Cigarette smoke and non‐neuronal cholinergic system in the airway epithelium of COPD patients. Issue 8 (6th March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Montalbano, Angela M.; Di Sano, Caterina; Chiappara, Giuseppina; Riccobono, Loredana; Bonanno, Anna; Anzalone, Giulia; Vitulo, Patrizio; Pipitone, Loredana; Gjomarkaj, Mark; Pieper, Michael P.; Ricciardolo, Fabio L. M.; Gagliardo, Rosalia P.; Profita, Mirella
• Is Part Of: Journal of cellular physiology. Volume 233:Issue 8(2018:Aug.)
• Page Start: 5856
• Page End: 5868
• Publication Date: 2018-03-06
• Subjects: acetylcholine -- cell proliferation -- Choline‐Acetyl Transferase -- epithelial cells -- muscarinic receptor M3; Physiology -- Periodicals; Cell physiology -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9541

Abstract

Abstract : Acetylcholine (ACh), synthesized by Choline Acetyl‐Transferase (ChAT), exerts its physiological effects via mAChRM3 in epithelial cells. We hypothesized that cigarette smoke affects ChAT, ACh, and mAChRM3 expression in the airways from COPD patients promoting airway disease. ChAT, ACh, and mAChRM3 were assessed: "ex vivo" in the epithelium from central and distal airways of COPD patients, Healthy Smoker (S) and Healthy Subjects (C), and "in vitro" in bronchial epithelial cells stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). In central airways, mAChRM3, ChAT, and ACh immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the epithelium from S and COPD than in C subjects. mAChRM3, ChAT, and ACh score of immunoreactivity was high in the metaplastia area of COPD patients. mAChRM3/ChAT and ACh/ChAT co‐localization of immunoreactivity was observed in the bronchial epithelium from COPD. In vitro, CSE stimulation significantly increased mAChRM3, ChAT, and ACh expression and mAChRM3/ChAT and ACh/ChAT co‐localization in 16HBE and NHBE, and increased 16HBE proliferation. Cigarette smoke modifies the levels of mAChMR3, ChAT expression, and ACh production in bronchial epithelial cells from COPD patients. Non‐neuronal components of cholinergic system may have a role in the mechanism of bronchial epithelial cell proliferation, promoting alteration of normal tissue, and of related pulmonary functions. Abstract : Cigarette smoke is involved in the alteration of non‐neuronal cholinergic system components expression, contributing to the airway remodeling processes, and to the progressive decline in lung function in COPD patients.