Article

Apoptosis and loss of adhesion of bronchial epithelial cells in asthma.

Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos, Switzerland.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology (impact factor: 2.4). 11/2005; 138(2):142-50. DOI:10.1159/000088436 pp.142-50
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease associated with infiltration of T cells and eosinophils, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and shedding of bronchial epithelial cells (EC). We have recently shown that T cells and eosinophils cooperate in inducing bronchial EC apoptosis in asthma through secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. Since EC shedding is a histologic hallmark of asthma, the intercellular junction of EC may be a target of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Bronchial EC, cultured and exposed to IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, were studied for the expression of adhesion molecules and apoptosis. In addition, the epithelial layer of bronchial biopsies from asthma patients was evaluated for apoptosis, shedding, and expression of adhesion molecules.
We demonstrate that the induction of EC apoptosis is accompanied by loss of E-cadherin. In situ examination of E-cadherin in asthma revealed a reduction in its expression on EC membranes. In contrast, the in vitro and in vivo expression of beta1-integrins and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) increased on EC during asthmatic airway inflammation.
Loss of cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesion and apoptosis could account for fragility and shedding of EC in asthma, especially since this occurs between columnar and basal EC.

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Keywords

adhesion molecules
 
asthma patients
 
asthmatic airway inflammation
 
basal EC
 
bronchial biopsies
 
Bronchial EC
 
bronchial epithelial cells
 
cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesion
 
EC apoptosis
 
EC membranes
 
epithelial layer
 
histologic hallmark
 
inducing bronchial EC apoptosis
 
inflammatory airway disease
 
intercellular adhesion molecule-1
 
intercellular junction
 
pro-inflammatory cytokines
 
secretion
 
situ examination
 
vivo expression
 

Axel Trautmann