Chlamydophila pneumoniae enhances secretion of VEGF, TGF-beta and TIMP-1 from human bronchial epithelial cells under Th2 dominant microenvironment.
- Author:
Chan Sun PARK
1
;
Tae Bum KIM
;
Keun Ae MOON
;
Yun Jeong BAE
;
Hee Ran LEE
;
Min Kyoung JANG
;
Hee Bom MOON
;
You Sook CHO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Asthma; Chlamydophila pneumonia; epithelial cells; vascular endothelial growth factor A; tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases; transforming growth factor beta
- MeSH: Airway Obstruction; Airway Remodeling; Asthma; Chlamydial Pneumonia; Chlamydophila; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Cytokines; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Epithelial Cells; Humans; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; NF-kappa B; Pneumonia; Sprains and Strains; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- From:Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research 2010;2(1):41-47
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: PURPOSE: Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection in the airways is thought to be associated with the pathogenesis of asthma, especially in non-atopic severe asthma with irreversible airway obstruction that may be related to airway remodeling. Here, we investigated whether C. pneumoniae infection enhances the secretion of critical chemical mediators for airway remodeling, such as VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1, in human bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) in a Th2-dominant microenvironment. METHODS: Human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) were infected with C. pneumoniae strain TW183 and cultured in both a Th1-dominant microenvironment with INF-gamma and a Th2-dominant microenvironment with IL-4 or IL-13 added to the culture medium. The VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1 levels in the culture supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The activation of NF-kappaB in each experimental condition was determined using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Chlamydophila pneumoniae-infected BECs showed enhanced secretion of VEGF, TGF-beta, and TIMP-1 compared with non-infected BECs. The levels of cytokines secreted from BECs were increased more when IL-13 was added to the culture medium. C. pneumoniae-infected BECs also showed increased NF-kappaB activation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that C. pneumoniae plays a role in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling in asthma, revealing a Th2-dominant immune response. Further studies are required to clarify the precise mechanism of C. pneumoniae infection in airway remodeling.
