Background-Nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (EB) has emerged as a useful tool to study the structural and inflammatory mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthma. We have previously shown that vascular remodeling and reticular basement membrane (RBM) thickening are present in EB. However, it is not known whether other features of structural remodeling including increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass, matrix deposition, and glandular hyperplasia are also present in EB.

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common, progressive and invariably lethal interstitial lung disease with no effective therapy. We hypothesised that KCa3.1 K+ channel-dependent cell processes contribute to IPF pathophysiology. MethodsKCa3.1 expression in primary human lung myofibroblasts was examined using RT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and patch-clamp electrophysiology. The role of KCa3.1 channels in myofibroblast proliferation, wound healing, collagen secretion and contraction was examined using two specific and distinct KCa3.1 blockers (TRAM-34 and ICA-17043 [Senicapoc]). ResultsBoth healthy non fibrotic control and IPF-derived human lung myofibroblasts expressed KCa3.1 channel mRNA and protein. KCa3.1 ion currents were elicited more frequently and were larger in IPF-derived myofibroblasts compared to controls. KCa3.1 currents were increased in myofibroblasts by TGFβ1 and basic FGF. KCa3.1 was expressed strongly in IPF tissue. KCa3.1 pharmacological blockade attenuated human myofibroblast proliferation, wound healing, collagen secretion and contractility in vitro, and this was associated with inhibition of TGFβ1-dependent increases in intracellular free Ca2+.ConclusionsKCa3.1 activity promotes pro-fibrotic human lung myofibroblast function. Blocking KCa3.1 may offer a novel approach to treating IPF with the potential for rapid translation to the clinic.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options. KCa3.1 ion channels play a critical role in TGFβ1-dependent pro-fibrotic responses in human lung myofibroblasts. We aimed to develop a human lung parenchymal model of fibrogenesis and test the efficacy of the selective KCa3.1 blocker senicapoc. 2 mm3 pieces of human lung parenchyma were cultured for 7 days in DMEM ± TGFβ1 (10 ng/ml) and pro-fibrotic pathways examined by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and collagen secretion. Following 7 days of culture with TGFβ1, 41 IPF- and fibrosis-associated genes were significantly upregulated. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated increased expression of ECM proteins and fibroblast-specific protein after TGFβ1-stimulation. Collagen secretion was significantly increased following TGFβ1-stimulation. These pro-fibrotic responses were attenuated by senicapoc, but not by dexamethasone. This 7 day ex vivo model of human lung fibrogenesis recapitulates pro-fibrotic events evident in IPF and is sensitive to KCa3.1 channel inhibition. By maintaining the complex cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions of human tissue, and removing cross-species heterogeneity, this model may better predict drug efficacy in clinical trials and accelerate drug development in IPF. KCa3.1 channels are a promising target for the treatment of IPF.

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common and invariably lethal interstitial lung disease with poorly effective therapy. Blockade of the K+ channel KCa3.1 reduces constitutive α-SMA and Smad2/3 nuclear translocation in IPF-derived human lung myofibroblasts (HLMFs), and inhibits several transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)-dependent cell processes. We hypothesized that KCa3.1-dependent cell processes also regulate the TGFβ1-dependent Smad2/3 signalling pathway in HLMFs. HLMFs obtained from non-fibrotic controls (NFC) and IPF lungs were grown in vitro and examined for αSMA expression by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry. Two specific and distinct KCa3.1 blockers (TRAM-34 200 nM and ICA-17043 [Senicapoc] 100 nM) were used to determine their effects on TGFβ1-dependent signalling. Expression of phosphorylated and total Smad2/3 following TGFβ1 stimulation was determined by Western blot and Smad2/3 nuclear translocation by immunofluorescence.ResultsKCa3.1 block attenuated TGFβ1-dependent Smad2/3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, and this was mimicked by lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. KCa3.1 block also inhibited Smad2/3-dependent gene transcription (αSMA, collagen type I), inhibited KCa3.1 mRNA expression, and attenuated TGFβ1-dependent αSMA protein expression.ConclusionsKCa3.1 activity regulates TGFβ1-dependent effects in NFC- and IPF-derived primary HLMFs through the regulation of the TGFβ1/Smad signalling pathway, with promotion of downstream gene transcription and protein expression. KCa3.1 blockers may offer a novel approach to treating IPF.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13069-015-0022-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundMast cells (MCs) play a central role in the development of many diseases including asthma and pulmonary fibrosis. Interactions of human lung mast cells (HLMCs) with human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) are partially dependent on adhesion mediated by cell adhesion molecule-1 (CADM1), but the adhesion mechanism through which HLMCs interact with human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) is not known. CADM1 is expressed as several isoforms (SP4, SP1, SP6) in HLMCs, with SP4 dominant. These isoforms differentially regulate HLMC homotypic adhesion and survival.ObjectiveIn this study we have investigated the role of CADM1 isoforms in the adhesion of HLMCs and HMC-1 cells to primary HASMCs and HLFs.MethodsCADM1 overexpression or downregulation was achieved using adenoviral delivery of CADM1 short hairpin RNAs or isoform-specific cDNAs respectively.ResultsDownregulation of CADM1 attenuated both HLMC and HMC-1 adhesion to both primary HASMCs and HLFs. Overexpression of either SP1 or SP4 isoforms did not alter MC adhesion to HASMCs, whereas overexpression of SP4, but not SP1, significantly increased both HMC-1 cell and HLMC adhesion to HLFs. The expression level of CADM1 SP4 strongly predicted the extent of MC adhesion; linear regression indicated that CADM1 accounts for up to 67% and 32% of adhesion to HLFs for HMC-1 cells and HLMCs, respectively. HLFs supported HLMC proliferation and survival through a CADM1-dependent mechanism. With respect to CADM1 counter-receptor expression, HLFs expressed both CADM1 and nectin-3, whereas HASMCs expressed only nectin-3.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceCollectively these data indicate that the CADM1 SP4 isoform is a key receptor mediating human MC adhesion to HASMCs and HLFs. The differential expression of CADM1 counter-receptors on HLFs compared to HASMCs may allow the specific targeting of either HLMC-HLF or HLMC-HASMC interactions in the lung parenchyma and airways.

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a common and invariably fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. Ca2+-activated KCa3.1 potassium channels play a key role in promoting TGFβ1 and bFGF-dependent profibrotic responses in human lung myofibroblasts (HLMFs). We hypothesised that KCa3.1 channel-dependent cell processes regulate HLMF αSMA expression via Smad2/3 signalling pathways.MethodsIn this study we have compared the phenotype of HLMFs derived from non-fibrotic healthy control lungs (NFC) with cells derived from IPF lungs. HLMFs grown in vitro were examined for αSMA expression by immunofluorescence (IF), RT-PCR and flow cytommetry. Basal Smad2/3 signalling was examined by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. Two specific and distinct KCa3.1 blockers (TRAM-34 200 nM and ICA-17043 [Senicapoc] 100 nM) were used to determine their effects on HLMF differentiation and the Smad2/3 signalling pathways.ResultsIPF-derived HLMFs demonstrated increased constitutive expression of both α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and actin stress fibres, indicative of greater myofibroblast differentiation. This was associated with increased constitutive Smad2/3 mRNA and protein expression, and increased Smad2/3 nuclear localisation. The increased Smad2/3 nuclear localisation was inhibited by removing extracellular Ca2+ or blocking KCa3.1 ion channels with selective KCa3.1 blockers (TRAM-34, ICA-17043). This was accompanied by de-differentiation of IPF-derived HLMFs towards a quiescent fibroblast phenotype as demonstrated by reduced αSMA expression and reduced actin stress fibre formation.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggest that Ca2+- and KCa3.1-dependent processes facilitate “constitutive” Smad2/3 signalling in IPF-derived fibroblasts, and thus promote fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. Importantly, inhibiting KCa3.1 channels reverses this process. Targeting KCa3.1 may therefore provide a novel and effective approach for the treatment of IPF and there is the potential for the rapid translation of KCa3.1-directed therapy to the clinic.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease characterized by a progressive-fibrosing phenotype. IPF has been associated with aberrant HDAC activities confirmed by our immunohistochemistry studies on HDAC6 overexpression in IPF lung tissues. We herein developed a series of novel hHDAC6 inhibitors, having low inhibitory potency over hHDAC1 and hHDAC8, as potential pharmacological tools for IPF treatment. Their inhibitory potency was combined with low in vitro and in vivo toxicity. Structural analysis of 6h and structure− activity relationship studies contributed to the optimization of the binding mode of the new molecules. The best-performing analogues were tested for their efficacy in inhibiting fibrotic sphere formation and cell viability, proving their capability in reverting the IPF phenotype. The efficacy of analogue 6h was also determined in a validated human lung model of TGF-β1dependent fibrogenesis. The results highlighted in this manuscript may pave the way for the identification of first-in-class molecules for the treatment of IPF.

The transient receptor potential cation channel family member ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is a potential target for several diseases, but detection of human TRPA1 (hTRPA1) protein in cells and tissues is problematic as rigorous antibody validation is lacking. We expressed hTRPA1 in a TRPA1-negative cell line to evaluate 5 commercially available antibodies by western blotting, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The three most cited anti-TRPA1 antibodies lacked sensitivity and/or specificity, but two mouse monoclonal anti-TRPA1 antibodies detected hTRPA1 specifically in the above assays. This enabled the development of a flow cytometry assay, which demonstrated strong expression of TRPA1 in human lung myofibroblasts, human airway smooth muscle cells but not lung mast cells. The most cited anti-TRPA1 antibodies lack sensitivity and/or specificity for hTRPA1. We have identified two anti-TRPA1 antibodies which detect hTRPA1 specifically. Previously published data regarding human TRPA1 protein expression may need revisiting.