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1.  Mechanisms of eosinophil cytokine release 
Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz  2005;100(Suppl 1):73-81.
PMCID: PMC2747295  PMID: 15962102
eosinophils; cytokines; degranulation
2.  Erythromycin Modulates Eosinophil Chemotactic Cytokine Production by Human Lung Fibroblasts in Vitro 
Recent studies suggest that erythromycin can suppress the production of some cytokines and may be an effective treatment for asthma. Eosinophil chemotactic cytokines have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma by the recruitment of eosinophils. We hypothesized that erythromycin modulates eosinophil chemotactic cytokine production. To test the hypothesis, we evaluated the potential of erythromycin to modulate the release of eosinophil chemoattractants from the human lung fibroblast cell line HFL-1. HFL-1 released eotaxin, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and regulated and normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES) in response to interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor alpha. Erythromycin attenuated the release of these cytokines and eosinophil chemotactic activity by the HFL-1. The suppressive effect on eotaxin was the most marked of these cytokines. Erythromycin therapy also suppressed eotaxin mRNA significantly. These results suggest a mechanism that may account for the apparent beneficial action of macrolide antibiotics in the treatment of allergic airway disorders.
PMCID: PMC90304  PMID: 11158732
3.  IL-3 and TNFα increase Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) expression on eosinophils and enhance TSLP-stimulated degranulation 
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and eosinophils are prominent components of allergic inflammation. Therefore, we sought to determine whether TSLP could activate eosinophils, focusing on measuring the regulation of TSLPR expression on eosinophils and degranulation in response to TSLP, as well as other eosinophil activation responses.
Eosinophil mRNA expression of TSLPR and IL-7Rα was examined by real-time quantitative PCR of human eosinophils treated with TNFα and IL-5 family cytokines, and TSLPR surface expression on eosinophils was analyzed by flow cytometry. Eosinophils were stimulated with TSLP (with and without pre-activation with TNFα and IL-3) and evaluated for release of eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN), phosphorylation of STAT5, and survival by trypan blue exclusion. A blocking antibody for TSLPR was used to confirm the specificity of TSLP mediated signaling on eosinophil degranulation.
Eosinophil expression of cell surface TSLPR and TSLPR mRNA was upregulated by stimulation with TNFα and IL-3. TSLP stimulation resulted in release of EDN, phosphorylation of STAT5 as well as promotion of viability and survival. TSLP-stimulated eosinophil degranulation was inhibited by a functional blocking antibody to TSLPR. Pre-activation of eosinophils with TNFα and IL-3 promoted eosinophil degranulation at lower concentrations of TSLP stimulation.
This study demonstrates that eosinophils are activated by TSLP and that eosinophil degranulation in response to TSLP may be enhanced on exposure to cytokines present in allergic inflammation, indicating that the eosinophil has the capacity to participate in TSLP-driven allergic responses.
PMCID: PMC3418208  PMID: 22838633
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin; Eosinophils; Allergic inflammation; Eosinophil derived neurotoxin
4.  IL-13 induces a bronchial epithelial phenotype that is profibrotic 
Respiratory Research  2008;9(1):27.
Inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-13) and mechanical perturbations (e.g. scrape injury) to the epithelium release profibrotic factors such as TGF-β2, which may, in turn, stimulate subepithelial fibrosis in asthma. We hypothesized that prolonged IL-13 exposure creates a plastic epithelial phenotype that is profibrotic through continuous secretion of soluble mediators at levels that stimulate subepithelial fibrosis.
Normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) were treated with IL-13 (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) for 14 days (day 7 to day 21 following seeding) at an air-liquid interface during differentiation, and then withdrawn for 1 or 7 days. Pre-treated and untreated NHBE were co-cultured for 3 days with normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) embedded in rat-tail collagen gels during days 22–25 or days 28–31.
