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Li N, Cheng Y, Wang S, Liao H, Liu S. Inhibition of airway smooth muscle contraction and proliferation by LIM kinase inhibitor, LIMKi3. Adv Med Sci 2023; 68:186-194. [PMID: 37148787 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.04.002] [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: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Current medical treatment for asthma aims to inhibit airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction and proliferation, however, the efficacy of available treatment options is unsatisfactory. Therefore, we explored the effect of LIM domain kinase (LIMK) inhibitor - LIMKi3, on ASM to improve the understanding of ASM contraction and proliferation mechanisms, and to investigate new therapeutic targets. MATERIALS AND METHODS Asthma model was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin. Using phospho-specific antibodies, we examined LIMK, phosphorylated LIMK, cofilin and phosphorylated cofilin. ASM contraction was studied in organ bath experiments. ASM cells proliferation was studied with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays. RESULTS Immunofluorescence indicated that LIMKs are expressed in ASM tissues. Western blot revealed that LIMK1 and phospho-cofilin were significantly elevated in asthma ASM tissues. The LIMK inhibitor, LIMKi3 (1 μM) could reduce cofilin phosphorylation and therefore inhibit contraction of ASM tissues, and induce actin filament breakdown as well as cell proliferation reduction in cultured human ASM cells. CONCLUSIONS ASM contraction and proliferation in asthma may underlie the effects of LIMKs. Small molecule LIMK inhibitor, LIMKi3, might be a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanxiong Cheng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiyong Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hua Liao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengming Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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Wang Y, Liao G, Wu Y, Wang R, Tang DD. The intermediate filament protein nestin serves as a molecular hub for smooth muscle cytoskeletal signaling. Respir Res 2023; 24:157. [PMID: 37316833 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02473-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recruitment of the actin-regulatory proteins cortactin and profilin-1 (Pfn-1) to the membrane is important for the regulation of actin cytoskeletal reorganization and smooth muscle contraction. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and the type III intermediate filament protein vimentin are involved in smooth muscle contraction. Regulation of complex cytoskeletal signaling is not entirely elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nestin (a type VI intermediate filament protein) in cytoskeletal signaling in airway smooth muscle. METHODS Nestin expression in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) was knocked down by specific shRNA or siRNA. The effects of nestin knockdown (KD) on the recruitment of cortactin and Pfn-1, actin polymerization, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, and contraction were evaluated by cellular and physiological approaches. Moreover, we assessed the effects of non-phosphorylatable nestin mutant on these biological processes. RESULTS Nestin KD reduced the recruitment of cortactin and Pfn-1, actin polymerization, and HASM contraction without affecting MLC phosphorylation. Moreover, contractile stimulation enhanced nestin phosphorylation at Thr-315 and the interaction of nestin with Plk1. Nestin KD also diminished phosphorylation of Plk1 and vimentin. The expression of T315A nestin mutant (alanine substitution at Thr-315) reduced the recruitment of cortactin and Pfn-1, actin polymerization, and HASM contraction without affecting MLC phosphorylation. Furthermore, Plk1 KD diminished nestin phosphorylation at this residue. CONCLUSIONS Nestin is an essential macromolecule that regulates actin cytoskeletal signaling via Plk1 in smooth muscle. Plk1 and nestin form an activation loop during contractile stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinna Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Yidi Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-8, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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Wang R, Khan S, Liao G, Wu Y, Tang DD. Nestin Modulates Airway Smooth Muscle Cell Migration by Affecting Spatial Rearrangement of Vimentin Network and Focal Adhesion Assembly. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193047. [PMID: 36231009 PMCID: PMC9562664 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle cell migration plays a role in the progression of airway remodeling, a hallmark of allergic asthma. However, the mechanisms that regulate cell migration are not yet entirely understood. Nestin is a class VI intermediate filament protein that is involved in the proliferation/regeneration of neurons, cancer cells, and skeletal muscle. Its role in cell migration is not fully understood. Here, nestin knockdown (KD) inhibited the migration of human airway smooth muscle cells. Using confocal microscopy and the Imaris software, we found that nestin KD attenuated focal adhesion sizes during cell spreading. Moreover, polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56 have been previously shown to affect focal adhesion assembly. Here, nestin KD reduced Plk1 phosphorylation at Thr-210 (an indication of Plk1 activation), vimentin phosphorylation at Ser-56, the contacts of vimentin filaments to paxillin, and the morphology of focal adhesions. Moreover, the expression of vimentin phosphorylation-mimic mutant S56D (aspartic acid substitution at Ser-56) rescued the migration, vimentin reorganization, and focal adhesion size of nestin KD cells. Together, our results suggest that nestin promotes smooth muscle cell migration. Mechanistically, nestin regulates Plk1 phosphorylation, which mediates vimenitn phosphorylation, the connection of vimentin filaments with paxillin, and focal adhesion assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Dale D. Tang
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(518)-262-6416; Fax: +1-(518)-262-8101
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Smooth Muscle Myosin Localizes at the Leading Edge and Regulates the Redistribution of Actin-regulatory Proteins during Migration. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152334. [PMID: 35954178 PMCID: PMC9367404 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle cell migration plays an essential role in airway development, repair, and remodeling. Smooth muscle myosin II has been traditionally thought to localize in the cytoplasm solely and regulates cell migration by affecting stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly. In this study, we unexpectedly found that 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20) and myosin-11 (MYH11), important components of smooth muscle myosin, were present at the edge of lamellipodia. The knockdown of MLC20 or MYH11 attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactinProfilin-1 (Pfn-1), and Abi1 to the cell edge. Moreover, myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) colocalized with integrin β1 at the tip of protrusion. The inhibition of MLCK attenuated the recruitment of c-Abl, cortactin, Pfn-1, and Abi1 to the cell edge. Furthermore, MLCK localization at the leading edge was reduced by integrin β1 knockdown. Taken together, our results demonstrate that smooth muscle myosin localizes at the leading edge and orchestrates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the tip of lamellipodia. Mechanistically, integrin β1 recruits MLCK to the leading edge, which catalyzes MLC20 phosphorylation. Activated myosin regulates the recruitment of actin-regulatory proteins to the leading edge, and promotes lamellipodial formation and migration.
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Wang R, Wang Y, Liao G, Chen B, Panettieri RA, Penn RB, Tang DD. Abi1 mediates airway smooth muscle cell proliferation and airway remodeling via Jak2/STAT3 signaling. iScience 2022; 25:103833. [PMID: 35198891 PMCID: PMC8851273 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex pulmonary disorder with multiple pathological mechanisms. A key pathological feature of chronic asthma is airway remodeling, which is largely attributed to airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia that contributes to thickening of the airway wall and further drives asthma pathology. The cellular processes that mediate ASM cell proliferation are not completely elucidated. Using multiple approaches, we demonstrate that the adapter protein Abi1 (Abelson interactor 1) is upregulated in ∼50% of ASM cell cultures derived from patients with asthma. Loss-of-function studies demonstrate that Abi1 regulates the activation of Jak2 (Janus kinase 2) and STAT3 (signal transducers and activators of transcription 3) as well as the proliferation of both nonasthmatic and asthmatic human ASM cell cultures. These findings identify Abi1 as a molecular switch that activates Jak2 kinase and STAT3 in ASM cells and demonstrate that a dysfunctional Abi1-associated pathway contributes to the progression of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Yinna Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
| | - Bohao Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Reynold A. Panettieri
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Raymond B. Penn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Dale D. Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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Liao G, Wang R, Tang DD. Plk1 Regulates Caspase-9 Phosphorylation at Ser-196 and Apoptosis of Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2022; 66:223-234. [PMID: 34705620 PMCID: PMC8845127 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2021-0192oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway smooth muscle thickening, a key characteristic of chronic asthma, is largely attributed to increased smooth muscle cell proliferation and reduced smooth muscle apoptosis. Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that participates in the pathogenesis of airway smooth muscle remodeling. Although the role of Plk1 in cell proliferation and migration is recognized, its function in smooth muscle apoptosis has not been previously investigated. Caspase-9 (Casp9) is a key enzyme that participates in the execution of apoptosis. Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 and Thr-125 is implicated in regulating its activity in cancer cells and epithelial cells. Here, exposure of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells to platelet-derived growth factorfor 24 hours enhanced the expression of Plk1 and Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196, but not Thr-125. Overexpression of Plk1 in HASM cells increased Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196. Moreover, the expression of Plk1 increased the levels of pro-Casp9 and pro-Casp3 and inhibited apoptosis, demonstrating a role of Plk1 in inhibiting apoptosis. Knockdown of Plk1 reduced Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196, reduced pro-Casp9/3 expression, and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 was upregulated in asthmatic HASM cells, which was associated with increased Plk1 expression. Knockdown of Plk1 in asthmatic HASM cells decreased Casp9 phosphorylation at Ser-196 and enhanced apoptosis. Together, these studies disclose a previously unknown mechanism that the Plk1-Casp9/3 pathway participates in the controlling of smooth muscle apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoning Liao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Ruping Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
| | - Dale D Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
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Joseph C, Tatler AL. Pathobiology of Airway Remodeling in Asthma: The Emerging Role of Integrins. J Asthma Allergy 2022; 15:595-610. [PMID: 35592385 PMCID: PMC9112045 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s267222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling is a complex clinical feature of asthma that involves long-term disruption and modification of airway architecture, which contributes significantly to airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and lung function decline. It is characterized by thickening of the airway smooth muscle layer, deposition of a matrix below the airway epithelium, resulting in subepithelial fibrosis, changes within the airway epithelium, leading to disruption of the barrier, and excessive mucous production and angiogenesis within the airway wall. Airway remodeling contributes to stiffer and less compliant airways in asthma and leads to persistent, irreversible airflow obstruction. Current asthma treatments aim to reduce airway inflammation and exacerbations but none are targeted towards airway remodeling. Inhibiting the development of airway remodeling or reversing established remodeling has the potential to dramatically improve symptoms and disease burden in asthmatic patients. Integrins are a family of transmembrane heterodimeric proteins that serve as the primary receptors for extracellular matrix (ECM) components, mediating cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions to initiate intracellular signaling cascades. Cells present within the lungs, including structural and inflammatory cells, express a wide and varying range of integrin heterodimer combinations and permutations. Integrins are emerging as an important regulator of inflammation, repair, remodeling, and fibrosis in the lung, particularly in chronic lung diseases such as asthma. Here, we provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of knowledge on integrins in the asthmatic airway and how these integrins promote the remodeling process, and emphasize their potential involvement in airway disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chitra Joseph
- Centre for Respiratory Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Amanda L Tatler
- Centre for Respiratory Research, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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