effects of the cationic protein poly-l-arginine on airway epithelial cells in vitro影响阳离子蛋白质poly-l-arginine气道上皮细胞体外.pdfVIP

Research Communication Mediators of Inflammation, 11, 141– 148 (2002) BA CKGROUND : Allergic asthma is associated with an Effects of the cationic protein increased number of eosinophils in the airway wall. Eosinophils secrete cationic proteins, particularly poly-L-arginine on airway epithelial major basic protein (MBP). cells in vitro 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 Shahida ShahanaCA, Caroline Kampf and exposed to poly-L-arginine, and effects were deter- Godfried M. Roomans mined by light and electron microscopy. Results : Poly-L-arginine induced apoptosis and necro- sis. Transmission electron microscopy showed mito- chondrial damage and changes in the nucleus. The Department of Medical Cell Biology, University of tight junctions were damaged, as evidenced by pene- Uppsala, Box 571, SE 75123 Uppsala, Sweden tration of lanthanum. Scanning electron microscopy showed a damaged cell membrane with many pores. Microanalysis showed a significant decrease in the CA cellular content of magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, Corresponding author: potassium and chlorine, and an increase in calcium. Tel: +46 18 4714316 Plakoglobin immunoreactivity in the cell membrane Fax: +46 18 551120 was decreased, indicating a decrease in the number of E-mail: shahida.shahana@medcellbiol.uu.s e desmosomes Conclusions : The results point to poly-L-arginine induced membrane damage, resulting in increased permeability, loss of cell– cell contacts and gener- alized cell damage