding of a transcription factor to DNA molecules was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, while the levels of tight junction proteins and phosphorylation were determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: GCE was shown to increase MMP1 expression, TEER, and tight junction degradation. Both an inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA) of MMP1 significantly decreased GCE-induced tight junction disruption. Furthermore, transient transfection with ETS1 and SP1 siRNA, and anti-TLR2 antibody pretreatment prevented MMP1 expression and tight junction degradation. An extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor also blocked MMP1 release, ETS1/SP1 DNA binding, and tight junction alteration. CONCLUSION: GCE treatment increases MMP1 expression, leading to tight junction disruption, which is transcriptionally regulated and influenced by the ERK/MAPK pathway in airway epithelial cells. These findings may contribute to developing novel therapeutic strategies for airway diseases.

Identification of Key Genes of Airway Epithelial Cells in Asthma Patients by Bioinformatics-based Analysis / 中国医科大学学报

Objective We aimed to identify key genes and pathways of airway epithelial cells involved in bronchial asthma by comparing genetic information in the databases for patients with bronchial asthma and normal people. Methods To find differentially expressed genes (DEGs), mRNA microarray dataset, GSE43696, of airway epithelial cells in asthma was analyzed by GE02R. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed for DEGs using the DAVID database. The protein-protein interaction networks were established using STRING to identify key genes and important complexes. Results A total of 355 DEGs were identified; of which, 130 were up-regulated and 225, down-regulated. The genes identified were involved in cell movement, growth factor binding, and ion channel activity. Nine key genes were recognized, including BDNF, ERBB2 IL6, VEGFA, KIT, ADCY4, PRKAR2B, CCR6, and NMU. Conclusion All nine key genes identified play important roles in asthma and serve as potential targets for treatment of bronchial asthma.

Effects of hypoxia on expressions of human airway remodeling-associated factors in airway epithelial cells / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the mechanism of hypoxia on the expressions of airway remodeling-associated factors matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)and transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)in human airway epithelial cells(16HBE)under hypoxia.Methods We cultured 16HBE cells under normoxia or hypoxia (20 mL/L O2)for 6,12 and 24 hours.MMP-9 and TGF-β1with higher expression were pretreated with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)inhibitor AG1478 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)inhibitor Lificiguat (YC-1).Cell survival rate was measured by CCK-8 method.The mRNA levels of MMP-9 and TGF-β1were detected by RT-PCR.The levels of HIF-1α,MMP-9 and TGF-β1protein expressions were measured by Western blot. Results In hypoxia group,the levels of MMP-9 and TGF-β1mRNA as well as protein expressions increased compared with those in the control group(all P＜ 0.05).Pretreatment with AG1478 and YC-1 could inhibit the above-mentioned changes(P＜ 0.05).AG1478 suppressed the high expression of HIF-1α induced by hypoxia. Conclusion Hypoxia can up-regulate the expressions of airway remodeling-associated factors MMP-9 and TGF-β1 via EGFR's induction of HIF-α signaling pathway.

High Concentration of Glucose Induces MUC5B Expression via Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effects of hyperglycemia on the mucin secretion in inflammatory respiratory diseases are not clear. Therefore, this study was conducted to characterize the effect of hyperglycemia, and the mechanism involved, on MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells were exposed to different concentration of glucose (5, 10, 15, 20, 30 mM) for 8 or 24 hours, the effects of high concentration of glucose (20 mM) on MUC5AC and MUC5B expression were determined using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR and enzyme immunoassay. Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was performed by flow cytometry. To investigate the role of ROS in high concentration of glucose-induced MUC5B expression, the cells were pretreated with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC, 50 mM) as a ROS scavenger, or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, 100 nM) as a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibitor for 1 hour. RESULTS: In the NCI-H292 cells and the primary cultures of human nasal epithelial cells, High concentration of glucose increased MUC5B expression but did not increase MUC5AC expression (p<0.05). ROS production was also increased by high concentration of glucose (20 mM) (p<0.05). In addition, high concentration of glucose (20 mM)-induced MUC5B expression and ROS production were significantly attenuated by pretreatment of NAC (50 mM) or DPI (100 nM) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: High concentration of glucose induces MUC5B expressions via ROS in human airway epithelial cells.

