Activation of Activin receptor-like kinases curbs mucosal inflammation and proliferation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

ABSTRACT: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a widespread disease causing obstruction of the nasal cavity. Its cause remains unclear. The transforming growth-factor beta (TGF-?) superfamily and their receptors, termed Activin receptor-like kinases (ALKs), have recently been suggested to play a role in local airway inflammation, but have so far not been evaluated in human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) from CRSwNP patients. We demonstrated that ALK1-7 were expressed in the nasal polyp epithelium, and the expression of ALK1-6 was markedly elevated in polyps compared to nasal mucosa from healthy controls. Stimulation with the ALK ligand TGF-?1 decreased Ki67 expression in HNECs from CRSwNP patients, not evident in controls. Likewise, TGF-?1, Activin A and Activin B, all ALK ligands, decreased IL-8 release and Activin A and Activin B reduced ICAM1 expression on HNECs from CRSwNP patients, not seen in controls. Pre-stimulation with TGF-?1, Activin A, BMP4 and Activin B attenuated a TNF-?-induced ICAM1 upregulation on HNECs of CRSwNP. No effect was evident in controls. In conclusion, an increased expression of ALK1-6 was found on polyp epithelial cells and ligand stimulation appeared to reduce proliferation and local inflammation in polyps.

SUBMITTER: Tengroth L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5784055 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature