Tiotropium bromide inhibits TGF-β-induced MMP production from lung fibroblasts by interfering with Smad and MAPK pathways in vitro

K Asano, Y Shikama, N Shoji, K Hirano… - … journal of chronic …, 2010 - Taylor & Francis
K Asano, Y Shikama, N Shoji, K Hirano, H Suzaki, H Nakajima
International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 2010Taylor & Francis
Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic
inflammation and structural alterations (ie, tissue remodeling) throughout the conducting
airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are
extracellular degrading enzymes that play a critical role in inflammatory cell infiltration and
tissue remodeling, but the influence of the agents that are used for the treatment of COPD on
the production of MMPs is not well understood. Purpose The present study aimed to …
Background
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation and structural alterations (ie, tissue remodeling) throughout the conducting airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular degrading enzymes that play a critical role in inflammatory cell infiltration and tissue remodeling, but the influence of the agents that are used for the treatment of COPD on the production of MMPs is not well understood.
Purpose
The present study aimed to examine the influence of tiotropium bromide hydrate (TBH) on the production of MMPs from lung fibroblasts (LFs) induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in vitro.
Methods
LFs, at a concentration of 5 × 105 cells·mL−1, were stimulated with TGF-β in the presence of various concentrations of TBH. MMP-1 and MMP-2 levels in culture supernatants were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and MMP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The influence of TBH on TGF-β signaling pathways was also analyzed by examining Smad activation and signaling protein phosphorylation by ELISA.
Results
TBH at more than 15 pg·mL−1 inhibited the production of MMP-1 and MMP-2, but not tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2, from LFs, after TGF-β stimulation. TBH also suppressed MMP mRNA expression through the inhibition of Smad activation and signaling protein, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1 and 2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylation.
Conclusion
These results may suggest that TBH suppresses MMP production from LFs, through interference of TGF-β-mediated signaling pathways and results in favorable modification of the clinical status of COPD.
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