Primary human airway epithelial cell cultures: an update on technique and application in virology / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Well-differentiated primary human airway epithelial cell culture (HAE), an organotypic human airway culture system, has been increasingly used as a linkage between researches conducted on animal models and humans.In this review, we focus on progress in technological development and its application in virology.The following aspects are covered in this review: (1)Structure and function of the normal airway, (2)Role of respiratory epithelial cells in pulmonary innate immunity, (3)Development of primary human airway epithelial cell cultures, (4)Application of primary human airway epithelial cell cultures in virology.

Isolation and identification of human influenza virus from a stale respiratory tract specimen with human airway epithelial cells / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the possibility of using well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells (HAE) to isolate and identify human influenza A virus from a stale respiratory tract specimen.Methods The stale specimen used in this study was a nasopharyngeal swab specimen collected from a patient with unexplained pneumonia in Qinghai in 2010.It was positive for influenza A virus (H3N2) RNA, but negative for hemagglutination.Equal amount of the specimen was inoculated on HAE and on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells for virus isolation and passage.Cytopathic effects were observed daily after inoculation.Hemagglutination inhibition test was performed at every passage.Electron microscope was used to observe viral morphology.Viral genome was sequenced, followed by molecular evolutionary analysis.Results No progeny virus was isolated in MDCK cells, while a influenza A virus subtype H3N2 strain [A/Qinghai/178/2010(H3N2)] was isolated in HAE with a typical morphology and cytopathic effect of influenza A infection.The hemagglutination inhibition activity was 1∶16.Results of the molecular evolutionary analysis of viral genome showed that the influenza A virus (H3N2) strain was highly homologous to the A/Nanjing/1655/2010(H3N2) strain, which was isolated during the 2010 influenza pandemic in Nanjing.Conclusion HAE can be used for isolation and identification of virus from stale respiratory tract specimens.It is more sensitive than MDCK cells with regard to human influenza virus isolation.

Role and regulation of SPLUNC1 in respiratory tract infection / 国际儿科学杂志

Respiratory tract and the external environment are interlinked,long-term exposure to a variety of physical and chemical substances and pathogenic microorganism stimulation,the antimicrobial activity of proteins secreted by epithelial cells is critical for maintaining health.short palate,lung,and nasal epithelium clone 1 (SPLUNC1) is a lately discovered protein with antibacterial activity.Its structure is similar to the bactericidal permeability-increasing protein(BPI).SPLUNC1 binds specifically to lipopolysaccharide(LPS) of cell walls of gram-negative bacteria,and contributes to maintain homeostasis and a sterile environment in the lung,and acts as a goalkeeper role in the rapid activation of innate immunity and the initiation of adaptive immunity.SPLUNC1 is expected to become an antimicrobial agents for the treatment of respiratory tract bacterial infectious diseases.

Effect of High-Insulin on MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Insulin is a peptide hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood to skeletal muscles. Insulin has been reported to be closely related to cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine disease. However, the effect of insulin on production of major mucins in human airway epithelial cells has not been reported. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between high levels of insulin and mucin in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed the effect of high level of insulin on MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B expression using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human airway epithelial cells. RESULTS: In human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, high level of insulin significant increased MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B mRNA expression and glycoprotein production. In the primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, high level of insulin also increased MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC5B expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that insulin plays a role in control of mucus hypersecretion in human airway epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial cell-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 triggers skewed CD8 +T cell polarization / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of airway epithelial cell-derived insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) on CD8 +T cell polarization. Methods Hu-man airway epithelial cell line, RPMI2650 cells, was cultured in the presence of a mice allergen, Der p1, for 72 h. IGF1 expression was checked with quantita-tive RT-PCR and Western blot. Der p1-primed RP-MI2650 cells, recombinant IGF1 and anti-IGF1 anti-body was cocultured respectively with CD8 + T cells, which were activated by anti-CD3/CD8 Ab. Apoptotic cells frequency was calculated with flow cytometry. The alteration of p53 gene hypermethylation in CD8 + T cells elicited by Der p1-primed airway epithelial cell and IGF1 was plotted. Results Both mRNA(23. 1%± 5. 2% vs 5. 2% ± 2. 3%, P < 0. 01 ) and protein (33. 4 ± 6. 4 vs 9. 2 ± 4. 6, P <0. 01 ) expression of IGF1 in RPMI2650 cells markedly increased after ex-posure to Der p1 . The increase of apoptotic CD3/CD28 Ab-activated CD8 + T cells was abolished by the pres-ence of Derp1-primed epithelial cells ( 41. 7% ± 8. 2%vs 5. 2% ± 1. 8%, P <0. 01 ) . The results were con-firmed by the addition of recombinant IGF1 . Anti-IGF1 antibody abolished the effect of the epithelial cells. Derp1-primed epithelial cells inhibited p53 gene mR-NA( 29. 1% ± 5. 9% vs 16. 2% ± 4. 3%, P <0. 01 ) and protein ( 63. 3 ± 8. 9 vs 26. 9 ± 5. 6 , P <0. 01 ) ex-pression. Anti-IGF1 antibody abolished the effect. Re-combinant IGF1 promoted CD8 + T cells′p53 gene hy-permethylation. Conclusion Der p1 induces RP-MI2650 cells to produce IGF1 , and this factor prevents CD8 + T cell apoptosis by inducing p53 gene hyperm-ethylation.

Delphinidin Inhibits LPS-Induced MUC8 and MUC5B Expression Through Toll-like Receptor 4-Mediated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

OBJECTIVES: Delphinidin is one of the anthocyanidins. It is believed to have anti-inflammatory property including antioxidant, antiangiogenic, and anti-cancer properties. However, the anti-inflammatory effect of delphinidin in mucin-producing human airway epithelial cells has not been determined. Therefore, this study was conducted in order to investigate the effect and the brief signaling pathway of delphinidin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MUC8 and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. METHODS: In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay were used for investigating the expressions of MUC8, MUC5, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), after LPS treatment and delphinidin treatment. And the signaling pathway of delphinidin on LPS-induced MUC8 and MUC5B expression was investigated using the RT-PCR, and immunoblot analysis. To confirm the involvement of TLR4 in LPS-induced MUC8 and MU5B expression, the cells were transfected with TLR4 siRNA. RESULTS: In NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, LPS (100 ng/mL) significantly induced TLR4, MUC8, and MUC5B expression. TLR4 siRNA significantly blocked LPS-induced MUC8 and MUC5B mRNA expression. LPS (100 ng/mL) significantly activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal related kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Delphinidin (50 and 100 microM) inhibited LPS-induced TLR4, MUC8, and MUC5B expression and LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. In the primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, delphinidin (50 and 100 microM) significantly inhibited LPS-induced TLR4, MUC8, and MUC5B gene expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that delphinidin attenuates LPS-induced MUC8 and MUC5B expression through the TLR4-mediated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells. These findings indicated that delphinidin may be a therapeutic agent for control of inflammatory airway diseases.

Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on PMA-Induced MUC5B Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

OBJECTIVES: Among the inflammatory mediators, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is associated with the regulation of MUC5B expression in the airway epithelial cells. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the major component of green tea extract. The biological activity of EGCG includes reduction of cholesterol and antioxidant activity, as well as anti-inflammatory effect. However, the precise action mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of EGCG in the airway epithelial cells has not been fully defined. This study investigates the effect and the brief signaling pathway of EGCG on PMA-induced MUC5B expression in the airway epithelial cells. METHODS: In NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of EGCG on MUC5B expression were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, enzyme immunoassay, immunohistochemical analysis, gelatin zymography assay, and immunoblot analysis. RESULTS: In NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells, PMA induced MUC5B expression, phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and protein activity. EGCG significantly decreased PMA-induced MUC5B expression, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and MMP-9 expression and protein activity. SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly decreased PMA-induced MMP-9 expression. In addition, SB203580 and MMP-9 I (MMP-9 inhibitor) significantly decreased PMA-induced MUC5B expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EGCG down-regulates PMA-induced MUC5B expression through the p38 MAPK dependent MMP-9 signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate Induces MUC16 Expression via PKCdelta and p38 in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

