Biomarkers and potential therapy for COPD discovered in human bronchial epithelial cells
2021
Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
Airway mucus acts as an indispensable protective component of the innate immune response against invading pathogens. However, hypersecretion is the main cause of airway obstruction and airway hyperreactivity that contributes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in the pathogenesis of COPD, but the definitive role of miRNAs in airway mucus hypersecretion is not well understood. In this study, a cell model of mucus hypersecretion was established by treating human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed, and the expression of miRNAs miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p was tested in 16HBE cells treated with TNF-α.
TNF-α treatment resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability and an increase in cell apoptosis and mucus formation in the cells. Moreover, the expression of miR-134-5p and miR-146a-5p was significantly decreased in the cell model. In contrast, forced expression of miRNAs significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced mucus overproduction via inhibition of corresponding signalling pathways. The results suggest that miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for COPD as well as a therapeutic option for patients with hypersecretion of airway mucus.
Tumor necrosis factor-α promotes airway mucus hypersecretion by repressing miR-146a-5p and miR-134-5p levels in human airway epithelial cells
Dan-Bo Dou
Added on: 03-30-2022
[1] https://tcr.amegroups.com/article/view/55067/html
