title: IL-13-induced changes in the goblet cell density of human bronchial epithelial cell cultures: MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulation.
abstract: In addition to a direct proinflammatory role, IL-13 has been demonstrated to induce a goblet cell metaplastic phenotype in the airway epithelium in vivo. We have studied the direct effects of IL-13 (and IL-4) on well-differentiated, air-liquid interface cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEs) and provide a quantitative assessment of the development of a mucus hypersecretory phenotype induced by these cytokines. Using Alcian blue staining of goblet cells and immunohistochemical detection of MUC5AC, we found that IL-13 (and IL-4) induced increases in the goblet cell density (GCD) of the HBE cultures. The effects of these cytokines were critically dependent on concentration: 1 ng/ml routinely induced a 5- to 10-fold increase in GCD that was associated with a hypersecretory ion transport phenotype. Paradoxically, 10 ng/ml of either cytokine induced a profound reduction in GCD. Removal of EGF from the culture media or treatment of the cells with AG-1478 [a potent inhibitor of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK)] demonstrated that the EGFR-TK pathway was key to the regulation of the basal GCD but that it was not involved in the IL-13-driven increase. The IL-13-driven increase in GCD was, however, sensitive to inhibition of MEK (PD-98059, U-0126), p38 MAPK (SB-202190), and phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) 3-kinase (LY-294002). These data support the concept that IL-13 is in part able to induce a mucus hypersecretory phenotype through a direct interaction with the airway epithelium and that MAP kinase and PtdIns 3-kinase signaling pathways are involved.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Respiratory Research Centre, Wimblehurst Rd., Horsham, West Sussex RH12 5AB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Hazel C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Atherton
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Danahay
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000166:cytology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002867:Chromones / Q000494:pharmacology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D020397:Goblet Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D002867:Chromones; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D005419:Flavonoids; D007093:Imidazoles; D018793:Interleukin-13; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007473:Ion Channels; D009025:Morpholines; D009570:Nitriles; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D000081082:Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; C113580:U 0126; C085911:2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one; C090942:4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one