LY333531 attenuates contraction of tumor necrosis factor-α-sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells

Abstract

Objective

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the increased contraction of human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in asthma. Using the three-dimensional collagen gel contraction system, the study aimed to determine the effects of LY333531, a specific inhibitor of the PKC-β isoform, on the contraction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-sensitized HASMCs.

Methods

Cultured HASMCs were divided into five groups: the control group received no treatment, and the cells in the TNF-α group were sensitized with 10 ng/mL TNF-α for 48 h, while TNF-α was administered to sensitize HASMCs in the presence of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 μM LY333531 for 48 h in the 0.1LY, 0.2LY, and 0.5LY groups, respectively. Following this, HASMCs contraction was stimulated with 1 mM acetylcholine (ACh) for up to 24 h in each group and assessed using a three-dimensional collagen gel contraction assay. Furthermore, western blot and immunofluorescence analysis were performed.

Results

The collagen gel contraction assay revealed that TNF-α increased the protein expression of phosphorylated PKC-β2, CPI-17, and MLC while exacerbating ACh-induced HASMCs contraction. LY333531 significantly attenuated HASMCs contraction and downregulated the protein expression of both p-CPI-17 and p-MLC.

Conclusions

At least in part by regulating CPI-17 and MLC phosphorylation, LY333531 attenuates augmented contraction of TNF-α-sensitized HASMCs in a collagen gel contraction system.

Keywords:

• Airway hyperreactivity
• asthma
• CPI-17
• protein kinase C
• tumor necrosis factor-α

Author contributions

Shuyu Hu helped with the literature search, study design, experimental studies, data acquisition, and manuscript draft. Liangrong Wang helped with study design, experimental studies, definition of intellectual content, and manuscript editing. Miaomiao Zheng helped with experimental studies, data acquisition, and data analysis. Mengjia Wang helped with experimental studies, data acquisition, and statistical analysis. Baihui Chen helped with data interpretation and study design. Lina Lin helped with concept, study design, funding acquisition, statistical analysis, and manuscript review. All the authors participated in the critical revision of the manuscript and provided final approval of the version to be submitted.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Lina Lin, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the Wenzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau (grant number Y2020251). The funding agency had no role in study design, collection/analyses of data, decision to publish, or article preparation.