The effect of eosinophils on gene expression of ECM proteins, contractility and migration of ASMC and PF in asthma

Abstract

Eosinophilic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by the presence of eosinophils that may cause remodeling that is defined as complex morphologic changes involving all the structures of the bronchial wall. 39 patients with allergic asthma(AA), 20-with severe non-alleric eosinophilic asthma(SNEA) and 36 healthy subjects(HS) were included in the study. The blood was taken and eosinophils were isolated using high-density centrifugation and magnetic separation and combined cultures with ASMC or PF were made. The gene expression of ECM proteins, their homeostasis proteins, TGF-β signaling pathway molecules in ASMC and PF were evaluated unsing qPCR and the contractility as well as migration of ASMC and PF under influence of eosinophils were assed.

Eosinophils from AA and SNEA increased the expression of ECM proteins, MMP, TIMP in ASMC and PF,p<0.05. AA and SNEA eosinophils increased airway smooth muscle cell contractility, migration, and differentiation, p<0.05. SNEA effect was more pronounced than AA eosinophils, p<0.05. AA eosinophils enhanced gene expression of non-canonical TGF-β signaling pathway molecules in ASMC and canonical TGF-β signaling pathway molecules in PF,p<0.05. In contrast, SNEA eosinophils promote canonical and noncanonical TGF-β signaling pathway molecules in both cell lines, p<0.05.

Eosinophils may be responsible for airway remodelling in asthma.