OBJECTIVES: Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is widely used as a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, PKC is involved in the secretion of mucins. MUC16, one of the membrane-bound mucins, is produced in human airway epithelial cells. However, the effect and signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression in human airway epithelial cells has not been reported. Therefore, the effect and brief signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression were investigated in human airway epithelial cells in this study. METHODS: In the mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and the primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of PMA on MUC16 expression were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with several specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). RESULTS: PMA increased MUC16 expression, and activated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. However, it did not activate phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) inhibited PMA-induced MUC16 expression, while U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) did not. In addition, the knockdown of p38 MAPK by p38 MAPK siRNA significantly blocked PMA-induced MUC16 mRNA expression. Rottlerin (PKCdelta inhibitor) inhibited PMA-induced MUC16 expression, and also inhibited the phosphorylation of activated p38 MAPK by PMA. CONCLUSION: These results show for the first time that PMA-induced MUC16 expression is regulated by activation of the PKCdelta and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Protein by Mycoplasma pneumoniae / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an extracellular pathogen that attaches to and destroys the ciliated epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical angiogenic factor that manages the formation and function of vascular networks. Thus, we examined whether M. pneumoniae lysate (MPL) induces VEGF and MPL-induced VEGF expression is regulated by the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in airway epithelial cells. METHODS: Cells were treated with MPL in dose and time dependent manners or pretreated with chemical inhibitors of MAPK signaling molecules before the addition of MPL. The supernatants were measured by a specific human VEGF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The RNAs were extracted and synthesized into cDNAs for VEGF gene expression by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MPL considerably increased VEGF mRNA 2 hours after treatment, which was gradually reduced thereafter. On the other hand, VEGF protein was continuously amplified for 12 hours after both 5 and 10 microg/mL MPL treatment. Pretreatment with U0126 (a specific extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitor) and SB202190 (a specific p38 inhibitor) abolished MPL-stimulated VEGF protein close to basal level (-85%), whereas JNK inhibitor II (a specific c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor) partially decreased VEGF protein (57%). CONCLUSION: We concluded that MPL induces VEGF expression through the activation of MAPK signaling molecules (ERK, p38 and JNK) in airway epithelial cells.

Serum IL-22 level in asthmatic patients and expression of IL-22R1 in human airway cells / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To examine the serum level of IL-22 in asthmatic patients and the expression of IL-22R1 in human airway epithelial cells, human airway smooth muscle cells, and lung fibroblasts, so as to explore the target cells of IL-22. Methods: The serum levels of IL-22 and IL-17 in 36 asthmatic patients and 20 normal control subjects were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). And lung function of the asthmatic patients was assessed by Gaeger spirometry. According to the values of FEV1/FVC and FEV1%, the patients were divided into two groups, bronchodilation test positive group (19 patients) and bronchial provocation test positive group (17 patients). The expression of IL-22R1 mRNA in human airway epithelial cells, human airway smooth muscle cells, and lung fibroblasts was examined using real-time PCR, and IL-22R1 protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting analysis. Results: There was no significant difference in serum IL-22 and IL-17 levels between the asthmatic patients and normal controls. The serum IL-22 and IL-17 levels in asthmatic patients positive for bronchodilation test was significantly higher than those positive for bronchial provocation test(P<0.05). IL-22R1 mRNA and protein were detected in all the 3 types of cells. Conclusion: IL-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma, and human airway epithelial cells, human airway smooth muscle cells, and lung fibroblasts may all be the target cells of IL-22.

The relationship between asthmatic airway epithelial cell and airway remodeling / 国际儿科学杂志

The damage of airway epithelial cell in asthma including epithelial cells differentiated into goblet cell, mucous cells metaplasia, which lead to the extracellular matrix increasing, airway walls fibrosis and mucus high secretion. There are many cytokines, growth factors, signal transduction pathways and gene regulating this process.Neuroendocrine cell plays a very important role in the immune adjustment.The repairing process of airway epithelial cells after damaged is a complicated process and affected by many factors.

β-catenin/Tcf Signaling in Squamous Differentiation of Porcine Airway Epithelial Cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

For a preliminary study of the role of β-catenin/Tcf signaling in squamous differentiation of airway (tracheobronchial) epithelial cells, a stable mutant of β-catenin was transfected into primarily cultured porcine airway epithelial cells. Western blotting revealed that exogenous protein was observed in large quantity in cytoplasm and nucleus. When co-transfected with Tcf luciferase reporter plasmids, β-catenin mutant increased the reporter's transcriptional activities. However, mRNA ex pression of a squamous differentiation marker, small proline-rich protein (SPRP), was not elevated, as shown by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. These findings suggest that β-catenin/Tcf signaling may not be directly involved in the squamous differentiation of porcine airway epithelial cells.