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Idris T, Bachmann M, Bacchetta M, Wehrle-Haller B, Chanson M, Badaoui M. Akt-driven TGF-β and DKK1 Secretion Impairs F508del Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelium Polarity. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 71:81-94. [PMID: 38531016 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0408oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epithelial polarity is fundamental in maintaining barrier integrity and tissue protection. In cystic fibrosis (CF), apicobasal polarity of the airway epithelium is altered, resulting in increased apical fibronectin deposition and enhanced susceptibility to bacterial infections. Here, we evaluated the effect of highly effective modulator treatment (HEMT) on fibronectin apical deposition and investigated the intracellular mechanisms triggering the defect in polarity of the CF airway epithelium. To this end, primary cultures of CF (F508del variant) human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) and a HAEC line, Calu-3, knocked down for CFTR (CF transmembrane conductance regulator) were compared with control counterparts. We show that CFTR mutation in primary HAECs and CFTR knockdown cells promote the overexpression and oversecretion of TGF-β1 and DKK1 when cultured at an air-liquid interface. These dynamic changes result in hyperactivation of the TGF-β pathway and inhibition of the Wnt pathway through degradation of β-catenin leading to imbalanced proliferation and polarization. The abnormal interplay between TGF-β and Wnt signaling pathways is reinforced by aberrant Akt signaling. Pharmacological manipulation of TGF-β, Wnt, and Akt pathways restored polarization of the F508del CF epithelium, a correction that was not achieved by HEMT. Our data shed new insights into the signaling pathways that fine-tune apicobasal polarization in primary airway epithelial cells and may provide an explanation to the mitigated efficacy of HEMT on lung infection in people with CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahir Idris
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism
| | | | | | | | - Marc Chanson
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism
- Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, and
- Geneva Centre for Inflammation Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Simonin JL, Tomba C, Mercier V, Bacchetta M, Idris T, Badaoui M, Roux A, Chanson M. Apical dehydration impairs the cystic fibrosis airway epithelium barrier via a β1-integrin/YAP1 pathway. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302449. [PMID: 38336456 PMCID: PMC10858171 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Defective hydration of airway surface mucosa is associated with lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF), partly caused by disruption of the epithelial barrier integrity. Although rehydration of the CF airway surface liquid (ASL) alleviates epithelium vulnerability to infection by junctional protein expression, the mechanisms linking ASL to barrier integrity are unknown. We show here the strong degradation of YAP1 and TAZ proteins in well-polarized CF human airway epithelial cells (HAECs), a process that was prevented by ASL rehydration. Conditional silencing of YAP1 in rehydrated CF HAECs indicated that YAP1 expression was necessary for the maintenance of junctional complexes. A higher plasma membrane tension in CF HAECs reduced endocytosis, concurrent with the maintenance of active β1-integrin ectopically located at the apical membrane. Pharmacological inhibition of β1-integrin accumulation restored YAP1 expression in CF HAECs. These results indicate that dehydration of the CF ASL affects epithelial plasma membrane tension, resulting in ectopic activation of a β1-integrin/YAP1 signaling pathway associated with degradation of junctional proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette L Simonin
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Caterina Tomba
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Mercier
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bacchetta
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tahir Idris
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mehdi Badaoui
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Aurélien Roux
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marc Chanson
- https://ror.org/01swzsf04 Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cholon DM, Greenwald MA, Higgs MG, Quinney NL, Boyles SE, Meinig SL, Minges JT, Chaubal A, Tarran R, Ribeiro CMP, Wolfgang MC, Gentzsch M. A Novel Co-Culture Model Reveals Enhanced CFTR Rescue in Primary Cystic Fibrosis Airway Epithelial Cultures with Persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection. Cells 2023; 12:2618. [PMID: 37998353 PMCID: PMC10670530 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
People with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) suffer from chronic and recurring bacterial lung infections that begin very early in life and contribute to progressive lung failure. CF is caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes an ion channel important for maintaining the proper hydration of pulmonary surfaces. When CFTR function is ablated or impaired, airways develop thickened, adherent mucus that contributes to a vicious cycle of infection and inflammation. Therapeutics for pwCF, called CFTR modulators, target the CFTR defect directly, restoring airway surface hydration and mucociliary clearance. However, even with CFTR modulator therapy, bacterial infections persist. To develop a relevant model of diseased airway epithelium, we established a primary human airway epithelium culture system with persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. We used this model to examine the effects of CFTR modulators on CFTR maturation, CFTR function, and bacterial persistence. We found that the presence of P. aeruginosa increased CFTR mRNA, protein, and function. We also found that CFTR modulators caused a decrease in P. aeruginosa burden. These results demonstrate the importance of including live bacteria to accurately model the CF lung, and that understanding the effects of infection on CFTR rescue by CFTR modulators is critical to evaluating and optimizing drug therapies for all pwCF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah M. Cholon
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Matthew A. Greenwald
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew G. Higgs
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Nancy L. Quinney
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Susan E. Boyles
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Suzanne L. Meinig
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Pharmaceutical Product Development (PPD), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Morrisville, NC 27560, USA
| | - John T. Minges
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Ashlesha Chaubal
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
| | - Robert Tarran
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Division of Genetic, Department of Internal Medicine, Environmental and Inhalational Disease, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Carla M. P. Ribeiro
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Matthew C. Wolfgang
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Martina Gentzsch
- Marsico Lung Institute and Cystic Fibrosis Research Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (D.M.C.); (M.A.G.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Badaoui M, Chanson M. Intercellular Communication in Airway Epithelial Cell Regeneration: Potential Roles of Connexins and Pannexins. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16160. [PMID: 38003349 PMCID: PMC10671439 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Connexins and pannexins are transmembrane proteins that can form direct (gap junctions) or indirect (connexons, pannexons) intercellular communication channels. By propagating ions, metabolites, sugars, nucleotides, miRNAs, and/or second messengers, they participate in a variety of physiological functions, such as tissue homeostasis and host defense. There is solid evidence supporting a role for intercellular signaling in various pulmonary inflammatory diseases where alteration of connexin/pannexin channel functional expression occurs, thus leading to abnormal intercellular communication pathways and contributing to pathophysiological aspects, such as innate immune defense and remodeling. The integrity of the airway epithelium, which is the first line of defense against invading microbes, is established and maintained by a repair mechanism that involves processes such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Here, we briefly summarize current knowledge on the contribution of connexins and pannexins to necessary processes of tissue repair and speculate on their possible involvement in the shaping of the airway epithelium integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marc Chanson
- Department of Cell Physiology & Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland;
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