Roflumilast Attenuates MUC5AC and MUC5B Expression in Airway Epithelial Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Roflumilast, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 4, has an anti-inflammatory property. It has been used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. However, the effect of roflumilast on mucus secretion in inflammatory airway epithelial cells has not been reported. Therefore, this study was aimed at investigating the effects of roflumilast on the inflammatory mediator-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In human mucin-producing NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and primary cultures of nasal epithelial cells, the effects of roflumilast on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and phorbl-12-myrsitate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Roflumilast attenuated LPS-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA and glycoprotein expression in NCI-H292 cells. And roflumilast attenuated PMA-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA and glycoprotein expression in NCI-H292 cells. In addition, roflumilast attenuated LPS and PMA-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression in the primary cultures of nasal epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that roflumilast attenuates MUC5AC and MUC5B expressions in airway epithelial cells. Roflumilast may be a potentially ideal therapeutic agent for the control of mucus-hypersecretion in treating chronic inflammatory airway diseases.