IL-13 induced increasing levels of MUC5AC protein, and TGF-β2, while decreasing β-Tubulin IV at day 22 and 28 in the NHBE. TGF-β2, soluble collagen in the media, salt soluble collagen in the matrix, and second harmonic generation (SHG) signal from fibrillar collagen in the matrix were elevated in the IL-13 pre-treated NHBE co-cultures at day 25, but not at day 31. A TGF-β2 neutralizing antibody reversed the increase in collagen content and SHG signal.
Prolonged IL-13 exposure followed by withdrawal creates an epithelial phenotype, which continuously secretes TGF-β2 at levels that increase collagen secretion and alters the bulk optical properties of an underlying fibroblast-embedded collagen matrix. Extended withdrawal of IL-13 from the epithelium followed by co-culture does not stimulate fibrosis, indicating plasticity of the cultured airway epithelium and an ability to return to a baseline. Hence, IL-13 may contribute to subepithelial fibrosis in asthma by stimulating biologically significant TGF-β2 secretion from the airway epithelium.
PMCID: PMC2292179  PMID: 18348727
5.  Combination of roflumilast with a beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist inhibits proinflammatory and profibrotic mediator release from human lung fibroblasts 
Respiratory Research  2012;13(1):28.
Small airway narrowing is an important pathology which impacts lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The accumulation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts contribute to inflammation, remodeling and fibrosis by production and release of mediators such as cytokines, profibrotic factors and extracellular matrix proteins. This study investigated the effects of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast, combined with the long acting β2 adrenergic agonist indacaterol, both approved therapeutics for COPD, on fibroblast functions that contribute to inflammation and airway fibrosis.
The effects of roflumilast and indacaterol treatment were characterized on transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-treated normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF). NHLF were evaluated for expression of the profibrotic mediators endothelin-1 (ET-1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), expression of the myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin, and fibronectin (FN) secretion. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was used to induce secretion of chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 10 (CXCL10), chemokine C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5) and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) from NHLF and drug inhibition was assessed.
Evaluation of roflumilast (1-10 μM) showed no significant inhibition alone on TGFβ1-induced ET-1 and CTGF mRNA transcripts, ET-1 and FN protein production, alpha smooth muscle expression, or TNF-α-induced secretion of CXCL10, CCL5 and GM-CSF. A concentration-dependent inhibition of ET-1 and CTGF was shown with indacaterol treatment, and a submaximal concentration was chosen for combination studies. When indacaterol (0.1 nM) was added to roflumilast, significant inhibition was seen on all inflammatory and fibrotic mediators evaluated, which was superior to the inhibition seen with either drug alone. Roflumilast plus indacaterol combination treatment resulted in significantly elevated phosphorylation of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), an effect that was protein kinase A-dependent. Inhibition of protein kinase A was also found to reverse the inhibition of indacaterol and roflumilast on CTGF.
These results demonstrate that addition of roflumilast to a LABA inhibits primary fibroblast/myofibroblast function and therapeutically this may impact lung fibroblast proinflammatory and profibrotic mediator release which contributes to small airway remodeling and airway obstruction in COPD.
PMCID: PMC3342220  PMID: 22452977
Roflumilast; PDE4; Beta-2 agonist; Indacaterol; Lung fibroblasts; Anti-inflammatory; Fibrosis
6.  Interleukin 10 inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced survival and cytokine production by human peripheral blood eosinophils 
In this study we have investigated the effects of interleukin 10 (IL- 10) on human peripheral blood eosinophils stimulated with granulocyte/macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We show that LPS was able to enhance eosinophil survival in a dose-dependent manner, as well as release of the cytokines GM-CSF, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-8. LPS- induced eosinophil survival was largely inhibited by an anti-GM-CSF neutralizing antibody and completely blocked by polymyxin B, suggesting GM-CSF involvement in the survival enhancing mechanism and LPS specificity, respectively. IL-10 significantly inhibited survival of, and cytokine production from, eosinophils induced by LPS, but did not inhibit the survival induced by GM-CSF. These observations suggest a novel activation mechanism of eosinophils and, also, that IL-10 may participate in the regulation of diseases characterized by eosinophil infiltration.
