Targeted HAS2 Expression Lessens Airway Responsiveness in Chronic Murine Allergic Airway Disease.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Hyaluronan (HA), a major component of the extracellular matrix, is secreted by airway structural cells. Airway fibroblasts in allergic asthma secrete elevated levels of HA in association with increased HA synthase 2 (HAS2) expression. Thus, we hypothesized that HA accumulation in the airway wall may contribute to airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness in allergic airways disease. To examine this hypothesis, transgenic mice in which the α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) promoter drives HAS2 expression were generated. Mixed male and female α-SMA-HAS2 mice (HAS2+ mice, n = 16; HAS2- mice, n = 13) were sensitized via intraperitoneal injection and then chronically challenged with aerosolized ovalbumin (OVA) for 6 weeks. To test airway responsiveness, increasing doses of methacholine were delivered intravenously and airway resistance was measured using the forced oscillation technique. HA, cytokines, and cell types were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum, and whole lung homogenates. Lung sections were stained using antibodies specific for HA-binding protein (HABP) and α-SMA, as well as Masson's trichrome stain. Staining of lung tissue demonstrated significantly increased peribronchial HA, α-SMA, and collagen deposition in OVA-challenged α-SMA-HAS2+ mice compared with α-SMA-HAS2- mice. Unexpectedly, OVA-challenged α-SMA-HAS2+ mice displayed significantly reduced airway responsiveness to methacholine compared with similarly treated α-SMA-HAS2- mice. The total numbers of inflammatory cell types in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not differ significantly between OVA-challenged α-SMA-HAS2+ mice and α-SMA-HAS2- mice. We conclude that allergen-challenged mice that overexpress HAS2 in myofibroblasts and smooth muscle cells develop increased airway fibrosis, which lessens airway hyperresponsiveness to bronchoconstrictors.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Walker, JKL; Theriot, BS; Ghio, M; Trempus, CS; Wong, JE; McQuade, VL; Liang, J; Jiang, D; Noble, PW; Garantziotis, S; Kraft, M; Ingram, JL

Published Date

  • December 2017

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 57 / 6

Start / End Page

  • 702 - 710

PubMed ID

  • 28787175

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC5765419

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1535-4989

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0095OC

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States