Lihong Yao

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 prevents toluene diisocyanate-induced airway epithelial barrier disruption

The loss of airway epithelial integrity contributes significantly to asthma pathogenesis. Evidence suggests that vitamin D plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of asthma. However, its role in airway epithelial barrier function remains uncertain. We have previously demonstrated impaired epithelial junctions in a model of toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma. In the present study, we hypothesized that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] may prevent TDI-induced epithelial barrier disruption. Male BALB/c mice were dermally sensitized and then challenged with TDI. The mice were then administered 1,25(OH)2D3 intraperitoneally prior to challenge with TDI. For in vitro experiments, 16HBE bronchial epithelial cells were cultured and stimulated with TDI-human serum albumin (HSA). The results revealed that the mice treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 displayed decreased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), suppressed neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration into the airways, as well as an increased E-cadherin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression at the cell-cell contact sites. In vitro, exposure of the cells to TDI-HSA induced a rapid decline in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and an increase in cell permeability, followed by a decrease in occludin expression and the redistribution of E-cadherin, accompanied by a significant upregulation in the levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2. These effects were all partly reversed by treatment with either 1,25(OH)2D3 or an ERK1/2 inhibitor. In conclusion, the findings of our study demonstrate that 1,25(OH)2D3 prevents TDI-induced epithelial barrier disruption, and that the ERK1/2 pathway may play a role in this process.

High-mobility group box 1 impairs airway epithelial barrier function through the activation of the RAGE/ERK pathway

Recent studies have indicated that high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma. However, whether the activation of the HMGB1/RAGE axis mediates airway epithelial barrier dysfunction remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of HMGB1 and its synergistic action with interleukin (IL)-1β on airway epithelial barrier properties. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human HMGB1 alone or in combination with IL-1β on ionic and macromolecular barrier permeability, by culturing air-liquid interface 16HBE cells with HMGB1 to mimic the differentiated epithelium. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to examine the level and structure of major junction proteins, namely E-cadherin, β-catenin, occludin and claudin-1. Furthermore, we examined the effects of RAGE neutralizing antibodies and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors on epithelial barrier properties in order to elucidate the mechanisms involved. HMGB1 increased FITC-dextran permeability, but suppressed epithelial resistance in a dose-and time-dependent manner. HMGB1-mediated barrier hyperpermeability was accompanied by a disruption of cell-cell contacts, the selective downregulation of occludin and claudin-1, and the redistribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin. HMGB1 in synergy with IL-1β induced a similar, but greater barrier hyperpermeability and induced the disruption of junction proteins. Furthermore, HMGB1 elicited the activation of the RAGE/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling pathway, which correlated with barrier dysfunction in the 16HBE cells. Anti-RAGE antibody and the ERK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, attenuated the HMGB1-mediated changes in barrier permeability, restored the expression levels of occludin and claudin-1 and pevented the redistribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin. Taken together, the findings of our study demonstrate that HMGB1 is capable of inducing potent effects on epithelial barrier function and that RAGE/ERK1/2 is a key signaling pathway involved in the crosstalk between formations of junction proteins and epithelial barrier dysfunction.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products is required for β-catenin stabilization in a chemical -induced asthma model.

Cytoplasmic retention of β‐catenin will lead to its nuclear translocation and subsequent interaction with the transcription factor TCF/LEF that regulates target gene expression. We have previously demonstrated aberrant expression of β‐catenin in a model of asthma induced by toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The aim of this study was to examine whether the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) can regulate β‐catenin expression in TDI‐induced asthma.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases pathway mediates lung caspase-1 activation and high mobility group box 1 production in a toluene-diisocyanate induced murine asthma model

