The high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI): a critical regulator of airway smooth muscle cells?

Generation of a virus-like particles based vaccine against IgE

BACKGROUND

Anti-IgE immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies represents a breakthrough in treatment of severe allergic diseases. However, drawbacks such as short half-life and high price are not negligible. Our objective is to develop an anti-IgE vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) which can induce long-lasting neutralizing IgG anti-IgE antibodies reducing allergic responses without causing intrinsic mast cell activation due to IgE cross-linking.

METHODS

The vaccines were made by chemically coupling three synthetic mouse IgE-Fc fragments to plant-derived immunologically optimized CuMVTT VLPs. The immunogenicity of the vaccines was tested by immunizing naive or allergic mice either with the coupled vaccines or the VLP control followed by systemic or local allergen challenge.

RESULTS

Mice immunized with the vaccines exhibited high titers of anti-IgE antibodies in the sera and high levels of anti-IgE secreting plasma cells in lymphoid organs. Moreover, free IgE in serum were reduced by the induced anti-IgE antibodies; therefore, less IgE was bound to FcεRI on the surface of basophils. In line with these reduced IgE levels on effector cells after vaccination, immunized mice were protected from challenge with allergens. Importantly, despite presence of anti-IgE antibodies, no signs of acute or chronic allergic response were seen in immunized allergic mice.

CONCLUSION

The generated vaccines can effectively induce anti-IgE antibodies that did not cause allergic responses in sensitized mice but were able to decrease the level of free and cell bound IgE and protected sensitized animals from allergic responses upon allergen challenge.

Store-operated Calcium Entry-associated Regulatory Factor Regulates Airway Inflammation and Airway Remodeling in Asthma Mice Models

BACKGROUND

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is involved in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Store-operated calcium entry-associated regulatory factor (SARAF) can down-regulate SOCE.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate the role of SARAF in the regulation of airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma mice models, as well as in the functional regulation of human airway smooth muscle cells (hASMCs).

METHODS

Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin to establish the asthma mice models. Mice were transfected with lentivirus, which expressed the SARAF gene + GFP or the negative control gene + GFP. Airway resistance was measured with the animal pulmonary function system. Airway inflammation and remodeling were evaluated via histological staining. In vitro cultured hASMCs were transfected with scrambled small interfering RNA(siRNA) or SARAF-specific siRNA respecitvely. The proliferation, migration rate, hypertrophy and SOCE activity of hASMCs were examined with cell counting kit 8, wound healing test, bright field imaging and Ca²⁺ fluorescence imaging, respectively. SARAF expression was measured by quantitative real-time-PCR.

RESULTS

Asthma mice models showed decreased SARAF mRNA expression in the lungs. SARAF overexpression attenuated airway inflammation, resistance and also remodeling. Downregulation of SARAF expression with siRNA promoted the proliferation, migration, hypertrophy and SOCE activity in hASMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

SARAF plays a protective role against airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma mice models by blunting SOCE; SARAF may also be a functional regulating factor of hASMCs.

Exercise and Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lower respiratory disease that is very common worldwide, and its incidence is increasing year by year. Since the 1970s, asthma has become widespread, with approximately 300 million people affected worldwide and about 250,000 people have lost their lives. Asthma seriously affects people's physical and mental health, resulting in reduced learning efficiency, limited physical activities, and decreased quality of life. Therefore, raising awareness of the risk of asthma and how to effectively treat asthma have become important targets for the prevention and management of asthma in recent years. For patients with asthma, exercise training is a widely accepted adjunct to drug-based and non-pharmacological treatment. It has been recommended abroad that exercise prescriptions are an important part of asthma management.

