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Tang L, Chen B, Wang B, Xu J, Yan H, Shan Y, Zhao X. Mediation of FOXA2/IL-6/IL-6R/STAT3 signaling pathway mediates benzo[a]pyrene-induced airway epithelial mesenchymal transformation in asthma. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124384. [PMID: 38901818 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Benzo [a]pyrene (BaP), a toxic pollutant, increases the incidence and severity of asthma. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of BaP in asthma remain unclear. In terms of research methods, we used BaP to intervene in the animal model of asthma and the human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells, and the involved mechanisms were found from the injury, inflammation, and airway epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in asthma. We also constructed small interfering RNAs and overexpression plasmids to knockdown/overexpress IL-6R and FOXA2 in 16HBE cells and a serotype 9 adeno-associated viral vector for lung tissue overexpression of FOXA2 in mice to determine the mechanism of action of BaP-exacerbated asthma airway EMT. We observed that BaP aggravated inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs, reduced the Penh value, increased collagen fibres in the lung tissue, and increased serum IgE levels in asthmatic mice. After BaP intervention, the expression of FOXA2 in the lung tissue of asthmatic mice decreased, the production and secretion of IL-6 were stimulated, and STAT3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation increased, leading to changes in EMT markers. However, EMT decreased after increasing FOXA2 expression and decreasing that of IL-6R and was further enhanced after low FOXA2 expression. Our results revealed that BaP exacerbated airway epithelial cell injury and interfered with FOXA2, activating the IL-6/IL-6R/STAT3 signaling pathway to promote airway EMT in asthma. These findings provide toxicological evidence for the mechanism underlying the contribution of BaP to the increased incidence of asthma and its exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Bailei Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Bohan Wang
- Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Yiwen Shan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Xia Zhao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Medical Metabolomics Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210004, China.
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Li M, Yang J, Wu Y, Ma X. miR-186-5p improves alveolar epithelial barrier function by targeting the wnt5a/β-catenin signaling pathway in sepsis-acute lung injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111864. [PMID: 38484663 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alveolar epithelial barrier dysfunction is one of the pathological features of sepsis-acute lung injury(ALI). However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the function of alveolar epithelial barrier remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the regulatory role of miR-186-5p in alveolar epithelial barrier function in sepsis-ALI and its underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS We established sepsis-ALI models in vivo and in vitro, detected the miR-186-5p and wnt5a/β-catenin expressions, and observed the functional changes of the alveolar epithelial barrier by miR-186-5p overexpression. We used rescue experiments to clarify whether miR-186-5p works through wnt5a/β-catenin. RESULTS miR-186-5p expression was decreased, wnt5a expression was increased, and the wnt5a/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated in mouse lung tissues and A549 cells after inflammatory stimulation. miR-186-5p overexpression resulted in wnt5a/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibition, decreased apoptosis in A549 cells, improved alveolar epithelial barrier function, reduced lung tissue injury in ALI mice, decreased IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and increased claudin4 and ZO-1 expression. Using miRNA-related database prediction and dual-luciferase reporter gene analysis, the targeting relationship between miR-186-5p and wnt5a was determined. The protective effect produced by miR-186-5p overexpression on the alveolar barrier was reversed after the application of the wnt5a/β-catenin activator Licl. CONCLUSION Our experimental data suggest miR-186-5p targets the wnt5a/β-catenin pathway, thereby regulating alveolar epithelial barrier function. Furthermore, both miR-186-5p and wnt5a/β-catenin are potential therapeutic targets that could impact sepsis-ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Harrison International Peace Hospital, Hengshui, China.
| | - Jing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ningxia Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
| | - Yanli Wu
- Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
| | - Xigang Ma
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.
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Quan MY, Yan X, Miao W, Li X, Li J, Yang L, Yu C, Zhang Y, Yang W, Zou C, Liu B, Jin X, Chen C, Guo Q, Zhang JS. Metformin alleviates benzo[a]pyrene-induced alveolar injury by inhibiting necroptosis and protecting AT2 cells. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116094. [PMID: 38364759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) has been linked to lung injury and carcinogenesis. Airway epithelial cells express the B[a]P receptor AHR, so B[a]P is considered to mainly target airway epithelial cells, whereas its potential impact on alveolar cells remains inadequately explored. Metformin, a first-line drug for diabetes, has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and tissue repair-promoting effects under various injurious conditions. Here, we explored the effect of chronic B[a]P exposure on alveolar cells and the impact of metformin on B[a]P-induced lung injury by examining the various parameters including lung histopathology, inflammation, fibrosis, and related signal pathway activation. MLKL knockout (Mlkl-/-) and AT2-lineage tracing mice (SftpcCre-ERT2;LSL-tdTomatoflox+/-) were used to delineate the role of necroptosis in B[a]P-induced alveolar epithelial injury and repair. Mice receiving weekly administration of B[a]P for 6 weeks developed a significant alveolar damaging phenotype associated with pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and activation of the necroptotic cell death pathway. These effects were significantly relieved in MLKL null mice. Furthermore, metformin treatment, which were found to promote AMPK phosphorylation and inhibit RIPK3, as well as MLKL phosphorylation, also significantly alleviated B[a]P-induced necroptosis and lung injury phenotype. However, the protective efficacy of metformin was rendered much less effective in Mlkl null mice or by blocking the necroptotic pathway with RIPK3 inhibitor. Our findings unravel a potential protective efficacy of metformin in mitigating the detrimental effects of B[a]P exposure on lung health by inhibiting necroptosis and protecting AT2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Yu Quan
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xihua Yan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Wanqi Miao
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xue Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Linglong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Chenhua Yu
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yanxia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Chengyang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xuru Jin
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, China
| | - Chengshui Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, China.
| | - Qiang Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
| | - Jin-San Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou, Zhejiang 324000, China; Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
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