PMCID: PMC2191606  PMID: 8046346
7.  Intragranular Vesiculotubular Compartments are Involved in Piecemeal Degranulation by Activated Human Eosinophils 
Traffic (Copenhagen, Denmark)  2005;6(10):866-879.
Eosinophils, leukocytes involved in allergic, inflammatory and immunoregulatory responses, have a distinct capacity to rapidly secrete preformed granule-stored proteins through piecemeal degranulation (PMD), a secretion process based on vesicular transport of proteins from within granules for extracellular release. Eosinophil-specific granules contain cytokines and cationic proteins, such as major basic protein (MBP). We evaluated structural mechanisms responsible for mobilizing proteins from within eosinophil granules. Human eosinophils stimulated for 30–60 min with eotaxin, regulated on activation, normal, T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) or platelet activating factor exhibited ultrastructural features of PMD (e.g. losses of granule contents) and extensive vesiculotubular networks within emptying granules. Brefeldin A inhibited granule emptying and collapsed intragranular vesiculotubular networks. By immunonanogold ultrastructural labelings, CD63, a tetraspanin membrane protein, was localized within granules and on vesicles outside of granules, and mobilization of MBP into vesicles within and extending from granules was demonstrated. Electron tomography with three dimension reconstructions revealed granule internal membranes to constitute an elaborate tubular network able to sequester and relocate granule products upon stimulation. We provide new insights into PMD and identify eosinophil specific granules as organelles whose internal tubulovesicular networks are important for the capacity of eosinophils to secrete, by vesicular transport, their content of preformed and granule-stored cytokines and cationic proteins.
PMCID: PMC2715425  PMID: 16138901
CD63; electron tomography; eosinophil secretion; major basic protein; chemokines; PAF; piecemeal degranulation; secretory pathway; vesicular transport
8.  Piecemeal degranulation in human eosinophils: a distinct secretion mechanism underlying inflammatory responses 
Histology and histopathology  2010;25(10):1341-1354.
Secretion is a fundamental cell process underlying different physiological and pathological events. In cells from the human immune system such as eosinophils, secretion of mediators generally occurs by means of piecemeal degranulation, an unconventional secretory pathway characterized by vesicular transport of small packets of materials from the cytoplasmic secretory granules to the cell surface. During piecemeal degranulation in eosinophils, a distinct transport vesicle system, which includes large, pleiomorphic vesiculotubular carriers is mobilized and enables regulated release of granule-stored proteins such as cytokines and major basic protein. Piecemeal degranulation underlies distinct functions of eosinophils as effector and immunoregulatory cells. This review focuses on the structural and functional advances that have been made over the last years concerning the intracellular trafficking and secretion of eosinophil proteins by piecemeal degranulation during inflammatory responses.
PMCID: PMC3427618  PMID: 20712018
Human eosinophils; Vesicle-mediated secretion; Inflammation; Piecemeal degranulation; Electron microscopy; Electron tomography
9.  Functional extracellular eosinophil granules: novel implications in eosinophil immunobiology 
Current opinion in immunology  2009;21(6):694-699.
Human eosinophils contain within their cytoplasmic granules multiple preformed proteins, including over three dozen cytokines with nominal Th1, Th2 and immunoregulatory capabilities and four distinctive cationic proteins. The secretion of these granule-derived proteins within eosinophils occurs principally by a mechanism whereby selected proteins are mobilized into vesicles for transport to and release at the cell surface. In contrast, the enigmatic presence of membrane-bound cell free granules extruded from eosinophils has been long recognized in tissues associated with eosinophilia, including allergic diseases and responses to helminths. Functional capabilities for extracellular granules have recently been demonstrated. Eosinophil granules express cytokine receptors on their membranes and function, upon extrusion from eosinophils, as independent secretory organelles releasing granule constituents in response to activating cytokines and chemokines. We provide an update on the processes that mediate selective protein secretion from within eosinophil granules both as intracellular organelles and, as novelty demonstrated, as cell-free extracellular structures.
PMCID: PMC2788110  PMID: 19709867
Immunological reviews  2011;242(1):161-177.
Eosinophils are leukocytes resident in mucosal tissues. During Th2-type inflammation, eosinophils are recruited from bone marrow and blood to the sites of immune response. While eosinophils have been considered end-stage cells involved in host protection against parasite infection and immunopathology in hypersensitivity disease, recent studies changed this perspective. Eosinophils are now considered multifunctional leukocytes involved in tissue homeostasis, modulation of adaptive immune responses, and innate immunity to certain microbes. Eosinophils are capable of producing immunoregulatory cytokines and are actively involved in regulation of Th2-type immune responses. However, such new information does not preclude earlier observations showing that eosinophils, in particular human eosinophils, are also effector cells with pro-inflammatory and destructive capabilities. Eosinophils with activation phenotypes are observed in biological specimens from patients with disease, and deposition of eosinophil products is readily seen in the affected tissues from these patients. Therefore, it would be reasonable to consider the eosinophil a multifaceted leukocyte that contributes to various physiological and pathological processes depending on their location and activation status. This review summarizes the emerging concept of the multifaceted immunobiology of eosinophils and discusses the roles of eosinophils in health and disease and the challenges and perspectives in the field.
PMCID: PMC3139217  PMID: 21682744
eosinophils; humans; mice; inflammation; hypersensitivity
11.  IFN-γ and TNF-α Synergize to Inhibit CTGF Expression in Human Lung Endothelial Cells 
PLoS ONE  2012;7(9):e45430.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is an angiogenetic and profibrotic factor, acting downstream of TGF-β, involved in both airway- and vascular remodeling. While the T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is well characterized as immune-modulatory and anti-fibrotic cytokine, the role of IFN-γ in lung endothelial cells (LEC) is less defined. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is another mediator that drives vascular remodeling in inflammation by influencing CTGF expression. In the present study we investigated the influence of IFN-γ and TNF-α on CTGF expression in human LEC (HPMEC-ST1.6R) and the effect of CTGF knock down on human LEC. IFN-γ and TNF-α down-regulated CTGF in human LEC at the promoter-, transcriptional- and translational-level in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of IFN-γ on CTGF-expression could be almost completely compensated by the Jak inhibitor AG-490, showing the involvement of the Jak-Stat signaling pathway. Besides the inhibitory effect of IFN-γ and TNF-α alone on CTGF expression and LEC proliferation, these cytokines had an additive inhibitory effect on proliferation as well as on CTGF expression when administered together. To study the functional role of CTGF in LEC, endogenous CTGF expression was down-regulated by a lentiviral system. CTGF silencing in LEC by transduction of CTGF shRNA reduced cell proliferation, but did not influence the anti-proliferative effect of IFN-γ and TNF-α. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that CTGF was negatively regulated by IFN-γ in LEC in a Jak/Stat signaling pathway-dependent manner. In addition, an additive effect of IFN-γ and TNF-α on inhibition of CTGF expression and cell proliferation could be found. The inverse correlation between IFN-γ and CTGF expression in LEC could mean that screwing the Th2 response to a Th1 response with an additional IFN-γ production might be beneficial to avoid airway remodeling in asthma.
PMCID: PMC3447888  PMID: 23029004
Journal of leukocyte biology  2008;83(6):1323-1333.