IgE induces proliferation in human airway smooth muscle cells: role of MAPK and STAT3 pathways

Airway remodeling is not specifically targeted by current asthma medications, partly owing to the lack of understanding of remodeling mechanisms, altogether posing great challenges in asthma treatment. Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass due to hyperplasia/hypertrophy contributes significantly to overall airway remodeling and correlates with decline in lung function. Recent evidence suggests that IgE sensitization can enhance the survival and mediator release in inflammatory cells. Human ASM (HASM) cells express both low affinity (FcεRII/CD23) and high affinity IgE Fc receptors (FcεRI), and IgE can modulate the contractile and synthetic function of HASM cells. IgE was recently shown to induce HASM cell proliferation but the detailed mechanisms remain unknown. We report here that IgE sensitization induces HASM cell proliferation, as measured by ³H-thymidine, EdU incorporation, and manual cell counting. As an upstream signature component of FcεRI signaling, inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) abrogated the IgE-induced HASM proliferation. Further analysis of IgE-induced signaling depicted an IgE-mediated activation of Erk 1/2, p38, JNK MAPK, and Akt kinases. Lastly, lentiviral-shRNA-mediated STAT3 silencing completely abolished the IgE-mediated HASM cell proliferation. Collectively, our data provide mechanisms of a novel function of IgE which may contribute, at least in part, to airway remodeling observed in allergic asthma by directly inducing HASM cell proliferation.

Effects of magnolialide isolated from the leaves of Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) on immunoglobulin E-mediated type I hypersensitivity in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) has been used for folk medicines in the Mediterranean area and Europe to treat various disorders including skin inflammation (dermatitis) and asthma.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our aim was to investigate the scientific evaluation of the compounds from Laurus nobilis L. on immuniglobulin E (IgE)-mediated type I hypersensitivity responses in vitro such as atopic dermatitis and asthma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Seven compounds were isolated and examined for the mast cell stabilizing effect on IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 mast cells by measuring the β-hexosaminidase activity. In addition, the effects on interleukin (IL)-4 production and IL-5-dependent Y16 early B cell proliferation were investigated as well as their cytotoxic effects on RBL-2H3 cells.

RESULTS

Among the seven isolated compounds, magnolialide attenuated the release of β-hexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 cells with an IC50 value of 20.2 μM, while the other compounds revealed no significant effects at concentrations tested. Furthermore, magnolialide significantly inhibited the IL-4 release with an IC50 value of 18.1 μM and IL-4 mRNA expression with an IC50 value of 15.7 μM in IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. In addition, the inhibition of IL-5-dependent proliferation of early B cells (Y16 cells) by magnolialide was demonstrated with an IC50 value of 18.4 μM.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the magnolialide might be a candidate for the treatment of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity responses such as atopic dermatitis and asthma by inhibiting mast cell degranulation, the IL-4 production, and IL-5-dependent early B cell proliferation, key factors in the development and amplification of type I hypersensitivity reactions.

IL-13 R110Q, a Naturally Occurring IL-13 Polymorphism, Confers Enhanced Functional Activity in Cultured Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells

Purpose

Interleukin (IL)-13, a Th2-type cytokine, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of asthma through its direct effects on airway smooth muscles. A naturally occurring IL-13 polymorphism, R110Q, is strongly associated with increased total serum IgE levels and asthma. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the IL-13 R110Q variant would display different biochemical properties or altered functions in comparison with wild-type (WT) IL-13 in cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs).

Methods

Culture supernatants and cell proteins were collected from cultured hBSMCs that were treated with 50 ng/mL IL-13 or IL-13 R110Q for 24 hours. Eotaxin released into hBSMC culture medium was determined by ELISA. The expression levels of the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) α-chain, smooth muscle-specific actin alpha chain (α-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SmMHC), and calreticulin in the cells were measured on Western blots.

Results

Compared with WT IL-13, treatment with the IL-13 R110Q variant resulted in a significant increase in eotaxin release as well as significant, although modest, increases in the expression levels of α-SMA, SmMHC, calreticulin, and FcεRI α-chain.

Conclusions

The results of the present study suggenst that the IL-13 R110Q variant may enhance enhanced functional activities in hBSMCs.

Cross-roads in the lung: immune cells and tissue interactions as determinants of allergic asthma

Allergic asthma is a chronic disease of the lung characterized by underlying Th2- and IgE-mediated inflammation, structural alterations of the bronchial wall, and airway hyperresponsiveness. Initial allergic sensitization and later development of chronic disease are determined by close interactions between lung structural cells and the resident and migratory immune cells in the lung. Epithelial cells play a crucial role in allergic sensitization by directly influencing dendritic cells induction of tolerant or effector T cells and production of type 2 cytokines by innate immune cells. During chronic disease, the bronchial epithelium, stroma, and smooth muscle become structurally and functionally altered, contributing to the perpetuation of tissue remodeling. Thus, targeting tissue-driven pathology in addition to inflammation may increase the effectiveness of asthma treatment.

Emerging airway smooth muscle targets to treat asthma

Asthma is characterized in part by variable airflow obstruction and non-specific hyperresponsiveness to a variety of bronchoconstrictors, both of which are mediated by the airway smooth muscle (ASM). The ASM is also involved in the airway inflammation and airway wall remodeling observed in asthma. For all these reasons, the ASM provides an important target for the treatment of asthma. Several classes of drugs were developed decades ago which targeted the ASM - including β-agonists, anti-cholinergics, anti-histamines and anti-leukotrienes - but no substantially new class of drug has appeared recently. In this review, we summarize the on-going work of several laboratories aimed at producing novel targets and/or tools for the treatment of asthma. These range from receptors and ion channels on the ASM plasmalemma, to intracellular effectors (particularly those related to cyclic nucleotide signaling, calcium-homeostasis and phosphorylation cascades), to anti-IgE therapy and outright destruction of the ASM itself.

The high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) expression and function in airway smooth muscle

The airway smooth muscle (ASM) is no longer considered as merely a contractile apparatus and passive recipient of growth factors, neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators signal but a critical player in the perpetuation and modulation of airway inflammation and remodeling. In recent years, a molecular link between ASM and IgE has been established through Fc epsilon receptors (FcεRs) in modulating the phenotype and function of these cells. Particularly, the expression of high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) has been noted in primary human ASM cells in vitro and in vivo within bronchial biopsies of allergic asthmatic subjects. The activation of FcεRI on ASM cells suggests a critical yet almost completely ignored network which may modulate ASM cell function in allergic asthma. This review is intended to provide a historical perspective of IgE effects on ASM and highlights the recent updates in the expression and function of FcεRI, and to present future perspectives of activation of this pathway in ASM cells.

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) expression in allergic asthmatic airways: role in airway smooth muscle migration and chemokine production

Background

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a soluble pattern recognition receptor with non-redundant functions in inflammation and innate immunity. PTX3 is produced by immune and structural cells. However, very little is known about the expression of PTX3 and its role in allergic asthma.

Objectives and Methods

We sought to determine the PTX3 expression in asthmatic airways and its function in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC). In vivo PTX3 expression in bronchial biopsies of mild, moderate and severe asthmatics was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. PTX3 mRNA and protein were measured by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Proliferation and migration were examined using ³H-thymidine incorporation, cell count and Boyden chamber assays.

Results

PTX3 immunoreactivity was increased in bronchial tissues of allergic asthmatics compared to healthy controls, and mainly localized in the smooth muscle bundle. PTX3 protein was expressed constitutively by HASMC and was significantly up-regulated by TNF, and IL-1β but not by Th2 (IL-4, IL-9, IL-13), Th1 (IFN-γ), or Th-17 (IL-17) cytokines. In vitro, HASMC released significantly higher levels of PTX3 at the baseline and upon TNF stimulation compared to airway epithelial cells (EC). Moreover, PTX3 induced CCL11/eotaxin-1 release whilst inhibited the fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-driven HASMC chemotactic activity.

Conclusions

Our data provide the first evidence that PTX3 expression is increased in asthmatic airways. HASMC can both produce and respond to PTX3. PTX3 is a potent inhibitor of HASMC migration induced by FGF-2 and can upregulate CCL11/eotaxin-1 release. These results raise the possibility that PTX3 may play a dual role in allergic asthma.

Is there a regulatory role of immunoglobulins on tissue forming cells relevant in chronic inflammatory lung diseases?

Epithelial cells, fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells together form and give structure to the airway wall. These three tissue forming cell types are structure giving elements and participate in the immune response to inhaled particles including allergens and dust. All three cell types actively contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tissue forming cells respond directly to allergens through activated immunoglobulins which then bind to their corresponding cell surface receptors. It was only recently reported that allergens and particles traffic through epithelial cells without modification and bind to the immunoglobulin receptors on the surface of sub-epithelial mesenchymal cells. In consequence, these cells secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby extending the local inflammation. Furthermore, activation of the immunoglobulin receptors can induce proliferation and tissue remodeling of the tissue forming cells. New studies using anti-IgE antibody therapy indicate that the inhibition of immunoglobulins reduces the response of tissue forming cells. The unmeasured questions are: (i) why do tissue forming cells express immunoglobulin receptors and (ii) do tissue forming cells process immunoglobulin receptor bound particles? The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the expression and function of various immunoglobulin receptors.

Exploring lung physiology in health and disease with lung slices

The development of therapeutic approaches to treat lung disease requires an understanding of both the normal and disease physiology of the lung. Although traditional experimental approaches only address either organ or cellular physiology, the use of lung slice preparations provides a unique approach to investigate integrated physiology that links the cellular and organ responses. Living lung slices are robust and can be prepared from a variety of species, including humans, and they retain many aspects of the cellular and structural organization of the lung. Functional portions of intrapulmonary airways, arterioles and veins are present within the alveoli parenchyma. The dynamics of macroscopic changes of contraction and relaxation associated with the airways and vessels are readily observed with conventional low-magnification microscopy. The microscopic changes associated with cellular events, that determine the macroscopic responses, can be observed with confocal or two-photon microscopy. To investigate disease processes, lung slices can either be prepared from animal models of disease or animals exposed to disease invoking conditions. Alternatively, the lung slices themselves can be experimentally manipulated. Because of the ability to observe changes in cell physiology and how these responses manifest themselves at the level of the organ, lung slices have become a standard tool for the investigation of lung disease.

Should treatments for asthma be aimed at the airway smooth muscle?

The airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell is an important part of the airway wall of asthma patients because of its increased contractile properties, which appear to be enhanced in this condition and which contribute to airflow obstruction and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. ASM cells are also abnormal in asthma with increased expression of certain chemokines, with increased proliferation rate, numbers and size. beta-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids are the two most important treatments for asthma; other drugs used are leukotriene receptor antagonists and theophylline. Combination therapy of beta-adrenergic agonists and corticosteroids has become the treatment of choice for moderate-to-severe asthma. beta-adrenergic agonists cause relaxation of ASM cells, leading to a decrease in airflow obstruction of asthma and acute relief of symptoms. Corticosteroids also have direct effects on ASM cells. It is postulated that the effect of anti-inflammatory agents on ASM cells is the most important determinant of the therapeutic effects of these agents. Targeting the ASM cell in asthma could be the focus of therapies for asthma. Specific delivery of active agents to ASM cells may also be part of this strategy.

The effects of omalizumab on IgE-induced cytokine synthesis by asthmatic airway smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND

Human airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) express high- and low-affinity IgE receptors and respond to IgE, thereby contributing to airway inflammation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether anti-IgE antibodies (omalizumab) block the response of ASMCs to IgE in patients with asthma.

METHODS

Airway smooth muscle cells, isolated from the biopsy specimens of patients with asthma, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and control participants (6 in each group), were stimulated with IgE with and without omalizumab treatment, and cytokine secretion was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and messenger RNA (mRNA) secretion by real-time polymerase chain reaction, over 24 hours. IgE receptor expression was determined by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

IgE-stimulated mRNA synthesis encoded for interleukin (IL) 6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor a in ASMCs via mitogen-activated protein kinases, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, or p38. The secretion of the respective cytokines increased significantly: IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor a at 6 hours and IL-4 at 24 hours. Cytokine mRNA synthesis and protein secretion were inhibited by omalizumab in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of low- and high-affinity IgE receptors was not altered by omalizumab in ASMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Omalizumab reduced IgE-stimulated synthesis and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by human ASMCs. These findings imply a beneficial action of omalizumab in asthma therapy. This effect is not restricted to inflammatory cells; it also includes tissue-forming cells.

Proinflammatory and Th2 cytokines regulate the high affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI) and IgE-dependant activation of human airway smooth muscle cells

Background

The high affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) is a crucial structure for IgE-mediated allergic reactions. We have previously demonstrated that human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells express the tetrameric (αβγ2) FcεRI, and its activation leads to marked transient increases in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, release of Th-2 cytokines and eotaxin-1/CCL11. Therefore, it was of utmost importance to delineate the factors regulating the expression of FcεRI in human (ASM) cells.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Incubation of human bronchial and tracheal smooth muscle (B/TSM) cells with TNF-α, IL-1β or IL-4 resulted in a significant increase in FcεRI-α chain mRNA expression (p<0.05); and TNF-α, IL-4 enhanced the FcεRI-α protein expression compared to the unstimulated control at 24, 72 hrs after stimulation. Interestingly, among all other cytokines, only TNF-α upregulated the FcεRI-γ mRNA expression. FcεRI-γ protein expression remained unchanged despite the nature of stimulation. Of note, as a functional consequence of FcεRI upregulation, TNF-α pre-sensitization of B/TSM potentially augmented the CC (eotaxin-1/CCL11 and RANTES/CCL5, but not TARC/CCL17) and CXC (IL-8/CXCL8, IP-10/CXCL10) chemokines release following IgE stimulation (p<0.05, n = 3). Furthermore, IgE sensitization of B/TSM cells significantly enhanced the transcription of selective CC and CXC chemokines at promoter level compared to control, which was abolished by Lentivirus-mediated silencing of Syk expression.

Conclusions/Significance

Our data depict a critical role of B/TSM in allergic airway inflammation via potentially novel mechanisms involving proinflammatory, Th2 cytokines and IgE/FcεRI complex.

Mechanistic systems biology of inflammatory gene expression in airway smooth muscle as tool for asthma drug development

There is compelling evidence that airway smooth muscle cells may function as inflammatory cells in the airway system by producing multiple inflammatory cytokines in response to a large array of external stimuli such as acetylcholine, bradykinin, inflammatory cytokines, and toll-like receptor activators. However, how multiple extracellular stimuli interact in the regulation of inflammatory gene expression in an airway smooth muscle cell remains poorly understood. This review addresses the mechanistic systems biology of inflammatory gene expression in airway smooth muscle by discussing: a) redundancy underlying multiple stimulus-product relations in receptor-mediated inflammatory gene expression, and their regulation by convergent activation of Erk1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), b) Erk1/2 MAPK-dependent induction of phosphatase expression as a negative feedback mechanism in the robust maintenance of inflammatory gene expression, and c) cyclooxygenase 2-dependent regulation of the differential temporal dynamics of early and late inflammatory gene expression. It is becoming recognized that a single-target approach is unlikely to be effective for the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases because airway inflammation is a result of complex interactions among multiple inflammatory mediators and cells types in the airway system. Understanding the mechanistic systems biology of inflammatory gene expression in airway smooth muscle and other cell types in the airway system may lead to the development of multi-target drug regimens for the treatment of inflammatory airway diseases such as asthma.

Airway smooth muscle in asthma

Airway smooth muscle plays a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of asthma. We review the current understanding of the contribution of airway myocytes to airway inflammation, airway wall remodeling, and airflow obstruction in this prevalent disease syndrome. Together, these roles make airway smooth muscle an attractive target for asthma therapy.

Airway smooth muscle cell as an inflammatory cell: lessons learned from interferon signaling pathways

The present article will describe the potential role of airway smooth muscle (ASM) in mediating both deleterious/beneficial effects of interferons (IFNs) in asthma. First described as beneficial in treating the main features of asthma, the interplay between IFNs and ASM could explain their deleterious actions recently described in a number of different studies. Through multiple mechanisms, including the suppression of steroid action, the synergistic pro-inflammatory actions when combined with other cytokines, and the modulation of calcium metabolism, IFNs are now seen as critical mediators in the pathogenesis of asthma.

Cytokines induce an early steroid resistance in airway smooth muscle cells: novel role of interferon regulatory factor-1

We have previously shown that long-term treatment of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells with a combination of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma impaired steroid anti-inflammatory action through the up-regulation of glucocorticoid receptor beta isoform (GRbeta) (Mol Pharmacol 2006;69:588-596). We here found that steroid actions could also be suppressed by short-term exposure of ASM cells to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma (6 h) as shown by the abrogated glucocorticoid responsive element (GRE)-dependent gene transcription; surprisingly, neither GRalpha nuclear translocation nor GRbeta expression was affected by cytokine mixture. The earlier induction of CD38, a molecule recently involved in asthma, seen with TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma combination but not with cytokine alone, was also completely insensitive to steroid pretreatment. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (IP) and siRNA strategies revealed not only increased binding of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) transcription factor to CD38 promoter, but also its implication in regulating CD38 gene transcription. Interestingly, the capacity of fluticasone to completely inhibit TNF-alpha-induced IRF-1 expression, IRF-1 DNA binding, and transactivation activities was completely lost in cells exposed to TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in combination. This early steroid dysfunction seen with cytokine combination could be reproduced by enhancing IRF-1 cellular levels using constitutively active IRF-1, which dose-dependently inhibited GRE-dependent gene transcription. Consistently, reducing IRF-1 cellular levels using siRNA approach significantly restored steroid transactivation activities. Collectively, our findings demonstrate for the first time that IRF-1 is a novel alternative GRbeta-independent mechanism mediating steroid dysfunction induced by pro-asthmatic cytokines, in part via the suppression of GRalpha activities.

Constitutive and inducible thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression in human airway smooth muscle cells: role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a novel cytokine that triggers dendritic cell-mediated T helper (Th)-2 inflammatory responses. Previous studies have demonstrated that human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) play a critical role in initiating or perpetuating airway inflammation by producing chemokines and cytokines. In this study, we first evaluated the expression of TSLP in primary HASMC and investigated how proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) and Th-2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-9) regulate TSLP production from HASMC. TSLP mRNA and protein were assessed by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence from primary HASMC cultures. Primary HASMC express constitutive level of TSLP. Incubation of HASMC with IL-1 or TNF-alpha resulted in a significant increase of TSLP mRNA and protein release from HASMC. Furthermore, combination of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha has an additive effect on TSLP release by HASMC. Primary HASMC pretreated with inhibitors of p38 or p42/p44 ERK MAPK, but not phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, showed a significant decrease in TSLP release on IL-1beta and TNF-alpha treatment. Furthermore, TSLP immunoreactivity was present in ASM bundle from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to lesser degree in normal subjects. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence of IL-1beta- and TNF-alpha-induced TSLP expression in HASMC via (p38, p42/p44) MAPK signaling pathways. Our results raise the possibility that HASMC may play a role in COPD airway inflammation via TSLP-dependent pathway.