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Rhinovirus-induced basic fibroblast growth factor release mediates airway remodeling features

Authors :
Skevaki Chrysanthi L
Psarras Stelios
Volonaki Eleni
Pratsinis Harris
Spyridaki Irini S
Gaga Mina
Georgiou Vassiliki
Vittorakis Stylianos
Telcian Aurica G
Maggina Paraskevi
Kletsas Dimitris
Gourgiotis Dimitrios
Johnston Sebastian L
Papadopoulos Nikolaos G
Source :
Clinical and Translational Allergy, Vol 2, Iss 1, p 14 (2012)
Publication Year :
2012
Publisher :
Wiley, 2012.

Abstract

Abstract Background Human rhinoviruses, major precipitants of asthma exacerbations, induce lower airway inflammation and mediate angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to assess the possibility that rhinoviruses may also contribute to the fibrotic component of airway remodeling. Methods Levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA and protein were measured following rhinovirus infection of bronchial epithelial cells. The profibrotic effect of epithelial products was assessed by DNA synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase activity assays. Moreover, epithelial cells were exposed to supernatants from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells, obtained from healthy donors or atopic asthmatic subjects and subsequently infected by rhinovirus and bFGF release was estimated. bFGF was also measured in respiratory secretions from atopic asthmatic patients before and during rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations. Results Rhinovirus epithelial infection stimulated mRNA expression and release of bFGF, the latter being positively correlated with cell death under conditions promoting rhinovirus-induced cytotoxicity. Supernatants from infected cultures induced lung fibroblast proliferation, which was inhibited by anti-bFGF antibody, and demonstrated increased matrix metalloproteinase activity. Rhinovirus-mediated bFGF release was significantly higher in an in vitro simulation of atopic asthmatic environment and, importantly, during rhinovirus-associated asthma exacerbations. Conclusions Rhinovirus infection induces bFGF release by airway epithelium, and stimulates stroma cell proliferation contributing to airway remodeling in asthma. Repeated rhinovirus infections may promote asthma persistence, particularly in the context of atopy; prevention of such infections may influence the natural history of asthma.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20457022
Volume :
2
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Clinical and Translational Allergy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f11ccbaa464444219950dca36fc3e174
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-7022-2-14