CD14+ peripheral blood monocytes can differentiate into fibroblast-like cells called fibrocytes, which are associated with and are at least partially responsible for wound healing and fibrosis in multiple organ systems. Signals regulating fibrocyte differentiation are poorly understood. In this study, we find that when added to human PBMCs cultured in serum-free medium, the profibrotic cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 promote fibrocyte differentiation without inducing fibrocyte or fibrocyte precursor proliferation. We also find that the potent, antifibrotic cytokines IFN-γ and IL-12 inhibit fibrocyte differentiation. In our culture system, IL-1β, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, IL-16, GM-CSF, M-CSF, fetal liver tyrosine kinase 3, insulin growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and TNF-α had no significant effect on fibrocyte differentiation. IL-4, IL-13, and IFN-γ act directly on monocytes to regulate fibrocyte differentiation, and IL-12 acts indirectly, possibly through CD16-positive NK cells. We previously identified the plasma protein serum amyloid P (SAP) as a potent inhibitor of fibrocyte differentiation. When added together, the fibrocyte-inhibitory activity of SAP dominates the profibrocyte activities of IL-4 and IL-13. The profibrocyte activities of IL-4 and IL-13 and the fibrocyte-inhibitory activities of IFN-γ and IL-12 counteract each other in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the complex mix of cytokines and plasma proteins present in inflammatory lesions, wounds, and fibrosis will influence fibrocyte differentiation.
PMCID: PMC2659591  PMID: 18332234
fibrosis; inflammation; monocytes; pentraxin; serum amyloid P
13.  Mechanisms of eosinophil secretion: large vesiculotubular carriers mediate transport and release of granule-derived cytokines and other proteins 
Journal of leukocyte biology  2007;83(2):229-236.
Eosinophils generate and store a battery of proteins, including classical cationic proteins, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. Rapid secretion of these active mediators by eosinophils is central to a range of inflammatory and immunoregulatory responses. Eosinophil products are packaged within a dominant population of cytoplasmic specific granules and generally secreted by piecemeal degranulation, a process mediated by transport vesicles. Large, pleiomorphic vesiculotubular carriers were identified recently as key players for moving eosinophil proteins from granules to the plasma membrane for extracellular release. During secretion, these specialized, morphologically distinct carriers, termed eosinophil sombrero vesicles, are actively formed and direct differential and rapid release of eosinophil proteins. This review highlights recent discoveries concerning the organization of the human eosinophil secretory pathway. These discoveries are defining a broader role for large vesiculotubular carriers in the intracellular trafficking and secretion of proteins, including selective receptor-mediated mobilization and transport of cytokines.
PMCID: PMC2734949  PMID: 17875811
vesicular transport; cell biology; inflammation; piecemeal degranulation; eosinophil sombrero vesicles (EoSVs)
14.  The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response in fibrosis 
Current opinion in rheumatology  2012;24(6):10.1097/BOR.0b013e3283588dbb.
Purpose of review
To review the present knowledge of the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases.
Recent findings
ER stress and UPR occur in a number of diseases associated with organ fibrosis; however, the contribution of these pathways to the fibrotic process has not been systematically investigated. Current studies suggest that prolonged ER stress may lead to fibrosis through activation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein-mediated apoptosis, followed by an inflammatory response and release of profibrotic cytokines. A direct profibrotic role of UPR mediators in activation of TGF-β signaling has been shown in lung fibroblasts. In addition, activation of ER stress and UPR pathways in immune cells contributes to increased production of proinflammatory cytokines.
Although limited in scope, current studies strongly suggest that ER stress and UPR may play an important role during development of fibrosis. Further studies are warranted to gain additional insights into the relationship between these processes.
PMCID: PMC3828639  PMID: 22918530
apoptosis; CHOP; ER stress; fibrosis; TGF-β; UPR
15.  Eosinophil and neutrophil extracellular DNA traps in human allergic asthmatic airways 
Asthma is a heterogeneous inflammatory airway disorder which involves eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic phenotypes. Unlike in normal lungs, eosinophils are often present in atopic asthmatic airways although a subpopulation of asthmatic subjects predominantly develops neutrophilic inflammation. Recently, it has been demonstrated that eosinophils and neutrophils generate bactericidal extracellular traps consisting of DNA and cytotoxic granule proteins.
To explore if living eosinophils and neutrophils infiltrating human atopic asthmatic airways actively form extracellular DNA traps in vivo.
Quantitative analysis of eosinophils-releasing DNA was performed in endobronchial biopsies from 20 mild human atopic asthmatics at baseline and after local allergen challenge, and 10 normal subjects. DNA was stained with propidium iodine and major basic protein (MBP) with specific antibody. Differential cell counts and cytokines/chemokines were assessed in bronchoalveolar fluids.
Asthmatic airways were infiltrated with a significantly higher number of eosinophils than normal airways (39.3±4.6 vs. 0.4±0.9, p<0.0001). All asthmatics but only one control subject expressed eosinophils releasing DNA that colocalized with MBP (33.65±20.33 vs. 0.3±0.9 per hpf, p<0.0001). Four asthmatics mostly expressed neutrophilic inflammation and neutrophil DNA traps. Allergen challenge had no significant quantitative effect on eosinophil or neutrophil DNA traps. Airway eosinophils or DNA traps did not correlate with either BAL levels of IL-5, IFN-γ, or eotaxin, or the provoking doses of methacholine or allergen in asthmatics.
Extracellular DNA traps are generated by eosinophils and neutrophils in human atopic asthmatic airways in vivo. The mechanism and role of this new finding will necessitate further investigation.
Clinical implications
Eosinophil extracellular traps (EETs) (1) are frequently seen in atopic asthma, (2) consist of DNA and granule proteins, and (3) might be a new useful biomarker reflecting eosinophil activation.
PMCID: PMC3085562  PMID: 21315435
Atopic asthma; BAL fluid; biomarker; eosinophils; extracellular DNA traps; human; neutrophils
16.  Hypoxia modulates human eosinophil function 
Eosinophils are involved in various inflammatory processes including allergic inflammation during which angiogenesis has been documented. Angiogenesis is most likely connected to the hypoxia which characterizes inflamed tissues. Eosinophils produce VEGF and are pro-angiogenic. However, to the best of our knowledge no study has been performed to verify the existence of a direct link between eosinophils, hypoxia and angiogenesis in allergic inflammation.
To characterize eosinophil function and angiogenic potential under hypoxic conditions.
Human peripheral blood eosinophils were cultured in normoxic or hypoxic conditions with or without cytokines. Viability and apoptosis were assessed by Annexin V/PI staining. Anti- or pro-apoptotic protein levels, HIF-1α levels and MAPK phosphorylation were analyzed by immunoblot analysis. Angiogenic mediator release was evaluated by ELISA.
Hypoxic eosinophils were more viable than normoxic ones after up to three days. In addition in hypoxia, anti-apoptotic Bcl-XL protein levels increased more than pro-apoptotic Bax levels. Hypoxia increased VEGF and IL-8 release. In hypoxic eosinophils high levels of HIF-1α were observed, particularly in the presence of GM-CSF. MAPK, particularly ERK1/2 inhibitors, decreased hypoxia-mediated VEGF release and HIF-1α expression.
Eosinophils respond to hypoxia by up-regulation of survival and of some of their pro-angiogenic functions indicating a correlation between eosinophilic inflammation and angiogenesis.
PMCID: PMC2923626  PMID: 20642833
17.  Transforming Growth Factor–β Induces Extracellular Matrix Protein Cross-Linking Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) Genes in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells 
This is the first study to demonstrate that all lysyl oxidase (LOX) genes are expressed in human TM cells. This study also illustrates that transforming growth factor–β employs both Smad and non-Smad signaling to induce the LOX genes.
The profibrotic cytokine TGFβ is associated with glaucoma and plays an important role in the regulation of extracellular matrix metabolism in the trabecular meshwork (TM). The purpose of this study was to determine whether expression of ECM cross-linking LOX genes is regulated by TGFβ in TM cells.
Expression of the five LOX genes (LOX, LOXL1, LOXL2, LOXL3, and LOXL4) was examined in cultured human TM cells by using RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western immunoblot analysis. TM cells were treated with recombinant TGFβ1, -2, and -3, to determine the effects on LOX and LOXL1 to -4 expression. The TM cells were pretreated with TGFBR inhibitors (LY364947, SB431542), canonical Smad signaling pathway (SIS3 or Smad2, -3, and -4 siRNAs) inhibitors, or inhibitors of the non-Smad signaling pathways (SP600125, SR11302), to identify the signaling pathway(s) involved in TGFβ induction of LOX and LOXL gene and protein expression. A novel LOX activity assay was used to determine the effects of the LOX inhibitor BAPN on tropoelastin cross-linking.
