ORMDL3 transgenic mice have increased airway remodeling and airway responsiveness characteristic of asthma

M Miller, P Rosenthal, A Beppu, JL Mueller… - The Journal of …, 2014 - journals.aai.org
M Miller, P Rosenthal, A Beppu, JL Mueller, HM Hoffman, AB Tam, TA Doherty…
The Journal of Immunology, 2014journals.aai.org
Abstract Orosomucoid-like (ORMDL) 3 has been strongly linked with asthma in genetic
association studies. Because allergen challenge induces lung ORMDL3 expression in wild-
type mice, we have generated human ORMDL3 zona pellucida 3 Cre (hORMDL3 zp3-Cre)
mice that overexpress human ORMDL3 universally to investigate the role of ORMDL3 in
regulating airway inflammation and remodeling. These hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice have
significantly increased levels of airway remodeling, including increased airway smooth …
Abstract
Orosomucoid-like (ORMDL) 3 has been strongly linked with asthma in genetic association studies. Because allergen challenge induces lung ORMDL3 expression in wild-type mice, we have generated human ORMDL3 zona pellucida 3 Cre (hORMDL3 zp3-Cre) mice that overexpress human ORMDL3 universally to investigate the role of ORMDL3 in regulating airway inflammation and remodeling. These hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice have significantly increased levels of airway remodeling, including increased airway smooth muscle, subepithelial fibrosis, and mucus. hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice had spontaneously increased airway responsiveness to methacholine compared to wild-type mice. This increased airway remodeling was associated with selective activation of the unfolded protein response pathway transcription factor ATF6 (but not Ire1 or PERK). The ATF6 target gene SERCA2b, implicated in airway remodeling in asthma, was strongly induced in the lungs of hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice. Additionally, increased levels of expression of genes associated with airway remodeling (TGF-β1, ADAM8) were detected in airway epithelium of these mice. Increased levels of airway remodeling preceded increased levels of airway inflammation in hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice. hORMDL3 zp3-Cre mice had increased levels of IgE, with no change in levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA. These studies provide evidence that ORMDL3 plays an important role in vivo in airway remodeling potentially through ATF6 target genes such as SERCA2b and/or through ATF6-independent genes (TGF-β1, ADAM8).
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