title: Lung myofibroblasts as targets of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate: inhibition of alpha-SMA and NF-kappaB.
abstract: Lung myofibroblasts play a major role in the pathophysiology of asthma, contributing not only to tissue remodelling but also to airway inflammation. Nevertheless, only recently, attention has been focused on these cells as potential targets for anti-allergic drugs. Herein, we analysed the pharmacological response of lung myofibroblasts to beta2-agonists associated or not to inhaled corticosteroids, investigating their effects on (i) the constitutive and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)-induced expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), the main functional marker of myofibroblastic differentiation and contractility; (ii) isometric contraction and (iii) tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced nuclear translocation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). The beta2-agonist salmeterol (SMl) has on human lung myofibroblasts new direct anti-contractile/anti-inflammatory effects that are amplified by the combined use of low concentrations of the glucocorticoid fluticasone propionate (FP). First, SMl and/or FP (10(-12) M) inhibits the constitutive and TGF-beta-induced expression of alpha-SMA. Second, the two drugs block the TNF-alpha-induced nuclear translocation of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-kappaB. Finally, SMl decreases TNF- alpha-induced production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. The complementary anti-inflammatory/ anti-contractile effects displayed by SMl and FP on lung myofibroblasts in vitro may be related to the improvement in lung function and symptom control obtained in vivo by the early use of low doses of glucocorticoids in combination with long-acting beta2-agonists.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale 506, Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: Soria
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baouz
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Giron-Michel
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Azzarone
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cagnoni
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Testi
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gabbiani
authors.forename: G Walter
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D032390:Myoblasts, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000730:Androstadienes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D000420:Albuterol