We have previously demonstrated that downregulating HMGB1 decreases airway neutrophil inflammation in a toluene-diisocyanate (TDI)-induced murine asthma model, yet how HMGB1 is regulated in the lung remains uncertain. In this study, we intended to explore whether PI3K signaling pathway mediates pulmonary HMGB1 production in TDI-induced asthma model and the possible roles of NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 in this process. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to establish a TDI-induced asthma model. LY294002, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, was given intratracheally 1h before each challenge. Here we showed that airway hypersensitivity, airway infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils, serum IgE and IL-4 in supernatant of cervical lymphocytes in TDI induced asthmatic mice were all markedly decreased by LY294002, accompanied by suppressed pulmonary expression of HMGB1. At the same time, we observed elevated protein levels of cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1β after TDI challenge, as well as increased immunoreactivity in lung, all of which were significantly recovered by LY294002. While both the protein expression and immunodistribution of NLRP3 in the lung stayed unchanged. These data suggest that PI3K mediates lung caspase-1 activation and HMGB1 production in TDI-induced murine asthma model.

Blockade of β-catenin signaling attenuates toluene diisocyanate-induced experimental asthma

Aberrant activation of β‐catenin signaling by both WNT‐dependent and WNT‐independent pathways has been demonstrated in asthmatic airways, which is thought to contribute critically in remodeling of the airways. Yet, the exact role of β‐catenin in asthma is very poorly defined. As we have previously reported abnormal expression of β‐catenin in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)‐induced asthma model, in this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of two small molecules XAV‐939 and ICG‐001 in TDI‐asthmatic male BALB/c mice, which selectively block β‐catenin‐mediated transcription.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase mediates β-catenin dysfunction of airway epithelium in a toluene diisocyanate-induced murine asthma model

Cell-cell junctions are critical for the maintenance of cellular as well as tissue polarity and integrity. Yet the role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in dysregulation of airway epithelial adherens junctions in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma has not been addressed. Male BALB/c mice were first dermally sensitized and then challenged with TDI by means of compressed air nebulization. The mice were treated intratracheally with PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Levels of phospho-Akt in airway epithelium and whole lung tissues were markedly increased in TDI group compared with control mice, which decreased after administration of LY294002. The dilated intercellular spaces of airway epithelium induced by TDI were partially recovered by LY294002. Both the protein expression and distribution of adherens junction proteins E-cadherin and β-catenin were altered by TDI. Treatment with LY294002 rescued the distribution of E-cadherin and β-catenin at cell-cell membranes, restored total β-catenin pool, but had no effect on protein level of E-cadherin. At the same time, LY294002 also inhibited phosphorylation of ERK, glycogen synthase kinase3β and tyrosine 654 of β-catenin induced by TDI. In summary, our results showed that the PI3K pathway mediates β-catenin dysregulation in a TDI-induced murine asthma model, which may be associated with increased tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin.

Albuterol inhalation increases FeNO level in steroid-naive asthmatics but not COPD patients with reversibility

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) has been used as a marker of airway inflammation. Airway caliber is related to the level of FeNO in asthmatics.

Chicken IgY facilitates allergic airway inflammation in a chemical-induced murine asthma model by potentiating IL-4 release.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding protein that is abundantly expressed in most tissues. Recently, HMGB1 has gained much attention for its regulation of immunity and inflammation. Yet its role in toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma still remains poorly characterized. In this study, mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI to establish a TDI-induced asthma model. An IgY anti-HMGB1 antibody or isotype IgY was given intraperitoneally after each challenge. Airway reactivity to methacholine, airway inflammation, bronchial epithelial hyperplasia and shedding were unexpectedly aggravated after administration of the anti-HMGB1 antibody and was accompanied by increased pulmonary expression of HMGB1, especially in those mice treated with IgY. Levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and TNF-α were also elevated with TDI-induction. Primary lymphocytes from TDI sensitized and challenged mice demonstrated increased secretion of IL-4 after IgY stimulation. To confirm the effect of IgY, a cohort of mice exposed to TDI or vehicle was injected with IgY and the same results were observed after IgY treatment as in TDI asthmatic mice. Taken together, these results show that the IgY anti-HMGB1 antibody can facilitate TDI-induced allergic airway inflammation. Specifically, IgY, rather than anti-HMGB1, plays an important role in the process of exacerbated asthma, shedding light on an underappreciated role of avian IgY.

