Cystathionine γ-lyase deficiency enhances airway reactivity and viral-induced disease in mice exposed to side-stream tobacco smoke.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a known risk factor for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, yet the mechanisms of ETS/RSV comorbidity are largely unknown. Cystathionine γ-lyase regulates important physiological functions of the respiratory tract.

Methods

We used mice genetically deficient in the cystathionine γ-lyase enzyme (CSE), the major H₂S-generating enzyme in the lung to determine the contribution of H₂S to airway disease in response to side-stream tobacco smoke (TS), and to TS/RSV co-exposure.

Results

Following a 2-week period of exposure to TS, CSE-deficient mice (KO) showed a dramatic increase in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine challenge, and greater airway cellular inflammation, compared

SUBMITTER: Ivanciuc T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6594876 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature