title: The loss of cellular junctions in epithelial lung cells induced by cigarette smoke is attenuated by corilagin.
abstract: Cigarette smoke (CS) contains over 4700 compounds, many of which can affect cellular redox balance through free radicals production or through the modulation of antioxidant enzymes. The respiratory tract is one of the organs directly exposed to CS and it is known that CS can damage the integrity of lung epithelium by affecting cell junctions and increasing epithelium permeability. In this study, we have used a human lung epithelial cell line, Calu-3, to evaluate the effect of CS on lung epithelial cell junctions levels, with special focus on the expression of two proteins involved in intercellular communication: connexins (Cx) 40 and 43. CS exposure increased Cx40 gene expression but not of Cx43. CS also induced NFκB activation and the formation of 4HNE-Cxs adducts. Since corilagin, a natural polyphenol, is able to inhibit NFκB activation, we have determined whether corilagin could counteract the effect of CS on Cxs expression. Corilagin was able to diminish CS induced Cx40 gene expression, 4HNE-Cx40 adducts formation, and NFκB activation. The results of this study demonstrated that CS induced the loss of cellular junctions in lung epithelium, possibly as a consequence of Cx-4HNE adducts formation, and corilagin seems to be able to abolish these CS induced alterations.
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Ximena M
authors: XM
authors: Muresan
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Cervellati
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Sticozzi
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Belmonte
authors: Clinical Division, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.
authors: Chung Hin
authors: CH
authors: Chui
authors: Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Lampronti
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Borgatti
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Gambari
authors: Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: 0000-0002-8792-0947
authors: G
authors: Valacchi
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017630:Connexins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005960:Glucosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D017630:Connexins; D005960:Glucosides; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D000097003:Gap Junction alpha-5 Protein; C049096:corilagin