Claudin-1 expression in airway smooth muscle exacerbates airway remodeling in asthmatic subjects

Background: Increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass is an essential component of airway remodeling and asthma development, and there is no medication specifically against it. Tight junction (TJ) proteins, which are expressed in endothelial and epithelial cells and affect tissue integrity, might exist in other types of cells and display additional functions in the asthmatic lung. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the existence, regulation, and function of TJ proteins in ASM in asthmatic patients. Methods: The expression and function of TJ proteins in primary ASM cell lines, human bronchial biopsy specimens, and a murine model of asthma were analyzed by means of RT-PCR, multispectral imaging flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester staining, tritiated thymidine incorporation, wound-healing assay, and luminometric bead array. Results: Increased claudin-1 expression was observed in ASM of asthmatic patients, as well as in a murine model of asthma-like airway inflammation. Whereas IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha upregulated claudin-1 expression, it was downregulated by the T(H)2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 in primary human ASM cells. Claudin-1 was localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm but not to the cell surface in ASM cells. Claudin-1 played a central role in ASM cell proliferation, as demonstrated by increased ASM cell proliferation seen with overexpression and decreased proliferation seen with small interfering RNA knockdown of claudin-1. Overexpression of claudin-1 induced vascular endothelial growth factor and downregulated IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-gamma-induced protein 10 production by ASM cells. Claudin-1 upregulation by IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha was suppressed by dexamethasone but not by rapamycin, FK506, or salbutamol. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that claudin-1 might play a role in airway remodeling in asthmatic patients by means of regulation of ASM cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and inflammation. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011;127:1612-21.)