All five LOX genes (LOX, LOXL1 to -4) were expressed in cultured human TM cells and were induced by all three isoforms of TGFβ. This TGFβ induction of LOX and LOXL expression was blocked by TGFβ inhibitors as well as by inhibitors of the canonical Smad2, -3, and -4 signaling and non-Smad JNK/AP-1 signaling pathways (P < 0.05).
Both Smad and non-Smad signaling pathways are involved in TGFβ-mediated LOX induction, suggesting complex regulation of these important extracellular matrix cross-linking enzymes. Increased LOX activity may be at least partially responsible for TGFβ-mediated IOP elevation and increased aqueous humor outflow resistance.
PMCID: PMC3176072  PMID: 21546528
18.  Caveolin-1: a critical regulator of lung fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
The Journal of Experimental Medicine  2006;203(13):2895-2906.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive chronic disorder characterized by activation of fibroblasts and overproduction of extracellular matrix (ECM). Caveolin-1 (cav-1), a principal component of caveolae, has been implicated in the regulation of numerous signaling pathways and biological processes. We observed marked reduction of cav-1 expression in lung tissues and in primary pulmonary fibroblasts from IPF patients compared with controls. We also demonstrated that cav-1 markedly ameliorated bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, as indicated by histological analysis, hydroxyproline content, and immunoblot analysis. Additionally, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), the well-known profibrotic cytokine, decreased cav-1 expression in human pulmonary fibroblasts. cav-1 was able to suppress TGF-β1–induced ECM production in cultured fibroblasts through the regulation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Interestingly, highly activated JNK was detected in IPF- and BLM-instilled lung tissue samples, which was dramatically suppressed by ad–cav-1 infection. Moreover, JNK1-null fibroblasts showed reduced smad signaling cascades, mimicking the effects of cav-1. This study indicates a pivotal role for cav-1 in ECM regulation and suggests a novel therapeutic target for patients with pulmonary fibrosis.
PMCID: PMC1850940  PMID: 17178917
19.  Caveolin-1: a critical regulator of lung fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis 
The Journal of experimental medicine  2006;203(13):2895-2906.
PMCID: PMC1850940  PMID: 17178917
20.  Targeted Disruption of the Chemokine Eotaxin Partially Reduces Antigen-induced Tissue Eosinophilia 
The chemokines are a large group of chemotactic cytokines that regulate leukocyte trafficking and have recently been shown to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus entry into cells. Eotaxin is a C–C chemokine implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils in a variety of inflammatory disorders and, unlike all other eosinophil chemoattractants, is eosinophil specific. However, given the large number of chemoattractants that have activities on eosinophils, it is unclear whether eotaxin has an important role in vivo. Furthermore, it remains unclear why there is constitutive expression of eotaxin in healthy states in the absence of eosinophilic inflammation. To begin to determine the significance of eotaxin at baseline and during eosinophil-mediated disease processes, we have used targeted gene disruption to generate mice that are deficient in eotaxin. Such mice demonstrate that eotaxin enhances the magnitude of the early (but not late) eosinophil recruitment after antigen challenge in models of asthma and stromal keratitis. Surprisingly, a role for eotaxin in regulating the constitutive number of eosinophils in the peripheral circulation is also demonstrated. These results indicate a contributory role for eotaxin in the generation of peripheral blood and antigen-induced tissue eosinophilia.
PMCID: PMC2196140  PMID: 9034156
21.  Effects of dexamethasone on TNF-alpha-induced release of cytokines from purified human blood eosinophils 
TNF-alpha is an important mediator in allergy also for its effects on eosinophils.
The effect of dexamethasone on TNF-alpha induced eosinophils survival, degranulation (ECP), cytokines release (IL-8, GM-CSF) and adhesion to VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and IgG coated wells (EPO release) were evaluated.
