Small-molecule Akt-activation in airway cells induces NO production and reduces IL-8 transcription through Nrf-2.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The non-cancerous functions of Akt in the airway are understudied. In some tissues, Akt phosphorylates and activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO) that has anti-inflammatory effects. NO production has antibacterial and antiviral effects in the airway, and increasing NO may be a useful anti-pathogen strategy. Akt also stimulates the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) transcription factor, which transcribes antioxidant genes. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of the Akt/eNOS pathway, which also activates Nrf-2, may have protective effects in human airway cells against injury.

Methods

To directly test the effects of Akt signaling in the airway, we treated A549 and 16HBE cells as well as primary bronchi

SUBMITTER: Gopallawa I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8525858 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature