Lyn mitigates mouse airway remodeling by downregulating the TGF-β3 isoform in house dust mite models

J Immunol. 2013 Dec 1;191(11):5359-70. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301596. Epub 2013 Oct 14.

Abstract

Chronic airway remodeling is a serious consequence of asthma, which is caused by complex but largely unknown mechanisms. Despite versatile functions, the role of Lyn in chronic airway remodeling remains undefined. Using Lyn(-/-) mice, we show that continual exposure (for 8 wk) of house dust mite extracts induced a severe phenotype of chronic airway remodeling, including exacerbated mucus production, collagen deposition, dysregulated cytokine secretion, and elevated inflammation. Strikingly, a significant increase in TGF-β3 rather than TGF-β1 was observed in Lyn(-/-) mouse lungs compared with lungs in wild-type mice. Furthermore, TGF-β3 neutralizing Abs not only inhibited the expression of STAT6 and Smad2/3 but also decreased phosphorylation of Smad2 and NF-κB in Lyn(-/-) mouse lungs. In addition, both recombinant and adenoviral TGF-β3 significantly promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and intensified collagen I production and MUC5AC expression. Further examination of chronic asthma patients showed that a decreased Lyn correlated with the severity of airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion. Finally, Lyn may critically regulate airway remodeling by directly interacting with TGF-β3. Collectively, these findings revealed that Lyn regulates TGF-β3 isoform and modulates the development of airway remodeling, which may have therapeutic implications for severe chronic asthma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Airway Remodeling / drug effects
  • Airway Remodeling / genetics
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Blocking / administration & dosage
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology*
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Middle Aged
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / immunology
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism*
  • Pyroglyphidae*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Respiratory Mucosa / drug effects
  • Respiratory Mucosa / immunology*
  • Respiratory Mucosa / pathology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / metabolism*
  • Transgenes / genetics
  • Young Adult
  • src-Family Kinases / genetics
  • src-Family Kinases / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Blocking
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta3
  • lyn protein-tyrosine kinase
  • src-Family Kinases