The drug inhibited IL-8 and GM-CSF production, but not viability, degranulation or adhesion in human peripheral blood eosinophils.
These results indicate that part of the activity of glucocorticosteroids on eosinophils may be mediated by their ability to inhibit cytokine secretion that in turn is important for the perpetuation of the allergic inflammation.
PMCID: PMC1131914  PMID: 15857511
TNF-α; eosinophils; dexamethasone; allergic inflammation; cytokine
22.  Proinflammatory and Profibrotic Mediators: Principal Effectors of Leiomyoma Development as a Fibrotic Disorder 
Seminars in reproductive medicine  2010;28(3):180-203.
Leiomyomas are believed to derive from the transformation of myometrial smooth muscle cells/connective tissue fibroblasts. Although the identity of the molecule(s) that initiate such cellular transformation and orchestrate subsequent growth is still unknown, conventional evidence indicates that ovarian steroids are essential for leiomyoma growth. Ovarian steroid action in their target cell/tissue is mediated in part through local expression of various growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. These autocrine/paracrine molecules with proinflammatory and profibrotic activities serve as major contributing factors in regulating cellular transformation, cell growth and apoptosis, angiogenesis, cellular hypertrophy, and excess tissue turnover, events central to leiomyoma growth. This review addresses the key regulatory functions of proinflammatory and profibrotic mediators and their molecular mechanisms, downstream signaling that regulates cellular events that result in transformation, and commitments of specific cells into forming a cellular environment with a possible role in development and subsequent growth of leiomyomas.
PMCID: PMC3057653  PMID: 20414842
Inflammation; cytokines; chemokines; proteases; fibrosis; leiomyoma
23.  An Alternate STAT6-Independent Pathway Promotes Eosinophil Influx into Blood during Allergic Airway Inflammation 
PLoS ONE  2011;6(3):e17766.
Enhanced eosinophil responses have critical roles in the development of allergic diseases. IL-5 regulates the maturation, migration and survival of eosinophils, and IL-5 and eotaxins mediate the trafficking and activation of eosinophils in inflamed tissues. CD4+ Th2 cells are the main producers of IL-5 and other cells such as NK also release this cytokine. Although multiple signalling pathways may be involved, STAT6 critically regulates the differentiation and cytokine production of Th2 cells and the expression of eotaxins. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that mediate different parts of the eosinophilic inflammatory process in different tissues in allergic airway diseases remain unclear. Furthermore, the mechanisms at play may vary depending on the context of inflammation and microenvironment of the involved tissues.
Methodology/Principal Findings
We employed a model of allergic airway disease in wild type and STAT6-deficient mice to explore the roles of STAT6 and IL-5 in the development of eosinophilic inflammation in this context. Quantitative PCR and ELISA were used to examine IL-5, eotaxins levels in serum and lungs. Eosinophils in lung, peripheral blood and bone marrow were characterized by morphological properties. CD4+ T cell and NK cells were identified by flow cytometry. Antibodies were used to deplete CD4+ and NK cells. We showed that STAT6 is indispensible for eosinophilic lung inflammation and the induction of eotaxin-1 and -2 during allergic airway inflammation. In the absence of these chemokines eosinophils are not attracted into lung and accumulate in peripheral blood. We also demonstrate the existence of an alternate STAT6-independent pathway of IL-5 production by CD4+ and NK cells that mediates the development of eosinophils in bone marrow and their subsequent movement into the circulation.
These results suggest that different points of eosinophilic inflammatory processes in allergic airway disease may be differentially regulated by the activation of STAT6-dependent and -independent pathways.
PMCID: PMC3057993  PMID: 21423619
PLoS Pathogens  2013;9(9):e1003615.
Author Summary
PMCID: PMC3777868  PMID: 24068930
25.  Glycomic analysis of human mast cells, eosinophils and basophils 
Glycobiology  2011;22(1):12-22.
PMCID: PMC3230278  PMID: 21725073
basophil; eosinophil; glycomics; mass spectrometry; mast cell

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