RAGE mediates β-catenin stabilization via activation of the Src/p-Cav-1 axis in a chemical-induced asthma model

We previously demonstrated receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) was required for β-catenin stabilization in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-induced asthma model, suggesting it plays an important role in TDI-induced airway inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine whether RAGE mediates β-catenin stabilization via activation of the Src/p-Cav-1 axis in TDI-induced asthma model. To generate a chemical-induced asthma model, male BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with TDI. Before each challenge, FPS-ZM1 (RAGE inhibitor) and PP2 (Src inhibitor) was given via intraperitoneal injection. In the TDI-exposed mice, airway reactivity, airway inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and the release of Th2 cytokines and IgE increased significantly. The level of membrane β-catenin decreased but was increased in the cytoplasm. Increased expression of RAGE, p-Src, and p-Cav-1 was also detected in TDI-exposed lungs. However, all these changes were inhibited by FPS-ZM1 and PP2. In TDI-HSA stimulated human airway epithelial (16HBE) cells, the expression of p-Src and p-Cav-1, and the abnormal distribution of β-catenin were significantly increased, and then inhibited in RAGE knockdown cells. Similarly, PP2 or non-phosphorylatable Cav-1 mutant (Y14F-Cav-1) treated 16HBE cells had the same effect on the distribution of β-catenin. In addition, blockage of RAGE signaling and phosphorylation of Cav-1 eliminated the translocation of β-catenin from cytomembrane to cytoplasm. Our results showed that RAGE modulates β-catenin aberrant distribution via activation of Src/p-Cav-1 in a chemical-induced asthma model.

Phosphorylation of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 is involved in receptor for advanced glycation end product-mediated β-catenin stabilization in a toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma model

Background: We have previously demonstrated that the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/&bgr;‐catenin axis plays a vital role in regulating airway inflammation and airway remodeling in a toluene diisocyanate (TDI)‐induced murine asthma model. However, the exact mechanism of &bgr;‐catenin activation remains unclear. Given that phosphorylation of the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 6 (Lrp6) is a key step in mediating &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in canonical wnt/&bgr;‐catenin signaling, we explored the possible relationship between RAGE and Lrp6 in regulating &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in TDI‐induced asthma. Methods: In this study, a TDI‐induced murine asthma model was generated, and mice were treated with a specific inhibitor of RAGE. In vitro, the human bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE was treated with TDI‐human serum albumin (TDI‐HSA). RAGE overexpression or knockdown cells were also constructed and assessed. Results: The results showed that RAGE inhibition or RAGE knockdown decreased &bgr;‐catenin nuclear accumulation and the expression of relevant &bgr;‐catenin targeted genes (VEGF, MMP9, TGF‐&bgr;1) in the TDI‐induced murine asthma model and TDI‐HSA‐treated 16HBE cells, respectively. Silencing of RAGE reversed the TDI‐induced increase in phospho‐ERK1/2 (p‐ERK) and phospho‐Lrp6 (p‐Lrp6) in 16HBE cells. Pretreatment with the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor U0126 suppressed TDI‐induced Lrp6 phosphorylation. Furthermore, knockdown of Lrp6 in 16HBE cells decreased &bgr;‐catenin nuclear translocation and the expression of VEGF, MMP9, and TGF‐&bgr;1. Conclusion: These data suggested that the RAGE/ERK axis modulates Lrp6 phosphorylation, contributing to &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in a TDI‐induced murine model. HIGHLIGHTSRAGE regulates Lrp6 phosphorylation and &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in TDI‐induced asthma model.RAGE/ERK axis mediated TDI‐induced Lrp6 phosphorylation and &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in 16HBE.Lrp6 played a vital role in TDI‐induced &bgr;‐catenin stabilization in 16HBE.