TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of the cationic protein poly-L-arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro
AU - Shahana, Shahida
AU - Kampf, Caroline
AU - Roomans, Godfried M.
N1 - The technical assistance of Anders Ahlander, Marianne Ljungkvist and Leif Ljung is gratefully acknowledged. This study was supported financially by the Swedish Allergy and Asthma Foundation and the Swedish Care and Allergy Foundation (Vårdal).
PY - 2002/6
Y1 - 2002/6
N2 - BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).AIM: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.METHODS: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.RESULTS: Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomesCONCLUSIONS: The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.
AB - BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is associated with an increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly major basic protein (MBP).AIM: To investigate the effect of synthetic cationic polypeptides such as poly-L-arginine, which can mimic the effect of MBP, on airway epithelial cells.METHODS: Cultured airway epithelial cells were exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were determined by light and electron microscopy.RESULTS: Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necrosis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mitochondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by penetration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of desmosomesCONCLUSIONS: The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell-cell contacts and generalized cell damage.
KW - allergic asthma
KW - eosinophils
KW - major basic protein
KW - poly-t-arginine
KW - epithelial damage
U2 - 10.1080/09622935020138172
DO - 10.1080/09622935020138172
M3 - Article
C2 - 12137242
VL - 11
SP - 141
EP - 148
JO - Mediators of Inflammation
JF - Mediators of Inflammation
SN - 0962-9351
IS - 3
T2 - Scandinavian Society for Electron Microscopy Meeting
Y2 - 12 June 2001 through 15 June 2001
ER -