Effect of Polyinosinic-Polycytidylic Acid on MUC5B Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) is structurally similar to double-stranded RNA, and is known to induce various inflammatory mediators and to cause inflammatory reactions in airway epithelial cells. However, the effect of Poly IC on secretion of mucins in human airway epithelial cells has been very rarely reported. In this study, the effect and brief signaling pathway of Poly IC on the expression of mucin genes were investigated in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and the primary cultures of normal human nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of Poly IC on expression of mucin genes were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA) for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). RESULTS: Poly IC induced the MUC5B expression, and activated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. U0126 (ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) inhibited the Poly IC-induced MUC5B expression. In addition, the knockdown of ERK2 and p38 MAPK by siRNA significantly blocked the Poly IC-induced MUC5B mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Poly IC induces the MUC5B expression via ERK2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in human airway epithelial cells. Therefore, Poly IC may play a role in the regulation of mucus hypersecretion through MAPK signaling pathways in the human airway epithelial cells.