Effects of paramyxoviral infection on airway epithelial cell Foxj1 expression, ciliogenesis, and mucociliary function

Am J Pathol. 2001 Dec;159(6):2055-69. doi: 10.1016/S0002-9440(10)63057-X.

Abstract

To elucidate molecular mechanisms underlying the association between respiratory viral infection and predisposition to subsequent bacterial infection, we used in vivo and in vitro models and human samples to characterize respiratory virus-induced changes in airway epithelial cell morphology, gene expression, and mucociliary function. Mouse paramyxoviral bronchitis resulted in airway epithelial cell infection and a distinct pattern of epithelial cell morphology changes and altered expression of the differentiation markers beta-tubulin-IV, Clara cell secretory protein, and Foxj1. Furthermore, changes in gene expression were recapitulated using an in vitro epithelial cell culture system and progressed independent of the host inflammatory response. Restoration of mature airway epithelium occurred in a pattern similar to epithelial cell differentiation and ciliogenesis in embryonic lung development characterized by sequential proliferation of undifferentiated cells, basal body production, Foxj1 expression, and beta-tubulin-IV expression. The effects of virus-induced alterations in morphology and gene expression on epithelial cell function were illustrated by decreased airway mucociliary velocity and impaired bacterial clearance. Similar changes in epithelial cell Foxj1 expression were also observed in human paramyxoviral respiratory infection. Taken together, these model systems of paramyxoviral respiratory infection mimic human pathology and identify epithelial cell Foxj1 expression as an early marker of epithelial cell differentiation, recovery, and function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cilia / physiology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Epithelial Cells / virology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / metabolism*
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mucociliary Clearance / physiology*
  • Proteins / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism
  • Respiratory Mucosa / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Mucosa / virology
  • Respirovirus
  • Respirovirus Infections / metabolism
  • Respirovirus Infections / physiopathology*
  • Respirovirus Infections / virology
  • Trachea / cytology
  • Trachea / metabolism
  • Trachea / physiopathology
  • Trans-Activators / genetics*
  • Tubulin / genetics
  • Uteroglobin*

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FOXI1 protein, human
  • FOXJ1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SCGB1A1 protein, human
  • Scgb1a1 protein, mouse
  • Trans-Activators
  • Tubulin
  • Uteroglobin