TGF-β and SMADs mRNA Expression in Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015:852:59-69. doi: 10.1007/5584_2014_106.

Abstract

Lung fibrosis is a complication of sarcoidosis, in which TGF-β/Smad pathway may play an important role. We evaluated gene expression of TGF-β1, SMAD2, 3 and 7 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and peripheral blood (PB) lymphocytes of sarcoidosis patients (n=94) to better understand the mechanisms of sarcoid inflammation. The relative gene expression was analyzed by qPCR method. Selected clinical/radiological features and biochemical markers were taken into account in the analysis. We found that TGF-β1 and SMAD3 expressions in PB lymphocytes were significantly higher in sarcoidosis patients. Up-regulation of SMAD7 (inhibitory Smad) and down-regulation of SMAD3 in BAL cells in all subgroups were found. The expression of TGF-β1 in PB lymphocytes was the highest in patients with lung parenchymal involvement and in the insidious onset phenotype. The expression of TGF-β1 in BAL cells was higher in patients with abnormal spirometry (p=0.012), and TGF-β1 and SMAD3 in patients with restrictive pattern (p=0.034 and 0.031, respectively). Several statistically significant negative correlations were found between the expression levels of SMAD2 and 3 in BAL cells and various LFT parameters. We conclude that TGF-β/Smad pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary sarcoidosis. These biomarkers (especially TGF-β1, SMAD2 and 3) are of a negative prognostic value.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / chemistry
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / diagnosis
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / genetics*
  • Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / metabolism
  • Smad Proteins / genetics*
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Smad2 Protein / genetics
  • Smad2 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad3 Protein / genetics
  • Smad3 Protein / metabolism
  • Smad7 Protein / genetics
  • Smad7 Protein / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SMAD2 protein, human
  • SMAD3 protein, human
  • SMAD7 protein, human
  • Smad Proteins
  • Smad2 Protein
  • Smad3 Protein
  • Smad7 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta