Effects of cigarette smoke on barrier function and tight junction proteins in the bronchial epithelium: protective role of cathelicidin LL-37.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Airway epithelial barrier function is maintained by the formation of tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs). Inhalation of cigarette smoke causes airway epithelial barrier dysfunction and may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We assessed the effects of cigarette smoke on barrier function and expression of multiple TJ and AJ proteins in the bronchial epithelium. We also examined whether treatment with glucocorticosteroids (GCSs), long-acting β₂-agonists (LABAs), and human cathelicidin LL-37 can protect against cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced barrier dysfunction.

Methods

Calu-3 cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were pretreated with or without

SUBMITTER: Tatsuta M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6842552 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature