Spleen tyrosine kinase induces MUC5AC expression in human airway epithelial cell

An aqueous extract from Artemisia capillaris inhibits acute gastric injury through mucosal stabilization

BACKGROUND

Artemisia capillaris is among the most abundantly used traditional medicines, utilized in East Asia to treat diverse illnesses, including gastrointestinal tract diseases. We previously reported that an aqueous extract of A. capillaris (AEAC) inhibited gastric inflammation induced by HCl/ethanol via reactive oxygen species scavenging and NF-κB downregulation. To date, the pharmacological potential of AEAC for promoting mucosal integrity has not been studied.

RESULTS

Here, we report that a single treatment with AEAC increased mucus production, and repeated administration of AEAC abolished HCl/ethanol-induced mucosal injury in vivo. Single- and multiple-dose AEAC treatments measurably increased the expression of mucosal stabilizing factors in vivo, including mucin (MUC) 5 AC, MUC6, and trefoil factor (TFF) 1 and TFF2 (but not TFF3). AEAC also induced mucosal stabilizing factors in both SNU-601 cells and RGM cells through phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results suggest that AEAC protects against HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis by upregulating MUCs and TFFs and stabilizing the mucosal epithelium. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces p38MAP kinase-dependent IL-6 and CXCL8 release from bronchial epithelial cells via a Syk kinase pathway

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) infection is a major cause of airway inflammation in immunocompromised and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) and tyrosine kinases are integral to inflammatory responses and are therefore potential targets for novel anti-inflammatory therapies. We have determined the involvement of specific kinases in Pa-induced inflammation. The effects of kinase inhibitors against p38MAPK, MEK 1/2, JNK 1/2, Syk or c-Src, a combination of a p38MAPK with Syk inhibitor, or a novel narrow spectrum kinase inhibitor (NSKI), were evaluated against the release of the proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine, IL-6 and CXCL8 from BEAS-2B and CFBE41o- epithelial cells by Pa. Effects of a Syk inhibitor against phosphorylation of the MAPKs were also evaluated. IL-6 and CXCL8 release by Pa were significantly inhibited by p38MAPK and Syk inhibitors (p<0.05). Phosphorylation of HSP27, but not ERK or JNK, was significantly inhibited by Syk kinase inhibition. A combination of p38MAPK and Syk inhibitors showed synergy against IL-6 and CXCL8 induction and an NSKI completely inhibited IL-6 and CXCL8 at low concentrations. Pa-induced inflammation is dependent on p38MAPK primarily, and Syk partially, which is upstream of p38MAPK. The NSKI suggests that inhibiting specific combinations of kinases is a potent potential therapy for Pa-induced inflammation.

A High-Content Screen for Mucin-1-Reducing Compounds Identifies Fostamatinib as a Candidate for Rapid Repurposing for Acute Lung Injury

Drug repurposing has the advantage of identifying potential treatments on a shortened timescale. In response to the pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2, we took advantage of a high-content screen of 3,713 compounds at different stages of clinical development to identify FDA-approved compounds that reduce mucin-1 (MUC1) protein abundance. Elevated MUC1 levels predict the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and correlate with poor clinical outcomes. Our screen identifies fostamatinib (R788), an inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia, as a repurposing candidate for the treatment of ALI. In vivo, fostamatinib reduces MUC1 abundance in lung epithelial cells in a mouse model of ALI. In vitro, SYK inhibition by the active metabolite R406 promotes MUC1 removal from the cell surface. Our work suggests fostamatinib as a repurposing drug candidate for ALI.

A High Content Screen for Mucin-1-Reducing Compounds Identifies Fostamatinib as a Candidate for Rapid Repurposing for Acute Lung Injury during the COVID-19 pandemic

Drug repurposing is the only method capable of delivering treatments on the shortened time-scale required for patients afflicted with lung disease arising from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mucin-1 (MUC1), a membrane-bound molecule expressed on the apical surfaces of most mucosal epithelial cells, is a biochemical marker whose elevated levels predict the development of acute lung injury (ALI) and respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and correlate with poor clinical outcomes. In response to the pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2, we took advantage of a high content screen of 3,713 compounds at different stages of clinical development to identify FDA-approved compounds that reduce MUC1 protein abundance. Our screen identified Fostamatinib (R788), an inhibitor of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) approved for the treatment of chronic immune thrombocytopenia, as a repurposing candidate for the treatment of ALI. In vivo , Fostamatinib reduced MUC1 abundance in lung epithelial cells in a mouse model of ALI. In vitro , SYK inhibition by Fostamatinib promoted MUC1 removal from the cell surface. Our work reveals Fostamatinib as a repurposing drug candidate for ALI and provides the rationale for rapidly standing up clinical trials to test Fostamatinib efficacy in patients with COVID-19 lung injury.

High Concentration of Insulin Induces MUC5AC Expression via Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase/AKT and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Background Insulin is involved in a glucose homeostatic regulation and a cellular metabolism via phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Hyperinsulinemia reduces insulin sensitivity and is an obvious potential factor affecting airway inflammation in chronic airway diseases. MUC5AC is a major secreted mucin, which plays a critical role in inflammatory response in the respiratory tract. However, the relationship between insulin and MUC5AC expression has not been studied. Objective This study investigated the effect and the brief signaling pathway of high concentration of insulin (HI) on MUC5AC expression in human airway epithelial cell. Methods In NCI-H292 cells and primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, the effect and signaling pathway of HI on MUC5AC expression were investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, enzyme immunoassay, and immunoblot analysis with several specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA (siRNA). Results HI significantly increased MUC5AC expression and activated PI3K/AKT, extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPKs. The specific PI3K and AKT inhibitor as well as knockdown of AKT1 and AKT2 by the respective siRNAs significantly blocked HI-mediated expression of MUC5AC. Meanwhile, the specific ERK1/2 MAPK and p38 MAPK inhibitor as well as knockdown of ERK1, ERK2, and p38 MAPK by the respective siRNAs also attenuated HI-induced expression of MUC5AC. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that HI induces MUC5AC expression via PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways in human airway epithelial cells.

Resistin upregulates MUC5AC/B mucin gene expression in human airway epithelial cells

Adipokines, a group of proteins including leptin, visfatin, resistin, and adiponectin, are produced by adipocytes. Among adipokines, resistin is implicated in insulin resistance and inflammatory response modulation. Mucus hypersecretion has been greatly linked to airway diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rhinosinusitis. Increasing evidence has indicated that adipokines, such as leptin and visfatin, play important regulatory roles in various biological processes involved in mucus secretion. However, the effects of resistin on mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells, as well as the underlying mechanisms, have not been investigated yet. We showed that resistin affected mucin expression in human airway epithelial cells via the mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) pathway. Resistin increased MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in NCI-H292 and primary human nasal epithelial cells. Additionally, it significantly increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and NF-κB. ERK1/2 and p38 specific inhibitors significantly attenuated resistin-induced MUC5AC/5B expression; however, NF-κB inhibitor reduced resistin-induced MUC5AC, but not MUC5B, expression. Knockdown of ERK1, ERK2, and p38 by ERK1, ERK2, and p38 small interfering RNA (siRNA), respectively, significantly blocked resistin-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B mRNA expression. In addition, NF-κB siRNA attenuated resistin-induced MUC5AC, but not MUC5B, expression. These results suggested that resistin induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression via activation of different signaling pathways in human airway epithelial cells.

Interleukin (IL) 36 gamma induces mucin 5AC, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming expression via IL-36 receptor-extracellular signal regulated kinase 1 and 2, and p38-nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells in human airway epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Mucin 5AC, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming (MUC5AC) expression is significantly increased in allergic and inflammatory airway diseases. Interleukin (IL) 36 gamma is predominantly expressed in airway epithelial cells and plays an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-36 gamma is induced by many inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and bacterial and viral infections. However, the association between IL-36 gamma and mucin secretion in human airway epithelial cells has not yet been fully investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether IL-36 gamma might play a role in the regulation of mucin secretion in airway epithelial cells. We investigated the effect and brief signaling pathway of IL-36 gamma on MUC5AC expression in human airway epithelial cells.

METHODS

Enzyme immunoassay, immunoblot analysis, immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real-time PCR were performed in mucin-producing human airway epithelial NCI-H292 cells and in human nasal epithelial cells after pretreatment with IL-36 gamma, several specific inhibitors, or small interfering RNAs (siRNA).

RESULTS

IL-36 gamma induced MUC5AC expression and activated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, p38, and nuclear factor-kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappa B). IL-36 receptor antagonist significantly attenuated these effects. The specific inhibitor and siRNA of ERK1, ERK2, p38, and NF-kappa B significantly attenuated IL-36 gamma induced MUC5AC expression.

CONCLUSION

These results indicated that IL-36 gamma induced MUC5AC expression via the IL-36 receptor-mediated ERK1/2 and p38/NF-kappa B pathway in human airway epithelial cells.

Clusterin Induces MUC5AC Expression via Activation of NF-κB in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Objectives

Clusterin (CLU) is known as apolipoprotein J, and has three isoforms with different biological functions. CLU is associated with various diseases such as Alzheimer disease, atherosclerosis, and some malignancies. Recent studies report an association of CLU with inflammation and immune response in inflammatory airway diseases. However, the effect of CLU on mucin secretion of airway epithelial cells has not yet been understood. Therefore, the effect and brief signaling pathway of CLU on MUC5AC (as a major secreted mucin) expression were investigated in human airway epithelial cells.

Methods

In the tissues of nasal polyp and normal inferior turbinate, the presence of MUC5AC and CLU was investigated using immunohistochemical stain and Western blot analysis. In mucin-producing human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells and primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, the effect and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway of CLU on MUC5AC expression were investigated using immunohistochemical stain, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme immunoassay, and Western blot analysis.

Results

In the nasal polyps, MUC5AC and CLU were abundantly present in the epithelium on immunohistochemical stain, and nuclear CLU (nCLU) was strongly detected on Western blot analysis. In human NCI-H292 airway epithelial cells or the primary cultures of normal nasal epithelial cells, recombinant nCLU increased MUC5AC expression, and significantly activated phosphorylation of NF-κB. And BAY 11-7085 (a specific NF-κB inhibitor) and knockdown of NF-κB by NF-κB siRNA (small interfering RNA) significantly attenuated recombinant nCLU-induced MUC5AC expression.

Conclusion

These results suggest that nCLU induces MUC5AC expression via the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway in human airway epithelial cells.