[The effect of GM-CSF on endothelin-1 and endothelin converting enzyme gene expression in human airway smooth muscle cells with or without theophylline incubation].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) stimulated by inflammatory factors in the development of asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) and the possible mechanism of low dose theophylline in the treatment of airway inflammation, the effects of GM-CSF on endothelin-1 and endothelin converting enzyme (ECE) gene expression in human ASMC and theophylline on their expressions were investigated.


METHODS
The cultured human ASMCs were treated with GM-CSF (1,000 micrograms/ml), GM-CSF plus theophylline (125 ng/ml) respectively for 8 hours. Endothelin-1 and ECE gene expresion were measured by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
There was no ET-1 gene expression in control group, but strong expression in GM-CSF treated group; theophylline entirely inhibited GM-CSF induced ET-1 gene expression in the ASMC; no significant difference of ECE gene expression was found in three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
GM-CSF causes a strong ET-1 gene expression but not ECE gene expression in cultured human airway smooth muscle cells; theophyllin inhibites this abnormal expression which may be one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of low dose theophylline in the management of chronic airway inflammation.
Xu
J
J
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease.
Ren
X
X
Zhong
N
N
D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D013806:Theophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000378:metabolism
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D019332:Endothelin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D013806:Theophylline; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes